Diabetic Emergencies: Did You Know?

A diabetic emergency happens when the body cannot control the level of sugar in the blood. The blood sugar level may be too high (hyperglycaemia) or too low (hypoglycaemia). Hyperglycaemia develops slowly, so it is less likely to be a first aid emergency.

 

Preventing diabetic emergencies involves taking your medications as prescribed, checking your blood sugar often, if required, and keeping some quick sugar foods with you at all times.

 

Diabetic emergencies can sometimes be mistaken for drunkenness so keep this in mind. Other signs and symptoms are: changes in level of consciousness, changes in behaviour, rapid breathing, cool, sweating skin and skin that is paler than usual. Some diabetics wear a MedicAlert® medical identification product. You do not need to know the difference between the two types of diabetic emergencies because the first aid is the same for both.

If the person is unconscious call EMS/911. If the person is conscious offer them a sugary drink, if the condition does not improve or worsens call EMS/911. If the person’s condition improves, recommend having a complete meal.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code.  Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.

Hypothermia: Did You Know?

Hypothermia, the cooling of the body’s core temperature, can happen twelve months of the year in the Ottawa area. The spring time temperature fluctuations and rain can cause a person to go into hypothermia very quickly. A person in mild hypothermia will shiver and complain of the cold, someone in moderate hypothermia will also shiver and complain of numbness, a lack of coordination and may act in a confused manner and impaired judgement. Finally, someone in severe hypothermia will not shiver (a sign their body cannot warm itself up) or complain of being cold along with the confused behaviour mentioned above. Someone in severe hypothermia can also lose consciousness and stop breathing.

 

The best treatment is prevention. Dress for the weather and in layers.

 

For someone in mild or moderate hypothermia seek shelter, remove wet clothing and re-warm with a blanket or an external source of heat. For severe hypothermia the person will need external sources of heat to warm up. EMS/911 should also be called for cases of severe hypothermia.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code.  Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.