Campaigning to make airports easier for people living with type 1 tech

My name is Rachel, and my son George was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2010 when he was eight years old.

In 2016, while returning from a family holiday, we experienced first-hand the challenges that people with medical devices can face when travelling by air. During a transit through Dubai Airport, we were detained in an airport police room for more than two hours after security staff insisted that George’s insulin pump be screened in a way that contradicted manufacturer guidance. We came close to missing our flight home, and what should have been a routine journey became a stressful and upsetting ordeal for our family.

Campaigning for better awareness

Determined to prevent others from facing similar situations, I began researching airport screening procedures for insulin pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs). What I discovered was alarming. Although regulations allow passengers with medical devices to request alternative screening methods, awareness and implementation were often inconsistent.

Manufacturers advise that these devices should not be placed through x-ray machines or full-body scanners, as the screening technology may affect their operation. Because insulin pumps rely on precise motor functions to deliver insulin, alternative screening methods, such as manual inspection supported by Explosive Trace Detection (ETD), should be used instead.

• Please refer to the latest guidance and statements issued by major insulin pump and CGM manufacturers.

Launching the Medical Device Awareness Card

What started as a personal mission soon evolved into an international awareness campaign and I started a petition. Following discussions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), I worked closely with them to develop and launch the Medical Device Awareness Card (MDA) in 2019. The card has since gained international recognition, with the concept being presented to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and incorporated into global aviation security guidance.

To raise further awareness, I collaborated with NHS specialists, UK airports and the wider diabetes community, with the campaign featured by Breakthrough T1D UK, Diabetes UK and International Airport Review.

Continuing to make progress

Despite this progress, challenges remain. UK airports handled a record 302 million passenger journeys in 2025, and with around 1 in 14 people in England living with diabetes, thousands of travellers requiring insulin pumps, CGMs and other medical devices pass through airport security every day. Yet reports of confusion, inconsistent screening procedures and unnecessary distress continue to emerge.

Importantly, I do not believe this reflects a lack of willingness from security staff, but rather the reality that awareness and training can vary greatly between individuals, shifts, airports, and even different screening lanes.

To help drive further improvements, I am gathering feedback through an online survey to better understand the experiences of passengers travelling with insulin pumps, CGMs and other medical devices. The findings will help identify areas where awareness, training and procedures can be strengthened, ensuring travellers are treated safely, consistently and with respect. Please consider completing the survey and sharing it within the diabetes community, every response helps make a difference.

The Medical Device Awareness Card (MDA) Card is available via a live download link and can be stored on your phone for easy access while travelling. Passport-sized printed versions are also available and fit neatly inside your passport. UK residents can request a free printed card by emailing rachel@mdacard.com.

Rachel Crawford