I’ve just replaced (at a one-time “courtesy” cost of $300) the receiver because my daughter got moisture in it when she put it in a plastic bag and put the bag in her cooler to take to soccer practice. It was 95 degrees here that night (I know, I know, they shouldn’t have been practicing) so I don’t regret telling her to put it in the cooler with her test kit. It was in a closed plastic bag but moisture got in regardless. WHat experience/suggestions to do you all have regarding moisture/wetness protection for the receiver? Dexcom doesn’t make a waterproof or water resistent cover for it, do they? Shouldn’t they? Otherwise, this thing is going to be left at home a lot!
Great answer. Used one of those things to keep the cameras dry when we went kayaking a few weeks ago. Going to get one for the receiver. Is there a store that sells them? Daughter leaving for diabetes camp on Sunday and would love to send the receiver with her but not going to do it if I can’t protect it…
I know a Dexcom is not a cell phone, and therefore this may sound silly, but one thing I do when my cell phone gets a little moisture, is keep it overnight in a bag of uncooked rice. If the moisture isn’t significant, the rice will absorb it and often the device will resume functioning. The AquaPack is probably the best idea, but in a bind, you could just add some rice to the ziplock to absorb any moisture that wants to accumulate.
Last fall I was wearing my receiver on a belt clip while doing some yard work when I later discovered it had been knocked off and fallen somewhere. I have a lot of ground cover around my house so despite my efforts, I never could find it that evening. A week later I did come across it. Of course the battery was dead and it had been rained on a couple times during that week. By that time, I had already spent $300 for the “one-time” replacement. However, I let that receiver dry out out for a couple weeks then recharged it to see if I could keep it as a backup. It seemed to work fine after that. So don’t throw away that old receiver as it may still be OK.
If you’re concerned about water penetration, Dexcom sells skins to help protect it. I used to use them when I carried my Dexcom in my cycling jersey pocket but I found it made it more difficult to get my receiver in and out of my pocket because it has this rubbery texture. So now I just cycle with the “naked” receiver. I’ve been caught in a couple rainstorms but never had any problems with water getting into the receiver.
I do wish the receiver was waterproof. My Animas pump is waterproof so it seems like it wouldn’t be that difficult for Dexcom to make their receiver waterproof.
I bought a larger bag and packed my Dexcom, meter, and light snacks when I went on my whitewater rafting trip a couple of weeks ago. I picked it up at my local REI. They had different sizes for the AquaPak specifically as well as a number of other brands with different sizes that probably would have worked just as well. Brick and morter costs are a bit higher but not unreasonably so.
All the suggestion have been good. I use ALOKSAK it is a ziplock bag on steroids! Waterproof to 200ft, tested and approved by the US Navy. I put my reciever in one and put it back in the neopreen case. You can get moisture absorbing packs(like the ones that come in many pill bottles) for extra protection from humidity. As cheap quick fix you can put it in two ziplock bags(get name brand with double seal)
One thing I don’t understand is why the reciever and testkit went into a cooler? I have never had problems from heat with these devices. Put them on the belt, in a pocket, or bag and you are good to go. Even my insulin doesn’t get cooled.
I don’t think you have to worry about 95 degrees either but I had the same question. I just got a Pelican 1010 water tight box at REI recommended by their employee because I wanted to try and find something that I could actually take into the water snorkeling. You can get dry bags which will keep things relatively dry but not sure if you can immerse. They have several brands and sizes. This one has a see through lid and my glucometer and Dex will fit in it and it’s a hard shell so it can take a beating.
I wondered if the Dex can be turned on and remain on so I can glance at it through the lid. Anyone know?
My daughter has had several experiences with leaving the test kit in her soccer bag on a hot day and finding that it won’t work because it’s gotten too hot. Same thing happened last week at the pool. It has a little icon - I forget what it is - that indicates the test kit is inoperable due to heat. (I’ve seen it - not just taking her word for it). We live in the DC area.
The tech guy at Dexcom said the receiver can tolerate heat to 115. Our One touch test kit heat tolerance is not that high.
From their website
I think I’m going to end up with an Aquapac. Had an Orvis store order it for me, haven’t found any retailers who sell them. I think it’s the small phone one. If it doesn’t fit I can return no problem. I would like one that I can take with me and check while swimming and it sounds like it will work. I’m hoping my iphone will fit so I can take some pics and video!
Bryan, how did you carry it while swimming?
i found a waterproof bag at sports authority that fits the dexcom exactly right. it looks like the size made for phones or money. not immersible, but definitely a better option than a ziplock. and the clear cover is flexible so you can hit the buttons through it!