[Krzykappy]

Ok so I’ve been doing a lot of research about first aid, as well as taking classes and asking questions on here. I also been asking questions on what works and what doesn’t work.

I’m kind of getting annoyed with the whole, do this then do that, then go get help, or seek medical attention at some medical facility. I’ve also read a lot of books about prepping and BO (Bug Out) or BI (Bug In) and they keep saying weather the storm and then make a list of what you needed then go buy them at the store or fix them someway.

Ok in a no **** SHTF scenario, you don’t have medical facilities, you don’t have outside help, you don’t have the food giant, or a hardware store or gun store. So can I please get some good answers on DIY Medical, and look for these signs and look at this area to judge yourself and your equipment.

Am I Making any sense here or have I been up too late again???

 

[Optimist]

There are books out there that address what you are looking for and at least one thread on the matter. Run a search for Ditch Medicine on the board and you ought to find some of what you're after. You'll get about 4 pages worth....

 

[JohnWStiner]

Well, i finally scored my most wanted prep ever. It took three years to get. It is a true SHTF prep that no prepper should ever go without.

What is it?

This is a must have for any real medical kit. Now, you go and see how hard it is to get some. I had a doctor friend in the ER give me a bottle for my kit. This is really hard to get.

For honest people anyway.

 

[Ryno of the Sith]

Well, i finally scored my most wanted prep ever. It took three years to get. It is a true SHTF prep that no prepper should ever go without.

What is it?

This is a must have for any real medical kit. Now, you go and see how hard it is to get some. I had a doctor friend in the ER give me a bottle for my kit. This is really hard to get.

For honest people anyway.

Well, sucks it too so long. Glad you finally have some type of pain relief just in case you might need it.

Thankfully, I don't have to wait that long... My father is a dentist

 

[goose3]

http://weblife.org/pdf/where_there_is_no_doctor.pdf

 

[Antwan23]

Why do you not take some medical classes? It hasn't hit the fan yet.

 

[Optimist]

Even some volunteer time with the local veterinarian would be helpful.

 

[Rosesandtea]

http://weblife.org/pdf/where_there_is_no_doctor.pdf

I have this. It's what the OP is talking about, really. Basically it is first aid (advanced, maybe, but still first aid) and every section ends with a variation of "... and seek medical help as soon as possible."

I've heard the book nicknamed "where there is no doctor ... for a day!"

One book that addresses this exact problem is the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook. The info there does not assume you will have recourse to modern medicine.

I have a copy but have not read it yet. All the reviews I've seen have been very positive and I have a good impression of the authors from when they were on a podcast.

 

[Antwan23]

I have this. It's what the OP is talking about, really. Basically it is first aid (advanced, maybe, but still first aid) and every section ends with a variation of "... and seek medical help as soon as possible."

I've heard the book nicknamed "where there is no doctor ... for a day!"

One book that addresses this exact problem is the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook. The info there does not assume you will have recourse to modern medicine.

I have a copy but have not read it yet. All the reviews I've seen have been very positive and I have a good impression of the authors from when they were on a podcast.

Well I think its for the book publisher and author to cover their own butt. It's just like any other disclaimer. This is how you do it, but don't do try this at home seek professional help. If they don't do it they could be sued.

 

[ChinookMed]

To handle trauma beyond minor scrapes and bruises, building an effective medical kit and taking part in first aid training is key. As with anything, a little preparation and planning goes a long way.

One does not have to be a skilled medical professional to acquire survival medical skills in the event of a disaster or medical emergency. Long term considerations may range from basic ailments like colds and allergies, to severe illnesses, injuries and infections.

Even the best “store bought” first aid kits are missing key ingredients necessary to address injuries when hospital care is unavailable. To stop traumatic bleeding, treat and manage wounds, and prevent infection, self-reliant medical care beyond basic first aid is necessary.

Whether building your own or looking to purchase, be sure to include the following advanced medical supplies in your kit:

• SWAT-T Tourniquet - Multi-purpose “Stretch, Wrap and Tuck” versatile tourniquet to stop severe bleeding. Also serves as a Pressure Dressing and Elastic Bandage. Approved by the National Training Officers Association.
• QuikClot Sport Advanced Clotting Sponge – Hemostatic agent stops bleeding fast by simply placing the sponge over the wound and applying pressure. QuikClot is the preferred lifesaving product to treat severe bleeding for EMS, Law Enforcement, Military, and healthcare pros.
• CeraSport Ex-1 Oral Rehydration - Restores essential salts and fluids lost in sweat due to exercise, fever or heat stress. Quickly and effectively prevents dehydration without typical cramping and nausea caused by sugar-based sports drinks.
• N95 Respirator Mask – Prevention is the best form of first aid. During many emergencies, especially natural disasters, the air may become contaminated with dangerous particles. The N95 rated mask is one of the best forms of respiratory protection short of an actual
respirator.

It is important for all Preppers to know first aid and CPR. There is a wealth of information available both online and in books, and the American Red Cross (among others) offers first aid training and emergency preparedness courses at local chapters around the U.S.

