Nebulizer question

[tiggerjenn]

This will be my first time traveling on a plane and taking my nebulizer, how do I pack it? I'm worried about putting it in my checked baggage and it getting tossed around so can I put it in my carry on? Thank you in advance.

 

[SueM in MN]

This will be my first time traveling on a plane and taking my nebulizer, how do I pack it? I'm worried about putting it in my checked baggage and it getting tossed around so can I put it in my carry on? Thank you in advance.

You should put it in your carry on baggage.
Medication and medical equipment that you need should never be in the checked bag. You don't want to take a chance in it getting lost and not getting back to you for a few days.

Msny people have small, battery operated nebulizers that are easy to carry.

 

[knitster]

Carry it on the plane with you. I don't know about other airlines, but Southwest does not count it as your carry on or your personal item, it's totally separate. I have a travel nebulizer that we carry when we fly because it's self contained in a little bag and is much easier to deal with than our full size nebulizer.

 

[knitster]

Also, triple check to make sure you have all the nebulizer parts with you. When we flew to Disneyland in September, my 4 year old had an asthma attack in the Las Vegas airport and part of our nebulizer was missing! Southwest had to call the paramedics to come give him a treatment. It was very scary and stressful.

 

[SueM in MN]

Carry it on the plane with you. I don't know about other airlines, but Southwest does not count it as your carry on or your personal item, it's totally separate. I have a travel nebulizer that we carry when we fly because it's self contained in a little bag and is much easier to deal with than our full size nebulizer.

all airlines do.
Being allowed to is part of the Air Carriers Act (kind of like the ADA equivalent for airlines).

 

[Betty Rohrer]

in the case with your nebulizer have the meds in box with dr orders on. let tsa agent know it is there. we had no problems with either grandsons MAW trip

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Carry it on the plane with you. I don't know about other airlines, but Southwest does not count it as your carry on or your personal item, it's totally separate. I have a travel nebulizer that we carry when we fly because it's self contained in a little bag and is much easier to deal with than our full size nebulizer.

It is for all airlines, but do note that in order for something to be considered a medical bag (thus, not part of the carry-on limit), it must have ONLY medical-related items in it. In other words, if you have a bag with your nebulizer and your iPad (which you have no medical need for) in it, that bag is not a medical bag and will count towards your carry-on limit. However, if you need that iPad in order to communicate using one of those picture apps or text-to-speech app, that's a medical item so the bag would be a medical bag. If you have a bag with just your nebulizer and medications/inhaler/etc., that is a medical bag and is not counted towards your carry-on limit.

 

[knitster]

It is for all airlines, but do note that in order for something to be considered a medical bag (thus, not part of the carry-on limit), it must have ONLY medical-related items in it. In other words, if you have a bag with your nebulizer and your iPad (which you have no medical need for) in it, that bag is not a medical bag and will count towards your carry-on limit. However, if you need that iPad in order to communicate using one of those picture apps or text-to-speech app, that's a medical item so the bag would be a medical bag. If you have a bag with just your nebulizer and medications/inhaler/etc., that is a medical bag and is not counted towards your carry-on limit.

Good to know!

 

[tiggerjenn]

Thank you all for the info!

 

[CPT Tripss]

It is for all airlines, but do note that in order for something to be considered a medical bag (thus, not part of the carry-on limit), it must have ONLY medical-related items in it. In other words, if you have a bag with your nebulizer and your iPad (which you have no medical need for) in it, that bag is not a medical bag and will count towards your carry-on limit. However, if you need that iPad in order to communicate using one of those picture apps or text-to-speech app, that's a medical item so the bag would be a medical bag. If you have a bag with just your nebulizer and medications/inhaler/etc., that is a medical bag and is not counted towards your carry-on limit.

Fortunately, airlines seldom check.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Be prepared to put it on the TSA table x-ray belt separately.
2) This counts the same as a CPAP machine or breathing-assist unit.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Fortunately, airlines seldom check.

But they do check sometimes, as I have had it happen. Not to mention, rules are rules and laws are laws....

 

[grafxgirl]

I bought a small, battery operated one for our trip. It fit right in my backpack which is what I use as a carryon when we fly.

 

[DisneyDiana!]

Thank you for this great info!

 

[strat68]

Much of the time my wife's neb is hand checked by TSA agents. They usually don't know what it is. It gets swabbed for explosives.

 

[Starwind]

But they do check sometimes, as I have had it happen. Not to mention, rules are rules and laws are laws....

I have also had an airline (American Airlines) check the contents of my medical bag to confirm it contained only medical things. After that trip I put a bag tag on it that says "MEDICAL" and have not had any issues.

As for the nebulizer:

I agree with other posters that it should NOT go in checked baggage. as others have noted, if it is in a bag of only medical items that bag does not count towards your carry-on limit. It does need to be no bigger than carry-on size though, otherwise it won't fit !

I have traveled with a full-size 13 pound nebulizer before and though full-size ones are smaller now, I don't recommend that unless you have no other option.

My preferred nebulizer both at home and when traveling is an Omron MicroAir. It runs on 2 AA batteries (I bring extras in a plastic case I bought online). It can handle most medications that need nebulizer -- there are some it can't though, because it is ultrasonic, so verify that your meds are safe with it. Normal asthma meds like Ventolin/salbutamol are fine.

The MicroAir nebulizer is easily portable and I carry it in my park bag when visiting WDW.

SW

 

[Starwind]

Also:

In my medical bag I carry sealed distilled sterile water and vinegar to clean/disinfect the nebulizer if it is used. These liquids exceed the 3-1-1 rule but are allowed as medically necessary liquids. I usually have to explain what they are for, and point out the nebulizer that is also in the bag.

If TSA/CATSA has decided they are going to swab my medical items (basically, the liquids containers and/or the nebulizer), I ask before they start to handle the bag if they could please use new gloves as the contents are medical items. I have never had any pushback to this request.

I think I have only had once where the stuff was NOT swabbed/scanned, so I build in the extra time it will take into my plan for travel days. On some days it can take me 20 minutes to get through the security process (starting to put things on the belt to being cleared to leave the security area; not counting lineup time); I allow 30 and that way I have a buffer should it be needed. Having a NEXUS card also helps since the medical liquids are the only thing I have to take out of my bag if I am in a Nexus lane or TSA PreCheck lane (I no longer travel with a laptop).

SW

 

[TheDisneyDoll]

I always put my nebulizer in my checked bag. I can't pull or carry anything that is to heavy so in the bag it goes.
Now when putting it in your carry on you do need to take it out at security and put it in a bin and they may want to swab it.
Always, always always keep your nebulizer cups and mouth pieces in a separate clean bag. They do not have to be removed and if they should fall out you don't want them touching any of that stuff, it's germ central!

 

[stitchlovestink]

I always put my nebulizer in my checked bag. I can't pull or carry anything that is to heavy so in the bag it goes.
Now when putting it in your carry on you do need to take it out at security and put it in a bin and they may want to swab it.
Always, always always keep your nebulizer cups and mouth pieces in a separate clean bag. They do not have to be removed and if they should fall out you don't want them touching any of that stuff, it's germ central!

I have NEVER taken my Nebulizer out of its storage bag going thru Security at ANY airport. I don't even remove it from my backpack of medical equipment/supplies.

 

[TheDisneyDoll]

I have NEVER taken my Nebulizer out of its storage bag going thru Security at ANY airport. I don't even remove it from my backpack of medical equipment/supplies.

I was always told you're supposed to, and any time i've ever forgotten they have pulled my bags aside for additional screening removed it and sent it back through the detector by itself.