Injection Training

Learn this life-saving skill and inject with confidence. Training for these tough moments can make all the difference when every second counts. We’re here to help you feel prepared should you need to use your emergency hydrocortisone injection kit to prevent or treat an adrenal crisis. 
Here we introduce our Injection Training Kits and explain how and when to use them. Ready, set, inject!

Does practising an injection help you to be more prepared?

Yes!

Studies provide clear evidence that knowledge alone is not enough, and that practical, repeated emergency injection training is vital. One study found that after a standardised education program, the percentage of patients who would self-inject increased from 68% to an incredible 91%!  

Research also shows that immediately injecting in an adrenal crisis significantly reduces the chance of having to be admitted to hospital (38% of self-injecting patients were hospitalised vs. 73% who waited for a healthcare professional). This shows that acting early, which requires the ability for you or someone close to you to inject, is critical. 

Both the NICE Guidelines for the Identification and Management of Adrenal Insufficiency and research strongly recommend that all patients with adrenal insufficiency and their caregivers receive an emergency kit and be trained in its use. Family, friends and colleagues being involved in training is key for those situations when you may not be well enough to self-inject.

If you have not been prescribed the medication for an emergency hydrocortisone injection kit, click here for next steps to make sure you have what you need.

Training should be practical, hands-on, and ideally repeated throughout the year to help you remember the steps involved. Here we explain how you can learn and practise this life-saving skill at home with our Injection Training Kits.

Options to learn and practise together

Ask your endocrine team for training

Depending on your endocrine team and their resources, you may be able to join regular training sessions organised by your hospital, or you may be able to ask your nurse for a refresher during your follow-up appointments or at another time. Ask your endocrinology nurse or endocrinologist what they are offering.

However with the ongoing pressures on the NHS, most hospitals are unable to provide individual training so if you're told this isn't available - we've got you! Read on for more options.

Attend an ADSHG injection training session

In the past, we offered injection training during our larger meetings. However due to demand, we're now hosting them separately so we can reach more people. Starting in 2026, the ADSHG will host new injection training sessions at locations across the UK. We are reliant on funding so we will add in more locations as soon as we are able to. 

Each session will be led by endocrine nurses who kindly volunteer their time to support the charity and our community. When arranged, details will be shared through our member emails and social media channels. There will be a small charge for attending with a discount for ADSHG members. So join the charity to hear first and save your spot!

Our first training session is taking place in Newcastle on Saturday 28 March 2026 - find out more.

Use an Injection Training Kit to practise at home

In November 2025, we launched a new product in our shop, the Injection Training Kit. This has been designed to allow you to practise your injection skills at home using an orange, to build your confidence in the steps needed. Read on for more information on using our kits.

Videos and picture 'How To' leaflets

Most people learn by watching our YouTube practice videos and following the 'how to' picture instruction leaflets. This is due to ongoing pressures on the NHS meaning nurses are unable to provide individual training.

The videos and leaflets allow you to practise at a time that suits you, with multiple friends, family or colleagues. You can also revisit the steps whenever you need a reminder. With our Injection Training Kits, practising at home is easier than ever.

ADSHG Injection Training Kit - just add an orange!

Our Injection Training Kits are for practise purposes only. They contain everything you need to practise the steps involved in giving an emergency injection, and allow you to practise a minimum of four injections (the empty vials can be reused more times than this). All you need to add is an orange to practise injecting into.

Why the orange?

An orange is used to practise injections because it feels similar to real skin. When you push the needle through the peel, it’s like going through skin, and the soft part inside is like the muscle under our skin.

Using an orange is a safe, easy and realistic way to learn what it feels like before injecting yourself or someone else.

Spare needles, syringes and water vials, can be purchased separately from our shop to keep your training kit topped up. You can also use unused but expired needles and syringes that you may have left over to practise with.

Kit contents

  • A sturdy plastic carry box with a handle-secured lid (22 x 10 x 4cm) and a label that reads 'Injection Training Kit'
  • 4x BD Emerald 2ml Syringes AND 4 x BD Eclipse 23G x 1 (blue) needles with Safeslip Technology.
  • 4x disposable Amp Snaps (for opening glass vial).
  • 4 x vials of water.
  • 2 x empty sample bottles similar to the bottle that Hydrocortisone Powder is packaged in.
  • Concertina-folded photo instructions for BOTH emergency injection preparations: Hydrocortisone 100mg powder for solution AND hydrocortisone sodium phosphate. 

