Travel CPAP

[jjc155]

Hey guys started CPAP therapy a little over a month ago and I'm feeling awesome. I've have very little issues with getting used to it which I am thankful for.

I was set up a ResMed Airsense 10 by my DME supplier and it works great for home.

However I travel quiet a bit by air to go to fly fishing destinations and while the Air Sense isn't huge some of the places I go (Belize,Bolivia,Alaska etc) require pretty light and compact packing when hopping on little single engine planes to get to our final destinations. Luckily most places I go have electric (most of the time, lol).

Looking for some sage advice about travel size CPAP machines. I know from the little bit of reading I've done there is some compromise on features vs size/portability. What has worked well for those that have used them. What should be looking for regarding price vs function vs features (would like some kind of humdifier if possible).

Thanks in advance for any info.

J-

[hobbs]

I just spent a week at a remote lodge walking with these guys. Flew into a dirt airstrip on Hudson Bay. Took my old S8 Auto. It is great for travel, small with built-in power supply.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60143341

[Guest]

Looking for some sage advice about travel size CPAP machines. I know from the little bit of reading I've done ...

Start with your pressure settings including any exhale relief you have, need, or want.

[D.H.]

Note that travel CPAPs might lack some of the features that you're accustomed to (especially humidification). Perhaps some of those features are the very reason you were able to adjust to CPAP with very little problem.

Travel CPAPs generally don't offer humidification, or do but then are almost as bulky as standard CPAPs. They will tend to be less quiet (though not as noisy as the CPAPs sold at the turn of the century). Other comfort features may be present, but might behave differently than you're used to. As far as I know, they all have automatic altitude adjustment up to a 8000 ft or so. Above that, you'll need to discuss with the manufacturer.

Note that FAA regulations exempt CPAPs and other medical equipment from baggage limits. Outside the U.S., you'll need to check the regulations with the country(ies) involved.

[Doublev]

Do you really need need a travel CPAP? I travel and sometimes need to take a small prop to final destination or a chopper. The CPAP is usually least of my worries. I used to carry it on planes (free carry-on allowance) but the CPAP is not heavy.. my problem with luggage is weight and not physical space/dimensions.. so I check it into my check-in bag now. I like to be hands free and not worry about it. Yeah, my luggage could get lost by the airline but I will take that risk if necessary (the only reason to carry-on in my opinion is if you do not want it to get lost).

I am not sure saving a few lbs is worth having two systems (home and travel)? If you backpack, yes. If you want to use it on the plane and want something discrete, then yes (that is the only compelling reason for me to buy one.. I would still pack my regular unit since it is a bipap
).
But if you insist, go with the AirMini since it is made by same company as your airsense.. their humidification system HumidX is not as strong as your airsense but it is very convenient (you do not need to worry about finding distilled or good water when you are traveling). You are limited to certain masks (P10, N20, F20) but if you use a small mask like the P10 then AirMini+P10 is pretty compact.

If you do go for it and travel enough, consider making the travel CPAP your only system..there is no reason why it cannot be your only CPAP if it does everything you want, right?

I saw on company online that gives a free 30-day trial. So maybe do that next time you go on a trip and see if you like it? If you were glad to have it, keep it. If not, return it.

[ChicagoGranny]

So maybe do that next time you go on a trip and see if you like it?

Try it out at home first!

[D.H.]

So maybe do that next time you go on a trip and see if you like it?

Try it out at home first!

Yes, I think that was my point. Sorry I wan't more direct. See if you like it first. Even if you don't, at least you'll have an emergency backup should you machine break.

For long term CPAP users, the backup machine is frequently the older machine that we replaced.

[ChicagoGranny]

D.H.

My reply wasn't to your post.

[jjc155]

Do you really need need a travel CPAP? I travel and sometimes need to take a small prop to final destination or a chopper. The CPAP is usually least of my worries. I used to carry it on planes (free carry-on allowance) but the CPAP is not heavy.. my problem with luggage is weight and not physical space/dimensions.. so I check it into my check-in bag now. I like to be hands free and not worry about it. Yeah, my luggage could get lost by the airline but I will take that risk if necessary (the only reason to carry-on in my opinion is if you do not want it to get lost).

I am not sure saving a few lbs is worth having two systems (home and travel)? If you backpack, yes. If you want to use it on the plane and want something discrete, then yes (that is the only compelling reason for me to buy one.. I would still pack my regular unit since it is a bipap
).
But if you insist, go with the AirMini since it is made by same company as your airsense.. their humidification system HumidX is not as strong as your airsense but it is very convenient (you do not need to worry about finding distilled or good water when you are traveling). You are limited to certain masks (P10, N20, F20) but if you use a small mask like the P10 then AirMini+P10 is pretty compact.

If you do go for it and travel enough, consider making the travel CPAP your only system..there is no reason why it cannot be your only CPAP if it does everything you want, right?

I saw on company online that gives a free 30-day trial. So maybe do that next time you go on a trip and see if you like it? If you were glad to have it, keep it. If not, return it.

Need is subjective. Like I stated in my original post this would be used for travel while fly fishing in remote areas where you have to step on a scale before getting onto the single engine plane to the final destination. I'd rather bring a few more warm socks to Alaska or some extra underware to Belize or Bolivia, etc if the weight/size of a travel cpap would allow me to do that. The small plan operators could care less about the CPAP being a DME that is not counted as carryon etc. You can bring it but you are leaving something else, that you may need behind.

Just looking to maximize what little I can actually carry for some of the trips I take.

Thanks
J-