Tips for Traveling with a Tube
For most of us, planning a trip away is exciting, but it might feel a little more worrisome if you are organizing a vacation when you, or someone in your family has a feeding tube. Although you might feel a little anxious about traveling with a feeding tube, it should not prevent you from getting away and having a great time. So, if you are planning a holiday, or traveling for work; going around the world or staying close to home, here are few tips to make your travel easy, comfortable, and as smooth as possible.
Talk to your healthcare team
It is always a good idea to have a chat with the healthcare team before making final plans to travel. They can support you so that you will be safe and give you advice about who to contact in an emergency while you are away. This is very important if you are traveling out of the country. They may also give you specific instructions about how to adjust your feeding schedule as you travel, as well as any precautions you need to take.
Be prepared
Planning well in advance of your travel will certainly help things go more smoothly. Find out if there is an appropriate hospital nearby in case you have problems or concerns. Take a copy of your medical records with you. If you are traveling to a different country, consider taking a translation card or app that explains your condition and treatment needs in the local language. Consider researching the places you want to visit to ensure they are suitable for your needs.
It is a good idea to have a checklist of what supplies to pack and give yourself plenty of time to order the equipment before you go. Think about all the things you use each day such as…
- Medicines and nutrition
- Bottles of sterile or distilled water
- Back-up extension sets and feeding tubes
- A container or zip-top bags for refrigerating extra nutrition between feeds
- Syringes
- Equipment such as pumps and bags
- Gloves and tape
- Something to hang the bags up, such as adhesive wall hooks or hangers that fit over a door
- Cleaning supplies for skin care if needed
- Spare tube if you are able to change the tube yourself
Make sure to take enough feeding supplies for the whole trip, plus a few extra in case of unexpected delays or mishaps. Then you will not have to spend precious time trying to replace them.
Contact your home care provider
If your supplies are normally delivered to your home, talk to your home care provider about the support they can offer for your trip. They will let you know how far in advance you need to order the supplies. They may also be able to help with other arrangements, such as providing a portable travel pump, or finding out if supplies can be delivered directly to your destination. They may also have a helpline in case you have trouble with broken equipment while you are away.
Check with your airline and TSA
If you are flying, you will probably need to provide documentation from your healthcare provider to confirm your need to travel with medical equipment and supplies. Each may wish to request special assistance or seating for the flight.
Pack wisely
Make sure to pack your feeding supplies in a separate bag, so that they are easy to access when needed. Keep them with you, not packed away where they might get lost. You could consider using a cool bag with ice packs to keep your feed cold during travel.
Allow extra time
You might need to factor in additional time during your trip. It may take longer to get through security at the airport, transfer between locations and get around tourist sites. If you are prepared, patient and observant, you are likely to have more fun.
Know when to get help
Staying healthy while you are away will help you have a good time, but there may be times when medical help may be needed. So, keep an eye out for signs of infection, fever, pain, or an inflamed stoma site. Be aware of getting dehydrated; becoming weak or dizzy, or losing weight.
If you are worried at all about anything, contact your healthcare team or the recommended local contact and get professional advice. You can even call the Nurse Support line with Avanos at 1-844-4AVANOS with product related questions. Taking a break, when needed, can be beneficial for the whole family. Being prepared as best as possible can help make your travels safe and enjoyable for everyone. We hope this advice and guidance will empower you to take a trip and enjoy a new adventure.
