Travel Questions

[VABeach]

I am fairly new (3 month and doing fine). I would appreciate any responses to a couple of simple questions regarding travel.

First Questions: When checking through security at the airport, I know that the CPAP machine is checked separately. My question is do I tell the first TSA person that I have a medical device or do I just simply take the CPAP machine out of the case place it in the tray like a laptop? If so, do they (TSA Staff) then direct me to another check point? I've not travelled with the CPAP before and prefer not to expose my CPAP to those dirty trays if possible.

Second Question: I am not planning on taking my 4I humidifier on my trip to the Caribean due to higher humidity. My usual setting is 2. I have used it a settings of 1 to 8 and with the exception of rainout at 8, no other problems. I don't want to expose my humidifier to anything. Is it a mistake to leave the humidifier at home. The trip is 7 days.

Opinions are appreciated, Thank you

[JohnBFisher]

... I would appreciate any responses to a couple of simple questions regarding travel. ...

In addition to the very clear questions you ask below, you can search the forum for many answers already provided on traveling with xPAP devices. But you asked nicely, so I'll happily answer.

... First Questions: When checking through security at the airport, I know that the CPAP machine is checked separately. My question is do I tell the first TSA person that I have a medical device or do I just simply take the CPAP machine out of the case place it in the tray like a laptop? ...

I just pull it out of the case and put it separately into a try like a laptop. I use a lot of trays as a result. When I get upto the X-RAY machine, I also usually note it's a "CPAP" unit. They don't need to know that it's a BiPAP or ASV or XYZ unit. Just say "CPAP" and they will understand.

... If so, do they (TSA Staff) then direct me to another check point? I've not travelled with the CPAP before and prefer not to expose my CPAP to those dirty trays if possible. ...

They will swab the xPAP unit and possibly bag for explosives. So, you will have to gather your stuff from the conveyor belt and head over to where the unit is being tested. But it's not a big deal.

I never worry about the trays. Others have noted they can be REALLY dirty. But so what? I always do a visual inspection of the tray to make certain there is nothing other than dust that will transfer. It's not as if you will eat off of it.

However, if you are overly concerned about getting the unit dirty, you can put it in a LARGE clear plastic bag. You can even ask the TSA person to use new gloves when they take it out of the bag and test the unit.

... Second Question: I am not planning on taking my 4I humidifier on my trip to the Caribean due to higher humidity. My usual setting is 2. I have used it a settings of 1 to 8 and with the exception of rainout at 8, no other problems. I don't want to expose my humidifier to anything. Is it a mistake to leave the humidifier at home. The trip is 7 days. ...

You are correct the relative humidity of the area makes a big difference. I've used xPAP for more than 18 years. I don't mind going without a humidifier even to very dry areas. But I am much more accustomed to it than you are. If you were going farther north or toward a dry area, I would suggest taking it. But in the Caribean, you should be fine.

However, you might want to take some saline nasal spray to help keep your nasal membranes moist. That might help if they feel dry and/or sore.

Enjoy your trip!

[secret agent girl]

.

[BlackSpinner]

Of course with the latest incident of someone attempting to blow up a plane - all bets are off with regard to carry on luggage and the TSA will be hyper vigilant.

[JohnBFisher]

Of course with the latest incident of someone attempting to blow up a plane - all bets are off with regard to carry on luggage and the TSA will be hyper vigilant.

Yes, they will be. Just allow enough time to clear security and extra screening as a result. However, you can still carry on your xPAP machine onto the airline. It won't change the process, just make the screening process longer than it was before.

[Reddwarf]

I travel weekly. What I do is take the machine out of the bag and put it in a tray. I usually have other items in the tray as well. Most of the time I will alert a TSA agent that I have a CPAP comimg through. Some seem to appreciate the heads up, some just ignore me. I watch so I can raise my hand when they ask who it belongs to. They always, always, check the machine with the chemical analysis test.

A tip I learned is to pack a small extension code with you. Hotels don't usually have a lot of plugs available so the cord comes in very handy.

[Gerryk]

Also take the surge protector with that you plug the cpap into at home. What you don't plug it into one? You should be plugging that into a good surge protector no matter where you use it.

I would also suggest you take the humidifier with you. What happens if you get there and the air is dry. You know how that works, 51 weeks out of the year the air is moist but the one week you go it will be dry but only if you leave your humidifier at home. It's not like the old huge humidifiers and will take up a large amount of room.

Also get a copy of the prescription for your mask and machine. I scanned mine into my computer and I keep the PDF file of it on my laptop and a paper copy in with my cpap.

