Identify what you need to put aside – pt 12 – Medical

By Skean Dhude

The next article in our series ˜Identify what you need to put aside‘ is Medical.

In a post survival situation one of the most sought after skills will be medical experience. Experience gained working as a general practitioner or a paramedic would be highly prized as well as related experience such as working as a vet or a nurse. Now it is great having these skills but to gain maximum benefit from them you need to have medical supplies or access to substitutes that you can use for treating medical ailments. Although we should consider that treatments that are routine now will be impossible for some time after an event, any transplants, cancer treatment or dialysis. Even some common surgery will be out of reach of even medical experts without the equipment routinely found in hospitals and clinics. Even people who rely on regular supply of pills for treatable ailments will be in trouble when they run out and GPs do not give out more than three months worth at a time. The reality will be that anyone requiring regular or major medical treatment to live will be beyond help. Sorry about that but we must look at things realistically. The best we can hope for is being able to treat the basic ailments that will occur, broken bones, burns, amputations, deep cuts and penetration injuries will be our limit.

What should we have in our Home Medical Kit
The list of what we should actual have is not too hard to come by. I read several books, particularly the books written for providing medical services when there is no medical system as in ‘Where There is No Doctor‘, ‘Where Women Have No Doctor‘ and ‘Where There is No Dentist‘ by Hesperian, as well as other survival books and reports by doctors out in Africa and Military books on emergency surgery as well as the books FEMA produce. Read some here and buy some here hard copies are much better when you are working on someone. I also discussed and took advice from several people, paramedics, doctors and first aiders so we know what we need to have and it does not include specialist equipment like MRI scanners, X-ray machines or dialysis machines. This list is basically what you would find in a well outfitted doctors surgery or emergency medical facility.

I split the items into four areas;

Reference Books
Medical Tools
Consumables, Non Perishable supplies
Consumables, Perishable supplies

What quantities do I need?
The million pound question. The issue I hit with this list was actually defining the amount required. It depends so much on the type of injuries received and how are you supposed to know that in advance. I’ve asked doctors, nurses, paramedics and even the medical officer on a ship. They can tell me what they have in their kits but when it comes down to defining an amount for a kit that will handle 30 people for several months fixing what a paramedic could handle in a survival situation they were all stuck. Eventually, I got a list with quantities from each and built up my complete list from that. I would suggest that these items are minimums and you should consider your location and personal experiences to augment the amounts as required. Any feedback on amounts is appreciated.

