CPAPtalk.com

Oh, I'd be an aftermarket ho. Already am starting to be

Things I'd like to see:

Everything SleeplessinKC suggested. Very well-thought through.

I'd also vote for some type of suitcase that lets you carry your CPAP and laptop together. I'm not particularly fond of the bag that came with my Remstar. It's tidy and fits everything, and comes in subtle basic black, but it is only a shoulder strap bag - and the logo's gotta go - anyone with half a clue about language can figure out that "Respironics" has something to do with breathing problems, and I don't care to advertise. Plus, I stopped doing shoulder bags years ago. A two-strap backpack would be nice, even better, a wheeled bag.

Anything that makes the devices FUN - covers, customizable plates, more hose covers, colored hoses. Anything that makes them more COMFORTABLE - extra padding for headgear, non-OEM replacement cushions in slightly different materials and colors, air freshening/filtering devices (I wouldn't even mind a slight cooling, especially in Summer). Travel cleaning kits. More travel-sized equipment that's easier to drag around. A form letter that's been laminated, or some such, to explain to a moron at customs/security that the device is safe.

Oh, and for my own safety - how about a battery backup that's portable? I suppose I could carry a UPS, but that could get ridiculous and wouldn't likely last through the night anyhow. In the event of a power failure minus any major catastrophe, it'd be nice to still get a good night's sleep. Considering options for at home, as well.

Oh, and the hubby just suggested a bubble attachment, so I can blow bubbles with the exhausted air and keep the cats entertained

Tina

On the travel bag issue, I am not impressed with the bag provided for the PB 420e. I would be interested in something that can be:

1) configured for my machine (ie movable partitions)

2) sturdy & well padded (like me! )

3) with wheels or a strap to slide over a wheeled carry-on handle and attach securely (ie velcro in the middle to secure to a 2 support handle)

4) light weight (not like me!)

5) room for hoses (so they can be wound around the edge, not crammed into a too small area & damaged), masks, cords, extension cords, small distilled water bottle, plug adapters and surge protector

6) able to fit in an overhead bin and not be so heavy that I can't get it up there!

7) zippered compartments (not velcro please) and exterior pockets (a waterproof one would be nice for the water!)

Other items:

1) different diameters of fleece tubing with small, flat seams to use as hose covers for the interface hoses, sold by the foot maybe? I use the NasalAire II, which I basically like, but I am still searching for a good material to cover the small hoses. I do NOT like the feel of the hoses against my skin and would like something soft and seamless (if possible) to avoid seam marks on my face in the morning! I currently use Surgitube finger dressing material -- a tubular, knit bandage that is stretchy -- but it is not heavy enough or very durable.

2) a hose that has a protective sleeve (to stiffen and protect) at the ends (like a good garden hose) to keep it from getting damaged where the hose hangs down from the humidifier (with a pressure line too!).

Liam, stay away from the last one!

That's all that I can come up with right now.

Good topic!

I like the fitted hose cover idea... something stretchy that fit tightly and insulated to prevent rainout from the humidifier. Also easily removed for cleaning.

So far I don't see the need to go all the way to a heated hose since simply rigging some cloths wrapped around the hose has provided enough insulation. It would be nice to replace my jumble of rags and strings with a nicely fitted hose cover.

Wheels!! But compact and balanced so it would fit on top of a carry on if I had one (but I never do). Also big enough so that it would hold everything. What was ResMed thinking this time around ?!

VickiZsPlease

I am a new CPAP user and I travel weekly. I would love to see a bag on wheels that could accomodate both my laptop and my CPAP machine. Not only is it cumbersome to have my laptop and my CPAP but I'm a woman and I have a purse.....I can only carry on 1 bag and 1 personal item. Help!!!

I would like to see a backpack made specifically for CPAP. I really likek your idea Tina about the backpack. It would be very helpful.

i'd probably have to say ''no''. The PB shoulder bag holds the 420E, humidifier, hose and even other supplies with room to spare, so I'd have to say I'd probably use that. I can't speak for most women, but we're used to shoulder bags, so one more shoulder bag doesn't seem like a big deal, esp. when yanking a suitcase thru the airport.

forumadmin wrote:Howdy cpaptalk'ers,

It's too early to call it a trend, but there are more and more people making CPAP after market mods (snuggle hose, aussie heated hose) and making CPAP lifestyle products (custom cpap luggage, mask drying racks).

We are always watching closely to see which direction our customers want to move in and we'd like to know what you think. What elements would make a good CPAP Travel Carry On?

Aside from the specific poll question, what kind of aftermarket CPAP stuff would you like you see? What are some of subtle annoyances caused by all this CPAP equipment?

The bag that came with the 420E is not big enough for all the gear you need to take with you when travelling.

When I bought mine there was no PB heated humidifier, so I got DeVilbiss 9100/9200. I also have a FFM and a heated hose with power supply.

