Traveling With My CPAP

[willphil]

Hi all, I'll be making my first trip this week since beginning my CPAP therapy about 2 months ago.

Any advice on getting through the airport inspection? I plan on carrying my unit on the plane.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

[Linda3032]

Click here:

viewtopic.php?t=3142

[rested gal]

willphil, you may have already thought of this, but bears repeating -- be sure to take along an extension cord. Sometimes it's hard to find an unused or easily accessible electrical outlet close enough to the bed at some hotels.

Also can help to have some velcro strips and a big safety pin or clip of some kind, or even just some big rubber bands to fasten the air hose to mattress sheet or to the headboard, to keep the main air hose up out of your way.

A Rubbermaid container will give extra protection to your mask in your carry-on.

Have a good trip and good sleep!

[dankazoo]

I travel every week and have yet to encounter a problem with TSA in the airports. RG has a good suggestion on the extension cord. I also travel with an adapter to allow two plugs as my CPAP and humidifier both have power plugs and hotel outlets are at a premium. If traveling becomes a habit, I also take a water bottle with distilled water so my humidifier doesn't become filled with mineral crud from hotel tap water.
Best regards-

[snork1]

definitely take an extension cord.

You can get a very compact very basic single outlet wall wart type surge suppressor, which is a good thing to protect your machine's electronics.

A "platypus" water bag from your local backpacking store is a nice compact way to carry a couple of days worth of distilled water for short trips, for your humidifier.

When going through security, I have found calling it a "CPAP machine" will often get a bewildered look. Someone in front of me with CPAP called it a "breathing machine" and everyone nodded knowingly. I have adopted that terminology for security and it seems to put them more at ease and eases your way on through.

[Guest]

I've travelled quite a bit with a CPAP in my carryon, and never had any trouble with airport security--I don't even explain. They seem to be used to the devices.

[Barb (Seattle)]

I think the new machine that is rechargable is my answer to this problem. I can't WAIT to see if it works. On a flight we took a year ago, I had a letter that stated that the CPAP I was carrying was NOT to count toward the baggage limit of 2 carry ons. I had a suitcase, a purse, and a CPAP. They would NOT let my CPAP on, I had to get rid of one of the other things I was carrying. I would not let the CPAP out of my site, I didn't want it damaged. It was Continental's stewardess which would not even read the letter I had from the Corporate office about this. I wrote a letter to them about this, and never received anything back. It specifically states "the CPAP will not count toward your baggage limit" To me, that said it was "invisible" and they should have let that on. I was irritated that they made such a big deal when i was boarding, but wouldn't read that letter

[HP]

Barb, if it were me who was told to check one of the carry on items, I would have put the purse into the suitcase, and.....wallllaaa, now there are only two pieces!
I have used a similar trick when checking in bags too.

Just gotta play their silly game!

Sorry to hear you had to deal with these people.

HP

[Lindi]

I also carry a copy of my prescription from my doctor as well as the user booklet that came with my CPAP and a printout of the TSA policy on medical devices. I also use the terms "breathing machine" and all the screeners seem to understand. I have never had a problem and we travel a lot.

Good luck, Lindi