People with diabetes may develop low blood glucose levels as a result of:²

• too much insulin or other blood glucose lowering medication;
• inadequate or delayed carbohydrate intake after their usual insulin or oral medication dose;
• exercise without adequate carbohydrate intake; possibly delayed for up to 12 hours or more after exercise.
• in the setting of other illness; or
• excessive alcohol intake.

Competitors in ultra-marathon endurance events, who do not have diabetes, can also become energy deplete and develop low blood glucose levels requiring first aid management.

Hypoglycaemic events range from those that can be self-managed, to severe episodes, where medical help is needed.

The brain requires a continuous supply of glucose to function normally. When blood glucose levels fall below normal levels symptoms and signs may include:

• sweating,
• pallor (pale skin), especially in young children¹
• a rapid pulse;
• shaking, trembling or weakness;
• hunger;
• light headedness or dizziness;
• headache;
• mood or behavioural changes, confusion, inability to concentrate;
• slurred speech;
• inability to follow instructions;
• unresponsive; or
• seizure

If a person with diabetes has a diabetes management plan, then that plan should be followed.  If a person with diabetes reports low blood glucose level or exhibits symptoms or signs of hypoglycaemia:

• Stop any exercise, rest and reassure;
• If the person is able to follow simple commands and swallow safely, we recommend that first aid providers administer 15-20 grams glucose tablets (4 - 5 x 4 gram glucose tablets) for treatment of symptomatic hypoglycaemia.^{1, 3, 4, 5} [ILCOR CoSTR 2020 strong recommendation, very low certainty of evidence] If glucose tablets are not available, we suggest administering:
  • Confectionary including:
    • jelly beans (5 to20 beans depending on the brand)
    • Skittles® (20 to 25 candies)
    • Mentos® (5 to 10 mints)³ [ILCOR CoSTR 2015, weak recommendation, very low certainty of evidence]    
  • Sugary drinks or sugar-sweetened beverages (approx. 200 mL), but DO NOT administer ‘diet’ or ‘low-cal’ or ‘zero’ or ‘sugar free’ beverages;
  • Fruit juices (approx. 200 mL);
  • Honey or sugar (3 teaspoons);
  • Glucose gels (15 g of glucose gel)⁶; and
• Monitor for improvement. Resolution of symptoms would be expected within 15 minutes.

If symptoms or signs of hypoglycaemia persist after 10 to15 minutes, and the person is still able to follow simple commands and swallow safely, administer a further 4 x 4g glucose tablets or alternatives as listed above.  Once recovered, give a snack with longer acting carbohydrate, for example: 1 slice of bread OR 1 glass of milk OR 1 piece of fruit OR 2 to3 pieces of dried fruit OR 1 snack size tub of yoghurt (not diet or ‘sugar free’ yogurt).  If it is a usual meal time, then eat that meal.

If the person deteriorates, does not improve with treatment, is seizing or is unconscious, call for an ambulance. 

• If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, commence resuscitation following the Basic Life Support Flowchart [Refer to ANZCOR Guideline 8].
• If the person is unconscious but breathing, lie the person on their side and ensure the airway is clear [Refer to ANZCOR Guideline 3]

Insulin Pumps

If the person is wearing an insulin pump, then they themselves may ‘suspend’ their own pump if part of a personal diabetes management plan.

First aiders should not touch any insulin pump being worn by the person.  They should manage and provide treatment for hypoglycaemia as listed above.

Family members of, and carers for, people with diabetes may be trained in the use of the GlucaGen® HypoKit®. These kits contain an injection of glucagon, which works by triggering the liver to release stored glucose, resulting in raised blood glucose levels. The glucagon is administered by injection.

If trained to do so, give Glucagon in the case of a severe hypoglycaemic event, when the person is unconscious or seizing, and/or is unable to swallow safely.⁴

Hyperglycaemia means having a high blood glucose level. Common causes of hyperglycaemia include inadequate levels of insulin or incorrect doses of diabetes oral medications, infections, excess carbohydrate intake, and stressful situations. Hyperglycaemia can develop over hours or days, and many people do not experience symptoms from hyperglycaemia until their blood glucose levels are extremely high. Hyperglycaemia can also occur at the time of initial diagnosis of diabetes, and may go unrecognised until the person is clearly unwell. If untreated, the person gradually deteriorates, and can go into a coma.

When blood glucose levels remain above normal levels symptoms and signs may include:

• excessive thirst;
• frequent urination;
• dry skin and mouth, with sunken eyes (signs of dehydration);
• recent weight loss;
• rapid pulse;
• nausea and vomiting;
• abdominal pain;
• rapid breathing;
• fruity sweet smell of acetone on the breath (similar to paint thinner or nail polish remover); and
• confusion, a deteriorating level of consciousness, or unresponsiveness.

If a person with diabetes has a diabetes management plan then that plan should be followed.  If the person has no management plan and has symptoms or signs of hyperglycaemia they should be assessed by a health care professional.

• If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, commence resuscitation following the Basic Life Support Flowchart [Refer to ANZCOR Guideline 8]
• If the person is unconscious but breathing, lie the person on their side and ensure the airway is clear [Refer to ANZCOR Guideline 3].

If trained to do so and a glucometer is available, checking the person’s blood glucose level will guide management, and can confirm hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. Normal blood glucose concentrations are between 4.0 mmol/L and 7.8 mmol/L. 

A blood glucose level between 3.0 mmol/L and 4.0 mmol/L is an “alert value”, meaning that to prevent progression to a more serious, clinically important hypoglycaemia, it is time for a normal food intake, either a snack or meal, depending on the time of day and usual food intake habits.⁵

Clinically important hypoglycaemia is defined as a blood glucose level less than 3.0 mmol/L, where there is decreased neuro-cognitive function (reasoning ability or orientation) and increased morbidity (illness) and mortality.⁵  

Symptoms of hypoglycaemia may be mimicked by other conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, or migraine.  If trained, checking a blood glucose will improve the accuracy of diagnosing hypoglycaemia. We suggest that if the blood glucose concentration is normal, and symptoms and signs of hypoglycaemia persist, other diagnoses need to be considered.³ [CoSTR 2015: weak recommendation/low quality evidence]

Hyperglycaemia is defined as a blood glucose level above the normal reference range. Severe hyperglycaemia is defined as a blood glucose level greater than 15 mmol/L.