Travelling as a Catheter User

Being well prepared is a good first step for a carefree holiday! To help you get ready for your vacation, our friends at Coloplast have gathered some information and a few tips for you in this article.

These are general guidelines meant to help with a few commonly asked questions. You should always follow the specific instructions given by your healthcare provider.

Before going away

Order extra products and order them well in advance. That way, you’ll be sure you have enough products in time for your trip.

It’s a good idea to order some compact catheters to bring along. SpeediCath® Compact Set catheters are an all-in-one catheter and bag solution – perfect for travelling! They are discreet, instantly ready to use, and come in both male and female versions.

Compact catheters have three main advantages when you’re on-the-go:

1. Compact catheters are pre-lubricated and ready to use. This also reduces the chances of bacteria and thus UTIs (compared to non-lubricated catheters).
2. They’re discreet and clean. You can toss them in the trash or keep them in your pocket after usage.
3. They can hide in plain sight!

Pack a kit with all the supplies you may need on-the-go. This could include a list of your products written down with you, just in case. Taking a picture of them to have with you on your phone may also be a good idea. 

On the way

Keep in mind that temperature has an impact on your products, so think about how this might affect your packing plans. If applicable, keep some supplies in the glove compartment in your car and/or bring some in your carry-on luggage if travelling by plane.

Plan your visits to the bathroom. If you’re travelling by airplane, catheterize as close to boarding as possible. Try to plan all other bathroom visits during your stay, allowing time before or after an event. Set a watch or phone alarm if you’re worried that you might forget!

At your destination

Be sure to stay hydrated! When you travel in hot climates, you risk becoming dehydrated. Most people should aim to drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day unless your healthcare provider says otherwise. When it’s hot outside, you need to drink even more water.

If you’re not sure about the quality of the tap water, keep in mind:

• Use bottled water to brush your teeth
• Order drinks without ice
• Don’t eat raw fruits or vegetables washed in tap water

How do you know if you’ve consumed enough water? One way to gauge your hydration level is to look at the colour of your urine. If you’re well-hydrated, it will probably be pale, and you’ll urinate regularly throughout the day.

Travelling should be a fun and exciting experience. With a little extra preparation and planning, you can have a worry-free vacation! Looking for more travel tips? Check out Coloplast’s free travel guide for catheter users!

If you are interested in learning more about SpeediCath® catheters, get in touch with a Coloplast Care Advisor today at 1-866-293-6349 or email casupport@coloplast.com.