Business Travel with the Heartmate II

So after some delay here is how I travel.....

The first thing I needed to do was find a bag that worked. I tried a roller board and traveled the first time with all of my gear stuffed in it and it didn't work. I found an Eddie Bauer rolling duffel bag, size Large, at an outlet nearby. With this bag I can comfortably get everything into it, get through security, and stow this on any plane (the small embry air, the canada regional jet, and the larger SD-80's or 737s).

The first thing I did once I got this bag home was to apply Gorilla brand tape to the end of the bag that rests on the floor when the bag is stood on end. This is the opposite side of the handle. I did this because the material of the bag, while rip-stop, is quite thin and if the bag is dragged at all it burns through.

To pack my HM II up I use two hand towels and a wash cloth. I unplug and remove all cables from the battery charger, the power unit, and remove the night cable and monitor. Next, I take the batteries and with the gold contacts facing AWAY from each other, wrap them up in the towels. Unzip the bottom tray of the rolling duffel and lay the top open. The batteries fit perfectly between the ribs in the bottom of the tray. You can see in the picture how I lay them in there. Then, I take the power cables (there are two, one for the battery charger and one for the power unit) and bundle them up neatly. I place these ate the bottom end, opposite the handle, in the tray bottom. See the pictures.

Once the batteries are in the bottom tray and the cables are neatly placed in the end of the bottom tray I begin to prepare the power unit. I was not told this at my transplant center but fortunately some other kind soul shared it with me. There is an easily accesible back up battery in the bottom of the power unit. This provides 30 minutes of power should the power go off while plugged in. It also has been known to discharge if it does not receive power within 12 hours. This is because the green light turns yellow when the power is disconnected and that light stays on and as such draws power from the battery. I got a $9 screwdriver from Lowe's that has the multiple tips and remove the battery. This is a lead battery and is heavy and will most likely get attention at airport security because it shows up black on the x-ray. Remove the battery and wrap it in the washcloth. Secure the screws back in place.

Once the back up battery is removed and wrapped and the cover is replaced, I put the power unit in the bottom tray in the front corner. Behind the power unit I place the long power cable the connects at night to my controller back to the power supply. This runs the length of the seem. Lastly, I place the monitor on top of the coiled power cables. I connect the elastic straps that hold everything in place and I am ready to close the bag. At this point in time the only thing not in the bag is the battery charger, the screw driver, and the backup battery.

Once the tray is zipped shut and the top compartment is opened I am almost done. I place the battery charger into the top compartment. There is PLENTY of room around this to put my blood pressure cuff, thermometer, pills (though I recommend them in your carry on), my demo pump and ambassador materials. In the side pocket I place the backup battery and the screw driver with the tip put away. Also, in this bag is my letter from my LVAD coordinator that explains what the device is, that it is TSA compliant, and that I need assistance boarding.

The last part of this journey is how exactly to plan travel and get through the airport. Some rules I follow:

1) Always notify my LVAD coordinator of the dates, times, and destinations of my travel. They provide me with a facility location and a POC at my destination should I have any problems while there

2) Always plan to have at least 3 extra days of medications on hand with me at all times. I figure in that time frame I can rent a car and drive home or have prescriptions faxed to the local CVS or Walgreens for me to refill

3) Always pack my pills in my pill case and then inside a ziplock bag, carried in my carry on bag. I can last with pills and batteries

4) Plan to arrive to the airport at least 90 minutes prior to your flight departure. You can get your boarding pass without any hassle. Security is the same thing. Once I pass the TSA ID screener I remove my belt, shoes, phones, wallet etc. and place them all in one bin. Then I set my laptop bag (or in my case backpack) on the conveyor and remove my laptop. Then I remove the battery charger, backup battery, and power unit ONLY from my bag and place each in their own tray. Actually I put the backup battery in next to the power unit. Then I send everything through the conveyor.

Next I notify TSA I need an assisted screening, no Xray or other electronic checks. At this point I will be patted down and everything will be checked. I have never had my bag searched and never volunteered that I had the screwdriver in my bag. If they ask I tell them it is the tool that I use to assemble my heart pump. Once they are done with the pat down and associated checks they assist me in putting my stuff together. All told security usually takes me about 15 minutes and they are absolutely polite and helpful. I usually provide an information card I received from Thoratec on what my device is. I am confident that you won't have any issues as I have flown 40 times since I had my device placed and have been through many of the major airports.

At the gate is usually the hardest part. The bag in the pictures is about 2 inches too long. I have found the BEST way for me to avoid any hassles boarding the plane is to notify the gate agent that I am traveling with a medical device and that I need some extra time to board. This usually leads to questions but in the end once they know me and my device they let me board early, no problems. The obvious question is how does the bag fit. Here goes:

1) For Embry Air jets (1x2 seats) it has to go in the crew cabin that is up front. This is the only place it fits. However, if you are flying with someone you know and you are on the 2 seat side of the plane, you can remove the battery charger and slide the bag sideways under the seats in front of you. Simply put the battery charger in the overhead

2) For Canada Regional Jets (CRJs or 2x2 seats) the bag will only fit under the two seats in front of you. Just remove the battery charger and place in the over hear above your seat.

3) For 737s or S-80s (2x3 or 3x3 seats) remove the battery charger, slide the bag in wheels first towards the skin of the plane and place the battery charger next to your bag.

Lastly, always remember to retrieve your battery charger and place it in your bag. I have never once had to check my bag or not take a flight.

I hope all of this has been helpful. Please contact me with questions.