# Doom and Bloom Medical/Alton First Aid

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The No. 1 Survival Medicine Resource

## Posts

### [Blog](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blog/)

**Published:** February 18, 2014
**Author:** gpldev

**Content:**

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### [Nor'easters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/noreasters/)

**Published:** September 28, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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When you hear grizzled New England fishermen talk about the storm of the century, they’re referring to a “nor’easter.” A[ **nor’easter**](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/09/25/nyregion/noreaster-storm-nyc-weekend) is a powerful coastal storm that forms along the U.S. East Coast. The name comes from the strong winds that usually run counterclockwise from the northeast as the storm’s center sits as a low-pressure system just offshore.

**How Nor’easters Form**

Also known as “extratropical cyclones,” these storms typically develop along the coast between Georgia and New Jersey. The current one is the first significant event of the season, which usually stretches from September to April.

Nor’easters are fueled by a major collision of two contrasting air masses:

- Polar dry air bringing frigid arctic weather southward from Canada
- Warm, moist air from the Gulf and the relatively warm Gulfstream traveling northward.

The result is a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure 100 miles off the coast, causing a massive low-pressure cyclone. Low-pressure systems in the Northern Hemisphere spin counterclockwise, so the ocean side of the storm pulls air from the north and east, which quickly forms a battering ram on coastal regions.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/noreaster-radar-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/noreaster-radar-scaled.jpg)

**Are Nor’easters Always Blizzards?**

Nor’easters aren’t necessarily blizzards. People often associate Nor-easters with heavy snow, but it’s not necessarily the case. It all depends on the temperature and track of the storm. You can get snow, rain, or sleet. Expect a lot of surf causing beach erosion and coastal flooding. Inland, blizzard conditions are common.

Winds can be severe, sometimes reaching hurricane-force levels. Widespread power outages, fallen trees, damage to sea walls, and airport closures add to the misery for those affected.

Speaking of hurricanes, what’s the difference between a nor’easter and a **hurricane**? When you look at a radar map, they look almost the same, but they’re different, all right:

**Nor’easter****Hurricane****Type:**Extratropical (cold) mid-to-high latitudes

 Tropical (warm) regions**Fuel:**Air temperature contrast and the jet stream

 Warm ocean water and heat

**Season:**

Fall through spring

Summer and fall

 **Form:**

Asymmetric, large

More symmetrical, can have an eye

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/hurricane.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/hurricane.jpg)

It should be noted that a hurricane that moves far north and loses tropical characteristics can sometimes merge with or even become a nor’easter-like system. Therefore, preparing for a nor’easter is pretty similar to preparing for a hurricane (beware, Floridians, you can be next). For my article on hurricane preparedness, go here: 

Meteorologists not uncommonly forecast strong East Coast lows with northeasterly winds and messy weather. Some of hthese storms, however, are renowned for their intensity. Nor’easters of famous fury have been recorded since the 1800s. Examples include the [Blizzard of 1888](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blizzard_of_1888), the Blizzard of 1978, and the March [1993 “Storm of the Century.](https://www.weather.gov/ilm/Superstorm93)” This is a new century; despite the current nor’easter and several intense events in the 2010s, we haven’t yet seen the “storm of *THIS* century.” Let’s hope it happens in 2099.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1352-scaled-e1764175137111-275x300.jpg)Dr. ](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1352-scaled-e1764175137111.jpg)Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Gas Station Heroin?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gas-station-heroin/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hurricanes, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Natural Disasters

**Tags:** blizzard, extratropical cycline, Hurricane, joe alton md, joealton md, medical preparedness, natural disasters, nor'easter, survival medicine

---

### [Gas Station Heroin?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gas-station-heroin/)

**Published:** September 24, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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### [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/shutterstock_1978279151-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/shutterstock_1978279151-scaled.jpg)

### (Note: This article was first published at **[americanthinker.com](https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/09/gas-station-heroin/)**.)

### Recently, two University of Mississippi students were found dead in their homes in Oxford. The common denominator seems to be the presence of packaged **kratom**, an herbal supplement available for sale in most gas stations and convenience stores. At present, it’s uncertain whether either of the students had kratom in their systems. While toxicology results are pending, the press is sounding the alarm over what they’re calling “gas station heroin.”

### Kratom comes from the leaves of ***Mitragynine speciosa***, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Its main active compounds are mitragynine and (in much smaller amounts) 7-hydroxymitragynine. These substances act on opioid receptors in the brain just like heroin and morphine do. Kratom, however, is not an opiate. It’s actually a member of the coffee family.

### Despite similar names, the active compounds in kratom are not the same. **Mitragynine** has a mild stimulant effect at lower doses, while **7-hydroxymitragynine** has stronger, opioid-like effects like sedation, euphoria, and pain relief. 7-hydroxymitragynine also has a higher risk of physical dependence, tolerance, and severe withdrawal symptoms.

### Kratom is not new on the scene. It’s been used by many people who swear by its effect on pain. Others have used it to replace a heroin or other opiate addiction. Despite this, kratom is not approved by the FDA for any medical use and warnings exist due to its own addictive potential. In fact, some states have banned products containing kratom completely. By prohibiting the possession and use of mitragynine and the more potent 7-hydroxymitragynine, the state can make it illegal to even possess the plant itself.

### The question is whether kratom is as lethal as the opioids it replaces? It seems the number of fatal “poisonings” are small compared to the number of people damaged by other substances like fentanyl. The hard scientific evidence doesn’t seem to confirm the level of lethality suggested by the conventional wisdom.

### [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cdc-logo-300x79.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/cdc-logo.png)

### A CDC analysis of **National Poison Data System (NPDS)** records from 2015 through 2025 documented 233 kratom-associated fatalities. Kratom is listed as the sole cause of death in 21 percent of these cases. In another CDC report, kratom was listed as a cause of death in 91 cases. Of these, only 7 involved kratom alone with no co-occurring substances.

### The **State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System** is a surveillance system under the CDC that analyzes fatal drug events in participating states. Overdose data found roughly 800 to 1,150 deaths annually in which kratom was detected but not confirmed as a factor in the cause of death.

### We still don’t know enough about the fatalities at the University of Mississippi, but kratom (still in the package) at the scene doesn’t rule out several possibilities:

### 1)  **Polysubstance Use:** Pure kratom overdoses are considered rare. In ~80% to 90% of documented fatalities, other potent substances were also involved. These were most commonly fentanyl, heroin, benzodiazepines, prescription opioids, or alcohol.

### 2) **Product Contamination:** A portion of deaths associated with kratom have resulted from adulterated products (e.g., kratom laced with synthetic opioids like tramadol), contamination with heavy metals (lead/nickel) or bacteria like Salmonella.

### 3)  **Detection vs. Causation:** If postmortem toxicology confirms the person ingested kratom, there is always a debate whether 7-hydroxymitragynine was the direct cause of death or simply an incidental finding alongside other toxic drugs.

### In any case, the FDA has taken up an anti-Kratom stance after several states banned the plant. Indeed, enough 7-hydroxynitragynine can possibly cause life-threatening respiratory depression.

### The Department of Health and Human Services is studying kratom, and its final determination will decide if the plant is banned forever.

### What if the FDA does ban kratom? Since Kratom is addictive, outlawing it could cause thousands to undergo some kind of withdrawal. How many will turn to actual opioids like heroin? The end result might be an increase in opiate overdose deaths, already an epidemic. From a survival standpoint, having kratom in a medicinal garden gives the family medic an additional tool (if used with caution).

### What if there is no ban? While there are deaths recorded as caused by kratom use, the numbers are small compared to, say, opioids like fentanyl.

### It seems that, while it might be easy for the FDA to ban what detractors call “gas station heroin,” this would be a disaster for those who rely on it to keep them off opioids. Why not study kratom and establish standards? Currently, the lack of regulation allows a myriad of iffy Kratom supplements to be available wherever it’s sold. Make sure of actual contents, purity, concentration, and institute strict instructions for use. Then, maybe we wouldn’t have to wonder if kratom kills college students.

### **Joe Alton MD**

### [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Nor'easters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/noreasters/) 

 [Video: Mudslide Warnings And Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-mudslide-survival-2/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Joe Alton MD, Opioids, poisonous plants, Survival Garden, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** 7-hydroxymitragynine, 7-OH mitagynine, drug withdrawal, joe alton md, kratom, medical preparedness, mitragyna speciosa, mitragynine, ole miss, opiate addiction, opiates, preparedness, student deaths, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Mudslide Warnings And Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-mudslide-survival-2/)

**Published:** September 2, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Mudslide-Prevention-Safety-Survival-Warnings-Signs-by-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor--300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Mudslide-Prevention-Safety-Survival-Warnings-Signs-by-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor--scaled.jpg)

In this companion video that updates a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the survivability of disasters like the recent mudslide in Nepal and flash flood in the Grand Canyon. Dr. Alton explores ways to possibly increase survival chances (not in Nepal, realistically) and some hints that your mountain retreat might be at risk.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Gas Station Heroin?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gas-station-heroin/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypo/Hyper Thyroid, Mudslides, Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypo-hyper-thyroid-mudslides-smoke-inhalation/)

**Categories:** avalanche, Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Landslides, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** grand canyon flood, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mudslide survival, nepal flood, nepal mudslide, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypo/Hyper Thyroid, Mudslides, Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypo-hyper-thyroid-mudslides-smoke-inhalation/)

**Published:** August 30, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton, the ins and outs of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is discussed in detail, following a discussion a couple of podcasts ago about thyroid nodules off the grid.

Also, the horrific mudslide/flash flood in Nepal has claimed 700 victims dead and 2,500 missing, including close to 100 Americans. How do you increase your chances of surviving one of these disasters? We don’t know if anyone could survive a 100 foot wall of water and mud, but there are things that might help.

Plus, it’s an active fire season, so Dr. Alton tells you what you need to know about smoke inhalation, which kills more people in wildfire and building fires than burns. All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy.Alton!

To listen in, click below:

# [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/amy-and-joe-best-medical-kits-camping-hiking__79282-284x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/amy-and-joe-best-medical-kits-camping-hiking__79282.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Mudslide Warnings And Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-mudslide-survival-2/) 

 [Mudslide Disasters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslide-disasters/)

**Categories:** avalanche, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Earthquake, Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Landslides, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Thyroid disease, Wildfires

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, flash floods, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mudslides, nepal mudslide, smoke inhalation, survival medicine, wildfires

---

### [Mudslide Disasters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslide-disasters/)

**Published:** August 26, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_75057139-mudslide-cropped-300x245.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_75057139-mudslide-cropped-scaled.jpg)

At least 160 people were killed in the nation of Nepal and more than 400, including dozens of Americans, were listed as missing after [flash flooding and mudslides](https://www.reuters.com/world/nepal-flash-floods-live-mudslide-nepal-tibet-border-triggers-catastrophic-2026-08-26/) near the border with China. It’s thought that an earthquake may have dislodged part of a glacier and sent massive amounts of muddy water into a populated valley.

It’s been a while since I’ve written about landslides, but I probably should do it more often. We spend time in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, overlooking what Dolly Parton would have called a “holler.” A holler, or hollow, is a low area nestled between mountains and is often where the population centers are in Appalachia. Pretty much, a similar landscape to the disaster in Nepal.

A mudslide is sometimes called a “[**debris flow**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debris_flow)”; it’s basically a landslide with a high-water content. Mudslides act like a river that (if the mud is thick enough) has the consistency of wet concrete. Rocks, trees, and other large objects are carried along and can cause homes to collapse or slide off their foundations. There’s a huge risk of traumatic injury to residents.

While a debris flow may be slow-moving, another type of landslide, called a “[**mud flow**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudflow),“ is characterized by a very rapid forceful flow of water and flow. A mud flow is more “liquefied” than a debris flow due, at least partially, to a lot of water added to loosed soil in a short period of time. Looking at videos of the catastrophe, this is probably what happened in Nepal.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_1174968847-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_1174968847-scaled.jpg)

Mudslides occur for a variety of reasons: Areas prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters are especially susceptible. Periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt can saturate the ground and cause instability in sloping areas.

Areas that experience wildfires have hard compacted soil that has difficulty absorbing large amounts of rain, especially if it falls in a short period of time. As such, water that couldn’t get through hard earth quickly forms flash floods that cascade down slopes, picking up soil and debris to become a mudslide.

**CAN YOU PREVENT A MUDSLIDE?**

Humans contribute to the risk of mudslides by planning poorly: An urge to have a vacation home in a mountain resort may be irresistible, but impractical. Poorly planned roads that are cut into hills and mountains make mudslides even more likely.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gatlinburg-City-View-2015-300x225.jpg)The view is great, but the slope is steep](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gatlinburg-City-View-2015.jpg)

Once you’ve built that home on a hillside, there’s a limited number of preventative measures that can be undertaken. It’s a different story, however, if you’re just now planning out that dream home:

- Beware of steep slopes, natural or man-made runoff conduits, or eroded areas.
- Have the county Geological Survey specialist assess your property for possible mudslide risk.
- Consider flexible pipe fittings (installed by pros) less prone to gas or water leaks.
- Consider building a retaining wall in likely mudslide channels.
- Avoid areas that have experienced mudslides in the past.
- Plan out an evacuation route (or two).
- Have a battery-powered NOAA weather radio.
- Have a medical kit with items to deal with both traumatic injury and water sterilization.

**WARNING SIGNS OF A HOME AT RISK**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1044748162-earthquake-road-damage-300x200.jpg)Watch for cracks in paving, walls, foundations, and floors](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1044748162-earthquake-road-damage-scaled.jpg)

Sometimes, pressure from unstable earth may give you a hint that trouble is on the way and give you time to evacuate. Mudslide prone areas will begin to show signs of strain:

- Cracks develop in walls, flooring, paving, driveways, or foundations.
- Outside structures (for example, stairs) begin to separate from buildings.
- Doors and windows become difficult to open or close.
- Utility lines start breaking.
- Fences, trees, and utility poles start tilting.
- Water starts accumulating in strange places.
- Roads and embankments along slopes start breaking off at the edges.
- Terrain starts to “bulge” or slant at the base of the slope.

**DURING THE EVENT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood.jpg)

- Turn on the NOAA radio and listen to warnings as they are reported.
- Warn your neighbors!
- If a mudslide is imminent, get out of Dodge, if at all possible, with the understanding that roads may be washed out. Heed all weather alerts.

In some mudslides, as in what just occurred in Nepal, things happen very quickly and you might not have time to evacuate:

- If you must stay home, get to the second story if you have one.
- Watch for and avoid downed power lines.
- As the slide passes through, get under a table and curl into a ball, protecting your head.
- If you’re trapped in the mud, survival rates go up if you can form an air pocket around you. As in avalanches, put your arms in front of your face to gain breathing room.
- Always carry a cell phone with you in case you are trapped in the house.

Mudslides can be lethal but are part and parcel of living with Mother Nature. You might not escape a glacier dislodged by an earthquake, but you *can* plan before you build, know the danger signs, and hit the road as early as possible in the face of an imminent threat.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypo/Hyper Thyroid, Mudslides, Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypo-hyper-thyroid-mudslides-smoke-inhalation/) 

 [Video: Wildfire Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-wildfire-smoke-inhalation/)

**Categories:** Earthquake, Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Landslides, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** debris flows, joe alton md, landslides, medical preparedness, mud flows, mudslides, nepal earthquake, nepal mudslide, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Wildfire Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-wildfire-smoke-inhalation/)

**Published:** August 16, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Smoke-Inhaltion-What-it-is-prevention-treatment-fire-risk-rescue-lung-damage-education-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-YT-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Smoke-Inhaltion-What-it-is-prevention-treatment-fire-risk-rescue-lung-damage-education-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-YT-scaled.jpg)

With many wildfires in the Western U.S. and Canada out of control and more reported daily, it’s clear that this is a very active fire season. Tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed. Air quality is poor in the fire areas and even far downwind. Smoke inhalation injuries are a possibility in some places, so consider watching Dr. Joe Alton’s video below to learn diagnosis of smoke inhalation as well as treatment and prevention…..

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-300x225.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Mudslide Disasters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslide-disasters/) 

 [Smoke Inhalation Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/smoke-inhalation-injuries/)

**Categories:** Asthma, Building/House fFires, Burns, Fires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** canadian wildfires, joe alton md, medical preparedness, northwest wildfires, smoke inhalation, smoke injuries, survival medicine, wildfires

---

### [Smoke Inhalation Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/smoke-inhalation-injuries/)

**Published:** August 11, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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### [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-scaled.jpg)

### With many [wildfires in the Western U.S. and Canada](https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive-services/outlooks) out of control and more reported daily, it’s clear that this is a very active fire season. Tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed. Although deaths have been few so far, air quality is poor in the fire areas and even far downwind. **Smoke inhalation** injuries are a possibility in some places.

### You might be surprised to know that the greatest immediate threat in wildfires is rarely the flames themselves. More people die from smoke inhalation than from burns. For the family medic, therefore, knowing how to identify and treat this injury is essential.

### Many believe that the ambulance is always just around the corner and the rescue helicopter is no more than a few minutes away. In natural disasters like wildfires and floods, however, medical personnel may be unable to reach those in need. In these situations, rapid recognition and intervention by those at the scene can mean the difference between life and death.

### **SMOKE COMPONENTS**

### Smoke is a complex mixture of gases, particulate matter, and chemical toxins produced by “incomplete combustion.” **Incomplete combustion** occurs when a fuel burns in a limited supply of oxygen. This leads to the production of harmful byproducts.

### Common components include carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, and a host of toxic particles. The exact composition varies, depending on exactly what’s burning; plastics, treated wood, synthetic fabrics, and petroleum products are especially dangerous. In a long-term survival setting, a poorly ventilated wood stove or a brush fire can pose the same health hazards.

### **HOW SMOKE INHALATION KILLS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image-63C-smoke-inhalation-shutterstock_1626973237-building-fires-smoke-inhalation-300x141.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image-63C-smoke-inhalation-shutterstock_1626973237-building-fires-smoke-inhalation-scaled.jpg)

### The damage occurs through three main mechanisms:

- ### Heat and toxic gases injure the upper airway, causing swelling that can rapidly obstruct breathing.
- ### Carbon monoxide binds to red blood cells far easier than oxygen, reducing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to vital organs.
- ### Fine particles and chemical irritants penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering inflammation, fluid accumulation, and, later, infection.

### Serious exposure can produce respiratory failure hours after the victim appears to have safely escaped the fire.

### **SYMPTOMS OF SMOKE INHALATION**

### Symptoms often begin with coughing, watery eyes, and a sore throat. Victims may report signs of early carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion. Hoarseness, stridor (a high-pitched sound on inhalation), or facial burns around the mouth and nose are seen if there is an airway injury. Soot in the nostrils or mouth is another red flag. In severe cases, the patient becomes cyanotic (turns blue), restless, or loses consciousness.

### Symptoms can worsen over the next 24-48 hours as swelling and inflammation progresses. A person who seems only mildly affected at the scene may later develop life-threatening respiratory distress.

### **TREATMENT OF SMOKE INHALATION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_5422-300x225.jpg)bag valve (AMBU) bag](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_5422-scaled.jpg)

### In an austere environment, the medic must transport the victim from the smoke-filled area and into fresh air. If the patient is unconscious and not breathing, open the airway and begin rescue breathing or **bag-valve-mask** ventilation if available. High-flow oxygen is the mainstay of treatment but, off the grid, pure oxygen may not be an option. It’s important to know that even room air is better than continued exposure to smoke.

### Assess the victim’s airway carefully. Look for singed nasal hairs, soot, facial burns, or worsening hoarseness. These findings indicate a high risk of obstruction. In a modern ER, a breathing tube would be placed early; If not available, keep the patient calm, elevate the head of the bed or litter, and prepare for the possibility of performing a **tracheotomy** if a complete obstruction develops. The [procedure is described here.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/airway-obstruction-and-tracheotomy/)

### The family medic should support breathing by encouraging coughing to clear secretions. If the patient can drink, small sips of water may help keep the airway moist. Monitor closely for increasing breathing rate, use of accessory (neck) muscles, or declining mental status.

### Antibiotics are not needed for smoke inhalation alone, but secondary pneumonia may develop over the following days. Watch for fever and increased amounts of phlegm.

### **CARBON MONOXIDE**

### Carbon monoxide poisoning deserves special mention. In the absence of laboratory testing, assume significant exposure if the patient was in a closed space with a lot of smoke or if mental status is altered. Off the grid, fresh air and rest are the only practical treatments available. Avoid any activity that increases oxygen demand until the patient improves. This may take at least a few weeks.

### **AVOIDING SMOKE INHALATION INJURY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)

### Prevention remains the most effective strategy. In a homestead or retreat, install and maintain working smoke detectors if power or batteries allow. Keep fire extinguishers charged and accessible. Design wood stoves and heating systems with proper ventilation.

### In normal times, when the air quality is poor, you can protect yourself by:

- ### Staying indoors with the windows closed (turn the air conditioner on: Most central air conditioning systems do not pull air from the outside; they cool and recirculate the air already inside your home).
- ### Using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter in your home.

### During wildfire season, prepare for rapid evacuation and have **N95** or better masks available for short-term use in smoky air. Teach family members the stop-drop-and-roll technique and the importance of staying low under smoke. The concentration of smoke is less the lower you go. If venturing into a smoke-dense environment, be sure to wear personal protection gear. A rescuer who becomes a second casualty helps no one.

### For the group medic, smoke inhalation is a reminder that environmental injuries often outnumber classic trauma. Stocking simple airway supplies, knowing how to recognize progressive obstruction, and practicing basic respiratory support will serve the group well. In long-term disaster settings, knowledge and preparation remain the most reliable tools in the medical woodshed.

### **Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Wildfire Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-wildfire-smoke-inhalation/) 

 [Wildfires: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-home-ignition-zones/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** canada wildfires, carbon monoxide, house fires, joe alton md, medical preparedness, smoke, smoke inhalation, smoke injury, survival medicine, tracheostomy, tracheotomy, wildfire season, wildfires

---

### [Airway Obstruction and Tracheotomy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/airway-obstruction-and-tracheotomy/)

**Published:** October 20, 2015
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![shutterstock_19078906](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/shutterstock_19078906-200x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/shutterstock_19078906.jpg)

### **[CPR](https://cpr.heart.org/AHAECC/CPRAndECC/Programs/HandsOnlyCPR/UCM_473196_Hands-Only-CPR.jsp)** classes are important for everyone to take, but standard chest compressions and breaths are most helpful in normal times, when there are ICUs and respirators readily available. One thing CPR class teaches you that does have relevance to off-grid survival is how to deal with an [**airway obstruction**](https://www.healthline.com/symptom/airway-obstruction).

### An airway obstruction may happen for several reasons, but most commonly occurs as a result of food lodging in the back of the throat. This blockage, if complete, cuts off respiration and is life-threatening, but can be treated successfully with knowledge and limited supplies. Early diagnosis and quick action is the key.

### Some signs of an airway obstruction are:
• Difficulty breathing
• Noisy breathing, sometimes called “**[stridor](https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/stridor-noisy-breathing#.Vibo5ytWJkk)“.**
• Inability to talk; you need air to speak.
• Inability to cough for the same reason.
• The patient’s skin turning blue (called “**cyanosis**,” which is due to lack of oxygen circulating in the blood)
• Decreasing level of consciousness as oxygen levels drop.

### **THE CONSCIOUS VICTIM**

### If you see a conscious adult in sudden respiratory distress, ask quickly: Are you choking? If they can answer you, there is still air passing into their lungs. If it’s a complete blockage, they will be unable to speak. They’ll be clearly agitated and holding their throat, but they’ll hear you and (frantically) nod their head “yes”. This is your signal to act.

![shutterstock_19078906](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/shutterstock_19078906-200x300.jpg)Heimlich Maneuver### So what should you do for an adult in this situation? Quickly tell the victim that you’re there to help them and immediately get into position for the [**Heimlich maneuver**](https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000047.htm), otherwise known as an “*abdominal thrust*”. Get behind the victim and make a fist with your right hand. Place your fist above the belly button and below the breastbone (also called the sternum); then, wrap your left arm around the patient and grasp the fist. Make sure your arms are positioned just below the rib cage. With a forceful upward motion, thrust your fist abruptly into the abdomen. You might have to do this multiple times before you dislodge the foreign body.

### In old movies, you might see someone slap the victim hard on the back; this is not as likely to dislodge a foreign object as the abdominal thrust and might waste precious time. If you have to use a blow to the back. do it right in the center of the upper back with the victim bent over so that the torso is parallel to the ground. In this way, gravity might help the foreign object drop out of the mouth. Back blows are considered more effective in an infant: place the baby over your forearm (facing down) as if holding a football and apply several blows with the heel of your hand to the upper back.

### **THE UNCONSCIOUS VICTIM**

### If your patient loses consciousness and you are unable to dislodge the obstructive item, place the victim flat on their back and straddle them across the hips. Open their mouth and make sure that the object can’t be removed manually. If not, give several, say five, upward abdominal thrusts with the heels of your palms (one above the other) and check the oral cavity again; you might have partially dislodged the foreign object.

### If abdominal thrusts fail in a person that is unconscious, you may have to resort to more extreme measures to save that person’s life. It’s important to realize that the person is unconscious due to oxygen deprivation, and further delay may lead to brain damage or death.

### **PERFORMING A TRACHEOTOMY TO SAVE A LIFE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/shutterstock_2212729371-300x255.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/shutterstock_2212729371-scaled.jpg)

### An extreme method that can be used to open an airway is the “**[tracheotomy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheotomy)**”. This procedure, also called a *cricothyroidotomy*, involves cutting an opening in the windpipe below the level of an obstruction. Tracheotomy should be performed only when an airway obstruction completely prevents the ability to breathe and all other methods have proved unsuccessful.

### To perform a [tracheotomy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chBsYiza1ik), you will need a sharp blade and some sort of tube, such as a firm plastic straw. Of course, a good first aid kit is always good to have, but there might not be time for antiseptics; you are performing this procedure because someone becoming cyanotic and will die in the next few minutes.

### (Aside: It should be noted that there are [syringe sets](https://www.buyemp.com/product/rusch-quicktrach) manufactured for this purpose available by prescription and a number of improvisations that also exist.)

### In austere settings, the procedure goes as follows:

### Place a towel under the shoulders. This will tilt the head into a position that makes it easier to define structures.

### Start at the Adam’s apple, also known as the *laryngeal prominence*, on the front of the neck. It’s seen easily in men, less so in women. Move about 1 inch down the windpipe until you feel a second bulge. This is the cricoid cartilage.

### Make a vertical incision through the skin with your knife or a razor blade in the crease between the laryngeal prominence and the cricoid cartilage. This incision can be about an inch or so long, and is superior (in my opinion) to a horizontal incision in that it can be extended upwards or downwards in case you entered the skin at the wrong location. A vertical incision will also avoid cutting nerves on either side that help control speaking and swallowing.

### A curved Kelly clamp or a finger could be used to stretch the skin incision for better visualization of the structures beneath. Separate the tissue underneath and you’ll find the greyish cricothyroid membrane. Make a horizontal incision through it no more than half an inch deep. Once opened, there may be a audible rush of air or a “pop” as the incision is made.

### It should be noted that some make a vertical or cross-shaped incision below this level to make a larger opening through more of the windpipe. It’s harder, however, to cut through cartilage than membrane. In any case, the incision should allow passage of air into the lungs.

### Be careful not to cut too deeply or widely into the membrane. Much more than 1/2 inch deep and you may penetrate the back of the airway, cutting the esophagus underneath the windpipe and trapping air in the soft tissues of the neck. The base of the scalpel can be used to make the slit opening larger. Don’t remove your scalpel from the incision until you’ve placed an open tube in the trachea. There normally isn’t a great deal of blood with this procedure and should be controllable with direct pressure.

### To maintain a clear airway, place something hollow in the opening. A “trach” tube would be great, but a plastic straw might do in a pinch. Thread it 1-2 inches down the windpipe; doing this makes it less likely to fall out (commercially-made tubes can be tied around the neck to secure it in place).
If the patient fails to breathe on their own despite a successful tracheotomy, you may need to perform CPR rescue breaths through the tube you inserted.

### I don’t have to tell you that this is a difficult and dangerous procedure. A lot can go wrong and your equipment will likely be inferior to what is really needed. Remember, however, that the patient is dying and is already unconscious from lack of oxygen; it may be your last resort.

### Only consider performing a tracheotomy when help is not forthcoming and you have tried every other option first. Even a successful emergency tracheotomy is only good for a short period of time before a more permanent solution is needed. You’ll need a system to keep the opening clear of mucus, etc. That’s only one of the hard realities that the medic must face in times of trouble.

### **Final Note**: For those that aren’t acquainted with my work, I focus on what to do when there are no modern medical personnel or facilities available, as in a wilderness or survival setting. In normal times, seek modern and standard medical care whenever and wherever it exists.)

### **Joe Alton, MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Metronidazole as a Survival Antibiotic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/metronidazole-as-a-survival-antibiotic/) 

 [Preventing a Cold: Myths vs. Facts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/preventing-a-cold-myths-vs-facts/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** airway obstruction, heimlich maneuver, how to perform a tracheotomy, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tracheostomy, tracheotomy

---

### [Wildfires: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-home-ignition-zones/)

**Published:** August 3, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Wildfires in Washington state near Spokane have forced the evacuation of 60,000 people while destroying at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures. The fires in and around the state’s second largest city burned closed to ten square miles in the area so far and are among dozens of wildfires across the Western U.S. that have challenged the federal, state and local agencies fighting them. The fires near Spokane have not yet been contained. Luckily, no deaths have yet been reported.

What would you do if your home was in the fire zone? Although evacuating the area is the wisest choice from a personal safety standpoint, there are principles of property defense that may give you the best chance of returning to an intact home.

Your main goal is always to preserve the lives of loved ones, but it would be nice if those loved ones have a home to come back to. With a combination of producing a defensible space and wise vegetation management, it can be done.

Many buildings lost to wildfires are started by minor burns. If you can improve the resistance of the area around the home to ignition, your residence will be less susceptible to spot fires and ember storms. You can best create a defensible space by managing vegetation and other flammables in the **“Home Ignition Zone”**.

The Home Ignition Zone **(HIZ)** concept was developed by the Forest Service in the 1990s. It is the area up to 200 feet from the foundation of a structure and includes vegetation, the home itself, and other attachments (decks, sheds, outdoor furniture, fencing).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/home-ignition-zones-grok-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/home-ignition-zones-grok-scaled.jpg)

Generally, Home Ignition Zones are divided into three parts:

**The Immediate Subzone:** This is the area including the home and up to 5 feet surrounding it. This area is the most prone to combustion. Non-flammable surfaces here are protective and consideration should be given in construction of the home itself.

Vegetation, woodpiles, and other flammables should be limited in the immediate subzone. You can harden your home against wildfires with the following measures:

- Screening areas under patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent burning debris from entering.
- Avoiding the storage of combustible materials under patios and decks.
- Clearing leaves and other debris from rooftops and gutters.
- Repairing or replacing any broken, loose, or missing shingles or roof tiles.
- Preventing embers from passing through eave vents by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
- Cleaning debris from exterior attic vents; add 1/8 inch metal mesh as a barrier.
- Replacing damaged or loose window screens.
- Removing mulch, woodpiles, and other flammables situated against exterior walls.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-scaled.jpg)

**The Intermediate Subzone:** This is the area 5-30 feet away from your home. Here, careful use of landscaping can slow the spread of fire by reducing both fuel availability and [continuity](https://www.nwcg.gov/term/glossary/fuel-continuity). You should:

- Have driveways, paths, decks and patios made of non-flammables that can serve as fuel “breaks”.
- Keep lawns and ground cover no more than four inches high.
- Remove [**“ladder fuels**“](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ladder). Ladder fuels include vegetation under trees that allow a ground fire to reach the canopies. Lower branches on large trees also can act as ladder fuels.
- Prune mature trees ten feet from the ground or up to 1/3 of the total height for smaller specimens.
- Be sure to have at least eighteen feet between tree canopies, more if you are uphill from the potential fire.
- Limit trees and shrubs to small separate groupings of a few each to break up fuel continuity.
- Beware of vegetation near large propane tanks.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image-1-scaled.jpg)

**The Extended Subzone:** This is the extended areas 30-100 feet from the home): Strategy revolves around spacing and pruning shrubs and trees in an effort to keep the fire low to the ground and interrupt its path. The wise property owner would:

- Remove accumulations of dead plant and tree material in this space.
- Remove all saplings growing between mature trees.
- Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings
- Assure that all trees 30-60 feet from the residence have at least 12 feet between canopies (more if downhill).
- Assure that trees 60-100 feet (200 feet if downhill) from the home have at least 6 feet between canopies.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-300x210.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-scaled.jpg)

There are variations in these strategies based on location, types of flora in the area, and other factors. Discuss your specific situation with a local [U.S.](https://www.fs.usda.gov/) [Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/) official. For more general information, check out the National Fire Protection Association ([nfpa.org](https://www.nfpa.org/))

It’s prudent to harden your home against wildfires, but don’t be a hero; hit the road if you’re in the path of the inferno.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Smoke Inhalation Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/smoke-inhalation-injuries/) 

 [Video: Cyclospora Parasites In Produce](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-cyclospora-parasites-in-produce/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, Burns, Fires, General Preparedness, Joe Alton MD, Natural Disasters, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** building fires, fireproofing, fires, home ignition zones, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wildfires

---

### [Video: Cyclospora Parasites In Produce](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-cyclospora-parasites-in-produce/)

**Published:** July 27, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Cyclospora-infection-parasite-safety-prevention-treatment-food-contamination-with-feces-poop-stay-safe-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Cyclospora-infection-parasite-safety-prevention-treatment-food-contamination-with-feces-poop-stay-safe-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-scaled.jpg)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton gives his thoughts on the widespread outbreak of a parasite called Cyclospora that’s contaminating food and water sources in over 40 states in the U.S…

To watch, click below:.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Wildfires: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-home-ignition-zones/) 

 [The Parasite In Your Produce](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-parasite-in-your-produce/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Biological Warfare, epidemics, Food, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Parasitic Worms, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** cyclospora, cyclosporiasis, food contamination, food poisoning, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, water contamination

---

### [The Parasite In Your Produce](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-parasite-in-your-produce/)

**Published:** July 15, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Note: This article was first published at AmericanThinker.com as “Cyclosporiasis: A doctor answers questions about the parasite in your produce.” Many thanks to the team at American Thinker for their consideration and hard work..

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/shutterstock_1633432321-300x101.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/shutterstock_1633432321-scaled.jpg)

Food contamination is a constant concern in the United States, especially from imported produce. U.S. citizens take for granted the ability to buy bananas in Montana in February. As long as we import food, however, we must take special care to eliminate subtropical and tropical disease-causing organisms from our food. This summer, we’re experiencing a double threat from a parasite called “Cyclospora.”

Cases of food contamination due to Cyclospora (known as cyclosporiasis) have been reported in more than 30 states from New Hampshire to California, with more than [3,300 infected](https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2026/07/14/michigans-cyclosporiasis-case-count-has-doubled-since-friday-more-than-3300-infections-confirmed/) in Michigan alone. In most cases, fresh imported produce, especially greens and vegetables, were identified as likely origins. [Taco Bell](https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/taco-bell-investigated-lettuce-emerges-possible-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak) is being investigated as a possible origin, although the FDA has not put out any public notice mentioning the chain at present.

Feces contaminated with Cyclospora can also contaminate municipal swimming pools and natural bodies of water. Incidental ingestion of water from infected sources can sicken you.

**WHAT IS CYCLOSPORA?**

Cyclospora is a one-celled parasite that naturally inhabits the tropics and subtropics, where it seems to cause outbreaks that are seasonal in nature. The U.S. cases, however, mostly occurred in people who had not recently visited the tropics before symptoms began.

**THE LIFE CYCLE OF CYCLOSPORA**

Cyclospora is spread by people ingesting food or water contaminated with feces containing Cyclospora “oocysts” (essentially a thick-walled fertilized ovum). Unlike some similar parasites, however, the oocyst needs time (usually, at least one-two weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become infectious. The good news, therefore, is that it’s unlikely that Cyclospora can be passed directly from one person to another. More commonly, oocysts contaminate crops or water sources.

**SYMPTOMS OF CYCLOSPORIASIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1294826053-miscarriage-lower-pain-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1294826053-miscarriage-lower-pain.jpg)

Exactly how food and water first become contaminated with Cyclospora oocysts isn’t fully understood but, once the oocysts “hatch” in the human body, the microbes enter the intestinal wall. That’s when symptoms begin to manifest. They include:

- Watery diarrhea (most common)
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Weight loss
- Cramping
- Bloating, increased gas
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue

A typical case causes illness an average of seven days after ingestion of the infective version of the oocyst. You would expect watery diarrhea first, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Vomiting, body aches, headaches, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Interestingly, some people infected with Cyclospora have no symptoms at all.

If untreated, the illness endures for a few days, but some cases last a month. Some victims experience improvement and then relapse several times during the progress of the infection. Although not life-threatening, long-term fatigue and other problems are a possibility.

**TREATMENT**

Once the organism is identified in a stool sample, cyclosporiasis can be effectively treated with the combination [sulfa drug **trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)**. ](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sulfamethoxazole-and-trimethoprim-oral-route/description/drg-20071899)

The usual regimen for adults is trimethoprim (TMP) 160 mg plus sulfamethoxazole (SMX) 800 mg (one double-strength tablet) twice daily for seven to ten days. U.S. brands names include Bactrim and Septra. Expect improvement two or three days after starting treatment.

No effective alternatives have been identified yet for those allergic to sulfa drugs. In this case, most immune-competent people will still recover without treatment with rest and good hydration.

**PREVENTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_98516198-300x204.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_98516198.jpg)

Avoiding any food or water that might be contaminated with feces is the best way to prevent infection. This includes accidental ingestion of water while swimming in pools or lakes.

**Fruit and vegetable handling basics** include:

- Washing hands with soap and warm water after touching fruits and vegetables.
- Cleaning cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops between the preparation of meat, poultry, and seafood and fruits and vegetables.
- Preparing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Some suggest one part white vinegar to three parts water as an alternative.
- Removing any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables.
- Firm items like cucumbers or melons should be scrubbed with a clean brush dedicated to the purpose.
- Storing properly by refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours (preferably sooner).
- Separate the storage of fruits and vegetables and raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/shutterstock_10856371-293x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/shutterstock_10856371.jpg)

**Pool safety tips** include:

- Avoid swallowing pool water.
- Don’t go swimming within two weeks of diarrheal symptoms.
- Pools should use proper filtration, be regularly maintained, and consider UV or ozone disinfection if possible.

Good hygiene (showering before swimming, frequent bathroom breaks) helps reduce risk.

There are good reasons to follow the above guidelines: Routine chemical disinfection is less effective for Cyclospora than for most other bacteria or parasites. No vaccine exists and immunity isn’t long-term: Recurrence of infection is not uncommon if re-exposed.

(Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) **Center for Food Safety** **and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)** has a special advisory called: [Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables](https://www.fda.gov/food/produce-plant-products-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/guide-minimize-microbial-food-safety-hazards-fact-sheet).

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Cyclospora Parasites In Produce](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-cyclospora-parasites-in-produce/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Survival Medics, Boosting Immunity, Nailbed Injuries, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-survival-medics-boosting-immunity-nailbed-injuries-more/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Biological Warfare, Diarrhea, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Invasive Species, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** contaminated pools, cyclospora, cyclosporiasis, food poisoning, infection, joe alton md, medical preparedness, parasites, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Survival Medics, Boosting Immunity, Nailbed Injuries, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-survival-medics-boosting-immunity-nailbed-injuries-more/)

**Published:** July 11, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of **The Survival Medicine Podcas**t, Dr. Joe and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton answer questions from survival medics-to-be on responsibilities and motivation in times of trouble. Plus, Nurse Amy knows about the importance of strong immunity against infection and disease; here’s a comprehensive discussion of various ways you can enhance immunity and increase your chances of survival.

Also, Dr. Alton talks about an injury rarely discussed on podcasts: what do you do when you injure the nailbed of a finger or toe? Many times, bleeding under the toe can cause painful pressure and blood accumulation (called a “hematoma”) that may not be life-threatening but a big issue in terms of comfort and work efficiency. Also the topic of an upcoming video at [drbones nurseamy YouTube channel..](https://www.youtube.com/@DrBonesNurseAmy).

All this and more on the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton. To listen in, click below:

## [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The Parasite In Your Produce](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-parasite-in-your-produce/) 

 [Video: Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-summer-heat-waves/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Bleeding Wound, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nail Injuries, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized

---

### [Video: Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-summer-heat-waves/)

**Published:** July 5, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/video-heat-wave-canva-2026-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/video-heat-wave-canva-2026-scaled.jpg)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses how summer heat can be hazardous to your health. Heat domes, heat index, and heat island effects are explained, along with tips and strategies on how to prevent summer emergencies. To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Survival Medics, Boosting Immunity, Nailbed Injuries, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-survival-medics-boosting-immunity-nailbed-injuries-more/) 

 [Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fireworks-safety-2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Heat Stroke, Hyperthermia, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** heat domes, heat emergencies, heat index, heat island effect, heat wave survival, heat waves, joe alton md, medical preparedness, summer heat waves, survival medicine, urban survival

---

### [Fates Of Our Fathers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fates-of-our-fathers/)

**Published:** July 4, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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It’s **Independence Day 250** in the U.S., and famous names like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams come to mind. It’s difficult to imagine that any of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence might not have been celebrated in their time. Influential and affluent, these men were so well thought of that they were given the power to declare freedom from the greatest empire of its time.

Don’t think for a second that these 56 men didn’t understand the risks involved of leaving the British fold. Hostile soldiers were occupying their towns, even their homes. The new country needed money and many of the signers loaned millions of dollars to the cause of freedom. Their personal wealth, their reputations, and their very lives were put on the line. They had committed high treason and they were in danger.

“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” is the last sentence Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration. Sadly, for some of the signers, these were forfeited as a result of their brave act. 9 of them paid for their lives; almost 1 in 3 lost their fortunes and their homes. Yet none of the 56 ever recanted their decision to sign the Declaration or apologized for it, even under duress.

## The Forgotten Founding Fathers

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/william-ellery-signer-227x300.jpg)William Ellery of Rhode Island](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/william-ellery-signer.jpg)

Here are the fates of some of the (mostly forgotten) *Founding Fathers*:

**William Ellery, Rhode Island**: A vocal opponent of slavery, his entire estate was burned to the ground.

**William Floyd, New York**: Escaping the British invasion of New York, they left behind their home and his entire income; it was burned to the ground. 7 years later, the family was destitute.

**Lewis Morris, New York**: Morris put his entire fortune at the service of the Continental Army. Loyalists confiscated his property and forced him into exile, not seeing his own family for many years.

**Phillip Livingston, New York:** One of the richest Americans in 1776, Livingston lost every penny he had as a result of signing the Declaration. His family was driven from their house by the British and his estate plundered. Livingston died penniless just two years later, while still serving in the Continental Congress.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/john-hart-signer-226x300.jpg)John Hart never saw his 13 children again after signing, dying before the war ended](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/john-hart-signer.jpg)

**John Hart, New Jersey:** Hart’s wife was dying as he signed the Declaration. His efforts to reach her were thwarted by the British. His 13 children never saw their father again: they were all forced to flee for their lives as well. He died before the war ended in 1779.

**Richard Stockton, New Jersey:** Judge Stockton was arrested by the British in 1776 and imprisoned in a military stockade. He was released, an invalid, five years later; he died a pauper in Princeton.

**John Witherspoon, New Jersey:** He served as President of the College of New Jersey (better known today as Princeton University). The British responded to his signing the Declaration by burning the College library to the ground and pillaged the rest of the campus.

**Robert Morris, Pennsylvania**: Morris earned a fortune as a banker and commercial magnate – and gave it all away to finance the army/navy. The ships that brought provisions from Europe to the colonies were entirely paid for and provisioned by Morris. He also loaned an enormous sum to the Continental Congress when it was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1776. He never got his money back. He died impoverished in 1806.

**John Morton, Pennsylvania:** Despite living in a Loyalist-dominated part of the colony, and personally preferring reconciliation with Great Britain, Morton signed the Declaration. His neighbors turned on him and he never returned home. Just before his death in 1777, he submitted to Congress what became known as the “Articles of Confederation”.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Thomas_Nelson.jpg)Thomas Nelson personally turned cannon onto his own British-occupied home](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Thomas_Nelson.jpg)

**Thomas Nelson, Virginia**: As American guns shelled the British defenses, an anguished Nelson (now a General in the Continental Army) saw that they were sparing his house, which was General Cornwallis’ headquarters. As the story goes, Nelson personally turned a cannon towards his home and blew it up, to show that he was no less willing to sacrifice than his fellow Virginians. He loaned over $2 million to the Continental Congress, none of which was repaid; He died in poverty.

**The entire South Carolina delegation:** All four Palmetto State signatories paid dearly for joining the cause for Independence. Edward Rutledge, Arthur Middleton and Thomas Heyward, Jr. were all imprisoned by the British when Charleston was taken in 1780. Heyward was wounded in the defense of coastal Beaufort. They were beaten and humiliated in prison, then released to find their plantations had been burned and pillaged. They were more fortunate than co-signatory Thomas Lynch – he and his young wife disappeared at sea while seeking medical help in the West Indies at some point in 1779.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/george-walton-signer.jpg)George Walton signed the Declaration at age 26](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/george-walton-signer.jpg)

**George Walton, Georgia:**  At just 26 years old, he was one of the youngest men to sign the Declaration. He later fought in the Revolutionary War as a colonel, was wounded, and held as a British prisoner of war.

**Lyman Hall, Georgia:** a physician, Dr. Hall helped to supply food and provisions for the Continental Army throughout the war. Despite living the furthest away from Philadelphia of all the signers, he returned to Georgia just once between 1775 and 1780 (when his friend and co-signer Button Gwinnett was killed in a duel). The British burned his property when they seized Savannah in 1780.

**Francis Lewis, New York:** His wife was captured by the British in 1776 and later died as a result of her captivity. Lewis himself lived out his years in relative poverty, having sacrificed his entire fortune to the cause.

**Phillip Livingston, New York:** He and his family fled their home to escape the British army and never returned.

**George Clymer, Pennsylvania:** His family fled to escape the British soldiers who ransacked their house. He was one of six patriots to sign both the Declaration and the Condstutio.

**Abraham Clark, New Jersey:** Two of Clark’s sons were officers in the army. They were captured by the British and confined to the prison ship Jersey, where thousands of American captives died. One was held in solitary confinement and given no food. Reportedly, Clark still refused to change his position and support the crown when the British offered to spare his sons’ lives if he did so.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Dr.-Joseph-Warren-168x300.jpg)Dr. Joseph Warren](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Dr.-Joseph-Warren.jpg)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention **Dr. Joseph Warren (pictured above)**, one of the most important founding fathers in U.S. history. An early advocate of independence in Boston, Dr. Warren, a young physician, would certainly have signed the Declaration of Independence except for one thing: he was killed by the British the year before when he fought with the colonial militia in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was offered the rank of general, but only accepted the rank of volunteer private. It was only the lack of ammunition that prevented Dr. Warren from taking his proper place with men like George Washington. In fact, his writing was so renowned that it might have been him, not Jefferson, who would have written the Declaration had he lived.

Dr. Warren and the above signers of the declarations won’t be found on any coins and paper currency. Their faces won’t be on your stamps and it’s unlikely that there will be many colleges or parks named after them. Yet, they freely risked all at a time when their country needed them most, at its beginning: their lives, fortunes, and their “sacred honor.” The next time you are asked to risk something for your beliefs, think of the forgotten men who bravely assisted at a difficult birth: The birth of the United States.

Happy Independence Day!

Joe Alton, MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Faraday: A Man, A Cage, And More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-faraday-a-man-a-cage-and-more/)

**Categories:** Rants and Raves

**Tags:** Declaration of Independence, forgotten founding fathers, Founding Fathers, Independence Day, july 4

---

### [Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fireworks-safety-2/)

**Published:** July 3, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks.jpg)

Independence Day 250 is coming up, and many proud Americans will be celebrating with fireworks. An unlucky (careless?) few will wind up running afoul of their own pyrotechnics (just ask my old buddy “Three-Fingered Fred”). Let’s face it, the safest way to enjoy fireworks is as a spectator at your hometown’s 4th of July event. Grab a blanket and let the pros handle it.

Fireworks injuries are, indeed, a thing. In 2024, firework accidents claimed 11 lives and sent 14,700 people to the emergency room. The [Consumer Product Safety Commission](https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks) reports that, in the month around the July 4th holiday, 280 people a day end up in emergency rooms with firework injuries. Most (74%) are burns involving the fingers, hands, face, eyes, and head., with the majority of these (57%) occurring in children and teens. Despite improvements in safety awareness, injuries and property damage are rising. The disturbing trend of using fireworks against law enforcement during protests only raises the number of injuries on both sides.[](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_569622379.jpg)

More than 18,000 fires are set each year by fireworks gone wrong, including many affecting buildings and vehicles. But a lot of people are going to use them anyway. If you decide to personally set off fireworks this Independence Day, be sure to follow the advice of t[he National Safety Council (NSC):](https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks)

- **Only use legal fireworks.** That means you should know what the laws are in your area. Beware of fireworks wrapped in plain brown paper; these are usually meant for professional use and are dangerous for amateurs.
- **Choose an ignition area away from flammable materials, structures, and people**. 35 feet away is recommended. Aerial fireworks should be watched from at least 150 feet away.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-1-201x300.jpg)bad idea](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-1-scaled.jpg)

- **Never allow children of any age to play with or ignite fireworks;** they’re the most likely to get injured. That includes sparklers, which account for 50% of fireworks injuries in children under 5 years of age. Sparklers reach a temperature of up to 2000 degrees, hot enough to melt many metals. Glow sticks or confetti poppers are safer options.
- **Any firework event should always be closely supervised by adults**; even with adults, however, there should be a “designated igniter” that holds off on the alcohol and recreational drugs (if you must indulge) until after the fireworks are over.
- **Consider protective eyewear** if you’re going to be anywhere near where fireworks are ignited.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2-201x300.jpg)Three-fingered Fred (before)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-2-scaled.jpg)

- **Only ignite one firework at a time.** When lighting, stand away, never position your body directly over it. Back away immediately.
- **Avoid putting fireworks in cans or jars (“bottle rockets”) for “stability.”** if these containers explode, pieces of metal and glass can act as shrapnel to cause injuries.
- **If you’ve got a dud, don’t try to relight it,** let it sit for 5-10 minutes before you disarm it permanently by soaking with a hose or a bucket of water.

Some of this advice is just common sense (at least, for most of us): Never light fireworks indoors, Never point or throw fireworks at others. , and Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-3-300x295.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/image-3.jpg)I forget, what did curiosity do to the cat?

What about your pets? Curiosity killed the cat, and so can fireworks. Most cats and dogs probably won’t go anywhere near them, but a curious sniff might get them into big trouble. They’d be happier and, certainly, safer inside the house. Some suggest keeping the television on to muffle the sound of anxiety-producing explosions.

If you or a member of your family is injured, Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room for moderate to severe cases. For mild f[irst-degree burns,](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-1-first-and-second-degree/) run cool water on the injury for 10 minutes, apply aloe vera or other burn gel, and cover with a clean non-stick dressing to protect the area. Monitor closely and seek professional help if necessary.

Following these safety tips and using some plain old common sense will help keep your family safe and give you the best chance of a healthy 4th of July. Happy Independence Day!

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_5138-295x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_5138.jpg)

Happy Independence Day from sunny Florida!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-summer-heat-waves/) 

 [Video: Dental Preparedness, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dental-preparedness-pt-1/)

**Categories:** Fires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries

**Tags:** fireworks, fireworks safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness

---

### [Video: Dental Preparedness, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dental-preparedness-pt-1/)

**Published:** July 1, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Dental-anatomy-teeth-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Dental-anatomy-teeth-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-scaled.jpg)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the importance of being dentally prepared as much as medically prepared for long-term survival situations. A few days without power, and you can get away without a store of dental supplies; long-term, however, dental problems are sure to pop up. The medic must know how to enforce good dental hygiene and deal with dental emergencies as they come up. Part 1 of a series…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Check out our one-of-a-kind dental kit at altonfirstaid.com! If your concern is long-term preparedness, you’ll be glad you did!

Joe Alton MD[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fireworks-safety-2/) 

 [Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-heat-waves-2/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Dental Issues, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** dental disease, dental issues, dental preparedness, joe alton md, medical preparedness, off grid dental issues, oral bacteria, survival medicine

---

### [Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-heat-waves-2/)

**Published:** June 26, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_119509171-desert-with-sun-298x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_119509171-desert-with-sun.jpg)

Summer can be cruel to those sensitive to the heat, and it often comes with a vengeance in parts of North America. Record high temperatures have been recorded in many areas, even in already-sunny Florida. Several heat waves are already predicted to wreak havoc before the summer is through.

Areas in the Midwest are susceptible to “**heat domes**.” A heat dome forms when a persistent, strong high-pressure system parks itself over a specific region. It acts like a giant, stagnant lid over the atmosphere, trapping hot air in place and preventing cloud formation and cooling rain.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271.jpg)

This year, it’s even worse in Europe, where only twenty percent of homes have air conditioning, partially on behalf of mitigating climate change. Europeans have historically viewed air conditioning as an expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and unnecessary luxury. High energy costs, older architecture, and other factors are also at play. The end result is hundreds of older Europeans suffering fatal heat-related injuries (also known as “**hyperthermia**”).

Even in places where the air temperature doesn’t get dangerously high, the “**heat index**” can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat index is a measure of the effects of air temperature combined with high humidity.

**WHY HUMIDITY MATTERS**

People say “It ain’t the heat, it’s the humidity.” Why does humidity matter? Above 60 percent **relative humidity**, natural loss of heat by perspiration is impaired; exposure to full sun increases the reported heat index by as much as 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit. All this increases the chances of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/noaa-heat-index-chart-300x206.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/noaa-heat-index-chart.jpg)

**URBAN VS RURAL AREAS**

High air temperatures are almost always worse in urban areas due to the **Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect**. Cities trap and magnify heat, making urban environments significantly hotter “heat islands” than surrounding rural areas. This effect is particularly noticeable at night.

You can expect urban areas to be one to seven degrees Fahrenheit hotter than surrounding countrysides during the day. It’s even worse at night, when urban areas rise to 22 degrees warmer.

**WHY CITIES ARE WORSE**

Several factors are the cause:

**Asphalt and Concrete**: Paving absorbs the sun’s energy during the day and releases it slowly at night, keeping cities hot pretty much around the clock.

**Lack of Vegetation:** Fewer trees and green spaces mean cities miss out on the natural cooling effect of water evaporating from leaves.

**Trapped Heat/Poor Airflow**: Tall buildings and narrow streets trap solar radiation and block cooling winds.

**Human Activity:** Industrial activity, large machinery, and dense vehicle traffic continuously emit exhaust and heat directly into the environment.

**RURAL FOLKS ALSO AT RISK**

While rural areas generally have lower overall temperatures, Heat and Health Index data shows that rural populations can be just as vulnerable to extreme heat. Greater numbers of farm workers and larger distances to medical facilities are major factors.

**HEAT WAVES AS NATURAL DISASTERS**

You might not consider a heat wave to be a natural disaster, but it most certainly is. Heat waves can cause mass casualties, as they did in Europe when tens of thousands died of exposure (not in the Middle Ages, but in 2003). India, Pakistan, and other underdeveloped tropical countries experience thousands of heat-related deaths yearly.

In the United States, heat wave disasters receive a similar warning system as another natural disaster: hurricanes. Heat notices go as follows:

- **Excessive Heat Watch**: Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours.
- **Excessive Heat Advisory:** Heat Index values are forecasted to reach highs of 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit for the next one to two days.
- **Excessive Heat Warning:** Heat Index values are expected to meet or exceed 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days.

It should be noted that different regions may have their own temperature criteria.

**HOW HOT WEATHER KILLS YOU**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_618552482-fainting-collapse-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_618552482-fainting-collapse-scaled.jpg)

How exactly does heat kill a person? Your body core regulates its temperature for optimal organ function. When core body temperature rises excessively, this system fails. Inflammation occurs, cells die, and toxins leak. Fatalities can occur very quickly without rapid intervention. Even with modern technology, hyperthermia carries a 10 percent death rate, mostly in the elderly and infirm. Those who are physically fit, however, are not immune.

### NOTE: For an article specifically about how to deal with [hyperthermia, click here.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-2-heat-stroke-heat-exhaustion/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/heat-stroke-1-300x255.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/heat-stroke-1-scaled.jpg)

**PREVENTING HYPERTHERMIA**

In heat wave conditions, you have a certain amount of control over whether people develop heat-related emergencies. Certain strategies may save lives:

- Be sure to avoid leaving children or pets in enclosed vehicles.
- Stay hydrated but avoid caffeinated beverages and alcoholic drinks.
- Eat frequent, small meals.
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Avoid heavy fabrics.
- Stay indoors and avoid exertion during the hottest parts of the day.
- Never schedule work sessions in excessive heat. If there is no choice, rest frequently in the shade.
- Check frequently on those who are very young, elderly, and infirm. They are most prone to heat-related illnesses.
- Don’t forget your pets. They are just as susceptible to a heat-related emergency.

In normal times, follow updates from local authorities.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Dental Preparedness, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dental-preparedness-pt-1/) 

 [Dental Preparedness Off The Grid, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-preparedness-off-the-grid-pt-1/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Heat Stroke, Hyperthermia, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** heat dome, heat index, heat island, heat-related emergencies, joe alton md, medical preparedness, summer heat, summer heat issues, survival medicine

---

### [Dental Preparedness Off The Grid, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-preparedness-off-the-grid-pt-1/)

**Published:** June 22, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-83-Dental-Issues-picture-of-teeth-shutterstock_73855759-291x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-83-Dental-Issues-picture-of-teeth-shutterstock_73855759-scaled.jpg)

You might be surprised to find out that an effective survival medic requires a working knowledge of dental problems. Few who are otherwise medically prepared, however, devote much time to learning about dental issues and procuring dental supplies. You may ask: Why bother?

Poor oral health can negatively impact the work efficiency of members of your group in survival settings and could even lead to serious illness. When your people are not at 100 percent effectiveness, chances for survival decrease. Anyone who has had to work while simultaneously dealing with a bad toothache will tell you their concentration and productivity are severely affected; indeed, their mind can only focus on the pain. The medic must learn proper dental hygiene, how to evaluate dental disease, and, when necessary, perform dental procedures to keep people at top efficiency.

If your concern is a few days without power due to a storm, perhaps you shouldn’t worry much about the risk of dental problems. A long-term event, however, is an entirely different story. History tells us that problems with teeth take up a significant portion of the medic’s time if dentists aren’t available. In a long-term survival setting, you may find yourself in the role of dentist as often as that of doctor or nurse. Of course, these duties are best in the hands of a dental professional. Unfortunately, you’re probably not going to have such a person in your group.

A survival medic’s philosophy should be that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This thinking is especially apt when it comes to your teeth. By enforcing a regimen of good dental hygiene, you will save your loved ones a lot of pain (and yourself a lot of headaches). The information here will give you a basis of knowledge that will help you deal with some basic issues off the grid.

**DENTAL ANATOMY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_500409571-tooth-anatomy-dental-300x175.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_500409571-tooth-anatomy-dental-scaled.jpg)

The anatomy of a tooth is relatively simple. The part of the tooth that you see above the gum line is called the “crown.” Hidden below the gum is the “root,” which resides in a bony socket known as the “alveolus.” Teeth are anchored to alveolar bone with ligaments, just like there are ligaments holding together the knee or shoulder.

The tooth is composed of different materials:

- **Enamel:** The hard, white external covering of the tooth crown. Enamel is mostly made of calcium phosphate and is the “armor” that protects deeper structures.
- **Dentin:** Firm yellowish material underneath the enamel. It is composed of many microscopic tubes. When enamel is lost, heat or cold travels through these tubes to cause sensitivity (pain).
- **Pulp:** Softer tissue in the center surrounded by the dentin. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerve endings and is considered the “living” part of the tooth. When the nerve dies, the tooth dies.

A normal adult mouth has 32 teeth, most of which replace baby teeth by age 13. They are comprised of:

- **Incisors (8 total):** The middlemost four teeth on the upper and lower jaws.
- **Canines (4 total):** The pointed teeth just outside the incisors. Sometimes called “cuspids.”
- **Premolars (8 total):** Teeth between the canines and molars. Sometimes called “bicuspids.”
- **Molars (8 total):** Flat teeth in the rear of the mouth.
- **Wisdom teeth or third molars (4 total):** These teeth erupt later, at around age 18 or so. They are often surgically removed to prevent displacement of other teeth due to crowding or impaction, which can lead to pain or infection.

Different teeth have different purposes: Incisor and canines are for cutting, while molars are for grinding.

**GOOD AND BAD BACTERIA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/shutterstockbacteria-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/shutterstockbacteria.jpg)

Most dental diseases are caused by bacteria. Human mouths are chock full of them, both good and bad. The medic wants to decrease the bad bacterial population to reduce the chance of developing dental and gum disease.

**What Good Bacteria affects:**

- **Immune Defense:** Helpful microbes crowd out harmful invaders and prevent them from taking hold.
- **Digestion:** Bacteria in your saliva help break down food and absorb nutrients.
- **Heart Health:** Beneficial oral bacteria convert dietary nitrates (found in leafy greens) into nitric oxide, which helps regulate blood pressure.

**What Bad Bacteria can cause:**

- **Tooth Decay:** Strains of certain bacteria feed on sugars and produce enamel-destroying acids.
- **Gum Disease:** Some bacteria specie*s* release toxins that cause inflammation, bleeding gums, and tooth loss if left untreated.
- **Systemic Issues:** Chronic oral inflammation due to bad bacteria can enter the bloodstream and even damage the heart.

A healthy balance can be achieved by eating fermented foods, whole grains, vegetables, and beans. Eating well and limiting sugars and starches off the grid, however, isn’t easy to control diet when the you-know-what hits the fan.

**DAILY HYGIENE OFF THE GRID**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/shutterstock_443156611-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/shutterstock_443156611.jpg)

It will be a challenge to ensure good dental hygiene in times of trouble. A daily brushing routine is essential, but at one point or another you will run out of toothbrushes. As an alternative, rub the teeth using a finger and a little toothpaste in a circular motion; this method will work long-term. A clean cloth can also be utilized for this purpose.

Another option is to chew on the end of a live twig until it gets fibrous and use that with some campfire ash to clean teeth. Sweet gum, sweet birch, neem, and dogwood have been used in the past, but any live, bendable twig will serve the purpose (dead wood falls apart in the mouth). Just score the bark off the end and chew until bristles form. A twig toothbrush can serve dual purposes in that the other end could be sharpened and used as a toothpick.

Eventually, commercially made toothpaste will no longer be available and you will have to improvise. As I mentioned, campfire ash works, but it’s gritty. Baking soda is an excellent alternative: It’s inexpensive, available in bulk, and less abrasive to dental enamel than manufactured silica-based toothpaste. Some feel the taste is too salty; in this case, add one or two drops of peppermint oil

When I was growing up, we brushed our teeth by putting a little household hydrogen peroxide on our toothbrushes and then dipping it into a small amount of baking soda. You get used to the taste.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-219-IRRIGATING-WOUNDS-make-normal-saline-sterile-ALTON-canva-300x90.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image-219-IRRIGATING-WOUNDS-make-normal-saline-sterile-ALTON-canva-scaled.jpg)

After meals and before going to bed, medics should encourage brushing or, at least, oral rinsing with warm saline solution or a good antibacterial solution. This will decrease inflammation in the gums, foul breath, and the risk of infection.

Another effective and inexpensive option would be to use a solution made of equal parts water and three percent hydrogen peroxide. Swish it around for one or two minutes to obtain the full effect. Beware of higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, as these could burn the oral cavity. Salt water can be made into a reasonable mouthwash. Take eight ounces of warm water with one teaspoon of salt and two teaspoons of baking soda. Use two to three times daily.

Many people swear by coconut oil as an option to decrease bacteria in and lower the risk for gingivitis (gum inflammation) and tooth decay. This method, known as “Oil pulling,” is accomplished by oral swishing with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Oil is a fat; as bacterial walls have fatty substances in their membranes, they stick to each other. As the oil hits the teeth and gums, germs are picked up like a magnet attracts iron filings. The action of swishing (“pulling”) extracts bacteria from crevices in the gums and teeth.

Another method of preventing tooth decay is the use of dental floss. It may be inconvenient for some, but a lot of bacteria accumulate between teeth. Flossing not only dislodges microbes but is also useful for removing foreign objects, such as food particles. Tie a simple knot in the floss if a particle is particularly difficult to remove. Floss picks are reasonable alternatives. Some suggest four to six pounds test fishing line as an option. If so, use monofilament line only, which is the type that glides most like regular dental floss. Avoid braided lines.

Next time, we’ll talk about tooth decay and gum disease. How will you handle it off the grid? Later installments of this series will cover dental trauma and procedures.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Looking for a[ survival dental kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-dental-grab-n-go/)? Find the best one on the internet that comes along with a free copy of “Where There Is No Dentist” at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-heat-waves-2/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antibiotics, Thyroid Questions, OB/Newborn Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antibiotics-thyroid-questions-ob-newborn-supplies/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** dental anatomy, dental preparedness, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tooth anatomy

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antibiotics, Thyroid Questions, OB/Newborn Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antibiotics-thyroid-questions-ob-newborn-supplies/)

**Published:** June 15, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this special episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton answer some questions posed by viewers, listeners, and readers of our content sites. Dr. Joe discusses a topic that should interest every family medic. Which antibiotics should you have in your survival medicine cabinet? Dr. Bones gives his thoughts.

Also, Nurse Amy discusses what supplies you might want for a pregnancy, including labor and delivery and care of the newborn.

Plus, Dr. Alton answers a question from a young man with thyroid nodules. What are they, what do they mean and what should you do about them if you have them?

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, To listen in:

## **[https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times and bad,

Joe and Amy

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Dental Preparedness Off The Grid, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-preparedness-off-the-grid-pt-1/) 

 [Video: Which Antibiotics For Your Storage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-which-antibiotics-for-your-storage/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hormones, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Pregnancy/Delivery, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Thyroid disease

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, antibiotics, hyperthyroidism, joe alton md, labor and delivery, medical preparedness, newborn, ob supplies, survival antibiotics, survival medicine, thyroid nodules

---

### [Video: Which Antibiotics For Your Storage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-which-antibiotics-for-your-storage/)

**Published:** June 6, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In a SHTF setting, bacterial diseases might run rampant among the members of a survival group. The family medic, therefore, should have antibiotics to deal with infections like cholera, dysentery, giardia, respiratory issues, wound infections, etc. While not effective against viruses, they are still very useful items to have in the survival medicine cabinet. Which are the most effective for off-grid settings? Dr. Joe Alton gives his thoughts in this companion video to a previous article.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

**Joe Alton MD**

Note: I do not sell antibiotics nor have an interest in any company that does.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antibiotics, Thyroid Questions, OB/Newborn Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antibiotics-thyroid-questions-ob-newborn-supplies/) 

 [Antibiotics For The Survival Medicine Cabinet](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antibiotics-for-the-survival-medicine-cabinet/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Chronic Illness, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amoxicillin, antibiotics, Azithromycin, cephalexin, Clindamycin, Doxycycline, Infections, ivermectin, medical preparedness, off-grid medicine, sulfa drugs, survival antibiotics, survival medicine

---

### [How Cultural Practices In Africa Are Spreading Ebola](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-cultural-practices-in-africa-are-spreading-ebola/)

**Published:** May 28, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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Note: This article was originally published at [AmericanThinker.com](https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/05/ebola_versus_traditional_burial_practices.html)

Anyone who’s read the news over the last decade or so has probably heard of Ebola. Also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, it’s a viral disease that appears not uncommonly in African countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. This time, a rare strain known as Bundibugyo has appeared in Congo and sickened, so far, 1,000 people, with 220 succumbing.

Given the serious nature of the disease, you would think the native peoples of the region would do everything possible to stop contagion. That, however, is not the case. In fact, at least [three treatment centers](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/26/nx-s1-5833141/doctors-in-drc-work-to-dissuade-traditional-funeral-practices-amid-ebola-outbreak) in Congo have been attacked and burned by the locals.

As Ebola is spread by bodily fluids, close contact is highly likely to lead to infection of relatives. This is the case even with dead bodies. The body is infectious for at least several days. Here’s where the local funeral practices have led to conflict with authorities: It’s imperative, culturally, for family members to take possession of the body to honor the deceased relative. You might not be surprised that the experts say this is not the best policy

Traditionally, funerals last up to several days. During this time, community elders or loved ones (often older women) tend to the body in their own homes, washing them and dressing them in their finest clothes. Sometimes, they will even sleep next to the corpse as it lies in state. The idea is to receive elements of the spirit of the departed person.

As you can imagine, contact with a highly contagious corpse is risky business. In the 2014 epidemic, transmission of the virus to family members of deceased individuals accounted for 80 percent of new cases in Sierra Leone and a majority of cases in Guinea. Slowing the spread of Ebola requires, therefore, persuading families to change [funeral practices](https://www.woodlawn.org/blog/funeral-rites-across-different-cultures-west-african-traditions/) or risk deadly contagion.

Hospitals are holding briefings with the family as to what the process is when a person dies of Ebola, but customs are difficult to change. Programs to explain the elements of a safe burial often meet with resistance, even hostility, due to appearing irreverent.

One obstacle that government burial teams encountered was that the body was placed inside a black bag. Without seeing the body, family members doubted the identity of the person being buried. New bags now have a transparent area where the face of the loved one can be seen.

A people’s culture is ingrained over generations, which means that controlling the spread of Ebola may be difficult. Modern medicine’s efforts to change burial practices in Ebola’s backyard may yet meet with success; if so, the likelihood of an outbreak will be much lower.

**Joe Alton MD**

P.S. The Trump administration is building a [quarantine and treatment center](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/27/trump-administration-ebola-quarantine-kenya) in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola while visiting Ebola areas in Africa — a contrast to past outbreaks, where Americans would be brought to the U.S. for treatment in specialized units.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Antibiotics For The Survival Medicine Cabinet](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antibiotics-for-the-survival-medicine-cabinet/) 

 [Video: Hantavirus Without Panic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hantavirus-without-panic/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** african burial practices, african funeral rituals, ebola, ebola treatment center, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Antibiotics For The Survival Medicine Cabinet](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antibiotics-for-the-survival-medicine-cabinet/)

**Published:** May 31, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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One of the questions I get from readers most frequently is guidance regarding which antibiotics would be useful to store for survival settings. I’ll start by saying that my writings are meant for circumstances where there is no functioning medical system. Many years ago, I put forth aquarium antibiotics as a survival option. At that time, they were identical to human antibiotics down to the numbers and letters on the capsules, just repackaged for the aquarium hobby. Today, however, the FDA forbids their use. The generic antibiotics I’d want in my survival medicine cabinet haven’t changed, however; which should you have in your survival storage?

I’ll mention several of the most important ones here, with the generic and brand names as well as some comments as to their uses:

For those who aren’t allergic to penicillin, I think either **amoxicillin(Amoxil)**, or **cephalexin(Keflex**), both members of the beta-lactam family, would be good drugs to have around, especially for soft-tissue and bacterial upper respiratory infections. Dosing is relatively simple and, in most cases, safe for pregnant and pediatric patients. There is also **amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin)**, which is effective against some infections that are resistant to amoxicillin alone.

Secondly, I would have **doxycycline (Doryx)**, which handles a lot of different infections of the respiratory and intestinal tracts. This antibiotic is okay to take if you’re allergic to penicillin drugs, although it isn’t considered acceptable for use during pregnancy. There are those who claim doxycycline becomes toxic when expired; I would note that the Department of Defense’s [**Shelf Life Extension Program**](https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Medical-Logistics/Shelf-Life-Extension-Program) has, in the past, authorized its use well beyond the expiration dates.

**Metronidazole(Flagyl)** is a drug which I consider very useful, especially for intestinal infections from bacteria and certain parasites, like Giardia, seen in intestinal and pelvic infections, among others. It is also used in those with serious infections, for example, early appendicitis, combined with another antibiotic for situations where surgery isn’t an option. Although Metronidazole is acceptable in those allergic to penicillin, it’s not okay for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

**Azithromycin** is known to be generally safe in pregnancy as well as those with penicillin allergies. It can deal with many cases of respiratory infection, dysentery, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and more. An additional benefit is that many have taken it before in its popular **“Z-Pak”** form.

The Sulfa drug combination **sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim DS)** is an excellent choice for many infections, especially urinary ones. If that is a common problem for family members, you might consider this drug. It has also been used for skin infections, some sinusitis, MRSA, ear infections, and others. Sulfa-Drugs are acceptable in the penicillin-allergic but not in the pregnant woman or breastfeeding mother.

**Clindamycin(Cleocin)** would also be on my list. It has been used to treat everything from acne to anthrax, but is helpful for pneumonias, pelvic infections, uterine infections after childbirth, soft-tissue infections, and is even effective against MRSA. It is, unlike doxycycline and metronidazole, acceptable for use during pregnancy and in people allergic to penicillin (of course, you could be allergic to clindamycin, or any other antibiotic, itself). In rare cases, use of clindamycin could induce an intestinal inflammation known as colitis, which could be serious.

Then there’s **Ivermectin (Stromectrol)**, in its human form and not the paste used for horses. It’s certainly an option in the age of COVID.

You may notice the above list *doesn’t* include **Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)**, an important antibiotic which is effective against many infections. I feel that the side-effects of the drug, including damage causing weakness in the muscles and tendons, disqualifying it for most. It’s still an option for some.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Altons_antibiotic_book_with_Book_excellence_2020_award_star__07122.15837091631-217x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Altons_antibiotic_book_with_Book_excellence_2020_award_star__07122.15837091631.jpg)

In our book [**“Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide”**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/altons-antibiotics-and-infectious-disease-the-laymans-guide-to-available-antibacterials-in-austere-settings/?revpage=2), we describe the various antibiotic families in detail. The drugs above each belong to a different family. If you could accumulate some of each over time, it would give you the best chance of having a medicine on hand that would have activity against almost any bacterial infection.

There are various ways to obtain the antibiotics I mention above. The main disadvantage of buying from medical companies that sell antibiotic “kits” (Ozio, Wellness, Jase) is that you are often limited in the quantity of the drugs in question you can purchase and the frequency of purchases. For the medic in charge of a survival group with many members, this can be problematic. Others look for veterinary-equivalent antibiotics, which I’ve written about extensively in the past. Now banned for use in humans by the FDA, an AI search will still identify certain online retailers that still offer them. Do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

It’s important for you to know that every single medication I mentioned has its share of side-effects and reasons why they might be dangerous in some people, like those with kidney or liver disease. You should also learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of various infections so you know what you’re treating. Indeed, antibiotics aren’t useful at all if you’ve misdiagnosed a viral infection as bacterial.

It’s also important to realize that antibiotics are not candy; they should be used judiciously and rarely in survival settings. These drugs will be scarce commodities and irreplaceable in a societal collapse. Accumulate a good supply and utilize them wisely. To accomplish that goal requires not just monetary funds, but a fund of knowledge and good judgment. If you’re successful, you might save the life of someone who otherwise might not survive in times of trouble.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/alton-may-june-2019-joe-gathering-supplies-to-make-a-kit__66844-300x187.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/alton-may-june-2019-joe-gathering-supplies-to-make-a-kit__66844.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Which Antibiotics For Your Storage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-which-antibiotics-for-your-storage/) 

 [How Cultural Practices In Africa Are Spreading Ebola](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-cultural-practices-in-africa-are-spreading-ebola/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, appendicitis, bacterial disease, Cellulitis, Diarrhea, Expiration Dates, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amoxicillin, antibiotics, augmentin, Azithromycin, cephalexin, Clindamycin, Doxycycline, joe alton md, medical preparedness, metronidazole, shelf life extension program, sulfa drugs, survival medicine

---

### [Which Antibiotics For Your Storage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/which-antibiotics-for-your-storage/)

**Published:** July 24, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Altons_antibiotic_book_with_Book_excellence_2020_award_star__07122.15837091631-217x300.jpg)](https://store.doomandbloom.net/altons-antibiotics-and-infectious-disease-the-laymans-guide-to-available-antibacterials-in-austere-settings/)

(NOTE: The information below is only meant for circumstances where there is no functioning medical system. If modern professional care is available, seek it out. Also, the FDA, unfortunately, has recently outlawed the sale of some of the meds below without a prescription.)

If a disaster throws you off the grid, your risk of traumatic injury increases, but so does that of infection. When someone thinks of an infectious disease event, they envision a deadly epidemic. Any catastrophe, however, can increase the number of people with infections. When I say “catastrophe”, I’m not talking losing power from a storm for three days; I’m talking about a true long-term survival scenario.

In these horrific events, dirty wounds, contaminated water, poorly prepared food, and inadequate sanitation will turn previously healthy people into desperately sick ones. With antibiotics in your medical storage, you have a good shot of nipping bacterial infections in the bud. Not having them could lead to tragic consequences.

One of the most frequent questions I receive from readers, listeners, and viewers is which antibiotics to have on hand in survival settings. I have received a flurry of these lately in response to our book “[Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease”: The Layman’s Guide To Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3HA95AQH4LFI7&keywords=altons+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1552152550&s=gateway&sprefix=alton,aps,155&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=182e15c072ab3652921428e7d6afa50b&language=en_US). In the book, I discuss, well, antibiotics and infectious disease: Those infections which can be expected in those knocked off the gird and the antibiotics obtainable by the average citizen that help prevent otherwise avoidable deaths.

Certainly, it would be great if you had the financial resources to have all of the medications we talk about in [Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3HA95AQH4LFI7&keywords=altons+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1552152550&s=gateway&sprefix=alton,aps,155&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=182e15c072ab3652921428e7d6afa50b&language=en_US), but that’s beyond the means of almost everyone. You’ll probably need to pick a limited number to stockpile, but which? Chances are, if you lined up 10 doctors, you’d get 10 different answers.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Altons-antibiotic-book-with-Book-excellence-2020-award-star-217x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Altons-antibiotic-book-with-Book-excellence-2020-award-star.jpg)

Your choices would depend on the infections you’re most likely to encounter. Is it wound infections you’re concerned about, or intestinal infections like dysentery or cholera? Does someone in your group have a medical condition that makes them prone to a certain infection? Certainly, one drug doesn’t cure all.

Without knowing your individual situation, I can’t give you specifics. I can, however, still give you my personal recommendation of a few antibiotics available that would be assets in my survival medicine cabinet. This article would be too long to mention every disease these drugs treat or dosing (our book is more than 300 pages long), but I’ll mention a little about each.

1. For those who aren’t allergic to penicillin, I think either **amoxicillin**(Amoxil), or **cephalexin**(Keflex), both members of the beta-lactam family, would be good drugs to have around, especially for soft-tissue and bacterial upper respiratory infections. Dosing is relatively simple and, in most cases, safe for pregnant and pediatric patients.
2. Secondly, I would have **doxycycline,** which handles a lot of different infections of the respiratory and intestinal tracts and is okay to take if you’re allergic to Penicillin drugs, although it isn’t considered acceptable for use during pregnancy. For those who claim doxycycline becomes toxic when expired, note that the [Department of Defense’s Shelf Life Extension Program ](https://www.fda.gov/EmergencyPreparedness/Counterterrorism/MedicalCountermeasures/MCMLegalRegulatoryandPolicyFramework/ucm411446.htm#doxy)has, in the past, authorized its use well beyond the expiration dates.
3. **Metronidazole**(Flagyl) is a drug which I consider very useful, especially for intestinal infection from bacteria and certain parasites, like Giardia, seen in intestinal and pelvic infections, among others. It is also used with other antibiotics in those with stubborn infections, for example, appendicitis, along with another antibiotic for situations where surgery isn’t an option. Although Metronidazole is acceptable in those allergic to penicillin, it’s not okay for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
4. **Azithromycin**(Z-Pak) is known to be generally safe in pregnancy as well as those with penicillin allergies. It can deal with many cases of respiratory infection, dysentery, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and more. An additional benefit is that many in your group have taken it before in its popular “Z-Pak” form.
5. The **Sulfa drug** combination sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim DS) is an excellent choice for many infections, especially urinary ones. If that is a common problem for family members, you might consider this drug. It has also been used for skin infections, some sinusitis, MRSA, ear infections, and others. Sulfa-Drugs are acceptable in the penicillin-allergic but not in the pregnant woman or breastfeeding mother.
6. **Clindamycin**(cleocin) would also be on my list. It has been used to treat everything from acne to anthrax, but is helpful for pneumonias, pelvic infections, uterine infections after childbirth, soft-tissue infections, and is even effective against MRSA. It is, unlike doxycycline and metronidazole, acceptable for use during pregnancy and in people allergic to penicillin (of course, you could be allergic to clindamycin, or any other antibiotic, itself). In rare cases, use of clindamycin could induce an intestinal inflammation (colitis), which could be serious.
7. Of course, **ivermectin** is a useful antibiotic for issues with COVID.

You may notice the above list doesn’t include Ciprofloxacin (Cipro[)](https://fishmoxfishflex.com/collections/in-stock-fish-antibiotics/products/fish-flox-forte-equivalent-aqua-cipro-ciprofloxacin-plus-500-mg-30-count), an antibiotic which is effective against many infections. I felt the side-effects of the drug, including weakness in the muscles and tendons, precluded my adding it. It’s still an option for some.

In our book “[Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3HA95AQH4LFI7&keywords=altons+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1552152550&s=gateway&sprefix=alton,aps,155&sr=8-1-fkmrnull&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=182e15c072ab3652921428e7d6afa50b&language=en_US)”, we describe the various antibiotic families in detail. The drugs above each belong to a different family. If you could accumulate some of each over time, it would give you the best chance of having a medicine on hand that would have activity against almost any bacterial infection.

It’s important for you to know that every single medication I mentioned has its share of side-effects and reasons why they might be dangerous in some people, like those with kidney or liver disease. You should also learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of various infections. Indeed, antibiotics aren’t useful at all if you’ve misdiagnosed a viral infection as bacterial.

[Antibiotics](https://fishmoxfishflex.com/collections/medicines/products/fish-antibiotic-variety-bulk-package-8-count) are not candy, and they should be used judiciously and rarely in survival settings. They will be scarce commodities, irreplaceable in a societal collapse, so accumulate a good supply and utilize them wisely. To accomplish that goal requires not just funds, but a fund of knowledge and good judgment. If you’re successful, you might save the life of someone who otherwise might not survive in times of trouble.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Find out more about antibiotics and infectious disease in our book “[Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings”](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FGI3DXZ6HLEE&keywords=alton%27s+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1690141813&sprefix=alton%27s+al%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1)! And don’t forget to fill those holes in your medical storage with kits and supplies from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Altons-antibiotic-book-with-Book-excellence-2020-award-star-217x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Altons-antibiotic-book-with-Book-excellence-2020-award-star.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: How To Perform Vertical Mattress Sutures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-how-to-perform-vertical-mattress-sutures/) 

 [Video: Simple Running Suture Demo](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-simple-running-suture-demo/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Respiratory infections

**Tags:** antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, which antibiotics to have

---

### [Norovirus: The Stomach Flu](https://www.doomandbloom.net/norovirus-the-stomach-flu/)

**Published:** May 18, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shutterstock_133987346-cruise-ship-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shutterstock_133987346-cruise-ship.jpg)

Most people expect to have a great time when they book a cruise. Some viral infections, however, have cast a shadow on those vacation plans even though they’re not pandemic diseases. The first was hantavirus, but there’s another, just as unlikely to cause a pandemic, but still a major pain in the…stomach. That’s **norovirus**, otherwise known as the stomach flu. Recently, over 100 people were sickened on the Carnival Princess and 50 more on a French cruise ship.

We personally had an experience with the virus a few years ago when my wife sampled “The World’s Best Hot Dog” at a street stand in New York City while visiting our daughter. Believe me, it’s no fun. Considering that food contaminated with norovirus can be found everywhere from the Big Apple to the Grand Canyon to the high seas, the family medic should know about it.

**ABOUT NOROVIRUSES**

Hantavirus has gotten the press, but norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. The U.S. reports 19 million to 21 million cases a year. Humans are, apparently, the only hosts of the virus, affecting people of all ages. It’s particularly dangerous in the elderly, the very young, and those with weakened immune systems. November to April is the most common time for outbreaks.

Norovirus is very contagious (just 5-20 viral particles can cause illness) and is easily transmitted through contaminated food or water, close personal contact, and even by air droplets from vomit, contaminated kitchen counters, and even toilet flushes. Infection can be passed from person to person for a time even *after* apparent recovery.

Here’s how contagious the norovirus is: In one outbreak reported in 1998, 126 people were dining at a restaurant when one person vomited onto the floor. Despite a rapid cleanup, 52 customers fell ill within 72 hours. More than 90% of the people who later dined at the same table reported symptoms. 70% of diners at nearby tables got sick.

Norovirus is a hardy microbe, known to survive for long periods outside a human host. It can live for weeks on countertops and up to twelve days on clothes. It can survive for months in still water. Disinfectants containing chlorine, however, like bleach will quickly eliminate it, as will sufficient heat.

**SYMPTOMS OF “STOMACH FLU”**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-scaled.jpg)

The symptoms of the stomach flu include nausea and vomiting, watery diarrhea, and (sometimes severe) abdominal pain, usually within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. Additionally, muscle aches, headache, and fever are common. Luckily, life-threatening illness is rare, with dehydration being the main danger in those infected with the virus. Symptoms may last several days before eventually subsiding.

Unlike some viruses, immunity after recovery from norovirus is only temporary. Antibodies against the virus at thought to last not much longer than, say, six months. Also, there are various strains of noroviruses; getting one doesn’t protect you against others.

Outbreaks of norovirus infection often occur in closed spaces such as nursing homes, schools, camps, prisons and, surprise, cruise ships. Shellfish, such as oysters, and salad ingredients are the foods most often implicated in norovirus outbreaks (except, of course, “the World’s Best Hot Dog”).

**TREATING NOROVIRUS**

As is the case with most viruses, there is no known cure for norovirus infection. Antibiotics aren’t effective, as they’re meant to kill bacteria, not viruses. Treatment involves staying well-hydrated. Suspect dehydration if you see these signs and symptoms:

- Dry mouth
- Decrease in quantity or dark color of urine
- Dizziness when standing up
- Decreased elasticity of skin (it “tents” when pulled)
- No tears when crying or unusual irritability in infants

Using antidiarrheal meds like loperamide (**Imodium**) and anti-vomiting drugs like Ondansetron (**Zofran**) may also help.

