Tips for Traveling with Diabetes
Making your way through an airport with diabetes is not an easy task. Here’s our best tips to get through TSA and reducing the stress of traveling. Please remember this is not medical advice and to consult your doctor to find a traveling plan that works for you.
Packing List
Bring the amount of supplies you’ll need for the period of time you will be gone plus 3 or more days worth of extra supplies. You never know what could happen during your trip and you’d rather have extras than scramble to get a prescription in a different city.
Extra batteries for your medical device or your pump charger.
Backup needles/syringes in case anything happens to your pump.
A backup meter and test strips if you have a CGM.
Hypo snacks. Avoid juice or liquids so you can take them in your carry on.
If you’re traveling somewhere warm, bring ice packs to take with you to the beach. Ziplock bags are also a good idea so you can put your pump in the bag when you’re around water.
Traveling Abroad
You can contact your pump company and see if they will send you a “loner” pump for the amount of time that you will be out of the country.
Download the Google Translate app and save the language of the country that you will be traveling to. Save phrases such as “I am insulin dependant”, “I have Type x Diabetes”, etc.
Pack all or most of your supplies in your carry-on. In the case that your luggage gets lost, you could be without supplies for a couple of days.
Getting Through Airport Security
Insulin cannot go through the x-ray machine at the security gate. It also should not go in your checked bag because it can be very cold in the part of the plane that they store the bags. Put your insulin in a ziplock or small bag and have it easily accessible. When you get to security, take it out of your bag, hand it to the agent by the x-ray machines and tell them it cannot go through. They will take it to the other end and test it for traces of explosives.
I have heard differing opinions on going through the body scanner with your pump but I personally have not had an issue with it. I go through it with my pump visible. When I step through, they ask me to touch it and do a quick test on my fingers for traces of explosives. Then, I go to the end and ask an agent for my bag of insulin that was also tested.
If you feel uncomfortable going through the body scanner, tell an agent that you are “opting-out”. They will have you stand off to the side and an agent will come to get you to do a full-body pat-down. It sometimes takes a bit longer and is helpful if you are traveling with someone so they can grab your bags but I have done this traveling alone and it works out fine.
General Tips
Elevation can have an impact on blood sugar and can affect people differently. If you are traveling somewhere much higher or lower in elevation than where you live, talk to your doctor about what to expect and what you can do to limit extreme highs and/or lows on vacation.
It’s vacation, try to enjoy yourself even if you are having a hard time with your blood sugars! All you can do is your best. Take note of how new foods and experiences are affecting you but don’t let it limit you from trying new things.
Traveling alone is totally possible for a diabetic. Just take the necessary steps to prepare yourself for your trip.
Consult your doctor!