Apple Watch & Shuggah

[BIGGLES5359]

Good morning. Looking for some guidance on the earliest V Apple Watch I can use with the Shuggah app. I use Libre 2 to monitor levels but as an open water swimmer, I am constantly in fear of low levels while being in the middle of a lake, sea swim etc. I have had some really helpful advice already but I’m wondering if there are any other OW swimmers out there or Apple Watch/Shuggah users who could point me in the right direction. Grateful for any help.
Best
David

 

[ColinUK]

Hi David,
No open water swimmer here but I do use Shuggah on my Apple Watch.
I bought a 7 without a SIM card earlier this year specifically so I can keep an eye on levels easily and it works a treat.
I do have a couple of observations however:
1. The iPhone must be near enough to connect to the watch via Bluetooth in order to update BG numbers
2. I opted for the cheaper version and it scratches very easily. I haven’t done anything rough with it or in any way treated it carelessly and yet it’s scuffed on the top edge of the screen and there’s also a scratch across the middle. Next time I’d buy a version with sapphire glass.

Those very minor points aside I love being able to just tap the calendar on the watch and see a current indication of my BG levels.

Oh another question comes to mind, how on earth do you manage to get the Libre2 sensors to stay stuck on your arm when you’re swimming? Mine fall off surprisingly easily sometimes.

 

[BIGGLES5359]

Hi Colin. Thanks for the response. Really useful advice. Hadn’t even thought about the quality of the screen. I generally wear a wetsuit but even without one the Libre has never fallen off. Thanks again for the advice.
Best
David

 

[ColinUK]

Hi Colin. Thanks for the response. Really useful advice. Hadn’t even thought about the quality of the screen. I generally wear a wetsuit but even without one the Libre has never fallen off. Thanks again for the advice.
Best
David

Screen quality is excellent but it’s the robustness of it which is a little subpar. I could get the scratches buffed out if I was that bothered but they’re a very low level irritation more than anything significant.
If I was an active type I’d probably go for the Ultra - when it’s eventually discounted.

 

[AMcG]

Hi David,
No open water swimmer here but I do use Shuggah on my Apple Watch.
I bought a 7 without a SIM card earlier this year specifically so I can keep an eye on levels easily and it works a treat.
I do have a couple of observations however:
1. The iPhone must be near enough to connect to the watch via Bluetooth in order to update BG numbers
2. I opted for the cheaper version and it scratches very easily. I haven’t done anything rough with it or in any way treated it carelessly and yet it’s scuffed on the top edge of the screen and there’s also a scratch across the middle. Next time I’d buy a version with sapphire glass.

Those very minor points aside I love being able to just tap the calendar on the watch and see a current indication of my BG levels.

Oh another question comes to mind, how on earth do you manage to get the Libre2 sensors to stay stuck on your arm when you’re swimming? Mine fall off surprisingly easily sometimes.

I get these patches to go over my libre sensor. Just google 'patches for libre 2 sensor' and you get loads of options. I just got some cheap transparent ones on amazon in bulk.

 

[AMcG]

Good morning. Looking for some guidance on the earliest V Apple Watch I can use with the Shuggah app. I use Libre 2 to monitor levels but as an open water swimmer, I am constantly in fear of low levels while being in the middle of a lake, sea swim etc. I have had some really helpful advice already but I’m wondering if there are any other OW swimmers out there or Apple Watch/Shuggah users who could point me in the right direction. Grateful for any help.
Best
David

I'm an open water swimmer/type 1! Have been researching this for a while too. Think i'm gonna go Apple watch/Shuggah Colin recommended. I guess I'll keep my phone in a small wet bag. Just need to save up for an apple watch now!

 

[BIGGLES5359]

I get these patches to go over my libre sensor. Just google 'patches for libre 2 sensor' and you get loads of options. I just got some cheap transparent ones on amazon in bulk.

Didn’t even know of these! Thanks. I’m on Amazon now!

 

[BIGGLES5359]

I'm an open water swimmer/type 1! Have been researching this for a while too. Think i'm gonna go Apple watch/Shuggah Colin recommended. I guess I'll keep my phone in a small wet bag. Just need to save up for an apple watch now!

Thanks for the reply. I’ve put my phone in a waterproof holder and stuffed it inside my wetsuit. If you’re a skins OW swimmer then a tow float is an option.

 

[ColinUK]

Didn’t even know of these! Thanks. I’m on Amazon now!

I’ve bought various ones from Diabetic Supplies website. Working my way through lots of different samples. Best so far are “Not Just A Patch” ones that are like waterproof plasters. I’ve tried clear plastic ones and they don’t stick to my skin at all.

