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Permalink Reply by Brock G on January 2, 2012 at 9:35am

I use the same pump as you do. In the past when I went to go soak in a tub I would use some of the bandage tape you can get at CVS. The have a water tight one the kept the adhesive pad from getting wet. When I first started using the pump I had the same issue, but only when I went diving, swimming or soaking in a top tub. The tape helped a lot.

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Permalink Reply by Trudy on January 2, 2012 at 10:17am

Nexcare and Rite Aid, perhaps others, have knee and elbow waterproof bandages. I would think that using the tape, then covering with one of these bandages, would keep the site on under almost all conditions.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on January 2, 2012 at 4:30pm

There's this stuff called FlexFixOpSite tape that is pretty strong stuff and did a very good job holding my CGM to me running in heat last summer? I haven't tried it in the shower but, on the really hot days, I'd come home and use a lancet to poke the tape to drain the sweat out. http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&q=flexfix+opsite+tape...

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Permalink Reply by christy on January 2, 2012 at 8:39pm

Works great in the shower for me. I think if u really want to secrure an infusion site or cgm site the FlexFix OpSite tape is the way to go.

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Permalink Reply by MyBustedPancreas on January 2, 2012 at 5:19pm

I go to a local spa sometimes and love to visit the saunas and hot tubs. Unfortunately, they are not conducive to pumping, so I usually switch to MDI those days. However, in an effort to save my sites, I use a combination of OpSite Flexifix, Tegaderm, and a little extra tape for added measure. So far, this approach has allowed my site to stay on after spending several hours at the spa. I've gone quite a few times and only lost one site. You should experiment with different options and see what works best for you.

I would caution that even though the Ping is waterproof, you may want to think twice before using it on a kayaking trip. If you do use it, make sure it's firmly affixed to your body and in a waterproof pouch that can protect it. If you take a spill it can easily become detached or get bounced around. While I know the Ping is waterproof, remember that it's a REALLY expensive medical device that you don't want to damage. Damage could lead to malfunction. You can always remove the pump and use frequent Humalog injections that day. I've done that before during water activities and not had too serious issues. You can also disconnect from your pump, store in a waterproof sac, and periodically bolus your hourly basal rate.

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Permalink Reply by Haytraut on January 2, 2012 at 6:07pm

Thanks for the advice. I was really concerned about when I kayak. I did not want to give up kayaking because of my pump. I have never actually gotten my Ping wet. I am a little apprehensive because my educator told me that yes it is waterproof, but you should not swim or bathe with it. So really, what is the point of having a waterproof pump? Haha. Over the weekend, I did injections because I only had one extra site and it was to far to drive home. After a day of injections, it made me realize how much I love my pump.

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Permalink Reply by AustinMom on January 2, 2012 at 8:01pm

For swimming and hot-tubbing, we cover my son's sites with a Tegaderm bandage (available at Walgreens or CVS) and cut a little slit where the tubing attaches to the site. In the summer, he can keep a Tegaderm on for 3 days despite sweating and swimming. He detaches to submerge in the water, but he wore his pump sea-kayaking this summer and the waterproof feature allowed us some peace of mind about splashing water. He has accidentally jumped in the pool with his pump on a number of times with no ill effects to his pump.

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Permalink Reply by Laura S. on January 2, 2012 at 9:49pm

Gosh, I own a hot tub and that has never ever happened to me at all.
And I keep mine pretty gosh darn hot.
I do put one tiny tab of cloth tape (forget the name of it) but I put that on every site no matter what.
Just a tiny piece to keep an edge down.
Otherwise, never lost a site to my hot tub yet (thankfully, because I love that hot tub!).

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Permalink Reply by Bradford on January 3, 2012 at 7:28am

I would agree with the overbandage ideas that others have suggested. I would also recommend prepping with skin-tac wipes, especially if you know in advance about a time when you're going to be active in the water/hot tub soon. I use it before putting my pods on and it causes them to stick really well.
Your kayaking trip sounds awesome!

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Permalink Reply by Mike S. on January 5, 2012 at 9:04am

I have neuropathy in both feet, so hot tubs are a no no. I do go to the beach in the summer and I take all the pump stuff off for a few hours. I just fingerstick more often to be safe. Of course back in the room I quickly shower to remove salt and sand and reattach all my "stuff". Never had a problem. I probably would do the same if I had a kayak trip. Have fun.

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