trip--distilled water for cpap?

[lovey]

I was wondering if anybody had any experience of going on a cruise (with Carnival) while on CPAP. Do they have distilled water available if requested? I don't want to be lugging distilled water around!

Also, if there is not distilled water, can a cpap machine be able to withstand regular water for a week without significant damage? Thanks, Lovey

[Treesap]

I'm sure you could use most bottled waters since they are usually reverse osmosis. I wouldn't use a bottled water which says it has minerals in it. I don't use distilled water in my humidifier because I have reverse osmosis hooked up to my fridge and sink.

[NomoreCrashcart]

Hi lovey,
I don't think my machine cares what kind of water it gets, but for me, distilled water is the only kind that is likely to be free from really foul smelling odors present in the majority of tap and bottled water. I've used some bottled spring water in the humidifier at times, but the only way to be sure is to try a particular brand for a night. Sometimes, a jug of water is labeled distilled when it really isn't. Other times, I've found that buying one brand of bottled water that worked before doesn't necessarily mean the next bottle of the same brand will pass muster. In the most recent example of this, I used a bottle of Aquafina--worked the last time, but smelled AWFUL this time! I got somewhat used to the smell after ten minutes or so, and slept the night with it... but the next day that foul rotten-egg smell stayed with me until evening. And you can bet I had no problem making SURE I had distilled after that!
I hope you have a nice trip and find a solution you are comfortable with!

[Snoredog]

I would just take a couple bottles of Aquafina along, should last you most of the week. Whatever you do don't use water from the ship no matter how good they tell you it is unless it is Aguafina out of a machine.

[jennmary]

Call the cruise line and ask that they make sure that there is distilled water in your room on arrival....tell them it is for medical equipment. They should be able to do that for you. Otherwise just fill up 2 or so water bottles with the distilled and pack them with you.
I have used tap water when I traveled last time...I dont think a week is going to do a whole lot of damage.....except I have no idea where cruise ship facet water comes from and might not be to anxious to try it out.

[billbolton]

Also, if there is not distilled water, can a cpap machine be able to withstand regular water for a week without significant damage?

I regularly use whatever comes out of the local tap as potable water whenever travelling, without any problems. I give the humidifier chamber a good rinse out with neat white vinegar when I get home again, to clean out any scale deposits.

I have gone for up to 7 weeks at a time using just potable tap water without any side effects for me or my CPAP humidifiers (a Resmed H2i and more recently a Resmed H3i).

The only times I consider carrying water (or using bottled drinking water etc) specifically for my CPAP use is when going to an area where I was concerned about drinking the tap water (such as most of Indonesia for example).

Cheers,

Bill

[jabberwock]

Hi lovey,

I am also active on a cruise forum (my latest passion ), and there have been many discussions there about using cpap while cruising. It has been said many times on that board that the tap water on the ships is basically distilled water; that the desalination process used by the ships makes the water 99.9% mineral-free and is the same as the distillation process.

I have not yet cruised with my cpap, but when I do in November, I will either call ahead to the cruise line and ask them to have distilled water available in my cabin, or just use the tap water.

The only reason (that I am aware of) that it is recommended to use distilled water in the humidifier is to prolong the life of the humidifier chamber by preventing build-up of minerals. Many people who have had to use tap water for short periods of time simply ensure that they rinse the chamber well with vinegar after use, and have had no problems.

Make sure you take an extension cord with multiple outlets (power bar?) in case the outlet is not convenient to the bed. Most cruise lines will have an extension cord for you to borrow if you forget. I have also heard people recommend taking duct tape to tape the extension cord to the floor if needed.

Have a great cruise!

Bonnie

[RosemaryB]

I'm very careful to use distilled water because in the winter I've frequently used a non-cpap cool mist humidifier when I get a cough that won't go away. If I use non-distilled water, the cough just stays and there is a fine white dust on the furniture. If I use distilled water, the cough clears up quickly. My system is probably more fragile than average, but not that fragile, so I wouldn't use regular water long term. However, for a week I might do it.

You should definitely call the cruise line and specify several brands of "steam distilled" water that you want them to put in your room and specify the amount you want. They are used to accommodating things like that. You might call just before and check to make sure it's been done. The more specific you are, the less likely you are to get spring water instead.

I have other medical conditions and have gotten used to calling ahead for this kind of help. It's part of their giving customer service, increasingly so as the population ages.

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[WillSucceed]

I've been on a cruise, and just used bottled water with no problem whatsoever.

[SithLord]

Unless you are really tight on space or weight, you might as well pack a bottle full of distilled from your supply at home. Why have one more thing to worry about on your cruise? Or have that nagging doubt about tap water? Conserve the mental energy and just bring your own .

For my travels, I pack a one liter "Fiji" brand bottle filled with distilled water. It lasts a work week. The Fiji water bottles are nicer than most as they are thicker and more pliant. I don't like the crinkly noise (technical term) from cheaper bottles. Afraid they'll crack to easily.

[lovey]

Thank you all for your great advice