As a new calendar year begins, so does a new year of travel. Packing for traveling can be confusing for anyone, let alone someone with diabetes. Considering what to pack, what not to pack, and what might be thrown away by transportation security becomes an endless game of questioning.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is proud to provide travel tips developed in conjunction with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). These tips will help ensure the safety and convenience of travelers with diabetes, while also keeping the traveling community as a whole safe and on-time. ADA continues to work with TSA to develop airport security checkpoint guidelines and protocol to ensure that passengers with diabetes are able to safely board with diabetes supplies and equipment.

Notify the security screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened:

•       Insulin and insulin-related products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers, and preloaded syringes) that are clearly identified and labeled.

•      Unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication.

•       Lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter-testing solutions.

•       Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle).

•       Glucagon emergency kit clearly identified and labeled.

•       Urine ketone test strips.

•       Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.

For a complete list of guidelines and tips for traveling with diabetes supplies, please click here.

This article originally appeared in the January 2006 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.