Airport security machines no problem

Hi everyone,
I thought I would pass this on to you. I have recently flown through airports in Indianapolis, Detroit, Washington DC and Ft Myers with no problems. I didn't tell TSA that I have a pacemaker and since they tell you to walk through the machine I did so each time without ever setting off a single machine. It is much easier than getting taken out of line to wait for a female TSA agent to pat you down. Next time you travel, just hold onto your card just in case you set it off but just walk through the detector and you will be on your way. I am 8 weeks post pacemaker and this was one of my fears but no worries now.

19 Comments

Ted

by lindalouwho54 - 2009-02-12 01:02:07

I agree with Jessie. Ted, you are way out of line. What you said doesn't pass the "What would your mother think about your behavior?" test. An apology to Sand Dollar is the right thing to do.

Sand Dollar is right, per Medtronic

by lindalouwho54 - 2009-02-12 01:02:19

I'm with Sand Dollar on this one. In fact, airport security systems are even LESS likely than store anti-theft systems to cause problems. I've had my CRT-D device for three years & have done lots of traveling, in the U.S. and Europe and have not had problems.

Here's what Medtronic says on its Web site:

Can I go through store antitheft
detectors and airport
security systems?
Yes. Anti-theft detectors used in stores and libraries operate on the principle of generating electromagnetic interference (EMI) fields that can “sense” embedded “tags” on the merchandise being protected. It
may be possible, under unique circumstances, for these same interference fields to affect the operation of an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator. Significant effects from the interference are unlikely to occur if you pass “normally” through the detectors because the
interference fields end as soon as you walk through (or move away from) the anti-theft equipment. It is recommended that you:
1. become aware of anti-theft detectors,
2. walk through at a “normal” walking speed, and
3. do not linger close to the detection system equipment.
If you are near an anti-theft system and you feel symptoms, promptly move away from the equipment. Your Medtronic pacemaker or implantable defibrillator will resume its previous state of operation when you move away from the equipment.
Airport security systems are less likely to affect the
operation of a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
However, airport security systems (both the walk-through archways and hand-held wands) are metal detectors. Therefore, when you walk through the security archway at a normal walking speed, it may detect the metal of your pacemaker or implantable defibrillator. Because the metal detector cannot determine whether or not you are carrying a dangerous
metal object (such as a weapon), you may be asked to undergo additional search methods. If so, it is helpful to show your device identification card. Then, if you have a pacemaker, ask to be cleared with a hand-held
screening wand held away from the pacemaker, or request a hand search. If you have an implantable defibrillator, ask for a hand search because a screening
wand has the potential to cause a shock therapy.

ted

by jessie - 2009-02-12 01:02:53

i think it would be kindly to apologize to sandollar. after all she or he is giving an opinion and everyone here i am sure reads the material and checks with their dr., anyway. i am by no means an expert and don'tgive advice usually even tho i know the answer. it is just my way. so i think an apology would be nice. we love you too ted. jessie

Airport check.

by Loopy Lou - 2009-02-12 02:02:54

Well - this post has caused some attention!

I personally would prefer to just show my lovely Pacemaker I.D. wallet (bought via this site - thanks Blake!) - and get a quick security body check at the airport.

I don't want to risk feeling 'off' if the security devise affected my PM - all be it for a few seconds. It's bad enough when they check me at the clinic and my pulse drops! So I will continue getting my free 'pat-downs' !!

I have to agree with the majority regarding Ted's comments to Sand Dollar..... I do hope Sand Dollar is not put off by his comments - which I felt were a little 'over the top' and quite 'fiery'! Goodness!!!

May I wish Sand Dollar a good recovery and hope she stays with our club!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wrong problem?

by johng - 2009-02-12 05:02:39

Hi!, Sandollar,
I don't think the concern is setting off the alarm .
I would be more concerned about the security gate transmissions affecting the PM. settings.
Some PM. users rely on their pacemaker 100%,
any change could be serious. I would still suggest caution is the better way.
I would like to hear of any adverse reactions which some members may have had.

another opinion

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-12 06:02:47

John, TSA will tell you that the machines can hurt the pm because that's how they're taught, but both my dr and St Judes rep told me that the newer pm's are shielded and will not be affected by walking through. Even if it is affected, it's only put into test mode (same as when you get it checked) for the second it takes to walk through, as soon as you step away it comes out of test mode and is back to normal. It doesn't turn off, ever.

Sand dollar, I never try it because the times when you *do* set it off- and there are definitely airports that you will- they have a cow and it takes even longer to get through because now they're suspicious that you didn't tell them.

I find it rarely takes more than a minute or two longer to get through when you get the pat down. I usually go before my husband and kids. By the time the three of them are through and gathering the bags, I'm almost always done also. Half the time, I'm done and waiting for my husband because they're running all his electronic gadgets he travels with through three times then searching his bag!

Dangerous advice from Sand Dollar

by ted - 2009-02-12 07:02:09

As an eight week "expert" on pacemakers, Sand Dollar should keep her incompetent comments to herself and not endanger others. Sand Dollar does not know what she is talking about. Beware.

i also have stell hips stainless stell which sets of the alarms.

by jessie - 2009-02-12 07:02:26

since my pacemaker i tell them and i don't mind the pat down versus the alarms ringing and you need a patdown anyway. i always go quickly thru dept store doors so as not to feel funny. i haven't ahd a problem yet.jessie

mistake !

by llobet - 2009-02-12 07:02:30

It’s very risky to talk like this when you don’t know how the machines are adjusted. My PM is pretty new (medtronic Kappa 703), but not all the controls in the airports are adjusted in the same way.
In my case it took more than 4 months to fix the Pm parameters and only 2 stupid seconds to delete everything.

