Daily Living – DBS Therapy

Travel Tips

In the weeks before your trip:

Talk to your doctor about your travel plans and request enough medication refills to get you through your trip
Ask your doctor for the phone number of a DBS Therapy specialist in your travel location, or use our online tool to find a doctor
Provide advance notice to your airline, travel company, or travel agent if you require assistance at the airport or station. They often have a designated person to coordinate travel help and answer questions ahead of time
When you make your reservation, request preferred seating, either disability or a seat near the plane, train, or bus entrance
Keep your Medtronic Patient Identification Card with you at all times. It contains information on you, your device, and your doctor, plus our Patient Services number in case you have a question while you’re away

During your travels:

Maintain your usual medication schedule and diet, and drink plenty of fluids
Even if you generally don’t use a wheelchair, you may consider one to get through airports, for sightseeing, and generally to help prevent fatigue
Pace yourself – balance busy days with restful breaks
Prevent falls in new environments by removing small area rugs and always using hand rails
Carry your patient programmer and medications in your carry-on bag. Check your neurostimulator once a day. If you suspect that it was turned off, make sure you or someone is able to turn on your system again
Speak up! Let others know if you need something – most are glad to help

Travel by Air

Let airline employees know your needs during travel, like stowing luggage, opening beverages, requesting a wheelchair, and navigating the airport facility and security screening queue line
If you require a family member or companion to accompany you through the security checkpoint, obtain a gate pass for that person at the same time you get your gate pass/boarding pass
Once you’ve cleared security, use your patient controller to make sure your system is still on
Arrive at the airport well ahead of your check-in time

TSA Tips (Transportation Security Administration)

TSA has a program for screening people with disabilities and their equipment, mobility aids, and medical devices.

TSA employees can assist you with the actual screening process but not in the screening queue line; request airline help for that
Carry-on luggage limits do not apply to medical supplies, equipment, and mobility aids carried on and/or used by a person with a disability
Medications should be clearly identified and packed in a separate bag
Your Medtronic Patient Identification Card will inform the Security Officer of your situation but will not exempt you from the screening process
Once you inform the Security Officer that you have an implanted medical device, he or she should offer you a private screening instead of having you walk through a metal detector or be screened with the security wand device
Traveling companions may accompany you and assist you during a public or private screening
Ask for a chair if you need to sit down during the screening. You should be allowed to remain in your wheelchair if you have one
Mobility-related items are allowed through security checkpoints after they are cleared through screening. These include:

Wheelchairs
Scooters
Crutches
Canes
Walkers
Orthopedic shoes
Tools for wheelchair assembly
Any other disability-related equipment and associated supplies

Travel by Bus

Private bus companies provide boarding assistance to passengers with mobility issues and they transport wheelchairs
The bus may or may not have lift equipment. If lift equipment is not available, alternate boarding assistance will be provided
Some bus companies ask that you contact them 48 hours prior to departure to arrange assistance

Travel by Train

Make a reservation for wheelchair space, transfer seats, and accessible sleeper accommodations
Accessible space is limited, so make your reservation as far in advance of travel as possible

Next: Product Care

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Last updated: 7 Dec 2011