CPAP

I know of one person using one of those, he is off grid and I know he has/had old trashed batteries and he has never mentioned a power problem using it, so I suspect they musnt draw much. I suspect little, first step is determine what the name plate specs are, what is the voltage, amperage and wattage specs, should be a sticker on the unit...I say voltage because you cant assume its 120 volts as maybe its run off a wall wort and the actual unit runs off dc (likely)...check it out...and post the specs....then your going to use your kilowatt meter to measure the actual usage over night because the smart money never trusts what the sticker says..ever, I call it trust, but verified !! once you have done that we have a starting point to move from...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Kill-A-Watt-Electricity-Monitor-P4400/202196386

http://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU

I just talked to the company I got my CPAP from. They were using a battery that cost about $500 but are changing over to one that is about $350. I don't know yet how long it goes on a charge, but my generator should be enough to recharge it. I am fortunate enough not to have apnea. Just snoring that wakes me up so I can't get into a deep sleep to feel rested. So I'm tired when I don't have it ,but don't stop breathing like most people with them. The glass is defiantly half full.

I've heard some ads on the radio recently, I think it might've been on inews 880 and is some kind of dental device that can be used to cut snoring and positively affect sleep apnea. Next time I hear the ad I'll capture the info and post it here since they had said it was a replacement for cpap, and requires no power. I assume it must hold your airway more open than if you don't have one. It sounded interesting and caught my ear because I have a cpap machine that i'm supposed to use but don't, since i'm off grid and would rather charge my other devices...sorry i don't currently remember the company that puts it out, I'll try to retrieve it!

Ah yes, the CPAP dilemma.

Preliminary thoughts: preventions is worth a pound of cure. For some people, OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is wholly "not their fault" and caused by unique genetic suboptimal facial / oropharyngeal morphology. But for most of us, obesity plays a significant role. There are very few pencil necked individuals with OSA. Avoiding alcohol or any type of sedatives at night can also help.

CPAP is one of the most effective treatments available. Clearly, there are logistical issues, as alluded to above. And imagine trying to manage this while "on the move" (for example, on a 3 day trek from your primary residence to your BOL).

Dental appliances (that can facilitate temporary mandibular advancement) are another option. Off-the-shelf products usually suck. Custom-fit are better, but your dentist gets richer.

The surgical route is "free" in the sense that the taxpayers pay for the ENT to do the surgery for you. The most common type is called a UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty). In a nutshell, after you are prepped and sedated, something akin to a giant drill is used to ream out "redundant" soft tissue from the roof of your mouth and throat. It hurts like a mo' fo'. If you've ever had your tonsils out, it's about an order of magnitude worse than this. It is usually intermediate in effectiveness between CPAP and dental appliances. The other "good news" is that, like a freshly mown lawn, these soft tissues have a tendency to "regrow" in 2-3 years - necessitating an encore if you want sustained effect.

I met a few people who have also used some kind of off-the-shelf "chin strap" device that I believe is similar to the dental appliance option. I haven't had a chance to research that one though. Some people also get some minor benefit with "breath right nasal strips" (as this would bypass the palatal limitations ... of course the pharynx is still the more likely "bottleneck" ... still, for $10 a box, it's probably worth at least trying).

Good luck.

Just making a post so I don't get kicked.

The thing a lot of people don't realize is that everyone who uses a CPAP has different reasons for using it and different medical problems. Not always because we are all fat. As a mouth breather (because of nose issues) I wouldn't be able to use a chin strap or many of the other devices. I am the person I know with the least serious issues causing use of a CPAP (I don't have sleep apnea) but I do snore in a way that wakes me up repeatedly so that I can't get into a proper restful deep sleep. I know others who have been told that without it they would have a stroke or my ex (who probably can't have the surgery) who also has oxygen with his CPAP.
So everyone has their problems,needs and answers to their problems. And even though it is exacerbated by weight, there are other health issues involved. If I could move without extreme pain, losing weight would be easy like when I was younger.
So it's not fair to lump everyone together. I will be bugging in-that is my only reasonable option and the one that works for me. I'm glad I'm not someone who needs a CPAP to stay alive and has a long bug-out ahead. At least we will all probably lose weight when food is less abundant.

Without blinding anyone with medical science.... The Oral appliance is for mild to moderate sleep apnea. It won't work on moderate through severe. The Cpap, bipap and Asv can be operated using a battery and converter. My Company sells the conveter for around $85. There is also somnovent ( strips that go across the nose). Some patients use these when camping.
Obstructive sleep apnea is just one form. People suffering from Central sleep apnea or a combination of the two are not necessarily over weight. ...yes - I work for a sleep clinic.