How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It

by James Wesley, Rawles

  When you’re building a fence in rocky soil, a seven-foot-long, plain digging bar with hardened tips will be indispensable. If you get into an extremely rocky portion of ground along the intended fence line, you can construct aboveground “rock boxes”—the type that you might have seen in Eastern Oregon. These are cylinders of woven wire between thirty and forty inches in diameter and four feet tall that you will fill with rocks anywhere from fist-size to bowling-ball-size. Because the fence will have to be tensioned, make sure the side of the rock box that will contact the main fence wire has no rock tips projecting through the wire mesh that might hang up the main fence wire as it slides by during tensioning.

  Horses, in particular, tend to be hard on woven-wire fences. Especially in small pastures, they’ll often lean their necks over them, reaching for grass on the other side. You can add a “hot” wire at the top of the fence that is energized with a DC charger, such as those made by Parmak (parmakusa.com)—which is what we use here at the Rawles Ranch. In anticipation of grid-down situations, a solar-powered fence charger is best.

  I do like steel-tube gates. If you strap on (or weld/braze on) some woven wire or a hog panel, the gate will become “sheep tight.”

  For the best security, you should mount the hinge pins with at least one pointing upward and one pointing downward. Otherwise, an intruder can simply lift a locked gate off of its hinge pins. You can also tack-weld the nuts onto both the bolt threads and the gate’s hinge-sleeve assemblies to prevent them from being disassembled.

  8

  MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND TRAINING

  Medicaltraining and extensive medical supplies are de rigueur for prepared families.

  This chapter is to help keep you alive and healthy by reviewing some common medical preparations and practices. Because the chapter will include many topics that go beyond my own expertise, I will rely heavily on articles that have been submitted to SurvivalBlog by medical professionals. Please keep in mind that this advice is in no way meant as a substitute for professional care. You should always check with a medical professional whenever possible in a crisis—and it would be wise to consult one for your personal preparedness plan as well.

  Get Training

  Regardless of whether your group includes a medical professional, I recommend that all adult group members get as much medical training as time allows. Start out by taking the Red Cross basic and advanced courses and their CPR course. I also recommend that at least one group member get EMT training. This is best accomplished by volunteering with your local emergency medical service. These are usually paid positions, which offsets the training expenses. Then take the field-medic course offered by Medical Corps. Several SurvivalBlog readers have taken this course, and they have all commented about how impressed they are with their training. This modestly priced training, led by an emergency-room doctor with thirty-five years of experience, will teach you many things that the Red Cross doesn’t. For example, their classes place an emphasis on treating gunshot wounds.

  Fitness and Body Weight

  The best medicine is prevention, so what every well-prepared individual should do is stay in shape. Good muscle tone prevents back injuries and other muscle strains, and leaves you ready for the rigors of an independent, self-sufficient lifestyle. There surely will be plenty of nineteenth-century muscle work involved after TEOTWAWKI. Maintaining a healthy diet and an appropriate body weight is also very important. It will leave you ready for physical challenges, and it falls into the prepper’s “one less stress to worry about” mind-set.

  The rigors of a post-collapse world may be too much for some folks, unless they demonstrate the determination to control their weight and get plenty of exercise. For those of you who are overweight and out of shape, start making some changes today. Eliminate junk food from your diet. Eat healthy, catabolic snacks. If you are stuck behind a desk at your job, then at least get out on your lunch hour for a walk. Make that walk part of your routine. Park your car at the far end of the company parking lot. Use the stairs instead of escalators and elevators. Join a fitness club. Buy smaller dinner plates. It is little things like these, collectively, that will gradually make you trim and fit. It just takes some discipline.

  Get fit—this includes strength, cardio, and flexibility. Of particular importance will be your hand and forearm strength (hauling five-gallon buckets is no easy task), lower-back strength, and a good, strong heart.

  The Prepared Family’s Medical Kit: What Do We Really Need?

  Not only should you have an elaborate first-aid kit; you will also need additional supplies “in depth,” at least for those items that have a lengthy shelf life. Things like gauze, sutures, most bandages, and splints have a shelf life that can be measured in decades. While some items contain adhesives that will eventually dry out, you can make up for this by purchasing several fresh rolls of bandage tape once every two or three years. You also need to plan ahead for such mundane items as drinking straws, hot-water bottles, bedpans, and baby wipes. I also recommend looking for an older-style used adjustable hand-crank hospital bed.

  You will want to assemble a medical kit for your retreat. The following article was kindly provided by EMT J.N.:

  The Kit, Part I

  What we’re most interested in is being able to carry out a few basic interventions that can treat the small problems and buy us time to get to a real doctor for the big ones.

  The basic things needed for a person to live are the ABCs: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

  Any major interruption to the aforementioned and you’re basically done for without immediate intervention. There are also other common problems that can threaten your survival: shock, hypothermia, dehydration, fever, infection, and major injury. And there are a number of minor problems that can become major ones if we ignore them. A sprained ankle may keep you from being able to evacuate. A minor cut can lead to sepsis when you’re in a dirty environment. Diarrhea is annoying, but it can kill you if it goes on for longer than a couple of days.

