Gear
I carry all my glucose gear, except for my phone, in my “glucose bag,” a small sling bag which is always with me when I’m out of the house. I use a small glucose bag, very light, in a bright color, with a single strap, that I carry across my back. The bag has two pockets. In the first pocket I have:
- A lancet device and at least 6 lancets
- A glucose meter and two vials of strips, one of them open
- A pen with a cartridge of fast-acting insulin in it, and a spare pen with a spare cartridge of fast-acting insulin,, and a few spare needles
- A few alcohol wipes in sealed aluminum pouches
- Sometimes I also carry a disposable pen of long-acting insulin
- 1 box of glucagon
In the second pocket I have:
- 3 tubes of Skittles (90 carbs)
It is really important to separate the sugar from the rest, because the sugar will easily contaminate the rest of the equipment if they are in the same pocket, the electronics, but especially the test strips. Inevitably, some sugar finds its way to the bottom of this pocket, indicative of how sugar will always leak into the bag over time.
I also carry a T1D dog tag around my neck that says that I am a T1D, and gives my contact info, and the contact info of my parents, so a first responder can see my condition. I also have a medical ID tag on my bag. If your kid doesn’t want to wear a medical ID on their person (usually either wrist or neck), shop with them to find a cool homemade one that they like. It can be a fun little accessory to their common outfits if they want.
Growing up T1D 