Emergency First Aid Books & Supplies

[WormGuy]

Emergency First Aid Books and Supplies

Copyright © 1999,2005 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.

All Rights Reserved.

This is NOT Medical Advice.The following information should only be used for emergency first aid treatment until a trained medical professional can take over. In addition, the person administering the first aid should take the American Red Cross First Aid Training Course.

 

If you already have an emergency first aid reference book or two, then you probably shouldn’t invest in the following books unless they offer something your current books don’t.

 

The following books describe your options when you don’t have immediate access to professional medical care or prescription medicines. Most of these books are still in print and you could probably find some of them at your local neighboorhood bookstore, or you could purchase them over the internet. The books are listed in the order I would purchase them if I could not afford to buy them all.

 

Emergency First Aid Reference Books

The Medical Advisor - The Complete Guide to Alternative & Conventional Treatments, by Time/Life Books.

Hardcover ISBN: 0-8094-6737-2 (1,152 Pages, Size: 10.25" x 8.25" x 2.5")

(Out-of-Print, Price: About $10.00 New)

Comment: Has an excellent section on emergency first aid for the most common types of problems. It contains information on about 300 common ailments with detailed information on which symptoms are usually present and what your treatment options are, including both herbal and diet, plus common home remedies and over-the-counter medications. It also describes how to prevent the problem from reoccurring. It has separate sections on medicines, vitamins and minerals, and an illustrated atlas of the human body.

 

 

 

Reader’s Digest Guide to Medical Cures & Treatments.

Hardcover ISBN: 0-89577-846-7 (480 Pages, Size: 11-1/8" x 8.5" x 1.25")

(Out-of-Print, Price: About $4.00 to $5.00 New)

Comment: Begins with an illustrated anatomy of the human body based on its major functions. It then lists about 500 of the most common health and medical problems, frequently with color pictures. For each medical problem, it explains what your options are, including self-treatment and herbal healing when appropriate. It also contains a nice section on medications and a brief summary of the benefits of vitamins and minerals.

 

 

 

 

Where There is No Dentist, by Murray Dickson.

Paperback ISBN: 0-942364-05-8 (188 Pages, Size: 9" x 6" x 3/8", Price: $12.00 New)

Comment: Tells you how to clean teeth, and what to do for the most common teeth problems. It also describes some of the serious health problems that can result if a tooth is extracted by anyone other than a trained dentist.

 

Where There is No Dentist can now be downloaded for free from the following web site:

http://www.inteldaily.com/news/171/ARTICLE/1426/2007-01-01.html

 

 

 

 

The American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook.

Paperback ISBN: 0-316-73646-5 (321 Pages, Size: 9.25" x7.5" x 5/8", Price: $11.60 New)

Hardcover ISBN: 0-316-73645-7

Comment: Shows how to handle the most common types of accidents. It also contains a very good ten page section on childbirth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The American Medical Association Guide to Your Family’s Symptoms.

Paperback ISBN: 0375752579 (319 Pages, Size: 10" x 7-5/8" x 3/4", Price: $3.60 New)

Comment: Begins with color illustrations of human anatomy based on the body’s major functions. Instead of listing medical problems in alphabetical order, it lists major symptoms and through the use of flow charts it allows you to diagnose your medical problem based on your particular combination of symptoms (where the pain is, how do you feel internally, do you have a fever, what is visible on the surface of the body, etc.). In this respect, it is truly excellent. However, after you have figured out what is wrong, in most cases the book only recommends professional medical care instead of telling you what your other options are.

 

 

 

Heart and Hands - A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, by Elizabeth Davis.

Paperback ISBN: 0-89087-838-2 (287 Pages, Size: 11" x 8.5" x 3/4", Price: $20.37 New)

Comment: If you or someone in your family is pregnant (or is still in their child bearing years), then you should consider purchasing this book. However, if you aren't expecting any little ones anytime soon, then the other books listed above would be a better choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the material is duplicated in two or more of the above books, but the discussion is different and that provides you with a different perspective on the same medical problem. If you can’t find the book at your local bookstore, then try amazon.com.

 

Now let's look as some basic first aid supplies that would be of practical value if you should find yourself in an emergency situation where first aid was required.

