Letter Re: Suggestions for the Acute Management of a H5N1 Pandemic, by Spencer Feldman

Hi,
I read with concern the post yesterday (Friday 7th April) about Avian influenza. The post while appearing to be well referenced, in fact misrepresents what many of the trials and studies referred to actually state. The general implication is that there is a vast body of scientific research supporting the authors position. This is not the case at all, the articles do not say this and the authors spin on what some say misrepresents them. The majority are very early in-vitro or animal model studies which do not translate at all in terms of efficacy in humans. Most biomedical scientists would agree that only about 1:500-1000 of these very early trials will go on to a meaningful application in human medicine – it is plain wrong and intellectually dishonest to use them as the author has done here. Cheers. – Dr. BCE from New Zealand

Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog reader S.H. mentioned a Big Listing of Shelter Manufacturers–All different types, in ground (steel and fiberglass), above ground, and inside safe room retrofit types:

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Ireland’s Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO) has their Newsletter #64 (April, 2006) now available. The newsletter is not yet transcribed for best online viewing, but you can download the PDF file directly: http://www.peakoil.ie/downloads/…200604.pdf

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An interesting article on Asian Avian Flu and Your Cat

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Wow! Take a look at the 30 Day and Six Month Gold and Silver spot price charts at Kitco. This bull market seems to have no intention of slowing down!

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The human race has had long experience and a fine tradition in surviving adversity. But we now face a task for which we have little experience, the task of surviving prosperity.” – Alan Gregg

Note from JWR:

Thanks for all of the recent 10 Cent Challenge contributions. At this juncture I should mention that starting Saturday I will be foregoing my corporate salary and benefits to take up writing SurvivalBlog, full time. (Read: Big leap of faith.) I don’t want to drone on and on and on like some dreaded PBS telethon about this. The bottom line: If you find some value in what you read here, then please consider subscribing for 10 cents a day. Thanks!

Suggestions for the Acute Management of a H5N1 Pandemic, by Spencer Feldman

The H5N1 (Asian Avian Flu or “Bird Flu”) virus owes its lethality to its ability to instigate pathological immune responses in the host via cytokine storm. This leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lungs. Thus, any H5N1 protocol must take into consideration, not only the inhibition of the virus, but also the effects of DIC and alveolar flooding.
Given that there are reports of some patients dying within three hours of initial symptoms, any medical response must be swift and aggressive.
Traditional models for treatment outside of a hospital setting rely upon antiviral medications. This is insufficient as there are now strains of the H5N1 that are resistant to all major antiviral drugs, and furthermore does nothing to address the issues of DIC and alveolar flooding.
Alternative models concentrate on immune stimulating products. This is a dangerous idea as it is the strength of the immune response that makes the H5N1 so deadly. Increasing immune response may prevent an initial infection, but in an infection that has already taken hold, it will only worsen the outcome.

Preventative Measures
Studies suggest that Vitamin E and Selenium may decrease the infectivity and pathogenicity of the H5N1 Avian Influenza(1). Additionally, air pollutants have shown to increase the risk of contracting the H5N1 Avian Influenza(2). Raising glutathione, a primary detoxification pathway for petrochemicals may be of benefit. Finally, strengthening capillary walls may be suggested in preparation for a possible hemorrhagic episode.

