Yes, you can pass airport security with a Dexcom G5, but skip X-ray and AIT body scanners and ask for metal-detector screening plus hand inspection.
Not Allowed
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On
- Keep receiver, sensors, transmitter, and charger in a pouch.
- Ask for visual inspection; avoid the X-ray belt.
- Small lithium cells ride in the cabin.
Best Practice
Checked Bag
- Avoid packing CGM parts in checked luggage.
- Heat/cold and delays add risk to supplies.
- Lithium batteries aren’t allowed down there.
Avoid
Special Handling
- Ask for a Passenger Support Specialist if needed.
- Carry a Dexcom device letter for officers.
- Use a short, clear script at the lane.
Help Option
Dexcom G5 Through Airport Security — Practical Steps
Security lines are busy, so keep the script short. Tell the officer you wear a continuous glucose monitor and that the sensor can’t be removed. Say you need a hand inspection for Dexcom parts and a pat-down or metal detector for your body. That simple opener usually sets the tone.
Older G5 hardware is sensitive to certain machines. Manufacturer guidance warns against X-ray units and some body scanners for CGM components. Walk-through metal detectors and hand-wands are fine for most travelers wearing a sensor and transmitter. If a screener suggests anything else, request a supervisor or a Passenger Support Specialist.
Screening Methods: What Works And What To Avoid
Here’s a quick comparison to keep handy at the checkpoint.
| Screening Method | G5 Component | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on X-ray belt | Receiver, sensors, transmitters | Ask for visual inspection; avoid the X-ray when possible. |
| Advanced Imaging (AIT) body scanner | Worn sensor/transmitter | Request pat-down instead. |
| Walk-through metal detector | Worn sensor/transmitter | Allowed; tell the officer you’re wearing a CGM. |
| Hand-held wand | Worn sensor/transmitter | Allowed; brief the officer before they scan. |
| Explosive trace swab | Device or hands | Allowed; keep items dry and clean. |
Two quick reminders help the process. Pack Dexcom supplies in a small pouch so you can pull them out fast. Keep a printed device letter in the pouch in case a new officer needs context.
What The Rules Say, In Plain Language
The TSA page for insulin pumps and glucose monitors confirms these devices are allowed through checkpoints. Officers can screen by pat-down, hand-wand, or metal detector, and travelers may ask for a visual inspection of medical gear. Dexcom’s own travel guide advises avoiding X-ray machines and some body scanners for CGM parts; ask for a hand inspection to keep the gear safe in screening.
Lithium batteries power receivers and chargers. The FAA PackSafe page for batteries says small lithium-ion cells belong in carry-on, not in checked baggage. That lines up neatly with a CGM kit that stays by your side.
Why G5 Users Should Avoid X-ray And AIT
G5 is an earlier platform. Dexcom has said its CGM components haven’t been tested with every X-ray or AIT model at airports. That uncertainty is reason enough to choose alternatives that screeners already use daily. A pat-down and a visual inspection take a few extra minutes but protect your sensor session and spare parts.
Packing Strategy That Speeds Things Up
Think carry-on only for the CGM kit. A checked bag can bake on the ramp, get soaked in transit, or miss a connection. Your receiver, spare sensors, alcohol wipes, chargers, and backup meter all do better at cabin temperatures. If you travel with an insulin pump, group it with the CGM pouch so you can present everything at once.
Build A Slim, Ready-To-Show Pouch
- Receiver and cable
- Two sensors and one spare transmitter
- Tape, alcohol wipes, skin prep, and a small pair of safety scissors
- Printed device letter and a short note that says “Visual inspection requested”
- Glucose tabs and a granola bar
At the belt, put the pouch in a tray and tell the officer you request a hand inspection for medical devices. Most agents know the drill. If someone tries to send your gear through the X-ray, restate the request and point to the note.
What To Say At The Checkpoint
Use a calm, clear script:
Sample Script
“Hi, I’m wearing a Dexcom G5 continuous glucose monitor. The sensor is under my skin, so I can’t remove it. Dexcom advises avoiding X-ray and AIT. I’m requesting a pat-down for me and a visual inspection for these supplies.”
Stick to that wording. It’s friendly and factual, and it references manufacturer advice without turning checkout into a debate.
Can A Dexcom G5 Go Through Body Scanners?
Ask for a pat-down instead. A walk-through metal detector is fine for most people wearing a G5. The AIT scanner can be a mixed bag for CGM electronics, so it’s safer to skip it. If your airport only has AIT active, opt out. Officers will route you to a manual screening lane.
Taking A Dexcom G5 In Checked Luggage — Bad Idea Or Backup Plan?
Checked bags aren’t kind to small electronics. Temperature swings, crushing loads, and lost luggage add risk. Lithium cells usually must ride in the cabin under FAA guidance, and CGM supplies are no exception. If you must check a small portion of supplies to meet carry-on limits, keep one full day of gear in your personal item and stash the rest in your main carry-on.
Travel Day Walkthrough: Start To Finish
Before You Leave Home
- Start a fresh sensor 24–48 hours before flying for stable readings.
- Charge the receiver and pack a compact power bank for the airport wait.
- Put the CGM pouch on top of your bag so it’s the first thing out.
At The Checkpoint
- State your request and show the pouch.
- Separate snacks and liquids to keep the medical items clean and dry.
- Wait for the hand inspection and pat-down. Stay patient and polite.
On The Plane
- Keep the pouch under the seat in front of you, not in the overhead.
- Use airplane mode on connected devices during taxi, takeoff, and landing as crew directs.
- If a sensor starts to peel, clean the skin and reinforce with tape before arrival.
When Things Don’t Go As Planned
Every now and then, a tray gets nudged toward the X-ray belt or an officer insists on a scanner. Stay polite and restate the request. Ask for a supervisor if needed. You can also request a Passenger Support Specialist to guide the process.
If a part accidentally passes through the X-ray, don’t panic. Insert a new sensor after you land and monitor readings with a finger-stick backup until you trust the trend again.
Smart Packing: What Goes Where
Use this cheat sheet when you build your bags.
| Item | Best Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Receiver, sensors, transmitter | Carry-on | Ask for visual inspection at screening. |
| Charger and cables | Carry-on | Coil neatly; avoid tangles in the tray. |
| Alcohol wipes, tape | Carry-on | Small packs breeze through with inspection. |
| Sharps container | Carry-on | Use a travel size with a tight lid. |
| Snacks and glucose tabs | Carry-on | Declare if asked; medical need is allowed. |
International Tips That Save Time
Rules feel different abroad, but the basics still work. Say you’re wearing a CGM, ask for a pat-down, and request a visual inspection of the kit. Point to your device letter. Use simple phrases and keep your tone steady. Most officers have seen CGMs and pumps before.
On return flights, keep spare sensors sealed in their retail pouches. If a swab test flags a false alarm, the seal shows the item is new and untouched. If a foreign officer wants to scan the kit, say you need a supervisor and ask for a hand inspection instead.
Final Tips Before You Board
- Set Dexcom alerts to a slightly tighter range on travel day.
- Carry a backup meter and a few strips in case you need to verify a reading.
- Keep contact links for the Dexcom travel guide and the TSA device page on your phone.
Paired with the steps above, that simple routine keeps your Dexcom G5 happy from curb to gate.