Type 1 Diabetes Rescue Boxes for Back to School

As many parents are getting ready for back to school Type 1 parents are filling Type 1 Diabetes Rescue Boxes of supplies for their child to be cared for at school. If you are a parent of a newly diagnosed T1D then you are probably still learning the ropes of this crazy thing called Type 1 Diabetes!

 

What is a Rescue Box?

Simply put a plastic container with a lid filled with basic Type 1 Diabetes supplies as well as specific items for the student’s pump and blood glucose meter. A “Low Box” is another name for it when you add items to help bring your children’s blood glucose levels into range.  Rescue Boxes hold items in case a child were to go low so anything from some juice boxes to fruit snacks to a glucagon pen.

Want to read our son’s Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis story?

12/13/14 The ER, DKA, and Diabetes Diagnosis (Part 1)

Common Supplies for a Rescue Box:

Test Strips
Ketone Strips
Extra Blood Glucose Meter and battery
Alcohol Wipes
Insulin and syringes or insulin pen, insulin cartridge and pen needles
Glucagon Kit
Juice boxes
Fruit Snacks
Glucose Tabs or Glucose Gel or small tube of frosting or packets of honey

CGM Specific Supplies:

Extra Sensor
Cord to charge CGM Receiver
IV Prep Wipe or Skintac Wipe

Pump Specific Supplies:

Insets
Pump Tubing
Medical tape or IV 3000 or Tegaderm

 

Rescue Box Ideas from other Parents:

I have a zip lock bag for each teacher with a couple of juice boxes, snack sized snickers, roll of tabs and instructions for emergency use only. These are for drills or real thing. I also have a box in the nurse’s office. It has juice, tabs, snack sized candy, lollipops, another kind of protein snack & all pump/meter supplies. I also include a back up meter, ketone meter and batteries for all devices that use them. I try to keep an insulin vial in the nurse’s fridge just in case we get forgetful at home. In her purse she carries tabs and her kit. She checks where ever she wants. She does all her care at school and is a sophomore.

My son is going into 2nd grade. So what we have is in his main class a box with extra pump supplies, snacks, meter, juice, glucagon. Teacher is trained for everything.
In main office everything in box like main teacher. Office staff trained. Also box in other rooms he may be in…..music, computer lab, library, gym. Currently he is the only Type 1 in his school. He also carries a bag. He is in charge of checking himself and his pump with adult supervision. Its a big step for him this year. He also has a Dexcom with Share. School nurse, principal, teacher, and myself all follow.

I have a bag with a juice and snack inside that goes into every class our daughter is in .. Gym,music,library,computer,classroom. I do this in case they are in a lockdown and she cannot get out of class.. In the 504 plan it also states each teacher should have hard candy at hand in case she needs more sugar .. Hope this helps !! And I highly advise a 504 plan if you do not already have one

More Type 1 Diabetes Posts:

Type 1 Diabetes Supply Bags under $20

DENIED- Steps to Take In Appealing an Insurance Decision

Vacation Planning with Type 1 Diabetes

How a Juice Box Saved my Son’s Life

6 to 1 Insulin Ration, Puberty, and Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes: Teaching Siblings How to Check Blood Glucose Levels

 

Our T1D journey began on a cold December day with Eldest being diagnosed 12/13/14 and being in DKA! We have had many ups and downs through our journey with a T1D entering puberty and hormones and insulin colliding. Join us as we share tips to cope with T1D through our monthly newsletter.

Want to stay updated when NEW Type 1 Diabetes posts go live? Join our T1D newsletter!

 

Disclosure Statement
The information on Something 2 Offer is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be substituted for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. If you rely upon any programs or techniques, or use any of the products and services made available by or through the use of our website for decision making, without obtaining the advice of a physician or other health care professional, you do so at your own risk. The nutritional and other information on our website is not intended to be, and does not constitute health care or medical advice.

 The views expressed on Something 2 Offer have not been reviewed or endorsed by the FDA or any other private or public entity. is an independent, privately run business separate from any other organization. Affiliate links are used within this post to provide monetary support for our blog.