Acute Management
Current scientific thought holds that the lethality of the H5N1 Avian Influenza may be caused by systemic viral dissemination, cytokine storm and/or alveolar flooding(3).
As such, an intelligent protocol for supporting the body would be to take these factors into consideration.
The H5N1 Avian Influenza contains the compounds Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase (also called sialidase). Both of these compounds are required in the infection cycle of certain virus. The drugs Zanamivir and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are both Neuraminidase inhibitors. One study suggests that the common Chinese Herb Astragalus may also be a Neuraminidase inhibitor(4). Since another study(5) suggests that Ca2+ and Mag2+ both speed up the activity of neuraminidase, and that Ca2+ is required for its function, making these elements unavailable via chelation with sodium and potassium citrate may be of use.
Studies also suggest that Lactoferrin(6), sulfated polysaccharides such as Ceramium Rubrum(7) (Red Marine Algae) and Elderberries(8) may be Hemagglutinin inhibitors. Unfortunately, Elderberry also increases cytokines (see above) especially Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa)(9) which is specifically associated with the toxicity of the H5N1 Avian Influenza (10).
For this reason, ingredients that studies suggest normalize TNFa such as Curcumin and Vitamin E (11),(12) should be considered.
One outcome of a cytokine storm can be disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). DIC may be responsible for the massive hemorrhaging seen with the H5N1 Avian Influenza(13). Thus, in addition to supporting normal cytokine levels, supporting the body in normalizing blood coagulation parameters with nutritional compounds may also be suggested(14),(15),(16).
The drugs Amantadine and Rimantadine work by inhibiting the matrix protein(s). Studies indicate that Glutathione and Resveratrol may have an effect on matrix proteins as well(17), (18).
Finally, Lactoferrin may support the body in decreasing infiltration into the lungs of inflammatory cells(19).

Emergency Solution
While I have already manufactured a product that contains all of the ingredients listed, the FDA does not allow for commercial sale alternative products to be made (other than homeopathics) for the bird flu. (While no claims are made nor can be made for a product with these ingredients, those interested in procuring some for research use only can do so by calling the author at: 808-573-8166.) You can see the other products we make at http://www.remedylink.com.

The following ingredients should be available locally and would be the basis of a makeshift H5N1 survival pack.
1- Curry powder as a source of turmeric to suppress TNFa
2- Red wine with the alcohol boiled off as a source of resveratrol
3- Kelp as a hemagglutinin inhibitor
4- Astragalus as a neuraminidase inhibitor (available at any Chinese herb shop)
5- Vitamin E as a blood thinner (available at any health food store)

Conclusions
Reports of people dying from the H5N1 Influenza in as little as three hours from the first signs of infection suggest the necessity of carrying on one’s person whatever they consider an adequate defense against this infection.
To recap,
In designing such a defense, the key factors to address regarding the H5N1 virus would be:
1- Decreasing the risk of initial infection
2- Decreasing the potential virulence of infection
3- Inhibiting Hemagglutinin
4- Inhibiting Neuraminidase
5- Inhibiting Matrix proteins
6- Binding of viral receptor sites
6- Reduction of calcium and magnesium
6- Decreasing general inflammatory cytokines
7- Decreasing TNF-a in particular
8- Supporting normal platelet activity
9- Decreasing free radical activity in the lungs
10- Minimizing hemorrhage
11- Strengthening blood vessels
12- Protecting against the after effect of hemorrhage
13- Replenishing electrolytes lost to diarrhea
14- Inhibiting secondary infections

JWR Adds: I have contacted the inventor personally. He told me that if an easily transmissible strain of Asian Flu does break out, it is likely that he will make his product available as long as supplies last.

Odds ‘n Sods:

An object lesson in inflation: Take a look at the 5 billion (millard) Mark note from the Weimar Republic, and ponder it. Hyperinflation has happened before, and it will happen again.  It is a risk in any country where the currency is not freely redeemable from the national treasury in specie.

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SurvivalBlog reader J.N. sent a link to a site with free PDFs of many military medical manuals. Also, a PDF for anyone wanting to know more about wound healing and suturing:

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On the lighter side: Our friend Chuck says, “Regarding Gold… This is how I feel! Gold hit $600 per ounce, yesterday. And silver is holding over $12!

