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Dave Stalcup
Guest
I have a CPAP machine I must use when I sleep, I will be riding coach from Los Angeles to Portland, OR. How can I assure to be able to have a plugin? Thanks
On the question of CPAP on a train, I have been on CPAP therapy since 1992. I have traveled literally tens of thousands of miles with a CPAP with little problem, and I have pretty high pressure (14 inches). My current machine is only a couple of years old, and is a Respironics (pretty much the standard brand) with all the electronic whiz-bangs, so if it was that sensitive to power fluctuations, I think I'd know it. I always have a sleeper, though.I am also on CPAP. I think I would find it extremely difficult to use in a coach seat.
Where do you put the machine? Hold it or on the pull out table? Possibly people around you may find it extremely annoying especaily if you need to share a seat. Do you need a humidifier and how will the water be when the train rocks? Is electric reliable enough on a train to operate it (i.e. I know my lap top sometimes loses power quite regularly)?
Beleive me I understand how having sleep apnea is but I am not sure taking it on the train, especially in coach, would work that well.
I do ride mostly on Superliners, but I did five trips in Viewliner roomettes in the late 90's and didn't have any problems, but in the 1990s I was still using my first, 1992 vintage, brick of a CPAP, which doesn't have any electronic controls or monitoring, and is pretty much just a basic air compressor. Pressure is set using a set screw. I used it for 15 years before I had it replaced, it still works and I keep it at my current pressure as a backup unit. That thing is not sensitive to anything. If it has juice that is anything close to 110V, it works.If it helps, mine is a Resmed S-9, and It was on a Viewliner sleeper where it did not work well, both directions. I ended up just turning it off in the middle of the night both nights. This was on the crescent, maybe it's better on Superliner equipment?
That's the model I have. I've always just opted to leave it at home, but my pressure is pretty low (7"), so I can tough it out for a night or two.If it helps, mine is a Resmed S-9, and It was on a Viewliner sleeper where it did not work well, both directions. I ended up just turning it off in the middle of the night both nights. This was on the crescent, maybe it's better on Superliner equipment?
I also have traveled tens of thousands of miles with my CPAP. However, now when I travel, I use a battery pack designed to handle CPAPs so I never worry about having to find an available outlet on trains or hotels (U.S. B&Bs and foreign hotels are notorious for having too few outlets). It is a godsend. It is good for 3 nights w/o a humidifier or 6 hours with one (my actual testing) so I do without the humidifier on all but the longest trips. In addition, Europe thinks distilled water either doesn't exist or is worth more than gold and since that is almost a must-do for the humidifier, it is just best to leave it home or pack the humidifier in checked luggage for use after the trip just to avoid the spill issue.On the question of CPAP on a train, I have been on CPAP therapy since 1992. I have traveled literally tens of thousands of miles with a CPAP with little problem, and I have pretty high pressure (14 inches). My current machine is only a couple of years old, and is a Respironics (pretty much the standard brand) with all the electronic whiz-bangs, so if it was that sensitive to power fluctuations, I think I'd know it. I always have a sleeper, though.
If you're relatively small, you put it under the seat in front of you. We've done this. If you have huge legs and a short mask hose, well then I don't know Avoid the bulkhead seats, though!I am also on CPAP. I think I would find it extremely difficult to use in a coach seat.
Where do you put the machine? Hold it or on the pull out table?
It's way less bothersome than snoring!Possibly people around you may find it extremely annoying especaily if you need to share a seat.
Fine. Not a problem, at least with the models we've seen. If your humidifier is spill-prone, that's different, I suppose.Do you need a humidifier and how will the water be when the train rocks?
It'll turn off intermittently when the train has its head end power switched off, which happens for a few seconds at some stations and occasionally at other times, but not very often. If you've got one which will restart automatically when the power comes back, it's fine. We've done this.Is electric reliable enough on a train to operate it (i.e. I know my lap top sometimes loses power quite regularly)?
Lots and lots of people have had no trouble using a CPAP on an Amtrak long distance coach; I know at least three personally.Beleive me I understand how having sleep apnea is but I am not sure taking it on the train, especially in coach, would work that well.
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