CPAP in Europe

The "search" function just got improved -- go up to the top of the page, click on it and put in CPAP to see what other posts have said.

What the heck is CPAP? :))

CPAP is a machine that provides Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is often prescribed for people who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_positive_airway_pressure

Sandy, we got a multi-receptacle extension cord in Belgium for my husband's CPAP machine because of the lack of outlets and/or the placement of them. It cost about 20 Euro and has been worth every cent to my husband. We got his in a little grocery store that had a few electrical things. We were very surprised to find it there. I'd look in a place like that or in a Target-like store first, then maybe in a hardware store. It plugs right into the wall and he uses the typical adapter plugs to go from the CPAP to the plugs on the extension cord. He packs it in his CPAP bag along with his CPAP equipment, his meds and his iPad and carries it on the plane.

Enric, here is something from the Mayo Clinic about CPAP -- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/in-depth/cpap/art-20044164. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and it is a therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

Thanks Pam and Lo for clarifying.

These are some addresses that might be useful:
http://www.totson.com/cat/index_cat.htm
http://terapiacpap.com/

also, maybe the health channel of the government, the Generalitat de Catalunya, can assist in providing guidance on where to purchase this: http://sem.gencat.cat/en/061CatSalutRespon

I simply keep a regular extension cord from home in the CPAP bag, and it can then be plugged it into the appropriate adapter. On our recent trip, I only needed it in London, as the nearest outlet was too far away from the bed for the CPAP cord to reach. In any case, no special purchase necessary.

My husband considered what stoutfella (and many others in the past) suggested. He opted for the European extension cord because he wanted multiple outlets. Many times there is only one outlet next to "his" side of the bed. So he needed the multiple outlets for the lamp that is usually plugged into the one outlet, as well as his CPAP, his iPad and his phone.

It may seem silly, but he was not comfortable with using a 110 multi-outlet extension cord. If we go somewhere that requires a different style plug, he will have to decide whether to get an appropriate extension cord for there or just plug adapters from continental Europe outlets to the other place's. We already have lots of US to European plug adapters.

Aside: I only take my smartphone. It came with a typical 3 foot charging cord. I recently bought a 10 foot cord, the longest one I could find due to the placement of outlets.

Like Lo, we have an European extension cord with multiple sockets. They are available in the same sort of stores as in the States--hardware, variety, large supermarkets.

Thank you for all the advice. I am also going to email the hotel because they must have had this situation before and possibly have a temporary cord we can use the first night.

I just took my CPAP for 3 weeks in Italy. I had no problems with outlet location. The worst I found was having to unplug a lamp. I've been to Spain quite a bot, and although I wasn't using a CPAP at the time, I found there was usually an outlet beside bed to plug in the lamp on the nightstand.

Being prepared with an extension is not a bad precaution just in case, that's the sort of detail I usually take care of, but didn't think of for this past trip. I'd look to get one in Spain as there might be an issue with whether a US cord is rated for safe operation at the higher voltage in Europe (your CPAP should be able to handle the voltage). If you can find one here that's rated for European voltages, that should work for you. If you have a little time and are willing to pay a premium on shipping, you can get a cord that works in Spain before yo go, here's one source and I am sure there are many more.