I have been a type 1 for 55 years although undiagnosed for 5 years before. I recently flew out of Stansted Airport and had considerable problems and delay due to not being able to go through the walk through scanners. They were most unhelpful and didn't understand why I couldn't use the scanners despite producing Medical Device Awareness Card. I would be interested to hear if others have faced the same problems.
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Libre freestyle 2 sensors
- Thread starter cag
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Satan’s little helper
Well-Known Member
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- Type 1
Here’s the info that suggests you can from Abbott.
www.freestyle.abbott
Though, I was hospital xray’d a while back & the Libre was fine. Literally pressed against the device.
Can I pass through security airport scanner with a FreeStyle Libre sensor?
The FreeStyle Libre reader and the FreeStyle Libre sensor can be exposed to common electrostatic (ESD) and electromagnetic interference (EMI), including airport metal detectors. You can keep your FreeStyle Libre sensor on while going through these. However, the FreeStyle Libre reader and the...
www.freestyle.abbott
Though, I was hospital xray’d a while back & the Libre was fine. Literally pressed against the device.
I have never had any issues with a CGM (including Libre) and the airport scanners.
I am slightly more cautious wrt to my insulin pump but, when I had a tubed pump, I would disconnect the pump and go through all scanners with my Libre.
This is not possible with my current patch pump. I have been "encouraged" to go through the full body scanner with my pump and always declined the offer which has resulted in a couple of unprofessional responses from the security guys which I have always reported. But, in most cases, they accept that I can chose to be patted down and use the hand scanner. There may be a delay finding someone to do this so I always give myself extra time at the airport to ensure I am not delayed for the flight.
As I travel for work, I take more flights than most. Two security issues with diabetes in probably 50 flights with a pump is more than I would like (and the reason why I give myself extra time) but shows that, overall, it is not too bad.
However, I would emphasise the point that this is for my pump. A Libre has not needed to be treated specially.
I am slightly more cautious wrt to my insulin pump but, when I had a tubed pump, I would disconnect the pump and go through all scanners with my Libre.
This is not possible with my current patch pump. I have been "encouraged" to go through the full body scanner with my pump and always declined the offer which has resulted in a couple of unprofessional responses from the security guys which I have always reported. But, in most cases, they accept that I can chose to be patted down and use the hand scanner. There may be a delay finding someone to do this so I always give myself extra time at the airport to ensure I am not delayed for the flight.
As I travel for work, I take more flights than most. Two security issues with diabetes in probably 50 flights with a pump is more than I would like (and the reason why I give myself extra time) but shows that, overall, it is not too bad.
However, I would emphasise the point that this is for my pump. A Libre has not needed to be treated specially.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
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Sorry to hear you have had difficulties at airport security @cag
I’ve always just apologetically asked for a pat-down / wand / swab of my devices, saying that I know they‘ve seen hundreds of people go through the scanners with no ill effects, but that the companies won’t guarantee that their devices are ’safe‘ to go through, and since these things are keeping me alive (I wear an insulin pump as well as CGM) and I’m about to be 30,000 feet in the air, and then in a foreign country I am just going to follow the manufacturer’s advice.
I’ve never had a problem taking this approach, and apologising up front for being the ‘problem person’ of their day - though I realise that perhaps I’ve just been lucky in the security staff I’ve come into contact with.
FWIW, as far as I’m away the ‘archway’ detectors are fine, it’s only the full body scanners that seem to be more of a theoretical concern.
I’ve always just apologetically asked for a pat-down / wand / swab of my devices, saying that I know they‘ve seen hundreds of people go through the scanners with no ill effects, but that the companies won’t guarantee that their devices are ’safe‘ to go through, and since these things are keeping me alive (I wear an insulin pump as well as CGM) and I’m about to be 30,000 feet in the air, and then in a foreign country I am just going to follow the manufacturer’s advice.
I’ve never had a problem taking this approach, and apologising up front for being the ‘problem person’ of their day - though I realise that perhaps I’ve just been lucky in the security staff I’ve come into contact with.
FWIW, as far as I’m away the ‘archway’ detectors are fine, it’s only the full body scanners that seem to be more of a theoretical concern.
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