Assign Glucagon and 911 Roles for an Unconscious Housemate With Diabetes

When a housemate with diabetes is unconscious, having a seizure, or unable to swallow safely, call emergency services and follow that person’s written emergency plan. If glucagon has been prescribed and you have been trained to use the available product, give it exactly as instructed. Never give food, drink, or oral glucose to an unconscious person. Assign the call and glucagon roles before an emergency, not during one.

Write the plan with the person and care team

The resident with diabetes decides who may know about the plan and who is willing to help. Ask their clinician or diabetes educator to provide current instructions for the prescribed glucagon product. Injectable, autoinjector, and nasal products do not all work the same way, so a household cannot rely on memories from another kit.

The CDC’s guidance on treating low blood sugar says glucagon is used for severely low blood sugar and that friends, family, coworkers, caregivers, and others around the person should know when and how to use it and where it is stored. The CDC also directs people to obtain emergency medical treatment after glucagon.

Create a one-page emergency card with the person’s approval. Include:

• signs and circumstances identified in their plan;
• the exact location and type of glucagon;
• who is trained to administer it;
• the full address, unit, and building-entry instructions;
• emergency contacts;
• what to do after administration;
• expiry-check and replacement ownership.

Do not use this household card to diagnose an event. Unconsciousness and seizures can have many causes. The emergency response should follow the plan and dispatcher instructions.

Split the response into closed-loop roles

The first person who recognizes the emergency says clearly, “Call emergency services now.” The caller repeats back that they are calling, gives the address first, reports that the person is unconscious or having a seizure, and follows the dispatcher’s instructions. They should not delay the call while searching for glucagon.

A second trained person retrieves and administers the prescribed product according to its instructions. If only one person is present, call emergency services, use speakerphone if practical, and follow the established plan. Never ask an untrained housemate to guess how a device works.

A third person, if available, can secure pets, unlock the entrance, turn on lights, and meet responders. They must not leave the person alone if the dispatcher or safety circumstances require them to stay. Use the 911 caller and door runner protocol to settle building access in advance.

Keep the area clear. Do not restrain seizure movements, put anything in the person’s mouth, or give insulin. Follow dispatcher guidance about positioning, breathing, and any additional action.

Store glucagon for fast, private access

Keep glucagon where the resident chooses and its label permits, protected from children, pets, moisture, and temperature extremes. It should be reachable without searching through private belongings. A visible location label can say “emergency kit” without displaying more medical information than the resident wants shared.

Check expiry dates and package condition on an agreed schedule. The resident or designated support person should replace an expired, damaged, opened, or used product through the appropriate pharmacy and prescription process. Do not practice with the active dose unless a clinician or manufacturer provides a trainer and directs its use.

After any use, give responders the package and factual timing information. The resident’s clinical team should handle follow-up and any change to treatment. Housemates should not adjust medication, food plans, or glucose targets.

How HomeCo helps

HomeCo can assign distinct emergency-plan maintenance tasks: expiry check, address-card review, entry check, and refresher training reminder. Keep the medical plan visible only to people the resident authorizes. Other housemates may need only the emergency number and access role.

Use explicit acceptance for the caller and trained glucagon role. A name on a task is not proof of competence, so record when approved training was completed without storing unnecessary clinical details. Review the plan after a move, new roommate, product change, or any emergency.

FAQ

Should I give juice to an unconscious person?

No. Do not put food, drink, gel, or anything else in the mouth of someone who is unconscious or cannot swallow safely. Call emergency services and follow the person’s written plan.

Can any roommate give glucagon?

Only a person who understands the resident’s plan and has been trained for the prescribed product should take that role. In an emergency, call emergency services and follow dispatcher instructions.

What if the person does not wake after glucagon?

Continue following the emergency plan and dispatcher instructions. Do not assume the emergency has ended or leave the person alone. Emergency medical evaluation is required.