Dexcom G5 - Alarm and Alerts; What Are Alerts?; What Is an Alarm?

Dexcom G5 Mobile System User Guide
202Sensor Glucose Alarm and Alerts
PRECAUTION
Do: Verify smart device and receiver are turned on.
Why: Neither the receiver nor smart device will generate sensor glucose readings, Alarm
or Alerts if turned off.
Consequences: Missing a severe low or high blood glucose event or making a treatment
decision that results in injury.
11.3 Alarm and Alerts
As part of managing your diabetes, you learned how to read your home screen and how
to enter Events. In this chapter, you’ll learn how Alarm and Alerts can keep you safe from
severe lows or highs.
What Is an Alarm?
While there are a variety of Alerts, there is just one Alarm: the Urgent Low Glucose Alarm
(Alarm), which is set at 55 mg/dL. The Alarm will repeat every 5 minutes until you confirm
the Alarm (see Chapter 12 on how to customize the sounds). If you confirm the Alarm and
your sensor glucose readings do not go above 55 mg/dL in the next 30 minutes, the Alarm
repeats.
Unlike Alerts, the Urgent Low Glucose Alarm setting can’t be changed or turned off. Think of it
as a safety net: your glucose level is dangerously low—pay attention now!
What Are Alerts?
An Alert is a message telling you that your glucose level or CGM system needs attention.
Low/High Glucose Alerts tell you when your sensor glucose readings are outside your target
glucose range. Think of them as an FYI: You need to know what’s happening. Rising/Falling
Alerts tell you that your glucose levels are changing quickly. Their default settings are off (see
Chapter 12 on how to turn them on).
Alerts message you with vibrations (vibrations are not available on all smart devices), visual
prompts, sounds, or a combination of all three.
Unlike the Alarm, you can customize your each Alert level (see Chapter 12).