Medical Kits

The purpose of this post is to initiate a dialogue about medical kits. I am researching what I should include in such a kit. Based on the research I have done, here’s a list of essential items along with a brief description of their purpose.
Our lives may depend on how thoughtfully we stock our medical kits. Please read through the list I’ve made and help me brainstorm for a more complete list.
The basic approach I’ve taken heeds Patriot Nurse’s statement that the three primary causes of preventable death in a SHTF scenario will be improper would care, upper respiratory infection and diarrhea. Note that in a SHFT scenario we may not have access to running water. It is clear that the hygienic conditions of our ordinary, everyday lies will degrade quickly. In this environment, diseases such as Chorea will be problematic.
The following list assumes you have already stocked basic hygiene items such as soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, etc. When personalizing a list for you and your family, add necessary prescription medications.

Urban Survival!

 
No mater how much I bitch and moan, some of you just don’t listen, letting my advice go in one ear out the other. I tell you to get out of the major population areas, but you refuse, thinking you will pack up your bug out bag and head for the hills moments before the first flames light the night and the mushroom cloud hovers overhead.     
Even if you are fortunate enough to have a retreat out in the country getting to your safe haven maybe impossible during upheaval. Roads blocked by wrecked and fuelless vehicles will stop most bugouters in their tracks. Maybe you were born lucky and can make it out safely before the balloon bursts, then what?     
People in rural areas, will start shooting if threatened by mobs of refugees fleeing the city. Don’t expect to be welcomed with arms outstretched. Most country folks don’t trust outsiders; you will likely be greeted with a load of buckshot and not the cup of fresh coffee and meaningful conversation you hoped for.     
After the cities are in ruins, criminal gangs will start to migrate to the country where they will continue their business of stealing and terrorizing in more fruitful territory. If you can stay hidden and survive the first weeks after a collapse you may at some point have the entire city pretty much to yourself. If you can’t or won’t get out NOW at least start making plans to survive where you are.

The Best Survival Tool is Knowledge

Preparedness has been debated and will be debated until the end of time is truly upon us. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how to prepare. Preparedness can be broken down into physical preparedness and mental preparedness. How to physically prepare to survive is discussed in-depth by many and is a subject of great debate. However, mental preparedness is not nearly as popular as it tends to be more difficult.

Preparing Children for a Crisis

As many of us are working on our bug out location, stocking food and water, which we all know takes both time and money. You might be working on living off the grid, solar, wind and water which again is time-consuming and costly, securing guns in case martial law goes into effect, and it seems the list of things grow each time you think about what you will need. In our home, the food and water storage is the work of both of us, the off grid falls on my husband as well as working on securing our safety with guns, gas and wood. My job is securing the future of our grandchildren.

So much has been posted on the above, but I have not read much on the children who will be impacted the most in the worst case scenario. Our grandchildren range from the ages of entering the world in October 2012 to eleven and it is very important to me that life keeps some normalcy for them in changing times. Since nobody knows how long life will be effective, preparing for them is my top priority.
Preparing both our local bug out location and our second, where we will end up and hopefully live out the major portion of our time, takes planning. As some of our grandchildren are not of the age to walk far (a consideration that truly needs to be addressed by all) if the need arises, and ground needs to be covered to reach your location, have you considered how to move them if needed. A bike with a cart in tow is one option if you have the means to get them or build them.

Keep Yourself Healthy

The most valuable, priceless thing that a lot of preparers might over look is health. Without it, even the most highly skilled survivalist will falter. Most preparers will have enough food, water, and defenses to get them trough a disaster, but during a crisis, your health is most important. Disease will be widespread and doctors will be scarce.

Making Insect Repellent

Protection from insects can be extremely difficult, especially in hot weather. A lot of people are allergic to mosquitoes. Mosquito’s bites will often make a sore; this is more often true for children. Mosquitoes can also carry diseases like West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, Dengue Fever, Malaria and Yellow Fever.  Besides it is just not fun to be out with insects, if you don’t have the proper protection. Even if you are not going to be in the heat with insects, you should stay equipped with an insect repellent so you are prepared when you run into these irritating creatures.

     There are many formulas a person can use when making an insect repellent. Creating an insect relent entails diluting different essential oil that insects find unpleasant or which confuses them. Essential oils don’t mix with water, so they will need to be mixed with other oils or an alcohol that is safe for your skin. Essential oils are potent and could cause skin irritation or another reaction, so don’t use too much. If you are pregnant or nursing you should not apply any type of insect repellent, until you have gotten a doctors approval. 

"72-Hour Kit"

Throughout many types of disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc, individuals are frequently ordered to evacuate their residence quickly. They may have to live in an emergency shelter site, such as a public school. If you are a person that this may ever happen to, you may only have a short time to grab some of your belongings and go. And of course you would not have time to pick and chose the articles in which you would want or need to bring with you. So you should seriously consider, list the items that you find important in any emergency circumstances, and prepare a “72-hour Kit” for each family member that will include items specific to each persons needs. Put the kit in a place that is easily accessible.

A “72-hour Kit” is intended to include things that a person need in a time of a disaster, to survive for a three day period. It is most likely that a disaster will last longer that three days, but three days is about how long it will take for help to arrive. Each family member should have a “72-hour Kit” tailored to his or her own needs.

How to make Laundry Detergent

     Have you ever thought to yourself that buying laundry detergent is getting too expensive? Or are you an Eco- friendly person that always is always trying to find a new way to help the environment. Well then I advice you to make your own laundry detergent. It is a very simple process and you only need a few basic ingredients.  Not only is making your own detergent Eco-friendly it is cost efficient. 

How to Make a Water Filtration System

     There is no reason why someone needs to live with unclean water, despite where the water comes from. (i.e.: public water system, well water, lake, pond, etc.) There are many places where you can buy a water filtration system at many different prices. But the major reason why someone should consider building there own instead of purchasing it, is a persons individual budget. If you are preparing for the dollar collapse now and purchasing the things you need, a water filter might be one of the things you will want to put on your list. And if you are one of the people who live from paycheck to paycheck and can’t afford to purchase one, then building your own is the best and most likely the only option you will have when there is no clean water available.