Ok, so, here is my summer dilemma… I’m a pumper and I’m thinking about going to an amusement park where there is a waterpark too. My problem is what to do with my pump/insulin while on the water slides…
I could put it in an insulated bag with blue ice and then in locker? Afraid it still might be too hot for it though…I could go back to shots for the day, but still would need to keep insulin cold.
Has any pumper out there faced this dilemma successfully?
I’ve done many a hot summer day in the south with my pump & haven’t had a problem with insulin going bad. I’d be more worried about keeping it safe than the insulin.
Being that I had a pump that petered out just after me sweating a little during yard work, I don’t trust my pump near moisture at all, even with one of these "waterproof bags. The insulated bag in a locker would probably work best, and just visit the locker every 30 minutes or so to give yourself another pump. You might want to check out the Frio wallets, which are designed to keep insulin cool (not cold, but cool). You can get a fairly small one that would be easy to tote around.
For various reasons I was on hold with Animas yesterday and their hold message had quite a bit about pumps and amusement park rides, and I’d never even thought of it in that context. I looked on their site and here’s more or less the same info. I assume it applies to any pump, not just theirs:
Electromagnetic and electrostatic interference
Your Animas® Vibe™ Insulin Pump has been designed to operate in the presence of common sources of electrostatic and electromagnetic interference, such as store security systems. However, your pump should not be exposed to very strong electromagnetic fields, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), RF welders, magnets used to lift automobiles, and some “free-fall” amusement park rides. Very strong magnetic fields, such as in an MRI, can damage the System.
Environmental conditions and factors
Your system is designed to work safely and effectively when used within the operating guidelines covered in the Owner’s Booklet. These include the temperature, humidity, altitude and air pressure limitations noted in the Technical Specifications sections in Chapter 17 in Section I and Chapter 13 in Section II. Some environmental factors such as high gravity forces (e.g., when riding a roller coaster) or flying in aircraft without cabin pressurization can interfere with insulin delivery but will not damage the pump.
The phone-message version strongly advised not just shutting the pump off but making sure you actually disconnect from it in high-g circumstances and to not even bring it with you in the electromagnetic case. Which sounds like what you’re planning to do to avoid water damage, but I thought it worth posting anyway. I actually did go on some kiddy rides with my granddaughter recently–nothing really violent but some definitely imposed some g-loads. I didn’t have any problems but none of these considerations even entered my head.
Now see, this is why I like this site. I could definitely use something like that for my spares when traveling. Glad I read this thread!
I use a MM Sport Guard case to prevent damage to my NOT-WATERPROOF MM pump. Sadly, MM no longer makes them. You can’t press any buttons when it’s inside the case, but it has been great for keeping water away from the pump when in a pool. Maybe you can find one on line. Craigslist or Ebay posting for the WANTED section.
Can’t wait to get the 640G and see if it really is water proof. I’ve ruined a couple of pumps because they had hidden cracks, so water infiltrated them when in pools. I’ve also been in pools without damaging the pump, so it all depends on the individual Revel or Paradigm. some leak–some don’t.
I took it off, put it in a locker (indoor waterpark) and took little doses periodically.