Air travel with refrigerated insulin
In a couple of weeks I'll be travelling by air on 2 separate airlines with insulin for my dog that must be kept refrigerated else it spoils, and I have no idea how to go about this. I'll probably be travelling with a handful of vials as he'll need a supply before I can get a new prescription for him from a local vet upon arrival.
It's delivered to me using those freezer packs, but as they're a gel they won't get through security (I assume). I can't think of any other way to transport this on my person. Can anyone offer some guidance as to how I can keep it cold throughout my travels?
I'll be travelling from Manchester Airport (MAN) with Thomas Cook Airlines, and from JFK with American Airlines, if it helps.
UPDATE POST TRAVEL (8 April 2019)
I chose to travel with ice packs. Travel happened on 4th and 5th April 2019, and involved clearing security at both Manchester airport in the UK, and JFK in the US. Both times I informed security that the bag I was carrying contained insulin that needed to be kept cold, and 2 ice/freezer packs. On both occasions they took the bag and scanned it separately, swabbed it for the various things they swab for, and cleared it with no further issues. Neither of them asked for documentation to prove it was required. I think it also helped that the box of cartridge refills was still sealed, but it also had the product details printed on it, along with a prescription label.
At JFK the agent said that the ice packs should have been completely frozen, but due to various delays and the odd schedule we had, we were at the airport for around 6 hours before we were able to check the dogs in and clear security, so they weren't solid ice. That, and the freezer at our hotel didn't work very well, so one of them was barely frozen by the time it came to clearing security. He consulted with his supervisor who allowed him to clear it anyway after a swab.
So in conclusion; YES - you can travel with ice packs. Make sure you tell the security agent it's medication that needs to be kept cold. They'll most likely just swab it and allow it to pass. They might say that the ice packs must be completely frozen, but they seem to have enough common sense to do due diligence on it and allow you to proceed.
Best Answer
Contact the airlines in question. You're not the first person with such needs, and they will have special procedures in place. Most likely it'll be something like you hand over the goods to them and they make sure it gets packaged and transported for you and then handed over to you on arrival.
As the medication is for a pet, the airlines' animal handling departments are probably the most appropriate people for you to approach.
While meant for humans, the American Diabetes Association says that restrictions on liquids and gels don't apply towards insulin and related products. Maybe contacting them can also give you some more information: ADA website
According to USA Today (again, for humans):
Insulin pumps, syringes, ice packs and other equipment related to diabetes management are also exempt from the rule, provided the traveler is also carrying the insulin itself. TSA agents should also allow passengers with diabetes to carry juice or any other medically-necessary liquids through security, even in quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces.
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How do you keep insulin refrigerated when traveling?
3) Storage options for longer trips Ideally, unopened insulin should be stored in a refrigerator between 36\xbaF to 46\xbaF, but that can be tough to do if you're always on the go. You can use a portable cooler, but avoid letting your insulin directly touch ice or ice packs.How do I travel with insulin on a plane?
InsulinCan you bring insulin medication into plane?
Yes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) specifically states that passengers are permitted to board airplanes with insulin, syringes, insulin pumps, liquids \u201cinclud[ing] \u201cwater, juice, or liquid nutrition,\u201d and \u201call diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies.\u201dDoes flying affect insulin?
A study has shown that changes in the environmental pressure during commercial flights do not affect the mechanical function of an insulin pump.Diabetes \u0026 Insulin: Safe airplane travel
More answers regarding air travel with refrigerated insulin
Answer 2
I highly recommend a FRIO cooling case. They are designed for this exact purpose and do not require liquids or gels to function. You have to soak the case in water for it to work, but this can be done once you are past security. This will also allow you to keep the medication on you instead of handing it over for transport.
I've personally used it to bring insulin on dozens of flights and I've never had an issue.
Answer 3
I have traveled many times within the United States with my father that needed many drugs for heart and diabetes issues. We purchased a small folding cooler that had gel cooler packs and kept all the medication in that bag (would be able to hold maybe 12 cans or so). The key is to ensure that the gel pack is completely frozen and to inform the TSA agent of exactly what is in there. They will go through all the contents of the bag and test everything for explosives, but you should be fine.
Answer 4
"Dry Ice" (solid CO2) is/was allowed to be carried in carryon luggage for food cooling use [!!!].
Do check latest rules.
This is actually a dangerous allowance but did exist a few years back (long after "9/11" when I traveled a lot.
If Dry Ice is wrapped in enough insulation it can last for days.
It self cools the remainder as it "sublimes" to gas - no liquid is produced.
I've managed to keep a small portion of some dry ice solid for up to a week by using more insulation than you wish to carry. (In a medium size domestic chilly bin).
Layer after layer after layer of Al foil with an occasional separator sheet of plastic bag will probably work.
Or a large-as-you-can-manage block of polystyrene.
Foil may be better.
Meds can be in a wrapping layer near the surface but deep enough to be cooler than ambient.
This can be tested in advance by using an outdoor thermometer probe and wrapping ice and watching temperature. Ice with max salt dissolved freezes at a substantially lower temperature.
Answer 5
Are you sure it needs refrigeration?
As a type-1 diabetic, I've travelled on many flights from the UK, including to the USA and Australia, and I've always kept my insulin just straight in hand luggage. My insulin is fine to be stored at up to about 30°C for about 4 weeks, despite what it may say about refrigeration in the instructions.
Please note I've no experience of insulin for dogs, and there may be some difference, although I'd be surprised. But I'd definitely recommend looking into whether this is a problem you actually need to solve.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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