Swimming with an insulin pump: waterproofing, safety, and what to expect
Swimming with an insulin pump can be possible, and for many people with diabetes, more manageable than they expected. The determining factor is pump type: some devices carry a waterproof rating that allows continuous wear in the water, while others require a disconnection step before you swim. That distinction does not depend on your diabetes itself.
Whether your pump can stay on or needs to come off, the practical considerations are similar: site adhesion, how water temperature affects your insulin, what swimming does to your glucose levels, and what monitoring looks like before and after you get in. Each of those is covered below.
Insulin pump water ratings vary from pump to pump
Manufacturers assign water ratings to define how much exposure a device can safely handle. A waterproof rating typically covers a specific depth for a specific amount of time, not unlimited submersion. A water-resistant designation means the device can handle surface-level exposure but should not be submerged. Some insulin pumps carry no water rating at all. Knowing which category applies to your device is the first thing to check, because that rating determines whether disconnecting is optional or required.
Pumps that can stay on in the water
If your pump has a waterproof rating from the manufacturer, you may be able to wear it continuously while swimming without disconnecting. Waterproof ratings vary by device, so check your user guide or manufacturer documentation to confirm how your pump is rated and what that rating covers, including depth and duration, before taking it in the water.
Note that a waterproof pump does not automatically mean every part of your system is waterproof. Your sensor has its own water rating, and the two should be verified separately. See the section below for more on sensors.
Pumps that should disconnect
Some pumps are water-resistant (designed to handle sweat, rain, or incidental water exposure) but are not rated for submersion. If your pump falls into this category, the manufacturer will recommend removing it before you get in the pool. That is a common and manageable approach, and plenty of experienced swimmers with diabetes use it routinely.
Even if your pump is tubeless, some devices may still require removal for swimming. Do not assume tubeless means waterproof; always confirm with your specific device documentation.
What about your CGM?
A pump’s water rating and your continuous glucose monitor’s water rating are separate specifications. Just because your pump is waterproof does not mean your sensor is, and vice versa. Before swimming with your sensor on, check the manufacturer’s guidance for your specific device to confirm whether it is rated for water exposure and what conditions apply.
Swimming with a tubeless insulin pump
For people using a tubeless pump with a waterproof rating, swimming is generally straightforward: you get in the water, and the pump keeps working. There is no infusion site to cap, no tubing to manage, and no reconnection step when you climb out. Your pump continues delivering insulin throughout your swim.
Keeping your site secure in the water
Active swimming (especially in chlorinated pools) can loosen the adhesive that holds your pump site in place over time. This is a real and common concern and planning for it is simpler than most people expect.
A few approaches help keep your site secure during water activity. Adhesive overlays are thin patches designed to reinforce pump and sensor sites; apply them over the existing adhesive before you swim. Waterproof protective covers designed for wearable devices offer an added layer of security for active water use. Talk with your healthcare provider or diabetes educator about placement options that suit your body and swim routine.
How water temperature can affect your insulin
Very warm water (particularly hot tubs and heated pools) can affect how your insulin performs, potentially causing glucose to drop more quickly.
Cold water can also affect how insulin performs, though the effects differ from heat. Because both extremes can introduce variability, it is worth discussing your swimming environment with your healthcare provider, especially if you regularly swim in heated pools, hot tubs, or very cold open water.
If your pump is disconnected and sitting poolside, insulin inside the reservoir is also exposed to ambient temperatures. Keep a disconnected pump in the shade and consider a small, insulated case on hot days. If you are uncertain whether your insulin is still viable after extended heat exposure, check with your care team before using it.
Swimming with a tubed insulin pump
If you use a tubed pump that is not rated for water submersion, disconnecting before you swim is the standard approach. The steps vary by device, so follow your specific device instructions rather than a generic guide.
How to disconnect before you get in
Disconnecting a tubed pump involves separating the pump from your body at the connection point while leaving the infusion site in place. Your pump user guide covers the exact steps for your device, including how to protect the open site while the pump is off. Because pump designs differ significantly across devices, your device user guide and your care team are the right resources here.
How long can you stay disconnected?
When your tubed pump is disconnected, insulin delivery pauses. Your glucose may rise during that time. How much and how quickly depends on your individual insulin requirements, your pump settings, and how long you are disconnected. Your diabetes care team is the right source for specific guidance on how to manage this, which may include checking your glucose when you reconnect and delivering a bolus to account for missed delivery.
How long disconnection is safe is an individual question. Your diabetes care team can help you figure out the right approach for your body and your swim length.
Keeping your insulin safe poolside
A pump sitting in direct sun or on a hot pool deck is insulin sitting in heat. When your pump is disconnected, keep it:
- In the shade, not in direct sun
- In a small, insulated pouch or cooling case on very hot days
- Away from hot surfaces (a concrete pool deck in the sun can get significantly warmer than the surrounding air)
If you are not sure whether your insulin is still viable after extended heat exposure, contact your care team before using it. Heat-affected insulin may not look different and using it can make unexpected glucose patterns harder to understand.
How swimming affects your glucose levels
Swimming is aerobic exercise, and like other aerobic activities, it can change your glucose levels.1 But it does not push glucose in one predictable direction. Understanding why can help you monitor more intelligently.
It can go up or down – here’s why
Exercise typically increases the body’s demand for glucose, which can cause levels to drop during activity. But exercise also triggers the release of counter-regulatory hormones that can raise glucose, sometimes significantly. The net effect depends on swim intensity, duration, water temperature, how much insulin is in your system, and your individual physiology.2
Because of this variability, it is not accurate to say swimming will reliably lower (or raise) your glucose. People respond differently, and your own patterns may shift depending on when and how you swim. Building an understanding of your individual response over time, with your care team, is more useful than expecting a single outcome.