 

Emergency First Aid Supplies

In most of the normal, common household accidents, a simple first aid kit is entirely adequate. However, if someone is involved in a serious accident, then a more advanced first aid kit could make a big difference. On the other hand, if the person using the kit doesn’t know what he or she is doing, then the person could do more harm than good. When feasible, wait for a medical professional to arrive, or take the person to a medical professional if that is possible.

 

 

 

Medic’s First Aid Kit: Weight 3.4 pounds.

Item Number UZ1-KF-M100, Price March 2005 = $69.95, Available from:

http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_kf%20m100

 

More that 175 medical items. All of the supplies in this kit are of the same quality as those used by Paramedics and Emergency Technicians.

CONTENTS: 25 standard bandages 3/4" x 3", 5 - 7/8" spot pad bandages, 10 iodine prep pads, 3 non adherent sterile 2"x3" pads, 5 surigical micropore 1" tape, 10 antiseptic towlettes, 5 extra large bandages 2"x4.5", 2 ammonia inhalant, 5 bacitracin antibiotic ointment, 10 non-aspiring pain reliever, 20 alcohol prep pads, 3 non adherent sterile pads 3"x4", 5 medium butterfly bandages, 5 large butterfly bandages, 5 fingerfip bandages, 5 knuckle bandages, 8 sterile gauze pad 2"x2", 8 sterile gauze pads 3"x3", 8 sterile gauze pads 4"x4", 4 round eye pads, 5 safety pins, 1 oral thermometer, 5 tongue depressors, 1 triangular bandages, 1 - 5 1/2" bandage scissors, 1 EMT Shears, 1 fine point tweezers, 1 Small Soap bar, 1 porous cloth tape 1"x 10yds, 1 instant ice pack, 1 sterile eye wash 4 oz., 2 - 2" sterile rollergauze, 2 - 3" sterile roller gauze, 2 - 4" sterile roller gauze, 1 rubber elastic 3" x 5 yds, 2 sterile ABD pads 5" x 9", 1 nylon medic bag, 2 burnfree sterile dressings 4"x4", 1 pain relieving gel 4 oz, 2 small vinyl exam gloves, 2 medium vinyl exam gloves, 2 large vinyl exam glovs, 1 wilderness and travel medicine book, 2 mitigator sting and bite treatment.

 

 

The above Medic’s First Aid Kit contains most of the items you might need for an accident around the home. I would add the following items to that kit: blood pressure cuff and separate stethoscope, ear/nose/throat light and extra batteries, barber scissors, cuticle scissors with curved shank, dental repair kit (from Wal-Mart, for temporarily replacing lost fillings), nose/mouth masks, a few extra boxes of 3/4” and 1” Curad bandaids, and an extra box of butterfly closure bandaids. (The butterfly closure bandaids are an excellent alternative to stitching a wound closed in an emergency.)

 

 

 

Surgical Kit: Weight 0.6 pounds.

Item Number CY1-KF-S100, Price March 2005 = $39.95, Available from:

http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_kf%20s100

 

CONTENTS: 1 Fine Point Tweezers, 1 Surgical scissors, 1 straight hemostat, 1 curved hemostat, 1 straight forcep, 1 scalpel handle, 1 single ended dental pick, 1 dual ended dental pick, 1 - 6" probe, 2 replacement scalpel blades, 1 sterile surgical suture, 1 surgical kit canvas cover, 1 disposable pen light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iostat Potassium Iodide Tablets, 130 mg. per tablet, Each tablet individually foil sealed, 14 tablets per package.

March 2005 prices: $8.95 for one package of 14 foil sealed tablets.

Buy 5 packages and get 1 package free.

But 10 packages and get 2 packages free and get free shipping.

Available at the following internet web site: http://wwww.nukepills.com

 

Current stock expiration date Feb. 2008 but extended until Feb. 2010 by the FDA.

If you are too close to a nuclear blast then you will absorb a lethal dose of radiation and nothing can be done for you. But if you are a respectable distance from the blast site, then the primary damage is to the thyroid gland, based on the research done after the nuclear accident in Russia many years ago. These tablets will protect your thyroid gland and are therefore highly recommended. However, also use common sense and stay indoors for at least two weeks after a nuclear explosion (stay inside longer than two weeks, if possible). The above tablets are individually foil wrapped to extend their shelf life and preserve their effectiveness. All potassium iodide tablets begin to deteriorate when exposed to oxygen. Since each tablet is individually foil sealed, only the tablet you are currently taking will be briefly exposed to the air, and the rest of the tablets will remain sealed and protected.

