Traveling With Type 1 Diabetes

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Is your mind spinning with details when just thinking about travel?

How to get there? Where to stay? What will it cost? What are the food options? What activities or sights to see? What clothes to pack for the climate? Who will water the plants and take care of the pets?

All of my diabetic supplies are packed all the time.

Yes, I keep my bags packed and ready to go because really, who wants to worry about another thing when you have so many other details to coordinate before travel?

I travel frequently, and often for long lengths of time. Due to this, I’ve developed a 3-tier packing system based on the amount of time I’ll be traveling.

The System I’ve Developed

• A small eBags packing cube to carry 2-14 days worth of supplies
• A carry-on business shoulder bag for up to 3 months of travel
• A carry-on roller suitcase for all of my remaining diabetic supplies (This is what I use when traveling for more than 3 months and for international moves.)

Plan Your Supplies

When starting to plan, always account for double the supplies that you would normally use at home.

For example, over 7 days at home, I would use 2-3 insulin pump infusion sets depending on when I last changed it. For 7 days of travel, I’d pack 4-6 infusion sets.

If you might not need an item during your time of travel (for example, a Dexcom transmitter that should last for 3 months), pack a spare just in case.

I use both an insulin pump and Dexcom CGM, so your necessary and preferred supplies may be different than mine. Here is what I pack for a 7-day trip:

DEXCOM:

• Dexcom Transmitter (spare)
• Dexcom Sensors (2)
• Dexcom Receiver (if you use one)
• Charging cord for Dexcom receiver (and adapters if needed)
• Opsite Flexifix, precut to fit over Dexcom Transmitter (4)
• Skin Tac wipes (4)
• Uni-Solve wipes (4)

PUMP:

• Pump Infusion sets (4-6)
• Infusion set inserter (if you use one)
• Pump reservoirs (2-3)
• Extra battery or charging cord for pump
• Spare parts if your pump comes with them (battery cover, collar, etc)
• Pump carrying methods (holster, waist belt, thigh belt, etc)

GENERAL:

• Emergency syringes (4)
• Emergency Lancets (2)
• Frio Cooling Wallet (Large)
• Alcohol wipes (8)
• Glucose tablets (1 bottle of 50)
• Test strips (1 bottle open, 1 extra)
• BG Meter
• Extra battery for BG Meter
• Lancing device

Since I keep all of this packed, I just need to soak the Frio Cooling Wallet in water for a few minutes and grab the refrigerated items, which are stored in a Ziploc bag:

• Insulin (2 bottles)
• Glucagon Pen

If you use injections and don’t use a CGM, your list of supplies to pack will be much shorter.

If you don’t travel frequently, but want to organize your supplies so they’re easily accessible, you can use this list to pack a small bag of necessities for general pump and CGM changes. It’s a great grab-and-go solution, even at home. Take it to work, take it to school. It’s your mobile transition pack: bigger than the daily meter/CGM/insulin pack that you inevitably carry, but just a portion of the supply stockpile that we all have at home.

Airline Travel Tips

Remember to pack all of your medical supplies in your carry-on luggage. If you’re traveling for an extended period of time and have an entire bag just of medical supplies, tell the check-in agent who will note in your record that you have an extra carry on due to medical necessity.

I also tell security personnel that my medical bag will be coming through the scanner. I ask for a pat-down and never put my pump or CGM receiver through any metal detector or scanner. This is personal preference, and I’ve heard others pass through the scanners with no problems. I’d rather not take the chance of causing a pump or CGM malfunction when traveling.

You may also choose to carry a note from your doctor stating type 1 diabetes and your need for access to certain supplies and medications at all times. I’ve had this letter before, but luckily never needed it.

And don’t forget to change the time on your devices for your new destination. This can be tricky when flying over many time zones and following unusual meal times. It’s generally recommended to change to your destination time as soon as you get on the plane but use your own sleep and meal schedule as the determining factor.

For most people, on most trips, a week or two of supplies will be sufficient. If you pack well, there’s no reason for your supplies to take a ton of room in your carry-on. It’s one less thing to worry about, so you can focus on your upcoming adventure.

Bon voyage and happy travels!

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