Many of us spend time in the great outdoors to recharge and reconnect with nature. The fresh air, beautiful scenery, and tranquil silence provides a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Camping, be it frontcountry or backcountry camping, is a great way to promote a sense of well-being. This article covers how you can enjoy your upcoming camping trip while still reaping the benefits of CPAP therapy. We will provide information on essential CPAP camping equipment and present a variety of ways to power your machine while catering to your unique camping style.
Read on to see how you can enjoy both the benefits of nature and sleep apnea therapy.
What do I need to camp with a CPAP machine?
CPAP machine
Unsurprisingly, you need to bring your CPAP machine to continue your sleep apnea therapy while camping. This can be your home CPAP or a travel unit, if you’ve invested in one. A common misconception about travel CPAPs is that they are battery powered. That is not true. A travel CPAP, like a home unit, needs to be plugged into a power source. For an introduction to the world of travel CPAPs, check out our Travel CPAP Basics article.
Unlike a home CPAP, travel units are much smaller. Take for instance, the Transcend Micro Auto Travel CPAP, which weighs a little over 7.6 oz and is the size of a softball. If you enjoy backpacking where space and weight are at a premium, you’ll likely prefer the compact Transcend Micro over your home CPAP.
Heat moisture exchangers (HMEs)
Most people would agree that their CPAP’s heated humidifier makes therapy a lot more comfortable. It’s hard to remember how beneficial CPAP therapy is to your health when the dry CPAP air causes your tongue to stick to the roof of your mouth. Unfortunately, heated humidifiers are a huge drain on battery life. Running a CPAP with a humidifier and a heated tube can cut your battery life by as much as 80%!
To get the most out of your battery, we recommend using heat moisture exchangers (HMEs) in place of a heated humidifier. HMEs are small disc shaped contraptions that use heat and moisture from your exhaled breath to humidify your next inhalation. They are connected between your CPAP mask and machine and take up minimal space. For a visual explanation of heat moisture exchangers, check out our video below.
Even if your CPAP is plugged in, we still recommend using a HME instead of your machine’s heated humidifier for a couple reasons. First, distilled water is required when using a humidifier and that’s an extra item you have to pack.
Second, you run the risk of water damage when using a humidifier. You probably don’t have as much space for your CPAP machine when camping. If you are tent camping, you may not even have a stable, flat surface for your machine. There is a much greater risk of your CPAP tipping and water spilling into the machine motor at the campsite.
Last of all, it’s easier to keep your machine, CPAP mask and hose clean when you don’t use a humidifier. You don’t have to worry about cleaning the water tub and keeping your hose dry.
Power source or battery
This one is a no-brainer. Your CPAP will need either a power source, whether DC or AC or a stand-alone battery to operate. Keep reading to see all your CPAP camping power options.
CPAP mask and extra accessories
If you have the space, bring your favorite CPAP mask and another mask as backup. If you need to pack light, skip the backup mask and pack an extra mask cushion. Camping is a lot less fun when you’re trying to use your CPAP with a torn cushion.
Cleaning supplies
Just because you’re camping, doesn’t mean you should stop cleaning your mask. In fact, you’ll likely be sweatier and dirtier than usual, meaning that your mask may be as well. This is where we recommend CPAP mask wipes and cleaning sprays that don’t require any rinsing. They take up minimal space as long as you opt for the travel-size options.
If you’re new to CPAP and would like more information on equipment cleaning or you’re a CPAP veteran who wants a refresher, check out our CPAP Equipment Cleaning video. We cover how to properly clean your mask (the WHOLE mask), hose and water chamber.
CPAP Camping Power Option: Plugged In
The easiest way to camp with your CPAP is to plug it into a power source at the campground. National and state parks offer campgrounds with full hookups (electricity, sewer and water) and campsites with only electric hookups as well. Full-service campsites are, unsurprisingly, extremely popular so make sure to reserve your campsite well in advance!
CPAP Camping Power Option: Unplugged
If camping at a full-service campground doesn’t appeal to you and you prefer sleeping somewhere a bit more off the beaten path, you’ll need some sort of battery or stand-alone power source to run your CPAP. In this section, we’ll explore your power options when camping off grid or boondocking in an RV.
