Almost Over Folks

                         The Obama Presidency is almost over.  Perhaps he can avoid asking the Chinese diplomats to leave the US, or starting a war with the Russians. I certainly hope so.

The Great Value of Steri-Strips

Steri strips come in a variety of sizes for different uses. Although there are a few generics, this is one time when I prefer the name brand when possible.

                    Steri strips are sterile, packaged light paper tape impregnated with stringy fibers. They are used by physicians and nurses when sutures are removed to give an abdominal wound, for example, a little more strength at the skin level until it heals completely.

                   Steri strips have a very important use for preppers, and yet they are very rarely mentioned.   Many, many, times, someone develops a wound, and because it is not a clean wound, or it cannot be completely cleaned, as in an animal bite, it should absolutely not be sutured closed.  When this type of wound occurs, rather than suturing or leaving completely open, a compromise would be to contain the bleeding, then soak the wound in betadine and water (or betadine and 0.9% saline you have mixed yourself) and then afterward, pat dried the wound, and let it completely dry, and then secured it as best you can with steri-strips.  Steri strips can be placed across the wound leaving untaped portions in between each steri strips which allow for serous or other wound drainage. When they eventually come off, they can either be redone or the wound can be allowed to continue healing.  In such wounds, a wound dressing over the steri-strips would probably be best.

This is an example of how they should be applied.

    I really like steri-strips because they help to avoid unnecessary suturing, and because they minimize scarring.  It is also possible to place neosporin or other topical medications when needed over top and to the sides of such a wound.

     I own several sizes of steri-strips.    It is possible to purchase some from Amazon or from many other sources.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-Steri-Strip-Elastic-Skin-Closures/dp/B003JNL71Q

http://www.saveritemedical.com/categories/wound-care-supplies/steri-strips?gclid=CNPPm7rkltECFcONswodugYLgg


There is one additional thing that nurses are taught.    To improve steri-strip adherance, one can take a sterile swab and place tincture of benzoin, not near the wound itself, but on the skin where the steri-strip should anchor. Often, this is not done, but I can remember a number of times in the hospital that this was necessary. It is also recommended by 3M, the manufacturer.   Do not get tincture of benzoin in the wound itself.

Please add this to your emergency kits.


Best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year.




As always, I have no financial gain from the products I recommend here on Rational Preparedness, unless disclosed otherwise.

Buy Countdown to Preparedness

                   I vaguely remember Jim Cobb asking me if he could use some of the listings regarding first aid kits that I put in some articles I'd written.  In the interest of helping people, I said certainly yes, so long as I am credited with the original work.  He never did get back to me, so it came to be a surprise this week when I found that I am indeed credited and that my listings for a basic first aid kit are found starting on Page 83.

                   Jim has written quite a few books on the subject of disaster preparedness. This is an excellent step by step guide designed for someone new to the process.  You can buy one at:

https://www.amazon.com/Countdown-Preparedness-Preppers-Disaster-Readiness/dp/1612433049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482239131&sr=8-1&keywords=countdown+to+preparedness


This is Jim's author page:

https://www.amazon.com/Jim-Cobb/e/B009SCHMPC/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Enjoy !

2017 Brings New Antibiotic Laws

         

Tylan will no longer be OTC on January 1, 2017

 If you are a farmer or small producer, of almost any species of animal, then you are accustomed to judicious use of occasional antibiotics. Most of us have learned their appropriate use from our farm veterinarians, and we use them wisely.  This will change however, as 2017 rolls in.

              The FDA has changed the laws on which animal antibiotics will remain OTC (over-the-counter) and which will become VFD (they require what amounts to a prescription from your veterinarian.)

             Some of these drugs include varieties of penicillin, lincomycin, oxytetracyclines, tylosin, hygromycin B, and others.

             This change is felt to make life harder for small agricultural producers who might not be able to call a vet for a chicken, a rabbit or a duck, for example.  It is also suspected to be the thin end of the wedge. How long before you will no longer be able to get an antibiotic for your fishtank ?  Today it's antibiotics, tomorrow it could be that your calcium, magnesium and zinc supplements are also prescription drugs.

              It might be a good time to let your congressman know how you feel about this, if you are, in fact, a farmer or you raise species of animals.