Camping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine may seem intimidating, but with some planning and the right accessories, you can enjoy the great outdoors and still get the nightly therapy you need.
To help you plan your trip, we’ll walk you through what you should know and the factors you should consider before camping with a CPAP machine. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of travel CPAP machines, ways to access electricity while camping, and tips for taking your CPAP machine off the grid.
As with other aspects of CPAP therapy, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about camping with a CPAP machine.
What You Should Consider When Camping With Your CPAP Machine
As long as you plan ahead, camping with your CPAP machine doesn’t need to be stressful. However, there are a number of factors you should consider while planning your trip and gathering your CPAP supplies.
CPAP Camping Considerations
| Trip Type | The style of camping trip affects whether you can use your regular CPAP machine or will need a travel CPAP machine. It also influences the CPAP supplies you should bring. For example, if you’re sleeping in a recreational vehicle at a campground, you may only need your at-home CPAP machine, an inverter, and an external battery in case of power outages. On the other hand, if you are backpacking, you may benefit from a lightweight travel CPAP machine and may need to bring several batteries and a solar charger. |
| Trip Length | Longer trips may require more CPAP supplies, particularly if you cannot go into town or do not have access to electricity. Consider how many batteries you will need, how much distilled water you should bring if you use a humidifier, and if any of your CPAP components will need to be replaced during your camping trip. For longer trips, you might need to bring along your own power source, such as a generator if you are traveling by RV or a solar charger if you are backpacking. |
| Weather Conditions | Camping sometimes means dealing with extreme temperatures and weather events like thunderstorms. Excessively hot or cold weather can lead to problems with your CPAP machine, batteries, or other accessories. Extremely high or low humidity levels can also cause issues like mask condensation or airway irritation. Check the user manual or contact the manufacturer if you do not know your CPAP equipment’s ideal temperature range. Not only may your equipment not work outside this range, but it may also become damaged or void your warranty. |
| Altitude | The higher you are above sea level, the thinner and less oxygenated the air will be. While most modern CPAP machines automatically adjust to altitude changes, older models may have to be manually adjusted before your trip. High altitudes can also cause people with obstructive sleep apnea to experience central sleep apnea events. If you plan on camping at a significantly higher altitude than where you live, it may be worth speaking to your doctor before your trip. |
| Extra CPAP Batteries | Extra CPAP batteries are an easy way to ensure you are prepared for power outages or equipment failures while camping. You may be able to recharge CPAP batteries with an inverter, a USB port, or a solar charger — but it’s important to keep in mind that the time it takes to charge varies significantly by battery and power source. Not all batteries are compatible with all CPAP machines, so it’s crucial to double-check your machine’s requirements before purchasing and to test your batteries before your trip to ensure that they work and to see how long they last. |
| CPAP Humidifiers | Many CPAP users find that a humidifier makes their treatment more comfortable, particularly when the air around them is very dry. However, standard CPAP humidifiers require distilled water and add weight and bulk to your machine, which may be prohibitive while backpacking. Waterless humidifiers can be a useful alternative to standard humidification. Instead of using a tank of water, a heat and moisture exchanger recycles the warm moisture from your own breath. HME cartridges are lightweight and work with many, though not all, CPAP machines. |
| Weight and CPAP Accessories | Every ounce counts when you’re backpacking, so campers who hike to their camping site may have to limit the size and weight of their CPAP equipment. If weight is a consideration for you, consider investing in a lightweight travel CPAP machine. It’s also worth investigating whether any of your CPAP accessories might require additional supplies. Heated hoses, for example, weigh only slightly more than standard tubing but may require a heavier battery with more capacity. |
Consider Reserving Campsites With Electrical Access
Not all campgrounds offer electrical hookups. Among those that do, electrical access may be limited to specific sites within the campground.
Check your chosen campground’s website to see if there’s access to electricity. Additionally, you may need to bring an extension cord if you are tent camping at a site with electrical hookups. Before doing so, verify that you can use an extension cord with your CPAP machine by checking the user guide or contacting the manufacturer.
