Swimming with diabetes. Let’s dive in!

As a person with diabetes, you may have a lot of questions about swimming and how it may affect you— but there’s one thing that’s certain; swimming is a great way to exercise and have fun in the sun. Still, you should keep a few things in mind before you take the plunge.

Tips for swimming if you have diabetes

If swimming is a new exercise for you, it’s worth chatting with your diabetes care team and asking about any extra precautions before heading to the water. If you’ve had trouble with low BGs in the past, they may tell you that you need to adjust your insulin doses before enjoying outdoor activities. Your HCP knows your health history and they can tell you what to expect from your body. Once you’ve done your homework, try these tips when swimming.

Keep an eye on your blood glucose

Swimming is not easy! That’s why it’s such great exercise. But any time you are exercising with diabetes, you should check your blood sugar about 30 minutes before you start. If you’re too low, eat a quick snack before hopping in the pool to help keep hypoglycemia at bay. Test your BG every couple of hours if you plan to swim all day.

Take your diabetes toolkit with you

Whether you’re headed to the beach or just going to a friend’s house to use their pool, it’s always a good idea to take supplies with you. This could include extra insulin, glucagon, a few snacks, and medications. People who use pumps may consider bringing a backup infusion set, reservoir, and syringe with an insulin vial in case something unexpectedly happens to their device.

Consider taking a medical ID

While you’re packing your on-the-go supplies, you might want to think about wearing a medical ID bracelet when swimming. This goes double if you’re headed to the beach on your own. If you can’t respond, this can be vital information for lifeguards and first responders to know.

A guide for getting wet with a pump and CGM

People with diabetes need to prevent damage to their insulin pump and sensor when swimming. Thankfully, the past decade has seen a surge in waterproof insulin pumps and sensors. Check your devices’ instructions for approved use. The MiniMed^TM 770G system, for instance, is an IPX8 device. This means it’s waterproof up to a depth for 12 feet for 24 hours.*

The included sensor and transmitter, however, are only water resistant to about 8 feet for a half hour. You may not damage them if they fall in but it’s not a good idea to wear them while swimming. Keep that in mind when you’re thinking about what to pack on beach day. Do you have any tips for swimming tips? How do you manage pump life while waterside? Let us know in the comments!

*At the time of manufacture and when the reservoir and tubing are properly inserted, your pump is waterproof. It is protected against the effects of being underwater to a depth of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) for up to 24 hours. This is classified as IPX8 rating. See user guide for more details. The sensor and transmitter are water-resistant at 8 feet (2.4 meters) for up to 30 minutes. CGM readings may not be transmitted from the CGM to the pump while in water.

About Author

Alexis Papayanakos

Sr. Social Media Specialist

Alexis started working for Medtronic Diabetes in June 2021 as a Senior Social Media Specialist. She has worked in the medical device industry, specifically diabetes, since 2018. She is proud to work with the inspiring online diabetes community. Alexis loves to travel, walk the beach with her dog, recipe test, and explore new restaurants!

Blog comments

Great tips for swimming with diabetes. I exercise 5 days a week and I always begin my workout by doing jumping jacks for 10 minutes. I find this is healthy for balancing my blood sugar at the start of the morning. Swimming is a great way to exercise, and these tips are perfect for those who love to swim.

Can you recommend a waterproof dressing for GL3 transmitter and sensor?

This would be a great convo to have with our technical support team, as they can go over your available options. Our team can be reached at 800.646.4633 option #1.

I'd like to add, make sure there are no cracks in your pump before you dive in!

A couple of tips from the beach, while the newer pumps are water resistant to a certain point older ones may not be. Also be wary of your tape around your GCM and Insertion Point both are much less water proof, either in the form of sweat, pool, lake or ocean water. Well before you go take a dip reinforce your tape, around your CGM and Insertion Point. Be careful with surfing if you have your GCM and or insertion point on your front stomach, the motion on a boogie board or surf board may be enough to dislodge. Finally bring y0ur meter to the beach in case of a mishap and consider bringing additional supplies, or if you can time in a mostly empty insulin vial so that you are able to have back up but won’t be too upset if it gets spoiled by the heat.

It's a little hard to tell exactly what you are saying related to wearing the CGM while swimming. Your guide indicates, "The MiniMed 770G system, for instance, is an IPX8 device. This means it’s waterproof up to a depth for 12 feet for 24 hours.* The included sensor and transmitter, however, are only water resistant to about 8 feet for a half hour. You may not damage them if they fall in but it’s not a good idea to wear them while swimming." For those of us who use both the 770G and CGM, we're not likely to remove the sensor and transmitter once inserted for swimming (I don't) even if connectivity between the pump and transmitter is temporarily lost. Too expensive plus then having to start and day 1-calibrate a new sensor. If everything is waterproof or water-resistant then why aren't you recommending that the CGM can be worn while swimming, especially if we are going to be on the surface of the water?

