Backpacking with CPAP

[Treatedandtired]

I’m currently using a ResMed AirSense 10 with a P30 mask. This summer I plan to do a few backpacking trips that’ll involve no electricity and a bit of elevation, between 10k and 12k for sleeping. Would I be better off to just pack my current machine and a battery or two or buy an AirMini (which I understand is a bit loud) and save 2-3 pounds? My apnea is mild but I don’t want to go all of that way and have terrible sleep ruin a trip. Thanks for any advice!

[realshelby]

Weight. I don't need to explain that to you!

The smaller travel machines are lighter. I have an HDM Z1 and plenty of experience with it. The humidifier "devices" these offer don't seem to work....at all. I suspect that is the case with the other brands. But no worries, you can survive with no humidifier. At those elevations however, the air is typically drier anyway so there may be sinus issues.

Battery power means weight. Since you will be traveling in daylight it is unlikely you have any way to charge the battery. So you will need more than one I think. That is the factor you have to figure out first to make this work.

[Treatedandtired]

Weight. I don't need to explain that to you!

The smaller travel machines are lighter. I have an HDM Z1 and plenty of experience with it. The humidifier "devices" these offer don't seem to work....at all. I suspect that is the case with the other brands. But no worries, you can survive with no humidifier. At those elevations however, the air is typically drier anyway so there may be sinus issues.

Battery power means weight. Since you will be traveling in daylight it is unlikely you have any way to charge the battery. So you will need more than one I think. That is the factor you have to figure out first to make this work.

Yeah, I've been running numbers in my head and the ounces and pounds add up quickly!

I'm guessing you are pleased with the Z1 since you have a lot of experience with it. Is ZBreathe something similar to EPR on a ResMed? What do you use for a battery?

[realshelby]

Zbreathe is similar to the EPR settings. But it makes the Z1 MUCH louder if you go to the highest level of it.

These are in no way as nice to use as my ResMed 10 Autoset but they work well enough for occasional use.

I don't use a battery. Yet. I do camp some on the bike trips but have always managed an AC hookup. For the same reasons as hiking, the battery adds weight and space that are not easily added. Short of carrying a solar panel on your back while hiking, there just isn't a way for you to charge these. That is the problem. Some mention 2 days on a battery, but do some research to see what you turn up. Different machines will likely be rated at different power consumption which will become a big deal for your use.

[loggerhead12]

More about batteries than machines, but check out this recent thread.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=178486&p=1341765&hi ... y#p1341765

[Treatedandtired]

Zbreathe is similar to the EPR settings. But it makes the Z1 MUCH louder if you go to the highest level of it.

These are in no way as nice to use as my ResMed 10 Autoset but they work well enough for occasional use.

I don't use a battery. Yet. I do camp some on the bike trips but have always managed an AC hookup. For the same reasons as hiking, the battery adds weight and space that are not easily added. Short of carrying a solar panel on your back while hiking, there just isn't a way for you to charge these. That is the problem. Some mention 2 days on a battery, but do some research to see what you turn up. Different machines will likely be rated at different power consumption which will become a big deal for your use.

Thanks for the information. If I could get a battery to last for 2 nights I’d be in good shape, so no solar would be needed. That ‘if’ though, that’s the important part!

[Treatedandtired]

More about batteries than machines, but check out this recent thread.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=178486&p=1341765&hi ... y#p1341765

Thank you for sharing that thread. Quite valuable in my research!