Hello fellow preppers,
I noticed there numerous posts in the other subjects but none in one of the most important concerns for preppers in a crisis, especially in a shtf, scenario. In the sanitized society of humans where water is plentiful, medical care available, drug store just down the road we should put medical preps in the same class as food and water. Infections are omnipresent in today's society. Hospitals, where we go to get well are a fountain of disease. Clostridium difficile, MRSA, VRSA, KLEBSELLA PNEUMONIA, are just a few of the pathogens flourishing in our health care system where the rule is wash hands, sanitize rooms and equipment, hit the BUGS with multiple antibiotics , spray wipe and repeat. But to no avail as community acquired infections are on the rise. This will be even worse in any extended crisis. As clean water and nutritious food are required to help maintain your health so are medications and " bandaids ". Stock up on normal otc medications that you use. Attempt to find a doctor that will write you extra scripts for meds, ex. Asthma, heart, BP, ect. After talking to my prepper doctor friend and a pharmacist I was told that Thomas Labs fish antibiotics are made to the same quality standards as Rx antibiotics. Fish mox, fish cillin, fish forte, fish flex and others are available on Ebay and Amazon. I would also recommend educating yourself about uses and dosing. A small cut on the hand can end up killing a person. Learn signs and symptoms of infection. Educate your self.
This is a partial list of my medical preps.
1. 2- 100 ct bottles of each of the fish antibiotics.
1a. Other medications that you may need.
2. Bandaids, assorted sizes, 4x4s, abdominal pads, tape, gauze wrap, ect.
3. Ace wraps, assorted sizes.
4. Quick clot. Stops bleeding, pressure bandages, tourniquets, tampons for bullet holes.
5. Betadine or chlorhexidine for site prep
6. 90% alcohol. Also doubles as a fuel. Hydrogen peroxide. High proof liquor for anesthesia.
7. suture kits, nylon, cat gut, ethilon, ect. Learn how and which one to use for what. Hemostats and 1 use scalpels.
8. Stethoscope, BP cuff, pen light, thermometer.
9. IV start kits. Just in case!!
10. EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION
11. Take a CPR or basic life support class. Medical professionals should also keep up on ACLS or advanced cardiac life support.
Remember the life you may save could be a loved one.
YouTube has a plethora of videos of medical education. The internet has tons of sights to allow you to broaden your medical knowledge. Print relevant info off and place in binder ( have a ton of these myself ).
I would also try and recruit nurses, emts, paramedics, firemen to augment your group.
Thanks for the forums Ed and the Watchman. Great videos also.
If you have questions about medical preps, ask and we can try and help you find an answer.
Best regards, Dan