**PREVENTING NOROVIRUS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

A cure may not be available, but prevention is another issue. To decrease the chance of norovirus infection:

- Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the restroom or handling food. Be especially sure to do this for two weeks after becoming infected (yes, you can be contagious for that long). Interestingly, norovirus can survive the use of hand sanitizers, so stick with good old soap and water.
- Wash food before cooking; cook shellfish thoroughly.
- Frequently disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution (the EPA recommends 5-25 drops of bleach per gallon).
- Keep sick individuals away from food preparation areas.
- Avoid close contact with others when you are sick, and don’t share utensils or other items.
- Wear disposable gloves while handling soiled items.
- Immediately remove and wash clothes that may be contaminated with vomit or feces. Machine dry if possible.

If you’re planning a cruise, you might consider taking Vitamins C and Zinc about two weeks before your trip to boost your immune system.

Once you’re on the ship:

- Avoid using shared serving utensils if possible, and opt for food cooked to order rather than buffets.
- Avoid touching handrails on stairs.
- Use tis0sues or your elbow to push elevator buttons. In fact, stay out of elevators and use the stairs, without handrails, if you physically can.
- Avoid sick people: If you hear people coughing or notice someone vomiting, leave the area.\\
- Pack a Medical Kit: Bring essential items, including antiseptic wipes, OTC medications (Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, cold medicine, Ibuprofen), and prescription meds.

It may be difficult to completely eliminate the risk of norovirus infection, but careful attention to hand and food hygiene will go a long way towards avoiding the stomach flu and making a trip a memorable one (in a good way).

**Joe Alton MD**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Hantavirus Without Panic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hantavirus-without-panic/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Fall Injuries, Hanta Panic-Free, Norovirus, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-fall-injuries-hanta-panic-free-norovirus-more/)

**Categories:** Diarrhea, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** cruise ship infections, cruise ship tips, dehydration, joe alton md, medical preparedness, norovirus, stomach flu, survival medicine, viral infection

---

### [Video: Hantavirus Without Panic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hantavirus-without-panic/)

**Published:** May 18, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Hantavirus-prevention-protection-symptoms-signs-risk-rat-infestation-DOCTOR-JOSEPH-ALTON-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Hantavirus-prevention-protection-symptoms-signs-risk-rat-infestation-DOCTOR-JOSEPH-ALTON-scaled.png)

Time for a no panic viewpoint about **hantavirus** infections. Members of the hantavirus family (hantaviridae) are mostly found in their natural reservoir: rodents. A cruise ship might not be off the grid, but it is often remote, and rats and mice are likely to be constant companions of survival groups in disaster settings. There are steps you can take to avoid rat carrying illnesses, therefore, it’s important to know about them. One more thing: A dozen or so cases on a cruise ship and a yearly few in the Western U.S. does *not* a pandemic make.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [How Cultural Practices In Africa Are Spreading Ebola](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-cultural-practices-in-africa-are-spreading-ebola/) 

 [Norovirus: The Stomach Flu](https://www.doomandbloom.net/norovirus-the-stomach-flu/)

**Categories:** Dehydration, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** cruise ship tips, food contamination, food poisoning, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical preparedness advocate, rodent-proofing

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Fall Injuries, Hanta Panic-Free, Norovirus, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-fall-injuries-hanta-panic-free-norovirus-more/)

**Published:** May 18, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of **The Survival Medicine Podcast**, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner cover recent outbreaks of infectious disease on cruise ships: Hantavirus and Norovirus. There’s been a lot of panic-mongering regarding these two viruses, but a calm clarity about these viruses will help understanding them in an informed way. Dr. joe Alton tells you what you need to know…

Also, injuries from falls, both on the trail and in the home, account for millions of ER visits and 800,000 hospitalizations every year. If the SHTF, the family or group medic will most certainly be confronted with victims of falls and the complications involved. Traumatic brain injuries, fracture, dislocations, and more are discussed by Dr. Bones.

To listen in, click below:

## [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/amy-and-joe-best-medical-kits-camping-hiking__79282.15844997671-284x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/amy-and-joe-best-medical-kits-camping-hiking__79282.15844997671.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [AltonFirstAid.com.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [Altonfirstaid.com](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Norovirus: The Stomach Flu](https://www.doomandbloom.net/norovirus-the-stomach-flu/) 

 [Hantavirus Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hantavirus-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Bones and Joints, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Food, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Pandemic Diseases, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** bone fracture, concussion, hantaivirus panic, Hantavirus, joe alton md, medical preparedness, norovirus, survival medicine, traumatic brain injury

---

### [Hantavirus Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hantavirus-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** May 6, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_1660181482-virus-and-blood-cells-2-300x154.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_1660181482-virus-and-blood-cells-2-scaled.jpg)

You’re been hearing a lot of scary stuff coming from the media about **hantavirus**, with some likening it to COVID or worse. That’s not the case, so let me clear the air a little, and maybe present some clarity about the whole thing.

The virus may sound familiar. The cruise ship cases, a total of maybe a dozen total at present with several dead, isn’t the first time you heard about hantavirus.

There was the strange end of actor Gene Hackman and his wife last year: The 95-year-old Hackman, his 65-year-old wife, and a dog were discovered dead in their home. She was found on the bathroom floor with a spilled bottle of pills, while he was in another room.

Murder-suicide? Nope. It turns out that she died a week *before* Hackman of a rare illness called **Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (or HPS).** Mr. Hackman, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, died some days later of heart disease and, I would think, dehydration. No hantavirus. The pills turned out to be thyroid meds.

Now, [a cluster of passengers on a cruise ship](https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON599) (the MV Hondius, out of the Netherlands) with severe respiratory illness has been reported to the World Health Organization. 11 cases of confirmed or suspected **hantavirus** have been identified, including three deaths, one critically ill patient, and lesser cases).

### **WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shutterstock_1050531905-rat-along-baseboard-rodent-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shutterstock_1050531905-rat-along-baseboard-rodent-scaled.jpg)

Members of the hantavirus family (*hantaviridae*) are mostly found in their natural reservoir: rodents. A cruise ship might not be off the grid, but it is often remote, and rats and mice are likely to be constant companions of survival groups in disaster settings. Therefore, it’s important to know about them.

Hantaviruses are species-specific, which means that each type of rodent has its own version of the virus. While infected rodents remain outwardly healthy, they can transmit the disease to humans and cause life-threatening damage.

### **TRANSMISSION OF HANTAVIRUS TO HUMANS**

You may ask: How do I get hantavirus? Humans contract hantaviruses in several ways:

- Getting bitten or scratched by an infected animal.
- Being in contact with droppings or urine.
- Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Survival retreats with large stores of food are always high-risk for rodent infestations and the spread of infection.

Your next question should be: Can I get sick if I take care of someone with hantavirus? There haven’t been any cases of human-to-human transmission in the United States. Although Gene Hackman’s wife had hantavirus, he did not.

**Aside:** **Despite this, it seems that the particular strain of the cruise ship hantavirus can, indeed, rarely be passed from person to person. Despite this, only a small percentage of exposed people have tested positive.**

### **HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME (HPS)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1313942159-pneumonia-what-happens-in-alveoli-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1313942159-pneumonia-what-happens-in-alveoli-scaled.jpg)

The initial symptoms of **Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome** are flu-like: Expect to see sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, and muscle pain. Three to five days later, the infected person may feel shortness of breath and chest pain. Respiratory failure follows rapidly due to an immune reaction gone haywire.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) made its first identifiable appearance in 1993. Every year in the Western US, a few cases are reported; the death rate is 30-60 percent. Survivors of the first few days recover in a few weeks, but may have long-term ill effects.

### **HEMORRHAGIC FEVER WITH RENAL SYNDROME (HFRS)**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1178641459-dialysis-diabetes-kidney-failure-300x200.jpg)kidney failure

**Hantavirus hemorrhagic disease** was first described in an ancient Chinese medical text about 300-400 BC, one of a long line of disease-causing organisms originating in China. It makes appearances throughout history in the Old World. During WWI, hantavirus disease was called “trench nephritis.” **Nephritis** simply means kidney inflammation. Cases were reported again during WWII, Korea, etc. Finally, in 1978, the virus was discovered and eventually given the name hantavirus.

100,000 cases of HFRS are reported annually, much more than its rarer cousin in the Americas. The death rate, however, is only about 1 percent or so, depending on the subtype.

### **CAN YOU TREAT HANTAVIRUS INFECTION?**

It’s already been proven that a person made ill by hantavirus isn’t contagious to other humans. There is, sadly, no cure. In normal times, treatment depends on the particular variant and includes oxygen therapy, antiviral meds, and dialysis.

Unfortunately, there is no proven effective treatment off the grid. The medic should treat the symptoms like fever, ensure good hydration, and generally support the patient until they recover. Survivors may take weeks or months to fully return to normal, with chronic fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance commonly seen long-term.

### **PREVENTION OF HANTAVIRUS INFECTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)

There isn’t a hantavirus vaccine, but diligent rodent-proofing can help reduce the risk of infection. There are [steps you can take](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-control-rodents-as-disease-vectors/) to help reduce your risk:

- Avoid exposure to mice, rats, and their droppings.
- Wear gloves and a mask that covers your nose and mouth if you can’t avoid exposure to droppings.
- Use disinfectant on areas contaminated with mouse or rat droppings.
- Don’t use a broom to clean out droppings, as it causes viral dust enter into the air.
- Seal holes around the retreat that might allow mice and rats to enter.
- Set rodent traps in and around your home.
- Avoid leaving human or pet food outside.
- Assure good ventilation in the retreat.

More information on rodent-proofing a home or retreat can be found by [clicking this link](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-control-rodents-as-disease-vectors/).

So, is hantavirus the next worldwide pandemic? Nope. A total of less than a dozen cases on a cruise ship and a yearly few in rat-infested areas of the U.S. does not a pandemic make. Should you remain vigilant? Of course. do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Fall Injuries, Hanta Panic-Free, Norovirus, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-fall-injuries-hanta-panic-free-norovirus-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Civil Unrest, Body Armor, Faraday, Bone Bruises](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-civil-unrest-body-armor-faraday-bone-bruises/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, Biological Warfare, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** Hantavirus, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Henorrhagic Hantavirus Fever, MV Hondius, pulmonary hantavirus, Renal Hantavirus, rodent spread diseases, viral infections

---

### [Vision Issues, Part 4: Eye Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-4-eye-trauma/)

**Published:** December 30, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_179070620-foreign-object-under-eyelid-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_179070620-foreign-object-under-eyelid-scaled.jpg)

In long-term survival, the medic must optimize the vision of family or group members in order to optimize the chance for success. They must be prepared for mishaps or hostile encounters that occur and cause **traumatic eye injuries**.

Some good news: The conformation of the human skull is such that your eyes are slightly recessed in bony sockets, which helps protect them from injury. Despite this, there are many activities of daily survival that can cause an eye injury. Here are just a few:

- Accidents while using tools.
- Splatter from bleach or other household chemicals.
- Lawn mower or gardening tool mishaps.
- Grease splatter from cooking.
- Chopping wood.
- Hot appliances near your face, such as irons or hair dryers.
- Firearm mishaps.

The grand majority of these injuries are avoidable with a little planning, care, and protective eyewear. Despite this, it is likely the group medic will come upon an eye injury at one point or another.

**Simple Trauma Around The Eye**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/shutterstock_29434828-300x194.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/shutterstock_29434828.jpg)

Simple trauma to the area of the eye often results in a collection of blood under the skin (a “black eye”). In these cases, apply a cold pack around, but not on, the eye for 20 minutes to keep down swelling. The injury is serious only if the patient develops double vision or other changes in eyesight.

**Foreign Objects**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/shutterstock_185722172-300x300.jpg)foreign object in cornea](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/shutterstock_185722172-scaled.jpg)

If there’s a foreign object in the eye, there will be immediate symptoms, including:

- Eye pain or pressure.
- Tearing up.
- Light sensitivity.
- Frequent blinking.
- Redness (a “bloodshot” eye).

In almost all cases, the patient will communicate that they feel something in their eye. The most common location will be under the upper eyelid. To evaluate, use a moist cotton swab to lift and evert the eyelid. This will allow you to effectively examine the area. Clean (drinkable) water can be used as irrigation to flush out the foreign object. Alternatively, touch lightly with the moistened swab to dislodge it.

It’s rare for a foreign object to actually impale the eye. You would need a high-speed impact for this to happen, mostly seen in explosions. To remove small metallic foreign objects from the eye (or any wound) an “eye magnet and loop” instrument can be used. Any magnet is useful, but this special instrument has a handle you hold like a pencil. The handle allows the medic to act while maintaining direct visualization of both the eye and the foreign object. The tip is dull to prevent further injury. The loop side has a small nylon loop which can remove other objects gently.

To use the eye magnet and loop instrument:

1\) Clean the magnet and loop sides with an antiseptic like alcohol and allow to dry.

2\) Hold the magnet side close to the metallic object to remove.

3\) If the metallic object is lifted but not 100% removed then use the loop side to complete the removal.

4\) For other small eye (or wound) foreign object removals, the loop can help gently lift them out.

Be aware that, even in the best of circumstances, foreign objects are difficult to remove without causing scarring and vision loss, especially if it’s on the cornea or pupil.

**Corneal Abrasions**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_529440640-flourescien-dye-300x200.jpg)corneal abrasion via fluoroscein](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_529440640-flourescien-dye-scaled.jpg)

Let’s say that your evaluation fails to find a foreign object. Take a closer look at the “cornea.” The cornea is a clear layer of tissue over the colored part of the eye (the ‘iris”) which exists for purposes of protection and to help with focusing. When this layer of tissue is scratched or damaged, it’s called a **“corneal abrasion.”** A corneal abrasion is relatively common, especially in those who wear contact lenses. The patient will probably complain to you that they feel as if there’s a grain of sand in their eye, especially when they blink.

When the injury to the eye cannot be seen easily. A further enhancement to visualize the eye can help diagnose the issue. A special dye strip using [“**fluorescein”**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-eye-care-emergency/?searchid=148211&search_query=eye) can be added to the eye. A special **“cobalt blue” light** is then used to highlight lacerations. To use:

1\) Place one or two drops of sterile eye wash or saline to the fluorescein strip.

2\) Ask the patient to look upwards.

3\) Pull down the lower lid of the injured eye.

4\) Touch the strip to the surface of the eye located under the lower lid.

5\) Release the lid and ask the patient to blink a few times to spread the orange dye.

6\) Use a cobalt blue light to visualize the eye; scratches will appear bright green.

7\) The dye will wash out of the eye naturally, but eye wash may be used if desired.

The abraded eye needs to rest and heal. After flushing it clean with water and using antibiotic drops (if available), cover the closed eye with an eye pad and tape or an eye patch. Alternatively, the bottom of a paper cup can be substituted if an eye pad or patch is painful. It’s wisest to cover both eyes, as the open eye will move around and the closed eye will follow its movements. As covering both eyes may agitate the victim, a small peephole can be made through which the unaffected eye can see. This will limit movement but relieve anxiety. Over the next few days, the eye should heal by itself. Use ibuprofen for pain relief if necessary.

**Preventing Corneal Damage**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_383887093-eye-goggles-pandemic-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_383887093-eye-goggles-pandemic-scaled.jpg)

Although a corneal abrasion often heals quickly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For prevention of corneal damage, consider the following:

- Wear eye protection whenever you’re performing any activity that could possibly cause an eye injury, such as shop work, target shooting, or using power tools. Anyone who is close to you when you’re doing these activities should also wear protective gear.
- When working in the yard, watch for low hanging branches; Be sure to remove loose objects in your path. Make sure that your kids never point water under force (say, from a garden hose) at someone’s face.
- Place contact lenses carefully; don’t sleep in them.
- Keep fingernails trimmed short.
- Employ a grease shield when using a frying pan.

**Other injuries To The Eye**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1493584508-subconjunctival-hemorrhage-300x187.jpg)subconjunctival hemorrhage](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1493584508-subconjunctival-hemorrhage-scaled.jpg)

Occasionally, blunt trauma to the eye or even simple actions like coughing or sneezing may cause a patch of blood to appear in the white of the eye. This is called a “**subconjunctival hemorrhage”** and, although not painful, can be alarming to the patient. It’s usually harmless, however, and will clear up in about a week without treatment.

A more serious condition is a **“hyphema.”** In hyphemas, there is bleeding covering the iris and, perhaps, the pupil. The patient may experience pain and vision may be blurry, cloudy, or otherwise affected. If so, there is more cause for concern. Evaluate this injury as described for abrasions.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_1348151027-hyphema-eye-300x150.jpg)hyphema](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_1348151027-hyphema-eye-scaled.jpg)

Treatment for hyphemas involves keeping the patient’s head elevated to allow any blood to drain to the lower part of the eye chamber. This strategy may help preserve vision. Cool compresses applied to the affected eye are also recommended, perhaps using the natural substances mentioned earlier in **[part 2 of this series](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-2-eye-infections/).** Recovery may be slow.

Other parts of this series: [**Part 1** ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-1/) **[Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issue-part-3-vision-defects/)**

**Dealing With Noxious Eye Exposure**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1522576616-eye-wash-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1522576616-eye-wash-scaled.jpg)

In an event where the eye is exposed to noxious chemicals, burns, and other irritants, rapid action is required. Hold the eye wide open while flushing with warm water. This should be done for at least 15 minutes in severe cases. Avoid getting the other eye wet, as chemical runoff may damage it.

Eye damage from chemical exposure can be severe. The medic must quickly:

1\) Remove contact lenses if applicable.

2\) Tilt the head in the direction of the affected eye.

3\) Hold the eyelids away from the eyeball while having the victim move the eye in all directions.

4\) Rinse the area with warm, clean water for 10-20 minutes.

5\) Wash any eyewear with soap and water.

6\) Bandage both eyes with a moist dressing.

The family medic must be ready to deal with orthopedic injuries and bleeding wounds, but the preservation of vision is one way to assure you’ll succeed in tough times, even if everything else fails. A specialized eye kit for long-term disaster settings can be found here.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-300x201.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Hypothermia 2026](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-2026/) 

 [Vision Issue, Part 3: Vision Defects](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issue-part-3-vision-defects/)

**Categories:** chemical warfare, Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Minor Wounds, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** corneal abrasion, eye injury, eye trauma, hyphema, joe alton md, medical preparedness, subconjunctival hemorrhage, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Arm Slings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-arm-slings/)

**Published:** October 14, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/arm-sling-video-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/arm-sling-video-scaled.jpg)

In this short video, Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton shows how to apply an effective arm sling two different ways: the “broad arm sling” and the “elevated arm sling.” For demonstration, Amy uses the inexpensive and versatile triangular bandage, an item that should be stored in quantity in your survival medicine cabinet. Dr. Joe Alton serves as the unskilled labor.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy and Joe Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)the Altons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [In Michigan, The Blueprint Of Terror Expands](https://www.doomandbloom.net/in-michigan-the-blueprint-of-terror-expands/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, Bones and Joints, First Aid Kits, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** arm fractures, arm injuries, arm sling, broad arm sling, elevated arm sling, rib fractures, shoulder injuries

---

### [Gall Bladder Disease On And Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gall-bladder-disease-on-and-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** February 15, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Abdominal pain is a major concern when caused by an injury, but chronic disease in internal organs can also be the culprit. The family medic in survival settings needs to know the basics about all conditions that can lead to loss of productivity in group members. One of these is **gall bladder disease.**

The [**gall bladder**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallbladder) is a hollow sac-like organ that is attached to the liver; it stores a thick liquid substance called “**bile**” that the liver secretes to help you digest fats. After a meal, the gall bladder contracts and bile passes through to the small intestine through tubes called ducts.

Excess bile cholesterol can cause solid deposits inside the gallbladder that can sometimes grow to the size of a golf ball. These are commonly referred to as “[**gallstones**](http://www.emedicinehealth.com/gallstones/article_em.htm).” Gallstones are relatively common; they can block liquid bile from passing through the bile duct and cause problems. Perhaps ten to fifteen per cent of the population has them. That means a large enough survival community will likely include someone with the condition.

Luckily, most people won’t have any symptoms. In one or two per cent, however, the stones block the ducts, causing pain as the gall bladder becomes distended from the excess accumulation of bile. The inflammation caused by this condition is called “[**cholecystitis**](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cholecystitis/basics/definition/CON-20034277).”

**GALLSTONE TYPES**

There are two main types of gallstones:

1\) **Cholesterol stones**: These are the grand majority. Despite the name, they may not be related to actual cholesterol levels in the blood.

2\) **Bilirubin stones**: Sometimes called “pigment stones”, this type may occur in people who have illnesses that destroy red blood cells. The by-products of this destruction release a substance called “**bilirubin**” into the bile and forms a stone. They may be due to infection or duct blockage.

**RISK FACTORS FOR GALL BLADDER DISEASE**

In a less politically correct era, risk factors for this condition were described as the 4 “F’s”. For historical purposes, here they are:

**F**at: The majority of those with gallstones are overweight.

**F**emale: The majority of sufferers are women.

**F**orty: Most sufferers are over 40 years old.

**F**ertile: Most women with gallstones have had children.

Today, more sensitive souls prefer the acronym G.O.L.D.

**G**enetics: Ethnicity plays a role; Native Americans and Hispanics seem to have more gall bladder issues than Caucasians, Caucasians more than African-Americans.

**O**besity: Obesity, especially in women, is associated with at least twice the frequency of gall bladder disease.

**L**ocation of Body Fat: Those with obesity concentrated in the torso are more likely to be at risk.

**D**iabetes: Those with Diabetes are more likely to have gallstones.

**DIAGNOSING GALL BLADDER INFLAMMATION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-scaled.jpg)

The pain associated with cholecystitis is known as “biliary colic.” It’s is cramping in nature and is usually seen in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen; it may radiate to the back. If not relieved, inflammation of the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas (“gallstone pancreatitis”) can become life-threatening in some cases.

A serious blockage of the bile duct with corresponding liver/pancreas inflammation can lead to fever, nausea and vomiting, and a yellowing of the skin and eyes known as “**jaundice.**”

Gallstones are commonly diagnosed by ultrasound, but you won’t have that kind of modern technology off the grid. The classical finding on physical examination is called “**Murphy’s Sign.**” Press with one hand just below the midline of the lowest rib on the front right. Then, ask your patient to breathe deeply. If the gallbladder is inflamed, the patient should complain of tenderness at the site.

**TREATMENT FOR GALLSTONES**

The most common treatment for gallstones in normal times, other than pain meds, is to surgically remove the gall bladder (you can live without it and stay healthy). Over 750,000 gall bladder surgeries (called “**cholecystectomies**”) are performed every year.

New, non-surgical methods are options in some patients. They’re especially effective for those with small cholesterol stones in an otherwise functioning gall bladder or medical conditions that make surgical intervention unsafe.

Methods include:

**Shock Wave Lithotripsy** – This is a procedure that uses sound wave to break up gallstones in smaller pieces. It has become popular for non-calcified stones as it doesn’t require anesthesia and you can often go home the same day.

**Oral Bile Salts** – Bile acids such as Ursodiol (Actigall) and chenodiol (Chenix) can, over a period of months or years, break up cholesterol stones.

**Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography** (ERCP) – This is a procedure where stones are removed from the gallbladder through a small skin incision, with guidance from ultrasound or other imaging.

Antibiotics may be helpful for cholecystitis due to infection in austere settings. Drugs in the ampicillin class, cephalosporins, and metronidazole are options if modern medicine is not available. It should be noted that gallstones can return when non-surgical treatments are used. This is why surgery is still recommended in many cases.

**NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR GALL BLADDER DISEASE**

Operating rooms, surgeons, and high technology, however, are likely to be in short supply when the you-know-what hits the fan, so it’s useful to know some alternative remedies. These are mostly taken orally:

- Apple cider vinegar (mixed with apple juice or water)
- Chanca Piedra, (Phyllanthus niruri), a plant native to the Amazon; translated, the name means “Break Stones”.
- Peppermint
- Coffee
- Turmeric
- Alfalfa
- Ginger root
- Psyllium
- Red Yeast Rice
- Dandelion root
- Artichoke leaves
- Beet, Carrot, Grape, Lemon juices

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-212x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-scaled.jpg)

You should know that the hard scientific data proving the effect of the above items is still lacking in many cases. Results tend to vary from person to person. Side effects may also occur; for example, Chanca Piedra crosses the placental barrier in pregnancy and may cause miscarriage.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to eliminate some of the risk factors for gall bladder disease. You can’t change if you’re forty, female (at least most people say so), or have had children. You may be able to do something about being obese, however. Dietary changes to lower fat intake may help you lose weight and decrease the future risk of gallstones. In survival settings, weight loss may be a matter of course.

Joe Alton, MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Texas Measles Outbreak](https://www.doomandbloom.net/texas-measles-outbreak/) 

 [Video: Amy's New "Pet and Parent" Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-amys-new-pet-and-parent-kit/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Herbal Remedies, how to stop bleeding, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Stomach/Intestinal, Stones, survival medicine

**Tags:** cholecystitis, gall bladder disease, gallstones, jaundice, joe alton md, lithotripsy, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [The OODA Loop: Making Fast Decisions That Can Save Your Life](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-ooda-loop-making-fast-decisions-that-may-save-your-life/)

**Published:** September 4, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In these uncertain times, there’s always the possibility of a terror event or shooting whenever and wherever groups of people gather. A terrorist or madman can cause death and destruction almost anywhere, but if you learn to be situationally aware, you won’t be a soft target for them. The basics of **situational awareness** are described in what is known as **“the OODA Loop.”** It was first devised by Air Force fighter pilot [Colonel John Boyd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Boyd_(military_strategist)). Originally meant to help make fast decisions in an aerial dogfight, it’s useful in all kinds of settings.

Colonel John Boyd

The four steps of the OODA Loop are: **Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.** It’s a loop because you go back to the observe step after action is taken, to determine if the situation has resolved or if further action is needed.

**Observe: Yellow Alert (Ooda)**

You’ve heard of “red alert,” but *yellow alert* should be the stance in most cases. Yellow alert is best described as “relaxed awareness.” Keep your head up and scan the surroundings with all your senses. Most people associate situational awareness with what they can see, but you also learn a lot from the sounds and even smells in the environment.

It’s important to remain calm. Staying relaxed ensures that you’re focused on the important aspects of the environment (but not to the exclusion of new factors that might arise).

Try to place yourself in a position for optimal observation. You need to be able to take in as much of your surroundings as possible. When you enter any environment, be where you can see as much of the area in question. If it’s a restaurant, have a view of the exits (maybe a table by a wall). You might not be able to choose which table to sit at, but you can pick a chair which gives you the best view of what’s going on.

**Orient: Baselines and Anomalies (oOda)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/angry-man-and-cashier-300x275.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/angry-man-and-cashier.jpg)

Being observant is important, but it isn’t enough. You have to know what you’re looking for and then put that information into context. The Orient step establishes baselines and anomalies for a particular environment and the human behaviors that match it or don’t.

Whatever setting you’re in, establish a baseline. A baseline is what’s “normal” in a given situation, and it’s different for different instances. For example, the baseline at Starbucks is people reading books, working on their computer, or talking with friends. The baseline at a rock concert would be loud music and people jumping up and down and shouting. If someone is jumping up and down and shouting at Starbucks, that’s what we call an ***“anomaly***.

Anomalies are things that should be happening in a situation but aren’t or, conversely, things that do happen but shouldn’t. They are what we focus on. Questions you might ask yourself in a crowd: What’s the general mood? How *should* people be behaving? Who is doing something that’s different from the norm?

For example, is someone acting in an aggressive manner? We all want to get along, so most people are normally in submissive mode. If someone is screaming at the guy behind the counter at a burger joint, “I said no cheese, you idiot!,” that’s someone to keep an eye on.

Is someone awfully interested in something that ordinarily wouldn’t catch their eye? If you see a guy staring at the garbage can in your workplace, that’s an anomaly. If they’re too uninterested, though, that’s also something that’s not normal. Let’s say there’s a ticking suitcase in the middle of the mall, and only one person *isn’t* paying attention to it. That’s an anomaly.

Perhaps the most significant anomaly is someone that’s acting uncomfortable in a place where everyone is relaxed. People appear uncomfortable in many ways. One of them is constantly checking their “six”; that is, always looking nervously behind them. If someone is constantly looking over their shoulder, that’s an anomaly and deserves your attention. That’s not to say that everyone who’s uncomfortable is a threat. They might be late for work or just had an argument with a significant other. Still, you might want to keep an eye on them.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/boston-marathon-bombing.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/boston-marathon-bombing.png)

On the other hand, someone who’s comfortable when others are in a panic, such as seen in videos of the Boston Marathon bombers, could be someone who *expected* the disaster to occur.

You might take a look at what people are doing with their hands. Law enforcement often wants to see the hands of a suspect. People who are constantly patting a pocket or reaching inside a jacket, especially if a jacket isn’t warranted for the weather, could be concealing handgun (or worse).

**Decide and Act (ooDA)**

Once you’ve decided that there’s an anomaly that might represent a threat, have a plan of action to counter it. If a guy with a gun shows up at your workplace, the best course of action might be to hoof it out of there. If he’s right next to you and escape is unlikely, however, your best choice might be to act to incapacitate him.

To recap: **Observe** the situation. **Orient** to establish baselines and look for anomalies. **Decide** on an action. **Act.**

All this attention to detail may seem paranoid to you, but understand that these are dangerous times. Incorporate a constant state of yellow alert by putting away those smartphones and incorporate the OODA loop whenever you’re in a crowd. Do this and you’ll be situationally aware enough to gain extra time, and *that* could mean the difference between life and death.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Handling A Stab Wound](https://www.doomandbloom.net/handling-a-stab-wound/) 

 [Sterilizing Medical Equipment Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sterilizing-medical-equipment-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror events

**Tags:** active shooter, Colonel John Boyd, joe alton md, medical preparedness, OODA loop, situational awareness, survival, survival medicine, terror events

---

### [Vision Issue, Part 3: Vision Defects](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issue-part-3-vision-defects/)

**Published:** December 27, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Of the five senses, good vision is, by far, the one that is most likely to improve a survivor’s chances off the grid. Human beings aren’t perfect, however, and any number of issues can cause problems with sight. What would happen if, off the grid, your contact lenses dried out or you accidentally stepped on your glasses? There isn’t anything scarier than being on your own and not be able to see. Even if you have perfect eyesight at present, having a few pairs of reading glasses in your storage is wise, simply because everyone reaches an age when their eyesight naturally changes. Let’s face it, there won’t be a Lenscrafters store around the corner after the you-know-what hits the fan.

**Why Do Many Of Us Have Imperfect Vision?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_323783324-large-group-of-people-300x203.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_323783324-large-group-of-people-scaled.jpg)

One of our most common imperfections is the shape of our eyes. Eyeballs that aren’t perfectly round cause vision issues like nearsightedness (also known as **“myopia”),** farsightedness (also known as **“hyperopia**”), “**astigmatism**,” and “**presbyopia.”** These are becoming more common: Nearsightedness, for example, affected 25 percent of the U.S. populations in the 1970s. Now, it’s about 42 percent.

Myopia (**nearsightedness**) and hyperopia **(farsightedness**) usually stem from an eyeball being too long/short or the cornea/lens having the wrong curve, making light focus in front or behind the retina. Astigmatism comes from an irregular cornea/lens shape, distorting vision at all distances, while presbyopia, age-related loss of near focus, happens as the eye’s lens hardens and loses flexibility after about age 45. Genetics, lifestyle (near work), and eye shape are key factors for the first three, while aging is the sole cause of presbyopia.

**Myopia:** If you’re nearsighted, faraway objects look blurry. Because the eyeball is too “long,” light tends to focus in front of the retina **(eye anatomy discussed in [part 1 of this series](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-1/)).** Corneal irregularities can also cause myopia. There is a strong genetic link among families.

**[(Note: Part 2 can be found here.)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-2-eye-infections/)**

**Hyperopia:** If you’re farsighted, nearby object are blurred. This is because light focuses behind the retina due to the eyeball being too “short” or the cornea is too flat. Like myopia, this condition also has a hereditary component.

**Astigmatism:** People with astigmatism can have blurry or distorted vision at all distance. With this issue, the cornea or lens is shaped, rather than a sphere in normal vision, more like, say, a football. This causes light to bend unevenly and fail to focus correctly on the retina. Astigmatism may be present from birth or develop later in life.

**Presbyopia:** In presbyopia, there is difficulty focusing on near objects. Unlike farsightedness, however, the eye’s lens becomes hard and less flexible, impairing the ability to focus. Presbyopia is almost universal once a person reaches their 40s or 50s.

**Correcting Bad Vision**

Lasik procedure takes about ten minutes to complete

All of the above problems can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. In austere settings, these vision aids become more precious than gold, but few have stockpiled multiple replacement pairs of these all-important items.

It’s important not only to have items that improve your vision, but protective eyewear as well. Many rugged outdoorsmen are negligent about wearing eye protection when they chop wood or other chores likely to be part of normal off-grid living. Without eye protection, the risk of injury when performing strenuous tasks will be much higher. Whenever you’re doing chores outdoors, you should always ask yourself why you shouldn’t use eye protection.

Early in this book, we mentioned the importance of dealing with medical issues *before* a disaster occurs. Bad eyesight is one of those issues. A good investment in your future survival is having your eyesight corrected with a procedure such as LASIK. LASIK surgery uses pinpoint lasers to (painlessly) change the shape of your cornea so that you are less nearsighted or farsighted. It’s a quick procedure and your eyesight improves immediately. At most, you might feel like there’s a grain of sand in your eye for a day or two. Corrective vision surgery has been routinely available for years now, and is considered to be very safe.

**Sunglasses As A Medical Item**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sunglasses-joe-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sunglasses-joe-scaled.jpg)

Most don’t consider sunglasses to be a medical supply item, but they are. Even if you are just taking a hike outdoors, sunglasses provide eye protection from ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet (UV) light causes, over time, damage to the retinal cells which can lead to a clouding over of your eye’s lens, also called a “**cataract.”** This condition can only be repaired by surgery that will not be available in the absence of a functioning modern medical system. Using sunglasses to protect against UV light damage will help prolong good vision.

In cold weather conditions, failure to use sunglasses can cause a type of vision loss known as **“snow blindness.”** Snow blindness is painful and dangerous in the wilderness. Goggles can be improvised by carving slits into a piece of bark, cardboard, or even duct tape. Luckily, snow blindness improves on its own with eye patching.

**Low Tech Vision Aids**

maximize lighting in dark settings

Besides stockpiling eyeglasses, there are simple, non-electronic aids and environmental changes that improve daily function. These methods help to augment contrast, magnification, and lighting to help people with low vision see better, especially in situations where glasses, contacts, or surgical correction are not options.

**Handheld/Stand Magnifiers:** Simple lenses for close-up text, often with built-in lights.

**Binoculars:** Small, portable telescopes for seeing distant objects like street signs.

**Water-Filled Glasses:** Eyeglasses with syringes to adjust lens power for different needs. These tend to be less precise than prescription lenses.

**Environmental & Contrast Adjustments That Help Vision**

**Improve Lighting:** Use lamps or higher lumen bulbs. Make sure to shield eyes from glare.

**Increase Contrast:** Use bold colors (black paper on white desk), contrasting handles, or bright tape on stairs.

**Use Bold Markers:** Heavy felt-tip pens for writing notes.

**Tactile Markers:** Bump dots on keyboards or appliance dials**.**

**Techniques & Training That Help Vision**

**Task Lighting:** Aim a bright light directly at your reading or work area.

**Glare Control:** In normal times,  professional training for safe navigation is available in some health centers.

In our final part of this series on vision issues, we’ll discuss how to deal with various types of traumatic injury to the eyes.

**Joe Alton MD**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Vision Issues, Part 4: Eye Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-4-eye-trauma/) 

 [Vision Issues, Part 2: Eye Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-2-eye-infections/)

**Categories:** Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** astigmatism, farsightedness, hyperopia, joe alton md, LASIK, medical preparednesss, myopia, nearsightedness, presbyopia, sunglasses, survival medicine

---

### [Nailbed Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nailbed-injuries-2/)

**Published:** March 5, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_668908426-nail-bed-injury-hematoma-300x178.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_668908426-nail-bed-injury-hematoma-scaled.jpg)

A minor injury can occasionally become a major handicap for a member of a survival group off the grid. Although not as life-threatening as a gunshot wound or an open fracture, nail bed injuries are common; they will be more so when survivors are required to chop wood, do carpentry tasks, and other activities to which they’re not accustomed.

**NAIL ANATOMY**

Your fingernails and toenails are made up of protein and a tough substance called **keratin**. They are, as you might imagine, similar to the claws of animals. When we refer to issues involving nails, we refer to it as “**ungual**” (from *unguis*, the latin word for claw).

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/nail-anatomy.png)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/nail-anatomy.png)

The nail consists of several parts:

**The nail plate (body):** This is the hard covering of the end of your finger or toe; what is generally considered to be the nail.

**The nail bed:** The skin directly under the nail plate. Made up of an upper and lower layer (“**epidermis”** and “dermis”) just like the rest of your skin, the superficial epidermis moves along with the nail plate as it grows. Vertical grooves attach the superficial epidermis to the deep dermis. In older people, the nail plate thins out and you can see vertical grooves if you look closely. As with all skin, blood vessels and nerves run through the nail bed.

**The nail matrix:** The portion or root at the base of the nail that produces new cells for the nail plate. You can see a portion of the matrix in the light half-moon (the “**lunula**”) visible at the base of the nail plate. This determines the shape and thickness of the nail; a curved matrix produces a curved nail, a flat one produces a flat nail.

**The cuticle:** The thickened layer of skin surrounding fingernails and toenails. New, living cells in the cuticle are known as the “**eponychium**.”

**NAIL TRAUMA**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1518513962-nail-bed-injury-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1518513962-nail-bed-injury-scaled.jpg)

The nail plate may be ripped off by some form of trauma. This is known as a “**nail avulsion**.” The nail may be partially or completely gone, or may just be lifted up off the nail bed. Ordinarily, depending on the type of trauma, an x-ray would be performed to rule out a fracture of the digit; you won’t have this tool available without modern facilities, but you may still need to intervene. You will:

- Numb the area (if local anesthesia is available).

- Clean the nail bed thoroughly with saline solution and irrigate out any debris. You can make sterile saline solution at home. Paint with Betadine (two percent povidone-iodine solution) or other antiseptic.

Note: You can make sterile saline solution at home. Use the formula below:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Copy-of-Image-219-IRRIGATING-WOUNDS-make-normal-saline-sterile-ALTON-canva-scaled.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Copy-of-Image-219-IRRIGATING-WOUNDS-make-normal-saline-sterile-ALTON-canva-scaled.jpg)

- Cover the exposed (and very sensitive) nail bed with a *non-adherent* dressing. Some add petroleum jelly for additional protection. Change frequently. Avoid ordinary gauze, as it will stick tenaciously to the nail bed and be painful to remove.

- If the nail plate is hanging on by a thread, remove it by separating it from the skin folds using a small surgical clamp. You can consider placing the loose nail plate on the nail bed as a protective covering; it’s dead tissue, but may be the most comfortable option. Avoid scraping or clipping off loose edges, as it may affect the nail bed’s ability to heal.

- If the nail bed is lacerated, suture it (once cleaned) with the thinnest absorbable suture available, such as 6-0 Vicryl PGA. Suture closure is described in our books and on our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GlkuxNdTgc).

- Place a dressing over the wound. It would be wise to immobilize the digit with a padded finger splint to protect it from further damage. Begin a course of antibiotics if the nail bed was contaminated with debris. Amoxicillin or Cephalexin are appropriate options.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Image-162-NAIL-TRAUMA-blood-under-toenail-drawing-needle-in-nail-1024x393.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Image-162-NAIL-TRAUMA-blood-under-toenail-drawing-needle-in-nail-scaled.jpg)Trephination (left) of Subungual hematoma

In some crush injuries, such as striking the nail plate with a hammer, a bruise (also called an “**ecchymosis**”) or a collection of blood (a “**hematoma**”) may form underneath. A bruise will be painful, but the worst pain should subside within an hour or two. A hematoma, however, will continue to be painful even several hours after the event. A bruise will likely appear brownish or blue, but a hematoma may appear a deep blue-black.

For a bruised nail, little needs to be done other than giving oral pain meds, such as Ibuprofen. For a significant hematoma, however, some suggest a further procedure called “**trephination**”. In this instance, a very fine drill (or a hot 18-gauge needle or paper clip) is used to make a hole in the nail plate. This opening must be large enough to allow the blood that has collected under the nail to escape. Once the pressure is relieved, the pain will feel better almost immediately.

This procedure should not be performed unless absolutely necessary, as the pain will eventually decrease over time by itself. If you go too deep through the nail, you may further injure the nail bed. Make sure to keep the injured finger dry, splinted, and bandaged for a minimum of 48 hours afterwards.

It’s important to realize that damage to the base of the nail (the matrix) may be difficult to completely repair, and that future nail growth may be deformed in some way. In situations where modern medical care is available, a hand surgeon is often called in to give the injury the best chance to heal appropriately. Even then, a higher incidence of issues, such as “ingrown” nails, may occur over time. A completely torn-off nail will take four to five months to grow back, maybe longer.

**INGROWN TOENAILS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_157069160-ingrown-toenail-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_157069160-ingrown-toenail-scaled.jpg)Ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenails, also known as “**onychocryptosis**,” may not be considered a major issue (until you have one yourself). When you have to be at full efficiency just to survive, however, you don’t want to be in pain every time you take a step. In the worst scenarios, ingrown nails can cause skin ulcers, blood infections (also called “**septicemia**”), or even total loss of circulation (“**gangrene**”).

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows downward into the skin of the toe. It can occur for a number of reasons, but poorly fitting shoes and poor trimming are the most common causes. Although any toenail can become ingrown, the big toe is usually involved.

The skin along the edge of a toenail that is ingrown may appear:

- Red
- Swollen
- Painful
- Warm to the touch

These are signs not only of pressure on the skin, but also, possibly, the beginning of an infection. If not treated, the condition worsens, possibly even leading to the drainage of pus.

Shoes that are either too tight or too loose can cause ingrown toenails. If too loose, it causes continual pounding of your big toe against the inside due to movement within the shoe as you walk. With shoes that are too small for your foot, extra pressure is placed on your toes which prevents normal nail growth.

Nails that are not trimmed properly can also cause ingrown toenails. This happens when your toenails are trimmed too short or you cut your toenails in a rounded fashion instead of straight across. Rounded cuts are appropriate for fingernails, but not toenails. The edges of the nails will tend to curl downward and grow right into the skin.

While the above problems can be fixed, some less avoidable factors like heredity, injuries, or medical conditions may also cause ingrown toenails. Some people are born with nails that are curved and naturally tend to curve inward. Injuries to the nail bed can also cause ingrown toenails, especially if it affects the **germinal (nail) matrix**, the living part of the nail that produces new cells.

People with diabetes or other illnesses that cause poor circulation are also at higher risk for these problems. A diabetic, for example, may experience nerve damage and not realize that excessive pressure is being applied to the toes by ill-fitting shoes. They may not even notice that the nail is growing into the skin.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ingrown-toenail-conservative-management.png)Attribution: Jidanni, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ingrown-toenail-conservative-management.png)

Of course, in normal times, medical specialists deal with the problem. Off the grid, however, **here’s some tips on how to treat an ingrown nail:**

- Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts three to four times a day. In between soaks, keep the toe dry.
- Use an antiseptic to decrease the bacterial count in the area.
- Place a small piece of moist cotton, waxed dental floss, toothpick segment, or other material under the ingrown edge to help it grow away from the skin.
- Consider wearing sandals until improved.

**Aggressive Treatment**

At some point, the pain may be so great that the medic must intervene more aggressively. In these circumstances, you may have to remove the offending nail segment via a “**wedge resection**.”

The procedure will involve excising the ingrown, curved side of the nail, about 1/5 or less of the nail plate width. A diagonal trim to remove the offending corner may alleviate the pain and pressure, but the medic may have to cut all the way down to the base of the nail plate in some cases. This procedure is more easily done with a [**digital nerve block**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-perform-a-digital-finger-block/) using numbing medicine such as lidocaine. Avoid lidocaine mixed with epinephrine on fingers or toes, however; it may compromise the circulation and possibly lead to gangrene.

After the procedure, soak the affected toe in warm water with Epsom salts or essential oil drops of tea tree, lemon grass, eucalyptus, rosemary, or citron. Dry and cover with a bandage or loosely rolled gauze.

If the toe is infected, antibiotics might be appropriate. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment may be helpful here as prevention, but oral antibiotics, such as cephalexin, amoxicillin, or clindamycin for several days may be necessary. Articles on each of these drugs can be found on this website.

If a portion of the nail is cut off, patience is required. It will take months for the nail to regrow. If your patient has a genetic tendency toward ingrown toenails, be prepared to deal with recurrences. Wearing properly-fitted and protective shoes, managing medical conditions, and teaching appropriate foot grooming methods will help.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/joe-britain-telephone-booth-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/joe-britain-telephone-booth-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [YouTube Video: Survival Medicine Podcast](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-survival-medicine-podcast/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: 38 Dogs, The Corpse Flower, Parasitic Worms, Measles, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-38-dogs-the-corpse-flower-parasitic-worms-measles-more/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Foot Care, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Minor Wounds, Nail Injuries, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, nail trauma, nailbed injuries, normal saline formula, survival medicine

---

### [Collapse Dental Care](https://www.doomandbloom.net/collapse-dental-care/)

**Published:** October 4, 2011
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_500409571-tooth-anatomy-dental-300x175.jpg)

Your medical supplies should vary depending on how long you anticipate being the sole medical resource for your family or survival group. If you expect to be power-down for a few days or a few weeks, you probably won’t need a lot of dental equipment. If there is a true **collapse situation**, however, that equipment will be very important to have on hand. If you’ve ever had a bad toothache, you know how it can cause your work efficiency to deteriorate.

The basis of modern dentistry is to save every tooth if at all possible. In the old days (not biblical times, I mean 50 years ago), the main treatment for a diseased tooth was extraction. If we find ourselves in a collapse situation, that’s how it will be in the future. If you try to put off *extracting a tooth* because it “isn’t that bad yet”, it will likely get worse. It could cause an infection that could spread to your bloodstream (called sepsis) and cause major damage. The important thing to know is that 90% of all dental emergencies can be treated by extracting the tooth. To see what’s involved in extracting a tooth in an austere environment, go to this very interesting youtube video:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o\_DPqhQl4AM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_DPqhQl4AM)

What needs to be in the group medic’s dental kit? Gloves are one item that you should have in quantity. Don’t ever stick your hands in someone’s mouth without gloves. What they say about human bites isn’t too far from the truth. Instead of latex, buy nitrile gloves, as they will not irritate someone who has an allergy to latex. Other items that are useful to the survival dentist are:

Dental floss, Toothbrushes

Dental pick and mirror

 Dental or orthodontic wax for braces (even a candle will do in a pinch)

Cotton pellets, Q tips, gauze sponges

Temporary filling material like Tempanol, Cavit or Den-temp

Oil of cloves (Eugenol), a natural anesthetic

Extraction forceps. These are like pliers with curved ends that come in upper/lower version

Elevators, one small, one medium. these are thin but solid chisel like instruments that help with extractions (some parts of a Swiss army knife might work in a pinch).

Rubber Bite Block to prevent from getting bitten (large pink erasers will do fine)

Pain medication and antibiotics or oil of oregano, a natural antibacterial

You can make your own temporary dental cement by mixing a drop of Oil of Cloves (Eugenol) and some Zinc Oxide powder. 4 fluid ounces of Eugenol and a pound of Zinc Oxide powder will cost you about $20 total and will be enough to replace fillings or fasten loose crowns for an entire community. With the commercial products like Tempanol or Cavit, you get enough for a few uses for not much less money than getting much larger quantities of Eugenol and Zinc Oxide.

During the Vietnam war, medical personnel reported that there were as many people presenting for dental problems as presented with medical problems. You can expect the same thing to happen in your survival community if the you-know-what hits the fan. True medical preparedness means you’re ready for dental as well as medical issues.

Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Thyroid Disease in a Collapse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/thyroid-disease-in-a-collapse/) 

 [The Truth About Expiration Dates](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-truth-about-expiration-dates/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies

**Tags:** 90% of all dental emergencies can be treated by extracting the tooth, collapse medicine, collapse situation, crisis medicine, dental care, eugenol, extracting a tooth, extracting the tooth, medical preparedness, medical supplies, prepper, prepper survival

---

### [Measles](https://www.doomandbloom.net/measles-2/)

**Published:** February 6, 2015
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[**Measles**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measles "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measles") is a contagious viral disease that was once so common it was considered a childhood rite of passage. The disease was almost eradicated in the U.S. in the 2000’s but has experienced a resurgence significant enough to be worth knowing how to identify and treat. In long-term survival settings, we can expect it to be even more common as the number of unvaccinated children increase.

Also known as [**Rubeola**](https://www.medicinenet.com/measles_rubeola/article.htm#what_is_rubeola "https://www.medicinenet.com/measles_rubeola/article.htm#what_is_rubeola"), Measles shouldn’t be confused with [**Rubella**](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rubella/basics/definition/CON-20020067 "https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rubella/basics/definition/CON-20020067") (German Measles) or [**Roseola**](https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/roseola-topic-overview "https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/roseola-topic-overview"), a milder viral illness also seen in childhood. Worldwide, millions of cases are reported each year, with 135,000 deaths in 2011. In the U.S., case numbers have been as low as 37 in a year. In 2014, however, 610 cases were reported, and there have been 102 cases just in the first month of 2015.

### TRANSMISSION OF MEASLES

The contagious nature of Measles is not to be underestimated. Unlike Ebola, which rarely, if ever, is transmitted through the air, Measles is clearly airborne. If you have close contact with someone who has it and you haven’t had the vaccine, there is a 90% per cent chance of getting the illness. In families who are not immune, you can expect everyone to get it.

In the U.S., the high percentage of vaccinated children has, in the past, given the unvaccinated kids protection due to what we call “[herd immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/immunity/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/immunity/")”. If a grand majority of people are immune, the non-immune in the “herd” have a much less chance of exposure. Lately, 1 in 12 families don’t vaccinate their children, with some states like California (which have relaxed exemption rules for attending public schools) even higher at 1 in 8. In light of these developments, “herd” immunity is being lost and an uptick in cases has been noted.

Another concern with regards to transmission is that Measles, also unlike Ebola, is clearly [contagious even before symptoms appear](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/basics/symptoms/con-20019675 "https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/measles/basics/symptoms/con-20019675"). You may transmit the disease, if infected, for several days before the first symptom and continue to be contagious for four days or so afterward.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MEASLES**

The medical profession in the U.S. has seen so few cases of Measles in the recent past that few doctors have ever treated a case. State health departments have had to send out flyers to physicians alerting them to the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Measles patient present, usually, with a **fever** as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit. 2-3 days later, a red patchy rash appears, usually starting on the head and face and then working its way downward. So many “spots” develop that the patches coalesce into even bigger blotches as times goes on. Other symptoms often resemble respiratory and eye infections. You may see the “**three C’s**”:

• **C**ough
• **C**oryza (head cold symptoms like nasal congestion, etc.)
• **C**onjunctivits (Pink Eye)

Many also manifest white spots on the inside of the mouth called “*Koplik’s Spots*”.

Other issues that are seen in more severe cases include:

• Diarrhea (1 in 10 cases)
• Pneumonia (1 in 20 cases, the most common cause of death in children)
• Ear Infections (Otitis) (1 in 10 cases, occasionally resulting in hearing impairment)
• Corneal scars (affecting the covering of the colored part of the eye)
• Brain Inflammation and Swelling (1 in 1000 cases, occasionally resulting in death or mental handicaps)
• Convulsions (as a result of fever in children)

The above seem to occur more often in children under 5 years old as well as adult patients. Pregnant Measles patients may deliver prematurely or have low birth-weight infants. Death as a result of complications from Measles occurs in about 1 in 1000 cases.

### PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF MEASLES

Diagnosis in normal times is made by testing the blood and/or saliva. As a viral illness, antibiotics are ineffective in treating the disease, although they may be helpful for complications like ear infections or certain pneumonias. Measles vaccination is the standard way of preventing this highly contagious disease. Once you are confronted with a person who has measles, however, primary treatment revolves around dealing with the symptoms like fever, nasal congestion, and cough. It is important to keep the patient well-hydrated.

**VACCINATION**

Measles vaccine has been available since 1963 in the United States. Before vaccination became a standard recommendation, hundreds of thousands of cases and several hundred deaths were expected on a yearly basis. After its institution, the numbers of case dropped precipitously.

Vaccine is given in 2 doses, one at 12-16 months and then again at 4-5 years of age. Measles vaccine is now given in conjunction with vaccines for Mumps, German Measles (Rubella) and Chickenpox (Varicella). This is known as the MMRV vaccine. Protection rates against the disease are considered to be 93-95% after the first dose and 97-99% once both doses have been given. These protections rates are some of the best for any vaccine; only the tetanus and smallpox vaccines approach this level of success.

**RISKS OF VACCINATION**

Many vaccines, including the one for Measles, have side effects that are seen in a percentage of patients. The most common are fever, rashes, and cold-like symptoms. In the case of Measles vaccine, these occur in 5-14 cases out of 100. More serious complications are much rarer, but may include:

• Bruises
• Confusion, irritability
• Vision changes
• Swelling of glands
• headaches
• stiff neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain, redness, or swelling at the site of injection

In normal times, anyone experiencing the above should be evaluated by their physician, as they may be signs of a complication. Long-term severe effects, however, are thought to occur in 1 in a million cases.

In the past, a study published in a British medical Journal suggested that the MMRV vaccine caused autism. The study was retracted after overwhelming evidence disproved this connection. The link below shows no less than 23 studies that evaluated the issue. As well, autism rates continue to rise despite the decreasing rates of immunization.

In addition, some have concerns that a Mercury-containing preservative in vaccines known as Thimerosal may have harmful effects on children. As a result, no childhood vaccine has contained any more than trace amounts of Thimerosal since 2001.

The decision regarding vaccination should be based on hard data with the backing of science. Although vaccinations can have their risks, the positives far outweigh the risks when it comes to the Measles vaccine. It should be noted that all vaccines are not created equal; do you own research and come to the conclusion that will best protect your family.

Measles is a serious disease that is making a comeback. Be aware of the signs and symptoms and consider your strategy for dealing with any infectious disease in times of trouble.

Joe Alton, M.D.

[![JoeAltonLibrary4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-274x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Our resources include the more than 600 posts, videos, and podcasts on this website, which are absolutely free. For our other products, including our books, DVDs, and Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits and supplies for disaster settings, check out our store at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/").

On a lighter note, Joe and Amy Alton have designed a survival board game called, well, **Doom and Bloom’s SURVIVAL!** Get the whole family together for a fun family game night with a survival theme. Check it out in our store and at www.survivalboardgame.com.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Cholera, Measles and Civil Liberties](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-cholera-measles-and-civil-liberties/) 

 [Cholera](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cholera/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases

**Tags:** herd immunity, measles, medical preparedness, rubeola, survival medicine, transmission of measles, unvaccinated children, vaccination

---

### [Volcano Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/volcano-safety/)

**Published:** October 13, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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A **[volcano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano")** is a rupture on the crust of the earth (or other planet)/moon), which allows hot lava (hot molten rock), ash, and gases to escape from below the surface. Volcanoes are not the disaster that most people think of when they think of a natural disaster. Few think that a [**volcanic eruption**](https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/about-disasters/definition-of-hazard/volcanic-eruptions/ "https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/about-disasters/definition-of-hazard/volcanic-eruptions/") would affect them during their lifetimes, but you never know where the long and wandering road will lead you. A little knowledge about volcano safety might just be useful someday.

The study of volcanoes is called **[volcanology](https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/632202/volcanology "https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/632202/volcanology")**, after *Vulcan*, the Roman god of fire. There are many accounts of volcanic eruptions throughout history, some very devastating. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD destroyed several Roman towns, including Pompeii, and killed thousands. The eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 in the Pacific caused a tsunami (tidal wave) that killed 36,000 people.

Most have the impression that a volcano is a conical mountain with smoke and lava spewing from the top. In actuality, volcanos have a number of forms. In Yellowstone National Park, a huge dormant supervolcano looks more like flat land than a cone. Geysers like ‘Old Faithful” are evidence that there’s still a great deal of pressure and molten rock below the surface. One doomsday scenario includes the eruption of this huge land feature, which is called a “**[caldera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_Caldera "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_Caldera")**” (meaning “cauldron” or “cooking pot”). This disaster last happened 640,000 years ago, but is thought to be an event that is likely to occur again “soon”. In geologic time, “soon” means in the next 40,000 years or so.

You may think that almost all volcanos are dormant or extinct, but there are many that are active right now. In the news just in the last 2 weeks:

• Mount Ontake in Japan erupts, killing more than 50.
• Mount Sinabung in Indonesia erupts, forcing thousands to flee their homes. (16 died in an earlier eruption this year).
• The Mayon volcano in the Philippines has been erupting, causing 12,000 to evacuate to shelters.

Other volcanoes seem to be always active. Mount Kilauea in Hawaii has been spewing lava into the ocean for the last 30 years, destroying more than 200 homes and other structures. The deposition of cooling rock has added, however, 500 acres of land to the island.

If you live in a volcanically active area, there are things that you can do to avoid being a victim. Vigilance is a virtue here, so monitor volcanic activity reports and evacuate the area if authorities believe an eruption is imminent. Have a plan to get the family together and several routes out of the area. Lava flows can block your main route of exit. Thick ash can damage engine parts, so drive at slow speeds.

Be prepared for the side events that often accompany eruptions, some of which are discussed elsewhere on our website. They include:

• [Mudflows](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslide-survival/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslide-survival/") and [flash floods](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/")
• ̶ [Landslides](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslide-survival/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslide-survival/") and rockfalls (beware of low-lying areas/rivers/streams)
• ̶ [Earthquakes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/earthquake-safety-2/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/earthquake-safety-2/")
• ̶ Ashfall and acid rain
• ̶ Tsunamis

Items for your medical storage that will be useful include masks and goggles for every member of your family; ash may fall thick and heavy, and this could make breathing and seeing difficult. Have sturdy boots, hand protection, and thick clothing that will give protection over as much of your head and body area as possible. Other supplies that are useful for those caught in an eruption include:

• Flashlights and extra batteries (it can get very dark when ash is falling)
• First aid manual, medical supplies, and medications
• food and water (fill tubs with water before ash contaminates the water system)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

If you find yourself unable to leave your home, close all windows and doors. Block chimneys to prevent ash from getting in, and be aware that layers of ash can be so heavy as to cause a roof cave-in.
Here are websites that constantly chronicle volcanic activity:
https://www.volcanolive.com/news.html
[https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano\_news.html](https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano_news.html "https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcano_news.html")

Wishing you the best of health in good time OR bad…

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

![JoeAltonLibrary4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/JoeAltonLibrary4-274x300.jpg)Ol’ Dr. BonesAre you ready with knowledge and supplies to deal with medical issues in a disaster? We have an entire line of [medical kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/") for you, as well as our #1 Amazon Bestseller [“The Survival Medicine Handbook”,](https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413124740&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook "https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413124740&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook") check them out!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Airborne Ebola](https://www.doomandbloom.net/airborne-ebola/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: James Wesley, Rawles part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/podcastrawlespart2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Volcanoes

**Tags:** calder, Joe Alton, M.D., medical preparedness, survival medicine, volcano, volcano safety, volcanology

---

### [Tornadoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornadoes-2/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-300x240.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-scaled.jpg)

Tornado season arrived in earnest over the last few days, with at least 42 people killed and massive property damage from dozens touching ground in eight states. Tornado winds as high as 165 miles an hour fueled deadly wildfires in Oklahoma, destroying more than 400 homes and businesses. Dust storms augmented by tornadoes led to multiple fatal motor vehicle accidents in Kansas and Texas. In Alabama, a school bus was hurled into a high school gym.

Certainly, U.S. citizens are no strangers to natural disasters. There are almost a thousand tornadoes recorded In spring and summer every year, especially in certain parts of the country. Most occur in Tornado Alley, an area that, historically, includes Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. Recently, it has expanded to include a number of Southeastern states.

Injuries and loss of life from disasters are common consequences of these catastrophes. In the aftermath of a tornado, the family medic may end up treating significant traumatic injuries. Preparing to safely weather the storm can help avoid serious consequences.

**WHAT ARE TORNADOES?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1262178229-enhandced-fujita-scale-for-tornados-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1262178229-enhandced-fujita-scale-for-tornados-scaled.jpg)

A tornado is a rotating column of air that contacts both the earth’s surface and the thunderstorm (sometimes called a “**supercell**”) that spawned it. From a distance, you can tell a tornado by its appearance as a visible dark funnel with flying debris in and around it.

A tornado (also called a “twister”) may have winds of up to 300 miles per hour. Twisters can be accompanied by destructive hail and travel for a number of miles before petering out. If you’re unlucky enough to have a tornado pass close by, it will emit a roaring sound that reminds you of a passing train.

**Aside:** I can tell you this is true by personal experience; a tornado nearly hit my own home years ago. You never forget the roar. Luckily, I only lost a couple of trees and some roof tiles.

**THE FUJITA SCALE**

Tornadoes are categorized by the Fujita Scale, with levels ranging from F0 to F5, based on the amount of damage caused. You can expect:

- **F0-**Light: broken tree branches, mild structural damage, some trees uprooted
- **F1-**Moderate: broken windows, small tree trunks broken, overturned mobile homes, destruction of carports or toolsheds, roof tiles missing
- **F2-**Considerable: mobile homes destroyed, major structural damage to frame homes due to flying debris, some large trees snapped in half or uprooted
- **F3-**Severe: Roofs torn from homes, small frame homes destroyed, most trees snapped and uprooted
- **F4-**Devastating: strong structure building damaged or destroyed or lifted from foundations, cars lifted and blown away, even large debris airborne
- **F5-**Incredible: larger building lifted from foundations, trees snapped, uprooted and debarked, multi-ton debris becomes airborne missiles

Although some places may have sirens or other methods of warning you of an approaching tornado, it is important to have a plan of your own to weather the storm. This plan should extend to your entire family. Children should be taught where to find the medical kits and, if feasible, how to turn off gas and electricity. Training in the use of a fire extinguisher and some the basic treatment of injuries is highly useful as well.

**TORNADO ON THE WAY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_107588384-lonely-road-tornado-ahead-300x212.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_107588384-lonely-road-tornado-ahead-scaled.jpg)

If you see a twister funnel, take shelter immediately unless your residence is a mobile home. These are especially vulnerable to damage from the winds. If there’s time, get to the nearest building that has a tornado shelter; underground shelters are best.

If you live in Tornado Alley, consider putting together your own underground shelter (check the link below). At the very least, make sure to access your municipality’s tornado plan and shelter locations. This goes for your kid’s school as well, as tornadoes may appear during school hours.

Here’s a link: 

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_1548478790-tornado-shelter-300x165.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_1548478790-tornado-shelter-scaled.jpg)

Unlike bunkers and other structures built for long-term protection, a tornado shelter only has to provide safety for a short period of time. As such, it doesn’t have to be very large; 8-10 square feet per person would be acceptable. Despite this, be sure to consider ventilation and the comfort or special needs of those using the shelter.

If you don’t have your own shelter, find a place in the house where family members can go if a tornado heads your way. Basements, bathrooms, closets, or inside rooms on the first floor are the best options. Stay away from rooms with windows; these can easily shatter from impact due to flying debris. For added protection, get under a heavy object such as a sturdy table. Covering your body with a sleeping bag or mattress will provide an additional shield. You might consider planning tornado drills; it’s a great way for the kids to memorize what to do.

**TORNADO CAR SAFETY**

tornado alley

If you’re on the road and can drive to a shelter, do so. You might be hesitant to leave your vehicle, but remember that cars can be easily tossed around by the winds; you may be safer if there’s a culvert or other protected area lower than the roadway.

In town, leaving the car to enter a sturdy building is the most appropriate course of action. If there is no other option, your car may protect you from some of the flying debris. Keep your seat belt on, put your head down below the level of the windows, and cover yourself with whatever’s available.

**CAUGHT OUTSIDE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/shutterstock_86148454-300x187.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/shutterstock_86148454.jpg)

If you are caught outside when the tornado hits, stay away from wooded areas. Torn branches and other debris become missiles, so an open field or ditch may be safer. Lying down flat in a low spot in the ground may afford you some protection. Make sure to cover your head, if at all possible, even if it’s just with your hands.

If you have enough time, fill up your bathtub with water just in case; you’ll need one gallon of water per day for every member of your family. Be certain to have food and medical supplies stored up as well.

Armed with a plan of action, you’ll have a head start on weathering that storm. Make natural disasters like tornadoes just a bump in the road, not the *end* of the road, for your family.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Hantavirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hantavirus/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hantavirus, Hepatitis, Gallstones, Pokemon Cheeto, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hantavirus-hepatitis-gallstones-pokemon-cheeto-more/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Natural Disasters, Tornadoes, Trauma

**Tags:** enhanced fujita scale, joe alton md, medical preparedness, supercell, survival medicine, Tornado Alley, Tornado safety, tornado shelter, tornadoes

---

### [Handling A Stab Wound](https://www.doomandbloom.net/handling-a-stab-wound/)

**Published:** September 24, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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Recently, a young refugee from Ukraine named Iryna Zarutska was stabbed in the neck by a deranged individual while riding on public transport in Charlotte, North Carolina. She bled to death before emergency services could arrive.

Any disaster can put your people at risk for injury. Many of those injuries cause bleeding, and, depending on the area damaged, can be life-threatening. In survival, various activities involve the use of sharp objects. In this article, we’ll discuss how to deal with hemorrhage caused by them.

You could define a classic **stab wound** as a cut where the puncture on the skin is smaller than the depth of penetration into the body. This is in contrast to a **slash injury,** which is generally longer on the skin than it is deep. Stab wounds tend to enter in line with the long axis of the knife, while slashes don’t.

slash injury

These types of wounds are a type of penetrating trauma, which is further divided into two types: perforating and non-perforating. A perforating wound is one in which the object causing the damage goes in one side of the body and then exits through the other side. A wound from a rifle round could qualify as an example of perforating trauma.

Stab wounds are an example of a non-perforating wound: the projectile causing the damage enters the body and either stays there or exits where it entered. There are some sharp instruments that *can* perforate: A crossbow bolt, for example, or a spearhead, but let’s assume these will be less common than knife wounds, even in a survival setting.

Bullets and other high-speed projectiles cause damage not only from the act of penetration, but also the shock wave produced as the bullet passes through the body at high speed. Low speed projectiles such as knives don’t produce much of a shock wave, so your concerns are mostly related to the area of entry and the structures located directly in the path of the offending instrument.

With stab wounds, blood loss will be the major issue. Rapid action to aid a victim with a wound from a sharp instrument may save their life. The heart takes less than one minute to pump blood to the entire body; if a large blood vessel is breached, arterial blood loss can become life-threatening very quickly.

Average-sized adult males have approximately 9-10 pints (about 5 liters) of blood in their body; athletes and those living at very high altitudes may have more. You can’t afford to lose more than 40% of total blood volume without needing major resuscitation. To get an idea of how much blood this is, empty a 2-liter bottle of any liquid on the floor. It’s an eye opener. Imagine how much of your supply of bandages might be expended from just one major bleed.

**HOW TO HANDLE A STAB WOUND**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_744937009-pressure-to-bleeding-wound-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_744937009-pressure-to-bleeding-wound-scaled.jpg)

If you’re attending to an actively bleeding wound from a sharp object, you’ll need a level head and quick action. In normal times, of course, contact emergency services immediately.

In the meantime, follow these steps:

-Assess the safety of the situation. Make sure there is no active threat. It makes no sense for you to become the next casualty.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/putting-gloves-on-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/putting-gloves-on-scaled.jpg)

-Put on gloves if possible. Your hands are full of bacteria and you’ll reduce the risk of infection by doing so. If no gloves are available, any barrier or, at least, hand sanitizers will be useful if you have to touch the wound with bare hands. Let’s face it, though; you might not have the time if the bleeding is that heavy.

-Verify the victim’s breathing and mental status. Clear airways if obstructed. Determine if the person is alert enough to follow commands.

-In a non-combat setting (that is, no one is shooting at you), remove clothing or otherwise fully expose the area and identify other injuries. Make sure that you have a bandage scissors or EMT shears in your medical pack to make removal easier.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-scaled.jpg)

-Apply pressure with some type of dressing (even your shirt if that’s all you have). Most non-arterial bleeding will stop with firm direct pressure on the wound. If the sharp instrument is still in the victim and help is on the way, place pressure down on either side towards the blade to prevent it from slipping out. You might ask why: The knife may actually be providing pressure on damaged vessels. Stabilize the wound with the weapon in place with ample dressings on either side and gauze or elastic rolls to secure. An example is seen below.

-If bleeding continues and you don’t have specialized blood-clotting materials (called “hemostatics”), place additional dressings on top of the first.

-Elevate the feet above the level of the heart and head (the “shock position”) to increase blood flow to the heart and brain. If the wound is to the abdomen, however, bend the knees instead.

-Lift an injured extremity above the level of the heart. Make it more difficult to pump blood out of the body.

**TOURNIQUETS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tourniquet-in-place-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tourniquet-in-place-scaled.jpg)

If direct pressure fails, apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Our experience in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that tourniquets save lives in cases of severe or arterial hemorrhage. As a matter of fact, if the bleeding is obviously arterial (bright red blood spurting out of the wound), using a tourniquet should be your *first* course of action.

If you’re transporting a patient to a modern medical facility, make sure you mark a “T” on the victim’s forehead or otherwise notify emergency personnel of the location and length of time that the tourniquet’s been in place.

**HEMOSTATIC GAUZE**

[![Image of Hemostatic Gauzes](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image-300x180.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image.jpg)Different hemostatic gauze options: (from left) ChitoSam, QuikClot and CeloxI mentioned hemostatics earlier. In cases of heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, the use of special blood clotting materials such as Quikclot, Celox, or ChitoSam is a life saver. We put these products in all our medical packs, even the smaller individual first aid kits. In this case, you would first remove the blood-soaked bandages and place a hemostatic gauze in direct contact with the bleeding vessel. Apply firm pressure onto the hemostatic gauze for at least three full minutes. Pack additional plain gauze, if needed, to fill up the wound after the bleeding is under control.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-300x200.jpg)pressure dressing and tourniquet in place](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-scaled.jpg)

Cover and secure everything with a pressure dressing. There are various commercial brands on the market. The Israeli Battle Dressing, known as The Emergency Bandage in the U.S., can apply up to 30 pounds of pressure if used properly. Otherwise, apply a thick gauze over the packed wound and wrap a compression bandage (stretchy), such as co-flex or an ACE, around the body part to keep pressure on the wound and control additional bleeding.

**ONCE THE DRESSING’S IN PLACE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/solar-blanket-for-shock-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/solar-blanket-for-shock-e1499602381493.jpg)

Keep the victim warm: Throw a mylar blanket or other cover over them. If help is coming, keep them as still and calm as possible to avoid further bleeding. Monitor breathing, pulses, and mental status. An unconscious patient should be placed, if possible, in the “recovery position.” This will, among other things, allow fluid to drain from airways and help them breathe.

Let’s say you placed a tourniquet successfully and there’s no help coming. Ever. You’re the end of the line when it comes to medical care for this victim. If a tourniquet is on, should you loosen it from time to time? You may be tempted to do this, but don’t: It can cause further bleeding.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stab-wound-simulation-packing-2-202x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stab-wound-simulation-packing-2-scaled.jpg)

That doesn’t mean you can leave the victim, now your patient, with a tourniquet on and a knife sticking out of them forever. Carefully transport them to a more controlled setting where you have the bulk of your medical supplies and remove the knife.

Yes, I said remove the knife. We’re talking about off-grid settings. There’s no hospital, no trauma surgeon, just you. You may have to place a second tourniquet above the first one if bleeding returns. You goal is to transition the patient from the tourniquet to a hemostatic gauze and a pressure bandage within 2 hours if possible.

Transitioning procedure:

- Leave the tourniquet in place for now.
- Remove all gauze packing and the knife, if still present.
- Apply a hemostatic gauze if one was not used originally and apply pressure for three minutes.
- Pack the wound with sterile gauze and cover with a pressure dressing.
- Loosen the tourniquet and observe for bleeding. If no bleeding occurs, remove the tourniquet.

**WOUND CARE**

Once the bleeding is under control, clean the wound thoroughly with clean water to remove dirt and debris. Cover with a dressing. Remove hemostatic materials within 24 hours. Wound closure may be an option in some cases, but most back-country stab wounds will be dirty and should be left open.

Most suggest applying antibiotic cream/ointment. Use a thin layer on the wound before for the first two days. Rewash the area and reapply the antibiotic whenever you change the dressing.

Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the product. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) may be used as an alternative.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/israeli-battle-dressing-forearm.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/israeli-battle-dressing-forearm.jpg)

Change the dressing daily or whenever the bandage becomes wet or dirty.

Watch for signs of infection like increasing pain, pus, swelling, or fever. Spreading redness and warmth is a sign of infection. You may not be able to see redness easily on brown or black skin; in these cases, the infection may look purplish-gray or darker than the usual skin color. Patients with wound infections should be given oral antibiotics or, in normal times, be evaluated by qualified professionals.

All of the above may not be necessary if you practice preventative measures. Insist your people wear hand and eye protection when using sharp instruments. In other words, don’t run with scissors. Iryna Zarutska couldn’t avoid her fate, but, using common sense, you may be able to avoid a mishap that could turn into a tragedy.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Cellulitis, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma, Wound Care, Wound Closure

**Tags:** bleeding, bleeding wound, hemorrhage, hemostatic dressings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, slash injury, stab wound, survival medicine, tourniquets, wound care, wound cleaning

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### [Sterilizing Medical Equipment Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sterilizing-medical-equipment-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** August 30, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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A significant factor in the quality of medical care given in austere settings is the level of cleanliness of the equipment used. You may have heard of the terms “**sterile**” and “**clean**”. Certainly, ideal conditions warrant both, but they are actually two different things. Do you know the difference?

**Sterile Vs. Clean**

Wounds off the grid will likely be dirty

When it comes to medical protection, “**sterility**” means the complete absence of microbes. Sterilization destroys all microbes on a medical item. This prevents disease transmission associated with its use.

To achieve this, we practice “[**sterile technique**](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000119.htm)”, which involves special procedures using special solutions and the use of sterile instruments, drapes, and dressings. Sterile technique is especially important when dealing with wounds in which the skin has been broken and soft tissue exposed.

Of course, it’s difficult to achieve a sterile environment if you’re in the field or in a remote setting. In this case, we may only be able to keep things “clean”. Clean techniques concentrate on prevention of infection by reducing the number of microorganisms transferred from one person to another by medical instruments or other supplies. Meticulous hand washing with soap and hot water is the cornerstone of a clean field.

If you are going to be medically responsible for the health of your people off the grid, you will have to strike a balance between what is optimal (sterility) and what is actually achievable (clean).

When you’re dealing with a wound or a surgical procedure, you must closely guard the work area (the “sterile field”) to prevent contact with anything that could allow micro-organisms to invade it. This area is lined with sterile “drapes” arranged to allow a small window where the medical treatment will occur. There are commercially-prepared drapes with openings already in them called “fenestrated drapes”. We have these, for example, in [our suture kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/suture-kit-and-staple-kit-wound-care-package-with-instructional-usb/?searchid=144750&search_query=suture) at altonfirstaid.com. Alternatively, you can use three or four small clean towels to achieve the same purpose, as long as they’re sterile.

**Techniques To Disinfect/Sterilize Instruments**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/boiling-water-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/boiling-water-scaled.jpg)

When maintaining instruments, the first step is to thoroughly wash any reusable item before it’s sterilized. Scrubbing with a soft brush removes blood, tissue particles, and other contaminants that can make sterilization more difficult. Consider using gloves, aprons, and eye protection to guard against “splatter”.

Now, the question of *how* to sterilize your medical supplies: There are a number of ways that you can accomplish this goal:

- Simply placing them in gently **boiling water** for 30 minutes would be a reasonable strategy, but may not eliminate certain bacterial “spores” and could cause issues with rusting over time. This is especially true with regards to sharp instruments like scissors, scalpels, or knives. Also, there’s the matter of how much fuel is used to achieve the goal.

(Note: always sterilize scissors and clamps in the “open” position)

- Soaking in a diluted solution of **sodium or calcium hypochlorite bleach** for 15-30 minutes will disinfect instruments (but no longer or rusting will occur). Instruments must be rinsed in sterilized water afterward.
- Soaking in 70% **isopropyl alcohol** for 30 minutes is another option. Some have even put instruments in a metal tray with alcohol and ignited them. The flame and alcohol, or even just fire itself (if evenly distributed) will do the job, but eventually damages the instruments.
- **Chemical solutions** exist that are specifically made for the purpose of high-level disinfection (not necessarily sterility) in the absence of heat, something very important if you have items that are made of plastic. A popular brand is **Cidex OPA**, a trade name for a solution with phthalaldehyde or glutaraldehyde as the active ingredient. Insert the instruments in a tray with the solution for 20 minutes for basic disinfection. Soaking overnight (10-12 hours) gives an acceptable level of “sterility” for survival purposes. There are test strips available which identify when the solution is contaminated. If negative, you can reuse it for up to 14 days; if positive, discard. As an alternative, some have recommended using 6-7.5% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes (household hydrogen peroxide is only 3%, however).
- **Ovens** use dry heat to sterilize instruments and are an option if you have power. For a typical oven, metal instruments are wrapped in aluminum foil or placed in metal trays before putting them in the oven. The oven is then heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or, alternatively, 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DENTAL-KIT-NURSE-AMY-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DENTAL-KIT-NURSE-AMY.jpg)

Although ovens and microwaves have been used to sterilize instruments, probably the best way to guarantee sterility in an austere setting is a **pressure cooker**. Hospitals use a type of pressure cooker called an “**autoclave**” that uses steam to sterilize instruments, surgical towels, reusable bandages, and other items. All modern medical facilities decontaminate their equipment with this device (I hope).

Having a pressure cooker as part of your supplies will allow you to approach the level of sterility required for minor surgical procedures. As you can imagine, this isn’t easy to carry from place to place, so it’s best for those who plan to stay in place in a disaster scenario. Here’s a link to the procedure step-by-step:

**[https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Sterilize-Autoclavable-Materials-at-Home-us/](https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Sterilize-Autoclavable-Materials-at-Home-us/)**

**UVC Sterilization**

UVC Wand

A significant development in the quest to put together a portable and reliable method to sterilize instruments comes from a recent study commissioned by the military. The study, published in the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine some years ago, explored the use of **UVC light** as a survival medical tool.

UVC light damages the genetic material of microbes like viruses and bacteria, effectively disabling reproduction or killing them. Different UVC wavelengths have varying levels of effectiveness against different organisms; germicidal effectiveness peaks within the 200-300 nm range

In this study, instruments purposefully contaminated with MRSA and other bacteria were first scrubbed with Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) for 30 seconds, and dried with sterile gauze. Then, an ultraviolet C (UVC) wand was passed within 4 inches over the instruments for 45 seconds.

Evaluation afterwards revealed a 100% reduction of bacteria and achieved levels of sterilization acceptable for use in the field. If the instruments were not used right away, rapid vacuum sealing extended the life of sterility.

Since the original study was published, the protocol has evolved. Keep the UVC wand 1 to 2 inches from the surface in question for 20-30 seconds, avoiding direct exposure to people or pets. Direct exposure may damage skin or eyes.

**As Good As It Gets**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Copy-of-Image-219-IRRIGATING-WOUNDS-make-normal-saline-sterile-ALTON-canva-300x90.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Copy-of-Image-219-IRRIGATING-WOUNDS-make-normal-saline-sterile-ALTON-canva-scaled.jpg)

In most survival settings, “clean” may be as good as it gets, but is that so bad? Modern medical facilities have the ability to provide sterility, so there is very little research that compares clean vs. sterile technique.

In one study, an experiment was conducted in which one group of patients had traumatic wounds that were cleaned daily with sterile saline solution, another group with tap water. Amazingly, the infection rate was 5.4% in the tap water group as opposed to 10.3% in the sterile saline group.

Another study revealed no difference in infection rates in wounds treated in a sterile fashion as opposed to clean technique. Therefore, clean, drinkable water is acceptable for general wound care in survival scenarios. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use antiseptic solutions if you have them, however.

The family medic, when forced to function off the grid, can still be successful, even when everything else fails. As Teddy Roosevelt once said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-225x300.jpg)Dr, Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The OODA Loop: Making Fast Decisions That Can Save Your Life](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-ooda-loop-making-fast-decisions-that-may-save-your-life/) 

 [Antiseptics, Pt. 2: Natural Options](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-pt-2-natural-options/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Cellulitis, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Instruments, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Wound Care

**Tags:** autoclave, clean technique, cleaning medical instruments, joe alton md, medical instruments, medical preparedness, pressure cooker, Sterile technique, survival medicine, UVC, UVC sterilizataion

---

### [This Year's Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/this-years-influenza/)

**Published:** January 8, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)

Infectious disease is a serious medical issue in good times or bad, and the family medic must be able to identify some of the deadliest. The respiratory tract is more commonly affected than any other organ system. Germ-laden droplets are expelled during coughs and sneezes and enter the nose, mouth, or eyes of others. As a result, these infections are often highly contagious. This year, [influenza](https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2025-week-52.html) seems to be running rampant almost everywhere, with 11 million cases, 130,000 hospitalizations, and 5000 deaths so far, including nine children.

**Influenza Virus**

Influenza virus is a microscopic entity that stretches the definition of a living being. Unlike most bacteria, it can’t reproduce unless it has entered living cells of other organisms. In general, viruses are very simple in structure, rarely consisting of more than a bit of genetic code covered by a protein coating.

Influenza A virus (the most common type) spreads throughout the U.S. from Fall through Spring. They are classified according to the proteins that exist on their surface. These are called Hemagglutinins (HA) and Neuraminidases (NA). There are more and more different HA and NA subtypes discovered every year. The Swine flu, for example, is H1N1.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_167676053-influenza-collage-not-too-useful-300x166.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_167676053-influenza-collage-not-too-useful.jpg)

In the last few years, flu cases were eclipsed by the COVID pandemic, but this year they have returned with a vengeance. There are many variants: The strain dominating this season is thought to be a variant of H3N2 known as “subclade K.”. This version is somewhat different than your standard influenza A virus; as a result, more cases have ended up hospitalized or worse.

**Symptoms of Influenza**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_98093702-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_98093702.jpg)

Signs of influenza begin anywhere from one to four days after exposure. They are similar to the common cold and include:

- High fever
- Cough
- Headache
- (Severe) fatigue
- (Severe) muscle aches

How can you tell the difference? Colds will resolve themselves over a week or so, but influenzas may last longer. The flu could weaken you enough that secondary bacterial infections set in. Indeed, these secondary infections are the most probable causes of death related to flu cases. If this happens, you’ll notice that you are getting worse, not better, over time.

Having said that, most people weather the symptoms well. Some, however, especially the very old, very young, and those with chronic medical conditions, may not survive, leading to influenza earning the title “the old man’s friend”, because it ends their suffering (by killing them).

**Treatment of Influenza.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-scaled.jpg)

Generally, most cases of influenza are treated “symptomatically.” This means you are allowing the illness to run its course; medicine is taken to decrease the discomfort of symptoms. Common medications like ibuprofen for muscles aches and fever, pseudoephedrine for nasal congestion, and expectorants to thin out phlegm are popular options. Cough suppressants are also used, although they are most beneficial when they interfere with, say, sleeping. Adequate hydration is also important, so push fluids.

As the flu is a viral illness, it’s important to know that antibiotics will be ineffective. There are, however, a few anti-viral flu medications such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir marboxil [(Xofluza)](https://www.xofluza.com/) or Zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu, the most popular, is taken twice a day for 5 days.

It should be noted that a recent study suggests that Xofluza may be even better. Xofluza is a convenient single dose treatment, and appears to be at least as effective as Tamiflu. Avoid taking with dairy products or antacids, as it tends to weaken the effect.

Anti-viral drugs will shorten the course of the infection if taken in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. After the first 48 hours, there’s less medicinal benefit. Therefore, you might consider asking your doctor *before* you get ill, since it might be hard to see them in person on short notice. For a caregiver, taking a half dose of Tamiflu daily for five days may decrease your chances of catching it.

It should be noted that Xofluza, Tamiflu, or other antivirals will have no effectiveness whatsoever against bacterial respiratory infections. For that, you need antibiotics. To learn how to tell the difference between bacterial and viral illness, how to use antibiotics wisely, and much more off the grid, consider a copy of our book **“[Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The layman’s guide to available antibacterials in Austere Settings”](https://store.doomandbloom.net/altons-antibiotics-and-infectious-disease-the-laymans-guide-to-available-antibacterials-in-austere-settings/)**, available on Amazon or at our website at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

**Preventing Influenza**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-scaled.jpg)

The CDC recommends the flu vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age, but it’s important to know that the effectiveness of the vaccine may (or may not) be less in years that the current virus is different from the previous years. Therefore, it’s important to take measures to prevent the flu and to isolate those who are infected from those that are healthy.

Other actions you can take to decrease the chance of getting or spreading the flu are:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your upper arm, not your hand.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects, like doorknobs, that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
- Establish an effective [“survival sick room”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmw_nHp63g) that will decrease the chances of spread throughout the entire family or group
- Use face masks when sick or around others who are.
- Wait 24 hours after the last episode of fever before exposing yourself to others.

The above strategies are referred to as “[**respiratory hygiene”**](https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/3/2016/01/RespiratoryHygieneCoughEtiquette_FAQ.pdf) and are key to preventing community-wide outbreaks.

**The Flu In Survival Settings**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Respiratory infections like influenza should be concerning to every family medic, regardless of whether times are good or bad. Without strict adherence to hand washing and respiratory hygiene, it would be very easy for your entire community to come down with influenza, or any number of infectious diseases. In survival scenarios, the physical exertion related to daily activities will likely wear down the immune system and make it difficult to fight infection. At the very least, influenza can affect work efficiency at a time when everyone must be at one hundred percent. If you’ve had the flu, you know what I mean.

