Emergency Medical Survival Kit - What You Must Have to Protect Yourself and Your Family

Global economic collapse that could leave billions of people without access to adequate medical care for a year or longer is a terrifying specter on the horizon, say experts, but you can protect yourself from a health disaster with an inexpensive medical survival kit that includes the items we recommend below:

1. Five or more gallons of fresh distilled water, bottled, for flushing wounds and other sterile purposes in emergencies.

Una de Gato (cats claw): jungle herb for 100 or more health challenges will come in handy after economic and social collapse.

2. Bandages, gauze, sharp scissors, tweezers, throw-away scalpels, disposable gloves, adhesive bandages, needle and sterile thread and other rudimentary medical and surgical tools.

3. Several bottles of rubbing alcohol.

4. A years supply of aspirin or any other pain reliever of your choosing, prescription if you can get it, over-the-counter if you cant. Herbal stress relievers such as Rescue Remedy and no-stress capsules can help with anxiety generally, as related to the economic crash, and specifically as related to trauma or injury.

5. Several 8-oz. bottles of colloidal silver liquids (in dark color glass bottles) that can be used in lieu of or in addition to prescription antibiotics for dental and systemic infections. Potent trace-mineral wound sprays derived from purified sea salts have a long shelf-life and will come in handy for direct application as needed.

6. A supply of anti-bacterial, immune-supporting herbs to defend against bacterial outbreaks and epidemics or, if it should happen, a terror attack against the U.S. For sheer affordability, as we gave judged in ou rlong experience with herbals, Venus Flytrap Extracts and Cat's Claw products are excellent choices.

7. A supply of any good anti-viral formulation that contains licorice root, goldenseal root extract, and St. Johns wort extract for additional support against viral outbreaks.

Many people already have these herbs on their medicine shelf already. Survivalists, for example, almost certainly have them stashed away, as do herbalists and people who prefer natural medications over synthetic pharmaceuticals.

8. Toilet paper - and lots of it. Not necessarily a medical need, but important for people who are used to it. Considered a joke by some, survivalists have long made it clear that TP, like ammunition for guns, will become extraordinarily valuable during an economic meltdown.

The Department of Homeland Security and other authorities include the items below for the most comprehensive possible kit to meet any emergency:

Dressings ( sterile , applied directly to wound ):

Pads

Sterile eye pads

Sterile gauze pads

Sterile non-adherent pads

Burn dressing (sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel)

Bandages:

Gauze roller bandages - absorbent, breathable, and often elastic

Elastic bandages - used for sprains, and pressure bandages

Adhesive, elastic roller bandages - very effective pressure bandages or durable, waterproof bandaging

Triangular bandages - used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses

Adhesive bandages (band-aids, sticking plasters )

Straight adhesive bandages

Moleskin for blister treatment

Butterfly (knuckle) bandages and wound closure strips

Instruments:

Adhesive tape , hypoallergenic

Trauma shears , for cutting clothing and general use

Tweezers

Lighter , for sterilizing tweezers or pliers etc

20-cc syringe with catheter tip for wound irrigation with sterile saline solution

Rubber suction bulb, for clearing the airway of an unconscious patient

Equipment:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gloves , disposable non- latex

CPR mask or other breathing barrier such as a face shield

Scissors

Eye cup or small plastic cup

Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulbs)

Instant-acting chemical cold packs

Sterile eye wash (commonly saline)

Sterile saline (used for cleaning wounds where clean tap water is not available, but note that even clean tap water should be converted to normal saline by adding salt)

Swabs, sterile non-woven

Space blanket (lightweight plastic foil blanket, also known as emergency blanket)
Alcohol rub (hand sanitizer) or antiseptic hand wipes

Thermometer

Penlight (with extra batteries)

Medication:

Antiseptics / antimicrobial

Povidone iodine wipes (use for first-aid disputed)

Benzalkonium Chloride (use for first-aid disputed)

Alcohol pads - used to prep unbroken skin for injections etc. or to disinfect equipment such as thermometers.

Antibiotic pills (use for first-aid disputed)

Antibiotic ointment - single, double, or triple antibiotic ointment in petroleum jelly base

Antiseptic/anesthetic ointment, fluid or spray, for example Lidocaine

Anti-fungal cream

Anti-itch ointment

Hydrocortisone cream

Calamine lotion

Painkillers / fever reducers:

Acetaminophen

Ibuprofen - anti-inflammatory, often more effective than acetaminophen.

Aspirin

Anti diarrhea medication such as Loperamide Immodium

Oral rehydration salt

Antihistamine

diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl)

Aloe vera gel - used for a wide variety of skin problems, including burns, sunburns, itching, and dry skin; used as a substitute for triple-antibiotic gel to keep a wound moist and prevent bandages from sticking

Burn gel - a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anesthetic such as lidocaine and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as tea tree oil

Epinephrine auto-injector (brand name Epipen) - often included in kits for wilderness use and in places such as summer camps, to treat anaphylactic shock.

Poison treatments:

Activated charcoal

Syrup of ipecac

QuikClot is a hemostatic agent sometimes included in first aid kits, especially military kits, to control severe bleeding.

Tincture of benzoin improves tape adhesion to skin, toughens cracked skin.

