First off, DO NOT waste your money on an expensive medical kit if you don’t know how to use it! If you have no medical background, a surgical kit is not worth your money.
Prepare for what you know. Gain skills. There is plenty out there in cyber land but a video is not going to teach you how to do major surgery.
I advise everyone to take at least a basic first aid class from your local health department or Red Cross. Be wary of YouTube videos, etc. unless you can verify the credentials of the poster.
If you truly want to be more than a first aid provider, I suggest that you look at paramedic training. Or even a nursing program.
But realize that unless you have the knowledge, the tools aren’t going to help you a bit.
Do not think that you can diagnose a problem without the knowledge. Do not think you can figure out the best medicine without the knowledge. Do not think you can do surgery without gaining the knowledge.
Keep a basic first aid kit. They can be purchased online or at your local chain store. Make sure you not only have one for your home, but also for you vehicles. You can personalize these based on who is in your home/group (kids, elderly, diabetics, etc.)
As has been posted multiple times and places, if you are on prescription medications, you need to look at ways to stock up on those. Hopefully, you have a doctor who is willing to give you an extra prescription, even if you have to pay for it out of pocket. I am currently exploring using things like fish antibiotics. I will likely do a post once I’ve completed my research. There are also clever DIYs that would be helpful to know, such as how to make your own saline solution.
If you own a pet, perhaps your vet would be willing to write you a script for some medications. They use the same meds we do, just in different dosages. So that might be an option. And don’t forget your pets, if they are on meds too!
Make sure you and your pets are all up to date on your shots! I don’t usually get the flu shot…I worked in an ER and figured I had enough natural immunity built up. But since I no longer work in the ER, I am considering getting one this year. I know some are leery of immunizations, but I try to keep up to date on my tetanus. I even got the Tdap last time (tetanus, pertussis, diptheria), which was fortuitous, as we soon had a grandbaby living with us!
I know there are concerns about the Red Cross, but they are a great resource for First Aid classes and more. I bought a 3 day emergency bag from them that had all the basics. Basic first aid kit, protein bars, a few water pouches plus a couple gallon collapsed portable jug, a weather/AM/FM radio/flashlight combo, emergency blanket, and more.
I have been adding to it as I have learned more here and from some other resources I have found. There’s a lot of room for you to add or personalize it for a bug out bag. I am considering purchasing the lower cost bags for the rest of my family members (doesn’t have the radio).
I also urge caution regarding using supplements and herbals. Please be sure you have explored the pros/cons. Know how they may interact with any prescribed medications you may be taking. Understand that supplements and herbs are not regulated and may not act the same as your prescribed meds. We may have to return to using herbals, but it is going to be a trial and error situation if we do.
I am an RN and according to my license I cannot dispense medical advice. Please keep that in mind. What I post here is only my own opinion. I will answer your questions to the best of my ability.
I completely agree that buying surgical kit when you don’t have the skills and knowledge base is a waste of money. What is necessary is to buy what is most likely to be needed. If you have a heart condition then a blood pressure cuff would be useful to have – one of the old style hand blow up ones, not one of the bells and whistle electrical automated ones.
Also what we are prepping for is different from how we might manage things now. If you fall and break your neck, if you have a serious stroke, if you are in end stage renal disease modern medicine can help you. If you have one of these conditions, or anything equally nasty then aim for a doctor or hospital. Post collapse you are likely to be saying your goodbyes.
Post collapse you need to know how to stop a minor infection in its tracks, how to avoid spreading infections through good hand and household hygiene, how and when to segregate yourselves to avoid getting an air borne infection. You need lots of bandages in case of heavy bleeding – sun dried and ironed cotton sheets work well here. I keep mine in zip locked plastic bags. Home made saline solution is cheap and worked well when my son ripped his fore arm open from wrist to elbow. Plastic food wrapping worked to keep the new skin bed free of infection and nice and damp as healing started.
