Letter Re: The Importance of Acquiring First Aid Supplies in Depth

James:
Tom L. points out that it took a while to find steri-strips and latex gloves needed to treat a wound so not to cause an infection. I would have to indicate that [bulk-packaged] latex gloves that you find in Wal-Mart or Walgreens are not sterile gloves. They are gloves that protect the wearer, not the one being treated though they are cleaner than bare hands. Proper washing of the wound with sterile saline water would be the best procedure and use the steri-strips for the closure under such late night conditions. Truly sterile gloves that surgeons use are individually packaged and wholly different that the boxed bulk gloves you can find in pharmacies. Watch the wound for any sign of infection and treat with appropriate antibiotics if necessary. This will probably include a discussion with you physician unless you have a copy of “Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics” or “Sanford’s Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy” Pocket Guide and a cooperative physician who has given you a prescription for a broad range of antibiotics for your TEOTWAWKI pharmacopeia cabinet. My physician who is a prepper as well, is trading suture training for amateur radio instruction/training. Very fair deal. – Frank B., 14 Miles From Asphalt