Category: First Aid/Medical

As a reformed Christian and novice “prepper”, I am so glad to have found your blog and all the informative material that it contains.  With your help, I am becoming prepared for the hard times that I believe are imminent. I am a general surgeon practicing in the southeast.  Your writings have caused me to think a lot about the logistical vulnerabilities that exist in our health care system and how drastically surgery would change if/when Schumer hits the fan.   The Coming Instrument Shortages Many instruments and most of the supplies that we use for routine operations are disposable. …

A reader wrote to ask: “Dr. Koelker, you explained what each of the antibiotics is good for, but one major concern was unaddressed. In a TEOTWAWKI situation we may be faced with having to treat gunshot wounds. And just as likely, if not more so, we may need to treat serious lacerations, such as accidents with sharp, dirty tools. I think, as am I, the readers of this blog might be interested to know which antibiotics are the most effective in preventing infections if/when we sustain such wounds.”   Doctor Koelker Replies:  As usual, such answers come in a short …

A reader wrote to ask: “I have talked to a local doctor who is sympathetic about giving prescriptions for antibiotics but he is concerned about the legalities of supplying anyone with excessive amounts of any drug.  Does anyone out there know the proper process to undertake this acquisition?  I’m not worried about buying stuff outright and am willing to use multiple pharmacies but he is worried about getting in trouble and wants to know the legalities.  Any wisdom you or your readers can share? “ Doctor Koelker Replies: Doctors prescribe long-term antibiotics for many different problems, including conditions as simple as …

Hello All,   We have another Medical Response in Hostile Environments Class scheduled. This class will be on June 10, 11, and 12, 2011.  It will be conducted at the historic Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front Street, in Marietta Ohio.  Marietta is on the Ohio River at Exit 1 off of I-77.  (This is a new location, so our web site may not yet reflect all the updates).  The Hotel is offering a special group rate but you must mention Medical Corps to get it.  If your flight brings you into Cleveland you can get a commuter flight to Parkersburg. (Mid-Ohio …

Many people both on this blog and elsewhere in the prepping community have advocated some form of professional medical training prior to encountering a disaster situation.  While I agree with this sentiment, this article is meant to discuss the limits of some medical training for lay persons in a post-TEOTWAWKI scenario, as well as review the options and advantages of the various training programs available for lay people.  That my qualifications may be known, I am an emergency room RN, an EMT, and an instructor of the Wilderness First Responder and Advanced Wilderness Life Support curriculum, with experience in wildland fire …

Mr. Rawles, After reading J.V.’s article on “Packing your Bug Out First Aid Kit” I feel the need to comment on his approach to anesthesia. Anesthesia as practiced today is safe and effective due to the training and equipment modern medicine provides. The technique of “open drop” anesthesia, which is what J.V. describes, was utilized until the mid 1960s. Aspiration, anesthetic overdose leading to respiratory or cardiac collapse occurred in major hospitals at an alarming rate. Current anesthetic death rates run at 1:30,000 cases, while in the late 1950s (a comprehensive study out of Boston) showed anesthetic mortality of 1:1,500. …

Hi Jim and Lily, Thanks for all you do.  I am a registered nurse and have always tried to keep a fairly extensive medical kit along with my BOB in the car.  One of the things I keep is a OTC rescue inhaler, sold under the brand name “Primatene Mist”.  It is epinephrine (adrenalin), plain and simple.  No one in my family has asthma, but I keep it for emergencies, including an anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting etc.  I decided to get a new one the other day as mine was quite outdated.  Wal-Mart still has them.  There is …

James, I have a concern with the recently mentioned “Multi-Lens TEOTWAWKI Vision System“. I have not been able to find anything where they ask for a person’s pupillary distance (PD). This is necessary to ensure the optical centers of the lenses align with the wearer eyes properly. If you have ever looked through a binoculars that were dropped and had the the internal optics misaligned that will give you an idea of what misaligned optical centers can do. A way to measure your PD is discussed here. People purchasing that kit should be aware that they may not work for …

Dear Editor: I read with interest the letter regarding the need for first aid supplies and would like to address a few issues this gentleman and others might wish to consider for the next time an injury occurs. With all due respect to those who recommend buying lots of battle dressings and gauze, it is unlikely that one could truly buy enough to last for a prolonged TEOTWAWKI situation. While it is advisable to have adequate supplies on hand for most minor injuries, people would also do well to learn a few basics of first aid wound care and to …