How to Go Camping With a CPAP Machine

Key Takeaways

• When camping without access to standard electrical outlets, you'll need either an external CPAP battery, solar charger, or inverter.
• Environmental factors like weather, altitude, and temperature can affect both your CPAP equipment and battery performance, so plan accordingly.
• Standard humidifiers need distilled water and may shorten battery life; waterless options like heat and moisture exchangers can be more practical for off-grid trips.

Factors to Consider Before Camping With a CPAP Machine

When planning a camping trip with your CPAP machine, consider your mode of camping, the weather forecast, and the length of your trip. These factors affect what type of CPAP device and accessories you should bring.

Type and Length of Trip

If you have access to a vehicle or electrical outlets at your campsite, you can bring a rechargeable external CPAP battery. You may need an inverter or an adapter if you’re not using a traditional wall outlet.

CPAP batteries typically last one or two nights. For longer hikes off the grid, a solar-powered battery fits nicely in a backpack and doesn’t require any power source apart from natural light.

Make sure to check how many hours of direct sunlight the battery requires for a full charge and consider the weather forecast before relying on a solar charger for a long camping or backpacking trip.

Weather and Climate

Batteries and CPAP devices are sensitive to moisture and extreme temperatures. Cold temperatures and higher altitudes may also affect the battery runtime. 

CPAP devices and batteries typically work up to 8,000 feet above sea level, but you may need to manually adjust the altitude settings as you ascend. Manufacturers list safe ranges for temperature, altitude, humidity, and air pressure in the user guide.

Electrical Access

Campsites in U.S. state parks, national parks, and private campgrounds may offer options for electrical outlets, sometimes at an extra cost. Most campsites that accommodate RVs have electric outlets and RV hookups, and cabins typically come with electrical outlets. 

More rarely, you’ll see campsites for tents that come equipped with electrical outlets. Some campgrounds offer shared outlets between two campsites or limited, low-amperage outlets specifically for recharging medical devices. 

Look on the campground’s website to find information on electrical outlets and rules surrounding generator use.

What to Bring When Camping With a CPAP Machine

Packing the right equipment and accessories can help ensure your CPAP therapy continues smoothly, even in outdoor or off-grid settings. The following essentials can make camping with a CPAP machine safer, more comfortable, and more convenient.

Standard vs. Travel CPAP Machine

Travel CPAP machines are compact and lightweight, which makes them attractive when camping with limited luggage space. However, if you’re camping in an RV, it might be less hassle to simply bring along your regular CPAP machine.

CPAP Humidifier

A CPAP humidifier can make therapy more comfortable by reducing side effects like dry nasal passages, which may be especially useful if you’re camping in dry weather. 

Humidifiers require distilled water to run, meaning you may need to bring extra bottles with you. Additionally, humidifiers and heated tubing drastically diminish runtime if you’re powering your CPAP machine with a battery, and some humidifiers may not be compatible with batteries at all.

If you’re backpacking with a CPAP device to a remote location and need to carry all your supplies, you may find it more practical to use a waterless humidifier. Also known as heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs), these small, disposable devices fit seamlessly into the CPAP tubing. They work by trapping the moisture in the air you exhale and adding it back to the air you breathe in.

Distilled Water for the Humidifier 

If you use a humidifier, you’ll need access to distilled water to refill the water chamber. You can pack bottles of distilled water or invest in a portable water distiller. Tap water and other unpurified water sources are not suitable for use in a CPAP machine, as they may contain microorganisms that can make you sick.

Battery and Backup Battery

The most common type of external CPAP battery is a lithium-ion battery. These small, lightweight batteries charge quickly and are often designed to be compatible with CPAP machines as well as other devices. A similar concept is portable power stations, which are designed for durability in outdoor conditions and generally have a wider range of power inputs and outlets.

You can also use a stand-alone deep-cycle battery to recharge an external CPAP battery or power a CPAP machine directly. The battery should have a sufficiently large charge capacity and the appropriate inverter or converter. 

Before purchasing batteries, double-check your user guide for compatibility and appropriate adapters.

Solar Charger

Solar chargers are an ideal option for repowering CPAP batteries when camping in the backcountry. Since solar chargers convert sunshine into energy, they can be used virtually anywhere that has enough natural light. Most solar chargers fold up when not in use, so they take up little room in your backpack and won’t weigh you down. 

Generator

Generators convert gasoline or propane into electricity, which you can use to recharge your CPAP battery during the day. Since generators are cumbersome and need fuel to run, they’re most realistic for people who are traveling in a vehicle. Generators emit carbon monoxide and must be used outside.

Campgrounds typically restrict gas generator use to certain hours or prohibit it altogether, as the noise can be disruptive. If you need to plug a CPAP machine directly into a generator, consider a solar generator, which is cleaner and quieter for overnight use.

Converter or Inverter

In order to connect your CPAP device or battery to a campsite outlet or your vehicle’s auxiliary power outlet, you may need an inverter or a converter. Inverters convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), while DC-to-DC converters alter voltage so a power source can safely be used with a CPAP machine. 

Be sure to use a converter or inverter that is compatible and safe for your CPAP machine and battery. Manufacturers should provide information on the best setup for your situation.

If you have the right converter or inverter, you can plug your CPAP machine directly into your vehicle’s auxiliary power outlet, just as you would with any other appliance. However, car and RV batteries are designed to recharge constantly while running, and they may become quickly drained if used to power a CPAP machine while the vehicle is turned off.

CPAP Cleaning Supplies

CPAP devices and accessories, including CPAP masks and tubing, require regular cleaning to ensure proper functioning and hygiene. When traveling to an area with limited resources, you’ll need to plan ahead. 

• CPAP cleaning wipes: CPAP wipes are convenient when you have limited access to running water. Individually packaged wipes take up the least space, as you can pack the exact number you need. Remember to dispose of garbage in designated areas or take it back with you until you can dispose of it properly.
• Soaps: If you have access to water, you can mix it with mild, biodegradable soap to clean these components. Ask if your campsite has dedicated dumping areas for wastewater. If there’s no dumping area, scatter the used water at least 200 feet from streams or lakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to bring my CPAP machine with me if I go camping?

If you use CPAP therapy regularly, it’s generally recommended to continue using your machine while camping to avoid sleep disruption and the return of sleep apnea symptoms. Skipping CPAP, even for a short trip, can lead to poor sleep quality, increased daytime sleepiness, and other health risks, especially for people with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Can filtered water from a lake or stream be used in a CPAP humidifier?

Filtered water from a lake or stream is not recommended for use in a CPAP humidifier. CPAP manufacturers typically advise using distilled water to prevent mineral buildup and reduce the risk of bacteria or contaminants entering the humidifier. When distilled water isn’t available, many people choose to turn off the humidifier or use a waterless humidification option instead.

Can you run a CPAP machine off an RV or car battery?

Yes, a CPAP machine can often be powered by an RV or car battery using the proper power setup, such as a compatible DC adapter or inverter. Battery capacity, power draw, and whether features like humidification are used can all affect how long the battery lasts, so it’s important to confirm compatibility and plan for adequate power before your trip.