Insulin Pump & Rides

[merriwthr]

Anyone have any advice about rides and an insulin pump? The manufacturer told me no rides if they use large magnets. K. How the heck am I supposed to figure out if a ride uses a large magnet??? I'm headed to Disneyland in three weeks and would like to ride as many rides as I can. If I need to remove my pump, thats not an issue - my brother is not a rider and has agreed to be the bag holder while his wife and I ride - but I'm not sure what rides I should remove my pump and which would be fine to leave it on.

Anyone out there wearing an insulin pump have any advice for me?

Thanks!

 

[Tramp&TheLady]

My wife has an insulin pump and she has never had any issues at all with wearing it on rides. I wouldn't suggest wearing it at blizzard beach though.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most people using insulin pumps have not reported problems with rides.
Post 3 of of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has informational links about going to Disney parks with diabetes and specifically about going with a pump. There is also a link to a website I found about electromagnets at theme
Parks. Much of the information was written about Disney World. Although you are going to Disneyland, much of the information will still be valid.

You can find the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature to get there.
Since you will have a non-riders in your party who can hold the pump for you, I don't think you will have any problems. Disney will not force you to remove the pump, but the main concern of other posters who wanted to take off the pump for a ride was what to do with it - you've got that covered.

I'm sure there will be other people with experience besides the
Person who already posted, so you will get more helpful information.

 

[buffettgirl]

it will only be major rollercoasters. And even then not all of them. I'm not sure about Disneyland but I know something like Rock-n-roller coaster at HS uses them (they pull the car) - I almost wonder about something like the WED way people mover.

My son has never unhooked in the parks at all and we've never had a problem. If it makes you feel better though just unhook as you sit down on the ride and hook back up when you exit. Your main worry is the magnetic field somehow messing with the electronics and/or sending in too much insulin, but basically, you can't leave your pump anywhere so you have to take it with you.

 

[momof1+1+2]

it will only be major rollercoasters. And even then not all of them. I'm not sure about Disneyland but I know something like Rock-n-roller coaster at HS uses them (they pull the car) - I almost wonder about something like the WED way people mover.

My son has never unhooked in the parks at all and we've never had a problem. If it makes you feel better though just unhook as you sit down on the ride and hook back up when you exit. Your main worry is the magnetic field somehow messing with the electronics and/or sending in too much insulin, but basically, you can't leave your pump anywhere so you have to take it with you.

I agree with this - we left my DD's on for most rides and the ones we didn't (Space Mountain), we kept it on her body but disconnected. Just make sure it's good and tight on your body!! God forbid it fly off!

 

[MisWal]

I wore mine on every ride and never gave it a second thought. I didn't have any malfunctions.

 

[KPeveler]

The only ride I know used electromagnetic fields is California Screamin, which uses a magnetic catapult system to get you moving. Of course, that ride also goes upside-down and has a over-the-shoulder harness that may hit the pump, so you may want to take it off there anyway...

 

[Jen_in_NH]

it will only be major rollercoasters. And even then not all of them. I'm not sure about Disneyland but I know something like Rock-n-roller coaster at HS uses them (they pull the car) - I almost wonder about something like the WED way people mover.

My son has never unhooked in the parks at all and we've never had a problem. If it makes you feel better though just unhook as you sit down on the ride and hook back up when you exit. Your main worry is the magnetic field somehow messing with the electronics and/or sending in too much insulin, but basically, you can't leave your pump anywhere so you have to take it with you.

I had also heard that about Rock n rollercoaster.

Disconnecting seems like the best option, unless you're using an Omnipod. Thank gosh DS is too little this time round for the big rides - I just have to worry about keeping the pod on when he's getting all hot and sweaty

 

[KAYzEyes]

I've worn my pump on every ride at DW so far each time I've been, had no issues thankfully.

 

[Selket]

I asked about this many years ago and a frequent poster on the DIS (Robo) answered that it is the People mover and RnRC - at WDW. Not sure about the ones at DL.

That being said, my younger son has type 1 with a pump since he was 2 yrs old and a cgms since he was 7 (he is 9 now) and he has ridden everything but RnRC with no problems. I think we did either disconnect and/or leave the pump with my husband for Mission Space and ToT but I can't even remember - LOL!

The Children With Diabetes organization holds its annual huge conference in Orlando every year and at WDW every other year and there are hundreds of us with pumps in the parks - I have personally never have seen an adverse report from anyone on any type of pump reported at the CWD site or here that I recall.

Doesn't mean it can't happen but chances are you are more likely to lose it out of your pocket on a coaster than have a malfunction.

 

[zurgswife]

Parent of 2 T1 kids with pumps and have riden every ride at WDW without issue. Magnegtic's are the issue and in our research haven't found any ride with a large magnegntic field. You always need to do what you feel safe doing but our personal expereience has been there aren't any issues.

 

[merriwthr]

Sorry for the delay - but thank you everyone for all of the wonderful comments and advice. I'm sure I'm just being a bit paranoid - so its good to know that other pumpers ride with no problems. I've got fair control and have worked out a plan for while I'm there - extra testing, lower basal, etc - to make sure I stay even. I just didn't want to complicate things with rides.

Now if I can just concentrate at work for the next week before I leave for my vacation! (and stay off the DIS!)