We often hear about all of the advanced stuff that people keep in their medical kits, but don’t stop to realize, we have to have the basics if the advanced stuff is going to help. Here's a list of basic medical supplies, most of which can be bought at any discount or drug store. What cannot be purchased at a discount or drugstore can be ordered from medical supply companies.
Trauma Supplies
One tube (approximately 100) unsterile 4x4 dressings
One tube (approximately 100) unsterile 2x2 dressings
20 packages of sterile 4x4’s
20 packages of sterile 2x2’s
10 ABD type dressings (maxi-pads work nicely!)
10 sterile oval eye patches
20 rolls of gauze bandage
Several boxes of assorted Band-Aids
6 triangular bandages
5 chemical ice packs
5 chemical heat packs
4 four inch ACE wraps
4 three inch ACE wraps
10 rolls of Transpore or other medical tape
4 ladder or SAM splints
10 bottles of irrigation fluid (saline or sterile water)
2 pairs of Trauma Shears
2-4 boxes of unsterile gloves
2 Penlights
5 Bottles of Isopropyl Alcohol
5 Bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide
Medications
2 bottles of Ibuprofen
2 bottles of Acetaminophen
2 bottles of Aspirin
2 bottles of Antacid
2 Bottles of Benadryl
2 Bottles of a decongestant (Sudafed)
4 Bottles of cough medicine
5 bags of cough drops
2 Bottles of Nyquil
4 Bottles of Calamine Lotion
Several Sting-Eze Swabs
4 Cans of SolarCaine Spray
5 tubes of Antibiotic ointment
5 tubes of hydrocortisone ointment
2 tubes of hemorhoidal cream
Assorted Children’s strength medications
4 Tubes of InstaGlucose
4 Bottles of Bactine or other astringent
2 Bottles of Syrup of Ipecac
2 Boxes of Ammonia Inhalants
3 large boxes of Alcohol Prep pads
2 large bottles of betadine or
3 large boxes of betadine Prep Pads
One bottle of eye wash for each person in your family
Other Supplies
Stethoscope
Blood Pressure Cuff
Oral and Rectal Thermometers with Probe covers
CPR mask with one-way valve
Vaseline or KY lubricant
5/10 each of #2 and #3 stuchers, with gut attached
Epson Salts
Again this is a basic list, but it is not absolute. Depending on your level of training, you may choose to add to or omit from this list. The quantities should give the average family enough supplies to take care of several minor emergencies and should last at least a year, if not longer.
Depending, of course, on what y'all get into!
Cordially
CDJ _________________ A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what they are made for.
That's enough stuff for an entire squad (around a dozen people.)
Once, during some training sessions some years back, Bo Gritz gave me a book entitled Where There is no Doctor (a village health care handbook) by David Werner. I also picked up a copy of Where There is no Dentist. Ditch Medicine by Hugh Coffee also got high reviews by paramedics who were involved in militia training. Ragnar Benson also did a book but, I can't remember the title. Doctors tell me the older versions of Army surgery manuals are of limited value since procedures and products change frequently.
You can find these books for sale (used ones if you are cheap like me) by shopping for them at Amazon.com.
Also, if you want some hands on training in first aid and there are no militia courses available, you may try substituting something like a Red Cross course in first aid. That may lead you to want to take courses like being a paramedic (that's a good way to spend your evenings.) Try the Red Cross first and take their training. CPR and first aid are the very minimum things you should have under your belt.
I'd add (especially if you live in a metro area) masks - even the paper ones that just help to keep dust out of your mouth and nose.
A very good antibiotic that I always keep at my home is Cipro. In an emergency when medical care could be hard to get Cipro is a pretty good antibiotic that could be used to help with a wide range of infections including sinus, respiratory, bone and joint, etc.
You can get an rx from your doctor and keep it on hand just in case. _________________ "You must become an advocate of what you believe otherwise, you will become a victim of what others want you to believe" - author unkown
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