preparedness

Medical Supplies That Will Disappear Fast in a Crisis

It’s the Basic Law of Supply and Demand. When the Demand for Medical Supplies is High, the Supply Runs Low.

To put it bluntly, we’re spoiled. Finding and buying just about anything we need is as easy as a quick trip to a store or a couple of keystrokes on the Internet. And while it’s true that we can improvise many of the things we need, medical supplies don’t make those swap-outs easy.

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The obvious solution is to stockpile, but there’s more to it than an assortment of bandages and some over-the-counter medications. We’re going to explore a condition-driven approach to a stockpile based on the types of medical conditions that are common during and after a disaster. Some will be in short supply very rapidly after disaster strikes. Others are difficult to find in most stores even now.

For those items that may be difficult to locate, we’ve provided links in this article. Many items can be found at a pharmacy, but if they are a bit obscure, the Internet has it.

In the grand scheme of things, the items you choose to stockpile are not very expensive. It’s the quantity and the variety that can add up a bit, but even then, if you can’t find it anywhere, it’s priceless.

The primary focus here is on first aid items that will be in high demand following a disaster. If you think of an item you’ll need that’s not on the list, buy it.

Disaster Possibilities

Disasters tend to fall into two broad categories: Natural and Manmade. The good news (if there is any) is that we’re somewhat accustomed to natural disasters if not simply aware of the threats they present.

Manmade disasters are another story and can range from rampant civil unrest to financial collapse or a catastrophic failure of the grid due to infrastructure compromises and worse. Here are the most common injuries and illnesses across these two categories.

Natural Disasters

Hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, epidemics, we’ve seen or heard of them all in the last year and the impact in many cases is devastating. What should come as no surprise is that the primary medical emergencies that emerge following a natural disaster fall in the category of basic first aid for non-life threatening injuries and conditions in most instances.

Here are some examples of common injuries as a result of a natural disaster:

Fractures and sprains
Burns
Deep cuts and scrapes
Eye injuries
Deep punctures

There are also medicines that will be in short supply to treat many conditions that accompany these types of injuries or as a result of compromised living conditions.

Infection
Pain
Poisoning

If you work backward from the injury or condition, it’s a little easier to assess what will be in short supply and what you should stockpile. How much you need to stock is dependent on your family size and your assessment of how long you think the effects of the disaster will last.

Here’s a checklist as a thought starter.

First Aid Supplies Following Natural Disasters

OTC Medicines

Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen
Cough and throat relief
Congestion relief
Triple antibiotic ointment
Burn and sting relief ointments, gels and sprays
Eye drops, rinses, and antibiotic eye ointment
Ipecac syrup to induce vomiting
Activated charcoal for poisoning
Benadryl for allergic reactions
OTC’s for intestinal distress (dysentery)

Equipment

Diagnosis of medical conditions and the treatment of the current state of an ill or injured person requires some equipment. Consider the following:

Thermometer
Blood Pressure Cuff
Stethoscope
Sterile surgical gloves
Cane or crutches
Neck brace
Velcro splints for legs, arms, wrists, and ankles
Eye cup
Sterile bottle for irrigation of eyes and wounds
Surgical scissors, forceps, scalpel and hemostat
Dental Picks

Manmade Disasters

You may not have first-hand experience or even knowledge of some manmade disasters. There are also manmade disasters that fall in the unthinkable category, but if they’re within the realm of possibility…well…they’re possible.

Here are some examples that various parts of the world have experienced at one time or another:

Civil unrest
Conventional War
Nuclear war
Biological war
Chemical war
Civil war
Economic collapse
Catastrophic grid failure
Government Collapse

Your experience with any of these manmade disasters has a lot to do with your country of origin and your age. It’s an unfortunate fact that some generations are going to face disasters on this scale at some point in their life.

The medical emergencies that come with manmade disasters are complex and often serious but represent a set of conditions and injuries you would expect depending on the nature of the disaster:

Injuries

Many of the injuries presented by a natural disaster can and will occur during a manmade disaster. If you’ve stockpiled items for a natural disaster, they’ll do double duty for some of these injuries from a manmade disaster. But there are some potential injuries that are unique to manmade calamities. Many of them are very serious if not critical.

Bullet wounds
Radiation poisoning
Radiation Burns
Eye damage and blindness
Chemical burns
Multiple fractures and sprains
Deep wounds
Poisoning
Severe bacterial infections
Severe bleeding

Conditions

Radiation sickness
High fever and pain
Severe bronchial and respiratory conditions affecting the throat and lungs
Blindness due to nuclear flash or chemical warfare
Infection due to severe burns or deep wounds
Blood borne pathogens

Supplies

Medicines

Many of the OTC medicines for a natural disaster should be on hand but there are some specific OTC’s to consider.

