Medical-Overview

Medical care and training is paramount for any prepper.  The need for this knowledge WILL rear its head some time in your life regardless if things are good or bad.

In good times you could see things from anaphylactic shock from Bee stings to sprained ankles or even heart attacks.

In Bad times you could see any manner of injuries and disease.  From dysentery to gunshots and even loss of limbs.

I personally have two kits in my care.  One is specifically for the house, where it is there for use for anything in the home from sprained ankles to lacerations.

I also have one in my vehicle at all times, this is for the off chance that i am present during a auto accident or some other incident where my vehicle is close.

These two locations ensure that I will most likely have some medical kit within reach no matter what the situation.

Example if there were a natural disaster or major event, more than likely I will be either near my home or vehicle and with a go bag at home and in the vehicle as well I can just grab both bags and go.

Your basic Kit should include the following

5+ pairs of surgical gloves (these can be the basic latex/Nitrile kind, but make sure they are medical grade)

1 pair safety goggles (for blood spray, can infect eyes)

1 CPR microshield (this makes sure that you can give air, but vomit or spit doesnt get in your mouth)

60+ adhesive bandages (standard bandaid)

10+ butterfly bandages (to close small lacerations)

5 – 2×2 gauze pads

1 – roll cloth medical tape

1 – pair bandage scissors (these can cut clothing away from injuries)

3 – 5×9 Dressings

5 – 4×4 gauze pads

2 – gauze rolls

2 – triangular bandages

1 – elastic bandage

2 – Israeli Bandages

1 – Ascherman Chest Seal

2 pouches Quickclot

2 – tourniquet (I reccomend the ratchet strap kind, they are a lifesave for limb trauma)

1 – mylar survival blanket (this will help reduce chances of shock, keeping patient warm)

1 – Set (5) Oral Airways

Irrigation solution (Saline)

10 – Antiseptic wipes

5 – Triple Anti-biotic ointment

resealable ziploc bag

1 – fine tweezers

1 – forehead thermometer

4 – tongue blades/finger splints

Alcohol Hand Sanitizer

Sharpie (for marking information on patient)

 

This of course is complete list of everything that you need, or to stop when you have this. You should have a large supply of gauze, pads, dressings and other heavy use items to store away for use and/or trade.

Antibiotics are a necessary thing to prevent infection from small cuts and especially in traumatic injuries.

You need a prescription for these if you want to walk into Walgreens and buy them, so if you find a doctor that is Preparedness minded or friendly then go that route.

If you cant…Dont Worry!

Most animal medicines are the EXACT same as for humans, just in different quantities and made from teh same companies with the exact same specifications. You can find these on the net or from pet/feed stores.

I bought mine on the Net listed as Fish anti-biotics

You can buy

Pennicilin – FIsh Pen

Tetracycline – Fish Tetracycline

Doxycycline – Fish Doxy

Cipro – Fish Cipro

This being said always check the pill information against the human equivalent and MAKE sure it is the same, as there are…less than scrupulous sellers out there selling knockoff products that could be dangerous.

ALWAYS DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Sterilization of Medical Equipment is very important, things like scalpels, scissors, trays, etc.  Anything that is to be used during any type of treatment (dental or medical) or surgery in a post-collapse scenario, I wrote a article on Sterilization of Medical equipment, the methods and how to do it at home.  Another thing that is important is the storage of this equipment, you cant just shove it in a drawer in the garage and pull it out when you need it.  The area it is stored needs to be sterile and clean as well, trustworthy companies like Schaefer Shelving offer anti-microbial wire shelving units that can be used to store medical equipment.  These units will keep bacteria from growing in the area that stores this equipment and can be placed in whatever room you have chosen to be the “medical room”.  It is important to choose this room, and keep it clean, sanitize it with bleach often.  This is because you wont have time to sterilize a room when an emergency hits, it must be kept as clean and sterile as possible under the circumstances at all times.

CHECK OUT OUR PREPPER CLASSES SECTION for local First AID and CPR classes in your area.

Below are some PDF’s on various FIRST AID and combat knowledge from the military

and various civilian sources.

I also have a list of Medical Books that you should have in your Prepper Library

GENERAL FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE

Burn First Aid is very important. This is not just for everyday issues, as burns would become more prevalent in a grid down scenario, when people are using fires for cooking as well as oils there will be more burns associated with that. So many people are reliant on electric stoves and EMS care, they just dont know what to do and how to safely care for these first and cooking implements

Animal Bites are uncommon, but still happend with the amount of dogs in cities and rural areas. In a grid down scenario many of the pets in households will be let loose rather than killed when they cant take care of them. Dogs especially form packs when let loose and are more dangerous than wolves as they have no fear of humans

Bee Stings can be a problem or life threatening depending on the person. IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY HAVE A EPINEPHRIN KIT IN YOUR MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

Diabetes is a very big concern in America today. Diabetes is such a major issue because of two things. We eat unhealthy foods and are more obese than ever and we also have the ability to treat this disease so many dont succumb to this disease as they normaly would have in the past. If you have anyone in your family that has diabetes, you must take the necessary precautions that you can store and have access to a large supply of insulin. If insulin is left unrefrigerated it will go bad.

Blisters are now pretty much a nuisance in our society whenever we go hiking or hunting, but they can turn into infections and major issues if left untreated.

COMBAT/COLLAPSE MEDICAL INFORMATION

There is great information in military field manuals regarding shock and combat trauma.

In a total collapse scenario these skills will become invaluable and necessary for any prepper to learn at least a modicum of these skills.

  • ARMY FIELD MANUAL: BANDAGING. bandage

Without a Dentist is an excellent book on survival dentistry. Many of us dismiss dentistry as a partial concern, but it is of the utmost importance you have knowledge of survival dentistry, tooth extractor, cap, crowning kits. A abscess tooth can kill just as easily as a bullet, but takes much longer and is more painful.

The NATO EMERGENCY SURGERY MANUAL is an awesome book, but is a little advanced for the average person, so there will need to be building blocks of training before you can truly appreciate the information within.

NUCLEAR/BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL PROTECTION AND MISC. INFORMATION

Nuclear War Survival Skills Book

NUCLEAR/BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL HANDBOOK.   medicalnbcbattlebook

FIELD MANUAL: POTENTIAL NBC COMPOUNDS.  fm3-9nbccompounds

NBC DECONTAMINATION.  fm3-5

MULTI-SERVICE MANUAL FOR NBC.  fm3-11-4


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