Diving in Puerto Rico with my new insulin pump

It might not be breaking news for everyone, but for me, it’s a significant milestone: I’ve switched from insulin pens to an insulin pump and now have a Tandem pump. While this is a personal update, it marks a substantial change in my daily routine and how I manage my diabetes.

The first real test of the pump was a trip to Puerto Rico – a destination known for both its warmth and incredible diving experiences.

One of the biggest advantages of the pump is that the insulin reservoir takes up less space than insulin pens. However, all the accompanying accessories take up more room, especially when traveling to a warm climate with high humidity. This requires a bit of extra planning, but it’s a small price to pay for the added flexibility the pump offers.

Diving with an Insulin Pump: A Successful Test

Diving in Puerto Rico was one of the first major tests for my new insulin pump. We set off early in the morning from the harbor, and I made sure to have all the necessary equipment: extra insulin in a cooled thermos, an extra infusion set, and a syringe in case I needed to replace the set if it got dislodged during the dive.

To ensure the infusion set stayed in place, I used 3M Micropore tape. I applied three pieces of tape, which may have been a bit excessive, but it felt like the right decision at the time. The result was perfect – the infusion set stayed secure throughout the entire dive and didn’t come off when the gear was being taken on and off.

Before the dive, my blood sugar was around 6.5 mmol/L. Although the dive was only planned to last 45-50 minutes with a maximum depth of 14 meters, I took a few glucose tablets to raise my blood sugar to around 10 mmol/L. When I surfaced, my blood sugar was at 11.3 mmol/L – a satisfying result that gave me peace of mind. I knew that the pump would immediately begin adjusting my blood sugar to bring it back to the optimal level.

Conclusion: A Positive Experience with the Insulin Pump

My experience with the Tandem insulin pump has been overwhelmingly positive. The transition has required some adjustments in my daily routines, but the benefits of better blood sugar control and increased flexibility are absolutely worth it. The test in Puerto Rico – with both the heat and diving – has shown that the pump functions effectively under various conditions.

This switch to an insulin pump has given me newfound freedom and control over my diabetes, and I’m excited to continue exploring its possibilities.

I’ve now had the insulin pump for about a month and a half, so it’s still a relatively new experience for me. The biggest difference I’ve noticed is the slightly more complicated security screening at the airport. Traveling with an insulin pump requires a bit more time to get through security, but overall, the transition has been smooth.