Your guide to
travelling with CPAP
Live life to the full and feel confident
when you travel with your CPAP device.
ResMed has produced this short guide
to help you remember the essentials
and avoid hidden pitfalls when you’re
on the move.
We hope you’ll find it useful.
Happy travels!
Updated March 2019
Most ResMed devices can be used all
over the world, in the great outdoors
and even on planes. They’re also designed
to be lightweight and portable.
Our aim is to make travelling with your
therapy equipment relaxed, comfortable
and easy, just the way it should be!
If you’re a frequent traveller, you might
want to invest in AirMini, a small CPAP
device designed with portability, travel
and convenience in mind. We also have
lots of other products and accessories
that are designed to make life easier
when you’re on the move.
Visit our online shop to learn more.
Watch our video
TRAVEL CHECKLIST
Take a note of useful information
A doctor’s letter to certify that you need PAP therapy.
A note of your treatment pressure, mask type and mask size.
Contact details for your doctor, equipment supplier and care provider.
Health insurance details, including your policy number and the provider’s
contact details.
ResMed’s FAA Air Travel Compliance Letter, so you’ll be able to carry
your device through airport security and on to the plane
.
Check you’ll have power
At least two weeks before you fly, ask the airline for permission to use
your device on a flight. If they give permission in writing, remember to take
a copy of the letter/email with you.
If you’ll be travelling overnight on other forms of transport (e.g. train),
contact the tour operator or travel company in advance to ask if you’ll be
able to plug in your therapy device.
Check if you’ll need a special power adapter to use your device on a plane
or other mode of transport and remember to pack one!
If a suitable power supply won’t be available, consider using a battery pack
instead.
Take a mains plug adapter suitable for your destination country.
Pack an extension cord so you can use your device comfortably even if the
power socket is in an awkward location.
Be careful about humidification
Please DO NOT use a standard humidifier on a plane. Turbulence could
cause the water to spill and damage your device. The waterless AirMini
Humid X system can be used on planes.
Make sure there’s no water in your humidification tub before you pack it.
Take suitable spares
Pack a spare mask cushion as you might find it difficult to find a suitable
replacement abroad.
Pack travel wipes to keep your mask and equipment clean while you travel.
You might want to use your CPAP device on a plane, particularly if you’re
taking a long-haul flight. Here’s our advice on what to do:
• Contact the airline at least two weeks in advance to ask for permission
to use your CPAP medical equipment during the flight. If you receive
permission in writing, remember to take the letter/email with you
when you fly.
• If the airline requests additional information, send them a copy of the
FAA Air Travel Compliance Letter for ResMed devices. This letter is a
formal aviation authority statement that the devices are suitable for
use on aircraft.
• Request a seat near a power socket. Ask which type of power cord / adapter
you’ll need to plug in your device on the plane (and remember to pack it).
• Carry your therapy device as hand luggage: it’s a medical device with
mechanical working parts so it shouldn’t be placed in the hold of the aircraft
where it might get damaged by airport baggage handling. Take a copy of
ResMed’s FAA Air Travel Compliance Letter so you can carry your device
through airport security and on to the plane.
• For domestic flights, your device will probably count towards your hand
luggage weight and item number allowance. Contact the airline in advance
to confirm their medical equipment and baggage allowance policy.
Good to know: you can put
your therapy device through the
X-ray machine at the airport.*
Planes
* ResMed confirms that device meets the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements
(RTCA/DO-160, section 21, category M) for all phases of air travel.
Cruise ships
Most cruise ships will have a
suitable power source. Contact the
tour operator in advance to check.
Trains
Contact the train company in
advance to ask if a suitable power
source will be available. If there
isn’t a fixed power supply, you
can use a battery pack instead.
Boats and Yachts
Contact the marina or boat-hire
company in advance to ask if a
suitable power supply will be
available. You might need an
DC/DC converter to operate your
device onboard a boat.
Buses / Coaches
Buses and coaches might not have
a suitable power supply. Contact
the company in advance to ask and
consider using a battery pack
instead.
Are you planning to travel by cruise ship, train, bus or coach, or on a boat or yacht? Many of these modes of transport
will have a suitable power supply. You should contact your tour operator or the travel company in advance to check that
you’ll be able to plug in your therapy device.
If a suitable power supply won’t be available, you should consider using a battery pack instead.
You can also use a DC/DC converter to connect your therapy device to a car, boat or other vehicle equipped with a 12V
or 24V DC power source or a suitable battery.
Other modes of transport
Indoors
If you’re staying in a hotel or rental property, you should have easy access
to mains power. It’s a good idea to take an extension lead in case the power
sockets aren’t near the bed. You should also take a suitable adapter plug
if you’re travelling abroad.
