Creating A Diabetic Survival Kit
12 July 2017 Jeff Sheets Uncategorized Once you have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and you learn how to properly care for yourself, preparing for a blood sugar emergency should be at the top of the priority list. Whether you are honeymooning or using a pump, diabetic survival kits are designed to help you address both high and low blood sugar levels without having to scramble for supplies. Easy to assemble and simple to store in places where you might need them, having the following items in a plastic bag labeled, Diabetic Emergency Supplies can help you better manage your blood sugar in the long run. One of the biggest dangers to diabetics is the dreaded low blood sugar or hypoglycemia. Since blood sugar is impacted by illness, exercise, hormones or stress, hypoglycemia can strike at any time. Having a supply of quick-acting carbohydrate snacks can ensure that your blood sugar remains in your target range without having to scramble to find something. Juice, fruit snacks, candy or glucose tablets should be supplemented with crackers and peanut butter, protein bars or trail mix to offer longer-acting carbohydrate options, as well. Severe hypoglycemia can be treated with an emergency glucagon kit. These self-contained kits are comprised of powdered glucose that is mixed with enclosed saline solution and then injected into the thigh muscle when the person is unable to swallow or is unconscious. However, glucagon kits can be used to administer small doses of glucagon during severe hypoglycemic episodes where the patient is unresponsive to quick-acting carbs. Consult your physician for more information on appropriate dosage. Testing Kit, Lancets and Extra Testing Strips No matter how long you have been managing your condition, there will always be a time when you leav Continue reading >>
What To Pack In Your Diabetes Emergency Bag
Thinkstock Plan Ahead for Home and Away For people with diabetes, even a traffic jam can turn into a life-threatening emergency — which is why it’s so important to have an action plan in place, says Vandana Sheth, RDN, a certified diabetes educator in Southern California and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The first step: Create a labeled, easy-to-grab emergency kit where you can stash your contact information, medications, testing supplies, food, water, and a source of glucose. The following tips will help you handle any diabetes emergency. Continue reading >>
Prepping With Type 1 Diabetes
The most important element in survival is clean water -- but what do you do when it's contaminated?This online class teaches everything you need to know Start learning today. Type 1 diabetes also called Juvenile Diabetes shook our prepping plans to their foundations. While I was stockpiling food, learning to make cheese, and writing the occasional post for the Survival Mom, my 9 year-old daughters body was attacking itself and she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Just a short time later I found myself trying to find answers for prepping with Type 1 Diabetes. A T1D diagnosis is a life sentence of finger pokes and insulin administration. And because its genetic, we now know our other children are at risk. Whats a survival mom to do? I didnt even wait for the shock to wear off before I took to the internet seeking advice from the preparedness communityand was extremely disappointed with the meager information available. (Ive included the links to those I found even a little bit helpful to save you time.) Even expert Mormon preppers who have so much information and resources had little to offer. NOTE:This post is specific to Type 1 Diabetes, NOT Type 2. Please keep the differences in mind when you post comments and suggestions. Finding ways to prepare for a serious disease like this is scary. Suggestions that simple adjustments, like changing the food we have stored, as if we wouldnt have already done that if it would resolve the issue, are more hurtful than helpful. *Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, attorney, engineer, moralist, spiritual adviser, survivalist, or millionaire. Use the attached links and their information at your own risk. Ive simply put together whats on the net and what Ive personally experienced. The rest is up to you. For claritys sake, please understa Continue reading >>
Life Or Death: Creating A Diabetes Survival Kit
Life or Death: Creating a Diabetes Survival Kit An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Quite amazingly, many Americans still have no idea what diabetes is or the threats it poses every day to those struggling with the disease. Most still consider it a small sugar problem, which infuriates people to no end. While this blog is more pertinent to those living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), many of the suggestions also apply to those with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Especially for those taking insulin. I just finished reading an interesting and somewhat disturbing novel called One Second After. Consider diabetes in a post-apocalyptic world. Not zombies. While the Walking Dead is terrific, Rick Grimes isnt going to show up with a truckload of medical supplies. There are several events that could result in a global meltdown the best