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Survival Medicine 101 Part 1: The first aid kit

By on September 20, 2014


I`m no doctor or anything, but I believe it`s absolutely crucial to know the basics of emergency medicine. One day, your family might depend on your knowledge. And the little you know about it may just save your kids` life.

Unfortunately, most Americans leave this subject to doctors and survival experts, assuming it`s just as difficult as going to med school or something. But here`s the thing: difficult or not, when your loved ones are in danger, you`d better know a thing or two about emergency medicine or you`ll just have to watch them suffer, helplessly.

So here`s what Im going to do for you: every week, I`ll write about the easiest life-savings techniques that you should know in case of a disaster or crisis. Today, we`re going to start with the first aid kit.

Most survival websites, such as www.survival-gear.com recommend getting three different types of kits:

#1: The basic first aid kit

According to www.isu.edu.com , it should contain:

Moleskin
Sterile pads (different sizes)
Sterile Gauze
Neosporin
Bandaids
Aspirin
First Aid Tape

You can put it in your car and/or in your bug-out bag. Make sure you have enough items for your whole family. If you have little children, put some sterile pads and band-aids in their packs, too, and teach them how to use them. However, don`t give them any pills or items that could hurt them (like scissors or first aid tape, which they can suffocate on).

#2: An intermediate kit

This one is for your home or for traveling and should contain:

Bandages
Antibiotic ointment
Gauze pads
Iodine or similar prep pads
Alcohol prep pads
Butterfly bandages
Antibiotic ointment
Medical adhesive tape
Aspirin and/or non-aspirin pain relievers

We suggest you should also include the following:

Larger adhesive bandages (for larger wounds)
Smelling salts or ammonia inhalants (in case someone faints)
Ace-type bandages (for strains and sprains)
Rolls of gauze (in case you need to change bandages)
Antiseptic towelettes (to keep the wound clean)
Snake bite poison extractor (this one`s optional, but who knows when you might need it)
Thermometer
Tweezers
Safety pins
Moleskin
Rubber (latex) gloves
Burn medication
Anti-itch treatment
Sun screen
Diarrhea medication
Eye drops
Basic first aid instructions (this one is definitely a MUST)

Some of the above are optional. You may not find them crucial or they may be hard to find/expensive. You choose what your family needs the most and make your own customized kit. The more you include, the more worst case scenarios you cover.

#3: The advanced emergency kit

This one is crucial when someone is severely injured or ill, but you’ve got no access to a hospital.

The advanced emergency kit should include the intermediate kit PLUS:

Special bandages, such as conforming, trauma, and field dressings
Rubbing alcohol for sterilization
Hydrogen peroxide
Betadine
Scissors
Forceps
Scalpels
Hemostats
Sterile sutures, in several sizes
Wound probe
Mouth-to-mouth shield
Instant hot pack
Instant cold pack
Prep pads
Eye pads
Sponges
Cotton balls
Burn treatments
Dental tools
Splint materials
In-depth first aid/surgical guide
Cold medication
Decongestant
Antihistamine
Colloidal silver
Broad spectrum antibiotic
Antibiotics for sinus infections, strep throat and other common “winter” ailments
Painkillers

Now, you may wonder what you`ll do with a forceps or a scalpel, but there two possible options:

1. You find a doctor who needs these instruments to do his job.

2. You have to BE an improvised doctor until you can find a hospital. In some cases, a superficial, amateur job can save a life.

One more thing about the advanced emergency kit: make a list with all the chronic illnesses you and your family members suffer from. Then add at least a 3-day supply of meds for each one of them.

That`s it for today. I`ll be back with more life-saving info next week. Until then, stay safe!

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