I preface this with that I really have not met many (if any) serious sailors as type 1 diabetics.
Sailing comes in many opposing variations — sometimes we go for a short cruise, or a long cruise. Sometimes we race around the buoys for a few hours. More often than not I am finding myself on the water all day racing with a couple of 20-30 minute breaks between races. And every now and then I am involved in much longer distance races (50, 90, 185 mile) that can take a day or two to complete. Although I have yet to be talked into it — this years’ Bermuda race (635 miles from Newport, RI to Bermuda) took a solid 5 days of sailing — one of the slower years for the race.
While racing sail boats, your movements are mostly confined to specific, pre-defined areas. Therefore, the most important part of the whole day is going from land onto the water. You need to be stable – limited Carbs on Board and limited Insulin on Board with a normal BG since there is limited access to gear. Although I normally run somewhat high BGs before boarding — mostly due to adrenaline of getting out to the race course. That normally settles itself without any correction since there is plenty of work to do to get the boat race ready.
Longer races of 1-2 days are a little more interesting and require backups - I have never needed to do a site/Pod change at sea. However, I always bring backups, as well as Lantus and Novolog pens so that I could switch should I have a failure of some sort.
To temp basal or not?
For me, I do not temp down. Typically, the work on a sailboat are quick bursts of energy and undetermined times. However, I also eat rather irregularly onboard a boat (mostly with small snacks). Rarely do I bolus for these snacks unless it is something like a sandwich. A cookie or chips will simply raise my BG as I am hopefully feeding the basal.
I raced most of my life on MDI, and find it much more comfortable for sailing. However, trying to give yourself an injection in heavy seas trying not to get knocked around too badly is a bit of a fight. As in life, there are positives and negatives to everything.
Have you done any 4-5 day sails? Could I hit you up for a few tips? When you race, do you race with a team or solo? You cay you never bring your glucose monitor on deck, how do you manage that while alone?
I ask because I am doing a 4 day solo in February and would love as many great ideas as possible. I am Type 1, and definitely have Newport/Bermuda on the mind, down the road, though I would want to do the course, not as part of the race, but on my own.
Erin,
I have done 5 days bouncing around New England (not offshore), but I’m on the lookout to do the Newport-Bermuda race in a few years when time allows it. Longest offshore was a little under 3 days. I race as part of a team — usually as a jib/kite trimmer and running portions of the pit (occasionally doing bow on some dip-pole boats, although I much prefer the life on an asym) and doing as much driving as I can squeeze out from the owner.
Someday down the road when it comes to buying a boat I would seriously consider an Open40 or something similar for single or double handed racing – but for now, racing as a team makes the most sense. The boats I race on are a bit more wet and wild than a regular cruise; thus my desire to never bring my glucometer on deck. When sailing alone, I would likely do the same; since much of the journey would be controlled via auto-pilot. However, if I was sailing alone, I would take many more precautions including doubling up a few items. Basically, have duplicates of most things a) below deck b) in my waterproof ditch bag c) waterproof bag in the cockpit. The ditch bag I would put together is probably a little more exaustive than most others.
My email is on the About page, would be more than happy to chat.
-Cary
Hi Cary, Erin and all,
I am a 37 year old recently diagnosed type 1 with a life log passion for the sea.
I often sail on a 28′ day sailor in New England and managing the diabetes has for the most part been pretty breezy.
I raced J24s and C&C34s for several years before getting diabetes.
I really like Laser sailing but have less than 20 hours total and none since being diagnosed.
I can’t find any information on laser sailing with type 1. Winds can be 20knots and seas a few feet which makes it pretty wet even when not flipping the boat.
I’m looking for ideas on how to laser sail with type 1:’checking bgs and managing eating and taking insulin – and the boat!!!
I’d love to be able to laser sail for up to 3-5 hours.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Adam
Adam,
I sailed my Laser growing up all day every day in the summers. Basically, what it comes down to is either having the support or building in mechanisms into your day to make it possible. My first choice while training would be to have a coach boat with me that carries supplies, food, water, etc. During debriefs, talks, etc I could grab what I need. Very easy. But it does require someone being out there with you (make sense during training with a coach). In all reality, most of the time you are sailing alone.
I’m pretty comfortable with myself and can go several hours without testing by “feel” provided I have proper intake of water to keep my hydration level. Clipping a water bottle onto the hiking strap is what everyone does. Sometimes I would put a waterproof bag with a snack+meter in it. In heavy seas I would not even bother — it would be destroyed as soon as I opened the waterproof bag and took on the first swell.
Having a waterproof pump has always helped (first the Cozmo and now the OmniPod). These pumps are waterproof in fresh and salt water for a very long time. The stickers end up peeling off before I could ever even worry about the pump being over exposed to water.
Have fun on your Laser! It’s a great boat to enjoy in big winds and surf.
-Cary