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Camino with a cpap machine

B

Barb AA

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Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Portugues/Espiritual Variante 2022
Does anyone have experience walking the camino (CP/EV) with a cpap machine. This is our first camino. We will be mixing up our accommodation with hotel and alburges along the way. Just wanted to know about the plug situation in the albergues. We usually bring an extension cord when we travel. Im a bit concerned about people thinking I'm hogging an outlet ALL night. Are people good about sharing outlets.
 
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I walked the Camino Frances in 2016 with a CPAP machine. I used the appropriate plug and had no problems. Once other pilgrims realized I used a CPAP, they were very accommodating. Hospitaleros were helpful as I made sure I explained the need for a nearby outlet. Only one time was an extension cord necessary and that was provided by the albergue. An interesting experience was that some pilgrims would try to sleep near me as they knew I wouldn't snore with the CPAP.
 
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Does your machine's power supply unit run on 230v 50Hz? My USA built Philips one does but I don't know if ones supplied in Canada are just equipped to use 110V 60Hz. It will say so on the PSU itself.
If not you may need to source an alternative PSU and obviously a European plug or adaptor.
I assume that there isn't an alternative like a MAD? That's what I use when travelling.

Good luck
 
Hi,
I brought a small waterless Cpap with me on the CF this past Sept-October. It was the main reason my husband and I chose private accommodations rather than albuergues, as I was unsure about finding outlets and all the minor fussing it took to set it up. I also suffer from insomnia and really needed privacy at night, so that was another consideration.
Although the Cpap was small I opted to send it ahead each day using the various transport services as I didn’t want anything happening to it - plus the added weight and need to keep it out of harm’s way ( by that I mean my own clumsiness or rain or whatever. )
There are some good and informative threads here about using them on the Camino- I scoured them all before we left and it was among my main worries. It turned out not to be a big deal in the end and I never had a problem being able to use it. Hope you find the same!
 
My experience is that Pilgrims tend to be on the compassionate and sharing side if they know that there is a need for someone to have the power plug over night.
 
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I've been in dormitory accommodation with people using a CPAP. Never any problem. One or two of them brought a two way adapter. I carry one for my bike charger. As long as your machine uses 220 volts there won't be a problem, you can buy a universal adapter ťo plug any plug into any socket for about eight euros from Amazon or elsewhere but don't get it at an airport or you will pay silly money.
 
Thank you Phil W. It’s comforting to know that the Hospitaleros are accommodating as well.
 
Thank you con dios I’m glad I’m not the only one with those concerns. We’ll probably send it along as well.
 
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I carried a travel CPAP in 2016. Most people were accommodating, whether hospitaleros making sure that I had access to a power outlets or other pilgrims. But that wasn't universal. There was one incident so distressing to my wife that we chose to stay after that in places where we didn't have to share a dormitory. I have shared my thoughts on it here.
 
I travelled the Norte in 2018, and my experience almost exectly replicated Phil W's. I had a printed card in Spanish that I provided to hospitaleros when I checked in, explaining my need for a CPAP and close power point. I also took a tiny, lightweight powerboard with two plug outlets (so I was not monopolising a single power point) and four USB outlets. Other pilgrims were very appreciative of the extra opportunity to charge their phones!
 
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Frances in 2017, Portuguese 2019. CPAP for both. Pilgrims in every albergue but one were willing to move to allow me near an outlet. In that one, and others where an outlet could not be reached, an extension cord was provided. In one case, extraordinary accommodations were made. No one complained about the sound. I carried extra earplugs with me and offered them to everyone near by, and no one took me up on it.

So, echoing @Phil W and others, I'd say the Camino is accustomed and overwhelmingly welcoming to CPAP users.
 
I just got the dental apparatus for traveling. Looks like dentures and holds your lower jaw forward to bring your tongue out of the back of your throat. So far so good. Barbara
 
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