Cardiac devices in airport security - make sure you carry your card!

[laura_dropstitch]

I flew to London last week and, for the first time in a UK airport, was asked to show my pacemaker/defibrillator card at security. I'm guessing, since it happened on both flights, that it's a change in policy, so just posting this as a friendly reminder to make sure you carry your card whenever you travel! (You should, of course, carry it always, but I'm aware not everyone does.)

[DaveTR]

Thanks for the heads up.

I always carry my card in my wallet and offer it at Security just in case.

[alexgilbert]

Thanks Laura, I'm off to Cyprus next week so I'll be sure to have my card with me.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to alexgilbert]

Have a great trip!

[alexgilbert in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Three more sleeps 😁

[RamblingAl]

I always carry my card with me albeit it's in Spanish (I live in southern Spain and the ICD was fitted here) and have just returned from a cruise where I got manually searched everytime I returned on board, not a problem, security was top notch. Never normally a problem, but beware at El Prat airport Barcelona, I was taken to one side, told to stand on a plinth so that I was elevated for all to see, then I was subjected to drug swabs, no one else was. As if it's not bad enough, but to then be embarrassed like that is really not on!

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to RamblingAl]

I don't mind being patted down either and usually staff have been great. It's not easy when I'm travelling alone with my young daughter, though. At three years old she was made to go through the metal detector on her own while I was taken in a completely opposite direction. She's seven now and still finds the whole procedure a bit scary. Even though I've never had a particularly bad experience, I do always breathe a sigh of relief once we're through security!

[Traceyma]

Hi I've done a few trips recently and was asked for my pm card at both domestic and Spanish airports. I also had to have my shoes put through the luggage scanner and nobody else did! Not really a problem though

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Traceyma]

I always arrive at the scanner with shoes in hand - usually prompts panic and footwear removal in innocent bystanders 😂

[Traceyma in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Haha....i just got stared at a little bit but next time I'll watch for other passengers frantically removing their shoes!!

[Weejenny]

Hi Laura, My dread is security at the airports. My husband and I are a right pair he sets off the alarm with his new titanium knee and I’m trying to catch someone’s attention to say I have a pacemaker with about 300 other people waiting in line. I had a horrible experience in Glasgow in March the woman I eventually got was so grumpy she shouted at me to take my shoes off twice (I had the first time) she then just opened a side gate and without saying anything pointed to the direction I was to go. I was pretty upset by this time as I get myself worked up about the airport anyway. In Malta the lady I dealt with was lovely. You say it’s a card I’ve got an a4 piece of paper folded is that right. We’re staying in the uk for our holiday next year.

Jen

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Weejenny]

Yes, that's the "card" I mean! Massive, isn't it? A credit card style one would make life much easier. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience...and in my home city too! The way staff respond makes such a difference to the stress levels in that situation. Doesn't take much effort to be a bit kind.

[DaveTR in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Ooooooo. I have a credit card sized card that I was given when I had the device fitted.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to DaveTR]

Really? Did you get your device quite recently? Hopefully they'll give me a credit card style one when I need my battery replaced. My enormous paper card is close to disintegrating after six years in my purse 😂

[DaveTR in reply to laura_dropstitch]

LOL.

It was 18 months ago, so quite recent.

I have a piece of paper with the config settings on and that now looks like how I imagine your paper one 😊

[Lezzers in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Laura, you can get a new paper cert from your ICD clinic. My husband has had several as the ink smudges on the ones Papworth give out

[Weejenny]

I like to be kind and helpful some people just take life too seriously and as you say it doesn’t take much effort to be kind. Glasgow is my husbands home city too. Although he’s lived in Inverness where I met him over 30 years ago now. He’s very proud of his Govan roots. I’ve wondered at times if I’ve had the right card, now I know I do thanks Laura

Jen

[Papabear752]

Flew in and out of Gatwick last month and wasn't asked to produce my card. I have only been asked for my card once flying back from Abu Dhabi who also wanted my passport to prove it was my card. Have had pacemaker fitted since 2010, and all I usually do is pat my chest to indicate that I have a pacemaker when I reach security.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Papabear752]

That's all I usually have to do too, which is why I was surprised being asked to show it on both journeys this week. Maybe I just looked particularly suspicious 😎😂

[RamblingAl]

I have a credit card size card with all my and the devises details on it. I had my ICD fitted in Oct 2016 but when they first gave me it my personal details were wrong because of the way family names are shown in Spain, I had to send it off to Madrid with the correct details and it was back within a week. It's in my wallet always, just in case, I also have a medical bracelet to say that I have a defib fitted.

[Wmh79]

Hi I have just had icd fitted and meant to be flying to New York in November , this is worrying me and all the new things I will have to do at airports now 🤔😢😬

[Lezzers in reply to Wmh79]

Hi Wmh78, you will be fine. Carry your ICD identification card with you and if they wave the security wand over you just make sure it doesn't linger over your device. Most body scanners these days do not cause any problems. Check on the website of the device manufacturer for up to date info.

[Wmh79 in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks for reply, I suppose it is just getting use to a new way of doing things now . Also the card I have been given is the size of a a4 piece of paper can u get credit card size 1 or something different do u know ?

[Lezzers in reply to Wmh79]

Apparently you can get the small credit card types but that may he dependant on the hospital/device? My husband has the large paper type but he's had his ICD since 2012. Why not ask your ICD clinic, either give them a call or ask at your next visit.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Wmh79]

Oh no, please don't worry! Airport staff barely bat an eyelid, they are well used to dealing with devices. My "card" is at least A4 sized too. I do carry it with me (though it's not that handy) and 99% of the time haven't even been asked to show it so only posted this in case they are asking to see it more and people may have become too relaxed about carrying it. Take the card with you and just tell staff (at the bit where you put your bags in the tray for scanning) that you have a device and they will keep you right. Have a great holiday! X

[Wmh79 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Thanks for that ❤️x