People suffering from diabetes are as good as war veterans, they’re really tough cookies. To go through what they go through; you’d be a fruitcake if you thought it was easy.
Diabetes is the lack or shortage of insulin; a hormone which regulates the energy-giving sugar known as glucose. Controlling it can be as simple as maintaining the right diet and administering insulin now and again. With illnesses like this, it’s best to be prepared because you can’t always depend on hospitals.
Lockdowns and lockouts
When putting together a first aid kit, you have to consider two possibilities; being trapped at home for a while and having to leave your home suddenly. If going to the shop wasn’t possible anymore, would you have everything you need?
If stores ran out of goods, would you be able to survive? If your town was hit with a power outage or ran out of running water, would you live to tell the tale?
What if you had to leave everything behind, how would you move your stuff? How big would your ‘go bag’ be? How quickly could you get everything you need? Keeping your necessities in one easily-accessible spot could save your life. Knowing how ready you are in case of a disaster could guarantee your survival.
Know your enemy
Not all diabetics require the same treatment. Is it type one or type two diabetes? Type two diabetics use exercise, diet and other medications besides insulin. Type 1 diabetics strictly use insulin to treat themselves. One can see why this information is useful. Who would want an injection when eating fruit does the job?
Everyone has their own unique way of dealing with adversity. When you’re not thinking about diabetes, what lifts your spirits and makes you feel better? What can’t you live without? Don’t just think about the basics, think about what contributes to your personal health, if you’re in a good mood, you’re less likely to feel sick. Make sure you factor in your emotions when looking into first aid. Read more to know about better diabetes management through the best programme
The ‘go bag’
What do you do when there’s a natural disaster? You grab a flashlight and secure your important documents. Personal Protective Equipment, an insulated bag to keep medication cool, personal hygiene and sanitation items, and non-perishable foods; if you’re serious about survival, you’ll stock up on these and keep them all in one place.
You can’t expect to find fresh water everywhere you go, can you? Pack enough water for cleaning, cooking and hygiene and you won’t have any trouble. Solar-powered radios are the stars of first aid, they can keep you informed about the state of emergency and you can use them to call for help.
Contact information, a whistle in case you need help, different kinds of batteries, and a blanket; just pack anything you might need over the period of a week and you should be on the safe side.
Come rain or shine
It’s important that you have your medical information readily available at all times. You won’t always be able to nurse yourself, you might need assistance one day and whoever is there to assist your needs to have all your medical information.
The details of your condition, your treatment regime, dosages, all of this must be plainly written in a place someone can get it in case you can’t get it yourself.
Make sure you have all your medical equipment; test strips, glucose meters, insulin, and syringes; you can’t depend on anyone to have these during an emergency. You need to have your own because it might run out in stores. Consider any other supplies that are unique to you and don’t be afraid to pack two of each.
You need to be prepared for anything. What if your blood sugar drops while you’re in the middle of nowhere? It wouldn’t hurt to pack some juice boxes, simple snacks or glucose gel.
The short and sweet of it
First aid is about more than just packing your medicine. It would do you well to learn CPR, figure out how to shut off the electricity, gas and water, and know your strengths and weaknesses. After all, when it comes to first aid, you can never be “too safe”.
Helen Baumeister, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
