Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve R on April 9, 2008 at 6:36pm

Yikes!! Such a grabby security guy.

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Permalink Reply by Toni Crebbin on April 9, 2008 at 6:00pm

Great tip on the loaner pump! Does anyone know if Dexcom does that too?

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on April 10, 2008 at 5:31am

with disetronic (accu-check spirit), you get 2 pumps...in 19 years on pump, i've never had to go on shots because of equipment failure...i'd never switch because of that!

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on April 10, 2008 at 12:49pm

well, I first got my disetronics h-tron in 1989. i remember the first few years a couple of times i got an electronic error, and sometimes i'd have to switch to pump # 2, and the next day they would send me another second pump. so i'd always have an extra. one time my husband and i were in the BVIs for a sailing vacation, and i dove in the water, and when i looked at my pump, the window was filled with water! i didn't know i had hairline fractures around where you put the battery. so i switched to pump #2, and called them. the next day they sent me another second pump - to the British Virgin Islands. The new model i got last year, the Accu-check Spirit (same company,new name), has been great - it has all the bells and whistles, and also uses regular AA batteries. It comes with a backup extra pump, and a palm pilot (which i don't use). I have nothing but the highest praise for everyone who has answered the phone at all hours of the day for the past 19 years at this company. I just wish my skin wasn't crapping out on me - lately i've only been able to keep an infusion set in one or two days at most - i used to be able to go 3 or 4. it's really getting me depressed

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Permalink Reply by MIGUEL on April 10, 2008 at 10:33am

you gotta said SOY DIABETICA Y ESTA ES MI MAQINA DE INSULINA Y NO ME LA PUEDO QUITAR and if still giving you problems you said POR FAVOR ENTIENDAN

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Permalink Reply by Curlzzz2002 on April 12, 2008 at 7:03am

Lis, I had a layover in Toronto back in 2002 and experienced a similar situation with a security guard. At the risk of stero-typing....what's with the Canadian security employees? Granted, I was traveling just a few weeks post shoe bomber drama, but I had a letter from my endo and it wasn't even my pump that set off the alarm...it was my belt! He went balistic and tried to yank my pump off my hip, but I stopped him and asked for a female security officer to scan me.

The only real trouble I encountered once I got to my destination was adjusting my basal rates to the current time and overcoming the highs and lows from being in the air for 11 hours.

Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Allison Blass on April 12, 2008 at 12:34pm

I always, always take my insulin pump off while I'm in the security line and then when I'm on the other side of the metal detector, plug myself back in. It's obviously not true that the pump is "permanently-attached, unable to remove" because we do it all the time when we shower and swim. I always tell people who travel to just take it off, because it saves the time of getting patted down if you do happen to set off the alarm. I travel about five times a year and have put my insulin pump through the X-ray machines dozens of times and it does absolutely nothing to it. If you can put your laptop through it, you can definitely put your insulin pump. To Kristin, I'm not sure who told you that you can't put it through the machine, but you can.

But just in case security asks you questions about your medical equipment in your bags, I would bring a Spanish-translated letter from your doctor explaining that you have diabetes. That should cover you.

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Permalink Reply by Toni Crebbin on April 12, 2008 at 1:10pm

Here's what the Animas site has to say about x-rays:

As noted above, you can wear your insulin pump on the plane. However, most insulin pump manufacturers recommend that you do not expose your pump to x-ray equipment. Request a “walk through” or hand wand inspection.

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on April 12, 2008 at 4:08pm

The Cozmo site says something similar ("Never expose the insulin pump directly to x-ray beams"). It's good to know that the x-ray is not a problem in case I am ever in a situation when it is necessary!

But I am used to going through security with it on (and it has never set off the metal detector)-- so I guess it's just one less thing to remove, when you already have to remove your belt, shoes, coat, etc. It's good that we can choose whichever way is most comfortable!

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Permalink Reply by jesus on April 12, 2008 at 11:50pm

"Hola soy diabetica y esto es una maquina de insulina para diabetes". I dont think you'll have any kind of trouble. I have travelled all over the world and never ever had trouble with my insulin pump. even in the U.S. i can carry gatorade (20z) through security screening....

pump in spanish is "bomba de insulina", but i want you to use the word "maquina"-machine.....since bomba is a synonym of bomb.....i dont want you to get in trouble..
hope i helped...
thanks

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Permalink Reply by Deirdre on April 14, 2008 at 5:59pm

It concerns me when I go through security and they don't ask. I would rather be put in the situation to have to explain what a pump is and why I carry syringes, a meter and testing supplies. If security cannot pick up on that, it makes you wonder what else can get by them.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Giles on April 17, 2008 at 5:39am

I worked for an airline in BWI for a long time and I've seen all kinds of strange things that people have tried to take through security. As an employee, I crossed the security lines many times each day. Most of the TSA employees recognized the pump and only once in a while did I get the "hey, you forgot to take off your pager" lecture from them.

I agree about not putting the pump through the xray machine, plus, as a security selectee, you get to avoid the long lines. Why not request the hand scan, it's usually faster and gets you up to the front of the lines.

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