Alright folks – a new regular feature will be “Q & A Day”. Basically, ask me a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, boxers or briefs – whatever.
Go ahead – “make my day.”
JR
Do fish antibiotics have a shelf life? What are the key ones to have on hand and typical doses for a single infection event? (Trying to calculate how much to keep on hand). Thx!!!
Matt – Here is my take and this comes from looking into this previously – antibiotics last a LONG time and well past their expiration date. I would recommend replacing any expired ones if possible with new packages BUT keep the old ones as well. The expiration date is merely a date which the manufacturer guarantees the medicine will be at 100% potency. It also is a means to incure repeat customers so the medicine is thrown away and new is purchased. Check out this article from 2011 – https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-truth-about-expiration-dates/ .
Also – as far as what kind to get I like this video from The Patriot Nurse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOfthwm_v3E
Next as far as dosages I use Drugs.com to get the information on the specific antibiotic. Print out the information and store for later use.
Thanks
Matt, temperature, humidity. and sometimes light are two great antibiotic killers. I keep my antibiotics in US military ammo cans with desiccant and in a refrigerator set at 50F. Do your research well because certain of the modern antibiotics indeed have a shelf life and become toxic beyond. Now is the time to lay back human antibiotics. I know so many say fish antibiotics are the same but would you really want to treat your child with them, knowing human antibiotics were available? Now is the time to set aside that stockpile.
As a ward against future deficiencies be they mineral or vitamin, some broad spectrum vitamins such as Centrum might be a good thing to toss into that ammo can as well, more so if you have youngsters.
I am firm believer in the Merck Manuals both Human and Veterinary which all should have along with the current Physicians Desk Reference (PDR). Now is also the time to become a certified paramedic or other health professional.
PR
I’d mirror/ditto what JR and PR said. I’ll add that fish are pretty sensitive as are birds to environmental problems. Some more tolerant than others genetically. No one wants to sell a product that kills their customers critters.. it kills sales. I’ve used the products in veterinary grade on myself man y times, to no ill affect. But you have to be smart. More is NOT better. So you need education to understand concentrations. dosage and which is the appropriate product. That being said, veterinary medication requirements are much less stringent than human medications via the FDA. Choose wisely, learn how.. and learn that everything does not require an antibiotic. Developing a resistance will ensure it won’t work as well when/IF you need it… for your fish I mean. I’ll add that that for aging on antibiotics. There is a process to titrate the medication when past expiration, to determine whether to use it or toss it. A fairly simple process, that needs to be interpreted correctly.Finally, if you or your fish has never been exposed to a “type” of antibiotic, you shoudl learn what and allergic response looks like and what to do about it. Sounds like a lot cuz it is. If you can use a doc, and all that I recommend you do it and use those medications. ll the alternatives bare risk, that would accept by doing otherwise. I actually found a qualified some one very recently willing to teach our group for the price of the supplies and some gas to get them there .. and I have to feed them. We think it’ll be fun and very educational.
Might keep me from damaging my fish. Good luck!
Thx for input. If they offer 250mg versus 500 mg–is 500mg a standard dose? I don’t want to cut pills down if 500mg too large. Thx
I’m 255 6 ft.. and 500mg is normal for me… however.. dosage is designed to promote and minimum blood level of the medication. That means a smaller pesoson requires a lower dose to reach the same blood level..
Look to hour doc or an lpn.. maybe pdr as well and do some learning.
I’m not qualified to give medical advice.. everyone has a medi al history and there is a lot to learn. Mst of the fish medicating are in capsules and powder form for the purpose of adjusting a specific dose for the volume of water etc..
Your call man.. but it’s your risk as well.. follow up on the sites JR mentioned as well.
Water? Always a big question. Where I live I’m not far from a lake – 1/2 mile. The problem is I live in the country in a subdivision. So, if SHTF, I’d have to get there and back, hauling water, and providing security. Living in Texas we get awfully hot and can get cold. How does the heat effect water storage, it’s shelf life and after the expiration, could it still be boiled and drank? Really curious about how people store large quantities of water?
And of course the BIGGER question – boxers or briefs ;o)???
Keep Looking UP
JBernDrApt,
Water is certainly on that critical path. I relocated to a region from Texas to one with copious rainfall. No more windmills, dig a hole and the water bubbles up. I keep 60 gallons of water in 5 gallon plastic NATO cans. Each has a few drops of bleach before adding water (I’m on well water, the softest imaginable – tap water tastes just like bottled Dasani). The water in my house runs through a number of filters, eventually as small as 5 micron before then passing through a UV sterilizer (MiniPure) so any water from the tap has few particulates (a source for bacterial accumulation) and is biologically inert. I rotate this water each summer, dumping the old on my fruit and nut trees.
If you look on the old MS On Line for my pseudonym you can likely find an article I wrote about water harvesting using 3000 gallon above ground tanks. See:http://www.watertanks.com/products/0015-039.asp, https://www.plumbingsupply.com/filters.html, and https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-4502-minipure-min-6-6-gpm-ultraviolet-water-purifier.aspx. I choose minipure because they are available with a 12vdc exciter as well as 120vac.
Hope this helps. I love Texas like only a native son can, but the lack of water where we lived made things SHTF even more impossible.
PR
JBernDrApt – Good questions and probably a bigger topic than to answer completely here in the comments.
I am not concerned with the expiration date of water in bottles. Some may fret over possible chemical seepage from container but if we are talking survival here that is the least of my worries. With what you have described definitely store as much as possible and utilize every roof you have access to for rain barrels/rainwater. Remember water is not only for drinking but for sanitation, cleaning, watering gardenings, etc. Kiddie pools and buckets left out can be used for rainwater collection as well. A WaterBob in your tub can hold up to 100 gallons of water as well.