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I just added a big pile-o-books to my mail order catalog. There are some great titles on a wide range of subjects, all from my personal collection–which I am presently paring down. See: https://survivalblog.com/catalog/

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"…a further pandemic can be expected. When that will be is not known, but the consequences, when it does, will be serious."
"A future pandemic is likely to spread rapidly to all parts of the globe and cause sudden and sharp increases in illness over a matter of weeks. A pandemic could therefore rapidly overwhelm health and other services. The overall impact is likely to be even more far reaching, affecting daily life, business and consequently national and global economies."
"The impact of a flu pandemic on health and social services is likely to be intense, sustained and nation-wide; they may quickly become overwhelmed." – U.K. Health Departments’ Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan

Note from JWR:

  Tomorrow will be my last day as a salaried technical writer. Henceforth, I will be blogging and freelance writing full time. I’d appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance and providence. I am hopeful that SurvivalBlog will continue to gain readership and advertisers. This will require greater public awareness that this blog exists. Please help spread the word about SurvivalBlog by adding one of our banners to your e-mail footer. Thanks!

From Buckshot Bruce: Take Advantage of Every Food Source

I was recently talking with a farmer friend and said “You are surrounded by food!” He said “Sure wheat and corn fields.” I smiled. “No I mean wild foods. Oh you mean ducks and deer. It is a societal mind set. Farmers, like hunters, think in the only ways they have been taught. He wanted to get rid of a problem beaver that was taking out his shelter belts trees. Being new to North Dakota and seeing very few trees I thought there isn’t much food for a beaver. “Must be a little one that wandered up here.”

He takes me over. Walking the creek, sure enough, I see that this beaver had just helped himself to the few trees around. In fact in one spot the beaver completely killed off every single tree. There was a small 30 tree section, gone. The farmer said “You know I had not been down here for a few weeks and drove by and all my trees were gone. I drove down to my neighbor’s house and asked if they had seen anyone cutting down all my trees and hauling them out for firewood? I want put that SOB in jail!” The neighbors replied no one has hauled any firewood past me. He drove back and walk down to the creek edge and saw all the trees were laying on the ground with chew marks on them. He came down later just before dark and shot at one beaver that swam off. He wa hopeful that was the end of the beaver problem. I smiled and said “Nope.” He said “You’re right. He went farther up the creek and started on the next section of trees. Can you get rid of him for me?” I answered, “Sure, no problem.”

A week later the ice broke and one of the traps was missing. Floating under the surface was this large brown spot that looked like mud. The farmer asked “Is that the beaver?” “Could be”, I answered. Pulling on the trap wire, the first thing I saw was a monster beaver tail. Yep there was our problem beaver. How big? 60 pounds. I could not believe my eyes here I am in a place I thought I would not being trapping beaver hauling a monster out from the this tiny creek with few trees. I commented, “You know, these are good to eat.” So we headed to his place and cleaned, fleshed and tacked out the hide. Then we popped the back legs off. He parboiled them. He cooked just the meat–slow cooked with cream of chicken soup, all day. We had it the next night for dinner, over noodles. His comment: “I didn’t believe you but your right that is real close to beef.” His two sons joined us and enjoyed it. Surely they’d be telling all their friends at school they had a Mountain Man dinner.

We were talking after dinner and I told him: “Look at all the food around you. Look at the potholes ( they call ponds potholes here) with all the cattails. There was six muskrat dens you could trap 15 muskrats a year out of that pothole. Your shelter belts are loaded with squirrels and rabbits. He added: “Deer, too.” I added, “You have plenty of cattails for flour, potatoes substitute, fresh like cucumber-tasting stalks. You have raccoons running all over the place.” He said “I never thought about it, but you are right. All my farmers friends are really going to like you. Yep, I have feeling this fall I going to be very busy cleaning out problem critters.”

People get in a mindset and only see part of the picture. When your long term survival depends on bringing meat home you are going to want to do it silently. I passed a pothole today that was next to a dirt road, and 20 ducks flew off. If I would have snuck up with a shotgun I might have got two or three of them. But you know what? Ducks don’t like getting shot at. Chances are they would find a safer place to feed or rest for the night. But with six model 110 conibear  killing traps, in a total collapse situation (note that it is presently illegal to trap ducks) you could easily add two to three ducks a day. But the good news is the traps would not spook the rest of them so they would keep coming back. That is just one example of using your head to make sure your family had meat on the table. Small game snares would have worked the same way. Set the trap where the ducks are feeding. Tie off a weight to the snare and once caught it would pull the duck down out of sight.

