-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
FRIO cool pouch
- Thread starter megga
- Start date
- Status
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
They've been recommended by a lot of our members, but haven't used one personally.
DeusXM
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Yep, they are very good too. When I'm abroad I will tend to keep my medication in the fridge where possible but these are great for when a fridge isn't available or if you are taking your insulin to the beach.
One thing to bear in mind is that to work, they do need air flow over them and you probably shouldn't put them in direct sunlight. I tend to put my insulin in a Frio, then put it in a bag, then leave the bag unzipped underneath a sunbed when on the beach - that way, they stay shady, out of the way and my insulin stays cold. Just remember to prep the pack in advance of leaving your hotel room - I bought my Frio a good 15 years ago and it takes about 40 minutes to fully absorb all the water needed for a week's worth of cooling, and it's no good suddenly remembering to soak it just as you're about to head out to the beach! Newer packs may charge up more quickly than my old one though.
I don't tend to recommend products but a Frio (or similar) pack is a great investment and far safer and more convenient than the whole icepack in a towel thing many people recommend. NEVER use icepacks to cool your insulin, you run the risk of freezing them which is even worse than overheating them.
One thing to bear in mind is that to work, they do need air flow over them and you probably shouldn't put them in direct sunlight. I tend to put my insulin in a Frio, then put it in a bag, then leave the bag unzipped underneath a sunbed when on the beach - that way, they stay shady, out of the way and my insulin stays cold. Just remember to prep the pack in advance of leaving your hotel room - I bought my Frio a good 15 years ago and it takes about 40 minutes to fully absorb all the water needed for a week's worth of cooling, and it's no good suddenly remembering to soak it just as you're about to head out to the beach! Newer packs may charge up more quickly than my old one though.
I don't tend to recommend products but a Frio (or similar) pack is a great investment and far safer and more convenient than the whole icepack in a towel thing many people recommend. NEVER use icepacks to cool your insulin, you run the risk of freezing them which is even worse than overheating them.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hear Hear Deus !
Used mine all over the world, NP.
I had 2 - a larger one (either for disposable pens or cartridges/vials) and a smaller 2-pen one, to take my in-use Novorapid one out with me. Always wrapped it loosely on a sarong and into the beach bag which sat comfortably leaning against the stick of the brolly.
If no fridge, the coolest darkest place in a hotel room is loosely on the 'floor' at the back and in one corner of the wardrobe, with frocks or other longer stuff hung in front of it.
Used mine all over the world, NP.
I had 2 - a larger one (either for disposable pens or cartridges/vials) and a smaller 2-pen one, to take my in-use Novorapid one out with me. Always wrapped it loosely on a sarong and into the beach bag which sat comfortably leaning against the stick of the brolly.
If no fridge, the coolest darkest place in a hotel room is loosely on the 'floor' at the back and in one corner of the wardrobe, with frocks or other longer stuff hung in front of it.
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Might be worth getting a fridge thermometer also, as I remember one member here reporting that their insulin froze due to a faulty fridge that was way too cold 😱
Sally71
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi Megga
Just be aware that it won't keep the insulin as cold as it would be in a fridge, but it will keep it at a safe temperature.
Mine is big enough for several pens and/or vials, it says it takes 12 mins to soak up enough water initially, although I think I left it a bit longer. Then every 2-3 days you have to resoak it for a couple of minutes to top it up.
Just be aware that it won't keep the insulin as cold as it would be in a fridge, but it will keep it at a safe temperature.
Mine is big enough for several pens and/or vials, it says it takes 12 mins to soak up enough water initially, although I think I left it a bit longer. Then every 2-3 days you have to resoak it for a couple of minutes to top it up.
I'm on the pump and going away for my first hot holiday since being diabetic. As my bottle of insulin lasts 4 weeks (and I'm only going for 1) do I need one of these too? Any helpful hints on holidaying with a pump gratefully received!😱
DeusXM
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Depends what you're doing. Insulin lasts at room temp for 4 weeks. It probably doesn't last this long at 30C. Plus, if you're sunbathing in direct sunlight, your insulin will get MUCH hotter.
Also I'd be taking extra supplies. Aside from the fact a holiday completely borks your ratios and rates anyway, there's always the risk of dropping your bottles or letting them get too warm, so you need a backup.
Sally71
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
I would get a Frio bag if I were you! I've got the large one and it's big enough for a couple of vials and some back up pens. If you can, transfer most of it to a fridge when you reach your destination and just keep the in use one in the Frio. If no fridge available then keep it all in the Frio. It will keep it at a safe temperature so there is no danger of it overheating and going off.
Where are you going, will it be VERY hot? We went to the south of France last year and it was very hot for the first few days (don't know the exact temp though). I was advised to put less insulin in the pump and change the cartridge more often (the pump is next to your hot body in hot weather and the insulin inside it could go off). Actually though I didn't do this and we had no problems. If you have to remove your pump for swimming then obviously you need to keep it somewhere safe but make sure it is out of direct sunlight.
We've never yet had a beach holiday with the pump, I think many people leave the pump at the hotel and manage with pens for the day, to avoid getting sand in the pump!
Sally71
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
MCH
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Oh yes I forgot to mention that point, if you soak them for too long they swell up so much you can't get anything inside! If anyone is thinking of buying one, make sure you follow the instructions correctly when you get it
I'm so glad it's not just me. 😉
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
No - it must be everybody - throw it in the bathroom sink, walk away and the doorbell or phone rings .... 45 minutes later ....
LOL
Have to say on beaches I usually stick El Pumpo in one of those resealable polythene bags with just the tubing sticking out and then put the bag and pump somewhere close to me so there's not 2 ft of tube out baking in the sun, in whatever shade I can create over it with whatever I can - my book or a sarong or whatever there is to hand.
LOL
Have to say on beaches I usually stick El Pumpo in one of those resealable polythene bags with just the tubing sticking out and then put the bag and pump somewhere close to me so there's not 2 ft of tube out baking in the sun, in whatever shade I can create over it with whatever I can - my book or a sarong or whatever there is to hand.
- Status