Paula, we recommend removing your devices to prevent loss and damage. If this isn't possible, your CGM can be submerged for 30 minutes in up to 8 feet of water, and your pump in up to 12 feet of water for 24 hours.

So what this article is telling me to not wear a sensor and transmitter while swimming? What if I swim everyday? Please explain further about removing sensor before swimming?????

Jean, we do recommend removing your devices when possible to prevent damage and loss. If this is not possible, your sensor can be submerged for 30 minutes in up to 8 feet of water.

Left out you need a cool pack for your pump while at the beach or pool. It gets hot out there.

I kind of feel the waterproof idea is pointless since you can remove the pump that can be in the water for a long time, but you can't remove the sensor that can only be in 30 minutes without being done with it.

Patty, your sensor can be submerged for 30 minutes in up to 8 feet of water. We recommend removing your sensor from the water and re-establishing your connection to your smart phone or pump before jumping back in.

I have a 770G pump, but have always removed it for lap swimming. I can actually leave it on??

As for the transmitter and sensor, is a half hour the limit, or does depth matter, too? I haven't noticed a problem after a short swim, but is it ok if I soak in the spa afterwards?

Great questions, Tia. While your pump is waterproof at the time of manufacture, we do recommend removing your pump to prevent damage and loss. You can wear your sensor for 30 minutes in up to 8 feet of water. Our devices are designed to withstand temperatures up to 104°F, so you'll want to confirm the temperature of the spa.

I have used a pump for many years. I have always followed instructions for going in a pool. I never had an issue until the last 2 years. Last year while on vacation (out of state) I used the swimming pool. I was in the pool (mid chest deep) for about 15 minutes when my pump had a CRITICAL FAILURE REMOVE PUMP FROM BODY. Medtronic replaced my pump. This year almost to the day I again had the same failure. 2 years in a row and 2 pump failures. I was told it was because I was in the water with my 770G. I was told by Medtronic that I shouldn't submerge the pump. At all. But this article says it's ok. What is correct?

Robert, at the time of manufacture, your MiniMed 770G pump is waterproof when the reservoir is properly placed. If your pump has been dropped, bummed, or damaged, this can affect the waterproofing which may result in the alarms you received. We do recommend removing your devices before enjoying water activities.

Question regarding Swimming: When you write' "You may not damage them if they fall in but it’s not a good idea to wear them while swimming. The article was not about 'falling'. And after discussing pumps and sensors, does 'them' mean you do not recommend wearing sensors and pumps (them) in the water or just the pump (it)?

Dun;can, we recommend removing your devices if you're able to, before entering the water to avoid damage or loss. If this is not possible, your sensor needs to be taken out of the water every 30 minutes and your pump every 24 hours.

Great info on the pump and swimming. However, I didn’t know that the sensor and transmitter could only be in water for 30 minutes. How long should a sensor be out of the water for a full day of swimming? Would it a difference if these were covered by a large waterproof covering on the skin?

Jeannine, there is no set time that you must be out of the water with your sensor. After 30 minutes, we recommend re-establishing the connection between your sensor and device before going back in.

I've have called numerous times sing about swimming. Been on the 770 g pump for a year and a half. No one ever told me I can go swimming with the pump attached to the infusion set. Here it is the end of summer pools closed and now you post this email. Very very frustrated with the lack of information given me. Also know one seems to know what the best water protection patch can be used over the transmitter. Spending unnecessary money testing it patches.

Nanette, your pump is waterproof at the time of manufacture, as stated in your user guide. We don't recommend swimming with your device, but you can if this can't be avoided. Make sure to have your reservoir placed properly before entering the water. Our transmitters have not been tested with a water protection patch, so we're unable to determine which is the best. Our 24-Hour Technical Support team may have a sample to send and you can reach them at 800.646.4633 option #1.

I Surf a few times a week. I check my blood sugar before I put on wetsuit and paddle out. If it is even slightly below average I will eat some carbs. I am able to surf for a couple of hours then I come in and check my blood sugars. I am very confident when I am sure my blood sugar is a bit higher than average. Also usually I will have a friend with me if I surf far away from help. Usually I am sure my blood sugar is about 150 before I surf.

The main challenge with swimming, or submerging and using a pump is that when your pump is underwater, clipped on your waist it loses communication with the sensor. It will regain communication once out of water over a short period of time.

I wish CGM could really be useful when swimming. Scary to plan swimming activities at end of sensor 7 day cycle, subject to weather. Hopefully science will advance quickly. Minimed user 25+ years.

What?! This article sounds like I'm supposed to take off the sensor & transmitter to go swimming! That is not practical and impossible to manage because I only receive 2 sensors per month on Medicare! It's not like I can pop it on & off! So this article tells me I can't go swimming!
"The included sensor and transmitter, however, are only water resistant to about 8 feet for a half hour. You may not damage them if they fall in but it’s not a good idea to wear them while swimming."

