Medical and Pharmaceutical Supplies

**Ken** · 01-30-2010, 02:57 PM

Okay, kids, without getting into the gory details, the fact of the matter is that if I hadn't been pumped full of enough antibiotics to fill a swimming pool a few weeks back, I probably wouldn't be here starting a new thread right now. (No snide remarks necessary, okay Wareagle? 2dumb?

)

Usually, family and friends react to my stock of medical supplies in mixed ways, from appreciation to astonishment to amusement. Yep, I've always had a TON of supplies on hand, including first aid supplies, medicines, and more sophisticated medical items, and by that I mean that I have more first aid supplies and medical supplies at home than you'll find on the shelves of most pharmacies.

Guess what? I'm now convinced that I don't have nearly enough medical and pharmaceutical supplies on hand if a SHTF situation - like the earthquake in Haiti - were to occur. One thing's for sure: if any type of disaster of the Haitian Earthquake magnitude were to strike, hospitals and pharmacies would be overwhelmed (yep, even in the USA) and quickly run out of supplies that would be needed.

So, it's time for another one of Ken's lists. A real loooooong shopping list. Yeah, it'll include a lot more surgical dressings and bandages and stuff like that. It's also gonna' include a lot more surgical and hospital supplies than I have now in my kit, including things like needles and syringes and IV supplies and sterilization equipment and medical equipment and prescription medications.

I've kept a decent supply of meds - antibiotics and non-prescription meds and prescription pain meds - in stock for years. I've never once misused or abused the stuff, and my doc - who knows me well - has never hesitated to write me a script to replace my old stock. On more than one occassion, I've gone to his office with a few bottles of old narcotics and antibiotics (containing the exact number originally prescribed) and asked him for new scripts to replace my old stock. Then, after he's written me new scripts, he's taken my old stock and made sure it was disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.

Two items that will be big on my list are antibiotics and pain killers. Tons of them - all kinds, too. If I can't deal with a medical problem myself, I figure that it'll be a lot easier to find a medical professional who can rather than the supplies required. So, I'll provide my (our) own supplies. Enough for a variety of injuries and medical problems for a lot of people for a reasonably extended period of time.

There's something you should all know: The expiration date on many prescription bottles is often pure fiction. Have you ever noticed that medication (narcotics, antibiotics, etc.) almost always "expire" exactly one year after the date of purchase? The fact of the matter is, they can often be used effectively YEARS AND YEARS after the so called "expiration date." If you don't believe this claim, check this artice out:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/up...ate1103a.shtml

Yep. Just when you think you're prepared, a couple of simultaneous events, like surgery and an earthquake, can make you think otherwise.

It's time to start Ken's List #827..........

**oly** · 01-30-2010, 03:07 PM

You can practice on 2D if you wont.
http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_...urgical™%20Kit

**Rick** · 01-30-2010, 03:19 PM

@ Everyone: Some random things to keep in mind.

A doctor can't necessarily write a prescription for anything he or she wants. The FDA watches narcotics scripts.

Too powerful of a painkiller might be a hindrance. Being out cold or even just mentally fuzzy in a time of crisis is not in your best interests unless someone else is doing the work. For most of us, a painkiller that will take the edge off a broken leg, for example, will help us in the long run to be able to do things we might still need to do until help arrives. Things live giving directions over a phone or radio or signaling once help is in the vicinity. Telling 911 how pretty the clouds are isn't going to help you much.

Having supplies and knowing how to use them are two different things. Take a first aid course and, if you can, don't stop there. Continue your medical training with things like wilderness first responder, etc. The more you know the better you can help yourself and others.

@ Ken - I look forward to the list. Thanks for putting it together!!

**BENESSE** · 01-30-2010, 04:42 PM

I, like Ken, have a long list of meds & pharma supplies that I'm constantly honing and replenishing. Been in a position to suffer without in many a god-forsaken parts of the world as well as in some western countries and I've learned the hard way. I can only imagine the need during TSHTF or worse.

Where I feel particularly deficient is in the knowledge of dealing with major cuts and wounds (beyond Quick Clot), and having the right stuff to treat them with--basic surgical supplies and shots of Novocain. I worry about having to start cutting and amputating without some sort of an injectable anesthetic. Pain can be immobilizing and deserves serious consideration IMO.

**Rick** · 01-30-2010, 05:01 PM

I don't know, B. I think doing something you aren't trained to do can put you in a lot worse shape than you were in before. Even if TS did HTF. Even if I had my left foot under a huge rock I don't think I'd want someone to come along and whack it off to get me out. There's a lot of things they need to know like tying off arteries and keeping the wound clean and dealing with the end of the bones and shock. And, of course, me taking a swing at them while they are cutting.

Doctors are loosing patients in Haiti because they don't have the necessary equipment to deal with amputations and crushing injuries. And they know what they are doing.

I'd sure like to hear from some of our Doctor/Nursing/ER/EMT folks on this subject.

**Ken** · 01-30-2010, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Doctors are loosing patients in Haiti because they don't have the necessary equipment to deal with amputations and crushing injuries. And they know what they are doing.

Rick, that is exactly my point! The chances are that someone with the proper medical training, or sufficient medical (not first aid or paramedic) training will be available in a reasonable amount of time. My goal is to make sure I have what they need to work with, to the extent that I can legally acquire those items.

**2dumb2kwit** · 01-30-2010, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Doctors are loosing patients in Haiti because they don't have the necessary equipment to deal with amputations and crushing injuries. And they know what they are doing.

