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Getting to Bonaire: C-PAP QUESTION
Bonaire Talk: Getting to Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2002-01-01 to 2002-10-27: C-PAP QUESTION
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 7:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi, folks! My husband is a new proud owner of a C PAP (Bi-PAP, actually) unit to assist in his nighttime breathing, etc. I was wondering if anyone has traveled to Bonaire from the US (Newark Airport for us ) carrying one as "carryon" luggage as yet? I don't know if we should obtain some sort of Prescription/description written note from the doctor and/or the supplier advising what is is, what it is for and that is for medical purposes, etc. Can anyone out there help me?? It is an electronic air pressure machine approximately 10" by 8" in size and fits into its own small carry case which is a small piece of luggage, actually. We leave on May 18th so if anyone can comment quickly, I would sincerely appreciate it! Thanks again...Carole

PS We already have the power "adapter" lined up on Bonaire for the power to use the unit. My concern is with the airlines/airports, etc. What will security do with it??

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stephen Monn on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 8:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole, I am a pulmonary specialist and understand your question in the context of recent security needs. While this piece of equipment is benign, the security personnel do not "know" that. Sooooo...., you should probably have your man's MD write a quick note (a prescription pad note with the Doc's name and # will do fine) as to what the machine is for. I would also be prepared to actually turn the machine on to show it is not a bomb in disguise. You will likely have no problem.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 11:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole,

Why don't you talk to your airline at your departure point and ask for their advice/assistance? Surely they have dealt with similar recently. Might just make all easier. Perhaps they can have an agent aid you through.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb schulherr on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 8:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You might try to end run all these people by going directly to the Transportation Saftey Authority. No experience, just a thought.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 9:13 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole, Do you still have the pamphlet that comes with the machine? This would probably be another plus to show that it is what it is. There are alot of internet sites that you can download the text and picture of machine also to better assist with educating the baggage handlers! Good Luck! See you in a few days!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 4:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank all of you ever so much! I will contact Joe's doctor to see what they can whip up for us quickly and I will contact Air Jamaica and the webites mentioned by Meryl and try to figure out how to contact the Transportation Authority, too....are they located right at the airports or are they an "agency" located in DC, etc??? Thanks again, everyone...see you in a short while, Meryl! I still like the idea of having dinner at Kon Tiki....maybe?? You can email me at my home address with your information. We will have a cell phone down there, but I won't know the number until we are on island. Ayo! Carole

PS Stephen: The BiPAP unit is a blessing...we can't believe the difference in his ability to sleep peacefully and wake up fully rested since he has been using it. He only picked it up on Wednesday and it's a miracle to see the improvement already! I'm sleeping much better, now, too....the snoring and the gasping for air was extremely loud...loud enough to put him into the living room for sleeping at night! The depletion of oxygen into his system and lack of sleep was causing him to fall asleep at work during the daytime hours and that is hazardous in his field. Joe is now back in the bedroom with me and the two cats. LOL. Bless the person who invented this device!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Sunday, May 12, 2002 - 11:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good morning! Have any "Monday thru Friday BT Posters" had any first hand experience in traveling with this unit before? (Post 9-11). I did find the manual/brochure and contract papers for the unit and I am contacting the doctor and the Security Agency (Federal Agency) and Air Jamaica, too...just curious to hear if anyone has traveled with one of these devices first hand as yet? Thanks again to all of you out there who helped me out. And bless the person who invented this contraption!! No joke, either!! Carole (Shutterbug)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C Poteet on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 11:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole -

My wife and I both took our CPAPs to Bonaire in January 2002. Our routing was with American DFW-SJU-BON and return.

Our suggestion which I have not seen mentioned above: pack them in your luggage.

Even with the close hand inspection of all our luggage before we left Bonaire, including that containing our CPAPs, we had not problems whatsoever.

What a great island adventure you have to anticipate.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 5:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks again to everyone who has responded so kindly. I do appreciate all of the info and helpful tips. Most of the responses were very kind and helpful....most...there was one "not so kind" response to my home email address, but I will not give that person the satifsfaction of identifying them on the board here. Thanks again to all of you who helped us out. It is better and easier to be kind and helpful than to be bitter and nasty to other human beings...Masha Danke. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 6:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Have a wonderful time Carol!! Glad to hear Joe is doing better. Say hello to Bejou, the Divi staff and the fish and everyone else. Wish we could "party" together again. Oh well there always next time.Hugs !!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meryl Virga on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 7:50 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole we will be at Belmar..we usually go for drinks/dinner at Captain Don's when we get in...would love to do the Kon tiki dinner....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly on Monday, May 13, 2002 - 10:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sleep apnea can be a real problem, even for folks who are otherwise healthy. I'm glad to hear that the positive pressure machine is working well for both of you. Him for not snoring and gasping, and you for not having to listen to it and worry about him.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Niki Harris on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 1:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I can't imagine someone writing something unkind about sleep apnea, Carole. If they knew first hand... This board can be weird at the weirdest times... Anyway, I'm beside myself with excitement and we'll see you on Air Jamaica in a matter of a mere 96 hours or so!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 4:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We've got a date, Niki! Yes, some folks get off on the strangest behavior...it is not for us to understand or judge...best ignored! See you in a few hours. CArole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leigh Ann on Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 4:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Carole, Joe, & Niki - Have A Great Time! 41 days for us!

 


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