Distilled water when traveling

[neversleeps]

Well, there's boiled water and then there's boiled water.... Boiled for like 1/2 an hour is okay. Boiled for a couple minutes is not. I wouldn't risk it unless you absolutely know how long it was boiled.

When you say you're driving from Hong Kong, do you mean that you personally are renting a car and driving? Or will you have a driver?

[rock and roll]

I will have a driver. I am going to be the guest of a factory owner in the south and he will come over, get me and my wife a temporary visa to cross over into the communist area where the factory is. I understand they will treat me like a VIP.

So I should not drink the tea or coffee over there? Wow, I was looking forward to tea where it is grown as I am a big tea drinker. I have been warned not to drink the water and to drink only bottled water and cooked food. But they told me the tea would be fine if it was made with boiling water.

I take it you have been over there. Any advise, or insights I would appreciate.

[3isles]

ok, hope the links are not annoying, but I got interested in the subject. We have a camp on a tiny island, and carry water there. I am always interested in ways to be able to filter/purify the lake water (contains mercury and lots of bacteria...) to avoid having go to the mainland for water all the time.


for the do it yourselfer
http://www.water-distillers.biz/faq/how ... illers.htm

a cheaper home distiller
http://www.a1-water-distiller.com/

Cathy, who is going out to buy a generater to support her "habit" off grid.

[rock and roll]

Links are never annoying, do not apologise. We are here for information. If someone does not wnat to open them, they just move on. Good information.

[neversleeps]

Well, I found this:

Water
Tap water is not safe to drink, so everyone drinks either bottled water, water from a water cooler, or boiled water kept in thermoses. If you do drink tap water, be sure to at least bring it to the boil. Please note that simply bringing water to the boil does not kill all bacteria. Some health professionals recommend boiling water for up to 20 minutes, especially in high altitude areas, or the use of water purification tablets. Bottled water is for sale everywhere for 1-to-2 Yuan per bottle. Be careful not to buy bottles that have been refilled. If you buy a name brand, such as Wahaha or Nestle, you should be OK. Make sure the seal on the cap is not broken.

For entire article, see:
http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/con ... b7e47a7dfc

It has been several years since I was there, so maybe things are better. I guess I would ask your hosts about the boiled water situation, or just bring along water purification tablets as extra insurance!!!

[rock and roll]

Thanks,

Great information. Any idea where to buy water purification tablets that really work?

[IWannaSleep]

You might want to run this by your doctor, but it feels to me like you're being overly cautious about this. The reason tap water is bad for your humidifier is because when the water turns to vapor, it leaves behind all the impurities and minerals that are in the liquid. You're breathing the water vapor, not the liquid water. I doubt it's possible for any kind of bacteria to jump out of the water and fly through your hose with the water vapor.

Just my opinion.


Ron

[rock and roll]

If you had Crohn's and were going to a third world country you would be cautious too. THAT IS IF YOU WANT TO LIVE AND TELL ABOUT IT

[loonlvr]

I would still use my earlier suggestion to go to a good camping type store like REI and buy a hand held pump that purifies water.They have excellent filters that take just about all bacteria etc from water. I use these all the time.They are small and easy to carry and use.

[Been there]

In London, I found deionized water for batteries and purified water, but neither of these is distilled water. Deionized water still contains minerals and so does purified water. It appears that distilled water is only available from a commercial, home delivery outfit. Drug stores and supermarkets don't carry distilled water and I could not find any for an entire week that I was in London. Should have checked it out before I went. Fortunately, London was so humid is was not a big problem. Actually, supermarkets did carry distilled water for steam irons, but all of it was enhanced with lavender or some other scent, which I didn't think would do well in my lungs.

[janelle14]

My DME guy said bottled water is perfectly fine to use in my cpap machine. I asked since it wasnt distilled but he insisted it was fine. That can be found anywhere.

[RogerSC]

If you have a humidifier tank that's one of the ones that you can disassemble and wash the parts, then go ahead and use tap water (or bottled water if the tap water is scary *smile*). You can just wash the tank and parts out in the mornings. Some of the tanks don't easily come apart (I know, I took one of those apart as well *smile*, but it was a lot of work and you had to be careful), and it would be better not to use anything except distilled water in one of those. At least that's what the manufacturers say, anyways (like ResMed). Cool thing about the heavier duty ones that you can disassemble is that you can put them in the dishwasher, also.

Enjoy your trip.

[mobychick]

How long are you going for? 4 litres of distilled water should last a few weeks if you can fit them in your luggage.

I imagine there will be distilled water in China, after all people there need it for their car batteries and steam irons the same as we do. And I'm sure xpap is as much an issue there among the wealthier classes who can afford diagnosis, as it is in the West.

Good luck, and keep well. Watch out for impure water in unexpected forms, eg on salad and fruit, and in ice cubes. Hopefully your Chinese hosts will be able to give you lots of pointers to keep you safe - with Crohn's you don't want to take any risks!

mobychick

[Goofproof]

What's amazing is that distilled water still exists after 9 years, I'd have thought they would have lost the formula to make it by now. Jim

[pbriggs]

I travel to China every few years - fly in through shanghai and have a driver to take me to where my plant is located. Wuhu China is where I go. I drink the tea every time and have not had any trouble, eat at local restaurants with local workers as not everyone speaks english - although more common than not these days. I got stuck in a train station on my own and had no trouble finding someone who talked english to help me. Just look for younger people or someone dressed for business and I bet they speak english very well. Otherwise I always drink bottled water and it is widely available in the areas I travel too. I would ask the factory man about his area especially if you travel to a restricted area (always carry your passport with you and by that I carry mine in my front pants pocket all the time when I am in China).

That said - other than my sleep related issues I am healthy so I have no other concerns. Every few years my doctor makes sure all my typical shots are up to date based on my travel. I guess he feels better - lol - Have not traveled there with my BiPAP but when I do I plan to just use bottled water like I do when I travel to other countries.

With other health concerns, you might want to at least ask your doctor.