Airports

Hi, all! I'm new at this website but definitely not new to owning a pacemaker. I've had a pacer for over 14 years now and used to hang out at the Implantable.com site. Sadly, that site has been way too quiet so I stopped going there.

I just had my annual cardio checkup and thought I should find another site where I can ask questions again. My DH and I do a lot of traveling now that we are fully retired and I was wondering what most of you are told by your cardios about use of the full body scanners that are used at the airports. To date, my cardio insists that I NOT use them and for me to get patted down by hand in order not to take the chance of the machines messing with my pacer settings when I am trying to have a pleasant time on a vacation. The issue is not that those scanners will harm me but that they could mess with the pacer settings and I'd rather be safe than sorry. What do your docs tell you to do/not do when traveling through airports?

Nana

5 Comments

scanner

by Tracey_E - 2014-07-27 04:07:01

I don't know why your dr would have a problem with the full body scanners, unless he doesn't understand what they are. They use xray technology, so nothing about them can affect the pm. I've gone through them since they first came out with no problems. After 20 years of pat downs, I still get a little giddy to be able to go through the scanner with everyone else!

The metal detectors can possibly mess with our settings, maybe that has him confused? The odds of that are very slim, it's no different than walking through store security gates. I was told to go through quickly, don't linger. However, I don't do that at airports. Odds are it won't hurt us but it will set the detector off. Pat downs are a much bigger hassle if you set it off first than if you just tell them you have an implant at the start.

Back ground X ray scanners

by Selwyn - 2014-07-27 08:07:55

As a frequent flyer I have been through a Background X ray scanner. I was rightly told at the airport that they are pacemaker safe. No problems.

Whilst the metal detectors are probably safe for PMs,. they do detect metal. You are going to end up with a pat down anyway - probably best to 'bite the bullet' and just get on with it. I tell security I have a pace maker, and have a pat down. Once in a while someone will ask for my European Pacemaker ID card. Best to take the ID card with you.

If you feel embarrassed having a pat down, you can always ask for this in a side room.

No choice in the UK

by SaraTB - 2014-07-28 09:07:51

I'm a Brit, resident in the USA, and travel to the UK every year - you should be aware that you are given no option at British airports (and others in the EU I think) if you are selected for the scanner. You either go through it, or you don't travel. End of story.

Now, they can only do that because they are completely confident that it's safe for PMs. I've been through the ones at Heathrow several times, and it's infinitely preferable to the faff of a pat-down. I'm 100% paced, if the scanner affected PMs, I'd feel it. No issues at all.

Like Tracey, I'm pretty thrilled to have the scanner, like a 'normal' person!

Body scanners not an issue.

by Squad12 - 2014-07-29 01:07:50

Body scanners do not have an affect on pacemakers. I have an MRI compatible PM and have had issues with interference but have gone through the scanners at airports without any problems.

Same for me

by Theknotguy - 2014-07-29 09:07:38

Just got back from the UK. Had to go through several scanners on both sides of the pond. The UK security doesn't care you have a PM. American security is getting to the point they don't care if you have a PM either. I even tried to show them my PM card and they didn't care.

I had more trouble with my Medical Alert unit hanging around my neck. The scanner ignored my PM and went for the med unit. So I had an extra pat down because of my med alert unit but not the PM.

In any case, no problems with my PM. No flutters, hiccups, no scanners going off. Just walk through and keep on going.

So I don't know why your doctor is thinking you need a hand pat down. It really isn't needed.

Hope you have a good time on your travels.

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