Traveling to France for 3 weeks

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PegW

Traveling to France for 3 weeks

Post by PegW » Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:59 pm

I'll be traveling to France for 3 weeks.
If anyone has any info, thoughts or ideas about using my machine in Europe I'd sure be glad to hear them.
What power/ plug exchanger (did I use the right phrases?) should I use? Is bottled water OK or should I just plan on using the local water.

Thanks so much.
Peg


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ozij
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Post by ozij » Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:42 pm

Friends, google is mind boggling.

I typed "electric socket" and the first site brought me here:
http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/ ... .htm#plugs

What you need is an adapter from a typ A or B plug, to a type C.
Chances are your machines change voltage automatically, but check their specifications in the manuals just to be sure.

Which xPAP and humidifier do you use?

And... if you think you might want to use the machines on the way, http://www.seatguru.com will give you lots of info on electric sockets in planes, well, about planes and seats and electric sockets...

Bon Voyage!
O.

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Guest

Post by Guest » Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:17 pm

No, don't use the local water. It's loaded with minerals (especially if it's well water - or hard water) and will gunk up your humidifier chamber. Bottled water at the least - you may be able to find distilled water there.


Guest

Post by Guest » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:20 pm

[quote="ozij
Which xPAP and humidifier do you use?

And... if you think you might want to use the machines on the way, http://www.seatguru.com will give you lots of info on electric sockets in planes, well, about planes and seats and electric sockets...

Bon Voyage!
O.

_________________

The machine that I have is the Respironics REMstar | Plus with Cflex and the REMstar Heated Humidifier.
I just found a note saying that "if traveling to a country with a line voltage different than the one that you are using, ann international plug adapter may be required to make your power cord compatible with the power outlets of that country".

Thanks O for the info about the the seat sockets. I didn't even think about that.

Peg


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Geocom
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Post by Geocom » Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:14 am

Peg,

I have traveled internationally countless times with my machine; so here are some pointers:

Depending on which machine and humidifier you have, a simple adapter may not suffice. You may need to have your hotel provide you with a power TRANSFORMER. For example, my PB 420E machine can handle the current just about anywhere; but my now discarded Fisher Paykel humidifier fried when I plugged it in at my hotel in Luong Prabang, Laos. (I was able to take it apart and I did find a replacement fuse). Check the owners manual on your machine for power requirements. Whatever you do, don't plug your machine into a foreign power source until you know if it can handle it.

As for the airplane, do not attempt to use your machine without talking with the medical unit at the airline. They generally need a couple weeks notice or they will not approve your request. While civil aviation authorities around the world allow the use of some medical devices inflight, it is at the discretion of the medical officer of each individual airline. Look under "special assistance" on the website of your airline for information to contact the medical office.

Basically, some airlines are CPAP friendly, others are not.

Last year I flew to London on Virgin Atlantic, and had made a request to use my CPAP aboard the aircraft. Virgin's response was to deny my request to use the machine and they informed the flight attendants that I was not to sleep for the duration of the overnight flight. (Just to amuse myself, I would pretend to doze off, just to see how long it would take for a flight attendant to jostle me awake!).

In France, you should be able to find bottled water that is not mineral-heavy. Also, most pharmacies will carry distilled water. Look for the bright green cross outside of every pharmacy. There's generally one every block or so.

Finally, make sure you have a good time. I hear they have good French food over there.

George


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rock and roll
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Post by rock and roll » Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:09 pm

I just returned from a trip to UK for two weeks. I took two bottles of bottled water and replaced it with distilled water and packed them in my shoes. Worked perfect and lasted the exact amout I needed,I would imagine three would do you fine. Lat thing you want to do is go around and find bottled distilled water. Pack it. You can get a conversion kit for your plug at WalMart for $18.00 and it works fine. Good luck and enjoy yourself. Expect an anti american attitude, they are terrible right now. Glad I went to the UK this time. I got NO attitude there.