My husband uses a Cpap machine. It will convert with the adapter we purchased from Rick Steves. My question is can he use an extension cord from wall plug to his Cpap machine and if so what do we look for.Frequently outlets are not near the bed. We will be in Italy in October.
Posted by
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA
45 posts
HI Beckie:
I travel with a CPAP machine. Check the machine. If your husband's is of recent vintage it should be dual voltage; that is it will operate on either 110 or 220 volts and automatically convert from one to the other. So, you do not need a voltage converter. The only thing you need is a plug adapter to change US plug to the continental European plug. I also carry a 15' extension cord and used it often in Europe as the plug is often more than 6' away from my side of the bed. The standard extension cord is no problem with the 220 voltage.
As long as we are on the subject of traveling with CPAP machines, does anyone know if the one bag carry on rule on European airlines includes medical devices such as a CPAP machine? Curious minds would like to know. Thanks.
Posted by
England
375 posts
My husband uses a CPAP as well. You are wise to carry an extension cord. We forgot once and couldn't move the bed. We ended up remaking the bed so our heads were at the foot, and the hose barely reached that way.
Regarding carryon, I do not know about all of the smaller airlines within Europe, but we checked with Ryanair. Their requirements for carrying it on in addition to a regular carryon bag seemed like a lot of trouble to us (involves pre-approval and confirmation letter, etc). This sounds like it could take a lot of time, and we often fly rather last-minute. We tried to call and talk to someone to clarify, but were left on hold for an extremely long time and never did get to speak to anyone. We felt that didn't bode well for getting their cooperation on the approval process. So he usually just takes the machine out of it's case and puts it into a regular carryon bag with his other items. This means he must either pare his clothing and other items down severely if he takes that one bag, or he must check an additional bag. Depending on the needs of our trip, we can sometimes spread our items out between our two bags so we do not have to check one. If you do decide to put your CPAP into your carryon bag, be sure to pack it in such a way that you can easily take it out in case security wants to examine it.
Here is what Ryanair says about their requirements on their website:
http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/can-i-bring-my-cpap-machine-on-board
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
Beckie, my CPAP (and most others) will run on us current (110 volts)and EU current (220 volts), so all you need is the little adaptors that allow your plug to fit in an EU socket. You don't need to convert any current. You can get these adaptors anywhere; at travel/luggage stores, on-line, your local AAA store, etc.
But I have found that most EU bedrooms only have one outlet, and that is usually what the bedroom light is plugged into. I want the light to work, and I want power to my CPAP, so I take my standard US extension cord, a US splitter that turns one outlet into three, and enough of the little small adaptors so I can plug the EU lite cord into the US splitter.
I bought an EU splitter, but it was so huge that I left it at home, and just brought the adaptors so I could plug the EU bedroom light into a US splitter or US cord.
I put my CPAP in my carry on/backpak. I leave my humidifier at home, since it weighs so much, takes up a lot of packing space, and does not work on 220 current.