• July 2, 2026 | 3:05 PM - 4:00 PM
• PCC,108B

When Seconds Matter: Diabetic Emergency Action for Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers often come across individuals with diabetes but typically lack formal training in managing diabetic emergencies, especially in prehospital and physically active environments. Hypoglycemia is the most common acute complication, yet inconsistent emergency planning and a lack of familiarity with treatment tools (such as glucagon and oral glucose) can hinder effective care. This session aims to close this gap by providing evidence-based guidelines, scenario-based learning, and practical strategies for the early recognition and intervention of diabetic emergencies. Attendees will enhance their skills in developing and implementing diabetic emergency action plans, ultimately improving their preparedness, confidence, and patient outcomes in athletic and occupational settings.

Learning Objectives - Describe the signs, symptoms, and physiological progression of hypoglycemia in physically active individuals. (Knowledge/Comprehension)
- Explain current evidence-based guidelines for the prehospital management of diabetic emergencies.
- Differentiate between available treatment tools (oral glucose, glucagon, IV dextrose) based on their mechanisms, onset, and settings.
- Evaluate existing diabetic emergency action plans and identify gaps in preparedness within their practice setting.
- Develop a context-specific diabetic emergency action plan appropriate for athletic or occupational environments.

Keywords: Prehospital; glucose management; emergency action plan(s)