need travel tips

These are fantastic tips. I've already added some things to my MASTER "beach list". You guys are the best !!

lets start w/spare machine, mask, & hose, etc just for travel
make it the same model you use at home so things all fit you know how it operates
check craigslist or here for good deals

in a travel bag (carry-on suitcase with wheels) with all of the above keep everything else needed
incl distilled water
a power strip but I also keep several outlet adapters like for 6 or 3 plugs etc
spare filters dont take up any room
tape is always handy - any kind ie elec, duct, painters, or medical
i use the painters tape with a hair scrunchy taped to bed frame or wall to hold the hose
any medicines you need
nite lite & flashlight - rechargeable or windup
nasal saline
lansinoh if you use it
spare mask cushion & parts

Tino2You wrote:One item in my travel machine bag is a small strip plug. All too often, there is not enough outlets near the bed for everything. CPAP, Cell phone charger,EReader.
-tino

keep everything in carry-on suitcase with wheels ready to go

Hi. I'm new here but have a concern about travel as well. I wish I had an extra cpap machine because I'm a trucker that gets home most nights, but some I just can't. Therefore, I am carrying it back and forth which is a real hassle. Anyone know if I can get a spare very easily and affordably? Also, the card in it that records the info... what if you have two machines? I am required to have that modem recording my usage for the department of transportation since I drive a semi. Thanks all!

In Him, Linda

lets start w/spare machine, mask, & hose, etc just for travel
make it the same model you use at home so things all fit you know how it operates
check craigslist or here for good deals

linda2463 wrote:Hi. I'm new here but have a concern about travel as well. I wish I had an extra cpap machine because I'm a trucker that gets home most nights, but some I just can't. Therefore, I am carrying it back and forth which is a real hassle. Anyone know if I can get a spare very easily and affordably? Also, the card in it that records the info... what if you have two machines? I am required to have that modem recording my usage for the department of transportation since I drive a semi. Thanks all!

In Him, Linda

I carry a 6 foot extension cord with 6 outlet surge protector.

Depending one which bed I use in a hotel room, I may put my machine in the drawer of the night stand. It usually fits well there, and is just about like my system at home where I use the drawer of a night stand. I can close the drawer during the day to keep it safe. If I am sleeping on the side of the bed not next to the night stand, I usually stack the two cat carriers next to the bed and place a towel on top, then the machine. (Yes, I travel with 2-3 cats to cat shows). I have also used a chair on some occasions.

When I visit my sister, I sleep on her couch, and there is a coffee table that I pull up close to the couch. That keeps it within reach, but lower than the level of the couch. I do have to increase the temp of the heated hose as her place is cooler and I will get gurgling in the hose if I forget to do that.

sleepy guesty wrote:lets start w/spare machine, mask, & hose, etc just for travel
make it the same model you use at home so things all fit you know how it operates
check craigslist or here for good deals

in a travel bag (carry-on suitcase with wheels) with all of the above keep everything else needed
incl distilled water
a power strip but I also keep several outlet adapters like for 6 or 3 plugs etc
spare filters dont take up any room
tape is always handy - any kind ie elec, duct, painters, or medical
i use the painters tape with a hair scrunchy taped to bed frame or wall to hold the hose
any medicines you need
nite lite & flashlight - rechargeable or windup
nasal saline
lansinoh if you use it
spare mask cushion & parts

Tino2You wrote:One item in my travel machine bag is a small strip plug. All too often, there is not enough outlets near the bed for everything. CPAP, Cell phone charger,EReader.
-tino

keep everything in carry-on suitcase with wheels ready to go

I have started to take a spare hose along too.

linda2463 wrote:Anyone know if I can get a spare very easily and affordably? Also, the card in it that records the info... what if you have two machines? I am required to have that modem recording my usage for the department of transportation since I drive a semi. Thanks all!

There are a few people here that sells "gently used" equipment. For me, I have a second machine to keep in a summer cottage. I opted for an S9 Escape Auto (no diagnostics info) and the price was easy on my wallet. My main machine records everything I need (S9 AutoSet) and it stays at home. If you search for "MCDOVER" he sells machines. There are others. Be careful. Ask how many hours are on the machine and what specific model you will be buying.

