Essential Medications to Stockpile

Essential Medications to Stockpile

Essential Medications to Stockpile
Buy at Amazon

Essential Medications to StockpileI am not a doctor, and I am not qualified to give medical advise, I do know something about disasters and how to prepare for disasters.

I wanted to share some Essential Medications to Stockpile to help people better manage their prepper resources.

I also see people spend way too much time, effort, and resources prepping to extreme in some areas and leave other areas untended.

If you read many of the survival related blogs, you will find many people discussing how to get prescription medicines just in case. While I have some chronic medical issues, and also see this need, I have to wonder if they have first stored over the counter medications before trying for the nice to have…

I am sharing some essential over the counter medications that available, affordable, safe and legal.

Used properly, they can effectively treat dozens of conditions including:  headache, fever, sore throats, ear ache, menstrual cramps, heartburn, arthritis, ulcers, diarrhea, allergies, hives, congestion, dizziness, mild anxiety, nausea, vomiting, poison ivy, athlete’s foot, ringworm, eczema, insomnia, backache, gout, diaper rash, yeast infections, and much more…

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – Acetaminophen is the only non-prescription pain-reliever that is not an anti-inflammatory drug.  It will not irritate the stomach like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.  It is useful for the same conditions as ibuprofen, though effectiveness varies according to patient.  As mentioned above, it may be combined with ibuprofen in full doses for more severe pain.  Side effects are very few, though in high dose, especially when combined with alcohol, it can lead to liver failure.  It is available in several pediatric dosages, both for pain relief and fever reduction.

Bacitracin ointment – This ointment is best used to prevent skin infections when the skin has been breached, as by an abrasion, laceration, insect bite, or sting.  It also may be used to treat a superficial skin infection such as a mildly infected wound or impetigo.  It is less likely to produce a topical skin allergy than other topical antibiotic preparations that contain neomycin.  It cannot be used to treat deeper infections, however, which generally require an antibiotic by mouth.

Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) The same antifungal medication, clotrimazole, is contained in both Lotrimin and Gyne-Lotrimin.  Gyne-Lotrimin may be used to treat both female yeast infections and any other yeast or fungal infection that Lotrimin would treat, including athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, diaper rashes, and skin fold irritations.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – Diphenhydramine is primarily used for drainage due to respiratory infections and nasal allergies, in both adults and children.  It is also indicated for hives and itching, including itchy rashes such as poison ivy.  Although not all patients become drowsy when using diphenhydramine, many do so, making this medication useful for insomnia as well.  Some people find the drug relieves nausea or mild anxiety. While not a doctor, I keep this on hand for when I get a lot of bee stings, it seems to help me and keep swelling to a minimum (but I am not allergic to bee-stings and would not try to use this to replace an epi-pen if I was)

Hydrocortisone cream – The 1% version of hydrocortisone is the strongest steroid cream available over the counter.  It is safe for use in both adults and children in treating inflamed and/or itchy rashes such as eczema, poison ivy, diaper rash, and other minor genital irritations.

Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) – Among the OTC anti-inflammatory medications, ibuprofen is probably the most versatile.  Primarily indicated for pain and inflammation, it may also be used to relieve headaches, earaches, sore throats, sinus pain, stiff neck, muscle strains, menstrual cramps, arthritis including gout, and back pain.  It is also effective at reducing fever and is generally safe for use in children.  It is not advisable for most stomach-related pain, although may decrease the pain of kidney stones, kidney infections, and possibly bladder infections.  The most common side effect is stomach irritation or heartburn.  When combined with acetaminophen it is nearly as effective as codeine, tramadol, or hydrocodone in relieving more severe pain.

Loperamide (Imodium) – The most effective OTC medication for diarrhea is loperamide, which is available both as tablet form and liquid for children.  It is often useful for relieving intestinal cramping.

Meclizine (Bonine, Dramamine) – This antiemetic drug is available both over the counter and by prescription.  It relieves nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and vertigo-like dizziness.  For some patients it causes drowsiness, and therefore may be used as a sleep aid.  It is related to medications for anxiety and may help with this as well.