The Home Medical Kit list for your supplies
– Books

– Tools

No	Unit	Item
20	Each	Aspirating dental syringe
800	Each	Bedpan
20	Each	Blood Pressure Cuff
100	Each	Blunt/Blunt Scissors
5	Each	Bone Saw Med
5	Each	Bone Saw small
100	Each	cannulas each gauge
200	Each	Cavit tube (temp filling inserter)
30	Each	Cement spatula
20	Each	Cervical collar
3	Each	Compactor
20	Each	Cowhorn forcep
10	Each	Cryers elevators No 30
10	Each	Cryers elevators No 31
10	Each	Curved clamps large
10	Each	Curved clamps small
2	Each	Defibrillator
10	Each	Dental mirror size 4
20	Each	Dissecting forceps
5	Each	Dressing Scissors
3	Each	Dual Head Stethoscope
3	Each	Excavator double ended, Guy’s pattern
20	Each	Extraction forceps
15	Each	Eye Bath
5	Each	Eye magnets
25	Each	Filling paste inserter
3	Each	Gracey 11 curette
3	Each	Gracey 12 curette
10	Each	Guedel Airways 0 Small Child
10	Each	Guedel Airways 00 Infant
10	Each	Guedel Airways 1 Child
10	Each	Guedel Airways 2 Small Adult
10	Each	Guedel Airways 3 Medium Adult
10	Each	Guedel Airways 4 Large Adult
25	Each	Haemostatic clamps
6	Each	Head Lamp
5	Each	Hemilich flutter valve
60	Each	Hemostats
100	Each	Heparin locks
10	Each	Hypothermia thermometer
100	Each	Ice Bag
10	Each	Inflatable splints ( half-leg/full leg/half-arm/full arm ) 1 set
500	Each	IV giving sets
25	Each	Laerdal Pocket Mask
10	Each	Left upper molar forcep
500	Each	Leur lock 16g
500	Each	Leur lock 18g
50	Each	Lg curved clamps
5	Each	Lift Out obstetric forceps
10	Each	Lower molar ‘hawks bill’ forcep
10	Each	Lower universal forceps No 151
10	Each	lvory C-1 scaler
5	Each	Magnifying glass
10	Each	Malleable finger splint
10	Each	Malleable forearm splint
5	Each	Manual suction pump
60	Each	Mask and tubes
10	Each	Mayo scissors
20	Each	Metal hair comb
5	Each	Mirror
10	Each	Neck Collar large
10	Each	Neck Collar medium
10	Each	Neck Collar small
60	Each	Needle holder
100	Each	Nelaton catheter 16fr (no balloon)
50	Each	Oropharyngeal airways
6	Each	Otoscope
300	Each	Oxygen
40	Each	Oxygen Resuscitator bag
40	Each	Oxygen Resuscitator bag tubing
20	Each	Penrose drains
50	Each	Quick Release Tourniquet
5	Each	Re-usable Magill Forceps-Adult
5	Each	Re-usable Magill Forceps-Child
15	Each	Reuseable Rescue Mask
10	Each	Right upper molar forcep
10	Each	Scalpel Handle
4	Each	Scissors 12.5cm
4	Each	Scissors 18cm
4	Each	Sharp probe
5	Each	Sphygmomanometer
10	Each	Spoon excavator
100	Each	Sputum cups
10	Each	Squeeze bottle
10	Each	Stainless Steel Kidney Dishes
8	Each	Stainless Steel Lotion Bowl
15	Each	Steel Tweezers
2	Each	Steriliser
5	Each	Stethoscope
5	Each	Straight clamps large
5	Each	Straight clamps small
2	Each	Straight elevator No 34
3	Each	Stretcher, Collapsible
25	Each	Suction aspirator
5	Each	Thermometer
30	Each	Thermometer Flexible – 10 second
3	Each	Thigh collar
3	Each	Thomas splint
5	Each	Torch
10	Each	Tuff Scissors
10	Each	Upper universal forceps No 150
30	Each	Urine container
50	Each	Yankauer
10	Each	Wrist Brace (Left hand)
10	Each	Wrist Brace (Right hand)

