Traveling after being diagnosed with sleep apnea can be a bit stressful. Not knowing exactly what the conditions are going to be when you fall asleep can cause you to worry if your machine will function properly.
If you’re flying, the worries surrounding how you’ll transport your machine without any obstacles can become stressful as well.
Thankfully, with the right preparation, you’ll avoid any potential pitfalls while traveling with your CPAP machine. To ensure you’re fully ready for a stellar vacation, here are ten useful tips for traveling with a CPAP machine:
1. Keep Your Equipment Dry
Your humidifier is important, but it should not be keeping your machine moist when you’re not asleep. In fact, it’s crucial that you keep all parts and pieces of your CPAP equipment dry as you travel.
Consider getting a separate bag or case to place the equipment in before packing it for your trip, and this will ensure no mold or mildew builds up. If you keep your equipment dry and are still finding obtrusive, harmful particles building up during your use, consider that your machine might be malfunctioning.
2. Always Bring Extra CPAP Supplies
Finding yourself in a tricky situation because a piece of your CPAP equipment gets lost or broken is no fun.
Not only will it cause you to have a less peaceful night’s rest during your getaway, but it will damage your valuable progress on treating your sleep apnea.
By simply packing some extra supplies, you can easily avoid this pitfall.
3. Don’t Forget to Bring Your CPAP Documents & Prescriptions with You
Both the prescriptions associated with your CPAP and documents stating your need for it are crucial when traveling. You never know when you’ll run into a pesky travel associate who will question whether or not you can have your machine with you.
By having official documentation, you can easily avoid this potentially annoying, time-draining situation.
4. Bring Plenty of CPAP Wipes
Wipes are made that are specially crafted to keep your CPAP machine clean and free from mildew or mold. Bringing these with you is important, even if you’ve done a thorough cleaning of your supplies before the trip started.
Doing so will keep you healthy, happy, and well-rested every day of your trip (and come in useful in case of any accidents if you’re traveling with small children).
5. Invest in a Second Battery Pack
Travel batteries are crucial when you’re going out with your CPAP machine. Having backups of both these batteries, and regular battery packs for your CPAP machine will keep you in business even if you find yourself sleeping somewhere without electricity.
After all, just because you have sleep apnea does not mean you are forbidden from going on amazing adventures.
When traveling with a CPAP machine, this tip can prove absolutely invaluable.
6. Never Check Your CPAP Machine When Flying
Given how important your CPAP machine is to your day-to-day life, it’s crucial that you keep it nearby when flying.
Checking the equipment can cause mix-ups where you’re left without your machine for days (if your luggage is lost or unrightfully confiscated). To keep your sleep constantly healing and deep, this step is especially crucial.
7. Ask Anyone Who Touches Your CPAP Machine to Wear Fresh Gloves
Speaking of potentially pesky, nosey travel associates, if you do find yourself in a situation where they are asking to look at your CPAP machine, be sure to ask them to wear fresh gloves.
Not only will this boost your assuredness that they will treat the machine with the care it needs, but it will keep germs away from your medical equipment.
8. Consider Buying a Portable CPAP Machine
Some of these steps have assumed you already have a portably-usable CPAP machine. While traveling without one is possible, it’s less safe and can become quite a hassle.
If you want to be as prepared as possible to treat your sleep apnea while traveling, it’s critical that you consider buying a portable CPAP machine.
9. Always Bring a CPAP Machine with a Humidifier if Possible
Once again, this becomes a reminder of how important a fully-stacked, preparation-centric CPAP machine is when traveling.
A humidifier will keep your CPAP machine functional no matter where you end up sleeping, which is a huge mind-easing quality to wield while you’re on vacation.
10. Ensure You’re Allowed to Travel with Your CPAP Machine
Despite your medical paperwork, some places might have extra-tight rules regarding traveling with medical equipment.
As you’re beginning to make travel plans, be sure to double-check that your equipment can come with you. Doing so will keep you from relapsing on your all-important sleep apnea treatment.