With your lake source being a half mile away a good rugged cart could be used to transfer water(assuming no vehicle is available). Of course installation of a large water storage tank would be ideal.
Thank you all for your input. I’m hoping not to stay where I am much longer. Water seems to be such a needed resource. Don’t know if I could leave Texas, PR, I’m proud to be Texas born and bread. Know I’ll like to get away from the MetroMess! I want you all to know how very much I appreciate your input and advice. Nice to have you gentlemen as a sounding board and my own expert board to lean on. Always much to do, too little time and finances to accomplish the task – but we press on one step at a time. Like the fellow who ate the elephant. How did he do it, one bite at a time. Keep Looking UP
JBernDrApt,
I’m a native son as well and it was hard to leave Texas the second time. I believe my reasons for doing so were and still are valid.
PR
JBern, regarding your last interrogatory which takes considerable thought.
Depends on where you live and level of physical activity. In the jungle we never wore underwear at all (under our fatigues). The constant humidity and perspiration caused unbearable chaffing, especially from briefs. That extra layer of clothes also formed a tight nest for leeches and other blood suckers. So, boxers or briefs – depends upon personal circumstances which sometimes dictate none.
PR
Aha, so that’s where the term “going commando” came from! 🙂
Yup I have a large pod 400 ft out my back door.. I’d still rather start with something I can see through .. rain barrels etc etc.. Check out the videos on youtube for drilling your own well. Depending on the dept of the water table in your area.. You can put one in your back yard .. a 2-3 inch well produces 2-3 gallons per-minute.. check your local statutes.. gently .. and see if you are willing to do it.. search “mud pump well drilling” I like the guy “dawmlw”.. I’ll be testing it this summer .. and I’ll have a well you will know why not …
On the high temps thing.. Under-armor and the like have briefs built like boxers in length. I worked the fields etc last summer in 101 and high humidity.. While I was soaked and they were too.. they were long enough and covering enough to prevent raw places in all the right places.. and they dry out pretty quickly . you can rinse them and hang them and they dry out immediately.. they way nothing so carrying a few is no additional burden.. my .02.. Medicated stuff to fix it .. why not avoid it. And talc just makes white mud .. well, where you don’t need it. my .02 there as well. Don’t know about girls .. since I’m not. My daughter swears by them.. on the softball field competitively .. that’s July, girt fields .. multiple games in a a day. and she is a catcher .. lots of heat and dirt ..
Been thinking of buying a few of the handheld HAM radios, like the inexpensive Baofangs. But there are several models with very similar features and in the same price range. Which one would you recommend and why?
Thanks!
TXM1836, I recommend getting that general class amateur license first, not because of any regulatory requirement (which do exist) but because of the knowledge you will gain in the process. Join the ARRL and find a local ham group. They likely have an Elmer who will prepare you for the exam. It is easy. See eHam.net for practice questions. When you are scoring 100% on those it is time to take the test.
BaoFeng appear to offer the most for the least but Motorola, Vertex Standard, Yaesu, and ICOM all make wonderful HTs likely more rugged than the Chinese models.
PR
I have a small one .. I think.. When caching whatever.. We talk about containers of course, location, false flags for metal detectors .. all good stuff.. I was more specifically wondering a good way to prepare the contents to protect them in the cache. You have a mixed population of items likely, and not all of them would be treated the same way right ? Condensation, grease, vacuum packaging, Second part.. wondering about depth if below ground.
Thanks
GG58
Goingrany58, contact me off line. I think I have the answer to your questions.
PR
I need your help getting my gun license, reach me at patrickmorgan53@gmail.con, please I need your help, to protect my family
Depends on where you live. Either go to your local gun shop and ask who teaches the classes or go to your local police station to ask them. They will know who is reputable and know what your local/state restrictions are or are not. Play it straight and follow the law for a permit, and follow the rules one obtained. It’s not joke when you break those rules and get caught, nor is it safe. good luck. sorry .. no response to gmail for folks I don’t know.
@Patrick, are you real or a spam bot? Waiting for a response before sending anything. Sorry, but talk about your Spam email/facebook request. Email: Forward this to 100 people or little Suzy is going to die.”. Sorry, I guess little Suzy is going to meet God and find out He’s real, because I’m not sending or allowing you to Spoof my email address.
As far as Baofeng. I have very good personal experience with them. Such a good radio in compact package, and reasonable price. However, I’ve yet to find one that’s water proof. Either missed it or it’s going to cost more, (Water proof case?) I’m currently looking at getting this series. Great reviews on everything from distance, signal, and clarity. Mixed reviews on battery life. Some reviews say fully charge battery before first use.
http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-GT-3-Dual-Band-Transceiver-Black-Orange/dp/B00GCZVXPI
Also, I’m looking into SDR and have. A very cheap way to get information over the waves. You cannot transmit, but you can received anything over the air. This include FM radio stations. Not bad for $15 to $17, (plus maybe $10 for additional antenna for even stronger signal?), but will run on anything. Old Windows XP laptop, old pc, or even a rasberry pie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fow9lOCuv0k
Oh, oh…sorry one more post. Water Bobs are a great compact idea that doesn’t cost much in an emergency. For more permanent, might I bring up IBC containers again? Here’s generic search for them in part of the US I don’t even live in.. $99.
https://charleston.craigslist.org/mad/5525933798.html
Capt. Michaels and all,
The mobile Yaesu FT991 with integrated Yaesu screwdriver, is an all band, all mode transceiver. I’ve worked the world on mine and love it. ICOM has recently released a similar model albeit w/o the high end coverage. To me, this radio offers the very best in performance for the prepper.
PR