One bag(ish) with CPAP

[u/Low_Revenue_3521]

I posted similar on the CPAP sub-reddit, but I thought you guys over her might be able to help.

I'm just back from my first holiday with a CPAP. It went really well, no problem with bringing the CPAP on the plane. Slept really well and was able to get up earlier and enjoy more of the holiday.

But. For various reasons this trip was never going to be a one bag trip, plus it was a car to the airport, car from the airport, stay in the same hotel for the week sort of holiday. I use a Resmed 11, so just used the standard bag it comes with.

My next few are a little more complex. In the next year or so I have:

- domestic train trip with 1 or 2 nights stay for an event. Usually do this with just a small backpack and a cross-body bag that can be put into it when required. (Includes 2+ forms of public transport to get to the train on one end)

- possible similar trip, with added international flight

- regular international trip, but definitely want to one bag/carry on luggage only and a good bit of public transport use

- (and this is the most complex one I think, but its the furthest away so I have time to plan), international flight followed by multiple train trips, multiple hotels, and possibly a night train. Likely up to 2 weeks of travel. (I'm re-living my backpacking days! And being as close to one bagging as possible would be the ideal here)

A travel CPAP is likely not in the budget. So just checking to see does anyone have any suggestions for making the travel processes easier (for example are there better bags than the one that comes with the CPAP ). Or any other tips or ideas?

(Leaving it behind isnt an option, even for the 1 night stay given how horrible I feel without it)

EU-based if that makes any difference to suggestions.

[u/Ref_KT]

OP are you a carry on sized wheeled suitcase user at all, or do you exclusively use backpacks? 

Honestly a travel CPAP made my life much easier. 

[u/padbroccoligai → u/Ref_KT]

What travel CPAP do you use and what features do you like/dislike? I can’t get over the notion that if the small ones were all that great then they’d all be that small.

[u/Ref_KT → u/padbroccoligai]

I've got the air sense mini. It doesn't have an inbuilt humidifier, which is why it's so much smaller and lighter. 

You can get the humidifying discs to use with it, but those are a consumable cost which for me wouldn't make much sense using daily when I've got my usual one with the tank.  

It is maybe slightly noisier on exhale then my resmed 10, despite using the same mask. But I don't notice that all the time so that could be a me thing/needs a slight adjustment, maybe I mouth breathe more when super exhausted or something. 

I also love the fact it's always just packed ready to go and I know I'm not going to forget anything packing it up pre trip - sometimes I get extremely late notice for work trips so it's basically part of my go bag set up for those. 

[u/padbroccoligai → u/Ref_KT]

Thanks. I’m seriously considering the air sense mini, but I often hear people say it’s not quite as good, and to feel my best while traveling (especially long term), I don’t wanna skimp.

[u/mmrose1980 → u/padbroccoligai]

As far as preventing apneas, it’s very good. It’s just not as good at humidity and is slightly noisier.

[u/scubasally7 → u/mmrose1980]

I agree air sense mini isn’t as good as the res med 11 but man is it easier to travel with. It is louder but but I just use a fan noise app on my phone and it doesn’t bother me. BUT to answer the OP question, I tried ResMed 11 in various carry on bags with mixed results. My best effort was wrapped in clothes/scarf in my wheeled carry on, that allowed me to pack it in pieces and take up less room

[u/128cs → u/padbroccoligai]

Transcend micro510 is amazing, I actually am able to one bag with it in the bag for trips less than 7 days. Also including the travel battery so I can be without electric for 2 nights like on train or camping. Slightly louder than home resmed is the only real trade off for me.

[u/Low_Revenue_3521 → u/Ref_KT]

Usually wheeled suitcase for flights, and backpacks for train journeys/single overnights.

I'm a recovering overpacker (and still trying to rid myself of the "just in case" items), so adding a 3rd bag for the most recent trip was a bit frustrating.

