Flying via Heathrow (body scanner)

[Chas C]

I fly quite a lot, last weekend was the first time that I'd approached the security check in term 2 to be faced with a body scanner.

I told the staff that I had an insulin pump and did not want to go through the body scanner, they asked me to step to one side then the manager came over and asked me "has the manufacturer told you not to go through a body scanner" I told him yes.

I did not offer to disconnect the pump and they did not ask me, if they did I was going to tell them that I might damage the cannula and therefore it was not safe to do this, but didn't need too.

I was allowed to bypass the Scanner and was hand searched, scanned and pump was swabbed. This was no different for me than the old metal detectors (other than I would walk through them) as with two replacement hips and a pump I always set off the alarms

 

[Chas C]

Update, your now asked to remove your pump and walk through the body scanner. If you decline then your taken to a sepeate room, body searched and your bags emptied and swabbed (all very amicable).

In future I will remove my pump and walk through the scanner.

Does anyone know if any pumps are formally approved by manufacturers for body scanners yet ?

There are now body scanners on all desks, first you go through a metal detector, if you fail (with your pump or CGM) then your asked to go through the scanner. If you pass the metal detector then your told to bypass the scanner.

 

[philchap1]

Update, your now asked to remove your pump and walk through the body scanner. If you decline then your taken to a sepeate room, body searched and your bags emptied and swabbed (all very amicable).

In future I will remove my pump and walk through the scanner.

Does anyone know if any pumps are formally approved by manufacturers for body scanners yet ?

There are now body scanners on all desks, first you go through a metal detector, if you fail (with your pump or CGM) then your asked to go through the scanner. If you pass the metal detector then your told to bypass the scanner.

Flew from Cardiff a couple of weeks ago, had read before that it was ok to walk through the scanner, told security about my pump and they told me to walk through they then took a swab from the pump and patted me down, pump was fine afterwards, coming back from Spain no swab but the lady looking at the hand luggage wanted to know what my blood glucose machine was lol

 

[Chas C]

Flew from Cardiff a couple of weeks ago, had read before that it was ok to walk through the scanner, told security about my pump and they told me to walk through they then took a swab from the pump and patted me down, pump was fine afterwards, coming back from Spain no swab but the lady looking at the hand luggage wanted to know what my blood glucose machine was lol

Hi @philchap1 did you just read someone else did it or did you see it from a manufacturer. It does concern me about longer term damage.

Initially 5 yrs ago they used to say the same about the walk through metal detectors but changed.

 

[philchap1]

I'm sure I read it on this site.

 

[Postleneo]

Update, your now asked to remove your pump and walk through the body scanner. If you decline then your taken to a sepeate room, body searched and your bags emptied and swabbed (all very amicable).

In future I will remove my pump and walk through the scanner.

Does anyone know if any pumps are formally approved by manufacturers for body scanners yet ?

There are now body scanners on all desks, first you go through a metal detector, if you fail (with your pump or CGM) then your asked to go through the scanner. If you pass the metal detector then your told to bypass the scanner.

I am due to be flying to Jamaica this comming weekend. I know that the X-ray machines are a no no with a pump and can appreciate a request to disconnect my pump and go through the body scanner but I also use the dexcom G4 cgm... Does anybody know if the dexcom is safe to go through a body scanner or will I have to undergo the full body search etc as removing the transmitter will be much more awkward than disconnecting my pump

 

[Chas C]

I am due to be flying to Jamaica this comming weekend. I know that the X-ray machines are a no no with a pump and can appreciate a request to disconnect my pump and go through the body scanner but I also use the dexcom G4 cgm... Does anybody know if the dexcom is safe to go through a body scanner or will I have to undergo the full body search etc as removing the transmitter will be much more awkward than disconnecting my pump

I would say if your uncomfortable removing pump or concerned about your dexcom then allow 10 mins for a body search.

 

[philchap1]

Hi @philchap1 did you just read someone else did it or did you see it from a manufacturer. It does concern me about longer term damage.

Initially 5 yrs ago they used to say the same about the walk through metal detectors but changed.

Just read pump must not go through body or luggage scanner but ok through Walk through metal detector, which is what I went through.

 

[Chas C]

Just read pump must not go through body or luggage scanner but ok through Walk through metal detector, which is what I went through.

Ah I was talking about going through a body scanner or not as the case was.

 

[philchap1]

Ah I was talking about going through a body scanner or not as the case was.

So it's a no lol

 

[fmacd]

I fly quite a lot, last weekend was the first time that I'd approached the security check in term 2 to be faced with a body scanner.

I told the staff that I had an insulin pump and did not want to go through the body scanner, they asked me to step to one side then the manager came over and asked me "has the manufacturer told you not to go through a body scanner" I told him yes.

I did not offer to disconnect the pump and they did not ask me, if they did I was going to tell them that I might damage the cannula and therefore it was not safe to do this, but didn't need too.

I was allowed to bypass the Scanner and was hand searched, scanned and pump was swabbed. This was no different for me than the old metal detectors (other than I would walk through them) as with two replacement hips and a pump I always set off the alarms

Like you I fly a lot and there's a good chance you'll be exposed to the body scanners depending on where you're flying to. Simplest thing is to just ask your Diabetes specialist to write you a note saying that you mustn't be scanned because of your pump and then they'll do it manually. Mmmm.

 

[Ann48]

I've flown lots of times since being on the pump 5 years and have had some difficult experiences, especially in the early days. I always show the letter from the hospital stating I cannot go through the body scanner. I normally disconnect and walk through. I worry that when they take the pump away to be swabbed, they could drop it then would it be covered by my insurance.

 

[Ann48]

I've flown lots of times since being on the pump 5 years and have had some difficult experiences, especially in the early days. I always show the letter from the hospital stating I cannot go through the body scanner. I normally disconnect and walk through. I worry that when they take the pump away to be swabbed, they could drop it then would it be covered by my insurance.

Last year I left my hand luggage on the belt to be scanned, I was asked to remove my shoes and the pump. I was then taken off to another belt to be checked over, when I went back I couldn't find my shoes. So there I was in bare feet trying to locate my shoes, which had been put on an entirely different belt.

 

[Chas C]

Like you I fly a lot and there's a good chance you'll be exposed to the body scanners depending on where you're flying to. Simplest thing is to just ask your Diabetes specialist to write you a note saying that you mustn't be scanned because of your pump and then they'll do it manually. Mmmm.

Thanks - I'd already done that

 

[Chas C]

I worry that when they take the pump away to be swabbed, they could drop it then would it be covered by my insurance.

Mine would too but would not help my trip or holiday if they dropped it.

 

[Deleted Account]

Mine would too but would not help my trip or holiday if they dropped it.

Does your pump manufacturer provide a loaner pump for trips away?
Animas do and I usually take them up on this offer so I have a spare.
It sealed (and can only be opened following a call with them) and is not set up for me so I also have to make a note of my settings but I would rather have to do this than risk breaking/losing my pump and have to go back to injecting especially when I am in a strange place.

 

[Chas C]

Does your pump manufacturer provide a loaner pump for trips away?

No

 

[Ann48]

Does your pump manufacturer provide a loaner pump for trips away?
Animas do and I usually take them up on this offer so I have a spare.
It sealed (and can only be opened following a call with them) and is not set up for me so I also have to make a note of my settings but I would rather have to do this than risk breaking/losing my pump and have to go back to injecting especially when I am in a strange place.

Hi, Medtronic do offer a loan, but you have to give them a lot of notice. Will try, just need to remember to take setting with me.