Just remember that first aid courses aim to get an ill or injured person to hospital ASAP. It doesn’t help you manage someone with diabetes, severe arthritis, or a chronic infection. First aid courses assume that you can pass the buck to someone else. This won’t be the case if TSHTF in a bad and sustained way.
I think we need a conversation on managing conditions post SHTF using home nursing techniques. Back in the old days families had to deal with the person with rheumatism, or tuberculosis or severe generalised fatigue. That time might occur again.
Congrats, grammyprepper – on your first published article here. Well done! You are going to be an excellent resource for the medical conversations! So glad to have you!
I agree, Harriet…post IHTF, serious injury or illness will not bode well, unless you happen to have a skilled nurse or doctor amongst you. There will, however, be things you can learn now that you might not necessarily want to “practice” daily pre-IHTF which will make all the difference when there is no doctor or no dentist.
An example might be suturing. If I can learn to suture, most anyone can, and I have learned to suture (surface/skin wounds, of course – I’m not talking about major surgery here). Doom and Bloom has a good video posted on learning to suture:
http://www.doomandbloom.net/to-stitch-or-not-to-stitch-that-is-the-question/
I’ve also learned how to perform a nerve block (inject lidocaine 2.0) at this site. What I still need to know is how to properly mix the lidocaine 2.0 powder for injection. Still not clear on that one? Anyone?
Before jumping in, folks, do a little homework and learn about different kinds and sizes of sutures and when to use each, and practice on an orange (easier to find than a pigskin, usually).
For those just joining us, we DID post a DIY saline solution here on SCP; I did use this to home can saline solution, and have used it.
https://seasonedcitizenprepper.com/make-your-own-sterile-saline-solution-wound-care-eye-wash-etc/
And please do remember, folks, that a pressure canner is, in essence, an autoclave. You can sterilize instruments using it.
If you don’t have EMT, nursing, or doctor skills, you really DO need a copy of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook. You can get it from their website, here: http://www.doomandbloom.net/ or from amazon, etc. I suggest the newest version.
There are also a couple of other books worth mention, “When There is No Doctor” and “When There is No Dentist”; both are found @ amazon – and, remember – if you click in through Rourke’s sites, he gets a tiny recognition for the effort.
GrammyPrepper, Great first article and looking forward to reading more. You have a knowledge base that would definably be in high demand in an IHTF situation. We know that the Pre IHTF situation would be to seek medical attention from a medical professional but POST IHTF is very important. Yes get the training now if at all possible but I would suggest start researching and learning as much as possible now wither a formal class sitting or not. In my area of the country I would have to travel almost 2 hrs to take a class so I have acquired the books I need and I do the class work at home and I practice at home on pig skin for suturing or a roast. As Servantheart suggested. Harriet also made a great suggestion, in our parent or grandparents days they did much of their own doctoring, we are moving that way again in much of the prepper community. So great Job and looking forward to what you have to teach us.
Great article and comments. Now is the time to learn and prep not later. I am pleased to see friends taking the lead upon themselves to move to action. This shows all of you are leaders and smarter then the average bear and loads of common sense.
BTW, i agree regards the first kits, the best ones I have seen are those made by individuals, the store bought one are a starter or better then nothing.
Something to definitely think about when using ‘commercial’ First Aid Kits – are they waterproof? I have one of the small WalMart-specials in my ‘work’ kitchen kit (added extra nitrile gloves, butterflies, “blister” burn dressings and Celox coagulant), mostly because it’s easy, bright red, and I can tell someone “Grab that red box outta the pack’.
The ones in vehicle, BOB’s and most of the EDC stuff are heavier-duty plastic kitchen storage containers, with flexible silicone seals, 4 locking tabs and a red duck tape cross on them as an identifier.
It can be disconcerting to discover that your paper-wrapped bandaids in a zippered nylon sack, or a non-sealed plastic box have had various drinks spilled on them by kids, and now look and smell like they have been marinating in a swamp for a couple years.
Congratulations on your first article grammyprepper, it is a winner. If I wanted to make my own grab and go first aid kit, what would you recommend I put in it? Also, what kind of pack, container, or pouch would you recommend?
