Traveling no distilled water

[pandora]

If distilled water is not available when traveling usingan ordinary CPAP machine, is it better to use tap water or no water? Or is the machine unusable?

[LSAT]

Use bottled water until you get back. Tap or bottled water will not affect the machine, but it will leave mineral deposits in your humidifier. These deposits can be cleaned with vinegar and water when you return.

[Dog Slobber]

Distilled water is a cleaning convienance.

The fact that so many truly believe that distilled water is a medical requirement, to the point that they won't CPAP without it, is a problem.

[rick blaine]

Hi pandora,

"Or is the machine unusable?"

The answer is there in the history of these machines, When I bought my first APAP, a PR S1 551, ten years ago, there was no humidifier, and no humidification.

The sensation in the throat was 'cold and dry' – because even if the air in the room wasn't particularly cold or particularly dry, the fact that it was moving meant it was experienced as cold. And the fact that it was moving meant it did some drying as it went along ....

But that air did its job. Airway held open.

Then the manufacturers brought out the add-on humidifier. A separate unit – that clipped on to the main, blower unit. Now what does that tell you?

That it's an option. A design after-thought. A comfort feature. Something which makes the experience better for most people.

But it also was, and also is, more than a comfort feature for some people. The people whose dry throats turned into sore, irritated, infected throats.

Now, if you haven't used your machine without humidification, you might not know if you are one of that small group which gets throat irriration.

Usually, said irritation takes more than a few days to appear.

Meaning: for short trips, doing without humidifcation is do-able.

You could find out which of these two kinds of user you are at home and before you go on your travels by using your machine without humidification for a few nights. Find out what is true for you.

Me, I know from my early days that I'll manage.

Additionally, because my humidifier is an add-on unit, I can unclip it, and so I have less to carry.

[D.H.]

You can use any potable water (except carbonated, flavored, or colored). I prefer bottled to tap, as tap water sometimes leaves rusty deposits.

Soak reservoir in vinegar when you get back to remove the deposits.

[palerider]

Use bottled water until you get back. Tap or bottled water will not affect the machine, but it will leave mineral deposits in your humidifier. These deposits can be cleaned with vinegar and water when you return.

Bottled water may have added minerals 'for taste'. Simplest to just use tap water, rinsing the tank out every morning will reduce buildup of anything, since the one nights minerals won't have had time to really crust up.

[palerider]

You can use any potable water (except carbonated, flavored, or colored).

Why? explain why "except carbonated, flavored, or colored"

[Okie bipap]

We used to carry distilled water when we traveled, but now just use bottled water. We always carry bottled water in the car when traveling because several of the places we have been had horrible tasting tap water.

[D.H.]

You can use any potable water (except carbonated, flavored, or colored).

Why? explain why "except carbonated, flavored, or colored"

Carbonated will give you CO2 gas. This can cause headaches and other problems.
Flavored is no good, as it might be unpleasant (even if you like the flavor of the water). Also, it's an additive, and it's recommended not to add any additive.
Colored is also no good as it might cause stains and/or discolor the innards of your machine or even your bedding. Also, coloring is an additive.

[palerider]

You can use any potable water (except carbonated, flavored, or colored).

Why? explain why "except carbonated, flavored, or colored"

Carbonated will give you CO2 gas. This can cause headaches and other problems.

Water's ability to contain dissolved CO2 varies inversely with temperature, even room temperature water doesn't hold much CO2, and the warmer it is, the less CO2 it can hold. in a heated humidifier, there won't be much CO2 for any length of time.

Flavored is no good, as it might be unpleasant (even if you like the flavor of the water). Also, it's an additive, and it's recommended not to add any additive.

"it might", or, it "might not". Stop GUESSING.

Colored is also no good as it might cause stains and/or discolor the innards of your machine or even your bedding. Also, coloring is an additive.

And just how is water supposed to "might" cause stains in the "innards" of the machine? or even the bedding?

You're full of "Ohhhh it MIGHT, with no actual facts.

[D.H.]

You can use any potable water (except carbonated, flavored, or colored).

Why? explain why "except carbonated, flavored, or colored"

Carbonated will give you CO2 gas. This can cause headaches and other problems.

Water's ability to contain dissolved CO2 varies inversely with temperature, even room temperature water doesn't hold much CO2, and the warmer it is, the less CO2 it can hold. in a heated humidifier, there won't be much CO2 for any length of time.

Flavored is no good, as it might be unpleasant (even if you like the flavor of the water). Also, it's an additive, and it's recommended not to add any additive.

"it might", or, it "might not". Stop GUESSING.

Colored is also no good as it might cause stains and/or discolor the innards of your machine or even your bedding. Also, coloring is an additive.

And just how is water supposed to "might" cause stains in the "innards" of the machine? or even the bedding?

You're full of "Ohhhh it MIGHT, with no actual facts.

Such a wise guy! Put diet coke in your reservoir and let us know what happens!

[Pugsy]

The sky might fall during the night so maybe we should all wear hard hats to bed.
Chicken little is alive and well.

[palerider]

The sky might fall during the night so maybe we should all wear hard hats to bed.
Chicken little is alive and well.

Now THAT sounds uncomfortable:)

[palerider]

Such a wise guy! Put diet coke in your reservoir and let us know what happens!

Just tired of your mindless stupidity.

Nothing will happen, other than it'll help dissolve any mineral deposits, due to the phosphoric acid.

[chunkyfrog]

. . . dissolve any mineral deposits, due to the phosphoric acid.

At 4'10", I cannot afford to have my spine collapse any more.
Shoulda quit Coke at least twenty years earlier.