CPAP and Airport Clearance

I have not travelled with my new CPAP machine, as of yet. Are there any special procedures I need to know about when clearing the TSA check point with my equipment?

Here is a good cpaptalk.com search that will show you some of the past threads on this topic.

Things to remember:

• If you are carrying water consider Sterile Water or a PapFlask and declare it to the security officer
• Don't check your equipment, it is too fragile
• TSA Guidelines allow you to request that they wear fresh gloves and clean the table prior to equipment inspections
• Enjoy the fact that your xPAP travel bag is exempt from the bag limits/charges imposed by US airlines

My husband and I have flown with ours without any problem. I think it's a good idea to tell security that you're carrying a CPAP when you're still in line. I have a large "medical equipment" tag on my bag and I carry my prescription and instruction booklet, just in case. I'm not comfortable with putting mine in an overhead compartment, so I put it under the seat in front of me.

I've never had problems traveling with my CPAP. I do ask the TSA agent to put on new gloves before inspecting my equipment, but they're usually very understanding. I have a Medical Equipment tag I printed from somewhere online, I'd attach it to this post, but I'm not sure how... It emphasizes that CPAP is lifesaving equipment and is permitted by the TSA, just in case you run in to any problems.

Newbie Woman wrote:..... I'm not comfortable with putting mine in an overhead compartment, so I put it under the seat in front of me.

I haven't traveled with mine yet but I happen to have one of these these sitting around and it's going to be my new CPAP travel case. That way it can go overhead if it needs to.

Randy

You will have to take your CPAP out of its case and put it in a bin, just like you would a laptop computer. It's been several years since I've had a TSA agent ask to do any sort of inspection of my CPAP, and then IIRC it was just to swab the case and open it for a visual inspection of the contents (this was before they started making you take the CPAP out of the case). I've never had any problem getting it through security, and the few times I've taken advantage of the fact that it doesn't count toward the two-bag carry on limit no one's ever said anything to me about the fact that I had an extra bag.

evbirch wrote:I have a Medical Equipment tag I printed from somewhere online, I'd attach it to this post, but I'm not sure how... It emphasizes that CPAP is lifesaving equipment and is permitted by the TSA, just in case you run in to any problems.

I just found this card online per your suggestion and did a “save image as . . .” It can then be printed out and then cut on the dotted lines and then laminated. If you don’t happen to have a laminator device on hand Kinko’s will do it for a nominal charge and even give you a baggage tie with it.

http://www.sleepguide.com/photo/cpap-me ... ipment-tag

Thanks for the suggestion.

pax
Roger

I travel a lot (US, Europe, and Middle East) and have never once taken my CPAP out of its case to put it in the bin. I just put the case in the bin and fully open the zipper so that the case is wide open and the CPAP shows, and mention as I put it on the belt that it is medical breathing equipment. Usually that gets a vigorous nod, and it sails through without any further ado and without the TSA wanting to handle it. I do keep a copy of the statement of medical necessity in the side pocket in case I need to show it, but I have never had to show it. I don't travel with water for it, figuring that the simpler I make things for TSA, the simpler I make them for myself.

I use the Resmed bag that both my units came in. I put each unit in a gallon freezer bag and they both fit back into the case. So far they haven't taken them out of the bag. My only problem was when I brought a pap flask with distilled water. They didn't take it away but made sure that I understood not to carry the liquid again. But I could carry it if the flight was over niight.
The bag and equipment have to go in a separate container like when you carry a laptop computer.

The bag does not need (as in require) a medical tag but IF you are a "Inner Circle Member" (ICM) you will want to print the "Blue tag".

Everything in the bag needs to be exempt for the bag to remain exempt tho. Meaning you can't put a pair of socks or toothpaste into the the exempt bag.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48177&p=438876&hili ... fe#p438876

It is always a good idea to carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you have a need to buy and/or repair ANYTHING related to your cpap. You just can't depend on national companies helping when your records are not within the area they service delays can be lengthy. Even when they say not to worry - just bring the prescription with you. I am sure your doc will understand.

