I am traveling to China next week for 16 days and will be in a variety of cities (we are picking up our newly adopted daughter).  I sure could use the luggage space my CPAP would take up, but I am concerned about doing without it for 3 weeks.  Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I wouldn't willingly go without CPAP for even one night, for me it is a given that the CPAP goes with me when I travel.

stepper54  Sixteen days is a very long time to go without your CPAP, if you are a devout user of your CPAP, I think it would just be to hard to go without it! And since you are picking up your new adopted daughter, you definitely want to be at your very best, so that should be even more reason to bring it with you and use it. Congratulations and Good Luck to You!


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

stepper54 wrote:

I am traveling to China next week for 16 days and will be in a variety of cities (we are picking up our newly adopted daughter).  I sure could use the luggage space my CPAP would take up, but I am concerned about doing without it for 3 weeks.  Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Not a good idea to go without CPAP for any extended period.

This is particularly important for you, at a time when you MUST be alert. New family member, in a foreign country etc etc.

Bring it with you........and use it.

Best of luck.

Daniel.


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I've heard that some airlines let you take your CPAP machine as an extra carryon bag, since it's a "medical device".  That way it wouldn't cut into your baggage allowance.  You might want to call the airlines you'll be using and see if that's the case.  Good luck!

I *ALWAYS* travel with my cpap machine. Airlines I have used don't count it toward your limit of luggage since it's medically necessary equipment. For long trips I have a checked bag, and one carry-on for stuff I want to have right with me and another small bag for just the machine and hoses (remember this bag doesn't count toward the limit). You have to have the hoses and machine out for TSA to test for bomb materials (just be cooperative... I don't mind them taking it away for testing), but in my experience, by the time I get my shoes and belt back on they have it back to you... most of the time with a thanks and a smile. After a while you learn how they like to have it laid out for them. I put the bag with the machine under the seat in front of me, cause I can forget the checked bag and the one stowed away above, but that machine is going with me if we have to ditch the plane!

John


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"Death doesn't really worry me that much, I'm not frightened about it... I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Woody Allen
Respironics M Series Auto with A-Flex , Pressure 9-12cmH2O, Mirage Swift II Nasal pillows, and Ace bandages

Interesting idea about the cpap not counting toward your carry-on limit because it's a medical device.  Do you need any documentation from your doctor to show or do they just accept the obvious?  What about in a foreign country?  We will be having some flights in China?

Thanks to all for the great responses.

Steve T

stepper54 wrote:

Interesting idea about the cpap not counting toward your carry-on limit because it's a medical device.  Do you need any documentation from your doctor to show or do they just accept the obvious?  What about in a foreign country?  We will be having some flights in China?

Thanks to all for the great responses.

Steve T

FAA regulations state that medical devices (such as CPAP) are allowed as carry on luggage.........and do not count in computing your carry on allowance. There are similar regulations in Europe. Can't speak for Asia or China in particular..........but I have had personal experience in Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo...........absolutely no problem. A friend of mine (who uses CPAP) has been in Shanghai and Bejing and has had no problems.

I doubt you will have any problems. Just to be certain......get your sleep doctor to give you a letter, outlining your condition, the necessity for CPAP and a note of the pressure requirement (in case you lose your machine and have to get one while abroad). Do not, under any circumstances, allow anyone to place your CPAP in the hold.

Finally, do not carry distilled water on board, make sure that your humidifier is empty............in some cases airport security may want to 'swab' your machine.

Now.......pack your cpap....enjoy the flight(s).....and have a great time getting used to the new family member.

Best of luck.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I travel a lot and have come up with what works for me. I carry-on my CPAP because occasionally the airlines "lose" your luggage. They have always found it, but usually it is the next day. I have found that I don't need my humidifier. That makes a lot less to carry and eliminates the need to pack distilled water or carry it with me in my checked luggage. I bought a small, hard sided plastic case for my mask as the mask is pretty delicate and breaks easy. (I bought one in a backpacker's shop and after my first trip had to drill an air hole into the container as the pressure changes in the flight made it difficult to open the container.) I put this and all the rest of the CPAP pieces (hose, cords, and machine) in my carry-on backpack rather than take the carrying case that came with my CPAP. I have never had security want to see more than the machine itself, and they want you to remove it from your carry-on and send it through the x-ray separately. They will then take it to a separate table and swab it to check for explosives. It's pretty fast. They are quite used to CPAPs. Happy trails and congratulations on meeting your new daughter!

I have a trip to Asia/China early next year. Do you carry distilled water or is it available in Asia (China, Thailand, Vietnam)? How does TSA react to carrying water? In checked luggage?

I have lot's of questions, and know I will get the answers here. Thanks in advance.

Scott

I was only allowed 54 lbs (or so) for the international flight and 44lbs for the domestic, so carrying water in my baggage was ruled out.  You could not carry water on the domestic flights either and I wasn't about to try and explain things.  I just used bottled water  at the hotel which was just fine.  For good measure, all the rooms have hot pots for boiling water so you can boil the bottled water if you want.