Flying with a nebulizer

[luvdisney00]

We have never had to fly with my daughter's nebulizer before, but this trip we will. For anyone who has done this, can I just carry it through security? It is in a travel bag, and also can I bring the vials of solution that go in it ? I was confused about the vial (2 different prescriptions) if they have to go in the 3-1-1 bag or if they have to go in the box with the Rx printed on it. Each individual vial does not have the Rx or my daughter's name on it. They are albuterol and pulmocort and they are "just in case" so I'd like to bring a few vials of each. Any asmatics or parents of asmatics out there who have been through this? TIA!

 

[ToddyLu]

When DH and I have carried on our CPAPs we needed to take them out of the travel bag and place the actual equipment on the tray--so they could wipe it down and check by hand. I would think her nebulizer equipment might be the same way. I would plan on placing the vials with her rx info all in a plastic bag and placing it in the tray with her nebulizer. She may need the equipment in flight and I would think they would allow for this--like insulin.

For the above reason we now check our CPAPs as medicial equipment, no charge. Could she use a small inhaler for the flight and then you could check the nebulizer? SOmeone will come along in a minute with the perfect answer.

 

[CPT Tripss]

You should not have any problem . . . if you do get hassled by an Airport Security Screener, ask for a supervisor.

I recommend - 1) nebulizer in a plastic baggie 2) all med vials, tubing and mouthpieces in baggies 3) if an airport security screener wants to handle anything, ask them to put on clean gloves from the box 4) if anything needs to be "swabbed" again ask for a new swab from the box.

Why? 1&2 - the bins and other surfaces you stuff will go on are likely filthy. 3 - who knows what the airport security screener has handles before they get to you. 4 - not only don't you know what has been swabbed before (it may have been my shoes) but a used swab may have a little "explosive trace" on it and your stuff might add a little and put you over the limit.

 

[KikiFan]

We've traveled with a nebulizer several times. Make sure you place it near the top of your carry-on. They will want to take it out and swab it. The tubing and mouthpiece isn't an issue. Just put it in a separate baggie. They won't need to see it. The meds are an exclusion to the 3-1-1 rule. Just place them in a baggie with the pharmacy label in the baggie and plainly visible. You shouldn't have any problems.

 

[disfan07]

Does your nebulizer have a bag to store it in? My neb came in a bag with a handle. I put that with the case open in one of the bins. They tell me NOT to take it out of the bag while it goes thorugh x-ray. Too much risk of something happening The neb, cord, mouthpiece and tubing are all in that bag.

I carry pulmicort and xoponex with me. I just take the boxes and I've never taken them out of my carry on. I leave them in there and have never had a problem.

I have never seen them use the same swab on 2 different items. That would be crazy. I always see them dispose of the swab after they have tested my neb.

For the above reason we now check our CPAPs as medicial equipment, no charge. Could she use a small inhaler for the flight and then you could check the nebulizer? SOmeone will come along in a minute with the perfect answer.

DO NOT check a neb as medical equipment. You are never supposed to check medical equipment. That's why it does not count towards your carry on. If a neb is needed, an inhaler probably won't work as well. I know that when I need a neb. treatment it is because my inhaler isn't working.

 

[scard192]

My sister takes her kids nebulizer (with the meds), rescue inhalers, asthma meds and has them all in one carry on(back pack). She tells security whats in the bag and has never had a problem.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Did you check the TSA.gov website for this information? It's the first place you should go with these types of questions.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm

 

[antree]

i flew with my sons nebulizer and the same meds for the first time last April. The nebulizer is in a case so I just put the meds in the case. It went through security without any problems. We flew again in Nov. and once again no problems. I will be doing the same in Aug. we are flying out of Philly, I was never asked about it or to take anything out. You should be fine, if anything put the meds in a ziplock bag in the case, just in-case they ask you to remove the meds.

 

[malibuconlee]

My experience was they were more concerned with the machine itself than they were the meds. They scanned it three times and swabbed ti twice. Not that big of a deal, just make sure you have extra time going thru security. Have a great trip!

 

[antree]

A few people have mentioned the machine was swabbed, what do you mean by that? what did they do I never was asked about the machine or meds. The same with the Epi-pen, I put it through the scanner and thats it. I am curious as to what the swabbing is.

Thanks

 

[CPT Tripss]

The Airport Security Screener rubs a small piece of cloth over the item and then puts it into a machine that analyzes for elements/compounds that are used in bombs. A lot of routine stuff (some handcreams, fertilizers, etc.) that is generally considered harmless may alarm as they contain these elements/compounds.

Some of the Airport Security Screeners leave the swab in the analyzer drawer or on top of the analyzer and they may be reused. (Yes, I have seen this happen.) If this happens, the swab builds up to a detectable amount and alarms.

 

[antree]

Thank You