Tag Archive: 72 Hour Kits

April 8th, 2013
post by policysup | | 9

Suturing Deep Tissue Wounds with Non-Surgical Needles

Article by Lizzie Bennett of www.MedicallySpeaking.com

To stitch, or not to stitch, that is the question. Stitching a cut does not seem like a particularly difficult thing to do, but suturing deep cuts, that should be closed in two or three distinct layers, without local anaesthetic and proper surgical needles (which are curved and make the job much easier), is not as straightforward as it might seem.

Firstly, suturing a wound that is still bleeding is likely to cause a haematoma, a blood clot that could quite easily put so much pressure on other vessels that blood flow ceases and tissue damage, gangrene occurs, this is especially true of the extremities. Some bleeding is good, the blood often brings with it debris that would otherwise contaminate the wound. What it will not get out is pathogens, germs from the object that caused the wound, or from the area directly surrounding the wound, people, animals, road surface, whatever.

Basic Suturing Technique in 7 Steps Using a Non-Surgical Needle

  1. Elevate the wound if possible, or use a tourniquet to stop the blood flow, a rubber glove stretched and tied around an arm to leg works well. When use of a tourniquet is impossible, use a pressure dressing. Whatever you use it should be wider than an inch to prevent it cutting into the skin.
  2. Bleeding stopped, though oozing is acceptable, you need to look at the wound to see the extent of it, roughly how deep it is. Clean the wound with antiseptic solution if you have it, saltwater if you do not. Wait five more minutes, whilst your sewing needle and thread are boiled to sterilize them, and then release the tourniquet, if used, as slowly as you can. Blood rushing back into a limb, especially a leg, can cause a sudden and profound drop in blood pressure, something to be avoided. Releasing it slowly also assists in not knocking off any small clots that have started to form at the end of the damaged vessels. If it bleeds profusely, reapply the tourniquet or pressure dressing and wait twenty minutes (ten for fingers and toes) rinse the wound again to prevent collected blood clotting and obscuring your view. You may have to do this several times.
  3. A deep wound is more than likely contaminated, if you have antibiotic capsules, open one up and mix with a little sterile water, just enough to turn it into solution, and put it in the wound. Wounds heal by granulation, from the bottom up. Suturing is not actually required to ensure a wound heals, what it does is speed up the process and helps keep the wound clean. A deep gash will take weeks, sometimes months to heal if it is not sutured. Suturing brings the two halves of the wound together so that when granulation occurs the new grown cells mesh together forming a strong join, just suturing the skin would be worse than leaving it to granulate, you are creating pockets, a perfect place for germs to grow and flourish.
  4. Okay, the sewing bit. Staying a little back from the wound edge put the needle in just off the vertical, like this go down to as near the bottom of the wound as you can and pull the thread through leaving a 2-inch tail. Insert the needle directly opposite where you removed it and back up through the skin on the opposite side of the wound, at an angle just off the vertical, like this / cut the thread leaving a 2″ tail and repeat this process along the length of the wound.
  5. Now they need tying off. Starting IN THE MIDDLE of the wound, gently pull both sides of one suture upwards and across each towards each other. Be gentle, tissue is delicate and tugging too hard will rip through the tissues. When the edges of the wound come together, or as near as together as you can get them to tie a knot, then two more. Now move to one end of the wound and do the same again. Now the other end of the wound and so on working towards the tied suture in the middle. The sutures should be placed about half an inch apart on long wounds, and about half that on short wounds. This spacing and working alternate ends prevents puckering of the skin which is very sore and can delay healing.
  6. Dab the area gently with a decent antiseptic solution. Do not use cotton wool, the fibers get into the wound. Cover with a sterile dressing and leave for 12 hours. Twice a day for the first five days dab with antiseptic and cover with a fresh dressing. It is normal for the needle holes to look very red and to be sore. If pus leaks from the wound check every few hours, if it does to subside, or become thinner, or clearer within 48 hours remove the sutures, clean the wound and re-suture. Adding antibiotics to the wound prior to suturing usually prevents this, and it is standard practice in hospitals for grossly contaminated wounds.
  7. The sutures need to stay in for between 14 and 21 days. To check if the wound is sound apply gentle opposing pressure with your thumb and fore finger between two of the sutures, If the wound does not hold together leave the sutures in and do the same test daily. To remove them, wet them with sterile salt water, cut the knots and tease them out. Do not cut all of the knots at the same time, check that the wound holds together by removing the center one first and checking as previously stated. If it is not quite there, leave the rest in and check daily. If the wound is sound, remove the rest of the sutures.

