You need not give up flying if you are suffering from diabetes; all you need is some time for extra preparations. You must be prepared for security screening at the airport. Once screened, diabetes related supplies and equipments are allowed through the checkpoint. Inform screeners if you are wearing a surgically entrenched Insulin pump that cannot be removed from your body and ask the screener to visually inspect the insulin pump.

Tell them to inspect the pump personally to avoid any discomfiture of going through the metal detector. You must make them aware of your disease and they can do a physical pat down. However, if they insist on removing feel free to tell them in detail about the surgical procedure and the needle inserted in your body. Make them aware of your problem and ask for their cooperation.

The flight crew must be well informed of your diabetic situation if you have repeated episodes of Hypoglycemia, so they can take appropriate measures in case of any emergency. But if you are on an insulin Pump make sure that it contains adequate insulin. In whichever way you are carrying insulin, be it vials, injections or Pump, it must be clearly labeled.

Don’t pack all your diabetes supply in the baggage to be checked. The checked baggage is subjected to very low temperatures that might harm insulin; moreover there are many cases of losing your baggage. So you must take adequate amount of insulin, syringes in your carry bag or purse.

Following Diabetes relates supplies and equipment can be carried through the checkpoint once the screening is over:

1- Urine testing strips.
2- Glucagons emergency kit.
3- Adequate pump supplies that include extra tube, infusion kits, battery, catheter, needles and things necessary for cleaning the pump. Added to these an extra supply of short-acting insulin that can be used in case the pump fails.
4- All the prescription medication.
5- Insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products – box of individual vial or vials, pens, jet injectors, infusers, syringes loaded with Insulin.
6- Unlimited number of unused syringes.
7- Lancets, blood glucose meter, blood glucose meter testing strips, battery and alcohol swabs for cleaning.
8- Duplicate supplies taken in separate bags.

The in-flight meals don’t have specific diabetic meals so go for a vegetarian meal containing complex carbohydrate like rice or pasta. Moreover, you must keep some snacks or rapid acting carbohydrates as a diabetic bar or some fruits with you in case of any emergency.

All you need to go for a vacation is to pack your bags well, reach the airport on time and be prepared for an emergency. Once your homework is complete you can have loads of fun. The Transportation Security Administration section of the Department of Homeland Security has some excellent tips on air traveling with diabetes.