Advanced first aid manual

Strong backpack to hold all the supplies.

There are many different ways to compile an emergency medical kit. By doing a little studing and research, you may find several other alternatives or extra additions that can be added to this kit.

The most important point here is the need to have an emergency medical kit, one which is portable, in case you need to bug out (leave home).

For excellent information on bugout bags and kit information can be found at
www.urbansurvivalskills.com. The webmaster is a retired special forces soldier and an expert on survival topics.


Charles

Appetite Suppressants and Your Health

It is so easy, when you wish to lose a couple of unwanted pounds to simply pop an appetite suppressant. These weight-loss supplements can normally be bought over the counter without a prescription, or those which are only obtainable with a prescription.

General information on appetite suppressants

Although appetite suppressants may help you lose weight by suppressing your normal desire to eat, they carry a certain amount of health risks. It is strange that people will look at the side effects of prescription drugs when scripted for illness or disease, but will merrily disregard the fine print on the packing slips of the suppressants.

The reason for this rationale might be the fact that some people still think that appetite suppressant pills are not detrimental to your health. The unfortunately truth is that countless people have found out the truth behind this easy way of weight loss.

Some side effects of appetite suppressants

Dry mouth, addiction, euphoria, psychotic reactions, hyper excitability, agitation, fatigue, sleep disturbances, insomnia, anorexia, altered metabolism, hyper salivation, organ disorders, diarrhea, hair loss, depression, nightmares, cardio arrhythmia, shivers, anemia, fluid retention, impotency, dizziness, frequent urination, conjunctivitis, stomach pain, itchiness, pulmonary hypertension, headache, sweats, thirst, muscle weakness, tremors, anxiety, restlessness, heart palpitations, angina, skin rash, blurred vision.

It is very clear that anyone taking appetite suppressants, other than healthy herbal remedies, should think twice.

Losing weight

Although it may take more time to lose weight naturally, your health will not be compromised and you will not be affected by the constant yo-yo effect of losing and gaining weight. When losing weight at a constant and lesser rate, the body has more time to adjust to the lighter you, and you will look less haggard than those that went on weight loss sprees and losing too much weight too fast.

It may sound great to lose ten or more pounds a week, but this is far too much unless you are severely overweight. Crash diets can remove the bulk of excess weight, yet very seldom will they help you lose the last couple of unwanted pounds, as the body will fight this unnatural rate of losing body mass.

With this, the last couple of excess pounds, a more moderate weight loss is called for, which unfortunately will call for some sacrifice and work.

We unfortunately live in a society where people do not want to take responsibility for their own actions, where other people and companies are sued for the fact that they cannot control their own obese eating habits.

But in real life the truth still remains that you will not have a perfect body unless you are prepared to put work into your body and to watch your diet.

Natural appetite suppressant

Some herbs can help to curb your appetite, and will do so with fewer side effects and in a far more natural way. A natural folk remedy to lose weight is apple cider vinegar. One teaspoon is taken in half a glass of water 30 minutes before meals and is followed by another half a glass of clear water to rinse the vinegar from your teeth, as the vinegar could affect your teeth.

If you are suffering from a stomach ulcer you will not be able to take the apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach, and will then have to take it after eating.

To lose weight you will need to curb your food intake and start a healthy exercise program.

Good Luck!

Charles

Homocysteine Levels

What are Normal Homocysteine Levels?
by: Dr. Ray Strand

The medical literature has shown us that a homocysteine level below 6.5 micromols/L is a safe level. As the homocysteine level rises above this level the risk of cardiovascular disease will increase.

The higher these levels the greater your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Most labs report a normal homocysteine should be in the range of 5 to 12 or even 15 micromols/L. If your homocysteine level is above 12 micromols/L, you are in serious trouble.

There are now even studies that show that individuals with elevated homocysteine levels are also at greater risk of developing several different kinds of cancers and even Alzheimer’s dementia.

The main point you must remember that the lower your homocysteine level the better. You certainly would want to see your homocysteine level below 6.5. The lower the better is the key when it comes to homocysteine levels.


Treating Elevated Homocysteine Levels

When I encounter patients with elevated homocysteine levels above 10 or 12 micromols/L, I encourage them to start high quality, complete and balanced nutritional supplements that contain at least 1,000 mcg of folic acid, 100-200 mcg of vitamin B12, and at least 50 mg of vitamin B6.

If my patients are already taking this level of these B vitamins and their homocysteine levels are still elevated, I will add Betaine or Trimethylglycine (TMG). I will gradually increase the dose from 1 gram to even 6 grams in order to get their homocysteine levels at least below 8 micromols/L and hopefully below 6.5 micromols/L.

Some physicians who understand the seriousness of elevated homocysteine levels will sometimes prescribe very high doses of B vitamins. I have not had that much success with this approach. However, I don’t mind increasing the B vitamins as long as they also are adding significant levels of Betaine (TMG).

You should have your mocysteine rechecked after 2 to 3 months on either B vitamins or Betaine to be sure your homocysteine level has come down into that safe range. If not, you need to add more Betaine (TMG) up to 6 grams daily in order to reach that goal.

(Source: Dr. Ray Strand, expert on Nutritional Medicine.)

Charles