Category: First Aid/Medical

Some Medical Considerations, by Old Bobbert

Hi James,  Sometimes the easy solution to a serious medical supply problem is hidden right in front of us. I am and adult-onset Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetic prepper. My life depends on a regular and continuous supply of medicines. What will I do when all of the available test strips for my “Accu-chek” Aviva blood tester strips are out of date and will not function in my Veterans Administration-supplied tester? In the military we were taught that the winners  learn to adapt, overcome, and improvise. After the military, as a self- employed father of four, I learned another  basic rule of success …


Of Wolves, Bureaucrats, Biologist-Activists, and Assorted Parasites

I’ve come to the conclusion that our worst imaginings of Canadian timber wolves (purposefully introduced to the Lower 48 by do-gooder bureaucrats in 1995) might have been insufficient. To those of us who live in the rural west, these land sharks are well known for their fanged depredations on sheep, cattle, deer, elk, and moose. But their greater menace–at least to humans–might actually be in the form of a tiny tapeworm that they carry: Echinococcus granulosus. This tapeworm was endemic with these wolves, long before they were introduced. Tapeworm cysts have been identified in both Idaho and Montana in recent …


Last Minute Medical Prepping, by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Soon enough we’ll know whether December 21, 2012 portends a cataclysmic event. One approach regarding how to prepare is to consider what might kill you in a day, in a week, in a month, or a year.  Your preparations will vary depending on your health now and how long you expect to live without the prospect of professional medical care. The most common life-threatening conditions that can kill in a day include acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), heart arrhythmias, pulmonary embolism (blood clot to the lung), various severe traumas (gunshot wounds, excess blood loss, cervical fracture (broken neck), and of course, …


Caring for the Chronically Ill Family Member in a Disaster, by Rebecca H.

Caring for a chronically ill family member takes an emotional and physical toll on the caregiver. Compound this in a time of disaster, civil unrest, social and economic collapse and you might feel there is no chance for survival. I cannot say that. There might be insurmountable odds against a seriously ill family member living in harsh conditions for very long, but it is my goal as a caregiver to ensure I have the tools and knowledge to keep that family member as comfortable; physically, emotionally and spiritually as I can. As the wife of a recent kidney transplant recipient, …


Four Letters Re: Coban Wrap a Must for Medical Kits

JWR, Thank you for all your efforts. I pray they are never needed but fear otherwise. We run a safety training and supply company specializing in custom first aid/survival kits for various customers. We agree that Coban is wonderful stuff. A hint for the budget minded preppers use a vet supply house or feed store and buy “vet wrap”– same stuff at lower price. – A.K.S. Jim: Coban is not a panacea for your wound dressing needs.  While it does offer self-adherence,  ease of use, durability, availability, selection of sizes and colors, etc.  There are a few flaws with this …


Letter Re: Coban Wrap a Must for Medical Kits

Dear James: I’m a long time reader and love the SurvivalBlog site. I really wanted to point out one little thing that  I think is a very important item in any kit: Coban Wrap. (Sold under several brand names.)   I’m a former medic and now live in the northeast on the water. I have young kids and we do some of boating and spend a fair amount of time on the remote rocky beaches of the area. When we got here earlier in the year I put together a little first aid kit focused on multi-use items and scalability …


Letter Re: The 19 Hour Emergency Room Survival Kit

This all fits in a one gallon Ziploc baggie (except for laptop and fleece)   19 hour Emergency Room and Hospital Survival Kit   ·       Stocking cap (to shut out light and things you don’t want to see) ·       Ear Plugs (to shut out things you don’t want to hear) ·       Zip-able fleece outer wear (Wear. To control Temperature) ·       Cell phone/Smart phone/I-pad/Laptop(Obvious reasons plus recreation/distraction for self and kid(s).  Typically something you already carry) ·       Way to charge cell phone etc. (It will see much use and you will be making many calls.  The phone will gobble up charge …


Your Better Half: A Force Multiplier, by J.L.H.

