For people living with type 1 diabetes, insulin delivery is not an option.
Water exposure, whether from swimming, sailing, watersports, or even showering, presents a unique challenge because any interruption to insulin delivery, due to a malfunctioning pump, can have serious consequences.
Up-to-date data on insulin pump usage is hard to come but there are two major types of insulin pumps. Traditional tethered pumps send insulin via a pump through a tube and into a cannula placed in the skin. Some tethered pumps have a waterproof rating; others do not.
In the past decade, insulin patch pumps, sometimes referred to as PP or micro pumps, have risen in popularity. These work in the same way as tethered pumps, but placed directly on the skin, they deliver insulin without a tube. Unlike tethered insulin pumps, patch pumps are often waterproof.
So as you can see, insulin pumps have evolved significantly over the past two decades, but what should users consider when thinking about adventures, waterproofness and insulin pumps? That’s what this piece aims to answer.
For this guide, we sought the expertise of Adam Jones, from Funky Pumpers, a Type 1 diabetic since 2005. You’ll see his experience peppered through the piece. Let’s dive in.
Understanding Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes is often discussed as a single condition, but type 1 and type 2 diabetes are fundamentally different. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition with no known cure and no known cause. It requires continuous insulin management, 24 hours a day, for life.
As Adam explains, “Type 1 diabetes is one of the only health conditions that is 24/7 and for life. Everything you do, eat, drink, and even your mood can affect your blood glucose readings. You don’t often have an uninterrupted night’s sleep without an alarm alerting you to a high or low blood sugar reading.”
Because insulin delivery must be continuous, even short interruptions can cause blood glucose levels to rise and remain elevated for hours. This makes water exposure particularly challenging, especially if it leads to disconnecting or removing a pump.
How insulin pumps interact with water
Many early tethered pumps had no waterproof rating at all. Users had to disconnect every time they showered, bathed, or swam.
Here’s Adam again. “When I had my first tethered pump, there was no waterproof rating, so you had to disconnect any time you were in water. The longer you’re disconnected, the longer you are without insulin. That can have a knock-on effect for hours afterwards.”
Modern pumps (both tethered and patch pumps) often include some level of water resistance, but that does not always translate into user confidence. Especially, if they have a confusing IP or IPX waterproof rating.
“The pumps cost thousands of pounds. Much like mobile phones, you’re told they should be fine in water, but it’s not a risk you’re willing to take. Being left without your insulin pump can be life-threatening, especially if you’re travelling,” says Adam.
Water resistance versus waterproof
A key issue (for all types of device not just insulin pumps) is the difference between manufacturer water resistance and real-world waterproofing.
Pump ratings are usually based on controlled laboratory tests using fresh water, limited depth, and short durations. These tests do not always reflect real conditions, such as saltwater, movement, impact, or repeated exposure.
Because of this, many people choose to add a physical waterproof barrier even when their pump is rated for water exposure.
Adam’s experience speaks to this. “Although many pumps now have a waterproof rating, the majority of people would not feel confident submerging them without protection. Many people we speak to still disconnect when swimming.”
A waterproof insulin case reduces the risk of water ingress due to seal failure, wear, or impact. It also provides reassurance, which often determines whether a person stays connected or disconnects entirely.
Considerations for Insulin Patch Pumps
Patch pumps introduce different challenges. While they eliminate tubing, they rely heavily on adhesive strength.
“The main issue with patch pumps and long periods of submersion is the adhesion. Long exposure to water can cause the patch to start loosening,” explains Adam.
Patch pumps also often lack a built-in screen, as Adam alludes to. “Although they continue to deliver programmed insulin, you can’t make manual adjustments while away from your handset.”
While failures are rare, they can still occur. Here’s Adam again, “Only once did I have a patch pump physically fail in water. Water had made its way inside, even though it was waterproof. It could have been a fault or impact.”
Why staying connected matters
Disconnecting from an insulin pump means insulin delivery stops. For people using rapid-acting insulin, this can lead to rising blood glucose levels within a short period of time.
Repeated or prolonged disconnection increases the risk of sustained hyperglycaemia and, in some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis.
A waterproof case supports continuous insulin delivery during activities where water exposure would otherwise force disconnection. This includes swimming, water sports, bathing, and time spent at the beach or pool.
What to look for in a waterproof insulin pump case
Ease of use and confidence
If a case feels difficult to seal or awkward to use, people are less likely to trust it. “If people don’t feel confident that their pump is sealed and secure, they will choose to disconnect instead,” is Adam’s take on it.
A good case should be easy to open and close, with a clear sealing mechanism that gives visual and tactile reassurance.
Clear visibility and button access
Many insulin pumps require occasional manual adjustments. When swimming or away from a handset, users still need to see the screen and access controls.
“When people are swimming, they won’t have their handset with them, so they need to see the pump screen clearly and be able to use the buttons. Some are physical, some are touch screen,” explains Adam.
A transparent case with responsive material allows users to monitor their pump and make adjustments without removing it from protection.
Tubing protection without restriction
For tethered pumps, tubing must remain free and unobstructed. “It’s important that the tubing isn’t squeezed too tight so that the insulin flow is uninterrupted,” mentions Adam.
A well-designed case allows tubing to exit without kinking or compression, ensuring consistent insulin delivery.
Travel, swimming, watersports and peace of mind
Waterproof insulin pump cases become especially valuable during travel. Being far from home increases the risk and impact of pump failure.
For many people, that peace of mind is as important as the physical protection itself.
While pump technology has improved, real-world confidence often lags behind technical specifications. A well-designed waterproof case supports uninterrupted insulin delivery, protects expensive medical equipment, and allows people to engage more freely with water-based activities.
The right waterproof insulin case does not make diabetes easy. But it can make managing it safer, calmer, and more predictable.