Planning a first trip away after diagnosis can be a stressful experience, so here is a downloadable checklist to help you plan ahead and make it a smooth and calm one.

General
– Check stocks and order / request prescription early for anything that might run low before you go.
– Take spare supplies; extra insulin (more than you think you’ll need), extra spare needles, spare batteries / charger, insulin pens as a back up for pump failure, blood glucose kit as a backup to CGM, ketone testers.
– Create two diabetes management packs, and keep them in separate bags, so if one bag gets lost or stolen you have a backup.
– Put a card with contact information in the diabetes packs, so if they get lost you have a chance of getting them back.
– Pack fast and slow blood glucose options (e.g. glucose tablets and granola bars), for managing lows and in case of unexpected delays.
– Use an insulated pouch to protect spare insulin from high and low temperatures.
– Pack an empty lunch box (if packing space is tight you can put something inside it, or pre-pack it with some snacks for the journey).
Holiday / travelling foods often don’t make it easy to manage carbohydrate counting, so having a box which you can quickly fill with handy foods when you find them can help. If you are in self-catering accomodation, a box can make it easier to pre-prepare food prior to going out for the day. A small roll of aluminium foil or a few sandwich bags can also prove to be very helpful for wrapping food items.

Airports and flying
Generally our experience with airports has been very smooth. I was concerned about whether needles, liquids, electronics would be problematic at airport security but we have never had any problems. Having said that, a few simple points can help:
– Keep insulin in cabin / hand luggage. While it may be technically permitted to have insulin in your stowed/checked baggage, temperatures in the airplane cargo hold can easily freeze your insulin, permanently damaging it.
– Split things between two bags, so even if 1 bag is lost, you still have a full backup in the other.
– Take a doctors letter or copy of the hospital report with you, confirming your childs diagnosis (we’ve never actually had to use this, but some sites still recommend it), just because you may be travelling with more liquids like juice packs, and sharps.
TSA offers a medical card to easily declare to security officers that you are carrying medical supplies:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/disabilities-and-medical-conditions

Long car/bus journeys
Long periods of sitting in a vehicle can result in high blood sugar through lack of activity, and also lows through missing meals or over-excitement.
– Keep diabetes kits handy, not in the cargo areas.
– Plan in regular breaks if possible, to get some movement and monitor levels.
– Never leave your insulin / CGM / pump in the vehicle to get hot or freeze, temperatures over 30C (86F) or freezing will damage the insulin.
– Use an insulated pouch to protect spare insulin against extreme temperatures.

Skiing / cold places
Protect your insulin against freezing temperatures which will destroy it.
– Use an insulated pouch to protect spare insulin against extreme temperatures
– Use internal pockets / holders to keep the pump and tubing close to your body heat.

Beaches / hot places
– Don’t leave insulin exposed to sunlight. Even if temperatures are not so hot, UV light damages insulin permanently.
– Use an insulated pouch to keep insulin below 30C (86F).
– Leave spare insulin in air conditioned spaces or a fridge where possible.

Sports and Extreme Activities
Keep in mind that if you want your child to take part in certain sports or activities (e.g. scuba diving, solo endurance or high altitude/extreme environment) via a provider, they may ask you to fill in medical forms and waivers confirming that your child is medically fit to do so, and these can often mention diabetes.
It’s best to be prepared in advance for these discussions:
Do some research about potential risk-mitigations for diabetics,
Speak to your medical team and get them to confirm if your child is ready to participate in those activities yet, and
If possible speak to the provider before you go so that they are aware and prepared in advance.

Don’t forget your Travel Insurance!