Travelling With Medicines and Other Medical Equipments

Travelling in a medical condition can be very stressful. Patients should take care and go well prepared.

Elderly and those with a chronic illness need to prepare themselves physically and mentally before going on an aircraft. The medication should be packed for a day or two extra in case of an emergency. If possible, it should be packed in the original packing.

Most airlines cannot provide a location to keep the medicine cool so it is necessary to check with the pharmacist about an ice pack that can be used in travelling. If you need to carry equipment with you, please ensure that it is battery operated. A power supply might or might not be available on flight.

Let’s read more about travelling in a medical condition –

1. Use of Nebulisers

Patients are only allowed to use a battery operated nebulizer while on the air craft. And it has to be switched off at landing, take off and during taxi. Most airlines will not be able to supply power for it.

2. Carrying a CPAP Machine

No medical clearance is required to travel with a CPAP machine, which is used for sleep. In cases where the traveler is not confident, he should hire a medical escort or a flight nurse. Although a dry cell battery is highly recommended, patients can plug it into a laptop point. Please keep in mind that the maximum power available for a laptop is 75 watts, so plan accordingly.

3. A Dialysis Machine

A dialysis machine is allowed by most airlines and it can be checked in along with the rest of the cabin baggage. The baggage allowance might exceed due to it, so keep that in mind.