  For the kit to be worthwhile, every item should be able to help you solve these problems and preferably have multiple uses. After substantial research, the kit listed below was settled on as a good compromise in terms of usefulness and cost. The supplies are grouped by category.

  Personal Protection

  (1) 2 oz bottle hand sanitizer

  (4) Pairs exam gloves

  (1) CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) shield

  Instruments

  (1) Pair splinter forceps

  (1) Pair EMT shears

  (2) Disposable thermometers

  (1) Razor blade

  Bandaging

  (20) 1-inch Band-Aids, cloth

  (2) Rolls 4.5-inch Kling gauze

  (1) Small roll medical tape

  (4) Gauze bandages, 4 inches square

  (1) Triangular bandage

  (1) ACE elastic bandage, 3 inches

  (10) Steri-Strips, ¼ inch by 1½ inches

  (2) Tincture-of-benzoin swabs

  (2) Instant cold packs

  Medications

  (6) Packets triple-antibiotic ointment

  (20) Benadryl tablets

  (20) Ibuprofen tablets

  (18) Imodium tablets

  (15) Aspirin

  Other

  (4) Plastic vials

  (1) Bag, 1-gallon Ziploc freezer-type

  Here is a brief explanation of each group of items and what they might one day do for you.

  PERSONAL PROTECTION

  These items are there to help keep you, the rescuer, from getting a disease from someone you are trying to help.

  Hand sanitizer is always useful. Ask any nurse about the importance of washing up. The alcohol-based gel is not as good, but it’s the best you can get when the hot, soapy stuff is unavailable.

  Gloves are a good precaution whenever bodily fluids (blood, vomit, etc.) must be handled. The more expensive nitrile gloves are better, as some people are allergic to latex. They are also sturdie
r.

  A CPR shield is a must-have—it could mean the difference between helping someone without hesitation and not being willing to risk it.

  INSTRUMENTS

  Being able to dig out a splinter, cut away clothes, or take vital signs is one heck of a lot easier with some basic tools. EMT shears are inexpensive, heavy-duty scissors that can even cut through a penny. These along with the other items listed will find many uses.

  BANDAGING

  Bandages are used to stop bleeding and protect wounds. An assortment of cloth Band-Aids can help you deal with minor injuries, while the larger gauze pads and rolls can help with bigger cuts and abrasions. An ACE bandage can be used to treat a sprain, hold a makeshift splint onto a leg, or wrap up a severely bleeding wound that requires pressure. An additional item that might be added is one or more sanitary napkins. Aside from their feminine-hygiene use, they are excellent for soaking up blood on large injuries.

  For major cuts, Steri-Strips are a way of closing up the skin without needing special equipment and training. Think of these as Band-Aids on steroids. They are thin tape strips, one quarter of an inch or so wide and three to four inches long, coated with a super-aggressive adhesive and reinforced with cloth fibers. After thoroughly cleaning a wound (a hole poked in a Ziploc bag can allow you to squirt clean water deep inside), Steri-Strips are applied much like sutures across the wound to close up the edges.

  Tincture of benzoin (a sticky disinfectant swabbed on wounds) will make the Steri-Strips stick better. Properly applied, the strips will stay on for up to two weeks, even when you shower. Don’t waste your money on butterfly bandages; Steri-Strips are far superior.

  MEDICATIONS

  These are inexpensive drugs that can be bought (at least in the U.S.) without a prescription.

  Antibiotic ointment (e.g., Neosporin) should be applied to cuts to reduce the chance of infection, particularly in dirty environments.

  Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine (anti-allergy) medication that can help treat cold and flu symptoms such as runny nose and congestion, make allergies less severe, and aid sleep. (Many over-the-counter sleeping pills contain diphenhydramine.) In addition, taking Benadryl early could help save your life if you suffer anaphylactic shock (a severe allergic reaction, such as from a bee sting).

  Ibuprofen is a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and fever reducer. In a survival situation, being able to carry out important tasks without the pain of a headache or sports injury could be critical, as could reducing a dangerous fever.

  Aspirin is also a pain reliever and has fever-reducing effects, although it should never be administered to children with fevers, due to the possibility of a life-threatening complication known as Reye’s syndrome. Aspirin is also often given at the first signs of a heart attack in many emergency medical services (EMS) protocols.

  Imodium (loperamide) is used to control diarrhea. Diarrhea can be deadly if it causes severe dehydration. A two- to-three-day course of Imodium could be lifesaving in an emergency.

  With any medication, it is important that the full instructions be included in your kit. Make photocopies of the drug labels and warnings. Be sure to write down the drugs’ expiration dates as well. All of these meds should be good for at least one year after purchase, but check first.

