Cold Weather Camping with CPAP Observations

Well, over the New Years weekend I went tent camping in sub freezing weather and have learned a few things. Hope the following can assist anyone interested in getting out in the middle of nowhere with CPAP. My Cpap equipment is listed below my post.

First night:
Temperatures were in the low 20's
Cpap was located outside the sleeping bag.
1:00 AM woke up with cold rain out due to condensing exhaled moisture.
3:00 AM woke up to dead / low battery
Went back to sleep with out CPAP

Second Night:
Temperatures were in the low 20's
Cpap was located in sleeping bag.
Spare battery was located in sleeping bag.
Cold air flow past my head into sleeping bag was noticeable but not a problem. Tucked head deeper under covers to minimize cold air flow.
3:00 AM woke up to dead battery, swaped in new battery and went back to sleep.
4:00 AM woke up to bad smell, oops, let sleeping bag and Cpap air out and went back to sleep.

Batteries typically lasted through full night and a half at home in warm environment so cold affected first nights battery life. Second night battery was likely drained by increased load on Cpap due to sleeping bag filtering air and restricting flow into machine.

I was able to recharge single battery from cigarette lighter in about 3 hours while driving.

Note to self; investigate installation of Carbon Hepa Filter cartridge on Cpap air intake.

For what it is worth the trip was a success in my book. I got enough sleep to be functional and enjoyed the outing.
Don't let CPAP prevent you from camping, it can be done.

You are a brave soul! I love to camp, but I haven't attempted a winter camp since I was a Boy Scout. I distinctly recall one trip to West Yellowstone, MT. I don't recall the exact temperatures, but I do recall eggs frozen so hard they could bend the side of a frying pan and oranges frozen solid like baseballs. It was fun when I was 14, not so sure about it now.

Thanks for the report! For now, I will stick to summer camping and living vicariously through your tales.

S-Dubya,

In case you're "homesick" for them frozen eggs.......

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm

It's not West Yellowstone, but it IS the most famous "landmark" in the park.

Best wishes,

Den

[quote="Snorinator"]

4:00 AM woke up to bad smell, oops, let sleeping bag and Cpap air out and went back to sleep.

Batteries typically lasted through full night and a half at home in warm environment so cold affected first nights battery life. Second night battery was likely drained by increased load on Cpap due to sleeping bag filtering air and restricting flow into machine.

Note to self; investigate installation of Carbon Hepa Filter cartridge on Cpap air intake.

For what it is worth the trip was a success in my book. I got enough sleep to be functional and enjoyed the outing.
Don't let CPAP prevent you from camping, it can be done.

Hi,
I go camping every year with the family for a fortnight. Have a remstar machine. I bought a spare battery for my car and also an inverter, to convert the 12V from the battery to 240V for my CPAP machine.

Normally no problem using the battery and inverter, simply changed the battery over on the car each day, and it recharged fine.
Also used a solar panel to keep the car battery topped up, if we didnt have a run out in the car to give it a proper charge.Always enjoyed camping, and enjoy it even more now with a good nights sleep. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago, and could not be without my machine now, it has made such a difference to my life.

Kev UK

Thanks All,
I am a Cub Master with a son who is a Webelo. I do a great deal of camping and plan on getting back into backpacking as my son moves up into Boy Scouts. Selecting a CPAP that was battery operated was essential for my continued choice of recreation. Let me rephrase that, lithium ion battery operated and fairly light weight. I don't belive I would ever be able to backpack with a car battery. I'll likely end up as a Scout Master in a couple more years so getting back on my feet and functioning again has been an adventure to say the least. CPAP has made all the difference as I was a walking zombie prior to diagnosis with severe OSA. Now when I get tired I know why and I'm getting back to having fun with my children and participating in their activities. I was notorious for my loud snoring prior to CPAP so the change is well received by my wife and all the other members of our Cub Pack...and likely the neighbors. LOL. This forum and a couple of other has made all the difference in making the correct choice / informed decisions as to what equipment I choose. Thanks for your support and guidance. The camping reports will continue as I try more adventures and learn how to adapt to my new life as a hose head. I'm really grateful for advancements in the design of the equipment and hope it continues to get better with time and experience.
Snorinator

[quote="Snorinator"]Well, over the New Years weekend I went tent camping in sub freezing weather and have learned a few things. Hope the following can assist anyone interested in getting out in the middle of nowhere with CPAP. My Cpap equipment is listed below my post.

First night:
Temperatures were in the low 20's
Cpap was located outside the sleeping bag.
1:00 AM woke up with cold rain out due to condensing exhaled moisture.
3:00 AM woke up to dead / low battery
Went back to sleep with out CPAP

Second Night:
Temperatures were in the low 20's
Cpap was located in sleeping bag.
Spare battery was located in sleeping bag.
Cold air flow past my head into sleeping bag was noticeable but not a problem. Tucked head deeper under covers to minimize cold air flow.
3:00 AM woke up to dead battery, swaped in new battery and went back to sleep.
4:00 AM woke up to bad smell, oops, let sleeping bag and Cpap air out and went back to sleep.

Batteries typically lasted through full night and a half at home in warm environment so cold affected first nights battery life. Second night battery was likely drained by increased load on Cpap due to sleeping bag filtering air and restricting flow into machine.

I was able to recharge single battery from cigarette lighter in about 3 hours while driving.

Note to self; investigate installation of Carbon Hepa Filter cartridge on Cpap air intake.

For what it is worth the trip was a success in my book. I got enough sleep to be functional and enjoyed the outing.
Don't let CPAP prevent you from camping, it can be done.