So, took the kiddos to the waterpark today - one of our favorite spots, we have annual passes so we go all the time.  Usually, I just quick release my pump (I have Minimed 722 and use the Sihouette sets), tuck it into my bag, and leave it at our "base camp" chairs while we go off and explore kiddie land.  I make sure we come back at least every hour or so, bolus a bit, then off to more fun.

Well, today there were no chairs to be had - I don't know where all the people came from, but Wet n Wild was packed!  So, we rented a locker to keep my pump, wallet, car keys and other goodies that you don't want stolen in.  Well, time went faster than I realized - I was feeling pretty good and we were having a blast (my youngest was running slide to slide and just making everybody laugh - she was so excited to be doing the slides in kiddie land by herself!)  Before I knew it, four hours and passed and it was closing time - and yikes, I had not bolused since I took a correction for lunch right after we got to the park and put my pump away.  Yuck - the meter would not even read my bloodsugar when I got to the car.  I still felt pretty good, but that high number hung around for hours, no matter what I did.  I am just so aggravated with myself that I didn't go back to that locker and bolus - I don't know what I was thinking!  I am usually really on top of things like that, I don't want to have severe highs or lows when it is just me and my little kids - we were just having a blast today, though, and I screwed up.  Oh well, not passing ketones and a mega high blood sugar every once in a while is not the end of the world, but it kind of put a bad note on a great day.

For my pumping friends, here is a question for you: what do you do with your pump in places like a water park or beach, where you need to disconnect but still need to get fairly regular, quick access to your pump?  I typically just leave it in my bag at "base camp," but I do worry that someone will take my stuff one day.  The locker is definitely not a good choice for me!  I wonder if they will let you go down waterslides with an Omnipod or Solo that doesn't have to be removed in the water?  Hmmmmmm.....they are fairly picky at those places about anything that might come flying off of you or damage their slides, so I would say no, but you never know....

I think the locker is a great idea.  I wonder if you went to the First Aid station if they would hold your pump for you.

I don't think I would go down a water slide if I had an Omni Pod, but I wonder what the podders do?

Stinks about those highs, when you are having a blast and have to pick between leaving the excitement or fun... to do a bolus or shot.  Worse when you get low to do that sometimes

Sorry you had the high experience and it colored your day.  I have an Animas pump so I don't have to take mine off if I go swimming or to a water park. Some pumpers who have non waterproof pumps and go to water parks use waterproof bags made especially for pumps.  Here is a link to pictures of this setup.  Here is a link to the article Sara wrote about this product.

Thanks for the links, Suzanne!  I think I am going to order myself an aquapac next payday.  If I just had some way of knowing whether the park would let me use it or not - if I could hide it in my tankini bottom and they would never know, it would be great!  Maybe I am just too much of a worry wart, but even the kiddie slides at this place can be quite rough.  It would be prefect for the beach, though, and well worth the cash, even if the water park won' t let me use it.

I do have a little nagging fear about catching the "cord" on the slide as I am going down and ripping my site off, too - youch!  I have thought about this wayyyyy too much!

I just returned from 2 days at Six Flags in NJ.  It was the first time I had to endure the challenges that a pump can present.  Thursday was perfect but Friday there were some pretty long lines (note to self to go earlier in week next time).  Most of the time my daughters were pulling me onto the types of rides that were not "pump friendly" as they say but in a lot of cases I was able to stay connected until I got to the last 15-30 minutes of waiting and security on each of the rides agreed to let wife come up to meet me where ride traffic exits and collect my pump until I was done.  Glad that worked out because I can't tell you how many keys, htas, cell phones, and a ton of other debris went flying off of El Toro nearly every train that went by...LOL.  All in all, a bit challenging, but a nice couple of days with the family.

DeeCee at 11:47AM on Aug 09, 2009

I just returned from 2 days at Six Flags in NJ.  It was the first time I had to endure the challenges that a pump can present.  Thursday was perfect but Friday there were some pretty long lines (note to self to go earlier in week next time).  Most of the time my daughters were pulling me onto the types of rides that were not "pump friendly" as they say but in a lot of cases I was able to stay connected until I got to the last 15-30 minutes of waiting and security on each of the rides agreed to let wife come up to meet me where ride traffic exits and collect my pump until I was done.  Glad that worked out because I can't tell you how many keys, htas, cell phones, and a ton of other debris went flying off of El Toro nearly every train that went by...LOL.  All in all, a bit challenging, but a nice couple of days with the family.

Keep in mind that these parks HAVE to accomodate you and your diabetic needs, it is the law.  They cannot discriminate against you and not allow you what you need to take care of your D.  Six Flags in particular is D friendly if you go to park services when you enter.  They will allow you to carry in food, insulin, whatever you need.  Plus they will give you a pass to get the head of the line if you want it.  The pass is good for you and 1 other person who will ride with you.  If you have problems with crashing BGs due to heat, having this pass cuts down on line times since it gives you a pass to the front of the line. Less time unhooked from a pump if you choose this option.  I have never taken advantage of this type of pass prior to going on a pump.  I am considering it for the next time I go as I would be going with other pumpers and someone could stay outside of the ride and hold all the pumps while the rest of us ride.  We would ride and then the holder of the pumps could go next while we hold his/her pump.