It’s not dangerous, the PM will not stop completely but it can be very unpleasant. I had to cancel the flight, then I went to the hospital with an ambulance (the HR was constant at 60), and and and.... you know how annoying these things can be.

In your case I would wait for the TSA. It’s better to wait a couple of minutes than having to skip a flight.

Have fun,

I do it daily

by Katie - 2009-02-12 07:02:37

Hi all,
Just thought that I would put my two cents worth in.
I work in maintenance in a Nuclear Power Plant in Canada. Since 911 they have multiplied the security at these facilities.
I have to pass through bomb sniffers and metal detectors, the same as in the airports at least once daily upon entry to my work location. After my pacemaker implant this past December I was in contact with our Site Industrial Hygenist, Wellness department and with Medtronic (I have a Medtronic Adapta and am 100% reliant). I was informed as was my supervisor as to where the safe areas for me to work are with information provided by testing around site. I was told by Medtronic and the Hygenist that the metal detectors will not affect my pacemaker provided I don't waste time passing through one. I wait until everyone in front of me is out of the way and I pass through and stand clear of the equipement. I have informed security that I have a pacemaker and have a special pass at work so that they won't hand wand me if I should alarm the monitors. Which I haven't as yet. Hopefully this can calm the worries of some. I am sorry to hear of llobet's horrible experience. I guess that just shows that we can't take anything for granted. Be as informed as possible, and be conservative in the choices you make.
Best wishes,
Katie
Stay happy Sanddollar

Tact? Should we just let bad advice go unanswered?

by ted - 2009-02-12 08:02:02

TracyE...What kind of tact would you suggest when someone who just got a pacenaker starts giving bad advice that could injure some other unsuspecting person. Having opinions is something that we are all entitled to, but acting like an expert when you don't know what you are doing is irresponsible. There are some real "experts" in this group and many others who are not. I believe that we have an obligation to those who are new here and are frightened and bewildered to debunk any comments that could hurt someone.

did not know that

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-12 08:02:34

llobet,
Wow, I'm amazed it wiped it out like that!!! Hopefully they were able to easily put it back to the latest settings. I don't take chances anyway, but my rep said it was no different than when they put it in test mode to check it, that it wouldn't damage it. Mine is St Judes, maybe it's a mfr thing? How scary.

Ted, a little tact would be nice.

experts

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-12 09:02:09

Ted, none of us are experts here. Some are more informed and have more experience than others, but we're all laymen.

There is a difference between disagreeing and correcting misinformation, and being sarcastic and insulting. That difference is called tact.

i too had a bad experience

by jessie - 2009-02-12 09:02:34

i did at one check up and i felt weak nauseated and i was very upset by it. so i am not taking any risks for me. if anyone else wants to fine but i am dependant so why would i? i have flown a bit since and have no problems getting patted down. if others feel they can do it that is fine with me. i just prefer to feel safer. jessie

I wouldn't do it.......

by Katielou - 2009-02-12 09:02:47

I have a dual PM/ICD and there is no way I would walk through - body search for me every time. Having been shocked out of cardiac arrest a few times by my ICD there is no way I would go against the advice of my cardiac consultant. For me, a few seconds in a different queue is no problem but the alternative would be.
We are all different and have our own views but I would strongly advise following the instructions you have been given.

Take care.

Katielou

getting out of line is worth it

by kcruz - 2009-02-12 10:02:40

Hey guys I agree with many and will tell you that I have experienced a "reset" of the device when in the airport. Being 100% dependant you can feel pretty badly at safe mode sets.

Airport Security

by mrag - 2009-02-12 11:02:48

Just came back from an ICD Support Group meeting where we had two EP's from different cardiology groups. Their definitive response to the question on passing through airport detectors was-DO NOT. Retail stores and so forth detectors are fine, but NO on AIRPORT'S.

I suspect the "latest" ICD's probably do hold up against the airport fields although I'm not sure I have the "latest" and I am certainly not prepared to test the system.

I suspect Ted, given the chance, might reword his original reply, but basically I'd have to agree with him in concept. I also appreciate Sand Dollar's interest in passing along information. Bottom line though is, ICD's are not there to make you look nice or improve the mileage of your car or something to gamble with-they are there to keep you ALIVE.

Hmmmm

by pete - 2009-02-13 02:02:24

The level of risk an individual whishes to take is up to them. Personally I can see no point in taking risks that can easily be avoided. You may get a pat down anyway , even if you risk walking through the detector.
Its no big deal having a pat down.
Store systems work on a different principle to airport detectors. They work on the principle that if you have an oscillating circuit and you have a metallic coil which has a resonant frequency which is the same as the oscillator , it will draw energy from the base oscillator. This extra energy consumption is detected and sets off an alarm. Peter

Store systems vs airport security

by lindalouwho54 - 2009-02-13 07:02:57

Per Medtronic, "airport security systems are LESS likely than store security systems to affect the operation of a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator." So how are folks getting through store systems? Asking for a pat-down instead? I'm guessing you are just walking right on through.....

You know you're wired when...

You have a 25 year mortgage on your device.

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