This wound will not have the best scar in the world but it will be much more pleasing than a granulation scar, also, granulated tissue is often quite sensitive to knocks, bumps and sometimes even fabrics. Suture scars tend to be far less sensitive and are less prone to abrasive damage than is granulation tissue.

Disclosure: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Nothing contained on this web site should be construed nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician or other qualified health care providers with any questions regarding medical care.

About the Author:

Lizzie Bennett is 51 going on 35, and spent 24 years working in hospitals as a Senior Operating Theatre Practitioner, specialising in anaesthetics and Accident and Emergency. She has been involved in the setting up of and team leadership of major catastrophe teams in the Midlands area of the UK, is an advanced life support provider, and a paediatric life support provider, and have taught basic life support and emergency treatment -cardiac arrest, head injury, electrocution, ice rescue and haemostatic techniques, as well as anaesthetics and anaesthetic pharmacology, to medical and lay persons for many years. These groups include prison officers, police forces,holiday reps, nurses, medical students, and trainee paramedics and EMT’s. 

Lizzie has made it her mission to bring solid, sound and practical information to the awake and aware, getting them ready for the time when help does not arrive…regardless of how badly they need it by starting a medical preparedness blog, Medically Speaking.

Question:

How close does each pass of thread have to be to the previous?

Answer:

The sutures should be placed with gaps between them but it is difficult to be precise as skin, the way it holds together is a very individual thing. There should be no gaping between the sutures as it will prevent the skin healing properly.

Sorry I can’t answer this with precision

Lizzie

Question / response:

This advice is insane.  Deep wounds in a non-hospital environment should ALWAYS be packed open and left to heal by primary intention, if not, gangrene and death by septicemia is the likely outcome.
I have been an E.R. (casualty) physician for 26 year, five of them in a trauma center, and again, I say this advice is insane and likely to prove deadly.  LEAVE ALL DEEP AND CONTAMINATED WOUNDS OPEN

Answer:

Thank you for you comment. I totally agree where there is any sign of  gross infection a wound should not be sutured, I also agree that in ideal conditions such a wound may well not be sutured. This article however was written for non-ideal conditions. I will also state that is is common practice for deep tissue wounds to be sutured both in the hospital environment and on the battlefield. I also have worked in accident and emergency and I agree wounds are often packed, the patient is then transferred to theatre where quite routinely such wounds are sutured.

It is stated quite clearly that this is a dire solution for dire circumstances, and if any medical help can be found that is the course that should be taken, allowing a qualified medical doctor to take over the wound care and make the decisions most appropriate for that patient.

I also agree that closing these wounds can lead to complications, as can leaving them open. Packing and the subsequent debridement of wounds is something that ideally should be done in a sterile environment, which would not be available in a shtf situation.

In a situation where medical help is not available, people will try to fix the problem on their own, they will have no choice. I think it is preferential that if they are going to do it anyway, they should be given a little advice on how to wash out a wound and use antibiotics in ways that can maximise their potential.

Take care

Lizzie

Via: readynutrition


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April 5th, 2013
post by policysup | | 2

Cleaning Necrotic Wounds in an Emergency

Article by Lizzie Bennett at www.MedicallySpeaking.com

Necrotic wound debridement…the sight of those three words was enough to fill me with dread when I saw them on my operating list. Unpleasant, often disgusting and always extremely foul smelling, these were the cases you really did not want right before going home for your evening meal. Always done at the end of the list so as to avoid the possibility of contaminating a ‘clean’case, you have to believe me when I say some of these wounds were the stuff of nightmares.

Imagine for a moment, dealing with a foul smelling wound, full of dead and dying tissue, without the backup of an operating theatre and the equipment and staff that goes with it. Not good eh?

Necrotic tissue is dead tissue, and when tissue dies it starts to rot, to decompose, and that smells, it smells awful, it is a smell you will NEVER forget. It does not always occur through neglecting a wound, a simple scratch, something that you would not have considered going to the doctor or hospital about, can turn necrotic over night if the right bugs get into it. Necrotising fasciitis is an extreme but prime example of this. Necrotic tissue is soft and spongy to the touch, there is no form to it. It may be black in colour, but any shade of green and/or yellow is quite common. The wound will probably be oozing pus and fluid, and it will stink to high heaven. This decaying tissue has to be removed from the wound as soon as possible to avoid overwhelming infection.

It goes without saying that if you have antibiotics they should be given immediately, providing the patient has no allergy to the drug.

Those who live a long distance from medical assistance, or who find themselves embroiled in a situation where medical assistance is no longer a viable option would do well to know how to deal with such wounds.

AUTOLYTIC DEBRIDEMENT

This is simply allowing the body to resolve the situation itself, such as allowing a frost bitten finger or toe to drop off on its own without intervention. The digit is wrapped in a damp dressing, and kept damp until the situation resolves.

