I was on a long run this weekend, and my fuel belt was dangerously close to my pod on my waist area...and the pod started to come loose. Using my quick thinking I undid the fuel belt and put it over the pod to hold it in place (I was only a mile from home). Once I got home I put a piece of KT Tape over the pod and it held up thru a bath, a shower and another run. In fact, it is still holding strong and it's time to change it. Just a handy dandy tip.
I've found that sweat doesn't seem to be a problem, however sweat combined with a weight belt on top of the pod (with an overall between the two) was enough to cause the one and only case of the adhesive not working that I have experienced. (I was using the weight belt because I was lifting bags of cement so there was quite a lot of movement.)
John Bowler jbowler2acm.org
I would still recommend Opsite as the tape of choice for most applications, including extreme sweating, because it is much more cost effective.
But, yeah, in cases where you need extreme taping power for extended periods of time, KT tape is hard to beat. I've actually found that if you are REALLY in need of a secure grip, using Opsite over KT tape is about as good as it gets.
Good to know, my hub has a drawer full of KT (Achilles taping) so he is the one that suggested this.
Thanks!
I've sweated off 2 pods so far. Doing pretty rough yard work in 100+ degree weather. My father and I took on a project to put bricked paths around the house. Used brick, so there is a lot of work that would not normally be there for this type of project. After we're done, I get to help him clean his garage out. Not bad for a Summer exersize program... I'm not fit at all so I do sweat a good deal. Didn't even know they were loose, they just dropped to the ground. Since those, I've put some extra med tape or Tegaderm tape on the pods to add some grip, so far that has worked for me.
What exactly is KT tape and Opsite tape? Where would I get these? I have A LOT of trouble with my pod coming off due to sweating. I need something to help keep it on. Thanks.
KT Tape = kinesio tape, seen here.
An example of Opsite Flexifix Tape, here.
Personally I use skin-tac wipes as a prep for my skin prior to putting the pods on. Despite Oklahoma heat and my sweatiness out on bike rides, the skin-tac keeps it on me very well. I prefer it to extra tape, but each person is different :)
Thanks.
Thanks Bradford for answering that question. YOu can pick up the KT tape at a sporting goods store FYI Onetta.
Forgive my ignorance on this issue....
You guys are saying you just "put" some tape on. How, physically do you do this?
I have been having some issues with pods falling off of me early--last night I noticed my new (under 24 hrs) pod was loose at the tip, this morning a little looser, so I taped the adhesive down with a small piece of tape over it, got to work and felt the cannula poking me. The pod adhesive had worked its way out of the tape as well. No idea how much of my morning bolus I actually received.... :(
My stomach is not...flat, shall we say. I get good use from my arms, but I'm going on vacation in a few weeks and don't want to be flashing my pod around all the time.
Do you just use a small piece of the KT Tape over the entire pod itself? And if so, which way? If it's on your stomach horizontally, do you put the tape over it from cannula end to flat end? Or from one side to the other {top towards your head, bottom towards your feet}?
And the Opsite....do you put it on your skin before you put your new pod on? How does that help the pod stick?
Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to find a solution before I go on vacation!
No worries, you are not ignorant! What I did is I actually used a pre-cut piece of KT tape that was about 6" long. After the pod is in place on your body, stick the tape first to the plastic surface of the pod the long way (cannula end to flat end) and then I stick the tape to the skin on both sides. That is what worked for me.
Hope that helps!!
Thanks, that makes sense. I have a Sports Authority near me. Maybe I'll see if they have any of that.
I usually have bad luck when I tape a pod, any which way I try it. But...ahem, I've only used scotch tape (I was desperate at work) and a waterproof bandaid (don't try that) and a Nexcare adhesive tape.
Sometimes I think that taping it down too tightly can cause it not to be flexible, and makes the cannula kink. From what I can see, the KT tape might hold it IN while allowing it to move to adjust for your body movements.
Hahah I too have resorted to Scotch Tape at work, and also tried a bandaid which was a total flop. I think you will find that the KT tape does allow you to move around freely, and you really don't need to tape it down super tight.
I just went to Sports Authority on my lunch break and they have an entire display of every color of the KT tape. I just didn't want to pay the price they wanted without being sure it would work for where/when I need it.
I did notice, they have a pro version which is $20 (!!!) a roll. Do you guys use that and does it work better than the regular version?
The pro is what I used and it does stick better thru showers and so on.
Yup, I use the pro version as well.
I found a roll of the standard cotton version at Walmart for $8. I've used two strips already--the first was on a pod that wasn't brand new, so it had to be taken off soon, but the second is still on and still going strong. The ends/edges are coming up, but not enough to worry about. Pod is due to change tomorrow morning and I have no doubt that the KT Tape will last til then. I was running around busy busy all weekend and it's still going strong!
Thanks for the great tip, all!
Also wanted to say thank you for the tip. For those who can't find it local, here's the link to amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Kinesio-Tex-Tape-Resistant-Single/dp/B000FOXZI0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1348520869&sr=1-1&keywords=kineso+tape+pro
I will tell all that the link that Sweet Fur showed is what I have been using for quite a while. I buy on line as there are no places in my town to buy. I spent a little less than ten dollars per roll. It is the original. Water proof, flexible, breathable and the roll is 16.4 feet. I use 4 in per pod.Is very affordable. Have not knocked off a pod since I started. Not a kid so may not work for all but much better than none at all.
I'm happy to report that I lost no pods on vacation! KT tape worked great through hot tubs, pools, and the ocean!