A few newly diagnosed families have written to me lately, asking what is the Ultimate Diabetes Survival Kit.
I have two versions-one for everyday trekking about town, and the other, for overnight visits or holidays.
However, I will concentrate on what I take around with me on a day-to-day basis.
Basically, it’s IMPERATIVE to never leave the house without some form of confectionery or soft drink.
Hypo’s love an audience, so the best way to combat them is to have a range of easily consumed soft lollies, or your child’s favourite sugary drink. (Poppers are ideal, but again, it’s up to individual choice.) If your child becomes so hypo that they refuse to eat, drink or cooperate, you can buy tubes of condensed milk and tubes of icing in a variety of colours from the supermarket. Rubbed into the gums, they will absorb into the bloodstream quickly, hopefully quickly enough that a popper won’t be thrown back at you in disgust. (The danger here is choking. If your child is really upset, and crying and thrashing, DO NOT attempt to put anything into their mouths. Resorting to using a Glucagon Kit is a far more sensible idea, and you KNOW it’s going to work.)
But, first things first.
You are going to need a backpack with lots of different pockets. Of course, it’s up to you entirely what design, shape or colour you select, but it’s vital to choose something that isn’t easily misplaced in a hurry. Have an attachment to a zipper with your name and contact details that are easily legible.
The Essentials.
Glucometer-fully stocked with strips,extra strips, lancets and a spare set of batteries.
A spare lancet device is also handy-the number of pens that have broken in a crisis…it feels sometimes as if Diabetes is giving me a test to see if I break down due to stress.
A container with your insulins inside it; if you are injecting, you’ll know what apparatus to bring with you. It’s great if your insulin doesn’t get too overheated, hence keeping it in an air tight container. Carry a small sharps container to dispense of any used “sharps.” A few alcoholic swabs never go astray, either.
Cans of soda, packets of lollies and other Hypo treatments that are favoured, as well as bendy straws. It’s amazing how a sugar deprived brain has no idea to send a message to the mouth, telling it how to drink out of a can or bottle!! Lucozade is also fantastic, as it has extra glucose than standard soft drink, and a lid, in case your child tells you to get knicked. Keep all of these in a clip seal bag.
GLUCAGON Kit. Yeah, I know I’m annoying with my ranting about glucagon. It’s just that it has literally saved my son’s life, when he has been too uncooperative to eat or drink. Get a prescription from your GP and have it filled immediately. If an ambo officer sees the “orange box,” they’ll know exactly what they are dealing with, too!!
Throw in a packet of glucose tablets. If your child is displaying symptoms in a queue, it’s great to be able to pulverize them into the earth, (the symptoms, not the child…) by allowing a burst of glucose to keep them safe until you get out.
It’s also fantastic to get an ID card made up, stating that your child has Type 1 Diabetes, or any other allergies or ilnesses. An Australian company, Diabete-Ezy,make these cards-all you need is a passport photo, and list whom your child’s next-of-kin is. Elissa, the Founder of Diabete-Ezy does the rest!
It’s also good to keep a list of your GP, your Endo and their contact numbers, your last AIC result and what insulins you are taking, plus your daily dosages.
Along the way, I have also learnt to include Children’s Panadol, in case your child gets a pesky post hypo headache. A bottle of water is a must, in case blood sugar levels get cheeky and leave you stuck with nothing but a bag of sugar, and also a few bandaids of all different sizes. Lance has a habit of crashing into a fixture in a store when extremely low, and leaving a generous sized portion of skin behind…
If your child has had an attack, whether it be hypo or hyper whilst you are away from home, and you are concerned about not being close to them, include enough change in a container for a taxi to the nearest doctor, hospital or home. Just in case your mobile runs out of battery, keep a berocca bottle full of coins to make calls to people who can help you out.
A pack of handwipes are also a great idea, in case Panadol gets spat in your face, or in some cases, a really bad hypo can cause an unexpected upchuck. A change of clothes is also a great idea; if it is warm weather, still include a jacket, as sometimes kids’ can feel cold after a hypo.
Some muesli bars or fruit bars are helpful if your child has safely recovered from a hypo. They will need something that will take lower to burn-muesli bars, although riddled with sugar, are ideal for keeping blood sugar stable until you get into your safe environment.
This is a little far-fetched, but I still do it anyway…
If you are in a shopping centre, a library, a cafe-just about anywhere, don’t be phased if you have a managerial looking person approach you and question why you have syringes or vials of “drugs” etc. I have been accused too many times to count of giving Lance “drugs.” Inform the staff member of the situation, if they still are giving you ‘tude, inform them that you are going to report them and their workplace to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission in regards to blatant discrimination. Look up the number in your state/country and watch how quickly they back off. An asthmatic wouldn’t get looked down upon for using their inhaler now, would they?
Your NDSS Card, Diabetes Australia Membership card, and your child’s “Disability Card” never go astray either.
Well, that would have to be close to the ULTIMATE hypo kit, However, if any other brilliant, genious mother/father/carer has something not on my list, I’d love to add it on!!
Why did the insulin die in my pancreas? 