Tips for Traveling with a CPAP Machine
Following the completion of his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, Dr. Dan Jensen trekked to the University of Nebraska, where he received his dental degree in 1996. After he received his degree, he worked with his dad (Dr. Bruce Jensen) for five years until he moved to Alaska, where he practiced dentistry for six years. Utah family life soon called his name again and Dr. Jensen moved back to Utah where he opened up his own practice in Kaysville, UT.
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For those of you with obstructive sleep apnea, your continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine has completely changed how you sleep. You don’t wake up repeatedly in the night feeling shortness of breath, or struggle to stay asleep during the night. Since you’ve been using a CPAP machine, you get a great night’s sleep every night, and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day. Do you have a trip coming up this fall? Do you travel a lot for work, or often sleep away from home? Don’t leave your CPAP machine at home! Prioritize your sleep, and follow some of our best tips on traveling with a CPAP machine.
Take the Time to Plan Ahead
You may worry that traveling with your CPAP machine will be difficult, and you’ve considered leaving your machine at home. There’s no reason to settle for poor sleep on your vacation, and a bit of planning will go a long way in easing the stress of traveling with a CPAP machine. You don’t need to do this weeks ahead of your trip, but a few days before your trip, take a moment to think about what you’ll need to pack. Create a checklist of things you’ll need to bring, and don’t leave your planning until the morning of your flight. If you travel frequently, you may want to consider getting a travel sized CPAP machine that’s even smaller and more lightweight than the device you use at home. These CPAP machines have a longer battery life, and come with a special carrying case to make traveling easy.
What to Pack
When packing your CPAP machine for a flight, be sure to place it in your carry-on luggage so that it won’t get damaged in your checked bag. In fact, according to the American’s with Disabilities Act, your CPAP machine is a medical device and will not count as one of your carry-on items. It’s a good idea to have your prescription on hand, and label your CPAP machine as a medical advice. Place the device in a clear plastic bag, because you’ll have to remove it from the case when going through security. The bag will keep it clean and germ free. Another reason to carry your CPAP machine with you is that bags sometimes get lost for a couple days, so even if your checked bag takes an extra day to reach you, you’ll be able to sleep no matter what.
Include some extra mask cushions, or any other back-up supplies you have on hand to keep your CPAP machine in great working condition. If you’re traveling outside of the US, check if you’ll need an adaptor or converter for the country you’re visiting and be sure to buy one before you head to the airport to make sure you’ll be able to power your CPAP machine during your trip.
Camping with Your CPAP Machine
Do you have a camping trip planned? Don’t leave your CPAP machine at home! You’ll want to sleep well and have lots of energy when you’re out in the woods, and just because you usually use your CPAP machine indoors doesn’t mean you can’t take it outside with you. Many of today’s CPAP machines, particularly travel machines, are lightweight and very compact. More importantly, they come with a great battery life, and you can use the CPAP machine without plugging it in for several nights. You can even find a solar powered charger, so if you’re going to be camping for more than a few nights, you’ll be able to charge your CPAP machine wherever you go.
Sound Sleep Medical
If you use a CPAP machine to treat your obstructive sleep apnea, don’t let traveling come between you and the sleep you need. Just because you’re not in the familiarity of your own home doesn’t mean you should stop your treatment, or settle for being tired. Traveling with your CPAP machine is easy, and you won’t need to suffer through sleepless nights or groggy days. No matter if you’re traveling for a holiday or for work, let the specialists at Sound Sleep Medical help you find the right CPAP machine for easy traveling, and prioritize your sleep.