Travel Tips - Be Prepared!
Planning ahead when you travel and are living with diabetes has always been important. However, with upgraded security measures at airports around the world, planning now plays a more important role than ever. To help make your travel as stress-free as possible, Medtronic Diabetes recommends that you follow the most recent recommendations of the Transportation Safety Administration and arrive well in advance of the airline's suggested departure check-in time. Note: The protocol below applies only to travel within the 50 United States and is subject to change. International passengers should consult their individual air carriers for applicable international regulations:
Pumps and security
- Notify security screeners that you have diabetes, that you are wearing a pump and are carrying supplies with you.
- There is no need to remove your pump: Metal detectors will not harm your pump, and pumps often will not trigger metal detectors. Request that they visually inspect the pump rather than removing it from your body.
- You should be offered a private screening if a pat down requires the removal or lifting of clothing to display your pump. You may request a private area for your personal search at any time during the screening process.
Syringes, supplies and security
- Doctors' letters are no longer sufficient proof of medical necessity when you are carrying syringes. In order to board with syringes and other insulin delivery devices, you must produce an insulin vial with a professional, pharmaceutical, pre-printed label that clearly identifies the medication. No exceptions will be made. If the prescription is located on the outside of the box that the insulin comes in, you should carry that as well.
- Never store insulin in checked luggage, because it may be exposed to extreme (often freezing) temperatures, which can change its effectiveness.
- Carry your glucagon in its original, pharmaceutically labeled container or box.
- Boarding with lancets will be allowed as long as the lancets are capped and they are carried along with a glucose meter with the manufacturer's name embossed on the meter.
If you should have problems or difficulty when trying to pass through airport security, ask to speak with the TSA ground security commissioner or the international equivalent. In addition, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) asks that you contact them at 703-549-1500 x-1768 if you encounter problems, so that they may be kept informed of airline protocols and security measures.
General precautions
- Always carry all medications (especially insulin and glucose tablets), snacks and supplies in your carry-on luggage. This can be critical if your luggage is lost, your flight is delayed or if you are otherwise separated from your checked luggage for an extended period.
- Test your blood glucose more often. Blood glucose levels can change due to stress, illness or changes in activity or eating while traveling.
- Wear or carry a medical ID indicating you have diabetes.
- Make sure you get up and walk the aisles during long flights to help encourage good circulation, and drink water to avoid dehydration.
What to Pack: Diabetes and Pump Supplies
Always pack at least double the amount of supplies you think you'll need.
- Extra insulin and an extra prescription in case your luggage gets lost or if your insulin becomes denatured.
- Pump supplies and batteries. Not all Medtronic Diabetes supplies are available in other countries.
- Pump manual and logbook with basal rates.
- Syringes for injections and dosing instructions from your doctor.
- Blood-glucose meter, test strips and lancets.
- Ketone strips.
- Glucagon Emergency Kit® (your travel companions should carry the kit, and know when and how to use it).
- Carbohydrate for low blood glucose treatment and at least one day's supply of food, e.g., nutrition bars, which are easy to carry.
- Medication for diarrhea and nausea.
Medtronic Diabetes Support Outside the U.S.
Before you travel abroad, make certain you have the direct number to Medtronic Diabetes, 818-576-5555, because the toll-free number, 800-MINIMED, will not work outside the U.S. On recent pump models, this number is printed on the back of your pump. In addition, Medtronic Diabetes has offices worldwide and can assist you in locating an endocrinologist internationally.
Resources
- See www.diabetes.org and www.tsa.gov for further travel security updates.
Updated 6/03
