Skipping Evolv Express scanners?

[EEva]

Hello,
We haven't been back to WDW since the new Evolv security scanners were put in place.

My DD15 uses a Dexcom G6 and Omnipod. From what I've read, specifically about the CGM, she should not be going through these scanners. (we have her hand checked at airports)

Can anyone share their experience with the process to skip going through these scanners? Is there a clear table or other spot that we would go to instead? Would we have to split up, with her getting hand checked and I would go through the scanner?

Just hoping to have an idea of what to expect, so I can let her know. The first time she had to be hand checked at the airport it was pretty traumatic for her. When she was younger, they allowed her to go through the metal detector instead. So the need for a pat down was unexpected.

Thanks for any info!

 

[razlime]

As soon as she sees a cast member she should say "I have an implanted medical device and cannot go through the scanner" don't mention diabetes or the device, it'll confuse them. They should pat her down instead. It may cause a delay as they may need to track down a same gender supervisor to do it though.

Anecdotally, I didn't have any Dexcom or Tandem failures going through the scanners last time. On the other hand, I just had a metal detector wand brick a Dexcom transmitter instantly at a concert despite the Dex website saying those are safe (the cx rep said it was a "metal detector related malfunction").

Have fun on your trip!

 

[EEva]

As soon as she sees a cast member she should say "I have an implanted medical device and cannot go through the scanner" don't mention diabetes or the device, it'll confuse them. They should pat her down instead. It may cause a delay as they may need to track down a same gender supervisor to do it though.

Anecdotally, I didn't have any Dexcom or Tandem failures going through the scanners last time. On the other hand, I just had a metal detector wand brick a Dexcom transmitter instantly at a concert despite the Dex website saying those are safe (the cx rep said it was a "metal detector related malfunction").

Have fun on your trip!

Thank you!!

 

[SueM in MN]

My DD uses a wheelchair and was not able to use the Evolv scanners because she can’t walk or stand. She was sometimes scanned with a handheld scanner, sometimes patted down, sometimes there was a dog she drove by and other times just asked to lean forward so they could see behind her back as she sat in her wheelchair.

If her bag/purse are OK to go thru the Evolv scanner, she should give them to someone else in your group to walk thru the scanner with. It’s very quick and as long as nothing alarms, it’s just a few seconds (put one bag on each arm or at least don’t layer them for less chance of alarm). The alarms are not obtrusive - it’s just a CM directing the guest to the side.
If a bag causes an alarm or needs to be hand checked, there are tables to the side where they do the checking.

 

[Selket]

We just returned from WDW and my son walked through the scanners no problems - and so did our friend. He has a Dex and Tandem pump and she has a Dex and is running a Riley linked (or whatever it is that is the do it yourself full loop pump) using an Omnipod. I'd think if it was gonna break it would have lol.

 

[gap2368]

I was there for two weeks with a Dexcom and tslim pump went though the scanner with no problem at all most days park hoped too.

 

[EEva]

This all great info! Thanks for sharing your experiences. i'm just not going to worry about it. The Dexcom site says "we haven't tested it, so who knows?" CYA disclaimer I suppose.

 

[EEva]

I was there for two weeks with a Dexcom and tslim pump went though the scanner with no problem at all most days park hoped too.

Do you also go through the scanner at the airport? Just curios.

 

[gap2368]

Do you also go through the scanner at the airport? Just curios.

I drive to Disney so no airports for me. Been years since I have flown

 

[LYSE]

My daughter is not even 5 yet so they let her go with the stroller but even when walking we always just say we don't want her going through and they let her walk around, they also don't make my mom get out of the wheel chair

We've done this since they introduced the new scanners and went from sometimes getting an odd response to them not even blinking an eye now (we live 2 hours away and go ALOT)

IMO all children and pregnant women should opt out, it's likely fine but the one area of concern IS developing DNA and then add your DDs concern and that's a definite nope.

 

[Lewisc]

Dexcom says:
When wearing your G6, ask for hand-wanding or a full-body pat down and visual inspection instead of going through the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) body scanners (also called a milimeter wave scanner

Evolv equipment is a milimeter wave scanner. I called Ecolv. They first said their scanner is low powered, different then what's used at airports and should be OK. I read the Dexcom statement to the rep who suggested opting out and asking to be hand checked.

Prior to Evolv I called Dexcom regarding airport ATI, when you got a real technical rep on the phone. I asked what if a person went through without realizing it. The issue is Dexcom hasn't tested or submitted data to FDA regarding interactions. The machines can run on different settings. Normal setting might be OK but not if the unit is run on high security. The rep thought the issue is cumulative. An employee being scanned several times a day might have issues but going through once might not be an issue.

Opt out but if you forget and go through once or twice it probably won't kill your sensor.

Evolv ignored my emails so I don't have anything in writing.

The concern isn't Dexcom not working at all but rather accuracy being compromised.

 

[EEva]

The concern isn't Dexcom not working at all but rather accuracy being compromised.

And really that is much worse than not working at all.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Do you also go through the scanner at the airport? Just curios.

We don't. Our care team has my dh elect for a patdown and have all of his backup supplies and dexcom little alerter device (i always forget the name of the screen where it shows the results lol) hand screened by TSA. We also never store it under the seat after a very overweight man put his feet on our side and kicked our bag and damaged our supplies.

FWIW, we fly out of LAX where their security screening is always set on high and is very intense.

 

[DisneyOma]

My daughter is not even 5 yet so they let her go with the stroller but even when walking we always just say we don't want her going through and they let her walk around, they also don't make my mom get out of the wheel chair

We've done this since they introduced the new scanners and went from sometimes getting an odd response to them not even blinking an eye now (we live 2 hours away and go ALOT)

IMO all children and pregnant women should opt out, it's likely fine but the one area of concern IS developing DNA and then add your DDs concern and that's a definite nope.

What is "developing DNA"?

 

[LYSE]

What is "developing DNA"?

I mis spoke but I think you know what I meant, in anycase most of these devices don't penatrate very far into tissue but the evolv scanner white papers leave a lot to be desired(when they first popped up anyway) ...again "should" be safe enough for almost anyone to walk on through and be part of the theater.

 

[DisneyOma]

I mis spoke but I think you know what I meant, in anycase most of these devices don't penatrate very far into tissue but the evolv scanner white papers leave a lot to be desired(when they first popped up anyway) ...again "should" be safe enough for almost anyone to walk on through and be part of the theater.

Just some info to consider - most children's DNA is in better shape than older people's DNA, as they have nice long telomeres at the ends. As the DNA goes through many division cycles, the tips get used up in the effort to protect the inner, more important code. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Telomere and https://www.tasciences.com/what-is-a-telomere.html

Also the brief moment of going through the scanner is miniscule compared to the radiation exposure one gets on an airplane (which is also pretty small, but more than walking through the scanner at the airport https://www.scientificamerican.com/...radiation-how-much-health-risk-comes-with-it/ ).

 

[SueM in MN]

Closing thread since the original question was answered and it’s getting into tangents now