The flu may be a bump on the road in your journey to preparedness, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Plan to prevent it, and you’ll save lives.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Trauma: Dealing With/Preventing Falls](https://www.doomandbloom.net/trauma-dealing-with-preventing-falls/) 

 [Hypothermia 2026](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-2026/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, Book, COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, H3N2 Virus, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, colds vs flus, H3N2 virus, Influenza, influenza a, influenza update, joe alton md, medical preparedness, relenza, respiratory hygiene, survival medicine, tamiflu, viruses, xofluza

---

### [Blizzards: When The Power Goes Out](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blizzards-when-the-power-goes-out/)

**Published:** January 23, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Blizzards are extreme winter storms characterized by cold temperatures, heavy snow, poor visibility, and, often, strong winds. It causes strain on power grids and human bodies alike. Your focus in both good times or bad should involve keeping your people warm, conserving energy, and limiting exposure. This is hard to do if you’re stuck on the road in the midst of a 100-car traffic mishap (not a strong enough word, I’ll admit). What’s the best strategy before, during, and after the storm?

Winter storms (this one is named “Fern”) occur every year in the United States, and cause fatalities among the unprepared, especially in Midwest, Southeast, and New England. The grand majority of deaths occur due to traffic accidents from hypothermia from being caught outside during the blizzard. Trees and power lines burdened with heavy snowfall may topple, causing additional, possibly lethal, hazards.

**SURVIVING A BLIZZARD AT HOME**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shutterstock_87791806-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shutterstock_87791806.jpg)

If a blizzard knocks out the power grid but you’re still in your home (a great place to be), your home can get freezing cold. You are, however, in more control of the situation than you would be if you were stranded on the road.

- **“Winterize”** your home before the weather gets too cold. Insulate doors and windows with weather stripping, caulk, or plastic sheeting.
- Check insulation in attics and walls.
- If, for some reason, you don’t know where your water shut-off valve and breaker box are, find out.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and have lots of fresh batteries.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
- Have a backup heat ready, like a reliable heater or a wood stove, but avoid using grills inside.
- Charge all devices and have portable power banks or a generator (use only outside and not in the garage or right at the entrance).

**WHAT IF THE POWER GOES OUT DURING THE STORM?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_1505-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_1505-scaled.jpg)

This wouldn’t be that unusual in a bad enough storm. If so, you’ll need to conserve heat. This can be accomplished by:

- Keeping everyone in an inside room, preferably without windows. The heat from several bodies will make a small space warmer.
- Dressing in warm layers, including hats and gloves.
- Conserving heat by shutting the doors of unused rooms.
- Closing blinds and curtains to add insulation.
- Stuffing towels under the door to prevent loss of warmth from the room being used. If you’re using alternative heating sources, however, make sure there is reasonable ventilation.
- Using a space heater. Old ones can be temperamental, though, so keep a fighter extinguisher handy just in case. Keep exhaust vents clear.
- If you’re using candles, pay close attention to them.
- Keeping people hydrated with warm drinks, even if it’s just water. You’d be surprised by how much you’ll use (ar least a gallon of water per person per day), so fill the bathtub like you would with an approaching hurricane. Prevent the plumbing from freezing by allowing faucets to drip and opening cabinet doors under the sink.
- As with any disaster, making sure you’ve got lots of non-perishable food. Make sure you have enough for at least a week.
- Storing an extra supply of needed medications.

And, of course, avoiding opening doors to the outside and losing heat. If you have to dig yourself out, watch for overexertion and sweating: hypothermia and heart strain are real concerns.

In many parts of the country, blizzards and extreme cold spells are part and parcel of life. A prepared home can save lives from winter hazards. Next time, we’ll talk about surviving blizzard conditions on the road.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Blizzards: Stuck On The Road](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blizzards-stuck-on-the-road/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ballistics, Eye Trauma, Winter Car Kit, Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ballistics-eye-trauma-winter-car-kit-influenza/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** blizzard, how to stay warm, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, preparedness, survival medicine, winter storm, winterizing

---

### [Frostbite And Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-and-immersion-foot/)

**Published:** January 30, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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superficial frostbite after rewarming

Winter this year has been harsh in many areas, and there’s more to come before Spring arrives. Exposure to cold can lead to injuries with lasting, sometimes disfiguring effects. In this article, we’ll discuss two such injuries known as **“frostbite”** and **“immersion foot.”**  These differ from general cold-related emergencies, known as **“hypothermia.”**

**(Note: To learn about [general hypothermia, click here.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-2026/))**

**WHAT CAUSES FROSTBITE?**

Frostbite is the freezing of body tissues, and it usually occurs in the extremities, especially fingers and toes. Sometimes, the ears, nose, chin, and even the lips may be affected. The body responds to cold temperatures by narrowing the blood vessels, something called “vasoconstriction.” Blood flow to the extremities decreases to preserve flow to the vital internal organs in the body core. As the blood is redirected away from hands and feet, these parts of the body get colder, and ice crystals can form and destroy tissue.

**STAGES OF FROSTBITE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1700017972-stages-of-frostbite-hypothermia-300x150.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1700017972-stages-of-frostbite-hypothermia-scaled.jpg)

Frostbite is often categorized in stages:

**First stage: Frostnip-** The earliest symptoms of frostbite are known as “frostnip.” In frostnip, the skin turns red and cold and the victim experiences sensations of cold, pain, numbness, and “pins and needles.**”**

**Second stage: Superficial Frostbite-** At this level, skin loses color, going from red to white to blue. Tissues are freezing and swelling may be noted. The texture of the skin changes too, becoming stiff and waxy. Although frozen, the victim may feel the sensation of “heat” in the area affected. Upon rewarming (discussed below), clear blisters often form.

**Deep frostbite:** Deep frostbite is characterized by complete numbness. Deep tissues become hard, almost wooden. The skin is blue or black and develops dark blood blisters. Irreversible damage (called **“gangrene”**) occurs in severe cases.

Gangrene is the death of tissue resulting from loss of circulation. This usually results in the loss of the frozen body part. Infection may also set in, possibly affecting the entire body. Known as **“sepsis,”** this infection is life-threatening.

**TREATMENT OF FROSTBITE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-3-201x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image-3-scaled.jpg)

The earlier that cold-related injuries are recognized and treated, the more likely the victim will recover without permanent damage. Move to warmth immediately and remove wet clothing. If general hypothermia is suspected, warm the body core (torso) before focusing on extremities. Applying warm dry compresses in areas that most effectively transport heat to the body core, such as the armpits, neck, and groin.

When treating frostbite, avoid rubbing affected areas. Exposure to heating pads, heat lamps, hot water bottles, or open fires is also thought to worsen damage to traumatized tissues. Leave blisters unopened. The tradition of massaging the frostbitten area with snow or ice is *not* beneficial (at all). Also, rewarming should only be attempted in situations where there is no threat of **refreezing**. Refreezing causes significantly more damage.

In settings where professional help is *not* an option, treat with a warm water soak (no more than 104-108 degrees F)/40-42 degrees C) of the affected areas. Add warm water as needed to maintain this temperature range. After 30-60 minutes, the skin should recover some pliability and color (redness) if not too far gone. Repeating soaks is not generally recommended.

Once rewarmed, keep the area elevated, dry, and loosely bandaged. Place dry non-stick gauze between affected fingers and toes. Discourage walking on affected areas and work to protect against further trauma.

Expect the victim to experience pain, swelling, and redness during and after rewarming. In superficial frostbite, it’s not uncommon for clear blisters to form as a part of recovery. In deep frostbite, the blisters will likely be filled with blood; skin may appear bruised, blue, or otherwise discolored. They will likely turn into dark, thick scabs. Some of this tissue may be unsalvageable and have to be removed by either[ **amputation** ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-amputation-in-survival-settings/)or a procedure called **“[debridement” ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-debridement/)**(discussed elsewhere on this site).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_718682176-debridement-300x225.jpg)debridement procedure](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_718682176-debridement-scaled.jpg)

**PREVENTION OF FROSTBITE**

Prevention of frostbite involves the use of appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, preferably in layers. Stay as dry as possible. Avoid tight footwear and wear mittens instead of regular gloves. Gear should be wind- and waterproof. Inspect group members frequently in extreme cold and make sure to rewarm periodically.

**IMMERSION FOOT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/immersion-foot-219x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/immersion-foot.jpg)

**Immersion foot** is a condition that causes damage to nerves and small blood vessels due to prolonged, well, immersion in cold (but not freezing) water below 60 degrees Fahrenheit/15-16 degrees Celsius. Historically, it was known as **“trench foot**,” and seen commonly in soldiers who spent long periods of time in the trenches of WWI. When seen in areas other than the feet, this condition is referred to as **“childblains.”**

**PHASES OF IMMERSION FOOT**

Unlike frostbite, which can freeze tissues within a half-hour in extreme cold, immersion foot takes at least 12 hours or even several days to cause injury. It often progresses in phases:

**“Prehyperemic phase”:** As immersion foot develops, the feet will feel cold, numb, and heavy. Skin will turn pale or blotchy, and somewhat swollen. It may often appear “wet.”

**“Hyperemic phase”** (seen upon rewarming): As the patient is treated (see below), the patient will experience pain, redness, swelling, tingling, itching, and “pins and needles” sensations.

In severe cases, you can expect to see peeling skin, blisters, and open sores. Prolonged numbness or chronic pain may be seen. Although less frequently noted than in frostbite, the worst untreated cases may lead to gangrene and require amputation.

**TREATING IMMERSION FOOT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/trench-foot-212x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/trench-foot.jpg)

Immersion foot treatment is somewhat different than frostbite. Do not rush to rewarm. Instead use gradual during and warm (room-temperature) exposure. The feet should be kept elevated, dry, and clean. Like frostbite, walking should be avoided if at all possible. Remove wet or dirty socks. Protect blisters if they form, and check frequently for signs of infection. Pain relief and antibiotics may be required.

**PREVENTION OF IMMERSION FOOT**

To prevent immersion foot from developing, wear properly-fitting footwear and keep feet dry, clean, and warm. Have spare sets of moisture-wicking socks and change often. Inspect feet daily and avoid cold situations where feet are constantly wet.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dislocations, Frostbite, Fall Injuries, Vision Defects, Sprain vs Fracture, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dislocations-frostbite-fall-injuries-vision-defects-sprain-vs-fracture-more/) 

 [Blizzards: Stuck On The Road](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blizzards-stuck-on-the-road/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Cold-related illness and injury, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cold-related injuries, frostbite, frostbite treatment, hypthermia, immersion foot, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, trench foot, winter injuries

---

### [Blizzards: Stuck On The Road](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blizzards-stuck-on-the-road/)

**Published:** January 24, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Winter storms aren’t uncommon in the U.S., and many of the fatalities that occur from them are related to traffic accidents. Trauma from skidding and sliding vehicle impacts or even hypothermia from being stranded outside occur from poor visibility, dangerous road conditions, and even downed trees and power lines.

Winter conditions don’t just affect people; they affect cars as well. Cold affects rubber and metal; it even decreases battery efficiency. Tires are more stiff and flat for the first few hundred yards. Motor oil and other lubricants become thicker. All this combines make the engine work harder.

Therefore, vehicles that will be doing duty in extreme cold should be “winterized.” This involves switching to a lighter viscosity oil, changing to snow tires, and choosing the right (anti-freeze) ratio of coolant to water. Gas tanks should be full if at all possible.

**OUTSIDE IN A BLIZZARD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_88477075-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_88477075.jpg)

You’re not a bear, so you can’t hibernate through the cold weather; you’ll have to take measures to avoid getting stranded out in the cold. Many deaths from exposure are avoidable if simple precautions are taken.

The first thing that you should do before planning a day outdoors in snowy weather is consult your weather radio for the forecast. If a storm is on the way, postpone your outing until the weather improves.

Dress appropriately and in layers. Each successive layer of clothing traps warm air near your body. Wool is the best material for staying warm. Unlike cotton, wool will stay warm even if somewhat wet, and wicks perspiration away from the skin, useful if you’re digging your way out if stuck in the snow. Wet clothing causes you to lose body core temperature faster. Mittens will keep your hands warmer than gloves.

**DRIVING IN A BLIZZARD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_2402992003-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_2402992003.jpg)

Remember the cardinal rule: Do not drive during a blizzard unless it’s a true emergency. If conditions worsen, pull over safely rather than tough it out. It’s preferable to get off the highway entirely rather than stay on the shoulder. Turn on the hazard lights.

In fact, the first question you should ask before you get in the car in cold weather is “Is this trip necessary?”.

If you don’t have to leave the house in a snowstorm, don’t. Period. If you do, drive as if your life depended on it, because it does.

- Go slow, I mean slow.
- Increase the distance between the car in front of you significantly,
- Stay in your lane. Don’t weave.
- Make turns slowly and deliberately.
- Use low gear on hills.
- Turn off cruise control.
- Avoid quick stops and starts.

**STRANDED IN THE SNOW!**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_2245934257-300x179.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_2245934257.jpg)

Let’s say that, despite your best efforts, you’re stuck on the road in a blizzard. Help may be on the way, but what if it isn’t? It’s important to stay calm and don’t leave the car. It’s warmer there than outside and you’re protected from the wind. As a matter of fact, never leave the vehicle unless help is clearly visible and near. Call emergency services if a signal is available.

Wet snow can block up your exhaust pipes and cause carbon monoxide gas to enter the passenger compartment. You’ll need fresh air, but don’t crack a window on the side where the wind is coming from.

If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car. Rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving; this will help your muscles produce heat.

Maybe you can dig yourself out, but beware of overexertion in extreme cold. You’ll sweat, and wet clothes are a main cause of hypothermia. If you have flares, use them to let others know you need help, that is, if there’s a reasonable chance they’ll be seen.

Other strategies include:

- Run the engine and heater only about 10 minutes every hour (or less) to warm up.
- Open a window away from the direction of the wind slightly for ventilation.
- Keep exhaust pipes clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
- Make your vehicle visible: keep hazard lights on, tie bright cloth to antenna or reflective items/flashlights to make that white car of yours more visible, or pile snow to make some kind of signal.
- Eat snacks for calories and stay hydrated.
- Learn to recognize the signs of hypothermia (shivering stops, confusion, slurred speech) and frostbite (numb, pale skin

**THE WINTER SURVIVAL CAR KIT**

Vehicle medical kit

There are a number of items that you should always have in your car, especially in cold weather. These are meant to keep you safe if the unthinkable happens and you’re stranded without hope of rescue.

Your blizzard survival car kit should contain:

- Wool blankets (for warmth; wool can stay warm even if wet)
- Spare sets of dry clothes, especially socks, hats, and mittens.
- Hand warmers or other instant heat packs (activated by shaking, they’ll last for hours).
- Matches, lighters, and fire starters to manufacture heat
- Flashlights and candles (keep batteries in backwards until you need them to extend life).
- Small multi-tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
- Larger combination tool like a foldable military surplus shovel (some are multipurpose and can be used as an axe or saw)
- Sand or rock salt (to give traction where needed).
- Tow chain or rope.
- Flares.
- Starter cables (for jump starts).
- Water and food (energy bars, MREs, dehydrated soups, candies).
- Baby wipes (for hygiene purposes).
- A [medical kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) and medications.
- Tarp and duct tape (brightly colored ones will be more visible and aid rescue).
- Metal cup or thermos (to melt snow, make soup, etc.)
- Noisemaker (whistle) to signal for help.
- Cell phone and charger, weather radio.

Don’t let winter storm drives be the end of the road. Avoid them altogether; you’ll be glad you did**.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-300x201.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Frostbite And Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-and-immersion-foot/) 

 [Blizzards: When The Power Goes Out](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blizzards-when-the-power-goes-out/)

**Categories:** First Aid Kits, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** blizzard survival, car stuck in snow, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter car survival, winter survival

---

### [Falls Through Ice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/falls-through-ice/)

**Published:** February 15, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Well, the groundhog recently said we’ve got a few more weeks of winter, so today let’s talk about what you should know about falls through the ice.

In the winter, northern regions with lots of water features become vast fields of ice. Since the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, you may be tempted to cross that frozen lake rather than go around it. That’s fine if the ice is thick, but there’s a risk of falling through the ice. If so, you’ll be in extremely cold water (and extremely big trouble).

How thick must the ice be to sustain the average person’s weight? At least 4 inches for any reasonable activity like walking or cross-country skiing. On a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle, at least 5-6 inches would be required. Always stay off ice that’s thought to be 3 inches thick or less, especially in warmer days where ice may be thawing. Note that sea ice is weaker and requires a greater thickness to support the same weight as fresh water ice.

**HOW YOUR BODY LOSES HEAT**

Your body has various methods it uses to keep its internal core temperature at appropriate levels. The “body core“ is composed of the major internal organ systems that are necessary to maintain life, such as your brain, heart, liver, and others. A drop in the core temperature of just four degrees below normal may cause ill effects due to the cold, a condition known as “**hypothermia.**”

In cold weather, your blood vessels constrict involuntarily to conserve heat. Muscles “shiver” as a method of heat production. As well, you can voluntarily increase heat with exertion; that’s why it’s recommended to “keep moving” in cold environments.

When the body is exposed to severe cold, as in the case of a fall through the ice, it’s difficult to maintain a normal core temperature. Cold water, being denser than air, removes heat from the body via a process called “**conduction**.” Water “conducts” heat away from the body much faster (some say 32 times faster!) than air does. The higher the percentage of body surface submerged, the faster it loses heat.

**THE 1-10-1 PRINCIPLE**

**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/US-coast-guard-public-domain-emblem.svg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/US-coast-guard-public-domain-emblem.svg)**

The U.S. Coast Guard **1-10-1 Principle** gives us a sobering glimpse on your prospects if you have to spend time in icy cold water. What’s 1-10-1

**1 minute,** You need to gain control of your breathing in the first minute to avoid drowning

**10 minutes** – You have ten minutes to realistically help in your own rescue. Cold temperatures will cause loss of sensation and motor control of muscles, leading to what is known as “swim failure.” After ten minutes, victims in cold water without a life jacket will drown.

**1 hour** – You have one hour (maybe more, maybe less) before hypothermia renders your unconscious. One major factor is, of course, the water temperature. Another variable is the amount of body fat the victim has. Body fat helps conserve heat and may increase the time interval before the patient becomes hypothermic.

Take the example of passengers on the Titanic. Unless there was a seat on a lifeboat available, they ended up in 40-degree water. Within ten minutes, they were likely unable to help themselves in any significant way.

**The Gasp Reflex**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-4-300x249.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-4.jpg)

When a person falls through the ice, they experience a physiological reaction known as “Gasp Reflex”, sometimes called the “Inhalation Response.” Where the body is suddenly immersed in temperatures, say, below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the Torso Reflex causes the victim to involuntarily gasp.

This reaction is meant to increase oxygen intake into the lungs and increase metabolism to build internal warmth. When the head is below the surface, however, the sudden urge to breathe causes water to be inhaled instead of air. When this happens, airways can go into spasm, causing the disoriented victim to panic. Coupled with a massive release of adrenaline, as well as sudden changes in heart rate and blood pressure, many lose the ability to perform the actions that might save their lives.

Although some aspect of the Torso Reflex occurs in just about everyone who is immersed in cold water, the response seems to be variable among individuals. Immersions involving the face seem to be the most severe. Some outdoorsmen who regularly kayak in northern waters, however, appear to be affected less often. This may be due to acclimation to the cold or experience with multiple “dunkings” over time.

**What To Do If You Fall Through The Ice**

Spread arms wide and kick to get horizontal

Certainly, a fall through lake ice can be life-threatening, but your chances of surviving are much greater if you know what to do. If you can keep it together mentally, a few simple steps might save your life.

**Stay Calm**: The shock of a sudden immersion in cold water makes it difficult to think as well as breathe. In some circumstances, you may realize the ice is going to break under your weight. Faced with this, it’s important to brace yourself and try not to inhale water if you go under. This will be difficult, but more possible if you have some warning that a dunking is imminent.

The gasp reflex we talked about last time may be prevented by covering your mouth and nose with your hands before getting immersed. If you can establish the “seal” as you enter the water, you’ll have a better chance of not drowning. This procedure should be taught to everyone spending time in proximity to cold water and should be maintained until the head is above the surface.

Make every effort to keep calm. You have a few minutes to get out before you succumb to the effects of the cold. Panic is your enemy.

**Get Your Head Out Of The Water**: This is best accomplished by breathing in and bending backward as soon as you get your head out of the water. If there are others nearby, shout that you’re in need of emergency aid.

**Get Rid Of Heavy Objects That Weigh You Down:** The more you weigh, the harder it will be to get your body out of the water.

**Tread Water And Turn**: Treading water by kicking with your legs will help get you horizontal and raise you further out. Quickly turn your body in the direction where you came from; you know the ice was strong enough to hold you there.

**Try To Lift Up Out Of The Ice**: Place your arms on the ice spread widely apart in front of you. Kick with your feet to give you some forward momentum and try to get more of your body horizontal and out of the water. Lift a leg onto the ice and then lift and roll out onto the firmer surface.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-5-300x206.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-5.jpg)

**Do Not Stand Up**: Keep rolling in the direction that you were walking before you feel through. This will spread your weight out, instead of concentrating it on your feet. Then *crawl* away until you’re sure you’re safe.

**Get Warm As Soon As Possible**: You’re out of the water, but you’re not out of the woods! Get to a warm place if possible. Hypothermia is highly likely and soaking wet clothing isn’t helping. Having spare clothes or a blanket available in a hiking partner’s backpack is an important consideration. So is having a way (or two or three) to start a fire if no heat source is at hand.

Changing into dry clothing should be accomplished immediately and before starting a fire; external heat sources aren’t very effective in penetrating wet clothing. It’s possible that you may have to change outdoors. If so, stay out of the wind by standing behind a large tree or some other barrier.

Once you have access to a heat source, get close enough to feel the warmth and bring your knees to your chest with your legs tightly together. This will help conserve body heat. Have others share body heat with you if possible.

**PREVENTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-6-1-300x232.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-6-1.jpg)

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid situations where visibility might be reduced, such as traversing frozen lakes at night or during heavy snows. Even in conditions that afford good vision, stay clear of unfamiliar terrain.

Any backcountry travel plans should be shared with others that can send for help if you don’t reach your destination or if your return is overdue. This is good policy in any season.

Once you are on the ice, see if there are any cracks or abnormal surfaces. The strength of the ice is not the same everywhere on the same body of water. Beware of flowing water at the edges, springs underneath, and ice that has thawed and refrozen.

Although by no means can ice safety be guaranteed on sight alone, the colors of the ice may give you a clue:

- Blue-Clear Ice: Thought to be the highest density, but only safe if 4 inches thick or greater.
- White-Opaque Ice: Snow freezes and forms a second layer above the main body of ice. Often weak due to air pockets between layers. Snow can also act as an insulator and warm up the ice,thus weakening it.
- Mottled Ice: This ice is unsafe due to thawing and deteriorating at the center and base.
- Gray or Black Ice: Low density melting ice; unsafe.

mottled ice

**FLOTATION**

You might consider a life jacket to be overkill on a winter hike, but it can prevent a tragedy if you fall through the ice. The Coast Guard has an approved flotation jacket that is brightly-colored and water-resistant. Some additional items useful to get out of the water include ice picks and a length of rope. Having a whistle as a noisemaker may alert others that you’re in trouble.

An air bag accessory is now available for those who are traveling in snow country. Although meant to help survive an avalanche, it can be easily deployed to achieve buoyancy in the water as well.

What kind of flotation device is best? *The one you’d actually be willing to wear*.

**Joe Alton MD**

Dr. Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survive An Avalanche](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survive-an-avalanche/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dislocations, Frostbite, Fall Injuries, Vision Defects, Sprain vs Fracture, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dislocations-frostbite-fall-injuries-vision-defects-sprain-vs-fracture-more/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** 1-10-1 principle, escaping a fall through ice, falls through the ice, frozen lake hike, gasp reflex, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter safety

---

### [Video: Faraday: A Man, A Cage, And More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-faraday-a-man-a-cage-and-more/)

**Published:** April 20, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the contributions and legacy of one of the most influential scientists of all time: Michael Faraday. Dr. Alton’s video tells how Faraday’s work has particular relevance to the preparedness community.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

Joe Alton MD

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Body Armor for the Prepared Citizen](https://www.doomandbloom.net/body-armor-for-the-prepared-citizen/) 

 [Faraday And His Cage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/faraday-and-his-cage/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** benzene, colloidal silver, electrolysis, electromagnetism, EMPs, faraday box, faraday cage, faraday effect, medical preparedness, michael faraday, nuclear EMPs, preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Glowlights As A Survival Tool](https://www.doomandbloom.net/glowlights-as-a-survival-tool/)

**Published:** March 11, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Medical Supplies

In this video short, Nurse Amy steps out from behind the camera to talk about an alternative light source: Glowlights. The medic’s shift doesn’t stop at sunset, things happen! You’ll need a head lamp and other light sources to be able to care for nighttime injuries and illness off the grid.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy and Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Burns, Afib, Avalanches, Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-burns-afib-avalanches-natural-remedies/) 

 [Video Short: Glowlights](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-short-glowlights/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Burns, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Kits, Medical Supplies

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, camping lights, glowlights, light sources, nighttime injuries

---

### [Atrial Fibrillation Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/atrial-fibrillation-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** March 15, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this article, I’m going to talk about a problem rarely discussed in survival circles and my thoughts on what you could do about it off the grid. I’m talking about “**Afib**.” AFib stands for **atrial fibrillation**, an irregular heartbeat (also known as an arrhythmia) almost unnoticeable in some but can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications in others. Today, at least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib so you might have someone with it in your survival group.

Patients describe the symptoms of Afib as episodes of skipping beats, throbbing against the chest wall, palpitations, or a racing or quivering heart. They can experience weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, and light-headedness.

Normally, your heart contracts and relaxes in a rhythmic manner. In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (the **atria**) beat irregularly instead of beating in sync to move blood into the lower chambers, also called **ventricles**.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-201x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-scaled.jpg)

In some cases, the resulting turbulence can lead to the formation of a blood clot. If a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in an artery leading to the brain, a [**stroke** ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-strokes/)results. About 15–20 percent of people who experience strokes have this heart arrhythmia. This clot risk is why patients with this condition are put on \***blood thinners**.”

AFib may be:

-Occasional, come and go, lasting for a few minutes to hours. Sometimes symptoms occur for as long as a week and episodes can happen repeatedly.

-In some cases, it can be persistent and long-standing. The heart rhythm just doesn’t go back to normal on its own.

-It can even be a permanent problem. If a person has A-fib symptoms, treatment with medications or a procedure called cardioversion may be used to restore a normal heart rhythm.

Causes of atrial fibrillation can be related to the structure of the heart, but it can also be caused by

- [High blood pressure](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypertension-off-the-grid/)
- Lung disease
- Sleep apnea
- Overactive thyroid
- Viral infections
- And The use of certain drugs, caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco

Afib is also seen more often in older folks, obese people, diabetics, and those with a family history. Medications may include those that control heart rhythm, control heart rate, and thin the blood.

Antiarrhythmic medications help return an Afib episode heart to its normal rhythm or maintain a normal rhythm. Rate control drugs like beta-blockers slow the heartbeat during episodes of Afib. Other medicines, like blood thinners, can decrease the risk of stroke due to blood clots in the brain.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-1-201x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-1-scaled.jpg)

Antiarrhythmic medications help return an Afib episode heart to its normal rhythm or maintain a normal rhythm. Rate control drugs like beta-blockers slow the heartbeat during episodes of Afib. Other medicines, like blood thinners, can decrease the risk of stroke due to blood clots in the brain. If your Afib group members is on these, encourage them to stockpile them as much as they can.

Eventually, however, it may be necessary to try and provide some alternative, supplement for the person with Afib. Effectiveness, well, it may vary from person to person.

Of the list of common medications for Afib, only the blood thinner can be replaced by things like regular aspirin or a tea made from the salicin found in the underbark of willow, poplar, and aspen trees.

Drug companies and most doctors will tell you this is a poor replacement for blood thinners, and they might be right in many cases.

There are, however, some lifestyle changes that might help.

- If your irregular heart rhythm occurs more often with certain activities, you may need to avoid those activities if possible.
- Don’t smoke.
- Cut back or quit alcohol consumption.
- Decrease all caffeine intake. Drink decaf coffee if you have it.
- Get better sleep. I’ll talk about something called sleep hygiene in a future video.
- Eat healthily including protein, fruits, and vegetables.
- Maintain a reasonable weight for your height and age.

I should note that There are stimulants in some cough and cold meds (Sudafed is one) that can worsen Afib. In normal times, make sure to ask your doctor what drugs you *can’t* take.

Another thing that’s important is the need to manage stress, as intense stress or anger issues can cause heart rhythm problems. Coping with your stress is important for your health in good times or bad. People with Afib are often anxious, depressed, or both. Scientists are still trying to figure out what came first, the Afib leading to anxiety or depression or vice versa.

Besides exercise and a good diet, some options that help deal with stress include:

- Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.
- Support from family and friends
- Regular physical activity
- And never underestimate the power of a positive attitude

“[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-212x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-scaled.jpg)

Here are some supplements that alternative healers suggest for Afib. They include:

- Fish oil
- Magnesium
- potassium
- taurine
- coenzyme Q10
- hawthorn berry
- and a Chinese herb called wenxin keli, officially approved by that country for Afib therapy. It’s the first state-sanctioned traditional Chinese medicine-based antiarrhythmic drug.

Treating chronic medical conditions is part and parcel of the duties and responsibilities of any caregiver in good times or bad. Take that to “heart,” survival medic.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Bone Contusions: Not Just A Bruise](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bone-contusions-not-just-a-bruise/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Burns, Afib, Avalanches, Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-burns-afib-avalanches-natural-remedies/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Heart Issues, Herbal Remedies, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** Afib, arrythmias, atrial fibrillation, heart problems, heart rhythm, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Bone Contusions: Not Just A Bruise](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bone-contusions-not-just-a-bruise/)

**Published:** April 8, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In the search for knowledge, the family medic will find many articles on trauma leading to bone fractures. All problematic bone injuries do not involve breaks, however: They may cause the formation, instead, of a **“bone contusion,”** better known as a **bone bruise**.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A BONE BRUISE?

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-2-1-235x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-2-1.jpg)

Bones are living tissue capable of suffering internal injury without obvious external signs. In bone bruises, the hard outer layer of the bone remains intact. It’s the spongy inner bone material (called **“trabecular bone”**) that is damaged, sometimes with the accumulation of inflammatory fluid or blood deep in the bone marrow. The superficial cover of the outer bone known as the “**periosteum**” may also be affected. The periosteum is a thin membrane of connective tissue that acts like a protective sheath. It provides support for bone growth and repair. (That’s all the anatomy for today).

Bone bruises ordinarily wouldn’t show up in an impressive way on x-ray like a fracture does. They are, admittedly, a step below an actual “broken bone.” That doesn’t mean they aren’t a big deal. The family medic in survival settings is likely to encounter them and must know how to handle it.

**CAUSES OF BONE CONTUSIONS**

Most, but not all, bone bruises affect the lower extremities (hip, knee, thigh bone, shin, ankle, etc.) but occasionally are seen in the spine or upper extremities. Common causes are collisions, falls, “twisting” injuries, repetitive stress on an area, or even collateral damage from ligament or cartilage trauma in, say, the knee. In fact, close to 80 percent of knee ligament damage involves bone bruising.

**SYMPTOMS OF BONE CONTUSIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shutterstock_2558358147-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shutterstock_2558358147-scaled.jpg)

Bone bruises often act like a really bad soft-tissue bruise, but pain is deeper and more persistent than you would expect from a regular bruise injury. The pain is worse when bearing weight on the injured limb. You’ll also see:

- Stiffness
- Loss of range of motion
- Discoloration like a standard bruise (nor always, however)
- Swelling

Dull aches from a bone contusion last longer than a typical soft tissue bruise, sometimes taking weeks before discomfort and skin changes fade away. Some patients complain of pain well after visible signs disappear.

**DIAGNOSIS OF BONE CONTUSIONS**

contusion vs fracture

In normal times, MRI or CT scans can identify a bone contusion better than an x-ray, but you won’t have any of these options off the grid. Bone bruises can hurt as much as minor fractures but generally allow better stability, especially near joints. Some severe contusions border on what are sometimes called microfractures, especially in the trabecular bone described above.

One way to identify a bone contusion versus a fracture is with two basic tools: a tuning fork and stethoscope. Strike the tuning fork (128 hertz will do) on a surface and then place on the bone below the level of the fracture (away from the torso). Then, place a stethoscope above the level of the fracture (closer to the torso). In a fracture, sound will be decreased compared to a contusion on intact bone. Compare with the opposite, uninjured side.

**TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF BONE CONTUSIONS**

Treatment is primarily conservative and focuses on protecting against further injury. For this, the classic **RICES protocol** is employed:

- **R**est: Avoid weight-bearing if at all possible.
- **I**ce: Apply cold packs to the injured area for 20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 48 hours.
- **C**ompression: Apply elastic wraps (not too tight) to decrease local swelling. Make sure that skin color in lower areas is not compromised.
- **E**levation: Elevate the injured limb 12 inches above the level of the heart.
- **S**tabilization: Immobilize to prevent further damage.

Other options include the use of over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen, physical therapy to improve stiffness, and, of course, rest. Food rich in calcium, protein, and vitamin D may help support the healing process. Surgical intervention is rarely necessary, good news for the survival medic.

**HOW LONG BEFORE A BONE BRUISE HEALS?**

Recovery time from a bone bruise varies, dependent on location and other factors, but typically is one to three months, but severe cases can take up to six months to fully heal. While often self-limited in nature, they require patience; rushing recovery can lead to worse outcomes.

**PREVENTION OF BONE CONTUSIONS**

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, Proper protective gear while exerting activities of daily survival is key. Strength training and balance work to reduce fall/injury risk. Avoid rapid progression in exercises like weight training.

Even if minor, bone bruises are part and parcel of the risks of trauma in survival settings. Know what to do and you’ll keep it together, even if everything else falls apart.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Faraday And His Cage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/faraday-and-his-cage/) 

 [Atrial Fibrillation Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/atrial-fibrillation-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** bone contusion, Bones and Joints, Crush injuries, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** bone bruise, bone bruise vs fracture, bone contusion, bone fracture, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Body Armor for the Prepared Citizen](https://www.doomandbloom.net/body-armor-for-the-prepared-citizen/)

**Published:** April 23, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We often discuss how to treat wounds caused by bullets or knives, but rarely talk about the prevention of penetrating trauma using body armor. Although a significant investment, body armor can be very effective in hostile environments where there are, for example, areas of civil unrest or, even worse, long-term collapse events. Knowing what kind of armor actually works (and how it works) can literally save your life.

Let’s discuss the different types of body armor, the materials used to make them, and exactly how each one protects the wearer. I’ll keep it practical, because in a crisis you don’t need a PhD in **ballistics**. For those who do want a deeper dive into [ballistic trauma, here’s one of my articles on the subject:](https://www.doomandbloom.net/basics-of-ballistic-trauma/)

**Soft Body Armor**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/body-armor-front-HR-272x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/body-armor-front-HR.jpg)

Every type of armor does the same basic job: it robs the projectile of its kinetic force before that energy reaches your vital organs. Soft armor does it by fiber deformation and friction.

For those seeking flexible protection against handgun threats, soft armor is the workhorse if you need to stay mobile. It’s made of multiple layers of high-strength synthetic fabrics—usually **aramid** fibers like **Kevlar** or **Twaron**, or **ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)** such as **Spectra** or **Dyneema**. These fibers are incredibly strong for their weight; pound for pound, they’re stronger than steel.

Here’s how soft armor works to protects you: When a bullet slams into the fabric, the fibers stretch like a net, spreading the bullet’s kinetic energy sideways through the weave instead of letting it punch straight through your chest. Think of it like a bowling ball landing on a trampoline. The bullet “mushrooms” and the energy is absorbed layer by layer until it stops.

The [**National Institute of Justice** **(NIJ)**](https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/equipment-and-technology/ballistic-resistance-body-armor-nij-standard-010107) rates soft armor by the rounds it stops. The classic ratings (version 0101.06):

**Level IIA:** Stops lower-velocity 9mm and .40 S&W rounds.

**Level II:** Handles higher-velocity 9mm and .357 Magnum.

**Level IIIA:** The gold standard for soft armor—stops, say, .44 Magnum.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeShirtFront-300x274.jpg)Concealed body armor](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeShirtFront.jpg)

Note: The NIJ now has [a new rating system (version 0101.07)](https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/equipment-and-technology/ballistic-resistance-body-armor-nij-standard-010107)) for handgun and rifle protection levels, explained towards the end below.

Soft armor is lightweight (often 5–8 pounds for a full vest), flexible enough to wear *under* street clothes, and relatively affordable. It has limits, however: It will not stop rifle rounds, and after a few hits the fibers can weaken.

Many vests have a shelf life even if they’ve never been shot. Heat, moisture, and UV light can degrade the fibers over time. Proper storage involves storing body armor flat or on a sturdy hanger in a cool, dry place.

**Hard Body Armor Plates**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shutterstock_12955618-civil-unrest-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shutterstock_12955618-civil-unrest.jpg)

When you need rifle-stopping power, you need hard plate body armor. These are comprised of rigid plates slipped into the carrier pockets of a tactical vest. Hard armor works by shattering, deforming, or eroding the bullet tip so it can’t punch through.

NIJ classic (version 0101.06) rating levels for hard plates are higher than soft armor:

**Level III:** Stops 7.62 FMJ (full metal jacket) and most common rifle rounds.

**Level IV:** The highest rifle rating; stops armor-piercing .30-06 rounds.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/hard-body-armor-300x293.png)hard ballistic vest, circa 2013](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/hard-body-armor.png)

There are various materials used in the manufacture of hard armor plates:

**Steel:** Inexpensive, multi-hit capable, but heavy (6–9 pounds per plate) and can “spall.” What’s that? That’s when there are tiny fragments from either the bullet or the armor that can cause injury. Should always be used in combination with a specialized liner or, at least, a trauma pad.

**Ceramic (alumina, silicon carbide, or boron carbide):** Lightweight at 4-7 pounds, shatters the bullet on impact so the energy is absorbed by the ceramic itself. Excellent against armor-piercing rounds when rated Level IV, but once a plate is cracked by a hit, that area is pretty much done.

**Composite/UHMWPE:** Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene plates are ultra-light. The plates deform the bullet without shattering. Great for multiple hits, but they can melt or lose effectiveness if, for example, left in a hot car.

A typical setup is a classic Level IIIA (Handgun 2) soft vest for handgun protection plus front and back classic Level IV (Rifle 3) plates for rifle threats. The total weight might be 20–30 pounds, but you’re getting real protection. The plate carrier also lets you carry medical supplies, magazines, and tools, gear you’ll wish you had when the you-know-what hits the fan.

**Hybrid and Specialty Armor**

Some manufacturers combine soft and hard elements in one vest. Others offer “special threat” plates rated for specific rounds like “green tip” penetrators. There are also stab- and spike-resistant vests made with tightly woven fabrics or chain-mail-like materials. These are especially useful for department of corrections officers and others similarly exposed.

I mentioned the importance of a trauma pad, the soft foam or gel inserts that go behind the plates. They reduces injury caused by something called “**backface deformation**.” This is the inward bulge that can break ribs or damage organs even if the bullet doesn’t penetrate. Some backface deformation might be inevitable, depending on the bullet and the type of armor used.

It’s important to know that body armor is never 100% foolproof. A bullet that hits at an angle may glance off. Multiple hits in the same spot can overwhelm even Level IV plates. Plus, armor does nothing for your head, neck, groin, or limbs unless you add a helmet, ballistic collar, or extremity armor; that’s a big weight penalty.

**NIJ Body Armor Rating: Version 0101.07**

The latest version of NIJ ratings is, for some, simpler. It replaces the Roman numeral system for a descriptive one, retires level IIA, and adds a level between classic levels III and IV.

- **HG1 (Handgun 1):** Replaces Level II. Protects against 9mm FMJ and .357 Magnum JSP.
- **HG2 (Handgun 2):** Replaces Level IIIA. Protects against 9mm FMJ and .44 Magnum JHP.
- **RF1 (Rifle 1):** Replaces Level III. Protects against 7.62mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, and 5.56mm NATO (M193).
- **RF2 (Rifle 2):** Intermediate level. Protects against RF1 threats plus 5.56mm M855 (green tip).
- **RF3 (Rifle 3):** Replaces Level IV. Protects against .30-06 Springfield armor-piercing (AP) rounds.

**Choosing What’s Right for You**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/body-armor-side-HR-300x282.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/body-armor-side-HR.jpg)

There are lots of choices, so which armor is right for your needs? Ask yourself three questions:

–**What threats am I most likely to face?** Handguns in urban unrest? Soft armor may work. Rifles in a full societal breakdown? Hard plates are the ticket.

–**How long do I need to wear it?** All day? If so, weight’s an issue.

–**Can I actually move, run, and help others while wearing it?** You really won’t know until you try it on.

A Level IIIA (HG2) concealed vest under your jacket might be perfect for everyday carry in uncertain times. A full plate carrier with Level IV (RF3) plates, however. is what you want when the grid goes dark and the environment gets hostile.

At the end of the day, body armor is like the tourniquet or chest seal in your medical kit: You (and I) hope you never need it, but you’ll sleep better knowing it’s there. In a world that seems increasingly unpredictable, the prepared citizen who understands both trauma care and ballistic protection is the one who, when things go south, will be most likely to make it home to their family at night**.**

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Body Armor Basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-body-armor-basics/) 

 [Video: Faraday: A Man, A Cage, And More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-faraday-a-man-a-cage-and-more/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, body armor, Civil Unrest, Crush injuries, Fractures, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** backface deformation, ballistic trauma, body armor, hard body armor, joe alton md, kevlar, kevlar vests, medical preparedness, NIJ body armor ratings, soft body armor, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Civil Unrest, Body Armor, Faraday, Bone Bruises](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-civil-unrest-body-armor-faraday-bone-bruises/)

**Published:** May 2, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the **Survival Medicine Podcast** with **Joe Alton MD** and **Amy Alton APRN**, Dr. Alton tells you what you need to know about a wide range of topics:

**Michael Faraday**, his cage, and other contributions that essentially changed our world

**Basics of body armor:** types, protection levels, and what would work for you

**Bone bruises:** how they differ from fractures and from regular old bruises

Secrets of avoiding injury or worse if cought in an area of **civil unrest**

and more! To listen in, click below:

## [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton APRN, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Hantavirus Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hantavirus-off-the-grid/) 

 [Video: Body Armor Basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-body-armor-basics/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, body armor, bone contusion, Bones and Joints, Civil Unrest, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Minor Wounds, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** body armor, bone bruises, bone contusions, civil unrest, electromagnetism, faraday cage, joe alton md, medical preparedness, michael faraday, protest safety, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Body Armor Basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-body-armor-basics/)

**Published:** April 29, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BODY-ARMOR-uses-types-DR-ALTON-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BODY-ARMOR-uses-types-DR-ALTON-scaled.jpg)

With its recent mention in the news as protective gear for a Secret Service agent, body armor deserves a discussion of its use in good times or bad. In this companion video to a recent article, Joe Alton MD gives his thoughts on body armor as a way of preserving life in hostile environments. Different types of armor, how they work, advantages, disadvantages, and more of what you need to know for this item that can save headaches and heartaches for the family medic.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids.jpg)Joe Alton MDHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Civil Unrest, Body Armor, Faraday, Bone Bruises](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-civil-unrest-body-armor-faraday-bone-bruises/) 

 [Body Armor for the Prepared Citizen](https://www.doomandbloom.net/body-armor-for-the-prepared-citizen/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, body armor, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** backface deformation, basics of body armor, body armor, handgun protection, joe alton md, medical preparedness, national institute of justice, rifle protection, soft body armor, spalling, steel armor plates, survival medicine, uhmwpe armor, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene armor

---

### [Faraday And His Cage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/faraday-and-his-cage/)

**Published:** April 11, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/michael-faraday-public-domain-227x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/michael-faraday-public-domain-scaled.jpg)Michael Faraday (1791-1867)Recently, Amy and I were roving in, of all places, Merrie Olde England. In a riverside park, we came upon, to our surprise, a statue of someone that every member of the preparedness community should know. His name was **Michael Faraday.**

**WHO WAS MICHAEL FARADAY?**

**Michael Faraday (1791–1867)** was one of the most influential scientists of the 19th century, a self-taught English physicist and chemist whose groundbreaking experiments laid the foundation for modern electromagnetism. Born into a poor family in South London, he began with little formal education as a bookbinder’s apprentice but rose to prominence through sheer curiosity and, later, his experiments at the Royal Institution in London.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/faraday-amy-270x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/faraday-amy-scaled.jpg)

Faraday’s key discoveries include**:**

**Electromagnetic induction:** the process by which a changing magnetic field produces an electric current (or voltage) in a conductor. This enabled the development of electric generators, motors, and transformers. Faraday’s inventions of electromagnetic rotary devices even formed the foundation of electric motor technology.

**The laws of electrolysis:** Leading to the production of colloidal silver and other ionic solutions.

**Benzene:** A very important organic compound found in vast numbers of products today, including plastics, detergents, dyes, adhesives, drugs, pesticides, explosives, It serves as a critical building block (precursor) in the chemical industry.

**Diamagnetism:** A fundamental property of all materials where they create a weak magnetic field that opposes an externally applied magnetic field. In other words, when you place a material in a magnetic field, it becomes very slightly magnetized in the opposite direction to the applied field. This results in a weak repulsive force.

**The Faraday Effect:** The rotation of polarized light in a magnetic field.

These breakthroughs established the concept of the electromagnetic field and directly influenced all future scientists to develop modern electrical engineering and physics. It was largely due to his efforts that electricity became practical for use in technology.

Faraday’s work on electricity and magnetism directly led to the invention that bears his name and of which all preparedness folk should be aware: the Faraday cage. In the early 1830s, using an ice pail as part of his equipment, Faraday observed that excess electric charge on a conductor always resides on its outer surface and has no effect on anything inside (thus protecting your modern electronics from **EMPs**).

**THE FARADAY CAGE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IbPjL-201x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IbPjL-scaled.jpg)

Faraday’s revelation stemmed from his broader research into static electricity and electrostatic induction. To test it dramatically, he constructed a 12-foot metal box covered in metal foil and mesh and insulated on glass supports. He fearlessly stepped inside and had high-voltage discharges from an electrostatic generator strike the exterior of the container, leaving him unharmed and proving that the cage completely shielded its interior. The year? Early 1836.

It was named the **Faraday Cage** and came to represent any enclosure made of conductive material (like metal mesh, solid metal sheets, or foil) that blocks external electromagnetic fields (EMF), radio waves (RF), Wi-Fi, cell signals, etc. It works by redistributing electric charges on its surface so that the interior remains shielded. Any properly constructed version—whether mesh, solid, large, or small—functions as a Faraday cage. A solid metal box, for example, is technically a type of Faraday cage.

This 1836 demonstration (sometimes recreated today with modern Tesla coils) showed that the cage works because free electrons in the conducting material rearrange themselves in response to an external electric field. The redistributed charges created an opposing internal field that exactly cancelled the external one, resulting in *zero* net electric field inside.

**AN EFFECTIVE FARADAY CAGE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/faraday-amy-270x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/faraday-amy-scaled.jpg)

A good cage redirects or absorbs the damaging electromagnetic energy so it doesn’t reach the devices inside. For static or low-frequency fields, this cancellation is pretty effective. For electromagnetic waves (like radio or microwaves) and broadband transient bursts like EMPs, the effect holds as long as the mesh holes are much smaller than the wavelength of the radiations.

Construction matters a lot. It must be continuous and well-sealed (no big gaps nor conductive gaskets on doors/seams). A loose aluminum foil wrap or a metal trash can with a loose lid often provides partial protection but can leak or even focus energy in some cases.

The idea of electrostatic shielding had precursors: For example, Benjamin Franklin and others noted related effects with charged conductors in the 18th century, but Faraday built the first practical, well-documented version. More importantly, he demonstrated its implications so clearly that it earned his name.

**MODERN FARADAY CAGES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Modern-stainless-steel-microwave-on-countertop-300x200.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Modern-stainless-steel-microwave-on-countertop-scaled.png)

Today, Faraday cages (or shields) are ubiquitous in technology and safety. Here are some common applications:

**Microwave ovens:** The metal mesh in the door and the conductive enclosure trap the microwaves inside, preventing them from escaping while allowing you to see the food.

**Vehicles and aircraft:** The metal body of a car or the conductive skin of an airplane acts as a Faraday cage, safely routing lightning strikes around occupants (if your plane gets hit by lightning, you’re generally protected).

**Sensitive measurements and labs:** In analytical instruments, Faraday cages block external electrical noise (like power-line hum) for more precise readings.

**Specialized tech:** MRI scanner rooms use them to isolate radio signals; elevators and some buildings create accidental “dead zones” for cell service; shielded cables reduce interference in electronics. Larger shielded rooms are standards for classified government and military communications.

Privacy and security: Yes, you heard right; devices exist that can attempt to read data from contactless credit cards while they’re still inside your wallet or pocket. These are known as portable **RFID or NFC skimmers** (sometimes called “electronic pickpocketing” tools) and can be countered with **“Faraday bags.”**

Faraday bags are fabric pouches lined with conductive materials. They block RFID skimming of credit cards/passports, prevent cell-phone tracking or remote wiping, and protect against data theft in secure environments.

So Faraday’s humble cage, born from curiosity about electricity as a “force”, now safeguards our hyper-connected world. From preventing kitchen radiation leaks to protecting fighter jets and forensic evidence, his work is a perfect example of how a simple principle discovered long ago continues to power (and protect) everything from power grids to personal privacy. Without Faraday’s experiments, our electrified modern life and the very devices we rely on simply wouldn’t exist.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/joe-interview-suit-cropped-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Faraday: A Man, A Cage, And More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-faraday-a-man-a-cage-and-more/) 

 [Bone Contusions: Not Just A Bruise](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bone-contusions-not-just-a-bruise/)

**Categories:** chemical warfare, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Radiation, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** benzene, diamagnetism, electrolysis, electromagnetism, faraday box, faraday cage, faraday effect, joe alton md, medical preparedness, michael faraday, survival medicine

---

### [Dental Abscesses In Off-Grid Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-abscesses-in-off-grid-settings/)

**Published:** March 22, 2019
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**DENTAL ABSCESSES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_1041635806-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_1041635806-scaled.jpg)

When a storm knocks out the power for a week, there may be medical emergencies. It’s unlikely, however, that the family medic will need to deal with a dental emergency. If a disaster disables the grid long term, though, the medically responsible person should have a plan of action when it comes to tooth issues. Dental problems are inevitable in any prolonged off-the-grid settings; one of the most dangerous are [tooth abscesses](https://ada.com/conditions/dental-abscess/).

**WHAT IS A TOOTH ABSCESS?**

An abscess is a collection of pus caused by an infection in or around a tooth. It is comprised of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and debris, all casualties in the (losing) battle your immune system waged against infection. In most cases, the pus accumulates at the base of the root.

Bacteria enters a tooth through a defect in the tough outer covering called the enamel. This defect occurs due a broken tooth, decay (cavities) or damage to the gums.

In the case of decay, the enamel is eroded. This allows access for bacteria to invade soft inner layers like the dentin and pulp. Once the pulp is infected with bacteria, the nerves in the tooth become inflamed. The inflammation leads to what we commonly call “toothache”. If the inflammation isn’t treated, it can cause damage to the nerve that leads to an abscess. This type of abscess is called “[periapical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodontal_abscess)” and usually indicates that the tooth is no longer viable.

When severe gum disease lead to an accumulation of pus, it is called a “[periodontal” abscess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodontal_abscess). In this case, the infection started alongside a tooth rather than in it. This means that the tooth involved may not be badly damaged, although the nearby bone might be.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TOOTH ABSCESSES**

It’s important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess. They include:

- Pain, often throbbing in nature and radiating to nearby structures, like the jaw
- Sensitivity of the tooth to cold and heat
- Sensitivity to pressure from chewing or simply pressing or tapping on the affected tooth
- Fever
- Swelling of the face
- Foul breath
- Gum inflammation
- Appearance of a “whitehead” at the site of the abscess
- Difficulty swallowing or even breathing (severe cases)

A tooth with rotting pulp may become dark in color without necessarily manifesting any of the above.

**WHAT TO DO FOR A TOOTH ABSCESS**

The discomfort from a [tooth abscess](https://www.emedicinehealth.com/dental_abscess/article_em.htm#what_are_the_symptoms_and_signs_of_a_dental_abscess) may be so severe that work efficiency is affected, something that may threaten the survival of a family unit or small group. If a long-term event is the cause for lack of access to modern dentistry, the family medic will have to determine a course of action for their patient.

Dental abscesses today are treated by several means, depending on the situation. Some of these are options for the medic off the grid, and some aren’t:

**Antibiotics:** Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed, especially if the infection has spread past the abscess to the jaw. Drugs in the penicillin or tetracycline family are most commonly used. This may be effective to “cool” a mild local infection and is useful to prevent an infection from spreading, but it rarely gets rid of an abscess. An abscess tends to wall itself off in such a way that oral antibiotics can’t reach it. Antibiotics may be helpful, however, in combination with some of the other treatments on this list.

**Incision and drainage:** Performing an incision and drainage procedure with a #11 or #15 scalpel and lots of irrigation is usually necessary to drain an abscess. The patient will usually feel immediate relief from the pressure caused by the collection of pus. Thoroughly irrigating the abscessed area with salt water solution will clean out bacteria and debris. Sometimes, a small Penrose or rubber drain is cut to fit and placed to help continue drainage after the procedure. This method is most effective with periodontal abscesses. With periapical abscesses, it likely won’t save a tooth due to the badly damaged nerve.

**Extraction:** In the past, 90% of dental emergencies were dealt with by extracting the tooth. I don’t mean Roman times, I mean just 60-70 years ago or so. If all the methods used to save teeth aren’t available, this is what the medic may have to rely on as definitive treatment for teeth damaged by abscesses.

(Note: This procedure is discussed in detail in our book “**The Survival Medicine Handbook” (Third Edition**) and also in the book “Where There is No Dentist”, which comes as a complementary gift with Nurse Amy’s Dental Kit)

**Root canal:** Modern dentistry’s most likely way to save a tooth. A specialist known as an “endodontist” drills into your tooth and cleans the dead or damaged pulp from the canals that contain it. A seal or seals are then applied to close any empty spaces. This is then closed with a filling or a crown. This option will not be available, of course, in any remote, austere, or post-disaster scenario.

While healing, suggest warm salt water gargles and ibuprofen or other pain medication for discomfort.

**{Fun Fact** (well, not so much fun): Do you know why dentists remove wisdom teeth? Because they are particularly prone to developing abscesses because they’re hard to reach when brushing. Decay tends to be found late in the process, increasing the chance for abscess formation.**}**

**PREVENTION OF TOOTH ABSCESSES**

To best prevent tooth abscesses, you should identify family or group members with the following risk factors and correct/control/eliminate them when possible:

- Poor dental hygiene habits (brush and floss!)
- Smoking (stop!)
- Previous dental procedures
- Medical conditions (diabetes, gastric reflux, weakened immune systems)
- A diet high in sugar (don’t feed the bacteria!)
- Dry mouth (often seen in the elderly)
- Certain medications (steroids and others)
- Previous dental procedures

A number of people have the tendency to gnash or grind their teeth together. This is known as “**bruxism**” and can cause trauma that leads to a dental abscess. A mouthpiece to provide a barrier between the teeth may be useful, even if it is just a pink eraser you had when you were a kid. For night-time “bruxxers”, however, a special mouthpiece is used.

In future articles, we’ll discuss the how-tos on how to save broken or knocked-out teeth (if possible), replace lost fillings, fasten loose crowns, and deal with other dental problems off the grid.

Joe Alton MD

(I am not a dentist, just an old retired country doctor. Wherever modern dental care exists, seek it out.)

For more information on dental issues in disaster settings, check out the award-winning [Survival Medicine Handbook on Amazon! ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R39N98OJCW51M8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0988872552&linkCode=ll2&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=567e07ca7e26a2ae0fe66e9e276af83b&language=en_US)

And don’t forget to check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)!

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512-300x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Dental Issues, ThePrepared Editors, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-dental-issues-theprepared-editors-more/) 

 [VIDEO: Creating An Epidemic Sick Room](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-creating-an-epidemic-sick-room/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** bruxism, dental abscess, joe alton md, medical preparedness, periapical abscess, periodontal abscess, survival medicine, tooth abscess

---

### [Basics of Ballistic Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/basics-of-ballistic-trauma/)

**Published:** November 24, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/StephJungleGun-280x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/StephJungleGun.jpg)

[Ballistics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_trauma "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_trauma") is the science that deals with the launching, flight, behavior, and effects of projectiles. A **projectile** can include anything that can be launched by physical or mechanical means, such as a rock, baseball, spear, arrow, bullet, or missile. In this article, we will discuss basic of [ballistic trauma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_trauma "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_trauma"), mostly as caused from small arms fire.

Knowledge of the trauma caused by bullets is not only useful in extreme survival scenarios or on the battlefield, but also for hunters and those in law enforcement. It is also very useful for the medic to understand the type of injury they may be called upon to treat.

High-velocity projectile damage as caused by a bullet is, as you might imagine, much greater than low-velocity damage caused by, say, a knife wound. This damage depends on the amount of energy the projectile possesses due to its motion. In physics, this is referred to as [**kinetic energy**](https://www.eschooltoday.com/energy/kinds-of-energy/what-is-kinetic-energy.html "https://www.eschooltoday.com/energy/kinds-of-energy/what-is-kinetic-energy.html"). It follows the formula:

**Kinetic Energy = mass of the projectile times its velocity squared, then divided by 2. or:**

### **KE = mv squared/2**

The “square” of a number is the number multiplied by itself, for example, the square of 2 is 2 x 2, or 4. Because of this, you can see from the formula that the velocity, or speed, of the projectile is more important in the causing of damage than its weight, or mass.

As a missile passes through tissue, it decelerates, transferring all of this kinetic energy to living tissue. The result is a traumatic wound caused by several methods:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_1335830291-cavitation-ballistic-trauma-300x161.jpg)permanent ane temporary cavitation](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_1335830291-cavitation-ballistic-trauma-scaled.jpg)

• **Permanent Cavitation:** the path permanently left by the projectile. Essentially, this is the bullet hole and the channel caused by its traverse through the body.

• **Temporary Cavitation:** A wider shock wave which crushes tissues beyond the actual path of the bullet. This is caused by the dissipation of kinetic energy as the missile decelerates when it meets resistance. Although various organs have differing elasticities, the shock wave surpasses the tissue’s ability to absorb the energy involved, causing damage.

• **Deformation:** As the bullet enters the body, it may deform, increasing its diameter and the cavity it causes, often at the expense of penetration depth. Hollow point bullets are an example of projectiles that are meant to deform (“mushroom”) as they travel through the body.

• **Yaw:** Yaw refers to the rotation of the nose of the bullet away from the line of flight. A short, high velocity bullet begins to yaw more severely and turn upon entering tissue. This causes a larger temporary cavitation and more tissue to be violently displaced.

• **Fragmentation:** Bullets may fragment as they travel through the body. This causes multiple cavitation channels, both permanent and temporary. Some bullets are specifically designed to fragment for this very purpose.

Don’t forget to wear eye- and ear-protection whenever you’re at the range!

In future articles, we’ll discuss the different ballistic trauma characteristics of rifle, handgun, and shotgun wounds, as well as basics of treating these wounds. To see the supplies that Nurse Amy feels are important for the medic in these situations, check out her comprehensive video below:

Joe Alton, M.D.

[![JoeAltonLibrary4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-274x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Fats You Should Eat](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fats-you-should-eat/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Food,Water,Hand Decontamination, more](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-foodwaterhand-decontamination-more/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** ballistic trauma, ballistics, bullet wounds, cavitation, deformation, fragmentation, hollow points, kinetic energy, medical preparedness, permanent cavitation, survival medicine, temporary cavitation, terminal ballistics, yaw

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Burns, Afib, Avalanches, Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-burns-afib-avalanches-natural-remedies/)

**Published:** March 13, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss the topic of burns in austere settings. What to do in situations where modern help is not an option and you have limited supplies. Dr. Alton, aka Dr. Bones, tells you what you need to know. Plus, natural remedies for burn treatment.

Plus, the medic in survival setting may have to deal with chronic problems like atrial fibrillation, a heart condition with serious risks. What is it and what can be done? Finally, Spring is almost here, which means the snowpack is melting and avalanche risks are high. How do you survive one? Dr. Joe Alton tells you how to improve your chances of getting out of there in one piece.

All this and more in the later Survival Medicine Podcast!

To listen in, click below:

# [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Atrial Fibrillation Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/atrial-fibrillation-off-the-grid/) 

 [Glowlights As A Survival Tool](https://www.doomandbloom.net/glowlights-as-a-survival-tool/)

**Categories:** avalanche, Burns, Chronic Illness, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Landslides, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Uncategorized

**Tags:** Afib, atrial fibrillation, avalanche safety, avalanches, burn treatment, burns, joe alton md, medical preparedness, natural burn remedies, survival medicine

---

### [Video Short: Glowlights](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-short-glowlights/)

**Published:** March 7, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

Injuries in survival settings don’t all occur in the middle of the day. There may be times when the family medic may be called to deal with issues at night. Therefore, light sources are always useful as part of any off-grid medical kit. In this video short, Nurse Amy discusses the Glowlight as a tool in the medical woodshed…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy Alton, APRN

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/amy-alton-medic-preparedness.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/amy-alton-medic-preparedness.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Glowlights As A Survival Tool](https://www.doomandbloom.net/glowlights-as-a-survival-tool/) 

 [Video: A Useful Burn Dressing](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-useful-burn-dressing/)

**Categories:** First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** accumulate medical supplies, amy alton aprn, Glowlight, joe alton md, light sources, medical preparedness, medical supplies, survival medicine

---

### [Video: A Useful Burn Dressing](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-useful-burn-dressing/)

**Published:** March 2, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

A popular dressing used for certain second-degree burns is called “Xeroform” and is a useful addition to your medical kit. In this video, Dr. Joe Alton discusses this item and how to improvise them in survival settings.
To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD
[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video Short: Glowlights](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-short-glowlights/) 

 [Video: Avalanche Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-avalanche-survival/)

**Categories:** Burns, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Minor Wounds, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** burn treatment, burns, improvised burn dressing, off-grid medicine, second degree burns, xeroform, xeroform dressing

---

### [Video: Avalanche Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-avalanche-survival/)

**Published:** March 2, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

Snowpacks can get unstable in late winter, so, In response to the recent avalanche events, including the one that took nine lives, Dr. Joe Alton has added a companion video on avalanche survival for our backcountry hikers and skiers.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: A Useful Burn Dressing](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-useful-burn-dressing/) 

 [Video: Falls Through The Ice, Parts 1 & 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-falls-through-the-ice-parts-1-2/)

**Categories:** avalanche, Cold-related illness and injury, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Injuries, Landslides, Mass Casualties, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** avalanche, avalanche safety, avalanche survival, joe alton md, medical preparedness, preparedness, snowslides, survival medicine, winter safety, winter survival

---

### [Video: Falls Through The Ice, Parts 1 & 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-falls-through-the-ice-parts-1-2/)

**Published:** February 23, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

In these two short companion videos to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton steps before the camera to discuss what happens in a fall through frozen lake ice, and what you can do to increase your chance of surviving the event.

To watch both part 1 and part 2, click below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Avalanche Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-avalanche-survival/) 

 [Survive An Avalanche](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survive-an-avalanche/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** 1-10-1 principle, cold water exposure, fall through the ice, frozen lake, gasp reflex, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survive An Avalanche](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survive-an-avalanche/)

**Published:** February 19, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_17964235-avalanche-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_17964235-avalanche-scaled.jpg)

Winter is still with us, and one of many risks of backcountry hiking or skiing in cold weather is an avalanche. Recently a group of skiers were caught in one near[ Lake Tahoe](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/article/lake-tahoe-avalanche-8-backcountry-skiers-found-dead-1-missing-184727020.html). At least eight perished in the disaster. An [avalanche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalanche), also called a “snowslide”, is a mass of snow, ice, and debris sliding rapidly down a mountainside, and is a risk to any winter hiker. Just as a snowball rolling down a hill picks up more snow as it goes, an avalanche can achieve significantly more volume and mass as it travels.

Although they rarely make the news, avalanches cause an average of 28 deaths a year. Snowslides are part and parcel of the winter wilderness experience, and it pays to know what to do if you’re caught in one. If you’re not prepared to deal with issues associated with your environment, you have made it your enemy. Learning how to survive is not just for skiers or backcountry hikers; anyone driving on mountain roads in winter could get in caught in an avalanche if not prepared. This event may seem like a rare occurrence, but it happens more often than you’d think.

Avalanches may be caused by simple gravity, a major snowfall, seismic tremors, or human activity. The speed and force of an avalanche may depend on whether the snow is “wet” or “dry powder.” Powder snow avalanches may reach speeds of 190 miles per hour. Wet slides travel slower, but with a great deal of force due to the density of the snowpack.

### **What Kills An Avalanche Victim?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/shutterstock_88477075-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/shutterstock_88477075.jpg)

You might assume that the main cause of death associated with avalanches is freezing to death. There are other ways, however, that are *more* likely to end the life of an avalanche victim:

**Trauma:** Serious injury is not uncommon in an avalanche, and not just due to the weight of the snow. Debris, such as rocks, branches, and even entire trees, can be carried along in the cascade and cause life-ending traumatic wounds.

**Suffocation:** When buried in the snow, asphyxiation is a major risk. Densely packed snow is like concrete; many victims may find themselves immobilized and unable to dig themselves out of trouble.

**Hypothermia:** Hypothermia (freezing to death) is, surprisingly, the cause of death of only a small percentage of avalanche victims. It’s much more likely that they will perish due to traumatic injury or suffocation before they freeze to death.

Factors involved in deciding your fate include:

- The density of the snowpack
- The presence of air pockets for breathing (or the lack of them)
- The position of the body in the snow (if not upright, you’ll be disoriented)
- Traumatic injuries sustained
- The availability of rescue equipment at the scene

### **Important Avalanche Survival Basics and Equipment**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1362263459-300x187.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1362263459.jpg)

On any wilderness outing, it makes sense to go prepared. Appropriately warm clothing for the weather is, of course, a basic concern in winter. Food, water, heat packs, spare dry clothing, and a cell phone are just some of the items you should take with you if you’re attempting a mountain hike in January.

Most backcountry expeditions are best attempted in a group. That goes for avalanche country, as well, but be sure to space yourselves out far enough so that there’s not too much weight on any one area of snow. If a member of your party is buried in the snow, know that you have to act quickly to find them and dig them out. It’s unlikely that going for help will end in a successful rescue. Therefore, it’s especially important to have some specialized items in avalanche country.

Recommended gear (besides warm clothing) would include:

**An avalanche beacon**: A device that emits a [pulsed radio signa](https://www.thebackcountry.com/black-diamond-gudie-avy-safety-set.html)l. Everyone in the group carries one. If a member gets buried in an avalanche, the rest of the party picks up the signal from under the snow. The receivers interpret the signal into a display that aids the search.

**An avalanche shovel:**  Lightweight short [aluminum shovels](https://www.thebackcountry.com/black-diamond-gudie-avy-safety-set.html) that fit inside your backpack and help chop and remove snow and debris on top of a buried hiker. These shovels usually have telescoping shafts. Shovels with D-shaped grips can be used with mittens.

**An avalanche probe:** Essentially, a stick that helps you pinpoint the exact location of an avalanche victim and see how far down he/she is. Six feet (2 meters) or more in length, you can use [the probe](https://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/bca-stealth-270) to tell a victim under the snow from the ground; the victim will feel “softer”.

**A helmet:** Many fatalities occur due to head trauma from rocks and debris flung around by the snow.

**Skier’s Air Bags:** These [brightly colored air bags](https://www.rei.com/product/238302/backcountry-access-float-12-avalanche-airbag-pack) auto-inflate with a trigger; they work like a lifejacket to keep you buoyant and, therefore, closer to the surface and easier to find.

### **What To Do As The Avalanche Starts**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Image-55-As-The-Avalanche-Begins-drawing-man-falling-in-snow-and-rocks-300x212.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Image-55-As-The-Avalanche-Begins-drawing-man-falling-in-snow-and-rocks-scaled.jpg)

The grand majority of avalanches in recreational settings are triggered by the victim. To survive, quick thinking and rapid action will be needed:

**Yell:** Let everyone in your group know that you’re in trouble. At the very start of the slide, wave your arms and shout as loud as you can to alert as many people as possible to your location.

**Move.** If you started the avalanche, you may notice a crevice forming in the snow. Jump uphill of it quickly and you might not get carried off. If this isn’t an option, run sideways as fast as you can away from the center of the event, which is where the snow will be moving fastest and with the most force.

**Get Lighter.** Heavier objects sink in snow, so jettison unnecessary heavy equipment so that you’ll be closer to the surface. Throwing off something light isn’t a bad idea either: A loose glove or hat on top of the snow could signal rescuers to your general location and save precious time. Deploy your avalanche air bag if you have one.

**Hug a tree (or rock)**. If the avalanche is relatively small, you could grab the nearest immobile object and hold on for dear life. In a very large avalanche, trees and rocks may not be safe anchors; trees can be uprooted by the force of the snowslide.

**Swim!** To survive an avalanche, the key is to stay as close to the top of the snow as possible. Increase your surface area by spreading your legs (feet downhill) and raising your hands. While in this position, swing your arms while trying to stay on your back (it’s easier to breathe if face up), similar to swimming backstroke. Meanwhile, try to dig your heels into the snow pack. With any luck, this strategy will keep you towards the surface of the snow.

### **What To Do If You’re Buried In The Snow**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1236463897-avalanche-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/shutterstock_1236463897-avalanche-scaled.jpg)

You did your best, but still got completely buried in the snow. You’ve got maybe 15-30 minutes, on average, before you suffocate. Snow may be porous, but warm breath melts the snow which then refreezes as solid ice. This makes breathing difficult.

As the avalanche slows: The larger the air pocket you have, the longer you’ll survive. As the snowslide slows to a stop, put one arm in front of your face in such a way as to form a space that will give you the most air. If possible, raise the other arm straight up toward the avalanche surface. Your glove might signal your location to rescuers. Expand your chest by inhaling deeply so that you have more room to breathe once the snow has settled.

Once buried: Once you are completely buried, the snowpack may be so dense as to prevent you from moving. Stay calm in order to use up less oxygen. If you’re not sure which way is up, spit. The spit will go towards the ground due to gravity. If you can move, work to make a bigger air pocket in the direction of the surface.

You’ll only have a second or two to act to avoid most avalanches. Rapid action, and some basic rescue equipment, may prevent you from being the harsh winter’s latest victim.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1352-scaled-e1764175137111-275x300.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1352-scaled-e1764175137111.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Falls Through The Ice, Parts 1 & 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-falls-through-the-ice-parts-1-2/) 

 [Falls Through Ice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/falls-through-ice/)

**Categories:** avalanche, Cold-related illness and injury, Crush injuries, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Landslides, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Uncategorized

**Tags:** avalanch, avalanche, avalanche safety, avalanche supplies, avalanche survival, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, survive an avalanche

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dislocations, Frostbite, Fall Injuries, Vision Defects, Sprain vs Fracture, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dislocations-frostbite-fall-injuries-vision-defects-sprain-vs-fracture-more/)

**Published:** February 9, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this wide-ranging episode of the **Survival Medicine Podcast** with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton, Dr. Alton discusses orthopedic and other injuries that can occur as a result of a fall. Shoulder dislocations, sprains vs. fractures, and traumatic brain injuries are highlighted. Also, all about vision defects, and what can be done to increase survival changes for those that have them.

Plus, winter isn’t over, and cold-related injuries such as frostbite and immersion (trench) foot are seen in ERs throughout the areas in the U.S. that experience extreme cold. Learn how to recognize and treat these conditions off the grid.

To Listen in, Click Below:

## **https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Falls Through Ice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/falls-through-ice/) 

 [Frostbite And Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-and-immersion-foot/)

**Categories:** Bones and Joints, Cold-related illness and injury, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Eye Issues, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, astigmatism, frostbite, hyperopia, immersion foot, joe alton md, medical preparedness, myopia, shoulder dislocation, sprain vs fracture, survival medicine, traumatic brain injury, vision defects

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ballistics, Eye Trauma, Winter Car Kit, Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ballistics-eye-trauma-winter-car-kit-influenza/)

**Published:** January 17, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy switch roles in the intro, with hilarious results. Seriously, Dr. Alton talks about basics of ballistic trauma. It’s more than just a hole where it enters, a lot more is happening here. Also, eye injuries like foreign objects and corneal abrasions, how do you deal with these off the grid?

Plus, it’s a pretty bad flu season, and there’s a lot you can do to decrease the risk of getting it and keeping it mild. Dr. Bones tells you what you should do. Finally, what does the well-dressed winter car kit look like?

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton.

To listen in, click below:

## **[https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton, APRN,aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Blizzards: When The Power Goes Out](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blizzards-when-the-power-goes-out/) 

 [Trauma: Dealing With/Preventing Falls](https://www.doomandbloom.net/trauma-dealing-with-preventing-falls/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Iinfluenza, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, ballistic trauma, ballistics, corneal abrasion, disaster medical preparedness, eye trauma, flu, foreign object in the eye, Influenza, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival, survival medicine, winter car kit, winter car survival

---

### [Trauma: Dealing With/Preventing Falls](https://www.doomandbloom.net/trauma-dealing-with-preventing-falls/)

**Published:** January 13, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Recently, I was on a ladder when I lost my balance and almost had a very bad fall. Although I dodged a bullet that time, “old man” problems are beginning to mount up and it made me think about the trauma associated with falls and how best to prevent it.

Emergency departments are often faced with the management of fall victims, which accounted for three million ER visits in 2021. You might also be surprised to learn that falls among adults 65 and older caused over 38,000 deaths that year, making it a leading cause of trauma mortality in that age group.

The elderly can easily hurt themselves in falls, not just from heights, but from walking on the ground due to losing balance or consciousness. This may strike the young, healthy medic as unlikely, but many medicines for chronic illness have dizziness and loss of balance as a side effect. It’s important to have a strategy to decrease the risk of falls.

**Dealing With A Fall**

In normal times, if you witness a fall and there’s an injury or the victim is unresponsive:

- Call 911 immediately.
- Check for breathing. If not breathing and you’re trained, start CPR
- Do not move the victim, especially if they hit their head or complain of neck/back pain.
- Keep them still, warm, and comfortable, placing a blanket or clothing over them to stay warm.
- Apply pressure to any bleeding wounds with a clean cloth (and gloves, if you have them), but avoid pressure if you suspect a head fracture.

If the person is awake, alert, and wants to get up:

- Stay calm and reassure them, they’ll probably be anxious.
- If possible, bring a sturdy chair and place it in front of them.
- Help them slowly get to a kneeling position on the chair.
- Guide them to sit back into the chair using their arms and legs. Don’t manhandle them.
- Once seated, check for pain or injuries.
- Offer a drink or snack if they seem dizzy but are otherwise alert.
- Call their doctor even if no serious injury seems apparent.

**FALL PREVENTION**

Fall injuries are treated like other (usually) blunt trauma, [which I have written about in the past.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blunt-trauma/) It’s even more important to improvise strategies to *prevent* falls. Some is going to be common sense, like wearing reasonable shoes. Sporting high heels, shoes with slick soles, or walking around in socks on smooth floors can be a big mistake. Wear properly fitting, sturdy, flat shoes with nonskid soles. Other strategies:

**Scan The Home For Hazards**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FoodStorageSmall-272x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FoodStorageSmall.jpg)

A serious look around your home can identify a surprising number of hazards. Consider:

Removing obstacles from areas of high traffic in the house. That obstacle may be just a kid’s toy, but can include problematic furniture like coffee tables.

Remove loose area rugs or secure them with double-faced tape or a slip-resistant backing .

Repair loose, wooden floorboards and areas of wall-to-wall carpeting.

Store clothing, dishes, food and other daily necessities within easy reach. Decrease the need to use ladders or stepstools.

If there’s a spill, don’t wait for it to dry. Immediately clean it up.

Add nonslip mats in the bathtub or shower. If there’s space, use a bath seat to sit while showering or remodel the shower to accommodate older folks.

**Add More Lighting**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/head-lamp-300x139.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/head-lamp-scaled.jpg)

Some people prefer to keep the home dark, but this can be a recipe for a fall. Keep the place brightly lit to avoid tripping.

Place night lights in the bedroom, bathroom and hallways.

Keep a lamp within easy reach of your bed, perhaps on a small table.

If your light switches are right at the room entrance, clear a path to them.

Consider glow-in-the-dark or illuminated light switches.

Turn on the lights before going up or down stairs.

Store flashlights in easy-to-find places (maybe that night table) in case of power outages.

**Consider Medical Assistance Devices**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/PlasticBagToilet1-291x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/PlasticBagToilet1.jpg)

Although some find them embarrassing, canes, or walkers keep you steadier and help prevent serious injury from falls. Other assistive devices can help, such as:

- Handrails for both sides of stairways or automatic chairlifts.
- Nonslip treads for bare-wood steps
- A higher toilet seat
- Handrails in the shower and by the toilet.
- Hand-held shower nozzles (easier for bathing sitting down)

**Physical Fitness**

If you’re on a lot of meds and have noticed some dizziness, numbness, or balance issues, make sure to discuss them with your health provider. Lot of drugs increase the risk of falls. An occupational therapist can help you brainstorm fall prevention strategies.

Speaking about therapy, physical activity can strengthen muscles needed to keep your walk steady. Even gentle exercise like Tai Chi or water exercise (sometimes available through your municipality) reduce the risk of falls and improve balance, flexibility, and coordination as well.

None of us likes getting older, but physical changes, health conditions, and the meds to treat them, make falls more likely. Realize this and be serious about making the home safer. Having seen elderly relatives take nasty falls, you won’t regret making changes to avoid them.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ballistics, Eye Trauma, Winter Car Kit, Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ballistics-eye-trauma-winter-car-kit-influenza/) 

 [This Year's Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/this-years-influenza/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury

**Tags:** fall prevention, fall prevention strategies, falls, injuries, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, trauma from falls

---

### [Surviving in Cold Water](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-in-cold-water/)

**Published:** January 9, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_90110446-hypothermia-man-in-ice-water-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_90110446-hypothermia-man-in-ice-water.jpg)**

It’s winter, and mishaps can occur that lead us to a discussion about **surviving in cold water**. Whether a boat capsizes or you fall through the ice, you can get into trouble quickly if you don’t know what to do. Water doesn’t have to be extremely cold to cause [**hypothermia**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/"). Any water that’s cooler than normal body temperature will cause heat loss. You could die of hypothermia floating in a life vest off a tropical coast if immersed long enough.

In the event that you find yourself in cold water, you’ll need to have a strategy that will keep you alive until you’re rescued. Most, if not all, of your body surface will be exposed in an immersion event; you could succumb to exposure in a very short time. Consider all the people who fell into the water when the Titanic sank. Within 15 minutes, most of them were most likely beyond medical help. First, we’ll talk about falling into the water when your boat capsizes, and then we’ll talk about falling through the ice during a winter hike.

**SURVIVING IN COLD WATER**

To increase your chances of survival in cold water, do the following:

- **WEAR A LIFE JACKET.**  Whenever you’re on a boat, wear a life jacket. A life jacket can help you stay alive longer by enabling you to float without using a lot of energy and by providing some insulation. The life jackets with built-in whistles are best, so you can signal that you’re in distress.
- **KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON.** While you’re in the water, don’t remove your clothing. Button or zip up. Cover your head if at all possible. The layer of water between your clothing and your body is slightly warmer and will help insulate you from the cold. Remove your clothing only after you’re safely out of the water and then do whatever you can to get dry and warm.
- **GET AS MUCH OF YOUR BODY OUT OF THE WATER AS POSSIBLE.** The less percentage of your body exposed to cold, the less heat you will lose. Climbing onto a capsized boat or grabbing onto a floating object will increase your chances of survival, even if you can only partially get out of the water. However, don’t use up energy swimming unless you have a dry place to swim to. Note: If you saw the movie “Titanic”, you know that the girl survived by climbing onto some debris. There was no room for the boy, who subsequently perished.

- **POSITION YOUR BODY TO LESSEN HEAT LOSS.** Use a body position known as the **H**eat **E**scape **L**essening **P**osition or **P**osture (think **H.E.L.P.)** to reduce heat loss while you wait for help to arrive. Just hold your knees to your chest; this will help protect your torso (the body core) from heat loss.
- **HUDDLE TOGETHER.** If you’ve fallen into cold water with others, keep warm by facing each other in a tight circle and holding on to each other.

**FALLING THROUGH THE ICE**

What if you’re hiking in the wilderness and that snow field turns out to be the icy surface of a lake? Whenever you’re out in the wild, it makes sense to take a change of clothes in a waterproof container so that you’ll have something dry to wear if the clothes you’re wearing get wet. Also have a fire starter that will work even when wet.

You might be able to identify weak areas in the ice. If a thin area of ice on a lake is covered with snow, it tends to look darker than the surrounding area. Interestingly, thin areas of bare ice without snow appear lighter. Beware of areas of contrasting color as you’re walking.

**KEEP CALM**: Your body will react to the sudden immersion in cold water by an increased pulse rate, blood pressure, and respirations. Although it won’t be easy, make every effort to keep calm. You have a few minutes to get out before you succumb to the effects of the cold. Panic is your enemy.

**GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE WATER:** This is best accomplished by breathing in and bending backward. Tread water and quickly turn your body in the direction of where you came from; you know the ice was strong enough to hold you there.

**GET RID OF HEAVY OBJECTS THAT WEIGH YOU DOWN**:  The more you weigh, the harder it will be to get your body out of the water.

**TRY TO LIFT UP OUT OF THE ICE:** Place your arms on the ice spread widely apart in front of you. Kick with your feet to give you some forward momentum and try to get more of your body out of the water. Lift a leg onto the ice and then lift and ***roll*** out onto the firmer surface.

**DO NOT STAND UP!** Keep rolling in the direction that you were walking before you feel through. This will spread your weight out, instead of concentrating it on your feet. Then crawl away until you’re sure you’re safe.

**START WORKING TO GET WARM IMMEDIATELY**. If possible, get out of wet clothes. Having spare clothes available in a hiking partner’s backpack is an important consideration.

I would like to mention a brand new item that would be helpful for falls through the ice or avalanche protection. An air bag accessory is now available for those who are traveling in snow country. It can be easily deployed to achieve buoyancy in the water or to help prevent from being deeply buried in the snow. Upon burial in an avalanche, hypothermia will set in quickly.  The air bag causes the victim to become a larger object; these seem to stay towards the top of the snow in avalanches.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones the Disaster Doctor

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Ginger and Asthma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ginger-and-asthma/) 

 [Frostbite and Immersion (Trench) Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-immersion-foot/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** boat capsizing, cold water safety, cold water survival, disaster medicine, doom and bloom, fall through the ice, H.E.L.P. position, Huddle, hypothermia, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, Eye Infection, Fallout, Immune Boosts, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-eye-infection-fallout-immune-boosts-more/)

**Published:** January 2, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this expanded episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss wide-ranging medical topics, including how to avoid radiation sickness and the good news(?) about nuclear war: You might just survive it (I guess that’s good news), Plus, some strategies on how to boost immunity in both normal or troubled times. Dr. Alton also discusses how to deal with eye infections off the grid, definitely something that the family medic will face in good times or bad. And winter is most definitely here, and even in Florida, some pretty cold weather could possibly cause a condition called hypothermia. Dr. Bones discusses general hypothermia and how to deal with it with limited supplies in austere settings.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_166836944-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_166836944-scaled.jpg)

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy! To listen in, click below:

### [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Here’s wishing you the best of health!

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ballistics, Eye Trauma, Winter Car Kit, Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ballistics-eye-trauma-winter-car-kit-influenza/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Treating Chest Trauma, Collapsed Lungs, Rib Fractures, Plus: More Essential Oils](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-treating-chest-trauma-collapsed-lungs-rib-fractures-plus-more-essential-oils/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, boosting immunity, cold-related injury, conjunctivitis, exposure, eye infections, fallout, frostbite, hypothermia, immune boost, joe alton md, medical preparedness, radiation, radiation sickness, sleep hygiene, survival medicine

---

### [Hypothermia 2026](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-2026/)

**Published:** January 1, 2026
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_166836944-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/shutterstock_166836944-scaled.jpg)

Winter is here, but down in sunny Florida, it’s easy to get complacent about cold-related medical issues. Today, however, the temperature went down to the high 30s, so even we friendly Floridians are not immune. Whether in good times or in survival settings, family medics everywhere should know how to recognize the effects of cold temperatures on the human body, and what to do if they come upon a victim of **hypothermia**.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when body temperature drops below 95° Fahrenheit (35° Celsius). It occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to cold and can be life-threatening.

Normally, the body core ranges from 97.5 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius) when taken orally or rectally. Rectal temps tend to be slightly higher (about 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit) than oral, and oral temps are slightly higher than skin readings, such as those taken in the armpit.

**How The Body Loses Heat**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/13_larger_font-232x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/13_larger_font.jpg)

The body loses heat in various ways:

**Evaporation** – Perspiration (sweating) from physical exertion or other reasons releases heat from the body core. This is helpful in summer heat but dangerous in the cold.

**Radiation** – The body loses heat to the environment when the ambient (surrounding) temperature is below the core temperature. For example, you lose more heat if exposed to an outside temperature of 20 degrees F than if exposed to 80 degrees F.

**Conduction** – The body loses heat when its surface is in direct contact with cold temperatures, as in the case of someone falling from a boat into frigid water (think “Titanic”). Water, being denser than air, removes heat from the body much faster.

**Convection** – Heat loss where, for instance, a cooler force is in motion against the body core. The air next to the skin is warmer than the surrounding area and is lost when exposed to wind. This requires the body to use energy to re-heat. **Wind Chill** is one example of air convection: If the ambient temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit but the wind chill factor is at 15 degrees, the body loses heat as if it were actually 15 degrees.

**Symptoms of Hypothermia**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/THE-UMBLES-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/THE-UMBLES-scaled.jpg)

When exposed to cold, the human body kicks into action to produce heat. It does this by muscle action known as shivering. Muscles shiver to produce heat, and are a clear warning that you need to warm up.

