🍬 How to Help Someone With Diabetes (Low Blood Sugar Emergency)

Information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice and you should always seek appropriate professional help or seek immediate medical attention for serious conditions. See full disclaimer here.

People with diabetes may sometimes experience a sudden drop in blood sugar, often called a hypo (short for hypoglycaemia).
This can happen quickly and may cause confusion, shaking, or even loss of consciousness.

Acting fast can make all the difference — and in most cases, a few simple steps can help them recover safely.

🧠 Step 1: Recognise the Signs of Low Blood Sugar

The signs can vary from person to person, but common early symptoms include:

• Shakiness or trembling

• Sweating

• Hunger

• Pale skin

• Confusion or difficulty concentrating

• Sudden irritability or unusual behaviour

• Fast heartbeat or feeling anxious

If the person doesn’t get sugar quickly, they may become drowsy, unresponsive, or even lose consciousness.

🗣️ Step 2: Ask If They Have Diabetes

If the person is awake and can talk:

• Ask if they have diabetes or carry glucose or insulin.

• Most people with diabetes will know what’s happening and may already have their own treatment with them (e.g. glucose tablets, sweets, or a sugary drink).

If they’re unable to answer, check for a medical alert bracelet, necklace, or card.

🍭 Step 3: Give Sugar — Fast

If the person is conscious and able to swallow safely:

• Give them something sugary to raise their blood sugar quickly.
  Examples include:

  • 4–5 glucose tablets

  • A small glass of non-diet soft drink (e.g. regular cola or lemonade)

  • 3 teaspoons of sugar dissolved in water

  • Fruit juice or a small handful of jelly sweets

Stay with them until they start to feel better — this usually takes about 10–15 minutes.

Once they begin to recover, offer a snack containing longer-acting carbohydrate, such as:

• A sandwich or slice of toast

• A cereal bar or piece of fruit

This helps stabilise their blood sugar and prevents another dip.

🚫 Step 4: Do NOT Give Food or Drink If They Are Drowsy or Unconscious

If the person is unresponsive or unable to swallow:

• Do not give them anything by mouth.

• Call 999 or 112 immediately.

• Place them in the recovery position and monitor their breathing.

• If available and you are trained, you can use a glucagon injection kit — but this is typically for those trained or familiar with the casualty’s diabetes plan.

Stay with the person until help arrives.

🕒 Step 5: Monitor and Reassure

After they recover:

• Encourage them to rest for at least 15–30 minutes.

• Check they have something to eat and drink before resuming normal activities.

• If this happens often, advise them to speak with their GP or diabetes nurse.

If symptoms don’t improve after 10–15 minutes, or if they worsen, call 999 or 112.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Recognise the signs early: shaking, sweating, confusion, or irritability.

• If they’re awake, give something sugary immediately.

• Never give food or drink to someone who is drowsy or unconscious.

• Call 999 or 112 if they don’t recover quickly.

🎓 Learn More with DAC Education

Our first aid courses include essential guidance for diabetic and other medical emergencies:

• Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)

• First Aid at Work (FAW)

• First Response Emergency Care (FREC 3)

Learn to act quickly, confidently, and safely when someone’s health is at risk.

👉 Book a First Aid Course
(Delivered at our Suffolk HQ or on-site for groups of six or more.)

Disclaimer

This article provides general first aid guidance for assisting a person with diabetes experiencing low blood sugar.
Always seek professional medical help if symptoms persist or the person becomes unresponsive.