Best Diabetes Go Bag: 7 Key Ingredients
I think a lot of diabetics can relate to the struggle we have with identity. Am I a diabetic? Am I someone with diabetes? And I think day to day we may identify differently. However, I think many of us will agree that diabetes does not dictate or limit us! While I wish my mentality alone would allow me to pursue a limitless existence, that is sadly not the case. What I find is that I have to be prepared for disaster and adventure at any time, thus the Diabetes Go Bag.
My solution was to create diabetes go bags and have them spread throughout my life. I keep a go bag in my center console, one at work, one in my work bag, and another that is available to place in any purse I use for the day. This has served to save my butt in a number of circumstances! I remember the days of a site going bad or pulling out and having no in the moment solution. There is no stopping the randomness and the “Oh, F&@#” moments of diabetes, but there is being prepared so it doesn’t ruin a trip or your day.
Below I have put my ingredients list for my Diabetes Go Bags. Change it up! Include or don’t include things. It is only meant to be inspiration.
The Contents of My Diabetes Go Bag:
- Single vial of insulin, fast acting. As someone on an insulin pump fast acting is usually the best option to have available to refill the pump. I can also dose myself intermittently if the pump were to fail while I wait to get long acting or for the pump to be fixed. During the summer you may need to adjust your go bag locations and components to include coolers, and remove them from your car or other places that get too hot.
- Glucometer kit. If you are using a glucometer system regularly then you should keep an extra with this kit. I use the dexcom system. You might be wondering why I include the kit and not another transmitter and sensor for the Dexcom system. The key to a “go kit” is to keep utter disaster from impacting your day, while balancing space. Sadly the transmitter, and sensor would take up too much room in a go kit. A day off the closed loop and on a basal rate is not the end of the world for me.
- Micro USB charger. This is how my pump is charged, and an easy way to avoid a day of insulin pump disaster. Consider batteries if that is more appropriate for your diabetes tech!
- Infusion set x 2, because it just takes one sweaty summer day or a door handle and my backup site is a failure too.
- Reservoir. In case I need to refill and change out the pump system.
- Insulin syringe. Just in case I need to administer insulin directly.
- SIS or Gu. Two great options for lows. Not only that, but options that I know I will accept even if I am altered. No is apparently my favorite word when low o_O
With these ingredients I know I have about 5 to 24 hours of back up, depending on the diabetes kerfuffle. This go bag is mobile, but if you are interested in checking out more elaborate kits you can check out Beyond Type One’s here!
One key aspect of the go bag is to make it for you! If you love to personalize gear and glam it up, DO IT! If you prefer something simple, keep it simple. I personally keep my gear in everything from glad bags, to Patagonia pencil cases. Whatever works and keeps it together. The one thing you don’t want to do, is put something together that doesn’t work for you.
If you have feedback on my ingredients list, please comment below!
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