Using CPAP in flight

I am about to take a 13 hrs flight with Ethiad and just found out they won't allow you to plug in the CPAP in flight but you would have to carry with you a dry cell battery pack to power your unit and that it should hold enough power to last 1.5 times the actual flight time.

billbolton wrote:The general problem with airlines about using at-seat power for medical devices is that at-seat power is usually provided by an under seat power unit that is shared across 2 to 4 seats. It is quite possible to overload the unit (which will cause it to shut down) if all the seat occupants decide they want to concurrently use highish power devices, such as laptops etc. So, at-seat power is never guaranteed to be available, and lack of at-seat power is not regarded as any sort of airworthiness/safety issue.

Like it or not, on this basis, at-seat power is just not suitable for powering medical devices

Some airlines will provide a few seats with a fuselage mounted power outlet which comes off the main aircraft power reticulation supply (rather than an at-seat power unit) and so is suitable for the use of medical devices, but it is not that common.

Bill is, as always, technically correct. The airlines *can* (although not all do) require you to use battery rather than at seat power. Some at-seat power is supplied only through cigarette-lighter adapter (check seatguru.com when you have your tickets to see what sort of power is available at your particular seat).

That being said, I have had considerable success using at-seat power on international flights, apparently through force of personality. The power does flicker.

Not all flight attendants understand the difference between an xPAP and ventilators, POCs and the like, and one was quite concerned about what would happen to me if the power to my machine went off and I explained, "I'll just wake up."

I bought a Paul C. Buff Vagabond Mini camera flash battery and now carry it on as a power source. It will run my machine all night without humidifier (or humidifier set in passover mode, although turbulence+water tank=no bueno).

http://www.paulcbuff.com/vm120.php

rgedad wrote:I was just setting up for a American AirlinesTransAtlantic (DFW to Paris-Non-stop) flight in August. Flying Overnight flight in 777 Business class so there is a DC outlet, and they will supply a converter to AC if needed (amperage /Quality capability unknown).
In looking at the AA Site they have:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformati ... oxygen.jsp
Most of that page is devoted to Portable Oxygen Concentrator ( essentially those are BYO battery due to non-guaranteed power availability)

But at the bottom of the page they state:
Other Electronic Medical Devices
A 48-hour minimum advanced notification is required for customers using electronic medical devices (i.e., respirator, ventilator, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), etc.) in the cabin that are on our approved list. ....

I was just looking at DC powering my relatively new Respironics REMstar Auto (Series60).

So - I did receive a call from AA medical department about 2 days before my flight - Yes I was approved to use my CPAP, NO I could not use the in-flight power - it was not permitted to use the aircraft power system for medical equipment - no explanation was offered.
Luckily - I had already purchased the DC Power cord.
I was not prepared to spent some $300 for a CPAP specific battery back-up that I would maybe use once in the foreseeable future, and besides, with the short time, I could not order-it and get it in time.
I started down the path of quickly making my own battery system with connections ( I am an electrical engineer). What I ended up doing in the end is going down to Lowes hardware store purchasing an "Pilot InstaBoost" back-up power for $80. It has a 10.8 AH Lithium Ion battery. It is marketed as a back-up car battery with available options such as USB port and (most important) a Cigarette style outlet. Nice travel kit with all the necessary connections, and re-charging ports. Re-Charges with 50/60 110/220 Volt and automotive 12V DC so it is pretty much world wide.

Used it on the flight over to Europe, about 7 hours of CPAP time and it was down to about 50% at the end, so it served me just fine for what I needed. Has a light - which we actually used, and acts as a USB power source for recharging. I now keep it as my power-out back-up system. I keep it plugged in in my car trunk.

While it can be used for starting a car - I would not bet the farm on it doing more than starting a warm car, you would get maybe one shot at it, And the jumper cables connectors are really really cheap - and historically (based on numerous reviews and comments on-line) just fall apart.
I would recommend it for single shot flights and as a back-up DC/USB power source.

I do fly very often on very long trips sometimes business but mostly in economy; At the beginning I tried to comply with the ( not very friendly ) airlines rules and just wouldn't bend into purchasing $500 extra heavy hand carry to power my unit. ( some airlines even require you to show the check in counter your battery is charged enough to last for the whole flying times plus 3 hrs)

What I do now has been working for me and haven't had a single problem for my last 8/10 long flights. I basically got my doctor to write a prescription where he says I am being prescribed the use of the CPAP every time I fell asleep and I am perfectly fit for flying, and I keep this letter in the CPAP bag.

When I am on board, I talk to the chief purse and tell them I will be using a perfectly safe medical device and ask for a seat where there are either no one next to me ( if the load permit) or the power plug is connected to the main source. They have been always willing to help me out and change my seat where it was safe for me to plug without having power failures. Worst case scenario you get woken up a couple of time because the machine stop or you would have to show the airline staff your prescription but thats all.

So when the cabin lights are dimmed down and everyone seems about to fell asleep or they are stuck with the monitor in front of them I take my unit out of the bag, plug it in the socket, wear my mask and..... goodnight everyone !!