Handheldwand

Hi

by Bionic Beat - 2018-06-27 10:35:23

Take your Pacemaker/ICD card with you to the airport and show it to them BEFORE going through the scanner.  They can pat you down instead, zero risk.

I have read some folks say its ok to go through the magnetic fields but I have always been told NOT to do it.   So, I do what my professionals tell me.

Must admit the pat down has changed over the years, it used to be less intrusive but after the underwear bomber, they now want to make sure you are anatomically correct (which I think is overdoing it).    Havent flown for a few years due to other reasons.

Best Wishes,

Bionic Beat

security

by The real Patch - 2018-06-27 14:15:08

any of the methods in use at airports are safe for passengers with a pacemaker, defibrillator, or CRT and most manufacturers now admit that. You can prove it by going through then having your device interrogated, you'll find there is no indication of interference. Some people just refuse to accept that fact and perpetuate the old stories, and that's okay, just do what you are comfortable with but there is no danger

Perpetuating old stories

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-27 14:31:04

Seems the manufacturers are the biggest perps. My instructions,  written in many places,  say not to go through the scanner, rather request a wand scan and ask that they not dwell over the device.  The Medtronic tech said that the scanner was unlikely to do any harm but to request a wand scan anyway, if for no other reason than they understand that you have a PM.

Sorry but I think I'm going to follow Medtronic's suggestions rather than someone on the Internet.   ...but bonjour anyway.

Hand held wands ok

by LondonAndy - 2018-06-27 18:29:08

I am 100% paced, so if there was an effect of either a security arch or hand-held wand I think I would know pretty quickly, and my experience of both has been that they are fine.  In fact an inexperienced security guard at a venue with temporary extra security passed his wand directly over my device, causing his paddle to sound a loud beep, but no ill effect for me.  His supervisor apologised to me and I saw as I left that he reprimanded the guy.

However, I normally just go through the arch along with everyone else.  Occassionally I trigger a beep and need a pat-down, but no effect on my device.

Note that my device is only 4 years old and is "MRI conditioned", and that I have been travelling through modern, well equipped airports.  If my device was older and not MRI conditioned, or I was travelling through less well funded airports that might have older security arches, I might take a different view and go for the pat-down.

100% paced

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-27 22:49:12

Well, I'm not only 100% paced but pacemaker dependent (AV ablation with biventricular pacing - i.e. AV dyssynchrony) with "no known underlying escape rhythm".  My EP is pretty conservative with respect to my exposure to magnetic fields.

Airport scanner

by islandgirl - 2018-06-28 09:24:54

I was going to travel to Morocco and I asked the EP and Medtronic rep about airport security.  The Medtronic rep would not give an opinion.  The EP's office offered to call--if I called I may be on the phone awhile and they have a direct line.  They emailed me later that afternoon and said to not walk through the airport scanners, to get hand scanned.  I have an MRI compliant ICD and am 100% paced.  I will follow their recommendations.  I have travelled extensively and it was the first time I had to show my ID card.  I can't remember if it was in Madrid or Morocco.