Generator
A generator uses gasoline, propane or diesel to generate electricity. Larger generators provide more power and are used for high-power appliances such as microwaves. The good news is that CPAP machines don’t need a lot of power and can be powered by small, quiet solar generators.
DC Power Source
CPAP machines can also be powered via a 12V or 24V car or boat battery with a DC converter. An example is the ResMed AirMini DC Converter which plugs into a car cigarette lighter. If you’re camping in an RV, this is probably the easiest way to power your CPAP.
You can always plug your machine into one of the 120V wall outlets in your RV, however, you’ll need an inverter to energize the wall outlets when you’re boondocking. Since inverters aren’t energy efficient, you’re probably better off investing in a DC cable and converter for your CPAP. This is especially true if you are dry camping for more than a day or two.
An assortment of DC converters for various CPAP machines. From left to right: ResMed AirMini DC Converter, Philips Respironics DreamStation DC Converter, ResMed AirSense and AirCurve 10 DC Converter with Battery Adapter Cable.
DC converters cost anywhere from $20 to $100, depending on the brand and model. Keep in mind that DC converters are brand and machine specific so make sure you know exactly what machine you have before purchasing.
Stand-Alone Battery: Deep-Cycle Marine Battery
If you don’t want to run your CPAP off the RV battery since you’ll be using it for more than just your machine, another option is to use a stand-alone battery. A deep-cycle marine battery is an inexpensive and reliable way to provide power for up to three nights, depending on your pressure setting.
You will need an inverter or DC cable adapter to power your device from a deep-cycle battery.
The ResMed AirSense/AirCurve 10 12V/24V DC Converter, conveniently enough, comes with alligator clips connected to a DC cable adapter for anyone looking to power their machine directly from a deep-cycle marine battery.
Stand-Alone Battery: Lithium Ion CPAP Battery Kits
In terms of stand-alone power options, lithium-ion CPAP batteries are the most portable and easiest to use. Like solar generators, they operate quietly, making them ideal for campsites where you need to be mindful of disturbing your neighbors. However, these batteries hold an advantage over solar generators in terms of size. Approximately the size of a tablet, they fit easily into any backpack and often include USB ports for charging personal electronics such as phones and laptops. These batteries can be either machine-specific or universal.
A machine-specific battery connects to CPAP machines via dedicated adapter cables, which are typically included. However, this might not always be the case, especially if you have a newer or older model. Always review the battery specifications or “what’s included” section before purchasing.
A universal CPAP battery, in contrast, is compatible with all brands and models and usually features an AC outlet, allowing users to plug their CPAP directly into it. These batteries don’t require any adapter cables, meaning that’s one less thing to worry about when packing.
If you’re wondering how to charge these lithium batteries, the answer varies depending on the battery. Generally, you have a few options. If you have access to an AC power source, you can use your machine’s AC power supply to charge the battery. If you’re in the wilderness, you could use a solar charging panel. If you’re car camping or RVing, a battery-specific DC converter can charge the battery from the car or RV. Bear in mind that these extra battery charging accessories need to be purchased separately, and not all batteries support solar charging.
Our all-encompassing guide, “How to Buy the Best CPAP Battery for Your Machine” covers information you need to know before you buy a CPAP battery. The world of CPAP batteries can be confusing, which is why we are here to ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge you need – thus saving you from any “I wish I’d known that before I spent $400 on this battery!” moments.
When it comes to CPAP batteries, we often recommend the Medistrom Pilot-24-Lite Battery and Backup Power Supply. It is reliable and can be charged using the Medistrom Solar Panel Charger for Pilot 12/24 CPAP Battery or from a vehicle via the Medistrom Car Charger. This battery is compatible with all ResMed S9, AirSense 10, and AirSense 11 machines, as well as the Philips Respironics DreamStation Go and APEX Medical iCH machines.
Sleep apnea therapy shouldn’t take away from the joys of spending time in nature. With the proper equipment and knowledge, it’s entirely possible to enjoy camping while also managing your sleep apnea effectively. Hopefully, this article makes camping with CPAP much clearer and encourages you to bring your machine along on your next camping trip!
Want more info?
For more information on CPAP travel and camping accessories, visit us at Respshop.com or talk to one of our customer service agents. We’re available by phone, email and online chat for all your CPAP needs.