Being without much needed medical supplies when you need them is scary. While working as a nurse outside the hospital setting people often looked to me for medical advice. Not having the convenience of a physician or other trained medical personnel when health issues arose made me plan two or three steps ahead for things that could potentially happen. Making sure that I had the necessary first aid supplies and continually updating those supplies was the one thing that I could control.
For the purpose of this article, let us assume that your first aid kit will be at a climate-controlled retreat location, although keep in mind moving at a moment’s notice could be possible. If your supplies ever have to be moved or are exposed to extremely high or low temperatures remember that this could affect the efficacy of medications or sterility of some items. Rotating your supply and keeping a spreadsheet with expiration dates is a great way to see what items you may want to replace. Supplies that have expired may also have compromised sterility or efficacy, although I would agree that if the SHTF an expired something is better than nothing.
There are many things to consider when deciding what kind of first aid kit is best for you. I would recommend getting a standard first aid kit and building on that is one of the best ways to get started. Prepackaged first aid kits on Amazon with 4 plus star reviews that will get you started and you can personalize to meet your needs are as follows. – – – > https://amzn.to/2OSu0y7 – Hey, first aid supplies in an ammo can….COOL!!!!
This one is small, less than $20 and has over a hundred reviews. – – – – > https://amzn.to/37tyMZb
Both of the above kits can be made better with the addition of a good compression bandage.
Get one big enough for the number of people you think you will be with and then add a few, you can never be too prepared in the area of first aid as you never know when you will be able to get more or who or what situation you may be faced with. Again, keep in mind that supplies expire and the sterility of supplies or the efficacy of some medications could be affected if past the expiration date.
I know that we said this first aid kit was assuming you would be at a retreat location, however, keeping a waterproof bag for transportation of medical supplies handy if such an occasion arises could be a potentially life-saving idea. If you have to leave, leaving first aid supplies behind would not be wise. Also, consider keeping a lunch box or something you can put items that may need to stay cool in just in case. If an ice pack is not available you could use an instant ice pack for transport. They are nice to have for injuries too! This is an instant ice pack that has a 4-star rating and you can choose from a couple of different sizes. – – – – > https://amzn.to/37tzt4J
This bag is small and can keep things cool if not exposed to extreme outside heat or you can add an ice pack. Again, you need to consider what you will need to carry and how much. – – – > https://amzn.to/2wfzqgd
This bag claims to keep things cool for 30 hours and even shows the temp. 30 hours!!!! – – – > https://amzn.to/37q4K91
These are only suggestions and a way of getting you to think about what you may need and a quick way to get started on your retreat medical station. Watch for an upcoming article about medications to consider and advanced medical supplies. Until then, start making a list, read reviews on products, check expiration dates when you can and ask a lot of questions if you are unsure.
Coronavirus: With the influx of concern regarding coronavirus and related virus’s, the addition of medical face masks and other PPE(personal protective equipment) would be prudent. Disinfectant materials such as Clorox wipes and antiseptics such as rubbing alcohol should be stocked up. There is no shortage of information available on the Internet for preparing for pandemics.
Stay Healthy!
Maine Prepper Girl
Good unfo. You can not have enough supplies IMO.
Never enough supplies in a medical situation. We just have to start somewhere!
Well said Badger359!
I’ve done several.. some for me and some for my family.. I bought medical kit refills kits.. really cheap and then added on as you suggest above. I added CAT’s, spare glasses and meds I need specifically. and a few other goodies. I seperated things with inexpensive molle pouches, and put em in a .50 Cal can.. (with an intact rubber seal in the lid. And a wrap of Aluminum HVAC tape after the lid is latched.
Good job GG58
Nice! There are so many medical kits out there! Watch for the expiration dates of the stuff inside.
I like that idea with the molle pouches and 50 cal ammo can. Spare glasses are a must especially when you are as blind as I am.
Good ideas Maine Prepper Girl- WE have a fairly decent stock of first aid items .I recently tried to get some more face masks and all the drug stores are out of stock and even on line they are out and or very expensive. I found some in the paint sections in hardware stores and in auto parts stores. For St. Valentine’s day I gave them to family members who do not prep.
For those who drink tea- stock up as cor0na may interfere with shipments and harvest of tea from China and Thailand.
arlene
Good idea! Hardware stores will definitely be a place to look for masks. I think we all need to be thinking about things that we should be stocking up on especially in regards to China and what we get from there. I think we will soon see shortages as it relates to the coronavirus in China which caused a lack of production or shipping of items.
Yes, right on Maine P girl- I recently read that big box stores especially Walmart, Target and Best Buy will be lagging in their inventory soon due to delayed shipments from China. I am concerned about parts for important items that companies use-but that is why we should make things we need in the U.S.A !!
I love Maine have been there to the ocean and to t he deep mountains. Arlene
PS hoping to see some Moose this spring- any suggestions for where to moose peep ?
Good luck! Early morning next to lakes is a good time and place. Northern Maine is beautiful. I hope you can check it out!
Good advice Arlene on checking hardware stores. Some are still available on Amazon if you look hard enough but some vendors have jacked the prices up. I didn’t think about tea coming from China. Good thinking!
JR- thanks. Please keep John P in your prayers.He is dealing with a serious health issue.
How is your dog Jake doing still improving I hope and pray. Arlene
I just finished three books that had exc. inf. Superbugs by Dr. Matt McCarthy and
Pandemic by Connie Goldsmith ( also good for teens) and The Pandemic Century by Mark Honigsbaum
I would like to hear what others think of these if you read them and also what you think about the way China is handling Corona and also the how the US is handling it. Thanks. Arlene
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll check these out and let you know Arlene.
The images we see coming out of China are definitely concerning and it’s hard to discern whether the information we are getting from them is truthful. Today the World Health Organization said that the does not seem to be as deadly as the SARS outbreak so that is reassuring to some extent but we need to stay vigilant in being aware of surroundings and being prepared.
“Survival Medicine” and “Infectious Diseases” by Dr.Joe Alton are absolute must have
books no matter where you are.They are written with the lay person in mind.
Get a supply of fish antibiotics ASAP!!!! They are made in America and will soon be as
hard to find as a mask.
Great post, I gave everyone first aid kits for Christmas, everyone thought I was nuts , but since two family members have texted me saying how they have already got so much use out of them .
As for the masks , we’ve struggled to get them, totally out of stock, and there has been a rush on hand sanitizer which you can no longer but in store eBay still has a couple but the price is through the roof.
Luckily I already put a lot away . Great suggestion on the tea, adding more to my shopping list today .
Why is that sterile equipment and supplies lose there sterility after a certain length of time if the safety wrap is in place and not distruebed?
Thanks TomRN for the great question! My 2 cents: You specified that the packaging remains intact. I believe the purpose of pointing out the expiration dates and the possibility of compromised sterility was related to the condition of the packaging. I have seen gauze that was past its exp date and the paper it was packaged in turned yellow and started to crack and disintegrate. The sterility of that gauze was certainly in question.
I have also seen many packages that have long expired become yellow and cracked. If the packaging has not been disturbed I am sure that it would be alright past the date, but for how long? I am not certain. I would not use the contents of something compromised on an open wound and would certainly choose the least expired materials for something like that. I would want to make sure things such as medications and sterile supplies were in a temp controlled environment.