There is no substitute for hands-on training, but there are plenty of resources available in the event training is not available in your area. eCPRcertification.com is just one example of an online training and certification program.

Instructional videos such as the SWAT-T™ Instructional Video are also readily available on YouTube.

Hope this helps!
CMG

 

[Concrete]

Well I think its for the book publisher and author to cover their own butt. It's just like any other disclaimer. This is how you do it, but don't do try this at home seek professional help. If they don't do it they could be sued.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Writer's Block]

Yeah, they have to put in the "seek professional attention" as a prevention against being sued.

 

[TMcArthur]

Not all SHTF situations are total SHTF. Anything short of nuclear war and there will be somewhere assistance to be found. Even if that assistance is nothing more than a doctor treating people in his living room in exchange for carrots.

Besides there are many situations where "do this then do that, then go get help, or seek medical attention at some medical facility" is the only option. The alternative is "do this, then do that, then pray".

For example snakebite. You are bitten by a rattlsnake. Once you've done this and that, unless you happen to be expert medical help with lots of expensive drugs and gear on hand, there is nothing more to be done besides ride out the storm. There is no "natural" cure for snakebite other than your bodies own mechanisms.

You get shot. BAU first aid for a deep penetrating wound is undertaken. Control bleeding, cover the wound to keep stuff out of it. Make victim comfortable, watch for signs of shock. Maybe some prophylactic antibiotics. That's the end of the line. Unless you are a trained surgeon with a bag of surgical tools and drugs, the next step is get the patient to medical facility ASAP or just ride out the storm.

There is no such thing as good suggestions for "DIY medical". Doesn't exist. You won't learn how (and when and if) to administer IVs here, let alone anything really complex. Nothing that could ever be posted here will tell you how (and when and if) to remove a lodged bullet or perform a fasciotomy on a snakebite victim. Or trephination for a subdural hematoma. Or any of a host of other injuries and diseases. People train for decades to learn these skills; don't even think about getting instructions here.

 

[Bazooka Joe]

You might want to take a look at The Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook. (link) It recognizes that there may not be a doctor or medical facility to go to. As a bonus, I believe the authors are members of this site.

 

[TMcArthur]

And would Joe Prepper know how and when to use it and what to use it for? If you do, that qualifies you as the expert medical care we should all be taking our injured to.

 

[Rosesandtea]

You might want to take a look at The Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook. (link) It recognizes that there may not be a doctor or medical facility to go to. As a bonus, I believe the authors are members of this site.

Yes, they are members here. They wrote the book for people who understand that though they will not be able to do it all, they will be the best hope that their family or group has.

There is also a medical social group here, for those interested.

 

[7.62]

If you are sitting there gut shot with a .308 post SHTF all you can do is hope for a quick death.

 

[Jedi Medic]

start with basic first aid. take a wilderness first aid or wilderness FR or wemt class. the "wilderness" classes stress longer term care and improvisation.

without 911 and a well stocked hospital many more people will die from previously preventable means. it's that simple.

get educated. buy books (amazon or fee DL's), take classes (CERT, red cross, local JuCo). stock up on wound dressing stuff, sick room supplies, etc (walmart, ebay). one bad wound will require many dressing changes. a first aid kit wont cut it.

as with war, most SHTF deaths will be from disease, lack of hygiene, infection. much more so than trauma. Most people on here only worry about trauma.

"doom and bloom" is the latest and best.

"where there is no doctor" and "where there is no dentist" and a few other great books are available as free pdf downloads from hesperian.org.

also get "Merck family medical manual"

stock up on OTCs like tylenol, aspirin, etc. there is nothing that wont be valuable after SHTF.

as for a vial of lidocaine ? hold off on the advanced specialty stuff until you've got a handle on the basics. there is no one-shot, magic-bullet item that will help you.

knowledge

skill

preparation.

 

[Doc_Shane]

Well, i finally scored my most wanted prep ever. It took three years to get. It is a true SHTF prep that no prepper should ever go without.

What is it?

This is a must have for any real medical kit. Now, you go and see how hard it is to get some. I had a doctor friend in the ER give me a bottle for my kit. This is really hard to get.

For honest people anyway.

I suture without it unless it is major work, but for a few stitches it's faster to just do it and get it over with.

Also skin stapler, steri strips, etc are preferable to suturing in the field anyways.

 

[storii]

Skin staplers are definitely easier than sutures and while both are part if my first aid kit, I'd probably use staples for any external needs, saving the sutures for internal work... (mainly inside the mouth, other innards I would have no clue how to sew up)

But I write this post mainly to say that I somewhat disagree with the OP. Doctors and nurses, post-SHTF, will still be around. They can prep less than most and still flourish, as people will always need them and they can barter their services the way they have for thousands of years.

Stores will be set up, as will bartering posts, as nearly no one will have everything they need and people will need to trade to survive.

Unless there is no one around for 100s of miles, after the initial panic subides there will always be someone/somewhere to go for help. So long as you have something to trade or a useful skill to barter.