Survival Medical Supplies you will need

Survival Medical Supplies you will need

Below is a very ambitious list of things you should consider:

• Oral antibiotics-(or if emergency, fish meds) may also include garlic oil, honey,cayenne,thyme oil,peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil as herbal alternatives or fresh garlic or ginger. If you can’t acquire prescription antibiotics.

• Antibiotic ointment and/or antibacterial herbal salves ( with calendula/tea tree oil/lavender oils)

• Multiple sizes of adhesive bandages- (spot, knuckle, size 1×3  or 2 x 4 is great to cover most lacerations
• Ace bandages- multiple sizes
• Self adhering “Coban” wraps
• Kerlix or rolled gauze
• Steri strips and butterfly bandages to close minor lacerations
• TONS of gauze/dressings (BOTH: sterile and non-sterile 4x4s. Include lots of non-adherent “telfa” pads so healing wounds won’t stick to the dressing)
• Xeroform petrolatum dressings (non stick)
• ABD pads (usually 5×9), also called combine dressings
• 12×30 trauma dressings
• Maxi Pads and tampons- multi use materials
• Tapes- include DUCT, adhesive and paper ( for adhesive tape allergies)
• Quality bandage scissor/trauma shears ( ALL METAL, the plastic handle ones break cutting jean material!)
• Pliable splinting material  (“sam” splints – everything from finger splints to 36 inch rolls that you can cut to size)
• Cast material Kit (comes in fiberglass or Plaster of Paris)
• Moleskin with padding- for blisters
• Scalpels (#10, #11, #15 most popular)
• CPR masks
• Paracord-multiple uses for this

• LOTS of nitrile gloves -hypoallergenic (NEVER touch an open wound with bare hands if you can help it)
• A few pair of sterile size 7 1/2 or 8 gloves (or more!)
• Hand sanitizer/alcohol for cleaning hands and instruments
• Antibacterial soap
• Betadine swabs/wipes- wipes are great to make a betadine solution with water
• 60cc or 100cc syringe- for wound irrigation and cleaning
• Antiseptics- get lots of various solutions, hibiclens is excellent
• Universal Cervical collar
• OPAs (Oral Airways) good for preventing occlusion of an airway due to an allergic reaction and while waiting for the epi pen or benadryl to reduce the swelling
• BZK wipes-to clean hands/wounds – great for cleaning animal bites(may decrease rabies transmission)
• Alcohol pads -to clean instruments/hands
• Sting relief Pads
• Masks- earloop surgical (for sick people)
• N-95s (for healthy people to keep them from getting sick!)
• Dermabond (Rx) or super glue ( may burn the skin)
• Needle holder (if you are learning how to suture)
• Sutures (2-0 nylon- don’t bother with 3-0 or smaller unless working with delicate skin on the face, eyelids, etc. (higher the number=smaller the needle!)
• Skin stapler/remover and 2 adson forceps (if you or someone you know knows how to use properly)
• Curved and straight Kelly clamps ( to remove foreign objects from wounds)
• Tweezers
• Several large safety pins
• Magnifying glass
• Light source -Pen light, head lamp, glow stick, flashlight
• Some type of firestarter- to start fires for boiling water or sterilizing instruments, include a container for boiling water in your supplies!
• Tongue depressor(s)
• Mylar blankets
• Wool Blankets
• Thermometer
• Ammonia inhalants
• Cold and Hot Packs (reusable and instant)
• Cotton Sheets- can be cut into strips for multiple uses, or used to carry patients
• Stretcher- lightweight, portable is best if one is needed
• Cot/examining table- a bed is fine with clean sheets
• Blood pressure cuff/stethescope- a good quality set would be best
• Chux Pads- for use in austere conditions to make a clean surface, also used under a patient to catch fluids, leaking or with incontinence
• Clotting powders/dressings (Quikclot, Celox)- cayenne pepper powder may help minor bleeding- use 35,000 HU as a minimum for bleeding.

** Remember- the more options available, the more likely you will find something that works!

• Styptic pencil- minor bleeding
• Tourniquet- such as CAT , only use in severe bleeding that will not stop with direct pressure or clotting agents
• Pressure dressings – olaes modular bandage or Emergency Israeli bandage
• Blood stopper dressings (dressing with 2 kerlix attached for wrapping)
• Q-tips/cotton squares/cotton balls/cotton rolls
• Cravat-style triangular bandages
• Snake bit kit- must use within seconds of the bite or it is useless
• Rubber bag (hot water bottle)
• Re-useable GEL packs- can be cooled OR heated
• Aquatabs -to help purify water
• Fels naptha soap- to wash off poison Ivy,oak or sumac from skin and clothes (also a great clothes detergent)
• Athlete’s foot powder (lasts longer than creams)
• Monistat cream (or equivalent)- for vaginal yeast infections

Don’t forget that, in long-term survival situations, you will be responsible for dental care as much as medical care:

• Toothpicks,
• Dental mirror,
• Dental extractors/elevator
• Cotton tip applicators / cotton rolls/ cotton pellets
• Tweezers
• Dental filling material ( commercial or mix zinc oxide powder and 2 drops clove oil),
• Pill cups for mixing the dental filling
• Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and 2 drops of peppermint oil make a great gum treatment and toothpaste
• Hydrogen peroxide- makes a great oral mouthwash/gargle for gum swelling and irritations. Do not use on open skin wounds after the initial wound cleaning! HP may damage healing cells inside an open skin wound.
• Extra essential clove bud oil (numbs dental pain when applied directly
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Dental Floss

