Summertime diabetes management: Swim edition
Summertime diabetes management
Sunblock? Check.
Towel? Check.
Change of clothes? Check.
There are some things we all have to remember for a backyard pool party or a day at the beach. For people living with diabetes, there’s a few extra things to prepare for when enjoying summertime fun.
Let’s dive into a few diabetes management tips for your summertime swim!*
Storing your insulin pump outdoors
When you’re ready to go swimming, you’ll need to disconnect and suspend your insulin pump. But you shouldn’t leave your pump laying out in the hot sun. Although pump storage temperatures vary by model, here are some ideas for where to store your pump and insulin:
- Place the insulin pump and insulin in a Ziploc bag, then put it into a cooler.
- If you don’t have a cooler, place the Ziploc bag with your diabetes supplies into a larger Ziploc bag with ice.
- Set up under the shade of a beach umbrella or tree and wrap your supplies in clothing.
- Use a cooling case, like these ones from Frio®.
Remember, just as your phone can overheat in the sun, so can your pump and insulin, so be sure to take proper precautions.
Packing diabetes supplies
Keeping a checklist will help you remember all your diabetes supplies. For insulin pump users, you’ll want to pack:
- A few infusion sets and serter
- A few reservoirs
- Sensor supplies: sensors, serter, some overtape
- Transmitter and charger
- A few test strips (just in case)
The quantity of what you bring depends on how long you’re planning on being out and, of course, always include backups!
Taking a pump vacation
A pump vacation is when you decide to take a break from wearing an insulin pump for a short period of time. While you’re on a travel vacation, it may help to be on a pump vacation as well if you plan on spending most of your time in and around water. With a smart insulin pen like the InPen™ smart insulin pen, you still get dose calculations and tracking but without needing to reattach for insulin injections.
Sometimes pump vacations make you that much happier to return to your automated insulin delivery system!
Summertime resources for diabetes management
Swimming is fun and a great form of exercise, but there are a few things you should keep in mind including what to consider when starting a new type of exercise regimen. Learn more about swimming with diabetes on our website.
Looking for more? Check out our Summertime Tips resource!
*CAUTION: Medtronic products and their components have varying degrees of water resistance. Refer to the user guide for individual product specifications.
[Originally published 2013-07-03. Updated 2024-06-26]
Blog comments
Great read. I thought that I could only remove my pump for 30 min. That was around 16 years ago
Thanks for sharing your swim tips with us, Sylvia and Jennifer! I'm glad to hear you've found solutions to keep your child's pump and supplies dry while they're swimming!
I have a 11 year old fish. We use the small Tegaderm IV site covers in the pool, the ocean and the bay to cover the infusion set and rarely do we have a problem with them falling out. We do not use any additional IV prep or NuSkin, (We tried them all), and found Tegaderm was the best solution for our active water boy.
We use an insulated lunchbox to store the pump and spare supplies...Murphy's Law... You never know ;)
My 3 year old son is on the pump! we just came back from vacation where we spent a majority of our time on the beach. Like many others, the amount of activity took place of the basal he was missing out on while disconnected. I purchased a waterproof (militray grade) case to store his pump in to avoid any sand or water getting to it...box was also big enough to hold his meter as well as my cell phone. The case is called Pelican 1050 and comes in many different sizes. :)
No problems with the insulin in the pump getting too hot ? I'm new to this. Thanks.
What do people do about their Sensor when swimming? I disconnected my pump and went swimming only to have alarms go off because my pump and sensor were too far apart. Should I turn off my sensor?
While waterproofing the Pump would be great. I still disconnect while surfing but I do find it challenging for the infusion set to last more than 1/2 hour in the water especially when surfing, Lots of direct contact between the board/wetsuit/rash guard and the insertion point. So I also bring another set to the beach and do a quick change of the infusion set/only and reconnect that way no messing with insulin at the beach and I get a good new connection.
I have started water therapy and aerobic classes back to back for a total of hour and half In Water! The problem I am having is the part of infusion set that stays connected to my body he tape cannot withstand the water and the classes are three times a week so I cannot keep putting on a new set or I will run out of them before the insurance will cover new ones! Any suggestions?
Valerie, I'm sorry to hear this. I've asked someone from our 24 HelpLine to give you a call to discuss this and any tips we might have to help.
I am having the same problem. I want to be able to swim for 30 minutes a day. But either the CGM or my infusion set get loose. i am using IV prep and 2 x IV 3000 tapes for the CGM but it does not hold up for 6 days. Today my one day old CGM came complete out. The infusion sets only stay in for 2-3 days, but still sometimes get loose, which ends my swim. Sometimes after only 10 yards.
I love to swim and it is very good for me. What do you recommend?
William, this is a great conversation to have with our 24 HelpLine. I will ask them to reach out to you to discuss.
I called them myself, but do you have any general suggestions. It is very frustrating not to be able to swim.
William, have you been able to view our tape tips? You can find them online here: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/sites/default/files/library/download-…. Other, than this the 24 HelpLine is best. You might also want to reach out to an Ambassador: www.minimedambassadors.com.
William did you find a solution, I'm having the same difficulty with my sensor and I love to swim 3 times a week. Thanks for any help. I've tried the different tapes and glues they sent but really no difference. It is so frustrating!
I'm sorry you're still having trouble, Charlene. I'd like to connect you with a senior teammate to ensure we've explored all of your options. Please send your contact info to dhelp@medtronic.com and I'll have someone reach out to you and see how we can help.
I am not worried about what I can and can't do with my pump, but I will be boating and swimming in a lake. Are that any concerns about my insertion sites and bacteria in the water? Any info would be helpful. I am 6 months into living with a pump and am pretty active. No worries about anything until this thought.
Thanks
Hi Kim, when in the open water we suggest using the cover cap that came with your infusion set. This will help protect your insertion site while disconnected.
I'm always worried about theft if I leave my 530G at on the beach or poolside so don't swim anymore. I can hardly wait to upgrade to the waterproof 630G in 2 years.
You talk about the cap to prevent bacteria. My tape gets wet so I assume the water is getting in to the plastic inserted in my skin. Any opinions? Also, i have used the tagaderm along with the other things to make the adhesive better. It still does not help when I stay in water for any period of time. This stuff is expensive and insurance does not cover extra. What do I do to be able to swim?
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