-tino

Everyone travels differently but as someone who spends a lot of time in the air I can't imagine packing as heavily as many here suggest. I can travel almost indefinitely with one 22" carryon suitcase and one shoulder bag for laptop and gadgets (that fits a week worth of clothing and supplies including CPAP and if I stay longer I send laundry out via the hotel over the weekend). I have a second unit (Transcend Auto), mask, and a four foot slimline hose that always sit in my carryon ready to go so I don't have to disconnect and pack the larger unit sitting on my nightstand every time I go anywhere. In terms of spares and repairs and other things folks have mentioned, given the recommended replacement schedules for everything I see a huge amount of preventive maintenance already taking place so I'm willing to risk it. I'm sure tape could be found in almost any destination if you "spring a leak" and in a complete equipment failure situation I have the most important travel accessory of all, a credit card. Next day air isn't cheap but worth it to me not to have to carry an arsenal of spares. With 46K miles flown so far in 2014 I travel more than most though, for an occasional pleasure trip or for those who travel via ground you may be willing to put up with much more packing and lugging.

NameGoesHere wrote:Everyone travels differently but as someone who spends a lot of time in the air I can't imagine packing as heavily as many here suggest. I can travel almost indefinitely with one 22" carryon suitcase and one shoulder bag for laptop and gadgets (that fits a week worth of clothing and supplies including CPAP and if I stay longer I send laundry out via the hotel over the weekend). I have a second unit (Transcend Auto), mask, and a four foot slimline hose that always sit in my carryon ready to go so I don't have to disconnect and pack the larger unit sitting on my nightstand every time I go anywhere. In terms of spares and repairs and other things folks have mentioned, given the recommended replacement schedules for everything I see a huge amount of preventive maintenance already taking place so I'm willing to risk it. I'm sure tape could be found in almost any destination if you "spring a leak" and in a complete equipment failure situation I have the most important travel accessory of all, a credit card. Next day air isn't cheap but worth it to me not to have to carry an arsenal of spares. With 46K miles flown so far in 2014 I travel more than most though, for an occasional pleasure trip or for those who travel via ground you may be willing to put up with much more packing and lugging.

It depends on where you travel. Tape can not be found at 10pm in a rural town or even at 10am on a Sunday in some places. "Next day air" only works for major cities, not if you are 100 miles into the country.

BlackSpinner wrote: It depends on where you travel. Tape can not be found at 10pm in a rural town or even at 10am on a Sunday in some places. "Next day air" only works for major cities, not if you are 100 miles into the country.

There are exceptions to every rule but I'd be willing to be that even if I were visiting Kilimanjaro I could talk to the guide and he'd manage to come up with a piece of tape at midnight on Sunday. Hotels have maintenance staff. Small towns have service stations.

Bottom line is comfort though, if people need to have a roll of tape to feel comfortable traveling then I'm in no place to say otherwise. Personally I find it a creative idea but it's not necessary for me.

Shipping options in remote areas: I tend to travel to major cities or areas that are popular destinations and have a high level of service. That said, people can weigh their tolerance for risk (are you willing to have two bad nights of sleep if something goes belly up rather than purchase and lug around additional equipment) or what they are willing to spend to ship in an emergency. In a prior role I had a transmission for a Cat bulldozer sent halfway around the world by air; you can get almost anything almost anywhere quickly if the costs are justified.

My original point though was that everyone travels differently, those who wish to travel light may prefer my approach.

Since I understand this is a trip to the beach, we go each year, skipped last year, so this will be our first with 2 CPAP's (mine & hubby's).

I usually take the mentioned cords & strip plugs/surge protectors. In addition, I always take:
a small flashlight
extra 3 way plug (strange how that has come in handy in tight spaces)
duct tape
extra mask/cushion
distilled water (you can wait & buy this at beach, depending on how close you will be to stores)
spongy shelf liner, cut to fit my machine (or you can use a mouse pad as suggested by another poster)
small scissors or a good swiss-type knife

I like Nan's idea of taking it in the plastic bin, labeled as Medical Equipment, it provides a table for nightly use, then contains all the stuff without having to stuff into your CPAP bag. I usually stuff all my list except for my extra mask into my CPAP bag.

Have a great time at the beach!
Jen