Traveling With CPAP in 2022: Guidelines and Tips

Don’t Be Lazy with Your CPAP!

Even if you are traveling only for a day or two, don't be lazy with your CPAP. To be very direct and answer your (unasked) question: yes, you do need your CPAP equipment every night. Let me share an example (inspired by a story that actually happened) … Think about it this way, let's say you are traveling on a business trip and will be staying only one night, you might be tempted not to take your CPAP equipment, and just skip your CPAP therapy for that night. But what you are not thinking about is that even one night without CPAP could bring back Sleep Apnea symptoms that you want to avoid in the first place (fatigue, headache, irritability…)! So, you didn’t bring your CPAP, you had a rough night, and you wake up tired, with a headache, or any of the sleep apnea symptoms, and now you need to go on that important business meeting… A situation like that can ruin your trip and be a much bigger inconvenience than just simply packing your CPAP.

Check-list (Good Preparation Is the Key)

This part is quite simple if you are a checklist type of person. And if you are not, you should consider becoming one, at least for your CPAP equipment!

So what should your CPAP travel list look like?

Although it might differ depending on how long you are going to stay (is it a one-night trip or traveling for two or more nights), the checklist is mostly the same regardless of that.

1. First things first, CPAP device and equipment. This should definitely be at the top of your list! So, make sure to put your CPAP machine with all the parts in front of you, and then make sure all the parts are there to be packed.

TIP: Bring your CPAP equipment as you use it every night! If you use some of the CPAP accessories every night, you should bring them with you. For example, if you use your CPAP with cpap headgear strap covers then you must pack them as well (routines that we have during sleep preparation are important as they are helping us get to sleep easier; and also, you use that accessory probably for a good reason…). Most of those accessories don’t take that much space anyway (the CPAP Strap cover definitely doesn’t…).

TIP: Bring distilled water with you. It might sound “too much”, but look at it this way, depending on the time you're traveling i.e. getting to the destination, you might not have enough time to look for distilled water for your humidifier; so, perhaps it's best to pack 1 bottle.

2. CPAP Cleaning Supplies. This one can be ignored only if you are traveling on a one-night trip! Don't be lazy with this… Maybe you don't have to bring all the cleaning supplies you would use, but you should make sure to put your cpap cleaner in a bag if you are regularly using one. Cleanliness aside (although it can never be put aside, it’s the first thing you must think about when maintaining your CPAP) you are probably not used to that musty smell that can occur if you don’t clean your CPAP, and once again, routines are important for good night sleep… This one should not be questionable at all actually. A cpap ozone sanitizer is usually compact. 

TIP: We can always recommend PrimeClean® CPAP Cleaner as it comes with its convenient travel bag (which can fit your CPAP equipment as well), and the price is budget-friendly!

3. Medical papers and accessories. These come in handy and you should have them every time you travel, regardless of how long you will be staying. Two important things are the Luggage tag that shows you are carrying a CPAP device (usually a “Medical Device” or “Medical Identification” tag), and a copy of the CPAP therapy prescription.

4. Travel adapter plug(s). Of course, this is most important if you travel out of the US.

A few more useful preparation and packing tips:

TIP: Make sure to properly prepare your CPAP equipment before packing! Empty humidifier and make sure it's fully dry, clean and sanitize CPAP equipment, check filters, power cord, and adapters.

TIP: Test and check your equipment, if unsure in some parts better replace them with new ones.

TIP: Get a medical alert card. It's a good idea to have one even if not traveling.

TIP: If you have some extra money, and you are a frequent traveler, do consider buying another smaller, portable CPAP machine for travel. They are convenient for use during travel as well… A such good CPAP device is ResMed AirMini Portable CPAP; it is portable and versatile, and it includes multiple therapy modes, waterless humidification, and convenient control with the AirMini app. We already wrote a review about ResMed AirMini, check it out in our blog.

Airport and Flying with CPAP Tips

Airports and airlines have their specific and (usually) very precise rules. It might seem too much when you start looking at it, but keep in mind that if in doubt you can always contact their support for clarification!

• Inform yourself about guidelines when flying with a CPAP machine! Check out about FAA Compliance Letter for your CPAP machine; if it has one (and most big brands do) print it, and keep it with the CPAP machine.

• Inform yourself about airport and airline security procedures for medical conditions, to confirm the procedures related to CPAP machines. Transport Security Administration (TSA) is the regulatory body in the USA for this, and they regulate special conditions for traveling with medical equipment. 

• Inform your airline company in advance about your CPAP equipment. If possible, add that note when you’re buying the ticket, and if not, make sure to notify them at least 48 hours in advance.

• Check your luggage, do not check your CPAP! CPAP machine is a medical device and as such, it should not legally be counted as carry-on luggage. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), all US airline companies are not allowed to count CPAP as a carry-on, or personal items. You can read more about each airline's regulations here: American Airlines, United, Delta, jetBlue, Southwest. You should carry your CPAP with you all the time as it is a sensitive device.

• Keep all the CPAP-related paperwork handy! Airport and airline staff will recognize CPAP and there shouldn’t be any issues with it. But to make all things go smooth and streamline your airport and boarding time, make sure you have all your CPAP-related documents in one place and are easily reachable.

CPAP Therapy Shouldn’t Be a Headache

Being a CPAP therapy patient pushes you to make some small life adjustments, habit changes, make new routines… Although those adjustments might seem terrifying, and too complex and hard, the benefit of using CPAP therapy is incomparable. One of those things you need to change or learn is how to travel with CPAP Device…it takes some extra preparation, but in the end, as with everything we do often, it becomes a routine you won't even notice. We wish you safe and pleasant travels!