Rational Preparedness 4 09/26 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio

Rational Preparedness 4 09/26 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio
  (click above to listen to archived program Episode #4))

 Tonights show was a continuation of a discussion of the assemblage of a Basic Emergency Medical Kit for the home.  Part One.
We discussed the following:
Basic Supplies:   Wound
Sterile 4×4 gauze, one large package for each family member
Sterile 2×2 gauze, one package for each family member   (Can be used as eye pads too)
Clean 4×4 gauze, one package for each family member
Clean 2×2 gauze, one package for each family member.
A triangular bandage for each family member. (or make this yourself by ironing and cutting muslin and packaging in small freezer bags. These are not generally sterile)
Large safety pins also
Roller gauze. (6-8 in a variety of sizes to secure dressings)
Some chemical ice packs
A variety of band-aid styled dressings, I prefer the cloth variety, but this is a personal decision.

                                                            insulin keep cool kit

 and
Butterfly bandages  (and look into getting some steri-strips online also)
Elastic bandages (both small and large)
Spray bottle of normal saline  (marketed as nasal saline) as gentle eye rinse.
(Sam's Club sells a package of two quite cheaply.  Make one nasal use, and another eye use only.)
Three types of wound tape, paper, micropore, plaster (for multiple uses)   (Get microfoam tape also if you
can find it.)
Sterile cotton swabs (about 200)
Several packages of a variety of protective medical masks.  (Amazon has them on sale for 50 for $1.99)
(Sterile gauze should be placed in contact with a wound whereas the clean can be used as padding over it.  Remember that although this may sound like a lot of gauze, that one serious wound will consume your supplies within just a few days. You also don't want to have to head to an emergency room during a serious emergency simply because you don't have something like adequate gauze !)
Neosporin cream, several tubes
Hydrogen peroxide 2 bottles (to start)   Keep in cool dry place away from excessive light.
Isopropyl alcohol 2 bottles     (flammable)
Povidone iodine in bottles, 2 bottles   (Also known as Betadine. Generic is just fine)
Diphendydramine (Benadryl or generic) topical liquid for insect bites etc.
Apinol   www.apinol.com      Excellent pine oil based antiseptic for topical cuts, scrapes, etc.
needle nosed or fine splinter forceps (tweezers)
Hemostat     (stainless steel please)
Dollar store reading glasses as magnifiers if you’re over 40, to use while removing splinters
Glass thermometer in protective casing, both rectal and oral varieties
Paramedic shears or blunt scissors. (picture above)
Vinyl medical gloves (1-2 boxes)  I skip Latex entirely due to allergies to latex in so many patients and staff
Plain, inexpensive and deodorant free sanitary napkins. (Multiple uses, padding in splints etc.)
Wire splint
Rubber tourniquet     (last two items available from www.first-aid-product.com)

General Meds
For each item I mention here, you should have a source of this med for each family member.  What I mean by this is that if you have infants and children, then you must stock Tylenol (acetaminophen) for EACH AGE GROUP. Drops for infants, chewables for children, and tablets for adults.  The one exception is aspirin, which should not be given to children below 18 without a physician’s order, because in the presence of a viral syndrome, it is implicated in causing Reye’s Syndrome.
Acetaminophen  (tylenol)
Aspirin         Not for use in children without MD order due to Reyes Syndrome potential
Imodium AD
Pepto Bismol     Also a salicylate. Do not give to children without your pediatricians ok. Ask in advance of emergencies at your next visit.
Diphendydramine (Benadryl)
Iosat for all family members   (www.nukepills.com   ) Complete info on site
Omeprazole (decreases stomach acid in periods of stress. Mostly for adults)
Claritin dissolving tabs  (Loratadine)  allergies
Ibuprofen (Advil etc.)  Not for those with bleeding disorders, kidney or liver issues-- use
liquid in children in accordance with pediatrician’s directions.
  Ipecac bottle  (to induce vomiting following certain poisonings)
Always keep 30 days worth of prescription meds you use on an ongoing basis, in your home.  Look into 90 day prescriptions if possible with your insurance.

