Why is it that every time I look at this computer screen with the intent of writing a post, I all of a sudden can't think of anything to say? I ALWAYS have something to say! Those who know me wish that I was always looking at a monitor. :-)
Anyway...
Over the past week I have been thinking a lot about medical things. Stuff like... prescriptions when there are none, surgery with no operating room or how I might plug a sucking, chest wound when all I have is a plastic Wal-Mart sack. You know those will be blowin' around like tumble-weeds in an old western.
Paper money and plastic bags... all over the place.
Anyway I digress.
In the Army I was taught the ways of first-aid in the field. Apply pressure, twist the tourniquet until the bright red blood stops flowing, etc etc... But the things I want to know are a little bit more complex than that. They didn't teach me how to amputate a nasty gangrene arm.
Number 1... Prescriptions. My family members are always laughing at me when I say, "Fill the prescription. Even if you are not gonna use it." "Why?" they hesitantly ask because they all know I am a little "off". I answer... because it is good for you. Someday we might not have the ability to get good drugs. The legal kind anyway. What about the expiration dates you may ask? All prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs have expiration dates. The truth of the matter is that almost all drugs have MUCH LONGER shelf-life then what is stamped on the bottle. Here is a good (article) about shelf-life of drugs.
Storing the drugs is no biggie either. Keep'em cool and keep'em dry. A refrigerator is great and if you can seal them in some kind of an air tight bag... even better.
In short when you get a prescription, fill it. If you don't use all of it, save the rest.
Now for surgery without the OR. Surgeries come in all shapes and sizes but all have a couple of things in common. Keep it as clean as possible. Use tools that have been sterilized in some fashion. You may consider investing in a (Field Surgical Kit) and get a (good book).
Third... What is a "sucking-chest-wound" anyway? Well, when you see someone with a BIG or little wound around their chest cavity area and you hear air escaping, like the sound of a slow leak, and some bubbling blood or what not, you probably have a "sucking-chest-wound". Now you may ask, "How are you supposed to fix that with a Wal-Mart sack?" It is not as far fetched as it sounds and actually easier than you may think. Take some of that bag and seal it around the wound with duct tape and there you have it. You should be able to see the bag moving up and down with the breaths of the victim, which tells you you have a good seal.
Of course there are many more things to learn and I give you just a taste to get the bud juice flowin'. Happy learning and remember to comment if you have something to share.
Oh yeah... amputating an arm... do it very carefully. :-)
Until next time Survivors... May you always have a shelter over head, food in the belly and a good pair or boots.