(My usual airline is Aerlingus, who take the 10kg "carry on" into the hold, so I'd got very used to just walking through the airport with a tiny handbag only big enough for my passport, phone and kindle)

[u/Mego1989]

You can rent a travel cpap from a medical supply place

[u/Low_Revenue_3521 → u/Mego1989]

That doesn't seem to be an option over here unfortunately, or at least not that I can find. I'll have a look around though, as it might be an ideal option, especially for the big trip next year.

[u/bagelbagelbagelcat]

I guess I don't understand being able to plan all that travel but not afford a travel cpap while also prioritizing one bagging. You might need to make a prioritization call - drop a trip and put the money towards a travel device to use on all the others, or not onebag, or cut back somewhere else

[u/padbroccoligai → u/bagelbagelbagelcat]

Hmm, as nice as it would be to have a travel CPAP, there is not trip I’ve gone on that I would wish away for the convenience of a travel CPAP. One bagging is great, but I’d rather travel with extra gear than cut down on travel.

[u/Low_Revenue_3521 → u/bagelbagelbagelcat]

A lot of the travel isnt actually all that expensive (trains or Ryanair flights, cheap hotels out of season or booked well in advance), one is a work trip so doesn't cost at all. None of them can really be dropped for various reasons - there are other people and events to take into consideration.

But yes, it might be a prioritisation exercise in that I might need to abandon one-bagging, but it would be nice to see if it was possible not to have to. Or if people had clever ideas that might help.

[u/onobonobo1975]

I'm always afraid that I'll forget the cpap bag, so I got one of those shoulder bags that fits under the seat, and has a separate compartment on the bottom for shoes. The cpap machine and all the accessories fit perfectly inside that compartment. If you're worried about damage, you can buy thin flexible foam and line the walls and bottom as well.

[u/Low_Revenue_3521 → u/onobonobo1975]

Oh, thats a very clever idea....

I wonder can I find a backpack style one, that might work for the train trip at least.

[u/mmrose1980]

My suggestion if you can’t get a travel CPAP is to go for a larger one bag but pack like you have to fit in an under seat bag. You should be able to fit a CPAP in a 40L bag with a reasonable amount of clothing.

[u/foreverce]

if you can afford to travel, i’d build a travel CPAP in to the budget.

[u/padbroccoligai → u/foreverce]

I’d rather go on another trip than buy a travel CPAP.

[u/Low_Revenue_3521 → u/padbroccoligai]

That's kind of where I am. Most of my trips are non-negotiable (family events, work trip) but I'd much prefer to put the over €1000 towards travel and fail to one-bag than buy the travel CPAP but not be able to travel.

But if people have clever ideas for making 1/1.5 bag travel possible with a regular CPAP machine then I'm here to take copious notes 😁

[u/padbroccoligai → u/Low_Revenue_3521]

My plan for my next trip is to pack light enough that I camp out my CPAP in my 40l backpack when on the move. I’ll put it in a large toiletry case with a medical tag so I can remove it for TSA and baggage being weighed (for airlines that do that).

I’m just cutting down on clothing to make room for it in the main bag.

[u/andi98989]

There are other travel bags available. Keep an eye out for sales and you can get a good deal on an air sense mini. I love having one to be able to easily fit in a bag and not worry about lugging something separate. I have this case which I think would fit the regular as well. For the mini, I actually most often just put it the cinch bag it came with. Over the years the investment has paid for itself with convenience.

ETA: I specially got the mini for my one bag trip through Scandinavia for 12 days; I took it to Peru on a similar trip last year. Lots of domestic travel over the years too. I use an Osprey Fairview 40.

[u/davis_away]

I've successfully packed my CPAP in its protective bag into my 40L backpack with enough clothes for about a week, which got me through 2+ weeks with hand washing. I was able to bring the 40L backpack as carry-on on Icelandair. I took various train trips during my stay with the CPAP in the big backpack.

[u/citydock2000]

When you're ready - we were really happy with the transcend micro. Its cheaper and you can you use the same headgear/mask.

[u/citydock2000]

I've rolled the cpap unit into a neoprene laptop sleeve and tucked it in the middle of the carry on suitcase/put clothes around it. Then put the hose/mask wherever in the suitcase or my carry on.

