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20 Comments

  1. On the anti-diarrhea medication. Imodium is the brand name for the most common OTC. Loperamide is the generic equivalent. It is dirt cheap at the big box stores.

    You might want to re-consider using it for diarrhea caused by disease. Your body is trying to lose germs and taking the medication will keep them in. The more germs you have, the sicker you are. Talk this over with your doctor before this becomes problematic.

    Dehydration and electrolyte loss are the problems from severe diarrhea. Oral replacement is necessary. Pedialyte is one fluid to be considered. Gatorade is another and cheaper. Oral re-hydration salts are also available. They are not very expensive and are available on Amazon. Look for the ones following the WHO (world health organization) guidelines. The WHO recipe is also available online. A lot of this stuff is going to run right through you but you will be absorbing some of the salts and fluid. What does run through you is at the least flushing some of the bad germs out. If unable to take orally you might consider enemas with a slow drip. Avoid sugar with diarrhea as it can make it worse.

    1. Blackberry Root tincture or tea is my number ONE antiviral/antibiotic anti-diarrheal go to. I do not use Immodium as it impedes evacuation of toxins from the body. Safe and effective is Blackberry Root and just a little is very powerful. 15-40 drops of the tincture in 1/2 cup of water every couple of hours until symptoms are under control. Also effective for spongy gums, hemorrhoids, and bruises. A powerful astringent and a must for your preps. A 1/4 cup of the tea every couple of hours. 1 tsp of dried herb to 8 oz of almost boiling water. COVER and let steep at least 5 minutes. Blackberrry leaf is useful too if that’s all you have, but not as potent. As always, be aware to replace electrolytes during diarrhea episodes. Gatorade powder is good to store or prepare a homemade drinkable electrolyte solution (MIX 1/2 tsp. table salt, 1/4 tsp salt substitute, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp sugar in 1 quart boiled water, let cool, flavor with Kool-Aid or Emergen-C if desired) and give continual sips as can be tolerated around the clock until urine is normal. Even if vomiting occurs, continue to hydrate. Some of it will be absorbed. Dehydration quickly causes conditions to spiral out of control. Use Litsea Cubeba oil in a bucket of sudsy water to disinfect sick rooms plus it smells nice and lemony and gladdens the heart. These are only medical suggestions to complement your physician’s advice yaddy yaddy. I am not an M.D. but study and prepare for when they’re not available for help.

    2. Just a little tip! In the infant section of grocery stores and discount stores such as Wal Mart, you will find a powdered form of PediaLyte that is intended to be mixed into a standard water bottle.

      Since they are flavored, the taste is tolerable and the little pre-measured packets are quite convenient when you are on the go.

      I have included these in the medical kits of our Bug-0ut Bags as an added layer of protection against dehydration.

      They are a little more expensive than mixing your own electrolyte solutions, but I always felt that the more palatable taste coupled with convenience is definitely worth the negligible expense.

  2. Re: Cord/Line/Wire

    Look into rebar ties. You can buy them 100 at a time for a few bucks. They come with a loop at both ends for easy twisting but if you straighten out the loops you gain another 2″ plus to wrap things. They are soft iron so they aren’t bullet proof strong but they are easy to put in place with one hand, stronger than string and handy for may uses. I put a dozen or so in my tool bag, my back pack and a couple dozen in my motor home.

    Another good idea is don’t throw out that old T-shirt. I had my wife sew across the top from under the armpits and just under the neck and cutting off that waste area. They make great bags, strong (I use the heavier Carhart T-shirts). You can wrap dirty things to protect your car seats or use them to gather food or just to hold your laundry.

  3. Great list.

    You can store twenty four 6-gal. pails of food under a queen size bed. Just put a 4’x6′ piece of OSB or plywood on top of them and a bed skirt. Too expensive you say?

    Let’s say the average pail of emergency long-term food costs $70. The average family with 2 smartphones spends $150 each and every month. If they traded down to Tracfones the family could purchase all 24 pails in 2 years with the savings. Food or frivolity?

  4. I think this is a great article for young adults who are away at college or who have moved to the big city on their first jobs. Many young adults have never had to face a crisis or emergency by themselves and without the ability to phone mom/dad would be an easy target for bad guys. Good job J.M.

  5. When I lived in a high rise apartment after getting out of college, the building had storage areas in the basement for residents. Storage bin was about the side of a walkin closet –consisted of a wall area fenced off with fencing wire and 2×4 framing. Anyone living in a high rise building might check with the building manager for similar space.

  6. Do some research before getting a waterbed – some apartments don’t allow them due to weight and flooding concerns, and some of the anti-fungal treatments they use can be harmful if swallowed.

  7. WOW! Been with SB since about 2006 after reading Patriots and following the link at the back of the book. Can’t praise Jim and Hugh enough. Talk about a wealth of information! This series of articles stood out as simply outstanding. Only additional suggestion…be sure to read the comments. Awesome added info. Just proves there are some really smart people out there in the prepping world. Have 8 three inch binders of SB articles I have printed out. If the grid goes down still have important info in hard copy. But that said…love the flash drives from SB. Got them all, and will continue to obtain every new one (better to have and not need..etc). To J.M. Well done sir! Very impressive! Heartfelt thanks to all in the SB community!

  8. Excellent information, well laid out – thank you!
    Small point though.
    In anything more than a short-term weather problem, it would be best to bug OUT – not in.
    The buzzards would soon gather…

  9. Plastic Sheeting (clear and black)

    2-3 mil, contractor bags (found at Sam’s Club) can work well as an alternative to black plastic sheeting. One item, two (actually many more) purposes.

    Enjoyed the series. Thanks for writing it.

  10. The biggest problem in movement is going to be police,checkpoints,barricades etc.,they are illogical and detrimental to public safety(just doing what they are told). Try having a hardhat(white or yellow depending, with some usage wear or even some stickers (electrician/plumber’s union), a safety vest and a “contractor” ID to circumvent these obstacles. In a vehicle you can add a “emergency services” magnetic sign and a yellow flashing light with a line of Bravo Sierra can get you past. The Gray Man isn’t always gray but what is expected (blend in or stand out.) YMMV.

  11. VT – Agreed, and that’s one of the reasons I stressed collecting intel at the beginning of the event. A scanner that can pick up law enforcement/emergency channels can help you plan your route home to avoid checkpoints, riots, fires, etc.

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