CPAP Machines and International Travel

[Holly K.]

I am new to this forum although I have used (and LOVE) my CPAP machine for about 4 years. I need advice on International Travel with a CPAP machine. I have traveled to Europe and China (business) and did not take my CPAP. Needless to say it was a difficult time.

My husband and I are planning a trip to China (vacation) in a few weeks. I can't travel with distilled water and I can't buy it in China. I use the RemStar Plus, and hope I can take it without the humidifier. The voltage should be OK, I just need the adaptor to plug it in to the wall.

My machine has almost 8,000 hours on it...so if it gets damaged I wouldn't be brokenhearted.

I hope to get advice from anyone who has traveled internationally.

Thanks! Holly

[PolyMar]

In my experience traveling internationaly with your PAP is no problem. PAP devices are medically necessary devices that are prescribe all over the world, ,making all airports familiar with the devices. When you travel at home or internationally make sure to have your machine completely broken down(humidifer disconnected from blower, water out of chamber, etc) this will help expedite you through customs. I would also recommend you request a Letter Of Medical Necessity (LOMN) from your doctor detailing that your PAP is a medical device that you must use to sleep.

[araminta]

The advice I've received is to just use the best quality water you can get hold of, and then clean the humidifier unit as well as possible when you return.
I have been to China, and at least when I was there, the hotels all had boiled water available each morning in a thermos at the door for making tea. Perhaps you might let that get cold and use at nite for the cpap. tho not distilled water, at least some of the hard minerals will be removed.
but I ain't no scientist...
perhaps someone else here will add to (or correct) this thought...

[plr66]

Araminta, as my first intn'l travel with cpap, I used a well-known brand of bottled water for my entire 2 weeks in Egypt last month. No problem whatever. Bottled water is available just about anywhere and in nearly all hotels these days. Just be sure you put enough water in your HH so it won't evaporate out overnight and leave deposits......and make absolutely sure to empty and dry your HH before packing it up each time. I took a small surge protector built for 220v and a 12' extension cord for possibilities of limited wall sockets within reach. DO NOT check your cpap with baggage. DO carry it on board with you. There have been tons of threads on traveling with cpap over the past couple of months (I know, because I was busy writing to many of them!)--so you might do well to do a search in the search box at the upper left of this page. I was really pleased that it was not the hassle I had anticipated. I would not have even considered for one second that I would travel without it.

[Holly K.]

Thanks for all the information. I forgot about the hot water kettle in all the hotels. I will also be sure to get a medical note!

[tillymarigold]

I believe boiled water is considered *worse* than non-boiled for using in the HH because it will boil away the liquid and leave a higher concentration of minerals.

[kopoloff]

When I travel I just use tap water. It will not be a problem as long as it doesn't all evaporate off during the night. Flush in the morning, then stuff a couple of tissues in the chamber to soak up any residual fluid.

Unless the water is really bad, it will be perfectly OK for a few weeks

K

[kopoloff]

Just thought of something else. If the airlines baulk at letting you carry your machine on board, explain it's essential medical equipment, you have a medical condition, and you will view their actions as discriminating against you on the basis of your health and/or disability.

Works every time, especially if you use a loud voice!

K

[Hoover]

I checked to make sure that my machine would run on 220 electricity (it does) and brought an adapter. I also brought an extension cord in case the outlet wasn't close enough to the bed and in one case it wasn't but the higher electricity burned out the cord so I ended up having to move the bed.

I also ran through my disposable filter in 2 days because of the air pollution in Casablanca - what would have lasted a month here didn't there - next time I'll bring several extras.

I also agree with carrying the machine on with you.


Bon voyage.

[plr66]

..... brought an extension cord in case the outlet wasn't close enough to the bed and in one case it wasn't but the higher electricity burned out the cord so I ended up having to move the bed.

Woa!--I think I was advised here that there would be no problem with a USA extension cord being used in places with 220 current. Not true? Luckily I didn't have to use it, but did drag one along with me for 2 weeks. What's the solution, I wonder.

[tillymarigold]

Just thought of something else. If the airlines baulk at letting you carry your machine on board, explain it's essential medical equipment, you have a medical condition, and you will view their actions as discriminating against you on the basis of your health and/or disability.

Works every time, especially if you use a loud voice!

K

Or at least it will in countries where it's illegal to discriminate against you on the basis of your health and/or disability. There are many, many countries in the world where that is not the case.

But you go right ahead and yell at the security guards in East Asia, Africa, or Latin America if you want. As long as you don't mind being jailed for it.

[hobbs]

rooms that were wired so that when the bedside lamp was switched off, all the wall electric outlets also were switched off! Took to just taking the bulbs out of the lamps.

[billbolton]

Woa!--I think I was advised here that there would be no problem with a USA extension cord being used in places with 220 current. Not true?

The cheap (generally thin/lightweight) US extension cords that you often see in supermarkets etc are often only (barely) rated for 120V operation.

The good quality (usually thicker/heavier and more $$$) US extension cords that you tened to find in electronics stores are genarally rated for higher voltages and should be OK with a plug adapter on 220 to 240V AC mains systems.

Cheers,

Bill

[lws1924]

Hello all
I'm a newbie here, but a CPAP user since 1994 (arrived the day before my wedding...)
I'm travelling to the United Kingdom next week for the first time with my cpap, and am wondering what I should do by way of power conversion.

I have a Remstar Choice (with the 110/220 switch--I've read the instructions, but still am unsure as to how to proceed with it) and a Remstar Plus without the C-flex (3 button model). Does anyone have experience and wisdom to impart on what I need to do? Many thanks in advance.

[Davidwnc]

Hi,

I used to have a RemStar Plus that I bought in the US, but also used here in the UK. You will be fine with it, all you will need is an adaptor for the plug - you don't need to worry about anything else as it will be fine with 240/50hz that is used here. I've no experience with the Remstar Choice so I can't speak about it, although I did have a machine once (I think it was a Respironics Solo that had a 110/220 switch, which you had to switch and then change the fuse in it to a 220v fuse as well...but I don't know if you have to do that with your machine - you would have to check with Respironics about that.

Oh, and one other thing...bring your umbrella...it's been wet lately...even for the UK. And the days are very short now....

Cheers
David