Tips for Travelers

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 12:14 pm

I know there are odds and ends of posts about travel scattered throughout the board, but I haven't seen much on what people really do to manage travel with their CPAP. Things like how do you wash and air dry your mask when you're jetting to another place day after day? How do you manage the need for distilled water? How do you manage all your carryon items when the airline insists that your CPAP must fit in your carry on, and not be an additional item because there isn't room on some of the shorter flights. Anything helpful to travelers would be appreciated. I've got a couple of extended trips coming up and would appreciate any help from those of you who have traveled with your equipment. Thanks in advance!

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 1:22 pm

I don't travel much but:

1. You wash and air dry your mask everyday?:shock: You might just use the in-room hair dryer to speed up the drying process.

2. FAA/DOT regs require that the cpap not be counted in your carry-on limit.

3. Your machine will do fine with regular tap water if you rinse out the chamber in the AM.

You may also want to check out the ASAA forum. Ed Grandi (the exec dir of the ASAA) has been talking with the FAA about these issues.

http://www.apneasupport.org/index.php

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 1:31 pm

Good points, WTTM, and thank you. I have checked the ASAA forum and FAA. One airline I use frequently has argued with me that the FAA regs apply to people with disabilities and sleep apnea is not a disability, therefore, no free extra carryon. And yes, I do wash whatever touches my face every day - probably not if I'm going to be traveling, though. The tap water suggestion should work, though, since water doesn't enter the machine, at least for shorter trips.

Any other suggestions? any problems finding outlets? needing longer cords, other things I should consider? Carrying along a copy of RX as proof? Just a few thoughts I've had.

sleepy gal · Post by **sleepy gal** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:05 pm

You should absolutely carry a long extension cord with you! Motel/hotel outlets near the bed(s) are generally full with lights, radios etc. Frequently the only other outlets available are a distance away from the nightstand.

I haven't flown with it, but driving, I do carry distilled H20 and a small bottle of baby shampoo for the mask's daily cleansing.

Hope the recalcitrant airline wises up. Perhaps a copy of the regs might help.

Good luck,

Nan

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:59 pm

Sleep apnea has been recognized as a disability under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Employers must allow people with this condition a later starting time if requested. (I read this, somewhere).

Present that to the FAA people next time they argue! Even if I'm wrong (I don't think so, but I can't find the reference) they'll be so busy covering their butts and unable to prove otherwise that you'll have no problem.

Distilled water I carry in a few water bottles that formerly held drinking water (e.g. Desani, etc.). I just wash the mask when I get up, pack it, and unpack as soon as I get to my destination. The air conditioner in hotels keeps the humidity so low that it air dries while in only a short while.

I deliberately bought a 420e and it's heated humidifier because they are very small. I was very happy to find it came with a padded carry case which is smaller than any carry-on limitation I've ever seen, and still has room for a surge protector power strip, water, mask, and more.

Actually I then put that case inside a rolling carry-on bag with a change of clothes and my shaving kit packed with all my medications, deoderant, toothbrush and paste, etc.

Even if all my other bags get lost, I'm good for a day or two!

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): 420E, humidifier, Power

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 11:29 pm

I spend a good bit of time traveling (hence the screen name) and have learned to cope with taking my cpap with me. I fill a small bottle with enough baby shampoo to last through my trip. On my day to fly, I wash the mask, sling out as much water as I can, and pack it in it's case. It is usually dry by the time I get to my next destination. I have not had any problems with it so far.

As for security and the airlines...I always carry a copy of my prescription, but so far have never needed to show it. Security has never questioned me about the cpap. I have also never had any problems with Delta, US Airways, American, Northwest, or ASA about the carry-on. Most airlines allow one carry-on with a second smaller personal item. My cpap is my second item.

The last several trips I have made, I have packed the cpap in my checked bag. I wrap the machine with bubble wrap and pack it in it's case, then strategically place it in the checked bag. I have not had any problems so far. I know that is dangerous and if the bag is lost, I will be without my cpap until it is found. So far, that has not happened. The last time my checked bag was lost, I had taken my cpap as a carry-on.

There is one drawback for me and that is that I have to carry a good bit of stuff with me on my travels. I have never tried to take my humidifier with me because of that. It would be just too much. So, while traveling, I use the cpap without the humidifier. That works out alright, but I hope to get a smaller unit for traveling that would allow me to take both the cpap and the humidifier.

Good luck with your travels,

Traveler

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:31 am

I also read that airlines can't keep you from carrying your DME and I would venture to say that your Machine is DME and if I can get a special rate from my utility (SDG&E) and they put a special insignia on my electric meter I would say it's DME And the FAA will back us all up.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:32 am

I read that in ask the expert at Apria.com

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 6:02 am

Here is a link to an earlier thread with several with DOT and TSA documents on the subject.

viewtopic.php?t=3142

Seems in your case we need to find some official Gov't document listing OSA as a disablity. Maybe Bill will find the one he recalls seeing.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:58 am

wading thru the muck! wrote:Maybe Bill will find the one he recalls seeing.

I doubt it. It was before I started treatment when my memory was still swiss cheese. I'm amazed that I remember reading anything from back then!

I'm editting what I said above to report partial success with my search. The Office of Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor does recognize sleep apnea among other sleep disorders as a disability and has a number of job related recommendations in line with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Specifically, sleep apnea is classified as a disability as follows:

Under the ADA (Title I, Section 2.2), an individual with a disability is a person who has:

- a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
- record of such an impairments; or
- is regarded as having such an impairment.

You can read the full text here: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/Sleep.html.

If you go to http://www.jan.wvu.edu, click on "Search" and enter "apnea" a number of documents are found. Intresting reading!

Mask