Traveling with PAP…

[Perry]

As I was packing things up in Chicago this morning to return home I was thinking about how many people routinely travel for 1 – 2 week trips with their PAP machine and if anyone had really posted about how to do that and cover for things that can go wrong. I have not searched all the forums (and have been trying to catch up on things), but thought that I could post how I do it and ask for comments.

I have been carrying a PAP machine and Heated Humidifier around for about 6 years, and do spend a fair amount of time on the road (one thing that limits my time to post). This travel is about evenly mixed between car and plane trips. Sometimes I stay in one place for 5 days or more, often I move every day or two over a 1 – 2 week period. Of course, some trips are only for a day or two.

So here is what I do and some lessons I have learned.

My equipment / parts / records List:

AutoAdjust LT or 418P APAP (the two APAPs I have traveled with).

Fisher Paykel HC-150 Heated Humidifier with the Folding base and HC-300 Permanent chamber.

ResMed Full Face mask.

Humidifier hose & 6 Ft hose in an insulated hose sleeve.

12 Ft heavy duty 3 prong extension cord.

One to a 3 plug adapter (3 prong plug) – sometimes there is a receptacle close enough to use – but only one plug available.

2 prong plug to 3 prong plug adapter (only needed this several times in older hotels or houses).

Computer cable for APAP.

Short piece of rope (about 5 ft).

Spare parts kit for Resmed mask (nose vent piece, swivel disconnect & inlet elbow, plastic clips, exhalation valve membrane).

Other “mask” supplies: Note that my mask has 4 modifications to it to make it work. Should a mask really fail and I have to buy one on the road – that does not have my modifications – I can do other things to make a new mask work. One of those things is putting precut pieces of DuoDerm on my nose at night (at about $3.00 per night). I carry enough supplies to get me through a few nights with a brand new mask.

Roll (partial roll) of Scotch Supper 33+ electrical tape (great for fixing a hose leaks – it is stretchy and will not come of in a few months). This tape cost over $3.00 per roll and works so much better than “cheap” electrical tape.

Mask cleaning supplies: In my case: plain tissue paper to dry out mask each morning and dry the alcohol used on the mask cushion (a handful), and a stack of alcohol pads. I can wash other parts if needed with shampoo.

Copy of current prescription from my Dr.: “AutoCPAP, with software, and heated Humidifier.” This allows me to purchase replacement supplies anywhere on the spot if I get into major trouble (and I have had a new machine overnighted to my next hotel once when my older machine started having problems).

I also have asthma; so my daily asthma meds are packed with the PAP equipment (a complete spare set of inhalers are packed in my ordinary luggage).

I also pack my vitamins with my PAP equipment (premade up little ziplock bags for each meal).

Thus I have all my medical related supplies in one bag.

Note that I wrap my HX-300 humidifier chamber in a piece of bubble wrap as part of the packing process.

The extension cord, power cord, computer cable, and rope fit into one pocket (with the 3 plug adapter plugged into the power cord and the 2 prong to 3 prong adapter plugged into it).

All of this is packed into a “airline” type travel case that fits into the overhead bin on most planes. I purchased a really good one (Samsonite) about 6 years ago and it has done very well after many total months on the road, and looks like it will make it another 6 years. Since it is medical gear I never check it with ordinary luggage. I can always carry it and my briefcase (with computer) onto the plane – except for really small jets where you check carryon at the plane (and pick it up from the plane).

Note that I filled in the back of this travel case with pieces of hard foam insulation (1” foamboard – house insulation) so that the inside back of the case is flat.

There is usually room to carry some food items, or if needed an asthma peak flow meter.

In the hotel room I typically fill my humidifier with hot water as it is usually softened, which prevents if from settling deposits in my humidifier chamber. If I am going to be somewhere for over 3 nights I will usually purchase a gallon of distilled water.

Hope this helps.

What do other people do?

Perry

[njy]

I flew for the first time with my "new friend." What a pain!! I managed to bring most of the same items you mentioned, however what I ran into was my machine started displaying an error message. After searching online to see what was the issue, all I could find was discontinue use and call your medical support center. So the "friend" had a nice trip to Chicaog and Orlando with a nice rest because it wasn't even used after three nights.

I must add, that I was so frustrated, I threw the thing into my checked luggage, inside its bag, and it survived.
thanks for the suggestions
Nancy

[rested gal]

Great checklist, Perry. Lots of good hints there. The 2 to 3 prong plug adapters for older sockets are a good idea. Gonna add those to my list! Thanks!

