Self-Reliant Saturday-- Travel Medicine Bag

Traveling with five children I need to be prepared with several kinds of medicine.  Mostly for "what if", but I would hate to need a fever reducer in the middle of the night in a hotel.  

 My trip medicine bag is nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.  I used a plastic zipper bag that a set of twin sheets came in.  I added adult and children's medicine, and also basic first aid.  We are renting a beach house and you never know what is supplied until we get there.  So I have band-aids and neosporin just in case.  Last year we needed both so hopefully now that I came prepared we won't need them :) Don't let the unexpected illness, sunburn, headache, or fever catch you off guard.  Pack a medicine travel bag for your family!

First Aid Inventory

Taking inventory of my first aid kits, yes many random kits, has been on my radar for a few months.  I have quite a few smaller first aid kits and a box of random wraps and bandaids that needed to be organized and useable for the whole family.  

This is what I had accumulated over the years.  It isn't pretty and I had no system of knowing what was in the bag or box.  At least it's labeled first aid, right? 

I ran across this fishing tackle box at Wal-Mart for around $39.00 and thought it would make a perfect first aid box. What I loved about it were all the different compartments. 

 After grouping all like items together I started organizing all my first aid items into my new box. On the right and left side of the tackle box are two white smaller boxes with compartments that fit my bandaids and antiseptic wipes perfectly.  They are easy to locate and open. When you need a bandaid, you usually need one right now!

In the top of the box I placed all the gauze pads, triangle bandages, sterile cloth bandages, eye bandages, 2" gauze pads, tape, wraps, ice packs, liquid skin, flashlights, scissors, tweezers, and our first aid books.  

Here she is all filled up with all my first aid goodies.  I have heat packs, hydrogen peroxide, a burn kit, more wraps, vapor rub, antiseptic cleanser, emergency splints, etc.  I removed the original plastic organizers that fit into the middle section to be able to fit in all my larger items. I managed to fit all the basic necessities (I'm not doing surgery here) and I now know exactly what I have on hand.  The daily cuts, scrapes, burns, and minor breaks could all be taken care of at home.  I do have a tourniquet but I would only use that in an extreme emergency. I am sure there are many items that I need to add to our kits, but I feel so much better knowing I organized all of this and that the box is in an easy to find spot.  Now, here's to praying I won't need to use it anytime soon :)

Self-Reliant Saturday-- Car Kits

Inventory and organizing have been my thing lately.  Once I get on a roll I tend to organize everything in sight.  I finished with the storage room and decided to pull out our car kit to update it as well. 

I should be embarrassed to tell you that I hadn't updated the car kit since we moved two years ago.  It was kind of scary.

I pulled everything out of the dirty bag and then checked the dates on the granola bars and fruit snacks.  They were years beyond their expiration dates.  And with them stored in a heated/cooled car all the time, I decided it was best to dispose of them.  

Reason #1 to go through your car kits every six months:  food does expire.  It seems that the kids also eat the food in the car kits.  I have 7 people in my family and only 1 fruit snack and 5 granola bars remained in my car kit.  In an emergency I would have to pick my favorite kid to feed.  (kidding)

Everything got sorted and cleaned and I decided to put "like" things in resealable bags.  Mittens/gloves in one bag, toilet paper, diapers, sanitizer in another bag, etc. 

Then it all got tucked away into the back of the car again.  I hid the food at the bottom of the bag, now maybe my backseat riders won't be able to reach it so easily. 

