** I am not a medical professional. I’m a mom and wife of Type One Diabetics. This post is simply my experience of what has worked for my family when we travel as a family of diabetics. I hope some of these tips can help you! As always, consult your medical professional for any medical questions.
We’ve traveled a handful of times since my son (5 years old) was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in January 2021. I finally feel like I’m getting the hang of what to bring and how to always make sure we’re prepared for any diabetic emergencies. If you’re traveling, and I’m mostly talking about flying, with a child who has diabetes for the first time it may seem a little daunting. But I promise it isn’t. It’s methodical, but it’s not scary. And I hope this post can help alleviate some of that anxiety for you.
What to pack:
- I always pack enough Dexcom sensors, Omnipod pods and insulin for a week longer than our scheduled trip.
- Bring long acting insulin and fast acting insulin pens, even if you’re on a pump, just in case.
- Extra glucose tablets.
- Alcohol swabs.
- Adhesive remover.
- Overlay patches and stickers.
- Glucometer, needles and strips.
- Basically bring your entire medicine cabinet. LOL Better safe than sorry.
I love our Myabetic bag for travel. I got such a large one because both my son and husband are diabetics, so it fits both of their diabetic supplies. We also have a medical ID patch and a T1D patch to stick on the front of the bag. I find that it’s easier to have a labeled bag to carry all of the diabetic supplies in. That way it’s very recognizable when you go through TSA security.
Speaking of TSA:
It’s really not hard to get your diabetic supplies through TSA security. Obviously, look at the TSA regulations, speak to your doctor, etc. Again, this is just my experience.
I always bring a letter from our endocrinologist stating that my son is a T1D and that he needs his medical supplies. Your endo will absolutely know what letter you’re referring to if you ask for one. I have NEVER been asked for or needed this letter, but I do like to have an updated one, just in case.
TSA is required to let you bring ANYTHING you need for diabetes through security. This includes your medical supplies, as well as anything else (food or drink of any size) you may need. For example, you can bring a bottle of apple juice through that’s larger than 3.4 oz. Not all TSA agents are created equal, so you may have more explaining to do if the TSA agent isn’t knowledgable, but it’s important to know your rights. This is where I suggest looking at the TSA website. Just don’t expect that every agent knows the rules. Remember, patience and kindness will get you far.
My son opts out of the x-ray machine as well. To my knowledge, it’s not good for the Dexcom, Omnipod, Riley Link or PDM to go through the x-ray machine. This really doesn’t take too much extra time. Just explain that your child has a medical device, and needs a pat down instead.
Whatever you do…
Never pack diabetes supplies in your checked luggage. Always bring it all with you as a carry-on. You never know what will happen to your luggage, and diabetes supplies (and your life) are way too expensive and important to risk losing anything.
What to expect:
This hasn’t happened to us so much, but I’ve been told that blood sugar levels can fluctuate A LOT during travel, for whatever reason. I always make sure to have food that my T1D will eat, and I have food that’s good for bringing up blood sugars too (e.g. fruit strips). I bring food that will last me long after the airport because you never know how long you’re going to be in an airport or on an airplane. Delays happen all the time.
As long as you’re prepared, you’re set. Diabetes is not going to change your travel plans drastically, but it’s important to be informed and ready to handle the highs and lows that diabetes and travel tend to throw at you.
What are some tips you have for traveling with diabetes? I’d love to know your tips and tricks! Leave them in the comments.
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