Travel CPAP Update

[ron34]

Some of you might remember that I tried using a DreamStation Go and found the inhale noise too loud, not only for myself, but my wife as well. I decided to gamble and try a Z2. The noise level from the mask is continual and actually sounds like a vacuum cleaner to my wife! I've given up on trying a travel unit and will carry my ResMed AirSense 10. I didn't realize it was dual voltage and now that I know this, it makes the decision easier when I travel to Vietnam in a few weeks. Not having to also carry a voltage convertor helps.

[D.H.]

Officially, Vietnam has both the US type and the European type (two round pins). What I observed is mostly sockets that would accommodate either (as shown below on the left). Note that in one hotel, the socket nearest the bed was the UK type. That is two large flat collinear pins, and an even larger flat pin that is perpendicular to the other two (as shown below on the right). I think that they wanted the maids to use this one for their vacuum cleaner, assuming that very few guests would use the UK plug.

Note that almost all (maybe all) CPAP machines made in the last fifteen years are dual voltage.

[rick blaine]

Hi ron34,

For Vietnam, this cord goes from the wall socket to your ResMed power transformer. It replaces the wall-to-power-transformer cord you use in the US.

Since there is no adaptor bertween it and the wall socket, it won't wobble or come loose once it's plugged in.

Also handy if you ever visit the UK.

https://www.amazon.com/InstallerParts-P ... 2TMHPAF685

[D.H.]

The UK socket was an oddball socket for Vietnam. You generally won't find it there. The Hotel I stayed in in Hanoi was unusual. I think that they want a non-standard socket for staff use. Mostly, the sockets were like the one shown on the left. You'll be able to fit your US/Canada plug into it directly. You might occasionally find one that only takes the round pin, but I've not seen that. Also, even in the hotel that did have the UK plug, there were the "regular" type elsewhere in the room.

[jsmit86]

If you can carry your main unit, obviously that’s best.
I have a Z2 Auto, and if I’m traveling by air, it’s what I take with.
I have found 2 things that eliminate most of the noise. For the unit itself, I place it in a nightstand drawer that is slightly open for ventilation. In the summer, i also was running the air conditioning, which makes the noise from the unit mostly null.

I used the Z2 for a couple of months while my Resmed was getting repaired, and eventually replaced, and it was acceptable.

The remaining issue is noise that is transmitted up the tube into the mask. I read a post here that using a travel hose from Amazon eliminates just about all of the mask noise. I was skeptical, but purchased one. This thing looks like a Saran Wrap roll mated with a slinky. It appears very fragile, but surprisingly, it does in fact pretty much eliminate the mask noise.

I will concede that if you can carry the extra bag for your full size unit, that’s the way to go. I’m in the process of moving from the Chicago area to Houston, TX. At first I was just going to pack my Z2, but since I had to drive down anyway, I packed the Resmed too.
I’m using the Resmed now, but if I have air travel, the Z2 allows me to only have my wheeled bag, and my briefcase. I know the CPAP bag has to be accommodated in the USA, but lugging all three while connecting is difficult, so for me the benefit of traveling light is worth it.

If you still have the Z2, you may want to invest in the travel hose in the event that you ever need to travel light.