Hello all,
I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 19 years now. Since being diagnosed at age 15 I have used injections but I have now had the option of using a pump instead.
I am just curious if there are any other surfers on here that are diabetic that also use a pump and how do you get on with it???
Thanks.
Cheers for the update deri, sounds like you have got it pretty sorted. Nice one.
In general the advantages of the pump in terms of HbA1C and tighter range seem too much of a logical step to not go for it purely due to surfing related concerns. That said, given the opportunity to have a pump which is up to some watersports abuse then may as well try to get one which is fit for purpose.
After reading some reports on other websites and health specific forums, plus talking to someone who suffered a nightmare after the tubing got a kink in it whilst snowboarding, my primary concerns are related to how waterproof “waterproof” really is, how robust it is and whether the tubing etc remains functional when under a wetsuit (I’ve seen what happens to chocolate bars stashed in my wetsuit) - wouldn’t want to be facing a 20 minute paddle then 45 minute walk then 30 minute drive back from a secluded wave with no insulin. Suppose my thinking is possibly naive given nearly 20 years of preparing for worst case scenarios relating to surfing (and life in general), but keeps me on my toes.
Would be interested to know if anyone out there uses or knows of anyone that uses Omnipod or similar type pump system in conjunction with prolonged submersion in dirty salt water. Good to hear 1st hand reports from T1 surfers using a pump and if it all means surfing harder for longer with less swings and roundabouts then all is good!
ps I’m in the UK too deri so agree boardies definitely not a concern. Sigh.
All is well with the pump. No problems at all whilst surfing.
if I grab a short surf (an hour or less) which is not often, i disconnect the pump.
Mostly I keep it on under my wetsuit (dont surf in boardies here in Wales too cold!) and I position it between my thigh and my abdomen where it is most comfortable. I found this out by trying it out in different places whilst surfing.
I always give it a good rince in clean water after a session.
I keep spare infusion sets, cannulas and insulin in my van just in case the line or infusion gets pulled out or damaged in any way, but hae had no problems yet.
Management of my blood suggars has been real good too.
I was diagnosed T1 in 1988 and have been surfing since mid-90’s, but have only recently begun investigating insulin pumps so any first hand experience of another surfer in this situation would be really helpful - any update on how the pump/surfing is working out deri?
Not I, but GOOD LUCK with your search. Hope it doesn't keep you out of the water.
It can be done. Some guys use a thin flexible self stick bandage called Tegaderm to cover where the line goes in to the skin. A simple neoprene waist/pouch holds the pump itself. In super cold water the battery can shut down so it is a good idea to keep an eye on it. Don't ask the manufacturer - it will void the warranty if they find out it's being used in water. Salt water especially seems to get their panties in a wad. Good luck and don't let the diabetes keep you down.
A friend of mine snowboards and surfs with his. The only problem I've been aware of is when the line completely froze up while snowboarding. Keep a syringe handy just in case.
Thanks for the input.
Dont worry I wont let it keep me down, my control is pretty good. the way I look at it is, I dont live with it it lives with me. I find that outlook has helped.
Nothings gonna keep me out of the water I wont let that happen.
I’m also a Type 1 diabetic and have had an insulin pump while surfing. It is a pain but very manageable. Make sure to take extra infusion sets with you to the beach. My wetsuit would sometimes get sort of wrapped around the one I had in and pull it out even with an extra layer of adhesive over the whole thing. I would always disconnect and surf though. i guess you could leave it attached but with the thought of losing that thing I would never like to chance it. To compensate you should inject a unit before you paddle out. This is also good before most big exercise so your body doesn’t think that it needs to release stored sugars. This disconnecting would be good for a 1 hour or 1 1/2 hour paddle out but anything longer and your sugars will start to creep up. Now I’m back on the syringes and much happier but the pump is incredible for those that use it well. (myself not so well, i like long sessions 
I like long sessions too.
I’m gonna give the pump a go, if it does not suit I can always switch back to the pen/syringe.
If anyone can share some more experiences etc I would be interested to hear about them.
Thanks all that have/will contribute.
I used an insulin pump for 5 or 6 years when kitesurfing mainly.
Used to take the pump off with the giving set before a session and avoid food and bolus doses beforehand. Take pump in car if I was away from base for a long time.
Generally when I got back to reinsert the pump, my BSLs were pretty good because you are exercising which keeps BSLs low (muscle gluc transferase kicks in and gets glucose into cells apparently).
Beacause there isn’t a lot of insulin in your system from basal rate, hypos were rare. Of course, you reduce basal rate and bolus dose for a couple of days after the session.
This system workef well for me.
When Levemir long acting insulin came in here, I swapped to that. Twice daily Levemir makes dosage quite flexible to fit in with exercise requirements. I take bolus dose Novorapid with meals,
Again, you obviously reduce total dosage for a couple of days after a session and halve Levemir dose or omit altogether the morning of a session. I reduce Levemir dosage Friday nights as well before planned weekend on the water.