[Griff]

OK, I'll bite.................

What's the rope for?

[Good Night]

The best item I carry is an extra electrical cord to plug in the machine. Many times I've been traveling and discovered that I left the cord back home. I now have an extra that stays in my case so I will never have to go without my CPAP. I don't usually carry the humidifier along due to my trips being only 2-3 days in length. Any longer, I always bring it with. It also seems the airport personnel are becoming more familiar with this device, they don't even look twice at it as it goes through the x-ray machine. It's literally been a life saver.

[Severeena]

We never leave home without the distilled water, cooler full of food, pop and beer beer, flashlight, blankets extra coats and clothes not in suitcases.

We even carry a few things I cannot mention.

He is a Viet Nam Vet so he is ready for anything.

[Perry]

Severeena:

When I travel by car I often take other things - including at times distilled water. When flying a lot of those extras are left at home.


Griff:

The rope has many uses....

However, what I usually use it for relates to ensuring the hose is run in such a manner that the condensed water in it drains back to the humidifier - to minimize hose gurgle (I run my heated humidifier on MAXIMUM as I mouth breath and need a lot of humidity - I live in rainout).

Recently I have changed how I run the hose (i now stuff it under the back corner of my pillow and let it run generally up behind my head) which has reduced the use of the rope; but there are still times when it comes in handy.

Perry

[wading thru the muck!]

Perry,

Have you discovered the Aussie heated hose? Many of us here use it and swear by it. It's the best thing to help minimize the rain-out.

http://www.sleepzone.com.au/

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Ditto...you should really check into the heated ose. It was the best $89 I have spent. I won't go witout it now. Not only won't you get rainout on high, but it breatly warms the air coming to you and makes it comfortable. I swear by that thing! Jen

[Severeena]

Perry, we never fly. Hubby doesn't like it. He was a door gunner in Viet Nam so flying really doesn't appeal to him.

Enjoy your flight time. I use to like flying myself, but I have not flown since 9/11.

[rested gal]

Add my endorsement to what Jen and Wader said. Perry, you gotta getcha' one - the Aussie heated hose! Amazingly effective against rainout.

[Severeena]

Does the Aussie heated hose come in 8 foott length as well?

I like my 8 foot hose.

[Perry]

Thanks for the tip on the heated hose. I had heard it was available late last year but things in general work and I was busy concentrating on other things.

I will add it to my "desired purchase" list. At least for the start of the year I have to watch my money.

Perry

[Janelle]

Since I prefer my hose to be overhead, I also include a suction cup hook, which I can attach to the glass on the picture that is always above the bed or to the headboard if it is big enough. I usually detach it when i get up so the cleaning lady doesn't know I've done that horrible thing. I use the case for the APAP to put all sleeping items in and keep them there: hose, humidifier, hook, extension cord, any bedtime medications, as well as a bottle (drinking water size) filled with distilled water, and my Tempurpedic small size sleeping pillow that I found at Walmart--same shape as the regular Swedish neck pillow just about half the size, great for traveling. I often use plain tap water and just empty the chamber if any is left the next morning and haven't had any mineral build up in over a year of doing this. And i've done it for up to 5 days, even actually forgot to empty it several time and had no problem.

I always have it separate from my luggage and even carry it on to the smaller planes. I have never had a problem getting it in the overhead bin (420e)

[PAPalogical]

I'd add 2 items to the list:

1) Extra filters: >1 disposable + 1 washable/re-usable.
I always bring 1 disp + 1 washable on trips, even if just 1 wk (in case they fall out during TSA inspection). Just got back from 4wks away - mostly in Bangalore (Bengaluru), India. Noticed the air from the CPAP "smelled" funny after a few days in Bangalore - the disposable filter was dirtier (dark grey) after 1wk than it was after a months at home (dirtier than when I got busy at home and forgot to replace it for 3 months)).
I used the 1 spare I had with me, and after a week it was just as dirty. Was quiet busy, so didn't get around to trying to find a DME (or equivalent) there. Next trip I'm going to pack 2 spare sponges and 1 white filter / wk of trip, just in case.

2) Instead of a humidifier, Ayr Gel + Q-tips.
A quick swab with a small amount of Ayr Gel kept my sinuses happy. YMMV - I use a humidifier @ home, but w/ the heat off.