Skiing

Hi everyone,

I am a type 1 diabetic going in my first skiing holiday in February next year. I am looking for some advice on how best to store my insulin and blood glucose monitor whilst skiing. I have used Frio packs before but understand these are only really for keeping insulin warm?

Any other tips on skiing with diabetes appreciated!

Thanks
Sarah.

Hi,

Never been skiing, but out on the bike in cold weather I have found taking gloves off to do a blood test only to find the meter says too cold is a pain.

I am currently self funding the Freestyle Libre, this is against your skin so I am hoping as it works through clothing it won't have this problem, might be worth looking at as you can scan your arm through ski gear without taking gloves off, just an idea.

Phil

Been skiing a few times, its been a bit of trial and error tbh honest. Last time i went I reduced morning and bedtime background by 20% and did same for food at breakfast and lunch. Noy perfect by any imangination but not bad.......biggest problem was the alcohol

Just to clarify - It was a lads ski trip - no kids- or downtime and we were covering lots of miles per day

Skiing is a bit energetic for me, but I would have thought keeping your insulin from freezing would be Ok, a frio might help and also protect your pen(s), assuming you carry insulin when out.

My Optium Xceed meter was sensitive to cold (first use in the morning after left out of its wallet or out walking and carried in backpack), and Aviva Xpert strips were (less) sensitive to cold when out walking (again carried in a container in a backpack, not a Frio). It wasn't very cold in either case, possibly a little below zero. In both cases, problem solved by holding meter/strips close in trouser pocket for a short time. Finding out that strips were cold sensitive when BG levels dropping was not the best time.

Enjoy your trip.

I think that Frio packs are more for keeping insulin cool. I use mine here in Melbourne where the temperature can exceed 40 degrees, and it keeps the insulin well below to 30 degree threshold.

I have found carrying insulin pens test strips and meter in inside pocket close to body prevents any issues of meter or strips being too cold. Usually find I don't need to alter insulin much for skiing. Have fun.

Thanks everyone for your useful advice. I use the Freestyle optium metre so will be interesting to see how that holds out in the cold. I am planning on taking an Aviva metre with me as a spare to keep in the chalet too.

I have made an appointment with the diabetes specialist nurse before my trip so will also ask her advice and feedback any info in case there are any other skiers out there.

My usual set-up for a day's skiing is: insulin and food and drink in a rucksack, blood test kit in an inside jacket pocket.

In my experience, a rucksack on the back is warm enough not to risk freezing insulin, but too cold for a blood test kit to work. If I didn't have a rucksack, I'd keep my insulin in a (zipped) outside jacket pocket.

I've previously used a 'bum bag' for everything. That worked well - insulin was fine and blood test kit worked.

The Optium meter only plays up when the battery gets cold. Try to keep in close to you and it should be fine. It will warm up when you stop in a nice warm restaurant for lunch! Enjoy yourself.
Regards
Garry