Any animal, bird, or fish can be caught more efficiently with traps, snares and gill nets than with the sportsman’s methods. Sportsman chances are nowhere near as good. Think about it: You put out a gill net and leave, the net is doing the fishing for you. You are not standing there casting for hours. You just come back in a few hours and collect your catch. What about a “bug out” situation? You can easily deploy a gill net, or snares or traps just before dark. Check and pull them in the morning. You have fresh caught breakfast hopefully extra for lunch and dinner. You move on. If you did it right no one has a clue that you harvested your food. No gunshot to broadcast that are in the area. No standing on the river or lake banks exposing yourself for hours.

If you are in a secure location you could easily snare a deer and then spend a day or two smoking the meat. I cover wilderness smokers in my Survivor Vol 3. DVD. Smoking is going to reduce the weight of deer and you could have 2-to-3 weeks of food to get you where your going. Being mobile and having the knowledge–not only how to obtain food but how to preserve it–is life saving. How many of you remember the 20-20 TV documentary with the young man in Alaska nicknamed Super Fly. He shot a moose but didn’t have the knowledge to properly smoke the meat. It was bad in a week’s time. He ended up eating some poison berries and dying alone in the wilderness. A sad tale. But with just a little bit of knowledge it could have been totally different. If he had survived he might now be writing books on how to survive in the wilderness.

Knowledge is power. Proper training can turn hard times into something you can survive. Think about it. I have trapped beaver in Arkansas, Texas, Michigan, Colorado, and North Dakota. Tons of food is waiting to be harvested.

Small pocket size gill nets or larger gill nets for your retreat can be found here: http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Gill-Net.htm
Snare kits can found here: http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Snare-Kits-Sales.htm
Size110 conibear traps can be found here: http://www.buckshotscamp.com/Traps-Sales.htm\

As Duncan Long said it so well in his book Survival Guns: “A good garden and traps will provide more food then a wealth of hunting rifles.”
In order to survive you must be able to adapt, change your thinking, and take advantage of every food source you can. – Buckshot

 

 

Letter Re: Thermal Scopes Versus Light Amplification Scopes

Dear Jim:
I know your site talks about night vision [“Starlight” light amplification technology], but thermal night vision if you can afford it is far superior for hunting/perimeter defense/tracking. It doesn’t matter about movement or camouflage [since these can literally see body heat.] See: http://www.imaging1.com/thermal/Thermal_weapon_sight.html and
http://www.imaging1.com/thermal/MX_1000.html
– S.F.

Letter Re: Too Good to Be True? Nationally Advertised Radiation Detector for $60?

Hi James,
Just wondering if you have a recommendation for or warning against this surplus (but “brand new condition”) CDV-720 portable radiation detector from the Sportsman’s Guide Catalog: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=256259
It looks snazzy, but I thought (with the exception of the Kearny Fallout Meter) that viable radiation detectors ran in the hundreds of dollars…? – David in Pleasanton, California (One of your $100 contributors)

JWR Replies:  A CDV 720 is a Civil Defense surplus survey meter. If it is truly working, then at $60 it is a bargain. I recommend that you go ahead and order one. When it arrives, immediately inspect it inside and out. (Corrosion caused by battery acid is one of the worst culprits.) Then test it. Some of the better detectors come with their own small built-in radioactive test source. If you don’t have a test source, then you might get a reading from a tritium firearm sight, or a beta light. If the unit doesn’t work, then return it immediately for a refund or replacement. You may have to sequentially order two or three in before you get one that works well. If the company guarantees the meter to work, then take full advantage of their return policy until you have a one that works. Your only extra expense will be the cost of return shipping. Who knows? You might get one that works the first time.