As hypothermia worsens, more symptoms will become apparent. Aside from shivering, the most noticeable symptoms of hypothermia will be related to mental status. The person may appear confused, uncoordinated, and lethargic. The victim’s speech becomes slurred and they often will appear uninterested in helping themselves.

Look for what are called the **“-[Umbles](https://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml)“** – **stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles**. These represent changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness seen in hypothermia.

(Note: In infants, look for bright red, cold skin, very low energy, or unusual quietness.)

All this occurs due to the effect of cooling temperatures on the brain; the colder the body core gets, the slower the brain works. Other organs then begin to shut down, and the victim eventually loses consciousness. **Any unconscious person you find exposed to cold weather is hypothermic until proven otherwise.**

Cold-related tissue effects can cause local damage, such as **frostbite**. Frostbite affects areas like fingers, toes, nose, earlobes, and even lips. Sometimes called “frostnip” or “chilblains” in early stages, it begins as numbness, pins and needles sensations, and redness. Blistering may occur.

If not warmed in time, the skin turns progressively white and waxy, then blue, and, finally, black, a condition known as “**gangrene**.” Gangrenous tissue is dead and unsalvageable in survival settings. Victims with gangrene may require debridement (the removal of dead tissue) or even amputation.

We’ll discuss this further in the near future. For now, let’s stick to general hypothermia.

**Treating Hypothermia**

**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_357336836-hypothermia-falling-through-ice-man-in-icy-water-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_357336836-hypothermia-falling-through-ice-man-in-icy-water-scaled.jpg)**

Failure to act quickly to treat hypothermia may lead to organ failure and death. Important measures to take are:

- **Get the person out of the cold.** Transport to a warm, dry location. If you’re unable to move the person out of the cold, shield them as much as possible. Be sure to place a barrier between them and the cold ground.
- **Monitor breathing.** A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious. Verify that the patient is breathing and check for a pulse. Begin CPR if necessary.
- **Take off wet clothing.** If the victim is wearing wet clothing, remove them gently. Cover the person with layers of dry blankets, including the head, but leave the face clear.
- **Share body heat.** To warm the person’s body, remove your clothing and lie next to the person, making skin-to-skin contact. Then, cover both of your bodies with blankets. Some people may cringe at this notion, but it’s important to remember that you are trying to save a life. Gentle massage or rubbing may be helpful, but may be traumatic.
- **Give warm oral fluids**. If (and only if) the affected person is alert and able to swallow, provide a warm, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage to help warm the body. Alcohol does not warm you up; instead, it expands blood vessels and actually hastens the loss of heat from the body core.
- **Use warm, dry compresses**. Use a first-aid warm compress or a makeshift compress of warm (not hot) water in a plastic bottle. Apply compresses to the neck, armpit, and groin. These areas will transport heat to the body core effectively. Some military studies suggest warming the hands and feet is also useful.
- **Avoid applying direct heat to skin.** Don’t use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp directly on the victim. The extreme heat can damage the skin, cause strain on the heart, or even lead to cardiac arrest.

**Preventing Hypothermia**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_90110446-hypothermia-man-in-ice-water-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_90110446-hypothermia-man-in-ice-water.jpg)

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and many cases of hypothermia can be prevented. The environment plays a large role in your success as medic in survival settings. If you don’t take weather conditions and other factors into account, you have made the environment your enemy. On the road, it’s imperative to anticipate the climate through which you’ll be traveling. This includes being properly dressed for wind conditions and wet weather. Also, travel with a partner or a group if at all possible. Make certain all are physically fit for the challenge. Pack enough food, water, and a way to produce heat.

**C.O.L.D.**

For the prevention of hypothermia, remember the simple acronym **C.O.L.D.** This stands for: **C**over, **O**verexertion, **L**ayers, and **D**ry.

- **C** Dress appropriately for the conditions. A surprising amount of warmth is lost from the head, so be sure to wear a hat. Instead of using gloves to cover your hands, use mittens. Mittens are more helpful than gloves because they keep your fingers in contact with one another, conserving heat.
- **O** Avoid activities that cause you to sweat. Cold weather causes you to lose body heat quickly; wet, sweaty clothing accelerates the process. Rest when necessary and use rest periods to self-assess for cold-related changes. Pay special attention to the status of your elderly or juvenile group members. Diabetics are also at high risk.
- **L** Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing do the best job of insulating you against the cold. Use tightly woven, water-repellent material for wind protection. Wool or silk inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. Some synthetic materials, like PrimaLoft, Thinsulate, and Thermolite are used to great effect in staying warm. Time-honored waterproof materials like Gore-Tex work well also.
- **D** Keep as dry as you can. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. It’s very easy for snow to get into gloves and boots, so pay particular attention to your hands and feet.

You might be concerned about how to tell hypothermia in your snow-loving, four-legged best friend. Find out about [hypothermia in dogs here.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-emergencies-in-dogs/)

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [This Year's Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/this-years-influenza/) 

 [Vision Issues, Part 4: Eye Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-4-eye-trauma/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** C.O.L.D., cold-related illness, how the body loses heat, hypothermia, joealton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter injuries

---

### [Vision Issues, Part 2: Eye Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-2-eye-infections/)

**Published:** December 22, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I think that, if you asked people what sense they would least like to lose in the quest for survival, it would be the sense of sight. In [part 1 of this rarely-discussed series on vision](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-1/) issues off the grid, we talked about the complex structures in the human eye and their function, plus some childhood vision issues the medic might encounter, such as the “lazy eye.” In this, part 2, we’ll talk about some problems that can occur in childhood, but also in adults: **eye infections.**

#### **Eye Infections**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_102722018-conjunctivitis-eye-300x217.jpg)conjunctivitis](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_102722018-conjunctivitis-eye.jpg)

There are various eye conditions that will be more common in a grid-down situation. The most common will be “**conjunctivitis,”** also known as “**pink eye.”** The conjunctiva is the thin membrane that covers the white of your eye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation which can be caused by chemical irritation (soap in your eyes, for example), allergies, a foreign body, or an infection.

Pink eye caused by microbes is highly contagious among children. They tend to rub their itchy eye and then touch other children or items. Studies have shown that people commonly touch faces and eyes with their (often dirty) hands throughout the day. Observe any family member for a half hour and you’ll see this is true.

**Symptoms of Conjunctivitis**

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause (viral, bacterial, allergic, or irritant), but common ones include:

- Redness or pink color in the white of one or both eyes
- Itching, irritation, or a gritty/sandy feeling in the eyes
- Excessive tearing (watery eyes)
- Discharge from the eye, which may be watery (viral/allergic), thick/pus-like (bacterial, often yellow or green), or crusty (causing eyelids to stick together, especially in the morning)
- Swelling of the conjunctiva or eyelids
- Burning or discomfort in the eyes
- Sensitivity to light (in some cases)
- Blurred vision (usually mild and due to discharge/tears)

You can often tell the cause of the problem. If caused by viruses or allergies, the affected eye becomes red, watery, and itchy. A runny nose may accompany it. If caused by a bacterium, you may note a milky yellow or green discharge. The discharge forms a crust when it dries; the patient may even complain of eyelids “stuck together” upon awakening.

**Treatment of Conjunctivitis**

Although antibiotic eye drops like **tobramycin** are more popular for conjunctivitis, *oral* antibiotics like **Doxycycline 100 mg** twice a day for a week or less will also relieve bacterial conjunctivitis. Antihistamine eye drops like ketotifen fumarate (**Zaditor**) are useful for eye allergies and available over the counter. Warm compresses can loosen hardened crusts.

**Herbal treatment** may also be of benefit. To treat pinkeye using natural products, pick one or more of the following methods:

- Apply a wet Chamomile or Goldenseal tea bag to the closed, affected eye for 10 minutes, every two hours.
- Make a Chamomile or Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) tea, let cool, and use the liquid as an eye wash (using an eyecup) three to four times daily.
- Use 1 teaspoon of fresh baking soda in 2 cups of cool water as an eye wash solution.
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon of raw honey in 1 cup warm water; let cool, and use as an eye wash.

For compresses, moisten with any of the above tea, baking soda, or honey solutions on gauze or cloth, and then apply a compress to the affected eye for 10 minutes every two hours. For relief from the discomfort of conjunctivitis, a slice of cucumber over the eyes will have a cooling effect. If no treatment options exist at all, conjunctivitis usually resolves on its own after a few days, but may take up to two weeks.

Irritated, teary, red eyes from allergies can be treated with oral antihistamines or eye drops, important additions to the survival medicine cabinet. Lubricating drops for dryness may help.

**Preventing Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

To avoid spreading the germs that can cause eye infections:

- Wash your hands regularly.
- Don’t share eye drops with others.
- Don’t touch the tip of a bottle of eye drops with your hands or your eyes because that can contaminate it with germs. Always keep the bottle two or three inches above your eye.
- Don’t share eye makeup with others.
- Never put contact lenses in your mouth to wet them. Many germs exist there that could cause infections.
- Change your contacts often. The longer they stay in your eyes, the higher the chance your eye can get infected or traumatized.

What should you have in your survival medical supply cabinet for eye issues? **[Check out this eye kit to see.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-eye-care-emergency/)**

By the way, any time you have an eye examination, ask the doctor if they have any samples of medicated eye drops available, like **tobramycin**, **polymyxin B**, and **neomycin**. Apply 1 or 2 drops to the affected eye three times a day for 5-7 days.

**Styes**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_98763287-sty-stye-300x200.jpg)Stye](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_98763287-sty-stye.jpg)

A **“stye”** is a bump on the eyelid. It presents as a pimple that can be outside or inside. Styes are caused by a blocked gland near an eyelash due to an accumulation of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (Staph).

Luckily, styes do not affect vision unless they become very large, which is a rarity. Normally, they tend to grow, “pop,” and drain, then go away after a few days. Despite this, there is often a sense of urgency to deal with it, due to the discomfort and cosmetic appearance.

**Symptoms of Styes**

Symptoms of a stye include:

- Swelling, often with a yellowish bump at the base of an eyelash
- Redness
- Warmth
- Discomfort
- Discharge and crusting around the area

A stye is sometimes confused with another condition called a “**chalazion**” A chalazion is caused by the blockage of eyelid gland ducts that excrete an oily substance which lubricates the eye. Styes develop quickly, but a chalazion forms over a longer period (sometimes in the area of a previous stye). Unlike styes, a chalazion is painless, but just as disfiguring. A chalazion might resolve on its own over a period of weeks or months.

**Treating Styes**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1522576616-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1522576616-scaled.jpg)

The simplest way to deal with a stye is to apply warm moist compresses for 10 minutes twice or three times a day. This helps the stye drain faster and go away. In between, clean gently with a cotton ball or swab in warm water. Antibiotic eye solutions and ointments are also available that will help to speed recovery. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief if needed.

If a patient gets styes often, it’s time to evaluate their hand washing practices. Most people don’t wash their hands as often as they should, and this can cause infections like styes or conjunctivitis. This is especially an issue for those who wear contacts. A good method of prevention is to perform eyelid scrubs regularly with a warm moist cotton ball or gauze pad and a small amount of baby shampoo.

Many people will try to squeeze the stye like any other pimple, but this can traumatize the area and cause spread of the infection to surrounding tissues. This is called “cellulitis” and is discussed elsewhere in this book. If the cellulitis spreads to the face, you should give your patient oral antibiotics in the penicillin, erythromycin, or cephalosporin families.

**Natural remedies** for styes include:

- Warm saline solution washes or compresses several times a day.
- Coriander or tamarind seed washes to reduce swelling. Soak seeds in warm water, then strain and use the water as a wash for your eye.
- Warm tea bags to the area; the tannic acid in teas may be helpful.

In the next part of our series, we’ll discuss some common vision defects, why they happen, and what you can do about if the you-know-what hits the fan.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Joe Alton MD. aka Dr.Bones](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

**Special Note: Just until the end of the year (11:59 pm, 12/31/25), Nurse Amy is offering a special coupon code on any of our quality, one-of-a-kind, medical supply kits at store.doomandbloom.net. use coupon code NEWYEAR30 to get a whopping 30 percent off important medical gear, and don’t forget to use your HSA/FSA account funds! We will provide necessary paperwork to take full advantage of this deal! Get your family medically-prepared for an uncertain 2026.with our help!**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Vision Issue, Part 3: Vision Defects](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issue-part-3-vision-defects/) 

 [Vision Issues, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-1/)

**Categories:** Cellulitis, Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Infections, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** chalazion, conjunctiva, conjunctivitis, eye infection, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pink eye, sty, stye, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Nurse Amy Reads "Flurry, The Christmas Bunny"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nurse-amy-reads-flurry-the-christmas-bunny/)

**Published:** December 19, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Flurry-cover-1-300x250.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Flurry-cover-1-scaled.jpg)

Reading to young children pays dividends intellectually and socially that last well in adulthood. In this video, Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton reads her and Dr. Joe Alton’s latest Christmas story book, with art by the talented **Cheryl Crouthamel**. It’s a sweet story of the Easter Bunny’s daughter named Flurry, who just can’t seem to get Christmas out of her system. It’s a book sure to become a family tradition to read to kids and grandkids. Find it at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Flurry-Christmas-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/1510783768/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PDRAHASVWNHF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IueaJXhvbcdR4VUb7TBXITuRzqM0YtO6qpLL3dbIcoJXZMB8p6JVR5TKUdep3SR0.kNdlX98vSa1AziAr24bAjPx1iWcgOH7POz3RSoNMtaU&dib_tag=se&keywords=flurry+the+christmas+bunny&qid=1766183795&sprefix=flurry+the+chr%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1), [Barnes and Noble](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flurry-amy-alton-arnp/1146889588?ean=9781510783768), or [Store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/flurry-the-christmas-bunny-by-joseph-and-amy-alton/). Books bought from our store will be signed by the authors. Merry Christmas!

Wishing you the best of health this Christmas season,

**Joe and Amy Alton**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Meet Flurry, The Christmas Bunny](https://www.doomandbloom.net/meet-flurry-the-christmas-bunny/)

**Categories:** Children's books from the Altons, Christmas tales

**Tags:** children's book, children's story, Flurry, Flurry the CHRISTMAS bunny, reading to kids

---

### [Vision Issues, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-1/)

**Published:** December 17, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![Man in camo jacket wearing glasses](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/grok-image-survivalist-with-glasses-256x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/grok-image-survivalist-with-glasses.jpg)Vision issues can decrease survival chances.Good vision is imperative for success in survival settings. Problems with eyesight are varied, but many can be identified in early childhood or even infancy. In this series, we’ll discuss eye anatomy, early childhood issues, eye infections, and traumatic injuries affecting vision.

**Eye Anatomy**

[![Eye anatomy with each part labeled](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_2459045445-300x268.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_2459045445-scaled.jpg)Eye anatomy is important to help diagnose vision issues.To understand the eye, we should review its anatomy. The human eye is a spherical organ designed to capture light and convert it into signals which the brain interprets as images. The eye consists of three main layers (also called “tunics”): A fibrous tunic (outer layer), a vascular tunic (middle layer), and the retina (inner layer).

**Major Eye Structures and Their Functions**

- The **“cornea”** (outer layer): The clear, dome-shaped membrane that covers the iris and pupil (see below). It provides most of the eye’s focusing power.
- The **“sclera”** (outer layer): The tough “white of the eye” that maintains the eye’s shape and protects internal structures.
- The **“conjunctiva”** (outer layer): A thin, transparent membrane covering the sclera and inner eyelids, providing lubrication and protection.
- The **“iris”** (middle layer): The colored part of the eye, made of muscle that controls the pupil’s size to regulate light entry (dilates in dim light, constricts in bright light).
- The **“pupil”** (middle layer): The black central opening in the iris through which light enters.
- The **“lens”** (between middle and inner layers): A flexible, transparent structure behind the pupil. It fine-tunes focus for near or distant vision.
- The **“ciliary body”** (middle layer): Contains muscles that adjust the lens shape.
- The **“choroid”** (middle layer): A vascular layer supplying blood to the retina.
- The **“retina”** (inner layer): A light-sensitive inner lining with structures called “photoreceptors.” There are two types: “Rods’ for low-light, peripheral vision and “cones” for color and detailed central vision.
- The **“macula”** and **“fovea”** (inner layer): Central retinal region that allows sharp, detailed vision.
- Other important structures include:
- The “**optic nerve”:** The nerve that carries signals from the retina to the brain.
- The **“Vitreous humor**”: Clear gel filling the main cavity of the eye, maintaining its shape and allowing the passage of light.
- The **“Aqueous humor”:** Clear fluid in the front chambers, nourishing the cornea/lens and maintaining pressure.

Perhaps the first vision abnormalities we humans have to deal with occurs in early childhood or even infancy has the colorful name **“Lazy Eye.”** In medical-ese, it’s called **“amblyopia.”** It’s common, affecting three percent of the general population.

**What is Lazy Eye?**

Lazy eye or amblyopia is a vision impairment in which one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, even with corrective lenses. It is the leading cause of vision loss in children, affecting up to 3% of the U.S. population.

**What Happens in Amblyopia?**

From birth until around age 7 or 8, a child’s eyes and brain form all-important connections. Anything that blocks or blurs vision in one or both eyes can slow down and prevent these connections.

If that happens, the brain might not fully recognize the images it sees. The brain learns to ignore the images seen by the eye in question and it becomes weaker, losing vision strength (also called acuity) over time.

**So What Causes Amblyopia?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_2246172333-300x195.jpg)Strabismus](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_2246172333-scaled.jpg)

The three main causes are:

**Eye misalignment, also called “strabismus”:** In strabismus, the eyes do not line up in the same direction, may be crossed or appear to “wander.” This causes double vision, something the brain doesn’t tolerate well. In response, the brain suppresses the image from the misaligned eye.

**Refractive error:** A major difference in acuity (let’s say nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) between the two eyes is called “refractive error.” The brain favors the eye with the clearer image, ignoring the blurry one.

**Deprivation:** Deprivation refers to a physical obstruction that blocks light from entering the eye. This could be due to being born with a cloudy lens (a “cataract”) or a droopy eyelid (a condition called ptosis). This is the most severe and, luckily, least common type.

**Signs of Amblyopia**

Can the average person identify a lazy eye before an eye professional checks it? Maybe. Symptoms can be hard to notice, and kids don’t often complain because they adapt to the vision in their stronger eye.

Possible signs include:

- (As previously mentioned,) an eye that wanders inward or outward or eyes that do not appear to move in unison.
- Poor depth perception.
- Squinting or tilting the head.
- Rubbing the same eye frequently.

Regular vision screenings are essential for early diagnosis in normal times.

**How Is A Lazy Eye Treated?**

[![Child wearing an eye patch.](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1247936173-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1247936173-scaled.jpg)Treating a lazy eye often starts with an eye patch.In amblyopia, the goal of treatment is to force the brain to use the weaker eye so that the nerve pathways develop properly. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome. Optimal results occur if the child is treated before age 6 or 7, though some improvement is possible in older children and teens.

Treatment options include:

**Corrective eyewear:** Glasses or contact lenses to correct near- or farsightedness sometimes resolves the amblyopia entirely.

**Eye patches:** Placing an opaque patch over the stronger eye for several hours each day forces the brain to rely on the weaker eye, strengthening its vision.

**Medicated eye drops:** Atropine drops placed in the stronger eye can temporarily blur vision, serving the same purpose as a patch without the physical discomfort or embarrassment.

In rare cases, **surgery** may be needed to correct underlying causes, such as removing a cataract, fixing a droopy eyelid, or realigning eye muscles to correct strabismus. Surgery alone. However, doesn’t treat the amblyopia itself, which usually still requires follow-up with patching or drops.

There are also newer methods, including programs using virtual reality (VR) headsets to encourage both eyes to work together. This is called “dichoptic therapy” and is receiving wider acceptance.

With an early diagnosis, the odds of success in treating lazy eye is very high. In the next part of this series, I’ll discuss other eye problems in survival settings such as common acuity deficits like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, plus eye infections and traumatic injuries.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Vision Issues, Part 2: Eye Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-2-eye-infections/) 

 [Pregnancy Problems In Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/pregnancy-problems-in-survival-settings/)

**Categories:** Eye Issues, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amblyopia, eye anatomy, eye issues, eye misalignment, eye problems, joe alton md, lazy eye, lazy eye treatment, medical preparedness, refractive error, strabismus, survival medicine

---

### [Pregnancy Problems In Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/pregnancy-problems-in-survival-settings/)

**Published:** December 10, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_2341425473-pregnancy-silouhette-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_2341425473-pregnancy-silouhette.jpg)

It’s a rare individual that doesn’t have someone in their family or social circle of childbearing age (for women, early teens to late forties). Even if they aren’t connected to you personally, they could be in your survival group. If the you-know-what hits the fan long-term, remember that even a little girl will eventually reach the age where pregnancy is a possibility. In such settings, society will be unstable and organized medical care will be spotty at best and nonexistent at worst. When we reach the point that we are scrambling to survive, pregnancy, often a blessing, may be one of the least welcome events you could imagine.

**Why Pregnancy is a Problem in Long-Term Survival**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_119509171-desert-with-sun-298x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_119509171-desert-with-sun.jpg)

When and if society re-establishes itself, survivors will have the responsibility to repopulate the world. Until that time, however, a pregnancy and its possible complications will be a hardship, not only for the woman, but her community as well. It’s best to avoid until things are safer and more stable.

Why? Let’s look at it from a historical standpoint. The death rate among pregnant women (also known as the **Maternal Mortality Rate**) at the time of the American Revolution was about 1-2% *per pregnancy*. Given that the average woman in the year 1800 could expect 8-10 pregnancies over the course of her reproductive life, the death rate from pregnancy complications easily approached 10 per cent. Depending on the circumstances, communities saw one out of eight women die due to complications of being pregnant, either early, during the childbirth, or even soon after a successful delivery.

You might ask: Who cares about what happened in the year 1800? In a long-term catastrophe, there may not be either medicine or medical supplies in which to treat pregnancy and childbirth complications, such as bleeding or infection. This would happen at a time that every member of a survival group would have to be productive individuals. Growing food, managing livestock, perimeter defense, and caring for children require the collective energy of all involved.

**Medical Complications of Pregnancy**

When a pregnancy goes wrong, it takes away a valuable contributor, sometimes permanently, and places additional strain on resources and manpower. Let’s discuss some of the reasons that women could lose productivity (or even fail to survive) during pregnancy or childbirth:

**Hyperemesis Gravidarum**

Simply put, “**hyperemesis gravidarum**” is medical-speak for excessive vomiting in pregnant women. Almost everyone will experience nausea and vomiting in the early stages. A small percentage, however, have an exaggerated response to rising levels of pregnancy hormones; They may vomit so much that they become seriously dehydrated.

Today, someone who can’t maintain a reasonable fluid intake receives intravenous hydration. How many survival groups will have access to IV equipment (plus IV fluids will expire) and the know-how to provide IV fluid therapy?

If you look at old medical books from 100 years ago that discuss hyperemesis gravidarum, they relate death rates in 10% to 40% in severe cases. Will we be thrown back that far medically in a true societal collapse? It stands to reason that we will. Simple IV hydration saves lives, but who will be able to provide it?

**Miscarriage**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1294826053-miscarriage-lower-pain-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_1294826053-miscarriage-lower-pain.jpg)

Approximately 10-20% of all pregnancies end in pregnancy loss due to **miscarriage**, many before a woman even realizes she’s pregnant. When a woman loses a pregnancy, she may not pass all of the dead tissue relating to the pregnancy. On occasion, this tissue becomes infected or causes excessive bleeding.

The treatment in this case would be something called a “**dilatation and curettage (D&C)**,” a procedure that uses special instruments to “scrape out” the retained tissue. This will stop the bleeding and prevent infection. Again, how may survival groups have the ability and knowledge to perform this procedure or have access to the antibiotics necessary to treat possible infection?

**Hypertension**

There is a condition known as **Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH**). When a woman reaches the last month or two of (usually her first) pregnancy, she might begin to have elevated blood pressures that cause extreme swelling (called “**edema**”). Normal pregnancy can cause swollen ankles, but PIH swells up the entire body, including the face. Left untreated, this condition can lead to seizures and become life-threatening.

In long-term disaster settings, the only treatment available would be bedrest, which, at best, takes away a productive member of your group. At worst it may fail to prevent a worsening of the condition.

**Childbirth Itself**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_96898390-pregnancy-care-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_96898390-pregnancy-care-scaled.jpg)

Let’s say the pregnancy itself was uncomplicated. The birth process, while *usually* perfectly natural and routine, could also present some dangers. Every childbirth, for example, involves some bleeding. It could be a little; it could be a lot. It might be caused by lacerations from the passage of the infant through the vaginal canal or from a stubborn placenta (afterbirth) that does not expel itself spontaneously soon after delivery.

When a childbirth is associated with excessive bleeding, certain procedures and maneuvers are performed by trained midwives or obstetricians to stop the hemorrhage. When hemorrhage occurs and no trained individuals are present at the birth, the bleeding may not stop before major damage has been done to the mother.

Sometimes it’s necessary to actually reach into a woman’s uterus, feel for the placenta and remove it with your (gloved) hand from the uterine wall, especially when part of the placenta is “retained”. If a portion of the placenta is “stuck”, this tissue prevents the uterus from contracting (which is the natural way that bleeding stops). Of course, retained tissue could become infected, also. Your group needs the knowledge, equipment, and medications to safely get a woman through childbirth. Few, however, would know what to do.

**After Childbirth**

Conditions in the delivery room after a societal collapse could be conducive to the development of infections, even if the delivery goes without a hitch. This was a major cause of maternal mortality before modern medical care and antibiotics became available.

As well, a woman who has a major hemorrhage during childbirth could be so weakened by a low red blood cell count (also known as “anemia”) that she is unable to return to normal activities for a very long time.

**Be Fruitful, Wait To Multiply**

No one is saying all women will die during their pregnancy. The fact, however, is that not everyone is prepared to obtain the knowledge and resources to deal with the complications that could occur. Even experienced survivalists haven’t taken the time to consider the risks involved.

Think about it: If road warriors are prowling the streets and your garden isn’t doing so well, do you really need to add a newborn baby to your list of responsibilities? In the early going of any collapse, it’s important to keep all the members of your survival group in top condition and at 100 percent work efficiency.

Future articles will discuss strategies to hold off on creating pregnancies you’re not ready to deal with, how to safely care for pregnancies that do occur, and, yes, how to deliver a baby in austere conditions.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)Joe Alton MD](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Vision Issues, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vision-issues-part-1/) 

 [Hypothermia Emergencies In Dogs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-emergencies-in-dogs/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Hypertension, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pregnancy/Delivery, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** bleeding, childbirth, hemorrhage, hypertension, joe alton md, medical preparedness, miscarriage, postpartum infection, pregnancy complications, pregnancy in survival setting, survival medicine

---

### [Hypothermia Emergencies In Dogs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-emergencies-in-dogs/)

**Published:** December 2, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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(Note: I get a lot of questions about dog medical issues, but I’m not a veterinarian. Here are just my thoughts on a potentially dangerous issue for our canine friends

Man’s best friend may like a romp in the snow, but a dog, like a human, is at risk for developing medical issues due to exposure to cold, also known as “**hypothermia**.” Breeds with a thick double coat of fur, like Huskies, are fairly resistant to freezing temperatures, but it’s important to know the signs of cold-related emergencies in dogs and how to prevent and treat them.

**FACTORS THAT INCREASE A DOG’S RISK FOR HYPOTHERMIA**

Certain dogs are more vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite, which can cause irreparable damage or death in a matter of hours, particularly if they are left outside in frigid temperatures, are wet, or lack proper shelter.

Factors include:

**Age:** Puppies and senior dogs have a more difficult time regulating their body temperature.

**Health:** Dogs with kidney disease, hypothyroidism, heart disease, malnutrition, and other issues are more prone to hypothermia.

**Small size:** Small dogs have a higher skin surface area relative to their mass, causing them to lose heat more rapidly.

**Thin body:** Less body fat means less ability to insulate against the cold, leading to hypothermia.

**Coat type:** “Hairless” breeds are less built for cold weather and are susceptible to freezing.

**Wet fur:** Wet fur loses its insulating properties, making a dog much more vulnerable to the cold.

(Note: It should be noted that dogs undergoing general anesthesia are also at risk. Veterinary staff should have a plan to keep the animal warm during the procedure.)

**IDENTIFYING HYPOTHERMIA IN DOGS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_118809826-dog-300x134.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock_118809826-dog-scaled.jpg)

Rectal temperatures below 98-5-99 degrees Fahrenheit should alert you to the possibility that your dog has hypothermia (normal temps for dogs is 100.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

A dog’s body responds to hypothermia by narrowing blood vessels near the surface to send blood away from the skin, legs, ears, and feet, and towards essential organs like the brain and the heart. This is very similar to what happens in humans. The signs that you will notice have a progressive effect as time goes on and the dog remains untreated.

**Signs of hypothermia** in canines may include:

-Lethargy (lack of energy and alertness)-Loss of coordination

-Confusion

-Muscle rigidity

-Dilated pupils

-Pale gums

-Increased heart rate(early)

-Fast breathing (early)

-Excessive shivering

-Shock (commonly seen after an immersion in cold water)

Although fast heart rates and breathing are seen early in hypothermia, both slow down dangerously as the issue worsens. Shivering may stop as the animal loses the energy required to maintain the action.

**FROSTBITE IN DOGS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_4664-300x227.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_4664-scaled.jpg)

Another condition that can affect both humans and canines is frostbite. Yes, dogs can get frostbite. Frostbite appears mostly on the paws, tail, and ears. Look for discoloration of the skin: it may appear, gray, or even blue.

Frostbitten areas will be painful and can swell or develop blisters and skin breakdown. In extreme situations, the skin turns black and dies, a condition known as “gangrene”. In cases of extreme frostbite, the skin will turn black and die. Warm water compresses are helpful, but veterinary evaluation is required.

**TREATING HYPOTHERMIA IN DOGS**

Once you’ve recognized the signs of hypothermia, get the dog out of the cold if possible and cover with blankets or do whatever is necessary to keep the dog warm and dry. If you can’t get the dog inside, it’s especially important to provide a barrier between the animal and the cold ground.

Warm, dry towels (not hot) are useful; Hot water bottles and heating pads are discouraged, but if you must use one, make sure it is set on low, and with a barrier protecting the skin. Some believe placing it on the belly is best.

Will warm liquids help? As with humans, warm fluids are only useful if the “patient” is awake and alert. In a very lethargic dog, fluid may enter the windpipe instead of the stomach. This puts you in an even worse situation. If alert, stick to warm, not hot, liquids.

Monitor the dog’s rectal temperature; you should see an improvement in signs and symptoms once it’s above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heating pad or hot water bottle may be removed at this point, but keep the warm blankets until fully recovered.

Of course, wherever veterinary professionals are available, seek them out. A veterinarian can administer oxygen and place an intravenous line that can infuse warm fluids to speed recovery. Warm water enemas are also occasionally used.

**PREVENTING HYPOTHERMIA IN DOGS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/phil-and-patty-2-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/phil-and-patty-2-rotated.jpg)

Keeping an eye on the weather and avoiding prolonged exposure to severe cold is the simplest way to keep your dog healthy. Dogs with short coats need, well, a coat, so get a dog jacket or other protective clothing and limit the amount of time out in extreme cold.

You may envy your dog’s fur when outside in cold weather, but it doesn’t mean that he’s a walrus nor a polar bear. If you’re bundled up and still feel too cold, your dog probably does too. Protect your best friend by always keeping a lookout for signs of hypothermia and acting rapidly.

(Note: I get a lot of questions about dog medical issues, but I’m not a veterinarian. These were just my thoughts on a potentially dangerous issue for our canine friends)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Pregnancy Problems In Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/pregnancy-problems-in-survival-settings/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Treating Chest Trauma, Collapsed Lungs, Rib Fractures, Plus: More Essential Oils](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-treating-chest-trauma-collapsed-lungs-rib-fractures-plus-more-essential-oils/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cold-related emergencies, cold-related injury, frostbite, frostbite in dogs, hypothermia, hypothermia in dogs, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [How To Pack A Bleeding Wound](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-pack-a-bleeding-wound/)

**Published:** April 24, 2017
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The failure to control hemorrhage is a common cause of death in trauma situations. With the increased number of active shooter events in the United States, the average citizen should have knowledge of basic methods to stop heavy bleeding. The government’s Stop The Bleed Initiative is attempting to foster awareness of the importance of this type of education.

In the April 2017 issue of the [Journal of Emergency Medical Services ](http://www.jems.com/index.html)(JEMS), Dr. Peter Taillac and EMT-P associates Scotty Bolleter and A.J. Heightman put forth their recommendations for the packing of hemorrhagic wounds with plain and/or hemostatic gauze such as Quikclot, Celox, and others. In addition, they reinforce the principles of direct pressure and tourniquet use to control bleeding and save lives.

In 2012, The American College of Surgeons (of which I’m a retired Fellow) and other organizations formed a joint commission to improve survival in heavily bleeding injuries. While endorsing direct pressure as a primary technique to reduce hemorrhage, the commission reviewed evidence for the use of hemostatic gauze, finding it to be an effective tool in 90% of cases.

Packing of wounds is useful in many situations, but not all. Wounds of the neck are problematic, for instance, due to the risk of compressing airways. Packing injuries in the abdomen, pelvis, and chest may not be effective due to the deep nature of the bleeding vessels. This is one reason why, in an off-grid setting, the death rate (called “mortality”) from these wounds is so high. Statistics from the [Civil War](http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/thoracicsurgeryvolI/chapter1.htm) put mortality rates for major injuries in these regions at close to 70 per cent, a figure that might be expected in long-term survival scenarios.

![CeloxHemostatics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/CeloxHemostatics.jpg)Celox Gauze is approved by the TCCCTactical Combat Casualty Care guidelines approve hemostatic gauze as dressings of choice for severe bleeding. These products use materials that enhance or produce clotting. QuikClot uses Kaolin, an original ingredient in Kaopectate; [Celox ](http://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/celox-gauze-z-fold-10/)and Chitogauze use Chitosan, a product made from the shells of crustaceans. XStat, made by RevMedX, is preferred by TCCC for hemorrhage in areas like the axilla (armpit) and groin.

According to Dr. Taillac’s team, proper packing of wounds with plain or hemostatic gauze include the following steps:

- Quickly and aggressively apply direct pressure with a gloved hand, clean dressing or cloth, or even the knee or elbow while breaking out your supplies. Explore the wound with your fingers to find the source of bleeding, using nearby bones, if possible, to increase the effectiveness of pressure.
- Tightly (and I mean, *tightly*) pack the wound cavity as deeply as you can while continuing to apply pressure on the bleeding vessel with a thumb. Pack directly onto the vessel itself, one layer over of dressing over the other. Although hemostatic gauze is effective, sufficient pressure with plain gauze may be enough in certain circumstances.
- Maintain pressure on the packed wound for at least 3 minutes.
- Place a tight pressure dressing ([Israeli Battle Dressing](http://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/israeli-emergency-bandage-6/), Olaes Bandage, etc.) over the whole thing.
- Splinting the wound will immobilize it and help prevent re-bleeds during transport.

![Direct Pressure on Bleeding Wound](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-IMG_0249-1024x683.jpg)Direct pressure with a gloved hand and cloth barrierThe above method, along with appropriate use of [tourniquets](http://store.doomandbloom.net/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t-tq-gen-7-newest-edition/), should be effective in managing hemorrhage. If the dressings become saturated, however, it may be necessary to use more packing or to start over. A second tourniquet may also be needed. In normal times, this might best be done during transport to a modern medical facility. In long-term survival settings, get the victim to where the bulk of your supplies are.

It is thought that 1 in 5 deaths from hemorrhage may be prevented by rapid action. Know the procedure and, have no doubt, you will save lives in disasters or other times of trouble.

Joe Alton, MD

![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/AuthorJoe-1024x867.jpg)Joe Alton, MDHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Rodent-Proofing A Shelter](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-rodent-proofing-a-shelter/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Black Scout, Pt. 2, Azithromycin, Sick Room Set-Ups](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-black-scout-pt-2-azithromycin-sick-room-set-ups/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets

**Tags:** bleeding wound, doom and bloom, hemorrhage, joe alton md, medical preparedness, packing a wound, survival medicine, wound packing

---

### [Meet Flurry, The Christmas Bunny](https://www.doomandbloom.net/meet-flurry-the-christmas-bunny/)

**Published:** November 26, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Note: This rare non-medical post announces our second book, after “[**Snowbie, The First Snowman**](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/1510781021/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GW4XYHISWX3N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MWtK28fmmOfVqqKp_NSpIg.fAnxQ3Bne_hz5-3uJQdJlZ-jIZvBNJYh1iFd20RZt5k&dib_tag=se&keywords=snowbie+the+first+snowman&qid=1764186302&sprefix=snowbie+the+first+sno%2Caps%2C920&sr=8-1),” tailored to be read to children and grandchildren. Reading to kids pays dividends intellectually, socially, and much more all the way into adulthood. If you have young kids or grandkids, consider reading “[**Flurry, The Christmas Bunny”‘**](https://www.amazon.com/Flurry-Christmas-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/1510783768/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z9TJRVB7E36P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IueaJXhvbcdR4VUb7TBXIeqTVwaeZofrNswHeax7xizGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.j6Jqt29RCO6R_pQr99-pmib32UBZN60yN2fe7ZiklH0&dib_tag=se&keywords=flurry+the+christmas+bunny&qid=1764186448&sprefix=flurry+the+chris%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1) and begin a family tradition this Christmas season!)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Flurry-cover-1-300x250.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Flurry-cover-1-scaled.jpg)

Once upon a time, there was an Easter Bunny who loved… Christmas?

Flurry is the baby of the magical Easter Bunny family. She lives at North Pole, Alaska (yep, a real place). Like Santa and other North Pole dwellers, every member of the Easter Bunny family has very important jobs.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/flurry-the-christmas-bunny-sample-231x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/flurry-the-christmas-bunny-sample-scaled.jpg)

While Santa and his elves are hard at work in their toy workshop, the Easter Bunny family is hard at work decorating Easter eggs. Flurry tries her best to help, but there’s a problem. Every Easter egg she makes looks a little too… Christmas-y! No matter what, they don’t end up looking like Easter eggs!

For Flurry, this is a big problem! But with a dose of Christmas magic and a little help from Santa and her snowman friend Snowbie, Flurry sees that her love of Christmas is one of many things that makes her special.

All author royalties on “**[Flurry, The Christmas Bunny”](https://www.amazon.com/Flurry-Christmas-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/1510783768/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z9TJRVB7E36P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IueaJXhvbcdR4VUb7TBXIeqTVwaeZofrNswHeax7xizGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.j6Jqt29RCO6R_pQr99-pmib32UBZN60yN2fe7ZiklH0&dib_tag=se&keywords=flurry+the+christmas+bunny&qid=1764186448&sprefix=flurry+the+chris%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1)** through the Christmas season will go to T2T to help our vets, responders, and their families. If you have little kids or grandkids, consider getting a copy. You’ll be glad you did! Again, here’s the link to [**“Snowbie, The First Snowman”:** ](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/1510781021/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GW4XYHISWX3N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MWtK28fmmOfVqqKp_NSpIg.fAnxQ3Bne_hz5-3uJQdJlZ-jIZvBNJYh1iFd20RZt5k&dib_tag=se&keywords=snowbie+the+first+snowman&qid=1764186302&sprefix=snowbie+the+first+sno%2Caps%2C920&sr=8-1)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-300x246.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-scaled.jpg)

Art by the very talented Cheryl Crouthamel.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Nurse Amy Reads "Flurry, The Christmas Bunny"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nurse-amy-reads-flurry-the-christmas-bunny/) 

 [Video: Why Medical Preparedness?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-why-medical-preparedness/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, Children's books from the Altons, Christmas tales, Joe Alton MD

**Tags:** Amy Alton, cheryl crouthamel, christmas, Christmas story, Fairy tale, Joe Alton

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Treating Chest Trauma, Collapsed Lungs, Rib Fractures, Plus: More Essential Oils](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-treating-chest-trauma-collapsed-lungs-rib-fractures-plus-more-essential-oils/)

**Published:** November 15, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss chest trauma and its consequences. Topics include how to deal with rib fractures, collapsed lungs, and more off the grid. A practical guide to needle decompression and chest tubes in improvised settings that will increase the chances of survival in long-term survival scenarios.

Also, Nurse Amy discusses some of her favorite essential oils that are useful in integrative medicine, including clove, eucalyptus, arnica, and others.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, AKA Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To listen in, click below:

### [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Hypothermia Emergencies In Dogs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-emergencies-in-dogs/) 

 [How To Treat A Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax) Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-treat-a-collapsed-lung-pneumothorax-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Bones and Joints, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Fractures, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** chest seals, chest trauma, collapsed lung, essential oils, flail chest, integrative medicine, needle decompression, pneujmothorax

---

### [How To Treat A Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax) Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-treat-a-collapsed-lung-pneumothorax-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** November 12, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_1795482553-lung-collapse-pneumohorax-300x232.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_1795482553-lung-collapse-pneumohorax-scaled.jpg)

Last time, we discussed the rib cage, an important shield against trauma to the vital organs in the chest. Though they’re protective, the ribs can fracture if enough kinetic force is applied against them. Rib fractures are most dangerous if a bone fragment is forced inward and punctures the lung or the heart. In the case of the heart, a puncture off the grid is pretty much fatal.

### **Pneumothorax**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_1070949152-collapsed-lung-pneumothorax-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock_1070949152-collapsed-lung-pneumothorax-scaled.jpg)

With a puncture to the lung, air enters the chest (also called the “pleural”) cavity, causing a condition known as a “**pneumothorax**.” What happens in a pneumothorax due to blunt trauma? As the patient breathes, air enters the lung and exits through the puncture. This is called a “tension pneumothorax,” because, as more and more fills the cavity, it has nowhere to go and causes pressure or “tension” against the lung that makes it more difficult to fill with air. The lung eventually collapses under the increased pressure.

If blood is filling the chest cavity it’s called a “**hemothorax**.” You can tell the difference between a tension pneumothorax and a hemothorax. Hemothorax is characterized by a dull sound on tapping against affected side.( This technique is called percussion and is part of the routine exam of the chest and abdomen). The entire exam is explained in the [*Survival Medicine Handbook (SMH)*](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501) Normally, air in the chest cavity sounds resonant, like a drum. In a tension pneumothorax, it will be more resonant than normal. If it’s dull where it shouldn’t be, it could be a hemothorax. If the sound made by percussion is dull at the bottom and extra loud at the top of the lung, it’s likely a combination of the two. That’s called a “**hemopneumothorax**.”

Although a person with a very small pneumothorax will complain of pain with breathing or some shortness of breath, the condition may sometimes resolve on its own or with, if it’s available, portable oxygen. It may progress, however, to a “tension pneumothorax.” Usually caused by significant trauma, the victim may have increasing signs of bluish skin coloration called “**cyanosis**.” This means there isn’t enough oxygen getting to the victim. Other telltale signs include distended neck veins, worsening rapid breathing, and elevated heart rate. The victim may go into shock. If you use a stethoscope as explained in our SMH, you will hear crackling sounds or, sometimes, no breath sounds at all on the affected side.

### **Needle Decompression**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/decompression-needle-300x136.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/decompression-needle.png)

With a tension pneumothorax from a rib fracture, a procedure called emergency needle decompression is indicated if there isn’t an open wound that allows air to escape. Decompression should only be attempted off the grid if it’s clear the patient will die without action taken on their behalf. It’s a temporary measure to relieve high pressures that are causing the victim to go into shock.

To perform needle decompression:

**1)**  Wearing gloves, clean the area of the chest on the affected side with an antiseptic solution like Povidone-iodine solution (betadine) or Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens). Both are useful additions to the survival medicine cabinet. Your target is the intercostal space (the space between the ribs) just above the third rib and about midway between the center of the collarbone and the nipple. An alternative would be the space between the 4th and 5th ribs in a line straight down from the front of the armpit (called the “anterior axillary line”). A simple medical device known as “Thorasite” can be used as an anatomical landmark guide to help correctly identify the appropriate location for the procedure.

**2)**  Using a 10-14-gauge 3.25-inch decompression needle with a catheter “sleeve” available online, enter the skin just above the rib at a 90-degree angle to the chest wall. This will avoid blood vessels and nerves, which travel just below the rib. Be sure to stay to the outside of the nipple line and, if on the left side, not pointed towards the heart.

**3)**  Enter with the needle while listening for a pop and a hiss. This indicates air passing through as you go through the edge of the chest cavity. Accumulated air should exit through the needle and allow the lung to inflate.

**4)**  Remove the metal needle and secure the remaining plastic sleeve (the “catheter”) in place with tape.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/needle-decompression-procedure-300x222.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/needle-decompression-procedure.jpg)

If you are using the alternative axillary approach, beware of going too low, as the liver rises just under the rib cage on the right side and the heart is present on the left side. With the frontal approach, avoid going too close to the breastbone (sternum) or, on the left side, the heart.

Many are taught to place a valve of some sort over the catheter once placed. This is meant to prevent air from returning to the lung cavity. Some needles may have a stopcock for this purpose. Otherwise, an item known as a “vented chest seal” may be used as a covering.

### **Chest Seals**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/vented-chest-seal-300x200.jpg)Vented chest seal](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/vented-chest-seal-scaled.jpg)

A useful item for medical storage would be a “chest seal.” Various varieties are available online or at our store. Asherman, Hyfin, and other vented chest seals help secure the catheter in place. Make sure that the seal does not prevent air from escaping through the needle.

When penetrating trauma like a stab or gunshot collapses a lung, it’s termed an “open pneumothorax” or a “sucking chest wound.” In these cases, needle decompression is unnecessary as there is already an opening (the wound) that allows air to escape and prevent tension. The air that enters through the wound while healing, however, accumulates, collapsing the lung, and must be treated.

In order for a lung to re-inflate, a chest seal must be placed over the site of entrance wounds (and exit, if any). You goal is to provide a way for the air to escape from the chest cavity wound, but not to go back in.

To apply a chest seal:

**1)**  Position the victim so that breathing is easiest.

**2)**  Wipe all edges of the wound clean with antiseptic and dry with clean/sterile gauze.

**3)** Wait for the patient to exhale and apply the seal without touching the inside adhesive surface.

**4)**  Repeat this process for exit wounds as well.

The desired effect of a properly placed chest seal is to decrease the pressure in the lung cavity that is preventing the lung from inflating. Your patient should start to breathe easier as air exits through the vent.

### **Improvising a Chest Seal**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/improvised-chest-seal-300x200.jpg)Improvised chest seal](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/improvised-chest-seal-scaled.jpg)

Although many commercial vented seals are available, one can be improvised by taking a 4-6-inch square of plastic wrap or other airtight material and firmly taping three sides on top of the wound. The open fourth side will serve as a valve and allow air to escape and the lung to inflate, while not letting air back in. The open side should be facing down to gravity to allow drainage. Do *not* seal all four sides. If this fails, sometimes the wound opening could be spread slightly with an instrument to allow air to exit and the seal replaced.

A successful needle decompression or chest seal placement is only the start in a wound that collapses a lung. There is much more to be done, such as placing a “**chest tube**,” a more extensive procedure that opens a path for drainage of fluids, re-inflation of the lung, and eventual full recovery. We’ll talk about that next time.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)“Dr. Bones”](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Treating Chest Trauma, Collapsed Lungs, Rib Fractures, Plus: More Essential Oils](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-treating-chest-trauma-collapsed-lungs-rib-fractures-plus-more-essential-oils/) 

 [Video: Why Medical Preparedness?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-why-medical-preparedness/)

**Categories:** Crush injuries, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** blunt trauma, chest seals, collapsed lung, hemothorax, needle decompression, pneumothorax, tension pneumothorax, thorasite, vented chest seals

---

### [Video: Why Medical Preparedness?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-why-medical-preparedness/)

**Published:** November 3, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/WHY-What-AND-How-to-become-Medical-Preparedness-First-Aid-Kits-knowledge-skills-Joe-Alton-Medical-Doctor-MD-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/WHY-What-AND-How-to-become-Medical-Preparedness-First-Aid-Kits-knowledge-skills-Joe-Alton-Medical-Doctor-MD-scaled.jpg)

Over the years, we’ve put out so much content on different individual issues that we haven’t told you WHY it’s important to have the medical knowledge and supplies to succeed in the uncertain future. In this video, medical preparedness advocate Joe Alton MD, aka “Dr. Bones,” makes the case for having the bandages to go along with the post-apocalyptic beans and bullets.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [How To Treat A Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax) Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-treat-a-collapsed-lung-pneumothorax-off-the-grid/) 

 [How To Treat Rib Fractures Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rib-fractures-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** 4th edition survival medicine handbook, austere medicine, medical preparedness, medically prepared, off-grid medicine, survival medicine, Survival Medicine and Medical Conditions

---

### [Rib Fractures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rib-fractures/)

**Published:** February 16, 2015
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The chest cavity contains your heart and lungs, organs that could be easily injured if not protected. Your ribs form a protective armor around these organs, absorbing blunt trauma that could otherwise cause major damage. Ribs may fracture when subjected to force, resulting in pain and difficulty with breathing.

In the U.S., 300,000 [rib fractures](https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/bones-joints-and-muscles/rib-fracture "https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/bones-joints-and-muscles/rib-fracture") are diagnosed and treated every year, with a small (7%) number resulting in hospitalization and, sometimes, surgical intervention. Trauma that is severe enough to fracture a rib can cause damage to the heart, lungs, blood vessels, and upper abdominal structures like the liver, diaphragm, kidneys, and spleen, depending on the location.

**RIB CAGE ANATOMY**

You have 12 pairs of ribs. These are sometimes characterized as “true ribs”, “false ribs”, and “[floating ribs](https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/ribs "https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/ribs")”. The true ribs (ribs 1-7) connect via flexible cartilage to the breastbone, or **sternum**. False ribs (8-10) connect to the sternum at the cartilage of the 7th rib. The 11th and 12th ribs “float” anteriorly, with no connection to the breastbone. All ribs connect to the thoracic spine in back. Ribs are also connected to each other by muscles (called “intercostal” muscles).

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RIB FRACTURES**

If a rib is broken, several signs and symptoms are likely to appear. You can suspect a rib fracture if you note the following:

• Pain at the site of injury
• Increased pain with breathing or movement
• Bruising of the chest or back over the ribs
• Grating sensation or sound when fractured bone ends rub against each other (also known as “bone crepitus”)
• Splinting, or the tensing of muscles in an effort to decrease pain

In uncomplicated single fractures, there is often no change in the appearance of the chest wall. More serious or multiple fractures may present with:

• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• **Hemoptysis** (coughing up blood) or blood in the urine
• Irregular appearance at the site of injury (bump or indentation)
• Assymetrical movement of the chest wall (sign of a condition called “**Flail Chest**”.

A [flail chest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flail_chest "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flail_chest") occurs when several adjacent ribs are fractured. It can be identified by placing one hand on each side of the chest, and observing movement during breathing. The uninjured side will rise during inspiration, but the flail injury will fall. This occurs because the “loose” segments of rib cage are pulled into the chest cavity when inhaling, increasing the work of breathing. Flail chest injuries often cause pulmonary contusions, a bruising of the lungs that interferes with oxygenation. Often, the patient requires ventilator support and will do poorly in austere settings.

Serious fractures may puncture the lung, causing it to collapse, or cause internal bleeding. Efforts by the victim to limit pain by avoiding deep breathing may result in pneumonia, poor oxygenation, and even partial collapse (also called “atelectasis”). Treatment of a punctured lung will be discussed in a future article.

**TREATING A RIB FRACTURE**

In normal times, any patient with a suspected rib fracture should be taken immediately to a modern medical facility. The major goal of treatment is pain control. By decreasing the victim’s pain during breathing, you will preserve normal ventilation and prevent lung complications. The most commonly used medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents like Ibuprofen or Naproxen, although they may have risks if there is internal bleeding.

If an injury occurs in the wilderness, the patient should be placed in a position of comfort. Ice packs, if available, will help relieve discomfort. They should be applied for 20 minutes each hour the first 48 hours after the injury, and as needed afterwards. Limit activities that cause pain, but the patient should not be bedridden. Some recommend slinging the arm on the side of the injury with a soft pack of spare clothes for support.

Previously, fractured ribs were treated with a binder called a “rib belt”. Although this method relieves some pain, it has since been determined to cause more harm than good by preventing the ability to take deep breaths. Although wrapping the chest is no longer done, some practitioners still suggest placing 4 or 5 strips of tape parallel to each other over the area of the injury. If you must do this, only tape one side from the spine to the sternum and observe for any restriction of breathing. Remember that, if a rib is displaced inward, any binding may push it further into the chest cavity.

Prevent pneumonia or lung collapse due to “underbreathing” by encouraging slow deep breathing exercises and gentle coughing every 2 hours or so. Your patient will experience less pain during this process by holding a blanket or pillow against the site of injury. Signs of pneumonia will include fever and cough.

In situations where the rib segments are displaced, titanium plates are sometimes attached surgically to provide support and protect from further injury. This is required only in a small percentage of injuries. Healing from a rib fracture usually takes about 6 weeks, but the patient may not be pain-free until much later.

Have you fractured a rib during your travels? Let us know about your experiences in the comments section!

Joe Alton, M.D.

![JoeAltonLibrary4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-274x300.jpg)Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. BonesAre you ready to deal with medical issues in a disaster? You can be, if you get a copy of the Amazon bestseller “[The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide-When/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424115835&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine "https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide-When/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424115835&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine")“. Check it out and almost 200 5-star reviews at Amazon.com.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Fractures, Superbugs, Questions for your Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-fractures-superbugs-questions-for-your-doctor/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Cholera, Measles and Civil Liberties](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-cholera-measles-and-civil-liberties/)

**Categories:** Fractures, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries

**Tags:** bruised rib, flail chest, intercostal muscles, medical preparedness, pneumonia, rib fracture, survival medicine

---

### [How To Treat Rib Fractures Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rib-fractures-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** October 31, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/shutterstock_181854206-rib-fracture-xray-300x263.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/shutterstock_181854206-rib-fracture-xray.jpg)

The chest cavity contains your heart and lungs, organs that could be easily injured if not protected. That protection is given by your rib cage, a powerful defensive shield. They absorb blunt trauma that could otherwise cause major damage. **Rib fractures**, however, may occur when subjected to enough force, resulting in pain and difficulty with breathing.

In the U.S., 350,000 rib fractures are diagnosed and treated every year, with about seven percent resulting in hospitalization and, sometimes, surgical intervention. Trauma that is severe enough to fracture a rib can cause damage to the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Upper abdominal structures like the liver, diaphragm, kidneys, and spleen may also be involved, depending on the point of trauma.

**RIB CAGE ANATOMY**

The human body has 12 pairs of ribs. These are divided into “true ribs”, “false ribs”, and “floating ribs.” The **true ribs** (ribs 1-7) connect via flexible cartilage to the breastbone, also called the “sternum.” **False ribs** (8-10) connect to each other and the sternum at the cartilage of the 7th rib. The 11th and 12th ribs “float” in front, with no connection to the breastbone. All ribs, however, connect to the thoracic spine in back. Ribs also connect to each other by muscles (called “intercostal” muscles).

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF RIB FRACTURES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/rib-fracture-joe-300x190.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/rib-fracture-joe-scaled.jpg)

If a rib is broken, it may or may not show an obvious deformity. You can suspect a rib fracture if you note the following:

- Pain at the site of injury.
- Increased pain with breathing or movement.
- Bruising of the chest or back over the ribs.
- Grating sensation or sound when fractured bone ends rub against each other (also known as “bone crepitus”).
- **“Splinting,**” (tensing of muscles in an effort to decrease pain).

In uncomplicated single fractures, there is often no change in the appearance of the chest wall. More serious or multiple fractures may present with:

- Rapid, shallow breathing.
- Rapid heart rate.
- **“Hemoptysis”** (coughing up blood) or blood in the urine.
- Irregular appearance at the site of injury (bump or indentation).
- Asymmetrical movement of the chest wall (sign of a condition called “Flail Chest”).

A **flail chest** occurs when several adjacent ribs are fractured. It can be identified by placing one hand on each side of the chest, and observing movement during breathing. The uninjured side will rise during inspiration, but the flail injury will fall. This occurs because the “loose” segments of rib cage are pulled into the chest cavity when inhaling, increasing the work of breathing. Flail chest injuries often cause “pulmonary contusions,” a bruising of the lungs that interferes with oxygenation. Often, the patient requires ventilator support. Off the grid, these victims often do poorly.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/flail-chest-drawing-300x225.png)flail chest](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/flail-chest-drawing-scaled.png)

Serious fractures may puncture the lung, causing it to collapse, or cause internal bleeding. Efforts by the victim to limit pain by avoiding deep breathing may result in pneumonia, poor oxygenation, and even partial collapse (also called “**atelectasis**”). Treatment of a punctured lung will be discussed in a future article.

**TREATING A RIB FRACTURE**

In normal times, any patient with a suspected rib fracture should be taken immediately to a modern medical facility. The major goal of treatment is **pain control**. By decreasing the victim’s pain during breathing, you will preserve normal ventilation and prevent lung complications. The most commonly used medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents like Ibuprofen or Naproxen, although they may be risky if there is internal bleeding.

If an injury occurs in the wilderness, the patient should be lain in a position of comfort. This could be on the uninjured side, on their back, or in sitting position. Ice packs, if available, will help relieve discomfort. Don’t forget to put a thin layer of cloth between the ice and the victim’s skin. Ice packs should be applied for 20 minutes several times a day the first 48 hours after the injury, and as needed afterwards. Limit activities that cause pain and allow the patient to rest, but not be bedridden.

Some recommend slinging the arm on the side of the injury (see video below). A pillow or soft pack made of spare clothes can be placed between the arm and chest for support. This is especially useful when the patient coughs. Coughing helps prevent pneumonia and keeps your lungs expanding as they should.

**WRAP A BROKEN RIB?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4-201x300.jpg)Rib belt for lower rib fractures](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4-scaled.jpg)

Previously, fractured ribs were treated with a binder called a **“rib belt”**. Although this method relieves some pain, most sources are concerned that it may cause more harm than good by preventing the ability to take deep breaths. Failure to take deep breaths could lead to pneumonia.

Although wrapping the chest is no longer routinely done, some practitioners still suggest placing several strips of elastic tape or, if available, specialized kinesiology tape, parallel to each other over the area of the injury. If you must do this, only tape the injury side and observe for any restriction of breathing. Beware displacing a rib inward, as any binding may push it further into the chest cavity and cause further damage.

Prevent pneumonia or lung collapse due to “under-breathing” by encouraging slow deep breathing exercises and gentle coughing every 2 hours or so. Your patient will experience less pain during this process by holding a blanket or pillow against the site of injury. Be on the lookout for signs of pneumonia like fever and cough.

The healing process from an umcomplicated rib fracture usually takes about 6 weeks, but the patient may not be pain-free until much later.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Joe Alton, MD](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Why Medical Preparedness?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-why-medical-preparedness/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Medical Assets, Essential Oils, Acid Reflux/Spasms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-medical-assets-essential-oils-acid-reflux-spasms/)

**Categories:** bone contusion, Bones and Joints, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** chest trauma, flail chest, joe alton md, medical preparedness, rib fracture, rib injury, survival medicine, symptoms of rib fracture, wilderness medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Medical Assets, Essential Oils, Acid Reflux/Spasms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-medical-assets-essential-oils-acid-reflux-spasms/)

**Published:** October 21, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton discusses some important basics as to why it’s important to be medically prepared and some hard truths the average citizen should understand.before beginning the journey as a survival medic.

Plus, all about essential oils as a tool for the practitioner of integrative medicine. Natural substances are especially important for the survival medicine cabinet, as your regular meds will eventually be expended. You’ll have to rely on Mother Nature’s plants with medicinal benefits in a true long-term survival scenario. Dr. Alton gets you started.

Plus, a question from a sufferer of esophageal spasms, related in a way to acid reflux. Both topics are covered in Joe Alton MD’s response.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast. With intro including Amy Alton aprn

To listen in, click below:

## **[https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [How To Treat Rib Fractures Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rib-fractures-off-the-grid/) 

 [Video: Arm Slings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-arm-slings/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Alternative Medicine, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, gastrointestinal disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Natural Remedies, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** acid reflux, becoming a medical asset, esophageal spasms, essential oils, GI disease, integrative medicine, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival community, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [Joint Sprains, Muscle Strains, And Tendon Ruptures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/joint-sprains-muscle-strains-and-tendon-ruptures/)

**Published:** October 4, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/shutterstock_1299202237-man-walking-a-lonely-road-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/shutterstock_1299202237-man-walking-a-lonely-road-scaled.jpg)

Autumn usually means a return to the mountains for us, and a lot of walks in the woods. Of course, this often requires some serious exertion, depending on the trail taken. Muscles, bones, and joints give the body strength, support, and movement. The amount of work these structures are called upon to perform over a lifetime, even if you not hiking backcountry ridges, is pretty impressive; like any other moving parts, they’re subject to wear and tear.

If the you-know-what hits the fan, the group medic can expect to be bombarded with patients that present with sprains, strains, and even fractures. In most cases, full recovery can be expected; in others, there could be permanent loss of function if not properly treated.

**JOINTS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sprains-and-strains.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sprains-and-strains.jpg)

First, some anatomy: A **joint** is the physical point of connection between two bones. It allows for a certain range of motion. The components of a joint include:

- **Ligaments**: Ligaments are fibrous tissues that connect one bone to another, oftentimes across a joint.
- **Muscles:** Muscles are elastic bundles of protein soft tissue that function to produce force and motion.
- **Tendons:** Tendons are cords of strong fibrous tissue attaching a muscle to a bone.
- **Fasciae** (fa-sha): Fasciae (singular: fascia) are sheets of strong fibrous connective tissue binding organs, muscles, and other body parts.

Tendons join muscles to bone, ligaments join bone to bone, and fasciae often surrounds muscles and other tissues in “compartments.” Injuries to bones themselves can involve bruising (bone contusions) or actual breaks (“fractures”), something we’ll discuss in other articles.

The tissue damage we’ll discuss here include:

- **Sprains:** A sprain is an injury where a ligament is excessively stretched or torn by forcing a joint beyond its normal range of motion.
- **Strains:** Strains occur when a muscle or its tendon is partially torn as a result of an injury.
- **Ruptures:** A rupture is a severe, often complete tear through a ligament or muscle.

**SPRAINS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_78209806-sprained-ankle-with-swelling-bruising-300x205.jpg)typical sprain](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_78209806-sprained-ankle-with-swelling-bruising.jpg)

Joints provide mobility and locomotion and can bear an incredible amount of stress without mishap. When ligaments are torn, sprains occur. Most common sprains involve the ankle, wrist, knee, and fingers. The most likely signs and symptoms are:

- Bruising
- Swelling
- Pain

Some categorize sprains as Grade I, II, and III based on the amount of tearing.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RICES-METHOD-scaled.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RICES-METHOD-scaled.jpg)

Treatment for most sprains is relatively straightforward and follows the easy-to-remember **R.I.C.E.S protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Stabilization.**

**REST:** It’s important to avoid further injury by not stressing the injured joint. In some circumstances, you may not have a choice, but continued strain will cause further damage to the weakened ligament. Cessation of whatever activity led to the injury will give the best chance for a full recovery.

**ICE:** Cold therapy decreases both swelling and pain. The earlier it’s applied, the more effect it will have in speeding up the healing process. If you’re in the wilderness, you might have to stick your ankle in a stream to get some cooling action. The medic should always have a supply of “shake and break” cold packs in their medical kit. Cold therapy should be performed several times a day for 20-30 minutes or so each time. It’s most effective in the first 48 hours after the injury. This is followed each time by applying compression.

**COMPRESSION:** A compression bandage is useful to decrease swelling and should be placed after each cold therapy. This will also help provide support to the joint. After applying some padding to the area, wrap an elastic (“ACE”) bandage around the injured area and some space below and above it (described below). The wrap should be tight, but not uncomfortably so. Any tingling, increased pain, or numbness tells you that the wrap is too tight and should be loosened. Excessively tight wraps also may affect the circulation: You may notice the fingertips or toes becoming white or even blue. Loosen immediately.

**ELEVATION:** Elevate the sprain above the level of the heart. This will help prevent swelling at the site of the injury. Swelling (also called “**edema**”) is caused by fluid that pools where the inflammation is and where gravity will allow. By elevating the leg, you allow the fluid to process itself back into circulation and aid the healing process, or at least not impede it.

**STABILIZATION:** Immobilizing the injury will prevent further damage. This may be accomplished by the compression bandage alone or may best be supported with a splint or a cast. Such a strategy will help support the patient who is unable to place much weight on the joint. Splints may be commercially produced, such as the versatile **SAM (Structural Aluminum Malleable) splint** or be made of casting material (without surrounding the entire limb). They may also be improvised with sticks and cloth or pillows and duct tape.

**SPRAINS VS. FRACTURES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ankle-wrap-with-triangular-bandage-2-300x276.jpg)wrapping a sprain with a triangular bandage](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ankle-wrap-with-triangular-bandage-2.jpg)

We are often asked how to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture. Sometimes it’s quite easy, as when, due to trauma, a straight bone is suddenly “zig-zag” in shape. Many times, however, it’s hard to determine without modern diagnostic tests (not an option in long-term survival). Look for one or more of these signs:

- A sprain will generally have less pronounced swelling and bruising than a fracture.
- A person can usually walk a few steps both immediately and an hour later with a sprain. A fracture is generally so painful that no pressure may be placed on the injury at all.
- Sprains are rarely associated with breaks in the skin, but fractures may (an “open” fracture”).
- Sprains involve joints. Injuries in the middle of a bone are more likely fractures or other injuries.
- Swelling on one side of, for example, an ankle is more likely to be a sprain. Swelling on both sides suggest a fracture.
- A fracture may show motion in an area beyond the joint (if your finger suddenly has five knuckles, you probably broke it).

For sprains, Ibuprofen serves as an excellent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Natural remedies may also help. The green underbark of willow, aspen, and poplar trees contains salicin, a natural pain medicine from which the first aspirin drugs were manufactured.

Most sprains, (such as wrist and ankle sprains) commonly heal well over time using the R.I.C.E.S. protocol, pain relievers, and a lot of rest. Others, however, such as severe knee sprains with torn or ruptured ligaments, may heal completely only with the aid of surgical intervention. It’s important to get joint issues dealt with while there is still a functioning medical infrastructure in place. During uncertain times, you (and your joints) want to be in the best shape possible to face the challenges ahead.

**STRAINS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/shutterstock_89052784-lower-back-pain-300x200.jpg)Back strains are common](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/shutterstock_89052784-lower-back-pain.jpg)

By far, the most frequently seen strain will be to the back muscles. Strains, especially back strains, involve injury to the muscle and their tendons. As the lower part of the back holds the majority of the body’s weight, you can expect the most trouble in these muscles.

Some of these injuries are preventable with simple precautions:

- Start the day with stretching exercises to increase blood flow to cold, stiff muscles and joints.
- When lifting a heavy object, such as a backpack, keep the back straight and let your legs perform the work.
- Objects should be close to your body as you lift them (don’t reach).
- For packs, keep the weight on the hips rather than the shoulders.
- If you are on rocky or unstable terrain, consider using a walking stick for balance.

Remember, any weight-lifting action that you perform while off-balance is likely to result in a strained muscle. Treatment involves cold packs to decrease swelling for the first 48 hours or so. After that, heat packs may be more effective in providing pain relief. Ibuprofen is an excellent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever for these types of injury. For muscle injuries, prescription relaxants such as Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) or other drugs will also provide relief. Assuming these are not available, the victim will benefit from massage of the strained muscles.

**RUPTURES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sprains-and-strains.jpg)Achilles rupture on left](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/sprains-and-strains.jpg)

For all ruptured tendons, begin with the standard RICES protocol. Ruptures of particular muscles/tendons require proper positioning. For front upper leg (quadriceps) injuries, stabilize with the knee straight. For a biceps (front upper arm) rupture, immobilize with the elbow at 90 degrees.

Although many ruptures are best treated with surgical repair, lesser strategies may work for certain injuries off the grid:

-Achilles tendon (back heel area). Immobilize the area so that the foot is pointing down for 8-12 weeks

-Biceps ruptures. The affected arm is stabilized with a sling at a 90-degree angle. Recovery without surgical intervention often ends with decreased strength and the inability to go from a palm-down position (pronation) to a palm-up position (supination).

-Rotator cuff injuries. The rotator cuff is made up of several muscles and tendons that keep the upper-arm bone (humerus) in the shoulder socket. Chronic damage is often treated without surgery, as a percentage of symptoms will decrease with time. Sudden tears are more complex.

-Quadriceps (front upper leg) tears. Quadriceps tendon injuries may be immobilized for about 6 weeks, or at least until the patient is able to raise the affected leg without discomfort for two weeks.

It should be noted that recovery from these injuries varies from individual to individual and can be prone to re-rupture. In normal times, most are treated surgically, especially in younger patients. Failure to do so often leads to reduction in strength and range of motion of the affected extremity.

Medical preparedness means keeping your people at 110 percent efficiency when the you-know-what hits the fan, so do everything possible to “tune up” orthopedic injuries *before* a disaster occurs. The last thing you need is a bum knee in times of trouble.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [In Michigan, The Blueprint Of Terror Expands](https://www.doomandbloom.net/in-michigan-the-blueprint-of-terror-expands/) 

 [Handling A Stab Wound](https://www.doomandbloom.net/handling-a-stab-wound/)

**Categories:** Bones and Joints, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Minor Wounds, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** fascia, injuries, joe alton md, ligaments, medical preparedness, muscles, preppers, ruptures, sprains, strains, survival, survivalists, tendons

---

### [In Michigan, The Blueprint Of Terror Expands](https://www.doomandbloom.net/in-michigan-the-blueprint-of-terror-expands/)

**Published:** October 6, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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This article was first published at [Americanthinker.com. ](https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/10/in_michigan_the_blueprint_of_terror_expands_comments.html)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_569622379-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_569622379.jpg)

U.S. citizens have become accustomed to hearing about attacks on places of worship. The latest church shooting, this time at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Michigan, killed four and injured eight others. The alleged assassin was a 40-year-old Marine veteran with a police record; he was neutralized in a shootout with law enforcement.

Church shootings tend to follow a pattern; as “soft” targets, they are often easy to enter and few are expecting trouble. When a gunman can’t enter, such as in the Annunciation Catholic Church event, mayhem can be had simply by shooting through the windows during a service, when the building is relatively full.

**HOW WAS THE MICHIGAN CHURCH ATTACK DIFFERENT?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_59713321-active-shooter-terrorist-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_59713321-active-shooter-terrorist.jpg)

The attack on the Mormon church was something new. It incorporated more different killing methods at once than before:

**The use of firearms:** This is the standard way that casualties are caused in U.S. terror events. The recent event was no different.

**Vehicular terror:** In Europe, guns are more difficult to come by, but anyone can rent a car or truck and plow through a crowd. This has happened every year in the recent past at places like Christmas markets. In the LDS incident, the assailant used his truck to smash through and block the church entrance.

**Arson:** The use of fire in occupied or unoccupied buildings has been used for centuries to cause death and destruction. The shooter at the Mormon church, perhaps, used fire (as well as his truck) to block the church entrance and inflict damage. Indeed, two of the victims avoided being shot but were unable to exit the building and died as a result of the fire (the building was totally destroyed).

It’s uncertain if all three of the above strategies were planned to have their eventual effects; if so, this represents a new, elaborate, and uniquely effective way to inflict mass casualties on an indoor crowd. Indeed, it’s an expanded blueprint for terror against soft targets.

Not all congregations prioritize church or school safety at the level needed in this toxic climate. The premise that a religious ministry is based on peace fails to take into account that there are few softer targets than a congregation at worship services.

In this era of active shooters and anti-Christian feeling (or anti-religious feeling in general), pastors must make sure their flock is safe, just like any shepherd. In the New Normal, it’s part of the job description.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3-201x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3-scaled.jpg)

Large places of worship may choose to hire security professionals and install video surveillance technology. Smaller and less affluent churches, however, might benefit by establishing what I call a “**safety ministry**.“ This group should be comprised of congregants who have some security experience, such as active and former law enforcement, military veterans, and carefully selected others. Members should evaluate the layout of the church, school, and grounds for weak spots (such as side entrances) and organize a plan of action for calling 911 and other measures when needed.

Training goals might best be accomplished with the cooperation and assistance of local police. They can help train ushers and other church members in how to identify the behavior of possible perpetrators of violence.

The call for volunteers for such a ministry should be made publicly and their purpose should be frankly (but calmly) explained so as to emphasize their benefits to all those attending the church.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/safety-ministry-300x162.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/safety-ministry.jpg)

A simple way to prevent or abort acts of violence in places of worship is the placement of friendly but visible “greeters” or ushers at church entrances. These people can look for “anomalies” such as someone inappropriately dressed for the weather. If a person seeking entry is wearing an overcoat in hot weather, it could be because they are concealing a weapon. Having ushers outside could also make it easier to identify those acting nervously, loitering in the parking lot, or otherwise exhibiting suspicious behavior.

Safety ministry personnel should have the ability to close and lock doors to prevent a gunman from entering. Conversely, they can also open all the exits that could be used to direct congregants out of harm’s way when necessary. Ushers can also look for packages left behind that might hide an explosive device.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1015673872-bollards-vehicular-terror-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1015673872-bollards-vehicular-terror-scaled.jpg)

This is a good strategy for the active shooter on foot. What about the assailant in a vehicle? Looking at my own church, there are stairs and relatively narrow ramps that wouldn’t allow a vehicle to easily smash through the entrance. Places of worship without these obstacles might consider the placement of “**bollards**.” Bollards are sturdy barrier posts used to prevent traffic from entering an area. They are common sights outside federal buildings.

Of course, Safety Ministry personnel should have training on how to stop bleeding and equipment such as first aid kits geared to help them accomplish this goal. The number and sophistication of such kits may depend on the number and level of training of parishioners. Indeed, the church/school might consider arranging such training for their entire congregation or staff. Below is an example of what a multiple-casualty bleeding kit might look like:

[https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-multi-person-for-bleeding-wounds-grab-n-go/?searchid=145840&search\_query=multi](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-multi-person-for-bleeding-wounds-grab-n-go/?searchid=145840&search_query=multi)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801.jpg)

One prediction I made some years ago was that first aid kits would be fixtures on the wall as common as fire extinguishers. This has, sadly, come true. I also envision a future where safety ministries are standard operating procedure for faith-based venues.

As we harden our places of worship against attackers, we can expect the deranged and disgruntled to become more creative in their strategies to cause murder and mayhem. Preparing for untoward events should be the responsibility of every pastor, teacher, parishioner, and, yes, even students. With a plan of action, they’ll have the best chance to keep the faithful safe in the uncertain future.

Joe Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Building/House fFires, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** active shooter, arson, blueprint for terror, bollards, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Michigan church shooting, safety ministry, situational awareness, survival medicine, terror events, vehicular terror

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Civil War Medicine, Antiseptics, Sterilizing Instruments, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-civil-war-medicine-antiseptics-sterilizing-instruments-more/)

**Published:** August 30, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/civil-war-sick-room-300x210.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/civil-war-sick-room.jpg)

In this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton, we go back in history to find out how doctors functioned during the Civil War in an era where there weren’t even electric lights, no antibiotics, and rudimentary knowledge of bacteria’s connection to disease.

Also, a discussion of commercial and natural antiseptics, plus how antiseptics differ from disinfectants and antibiotics, and the unusual mixture of sugar and iodine to make “Sugardyne.” Also, how to make sterile saline solution for wound care.

Finally, Dr. Alton talks about various ways to keep reusable instruments sterile (or, at least, clean) enough to function in a setting where there’s no power and a lot of dirty wounds. Includes UVC sterilization basics with portable wands.

All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with the Altons, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

Wishing you the best of health in good times and bad,

To listen in, click below:

## [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: GI Bleeds, Herbal Teas, LASIK vs PRK, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-gi-bleeds-herbal-teas-lasik-vs-prk-more/)

**Categories:** Uncategorized

---

### [What To Do About Church/School Shootings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-do-about-church-school-shootings/)

**Published:** March 27, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/country-church-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/country-church-scaled.jpg)

News outlets are reporting another attack on a faith-based institution, this time at a church school in Nashville, Tennessee. In this instance, three adults and three children were killed by, apparently, a 28-year-old woman, before the threat was abolished by law enforcement.

As time goes on, more heinous acts of violence are occurring in what should be sanctuaries for our children. There is no place where crowds gather that is immune to the bad intentions of a disgruntled, deranged, or politically-motivated individual. In this incident, the shooter was able to enter the school through a side entrance.

The tragic outcome might have been avoided if a culture of “situational awareness” was instilled in our society. [Situational awareness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/situational-awareness-could-save-your-life/) is a state of calm, relaxed observation of factors that might indicate a threat or a need to act. These are called “anomalies”; learning to recognize them can identify suspicious individuals and save lives.

(Learn more about situational awareness in [this article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-a-fighter-pilots-strategy-could-save-your-life-the-ooda-loop/))

Not all congregations prioritize church or school safety at the level needed in this toxic climate. The premise that a religious ministry is based on peace fails to take into account that there are those who consider places of worship to be “soft” targets. In this era of [active shooters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-ooda-loop-of-situational-awareness/) and anti-Christian feeling (or anti-religious feeling in general), pastors must make sure their flock is safe, just like any shepherd. In the New Normal, it has become part of the job description.

In my role as medical preparedness writer, it’s my mission to help the average citizen promote the well-being of loved ones in disasters. I’ve written about [hurricanes ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-preparedness-tips/)and [earthquakes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/earthquake-safety-what-you-need-to-know/), but shooter events like the one in Nashville are also instances where mass casualties can occur. These casualties could be minimized with a plan of action.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Church-Shootings-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Church-Shootings.jpg)

Large places of worship may choose to hire security professionals and install video surveillance technology. Smaller and less affluent churches, however, might benefit by establishing what I call a “**safety ministry**“. This group should be comprised of congregants who have some security experience, such as active and former law enforcement, military veterans, and carefully selected others. Members should evaluate the layout of the church, school, and grounds for weak spots (such as side entrances) and organize a plan of action for calling 911 and other measures when needed.

Training goals might best be accomplished with the cooperation and assistance of local police. They can help train church members in how to identify the behavior of possible perpetrators of violence. The pastoral and teaching staff should be actively involved in this training to assess liability issues that might arise, and to ensure that the safety ministry is not perceived as a “goon squad.”

The call for volunteers for such a ministry should be made publicly and their purpose should be frankly (but calmly) explained so as to emphasize their benefits to all those attending the church. The formation of a security group in private might otherwise tend to cause concern instead of reassurance.

A simple way to avoid or abort acts of violence in places of worship is the placement of friendly but visible “greeters” or ushers at church entrances. These people can look for anomalies, such as someone inappropriately dressed for the weather. If a person seeking entry is wearing an overcoat in hot weather, it could be because they are concealing a weapon. Having greeters outside could also make it easier to identify those acting nervously, loitering in the parking lot, or otherwise exhibiting suspicious behavior.

Safety ministry personnel should have the ability to close and lock doors to prevent a gunman from entering. Conversely, they can also open all the exits that could be used to direct congregants out of harm’s way when necessary. Ushers can also look for packages left behind that might hide an explosive device.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Trauma_Kit_3_Person_Bleeding_Control_Kit_and_Bag__32622.1507144039.1280.12801-300x229.jpg)Medical kits that can handle multiple injuries should be available](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Trauma_Kit_3_Person_Bleeding_Control_Kit_and_Bag__32622.1507144039.1280.12801.jpg)

In an active shooter event, multiple casualties are incurred, leaving wounded and bleeding victims at the scene. Safety Ministry personnel should have training on how to stop bleeding and equipment such as [first aid kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/multi-person-trauma-kit-for-bleeding-wounds-grab-n-go/) geared to help them accomplish this goal. The [number and sophistication of such kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/multi-person-trauma-kit-for-bleeding-wounds-grab-n-go/) may depend on the number and level of training of parishioners. Indeed, the church/school might consider arranging such training for their entire congregation or staff.

Although a safety ministry might be geared towards hours when services are held, a plan of action for a school should be organized for all times when classes or other school activities occur during the week as well.

One question is: Should non-professional security personnel be armed? I have an opinion (yes), but I can’t give you an answer. This is a decision that must be made taking into account local laws, risk levels, and the wishes of the congregation and staff.

One prediction I made some years ago was that first aid kits would be fixtures on the wall as common as fire extinguishers. This has, sadly, come true. I also I envision a future where safety ministries are standard operating procedure for faith-based venues. This future has not yet come to pass, but I believe it’s inevitable (and might save some lives).

It may be a major challenge to protect people of faith these days, but preparing for untoward events should be the responsibility of every pastor, teacher, parishioner, and, yes, even students. With a plan of action, they’ll have the best chance to keep us safe in the uncertain future.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MDThe Book Excellence Award-winning “[The Survival Medicine Handbook”](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) is now in its 4th edition, check it out and our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Active Shooter, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

---

### [Antiseptics, Pt. 2: Natural Options](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-pt-2-natural-options/)

**Published:** August 26, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-28-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-28.jpg)

In [part 1 of this article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-in-survival-pt-1/), we reported on the tens of millions of emergency room visits due to injuries in the U.S. Any open wound can lead to infection, whether it’s in normal times or long-term survival settings. Family medics must act to prevent contamination and, hopefully, a tragic outcome. For that, **antiseptics** are needed. We discussed commercial antiseptics last time; today we’ll discuss plant-based and other naturally antiseptic substances.

As mentioned in [Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-in-survival-pt-1/), many people confuse antiseptics, disinfectants, and antibiotics. The goal of all of these substances is to combat infection, but they’re not the same. **Disinfectants** are applied to non-living surfaces, such as countertops. Antiseptics, on the other hand, are applied to the surfaces of *living* tissues, mostly as prevention. Doctors apply disinfectants to clean their exam table, then use antiseptics on the skin of patients undergoing procedures on that table. **Antibiotics** are curative for many bacterial infections; they are most commonly ingested by or injected into a patient, something you don’t want to do with either disinfectants or antiseptics.

**PLANT-BASED AND OTHER NATURAL ANTISEPTICS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_84827734-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_84827734.jpg)

When the commercial antiseptic products run out, the family medic will need to look to nature for substances that can prevent and treat infection. Some plant extracts are thought to have significant antiseptic properties. They include:

- **Witch hazel:** This is a mild antiseptic largely used for acne. It can serve as a gargle for throat issues or applied directly for mild wounds.
- **Grapefruit seed extract:** Known for its antimicrobial activity, a spray solution of four to forty drops of this substance in four ounces of water can be applied to affected areas two to three times a day.
- **Honey:** Applied full strength, raw unprocessed honey has been found to prevent growth of many species of bacteria. Its pH profile promotes oxygen delivery to wounds. Some researchers even believe raw honey to be superior to antibiotics in treating certain drug-resistant bacteria. It can be used for bites, stings, cuts, burns, or any infection.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-300x186.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-scaled.jpg)

When using raw honey on wounds, always start with clean hands and sterile dressings. Keep the area neat by putting honey on the dressing before applying to the wound. An exception would be a large, deep wound: In that case, fill the wound with honey before covering with a dry dressing. Replace when wound drainage saturates the dressings. It should be noted that there are commercially-made dressings available that incorporate honey ([**MediHoney**](https://products.integralife.com/medihoney-wound-burn-dressing/product/wound-reconstruction-care-outpatient-clinic-private-office-prepare-medihoney-wound-burn-dressing-us)).

- **Tea tree oil:** A well-known natural antibiotic, this pungent oil contains antiseptic compounds that are effective against fungal infections like ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch. For wound cleanings, add 1½ tablespoons of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water and apply to the area.
- **Turmeric paste:** A compound in turmeric called curcumin possesses antimicrobial properties which may enhance wound healing. Mixing turmeric and warm water to make a paste can successfully treat dry socket, a common infection that occurs after removing a tooth. Apply the paste gently and cover with a small amount of gauze.
- **Aloe vera:** A member of the cactus family, aloe vera contains a gel-like substance called glucomannan which promotes wound healing. Aloe vera is a popular natural treatment for burn injuries as well. Apply a thin layer or wet a bandage with it and cover the wound.
- **Coconut oil:** Coconut oil contains monolaurin, a fatty acid thought to have antimicrobial effects. It can be used as a base to make antiseptic ointments.
- **Garlic:** Garlic is well-known for antimicrobial properties due to a substance it contains called allicin. Simply crush a clove of garlic and mix it with a third of a cup of water or some coconut oil. Use the solution right away, as it loses potency in just a few hours.
- **Salt:** Although sea water is risky to use as an antiseptic, cleaning with sterile salt (“normal saline”) solutions is thought to decrease the risk of infection. Mix a liter of water and two teaspoons of salt in a pot with a lid and boil for fifteen minutes. Let cool and use immediately on the wound or seal in sterile canning jars.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-4-300x280.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-4.jpg)

(**Historical aside**: In centuries past, punishment for sailors at sea involved lashes with a whip. Since these whippings broke the skin, salt or saltwater was rubbed into the wound to prevent infection. But just because salt was used historically as an antiseptic, doesn’t mean it really worked. Researchers have found that rinsing a wound in seawater is harmful due to the presence of dangerous marine microbes. Additionally, many bacteria tolerate salt very well, including the organism behind deadly MRSA infections. Therefore, the saying “rubbing salt in the wound” became a metaphor for making a bad situation worse!)

Among the many other natural substances that have had antiseptic properties attributed to them are the following:

- Vinegar
- Anise oil
- Lavender oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Baking soda
- Camphor
- Cinnamon oil
- Citronella oil
- Frankincense oil
- Myrrh oil
- Lemon juice or oil
- Oregano oil
- Spearmint oil
- Sweet Orange oil

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-5-1-300x255.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-5-1.jpg)

A combination of commercial and natural antiseptic products known as [**sugardine (or sugardyne)**](https://sugardyne.com/what-is-sugardyne/) is an additional option. Studies has shown the mixture of sugar and povidone-iodine is effective for wound management. It appears that sugardine nourishes regenerating tissues and inhibits the growth of bacteria. Several formulas can be found, depending on the thickness of the paste desired. It has the consistency of thick honey in concentrated form (9:1 sugar: povidone-iodine), less viscous when more dilute (as low as 2:1). No specific standard exists.

