Tandem T Slim/Swimmimg

[Adam 48]

Good morning, I am seeking advice regarding the Tandem and swimming. My daughter has recently been fitted with the T Slim, and next weekend wishes to go to the pool with her friends. We know that it is fine to remove the tandem for an hour, but the swimming sessions last two and she would like to remain with her friends for the duration rather than come out after an hour. I realise that this may not seem a big issue, but we have told my daughter since diagnosis two years ago, that she mustn't let Type 1 stop her doing anything that she wants to do. I have been researching this, and have seen that some people remove the pump and revert back to injecting if they are going to a water park/beach for the day. Has anyone done this and is it advisable?
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank You

 

[helli]

When I have had a day at the spa (more than an hour), I have come out after an hour, temporarily reconnected, given myself a bolus equivalent to one hour’s worth of basal, disconnected and got back in to enjoy the water.
The idea of reverting to injections for a two hour session seems over the top (and a waste of long acting insulin).
The break each hour gives a chance to test and correct which isn’t a bad thing when the exercise may affect levels.

 

[Adam 48]

Hi Helli, thank you for your response. I did think reverting back to the pen was maybe not appropriate, but an option. So, if she comes out after an hour, checks her blood and boluses (if required), that would be the best way?

 

[Inka]

I’ve removed my pump for two hours before with no issues. I did do a small bolus when I reconnected it though. I found the swimming kept my blood sugar down. I’ve also removed my pump for ice skating and done similar.

Reverting to pens is fine for, say, a day at the beach, but I wouldn’t bother for a short-term activity. Even for an activity lasting more than two hours, I’d just bolus when needed with fast-acting insulin if I didn’t have my pump on. This works fine - as I discovered by accident when I had a major pump issue on a long hike. I simply used my fast-acting pen every hour or two. My blood sugar stayed in range the whole time.

 

[helli]

As

Hi Helli, thank you for your response. I did think reverting back to the pen was maybe not appropriate, but an option. So, if she comes out after an hour, checks her blood and boluses (if required), that would be the best way?

That is what I do.
Basically, use the bolus as the basal.
And, as @Inka mentioned, the swimming may reduce her insulin requirements.

 

[Adam 48]

Thank you both, much appreciated I've told her she can stay in two hours, she's over the moon!

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Adam 48 Great to hear that your daughter has taken things on board so well, and that she has such positive support from you.

I have done the same as @helli . Disconnected, checked the time and after about an hour gone back reconnected, done a test and delivered a bolus equivalent to my basal rate. I have kept this going for three hours and it causes very little interruption to good day out.

The exercise, absence of basal, having a good day with friends, … might make for a bit of a wobble after, but just keep a check afterwards With a few extra blood tests.

I hope she has a great time.

 

[Adam 48]

Thank you SB2015...yes, we'll keep a close eye on things in the evening! I'm debating whether to be on hand if there are any issues. Sit in the cafe with a false beard and a newspaper? Because she won't want me to be there We'll see.

 

[Lucyr]

Would letting her know she can text you and you’ll be able to respond if she needs to talk anything through, or be “doing the shopping nearby” if she needs anything go down better? Texting doesn’t look out of place in a group of young people so no one would notice!

Thank you SB2015...yes, we'll keep a close eye on things in the evening! I'm debating whether to be on hand if there are any issues. Sit in the cafe with a false beard and a newspaper? Because she won't want me to be there We'll see.

 

[SB2015]

Thank you SB2015...yes, we'll keep a close eye on things in the evening! I'm debating whether to be on hand if there are any issues. Sit in the cafe with a false beard and a newspaper? Because she won't want me to be there We'll see.

Just having access to you might be enough, and you near enough to get there if a problem arose.
I still find it useful to simply talk through things sometimes if I am unsure.

 

[Adam 48]

Would letting her know she can text you and you’ll be able to respond if she needs to talk anything through, or be “doing the shopping nearby” if she needs anything go down better? Texting doesn’t look out of place in a group of young people so no one would notice!

Yes Lucyr, the pool is in the city centre, around 10 miles from our home, so telling her Ill be there shopping is a good option. The first time, following diagnosis, she went to town with her friends, myself and wife booked a table for lunch...both with phones on the table, waiting for a message!

 

[Adam 48]

Just having access to you might be enough, and you near enough to get there if a problem arose.
I still find it useful to simply talk through things sometimes if I am unsure.

Yes, we do tell her when she's with friends that we're only a phone call away...but we've found lately she's becoming a lot more independent and doesn't want to rely too much on us. An "age" thing I guess, and her wanting to be treated the same as her friends?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope it goes really well, her confidence is boosted and any worries you have are reduced and you are reassured.

Brilliant that she is gaining independence. Hope the first few excursions pass with lots of laughter and no incidents so that she get to feel that she can manage and take on anything she fancies with a bit of forward planning 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Yes, we do tell her when she's with friends that we're only a phone call away...but we've found lately she's becoming a lot more independent and doesn't want to rely too much on us. An "age" thing I guess, and her wanting to be treated the same as her friends?

Her independence says a lot about her but also about how you have managed the support you have given her. Well done. I hope she has a fabulous time with her friends.

 

[Adam 48]

Thank you both, I'm sure she will enjoy! As for supporting her, my wife has found Diabetic forums a big help, especially talking to other parents. She is very pragmatic, I think she looked for help the day of diagnosis! I'm a little more reticent, I just threw myself into reading everything I could about the condition. Anyway, thanks again.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

For a two hour session from our experience I would be more on the look out for hypos than worrying about lack of basal so don’t worry about the pump being off. It’s worth putting the little cap on the cannula as we’ve had issues post water with one cannula when it wasn’t covered.

 

[Adam 48]

For a two hour session from our experience I would be more on the look out for hypos than worrying about lack of basal so don’t worry about the pump being off. It’s worth putting the little cap on the cannula as we’ve had issues post water with one cannula when it wasn’t covered.

Thanks for that, and ill be sure to remind her about the cannula. ..she always puts it on when having a bath/shower to be fair.

 

[Adam 48]

Hi, my daughter had a successful first trip to the pool since being fitted with the Tandem (thank God). She checked her bloods every 30 mins for two hours and they remained between 9 and 11, so she didn't reattach the pump. Thank you all for the advice.

 

[Inka]

Great news @Adam 48 🙂 I’m so glad she enjoyed it and everything worked out ok.

 

[Adam 48]

Thank you Inka...though she did just say her bloods were 10 before going in, so she drank a gluco to make sure she stayed up, (not sure she needed to do that?) and was 13 when she came out, so then did a correction. Regardless, she is learning to think on her feet, so all good!