Good CPAP for travel?

[notthedash]

Hello,

My mother uses a CPAP and is travelling to the US later this year. Her current machine is a real old clunker, so it's certainly not suitable to take with her. I've noticed a few mentions of CPAPs on this site, so I figure there are at least a few people here who use them, and also travel!

Can anyone recommend a CPAP that is suitable for travel? As she's going to the US, it would need to be compatible with the voltage there, as well as here.

thanks

 

[Jacques Vert]

Hello,

My mother uses a CPAP and is travelling to the US later this year. Her current machine is a real old clunker, so it's certainly not suitable to take with her. I've noticed a few mentions of CPAPs on this site, so I figure there are at least a few people here who use them, and also travel!

Can anyone recommend a CPAP that is suitable for travel? As she's going to the US, it would need to be compatible with the voltage there, as well as here.

thanks

I use the Fisher & Paykel 600 series (H604); I understand that it automatically converts to the local voltage. Although a little bulkier than some, I have used it in Asia, Europe, central & south America (but not the states)

Give ém a call & discuss.

JV

 

[sinophile888]

I use a Puritan Bennett Goodnight 420E. I have used it in Asia, the Middle East, South Africa, Europe, the U.K and on various cruise lines. It is the size of 2 video cassettes and adapts to changing altitude. In fact, my husband and I were so pleased with its size and performance that we bought a second one for extra security when travelling. He carries one in his backpack and I carry the other in my carry-on luggage. This model is now difficult to obtain, but other similar units will be just as versatile.

Look for a unit which automatically detects changes in breathing, snoring and sleep patterns that occur throughout the night and adapts its functions to deliver the lowest amount of pressure needed for effective and comfortable therapy. This type of unit is an automatic CPAP sometimes called an APAP.

Some airlines do not include CPAP machines in carry on allowances, but this may need to be set up before travel. The carry-on bag can only contain the machine and power cords, masks etc.

I would also suggest a cpapdotcom battery kit. Mine weighs just over 1 kg and comes in a bag about 15cm cubed. I find it easily runs the machine for more than a full night’s sleep. It is very useful if staying somewhere where the power point is not conveniently located. I also use it whenever we have a power failure at home. It is also incredibly valuable when flying long haul as you can set up the cpap and battery in your seat and sleep for as long as you want without the need for a power point. As far as I know, only Cathay Pacific have power point in all their economy seats. Qantas has one in some aircraft for medical use and also South African Airways.

Feel free to send me a message if I can be of any further help.

 

[medhead]

I have a resmed S9 APAP. I have used it on QF 747s. They do have limited seats with suitable power in economy and also in business, not sure about first. The normal business power supply would not work with my power pack. I had the opportunity to try it out when Qantas forgot to set up the power for me. The set up only involves putting in a US plug adapter. unfortunately, and stupidly, I'd packed my US adapter in my checked luggage. Learning point for me.

I guess that it didn't work because I only had a 70W power pack, design for the APAP and humidifier. There is also a sub-30W power plug available.

I've also used it in Europe and I believe that the power pack is rated for 110V to 240V, so provided you have the correct adapter it is all good.

If flying Qantas best to contact Special Handling, they are great, and check out the information here. Medical Assistance when travelling onboard Qantas

 

[Zippy7]

I've been using a CPAP (technically APAP) machine for quite a few years.
I dragged an old Resmed S7 machine around, but that was big and clunky, so then I borrowed a Resmed S8 machine.
Last year I upgraded to the Resmed S9 machine - nice and compact.

If your mother does not require the humidifier, then it is very compact. The size doubles with the humidifier!

I've used mine without issue in HK, Tokyo, Mumbai, and now in the UK. It has auto-voltage.

I have no experience using it on aircraft though, as I don't think they support you using the humidifier (which I need).
I flew on the A380 earlier this week (QF31), and apparently there is only 1 seat in J that supports CPAP (11K). I chose to keep 12E, but then discovered I was unable to sleep much... I did find the environment very, very dry (and almost had a nosebleed). Not sure if using it flying is that important to you/your mother...

 

[SFSC]

I use a "Respironics REMstar Pro C-Flex +" machine with a "System One" heated humidifier attached as a module alongside the C-Flex + unit to form a system . I have found that at my pressure setting (8cm of H[SUB]2[/SUB]O) I have not yet needed to use the humidifier and have considered disconnecting the humidifier module. This would reduce the weight and size by approximately half.

My only flight experience with the system so far has been on QF2 BKK-SYD in June. I flew to Cyprus from BKK on Gulf Air in May and had determined from their website that I would not be able to use the system on board their flights.

