Okay, a fair question/point: why don’t I recommend more specific items/drugs/etc. This comes up after I pointed out in yesterday’s update that Doxy and Keflex are handy to have around in true disasters. Well, there’s some reasons I don’t do more and they are two fold. First, there are legal issues I don’t want to deal with. Second, a specific drug or supplement, or even lifestyle, that works for me may not work for others, and that means you need in part to loop back to the first item of discussion.
What is generally good to say is that you need to include medical in your preparedness plans. You need to have as much of a stock of your regular prescriptions and supplements as you can. You need to be able to do basic first aid and have the gear to do it. It really is a good idea for you and those around you to take as much advanced first aid as possible, up to and including Combat Life Saver, EMT, or other training as is practical and possible.
Fairly generic and standard preparedness instructions. And they are generic for a reason. There is a two-fold legal problem if you get specific. First, you create the potential for legal liability. You recommend something that works for you, someone else tries it and has a problem, and unfortunately in today’s society you open yourself up to lawsuits and related legal actions — as well as bad publicity. No, not all publicity is good. Second, you also open yourself up to claims of practicing medicine without a license. Look back at the last administration during COVID, and you saw that being done both de facto and de jure to medical professionals around the country who ran counter to Fraudsti and the official narrative. A number of the medical professionals they targeted still can’t practice, and you should look at the price paid by non-medical people as well. If you get shut down, you can’t do anyone much good.
Personally, I think there is a point where you have to stand up and be counted. Absent that need, I find it best to walk a line. I know what works for me, and I share that within limits. I also do caveat that what works for me may not work for you and to check with your doctor before starting certain new paths. Before I start certain new things I check either with my doctor, or other medical professionals I trust, to make sure I’m not doing something stupid with interactions or known problems with that protocol.
If you truly trust your doctor (and there are good reasons not to trust a number of medical types, just look at who did what during COVID), they should be a part of your preparedness planning. They can help you plan, make sure you have sufficient current prescriptions for known upcoming things like hurricanes (to go with something current), and may even be willing to help you with contingency items. Current times are one reason I truly miss the sadly defunct Doctors for Disaster Preparedness as their membership list was a great resource for competent and trustworthy medical services.
So, am I going to tell you to get X and take it under Y circumstances? No. Most of you are smart enough to know that you need to obtain various things that you know work for you/probable circumstances. You read the same books and articles I do (yeah, Dark Tide Rising series is a good one, as is Alas Babylon, Pulling Through, and a few others I’ve mentioned over the years) and can connect the dots. Long time readers may remember that I shared that I did take certain supplements back during COVID. Didn’t have to push things, most caught the hint (and I love that a nurse looked at my medicine/supplement list during that time, smiled, and mentioned she took a particular combo too…).
That said, I’m looking at two emergency medical kits that just happen to have pretty much everything you would need for an extended time in the wilderness (cough). Neither is huge, designed for travel (cough), and can get you through a number of tight spots. Problem is cost (for me) so if you want to hit the tip jar feel free as getting both is pricey (app. $600). Will I share more as I can? Yes. Especially if I get the chance to fully explore this option as I think it could be a very good one.
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s good if you have a doctor or other medical professional on your preparedness team. Meantime, keep your eyes peeled as even a certified pharmacist can be a huge resource (many programs require them to learn to make various medications and other things from scratch). Me, I’m just glad my landlord has a special rental for contract medical professionals. Been a mix of doctors and nurses, but a nice resource to have nearby if things go sideways in any capacity.
So, don’t expect a lot of ‘you need X, Y, and Z drugs/supplies’ posts. Better to keep it generic in public while pointing towards certain things in a quiet way. For example, listing the drugs that work for a certain problem and noting that some may be more readily available than others. Or noting certain drugs or classes of drugs that end up being extensively used in major disasters. It is not my place to act as your doctor. It is, however, my place to remind you that making medical part of your preparedness is a good thing, as is having on hand the things that work and are legal for you in your circumstances with the help and advice of competent medical authorities. I will also note that a number of sources for emergency medical preparations offer free medical consultations in regards their products and your choices (and uses for) same. If you aren’t confident of your current doctor, such resources can be invaluable.
So, an answer to a point/comment. I am not likely to make specific recommendations of what products to have on hand. I am going to tell you that having as much first aid gear on hand as possible is a good thing. How exactly you construct your load-out is up to you. I may occasionally point to some resources who provide a variety of options or products; but, I will not be likely to recommend specific items within such products.
Hope this answers the question/comment/point.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. If you would like to help me with seminary courses, pilgrimages, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Thank you.