MECHANICAL DEBRIDEMENT

Mechanical debridement is the simplest way to try and get the dead and dying tissue out of the wound. Water under pressure is the simplest way of doing this. Clean sterile or boiled and cooled water if forced into the wound, flushing the dead tissue out. This can be done via a large syringe if available. An acceptable substitute is a squeezey ketchup or mayo bottle that has been cleaned and treated with bleach prior to being filled with clean water to be used on the wound. The water should be forced into one end of the wound, working systematically towards the other end of the wound. This may need to be done many times in order to remove as much decayed tissue as possible. If chlorhexidine or iodine scrub solutions are available they can be used, well diluted to assist in cleaning the wound.

Opinion varies on what should be done next. Years ago the wound was packed with a large, sterile, wet to dry pack, which was left to soak up any exudate and then allowed to dry. This was then pulled out of the wound, bringing necrotic, and healthy tissue with it. This is very painful. I do not favour this but it was/is a recognised practice depending on where you live and the availability of ongoing care.

My choice would be to remove the bulk of the decaying tissue with pressurised water as described, and then do it again with salt water. The wound should be checked every few hours and the treatment repeated, with salt water as often as is needed. This may need to be done for several days, several times a day until the wound no longer smells and is no longer purulent(producing pus). These wounds should not be sutured as the smallest amount of decaying tissue left behind will fester inside the closed wound. The wound should be covered with a clean non-adhesive, damp, lint free dressing and checked twice daily for signs of regression. If you are fortunate enough to have a supply of alignate or hydrogel type dressings or packs these should be used in preference to other types of dressings.

CHEMICAL DEBRIDEMENT

Certain chemicals contain enzymes that can target necrotic tissue whilst leaving healthy tissue undamaged. These chemicals are not available other than in a hospital setting, they are target specific components of decaying tissue depending on the type of wound. Some articles state that chlohexidine and iodine are suitable for chemical debridement, they are not as they contain no enzymes. They are useful for wound cleaning if available but that is all.

SHARP DEBRIDEMENT

This simply means removal of necrotic tissue with a sharp instrument, preferably with a scalpel being held by a qualified surgeon.

BIOLOGICAL DEBRIDEMENT

This may also be called larval therapy. Maggots are used to clean the wound. In hospitals the maggots are bred in the lab, but a maggot is a maggot and if left to do what they do best they will clean out a necrotic wound very effectively. As much dead and decaying tissue as possible should be removed with washouts and then several maggots should be put into the wound. A damp dressing should be used to cover the wound and the maggots left to do their job. Obviously the maggots will need to be removed before they turn into flies, so having a steady supply would be advisable. A small amount of meat product in a damp jam jar will allow flies to lay eggs and ensure your maggot supply.

Many people will have a psychological aversion to larval therapy, and this is understandable. The patient should be warned that they will feel the maggots moving around, but the maggots prefer decaying tissue and will choose it over healthy tissue if given the choice. It is not in any way painful and really does give the wound an excellent chance of healing as they are very effective cleaning machines.

Once the wound is clean, it will start to granulate, new cells will form and eventually the wound will close. This can, depending on the size of the wound take a considerable time. The use of alignate dressings or hydrogel will speed the process considerably. If not using these dressings keep the dressings you are using slightly damp with either pre-packed or home made saline solution, this will aid the healing process. Antibiotics should be continued for at least five days.

It goes without saying that the decision always has to be to seek qualified medical help if it is available. Dealing with these wounds is difficult and the outcome can never be predicted. Treating wounds yourself should only ever be the first choice if there is NO other choice.

This article has been kindly contributed by Lizzie Bennett at www.MedicallySpeaking.com

Via: readynutrition


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April 4th, 2013
post by policysup | | 3

Ten Unconventional Additions to Your Emergency Medical Kit

This article has been kindly contributed by Lizzie Bennett at www.MedicallySpeaking.com

Okay, I am sure you all have a medical kit to be proud of, you’ve got all the bandages, the slings, the ointments and creams, but sometimes, just sometimes, the most mundane items can make life simpler, especially if you need to move fast, or find yourself in a situation where you need to improvise, or, the stuff you have just isn’t right for the job in hand. Here are a few ideas, and examples of what to use them for.

AN OLD CREDIT CARD/ATM CARD

These are great for a good deal more than stuffing in a hole in the wall of your bank. Scraping out a sting with the edge of a plastic card is preferable to fingernails or tweezers, both of which, just by the pinching action pump the last bit of venom from the sting into the skin.Cut into strips they are excellent splints for broken fingers, and the gaps between the strips allow for swelling. Position either side of the finger and tape into place.

