Airport Body Scanners & Insulin Pumps

[wdhinn89]

Does anyone have any experience with the new airport body scanners and wearing an insulin pump?

What did you do? I read it was not recommended for the pump to go through the new scanners.

 

[peemagg]

I think you could still ask for a pat down scan instead of the other scanners. If you are worried about the pump, that is what I would recommend you do. I know because of screws in my foot, I have to undergo the pat down and wand, because I will set off the alarms, so I just ask for it off the bat. No issues with this at all.

 

[SueM in MN]

I checked on the websites of some of the pump manufacturers and did not find anything specific about the new body scanners (although they did have information about insulin pumps and travel in general). I'd suggest you contact the maker of your pump to see what their advice is.

I also looked at a nice page about travel on the American Diabetes Association website - you need to follow the links to find much more than is on the first page. They also did not address the new scanners, but some of the resources were good anyway.

If you can't go thru the scanner, then I think you will get the same type of pat-down, hand wanding that people like my DD get because she can't walk thru the scanner. She is brought to an area that bypasses the scanner to get to the other side of security. They have a (same sex) TSA screener pat her down and also use a handheld scanner. They usually do some swabs for traces of explosives. It's usually been on the tops and bottoms of her shoes. The last time we went I swore the person wiped almost her entire wheelchair. You have to wait a minute or 2 for the swabs/wipes to be read, but then you are on your way.

 

[PatT240]

Does your pump disconnect? My son just took his pump off and handed it to security and then walked through. It really wasn't a big deal just tell the security officer before you walk through and they'll tell you what to do.

 

[Disneylover79]

My mother has a pump and she just disconnects her pump and puts it thru the belt scanner..

 

[wdhinn89]

Does your pump disconnect? My son just took his pump off and handed it to security and then walked through. It really wasn't a big deal just tell the security officer before you walk through and they'll tell you what to do.

This is what I am hoping happens.

Did they swab the pump for explosives? I know when my son would walk through the metal detecter, they said if he does not beep he would be fine, if he did, they would have to swab the pump.

My mother has a pump and she just disconnects her pump and puts it thru the belt scanner..

You are not suppose to put the pump through the belt scanner. It is an x-ray.

 

[PatT240]

I don't remember them swabbing the pump but they did swab his gatorade.

 

[Megan07]

I'm an xray student graduating in 3 months and just thought I'd say something.

Insulin pumps shouldn't be exposed to x-ray. It can cause serious harm to them and interrupt them. If you can disconnect them and have the TSA swab them if they want, then do that. Or get a pat down.

Do not send it thru the scanner or walk thru those new scanners.

 

[LeahZ]

I'm an xray student graduating in 3 months and just thought I'd say something.

Insulin pumps shouldn't be exposed to x-ray. It can cause serious harm to them and interrupt them. If you can disconnect them and have the TSA swab them if they want, then do that. Or get a pat down.

Do not send it thru the scanner or walk thru those new scanners.

This is true. My husband called Minimed to ask about how to go through the scanners with his pump and they said to just leave it on and walk through the scanner. He's never been stopped before. He takes off the clip that attaches it to his pants and just puts the pump in his pocket. Not sure about the new scanners though.

 

[Baloo'sCrew]

The last time I flew with my pump was spring of 2011. At that time, the airport did not yet have the full body scanners. I tried going through the walk-through after letting security know that I had a pump. They said that quite often pumps do not set off the alarm, but mine did. I offered to unhook the pump and go through again but they really didn't want me to do that (I think because they were unsure of what might happen to me if I did) so I ended up with the pat down. Not a problem, more of a nuisance, but understandable. For our next flight in the spring of 2013, I will be unhooking the pump just before getting to security, putting it in a ziplock bag and handing it to them to hand scan it / swab it as they see fit. I have read many comments on various sites about people who removed their pump and let it go through the belt scanners but, as tempting as that is, I figure why take the chance? No need to potentially ruin the vacation if your pump starts to malfunction.

 

[disney david]

if you call this number tsa will be more then happy to answer any questions you have about screening 1-855-787-2227. it the new hotline for travelers with disabilities they will be able to give you your best options to get through security.


here from tsa web site

If you are concerned or uncomfortable about going through the walk-through metal detector with your insulin pump, notify the Security Officer that you are wearing an insulin pump and would like a full-body pat-down and a visual inspection of your pump instead.

i know it dose not say body scaner but i think the same will apply as the metal detectors.
here tsa policy


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#3

 

[buffettgirl]

And in line with David just said: you do not need to remove your pump if you do not wish to do so.

