INT'L TRAVEL ID

Hello. I am very happy to join this club. My St. Jude pacemaker was implanted just six days ago. Does anyone know where I can obtain an international travel ID card for my devise written in several languages? Medtronic has one but it can be found nowhere on line. Thank you. DRS

5 Comments

not necessary

by Tracey_E - 2015-09-21 03:09:47

You'll get an id card from St Judes in a few weeks. It'll have everything you need to travel. I've had one more than 20 years now and never once needed it, but it's always in my wallet just in case.

Routine Procedure

by Artist - 2015-09-21 05:09:55

I was informed by my EP that as a matter of routine procedure, I would receive a PM card in about a week that would provide information regarding my PM. It is in English and includes basic information about the PM model, serial numbers for the leads, etc. English is such a universal language that in the event you required emergency care while traveling, I feel certain that someone could translate the English to the spoken language where you are. Putting the PM information in many different languages would require a lot of space. When you get your PM card from the manufacturer, you could use a computer translator to print out the data in the countries you are going to visit. Since PMs are implanted throughout the world, you could contact your PM manufacturer to see if they would provide cards in different languages and if so, there might be a fee for the added service. I do think that most countries have the ability to translate the data and that carrying cards in multiple languages really is not necessary.

international travel not a problem

by knb123 - 2015-09-22 01:09:31

Hi, and welcome to our club. I too have a St. Jude PM (implanted in March 2015) and received my i.d. card shortly after the procedure (it was mailed to my home a few weeks later, as I recall).

The card is laminated and it's in English. This summer I traveled internationally and was in several airports in countries where English is not the first language. At no time did I experience any problem with security personnel not understanding my situation. As Artist points out, the card includes all the basic information about the PM.

The fact is, pacemakers are such a common device nowadays that you are likely to encounter other travelers with the same situation as you, going through the security lines at the same time (I know I did). Even in smaller airports, security personnel are trained to understand the needs of travelers with pacemakers.

So, in my opinion, you really don't need a separate, foreign-language i.d. card. Pulling your collar away from your neck and showing your implant site is another very clear signal to people operating that detection equipment.

international travel

by trish - 2015-09-24 06:09:17

Have had PM for 20 months. Have traveled to Greece, Turkey, Slovenia. Croatia, France , Ireland since then . Absolutely no problem. carry card in hand and just go through regular scanners with no problem They never ask for card and scanner does not seem to pick up. PM. Trish

Travel

by capman - 2015-09-28 11:09:04

I generally don't go through the scanner, but all you have to do is point at the device and they know and will let you around for a hand search.

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

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