Used whole they can help inflate a deflated lung caused by a sucking chest wound. Put over the hole and tape on three sides only, the card acts as a flutter valve, preventing air from entering the wound but allowing air outside of the lung but inside the chest cavity to escape as the lung inflates.

DUCT TAPE

I love duct tape, it needs to be good tape, not a cheapo one that is not very sticky. Use to secure the card to the chest as described above. It can be used to hold splints on limbs in place, to secure pressure dressings, and even to make a makeshift stretcher to carry a casualty if wrapped around two poles and stuck to itself across the gap between them. There are dozens of uses for this stuff.

A DOZEN MIXED SIZE CLEAR PLASTIC BAGS

Clear plastic bags form a great barrier between a wound and the air, preventing pathogens from getting into the body. They are great for wounds and burns on hands and feet and are carried in ambulances for this reason. Duct tape into place and the wound will stay clean until you can deal with it. This is particularly beneficial if you are near water and you want to prevent contamination.

Use as a flutter valve on large sucking chest wounds. Fix on three sides as described for the card method above.

SANITARY PADS

Sanitary pads make really good pressure dressings. Put over the wound and tape tightly down covering the whole pad with tape, extend the tape a good distance from all edges of the pad to make sure the pressure is maintained.

HALF A DOZEN STRONG TEA BAGS

Tea leaves contain tannin which has anti-inflammatory and vaso-constrictor properties. To wash out an eye make as you would tea, leave to cool and lean forward so the liquid in the container reaches the eye and open and close the eye whilst in the liquid. The tea bag can be placed on the eye afterwards, to reduce any swelling and irritation.

Tannin is a vasoconstrictor, it causes blood vessels to contract and therefore slows blood loss. It would be no use at all for anything major, but for nosebleeds, traumatic tooth extractions and minor cuts and abrasions, it works well. Put just enough boiling water on the tea bag to make it swell to its maximum size and show a little liquid leaking from it, then when it has cooled sufficiently apply it to the tooth socket, cut etc. for nose bleeds roll the bag as small as you can and plug the nostril with as much of it as you can, you can cut it in half if need be and roll so as the cut edge is on the inside of the roll. There is no worry about sterility with a nose bleed.

STRONG SMELLING VAPOUR RUB

There are times when the smells around you are almost too much to bear. Infected wounds, corpses, human waste all give off gut-wrenching odors and dabbing vapor rub under your nose helps a great deal.

I have heard occasionally that a dab under the nose of someone having an asthma attack, who does not have an inhaler with them, helps open the airways a little making breathing somewhat easier. I have no experience of this and therefore cannot vouch for it. Having said that an asthma sufferer without an inhaler will not come to any harm by trying this.

A SECTION OF BICYCLE TYRE INNER TUBE

The inner tube from a bicycle tire is very stretchy and it makes an excellent tourniquet. It is also possible to use it as a fire starter, and it will burn even when it is pouring with rain, and it burns for a long while, often long enough to dry out a little damp tinder placed very near it.

A SUPER ABSORBANT DRYING CLOTH

These microfiber cloths are very light weight and take up almost no space. They are excellent for drying around wounds so that dressings and tapes stick more easily. As they hold a good amount of liquid, one dunked in water and lightly squeezed out is useful for giving a casualty that cannot sit properly sips of water, they just suck on the cloth.

AN EMPTY SODA BOTTLE

Cut off the top and bottom and then cut it along its length. This gives you a sheet of strong plastic that rolls back into a tube when you let it go. These make great splints, keeping clothing etc away from a wound or helping to immobilize a broken bone. Unroll, place around the limb and gently let it go back into its tube shape. Then, very gently, close the plastic up, one edge will slide under the other with little effort. Fix in place with a piece of tape. To store, roll it up tight and secure with a rubber band. We used this method in hospitals to stop babies and toddlers ripping off their dressings, works very well.

A PAIR OF ADULT OVER THE KNEE SOCKS

Get an adult pair of knee high socks and force them over a large, full soda bottle to stretch them. When stretched for a couple of days, roll them down the bottle so what you end up with resembles a donut, store them in this shape so that they can be rolled onto a limb rather than forced up over it causing pain and possibly more injury. They are great for holding a leg dressing in place, and make a good sling for arm injuries. Roll onto the arm, position the arm comfortably and safety pin to the patients clothing in a couple of places, beats messing about with a triangular bandage if you are in a hurry. If they have long sleeves, position the arm and pin the sleeve to the body of their clothing.

Well there you have it, a few conventional items with a few unconventional uses.

This article has been kindly contributed by Lizzie Bennett at www.MedicallySpeaking.com

Via: readynutrition


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April 3rd, 2013
post by policysup | | 0

If The SHTF, Make Sure You Have Toilet Paper!

