Keeping Insulin Cold while Off the Grid

[SeanfromNJ]

I recently registered for a college course that is preparing us to go on a two week camping excursion off the grid. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a cooler I should use to keep my insulin cold for that long of a timeframe.

On a similar note, I have been looking for ways to keep both my insulin pump and iPhone (which is connected to Dexcom) charged. I've already purchased a 100 KWh portable charger and a YardForce solar charger that I can use, but any other recommendations would be very helpful!

If anyone has had a similar camping experience, I would love to hear about it and how you got around these problems. Thank you!!

 

[Deleted member 527103]

With regards to the insulin, Frio wallets are the most common way to keep insulin cool when off grid. All they need is water which does not need to be freezing cold. I have used them for trekking trips in India, Morocco and Venezuela.
Insulin does not need to be kept at fridge temperatur - just “room“ temperature for up to 30 days.

With regards to charging you iPhone, would it be easier to get a Dexcom reader? This will consume less power than a phone so will last longer between charges.

I don’t have many suggestions for your pump as this will depend upon your pump. For example, I have had one pump which took AA batteries and a patch pump which has a battery in each patch that last at least 3 days … and then I change it.

Obviously, as with any trip, you need to ensure you have back ups. Make sure you have insulin pens in case you have issues with your pump, including power loss, and lots of test strips in case your Dexcom (or reader) fails. This may be old school but it was good enough for me trekking in the Himalayas for 2 weeks before the advent of CGMs and pumps . Ok, they did exist (I’m not that old) but I did not have access to them.

 

[Antje77]

Agree with @In Response , Frio will do the job just fine, no power needed.

On a similar note, I have been looking for ways to keep both my insulin pump and iPhone (which is connected to Dexcom) charged. I've already purchased a 100 KWh portable charger

When are you leaving?
I'd have a try out with the pump and phone only charging it with the portable charger and see how long it lasts. It might be more than enough, solving the issue.
I don't know if pump/Dexcom need internet to connect or only bluetooth, but if it doesn't need internet, turning it off on your phone saves a lot of battery power.

Sounds like a wonderful trip, enjoy!

 

[SeanfromNJ]

Agree with @In Response , Frio will do the job just fine, no power needed.

When are you leaving?
I'd have a try out with the pump and phone only charging it with the portable charger and see how long it lasts. It might be more than enough, solving the issue.
I don't know if pump/Dexcom need internet to connect or only bluetooth, but if it doesn't need internet, turning it off on your phone saves a lot of battery power.

Sounds like a wonderful trip, enjoy!

In May so I've got some time to figure it out. Thanks for the input!

 

[EllieM]

I would second @In Response 's suggestion to take insulin (consider MDI so you'll need basal as well as fast acting) in case your pump fails. My dexcom has a horrible habit of failing when I'm on holiday and can't get replacement sensors so having enough test strips for an old school glucometer is essential.

And you can't have too many glucose tablets

All my camping trips were pre cgm and I definitely needed extra glucose.

Is the weather likely to be sunny enough to use your solar charger?

If you're off the grid then you'll need a spare for everything.

 

[Finnlee]

What pump do you use? I have the Tandem t:slim X2 and found charging it with a 5200 mAh external battery (I use the Anker 321 Power Bank), it (the pump and the battery) can last 3-4 weeks.

I always carry this rechargeable battery with me. I never need to use it, but it would be useful in a situation like yours. They're so small that for a two week hike like yours, I might even bring two of the rechargeable batteries. I've designated it as my pump battery and don't use it to charge anything else.

I tried charging my pump with other external batteries and they didn't charge reliably. Definitely checks yours does before you set off.

If you're on a pump with a screen, you can you can check the screen time out setting is set to the lowest. I didn't do that for my test, so a Tandem t:slim with the external battery would probably last longer than 3-4 weeks with the reduced screen timeout.

Regarding the reader, I was told Dexcom has two 'slots' for sending data to devices. One is 'medical', which can be a pump OR a Dexcom reader. The other is 'other' and can be a phone, but not a reader. From what I was told, you can't link a pump AND a reader, but you could try, although that could just mean another device to carry around, keep dry and keep charged.