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Travel CPAP Tips OR Planes, Trains, and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machines

After a long, long, long year stuck inside dreaming of the hot sand between your toes or wading in a cool, clear river, most of us are absolutely itching to get away and enjoy some highly deserved rest and recuperation. 

But what to do with your favorite life-saving accessory? Yep, we’re talking about your CPAP machine (used today as a catch-all for APAP and BiLevel PAP machines as well). While it is possible to travel with your favorite nightstand set-up like the ResMed AirSenseTM 10 AutoSet, this will always carry the risk of being lost or damaged in transit and its bulk doesn’t make for the best traveling companion. 

You want to enjoy your vacation after all, so today we’re highlighting the awesome power of tiny Travel CPAP Machines and Supplies that pack a huge punch.

What is a Travel CPAP?

A Travel (or MIni) CPAP Machine is a much smaller version of your bedside CPAP unit. Most are incredibly light-weight, highly portable, and should work with your existing mask (especially if made by the same manufacturer as the machine itself).

Many of these devices, like our personal favorite, the ResMed AirMini™ AutoSet Machine, even come with a stamp of approval from the FAA, meaning that you can use your machine while on the plane! 

Hello, international flight!

Why is the ResMed AirMini the Best Travel CPAP Machine?

Since you’ll be carrying your device around a good bit from either the plane/train/automobile/ to your hotel room/cabin/cabana, you most certainly want to be carrying the most lightweight device that you can find. 

Which brings us to our all-time favorite and a cpapRX Bestseller: 

ResMed AirMiniâ„¢ AutoSet Machine
Weighing in at just over .5 pounds and small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the AirMini is the perfect sleep apnea travel buddy. And as mentioned above the AirMini not only meets all FAA guidelines for carry-on but you can also use it while flying.

Download the FAA Travel Compliance Letter HERE and stick it in your carry-on just to be safe. 

About AirMini:

  • World’s smallest, portable CPAP on the market today.
  • AirMini includes three therapy modes: CPAP, AutoSetâ„¢ (APAP), and AutoSet for Her (APAP)
  • Designed to work with ResMed CPAP masks: AirFitâ„¢ P10 for AirMini, AirFit N20, AirFit F20, AirTouchâ„¢ F20, and AirFit F30.
  • Works with HumidXâ„¢ and HumidX Plus waterless humidification when used with a compatible nasal CPAP mask
  • Convenient control via Bluetooth when paired with the AirMini app

ResMed AutoSet Technology

The AirMini line offers advanced new technology that automatically monitors your breathing and adjusts the pressure to the lowest setting needed to help treat you. What a great option to help avoid unnecessary visits to your doctor, saving you time and money!

Auto Features That Help You Get to Sleep and Stay Asleep

ResMed packed a lot of technology into this little machine. Their automatic start and stop technology allows the AirMini to begin treatment when you start breathing into the mask and stop treatment when the mask is removed. Another great technology can be found in the AirMini’s Ramp feature. With this feature, the machine will essentially slowly ramp up to the desired therapy setting, little by little, while you comfortably fall asleep. Once you are asleep, rest assured the AirMini will maintain your needed therapy range.

HumidX Delivers Needed Moisture Without Needing Extra Supplies

ResMed added the HumidX waterless technology to the tubing that works with the N20 and P10 for the AirMini. This means you can get the benefits and comforts of added moisture during your therapy without having to pack extra supplies, like a humidifier. Please note that HumidX is not available on the F20 or F30 masks.

CPAP or APAP Modes

Whether you use CPAP or APAP, this machine is for you. The AirMini is designed to work in either setting and will continuously adjust itself throughout the night to meet your desired pressure needs. How great is that?!

Includes FREE Wireless Monitoring 

Even more great technology can be found in AirMini’s app, included FREE. This amazing app can control everything on your machine with the touch of a button from your Apple or Android mobile phone. Use the app to review important therapy data, including your 30 day sleep score, usage, hourly events, and even monitor leakage.

What Travel CPAP Supplies will I Need?

Depending upon how far from home you’re going, and what means of travel you prefer, you may want to bring a few supplies with you so you don’t end up feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation. Here are a couple must-haves for any CPAP Traveler: 

1. Travel CPAP Power Adapter

If you choose to take to the open road this summer in either your vehicle or a larger rig like an RV, be sure to pack a DC Converter for your AirMini. The AirMini DC/DC Converter 65W allows the patient to operate their machine from a vehicle cigarette lighter socket (12V or 24V DC power source). 

If you plan to take a vacay in the US, it’s always worth having a backup power source. Grab yourself a 20W Power Supply and don’t lose sleep over losing sleep. 

2. Travel CPAP Carrying Case

The ResMed AirMini Drawstring Bag is the perfect, simple solution to keeping your AirMini Travel CPAP device, your mask, tubing, and other accessories protected, dust-free, and dry during travel. Plus, it’s included with your AirMini Machine! Win-win. 

3. Extra Humidifier Disks

Exclusive to ResMed’s AirMini Portable Auto-CPAP Machines, HumidX waterless humidifiers are small HME (Heat and Moisture Exchange) filters designed to provide comfortable and efficient humidification without the need for a conventional water-based heated humidifier. 

HumidX can be inserted directly between the mask connector and the vent, providing effective waterless humidification at a compact, effective and comfortable level.

4. Travel CPAP Cleaner

Here at cpapRX, we offer an array of CPAP Sanitizing Devices. However, our top pick for the traveling CPAP user is the Sleep8 CPAP Cleaner Sanitizer. Its handheld size makes it the perfect choice for travel, as well as these other boast-worthy specs: 

  • Completely Compatible: No adapters needed.  The filter bag fits all PAP machine masks, heated and non-heated tubing, headgear, and humidifier chambers.
  • Clean with One Click: Just press start and Sleep8 will do the rest within an hour.  Once it’s done, the device will automatically turn off.
  • Travel Friendly: Small, cordless, and waterless, pack it in your carry-on to keep your CPAP accessories clean away from home.
  • Quiet by Design: Virtually silent, Sleep8 has your total peace of mind as it works and lets you get back to your day.

What Else Should I Know about Traveling with My CPAP?

If you are traveling by air, you should review International Airline CPAP Policies (including Hawaii). Better safe than sorry, because who wants a surprise at the airport?! If you don’t see your Airline on this list, it’s always worth giving them a pre-flight call. 

Turn your Humidifier off and if your CPAP Machine has Airplane mode, enable it.

Keep all of the above-mentioned documents — including your CPAP Prescription — with your machine. Best to just store them in your handy dandy carrying case. 

Be prepared to take your machine out of its case while going through security.

Enjoy Your Vacation!

Above all else, take this time to get that well-deserved rest and enjoy the company of your companions. It may seem like a lot of information, but aside from simply having the proper device, it is hardly more difficult than traveling with a laptop computer. 

If you have any questions about Travel CPAP machines, mask compatibility, or traveling with your machine, or need more travel CPAP tips, call us at 833-216-CPAP email us at sleeptight@cpaprx.com, or Live Chat with us right on the website. 

Bon voyage!

Traveling with a CPAP is easier than you think

© ResMed. Used with permission. The ResMed mark is a trademark of ResMed, also used with permission. Additional terms of use: https://www.resmed.com/en-us/video-resource-library-terms-of-use/

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