Great article! And almost prophetic! Was at the hospital visiting a relative & a call came from son. He had been working on a vehicle hood latch, the spring popped loose and put a nasty & bloody gash on his forehead. His call was “Mom, I need you, I’ve cut myself bad”…so we left the hospital went flying. Once there, Mr.WE2 and I convinced him to remove his T-shirt from his forehead so we could see what was going on. Yep, a nice big gash! He was laying on the ground, writhing in pain when we arrived. Our emergency bag was with us, so a sterile surgical gauze pad with pressure convinced the bleeding to stop, and then a quick wrap around his head to secure it and off the ER we went. Docs used the new “super-glue” on him and we took him home to his apartment with a dull thud of a headache. They took X-rays and a CT scan so they knew it was safe for him to go home. That’s why I’m saying (wifey here) this post was so prophetic! Also, I totally agree in only putting by stuff you know how to use. Having raised children I’ve seen my share of injuries, plus being married to a working man has given me alot of experience in alot of areas. My deceased brother was a kidney transplant person so I learned alot about IV’s etc., and dialysis machines (the old kind, that was kept in the basement of the home). Once there was a power failure and I had to hand crank that thing to continue circulating his blood to him while mother disconnected the IV…VERY scarry to know somebodies life it “literally” in your hands. So, thanks for the post and I’m certainly looking forward to reading more from your expertise!
J100 and I have been talking about this; he wanted it posted at SCP; I told him I would ‘giterdone’!
US Army defines Christian ministry as ‘domestic hate group’
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/10/14/us-army-defines-christian-ministry-as-domestic-hate-group/?intcmp=latestnews
This is an attack against American Family Association (AFA), of which we are supporters.
On another note, just received a message that Jonathan, a Brother, has just gone to be with the Lord. Late 50’s, 22 month battle against leukemia and the after-effects of treatments.
Jonathan is a warrior; he will return on that day, I am certain of it.
Until then, my friend.
The ultimate prep: be ready to meet my Maker and my Judge at a moment’s notice. Done!
Thanks servantheart.IMHO-This is a threat to all Christians as AFA is heard over most of the US, as well as other areas of the world. We have been hearing about the possibility of the Church having to go underground, if policies such as this are implemented and enforced, we will be there much sooner than we expected.
Thank you all for your positive comments! My mission right now is to research how folks dealt with illness before we became reliant on doctors. Harriet, TY for sharing the links to Dr. Bones and Amy’s website and resources. Wyzrd, TY for the reminder to have your kits be waterproof. Wifey, yes raising children and having a working man DOES definitely prepare you for dealing with many emergencies! And WOW about the dialysis situation…I’m thinking that might encourage more folks in that situation to look into peritoneal dialysis they can do at home…The whole AFA situation has seriously scared me, and I am not an alarmist, but I am really worried that we are facing a muslim agenda now…wasn’t a concern of mine when I first joined this site, but boy are my eyes open now!
Again, TY for all of your positive comments and support! <3 and prayers for all of us!
I know in Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to do that which He has promised until that Day. – 1 Tim. 1:12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=61U-LSlnE0k
and another version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=61U_94AgUuo
and a personal favorie, “It Is Well With My Soul” (Sandy Patti does this one):
Wonderful and inspiring Hymn written by Horatio Gates Spafford (October 20, 1828, Troy, New York – October 16, 1888, Jerusalem) with music by Philip Paul Bliss (9 July 1838 – 29 December 1876). The words were written after the tragic death of Spafford’s four young daughters in the sinking of the “Ville du Havre” which was the original title of this famous Hymn. Both Spafford and Bliss were associated with the famed evangelist Dwight L. Moody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1bddKtHeuoE
I pray that it is well with your soul today.
J-100, my next article will be about building your basic first aid kit. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks grammyprepper. I look forward to reading your next article.
from our friend Chris, a primer on herbal medicine!
http://preparedchristian.net/herbal-medicine-kit-101/#comments