All kidding aside on this title, toilet paper is an important prep item that many seem to overlook.  According to Wikipedia, Americans use an average of 23.6 rolls of toilet paper per year.  I think that number should be doubled – a person can never have enough toilet paper.  Let’s just say that one person needed 50 rolls per year.  Using that instance, a family of 5 should have 250 rolls of toilet paper in reserve!

Sanitation during a disaster is a major concern if a major disaster were to occur.  Lack of sanitation pollutes water sources, and creates diseases.  Understanding how to properly disperse of waste products so that it does not affect water sources is an important skill to possess.  Having an emergency sanitation kit for short term disasters could be very beneficial.

Add a Sanitation Kit to Disaster Supplies

Having a sanitation kit that is ready in times of disaster is essential to keeping your family and neighbors healthy.  These kits can fit comfortably into a bucket, are affordable, and will not take up much space.  Additionally, being educated on how to properly dispose of waste is a key factor in keeping everyone healthy during a disaster.

Some suggested sanitation supplies to add to any short or long term emergency kits are:

  • Disposable bucket or luggable loo
  • Toilet paper
  • Rubber gloves
  • Garbage bags with twist ties ( for liners of toilets or luggable loo)
  • Bathroom cleaner
  • Cat Litter or absorbent material such as saw dust or dirt
  • Baby wipe
  • Baking soda can be used to help eliminate odors
  • Vinegar
  • Shovel

There are many types of toilet paper alternatives to use in case the toilet paper reserve runs out.  Leaves are nature’s alternative to toilet paper.  Therefore, having a stockpile of tp alternatives may be of help in emergency situations.

Toilet Paper Alternatives

  • Phone books (lots to get for free and stack up in a nice place for the “just in case”)
  • Unused coffee filters
  • Corn cobs (That’s right- Corn Cobs)
  • Dilapidated kitchen towels that will not be used for cleaning anymore.
  • Cut strips from a worn sheet
  • Mail order catalog
  • Bank notes

Other Toiletry Items To Keep In Mind

Toilet paper isn’t the only items to take into account when preparing your survival reserve.   Anything that you use for hygiene needs to be categorized under toiletries.  Some of these include:

  • Woman’s toiletries for their needs
  • Diapers/baby wipes
  • Kleenexes
  • Anti-bacterial soap
  • Moist towelettes
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste/toothbrush
  • Shampoo/body wash
  • Comb
  • Razor and shaving cream
  • Toiletseat and lid cover

 To get a jump start on your toiletry stockpiling, don’t be afraid to go to places online that give out free samples of things.  The point is to be resourceful in finding those toiletry items.  They don’t have to be brand name.  They just need to be available to you when you need it the most.

Here’s a comment from one prepper for other options:

Haven’t used the stuff in almost a year now…

99 Cent store:

Dish soap bottle (small)

Home Depot:

36″ of clear plastic tubing

Soap bottle + clear plastic tubing = homemade bidet. Works wonderful. Picked up some white washcloths from Wally World for drying. Easy to sanitize.

Total cost, including washcloths = about 5 bucks, and totally portable!

(I put the soap into another container to wash dishes/hands with…)

(hint…use slightly warm water…cold is not fun!)

Via: readynutrition


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March 26th, 2013
post by policysup | | 0

DIY Electrolyte Powders

Most experts would agree that drinking water is the best way to curb your thirst.  According to experts, a good guideline to use when preparing for any type of outdoor activity is to drink two cups of fluid two hours before the activity.  That helps ensure you are well-hydrated before you ever go outdoors.  Then, during the activity drink 4-6 ounces every 15-20 minutes to keep your muscles well-hydrated.  If you are planning on an extensive outdoor activities, fill a water bottle with about 16 ounces (or two cups) of fluid and take it with you.  Last, drink up after you’re finished with your activity.

Making your own electrolyte powder is a low cost alternative to purchasing expensive sports drinks.  An added bonus to making your own electrolyte powder is it gives you complete control over the ingredients of the electrolyte drink.  Carrying the powders with you in your 72-hour bag, your vehicle, and even in your child’s back pack would be prudent especially during the summer months.  Using the correct proportions of water, salt, potassium salt and optionally baking soda, you can make a very effective electrolyte drink.  It will both rehydrate you as well as keep your electrolyte levels up to par. Let’s take a look at three recipes to make your own drink with electrolytes–two with sugar and one without:

Sugar Option

This option is made with sugar: When you work out, your body does not only lose water and electrolytes, it burns energy as well. To make sure you can keep your activity level up, it is a good idea to add some kind of sugar to your drink.

