Flying with a pacemaker is not unusual, but many people have questions about it.
As with every medical question, get specific advice from your own doctor. Relying on the internet for information is no substitute for an in-person consultation, and this article is just for general information.
What is a cardiac pacemakers and what does a pacemaker do
A cardiac pacemaker is a little device that uses electricity to keep your heart beating at a steady rhythm. Pacemakers are tried and true technology. Although there are external cardiac pacemakers, the ones travellers will be using are internal cardiac pacemakers. They are implanted under the skin and operate on their own using a battery.
Why a cardiac pacemaker might be a concern when flying
If you are medically stable, the general advice is that flying with a cardiac pacemaker is allowed. This assumes you have no complications, are not suffering illness at the time of the flight, and that you are flying on an ordinary commercial flight. (Not performing acrobatic stunts with the Snowbirds!)
The areas of concern come from two sources, broadly speaking. The first source is to do with the physical properties of your pacemaker. The second comes from the humans you will be dealing with as part of the flying experience.
The cardiac pacemaker and the security metal detector
On the Mayo Clinic's website, in an October 2006 article about pacemakers, the Mayo says:
"Passing through an airport metal detector won't interfere with your pacemaker, although the metal in it may sound the alarm. But avoid lingering near or leaning against a metal-detection system. If security personnel insist on using a hand-held metal detector, ask them not to hold the device near your pacemaker any longer than necessary. To avoid potential problems, carry an ID card stating that you have a pacemaker."
In addition to that general advice, you should check with your own doctor and read the instructions from the manufacturer of your own model of pacemaker to find out whether the pacemaker you have is more sensitive to the metal detection equipment.
The pacemaker and the concerns that the airlines and security staff may have
This is where the human factor comes in.
We will consider this from two angles:
- the airline's concern for your health
- the security screener's concern for everyone's security.
The airline's concern about your health
Obviously, the airlines do not want to have patients become seriously ill during a flight. On the other hand, it is discriminatory (in Canada, the USA and elsewhere) to refuse passage to a passenger who is fit to travel, on the basis of some perception that there might be a problem.
Some airlines want passengers to disclose any potential health issues to them. This can lead to a request for the completion of a doctor's report stating that the passenger is fit to fly.
It is prudent to look on the website for the airline you will be travelling on.
If the flight is a code share - where you book with one airline but actually fly on another one - then you should look at the websites for each airline. (An example of a code share is that Air Canada and United Airlines both fly between Calgary and Los Angeles. Some flights are operated by Air Canada, others by United. You can ask at the time of booking which airline you will be flying on).
Typically in North America, the airlines do not ask for special reports or disclosure, but they do recommend that you carry a certificate identifying yourself as a pacemaker wearer. This is more to assist you in clearing security than in actually flying.
The security screener's concern about the security metal detector
When the security metal detector goes off, the security screener has to investigate - that's their job.
You can make their job much easier by telling them in advance that you have a pacemaker and that it may set off their alarm.
In Canada, the CATSA website says that if your medical implant (here, a pacemaker) is sensitive to the metal detectors, you can request a physical search. You should identify yourself before starting the security process. CATSA also recommends you carry medical information verifying your condition.
In the USA, the TSA website gives similar advice. You can request a pat-down (physical search), but you need to identify yourself to the Security Officer first. You should carry your Pacemaker ID card and show it to the officer early on. The pat-down often does not require you to remove or lift your clothing.
In Australia, the advice is similar: identify yourself in advance to the screener and tell them what implant you have.
In the UK, the general Department for Transport website does not have specific information about pacemakers. On the website for Heathrow Airport, there is general information, including a pamphlet about Flying with Disability that has some good general advice, but does not appear to comment specifically on pacemakers.
The best advice appears to be:
- consult with your doctor to find out whether there are restrictions on you flying and / or passing through security metal detectors
- carry an official ID card showing that you wear a pacemaker
- find out from the airline in advance whether they have any particular requirements for pacemaker wearers
- if you do not want to identify yourself to the airline as a pacemaker wearer, search their website to see if you have any obligation to tell them. Assuming you are not requesting any special assistance, the airline has no particular reason to need to know about your pacemaker.
- find out from the security authority's website and from the website of the airport you will be leaving from whether there is any special advice for that place
- identify yourself at security as a pacemaker wearer
- ask for a discreet physical search if you do not want to go through the metal detector
- do not stand close to any of the detecting equipment
- follow your doctor's orders above all others.
