Medical equipment

[KiminChicago]

Hi,

My husband has sleep apnea and needs a CPAP machine at night to keep breathing. I was just wondering if anyone has taken a CPAP machine through airport security lately, and if you had any problems. I called the airport to try and get an answer and they redirected me to our air carrier. I suggested to my husband that he go to his doctor and get a note stating that he needed the equipment, but he doesn't want to bother. The CPAP has to go with our carry-on luggage because if anything happened to it, my husband would snore loud enough to keep everyone else in the room (me, DS & DD) awake all night. Of course, the snoring wouldn't be so bad, it's when he stops breathing that I wake up ! Does anyone have any experience with this? We didn't have trouble back in January when we flew, but the rules are all different now!

Thanks!
Kim

 

[ducklite]

Get a letter from the doctor, and carry the equipment on. If they give you a hard time about it, scream ADA.

If pigs can fly, so can a simple medical machine, especially one accompanied by a doctors note. I would ask the doctor to state that it regulates the patients breathing, and that supportive oxygen is not needed.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

BTW- not sure his condition is covered under ADA, but it sounds good, and is close enough.

Anne

 

[imgoingtodisney]

My husband flew his CPAP machine home from Orlando yesterday. No problem at all. No doctors note needed. He didnt even have to open it up.

 

[SueM in MN]

I just reade an article in the Minneapolis newspaper (but I can't find a link to it) that says they are trying to get the airports to be more consistent in what they are allowing/not allowing. It said one carryon and one small personal thing like a purse or laptop would be allowed and that medical equipment would be allowed with an MD note.
Since his CPAP machine is essential to him, I would definately get an MD note. I would not take the chance of not having a note if they ask for one.
Another option would be to rent the equipment in Orlando. One of the medical equipment vendors that DISers have used for wheelchair and ecv rental also mentions that they rent respiratory equipment.
Here's a link: Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html