Using CPAP on board
 

I have been using CPAP for a few years. I also want to use it on long hauls. However, every time I need to explain to various departments when I make the request. I have the same problem on my HKG-YVR flight on Tue. Tried to explain to the reservation agent, she did not know what I was talking about. She just said she will make a note on the PNR. And that was what she did. When I check-in at the airport, they need to get someone from the engineering department to come out and check the machine.

Is there any way so that I can avoid all these troubles?

Also , does anyone know the seat number for medical plugs on 74A and 33B. For 77A I know it is 3K and 26K.

Many thanks.

Are you sure on 77A there's 3K ? on 77A CX only has 1A-K / 2A-K

If using the CPAP on board is so important you should look into the battery powered units

Just out of curiousity, would it endanger your life that much if you don't use the CPAP for the flight?

Have you read CX's detailed advice and guidance on CPAPs and similar on their website?
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...0011d21c39____

Yes.

CPAP are for people with Sleep Apnea - people who stops breathing during their sleep. In mild situations their brain will "wake up" the nerves and force the throat to open up and starts breathing, however, in severe situations the process of the brain waking up the throat so much that it causes lack of oxygen to the brain, and can cause brain damage. Finally, there are known cases of the brain finally stops waking up the body and the person dies in their sleep suffocating to death.

So yes, CPAP is very important and life-threatening.

Sorry, it is 2K for 77A.
It is not life threatening yet, but it will surely make the neighbors happy since I will not snore with the machine on.
I have already used the same machine on 5 different flights this year. I usually make the request right after the reservation is completed. It is always more than 48 hrs notice. Unfortunately many CSO do not even know what is a cpap. I have to explain the same situation over and over again.

Would surgery help? I've heard of people who get parts of their throat "trimmed off" so that they can breath better when sleeping.

Surgery is not always effective, in fact some doctors do not even recommend it as they are unsure of its utility vs the pain it causes. In addition the surgery has its own problems.

I have Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and I took the surgery to "cut open my throat" or more accurately they widen the opening that we swallow our food down, theoretically this decreases muscle tension and increase air flow. Didn't work.

I know of the risk before I took the surgery, success rate (that it helps) is only 15%. That is why yes, doctors usually say don't bother.

my father and uncle both need CPAP, and both don't bother with the operation also.

My dad get rid of the machine after retirement, 3 years controlled diet and complete cut in alcohol consumption

Yes, dieting (losing weight) and don't smoke, drink, etc. all have proven effectively against Sleep Apnea.

does the machine not affect other passengers near it ? if so is it really fair they have to put up with this

Why would it affect a fellow passenger? They make almost no noise and can be placed on the floor and thus take up no extra space. Most are quite small. All they are is a kind of compact fan blowing air into the lungs of the user through a hose. The only problem is in Y where there are only a couple of seats with power.

If I have to put up with people who smells, snorts up a storm, keep elbowing you and invades your space, throws newspaper everywhere, and keep making spit sounds in their throats, then yes you can put up with my CPAP.

No, it does not bother anyone. As a matter of fact, I will be doing others a favor as the machine will prevent me from snoring.

I found out from another source that the 74A seats are 4A, 12A and 92A.

What do you mean by "medical plugs"? Don´t you just plug yours in as if it was a computer in the 110 ac they have available (at least in J and F)?

I think the engine make more noise compare to the CPAP

i think if you travel quite a bit it makes sense to get a battery based unit to avoid the issues and as backup plan if things screwed up. And agree that CX should make their staff more aware on how to handle medical requirement better. (Most people don't know what CPAP is, breathing machine may be easier to understand LOL)

As I thought a totally selfish person who frankly has no consideration for fellow passenegers. My question was simply regarding the noise they make. You on the other hand a an obvious problem with anyone else on the plane by the sounds of it so I guess you will be better with private hire jets instead of mixing with the peasants you obviously hate so much. I am lucky as I always fly in first or business class where I suppose you would never know if someone was using one of these machines.

Next time I should type "sarcasm" at the end of my post. I thought it was pretty obvious but I guess not....

After reading this thread, still not sure got a definitive answer?

I read the CX website (thanks Christep) and also talked with manufacturer (Resmed) re the 115v, 400H power that CX supplies - they said my cpap unit would work properly. And they also just emailed me a document that says the unit meets FAA requirements.

Just wanted to double-check if anyone has actually used it on-board, and what their experiences have been? I normally do the JFK/HK route in business class and sleep for around 5-7 hrs.

FWIW - no flame intended to anyone, but the cpap machine is extremely quiet, passengers sitting next to you wouldn't even know it's on, and certainly quieter than my snoring :p

For crying out loud, yes I've used it on board and yes it works and no it doesn't fry your CPAP.

You didn't mention what procedure, if any is required to get prior permission, etc. Which flights, transpacific? Business or economy (or first)? In fact, sorry if I missed it but I didn't come across a prior post where you said the yes, yes, yes?

