Water and the Insulin Pump

People going on the Insulin Pump or people who are new to it, always want to know if they can swim with the Insulin Pump on.  The answer to that is NO! Just like any other electronic device like a phone or an I-Pod, you wouldn’t want to get it wet and that is the same with the pump.  The pump has a feature called “suspend” which allows a diabetic to take off the Insulin Pump and stops the continuous drop if insulin from dripping everywhere when it is not connected to the body.  This feature allows the person to go swimming in a pool or take a shower without taking the pump in with them. 

 But going to the shore is different from going in a pool or taking a shower because it has SAND! Sand is bad for the pump because if it gets into the track of the connection port, the two pieces of the pump will not connect and you would need to change the site.  Luckily the pump comes with a cap, which you will need to place on the port that is ALWAYS attached to your body.  This cap will prevent sand from entering the track, allowing the person to attach the pump with no problems. 

            However, sometimes the sand cap does not work, which has happened to me.  Even though the sand cap does work really well from preventing sand from entering the track, tiny pieces can still get it.  Like I have said before, when this happens you need to change the pump site.  So remember to always put your pump on “suspend” when you are going to go in water and think your pump may get wet.  (This also includes water parks.) Also when you are going to the beach remember to keep your pump out of the sand and wear the sand cap!!! (Wearing the sand cap also includes lakes with sand and even pools that have sand bottoms)

This is a picture of my pump on "suspend."