CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

We all love to travel abroad on vacation. But what happens when you need to bring your CPAP equipment with you too? Not to worry. Here are our tips on how OSA patients can travel comfortably and why a portable travel CPAP machine is the best way to achieve this. 

Going Abroad This Winter? 

We all need a vacation from time to time for some much needed R&R. Yet, for many OSA patients, the thought of bringing their CPAP equipment along can seem like too much of a hassle so they may choose to just leave it at home. 

If you are planning on travelling abroad this winter, remember that you can enjoy your vacation even with your CPAP equipment in tow. While going on vacation can be challenging for those who have trouble sleeping, with the right travel tips and sleep apnea equipment, it will be highly rewarding. 

Travelling: What Effects Can It Have On OSA Patients? 

Travelling can affect anyone’s sleep pattern but even more so when you have sleep apnea. According to research, people with a sleep disorder have a tendency to sleep one hour less while on vacation than when they are at home. 

As travelling can inhibit sleep functions, it is normal to feel more groggy than usual especially when going on a long haul flight. While this has the potential of making your sleep quality worse, this will only be the case if you do not keep up CPAP therapy when on vacation. 

Keeping up your sleep apnea treatment when abroad is essential even if you are worried about feeling embarrassed or anxious about travelling with your equipment. The good news is that travelling with a CPAP machine, especially a portable CPAP machine is actually quite simple.  

Guide To Travelling With CPAP Equipment 

Many airports and airlines allow you to bring medical devices including your CPAP equipment onboard with you. So, you don’t have to worry about your device being misplaced or damaged. 

When boarding the plane, keep your CPAP machine with you in a separate bag. More often than not, it will need to be inspected so bringing a copy of your doctor’s CPAP prescription can help to speed up the screening process. 

If you are going on a long haul flight that will require you to use your CPAP device before arriving at your destination, make sure to notify your airline before flying. Often times, an airline can make special arrangements to ensure that you will be able to use your equipment comfortably during the flight. If your device has an airplane mode make sure to turn this on and your humidifier off. 

Most airplanes should have outlets available but if you are worried about not having access to one, consider using a battery pack. Many CPAP device models including mini CPAP machines are built to be compatible with battery packs in situations where a power outage occurs or power supply is insufficient. 

Finally, make sure to bring a travel plug adapter with you especially if you are travelling outside of North America. This is also another situation where having a battery pack can be really beneficial. For example, if you’re travelling to the European Union, the power supply might not be adequate for running your CPAP machine. Having batteries means that your device will stay powered during your trip. 

Portable Travel CPAP Machine: It Can Improve Your Travel Experience 

Planning on travelling light or bringing carry on luggage only? If the answer to this is yes then a travel CPAP machine is a great option. These sleep apnea units are designed to smaller, quieter and lighter. 

The holiday shopping season usually brings the promise of big discounts and once-in-a-lifetime deals.  But unless you're looking for a new TV or a trunk-load of phone chargers, you're probably not scoring the deal of a lifetime.  So, how do you know you're getting the best deal on CPAP stuff?  Grab a turkey leg and sit back because we're about to give you the inside scoop on how to find the best CPAP deals online (for real)!

BEWARE OF...

Refurbished.  CPAPmachines.ca will never sell a refurbished product.  That just means "used" and we can't guarantee it'll be in good shape or hygienically safe to use.   The price might be great, but refurbished products aren't always guaranteed and are usually too good to be true.

Currency.   Some online retailers may look like they're based in the same country, but are foreign and use a multi-currency exchanger based on your I.P. address to show local prices. Sometimes, the program that detects where you're from doesn't adjust for your local currency correctly, and you end up paying more than you bargained for.

Return Policies.  Every company has their own.  Make sure you read it - actually read it and know exactly what you're in for. Know which items are returnable, which items are final sale, if there are restocking fees and how long you have should you need to send it back.

Shipping and Customs.  Make sure your order qualifies for free shipping or have reasonable shipping rates.  If your shipping charges are not clearly displayed, be wary.  That great deal you found might not be so hot once you factor in the shipping or duty.  

ALWAYS LOOK FOR...

The Fine Print.  Read it carefully.  Are there limits to how many you can buy?  Are you in a part of the world that they won't ship to?  When does the promotion code expire?  Are there any exclusions to the sale?   Don't skip over the fine print.  The devil is always in the details!

Verified Customer Reviews.  It's easy for a shady seller to write 15 amazing fake reviews.  Always make sure the feedback comes from verified customers.  On most reputable e-commerce sites you can tell which reviews are legit by the "verified buyer" checkmark, or an authenticated username. 

ONE FINAL TIP: 

Always pay with a credit card or PayPal.  If you get swindled by a fake CPAP seller, you'll always have the protection of your credit card company or PayPal.  Don't buy from a retailer that accepts checks, debits, bank or email transfers - those payment methods don't protect YOU. 

No matter how good the deal sounds it's probably not worth the trouble.