– Consumables, Non perishable supplies

No	Unit	Item
100	Each	40mm half needle sterile absorbable
100	Each	14fr catheters
400	Each	1ml insulin syringe
200	Roll	2″ sterile gauze
500	Each	2″ sterile pads
1000	Each	20ml syringe
1000	Each	21g needle
1000	Each	25g needle
1000	Each	2ml syringe
5000	Each	Aprons
50	Roll	Assorted sizes absorbable suture material
100	Each	Bio bags
200	Each	Blood collection bags + filter giving sets
200	Sachet	Blood stopper powder
60	Each	Catheter No 16
500	Each	Conforming bandage 5cm x 5m
500	Each	Conforming bandage 7.5cm x 5m
500	Each	Conforming bandage 7.5cm x 4m
2000	Each	Cotton Buds
30	Bag	Cotton Rolls
500	Bag	Cotton Wool
100	Bag	Cotton Wool 100gm non sterile
100	Bag	Cotton Wool 15gm sterile
400	Each	Crape bandage 7.5cm x 4.5 m
100	Each	Disinfectant Soap
10	Box	Disposable Scalpels No 23
1000	Each	Disposible razors
3	Pack	Disposible tongue depressors
10	Roll	Duct Tape
100	Each	Elastic adhesive 7.5cm x 4m
50	Each	Elasticated Stockinette C 10m
50	Each	Face Shield
50	Each	Foley balloon catheter 16fr
50	Each	Foley Urethral Catheters
1000	Each	Gauze sterile cotton 30 x 90cm
1000	Each	Gauze Swabs 10x10cm
10	Each	Hot Water Bottle
100	Each	Hot/Cold Packs
100	Each	HSE Large Dressing
100	Each	HSE Medium Dressing
150	Each	Hydrogen peroxide
150	Each	Individually wrapped sterile triangular bandages
100	Each	Individually wrapped, Extra large sterile, unmedicated wound dressings
100	Each	Individually wrapped, Large sterile, unmedicated wound dressings
100	Each	Individually wrapped, Medium sterile, unmedicated wound dressings
100	Each	Israeli Battle Dressings (various)
200	Each	IV cannulas 16 g
200	Each	IV cannulas 20 g
200	Each	IV cannulas 24 g
500	Each	IV giving sets – maxisets + standard sets
1000	Each	IV Kit
30	Each	Laerdal pocket mask
100	Pack	Large absorbent dressings/AB pads (5×9 or larger)
10	Each	Nail Brush
400	Each	Needles 20 g
400	Each	Needles 22 g
400	Each	Needles 24 g
50	Each	N-G tubes + spigots
100	Box	Nitrile Gloves
30	Each	No 13 BPC Dressings
30	Each	No 14 BPC Dressings varying size gauze pad
30	Each	No 15 BPC Dressings attached rollar bandage
100	Each	No 16 BPC Dressing (eye pads)
1000	Each	Paper Towels
100	Roll	Paracord 50 Ft
50	Each	Penile sheath set
10	Kg	Plaster of Paris (or fiberglass) roller bandages (4in/6in)
500	Each	Plastic Bags
100	Each	Plastic Burns bags 46cm x 31 cm
5	Each	Plastic measuring jug, 1/2 L
200	Each	Plastic sample bottles
100	Box	Safety Pins
50	Each	Salbutamol, rescue inhaler
100	Each	Saline (Individual Containers)
30	Kg	Salt
200	Each	Salt Pills
10	Box	Scalpel Blades size 11
10	Box	Scalpel Blades size 12
10	Box	Scalpel Blades size 15
100	Each	Scrub Suits
300	Each	Self adhesive bandages
2	Each	Seton traction kit
40	Each	Space Blankets
200	Each	Spinal needles 22g
100	Each	Sterile Plastic Sheets
40	Each	Sterile Water (Individual Containers)
200	Each	Sugar Pills
2	Kg	Sulphur
50	Each	Surgical face mask
100	Each	Suture 26mm half needle sterile non-absorbable
100	Each	Suture 40mm half needle sterile non-absorbable
50	Each	Suture needles
1000	Each	Syringes 10 ml
1000	Each	Syringes 2 ml
1000	Each	Syringes 20 ml
1000	Each	Syringes 5 ml
10	Kg	Talcum Powder
100	Pack	Treated burn dressings 10 x 10cm
100	Pack	Treated burn dressings 20 x 20cm
100	Pack	Treated digit dressings
100	Each	Trianglular bandage
100	Each	Tubular gauze finger size/ 20m
100	Pack	Urine Bags
10	Lt	White vinegar

