Travel Machines

What is a Travel CPAP Machine?

• How to Travel with a CPAP Machine

  Consult your healthcare provider about your travel plans before you depart so they can provide you with a copy of your prescription and potentially documentation indicating that you have a medical necessity for your CPAP device and other CPAP supplies. This may be helpful when dealing with airlines policies and customs.

  Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you bring everything you need for your CPAP therapy, so planning ahead is key. Here is a helpful list of preparation tips for travelling with your CPAP supplies:

  • Airline Policies & Regulations: Most airlines allow you to fly with your CPAP machine in your carry-on, but it’s important to confirm each airline's policies regarding CPAP devices ahead of time.

  • Travel CPAP Machines: If you’re a frequent traveler, consider investing in a travel CPAP machine for the many benefits that make it ideal for maintaining your CPAP therapy while you’re on the go.

  • Packing Your CPAP: Use a dedicated travel bag (preferably padded) with enough room to pack CPAP machine as well as all of your essential CPAP supplies.

  • CPAP Supplies: Make sure to pack everything you need for your sleep apnea treatment including your CPAP mask, headgear, mask cushions or pillows, tubing, extra filters, humidifier (and it’s components), distilled water, power supply (and any converters or adapters you need outside the U.S.), and don’t forget to bring your CPAP cleaning products.

  • Power Supply: If you’re traveling internationally, ensure you have the power supply adapters and converters you’ll need for your destination. Consider purchasing a universal travel adapter.

  • Backup Battery Options: Many CPAP machines, including travel CPAP machines, are compatible with portable CPAP battery packs. You can view our CPAP battery options here, and remember to check for compatibility.

  • Airport Security: Check the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) guideline prior to arriving and inform the airport security staff that you’re carrying a CPAP machine. They may need to inspect it separately but this could potentially save time and more inconvenience.

  • Humidification: CPAP machines that use a humidifier will need distilled water, so make sure this is available at your destinations or confirm the airline policies regarding travelling with bottles of distilled water in your checked baggage.

  • Stay Consistent: Maintaining your regular sleep routine when traveling is crucial to ensuring you are still getting the CPAP therapy you need.

• Benefits of Travel CPAP Machines

  • Compact & Lightweight: Compared to standard CPAP machines, travel CPAP machines are smaller and lighter making them easy to store and transport while you travel.

  • Convenient Power Supply: Many of the most popular travel CPAP machines come with an integrated rechargeable battery, allowing you to use your machine in locations that lack a reliable power source. Travel CPAP batteries typically last 1-2 nights of use before needing a recharge.

  • Versatile Humidification Options: Travel CPAP machines often include adjustable humidity options that help to maintain comfort during sleep. Some options have a waterless humidification system instead.

  • Durability: Designed for travel, portable CPAP machines are often built to be more rugged and able to withstand the turbulence of transportation better than standard CPAP machines.

  • Noise Reduction: Many travel CPAP models are designed to operate quietly to promote a more restful sleep environment for both you and your travel companions.

  • Easy Maintenance: Travel CPAP machines generally require less maintenance than standard CPAP models, making them ideal for travel.

  • Compliance: Maintaining your sleep apnea therapy while traveling ensures continuity, reduces the risk of sleep apnea complications, and helps you sustain overall sleep health.

• Waterless Humidification and Portable Water Humidifiers

  Many travel CPAP machines are equipped with a portable or built-in humidifier, rather than using a bulky humidifier water chamber. Other travel CPAP machines utilize a waterless humidification system or humidification filters, eliminating the need to carry a separate humidifier for your machine.

  Humidifier filters may be required for waterless humidification and are typically compatible with most types of CPAP masks, including nasal pillow masks, full face masks, nasal masks, and more.

• Power Supply for Your Portable CPAP Machine

  Having the right power supply options is essential when traveling with your CPAP machine. Battery consumption can vary based on air pressure settings, humidification settings, and more. Here are some important tips to consider regarding power supply for traveling with your CPAP machine:

  • Battery Packs: Investing in a portable battery pack specifically designed for your CPAP machine could be incredibly helpful. These battery packs are especially convenient for camping or traveling to locations without a reliable power source.

  • AC Power Adapters: Most travel CPAP machines come equipped with a standard AC power adapter for use in homes and hotels. Make sure to confirm the voltage requirements if traveling internationally.

  • DC Power Options: Many travel CPAP machines can utilize a DC power source, such as a car battery. This is especially convenient for road trips, camping, or traveling to locations with no AC power source, such as wall outlets found in homes or hotels. Most times using a DC power source will require a specific adapter.

  • Universal Travel Adapters: When traveling internationally, a universal travel adapter can be used to plug your CPAP machine into different types of outlets.

  • Humidifier Power Needs: If your CPAP machine includes a humidifier, confirm whether it requires additional power or if the humidifier can be run on a lower voltage setting to save battery life.

  • Power Inverters: Consider a power inverter that allows you to convert DC power from your car battery to AC power suitable for your CPAP machine.

  • Charging Options: Pre-charge any batter packs you plan on using before you depart for your travels and confirm how long it takes to charge your battery packs to ensure they are ready to use before your trip.

• How to Clean Travel CPAP Machines

  Keeping your travel CPAP machine regularly cleaned and maintained not only promotes the longevity of your device but also ensures more effective CPAP therapy and improved hygiene. Be sure to review and follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your CPAP machine. You can find more helpful CPAP cleaning tips below:

  • Empty any remaining water from your humidifier water chamber and rinse with distilled water before allowing to air dry in a clean, dry location. This should be done on a daily basis.

  • Wash your humidifier water chamber with warm soapy water before rinsing and air dried, This process should be completed on a weekly basis.

  • Disconnect your CPAP tubing and wash in warm soapy water daily. Rinse and allow to air dry. You can also clean your tubing with a 1:3 vinegar to water ratio on a weekly basis (rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry).

  • Disposable air filters should be replaced every 2 weeks and checked regularly for buildup, debris, discoloration, and clogging. Reusable filters can be washed and air dried.

  • CPAP machines should be wiped down with a damp cloth on a monthly basis, but be sure that no moisture makes its way inside your machine. Avoid using strong cleaning agents such as bleach or alcohol-based solutions.

  • Distilled water should be used in your humidifier water chamber to prevent mineral deposits.

  • CPAP cleaning devices and sanitizers are a fantastic option for cleaning your sleep apnea therapy supplies. Many CPAP cleaners utilize UV light or ozone to sanitize such as the LiViliti Paptizer UVC LED Smart CPAP Sanitizer, or the Lumin CPAP Supplies Sanitizer.

   

  Browse our selection of CPAP cleaning supplies or read more about cleaning your CPAP supplies with this helpful blog.

• How Often to Replace Travel CPAP Machines

  Travel CPAP machine lifespans can differ based on various factors such as how well your machine is maintained, how often you use your machine, and the quality of your CPAP device. Generally CPAP machines last an average of 5 years and it is typically recommended to replace your device at that time.

  Learn more about the ideal replacement schedule for your sleep apnea therapy supplies with this helpful blog.