Always be prepared
If you have diabetes, traveling means carrying extra supplies to take care of yourself. If there is a disaster such as a typhoon or fire, or if you encounter a situation such as a power failure, you may need to leave your home immediately. Have a few important items beforehand and keep them in an easy-to-carry emergency kit so you can be prepared.
Spare medications for treatment
Prepare a 7-day supply of take-home medication. If you have type 2 diabetes, you may need to carry medications such as insulin sensitizers to help your body use insulin more effectively. people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes need to carry insulin, syringes, or insulin pens. Be careful to check your inventory to make sure the product has not expired.
Store refrigerated
Ice packs or insulated bags are good choices if you use medications that are typically kept in the refrigerator. These medications that need to be kept refrigerated include exenatide, insulin, and pramlintide.
Essential medical supplies
Don’t forget to bring equipment to monitor your blood glucose, for example:
- Glucose meter and spare batteries
- Test strips
- Blood collection needle
- Empty plastic bottles or sharps boxes for collecting used blood collection needles (and needles and syringes, if necessary)
- You will also need to bring ketone testing strips if your doctor has told you that you need to monitor for ketones
If you are on an insulin pump
If you have type 1 diabetes and are on an insulin pump, you will also need to bring:
- spare insulin and infusion set
- Spare batteries
- Vial of insulin and syringe (in case of insulin pump failure)
Write down important information
Your emergency kit needs to include important information about the disease and treatment situation. This list of information should include:
- Diagnosis (type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and any other disease)
- A list of medications, with specific doses and times of use
- Contact information for family and close friends
Once your blood sugar drops
If blood sugar levels are very low, immediate action is needed. Carrying snacks with you can get you out of the risk of hypoglycemia, such as:
- boxes of juice or regular soda
- Small boxes of raisins
- Glucose gels or tablets
Food and water
It is important to keep your body well hydrated, especially if your blood sugar levels are too high. You should have enough bottled water to last at least 3 days. You should also carry at least a 2-day supply of food (make sure it doesn’t go bad). Peanut butter, cheese crackers, shakes and cereal energy bars are all good choices. Canned foods are also great, but remember to bring a non-electric can opener.
First aid essentials
You can buy a ready-made first aid kit or make your own. Some important items in a first aid kit include: adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, antipyretic, gloves, scissors, tweezers, gauze, cloth tape, thermometer, blanket, and a glucagon pen.
Emergency power
We can’t predict when the power will go out, so it’s useful to always have the following items:
- Flashlight and spare batteries
- Radio (regular or solar cells, or hand-crank powered)
- Spare phone charger