So I bought a cheap (Chinese made) carry-on bag (with wheels and extension handle) which is much stronger than the bag supplied and which has room for all the above gear plus extension cord and 4-outlet power board. There would be room for a 600ml bottle of distilled water, but I carry that in another bag in case of leaks! I use spare underclothes, socks etc to keep the stuff from rattling around.

A custom carry-on bag would be good, but everyone has such different combimations of equipment it would need to have some kind of foam slabs that you could cut out to suit your own requirements. A separate (watertight?) compartment for a bottle of water or even a fitted water tank would also be handy.

I am happy with the Remstar Bag provided with the Auto. As for accessories I would like and neat rack/container for storing the cleaned mask, head gear and tubing at home during the day. At present the tubing is slung over rail in the bathroom, and the disassembled, cleaned mask is generally spread out on a absorbent cloth on a shelf in the bathroom, where it normally remains most of the day, until ti is reassembled for use each night.

According to my instructions,these items,hoses,etc.,should not be stored in the bathroom.
Anyone else have the same instructions?

I have seen in the posts,that a lot of people are doing this.


Marie,in rainy LA at the moment.

We didn't think we'd be doing much traveling, but just found out that our son is moving to Texas and we'll be doing lots of traveling. We live in Maryland. My DME just carries Breas CPAP machines and after fighting tooth and nail, was finally able to get an automatic CPAP, but it's another Breas. It has a carrying bag where I can place hoses, and the machine.

However, I also have a humidifier, which will not fit into the carrying bag.
Another problem is that I have a little stand for my humidifier. Just the thought of having to drag all that stuff with me seems impossible. It would be great if there were collapsible stands for humidifiers!! Perhaps I could place the humidifier on telephone books, but that doesn't seem like a good idea.

It would be nice to have one bag with wheels, and a pull-up handle. If this would support a humidifier, stand, Breeze Nasal System, plus my CPAP carrier bag it would be great.

I'm not asking for much, or am I?

Klady

My vote would be no. Every mask, cpap and everything else I have purchased has come with a carry bag. I have a shelf of bags. The comfort curve came with a rather nice zippered mesh pouch which will hold my activa and 10 foot hose. Also allows for air drying when traveling - don't know about anyone else but no part of my mask or hoses will touch anything in a hotel bathroom. And I never leave anything sitting out in the room for the cleaning people to touch or spray or clean - whom am I kidding! I have a great piece of samsonite luggage that has adjustable compartments in it. It is a wheeled carryon - it will hold my laptop and all my CPAP CRAP. I do not carry distilled water with me - after they open it and look at it and smell it - who wants to use it. They are also starting to restrict carryon of liquids anyway. When I arrive at my destination I purchase distilled water and if I cannot find it easily, I use bottled PLAIN spring water - not something like Evian with all the minerals. To tell you the truth, I do not clean my hose when I travel - I usually use paper towel with a bit of soap to wipe the mask and then rinse it out and stuff it with paper towel to absorb moisture. Then I secure it somewhere - like inside my luggage. When I get home, I give everything the full cleansing treatment. So unless someone comes up with a truly miraculous carryon that holds laptops, cpaps, change of clothes, meds, makeup, book and room for a travel oxygen generator and nebulizer - forget it. International travelers must also be aware that luggage restrictions are different in foreign countries. You can be restricted to a small bag the size of the bags that used to be supplied by airlines and they do not hold much. There are so many variations in travel needs I think it would be difficult to come up with a good design to suit many needs.

I travel alot for work usually, and just came back from my first week on the road with my remstar. I like the bag it came with, no complaints at all. Got my Remstar Pro w/ heated humidifier, hose and mask in there with no problems at all, even carried the book I was reading in the pocket where manuals usually reside (left them at home).

My only suggestions for change;
1. Didn't worry about the machine much, but was concerned about the mask being properly "padded". A guy came on the plane behind me and tried stuffing his suitcase into the overhead bin where my bag was, looked like he was crushing my case, and I was sure I was going to find my mask broken. Didn't, guess the hose kept it padded, but I'd like a semi hardened section to keep my mask better protected.

2. I too carry a laptop, although I sometimes pack it in my checked bag. If a bag could be made to carry both, with some extra compartments for paperwork, etc., I'd probably consider buying it.

3. Like someone else said, lose the logo, or make it less noticable. Not that I'm ashamed or trying to hide that I'm a CPAP user, I just don't feel the need to advertise it. My laptop bag from Dell doesn't have a big old Dell logo on it, why would I want a RemStar bag to have a big logo on it? Simple, black, professional and business like.

My Fisher and Paykel unit has a pretty nice bag. My gripe is cleaning... I wish some one would come out with a spray or solution you could use quicly and conviently ? to clean your hose and mask. It would have to be pretty Idiot proof also. I'm planning on taking my CPAP on the baot with me on a 5 day trip in Sept. The landing seems to have dealt with this issue before, and maybe i'll be able to give some tips on long range fishing with CPAP when I get back.

My ResMed Spirit came with a great case. There is plenty of room and protection for it, the humidifier, and a mask.