CPAP, Lets Talk

[JimP]

So with advancing age and a couple of health conditions I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and am now on a CPAP machine. While there is no problem with it 99% of the time I was wondering what those of you that use one do on our remote type or powerless hunts.

I haven't talked to my supplier for my machine yet but need to look into a 12 volt adapter and then the battery pack to work with it. Pretty much all of my hunting will be done with a vehicle in the area of camp but I really don't want to have to depend on the vehicles batteries. I also haven't investigated the power draw of my machine which is a Resmed Airsense 11 but will researching it along with talking to my respiratory therapist to see what they recommend.

I've seen smaller travel type machines and that may be the route that I go but for now how do any of you take care of it while on a hunt?

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have been on one for 15 plus years, on my 3rd home machine, I think. I have a smaller ResMed I use for safaris and traveling. I have one battery pack for it I take but have never needed it even in Africa. Power has always been available and or outfitter has made sure I have a battery in room incase power does go out. The big units I did travel with on one safari and after lugging it around thru airports with carryon i got the smaller unit that fits in my carryon.

 

[cwpayton]

I was issued one by the VA , but refused to wear it because I couldnt get use to he mask. after 2 years they had me do a brain[ MRI ] i believe it was. results were that I hadnt lost any more brain cells than usual for my age. so I got aa new mask at the time because of long covid breathing issues, and finally got use to wearing it, it helps me breath because of the forced air, I dont take it hunting usually but you get use to it and hard now to fall asleep without..
Anyone reading this who has long covid issues , I have found a great help for my breathing issue and muscle tiredness, PM ME if interested. its an over ccounter med, little known.

 

[Rhoyland4]

I recently bought a Luna travel cpap as I am out of town on weekends a lot. It is way better than lugging my Airsense 11 around. I am looking into a battery option also. Here is one I have been looking at.

EXP48PRO APEX Battery (CPAP DC Cord Included)React Health Luna TravelPAP

The EXP48PRO LiFePO4 Battery Bank is a lightweight, portable battery system compatible with most CPAP machines and other personal electronic devices. Works with Resmed Airsense 11, Resmed Airsense 10, Resmed Airsense 9, Resmed AirMini, Dreamstation 1, Dreamstation 2, Resvent iBreeze, Respironics...

exppropower.com

 

[kpoynter]

I have taken mine several times and have never had a problem in a camp….
At this point I don’t think I could sleep without it hardly.
Yes, you use a plug adapter at night…. I have asked if they keep power on at night because sometimes they may use generators and I’ve been places they shut them off at night (for good reason)
Just tell them you need some form of power at night

 

[RLD]

So with advancing age and a couple of health conditions I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and am now on a CPAP machine. While there is no problem with it 99% of the time I was wondering what those of you that use one do on our remote type or powerless hunts.

I haven't talked to my supplier for my machine yet but need to look into a 12 volt adapter and then the battery pack to work with it. Pretty much all of my hunting will be done with a vehicle in the area of camp but I really don't want to have to depend on the vehicles batteries. I also haven't investigated the power draw of my machine which is a Resmed Airsense 11 but will researching it along with talking to my respiratory therapist to see what they recommend.

I've seen smaller travel type machines and that may be the route that I go but for now how do any of you take care of it while on a hunt?

I have been on one for about 15 years as well and it never gives me any grief when sleeping. I am also on a ResMed something or other.

I also bought a smaller portable one with battery packs but only used it once.

When I hunt, even in Canada I don't use the CPAP. I find that I can go 10 days without a noticeable difference in function so I don't bother. You should discuss that with your medical folks though. I lost a bunch of weight recently and had corrective surgery (UPPP) that both reduced the severity of my apnea.

The smaller machine is about as big as a pop can and quite light, so I don't think it would be hard to take along.

 

[Shootist43]

I purchased a Freedom CPAP battery several years ago. It isn't small / light or inexpensive. But at the same time, I consider it well worth the money. I purchased the adaptor necessary to charge it from an automobile's cigarette lighter or power port. In a pinch it will last for 2 nights without recharging.

 

[farmer_john]

I have been on one for about 15 years as well and it never gives me any grief when sleeping. I am also on a ResMed something or other.

I also bought a smaller portable one with battery packs but only used it once.

When I hunt, even in Canada I don't use the CPAP. I find that I can go 10 days without a noticeable difference in function so I don't bother. You should discuss that with your medical folks though. I lost a bunch of weight recently and had corrective surgery (UPPP) that both reduced the severity of my apnea.

The smaller machine is about as big as a pop can and quite light, so I don't think it would be hard to take along.

I also have a res med their travel one is pretty good.

 

[WAB]

I purchased a Freedom CPAP battery several years ago. It isn't small / light or inexpensive. But at the same time, I consider it well worth the money. I purchased the adaptor necessary to charge it from an automobile's cigarette lighter or power port. In a pinch it will last for 2 nights without recharging.

