[Low-budget ASH #9] Summary:
Medical care becomes primitive very fast in long-term disaster. This guide provides a complete, actionable medical and hygiene system for small groups to survive long-term without professional care — using low-cost, obtainable supplies.
1️⃣ THE FOUR MEDICAL RULES OF SURVIVAL
1️⃣ Prevention first.
2️⃣ Treat early.
3️⃣ Control infection above all.
4️⃣ Rotate skills — everyone learns everything.
2️⃣ IMMEDIATE ACTION PLAN — THE FIRST 72 HOURS
- ✅ Inventory all existing medications, supplies, equipment.
- ✅ Establish a dedicated medical storage area — temperature-controlled, secured.
- ✅ Assign a Medical Coordinator (even if not medically trained).
Early organization prevents deadly mistakes later.
3️⃣ CORE MEDICAL SUPPLIES (LOW-BUDGET PRIORITY)
A) TRAUMA (Life-Threatening Emergencies)
| Item | Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Tourniquets (CAT or SWAT-T) | 2-4 | Bleeding control |
| Pressure bandages | 4+ | Severe wounds |
| Israeli bandages | 4+ | Rapid wound compression |
| Chest seals | 2-4 | Penetrating chest trauma |
| SAM splints | 2+ | Fracture stabilization |
✅ Basic trauma kits can be built for $150-200 total.
B) GENERAL CARE (Most Common Medical Needs)
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Gauze rolls & pads | Wound dressing |
| Medical tape | Secure dressings |
| Nitrile gloves | Infection control |
| Antiseptics (Betadine, alcohol, peroxide) | Wound cleaning |
| Triple antibiotic ointment | Infection prevention |
| Thermometer (non-digital backup) | Infection monitoring |
| Tweezers/scissors | Wound management |
| Hydration salts | Diarrhea recovery |
✅ Build multiple daily-use “minor care kits” for $50-75 each.
C) MEDICATION STOCKPILE (OTC Focus)
| Medication | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ibuprofen | Pain, inflammation, fever |
| Acetaminophen | Pain, fever |
| Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | Allergies, mild sedation |
| Loperamide (Imodium) | Diarrhea |
| Antacids | Stomach distress |
| Cough syrup | Upper respiratory symptoms |
✅ Rotate stocks yearly; buy in bulk now while OTC meds are cheap.
D) CRITICAL LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENTS
| Item | Why Important |
|---|---|
| Multivitamins | Nutritional gaps |
| Vitamin C | Scurvy prevention |
| Iodine | Thyroid support (if using untreated water) |
✅ Long shelf life. Very high survival value.
4️⃣ HYGIENE: PREVENTION IS EVERYTHING
| Supply | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bar soap (bulk) | 50 bars | ~$30 |
| Toothpaste | 12 tubes | ~$20 |
| Feminine hygiene (pads, cups, cloth) | Bulk | Varies |
| Diapers (if applicable) | Stockpile early | Varies |
| Hand sanitizer (bulk) | Gallons | $20-30 |
| Bleach | Gallons | $5-8 each |
| Trash bags (contractor grade) | Bulk boxes | ~$20 |
✅ Personal hygiene collapse = outbreak. Preventable with low-budget discipline.
5️⃣ WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Human waste = Disease vector #1 in collapse.
| Method | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5-gallon bucket toilet system | $10-20 | Quick solution |
| Sawdust compost toilet (DIY) | $0-30 | Long-term solution |
| Hand-dug latrines | Free | Needs distance from water source |
Golden Rule:
Never store waste within 50 feet of water/food zones.
6️⃣ WOUND CARE PROTOCOLS (Simplified)
1️⃣ Control bleeding
2️⃣ Clean wound thoroughly
3️⃣ Apply antiseptic
4️⃣ Dress securely
5️⃣ Monitor daily for signs of infection
Signs of dangerous infection:
- Red streaking away from wound
- Swelling
- Pus discharge
- Fever
✅ Early treatment prevents nearly all off-grid fatalities.
7️⃣ ROLES & MEDICAL TRAINING FOR SMALL GROUPS
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Primary Medic | Coordinates care |
| Assistant Medic(s) | Backup care providers |
| Sanitation Officer | Hygiene & waste control |
| Medical Inventory Keeper | Tracks supplies & expirations |
✅ Every adult trains for every role at basic level.
✅ Cross-train teens as soon as possible.
8️⃣ TRAINING BEFORE COLLAPSE (Non-Negotiable)
Supplies mean nothing without knowledge.
Essential Skills:
- Basic first aid & CPR (local Red Cross or online courses)
- Bleeding control (Stop The Bleed training)
- Infection recognition & care
- Fracture splinting
- Basic wound suturing (advanced skill — requires real practice)
✅ Train quarterly. Rotate practice scenarios.
9️⃣ BASIC MEDICAL LIBRARY (MUST OWN BOOKS)
| Title | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Where There Is No Doctor | Gold-standard field medical manual |
| The Survival Medicine Handbook | Comprehensive off-grid care |
| Where There Is No Dentist | Dental crisis management |
✅ Hard copies only. Do not rely on digital storage.
🔟 CRITICAL MEDICAL MISTAKES TO AVOID
❌ Ignoring minor wounds
❌ Assuming city-level care will be available
❌ Hoarding supplies but failing to train
❌ Using untested “natural remedies” without proper knowledge
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- ✅ Infection prevention equals survival.
- ✅ Build complete systems — supplies, training, roles.
- ✅ Early treatment prevents nearly all off-grid medical deaths.
- ✅ Hygiene discipline saves more lives than medicine.
- ✅ Rotate skills regularly. No single point of failure.
🚩 LOW-BUDGET MEDICAL STARTER KIT
| Item | Cost (Est) |
|---|---|
| Complete trauma kit (tourniquets, pressure dressings) | $150 |
| OTC meds bulk supply | $80 |
| Hygiene stockpile (soap, sanitizer, trash bags) | $80 |
| Wound care supplies (gauze, tape, ointment) | $60 |
| Reference books (print) | $60 |
TOTAL: ≈ $430
Covers life-saving medical & hygiene support for 5-10 person group.
[Join the Community to explore our free Resource Base]
Leave a comment