Here's some more info:
http://blog.joslin.org/2011/02/tips-for-traveling-with-an-insulin-pump/
Joslin suggests that pump manufacturers (medtronic, animas, insulet) be contacted because most are saying not to go through the full body scanners

We've never had the regular scanner set off an alarm but we've never had full body scan either. So I think we'll have this situation when we fly from Boston, unfortunately. I'm not precisely sure what we'll do at this point, only that any attention to the matter will highly embarrass my son, so we need to tread carefully.

 

[Chickenlady]

I wear an Omnipod tubeless pump. Couple of weeks ago, I went to and from MCO with the pump. I left my pod (insulin delivery computer thingy) stuck to my skin and the computer controller/programming/glucose meter in my purse as usual. The control unit was fine in the xray. My pod evidently showed up on the new whole body scanner. All I had to do was touch the pod and then they swabbed my hands. No pat down! Yippee!!!!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

My DD wears her pump through the metal detector, but has never had to go through the body scanner. Her pump does not set the metal detector's off because she wears it in a pouch and not on a metal clip. As she's under 12 years of age, she also does cannot be pat down. On our first trip through the airport with her pump, we told TSA she was wearing one. They took us aside and went through all of her belongs and swabbed her pump and electronic devices. Now we don't tell them and she goes through just fine.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I wear an Omnipod tubeless pump. Couple of weeks ago, I went to and from MCO with the pump. I left my pod (insulin delivery computer thingy) stuck to my skin and the computer controller/programming/glucose meter in my purse as usual. The control unit was fine in the xray. My pod evidently showed up on the new whole body scanner. All I had to do was touch the pod and then they swabbed my hands. No pat down! Yippee!!!!

My son also uses a pod. We send the PDM through the scanner belt, and Insulet said there was no isssue with sending it through. They did tell us not to have him go through the body scanner with it on. The TSA people had no problem just using the wand on him, and then swabbing his hands.

Jen

 

[Chickenlady]

Jen in NH, Insulet said not to wear a pod and go through the whole body scanner? Wonder why? I didn't notice any problem with the pod that went through, either time. I did however get my DH to laugh when I was contemplating where to put the pod the day of the flight. I was sure they would want to see it, so I figured my butt prob. wouldn't be the most socially acceptible spot. I really thought dropping my pants for TSA would be funny. I was too chicken and settled for my arm.

 

[buffettgirl]

Jen in NH, Insulet said not to wear a pod and go through the whole body scanner? Wonder why? I didn't notice any problem with the pod that went through, either time. I did however get my DH to laugh when I was contemplating where to put the pod the day of the flight. I was sure they would want to see it, so I figured my butt prob. wouldn't be the most socially acceptible spot. I really thought dropping my pants for TSA would be funny. I was too chicken and settled for my arm.

honestly though, with any pump I have to contemplate where it's going to be on DS on the day that we're going through because IF TSA asked to see that it was actually attached I would hate to have it be a day where it's on his butt (upper butt really) . But I would hate for him to think he had to pull down his waist band. I make sure that it's a tummy site on those days. Just in case.

ps, I knew someone who wore their pod on their breast. Now...yikes I think that would hurt but she said he got phenomenal absorption there. LOL.

 

[Chickenlady]

I knew someone who wore their pod on their breast. Now...yikes I think that would hurt but she said he got phenomenal absorption there. LOL.

WOW! Although it's not one of the "approved" sites for an Omnipod, I may just try this.....may not fit well in my bra though.

 

[buffettgirl]

WOW! Although it's not one of the "approved" sites for an Omnipod, I may just try this.....may not fit well in my bra though.

I'm trying to find you a picture but er...even with safe search on, google is not bringing up approved images, so I have to keep leaving the page. LOL.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Jen in NH, Insulet said not to wear a pod and go through the whole body scanner? Wonder why? I didn't notice any problem with the pod that went through, either time. I did however get my DH to laugh when I was contemplating where to put the pod the day of the flight. I was sure they would want to see it, so I figured my butt prob. wouldn't be the most socially acceptible spot. I really thought dropping my pants for TSA would be funny. I was too chicken and settled for my arm.

They didn't give me a reason why not. I just hoped that our airport would have people going through the metal detector one that day

I also have to watch where his pods are on the times we fly. Right now, he will only wear them on his arms, so less of an issue. We used to use his bum all the time, but once he was potty trained, pulling his pants up and down himself ripped a lot of pods off. Much as I don't want my little guy to grow up too fast, I'll be happy when he gets bigger and we have more options for where to put pods