Outdoors
If you’re staying outdoors or in mobile accommodation, you should still be
able to use your CPAP device. Caravan sites and marinas often have access
to mains electricity. If not, your ResMed therapy device can be powered from
a car, boat or other vehicle equipped with a 12V or 24V DC power source or
a suitable battery. You’ll need a DC/DC power converter to use these power
sources. You’ll also need to be careful you don’t drain the battery!
**
Where will you be staying?
High altitude
Our devices are designed to function
at up to 2591m
*
above sea level. If
you’re going to be staying at high
altitude, please contact us before
you leave so we can advise you.
*As per AirSense Autoset, AirSense Elite, AirMini User guide.
**ResMed has not conducted exhaustive testing of 3
rd
party batteries in combination with the AirMini,
therefore ResMed neither guarantee nor recommend the batteries, or the performance of the batteries.
For more information, please speak to your ResMed representative.
Unsure about travelling
with your CPAP?
Preparing for a holiday can be stressful.
If you’re unsure about anything in this document,
or if you’d prefer to speak to one of our specialists,
then give us a call on 0800 917 7071.
Health and travel
Ask your GP for advice before you travel if you have any other health conditions,
like heart or lung disease. Depending on where you are going, you might need to
take special precautions.
Call the ResMed team on 0800 917 7071 if you have any specific concerns about
travelling with OSA or your CPAP equipment.
Tell your travel insurance provider that you have obstructive sleep apnoea as it
might affect your coverage. They might ask questions about your condition so have
the details to hand when you call them.
Hygiene
*
Take extra care to keep your mask and CPAP accessories clean when you’re
travelling. This is especially important in warm climates where bacteria and
fungus grow well.
Follow your usual cleaning routine but take extra care to dry your tubing, mask
and head and chin straps thoroughly before you use them.
Always use bottled water with your humidifier if you are travelling in an area
where the tap water is unsafe. Please remember to clean your humidifier carefully.
We recommend that you stock up on travel wipes and travel-sized bottles of
cleaning solution before you leave.
*For cleaning instruction, please refer to your mask and devices user guide.
Visit ResMed’s online shop for CPAP
therapy equipment, accessories and more
Mask wipes
AirTouch F20
replacement
mask bundle
Find out more
on all our spares
and accessories
AirSense 10
Travel Kit
DC/DC converter
65w for AirMini
AirMini
• The world’s smallest travel PAP machine
*
• The quality of ResMed’s mask products – the AirFit 20 Series masks and
AirFit P10 for AirMini
• Travel bag and accessories for therapy on the go
• AirMini App offers an intuitive and easy setup process
• Waterless humidification for portable convenience
**
* As of the 4
th
April 2019.
** Not available with F20 Series (full face) masks
Q. I will be travelling with
my therapy machine. Is there
anything I should know?
A. There are a few things to
consider before travelling with a
CPAP, APAP or bi-level sleep apnoea
machine:
• When transporting the machine,
always empty the humidifier tub
to avoid water damage and place
it in its own compartment in the
carry bag.
• Do not use your humidifier on
a plane as turbulence increases
the risk that water will spill and
damage to the machine.
• We recommend that you do not
use your humidifier if you are
powering your device from a
ResMed RPSII external battery
**
.
To turn off the humidifier in an
AirSense™ 10, AirCurve™ 10
or Lumis™ machine, go to the
My Options menu and turn
humidification off. For an S9™
machine, simply remove the
humidifier.
• If you’re using a sleep apnoea
machine with built-in wireless
connectivity
*
on a plane, always
enable Airplane Mode. See your
user guide for instructions.
Q. Can I use my sleep apnoea
machine on a plane?
A. AirMini, AirSense 10, AirCurve
10, Lumis and S9 machines meet
Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) requirements for all phases
of air travel, so you can safely take
your machine on board as carry-on
luggage. You can download and
print the ResMed FAA Air Travel
Compliance letter here.
If your machine has built-in wireless
connectivity, please ensure you
set it to Airplane Mode while on
the plane. See the user guide for
instructions.
Note: medical devices should not
count towards your carry-on luggage
limit but you should confirm this
with the airline before you travel.
When using a CPAP, APAP or
bilevel sleep apnoea machine on
a plane:
• Always empty the humidification
water chamber and fully detach
the humidification unit prior
to travel to avoid the risk of water
spilling and damaging the device.
Q. How does Airplane Mode affect
data transmission?
A. Airplane Mode disables the
wireless connectivity
*
of AirSense 10,
AirCurve 10 and Lumis devices
and makes data transmission to
AirView™ temporarily unavailable.
It also prevents transmission of
data to myAir™. If you will be
abroad or using Airplane Mode for
an extended period, you may wish
to tell your sleep clinic that they
shouldn’t expect to receive any
data from your device while you
are away.
Q. How can I tell if my AirSense 10,
AirCurve 10 or Lumis machine is
in Airplane Mode?
A. You’ll also be alerted by an
on-screen message every time you
turn on your machine.