Now make a list up of everything you use with your cpap and keep it in the bag for when you travel so you don't forget something. This past month there were three members on here who went on vacation and forgot something. Two of them forgot their humidifier chambers at home and could not use the cpap without the chamber. The third left part of their mask at home.

One last thing. Don't forget the postcards we will all be waiting for them in the mailbox.

Gerry

[Muse-Inc]

You are carrying it in your ResMed travel bag...right? And you are carrying it with you and pre-boarding to ensure you can stow the bag safely...right? And you do have it tagged as Medical Equipment...right? The humidifier isn't that big and as Gerry said, that will turn out to be the DRY AS A DESERT week . Seriously, have you tried sleeping without the humidifier...how did you do? I'm one of those who can't do without.

As to TSA, put the APAP into a large ziplock baggie, then put the unit and baggie in the bin for handling, ask the agent to don new gloves. If you're concerned about germs, get the concierge to find (or direct you to) some white vinegar (kitchen should have some or laundry), then spray everything with it and let it sit for 1-2 mins total (this disinfects), then rinse well and let air dry.

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

Has anyone had any difficulty buying distilled water when travelling to other countries ie: to the Caribbean..?

[plr66]

Has anyone had any difficulty buying distilled water when travelling to other countries ie: to the Caribbean..?

Well-known brands of bottled drinking water will be fine. For trips, it's just not necessary to hunt down or lug around distilled water.

[TheDreamer]

First Questions: When checking through security at the airport, I know that the CPAP machine is checked separately. My question is do I tell the first TSA person that I have a medical device or do I just simply take the CPAP machine out of the case place it in the tray like a laptop? If so, do they (TSA Staff) then direct me to another check point? I've not travelled with the CPAP before and prefer not to expose my CPAP to those dirty trays if possible.

First trip, I didn't take my machine out....that results in some angry TSA agents....also on the outbound flight, I didn't notice that there was a separate security line for medical devices and such. Second trip I did take the machine out...but I put in an plastic bag. It was good, because the agents by the xray grabbed my machine and put it in another tray and other then handled it some more (had to be in a tray by itself...) Only the agent that was doing the swab put on new gloves. But, what of the two other agents that handled it first.....I didn't even notice if they had gloves, but I'm sure they did.

Though coming back the agent doing the swab complained about it being in a bag, saying don't you know I have to open it. Duh... I ask stupid questions because.... Third trip, the agent remarked about it being a good idea that my machine was in a plastic bag. Coming back more agents handled my machine after I put it in the tray....and they kept rearranging things (putting it in another tray with other stuff, and doing more rearranging...my shoes ended up in the same tray with my cpap....) Though they didn't swab the machine or take it for additional screening. Though that last airport was Calgary....

Second Question: I am not planning on taking my 4I humidifier on my trip to the Caribean due to higher humidity. My usual setting is 2. I have used it a settings of 1 to 8 and with the exception of rainout at 8, no other problems. I don't want to expose my humidifier to anything. Is it a mistake to leave the humidifier at home. The trip is 7 days.

I wouldn't leave mine at home....might find that an airconditioned room is dry enough that you'll want it, or that its just not humid enough to be without. Of course, if it is humid enough....you can just not use it, but at least you have it along in case.

First trip I asked in advance about getting distilled water....no, I used bottled water instead. Second trip I didn't ask, just used bottled water. Third trip, I asked for distilled water...and there was a gallon jug waiting for me....I had also packed a couple bottles along....papFLASK. I had put them in a ziploc bag and into my suitcase....the bottles survived and no leakage, but the ziploc bag got chewed up....

I have an in-line surge protector for my CPAP...and I then have a basic 6-outlet strip with a 15' cord, I got it for the 15' cord....though it is handy to plug other things into, like for charging my iPhone. Haven't needed the length yet...though sometimes they make it really challenging to find an open outlet by the bed. But, since the room in Chicago most of the lamps had burned out light bulbs, there wasn't any loss from unplugging them to get a more accessible outlet. Darn, I knew I forgot to put something down on the survey.

The Dreamer.

[montana user]

I was like Thedreamer and did not take my CPAP out of the bag when I went to Alaska. They asked who's CPAP machine it was and politely told me I had to take it out of the bag next time. So they did their swab and back in the bag it went. No bid deal. On the way home, though I put the CPAP in my suitcase so I didn't have to mess with it at the check points.

[howkim]

Second Question: I am not planning on taking my 4I humidifier on my trip to the Caribean due to higher humidity.

I live in S. Florida, not all that far from "the Caribbean." Down here, we have 2 seasons, the wet and the dry. Dry lasts from November to April and is DRY. (I heard that last year we got about 4 inches of rain during that period. This year's had somewhat more, so far.) I use my humidifier every night.