I also used the GNP brand from Hocks.com for Smokey, bless his sweet little soul.
Here is a technique that might work for you for air bubbles:
Draw your insulin. If air bubbles, then draw in enough to compensate for the
amount of air you think you have. You can draw in a tiny bit of extra insulin also.
(Some insulins you should never shoot back into the vial....what is your insulin?)
If you have air bubbles, remove the syringe from the vial, and draw a little more air into the syringe.
Hold the syringe horizontal.
Now tap the barrel of the syringe in the area of the air bubble(s). Tap all around the barrel.
It needs good smart tap, and I found that using something like a ball-point pen, or
the handle of a table knife did the job. Your finger does not give a sharp enough tap.
While continuing to tap, gradually change the position of the syringe so the needle is pointing
up toward the ceiling. The idea is to get all the air to gather into one large bubble just below
the needle.
Now push out the air and push the plunger to your dose.