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) – Pseudoephedrine is effective at relieving congestion of both the upper and lower respiratory tract due to most common causes including infection, allergy, chemical irritation, and mild asthma or bronchitis.  It frequently has a stimulatory effect, similar to caffeine.  The most common side effects are those resembling a burst of adrenaline:  rapid heart rate, palpitations, and increased blood pressure.  Years ago this drug was used in young children, even babies, though now most pediatricians do not advise it in patients younger than about six years old.

Ranitidine (Zantac) – Although several medications are available OTC for the treatment of heartburn, ulcers, and other acid-reducing conditions, ranitidine is among the best-tolerated, is inexpensive, and is also useful for relieving hives. Doctors often advise an acid-reducing medication such as ranitidine for patients who experience stomach upset when taking ibuprofen, though this must be done with caution.

Conclusion
If you only have a small amount of money to prep, then going after OTC meds will give you more for your money than trying to find a doctor to give you a supply of antibiotic. For less than $100 you can lay in a large supply of all of the above.

baby food

Recipe: Baby Food (Peas)

Recipe: Baby Food (Peas)
Buy at Amazon

baby foodAs a new mom, my wife is very particular what she feeds the boy, and as a new dad, I am always wondering how to afford all the new budget items babies bring.

When practical (especially during the summers when the wife is not teaching) we find making our own baby food makes the wife happy because she controls the ingredients, and makes me happy because it is much cheaper as well as being better quality.

So as the boy grows we are introducing new foods –so the first question is when can you start feeding peas to your baby?

As always I am not a doctor, so ask the pediatrician, but we started feeding WT peas at about 6 months. – peas are sometimes sold as a “first food”, but it can cause gas in some babies, and we wanted to wait a little while as gas problems runs in the family (even if we blame the dog)…

When making your own baby food you have a couple options, and cooking up fresh peas is obviously the healthiest choice, but not the easiest. Using canned peas is much easier (and normally cheaper), but since canned peas contain a lot of salt and sugar we think it negates the very reason we are cooking our own baby food.

We compromise and use frozen peas. They are economical, available, and less processed than canned peas.

Peas are not usually sold by variety, although many varieties DO exist.

Peas are a great source of nutrition for your child because they are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (including iron, vitamins A and C, vitamin B1, folate, and phosphorus)

To Turn Peas to Baby Food

Simply puree the cooked peas in a food processor, with a little of the cooking water or even a little homemade vegetable or chicken broth.

We like to use our OXO food mill to make baby food, and have done several videos on it, but, because the little bits of the skin tend to be hard to break down, Pea puree is somewhat difficult to get completely smooth we find the food mill does not do a good job.

The best way around the problem is to pass the puree through a very fine mesh strainer, which should filter out even the tiniest bits. Or use this tip from Andrea, one of our visitors…

I was able to get a smooth puree without straining by using a blender on the fastest setting and letting it run for two minutes or so. Add a little water so it really gets moving and the skins will puree.

Now that the boy is a little older and prefers to eat what we eat, Cooked peas can make a great finger food for older babies – a bowl of cooked peas can keep our WT busy, and the small size helps build hand eye coordination which he will need to help his daddy with “projects”. Just make sure to only use cooked peas, as uncooked peas are a choking hazard.

Introduction to Emergency Kits (like BOBs, INCH, GHB, IFAK, EDC, and GOOD bags)

Introduction to Emergency Kits (like BOBs, INCH, GHB, IFAK, EDC, and GOOD bags)
Buy at Amazon

From my experience working in disaster response, I know the work and thought that goes into running a shelter during a disaster.  Emergency management workers try very hard to make shelters safe and comfortable.  However, the lack of privacy, resources, and independence makes me pretty hesitant to choose to go to a shelter as long as I have other options.

Personally, it would take a very severe reason for me to evacuate or “bug out” from my home in the first place.  Leaving the house would entail me having to leave many of my in-place systems and make me more vulnerable to outlaws and well meaning (and otherwise) bureaucrats.

Want and Reality aren’t the Same

However, just because I don’t WANT to evacuate from my homestead doesn’t mean I won’t HAVE to evacuate.  I don’t want any kind of disaster to befall my family, but measuring risk says I should be prepared “just in case”.  This leads me to the subject of emergency kits.