Q. Can my therapy machine run
from the 400Hz power supply on
a plane?
A. Usually, yes. The rating plate
on the therapy device may specify
50-60Hz but the power supply in
recent devices is usually compatible
with the 110V or 400Hz power
supply on planes. However, you
may need to use a specific adapter
to connect to the on board power
socket. Always check with the airline
prior to travel.
Q. Will I need to have my sleep
apnoea device adjusted if I travel
at high altitudes?
A. Most of our machines will
automatically compensate for higher
altitude changes but some older
machines might require manual
adjustment. It might deliver less
effective therapy if it is not adjusted.
Please consult your physician
or the ResMed team for more
information.
Travel FAQs
*Machines without built-in wireless connectivity are also available.
**Not compatible with AirMini. As ResMed has not conducted exhaustive testing of 3
rd
party batteries in combination with the AirMini, ResMed do not
guarantee nor recommend the battery, nor the performance of the battery. If issues arise from using the AirMini device with a 3
rd
party battery, the customer
should discuss this with their dealer from whom they purchased from as they will be able to assist.
Q. Will the x-ray scanners at
airport security affect my therapy
machine?
A. No, the x-ray scanners will not
harm your machine. However,
security may need to see a letter
from your doctor verifying that you
are carrying medical equipment,
so keep it handy.
Q. Will my machine work in a
foreign country?
A. Yes, your CPAP, APAP or bi-level
sleep apnoea machine will work in
a foreign country. However, power
sockets differ between countries so
make sure you pack an appropriate
adapter plug. Adapters can be
bought from most electronics and
travel stores, as well as in airports.
Please not for the Air10 users that
you may not be able to use myAir if
you are travelling abroad. If you will
be abroad for an extended period,
you may wish to tell your sleep
clinic that they shouldn’t expect to
receive any data from your device
while you are away.
Q. I have a caravan/motor home.
Can I run my machine off the
existing battery?
A. Yes. Providing the battery has
sufficient capacity, your ResMed
device can operate from the battery
supply within a caravan or motor
home. You will need a suitable
converter to connect your device
to the battery power. The ResMed
Team can help you choose a
suitable converter for your machine.
Q. I am going on a cruise. Can I
use my machine on the boat?
A. Yes, as long as the power
supply is between 100–240V and
50–60Hz
*
. Power sockets can differ
between countries so make sure
you pack an appropriate adapter.
Adapters can be bought from most
electronics and travel stores.
Q. Can I use my car battery to
power my machine?
A. This is not recommended
because car batteries are not
designed to be discharged by more
than 30% and their operational
life may be significantly reduced.
Instead, consider obtaining a deep
cycle battery or a marine battery if
you are travelling in an area where
there is no mains power. A deep
cycle battery can discharge by as
much as 80% and a marine battery
can discharge as much as 60%.
A car battery can be used in an
emergency, but you should avoid
using a humidifier as this could drain
the battery to a point where it may
become impossible to start the car.
Q. I am going camping.
What do I need to run my sleep
apnoea machine?
A. You will need a marine or deep
cycle battery rated 50 amp hours
or higher. For AirMini, AirSense 10,
AirCurve 10, Lumis and S9
machines, you will also need a
ResMed converter. You can buy the
right converter for your device from
the ResMed Official Online shop:
Machine series Converter
product code
AirSense 10
AirCurve 10
and Lumis 37297
S9 36970
AirMini 38839
If you prefer, you can use a
modified sine wave inverter with a
continuous power rating of 150w or
higher with these devices instead.
You should be able to buy one
online or at a local electronics store.
If you have an older device that uses
an H2i, H3i or H4i humidifier, you’ll
need a pure sine wave inverter with
a continuous power rating of 300w
and a peak/surge rating of 500w.
Travel FAQs continued...
*As per AirSense Autoset, AirSense Elite, AirMini User guide.
Q. I am going camping.
What size of battery do I need?
A. Most of our machines work with
an external battery or a DC/DC
converter which can be plugged
into a vehicle power source. Visit
the ResMed Official Online shop
for more information.
Q. Can I run my sleep apnoea
machine off solar power?
A. Most solar power systems are
connected to a DC battery. You will
be able to operate your device from
the battery as long as the battery
has sufficient capacity and you have
a suitable converter to connect your
device. The ResMed team can help
you choose a suitable converter.
Q. Do I need to take my machine
with me if I am hospitalised while
travelling?
A. No. However, if you’re having
surgery, it’s very important that
you tell both the surgeon and the
anaesthetist that you have been
diagnosed with sleep apnoea and
are being treated with positive
airway pressure therapy.
This document is for guidance only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are concerned about travelling with your
CPAP equipment, please call the ResMed team on 0800 917 7071 or consult your local sleep clinic or doctor.
ResMed.com
See www.resmed.com for other ResMed locations worldwide. © 2019 ResMed Ltd. 10111268/1 2019-03
