James,
I have been a part time survivalist for many years. I thought about the topic while still serving in the Army and after retiring I have moved, slowly, to position my family to be able to survive if the Schumer hits the fan.
I live in a brick home on 1-1/2 acres, surrounded by vast farmland. Work cooperatively with neighbors to develop cooperative relationships that would benefit all parties if the worst happens. Have the guns and ammo thing covered. Food? Still working on it but think we could make it for six months or more in extreme situations.
Then, last night, an event occurred that showed me one area I have neglected. Medical supplies. My 7 year old daughter fell and busted her chin open on a kitchen stool. Not a lot of blood but I was faced with the “does it need stitches” dilemma. I called the emergency room and was given the “we can’t make that call over the phone” line. It was too late to take her to a doctor and too long before I could to leave it neglected.
I searched the Internet for advice and decided steri-strips would fix the problem. Of course I then had to find a store open at that time of night that carried the strips. Long story short, I finally did get the steri-strips and latex gloves needed to treat an wound so not to cause infection but was left with many scary thoughts about medical preparations. First, what books are in my medical library? Hard copy books, not the Internet that would not exist in a worst case scenario.
Second, basic medical supplies for simple injuries. I am seriously lacking in that area.
So this small incident drove home a sorely lacking area in my preparations for bad times. I recommend that everyone check the status of their home medical supplies! – Tom L.