Items to have in a Car Kit 

• Water
• Food (granola bars, emergency bars, no chocolate-it melts)
• Cold weather gear (hats, mittens, blankets, tarp)
• Small shovel
• Took kit
• Flashlights
• Baby supplies
• Wipes, sanitizer, toilet paper
• Paper and pens
• Map of your area with multiple ways out of where you live
• Hand heaters
• Can heater (click HERE for instructions on how to make one)
• First aid kit (we always have ibuprofen in ours!)
• Poncho
• Emergency blankets (the shiny mylar ones)
• Emergency radio

Any other personal items that you may need or want can go in your kit.  Personalize it to fit your family's needs.  Take a few minutes and update your car kit, or put together a car kit for the cars in your household.  My husband drives down a canyon to get to work everyday.  I don't want him stranded and not have a way to survive.  I usually have 4-5 kids with me when I am driving around and we inevitably need water or snacks or baby wipes.  Emergencies big and small can be remedied by having a well stocked car kit.  

(click HERE to view a previous post on using your car as a shelter)

Self-Reliant Saturday-- First Aid

Self-Reliant Saturdays are all about quick, simple preparedness ideas. 

One of the things you don't want to be without in an emergency, 
or to just have on hand for every day accidents,
 are First Aid items: 

• tons of band-aids (especially if you have children)
• sterilized bandages of all sizes
• antibiotic ointments
• over-the-counter pain medication
• blanket
• non-latex gloves
• cayenne pepper 
•  First Aid Book!

This list is not complete....but a starting off point.  Customize your first aid kit for your family.

 Click HERE for more ideas.
Or Click HERE for a previous post on first aid. 

Vacation and Emergency Preparedness

For the past ten days I was on vacation with my family.  Family vacations are fun but they always have me thinking, what if?  What if our car breaks down in the middle of the desert and it's 109°?  What if one of my children becomes ill?  What if we got lost? (it could happen)  What if there is an earthquake, the roads are destroyed, and we can't get home? Some may call me paranoid but these thoughts do cross my mind.  

Our vacation this year was in California and we drove from Utah.  Along the way there is a stretch of desert and it was well over 100° for a good part of the drive.  This part of the trip always makes me nervous.  It's a real fear of mine that we will break down somewhere in the Mojave desert.  There are several things I do to calm my nerves.

• We always have two cases of water, if not more on our trip.
• We take enough food to last at least 3 days in our car.  
• We always have blankets and a tarp in case our car breaks down and we need shelter, or something to lay on as we change a tire.
• We carry small bills just in the off chance we would need to buy items in an emergency.

My husband will usually humor me and he kind of laughs that I want that much water and food with us, but he won't be laughing when/if we actually needed it all.  We use the water and snacks along the way and it actually saves us a TON of money. Have you seen the prices of food and water at gas stations in the middle of no where??

So my husband humors me by taking extra water and food, but he was not so into taking our whole car kit.  If I was driving alone with the kids it would've been in there, but we were packed to the brim with 5 kids and all their stuff.  The car kit I usually keep in our vehicle was left at home (along with our first aid kit).  We didn't break down or have any other car issues, thank goodness, but I knew if something happened we would have food and water for a little while until help arrived.

Click HERE to view my previous post on car kits. 

Remember the first aid kit that got left behind in the car kit.....One of the lessons I learned on this trip was to be better prepared with first aid supplies.  I do carry bandaids in my purse but the two incidents that happened required a little more than a bandaid.  First accident involved my 14 year old, a large rock in the sand, and her toe nail.  I was at the house when she came inside in tears and limping.  As she was walking across the sand she hit a rock in the sand and it ripped half her toe nail off.  Now, I always thought I didn't have any problem with blood and injuries.  Well, good to know, it was sooooo gross and I had a hard time staying calm while helping her.  We cleaned it up with water and I gave her a bandaid, but it would have been nice to have Neosporin, gauze, and small nail clippers.  I had to purchase all of those items at the store.  Even a small first aid kit (which is in my car kit that wasn't allowed on this trip ;) would have helped in this situation.  Lesson learned!!