Melinda Monks at 03:15AM on Aug 09, 2009

Thanks for the links, Suzanne!  I think I am going to order myself an aquapac next payday.  If I just had some way of knowing whether the park would let me use it or not - if I could hide it in my tankini bottom and they would never know, it would be great!  Maybe I am just too much of a worry wart, but even the kiddie slides at this place can be quite rough.  It would be prefect for the beach, though, and well worth the cash, even if the water park won' t let me use it.

I do have a little nagging fear about catching the "cord" on the slide as I am going down and ripping my site off, too - youch!  I have thought about this wayyyyy too much!

Tankinins do the best for protecting your tubing.  I also like to wear my pump in the tankini bottoms.  And the parks HAVE to accomodate you.  Check out the reply I did above for more details.

Ladies, here is a tip for you - If you want to leave your pump on for roller coasters/other non-pump friendly rides, simply use the pump clip to hook it to the waist band of your undies, then make sure the bottom part of the clip hooks through the leg hole.  Pull your shirt down over the waist of your shorts/pants, and make sure the ride restraint hooks so your shirt will stay there.  I am coaster fanatic and have been doing this for nine years and have not had an incident yet with my Minimed pump.  Just make sure it is hooked securely and you should be good to go!

Bill at 09:52AM on Aug 08, 2009

I think the locker is a great idea.  I wonder if you went to the First Aid station if they would hold your pump for you.

 

I don't think I would go down a water slide if I had an Omni Pod, but I wonder what the podders do?

 

Stinks about those highs, when you are having a blast and have to pick between leaving the excitement or fun... to do a bolus or shot.  Worse when you get low to do that sometimes

As a podder who has been using it for 4 years, I would just jump in the slide and slide.  Much easier for watersports than any other pump.   You don't even have to think about it.  I swim, dive, sail, waterski, surf, hot tub and sauna all without even noticing that I am wearing a pod.. I just about always wear my pod on the back or side of my arm.  I never even know which  it is on without using my hand to find it.

I was on MM's of 10 years and OmniPod for 4 years.  The 4 years on Omnipod are clearly the best 4 years of my 54 years as a Type 1.  I no longer feel diabetic.  It really does take up so much less of my time.

Suzanne at 12:37PM on Aug 09, 2009

DeeCee at 11:47AM on Aug 09, 2009

I just returned from 2 days at Six Flags in NJ.  It was the first time I had to endure the challenges that a pump can present.  Thursday was perfect but Friday there were some pretty long lines (note to self to go earlier in week next time).  Most of the time my daughters were pulling me onto the types of rides that were not "pump friendly" as they say but in a lot of cases I was able to stay connected until I got to the last 15-30 minutes of waiting and security on each of the rides agreed to let wife come up to meet me where ride traffic exits and collect my pump until I was done.  Glad that worked out because I can't tell you how many keys, htas, cell phones, and a ton of other debris went flying off of El Toro nearly every train that went by...LOL.  All in all, a bit challenging, but a nice couple of days with the family.

Keep in mind that these parks HAVE to accomodate you and your diabetic needs, it is the law.  They cannot discriminate against you and not allow you what you need to take care of your D.  Six Flags in particular is D friendly if you go to park services when you enter.  They will allow you to carry in food, insulin, whatever you need.  Plus they will give you a pass to get the head of the line if you want it.  The pass is good for you and 1 other person who will ride with you.  If you have problems with crashing BGs due to heat, having this pass cuts down on line times since it gives you a pass to the front of the line. Less time unhooked from a pump if you choose this option.  I have never taken advantage of this type of pass prior to going on a pump.  I am considering it for the next time I go as I would be going with other pumpers and someone could stay outside of the ride and hold all the pumps while the rest of us ride.  We would ride and then the holder of the pumps could go next while we hold his/her pump.

You'd like to believe this but how many of you remember the problems with Clear Channel not allowing diabetics to carry BG meters or syringes into the concerts they promote.  This was only a fewars ago long after ADA had been enacted, ADA is also a very flawed act as it only protects people in companies of over 50 employees 

Clear Channel made me register with the paramedics at the last concert of theirs that I went to - majorly ticked me off, as they made a big deal of my pump at the front gate when they let me in and other concert goers were very aware of what was going on and thought I was sneaking something in!  I don't ordinarily even show people my pump, but they searched everyone coming through the gate and found it in my pocket!  That was about 5 years ago, as I was pregnant with my son at the time.  The experience definitely didn't give me the warm fuzzies....