Any prepper or interested party with access to the internet has probably noticed the love of acronyms as they relate to kits and gear. You have: BOB, INCH, GOOD, GHB, and EDC, IFAK, 72 hour kits, and 1st 2nd and 3rd line gear.  The confusion just piles on.

Basically, it all related to the stuff you need to survive and the philosophy that caused you to pack it all together.

Basically it all starts with the 72 hour kit, which comes from the US military and is based around the fact that American soldiers are resupplied so often that they only need to be self-sufficient for three days at a time.  This level is what the US government recommends for all citizens, because in the event of a federally declared disaster it will take FEMA approximately three days to get a supply system organized to provide relief.  A 72 hour kit should have basic cooking, lighting, shelter, water, and food to survive for three days.

Prepper Terms

EDC

EDC or everyday carry are things you have on you everyday.  A whole prepper subset has evolved around EDC.  Generally for me my EDC is a couple knives, a cell phone, a cheap screwdriver set and P-38 on my key chain, and if I am carrying my “baur bag” to school some Altoids tins with containing a sewing kit and OTC medicine, and some car charger adaptors.  I would love to have a pistol in my EDC, but I work on a National Guard Base so that is verboten.

Bob

BOB, bob, or B.o.B means Bug Out Bag.  A BOB is a small bag that is basically a portable 72 hour kit.  The idea is that if a fire or something broke out and you had to leave RIGHT NOW, you can throw on your shoes, grab your BOB and have whatever essential medicines, food, and clothes that you would need.  A good idea is to have copies of vital records in your bob, so that you won’t loose them if you don’t have time to dig around in your filing cabinet.

GHB

A GHB or Get Home Bag is practically the same as a BOB, but philosophically the opposite.  A GHB is a portable kit containing the essentials you would need if you have to find an alternate route home if disaster struck while you were away from home.  I work inNashville, but I live about a 45 minute drive away.  If something happened and I had to leave my car and walk home, I would want a light backpack type kit that allowed me to change out of my work clothes, and gave me some comfort and security on a long trek home.

I keep a GHB in both mine, and my wife’s vehicles, and due to the nature of cars, my GHB is actually a box that has a lot of stuff, both for light repairs, minimalist camping, and a walk home.  Space and weight is not an issue in the car, so I have things in my box that I can pick through to make a bag that best fits my situation.

Many people keep firearms in their GHB’s and I totally understand that, however, if you have a AR or other long arm and change into a multi-cam uniform, your going to attract unwanted attention.  Consider a more concealable approach to defensive weaponry.  Personally, I want to look like Joe Sixpack with no more on me than anyone else.  In a disaster I want to blend in until I have to stand out.

Good Bag

A GOOD bag or Get out of Dodge is a larger BOB, but still small enough to pack quickly.  It’s pretty much interchangeable with a BOB.  Some preppers have GOOD trailers or GOOD vehicles that are pre-packed.  I use big plastic totes with a color code system.  Each food tote contains approximately a month of food rather than a single commodity.  In an emergency I can grab as many as I have room for and not have to worry about grabbing a 50 pound bucket of wheat but forgetting the salt or grinder.

Inch Bag

An INCH bag on the other hand means “I’m Never Coming Home”. Its more of a mad max/ the road/Postman type problem where you have to take what you can carry, but all you get it what you take.  My inch bag would contain everything in my GOOD kit, plus extras like my hand reloading press, more tools, and reference materials.

Military Terms

IFAK

IFAK is not a general preparedness kit, but it took me a minute to connect the dots so I will throw it in as a “good to know” IFAK is an improved first aid kit. This improved kit that is part of a new military Soldier in a system initiative.  It basically is a one pound kit that addresses major blood loss and airway distress.

Line gear is also a military concept and centers around the gear you would need to complete a mission.  It’s not exactly applicable to citizen preppers, but it is related in many ways.

First Line Gear is your EDC

It focuses on what you would carry on your person.  This would include your clothing, knife, weapon and maybe a small survival and first aid kit.  Obviously, if you’re a office worker your EDC would be much different than a law enforcement officer, or a coal miner.  Don’t go mall ninja on me though and carry a bunch of neato jiffy wow stuff to feel cool.  Everything needs a use or you won’t carry it all the time.’