Accident number two involved the same child, I think I see a trend now and it scares me, and a hot chaffing dish at the hotel.  As she was reaching for a pancake her inner wrist touched the chaffing dish and she got burned.  It was about 3 inches in diameter and was hurting her badly.  She did ice it but kept telling me it was really painful.  I, mother of the year, kept brushing her off and was busy packing all of our gear up.  As we were getting in the car I took a look at her arm and marched her straight to the front desk of the hotel.  They immediately pulled out a first aid kit and gave her aloe to put on it.  They had us wait while they checked with the hotel kitchen to see if they had any burn cream.  Lucky for us they did, along with a burn patch, gauze, and aloe with lidocaine in it.  I could've easily had a few of the burn patches in a first aid kit.  If we had been anywhere besides a hotel I would've had to purchase those items as well.  (and yes we got a discount on our room because of the accident.  I didn't ask, they offered)  The burn patches were similar to these sold on Amazon.

So, the big lesson learned this trip was to have a fully stocked mini first aid kit!!  Of course now I'll have all the items that I needed and some other random injury will happen that I'm not prepared for, but at least I'll have burn patches and neosporin.  Being prepared for every injury is almost impossible, but having a well stocked first aid kit will give you peace of mind in the mean time. 

Life's Little Speed Bumps

When did life get so crazy?!?!  I thought after my move that I could settle down and get back to my "normal" routine.  Well, life can throw you curve balls at any moment.

 I half stepped off a bottom porch step and broke my foot the other day. This has slowed me down and is quite frustrating when I have so many people dependent on me.  So, cooking has been not so adventuresome and I have just been doing the bare minimum around the house.  I could totally look at this in a preparedness viewpoint, but I am just going to be so grateful for modern medicine right now.  I am so grateful for doctors down the street from my home, that work in a clean and fully stocked medical center.  I love knowing there is electricity and x-ray machines available at all times.  I will not take for granted these modern conveniences, but a small part of me really does think "what if?", and so maybe I'll stock up on some splints, just in case :) At least I can add a boot to my medical supplies now :)

Affordable First Aid Supplies

I am always on the look out for a good deal, especially when it comes to stocking my pantry and emergency supply closet.  With five children I only have a small part of the budget left each month to spend on items for our emergency kits. I am always keeping my eyes peeled for emergency supplies that are on sale, and sometimes I find them in places that I wouldn't normally think of as an emergency supply store.

About 3 times per year, Big Lots stores have a 20% off day.  On the sale day you will get 20% off your entire purchase!  I wait for this day to do my "basics" shopping.  I purchase napkins, paper goods, snacks, storage bags of all sizes, cleaning supplies, sponges, small birthday presents for kids parties, gift bags, tissue paper,  rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls, Qtips, and believe it or not, first aid supplies. 

Band aids are always on my list when I go to Big Lots, but this time I took a little time to look at what else they had.  My favorite find was the Disney Ice Patches.  If I was in an emergency situation and we needed ice for an injury this would take the place of actual ice.  Each box has 3 adhesive patches that last up to 4 hours and can be applied directly to the skin.  The patches can even be cut to fit a certain area.  Whenever I get a migraine I apply an ice pack to my forehead and the back of my neck to relieve the pain, and now I can still have relief without electricity!  I also purchased pain reliever gel, band aids, elastic bandage wraps (like Ace bandages), and first aid tape that sticks to itself.  The best part, the ice packs were the most expensive item at around $3.00 after the 20% off discount. They also had first aid cremes, surgical gloves, and pain reliever medicine but we are already well stocked with those.

 If you are worried about durability, don't be!  We have used the Royal brand of band aids for a couple of years from Big Lots and they are really good.  They are a fabric type band aid and they hold up to my kids cuts and scrapes.  A lot of the items are name brand but are at clearance prices.  I added all of these items to our first aid bag, and while I hope I will never need any of them, I feel secure knowing I have them.  If you have a Big Lots store near you check it out and see if any of these items will work for you.  If you sign up for Big Lots emails, you will get a heads up on the next 20% off sale day, plus other deals as well. 

