Travel CPAP battery: Your personal road warrior

Going on a trip? Plan to bring your CPAP and a portable battery in case you don’t have access to an outlet while you sleep. They’re great for camping, international travel, red-eye flights – and also come in handy if there’s a power outage.

We strongly recommend that people with sleep apnea use CPAP every time they sleep, even if they’re just taking a nap – and of course whenever you travel. We understand that packing a CPAP machine adds to your list of travel logistics, but nothing’s more important than a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re on a business trip or a pleasure cruise, healthy and restorative sleep is the best way to get the most out of your stay.

The good news is: Travel CPAP batteries are lighter and more powerful than ever. Resmed’s own portable battery, the lightweight Resmed Power Station II (RPS II), is only 2 pounds (0.9 kg). Plus it offers up to 13 hours of power while you’re flying, camping or elsewhere away from an outlet. These features make the RPS II more powerful than the popular alternative of plugging your CPAP into a car’s cigarette lighter and much lighter than lugging around an extra car or marine battery.

The RPS II charges from 0 to +95% in less than four hours simply by connecting it to an electrical outlet, and connects to any AirSense™ 10, AirCurve™ 10, S9™, Stellar™ and most S8 CPAP machines. Even the AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 machines are lighter and easier to travel with: Just 6.65 pounds (3.02 kg) with built-in humidifier and tubing.

How do I get an RPS II or other CPAP battery?

Contact your equipment supplier.

How do I fly with CPAP?

If possible, we recommend carrying your CPAP supplies with you on the plane, in case you want to sleep during the flight. If you do:

1. Contact your airline at least two weeks beforeyour flight: They can connect you to their Medical Services department that must approve your in-flight CPAP use.
2. If you don’t have a portable CPAP battery, ask the airline if you can sit close to an outlet and, if so, confirm what type of power cord or adapter you’ll need to plug into the outlet. Adapters can be purchased at most electronics and travel stores.
3. Obtain and carry with you a letter from your doctor certifying your need for CPAP treatment.
4. Print and carry with you Resmed’s statement of FAA compliance, showing that the FAA allows you to use your machine on an airplane. (If your CPAP is a non-Resmed product, ask your equipment supplier for the appropriate letter.)

Will myAir™ (Resmed’s new CPAP treatment tracker) still work?

If you’re registered for myAir, Resmed’s free web program for tracking your CPAP treatment on your computer or smartphone, your machine will store all your usage data no matter where you are in the world and upload it to myAir as soon as you reconnect to the internet. (myAir is only available on AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 CPAP machines in the US and Canada.)

This blog post contains general information about medical conditions and potential treatments. It is not medical advice. If you have any medical questions, please consult your doctor.