diabetes first aid and sailing

[liz32]

Ok here's my next question for the day. I enjoy sailing. I regularly sail a 7meter Sirius. I love being on the water. My parents started us kids on the water when we were literaly babies. I'm wondering what a diabetic body does if it gets hypothermia or other water related injuries. I know under stress sugars can go up. Is there anything in particular to look out for? Last summer I wasn't a diabetic and this summer I am. I guess I'm wondering if there are any things that I need to be concerned about or let my family (whom I regularly sail with) know. They like to be well informed and so do I. I have a great family!!

[David]

What I'll say may not apply to you, since we're all different. I also have to add that I don't know what meds if any you take, but here's my take on your question.
For me, a short-term stress (exercise, getting yelled at by boss) tend to lower my BGL. Longer term "chronic stress" will raise my BGL.
You asked about hypothermia too. I think that you'll have to be more cautious of low BGs while hypothermic. I say this because when you're cold, your body will use glucose to try to generate heat. Swimming, by itself, will also use alot of glucose. Just check your BG frequently and whenever you feel thst you need to.
David

[Peter Lee]

I agree absolutely with David.

It very much depends on your medication and in my case I find that hard physical work will very rapidly reduce my blood sugar into the hypoglycemic region.

There was an article in one of our papers a few weeks back about Steve Redgrave - an Olympic rowing gold medalist - who is Type 2. It would appear what he does before taking vigorous exercise is to pump up his sugar to a medically unacceptable level with the usual food to do so (high carbs and fruit etc) and then when he exercises he burns it off.

I tried the same thing on a recent job I did and it sort of worked but I must have used the wrong carbs because within three hours my sugar was down to 4.2mmole/l (75.7mg/dl) and I had to eat. "I thought you had gone very quiet, said my work partner" - I hadn't noticed.

The advice in a diabetes book I have is that anyone undertaking athletics should carry one of the products to counteract hyperglycemia (Hyperstop is one of them in England) and also a supply of energy bars and food. Also they should tell their companions about their situation and instruct them what to do in the case of a hypo (and what to look out for, in case the diabetic doesn't know they have gone hypo!).

The message seems to be to plan ahead, equip yourself and then enjoy your sport.