Those of us who suffer from sleep apnea may need to use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine at some point in their lives. It provides air via a mask that you wear over your nose and mouth while sleeping, helping to keep your airways open so you don’t stop breathing.
But what happens if there's a power outage and your CPAP machine stops working during the night, when you're asleep and unaware? It's a risk that has potential health problems and one that many people with sleep apnea simply do not want to take. That's why it's important to have a CPAP battery backup for when there are power cuts that can last for hours.
What is a CPAP Battery Backup?
A CPAP machine is commonly used to treat sleep apnea. It ensures you receive all the oxygen you need while asleep so that you don't suddenly and repeatedly stop breathing. The device takes in air from the room, which is passed through a filter and then pressurized -- vital to ensure airflow into your lungs. From there, it enters a tube that's connected to a mask you wear while sleeping.
You benefit from good-quality sleep and no disruptions during the night that could be dangerous. Importantly, you must use a CPAP machine every night and also if you take a nap during the day. And if you’re planning to go traveling, it’s a good idea to take a CPAP backup battery with you.
Should you find yourself on the road and staying at a hotel, motel or elsewhere and can't locate an electrical outlet near your bed -- or there isn't one -- you can just use your CPAP backup battery and get a good night's sleep. It eliminates the stress of searching for power when you need it at a critical time.
Sleep apnea sufferers might also require a battery backup for CPAP machines if they're going camping or engaging in other outdoor activities. And some places may have unstable, unreliable or just no power at all, meaning problems with your CPAP machine’s operation or not being able to use it at all.
Benefits of Having a CPAP Battery Backup
The advantages of having a CPAP battery backup are numerous, as using the machine ensures solid sleep and safety. The health risks of a CPAP machine stopping during the night can be severe, including:
1. Interrupted Breathing
A person's airway can collapse if there's a prolonged pause in breathing while asleep. This can lead to a sudden spike in heart rate and blood pressure.
2. Cardiovascular Issues
Interruptions in breathing while someone is sleeping put a strain on the cardiovascular system, potentially causing hypertension and heart arrhythmias. Over time, the person may be at heightened risk of a heart attack or stroke.
3. Fatigue
Nighttime breathing disruptions mean poor-quality sleep, and this in turn leads to sluggishness and fatigue during the day. It has a negative effect on everything from work to driving and home life, drastically lowering your enjoyment of life.
Avoiding all these risks is essential to good health and wellbeing, and that means having a solid CPAP machine and a CPAP backup battery for continuous use.
How to Choose the Right CPAP Battery Backup
If you're on the hunt for a good battery backup for your CPAP machine, there are several aspects to consider. First, check compatibility, so the battery will work with your device. The BLUETTI X30 297Wh CPAP Power Bank, for example, is compatible with 90 percent of CPAP machines.
Next, look at capacity and how long the battery will last on a charge -- as a general guide, the more watt-hours (Wh), the longer you will be able to use your CPAP machine.
Size and portability are other important considerations, as the CPAP battery backup will be by your bed and you may also be traveling with it. Opt for a compact size over big and bulky models.
Features to think about when choosing a battery backup for CPAP include overcharge, short circuit, voltage and temperature protections. All these help to ensure that your CPAP machine will work properly and won’t suddenly stop.
Having a CPAP battery by your side when you're asleep and not aware of what's going on gives you the ultimate peace of mind that you're properly dealing with your sleep apnea and not risking your health and wellbeing. So when the power goes out, the battery kicks in and you will wake up feeling refreshed and without any worries.
It’s a relatively small investment for big rewards, and you can carry on with your life without being disrupted by sleep apnea and all the problems it can cause.
FAQs
How Long Will a Battery Backup Run a CPAP?
You can expect a fully charged CPAP battery backup to let you run your machine for the duration of your sleep -- that's up to eight hours, which is the optimal amount of sleep per night. Many can operate a CPAP machine for up to 24 hours of continuous use, however.
What Size Battery Backup Do I Need for CPAP?
To find out the battery size for a CPAP machine, multiply the amount of hours you plan to use it for by the machine's wattage. So a 40-watt machine for eight hours' use will need a 320 Wh battery.
Can You Take a CPAP Battery on an Airplane?
You can take a CPAP backup battery on a plane as they are Lithium-ion batteries and are sealed. If you have particular issues, check with your airline before traveling.