example is an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP), which is the catastrophic by-product of a Nuclear Bomb explosion. In the book One Second After by William R. Forstchen, a small town in North Carolina is trying to survive the repercussions following an EMP. I got the idea to write this blog because of the struggles faced by the main character who has a daughter with Type 1 Diabetes. The book is great in itself especially if you like survivalist reading. As the characters try to survive without food, water, cars, or electricity, the main character also has to deal with the challenge of finding and storing insulin. There Without insulin (or proper storage), those with Type 1 Diabetes will die. Its the only book Ive come across that brings to life the reality of diabetes. As well as the need for Emergency insulin supplies. Have a Go-Bag ready. You cant manage T1D without insulin, and its very difficult to monitor you Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs) without t Continue reading >>
How To Survive Diabetes In An Emergency
C) Copyright 2012-20167by HappyPreppers.com. All rights reserved. The site happily targets concerned citizens who are self-reliant survivalists, preppers and homesteaders with original content on survival following societal collapse. You may link to our site, but you may NOT reproduce any part of our content, or store our content in any retrieval system to represent it as your own. Further, you may not transmit content in any other form or by any means, including (but not limited to) electronic, photocopy, mechanical, or recording without written consent. HappyPreppers.com makes no warranties. HappyPreppers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazonsupply.com, or myhabit.com. Amazon is a great place to buy emergency supplies. In other words, we recommend prepping gear sold on Amazon. It's a great place to shop. Get prepared! Read more emergency preparedness information on our home page. This article for preppers who have diabetes has been archived by waybackmachine.org and this helps protect our copyright. This article captured as many as 8 times between June 5, 2016 and November 13, 2017. Do NOT copy. Linking is okay, but please do not steal our copy That's plagiarism and illegal. It's NEVER okay to steal. sitemap privacy policy #9: Look to nature for solutions to diabetes. Always keep an eye on natural solutions. Below are some helpful herbs and foods for preppers who are diabetic: Cinnamon. Cinnamon is a natural for helping you control blood sugars. Cayenne. #6: Regulates blood sugars (provides diabetic support). Preppers with diabetes will appreciate how cayenne lowers and regulates blood sugar leve Continue reading >>
Children With Diabetes - Diabetes Emergency Kit
There are many kinds of emergency situations that might present challenges to people with diabetes. Weather-related emergencies are the most common. In the winter, ice storms often knock out power. In the spring and summer, tornados, electrical storms, and hurricanes can cause serious damage. It makes sense for everyone with diabetes to have a diabetes emergency pack of supplies on hand, just in case. Here are some items that you might want to consider for your emergency kit: A good cold storage container with pre-made ice, in case of loss of electricity for a short period. A FRIO cooling pack to protect your insulin. FRIO packs do not need ice. Flashlights with many sets of extra batteries. Candles and matches to light the candles, in case the power outage outlasts the flashlight batteries. Extra glucose meter, extra insulin(s), glucagon, syringes, lancets, blood test strips, ketone test strips (blood or urine), alcohol wipes, insulin pump supplies (if you use a pump), CGM supplies, as well as non-diabetes medications such as anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-nausea medicine ( Zofran ODT is highly recommended), and pain medicine. Be sure to replenish these supplies frequently so that all supplies are within their use date. Consider storing a minimum of two weeks worth of supplies. Put this all in a waterproof sandwich bag or container. Emergency glucose to treat hypoglycemia . Unopened packages of glucose tablets are good for a very long time. Also know about Mini-Dose Glucagon Rescue for Hypoglycemia . A general first aid kit with bandages, etc. A spare battery for your blood test meter and insulin pump, if needed. For rechargeable devices, consider a mobile phone power pack -- just be sure to keep it charged. A current explanation of your diabetes management regimen, inc Continue reading >>
What To Put In Your Diabetes Emergency Kit