I used a freedom battery for a number of years. It finally gave up the ghost and I switched to an EasyLonger 96000mAh. Heavier but lasts much longer. I also have a portable solar panel to charge it in the event power is unreliable. However, i am pretty much in the bush if I’m in Africa. Depending on the types of hunts you do this may not be necessary.

 

[MacJenkins]

At home I am on the Arisense 11 as well. For travel I use the Resmed Mini. When off the grid I ditch the factory supplied 120V converter and use this aftermarket one below. No reason to invert from DC to AC then back to DC for the machine.
This one for car battery, or cig lighter.

Amazon.com

This one for USBC (I use it the most) overnight flights etc.

Amazon.com

I use these to power/charge a lot of various things. Was hoping it would run a mini resmed overnight but only got about 5 hours. So I would suggest something that is at least 50k mAh.

Amazon.com

Please note, I believe most airlines limit power supplies to 25K mAh.

Then a quick charger for your car. These have been great. Charge that above battery in under and hour.

Amazon.com

So you would need something about twice the mAh. Then a quick way to charge off your vehicle.
These are great and come in various sizes. But not something you are going to want to fly with.

Amazon.com

Then just anthoner tip that you did not solicit. I have found aftermarket aftermarket elastic part of the headgear to be FAR superior to the resmed. At a far cheaper cost. With Resmed elastic I only get a few months and continuously tightenting it through those few months. Aftermarket is 10-20% of the cost. They don't stretch, making the cushion last longer. I get a good year our of aftermarket. You still use the factory frames and cushion. Below is the link if you are on N20. I first was set up with the full mask but much prefer the nose only.

Amazon.com

 

[MacJenkins]

I used a freedom battery for a number of years. It finally gave up the ghost and I switched to an EasyLonger 96000mAh. Heavier but lasts much longer. I also have a portable solar panel to charge it in the event power is unreliable. However, i am pretty much in the bush if I’m in Africa. Depending on the types of hunts you do this may not be necessary.

That looks like a great option as well, do you fly with that?

 

[channelkat]

Thanks for this post! Been wondering myself.

 

[WAB]

That looks like a great option as well, do you fly with that?

Yes. Like all lithium batteries it has to be in carry-on. You cannot check lithium batteries.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Used one for a decade or so myself, can't sleep without it these days. I use a small travel model for hunting and general travel. I have 2 battery packs. I've even carried it backpack hunting on several occasions for up to 6 nights in the bush.
The battery backup has also been handy in Africa with their dodgy power supply.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

I have used a CPAP for several years now, and have come to the realization that I have to get a smaller one for travel. The briefcase has just become too inconvenient on Quick one or two night trips away.

 

[CBH Australia]

I have been using the Phillips Dream Station for probably 7 years.
I chose that because it is 12volt run through a transformer so I could buy the 12 volt lead for camping or the caravan.

I took the water tank off and don’t use a heated tube do it doesn’t pull as much power when on battery.

I have a 12volt lithium battery that is airline approved. It is run inline with my transformer at home so while it’s charging it’s inline and I don’t miss a beat if the power goes off.

I have used a an AGM auxiliary battery in my car or even lifted it out into a tent while camping on a hunt.

The little lithium battery should get me 2 nights where I don’t have power .

As for masks I now have a nasal mask with 2 little nubs that lock into the nostrils. That seems to work well for what it’s worth.

 

[Rafiki]

I've been using the frick'n thing for years, fought it, hate using it. Like others have said, eventually you stop fighting and find out it's almost indescribable for a good night's sleep. That said I don't take it to bush camp; I take some version of breath rite nose strips, those things that keep your nasal passages open. Not a replacement for a CPAP but works reasonably well for camp.

 

[JimP]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm just finishing up the required time frame to get Medicare to pay for it and was just thinking about a power supply while on my javelina hunt in Arizona. Since I stayed in a motel I had no problems with power.

I have found that my sleep is a little better and for some reason I don't get up as much to go pee, most nights I sleep all night through.

My thing is that I was diagnosed with AFIB and then sleep apnea with followup sleep studies. When I filled out the questionnaire on the sleep studies I didn't recognize any of the symptoms, I really didn't have any of them that I knew of.

I was looking on the www and saw that their are around 30 million undiagnosed people here in the US with sleep apnea. That was eye opening.

 

[Rafiki]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm just finishing up the required time frame to get Medicare to pay for it and was just thinking about a power supply while on my javelina hunt in Arizona. Since I stayed in a motel I had no problems with power.

I have found that my sleep is a little better and for some reason I don't get up as much to go pee, most nights I sleep all night through.

My thing is that I was diagnosed with AFIB and then sleep apnea with followup sleep studies. When I filled out the questionnaire on the sleep studies I didn't recognize any of the symptoms, I really didn't have any of them that I knew of.

I was looking on the www and saw that their are around 30 million undiagnosed people here in the US with sleep apnea. That was eye opening.

Yup, I had the same thing, Apnea and AFIB, and didn't know it. last summer I had an ablation for the AFIB and a "Watchman" device installed. Thant got me off blood thinners which was a real issue in the bush. Still have the Apnea thing though.

Good luck and good hunting.