CPAP Travel Tips

A tip for everyone of us who uses CPAP. Get your Dr. to write you a prescription for a machine (know your setting), and a mask. Keep it in your car, along with the registration. Carry it with you when you travel. (The prescription shouldn't "stale-date." That way, if you are traveling and need a machine or a mask (masks break at the worst possible time), you can get one. Always carry an extension cord with you.

Also, if your mask breaks, an emergency "quick-fix" is to go to a sporting goods store and buy a sweat-band. The elastic band will hold your mask in place. It's not as good as new mask, but MUCH better than nothing. Just be careful, and make sure you don't cover up the exhaust port on the mask.

Most airline want a letter from a Dr (not necessarily a sleep specialist) that verifies your CPAP machine as being a prescribed medical device (I assume a prescription would cover this). Otherwise they can get touchy about letting you bring a strange box full of wires onto a plane. Also, ring the airline and ask them about their policy on CPAP machines. Some will let you use them on the plane. My sister-in-law used to get a special seat with extra leg room just so that she could use her machine. And my wife would get to sit next to her as her "carer". My sister-in-law didn't need a carer, my wife just wanted the better seat.