– Consumables, Perishable supplies

No	Unit	Item
1000	Each	75mm steri-strips
10	Pack	Adhesive suture strips pkt of 52
100	Pack	Adhesive tape 2.5cm x 5m
100	Pack	Adrenaline, 1:1000 1ml amp
10	Lt	Alcohol
100	Pack	Alcohol prep
100	Pack	Amethocaine eyedrops 0.5% 0.5ml
100	Pack	Aminophylline, 25mg/1ml 10ml amp
300	Each	Antibacterial Soap
40	Pack	Antibiotic ear drops 5ml
20	Tube	Antibiotic ointment
10	Tube	Antifungal medication
10	Box	Antiseptic Wipes
50	Sachet	Aspirin 75mg tab
70	Box	Aspirin tablets
70	Box	Aspirin, 300mg tabs
30	Box	Astemizole 10mg tab
70	Box	Atenolol 50mg tab
70	Box	Atropine iv
80	Box	Augmentin oral/iv
1000	Each	Bandaids assorted
50	Each	Beclomethasone, 50microgm inhaler
10	Each	Benalkium Chloride
70	Box	Benedryl &/or Claratyne oral
5	Each	Benzoic Acid 5% oint 50gm
80	Box	Benzylpenicillin 600mg powder for inj
50	Sachet	Betamethasone 0.1%/Neomycin 0.5% eyedrops 5mls
50	Sachet	Betnesol oral
10	Lt	Bleach Thick
500	Each	Blood glucose lancets
500	Each	Blood glucose test strip
50	Tube	Burn gels and ointments
20	Each	Burnshield Hydrogel – 50ml
50	Tube	Calamine Lotion
10	Bottle	Calpol 500ml
100	Pack	Cefaclor oral
500	Box	Ceftriaxone iv
500	Box	Cefuroxime 750 mg powder for inj
100	Each	Cervical Caps
10	Box	Cetrimide solution 100mls
100	Box	Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash 0.2% 300mls
500	Sachet	Chlorhexidine solution 100mls
10	Kg	Chlorine compound
40	Each	Chlorpromazine 25mg tab
100	Pack	Chlorpromazine 25mg/ml 1ml amp
30	Each	Cimetidine 400mg tab
500	Box	Ciprofloxacillin 500mg tab
500	Box	Ciprofloxacin oral
3	Each	Clotrimoxazole top
1000	Each	Codeine phos 30mg tab
3000	Each	Condoms
50	Box	Cyclizine, 50mg/1ml 1ml amp
5	Each	Dettol bottle – Large
300	Each	Dextrose, 50% 20ml amp
50	Each	Diaphragms
10	Box	Diazepam 10mg tab
30	Box	Diazepam 5mg/ml 2ml amp
100	Pack	Diazepam iv
100	Pack	Diazepam rectal 10mg/2,5ml recal tube
300	Box	Diclofenac sodium 100mg supp
100	Each	Disinfectant Spra
10	Each	Doxycycline 100mg tab
1	Each	Ephedrine nose drops 0.5% 10ml
20	Box	Ergometrine &/or Oxytocin im/iv
2	Each	Ergometrine 0.5mg.ml 1ml amp
40	Each	Erythromycin 250mg tab
1	Each	Ethylchloride spray 50mg
10	Each	Eye wash solution 500ml
50	Each	Fluorescein eye test strips 1%
4	Each	Framycetin sultphate 0.5% ointment 5gm
100	Pack	Frusemide 10mg/ml 2ml amp
100	Pack	Frusemide 40mg tab
100	Pack	Frusemide, 10mg/1ml s 1ml amp
100	Lt	General disinfectant
50	Sachet	Glucagon, 1mg/ml 1 ml amp
300	Box	Glucose infusion, 5%500 ml bag
300	Box	Glyceryl trinitrate 0.4mg inhaler
100	Pack	Gylcerol suppository 4gms supp
100	Pack	Haemaccel or Pentaspan (a colloid resuscitation fluid)
10	Each	Hand Sanitiser
50	Each	Hydrocortisone 100mg/2ml powder forinj
20	Tubes	Hydrocortisone cream 1% 15gm
50	Each	Hydrocortisone iv/cream
50	Each	Hydrocortisone, 100mg/2ml 100mg vial
20	Each	Hyoscine 0.3mg tab
1000	Each	Hypoallergenic plasters(Various sizes)
6	Tube	Ibuproven gel
10	Box	Ibuproven tablets
50	Each	Injectable antihistamine
20	Each	Injectable ephinephrine
2	Each	Insectiside Hand spray
2	Lt	Insectiside Liquid
10	Kg	Insectiside Powder
3	Each	Insulin 100iu/ml rapid action 10ml vial
200	Each	Iron tablets
50	Each	Ketamine iv/im
100	Each	lidocaine 2% 1.8 ml
100	Each	Lignocaine 1% 20mg/2mls 2ml amp
100	Pack	Lignocaine gel
100	Pack	Lignocaine top/spinal
400	Each	Loperamide oral
100	Pack	Metoclopramide iv/im
100	Pack	Metronidazole 1gm supp
100	Pack	Metronidazole 400mg tab
100	Pack	Metronidazole oral
200	Roll	Microporous Tape 5cm x 10m
50	Each	Morphine 15mg/1ml 1ml amp
100	Each	Morphine iv/im/sc
10	Each	Morphine sulphate 10mg/ml 1ml amp
1000	Each	Multidip. urine test strips
3	Each	Mupirocin (Bactroban) top
30	Box	Narloxone iv
30	Box	Neomycin eye drop
20	Box	Neomycin/polymixin B/hydrocortisone ear drops 5ml
500	Box	Normal Saline
500	Box	Normal saline for injection
3	Pack	Oil of cloves 10mls
50	Sachet	Oral antidiarrheals
500	Each	Oral Contraceptive Pills
10	Sachet	Oral Rehydration fluid sachets 1L
3	Each	OTC Cough suppressant
50	Box	Paediatric paracetamol 120mg tabs
100	Box	Paracetamol 500mg tab
100	Each	Paracetamol oral
100	Each	Paraffin gauze dressing 10cm x 10cm
40	Each	Phenobarbital, 15 mg. tablets
3	Each	Pilocaine eye drops
1	Each	Pilocarpine eyedrops 0.5% 0.5ml
4	Each	Plasma substitution infusion fluid
100	Box	Plasters (Various sizes)
1	Kg	Potassium permanganate crystals 10gm
3	Each	Povidone – Iodine Prep
25	Each	Prednisolone, 5mg tabs
10	Each	Pregnancy test kits
30	Each	Prochlorperazine 3mg tab (buccal)
10	Each	Promethazine 25mg/ml 1ml amp
10	Pack	Reactive urine analysis test strips
50	Box	Rehydration Sachets
50	Box	Salbutamol 100 micrograms inhalers
50	Box	Salbutamol inhaler
2	Each	Silversalazine cream 1% 50gms
10	Each	Smelling salts 17ml
3	Each	Starr Otic Drops
100	Each	Steri-strips
100	Each	Superglue
100	Pack	Swabs Alcohol
30	Each	Tetanus immumoglobulin amp
30	Each	Tetanus vaccine 0.5ml amp
20	Box	Throat lozenges
4	Each	Tincture of Benzoin
30	Each	Trimethoprim 200mg tab
5	Each	Vapour Rub
5	Each	Vasaline (tub)
10	Each	Vitamin K 10mg/ml 1ml amp
500	Box	Water for injection
20	Box	Zinc lozenges
2	Each	Zinc ointment 25gms
2	Each	Zinc Oxide paste
100	Each	Zinc oxide plaster tape 2.5cm x 5m
10	Kg	Zinc oxide powder

