I just thought it would be interesting to write it all down and see how the pump fitted, physically, into each activity.
I’ll also use this list to document to Mr T that he has had enough trials so far. It is time for him to decide which sport he is going to take up – seriously!
Just to put the things into perspective, Mr T is using ANIMAS 2020 insulin pump. The pump is water-proofed at 12 feet (around 3.5 m), over up to 24 hours.
Monkey bars / jungle gym/ climbing trees /indoor birthday playgrounds
Tuck the supply line in to the pants and off you go! Once the pump is in the internal secret sock, it can not slip out.
Initially, we kept the pump in the back pocket with a Velcro flap to close the pocket. Not a good idea as the rough surfaces could still scratch the pump through the thin material of the pocket.
Jumping on Trampolines
We now prefer to take the pump of for this activity. Sure, the pump can jump but it gets shaken and sometimes that can cause small air bubbles in insulin cartridge and later in line. Honestly, even Mr T can not jump more then for an hour and being off the pump that long does not affect him.
Comes summer, Mr T is more in the pool then on a dry land. If the pump was not waterproofed, we would, obviously need to take it off, and if that was for more then and hour, hour and a half, it would reflect on his blood glucose. It would rise.
Since ANIMAS 2020 pump is waterproofed, It can swim with Mr T! Before the pump gets anywhere near water we need to check that battery cap is on tight. As I mentioned, even his cosies have a secret sock pocket (on the inside) so the pump is pretty snugly held in place.
Swimming (beach)
Decision whether to leave the pump on or to take it of depends on the type of beach and the size of waves. Australian, open to ocean, beaches have big rolling waves and it is a great fun to body board, jump into them or just roll with them. Unfortunately, that means a lots of sand in hidden places afterwards. For that reason only, we always take the pump off when we are on the beach. It does not affect Mr T blood glucose levels since we are never at the beach for longer then 1-2 hours.
If it was a beach with sheltered waters, a lagoon in Vanuatu, or calm waters of Mediterranean sea, I would leave the pump on and would not worry about the sand.
Nothing special here. Pump in the secret pocket,
off to the court.
Golf
No excitement, pump on, not as if this is a very energetic sport anyway.
Cricket
The balls they used at the level Mr T played at the age of 6 were rubbery, so we didn’t worry about hard ball hitting the pump. The pump stayed on. However if a proper cricket ball was in play, we would definitely take the pump off for batting …… bawling too…..perhaps not for fielding for there is far less chance of being hit on the field, I think. We would decide based on the length of the practice.
Again, Mr T only played social soccer and took part in some light training. For more serious training / games I would consider taking the pump of, not because of the possibility of pump being in a way or being hit and damaged, but because of lots of running involved which could bring the blood glucose down quite quickly.
Karate
Definitely, pump off. Legs flying everywhere can easily hit the pump. Also all the tumbling, better of if its done without the pump.
Cycling
For Mr T’s comfort I just make sure that the pump is tucked away from the movement of his legs while cycling.
Running
My secret sock for pump works wonders if it is new and tight around the pump. The older ones get a bit stretched and then the pump sits lower and has the space to bounce about up and down as you run. For that reason, I make sure I update the socks as they get worn out and I make sure Mr T has the newest one on his running shorts.
Triathlon
OK – this is only the KIDS triathlon. No, no, I am not sports obsessed mum, that pushes him into all these activities. Mr T chose it. I think he likes the variety – three in one. You can read more about his first triathlon in Mother Hen Watches a Triathlon.
Anyway, again being the waterproofed pump it gave him a chance to keep it on during the entire triathlon. At the event they had, kids were separated from parents for a good hour before the actual start of the group, so I was glad he had the pump on. Otherwise, with no insulin and no activity yet, plus all the anticipation and excitement, his blood glucose would have been rising before the race.
Yes, he tried this too. Since the pump didn’t mind getting occasionally wet, there were no other issues here and the pump sailed too.
Kayaking
We go for leisurely paddle with kayaks as a family. The pump stays on and doesn’t mind getting wet, but we do have a dry bag for other bare necessities such as glucose meter, sweets and food.
Again, this is just a kids version – an indoor rock wall, so the activity is relatively short. The pump stays on because it is easier not to take it of and put it back on again in short time span. The only thing to watch out for is how the harness fits, and we make sure it does not press the pump against his body or interferes with the supply line.
Grass Hockey
This is the newest one and so far so good. Mr T loves it. Being that there is a lots of running, hockey sticks and hard balls involved, with activity being over in an hour or so, we do take his pump of for this activity.
To be continued, for sure ……..