The Doom and Bloom Handbook- Review

I feel an important part of any food storage are books of all kinds, but especially books on first aid.  You can have all your information stored on you computer, but if there was no power you will need a hard copy of your stored information.  I have been trying to slowly add books to my storage and I was really excited to purchase this book, but.....

The Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook was highly rated on Amazon so I decided to add it to my preparedness library.  I was expecting a book on how to administer medicine, first aid, and other treatments so I could have all that information in one book.  But it really was a reference book on what you could come across in an emergency if you were the only medic available.  It gave descriptions on different things you may come across in a societal collapse like snake bites, sanitation issues, all types of infections, high blood pressure, etc., but not how to treat many of them.  I guess I was looking for more of a medicine how-to book than just an encyclopedia of different medical terms.  And for the price of around $30 I was really hoping for more.  On a positive note, Dr. Alton does go into herbal medicine and essential oils a little bit and I do agree that we need to have those in our storage.

This is a review from someone on Amazon that bought the book and it summed up how I felt about it too.....

"I just did the first read through on D&B and it is a good book. There is a great deal of information on herbal pharmacology and the effective use of antibiotics and wound treatment. Where it looses points is on the constant references to other books and youtube videos. I think this book could have been more stand alone given the obvious skill and knowledge of the authors. I would have liked to have seen more on long term care and the austere nature of techniques we would end up using in a post collapse situation. I also think the book could have done without the add for their trauma kit they sell. So while it is a wonderful supplement to whats out there it is not a one stop shop. so 3.5 star"

Emergency Splints

I have had the itch to purchase these emergency splints for awhile now. 

 On Sunday, the sweetest lady named Winona, brought a package of emergency inflatable splints to church to show everyone how great they would be in an emergency.  She told us the story of her daughter breaking her arm at the YWCA as a child, and all they had to splint  her arm was a Time magazine.  Her husband is a retired physician and he gave her the thumbs up on this product.  This was the nudge I needed to go and buy them.  I have had the ad for Recreation Outlet on my counter for 2 weeks and after Winona brought the splints to church I knew I needed to buy them.

Recreation Outlet is a dangerous store for me to go into.  :)  I want to buy one of everything, but I decided I could use self-restraint and go for my intended purchase, Emergency Splints. (it was a good idea in theory, but we did buy more) They are only $2.99 for 4 splints.  I tried them out on my kids and we were able to blow them up and deflate them several times, so I don't think they are a one-time use splint.  I couldn't find on the package if it said they could be deflated, but we just poked the straw a little further into the splint and let the air out.  

The package comes with 4 splints and a tourniquet. The package says 2 arm splints, 1 calf, and 1 thigh splint.  They are all an adult size and even the smallest splint was longer than my forearm.  On the package it looks like it would fit the forearm but they are larger than depicted.

 They were really easy to blow up and inflated quickly.  My kids thought it was fun, even though my daughter looks not quite sold on the idea.  As I said before we deflated them just as quickly, but in an emergency I would imagine they would have to be cut off when the injured person reached a doctor.  I had to squeeze the splint against their arms to deflate and I am sure that wouldn't be comfortable if their arms were really broken. 

 The splint covered my 12 year old's forearm and elbow and it really got quite tight.  

The back of the package.

So, for the low price of $2.99 I purchased several of these to have on hand.  I hopefully will never need them, but they are a great addition to our first aid kit.  (and yes I couldn't resist, I purchased several other things too before I could get out of the store)

Recreation Outlet
3160 S. State St.
801-484-4800
recreationoutlet.com
sign up for email alerts and sales!! 

Emergency Preparedness- First Aid Kits

The emergency preparedness goal for August is to make sure you have a first aid kit or take inventory of the one you have.  First aid items don't last forever, bandaids lose their stickiness after awhile and items like neosporin do expire.  

