Travel advice please

[reallyneedsleep]

Guys, hitting the road for 1st time since starting Cpap. Question is on humidifier. Going to Europe for 2 weeks Q1- do you think it would be easer to just travel without humidifier on the unit?
Q2 if I use do you think spring water would be ok for 2 weeks? I am guessing it will be a hassle to find distiller...

Thanks much.

[GumbyCT]

Guys, hitting the road for 1st time since starting Cpap. Question is on humidifier. Going to Europe for 2 weeks Q1- do you think it would be easer to just travel without humidifier on the unit?
Q2 if I use do you think spring water would be ok for 2 weeks? I am guessing it will be a hassle to find distiller...

Thanks much.

Should we assume the machine you will be traveling with is the one in your profile?

Should we further assume the profile machine is in fact the same machine you have?

I prefer to see the machine listed with the question. Because as time goes on these equipment profiles can change. That change will flow down to every post you've ever made.

If it were me, I would inquire ahead about the availability of distilled water. When I travel, I bring even distilled water for maybe 3 days or so to allow time to find some locally. Ask the hotel where you will be staying to see if the can help.

Good Luck.

[plr66]

I'd suggest that first you try using your machine without the humidifier at home for a week or so, to see if that works for you. At home, I use only distilled water, but I have been using bottled drinking water in my humidifier wherever I have traveled, and have had no problem whatever. When abroad, I stick with brands that are well-known to me, however.

[Paddyboy100]

If you need to use non distilled water dont worry about it. Just soak your tank in a vinigar/water mixture & wipe it out after a few hours. Gets the miniral buildup out of there.

[PST]

I do without the humidifier on short trips all the time, but for two weeks, I would take it. It's a really subjective decision, though. There are some here who don't find the humidifier necessary at all.

The only consequence of not using distilled water is that eventually you end up with mineral deposits in the tank and may want to replace the tank. I am not concerned with consequences of breathing air that has passed over water with some impurities. After all, an ocean breeze is nothing but air that has passed over a thousand miles of highly mineralized water full of creatures who live and die, reproduce and eliminate there. Any bottled water would be fine, and I don't think it has hurt me to use tap in a pinch.

[Tcamillemars]

I spent a month in Europe visiting family, and could not find distilled water. I just used tap water in their homes, and bottled water in the hotels. When I got home, I soaked the chamber in a little vinegar and water, and wiped it out.... and everything was just fine. I would just make sure you dump out all the water and wipe out the chamber every day. Bon voyage.

[Visitor for now]

I do not know what the situation is in Europe, but I would be astonished if some one doesn't sell distilled or more likely demineralized - or even just softened - water. If the supermarket doesn't, likely a drugstore would, or perhaps some sort of chemical supply house. Your host is likely to know.

In any case, the point of using distilled water is to prevent the deposit of minerals from the water on the interior of the reservoir. There is no meaningful health issue involved, at least until it's so crusted you can no longer find the fill line! And depending on the reservoir design, scraping it out, or flushing with a mild vinegar solution, which you may have to let stand for a bit, should do the trick.

So use tap water if you must, and clean the reservoir when you get home. Or do a white vinegar flush. But don't sweat it, and enjoy your trip, with a good sleep every night to refresh you.

[araminta]

Just another vote of confidence that it's completely fine to use tap water for a limited amount of time. I too would be quite surprised if you could never find distilled water on your trip, but even if so, I'd just go ahead, be comfortable with using tap water, and clean the tank after you return home.

safe travels!

[billbolton]

but I would be astonished if some one doesn't sell distilled or more likely demineralized - or even just softened - water.

Be astonished then

Cheers,

Bill

[harry33]

I think no humidifier is needed if you dont have a very high pressure and dont mouth breathe

[BlackSpinner]

I think no humidifier is needed if you dont have a very high pressure and dont mouth breathe

It depends on your sinus and nasal passages and the rooms humidity - not the pressure or the mouth breathing. Mine hated the one night I had without humidity.

[Treehorn]

It is really a personal thing how you tolerate without the humidifier.

I travel quite a bit and use a tavel machine without a humidifier and have no problems. I can tell the difference but not enough to be willing to give up the space in my suitcase.

-Andrew

[skylark40]

I'd be very careful about using bottled water, some of it can have a very high mineral content. Stick to brands you know.