TSA and distilled water?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:38 pm

I will be flying to Florida on 2/8. I can only use distilled water with the machine - not tap, not spring, only distilled water. Unfortunately, for the two nights preceding the cruise, I'm staying at a hotel with no stores within walking distance, so I have to bring water for those first two nights.

I got a prescription for bottles of distilled water (the easiest way to get it through), but the morons at CVS can't seem to figure out the concept of making labels that say "Distilled Water for CPAP") (duh!). So today, I called TSA, and a man named "Cory" swears that I can get one or two half-liter bottles through without a problem. However, the only thing that the TSA is consistent in is its inconsistency.

So... can I take water through with documentation from the CPAP manufacturer and the doctor? Has anyone else here done this?

Lineman · Post by **Lineman** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:54 pm

I would be very interested to know the answer to this quesiton. I have a trip planned later this year and I would like to take distilled water with me too.

What are the current TSA rules about fluids? Are you looking to the bottles as carry-ons? I thought I could put DW into my checked luggage without a problem ... or is that not going to fly?

I suppose you could pre-ship the water by UPS to your destination (they deliver anywhere they say). What about that?

-LM

girlsaylor · Post by **girlsaylor** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:58 pm

I live in South FL. Which area are you flying into? Where are you flying into?

girlsaylor

nosbig17 · Post by **nosbig17** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:46 pm

It is a very good idea to use distilled water in a cpap humidifier!

However, using distilled water is NOT manditory.

The results of using tap water will be:

1. The user will get water vapor along with their therapy, just as with distilled water.

2. There is a possibality of getting a little mineral buildup inside the humidifier chanber. This buildup can be dispatched with a vinigar rinse.

Looks to me like a NON-issue!

jjposey · Post by **jjposey** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:55 pm

Could you contact the hotel you will be staying at and ask them about providing your distilled water?
joanna

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:14 pm

I travel a considerable amount and distilled water has never been a problem. Most major hotels will provide it. If they don't I just use tap water. een doing this for several years and it has never caused a problem.
If you use tap water long enough it will build up a scale inside the humi tank, which can be washed out with a vinegar/water rinse.
While in Europe got 19 day I used tap water the entire time and never noticed a build up.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:16 pm

Ditto on the occasional use of tap water.

Will not hurt at all.

Many use tap water and rinse with vinegar to remove film.

Who made you so adamant on this?

Also, if you are going to Fl, you may not need humidifier at all.

I have been on PAP for 12+ years and do not use a humidifier at all.

RELAX.......

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:20 pm

I know you said you don't use anything but distilled water, which is fine, but in my experience unnecessary when I travel. I recomment using bottled water when you travel. Most of it is filtered water, low mineral content.

If you use tap water, you might get a bit of mineral buildup but if you dump out the remaining water and start with fresh water, that will be less of a problem and is easily cleaned. Some people object to the chlorine smell but that will dissipate.

IMHO life is way too short--and CPAP therapy is already enough of a hassle--for me to spend much time worrying too much about distilled water when I'm on the road. But that's just my opinion. if you want to hassle with security or take a cab to WalMart after you arrive, suit yourself.

Rachael · Post by **Rachael** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:14 pm

I switched from distilled to tap water after a while, but have switched back because my city changed the chemicals they use to treat the water and there is a strong chemical smell that gives me a headache, and I wonder what breathing concentrated vapors will do to my lungs. Also, it's supposedly hard on plastics, this new chemical. Gross.

I would say that within the us a night or two of tap water is probably just fine. I did the prescription thing too, and my target couldn't cope with the idea either.

Bring the prescription and a bottle of distilled water, if TSA give you a hard time you can toss the water and use tap water.

ColinP · Post by **ColinP** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:36 am

I've never used anything but tap water. I have to re-fill every second or third day, and I'm careful to swill the old water out before I refill. I've been doing that for the last four and a half months, and have no trace of deposits in the tank.

Colin

p.s. Just thinking that maybe our water is cleaner than most, cos I don't have scale in my kettle either...

beachgurl_1988 · Post by **beachgurl_1988** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:04 pm

I use distilled water sometimes, when I have nothing else to spend my money on....but I usually just take a trip to the bathroom and fill it up with tap water. I usually soak my equipment in vinigar water anyway so I don't really seem to care much about the buildup. You should be fine using tap water for a few days.

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:11 pm

Well, TSA IS inconsistant. However, even with a prescription and labeled bottles, TSA will insist that liquid in that amount go into checked bags, not carry-on. It will probably leak anyway. But as has been said above, just use tap or Desani or Aquafina for a day or two. Truly, it won't hurt. As much as possible, keep it simple when traveling.

One thing... have you contacted the cruise line and asked them to provide distilled water for you in your cabin? Several people on the forum have posted about this and the cruise line has in each case happily provided distilled water for them.

Bring a multi-tap and an extension cord! Cabins often have limited outlets and not always close to the bed.

Happy travels.

minders1976 · Post by **minders1976** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:26 pm

Most of the hotels that I have stayed in use a water softener. I stayed in a hotel for 4 months recently and used the tap water with no problems.

rux1960 · Post by **rux1960** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:59 am

I live in Canada and didn't travel much . I don;t know the rules i USA . But I had to travel internationally twice last year...the restrictions on the amount of liquid is only for anything that you can put in the carry on luggage . Anything that goes in the main luggage that goes in the plane is OK...I have brought 2 bottles. so this might be a solution... if there are no restrictions on that luggage ( usually they are not)...the other idea that others mentioned is to ask the hotel to buy it in advance for you..
good luck...I would distilled water just because most of the tap water is so full of lots of crap that I don;t want it in my body wheather I breath it or drink it
Rux

One who knows (MD I family) · Post by **One who knows (MD I family)** » Sun Feb 12, 2017 4:07 pm

The Distilled water requirement is for YOUR health! Not the machines functioning!! There are all sorts of mycoplasma in water that can infect your sinuses that border to your BRAIN! This can put you at risk for minimum of Meningitis!! It's a hassle, I know.. But call ahead and ask if the hotel can have a bottle of Distilled/sterile water in your room.... Or buy in gift shop or nearby store. I would also take a quality w/ me to be covered for a few days. Additionally label for "medical CPAP use only" makes a sense. Take some back up & labeled same, in your checked bag... In plastic (BPA FREE bottles... The aluminum hiking canteen makes me concerned due to aluminum & Alzheimers!) Stainless is much preferred! Doesn't hurt to get Rx (written instructions ) from MD just in case... Most TSA should know... But makes for smoother check I'm for it!! Safe travel to all!

I'm am EMT-Basic too so do know about sterile/ sanitary concerns myself!

TSA and distilled water?

TSA and distilled water?

which airport are you flying into?

Distilled Water Use

water

traveling

Re: TSA and distilled water?

Mask

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4