The Beta Change team held a Virtual Roundtable in October to discuss diabetes emergency kits. It was a conversation that was thought-provoking, funny (Ash keeps life-saving lipstick in hers…), and honest. Our Emergency Kit Expert, Fi, has written a 3-part series on the Beta Change Blog to expand on the Roundtable discussion. Read on for more and check out Part 2 and Part 3 too.
Written by Fiona Scott.
Day-to-day Emergency Kits
An important part of living with diabetes is being prepared – not just in the event of an emergency, but also for day-to-day unplanned events in our lives. It could be that your insulin pump line falls out at work, you left your insulin at home, or your pump battery goes flat in your pump while you’re travelling. Therefore, maintaining a day-to-day emergency kit is important to ensure diabetes lives with us and we don’t live within the constraints of diabetes.
Sample list of what to include in your day-to-day emergency kit:
- Hypo treatment (i.e. glucose tablets, glucose gel)
- Blood glucose meter
- Blood glucose test strips
- Blood ketone strips
- Fast acting insulin (e.g. novolog, apidra)
- Insulin pen/syringe
- Pen needle tips
- Spare reservoir cartridge (for pump users)
- Spare site change (for pump users)
- Spare batteries (for pump users)
- Information on how to work out insulin doses in case of pump line failure with ketones (for pump users)
Your day-to-day emergency kit has to go everywhere with you so make sure you find an awesome bag for it! An everyday emergency kit has the ability to prevent a hospital admission or ensure a romantic date is not cut short, but most of all it means diabetes won’t stop us doing something be it work or play.
Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider.
Beta Change 