Pacemakers & security

[joelle89]

I'm visiting Disney World in August with my niece. She has gotten a pacemaker recently. Her doctors gave permission for our trip to Florida, but told her to stay away from the metaldetectors/ metaldetector wands at the airport and ask for a pat down or a bodyscan.

From My last trip to Disney World I remembered guests being randomnly selected to go through metaldetectors as well. As far as I remember there where no bodyscans. Is there any one with a pacemaker who knows whether or not you can ask for a pat down at Disney security?

My niece is kind of worried about the whole metaldetector thing and her not being able to enter the parks.

 

[Talking Hands]

Does she have a card from her doctor stating that she has an implanted pacemaker? If not she should request one.

 

[gap2368]

just ask to be wanded I do for different medical region and they have no problem with wanded

 

[DKSABS]

I have an implanted neurostimulator (spinal cord stimulator), and I've been told to request a manual patdown. If they insist on using the wand, I was instructed by Medtronic to tell the security people where my implanted device is located and ask them to not linger with the wand over that area. They also told me to turn my device off before being exposed to a wand or metal detector if I'm forced to do either. You probably can't turn off a pacemaker though.

 

[joelle89]

Does she have a card from her doctor stating that she has an implanted pacemaker? If not she should request one.

She does. So showing her card to a security officer and stating she needs a manual pat down will probably suffice right?

Medtronic has specifically told her not to go near metaldetectors or wands within the proximity of 6 feet, so wanding over other areas seems like no option.

I think she's just extra worried about this because she's 100% dependent on her pacemaker. It paces her heart contioniously, so any interference would mean her heart stops beating

 

[gap2368]

not sure what type of pace maker your DD has but this one from Medtronic you can go thought a meter detector


http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/common-questions.html



WILL I BE ABLE TO TRAVEL?
Given the short duration of security screening, it is unlikely that your implanted heart device will be affected by metal detectors (walk-through archways and hand-held wands) or full body imaging scanners (also called millimeter wave scanners and 3D imaging scanners) such as those found in airports, courthouses, and jails.

To minimize the risk of temporary interference with your heart device while going through the security screening process, avoid touching metal surfaces around any screening equipment. Do not stop or linger in a walk-through archway; simply walk through the archway at a normal pace. If a hand-held wand is used, ask the security operator not to hold it over your implanted heart device and not to wave it back and forth over your device. You may also request a hand search as an alternative.

If you have concerns about these security screening methods, show your device ID card, request alternative screening, and then follow the instructions of the security personnel.



also it says you can go thought with an ICD

http://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/common-questions.html


Given the short duration of security screening, it is unlikely that your implanted heart device will be affected by metal detectors (walk-through archways and hand-held wands) or full body imaging scanners (also called millimeter wave scanners and 3D imaging scanners) such as those found in airports, courthouses, and jails.

To minimize the risk of temporary interference with your heart device while going through the security screening process, avoid touching metal surfaces around any screening equipment. Do not stop or linger in a walk-through archway; simply walk through the archway at a normal pace. If a hand-held wand is used, ask the security operator not to hold it over your implanted heart device and not to wave it back and forth over your device. You may also request a hand search as an alternative.

If you have concerns about these security screening methods, show your device ID card, request alternative screening, and then follow the instructions of the security personnel.


You may want to call or talk to Medtronic about just what they recommend to just double check on what they say, I do know a few people with inplant devices pacemaker, ICD, and a few others and none has too avoid meter doctors as being 6 feet from them will be hard if using one of the small boats to go to MK, or in other places.