How to Travel Smoothly With Your CPAP?
With the increase in sleep apnea or OSA cases, CPAP has become a necessity in the modern era. Advancements in technology have made the CPAP machine more lightweight and portable. It helps apnea patients get quality sleep at night, thereby ensuring an optimal and productive day. But how can you travel smoothly with your CPAP machine when it can be tricky at times?
CPAP helps millions of people sleep better at night. So, it becomes essential equipment for those people to carry around if they travel out of town.
CPAP Machine Components Checklist
Let’s have a quick look at the CPAP gear you must pack to ensure its full functioning.
- CPAP machine: The central component of your CPAP gear. Modern machines are light enough to be held easily by kids.
- Power adaptor: This powers up your machine, so it’s unavoidable. Make sure it’s flexible enough to accommodate multi-voltage ranges in case you’re travelling abroad.
- Mask: You wear it over the face when you sleep to help you breathe well.
- Tube: It is the connection between the machine and the mask that sends across the air at a set pressure.
- CPAP Wipes: Keep a clean cloth or CPAP wipes to keep your gear clean.
- Extension cord: It may be helpful in places where the power outlets are inconvenient, such as far from where you would sleep.
- Other accessories: Put anything else that is part of your gear into a backpack for convenient travel.
- Distilled water: Carry it when you travel to ensure the best results from your machine. The CPAP machine circulates it to hydrate the air supply, which would otherwise dry your airways. Other water sources at your destination may be hard water or contain bacteria that may impede the proper functioning of the machine.
- Prescription: This is especially useful if you’re travelling abroad. Certain countries have strict laws on bringing in medicines or medical equipment across borders. So, it’s better to be safe to prevent even the slightest of issues. But even during local travels, it may come in handy if the machine fails or requires emergency servicing.
- Travel bag: Invest in a good travel bag to carry around your CPAP gear safely. If travelling on flights, certain airlines allow you to carry them as in-hand luggage. Check with the airline in advance.
Precautions When Travelling With a CPAP machine
Travel around hassle-free with your CPAP.
- Carry enough distilled or deionised water in case you don’t get it easily at the destination.
- Empty your humidifier before you travel out of town, as it’ll help you lessen the weight. Also, if you travel out of the country, it’ll help with the security checks.
- Carry extra mask cushions as spares.
- If you feel conscious about using a CPAP machine in public, carry along a travel hoodie.
- Check your CPAP machine and its accessories to see if they are functioning properly. If there are issues, rectify them.
Therefore, the above tips help you have a smooth and safe journey carrying your CPAP machine around.
Sleep Therapeutics is the first niche sleep center in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Please contact us if you wish to consult on CPAP usage, buy CPAP services, or use them.
Also Read: CPAP vs BiPAP: Differences & Functioning