 

 

 

Portable First Aid Kit for a Camping Backpack

The above Medic’s First Aid Kit is too bulky to carry in a camping backpack. A smaller kit is recommended for that purpose. Most commercially available first aid kits are mostly bandaids and gauze. You really need a little more than that. Therefore, you might consider buying the items individually and building your own first aid kit.

 

On the other hand, I have found one small first aid kit that I really like. It is made by SAWYER and it sells for about $14. It comes in a hard plastic waterproof case that measures 7” X 4.5” X 1.5”. It contains the following items:

 

1. Wound Clean Up: 6 alcohol pads, 3 antiseptic wipes, 3 cotton tip swabs, 1 resealable polybag.
2. Wound Care: 2 - 2” X 3” non-adherent sterile pads, 4 - 3” X 3” sterile gauze pads, 6 standard bandage strips, 1 knuckle bandage, 1 fingertip bandage, 1 extra large bandage strip, 1 adhesive tape roll, 1 - 2” gauze roll, 1 tincture of Benzoin, 2 antibiotic ointment, 1 iodine ointment.
3. Medications: 4 acetaminophen tablets, 4 ibuprofen tablets, 2 electrolyte tablets, 2 decongestant tablets, 2 antacid tablets, 2 sting care pads.
4. Specialty Items: 1 moleskin, 1 tweezers, 2 safety pins, 1 folding scissors, 2 tongue depressors for small splints, 1 Doc Forgery First Aid Field Manual.

In the above kit, the tweezers are worthless and must be replaced. Everything else is good quality. I would also suggest adding the following items inside the kit:

 

Additional Items: Fever thermometer (shake down type not battery operated), suture with curved needle, 1 hemostat (or forceps) (5” long with 1” nose), 4 diarrhea pills, 4 constipation pills, 4 aspirin, 1 small soap bar, 10 - 3/4” bandaids, and 5 butterfly closure bandaids.

 

Emergency Over-the-Counter Medicines

Walk down the aisle at Wal-Mart, or your local Discount Drug Store, and pick up a least one of each medicine you think you might need. Pick up several of the medicines your family has used in the past on a regular basis.

 

Other Options

There are two other alternatives that some people have had a reasonable degree of success with. If you wish to consider either or both of the following options, then you should begin by doing a thorough internet web search and learn both the advantages and potential shortcomings of each technique. Then you can make a personal decision whether or not to pursue the option any further.

 

Dr. Robert C. Beck's Silver Pulsar Model ZBB5 ($195.00) available from the following internet company:

http://www.sotainstruments.com/products.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colloidial Silver Maker Model SG6B ($199.00) available from the following internet company:

http://www.silvergen.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

In the event of an unexpected hurricane, tornado, snow storm, or a man-made disaster, you may be the first aid care-giver until the emergency passes and you can get professional medical assistance. If you want to do a good job, then you need to be prepared. The lives of your loved ones may depend on you.

 

 

 

 

John

 

 

[Amishway Homesteaders]

Good List!

and a word about First Aid Books..........................

REMEMBER many things have been updated as to what to do in case you need or are giving first aid.

So this is a good list IF you need NEW BOOKS!

Like if you are STILL useing your boy scout first aid book from 1960...................... THINGS have changed. LOL

check the copyright dates in the front of your books to see how old they are.

[Marjorie]

We use Where there Is No Doctor frequently, even though I'm a nurse. I also like Wilderness Medicine. Both have saved us trips to the doctor

 

I'd like to get A Book for Midwives from the Hesperian Foundation (they do Where There is no Doctor/Dentist)

 

 

 

[Amishway Homesteaders]

We use Where there Is No Doctor frequently, even though I'm a nurse. I also like Wilderness Medicine. Both have saved us trips to the doctor

 

I'd like to get A Book for Midwives from the Hesperian Foundation (they do Where There is no Doctor/Dentist)

 

 

 

 

Somewhere on here just a bit ago there was a free download link for those 2 books?

Now where was that?

[Marjorie]

http://hesperian.org/publications_download.php

 

The Hesperian Foundation has all their books available free for download on their website, and they have a LOT more than just Where There Is No Dentist/Doctor.

 

For us, I prefer to get the print version because we use the books so much.

[out_of_the_ordinary]

Thanks, WormGuy! This is a great post. DH and I were recently talking about needing to get First Aid/medical books.