Diabetes Matters - online subscriptions are no longer available Autumn 2016 | Page 27

well

LIVING

Getting prepared for an

Emergency

D

o you know all of your medications and dosage amounts off the top of your head? Do you know who to call if you
can’t access your diabetes supplies, or the closest place to buy emergency replacements? The recent bushfires in
Western Australia’s south-west region are an important reminder that emergencies can happen at any time and not being
prepared can have serious consequences.

In the event of an emergency, the body
processes blood glucose differently. This
means for people with diabetes, their
blood glucose control can deteriorate
both during and after a natural disaster.
Stress, changes in levels of activity and
limited access to food may also mean that
diabetes medication needs to be adjusted
during and after an emergency. There
may be no way of accessing medication
or medical assistance, so it is important
that people living with diabetes have an
emergency plan in place.
Diabetes Australia has developed a
number of new resources to assist people
with diabetes to plan ahead for a natural
disaster and to ensure they are able to
continue to self-manage their diabetes
both during and after the emergency.
The My Diabetes Emergency Plan helps
people record important information
such as their personal details, details of
their diabetes care team and medications,
as well as their diet and nutrition
requirements.
Preparing a diabetes emergency plan and
emergency kit and keeping them up-todate will:
•

•

help avoid life-threatening situations by
equipping you to self-manage diabetes
in an emergency.
ensure medical and emergency services
have the right information about your
condition and medical history if you
need treatment.

For a free copy of the NDSS My
Diabetes Emergency Plan or other
disaster planning resources, please
visit www.ndss.com.au

BE AWARE. PREPARE. SURVIVE AN EME

RGENCY.

MY DIABETES EMERGENCY PLAN
THIS PLAN HELPS YOU MANAGE YOUR DIABETES
IN AN EMERGENCY
Stress in an emergency or a natura
l disaster can raise or
lower blood glucose to dangerous
levels. There may be
no medication or food available,
and no way of getting
medical help.
A Diabetes Emergency Plan helps
you to self-manage
your diabetes before, during and
after an emergency.
Planning ahead reduces the risk
of diabetes-related
infections and life-threatening situati
ons.
This plan also lists important things
to put in a Diabetes
Emergency Kit to help you surviv
e.
Keep this plan and your emergency
kit together
in a safe place and keep them up
to date.

Prepare a portable, insulated diabet
es emergency kit to
take with you if you need to leave
at short notice. It should
contain the following:
Important documents

diabetes medication regimen
☐ A copy of your sick day management plan
☐ A copy of this completed plan

on your

CHECK THE EXPIRY DATE of your
supplies
UPDATE THIS PLAN at the start
of every season.
General medical supplies

☐ A 14 day supply of your prescription medication
☐ Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, panadol,

antacid, vitamins, or any others that
you buy and use
from over the counter
☐ A 3 day supply of bottled water per person
☐ A cooler bag with 4 refreezeable cool packs
or FRIO packs

The National Diabetes Services Scheme
(NDSS) is an initiative
of the Australian Government administe
red by Diabetes Australia.

Additional items for those on insuli

n pump therapy

EMERGENCY KIT CHECKLIST

☐ A list of your medical and surgery history
☐ A letter from your diabetes healthcare provider

Diabetes specific medical suppl
ies (depending
on your regular diabetes mana
gement)
☐ A 14 day supply of your insulin and syringes
or insulin pens
☐ Blood-glucose testing supplies, blood-glucose
monitor
and extra batteries, lancets and lancet
device
☐ Empty sharps container
☐ Urine or blood ketone testing strips
☐ Hypoglycaemia kit containing jelly beans, glucos
e
tablets, cans of sweet soft drink, glucag
on kit, a supply
of non-perishable foods (e.g. peanu
t butter, crackers,
meal replacement shakes or bars)
☐ Cotton balls and tissues
☐ Alcohol swabs
☐ A pen and a notebook to record blood-glucose
levels

☐ Insulin pump settings and passwords
☐ Insulin pump cannulas (sites) and reservoirs
☐ A 14 day supply of syringes or insulin pens –
in case of damage to your pump

☐ Spare batteries for insulin pump

Please refer to your state and
territory fire and
emergency services agency for
a list of additional
items to include in your emerg
ency kit.

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS FOR YOUR EMERGENCY KIT

☐ Torch, extra batteries
☐ Lighter and candles
☐ Handheld radio
☐ First aid kit
☐ Whistle
☐ Mobile phone and

☐ Protective clothing
☐ Heavy duty gloves
☐ Protective eye wear
☐ Protective shoes
☐ Spare socks

extra charger

For more information about how
to use
this plan visit www.ndss.com.au

This plan was developed by the Australian
Diabetes Educators Association
with funding under the National Diabetes
Services Scheme.

27