Tips for travelling with a CPAP.

[sleepysonya]

Hey!
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea at 17 and am now 24yrs old. Im leaving to go travelling in August and I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice. Any other young CPAP users out there? The begining and end of my trip I will be staying with friends in their houses and Im not too worried about that. Im more concerned with hostels and using budget airlines. The last thing I want to do is break it!! Anyone have experience with backpacking/budget travels and having a CPAP? To clarify Ill be in Europe and the UK. Thanks

[Krelvin]

There are actually quite a few threads on Traveling with your CPAP, Airline's and even whole camping threads. You might try using the Search box above to see what has been posted recently.

[palerider]

Hey!
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea at 17 and am now 24yrs old. Im leaving to go travelling in August and I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice. Any other young CPAP users out there? The begining and end of my trip I will be staying with friends in their houses and Im not too worried about that. Im more concerned with hostels and using budget airlines. The last thing I want to do is break it!! Anyone have experience with backpacking/budget travels and having a CPAP? To clarify Ill be in Europe and the UK. Thanks

it depends on what brand/series machine you have. some come with good travel cases, some don't. resmeds come with a good padded travel case. respironics sells a good travel case. the other brands, I don't know about.

taking an extension cord is recommended for hotels, since there many not be a handy plug.

don't check your cpap on a plane, keep it with you.

[webbie73]

If you are using a backpack traveling around Europe and carrying your cpap in that, you might want to wrap it in bubble wrap. Maybe use ziplock plastic bag for mask, hose extension cord, power block etc.

[BlackSpinner]

Remember to empty the water before packing, put it in a large plastic bag, bring an extension cord, never put it in luggage always a carry-on, bring a copy of your prescription in case something breaks.

If you have the cash buy a cheap second hand cpap machine to use while travelling and leave the good one at home.

[chrissy]

Definitely take an extension cord just in case. Never check your cpap, always carry with you. Customs etc are used to seeing people with medical equipment.

[49er]

Hi chrissy,

Just got back from a trip in the US and had no problems with taking my machine through TSA and on to the plane. Agree with all the advice but wanted to add that I vaguely remember a post on this board about if you fly on an European airline, they might have a different policy about whether the machine counts against the baggage limit or not whereas it doesn't in the US. I tried to find the post but couldn't so please check with the airline if what I say is relevant to your situation.

Have a great time.

49er

[Hose_Head]

Hi chrissy,

Just got back from a trip in the US and had no problems with taking my machine through TSA and on to the plane. Agree with all the advice but wanted to add that I vaguely remember a post on this board about if you fly on an European airline, they might have a different policy about whether the machine counts against the baggage limit or not whereas it doesn't in the US. I tried to find the post but couldn't so please check with the airline if what I say is relevant to your situation.

Have a great time.

49er

That might have been my post on the subject. Only the US TSA requires airlines to allow cpaps on board as a carry on that does not count against your carry-on limit. Other countries have their own policies. In Canada, CPAP is considered to be an allowed carry-on but it is counted as part of the carry-on allowance.

Best advice on this subject is to check with your airline IN ADVANCE of your flight, including airlines for connecting flights. Rules sometimes change so this is good advice for all carry-on and checked bag limits and costs.

[49er]

Hi chrissy,

Just got back from a trip in the US and had no problems with taking my machine through TSA and on to the plane. Agree with all the advice but wanted to add that I vaguely remember a post on this board about if you fly on an European airline, they might have a different policy about whether the machine counts against the baggage limit or not whereas it doesn't in the US. I tried to find the post but couldn't so please check with the airline if what I say is relevant to your situation.

Have a great time.

49er

That might have been my post on the subject. Only the US TSA requires airlines to allow cpaps on board as a carry on that does not count against your carry-on limit. Other countries have their own policies. In Canada, CPAP is considered to be an allowed carry-on but it is counted as part of the carry-on allowance.

Best advice on this subject is to check with your airline IN ADVANCE of your flight, including airlines for connecting flights. Rules sometimes change so this is good advice for all carry-on and checked bag limits and costs.

Hose_Head, your post is exactly the one I was thinking of so thanks for posting this. I think folks in the US forget that it may be different on other countries regarding the rules for being allowed to carry a cpap on the plane. I know I did that before I read your post initially.

49er

[Gasper62]

I would check to see what your machine's capabilities and requirements are with foreign voltage and plug configurations. You might require an adapter or two. Have fun, stay safe !