3. First Aid for Diabetes

Signs of Mild to Moderate Blood Sugar

• Shakiness
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Hunger
• Blurry vision

For more signs of mild to moderate blood sugar, visit: diabetes@school

Management Mild to Moderate Low Blood Sugar

Review the information in the student’s Diabetes Support Plan and contact the student’s parent or guardian as indicated.

If the student is not independent with their diabetes care, help the student take a fast acting sugar and call the designated emergency school staff for immediate assistance. This staff member will be able to check the student’s blood sugar level and provide additional support.

Management Mild to Moderate Low Blood Sugar

If a student is having a mild to moderate low blood sugar, stay with the student, and support them to self-manage the low blood sugar in the location it was discovered. Stay with the student until their blood sugar is back above 4.0 mmol/L.

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First signs of Severe Low Blood Sugar

First signs or symptoms of a Severe low blood sugar:

• student is unable to swallow a fast acting sugar or juice box
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Management of Severe Low Blood Sugar

The student requires a medication called glucagon. This medication can be supplied by families as a nasal spray or a muscular injection. Each school that has a student with type 1 diabetes will have at least 2 people trained in the school to administer glucagon.

1. Stay with the student
2. Immediately call the emergency school staff person trained in glucagon administration
3. Delegate someone to call 911
4. Call the student’s parents or guardians as soon as possible after other emergency personnel have been contacted

Management High Blood Sugar

Supportive management is appropriate when the student has high blood sugar and is feeling well. High blood sugar is rarely a cause for concern. An example of a common target range may be 4.0 mmol/L – 10.0 mmol/L.

1. Allow frequent bathroom breaks
2. Allow student to drink water or sugar free beverage
3. Contact family as per their support plan

Immediate action is required if the student has very high blood sugar and is feeling unwell with symptoms of rapid/deep breathing, vomiting and fruity smelling breath. If this is the case contact the parents without delay.

Handout From Diabetes@schools

Impact On Student Learning

T1D is with a student 24/7. They never get a break.

Some of the things that affect their blood sugar levels that are out of their control include: stress, hormones, growth and illness.

When a student’s blood sugars are out of range, it can affect their ability to learn and participate. Things you may see include:

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