Inverters Are Useful When Camping With a CPAP Machine
Inverters can switch the direct current generated by car or RV batteries into the alternating current used by most CPAP machines and battery chargers, making them a useful tool for campers.
Is Camping With a Travel CPAP Machine Right for Me?
Travel CPAP machines can be significantly smaller and more lightweight than standard CPAP machines. Some travel models are also designed for off-the-grid use and come with accessories helpful for camping such as a waterless humidification device.
Travel and standard CPAP machines have a similar price range, but most travel machines should not replace a standard machine, as they are not made to withstand daily use at home.
Travel CPAP Devices Are Better For:
- People who need a small and lightweight machine while camping
- CPAP users who want a machine that’s conducive to off-grid camping
Home-Use CPAP Devices Are Better For:
- Anyone who will be camping with easy access to electricity
- People who do not camp or travel very often
Tips for Off-Grid Camping With a CPAP Machine
Camping off the grid with a CPAP machine can be safe and easy, but it does require additional planning and consideration.
- Solar chargers: Solar chargers use solar panels to charge CPAP batteries and sometimes other small electronics. The panels fold up for portability and are often extremely lightweight, making them an easy addition to your backpack. It’s advisable to have a backup battery in case cloudy weather prevents you from fully charging your CPAP battery each day.
- Gas-powered generators: If you’re driving to an off-grid campsite, a gas-powered generator can provide you with electricity, even when you’re far from civilization. It’s important to observe safety precautions and adhere to campsite rules about portable generator use.
- Multipurpose batteries: Some campers find that a multipurpose battery with a high charge capacity and both USB and AC outlets is worth the additional cost and weight. In addition to powering your CPAP machine, a multipurpose battery can be used to charge electronic devices and run small camping appliances.
- CPAP cleaning wipes: While CPAP cleaning wipes do not take the place of soap and water, they can be an easy way to remove dirt and dust from your CPAP mask and other machine components when you are camping in areas with limited potable water. If you use CPAP wipes while camping, bring a waterproof bag to store the used wipes until you can properly dispose of them.
- Biodegradable camp soaps: Ordinary soaps can damage the environment, so CPAP users who wish to leave no trace should clean their CPAP equipment with biodegradable camping soap. However, even biodegradable soap must be disposed of according to best practices or campsite directions so that it does not negatively affect water quality, plants, or animals in the area. Be sure to choose a mild, nonabrasive camp soap.
Can Filtered Water From a Lake or Stream Be Used in a CPAP Humidifier?
Lake or stream water that has been filtered or treated to remove contaminants may be safe to drink, but you should avoid using it in your humidifier, as it may contain minerals that can damage your equipment.
Most CPAP humidifier manufacturers recommend using distilled water, which is free of organic materials as well as salt and other minerals. If the amount of distilled water you’d need to bring with you is prohibitive, there are portable water distillers available in various sizes that can easily fit into an RV or even a backpack.
CPAP Users Have When Camping
The most important part of camping with sleep apnea is ensuring that you continue to receive nightly therapy. This means that you must have reliable ways of powering your CPAP machine and keeping it clean. However, there are other aspects of sleep apnea treatment that you may need to consider before camping.
For example, if your doctor has suggested that you sleep with your head elevated to reduce sleep apnea symptoms, you should try to mimic these conditions while camping. Depending on how you are camping, this can be achieved by using an inflatable wedge pillow, extra blankets, or even setting up your tent on an incline.
RV and car batteries produce DC power, while most CPAP machines require AC power. You can use a DC-to-AC converter to run a CPAP machine off of your vehicle’s battery. RV and car batteries can also be used to charge an external CPAP battery, which is a better option for most people since it does not require that you keep your vehicle running overnight.
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Written by
Tochukwu Ikpeze, Staff WriterTochukwu grew up in New York and has a passion for creative and scientific writing. Tochukwu holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and Psychology, a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science, and a Medical Degree as well. In his free time, Tochukwu enjoys reading, learning, exploring various topics pertaining to the human condition and conveying that information to the public through writing.
