Metal detectors at Customs

Airport scanners

by LondonAndy - 2017-04-03 03:21:10

I can't comment about South Korea as haven't been there, but I have a similar Medtronic device and fly fairly regularly around Europe and to be honest I don't even bother telling them I have it.  I always carry the ID, but just walk through the arch like regular passengers.  It neither triggers any alarm for them, or interferes with me (and as I am 100% paced I would definitely notice!).  

Scanners

by PaulFromSydney - 2017-04-03 03:53:26

Whilst I haven't been to South Korea I have travelled extensively throughout south east asia most recently china, singapore. I think you will find south korea a very modern, well set up airport utilising western screening procedures (and the normal pacemaker pat down approach). I have not tried to walk through the scanners like andy preferring the pat down alternative.

Good luck

Paul

Thanks Guys

by hs2o - 2017-04-03 05:30:32

Thanks for the prompt feedback guys.  I'll let them know when I get there then.  My doctor specifically told me no airport security arches or wands.  I am 100% paced as well.  If given the option I'll go for the pat down then.

Medatronic ID card

by 24&wired - 2017-04-03 13:24:09

Don't worry, all the airports I've been to, even the smallest in Dominican islands, their staff was well aware of protocol around "heart devices" but if you're extra concerned, you can show your medatronic travel ID card. If you don't have one, call medatronic customer service and they'll send you one for free, it has your name, your hospital and your device details on it, my hospital called them before hand so I got mine in the mail, just once I had to change my address and they were so nice they sent it again. I show it airport security every time I travel. Also I can't speak for your device but I know that going through magnets temporarily blinds the device so say you were having a heart issue while going through the scanner, your device won't work, but it does not actually damage the device contrary to myth. You can call Medatronic for all your questions, I found them much more helpful than my EP. Have a great trip! 

not a problem

by dwelch - 2017-04-13 04:23:15

Used to travel overseas a lot when I was younger with my first pacer or two.  The metal detectors wont mess up the pacer.  As with the warning signs at the gas station that there is a microwave it is all about lawsuit avoidance.  My pacers did set of the metal detectors, sometimes I would tell them and maybe get to go in the short line or thorugh the room where they pat you down, sometime would just walk through and see.  

The saudis would make you go back and forth through taking shoes, belts, whatever off eventually would believe me that I had metal inside (and the zipper on my jeans that I didnt want to take off in front of everyone).  In singapore they wanded back and forth over the device to see that it had set it off...This was 20+ years ago.  Now they get pissy if you walk through and set it off without warning them, or let them wand you without warning them. I bought a TSA hide and seek shirt at one point, but never had the guts to wear it...

When I got mine at 19 years old that was relatively rare, now a days esp with my condition they put them in sometimes right after birth, they are way more common, and worldwide the airports are going to have dealt with them.  

The detectors are not your problem for you.  If anything you are the problem for the detectors as you might set them off, depends on your device/leads and how they have the detector set.  Medtronic and/or your doc may not say it that way for legal protection reasons, but it cannot reprogram your device, not how that works, you are in and out of the field before it can temporarily confuse the devices detection of your rythm it is syncing up with.

Carry your multi language card that says I have a pacer, tell the first security person you find on the way through and maybe you get to cut to the special/short line, maybe not...

Reporting back

by hs2o - 2017-04-28 01:43:39

As commented I had little trouble. I told them I had a pacemaker, showed them my card, and asked how they wanted me to proceed. None of them wanted me to go through the security arch. They had me go around.  In Canada there were bypass gates. But in Incheon outside Seoul I had to squeeze through two operating units to get through. That was interesting, as I'm not exactly a thin woman!   However it was doable. 

The pat down was an experience!  In Canada they asked if I wanted to go in private for it. I opted not.  I'd rather keep an eye on where my travel companions were.  But I can see why they asked!  They were very thorough. The staff at Incheon were more light handed in their approach.  I think one could get a nice massage from the Canadian security guards!  

All told we had a wonderful trip. I'm glad you guys were here to encourage me. Thanks! 

Pacemaker protocol and airport scanners

by rcpage - 2017-05-09 08:28:57

DO NOT go through the airport scanner arch or allow the use of a magnetic wand - especially if you are totally dependent on the pacemaker. There is a recorded incident of a lady who died after going through one. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/11/21/woman-dies-after-metal-detector-causes-pacemaker-to-malfunction.html

The probability is low of a malfunction but it is there nevertheless. Why risk it if you are highly dependent when you don't have to go through the arch? Many security staff appear to enjoy helping a pacemaker recipient as it breaks their routine and they appreciate it when you say thank you. 

My wife is 100% dependent and never takes the risk of going through the arch.

Interesting is that she does notice that in the local department store in the hifi department that the magnetism of the televisions and loudspeakers affects her pacemaker - she says it's like a horse has kicked her in the chest and takes some time to settle down. She never goes there any more!  Same thing happens when near large loudspeakers at wedding events. Another thing that affects her is going over very bumpy roads - we think in this case it may be the automatic response being triggered inadvertently.