Traveling with CPAP. Airline Travel and TSA Screening.

[@Freecpapadvice]

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[@paulbader5844]

If TSA wants to swab your device, you can and should request that they put on fresh gloves and use a new swab!

[@brianmccarthy1322]

Last week I did my first minimum luggage flight and cruise. Carry on ONLY! Packed an AIRMINI. It was great. That little beast fit easily into my standard personal stuff bag. I was impressed. My wife was impressed. No more seperate cpap luggage.

[@mitchcornell7196]

I bring my Dreamstation GO every weekend. Fly often and have never had an issue with TSA. I did buy the travel case for the GO. Love it. Keep my main machine at home so I don't pack it up every 5 days.

[@Big_Tex]

Having just gone through TSA, with my Philips in its own bag, I can say you don’t have to take it out of the bag even. From what the TSA guy said, that’s fine, as long as it’s just the CPAP equipment in the bag, and not other crap too.

[@Sara11614]

Thanks for the info. My husband and I are traveling to Guatemala for a mission trip in 6 months. He was just diagnosed with severe OSA today at the ripe old age of 36. I am trying to figure out how our travels will go because mission work is something really really want to continue. Great advice about elevation and adaptors.

[@virtuallyrealistic]

I have traveled within the us extensively with my system one as a carry on. TSA has not swabbed it in years. I use tap water when I must. The only ill effect is some mineral (lime from artesian well water ) residue that can be dissolved in vinegar or similar acidic cleaner. Never been hassled over the backup battery.

[@gregblair5139]

If you're traveling outside the US/Canada/Mexico, the electric socket configuration, voltage, and frequency might be different. However, unless your CPAP machine is over 20 years old, only the socket configuration remains an issue. Any CPAP on the market today will run on household (or "hotelhold") electricity anywhere in the world. The same is true for most items you'll travel with such as phones, cameras, computers, etc. Philips toothbrushes will also charge anywhere, but I'm not sure about other brands. Hairdryers might not be compatible, so beware of that! In summary, you'll need the adapter(s) for the country(ies) you're going to and an extension cord with at least three female sockets (since you'll need to at least charge your phone).

[@michaeltolchard6224]

My Dreamstation BiPAP Auto ran without issue at 19,341' on the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro! I thought it would be fun to see if it worked at all there lol. Yes I took a photo :-) The highest elevation I slept with it was 15,500' on the same climb and no issues.

[@Reed-2big]

We’ve never had any problems with tsa or cruise ships. Periodically I used to get questioned about the nebulizer which had a battery, now we always have a battery for a mobility device and it scarcely gets mentioned now. About 1/2 max of airports want to see it but that’s mostly foreign ports.

[@stephencullum8255]

I have flown with my machine and gone on cruises. Never been a problem. The cruise lines I have used are ok with a simple extension cord. Just not with a surge protector. Most machines can translate ship power as well as US power. If you have an plug adaptor you can use ship power too.

[@dlpdo]

Philips Dreamstation CPAPs work on 220V in Europe. All you need is a plug adaptor for European outlets. Personal experience. Not one problem with security in European airports.

[@ddraiss]

I have flown several times with my CPAP, I have never had my machine or travel case swabbed.

[@smpd357sig]

Round-trip SFO-LAS no swabbing or bag opening several months ago.

[@TheEricestEric]

One of the reasons to not use tap water is you don't want to be inhaling trace amounts of chlorine all night. Besides the mineral build-up in the internals of the machine, it's not good to breath volatile organic compounds.

[@af1966]

I would be really surprised if you needed a voltage adapter with a CPAP outside the USA and Canada or Japan because all the cpaps I've been using since 2008 automatically adjust to the voltage the only thing you need is an adapter plug that plugs into the wall outlet. Also it could be a major concern if you're trying to use it at an elevation that's too high for it because a lot of the machines actually most of the machines are rated only to operate up to certain elevation and if you go above that what I read is you should turn turn it to CPAP and not Auto CPAP and increase the pressure over what your 95% pressure is normally. I had to do this when I went to Bolivia in 2013 because the elevations in Bolivia was so high.

[@af1966]

I carry my airsense 11 in the bag that came with it if it's nicely except for my 10-foot hose which goes in my other carry-on bag you would never ever want to check a CPAP because if your luggage gets lost or damaged you're screwed. You can also buy a luggage tag that I bought years ago that says on it that this is a medical device and is allowed as a carry-on in an airplane and I think when TSA sees that on the bag they take notice of it and they handle it gently at least that's what I've experienced. I always carry an extra mask and extra hose because if for some reason they get damaged while I'm out of the country or even in the country what am I going to do to replace them? Just my experience from years of domestic and international travel

[@debbiew3052]

Me! I travel to “that kind” of elevation. I’m excited to be traveling to Bhutan, in the Himalayan Mountains, this fall. I will spend several nights at elevations above 9,800 feet. Guess I’ll find out how much it impacts my CPAP experience. 🙂

[@anitawallace2166]

What about using tap water in countries where you wouldn’t drink the tap water for fear of gastroenteritis? Is it best to use bottled water?

[@suerawley3141]

mine wasn't even swabbed. Just went thru the conveyer belt. However, they had dog sniffers that went between every person that went thru TSA. EVERY person. That was a first for me.