2 quarts of water
5-10 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
½ teaspoon of salt substitute (potassium salt)
1 pack of sugar-free drink flavoring

Sugar-Free Versions

Sugar free: Although adding sugar to your drink will help you keep your energy levels up, it’s not a good option for everyone. People on a low-carb diet or people with diabetes, can choose a recipe that doesn’t add sugar to the electrolyte drink:

Version 1

1 quart of water
250 ml of orange juice (citrus juice is a natural source of potassium ions)
3 tablespoons of lemon juice
¾ teaspoon of salt

Version 2

2 quarts of water
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
½ teaspoon of salt substitute (potassium salt)
1 pack of sugar free drink flavoring
Artificial sweetener to taste

Via: readynutrition

 


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March 26th, 2013
post by policysup | | 0

Homemade Gatorade and Pedialyte

At the beginning of summer I will buy about a dozen Gatorades on sale then I reuse the bottles all summer. I hold on to all store bought bottles (Gatorade, Soda, good water bottles I don’t keep the flimsy water bottle they get holes in them to quick ) that I can get. I have saved all the ones from this summer so hopefully I won’t have to buy any more for a long time.

Home Made Pedialyte

2 Quarts Water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt substitute
1 packet sugar-free Kool-Aid*
*optional but gives flavor
Mix all together well and store in refrigerator for no more than 3 days. You can also freeze this into ice cubes to put into child’s cup or bottle. You can also make Popsicles from it.
Tape this inside a kitchen cabinet door for easy reference. There’s nothing worse than a sick kid in the middle of the night and you know that you have this recipe but can’t find it and/or the stores are closed! I showed my pediatrician this and she actually hands it out to her patients. I have used regular Kool-Aid since it is optional anyways for even more savings (they go on sale 10 for $1). I never substitute the salt substitute, regular salt dehydrates. If you don’t have it on hand don’t add it. This recipe has saved a bundle verses the named brand Pedialyte and even the store versions. I figure that 2 quarts costs about .25 using the regular Kool-aid.

 Homemade Gatorade

1 pkg unsweetened kool-aid (any flavor)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride) 2 quarts water
Just stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Chill.

Via: frugallivingonthewatkinsranch

 


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March 23rd, 2013
post by policysup | | 0

Vitamin Infused Powders – Essential Emergency Preps

It has been said that taking vitamins are not to keep death at bay, but to keep us from deteriorating.  What happens if you become vitamin deficient? A few of the symptoms may include, (but are not limited to) chronic fatigue, anemia, lowered immune, scurvy, susceptibility to immune deficient diseases such as MRSA, hypertension, joint pain, and chronic inflammation to name a few (Source).   These symptoms are no way to survive an emergency, especially if it is for the long haul.

Regular intakes of essential vitamins such as vitamin A, B, C, D, (and the rest of the vitamin alphabet) are required to maintain physical health, mental clarity and diffuse stress.  If a long term emergency occurs, many individuals may find these vitamins hard to come by.  Storing vitamins is always an option, but their potency may diminish due to natural elements such as humidity and sunlight.  Alternatives such as vitamin supplement drinks are a great way to get the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help maintain metabolic function, and to boost energy levels.


Benefits of Storing Vitamin Powders

  • Each packet delivers essential vitamins and minerals that benefit the immune system, increase energy levels, promote healthy nervous system functions, and promote healthy neurotransmitter health.
  • In fact, vitamin powders such as Emergen-C provide 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 7 of the B vitamins to increase energy naturally, electrolytes to refuel the body, and offers an array of flavors.
  • Individual packets are sealed for long term use.
  • Packets can easily be stored for 72 hour kitsand vehicle 72 hour kits.
  • Packets provide a refreshing taste to treated water (Typically water that has been treated with iodine, bleach or chlorine has an unattractive taste.  When a flavored drink mix is added to the treated water, the chemical taste is not as apparent).

Emergen-C vitamin packets can be given to children as well.  For children 2-3, mix half the packet of vitamin mix to a 4 ounce glass of water.  For children 4 and up, mix 1 packet of vitamin mix to 4 ounces of water a day.   Go to the website for more information.  For more information and facts about the vitamin drink mix, click here.

Click here for a free sample of Emergen-C

I use this myself when I become sick or feel I am starting to get that way. Good way to up your vitamin C and others.

Via: readynutrition

 


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March 22nd, 2013
post by policysup | | 1

Use Calcium Hypochlorite to Disinfect Water – Better than Bleach

This article was originally posted at Survival Topics

Many outdoorsmen, survivalists, and households preparing for emergency disasters rely upon common household bleach as a disinfecting agent to make water safe to drink.

Bleach will destroy most (but NOT all!) disease causing organisms (boiling water to make it safe to drink is always the best method).

