CPAP Camping Guide: Everything You Need To Know

The campfire, the smores, the fresh air, the laughs with friends and family – few things beat the fun of going camping. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or an occasional guest to the woods, it’s always important to be as ready as possible so you can fully enjoy your camping trip. That means double checking that you packed everything, bringing enough food and beer, and – if you’re a sleep apnea sufferer – figuring out how to go camping with a CPAP.

These days, many of us go camping specifically to unplug and relax. Unfortunately for us CPAP users, “unplugging” is not really possible – at least not if we want to actually get a good night’s sleep! Camping with CPAPs is absolutely doable, but there are some extra steps you might need to take. Read on for our CPAP camping tips.

1. Get A Portable Battery Pack For CPAP Camping

Unless you plan to bring an electric generator (which will be LOUD), you’ll want to get a portable battery pack capable of running your CPAP. Alternatively, use an adapter that connects to your car’s battery, if you’re bringing your vehicle with you.

Some batteries are small, lightweight, and sufficient for 1-2 nights of use, which makes them ideal for backpacking and any situation where you need to pack light. For a bit more power (albeit in a larger package), something like the portable camping battery packs might be a better option.

2. Consider Getting A Small CPAP

If you camp frequently, or even if you just travel often, it may be worthwhile to get a CPAP for camping/traveling. These smaller units are more compact and sometimes have built-in batteries. If you plan to use them with an external battery pack, they tend to draw less power than full-sized machines.

3. Don’t Use The Heated Humidifier

If you plan to use a battery pack for CPAP camping, it’s wise to disable the heated humidifier on your unit, if you have one. The heating units suck up a LOT of power, so you’ll get a lot more use out of a single battery charge if you don’t use the heat. Depending on the unit, you might be able to keep water in the humidifier chamber and just disable the heating element, to still get some moisture in your air.

4. Consider Staying At A Campsite With Electricity

If you don’t want to shell out the money to buy a CPAP battery pack, the alternative is to seek out a campsite that offers electrical plug-ins. You may need to do a little digging or call some ranger stations to get the right spot, but a surprising number of campsites do offer plug-ins. You’ll definitely need an extension cord, but it’ll be a lot cheaper than buying a CPAP camping battery.

5. Keep Things Clean

Camping is a time to accept the dirt, be one with the dirt. However, when it comes to CPAP therapy and other medical devices, you’ll want to keep things as clean as possible.

It’s a good idea to pack your CPAP unit in a clean Ziplock bag, and then put it inside its carrying case. You’ll also probably want to put the machine away during the daytime to reduce the chance of it getting dirty.

SEE ALSO: The Best CPAP Cleaner

6. Pack Distilled Water

If you have a CPAP unit with a humidifier, you should be using distilled waterVerified Source Verywell HealthHub for information written by health experts and peer-reviewed by board-certified physicians.View source in it. The same is true while camping – you don’t want to use dirty or otherwise unfit water in your CPAP unit.

The good news is that you won’t need too much distilled water. A small bottle full should do fine, even for longer camping trips.

7. Swap Your Filter

When you get home, it’s a good idea to swap out the disposable filter on your CPAP unit. It may have gotten dirty while camping, and you don’t want to be breathing contaminated air all night!

You can toss it, but filters only need replacing every six months so you may not want to dump it if it’s relatively new. Instead, you can give it a good wash, which you should be doing every two weeks anyway.

8. Clean Thoroughly

When you get home from your outdoor excursion, it’s important to thoroughly clean your CPAP. You should be cleaning your CPAP machine regularly regardless, but after a camping trip, you should pay the parts special attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I take my CPAP on vacation?

Yes, you should take your CPAP machine with you on vacation, even if it’s just an overnight trip. Forgoing your CPAP machine while you’re away can have detrimental effects on your health, leaving you groggy and spent the next day. Being less than your best won’t make for a very enjoyable vacation, so it’s important to take the needed steps to use your CPAP machine.

Can you go camping with a CPAP?

Yes, you can take a CPAP machine with you on a camping trip with some mild preparation. Plenty of CPAP machines are designed to be compact and easily transported, and portable batteries can keep the CPAP machine active for up to an entire day. Some CPAP machine manufacturers even sell special batteries and other accessories to make camping with your CPAP machine easier.

How do you use a CPAP machine without electricity?

There are two potential solutions. One is to use a portable battery or another power source that’s compatible with your CPAP machine. A fully powered portable battery can power a CPAP machine from 8 to 24 hours, depending on its capacity.

The other solution is to use an adapter to plug the CPAP machine into your vehicle’s battery. There are also campsites that offer outlets for electrical devices, so you won’t have to do without the comforts of home.

How do I clean my CPAP machine while on vacation?

Parts of a CPAP machine need to be cleaned more than others. Roughly speaking, the CPAP mask should be wiped down and the water tank should be emptied and rinsed every day. Everything else should be cleaned on a weekly or monthly basis, so how much cleaning you need to do depends on your trip’s length.

We recommend a thorough cleaning of your CPAP machine before you leave for vacation, to ensure the machine is in tip-top condition for travel. Unless you’re taking an extended trip of a few weeks, a pack of CPAP wipes to clean the mask and distilled water should be sufficient. Still, those who like to be prepared may want to take a small bottle of CPAP cleaner.

Can you use a CPAP machine with regular water?

No, you should not use standard tap water or bottled water with your CPAP machine. Using anything but pure distilled water can cause mineral deposits to build up and damage the machine’s water tank. If you’re traveling, it’s important to either bring a bottle or two of distilled water or make sure you can purchase it at your destination.

Conclusion

It can sound intimidating to go camping with a CPAP machine in tow, but it’s actually quite manageable. Just take steps to ensure your CPAP machine can be powered and will stay clean.

People with sleep apnea may also want to look into specialty travel pillows and other accessories. For example, there are wedge pillows you can inflate, perfect if you want a camping pillow that elevates your upper body for easier breathing.