Forgot your machine while driving on vacation?

[Uncle_Bob]

I took my family camping at the weekend, I spent an hour loading up my vehicle and I forgot to pack my CPAP machine which I had all ready to go in its bag. After some time driving I realized I forgot my machine
I just wondered (for a bit of fun) what others would do in this case?

[BlackSpinner]

Dad forgot the tent poles once. He drove all the way back home (4 hours) to get them and drove back to the campsite total of 12 hours driving that day. If he could do it for tent poles, you can certainly do it for your cpap machine. We could have "macgivered" it for the night with sticks..... You can't do that with a cpap machine.

[Uncle_Bob]

Dad forgot the tent poles once. He drove all the way back home (4 hours) to get them and drove back to the campsite total of 12 hours driving that day. If he could do it for tent poles, you can certainly do it for your cpap machine. We could have "macgivered" it for the night with sticks..... You can't do that with a cpap machine.

Good for your dad and I knew I should have put 4+ hours on the poll

[chunkyfrog]

I hope to NEVER have that dilemma!
I always pack my Devillbiss way in advance, putting it in the space above the spare tire.
I pack everything but my good machine and the cooler the night before.
The cpap gets loaded before the food.
Sometimes the bullfrog packs the cooler, so we eat out a lot.

[BlackSpinner]

Dad forgot the tent poles once. He drove all the way back home (4 hours) to get them and drove back to the campsite total of 12 hours driving that day. If he could do it for tent poles, you can certainly do it for your cpap machine. We could have "macgivered" it for the night with sticks..... You can't do that with a cpap machine.

Good for your dad and I knew I should have put 4+ hours on the poll

It was one of those memorable vacations. We also had to take the camp down and spend several hours sitting in the car while a massive, tornado spawning thunderstorm raged - 2 adults 3 kids and one large terrified dog that fogged up the windows! Then we had to put the tents back up.....

[SewTired]

It's fear of this dilemma that I bought a backup machine. I did forget it at a relative's house and had to drive back an hour to get it because, well, I didn't have one at home, it was at relative's house. Now it's my backup machine that goes places with me.

[Arlene1963]

I'm reading this and thinking how apt because I'm heading out in a few hours on a long weekend vacation, about 5 hours drive, and must have checked my Cpap bag at least twice already to make sure I have everything with me.

Wouldn't dream of going on a vacation, even a short one, without it because I plan on enjoying every minute and don't want feel like I used to before (parched mouth and sore throat upon waking up, sweating all night)

I'd feel very uncomfortable insisting on turning back if I forget anything (a friend is driving) so I am super prepared. (let's hope those aren't the famous last words and I forget to pack my mask. ... Nope, already done )

[Tino2You]

I purchased a S9 Escape Auto (yes i know it is a brick) as my travel/backup machine. It has everything I need packed into it and I make sure it is with me when I leave.

[chunkyfrog]

I purchased a S9 Escape Auto (yes i know it is a brick) as my travel/backup machine. It has everything I need packed into it and I make sure it is with me when I leave.

The ONLY reason I can think of to get the AirStart auto.
But my Devillbiss has a fairly responsible degree of data, in addition to running off car power with an affordable cable.
---and no power brick! Plus it is made in the USA! Only a few bucks more---PRICELESS!

[raisedfist]

I wouldn't have a choice but to turn around and go back home.

[Sleeprider]

A couple years ago, I took the machine, but forgot the power supply. We went on an anniversary trip to the Blue Ridge Pkwy and stayed at the lodge. No stores for many miles. I made it through the night with bad sleep, and not what I was hoping for, and returned 200 miles the next day. Not having the CPAP was a deal killer.

[chunkyfrog]

My backup almost saved a colleague, who forgot his power supply.
He stopped off at his brother's, who had a spare.

[yubaz]

Do you intend to sleep on vacation in anything resembling a prone position? If so, you return and get it. Sort of as if you had left your head at home.

[Esskay33]

I've been on CPAP for one month. I forgot to pack my tube and mask and didn't realize until I was at my hotel at 11:30pm last Thursday. I was stuck. It was REALLY strange to "sleep" without treatment, and I can't believe I used to do it every night. I also realized how obvious it was that I had sleep apnea for so long...and somehow didn't figure it out until 2 months ago. Very eye opening experience.

I have since purchased extra mask, tube, and power source so all I have to do is put my machine in the travel bag when I go. I will be asking for a back-up machine for Christmas. I never want to have to do that again. I'm not even fully adjusted to the treatment yet and I'll never go back...

Any suggestion on a good travel backup machine? Size, weight and quality being the most important for me regardless of cost as I travel 100+ nights a year.

[Pugsy]

Any suggestion on a good travel backup machine? Size, weight and quality being the most important for me

How would you do without humidity or with very minimal humidity? Most of the tiny travel machines involve no added or very minimal added humidity to maintain that tiny size. They also tend to be noisier.
Before buying one of those "travel size" machines you might see how you would do without the humidifier with your current setup.

CPAP.com has a couple of "travel" machines that come with a 30 day return policy. I forget which ones but you could find them easily enough. I would try one of those machines that offered the ability to return the machine if unhappy if I was wanting to go with one of those travel size machines. Most machines cannot be returned just because you don't like them.