keeping your blood test strips while on a tour cool

I was wondering how those of you needing blood test strips with you, keep your test strips cool while on a tour off ship? I have a cool pack for my insulin pen to use on tour, but I have not figured out how to keep my test strips cool. I am thinking I don't want to put the strips into the moist environment of a cool pack. :confused: Any suggestions?

I was wondering how those of you needing blood test strips with you, keep your test strips cool while on a tour off ship? I have a cool pack for my insulin pen to use on tour, but I have not figured out how to keep my test strips cool. I am thinking I don't want to put the strips into the moist environment of a cool pack. :confused: Any suggestions?

Personaly don't use these strips but my Aunt who did never had to get her strips cool. Perhaps it depends on the brand. Regardless why can't you just put the strips in a small ziplock bag to block out moisture and keep in the cool pack with the insulin pen ?

I just keep mine in the plastic container and put them in my pocket.

My contour strips say on the box that they are to be stored between 48 – 86 degrees.

With the possibility of a much higher temperature while on a tour, I just want to try and keep them safe. I like the idea of putting them in a snack bag within the cool pouch as long as they won’t develop some condensation within the plastic strip container even while in a sealed snack bag. I don’t know how I can check it out at this time prior to the cruise because its winter here now. I plan on only taking a very small amount of strips on the tour with me, just in case the heat does ruin them. The last time I cruised, I hadn't yet put myself on insulin for my meals. This time it is a different ballgame because I now take a shot with each meal. Thanks for your input.

My contour strips say on the box that they are to be stored between 48 – 86 degrees.

 

With the possibility of a much higher temperature while on a tour, I just want to try and keep them safe. I like the idea of putting them in a snack bag within the cool pouch as long as they won’t develop some condensation within the plastic strip container even while in a sealed snack bag. I don’t know how I can check it out at this time prior to the cruise because its winter here now. I plan on only taking a very small amount of strips on the tour with me, just in case the heat does ruin them. The last time I cruised, I hadn't yet put myself on insulin for my meals. This time it is a different ballgame because I now take a shot with each meal. Thanks for your input.

Can understand that this is the first time that your cruising with the strip but you're really overthinking it. It's very unlikely that condensation will appear inside the container, or even outside the container for that matter. If condensation is your primary concern than make certain the containeris closed tight and double the snack bag particularly if it's a pressure closed sealed bag vs an actual zipper like bag.

First, I know nothing about keeping test strips dry. My husband takes oral meds for his diabetes and doesn't usually need to check his blood sugar while we're on a tour. He leaves his testers on the ship.

Would a small package of silica dessicant (like the ones they put in boxes of electronics) work to keep the humidity out? I buy some from the camera store to put with my lenses to keep them dry. Just a thought. They cost about $5 for a pack of 5. Also, next time you buy something that has one, save it to use later.

The solution I will use will be a combination of those suggested. I will double bag the strip bottle with just a very few strips taken ashore and inside the inner bag, a pack of silica included. All of which will be placed inside of my insulin cool pack along with my insulin, then all placed inside my belly pack for carrying. Problem solved! :)

Usually when we travel in the summer months I always have my small cooler with a frozen blue ice pack or ice cubes inside the cooler, with it holding my ‘belly pack’ and inside my belly pack, my insulin and tester with strips. I just didn’t want to have to take my cooler off the ship and on tour with us..

Just not enough hands...cooler, camera or holding onto misc. other things. :o LOL

Thank you all very much! Cruise Critic cruisers are the best when it comes to finding answers to cruising or travel questions.

Thank you again!

My contour strips say on the box that they are to be stored between 48 – 86 degrees. <snip>

Airdale - I just can't believe your bottle of test strips would get higher than 86 degrees if kept in your pocket, even in higher temps. Is your tester in a canvas type case that holds a bottle of strips? I might suggest you check with your local drug store specialist or doctors' office before storing them near cool packs, etc. Also, I would think plastic bags would build up moisture? I do assume you are bringing an extra empty bottle with you for the small amount and not pouring the others into something while you are out?

Why not call the company that makes the strips and see what they suggest? Bayer Contour customer service number is 1-800-348-8100. Most companies that make meters and test strips are more than willing to answer questions.

Debbie

I have the zippered fabric pouch that came with my meter in which I keep my meter, strips and lancets. I always keep a spare strip container that I switch out at least every other month that I use to put a few strips into when I am out and about in the summer time or on a super cold day in the winter. I know I will need my insulin cool pack in my belly pack, so I am figuring out how to keep the zippered pouch with my meter and strips in my belly pack along with the insulin cool pack and not create any moisture problems. I have been down there before and the temperature was around 100 degrees that day. So I am looking for something simple and light with a complete fit into my belly pack.

But when I am in my car in the summer I have my cooler with ice cubes or blue ice for cooling with a couple of Ziploc bag barrier between the ice on the bottom and my belly pack in which I keep all my testing supplies and insulin. Even in the hottest part of the summer my gear stays below 80 degrees while locked up in the car with no moisture or condensation. I also cover the cooler with a bed spread and have also put additional hard Styrofoam inside around the sides and some on the top of my pack in the cooler for additional heat protection. The belly pack and the Ziploc bags give everything enough separation to not get things too cold. But while on tour without taking my cooler I need something to assure the strips don’t get ruined because of all that sun exposure and heat. I am just trying to get my duck in a row.

I’ll have to give contour a call the first of the week and see if they have a solution for people to use the really hot areas of this country. Thanks.