Swimming through a season
Water exposure, drying and adhesive recovery.
Not yet medically reviewed. Talk to your care team before changing your routine.
A summer of swimming, or a season on a swim team, puts adhesive through hours of water, chlorine, salt and sun. Devices that are rated for water can usually handle it. The adhesive holding them on is usually what gives up first. This guide covers water exposure, drying and how to get the most from every sensor and set.
Check your device's water rating first
Water ratings differ a lot between devices. Some CGMs and pods are rated for being underwater for a time and to a certain depth. Some pumps are water-resistant only and shouldn't be submerged. Look up the exact rating in your user guide. Disconnecting a tubed pump to swim is something to plan with your care team.
Readings in the water
Many CGMs send readings by radio signal, and water blocks those signals. Your phone or receiver may lose readings while you're swimming, then catch up when you get out. If you rely on alerts, keep your phone near the pool edge and check when you take breaks.
Before you swim
Apply new sensors and pods several hours before swimming, ideally the day before, so the adhesive can fully bond. An acrylic overpatch adds the most hold in water. Skin barrier wipes help some swimmers, if your device maker allows them.
After you swim
Rinse chlorine or salt water off with fresh water. Pat the adhesive dry gently with a towel, rather than rubbing it. Never pull at a lifting edge while it's wet, because wet adhesive tears easily. Let it dry fully, then press the edges down or replace the overpatch.
Fabric patches can stay damp for a while. A hair dryer on its coolest setting, held at a distance, speeds up drying. Avoid heat, which can soften adhesive.
Sun and skin
Sunscreen on the site stops adhesive from sticking, so apply it around new sites, not on them. Long days in the sun can leave a pale outline under patches, so some people rotate between sites to even things out.
Keep a pool bag kit
Spare overpatches, adhesive wipes, a towel just for drying sites, low treatments in a waterproof pouch, and a spare sensor or pod if you're away from home all day.
Sources
- Dexcom — Dexcom G7 User Guide (dexcom.com)
- Abbott — FreeStyle Libre 3 User's Manual (freestyle.abbott)
- Insulet — Omnipod 5 System User Guide (omnipod.com)
- Tandem Diabetes Care — t:slim X2 Insulin Pump User Guide (tandemdiabetes.com)
- Medtronic — MiniMed 780G System User Guide (medtronicdiabetes.com)
Educational content only. Diabetes Collective does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with your care team before changing your diabetes management.