Flying with Insulin

[Henlady]

DH in on Insulin and we will be flying in September. We have always either driven or taken the train to WDW and had no problem keeping the insulin cold in a small cooler. However, with not being able to take frozen "gel packs" or ice onboard the plane, what do you do to keep the insulin cold for about 4 hours? I know we can pack his syringes in the checked baggage as he only has to inject the insulin once a day, and that is in the evening, so those won't be a problem

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[Janet Hill]

Our trips cross county have been in excess of 12 hours from when the insulin goes in the backpack to when it gets in a fridge at our destination. He only puts it in an insulated pack and the insulin is fine. Syringes don't have to go in checked baggage all meds can go in carryon and doesn't count as a carryon. He packs all meds, syringes, test strips and glucometer in a backpack and has no problem with security. It's too much of a hassle to get these items replaced in the event of lost luggage, so you might want to keep it all with you.

 

[mackay_j]

There is no need to worry about flying and insulin as long as it is in you hand luggage. Make sure and don not put it in the hold as there is a chance it may freeze. If you are arriving in either a very hot country or and very cold one then you may need a method of temp control for a long transfer. This has only applied to one of our tips -the atric in Dec and transefer to the hotel was 2hr on a tobogan through the snow. For events such as these we use the frio bag- and we use this in any hot country where we either don't have a fridge or where the power goes off a lot. We also use it for wondering around disney.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going to www.coolerconcept.com and looking at the Frio Cold Packs. There are several people in this forum, myself included, who use them.

These are gel packs that are water activated. They will keep the internal temperature at insulin-safe levels for over 40 hours. As the water evaporates you can just soak it in water for a few minutes to reactivate it. They come in various sizes.

For example, I have a "double wallet". Depending on what I am doing it will hold my Byetta pen as well as either a syringe with insulin in it or two insulin vials. And I tend to do at least five air round trips a year and have never had any problems with TSA over it.

 

[Selket]

You are allowed to take cooler, ice, gel, etc packs through security in your hand-carry luggage to get medications cold. You need to declare your medical items that are usually prohibited to the security screener and put them on the scanner belt with everything else. I put ALL of the medical supplies in one bag so they can easily open it if they need to. You can also carry glucose gel, juice boxes (more than one if needed), etc. to treat low blood sugars.

Definitely do NOT put any medical supplies you might need in your checked baggage. I even put my extras in the carry-on!

 

[PatsMom]

Another one who flies with insulin and Byetta here. I sometimes use the Frio pack but tend to use that more when I am carrying my Byetta around on a hot day. For travelling, my open Byetta and insulin go into a carry on with all of my other medications. I use a regular small softsided cooler and get ice wherever I happen to be for my unopened pens. I wrap the pens up so that they don't get too cold from the ice. When I get to security, I put the medical carryon and the cooler on the X-ray belt and tell the screener I have refrigerated medications in the cooler. I have never been questioned.

Never pack any medication in your checked bag. Same goes for your glucometer, test strips, etc. You don't want to be running around Florida looking for a new one if your bag gets lost!

 

[JohnneyB]

I used to use gel packs, etc., but now I use Frio pouches almost exclusively. They keep insulin cool, can be recharged instantly, and are very easy to carry. Also, remember to carry more meds and supplies than you think you need, as well as prescription labels, etc. You need to always have a backup. To agree with what others have said here, it's very important that you never check meds or supplies. Keep them with you at all times. At most you could be putting your life and health in the hands of baggage handlers and airline issues. At the least, you could set yourself up for some incredible hassles.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

Medical supplies are exempt from TSA restrictions - I use a gel pack cooler I got from Byetta - and have flown with it several times. Please Please Please keep all medical supplies in your carry-on luggage!!!! When going through security I take the cooler out of my bag and unzip it, and then tell the TSA agent I have gel packs to keep medication cool before my stuff goes through the scanner. Never had a problem.

 

[AKADrea]

I flew last September with gel packs (my sons medication and my mom's insulin) and didn't have a problem....