Overseas Travel with CPAP

[jazz angel]

I'm going to Europe for 2 weeks and will be mostly staying with family, so will have access to electricity and will be able to buy distilled water there for use with my machine.

I'd like any advice about using my CPAP machine on the 220V DC electric current they have over there. Also, what about the overseas flight? Do people use their machines onboard the plane?

I searched this topic on the site, but all of the topics I clicked on were too old to be read. (Or something like that!)

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[dtsm]

I've traveled to Asia with cpap for past 28 months, usually 10-14 days, once for 3 months. All told, maybe 6-8 times now [?} I also have used cpap on the long flights - i fly biz class and there is power. I DO NOT use humidifier and pretty sure you should not use it in-flight.

As far as land is concerned, here's the gear to take along:

1. include extra hose, filters, mask and power gear (including extension cord, plug adapters)

2. http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Interna ... 78&sr=8-13
http://www.amazon.com/All-One-Travel-Po ... 278&sr=8-1

3. 220v surge protector http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/surge.htm

You might also want to bring copy of your Rx, as a just in case!

[jazz angel]

Thank you for the suggestions and advice. I'll check them out and get what I need.

[RandyJ]

As you probably know your PR System One will run on 220v, you just need an adaptor for the plug where you'll be.

[jazz angel]

As you probably know your PR System One will run on 220v, you just need an adaptor for the plug where you'll be.

Thanks, RandyJ, I was going to check about that. That's a good feature to have.

[-tim]

Your power supply or unit will have a label on it (empty the water before looking at the bottom of a cpap machine!) that says something like 110-240V 50-60Hz on it somewhere which means it will work anywhere.
If it says something in the range of 110-130V or 60Hz only, it will not work in Europe but may work in Japan.
If it says 220-240V or 50Hz only, it will not work in the USA/Canada

The V(olts) number is sort of like water pressure, too much breaks things but too little and nothing works. There are two major standards based around 120 and 240 but they are labelled as 110,115, 130 or 210,220. There is also a 90 used in some places (like parts of Japan)
The 50 or 60 Hz is the frequency. Airplane power is sometimes 400 Hz which nothing is certified for. Most modern power supplies will be happy with all voltages and 50 or 60 hz without any problem. Some can take crazy differences in voltages and frequencies and just don't care.

Bring an extension cord as most places don't have sockets where you might expect them. If you use an IEC type cord (like a computer, figure 8 or clover leaf type connectors), you can buy them at local shops if your going to be overseas for a long time which avoids having to use an adapter but take at least one adapter.

Also if your going anywhere that they use jumper cables to wire up places, get a UPS. Any local computer small shop will be able to rent you one for $50 to $100 for up to a few weeks. Also take a good surge protector if your going to a county with odd power.

[RandyJ]

Bring an extension cord as most places don't have sockets where you might expect them. If you use an IEC type cord (like a computer, figure 8 or clover leaf type connectors), you can buy them at local shops if your going to be overseas for a long time which avoids having to use an adapter but take at least one adapter.

Also if your going anywhere that they use jumper cables to wire up places, get a UPS. Any local computer small shop will be able to rent you one for $50 to $100 for up to a few weeks. Also take a good surge protector if your going to a county with odd power.

Europe runs on 220 (where she is traveling) and the PR System One will work fine there with just an adapter. An extension cord rated for 220v could be purchased there, if necessary. I can't imagine traveling with a UPS; for one thing it would not be allowed in checked baggage due to its battery, and I can't see putting one in a carry-on. It would be overkill unless she is traveling to a remote area of the countryside where power outages are a frequent several-times-daily occurrence.

She hasn't said where exactly she is going, but I go to London every few months and have never had any issues in Europe. I wouldn't do anything different there than I do at home. I wouldn't be surprised if their infrastructure is better than most places in the US.

[jazz angel]

Tim and RandyJ, thank you for all your suggestions. I'll be staying with family in a tourist city in Southern France. I'll bring my plug adapter with me and I'm certain that someone in my family will loan me a surge protector during my two week stay.

It's good to know all the ins and outs of traveling with CPAP. As the old American Express card ad used to say, "Don't leave home without it!"

[BlackSpinner]

If you want to use it on the plane you will need to contact the airline for permission and have a letter saying that that model meets the specifications required. You should also bring a battery because there is no guarantee you will be able to plug it in at the seat or will be allowed to do so even if you have permission from the airline in question. The flight crew can over rule that on safety grounds.

[msla]

I've traveled to Asia with cpap for past 28 months, usually 10-14 days, once for 3 months. All told, maybe 6-8 times now [?} I also have used cpap on the long flights - i fly biz class and there is power. I DO NOT use humidifier and pretty sure you should not use it in-flight.

As far as land is concerned, here's the gear to take along:

1. include extra hose, filters, mask and power gear (including extension cord, plug adapters)

2. http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Interna ... 78&sr=8-13
http://www.amazon.com/All-One-Travel-Po ... 278&sr=8-1

3. 220v surge protector http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/surge.htm

You might also want to bring copy of your Rx, as a just in case!

I might add that an extra water reservoir might be good to have incase the one you are using gets bumped and cracked.

[Julie]

And don't check your machine whatever you do - you'll be allowed to bring it on the plane if everything else is in place, separate from regular carry-on luggage.