  
For years, people with diabetes traveling on air flights
have been warned not to pack their diabetes supplies
in checked baggage. With flight delays, lost or late
luggage, fear of freezing insulin and other concerns,
this advice still holds true.
With the tighter airline security, however, now in place at airports
everywhere throughout the world, there is more scrutiny
of carry-on baggage to eliminate the carrying on weapons
or items that might be used as a weapon. Although an
insulin syringe could hardly be viewed as a knife, box cutter,
or weapon, there is every reason that the Type 1
insulin-dependent person with diabetes must have his or her
diabetes supplies at all times. This is especially true
on a long flight the where an insulin injection is essential.
To avoid potential problems on check-in at the airport, one
should bring the original packaging with the pharmacy label
on all their insulin, syringes, lancing devices and other supplies.
With the patient's name on the label, security personnel can
quickly verify that the person should be carrying these items.
In some instances, the airline may ask you to check your
syringes with the flight attendants until you need them. In addition,
different airlines have different policies with regard to carrying syringes,
so it is a good idea to call in advance to ask about specific regulations.
Some people with diabetes also take along glucagon for emergency
situations in which they must quickly raise blood glucose levels.
Glucagon is injected with a syringe and the same guidelines apply:
that is carry both the glucagon & its syringes with the
original pharmacy label with your name on it.
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