When to check: before, during, and after
A consistent monitoring rhythm is one of the most practical tools for swimming with confidence. Keep an eye on your glucose levels before, during, and after your swim:
- Before: Start with a clear picture of where your glucose is headed. If it is low or trending down, your care team can help you decide whether to eat a snack, adjust your settings, or delay your swim.
- During: Stay aware of both your glucose and how you feel. For longer swims, monitoring during activity can provide additional insight when practical. Symptoms such as shakiness, sudden fatigue, or confusion are signs to get out of the water and address the situation.
- After: Continue monitoring once your swim is over. The effects of exercise can last for hours, and the post-swim period is when glucose may drop lower than expected.3
Work with your care team to build a monitoring approach that fits your swimming routine, including how to handle the post-swim window.
Are you ready to swim? A quick self-check
If you are new to swimming with an insulin pump, these questions can help you check your preparation:
- What is my pump’s water rating? Check your user guide or manufacturer website. Understand not just whether it is waterproof, but the depth and duration that the rating covers.
- Is my sensor waterproof? Verify this separately from your pump. Sensor ratings vary by model.
- Have I checked my glucose today? Know your current glucose level before you get in the water.
- Do I have supplies close by? Glucose tabs, snacks, or juice boxes by the poolside provide a simple safety net during your swim.
- Have I talked with my care team? Your care team can help you build a swim-specific approach for glucose management before, during, and after activity.
For people who use a tubeless pump, swimming is one of the activities where the difference in design is most noticeable. The Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is tubeless and waterproof* (rated to IP28 for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes) and does not require disconnecting for daily activities.† If you are considering your options, it is worth exploring.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to swim with an insulin pump?
How do I protect my insulin pump while swimming?
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References and Disclaimers
*The Pod has a waterproof IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Controller is not waterproof.
†Daily normal activities are related to recreational, educational, and occupational activities. The Pod must be removed before Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, or diathermy treatment, and the Controller or smartphone should be placed outside of the procedure room. Refer to the Omnipod® 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System User Guide.
1. Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, et al. Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. (2016). Comprehensive ADA position statement on exercise management for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, covering glucose variability during aerobic activity and monitoring recommendations.
2. Riddell MC, Gallen IW, Smart CE, et al. Exercise management in type 1 diabetes: a consensus statement. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. (2017). Consensus guidance on how glucose levels during aerobic exercise can increase, decrease, or remain stable depending on exercise type, duration, and individual physiology.
3. Yardley JE, et al. Exercise, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, and Blood Glucose: The Implications of Exercise Timing. PMC (2022). Review of exercise timing and glucose response in type 1 diabetes; notes that hypoglycemia can be a risk for several hours following exercise and that post-exercise increased insulin sensitivity is well recognized. Available at: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9555792/
The Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System is indicated for use by individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons 2 years of age and older and type 2 diabetes mellitus in persons 18 years of age and older. The Omnipod® 5 System is intended for single patient, home use and requires a prescription. The Omnipod® 5 System is compatible with the following U-100 insulins: NovoLog®, Humalog®, Kirsty®, and Admelog®.
The Omnipod® 5 ACE Pump (Pod) is intended for the subcutaneous delivery of insulin, at set and variable rates, for the management of diabetes mellitus in persons requiring insulin. The Omnipod® 5 ACE Pump is able to reliably and securely communicate with compatible, digitally connected devices, including automated insulin dosing software, to receive, execute, and confirm commands from these devices. The Omnipod 5 ACE Pump is intended for single patient, home use and requires a prescription.
The Omnipod 5 algorithm is intended for use with compatible integrated continuous glucose monitors (iCGM) and alternate controller enabled (ACE) pumps to automatically increase, decrease, and pause delivery of insulin based on current and predicted glucose values. The Omnipod 5 algorithm is intended for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons 2 years of age and older and type 2 diabetes mellitus in persons 18 years of age and older. The Omnipod 5 algorithm is intended for single patient use and requires a prescription.
The Omnipod® 5 SmartBolus Calculator is software intended for the management of diabetes in persons aged 2 and older requiring rapid-acting U-100 insulin. The SmartBolus Calculator calculates a suggested bolus dose based on user-entered carbohydrates, most recent sensor glucose value (or blood glucose reading if using fingerstick), rate of change of the sensor glucose (if applicable), insulin on board (IOB), and programmable correction factor, insulin to carbohydrate ratio, and target glucose value.
Warning: The Omnipod 5 algorithm should NOT be used by anyone under the age of 2 years old. The Omnipod 5 algorithm should also NOT be used in people who require less than 5 units of insulin per day as the safety of the technology has not been evaluated in this population.
The Omnipod® 5 System is NOT recommended for people who are unable to monitor glucose as recommended by their healthcare provider, are unable to maintain contact with their healthcare provider, are unable to use the Omnipod® 5 System according to instructions, are taking hydroxyurea and using a Dexcom Sensor as it could lead to falsely elevated sensor glucose values and result in over-delivery of insulin that can lead to severe hypoglycemia, and do NOT have adequate hearing and/or vision to allow recognition of all functions of the Omnipod® 5 System, including alerts, alarms, and reminders. The Pod must be removed before Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, or diathermy treatment, and the Controller and smartphone should be placed outside of the procedure room. Exposure to MRI, CT, or diathermy treatment can damage the components. Visit www.omnipod.com/safety for additional important safety information.
Warning: DO NOT start to use the Omnipod® 5 System or change settings without adequate training and guidance from a healthcare provider. Initiating and adjusting settings incorrectly can result in over-delivery or under-delivery of insulin, which could lead to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.