Loading...
Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A known or suspected diabetic is unresponsive. Cause may be very low or very high blood sugar.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unresponsive diabetic person — known history or insulin supplies nearby.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Pale sweaty skin suggests low sugar; dehydrated with deep breathing suggests high sugar.
Scene hazards: Airway obstruction, Seizure activity
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say diabetic person unconscious.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Open airway — tilt head, lift chin. Check breathing for 10 seconds.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If not breathing normally — start chest compressions.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If glucagon kit is available and you are trained — use per instructions. Otherwise place glucose gel in cheek if safe.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Report diabetic unconscious, breathing status, and whether glucagon or sugar was given.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on speaker while monitoring breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unconscious diabetics need IV glucose or insulin in hospital — time-critical.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Continue CPR until help arrives if not breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT force food or drink into an unconscious person.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT assume they are sleeping off low sugar without calling for help.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Always give insulin to an unconscious diabetic
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Insulin is dangerous if the cause is low blood sugar. Emergency services must assess and treat.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fatal hypoglycemia from incorrect insulin administration.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Unconsciousness in diabetes is usually severe hypoglycemia or advanced hyperglycemia — both are emergencies.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You may not know which — treat as life-threatening either way.