What is not well known is Calcium Hypochlorite is far better for chemically disinfecting water.

Old Way: Using Bleach to Disinfect Water

I cringe to think how many people have expired bleach in their disaster emergency kits that will be used for treating polluted water.

Those of us who have emergency preparedness stocks of survival food and survival gear often keep a gallon or two of unscented household bleach on hand for making safe drinking water in large quantities. Bleach is often the chemical of choice because it is commonly available and frequently mentioned when discussing the how-to’s of drinking water.

Typical fresh household chlorine bleach has about 5.35% chlorine content (be sure to read the label).

To use household bleach for disinfecting water:

  • Add two drops of bleach per quart or liter of water.
  • Stir it well.
  • Let the mixture stand for a half hour before drinking.

If the water is cloudy with suspended particles:

  • First filter the water as best you can.
  • Double the amount of bleach you add to the water.

Why Using Bleach to Disinfect Contaminated Water is a Problem

A little known problem with long term storage of bleach in your disaster emergency supply cache is that it degrades over time. Consulting a Chlorox bleach representative produced this statement:

“We recommend storing our bleach at room temperatures. It can be stored for about 6 months at temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After this time, bleach will be begin to degrade at a rate of 20% each year until totally degraded to salt and water. Storing at temperatures much higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit could cause the bleach to lose its effectiveness and degrade more rapidly. However, if you require 6% sodium hypochlorite, you should change your supply every 3 months.”

I cringe to think how many people have expired bleach in their disaster emergency kits that will be used for treating polluted water. Even what are considered reliable sources of information such as the EPA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA will show you how to use bleach to disinfect water but will leave out this exceedingly important piece of information.

This is why I created Survival Topics – to give you the real information you need to survive.

So if bleach is unreliable for long term storage in emergency preparedness kits then what other commonly available chemical methods of disinfecting water are there? As it turns out a better solution is easily available.

Use Calcium Hypochlorite to Disinfect Water

A 1-pound pag of calcium hypochlorite in granular form will treat up to 10,000 gallons of drinking water

Calcium hypochlorite is one of the best chemical disinfectants for water, better than household bleach by far. It destroys a variety of disease causing organisms including bacteria, yeast, fungus, spores, and viruses.

Calcium Hypochlorite is widely available for use as swimming pool chlorine tablets or white powder that is much more stable than chlorine. This is often known as “pool shock”.

How to Disinfect Water Using Calcium Hypochlorite

Using granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water is a two-step process.

  • To make a stock of chlorine solution (do not drink this!) dissolve 1 heaping teaspoon (about one-quarter of an ounce) of high-test (78%) granular calcium hypochlorite for each two gallons (eight liters) of water.
  • To disinfect water add one part of the chlorine solution to 100 parts water to be treated.
  • Let the mixture sit for at least one-half hour before drinking.

 Be sure to obtain the dry granular calcium hypochlorite since once it is made into a liquid solution it will begin to degrade and eventually become useless as a disinfecting agent. This also means you should make your treated drinking water in small batches, for example enough for a few weeks at a time at most.

Another plus for using calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water for emergency use is that a little goes a very long way. A 1-pound pag of calcium hypochlorite in granular form typically costs only a few US dollars and can be obtained in any swimming pool supply section of your hardware store or online. This amount will treat up to 10,000 gallons of drinking water, which is enough for a family of four for some six or seven years at a gallon per day per person!

Calcium hypochlorite will store for a long period of time and remain effective as a chemical drinking water treatment. So get rid of the household bleach and buy a can of Calcium hypochlorite for your disaster emergency water disinfection needs. It lasts far longer and treats far more water than the traditional chlorine bleach water disinfection treatment.

This article was originally posted at Survival Topics


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March 20th, 2013
post by policysup | | 0

Make Your Own Survival Bars

This article was originally posted at Adventures in Self Reliance

Apparently there are a couple of different recipes out there for these, we just used one I had been given by a food storage lady. Now, this was really a fun experiment, because there were 6 of us making these survival bread loaves, and of course they turned out 6 different ways. We’ll discuss what happened as we go through the directions.

Ingredients:

2 cups oats

2 1/2 cups powdered milk

1 cup sugar

3 TB honey

1 3 oz package jello (orange or lemon)

3 TB water

Mix the oats, powdered milk, and sugar together in a bowl: A couple of us used regular oats, a couple used quick oats. I really don’t think it matters which you use–whatever you have on hand is fine.



