April 23, 2024 Managing diabetes in emergency situations

Managing Diabetes in Emergency Situations

The last few years have taught us many lessons on the importance of emergency preparedness, due to the experience of hurricanes, floods, winter storms, power outages and a global pandemic. It may not be possible to anticipate every emergency, but for those living with diabetes, it’s especially important to prepare for an unforeseen event.

A little planning goes a long way and here is how you can be best equipped to manage your diabetes during an emergency.

Have a Diabetes Kit Ready

Store a diabetes kit in an easy-to-carry waterproof bag or container to hold the documents, information, and supplies that you will want to have with you, including: 

• Copies of all prescriptions.
• Current medications, dosages and times when you take your medication.
• Your basal rates, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, insulin sensitivity factor, blood sugar target, and correction factors for insulin pumps.
• Your pharmacy and doctor’s name, address, and phone number.
• The make, model, and serial number of all your devices, including your insulin pump and glucose monitor.
• A copy of your provincial health card and health insurance card (if you have one).

Pack enough diabetes supplies to last at least 1 to 2 weeks, including:

• Insulin and syringes or pen needles for every injection.
• Blood sugar (glucose) meter.
• Extra batteries for your blood sugar meter and insulin pump.
• Lancets and lancing device.
• Insulin pump supplies, including extra pump sets and insertion devices.
• Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) supplies
• Glucagon kit.
• Ketone strips.
• Alcohol wipes.
• Glucose tablets or other fast-acting non-perishable carbohydrates for treating hypoglycemia.
• Oral diabetes medication.
• An empty plastic bottle or sharps container to safely carry syringes, needles, and lancets.

Store supplies correctly per manufacturer's instructions. Regularly check your emergency kit for expired medication, food, and replace items. Also, inspect batteries. If you use a pump, be sure to educate yourself on how to switch to injections, in case you are unable to use your pump during an emergency. If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), have a back-up glucometer and blood sugar testing supplies on hand and be familiar with its use, in the event that you can’t access your CGM reader.

If you are concerned about your medication supply or have questions related to the timing or administration of your medications, contact your healthcare provider, pharmacist or provincial telehealth service, where available, for assistance.

Food and Water

You will also want to have at least a three-day supply of bottled water and a two-day supply of non-perishable food on hand. Make sure to include calorie-dense foods, such as energy bars and freeze-dried meals (note the carbohydrate content and serving size) and foods that contain protein (for example, peanut butter).

Stress and irregular eating can affect your blood sugar levels, so you should plan on testing more often than normal during this time, especially if you take insulin to manage your diabetes. Fluctuations are to be expected in an emergency situation, so don’t be too hard on yourself if your numbers aren’t ideal. Drinking plenty of water can help combat dehydration, which can have a negative effect on how your medications work and your overall health.

Stay Safe and be Prepared

By having a plan and packing a diabetes kit, you will be prepared during an emergency so that you can focus on staying safe and healthy.