Have to wear a medical monitoring device, will be going thru TSA with it

[thestrangebrew1]

My daughter has to wear a heart monitoring device for 30 days to collect some data on some issues she's having, but we fly out to Tx Christmas day. What's the protocal for something like this when going through TSA? Do I need to contact them in advance for anything? Just tell someone when we're lined up about her device? Will they make her take it off? How does something like this work?

 

[Brainonska511]

I think it depends on the device. If it's removable, you could probably remove it for the few minutes the screening will take. If it isn't going to be removed, you'll probably want some sort of medical documentation to grease the screening wheels.

External Medical Devices | Transportation Security Administration

Inform the TSA officer if you have a bone growth stimulator, spinal stimulator, neurostimulator, port, feeding tube, insulin pump, ostomy or other medical device attached to your body and where it is located before the screening process begins. You may provide the officer with the TSA...

www.tsa.gov

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I think it depends on the device. If it's removable, you could probably remove it for the few minutes the screening will take. If it isn't going to be removed, you'll probably want some sort of medical documentation to grease the screening wheels.

External Medical Devices | Transportation Security Administration

Inform the TSA officer if you have a bone growth stimulator, spinal stimulator, neurostimulator, port, feeding tube, insulin pump, ostomy or other medical device attached to your body and where it is located before the screening process begins. You may provide the officer with the TSA...

www.tsa.gov

Yea we'll have to contact her dr. about it. He said only remove it for showers, otherwise keep it on. A few minutes shouldn't hurt just to get through screening though I'm thinking.

 

[Brainonska511]

Yea we'll have to contact her dr. about it. He said only remove it for showers, otherwise keep it on. A few minutes shouldn't hurt just to get through screening though I'm thinking.

Yeah, that's probably what I would do too. Probably easier to just remove it for a few minutes than expect them to understand a medical letter.

 

[blackangst1]

I have had an insulin pump for about 20 years, and I just ask for a pat down. Not that big of a deal.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Something electronic strapped to the body might raise some pretty serious red flags lol. I would probably look at driving instead to be safe. Airports are probably going to be an insane zoo at that time of year anyway. Seems like that amount of stress is not worth it.

I'd also worry they confiscate it, I imagine it's not a cheap device. The TSA are not exactly known for being reasonable or open to any negotiation.

 

[balloonshark]

I have an artificial heart valve that ticks like a time bomb in quiet room.

I've had to wear a Holter monitor for 24 or 48 hours. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/holter-monitor/about/pac-20385039

I'm sure the TSA has seen this device a time or two.

 

[bba-tcg]

I just finished wearing this one: https://www.myheartmonitor.com/device/mcot-patch/ for a month for a heart study about closing a PFO. Not a simple matter of removing it for a few minutes. Each removal required applying a new, very sticky pad. But, I'd have to believe I could've still been manually checked at a TSA checkpoint with it on.

 

[Pohemi]

The last few times I flew, I simply explained to the TSA staff that my insulin pump could not go through the backscatter xray machine, and I needed a manual pat-down. They didn't have any issues with doing it.

I've heard of people obtaining letters from their doctor for traveling when needing special accommodations or for special medical devices, but I've never bothered.

To the OP: find out if there is any risk or danger of the device being exposed to x-ray radiation. If you aren't sure, just don't let her go through the backscatter scanner. They can do a manual wand scan and/or pat-down.

 

[The Stigenator]

Just ask for a pat down - say medical device, and point to it.. it will take a bit longer but it will be fine.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Thanks guys. I watched my wife put the patches on her it didn't seem too difficult but I'm still going to ask for the pat down for her.