16-02 Annex C - Diabetes

Cadet Administrative and Training Orders (CATOs)

1. Diabetes is a disorder of insulin and the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen, produces very little or no insulin: type 1 diabetics must take insulin daily to control their sugar levels. Insulin is necessary for the cells of the body to remove sugar from the blood and without it, the type 1 diabetics are prone to serious and potentially life-threatening complications such as  ketoacidosis.  

2. Type 2 diabetes thought to be uncommon in children has become more prevalent with the tremendous increase in childhood obesity.  It is most commonly associated with family history and environmental factors. It is due to the tissues becoming resistant to the effect of insulin and inadequate production of insulin. Increasing daily physical activities as well as decreasing high caloric high fat food intake are an essential component of therapy. Type 2 diabetic children can have more subtle symptoms than type 1.

3. A diabetic cadet participating in a summer camp presents certain challenges and faces many factors that can influence their medical conditions. Due to environmental challenges including changes in climate, diet, physical activity, stress and routines, blood glucose levels will be affected.  Furthermore, the best medical coverage may only be second line medical support where no specialist care is readily available

4. To be admissible to a cadet camp a diabetic cadet must exhibit good metabolic control of blood glucose. They should be knowledgeable about their condition and understand the role of self-monitoring in obtaining optimal glucose control. Specifically, the cadet should:

1. be free from episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia in the month preceding the start of the camp;
2. present no history of diabetic keto-acidosis in the three months preceding the start of the camp;
3. be able to self-monitor blood glucose level;
4. be able to self-administer insulin injections;
5. have received nutritional management counselling by a certified dietitian; and
6. be aware of and recognizes signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and to be able to treat accordingly.

5. Diabetic cadets participating at a cadet camp generally will require the following medical employment limitations:

1. requires regularly scheduled meals;
2. should have availability of cafeteria-type food;
3. medical support that includes refrigeration capability if necessary;
4. requires  immediate access to glucose monitoring materials, insulin and a source of food at all times;
5. requires ready access to medical and physician services; and
6. have regular sleeping hours.

6. Formation Surg’s assisted by RCMLO will evaluate fitness for camp for every diabetic cadet according to the above stated limitations.

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