[Prepping like a Pro #2] Summary:
This guide gives intermediate preppers the tools and training mindset to handle injuries, infections, and emergencies when no doctor is available. Learn what to stock, what to practice, and what could save a life.
1️⃣ WHY “JUST A FIRST AID KIT” ISN’T ENOUGH
“A trauma wound laughs in the face of a Hello Kitty bandage.”
Real emergencies may include:
- Severe bleeding
- Broken limbs
- Burns
- Infections
- Breathing issues
- Shock
- Long-term care without hospitals
✅ You’re not trying to become a surgeon. You’re trying to keep someone alive until they can heal.
2️⃣ MINDSET FIRST: BECOME A FAMILY MEDIC
- ✅ Take responsibility for basic stabilization
- ✅ Accept you may be the only one there
- ✅ Learn before you need the skills
- ✅ Stay calm, act fast, keep it simple
You don’t need to know everything. You need to know enough to stop dying.
3️⃣ CORE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SKILLS (PRACTICE THESE)
| Skill | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Stop heavy bleeding (pressure, packing, tourniquet) | #1 preventable cause of death |
| Treat a burn | Prevents infection and pain |
| Splint a limb | Reduces further injury |
| Identify shock | Silent killer if untreated |
| Perform CPR | Cardiac arrest survival |
| Treat infection signs | Small cuts → big problems |
✅ Practice makes muscle memory. Buy dummies or practice on friends (nicely).
4️⃣ LEVEL 2 MEDICAL GEAR KIT (BUDGET + POWERFUL)
| Category | Item |
|---|---|
| Trauma | Tourniquet (CAT or SWAT), pressure bandages, hemostatic gauze |
| Splints | SAM splint, triangle bandages, duct tape |
| Burns | Burn gel, aloe, non-stick dressings |
| Infection | Triple antibiotic, iodine, wound wash |
| Illness | Electrolyte tabs, thermometer, OTC meds |
| Dental | Temporary filling kit, clove oil, mirror |
| Hygiene | Gloves, masks, soap, trash bags |
| Reference | “Where There Is No Doctor” book |
✅ Keep a “real” kit in your home, car, and bug-out bag. Label it clearly.
5️⃣ WHERE TO LEARN (FOR CHEAP OR FREE)
- ✅ Local Red Cross or CERT training
- ✅ Online courses (Stop the Bleed, CPR)
- ✅ YouTube (but choose real EMTs/nurses)
- ✅ Prepper medical books with photos
- ✅ Practice drills (bandaging, splinting, evac carry)
✅ You don’t need a license to apply pressure and save a life.
6️⃣ MEDICATION MANAGEMENT (FOR EXTENDED SCENARIOS)
| Type | Plan |
|---|---|
| Prescription meds | Ask doctor for 90-day emergency refill |
| Antibiotics | Vet supply sources (fish amoxicillin, etc — controversial, research required) |
| Pain relief | Rotate NSAIDs, track expiration |
| Anti-diarrheals / anti-nausea | Huge morale and safety boost |
| Natural backups | Garlic, turmeric, elderberry (adjunct, not primary) |
✅ Store meds in cool, dry place. Vacuum-seal if possible.
7️⃣ GROUP MEDICAL ROLES IN A CRISIS
| Role | Task |
|---|---|
| Primary Medic | Trained person, keeps the real kit |
| Assistant | Runner, helper, sanitation support |
| Logkeeper | Tracks wounds, doses, improvement or decline |
| Watchdog | Looks for worsening infection, shock, dehydration |
| Inventory Manager | Rotates meds, restocks supplies |
✅ Don’t let 10 people assume “someone else is watching the patient.”
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- ✅ Most deaths in a collapse are from bleeding, infection, dehydration, exposure
- ✅ Learn to stop bleeding and recognize danger signs
- ✅ Build a real trauma kit — not just a cute pouch
- ✅ Train now. When it’s needed, you won’t have time to guess
- ✅ The first medic in your group is you — like it or not
🚩 ACTION STEP: BUILD & TEST YOUR MEDICAL SYSTEM
- ✅ Buy or build a trauma kit this month
- ✅ Sign up for a Stop the Bleed or CPR class
- ✅ Print basic emergency procedures and add to your kit
- ✅ Practice wrapping, splinting, and bleeding control at home
- ✅ Assign medical roles if you have a team
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