CPAP Travel Guide
Travel CPAP is an article for people who travel and have sleep disorders. CPAP is a medical device that supplies a patient with air under pressure so that he or she can safely breath while sleeping. Problem is that some people experience apnea (no breathing for about ten second), sometimes up to 60 times per hours. Sleeping apnea can lead to serious physical, emotional and social problems because it affects not only the given individual but the one sleeping with him (due to the snoring) and those who engage with him/her during the day, since we all know that not sleeping well enough leads to irritation and unexpected change of behavior. That's why doctors and scientists invented CPAP machines and CPAP masks. The CPAP machine works as s compressor supplying the CPAP mask with regular air, but under pressure so that the patient's airway stays open. But, what happens when a person using CPAP has to travel with an airplane?
Things have seriously changed since 9/11 as the Department of Transportation has undertaken serious measures to increase the security on the airplanes and airports. Travellers are now limited to one piece of carry-on luggage plus a personal bag such as a purse or briefcase. However, the Department of Transportation has noted that the new "limit of one carry-on bag and one personal bag (e.g., purse or briefcase) for each traveler does not apply to medical supplies and/or assistive devices." This is the category in which you fall in case of carrying your CPAP medical supply. The CPAP is a medical device and as such it has never been advisable to check it as luggage (it may be damaged or lost), and it is important to your health to use the CPAP every night, even if you will be away from home for even just one night.
The thing is that if you travel a lot and suffer from sleep apnea, then you have to carry the CPAP machine and mask with you, so you should buy really compact models, however, most CPAPs are not really tiny. Another problem is that if you will be using it on the plane, you will need battery power for the device. Companies that make CPAP devices generally don't make batteries for them, so you're sort of on your own if you want to do this.
What I can recommend to you is the tiniest possible CPAP machine - GoodKnight® 420 CPAP System. GoodKnight 420 CPAP System is the smallest and lightest continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device on the market. It is designed to help active sleep disorder patients preserve their lifestyles while complying with therapy. The GoodKnight 420G model provides quiet, effective CPAP therapy for a wide range of prescriptions.
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