It’s important to realize that the evidence for the antiseptic effects of many natural substances is limited in terms of hard scientific data. They also are difficult to standardize in any meaningful way and, thus, different versions of the same substance may vary in their effect on different individuals. There is also the possibility of an allergy to the extract. Do your own research and make your own conclusions.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Sterilizing Medical Equipment Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sterilizing-medical-equipment-off-the-grid/) 

 [Antiseptics In Survival, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-in-survival-pt-1/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Remedies, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** antiseptics, Infections, integrative medicine, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medihoney, natural antiseptics, sugardyne, survival medicine, wound care, wound infection

---

### [Antiseptics In Survival, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-in-survival-pt-1/)

**Published:** August 23, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_1069197155-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_1069197155-scaled.jpg)

In good times or bad, families may face any number of events where trauma causes injuries. In the United States alone, there are over 37 million emergency department visits annually due to injuries. In austere settings, many of these become infected. Failure to act can lead to headaches (and heartaches) for the family caregiver, especially off the grid.

What happens if we’re thrown back to a bygone era where modern medicine is not an option? The bad news: Expect civil war-era statistics with regards to major abdominal and chest trauma outcomes. The good news: We’ll still be ahead of our ancestors because of knowledge of **antiseptic** techniques.

The word antiseptic comes from the greek words “anti” (against) and “septikos” (putrid or rotten). Antiseptics are substances with antimicrobial properties applied to living tissue to reduce the possibility of infection.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-3-300x193.jpg)Antiseptics are not the same as disinfectants](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-3.jpg)

Antiseptics are different from disinfectants, which destroy germs found on non-living objects. Antiseptics are, also, not antibiotics. Antibiotics are meant to destroy bacteria *within* the body. Antibiotics are most commonly ingested by or injected into a patient, something you don’t want to do with either disinfectants or antiseptics. All of these, by the way, are important supplies for the survival medic.

**COMMERCIAL ANTISEPTICS**

[![a bottle of hibiclens is a good medical supply to have as an antiseptic](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/hibiclens.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/hibiclens.jpg)

Let’s discuss the most popular types on the market that might be candidates for your survival medical kit.

**Iodophors:** Iodophors like Betadine contain iodine, a substance that can also be used to purify water, but is combined with a solubilizing agent, povidone, which makes it, unlike pure iodine, relatively nonirritating and nontoxic to living tissue.

Iodophors work against a broad array of microorganisms and don’t need to be heavily diluted. I’ll admit that I *do* dilute Betadine if I use it on open wounds for regular dressing changes. Iodophors are effective in killing microbes within just a few minutes.

**Chlorhexidine Gluconate:** This substance, better known by its brand name “Hibiclens”, is helpful against many types of germs, although it’s not very effective against fungal infections. It’s relatively long-lasting, however, compared to some other antiseptics. For this reason, Hibiclens is popular as a way to prepare areas for surgery and for healthcare providers to scrub their hands before patient encounters.

**Alcohol:** Ethyl Alcohol (also called ethanol) is another tried and true antiseptic product. It, along with isopropyl alcohol, kills many different types of microbes and is fact acting and inexpensive. The problem is that alcohol has a drying effect on skin, the oral cavity, and vagina. It has a tendency to inhibit the development of new cells, so use it for an initial wound cleaning but not for regular care.

[![BZK will kill germs on skin and help prevent wound infections](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/BZK-Wipe-284x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/BZK-Wipe.jpg)

**Benzalkonium Chloride:** BZK is a mild antiseptic and is easily tolerated by most people. One of the most popular first aid wipes or sprays, some say that it has a special effect against the rabies virus, but there’s little hard data supporting this claim.

**Hydrogen Peroxide:** Hydrogen peroxide is used to clean wounds and reacts with blood to form an impressive foam. This is because blood and most cells contain an enzyme called “catalase.” Catalase reacts with hydrogen peroxide, converting it into oxygen and water. This effect makes it popular for household first aid in common mishaps like abrasions, but not a great candidate for regular dressing changes due to its drying effect on new cells. It can be used as a mouth rinse in the oral cavity, however, making it a candidate for a survival dental kit.

**PCMX** (Parachlorometaxylenol or chloro-xylenol for short): Available in more brand names than you can count, this substance is effective against most germs. It’s less potent, though, than chlorhexidine and iodophors, although the antiseptic effect lasts longer. PCMX can be irritating, so don’t use it on mucous membranes like the oral cavity and vagina.

**Bleach:** Bleach can be found as either a sodium hypochlorite (Clorox) solution or can be improvised with calcium hypochlorite granules, also known as “Pool Shock”. Used more as a disinfectant than an antiseptic, bleach in very dilute solutions (0.5% or less) can make **Dakin’s solution**, a time-honored method to clean wounds.

**Silver compounds:** Although not used for surgical procedures, topical silver solutions are known to be effective against various types of wounds. Indeed, before there were antibiotics, silver compounds were applied to skin lesions.

I’ll bet you know of more products that have served as time-honored antiseptics for your family sick room. Armed with these items, your chances of succeeding when everything else fails go up exponentially.

Next time, we’ll discuss plant-based and other natural substances that have antiseptic actions. You’ll need to know these for when you run out of commercial products if (when?) the you-know-what hits the fan.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Antiseptics, Pt. 2: Natural Options](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-pt-2-natural-options/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Lost At Sea, Road Rash, Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Shoulder Injury](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-lost-at-sea-road-rash-flesh-eating-bacteria-shoulder-injury/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Minor Wounds, Sanitation, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** antibiotic, antseptics, betadine, commercial antiseptics, dakin's solution, disinfectant, hibiclens, joe alton md, medical preparedness, minor wounds, povidone-iodine, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Lost At Sea, Road Rash, Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Shoulder Injury](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-lost-at-sea-road-rash-flesh-eating-bacteria-shoulder-injury/)

**Published:** August 16, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the **Survival Medicine Podcas**t with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton APRN, they discuss survival techniques when lost in open water with a life raft, life vest only, or without one. Plus, cases of flesh-eating bacterium *Vibrio vulnificus* have been rising along the Eastern and Gulf seaboard. Find out how to recognize this possibly life-threatening, flesh-eating infection!

Also, some questions from listeners about how to care for and prevent a shoulder injury and how to deal with road rash. Learn about these in detail with Dr. Joe Alton.

To listen in, click below:

## [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

**Joe Alton MD Amy Alton APRN**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/THE-SURVIVAL-MEDICINE-PODCAST-joe-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/THE-SURVIVAL-MEDICINE-PODCAST-joe-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at **[store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Antiseptics In Survival, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antiseptics-in-survival-pt-1/) 

 [Video: Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-flesh-eating-bacteria/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, bacterial disease, Bones and Joints, Diarrhea, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, gastrointestinal disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Minor Wounds, Orthopedic Issues, Sanitation, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** joe alton md, lost at sea, medical preparedness, necrotizing fasscitis, preppers, road rash, shoulder injury, stranded at sea, survival, survival at sea, survival medicine, survivalist, Vibrio Vulnificus

---

### [Stranded At Sea](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stranded-at-sea/)

**Published:** August 13, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/bush-rescue-at-sea-300x228.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/bush-rescue-at-sea.jpg)

Here’s a WWII story you may not know about a former president. Having flown 58 missions in a Grumman torpedo bomber, Lieutenant George H. W. Bush (the elder) was often under enemy fire. On September 2, 1944, his plane was shot down near an island called Chi Chi Jima. He was the only survivor in the three-man crew.

He swam about 50 yards to a small life raft and fought the currents that would have caused him to make landfall on the island. Why? It was discovered afterwards that starving enemy soldiers were making meals of the livers of downed pilots. Fortunately, a U.S. plane had spotted him and he was rescued by a submarine several hours later. He went on to log more than 1200 hours of flying time in the Pacific theatre

Most cases of survival at sea, however, aren’t lucky enough to have a submarine nearby; therefore, it’s important to have an idea of what to do if you find yourself in open water without rapid rescue. Your survival will depend on your ability to stay hydrated, obtain nourishment, and be protected against exposure to wind and temperature extremes.

Lieutenant Bush bailed out of an airplane, but most people that end up in the ocean are victims of boating accidents. Before boarding any vessel, you should have a good idea of what supplies and equipment exist for use in an emergency. Your ability to access and use what’s available could determine whether you live or die.

anyone planning an ocean voyage should register what’s called a “**float plan.**” Giving the marina and others an idea of where you’re going and when you’re returning prevents delays in search and rescue. The sooner people start looking for you, the better your chances of survival.

**With a Flotation Device**

In rough seas (actually even calm seas), you should always wear a life jacket while boating. Attaching a whistle to it is useful if an individual boater is thrown overboard. In this situation, a flotation device (life preserver) attached to a good length of rope can be thrown or a crew member sent with one to retrieve the victim.

Let’s say your boat capsizes or sinks. In that case, you have to act fast. If there is time to send out a distress signal, do so. Many supply containers are meant to float; gather as many together as possible. They can help you stay above water (and the supplies in them may save your life).

Unless land is in sight, it’s wise to stay as close to the last known position of the ship as possible. This is where all rescue efforts will begin, so the closer you are to where the ship sank, the more likely you will be found. This is especially useful if you sink in widely traveled areas or shipping lanes. ***The key is to be where you can be found***.

**Water Temperature and Heat Loss**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/titanic-lifeboat.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/titanic-lifeboat.jpg)

Hypothermia, or loss of body heat, is a major cause of death in boating mishaps. Water doesn’t have to be particularly cold to cause hypothermia. Any water that’s cooler than normal body temperature will cause heat loss, and the time you have before you get in trouble drops significantly in waters below 70 degrees. You could die of hypothermia off a tropical coast!

Average survival times decrease as the water temperature gets colder:

- 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit: About 12-18 hours
- 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit: About 6 hours
- 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit: About an hour
- Lower than 40 degrees: Less than an hour

The time that you’re actually able to swim or otherwise function effectively to help yourself is a fraction of these numbers.

**Keep your clothes on:** To increase your chances of survival when immersed in water, keep your clothes on and zip up. Cover your head if at all possible. The layer of water between your clothing and your body is slightly warmer and will help insulate you from the cold.

**Get as much of your body’s surface area out of the water as possible**. Climbing onto a capsized boat or grabbing a floating object will increase your chances of survival. However, don’t use up energy swimming unless you can swim to a dry place. The swimming strokes that use the least effort are the dog paddle, sidestroke, backstroke, and breaststroke; alternate them to use different muscles.

**Position yourself to lessen heat loss**. Use a body position known as the **Heat Escape Lessening Position** (think **H.E.L.P**.) to reduce heat loss while you wait for help to arrive. Just hold your knees to your chest and cross your arms; this will help protect your torso (the body core) some from heat loss.

**Huddle together.** If you’ve fallen into cold water with others, keep warm by facing each other in a tight circle and holding on to each other.

**Without A Life Jacket**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/without-a-life-vest-jacket-300x232.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/without-a-life-vest-jacket.jpg)

The above strategies work well for those with life vests, but what if you don’t have one?

If you end up in the water without a life jacket, a lot more exertion is required to keep above water. At one point or another, you’ll get tired. If you float on your back, it will require less energy to keep your face out of water. Arch your back and spread out your arms and legs; this should allow you to breathe with the least effort.

Another way to “rest” without a life jacket involves relaxing the body in between breaths. Inhale while treading water and then lie face down with arms forward. Repeat when you need another breath.

**In a Life Raft**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/portland-pudgy-life-raft-300x213.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/portland-pudgy-life-raft.jpg)

The “Portland Pudgy”

Of course, a much better way to survive if stranded in the ocean is to be in a life raft. In a raft, you can use your skills to survive longer and have a better chance of rescue.

A question: Should you get away from the sinking ship as soon as possible?

If you’ve seen the movie “Titanic”, then you probably remember the sinking ship sucking down people in life jackets and all sorts of other debris. A large ship going down creates a void in the water where its mass used to be, and water will rush in to fill that void.

You want to paddle into the wind away from the wreck in case a fire starts—this is because burning oil on the water and the toxic smoke it creates will spread downwind. Once the ship has gone to the deep and fire is no longer a risk, check the water for anything that might be useful. Anything not bolted down to the ship may rise to the surface to be snatched up and utilized by survivors. Many modern life rafts have survival kits and paddles built in.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/shutterstock_154286831-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/shutterstock_154286831.jpg)

If you’re in a remote part of the ocean, the direction that birds fly in may help you determine where the nearest land is. Seabirds will fly from land in the early morning and fly towards land in the evening. Also, water will appear lighter as it gets shallower. Wave swells will decrease in size as well.

The direction of the wind may help you find land. Wind usually blows towards land in the day and away at night. Why? Dry land absorbs heat from the sun faster than the water. Warm air over land will rise and cool air over the water rushes in to replace it. At night, water cools more slowly than land. The warmer air over the water rises and the cool air from the land rushes away.

If you’re approaching land, try to find sandy stretches of beach. Rocks and coral below the surface may tear the bottom of your raft or cause injury if you get out of the raft. Paddle sideways in rip currents and you should make progress to shore.

**FAR FROM LAND**

If you’re not close to land, don’t exert yourself. You need to protect your body, conserve your resources and limit your consumption. Many modern rafts have a canopy, but If you are in an open raft you’ll want to erect some sort of shelter from the elements using anything you can—a tarp, part of a sail, even spare clothing. If it’s hot, you can dampen your clothing with sea water to cool off, although this can cause skin irritation over time. If it’s cold, put as much clothing on and usually anything that can serve as a windbreak.

The floor of your life raft will be colder than the walls, so don’t sleep lying down if you’re in cold weather. But if it’s hot, the floor might help keep you cool, especially if you have cover. Keep the inside of the raft as dry as possible.

A canopy can also double as a rain catch to collect fresh water, which is going to be your biggest struggle. The first day in the raft, don’t drink any water at all. Come up with a water rationing system and stick to it. The minimum amount of water necessary to stay in decent shape is 1 liter a day. It’s possible to survive on as little as 2 to 5 ounces a day, although this will weaken you over time.

Regardless of what you may have read, you can’t drink sea water. It will dehydrate you due to the large amount of salt it contains. You can, however, get condensation from sea water if you have a few supplies. You’ll need a pot, a smaller pot, some plastic wrap or sheeting, and 1 or 2 weights.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/solar-still-259x300.jpg)A Solar Still](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/solar-still.jpg)

Fill the larger pot with sea water and put the smaller pot in the larger pot. Cover the whole thing with plastic and put a weight over the center of the smaller pot. Condensation will occur on the inside of the plastic sheet. Because of the weight, it will drip into the smaller pot, which you can drink from. They call this contraption a solar still.

Save whatever food you have for at least the first day or two. You can survive quite a long time without food, so ration it out slowly so that it will last. You might be able to catch curious fish, sea turtles, or seabirds, which you’ll just have to eat raw. Inedible parts may be used as bait. One survive said he caught fish by wiggling dirty clothes in the water and scooping them up with a fishing net. I haven’t tried this, but it apparently works. Using flashlights at night may attract fish.

Be aware that too much protein may cause you to use your body’s water to digest it. I’m told that fish eyes contain fluid that you can ingest safely.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sargassum-seaweed-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sargassum-seaweed-scaled.jpg)seaweedCan you eat seaweed? The answer is often yes. Many seaweeds are part of the diet of coastal inhabitants around the world. Generally, green, brown, or red seaweeds can be washed and eaten raw or dried. Avoid the parts that are round and filled with gas; only eat the leafy parts. If you’re not sure, you can touch the seaweed to your lips and wait for a few hours to see if there is any ill effect. Be forewarned that seaweed tends to have a laxative effect and those who eat it say it takes some “getting used to.”

Another useful item for the raft is some sort of signaling device. As hand mirror can reflect the sun and be seen from a passing plane or boat. Some newer rafts come with their own beacon.

One thing I haven’t mentioned is sharks, which are a concern to anyone stranded in open waters. Check out my recent podcast at Spreaker.com for a discussion on our “Survival Medicine” channel or just click the link below:

> [Shark Attacks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/shark-attacks/)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/barracuda-and-joe-300x225.gif)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/barracuda-and-joe.gif)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-flesh-eating-bacteria/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Near-Drowning, Ticks, Sharks, Chikungunya, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-near-drowning-ticks-sharks-chikungunya-more/)

**Categories:** Dehydration, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Storm Preparedness, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** boating safety, george h w bush, joe alton md, life jackets, life vests, lifeboats, lost at sea, medical preparedness, ocean survival, stranded at sea, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-flesh-eating-bacteria/)

**Published:** August 13, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raw-oysters-1-300x248.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/raw-oysters-1.jpg)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the rising number of cases of *Vibro vulnificus,* a bacteria related to cholera. *Vibrio v.* that can cause a horrific disease known as “necrotizing fasciitis,” potentially leading to death or multiple amputations. The bacterium is found mostly in East ahd Gulf coastal states, or from eating contaminated shellfish like oysters. Find out how to identify and prevent infection in the video below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Lost At Sea, Road Rash, Flesh-Eating Bacteria, Shoulder Injury](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-lost-at-sea-road-rash-flesh-eating-bacteria-shoulder-injury/) 

 [Stranded At Sea](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stranded-at-sea/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Cellulitis, gastrointestinal disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Sanitation, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** food poisoning, infection, joe alton md, necrotizing fasciitis, Vibrio Vulnificus

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Near-Drowning, Ticks, Sharks, Chikungunya, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-near-drowning-ticks-sharks-chikungunya-more/)

**Published:** August 8, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this topic-packed episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton begin by discussing summer near-drowning incidents. Meanwhile, summer is a good time to discuss the rising number of shark attacks off U.S. coasts.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/shark-sanibel-228x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/shark-sanibel.jpg)

Also, a not-so-new infection has just appeared in China called Chikungunya. Is it lethal, benign, or somewhere in-between? Plus, can the bite of a Lone Star Tick activate a cascade of allergic reactions that can be life-threatening?

All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton APRN!

To listen in, click below:

### [**https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159**](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad…

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Stranded At Sea](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stranded-at-sea/) 

 [Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flesh-eating-bacteria-2/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, Bones and Joints, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Mosquito-borne Illness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tick-borne illness, Viruses

**Tags:** alpha gal, amy alton aprn, chikungunya, drowning incidents, joe alton md, lone star ticks, medical preparedness, near-drowning, shark attacks, survival medicine

---

### [Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flesh-eating-bacteria-2/)

**Published:** August 4, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-5-300x228.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-5.jpg)

Residents in Gulf Coast states are being warned by health officials to beware of the **flesh-eating bacteria** known as ***Vibrio vulnificus***. 32 cases related to coastal waters have been reported: 17 in Louisiana (4 deaths), 13 in Florida (4 deaths) and single non-fatal cases in Alabama and Mississippi. The bacterium is known to cause a disease called “necrotizing fasciitis.” It destroys soft tissues from skin down to connective tissue known as “fascia.”

Fasciitis caused by *Vibrio* not new. It’s thought that up to 200 cases are reported every year. Often, people are infected from swimming in Vibrio-contaminated marine waters; others are sickened after eating raw oysters. Fishermen who have hook mishaps or are impaled by fin spines are also vulnerable. Fatalities occur in about 20 percent of cases.

**MORE ABOUT *VIBRIO VULNIFICUS***

Vibrio is a well-known family of bacteria which includes the pathogen that causes cholera. *V. vulnificus*, however, is a different bug altogether. It normally occurs in warm salt or brackish water near the Gulf of Mexico, but can be found in higher concentrations up north from May to October when the weather is warm. If you spend time in the ocean or eat seafood, you should know how to recognize it and how it spreads.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS CAUSED BY *VIBRIO***

If bad oysters are the culprit, common symptoms appear somewhat similar to cholera: You’ll see watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and chills.

If an open wound is the mode of entry for the bacteria, you’ll see the typical early symptoms of any infected wound: It’ll present as a red, swollen, painful area that’s warm to the touch. Expect signs to appear quickly, usually within the first 12-24 hours of infection.

As necrotizing fasciitis continues to develop, you’ll see:

- Fever and chills
- Low blood pressure
- Ulcers, blisters, or black spots on the skin
- Pus or other drainage
- Diarrhea and/or nausea and vomiting
- Altered mental status

The infection can spread quickly enough to kill the victim within a couple of days. Death occurs more commonly in older people.

**HOW DOES *VIBRIO* “EAT FLESH”?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/necrotizing-fasciitis-polish-journal-1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/necrotizing-fasciitis-polish-journal-1.png)

So why is infection with *V. vulnificus* “flesh-eating”? Because the disease process of necrotizing fasciitis degrades the soft tissue around the point of entry. This includes the skin, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles. It does this by:

- Producing toxins:  *vulnificus* releases potent toxins called “hemolysins” and “cytolysins” which rapidly cause the death of cells.
- Secreting enzymes: *Vibrio* produces enzymes that break down proteins, collagen, and connective tissues in the skin and muscles.
- Evading the immune system: The bacterium’s capsule helps it evade the immune system, allowing unchecked spread.
- Triggering inflammation: The infection triggers a major inflammatory response.

It also travels through the blood (septicemia) to sites distant from the wound, damaging extremities to the point that amputation may be required. in some cases, more than one limb is lost.

(Note: In the TV series “The Walking Dead,” a character underwent an amputation of a lower limb bitten by a zombie in order to prevent the pathogen from spreading. With necrotizing fasciitis, the strategy isn’t much different if standard medicines fail.)

**THE CASE OF A YOUNG GIRL**

In my wound care classes, I often mention the case of a young girl named Aimee. She fell from a zipline in Georgia more than a decade ago, sustaining a laceration on her thigh that was closed by 22 staples in the local emergency room. Unfortunately, closing the wound only sequestered the flesh-eating bacteria in her soft tissues, which traveled to different parts of her body. She ended up with both hands amputated, as well as parts of both legs.

Strangely enough, people who take stomach-acid reducing drugs like Prilosec, Pepcid, and others may be at increased risk for infection because stomach acid helps kill harmful germs.

**OTHER ORGANISMS THAT CAUSE NECROTIZING FASCIITIS**

Other bacteria are known to cause necrotizing fasciitis. They include:

- *Group A streptococcus*
- *Aeromonas hydrophila*
- *Clostridium*
- *coli*
- *Klebsiella*
- *Staphylococcus aureus*

**TREATMENT OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-8-1-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-8-1.jpg)

Luckily, there’s no evidence that necrotizing fasciitis is transmissible from person to person. It’s not contagious and can be treated without major risk to the caregiver.

People with less severe stomach infections usually recover on their own after a few days. Standard treatment for diarrhea is the usual treatment: keep the patient as well hydrated as possible.

For wound cases, a doctor prescribes antibiotics such as **doxycycline** or **ciprofloxacin** early in the disease process. In the worst cases, surgical removal of non-viable tissue (called **“debridement**”) or amputation is required. Access to intensive care gives the best chance of survival.

**PREVENTION OF *VIBRIO I*NFECTION**

Given the severe nature of necrotizing fasciitis, it’s important to know how to prevent a vibrio infection:

-Those with open wounds such as scrapes, cuts, recent tattoos or piercing should avoid swimming or wading in warm marine waters.

-If exposure to marine waters is unavoidable, cover any open wounds with a waterproof bandage.

-Wear shoes if wading to avoid cuts from rocks or shells on the bottom.

-Avoid direct contact with floating algae like sargassum, especially in South Florida, where *V. vulnificus* has been identified.

-Don’t consume raw shellfish taken from warm coastal waters during the summer months. Cook them instead. Boil shucked oysters at least three minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10 minutes at 375°F.

-Wear gloves when handling raw shellfish; wash with soap and water when done.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-9-300x251.jpg)good idea to wear gloves when handling ocean fish](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image-9.jpg)

One interesting fact is that there’s apparently a connection between hurricanes and vibrio infections. Cases spike during and after flooding events from hurricanes, especially in the region of the Gulf of Mexico. In 2022, there were 38 cases (and 11 deaths) attributed to Hurricane Ian despite warnings to avoid contact with floodwaters, particularly for those with open wounds. Spikes in cases also occurred after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Irma in 2017, according to the CDC.

Fortunately, necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is very rare. The family medic , however, should recognize when their family’s at risk and take preventive measures as needed.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/joe-with-remora-key-west-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/joe-with-remora-key-west-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Near-Drowning, Ticks, Sharks, Chikungunya, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-near-drowning-ticks-sharks-chikungunya-more/) 

 [Summer Drowning Incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-drowning-incidents/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Cellulitis, Diarrhea, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation

**Tags:** flesh eating bacteria, joe alton md, medical preparedness, necrotizing fasciitis, survival medicine, vibrio, Vibrio Vulnificus

---

### [Alligator Attacks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/alligator-attacks/)

**Published:** June 16, 2016
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/image-3-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/image-3.jpg)

While reading of the tragic [attack by a Florida alligator](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/child-2-reportedly-dragged-water-alligator-near-disney-resort-n592641) on a two year old boy recently, it struck me that, although I’ve written about bear encounters, animal bites, and shark attacks, I’ve never written about alligators or crocodiles. Yet, we sometimes see gators in the lake behind our home here in South Florida, and they can be very dangerous.

[Alligators](https://srelherp.uga.edu/alligators/safety/AlligatorSafetyGeneral.pdf) are crocodilians, which also include crocodiles, caimans, and some other species. Solidly built and reaching large sizes, you might be surprised to know that these powerful reptiles’ closest relations still in existence are birds. Although humans are usually not on these carnivores’ menu, they aren’t the pickiest eaters. As a result, there are about 300 attacks reported yearly worldwide that lead to injury or death. Attacks by crocodilians occur mostly in Africa and Asia, mostly by Nile river crocodiles, but have also been reported in North America, South America, and Australia.

### **BE AWARE**

Although alligators look clumsy and slow on land, they can actually reach a speed of 10 mph. In the water, however, they can be agile and seriously fast. It makes sense to give them a wide berth whenever they are seen. This isn’t always easy, as their modus operandi is to stalk and ambush with only their eyes, ears, and nostrils above water. Once they grab hold of their victim, they hold it underwater until it drowns.

Situational awareness, so important in survival, will help avoid an encounter with an alligator. Attacks can occur both in the water and the water’s edge.Watch for mounds of vegetation that could represent a nest and stay away from murky water or shallow swampy areas of vegetation. Swimming in alligator territory is unwise, and they are especially attracted to splashing around. If you find yourself in the water unexpectedly, get out as quietly and quickly as possible.

Attacks by crocodilians most often occur at dusk or at night. Nesting mothers are, unlike other reptiles, protective of their young, and have a nasty temper. Having a flashlight or head lamp will alert you to their presence at night in or out of the water by the reflection of light from their eyes.

### **KEEP A DISTANCE**

If you spot a gator on land, stay 75 feet away. If you’re camping in alligator country, make sure that your tent is six feet above the water line and at least 150 feet from the water’s edge. Store all food securely and avoid leaving scraps around that might attract them. Especially keep a close eye on dogs and children near the water’s edge. Alligators prefer smaller prey that they can easily drag into the water.

Alligators will sometimes hiss when they feel threatened. If they charge, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction from the water. If they catch you, they’ll try to drag you in. Once you’re in, your chances of survival drop greatly.

### **ATTACKED!**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/image-4-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/image-4.jpg)

Let’s say you, somehow, find yourself in the jaws of an alligator or crocodile. If it lets go, it was just a defensive reaction, but if it holds on and tries to get you in the water, you must fight. The eyes are most vulnerable, and gouging at them might be your best chance. After that, any trauma you can inflict to the head might discourage it enough to let you go.

If all has failed and you’re in the water, there’s still a chance. The alligator has a flap of tissue in their throat that prevents it from drowning. If you can grab hold of or damage this tissue, called the “palatal valve”, water will flow down its windpipe and your attacker might just release you.

If you manage to get out of the water, realize that any bite wound is probably already colonized with the huge amount of bacteria that alligators have in their mouth. Even a minor bite will become infected if not treated with antibiotics.

Joe Alton, MD

![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)

Hey, check out the brand new [2016 edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://amzn.to/1svgouU) at amazon.com, over 670 pages of medical info you’ll need in times of trouble.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Expert Charley Hogwood, Cinnamon, Antibiotics, Alligators](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-expert-charley-hogwood-cinnamon-antibiotics-alligators/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Urban Survival, Slowly Healing Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-urban-survival-slowly-healing-wounds/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, Injuries

**Tags:** alligator attacks, alligator safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Summer Drowning Incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-drowning-incidents/)

**Published:** July 29, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In warm weather, many folks head to the waterfront for recreation. As humans can’t survive underwater for very long, significant risks exist for those who aren’t careful. Drowning is the most harrowing and heartbreaking water-related injury; it is the third leading cause of death from unintentional trauma behind motor vehicle accidents and falls. About 90 percent of drownings take place in fresh water venues like rivers, lakes and swimming pools, with the rest occurring in sea water.

According to a 2004 report from the World Health Organization, drowning is the 3rd leading cause of death from unintentional injury. From 2005-2009, there were an average of close to 4000 drownings annually in the United States; the number of non-fatal water submersion injuries, many involving brain damage, were much greater.

**WHO DROWNS?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_87949297-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_87949297.jpg)

There are a number of factors which increase the risk of drowning. They include:

**Poor swimming ability**: Face it: If you can’t swim, your chances of drowning increase. Failure to recognize physical limitations can exhaust even decent swimmers and cause their demise.

**Poor supervision**: Drowning can happen relatively quickly and without a lot of noise. Even when lifeguards are present, they may not notice that you’re in distress. Unsupervised Small children could die even in a bathtub.

**Age**: Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children 1-14 years of age, surpassed only by motor vehicle accidents. Those under five tend to drown in swimming pools. In *natural* water settings, drowning deaths occur most often in teenagers and young adults.

**Sex**: Most drowning deaths (80 percent) occur in males.

**Location:** Although home swimming pools are the most likely places that young children drown, most adult drowning events occur in natural, boating, or wilderness settings.

**Lack of Barriers**: Easy access can be a recipe for disaster in young children. Pool fences that separate the pool from the yard reduce a child’s risk of drowning by 83%.

**No Life jackets:** In the year 2010, 88% of boating deaths by drowning involved people who weren’t wearing life vests.

**Alcohol:** Fully half of deaths by drowning in adolescents and adults involve impaired judgment and coordination caused by drinking.

**HOW YOU DROWN**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_154286831-survival-at-sea-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_154286831-survival-at-sea.jpg)

The primary urge to breathe is triggered by rising blood carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. The human body is very good at detecting small changes in CO2 and controls breathing to facilitate “gas exchange”: Oxygen in, carbon dioxide out.

Drowning begins at the point a person is unable to keep their head (nose and mouth) above water. The actual inhalation of water into the lungs happens later on.

Once a person is unable to keep their mouth above water, a cascade of events takes place that leads to a fatality. You may be surprised to know that symptoms considered to be classic for drownings, like flailing and screaming, often aren’t apparent. Involuntary movements of arms and legs may occur underwater and not “splash”. Lack of air prevents screaming for help loud enough to be heard. From a distance, it may not be obvious that the victim is in trouble even to those directly observing them.

It’s important, therefore, to look for the following behaviors seen in near-drowning individuals:

- Mouth and nose below the level of the water
- Eyes unfocused or wide with fear
- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Obvious gasping for air
- Attempting to swim to shore without making progress
- Uncontrollable movement of extremities (may be underwater)

**FOUR STAGES OF DROWNING**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/shutterstock_215763463-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/shutterstock_215763463.jpg)

There are thought to be four stages of drowning:

**1)**The victim holds their breath voluntarily underwater as long as possible. This lasts only until carbon dioxide in the body reaches too high a level.

**2)**Water enters the airways as the urge to breathe becomes impossible to suppress. Although the trachea goes into spasm to prevent aspirating more water, panic ensues. This consumes more oxygen and speeds the loss of consciousness. Having said that, an unconscious victim rescued with a sealed airway due to spasm still stands a good chance of recovery.

**3)**Once unconscious, the open trachea allows free movement of water into the lungs. Fluid in the lungs prevents oxygenation, leading to cardiac arrest and deterioration of brain cells.

**4)**Injury to the brain becomes irreversible after several minutes without oxygen. Near-drownings are usually found within two minutes, while fatal events are seen after ten minutes or more. The younger the person, the better their chances: In one instance, a child submerged in water just above freezing for 66 minutes survived without apparent neurological damage. It’s thought that hypothermia in these types of events slows the metabolism, which allows for a longer period of time before the development of severe brain damage.

When a death occurs in water, it is usually evaluated by autopsy. Water in the lungs indicates a victim was still alive at the point of submersion. Absence of water in the lungs may occasionally be seen when airway spasm persists until cardiac arrest. This is known as a “dry” drowning. The more likely,scenario, however, is someone who died *before* the immersion event.

**STAYING SAFE IN THE WATER**

In summer weather, Beating the heat often means a dunk in the pool or lake. Here are some things you should know to keep your family and yourself safe from drowning:

- **Take Swimming lessons**: Don’t go into swimming-depth water if you don’t know how to swim. Swimming lessons are provided by many municipalities throughout the country. Believe it or not, the best time to teach children to swim is between the ages of one and four.
- **Take CPR classes**: Understanding resuscitation is very important when it comes to aiding drowning victims.
- **Strictly supervise youngsters in the water**: Whenever children are involved, strict attention must be given by a responsible, sober adult. For preschool children, the adult should be close enough to touch the child and *not* involved in any other activity.
- **Utilize the “Buddy System”:** Everyone, even adults, should always swim with another person or persons.
- On the beach, **beware rip currents:** Know the meaning of flags on supervised beaches. High waves, discolored water, debris, and channels of water moving away from shore are signs of dangerous conditions. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until free, then diagonally back towards the beach.
- **Foam or inflatable toys don’t take the place of life jackets**: Noodles and water wings aren’t acceptable as substitutes for life vests, especially on boating trips. Be firm about using the right equipment, even for adults.
- **Pool fencing saves lives:** Four-sided fencing 4 feet high with a high latch is the safest way to prevent small children from falling or jumping into the pool and getting into trouble. Don’t leave toys near the pool after swimming.
- **Be aware of the weather**: Thundershowers often whip up the water with strong winds, increasing the risk of drowning.
- **Be physically fit:** Swimming involves exertion, so make sure you’re up to the challenge.
- **Don’t drink alcohol:** Any water activity becomes more dangerous, both to you and children you supervise, if you’re drinking.
- **Don’t hyperventilate:** Professional deep divers often hyperventilate to decrease carbon dioxide and depress the urge to breathe. Taking rapid deep breaths to see who can stay underwater longest, however, may cause a blackout and lead to drowning.
- **If you suffer from a seizure disorder, use the shower, not the bathtub.** Avoid situations where the head is immersed. Anyone with a history of convulsions should undertake swimming activities only with one-on-one supervision.
- **In the wilderness, be wary of river crossings**. Fast moving water may knock you off your feet, even if less than a foot deep.

**REACH, THROW, ROW, GO**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/drowning-chain-300x93.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/drowning-chain-e1434501713382.jpg)

At the beach or in the wilderness, you might encounter a distressed person in the water. Your first response will be to jump in and help, but remember that the hazards that are causing the problem are probably still there. Also, the person in question will likely be panicked and flailing around. First, you should call others to help if possible.

Your goal is to help the person in distress while avoiding injury and reducing the risk that you’ll become the next victim. To accomplish this, remember four words: **“Reach, Throw, Row, Go”.**

**REACH** out to the person with a stick or oar.

**THROW** the person a lifeline, life preserver, or other floating object.

**ROW** out to the person in a canoe or other boat if available.

**GO** into the water only when there is no other option.

If you must go into the water, recovery must be done in such a way that doesn’t wind up submerging the rescuer due to the victim’s desperate attempt to stay above water. A buoyant object is helpful, but approaching from behind or offering one hand can work as well. Once the victim is in hand, any objects weighing them down should be removed. Then, towing the patient from behind with the face well above water can be accomplished.

Once out of the water, put the individual in supine position and check for breathing. If unconscious but breathing, place in the standard recovery position.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required if the victim isn’t breathing. Unlike in a typical cardiac arrest, five initial rescue breaths are recommended and *then* chest compressions. This is because the basic issue is lack of oxygen. not cardiac malfunction. After the initial breaths, cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths are performed until help arrives.

Some believe in attempting to expel water with Heimlich-like maneuvers. These should be avoided because there is no solid object obstructing the airway, and these motions could delay the start of ventilatory actions. Also, abdominal thrusts raise the chance of vomiting stomach contents into open airways, increasing the risk of death.

Victims who arrive at a medical facility with a regular heartbeat and spontaneously breathing usually recover with good outcomes. Those requiring resuscitation will require intensive care and may end up with long-term handicaps related to brain damage from lack of oxygen.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flesh-eating-bacteria-2/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Anaphylaxis, Floods, Survival Bartering](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-anaphylaxis-floods-survival-bartering/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness, Survival at Sea

**Tags:** drowning, drowning chain of survival, joe alton md, medical preparedness, near-drowning, reach throw row go, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Anaphylaxis, Floods, Survival Bartering](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-anaphylaxis-floods-survival-bartering/)

**Published:** July 25, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton, they discuss everything you need to know about surviving a catastrophic flood like the one that hit Central Texas. Also, severe allergic reactions may now have a fresh tool that skips the auto-injector and uses a simple nasal spray. Learn all about anaphylactic shock and the various ways to deal with it. Also, survival bartering: What are the most useful items to have in quantity when the you-know-what hits the fan?

All this and more on the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### **[https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad…

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/THE-SURVIVAL-MEDICINE-PODCAST-joe-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/THE-SURVIVAL-MEDICINE-PODCAST-joe-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Summer Drowning Incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-drowning-incidents/) 

 [Off Grid Medicine: Civil War](https://www.doomandbloom.net/off-grid-medicine-civil-war/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Anaphylaxis, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Asthma, Bartering, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Insect Stings and Bites, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, poisonous plants, Stings and Bites, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** adrenaline, amy alton aprn, anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, epipen, flood safety, flood survival, Floods, joe alton md, medical preparedness, neffy, survival bartering

---

### [Off Grid Medicine: Civil War](https://www.doomandbloom.net/off-grid-medicine-civil-war/)

**Published:** July 22, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I often talk about situations where the family medic is thrown back to an earlier era medically due to some long-term major catastrophe. But what was it like? In this article, we’ll take the American Civil War(1861-1865) as an example. What were the doctors like? What did they do when faced with injuries and disease off the grid?

During the 1860s, most doctors had not yet made the connection between bacteria and disease. British physician John Snow (not that Jon Snow, Game of Thrones fans) is credited as one of the first modern advocates of epidemic research. Snow was present during a number of cholera outbreaks in London. He also debunked the conventional wisdom that “swamp vapors” spread malaria.

Snow believed that cholera was caused by cells smaller than human epithelial cells. These turned out later to be the bacterium *Vibrio cholerae.* In recognizing the bacterial origin to the disease, Snow recommended the boiling and filtering of water, setting the precedent for today’s boil-water advisories in disaster settings.

**The Civil War**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/civil-war-art-black-soldiers-300x210.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/civil-war-art-black-soldiers.webp)

The American Civil War was a bloody affair between northern states (The Union) and southern states (The Confederacy). Both armies inflicted hundreds of thousands of casualties on the other over the course of four years.

Caring for wounded and ill soldiers was substandard in many cases, with many more dying from disease than from bullets or shrapnel. Diarrheal diseases like typhoid and dysentery claimed many lives. Outbreaks of measles, smallpox, malaria, and pneumonia were also common.

Medical providers had not yet realized the importance of sterile surgical procedures, frequent wound dressing changes, and good hygiene and sanitation. As a result, two soldiers died from illness for every one that died from battlefield trauma. Non-fatal medical issues such as dental problems and tinea cruris (“jock itch”) were also ever-present.

**FACTORS LEADING TO CAMP ILLNESSES**

**A number of factors led to the high incidence of sickness in Civil War camps. Some of the better-known are:**

- **Deficiencies in physical evaluation of new recruits.** The fates of some soldiers were sealed even before any action. Many that were inducted into the armies would have been rejected for service in modern times.
- **Inadequate sanitation.** Medical knowledge was not advanced enough to recognize common causes of infection. Camp hygiene was neglected. Living areas were often littered with rotting food and heaps of manure. Insects, rats, lice, and other vermin ran rampant. Mosquitoes carrying malaria presented a particular danger.
- **Exposure to “foreign” microbes.** Soldiers from rural areas on both sides didn’t have immunity to the diseases that city-dwellers tolerated. Exposure to infectious diseases meant death for many.
- **Inappropriate clothing.** An especially acute problem in the Southern army, extremes of temperature weakened immune systems and predisposed many to potentially life-threatening issues like heat stroke and hypothermia. Common colds and influenza cases more frequently progressed to pneumonia.
- **Lack of or failure to properly prepare food and disinfect questionable water,** which exposed many soldiers to infectious diseases. In fact, 99.5 percent of soldiers suffered from chronic diarrhea at one point or another during their time in the military. The lot of the prisoner-of-war was worse, as typhoid and dysentery were constant issues.
- **Complications from medical procedures.** Amputations and other procedures performed during the Civil War often led to infections that caused fevers. Bacteria would spread through the bloodstream (septicemia) and became life-threatening.

**CIVIL WAR DOCTORS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/amputation-civil-war-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/amputation-civil-war.jpg)

**In most cases, Civil War doctors underwent two years of medical school. Education was so rudimentary, however, that even Harvard’s medical school didn’t carry a single stethoscope or microscope during the conflict. This was despite the fact that the stethoscope was invented 50 years earlier and microscopes were invented in the late 1600s.**

**There was no standard process of evaluation for admission to medical schools. Medical boards admitted many with little to no qualifications.**

**The Union army had about 10,000 surgeons (4,000 for the Confederates), but most had woefully little experience with battlefield trauma. Many had never even seen a gunshot wound.**

**As a result, death rates from procedures performed by physicians were high, especially compared to modern times. You could expect a 70 percent death rate or more for penetrating trauma to the chest or abdomen. Amputations carried a 25 percent mortality rate due to infection.**

**This was before the era of surgical gloves, so bare, dirty fingers were often used as probes, introducing bacteria and debris into wounds. Doctors operated in stained coats and some images from the time show them smoking cigars. Piles of severed arms and legs can be seen in the background.**

**Another little-mentioned handicap was the lack of effective lighting. With the battle over near dusk, many surgeries had to be performed at night. This was before the electric light was invented, so a lantern held by an orderly was often the only option.**

**CIVIL WAR NURSES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/clara-barton-238x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/clara-barton.jpg)

**Nursing was originally a profession reserved for males, but the lack of staffing led to the formation, in the North, of a sanitary commission. Ten of thousands of women joined the nursing profession to care for wounded and ill soldiers. Besides nursing care, they help keep field hospitals clean and wrote letters home for incapacitated patients.**

**In the South, the lack of medications was a particular problem. They relied mostly on captured supplies from the North. Ladies sympathetic to the Confederates would smuggle drugs by sewing them into their petticoats or become proficient in herbalism.**

**MEDICAL TREATMENT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/civil-war-field-hospital-library-of-congress-1-300x182.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/civil-war-field-hospital-library-of-congress-1.webp)

**In their effort to treat their patients, doctors improvised often. For diarrheal disease, opium was used. For severe constipation, a mixture of mercury and chalk known as “blue mass” was given.**

**For scurvy, doctors prescribed citrus fruits or green vegetables.**

**Pneumonia and other respiratory issues were treated with opium, quinine, and mustard plasters.**

**(Note: A mustard plaster is a poultice of mustard seed powder spread inside a protective dressing and applied to the body to stimulate healing. It was a part of conventional medical therapy up until the early-mid-twentieth century.)**

**Malaria was treated with quinine when available; Turpentine was considered as an alternative.**

**Jock itch could be treated by washing or with herbal remedies such as pokeroot.**

**Whiskey and other forms of alcohol also were used to treat pain and clean wounds.**

**ANESTHESIA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/chloroform.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/chloroform.jpg)

**Anesthesia in the form of ether or chloroform (a mixture of acetone and bleach) was first used in the late 1840s. It was used hundreds of thousands of times during the Civil War. Contrary to popular belief, more than 90 percent of operations used some form of anesthesia. In the hands of experienced providers, it was considered to be safe.**

**The anesthetic was applied to a cloth held over the patient’s mouth and nose and was removed after it took effect. Only a tiny amount was necessary to induce loss of consciousness. Chloroform was especially prone to cause skin blisters if too much was used or the skin was directly contacted.**

**ADVANCES IN MEDICINE DURING THE CIVIL WAR**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/jonathon-letterman-civil-war-doctor-300x145.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/jonathon-letterman-civil-war-doctor.jpg)

**In the midst of the carnage, some advances were made. Large cities in the North and South built substantial military hospitals to deal with the large number of soldiers who needed continued care. The one in Richmond, Virginia was able to handle 4,500 patients at a time.**

**A major advancement can be credited to Union surgeon Jonathan Letterman. Letterman devised protocols for the intake and treatment of casualties. This system was connected by the first efficient ambulance corps and rapid distribution of medical supplies to field hospitals established at division camps. His system improved mortality rates and allowed more complex procedures to be performed. Letterman also pioneered the institution of improved medical records systems.**

**To highlight the results of Major Letterman’s efforts, the mortality rate of the Army of the Potomac had been 33 percent in 1862’s Peninsular Campaign; the mortality rate among 14,000 Union wounded after the battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was only 2%. No official report of the battle mentioned Letterman’s contribution, making Jonathon Letterman the unsung hero of the battle.**

**TODAY**

**Today, our knowledge of antiseptics, antibiotics, water and food disinfection, and sterile technique has given us an advantage over our Civil War counterparts, even if we’re thrown off the grid due to some long-term disaster. Still, the family medic must be vigilant if they are to keep things together, even if everything else falls apart.**

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class-300x199.jpg)Dr. Bones in class](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class.jpg)

**P.S. It was during the civil war that camp doctors received the nickname “sawbones,” as much of their time was spent amputating damaged limbs. This was, over time, shortened to “bones” (Star Trek fans will remember that’s what Captain Kirk called Dr. McCoy). Ever since I became involved in the preparedness community, my nickname became “Dr. Bones”!**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Anaphylaxis, Floods, Survival Bartering](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-anaphylaxis-floods-survival-bartering/) 

 [Video: Flood Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-flood-survival/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Bleeding Wound, Bones and Joints, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Infections, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** 1860s medicine, amputation, battlefield trauma, civil war, civil war anesthesia, civil war medicine, diarrheal diseases, joe alton md, medical preparedness, off-grid medicine, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Flood Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-flood-survival/)

**Published:** July 21, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton gives his thoughts and tips on how to prepare for and survive during and in the aftermath of a catastrophic flood….

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Off Grid Medicine: Civil War](https://www.doomandbloom.net/off-grid-medicine-civil-war/) 

 [Surviving A Flood](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-a-flood-2/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Floods, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** flood safety, flood survival, flooding, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Surviving A Flood](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-a-flood-2/)

**Published:** July 5, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_1659090466-flood-aerial-view-300x157.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_1659090466-flood-aerial-view-scaled.jpg)

Recently, Central Texas was the site of a dangerous flash flood which caused the Guadalupe river to rise an incredible 26 feet in 45 minutes, causing widespread devastation and at least 111 deaths.

A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is normally dry. [Flooding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood) is one of the most common natural disasters affecting U.S. citizens: 20 are reported annually, with at least one a year that causes a billion in damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Some flooding develops over time, while others can become dangerous very quickly and affect areas where it isn’t even raining. One thing is sure: unless you live on a mountaintop, you’re eligible to be a victim of a flood. The family medic who prepares for flood events can prevent injuries and illnesses with a plan of action.

**Types of Floods**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_54203947-flood-house-with-roiling-water-300x204.jpg)Flash flooding](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_54203947-flood-house-with-roiling-water.jpg)

**Flash Floods:** [Flash floods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood), like the one in Central Texas, usually develop shortly after a nearby heavy rain. The rainfall creates a rapid rise of water which accumulates in low-lying areas like floodplains. This often catches populations downstream by surprise, causing severe damage and loss of life.

Flash flooding may also occur due to ice jams, overflowing levees, or dam failures (described below). This is especially common in the western United States where normally-arid regions near steep terrain might fill with rushing water.

**River Flooding:** River flooding, like flash floods, can be rapidly-developing events caused by heavy rainfall, dam failures, rapid snowmelt, and ice jams. Unlike flash floods, however, some river flooding may cause water levels to rise slowly but steadily. Either way, the result threatens structures and populations along its course.

**Storm Surges:** Tropical (or even non-tropical) storm systems can bring heavy winds; storm surge flooding, however, is responsible for more damage. Storm surge is the rise in water generated by the storm above normal tide levels. When the storm approaches the coast, high winds cause large waves that can inundate structures, damage foundations, and cause significant loss of life.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_244388758-hurricane-storm-surge-300x174.jpg)storm surge](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_244388758-hurricane-storm-surge-scaled.jpg)

**Burn Scars:** The Western U.S. has, in recent years, experienced significant wildfire activity. After a fire, the bare ground can become so hardened that water can’t be absorbed into the ground. This is known as a “burn scar”. Burn scars are less able to absorb moisture, leading heavy rains to accumulate water wherever gravity takes it.

**Ice Jams:** Northern areas of the continental U.S. and Alaska may have flooding as a result of ice jams. When waterways are blocked by an obstruction, such as ice and debris, water is held back. This causes flooding upstream. When the obstruction is finally removed, flash flooding occurs downstream. Many ice jams occur at bends in a river.

**Snowmelt:** Snowmelt flooding is common in mountainous northern U.S. states. Until temperatures rise above freezing, snow is just stored water. When it gets warmer, the snowmelt acts as if it were rain and flooding can occur.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/johnstown-flood.jpg)Johnstown flood 1889](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/johnstown-flood.jpg)

**Barrier Failures:** When a [dam or levee break](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWW2Vo4bOb0)s, it can be due to excessive rainfall, erosion, landslides, earthquakes, and many other natural causes. Some dams fail as a result of man-made issues, such as negligence, improper maintenance, and even sabotage. As a result, water levels can overflow the barrier or seep through defects in the structure. Failures of infrastructure, such as the sudden collapse of a dam, may cause catastrophic flooding: The 1889 Johnstown, Pennsylvania event took 2,200 lives.

**Tidal Waves:** Major flooding may also be caused by the effects of an earthquake or even a volcanic eruption. If these events occur offshore, they may result in tidal waves (“tsunamis”) which have both short- and long-term effects.

Short-term issues with floods which cost lives include the inability of emergency medical services to access flooded areas. Penetration of saltwater in coastal flooding causes widespread failure of freshwater delivery systems. This may result in crop failures and may make farmland infertile, sometimes for years. When agriculture and certain industries fail, an economic collapse in the affected area may be the result. Civil unrest often follows.

The nightmare scenario above is not purely hypothetical: Disasters related to flooding have sometimes caused millions of casualties. In 1931, major flooding of rivers in China resulted both directly and indirectly in three million deaths. Besides war, famine, and pandemics, flooding is, potentially, the deadliest of human tragedies.

**FLOOD SAFETY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_581435860-flooded-house-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_581435860-flooded-house-scaled.jpg)

Most people have heard of hurricane or tornado watches and warnings, but the U.S. weather services also tries to warn the populace of flooding. Just like storm alerts, a “flash flood watch” means that flash flooding is possible in the near future; a “flash flood warning” means that flooding is imminent or already occurring in the area. In Texas, unfortunately, the flash flood occurred before dawn, taking many by surprise.

To make it safely through a flood, consider the following recommendations:

**Pay attention to flood alerts:** If you live in a low-lying area, especially near a dam or river, you should heed warnings when they are given and be prepared to evacuate quickly. Timing is important: Make the decision to leave for higher ground *before* flooding occurs and roads are blocked. Rising flood waters could easily trap people in their home, and you don’t want to have to perch on your roof waiting for help. Having a NOAA weather radio will keep you up to date on the latest advisories.

**Be careful walking through flood waters:** Drowning is the most common cause of death during a flood, especially a flash flood. Rapidly moving water can knock you off your feet even if it’s less than a foot deep.

Even calm flood waters are problematic: They’re often murky and hide debris that can cause injuries if you walk through them. Wounds exposed to contaminated flood water are more likely to become seriously infected.

Wash wounds immediately with clean drinkable water, cover with dry sterile dressings, and change dressings twice daily. Keep dressings dry and be sure to clean with drinkable water during each dressing change until fully healed.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood.jpg)

**Don’t drive through flooded areas:** Roads and bridges could easily be washed out if you wait too long to leave the area. In a flood, many people drown in their cars as they stall out in moving water. Average-sized vehicles can be carried away by water just two foot deep. In one recent event, 130 people required rescue from partially submerged cars. Try to plan a “high road” route to safety *before* a flood occurs.

**Beware of downed power lines:** Electrical current is easily conducted through water, so beware of downed power lines. You don’t have to physically touch the downed line to be electrocuted, only step in the highly conductive water nearby. There are numerous instances of multiple electrocutions occurring as a result of rescuers jumping into the water to try to save victims of a shock.

Never touch someone who has been electrocuted without first shutting off the power source. Rescue is difficult, to say the least. Use a *dry* nonmetal object, such as a wooden broom handle or rope to move the victim. Be aware that, although dry wood may not be conductive of electricity, wet wood conducts it very well and can kill you.

**Have supplies handy:** Flood waters may not recede quickly. Besides water, have non-perishable food, bottled water, heat and light sources, batteries, tools, extra clothing, [a medical kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/), a cell phone, and a NOAA weather radio among your supplies. Don’t forget extra prescription medications.

**Don’t drink the water:** Flood water is not clean water. It is contaminated by debris and water treatment plants may have been compromised by the disaster. As a result, water-borne illness such as cholera may run rampant unless the water is disinfected. Have a reliable way to purify water and a good supply of clean water stored away.

If bottled water isn’t an option, 8 drops of 6% household bleach will sterilize a gallon of water (1/3 teaspoon for 4 gallons), but twice the amount will be needed if it’s cloudy. Remember that a filter might also be needed to eliminate debris. Wait 30 minutes after adding bleach before drinking.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)

**Turn off the power:** If you have reason to believe that water will get into your home, turn off the electricity before the flooding occurs. If the water reaches the level of the electric outlets, you could easily get electrocuted. Some warning signs might be sparks or strange sounds like crackling, popping, or buzzing.

**Beware of intruders and pests:** Animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Mosquitoes and the diseases they carry will be on the rise as flood waters increase potential breeding grounds. Use insect repellent, mosquito netting or stay inside air-conditioned buildings if possible.

Snakes, raccoons, and other refugees may decide your residence is now their territory. Beware of human intruders as well; they may be interested to see what valuables you left behind.

**Watch your step:** After a flood, watch where you step when you enter your home; there will, likely, be debris everywhere. The floors may also be covered in mud, causing a slip-and-fall hazard.

**Check for gas leaks:** Don’t use candles, lanterns, stoves, or lighters unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area is well-ventilated.

**Avoid exhaust fumes:** Only use generators, camping stoves, or charcoal grills outside and away from entrances into the home. Their fumes can be deadly.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/IMG_0081-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/IMG_0081-scaled.jpg)

**Clean out saturated items completely:** If cans of food got wet in the flood, their surfaces may be covered with mud or otherwise contaminated. Thoroughly wash food containers, utensils, and personal items before using. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have completely dried. You might have to take some apart to clean the debris out.

Mold is going to be an issue after the water recedes. Remove all materials susceptible to mold growth as soon as possible. For things that can’t be removed, clean with a 10% bleach solution.

**Use waterproof containers for Important items:** Waterproof containers can protect food, personal items, important documents, and more.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Flood Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-flood-survival/) 

 [Independence Day Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/independence-day-fireworks-safety/)

**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Sanitation, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** coastal flooding, flash floods, flood safety, flood survival, flooding, joe alton md, medical preparedness, river flooding, snow melt, survival medicine, tidal waves

---

### [Fates of Forgotten Founding Fathers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fates-of-forgotten-founding-fathers/)

**Published:** July 1, 2018
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[**FATES OF THE FORGOTTEN FOUNDING FATHERS**![nelson](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/nelson-232x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/nelson.jpg)

It’s **Independence Day** in the U.S., and famous names like **Thomas Jefferson** and **John Adams** come to mind. It’s difficult to imagine that any of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence might not have been celebrated in their time. Influential and affluent, these men were so well thought of that they were given the power to declare freedom from the greatest empire of its time.

Don’t think for a second that these 56 men didn’t understand the risks involved of leaving the British fold. Hostile soldiers were occupying their towns, even their homes. The new country needed money and many of the signers loaned millions of dollars to the cause of freedom. Their personal wealth, their reputations, and their very lives were put on the line. They had committed high treason and they were in danger.

“**We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor**” is the last sentence Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration. Sadly, for some of the signers, these were forfeited as a result of their brave act. 9 of them paid with their lives; almost 1 in 3 lost their fortunes and their homes. Yet none of the 56 ever recanted their decision to sign the Declaration or apologized for it, even under duress.

## The Forgotten Founding Fathers

Here are the fates of some of the (mostly forgotten) Founding Fathers:

**William Ellery, Rhode Island**: A vocal opponent of slavery, his entire estate was burned to the ground.

**William Floyd, New York**: Escaping the British invasion of New York, they left behind their home and his entire income; it was burned to the ground. 7 years later, the family was destitute.

**Francis Lewis, New York:** His home and estates on Long Island were destroyed by the British and he and his wife were captured. She died from complications related to their imprisonment. .

**Lewis Morris, New York**: Morris put his entire fortune at the service of the Continental Army. Loyalists confiscated his property and forced him into exile; he didn’t see his own family again for many years.

**Phillip Livingston, New York:** One of the richest Americans in 1776, Livingston lost every penny he had as a result of signing the Declaration. His family was driven from their house by the British and his estate plundered. Livingston died penniless just two years later, while still serving in the Continental Congress.

**John Hart, New Jersey:** Hart’s wife was dying as he signed the Declaration. His efforts to reach her were thwarted by the British. His 13 children never saw their father again: they were all forced to flee for their lives as well. He died in 1779.

**Richard Stockton, New Jersey:** Judge Richard Stockton was arrested by the British in 1776 and imprisoned in a military stockade. He was released, an invalid, 5 years later and died a pauper in Princeton.

**John Witherspoon, New Jersey:** He served as President of the College of New Jersey (better known today as Princeton University). The British responded to his signing the Declaration by burning the College library to the ground and pillaged the rest of the campus.

**Robert Morris, Pennsylvania**: Morris earned a fortune as a banker and commercial magnate – and gave it all away to finance the army/navy. The ships that brought provisions from Europe to the colonies were entirely paid for by Morris. He also loaned an enormous sum to the Continental Congress when it was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1776. He never got his money back and died penniless in 1806.

**John Morton, Pennsylvania:** Despite living in a Loyalist-dominated part of the colony, and personally preferring reconciliation with Great Britain, Morton signed the Declaration. His neighbors turned on him and he never returned home. Just before his death in 1777, he submitted to Congress what became known as the “Articles of Confederation.”

**Thomas Nelson, Virginia**: As American guns shelled the British defenses at Yorktown, an anguished Nelson (now a General in the Continental Army) saw that they were sparing his house, which was General Cornwallis’ headquarters. As the story goes, Nelson personally turned a cannon towards his home and blew it up, to show that he was no less willing to sacrifice than his fellow Virginians. He loaned over $2 million to the Continental Congress, none of which was repaid, and he died in poverty.

**The entire South Carolina delegation:** All four Palmetto State signatories paid dearly for joining the cause for Independence. Edward Rutledge, Arthur Middleton and Thomas Heyward, Jr. were all imprisoned by the British when Charleston was taken in 1780. They were beaten and humiliated in prison, then released to find their plantations had been burned and pillaged. They were more fortunate than co-signatory Thomas Lynch – he disappeared at sea while seeking medical help in the West Indies, together with his young wife, at some point in 1779.

**Lyman Hall, Georgia:** a physician, Dr. Hall helped to supply food and provisions for the Continental Army throughout the war. Despite living the furthest away from Philadelphia of all the signers, he returned to Georgia just once between 1775 and 1780 (when his friend and co-signer Button Gwinnett was killed in a duel). The British burned his property when they seized Savannah in 1780.

**Phillip Livingston, New York:** He and his family fled their home to escape the British army and never returned.

**George Clymer, Pennsylvania:** His family fled to escape the British soldiers who ransacked their house.

**Abraham Clark, New Jersey:** Two of Clark’s sons were officers in the army. They were captured by the British and confined to the prison ship Jersey, where thousands of American captives died. One was held in solitary confinement and given no food. Reportedly, Clark still refused to change his position and support the crown even though the British offered to spare his sons’ lives if he did so.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Dr.-Joseph-Warren-168x300.jpg)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention **Dr. Joseph Warren (pictured above)**, one of the most important founding fathers in U.S. history. An early advocate of independence in Boston, Dr. Warren, a physician, would certainly have signed the Declaration of Independence except for one thing: he was killed by the British the year before when he fought with the colonial militia at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He had been offered the rank of general, but would only accept the rank of private. It was the lack of ammunition that prevented Dr. Warren from taking his proper place with men like George Washington.

**(Aside: Although Dr. Warren was commissioned as a general and was the highest ranking officer for the colonials, he served in the battle as a volunteer private. General Israel Putnam, Colonel William Prescott, and others were the actual commanders.)**

Dr. Warren and the above signers of the Declaration won’t be found on any coins and paper currency. Their faces won’t be on your stamps and it’s unlikely that there will be many colleges or parks named after them. Yet, they and many others freely risked all at a time when their country needed them most. **The next time you are asked to risk something for your beliefs, think of the forgotten men and women who bravely assisted at a difficult birth: The birth of the United States.**

Happy Independence Day!

Joe Alton, MD

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Would you know what to do if the grid is down and someone is sick or injured? Get the plain English 700 page 3rd Edition of the Amazon Bestseller [“The Survival Medicine Handbook](http://amzn.to/2sC7Jvm) and you’ll have a head start on staying healthy in hard times! It’s the essential guide for when medical help is not on the way.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fireworks-safety/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Headache Types and Treatments, Fractures, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-headache-types-and-treatments-fractures-more/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Rants and Raves

---

### [Independence Day Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/independence-day-fireworks-safety/)

**Published:** July 2, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks.jpg)

Independence Day is coming up, and many proud Americans will be celebrating with fireworks. An unlucky (careless?) few will wind up running afoul of their own pyrotechnics (just ask my old buddy “Three-Fingered Fred”). Let’s face it, the safest way to enjoy fireworks is as a spectator at your hometown’s 4th of July event. Grab a blanket and let the pros handle it.

Fireworks injuries are, indeed, a thing. In 2024, firework accidents claimed 11 lives and sent 14,700 people to the emergency room. The [Consumer Product Safety Commission](https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks) reports that, in the month around the July 4th holiday, 280 people a day end up in emergency rooms with firework injuries. Most (74%) are burns involving the fingers, hands, face, eyes, and head., with the majority of these (57%) occurring in children and teens. Despite improvements in safety awareness, injuries and property damage are rising. The disturbing trend of using fireworks against law enforcement during protests only raises the number of injuries on both sides.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-18-1-300x240.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-18-1.jpg)

More than 18,000 fires are set each year by fireworks gone wrong, including many affecting buildings and vehicles. But a lot of people are going to use them anyway. If you decide to personally set off fireworks this Independence Day, be sure to follow the advice of t[he National Safety Council (NSC):](https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks)

- **Only use legal fireworks.** That means you should know what the laws are in your area. Beware of fireworks wrapped in plain brown paper; these are usually meant for professional use and are dangerous for amateurs.
- **Choose an ignition area away from flammable materials, structures, and people**. 35 feet away is recommended. Aerial fireworks should be watched from at least 150 feet away.[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-24-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-24.jpg)
- **Never allow children of any age to play with or ignite fireworks;** they’re the most likely to get injured. That includes sparklers, which account for 50% of fireworks injuries in children under 5 years of age. Sparklers reach a temperature of up to 2000 degrees, hot enough to melt many metals. Glow sticks or confetti poppers are safer options.
- **Any firework event should always be closely supervised by adults**; even with adults, however, there should be a “designated igniter” that holds off on the alcohol and recreational drugs (if you must indulge) until after the fireworks are over.
- **Consider protective eyewear** if you’re going to be anywhere near where fireworks are ignited.
- [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-25-225x300.jpg)Three-fingered Fred (before picture)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-25.jpg)
- **Only ignite one firework at a time.** When lighting, stand away, never position your body directly over it. Back away immediately.
- **Avoid putting fireworks in cans or jars (“bottle rockets”) for “stability.”** if these containers explode, pieces of metal and glass can act as shrapnel to cause injuries.
- **If you’ve got a dud, don’t try to relight it,** let it sit for 5-10 minutes before you disarm it permanently by soaking with a hose or a bucket of water.

Some of this advice is just common sense (at least, for most of us): Never light fireworks indoors, Never point or throw fireworks at others. , and Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-22-225x300.jpg)Curiosity \_\_\_\_\_\_ the cat?](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-22.jpg)

What about your pets? Curiosity killed the cat, and so can fireworks. Most cats and dogs probably won’t go anywhere near them, but a curious sniff might get them into big trouble. They’d be happier and, certainly, safer inside the house. Some suggest keeping the television on to muffle the sound of anxiety-producing explosions.

If you or a member of your family is injured, Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room for moderate to severe cases. For mild f[irst-degree burns,](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-1-first-and-second-degree/) run cool water on the injury for 10 minutes, apply aloe vera or other burn gel, and cover with a clean non-stick dressing to protect the area. Monitor closely and seek professional help if necessary.

Following these safety tips and using some plain old common sense will help keep your family safe and give you the best chance of a healthy 4th of July. Happy Independence Day!

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Surviving A Flood](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-a-flood-2/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Heat Waves, Hail, Bee Stings, Forgotten Founders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-heat-waves-hail-bee-stings-forgotten-founders/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Building/House fFires, Burns, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wildfires

**Tags:** 4th of july, burns, fireworks, fireworks injuries, fireworks safety, Independence Day, joe alton md, july fourth, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [The Great Pacific Garbage Patch](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-great-pacific-garbage-patch/)

**Published:** September 8, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Millions of tons of plastic refuse have entered our oceans annually since about 1950, forming what is known as the [Great Pacific Garbage Patch ](https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/about/media/how-big-great-pacific-garbage-patch-science-vs-myth.html)(GPGP). The GPGP isn’t a landfill-like continent made of plastic, but it’s true that, due to current convergence, there is a higher concentration of plastic there than other parts of the ocean. These seem to originate from Asia, North America, and South America. Other collections of debris exist in the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and the North and South Atlantic.

Within the GPGP, several areas contain more visible plastic than others. There’s an Eastern Patch, a Western Patch, and a convergence zone of plastic waste that, perhaps, hasn’t yet decided where it will end up. Wherever it goes, there’s a negative effect on wildlife from sea turtles to ocean-going birds to whales.

You might be shocked to know that, despite millions of tons of debris floating in the water, there should be much more, given the amount that is sent there. Huge amounts of plastic wind up in the ocean every year. Where did it all go?

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/great-pacific-garbage-patch-2.jpg) 

The answer is that the visible trash isn’t the only plastic in the ocean. Some may be on the sea floor, but it’s the tiny bits of plastic smaller than 5 mm, known as microplastics, suspended in the water column that are most hazardous to your health. Think of it as flecks of pepper floating in a bowl of soup. Much of the missing plastic may be such particles. Even smaller ones, microscopic in size, exist in the ocean known as nanoplastics.

All these may have originated from larger floating plastics that have broken up over time. Exposed to UV sunlight for long enough, plastic becomes brittle and breaks into fragments. The resulting microplastic particles are dispersed at all depths.

The concern about these particles is the fact that they tend to end up in our seafood. A new study in collaboration with the UK’s University of Exeter and Australia’s University of Queensland analyzed seafood for the presence of plastics. They found microplastics in every item of seafood sampled. The five types of plastics most commonly identified:

- polystyrene
- polyethylene
- polyvinyl chloride
- polypropylene
- polymethyl methacrylate
 
These plastics are commonly found in packaging and manufactured synthetic textiles.

The lead researcher of the study, published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, said: “Considering an average serving, a seafood eater could be exposed to approximately 0.7 milligrams (mg) of plastic when ingesting an average serving of oysters or squid, and up to 30 mg of plastic when eating sardines.”

Despite washing each sample to remove any plastic associated with packaging, the study found:

-0.04 mg of plastic per gram of tissue in squid

-0.07 mg per gram in shrimp

-0.1 mg per gram in oysters

-0.3 mg per gram in crabs

-2.9 mg per gram in sardines.

Every item contained some polyvinyl chloride. The highest amounts came from polyethylene. Each sample, however, varied in the quantity and type of plastic found.

It appears that plastics ingested by seafood progresses to edible parts. Other ways that microplastics may end up in food could be airborne particles, machinery, and handling during the processing phase.

As about 17% of the protein consumed by humans consists of seafood, the findings suggest that those who regularly eat seafood are also eating plastic. It’s possible that humans may be consuming 39,000-52,000 microplastic particles every year. It’s not only in seafood; micro- and nanoplastics have been found in beer, honey, sea salt, and even bottled water.

It’s uncertain how toxic the ingestion of microplastics is, but studies suggest risks to various organ systems and, let’s face it, it’s very unlikely that there’s any benefit. Since we can test for the presence of microplastics in food, we should consider making it part of labeling so that the public knows just what it’s consuming. The answer to the problem, however, is preventing plastics from making it to the open ocean *before* they break down into microplastics. How do you think we can best decrease plastic pollution?

Joe Alton MD

 ![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe.jpg) Dr. Alton Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Microplastics, Safe "Six"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-microplastics-safe-six/) 

 [Practicing Safe Six?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/practicing-safe-six/)

**Categories:** Food, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** food contamination, great pacific garbage patch, joe alton md, medical preparedness, microplastics, nanoplastics, survival medicine

---

### [July 4th Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/july-4th-fireworks-safety/)

**Published:** July 1, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks.jpg)**

The Fourth of July is coming up, and many proud Americans will be celebrating with fireworks. An unlucky (careless?) few will wind up running afoul of their own pyrotechnics. Just ask my old buddy “Three-Fingered Fred.” He’ll tell you. Let’s face it**, the safest way to enjoy fireworks** is as a spectator at your hometown’s 4th of July event. Grab a blanket and let the pros handle it.

Fireworks injuries are a thing. **In one recent year, firework accidents claimed eight lives and sent 12,000 people to the emergency room.** The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that, in the month around the July 4th holiday, **280 people a day end up** in emergency rooms with firework injuries. Most (74%) are burns involving **the fingers, hands, face, eyes, and head.** The majority of these (57%) occur in children and teens. And despite improvements in safety, injuries and property damage are rising. More than 18,000 fires are set each year by fireworks gone wrong, including many affecting buildings and vehicles.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/shutterstock_176382275-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/shutterstock_176382275.jpg)

But a lot of people are going to use them anyway. If you decide to personally set off fireworks this Independence Day, be sure to follow the advice of the National Safety Council (NSC):

- **Only use legal fireworks.** That means you should know what the laws are for your area. Beware of fireworks wrapped in plain brown paper; these are usually meant for professional use and are dangerous for amateurs.
- **Choose an ignition area away from flammable materials, structures, and people.** 35 feet away is recommended. Aerial fireworks should be watched from at least 150 feet away.
- **Never allow children of any age to play with or ignite fireworks, they’re the most likely to get injured.** **That means even sparklers,** which account for 50% of fireworks injuries in children under 5 years of age. Sparklers reach a temperature of up to 2000 degrees, hot enough to melt many metals. Glow sticks or confetti poppers are safer options.
- **Any firework event should always be closely supervised by adults**; even with adults, however, **there should be a “designated igniter” that holds off on the alcohol and recreational drugs (if you must indulge) until after the fireworks are over.** **That adult and anyone else nearby should consider protective eyewear.**
- **Only ignite one firework at a time. When lighting, stand away, never position your body directly over it. Back away immediately.**
- **Avoid putting fireworks in cans or jars** (“bottle rockets”) **for “stability.”** if these containers explode, pieces of metal and glass can act as shrapnel to cause injuries.
- **If you’ve got a dud, don’t try to relight it**, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before you disarm it permanently by soaking with a hose or a bucket of water.

Some of their advice is just common sense (at least, for most of us): **Never light fireworks indoors, Never point or throw fireworks at others. , and Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.**

What about your pets? Curiosity killed the cat, and so can fireworks. Most cats and dogs probably won’t go anywhere near them, but a curious sniff might get them into big trouble. They’d be happier and, certainly, safer inside the house. Some suggest keeping the television on to muffle the sound of anxiety-producing explosions.

If you or a member of your family is injured, Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room for moderate to severe cases. For mild burns, run cool water on the injury for 10 minutes, apply burn gel, and cover with a clean non-stick dressing to protect the area. Monitor closely and seek professional help if necessary.

Following these safety tips and using some plain old common sense will help keep your family safe and give you the best chance of a healthy 4th of July. Happy Independence Day!

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Malaria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/malaria/) 

 [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder](https://www.doomandbloom.net/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/)

**Categories:** Burns, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Minor Wounds, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** burns, fireworks burns, fireworks injuries, fireworks safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Heat Waves, Hail, Bee Stings, Forgotten Founders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-heat-waves-hail-bee-stings-forgotten-founders/)

**Published:** July 1, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this don’t miss special Independence Day episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton explore the fate of some forgotten founding fathers; signers of the Declaration of Independence, they gave up their fortunes, homes, and, sometimes, their lives to assist in the birth of our country.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_659294374-bee-sting-300x229.jpg)Bee stinger in skin](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_659294374-bee-sting-scaled.jpg)

Plus, Summer’s here and it’s coming in hot! Dr. Alton (aka Dr. Bones) discusses heat waves, a true natural disaster that kills more people than any other short of Hurricane Katrina. Plus, another summertime issue: Bee stings! What do you do to treat and prevent from getting stung while you’re outside in the nice weather.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_2563480431-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_2563480431-scaled.jpg)

And when the weather isn’t so nice, you might get hail! Find out more about this possibly dangerous phenomenom that causes 46 billion in damage annually in the United States. Find out if you live in “hail alley” and what to do to protect life and property in a hailstorm.

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy!

To listen in, click below:

## **[https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

Happy Independence Day!

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at **[store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Independence Day Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/independence-day-fireworks-safety/) 

 [Hail, No!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hail-no/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Heat Stroke, Hyperthermia, Injuries, Insect Stings and Bites, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Stings and Bites, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, bee stings, bees, Founding Fathers, hail, hailstones, hailstorms, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat waves, hyperthermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Hail, No!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hail-no/)

**Published:** June 28, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_2563480431-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_2563480431-scaled.jpg)

Hail is among the sometimes-dangerous threats posed by severe storms. The Upper Midwest is expected to experience episodes of baseball-sized (!) projectiles falling from the sky. in the next few days. A rain-laden low pressure system will pull in moisture from the High Plains and Northern Rockies into the Dakotas, bringing with it severe thunderstorms carrying hail and high winds. When hail reaches a significant size, it can cause major damage to structures and crops.

**WHAT IS HAIL?**

**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_2563480431-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_2563480431-scaled.jpg)**

**Hail** is a type of solid precipitation. It shouldn’t be confused with sleet, smaller pellets which generally fall in cold weather. Hail consists of irregular lumps of ice called “**hailstones**.” Hailstones usually measure between 5 mm (0.2 in) and 15 cm (6 in) in size and can weigh as much as a pound. They can occur during, but are not as closely associated with, cold weather.

Hail can be seen in just about any thunderstorm. In the mid-latitudes, hail forms in the interior, while in the tropics, it tends to be confined to high elevations.

A thunderstorm which produces hail is known as a **“[hailstorm](https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/minneapolis-baseball-hail-severe-storms-upper-midwest-saturday).”** Unlike sleet, hailstones are often layered and can clump together. Hail is made up of mostly transparent ice which is formed as it travels through the cloud, remaining suspended aloft for up to 30 minutes by air updrafts until its weight causes it to fall to the ground miles below. The more intense the updraft, the larger the hail. It should be noted that conditions that produce hail are also favorable for the formation of tornadoes.

**HOW HAIL FORMS**

Like other precipitation, hail begins as water droplets. As the droplets rise and the temperature goes below freezing, they become supercooled water and freeze. A cross-section through a large hailstone shows an onion-like structure. This means that the hailstone has thick and translucent layers alternating with ones that are thin, white, and opaque. Classic theory suggested that hailstones were subjected to multiple ups and downs, falling into a zone of humidity and refreezing as they lifted. This theory, however, is being questioned in modern times.

Generally speaking, larger hailstones will form some distance from the stronger updraft, where they can spend more time growing. As the hailstone grows, its exterior stays in a liquid phase, keeping it “sticky” and allowing growth by collision with other hailstones.

Hail can also develop via “dry growth”, in which the exterior is not in a liquid state. Hail forming in this manner appears opaque due to tiny air bubbles that become trapped in the stone during rapid freezing. These bubbles can escape, making the hailstone clearer in appearance.

**RISK FACTORS FOR HAILSTORMS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/shutterstock_86148454-300x187.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/shutterstock_86148454.jpg)

Hail formation is more likely when the freezing level is below 11,000 ft, usually in interior areas of mid-latitude land masses. Movement of dry air into strong thunderstorms can increase the frequency of hail by promoting cooling, giving hail a larger area to grow in. Conversely, hail is less common in the tropics despite a much higher frequency of thunderstorms than in the mid-latitudes. This is because the atmosphere tends to be warmer at a much greater *altitude*. It is not impossible, however; hail in the tropics can occur at the higher elevations.

**HAIL ALLEY**

This year, scientists in the United States became engaged in a project studying hail processes in thunderstorms in **“[Hail Alley](https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/welcome-to-hail-alley-a-u-s-region-prone-to-pelting-ice).”** This area encompasses the Great Plains and the Colorado and Wyoming’s Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Hailstorms are most active from May to September, and the research of “hail hunters” may help us prevent some of the damage.

**Aside: Canada has its own “Hail Alley” in South/Central Alberta.**

**HOW HAIL CAUSES DAMAGE**

**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2010_annual_map_hail-300x215.gif)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2010_annual_map_hail.gif)**

Hailstones greater than two centimeters (3/4 inch or so) in size are considered large enough to cause damage to agriculture. Wheat, corn, soybeans, and tobacco are the most vulnerable crops, especially early in their growth.

Damage is proportional to the velocity of falling hail. Speed varies by size and other factors. It’s thought that a 1 centimeter hailstone (0.39 in) falls at a rate of 20 miles per hour (9 meters/second), while larger stones the size of 8 cm (3.1 in) in diameter fall at a rate of 110 mph (48 meters/second). Hailstone velocity is dependent on the size of the stone, its drag coefficient, the motion of wind it is falling through, collisions with raindrops or other hailstones, and melting as the stones fall through a warmer atmosphere. It should be admitted that, since hailstones are not perfect spheres, it’s not easy to accurately calculate their speed.

**HAIL DAMAGE EVENTS**

Hail can cause serious damage, mostly to crops but also to aircraft, automobiles, glass-roofed structures, and livestock. Non-glass roof damage is also common, but often goes unnoticed until leaks and cracks in the ceiling are identified. Metal roofs are fairly resistant, but cosmetic deformities such as dents are seen. In 2023, hailstorms cost the United States $46 billion in damage to cars, roofs, and crops.

When hailstones exceed 0.5 inch (13 mm), they also present a hazard to landing aircraft. Hail is a common nuisance to car owners too, denting automobiles and cracking or even shattering windshields and windows unless covered.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/hailstone-damage.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/hailstone-damage.jpg)

Although rare in the modern era, large hailstones have been known to cause serious or even fatal head trauma to people caught outside without shelter. On April 30, 1888, a severe hailstorm killed more than 200 people in the Moradabad district of India. In the U.S., however, only three people are on record ever to be killed by falling hail.

Hailstorms normally last from a few minutes up to 15 minutes in duration, but can cause major damage to infrastructure during that time. Accumulating hail can blanket the ground, cause loss of power, and bring down trees. Flash flooding due to blocked drains and mudslides within areas of steep terrain can also occur.

On rare occasions, a thunderstorm can become nearly stationary while producing hail and significant accumulation. On July 29, 2010, a foot of hail accumulated in Boulder County, Colorado. On June 5, 2015, hail up to four feet deep fell on one city block in Denver, Colorado.

**HAIL MEASUREMENTS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fentanyl-and-penny-300x163.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fentanyl-and-penny.jpg)

**The National Weather Service often refers to hailstones based on their similarity to everyday objects:**

- **0.375 in. Pea**
- **0.50 in. Small Marble**
- **0.75 in. Penny**
- **0.88 in. Nickel**
- **1.00 in. Quarter**
- **1.25 in. Half-Dollar**
- **1.50 in. Walnut/Ping Pong Ball**
- **1.75 in. Golf Ball**
- **2.00 in. Lime**
- **2.50 in. Tennis Ball**
- **2.75 in. Baseball**
- **3.00 in. Large Apple**
- **4.00 in. Softball**
- **4.50 in. Grapefruit**

Records exist for the heaviest hail and largest: 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) in Bangladesh in 1986 and 20 centimeters in diameter (8 inches) in South Dakota in 2010.

**HAIL SAFETY**

In the event you find yourself caught in a hailstorm:

- If you’re caught *outside*, seek shelter immediately. If you can’t get under some kind of cover, at least to protect your head. Seeking shelter under trees, however, are a last resort. Hail can bring down large branches right on top of you.
- If you’re in a building, stay inside and away from the windows until the hail stops.
- If you’re in an automobile, get under a highway underpass or other cover. Pull completely off the road and don’t leave the vehicle. Windshields can shatter, so get face down with your back to the glass.

**HAIL-PROOFING A HOME**

To prepare your home for a hailstorm: Let’s assume your roof is in good shape. If it’s a flat roof, it’s at most risk for damage. Fiber-cement is superior to vinyl or aluminum siding, which is much more resilient against hail.

It’s especially important to protect windows, doors, and skylights. Close drapes and blinds to form a barrier against broken glass. Of course, in Hail Alley, storm shutters are a great investment and also help protect against high wind conditions. Consider an upgrade to impact-resistant windows.

Bring all your patio furniture, barbecues, and potted plants either under sturdy cover or inside. For larger items that can’t be moved, cover with a tarp or other protective barrier.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Heat Waves, Hail, Bee Stings, Forgotten Founders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-heat-waves-hail-bee-stings-forgotten-founders/) 

 [Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-heat-waves/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** hail, hail alley, hail safety, hailstones, hailstorm, joe alton md, medical preparedness, storm preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-heat-waves/)

**Published:** June 22, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_182753726-hyperthermia-dog-with-fan-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_182753726-hyperthermia-dog-with-fan-scaled.jpg)

Summer has just arrived, but it’s already turning out to be a real scorcher, with the formation of a large [“**heat dome**”](https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/heat-dome-northeast-records-june-2025) bringing some of the hottest weather so far this year to large swaths of U.S. territory. More than 30 cities are expected to break century-old records for high temperatures before the end of next week. 200 million people from Colorado to Maine will be affected at one point or another.

**HEAT WAVES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271.jpg)

Many consider a heat wave to be just a time to put some extra ice cubes in the lemonade, but it’s a deadly natural disaster. More people die in heat waves in the U.S. than just about any recent weather event short of hurricane Katrina.

The U.S. certainly has its share, but heat waves causing large numbers of deaths are common throughout the world. In 2015, thousands died in a major heat wave in India and Pakistan. Tens of thousands died in a European heat wave in 2003.

This week’s “**heat dome”** is caused by hot air unable to escape due to high pressure systems over much of the central part of the country. These systems can sometimes stretch for more than 1,000 miles. A heat dome acts like a lid on a pot, causing compressed air to sink and temperatures to soar. Storms may form at the edges, possibly leading to tornadoes in some areas.

**THE HEAT INDEX**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/noaa-heat-index-chart-300x206.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/noaa-heat-index-chart.jpg)

Making matters worse, the **heat index** will make it feel even hotter. The heat index is calculated from the temperature combined with the humidity, much like wind chill is a combination of air temperature and wind speed. High humidity limits the ability of the body to sweat, one of the important ways humans get rid of excess heat.

It’s expected that, due to the high humidity giving little relief at night, that some residents will feel as if the temperature is up to 20 degrees higher than the actual air temperature.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014-300x237.jpg)Yes, corn can sweat!](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014.jpg)

Where is this humidity coming from? It could be coming from, of all things, cornfields. The huge amount of land dedicated to growing corn in the Midwest increases air humidity. This is because [**corn “sweats”**](https://www.npr.org/2024/09/03/nx-s1-5094251/corn-sweat-is-real-and-its-made-extreme-heat-in-the-midwest-even-more-uncomfortable) much like a human does in hot weather. The effect is to keep the humidity and, thus, the heat index high.

Rural areas won’t be the only areas affected. Urban areas will also feel the heat. Paved roads and concrete buildings form a “heat island” as they absorb more heat during the day and cool down slower at night. This causes nighttime temperatures to stay high in large cities.

You might think that the most danger will be in areas like South Florida, which has a subtropical climate year-round. But citizens of Miami are accustomed to heat, and less heat-related deaths occur there than would in parts of the country that normally have milder weather. Residents of Minnesota, for example, have less experience with extreme heat and some buildings may not have air conditioners. This puts them at more risk for heat-related emergencies like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Older individuals that might have limited ability to seek help are especially at risk.

**HEAT-RELATED EMERGENCIES**

As mentioned, the ill effects due to overheating are called **[“heat exhaustion”](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heat-related-emergencies/)** if mild to moderate; if severe, these effects are referred to as [**“heat stroke.”**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heat-related-emergencies/) Heat exhaustion usually does not result in permanent damage, but heat stroke does; indeed, it can permanently disable or even kill its victim. It’s a medical emergency that must be diagnosed and treated promptly.

Simply having muscle cramps or a fainting spell does not necessarily signify a major heat-related medical event. You will see “heat cramps” often in children that have been running around on a hot day. Getting them out of the sun, massaging the affected muscles, and providing hydration will usually resolve the problem.

In addition to muscle cramps and/or fainting, heat exhaustion is characterized by:

- Confusion
- Rapid pulse
- Flushing
- Sweating
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Headache
- Temperature elevation up to 105 degrees F

If no action is taken to cool the victim, heat stroke may ensue. Heat stroke, in addition to all the possible signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, will manifest as loss of consciousness, seizures or even bleeding (seen in the urine or vomit). Breathing becomes rapid and shallow.

