Flying w/ CPAP - Denver Airport

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:05 am

I know that there've been posts about flying with CPAP but if you've ever flown into and out of DIA you may understand my question better.

I plan to carry on my CPAP but was wondering if they'll say anything about my bottle of distilled water (16-oz "sport" type water bottle for filling the humidifier).

Has anyone done this at DIA?

Thanks,

-Andy

ddpelp · Post by **ddpelp** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:11 am

With the restrictions they have and concern they have with liquids as carry on I would leave the water at home and buy the water when you arrive. Just not worth the hassle you will get in my opinion for the little price to pay for DS water.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:15 am

I remember reading that you can get a prescription for distilled water from your Dr. That way you can carry the Rx bottles on board and they are not subject to the liquid rule or have to fit in the 1 qt. bag. I seem to recall that whoever wrote that info said it cost them $3 for 6 16 oz bottles of Rx distilled water.

I am in the same boat so I will be trying that. I often travel and don't always have a rental car so getting distilled water could be a pain.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu May 10, 2007 8:39 am

I got a similar response regarding distilled water at the Boston airport. I had placed the water in my checked baggage when traveling east and placed the empty bottle in my carry-on CPAP bag coming home. The security folks pulled the empty bottle out and opened it to see if there was anything in it. I asked if would have been a problem had it been full and they responded "yes".

On the other hand, I accidently took an oversized saline bottle for contacts into security at my local airport. When I discovered it I got ready to have it confiscated but the security person said that since its a medically related fluid it was OK.

I'll be interested to see if any consistancy emerges in other posts.

As an related aside; recently, while going through Las Vegas airport security, the x-ray person looking at the carry-on said "its just a CPAP" to the checker and it was wisked through without extra examination. That's a first for me although I have had a checker comment on the compactness of my Everest and ask where I got it (CPAP.com).

Chris

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slepr · Post by **slepr** » Thu May 10, 2007 8:41 am

I travel to/from DIA all the time. I just find water at the other end, it is not worth the hassle to try and carry it through. You get stopped EVERY time for a CPAP swab, why add to the headache.

If that is not enough there was a recent Denver news article about the 'Red Team' (TSA internal team for testing security measures) getting all kinds of dangerous things through the DIA screening. Bottom line: the machinery worked and detected bad items but screeners let it pass.

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Thu May 10, 2007 3:25 pm

Thanks folks. I guess blowing $1 on a jug of DI is a small price to pay for the scene it could cause at the airport. I always feel like I'm about to have an acute attack of Tourette's Syndrome when I'm going through security anyway....

--Andy

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Thu May 10, 2007 5:09 pm

why pack something that's not needed, heavy, takes up space and you can get at your destination??

Lubman · Post by **Lubman** » Thu May 10, 2007 8:13 pm

Actually, why bother for a few nights on a trip to even use distilled water.
If you clean out the humidifier when you are done, a few nights of tap water with all the nasty things that can discolor your humidifier doesn't seem to matter.

I actually have had the TSA folks compliment me on what a nice xPAP I have when the inspect it. Now and then they ask me to stay and keep an eye on it as the rescan the case ...

Lubman

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Fri May 11, 2007 2:05 pm

I get stopped at MIA (Miami International Airport) every time and now it's worse. I was held up 2 hours in security last month and shipped it to my location. I would buy that little BreatheX if the pressure blew higher. That has to be the greatest idea since sliced bread.

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Fri May 11, 2007 7:59 pm

I travel constantly for work and always pack 1 or 2 nalgene bottles of water that I have vacuum sealed and labeled "distilled water for cpap machine" in my checked luggage because I generally arrive at my destination late and don't want to be hunting around for water. I consider my humidifier critically important and never leave it behind. I have never in many trips had a problem doing it this way and I use the bottles with tip up pouring spouts so I don't need a funnel in the hotel room either. Just rerturned to MT from Phoenix a few hours ago and again no prob.

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Fri May 11, 2007 9:36 pm

Of course you can check just about "anything" but you run the risk of TSA opening your bag and searching it. I have seen in travel stores TSA combination locks that TSA can open without cutting the lock off.

HappyHoser · Post by **HappyHoser** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:06 am

TSA HAS hand searched the bag. There is no problem with the water in the checked luggage.

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Mon May 14, 2007 10:03 pm

Just got back into town and went through the security in Denver and Detroit with minimal problems. I did get some DI while on the road and left it with my host. While I doubt there would be much mineral encustation in the chamber, I don't want to get anything started.

Thanks for the tips folks - in the future when I have to fly I'll remember to just put a pint of DI in my checked baggage (duh!). That would last me a few days and certainly be easier than having to make one more stop en route to the hotel.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:22 pm

hey are you on mountainbuzz.com?

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Tue May 15, 2007 1:28 pm

Yep. Send me a PM.

Mask

Additional Comments: Encore Pro 1.8

Mask	Humidifier

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Flying w/ CPAP - Denver Airport

Flying w/ CPAP - Denver Airport

Distilled Water