The treatment of a hypoglycaemic sufferer or casualty depends on the First Aider recognising the signs and symptoms: dizziness, hypersensitivity, nausea, fainting and incoherent speech.

I experienced this temporary symptom of diabetes or hypoglycaemia when I was required to treat an unconscious suspected diabetic with a group of hillwalkers. No one knew what to do. I had no idea this person was a diabetic or just someone who had suddenly fainted. I simply checked the neck or wrist area for a diabetic warning bracelet or necklace, end result nothing.

I was immediately reminded of my original ambition to become a Vet, of course a horse cannot say what is wrong with it

I checked the inside of the casualty's mouth and administered a fingerfull of sugar, within 5 minutes the casualty was walking and talking. I suggested a visit to a G.P. to check out low blood sugar or glucose intolerance. Further questioning revealed the group leader had added an extra 5km to the hillwalk in order to impress his girlfriend!

We parted fortunately no one had been seriously harmed. The group lacked even a basi First Aid kit.

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