Emergencies happen suddenly. This is a stark realization as I breathe in ash from wildfires that have evacuated over 25,000 people in northern California. On this bike trip across the country, I rode into Sonoma County and met evacuees from towns like Santa Rosa. A message is repeated by all of those who had to flee – it all happened so rapidly So how can people with diabetes prepare themselves to be evacuation ready? You can use this article as a guide to create your own emergency kit. Make this a task to do today or this weekend. Once you are done, leave a comment sharing that you are prepared. How many supplies should be in your emergency kit? People with diabetes should be prepared with two weeks of medicine, food, and everything else you need. A to-go bag with all these supplies in one place is a good way to be prepared (the bottom of the article has a case study with specific quantities). Tell other family members, roommates, neighbors, or loved ones where this emergency to-go bag is located. You may be in a different spot when disaster hits. How to keep insulin cool without electricity Power outages are common during all seasons of the year from natural disasters. Spending three months in Ethiopia, where the power went out frequently, I can offer some tips to keep insulin cool when there is a blackout: Fill empty plastic bottles with water and keep them in your freezer. During a power outage, move these frozen bottles into the fridge to keep the temperature stable. This is only a temporary solution since the ice will eventually melt. Use a mini cooler with ice packs for medication like insulin. A member of the Facebook group “Type 1 Diabetic Athletes Group” recommends RTIC insulated coolers, which promotes keeping ice up to 10 days. Have a separate cooler f Continue reading >>
10 Diabetes Emergency Kit Essentials
There are approximately 25 million people with diabetes living in the United States. While having a Diabetes emergency kit may not be something you think about often, having a few extra items stashed away in a safe place may mean the difference between life and death in the event of a natural disaster. Given the prevalence of major natural disasters around the country, there should also be enough diabetes supplies in your emergency kit to last at least three days. This should allow you to safely wait out the aftermath of an earthquake, hurricane or anything else that can impede your progress to your home or medical center. These supplies are going to vary depending on your particular condition and how you manage your diabetes, so be sure to create a diabetes emergency kit that is customized to your specific medical needs. Please feel free to add your thoughts and suggestions to the comments section and we will regularly update this list. 1.Extra bottles of insulin, medications, test strips and pump sites. Check with your insurance company about ordering your supplies in 60 or 90 day supplies. 2.Alcohol wipes. Prior to insulin injections it's important to sterilize the area. 3.Cooler. Use a cooler to store insulin and other medications. If you keep a stash of cool packs in the freezer these will keep your meds cool for up to 48 hours. Ice may not be the best option since it will melt much faster than a cool pack. 4.Flash light. If the power goes out a flash lightis essential. Having severalfully charged flash lightsstashedaround the houseis a much safer and longer lastingoption that candles. 5. Extra batteries. You never know when an extra battery may come in handly, but having several sizes available during an emergency could mean.... 6. Medical ID bracelet . Anyone wi Continue reading >>
The On-the-go T1d Kit
The “T1D On-The-Go Kit” is the extra back-up of supplies that you may need if your car breaks down or you’ve forgotten something when you’re on the go — it could be for a sporting event from home, in the car for your work commute, at the studio, gym or any other place you frequent. It is not intended for long duration emergency care that you find in the Natural Disaster Emergency Kit. This kit should go with you when you’re on the move and used in the event that you need something extra. Remember: Use any bag that is easy to identify, secure and has enough space to hold everything. You may consider getting a waterproof or insulated bag. It is a good idea to label your bag with name and medical ID as well as contact details. Consider getting a system like Tile to keep track of your bag and locate it in case it gets lost. Diabetes Travel Essentials The go-to device for testing your blood sugar levels. Insulin The American Diabetes Association recommends packing a 3-day supply. Include short-acting as well as long-acting insulin. When insulin is kept cool at the recommended temperature of 36° F – 46° F, it will last until its expiration date. Unrefrigerated insulin can be stored at a temperature between 59°F-86°F and may be effective up to 28 days. Don’t forget to rotate supplies so that your emergency kit does not contain expired products. A Cooler (Optional) Include 4 reusable ice packs to keep insulin cool. (FRIO makes insulin pouches that cool when submerged in water.) Never use insulin that has been frozen. Syringes and/ or Pen Needles Both deliver insulin; it depends on what’s your instrument of choice. If you are on a pump you should carry emergency needles and insulin vials, or an emergency pen in case of failure. Also, carry extra syringes fo Continue reading >>
Emergency Preparedness For Type 1 Diabetes