REHYDRATION
I have mentioned stocking gatorade for adults and pedialyte for children. Assembling your own rehydration supplies, and gatorade kit will be covered in future.
 Quick Note:  In Canada, Pedialyte brand is readily available.
  In Russia:   Look for Oxfam Rehydration Powders. Ask the pharmacist, and they should have it usually behind the counter.  They have this, or something very similar, all the way from Moscow to Vladivostok, and I know this personally.


Items you should add if you have those with these particular special needs:

Diabetes:
Prescription glucagon injection
Ketodiastix
Insulin syringes and your injectable insulin(s)
Source of sugar or juice to treat hypoglycemia
A spare glucometer with extra battery, strips, lancets and supplies.
Insulin cooling kit, as pictured above  Of course, at the last possible moment, you'd need to add insulin depending upon the emergency.
Insulin pump supplies, and pump batteries and peripherals (if you use a pump)
Allergic Emergencies   (anaphylaxis):
Speak with your physician about the possibility that you or a family member should should carry an epipen.

Asthma:
Prescription inhaler
Nebulizer        (Get an inverter to operate or buy a battery operated model)
Meds (Rx) and normal saline for nebulizer treatments

Ostomy:
Spare supplies of everything you use including hand wipes
and small plastic bags for trash.  Pack these as small as you can in advance.

Children
Dehydration can kill young children in as little as a day.  Although adults can use gatorade or a homemade rehydration solution, ideally need a supply of pedialyte or similar product to avoid dehydration during vomiting or diarrheal illness.  I will discuss formulating an acceptable rehydration solution with supplies at home in an upcoming article.
Nice to have as you build your Kit
Sphygmomanometer  ( Manual Blood Pressure cuff with stethoscope)
Otoscope        (Small plastic for ear exams, inexpensive at Wahlgreens)
Exergen Temporal Thermometer   (Can determine temp without waking child)
Snake bite kit (With extractor….I prefer the Sawyer;s Extractor snake bite kit)
Finger and extremity splints      Keep this simple.
One suggestion is    www.first-aid-product.com

A precipitous delivery pack is also a wonderful thing to have.  It may also be marketed as an emergency childbirth kit.
These are sources:   These range from $8. to $15, although mine was $30.

http://www.midwifesupplies.com/PEA0269.html
                                  ~~~
http://www.medexsupply.com/products/pid-36028/DMIDisposableEmergencyObstetri.htm?zmam=34602484&zmas=1&zmac=2&zmap=BRC-650-4001-000

http://www.e-firstaidsupplies.com/922-05010.html
                                                            _______________________

We also discussed how wise it is to get everyone who is able bodied in your household, CPR certified, and recertified upon expiration.  This should extend also to kids in your home thirteen and older.  Most thirteen year olds can do fabulous CPR !

I will discuss Iosat pills,  dehydration and rehydration solutions in depth at another time.
I will also discuss suturing and indications for suturing next time.
Next week, we are going to complete the discussion of items needed in our emergency home base kit, and discuss why I believe each family should have an AED, and explore sources from which you can get one.

I have some great books on the subject of preparedness I would like to mention, and we will do that next week, if time permits, or if not, the week after.


Take care and stay safe.


This is copywritten material. You may use if you credit this site.  All Rights Reserved.

Creating your own Emergency Medical Kit for Home Base

   There are an abundance of really excellent emergency first aid kits available for sale which range in cost from as little as twenty dollars to two and three thousand dollars for kits which are designed to travel with owners on expeditions. Interestingly, three thousand dollars is without the addition of prescription medications, which would have to be obtained through a physician before such a trip.  I don't agree that most people need to make that type of an expenditure.  There are some choices here. Since your Emergency Medical Kit is remaining at home, it could simply occupy one shelf of a particular closet, or it could have a shelved cupboard or closet all its own.  Some people like to place they Emergency Medical Kit in an orange backpack or similar bag, because they like the idea of mobility within their homes, and mobility of their medical supplies around their property.  Over the years we have done relatively every Emergency Kit configuration and we now do a little of both. I have a small room which houses medical supplies of all kinds, and an orange rolling backpack for nebulizer supplies and respiratory equipment.  Other types of emergency kits are packaged and hang on the walls in that room so that they can be quickly grabbed, or the expiration date can be assessed.  When people buy an expensive and elaborate kit, they are often reluctant to open and explore all of the elements in it, and therefore they have not committed to memory its contents. First select how you will house your Emergency Medical Kit for home base, and then begin to fill it yourself. This way, YOU know what is in your kit, where it is, and you will remember where you obtained the items in it when it's time to refill or replace something. We will begin this next show to discuss all the essential items when starting this endeavor.  Some of the items are listed in the preceding post.