Just when you think you’re done:

• Eye cup
• Eye wash- weak Chamomile tea (1 tea bag for 2 cups water) makes a great eye wash also, may add 1/2 teaspoon raw honey to the tea for pink eye treatments
• Eye pads/eye patch
• An ear oil natural remedy ( usually has garlic oil and mullein oil)- use 2 warmed drops in the affected ear and place a cotton ball over the ear canal secured with paper tape, repeat 3 times daily.
• Claritin (non-drowsy antihistamine)- hay fever/allergies
• Benadryl ( drowsy antihistamine)-allergic reactions to stings/medication/food/contact with irritants/this is the other ingredient in tylenol PM! It really puts you to sleep at 50mg dose, but this is a better dose for serious allergic reactions!
• Epi-pen (Rx), if needed for anaphylactic reactions
• Sudafed- decongestant,
• Eucalyptus essential oil- also a decongestant and good for coughs ( direct or steam inhalation/ a good insect repellent
• pain relievers/analgesics-
• Aspirin (not for children)
• Tylenol
• Ibuprofen
• Witch Hazel- good for bug bites/stings and as an antiseptic for wounds. The main ingredient for treating hemorrhoids (with hydrocortisone cream).
• Arnica essential oil/salve (great mixed with St.John’s Wort)- also an analgesic used externally in very dilute amounts (6-12 drops per ounce of carrier oil)Great for bruises, joint and muscle pain, fracture pain, use ONLY on intact skin.
• Other Analgesic Essential Oils -Consider 1 or 2 of these – lavender,chamomile,rosemary,eucalyptus, marjoram
• Gas X and Beano -to treat gas
• Imodium-for diarrhea
• hydrocortisone cream- anti-inflammatory, good for rashes
• Gold Bond powder -for chafing, foot issues
• Sunblock
• Lip balm-I love carmex brand
• Vaseline/Petroleum jelly- a million uses! Great to make non-stick dressings.
• A&D ointment-great for rashes
• Bag Balm-also great for rashes
• Aloe vera- for burns
• zinc oxide cream-useful for rashes and as a sunscreen
• zinc oxide powder medical grade- to mix with Clove bud essential oil, and make a temporary dental filling
• *RAW honey-externally for serious burns and wound treatment OR internally mix with garlic oil or fresh minced garlic for an antibiotic effect or sore throat remedy
• Vinegar (apple cider)- a hundred uses like baking soda and raw honey!!
• Tea tree essential oil-antiseptic/anti-fungal/insect bite tx/burn tx
• Lavender essential oil-analgesic/antiseptic/calming effect for insomnia,stress/skin care-rashes and cuts
• Peppermint essential oil-respiratory and nasal congestion/Headache tx 1 drop to temples or inhale vapors/also good for digestive disorders/achy joints and muscle tx/ use 2 drops on toothbrush with baking soda as a “toothpaste”
• Geranium essential oil- decreases bleeding when applied to wound/lowers blood sugar/burn tx /antibacterial
• Thieves blend essential oil- A mix of clove,lemon,cinnamon,eucalyptus and rosemary oils- Antibiotic/antiseptic/and a host of other actions.
• Helichrysum essential oil- anti-inflammatory and, additionally, an analgesic
• Garlic- fresh crushed if you can find it is awesome mixed with raw honey for a cold/flu/cough tx.
• Chamomile tea bags- internally relaxing,headache tx and digestive problems/ external compress for burns,bee stings
• Ginger tea bags- internally good for nausea, stomach aches, digestive problems like gas and bloating, also good for motion sickness (crystallized ginger is an alternative, but weighs more)
• Echinacea/elderberry tea bags- supports immune system, decreases flu and cold duration
• Laxative tea bags/(or OTC laxative)- usually contains senna mixed with other herbs for a better flavor powdered
• Gatorade or rehydration tablets/powders- for rehydration drinks ( to tx dehydration)
• Multi-vitamins, extra vitamin C (tablets and powder), zinc, and other supplements to strengthen the immune system
• Herbal Tinctures for Sleep and Pain treatment. Headache, PMS, Joint Pain and Menopausal Tinctures may be helpful, depending on your medical issues.

I know this is a lot to stockpile, but you will be well-equipped to deal with multiple issues. With the above list you can handle:

• colds/flu/cough/sore throat/lung congestion aches and pains
• allergies/allergic reactions
• skin irritations and conditions
• sprains/strains/fractures
• achy joints/muscles
• digestive upsets and nausea constipation/diarrhea
• dehydration
• bug bites/ bee stings/
• contact dermatitis( poison ivy/oak/sumac)
• burns/sunburn minor cuts.
• bleeding, scrapes and lacerations-including wound cleaning, and closure materials such as: suturing or stapling
• headaches,
• sinus congestion
• ear/eye/dental issues
• fungal infections
• stress and anxiety
• oral hygiene and
• basic dental tx (treatment)with extraction/ dental fillers
• surface disinfectant
• insect repellent
• wash clothes!

Some items that are missing from this list are commonly part of some medical ktis.  Unfortunately, chest decompression kits and ambu-bags are of limited help without a hospital to transfer the patient to. I would concentrate on the supplies you will need most and will likely be able use without too much training. You will still have the ability to deal with 90% of the medical emergencies you will encounter in times of trouble.