It’s no secret the majority of survivalists are males.  If your better half is just as prepared for emergencies as you, or you are a female survivalist who is reading this article, then congratulations!  But what about others who have a wife or significant other who goes about their daily life in ignorant bliss; unaware of the dangers surrounding us in today’s world, and how to prepare for and handle them?  I am sure you all love your spouses, and when disaster strikes, you’re going to look after them.  However, wouldn’t they (and you) be better off if they were …


Letter Re: Armageddon Medicine Seminar AAR

Hello Jim, I wanted to pass on an after action report (AAR) of our experience at Doc Cindy’s Armageddon Medicine “102” class, this past weekend. This class differed from classes we had taken from other Doctors/trainers in the past as it dealt with what to do with sick people rather than a class that focused on trauma treatment. I assume that Cindy’s 101 class dealt with those issues. The mix of the students contained a dentist, a doctor, 2 nurses, a civil engineer, a biochemist, several business people, a gal from Canada, a Federal Emergency Responder, a very bright, well-trained …


Letter Re: The Core Kit: First Aid and Beyond

Dear Mr. Rawles, As a pharmacist of more years than I like to admit, I would like to make a few comments and additions regarding Jason J.’s recent excellent post on “The Core Kit – First Aid and Beyond”. First, I must thank Jason for his time, knowledge, and insight, as well as for his service to our country. His sense of humor was well-received as well! My comments are minor, but may clarify/enhance an issue or two. First, as Jason suggests, it is wise to follow “Universal Precautions” whenever you are dealing with the blood or bodily fluids of …


Medical Prepping in Three Months — Part 2 of 2, by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

As of today, many families are still suffering from the effects of Superstorm Sandy.  Are you prepared, should such a disaster strike your area? The following is offered as an outline for medical prepping, should you someday find yourself without access to professional medical care.  (Part 1 of this series covered weeks 1 through 6.) Please note the following abbreviations: ORG = organizational concerns OTC = over-the-counter products Rx = prescription products ED = education and skills The supplies listed under OTC can all be purchased without a prescription, though some are only available online.  For prescription items, assess what …


The Core Kit: First Aid and Beyond, by Jason J.

Beans, bullets, and Band-Aids are the basics of prepping. Each has its own place, and they each lean on each other. Beans are pretty easy, but expensive. You spend the money, organize yourself and learn to use the food. There are more sources to learn about this than you could ever read, we all know about eating, and you are certain to need food in almost any situation you can imagine! Bullets are really not that complicated. We make it complicated, but as an Army Ranger that has been shot at countless times, I promise you will not question if …


Letter Re: A Veterinarian’s Perspective on Prepper Medicine

Dear Jim, I am board certified in family medicine. I believe D.A. gave sound advice, but  I would suggest staying away from clindamycin as about 20 percent of people who take it get C. Diff. collitis. I have several patients who have been successful in purchasing medications through AlldayChemist.com. Typically, at 75 to 90 percent savings of the U.S. price. Keep up the good work. – J.W.


A Veterinarian’s Perspective on Prepper Medicine, by D.A., DVM

First let me advise you that I am not an MD, nor am I qualified or authorized to give medical advice to humans.  Keep in mind, however, that we are all animals.  The information herein is for reference only, and I bear no liability for misuse or adverse effects (allergy) by using any of these antibiotics.  Essentially all of the antibiotics used in veterinary medicine are from human medicine, and most were tested on animals before being used in humans.  Although you may have used a particular antibiotic in the past, your body may have developed a sensitivity or allergy …


Defending Against the Smallest Enemies, by J.R.M.

It is human nature to approach preparedness according to gaps that we see in our plans.  Most of us make checklists (see List of Lists), have 72 hour bags (BOB), and cover the three B’s (Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids).  We rotate food and water, learn new skills, and do anything we can to bridge the gap between our perceived lack of preparedness and what we consider as “sufficiently prepared”.  We may get so caught up in building bunkers and buying bullets that we operate in an “out of sight, out of mind” mode.  Sure, we should prepare for four-legged and …