If not dealt with quickly, shock and organ malfunction may ensue, possibly leading to death. In heat stroke, the skin is hot to the touch, but dry; sweating might be absent. The body makes efforts to cool itself down until it hits a temperature of about 105 degrees. At that point, thermoregulation breaks down and the body’s ability to use sweating as a natural temperature regulator fails. In heat stroke, the body core can rise to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

In some circumstances, the patient’s skin may actually seem cool. It is important to realize that it is the body *core* temperature that is elevated. A person in shock may feel “cold and clammy” to the touch. You could be misled by this finding, but taking a reading with a thermometer will reveal the patient’s true status.

**TREATING HEAT-RELATED EMERGENCIES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/heat-stroke-hyperthermia-1-300x232.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/heat-stroke-hyperthermia-1.jpg)

When overheated patients are no longer able to cool themselves, it is up to their rescuers to do the job. If hyperthermia is suspected, the victim should immediately:

- Be removed from the heat source (for example, out of the sun).
- Have their clothing removed.
- Be drenched with cool water (or ice, if available)
- Have their legs elevated above the level of their heart (the shock position)
- Be fanned or otherwise ventilated to help with heat evaporation
- Have moist cold compresses placed in the neck, armpit and groin areas

Why the neck, armpit and groin? Major blood vessels pass close to the skin in these areas, and cold packs will more efficiently cool the body core. Some recent studies conducted by the military also suggest cooling the hands and feet may help.

Oral rehydration is useful to replace fluids lost, but *only* if the patient is awake and alert. If your patient has altered mental status, he or she might “swallow” the fluid into their airways; this causes damage to the lungs and puts you in worse shape than when you started.

**PREVENTING HEAT-RELATED INJURIES**

Heat stroke is preventable in many cases. The Arizona state department of health recommends the following:

- Drink at least 2 liters (about a half-gallon) of water per day if you are mostly indoors and 1 to 2 additional liters for every hour of outdoor time. Drink before you feel thirsty, and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and use a sun hat or an umbrella to deflect the sun’s rays.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones.
- Avoid strenuous activity.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Take regular breaks if you must exert yourself on warm days.

In a heat wave, it’s important to check on the elderly, the very young, and the infirm regularly and often. These people have more difficulty seeking help, and you might just save a life if you’re vigilant.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Hail, No!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hail-no/) 

 [Video Podcast: Civil Unrest, Invasive Species, Agroterror, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-civil-unrest-invasive-species-agroterror-more/)

**Categories:** Burns, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Heat Stroke, Hyperthermia, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** heat dome, heat island, heat wave, hyperthermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video Podcast: Civil Unrest, Invasive Species, Agroterror, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-civil-unrest-invasive-species-agroterror-more/)

**Published:** June 20, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this special video version of the **Survival Medicine Podcast**, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss the recent discovery of an agricultural terror operation at the U. of Michigan research lab, plus: how to avoid getting injured in a protest as a bystander or even a participant. Additionally, some updates on invasive species that are growing their territory, and how they might affect you.

All this and more in this video episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Summer Heat Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-heat-waves/) 

 [Surviving Civil Unrest](https://www.doomandbloom.net/civilunrest/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Biological Warfare, Civil Unrest, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Invasive Species, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** agroterror, agroterrorism, amy alton aprn, civil unrest, invasive species, joe alton md, medical preparedness, protest safety, riot safety, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Agroterrorism, Riot Safety, Ear Issues, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-agroterrorism-riot-safety-ear-issues-more/)

**Published:** June 8, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss the proliferation of some invasive species with potential for real damage, including cane toads and a new hybrid termite that is a super wood-chewer. Also, the discovery of two Chinese operatives who smuggled in a fungus that damages entire crop yields of wheat, barley, and other crops, with the possibility of sickening both livestock and humans: *Fusarium Graminearum.*

——–

Plus, the spread of civil unrest in places like Los Angeles can present real danger to those either participating or just innocent bystanders. Dr. Alton gives his thoughts on how to avoid being caught in the violence that often accompanies “mostly peaceful” protests.

———

Lastly, a discussion of some ear problems the family medic might encounter off the grid, like otitis externa, otitis media, and foreign objects.

———

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

———

To listen in, click below:

### **[https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine–6485159](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton APRN

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

In the market for survival medicine education and the highest quality medical kits for times of trouble? Check out our store at store.doomandbloom.net!

——————————–

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Surviving Civil Unrest](https://www.doomandbloom.net/civilunrest/) 

 [Agroterrorism](https://www.doomandbloom.net/agroterrorism/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Biological Warfare, Civil Unrest, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Ear Issues, fungal disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, poisonous plants, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** agroterrorism, cane toads, invasive species, LA riots, medical preparedness, protest safety, ropt safety, survival medicine, termites

---

### [Surviving Civil Unrest](https://www.doomandbloom.net/civilunrest/)

**Published:** June 12, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-18-1-300x240.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-18-1.jpg)

The news is awash with [protests in different cities](https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/la-immigration-protests-live-updates-trump-deploys-2000/?id=122621279) regarding immigration, the MIddle East, and other issues. It seems clear to me that demonstrations in the U.S. these days are becoming more frequent and, unfortunately, violent. There is always a risk of injury to those in the general vicinity.

I haven’t personally been near a protest since the Vietnam era, and that was just on the way to a college class. Back then, I could hightail it out of there when the pepper gas flew. Even if you’re an Olympic sprinter, however, it’s a good idea to have a riot survival strategy. Whether you’re participating with your “save the whales” sign or just a bystander, it goes without saying that your objective should be to stay away from the where the violence is occurring. The safest place to be in a violent protest is probably your own home.

Of course, you could inadvertently walk smack-dab into a demonstration. If so, things can get dicey pretty fast. I’ve written a lot about situational awareness in the past, and that mindset will serve you well. Here are some thoughts that might help you avoid injury at a protest:

1. Always be in a state of “Yellow Alert”. Yellow alert simply means being aware of your surroundings and the people around you. When people are behaving strangely, take note and avoid them. Read my article or watch my video on the OODA loop. The [**OODA** Loop](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-ooda-loop-of-situational-awareness/), developed by USAF Colonel John Boyd, is a decision-making model used to quickly assess and respond to situations, particularly in dynamic or competitive environments. It stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. By repeatedly cycling through these four stages, you can adapt more effectively to changing circumstances.

Aside: Colonel Boyd actually developed his OODA loop to apply to aerial dogfights!

2. Always mentally map out routes of escape as you walk along. Where’s the nearest side street? Is there a building or subway entrance that will get you off the street? If you don’t know the area, move away to where you know the lay of the land.[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-19-2-300x266.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-19-2.jpg)
3. If you have to make your way through the crowd, stay on the fringes. Center-middle might be great at a rock concert, but not so much at a protest. Avoid getting caught in the masses of people surging away (or towards) the violence. If you’re stuck in the middle, *they* are deciding your movements, not you.
4. Avoid confrontation with protesters. In other words, take off your “Make American Great Again” hat if there are 500 anti-Trumpers in front of you (unless you’re ready to rumble).
5. Have a bandanna handy. This essential survival supply isn’t a gas mask, per se, but it helps at riots when tear gas is sprayed. Some advocate the soaking of the cloth with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
6. [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-23-281x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-23.jpg)
7. Wear sneakers or other footwear that will allow you the most mobility. The only women wearing heals at these things are reporters. Make sure you’re well-clothed so that your skin is protected. You’ll need to wash clothes thoroughly that have been exposed to tear gas, or just throw them away. Consider wearing glasses instead of contact lenses, which can trap irritants.
8. Be aware of the movement of law enforcement officers, but don’t approach them. Their job is tough enough, and they won’t be able to hear you above the roar of the crowd. If you have to approach them, show them your hands to indicate you’re not a threat.
9. Don’t run if you can help it. Unless everyone else is running, you will attract unwanted attention. Walk fast and purposefully around a corner, to higher ground, or another safe spot.[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-20-1-263x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-20-1.jpg)
10. Be inconspicuous. This may be difficult if you’re 6 foot 8 inches tall, but otherwise, do you best to be “the gray man.” That is, be invisible. No “I’m With Stupid>>>>” or other large, easily recognizable logos.
11. If you’re with friends, stay together. If you can’t be together, agree on a meeting place beforehand in case you get separated moving through the crowd.
12. Avoid being caught against walls, fences, blockades, or other solid objects. People can get crushed by masses of protesters.[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-21-300x284.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-21.jpg)
13. Carry some water, milk, or diluted liquid antacid (like Maalox) in a container if you know you’re heading into a protest area, especially if you’re participating. If sprayed with tear gas, move quickly into an area of fresh air and pour the liquid on your face (especially your eyes). Drink it if you get sprayed in the mouth. Milk or liquid antacid are thought by some to work better than water, but there’s no hard data one way or another. The effects of the tear gas will resolve over a short time in most cases
14. If you’re part of the protest itself, carry a basic medical kit that will help to treat injuries like bleeding or burns.

Follow these tips and you might just keep it together, even when everything else falls apart.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video Podcast: Civil Unrest, Invasive Species, Agroterror, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-civil-unrest-invasive-species-agroterror-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Agroterrorism, Riot Safety, Ear Issues, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-agroterrorism-riot-safety-ear-issues-more/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, body armor, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** how to survive a violent riot, joe alton md, medical preparedness, OODA loop, protest safety, riot safety, situational awareness, survival civil unrest, survival medicine

---

### [Agroterrorism](https://www.doomandbloom.net/agroterrorism/)

**Published:** June 6, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-13-revised-grok-300x270.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-13-revised-grok.jpg)

Mass destruction doesn’t always require a nuclear weapon. Chinese operatives recently smuggled a devastating *biological* substance into the U.S. Biological warfare is the term given to the use of infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or their by-products to wreak havoc among a target population. One method of using these substances to cause upheaval is called “agroterror.”

**What Is Agroterror?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-14-300x254.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-14.jpg)

Agroterror refers to the deliberate introduction of pests, toxins, or disease-causing organisms into a country’s food supply or agricultural sector with the intent to cause sickness, food shortages, or economic disruption that could lead to societal collapse. Biological weapons don’t have to kill humans directly: unleashing a horde of locusts to destroy crops or an agent that kills livestock can be just as effective.

What makes agroterrorism particularly effective is that the impact is often delayed. A disease-causing microbe may not be detected until the damage has already been done. If introduced secretly into a region, critical prevention and rapid response strategies may be too late.

**Fusarium Graminearum**

The fungus in question is known as ***Fusarium graminearum***. It causes Fusarium head blight, a disease that primarily affects cereal crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and corn. The fungus attacks the flowering heads of these plants, causing a major reduction in yield. This is bad enough, but Fusarium also produces toxic compounds known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are harmful to both humans and livestock if ingested. Damage to the liver, GI tract, and reproductive system can occur.

**Fusarium As An Agroterror Weapon**

The toxins associated with contamination of crops with Fusarium are harmful to both humans and animals if consumed, rendering large portions of the harvest unfit for food or feed, even if the crop volume appears intact. It doesn’t turn you into a “The Last Of Us” fungal zombie, but it can make you sick, wipe out crops, cripple entire food systems, and cause billions in losses.

Fusarium is not unknown to American farmers. In the United States alone, past outbreaks have cost wheat and barley growers several billions dollars. In some years, affected areas saw yield losses of up to 50 percent.

**Smuggled Across The Border**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-16-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/image-16.jpg)

As you can imagine, movement of organisms like *Fusarium graminearum* across borders is highly restricted. Enter two Chinese assets called Liu and Jian. It’s thought that these operatives were importing the fungus into the country in footwear between 2022 and 2024. They used their access to laboratory facilities at the University of Michigan to “work on” the organism. The strange part of this is Chinese operatives usually try to smuggle technology and items *out* of the United States, not in.

What was their goal? All the hallmarks of an agroterrorism operation are there. If they could spread *Fusarium* throughout the U.S., the food shortage, sickness, and economic collapse would allow foreign actors to send us into a downward spiral.

Given the large amount of foreign students in U.S. educational institutions, it is tempting to believe that similar operations might be underway elsewhere in the nation.

**History of Biological Weaponry**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/plague-ridden-corpses-catapulted-in-siege-warfare-biological-300x154.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/plague-ridden-corpses-catapulted-in-siege-warfare-biological.webp)

Biological weapons have been used since ancient times, even appearing in the Bible as the plagues visited upon Pharaoh by a wrathful God. Medieval accounts of plague-ridden corpses catapulted into besieged cities abound; this method was used as late at 1710. The Western Hemisphere was changed forever by the inadvertent (and sometimes purposeful) introduction of smallpox into the Native American population. .

Eventually, the storage, production, and transport of toxic agents was banned by the [**Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)**](https://disarmament.unoda.org/biological-weapons/). As of 2024, 187 countries have signed the BWC pact. Despite this, there have been a number of violations documented in the former Soviet Union, Iraq, and now, China (which has denied involvement).

Recent examples include:

**[The Rajneeshee Cult](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Rajneeshee_bioterror_attack) (1984):** In one of the rare recent confirmed cases of agroterrorism, members of the Rajneeshee cult deliberately contaminated restaurant salad bars with Salmonella bacteria in The Dalles, Oregon, sickening over 750 people.

**Iraq’s Bioweapons Program (1990s):** Saddam Hussein’s regime reportedly stockpiled plant and animal pathogens as part of its broader biological weapons research (never deployed).

**[Aum Shinrikyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aum_Shinrikyo) (Japan, 1995):** The Japanese doomsday cult, more widely known for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, also experimented with biological agents.

Others have been implicated in researching agroterrorism methods as a tool, including Al-Qaeda.

**The Ideal Biological Weapon**

To date, all biological weapons have been less than perfect. The ideal agent would have these characteristics:

- Be infectious and contagious in a large percentage of those exposed.
- Cause severe long-term debilitation or death of the infected organism.
- Have few available antidotes, preventives or cures.
- Be easily deliverable to the area or population targeted.
- Have low likelihood of causing damage to those using the agent on others.

Anthrax, viral hemorrhagic fevers (e.g., ebola), plague, smallpox, coronaviruses, and others have been considered possible candidates.

Most countries are reluctant to use these weapons in normal tactical situations due to the risk of “accidents.” During the largest such mishap in 1979, a [Russian lab](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/20/world/europe/coronavirus-lab-anthrax.html) released anthrax into the surrounding area, killing 42 people, infecting sheep over 200 miles away, and causing the immediate area to be off-limits even today. There is speculation that the COVID pandemic is another example of this kind of “accident.”

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_242815531-1-smallpox-victim-267x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_242815531-1-smallpox-victim-scaled.jpg)

Although [smallpox](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/smallpox/symptoms-causes/syc-20353027) is considered to have been eradicated in 1980, University of Alberta scientists were able to recreate an extinct horse pox virus in 2017. This suggests that it’s possible to recreate the smallpox virus. If so, cases would be highly contagious and carry a one in three death rate, making it a formidable biological weapon.

**Aside: The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) still has mass quantities of smallpox vaccines in storage**.

By-products released by microbes and plants walk the fine line between biological weapons and chemical weapons. Toxin released by the bacterium that causes botulism, for example, causes paralysis of muscles, and is used in small quantities as Botox. Ingredients in castor beans contain Ricin, a potent toxin that causes respiratory and circulatory failure. Three milligrams of Ricin is potent enough to kill an average-sized adult if inhaled.

**The Last Of Us?**

In the popular show “[The Last Of Us,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf-YkppAyOg)” humankind is nearly wiped out by a fungus that turns people into zombies (fast zombies, the worst kind). That fungus is known as [*Cordyceps*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyceps), and it exists in real life; luckily, it only affects some insects and arthropods. *Fusarium* isn’t like that, but the economic, social, and medical damage done if it ran wild makes increased surveillance and rapid action imperative in the uncertain future.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Agroterrorism, Riot Safety, Ear Issues, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-agroterrorism-riot-safety-ear-issues-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: GI Bleeds, Herbal Teas, LASIK vs PRK, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-gi-bleeds-herbal-teas-lasik-vs-prk-more/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, Biological Warfare, epidemics, Food, fungal disease, gastrointestinal disease, General Preparedness, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Pandemic Diseases, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** agroterror, agroterrorism, biological weapon convention, fusarium graminearum, joe alton md, medical preparedness, smallpox, survival medicine, wheat blight

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ballistic Trauma, Body Armor, Giardia, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ballistic-trauma-body-armor-giardia-more/)

**Published:** April 25, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton, our hosts tackle the basics of something every survival medic may face at one point or another: ballistic trauma caused by small arms fire. Learn the basics of how bullets cause damage to the body in several different ways and also about how body armor works to protect the victim from serious or lethal injury.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_401948248-ballistics-bullet-deformation-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_401948248-ballistics-bullet-deformation-scaled.jpg)

Plus, Dr. Joe Alton discusses water contaminated by the microscopic parasite known as Giardia. Even the clearest mountain stream can harbor these organisms, which cause, at best, miserable diarrheal illness and, at worst, well, much worse. Learn how to recognize and treat this infection to which your group members will be exposed.

Plus much more in the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### **[Listen to “Survival Medicine” on Spreaker.](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Off Grid Medicine: Herbal "Teas"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/herbal-teas-on-or-off-the-grid/) 

 [Video: Hantavirus And The Hackmans](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hantavirus-and-the-hackmans/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, body armor, Civil Unrest, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, ballistic trauma, ballistics, body armor, contaminated water, Dr. Joe Alton, giardia infection, giardia lamblia, hollow point, medical preparedness, permanent cavitation, spalling, temporary cavitation, trauma, yaw

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: GI Bleeds, Herbal Teas, LASIK vs PRK, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-gi-bleeds-herbal-teas-lasik-vs-prk-more/)

**Published:** May 30, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton, the difficult topic of GI bleeding is discussed. Upper and lower GI bleeding will be major challenges for the survival medic, so they should know all about it: causes, symmptoms, treatment, and prevention are covered.

Also, many medics keep essential oils, but after a period of time, the supplies will run out. An easy option is to put together a medicinal garden with herbs that can be made into teas with medicinal benefits. Dr. Bones introduces the topic, while Nurse Amy discusses a few you might consider in this multi-part series.

Finally, a listener asks about whether getting his vision corrected with LASIK or PRK surgery is worth it in the face of an uncertain future. Dr. Joe Alton discusses the pros and cons of getting the procedure done, and pros and cons of each method.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### **[Listen to “Survival Medicine” on Spreaker.](https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/survival-medicine--6485159)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Agroterrorism](https://www.doomandbloom.net/agroterrorism/) 

 [Prostate Cancer](https://www.doomandbloom.net/prostate-cancer-3/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Herbal Remedies, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, diverticulosis, GI bleeding, hemorrhoids, herbal teas, joe alton md, LASIK, medical preparedness, PRK, survival medicine, ulcers, vision correction

---

### [Prostate Cancer](https://www.doomandbloom.net/prostate-cancer-3/)

**Published:** May 19, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We all change as we get older, and some changes are gender-specific (that is, affect men or women, but not both). One of the most common serious issues affecting men, especially older ones, is **cancer of the prostate**. Recently, ex-President Biden has been diagnosed with the tumor.

The **[prostate gland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate)** is part of the male genital tract and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube through which urine and sexual fluid exits the body. The prostate is responsible for producing some of that fluid.

The prostate gets larger as men age. Normally the size of a walnut, it gets bigger as time goes on. An enlarged prostate is not necessarily an indication, however, that a cancer exists. 50 percent of men aged 51-60 have an enlarged but benign prostatic condition called [**“benign prostatic hyperplasia”** ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/)on BPH. That percentage increases to over 80 percent in those over the age of 70. For my article on BPH, click [here](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/).

According to the [**American Cancer Society**](https://www.cancer.org/), approximately 60 percent of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older. Among men over 70, the prevalence of prostate cancer is estimated to be around 70 percent. As the average age of the general population gets older with modern medical advances, more and more men will reach the age when prostate cancer is common. Only skin cancer is more common in elderly males.

**RISK FACTORS RELATED TO PROSTATE CANCER**

Besides gender and age, several other risk factors exist for prostate cancer:

**Ethnicity:** Prostate cancer is more common in black men than other ethnicities.

**Family History:** Having a first-order relative (father or brother) with prostate cancer significantly increases risk.

**Genetics:** Some inherited genetic mutations are linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer.

**Diet:** While the data is not concrete-hard, studies suggest that high-fat diets and diets high in dairy products may increase the risk.

**Obesity:** Obesity may be linked to certain aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

**Chemical Exposure:** Certain chemicals found in pesticides, herbicides, and some industrial products may increase cancer risk .

Evidence for both smoking and alcohol as risk factors has been presented, but the evidence is not as strong as the above factors.

**WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE DISEASE?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_735552067-prostate-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_735552067-prostate-scaled.jpg)

As the mass of the prostate gland increases from either cancer or benign conditions, it applies pressure to the urethra. It may not be noticeable in early stages, or it might cause a number of changes that can affect quality of life, including:

-A weaker stream of urine
-Difficulty beginning the process of urination (also called “*hesitancy*”)
-A sudden urge to go (also called “*urgency*”)
-Waking up frequently with an urge to urinate
-Obstruction of urine flow
-Bladder and kidney infections (otherwise rare in males)

Besides the list of symptoms just mentioned, actual cancers of the prostate may manifest as blood in the urine or semen. If the cancer has spread, it usually invades bone, causing significant pain.

**DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/prostate-cancer-300x237.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/prostate-cancer-scaled.jpg)Prostate gland with cancer growths on bladder and rectum (bottom)Abnormalities in the prostate may sometimes be felt during a[ rectal exam](https://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/the25/rectal.html). This is performed by a medical provider’s gloved index finger. A normal prostate will feel rubbery and smooth. Pain during the exam or an irregular lump is a concern.

In addition to performing a rectal exam, tests to identify one from the other include the blood exam [**PSA (prostate specific antigen)**](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/psa-test/about/pac-20384731), which is elevated in prostate cancer) and various other diagnostic studies. Normally, a result that is above 4.0 or is trending upward suggests further evaluation is needed.

Official proof of prostate cancer is obtained by performing a biopsy (taking a small sample of tissue and sending it for analysis).

**STAGES OF PROSTATE CANCER**

Prostate cancer was typically classified into four stages based on the size, location, and aggressiveness of the tumor. A number of complicated alternative categorization systems, however, have emerged in recent times. The CDC uses a system called Summary Staging. These stages are broken down as follows:

**Localized:** The cancer is limited to the prostate gland and has not spread beyond it. 70 percent of prostate cancers are diagnosed as localized.

**Regional:** The cancer has spread to nearby structures or regional (nearby) lymph nodes, but not distant parts of the body. 12 percent are found at this stage.

**Distant:** The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lymph nodes, or other organs. 8 percent of prostate cancers have spread to distant sites when diagnosed.

**Unknown:** The stage of the cancer is not clearly defined or cannot be determined.

The news of the ex-president Biden’s prostate cancer mentions something called the “[**Gleason Score.**](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22087-gleason-score)” This system assigns numbers to grade the level of abnormality of the cancer cells and, thus, its aggressiveness. Higher Gleason scores indicate more aggressive cancer. Mr. Biden’s cancer is level 9, a very invasive grade. Using the classical level of numbered stages, his cancer would be considered Stage 4.

**TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER**

Prostate cancer treatment options are many, especially in localized and regional cases. Surgery for prostate removal, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have been used successfully, and new options such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have emerged. The best treatment approach depends on:

- **Cancer Stage:** The stage of the cancer (localized, regional, or metastatic) is a primary factor.
- **Gleason Score:** This score, based on a biopsy, helps determine the aggressiveness of the cancer.
- **PSA Level:** Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels..
- **Overall Health:** The patient’s overall health and age are important considerations.
- **Personal Preferences:** The patient’s preferences and wishes regarding treatment must always be taken into account.

**PREVENTION OF PROSTATE CANCER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/food-pixabay-dot-com-300x200.jpg)image: Pixabay](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/food-pixabay-dot-com.jpg)

While there’s no guaranteed way to completely prevent prostate cancer, adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and following a balanced diet.

**Diet:** Limit high-fat foods. Some studies suggest a high-fat diet, especially from animal sources like red meat, may increase risk. Instead, choose a plant-based diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide essential nutrients and antioxidants.

Consider including l**ycopene-rich foods**: Lycopene, found in tomatoes and other red fruits, has shown potential in reducing prostate cancer cell growth.

Include **healthy fats:** Fish and nuts are good sources of healthy fats.

**Limit processed foods**: Some evidence suggests that processed foods can increase risk.

**Maintain a normal weight**: Obesity is linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. Work in some moderate exercise most days of the week: Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and offer other protective effects. Some studies suggest that more vigorous exercise may be particularly beneficial.

Other lifestyle factors may play a role, such as limiting smoking and alcohol consumption.

**Consider regular PSA testing** starting at age 50 (earlier if African-American or high-risk for other reasons). Some physicians stop testing around age 70. I would suggest continuing yearly testing even after that age.

From a pharmaceutical standpoint, those at risk might consider a family of drugs known as [**5-alpha reductase inhibitors**](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/5-alpha-reductase-inhibitor-information). These medications, like finasteride and dutasteride, are sometimes used to reduce the risk of prostate cancer in high-risk individuals. Be aware that they are not without possible side-effects.

It should be noted that, if you follow all of the above, you will likely reach an advanced age, which….increases your risk of prostate cancer!

Ex-President Biden’s advanced stage of prostate cancer may not be curable. There are many options, however, than can give relief from pain and improve quality of life. Hopefully, his advanced age and infirmities will allow him to access all the available therapies.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: GI Bleeds, Herbal Teas, LASIK vs PRK, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-gi-bleeds-herbal-teas-lasik-vs-prk-more/) 

 [GI Bleeding](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gi-bleeding/)

**Categories:** cancer, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Radiation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Urinary Tract

**Tags:** benign prostate hyperplasia, diagnosis of prostate cancer, joe biden, prostate cancer, symptoms of prostate cancer

---

### [GI Bleeding](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gi-bleeding/)

**Published:** May 14, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_1384694990-digestive-GI-system-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_1384694990-digestive-GI-system-scaled.jpg)

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract in humans is an almost unbelievably long organ system averaging, in humans, thirty feet. It includes the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (the colon), rectum, and anus. Along with the liver, pancreas, and gall bladder, it controls all the digestive functions necessary for life. When the organ system malfunctions, a person might experience **GI bleeding.**

Bleeding from the GI tract can be microscopic, but it can also be severe enough to be life-threatening; it’s a cause for concern. Knowing how the system works and understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatments of GI bleeding is critical for the family medic.

**PARTS OF THE GI TRACT AND THEIR FUNCTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_534318577-GI-tract-2-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_534318577-GI-tract-2-scaled.jpg)

Each of the parts of[ the GI tract](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works) has a purpose:

**The mouth:** Begins the digestion process of food with both mechanical breakdown (chewing) and chemical breakdown (saliva with enzymes).

**The pharynx:** A passage for food (and air) that connects the mouth and nasal cavity to the esophagus and larynx (windpipe).

**The esophagus:** A tube that shuttles food from the pharynx to the stomach using muscular contractions called “peristalsis.”

**The stomach:** A temporary storage unit for food where acidic juices initiate protein digestion.

**The small intestine:** Includes sections called the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The small intestine breaks down and absorbs most nutrients, transporting the remaining undigested matter to the large intestine.

**The large intestine:** Comprised of the cecum and colon, it absorbs water and electrolytes and forms feces.

**The rectum:** Stores feces before they are expelled through the anus.

**The anus:** The opening through which feces are expelled.

**SYMPTOMS OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING**

GI bleeding is classified into “upper” and “lower.” The divide occurs in the small intestine, between the duodenum and jejunum. The distinction is important because each type has different features.

The areas involved most often in **upper GI bleeding** are the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The bleeding may exit through the mouth or be evident in bowel movements. Common symptoms include:

**Vomiting blood:** The blood may appear bright red if fresh. If the blood has been partially digested, it will be brown and resemble coffee grounds.

**Black, tarlike stool:** Also known as “**melena,**” it is the appearance of upper GI bleeding that passed through the GI tract and exited through the anus.

Regardless of the point of exit, upper GI bleeding often results in weakness, fatigue, and pallor. This is related to the loss of red blood cells, a condition called “[anemia](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7723662/).” Abdominal pain is also seen in many cases, especially if caused by stomach ulcers or other inflammation.

**SYMPTOMS OF LOWER GI BLEEDING SYMPTOMS**

**Lower GI bleeding** originates from parts of the small intestine, colon, rectum, or anus. Symptoms include:

Bright or dark red blood in bowel movements, also known as “**hematochezia**.” This type of bleeding is most often related to the colon or rectum.

Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, or constipation may or may not accompany the bleeding, depending on the cause. Significant loss of blood may result in symptoms of anemia as described above. Low blood pressure and rapid heart rate are seen in severe cases.

**CAUSES OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_75515089-peptic-ulcer-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_75515089-peptic-ulcer-scaled.jpg)

A wide range of conditions can lead to bleeding anywhere along the GI tract. Some common origins include:

- [**Peptic ulcer disease:** ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/acid-reflux-off-the-grid/)The most common cause of upper GI bleeds. Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum can erode the lining and penetrate blood vessels. Chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and major stress may also be responsible. Infection with the bacterium *H.* *Pylori* is another proven factor.
- [**Esophageal varices:** ](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/esophageal-varices/symptoms-causes/syc-20351538)Varices are dilated veins, similar to what you might see in the lower legs of older people. When found in the esophagus, it’s usually due to liver damage from excessive alcohol use. Erosion of the lining can lead to bleeding in this area.
- [**Mallory-Weiss syndrome:** ](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22035-mallory-weiss-tear)Tears at the border of the esophagus with the stomach caused by excessive vomiting may result in upper GI bleeding.

**CAUSES OF LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_1205985874-diverticulitis-diverticulosis-GI-300x175.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_1205985874-diverticulitis-diverticulosis-GI-scaled.jpg)

- [**Diverticulosis:**](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24883-diverticulosis) Diverticulosis is a condition where there are outpouchings in the lower intestine. If these become inflamed and bleed, it’s known as **diverticulitis** (mostly seen in older adults).
- **[Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15587-inflammatory-bowel-disease-overview):** Inflammation of the wall of the intestines can lead to erosion and bleeding. Examples include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- [**Hemorrhoids:**](https://medlineplus.gov/hemorrhoids.html) Swollen veins in the rectum and anus can cause local pain and bright red bleeding.
- **Colitis:** Inflammation of the large intestine can lead to the formation of abnormal blood vessels or loss of blood supply to certain areas. Either of these issues can result in lower GI bleeding.
- **[Polyps](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-polyps/symptoms-causes/syc-20352875):** Growths on the intestinal wall that can be benign or cancerous.

Of course, cancer can occur in any part of the GI tract, just as it can most anywhere in the body. Bleeding is a common symptom.

Certain medications, like aspirin, NSAIDs, and blood thinners can increase the risk of hemorrhage by causing inflammation or inhibiting normal clotting.

Foreign bodies and blood clotting disorders should be included as possible causes.

**DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT**

Sometimes, bleeding is so obvious that there is no doubt. In other circumstances, blood loss is microscopic and only seen with special fecal testing. One of these is Cologuard, which detects altered DNA and human blood in bowel movements. Another is the Fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which identifies microscopic human blood in the stool. A third is the older Hemoccult II Sensa test, which identifies microscopic blood as well, but cannot distinguish between human and animal blood (from eating red meat) or can falsely turn positive from eating certain foods like beets, taking aspirin, or using iron supplements.

Depending on the type of bleeding and test results, two diagnostic tests might be recommended that may also serve as treatment:

- **Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), also called upper endoscopy**. This procedure allows direct visualization and is used for upper GI bleeding to identify and treat bleeding sites. Techniques include injection of epinephrine, thermal coagulation, or clipping to stop bleeding.
- **Colonoscopy:** For lower GI bleeding, colonoscopy can identify and treat sources like diverticula or polyps using the techniques used in upper endoscopy.

More invasive procedures may include removal of the bleeding portion of the GI tract if not treatable by colonoscopy or upper endoscopy.

It should be noted that ***H. pylori* infections**, a major cause of upper GI ulcers, can be treated with a combination of antibiotics like amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, or tetracycline. Usually, an acid reducer such as omeprazole is added. A home test can identify the presence of the bacterium.

Further treatment of GI bleeding depends on its cause, location, and severity. Management of the problem involves stabilizing the patient, identifying the bleeding source, and monitoring heart rate and blood pressure.

**DIETARY AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102.jpg)

Limited natural options are available to treat significant bleeding, but you can consider focusing on easily digestible foods: Soft fruits (apples, pears, papayas) and easily digestible vegetables are relatively gentle on the digestive tract. Foods that absorb stomach acid, like bread, can help absorb and reduce stomach acid, preventing ulcers.

Replacement of lost blood cells is important. Food that are rich in iron can help: Options include red meat, shellfish, poultry, eggs, beans, raisins, whole-grain breads, and leafy green vegetables.

Many people have “trigger” foods that lead to inflammation that causes bleeding. These vary among individual and include dairy, spicy foods, and refined sugar. Alcohol can also irritate the digestive tract.

Consider adding fiber to the diet. Increasing fiber intake can help prevent constipation, which can worsen bleeding from polyps or hemorrhoids.

Certain changes in lifestyle can also make a difference. They include:

- **Limiting alcohol and smoking:** These can irritate the digestive tract and increase the risk of bleeding.
- **Managing stress:** Stress can contribute to GI issues. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
- **Avoiding certain medications** that Increase bleeding risk: If possible, avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin unless necessary, as they can increase bleeding risk.
- **Treating underlying conditions:** Address factors that contribute to bleeding, like acid reflux, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_1016405821-hemorrhoid-types-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/shutterstock_1016405821-hemorrhoid-types-scaled.jpg)

Home remedies are limited, but exist for conditions such as hemorrhoids:

- **Warm baths** can help soothe pain and reduce inflammation.
- **Creams/ointments** can help relieve itching and discomfort.
- **Ice packs** can help reduce anal swelling and pain.

Unfortunately, GI bleeding off the grid can be difficult to handle; it’s another of the medical issues that are hard realities in times of trouble and present serious challenges to the survival medic.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Prostate Cancer](https://www.doomandbloom.net/prostate-cancer-3/) 

 [Video: Colonoscopy Experience](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-colonoscopy-experience/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, bacterial disease, Bleeding Wound, Diarrhea, gastrointestinal disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** acid reflux, cologuard, diverticulitis, esophageal varices, FIT test, GERD, GI bleeding, H. pylori infection, hematochezia, hemoccult test, hemorrhoids, joe alton md, lower GI bleeding, medical preparedness, melena, stomach ulcers, survival medicine, upper GI bleeding

---

### [Video: Colonoscopy Experience](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-colonoscopy-experience/)

**Published:** May 8, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract is always a matter of concern. When Nurse Amy experienced blood in her bowel movements, it was imperative to get to the bottom of the problem as soon as possible. In this video, Amy tells you all about her colonscopy, from the preparations the day before to the procedure itself to the recovery. As colonoscopy is recommended to every person reaching a certain age, whether there is bleeding or not, this candid discussion is not to be missed.

To watch, click below:

Please free to add your experience in the comments section.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy Alton, APRN

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014-300x237.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [GI Bleeding](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gi-bleeding/) 

 [Video Podcast: Ballistic Trauma, Body Armor, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-ballistic-trauma-body-armor-more/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, colonoscopy, colonoscopy experience, Gastrointestinal bleeding, GI bleeding, joe alton md, survival medicine

---

### [Video Podcast: Ballistic Trauma, Body Armor, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-ballistic-trauma-body-armor-more/)

**Published:** May 4, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this companion video to a recent audio podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton tackle recent news stories with a little humor, then delve deeply into the basics of ballistic trauma, kinetic energy, cavitation, give a primer on body armor, plus more.

To watch, click below. The purely medical stuff starts about midway:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Colonoscopy Experience](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-colonoscopy-experience/) 

 [Off Grid Medicine: Herbal "Teas"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/herbal-teas-on-or-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, body armor, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Trauma, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, ballistic trauma, body armor, joe alton md, kinetic energy, medical preparedness, survival medicine, video podcast

---

### [Off Grid Medicine: Herbal "Teas"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/herbal-teas-on-or-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** April 29, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-26-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-26.jpg)

In long-term disaster settings, even prepared medics may end up using their entire supply of commercially-made medicines. As such, caregivers should consider the medicinal benefits of the plants in their own backyard as additional tools in the survival woodshed.

Due to their longevity, essential oils are probably some of the best natural products the medic can stockpile. Producing them, however, requires knowledge, experience, and distillery equipment. In addition, you’ll need a lot of plant material. It takes 250 pounds of lavender flowers to make 1 kilogram of essential oil, and that’s if you have the right variety, soil conditions, weather conditions, and other factors in place.

In the long haul, a more realistic option for sustainable herbal medicines is using fresh or dried plant materials in teas. These require little more than a garden space and some knowledge regarding each herb. You should be aware of the ideal growing conditions, parts of the plant used, medicinal effects, and any possible adverse reactions.

**TRUE TEAS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-27-300x225.jpg)Camellia Sinensis](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-27.jpg)

It should be noted that the term “tea” is incorrect in most cases: The word actually refers to various drinks only made from the leaves of one species, ***Camellia sinensis****.* Indeed, green, black, white, and oolong teas are made from the same plant; only the processing differs.

Standard true teas from *Camellia sinensis*, like green, black, white, and oolong, are high in antioxidants with many health benefits ascribed to them. These include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver dysfunction, and more. You should be aware that these teas also contain caffeine.

The proper term for a drink made by steeping herbs in water other than *Camellia sinensis* would be an “**herbal infusion**” or “**tisane**“. For simplicity’s sake, though, we’ll call them teas. These are generally caffeine-free and are responsible for varied health benefits.

**MAKING TEAS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_580982017-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_580982017.jpg)

Making a tea is a simple process, making it one of the best options for the family medic to prepare medicinal herbs. If you can boil water, you can brew tea. You just:

- Bring some water to a roiling boil in a pot or other container.
- Crush leaves, flowers, and/or roots, depending on the plant.
- Pour the boiled water over 1 teaspoon of herbs and let steep for about five or ten minutes.
- Keep a cover on while steeping.
- Place a strainer over a cup and pour (alternatively, use a tea bag or “bob”).
- Use honey or lemon to add flavor if desired.

A tea doesn’t always have to be ingested to be of benefit; some teas may be used as an eye wash, an irrigation solution for wounds, or in cold or warm compresses.

**POPULAR HERBAL TEAS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-28-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-28.jpg)

There are many herbs that can be made into a tea. Although some of the information below lacks hard scientific data, these teas are just some that were used by your ancestors for their medicinal benefits:

**Alfalfa**: The seeds and leaves contain vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as calcium, phosphorous, iron, and potassium. It has been used as a diuretic to help urine flow and to settle upset stomachs. There are claims that it helps arthritis pain and may lower cholesterol. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves, steeped in 1 cup of boiling water, for 10-20 minutes.

**Burdock**: Dried burdock root has been used in teas to help clear acne and to treat psoriasis. Use 2 tablespoons of fresh grated root or 1 tablespoon of well-dried root in 3 cups of boiling water. It can be consumed or used externally on trouble areas.

**Catnip:** Leaves and flowers are used to treat intestinal cramping, indigestion, diarrhea, and other stomach ailments. Also thought to help treat respiratory infections like the common cold. A substance in catnip called nepetalactone is thought to produce a mild sedative effect. Use 1 teaspoon of dried leaves or 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves per cup.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-29-300x225.jpg)chamomile flowers](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-29.jpg)

**Chamomile:** A favorite tea of many, it contains the amino acid Tryptophan, which gives it a sedative and relaxing effect. As such, it may help treat anxiety and insomnia. Antioxidants in chamomile may help slow down progression of visual, kidney, and nerve damage in diabetics. Use 2-3 teaspoons of dried flowers per cup.

**Chicory:** When supplies of coffee ran out, soldiers in the Civil War used the root of this common plant as a substitute. It lacks caffeine, though, and has more of a sedative than stimulant effect in large amounts. Chicory root has an effect against intestinal worms, and has been shown in animal studies to improve calcium absorption and bone mineral density. Scrape the bark off the root before drying; use 1 teaspoon to 1 cup of water. Tea made from the leaves has a laxative effect.

**Dandelion**: You might be surprised to know that the common dandelion contains vitamins and minerals. Indeed, it’s thought to have more beta-carotene than a similar serving of carrots. Young flowers and leaves make a good tea for constipation (steep for 20 minutes). Roasting the roots produces a coffee-like drink; use 2 teaspoons dried chopped root in 1 cup of water.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-30-300x225.jpg)Echinacea](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-30.jpg)

**Echinacea:** Well-known to decrease the duration of colds and flus, Echinacea boosts the immune system and may have some antiviral activity. Steep 1-2 teaspoons of leaf, flower, or ½ teaspoon of root in 1 cup of boiling water

**Elder**: Elderberry flowers make a tea that is used for many upper respiratory infections such as sinusitis, colds, flus, and laryngitis. Applied in a compress, the tea may be helpful for wound healing and some skin conditions.

The blue or purple berries are high in antioxidants and may be made into a juice or syrup: Put two pounds of elderberries in four cups of water and bring to a boil, then simmer for a half hour. Use a fine mesh strainer to press out the juice. Sugar may be added under medium heat to make a syrup.

**Eucalyptus:** Tea made from eucalyptus leaves offers relief from asthma as well as respiratory infections, mostly by opening airways and loosening thick mucus. It may have antibacterial and antiviral effects. Steep ½ teaspoon of dried or fresh leaves in 1-2 cups of water.

**Ginger**: The underground stems, or rhizomes, of Ginger are used to treat nausea of all types from morning sickness to motion sickness. Slice one inch of the rhizome into small pieces and simmer in two cups of water on low heat for 15 minutes, then strain.

**Ginseng**: Both Asian and American Ginseng root can be made into herbal teas that are thought to lower blood sugar levels, a useful benefit for those with diabetes. Simmer three to six teaspoons of the root for 45 minutes in three or four cups of water, then strain.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-31-300x225.jpg)Hibiscus](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-31.jpg)

**Hibiscus:** made from the dried petals of the *Hibiscus sabdariffa* flower, hibiscus tea is known for its tangy flavor. It contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, which aids in neutralizing substances called “free radicals” that can cause inflammation and disease. Hibiscus tea may also help lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. Use ¼ cup of dried, rinsed petals and let steep for no more than 5-10 minutes.

**Lavender**: Used in aromatherapy, lavender may improve nausea and other digestive symptoms when drunk as a tea. It’s thought to decrease migraine headaches and possibly limit convulsions and muscle spasms. Use 1 tablespoon of dried herb in 1 cup of water.

**Lemon Balm:** An herb with antiviral effects, it’s actually a member of the mint family. A tea made from lemon balm leaves and flowers was used in the past to treat mouth, throat, and dental infections like gingivitis and herpes sores. It’s also thought to decrease anxiety, aid sleep, and even improve intestinal spasms and nausea. 1 teaspoon of dried herb or 5-6 fresh leaves to one cup of boiling water makes a fine tea.

**Licorice**: Better known as an ingredient in candy, its coating properties may help with sore throats, coughs, and heartburn. Licorice can, however, raise blood pressure and should be avoided during pregnancy. Add 1-2 teaspoons of chopped root to 2 cups of boiling water. Drink ½ cup at a time.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-32-300x225.jpg)Passionflower](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-32.jpg)

**Passionflower:** Tea made from passionflower has a beneficial effect on anxiety and may serve as a sleep aid if taken regularly. Boil 1-2 teaspoons of herb (avoid the root) in 2 cups of water for 5-10 minutes.

**Peppermint:** A long-standing herbal remedy, tea made from peppermint calms the stomach and helps Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), but can worsen heartburn. The tea helps thin respiratory mucus and relieves nasal congestion. Put 1 teaspoon of dried herb or 6-8 fresh leaves over 1 cup of boiling water.

**Rooibos:** This herb from South Africa is rich in antioxidants, which help combat free radicals in the body. Rooibos is also known for its calming effect and is helpful in promoting restful sleep and reducing stress. Use 1-3 teaspoons of loose dried leaves per 8 ounces of water and steep for 5-7 minutes.

**Rose**: Rose “hips” make a tea with vitamin C, as well as calcium, selenium, zinc, manganese, and others. It boosts the immune system and is thought to be beneficial for the adrenal gland, responsible for the stress hormone cortisol. Boil 1 teaspoon of dried rose hips in water and steep for 20 minutes.

**Sage**: Sage leaf tea is a time-honored remedy for sore throat as well as the common cold as a tea or gargle. It may also aid digestion and decrease cramping. Some claim it may even improve memory. Steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves in one cup of water.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-33-300x225.jpg)Stinging nettle](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-33.jpg)

**Stinging Nettle:** Stinging nettle root is thought to have benefits as a diuretic to improve urine flow, even in those with enlarged prostates. The leaves may decrease the pain of arthritis in joints. Use 1 teaspoon dried leaves in 1 cup boiling water or boil 5 grams of dried root in 2 cups of water for 5-10 minutes.

**St. John’s Wort:** One of the few herbs that has known activity against minor depression, leading it to be called “herbal Prozac.” Beware of interactions with certain prescription drugs, however. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of herb.

**Thyme**: Teas made from thyme will loosen thick phlegm and may help coughs. It’s known to inhibit bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including many that cause respiratory infections. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried leaves in 1 cup of water.

**Turmeric**: This herb contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory compound that may treat Crohn’s disease and other digestive tract issues. As well, it may have beneficial effects on joint pain due to rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-34-300x225.jpg)Valerian roots](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-34.jpg)

**Valerian**: The dried roots of this plant have been utilized for centuries to deal with anxiety and insomnia. It may even decrease the frequency of seizures in patients with epilepsy. Its mild sedative effect eases pain and promotes sleep. Avoid mixing with alcohol or sedative drugs.

**Willow Bark:** The green underbark of willow trees contain salicin, the original ingredient used to produce aspirin in the late 19th century. It is especially useful for muscle aches and joint pain. Simmer 1 teaspoon of bark in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes.

There is still much research needed to scientifically confirm all of the effects of these plants, and there may be other benefits not mentioned or yet discovered. As well, many other plants have medicinal effects other than the ones in the list above; you might know of some yourself. The herbs above, however, are easily made into teas that can be produced even while on the move. Remember that some substances in herbal remedies may have negative effects as well in some people.

Learning how to use natural substances for their medicinal benefits can make the off-grid medic an effective provider even in the most remote settings. With these additional tools in the woodshed, you’ll have a better chance to succeed, even if everything else fails.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video Podcast: Ballistic Trauma, Body Armor, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-ballistic-trauma-body-armor-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ballistic Trauma, Body Armor, Giardia, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ballistic-trauma-body-armor-giardia-more/)

**Categories:** anxiety and depression, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** camellia sinensis, herbal infusions, herbal teas, joe alton md, making herbal teas, medical preparedness, popular herbal teas, survival medicine, tisanes, true teas

---

### [Video: Hantavirus And The Hackmans](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hantavirus-and-the-hackmans/)

**Published:** April 20, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gene-Hackman-Hantavirus-symptoms-definition-prevention-infection-care-rat-infestation-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gene-Hackman-Hantavirus-symptoms-definition-prevention-infection-care-rat-infestation-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-scaled.jpg)

We’ve all heard about the strange end of actor Gene Hackman and his wife: The 95-year-old Hackman, his 65-year-old wife, and a dog were discovered dead, and not freshly so, in their home. She was found on the bathroom floor with a spilled bottle of pills, while he was in another room. A deceased dog was also found in a crate in the home, while two others were found alive outdoors. In this video companion and update to a prervious article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses what really happened, how the virus hantavirus was involved, and how it affects the medic in survival settings.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ballistic Trauma, Body Armor, Giardia, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ballistic-trauma-body-armor-giardia-more/) 

 [Blunt Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blunt-trauma/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** gene hackman, Hantavirus, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, joe alton md, medical preparedness, rodent infestations, rodent-proofing, survival medicine, viruses

---

### [Blunt Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blunt-trauma/)

**Published:** April 15, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_1081147022-fall-injuries-blunt-trauma-300x204.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_1081147022-fall-injuries-blunt-trauma.jpg)

Standard first aid manuals have the information you need to get victims of disasters to a medical facility, but what if none exists? What if the highest medical resource left is just you, the average citizen? Today’s topic is **blunt trauma** off the grid. What do you need to know to become a medical asset?

**BLUNT TRAUMA**

Blunt trauma is damage caused by the forceful impact of a blunt object, like a club, against the body. Blunt objects can cause all sorts of bruising, scrapes, fractures, or even organ ruptures. Sometimes, they can break the skin, although it’s not necessary to inflict a possibly life-threatening injury.

**TYPES OF STRAIN IN BLUNT TRAUMA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-12-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-12.jpg)

Blunt trauma causes “strain” in internal structures. This can happen in several ways:

**Tensile Strain:** Tensile strain occurs as opposing forces are applied to the same point, something like pulling apart a wishbone at Thanksgiving or, perhaps, a tug of war.

**Shear Strain:** Shear strain also involves two forces applied to a structure, but not at the same point. Think of an old-timey circus strong man tearing apart a telephone book.

**Compressive Strain:** Compressive strain is directly related to deformation of an area of impact, similar to what would happen if I struck you in the ribs with a baseball bat or the jack collapsed while you were working under your car.

**Overpressure:** Overpressure is not unlike compressive strain, but applied to a fluid or gas-filled organ, crushing or rupturing it.

**CAUSES OF BLUNT TRAUMA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-13-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-13.jpg)

There are many situations in disaster settings (or even everyday life) where you might be faced with a victim of blunt trauma. They include:

- **Car Accidents:** A leading cause of blunt trauma, especially to the head and chest.
- **Falls:** Falls can cause blunt trauma to various parts of the body. Some may be from significant heights, but most will involve elderly or infirm individuals who lose balance or consciousness from a standing position.
- **Physical Assaults:** Damage caused by being punched, kicked, or struck with a blunt object by another person. In normal times, contact sports are common causes of blunt trauma.
- **Crush Injuries:** Events that cause the victim to be crushed between objects (such as car crashes, machinery accidents).

**CONSEQUENCES OF BLUNT TRAUMA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_771818020-ecchymosis-bruise-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_771818020-ecchymosis-bruise.jpg)

Blunt trauma can cause significant damage, depending on the location and severity of the injury. You might see:

- **Bruises (Contusions):** Known in medical-ese as “contusions,”, these happen when blood vessels under the skin are damaged, causing blood to leak into surrounding tissues.
- **Fractures:** Blunt force can cause broken bones, especially in the extremities or[ rib cage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rib-fractures/).
- **Internal Organ Damage:** Organs like the liver, spleen, or intestines can be damaged without being penetrated by sharp objects, leading to internal bleeding or rupture.
- **Head Injuries:** Blunt trauma to the head can result in [concussions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-concussions-2/), skull fractures, or bleeding from vessels in and around the brain.
- **Spinal Cord Injuries:** Blunt trauma damaging the spine can cause pressure or other damage to the spinal cord, possibly leading to paralysis.

S**OLID VS. HOLLOW ORGANS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-14-300x225.jpg) ](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-14.jpg)human liver (left) and human lungs (right)

How well the body handles a particular strain differs dependent on the type of force and the tissue being stressed. The denser the tissue, the less elastic it is. As such, more of the energy is transferred to the tissue, causing more damage. Let’s compare the effects of blunt trauma to two organs: lungs and liver.

Lungs are relatively elastic and not dense. Therefore, lower velocity blunt trauma tends to be dissipated across the entire organ. This leads to less damage than a similar impact would cause to a denser solid organ like the liver. Even in penetrating trauma like a gunshot wound, the shock wave due to temporary cavitation causes a great deal more damage to a solid organ than one that is less dense or even hollow. Even the permanent cavity left by, say, a bullet, causes more injury to dense tissue.

For more information of [ballistic trauma, click here](https://www.doomandbloom.net/basics-of-ballistic-trauma/).

**SYMPTOMS OF BLUNT TRAUMA**

Symptoms of blunt trauma vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. You might see:

- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Abdominal pain, distention, nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pale, clammy skin (as a result of internal bleeding)

Internal bleeding can be difficult to identify in some cases of blunt abdominal or chest trauma. Victims may not show signs right away. That’s why close monitoring is so important in these cases. Drops in blood pressure, loss of skin color (known as “pallor”), and spreading bruises are signs of concern.

**TREATMENT OF BLUNT TRAUMA**

Treatment for blunt trauma depends on the specific injuries sustained and their location. It may involve:

- **Pain management:** Medications to relieve pain and discomfort.
- **Wound care:** Cleaning and dressing any open wounds, splinting sprains and fractures, controlling swelling, identifying and treating infection, etc..
- **Surgery:** Fractures, internal organ damage, or other serious injuries may require surgical intervention. Be aware that your options are very limited off the grid.

The medic must focus on preventing further injury and continue to assess the situation, keep the person still, and monitor breathing and alertness. This is particularly important if a head, neck, or back injury is suspected.

**MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-15-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-15.jpg)

The most common causes of serious blunt trauma are motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) or falls from a significant height. In both these situations, large areas of the body are subjected to varying amounts of trauma. In car crashes, head-on collisions are most associated with death (60%) compared to, say, side-impact (20-35%) or rear end collisions (3-5%).

Rollovers are associated with a lower death rate (8-15%) than you might expect due to the fact that forces generated in the passenger compartment are randomly scattered to different parts of the car as it rolls. If the victim is somehow ejected from the vehicle, though, severity of injury and death rates are high, as the victim is traveling at the velocity of the vehicle and will likely strike an immobile object (like the ground).

Pedestrians hit by a car will have the knee as a first point of impact because the bumper is at about that level. As the (fractured and dislocated) lower extremities are pushed forward, the trunk and head are pushed forcefully down on the hood, causing fractured ribs, ruptured spleens, and head injuries. If struck by a truck or bus, the chest or abdomen will more likely be the recipient of the original impact.

**FALLS FROM HEIGHT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_1081147022-fall-injuries-blunt-trauma-300x204.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/shutterstock_1081147022-fall-injuries-blunt-trauma.jpg)

Patients presenting with injuries in free falls fell from an average height of just under 20 feet. Fractures account for three-quarters of injuries with 19-22% affecting the spine. Intra-abdominal injuries usually affect the solid organs like the liver, with hollow organs like bowel or bladder perforated in less than 1% of cases. Most falls, however, are from people standing on the ground and losing balance or consciousness. Damage can still be severe, especially in the elderly.

In survival, it’s important to realize that not all trauma involves a bullet hole. Learn to recognize the effects of blunt trauma and you’ll have a better chance to succeed, even if everything else fails.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr, Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** abdominal pain, Crush injuries, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury

**Tags:** blunt trauma, compression strain, contusions, crush injuries, joe alton md, medical preparedness, shear strain, survival medicine, survival medicine handbook, tensile strain

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### [Mechanisms of Blunt Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blunt-trauma-part-1/)

**Published:** January 16, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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**Blunt Trauma: Mechanisms of Injury**

Many first aid manuals lay out a plan of action with regards to prehospital care for the injured. These books have the information you need to get a victim to the next highest medical resource. The question stands, however: What if there is no higher medical resource than the average citizen?

With an adjustment in mindset and a commitment to acquire knowledge, equipment, and training, the average citizen can adapt standard emergency care to fit situations where stabilization and transport to a modern facility is not an option. Today, we’ll discuss some basics you should know about blunt trauma.

**Blunt Trauma**

Blunt trauma is damage caused to the body by a blunt object, such as a club or baseball bat. Blunt trauma can cause bruising, scrapes, fractures, or organ ruptures. It can, in some circumstances, break the skin although a projectile that enters the body and stays there or passes through is considered “penetrating trauma”.

How does blunt trauma cause injury? According to the excellent textbook “Trauma” by Mattox, Moore, and Feliciano: The strain on an area due to trauma is related to the amount of deformation caused, factored with the amount (length) of tissue involved.

**Types of Strain in Blunt Trauma**

 Let’s put “Strain” in four categories: Tensile strain, Shear strain, Compressive strain, and Overpressure.

**Tensile Strain:** Tensile strain occurs as opposing forces are applied to the same point, something like pulling apart a wishbone at Thanksgiving or, perhaps, a tug of war.

**Shear Strain:** Shear strain also involves two forces applied to a structure, but not at the same point. Think of a circus strong man tearing apart a telephone book.

**Compressive Strain:** Compressive strain is directly related to the deformation of an area of impact, similar to what would happen if I struck you in the ribs with a baseball bat or the jack collapsed while you were working under your car.

**Overpressure:** Overpressure is not unlike compressive strain, but applied to a fluid or gas-filled organ, crushing and, perhaps, rupturing it. An example might be sitting down abruptly on a balloon.

**Blunt Trauma Effect on Tissue and Organs**

How well the body handles a particular strain differs dependent on the type of force and the tissue being stressed. The denser the tissue, the less elastic it is. As such, more of the energy is transferred to the tissue, causing more damage. Let’s take the example of two organs: lungs and liver.

Lungs aren’t dense organs; they’re relatively elastic. Therefore, lower velocity blunt trauma tends to be dissipated across the entire organ. This leads to less damage than a similar impact would cause to a denser solid organ like the liver. Even in penetrating trauma, the shock wave due to temporary cavitation (below) causes a great deal more damage to a solid organ than one that is less dense or even hollow. Even the permanent cavity left by, say, a bullet, causes more injury to denser tissue.

To learn more about permanent and temporary cavitation in ballistic trauma, click below:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/basics-of-ballistic-trauma/ ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/basics-of-ballistic-trauma/)

**Motor Vehicle Accidents**

The most common causes of serious blunt trauma are **motor vehicle accidents (MVAs)** or falls from a significant height. In both these situations, large areas of the body are subjected to varying amounts of trauma. In car crashes, head-on collisions are most associated with death (60%) compared to, say, side-impact (20-35%) or rear end collisions (3-5%). Rollovers are associated with a lower death rate (8-15%) than you might expect due to the fact that forces generated in the passenger compartment are randomly scattered to different parts of the car as it rolls. If the victim is somehow ejected from the vehicle, though, severity of injury and death rates are high, as the victim is traveling at the velocity of the vehicle and will likely strike an immobile object (like the ground).

Pedestrians hit by a car will have the knee as a first point of impact because the bumper is at about that level. As the (fractured and dislocated) lower extremities are pushed forward, the trunk and head are pushed forcefully down on the hood, causing fractured ribs, ruptured spleens, and head injuries. If struck by a truck or bus, the chest or abdomen will more likely be the recipient of the original impact.

**Falls From Height**

You might be surprised to find that patients presenting with injuries in free falls fell from an average height of just under 20 feet. Fractures account for three-quarters of injuries with 19-22% affecting the spine. Intra-abdominal injuries usually affect the solid organs like the liver, with hollow organs like bowel or bladder perforated in less than 1% of cases.

Blunt trauma can hide major injuries that can be life-threatening. In future articles, we’ll discuss blunt trauma in more detail and how best to recognize these injuries. Plus, we’ll explore what can (and cannot) be done to treat them in off-grid settings.

**Joe Alton MD**

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**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** blunt trauma, cavitation, compressive strain, joe alton md, medical preparedness, motor vehicle accidents, overpressure, shear strain, survival medicine, tensile strain

---

### [Giardia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/giardia-2/)

**Published:** March 31, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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Recently, we discussed the topic of infection with parasitic worms. While some of these can reach impressive lengths (like a 55-foot tapeworm), most parasites that trouble humans are microscopic in nature. The most common of these in the U.S. is giardia. Over a million Americans are affected annually.

An infection with giardia is called “**giardiasis.**” The parasite lives all over the world in bodies of water. If ingested during a stage of its life cycle called a “cyst,” The Giardia cyst is a dormant stage that survives until it finds a host. It, then, colonizes the small intestine and, for lack of a better word, “hatches.” Giardia then feeds off the host’s dietary nutrients. Once it reproduces, the parasite reverts back to the cyst stage and exits in bowel movements.

Note: Giardia has also been known as *giardia lambia,* *giardia intestinalis*, and *giardia duodenalis*. They are essentially the same microbe.

Giardia especially thrives in poorly developed regions where public sanitation is questionable. It spreads easily from host to host, with children infected more often than adults; although it prefers bodies of water, childcare centers are a possible source of outbreaks in the U.S.

#### **SYMPTOMS OF GIARDIASIS**

Giardiasis can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms which can range from mild to severe. In about half the cases, there are no symptoms at all. If a person becomes ill, symptoms will occur in one or two weeks after infection. This is the time it takes the giardia cyst to “hatch.” Once that happens, common symptoms include:

- Watery diarrhea.
- Greasy-appearing bowel movements that float.
- Abdominal pain, gas, and bloating.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Worsening fatigue
- Weight loss
- Dehydration

Less commonly, sufferers complain of itchiness, hives, swelling in the joints and around the eyes. Most people have symptoms for two to six weeks. Some people have longer-lasting symptoms. Fortunately, the infection usually resolves itself after a few weeks, but some people continue to have symptoms for weeks or months.

**TRANSMISSION OF GIARDIA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood.jpg)

Animals and humans can get giardiasis, passing it on to others through their excrement. Other common ways for giardia to enter a host include:

- Eating or drinking contaminated food or unfiltered water.
- Contact with contaminated surfaces.
- Travel to regions with poor sanitation.
- Swimming in contaminated water.
- Contact with babies and toddlers or their diapers.
- Having anal sex with an infected person.

**COMPLICATIONS OF GIARDIASIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-scaled.jpg)

Possible complications include:

**Dehydration**. Dehydration is the primary risk from giardiasis, as the nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can cause a large amount of fluid loss.

**GI problems.** If giardiasis lasts a long time, it can damage the lining of your small intestine, which can damage its ability to absorb nutrients.

**Autoimmune disease.** In some people with severe chronic giardiasis, part of your immune response to the infection becomes hyperactive, continuing even after the infection is gone.

**DIAGNOSIS OF GIARDIASIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/giardia-300x257.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/giardia.jpg)

Giardiasis is diagnosed with certainty by identifying the organism in stool samples under the microscope. Most of the time, however, the specific set of symptoms mentioned earlier are the main clue that triggers treatment.

**TREATMENT OF GIARDIASIS**

There are various anti-parasitic drugs that are commonly used to treat significant illness caused by giardia. With treatment using the antibiotics below, you can expect recovery in about a week:

- Metronidazole (Flagyl®).
- Tinidazole (Tindamax®).
- Nitazoxanide (Alinia®).
- Paromomycin (Humatin®).

Of the above, metronidazole is the most commonly used but may cause complications during pregnancy. Until recently, it was available without prescription as a “fish antibiotic.”

**PREVENTING INFECTION WITH GIARDIA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

As giardia can live even in the clearest creek water in the backcountry, it might be hard to avoid off the grid. However, there are strategies that help prevent problems:

- Wash hands frequently, especially before eating or having sex and after using the bathroom or contact with soil or animals.
- If someone in your group has been sick, clean and disinfect everything they’ve touched, including work surfaces and bedding.
- Wash fruit and vegetables in clean water before eating.
- Avoid raw foods and unbottled water when traveling abroad.
- Be wary when swimming in natural ponds, streams, and lakes. Even municipal swimming pools are risky if not well-maintained. Try not to swallow water in these areas.

Although animals can spread Giardia to people, you are unlikely to get a Giardia infection from dogs or cats. The type of Giardia that makes people sick is usually not the same type that affects pets.

**JOE ALTON MD**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** abdominal pain, Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Sanitation, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** diarrheal disease, GI infections, giardia duodenalis, giardia intestinalis, giardia lamblia, greasy diarrhea, joe alton md, medical preparedness, metronidazole, sanitation, survival medicine, water contamination

---

### [Worms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/worms/)

**Published:** March 25, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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In developed countries, some disease-causing organisms such as parasites are more of historical interest than a major health issue. It’s important, however, to realize that some not commonly seen today may become problems for the medic if a disaster throws you off the grid. Knowing which disease-causing organisms exist in your area and how to treat them will be necessary to keep your loved ones healthy.

The word “parasite” comes from the Greek word *Parastos*, meaning “someone that eats at someone else’s table”. When we think of para- sites, none give us the creeps more than having worms.

Parasites like ticks, fleas, mites, and lice live on our skin or just beneath; these are called **ectoparasites**. Worms, also known as [**helminths**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminths), are **endoparasites**. They live deep in our intestines or other core organs, often gaining sustenance by sharing our partly-digested food. They are also egg-laying machines, with some depositing tens of thousands a day into their host.

The diseases they cause are a major health issue in underdeveloped countries due to difficulties with sanitation. Even in developed nations, any disaster that impairs access to safe food and water could cause parasitic worm cases to skyrocket.

#### **INFECTION VS. INFESTATION**

If you have worms, do you have an infection or an infestation? Infestation and infection are words used to describe the presence of harmful organisms in the body. They aren’t exactly the same thing, though:

An **infestation** happens when parasites or other organisms establish a colony on or within your GI tract or the body’s external surfaces, such as the skin or hair. They multiply and live on the host, causing irritation, discomfort, and, sometimes, disease. Examples include head lice and scabies, and ringworm (which is actually a fungus).

An **infection** occurs when microbes such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter the body and invade its internal tissues or organs. These organisms can cause damage to the body’s cells and produce toxins that lead to illness. Examples include strep throat and pneumonia.

In some cases, the terms infestation and infection may be used interchangeably, especially when the distinction between external and internal colonization isn’t clear. Infestations can cause irritation and discomfort, but infections often result in more serious illness.

#### **TRANSMISSION OF PARASITIC WORMS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ascariasis-LifeCycle-300x275.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ascariasis-LifeCycle.jpg)

Many [different worms](https://www.scientificamerican.com/slideshow/worms-human-parasites/) are known to infest the human body: nematodes, trematodes, flatworms, and flukes are just a few.

Worm infestation is usually caused by ingesting soil that contains their eggs. While this may seem an unlikely happenstance to you, areas where people defecate openly and fail to wash their hands leads to contaminated soil. Some of this soil ends up on people’s hands and enters the body when they touch their mouth, nose, and eyes. Worm eggs or larvae can also enter the anus or breaks in the skin.

Parasitic worms range in size from microscopic to very long, depending on the species. The most common infection we’ll see in the U.S. is the tiny pinworm, which causes anal itching in 40 million Americans. However, almost a quarter of the world’s population has some type of worm problem. Children are especially vulnerable and may experience stunted growth and developmental problems as a consequence.

Interestingly, many helminths actually *require* human stomach acid to dissolve their egg shells and allow them to hatch. Once hatched, the acid-immune larvae travel from the stomach and attach themselves to the walls of the intestinal tract, liver, and lungs.

**SYMPTOMS OF WORM INFESTATIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock-female-abdominal-pain-outdoors-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock-female-abdominal-pain-outdoors.jpg)

Colonization by worms may go unnoticed or, as in the case of pin- worms, just involve itching in the anal area. With some species, however, a large concentration of organisms can cause serious problems.

Each type of worms causes different symptoms, but you should suspect their presence in otherwise-unexplained cases of:

- Constipation or diarrhea.
- Abdominal swelling or gas.
- Abdominal pain or cramps.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Weight loss.
- Constant urge to have a bowel movement.
- Unexplained skin rashes or sores.
- Anal itching.
- Constant fatigue.
- Chronic muscle and joint aches.

The above represents a broad array of symptoms, suggesting that the number of cases of worms is underestimated, even in countries with modern infrastructures.

**CONSEQUENCES OF WORM INFESTATIONS**

In rare cases, the quantity of internal parasites is so high that it causes an obstruction of the bowels. Worm species that invade the liver or lungs can cause respiratory distress or a weakened metabolism. All of these complications may result in the death of the patient.

Your body knows when it has been invaded and sets up an immune response against the worm. Success is limited, however, and all the energy put into defense may weaken the ability to fight “secondary” infections that may occur. The more issues the body has to deal with, the less effective it is in fighting them.

Some worms actually compete with your body for the food that you take in. A species known as *Ascaris*, for example, will attach to the wall of your intestine and eat partially digested food that comes its way. This competition prevents you from absorbing nutrients effectively, resulting in malnutrition.

**TYPES OF WORMS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1023659668-parasitic-infections-worms-giardia-more-300x206.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1023659668-parasitic-infections-worms-giardia-more-scaled.jpg)

There are numerous types of helminthic infections based on the species involved. Infections with worms are often named for the species with the suffix **“-asis”** (for example, ascariasis), as opposed to other infections/inflammations, which often end with the body part affected and the suffix **“-itis”** (for example, tonsillitis).

Although there many worms that infect humans, some of the more common types are:

**Pinworms**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pinworm-eggs-300x203.jpg)pinworm eggs](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/pinworm-eggs.jpg)

Pinworms are a type of nematode called a roundworm. Reaching only 1/3 inch in length, they lay eggs around the host’s anus, usually at night. This leads to an itching sensation which can become severe. Pinworms are the most common parasitic worm infection in the United States

A cycle then develops where contaminated fingers from scratching come in contact with the mouth. This transports the eggs inside the body where they hatch.

You can test for pinworms simply by placing clear adhesive tape on the anal region of the patient in the early morning, before showering or using the bathroom. Examine the tape for evidence of worms or eggs (eggs may be easier to see under a low power microscope or magnifying glass..

**Hookworms**

Hookworms are another roundworm and one of the most common helminth infections worldwide. The parasite feeds on blood from vessels in the intestinal walls. Hookworm infestation is sometimes asymptomatic, but cause anemia as well as abdominal symptoms.

Occasionally, a larval (juvenile) hookworm may penetrate the skin of a human. Although it can’t go into the organs, it can cause a skin disease called [“larve migrans,”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutaneous_larva_migrans) once known as “creeping eruption”. Larva migrans presents as a red twisting, snake-like pattern. This is due to the movement of the larvae under your skin. The larva can move up to 2 centimeters a day. Expect itching, discomfort and, sometimes, swelling on the feet, hands, or buttocks.

**Ascaris**

The largest intestinal roundworm, reaching 14 inches, is known as Ascaris. It is thought that there are 2 billion people that carry this worm, mostly in poorly developed countries.

Ascaris eggs, when ingested, become larvae that enters the bloodstream through the small intestine. It reaches the lung, where it leaves the circulation and is eventually coughed up, swallowed, and goes back to the intestine, where it matures. Once mature, the female worm can produce up to 200,000 eggs a day.

Ascaris effects may include bloody phlegm, fever, cough, and abdominal symptoms. If the concentration of worms is high enough, they may begin to leave the body through the anus, nose, or mouth.

**Tapeworms**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/tapeworm-300x212.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/tapeworm.jpg)Credit: James H. Robinsom/Science Photo LibraryTapeworm is a type of infection caused by a flatworm that lives mostly in Asia and Africa. The worm is, indeed, flat. Tapeworm eggs can form
walled-off areas called “**cysts**” in body tissues and organs. If a hatched larvae are ingested, however, it will mature into an adult tapeworm in the intestines. The adults are segmented and reach prodigious lengths up to 55 (!) feet long.

Symptoms are similar to other helminth infections but symptoms related to the infested organ may also be seen.

**TREATMENT OF WORM INFECTIONS**

Medications that can kill parasitic worms are called “**vermiculicides**” or “**vermicides.**“ All are prescription drugs, although persons with travel plans to underdeveloped countries shouldn’t have trouble getting these from their physician.

**Albendazole** (brand name Albenza for roundworms) 400mg once or twice total. For larva migrans, 400mg orally once a day for three days.

**Mebendazole** (only available in generic form; most specific for pinworm infestation) 100 mg twice a day for 3 days or 500mg once total.

**Pyrantel pamoate** (common ingredient in heartworm meds for dogs) 11 mg/kg once, some species once daily up to 3 days.

**Praziquantel** (brand name Biltricide) for tapeworms, various dosages depending on worm species).

Dosing may vary with some of these medications dependent on the type of worm. A second course of therapy is administered if the patient is not cured in 2-4 weeks.

Naturally anti-helminthic plants also exist. Garlic, ingested fresh and raw, is thought to be an effective way to eliminate worms. Wormwood, clove, papaya, pineapple, cinnamon, turmeric, and plumeria have all been reported to be helpful. Interestingly, some believe that smoking tobacco may help eliminate worms.

**PREVENTION OF PARASITIC WORM INFECTIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

Careful attention to hygiene, wearing shoes when outside, and, among medical providers, strict glove use will decrease the likelihood of passing worms or their eggs from person to person. Hand washing, especially before preparing food, is considered especially important in preventing community-wide outbreaks.

**Joe Alton, MD**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Giardia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/giardia-2/) 

 [Hantavirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hantavirus/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Parasitic Worms, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** ascaris, flukes, joe alton md, medical preparedness, parasitic worms, pinworms, roundworms, survival medicine, tapeworms, whipworms

---

### [Hantavirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hantavirus/)

**Published:** March 19, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1050531905-rat-along-baseboard-rodent-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1050531905-rat-along-baseboard-rodent-scaled.jpg)

We’ve all heard about the strange end of actor Gene Hackman and his wife: The 95-year-old Hackman, his 65-year-old wife, and a dog were discovered dead in their home. She was found on the bathroom floor with a spilled bottle of pills, while he was in another room. A deceased dog was also found in a crate in the home, while two others were found alive outdoors.

Originally, I believed that she overdosed her husband, who had late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and then took sleeping pills in a murder-suicide. That was not the case, however. It turns out that she died a week *before* Hackman of a rare illness called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). He died some days later of heart disease and dehydration.

### **WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sin-nombre-hantavirus-public-domain-300x293.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/sin-nombre-hantavirus-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

Members of the hantavirus family (*hantaviridae*) are mostly found in their natural reservoir: rodents. Rats and mice are likely to be constant companions of survival groups in disaster settings, so it’s important to know about them.

Hantaviruses are species-specific, which means that each type of rodent has its own version of the virus. While infected rodents remain outwardly healthy, they can transmit the disease to humans and cause life-threatening damage.

### **TRANSMISSION OF HANTAVIRUS TO HUMANS**

Humans contract hantaviruses in several ways:

- Getting bitten or scratched by an infected animal.
- Being in contact with droppings or urine.
- Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Survival retreats with large stores of food are always high-risk for rodent infestations and the spread of infection.

Your next question should be: Can I get sick if I take care of someone with hantavirus? No, there haven’t been any cases of human-to-human transmission in the United States. Although Gene Hackman’s wife had hantavirus, he did not.

### **HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME (HPS)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/gene-hackman-grok-1-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/gene-hackman-grok-1.jpg)

The initial symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome are flu-like: Expect to see sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, and muscle pain. Three to five days later, the infected person may feel shortness of breath and chest pain. Respiratory failure follows rapidly due to an immune reaction gone haywire. In the Hackman case, the wife must have thought she had a cold, then collapsed. If so, what was in the medicine bottle? It was just thyroid pills.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) made its first identifiable appearance in 1993. Every year in the Western US, a few cases are reported; the death rate is 30-60 percent. Survivors of the first few days recover in a few weeks, but may have long-term ill effects.

### **HEMORRHAGIC FEVER WITH RENAL SYNDROME (HFRS)**

Hantavirus hemorrhagic disease was first described in an ancient Chinese medical text about 300-400 BC, one of a long line of disease-causing organisms originating in China. It makes appearances throughout history in the Old World. During WWI, hantavirus disease was called “trench nephritis.” Nephritis simply means kidney inflammation. Cases were reported again during WWII, Korea, etc. Finally, in 1978, the virus was discovered and eventually given the name hantavirus.

100,000 cases of HFRS are reported annually, much more than its rarer cousin in the Americas. The death rate, however, is only about 1 percent or so, depending on the subtype.

### **CAN YOU TREAT HANTAVIRUS INFECTION?**

It’s already been proven that a person made ill by hantavirus isn’t contagious to other humans. There is, sadly, no cure. In normal times, treatment depends on the particular variant and includes oxygen therapy, antiviral meds, and dialysis.

Unfortunately, there is no proven effective treatment off the grid. The medic should treat the symptoms like fever, ensure good hydration, and generally support the patient until they recover. Survivors may take weeks or months to fully return to normal, with chronic fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance commonly seen long-term. Symptoms include:

- Coughing
- Trouble breathing.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Chest tightness.

### **PREVENTION OF HANTAVIRUS INFECTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1786384493-rat-trap-along-sides-of-wall-and-sideboard-300x208.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shutterstock_1786384493-rat-trap-along-sides-of-wall-and-sideboard-scaled.jpg)

There isn’t a hantavirus vaccine, but diligent rodent-proofing can help reduce the risk of infection. There are [steps you can take](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-control-rodents-as-disease-vectors/) to help reduce your risk:

- Avoid exposure to mice, rats, and their droppings.
- Wear gloves and a mask that covers your nose and mouth if you can’t avoid exposure to droppings.
- Use disinfectant on areas contaminated with mouse or rat droppings.
- Don’t use a broom to clean out droppings, as it causes viral dust enter into the air.
- Seal holes around the retreat that might allow mice and rats to enter.
- Set rodent traps in and around your home.
- Avoid leaving human or pet food outside.
- Assure good ventilation in the retreat.

More information on rodent-proofing a home can be found by [clicking this link](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-control-rodents-as-disease-vectors/).

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Worms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/worms/) 

 [Tornadoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornadoes-2/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** Hantavirus, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, HFRS, HPS, joe alton md, medical preparedness, orthohantavirus, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hantavirus, Hepatitis, Gallstones, Pokemon Cheeto, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hantavirus-hepatitis-gallstones-pokemon-cheeto-more/)

**Published:** March 15, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this new podcast format, you’ll hear interesting news stories as well as the usual medical topics for the family medic. In the news, A heist involving a gold toilet in England, a Cheeto shaped like a Pokemon goes for a bundle at auction, three little pigs catch a break, and some wit and wisdom from Abe Lincoln. Medically, Dr. Joe Alton discusses Hantavirus and the death of the Hackmans, what to know about liver disease like hepatitis in times of trouble, and while he’s there, all about gall bladder disease.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### [https://www.spreaker.com/cms/shows/6485159/dashboard?filter=NETWORK&network=4478928](https://www.spreaker.com/cms/shows/6485159/dashboard?filter=NETWORK&network=4478928)

Don’t forget to check out Dr. Alton’s quality medical kits for the serious family medic at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, the two-time Book Excellence Award winner “The Survival Medicine Handbook” ranks 4.8/5.0 over more than 3600 reviews on Amazon. Get it there in black and white or in color at store.doomandbloom.net. You’ll be glad you did.

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Tornadoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornadoes-2/) 

 [YouTube Video: Survival Medicine Podcast](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-survival-medicine-podcast/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, hepatitis, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal, Stones, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, cholecystitis, gall stones, golden toilet, Hantavirus, hepatitisA, HepatitisB, HepatitisC, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pokemon cheeto, survival medicine, three little pigs

---

### [YouTube Video: Survival Medicine Podcast](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-survival-medicine-podcast/)

**Published:** March 6, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/THE-SURVIVAL-MEDICINE-PODCAST-joe-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/THE-SURVIVAL-MEDICINE-PODCAST-joe-scaled.jpg)

In this retooled version of the **Survival Medicine Podcast**, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton discuss some news stories as well as survival medicine topics. Besides discussing parasitic worms that infect humans and the current measles scare, they review a story of 38 hunting dogs found swimming well offshore in a Mississippi lake, a rare flower 52 inches tall that smells like a rotting corpse, and gives advice to a listener about an upcoming backpacking trip to Southeast Asia.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/38-dogs-in-water-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/38-dogs-in-water.jpg)

(Disclaimer: Information shared in our videos are for entertainment purposes only and are not meant to replace medical advice by your provider. The practice of medicine without a license is illegal. Please seek professional care. Always call 911 when available and necessary.)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hantavirus, Hepatitis, Gallstones, Pokemon Cheeto, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hantavirus-hepatitis-gallstones-pokemon-cheeto-more/) 

 [Nailbed Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nailbed-injuries-2/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Parasitic Worms, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** 38 dogs in the water, backpacking in asia, joe alton md, measles, medical preparedness, parasitic worms, survival medicine, texas measles outbreak

---

### [Video: Amy's New "Pet and Parent" Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-amys-new-pet-and-parent-kit/)

**Published:** February 10, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/phil-and-patty-2-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/phil-and-patty-2-rotated.jpg)

Nurse Amy and I, in collaboration with First Aid Phil and Preparedness Patti, have designed a superior first aid kit that works for both pets and their parents!

The [**Ultimate Pet and Parent First Aid Kit**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ultimate-pet-and-parent-first-aid-kit/) will provide both the education and the supplies to treat both your pet’s and your own simple cuts or lacerations, including even life-threatening bleeding. This kit was created in conjunction with Vets over many years of professional advice and consultations. No other pet/dog and parent first aid kit is as complete and comprehensive as t**he [Ultimate Pet and Parent First Aid Kit.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ultimate-pet-and-parent-first-aid-kit/)**

The kit includes supplies for small cuts, lacerations, dehydration, orthopedic injuries, burns, tick removal, splinter removal, mild to severe bleeding injuries, eye irritants and injuries, bug bites and much more. In addition to the supplies, you’ll receive a guide teaching you how to deal with various pet issues.

Check it out at Amy’s video below:

Wishing you and yours (including all the critters) the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe, Amy, Phil, and Patti Alton

P.S. Subscribe to our feed/newsletter for coupon code with discounts on everything at our store!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Gall Bladder Disease On And Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gall-bladder-disease-on-and-off-the-grid/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast Now On YouTube, Spreaker](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-now-on-youtube-spreaker/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Kits, Medical Supplies, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, dog first aid kit, joe alton md, medical kit, pet and parent first aid kit, pet first aid kit, ultimate pet first aid kit

---

### [Texas Measles Outbreak](https://www.doomandbloom.net/texas-measles-outbreak/)

**Published:** February 22, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The number of measles cases linked to an outbreak in Western Texas has grown to 124, according to data released recently. The grand majority of the affected individuals are less than 18 years of age, with 18 requiring hospitalization. New Mexico and several other states have reported cases as well. In 2024, there were a total of 285 measles cases reported across the country, less than in 2014 but more than the 1990s and early 2000s.

**What Is Measles?**

Measles is a contagious viral disease also known as “rubeola.” It was once so common, it was considered a childhood rite of passage. It shouldn’t be confused with Rubella (German Measles) or Roseola, a milder viral illness also seen in childhood. The disease was almost eradicated in the U.S. in the 2000’s but has experienced a resurgence in the last few years. In long-term survival settings, we can expect it to be even more common.

**Signs/Symptoms of Measles**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/measles-1-195x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/measles-1-scaled.jpg)

Physicians have seen so few cases of Measles in the recent past that few doctors have ever treated a case. State health departments have had to send out flyers alerting them to the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Measles patients usually start off with a high fever, often reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Two to three days later, a red patchy rash appears, usually starting on the head and face and then working its way downward. So many “spots” develop that the patches coalesce into even bigger blotches as times passes. Other symptoms often resemble respiratory and eye infections. You may see the “**three C’s**”:

- Cough
- Coryza (head cold symptoms like nasal congestion, etc.)
- Conjunctivits (pink eye)

Many also manifest white spots on the inside of the mouth called “**Koplik’s Spots**.”

Other issues that are seen in more severe cases include:

- Diarrhea (1 in 10 cases)
- Pneumonia (1 in 20 cases, the most common cause of death in children)
- Ear infections (1 in 10 cases, occasionally resulting in hearing impairment)
- Corneal scars (affecting the covering of the colored part of the eye)
- Brain inflammation and swelling (1 in 1000 cases, occasionally resulting in death or permanent damage)
- Convulsions (as a result of fever in children)

The above seems to occur more often either in children under 5 years old or adults. Pregnant women with measles may deliver prematurely or have low birth-weight infants. Death as a result of complications from measles occurs in about 1 in 1000 cases.

**How Contagious Is Measles?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_148016636-numbers-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_148016636-numbers-scaled.jpg)

If you follow this blog, you may remember the “R-Nought number”(R0) I discussed during the COVID pandemic. The R-nought (or reproduction number) is the 100-year-old brainchild of a public health expert in demographics named Alfred Lotka. A disease’s R0, he said, is the number of cases that will occur in a population if an infected person is placed in the middle of it. Not just any population, however; one that hasn’t been exposed to the infection in the past.

In the 1950s, epidemiologist George MacDonald used it to describe the contagious potential of malaria. He suggested that, if the R-nought is less than 1, the infectious person will transmit to fewer than one other person and an outbreak will eventually peter out. On the other hand, if the R-Nought is greater than 1, the disease will spread. Seasonal flu carries an R-Nought of 1.28. For measles, an airborne infection, R0 is thought to be 12-18: That means each person with measles would, on average, infect 12-18 other people in a totally susceptible population.

(Note: The majority of cases in the Texas outbreak occurred in the austere-living Mennonite community, where vaccination is rare. As such, they are more susceptible as a group than others.)

A person with measles may transmit the disease for several days *before* the first symptom and continue to be contagious for several days after recovery. Treatment involves relieving symptoms like cough, nasal congestion, etc. **There is no cure**. The virus must run its course, which usually takes about 10 to 14 days.

**Measles And Vaccination**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_1678064593-vaccine-injection-300x202.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_1678064593-vaccine-injection-scaled.jpg)

The measles vaccine has been available since 1963 in the United States. Before vaccination became a standard recommendation, hundreds of thousands of cases and several hundred deaths were expected on a yearly basis. After its institution, the numbers of cases dropped precipitously.

Health officials have been urging anyone who isn’t vaccinated to receive the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) combo shot. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently [recommends](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html) people receive two vaccine doses, the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective against the three diseases. These protections rates are some of the best for any vaccine; only the tetanus and smallpox vaccines approach this level of success.

Concerns about vaccine safety, however, is a real issue for many Americans. For the many that are concerned, a stand-alone vaccine for measles as opposed to MMR might seem to make sense. Unfortunately (unlike some other countries), a stand-alone vaccine is not available in the United States.

**Risks Of Vaccination**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_367483439-zika-virus-vaccine-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/shutterstock_367483439-zika-virus-vaccine.jpg)

Many vaccines, including the one for measles, have side effects that are seen in a percentage of patients. The most common are fever, rashes, and cold-like symptoms. In the case of Measles vaccine, these occur in 5-14 cases out of 100. More serious complications are much rarer, but may include:

- Bruises
- Confusion, irritability
- Vision changes
- Swelling of glands
- Headaches
- Stiff neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the site of injection

In normal times, anyone experiencing the above after receiving a vaccination should be evaluated by their physician, as they may be signs of a complication

The decision regarding vaccination should be based on hard data with the backing of science. Although vaccinations can have their risks, the positives far outweigh the risks when it comes to the measles vaccine. It should be noted, however, that all vaccines are not created equal; do you own research and come to the conclusion that will best protect your family.