The good news is that First Aid kits can be found at almost any store, and you can decide how simple or elaborate to make them.  I bought a few ready made kits at Recreation Outlet for around $10.  I know that Walmart, Target, Emergency Essentials, etc ALL sell first aid kits.  I would just make sure they have all the basics 

 included in the kit before purchasing.  Remember you will want a smaller kit for your vehicles and also a kit for your work kit.  Check out the travel size section of Target & Walmart for a travel size kit for around $1.  They are a perfect size for your purse.

Here is a basic list from about.com

• acetaminophen and/or
• ibuprofen
• tweezers
• alcohol wipes
• antiseptic hand cleaner
• medical adhesive tape
• sterile gauze (four inch squares are best)
• elastic bandages
• several sizes of adhesive bandages
• insect bite swabs
• triple-antibiotic ointment
• hydrogen peroxide
• bandage scissors
• triangular bandages
• instant cold packs
• exam gloves
• barrier device for CPR 

Remember to include a list of anyone in your family who has special medical needs.  Read the link HERE to find out about different ways to help rescue workers know of your medical needs.  

med-Ecase

It is also suggested that we have at least a 3-month supply of over-the-counter medicine & prescription medications on hand.  Talk with your doctor to find out if this is an option for you.  Just picture our world if something happened and the pharmacies were not operational.  There are so many people who take prescription drugs to stay alive, it would be a matter of life or death, literally!!!  During Hurricane Katrina there were victims who were diabetic and were stranded in their homes with no medication.  This story inspired Jennifer Lindley to create a business that makes ready-made emergency kits for people with diabetes, asthma, and (coming this spring) a cardiac kit.  Click HERE to view her website. These are life-saving kits and if you have diabetes or asthma you NEED this in your first-aid or 72-hour kits.  

Don't put off what can be done today!!!  First aid and medications are an important part of everyone's home storage.  

Enjoy the Journey!
Enjoy the Blessings!
Feel the PEACE!! 

First Aid Kits

 Another earthquake has happened, and devastation, along with tsunami warnings, have hit again. Please have your water stored and have your 72-hour kits in an accessible spot in your home. As Haiti and now Chile have been hit by natural disasters I have been thinking of all the things that we can learn from these events. For one, I have 

 learned that help may not be available for 1-2 weeks after a disaster. If family members or neighbors are injured we may be the ones taking care of them until help arrives. I have thought a lot about my first aid kit and realized that I need to stock it with more supplies than I have now. I urge you to evaluate your first aid kit and add any necessary supplies that you are lacking.

A COMPREHENSIVE FIRST AID KIT (COURTESY OF TERI EBERT)

EQUIPMENT:

• CONSECRATED OIL
• LIST OF EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
• INSTRUCTION BOOK (FIRST AID INFO)
• SURGICAL MASK, CPR MASK
• GLOVES
• SOAP AND SCRUB BRUSH
• ANTIBACTERIAL HAND WASH (SANITIZER)
• ANTISEPTIC TOWELETTES
• DISINFECTANT SPRAY
• THERMOMETER
• STETHOSCOPE, BLOOD PRESSURE CUFF
• MEDICINE DROPPER, TEASPOON
• INSTANT COLD PACK, ICE PACK
• INSTANT HOT PACK, HOT WATER BOTTLE
• TWEEZERS, KNIFE, RAZOR BLADES
• SCISSORS, OR EMT SHEERS
• SAFETY PINS, NEEDLES
• TONGUE DEPRESSOR
• COTTON BALLS, COTTON SWABS
• MATCHES
• FLASHLIGHT
• HAND TOWEL
• SHEETS, BLANKET
• PAPER BAG
• TOURNIQUET
• SNAKE BIT KIT
• GOGGLES

MEDICINE-TOPICAL:

• ALCOHOL PREPS, RUBBING ALCOHOL
• HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
• ANTIBIOTIC CREAM, IODINE
• BURN CREAM
• HYDROCORTISONE CREAM
• CALAMINE LOTION, CALADRYL
• INSECT REPELLANT, SUN BLOCK
• EYE WASH OR DROPS

