Diabeties - Air Travel

Transportation Security Administration

You don’t have to quit flying if you are diagnosed with diabeties. It does take a little extra preparation time and talking to airline personnel to make them conscious of your illness. The Transportation Security Administration section of the Department of Homeland Security has many good tips on flying when you have diabeties.

If you need additional information from them, you can call 1-866-289-9673. That number is for the Transportation Security Administration office and they will assist you with both the screening process and any extra problems you may meet.

Security Screening: Insulin Pump for Air Travel

Flying and going through security screening is not tough if you are prepared. If you have an insulin pump, don’t be afraid to ask them to do a visual inspection of your insulin pump and do a physical pat down. If you go through the metal detector, you will set it off.

If you want to avoid that embarrassment, they will do a search, and inspect your insulin pump personally. If they ask you to remove your pump, tell again them that it is a needle under your skin. Most should know that but it doesn’t hurt to remind them.

If you are wearing an insulin pump, it must be with insulin. If you have difficulties with frequent low blood sugar, advice flight personnel so they will be alert if you have a medical emergency. The insulin must be recognized clearly, no matter how you are carrying it on board.

Keep in mind when flying; don’t check all of your diabetic supplies. If you have watched the news, you know there are many bags lost each year. You should always have a supply with you on your carry on bag or purse.

Once you have had your supplies screened, the following are diabetic supplies that can be carried onboard with you.

• Glucagon emergency kit
• Urine ketone test strips
• A Sharps disposal container or something similar and an infinite supply of used syringes and testing strips
• Insulin pump and supplies including all supplies needed for cleaning, extra plastic tubing, infusion kits, batteries, catheter, and needles
• Insulin dispensing products, including vials, pens, jet injectors, infusers, and any preloaded syringes in addition to insulin
• Lancets, testing strips, glucose meters, alcohol swabs, and any other meter-testing supplies
• Unlimited number of unused syringes providing they are with your insulin or other medication that is injected
• All of these supplies are permitted on a flight.

Some Tips when you are in Vacation

Taking a vacation and flying to your destination can be a great get-away for you. It will help minimize your stress level, keep your blood sugar lever constant, and just let you have fun. You can still fly and enjoy your travels if you know what your rights are, and prepared for an emergency if one should happen.

Take snacks with you in case you have a problem during the flight, a diabetic bar, or fruit, the airlines are cutting back on expenses and they may not have what you require. Relax, enjoy, and happy flying!

Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.