Iodide tablets to prevent radiation damage to the thyroid gland.
Activated charcoal – Very important for treatment of radiation poisoning and chemical poisoning.

Serious burn gels (second and third degree).

Prescription Medicines

This isn’t so easy. Prescription medicines are potent solutions, especially for infections and other bacterial conditions. But you can’t get prescription meds unless you have a condition that requires them.

Here are some solutions to consider:

Save leftover prescription meds in the event of an emergency. Medical professionals recommend against this, but in an extreme emergency you may be glad you have at least some on hand.
If you or a family member have a chronic condition that requires prescription meds, ask a doctor for a 90-day prescription. That will at least give you a buffer for the short-term.
Look into veterinary meds as alternatives. Be very careful and do your homework.

Pre-packaged Medical Kits

You can save yourself a bit of time by simply buying medical kits with a combination of various supplies, medicines, and equipment pre-packed. The size and quantity of items and prices vary but some include sophisticated supplies and features designed for serious expeditions.

Even if you’re assembling individual items off-the-shelf, you should think about collecting and compartmentalizing them based on specific conditions. If you have an emergency related to severe burns you don’t want to spend 15 minutes tearing through hundreds of non-related medical supplies to find the burn gel. A toolbox or tackle box clearly labeled is a good place to start.

Here are some of the basic kits to think about.

Family First-Aid Kit:

Expedition First-Aid:

Dental Emergency and Repair Kit:

Burn Kits:

Basic Surgical Kits:

Expedition Surgical Kits:

Puncture and Wound Care Kits:

Eye First Aid Kit:

Ear, Note, and Throat Kits:

Snake Bite Kit:

Radiation First Aid:

Knowledge

Having medical supplies on hand is only a first step. Knowing what to do with them is perhaps more important. You should start by assembling some basic books that can give you specific information and reference for treating a variety of medical conditions.

Here are some books to consider:

There are also websites that offer very good information and the luxury of a search feature for specific conditions. Keep in mind that if the grid is down, the Internet may also be down, so do your research before you need the information rather than after the fact.

Food for Thought

This information is meant as a thought starter. There are certainly other conditions and circumstances that could arise. Take the time to give it some thought. As you prepare, you’ll be able to expand your thinking and your supplies.

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This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here

preparedness

4 No Cook Meals For Surviving The Pandemic And Food Supply Shortages

When it comes to your food supply, you just can’t risk not having enough. These no cook meals will be a great addition to your food supply planning. Check out the recipes below!

No Cook Meals to Help You Through the Pandemic

As of the writing of this article, there are 20 meat processing plants that have been shut down due to COVID-19 infections. We have been worrying about these types of effects on our food supply for months now, and this is the first real sign of how infections can affect the food supply.

When you walk into a supermarket, you might not see all the choices you had in the past. An empty meat case is a humbling thing for your eyes to fall upon. It’s the shocking realization that the seemingly infinite supply of chickens, pigs, and cows that are butchered for us has begun to run dry!

To deal with this issue, we are going to present four no cook meals that will help you create dinners at home that will feed your family without worrying so much about what’s available, or unavailable, in the meat case.

1. Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches

Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

As preppers we get beans. There are a bunch of ways to use beans and this a great example of how you can pack a sandwich with great nutrition and protein.

Serving: Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:

Can of White Beans
Olive Oil
1 Avocado
8 Slices of Whole Grain Bread
8 Slices of Salted Pork (Prosciutto, Ham, Virginia Ham)

Instructions:

Begin by draining your beans in a colander then smashing them up in a bowl add a few glugs of olive oil, salt, pepper. This little mix is delicious. If you add some minced rosemary, you can even turn this into a delicious dip.
Pit your avocado and cut it in half and then quarters lengthwise. Leave the skin on.
Lay the bread out on a clean work surface for assembling the sandwiches.
Spread your mashed bean mix onto one side of the bread.
Peel your avocados and slice 1 quarter for each sandwich. Spread slices over the bean spread.
Add a few slices of your pork to over the top of the avocado.
You can finish this sandwich with some lettuces, fresh sprouts, or just eat it as is.

2. Delicious Crab Salad

Canned crab is a protein option that will likely be around through much of this meat crisis. It does have to be kept in refrigeration, but it’s delicious and this chipotle mayo salad is great in the spring and summer.