Been using this system the last 3 or 4 years with few problems and this avoids the pump. hassle altogether.
However, i understand that in USA there may be a medicolegal need for people to use pumps. Apparently if you come unstuck with a hypo and crash your car without using a pump there can be issues.
However, I reckon I have less hypos with this current pen system.
Thanks nostromo, thats some good advice.
I understand that pump use is verry common in the states but over here in UK not so common.
I have heard of levimir but not been offered it by my care team yet although I met someone using it the other day. I currently use lantus along with novorapid at meal times and it works well for me, its just having being offered a pump im trying to sort the pros and cons out.
we’l see how it goes, im starting with the pump on April 16. If anyone would be interested to know how I get on I can let you know???
Wow…nothing new to offer here except I never thought of guys using insulin and having to deal with this. Good for all of you guys to not let it keep you out of the water. I think that’s a testament to how important surfing becomes in your life…nothing will keep you out of it! Next time my knee hurts or my shoulder is killing me I will think about this thread…good stuff!
Stoked!
I echo Woody…nothing but huge props to you guys, define what core really is…
I have a pump and disconnect it before every surf and paddle back in every ninety minutes to check blood sugars. It gets annoying especially during larger swells, but its worth it with how much easier the pump makes it to manage diabetes. Cover the infusion site with something because it can tear up neoprene.
Well the pump is on. Got it today and spent the morning in clinic setting it all up.
Good news is its totally waterproof and have been told by the team that set me up today that it can be worn under a wetsuit so if I plan to have a long session I can leave it on. They have another person who also surfs in my clinic who has been using the same pump whilst surfing without a problem. He puts it in a plastic bag tho just to be sure.
hi there deri
sounds like you’re getting on fine anyway, but just to give you a bit of info that I found out on the weekend. your pump is probably made by a company called Cellnovo who are London-based and have an office in Swansea (so not far from you). The person I was talking to works in the Swansea office and reckoned there would be no problem with you using it surfing - apparently the bolus(?) would be delivered on time regardless of whether you were in or out of mobile phone reception (hopefully this means something to you) and there shouldn’t be any leakage issues.
I’m sure that Cellnovo would give you some more info if you dropped them an email
Thanks loadeddome.
The pump Ihave is made in Switzerland by Roche and is called Accu-Check Spirit Combo, however thanks for the mention about Cellnovo i may look them up and make a comparison on the pump they offer. Although I have to keep this one now for two years before I can change unless I fund myself to buy another but at £2000 a pop I dont think I’l do that!!!
On another note…
What I was mostly worried about was having a needle permanently stuck in me but the infusion point is made from teflon and is really flexible so once the guide needle is pulled out I dont feel a thing.
I shall keep posting my progress if there is anyone interested. and for those who have shared on this thread I thank you verry much.
I’ve had Type 1 Diabetes for 20 years now, I use a Medtronic/Minimed insulin pump, I tried taking it out in the water before but theParadigm pump isn’t waterproof!!! They used to be rated as waterproof back in 2004, then Metronic quietly changed that rating a few years back, but I was not aware of it.
I also wear a continuous glucose monitor, but that device isn’t waterproof either.
So basically when I get ready for a session, I use tape similar to Tegaderm, called IV 3000 to cover up my infusion site and cgm site. The tape is pretty good at keeping most of the water, salt and sand out of the little cracks and crevices present in both the infusion site and cgm sensor site. My insulin infusion site also comes with a nice attachment that covers the hole for water related activities, but the extra IV 3000 covering also helps with preventing the adhesive tape on both sites from peeling up due to the wetsuit moving around.
I keep my sessions at around 2 hours, and make sure I check my blood sugar before and after I get out of the water. If I’m feeling really tired during paddling, I find that it sometimes is because my blood sugar has dropped from all the activity, so I’ll exit the water to test my blood sugar real quick. I always bring a bottle or two of gatorade plus testing kit to the beach, and keep them in a small bag close to the shoreline. You gotta do what you gotta do to stay out there!
Feel free to PM or post with more questions, I actually surf with a couple other T1 diabetics on insulin pumps and CGMs, so I’d be happy to forward your questions!
Also, if you’re looking for a way to store your pump while surfing or just exercise, there’s a nifty little product that I make for diabetics who are using insulin pumps or CGMs. They’re athetic compression shorts with pockets on the front, I use them all the time for basketball or running, and they can be worn under a wetsuit or board shorts. The only issue with wearing them under a suit would be access to the pocket, you’d have to peel the upper layer of a fullsuit off before being able to access one of these pockets.
I attached links to pictures of the compression shorts, the pair you see are a women’s style, but there’s also a men’s style available as well. PM me for more details if you’re interested, our products are about to be available on amazon (should actually be up there today or tomorrow).
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