Emergency Preparedness for Type 1 Diabetes From the wrath of Hurricane Sandy along the eastern seaboard to devastating wildfires in the west, the past two years have shattered previous records for natural disaster destruction in the United States. The hardships and chaos these catastrophes cause are difficult enough. But factor in the added demands of managing type 1 diabetes (T1D), and a bad situation can get much worse. No matter where you live, you should have a plan for taking care of yourself and your diabetes in an emergency situation. Kim Kaar lives in southeastern Connecticut with her husband Marko and their three childrenEmily, 18, Gabriel, 10, and Alex, 14, who was diagnosed with T1D at eighteen months of age. Just blocks from Long Island Sound in one direction, and the Connecticut River in the other, the Kaar family has ridden out their fair share of storms over the years. Possessing a mentality of always be prepared has made it fairly easy to keep type 1 diabetes care consistent, Kim explains. Despite the challenges of two hurricanes and a major blizzard over the past two years, advance planning and a well-stocked diabetes emergency kit has kept Alexs T1D safely in check through flooding and extended electrical power loss. But the Kaars may be in the minority. Even though it is something that I always talk to them about, before Superstorm Sandy hit last year, most of my patients did not have realistic emergency plans in place, laments New York-based diabetes educator Susan Weiner, RD, MS, CDE. People just dont think it will happen to themuntil it happens to them. Organization and checklists are key to making it through an emergency, according to Mrs. Weiner, author of the upcoming book The Complete Diabetes Organizer (Spry Publishing, Fall 2013). Think thro Continue reading >>
Tips For Emergency Preparedness
We have always needed to be ready for emergencies. Wherever you live, there is the chance of something happening to disrupt your daily life, whether it's a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, or a blizzard. Recent concerns about terrorist attacks have simply increased our awareness of the need to be prepared if a disaster strikes. Everyone is now advised to have a plan in place in the case of an emergency, and people with diabetes must consider proper diabetes care when they make emergency plans. Consider storingthree days worth of diabetes supplies, which, depending on how you take care of your diabetes, could include oral medication, insulin, insulin delivery supplies, lancets, extra batteries for your meter and/or pump, and a quick-acting source of glucose. You may also want to have an extra glucagon emergency kit. All these items should be kept in an easy-to-identify container, and stored in a location that is easy to get to in an emergency. Your emergency supply kit should also contain a list of emergency contacts and, if you are a parent of a child in school or daycare, physician's orders that may be on file with your child's school or day care provider. As always, it is a good idea to wear medical identification that will enable colleagues, school staff members, or emergency medical personnel to identify and address your medical needs. If you are a parent of a child with diabetes, it is important that your child's school has clearly identified the school staff members who will assist your child in the event of an emergency evacuation. For those who are away from home, consider informing your colleagues, friends, and family members about your diabetes and where your emergency supply kit is kept. Taking a few minutes right now to gather supplies and inform those Continue reading >>
Diabetes Emergency Plan: Are You Ready?
By DaVita Dietitian, Marisol Avila, RD, CDE Natural disasters such as hurricanes, blizzards, earthquakes, wildfires and floods can suddenly interrupt life as we know it. If you have diabetes and are on dialysis, missing dialysis treatments for a few days due to an emergency can further complicate matters. If you have an action plan in place for an emergency, you have a greater probability of surviving a major disaster and reducing fear and anxiety. The following tips can help you cope with an emergency and improve your chances of survival when you have diabetes. Emergency kit Your emergency kit needs to be portable. Obtain a sturdy, lightweight bag or backpack with wheels to store your diabetes emergency supplies. Keep a smaller pack in your kit to store important papers, medication and some food in case you are not able to take the whole kit with you. Place the emergency kit in a closet near your bedroom, at the entrance door of your house or in the garage. Stock it with: A pair of sturdy shoes A flashlight with fresh batteries An ABC fire extinguisher A whistle A radio and batteries A light blanket Glucose gel or small amounts of juice and hard candy Protein bars An extra pair of glasses A cell phone with extra batteries Personal hygiene items An extra set of keys Local maps A walking aid, if needed Diabetes supplies (see below) Small first aid kit Include a list of important phone numbers such as for your dialysis center, your pharmacy, your physician, your local ESRD network (1-800-MEDICARE), the DaVita Guest Services hotline (1-800-244-0680), any emergency contacts, as well as a copy of your insurance card and a detailed medical history. Medications Keep a current list of all your medications and obtain a week supply to store in your emergency kit. Be sure to rotat Continue reading >>
What To Pack In Your Diabetes Emergency Kit
