Welcome back to our Diabetes Emergency Kit series. In Part 1, we talked about the importance of being prepared with a day-to-day emergency kit. Now we will look at preparing for a natural disaster or an emergency event. Click here to revisit Part 1, check out Part 3 here and click here to check out our Virtual Roundtable on Diabetes Emergency Kits.
Written by Fiona Scott.
Natural Disaster or Emergency Event Diabetes Emergency Kits and Plans
Another type of diabetes emergency kit is one we need for emergencies such as a natural disasters or times when you need leave or evacuate in a hurry. This emergency kit takes a little more planning and needs a bigger storage bag or container.
Being prepared is key to make sure you are in a position to manage your diabetes in a crisis, and reduce the risk of infections and DKA. These emergency plans are important as they explain what is needed in an emergency pack (i.e. 3 weeks supply of insulin, phone, water) and also contain information you may not remember instantly in a crisis (i.e. medical contacts, medical information) all listed in one place. Once your plan is complete, you can keep it in your emergency box and update it each year or if changes occur in your diabetes management.
Since Hurricane Katrina, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have played a key role in ensuring people with diabetes and carers have access to up to date information including how and where to access insulin and other diabetes supplies. These emergency plans and kits can also be adapted to suit where you live, if there isn’t already a resource easily available.
A couple of extra handy hints are to:
- Take a photo of the emergency plan with your phone. Therefore you will always have up-to-date information in multiple places.
- Add a note to your emergency kit to remind yourself to pack your insulin.
There are some fantastic resources that can guide you on how to plan for an emergency. Two of the plans we discussed at the Virtual Roundtable came from the United States and Australia.
- The EmPower Diabetes Emergency Plan by the American College of Endocrinology in combination with Lilly Diabetes is a great resource in English and Spanish. There is also a video on how to pack an emergency kit.
- My Diabetes Emergency Plan developed by the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), Diabetes Australia and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) is available in English, Turkish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic.
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.
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