Using CPAP in flight

UrsineBunny · Post by **UrsineBunny** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 3:39 pm

Hi, I'm new! *waves*

I have a ResMed S9 VPAP Adapt. I'm going on a 9.5 hour overnight flight and would like to use my machine in-flight. I purchased a ResMed DC converter for my machine this morning for $75, and it shipped out this afternoon. \o/

HOWEVER, I called the airline to get a seat with a power outlet. After spending all day talking to umpteen people it seems that American A-holes *REQUIRES* that you use a battery pack with CPAP. According to the supervisor in their medical department, they will not allow you to plug it in at all. So you either use it with a battery, or you don't get to use it at all.

Oy, what a PITA! I've found ResMed battery packs but they're like $320. YIKES! I just can't justify spending that kind of money on this for one trip, and it seems some of the cheaper batteries aren't airline-approved. Looking through threads here, I didn't see much about using on airplanes. I'm about ready to give up at this point and just not sleep on the plane since that's what I've done in the past, but I'd prefer to arrive rested.

So what's a good, cheap, airline-approved battery pack I can use with my newly purchased ResMed DC converter? I don't usually use a humidifier and I don't want to attempt to use one on the plane anyway, so I just need something that will power the blower for several hours.

(And thanks to palerider for pointing me here.)

Thanks,
-UrsineBunny

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 3:57 pm

UrsineBunny wrote: So what's a good, cheap, airline-approved battery pack I can use with my newly purchased ResMed DC converter? I don't usually use a humidifier and I don't want to attempt to use one on the plane anyway, so I just need something that will power the blower for several hours.

(And thanks to palerider for pointing me here.)

I'd make my typical "have you tried searching" comment, but, he has tried... and is still confused, and I'm not even finding a lot about use on airlines....

Darth Lady · Post by **Darth Lady** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 4:47 pm

I found this thread on another forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/disabili ... light.html

It sure doesn't sound like an easy thing to do, and I sure can't imagine setting mine up in economy class, but on some airlines/in some classes it should be possible. And if you are sleeping more upright, you might not have as much apnea either and you might sleep (or what passes for it on an airplane) OK.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:08 am

I purchased my DeVillBiss Intellipap due to the ridiculously costly requirements to use my Resmed off-the-grid.
I still prefer using the Resmed at home, but the Intellipap is easy to use on DC, and the battery pack was very affordable.
Should I find myself without line power, I can still sleep. I have not had occasion to fly a long distance,
but if I can afford to do so, I would consider purchasing a newer battery pack.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:38 am

chunkyfrog wrote:I purchased my DeVillBiss Intellipap due to the ridiculously costly requirements to use my Resmed off-the-grid.
I still prefer using the Resmed at home, but the Intellipap is easy to use on DC, and the battery pack was very affordable.
Should I find myself without line power, I can still sleep. I have not had occasion to fly a long distance,
but if I can afford to do so, I would consider purchasing a newer battery pack.

unfortunately, he needs an ASV. he doesn't, (or didn't) do ok on an auto machine:

Hensbili · Post by **Hensbili** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:43 am

I'm going to take. A 15.5 hours leg flight in 2 weeeks. Flying woth cathay and tehor website also said they won't allow you to plugin cpap. I bit the bullet and bought a transcend battery pack for $300.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 12:12 pm

Hensbili wrote:I'm going to take. A 15.5 hours leg flight in 2 weeeks. Flying woth cathay and tehor website also said they won't allow you to plugin cpap. I bit the bullet and bought a transcend battery pack for $300.

which?

Hensbili · Post by **Hensbili** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 4:41 pm

palerider wrote:
Hensbili wrote:I'm going to take. A 15.5 hours leg flight in 2 weeeks. Flying woth cathay and tehor website also said they won't allow you to plugin cpap. I bit the bullet and bought a transcend battery pack for $300.
which?

