CPAP and Hotels
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- Posts: 80
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 12:28 pm
- Location: hampton's, long island, NY
I'm amazed at how easy-going everyone is about their cpap equipment in hotels! I must be super paranoid. While I don't necessarily worry about my cpap & accessories being stolen, I do think of it getting knocked off the table by accident.
My main concern, however, is the sanitation of my stuff. I must watch waaaay too many of those TV specials on how disgusting and germy hotel rooms are. And that's even with all the chemicals/cleaning stuff, insecticides/pesticides that are sprayed in a room. I don't want my machine put into a smelly drawer with who-knows-what cooties inside or my mask and hose touching any less than sterile surfaces, let alone being handled by any other person.
It may be inconvenient, but no matter how long a hotel stay, I do drain and rinse the humidifier and hose, and wash my mask -- daily. I hang the hose to dry from a hangar and I place my mask and humidifier on a dishtowel I bring from home, and set inside my locked suitcase -- they've always been dry by bedtime. I disconnect the machine, put it in its cushioned case and set it on top of the suitcase -- off the floor and away from anything trying to hitch a free ride.
In may sound like a hassle, but the peace of mind it gives me come bedtime are worth it. This summer, for example, I spent over two months in various hotels and on several occasions found cleaning staff in my room when there was a Do Not Disturb sign on the door. You never know who/what may be in your room, so my routine will remain part of my hotel stays.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose, CPAP
My main concern, however, is the sanitation of my stuff. I must watch waaaay too many of those TV specials on how disgusting and germy hotel rooms are. And that's even with all the chemicals/cleaning stuff, insecticides/pesticides that are sprayed in a room. I don't want my machine put into a smelly drawer with who-knows-what cooties inside or my mask and hose touching any less than sterile surfaces, let alone being handled by any other person.
It may be inconvenient, but no matter how long a hotel stay, I do drain and rinse the humidifier and hose, and wash my mask -- daily. I hang the hose to dry from a hangar and I place my mask and humidifier on a dishtowel I bring from home, and set inside my locked suitcase -- they've always been dry by bedtime. I disconnect the machine, put it in its cushioned case and set it on top of the suitcase -- off the floor and away from anything trying to hitch a free ride.
In may sound like a hassle, but the peace of mind it gives me come bedtime are worth it. This summer, for example, I spent over two months in various hotels and on several occasions found cleaning staff in my room when there was a Do Not Disturb sign on the door. You never know who/what may be in your room, so my routine will remain part of my hotel stays.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, hose, CPAP
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Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Additional Comments: I'm a mouth taper, too! |
Hey, if "pandering" as LePeu termed it, will get me some sleep ...... and straighten my gut out ...Anonymous wrote:Slinky are you really "SleepPimp"?
I've wondered who that guy is...
LOL,
B.
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Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator |
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
At best "Don Not Disturb" means knock before entering, and sometimes, not even that. That is why I also make a point to tell the housekeeping supervisor as well.cascade wrote:... on several occasions found cleaning staff in my room when there was a Do Not Disturb sign on the door. You never know who/what may be in your room, so my routine will remain part of my hotel stays.
As far as your concerns about chemicals, cleanliness, etc... that's OK I respect your right to be as concerned as you want. My level of concern in this area is simply different.
Do remember that to some people a locked suitcase may simply mean "look in here first". A locked Kevlar bank bag that is secured to either the bed frame or a pipe in the bathroom is not impossible to defeat, but it does create more significant obstacles than a simple suitcase lock.
Roadie
Traveling sucks... Traveling with CPAP blows.
I'd rather be diving, then it is a good thing to breathe through your mouth.
I'd rather be diving, then it is a good thing to breathe through your mouth.
That's a lot to ask for but...*cracks knuckles*...I'm up for a challenge! Let's go!Slinky wrote:Hey, if "pandering" as LePeu termed it, will get me some sleep ...... and straighten my gut out ...Anonymous wrote:Slinky are you really "SleepPimp"?
I've wondered who that guy is...
LOL,
B.
RDI=56.5
8cm
"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
8cm
"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
ROTFLMRAO!!!!! Shucks, LePeu, you're too willing, you take all the fun out of it! Didn't you ever hear of playing hard to get?Lepeu63 wrote:That's a lot to ask for but...*cracks knuckles*...I'm up for a challenge! Let's go!Slinky wrote:Hey, if "pandering" as LePeu termed it, will get me some sleep ...... and straighten my gut out ...Anonymous wrote:Slinky are you really "SleepPimp"?
I've wondered who that guy is...
LOL,
B.
_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex & Humidifier - EncorePro 2.2 Software - Contec CMS-50D+ Oximeter - Respironics EverFlo Q Concentrator |
Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick. We are flexible like that.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
My computer says I need to upgrade my brain to be compatible with its new software.
Slinky wrote:ROTFLMRAO!!!!! Shucks, LePeu, you're too willing, you take all the fun out of it! Didn't you ever hear of playing hard to get?Lepeu63 wrote:That's a lot to ask for but...*cracks knuckles*...I'm up for a challenge! Let's go!Slinky wrote:Hey, if "pandering" as LePeu termed it, will get me some sleep ...... and straighten my gut out ...Anonymous wrote:Slinky are you really "SleepPimp"?
I've wondered who that guy is...
LOL,
B.
Pfft, waste of time! But enough of zis, let us go straight to the woo-ing!
RDI=56.5
8cm
"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
8cm
"Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain
I've read in other threads that many people just use tap water in their humidifier when traveling. I'm about to take my first trip with CPAP and I'm still trying to decide what to do. I'll only be gone 3 nights. What do you well seasoned travelers use?
Masks I've tried but didn't like :
FlexiFit HC405 - couldn't stop the leaks
FlexiFit HC405 - couldn't stop the leaks
I typically use deionized (distilled) water at home but think that if you're only going for a few days, tap water will work fine as long as you wash out any carbonate deposits when you get back home and go back to distilled water.
I wouldn't worry too much about leaving the CPAP out when you're not in the room. Housekeeping probably won't know what it is for one thing and a thief would not likely consider it a "hot" item as it'd be much more difficult than a camera to fence.
-Andy
I wouldn't worry too much about leaving the CPAP out when you're not in the room. Housekeeping probably won't know what it is for one thing and a thief would not likely consider it a "hot" item as it'd be much more difficult than a camera to fence.
-Andy
I'm flying to AL in a few weeks, and plan to just use tap water while there for 7 days. I'll do a day-long vinegar/water soak when I get back to get rid of any mineral deposits.
I think the point of the distilled water is to reduce scale on the metal plate. If you treat it with vinegar routinely, you should be fine.
Cheers,
Barbara
I think the point of the distilled water is to reduce scale on the metal plate. If you treat it with vinegar routinely, you should be fine.
Cheers,
Barbara