First travel experience coming up!

Hi folks:

Well, while I was in a bit of a lull travel-wise, it's about to pick up again! I do overnight trips for work on a semi-regular basis (once or twice a month), and next week will include the first one since I started CPAP therapy.

With help from our gracious hosts, I have a Silent Traveler machine on the way to me now. I went for the portable heated zzzPAP traveler humidifier too =) Got a heavy-duty extension cord, hose holder, etc. and a second mask. Also grabbed travel mask wipes. I'll be packing it into the ResMed S9 travel bag, which is properly tagged as Medical Equipment. This constitutes my "travel gear bag" for trips.

I will try out the equipment at home over the weekend to make sure it's all working before heading out early in the week. Normally, I take airline flights when traveling, but as it turns out I'll be on the train for this first trip, so no TSA fun-times this time

So, with that gear and information in your hands, I'm ready to receive the group wisdom as I go forth and travel to strange hotels in pursuit of employment =)

Please feel free to be frank and honest, I'd rather be forearmed with knowledge than stuck in a situation on the road.

If you need an alarm clock, better take one with you. More often than not I have to unplug the hotel clock radio for a place to plug in my CPAP. I travel all the time with mine. It really isn't that big of a deal.

@John M. Browning cool tip! I always use the wake up call service, since I found that about 40% of hotel alarm clocks fail to go off anyway LOL

I know you said you aren't traveling by air this time, but when you do, don't worry about it. TSA is well used to seeing CPAPS. Just put it by itself in a tote with the case open so they can see it. Sometimes they swab it and sometimes they don't. I do not have mine labeled medical equipment, and still haven't had any issues. Twice I have had gate agents mention I have too many carry ons, but just mentioned that one was a medical device - no more problem. I NEVER check my CPAP in a suitcase - don't want to risk it getting damaged or lost. Truly, traveling with a CPAP is much ado about nothing.

Now, if you DO want to hear about a traveling adventure, I will be happy to tell you about my forgetting that I had a spare magazine full of .45 ammo in my carry on last month. Now that was a gas!

I travel with an extra extension cord and a power strip. So far that works well. I use my cell phone as my alarm clock.

Got the extension cord and cell phone. I'll pick up a power strip.

I take a small flask of distilled water for the humidifier.

And small flask of something a little stronger to help me get to sleep when i'm in strange places ...

Small flask of stronger liquid is acquired. I'll have to look for a small flask for the water...

Leave the ammo at home.

Mike, take one of your mask wipes and wipe down the remote control before you use it. You should also wipe down the area where you set your machine. If all else fails you can grab a spare pillow case and set up on the floor. If the carpet is treated with fragrance you may have to fold up a spare blanket to get some distance from the carpet. 3 - 4" is usually enough.

I make it a habit to pack up all my equipment each day. You never know what gets stirred up when they come in to clean the room.

You might also want to consider bringing along an extra hose, or at least a roll of tape. If the hose springs a leak you will have some problems. If your hose does spring a leak and the tape doesn't seal it, wrap that section of the hose in cling wrap and then tape that.

If you end up having to use tap water, fill your humidifier tank 3 - 4 hours before you go to bed and let it sit on a counter outside of the machine. This will allow any chlorine in the water to evaporate. If you use tap water be sure to fill your tank all the way up. If it doesn't run dry there will be less chance of developing scale and scum on the inside of the tank.

When you get to air travel, drop your machine in a gallon zip loc bag. If they want to swab it, make them work for it...

Have a good trip.

Definitely planning on the ziploc bag trick. I'll have to do the others too!

Would you please tell me what "properly tagged as medical equipment" means? If it means attaching specific tags to the machine bag, where do you purchase them? I have a letter from my doctor that, in a nutshell says, "She needs it for medical reasons," but if tags will help keep airport security from rooting through my equipment, I'm all for it!

Thanks,
welki

Don't forget the charger for the cellphone! And don't leave anything there when you come back.
Good luck on the job search.

welki wrote:Would you please tell me what "properly tagged as medical equipment" means? If it means attaching specific tags to the machine bag, where do you purchase them? I have a letter from my doctor that, in a nutshell says, "She needs it for medical reasons," but if tags will help keep airport security from rooting through my equipment, I'm all for it!

Thanks,
welki

Don't know about Canadian airport security, but labeling medical equipment does not stop TSA from rooting through your stuff. It is primarily so airlines personnel won't count it against you for allowable carry on luggage. Mine is not labeled as such, and have not had any problems with them at all. Just mentioning it, as necessary, more than did the trick.

welki wrote:Would you please tell me what "properly tagged as medical equipment" means? If it means attaching specific tags to the machine bag, where do you purchase them? I have a letter from my doctor that, in a nutshell says, "She needs it for medical reasons," but if tags will help keep airport security from rooting through my equipment, I'm all for it!

Our gracious hosts sell a medical equipment bag tag in the Accessories section. That's where I got mine =)