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Thanks for listening to Episode 3 of "Rational Preparedness".  If you missed it or need to listen again, you can click the link above and listen again.  Tonight's episode discussed aspects of "Sheltering in Place", with attention paid to aspects of doing so with children or with elderly or frail adults.  We also had a little time in which to begin to discuss our main Survival First Aid Kit, which is to be used when we remain in our homes during emergencies.

 Some of the products, books, or sponsors I mentioned tonight are as follows:

www.survivalweekly.com     excellent broad site of survival and preparedness materials from a variety of perspectives.


Annandale Fireflies     A source of inexpensive luminescent jewellry suitable for gifts.
  Etsy.com/shop/annandalefireflies


Books I mentioned:

"The Bird Flu...Preparedness Planner"   by Grattan Woodson MD        Pub. Health Communications Inc.
"Making the Best of the Basics...Family Preparedness Handbook:   by James Talmage Stevens,Gold Leaf Press
"Successful Small-Scale Farming...An Organic Approach"  by Karl Schwenke      Pub.  Storey Publishing
                                                              ____________

 Grundig Hand Crank Radio    google this     Can buy for about $35. for home and also "Evacuation Kit"

We began to discuss the elements and essential of a good Basic Survival First Aid Kit designed for sheltering in place. This will be the focus of Episode 4.

Thanks for all the valuable feedback. It's good to know you are all out there listening.

                                                      ___________________

    Home base emergency kit building:
The items I mentioned thus far were:

1. Sterile 4x4 gauze, one large package for each family member.
2. Sterile 2x2 gauze, one large package for each family member.
3. Clean (not necessarily sterile) 4x4 gauze, one large package for each family member.
4. Clean (not necessarily sterile) 2x2 gauze, one large package for each family member.
5. One triangular style bandage for each family member.  (You could buy these of make them yourself using cut muslin fabric that you iron. and then place in small freezer bags to keep clean.)
6. A package of large safety pins.
7. Roller gauze, 6-8 of these, and add more when time and finances permit, of a variety of sizes,
8. Some chemical ice packs.  (To supplement the frozen ice sponges I taught you to make this evening)

   Since the emergency kit is a big effort and has a great deal in it, this is Step One Only.

There are numerous inexpensive suppliers for the above items on the internet.  Amazon is a great place to search for bargains on gauze and roller bandage supplies, both sterile and non-sterile.  These are some other good sources:

http://www.exmed.net/       Express Medical Supplies

http://www.criticaltool.com   Critical Tool

The primary deficiency I see in most home first aid kits is a failure to stock sufficient amounts of gauzes and of peroxide and alcohol solutions.  Keep in mind that during a serious injury, that your entire supply of gauze gathered to initially stock your emergency kit, will be used in just a couple of days.

More on Emergency First Aid Kits for Home, next time, along with the entire comprehensive list.

   

Our Show Now Available on Stitcher and other Venues !

Our show is now on Stitcher!

Listen to us on your iPhone, Android Phone,  BlackBerry and WebOS phones.. 
Stitcher is Smart Radio for Your phone. Find it in your app store or at stitcher.com

Stitcher SmartRadio- The Smarter Way to listen to radio

·     Stitcher is also available in some car dashboard systems (GM & Ford)

 We can also be heard on:

Online Radio Stations

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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theprepperpodcast

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  Virtual Radio

http://www.streamfinder.com

http://www.radiobunch.com  

http://www.radiobunch.com/United-States/Prepper-Podcast-Radio-Network-l7025.html  

Other stations are unconfirmed as yet but we will let you know soon.