Transcend multi-night bateery. Note that i only plan to use it with my travel cpap, which is a transcend tavel cpap. I javen't used it yet. My regular one is redmed air 10 and I do not plan to use battery on it. Basically I cannot bear to carry the resmed so i am checking it in. Then i carry the travel one for in flight use or just in case they mosdelivered my luggage again.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 4:44 pm

Why can't you 'bear' to carry your machine - it can't be that heavy, and what will you do if it gets lost?

rgedad · Post by **rgedad** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 9:04 am

I was just setting up for a American AirlinesTransAtlantic (DFW to Paris-Non-stop) flight in August. Flying Overnight flight in 777 Business class so there is a DC outlet, and they will supply a converter to AC if needed (amperage /Quality capability unknown).
In looking at the AA Site they have:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformati ... oxygen.jsp
Most of that page is devoted to Portable Oxygen Concentrator ( essentially those are BYO battery due to non-guaranteed power availability)

But at the bottom of the page they state:
Other Electronic Medical Devices
A 48-hour minimum advanced notification is required for customers using electronic medical devices (i.e., respirator, ventilator, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), etc.) in the cabin that are on our approved list. Upon completion of your reservation, your request will be forwarded to our Special Assistance Coordinator who will contact you to verify your device. For those medical devices that are not listed on our approved list, additional notice may be required for evaluation of the device to ensure it is safe to operate during flight in accordance with FAA regulations.

I was just looking at DC powering my relatively new Respironics REMstar Auto (Series60). Turns out my DC Power cord from my older Respironics M-Series unit has a different power plug so will have to buy a new DC power cord ($30) - Drat - why do they do that.
Return flight is US Airways Airbus 333 in Business but during the day

Will have to wait till their medical department calls to see if there is an issue with my Unit.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:46 am

rgedad wrote:I was just setting up for a American AirlinesTransAtlantic (DFW to Paris-Non-stop) flight in August. Flying Overnight flight in 777 Business class so there is a DC outlet, and they will supply a converter to AC if needed (amperage /Quality capability unknown). ....
Will have to wait till their medical department calls to see if there is an issue with my Unit.

my friend is also flying aa to paris, please keep us/him updated with what you find out, his experience with aa has been less than helpful so far.

Hensbili · Post by **Hensbili** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:33 pm

Julie wrote:Why can't you 'bear' to carry your machine - it can't be that heavy, and what will you do if it gets lost?

I hate big carry ons. I prefer to travel light. If it get lost then i'd have to buy a new one. Knock on wood.

Hensbili · Post by **Hensbili** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:36 pm

rgedad wrote:I was just setting up for a American AirlinesTransAtlantic (DFW to Paris-Non-stop) flight in August. Flying Overnight flight in 777 Business class so there is a DC outlet, and they will supply a converter to AC if needed (amperage /Quality capability unknown).
In looking at the AA Site they have:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformati ... oxygen.jsp
Most of that page is devoted to Portable Oxygen Concentrator ( essentially those are BYO battery due to non-guaranteed power availability)

But at the bottom of the page they state:
Other Electronic Medical Devices
A 48-hour minimum advanced notification is required for customers using electronic medical devices (i.e., respirator, ventilator, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), etc.) in the cabin that are on our approved list. Upon completion of your reservation, your request will be forwarded to our Special Assistance Coordinator who will contact you to verify your device. For those medical devices that are not listed on our approved list, additional notice may be required for evaluation of the device to ensure it is safe to operate during flight in accordance with FAA regulations.

I was just looking at DC powering my relatively new Respironics REMstar Auto (Series60). Turns out my DC Power cord from my older Respironics M-Series unit has a different power plug so will have to buy a new DC power cord ($30) - Drat - why do they do that.
Return flight is US Airways Airbus 333 in Business but during the day

Will have to wait till their medical department calls to see if there is an issue with my Unit.

Oh i so love business class, the kind where you turn seat to flat bed and no neighbor. For my airline they require letter crom you doctor certifying that you are fit to fly. I think i also read someone who got a hard time from the airline office (guess they are preventing lawsuit). Too much hassle.

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:45 pm

The general problem with airlines about using at-seat power for medical devices is that at-seat power is usually provided by an under seat power unit that is shared across 2 to 4 seats. It is quite possible to overload the unit (which will cause it to shut down) if all the seat occupants decide they want to concurrently use highish power devices, such as laptops etc. So, at-seat power is never guaranteed to be available, and lack of at-seat power is not regarded as any sort of airworthiness/safety issue.

Like it or not, on this basis, at-seat power is just not suitable for powering medical devices

Some airlines will provide a few seats with a fuselage mounted power outlet which comes off the main aircraft power reticulation supply (rather than an at-seat power unit) and so is suitable for the use of medical devices, but it is not that common.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:27 am

it's hard to believe there's not more experience (and advice) about using cpaps while flying here.

Using CPAP in flight

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