Traveling light with a C-PAP breathing machine and Nikon camera

Cannot help with a brand recommendation for a c-pap.

I have always used something that is NOT a camera bag for my camera. No need to advertise and make it easier for the sticky finger group to know what to go after.

There are many point n shoot cameras with 20x or more zoom that can be had for couple hundred $ that having something closer to the size of a deck of cards sure makes toting it around much easier than a 35mm size camera.

I have found the picture quality to be excellent with a camera in the $200-300 range

Be forewarned, I'm not sure about the efficiency of the really small CPAP's. My ResMed VPAP (with humidifier) in its case with all the hoses, plugs, etc. is about 11" x 9" x 6". This is my 3rd one, and it's gotten slightly smaller each time while working great. But the problem with this one was I couldn't fit anything else in the bag like my previous CPAPs because it's so tightly-packed, and for past European trips I depended on it to carry my meds and other small sundry items I didn't want to pack. And for sure I didn't want to take a 2nd carry-on.

Enter the solution, from SwissGear:

http://www.target.com/p/staycation-21-duffle-heather/-/A-51329672

Worked famously for me on our last trip to Europe, in that the CPAP bag fit in there nicely with plenty of room to spare--maybe the Nikon and lens would fit too? Only negative is that the base is a little wide, necessitating wrapping the strap a second time around the telescopic handle of my rolling spinner suitcase, to fit on top snugly while walking around. But I actually had extra room in there for goodies I bought in Italy--that's never happened before. We're usually stuffed to the gills on the return trip.

Thank you for your replies. I appreciate it very much. Do you think a small C-Pap would travel safely inside the carry on suitcase?

I've tried to answer the same question, Brenda.

The good thing about having a small CPAP without its case is that it's smaller, takes up less space. The bad part is that it's not secure without its own case. Thus, let's say you put all the parts in a carry-on, take it with you on the plane, but when you open the overhead, what if the carry-on falls out to the floor? That CPAP is made of plastic and if not secure, could crack. Then you're really screwed, abroad without a workable CPAP.

That's why I always like my CPAP in its own padded case.

Good point Jay. I'm grateful for the feedback.

No information on a smaller C-pap. . .just make sure you pack an extension cord. . . In our experience, you may not always have an outlet close by.

I was going to mention an extension cord also, but you beat me to it. But I'd suggest getting one as soon as you arrive instead of bringing one with you. It will come in handy, outlets are often at a premium, and not always close to the bed.

Thank you everyone for all your great feedback! I appreciate it!

I've been in the cpap business for about 20 years and I wouldn't waste your money on a smaller cpap. They are normally small because there is no humidifier attached. The latest (in the last 8-10 years) have a detachable humidifier which then makes them almost as small as the ones you are referring to.
You don't mention when you are traveling,but if in the summer months,there could quite possibly be enough humidification in the air so that your husband could use the one he has without a humidifier attached. Of course he may want to bring it along just in case.
This would be even more feasible if he is on a low prescribed cpap pressure (5-10cm H20)

Hope that helps

While the humidity in Italy will be naturally higher than say Phoenix, most hotels are air conditioned, so the air is dried out in that process.

If you need to humidify at home, you probably will need to do so in an air conditioned hotel room.

Good point regarding the humidifier. It's just such a big C-Pap machine he currently owns and the humidifier will detach however it's still pretty good sized and not lightweight either... I can't imagine how it would fit in with the "traveling light" recommendation... We're hesitant to pack it in the carry on. I did find a new Z1 Travel C-Pap machine however it doesn't mention the ability to add a humidifier. It does have a battery pack though, which would help with the cord issue. So, I'm not sure what to do with this, still thinking through it. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps he won't need the humidifier for 2 weeks. ??? Again, Thank you all for your feedback.

Nobody here knows his diagnosis, how severe or mild, if he's a candidate for a mouth guard, etc. It's a big change, even a shock, in lifestyle, being obligated to lug one more case. There's more to consider, such as back up pieces, extension cord (batteries need to be charged, too). He needs to discuss this with his doctor what his doc will allow him to do.

BTW, I have severe sleep apnea--my AHI (for you non-hoseheads [that's what we CPAP people call each other] that's how many times I was stopping breathing for more than 10 seconds, per hour) was 97, more than once a minute! So I know my shtuff...

From what I understand, Brenda, the larger battery packs are pretty heavy--thus contradicting once again the 'travel light' credo--and the smaller battery packs don't last all that long. Better plan on the AC, the adapter, and an extension cord.

How big is the machine itself--A) with the case, B) without the case, and finally C) without the case and also without the humidifier? Having had three different machines on three different trips to Italy, I'm thinking you gotta have the humidifier. Sure would be nice--if possible--to rent a smaller one w/humidifier just for the trip. Maybe go to a company and say you want to try one out for a look-see? You don't have to mention to Italy? Hah!

Don't worry, this will get solved...

Brenda - You can imagine all the what-ifs with this approach, but we did pack my husband's full-size, with humidifier, CPAP, hose, etc., in our carry on suitcase with no problem. We would not check it, of course, but we had no problems putting it in his RS suitcase, putting in overhead compartment, on and off the tour bus, etc. I made sure it was padded with clothes (in packing cubes) around it. They probably will want to take it out and give it a once-over going through security.

Packing cubes! Great idea Celeste. Was he able to get all his clothes and toiletries into the carry on, as well? I can just see pairs of clean socks stuffed into the humidifier tray! Was it a 22 or 20 inch carry on?

I can't comment on a C-Pap, but I have taken two Rick Steves Tour with Nikon cameras. I travel with a small camera backpack from a company called Think Tank (https://www.thinktankphoto.com/) and carry various lenses and camera bodies. When I am walking around on our tours, I use another Think Tank bag, the Turnstyle 20, which is a small sling bag that comfortably holds a small camera body and a lens. This system has worked well for me on previous tours.

I so appreciate all these helpful tips and replies, also that they come to my email address. I'm just saving them all in a folder titled "Italy 2018"... for reference. Thank you everyone!!

Hi Brenda, I received an email from the company I get my c-pap supplies from...cpap.com. Resmed, which is a good company, has just released this machine. it may be worth talking to your healthcare provider and check it out.

AirMini™ AutoSet™ Travel CPAP Machine

Brenda--could you report back on what you bought, and how it worked out. Thanks.
Here's a discussion about the Resmed Mini:
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=118368&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=travel+machines

Thank you for the feedback on the ResMed Air Mini. I'm going to check it out for sure and I will let you know if we go with that.

I sure appreciate it!