Used by the prepper community, Beans, Bullets and Band-aids, is quite a well known expression. This has become a catchy phrase because it outlines the three essential things that would be needed in a disaster scenario. Beans signify the food, water and shelter that are necessary to sustain life; the bullets represent the ability to protect oneself as well as family, in addition to being able to hunt and protect one's freedom; the last term, bandaids, symbolize people's healthiness and cleanliness. So what are some of the necessities that fall within the phrase beans, bullets and band-aids?
Beans, Bullets and Band-aids:
Beans-
Food- If you would like to start storing food there are some things to think about. How long will the food last? Is this something that you and your family will realistically eat? Will the food survive if there is a disaster and no electricity? How will you cook the food you have stored? The amount of food stored ultimately depends on the person that is storing it. But, keep in mind that you need to have enough food for the amount of time a foreseen disaster will last. If you are just preparing for a short term disaster then maybe only a few days to a week of food is necessary. If your preparations need to last after a massive break down of society or a major disaster, you may want to have a few months to multiple years of food stockpiled. Also you may want to raise your own livestock and have a fruit and vegetable garden. Hunting and Fishing are also a great way to get food. Just a note, all grocery stores combined in one city usually only have about 3 days worth of food for the entire city.
Water- When there is no water coming out of the sink where will you find fresh, clean water? You may want to keep water stockpiled as well. There are a couple options for this. You can keep water bottles or gallon containers full. There are also water tanks that come in various sizes anywhere from under 100 gallons up to thousands of gallons. If you are lucky enough to be near a river or lake, this may be a good source of water. There are many types and sizes of water filters that don't need electricity and make even the worst water safe to drink. There are also tablets that can be placed in water to purify it. A well would also be a fantastic water source, but can be quite pricey to build. Ultimately, there are many options, but it is a good idea to know about the natural water sources in your area.
Shelter- Where will you stay? You will need a place that is safe, dry and warm (and hopefully comfortable as well). Many people will probably just stay in their houses. This can be a good option as long it is safe. According to the Beans, Bullets and Band-aids theory, a home that is on a significant amount of property, hidden from main roads, can be a great shelter for disaster scenarios. Those that already live a survivalist lifestyle will be at an advantage and may have a home that uses renewable resources like solar or wind. These resources could come in very handy. There are also many others that have a separate home just for survival circumstances. So if you have the money, this may be a great investment for you and your family.
Bullets-
Protection- Having a way to protect you and your family is very important during trying times as people in desperate situations will take desperate measures. Guns are a very important part of protection and may be able to diffuse a situation where talking and negotiating do not solve the situation. There are many different types of guns and many theories on which ones to own. Of course, any gun is better than no gun, but remember, each type of gun has different scenarios that make it useful. If your target is relatively close, a shotgun or pistol may be the best option. If your target is 60 yards or more away, a rifle is probably the best option. However, protection is not just limited to guns. Reusable and quiet weapons such as bows or knives are great to have because you constantly run the risk of depleting your bullet stockpile. Protection could also be in the form of a fence or barbed wire outside your home that deters thieves and other mischievous people.
Hunting- This also goes into the food category of beans, bullets and band-aids. In order to hunt efficiently and effectively, you need to know which hunting weapons to purchase and use. A.22 rifle would be much better for squirrel and varmint hunting than a 7 mm magnum rifle. However, a 7 mm magnum rifle would be more effective for hunting an elk and other big game animals. A bow may be better in any situation, as it is silent and will not arouse attention like a gun. Another great idea is the use of traps. These are reusable and are semi-passive ways of finding food. They can also protect your home from intruders. In the forest and plains areas, squirrels, elk, deer, birds, turkeys and water fowl are all great sources of protein. In the desert, tarantulas, snakes, birds, deer, insects and javelina can provide a great food source.
Band-aids-
Preventative- Though not a conventional step to beans, bullets and band-aids, staying in shape and being healthy is one of the best ways to prevent problems during an end of the world scenario. When we are healthy we are able to work harder and more efficiently. Being healthy and in shape can also promote productivity. Some of the ways to prepare for an end of the world scenario are to eat right, exercise regularly and keep an active lifestyle. Knowledge of minor medical procedures is also a great way to prepare.