Measles is a serious disease that is making a comeback. Be aware of the signs and symptoms and consider your strategy for dealing with any infectious disease in times of trouble.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: 38 Dogs, The Corpse Flower, Parasitic Worms, Measles, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-38-dogs-the-corpse-flower-parasitic-worms-measles-more/) 

 [Gall Bladder Disease On And Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/gall-bladder-disease-on-and-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, measles, measles outbreak, measles vaccination, medical preparedness, survival medicine, texas measles outbreak

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: 38 Dogs, The Corpse Flower, Parasitic Worms, Measles, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-38-dogs-the-corpse-flower-parasitic-worms-measles-more/)

**Published:** February 24, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton,

38 dogs are found swimming a mile offshore in Mississippi, a “corpse flower” blooms in Australia, Measles breaks out in Western Texas, plus more than all you ever wanted to know about parasitic worms off the grid, and more, including a response to a listener with questions about what diseases to watch out during a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia.

All this and more in the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### [https://www.spreaker.com/cms/shows/6485159/dashboard?filter=NETWORK&network=4478928](https://www.spreaker.com/cms/shows/6485159/dashboard?filter=NETWORK&network=4478928)

All this and more in the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton and Amy Alton!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Nailbed Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nailbed-injuries-2/) 

 [Texas Measles Outbreak](https://www.doomandbloom.net/texas-measles-outbreak/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Amy Alton ARNP, Diarrhea, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Pandemic Diseases, Parasitic Worms, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** 38 dogs in the water, amy alton aprn, backpacking in asia, corpse flower, joe alton md, measles, medical preparedness, parasitic worms, Survival Medicine Podcast

---

### [Liver Disease Off The Grid: Hepatitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/liver-disease-off-the-grid-hepatitis/)

**Published:** February 4, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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There are various diseases that may confront the caregiver in off-grid settings. Some affect the entire body, but others affect a particular organ in the body. Today, we’ll talk about **the human liver** and the most common disease associated with it: hepatitis.

Although the body’s largest organ is the skin, the largest *internal* organ is the liver. The reddish-brown liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity under the diaphragm at the bottom of the rib cage, and over the GI tract and right kidney. It’s somewhat cone-shaped and weighs about three pounds.

The liver is so important for survival that impairment in its function can be life-threatening. The liver has many duties, including:

- Production of bile, a fluid needed for digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.
- Filtration of certain toxins from the blood (for example, alcohol).
- Storage of certain vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, iron, and copper.
- Regulation of amino acids needed to make proteins.
- Maintenance of normal levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood by storing and releasing it as needed.
- Production of cholesterol (yes, you need cholesterol).
- Production of urea from toxic substances like ammonia, which is then excreted by the kidney.
- Processing of old red blood cells.
- Production of certain hormones.

**PERFORMING A LIVER EXAM**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1390815239-palpation-abdominal-300x164.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1390815239-palpation-abdominal-scaled.jpg)

If the liver is diseased, it can become enlarged and tender. This compromises its ability to perform functions like helping your body eliminate toxins, digest food, store energy, and more. The off-grid medic should know how to evaluate the liver on exam.

-The simplest way of evaluating the liver involves standing on the right side of the patient as they lie flat on their back. Use one (or two, if obese) hands starting at the right side of the belly button.

-Slowly and gently press downward as the patient takes a deep breath to see if you can feel the solid edge of the liver.

-Move upwards, each time during the patient’s deep breath, until you are just under the lowest rib.

-In a normal-sized liver, you likely won’t feel it at all or, perhaps, barely feel it under the rib during the deep breath. If you can feel it without difficulty during this process, it is likely enlarged.

**LIVER INFLAMMATION**

**Hepatitis i**s the term used for inflammation of the liver. Mostly caused by viruses, this condition disrupts the body’s ability to process toxins and can be life-threatening.

Besides viral infections, alcohol abuse and certain drugs (even acetaminophen/Tylenol) can also lead to hepatitis, especially if used excessively over time. Chronic liver diseases and autoimmune conditions like autoimmune hepatitis can also cause liver inflammation.

**SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-300x225.jpg)jaundice](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-scaled.jpg)

Symptoms can range from none at all to life-threatening. The hallmark of hepatitis is **jaundice**, a yellowing of skin and eyes that occurs due to an excess of a yellowish substance called **“bilirubin”** in your system. Bilirubin is formed by the breakdown of old red blood cells in the liver. A healthy liver eliminates bilirubin as part of this process.

Other symptoms may include:

- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Dark-colored urine and
- Pale greyish bowel movements
- Stomach pain
- Itching
- Muscle and joint aches
- Fatigue
- General ill feeling (also called “malaise”)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-scaled.jpg)

**TYPES OF HEPATITIS**

There are various types of hepatitis, listed as A, B, C, D, and E. Each has its own characteristics, but many symptoms are similar. Some types are related to poor hygiene, others from poorly prepared food or contaminated water; some are even transmitted sexually. All are contagious and have the potential to cause liver dysfunction and, perhaps, long-term scarring.

**HEPATITIS A**

Hepatitis A virus is caused by oral-fecal contamination; it can be gotten, for example, by drinking water that has particles from the bowel movements of infected individuals. It begins as a flu-like syndrome, then quickly manifests many of the symptoms mentioned above two to six weeks after exposure. It can also be transmitted sexually.

In survival, failing to properly purify water can cause an epidemic of Hepatitis A. In normal times, a restaurant employee who doesn’t wash his hands after using the bathroom can pass the disease along to customers.

Hepatitis A usually gets better without treatment after a few weeks. Interestingly, children rarely get symptoms, while 80% of adults do. In areas at risk, a vaccine is available.

**HEPATITIS B**

Hepatitis B can be spread by exposure to infected blood products, semen, and vaginal fluids. Symptoms are usually indistinguishable from Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B, however, may cause scarring in the liver that leads to a chronic condition known as “[**cirrhosis**](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15572-cirrhosis-of-the-liver).” In cirrhosis, the functioning cells of the liver are replaced by non-functioning nodules. Cirrhosis may also be caused by long-term alcohol or drug abuse. Besides jaundice, the condition can lead to “[**ascites**](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/ascites#:~:text=Ascites)”, an accumulation of fluid that causes swelling of the abdomen, swollen legs, and other symptoms.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-300x137.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-scaled.jpg)

**HEPATITIS C**

Hepatitis C can cause acute or chronic infection, and is seen most often in older individuals. It may be contracted by intravenous drug use, transfusion, and unsafe sexual practices. A percentage of these patients will progress to cirrhosis over time and, sometimes, complete liver failure. A vaccine is now actively promoted by the government that may protect infected individuals from future damage.

**HEPATITIS D**

The hepatitis D virus is unusual because it seems to only occur in those with an active Hepatitis B infection. In tandem, the two viruses cause a significant “superinfection.”

**HEPATITIS E**

Hepatitis E is typically an acute infection that is sometimes associated with eating poorly cooked pork or wild game. It is self-limited, which means that it gets better without treatment after several weeks. Some types of hepatitis E virus are spread by oral-fecal contamination similar to Hepatitis A.

**NATURAL SUPPORT FOR THE LIVER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/human-liver-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/human-liver-scaled.jpg)

There are a few detoxifying and anti-inflammatory herbal remedies that may help support a liver afflicted with hepatitis. Some of these supplements include:

- Milk Thistle
- Artichoke
- Dandelion
- Turmeric
- Licorice
- Red Clover
- Green Tea

These aren’t cures, but may assist your other efforts by having a restorative effect. Nutritional strategies that may have a beneficial effect:

- Avoid fatty foods and alcohol
- Increase zinc intake
- Decrease protein intake
- Improve hydration status, especially with herbal teas, vegetable broths and diluted vegetable juices.

**PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

Off the grid, the family medic won’t have modern medical technology, but they can still help the patient recover. It’s important to make them comfortable by encouraging rest, assuring hydration, and giving antihistamines like diphenhydramine as needed for itching.

The vigilant medic can, however, practice good preventive medicine by encouraging the following policies:

- Wash hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
- Wash dishes with soap in hot water.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything that may not be properly cooked or filtered.
- Make sure children don’t put objects in their mouths.
- Use condoms to avoid sexual transmission.
- Don’t share personal items, if at all possible, like toothbrushes or razors with infected persons.

Although viral diseases are difficult to treat off the grid, many can be prevented with a plan action. Focus on prevention and you’ll help ensure your people will keep it together, even if everything else falls apart.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hantavirus, Hepatitis, Gallstones, Pokemon Cheeto, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hantavirus-hepatitis-gallstones-pokemon-cheeto-more/) 

 [Wildfires and Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-and-home-ignition-zones/)

**Categories:** Uncategorized

**Tags:** cirrhosis, hepatitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, joe alton md, liver disease, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast Now On YouTube, Spreaker](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-now-on-youtube-spreaker/)

**Published:** February 3, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

Looks like BlogTalkRadio is closing its doors, so we have added Spreaker to your options to listening (audio) and video on YouTube. We’ll be working out the bugs in the first couple of entries, so thanks for your patience. Click to watch/listen via YouTube just below or listen via Spreaker below that:

Spreaker:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Amy's New "Pet and Parent" Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-amys-new-pet-and-parent-kit/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, "Rabbit Fever," Vehicular Terror, Biochar, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-rabbit-fever-vehicular-terror-biochar-more/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, bacterial disease, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, frostbite, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events, Tick-borne illness

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, biochar, disaster preparedness, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, hypothermia, medical preparedness, preparedness, tularemia, vehicular terror

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, "Rabbit Fever," Vehicular Terror, Biochar, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-rabbit-fever-vehicular-terror-biochar-more/)

**Published:** January 17, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton discuss dead-of-winter **hypothermia**, including frostbite and other injuries, comment on the rash of **vehicular terror incident**s including New Orleans on New Year’s Eve, tell you what you need to know about outbreaks of **“Rabbit Fever,**” also known as **tularemia**, and a question from a listener about **biochar**.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/brown-rabbit-public-domain-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/brown-rabbit-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast Now On YouTube, Spreaker](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-now-on-youtube-spreaker/) 

 [Tularemia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tularemia/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, bacterial disease, Ballistic Trauma, Biological Warfare, Bleeding Wound, epidemics, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory infections, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, biochar, frostbite, hypotheria, joe alton md, medical preparedness, rabbit fever, survival medicine, tularemia, vehicular terror

---

### [Tularemia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tularemia/)

**Published:** January 13, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/brown-rabbit-public-domain-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/brown-rabbit-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

Officials from the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that cases of **tularemia (“rabbit fever”)**, an uncommon disease found in rabbits and rodents, have increased by nearly[ 60%](https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20250106/tularemia-cases-rise-nearly-60-in-us) in the U.S. in the last ten years.

Caused by the bacterium ***Francisella tularensis***, it was first discovered in Tulare County, California in 1911. Since then, tularemia has been found in every state except Hawaii. Cases are most common in the central United States, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of the East coast.

There are four subspecies of *Francisella,* differing in where they can be found and their ability to cause severe illness. *F. tularensis type A* is the most dangerous type and is only found in North America.

Luckily, tularemia is still relatively rare, with about 2,500 cases recorded in the U.S. between 2011 and 2022, mostly in warm weather months. Despite this, the family medic needs to know about infectious diseases they might encounter off the grid in times of trouble.

### **How Tularemia Spreads**

Tularemia is often seen in rabbits, where it can cause mass die-offs in native populations. The infection is a known **“zoonotic”** disease, which means it can be spread from animals to humans.

How does tularemia end up in human victims? In the U.S., the bacterium is typically spread by dog, wood, and long star ticks, as well as deer flies. Contact with animals bitten by infected ticks and flies is also not uncommon. *Francisella* can also be found in water or soil; some humans catch it by drinking from contaminated sources or breathing bacteria-laden dust. Rarely, cases have been diagnosed in lab workers.

(Note: Recently, a marine biologist was infected after incurring an accidental cut while investigating a seal carcass. It’s the first known case seen in a marine mammal.)

Tularemia is problematic because of its very infectious nature. *Francisella tularensis* is so highly contagious that only 10-25 bacteria are needed to cause disease, entering the human body through the skin, eyes, mouth, or lungs.

### **Tularemia Signs and Symptoms**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)

The incubation period for tularemia is usually 3-5 days, but ranges from 1-14 days. In most susceptible mammals, the clinical signs include high fever, chills, lethargy, loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle aches, chest discomfort, cough, severe sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The worst cases are life-threatening.

The exact symptoms in a particular human depend on where the bacterium originally entered the body. There are six variants:

**Ulcero-glandular:** This is the most common form of tularemia (75 percent of cases) and usually occurs following a tick or deer fly bite or after handing an infected animal. A skin ulcer appears at the site where the bacteria entered the body. The ulcer is accompanied by swollen lymph glands, usually in the armpit or groin.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/tularemia-ulcer-cdc-300x169.avif)ulcero-glandular tularemia ulcer](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/tularemia-ulcer-cdc-scaled.avif)

**Glandular:** Also commonly spread by ticks and deer flies, it appears similar to ulcero-glandular tularemia (but without the ulcer).

**Oculo-glandular:** This form occurs when the bacteria enter through the eye. This often happens when a person dresses an infected animal and, then, touches their eyes. Symptoms include red, irritated eyes with swelling of lymph glands in front of the ear.

**Oro-pharyngeal:** This variant results from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Patients may have a sore throat, mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, and swelling of lymph glands in the neck.

**Pneumonic:** This is the most serious form of tularemia. Caused by breathing in bacteria-laden dust, symptoms include cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. It can also occur when other forms of tularemia are left untreated and the bacteria spreads through the bloodstream to the lungs.

**Typhoidal:** This form is characterized by any combination of general symptoms without local symptoms (such as reddened eyes).

### **Diagnosis Of Tularemia**

In normal times, diagnosis is by blood tests or cultures of the infected site. Off the grid, identifying tularemia is more complex, as many of the symptoms are very general. Be suspicious of any possible tick and deer fly bites, and any contact with contaminated soil or water. If the patient has been andling sick or dead animals, that’s another likely clue. The variants that cause a skin ulcer may be easier to diagnose.

### **Treatment of Tularemia**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-scaled.jpg)

Bacteria such as *Francisella tularensis* are treatable with antibiotics, especially streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin. All of these drugs have side effects, so should be studied in more detail. Consider an antibiotic book like Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease for more information. Dosages and method of administration can be found below:

**Age Category****Drug****Dosage****Duration (Days)****Adults**Gentamicin\*5 mg/kg IM injection or IV daily10 – 14Ciprofloxacin\*400 mg IV or 500 mg PO (orally) twice daily10 – 14Doxycycline100 mg IV or PO (orally) twice daily14 – 21**Children**Gentamicin\*2.5 mg/kg IM injection or IV 3 times daily10 – 14Ciprofloxacin\*15 mg/kg IV or PO (orally) twice daily10 – 14Doxycycline2.2 mg/kg IV or PO (orally) twice daily14 – 21### **Prevention of Tularemia**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_287842529-tick-bite-entire-head-in-wound-300x200.jpg)tick bite](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_287842529-tick-bite-entire-head-in-wound-scaled.jpg)

When hiking, hunting, camping, or working outdoors, it’s important to avoid the bites of ticks and deer flies:

- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Of course, always follow product instructions.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks to keep ticks and deer flies off your skin.
- Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.

In addition, don’t drink untreated surface water and stay away from blowing dust in areas where tularemia has been reported (or use a mask).

Closer to home, avoid mowing over dead animals. Check the area carefully *before* landscaping. If you hunt or keep rabbits, prairie dogs, muskrats, hamsters, and other related mammals, use gloves and, perhaps, masks. Cook any game meat thoroughly before eating.

Pets like domestic cats are very susceptible to tularemia and have been known to transmit the bacteria to humans. At present, however, no evidence of *human-to-human* transmission exists. No vaccine is available to the general public at the present time. Luckily, The death rate from the disease is less than 2 percent, but the CDC notes that severe variants may raise the level to as high as 24 percent.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_69666385-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_69666385.jpg)

One interesting note is that Francisella bacteria is considered a “tier-1 select agent.” This means it’s thought to be a toxin that has the potential for deliberate misuse against civilian population leading to mass casualty events. In other words, tularemia bacteria could possibly be used as a biological weapon. Read more about other biological weapons in [this article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/biological-agents-as-weapons/).

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr, Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

For more information on tularemia, visit [www.cdc.gov/tularemia.](https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/about/index.html)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, "Rabbit Fever," Vehicular Terror, Biochar, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-rabbit-fever-vehicular-terror-biochar-more/) 

 [Surviving A House Fire](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-a-house-fire-2/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Biological Warfare, Cellulitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, the SURVIVAL! board game, Tick-borne illness

**Tags:** francisella tularensis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, rabbit fever, survival medicine, tularemia, tularemia symptoms

---

### [Surviving A House Fire](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-a-house-fire-2/)

**Published:** January 11, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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(In an article originally published at [**AmericanThinker**](https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/01/surviving_a_house_fire.html) dot com, Dr. Joe Alton gives his thoughts on the recent California surburb fire outbreaks and how to have the best chance of surviving a fire in your home.)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_569622379-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_569622379.jpg)

I first wrote about surviving a house fire back in 2017, when an apartment building in the Bronx, NY went up in flames, taking 12 lives. A tragic coincidence had me writing about the same issue in 2022, when a faulty space heater in another Bronx apartment building caused an inferno that took at least 17 lives and injured dozens more. In both instances, the fires occurred in deep winter, causing firefighters to work in freezing conditions. Now, sunny California is experiencing a spate of winter fires that are destroying entire neighborhoods in the area of Los Angeles.

I realized that there’s a difference between conflagrations in suburbia versus a national forest. Besides keeping fresh batteries in your smoke detectors, what should you do to protect your family from becoming victims of a building fire, whether it’s in the Bronx or Malibu?

**The Nature Of Home Fires**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-300x210.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-scaled.jpg)

In order to avoid the loss of life inherent in out-of-control fires, it’s important to understand the nature of fires in buildings and in general. Many deaths and injuries might be prevented by simply understanding the following six points:

1\) **Most victims of fires succumb as much from [asphyxiation](https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/disasters/fire#:~:text=.) as from burns.** This was the case with the Bronx fires, as people fleeing burning apartments left the doors open, allowing billows of smoke to permeate the 19-story building. Victims were found on almost every floor.

Fire consumes available oxygen that you need to breathe, and produces harmful gases and smoke. Inhalation of even a small amount of these can disorient you and affect your ability to respond appropriately. Even if there is little smoke, some poisonous gases are invisible and odorless. Some people found dead in their beds appear to not have woken up at all, most likely a result of toxic inhalation. That doesn’t mean the bodies can’t have burns on them, but they are often not the cause of death.

2\) **Fire spreads rapidly.** A small fire can get out of control in less than a minute if not extinguished rapidly. Many house fires occur at night when everyone is asleep, making it possible for smoke and flames to engulf the entire building before you are even aware of it. High winds, as seen in the L.A. fires, speed (and feed) the process considerably.

Sometimes, rooms can combust all at once, a phenomenon known as a **[“flashover“.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashover)** Opening hot doors can cause a fire effect called a **[“backdraft“,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backdraft)** which acts similarly to an explosion.

3\) **The environment in a fire is as likely to be dark as bright.** Eye irritation caused by black smoke can easily make it impossible to see clearly as well. This leads to confusion as to where the best avenues of escape might be.

4\) **Heat from a fire can burn you, even if you’re in a room that isn’t on fire**. Breathing in super-heated air can burn your lung tissue and is more lethal than burns on the skin.

5\) **Hot air rises.** Most people understand this concept, but not the extremes you’d experience in a fire. Air that is just hot at floor level becomes much hotter at eye level. This is why you should stay close to the floor as you make your way out of the building.

6\) **Fire needs fuel (and oxygen) to survive and grow.** People unwittingly feed fires by keeping all sorts of flammable clutter around the house. Don’t collect old newspapers or other combustibles, and be certain to store any you can’t throw out away from heaters or stoves.

**What To Do In A Building Fire**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_2348346077-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_2348346077-scaled.jpg)

A plan of action made *before* a fire occurs will greatly increase the chances for survival. Here are some important considerations:

**Make it clear to everyone that there’s a fire.** Hit the fire alarm or loudly yell “Fire!”. You should have previously identified at least two exits and conducted fire drills with your family so that they know exactly what to do. In the Bronx fire, fire alarms were working but the only reports to the fire department were from smoke alarms.

**Get the heck out of there** if it’s clear the fire can’t be doused easily by your fire extinguisher (you should have more than one placed in susceptible areas). Don’t wait to grab personal items, you might have only seconds to safely leave.

**Get down low and crawl to an exit to be least exposed to heat and smoke.** Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth if possible. Authorities often suggest wetting it, a good idea if you can do it quickly without delaying your leaving the building. Covering your body with a wool blanket is an option, but don’t use a wet one; when wet, wool will conduct heat more quickly and cause scald burns.[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1711654444-300x226.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1711654444-scaled.jpg)

**Once you’re at the exit, touch the doorknob or the door itself before opening**. If very hot, leave it closed and pick another exit. If the door isn’t hot, open it slowly; close it if fire or heavy smoke is present.

**Call 911 as soon as you exit the house.** If you are missing someone, tell the firefighters where they might be located in the building. Same with pets. Returning to a burning building to search for someone may be heroic, but it is also extraordinarily dangerous. One person was killed when he re-entered the building in the Bronx fire to look for more victims.

**If someone catches fire: [stop, drop, and roll](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop,_drop_and_roll).** Stop them immediately, drop them to the ground, and roll them until the fire is out. Smother the flames with a thick towel or blanket if available.

**Trapped in the Building!**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image-63C-smoke-inhalation-shutterstock_1626973237-building-fires-smoke-inhalation-300x141.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image-63C-smoke-inhalation-shutterstock_1626973237-building-fires-smoke-inhalation-scaled.jpg)

Many peoples’ worst nightmares involve being stuck in a burning building. There are a number of things, however, that you can do that will give you time until help arrives.

**First, stay calm.** People who are agitated may panic and make decisions that lead to very bad outcomes. Fast breathing uses up more oxygen.

**Do everything possible to let rescue personnel know you are there.** If you can communicate with firefighters, let them know where you are, using either your cell phone or by signaling for help from a window. If possible, hang a sheet out of the window to make it obvious where you are.

Speaking of windows, tear off any window treatments, like curtains. They are flammable and might prevent you from being seen. Make sure that your windows are not secured in a fashion that prevents opening them in an emergency.

**If there’s a bathroom or sink, fill it with cold water and soak whatever cloth items are available.** Use them to block the ventilation duct (turn the system off) and the spaces under and around doors. If you’re stuck in a bedroom, soak the mattress and put it up against the door; secure with a chair. If there’s a bathroom, there’s likely to be an exhaust fan. If it works, you can clear some smoke with it.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-scaled.jpg)

**If you still can’t get out of the building and smoke is building up, wet a towel and cover your nose and mouth with it.** Grip the towel and breath through your nose (it’s a longer route to your lungs). As mentioned previously, get down low to the ground.

I shouldn’t have to mention that extreme care should be taken when using space heaters. A dysfunctional heater is a common cause of winter house fires. Also, if you’re in an old building, make sure that fire and smoke alarms work, and that any sprinkler system is still functional.

Despite the horrific nature of house fires, many deaths and injuries are preventable with a little planning and quick action. Be aware of fire hazards in your home and work to eliminate them *before* a disaster strikes

[https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/01/surviving\_a\_house\_fire.html](https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/01/surviving_a_house_fire.html)

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Winter Wildfires: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-wildfires-home-ignition-zones/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Building/House fFires, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Pandemic Diseases, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** apartment fires, building fires, disaster preparedness, house fires, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, surviving house fires

---

### [Winter Wildfires: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-wildfires-home-ignition-zones/)

**Published:** January 8, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Southern California’s Pacific Palisades area near Los Angeles is in the midst of an outbreak of wildfires, and the damage is significant. This is not your classic summer middle-of-the-forest event, but has spread rapidly through residential areas in…January. High winds and dry conditions have led to a situation where the fires are still, at the time of this writing, raging uncontrolled.

What would you do if your neighborhood was in the path of a wildfire?

(Aside: Close to a decade ago, our home in Gatlinburg was threatened but, due to a fortunate change in wind direction, not consumed by one.)

Although evacuating the area is the wisest choice from a may give you the best chance of returning to an intact home. Your main goal is always to perserve the lives of loved ones, but it would be nice if those loved ones had a home to come back to.To increase your chances of saving your property, it’s important to understand how to produce a defensible space. With good preparation and wise vegetation management, it can be done.

**HOME IGNITION ZONES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-300x267.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-scaled.jpg)

The majority of buildings lost to wildfires are started by minor burns. If you can improve the resistance of the area around the home to ignition, your residence will be less susceptible to the spot fires and ember storms you’re seeing on the news.

You can best create a defensible space by managing vegetation and other flammables in the **“Home Ignition Zone”**.

The Home Ignition Zone **(HIZ)** concept was developed by the Forest Service in the 1990s. It encompasses an area up to 200 feet from the house foundation and includes vegetation, the home itself, and other structures, items, or attachments (decks, sheds, outdoor furniture, fencing).

Generally, Home Ignition Zones are divided into three parts:

**1)The Immediate Subzone**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-300x267.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-scaled.jpg)

This is the area including the home and up to 5 feet surrounding it. This area is the most prone to combustion. Non-flammable surfaces here are protective and consideration should be given in construction of the home itself.

Vegetation, woodpiles, and other flammables should be limited here. You can harden your home against wildfires with the following measures:

- Screening areas under patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent burning debris from entering.
- Avoiding the storage of combustible materials under patios and decks.
- Clearing leaves and other debris from rooftops and gutters.
- Repairing or replacing any broken, loose, or missing shingles or roof tiles.
- Preventing embers from passing through eave vents by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
- Cleaning debris from exterior attic vents; add 1/8 inch metal mesh as a barrier.
- Replacing damaged or loose window screens.
- Removing mulch, woodpiles, and other flammables from against exterior walls.

**2)The Intermediate Subzone**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-300x267.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-scaled.jpg)

This is the area 5-30 feet away from your home. Here, careful use of landscaping can slow the spread of fire by reducing both fuel availability and [continuity](https://www.nwcg.gov/term/glossary/fuel-continuity). You should:

- Have driveways, paths, decks and patios made of non-flammables that can serve as fuel “breaks”.
- Keep lawns and ground cover no more than four inches high.
- Remove [**“ladder fuels**“](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ladder). Ladder fuels include vegetation under trees that allow a ground fire to reach the canopies. Lower branches on large trees also can act as ladder fuels.
- Prune mature trees ten feet from the ground (or up to 1/3 of the total height for smaller specimens).
- Be sure to have at least eighteen feet between tree canopies, more if you are uphill from the potential fire.
- Limit trees and shrubs to small separate groupings of a few each to break up fuel continuity.
- Beware of vegetation near large propane tanks.

**3)The Extended Subzone**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-300x267.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-scaled.jpg)

This is the extended areas 30-100 feet from the home): Strategy revolves around spacing and pruning shrubs and trees in an effort to keep the fire low to the ground and interrupt its path. The wise property owner would:

- Remove accumulations of dead plant and tree material in this space.
- Remove all saplings growing between mature trees.
- Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings
- Assure that all trees 30-60 feet from the residence have at least 12 feet between canopies (more if downhill).
- Assure that trees 60-100 feet (200 feet if downhill) from the home have at least 6 feet between canopies.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-300x210.jpg)spot fires and ember storms](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-scaled.jpg)

There are variations in these strategies based on location, types of flora in the area, and other factors. Discuss your specific situation with a local [U.S. Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/) official. For more general information, check out the National Fire Protection Association ([nfpa.org](https://www.nfpa.org/))

Working to harden your home against wildfires takes preparation. With planning, a property at risk can be saved. The bottom line, however, is don’t be a hero; hit the road if you’re in the path of the conflagration.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Surviving A House Fire](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-a-house-fire-2/) 

 [All About Hypothermia, Pt. 3: Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-3-frostbite-immersion-foot/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Building/House fFires, Burns, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Wildfires

**Tags:** california wildfires, home ignition zones, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wildfires

---

### [All About Hypothermia, Pt. 3: Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-3-frostbite-immersion-foot/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In earlier parts of this series, I discussed what happens when your body is exposed to extreme cold, a condition known as **hypothermia**. Left untreated, general hypothermia leads to failure of various organ systems and even death. Besides general hypothermia, however, there are local cold-related injuries, such as **frostbite** and **immersion foot.**

**What Causes Frostbite?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_2396277009-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_2396277009-scaled.jpg)

The body responds to cold temperatures by narrowing the blood vessels, something called “**vasoconstriction**.” Blood flow to the extremities decreases to preserve flow to the vital internal organs in the body core. As the blood is redirected away from hands and feet, these parts of the body get colder, and ice crystals can form and destroy tissue.

**Stages of Frostbite**

Frostbite usually occurs in the extremities, but sometimes affects areas like the ears and nose. It occurs in stages that cause more and more damage as time goes on.

First stage: **Frostnip-** In frostnip, the skin turns red and cold and the victim experiences pain, numbness, and a “pins and needles” sensation.

Second stage: **Superficial Frostbite-** This causes skin to lose color, going from red to white to blue. At this point, tissues are freezing and swelling may be noted. The texture of the skin changes too, becoming stiff and waxy. Although frozen the victim may feel the sensation of “heat” in the area affected.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_1031595757-300x169.jpg)Gangrene](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_1031595757-scaled.jpg)

 **Frostbite-** In third-stage frostbite, both superficial and deep tissues are affected. The skin appears blue and splotchy and circulation is blocked by clotting blood. Even after rewarming, many will develop dark, blood-filled blisters within the first 24-48 hours. Loss of sensation and malfunction of nearby muscles are common consequences.

Although rewarming is appropriate, it may not succeed in deep frostbite cases. An ominous sign is when tissue turns black, a condition known as “**gangrene**.” Gangrene is the death of tissue resulting from loss of circulation. Once this happens, amputation may be required to remove non-viable parts before infection sets in.

**Immersion Foot/Trench Foot**

A condition related to frostbite is “**immersion foot.**” Once known as “trench foot,” this condition was seen commonly in soldiers who spent long periods of time in cold and waterlogged trenches during World War I. Immersion foot doesn’t freeze tissue solid, but causes damage to nerves and small blood vessels due to prolonged time in water 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Immersion foot is a non-freezing injury that appears like frostbite, but might have a more swollen, wet appearance.

**Treating Cold-Related Injuries**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_2084282413-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shutterstock_2084282413-scaled.jpg)

Rewarming a frostbite injury can be painful but should begin as soon as possible in survival settings to avoid further trauma and improve the chances of full recovery. Most use warm water soaks (no more than 103-4 degrees F or 39 degrees C) on the affected extremity for 30 minutes or until the skin returns to red. The water can’t be so hot that it’s uncomfortable when you place your own hand in it. It should remain warm, however, so replace cooling water as needed. Note that the practice of using warm soaks to treat frostbitten hands and feet is different from that of general hypothermia, which is best treated with warm *dry* compresses to the groin, neck, and armpits.

In superficial frostbite, clear blisters may form in the damaged area as the patient recovers. In deep frostbite, they’ll likely be filled with blood, and skin may appear bruised, blue, or otherwise discolored. Expect them to turn into thick dark scabs. Some of this tissue may be non-viable and have to be removed. That process is called **debridement**, discussed elsewhere on this site.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_718682176-debridement-300x225.jpg)debridement](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_718682176-debridement-scaled.jpg)

Patients often complain of burning or stinging, which can be treated with ibuprofen at standard dosages (up to 600 mg four times daily). This may or may not help the pain much but will decrease the constriction of blood vessels and decrease further tissue damage. If you can help it, don’t use the frozen extremity for walking, climbing, or other activity.

Although many victims recover completely from superficial frostbite, others have permanent issues with pain or numbness in the affected area. Infection is a possibility and may require antibiotics.

Here’s some other treatment tips:

- Don’t allow thawed tissue to freeze again. The more often tissue freezes, thaws, and re-freezes, the deeper the damage. If you can’t prevent your patient from being exposed to freezing temperatures again, you should wait before rewarming, but not more than a day.
- Don’t rub or massage frostbitten areas. Doing so will result in worse damage to already injured tissue. For the same reason, prevent the victim from walking on frostbitten toes.
- Avoid the use of heat lamps or fires to treat frostbite. The area is numb and can’t feel the frostbitten tissue, sometimes causing significant burns.

There is controversy as to whether frostbitten areas should be bandaged. Some advocate placing absorbent padding between frostbitten toes and fingers. Others suggest leaving it open to air.

**Preventing Frostbite**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/pair-of-mitten-public-domain-pictures-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/pair-of-mitten-public-domain-pictures-scaled.jpg)

Prevention is hugely important. Wear appropriate clothing that protects your extremities, such as:

- well-insulated boots and a thick pair of well-fitting socks on your feet.
- mittens for your hands; they provide better protection against very cold weather than gloves
- a warm, weatherproof hat that covers your ears – it’s important to protect your head from the cold.
- Add multiple thin layers of warm, loose-fitting clothing which act as insulation. Keep them dry and remove any wet clothing as soon possible.

With some preparation, a cold weather injury doesn’t have to be more than a bump on the road, not the end of the road, for you and your family.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Winter Wildfires: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-wildfires-home-ignition-zones/) 

 [Vehicles As Terror Weapons](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vehicles-as-terror-weapons/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, frostbite, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Hyperthermia, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** deep frostbite, frostbite, gangrene, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, superficial frostbite, survival medicine

---

### [Vehicles As Terror Weapons](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vehicles-as-terror-weapons/)

**Published:** December 23, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Recently, A truck drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in [Magdeburg, Germany](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-christmas-market-attack-magdeburg-taleb-al-abdulmohsen-b2668838.html) recently, leading to the deaths of at least 5 people and injuring 200 more. This followed hard upon a mass school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, making it clear there are a variety of terror weapons open to the deranged and disgruntled.

The attack in Magdeburg is not unique. In 2021, a driver rammed into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing at least five people and injuring 48 others. Although not characterized as a terror event by some, a court of law determined the suspect deliberately targeted spectators at high speed. The attack parallels the killing of 86 people and the wounding of 434 others in Nice, France by a truck during a fireworks display in 2016 and, especially, the deaths of 13 and injuring of dozens at a Berlin Christmas market that same year.

**Origins of Vehicular Terror**

The origin of the vehicular terror strategy is unclear, but an English-language [ISIS magazine called “Rumiyah”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumiyah_(magazine)) called for vehicle attacks on the West in an article called “Just Terror Tactics” some years ago. Al-Qaeda has made calls for similar attacks, calling trucks “the ultimate mowing machine.”

The article said that “Though being an essential part of modern life, very few actually comprehend the deadly and destructive capability of the motor vehicle and its capacity of reaping large numbers of casualties if used in a premeditated manner…Vehicles are like knives, as they are extremely easy to acquire…”

Ordinarily, mass casualty terror events are associated with guns, but these items are difficult to come by in most countries. That doesn’t mean shooting incidents are completely unknown in countries other than the U.S. You can own a gun in Germany, but you must meet [several strict requirements](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_control_in_Germany#Current_laws): You must be over 18 years old, have no criminal record, pass psychological and safety exams, have a license, have mandatory insurance, keep it in a locked container, and more.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/truck-semi-truck-semi-truck-transportation-traffic-0719be-300x198.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/truck-semi-truck-semi-truck-transportation-traffic-0719be.jpg)

Bombs, another preferred terrorist weapon, require expertise to assemble safely. Owning or renting a vehicle, however, is much more common and requires little skill to operate. Trucks and cars can cause mass casualties if wielded as a weapon; obtaining one elicits no suspicion, and there is no nation that forbids renting one.

Therefore, those willing to cause murder and mayhem have a blueprint that works anywhere. Few pedestrians pay much attention to traffic on walkways unless crossing the street. The speed at which a vehicle can accelerate and turn into a crowd leaves little time for reaction. Hence, the “success” rate of this type of terror event may surpass even a gunman’s ability to cause deaths and injuries.

The increasing number of terror events around the world underlines the increasing need for situational awareness. Situational awareness is the mindset whereby threats are mentally noted and avoided or abolished. Originally a tool for the military in combat, it is now a strategy for the average citizen in these uncertain times.

The situationally aware person is always at a state of “Yellow Alert” when in crowded public venues. By that, I mean a state of relaxed but vigilant observation of what is happening around him or her. When an action or behavior occurs that doesn’t match the surroundings and situation, it’s called an “anomaly.”

When a vehicle moves erratically or leaves the normal pattern of traffic, it’s an anomaly that requires rapid action. Mentally noting routes of escape whenever you’re in a crowd will give you the best chance of getting out of the way. Just as knowing the location of exits in any public venue is good policy, a heightened awareness is important at any outdoor event or public area near roadways.

For those who use vehicles to kill, the target will be crowds of people near the street. Their objective is mass casualties, and the pedestrians nearest the curb will bear the brunt of the attack. Consider walking on the fringe of a crowd away from the road to give yourself the most options. In the center, the masses, not your own good judgment, will dictate your movement.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1015673872-bollards-vehicular-terror-300x200.jpg)typical bollards](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1015673872-bollards-vehicular-terror-scaled.jpg)

Municipalities can and should protect their citizens by constructing barriers known as **“bollards”** which would stop vehicles from entering popular pedestrian areas. These can be seen outside many government buildings and airport terminals. Expanding the use of bollards to areas that attract crowds should be an important consideration to avoid future terror events. Roadblocks like these can prevent a vehicle from reaching high enough speeds to plow through crowds or even stop it completely.

I’ll admit that the likelihood you’ll be in the path of a maniac using a vehicle, or any other weapon, is very small. Panic isn’t the answer, but these are troubled times; the more situationally aware you are, the safer you’ll be.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)The Altons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton’s first children’s story book is now in hardcover and available in bookstores and online nationally! It’s “[Snowbie,” the story of the very first snowman](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/151078067X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31QNQL0NHV40Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lR0NQV_VkAY4r-K-A8yIKoRwhuRN7p6_SURfv4XTDV99TfV8mH2RAgag8TifCCv7DzV6OkN83f0BAjvrXsphdQNNiwIxVBnyVTepB1Z70emarA4CXKEkaxvZsJSxvR0gJia66uF2eAehWLDwuZXXig6HeGbFiVz1JTAX-_QrOhNDhIohZs_dvZif6I3yv8hT6ytks8qVVJu6pj2oiGdGHaMIn-WLkOiMDuV49mYnqCtkwHlTL7XoGNV774fJM0288ye54RsWhjIw0KV6ODBlBFTwrYgVgXqTyMaS0YGE9KhfThfSDQknj8S9WmLyCVh-Tu-xv1yAKjt36N8hJO2-zpT_N_yf3_zIzGFN2ucIgLT_ZKn1BHYioDm7kd8WM1Di.SJHO91i_yCpGVts7pmCRhJb1jPBnH3rbf_g4ZK67Wqg&dib_tag=se&keywords=snowbie&qid=1734722878&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1). Read it to your kids on a cold Christmas morning; they’ll love it and end up reading it to their kids years from now! Remember, reading to children pays dividends socially, emotionally, and intellectually down the road. Check out [“Snowbie, The First Snowman”](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/151078067X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31QNQL0NHV40Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lR0NQV_VkAY4r-K-A8yIKoRwhuRN7p6_SURfv4XTDV99TfV8mH2RAgag8TifCCv7DzV6OkN83f0BAjvrXsphdQNNiwIxVBnyVTepB1Z70emarA4CXKEkaxvZsJSxvR0gJia66uF2eAehWLDwuZXXig6HeGbFiVz1JTAX-_QrOhNDhIohZs_dvZif6I3yv8hT6ytks8qVVJu6pj2oiGdGHaMIn-WLkOiMDuV49mYnqCtkwHlTL7XoGNV774fJM0288ye54RsWhjIw0KV6ODBlBFTwrYgVgXqTyMaS0YGE9KhfThfSDQknj8S9WmLyCVh-Tu-xv1yAKjt36N8hJO2-zpT_N_yf3_zIzGFN2ucIgLT_ZKn1BHYioDm7kd8WM1Di.SJHO91i_yCpGVts7pmCRhJb1jPBnH3rbf_g4ZK67Wqg&dib_tag=se&keywords=snowbie&qid=1734722878&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1) today! Thanks to Sky Pony Press for all their support.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Family-Portrait-final-300x243.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Family-Portrait-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [All About Hypothermia, Pt. 3: Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-3-frostbite-immersion-foot/) 

 [Can We End School Shootings?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/can-we-end-school-shootings/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, General Preparedness, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, Terror, Terror events, Volcanoes

**Tags:** bollards, christmas market, christmas market attack, joe alton md, magdeburg, medical preparedness, survival, terror, terrorism

---

### [Can We End School Shootings?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/can-we-end-school-shootings/)

**Published:** December 20, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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After a brief lull, an active shooter event occurred in [Madison, Wisconsin](https://abcnews.go.com/US/victims-abundant-life-christian-school-shooting/story?id=116872479) when a teenage student entered a high school and killed or wounded several people. At present, a number of people are receiving life-saving interventions at local hospitals.

In recent years, mass shootings in diverse settings greet Americans with tragic news on a regular basis. Schools, churches, concerts, and other public venues have been fair game for those with bad intentions. Armed not only with weapons, but with a blueprint from previous incidents, gunmen identify soft targets easily and are often “successful” in achieving their goal of creating mass casualties.

Mass shootings are something that happens elsewhere, not your home town. There’s no reason, however, to believe *your* area is immune. Since there is no place safe from the deranged, disgruntled, or politically-motivated, many can only believe that such shootings are just part of the “New Normal.” Should we get used to them?

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/students-19th-century-classroom-300x233.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/students-19th-century-classroom.jpg)

You might think that the “successes” achieved by active shooters occur at random. The increase in the sheer number of casualties, however, reveal a strategy that is being refined, and to deadly effect. The selection of soft targets is becoming a science, and may lead to higher numbers of deaths and injuries.

In the 2018 South Florida school shooting at [Marjory Stoneman Douglas high](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkland_high_school_shooting) school, for example, the gunman activated the fire alarm to make sure there would be a wealth of targets in the hall. Wearing a gas mask, he tossed smoke bombs to create panic and confusion.

If the ill-intentioned are that much better at creating mayhem, it stands to reason that our society must become better at thwarting them. Here are ways that would, in my opinion, decrease the number of shooter incidents and the deaths caused by them:

**Improve security in areas at risk**. I would define an “area at risk” as just about anywhere a crowd of people could gather. Protection may just be a matter of hiring more trained security personnel, but establishing and training a safety team in other places, such as a church, school, or workplace, can increase the level of vigilance and identify threats early. The local sheriff at the Madison event was asked if metal detectors would help. He said that metal detectors don’t belong in schools, as they are a “safe space.” I’m not so sure.

**Establish volunteer safety officers** in rural areas and small towns where there may not be law enforcement and emergency medical personnel just around the corner. These persons should have training in security, firearms, and first aid for bleeding wounds. If there are volunteer fire departments, why not trained volunteer safety departments? In schools, parents form volunteer organizations for many purposes. This may be just such a purpose. As for arming teachers, it’s not a viable option; the vast majority of teachers are against it and would refuse training.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/old-image-police-officer-with-kids-300x233.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/old-image-police-officer-with-kids.webp)

**Instill a culture of situational awareness** in our society. [Situational awareness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/situational-awareness-could-save-your-life/) is a state of calm, relaxed observation of factors that might indicate a threat. These are called “anomalies”; learning to recognize them can identify suspicious individuals and save lives.

Situational awareness also involves always having a plan of action when a threat occurs, even if it’s as simple as making a note of the nearest exit at a concert or sporting event. Seems like common sense, but in these days of smartphone distractions, many are oblivious of their surroundings

**Teach our citizens to avoid the natural paralysis** that occurs in an unexpected event. This paralysis occurs as a result of “**normalcy bias**”, the tendency to discount risks because most days proceed in a certain standard manner; we assume that today will be the same.

By teaching simple courses of action such as the Department of Homeland Security’s “**Run, Hide, Fight**” triad, the decision-making process may be more intuitive and more rapidly implemented. This is more effectively taught and ingrained at a young age.

[![Direct Pressure on Bleeding Wound](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-IMG_0249-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-IMG_0249-e1451830616584.jpg)Bleeding wound**Teach our students simple first aid strategies to stop bleeding**, the most likely cause of death in these scenarios. Rapid action by bystanders is thought to decrease the number of deaths from hemorrhage. Add “Reduce” hemorrhage to “Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic” as part of school curriculum, and lives might be saved.

**Identify persons of interest through their social media posts**. Many active shooters are vocal about their intentions. You might be concerned about “big brother” monitoring our public conversations on Facebook and other sites, but you must answer this question: How many deaths are *you* willing to accept in your community due to a lack of vigilance?

We must always be on the lookout for signs of trouble. Even if this drives some potential gunmen underground, it might identify others in time to abort their mission. As such, each municipality must set a mechanism (and a trigger) for the authorities to apprehend and interrogate suspicious characters.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Small-Bleeding-Control-Kit-image-232x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Small-Bleeding-Control-Kit-image.jpg)

**Provide [first aid kits for bleeding in public venues](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-for-bleeding-grab-n-go/)** that can be accessed by those at the scene. With supplies, the Good Samaritan will be more likely to save a life. These kits have become fixtures on the wall by the fire extinguisher, but few know of their presence and less know how to use them. Although you might consider it overkill, putting a tourniquet in your high school student’s backpack (and teaching them how to use it) may not be a bad idea.

Despite the above recommendations, our response as a nation has been to do little to correct the problem. I say that era must end. Let’s stop being “soft” targets. We must forsake the notion that shootings are just part and parcel of the New Normal, and begin the process by which we change our attitude and level of vigilance, not in isolated cases, but as a society.

You don’t have to be a Department of Homeland Security official to know that the event in Madison, Wisconsin isn’t the last active shooter event; more are certainly on the horizon. A prepared nation wouldn’t be invulnerable to attacks, but its citizens would have a better chance to survive them.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/joe-britain-telephone-booth-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/joe-britain-telephone-booth-scaled.jpg)

Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton’s first children’s story book is now in hardcover and available in bookstores and online nationally! It’s “[Snowbie,” the story of the very first snowman](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/151078067X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31QNQL0NHV40Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lR0NQV_VkAY4r-K-A8yIKoRwhuRN7p6_SURfv4XTDV99TfV8mH2RAgag8TifCCv7DzV6OkN83f0BAjvrXsphdQNNiwIxVBnyVTepB1Z70emarA4CXKEkaxvZsJSxvR0gJia66uF2eAehWLDwuZXXig6HeGbFiVz1JTAX-_QrOhNDhIohZs_dvZif6I3yv8hT6ytks8qVVJu6pj2oiGdGHaMIn-WLkOiMDuV49mYnqCtkwHlTL7XoGNV774fJM0288ye54RsWhjIw0KV6ODBlBFTwrYgVgXqTyMaS0YGE9KhfThfSDQknj8S9WmLyCVh-Tu-xv1yAKjt36N8hJO2-zpT_N_yf3_zIzGFN2ucIgLT_ZKn1BHYioDm7kd8WM1Di.SJHO91i_yCpGVts7pmCRhJb1jPBnH3rbf_g4ZK67Wqg&dib_tag=se&keywords=snowbie&qid=1734722878&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1). Read it to your kids on a cold Christmas morning; they’ll love it and end up reading it to their kids years from now! Remember, reading to children pays dividends socially, emotionally, and intellectually down the road. Check out [“Snowbie, The First Snowman”](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/151078067X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31QNQL0NHV40Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lR0NQV_VkAY4r-K-A8yIKoRwhuRN7p6_SURfv4XTDV99TfV8mH2RAgag8TifCCv7DzV6OkN83f0BAjvrXsphdQNNiwIxVBnyVTepB1Z70emarA4CXKEkaxvZsJSxvR0gJia66uF2eAehWLDwuZXXig6HeGbFiVz1JTAX-_QrOhNDhIohZs_dvZif6I3yv8hT6ytks8qVVJu6pj2oiGdGHaMIn-WLkOiMDuV49mYnqCtkwHlTL7XoGNV774fJM0288ye54RsWhjIw0KV6ODBlBFTwrYgVgXqTyMaS0YGE9KhfThfSDQknj8S9WmLyCVh-Tu-xv1yAKjt36N8hJO2-zpT_N_yf3_zIzGFN2ucIgLT_ZKn1BHYioDm7kd8WM1Di.SJHO91i_yCpGVts7pmCRhJb1jPBnH3rbf_g4ZK67Wqg&dib_tag=se&keywords=snowbie&qid=1734722878&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-1) today! Thanks to Sky Pony Press for all their support.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snowbie-putting-on-hat-300x241.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snowbie-putting-on-hat-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Vehicles As Terror Weapons](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vehicles-as-terror-weapons/) 

 [All About Hypothermia, Pt. 2: Stranded In The Cold!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-2-stranded-in-the-cold/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** active shooter, hemorrhage, joe alton md, joe alton mdf, mass casualties, run hide fight, school shooting, situational awareness, survival medicine

---

### [All About Hypothermia, Pt. 2: Stranded In The Cold!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-2-stranded-in-the-cold/)

**Published:** December 14, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I’ve often said that those who fail to prepare for the environment in which they travel have, truly, made that environment their enemy. It’s possible, however, to become stranded and not have it be the end of the road for you and your people. The concern of anyone stranded in the cold, whether it’s in the wilderness, an urban environment, or a vehicle is to find the warmest shelter available. In the post-collapse city, many abandoned buildings can provide a refuge from the wind and, perhaps, fuel to build a fire. A vehicle can serve as its own shelter.

### **Stranded In The Forest**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tree-well-300x269.png)Tree Well Shelter](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tree-well.png)

In the forest, however, there are no houses readily available. Still, a shelter can be constructed that provides relative safety. A “tree well” shelter, for example, can be constructed out of the snow. A tree well is the sunken area around the trunk in very deep snow. Although considered a hazard by skiers, this area isn’t hard to excavate and, if the tree has low-hanging branches, should provide some protection from falling snow. Look for natural barriers nearby that may serve as windbreaks, but beware of slopes where you could be exposed to drifting snow or avalanches.

The space you dig out should be small, as small shelters take less effort to keep warm than large ones. Pack your snow “walls” well, so that they can retain heat better and support a makeshift roof. Place evergreen boughs and debris on the floor to serve as a barrier to the cold ground. Then, add some boughs on top to make a roof. Tarps or solar blankets may be used for this purpose, but winds might easily blow them off. Support blanket edges at the corners with rocks or other weights.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_2085266011-300x144.jpg)cave shelter](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_2085266011.jpg)

If a tree well is not an option, digging a “cave” shelter out of a deep snow drift might insulate you from the wind. Some experts suggest starting low and digging at an upward slope, giving you a floor that’s higher than the entrance. Why? As warm air rises, it will tend to stay in and cold air will exit.

If you make a fire, be sure to have ventilation holes in your shelter. Entrances and ventilation holes should open at a 90-degree angle to the prevailing winds. As for the time-honored tendency to eat snow to stay hydrated, be aware that your body must first melt it and loses heat as a result.

### **The Vehicle Stranding**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/car-stranded-public-domain.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/car-stranded-public-domain.jpg)

Let’s say you’re stuck in a stalled car on the road in a blizzard. Sending a member of your party for help may seem the smart thing to do, but if you’re a fair distance from civilization, it’s a mistake. A few winters ago, a family took a wrong turn in a remote part of Oregon. After a fruitless wait for rescue, the father went out in frigid weather and made it ten miles before succumbing to hypothermia, despite carrying two lighters.

If at all possible, stay in the vehicle as, thanks to your body heat, the temperature in the vehicle is warmer than outside; in addition, you have protection from the wind. Leaving the vehicle might disorient you, especially in driving snow. As mental status changes are part and parcel of hypothermia, leaving might be a fatal mistake.

If the motor runs, turn it on for only about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Although the heater helps, wet snow can block up your exhaust system and cause carbon monoxide gas to enter the passenger compartment. You’ll need fresh air, so crack a window on the opposite side from where the wind is coming. If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car.

Your muscles produce heat involuntarily by shivering, but you can rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving to achieve the same goal. For more information on identifying and treating hypothermia, **[click this link to read our recent article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-1/)** on the topic.

### **The Winter Survival Car Kit**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/winter-car-survival-wyoming-publiv-media-300x161.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/winter-car-survival-wyoming-publiv-media.webp)

If you travel through an area known for cold snaps, there are a number of items that you should always have in your car. These are meant to keep you safe if the unthinkable happens and you’re stranded without hope of rescue.

A full set of camping supplies would be useful to keep if you have space in your car, but there are some items that are especially important:

- Wool blankets (wool can stay warm even if wet).
- Spare sets of dry clothes, especially socks, hats, and mittens.
- Hand warmers or other instant heat packs (they’ll last for hours).
- Matches, lighters, and fire starters to manufacture heat.
- Flashlights and candles (keep batteries in backwards until you need them to extend life).
- Small multi-tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
- Larger combination tool like a foldable army shovel (acts as a shovel but also an axe, saw, etc.).
- Sand or rock salt (to give traction where needed).
- Tow chain or rope.
- Flares
- Starter cables (for jump starts).
- Water and food (energy bars, MREs, dehydrated soups, candies).
- Baby wipes (for hygiene purposes).
- A medical kit and medications….
- Tarp and duct tape (brightly colored ones will be more visible and aid rescue).
- Metal cup or thermos (to melt snow, heat soup, etc.).
- Noisemaker (whistle) to signal for help.
- Cell phone and charger, weather radio.

It may seem like a lot, but having these items will increase your chance of survival. Some of the above materials, such as starter cables, are basics that are helpful even in normal times

Make sure that the “bumps in the road” of life don’t become the end of the road for you and your family. Winter can be harsh, but with some planning and supplies, the family medic can develop a strategy that will save lives in cold-weather strandings.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Can We End School Shootings?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/can-we-end-school-shootings/) 

 [All About Hypothermia, Pt.1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-1/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Cold-related illness and injury, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets

**Tags:** blizzard conditions, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, snow cave, stranded in the cold, survival medicine, tree well shelter, winter car survival

---

### [All About Hypothermia, Pt.1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-1/)

**Published:** December 10, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Winter is coming, and many places have already begun to experience their share of cold weather. Whether in good times or in survival settings, family medics should know about the effects of freezing temperatures on the human body, and what to do if they come upon a victim of **hypothermia**.

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when body temperature drops below 95° Fahrenheit (35° Celsius). It occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to cold and can be life-threatening.

Normally, the body core ranges from 97.5 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius) when taken orally or rectally. Rectal temps tend to be slightly higher (about 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit) than oral, and oral temps are slightly higher than skin readings, such as those taken in the armpit.

### **HOW THE BODY LOSES HEAT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/13_larger_font-232x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/13_larger_font.jpg)

The body loses heat in various ways:

**Evaporation** – Perspiration (sweating) from physical exertion or other reasons releases heat from the body core. This is helpful in summer heat but dangerous in the cold.

**Radiation** – The body loses heat to the environment when the ambient (surrounding) temperature is below the core temperature. For example, you lose more heat if exposed to an outside temperature of 20 degrees F than if exposed to 80 degrees F.

**Conduction** – The body loses heat when its surface is in direct contact with cold temperatures, as in the case of someone falling from a boat into frigid water (think “Titanic”). Water, being denser than air, removes heat from the body much faster.

**Convection** – Heat loss where, for instance, a cooler force is in motion against the body core. The air next to the skin is warmer than the surrounding area and is lost when exposed to wind. This requires the body to use energy to re-heat. **Wind Chill** is one example of air convection: If the ambient temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit but the wind chill factor is at 15 degrees, the body loses heat as if it were actually 15 degrees.

### **DIAGNOSING HYPOTHERMIA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_90110446-hypothermia-man-in-ice-water-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_90110446-hypothermia-man-in-ice-water.jpg)

When exposed to cold, the human body kicks into action to produce heat. It does this by muscle action known as shivering. Muscles shiver to produce heat, and are a clear warning that you need to warm up.

As hypothermia worsens, more symptoms will become apparent. Aside from shivering, the most noticeable symptoms of hypothermia will be related to mental status. The person may appear confused, uncoordinated, and lethargic. The victim’s speech becomes slurred and they often will appear uninterested in helping themselves.

Look for what are called the **“-[Umbles](https://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml)“** – **stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles**. These represent changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness seen in hypothermia.

All this occurs due to the effect of cooling temperatures on the brain; the colder the body core gets, the slower the brain works. Other organs then begin to shut down, and the victim eventually loses consciousness. **Any unconscious person you find exposed to cold weather is hypothermic until proven otherwise.**

Cold-related tissue effects can cause local damage, such as **frostbite**. Frostbite affects areas like fingers, toes, nose, earlobes, and even lips. Sometimes called “Frostnip” or “Chilblains” in early stages, it begins as numbness, pins and needles sensations, and redness. Blistering may occur.

If not warmed in time, the skin turns progressively white and waxy, then blue, and, finally, black, a condition known as “**gangrene**.” Gangrenous tissue is dead and unsalvageable in survival settings. Victims with gangrene may require debridement (the removal of dead tissue) or even amputation.

We’ll discuss this further in part 2 of this series. For now, let’s stick to general hypothermia.

### **Treating Hypothermia** 

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SRI_Alton_Hypothermia-6-300x232.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SRI_Alton_Hypothermia-6-scaled.jpg)

Failure to act quickly to treat hypothermia may lead to organ failure and death. Important measures to take are:

**Get the person out of the cold.** Transport to a warm, dry location. If you’re unable to move the person out of the cold, shield them as much as possible. Be sure to place a barrier between them and the cold ground.

**Monitor breathing.** A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious. Verify that the patient is breathing and check for a pulse. Begin CPR if necessary.

**Take off wet clothing.** If the victim is wearing wet clothing, remove them gently. Cover the person with layers of dry blankets, including the head, but leave the face clear.

**Share body heat.** To warm the person’s body, remove your clothing and lie next to the person, making skin-to-skin contact. Then, cover both of your bodies with blankets. Some people may cringe at this notion, but it’s important to remember that you are trying to save a life. Gentle massage or rubbing may be helpful, but may be traumatic.

**Give warm oral fluids**. If (and only if) the affected person is alert and able to swallow, provide a warm, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage to help warm the body. Alcohol does not warm you up; instead, it expands blood vessels and actually hastens the loss of heat from the body core.

**Use warm, dry compresses**. Use a first-aid warm compress or a makeshift compress of warm (not hot) water in a plastic bottle. Apply compresses to the neck, armpit, and groin. These areas will transport heat to the body core effectively. Some military studies suggest warming the hands and feet is also useful.

**Avoid applying direct heat to skin.** Don’t use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp directly on the victim. The extreme heat can damage the skin, cause strain on the heart, or even lead to cardiac arrest.

### **PREVENTING HYPOTHERMIA**

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and many cases of hypothermia can be prevented.

The environment plays a large role in your success as medic in survival settings. If you don’t take weather conditions and other factors into account, you have made the environment your enemy.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_357336836-hypothermia-falling-through-ice-man-in-icy-water-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/shutterstock_357336836-hypothermia-falling-through-ice-man-in-icy-water-scaled.jpg)

On the road, it’s imperative to anticipate the climate through which you’ll be traveling. This includes being properly dressed for wind conditions and wet weather.

Travel with a partner or a group if at all possible and make certain all are physically fit for the challenge. Pack enough food, water, and a way to produce heat.

### **C.O.L,D.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/COLD.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/COLD.jpg)

For the prevention of hypothermia, remember the simple acronym **C.O.L.D.** This stands for: **C**over, **O**verexertion, **L**ayers, and **D**ry.

**C**over. Dress appropriately for the conditions. A surprising amount of warmth is lost from the head, so be sure to wear a hat. Instead of using gloves to cover your hands, use mittens. Mittens are more helpful than gloves because they keep your fingers in contact with one another, conserving heat.

**O**verexertion. Avoid activities that cause you to sweat. Cold weather causes you to lose body heat quickly; wet, sweaty clothing accelerates the process. Rest when necessary and use rest periods to self-assess for cold-related changes. Pay special attention to the status of your elderly or juvenile group members. Diabetics are also at high risk.

**L**ayers. Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing do the best job of insulating you against the cold. Use tightly woven, water-repellent material for wind protection. Wool or silk inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. Some synthetic materials, like PrimaLoft, Thinsulate, and Thermolite are used to great effect in staying warm. Time-honored waterproof materials like Gore-Tex work well also.

**D**ry. Keep as dry as you can. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. It’s very easy for snow to get into gloves and boots, so pay particular attention to your hands and feet.

You might be concerned about how to tell hypothermia in your snow-loving, four-legged best friend. Find out about hypothermia in dogs in this article:

> [Hypothermia In Dogs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-in-dogs/)

Joe Alton MD

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**We’re pleased to announce our first Christmas story book for children, “Snowbie, The First Snowman,” is now available in Hardcover nationwide or at our store at store.doomandbloom.net! Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing/Sky Pony Press for their support in making our book a reality.[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-300x246.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-scaled.jpg)**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [All About Hypothermia, Pt. 2: Stranded In The Cold!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-2-stranded-in-the-cold/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Victim Transport, Mass Casualties, pt.2, Bird Flu Update, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-victim-transport-mass-casualties-pt-2-bird-flu-update-more/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Animal Bites, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Cold-related illness and injury, frostbite, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets

**Tags:** 4th edition survival medicine handbook, blizzards, cold weather hazards, frostbite, general hypothermia, hypothermia, joe alton md, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Victim Transport, Mass Casualties, pt.2, Bird Flu Update, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-victim-transport-mass-casualties-pt-2-bird-flu-update-more/)

**Published:** November 23, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Joe and Amy discuss how to evaluate the victims of a mass casualty event, concentrating on your actions with each individual patient using the START and SALT protocols. They also update you on the latest in Bird Flu news, is it heading for pandemic status? Short answer: unlikely. Plus, Dr. Joe Alton talks about your options when transporting patient with a team and equipment or just by your lonesome self and with bare hands!

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To listen in, click below:

### [**https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/11/23/survival-medicine-podcast-victim-transport-mass-casualties-bird-flu-update**](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/11/23/survival-medicine-podcast-victim-transport-mass-casualties-bird-flu-update)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [All About Hypothermia, Pt.1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-hypothermia-pt-1/) 

 [MASCALs, Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-3/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Amy Alton ARNP, Animal Bites, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Iinfluenza, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Nuclear Events, Pandemic Diseases, Patient Transport, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tamiflu, the SURVIVAL! board game, Tourniquets, Viruses, Volcanoes

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, bird flu news, h5n1 update, joe alton md, mass casualty events, medical preparedness, patient transport off the grid, survival medicine, victim transport

---

### [MASCALs, Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-3/)

**Published:** November 19, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-scaled.jpg)

[Last time](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-2/), we described a **mass casualty incident (MASCALs)** where 20 people were victims of a bomb planted by a nearby hostile group. You were the first to arrive and quickly scanned the scene, using the **5 S’s** of mass casualty management discussed in[ part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-1/) to get organized and contact fellow group members.

You then shouted “(I’m \_\_\_\_\_ and) I’m here to help. If you can walk and need medical attention, get up and move to the sound of my voice. If you are uninjured and can help, follow me.” Eight victims needed medical assistance but able to walk are directed to an area for walking wounded; two others are relatively unhurt and volunteer to help.

To review **the primary triage categories**:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SMART-tag-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SMART-tag.jpg)

**Immediate (Red tag):** The victim needs immediate medical care and will not survive if not treated quickly (for example, a major hemorrhagic wound/internal bleeding). Top priority for treatment.

**Delayed (Yellow tag):** The victim needs medical care within 2-4 hours. Injuries may become life-threatening if ignored, but can wait until red tags are treated (for example, an open fracture without major hemorrhage).

**Minimal (Green tag):** Generally stable and ambulatory (“walking wounded”) but may need some medical care (for example, 2 broken fingers, sprained ankle).

**Expectant (Black tag):** The victim is either deceased or is not expected to live (for example, open fracture of the skull with brain damage, multiple penetrating chest wounds).

In the classic **S.T.A.R.T. system**, RPMs (Respirations, Perfusion, and Mental Status) are used to rapidly assess a victim.

Your goal is to use RPMs to find out who out of the ten remaining victims on the ground will need help most urgently (red tags). Any one failed RPM check tags the victim as red.

In [part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-2/), we discussed RPMs (Respirations, Perfusion, and Mental Status)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_618552482-fainting-collapse-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_618552482-fainting-collapse-scaled.jpg)

1.**Respirations:** Is your patient breathing? If not, restore the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin or, if you have them, insert an oral airway (Note: in MCI triage where time is of the essence, the rule against moving the neck of a victim due to risk of cervical spine injury is, for the time being, suspended).

If you have an open airway but no breathing, that victim is tagged black. If the victim begins to breathe once an airway is restored or has a respiration rate of more than 30 times a minute (or less than ten), tag red. If the victim is breathing normally, move on to perfusion.

2.**Perfusion/Pulse**: Perfusion involves evaluating the adequacy of blood flow and circulation. Check for the presence of a (wrist or neck) pulse, then press on a nail bed or finger pad firmly and quickly remove. The coloration will go from pale back to normal color in less than two seconds if circulation is good. This is referred to as the **Capillary Refill Time** **(CRT)**. If you’re not feeling a pulse or it takes longer than 2 seconds for nail bed color to return, tag red. If you feel a pulse and CRT is normal, move to mental status.

3.**Mental Status**: Can the victim follow simple commands (“open your eyes,” “squeeze my hand”)? If the patient isn’t breathing excessively fast and has normal perfusion, but is unconscious or disoriented: Tag red. If they can understand you and follow commands, tag yellow if they can’t get up, or green if they can. Remember that, as a consequence of the explosion, some victims may not be able to hear you well.

Remember all this by thinking **“30-2-Can Do”**:

- 30 (Is the respiration rate less than 30/minute? It should also be more than 10/minute.)
- 2 (Is the CRT less than 2 seconds?)
- Can Do (Can the victim follow simple commands?)

**A “No” answer to any of the above tags RED.** Note that children have higher respiratory rates than adults, 45 respirations are used instead of 30.

In the classic S.T.A.R.T. system, you’ll start with the closest victim; in the newer [S.A.L.T. system](https://chemm.hhs.gov/salttriage.htm), you will have asked the ten victims on the ground to wave at you. The ones who don’t wave get seen first.

If there is any doubt as to the category, always tag the highest priority triage level. Not sure between yellow and red? Tag red. Once you have identified someone’s triage level, tag them and move immediately to the next patient unless you have major bleeding to stop.

When there are multiple victims, spend only as much time as is needed to determine the triage level. The only actual treatment you’ll provide in the primary triage phase will be to stop heavy bleeding and clear airways with a CPR-style chin-lift jaw thrust. If shock is suspected, elevate the legs above the level of the heart. In this way, you’ll do the most good for the most people in the shortest amount of time, if not the best for every individual. In the S.A.L.T. system, certain life-saving interventions like using autoinjector antidotes or a lung decompression needle, if available and trained, are added.

**THE VICTIMS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-scaled.jpg)

Now, let’s return to our particular mass casualty scenario. You have identified eight walking wounded and moved them to a designated area. You have two relatively unhurt victims who are willing to assist you. Finally, the list below contains the remaining ten victims on the ground, S.T.A.R.T.ing with the nearest (Remember, the S.A.L.T. system starts with those who can’t “wave” when prompted). Read the descriptions and decide the primary triage level; be sure to utilize your helpers wisely. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how we triaged them in detail.

**Victim 1:** Male in his 40s, complains of pain in an obviously broken right leg. Respirations 22, pulse strong, CRT 1 second, no excessive bleeding.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 2:** Teenage girl bleeding heavily from a deep laceration in her right thigh, respirations 32, pulse thready, CRT 2.5 seconds, follows commands.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 3:** Female in her 40s, bleeding from nose, ears, and mouth. Seems to be trying to sit up but can’t. Respirations 22, pulse present, CRT 1.5 seconds, doesn’t respond to your commands.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 4:** Young girl, maybe 11 or 12 years old with a small laceration on forehead. She says she can’t move her legs. Respirations 20, pulse strong, CRT 1 second.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 5:** Male in his 50s, first and second-degree burns on face, chest, and arms. Respirations 22, CRT 1.5 seconds, follows commands. Obviously in pain but can stand.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 6:** Male in his 20s, head wound, respirations absent. Airway repositioned, still no breathing.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 7:** Teenage boy, some abrasions present but no evidence of major hemorrhage. Says, with difficulty, that he can’t breathe. Respirations 34, pulse present, CRT 2.5 seconds

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 8:** Female in her 20s, some burns on neck, face, and arms. Respirations 22, pulse present, CRT 1 second. She asks if she can get up. She can walk, albeit with a limp.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 9:** Elderly woman, bleeding heavily from an amputation at the level of the mid-upper right arm, respirations 36, pulse on other wrist absent, CRT 3 seconds, unresponsive.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**Victim 10.** Male child, multiple penetrating injuries, respirations absent. Airway repositioned, starts breathing. Pulse barely palpable but CRT 2 seconds, unresponsive.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Red \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Yellow \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Green \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Black

**MCI Scenario Results**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-scaled.jpg)

On the previous pages, we described a mass casualty incident scene with 20 victims. We told you about initial considerations before beginning S.T.A.R.T. (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) and the RPM system for determining triage level. You ended up with 10 victims on the ground, 8 walking wounded, and 2 uninjured but unskilled helpers. You moved the walking wounded to a separate area and are now ready to quickly triage the remaining 10 victims.

Remember your triage evaluation parameters: respirations, perfusion, mental status:

**30 (respirations) – 2 (CRT) – Can Do (follows commands)**

Your two uninjured helpers are an able-bodied man and woman. The woman knows how to take a pulse. You have no medical equipment with you other than some oral airways and triage tags to work with.

**Victim 1:** Male in his 40s, complains of pain in an obviously broken right leg. Respirations 22, pulse strong, CRT 1 second, no excessive bleeding.

Despite the fracture, respirations are within the acceptable range (less than 30). The pulse and CRT are normal. The victim complains of pain and is communicating where it hurts, so mental status probably normal. This patient is tagged YELLOW: needs care but will not die if there is a reasonable (two to four hour) delay. Move on.

**Victim 2:** Teenage girl bleeding heavily from a deep laceration in her right thigh, respirations 32, pulse thready, CRT 2.5 seconds, follows commands.

This victim is still mentally “with it” but is seriously hemorrhaging, one of the reasons to stop and treat during triage. Respirations elevated and perfusion impaired. You use one of your helpers to apply pressure by placing his hands (he’s not wearing a belt) on the wound with direct firm pressure, preferably using his shirt as a barrier. If he had, say, a bandanna and a pen, you could rig a makeshift tourniquet. The bleeding seems to be less with the direct pressure. Tag RED. You and your remaining helper move on.

**Victim 3:** Female in her 40s, some bleeding from nose, ears, and mouth. Seems to be trying to sit up but can’t. Respirations 22, pulse present, CRT 1.5 seconds, doesn’t respond to your commands.

This victim seems to have a significant head injury. Is it just a concussion? She appears stable from the standpoint of respirations and perfusion, but a significant traumatic brain injury certainly can’ t be ruled out. As her mental status is impaired, tag RED (immediate). Move on.

**Victim 4.** Young girl, maybe 11 or 12 years old with a small laceration on forehead. She says she can’t move her legs. Respirations 20, pulse strong, CRT 1 second.

You would think this victim is pretty much okay by her external appearance and RPMs, but she can’t get up. It’s likely she has trauma to her spinal cord. You don’t see much bleeding other than her forehead and she’s moving her arms, but her pants are stained with urine, a possible sign of spinal cord injury lower down. This person potentially has big problems, but is likely not in danger of dying in the next two to four hours. She will have to wait until some of the other victims are treated. Tag YELLOW. Move on.

**Victim 5:** Male in his 50s, first- and second-degree burns on face, chest, and arms. Respirations 22, CRT 1.5 seconds, follows commands. Obviously in pain but can stand.

This victim has significant burns on large areas, but is breathing well and has normal perfusion. He’ll have a problematic recovery, but he is mobile enough to make it to the area for the walking wounded. You tag GREEN and move on.

**Victim 6:** Male in his 20s, head wound, respirations absent.

You reposition his airway, but still no breathing. With a major head wound and lack of respiration despite an open airway, this person is, for all intents and purposes, deceased (especially off the grid). Tag BLACK, move on.

**Victim 7:** Teenage boy, some abrasions present but no evidence of major hemorrhage. Says, with difficulty, that he can’t breathe. Respirations 34, pulse present, CRT 2.5 seconds.

This victim wouldn’t look so bad if he wasn’t having so much trouble breathing. Perfusion is questionable. Mental status is unimpaired, but he likely has other issues: perhaps internal bleeding or a collapsed lung. A distended abdomen would suggest a bleed, while distended neck veins might indicate a tension pneumothorax (collapsed lung). You tag RED (respirations over 30, impaired perfusion) and move on. In the SALT system, a pneumothorax could be treated with a decompression needle, if available and trained, before moving on to the next victim.

**Victim 8:** Female in her 20s, some burns on neck, face, and arms. Respirations 22, pulse present, CRT 1 second. She asks if she can get up. She can walk, albeit with a limp.

Obviously injured, this young woman is in pain but otherwise appears stable and communicates. With assistance, she is able to stand up, and can walk by herself. She becomes another of the walking wounded, tag GREEN. Point her to the other GREEN victims and move on

**Victim 9:** Elderly woman, bleeding profusely from an amputation at the level of the mid-upper right arm, respirations 36, pulse on other wrist absent, CRT 3 seconds, unresponsive.

Obviously in dire straits, you use your belt as a tourniquet. There are no holes in the strap that fit a skinny arm, so you’ll have to sacrifice your remaining helper so she can apply pressure and hold the belt tight. Tag RED, move on alone.

**Victim 10:** Male child, multiple penetrating injuries, respirations absent. Airway repositioned, starts breathing. Pulse barely palpable but CRT 2 seconds, unresponsive.

You initially think this child is not going to survive, but you follow protocol and reposition his airway by tilting his head back. To your surprise, he starts breathing even without an oral airway but is still unresponsive, so you tag him RED. You apply pressure to his wounds as the additional help you originally requested begins to arrive.

We used the example of a child as our last victim to introduce a variation to the START system known as “**JumpSTART**.” In kids under eight years old, JumpSTART takes into account the difference in normal respiratory patterns for children. If the child’s age is uncertain, the medic can assess for underarm hair in males or breast development in females as an indicator of approximate age.

In JumpSTART, CPR rescue breaths are given to children with a pulse but no breathing. The START respiratory rate is modified from more than 30 breaths per minute to either less than 15 or more than 45. If the child described above had not begun to breathe spontaneously with the head tilt, you would have given rescue breaths and then rechecked. If still no breathing, a BLACK tag would have been given.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-scaled.jpg)

Once you have further sorted the victims (sometimes, a GREEN tag’s condition worsens) and transported them to your field hospital, a heartbreaking and controversial variation on normal procedure is proposed. In normal settings, children are given priority for care over adults in the same triage class; after all, they have more potential years of life ahead of them. In survival scenarios, concentrating on those with irreplaceable skills (usually adults) may be necessary for the long-term survival of the group. It’s your call.

What did you accomplish in our simulation? You have performed triage on 20 victims, including the walking wounded, in 10 minutes or less. There is still much to do, but you have identified those victims who need the most urgent care. As you gained experience with RPMs, perhaps you could tell, almost at a glance, when someone was in respiratory distress or wasn’t mentally alert.

Help from your survival group begins to arrive, including a trained nurse. You’re no longer the most experienced medical resource at the scene; therefore, you are relieved of Incident Command. The nurse begins the process of assigning areas where secondary triage and treatment can occur.

In a normal situation, your modern medical facilities will already have ambulances and trained personnel with lots of equipment on the scene. If a disaster takes away modern medical care, however, the prognosis for many of your victims will be grave. Go over our list of victims again and see who you think would survive if modern medical care is not available. Many of the RED tags and even some of the YELLOW tags would be in serious danger of dying from their injuries.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

We’re pleased to announce that Skyhorse Publishing has put out a hardcover edition of Dr. Alton’s Christmas story book “Snowbie, The First Snowman.” Reading to kids at a young age pays dividends down the road socially, educationally, and emotionally. They’ll love it!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snowbie-putting-on-hat-300x241.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snowbie-putting-on-hat-scaled.jpg)

Find it at Amazon: [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=snowbie+the+first+snowman&crid=2MEOPMAM5ZM68&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C175&ref=nb\_sb\_ss\_ts-doa-p\_3\_7](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=snowbie+the+first+snowman&crid=2MEOPMAM5ZM68&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C175&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_7)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Victim Transport, Mass Casualties, pt.2, Bird Flu Update, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-victim-transport-mass-casualties-pt-2-bird-flu-update-more/) 

 [H5N1 Bird Flu Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/h5n1-bird-flu-update/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, chemical warfare, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events, Trauma

**Tags:** joe alton md, MASCALs, Mass Casualty Incidents, MCIs, medical preparedness, SALT Triage, START triage, survival medicine

---

### [H5N1 Bird Flu Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/h5n1-bird-flu-update/)

**Published:** November 15, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shutterstock_1625027965-virus-graphic-2-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shutterstock_1625027965-virus-graphic-2-scaled.jpg)

[Earlier this year](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bird-flu-the-next-viral-outbreak/), I wrote that the experts are sounding the alarm on the[ H5N1 Bird Flu virus](https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-11012024.html) that has, in the past, infected wild and food-producing poultry, dairy cattle, and, at the time, one dairy worker in the U.S.

Since then, the government has increased testing of at-risk workers. [52 human cases](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-11-15/h5n1-bird-flu-infects-six-more-humans-in-california-oregon) have, so far, been identified in the U.S. in several states. All but one of these cases involved those in the dairy and poultry industries.

(Aside: Although the human toll is low, hundreds of herds of dairy cattle and millions of wild birds and poultry livestock have been infected.)

Before anyone yells “The sky is falling!”, all of the documented cases so far in the U.S. are alive and well, No one has required hospitalization, but testing of [115 dairy workers](https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2024/11/12/bird-flu-infections-more-widespread-among-us-dairy-workers-than-thought-study/) revealed positive results in eight cases. All had extensive contact with cattle, but experienced minimal or no symptoms.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/spanish-flu-pandemic-ward-300x226.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/spanish-flu-pandemic-ward.jpg)

The influenza variant, theoretically, has the potential to be the source of the next pandemic. Some claim it could be many times worse than COVID, pointing to a [50 percent death rate](https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/hpai-interim-recommendations.html#:~:text=Sporadic) in European cases. This version, or **“clade,**” in the U.S. is not nearly as lethal, and no human-to-human transmission has been proven. Still, hundreds of herds and flocks have tested positive. Recently, a teenager in Canada has become that country’s first case.

Of course, viruses mutate, and the wrong genetic turn could be reason to worry. A mutation that allows human-to-human transmission would change the whole dynamic. As humans exhibit little immunity against the virus once infected, they could be sitting “ducks” for the Bird Flu.

**Symptoms**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)

Symptoms of H5N1 virus are pretty general. The CDC has documented the following in the cases seen so far:

- Eye redness
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Pneumonia requiring hospitalization

Less common symptoms include GI symptoms like diarrhea or nausea and vomiting, or neurological issues like convulsions.

**Transmission**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shutterstock_61525384-chicken-farm-300x188.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shutterstock_61525384-chicken-farm.jpg)

Factors like wild bird migrations, especially involving geese and ducks, could worsen the situation. Those making seasonal trips North and South could spread the Bird Flu.

Some researchers expect a Bird Flu pandemic in the future but, at present, the CDC doesn’t consider community-wide outbreaks in the U.S. to be likely. It *does* believe there’s a “critical lag” in testing workers that suggests more cases exist than previously thought. This could have consequences down the road unless more extensive testing in industry workers is performed.

The CDC recently recommended that farm workers with significant bird flu exposure be tested for H5N1 whether or not they experience symptoms. Sounds simple, just test all the workers? Not so easy, for several reasons. Farmers don’t want their operations stopped if positive cases are identified. Many immigrant workers avoid submitting to blood testing or, really, any interaction with government officials. Besides, if they stay home from work in quarantine, they may not get paid.

Still, testing agricultural workers could be important as the traditional flu season begins. What *kind* of flu does a person have?

**PREVENTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shutterstock_1647124879-corgi-with-mask-epidemic-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shutterstock_1647124879-corgi-with-mask-epidemic-scaled.jpg)

The CDC also wants the antiviral [oseltamivir (Tamiflu)](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-17765-5294/tamiflu-oral/oseltamivir-oral/details) offered to workers who had a high-risk exposure to H5N1-infected animals, especially those who didn’t wear adequate personal protection equipment (PPE). Tamiflu is not just a treatment; it has a preventative effect in those over 1 year of age.

The agency recently updated its recommendations to prioritize more PPE for those in higher risk activities, such as those working in milking parlors or in poultry culling operations. Wearing such gear isn’t mandatory, however. Since milking zones are often hot and humid in spring and summer, most workers shun them or use them improperly.

General recommendations for those who are involved in the poultry and other food-producing livestock industry include:

- Practicing proper and frequent hand hygiene.
- Preparing food properly and safely.
- Avoidance of touching the face, mouth, nose, or eyes when in contact with animals or after using the restroom.

The above is also good advice for general influenza as well. In addition, the general public should:

- Avoid exposure to sick or dead wild or domesticated birds, as well as cattle.
- Avoid exposure to animal droppings and contaminated bedding.
- Avoid drinking raw milk. Pasteurization kills H5N1 viruses. Pasteurized milk is safe to drink.

**TREATMENT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Tamiflu-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Tamiflu.jpg)

Although there is no cure for viral influenza, treatment with [**oseltamivir (Tamiflu)**](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-17765-5294/tamiflu-oral/oseltamivir-oral/details) can give relief from symptoms and speed recovery, and even has a preventative effect in those at high risk of exposure. The key is to begin therapy within two days of the onset of symptoms.

Americans are pandemic-weary at this point, with Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, enterovirus D68, and COVID in the news just in the last decade. After COVID wound down, federal funding for pandemic preparedness was no longer a priority. About 335 million dollars for pandemic issues are earmarked in 2025, well short a one-billion-dollar budget request.

Those with high levels of contact with poultry and cattle may consider influenza vaccination. As winter approaches, most medical resources are being used to produce standard seasonal flu vaccines, but research is promising regarding the bird flu. No H5N1 vaccine, however, is available to the general public in the U.S. Don’t expect the availability of mass quantities of proven-safe bird flu vaccine anytime soon.

**Bottom Line**

My impression from my last article on this subject hasn’t changed. Despite new cases, no human-to-human transmission has been identified. The grand majority of cases seem to be restricted to workers in the poultry and dairy industries. Also in the grand majority, symptoms have been mild. We must be ever vigilant, however, and take precautions to avoid any type of influenza. Mutations happen; if H5N1 suddenly transmits from human to human, all bets are off.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr, Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [MASCALs, Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-3/) 

 [MASCALs, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-2/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** avian flu, bird flu, dairy workers, H5N1 virus, joe alton md, medical preparedness, poultry workers, survival medicine

---

### [MASCALs, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-2/)

**Published:** November 5, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-scaled.jpg)

In [part 1 of this series](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-1/) on **MASCALs** (mass casualty incidents or MCIs), we discussed the classic “[5 S’s” of mass casualty management](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-1/) and the S.T.A.R.T. system of primary triage. We also touched upon the newer [S.A.L.T. system](https://chemm.hhs.gov/salttriage.htm) and even more recent suggestions.

This time, Let’s go further into an example of a mass casualty incident and discuss how you would perform primary triage on a victim using the classic protocol.

Here’s our hypothetical scenario: It’s market day at your village near the border with another (hostile) group. Suddenly, you hear an explosion. You’re the first to arrive at the scene. There are about twenty people down. What do you do?

Referring back to the [5 S’s of MCI management](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-1/) from the last article, let’s say that you have already determined the **SAFETY** of the current situation and **SIZED UP** the scene. It appears that a bomb has exploded. As far as you can tell, there are no hostiles nearby. You don’t see anything that you suspect might be a second device. Therefore, you believe that you aren’t currently in danger. The injuries are significant and the victims are all in an area no larger than, say, 20-30 yards.

The incident occurred on a main thoroughfare your people use, so there are ways in and out. You have **SENT FOR HELP** on your handheld radio and described the scene. Several survival group members have replied, including a former ICU nurse. The area is relatively open, so you can **SET UP** different areas for various triage categories. Now you can **“START” (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment)**.

In a loud voice, you shout “I’m \_\_\_\_\_ and I’m here to help. If you can walk and need medical attention, get up and move to the sound of my voice. If you are uninjured and can help, follow me.”

This first step is similar in [SALT triage](https://chemm.hhs.gov/salttriage.htm). In SALT, however, you then ask everyone not walking to wave. Those who stay still are then assessed first, as they are assumed to be the most in need of help; some of the still victims may, however, be deceased. S.A.L.T.’s criticism of the S.T.A.R.T. system is that someone might have a chest or abdominal wound and still be able to walk, thereby missing someone who needs immediate help. This, I think, is certainly possible, but would not be a very common occurrence.

This time, however, we’re using the S.T.A.R.T. system. You’re lucky, 13 of the 20 victims sit up, or at least try to. 10 can stand, and you direct the walking wounded to an area you designated. These people have cuts, burns, and scrapes. A couple are limping; one obviously has a broken arm. Two bruised but sturdy individuals volunteer to join you. By simply communicating, you have made your job as temporary Incident Commander easier by identifying the walking wounded (Green Tags) and getting some immediate help. You still have 10 victims down.

Your team then goes to the closest victim on the ground, evaluates them, and proceeds in an organized manner to the next nearest victim in turn. In this way, you will triage faster and more effectively than trying to figure out who needs help the most from a distance.

(In S.A.L.T., you would, instead, go directly to the first “still” victim)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SMART-tag-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SMART-tag.jpg)

Let’s cheat just a little and say that you happen to have SMART tags in your pack. SMART tags are handy tickets which allow you to mark a particular triage level on a patient. Once you identify a victim’s triage level, you remove a portion of the end of the tag until you reach the appropriate color and place it around the patient’s wrist.

