Managing a Diabetic Emergency

It was an ordinary morning at my favourite local coffee shop—until it wasn’t. As a trauma nurse and founder of Survival® CPR, I’ve learned to notice subtle signs that something’s off. That day, I spotted a couple at a corner table: the gentleman looked pale, beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, and he seemed to be fading in and out of awareness.

Instinct took over. I approached them and introduced myself. His partner was visibly panicked, her eyes darting around for help. I knelt beside him and calmly asked, “Do you have chest pain?” His breathing was shallow and erratic, and he was nearly unresponsive. Sensing the urgency—and drawing on my years of experience in ICU and field rescues—she whispered, “He’s diabetic.”

In diabetic emergencies, time and sugar are critical. I instructed the waiter to bring syrup (avoiding honey due to allergy risks). With careful precision, I placed half a teaspoon of syrup under his tongue. The sublingual route ensures the fastest absorption without risking aspiration, which can happen if someone is semi-conscious and tries to swallow.

While waiting, I loosened his collar and sponged his face with a damp cloth. Within moments, colour returned to his cheeks and his eyes regained focus. He blinked, then smiled with relief. A simple intervention—giving sugar—had reversed his hypoglycemic state.

Why Sugar, Not Insulin?

• Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia: You can’t tell on sight whether a diabetic’s blood sugar is too low (hypo) or too high (hyper) without testing.
• Safety First: Administering insulin to someone already low on sugar can plunge them further into danger, potentially causing loss of consciousness or worse.
• Sugar Has No Downside: If their blood sugar is high, a small amount of sugar won’t harm them, but if it’s low, it can save a life.

After he stabilized, I urged them to follow up with their doctor within the next 12–24 hours to monitor his glucose levels and adjust his management plan.