I had previously advised Qantas Special Handling before my flight on QF2 and noticed that an adaptor had been plugged into the power outlet (I think it is 115V 60 hz) near my seat (4A). An engineer visited before departure and requested me to plug my system in and verify that it would run. I only ran the pressure part but it worked OK. In the air, I initially dropped off to sleep after dinner and a couple of Tokay and did not get the system down from the overhead and set it up until some time later. When I did use it, I was not aware of any adverse effects from the reduced cabin pressure. Nor did I feel the need to use the humidifier despite the low ambient humidity.

I have a trip coming up to Europe in the northern winter and may defer taking the humidifier off until after I see how I react to the long legs on BA and the low humidity caused by the sub-zero temperatures.

 

[medhead]

The advice I had from qantas was no humidifier on the aircraft. That seems sensible given the much higher power requirement and that the humidifier is basically a hot metal plate

 

[cove]

If you want to be certain that you can use your CPAP you can get a lithium battery and charger thru CPAP.com.To get 8 or more hours of battery life you eliminate the humidifier as it chews up the battery and reduces the time it will run.
My machines are Resmed S8 which is now the "old model". Sometimes I find no power point in a hotel room in a convenient position so the battery gets used more often than I planned.

 

[SFSC]

The advice I had from qantas was no humidifier on the aircraft. That seems sensible given the much higher power requirement and that the humidifier is basically a hot metal plate

I suspect the outlet to the rear of seat 4A on the horizontal surface near the window may have a more robust supply than the laptop outlets and could be there to supply other medical equipment but don't know for sure. The engineer didn't mention anything about not using the humidifier.

If you want to be certain that you can use your CPAP you can get a lithium battery and charger thru CPAP.com.To get 8 or more hours of battery life you eliminate the humidifier as it chews up the battery and reduces the time it will run.
My machines are Resmed S8 which is now the "old model". Sometimes I find no power point in a hotel room in a convenient position so the battery gets used more often than I planned.

I always carry a 4 outlet power board and a 3 metre extension cord. The other outlets on the board can be used for charging other stuff. Although the CPAP manual says one shouldn't use extension cords with the system, I found the extension quite useful on a cruise to Vanuatu last month where the power outlet (220V 60hz) was at a desk adjacent to the foot of the bed.

 

[karnaby]

Hi, I can't comment on modern machines as mine is a few years old now & it's not that small so it is always a bit of a hassle when travelling. One thing I can say is that sleep apnea equipment was definitely a lot cheaper in the US a couple of years ago. I made a point of finding a store that fitted in with our travels to get a new mask & tubing as it was nearly half the price of what I could get them for here.

Depending on your mum's circumstances it could well be worth considering holding off buying a new machine until she is over there. Remembering that she is [probably] going to need a prescription/covering letter from her doctor to enable her to buy a new machine.

 

[Paddy55]

Have old Sullivan S6... but still works very well on QF (744, A380, A330) in variety of classes - no problems and QF very caring on this topic - compliments to them.

Have used in J on CX - again no problem

Check before you fly with the airline

Paddy

 

[samdriscoll]

Not to worry, Ken. I travel in and out of the country with a DPAP all the time and just had it questioned one time. I said "This is a sleep machine," and they all nodded wisely and let me through.........

 

[cove]

I am charging both lithium batteries getting them set for September 7th run MEL-LAX.
Take off the humidifier and you should be good for up to 8 hours per battery.
Cpap.com supplied mine but they should now be available in OZ.

 

[Paddy55]

Re: QANTAS J Cabins Rated.

Avoid 11K on 388 - it has a power supply socket for medical equipment - you may just get turfed out. :-|

... using a CPAP machine I'm fortunate to be the beneficiary of the power placement in 11K - love that seat.

Looking forward to trying Skybed II seating on a 744 in six months... well upstairs at least!

 

[cove]

Re: QANTAS J Cabins Rated.

Paddy I run with 2 lithium rechargeable batteries so I can use the sleep machine in a wider range of seats. It is nice to have flexibility that weighs about 2 or 3 kgs.

 

[Paddy55]

Re: QANTAS J Cabins Rated.

Paddy I run with 2 lithium rechargeable batteries so I can use the sleep machine in a wider range of seats. It is nice to have flexibility that weighs about 2 or 3 kgs.

V Interested in where you got these - I recently moved to a Resmed Sullivan S9... and I enquired of batteries and I think it was suggested they were $500+ each :shock:
For the relatively small Intl travel I do (0.5 - 1 DONE per year) it I couldn't justify the cost.

 

[cove]

Re: QANTAS J Cabins Rated.

Paddy I got mine thru cpap.com but you could start with Resmed and see if they will match that $249 US price.
I have more than one Resmed machine and I travel with a spare mask as a just in case wherever I go.
I have machines in Sydney and Melbourne so I don't have to lug them around .