If you've got your supplies and gear ready, you just need to take care of your medical supply stockpile. Even if SHTF, with a well-prepared first aid kit you can address most medical concerns. (h/t to SurvivalBlog.com)
During a survival situation, it's usually every man for himself. Don't expect medical experts to stockpile supplies for you because they might be too busy doing the same thing for their loved ones. Or worse, they might not recognize the need to prepare for these emergencies before they actually happen.
When disaster strikes, it's better to have too many bandages and other medical supplies instead of immediately running out of them after about a week or so. It's relatively easy to set aside some bandages in your stockpile, but you may need to be creative when it comes to other supplies. (Related: Does your bugout bag contain a medical kit?)
When SHTF, you need to be prepared, both mentally and physically, to deal with deaths in your survival group. Get everyone in your family on the same page so they know how to handle the stress associated with these inevitable deaths, especially if you or someone in your group relies on life-saving medications for various conditions like congestive heart failure or organ transplants.
Deaths can also occur if someone suffers from injuries that require treatment from a fully equipped hospital, like internal bleeding in the pelvic area or severe burns all over their body.
You may also need to know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is often used to help patients who are having a heart attack. But keep in mind that they may be suffering from other underlying conditions that can only be treated using advanced technology and drugs at a hospital.
CPR alone won't save them, with three exceptions: People whose hearts have stopped after drowning, choking, or, getting hit by lightning, but only if the patient was a healthy individual before the event.
Make the necessary preparations so your family will have access to potable water and water for washing and other tasks. Teach everyone how to treat water properly and how to handle waste to avoid the spread of disease in your home or shelter.
Medical supplies for survival scenarios
Aside from the unavoidable scenarios listed above, preparing the supplies below can help keep your family safe even during a disaster:
- Bandages – Adhesive bandages, like Band-Aid, will be scarce after SHTF so stock up on these handy supplies today. You'll need them to treat various cuts and scrapes.
- Garbage bags – Use garbage bags to segregate human waste and trash that you produce when bugging in or out.
- Gauze pads – Gauze pads can help prevent wounds from getting infected. Stock up on gauze pads of various sizes (e.g., 4x4 and 2x2).
- Hydrogen peroxide – Aside from its first aid applications, you can also use hydrogen peroxide for water purification and cleaning kitchen tools.
- Lip balms and petroleum jelly – You can keep your lips moisturized with lip balm. Meanwhile, petroleum jelly is versatile, and you can also use it to stay moisturized. You can even use it as a firestarter.
- Saline solution – Use a saline solution to clean wounds. You don't even need the medicated kind like those used in hospitals. Stock up on bottles of plain water with some salt.
How to stay healthy before SHTF
You can also prevent medical emergencies by following these steps to stay healthy while things are still "normal:"
- Always wash your hands.
- Brush your teeth.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Follow a proper diet.
- Keep an eye on infants and children.
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
- Sleep for at least eight hours every night.
- Stay hydrated.
Start preparing today so you can cross medical supplies off of your list as you're preparing for a survival scenario.
Read more articles about other medical supplies that you might need when SHTF at Preparedness.news.
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