Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by cheryl on June 27, 2010 at 7:58pm

hi there, did you actually sleep on a plane with your mask on? That may seem like a stupid question, but if so, you are brave! The masks are freaky to me, and I can't imagine the looks one might get. I am brand new to cpap and have heard a few different things about the use of converters, etc. I was told by a handyman at a hotel in London NOT to use my cpap without a converter, and my husband thought that sounded reasonable. However, another person on this website rebuked that and from what I gather, said it would have worked without the converter. My contribution for travel dealt mostly with cruising on a ship and what had occurred with my cpap at the US airports vs. European airports. I only wrote it because I hadn't seen anything on travel and thought it might be of interest to someone out there. thanks for your input, sounds as though you have done lots of traveling!

Ken Buhlman said:

By now I'm sure you've already taken your trip..I hope everything went well. I remember the first time I travelled with my CPAP....I was a nervous wreck. Travelling domestically is a piece of cake....Absolutely nothing too it. It's a little bit more difficult travelling internationally. I fly to both Asia and Europe twice per year. What I do, which may not be an option for everyone, is I purchased a battery from BatteryGeek. It wasn't cheap, but it gives me the ability to sleep on the plane using my CPAP. I also use the battery when I sleep and I recharge it during the day, which is extremely easy because the charger is both a 110 and 220 volt charger...You just need to make sure you have the appropriate plug that fits into the wall to each country you go to...This is the biggest challenge....Every single country seems to be different. The Phillippines is different than Singapore, Singapore is different than China, etc. It usally takes about 4 to 6 hours to fully charge the battery. I've gone 3 full nights of sleep without having to recharge the battery, but I'm sure every machine is different. I've never had any issues with getting on the plane with the CPAP, all the equipment and the battery. They sometimes get nervous about the battery, but once you show them how it works, I've never had any issues. Almost all airports, both domestic and international will make you take out the CPAP and will will usually test for explosives.

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Permalink Reply by cheryl on June 27, 2010 at 8:02pm

hi there, my travel tip dealt mostly with the cabin stewards on a cruise ship. I was all set to settle for boiled water from them, but once I asked about distilled water, a gallon showed up and a nice extension cord. Perfect! And he was well tipped for his efforts. And I agree, it's a good idea to treat all employees respectfully. I hope your daughter does well! You sound like a good Mom yourself! thanks for commenting!

sleepycarol said:

My daughter cleans rooms. It is always appreciated when tips are left as she is a single mom with two kids. When you are nice to the staff -- they (typically) go out of there way to be helpful -- this can come in handy for those times when things are forgotten at home. :)

Do not be afraid to ask for help/advice when it comes to needing an extension cord, etc at the front dest or from one of the maids. I don't travel much -- but hubby is an over the road driver and with the comments from my daughter I know that many times places will be helpful (hubby doesn't use a cpap).

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Permalink Reply by Ken Buhlman on June 27, 2010 at 9:11pm

cheryl said:

hi there, did you actually sleep on a plane with your mask on? That may seem like a stupid question, but if so, you are brave! The masks are freaky to me, and I can't imagine the looks one might get. I am brand new to cpap and have heard a few different things about the use of converters, etc. I was told by a handyman at a hotel in London NOT to use my cpap without a converter, and my husband thought that sounded reasonable. However, another person on this website rebuked that and from what I gather, said it would have worked without the converter. My contribution for travel dealt mostly with cruising on a ship and what had occurred with my cpap at the US airports vs. European airports. I only wrote it because I hadn't seen anything on travel and thought it might be of interest to someone out there. thanks for your input, sounds as though you have done lots of traveling!

Ken Buhlman said:

By now I'm sure you've already taken your trip..I hope everything went well. I remember the first time I travelled with my CPAP....I was a nervous wreck. Travelling domestically is a piece of cake....Absolutely nothing too it. It's a little bit more difficult travelling internationally. I fly to both Asia and Europe twice per year. What I do, which may not be an option for everyone, is I purchased a battery from BatteryGeek. It wasn't cheap, but it gives me the ability to sleep on the plane using my CPAP. I also use the battery when I sleep and I recharge it during the day, which is extremely easy because the charger is both a 110 and 220 volt charger...You just need to make sure you have the appropriate plug that fits into the wall to each country you go to...This is the biggest challenge....Every single country seems to be different. The Phillippines is different than Singapore, Singapore is different than China, etc. It usally takes about 4 to 6 hours to fully charge the battery. I've gone 3 full nights of sleep without having to recharge the battery, but I'm sure every machine is different. I've never had any issues with getting on the plane with the CPAP, all the equipment and the battery. They sometimes get nervous about the battery, but once you show them how it works, I've never had any issues. Almost all airports, both domestic and international will make you take out the CPAP and will will usually test for explosives.

