[Sca-cooks] Fw: [EK] OT: FYI - Diabetes & Travel

[Phlip]

This is fairly off topic, but since I know we have a fair number of
diabetics on Cook's List, I thought it might be helpful for you to know, if
you travel.

And, it might be of interest for the Chirurgeonate.

Saint Phlip,
CoDoLDS

"When in doubt, heat it up and hit it with a hammer."
 Blacksmith's credo.

 If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
cat.

Never a horse that cain't be rode,
And never a rider who cain't be throwed....

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa Tyson" <Lisa_Tyson at umit.maine.edu>
To: <sca-east at indra.com>
Cc: <scalibrarians at topica.com>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 8:53 AM
Subject: [EK] OT: FYI - Diabetes & Travel


> Please forgive the off topic nature of this posting but I thought it might
> help people traveling this week and next.  This was posted on folders at
> my workplace (a university). I thought it might be of use to scadians who
travel
> or at least raise awareness of the processes people must consider when
they
> must bring along personal medical supplies on commercial flights. It seems
to
> be a legitimate posting.
> Here are the links below that may not come through in your readers:
> Traveling with Diabetic Supplies:
http://www.diabetes.org/community/advocacy/travel.jsp
> Transportation Security Administration http://www.tsa.gov/public/
> DOT http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer/DiscrimComplaintContacts.doc
> (this link wasn't working when I tried to access it)
>
> Lady Bryn Millar
> (not traveling, not diabetic, but appreciative of good information)
>
>
> Important Information for Traveling with Diabetes Supplies
> Know Your Rights
> The American Diabetes Association works with the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) to make sure that the rights of people with diabetes
are protected in this era of increased airline security. During this holiday
season, it is important
> for people with diabetes to know that they have rights when it comes to
keeping their diabetes supplies with them when flying with a commercial
airline.
> Before you head out to the airport, we strongly encourage you to [
http://www.diabetes.org/community/advocacy/travel.jsp ]read the guidelines
that we have developed with the TSA.You may even consider printing out the
page and taking it with you when
> you travel. There is helpful information and phone numbers to call if you
have problems.
> As you get to your destination safely and without any trouble from airport
security, understand that the American Diabetes Association and its Legal
Advocacy staff work hard to make sure that your rights are protected.
> On behalf of the Advocacy Division of the American Diabetes Association,
we wish all of you a healthy and happy holiday season, and we look forward
to working with you in the new year.
> [ http://www.convio.com/site/PageServer ][Image:12222003_80401_0.bmp][
http://www.convio.com/site/PageServer ]
> Traveling with diabetes supplies[Image:12222003_80721_0.bmp]
> The [ http://www.tsa.gov ]Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was
recently established within the U.S. Department of Transportation under the
Aviation and Transportation Security Act signed into law on November 19,
2001. TSA is charged with
> safeguarding the nation's transportation systems that include commercial
airline travel. Due to the recent formation of TSA and the ongoing interest
in stepped-up airport security measures affecting airline passengers with
diabetes, the American
> Diabetes Association (the Association) is providing the following updated
information.
> TSA has continued to develop and enforce airport security measures
implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in response to the
tragic events of September 11, 2001. In addition, TSA is responsible for the
development and delivery of
> training to federalized security screeners that will include information
about the physical appearance, function, and importance of immediate
passenger accessibility to diabetes equipment, medication and supplies. The
Association is pleased to
> provide ongoing assistance to TSA in the development of its training
materials. The Association's efforts to provide information to TSA will help
to ensure healthy travel and reduce inconvenience to airline passengers with
diabetes.
> Below is the most recent information generated by TSA regarding people
with diabetes traveling within the 50 states that need to board with their
equipment, medication and supplies. TSA makes the following recommendations
to airline passengers with
> diabetes and additional "Tips for Travelers" may be accessed from TSA's
Web site.
> Notify the security screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your
supplies with you.
>
> Make sure your insulin vials, insulin pens, jet injectors and insulin pump
are accompanied by a professionally printed pharmaceutical label identifying
the medication (insulin). Since the prescription label is usually on the
outside of the box
> containing the vial of insulin or pens, it is recommended that passengers
refrain from discarding their insulin box and come prepared with their
insulin in its original pharmaceutically labeled box.
>
> There is no limitation on the number of empty syringes that may be carried
through the security checkpoint; however, insulin must be with you in order
to carry syringes through the checkpoint.
>
> Lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose test strips can be carried
through the security checkpoint.
>
> For passengers who test their blood glucose levels, but who do not require
insulin, boarding with lancets is acceptable as long as the lancets are
capped, and as long as the lancets are brought on board with a glucose meter
that has the
> manufacturer's name embossed on the meter (i.e. One Touch meters may say
"One Touch Ultra").
>
> Notify screeners if you are wearing an insulin pump, and request that they
visually inspect the pump rather than removing it from your body.
>
> Advise screeners when experiencing a low blood glucose level and you are
in need of medical assistance.
> The above protocol applies only to travel within the 50 United States and
is subject to change. International passengers should consult their
individual air carriers for applicable international regulations.
> The Association will continue to monitor the situation and keep you
informed of new developments. Please contact the Association at 703-549-1500
x-1768 to report any difficulties so that we may continue to provide
feedback to the TSA as appropriate.
> Should a passenger with diabetes be denied boarding a flight or be faced
with any other unforeseen diabetes-related difficulty while passing through
security checkpoints, he or she should speak the security checkpoint
supervisor. If the problem is
> not resolved to the passenger's satisfaction or if a passenger feels he or
she has been discriminated against or treated unfairly by federal security
checkpoint personnel, please contact the TSA hotline at 1-866-289-9673.
> Also, a complaint may be directed to the Department of Transportation's
Office of Civil Aviation Security (ACS-1), 800 Independence Ave., S.W., Room
1030, Washington, DC, 20591. More information on where to file complaints
for discriminatory action
> or treatment by other airport personnel may be obtained from the [
http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer/DiscrimComplaintContacts.doc ]DOT . In
addition to filing a complaint with a federal agency, passengers alleging
discriminatory treatment by air
> carrier personnel (pilots, flight attendants, gate agents or check-in
counter personnel) should also notify their [
fcp://@fc.umit.maine.edu,%235000473/community/advocacy/carriercontact.jsp ]a
irline carrier. Disability-related air carrier problems
> may be registered with DOT by calling its newly operationalized aviation
consumer disability toll-free hotline at 1-866-266-1368 (voice) and
1-866-754-4368 (TTY).
> The Association recommends packing at least twice the number of supplies
needed during travel, and bringing a quick-acting source of glucose to treat
low blood glucose, as well as an easy to carry snack such as a nutrition
bar. Carry or wear medical
> identification and carry contact information for your physician while
traveling. It may also be helpful to have contact information for a health
care professional available at your destination, and be prepared to adjust
medication when traveling in
> different time zones.