[Diabetes-talk] Putting on Dexcom G5 Sensor without sight - one approach

[Veronica Elsea]

Tom, thanks for sending this description. That was pretty much how I started
doing it. When I take off the backing on the second half and the entire
sticky part of the tape is exposed, that's when the part I'm not holding
tends to fold under and stick to itself, especially the side of the oval
where I'm not holding the tape. I just have a table right there and I can
just drop the backing pieces. I wonder if it has anything to do with how
speedy one is. <grin> I'll keep trying.
Veronica


"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
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To learn more, visit:
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                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407


-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Tom Ley via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2016 1:15 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: TALey at ups.com
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Putting on Dexcom G5 Sensor without sight - one
approach

Veronica, 

For what it's worth, here is a description of how I put on my Dexcom sensor
without the adhesive sticking to itself. 

How I put on a new Dexcom G5 Mobile sensor without sight
First, I find that often, the sensors come out of the large sealed plastic
coverings such that the adhesive oval area is curled downward, so the
adhesive is not flat. I make sure I bend up the oval shaped adhesive area
all the way around until it is flat again. 

The covering over the adhesive is made of two pieces, each piece covering
half of the adhesive. The two tabs you pull on are right next to each other,
in the middle of one of the long sides of the oval. I put my sensors either
on the left or right side of my abdomen. In this description I'm putting it
on my left side. I switch everything around if the sensor is going on my
right side. 

I always make sure I use an alcohol swab on the site first and make sure the
skin completely dries from the alcohol  before putting on the sensor. I
usually start off by holding the sensor by the oval area with the fingers on
my left hand, holding on the left side of the oval near the tab. When I hold
it like this, the bottom of the oval is facing me, with the long body of the
sensor that contains the inserter kind of falling back and down away from me
to the right. 

Then I find the tab for the right half of the oval with my right hand, and
making sure my left hand is only grasping the left half , I pull the tab on
the right side toward  me and down to remove it. Lacking another hand, I
usually put the piece I just removed between my lips to hold it until I'm
done. 

Then, I very lightly grasp the now exposed sticky adhesive part with the
tips of the thumb and first finger of my right fingers. I grasp the smallest
part I can, about in the same place the tab was that I just removed. And, I
can now let go with my left hand.

It is important not to get the adhesive stuck to your clothes or anything
else. I hold it away from my body. I might say also that I always stand when
I put on a new sensor. 

Now, I use my left hand to find the tab for the other half and pull it
toward me and down until it comes off. I then hold this one between my lips
as well. I'm sure it would make for some humorous watching if anyone videoed
me while I was doing this!

Now, the entire adhesive is exposed, and I'm holding on to the adhesive with
my right thumb and first finger, but just the smallest part is sticking to
my fingers. Now, I grasp the body of the sensor inserter with my left hand,
and very carefully unstick my fingers from the adhesive. If done carefully ,
none of the adhesive will be sticking to itself, or anything else. Now,
since I'm going to put it on my left side, I switch hands so my right hand
is holding the barrel of the inserter. 

Next, holding the barrel, I carefully use my right hand to maneuver the
sensor to the place on my abdomen I plan to insert and touch the adhesive to
my skin. This is the trickiest part. Then I quickly run my finger over the
adhesive to make sure it is well attached all around. 

Hope this helps!

Tom


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