Pumpers, how do you handle a day at the beach

[wendyc]

Hi,

Just curious how you manage a day at the beach with a pump. While Animas says it is waterproof, our d-team does not at all endorse swimming w/it on. So, we know we will have to check every hour and hook up for corrections. So, for those of you who are in the same boat, what do you do? Do you find that numbers are way out of whack because they aren't getting enough basal? Also, do you allow your child to play in the sand w/the pump on? I'm worried about grit getting into the set, more than I am about the pump getting wet.

Any input is appreciated

[Ben'sMommy]

My son uses the Paradigm pump which is only 'splash proof'.
It hasn't been an issue for us though because we find that when Ben is at the beach and has the pump off the activity keeps his levels in check.
We do check BG's more often and re-attach for meal bolus's or corrections but so far we've not had any major drama's at the beach.
When Ben is in his sandpit we wrap the pump in a waterproof bag (ie a nappy sack etc!!!) and then put it back into his pump pak.
The LAST thing anyone needs is the pump getting jammed with sand! NIGHTMARE!
Even if Ben's pump was waterproof I don't think I'd let him wear it swimming just in case. It's a big risk to take.

There is another option also. I is called the 'untethered regime'.
It uses a combination of pump and injection. You take a shot of long acting insulin in the a.m. and use the pump for meal boluses. The shot of insulin covers the basal.
We don't do this but it might interest you as your son is older. Have a look at this link. I hope it's useful.
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/clinic/untethered.htm

Carol.

[Ellen]

We bring a cooler and keep the pump in the shade in the cooler (the pump is NOT touching the ice of course because if you freeze the insulin, you destroy the insulin.

Check blood sugar frequently. There were times when all the energy from fighting the waves and walking in the sand, left my son needing very little insulin but by the end of the day the loss of basal caught up with him and we had to make a big correction when he reconnected.

I would NEVER put a pump in the ocean or a lake or a public pool - you simply do not want to LOSE the pump. I don't have a problem with swimming with a waterproof pump in a private home pool, but usually the energy from swimming makes it ok to disconnect for the swim time and then reconnect when out of the water.

[allisa]

Just chiming in to echo Ellen's comments about swimming all day & requiring little insulin....we spend a lot of time at the beaach during the summer and my son barely takes any insulin on these days....I'll give him a unit or 2 of NPH but don't dare do too much more.....he has had SEVERE lows during the night and woken up sick in the morning with starvation ketones, severe headache and inconsolable crying and pain.

[wendyc]

Thanks for all your input. I agree, the pump is much to valuable to even chance swimming in, but I totally forgot, gee we have to store it somewhere! As I said, my biggest concern is what will happen with loss of basal. I'll be in touch with our d-team prior to vacation.

Thanks again, everyone is so helpful!

[dawnegge]

We were just at the beach today but what we do is wrap the pump in a towel and keep it in the cooler and my daughter keeps it off the entire time unless she eats something or her sugar is over 150 then we hook her up to give her insulin. We are usually there for 2-3 hours and have never had a problem with blood sugars. We use the paradigm pump.

[lisamomtotwins]

My husband is on a pump and he seems to regulate also just from the excersise when we are at the pool or beach. He puts it back on once we are out ofthe water and takes off again when we go swimming, it seems to work ok and i will prob do the same for hailey once she is on it.