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Freestyle Libre - airport security?

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

Lisa Parker

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Has anyone had any problems taking sensors and reader through security at Gatwick airport?I'm travelling for the first time since beginning to use sensors and wondered if the X-ray equipment might damage them??Abbott advised me not to wear a sensor on the plane for security reasons but I would still like use them on holiday. Are there any problems with swimming or heat ????
Thanks
Lisa Parker
 
I've worn sensors through Gatwick security and overseas, without issue anywhere. I've even had a pat down at Gatwick with the sensor on my arm, and not even mentioned. It continued to function, as expected.

Have a great trip.
 
I've never had a problem with mine going through the X-ray machines, and the sensor attached to my arm went through countless airport style archways at cruise terminals, and the actual airport one on the way home, and carried on working fine.
 
I've not been through airport security wearing one but did get questioned going through security at the O2 arena! I just showed the guy how it worked and he was happy with that.
 
We went in Feb. I dont have one I wear on my person, but a young boy went through security just before me and his mum told the staff about it before he went in the scanner. He was scanned and it beeped, they then did the little scanner thing , and the pat down and it was fine.
Make sure you have your normal letter and all that and i think you will be fine. Depends where you are flying though too I think as I read about a boy coming back from Thailand having issues, but mainly because they couldnt speak the same language.
 
I've worn mine to travel through airport security numerous times, and it hasn't been a problem, there or ok the planes, at all. Just make sure you have your letter with you just in case x
 
I've worn sensors through Gatwick security and overseas, without issue anywhere. I've even had a pat down at Gatwick with the sensor on my arm, and not even mentioned. It continued to function, as expected.

Have a great trip.
Thank you for this. Very reassuring.
 
I've never had a problem with mine going through the X-ray machines, and the sensor attached to my arm went through countless airport style archways at cruise terminals, and the actual airport one on the way home, and carried on working fine.
Thank you for the info
 
We went in Feb. I dont have one I wear on my person, but a young boy went through security just before me and his mum told the staff about it before he went in the scanner. He was scanned and it beeped, they then did the little scanner thing , and the pat down and it was fine.
Make sure you have your normal letter and all that and i think you will be fine. Depends where you are flying though too I think as I read about a boy coming back from Thailand having issues, but mainly because they couldnt speak the same language.
Thanks. This really helps.
 
Thank you for this. Very reassuring.

Thinking about your plans further; I might be more inclined to actually wear sensor going through security. That way. if there is any question over it, you can demo how it works. A bunch of components in a box might be harder to explain, if required.

Obviously, you'll decide for yourself. I'm just sharing my thinking.
 
Hi,
This is all useful to know. I vaguely remember something about speaking to the airline before you fly - would mentioning it before going through security be sufficient, do you think? (Rather than phone/email in advance...) Also, I have all of my prescription bits on my flight letter from my DSN at the hospital but the Libre sensor/scanner aren't mentioned on there (nor is my sharps box). Would it be worth getting these added? My first 'abroad' trip is to Ireland so explaining it shouldn't be a problem, and my next (braver) trip is to Italy...I've learnt 'I am diabetic' as an explanation but it being on the letter could help in case of any issue.
 
I looked at this thread because I will be travelling on Eurostar in the next few days. People here are saying "just have your letter with you". What letter is that? What have I missed?
 
I looked at this thread because I will be travelling on Eurostar in the next few days. People here are saying "just have your letter with you". What letter is that? What have I missed?
Travellers with diabetes who are on insulin are advised to carry a letter from their doctor or DSN stating that they need to carry insulin ( and the necessary sharps etc) on their person at all times.
N.B. GPs tend to charge for these letters, but you can often persuade your nurse to issue one free, on headed stationary, which does the trick.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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