Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Yes, you can travel and work with CPAP.

A travel CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is not nearly the problem it used to be when traveling. With the technological advances that are being made today, it is no surprise this machine was improved as well. The noise has been reduced and the features improved so that the machine can monitor your oxygen levels. The size has also been greatly reduced so the CPAP machine is not as bulky as it was originally. Due to the necessity of the CPAP to prevent sleep apnea it was just a matter of time before the need for a more light-weight and portable machine was introduced.
Airline Travel

When traveling with a CPAP machine, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Where you will be traveling is one of the considerations. It is an exceptionally good idea to purchase a plug adapter for your machine if you will be traveling out of the country. For airplane travel, if the flight is going to be long enough to require sleeping, the power source is EmPower.

The options here are either to buy an adapter which converts the CPAP to the power on the plane or purchase an inverter. An inverter will work when you plug it into a 12V outlet or an EmPower outlet. Then simply plug your regular power cord into the inverter and you are all set.

Another option that has just become available in the last few years is a travel model CPAP machine. There are now battery powered machines that were designed for the traveler. The battery can be charged to last for about 11 hours depending upon the setting. If needed, the machine can be run from an outlet which charges the battery even while it is running.

There are travel bags designed to carry your machine and any accessories you will need to use it such as an extension cord, an adapter and extra fuses. This may be carried on according to regulations on most airlines. The need for the CPAP machine is becoming more widely known therefore the transporting of the device is more acceptable. The best idea is to carry a letter from your physician containing his telephone number for verification of the need for the machine.

Traveling by Car/Camping Trips

When traveling by car or going on a camping trip, there are adapters that will allow various options when it comes to charging your CPAP machine. A good idea, of course is to make sure your battery is fully charged before leaving. This will keep it operable for a few hours before having to recharge. There are campsites with electrical connections which you can use for your CPAP machine. If necessary an adapter may be attached.

However, many power cords are made to allow connections to the cigarette lighter in your vehicle. So if remote camping is on your agenda you are always close to a power source for your machine. This is a great idea for truck drivers who travel across country and use their sleeper cabs for resting in between picking up loads and dropping them.

With the wide array of machines made today, you can go practically anywhere and still have access to power for you device. If you travel quite frequently, you will want to check the different types of travel CPAP machines that are available today.

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