Bringing a Travel Buddy

Your travel buddy should know where your supplies are kept. Show them your bag and where each item goes. Your meter, snacks and medicines should each have one set place.

Keep the same spot on every trip. Then your buddy can find what you need quickly. This works in a busy airport or a strange hotel room.

A low means blood sugar has dropped too far. Your companion may spot it first. Common signs include shakiness, sweating and confusion.

If you are driving, pull over first. Then treat it with fast sugar, as your doctor's plan says. Wait 15 minutes, then recheck. Wait 45 minutes after it is normal before driving.

If confusion sets in or a low does not improve, call emergency services. Your doctor sets your plan for lows.

A driver sits in a parked car with fast sugar kept on the dashboard. First a meter checks blood sugar before driving. If the meter shows Low, the driver stays parked and takes the fast sugar. A timer runs while they wait, then the meter shows a good reading and the car sets off.

Write your medicines, doses and your doctor's phone number on paper. Keep it apart from your phone, since a phone can die or get lost.

Tell your buddy where the list is. If you need care far from home, staff can see what you take. Your buddy can hand it over if you cannot.

Key takeaways

• Your companion should know where each supply is kept.
• On a drive, a low is handled in order: pull over, treat, wait, recheck.
• Keep a written list apart from your phone, where your buddy can reach it.

Try it

Today, write your medicines and your doctor's number on paper, and show your buddy where it is kept.