Assessing Your Home for Earthquake Readiness

    

  It was my plan to have this blog closely approximate the material on my show "Rational Preparedness".  I had planned to use the blog for information which supplements information given during the program and lists links and books that you might not have been able to catch quite so quickly.
      However, this week with the abundance of aftershocks here in Virginia, and with many earthquakes elsewhere, I feel the need to at least begin to disseminate information on Earthquake Preparedness. It is possible that anywhere in the United States and almost anywhere in the world could experience an earthquake, so even if you believe that you reside in a seismically quiet region, there are some things you should know, and possibly some actions you should take.  Remember that the good people of rural Louisa County, Virginia did not believe that they were in a seismically active area before the 5.8 earthquake which damaged their relatively young brick schools, and a number of their homes which were all built to code. Before the show gets to addressing earthquake preparedness, I would like you to walk around your home and assess a few things. First, assess your stove, bookcases, large mirrors, large framed pictures, and televisions. Are these anchored sufficiently to the wall or to the studs in the wall so that in an earthquake, where you had moderate or even violent shaking, they would fall ?   If not, begin to make a list of things you need to do, and what materials you will need.  I will post some websites on how larger items can be anchored preventing serious injuries of babies, children and even adults.   Securing things takes time, a little money, and it does make cleaning things a little tougher than it might be without the anchoring systems, however I was glad I had done it when nothing large crashed and no one was hurt in my home when we experienced an unexpected and largely unplanned for 5.8 earthquake recently. 


http://www.quakekare.com/emergency-preparedness/earthquake-preparedness-risk-reduction-heavy-furniture.html

This is an excellent website from the government of New Zealand :

http://www.getthru.govt.nz/web/GetThru.nsf/web/BOWN-7GY5TP



http://www.prepareforearthquakes.com/

Secondly, take a look at your glassware and knick-knacks.   Would there easily fall onto wood floors shattering and creating a hazard when your children may not have shoes on, and try to exit your home following an earthquake at night ?   Third, take a good look around your home interior and exterior considering anything which might need to be addressed prior to an earthquake.  Know where your water and gas shutoffs are, and make sure your spouse and teen-aged children know also.
Our show shall be on, once again, at 8 pm Central Standard Time, US.  Talk to you then !

Considering Food Storage at Home

The pictures above were included because they so well illustrate how families in normal homes have found ways to store food. These are not pictures of my own, and we graciously thank the homes who posted them, for showing us how they incorporated food storage into an operational and attractive home.

                                                     Yes, we "can" !


   On this next episode of "Rational Preparedness", we are going to begin talking about "Sheltering in Place", the alternative to Family Evacuation.   Fortunately, gathering supplies to "Shelter In Place" is natural to most of us, especially those of us with children as it probably reminds us of those days when we were compelled to nest.   Readying your home for periods of time in which you must remain there, can be fun and can be a teachable moment for you with children. Make sure that everyone in your family is included and has a role. This way the task moves faster, and your children will know something about "sheltering in place" when an emergency occurs and also in the long term, when it becomes time for them to raise their own families.   One aspect of "sheltering in place" is beginning to collect food, much as a squirrel anticipating winter does. Unlike the squirrel, we have the option of canned foods, dried foods, and a number of products which make the job a lot easier over time. The pictures above are three examples of how canned or  food in jars might be stored. If you can set aside a large area, like the first picture, and have a place to stock canned food you have acquired each week when there is a sale, then certainly do that. It makes gathering easier and something like this is certainly the ideal, especially if you have a large family or have elderly parents or relatives with you.. However, most people don't have that option, at least in the beginning of their families. They may have to resort to something more like the second picture. The set-up second picture would not be ideal in earthquakes for example, but it is better to ensure that you have food placed somewhere in your home, rather than nowhere at all. If earthquakes are a concern, then place only your lighter foods, such as dried noodles etc. on the higher shelves. The second picture certainly does do the job. It is a neat and accessible area in which you can stock food your family would need in an emergency. The third picture is a storage option for those who can their own foods.  Most people should probably keep several different areas in their home for different types of supplies.  I have a friend who stores toilet paper in a special fireproof area of her garage, her normal food in a kitchen pantry, and her emergency long term food in her own master bedroom closet.  This is not ideal, but this will provide them what they need until they can afford to move it all to a basement room where they plan to get metal shelving.  Do not allow the fact that others may have supplies in amounts ahead of you, intimidate you. You are competing with no one.  Compete only with yourself. Just strive to have a bit more put away next week than you do this one.  Then, rotate your stock by using the older items first. It would be best if you do not tell your friends and neighbors about all the supplies you have stocked. In an emergency, you would not want to turn people away, in fact, it could be dangerous.  It would be better to choose to provide something to them, than to have hungry people demanding food from you, that your family needs. Be creative. Even your dollar store has items which can be very useful in long term food storage. We will discuss the gathering of medical supplies at home another time.

