CPAPs Switched on Plane

[ndstate]

Someone took my CPAP on the plane and I got theirs. Neither of us have contact information with the CPAP (which apparently I need going forward). Anyway, any ideas on how to figure out who the owner is? Perhaps by the serial number calling the manufacturer? I did contact the airline with a missing item report. Thanks for any ideas.

[mogulman]

Wow...that's crazy. How did it happen?

You'd think the manufacturer would have it registered somewhere. The question is....will they actually tell you anything? They might not because of privacy concerns.

If the airline cared and someone else called in also, you'd think the airline could be an intermediary, but I've lost stuff on airlines before and they don't really care.

Is your device purchased? Is a DME involved? Maybe you can contact the DME to see if there is anything they can do?

[Walla Walla]

Did you end up with a better machine?

[Sleeprider]

If this was in checked baggage, the luggage ticket is tied to a ticketed passenger. If the swap occurred as carry-on like in a security area, it will be much harder to locate the individual. What were the circumstances of the loss?

The good news is your profile shows you were using an ancient M-Series machine. You can upgrade by purchasing from Amazon the newest Dreamstation Auto for about $377, or the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for $463. If your machine is the M-series, consider this a sign it was time for a change. Seriously, the M-Series Plus is an outdated brick. You will like the change.

[Whacked]

Why didn't you have a Medical Devise tag with your contact info filled in?

Sorry this happened to you

[PaulaO2]

Wow. A good reason to advocate luggage tags on every item even carried on luggage.

As for how to locate them, I dunno. ResMed might be able to help by saying where the item went, but not the who. I dunno. Be interesting to know if they can track it down for you. Your DME should have your machine's number.

If you lost it during security check, contact the airport, not the airline. TSA is federal and not with any airline. The airport would have more information on what to do. If it happened on the plane (like in the overhead storage), contact the airline.

[Crimson Nape]

Several suppliers provide medical luggage tags with an order. Of course it also displays their name, but they're free!

[stanleydean]

On some items I just tape a business card which contains contact information. Business cards are usually circulated freely so not much security exposure. Also, this may sound crazy but in some cases people find that their homeowners insurance will cover that sort of thing. It's been years since I flew but since I do stay in hotels I will go ahead and attach ID to my CPAP and to my O2 concentrator in case I forget and leave them.

I hope you reach a satisfactory resolution to this problem.

Stan

[trish6hundred]

Hi ndstate,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I’m sorry to hear you lost your machine. I hope you are able to find it.

[KSMatthew]

Can't remember: Does Sleepyhead read any DME contact info that might be programmed into the CPAP?

The DME might have a way to track the serial number to their customer.

I wonder what the other person is doing? Do you think they might have contacted the airline?