using a segway and also airport security

We are going on our first vacation since my pacemaker placement. I know that it is okay to walk through the security scanner, but what about the one that you stop and place your feet slightly apart and they scan your body. I remember reading that I should not let them use the wand to scan.
Also, we would like to take a segway tour. Does anyone know if it is okay?
Thank you

6 Comments

have fun

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-31 01:03:19

Forget about the pacer and have a good time! Segways are safe. The 3D scanners are actually safer than the metal detectors, they use xrays rather than magnets. The metal detectors are safe also, the risk is we set them off which means a more thorough pat down than if you'd just asked for it in the first place. I've gone through them a few times without problems, but as a rule when I fly, I ask for a pat down if they 3D scanners aren't running.

Wand is the same technology as the metal detector but more concentrated. Officially they tell us only below the waist. It's also probably ok but in theory could mess up our settings so I don't take chances with it. The airport will not wand us, they will always call for an assist and do the pat down. I've mostly only run into wands at concerts, amusement parks, and courthouses.

Good Times & TSA Precheck

by NiceNiecey - 2016-03-31 05:03:20

I had to do a quick search of what a Segway Tour is. It sounds like fun and safe too.

I fly a lot so I've run the gamut of security.

1) Walking through the small, narrow scanners can momentarily reset your PM. I forgot once and went through. I had an odd feeling for 2 or 3 seconds but then I was fine.

2) I got the wand used on me once. I didn't know any better! Same problem as #1.

3) Tracey is correct. The larger scanner where you're asked to place your feet shoulder-width apart and raise your arms above your head is the safe one.

A word about TSA Precheck. My tickets are usually stamped TSA Precheck (probably because I have Global Entry but who really knows?). It's a mixed blessing. I get processed faster than the regular line UNTIL I get to the scanner. At my local airport, it's the walk through type that we should avoid. So then I "opt-in" and ask to go through the "arms-over-your-head" scanner. Sometimes I still need to remove my shoes and jacket/sweater/blazer and often get a pat down too.

Then I go back around to the Precheck line to retrieve my belongings. Maybe one day all scanners will be the x-ray, arms up type!

Have a fun trip!

Use caution

by valley01 - 2016-03-31 06:03:40

Last year at the airport they used the wand on my sides (I thought far enough away but I was wrong). My PM detected the wand and put itself into backup mode. I didn't feel right for about 3 weeks (mostly constant fatigue) until at my annual PM check they discovered I was in backup mode. They called in Biotronik and were able to pinpoint the day and close to time I went into backup mode and it was at the airport. They said I was never in any real danger and my PM did exactly what it was designed to do to protect itself from damage when it detected the danger. I now say NO to wands.

Just Do not Wand

by PJinSC - 2016-03-31 07:03:17

If you declare your PM, most TSA inspectors know what to do. Just make sure they do not put the wand directly over your PM. The 3D scanner uses low dose x-ray, so will have no effect. I have gone through many metal detectors at airports, nuclear power plant security, cruise ships and courthouses and never have set them off nor had them affect my PM. The power in a Segway is near your feet. Don't sweat it.

Have fun.

You don't say in your bio

by Theknotguy - 2016-03-31 10:03:09

You don't say anything in your bio. Consequently we don't know what kind of pacemaker you have. The two previous comments warn you about having a wand used. One pacemaker is a Biotronik. They don't say what make or model.

I have a Medtronic Advisa implanted three years ago. I've been wanded on a couple of occasions with no effects.. So problems with wanding can be related to the make and model of the pacemaker you have.

If asked, I'll try to refuse being wanded even though I've never had any problems. I don't want security people to think there are no problems with wands and pacemakers. On the other hand, I'm not going to be overly concerned either.

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

scanners

by Good Dog - 2016-03-31 11:03:47

I have done all three scans, but lately I have been doing the walk-through scan and the wand. Neither one of them bother me. The Medtronic literature indicates that if it impacts the PM function, it is only momentary (actually just a couple seconds) and the PM resumes normal function when you move away. I usually don't even give it a thought.

David

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