Should medication such as insulin pens always be in a pouch with warnings?

[LittleGreyCat]

Talking on a video call with others today and it was mentioned that "bystanders" desperate to help an unconscious person can try and administer medication on their behalf if they know they have some.
For example having seen someone using an insulin pen to treat a hyper, they see someone collapsed through a hypo and think "I've seen them use medication, best give them some".
Treating a hypo with insulin is not best practice!

Also have a friend with blood pressure problems who sometimes has to take nitro-glycerine to lower BP.
They can also pass out from low blood pressure.
They passed out in an art class and was told once recovered that the class members had given them some because they had seen them taking it before.
Again, treating low BP with nitro-glycerine is not recommended.

So my solution for today is that all medication of this type should always be carried in a pouch very clearly labelled "Warning - do not try to give this medication to a semi-conscious or unconscious person!!".

All marketing and manufacturing rights reserved.

 

[KennyA]

I think you have a point. One of the things that irritates me is seeing how badly diabetes (usually T1) is represented in movies and TV, which is where a lot of people unconsciously get their information from.

Example - a character in "A Spy Amongst Friends" was (incidentally) T1, and he's shown eating a biscuit, then clearly having a hypo, then taking insulin for his hypo, and then being OK. While it's only one of many things that the media get wrong, it does (I suspect) lead to well-meaning but misinformed members of the public assuming they know what's needed, and what to do.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

I have never done this, never needed it and don't want the extra bulk and unnecessary stuff to carry around. My pens and meter have not been in a pouch for over a decade - I have never seen the point
I now have a pump (and would not expect anyone to try to use it if I collapsed with a hypo or hyper) but carry a syringe and vial of insulin when out in case the pump fails. I doubt if anyone would try to use it and, if they did, the chance of them reading such a warning is next to nil.
I think it is as likely for someone of ill-intent to get hold of my syringe and insulin and deliberately decide to inject someone.
There is a balance between nonchalance and over protectiveness. Maybe I am closer to nonchalance than others but in 20 years, this has never been a problem.
My focus has always been on avoiding serious hypos and hypers so I don't need help from a stranger. With a CGM, this is much easier now than when I was first diagnosed.