In a medium pan mix water, jello and honey. Bring to a boil. We found that a rolling boil was better than just beginning to boil for the mixing step. I did not know why the recipe called for lemon or orange jello so we made some with raspberry and watermelon. When we tasted them, we figured the lemon or orange were specified due to the high amount of sugar in this recipe! The sweet jello bars were REALLY sweet when they were done!
One of us also mis-read the instruction email and mixed her jello in with the dry ingredients, so we just boiled water and honey at this step and it gave the final product a slightly different texture, but still worked.
Lemon jello barely boiling:


Raspberry jello at a rolling boil:


Add jello mixture to dry ingredients. Mix well. If the dough is too dry, add a small amount of water a teaspoon at a time. This is where it got a bit tricky. You want this to be dry, but it has to be moist enough to stick together, and this stuff is stiff!!! Spoons only work for about 30 seconds–you’ll end up cleaning your hands and smashing it all together that way (or you could use your mixer, I guess–why didn’t we think to do that???)



Add the water a little at a time–do NOT get impatient and just add a bunch of water! You’ll be able to stick it together lots easier, but the idea is for it to be dry so it will not mold in your car trunk like your kid’s leftover tuna fish sandwich…

 

Shape dough into a loaf about the size of a brick. Yeah, right. We had a couple of Martha Stewarts with us that were able to form lovely brick shaped loaves, I just wasn’t one of them. I don’t think it really matters what shape your loaf is–it’s not like you’ll be posting pictures of it on the internet or anything . . . I’m thinking if I do these again, I’m going to make smaller loaves anyway and just have 3 smaller loaves instead of one big loaf. I’m going to need a chisel to be able to eat any of this!



Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Another recipe I found says to put it in the oven and dry at low heat. That might be better overall. Our loaves got a bit brown on the bottom and we had severe stickage to the pan (think melting/cooking jello+sugar), so you might spray your pan first. Here’s the loaves after they cooked. Okay, I know, they look just like the loaves before they cooked, but really, I didn’t just go to the other side of the pan and take a picture, these were the cooked loaves.


Cool. Wrap in aluminum foil to store. I do not know why you wouldn’t put it in a ziplock or something, but I guess maybe it stays dryer in the foil. Not sure about you all in humid climates–this probably wouldn’t last in foil–I think I’d maybe make sure it was really dry, then vacuum pack it with my food saver if I lived anywhere besides the desert!


This bread will keep indefinitely and each loaf is the daily nutrients for one adult (approx 2000 calories). This is what the paper says. My loaves are going in the back of my suburban when I get my car kit put together and we’ll see how long they last! This was not too difficult to make. I figured the cost of 1/4 of a #10 can of powdered milk at $2.00 (we got the powdered milk at $8/can–lots of places are more expensive than that) the jello at $ .50 (okay, mine was $.97 because I had to buy it at the little store here in town–jello is a non food that I don’t usually have in my food storage), the sugar, honey, and oats another $1.00 or so. So on the cheap end, these cost $3.50ish for 2000 calories, compared to $4.95 for 2400 calories of the commercial emergency food bars. These are larger and heavier than the commercial bars also. I will say however, that the orange jello brick (my personal favorite) actually tasted pretty good and not all processed and shortening (yep, a real word).

So there you have it. Making your own survival food bars from the goods in your food storage! And if you don’t want to eat it you could always use it as a doorstop!

This article was originally posted at Adventures in Self Reliance


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March 19th, 2013
post by policysup | | 0

Personal Preparedness Kit for Kids

We all know that emergencies occur when we least expect them – especially when children are concerned.  Teaching them to be prepared for unforeseen events starts at home.  And, like school, you have to start with the basics.  Putting a few basic emergency items in your child’s book bag will help your child be the most prepared kid in school.  And, knowing that your child has his or her basic needs met will calm your concerns while they are away.

Studies have shown, that a child is less fearful of unforeseen circumstances when they know they can handle the situation on their own.   Having the right tools at their disposal will significantly reduce their stress levels, while at the same time; give them a bit of comfort during a stressful event.  Consequently, your child’s self-confidence will increase because he feels entrusted by you with these emergency items.

As long as I have had this blog, I have advocated that each person should have a personal preparedness kit that they carry around with them.  I firmly believe children should be taught this as well.  Most of these small preparedness items can fit conveniently into a pencil bag, or a small sized bag with a zipper.  These items were approved through the school nurse at my children’s school.  Before packing up these basic emergency items, check with your child’s principal, school nurse or teacher.

Items May Include:

[ ] Bandages

[ ] First aid ointment

[ ] Chapstick

[ ] Whistle/compass combination

[ ] Pen/tablet

[ ] Light stick or wind up flashlight

[ ] Emergency blanket

[ ] Sanitary bags

[ ] Hand wipes

[ ] Emergency rain poncho

[ ] Energy bar or snack

[ ] Water bottle

Via: readynutrition


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