Does anyone trust CPAP equipment in checked luggage

Well, on the original point...if you won't trust checking camera equipment or laptop...why would you trust checking CPAP. And, which is the issue....trusting they won't break it or trusting they won't lose it?

When I first got CPAP, I considered adapting an old (pelican) camera case to protect my CPAP equipment should I check it (actually I did adapt the bag, but I didn't use it). But, somebody asked what I would do if the airline lost it...and it wasn't fun the few times that they had lost or delayed bag.....

What I did on my last trip...was fly just carry-on. I had roller carry-on with clothes, gadgets, and laptop....actually a Netbook. And, a FastPack 250 with my CPAP equipment. The laptop section of it was emtpy and there was still some room...so if I had brought laptop and powersupply, it could've fit into the FastPack.

Oh....I did have a camera with me...though right now its just a digital P&S, which I have with me at the ready most of the time....in my (e-)holster. I've sometimes thought about getting out the photo vest to carry stuff, but so far I haven't had that much stuff I wanted to get on board that way. Plus every now and then they give me a hard time about it going through security.

I do see myself having more in the way of camera equipment again, but its just a hobby now. Essential tremors suck....especially since the more you want to hold something steady, the worse the tremor gets. The tremor has also lead to security giving me a hard time when flying.

OTOH, I still think about whether I'd risk checking my CPAP....it perhaps would be easier if I had a backup or a separate travel one...knowing that at least I could get home to my CPAP. If it got lost on the way there...would cutting things short and/or going without sleep for a couple of nights be the end of the world. We somehow made it to before CPAP with poor sleep 'til now. If only they didn't require you to have a prescription to get such machines. Can't they just tell by the fact that we already have one....

I know I remain somewhat more functioning after missing a night of sleep, than I would before CPAP.... though I did bite a coworker's head off for no reason.

Oh yeah...I decided while I was able to do most of the things I needed to during the trip on the Netbook....the limited screen and cramped keyboard was a big problem, so I got a 12.1" notebook....will have to see how that fits into things. Though I'm thinking of checking at least a bag in the future....so I can transport distilled water and a pillow..... I thought about doing it last trip, but I didn't have a pillow that I would feel comfortable trusting to checked luggage.

The Dreamer.

No ! And it doesn't count as a carry on.

Hi
This is the link to Air Canada's info regarding carry-ons.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/ ... ry-on.html

If you click the 'medical equipment' such as cpap devices it must be within the size of the 'personal article'. I know it mentioned battery powered, but I think they mentioned that point, just to state you can't use their battery power.

I'm afraid to just show up assuming they'll let me through, and then be forced to not fly. Because at that point my 3 important pieces of carry-on can't be checked (large camera bag & I do need all the equipment, laptop, and CPAP).

Rosemary

It appears you are allowed to carry on 3 items. 1 standard article (e.g. roller bag) , 1 personal article (e.g. laptop), and Purses up to 25cm x 30cm x 20cm (10" x 12" x 8") (That's under "the following items can be carried on and do not count towards your baggage allowance").

I would use all of them up to the full size mentioned. That is a BIG purse. I would think you could get your CPAP, camera, and laptop between all of those items.

You're right BeanMeScot, that is a big purse. My Resmed bag is 15" wide and that's the smallest of my 3 items. Thanks for following up, though.

You don't have to use the bag it came in. Some people do because it is recognized as medical equipment and many airlines don't include CPAP as part of a carry on allowance but it doesn't appear Air Canada does it that way. I would just find a bag that meets the size indicated and still fits the machine and use that. I would think the machine itself is a bit smaller than the bag it came in. I know mine is. It has about 4-5 extra inches for storage of the cords and such. I don't necessarily need that extra space.

That's a good idea to use a different bag. The Elite II and humidifier take up the 15" in the resmed bag. Maybe I can find a way to stack the 2 items. I just talked to the DME and they said I would find it very dry to go w/o using the humidifier.

It is really amazing what we women carry in our purses!
Good excuse to get a new glitzy but strong purse.

Another thing would be to get one of those Tilly vests with a thousand pockets - you couldn't put the cpap in it but it could be used for your normal purse items.

RMinOntario wrote:That's a good idea to use a different bag. The Elite II and humidifier take up the 15" in the resmed bag. Maybe I can find a way to stack the 2 items. I just talked to the DME and they said I would find it very dry to go w/o using the humidifier.

Experiences going without the humidifier vary... for what it is worth here is my own:

I was recently away from home for 2 weeks with the mode of transportation being flying. I tried for a few nights at home going without the humidifier and found I could do that just fine.

I used the machine every night for the 2 weeks away without the humidifier and was fine... I did not experience dryness.

The best is to try it yourself for a few nights and see how it goes.

I will actually try using the CPAP machine w/o the humidifier at home for some nights. Right now I use the humidifier at a low level anyway. Thanks for your input.

YYZ thats a RUSH song ,I know it's named after the airport call letters!
I don't even trust my luggage with my clothes in it in checked baggage and even though i really don't travel too much anymore ,I definately would truct my cpap in checked luggage ,you may never see it again!

RMinOntario wrote:I will actually try using the CPAP machine w/o the humidifier at home for some nights. Right now I use the humidifier at a low level anyway. Thanks for your input.

Remember to factor in the climate of your destination. A trip to the Amazon without a humidifier will be different than one to Las Vegas.

My motto on checking things is never check anything you REALLY want to see again. I check my clothes and toiletries. My laptop, CPAP, iPod, and camera always go with me in the cabin.

jdm2857 wrote:

RMinOntario wrote:I will actually try using the CPAP machine w/o the humidifier at home for some nights. Right now I use the humidifier at a low level anyway. Thanks for your input.

Remember to factor in the climate of your destination. A trip to the Amazon without a humidifier will be different than one to Las Vegas.

I never thought of that. Silly question here, but would you use in in Vegas and not the Amazon? I am thinking about the coast in Oregon.

It all depends on the relative humidity where you live versus where you are going.

But in desert Las Vegas, the need for humidification is greater than in the Amazon rainforest. Of course, with air conditioning, the air is pretty dry everywhere.