Italy with CPAP machine
 

I suffer from sleep apnea and use a respiratory CPAP machine at home. My husband and I are traveling to Tuscany later this month and I'd like to know if anyone knows about logistics on bringing my machine with me through customs and electrical use abroad?? Many thanks for any and all input! (I don't want to subject my husband to my snoring while away!)

My father brought his CPAP when we went to Italy and had no problems at all with customs. Keep in mind that any medical device should not be counted as a carry-on by the airline, so in other words, you can still have another carry-on bag. Dad used an adapter and convertor to run his CPAP, but if yours is dual voltage you might only need an adapter.

My wife has taken her CPAP with her overseas for the last four or five years without any problems. In the USA the screeners seem to be very much aware of what the machines are. Once when we were leaving Frankfurt they took her to a side room and checked out the machine.

Most likely your machine is dual vottage. The problem that we have had is that frequently there isn't an electrical outlet near the bed. Because of that, we take an extension cord and plug it into an electrical converter at the wall.

My husband and I just returned from Italy. He uses a CPAP, no problems at all with security at any airport.

Very important to take an extension cord. We had to use it in every room except one.

The electrical sockets in Italy aren't all the same, some have big holes, some smaller, so we had to buy an adapter to put on the end of the plug. Sounds confusing, but I don't know how to explain it any better. We bought it at a hardware store in Florence, less than 2 euro if I remember correctly.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip.

Hi susanval, travelling with one next week. If you check the back of the machine you will se if it says 120/240. If it does, it is dual voltage and will auto adjust to the voltage...but..you will still need a plug converter. I went to Walmart last week and bought the international converter kit, for $20, which gives you all of the plug adaptors, as well as the transformer to convert the europen 240 V to NA 120V. Don't really need the transformer for CPAP, but came with the kit, so I will use it anyways (for example can also use to charge camera batteries). Still bringing extension cord though.

I saw a new 2 lb CPAP machine recently and that would really be nice to save the weight and save the room. It is made especially for traveling.

I agree with above suggestions re extension cord. I did not take one when we travelled around France but had to buy one in order to reach the points.Enjoy your trip!