Prepping Basics: Medical Supplies

In the event of an emergency sometimes people just think about food and water, forgetting all about the other things that they would need. It's easy to just get stuck on prepping food and water storage. Trust me, I've had my head pretty much stuck in my pantries with the amount of food I have and it's still not a FULL years supply...I still actually need a little bit more.

I took time out of prepping food and water to prep some medical supplies. There's a whole slew of things that you should have on hand in the event of an emergency. For brevity's sake, I'm going to just assume that the people reading my blog have 0 medical training. This is a problem in and of itself. Make sure you can find the time to take a CPR class at the very least. You can call your local Red Cross for information and costs of CPR classes. Because I am going to assume that people have limited to no medical knowledge reading my blog, I am not going to list things that surgeons would use because while it may be "flashy" for you to have these items, they do you 0 good if you don't know how to correctly use them. You have no need to be cutting someone open with a 10 blade if you've never done it before the SHTF. On to the list:

• Antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Ciproflaxin, Azithromyacin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Ampicillin. Can be obtained via Fish Antibiotics. Also get a Physician's Desk Reference and The Merck Manual) Be careful of the dosage. Make sure it's accurate and look out for allergic reactions to Antibiotics.
• Prescription Medicines (It's best to be off these obviously in a disaster, but if you're not you need to stock up on the ones you and your family use.)
• Gauze - Sterile and Non-Sterile (4x4 and 2x2)
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• 100 Proof Alcohol (Moonshine, Pure Grain Liquor)
• Super Glue
• Benadryl
• Tylenol
• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Acid Reducers
• Immodium AD
• Mucinex & Mucinex DM
• AZO Yeast
• AZO Standard
• Nasal Sprays
• Nasal Saline (different formulation than the nasal sprays listed above)
• Calcium Supplements
• B-12 Vitamins
• B Complex Vitamins
• Mature Multivitamins (Centrum or One A Day is fine)
• Magnesium Supplements
• Omega 3/Fish Oil
• Vitamin D-3
• Vitamin C
• Acidopholus
• Band-Aids
• Iodine Swabs and Tablets even a Bottle of Iodine too
• Petroleum Jelly
• Splinter Removal Kit
• Nystatin and Triamcinolone Cream (Anti-Fungal Cream)
• Electrolyte Replacement Bars
• Cornstarch Baby Powder
• Butt Paste
• Gold Bond Foot Powder
• Saline Solution (for cleaning wounds)
• Vagicaine
• Monistat
• Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• Clorox Wipes
• Sterile Gloves
• Cough Drops
• Kotex Pads
• Lotion
• Caladryl
• Sunscreen
• Aloe Vera Gel
• Bug Spray
• Dermoplast
• Thermometer
• Instant Cold Pack
• Exam Gloves
• Triple Antibiotic Cream/Ointment
• Hydrocortizone Cream
• Neosporine
• Epsom Salts
• Duct Tape
• Flash Light
• Ground Ginger (can help relieve morning sickness or upset tummy/nausea)
• Dramamine
• New Skin
• Theraflu
• Vicks Vapor Rub
• Nasal Decongestants (Sudafeds, Claritin etc)
• Molefoam
• Moleskin
• Ear Plugs
• Carmex
• Condoms
• Pregnancy Tests
• Stethoscope
• Blood Pressure Cuff (learn to read blood pressures without using a digital reader)
• CPR Masks
• Elastic Gauze Bandages
• ACE Bandage
• Non-Adherant Sterile Pads
• Kerlix Bandage Rolls ( Can find these online)
• Cohesive Bandage and Tape
• Sutures and Needle (for minor cuts not gaping wounds)
• Steri-Strips
• Kelly Forceps ( for the small minor cut sutures)
• Ear Loop Masks
• Hand Sanitizer
• Castor Oil
• Neem Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• Olive Oil
• Clove Oil
• Cinnamon Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Rosemary Oil (Read up about using essential oils and their uses)
• Get a Herbal Medicine guide that includes using essential oils and their mix rate with carrier oils.

This is a huge list, just start gathering things slowly and work your way up. If you're a medical professional, CNA or Nurse or someone with medical experience as a care giver then you will obviously use all these things and then some that I didn't bother to add to the list.

I will say this. If you are going to be in a community of preppers, that will include women within their child bearing years, you or someone you know that is in your community and will be with you during a disaster needs to have some midwifery skills. I am referring to a very long term SHTF situation where we would be without medical treatment from a hospital. Everyone is going to have nothing to do at night except maybe security detail, so there's going to be a lot of sexing going on. If the condoms run out, or people just don't use them, you may be surprised how quickly a lot of the women in your "village" turn up with baby bumps. Back before modern medicine, women died a lot in childbirth and labor and delivery should be something at least 1 or 2 of you in your "village" have knowledge in.

These things listed aren't the "end all be all" list of a prepper, but they should be included in your preps even if you just have 1 bottle of everything listed. Remember 3 is 2, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. Redundancy is your friend.


PC