OT - Any Diabetic Life Guards out there - Insulin pumps???

[busy mom]

MY DD16, is a Type 1 Diabetic and is registered for Red Cross Life Guard training this month in hopes of landing a summer job at our local pool.

Do you think her medical condition will hurt her chances?

Also, although her insulin pump is waterproof, it just dawned on me that attaching it to her bathing suit may be an issue. I do not believe they let them wear shorts. Any suggestions from current pump wearers?

We have never let her condition stand in her way of doing anything, so we want to make this as much of a "non-issue" as possible...

 

[Swimalie]

I was a life guard when I was a teen. I dated one of my co-workers who was a Type 1 diabetic and a life guard. He also swam on the swim team with me. He just made sure his levels were in check. The instructor of our class (also Red Cross) knew that he was a diabetic and didn't have a problem with it. I'm sure if your daughter knows how to handle her blood sugar levels, she will be fine. Good luck to her.

 

[scrapquitler]

I would imagine that there is some sort of ADA provision to modifying working uniforms to accommodate medical equipment (I could be totally wrong, but I would think...) Maybe a fanny pack? Actually, you could probably just sew some sort of a pocket into the suit to hold the pump.


Here's an article where the lady talks about just tucking it up into the leg of the bathing suit: http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/information/daily_living/Viewpoints/morrone_06_07_06.html

 

[katml14]

I second the pump pack suggestion- you could get a frio pump pack so the insulin doesnt spoil in the warmer temps. I think that's it awesome that your child wants to be a lifeguard and I hope T1 doesnt get in the way!

 

[Jenny-momof3]

There are nylon shorts that are sold by the same company that makes the lifeguard suits. She can wear those over her suit and then attach her pump to that. Many waterparks have all their female guards where those shorts over their swimsuit as it's more comfortable when you have to walk all over the place, stand in one spot for a long time,etc.

Good luck to her! I was a lifeguard for years and it was definitely my favorite job! I also taught swim lessons. It's a seperate certification but I made a ton of money teaching private lessons and loved it!

 

[Swmr359]

I'm a lifeguard, and have worked with a diabetic guard. He just hooked his pump to his shorts; and took breaks for juice or a snack. I've never heard of a guard not being able to wear shorts...
A lot of places have the guards wear fanny packs for their face masks and gloves, she could hook the pump to that also.
There is a limit on how long a guard can be in the stand with out a break; make sure your daughter takes time during her break to check her sugar and take care of any issues

And this has nothing to do with diabetes but if she is going to be outside, make sure she wears sunscreen and drinks lots of water.

 

[zurgswife]

My son is a life guard for the past two years with a pump. Easier for guys because they wear shorts type of suits. My dd (not diabetic) also a guard used to wear shorts most of the time; if for some reason they require her not to wear shorts I'd say a pump pouch would be the best thing. There is a great pouch called spibelt that is lycra - my dd who is diabetic also uses this when she needs to wear a pouch. If your not familir with the product here is a link.
http://www.spibelt.com/

 

[dhuba]

You do not have to disclose this prior to employment. They are required by law to accomodate her in any way that is necessary. My daughter has Type 1 also.

 

[Maryr1]

I am not a life gaurd, but am a Type 1 with a pump. We have a home on a lake and I spend most of my time during the summer in a bathing suit. I just tuck my pump on the side clipped on to the leg of my suit. It never bothers me. I do not wear it in the water and I will admit even when we are out on the boat for hours on end in 90 degree weather I do not cool my insulin. I have never had a problem with my insulin going "bad".

 

[firstcruise]

I am not a life gaurd, but am a Type 1 with a pump. We have a home on a lake and I spend most of my time during the summer in a bathing suit. I just tuck my pump on the side clipped on to the leg of my suit. It never bothers me. I do not wear it in the water and I will admit even when we are out on the boat for hours on end in 90 degree weather I do not cool my insulin. I have never had a problem with my insulin going "bad".

I'm with you. Never had an issue with my insulin even in the high temps out here in So. Cal during the summer or when we go to the lake during the summer. My pump goes everywhere with me, but I don't swim or get the pump wet. Better be safe then sorry.

It is alway interesting to see faces of people when they see me with my shirt off or giving a bolus. Amazing how adults can think you have the plaque and kids are so curious they will come up and ask me what is that? LOL

So for all you adults out there if you see soemone messing with what looks like a beeper and has a plastic tubing it's an insulin pump. Most people with them are eager to talk and educate others about it or diabetes itself.

 

[Sprinter]

Hello everyone, I understand this post is old however I saw this and felt obligated to give my professional advice, I signed up to post this.

I am a 17 year old lifeguard at a waterpark and a type 1 diabetic of 8 years now. I'm also on the boys swim and dive team.

To answer the original question, absolutely. I started off being certified by the Red Cross however I now hold many higher certifications.

My first bit of advice is absolutely DO NOT advertise the fact that you are a diabetic or mention it in the interview. You are not obligated to and do not disclose it until you are hired. Many of my co-workers still do not know I even have it, and this is how I like it. Actually, this is the first time I really have talked about my diabetes to anyone.

I too was on the pump. If you are serious about being a lifeguard, you will need to go back to injections. If you do not, you are a danger to yourself and the patrons you are responsible for. You will not have time to remove your pump to jump in during an active rescue. No pump is fully waterproof either. When you practice deep water spinals, the tubing will catch on the victim, backboard or your tube which you need to ditch during the rescue. This season I had 4 saves and 1 multiple victim rescue, 4 spinals, one suspected heart attack victim and a suspected stroke. Not counting the severe bleeding cases. In all of these I would have been slowed down worrying about my pump.

Overall she easily can do it, I absolutely would not let her if she is not willing to go off the pump though. Also the insertion site that sticks to you will be constantly wet, harboring bacteria and it will fall off (happened to me every day until I switched). This is a two way street, simply because we can be lifeguards also means we have to hold ourselves to higher standards.

I hope this helped and to anyone who has questions please, please, please email me or send me a PM.