BANDAGES:

• ASSORTED ADHESIVE BANDAGES (INCLUDING KNUCKLE, FINGERTIP, AND X-LARGE)
• BUTTERFLY BANDAGES
• TRIANGLE BANDAGES
• GAUZE PADS, ASSORTED SIZES
• GAUZE ROLLS, ASSORTED SIZED
• ELASTIC BANDAGES, ASSORTD SIZES
• TAPE
• EYE PATCHES
• MOLESKIN
• MENSTRUAL PADS
• FINGER SPLINTS (POPSICLE STICKS)
• SPLINTS (PAINT STIRRERS)
• SLING

MEDICINE-PAIN:

• ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL)
• IBUPROFEN
• ASPIRIN

MEDICINE-INTERNAL:

• PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
• GLUCOSE
• ANTIHISTAMINE (BENADRYL)
• ASTHMA INHALER
• ANIT-DIARRHEA
• LAXATIVE
• ANTI-NAUSEA
• SYRUP OF IPECAC, ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
• ANTACIDS, BICARBONATE OF SODA
• COLD AND FLU REMEDIES, COUGH DROPS
• PEDIALYTE, SALT
• THYROBLOK (FOR NUCLEAR RADIATION)

Having faith, sustaining the priesthood, and keeping our covenants will help protect us, but even the faithful will experience injury and illness. We can prepare for medical emergencies by learning first aid skills and storing medical supplies.

1. Learn how to call 911 (for children)
2. Post emergency first aid instructions inside a kitchen cabinet door.
3. make an emergency and extended family phone list. Make sure to have an out of state contact person. Add emails to the list and place in your 72-hour kits.
4. Learn about CPR
5. Assemble a first aid kit. Place first aid supplies in your 72-hour kits. Store essential medicines, if possible.
6. Have consecrated oil available for priesthood blessings.

Having a family home evening on first aid would be a great way to get the entire family involved with learning first aid.

 As February comes to a close I hope you were all able gather your 20lbs of oats per person. If you didn't get enough for everyone, don't worry, you can add slowly to your storage. I have another recipe using oats to help you with rotating. I know in my house we love "Honey Bunches of Oats" cereal and it is quite expensive and it actually doesn't go on sale very often. So I found the next best thing, homemade Honey Bunches of Oats. Try it out!

HOMEMADE HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS

10 C quick oats (rolled oats are ok, just cruchier) *A full #10 can of oats is about 13 C, so just take out 3 cups and you'll be set for the recipe*
1 18oz. box Corn Flakes
1 C honey, corn syrup, or pancake syrup
1 C brown sugar
1/4 C water

In a large bowl stir together the oats and cereal. Boil the sugars and water until dissolved. Pour over the oat mixture. Spread about 1/2" deep onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 300 for 30 minutes. When cool you can stir in an kind of dried fruit that you enjoy. Store in the #10 can from the oats and it will store for several months in a cool, dark area. It won't "spoil" unless it gets wet. Enjoy!

 

FEBRUARY STORAGE GOALS:

Food Storage Goal: OATS-20lbs per person.

Non-Food Goal: Lighting is our goal this month. Gather matches, candles, flashlights (crank or battery operated), emergency candles, light sticks, solar powered flashlights or lanterns, etc. Find what works for your family and have these in your 72-hour kits and in your car kits and have a source of light by every bed in your home. The glow light sticks that activate by bending are great to hang as night lights and can easily fit in 72-hour kits.**This month add a manual can opener to your supplies. It is great if you have pop top cans but your storage of cans is useless unless you can open them.**

If you need a FamilyHome Evening lesson on getting your 72-hour kits together, then click HERE to see a fun way of gathering all the items you'll need.

Enjoy the journey!
Enjoy the blessings!
Feel the peace