Month: February 2021

Avoiding OmniPod Static Failures

Posted on By Diabetes Amigo
Avoiding OmniPod Static Failures
Day-to-Day T1D

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see the affiliate disclosure for more details.

Static interfering with the performance of medical devices is frustrating and annoying. If an OmniPod pod is zapped with static it may result in a pod failure and cause the pod to alarm (referred to as a “screaming pod”). Detailed are ideas to help eliminate static failures.

Detecting Static Failures / Avoiding Static Tips / Products

Detecting Static Failures

A pod that alarms and fails, keeps a reference of the failure in PDM settings. To determine if your pod failed due to static is achieved by calling OmniPod and providing the reference number of the failure to a Customer Care Representative. Keep in mind that OmniPod replaces failed pods free of charge (and will reimburse you for the cost of lost insulin).

To locate the reference code on the OmniPod Dash PDM, from the main menu choose the Notifications & Alarms menu option. Scroll to find the pod alarm notification with the reference code.

Avoiding Static Failures

  • Fabric Choices – Cotton clothes are a better choice to avoid static. Try to wear cotton closest to the device/skin and then layer with other fabrics. Fabrics like fleece, wool, nylon, synthetic and polyester attract static.
  • Static Guard Spray – Spray anti-static spray on clothing to help prevent static. Can also be sprayed on slides and other outdoor toys to eliminate static. You can make your own spray using equal parts liquid fabric softener and water in a spray bottle.
  • Duct Tape – Cover an entire pod with duct tape. Consider buying tape that has preprinted colors, designs and cartoon characters to decorate the pod.
  • Nail Polish – Paint the entire pod (excluding the adhesive) with nail polish to help prevent static. Paint all one color or let your artistic side show.
  • Dryer Sheet – Rub or tape (cut to size) a dryer sheet directly on the pod to help prevent static. Consider keeping a dryer sheet inside the case of the OmniPod PDM or your diabetes kit.
  • Paper Clips – Wearing a paper clip close to the pod on your clothing helps to dissipate static. Some people prefer a safety pin to a paper clip.
  • Safety Pin – Wearing a safety pin on your clothes helps to dissipate static. Some people prefer wearing paper clip to a safety pin.
  • Lotion – Rubbing lotion on the OmniPod can help reduce static. Avoid lotion on the adhesive as it will act as an adhesive remover.
  • Humidifier – Adding a humidifier to your home lowers static electricity. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can boil water in a tea kettle or in a pot on the stove.

Products

  • Pump Pleelz – Vinyl stickers that are shaped perfectly to fit OmniPod.
  • Shapeways – Reusable OmniPod covers that cap on to the pod.
  • PumpSuitCover – German company offering reusable pod covers.

Donating Unused Supplies

Posted on By Diabetes Amigo
Donating Unused Supplies
Day-to-Day T1D

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

Donating unused diabetic supplies is a fantastic way to help other diabetics.

Organizations / Other Ideas

Organizations

  • Insulin for Life – collects in-date & unneeded insulin, test strips, as well as other diabetes supplies, and ship them to developing countries. Donated supplies are distributed, free of charge, to children and adults with diabetes who otherwise would go without these lifesaving medications. To donate view:
  • CR3 Diabetes Association, Inc – collects supplies for people living with diabetes all over the world by providing knowledge, equipment and encouragement to those in need. To donate review their website for details.
  • SafeNexRx – provides affordable medication access to Iowans in need of assistance. Accepts sealed and unexpired lancets, syringes, needles, and glucose test trips.
  • Integrated Diabetes Services – collects many types of diabetes equipment and supplies (almost anything but lancets) to distribute by request to people with diabetes in the US and around the world.
    • To donate or request supplies, call 1-877-735-3648.
  • The Embrace Foundation – Diabetics helping Diabetics to send supplies to those who can’t obtain them. Donate supplies or complete a request form for T1D supplies.

Other Ideas

  • Dr’s Office – contact your Endo office to determine if they collect donated supplies.
  • Network – create your own network of individuals that could use your extra supplies by meeting them at local events like walks, Diabetes Camp, or Facebook groups.
  • Associations – contact your local JDRF or ADA associations.
  • T1D Rescue Warriors – Facebook group that helps Type 1 Diabetics find the insulin, diabetic supplies, referrals, and/or get questions and answers about hospitals and doctors in all towns across the world.