"Rational Preparedness" Can be Downloaded on itunes FREE !

Updated link information:

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 News:

You can download episodes of "Rational Preparedness" on itunes free !
On the link below, items 11 and 30 are episodes 2, and 1 of our show
 
http://itunes.apple.com/bg/podcast/prepper-podcast-radio-network/id381742082

You can share these episodes with others, but they are to be used in their entirety.  All Rights Reserved.

While you're there, please take a look at the other available programs on the Prepper Podcast Radio Network.

Rational Preparedness 2 09/12 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio

Rational Preparedness 2 09/12 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio
(Direct Link to "Rational Preparedness" Episode 2)

(Picture: Copyright 2011 Krehbiel Industries)

The second episode of "Rational Preparedness" originally aired on the Prepper Podcast Radio Network on September 12, 2011.  It is a serious discussion of the need of every family, regardless of location and anticipated possibilities, to evacuate quickly in an emergency.  This episode centered on how we plan in advance of an emergency, by gathering an evacuation kit in advance.  Our very basic evacuation kit contains clothing, underwear, socks, and shoes for each family member. It contains summaries of medical records, listings of our physicians and their contact numbers, and a listing of any medications we are taking with the amounts taken and how often. We need to have copies of our immunization records ready for all of our family members.We also must bring copies of important papers, such as birth certificates, banking information, discs with family pictures and photographs of the interior of our homes for insurance purposes. We need insurance information, life insurance data, mortgage paperwork copies, deeds, loan info, etc. We also need to bring a small address book with all of our out of area contacts, and our account numbers and contact numbers for our utility companies. We need to have a portable first aid kit, and all of these materials must be easily grabbed as we head out the door. We discussed all of this as a starting point and then, in detail. Evacuating or "bugging out" is challenging for most everyone.  It's an evolution, and our readiness for it needs to start now.

Happy Birthday Mom !

Rational Preparedness 1 09/05 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio

Rational Preparedness 1 09/05 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio
(Direct Link to "Rational Preparedness" Episode 1)


UPDATED LINK INFORMATION:  Listen to our program at this link:

 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/rational-preparedness

Episode One:
 When the Rational Preparedness show got started in early September, 2011, I was not prepared for all of the activity.  Very quickly there was a fair bit of commentary and feedback, and it became clear that I would need a place where I could clarify some of the things said on the show, and where I could list links and information concerning some of the products and items I use in the course of setting up a family in terms of preparedness. This will therefore be the accompanying blog.  Probably the best way to use it, is to listen to each episode first, and then come to the blog in order to get clarification and websites.  In a sense, it can take notes for you. The blue underlined Prepper Podcast lines at the top of most posts will take you directly to the Rational Preparedness episode, so that you can relisten if you wish, or refer others as well. Welcome and thank you for the positive feedback as I attempt the important task of getting as much information on preparedness to the general public as quickly as I can.

This first episode of "Rational Preparedness" first aired on September 5, 2011
For those of you who asked about the products I mentioned, these are the websites:

I do not recommend or tell you about anything our family has not used personally, or that we haven't paid our own money to use.

sigsauer.com      SigSauer is a world renowned manufacturer of the weapons of choice for military,global law enforcement and commercial uses.

www.yahoogroups.com         search:  preparedness, survivalism      A host of groups of every kind to support your interests in this topic.


jawhorse.com         Rockwell's Jawhorse RK 9000.   A portable clamping workstation which weighs only 43 lbs. but has a clamping force of 2200 lbs. and a range of 37".

http://bigberkey.net        Time tested for 150 years, British Berkefeld Systems has been the choice of missionaries all over the world, to keep their drinking water safe.

www.augasonfarms.com       Providing everyday quality food for storage for over 30 years.

versaseri.yolasite.com     or simply google "Veraseri Designs"      A full service design house specializing in one of a kind furniture, and custom fabrication.