Download
This is quite a big list so I have made it available as a separate download as well. Download it from here (right click). Some of the items on there are expensive and may never be used; other items are actually illegal to buy in the UK but can be brought abroad for all those that don’t live in an oppressive regime. Some of the items are cheaply available and for those I would consider the quantities as a minimum.

Education
Again, education is critical here. One trained medical expert is worth 100 people without medical training. In second place is someone trained in first aid with access to the relevant books and in third place someone without medical training learning from books. Get everyone on your team educated in at least first aid.

Next up is part 13 in the series, Power.

Skvez

21 April 2011 at 16:17

800 bedpans !?
The “Bedpan” I am aware of is a tint toilet seat and tray a patient can pee or poo into when imobile in a bed. They are bulky and re-usable, why would I ever need 800?

All in all these lists are scary huge. Just how many people-years does this list cover?

Skean Dhude

21 April 2011 at 17:13

Skvez,

It is a frightening list. It is a list for 30 people for a year.

Many of the items here are reuseable but many are not. Many are inexpensive but several are not.

I’m looking for feedback on this and I have got someone coming around in the next few days to give a different perspective. I spent more time coming up with those numbers than I have on all the other articles put together. If you look on other sites they simply say scalpels, antibiotics, bandages but no numbers beyond 2 or 3 in a personal kit. None go into a medical kit for a TEOTWAWKI scenario for any real length of time, usable by medical people and in effect stocking a small clinic. 30 people for a year will sort out a community.

Plus, I have no idea what half of these things are. So buying reusable bedpans may be a good idea but they may be a lot more expensive than carboard disposable ones. I am reliant on others here.

However, between us we can get it right.

21 April 2011 at 17:53

I wasn’t even aware you could get cardboard disposable bedpans! Now I know they’re disposable (and therefore cheap) it makes more sense. I was thinking that even a plastic one would probably cost Â£20 and I could think of better things to spend Â£16k on 🙂
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand what all those things are for (let alone how to use them).
Perhaps my strategy of “Wrap it with cloth, tie it up, hope it gets better on its own” might benefit from some expansion.