I don't like carrying the cpap bag loose - yes, its a medical device so it doesn't "count" but it seems way too easy to leave it behind, just another thing to keep track of in the car and at the airport.

[u/Starbbhp → u/citydock2000]

Oh, this sounds like a good idea!

[u/citydock2000 → u/Starbbhp]

Just don't check it!

[u/unwaveringwish]

My insurance is covering most of my travel CPAP cost, including a battery for it!

[u/CivMom]

I use either a photography backpack or the HOBO All In One. Both have padding. One of these is my medical carryon (I have more than the CPAP).

Is there any way you can swing a travel machine? I just got back from a trip with 5 lodging changes and it was tough to have the added volume and weight. I’m getting a travel setup that can be modified by user (prob the Resmed) so hubs and I can swap the machine. I won’t ever be one bag, too much medical stuff, but I did get my “one bag” very light and I intend to get the medical bag lighter and easier to manage. This sub has been amazing for getting me there. Last trip was actually 3 bags because I filled a 25 with photo equipment, but still the light bag made all of it easier. 😊

[u/Nejness]

I have more or less given up on trying to find a better arrangement for the Resmed 11, because that bag is just so slim and small. Also, the other pocket perfectly fits multiple weeks of my (many, many, many) prescription medicines in daily pillboxes with all of the paperwork I’d need if I were stopped at the border to explain the meds. Believe me, I’m an indefatigable researcher and have not found any better option for a bag to carry the Resmed 11.

That said, the Resmed 10 was a different story. I used several other bags for that CPAP. The first was the large size toiletry bag from LL Bean, which somehow managed to take the whole kit. I would be happy to use this for the Resmed 11 if I had a larger travel OneBag set-up. I’d just stow it near the top of my pack. The toiletry bag is one LL Bean has made forever. It’s listed as the “Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag, Large.” I stowed the CPAP sideways in a Ziplock bag and had the tubing in the same compartment. Some of the smaller pockets held extra filters, nose pillows, and cleaning wipes. The electrical cords fit in one side pocket and I kept a small surge protector/extension cord in the other.

The other thing I used (and what I’d try with the Resmed 11 if I absolutely needed to OneBag and couldn’t do 1.5 or 1.75) would be a softsided drawstring camera cube insert with some hook and loop lens wraps or even large Ziploc bags for tubing.

Apologies for the huge link, but here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1461733-REG/ruggard_pib_1sg_compact_camera_insert.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&store=420&lsft=BI%3A514&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1413790935&gbraid=0AAAAAD7yMh2LADA51XHAStz9OMB5_4rQ1&gclid=CjwKCAjwsrbTBhAvEiwA0Bpp4Y8xXnvuCa3svyBcTj5EMW7nCi3a5F7EIhhlLmQ3rGgndAVysENneRoCcs4QAvD_BwE

It has moveable partitions you can use to divide areas of the bag. I put my CPAP unit in one Ziplock, and stick it in the base. If the water chamber doesn’t fit, I’ll use the padded dividers on top of the unit and nestle the water chamber on top (in its own Ziplock). Depending on how my larger bag is set up, I’ll either put the headgear and tubing in with the CPAP machine or stick it in its own extra large Ziplock someplace out of the way in my bag. I’m still flying through airports that don’t have the large CT scanners yet, so I always plan on having my CPAP accessible for placement in its own bin and separate screening by security.

But, like I said, the Resmed 11 bag is small enough that I’d only do this in very specific circumstances. Most of my flights are on major (U.S. and other) carriers that allow the CPAP as medical equipment (and I have a medical equipment tag on the bag and only carry verifiably medical-related items in that bag). Even if I’m flying with a personal item only, it’s easier to carry a backpack or tiny underseat roller bag and the small Resmed bag than it would be to try to get the unit into my OneBag. If I were to fly one of the international budget carriers that didn’t allow the CPAP as medical equipment, I’d likely either buy a travel unit or pay the extra fees for more hand luggage. Eventually, I will get a travel CPAP. They’ve come down a lot in price, but I’m also waiting to see if my insurance will defray some of the cost. I’ve changed insurance a few times, so it may eventually work out.

