Diabetes & Travel

Diabetes & Travel

As summer and the festive season approaches, our minds turn to packing our bags and heading to far off locations. Diabetes shouldn’t take the fun out of travel, but it does mean you need to do some extra planning.

Travel Checklist

• See your diabetes health professional (GP, diabetes educator, or endocrinologist) 2-3 months prior to your trip. Consider:
  • Vaccinations
  • Prescriptions
  • Insulin dose adjustments – consider how you will manage changing time zones if applicable
  • Sick day management plan
  • A letter outlining:
    • Type of diabetes
    • Medications/ insulin
    • Diabetes devices and requirements for airport security (read more on this below)
    • Supplies carried
    • Details of health care team

• What to pack
  • Paperwork – NDSS card, letter from your doctor, prescriptions, emergency contacts
  • Pack more medication/ insulin and other supplies than you think you will need. Consider:
    • Medication
    • Insulin
    • Syringes/ pen needles or pump consumables
    • CGM supplies
    • Lancets
    • BGL meter
    • Glucose strips
    • Ketone strips, if required
    • Glucagon, if required
    • Sick day management plan
    • Sharps container
    • Hypo treatment, if required

• Pack your diabetes supplies in your carry-on luggage rather than checked luggage to avoid extreme temperatures. If possible, split your supplies into two bags in case one goes missing.
• Wear medical identification that says you have diabetes
• You may wish to pack some additional carbohydrate foods in case meals contain less than you expect. Wait until your meal is in front of you before blousing your mealtime insulin in case there are delays.
• If travelling internationally, consider travel insurance and make sure pre-existing conditions are covered or check if the country you are visiting has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.

Travelling with diabetes technology

Travelling with diabetes technology can add an extra layer of complexity when it comes to getting through airport security. We have recently heard from some of our members that they have experienced challenges when it comes to getting through airport security. In consultation with Diabetes Australia and the diabetes technology companies, we aim to ensure security staff at Adelaide airport are aware of the screening requirements for people using diabetes technology. We also want to empower our members to be confident in what they can ask for when it comes to going through airport security.

While fundamental security screening processes are similar across all Australian airports, each airport has its own procedures in place and varying security screening equipment in use. Visit TravelSECURE for more information on this.

At Adelaide Airport both the walk-through metal detector and body scanner are in use for screening of passengers, and Multiview X-Ray and CT X-Ray for screening of personal belongings and carry-on luggage. Diabetes technology devices are fine to go through the metal detector. However, most devices cannot go through the body scanner and if your pump has been removed it should not go through the X-Ray machine. Spare sensors and transmitters should be carried in a clear plastic bag and given to the security staff for inspection.

It is important to note that body scanners are not active until the passenger is standing in the correct position and the screening officer presses the button to activate the scanner. Therefore, it is ok to walk through a body scanner to get to the other side of the screening area if necessary.

If you aren’t sure, the following table explains which screening measures the different devices can and can’t go through.

*For more information on specific devices speak with your diabetes health professional or contact the company directly

The Department of Home Affairs advise the following process for any passenger who presents with a medical device attached to their body:

1. Present to a screening officer at a passenger screening point.
2. Indicate that you have a medical device attached to your person and require an alternate screening process.
3. Produce a medical letter stating as such when requested.
4. On the presentation of a medical letter, the passenger will be presented with an option in line with guidance provided in the medical letter.

Alternative screening measures may be a hand-held metal detector, explosive trace detection test and frisk search. If you do not wish to discuss this at the screening checkpoint, or you would like any additional screening to be undertaken privately, you can request a private room and a screening officer of the same gender.

Adelaide airport have a hidden disabilities program in which you can access a sunflower lanyard to wear at the airport as a discreet way for you to indicate to the airport staff that you have some additional requirements. Airport staff are trained to recognise the lanyard and provide the assistance you may need. For more information on the sunflower lanyard and other similar programs at airports across Australia visit the airport website here.

For more information speak with your health care team or contact the Diabetes SA support line on 1300 198 204.

With some additional planning and the support of your diabetes health care team you will be off on your way, enjoying new adventures, while staying safe and well. Happy travels!