Shop: Injection Training Kit

Who should practise?

Anyone you spend time with! Friends, family, colleagues or carers can all learn this life-saving skill together.

If someone is having an adrenal crisis, the law allows any person, not just healthcare professionals, to give the prescribed emergency hydrocortisone injection. This is stated in Schedule 19 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. It is clear and simple: in an emergency, giving the injection is legal because it can save a life and needs to happen immediately.

This is why it is important to train the people around you on how to give the emergency injection using the resources on this page and to always keep your 'how to' injection leaflets with your injection kit.

With the contents of the Injection Training kit, two people can practise at the same time, making it easier to learn together with a partner, friend or supporter. Build your confidence - ready, set, inject!

Injection Practice Days - 1 March & 1 September

Build your confidence and practise your injection technique at least twice a year, or more if you can. Training for these tough moments can make all the difference. To help with this, we'll remind you twice a year, on 1 March and 1 September, to get practising and take part in Injection Practice Days! We'll be sharing reminders via social media and member emails to encourage everyone to take part at home.

đź—“ Put 1 March and 1 September in your diary for an Injection Practice Day
đź’¬ Share and invite those you spend time with
📦 Get your ADSHG Injection Training Kit
đź’‰ Refresh your technique
đź‘Ź Boost your confidence

Add the date to your diary so you don't forget to arrange an at home Injection Practice Day or let them fall to the bottom of the To Do list. Ready, set, inject!

How do I use my Injection Training Kit?

With your Injection Training Kit, all you need to add is an orange to inject and a sharps bin or jam jar (to give to a healthcare professional) for safe disposal of your needles! Now you're ready to follow our step-by-step instructions.

The Injection Training Kits include 2x empty sample bottles similar to the bottle that Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate 100mg Powder for Solution, also known as the 'powder and water' method, is packaged in.

We suggest practising as if you are using Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate (powder and water), as this has extra steps to follow.

Feeling confident with the longer process of 'powder and water' will give you confidence for the shorter process of Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate, also known to our community as the 'pre-mixed' injection. However, whilst there is a drug shortage of Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate (pre-mixed), it is important to be familiar with the 'powder and water' method as the alternative. You can visit our main injection page for more information. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Please read carefully the instruction sheet for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate (powder and water), as a reminder and for images of how to give a real emergency injection.

Step 1

Open up your Injection Training Kit and lay out the following contents in front of you: concertina paper instructions, 1 x needle, 1 x syringe, 1 x empty sample vial, 1 x water vial and 1 x amp snap. Have your orange ready!

Peel open the end of the sterile syringe and needle wrappers. Assemble the needle onto the top of the syringe firmly.

Step 2

Open the glass water vial by tapping the top to remove any liquid before opening and use an amp snap to hold the top and snap it open.

Step 3

Uncap the needle and put it in the water vial. Draw up the liquid by slowly pulling back the syringe plunger.

Step 4

Insert the needle into the rubber stopper on the empty sample vial and slowly depress the plunger to release the water.

Do a pretend mix - swirl and agitate the water to replicate the stage where you are mixing the powder and water together.

    Step 5

    Keeping the needle in place, tip the bottle upside down to draw up the water into the syringe.

    Make sure the needle is below the surface of the liquid.  Withdraw the needle once you have drawn up all the liquid into the syringe.

    Step 6

    Remove the needle from the empty sample vial and hold the syringe up at eye level. Tap the side to loosen any air bubbles, then remove any air by pushing the plunger until a drop of liquid forms at the top of the needle.

    Step 7

    Hold the syringe like a dart over the orange. Plunge the needle into the muscle as far as the hilt.   

    Slowly push the plunger in fully.

    Step 8

    Gently withdraw the needle and once it is clear of the orange skin, click the Safeslip over the used needle. 

    Dispose of your empty glass water vial and amp snap, protected needle and syringe. You can keep the empty sample vial to reuse next time you practise.

    Well done for making this a priority! Training for these tough moments can make all the difference. 

    Get your Injection Training Kit

    Further resources:


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    Updated:

    Author: Cathy Thompson

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