I have not been scuba diving since before my diagnosis in March 2019. Any insight to management and good practices with T1D while participating in a dive would be greatly appreciated. I have vacation time at the end of the month and would love to get in at least one dive!
I am currently using finger sticks and MDI. I am currently in the process of getting a G6.
Hi @Dev_Renae Devin. So the issue with scuba is that lows will be hard to treat so if you are 200 foot into a cavern and go very low it could be real trouble
I would get some swim in to see how you react. Swimming is extremely strong exercise so be ready for lows. On MDI you’ll want to know how much to reduce your basal shot and how often you have to test and how many carbs for how many minutes etc. you can use your g6 for data.
Underwater your g6 will be useless because there is no receiver going to make the dive with you. Knowing what your sugar is going to do, reducing basal and probably running your bs up to 180 before a dive are all starting points.
Good luck.
Hello Devin, how was your vacation? Did you dive?
I have been a T1D for 45 years, and a scuba diver for about 20 years. I have been on a pump with CGM for that time. I try to keep my blood sugar around 180-200 before I dive, and have no active insulin. Usually when I return to the boat and test my blood, I am usually around 120. I hook my pump back up, and usually give a little insulin, since I have now been out for an hour or so. Diving isn’t as much exercise as swimming, as diving is not meant to be strenuous or a lot of work. Mostly just floating and a little foot flips to move you along. It has been 2 years since I have dove, due to vacations and a stroke. I am trying to recall now if my CGM can go diving. I am hoping to dive next year.
Unfortunately, I was battling lows most of the week and I wasn’t very comfortable diving. I had only been diagnosed for 4 months at the time of my trip, so hopefully by next time I’ll have a better rein on my numbers.
Thank you for the tips though, @Cgrover! I hope you get to dive soon.