It is an extra bag that you have to carry and account for. However the value received by using this machine far outweighs any additional concern that you might have. If I am only traveling for a single night, I use a small water bottle to carry distilled water for the humidifier. Otherwise I carry a larger jug of water with me.
Adjustments to The Travel Size CPAP to Make it Even Better
So far I have made two changes to my travel size CPAP machine to enhance my convenience when traveling with it. The first is relatively simple. I added an extension cord to the bag to use in hotel rooms. Most hotel rooms have an electrical outlet relatively close to where you will set up your CPAP. However there are a few, that do not or the existing plugs are all in use. I carry this extension cord so that I have no problems in this area. I use it about 2 or 3 times out of every 10 hotel rooms that I stay at.
The second change is related to distilled water that you really should use in your CPAP machine. The picture shows a CPAP with a humidifier included. Which is really recommended to keep your nose and nasal passages from drying out. It is recommended that distilled water should be used to avoid any particulates from getting into your lungs. In addition chlorine that is routinely placed in tap water
Distilled Water
The bottles of distilled water are large and it is one more thing to carry into a hotel room. If you are flying the bottles are too large to be carried on a plane, so many people need to rush out in the city they are in to find distilled water. If you are driving it is less of a problem, however it is another package or in this case bottle to carry in. I have taken a small water bottle and filled it with distilled water. It is small enough to fit in the travel case for my CPAP machine and holds enough water for two days of use.
This is just a practical thing to do to make life a little bit easier for people traveling with a CPAP machine. There may be other things that can be added, however this is what I have found so far and wanted to pass along to readers who are dealing with CPAP machines for the first time.
Emergency Power for a CPAP Machine
If the power is down for any length of time, you will not be able to use your CPAP. One or two nights without power for your CPAP is not the end of the world. Unless you have severe sleep apnea. You probably have a lot of other things to be concerned about if the power is off for this length of time. A generator can be used to provide power. However it is important to follow all safety precautions with their use including hook up and exhaust outside of your home.
We have included a number of posts about CPAP machines, sleep apnea and sleep studies. This is based on our own experience with these topics. It does not replace what your doctor or a sleep specialist might provide to you. We happen to believe that it is very important to deal with this issue to avoid the possibility of stroke, heart attack and other ailments that result from chronic lack of sleep. In addition it also affects diet and weight loss. If you are not sleeping you will be eating to provide immediate energy. Of course this is a bad thing for weight loss. Take the steps now to arrange for a sleep study if you suspect that you have sleep apnea.
For more information about travelling with your CPAP machine, click here.