Traveling with a CPAP requires planning, regardless of your method of transportation. Rather than forgoing your treatment for a short period because you don’t want to deal with bringing it along, consider these five tips for traveling with your sleep apnea device. You will realize that it’s not as bad as you think.
5) Don’t Forget Your Prescription
On the rare occasion you would have to replace your mask or machine, you better have your prescription with you. It can be a major headache to replace broken equipment without the written documentation that says you require it. You may travel hundreds of times and never need it, but you’ll be happy to have it if something goes awry.
4) Have Backups
Having your prescription is the minimum you can do to prepare for the worst. Finding a store that sells CPAP supplies could be like finding a needle in a haystack in certain cities, and ordering parts online wouldn’t help in a pinch. Therefore, it’s wise for every CPAP traveler to pack backup supplies.
It’s uncomfortable to sleep with a damaged mask, and it wouldn’t provide the treatment you need. Don’t forget to bring additional filters, headgear, and mask cushions so you can swap if a piece gets damaged.
3) Bring Your Own Water Supply
Even if you’re staying at one of the nicest hotels in the world, it’s in your best interest to bring distilled water. Your device requires distilled water to work effectively, and tap water could be bad news, especially if you are visiting a place with poorly treated water. Tap water can seem clean, but minerals can still build up and damage your device.
2) Multiple Power Supplies
Your CPAP supplies are meaningless if you don’t have a power supply to operate them. Even if you’re going somewhere with plenty of electricity, you never know what can happen along the way. Keeping a backup battery or two on hand might protect you from unanticipated challenges.
1) Air Travel Tips
The idea of getting on an airplane with a CPAP machine may seem scary, but knowing the dos and don’ts can help calm your nerves. You should call your airline 48 hours before you depart to alert them that you are bringing a CPAP machine onboard. They should be more than accommodating to your needs, helping things go as smoothly as possible.
Two things you don’t want to do are check your CPAP machine as luggage or pack it in your carry-on bag. You risk your CPAP machine getting lost or damaged if you check it, so avoid that at all costs. A medical device like a CPAP machine doesn’t count as a carry-on item, so you can still bring everything else you need.
These five tips for traveling with your sleep apnea device should limit the frustrating circumstances you may experience. CPAPnation has several travel sleep apnea machines that can make any trip easier. These smaller but equally effective machines are perfect for any trip to ensure you don’t miss a day of treatment.
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