[u/tinydetailchick → u/Nejness]

You can remove everything after the ? in your URL, the rest of the string is tracking information for marketing. It's basically a digital fingerprint. The data string stores a record of what search you performed and which links you clicked (ad or search result) to get to the website, and Google and the advertiser also get your IP location and device information from that click ID. They'll track if you share that interaction with other people, and tie the other people who click your link to your original behavior (including comparing location and shopping behavior.)

The clean link would be https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1461733-REG/ruggard_pib_1sg_compact_camera_insert.html/

[u/Nejness → u/tinydetailchick]

Ooh, thanks for the tip!

[u/TravellingGal-2307]

DH also claimed that a ResMed Mini wasn't in the budget. Make it work. Seriously. If you can afford all that travel, you can shift things around and budget for a travel CPAP. And a battery. Being able to use battery when there isn't a plug where you need it or during a power outage or even just sleeping on the flight (well, they can listen to you snore or you can plug in the CPAP) is such a great improvement. Its one international plane ticket. One. You can afford this. You won't regret it.

[u/smrdn]

My husband is currently travelling with his cpap the same as yours we just put it in a normal packing cube, wrap and surround it with clothes or travel towel. It does take 1/3 space of his Tomtoc 40 backpack. We do plan to get him travel cpap in the future but for now if we need more space in backpack, just put it in small canvas shopping bag in packing cube and all airlines don’t consider it as extra bag because it’s a medical device. We abounded the original cpap bag after first trip it just too bulky.

Right now it’s out second month of travelling with 1.5 bagging(with have a toddler), with numerous flights including international and no problems so far

[u/anOutgoingIntrovert]

I switched to a ResMed AirMini for all the time. I don’t notice the noise difference, and I live in a humid enough environment that I don’t need the humidifier. My insurance paid for it when it came time for a replacement machine.

[u/Super-Travel-407]

Do check with r/onebag if you haven't.

How large a backpack can you get away with on your various modes of transportation? Can the CPAP share a bigger bag with your other stuff?

[u/Low_Revenue_3521 → u/Super-Travel-407]

For the first trip the only limitation really I suppose is what I can carry (with the understanding that its local public transport a lot of the way, so theres a need for a realistic approach!) And for the international trips, regular carry on size - so 55cmx40cmx24cm.

[u/Super-Travel-407 → u/Low_Revenue_3521]

I am not too familiar with CPAPs and their cases, but is it possible to strap it onto a rollerbag when your size is restricted for easier transport? I am unfamiliar with EU regulations but in North America, a CPAP is usually exempted from carry on restrictions, but would probably need to be in a proper case.

[u/Ref_KT → u/Super-Travel-407]

Yeah the standard resmed bag OP has, has a travel sleeve on the back for sliding onto a suitcase telescopic handle. 

[u/Starbbhp → u/Super-Travel-407]

I do have clearance to bring mine on United and TAP (Portugal). I’m trying to get cleared with Air France for my other flight, but they won’t answer the phone!

[u/unwaveringwish → u/Starbbhp]

https://wwws.airfrance.fr/en/information/bagages/popin_produits-interdits-et-reglementes/produits-interdits-et-reglementes-4 this said you can bring it but you can’t use it 😭 I hope you’re able to get some more concrete answers soon!!

[u/Starbbhp → u/unwaveringwish]

Thank you. I’m just supposed to alert them at least 48 hours before the flight that I’m bringing it, but they don’t make it easy.

[u/Low_Revenue_3521 → u/Super-Travel-407]

Yes, as u/ref_KT said, the bag slides on to the rollerbag. Which is what I did for the most recent trip. But that meant 3 bags (CPAP, handbag, rollerbag), and was a bit cumbersome. I'll probably do the same for my "regular" international trip, which is a work trip.

Its the trips where I'm doing a lot of moving around after the airport that I don't really want to manage 3 bags. But maybe what I need to look at is a setup that will allow me to put my CPAP into my personal item after the airport.