Insulin pump and security
Aug 28, 2010 | 12:22 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: SW Rapid Rewards, Hilton Honors, Marriott, Avis First
Posts: 4,831
The ones that I have seen that have been destroyed by the WTMD are the ones that have been worn by other TSA officers. SO it is a fact that the radio waves can disturb them. THe other thing is that the X-ray will not hurt them. THere is only a few things that it will cause calibration issues with. A pump is not one of them. Onto the outcome if you dont remove it. You are going to get searched and more searched and swabbed and then some. I mean its your choice and I am just trying to reduce the hassle factor
Ronda Milhoan didn't expect jury duty to turn into a life-threatening event for her diabetic son.
The 44-year-old Central Point mother couldn't find anyone to take care of 15-year-old Mathew, so she brought him with her to the Jackson County Justice Building in Medford on June 18.
While going through security, she told the guards her son's insulin pump and meter could be damaged by X-rays in the scanner.
"They refused to listen to me when I said this stuff isn't supposed to go through this machinery," she said.
The summons she received for jury duty stated she could face a fine or jail time if she didn't show up, so she decided to risk putting the equipment through the scanner.
"I'm trying to be a mother," she said. "I'm trying to do my civic duty. I was trying to do both at the same time."
Her son's $7,500 pump was damaged along with a $200 meter, she said.
Not aware that the pump was malfunctioning, Mathew received a dangerously high dose of insulin, said Milhoan.
The 44-year-old Central Point mother couldn't find anyone to take care of 15-year-old Mathew, so she brought him with her to the Jackson County Justice Building in Medford on June 18.
While going through security, she told the guards her son's insulin pump and meter could be damaged by X-rays in the scanner.
"They refused to listen to me when I said this stuff isn't supposed to go through this machinery," she said.
The summons she received for jury duty stated she could face a fine or jail time if she didn't show up, so she decided to risk putting the equipment through the scanner.
"I'm trying to be a mother," she said. "I'm trying to do my civic duty. I was trying to do both at the same time."
Her son's $7,500 pump was damaged along with a $200 meter, she said.
Not aware that the pump was malfunctioning, Mathew received a dangerously high dose of insulin, said Milhoan.
If you are going to have an X-ray, CT scan, MRI or any other type of radiation therapy, TAKE YOUR PUMP AND REMOTE CONTROL OFF, and remove them from the treatment area.
Aug 29, 2010 | 9:49 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
Often1 Quote:
Originally Posted by MusicCityMom
I have used a pump for 11 years and have rarely been asked about it. I either have it clipped to my pants or skirt, or in a pocket. It does not alarm.
I would be extremely concerned about wearing it in either type of Xray imager at the airports-the pumps even have a warning sticker about wearing it in radiation devices like an MRI or a CT scanner. The manufacturer,Medtronic, was unable to give me advice as to the safety of the pump in these devices. I have not yet been in an airport with these WBI,but I will not take the chance of it destroying my pump and I also will not take my pump off-it's a medical device,after all.
I also wear a continuous glucose sensor which may not go through Xray either and must stay within 5 feet of my pump. I plan to never fly via Heathrow with their draconian no exception rules to opt out of the WBI.
Don't even get me started about the danger of taking my shoes off on a dirty public floor,unable to protect my feet. Those "shoe covers" are no protection either as they are made of paper.
Insulin pumps cannot be put through the X-Ray. It not only deprograms them, but can destroy their calibration. You should not need to take the device off, but if you do, it should only be for 30-40 seconds and that is far less than it is off when you change infusion sets. If that is of concern, you should double-check with your doc. However, my experience is that even when TSA wants to swab the device for its explosives detection devices, you need not detach the device and they will use a fresh sterile swab to do so.
OK, Eyecue, who do I trust, a TSA employee with no specific training or a person who uses a pump?
You don't help when you practice medicine without license.
Originally Posted by MusicCityMom
I have used a pump for 11 years and have rarely been asked about it. I either have it clipped to my pants or skirt, or in a pocket. It does not alarm.
I would be extremely concerned about wearing it in either type of Xray imager at the airports-the pumps even have a warning sticker about wearing it in radiation devices like an MRI or a CT scanner. The manufacturer,Medtronic, was unable to give me advice as to the safety of the pump in these devices. I have not yet been in an airport with these WBI,but I will not take the chance of it destroying my pump and I also will not take my pump off-it's a medical device,after all.
I also wear a continuous glucose sensor which may not go through Xray either and must stay within 5 feet of my pump. I plan to never fly via Heathrow with their draconian no exception rules to opt out of the WBI.
Don't even get me started about the danger of taking my shoes off on a dirty public floor,unable to protect my feet. Those "shoe covers" are no protection either as they are made of paper.
Insulin pumps cannot be put through the X-Ray. It not only deprograms them, but can destroy their calibration. You should not need to take the device off, but if you do, it should only be for 30-40 seconds and that is far less than it is off when you change infusion sets. If that is of concern, you should double-check with your doc. However, my experience is that even when TSA wants to swab the device for its explosives detection devices, you need not detach the device and they will use a fresh sterile swab to do so.
OK, Eyecue, who do I trust, a TSA employee with no specific training or a person who uses a pump?
You don't help when you practice medicine without license.
Perhaps you may wish to read this news account:
Here is a quote directly from the Medtronic website on safety information:
Emphasis theirs.
Here is a quote directly from the Medtronic website on safety information:
Emphasis theirs.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Sep 1, 2010 at 12:43 am Reason: merge consecutive posts
Aug 30, 2010 | 1:02 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: SW Rapid Rewards, Hilton Honors, Marriott, Avis First
Posts: 4,831
TSOs are not allowed to perform retaliatory secondary screenings, and yet....