First, to explain some basics:

Geiger counters measure point sources of radiation, such as grains or flakes of radioactive fallout.

Dosimeters measure your cumulative radiation dose.

Rate meters (also known as survey meters) measure the rate at which you are receiving radiation at any given time.

To have a fully equipped shelter, you would need all three.  (But if you have plenty of supplies, you can probably get by with just a dosimeter and ratemeter.) 

To explain the $60 price: Civil Defense organizations bought rate meters in huge numbers back in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Uncle Sugar’s original cost was probably around $120 each (in 1960 dollars!) Most of them just sat around in warehouses for decades. Those are now hitting the surplus market. For a good general background on dosimeters and and rate meters, see this FAQ: http://www.radmeters4u.com/ as well as Bruce Beach’s excellent article:  http://www.ki4u.com/nuclearsurvival/survival/detectors/index.htm  True Geiger counters are a much more sophisticated device, designed for finding point sources of radiation. Because they were much more expensive initially, and made in much smaller number, these do cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, unless you get lucky. In general, if a meter has a separate hand-held probe (typically a nickel-plated rod), then it is classified as a Geiger counter.  (Although their quality/sensitivity varies a bit.) Unlike dosimeters and and rate meters, Geiger counters are what is needed for decontamination of someone that is entering a fallout shelter that is possibly contaminated. (So you can identify and brush/hose off bits of radiating fallout.) However, for those with a well-stocked home fallout shelter, where you plan to “button up” for the duration of a radiological event, rate meters (also known as survey meters) will be your most important radiation monitoring tools. You will also need a pen-type dosimeter to measure your accumulated dose while sheltered. Together, they will be how you determine when it is safe to exit your shelter. (Initially for just short periods of work, and then when the radiation level has fallen considerably for all but sleeping hours, and eventually when the radiation has dropped to near background level, you can quit shetlering altogether.)

In closing, I strongly recommend that you get a copy of Cresson Kearny’s book, Nuclear War Survival Skills. It is available from the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine.

Letter from Mr. Kilo Re: Medical Training – A Course Review by J.N.

Jim:
OK, just my $.02 on the wilderness EMT article…

The thing I see that’s missing from this article, and many like it is the focus on practice. I’ve been doing EMS long enough; and run enough calls to know that any EMS certification is a LICENSE TO PRACTICE medicine. People who get the training and don’t use it might be kidding themselves. “The body does well what it does often” — I can’t remember who said that, but it’s true.

Most newly-minted EMTs that I work with aren’t worth squat in the field. Not until they have survived their first 100 calls or so. Maybe it is like the difference between taking a class on technical writing versus doing it for a living. Best Regards, – Mr. Kilo in the Northwest

Odds ‘n Sods:

One disparate view on Asian Avian flu worth considering as FFTAGFFR: The Threat of an Avian Flu Pandemic is Over-Hyped, by Michael Fumento, JD. See: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16106.html

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Richard Benson comments on the coming Housing Bubble Implosion

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A new mumps outbreak in the U.S. Midwest.

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A report from Scotland on America’s Cyber War.

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SurvivalBlog reader S.F. recommended this great resource: http://www.buildanark.net

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“America’s social entitlements, created as a safety net to keep its citizens out of the pit of despair when they were down on their luck, has now for too many become a hammock to lounge in, as a lifestyle. The opposite of entitlement thinking is survivalist thinking.” – Rourke

Medical Training – A Course Review by J.N.

This past month, I attended a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician W-EMT class put on by Wilderness Medical Associates at a local university. I can say that this is by far the best survival-oriented medical training I have received to date. This particular class was geared towards those who are already certified at the EMT level. The class was intense, and I learned a lot of things that were never brought up in my regular EMT classes.
To start, here is a bit of background on what levels of medical training are out there. Most of these are accessible to the average person willing to put in the time and money.
Basic First Aid – This is what you are typically taught in school, Boy Scouts, or a one-day class offered by the Red Cross. The most basic life-saving skills are taught, such as how to manage bleeding, how to recognize when someone should not be moved due to a possible spinal injury, etc. Everyone should at least get themselves to one of these classes. Many times, they are offered for free or at low cost at a community center, college, etc.