Medicines- If you need a certain medication to maintain a productive lifestyle, make sure to have a surplus of them on hand. There are some doctors that will give extra prescriptions for the purpose of preparing and stockpiling, so the beans, bullets and band-aids theory suggests asking and explaining your situation to him or her. Additionally, there are some medicines that should be kept on hand; antibiotics are an important one. Cipro and penicillin are some of the most popular, but don't forget the many over the counter medicines that are used regularly. These can include aspirin, allergy medicines, cold or flu remedies, diarrhea medicines, stool softeners among many more.
Medical supplies- Non-medicinal medical supplies are also very important. For instance, how will you dress a wound or set a broken bone? It is good to have band-aids, bandages, braces, splints, and thermometers on hand. The more you know and have increases the chances of surviving.
This is only a start to beans, bullets and band-aids. The one thing I haven't discussed yet is the importance of research and knowledge. If money is an issue, this is a great place to start. This necessary step to survival just happens to be free. There are many great books and tutorials online that will teach you anything from CPR and fishing to gardening, at no cost. Now that you know about beans, bullets and band-aids, you can start preparing for any scenario you see fit.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Essential First Aid Kit Contents for a Disaster Situation
In a disaster or survival situation, you are bound to get hurt so make sure you have the essential first aid kit contents. In one of these situations, it is much more likely that you will be doing more hard and manual labor. The increase in this type of work will lead to increased injuries which will make it necessary to have a fully stocked kit.
There are a few reasons to the increased injuries in this time. Above what I've already explained, injuries can increase because most of us don't do this hard, manual labor very often, if ever. This leads to us forgetting how to use certain tools, which can lead to mistakes. This forgetfulness and mistake-making can increase our likelihood of injury. Additionally, the harder work may lead to fatigue and other overworked conditions.
It is difficult to know what the sewage and waste circumstances will be in a post apocalyptic world, but it is safe to assume it will not be as safe as it is now. So getting diseases from these sources will be much more likely. The last reason to have the correct first aid kit contents is simple: when you do incur an injury or contract a disease there will most likely be no hospital to go to.
Now that we have established the importance of a first aid kit, what should you put in it? There are many fully made first aid kits that may fill your need, but sometimes you may want to make your own first aid kid or add stuff to a premade one. Below I have compiled a few of the kits that are on sale at Amazon, so take a look at what they have.
There are a couple things to think about when looking for the essential first aid kit contents: First, how big will your first aid kit be? It is probably a good idea to have one big household first aid kit and one that is small enough to be mobile. Second, what kind of medical problems do you and your family have? If you have thyroid problems it would be a good idea to try and get 6 months or more of your prescription. Insulin could be very difficult to get during a disaster, so a long term supply would be beneficial. You would also need an insulin cooler to protect your insulin. Any other prescriptions you have that are necessary for your survival should be in the kit. Third, do you have any small children? You may want to add child specific medicines. And finally, does your family have any allergies? If the allergy is serious enough (peanuts or bees mostly) to cause an anaphylaxis reaction, make sure to have an enough epinephrine to last.
This is a list of the essential first aid kit contents that you will want to have in your kit:
A bag to hold everything
Necessary medications
A large amount of all shapes and sizes of bandaids
Bandages- Non stick bandages in many different types and sizes
Bandage Tape- A few rolls
Gauze pads
Neosporin
Antiseptic- Hydrogen peroxide and Alcohol
2-3 Ace Bandages
Burn Ointment or Gel
Burn Dressing
Aloe Vera Gel
EyeWash
Tweezers
Iodine
Thermometer
Latex Gloves
Pieces of cloth to use as tourniquets
Small Flashlight or pen light
Tongue depressors
Scalpel
Instant ice packs
Paramedic Scissors
Chapstick
Eye Pads
Sting Relief
Venom Extractor Kit
Sunscreen
Advil
Tylenol
Migraine medicine if people in your family get them.