  Plastic dram vials are good for packaging drugs purchased in bulk. Add a small amount of cotton if you need to protect the pills from being crushed by vibration and shaking. Don’t forget to print labels for each bottle.

  And remember, the best survival kit is the one you keep inside your head, in the form of training. Go sign up for Red Cross first-aid/CPR training, or take a first-responder, wilderness first responder (WFR), or EMT class. Read books or take online lessons. There are several excellent, free resources on the Internet.

  OPTIONAL ITEMS

  Rehydration Mix

  If you should come down with severe diarrhea, you could die from dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Stocking some Pedialyte, Gatorade (dilute to 50 percent with water), or a homemade equivalent could be a lifesaver. The basic recipe is one teaspoon (five milliliters) of salt, eight teaspoons of sugar, and one liter of water.

  SAM Splint (or Imitation)

  This is a very versatile splint device, which consists of thin aluminum on a foam backing. You can bend and use as is to splint arms, wrists, legs, etc., or cut up with your EMT shears to make finger splints.

  N95 HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) Masks

  If you’re worried about airborne pathogens, this is a good thing to have. Most hardware stores sell masks with an N95 or higher rating, and small, collapsible masks are available from medical outlets.

  Upgraded CPR Mask

  The one-dollar disposable shield will serve, but a better shield, with a one-way valve, will make things easier. The CPR Microshield, from MDI, is good compromise, as it is superior to the thin plastic shield, has a one-way valve, and comes on a keychain.

  Suction

  Keeping the airway clear is critical when someone has experienced trauma or is severely ill. Commercial suction devices are available, but a cheap, improvised solution is a standard turkey baster. For less than two dollars, this is a useful addition to a medical kit.

  Thin Sharpie Marker and Paper

  Useful for recording vital signs. With a Sharpie marker, you can also write the numbers on the patient’s hand, in case the paper is lost during transport/evacuation.

  Contact Lenses

  Make sure to have at least two pairs of backup glasses in your current prescription. If you feel more comfortable wearing contacts, then I see no reason why you shouldn’t stock up on spare disposable soft contacts and extra bottles of saline and cleaning solutions. Just one proviso: Do not try to stretch your supply by going longer between discarding sets of contacts. Getting an eye infection would be tragic, especially in the midst of a disaster. Once you’ve used up your contact-lens supplies, just switch to wearing your eyeglasses.

  One excellent source for very inexpensive contact lenses and supplies is 1800Contacts.com.

  Sanitation During a Grid-Down Collapse

  We take sanitation for granted so often that we might lose sight of its importance. There are several areas in the sanitation arena that need to be considered:

  Food

  The most obvious area to consider is that of our food preparation. We are all aware of the importance of washing our hands and avoiding cross-contaminating foods like meats and vegetables. All counters where foods may be prepared should be kept spotlessly clean. This includes areas where butchering is being done. The areas should be hosed and bleached and the meat meticulously washed, making certain the contents of the animals’ intestines do not come into contact with the meat. The animals should be covered with a breathable fabric bag to protect the meat from flies and dirt while the meat is hanging. All utensils, including those being used for dehydrating and canning, should be sterilized by boiling or baking. (Do not bake canning lids; place them in very hot water prior to processing.)

  Daily Living

  Remaining organized and clutter-free gives us access to items that may be of immediate necessity, as well as less chance of an accident—even something as minor as tripping over clutter could become life threatening. Keeping organized causes us less stress, relieving our minds so they can be put to better use. It also provides activities for the group, giving tasks to those who may not be able to do other things, or just an extra way to get involved.

  Clothes that are kept clean are warmer and last longer. (Dryers are hard on fabric.) And shoes should be worn at all times outside. Personal hygiene is important not only for our physical health, but for our mental health as well. It helps us maintain some semblance of normalcy and civility in our lives not only for ourselves but also for the group. When we are clean and groomed it is also easier to spot someone who is not well.

  Feminine-hygiene products that are disposable should be burned. Cloth diapers should be either boiled or
bleached and hung in the sun. The ultraviolet rays kill lots of bacteria.

  Your animals will also benefit from your diligent attention to their well-being. Keeping their pens, bedding, and feeders clean could mean the difference between animals used to fulfill our needs and sickly or dead critters. Most domesticated-animal waste can be safely used as fertilizer after composting with the exception of that of dogs, cats, and pigs. These should never be used around areas that will have vegetables, and pregnant women should never handle cat waste.

  Waste Disposal

  Waste disposal pertains not only to manure, but to garbage as well. Most containers used for foods will probably be kept for some other need down the road. However, that means time and effort to make sure they are very well cleaned and stowed properly so as not to attract rodents or flies and bacteria. That which isn’t needed should be burned, composted, or deeply buried away from your area. Food scraps (not from meat) can be fed to animals, composted, or put into a worm bin (a little bit of meat is OK here), which provides great fertilizer for the garden, as well as worms for your fowl.