Wilderness First Aid – This is another class that goes over the basics, but in more depth. The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) courses will cover topics like altitude sickness, heat/cold emergencies, and wound care in more depth than a regular (urban) first aid class. These classes are typically two days or so.

Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) – Similar topics to a WFA class, but goes into much more depth. Typical class is 4 days.\

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) – This is standard training for professional outdoor guides and group leaders. A lot of emphasis is placed on patient assessment, evacuation, etc. These classes are around 8 days, and will be intense. I would recommend a class like this to anyone who is serious about survival and/or outdoor travel.

Emergency Medical Technician – EMT is the certification level that is recognized at the county and state level, and is the entry-level certification for working on an ambulance crew, as a tech in an ER or other basic EMS work. It typically involves 150+ hours of training, plus hands-on contact with patients at an ER or on ambulance ride-alongs. You will learn basic anatomy, the critical body systems, how to identify common medical emergencies, extrication, patient packaging, trauma, delivery of some medications such as Oxygen, and get a basic grounding in emergency medicine.

Wilderness EMT – This class is EMT plus another 40-50 hours of training. The additional training covers topics that are specific to the back country (hypo/hypertherima, altitude, etc) in more detail than regular EMT or WFR training does and also introduces six new protocols. These include administering epinephrine injections for allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), managing sever asthma, reducing simple dislocations, advanced wound care, cessation of CPR, and clearing patients for spine injury. This would be about the best level of training most of us not working full-time in a medical field would be able to get to.
Note that EMT training is typically offered in evening or weekend format in most areas. I think a good bang-for-bucks training strategy would be to go for a first aid or better yet WFR class to get the basics plus wilderness training, then think about enrolling in an EMT program at your local community college. Mine took a semester of night classes to complete, and cost about $300, including enrollment, rooks and uniform.

The upgrade from EMT to W-EMT is a voluntary class that is not recognized by the state or county agencies in many cases. However, many employers recognize it and allow WIlderness-trained EMTs to use that extra training when they are away from a hospital/standard EMS.
The class that I took was five full days, and very hands on and intensive. It was taught at a level of training that assumed students knew basic medical terminology and standard EMT skills. We started with classroom review of the important body systems needed for survival, went over differences in assessing patients in the back country, then went right into the wilderness protocols. Each day was 9-10 hours long, and the class included three full-scale disaster simulations, with made-up patients needing assessment and treatment. The simulations were videotaped and critiqued in class. There was definitely no room for big egos here, as everyone made lots of mistakes, and improved their skills from one simulation to the next. They worked us pretty hard, and expected 100% from everyone.
The instructors were both outdoors people, one a working flight paramedic and the other a mountain-school instructor. Their insights and stories helped flesh out a lot of detail as to how and why a lot of this stuff is done. Additionally, a lot of discussion was had about medical topics not in the EMT protocols, such as applications for OTC and prescription medications for personal use, and what to expect from ALS (paramedic/advanced life support) crews, aircraft and search and rescue. Unlike the urban EMT class, they placed a lot of emphasis on making do with what’s on hand, and using hands-on skills in place of equipment you may not have.
I think an important thing I learned is that just about anyone can be taught how to do even advanced medical procedures. The hard part, is knowing when to do them (and when not to).
I would encourage anyone concerned about being prepared to look into one of these classes. I went to the WMA school but we also heard good things about the other two schools included in the following links:

Wilderness Medical Associates
http://www.wildmed.com

SOLO Schools
http://www.soloschools.com

Wilderness Medical Society
http://www.wms.org

Regards, – JN