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Permalink Reply by Ken Buhlman on June 27, 2010 at 9:18pm

I was very nervous the first time I used it to sleep on the plane. You definitely should choose a window seat, that way when you do fall asleep you don't have people climbing over you and the CPAP to use the rest room. Unfortunately when you fly to Singapore from Chicago, it usually takes about 27 hours door to door (with lay overs, etc) and you almost don't have a choice but to sleep. I usually turn slightly toward the window and cover my entire head with a blanket so no one can see, but honestly I've never had a situation where I thought someone was really staring at me.
Ken Buhlman said:

cheryl said:

hi there, did you actually sleep on a plane with your mask on? That may seem like a stupid question, but if so, you are brave! The masks are freaky to me, and I can't imagine the looks one might get. I am brand new to cpap and have heard a few different things about the use of converters, etc. I was told by a handyman at a hotel in London NOT to use my cpap without a converter, and my husband thought that sounded reasonable. However, another person on this website rebuked that and from what I gather, said it would have worked without the converter. My contribution for travel dealt mostly with cruising on a ship and what had occurred with my cpap at the US airports vs. European airports. I only wrote it because I hadn't seen anything on travel and thought it might be of interest to someone out there. thanks for your input, sounds as though you have done lots of traveling!

Ken Buhlman said:

By now I'm sure you've already taken your trip..I hope everything went well. I remember the first time I travelled with my CPAP....I was a nervous wreck. Travelling domestically is a piece of cake....Absolutely nothing too it. It's a little bit more difficult travelling internationally. I fly to both Asia and Europe twice per year. What I do, which may not be an option for everyone, is I purchased a battery from BatteryGeek. It wasn't cheap, but it gives me the ability to sleep on the plane using my CPAP. I also use the battery when I sleep and I recharge it during the day, which is extremely easy because the charger is both a 110 and 220 volt charger...You just need to make sure you have the appropriate plug that fits into the wall to each country you go to...This is the biggest challenge....Every single country seems to be different. The Phillippines is different than Singapore, Singapore is different than China, etc. It usally takes about 4 to 6 hours to fully charge the battery. I've gone 3 full nights of sleep without having to recharge the battery, but I'm sure every machine is different. I've never had any issues with getting on the plane with the CPAP, all the equipment and the battery. They sometimes get nervous about the battery, but once you show them how it works, I've never had any issues. Almost all airports, both domestic and international will make you take out the CPAP and will will usually test for explosives.

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Permalink Reply by cheryl on June 27, 2010 at 10:13pm

Hi Ken,
Well I can see why you used the cpap on a flight that long! Were you in first class? I think it would be a big more private in that area and easier to use. I've never been on a flight that long, and have only been on cpap for 3 months. You sound like a pro and I admire your ability to just overcome the obstacles of flying and take care of yourself!

Ken Buhlman said:

I was very nervous the first time I used it to sleep on the plane. You definitely should choose a window seat, that way when you do fall asleep you don't have people climbing over you and the CPAP to use the rest room. Unfortunately when you fly to Singapore from Chicago, it usually takes about 27 hours door to door (with lay overs, etc) and you almost don't have a choice but to sleep. I usually turn slightly toward the window and cover my entire head with a blanket so no one can see, but honestly I've never had a situation where I thought someone was really staring at me.
Ken Buhlman said:

cheryl said:

hi there, did you actually sleep on a plane with your mask on? That may seem like a stupid question, but if so, you are brave! The masks are freaky to me, and I can't imagine the looks one might get. I am brand new to cpap and have heard a few different things about the use of converters, etc. I was told by a handyman at a hotel in London NOT to use my cpap without a converter, and my husband thought that sounded reasonable. However, another person on this website rebuked that and from what I gather, said it would have worked without the converter. My contribution for travel dealt mostly with cruising on a ship and what had occurred with my cpap at the US airports vs. European airports. I only wrote it because I hadn't seen anything on travel and thought it might be of interest to someone out there. thanks for your input, sounds as though you have done lots of traveling!

Ken Buhlman said:

By now I'm sure you've already taken your trip..I hope everything went well. I remember the first time I travelled with my CPAP....I was a nervous wreck. Travelling domestically is a piece of cake....Absolutely nothing too it. It's a little bit more difficult travelling internationally. I fly to both Asia and Europe twice per year. What I do, which may not be an option for everyone, is I purchased a battery from BatteryGeek. It wasn't cheap, but it gives me the ability to sleep on the plane using my CPAP. I also use the battery when I sleep and I recharge it during the day, which is extremely easy because the charger is both a 110 and 220 volt charger...You just need to make sure you have the appropriate plug that fits into the wall to each country you go to...This is the biggest challenge....Every single country seems to be different. The Phillippines is different than Singapore, Singapore is different than China, etc. It usally takes about 4 to 6 hours to fully charge the battery. I've gone 3 full nights of sleep without having to recharge the battery, but I'm sure every machine is different. I've never had any issues with getting on the plane with the CPAP, all the equipment and the battery. They sometimes get nervous about the battery, but once you show them how it works, I've never had any issues. Almost all airports, both domestic and international will make you take out the CPAP and will will usually test for explosives.

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