CPAP on the camino

[Quahaug]

I have sleep apnea and require a Cpap in order to sleep. How easy is it to get sleeping Arrangements along the Camino that will have access to an electrical receptacle?. This is my first time on the Camino and I’m doing just the short route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela and having a transfer service transport my bag. I’ll walk with just a day pack.

 

[mspath]

Quahaug,
Write CPAP in the blue search box at the top of this page and you will see many posts re sleep apnea machines and the camino.
Happy research and Buen camino!

 

[J Willhaus]

Have not had a problem. I did buy an extension cord with 2 plugs this year because both my husband and I use one now. A few albergues have no electricity, but you will find that most do.

 

[Phil W]

I have sleep apnea and require a Cpap in order to sleep. How easy is it to get sleeping Arrangements along the Camino that will have access to an electrical receptacle?. This is my first time on the Camino and I’m doing just the short route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela and having a transfer service transport my bag. I’ll walk with just a day pack.

Hi @Quahaug, welcome to the forum. I too use a Cpap to sleep. I just finished the Sarria to Santiago route and did not have trouble finding an electrical outlet. When you check in to an albergue tell the hospitalero that you use a Cpap. Just be sure to bring the appropriate plug adapter and you should be fine.

Phil

 

[pat932490]

Get the mouth guard for apnea as a back up.

 

[Mobilemejen]

I have sleep apnea and require a Cpap in order to sleep. How easy is it to get sleeping Arrangements along the Camino that will have access to an electrical receptacle?. This is my first time on the Camino and I’m doing just the short route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela and having a transfer service transport my bag. I’ll walk with just a day pack.

i travel with the resmed mini and the Zopec battery. this allows for several iterations of plug availability. Zopec battery is lightweight and has a US plug, a fast charging port and 2 USB ports. so, i only need one plug for everything--phone/battery backup pack i keep in my pack--size of cell phone/and CPAP. the resmed and battery together fit in the carry case--probably 3 lbs max. if it happens i don't have a plug---the Zopec lasts for the night. i also use it in the flights over and back--do have them put a note on your airline reservation and don't. heck the battery in hold luggage!!

 

[Jim]

I have sleep apnea and require a Cpap in order to sleep. How easy is it to get sleeping Arrangements along the Camino that will have access to an electrical receptacle?. This is my first time on the Camino and I’m doing just the short route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela and having a transfer service transport my bag. I’ll walk with just a day pack.

I’m also a CPAP user. I’ll be honest and say that since using it, I’ve booked at low cost hotels. This comes after attempting to give an outlet at Orisson and couldn’t be guaranteed a bed near an outlet. Had difficulties at one other place also, but when I make these plans, I never intend on using public albergues 100% of the time anyway. Even if starting in SJPDP, there’s a wonderful place at Huntto with outlets, and the 2-1/2 km distance between the two places shouldn’t make or break anybody.

Another thing to consider is that some luggage transport agencies specifically do not want to transport medical equipment— it’s my understanding that they don’t want liability in case of breakage. I strapped mine onto my backpack, lightened everything else I carried and was fine. I would check to make sure they know it’s medical equipment you are asking them to transport.
All that said, having the CPAP with you will be great. I know two others who have them and have done the Camino—it’s just not that unheard of anymore.
Wishing you all the best! Buen Camino! And for the sake of others who need to use CPAP’s, if you hear anything different from my experiences, please report them. As more able bodied people need to use such things, the system is bound to develop more accommodation towards using them.

 

[Sanchoxote]

I have sleep apnea and require a Cpap in order to sleep. How easy is it to get sleeping Arrangements along the Camino that will have access to an electrical receptacle?. This is my first time on the Camino and I’m doing just the short route from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela and having a transfer service transport my bag. I’ll walk with just a day pack.

Hi Quahaug,
I am on the Camino Frances, and it hasn’t been a
problem. I always ask when reserving to have a
Bottom bed near an outlet for my cpap and it’s always been accommodated.
One word of warning: I did get separated from my cpap once, the one and only time I shipped it ahead, And that was a miserable night!
I’d suggest maybe to carry that with, but
Do what you think best.

Buen Camino!

 

[Jim]

Hi Quahaug,
I am on the Camino Frances, and it hasn’t been a
problem. I always ask when reserving to have a
Bottom bed near an outlet for my cpap and it’s always been accommodated.
One word of warning: I did get separated from my cpap once, the one and only time I shipped it ahead, And that was a miserable night!
I’d suggest maybe to carry that with, but
Do what you think best.

Buen Camino!

Good to know that you have been accommodated with good bunk placement near an outlet.

 

[J Willhaus]

Good to know that you have been accommodated with good bunk placement near an outlet.

My husband has a little card in Spanish that he can present when signing in asking to be near an outlet for his CPAP. Now he seldom uses it as CPAP's and outlets are more common. At one of the Xunta state run abergues in Galicia they want to move us to the area for disabled people even although that was not necessary.

 

[Quahaug]

Hi Quahaug,
I am on the Camino Frances, and it hasn’t been a
problem. I always ask when reserving to have a
Bottom bed near an outlet for my cpap and it’s always been accommodated.
One word of warning: I did get separated from my cpap once, the one and only time I shipped it ahead, And that was a miserable night!
I’d suggest maybe to carry that with, but
Do what you think best.

Buen Camino!

Thanks
I always bring it as a carry on. I’m using baggage transport on the Camino but even so, intend to carry the machine in my day pack. I don’t have much else except water, poncho, phone and map.

 

[Quahaug]

I’m also a CPAP user. I’ll be honest and say that since using it, I’ve booked at low cost hotels. This comes after attempting to give an outlet at Orisson and couldn’t be guaranteed a bed near an outlet. Had difficulties at one other place also, but when I make these plans, I never intend on using public albergues 100% of the time anyway. Even if starting in SJPDP, there’s a wonderful place at Huntto with outlets, and the 2-1/2 km distance between the two places shouldn’t make or break anybody.

Another thing to consider is that some luggage transport agencies specifically do not want to transport medical equipment— it’s my understanding that they don’t want liability in case of breakage. I strapped mine onto my backpack, lightened everything else I carried and was fine. I would check to make sure they know it’s medical equipment you are asking them to transport.
All that said, having the CPAP with you will be great. I know two others who have them and have done the Camino—it’s just not that unheard of anymore.
Wishing you all the best! Buen Camino! And for the sake of others who need to use CPAP’s, if you hear anything different from my experiences, please report them. As more able bodied people need to use such things, the system is bound to develop more accommodation towards using them.

Thanks Jim
I will be doing the same. I intend to carry in my day pack. I’ve also booked hotels close to the Camino every other night so I can guarantee getting some sleep on the trail if I have difficulty at the allergies. Thanks again.

 

[NcFinn]

Just finished my Camino on Frances. I have sleep apnea and rarely had issues. One time couldn’t get close to an outlet. So when people finished in the kitchen at the albergue I grabbed an extension cord and ran it to my bunk. Covered the cord with a floor mat so people didn’t trip. Also, I forwarded my pack a few times and left my Resmed mini in the pack. It had an Apple AirTag so I knew where my bag was at all times. Did not have an issue at all.

 

[Jim]

Just finished my Camino on Frances. I have sleep apnea and rarely had issues. One time couldn’t get close to an outlet. So when people finished in the kitchen at the albergue I grabbed an extension cord and ran it to my bunk. Covered the cord with a floor mat so people didn’t trip. Also, I forwarded my pack a few times and left my Resmed mini in the pack. It had an Apple AirTag so I knew where my bag was at all times. Did not have an issue at all.

Glad that all went well for you!