Insulin Pump

[Raisenbrand08]

We are goin to DC in Feb. My cousin has an insulin pump she just got put in. I was wondering is she goin to have to take this out for the dolphin swim cause it says you can't have anything on for the swim.She can take it but not for a long period of time so i'm wonderin what can we do about this? I've emailed DC but they haven't replyed thanx for your help!! Brandee

 

[maps]

does she wear her pump in the shower or bath? if not, then she probably would have to take it off to do the swim. i don't think the pump is meant to be submerged, though. she should probably discuss all this with her doctor before she goes to make sure everything goes ok.

 

[rangebob]

I just got off the phone with Discover Cove and they said that they should be OK to go into the water with it on. They did say that you will have a wet suit on and that will cover the parts. The main thing that they are worried about is small parts that can fall off. They did say that when you enter the park that you will need to talk to the trainers and let them know. They also said that they would need to inspect it and make sure that it is OK for you to go into the water. They said the main reason that they would inspect it is for the safety of the animals.

 

[Raisenbrand08]

Thank you for you help!!!

 

[Cora]

My dear friend's son (age 7) is on the pump and he does not go into the water with it on. It needs to be removed for showers, baths, swimming, etc. We went to the beach last summer for a few hours and he did not wear it. Not having it on for a period of time is really not an issue as long as the blood sugars are checked. If a dose is needed it just needs to be plugged back in.

That's been my experience.
Cora

 

[gardendame]

NO! Don't go in the water with it on! Seaworld gave you the wrong information. This is a $5-10,000 piece of equipment and you don't want it ruined.
2 of my 3 kids are diabetics, and they have made several friends who also are diabetic. A few have insulin pumps. The pump must be 'parked' or paused, then removed (the thin-set stays under the skin, but the tubing and pump are removed). When the swimmer gets out of the water, they have to re-attach their pump.
No one gets a pump without extensive training one-on-one with a CDE (certified diabetic educator). Have your friend call the person who trained her and get specific instructions. Some of the pumps are 'water-resistant' but that is simply to protect them from an occasional splash. NONE of them are made to be complete submersed underwater for a prolonged period of time. It wouldn't hurt for her to show one of the others traveling in your group how to take care of the pump, should she be unavailable and her son be in a situation where she cannot be there and he needs help.
Have a great time!

 

[Raisenbrand08]

thanx for all of ur help...We did talk to her pump trainer...And she CAN NOT get it wet but she can't be without it for long periods of time either so shes decided not to do discovery cove shes alittle upset but she knows that she did it to herself gettin her pump before our trip so her and my mom are gonna go do something that day while me and my other cousin is at DC.

 

[zurgswife]

Why couldn't she just monitor her blood sugar for the day and do insulin shots when needed for the day??? Something to look into before we do the pump as my son likes to swim during the summer....

 

[pixie dust gal!]

My son has been on the pump for 5 yrs now. We originally had a Minimed 508C and upgraded to a paradigm pump (waterproof) last summer. While the pumps are quite costly and you would not want to go against the manufacturer's directions, some pumps are waterproof and can be used for swimming. He has worn his pump swimming all summer long and on our vacations where he spent extensive time in the pool(s) without any incidents. He has enjoyed the pool for several hours during the afternoon and then allows it to dry out for the rest of the late afternoon/evening. That is why his doctor suggested the Paradigm. He also plays sports and disconnects for games. He checks his sugar after each quarter and or period and reconnects to give himself insulin or sometimes will just give himself a shot. The point is, you can disconnect and monitor his sugar for that short time (45 minutes to 1 hour for the dolphin swim). Obviously, it is important to discuss any change like this with his DE or physician. We are planning on going to Discovery Cove ourselves this summer and that is what our plan will be too.

Hope this helps.

PDG