And I'm confused CXboy - you had surgery but still needed/used cpap?

If your doctor really knows about Sleep Apnea he would of informed you that surgery only helps 15% of the time, and unfortunately for me I fall into that 85% that it didn't help.

Used my Resmed S8. Works perfectly, and I never informed CX before the flight. However, I will on future flights just to be safe. Remember that if you are in Y on a 74A, you are pretty much out of luck for power.

I have used a Resmed bipap and a Devilbliss on board. They both worked fine.

most inverter plugs, like on an airplane, don't deliver a pure sine wave current.

I assume the "medical plugs" have the higher quality pure-sine wave current output.


For your S8, did you use the humidifier?
I'm flying D tomorrow, SIN-HKG-LAX. and considering pulling my s8 out of my bag, especially if the humidifier worked.

Pure sine wave
 

Be careful when trying to use humidifier as this requires pure sine wave current to operate. Read this:

http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.ph...449730#p449730
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.ph...449737#p449737

Nope, définitely not. Especially I cant remember having been bothered by the bad "smell" of other passengers.... That is after 25 years of flying (each year more than the previous one)

I'd like to share my experience on using CPAP on CX.

I have applied to CX for a frequent medical card (they call it "freqmed card"). The model of the CPAP machine is pre-approved and everytime you make a reservation, you just have to reference it to your travel agent.

I have been using CPAP on CX flights for years (I am DM frequent flyer), and so far, have only seen one other person used it inflight. CPAP machines have become vastly smaller in recent years and operate much more quieter. They are certainly quieter than the engine noise, and it certainly stopped me snoring along the way :p

The HK check-in control is fully aware of what CPAP is (although some of the check-in attendants might not be familiar with it). Even on the occasions that my agent forgot to put in the registration, so long as your CPAP runs on battery and not connected to the electrical system of the plane, no one is bothered.

I use the Respironics M series with a Li-Ion battery cell that I bought online from a US supplier. Works great.

I´ll be flying out on CX in a couple of days from LAX. Since calling CX and letting them know I would have my CPAP with me, they have phoned me three times telling me about their new three prong plugs. Aren´t the plugs in J and F the same as a normal plug in the U.S.?

Edit - the CX advice seems to be conflicting. The detailed CPAP page talks of a 115V 400Hz supply. But I strongly believe that this refers to the main sockets which are distributed at a few points around the wall of the cabin (and predate the inseat power). The in-seat power is a multi-standard socket accepting US 2-pin, US 3-pin and European plugs, and supplies 110VAC. I'm not sure what the frequency is.

That´s what I thought. As I remember, the plugs in J and F are normal U.S. type plugs so that anyone can plug in their computer or whatever. The frequency isn´t a problem for me. Its interesting that they have called me numerous times regarding this situation. I imagine that they are just trying to be careful thinking I might kick the bucket if I couldn´t use the machine, (wouldn´t happen).

Seems like CX has changed their rules for using medical equipment on board. Medical devices cannot be plugged into the in seat socket. A friend working for CX also confirmed that only battery operated cpaps can be used starting Jan 1. I don't understand the logic behind this.

source:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...ctronicdevices

That´s bad news and ridiculous. I wonder if it pertains to those in J and F as well as Y.

No, it wasn't obvious at all. It came across as arrogant and self-centered.

I Luv CPAP.
 

Hello;

I have been flying on AA, BA, SQ, & UA for the past eight years on long haul flights (in Businesss Class) with my trusty CPAP and have had no issues. The only issue found so far is that SQ's power setup does not allow for my integrated humidifier to work (which is not a big deal, not enough "juice" I suppose). My unit works especially well (with humidifier) on BA & UA. To date, no one has said a peep about me using it to sleep. I usually fly ORD-LHR and ORD-KUL and can get any where from six to eight hours of blissful slumber depending on route, turbulence, & seat comfort.

That said, after seeing the venom on this thread towards users of CPAP machines combined with flying on Cathay Pacific just sold me on staying with UA & SQ for an upcoming trip later this month as opposed to trying CX.

I never had anything said about my CPAP until the ISM saw me unplugging it and putting it away during my last flight in October. I also use it on all other airlines with no problem at all. I wonder what this is all about because mine at least, doesn´t draw much power. Since reading about this tragic new CX policy, I have been pricing batteries and a little 2 lb. battery will run it for 10 hours.

So I don't understand - is CX concerned that CPAP users will sap all the electricity out of the plane and cause something to malfunction that would put the flight at risk? Because clearly the CPAP machine works by just plugging it into the seat electric outlet, like you do with a laptop, so I'm not sure what the issue is.

I'm not being sarcastic - I'm genuinely curious.

Which portable devices do you use? I find my resmed s9 a little too big to lug around especially if I bring the humidifier along.