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Jul 27, 2017

Adventures in camping

This topic is about the challenges and solutions for someone with an ostomy and sleep apnea who wants to enjoy camping and river rafting. The person in question is an experienced outdoor guide who has been invited on a two-day rafting trip down Oregon’s Deschutes River. Here are some of the key points and advice shared:

1. **Handling the Lack of Conventional Toilets:**
- The guide used a double-bag, odor-tight “bag-within-a-bag” toilet system. This involved reusing inner bags and only discarding three sealed disposal bags at the end of the trip.

2. **Managing Sleep Apnea Without Power:**
- Due to the lack of power, the guide left the bulky APAP device and battery at home, which led to two nights of poor sleep. For future trips, he is looking into compact APAP machines with lightweight batteries or solar recharging options, although these can be costly.

3. **Dealing with Joint Pain and Mobility:**
- Despite joint pain from prednisone use and two hip replacements, the guide finds that being outdoors helps offset the discomfort. He is seeking practical ways to continue camping while managing pain, ostomy care, and sleep apnea therapy.

4. **Advice on Sleep Apnea Therapy:**
- Never skip CPAP/BiPAP/APAP therapy, as missing a night can ruin daytime energy and increase cardiac risk. Always pack the device for camping, RV, or international travel, and carry voltage converters and plug adapters when traveling abroad.

5. **Power Solutions for Sleep Apnea Devices:**
- Consider using smaller travel-size CPAP/APAP units with compact lithium battery packs. Recharge these via 12-V systems in trailers, portable solar panels, or vehicle cigarette-lighter outlets. Keep at least one fully charged spare battery.

6. **Coping with Ostomy Pouching During Outdoor Activities:**
- Drainable pouches are effective, but watch for wafer adherence issues in heat or prolonged water exposure. High temperatures can cause wax-based barrier rings to swell and leak, and prolonged moisture can lift wafers. It's advisable to trial different tapes or waterproof covers before a trip.

7. **Protecting Peristomal Skin:**
- A recommended routine involves dusting Convatec Stomahesive Powder on clean, dry skin, brushing off excess, and lightly spraying 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film. Let it dry and repeat 2–3 times before applying the wafer. This layering technique helps reduce irritation and improves adhesion.

These insights aim to help those with similar conditions enjoy the great outdoors while managing their health needs effectively.
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