is there any problem going through a metal detector with a insulin pump
Yep, won’t work.
I always prepare by unhooking, putting pump on 15 minutes standby and either presenting to security or putting in my computer case.
it wont work for those few min or it could break
Per Medtronic a normal walk thru metal detector does not do anything to the pump or any of their implantable devises. But combination metal/X-ray systems the pump should not go through these systems.
It depends on what pump you are using. Tandem t:slim pumps have enough metal on them that they always set off the metal detector. I routinely wore Animas (without the metal clip) and older Medtronic (515, 522, 523) pumps through the metal detector and they never set off the alarm. I do not know how the current Medtronic pumps fare in the metal detector.
Pumps can go through the metal detector. My own pump has never set off an alarm in metal detection. The X-ray and Scan equipment may or may not be okay. Look at your own pump manual to know, BE HAPPY.
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putting it in a computer case that goes into the X-ray for sure can cause damage. Don’t Do This![quote=“BE_HAPPY, post:3, topic:62830, full:true”]
it wont work for those few min or it could break
[/quote]
I just went on a trip and went through this. The first time I forgot, and walked through the metal detector, set it off with my t:slim, and it took 3 agents to figure out what to do with me. 
On the way back, I knew to disconnect and ask them to inspect the pump by hand. TSA took it to the side, swabbed it and gave it back.
You are, by law, supposed to be able to request what kind of screening you want. That didn’t work out for me when I was leaving Seattle airport last year when the agent argued with me that the metal detector was NOT what I should go though, and I should go through the body scan machine because “it has really safe waves” and then all but pushed me into it. I was not very thrilled about that.
I travel by plane 20-30 times a year all over the world and have been travelling with a pump for about 7 years. I leave my pump attached and on when I go through security screening. I use a Medtronic pump and the Medtronic website OKs that procedure.
The pump alarms about half the time whether it’s a walk-through metal detector or one of the newer scanners. Each airport has its own process for dealing with you when it alarms. There really isn’t much consistency. It can go from a secondary pat-down, which can be more or less intrusive, to a wanding (non-intrusive), to a swab and ion detection.
I refuse to take the pump off as there’s no reason to do so.
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I leave my pump connected when I walk through the metal detector and give my Dexcom receiver to the security agent to inspect (I keep my Dexcom transmitter and sensor attached). I always set off the metal detector, so then they do a wand scan and a pat down. Often my bags get inspected because there are things in there that they have never seen under x-ray. I travel half a dozen times a year and only once have I had an agent argue with me trying to tell me that the Dexcom is allowed through the x-ray. I now carry a little wallet card from Animas that specifically says the pump is not allowed through the x-ray (I was unable to find a similar one for the Dexcom G4).
Dexcom G4 Manual:
CHAPTER 17: TRAVEL INFORMATION
It is safe for you to go through the metal detector or be “handwanded” while wearing your Dexcom sensor
and transmitter. If you’re concerned or uncomfortable about going through the walk-through metal detector,
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) states that you should notify the Security Office that you’re
wearing a continuous glucose monitor and would like a full-body pat-down and a visual inspection of your
Dexcom Sensor and Transmitter instead. Advise the Security Office that the sensor cannot be removed
because it is inserted under the skin.
Instead of putting your Dexcom G4 PLATINUM System through the x-ray, request that the TSA officer
perform a visual inspection. This must be requested before the screening process begins. Your Dexcom G4
PLATINUM System components that are not attached to your body (e.g., receiver, extra sensors) should be
ready in a separate bag when you approach the Security Officer. For other medical supplies, such as
medications, meters and strips, check the manufacturer’s instructions or the TSA website.
You may keep the receiver on before take-off, while in flight and after landing. The Dexcom G4 PLATINUM
Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is safe for use on U.S. commercial airlines. The Dexcom G4
PLATINUM Transmitter is an M-PED with emission levels that meet RTCA/DO160, Section 21, Category M.
Per FAA Advisory, Circular #91-21, 1B, dated 8/25/06. Any M-PED that meets this standard in all modes
may be used onboard the aircraft without any further testing by the operator. This device can withstand
exposure to common electrostatic (ESD) and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
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Similar information (although with some differences) in the Dexcom G5 Manual:
15.2 Going Through Security
Walk-Through Metal Detectors
Transmitter and Sensor
No worries about wearing your transmitter and sensor when going through security.
Go through walk-in metal detectors or, if you prefer, be handwanded without worrying about
damaging your transmitter or sensor.
If you’re concerned or uncomfortable about walking through the metal detector, the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requests you tell the Security Officer you’re
wearing a continuous glucose monitor and want a full-body pat-down with a visual
inspection of your sensor and transmitter.
Let the Security Officer know the sensor can’t be removed because it’s inserted under the skin.
X-Ray Machines
Receiver, Extra Sensors
Don’t put your Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System components through x-ray machines.
Before your screening process begins, ask the TSA Officer to perform a visual inspection of
the receiver and your extra sensors. Place all Dexcom G5 Mobile components in a separate
bag before handing over to the Security Officer.
For other medical supplies, such as medications, meters, and strips, check manufacturer’s
instructions or the TSA website.
Body Scanners
Use of AIT body scanners has not been studied and therefore we recommend hand-wanding
or full body pat down and visual inspection in those situations.
In the Plane
You may keep the receiver on:
- Before take-off
- While in flight
- After landing
The Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System is safe for use on U.S. commercial airlines.
If you choose to use your smart device, the airlines request you put your smart devices
in airplane mode. You can do this, but still keep your Bluetooth on and you will be able to
receive sensor glucose information on your smart device.
Technical Information
The Dexcom G5 Mobile Transmitter is an M-PED with emission levels that meet
RTCA/DO160, Section 21, Category M. Per FAA Advisory, Circular #91-21, 1B,
dated 8/25/06.
Any M-PED that meets this standard in all modes may be used onboard the aircraft without
any further testing by the operator.
This device can withstand exposure to common electrostatic (ESD) and electromagnetic
interference (EMI).
Still Have Questions?
Visit the TSA’s website if you have any questions or concerns at tsa.gov.
Thanks for posting this information. What I meant in my post was that I was unable to find a small, wallet-sized card with such information (like the one Animas has for their pumps). I may print one of these pages off to keep with my other travel documents “just in case” I ever need to refer to it, since it wouldn’t take up much room. In Canada we have CATSA rather than TSA, though I doubt the rules differ much between them.
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Caleb’s been through numerous metal detectors with medtronic, Omnipod and dexcom and never had an issue.
lol
Yeah - I missed that part.
Yeah, metal detectors are fine. It’s my understanding that the x-ray scanner they put all luggage under is not (and the body scanners are sort of unknown—but since I pay for my Dexcom entirely out of pocket and my pump is out of warranty, I’m not taking that risk!).
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Has anyone found those printouts useful when TSA is giving them grief? When I walked through the metal detector with my pump, I had a printout in hand from Tandem and they refused to even look at it.
Roll it up and smack them across their face with it… 
Sadly TSA is nothing but a mess and standardization is 180 degrees from what’s in their DNA
My earlier post about disconnecting is all about getting through the “grope you” line as fast as possible. I travel a lot for business and don’t have the time nor patience to mess with some of the TSA people who apparently failed the toilet cleaning test for janitor. Also note that I only fly to major metropolitan areas which all have body scanners these days.
It’s up to you, but I prefer disconnecting and letting them look at the pump in the “special dish” they put aside for visual confirmation.