[@chezellis]

Aw. I've been really wanting that new Transcend Mini travel cpap. My husband and I do drag our AirSense 10s around with us, but I find it bulky and heavy so I wanted a small one like the Airmini or baseball-sized Transcend one. We both guard them with our life and carry on and I got the 'Medical Item' tags for them, which helps the TSA line.

[@healthright3657]

Where do you get medical items tag? Also, do you need a medical note for the machine whether on board or checked baggage?

[@chezellis]

I've never needed a doctor's note for it. I got the Medical Device tags on Amazon.

[@PlayingInVestapol]

Last month was my first time doing Air Travel. I wish I'd thought to seek this information first. I bought an expensive lock for my suitcase because I wanted no chance of anyone stealing my CPAP Machine. Wel the damn TSA cut my lock, mixed up my prescription meds, nearly broke my CPAP mask, then placed Zip tie to my case. I will never trust them with my stuff.

[@joeythemoose]

I’ve only flown with mine once, across country from Cali to ny, super easy, they didn’t care or charge me anything for my medical device 🤷‍♂️

[@joeythemoose]

Also, absolutely I use my recalled Phillips for travel 🤣🤣🤣

[@BlackBirdieGolf]

What about using it on a plane? Where would you plug in the machine?

[@scowell]

That's what the battery is for. Now, in First Class, you might get a 120v socket for your laptop.

[@TaylorONeal]

Some airlines like IcelandAir insist on registering your CPAP device via an online form several days before your flight. I don't think they'd notice unless it's a giant but that's the request. I did when I noticed before but I didn't see the requirement until just before and then it opened a service ticket where they asked size but I was traveling with the Airmini so haha, it's tiny and this was a waste of time for them. They registered it on my account and they saw I had medical needs when I checked in. Even asked about a wheelchair or assistance on one of the flights. It was discrete but yikes. They should probably review that process. TSA usually cool with all, but they do like it separate sometimes on the conveyor out of the bag even if precheck.

[@PlayingInVestapol]

@3:33, I've always used Tap Water. Paying $2.00 a gallon for "CPAP Water" in ridiculous.

[@stevemullin1195]

Whats the maximum battery you can take with your cpap to get thru TSA. I have a 72Ah battery i use with my cpap off grid when I bike tour which gives me 4-5 nights use when I camp off grid before needing to recharge. Thought about solar charging but takes a lot of time to charge battery.

[@scowell]

That's a bit much... you can cause a lot of damage with one of those... like welding stuff etc.

[@stevemullin1195]

@scowell I actually found a 48Ah battery that's good with TSA and gave me less then 3 nights use. But I'm off my CPAP now after losing 60lbs and only have a very mild case of apnea according to my neurologist.

[@cyleclayton1910]

Have you ever used your CPAP on a flight? I have a 10 hour redeye and would like to sleep and would like not to infuriate everyone on the plane with my snoring.

[@MustLoveFish]

If I righr they can't count that as a carry-on or personal item

[@LittleJoeTheMoonlightCat]

Well doesn't a CPAP count as a mobility Aid? As those that use 1 need it for when they sleep. and some people sleep on the plane ride. Oh I use the Kage No Su Myself, that extra 78 is well worth it.

[@scowell]

It is a medical device and therefore immune from carry-on restrictions. Fits under the seat nicely.

[@lorenzoishere]

Actually im going to Machu Pichu soon, what recomendations can you give me for high altitudes?

[@rightlanebandit9844]

Lefty Can you review Tap Pap please

[@adesas9010]

Hi how ofen we need to chance the Heather tube?

[@TappanZee1234]

I use distilled water but primarily because the water in my area is super hard water, and when I’m where there is a water softener, I assume the salt in the water is not good to breathe. Please comment. Am I being unnecessarily cautious?

[@scowell]

None of that stuff makes it into the vapor... if you boil the tank dry then you'll have the deposits.... but you won't breathe it.

[@fleabitz1474]

Wait. Can we use tap water in general, not just on vacation?

[@Freecpapadvice]

Absolutely!!!! Distilled water is totally unnecessary.

[@scowell]

If you live in the Oil Patch, TX you might not like how it smells... I use either my own good tap water or hotel bottled drinking water. Distilled is a big PITA that is unnecessary.

[@SweetAzSugar111]

Don’t forget to put your machine on AIRPLANE MODE before you unplug it at home. You’re welcome!

[@Penzeric1]

Looks like SFO, no issues with TSA there. At least for me.

[@healthright3657]

Did you do carry on or checked? Did you bring a small distilled water in the bag or buy later?

[@cebruthius]

Voltage converter wuuut? All CPAP switchmode supplies work on 240v systesm. Plug adapter wuuuuut? Just get a cable with the IEC C7 on one end and the local plug on the other end. I have a nice cable with the infamous NEMA plug on it in case the US will ever allow me to cross the border again 🤣

[@joecannon1231]

You can say that again I find my BMC Luna G3 very very soft and very very poor reporting, Made by Bmedical, Like you I have a Resmed AS 10 as the main machine

[@SwearMY]

We always want Stewie.

[@jfm562]

Tap water is Not Fine when the water has chlorine in it! Ask me how I know. 🤓

[@healthright3657]

Do you take a small distilled water in the bag?

[@scowell]

No! Just use hotel bottled water no problem.

[@LGFrancy]

Say hi to my friend there.

[@LGFrancy]

Like the Philippines lots of chickens LoL