Part 3: Training Others & Preparedness

What you'll learn

Know how to train family, friends, and coworkers to use glucagon
Understand why glucagon doesn't always work
Build a comprehensive glucagon preparedness plan
Use the Glucagon Readiness Checklist to assess your preparedness

Training Others

Everyone Close to You Should Know

This is not optional — it's essential safety:

Where glucagon is stored (at home, at work, in your bag)
When to use it (unconscious, seizure, can't swallow)
How to use it (which type you carry, basic steps)
To call emergency services (always, even if glucagon works)

Practice Sessions

The best time to learn is NOT during an emergency:

Show your kit to family, friends, roommates, and close coworkers
Walk through the steps using an expired kit for hands-on practice
Post instructions near where glucagon is stored
Review every 6 months — people forget steps they've only seen once
Include babysitters, teachers, and coaches if you have children with T1D

Tip

Practice using glucagon with an expired kit. In a real emergency, stress makes it hard to read instructions clearly. If you have practiced the steps before, muscle memory will help you act quickly when it matters most.

Scenario: The Gonzalez Family Prep Night

The Gonzalez family has a 10-year-old daughter, Sofia, with T1D. Every 6 months, they hold a "diabetes safety night." They invite Sofia's grandparents and her best friend's parents. They review:

Where the Baqsimi is (kitchen drawer, Sofia's backpack, grandparents' house)
How to use it (everyone practices with an expired device)
When to call 112 (always)

Item	Status
I have at least one unexpired glucagon kit	[ ]
My glucagon is stored in an accessible location	[ ]
At least 2 people close to me know where it is	[ ]
At least 2 people have practiced using it	[ ]
I have a backup kit at work/school	[ ]
My kit's expiration date is noted in my calendar	[ ]
Instructions are posted near the kit	[ ]
Emergency numbers are listed alongside the kit	[ ]
My medical ID lists that I use insulin	[ ]
I review readiness every 6 months	[ ]

Training Others & Preparedness

What you'll learn

Training Others

Everyone Close to You Should Know

Practice Sessions

Scenario: The Gonzalez Family Prep Night

When Glucagon Doesn't Work

Glucagon Readiness Checklist

Key takeaways

Quick Check: Glucagon Types

Sources