Cpap setup for the Camino Santiago / long treks with access to power.

I thought Id share the experience I had on the Camino Frances this spring while carrying an Airmini. I completed in Santiago with 100% compliance and wanted to let everyone know it is easily possible. The air along the camino is mostly moist and a humidifier is not nearly as essential as perhaps Las Vegas or Phoenix. That said I did meet a few other cpap users who just forwarded their cpap bag at a rate of 5-7 euros per day. When I multiplied this x 40-45 days, including transit and rest days, it made sense to invest in the Airmini, which I could use for other trips. There are good deals online, where it can be bought for $600 or so.

I was certainly worried about access to power as a new cpap user, but did not want to add an additional 2lb battery to my already hefty pack, nor carry a full size unit. I carried the Airmini, power plug, 2 ft hose, an extra tube adapter for standard hose (2 total, in case one broke), N30 mask, Flonase and 2 EU adapters, one small and one large/deep, and 10 sets of earplugs. I also carried a 6 ft extension cord. I brought a US variant to use with an adapter, but you can buy an EU version in Carrefour in St Jean if needed. Both work fine.

I generally had no trouble with access to power. 3x I had to use the extension cord. A few times I had to change bunks with another pilgrim for access. Same for swapping pilgrim cell charging for my cpap charging, with their permission at bedtime. Every hospitalero (but one) knew what sleep apnea was. Often there were beds with and without power and you could be reassigned if asked. Do so immediately after finding out your bed/electric setup. Often the line is long for check in and you will miss your opportunity.

There was only one occasion at Albergue Ferramenteiro in Portomarin where it was truly an issue. Despite describing the issue in Spanish, she didnt understand. It took 15 mins to get a bed with power, as it can be 12-15 feet away and also in direct line with the main thoroughfare to bathroom and kitchen of the albergue with 130 beds. It would be easy for someone to trip over the cord and cut power, esp in the dark. She finally got it, but there were only 2 beds with power directly behind the bed. 2 of 130. It got done, but it was much harder than it should have been. I would also add that this albergue should be avoided. 130 people in a single room is the most amount of pilgrims in a single room I experienced. Too much going on, too much noise, too many different habits, only 1 dryer. Less than 20 people per room is ideal and easily achieveable. I never otherwise exceeded 20 people and often less than 5-6.

The setup is this, plug in, put machine behind pillow/wedge between wall or bedframe. Often this means adjusting the bed, or pushing the mattress back to the headboard to prevent it from falling. When you rotate your head at night, rotate the hose over your head. You can certainly bring a longer hose, but it does weigh more, and takes up more space. Put in your earplugs. I found the machine louder than my home unit, but it didnt matter because 10-20 people are snoring around you, and you will want the earplugs anyways. The machine doesnt make noise per se, but the flow in the tube to your mask is not muffled, so you can hear it well. Other pilgrims hear a slight noise and never complained, they described it as a white noise when asked.

Cheers and buen camino.