Going to swimming pool with diabetes T1

[corbanwolf]

Hey
After successfully becoming more physically active, I decided to try swimming pool. As with running, I noticed that best way to run and avoid hypos is wait at least 4h30min since last insulin injection. Otherwise, the insulin in my body will gain boost and result in hypo, even if I start running with 11 or slightly more glucose level.
Now I am planning to go to swimming pool, but before I do, I got some questions. Swimming can be tiring and for sure will lower glucose level. And to avoid hypos, I will want to bring my phone to the swimming pool. I am not going to swim with it, but I will want to bring a small bag where I will keep my phone and bottle of honey just in case of hypo. And here's my question to swimming pool goers, is it acceptable to bring your own little bag and access it sometimes, or is it prohibited? Can someone steal it?
Or, what is your way about going to swimming pool. Any tips or advices?
(Last time I was in swimming pool was about 7 years ago so I have no idea what changed and what rules are there now.)

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

Probably a good Idea to let any lifeguard on duty know your condition just incase of any difficulty?
I don't know about you? But early hypo signs for me is distortion or shimmering, even dancing lights in the lower feild of vision? The light reflecting or refracting on the water's surface can play mischief with the early warning symptoms..

I would agree with you wise choice of not having any fast acting insulin on board whilst doing this sort of activity.

I have to admit it's long time since I swam at public pool.. I was on a Greek island beach last time with my wife keeping an eye on our gear..

Again, if the phone is to scan a sensor along with your hypo kit? You could ask a on duty member of the life guard staff to hold on to it for you poolside? They may not allow it near the edge due to a trip hazard..

Have a great swim!

 

[Antje77]

I don't know about swimming pools in your country, but in the Netherlands they all have lockers you can use for your wallet and phone and such. I sometimes use those in busy pools whith people everywhere.
From experience, I know I'll start to drop after about half an hour (may be very different for you!), so that's when I usually check the first time.
At that point I sometimes take a few bites from my apple, if I see the start of a drop, but nothing close to hypo yet. If I see a sharp drop I might add a sweet as well.
If I'm in the pool longer than about 45 minutes I'll test more often, as a drop will definitely come.

More often than using a locker I just put phone or libre reader (in waterproof cover), meter, apple and sweets at the life guard's station, the first aid office or the place where you can buy coffee and chips, depending on which spot is closest to where I am. Yes, it can be stolen of course, anything can be stolen.

If I'm simply swimming laps at a quiet hour I tend to leave my phone and apple on the side of the pool. That way I can scan and take a couple of bites if necessary without even leaving the water. In my local pool they're completely used to me munching on my apple while swimming, and I love not having to take a break because of diabetes.
In the rare cases I drop hard enough to warrant sweets I do go out of the water, I don't want to be in if I'm below 4.

 

[JaneC]

I swim a kilometre in a pool most weeks, I tell the life guard and have my bag on a chair nearby with sweets or sugary drink in and all fine. Worst thing is making sure pump, Libre and Miaomiao combo all stay on. I had the Libre/Miaomiao kicked off a few months ago by a swimmer in the next lane, I now make sure it’s well taped on!