Your guide to traveling with an insulin pump

 
Flight plan for patients with diabetes.jpg

Planning on traveling overseas? Flying overseas, or even within Australia can be a little more complicated for patients with diabetes. Find out supplies to take with you, and how to pack for your flight with our hand checklist.

How to plan for your flight:

  • See your diabetes team 4-6 weeks before travelling:

    • Discuss insulin doses

    • Get a travel letter for airport security

    • Plan in case of pump failure, sick days, hypos

    • Set an in-flight management plan

    • Teach your travel companion to inject glucagon

  • See your doctor (GP)

    • Get a health summary letter

    • Make sure you have all your immunisations

  • Take out Travel Insurance

    • Include hospital & medical cover

    • Consider insuring your insulin pump

    • Carry contact details with you

  • Diabetes alert bracelet

  • Pack diabetes supplies (see next checklist).

Diabetes Supplies:

  • Pack 1 week’s supply in carry-on, the rest in check in (except insulin - pack all insulin in carry-on luggage ONLY).

  • Blood glucose meters, with glucose & ketone strips & lancets

  • Insulin (short & long lasting)

  • Pump supplies: cartridges, infusion sets & batteries

  • Spare pump (if possible)

  • Documentation of current pump settings

  • Hypo kit (glucose tablets + glucagon)

  • Syringes, insulin pens, needles

  • Snacks

  • CGMS supplies

Before the flight:

  • 12 hours before the flight: Change pump cartridge, line, site & battery (it is hard to change a pump site on a moving plane)

  • Pre-ordering airline meals: Do not order “diabetes meals”. these are designed for Type 2 diabetes and may be very low in carbohydrates

  • Airport security: Your pump and/or CGMS can not be full body scanned, scanned by wand or go through hand luggage x-ray. Notify security that you are wearing a pump or CGMS. You can request a pat-down instead.

  • Keep your doctor’s letter with you and leave insulin vials in their packaging with printed pharmacy labels in your hand luggage.

During the flight:

  • Drink lots of water

  • Check you Blood Glucose Level (BGL) every 2 hours

  • Eat at their meal times

  • Sleep when they turn the lights down

  • If you cross time lines during the flight, changes the pump’s clock to match what you are doing (ie. before eating dinner, changes pump clock to your usual dinner time, before sleeping, change to your bed time).

  • When the plane has landed, change pump clock to local time

  • Stay awake throughout the day to avoid jet lag

Pumps on planes

Pressure changes when flying will affect insulin delivery from your pump. You will need to:

  • Only have 1.5mls of insulin in the pump for travel

  • Disconnect the pump just before take off

  • 30 mins after take off: the plane should be at cruising altitude. Take the cartridge out of the pump and remove any bubbles. You can then reconnect and use the pump.

  • If there is an emergency: immediately put oxygen mask on and disconnect the pump. Within 2 hours, check the cartridge for bubbles before reconnecting the pump or give long acting insulin.

What if I get sick while I’m away?

Develop a sick day plan with your diabetes team.

Some general tips include:

Change pump cartridge, line and site if:

  1. unwell

  2. ketones > 1.5

  3. your BGL is not coming down

  • Check BGL and ketones every 2 hours

    • Give corrections for BGLs

    • Use temporary basal rates as directed

  • Drink plenty of water

  • If concerned, see a doctor or contact your diabetes team.

 
Sydney Endocrinology, Diabetes EducationKatherine TonksSydney Endocrinology