Help with overnight flight, CPAP options in Singapore

[MoneyGal]

Hello all!

I am a compliant CPAP (actually, biPAP) user with very severe sleep apnea. I have actually only accidentally slept without my machine TWICE since my diagnosis in 2009.

I am now planning a two-month trip from Canada, where I live to Singapore, starting in May - and I'm starting to plan for (and freak out about) ensuring I can maintain my current sleep habits while travelling by air, and when in a foreign country.

Here are my questions for anyone who can help:

- I am planning on buying a new travel machine for this trip (and because I have a bunch of international travel expected in the next few years)

- for Singapore, do I need a humidifier? Or are the humidifying options that come with the very small travel machines, such as the HDM Z1, sufficient?

- My flights will be about 1 day total, so I expect I might need to sleep on part of each flight. I have no experience travelling with a CPAP on a flight; what should I be doing to prepare myself? A machine with a battery obviously, but what about in-seat power options or anything else I have not thought of?

- I will need to get an adaptor for my machine while in Singapore. I ... hardly understand what is required here. Is it as simple as buying a small plug into which I plug my North American cord?

I apologize if these questions seem very basic! I am finding myself quite worried about this aspect of the trip, because it is all new to me, and would SO appreciate any words of experience and wisdom. Thank you!!

[sm753]

I can answer some of that hopefully.

I've never been to Singapore, fortunately the Asian countries I have visited have all used the plugs we have here in the US and Canada. The standard plug in Singapore is type G: http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/typeG.htm I assume you can just find a converter for it. Although, since CPAP machines are expensive, I would contact the manufacturer and ask them to be sure. I do know some things don't play well with the difference in voltage standards and etc...hair dryers are a good example of something that'll burn out even if you have the right convert in certain countries.

I travel internationally about once a year to visit family and friends in Asia, these are 13-15 hour flights. I've never seen anyone using a CPAP or anything like that...I suspect you may not actually need it, assuming you're actually able to sleep, as you will be mostly in a reclined but still upright position. Since I am new to CPAP as of...like a few weeks ago I can't speak from personal experience yet.

I can tell you that Singapore, like most of southeast Asian countries, is pretty humid, may want to consider that regarding the humidifier. Sounds like you'll be there over the summer so it'll be hot and humid, be prepared!

In any case, I suspect your biggest hurdle will be with jet lag. The time difference between US/Canada and most of Asia is approximately 12 hours, so day/night is almost exactly opposite (which is basically the worst case). It usually takes me a week to adjust to the time difference. Take some time and read about jet lag and how to best transition your body into the new time zone.

[Julie]

Vital is that you take your machine as carry on, because a) it won't count as such, being a med device, and b) you don't want it lost who knows where in your regular bag... no one here would think of doing that. You could check with the individual airlines re using it in flight as certain seats have outlets and others don't... best to check that. Insist when going through customs, etc. that if the handlers do inspect it (not all do by any means) they wear rubber gloves (they likely will).

And Singapore being what it is, apart from volt. conversion plugs and a long cord (never know when outlets will be close to the bed) their med. systems are excellent and I'm sure if needed you could find a DME'/MD in a pinch through the hotel. Plus you can probably find distilled water, but if not, tap water's usuall fine for a few days.

[dvejr]

I've done this quite a bit, and here's my experience.
1) Carry it on; do not check it, even if you don't plan to use it, or know that the airline will not permit you to use it in flight (I'm talkin' to YOU, United Airlines, you sons of bitches). You don't want it in checked luggage. Yes, US regs do not count a CPAP against the 2-item hand-baggage limit, but other countries do. Plan accordingly.
2) Do not count on a working electrical outlet at your plane seat. Bring a battery-operated machine.
3) Electricity isn't too complicated. Make sure your machine works on 110-220- volts, 50-60 cycle Alternating Current. Most do. This guarantees that the different voltages and frequencies in other countries' power won't matter. Now all you worry about are plug adapters. They're easy to buy and don't cost much. I also travel with a simple extension cord. Outlets might not be near the head of your bed.
4) If you hope to use it in flight, check with the airline's Medical Desk well beforehand. Airlines start from the position that any unapproved (by them) electrical device will crash their plane. Your CPAP manufacturer might, or might not, make representations to customers about their machine's suitability for in-flight use. That's nice, but the airline decides. Once you board, tell the Cabin Attendants about your plans to mask up later, and hand them written proof that the airline has approved it.
5) I used my CPAP many times in the air. Be prepared to scare the bejeesus out of the other passengers. Especially post-9/11, any passenger acting weird prompts panicked reactions. I've handled this both ways --
tell everyone in earshot early in the flight what I'd later do about a mask and a machine, or
say nothing, pull a blanket over my head, and then mask up in secret. The first way is better.

[dvejr]

ResMed sent me this this morning:

Lightweight and highly portable, ResMed's machines and masks are designed to accompany you wherever you go. Traveling with your therapy equipment is easy. With a standard universal power supply, most ResMed devices can be used throughout the world and even on a plane. You can rest assured that your therapy equipment will help you get the most out of your vacation.
If you're traveling by air, you'll need to get clearance from the airline to use your machine on a flight. Take a copy of ResMed's FAA travel compliance letter.http://myairoct.resmed.com/?a=11140&m=4 ... h=fd0f98bb
Some other things to consider include taking:
an extension cord (you never know where the power sockets are located in a hotel)
a power adapter if you are traveling to a country with a different power socket
distilled/deionized water
You can use your device but not your humidifier, on a plane, as aircraft turbulence increases the risk of water spillage and damage to the device. Read a complete list of travel tipshttp://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/su ... pment.html
Sleep well!
The myAir Team
myair.resmed.com

[Thatgirl]

One way to handle this would be to fly to some place like Paris for a day or two and catch up on sleep, then fly to Singapore from there.

[cpapernewbie]

Hi
I just returned from a 1 month stay in Singapore. I have family there, so I am a "regular" there.
1. you need to buy a plug adapter. You can buy an el cheapo, $2-3 only for converting US/Canada to Singapore plug (People's Park complex) or a $30 universal adapter (which you can buy at the airport) or a $15-$20 universal adsapter at People's Park complex in Chinatown.
2. You also do not need the humidifier unit in Singapore, I left it home everytime I travelled to Singapore. The local humidity is >80% most of the time and the temperature is >25 Celcius (more than 77 F)

The flight to Singapore is around 16 hours. I never us my CPAP. Just sit there and try to relax. No way to sleep with CPAP unless you sit in business class I guess

Have a safe trip and hope you enjoy your trip!

[cpapernewbie]

Ooops, I missed some points here

You do not need a new CPAP just for this trip. Just take whatever you sleep with every night (except the humidifier). If you are going to stay at a hotel, you better take a power bar with a LONG cable. Hotels frequently hide the power outlets in places hard to access.

Most sleep in a room with airconditioning. It helps if you use a nose pillow mask since the weather is pretty hot there - around 80 F