1
Talk to your travel carrier in advance
Whether you’re traveling by land, sea or air, each company has its own rules and regulations. At least two weeks in advance, call your carrier to find out what you need to know, do, and bring. If required, your doctor can provide a letter of medical necessity.
2
Always carry your prescription
Lost or damaged baggage. Theft. Equipment failures. Travel mishaps are always a possibility. To keep them from interrupting your sleep therapy, ask your doctor for a copy of your prescription for a PAP machine, mask, filters, tubing and humidifier, and keep it in your wallet or purse.
3
Determine the power supply type at your destination
If you are traveling internationally, power outlets may run a different voltage and have completely different shapes than here in the U.S. PAPs power on with most voltages from around the world. To travel light, bring a universal power adapter that will work in most countries. Before traveling, research which adapters will work in the country or region you are visiting.
4
Pack an extension cord
Hotel electrical outlets near your nightstand are often hard to reach or taken up by necessities like a lamp and alarm clock. Keep a dedicated extension cord in your PAP carrying case to make powering your therapy easier.
5
Bring a back-up power supply
Power outages can happen anytime, anywhere you travel. In addition, on remote trips, your location or carrier may not provide an electrical outlet to power your device. So, it’s a good idea to always pack a portable battery designed specifically for your PAP machine. And make sure it’s fully charged before you leave home and throughout your trip.
6
Keep sleep a nightly priority
Work or pleasure travel can disrupt your sleep schedule, and it’s all too easy to sacrifice sleep time to make room for other required or exciting activities. But sound, restful sleep is vital to ensuring that you’re at your best every day. Aim for eight hours of sleep every night and never settle for less than six. If you are on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the last thing you need is to be tired or irritable due to lack of sleep.