Stupid? travel question

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:37 pm

Hi Everyone,
I am getting ready for my trip in four weeks, and realized I am not really sure I have everything I need so here goes my question: I have an adaptor for Ireland, and I have a surge protector for this adaptor for the cpap and humidifier. I am getting an extention cord too, so is this all I will need to use my cpap? Oh yeah, it goes like this right: adaptor into wall outlet, then surge protector, then extention cord to my machine cord? My cpap and humidifier both run off the same cord/power source. I hope this post does not sound too bad, this is just my first trip out of the country since needing the machine. Thanks so much too for all the help!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:39 pm

TSK! You forgot the MOST CRITICAL THING! Plane ticket for Babette so she can accompany you as your Private CPAP Nurse.

Looks like you've got it down, other than that.

HAVE A GREAT TIME! Send us pix when you get back!
Babs

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:47 pm

Oppps, sorry I should have thought it out better Thanks!

hobbs · Post by **hobbs** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:05 pm

Adapter, extension cord and THEN the surge protector!

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:55 pm

And even though your machine most likely is dual voltage (110/220), make doubly sure the surge suppressor is as well, or you will have some pretty in-room fireworks!

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:38 pm

I am not sure about the duel voltage for the surge protector. If I use the adapter before it, do I really need to worry? My manual says its duel voltage for the machine. Maybe I should just skip the surge protector? This sure makes traveling a lot more hassle. I wanted to skip taking it ( I'm dx moderate apnea) but my doctor encouraged me to take it to keep up the usage. I am giving up my carry on for it as it is. The tour company said I can only have one carry on, even if the airlines don't count it. I am cramming my meds into my purse so I can take the machine. It sure makes me dislike the whole thing again, and just when I was actually starting to like it Oh well, thanks everyone!

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:47 am

lifeartist59 wrote:I am not sure about the duel voltage for the surge protector.

You should double check. If you plug a 110 suppressor (or anything) into 220, sparks will fly and a lovely smell will fill the room. Ask me how I know.

lifeartist59 wrote:If I use the adapter before it, do I really need to worry?

Yes. An adapter ONLY changes the "prongs" so they will fit and passes the voltage on. It does not convert anything.

lifeartist59 wrote:My manual says its duel voltage for the machine.

Then your machine will be fine. Just double check the specs on the bottom of the surge suppressor and make sure it is rated for 220. Some are, some are not.

Maybe I should just skip the surge protector? This sure makes traveling a lot more hassle.

You could definitely do that, but you are then at the mercy of the local power company. I don't know what the power is like in Ireland but in the countries I travel too it is awful....often cutting out three or four times a day for no particular reason.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:04 am

I'm jealous -- I looooooooove Ireland. We spent a blissful two weeks there a few years ago, and I'd go back in a minute. Enjoy!

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:42 pm

I appreciate all the info and help. I found an adapter online that is also a surge protector. Has anyone used one of these? It sounded like the solution to my problem of limited space. Thanks again everyone!

carlitguy · Post by **carlitguy** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:25 am

This is your free travel gift and BEST tip.
Take a roll of black electrical tappe and actually tape your adapter to the extension cord.
If you don't, you may pull the extension cord out and leave the adapter behind. Trust me I did it! tHis equals a bad next night's sleep and I did find it hard to get one on our tour.
Dean in Canada

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:51 pm

thanks carlitguy, I will see if I have some and put it in the case now! Good information everyone thanks again

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:18 pm

A surge protector in an outlet adapter should be fine, and it should be rated at 240 volts. Make sure that your humidifier is also rated for 240 volts, some sold in the US are only rated at 120 volts.

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:45 pm

Thanks, Bearded one, mine is an all in one power source unit and the manual says it (unit) adjusts to the higher 220 automatically. I think it should be fine, right? Countdown, three weeks. I did find a converter I bought a few years ago to take too, just in case?

BarbarainCT · Post by **BarbarainCT** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:00 pm

I just returned from London and Paris including traveling on the Eurostar. I carried my CPAP in my carry-on but not in its own case.

JFK: they paid no attention to the CPAP, they were more interested in my artificial knee.

Eurostar: I was able to warn them of its presence in my bag and they said, yup, they could see it.

CDG: I also told them of my CPAP and they let it go right through, no problem.

In my carry-on I was able to fit my camera and charger as well as my medication.

I had no problem with fireworks in my London Hotel (Premier Inn) and a surge protected extension cord was available in the apartment we rented in Paris.

So far traveling has been easy.

Barbara in CT

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:30 pm

Thanks Barb, that is really good to hear that most travel employees are not too concerned about cpap. Maybe it is now more diagnosed and thus they are more familiar with it. We called both airlines ahead of time to make sure they were familiar with it, and both said yes. It is only the tour company that said they would still insist on it being the one bag. I am worried about using a different bag than the one that came with it, but maybe I will try something else. Thanks again!

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