Yet you don't think that having extra supplies and equipment is a good idea???

It would be my luck, that I'd be hurt and a doctor would show up and say, "Dang, if I just had this and that, I could fix you right up".

**BENESSE** · 01-30-2010, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

I don't know, B. I think doing something you aren't trained to do can put you in a lot worse shape than you were in before. Even if TS did HTF. Even if I had my left foot under a huge rock I don't think I'd want someone to come along and whack it off to get me out. There's a lot of things they need to know like tying off arteries and keeping the wound clean and dealing with the end of the bones and shock. And, of course, me taking a swing at them while they are cutting.

Doctors are loosing patients in Haiti because they don't have the necessary equipment to deal with amputations and crushing injuries. And they know what they are doing.

I'd sure like to hear from some of our Doctor/Nursing/ER/EMT folks on this subject.

Totally agree!
That's why I said I'm deficient in the knowledge...so no, I wouldn't be doing anything invasive unless my life depended on it and even then I'd think about it long and hard. However, (I have given shots before) I think having shots of Novocain at home or in a BOB could be useful.

**2dumb2kwit** · 01-30-2010, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Ken

Rick, that is exactly my point! The chances are that someone with the proper medical training, or sufficient medical (not first aid or paramedic) training will be available in a reasonable amount of time. My goal is to make sure I have what they need to work with, to the extent that I can legally acquire those items.

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

Yet you don't think that having extra supplies and equipment is a good idea???

It would be my luck, that I'd be hurt and a doctor would show up and say, "Dang, if I just had this and that, I could fix you right up".

It's bad enough that I didn't refresh the page and see that you had posted that.....but the thought of you and I thinking the same thing just scares me. LOL

**Ken** · 01-30-2010, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

It's bad enough that I didn't refresh the page and see that you had posted that.....but the thought of you and I thinking the same thing just scares me. LOL

2dumb, any thought of you, regardless of the circumstances, scares me.

**Winnie** · 01-30-2010, 05:33 PM

Funny this came up, I've just ordered some extra bits and pieces for my supplies. I'm still working on my Doc to give me extra medication that I take regularly, he still won't. I've even offered to go private and pay for the things myself! but no, I'm just a simple woman he sends off with a pat on the head and a very patronising smile..... I know more about epilepsy than he does!!

**2dumb2kwit** · 01-30-2010, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Winnie

Funny this came up, I've just ordered some extra bits and pieces for my supplies. I'm still working on my Doc to give me extra medication that I take regularly, he still won't. I've even offered to go private and pay for the things myself! but no, I'm just a simple woman he sends off with a pat on the head and a very patronising smile..... I know more about epilepsy than he does!!

Please don't take this the wrong way, Winnie, but it completely baffles me, that some people want to make our (American) medical system, like yours.

**BENESSE** · 01-30-2010, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

Please don't take this the wrong way, Winnie, but it completely baffles me, that some people want to make our (American) medical system, like yours.

The point is to cater to the lowest common denominator.
Good news if you're among them. Terrible if you're not.

**LowKey** · 01-30-2010, 07:13 PM

Weird, just today I was just thinking my First Aid and medical supplies were not good enough and was scoping around online for a good base EMT/Trauma kit and suture/syringe sets. What some people sell in terms of First Aid kits should be considered a crime of inadequacy.

I've always kept pretty well stocked First Aid kits at home and in the truck but nothing really long term or full trauma. Time to remedy that.

**oldsoldier** · 01-30-2010, 08:02 PM

Having been trained several years ago as an EMT/Paramedic as well as medic training in the army I have/had a higher than most in first aid/medical training. HOWEVER I would be extremely hesitant even in a shtf situation to attempt anything much more advanced than suturing a wound beyond my training.UNLESS it was a life or death 100% situation. If I knew that unless I attempted something the other person had a 100% chance of death without it then I would attempt to do something more advanced.

**oldsoldier** · 01-30-2010, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by LowKey

Weird, just today I was just thinking my First Aid and medical supplies were not good enough and was scoping around online for a good base EMT/Trauma kit and suture/syringe sets. What some people sell in terms of First Aid kits should be considered a crime of inadequacy.

I've always kept pretty well stocked First Aid kits at home and in the truck but nothing really long term or full trauma. Time to remedy that.

Lowkey try here www.chinookmed.com or www.FirstAidStore.com both have some good gear/kits/supplies

**Rick** · 01-30-2010, 08:08 PM

Thank you, OS. That's my thoughts as well.

@2D and Ken - Don't you guys read posts or is it just a problem of comprehension?

Originally Posted by B

Where I feel particularly deficient is in the knowledge of dealing with major cuts and wounds (beyond Quick Clot), and having the right stuff to treat them with--basic surgical supplies and shots of Novocain. I worry about having to start cutting and amputating without some sort of an injectable anesthetic. Pain can be immobilizing and deserves serious consideration IMO.

To which I responded. Good grief, it's possible that you two are brothers .... or sisters.

I also said..."@ Ken - I look forward to the list. Thanks for putting it together!!"

Good grief, I think you two are brothers.....or sisters.

**Rick** · 01-30-2010, 08:11 PM

I do like Chinookmed.

**Ken** · 01-30-2010, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

....@2D and Ken - Don't you guys read posts or is it just a problem of comprehension?

To which I responded. Good grief, it's possible that you two are brothers .... or sisters.

2dumb, are YOU gonna' let him get away with talking like that?