Packing the BiPap

[Jaylee]

This probably qualifies as a stupid, annoying question

The weather is supposed to be bad tomorrow, so I might either end up staying at one of my student's houses or at a hotel. I have never even moved the BiPap before- super paranoid, and all that Do I just toss it all in the bag? Or do I need to have the humidifier totally dry before hand? I am worried that I will somehow break the machine. I will have to take it in to work with me too, because it is so cold here.

[Irene P.]

I would dry out the humidifier as much as possible before packing. And carefully pack the case with machine and supplies. I have traveled with mine several times with no problems, but I am careful with it.

[GumbyCT]

Any machine, bipap or not, needs to have the humidifier emptied (and disconnected) BEFORE moving it, not only packing it but moving it, in or around the room. Me thinks that water in the machine is the BIGGEST cause of "Premature" machine failure, period.

If for some reason you get water INSIDE your machine - DO NOT turn it on, for ANY reason, UNTIL it is COMPLETELY dry inside - even if it takes 3 days or more. Water alone will not damage the machine - it happens when the power is applied. So if it is plugged in when water somehow spills into it - UNPLUG IT, Immediately.

When packing, I disconnect my humidifier. If you can find a way to fit it into that carry bag without disassembly then there may not be a need. But if you intend to not use the humidifier you MUST have an adapter piece in order to connect the hose to the (M series) machine. Not a good design but that is how the M series was designed. Without the adapter you can use the humidfier without water. It acts as a bit of a muffler on the M series.

I use a piece of 1/2 PVC I have to loop the tubing so that dust'n dirt doesn't get inside the hose. This joins the two ends together so it is a closed loop. I then twist it into a figure-8. You could just use a plastic bag and a rubber band, if you like.

Do an inventory - make a list - so you don't forget something either coming or going.

Good Luck

[tgzlavistane]

Don't forget the hose like I did on my trip to Kansas City on New years eve. I got to the Hotel about 4:00 pm and checked into my room and started to get ready for my Cousin's Wedding which was at 5:30 when I noticed I was missing my hose. I had no time to call around to stores that were still open on New year eve to get a hose. I did not get a good sleep at all. I woke up several times with a dry throat from snoring. I still cant believe I did not pack that darn hose. I had the cpap machine, mask and humidifier but I unhooked the machine from my ten foot hose that hangs over my headboard and was planing on bringing my six foot hose. I was in a hurry and excited about the trip and screwed up. oh well, live and learn.

[Muse-Inc]

Inside your travel case put a BIG checklist of things that must be packed. You can get it printed on dayglo paper and laminated if necessary to ensure everything gets packed! I even list my 1-LED flashlight and power outage alarm, a non-slip pad for the APAP to sit on, Velcro cable ties in case I need to corral the hose, power strip, extension cord, cleaning supplies, distilled water, and being a nutcase, an extra mask. After you empty the humidifier, you might consider slipping it into a Ziplock baggy if it's not completely dry when you pack it.

[Gerryk]

You say pack the bag, I am hoping your talking about the bag that the cpap came in. Those are padded but no where the amount of padding I would have around my cpap. I put my cpap in that bag and then it goes in my gym bag that I carry with me.

As far as the humidifier chamber, I empty it and let it sit upside down but put something under part of it so air can get in. When I am packing the rest of the stuff up, I get some paper towels and smash them up and put that in the humidifier chamber then put it back in the machine.
Of course make sure the outside of the chamber is dry too. I have done this several times when I travel.

Gerry

[Muse-Inc]

You say pack the bag, I am hoping your talking about the bag that the cpap came in.

Both of my ResMeds came with a nicely padded travel case with separate padded bags for the xPAP and the humidifer (they snap together) that anchor with Velcro inside the travel case. The travel case also has a separate section for the hose and a small narrow section that I stuff odd stuff in. I stuff some white washcloths in the opening to the humidifier if it's not totally dry and to act as additional padding.

I am not familar with the travel cases (or lack thereof) for other mfgs equipment...have always assumed they came with padded travel cases as it seems reasonable to assume people well travel.

[Bearcat42]

Traveling with your cpap machine can be done safely if you follow the right steps. Always,and I mean always,make sure that you have emptied your humidifier before packing. I always take my tank out and after emptying all of the water,getting as much out as possible,I place a washcloth inside then put the humidifier back together and pack it seperately from the machine.

As far as traveling goes,I travel with mine quite a bit. My machine goes in its bag then goes in the bag with my clothes. That bag is placed in a box on my big truck and travels around with me to and from each job. It is set up each night in a motel room then re-packed each morning. So traveling with your cpap isnt quite as bad as you might think as long as you take the proper precautions.

[Patrick A]

This probably qualifies as a stupid, annoying question

The weather is supposed to be bad tomorrow, so I might either end up staying at one of my student's houses or at a hotel. I have never even moved the BiPap before- super paranoid, and all that Do I just toss it all in the bag? Or do I need to have the humidifier totally dry before hand? I am worried that I will somehow break the machine. I will have to take it in to work with me too, because it is so cold here.

The only stupid question is the one that's not asked. From your profile I see that you have a Respironics Machine. It should have came with a travel bag. If you just put it in that bag it will be alright.

[GumbyCT]

Whenever traveling don't forget to bring an extension cord. I bring a power strip AND a 3-outlet adapter. These are needed for when the outlets are full or out of reach of where you are sleeping.

A MUST have - add them to your list.

[SleepyStarfish]

I have a Bipap and have overnighted with it many times. I empty out the water tank, and let it air dry for a bit and poke a thin washcloth in the opening to absorb any dribbles, separate the humidifier from the machine, and pack it all into the carrying bag it came with. My Resmed came with a bag that is padded and has two separated sections for the two pieces and velcro straps to hold them in. I don't disconnect the hose or the mask, there is plenty of room in the bag to pack them easily and zip up.
Plus, I always pack an extension cord, power strip and a bottle of distilled water, too.