21 April 2011 at 18:04

I’m more than willing to admit that there are several areas where I am far from knowledgable but others are. Between us we should get it right.

I intend for this site to build on the basics so we can all learn. After all so many sites just say buy this, buy that and doesn’t actually look at what it means. What priority should I put medical or water. By educating people on the reasons for things they can prioritise their own mitigations. After all each has their own issues and situations.

I expect this list to change over the next few weeks. It is at V0.1 and it has taken up so much of my time already with, I suspect, a lot more to come.

moosedog

21 April 2011 at 18:45

When I was still working in hospitals there were some wards using metal bedpans, which had to be emptied, then put in a steam steriliser, and other wards which used the disposable cardboardy-stuff, which were just lobbed into a macerator. If you want to see me vomit just hand me either type that’s been used! The trouble with the disposable ones is that once they are used that’s it, meaning once the stockpile of 800 or whatever is finished there are no more available. I’d go for a smaller stock of metal bedpans for long term use, and some way of sterilizing them. If you have an obnoxious patient just put the pan in the freezer for a while before placing it under them. Guaranteed to cheer up the day for all but the one patient.

Steven K

22 April 2011 at 09:01

Just a quick bit of advice, needle exchanges will give free needles, alcohol swabs, sharps boxes and syringes for free. It’s anonymous and free. I think the daily limit is 10 pairs. I used the service whilst on steroids so I can vouch for it

22 April 2011 at 11:28

Moosedog,

I’m thinking along the lines of an or section. Such as 800 bedpans or 5 metal ones. Trying to find the balance is the issue. Do you know anyone who would comment on the list? The more the merrier.

Steven,

Thanks for that. I like free things, although these are not free but lets not go there, and getting anything back from the government is a bonus.

I’ve looked in the local services but couldn’t find needle exchanges. I’ll ask my paramedic neighbours when I see them. How do they work? Don’t you have to show you are a user or bring back old needles or something?

moosedog

22 April 2011 at 23:18

Skean Dhude: I don’t have any contacts left in the medical field but having studied the list myself I’d say you could run a small emergency clinic until the expiry dates were reached on the medicines. There doesn’t appear to be anything that would require an expert on hand, I think most of the equipment could be used and procedures carried out by a competent nurse or GP, or any skill level thereabouts or higher. I think the main problems would be procuring the equipment and keeping it maintained. Long term care of patients in an end of civilisation scenario would also be problematic: it’s one thing saving a life and then handing the patient over to the NHS for further care but quite a different proposition when there’s nobody out there to help. My personal feeling is that if our civilisation has ended then euthanasia might be the only realistic option for anyone with a major life threatening injury or illness.

22 April 2011 at 22:42

No they don’t ask any questions, they hand you a sheet with all the different sizes and gauges, you fill it out hand it back and get a bag with everything in it. As for giving them back, the limit on how much you can take at once is higher if you have a full sharps box to hand in for destruction, otherwise they don’t care. They are easy to find, the one I used was in the Boots just off of princes st Edinburgh
I am aware that they are not technically free but if a dirty junkie can use the service then so can I as a taxpayer haha. The worst part is the pharmacy staff seemed to have a good banter with the junkies queuing for methadone but looked at me like I was scum. I just didn’t get it.

23 April 2011 at 14:12

I tried to specifically avoid specialist equipment plus everything there is to handle minor or major injuries that once fixed means that the patient can get back on their feet. I don’t believe there is anything there that would help with serious diseases, cancer, stroke, etc. and I am of a similar belief about post trauma care. However, just to be clear, many of these people can still contribute in some ways and it is up to the group and its situation on how to deal with people beyond our limited medical help. You cannot, and should not, plan these out as every situation is different and thereis no one size fits all. It won’t be nice and it will be upsetting but we can still be humane and civilised about it if it happens.

Such is life. They always feel sorry for those that accidentally fell on a needle twenty times and got addicted while you are clearly not at that level.

Where I live they do do needle exchanges but want a sharps box passed in before they give anything out. Apparently, diabetics, etc. are OK but junkies and losers like me are not. I’ll do a bit more investigating.

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Identify what you need to put aside – pt 12 – Medical

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