Sleep Apnea and Flying
Mar 26th 2003, 4:49 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sleep Apnea and Flying
I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I
have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
stop breathing when asleep.
What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
gagging when it is not used.
I would appreciate any information. Thanks
Jim in Vancouver
have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
stop breathing when asleep.
What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
gagging when it is not used.
I would appreciate any information. Thanks
Jim in Vancouver
Mar 26th 2003, 4:58 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sleep Apnea and Flying
"Jim Robinson" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
I
> have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> stop breathing when asleep.
> What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
> inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
> outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
> gagging when it is not used.
> I would appreciate any information. Thanks
> Jim in Vancouver
Plugging into an electric outlet is going to be your problem. Does this
machine come in a battery operated model?
news:[email protected]...
> I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
I
> have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> stop breathing when asleep.
> What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
> inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
> outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
> gagging when it is not used.
> I would appreciate any information. Thanks
> Jim in Vancouver
Plugging into an electric outlet is going to be your problem. Does this
machine come in a battery operated model?
Mar 26th 2003, 5:29 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sleep Apnea and Flying
According to
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/gi/d...tp://www.newte
chpub.com/phantom/psnews/power02.html
CPAP devices can be operated using batteries but this is only recommended a
a backup at home. These machines draw a lot of power and thus require
lead-acid type batteries that weigh between 25 to 50 pounds. Not practical
when flying. I'm not even sure if the ground personnel will let you carry
such a battery on board, in light of recent security measures.
Some airlines now provide outlets for laptops, but these are usually in
First or Business class. Besides these laptops don't draw nearly as much
power as the CPAP. In short, I'm afraid the only option is to do without the
CPAP for the duration of the flight. I, myself, use a CPAP, but the sleep
apnea is slight and I can make do without the CPAP during flights. But I
definitely get a good night's sleep after the flight with the CPAP.
"Peter L" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Jim Robinson" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep
Apnea.
> I
> > have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> > stop breathing when asleep.
> >
> > What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long
hauls
> > inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> > Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a
electrical
> > outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring
and
> > gagging when it is not used.
> >
> > I would appreciate any information. Thanks
> >
> > Jim in Vancouver
> >
> Plugging into an electric outlet is going to be your problem. Does this
> machine come in a battery operated model?
> >
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/gi/d...tp://www.newte
chpub.com/phantom/psnews/power02.html
CPAP devices can be operated using batteries but this is only recommended a
a backup at home. These machines draw a lot of power and thus require
lead-acid type batteries that weigh between 25 to 50 pounds. Not practical
when flying. I'm not even sure if the ground personnel will let you carry
such a battery on board, in light of recent security measures.
Some airlines now provide outlets for laptops, but these are usually in
First or Business class. Besides these laptops don't draw nearly as much
power as the CPAP. In short, I'm afraid the only option is to do without the
CPAP for the duration of the flight. I, myself, use a CPAP, but the sleep
apnea is slight and I can make do without the CPAP during flights. But I
definitely get a good night's sleep after the flight with the CPAP.
"Peter L" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Jim Robinson" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep
Apnea.
> I
> > have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> > stop breathing when asleep.
> >
> > What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long
hauls
> > inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> > Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a
electrical
> > outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring
and
> > gagging when it is not used.
> >
> > I would appreciate any information. Thanks
> >
> > Jim in Vancouver
> >
> Plugging into an electric outlet is going to be your problem. Does this
> machine come in a battery operated model?
> >
Mar 26th 2003, 8:46 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sleep Apnea and Flying
"Jim Robinson" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
I
> have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> stop breathing when asleep.
> What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
> inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
> outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
> gagging when it is not used.
> I would appreciate any information. Thanks
I would expect you to have difficulty in getting a CPAP machine working on
an aircraft. Would it be possible for you to get by with a mandibular
advancement device for the flight? Obviously, if you are already on CPAP, it
is not going to be an ideal solution, but it might reduce the problem.
Colin Bignell
news:[email protected]...
> I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
I
> have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> stop breathing when asleep.
> What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
> inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
> outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
> gagging when it is not used.
> I would appreciate any information. Thanks
I would expect you to have difficulty in getting a CPAP machine working on
an aircraft. Would it be possible for you to get by with a mandibular
advancement device for the flight? Obviously, if you are already on CPAP, it
is not going to be an ideal solution, but it might reduce the problem.