Aug 30, 2010 | 6:32 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,730
The manufacturers of the airport x-ray machines may well claim that their devices to not harm electronics, but in all likelihood, there is a fine-print disclaimer saying that the claim does not apply to life-sustaining equipment, medical equipment, etc.
Aug 30, 2010 | 8:17 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 30,971
TSA is a proven liar.
TSA cannot teach its employees to even do simple things like recognize acceptable ID.
TSA is not to be trusted with any important.
Aug 30, 2010 | 8:22 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OOL/DOH
Programs: QF LTS WP, Avis Pres Club, HH Diam.
Posts: 3,190
Aug 30, 2010 | 8:31 am
#37
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
I have used a pump for 11 years and have rarely been asked about it. I either have it clipped to my pants or skirt, or in a pocket. It does not alarm.
I would be extremely concerned about wearing it in either type of Xray imager at the airports-the pumps even have a warning sticker about wearing it in radiation devices like an MRI or a CT scanner. The manufacturer,Medtronic, was unable to give me advice as to the safety of the pump in these devices. I have not yet been in an airport with these WBI,but I will not take the chance of it destroying my pump and I also will not take my pump off-it's a medical device,after all.
I also wear a continuous glucose sensor which may not go through Xray either and must stay within 5 feet of my pump. I plan to never fly via Heathrow with their draconian no exception rules to opt out of the WBI.
Don't even get me started about the danger of taking my shoes off on a dirty public floor,unable to protect my feet. Those "shoe covers" are no protection either as they are made of paper.
I would be extremely concerned about wearing it in either type of Xray imager at the airports-the pumps even have a warning sticker about wearing it in radiation devices like an MRI or a CT scanner. The manufacturer,Medtronic, was unable to give me advice as to the safety of the pump in these devices. I have not yet been in an airport with these WBI,but I will not take the chance of it destroying my pump and I also will not take my pump off-it's a medical device,after all.
I also wear a continuous glucose sensor which may not go through Xray either and must stay within 5 feet of my pump. I plan to never fly via Heathrow with their draconian no exception rules to opt out of the WBI.
Don't even get me started about the danger of taking my shoes off on a dirty public floor,unable to protect my feet. Those "shoe covers" are no protection either as they are made of paper.
Sep 9, 2010 | 9:48 am
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
Actually nothing. But to make this process less disconcerting, TSA is trained to ask the pax to rub his/her palm over the pump and TSA then swabs the palm. Gets TSA what it needs and the pax is less concerned.
Sep 11, 2010 | 7:44 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 9
Another "Your Mileage May Vary"
I've usually had little trouble with my pump except at SMF (Terminal 2, the Southwest terminal with the chronic TSA screamers). I have had the demand to take it off completely (including removing the inserted cannula) and have taken considerable verbal abuse till they would finally produce a Supervisor.
IAD also seems a little clueless. And trying to carry the printout of their supposed policy just seems to inflame the situation.
Little people, given a little power......
Sep 12, 2010 | 3:14 am
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,725
Sorry, I've never run into anyone using this procedure. Any time it's been questioned they insisted on having the device to swab.
I've usually had little trouble with my pump except at SMF (Terminal 2, the Southwest terminal with the chronic TSA screamers). I have had the demand to take it off completely (including removing the inserted cannula) and have taken considerable verbal abuse till they would finally produce a Supervisor.
IAD also seems a little clueless. And trying to carry the printout of their supposed policy just seems to inflame the situation.
Little people, given a little power......
I've usually had little trouble with my pump except at SMF (Terminal 2, the Southwest terminal with the chronic TSA screamers). I have had the demand to take it off completely (including removing the inserted cannula) and have taken considerable verbal abuse till they would finally produce a Supervisor.
IAD also seems a little clueless. And trying to carry the printout of their supposed policy just seems to inflame the situation.
Little people, given a little power......
Nov 4, 2010 | 11:52 am
#41
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
From The Atlantic today
More on Diabetics vs the TSA
An interesting read in that the question of why don't they ever check the pump on the secondary searches since that's what set off the alarm?
More on Diabetics vs the TSA
An interesting read in that the question of why don't they ever check the pump on the secondary searches since that's what set off the alarm?
Nov 4, 2010 | 12:01 pm
#42
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
From The Atlantic today
More on Diabetics vs the TSA
An interesting read in that the question of why don't they ever check the pump on the secondary searches since that's what set off the alarm?
More on Diabetics vs the TSA
An interesting read in that the question of why don't they ever check the pump on the secondary searches since that's what set off the alarm?
Sadly, on the return flight, even though I demanded to go through the back scatter machine (which thoroughly confused the agents--since most everyone was trying to avoid them), I got a pat down.
Nov 4, 2010 | 12:47 pm
#43
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I can just see the look on the smurf's face. This clown wants to go through the machine. He wants to be scanned. Just before they yell Male Pat Down.
If these accounts are even half true, it just proves the entire theater image
If these accounts are even half true, it just proves the entire theater image
Nov 22, 2010 | 7:45 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
Just wanted to add that Amy Tenderich at the diabetes blog DiabeteMine.com covered this topic this morning: http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/11/...lin-pumps.html
Nov 22, 2010 | 10:55 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 616
I'm still confused about whether the new scanners will damage the pump or not. I refuse to send it through the x-ray machine because Animas specifically says not to do that.
If I get selected for the NoS, I might as well take the pat down. The pump is going to show up and most likely get me the pat down anyway. I'm still curious if the NoS will damage the pump. I haven't heard anything verifying it either way.
If I get selected for the NoS, I might as well take the pat down. The pump is going to show up and most likely get me the pat down anyway. I'm still curious if the NoS will damage the pump. I haven't heard anything verifying it either way.