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This will be my first year at Bonnaroo, and I'm trying to find a solution to keep my medication (insulin for injections) cold. It shouldn't be too hard since it doesn't have to be a super-low temperature, just regular refrigeration temp, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. I've considered just using ice in a cooler and replacing the bags as they melt- can anyone tell me about the ice supplies available there? I know it gets pretty hot during the day, so I don't know how long a bag of ice will last in a standard hand-held cooler. I've also considered dry ice, but I've no experience with that whatsoever. Insulin can't freeze or it becomes useless, so I'd like to avoid that. Will dry ice last longer? If it helps, just think of "milk" or "package of ham" instead of insulin... Any input is appreciated, thanks!
email info@bonnaroo.com I would say they would allow you to use the main medical tent for this. They'll get you in touch with the right people. Luckily I have never had to be in there but I would bet they have refrigerators for this very purpose in there.
Post by natedagreat on Mar 12, 2012 14:45:01 GMT -5
I agree with mcr, the medic team should be able to help you. But, brig an individual that has watched after kids who use epi-pens and has had to give one to a child, I would want my medication on me or atleast where I could get to it easily. Dry ice will stay cold all weekend and I suggest using that in your coolers anyway. This would also keep your meds cold if the situation arises. I would still email Roo and see what they can offer you.
Post by Dave Maynar on Mar 12, 2012 14:45:18 GMT -5
If you search around on info.bonnaroo.com, someone asked a similar question and the official rep posted the email for the medical staff. You may get a faster response there.
^^ ALL OF THIS is the advice I'd give. I think some people have a 5-day cooler with dry ice and put regular ice with it to keep it from melting and then put perishables on top of that.
I'm a diabetic. My insulin (two types) are kept in an insulated container (Medicool). This is wrapped in a ziplock baggie, and kept in a regular cooler with ice, along with our food and drinks. Ice is plentiful at Bonnaroo. I empty the cooler of water and replace what has melted with fresh ice each morning. Never had a problem keeping the insulin cool. I find it convenient to keep the insulin in the campground with me. My only fear is if wooks take my medicine and syringes. That would truly be a bummer. Am contemplating keeping a cooler locked in the car, but the ice will probably melt much quicker.
I wouldn't put medication in with dry ice. It will freeze it and might change it. Dry ice does weird things to some foods (it makes fruit carbonated). We used dry ice in one of our coolers for all our frozen water bottles and it worked great but I wouldn't put medicine in it. We had no trouble getting reg ice at all. We were also by a road with houses and they'd sell us ice cheaper than the ice trucks,
Post by natedagreat on Mar 12, 2012 15:15:20 GMT -5
Ok, I just read over your post and I'm assuming you're thinking of trying to keep it cold while you're walking around Centeroo and such. As far as this goes, I don't think there's really a great way to ensure that stays cold in a small handheld cooler. Maybe those little ice packs or something, but as I said before, hundreds of people with medical issues, disabilities and handicaps come to Roo every year. They must have a way to accommodate your needs as well.
I don't carry insulin with me. It stays at camp. I do vary my insulin usage from normal while at 'Roo. I'll take two injections of long-acting Lantus instead of the normal, single, evening dose; one in the morning, and the normal evening dose. I use Humulin-R instead of the fast-acting Humalog. With all the exercise and generally less eating, Humalog has dropped my sugar level fast and furious at previous 'Roos. Humulin-R is less fast-acting, and better suited for the 'Roo exercise routine. I carry my blood glucose meter with me. In the novel environment at 'Roo, you may be less aware of what's going on with your blood sugar. Oh yeah, wear a medical-alert bracelet, or something similar. And, it's helpful to have a campmate who is knowledgeable about your condition.
I too am a diabetic (Type 1 insulin dependent). My first year I did leave my insulin in our cooler in a zip-lock bag and it stayed cool. The other four years I've been I keep it stored in my camelback so it's always with me if I need it. I also change my dosage from my normal routine to keep pace with the different set of activities I'm engaged in. I've never had any issue with security tryin' to bring my medication into Centeroo either, and if they ever try and give me hell about it they will call down the thunder!
This will be my first year at Bonnaroo, and I'm trying to find a solution to keep my medication (insulin for injections) cold. It shouldn't be too hard since it doesn't have to be a super-low temperature, just regular refrigeration temp, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. I've considered just using ice in a cooler and replacing the bags as they melt- can anyone tell me about the ice supplies available there? I know it gets pretty hot during the day, so I don't know how long a bag of ice will last in a standard hand-held cooler. I've also considered dry ice, but I've no experience with that whatsoever. Insulin can't freeze or it becomes useless, so I'd like to avoid that. Will dry ice last longer? If it helps, just think of "milk" or "package of ham" instead of insulin... Any input is appreciated, thanks!
Mcr is right the medical tent is there for people with your kind of needs if you contact them they will hold all you meds and keep them cold and take care of you sharps. Good luck!
Mcr is right the medical tent is there for people with your kind of needs if you contact them they will hold all you meds and keep them cold and take care of you sharps. Good luck!
Are you talking about the main medical tent, between the What stage and BFE? The short cut through VIP from BFE into the What stage venue used to be closed until sometime Friday, making the walk a long one. Once the short cut opens the walk is considerably shorter. My first year I went to one of the pod medical stations to inform them I was a diabetic. They seemed pretty clueless and offered no service or suggestions at all.
Thanks everyone, I exchanged emails with Bonnaroo am they gave me contact info for someone at the medical tent. They said there won't be any problems keeping it refrigerated there, which relieves me immensely. I use an insulin pump, so I won't need to access it except once during the festival, and my boyfriend and the rest of my group are up to speed on any kind of first aid I may need. I've never had any kind of complication (been diabetc since I was 9) and went on backpacking trips as a boy scout for years, so I'm confident I'll have no trouble at Bonnaroo. Be prepared, and all that. I hope this is good info for anyone else that needs it
Foot health might be a consideration for older diabetics. It is quite possible to develop blisters and rashes from the heat and long walks. Even healthy people have developed nasty rashes on their feet, ankles and lower legs. Make sure your shoes are broken in, and have plenty of clean socks.
Thanks everyone, I exchanged emails with Bonnaroo am they gave me contact info for someone at the medical tent. They said there won't be any problems keeping it refrigerated there, which relieves me immensely. I use an insulin pump, so I won't need to access it except once during the festival...
I don think you have anything to worry about, but I did find a reference to high temperatures, insulin and insulin pumps. When it comes to insulin, you are concerned with the true temperature, not the heat index. I don't think it is unusual for temperatures in a tent in camp to reach well into the 100°s during mid-day. See: www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-blog/my00717
