CPAP use in the Wilderness

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
bwca
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:30 pm

CPAP use in the Wilderness

Post by bwca » Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:35 pm

A discussion has been started on the BWCA discussion site about CPAP use. The BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) is a wilderness area where motorized vehicles are not allowed. There is question whether CPAPs are allowed, and if so what options are there for using them (battery, solar, etc). Please share your thoughts at:
http://bwcaboard.com/board/viewtopic.ph ... 5290#p5290

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rested gal
Posts: 12881
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: CPAP use in the Wilderness

Post by rested gal » Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:52 pm

bwca, you might be interested in sharing this link with the members over there:

LINKS to Battery operation, camping, power outage
viewtopic.php?t=9682
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435

ResmedUser
Posts: 139
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2011 10:55 pm
Location: Doing OK again

Re: CPAP use in the Wilderness

Post by ResmedUser » Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:00 pm

bwca wrote:A discussion has been started on the BWCA discussion site about CPAP use. The BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) is a wilderness area where motorized vehicles are not allowed. There is question whether CPAPs are allowed, and if so what options are there for using them (battery, solar, etc). Please share your thoughts at:
http://bwcaboard.com/board/viewtopic.ph ... 5290#p5290
I backpack a lot...or at least WAS backpacking a lot until recently when my gear broke. I am a longtime backpacker and CPAP is incompatible with anything but one day hiking trips. So now all I do is one day trips. I just dont sleep out anymore.

If I had an RV camper or something I could do loop treks and always come back to the RV to sleep with my CPAP, but I dont have an RV.

For canoeing, you could carry one of those big batteries (car batter or marine battery, basically) in your canoe and pack it in a waterproof pelican case that floats and make sure it is waterproofed in some sort of heavy duty waterproof bag. Although personally, I would not bother.

It would probably be better to just limit yourself to one day trips from now on IMO. OSA is serious biz and is not exactly compatible with extended outdoor treks of any sort. Also, you might slow down your fellow canoers/backpackers.

Mikey

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MaskHumidifier
Additional Comments: I actually own the Resmed S9 full maxed out APAP, but Id rather have an older S8 APAP as I think the S8 APAPs were better.
The key to successful OSA therapy is 100% compliance, every night.

AlpineJack
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:25 pm

Re: CPAP use in the Wilderness

Post by AlpineJack » Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:45 pm

I would checkout The Battery Geeks. They seem to have the best portable power solutions for CPAPs. I was referred to them by my sleep doctor and they hooked me up with a solution that ended up to be pretty sweet for my wilderness excursion adventures. They even have a new portable solar charging solution now and also some new low cost rental program options. Their site is at http://www.batterygeek.net/cpap