Ann, you can go swimming with your sensor for 30 minutes in up to 8 feet of water. After 30 minutes, unsubmerge your sensor, and then you can jump right back in. We do recommend removing your devices, as they could become lost in the water.

My pump is the 670G. Is it okay to get in the pool with my pump? We swim some to cool off but most our time is spent on a raft listening to must.

Lorie, at the time of manufacture and when the reservoir and tubing are properly inserted, your pump is waterproof. It is protected against the effects of being underwater to a depth of up to 12 feet for up to 24 hours. This is classified as an IPX8 rating. The sensor and transmitter are water-resistant at 8 feet for up to 30 minutes. CGM readings may not be transmitted from the CGM to the pump while in water.

It would be very inconvenient and wasteful to have to remove my sensor every time I go to water aerobics (twice a week) for 1 hour.

I went swimming for an half an hour and remained near the surface. I noticed that the sugar value disappeared on my 670G. After about an half hour, the value returned. Not sure if it had to due with my transmitter since it has fissures in the top surface.

Hi, Gina. The signal between your CGM and pump may not go through water, but the information will transfer once the reconnection is established.

So, if I understand this correctly I have to use up one of my sensors (I use the 770g system) anytime I want to swim/be in the water for more than 1/2 an hour. This presents an unfortunate limitation. How long do the sensor and transmitter need to dry before they can be re-submerged?

Kristine, your sensor can be worn for up to 30 minutes in up to 8 feet of water. After 30 minutes, we recommend re-establishing a connection to your phone or pump before jumping back in.

if your pump is not waterproof, how long can you swim it if you take your pump off.

Great question, Yvette. Your healthcare team is the best to guide you as they know your needs best.

I’m a frequent swimmer and have found this practice has worked very well:
With a packed former large vitamin bottle filled with organic raw turbinado sugar, water, and a nutritious snack, I make sure my BG is good ahead of aerobics, turn off my sensor, disconnect my MiniMed 660G pump, and swim for up to an hour at surface level or just three feet below. After emerging, I reconnect pump, turn sensor back on, and check BG.

It would have been nice to have this information at the start of June!!! Here in Michigan, summer is about done.
Richard

I do water aerobics for one hour each day and must remove my insulin pump before going into water. When pump is not connected to me for an hour, it constantly beeps. How do I temporarily turn off pump for an hour.
Angelac0213@aol.com

Hi, Angela. You can put your pump in storage mode, or silence alarms. Our technical support team would be happy to help and can be reached at 800.646.4633 option #1. You can also review your user guide here: http://bit.ly/1FxEb0K

So what ure saying is u have to disconnect the transmitter before swimming? R take it completely out which would get really expensive. I have the 770G

Nancy, it's recommended that you remove your devices before jumping in, to prevent them from being lost in the water. However, if that is not possible, your sensor and transmitter can be submerged for up to 30 minutes in 8 feet of water if properly connected.

I use SkinGrip over my sensor/transmitter. It is a large round Tegaderm material which keeps out water really well and holds my transmitter in place. It works sooo much better than the standard tape set.

Because of skin/tape sensitivity I use a 3M Tegaderm transparent film dressing, (#1624W, 2 3/8” x 2 3/4”) instead of the supplied tape patches for my CGM. If I plan on snorkeling, I use the lager 3M film, (#9506W, 4” x 4 3/4”), which creates a more durable, waterproof barrier for my CGM that is equal or better than the new 770G pump spec. Always check the film before, during, and after swimming. Loose edges and punctures can be patched with another film or compatible tape.
I also find that this film provides more protection when it comes to impacts that could dislodge my CGM.

Question about the transmitter & sensor 8 ft/30 minutes. If you get out of the water within the 30 minutes, how long do you need to wait to get back in the water for another 30 minutes?

Carol, you'll want to wait to jump back in until your sensor has reconnected with your phone or pump and transferred the CGM data.

Thanks for providing this and give such important information.

Such conflicting information. The pump (780g) is waterproof & can be submerged for 24hours yet the cgm scanner can only be submerged for 30minutes…. How long does it take to reconnect the cgm to the pump after the 30minutes of being submerged? Are you advising it is only minutes before it can be submerged again or are we talking 30-60 minutes or hours? Would really appreciate a specific timescale as looking to get this device & will be at a water park once I have it so need some clear direction please

Hi, Jennifer. We're the US team, and your pump model is not available here, so we're unable to speak to its features. We encourage you to reach out to your local technical support, they'd be happy to help so you can enjoy water activities :)

what do you recommend you do with your phone while swimming so you can keep monitoring at all time and avoid alarms and signal loss

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