Ingredients:

1 Can of Crab Meat
1 Bunch of Asparagus
Chipotle Mayo
1 Bunch of Green Onions
1 Bunch of Cilantro

Instructions:

Drain your crab in a colander and set it in the sink.
Slice your asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Throw them into a bowl.
Thinly slice your onions and your cilantro and throw that into the bowl, as well.
Gently toss in the crab meat.
Squirt on enough Chipotle mayo to coat everything and toss gently not to break up the crab meat.
Chill in the fridge and serve.

3. Simple Greek Salad

Simple Greek Salad | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

The combination of simple summer ingredients makes for an incredible quick salad that you could add other proteins, too, if you wanted. These could be canned meats.

Ingredients:

2 Large Tomatoes
1 Cucumber
1 Red Onion
¼ Cup of Feta Cheese
A Few Sprigs of Fresh Mint
½ Cup of Kalamata Olives
Balsamic Dressing

Instructions:

I like to cut the tomatoes in large chunks and have them kind of be the main course in this salad. Peel and slice your cucumber in half. Remove the seeds and either dice or slice in half-moons.
Peel and slice your red onion in half. Julienne your, or thinly slice, your half onion.
Add all these ingredients to a bowl. Finely slice your mint.
Add your olives, crumbled feta, and mint to the bowl and add enough dressing to coat everything.
Stir it up and allow this to chill for at least an hour for the flavors to really blend.

4. Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

Using some similar ingredients and adding a protein like tuna, you can create some delicious lettuce wraps. The key to a good lettuce wrap is to have most of the items around the same size. So, consider that when you are preparing this dish.

Ingredients:

Iceberg or Butter Lettuce
Canned Artichokes
Canned roasted Red peppers
Fresh Cucumber
Feta Cheese
Minced Olives ¼ Cup
2 Cans of Tuna
Green Onions
Basil

Instructions:

Start by peeling all the full leaves from your lettuce. Set them on a plate either cover them with a wet paper towel or put them back into the fridge.
Dice the peppers, artichokes, and cucumbers into cubes. Go no larger than ½ an inch.
Thinly slice your green onions and basil and add them to a bowl with your diced vegetables. Add your loves to this bowl and mix them thoroughly.
Crumble your feta cheese over the mixture.
Drain your tuna thoroughly and then add that to the bowl, as well.
Gently toss this mixture. Try not to break up the tuna and the cheese too much but incorporate it thoroughly.
If you want, you can add some olive oil to the mix or a few glugs of balsamic vinegar. It’s also delicious just how it is.
Scoop a few tablespoons into a lettuce leaf, wrap it up and eat up!

These no cook meals should help lessen the stress you feel when thinking of what to feed your family. If you don’t have the specific ingredients, use your creativity, and use what you have. You might discover a new recipe while you’re at it!

What’s your favorite no cook meal recipe? Please share it with us in the comments section!

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This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

preparedness

Billionaire Whistle Blower: Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll Is Over 50,000

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000.

A Chinese billionaire and whistleblower who lives in U.S. exile says Wuhan crematoriums have burned 50,000 coronavirus victims. | Credit: Chinatopix via AP

The official coronavirus death toll in China is a little over 800. But an exiled Chinese businessman says crematoriums are leaking the real figure.
A billionaire whistleblower alleges Wuhan has crematoriums working 24/7. He claims they’ve cremated some 50,000 coronavirus victims.
Guo Wengui is a Chinese billionaire living in exile in the United States.

The official coronavirus death toll is some 800 people in China. The current official death toll worldwide, outside of China, is 774. But a Chinese billionaire with a history of blowing the whistle on his former government says the real figure is much higher.

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000. Wengui made the bombshell allegations in an interview with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Whistleblower: 1.5 Million Coronavirus Cases In China, 50,000 Coronavirus Deaths In Wuhan

He also claims to have inside information that there are 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases in China. Wengui is emphatic that these are not merely quarantined or “under observation” but confirmed cases of coronavirus infection:

China has struggled to contain the coronavirus. But it has also struggled to contain public outcry against censorship and tight control of information. Dr. Li Wenliang, who sounded the alarm about the disease, succumbed to an infection and died this week. The Chinese government arrested him for blowing the whistle.

Then officials tried to suppress news of his death. Afterwards, millions of Chinese citizens saw the hashtag #IWantFreedomOfSpeech on Mandarin language social media. But the Chinese government censored that too.

Are Wengui’s Crematorium Claims Credible?

Watch VICE’s 2017 profile on Guo Wengui. At the time, he published bombshell documents alleging corruption in the Chinese government. He got the attention of the media and reportedly the U.S. State Department.

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