travelling

[palmer1121]

hi there
I have been browsing the forum for post related to the best cpap (efficacy, size, weight) for when I travel as I do fly a number of times throughout the year.
1. any recommendations? I have read about the transcend on the site. looks goo but it doesn't allow for expiratory release (sorry if not correct word). I think that may feel suffocated. Any other suggestions

2. any recommendations on how to best search the website using the search field. When I put a word in ..it brings up so many post..event if it is part of a word or sentence (eg travel..it included travel case). I would appreciate some tips on search through the forum
thanks so much

[RogerSC]

On the search function, click on "Advanced search" to the right of the "Search" button and you can read about various options that can help you qualify your searches more to get search hits that are more what you're looking for. The "+" is one that I find useful, the word following the "+" must be in the search text hits. If you just give a list of words, you'll get hits that have any of the words. If you use "+", you'll get hits that have all the words that have a "+" in front of them. The inverse, "-" is also available if there are words that you don't want in the search hits that you get. And so on. Lots of ways to qualify searches to get better quality results.

[Iowamv]

I'll be interested in this as well. I'm new here, but I'm looking at my s9 without the humidifier and thinking "how much smaller do they get?" Maybe the idea of a travel machine predates the latest versions of these machines? That s9 compared the amount of other stuff I bring when I travel seems about the right size. The other stuff (hose, mask, power source) seems like it would take more space that the little s9.

[Tino2You]

I've taken my S9 backup machine (Escape Auto) on several trips and it travels well. I carry it on and because it is medical equipment it is not counted as one of my bags. I place my mask and hose in clear plastic gallon zip lock bags to keep them a tad cleaner. I include a copy of my prescription and a strip extension cord as hotel don't always have enough outlets near the bed. I wait till I arrive to get distilled water and don't bother trying to lug the leftover home.
-tino

[StuUnderPressure]

I am also one who thinks that the current machines are small enough & light enough to be able to take on airline trips without the need for a "lighter" travel machine.

In fact, my "travel" machine is my previous Respironics brick that is much heavier than my current ResMed S9 AutoSet.
Even that machine is not really that heavy.

You are going to have that extra bag anyway.
A pound or so more or less is not going to make much difference.

I do believe in having a backup machine & using 1 or the other of your 2 machines as your "travel" machine. Just not having to pack & unpack your only machine is worth it.

[dos coyotes]

I have the ResMed S9 here at home and without the humidifier I suspect it would be fine as a travel machine. However, I took advice from the forum here and bought a second machine as 1) a travel machine and 2) a backup in cast the S0 craps out. I got a great deal from a forum member who sells here occasionally on an Icon Auto. It's footprint is about the size of the S9 sans humidifier, BUT it has the humidifier built in! It also functions as an alarm clock and will even wake you to your own selection of music (mp3 files). It came with a nice small travel bag that holds the machine, my mask, hose and even an extension power strip for those hotels that never have enough outlets in the right places.

I've not flown with it but will be going to Scotland/Ireland next year. I plan to either take the Icon or possibly seek out one of the 'soda can' models if the price is right.

Like others, I believe i having a back up and for all the traveling I do, it's nice to not have to arrive at home and unpack and set up my Cpap machine - I leave the S9 by the bed and tote around the Icon.

[billbolton]

but I'm looking at my s9 without the humidifier and thinking "how much smaller do they get?"

If you aren't using the humidifier, you can use the 30W power supply for the S9 instead of the 90W one, and reduce travel weight/size even further

Cheers,

Bill

[bosstow]

Also, the latest 90w AC adapter is smaller

viewtopic.php?t=92093

[palmer1121]

Thanks everyone! Great info. Maybe I can use my older phillips respironics. The only thing is a previous DME locked the settings and I need to increase the pressure. Is there a way to unlock if I don't have the code or do a hard reset to unlock it

[RandyJ]

FWIW when I am away from home I don't like to introduce too many variables to my sleep; it's bad enough that the room will be different, bed will be different, exposure (light coming into room etc) and noises will be different. I like my cpap to feel the same. I have a few machines but they are pretty much the same (PR System One Bipap Auto, S9 VPAP Auto).

I'm not sure I would want to use a radically different machine (Transcend, cpap without humidifier etc) while traveling since, in combination with all of the other variables, might result in poor sleep.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[StuUnderPressure]

Thanks everyone! Great info. Maybe I can use my older phillips respironics. The only thing is a previous DME locked the settings and I need to increase the pressure. Is there a way to unlock if I don't have the code or do a hard reset to unlock it

Go to http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/member.php
There you can get a "Clinician" Manual for your specific machine which will tell you the secret handshake (just kidding, it ain't rocket science) to allow you to change your pressure.

[palmer1121]

Thanks

[RogerSC]

I have to say that I haven't had any problems with the logistics of taking my ResMed S9 Autoset camping and to motels, hotels, etc. I do worry a bit about it getting damaged during travel or stolen out of a hotel, or motel, or car, etc. So if I had the opportunity to get another "reasonably priced" S9 Autoset for traveling, I'd most likely go for it. I try not to let the worry spoil my traveling, though, usually travel for pleasure *smile*. But it is pretty easy to pack and unpack with the padded bag that it came in. I usually do take the humidifier, too, and just use it in "passive" mode if on battery; i.e. don't turn on the humidifier, just let the air blow over the water. If you do that, just using regular slimline tubing with a ResMed zippered cozy on it has simplified things for me for tent camping.

[dvejr]

I have a machine and mask that stays home and a machine and mask that travels. Like others, I pack an extension cord, too.