It has been nearly five years since my son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
It is amazing to me that one day I knew nearly nothing about diabetes and within 24 hours my wife and I were immersed into the world of insulin injections and carbohydrate counting.
Now that my son is 8 he enjoys visiting theme parks and water parks during the summer months.
This increased activity and exposure to extreme temperatures seriously affects blood sugars levels in all children with diabetes.
Close monitoring and proper storage of insulin, insulin pumps, needles and blood glucose meters is needed to avoid a short stay at the park and a quick trip to the hospital.
It has been our experience that theme parks and water parks are committed to helping you and your child with medical care while at the park.
The first thing you should do is contact the theme park or water park you plan on visiting and speak with employees of their first aid station.
These employees can give you advice on where they are located within the park and their medical certifications.
Ask them if you can store your diabetes supplies at the first aid station in order to keep them cool and away from loss on a ride.
Most first aid stations have no problem with that.
All you have to do now is follow your normal diabetes schedule drink lots of water and make visits to the first aid station as needed.
Also don't be afraid to bring your own water and snacks with you to the park.
When they check your bag let them know your child has type 1 diabetes and needs these items on hand at a moments notice.
One last note I must tell you about.
If you are visiting a theme park and currently use an insulin pump you need to make sure that your pump is protected from the powerful magnets contained in most high level thrill rides.
If you wear your pump on one of these rides you risk the chance of wiping out all of your pump information or completely ruining your pump.
G-forces from the rides can also affect the functionality of your pump.
Please check with your pump manufacturer prior to your trip to address this potential problem.
Most theme parks should be able to tell you which rides may affect your pump.
A list of theme parks nationwide can be found on my website.
It is amazing to me that one day I knew nearly nothing about diabetes and within 24 hours my wife and I were immersed into the world of insulin injections and carbohydrate counting.
Now that my son is 8 he enjoys visiting theme parks and water parks during the summer months.
This increased activity and exposure to extreme temperatures seriously affects blood sugars levels in all children with diabetes.
Close monitoring and proper storage of insulin, insulin pumps, needles and blood glucose meters is needed to avoid a short stay at the park and a quick trip to the hospital.
It has been our experience that theme parks and water parks are committed to helping you and your child with medical care while at the park.
The first thing you should do is contact the theme park or water park you plan on visiting and speak with employees of their first aid station.
These employees can give you advice on where they are located within the park and their medical certifications.
Ask them if you can store your diabetes supplies at the first aid station in order to keep them cool and away from loss on a ride.
Most first aid stations have no problem with that.
All you have to do now is follow your normal diabetes schedule drink lots of water and make visits to the first aid station as needed.
Also don't be afraid to bring your own water and snacks with you to the park.
When they check your bag let them know your child has type 1 diabetes and needs these items on hand at a moments notice.
One last note I must tell you about.
If you are visiting a theme park and currently use an insulin pump you need to make sure that your pump is protected from the powerful magnets contained in most high level thrill rides.
If you wear your pump on one of these rides you risk the chance of wiping out all of your pump information or completely ruining your pump.
G-forces from the rides can also affect the functionality of your pump.
Please check with your pump manufacturer prior to your trip to address this potential problem.
Most theme parks should be able to tell you which rides may affect your pump.
A list of theme parks nationwide can be found on my website.
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