2nd line gear is your “fighting load,”

When I have my “baur bag” (my wife calls it a “murse” but jack pack, messenger bag are all appropriate terms.)  I can carry more prepper stuff, flashlights, hand held radio, batteries, power bars.  It also can go with me almost everywhere and gives me more capability without sacrificing a lot of maneuverability.  IF it was a full on WROL (without rule of law – VERY unlikely) this would most likely take the form of a load bearing vest, or chest rig to hold ammunition for your rifle.

3rd line gear is your pack

Sustainment items you need for a longer term.  Your not going to fight wearing your rucksack, you would drop it and depend on your 1st and 2nd line gear during the fight and then go back and get your pack to refill your empty magazines.

The thing is, who cares what you call your stuff, organize it to suit your needs and as long as you understand what your doing and why you are light years ahead of guys that follow the conventional prepper wisdom and build kits based upon what some internet guru wrote in a list.  Your also Galaxies ahead of people that don’t even have a thought about prepping.

You don’t need to be scared, but it is important that you take some time to develop a plan that you can work with.

How To Keep Up With the Amount of Water You Drink Per Day?

 

How Much Water Should You Drink
Buy at Amazon

Genny has a good tip on how to keep up with how much water you should drink in a day.

Water is a vital part of a healthy diet.  It helps you to feel full, it lubricates your joints, helps your body eliminate waste, lets you sweat to keep cool, and is generally essential to life.

Unfortunately most people do not drink near enough water.

To ensure you drink enough water you should determine how much you weigh in pounds.  Divide that number in half.

The number you get is the amount of water you should drink daily in ounces.

Example:

  • If you weigh 180 pounds, half of 180 is 90 so you should drink 90 ounces of water a day.

That is pretty easy, but the harder part is keeping up with how much water you have drunk.

This is the neat part of Genny’s tip.

  • Find a cup you can easily keep up with. (I like clear sports bottles with fruit infusers, but that is my personal preference).
  • Determine how many ounces it holds.
  • Divide the ounces in the container by the ounces you need to drink
  • Round up to get a whole number and place that many rubber bands around the container.

Example:

How To Keep Up With the Amount of Water You Drink Per Day?

90 ounces of water for a 20 ounce bottle 90/20 = 4.5.

A 180 pound person with a 20 ounce bottle needs to drink the entire container 4 and a half times a day.

Fill your container and each time you drink it empty remove a band and refill it.

When you have removed all 5 bands you have drank your daily requirement of water.

This is a simple way to keep up with your daily water intake.

Genny has found that simple lifestyle changes are more sustainable than diets.  The 21 day fix system has allowed her to loose more than 90 pounds and make permanent changes that ensure she does not only lose weight, but she keeps it off.

Einstein’s Secret to Amazing Problem Solving (and 10 Specific Ways You Can Use It)

Einstein’s Secret to Amazing Problem Solving (and 10 Specific Ways You Can Use It)

Einstein’s Secret to Amazing Problem Solving (and 10 Specific Ways You Can Use It)
Buy at Amazon

I was researching an Einstein quote (the one from the image to the left), and found a really cool website called Litemind.  This site “Explores ways to use our minds efficiently”.  After spending an hour or two reading the articles, I realized that it has some relevance to the self reliant.

The article on Einstein’s secret to amazing problem solving is one such article that I find to be very useful to those that want to think for themselves.

In the new world forming, resources are becoming limited – paradigms are shifting, and the ability to think is becoming less valued but more important to survival.

I believe that anything that helps us solve problems and become more mentally flexible is something we need to share between the members of this preparedness community of ours.

Rather than paraphrase or rewrite the article, I am simply going to link to it, and tell you that I recommend you visiting the site and reading what they have to say.*

Einstein’s Secret to Amazing Problem Solving (and 10 Specific Ways You Can Use It)

*I just found this site today, have not corresponded with the site owners, nor do I receive anything for this recommendation.  I just think its valuable and want to share.