accessibility & help

First aid for
diabetes

Watch the video, in which Brad is treated for a diabetic emergency.

Use the information below the video to remind yourself how to help someone who is having a diabetic emergency.

1

Give them something sweet to eat or a non-diet drink.

Learn more

In diabetic emergencies, blood sugar levels can become too low; this can cause people to collapse. Giving them something sugary will help raise their blood sugar levels and improve their bodily function. Avoid giving them a diet drink, as it won’t have any sugar in it and will not help them.

Close
2

Reassure the person. Most people will gradually improve, but if in doubt, call 999 or get someone else to do it.

Close

Why not explore more?

Test your knowledge

Test your skills

Take the quiz and receive your very own certificate or share your score on Facebook or Twitter.

Test your skills
Questions and answers

Questions and answers about first aid for diabetes and diabetic emergencies.

Questions and answers
First aid training

We offer public and workplace first aid courses throughout the UK. You can also train as a group at a venue to suit you.

Book a course
No First Aid Kit? No Problem!

Take a look at the everyday household items you can use for first aid treatment.

No first aid kit? No problem!
Fast first aid tips

All the important information at your fingertips. Print it out and put it on your wall!

Fast first aid tips

Send us your stories

We’d love to hear about your own real-life first aid stories. Email us at firstaid@redcross.org.uk or use this form.

Related Tags:

Related

First aid symbol

First Aid Challenge

Mother with sick child

Sign up now for our three simple challenges and get £5 off a course and first aid updates.

More about the Challenge  >

First aid courses

A woman practises putting her colleague into the recovery position

We offer public and workplace first aid courses throughout the UK. You can also train as a group at a venue to suit you.

Book a course  >

First aid products

First aid kit and its contents

Check out our range of first aid supplies, including books, kits and videos.

Explore our products  >

First aid volunteering

First aid event volunteers

Learn first aid and be prepared for any emergency. Even better, teach others to do it too.

Become a first aid volunteer  >

Related links

Donate