No matter the season, Mother Nature can wreak havoc in our lives. Other emergencies can turn our world upside down. For those people with type 1 diabetes, always being prepared is essential. Below is a list of things that should be in your diabetes emergency kit. Excerpted from Kids First, Diabetes Second by Leighann Calentineand published by Spry Publishing; available wherever books are sold. Diabetes Preparedness Kit My daughter with type 1 diabetes, Quinn, learned about “preparedness” at school and had the idea to make a diabetes preparedness kit at home. Every part of the country has some type of severe weather, and you need to be prepared in case you have to take shelter or leave the house quickly. I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of this before. In the past when we heard tornado sirens, I swooped up some supplies and ran downstairs. Now we have a kit stocked with everything we might need (except insulin), and I keep it in the pantry where we take cover. We store insulin in the refrigerator because it needs to be kept cool, but we can quickly grab it if needed. Keep your kit in a designated spot so that it can be grabbed quickly, and don’t forget to rotate any supplies that might expire. The plastic container we purchased has two interlocking tiers. The diabetes supplies are in the top tier, and bottled water and snacks are in the bottom. We also take the kit with us when we travel or go camping, or when Quinn has a sleepover at her grandparents’ house. Diabetes Preparedness Kit (Tailor to the supplies that you use.) Plastic container, ideally with a handle so that it’s portable Blood glucose meter Blood glucose test strips Blood ketone meter and blood ketone strips OR urine ketone strips Lancing device Lancets Alcohol swabs Syringes (for both MDI an Continue reading >>
Slideshow: Your Diabetes Supply Kit For Emergencies
When you have a condition like diabetes, a trip away from home means packing a few extra items: the supplies you use to take care of yourself. And if a disaster like a hurricane or fire strikes, or even if you have simple power failure, you may need to leave your home right away. Gather a few key things ahead of time and store them in an easy-to-grab "go bag" so you're ready to head out at a moment's notice. Put aside 7 days' worth of any medicine you take. If you have type 2 diabetes, that probably includes pills that help your body use insulin better. People who have type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 will need to pack a supply of insulin and syringes or insulin pens. Check your stash every so often to make sure nothing has expired. A cold pack and insulated bag is a good idea for anyone who uses a medicine that normally goes in the refrigerator. That includes exenatide, insulin, and pramlintide. Don't forget about the items you'll need to test your blood sugar, such as: Empty plastic bottle or sharps container for lancets (as well as needles and syringes, if you use them) If your doctor has told you to check for ketones, you should carry ketone test strips, too. If you have type 1 diabetes and use an insulin pump, you should also pack: It's important to stay hydrated, especially if your blood sugar levels tend to get too high. Put aside enough bottled water to last you at least 3 days. You should also pack at least 2 days' worth of food that won't spoil. Good picks include peanut butter, cheese crackers, meal replacement shakes, and granola bars. Canned food is also smart. Just remember the non-electric can opener. You can buy a premade kit or create your own. Some key items to include: adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, pain and Continue reading >>
11 Items Every Diabetic Emergency Kit Must Have
11 Items Every Diabetic Emergency Kit Must Have 11 Items Every Diabetic Emergency Kit Must Have Be prepared to take care of your health if disaster strikes. Jenilee Matz has a masters degree in public health and worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a health communications specialist. She writes for several health publications including Everyday Health, HealthDay, and Diabetic Connect. Unexpected emergencies are a part of life. Natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and blizzards can happen almost anywhere. Acts of terrorism also occur and could send your daily routine into turmoil. Then, after the horrible event ends, you'll face another battle . There's a chance you could be stranded in your home without power or away from your home for days, weeks, or even months. If you dont have access to your medication, blood sugar testing supplies , and other necessities, youll face a medical emergency. Its crucial for you to be ready for an emergency . Taking the time to prepare now can save your life in the future. The American Diabetes Association suggests stocking up on enough diabetes supplies to last for at least three days. Store these items in a waterproof, insulated container thats easy to carry. Tell your family and friends where the kit is located in your home in case youre unable to get to it. Its a good idea to stock regular safety itemssuch as flashlights, batteries, and first aid suppliesnear your diabetes care kit. Fill up your kit with the following supplies Insulin and syringes or insulin pump and supplies. Even if you use an insulin pump, keep syringes on hand in case your pump is damaged or malfunctions, so you are still covered in an emergency. Medication including oral diabetes meds and any other prescrip Continue reading >>
