Travel and Diabetes

People with diabetes can enjoy the experience of travel. All you need is a little extra preparation and the world is yours.

By following some guidelines, most problems can be avoided or treated promptly.

Planning your travel

Travel Agent

• Attempt to ask for an accurate itinerary with details of meal times, departures and arrival times for stopovers.
• When you book your flights you must notify the airline at this time of your need to carry insulin /injection equipment for diabetes, not when you arrive at the airport. You can visit the airline website for more information on carrying medicines on board.
• Arrange for arrival and departure at time of the day that suits you, and allow plenty of time for travel connection.
• Notify the airline if you wish to request an early serving or a low sugar/fat meal.
• Arrange travel insurance for both your health and your belongings. Make sure you are covered for pre-existing conditions and for the places you are traveling to. Contact Diabetes Australia for suggested insurers.
• Medicare will not cover any medical costs incurred overseas; however Australia has arrangements with some countries for emergency care. Contact the Health Insurance Commission on 13 20 11 or www.hic.gov.au for more information. Take you Medicare card.

Visit your Doctor and talk to your pharmacist approximately four weeks before you depart.

• Have any immunizations. See websites www.dfat.gov.au or www.health.gov.au for more information.
• Check your tetanus cover.
• Obtain a letter from the doctor for the customs officer explaining why your are carrying syringes, needles, blood testing devices, insulin pump, lancets and medications to prevent any delays through customs. (Have several copies)
• Obtain a letter of introduction to health professional with details of your Diabetes history and management. Include next of kin details. (Have several copies)
• Obtain prescriptions for insulin, tablets and blood glucose testing strips that are readable and include your name, the name and type of the medication, your doctor’s contact details on the label. Ensure that you have sufficient stock, plus extra, for the duration of your travel.
• Always make sure that your medication is in its correct packaging.
• Obtain prescribed medications to treat travel sickness, vomiting and diarrhea if appropriate. Some diarrhea medications do not work on specific bugs.
• Discuss the effects of time changes on your diabetes routine and the adjustment of insulin doses with your diabetes Educator or doctor. Remember to take your itinerary with you on your visit.
• If you are buying new shoes for your trip, buy them well in advance so you can wear them comfortably and avoid blisters.
• Carry dry dressings for wounds that are suitable for diabetes.

Packing

• Diabetes ID card or tag.
• Blood glucose meter. (and spare if you choose)
• Carry all insulin and medication in your hand luggage. It must not be stored in a suitcase in the hold of the aircraft as it will freeze and not be usable
• Pack your insulin in a small, insulated container or bag. Insulin will be damaged by temperature extremes and must not be frozen or left in the sun for any length of time.
• Pack twice the amount of insulin, syringes, medication, blood glucose test strips and spare insulin pens as required. If flying, divide them between two separate pieces of hand luggage and ask your travelling companion to carry one. Suitcases are often mislaid by airlines, or unexpected extended periods can be spent in transit lounges.
• Carry quick-acting carbohydrate foods e.g. Jelly beans, fruit juice drink in tetra packs (check on regulations of carrying fruit juices with airline), glucose tablets or glucose gel. If you are taking a Glucagen injection, this needs to have a printed name and label as do your other prescriptions.
• Carry slow-acting carbohydrate foods e.g. Dry biscuits, sandwich, or sultanas. (This is to prevent or treat hypoglycaemia if meals are delayed).
• Letters for custom officers and health professionals.
• Small approved sharps container for lancets and needles (from Diabetes Australia, pharmacies or council).
• First aid kit.