Hydrocortisone
Stitching Kit
Immodium AD
Benadryl
N95 Medical Face Masks
Bodily fluid cleanup kit
Medical Handbook
Additional things to be added to the first aid kits contents. These are good to have, but could be difficult to get or expensive
Penicillin
Cipro
Other Antibiotics
Vicodin
Other Pain Killers
Muscle Relaxers
Emergency oxygen unit
Blood Pressure Cuff
Stethoscope
CPR Mask
Irrigation Syringe
This should be a good list to get you started. The first aid kit should be tailored to your needs and medical issues. It is very important to get educated on many of the different basic procedures done in the medical field as you may actually have to use it in a disaster scenario. If you have the essential first aid kit contents in your first aid kit you should be able to treat most of the problems and injuries that arise.
There are a few reasons to the increased injuries in this time. Above what I've already explained, injuries can increase because most of us don't do this hard, manual labor very often, if ever. This leads to us forgetting how to use certain tools, which can lead to mistakes. This forgetfulness and mistake-making can increase our likelihood of injury. Additionally, the harder work may lead to fatigue and other overworked conditions.
It is difficult to know what the sewage and waste circumstances will be in a post apocalyptic world, but it is safe to assume it will not be as safe as it is now. So getting diseases from these sources will be much more likely. The last reason to have the correct first aid kit contents is simple: when you do incur an injury or contract a disease there will most likely be no hospital to go to.
Now that we have established the importance of a first aid kit, what should you put in it? There are many fully made first aid kits that may fill your need, but sometimes you may want to make your own first aid kid or add stuff to a premade one. Below I have compiled a few of the kits that are on sale at Amazon, so take a look at what they have.
There are a couple things to think about when looking for the essential first aid kit contents: First, how big will your first aid kit be? It is probably a good idea to have one big household first aid kit and one that is small enough to be mobile. Second, what kind of medical problems do you and your family have? If you have thyroid problems it would be a good idea to try and get 6 months or more of your prescription. Insulin could be very difficult to get during a disaster, so a long term supply would be beneficial. You would also need an insulin cooler to protect your insulin. Any other prescriptions you have that are necessary for your survival should be in the kit. Third, do you have any small children? You may want to add child specific medicines. And finally, does your family have any allergies? If the allergy is serious enough (peanuts or bees mostly) to cause an anaphylaxis reaction, make sure to have an enough epinephrine to last.
This is a list of the essential first aid kit contents that you will want to have in your kit:
A bag to hold everything
Necessary medications
A large amount of all shapes and sizes of bandaids
Bandages- Non stick bandages in many different types and sizes
Bandage Tape- A few rolls
Gauze pads
Neosporin
Antiseptic- Hydrogen peroxide and Alcohol
2-3 Ace Bandages
Burn Ointment or Gel
Burn Dressing
Aloe Vera Gel
EyeWash
Tweezers
Iodine
Thermometer
Latex Gloves
Pieces of cloth to use as tourniquets
Small Flashlight or pen light
Tongue depressors
Scalpel
Instant ice packs
Paramedic Scissors
Chapstick
Eye Pads
Sting Relief
Venom Extractor Kit
Sunscreen
Advil
Tylenol
Migraine medicine if people in your family get them.
Hydrocortisone
Stitching Kit
Immodium AD
Benadryl
N95 Medical Face Masks
Bodily fluid cleanup kit
Medical Handbook
Additional things to be added to the first aid kits contents. These are good to have, but could be difficult to get or expensive
Penicillin
Cipro
Other Antibiotics
Vicodin
Other Pain Killers
Muscle Relaxers
Emergency oxygen unit
Blood Pressure Cuff
Stethoscope
CPR Mask
Irrigation Syringe
This should be a good list to get you started. The first aid kit should be tailored to your needs and medical issues. It is very important to get educated on many of the different basic procedures done in the medical field as you may actually have to use it in a disaster scenario. If you have the essential first aid kit contents in your first aid kit you should be able to treat most of the problems and injuries that arise.
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