travelling with CPAP machine

I am going to be flying with my CPAP on Wednesday. I was planning to take it in the case in which it came (which isn't particularly padded), and even though it is bulky, include it as part of my carry-on luggage.

But it would really be more convenient if I could check the machine. Is it too delicate to just include immersed in a bunch of clothes? (I pack like a child.) Have others had to take special measures when they flew with their machine to ensure no damage was inflicted? I might not be able to include both my laptop and my CPAP machine in my carry-on baggage, and am not sure which would be the one less likely to sustain damage if traveling as part of a checked piece of luggage.

Thanks.

As far as I know, the CPAP machine will not be counted against your carry on limit. So, you should be able to take the CPAP on board as well as your computer. The CPAP is considered a medical device and should be allowed in addition to your carry on baggage.

The CPAP should not be put in with checked baggage as it is delicate and could be damaged. Furthermore, if it gets lost you would have to sleep without it. For these reasons it is best to carry it on to the plane. It would also be good if you take a copy of your Doctor's prescription for the machine and/or a letter from your doctor.

Jeff

I have packed more fragile things (work laptop, for example) in my checked bags with few hassles. I would be concerned about a lost or delayed bag, tho.

I always carry my CPAP. If the flight is full, it can usually get you pre-boarding if you ask...

Can you afford to be without your CPAP for a few days?

I take one carry-on which has room for my sleep equipment and notebook... everything else goes into checked luggage.

Prior to leaving test at home to see if you can get by without the humidifier... if so you eliminate some packing bulk and issue of sourcing distilled water at destination.

Label it as medical equipment, only put medical stuff inside (CPAP & supplies & meds), and it will NOT be counted as carryon by the airlines in the US. DO NOT SEND IT AS LUGGAGE UNLESS YOU CAN AFFORD TO HAVE ONE OVERNIGHTED TO YOU IN CASE OF LOSS OR ACCIDENT! As to board early with your medical equipment -- that way you can get space in the overhead bins or underneath the seat.

If you're a germ-phobe, pack it in a big baggie that easy to get into so TSA can do their explosives swab without risking dropping it -- you can request they don new clean gloves for this.

I agree with the comments so far about carrying it on, and that by law it does not count against your carry-on limit. I would, however,add one other potential concern about checking it. Since TSA usually swabs CPAP's for explosives when they are carried on, I suspect putting it in your . . . [EDIT: I meant "CHECKED BAGGAGE" not "CARRY-ON"] might increase the likelihood that TSA would open your luggage and examine the contents. Particularly if you don't check in early, this could even result in your baggage being delayed to its destination. However, I am speculating about this, and perhaps someone with more knowledge about TSA procedures (or who has checked their CPAP and observed whether TSA opened their baggage) would have more information about whether a CPAP in checked baggage triggers a baggage inspection.

springsteenfan75 wrote:I am going to be flying with my CPAP on Wednesday. I was planning to take it in the case in which it came (which isn't particularly padded), and even though it is bulky, include it as part of my carry-on luggage.

But it would really be more convenient if I could check the machine. Is it too delicate to just include immersed in a bunch of clothes? (I pack like a child.) Have others had to take special measures when they flew with their machine to ensure no damage was inflicted? I might not be able to include both my laptop and my CPAP machine in my carry-on baggage, and am not sure which would be the one less likely to sustain damage if traveling as part of a checked piece of luggage.

Thanks.

Your Cpap is a medical device. The slugs that inspect your luggage can not keep you from carrying it with you. Make sure when they inspect it that you demand they use new gloves!

springsteenfan75 wrote:... even though it is bulky, include it as part of my carry-on luggage. ... But it would really be more convenient if I could check the machine... I might not be able to include both my laptop and my CPAP machine in my carry-on baggage, and am not sure which would be the one less likely to sustain damage if traveling as part of a checked piece of luggage. ...

It does not count against your carry on allowance. That is at least true within the USA. It may vary in other countries, but I found that is usually the case. I carry both my laptop and xPAP. I sometimes have to explain that it is a medical advice.

And no, you do not want to check your CPAP. Over the years I saw completely indestructible luggage destroyed. A CPAP is no match for those forces. In fact, the manufacturers note that it should NOT be checked.

Patrick A wrote:... Make sure whaen they inspect it that you demand they use new gloves! ...

While you can, and the TSA site clearly notes it is your right to ask them to change their gloves, I've never had it cause me any problems. They always leave the mask and hose alone. If you worry about it leading to health problems you could take a cleaning cloth, such as the following:

http://www.magellans.com/store/Health__ ... gieneKR792

I've been on numerous flights, had lots of TSA folks handle my machine. The only time I get a cold when flying is when someone near me starts hacking and sneezing.

In my frequent traveling, I take the cpap out of the bag and put it on its own tray.

They stop the belt when they see it, and hold everything until someone can grab it and do a swab. So, there's no concern about bag searches or anything like that. If you leave it in the bag, they are required to search the bag.

I say DON'T DO IT, no matter how well you pack it. I saw a news story recently about a lost bag with medical items inside (I can't remember exactly which items they were--but I started paying attention to the results). The items will not be replaced--I don't remember which airline, but things like medications and medical devices are not insured. In fact the maximum reimbursement allowed from the airline was less than the passenger's suitcase cost to buy, let alone the contents.

Check the airline for what is covered if they lose the luggage or buy extra insurance. I wouldn't take a chance with anything I couldn't afford to lose or go without for a while.

r

I ALWAYS carry it on in it's own case. I've never had any problems whatsoever. The TSA personnel always recognize it for what it is. Several times I've been asked to take it out of the case prior to x-ray. Other times they run it through in the case. The big plastic bag is a good idea. I didn't know you could buy zip lock bags that size until I got my first machine.

Just get some of the larger (green) produce bags in the organics section of the grocery store. They're large enough and sterile & disposable.

All good suggestions above. Just keep it simple.

>Do not even consider checking your xpap.

>Only your xpap needs to be placed in a separate bin for scanning & swabbing. The rest of your
equipment can stay in its carry case.

>Put the xpap in a plastic bag if that helps you feel better (I just don't see the point of this), but it will be removed for swabbing 90% of the time in the USA.

>Take along a travel pack of Clorox or Lysol brand wipes (these are non-bleech) so you can wipe down your machine at your hotel, if you feel the need for sanitizing the surface of the machine.

>Keep your xpap case stowed where you can see it--either at your feet or in a bin across from your seat.

>If you must use a humidifier, bottled drinking water is fine. Don't sweat over the distilled water idea.

Rebecca R wrote:I say DON'T DO IT, no matter how well you pack it. I saw a news story recently about a lost bag with medical items inside (I can't remember exactly which items they were--but I started paying attention to the results). The items will not be replaced--I don't remember which airline, but things like medications and medical devices are not insured. In fact the maximum reimbursement allowed from the airline was less than the passenger's suitcase cost to buy, let alone the contents.

Check the airline for what is covered if they lose the luggage or buy extra insurance. I wouldn't take a chance with anything I couldn't afford to lose or go without for a while.

r

I went to the drug store today to get some medications refilled for our trip this week end. Anyway there was a lady that came from L.A. County she did not say what Airline but they lost her bags. She was having the Pharmacist call the drug store she shops at to get all of her medications filled what a fiasco she had to deal with. always carry your Cpap Supplies and medications as a carry on.