Diabetic Emergency First Aid

I just got a new job in a gym and part of my training was to become Red Cross certified in First Aid. My instructor said if a person is a known diabetic, giving them more sugar water won't hurt them.

I come from a diabetic family (mom, dad, grandma, and 3 sisters) so I know a little about the disease. Couldn't you potentially kill someone by giving them more sugar and their level is too high already?

I tried to make this point to my instructor and she just ignored me and kept going with the lesson.

Am I wrong to be upset that the Red Cross is potentially training people in the wrong info on how to treat a diabetic? I would appreciate any and all help with this matter.

I'm a long-time paid Red Cross instructor...

Let's look at this a little differently... what are the different signals of high vs. low blood sugar emergencies?

Here are the signs- which is a sign of which?
- Shortness of breath
- Fruity breath
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting
- Changes of consciousness
- Palpitations
- Depression, slowing down, weakness

More importantly- which will you remember a year later with no reference materials?

Next, look at the pros and cons of the sugar treatment (and we don't recommend candy or other 'slow-acting' sugars)...
PROS-
- Saves lives if low blood sugar
- Easy to remember

CONS-
- If victim has too much sugar already, they get a little worse.



Now- what instructors sometimes leave out is that if you have been trained to a different level by someone who has the proper training (such as a diabetes counselor, nursing specialist, etc.) then you should follow that training. I also point out that if you are helping a stranger, that they or their family knows more than you do.

Also, remember the actual name of the class- First-Aid Basics. This is not meant to be anything too deep or complicated- just some basic stuff for the everyday person in everyday situations. Most of us will never use most of the material in the class.
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2008-08-05 13:00:03 by misstiger69

Helping someone who is experiencing a diabetic emergency -- give them a sweet sugary drink or food. This is one of 14 videos on an online learning ...