• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 742 0

least for those items that have a lengthy shelf life. Things like gauze, sutures, most bandages, and splints have a shelf life that can be measured in decades. While some items contain adhesives that will eventually dry out, you can make up for this by purchasing several fresh rolls of bandage tape once every two or three years. You also need to plan ahead for such mundane items as drinking straws, hot-water bottles, bedpans, and baby wipes. I also recommend looking for an older-style used adjustable hand-crank hospital bed.

You will want to assemble a medical kit for your retreat. The following article was kindly provided by EMT J.N.:

The Kit, Part I

What we’re most interested in is being able to carry out a few basic interventions that can treat the small problems and buy us time to get to a real doctor for the big ones.

The basic things needed for a person to live are the ABCs: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

Any major interruption to the aforementioned and you’re basically done for without immediate intervention. There are also other common problems that can threaten your survival: shock, hypothermia, dehydration, fever, infection, and major injury. And there are a number of minor problems that can become major ones if we ignore them. A sprained ankle may keep you from being able to evacuate. A minor cut can lead to sepsis when you’re in a dirty environment. Diarrhea is annoying, but it can kill you if it goes on for longer than a couple of days.

For the kit to be worthwhile, every item should be able to help you solve these problems and preferably have multiple uses. After substantial research, the kit listed below was settled on as a good compromise in terms of usefulness and cost. The supplies are grouped by category.

Personal Protection

(1) 2 oz bottle hand sanitizer

(4) Pairs exam gloves

(1) CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) shield

Instruments

(1) Pair splinter forceps

(1) Pair EMT shears

(2) Disposable thermometers

(1) Razor blade

Bandaging

(20) 1-inch Band-Aids, cloth

(2) Rolls 4.5-inch Kling gauze

(1) Small roll medical tape

(4) Gauze bandages, 4 inches square

(1) Triangular bandage

(1) ACE elastic bandage, 3 inches

(10) Steri-Strips, ¼ inch by 1½ inches

(2) Tincture-of-benzoin swabs

(2) Instant cold packs

Medications

(6) Packets triple-antibiotic ointment

(20) Benadryl tablets

(20) Ibuprofen tablets

(18) Imodium tablets

(15) Aspirin

Other

(4) Plastic vials

(1) Bag, 1-gallon Ziploc freezer-type

Here is a brief explanation of each group of items and what they might one day do for you.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

These items are there to help keep you, the rescuer, from getting a disease from someone you are trying to help.

Hand sanitizer is always useful. Ask any nurse about the importance of washing up. The alcohol-based gel is not as good, but it’s the best you can get when the hot, soapy stuff is unavailable.

Gloves are a good precaution whenever bodily fluids (blood, vomit, etc.) must be handled. The more expensive nitrile gloves are better, as some people are allergic to latex. They are also sturdier.

A CPR shield is a must-have—it could mean the difference between helping someone without hesitation and not being willing to risk it.

INSTRUMENTS

Being able to dig out a splinter, cut away clothes, or take vital signs is one heck of a lot easier with some basic tools. EMT shears are inexpensive, heavy-duty scissors that can even cut through a penny. These along with the other items listed will find many uses.

BANDAGING

Bandages are used to stop bleeding and protect wounds. An assortment of cloth Band-Aids can help you deal with minor injuries, while the larger gauze pads and rolls can help with bigger cuts and abrasions. An ACE bandage can be used to treat a sprain, hold a makeshift splint onto a leg, or wrap up a severely bleeding wound that requires pressure. An additional item that might be added is one or more sanitary napkins. Aside from their feminine-hygiene use, they are excellent