Thread: Screening CPAPs

I just recently starting using a CPAP breathing machine. I noticed that each time I go through airport screening, they want to remove the machine and do the explosive trace test on it. My question is WHY? It's a piece of electronics, but yet they don't do it to laptop computers. Why do CPAPs seem more dangerous? I do insist that screeners change their gloves (in my precesence) when they touch my machine.

Your CPAP is not just electronics, but has a mechanical aspect as well.

I just wish they would change the name of the thing. Every time I see CPAP, my brain reads CRAP and then I have a huge "HUH, what? ... oh yeah that breathing thing." moment. I think I remember reading this, and I may be wrong, the filters mimic the density of an explosive.

Remember to tell them to use a new trap also. That's the little disc they swab your machine and other peoples shoes with. They reuse them several times. I just write that on a sticky note and leave it on the machine. At my home airport I'm usually pretty far from my machine when they remove it from the belt.

Keep in mind, that you are allowed your CPAP as an extra bag as it is a medical device. It is exempt from the carry on regulations. Of course, you will get people who will see you don't know the rules and either whine about it or come on here and complain about how the airlines don't enforce rules. That said, if you suffer from sleep apnea and the treatment works for you then you won't care about the secondary as long as you...

Quote: Originally Posted by thegeneral Keep in mind, that you are allowed your CPAP as an extra bag as it is a medical device. It is exempt from the carry on regulations. Of course, you will get people who will see you don't know the rules and either whine about it or come on here and complain about how the airlines don't enforce rules. That said, if you suffer from sleep apnea and the treatment works for you then you won't...