Newbie Going On Vacation Tomorrow-Need CPAP Packing Advice

[dog_tired1]

Hi,
Tomorrow I am going away with my 2 children and husband to Lake George (the mountains), in upstate New York. It is my 1st time going away with CPAP.
I am not sure what to take with me and I don't want to end up in the middle of nowhere and realize I forgot something important.

I use a Resmed S8 EscapeII with Hi humidifier and a Respironics EasyLife Mask. I ordered another machine from cpapauction.com and it came yesterday. It is a Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle244 with heated humidifier. It is brand new and I haven't used it yet. I am not sure of which one to take. Which one would you take?

Any suggestions besides taking the obvious (machine & mask) before I screw up? lol.

Thanks so much for your help.

~Dee

[jdm2857]

I wouldn't think you'd want to try to figure out a new machine while on vacation. So take the S8.

Don't forget the hose, and the power cord. The cord is often the thing left behind. (Note: The S8 cords are standard power cords. I have used the cord from an older Canon printer with no problem. So if you do forget it, you can probably find a replacement locally.)

Do you use a hose management system? Distilled water? Software and a laptop for data monitoring?

And don't forget to empty the humidifier water chamber before moving the machine. Water inside a CPAP is a bad thing.

[gulfpearl]

When travelling I always take an extension cord with me in case the plugs are too far from the bed. Make sure before you leave you have your power cords, mask ,headgear, and distilled water. I once travelled & forgot my mask never again I now make a checklist & check it before leaving. I wouldn't take a new cpap I never used to travel .

[Roman Hokie]

Take what you're used to. Don't make changes while you're on vacation. It's hard enough (sometimes) to sleep somewhere unfamiliar.

I'd stick to Distilled Water for the Humidifier. I use about 4oz a night (my tank holds about 16oz or so) in my H5i.

You didn't mention your accommodations. I'd be taking a single outlet surge protector (Wal-Mart or Lowes), hose, mask, machine, data card (in machine - I have the S9). Power options if you're camping without power. Humidifier (from what I read) uses a LOT of power, so leave it at home if you're sleeping out of A/C range.

Since you're leaving tomorrow, even if it's not time to clean the hose (soapy water swish and rince), do it today.

Scrunchies (hair thingies) and stuff for hose management in the event there are no bedposts to wrap hose around...

You want to keep the machine below your face (night stand, whatever) or plan on suffering rainout with the humidifier.

Based on your destination and where you're coming from, looks like you're driving. Kinda pointless to fly that short of a drive.

Power pack. Yeah, bring that.

[allen476]

The easiest way is to make a checklist of items that you use every night followed by items that you might need. Like....

__Machine (and don't forget the power cord)
__Hose
__Mask
__Backup mask
__Water (If you use distilled)
__Humidifier chamber (You would be surprised how many people forget this)
__Comfort items (hose cover,pad-a-cheeks,tights,etc.)
__extension cord
__any other item that you might use nightly (tape,chapstik,Polident strips, facewash, cleaning supplies, etc.)
__rescue kit (duct tape, electrical tape, rubber bands, hair scrunchies, 3M Command hooks) This stuff can be bought locally if needed but if it is a remote location, then you might want to take it.

What I might also recommend is laying out everything and then make the list.

As far as taking your new machine, did you buy it for this trip or is it a replacement for your existing machine?

Allen

[dog_tired1]

Thanks so much for all the tips. ((((((((((Big Hugs To All Of You)))))))))). I knew I would get the best advice here.

The new machine was so I could finally get some data, because the S8 EscapeII that my crooked DME sold me has only compliance data, grrrrr. Did not know it until it was too late to argue.

Just for my vacation I will take my S8 EscapeII because I am used to it. I can play with my new toy (F&P SleepStyle 244) when I get home. I can't wait to check out the data and see how my CPAP therapy is working. I got the Maximizer Software from some kind hearted person who gave it to me for free.

I will take distilled water in 2 1 pint Poland Spring water bottles. Thank goodness, I saved them and didn't throw them out because I do not feel like lugging a 1 gallon container with me. I don't use much water in my humidifier, so this would be more than enough for my trip. I also bought a brand new hose sealed in the package to take with me.

I am glad someone mentioned the extension cords. I didn't think of that. I am worried because I don't have a surge protector though. I don't have time to get one either.

I am staying in a hotel, so I guess they would have a back up generator in case of emergency. I didn't buy a battery back up for my machine because it was too expensive. I also got one of those hose holders that goes under the mattress and has a hook to hold up your hose. I haven't taken it out of the box yet, but will use it when I get there.

Arggghhh! I never knew what a pain in the @$$ is is to travel with CPAP. I even have to take my special pillow with me because otherwise my mask will get in the way when I sleep. My husband is annoyed because he thinks this is a pain in the rear end. He can't believe how many things I am taking just for 7 days. On top of it, I am also taking a portable fan with me because when I sleep I like to have cool air blowing on me and my face. If not, I feel like I am suffocating. Poor hubby thinks I am nuts, lol.

Thanks so much, and keep those tips coming. I am sure I probably am still forgetting something else.

~Dee

[roncron]

If you're flying (or if not, when you do someday take your cpap on a flight):

- a copy of your cpap prescription, just in case the tsa gives you a hard time
- 2-3 sections of paper towel, to line the bin before you put your life-saving respiratory equipment in the bin, as TSA does not clean and sterilize the bins between uses (then, obviously discard the paper towels when you remove your cpap machine when you get thru security)

[dog_tired1]

Hi roncron,
We are driving from Long Island (the city) to Upstate New York (the mountains/country). I am a scaredy cat and am phobic of flying. The only way to get me on a plane would be to drug me up with horse tranquilizers.

It will take a few hours by car and I am not looking forward to the long ride (kids whining "are we there yet" every 5 minutes) lol!

~Dee

[bearded_two]

Don't worry about the surge protector if you don't have one -- I have used CPAP for 15 years and don't use one. Although I don't carry a surge protector, I do carry a CPAP battery with me when I travel. Some large hotels have back up generators that power elevators and some essential equipment, but I have never seen a hotel with a back up generator that powers guest room outlets.

[Patrick A]

I would take my new machine with me as a back up.
When every my wife and I travel I always carry 2 machines with me. If one quits I have a back up. Last October we decided to go away for a weekend, left in the RV got where we were going. Everything was fine until the machine in the RV quit at 0430 hrs. No Back up. I can not and do not sleep with out my BiPap, so the next day we went home.

[bearded_two]

I always make sure that I have a copy of my prescription and cpap.com's phone number with me when I travel. I can order a mask or even new machine from cpap.com and have it shipped overnight. If there is a weekend involved and overnight shipping won't work, I can pick up a mask or rental machine at a local DME.

[kempo]

Having a copy of your prescription when your out of town over night is a very good idea. I would have never thought of that. I'll keep a copy in my cpap travel bag. Thanks for that tip bearded_two.

[Muse-Inc]

Tail end of a roll of duct tape for any hose leaks, pantyhose to rig mask headgear (just in case), some non-slip plastic to set xPAP on so it doesn't slide.