Beatlejoose wrote:Are there any special procedures I need to know about when clearing the TSA check point with my equipment?

Nothing special other than comply with what is requested.

My flying experience has varied at the check points from them wanting
to swab the equipment to them not even opening the bag to check on it.

I used to go through the trouble of removing the equipment from my bag
but now I don't bother... they can see it in there with their scanners and
if further inspection is required I will be notified and will comply.

I don't find the Resmed bag that came with my equipment back in 2008
really travel ready so what I did was take the equipment and everything
I would be bringing to high-end photography store where I was able to
select a bag where everything fitted and was travel ready.

Be sure to take your equipment as carry-on and NOT checked luggage.

Hope this isn't seen as a thread hijack because it's related to the subject: I understand about carrying a copy of your prescription and other documentation to prove the machine is actually yours and my instinct would be to put it in the same bag and/or case as the CPAP machine. But since once you put anything on the belt you aren't allowed to touch it again until they release it would it be better to carry your proof of ownership away from the CPAP?

Randy

Randyp1234 wrote:I understand about carrying a copy of your prescription and other documentation to prove the machine is actually yours and my instinct would be to put it in the same bag and/or case as the CPAP machine. But since once you put anything on the belt you aren't allowed to touch it again until they release it would it be better to carry your proof of ownership away from the CPAP?

Thanks for bringing that up...
IF you did pack the script in with the machine AND the machine was stolen how could you even rent a machine from a local DME or your national Co. that said "Oh Don't worry, we will get you a machine as soon as we get access to your records"?

So yea it would be recommended to carry the script separate from the machine. Maybe with your airline or travel tickets just not with the machine.

There is a post on here where a lady said her cpap bag was stolen from her rental car. Yea now what? Who'da thunk it?

They prob thought it was a computer or something.

I have dragged my CPAP to Africa 4 times, Italy 12 times and other countries and around the US. Security screeners don't seem to be concerned with my CPAP any more. About a year ago they stopped asking to swab it for explosives. Lately I've been using my CPAP.com battery for my travel CPAP (RESMED AutoM) to use during long haul flights. I'd been concerned that it might look strange because of the odd connectors, so I take that out and put it in the bin along with the CPAP. They could care less, I guess it doesn't light up as a concern on the x-ray screener.

Just take it out of it your carry-on and put it in the tray, that's it. I've NEVER been asked for a Rx for it and have only once been asked about it as a second carry-on at London Heathrow and once they saw my medical equipment tag I got to skip the line and go to the front of the long line.

The main thing is to not stress about it, its just like a laptop.

Steve

Paul56 wrote:

Beatlejoose wrote:Are there any special procedures I need to know about when clearing the TSA check point with my equipment?

Nothing special other than comply with what is requested.

My flying experience has varied at the check points from them wanting
to swab the equipment to them not even opening the bag to check on it.

I used to go through the trouble of removing the equipment from my bag
but now I don't bother... they can see it in there with their scanners and
if further inspection is required I will be notified and will comply.

I don't find the Resmed bag that came with my equipment back in 2008
really travel ready so what I did was take the equipment and everything
I would be bringing to high-end photography store where I was able to
select a bag where everything fitted and was travel ready.

Be sure to take your equipment as carry-on and NOT checked luggage.

Those that are interested in carrying a little distilled water for that first night after traveling may be interested in this "work around."

Traveling to a "strange" area involves some stress. It is nice to arrive at your destination and not need to immediately find a store to pick up some distilled water. Many will simply use tap water, or bottled water, but for those that prefer distilled water here is what you do.

The amount of liquid you bring into the cabin of an airplane is limited to something like 3 ounces. However, if you lower the temperature of distilled water, it changes from a liquid to a solid. Ice is not restricted... You just have to make sure it doesn't change back to a liquid before you make it through security.