Colin Bignell
Mar 26th 2003, 10:26 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sleep Apnea and Flying
On Wed, 26 Mar 2003 17:49:22 GMT, "Jim Robinson"
wrote:
>I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I
>have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
>stop breathing when asleep.
>What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
>inorder to get some sleep.
Perhaps you should check out the flights that you would intend to use
and then contact the airlines directly for their policies.
wrote:
>I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I
>have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
>stop breathing when asleep.
>What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
>inorder to get some sleep.
Perhaps you should check out the flights that you would intend to use
and then contact the airlines directly for their policies.
Mar 26th 2003, 6:51 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sleep Apnea and Flying
Hi Jim-
Ok, here's the deal with United. The medical desk automatically
approves Sullivan Elite CPAPS and sometimes Respironics. I understood
them to say they usually didn't approve the rest, but I'd check to be
sure. In each class of travel, there are a few seats that have the
needed electric power source for them to hookup a little gizmo that they
put under your seat and then you plug in your CPAP. But as I understood
them, you must use a three prong plug and not a cigarettes lighter type
plug. And if all the seats that have the electric power source are
already reserved, medical needs mean that their seat reservations will
be moved as you have first priority. Very easy.
Lufthansa, on the other hand, was a pain. They just flat out refuse the
use of CPAPS on their planes.
Other airlines, I know nothing about. Good luck with whichever your
airline is re: using your CPAP. Overseas is VERY long when you have to
stay awake to not get everyone else on the plane in an uproar and to
breathe!
Please let me know whatever you find out about other airlines!
Thanks-
Susan
Jim Robinson wrote:
>
> I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I
> have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> stop breathing when asleep.
>
> What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
> inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
> outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
> gagging when it is not used.
>
> I would appreciate any information. Thanks
>
> Jim in Vancouver
Ok, here's the deal with United. The medical desk automatically
approves Sullivan Elite CPAPS and sometimes Respironics. I understood
them to say they usually didn't approve the rest, but I'd check to be
sure. In each class of travel, there are a few seats that have the
needed electric power source for them to hookup a little gizmo that they
put under your seat and then you plug in your CPAP. But as I understood
them, you must use a three prong plug and not a cigarettes lighter type
plug. And if all the seats that have the electric power source are
already reserved, medical needs mean that their seat reservations will
be moved as you have first priority. Very easy.
Lufthansa, on the other hand, was a pain. They just flat out refuse the
use of CPAPS on their planes.
Other airlines, I know nothing about. Good luck with whichever your
airline is re: using your CPAP. Overseas is VERY long when you have to
stay awake to not get everyone else on the plane in an uproar and to
breathe!
Please let me know whatever you find out about other airlines!
Thanks-
Susan
Jim Robinson wrote:
>
> I hope to fly to Europe this year but have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I
> have to use a small, portable CPAP machine when I sleep (even naps) as I
> stop breathing when asleep.
>
> What airlines if any allow you to use this machine inflight on long hauls
> inorder to get some sleep. It is hard to stay awake for 9 to 15 hours.
> Remember that the machine is compact, portable and plugs into a electrical
> outlet. It does make some noise but nothing near the level of snoring and
> gagging when it is not used.
>
> I would appreciate any information. Thanks
>
> Jim in Vancouver
Mar 28th 2003, 5:03 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Sleep Apnea and Flying
Thank you everyone for all the advice and information. I have started
checking with the travel agencies regarding the use of CPAP machines on
different airlines. My apnea is too servere apparently to not use the
machine when ever I sleep as I stop breathing completely without it and run
the risk of dying. I can not even cat-nap without it. And I do not dare to
fall asleep on the job - LOL!
Looks like I will have to rethink my plans of flying and perhaps take a ship
to Europe and then train to Zurich. Might be fun if I have enough time and
money.
Thanks again for all your help everyone.
Jim
The Ex-snorer in Vancouver
checking with the travel agencies regarding the use of CPAP machines on
different airlines. My apnea is too servere apparently to not use the
machine when ever I sleep as I stop breathing completely without it and run
the risk of dying. I can not even cat-nap without it. And I do not dare to
fall asleep on the job - LOL!
Looks like I will have to rethink my plans of flying and perhaps take a ship
to Europe and then train to Zurich. Might be fun if I have enough time and
money.
Thanks again for all your help everyone.
Jim
The Ex-snorer in Vancouver