 

[BIGGLES5359]

Hi David,
No open water swimmer here but I do use Shuggah on my Apple Watch.
I bought a 7 without a SIM card earlier this year specifically so I can keep an eye on levels easily and it works a treat.
I do have a couple of observations however:
1. The iPhone must be near enough to connect to the watch via Bluetooth in order to update BG numbers
2. I opted for the cheaper version and it scratches very easily. I haven’t done anything rough with it or in any way treated it carelessly and yet it’s scuffed on the top edge of the screen and there’s also a scratch across the middle. Next time I’d buy a version with sapphire glass.

Those very minor points aside I love being able to just tap the calendar on the watch and see a current indication of my BG levels.

Oh another question comes to mind, how on earth do you manage to get the Libre2 sensors to stay stuck on your arm when you’re swimming? Mine fall off surprisingly easily sometimes.

Hi Colin. Could I trouble you again please about the “cheap” version you bought. I’m looking at an 8 with aluminium case. There is nothing about the sapphire glass tho’. What type of casing is your 7. Also. I have it on good authority that if I get (and pay the extra monthly) for a cellular model I don’t need to have the phone within Bluetooth range of the watch. Have you heard anything about this? As always, grateful for any advice. Best. David

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I have it on good authority that if I get (and pay the extra monthly) for a cellular model I don’t need to have the phone within Bluetooth range of the watch.

I'm sure that's true in some senses (the watch will do lots more independently of the phone, including phone calls and the like). I'd be surprised if it works that way for showing you readings from the Libre. (It's not inconceivable and I may be wrong about this. It just feels unlikely. Juggluco's WearOS version can do that but it reportedly doesn't work that well.)

 

[ColinUK]

Hi Colin. Could I trouble you again please about the “cheap” version you bought. I’m looking at an 8 with aluminium case. There is nothing about the sapphire glass tho’. What type of casing is your 7. Also. I have it on good authority that if I get (and pay the extra monthly) for a cellular model I don’t need to have the phone within Bluetooth range of the watch. Have you heard anything about this? As always, grateful for any advice. Best. David

I got the 8 with the aluminium case. 41mm as that sits better on my wrist than the larger version.

Lifted straight from the Apple website:

• Ion-X glass display on aluminium cases
• Sapphire crystal display on stainless steel cases

So in order to get the sapphire glass you need to purchase the stainless steel version.

I know there’s a new Apple Watch coming along in September so the 8 will fall in price a little bit when the 9 is announced. You may want to wait even if you’re buying used or reconditioned.

I’ll likely hold on to this one until enough iterations have passed that they’ve got BG monitors built in but when I do replace it then it’ll be for one with sapphire glass.

As for the WiFi vs GSM functionality I think the contract for the Watch sim needs to be with the same company as does your mobile service. I wasn’t really interested in that aspect of the Watch so didn’t really research it too much.

 

[BIGGLES5359]

Great advice as always. Many thanks Colin. I’ll keep you in the loop regards to outcomes.

 

[joeh]

Hi David,
No open water swimmer here but I do use Shuggah on my Apple Watch.
I bought a 7 without a SIM card earlier this year specifically so I can keep an eye on levels easily and it works a treat.
I do have a couple of observations however:
1. The iPhone must be near enough to connect to the watch via Bluetooth in order to update BG numbers
2. I opted for the cheaper version and it scratches very easily. I haven’t done anything rough with it or in any way treated it carelessly and yet it’s scuffed on the top edge of the screen and there’s also a scratch across the middle. Next time I’d buy a version with sapphire glass.

Those very minor points aside I love being able to just tap the calendar on the watch and see a current indication of my BG levels.

Oh another question comes to mind, how on earth do you manage to get the Libre2 sensors to stay stuck on your arm when you’re swimming? Mine fall off surprisingly easily sometimes.

 

[joeh]

Hi David,

Just 3 suggestions you may find useful.

1.Keep the area that you will be applying the sensor shaved now and again.

2. Unfortunately the Libre2 sensors no longer come with an alchohol swab any more ( something to do with Brexit ), so try to purchase 500cc of 70% propyl-alchohol from your pharmacy or on-line. Make up your own swabs with cut segments of paper hand towels/ kitchen roll (a single sheet will be enough when cut into segments, to make up to 16 folded swabs).
You can then store them in a medium Ziplock bag, soaked in a small quantity of the propyl alchohol - just enough to wet them - 30 to 40cc should be enough.
The sealed bag will keep them sufficiently damp and sterile for a long period - top up with the propyl-alchohol should you ever inadvertently let them dry out!
A 500cc bottle of propyl-alchohol should last you for a few years.

3. You can now use these DIY propyl-alchohol moistened swabs, to clean all around the skin area where you are intending to stick your sensor, aiming to remove all skin oil.

N.B. Make sure you allow the skin to completely dry, by allowing the alchohol to fully evaporate, before you apply the new sensor, and press down all around the periphery of the sensor to ensure a good adhesion. You can also use the remaining swab to clean any remaining adhesive from the removal site of the previous sensor.

I have done this ever since the start of Covid, with no problems.
Good luck.