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CPAP - travel to Canada. No problem

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Posted by daldei on August 18, 2008 at 13:03:05:

I just got back from a plane trip to Canada with my CPAP. First time I have traveled with it (only been on it 1 month). No big problems !
My sleep study tech had recommended I get a "letter of medical necessity" from my doc so the week before I went I called him up and I had a letter in the mail in 2 days. I'm going to keep that in the case for the future but ended up I didn't need it. Noone asked even when I volunteered it.

When going through security in Louisville (KY), after the xray, the security guy pulled me aside and asked if it was my CPAP machine and said he had to hand-test it. Then another security person told me that next time to tell them before sticking it in the xray machine. No biggie. they tested it (plugged it in I suppose). Not that a creative terrorist couldn't figure out how to put a weapon in a working CPAP machine but they have their rules ... I was able to bring it on board as a carry-on with no fuss.

At the hotel, getting the plugin was a bit of a pain, BOTH bedside table lamps/clock etc ran back behind the bed to a single plugin. Fortunately I had brought a small extender plug+cord (heavy duty). It would have worked without it but was easier with it. I had to use tap water the first night as I got there past closing time for the local pharmacy, but next day noon I found one 2 blocks away and got distilled water.
Trying to explain "Distilled water" to a native french speaker (Montreal) with only french labeling, and me not knowing much french, was a bit tedious but eventually we broke the translation barrier.

Coming back was even easier. In Montreal airport I told the security people "This is a CPAP machine" at the xray ... and they looked at me like I was crazy and just waved me through and had me put the bag in the xray ... didnt stop me or test the device or anything just went through.

All in all a pleasant experience, although I swear I was waking up the entire plane with my snoring when I started to sleep on the plane ... but oh well... I tried to wake up :) I dont think I was tooooo annoying ..



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