# Dexcom and airport security: careful **URL:** \ **Category:** C/GM\ **Tags:** cgm, dexcom, travel\ **Created:** [April 8, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-and-airport-security-careful/412 "2017-04-08T14:33:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-and-airport-security-careful/412/1 "2017-04-08T14:33:41Z")
Dexcom says that it’s OK to go through the metal detector, but that - You should NOT walk through a body scanner (instead, ask for a pat-down) - your spare gear (sensors, transmitter, receiver) should not go through the xray machine and must be hand-checked. That is not intuitive:-) They offer a “Medical Device Letter” to download and have available to TSA: > **[Flying with Dexcom Diabetes Supplies | TSA & Airport Security with Dexcom...](https://www.dexcom.com/dexcom-airport-and-travel-guide-flying-dexcom-cgm)** > > Dexcom G5 Mobile can be a great travel companion; you can go through metal detectors, be hand wanded, and even keep your receiver on during your flight. We just went through TSA and asked for a pat-down just in case. It took about 15 minutes to get the pat-down. The diabetic supplies hand-check took about as long in parallel. This was at a time with no line at all… So I can imagine it could be worse. How I think you figure out what looks like a body scanner vs a metal detector: I think that the body scanner encloses you while you are scanned, while the metal detector remains open front and back. Confirmation, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![ClaudnDaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/claudndaye/32/5_2.png) [@ClaudnDaye](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/ClaudnDaye)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 3:05pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-and-airport-security-careful/412/2 "2017-04-08T15:05:16Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > How I think you figure out what looks like a body scanner vs a metal detector: I think that the body scanner encloses you while you are scanned, while the metal detector remains open front and back. Confirmation, anyone? [Full Body Scanners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmYAo6ghUM0) Here’s a Youtube video that shows one (this was 2015 to technology may be a bit more updated now, but I believe they look about the same) - video shows the body scanner. We have all been through the metal detectors hundreds of times I I figure everyone knows what they look like. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-and-airport-security-careful/412/3 "2017-04-08T16:10:04Z")
I’ve taken the Dexcom through body scanners multiple times with no problem. And run the receiver through the X-ray machine. Following Dexcom’s recommendations are fine if you don’t mind the pat-down. But I just want to point out that Dexcom is not saying body scanners and X-ray machines _will definitely_ mess up your Dexcom. They just haven’t gotten FDA approval for it. Getting FDA approval for anything is time-consuming and costly, so it’s simply easier for them to say “get a pat-down” than it is to get the approval for it. I know I am not the only one to go through a body scanner with it. @Sam, you too? If scanners messed them up, I’m sure it would be widely known by now. ---
**Author:** ![Sam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/sam/32/10595_2.png) [@Sam](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-and-airport-security-careful/412/4 "2017-04-08T16:14:23Z")
I haven’t worn one through a scanner since I started using one again. In my past cgm era I was hell bent on being a nonconformist and insisted he pat down even when I wasn’t using a cgm every time I went through security… I don’t have quite as much time on my hands to make a stand on such things anymore so I’d probably just go right through the scanner with it on ---
**Author:** ![drpepper68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@drpepper68](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/drpepper68)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-and-airport-security-careful/412/5 "2017-04-10T04:45:20Z")
I had a pat down the first time and it took forever! So now I just walk through it without any problems.