It is important to remember that you’re triaging, not treating. The only treatments in START will be the control of heavy bleeding, opening airways, and elevating the legs in case of shock.

(In S.A.L.T., they add additional life-saving interventions like needle decompression. Off the grid, however, you might not have the materials needed.)

**RPMs (Respirations, Perfusion, and Mental Status)**

As you go from patient to patient, stay calm, identify who you are and that you’re here to help. Your goal is to find out who will need help most urgently (red tags) by checking “RPMs.” **Any one failed RPM check tags the victim as red**.

**1.Respirations:** Is your patient breathing? If not, [restore the airway](https://www.uscpronline.com/bls/head-tilt-chin-lift) by tilting the head back and lifting the chin or, if you have them, insert an oral airway (Note: in MCI triage where time is of the essence, the rule against moving the neck of a victim due to risk of cervical spine injury is, for the time being, suspended).

If you have an open airway but no breathing, that victim is tagged black. If the victim begins to breathe once an airway is restored or has a respiration rate of more than 30 times a minute (or less than ten), tag red. If the victim is breathing normally, move on to perfusion.

**2.Perfusion/Pulse:** Perfusion involves evaluating the adequacy of blood flow and circulation. Check for the presence of a (wrist or neck) pulse, then press on a nail bed or finger pad firmly and quickly remove. The coloration will go from pale back to normal color in less than two seconds if circulation is good. This is referred to as the **Capillary Refill Time (CRT)**. If you’re not feeling a pulse or it takes longer than 2 seconds for nail bed color to return, tag red. If you feel a pulse and CRT is normal, move to mental status.

**3.Mental Status:** Can the victim follow simple commands (“open your eyes,” “squeeze my hand”)? If the patient isn’t breathing excessively fast and has normal perfusion, but is unconscious or disoriented: Tag red. If they can understand you and follow commands, tag yellow if they can’t get up, or green if they can. Remember that, as a consequence of the explosion, some victims may not be able to hear you well.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_760582849-motor-vehicle-accident-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_760582849-motor-vehicle-accident-scaled.jpg)

It might be easier to remember all this by just thinking **“[30-2-Can Do](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPM-30-2-Can_Do)”:**

-30 (Is the respiration rate more than 30/minute or less than 10/minute?)

-2 (Is the CRT less than 2 seconds?)

-Can Do (Can the victim follow simple commands?)

If shock is suspected, elevate the legs above the level of the heart.

It should be noted that different regions may use other systems of primary triage or criteria. For example, normal CRT is considered by some to be [3 seconds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capillary_refill#cite_note-:2-2). Also, children have higher respiratory rates than adults, so more than 45 respirations is used instead of 30.

If there is any doubt as to the category, always tag the highest priority triage level. Not sure between yellow and red? Tag red. Once you have identified someone’s triage level, tag them and move immediately to the next patient unless you have major bleeding to stop.

When there are multiple victims, spend only as much time as is needed to determine the triage level. The only actual treatment you’ll provide in the primary triage phase will be to stop heavy bleeding and clear airways with a chin-lift jaw thrust. In this way, you’ll do the most good for the most people in the shortest amount of time, if not the best for every individual.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_658908205-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_658908205-scaled.jpg)

It stands to reason that you would be more effective if you had help. If uninjured or minimally injured victims can help you apply pressure to a wound, you can move on to evaluate the next victim. A tourniquet or an airway in the medic’s pocket can be lifesavers.

Off the grid, the medic’s job is exponentially tougher, and some RED victims will assuredly end up tagged BLACK. You can only aim to achieve what Teddy Roosevelt once advised:

### **“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”**

In the next part of this series, we’ll look at our ten victims one by one and decide how to class them using the START color system.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [H5N1 Bird Flu Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/h5n1-bird-flu-update/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Mass Casualties, Dental Fractures, Tonsillitis, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-mass-casualties-dental-fractures-tonsillitis-more/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** 5 S's of mass management, joe alton md, mascal, mass casualties, mass casualty incident, medical preparedness, SALT Triage, START triage, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Mass Casualties, Dental Fractures, Tonsillitis, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-mass-casualties-dental-fractures-tonsillitis-more/)

**Published:** November 1, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss the basics of mass casualty events, where the number of casualties exceeds the available resources. What do you do in these circumstances, especially in survival settings?

But it’s not all mass casualties, lesser issues can affect work efficiency and make things hard for a mutual assistance group after a disaster. What do you do when someone breaks a tooth? Medically prepared people also need to be dentally prepared if they’re worried about a long-term event. Plus, a discussion about tonsillitis in an off-grid setting. You need to identify it fast and nip it in the bud to prevent it from becoming a major issue.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton.

To listen in, click below:

### **[Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton 11/01 by NurseAmyandDrBones | Health](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/11/01/survival-medicine-podcast-with-dr-joe-and-nurse-amy-alton)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [MASCALs, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-2/) 

 [Survival Dental Issues: Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-dental-issues-trauma/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, broken teeth, dental fracture, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tonsillitis

---

### [Survival Dental Issues: Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-dental-issues-trauma/)

**Published:** October 26, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_101677420-300x178.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_101677420-scaled.jpg)

A survival group needs someone with medical knowledge and supplies to treat orthopedic injuries and bleeding wounds. These are serious issues, and, indeed, the average survival medical kit concentrates on these issues to the exclusion of much else. Even well-prepared medics, however, don’t realize that they’ll be faced with a quite different challenge much more often: dental problems, especially dental trauma. Injuries or oral health issues can negatively affect the work efficiency of members of your group; if you’ve ever had to work with a bad toothache, you know exactly what I mean. In this article, we’ll discuss how to deal with dental trauma in survival settings.

**DENTAL ANATOMY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_500409571-tooth-anatomy-dental-scaled.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_500409571-tooth-anatomy-dental-scaled.jpg)

First and foremost, the group medic should know dental anatomy. Luckily, a tooth is a relatively simple structure. The part of the tooth that you see above the gum line is called the “crown.” Hidden below the gum is the “root,” which resides in a bony jaw socket known as the “alveolus.” Teeth are anchored to alveolar bone with ligaments, just like you have ligaments holding together your knee or shoulder.

The tooth is composed of different materials:

**Enamel**: Enamel is the hard, white external covering of the tooth crown. Essentially, the tooth’s “armor.”

**Dentin:** Dentin is the firm yellowish material composed of many microscopic tubes underneath the enamel. When enamel is lost, heat or cold travels through these tubes to cause pain.

**Pulp:** The pulp is the softer tissue in the center surrounded by the dentin. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerve endings and is considered the “living” part of the tooth. When the nerve dies, the tooth dies.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-83-Dental-Issues-picture-of-teeth-shutterstock_73855759-scaled.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-83-Dental-Issues-picture-of-teeth-shutterstock_73855759-scaled.jpg)

A normal adult mouth has 32 teeth, most of which replace baby teeth by age 13. They are comprised of:

- **Incisors** (8 total): The middlemost four teeth on the upper and lower jaws.
- **Canines** (4 total): The pointed teeth just outside the incisors.
- **Premolars** (8 total): Teeth between the canines and molars.
- **Molars** (8 total): Flat teeth in the rear of the mouth.
- **Wisdom teeth** or third molars (4 total): These teeth erupt later, at around age 18. They are often surgically removed to prevent displacement of other teeth.

Different teeth have different purposes: Incisor and canines are for cutting, while molars are for grinding.

**DENTAL TRAUMA**

Dental trauma may appear in various forms. After an injury to the oral cavity, a person may have a:

- Dental Fracture: a portion of a tooth chipped or broken off.
- Dental Subluxation: a loose tooth.
- Dental Avulsion: a tooth knocked out completely.

**DENTAL FRACTURES (BROKEN TEETH)**

When a portion of a tooth is broken off, its categorization is based on the number of layers of the tooth that are exposed. Traditionally, dentists have referred to these as Ellis class 1, 2, and 3 fractures.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/28-1024x791.jpg)

**Ellis 1 fractures:** In an Ellis 1 fracture, only the enamel has been broken and no dentin or pulp is exposed. This is a problem only if there is a sharp edge to the tooth. You can consider filing the edge smooth in some cases.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/29-scaled.jpg)

**Ellis 2 fractures:** Ellis 2 fractures show yellow or beige dentin under the enamel. This area may be sensitive and should be covered if possible. The composition of dentin is more porous than enamel and allows bacteria to enter and infect the tooth. The medic can improvise a mixture of oil of cloves, also known as eugenol, and zinc oxide powder to make a protective covering.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/30-scaled.jpg)

**Ellis 3 fractures:** Here the pulp *and* dentin are both exposed. Ellis 3 fractures can be quite uncomfortable. If the pulp is exposed, there may be some bleeding. The risk of permanent damage is likely, so protective coverings will be very important.

**TREATING DENTAL FRACTURES**

(Be aware that the methods discussed below are temporary measures which may very well require reapplication at one point or another.)

When you identify a fracture of a tooth due to external trauma, you should:

1\) Evaluate the patient for associated damage to the face, especially the tongue, jaw, and the inside of the cheek. On occasion, a soft tissue laceration is found and must be sutured. Use an absorbable suture like plain “catgut,” PDS, or polyglycolic acid.

2 Use water to thoroughly flush and rinse the inside of the mouth for easier evaluation.

3\) For you own protection, place a bite block; even a large grade school pink eraser or two will do.

4\) Using your gloved hand or a cotton applicator, lightly touch the injured tooth to see if it’s loose.

5\) For sensitive Ellis II fractures of dentin, dry the exposed surface and cover with temporary cement. Improvisations for austere settings include fluoride dental varnish, clear nail polish, or cyanoacrylate glue to decrease sensitivity.

6\) Provide pain meds and cold packs (a thin cloth should be placed between the pack and the skin).

7\) Instruct the patient to avoid hot and cold food or drink.

Ellis III fractures into pulp are more problematic, partially due to the high risk of infection. Calcium hydroxide (Dycal) on the pulp surface coupled with additional temporary cement can be used as protective coverings, but newer prescription materials known as “glass ionomers” are added in modern dentistry. Alternatively, a commercially-available product from India known as Prevest Fusion Flo is a composite material that may be useful, but must be “cured” with a UV dental curing light (available online) to harden.

When the pulp is involved in the fracture, antibiotics may be appropriate. Penicillin 500 mg orally every six hours or Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for a week are acceptable options.

Particularly difficult dental fractures involve the root. Sometimes, it is not until the gum is peeled back that the damage to the root is exposed and identified. If this is the case off-grid, the tooth is likely unsalvageable (especially in vertical fractures) and should be extracted

**DENTAL SUBLUXATIONS (LOOSE TEETH)**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_101677420-300x178.jpg)

Above: 2 empty sockets due to dental avulsions with subluxations on either side

A tooth that is knocked loose but not out of its socket is called a “**subluxation**.” Use your gloved fingers or a cotton applicator lightly to identify any mobility. Often, these injuries will appear to bleed slightly from the border between the tooth and gum.

Minimal trauma may require no major intervention, although the tooth may benefit from support. The loose tooth should be pressed back into the alveolus (socket) and “splinted” to neighboring teeth for stability. Dentists use wire or special materials for this purpose, but you could use soft wax or specialized dental wax. Prevent further trauma by placing your patient on a liquid diet for a time.

**DENTAL AVULSIONS (TEETH KNOCKED OUT)**

Occasionally, the trauma may be severe enough to completely knock the tooth out of its socket. This is called a “**dental avulsion.**” The most favorable situation is when a tooth is knocked out in one piece, including the root and ligaments.

In this circumstance, time is a very important factor in treatment success. If the tooth is not immediately replaced or, at least, preserved in a solution, the success of re-implantation drops 1% every *minute* the tooth is not in its socket.

A good preservative for teeth that have been knocked out is “Hank’s Solution.” This is a balanced salt solution that has been used to culture living cells, and it helps protect raw ligament fibers. Hank’s Solution is available commercially as “Save-a-Tooth.” You must:

1\) Find the tooth. Pick it up by the crown; avoid touching the root as it will damage already-compromised ligament fibers.

2\) Flush the tooth clean of dirt and debris with water or saline solution. Don’t scrub it, as it will further damage the ligaments.

3\) Place in preservative solution. If you don’t have Hank’s solution, place the tooth in milk, normal saline, egg white, or saliva (you can put it between your cheek and gums or under your tongue). This will keep the ligament cells viable longer than plain water would.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/saveatooth.jpg)Hank’s solution](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/saveatooth.jpg)

If the intact tooth has been out for less than fifteen minutes, you may attempt to re-implant it. Replacing a tooth isn’t always successful, but it’s worth a shot. You should:

1\) Flush the tooth and the empty socket with Hank’s solution (Save-a-Tooth).

2\) Replace the tooth in the socket.

3\) Hold in place for five minutes, making sure the tooth is level with its neighbors.

4\) Cover with cotton or gauze.

5\) Have the patient slowly bite down to keep it in place.

6\) Splint the tooth for two weeks with soft wax or adhesive putty. Some have recommended using cyanoacrylate glue and thin wire or the aluminum nosepiece from an N95 mask for support.

Place your patient on a liquid diet and, to prevent infection, consider antibiotics such as Penicillin 500 mg orally every 6 hours for 7-14 days or doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7-14 days.

If the tooth has been out longer than 15 minutes, you may have to soak the tooth for a half hour or so in Hank’s Solution before you replace it. The longer you wait to replace the tooth, however, the more painful it will be to replace due to swelling and other factors. Make sure you have pain meds and cold packs available in your supplies.

After a couple of hours of being out, the ligament fibers dry out and die; the tooth is, for most intents and purposes, dead. Replacing it at this point is likely to be unsuccessful, as the pulp will decay (like all dead soft tissue).

Don’t replace baby teeth. They may scar down and prevent mature teeth from emerging. A sobering fact is that the pulp rarely, if ever, survives the injury even if the ligaments do. As such, without the availability of root canal procedures to remove dead tissue, even your best efforts may be unsuccessful. If a serious infection arises in the dead pulp, your patient may be in a worse situation than just missing a tooth.

**SURVIVAL DENTAL SUPPLIES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Dental-Kit--300x248.jpg)survival dental kit by altonfirstaid.com](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Dental-Kit-.jpg)

The prepared medic will include dental supplies in their storage, but what exactly will be useful and available for the family medic?

Gloves are one item that you should have in quantity. Don’t ever stick your bare hands in someone’s mouth without them. Other items to include in a solid survival dental kit include:

- Dental floss, dental picks, and toothbrushes.
- Toothpaste or baking soda.
- Dental or orthodontic wax to splint a loose tooth to its neighbors; candle wax will do in a pinch.
- A Rubber bite block to keep the mouth open and protect from bites.
- Cotton pellets, rolls, and applicators, as well as gauze sponges.
- Commercial temporary filling material, such as Tempanol, Cavit, or Den-temp.
- Oil of cloves, known as “eugenol,”, a natural anesthetic.
- Zinc oxide powder: Mix with clove oil to make temporary filling cement.
- Oral analgesics like benzocaine.
- Calcium hydroxide or “Dycal,” a protective barrier to cover pulp before placing filling cement.
- Oil of oregano, a natural antibacterial.
- A bulb syringe to blow air, which dries teeth for better visualization.
- An irrigation syringe to flush areas where work is being done.
- Scalpels to incise and drain abscesses.
- Dental probes, mirrors, tweezers, and scrapers/scalers.
- Spoon excavators to remove decayed material from a tooth.
- Elevators to help with extractions by separating ligaments from the socket.
- Extraction forceps. These instruments are like pliers with curved ends. You’ll need several types specific to upper and lower teeth, tooth type, and, sometimes, left and right.
- Dental blood-clotting agents.
- A suture kit.
- Cold packs, pain meds, and antibiotics.

All these items and more are included in t[his survival dental emergency kit.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-dental-grab-n-go/)

Joe Alton MD

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Mass Casualties, Dental Fractures, Tonsillitis, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-mass-casualties-dental-fractures-tonsillitis-more/) 

 [MASCALS, part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-1/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, General Preparedness, Head Injuries, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Trauma

**Tags:** dental avulsion, dental fracture, dental issues, dental preparedness, dental subluxation, hank's solution, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival dental issues, survival medicine, tooth knocked out, treating dental problems

---

### [MASCALS, part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-1/)

**Published:** October 18, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-scaled.jpg)

For the survival medic caring for their family or a group off the grid, most patient encounters will be unhurried, routine, and one-on-one. If you are trained and accumulated the right supplies, your encounter with any one patient should be, with any luck, well within the limits of your expertise and resources. But the aftermath of a major disaster may take the family caregiver to the brink with regards to their family’s survival. In the New Normal, the medic might be confronted with multiple victims of trauma simultaneously and have to make quick decisions. We refer to this type of event as a **mass casualty incident** **(MCI),** although more recently, some professionals have taken to the term **MASCAL.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/shutterstock_1043077054-civil-unrest-mass-casualty-protest-300x190.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/shutterstock_1043077054-civil-unrest-mass-casualty-protest-scaled.jpg)

A mass casualty incident is any event in which your medical resources are inadequate for the number and severity of injuries incurred. MCIs can be quite variable in their presentation and occur in both good times and bad. They might be:

- Terrorist bombings (Boston marathon).
- Active shooter events (Las Vegas Mandalay Bay)
- The aftermath of a storm, such as a tornado or hurricane (Helene, Katrina).
- Consequences of civil unrest (too numerous to count).
- Mass transit mishaps (train derailments like East Palestine, Ohio, plane crashes like 9/11).
- Doomsday scenario events, such as nuclear weapon detonations (Hiroshima, ?Ukraine?).

The above would be major events covered nationally by the press, but an MCI could be as simple as a multiple-car accident with three casualties in a two-ambulance town.

You might even consider the COVID-19 pandemic an MCI. From an organizational standpoint, it was. As medical resources were overwhelmed in some areas, similae command structures and community safeguards were implemented in an attempt to limit the number of cases and stay within the available resources of personnel and equipment.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/spanish-flu-ward.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/spanish-flu-ward.jpg)

Pandemics come with their own unique problems: In a car accident or tornado, the rescue personnel arrive after the event and rarely become victims themselves. With infectious disease outbreaks like the Ebola epidemic of 2014, however, the medical assets themselves started getting sick in large numbers, leaving less resources for patient care.

Pandemics aside, we are talking here about incidents where there are multiple traumatic injuries. The response to injuries caused by a tornado or active shooter is different than the response to a pandemic. These events are difficult to predict and the damage is done in a matter of a few minutes. A multiple vehicle or mass transit accident occurs in a second. In these situations, all the emergency resources of the city or town must go activate immediately.

The effective medical management of the above events requires rapid and accurate triage. Triage comes from the French word “trier” (to sort). It’s the process by which medical personnel rapidly assess and prioritize injured individuals. When the first evaluations occur at the scene, it’s called “**primary triage**.”

In trauma MCIs, triage identifies those with injuries most likely to benefit from immediate, priority attention. In pandemics, triage identifies those who may require rapid isolation from the general patient population. In both cases, you attempt to do the most good for the most people. Note that I *didn’t* say: “the best possible care for *each* individual.”

**The 5 “S’s” Of MCI Triage**

As the first to arrive at the scene of an event with multiple casualties, you must assume to role of “Incident Commander” until someone with more medical expertise arrives. What do you do? Your initial actions comprise what we call the **“5 S’s”** of evaluating a mass casualty scene:

**1)Safety Assessment:** Many terrorists employ an insidious strategy using primary and secondary bombs. The main bomb causes the most casualties, and the second bomb is triggered as rescue personnel (you) arrive.

You might grimace when I advise not approaching the injured in a hostile setting. Yet, your primary goal as medic is your own self-preservation. Keeping the medical personnel alive is likely to save more lives down the road. You do your family and community a disservice by becoming the next casualty.

Here’s a tragic example: In the immediate aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, various medical personnel rushed in to aid the victims. One of them was a heroic 37-year-old Licensed Practical Nurse named Rebecca Anderson.As she entered the area, she was struck by a falling piece of concrete. She sustained a head injury and died five days later.

Another: Father Mychal Judge, a firehouse chaplain, rushed to the scene of the World Trade Center bombing on 9/11/2001, and provided support at the base of the North Tower. Father Judge was killed when the neighboring South Tower collapsed. So, whether it’s falling bricks or bullets flying, be as certain as possible that there is no ongoing threat.

**2)Size up the Scene:** Ask yourself the following questions: What’s the situation? Is this a mass transit crash? Did a building on fire collapse? Was there a shooting or explosion?

How many injuries are there? How severe are they? How many victims? Are there any uninjured that could assist you? Are the victims all together or spread out over a wide area? Are there lanes open that are large enough for vehicles to come through and help transport victims?

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/stockvault-accident-on-the-road214228-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/stockvault-accident-on-the-road214228-scaled.jpg)

**3)Send for Help:** If you sized up the scene correctly, you have a lot of important information to pass on to emergency medical services or, in survival scenarios, other group members arriving at the scene.

If modern medical care is available, notify emergency services and say (for example): “I am calling to report an accident involving three cars at the intersection of Oak avenue and Elm street. There are at least seven people injured that require medical attention. Two persons are trapped in their cars and one vehicle is on fire.”

In three sentences, you have informed the authorities that a mass casualty event has occurred, what type of event it was, where it occurred, an approximate number of patients that need help, and the types of care or equipment that may be required.

In survival settings, use your communication device to notify base camp of the situation. Let them know what you’ll need in terms of personnel and supplies. If you are not medically trained, contact the person who is the group medic. The most experienced medical person who arrives at the scene becomes the new Incident Commander.

**4)Set-Up:** Determine likely areas for various triage levels (see below) to be further evaluated and treated. These are sometimes called “Casualty Collection Points” (CCPs). Also, determine the appropriate entry and exit points for victims that need immediate transport to medical facilities, if they exist. If you are blessed with lots of help at the scene, assign triage, treatment, and transport team duties.

**5) S.T.A.R.T.:** Triage uses the acronym S.T.A.R.T., which stands for **Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment**. The first round of triage, known as “primary triage,” should be fast (30 seconds per patient if possible) and does not involve extensive treatment of injuries. It should be focused on immediate life-saving interventions (LSIs) and identifying the triage level of each patient.

**S.T.A.R.T.**

Evaluation in primary triage consists mostly of quick evaluation of respirations (or the lack thereof), perfusion (adequacy of circulation), and mental status. Other than controlling massive bleeding and clearing airways, very little treatment is performed in primary triage. In an ongoing firefight, move live casualties to cover as soon as they’re identified.

Although there is no international standard, triage levels are usually determined by color:

- **Immediate (Red tag):**The victim needs immediate medical care and will not survive if not treated quickly (for example, a major hemorrhagic wound/internal bleeding). This person may die within minutes and has top priority for treatment.
- **Delayed (Yellow tag):**The victim needs medical care within several hours. Injuries may become life-threatening if ignored, but can wait until the red tags are treated. An example of a yellow tag would be an open fracture without major bleeding.
- **Minimal (Green tag):**Generally stable and ambulatory (“walking wounded”) but need some medical care (for example, broken fingers, facial burns, or a sprained ankle).
- **Expectant (Black tag):**The victim is either deceased or is not expected to live (for example, open fracture of skull with brain damage, multiple penetrating chest wounds).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/triage-cascade-amy-image.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/triage-cascade-amy-image.jpg)

Special cards are available for documenting evaluations of MCI victims. They look like this:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/triagetags.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/triagetags.jpg)

Some evolution has occurred since the START triage model was developed, leading to the SALT triage model:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SALT-mci-mascal-triage.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SALT-mci-mascal-triage.webp)

As you can see, the process is very similar to START, other than the administration of antidotes, none of which will be available in a long-term setting off the grid

A new system is being developed that will change this to ”Stable, Unstable, and Expectant” (deceased or beyond help). This MASCAL version isn’t very different from the current system, but adds treatment for fractures and other injuries that aren’t imminently lethal, such as fractures, at casualty collection points (CCPs). We’ll discuss this in future parts of this series.

Of course, the medic off the grid probably won’t have colored tags or tape. Instead, use felt markers (handy items to have in your pocket). If you only have a black marker, you can still write numbers on the victims’ foreheads. If you use numbers:

- 1 is immediate/red (top priority)
- 2 is delayed/yellow
- 3 is minimal/green
- 4 is dead/expectant/black

The number method is the standard in many countries. it’s also useful if you’re color blind.

Knowledge of this system allows a rescuer to understand the urgency of a patient’s condition. You should know that, without modern medical care, a lot of red tags and even some yellow tags will become black tags. It will be difficult, for example, to save someone bleeding internally without surgical intervention.

In part 2 of this series, we’ll discuss a simpler method for ongoing hostile settings proposed recently that is called “Move, Treat, and Transport.” We’ll also describe a possible MCI scenario, what goes into a true MASCAL kit, with perhaps some adjustments for long-term survival settings.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Dental Issues: Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-dental-issues-trauma/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hurricane Strategies, Migraines, Antiseptics, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hurricane-strategies-migraines-antiseptics-more/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Nuclear Events, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events, Trauma

**Tags:** bleeding wounds, joe alton md, mass casualties, mass casualty incident, medical preparedness, multiple injuries, natural disasters, nuclear events, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Hurricane Safety Strategies, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hurricane-safety-strategies-pt-1/)

**Published:** October 4, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Hurricane-preparedness-store-safe-water-food-energy-prep-home-be-safe-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Hurricane-preparedness-store-safe-water-food-energy-prep-home-be-safe-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-scaled.jpg)

Dr. Joe Alton turns to a timely topic he’s written about a lot in the past few years but rarely on video: **hurricane preparedness**. The devastation in North Carolina from Hurricane Helene underscores the importance of being prepared before, during, and in the aftermatah of a storm. In this 2-part series, Dr. Alton discusses making a G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) decision, and what to do about food and water when you’re in the path of the storm. You may know some of these tips, but maybe not all…

To watch, click below:

For part 2, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Hurricane Safety Strategies, Pt. 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hurricane-safety-strategies-pt-2/) 

 [Video: Monkeypox (Mpox) Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-monkeypox-mpox-update/)

**Categories:** Hurricanes, Mass Casualties, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** hurricane aftermath, hurricane preparedness, hurricane safety, hurricane tips

---

### [Video: Hurricane Safety Strategies, Pt. 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hurricane-safety-strategies-pt-2/)

**Published:** October 6, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Hurricane-preparedness-store-safe-pets-shelter-radio-cellphone-communications-prep-home-be-safe-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Hurricane-preparedness-store-safe-pets-shelter-radio-cellphone-communications-prep-home-be-safe-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-scaled.jpg)

In the second part of this 2-part video series, medical preparedness advocate Dr. Joe Alton adds some thoughts to his previous video on various tips and strategies to make sure the next hurricane is just a bump on the road, not the end of the road, for you and your family.

To watch, click below:

For Part 1, click here:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hurricane Strategies, Migraines, Antiseptics, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hurricane-strategies-migraines-antiseptics-more/) 

 [Video: Hurricane Safety Strategies, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hurricane-safety-strategies-pt-1/)

**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hurricanes, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** cyclones, hurricane safety, hurricane survival, hurricanes, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tropical cyclones

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hurricane Strategies, Migraines, Antiseptics, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hurricane-strategies-migraines-antiseptics-more/)

**Published:** October 7, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton talk tips on how to get through the next hurricane. Hurricane Helene caused major destruction even in inland areas of North Carolina and other points south. Dr. Alton gives his thoughts on how to make the next one a bump on the road, not the end of the road, for you and your family.

Also, a discussion on how to deal with migraine headaches on or off the grid. They may not kill you, but they can affect all-important work efficiency in times of trouble. Plus, a primer on the various antiseptics that would make sense to have in your medical kit, plus some natural options.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton, MD (aka Dr. Bones) and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton.

To listen, click below:

### [**https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/10/06/survival-medicine-podcast-hurricane-strategies-migraines-antiseptics-more**](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/10/06/survival-medicine-podcast-hurricane-strategies-migraines-antiseptics-more)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [MASCALS, part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mascals-part-1/) 

 [Video: Hurricane Safety Strategies, Pt. 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hurricane-safety-strategies-pt-2/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, Cellulitis, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Natural Remedies, Sanitation, Skin issues, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, antiseptics, hurricane helene, hurricane preparedness, hurricane safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness, migraine headaches, natural antiseptics, survival medicine, wound care

---

### [Video: Monkeypox (Mpox) Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-monkeypox-mpox-update/)

**Published:** September 28, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Monkeypox-Mpox-signs-symptoms-diagnosis-rash-transmission-prevention-treatment-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Monkeypox-Mpox-signs-symptoms-diagnosis-rash-transmission-prevention-treatment-Joseph-Alton-Medical-Doctor.png)

n this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton updates you on the current version of the Monkeypox, now called Mpox, and whether it poses any sort of threat to North America…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Hurricane Safety Strategies, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hurricane-safety-strategies-pt-1/) 

 [30 Hurricane Strategies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/30-hurricane-strategies/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Skin issues, Viruses, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, monkeypox, mpox, mpox update, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: MPox, Epidemic Sick Rooms, Suturing, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-mpox-epidemic-sick-rooms-migraines-suturing-more/)

**Published:** September 20, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this far-ranging episode of the **Survival Medicine Podcast,** Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss the Monkeypox, now called Mpox, and its potential, if any, to be an issue on this continent in the future. Also, some basics about suturing in survival scenarios, including what types of materials are used. Plus, how to put together a reasonable sick room for epidemic infectous disease cases without getting healthy people sick.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, APRN!

TO LISTEN IN, CLICK BELOW:

### **[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/09/20/survival-medicine-podcast-mpox-suturing-sick-room-basics-more](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/09/20/survival-medicine-podcast-mpox-suturing-sick-room-basicsmore)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available on Amazon in black and white and at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) in color and color spiral-bound versions!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [30 Hurricane Strategies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/30-hurricane-strategies/) 

 [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Pt. 3: Tension Headaches](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-tension-headaches/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Garden, Survival Medic, Viruses, Wound Care, Wound Closure

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, epidemic sick rooms, joe alton md, medical preparedness, migraines headaches, monkeypox, mpox, pandemic sick rooms, survival medicine handbook, sutures, suturing

---

### [30 Hurricane Strategies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/30-hurricane-strategies/)

**Published:** September 25, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/hurricane-satellite-image-pixabay.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/hurricane-satellite-image-pixabay.jpg)

Every year around this time, the U.S. can expect storms to menace the East and Gulf coasts. Despite this, many citizens still find a way to be caught by surprise. As the latest[ hurricane ](https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2024-09-25-hurricane-tropical-storm-helene-forecast-florida-southeast)barrels into the gulf, it’s important for the family medic to be ready to deal with the perils that could lead to a medical emergency.

Hurricanes can certainly be dangerous, but they don’t have to be life-threatening for those who prepare. Unlike tornadoes, which can pop up suddenly, hurricanes are first identified when they are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away. We can watch their development and have a good idea of how bad the situation might be and how much time we have to get ready.

Even before it’s clear that your area is in danger of being hit by the storm, you should have considered factors like food, water, power, and shelter. By having a plan of action beforehand, you’ll decrease the risk to your family significantly.

Here are a few (actually, 30!) tips to help those preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best:

**HIT THE ROAD, JACK**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-vincent-gerbouin-445991-2263670-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/pexels-vincent-gerbouin-445991-2263670-scaled.jpg)

1.**Make a G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) decision**: Rugged individualists may want to ride out the storm, but some coastal residents would be best served by hitting the road. When the authorities say it’s time to evacuate, you should be ready to go. Don’t forget to turn off the power, gas, and water before you leave.

2.**Head inland**: Hurricanes gain their strength by warm ocean waters, and lose strength quickly as they get further into the interior. Some storms stall on the coast. If you’re escaping the storm, the further inland you go, the safer you’ll be. If there isn’t time, most coastal municipalities will have designated a sturdy building as a hurricane shelter. Make sure you ask about what facilities they have to help care for your pets.

3.**Have a “GO” bag**: Always have a set of supplies ready to take with you on short notice. Non-perishable food, bottled water, extra clothing, flashlights and batteries, a NOAA weather radio, medicines, and [a first aid kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) are just a few of the items that will ensure your survival. Although you’ll see recommendations to have a 72 hour supply, this figure is arbitrary; a week’s worth would be even better.

4.**Have a cell phone charger**: Communication is key. Many cell phone chargers can be plugged into the car where the cigarette lighter used to be. Solar chargers are also available.

5.**Have cash on hand:** Power for credit card verification could be down after a hurricane; if you don’t keep some cash in small bills on hand, you’ll have a power shortage: *Purchasing* power.

**STAYING HOME**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1659090466-flood-aerial-view-CROPPED-1024x729.jpg)Let’s say you haven’t received an evacuation order, and you’re going to ride out the storm in place. Here are some considerations you’ll want to take into account:

**FOOD**

6.**Keep it Cold:** Have the refrigerator and freezer down to their coldest settings so that food will take longer to spoil if the power goes out.

7.**Collect Ice:** Collect ice in plastic bags and place them throughout to prolong freshness. If there are open spots, fill Tupperware containers or plastic soda bottles/milk jugs with water, freeze them, and place them in the spaces. The fuller the fridge is, the longer the items in it will stay cool.

8.**Wrap It in Foil:** Wrap food items in aluminum foil, eliminating air pockets, and cram the foil packs together as closely as possible.

9.**Cook ‘Em and Freeze ‘Em:** Cook meats before the hurricane gets close and freeze them. As cooking requires fuel, have some full propane tanks or charcoal briquettes in your supplies for when the power goes out.

10.**Eat the Perishables Now:** Eat the perishables first, canned foods later. And, for Pete’s sake, don’t forget to buy a hand-operated can opener in case of a power failure.

11.**Keep It Closed:** Don’t leave the refrigerator door open while deciding what food to take out. Visualize where a particular item is and then open the door. Close it as quickly as possible.

**WATER**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570-300x241.jpg)12.**Water, Water everywhere:** Yeah, but flood waters are usually contaminated! Have a stockpile of 5-gallon bottles of water or a plentiful supply of smaller bottles.

13.**Fill the Tub:** Fill all bathtubs with water. You might think this is overkill, but every member of your family needs at least 1 gallon of water per day. It goes fast.

14.**Drink the Melted Ice:** As refrigerated ice in containers melts, don’t waste it. Use it as an additional source of drinking water.

15.**Hot Water Heaters Hold, Well, Water!**: Hot water heaters have gallons and gallons of drinkable water; don’t hesitate to raid them if you get low. First, turn off the electricity or gas. Attach a hose to the drain valve and release the vacuum in the tank by opening a hot water faucet. There might be some sediment at the bottom that should be drained out first.

16.**Disinfect Questionable Water:** Don’t expect debris-laden flood waters to be clean enough to drink. Have some household bleach available to make water safe to ingest. 12-16 drops per gallon should do the job. 16 drops of tincture of Iodine will also work. Allow 30 minutes before drinking to let the chemicals work their magic.

17.**Have a Water Filter:** handheld filters like the [Lifestraw](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) or [Sawyer Mini](https://store.doomandbloom.net/), or larger ones like the Berkey, can be useful to deal with cloudy water.

**SHELTER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/hurricane-key-west-naval-station-e1727285404975-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/hurricane-key-west-naval-station-e1727285404975.jpg)

18.**Put Up The Shutters:** If you have hurricane shutters, put them up at least 24 hours before hurricane landfall. It’s no fun to have to stand on a ladder in gale force winds and pouring rain to install them. Been there, done that.

19.**Move Furniture/Plants Inside**: Move the patio furniture and potted plants indoors. If you can’t for some reason, chain them together against an outer wall downwind from the direction of the storm.

20.P**rune Trees:** Prune all trees near your home so that wind can easily flow through the crowns. Otherwise, expect some to be downed by the storm. Branches, fruit (in South Florida, coconuts!), and other debris can act as missiles in high winds.

21.**Pick a “Safe Room”**: Choose a room in the interior of the home, preferably one without windows. It may be tempting to take a selfie out in the storm, but it might be your last one.

22.**Place candles in pans:** Candles can be knocked over by winds and cause fires. If you must use them, stick them in a pan with shiny sides that would be deep enough to cover the flame.

23.**Have Tarps at the Ready:** Large tarps can be used to cover windows and, after the storm, to cover any areas of the roof that might have been damaged. Don’t expect roofers to be waiting for your call, it took more than a year for all the tarps to disappear down here after Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

24\. **Sandbagging it:** [Sandbags](http://www.flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=53) may help protect your home from flooding less than two feet high. Fill sandbags one-half full with sand, if available, or soil. Fold the top of the sandbag down and rest the bag on the folded top. Tamp each sandbag into place.

**OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_19405930-211x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_19405930.jpg)

25.**The Kids:** Have [board games](http://survivalboardgame.com/), toys, and books to keep the children’s minds off scary winds. If you’re evacuating, let kids bring their favorite stuffed animals, blanket, or pillow to keep them calm.

26.**Your Other Kids:** Don’t forget to take into account the needs of your pets. Have food, water, and their favorite toy available, whether you leave or stay at home.

27.**Your Other, Other Kid**: Make sure your car is in good working order and filled with gas. Having some spare gas cans will be useful in case of a shortage at the pumps, and can be used to run generators (although never inside).

28**.Your documents:** Place important papers like birth certificates, passports, insurance documents, and others in waterproof containers. Scan them and send them in an email to yourself.

29.**Keep your radio on:** A [NOAA weather radio](https://www.amazon.com/Weather-iRonsnow-Emergency-Speaker-Flashlight/dp/B075FXKPNY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1536694369&sr=8-3&keywords=noaa+weather+radio&dpID=51zkUgeOiQL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=9737a7229c7d875115e97940cb736047&language=en_US), battery-powered or hand-cranked, will be an important source of information on the progress of the storm, and for community updates.

30\. **Stay in Touch:** Whether you stay or go, let the rest of the family know your plans and how to reach you. Know that voice calls may be difficult during or after a storm; cell companies count on no more than 20% call capacity. Texts, however, seem to go through more easily than voice calls even in high volume settings.

Being prepared for a hurricane can make sure that the storm will be just a bump in the road, and not the end of the road for you and your family. Have a plan of action, get some supplies, and you’ll keep it together, even when everything else falls apart!

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Monkeypox (Mpox) Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-monkeypox-mpox-update/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: MPox, Epidemic Sick Rooms, Suturing, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-mpox-epidemic-sick-rooms-migraines-suturing-more/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hurricanes, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Sanitation, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** hurricane helene, hurricane safety, hurricane strtegies, joe alton md, medical preparedness, storm surge, survival medicine

---

### [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Pt. 3: Tension Headaches](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-tension-headaches/)

**Published:** September 19, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Last time, we discussed migraine headaches and the various “auras” and other symptoms they cause. The most common type of headache you’ll see in good times or bad, however, is the plain ol’ **tension headache**. Eighty percent of the general population gets them from time to time.

Tension headaches feel like your head got caught in a vise. Also called stress headaches, they don’t incapacitate you like migraines can, but certainly affect your quality of life and, in survival settings, your all-important work efficiency.

**TYPES OF TENSION HEADACHES**

Generally speaking, two types of tension headaches are recognized: **episodic** and **chronic**. Both are conditions that last more than three months, but episodic tension headaches happen less than 15 days a month, while chronic headaches are more often. As a matter of fact, those with the chronic type often describe it as “just about always there.”

Both types can last 30 minutes to several days. It’s thought that the episodic types are shorter and start more slowly, most often in the middle of the day.

**CAUSES OF TENSION HEADACHES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_82159063-249x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_82159063.jpg)

Although the cause of tension headaches hasn’t been established definitively, they may be caused by spasms of the muscles of the neck and head, anxiety, abnormal posture, or any of a number of other issues. Many now believe that differences in how a person’s brain processes pain signals may also play a role.

In any case, stress caused by anxiety and/or depression usually appears to be the initiating factor. Other triggers related to survival scenarios include lack of rest, fatigue, hunger, and dehydration. In normal times, abuse of substances like alcohol, dental problems, eye strain, and even poor posture may plau a role. Of course, illnesses like respiratory infections can also be triggers.

**SYMPTOMS OF TENSION HEADACHES**

You can expect the patient to complain of are dull pressure pains in the back of the head, neck, and shoulders, often on both sides. The temples and frontal areas can also be involved, however. You may see irritability, fatigue, trouble with mental focus, and scalp tenderness. Symptoms are often worse later in the day.

**TREATMENT OF TENSION HEADACHES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-scaled.jpg)

Treating a tension headache involves relaxation techniques and pain meds in the NSAID family like **ibuprofen** (Advil). Some feel relief simply by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol). Excessive use of medications, however, may lead to “[rebound” headaches](https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/rebound-headaches), where the headache pain returns when off the drug.

A number of prescription medications like **naproxen** or even stronger drugs are also used in severe cases. If muscle spasm is suspected, prescription medications like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) may be of use. Cold packs to the affected area may help.

**Holistic relaxation techniques** include massage, regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Here are some [additional options](https://psychcentral.com/lib/relaxation-exercises-and-techniques#for-anxiety-relief).

**Biofeedback** training is another way to reduce stress that can cause a tension headache. This method uses devices that monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. It attempts to give you “feedback” to help control some of the factors that lead to headache. Counseling, also called cognitive therapy, may help by allowing you to voice your stress and explore ways to deal with it.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-212x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-scaled.jpg)

Some attest to the effectiveness of **acupuncture** as a therapy. Other use **herbal teas**: Herbs that have sedative and antispasmodic properties may help relieve the pain of tension headaches. Consider teas made from Valerian, skullcap, lemon balm, or passion flower. Herbal muscle relaxants may also help: Rosemary, chamomile, and mint teas are popular options.

For external use, some alternative healers recommend lavender or rosemary oil. Massage each temple with 1-2 drops as needed.

I’ll bet you have your own home remedy for tension headaches. If so, let me know what works for you. The next part of this series will address cluster, hypertensive, and other headache types.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: MPox, Epidemic Sick Rooms, Suturing, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-mpox-epidemic-sick-rooms-migraines-suturing-more/) 

 [MPOX, aka Monkeypox](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mpox-aka-monkeypox/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, anxiety and depression, depression and anxiety, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** chronic headaches, episodic headaches, joe alton md, medical preparedness, stress headache, survival medicine, tension headache, tension headache treatment

---

### [MPOX, aka Monkeypox](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mpox-aka-monkeypox/)

**Published:** September 6, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/monkeypox-public-domain-300x198.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/monkeypox-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

Keeping an eye out for possible future pandemic diseases is part of our mission as medical preparedness advocates. Sometimes, the concern is significant, as it was when we reported on what would eventually be called COVID ([“A New Pneumonia,” Jan. 7, 2020](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/)), and sometimes, not so much, as with avian flu ([“Bird Flu,” April 4, 2024](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bird-flu-the-next-viral-outbreak/)). This time, it’s a viral disease known as Mpox, short for Monkeypox. A “public health emergency of international concern” has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Monkeypox virus is an Orthopoxvirus and is related to **variola**, also known as **smallpox**. The various types are divided in two “clades,” which, in biology, means they all have a common ancestor. In biology, a clade is a group of organisms with a common ancestor. There are two known clades of Monkeypox.

Clade I is generally considered more transmissible and more severe than clade II. Clade II was responsible for the 2022 outbreak, totaling 100,000 cases (including a number in the U.S.), but only a 0.2% death rate. The death rate of clade I is thought to be somewhat higher, but the number is uncertain and doesn’t reach Ebola-level heights. A special concern is that the current clade I outbreak affects children under 15 years of age more than any other age group.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Child_with_Smallpox_Bangladesh-public-domain-197x300.jpg)smallpox](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Child_with_Smallpox_Bangladesh-public-domain.jpg)

In 2024, 25,000 clade I patients have been identified in Africa, although only a quarter have been definitively tested due to poor access to advanced medical care. Of these, 650 have died, almost all in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A handful have been documented in Sweden, Thailand, and Pakistan in travelers recently returned from Africa

(Aside: The World Health Organization has decided to change the name from [Monkeypox to Mpox](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpox) after allegations of “racism.” A more coherent reason would be that it’s not absolutely certain what animal mostly passes the disease. Although a monkey can have it, so can a number of African rodents.)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/shutterstock_202138222-Joe-totally-cute-monkey-300x200.jpg)A bum rap?](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/shutterstock_202138222-Joe-totally-cute-monkey-scaled.jpg)

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MPOX**

After an incubation period of as little as a day to as long as three weeks, symptoms of Mpox become obvious. Like many viral diseases, an infected person may be contagious for several days before showing physical signs of illness. Common signs include:

- A nodular itchy (sometimes painful) rash
- Fever and chills
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Lethargy
- Swollen lymph nodes

The tell-tale rash is rather distinctive, starting as flat splotches and turning into firm nodules, then turning into a blister filled with pus before eventually scabbing over. The lesions can appear on the hands, feet, chest, face or genitals. If it affects the eyes, permanent damage to vision may occur. Pneumonia and septicemia (infection of the blood) may occur and become life-threatening.

Symptoms usually last two to four weeks, but may last longer and be much more severe in children and those with weakened immune systems. Scarring may occur at the site of skin lesions, which may become infected with bacteria secondarily.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/progress-of-monkeypox-lesion-public-domain-300x300.jpg)Progress of complicated Monkeypox lesion ](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/progress-of-monkeypox-lesion-public-domain.jpg)

**HOW MPOX SPREADS**

It’s not absolutely certain how animals spread the disease to humans, but being scratched or bitten is likely. Consuming bush meat from infected animals is another possibility.

Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact. This includes body fluids or skin lesions, but even breathing close to one another may cause sickness, as could exposure to contaminated clothing or bedding.

Mpox may also be spread from mother to fetus.

Sexual contact is a known factor. The 2022 outbreak of clade II was thought to be spread, in great part, to sexual contact among men.

**TREATMENT OF MPOX**

No effective treatment has yet been approved for Mpox. Keeping the patient well-hydrated is important and seems to lower the severity of cases and death rates, as it did with the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

In addition, there are some antivirals and immunoglobulins that are being used in certain cases. For patients under six months of age, Vaccinia immune globulin intravenous (VIGIV) is an option, according to the CDC.

The first MPOX vaccines, related to smallpox vaccines, have just arrived in Africa. Two doses are required, the second four weeks after the first. An 80% effectiveness rate is claimed, although it takes several weeks for the full effect to be noted. It has been claimed to be of benefit even after exposure, however.

Tecovirimat is an antiviral therapy that is available for treatment of severe cases. It is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but may be an option to protect those with weakened immune systems.

**BOTTOM LINE**

No outbreaks of the current Mpox (clade I) have yet been reported in the United States, and it’s unlikely to be a significant medical issue for Americans. Mild cases of the 2022 version (clade II) still pop up, however. Working to mitigate its spread in Africa is still the best way to deal with the disease for the foreseeable future. Continued vigilance and rapid action is our best protection against the next pandemic.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Pt. 3: Tension Headaches](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-tension-headaches/) 

 [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Part 2: Migraines](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-part-2-migraines/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Viruses

**Tags:** epidemic disease, infectious disease, joe alton md, medical preparedness, monkeypox, mpox, pandemic disease, smallpox, survival medicine

---

### [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Part 2: Migraines](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-part-2-migraines/)

**Published:** August 28, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Minor issues like headaches can become major problems when they affect the work efficiency of a valued group member. The group medic should know how to identify and treat them; one of the most problematic are called “**migraines**.”

Migraines are a type of primary headache. Primary headaches are recurrent and not caused by underlying medical diseases; the headache is the problem in itself. Although not considered life-threatening, migraine can cause significant pain and would certainly affect quality of life and work efficiency in survival settings. It’s important to be able to identify them and have a plan of treatment.

Migraine headaches affect 10-15% of the world’s population. They’re much more common in women than men, starting in teenage or young adult years. They usually reach a peak in a person’s late thirties or early forties.

**WHAT CAUSES MIGRAINES?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_1565537548-headache-stroke-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_1565537548-headache-stroke-scaled.jpg)

The exact cause of migraines is a matter of some debate. Changes in brain chemicals, known as “**neurotransmitters**,” are believed to be a factor. They are thought by some to be related to spasms in the brain’s blood vessels. Others believe environmental triggers are to blame, such as:

- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Food additives like MSG or nitrates
- Emotional stress
- Bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells.
- Sleep Disturbances
- Physical exertion
- Certain drugs
- Changes in the weather or barometric pressure

In women, hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle, puberty, or menopause may play a role.

**MIGRAINE PHASES**

There are four phases to a migraine, although not everyone experiences all of them:

1\) The “**prodrome**”, which occurs hours or days before the headache

2\) The “**aura**”, which immediately precedes the headache

3\) The “**pain phase**” (the actual headache)

4\) The “**postdrome”,** the effects experienced following the end of a migraine attack

**THE PRODROME**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_51609265-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_51609265.jpg)

Prodromal symptoms occur in the majority of migraine sufferers. They represent essentially a “premonition” that there’s a migraine in your future. Prodromes can start anywhere from two hours to two days before the actual headache and include all sorts of symptoms, including:

- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Stiff neck
- GI irregularity
- Increased sensitivity to noise or smells
- Food cravings

**AURAS**

A prodrome may be followed by an “**aura**”. An aura is an unusual sensory effect that usually precedes a headache but is not uncommonly part of the headache itself. Symptoms can vary from person to person: They may report strange visual phenomena (the most common), unusual sensations, and other irregularities.

**THE ACTUAL HEADACHE**

The actual migraine headache (the “pain phase”) can last two to 72 hours and has certain signs and symptoms. Usually, they are:

- One-sided
- Throbbing in nature
- Pain-inducing when looking at light sources
- Causative of visual changes such as blurring, lights, and color phenomena
- Made worse by physical activity
- Nausea inducing, sometimes causing vomiting and other GI symptoms

There are, of course, variations to the above and different persons will experience different symptoms. For example, in a minority of cases, the pain is on both sides of the head or involves the neck. In others, dizziness and confusion are part of the symptom complex.

**THE POSTDROME**

After the headache has subsided, a lot of people report soreness in the area, a foggy feeling similar to a hangover, weakness, and other symptoms. These resolve over time.

**TREATMENT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-scaled.jpg)

Initial treatment for a mild migraine simply involves bedrest in a dark, quiet room, a cold pack to the area, and Ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. If that fails, a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, each of which has known beneficial effects, is worth a shot.

Some older medications like ergotamine, sometimes combined with caffeine ([Migergot](https://migergot.com/)) are still prescribed for migraines orally or in suppository form. Some of these meds can cause spasms of the coronary arteries, so if you have significant heart, liver, or kidney disease, they may not be for you.

Another family of drugs that work to relieve migraines are in the “triptan” family, the most popular being sumatriptan (Imitrex). These are effective against both pain and nausea in the majority of patients and are often given when simpler treatments fail. Taken in combination with Naproxen (Aleve), they are even stronger in their effectiveness.

In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new nasal spray as a rapid treatment for migraine pain in adults. The nasal spray zavegepant (sold as [Zavzpret](https://www.drugs.com/zavzpret.html)), may decrease pain and other migraine symptoms as soon as 15 minutes after one 10mg dose. It has the added advantage of minimal cardiac side-effects.

Other medications thought to have a preventive effect against migraines, including valproate, metoprolol, and topiramate.

Of course, you won’t have access to some of the options above in survival settings. Low-tech strategies for prevention:

- Take a multi-vitamin supplement, such as vitamin B complex
- Take a magnesium supplement of 200-300mg twice a day
- Eat or take fish oil 3-4 grams per day or other Omega-3 rich foods
- Stay well-hydrated
- Don’t skip meals if possible
- Avoid caffeine
- Limit salt intake
- Stay away from alcoholic drinks
- Increase potassium intake

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-300x186.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-scaled.jpg)

Herbal teas are also thought to be helpful for treatment and prevention. Consider infusions made from ginger, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, or turmeric. Dried feverfew leaves or gingko extract is another way to go. As with any alternative remedy, your experience may vary.

Another strategy involves the use of acupressure. Apply pressure to the opposite hand from where the migraine pain is. For pain on the right side, apply pressure with your right thumb on the fleshy space between the index finger and thumb on top of the left hand. Firmly massage in a clockwise fashion, then reverse, for 2 to 3 minutes.

In future parts of this series, we’ll discuss tension, cluster, and other headaches the medic may see in survival settings.

**Joe Alton**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [MPOX, aka Monkeypox](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mpox-aka-monkeypox/) 

 [Video: Wound Treatment And Infection Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-wound-treatment-and-infection-control/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** auras, headache pain, joe alton md, medical preparedness, migraine headaches, migraine treatment, migraines, natural treatment of migraines, postdromes, prodromes, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Wound Treatment And Infection Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-wound-treatment-and-infection-control/)

**Published:** August 23, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Wound-Care-how-to-change-bandage-gauze-clean-up-treatment-prevention-infection-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Wound-Care-how-to-change-bandage-gauze-clean-up-treatment-prevention-infection-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-scaled.jpg)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the importance of identifying and properly treating the infected wound in austere environments. Long-term survival medics will surely encounter them from time to time; let’s face it, when would a wound in a survival scenario NOT be dirty? If you don’t know what to do, a minor infection can easily become life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream. Here are some strategies to help your patient along to a full recovery:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Part 2: Migraines](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-part-2-migraines/) 

 [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Part 1: Headache Types](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-part-1-headache-types/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, Cellulitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** dakin's solution, joe alton md, medical preparedness, normal saline, survival medicine, wound care, wound infections, wound treatment

---

### [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Part 1: Headache Types](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-part-1-headache-types/)

**Published:** August 19, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In survival situations, the group medic must be able to deal with major injuries, such as bleeding wounds and broken bones. That doesn’t mean that all medical issues will be life-threatening, however; there will be many that affect the quality of life of people in the community, such as today’s topic: headaches.

If you’re being chased by bears, headaches may seem pretty minor, but they can affect work efficiency in settings where everyone has to be 110 percent. The medic has to have knowledge and some strategies to treat them.

Although the grand majority of headaches are benign (even if they don’t feel that way), some could be a sign of an imminent event, such as a stroke. You’ll need to know how to identify the different types and act accordingly.

You might be surprised to know that brain matter itself doesn’t have any pain receptors. There are several structures around the brain that do, however, such as muscles, blood vessels, and sinuses. When stimulated, nerves associated with these structures can transmit pain signals to the brain, resulting in headache pain.

### **CAUSES OF HEADACHE PAIN**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-scaled.jpg)

Headaches are common components of flu syndromes and many other illnesses. There are almost more causes for headaches than you can reasonably write down. They include:

- Dehydration
- Stress
- Sinus or ear infections
- Sleep deprivation
- Teeth Grinding
- Hormonal changes
- Caffeine or alcohol excess and withdrawal
- Exposure to environmental toxins
- Hunger
- Adverse reaction to medications

More serious concerns would include an imminent stroke, brain tumors, nervous system infections like meningitis, glaucoma, and much more.

### **DIAGNOSING HEADACHE PAIN**

Evaluating a headache involves determining what the symptoms are, the risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure), what makes it better or worse, and a physical exam. The part of an examination which evaluates the nervous system is called the “neurological exam”. Check reflexes, strength, sensation, movement, balance, coordination, vision, and hearing on both sides. It’s especially important to note any differences on one side versus the other. A typical neurological exam is explained in the 4th Edition of our book “The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.”

For a live demonstration, check out the video below:

If you find abnormalities on exam, like weakness on one side, you may have to entertain the possibility of, say, damage caused by a stroke or other acute or chronic medical issue. In that case, there may be little you can do off the grid.

This link goes to a video discussing strokes, also known as “cerebrovascular accidents” or CVAs.

> [Video: All About Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-strokes/)

### **TYPES OF HEADACHES**

Once you have determined that the neurological exam is normal, you will have to determine what type of headache with which you’re dealing. Two general categories of headache exist: primary and secondary. Primary headaches occur when the pain in your head isn’t caused by an underlying problem; it *is* the problem. If the headache is triggered by something your body is dealing with, like allergies or a chronic illness like hypertension, it’s considered a secondary headache.

### **PRIMARY HEADACHES**

Primary headaches can be episodic or chronic. An episodic headache frequently lasts from 30 minutes to several hours but don’t occur more than 15 days out of the month. Chronic headaches are more consistent; more than 15 days a month for at least three months. These are more difficult to treat, especially off the grid.

Common primary headache types include:

- Tension headaches
- Migraine headaches
- Sinus headaches
- Cluster headaches
- Facial headaches (known in Medical-ese as “trigeminal neuralgias”

In future parts of this series of articles, we’ll discuss each of the above in detail, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

### **SECONDARY HEADACHES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_82159063-249x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_82159063.jpg)

Secondary headaches originate from an injury or illness. They can be caused by:

- Trauma to the head and neck
- Tumors
- Seizure disorders
- Infections of the central nervous system, like meningitis
- Surgical complications
- Abnormalities in blood vessels (called “aneurysms”)
- Medical illnesses like uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)

Collections of blood in the brain (called “hematomas”) or blood clots in blood vessels (strokes) can occur as a result of many of the above.

### **WARNING SIGNS**

The grand majority of headaches are primary and not life-threatening. Symptoms that give a hint that a headache is something serious include:

- A new or different type of headache
- Sudden onset of severe pain
- Vision loss or abnormalities
- Altered mental status
- Loss of ability to move a part of the body
- Pain that wakes a patient suddenly from sleep
- Pain that worsens with movement of the head
- Neck stiffness
- Fever
- Headaches in the elderly

If these symptoms appear in normal times, an immediate trip to the emergency room is in order. The faster the patient is treated, the better the chance for long-term recovery. Off the grid, there are strategies that may or may not serve as interventions to improve the end result. We’ll cover these as well as how to deal with the more common primary headaches (tension, migraine, sinus, cluster, etc.) in future articles. The family medic in a long-term post-disaster scenario, however, must always be realistic in their expectations when events throw them back (medically) to the 19th century. You can only do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Wound Treatment And Infection Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-wound-treatment-and-infection-control/) 

 [Wound Infections Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-infections-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Head Injuries, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Medical Preparedness, neurological disorders, Strokes, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** chronic headaches, episodic headaches, headache pain, joe alton md, medical preparedness, primary headaches, secondary headaches, survival medicine

---

### [Sinusitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sinusitis/)

**Published:** August 2, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Lately, I’ve received reports of an uptick in people suffering from something called “sinusitis.” Sinusitis is Latin for “inflammation of the sinuses.” This is a relatively common issue that the medic be able to diagnose, treat, and prevent.

As I often write about survival scenarios, you probably wonder why I’m writing an article about sinus infections. Believing that mundane problems are no big deal can lead to ignoring symptoms that cause sickness and loss of productivity. The end result is decreased chance of survival in austere settings.

**WHAT ARE SINUSES?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/caves-public-domain-pix-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/caves-public-domain-pix-scaled.jpg)

The sinuses are almost like a tiny cave system in your head. They’re little air-filled cavities in the skull and facial bones that are located near the nose and connect to the nasal cavity (yes, that makes us all “airheads”). You have several pairs of sinuses named after the bones in which they reside. They include**:**

**MAXILLARY SINUSES:** The largest of all the sinuses, they’re located behind the cheekbones near the upper jaw.

**FRONTAL SINUSES:** Located in the forehead above each eye.

**ETHMOID SINUSES:** Located between the nose and the eyes.

**SPHENOID SINUSES:** Located in a butterfly-shaped bone behind the eyes.

**WHY DO WE HAVE SINUSES?**

Sinuses drain into the nose through tiny openings called “ostia.” Mucus from the sinus linings drain into the nasal passages and then down the back of the throat, where they’re swallowed. The draining mucus helps keep the nose moist and filters out dust and bacteria, but that’s not all the sinuses do. They also:

- Humidify inhaled air.
- Support the respiratory immune response.
- Improve voice quality and tone.
- Help protect the face from trauma.
- Insulate against rapid temperature changes in the nasal cavity.

**ACUTE SINUSITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/shutterstock_98093702-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/shutterstock_98093702.jpg)

Infections can spread from the nasal lining to the sinuses, causing swelling, inflammation, and thick mucus, a condition called “sinusitis.” There are two general types: acute and chronic.

The viral common cold is most often the cause of acute sinusitis. Yellow-greenish mucus build-up fails to drain well, causing:

- Difficulty breathing through the nose.
- Draining down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).
- Swelling, pain, and/or pressure in the face, especially the eyes, cheeks, nose, forehead, and ears.
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Decreased sense of smell.

A fever and cough may be seen in severe cases. Luckily, the normal course of acute sinusitis is short, about a week or so unless a secondary infection with bacteria develops. Treatment consists of treating symptoms with nasal decongestants, corticosteroid sprays like fluticasone (Flonase) or beclomethasone (Beconase), fever reducers, and mucus thinners like guaifenesin (Mucinex). Antibiotics are used in the worst cases where bacterial infection is suspected. Drugs of choice are usually amoxicillin 500 mg (Amoxil) three times a day or amoxicillin with clavulanate 500-875 mg (Augmentin) every twelve hours for a week or so. Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for a week or so is recommended for those allergic to penicillin-family drugs.

Saline nasal rinses, also called “**lavages**,” can help clear sinuses as well. These use devices called “neti pots” or other commercially available aids, which would be useful to have in your storage. Saline nasal sprays are also available, but not as thorough. It’s important to know that sterile water or saline must be used or you might introduce infection that can be serious. Off the grid, boil water with ¼ teaspoon of salt added.

Other options include warm compresses on the face for ten minutes several times a day, Steam inhalation therapy or hot showers, if available, are also helpful.

**CHRONIC SINUSITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_2136200891-300x180.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_2136200891-scaled.jpg)

Chronic sinusitis resembles acute sinusitis, except that the symptoms last at least three months in the chronic version. Fever may not be seen as often in chronic cases. Some people have a tendency to develop it, especially if they have:

- Dental infections
- A deviated nasal septum
- Nasal polyps
- Exposure to pollutants (smoke, etc.)
- Fungal infections

Untreated, chronic sinusitis may rarely progress to something more serious, including vision problems. It may even spread to the brain and spinal cord, leading to a life-threatening condition called “meningitis.” Early treatment with antibiotics and oral/injectable corticosteroids may help prevent progression.

Less well-known is the use of sterile [ xylitol nasal rinse](https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9422543/), which can possibly reduce symptoms, especially in chronic cases, and may have an antiviral effect.

**PREVENTION OF SINUSITIS**

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to avoid sinusitis is to stay away from people who are sick with colds and other infections. As a caretaker, this may not be possible, so wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

For those who develop allergy-related sinusitis, avoid triggers in possible. Pollutants like cigarette smoke can irritate nasal passages and sinuses. A humidifier may help if your home is in a dry area. Adding moisture to the air is helpful as long as the device is kept clear and free of mold.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

P.S. For a lot more information about antibiotics in survival settings, check out [**“Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide”!**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/altons-antibiotics-and-infectious-disease-the-laymans-guide-to-available-antibacterials-in-austere-settings/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Wound Infections Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-infections-off-the-grid/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Sinusitis, Wound infections, Listeria Food Poisoning, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-sinusitis-wound-infections-listeria-food-poisoning-more/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Asthma, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis, ethmoid sinus, frontal sinus, joe alton md, maxillary sinus, medical preparedness, sinus allergies, sinus infections, sinusitis, sphenoid sinus, survival medicine

---

### [Wound Infections Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-infections-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** August 9, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_304486712-small-infected-wound-with-slight-necrosis-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_304486712-small-infected-wound-with-slight-necrosis-scaled.jpg)

In survival scenarios, the family medic can expect to be called upon to treat various injuries and illnesses. They’ll be the highest medical asset left if access to modern medical care is no longer an option., Therefore, it’s important to be ready to provide care from beginning to end, even when the healing process goes awry and leads to **wound infections**.

Most wounds these days don’t become infected. Off the grid, however, it’s another story. What circumstances can you think of where a wound incurred in a primitive environment *wouldn’t* be dirty?

Skin is the body’s armor. When it’s breached, microbes can invade and cause inflammation in soft tissues (known as “[**cellulitis**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cellulitis-off-the-grid/)”) or accumulations of pus (known as “[**abscesses**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-drain-an-abscess/)”). These conditions are generally treatable today due to the availability of antibiotics. Without them, however, any bacterial invasion may become life-threatening, especially if it enters the circulation. The end result might affect the entire body (called “**sepsis**”) and may be fatal.

**HOW DO WOUND INFECTIONS OCCUR?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_295754804-messy-bleeding-control-hemorrhage-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_295754804-messy-bleeding-control-hemorrhage-scaled.jpg)

The bacteria that can cause wound infections are living on your skin right now. Normal skin inhabitants include Staphylococcus and Group A Streptococcus. They do no harm until the skin is broken; once that happens, they enter deeper spaces where they don’t belong. In recent years, a resistant bacterium called **MRSA** (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) has arisen which causes infections resistant to the usual antibiotics. More rarely, other species of bacteria can cause infection, including flesh-eating bacteria like Vibrio vulnificus.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF WOUND INFECTIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_161673146-300x261.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/shutterstock_161673146-scaled.jpg)

An emerging wound infection must be recognized as early as possible. You’ll commonly see local signs and symptoms like:

- Redness, usually spreading towards torso
- Swelling in the area of infection (often appearing shiny and causing a sensation of tightness)
- Heat in the area of the infection compared to non-affected areas
- Drainage of pus or cloudy fluid from the area of the infection
- Foul odor coming from the area of infection
- Discomfort in the area of infection

Once the infection enters the bloodstream, general body symptoms predominate, including:

- Fever and Chills
- Exhaustion (fatigue)
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Muscle aches (myalgia)
- Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over it (less common)
- Altered mental status

Left untreated, extreme cases lead to shock, organ failure, and, eventually, death.

**TREATMENT OF WOUND INFECTIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/irrigation1-300x202.jpg)irrigating the open wound](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/irrigation1.jpg)

First, I should mention that wound infections aren’t generally contagious, unless you have an open wound yourself and contaminate it with material from the patient’s wound.

Cellulitis commonly develops in an extremity, such as an arm or leg. This is where minor injuries occur, especially in those who, off the grid, will be forced to perform activities of daily survival to which they aren’t accustomed. Chopping wood for fuel is an example. When was the last time you swung an axe?

Simple actions can help. It’s helpful to keep the limb elevated above the level of the heart. Warm or cool compresses or soaks to the affected area help inflammatory fluid to drain, and the use of ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can decrease pain, discomfort, and fever.

**CLEANING OPEN WOUNDS**

[![a pan and water boiing on the top of a stove](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/boiling-water-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/boiling-water-e1500989987775.jpg)

A thorough cleaning to flush out debris, bacteria, blood, and other contaminants from the wound is important. A solution of “**normal saline**,” so-called for its resemblance to the salt content of blood, is helpful. You can buy it commercially or make it yourself by:

- Filling a pot with a lid with a liter of water.
- Add 2 teaspoons of salt.
- Boil for 15 minutes.
- Let cool with the lid on.

Use immediately on the wound or store in a sterile canning jar with a sterile lid. If sealed properly, it can last up to a month.

During WWI, a mixture known as [**Dakin’s solution**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dakins-solution-for-wound-care/) was used to treat and prevent infection in open wounds; it is still in use in certain situations today:

To make Dakin’s solution:

- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Measure out 32 ounces (4 cups) of tap water and pour into a clean pan.
- Boil water for 15 minutes with lid on the pan, remove from heat.
- Add ½ teaspoonful of baking soda to the boiled water.
- Measure one tablespoon plus two teaspoons (24ml) of plain bleach and add it to the water.
- Place the solution in a sterile jar. Close the sterile lid tightly.
- Cover the entire jar with aluminum foil to protect it from light

It’s said that Dakin’s solution can be stored for one month at room temperature (sealed and covered), but might best be prepared and used immediately as the need arises.

Packing the wound “wet-to-dry” with moist (not soaked) dressings up to the level of the skin and dry above should be performed *at least* daily.

To determine the progress of the infection, use a felt marker to demarcate the borders of the redness around the wound. If healing well, the redness will eventually recede. If worsening, it will spread.

**ANTIBIOTICS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-scaled.jpg)

In some cases, the body might resolve cellulitis on its own. When resolution of the infection isn’t forthcoming, however, treatment usually includes the use of antibiotics. These can be topical, oral, or intravenous. Topical therapy helps more to prevent infection than cure it.

As most cases of cellulitis are caused by bacteria, they should improve and disappear during a 7-14-day course of therapy with medications in the penicillin, erythromycin, or cephalosporin families. Amoxicillin and ampicillin are particularly popular. MRSA cellulitis can be treated with clindamycin and the sulfa drug combination of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMX-TMP). It’s important to complete the full course of therapy.

Adult dosing:

**Penicillin, amoxicillin, cephalexin, or ampicillin:** 250-500 mg orally four times a day for 7-14 days (Amoxicillin also comes in 875 mg).

**Clindamycin:** 150-300 mg orally three times a day for 7-10 days.

**SMX-TMP:** 800/160 mg twice a day orally for 7-10 days.

Those allergic to penicillins can still take clindamycin or SMX-TMP. It should be noted that not all sources will recommend the same dosage, frequency, and duration of therapy for a particular drug. In resistant infections like MRSA, combination therapy with SMX/TMP and Cephalexin 500 mg orally four times a day for 7-14 days may be necessary.

Prior to the advent of antibiotics, silver was used to prevent and treat wound infections. Silver ointments and creams are available commercially.

(Note: As with all medications, the longer the therapy and the higher the dose, the more likelihood that adverse reactions may occur. A much more comprehensive discussion of antibiotics can be found in “Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide,” and online at drugs.com or rxlist.com.)

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Headaches In Survival Scenarios, Part 1: Headache Types](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-in-survival-scenarios-part-1-headache-types/) 

 [Sinusitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sinusitis/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, bacterial disease, Cellulitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** abscesses, bacterial infection, cellulitis, dakin's solution, joe alton md, medical preparedness, MRSA, normal saline, off-grid medicine, survival medicine, treating wound infections, wound infection

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Sinusitis, Wound infections, Listeria Food Poisoning, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-sinusitis-wound-infections-listeria-food-poisoning-more/)

**Published:** July 28, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss wound infections, how to diagnose, treat, and prevent. Also, multiple warnings by the FDA regarding contamination of meats and vegetables with the bacteria listeria monocytogenes, a common cause of food poisoning.

Plus, Nurse Amy talks about sinusitis and various natural herbal remedies that can help speed recovery, and a question from a reader about beating the heat, both for you and your dog. All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Nurse Amy and Doctor Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones!

To listen in, click below:

### 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Sinusitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sinusitis/) 

 [Listeria Food Contamination](https://www.doomandbloom.net/listeria-food-contamination/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Alternative Medicine, bacterial disease, Cellulitis, Dehydration, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hyperthermia, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Natural Remedies, Respiratory infections, Sanitation, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton np, food poisoning, heat stroke in dogs, joe alton md, Listeria, listeria contamination, medical preparedness, pet hyperthermia, survival medicine, wound infections

---

### [Listeria Food Contamination](https://www.doomandbloom.net/listeria-food-contamination/)

**Published:** July 28, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock-female-abdominal-pain-outdoors-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock-female-abdominal-pain-outdoors.jpg)2176809877Bacterial food contamination is a major issue that sickens people and can even become life-threatening. Lately, several outbreaks involving different foods in multiple states involve a bacterium known as *Listeria monocytogenes*. Which items are contaminated and what are the signs and symptoms of Listeria food poisoning?

First, a little about listeria. listeria is a genus of bacteria that acts as a parasite in mammals. More than two dozen species of the organism have been identified. It’s particularly common in food contamination cases due partly to its ability to tolerate refrigeration.

(NOTE Ironically, listeria is named in honor of Joseph Lister, the British pioneer of *sterile* (that is, not having any bacteria at all) surgery. He might have preferred not to have disease-causing microbes taking his name!)

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LISTERIA POISONING**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-scaled.jpg)

It’s important to recognize food poisoning as early as possible. If you ingest food contaminated by listeria, you might experience:

- Fever and chills
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea

Symptoms often begin a few days after you’ve eaten the questionable food items, but some cases are delayed as much as a month before the first symptoms appear.

In severe cases, infection with listeria may involve the nervous system, You might see the patient suffer from:

- Headaches
- A stiff neck
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Altered mental status

Listeria is one of those organisms that can affect a pregnancy in a devastating manner. While the mother experiences only mild symptoms in most cases, the fetus can be stillborn or develop a life-threatening condition soon after being born alive. The elderly, diabetics, and those with weakened immune systems are also susceptible to severe consequences if infected.

**WHAT FOODS ARE CONTAMINATED?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boar-public-domain-pictures-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/boar-public-domain-pictures-scaled.jpg)

A long list of products identified or suspected to be contaminated by listeria are included in recent warnings from the government. The FDA recently announced that guacamole and salsa products sold at Kroger grocery stores have been recalled, but that’s not all: A joint announcement from an Ohio produce company and the FDA relates a recall of bagged and bulk vegetables across at least 18 states. Cucumbers, peppers, green beans, squash, and other items packed in the last few weeks and sold at Walmart and Aldi stores are included.

In addition, popular deli meats brand Boar’s Head has recalled more than 200,000 pounds of products due to possible listeria contamination. In this case, three dozen people have been sickened and two had died. States affected include:

- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- West Virginia

An investigation by the CDC is ongoing. All products identified were discovered through sampling conducted by state departments or the companies themselves.

Wiers Farm is also recalling bulk vegetables distributed to Walmart, Save-a-Lot, Kroger, Shop ‘n Save and other stories in the states listed above, as well as Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Tennessee.

General information about various recalls and market withdrawals can be found at 

**TREATMENT OF LISTERIA**

Supporting the patient with good hydration is important in treating listeria infections. Fever can be treated with acetaminophen, diarrhea with loperamide, and nausea and vomiting with ondansetran. Many mild cases will resolve on their own over time without major intervention., but more severe cases should be treated early with [ampicillin or sulfa drugs.](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17721-listeriosis)

Be aware that all these OTC and prescription meds may have side effects, so use only if necessary.

**PREVENTING LISTERIA INFECTIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

Given the number of foods and states involved in the listeria outbreaks, it’s important to have a strategy to prevent sickness. To avoid a listeria infection::

- Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before and after handling or preparing food.
- Clean raw vegetables with a scrub brush under running water.
- Cook food thoroughly. A food thermometer can help make sure meat, poultry, and egg dishes are safe to eat.
- Serve leftovers only if piping hot.
- After cooking, use hot, soapy water to wash cooking utensils, cutting boards, and kitchen counters.

Other recommendations, especially for pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, include avoiding soft cheeses like feta, brie, camembert, and blue cheese. Also, these folks might consider skipping meats from delicatessen counters.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Sinusitis, Wound infections, Listeria Food Poisoning, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-sinusitis-wound-infections-listeria-food-poisoning-more/) 

 [Situational Depression In Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/situational-depression-in-survival-settings/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, bacterial disease, Dehydration, Diarrhea, Food, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** food contamination, food poisoning, joe alton md, Listeria, listeria infection, listeria monocytogenes, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Situational Depression In Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/situational-depression-in-survival-settings/)

**Published:** July 18, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In survival, you may find yourself as the highest medical asset left to your people. While many believe you’ll be dealing daily with injuries as a result of hostile encounters, it’s much more likely you’ll be confronted with mental issues like anxiety and depression. In this article, we’ll talk about a specific condition called “situational depression.”

Situational depression is a term that describes a psychological response to a life-altering event such as divorce, a loved one’s death, loss of employment, medical illness, physical trauma, experience in military combat, sudden financial downturn, and much more.

**SYMPTOMS OF SITUATIONAL DEPRESSION**

Situational depression affects a person’s self-esteem and the way they approach others. Symptoms include:1

- Extreme sadness
- A sense of hopelessness
- Apathy
- Insomnia
- A sense of being overwhelmed
- Loss of appetite
- Constant worry and anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Failure to engage with others

**SITUATIONAL VS CLINICAL DEPRESSION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_688561-SLEEP-DEPRIVATION-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_688561-SLEEP-DEPRIVATION.jpg)

The difference between situational and classic clinical depression is that situational depression is a direct response in a previously normally-functioning person to a particular event. It’s temporary and subsides with time. Clinical depression has no obvious cause and may be related to problems with brain chemistry. It may be a long-term issue.

It’s been written that situational depression starts soon after a stressful event and has an endpoint no longer than six months after the stress or its consequences have ended. Although this may be a common scenario, I personally believe that situational depression can morph into clinical depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome, becoming a factor in much longer-lasting handicaps to mental health.

**SITUATIONAL DEPRESSION SUBTYPES**

Situational depression can present differently in different individuals, who might exhibit primarily:

**Depressive aspects:** This person has the classic appearance of depression, with low energy, a sense of hopelessness, and loss of pleasure in things previously enjoyed. You may see frequent episodes of crying.

**Anxious behavior:** Expect to see a worried, nervous, jittery sufferer. They may unable to function due a sense of being overwhelmed by activities of daily survival.

**Mixed moods:** Aspects of both anxiousness and depression are visible.

**Behavior disorders:** This individual is combative and may vandalize property. In children, skipping school or acting out in front of authority figures is common.

**Mixed mood and behavior disorders:** This person exhibits aspects of all of the above.

**MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS OF SITUATIONAL DEPRESSION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_59573617-exam-nurse-writing-in-file-history-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_59573617-exam-nurse-writing-in-file-history.jpg)

In normal times, a person with situational depression can identify a stressful event or condition that impacts their ability to function. In an event that takes society to the brink, it may be obvious, but a discussion about the patient’s personal history is important. Ask about medical, family, social (alcohol, drugs, etc), and other parts of the person’s history to gain more insight.

In survival scenarios, it’s detrimental to the success of a group to have non-functioning members. The medic must intervene to help the situationally depressed to recover and be a contributing part of the group. Your counseling skills may be as important as your medical expertise.

**TREATING SITUATIONAL DEPRESSION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock_72476377-lonely-forest-trail-road-fog-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/shutterstock_72476377-lonely-forest-trail-road-fog-scaled.jpg)

Of course, the off-grid medic won’t have access to anti-depressant drugs. Some natural substances may help. Vitamin supplements like B12, Folic Acid, Tryptophan, and Omega-3 antioxidants may be effective. St. John’s Wort has been used with some success, and has even been called “herbal Prozac.” It shouldn’t be used, however, on pregnant women or children.

There are non-pharmaceutical interventions that may help:

- Assuring adequate nutrition
- Reducing substance abuse (nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, drugs). This might have to be done over time.
- Encouraging exercise and constructive activities.
- Promoting rest breaks.
- Offering opportunities to get clean and feel “normal.”
- Encouraging good sleep habits.
- Instituting relaxation techniques (meditation, massage, deep breathing).
- Accentuating the positive aspects of every situation (if there are any). Celebrate little victories, such as a group member’s first successful attempt at making fire.
- Making sure your people cultivate supportive relationships with each other.

People who are depressed often feel very alone. You must work to foster a sense of community; these bonds will provide strength to your emotionally weakened members. This may seem a little too “touchy-feely,” but remember: The medic’s duties encompass more than just wound care. Be there for your peoples’ mental health as well as their physical. They’re more interconnected that you’ll ever know.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Listeria Food Contamination](https://www.doomandbloom.net/listeria-food-contamination/) 

 [Video: West Nest Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-west-nest-virus/)

**Categories:** depression and anxiety, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Nuclear Events, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror events, Tornadoes

**Tags:** clinical depression, depression in survival settings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, situational depression, survival medicine

---

### [Video: West Nest Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-west-nest-virus/)

**Published:** July 18, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/WEST-NILE-VIRUS-signs-symptoms-cause-treatment-prevention-mosquito-bites-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/WEST-NILE-VIRUS-signs-symptoms-cause-treatment-prevention-mosquito-bites-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD.png)

It’s a hot, wet summer in many places throughout the U.S., and the mosquitoes are out in force. Mosquitoes can transmit many diseases; in the United States, West Nile Virus is the most common one, and it can seriously damage your nervous system (West Nile Encephalitis). In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses what you need to know about this possibly life-threatening illness and how to prevent getting infected.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Situational Depression In Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/situational-depression-in-survival-settings/) 

 [Video: Dengue Fever](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dengue-fever/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Mosquito-borne Illness, neurological disorders, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, mosquito control, mosquito-borne diseases, mosquitoes, survival medicine, west nile encephalitis, west nile virus

---

### [The Formula For Penicillin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-formula-for-penicillin/)

**Published:** August 9, 2016
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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As you might know, I write mostly about how to deal with medical issues in situations where modern medical facilities and care don’t exist. Accumulating medications for disaster settings may be simple when it comes to finding aspirin and other non-prescription drugs, but prescription drugs will be hard to get for those who can’t write their own prescriptions or don’t have a relationship with an understanding physician. **Antibiotics** are a case in point.

I consider this a major issue because there will be a much larger incidence of infections when people have to fend for themselves. In a long-term survival setting, they will perform activities to which they are not accustomed and injuries are likely. Simple cuts and scratches from, say, chopping wood can begin to show infection, in the form of redness, heat, and swelling, within a relatively short time.

The **History Channel**, some years ago, aired a special called “**[After Armageddon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtP80Z08lfg)**”, where a family gets out of Dodge after a collapse-level catastrophe and eventually makes their way to a village of survivors. Integrating into the community, the father (a paramedic) takes to gardening and other survival-type activities. He suffers a cut which quickly becomes infected. Unfortunately, no antibiotics are available and he slowly succumbs to the infection despite knowing exactly what’s happening to him.

Treatment of infections at an early stage improves the chance that they will heal quickly and completely. However, many rugged individualists would most likely ignore the problem until it gets worse. This is unwise, as an infection can become life threatening if not treated. Having antibiotics readily available would allow them to deal with the issue until medical help (if available at all) arrives.

**ANTIBIOTIC OPTIONS IN SURVIVAL SETTINGS**

Years ago, I wrote the first physician article about [aquarium](https://www.doomandbloom.net/3082/)[ and avian antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/3082/) as a way to stockpile medications for the uncertain future. Since the only ingredient in certain of these medications is the antibiotic itself, it’s a reasonable alternative. There are some veterinary antibiotics, like Fish-Mox, that are only produced in human dosages and appear identical to human pharmaceuticals, down to the identification numbers on the capsules. For more information, see [my series of articles on the subject.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antibiotics-and-their-use-in-collapse-medicinetm-part-1/)

This is not to say you should treat yourself in normal times. When modern medical care is available, seek it out. The practice of medicine without a license is illegal and punishable by law.

Once in a while, I get someone who wants to know how to make penicillin (isn’t it just bread mold?). It’s true that penicillin is a by-product of a fungus known as penicillium, which, indeed, grows on bread and fruit. It was originally discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1929. In 1942, a moldy cantaloupe in Peoria, Illinois was found to have a strong version of it. Most of the world’s supply of penicillin in the 1940s came from cultures of the fungus on that cantaloupe.

There *is* a formula for making penicillin at home. It’s next to impossible, honestly, to get all the chemicals needed to produce it safely. Besides the legal issues, home laboratories are dicey at best (just ask a local Meth dealer). To illustrate a point, however, here it is:

**THE FORMULA FOR PENICILLIN**

Penicillin is a by-product of the Penicillium fungus, but the thing is, it’s a by-product of a Penicillium fungus that’s under stress. So you have to grow the fungus, and then expose it to stresses that will make it produce Penicillin.

First you need to produce a “culture” of the penicillium fungus. – A **microbiological culture** is a method of multiplying microscopic organisms by letting them reproduce in a certain environment under controlled conditions.

One of the most important things to know is that it is easy for other microbes to contaminate your penicillium culture, so use sterile techniques at all times or you will likely wind up with something entirely different (and, possibly, harmful).

![NIH penicillin process](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/NIH-penicillin-process-300x213.jpg)general penicillin production process (from NIH)**STEP 1**

Expose a slice of bread or citrus peel or a cantaloupe rind to the air in a dark place at 70 deg. F until a bluish-green mold develops.

Cut two fresh slices of whole wheat bread into ½ inch cubes and place in a 750ml Erlenmeyer flask with a non-absorbent plug. One thing you might not know is that a lot of bakeries put a substance called a mold inhibitor on bread. This suppresses fungal growth so you should probably use bread that you baked yourself.

Sterilize the flask and contents in a pressure cooker for at least 15 minutes at 15 psi. An alternate method is to place in an oven at 315 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour.

In a sterile fashion, transfer the fungus from the bread or fruit peel into the flask containing the bread cubes. Allow the cubes to sit in the dark at 70 degrees for 5 days. This is called incubation. That’s the easy part.

**STEP 2**

This is where it gets complicated. Prepare one liter of the following solution:

Lactose Monohydrate 44.0 gm

Corn Starch 25.0 gm

Sodium Nitrate 3.0 gm

Magnesium Sulfate 0.25 gm

Potassium MonoPhosphate 0.50 gm

Glucose Monohydrate 2.75 gm

Zinc Sulfate 0.044 gm

Manganese Sulfate 0.044 gm

You’ll obviously need a scale that measures very small amounts. These are called gram scales and you can find them online. The above ingredients can be found at chemical supply houses, but you’ll have to buy a significant amount.

Dissolve the ingredients in the order listed in 500ml of cold tap water and then add more cold water to complete a liter (1000 ml).

Adjust the pH to 5.0-5.5 using HCL (hydrochloric acid). You’ll need a pH test kit like those found at pet shops and garden supply stores. Fill glass containers with a quantity of this solution. Only use enough so that when the container is placed on its side the liquid will not touch the plug.

Sterilize the containers and solution in a pressure cooker or stove just like you did before. When it cools, scrape up about a tablespoon of the fungus from the bread cubes and throw it into the solution.

Allow the containers to incubate on their sides at 70 degrees for seven days. It’s important that they are not moved around. If you did it correctly, you’ll have Penicillin in the liquid portion of the media. Filter the mixture through a coffee filter or something similar, plug the bottles, and refrigerate immediately.

**STEP 3**

To extract the penicillin from the solution:

Adjust the cold solution to pH 2.2 using (.01 %) HCL. Mix it with cold ethyl acetate in a “separatory funnel” (that’s a funnel with a stopcock; you can find all these items at chemistry glass suppliers) and shake well for 30 seconds or so.

Drain the ethyl acetate (which should be on the bottom) into a beaker which has been placed in an ice bath and repeat the process. Add 1% potassium acetate and mix. You want the ethyl acetate to evaporate off. This can be induced by a constant flow of air over the top of the beaker, say from a fan. When it dries, the remaining crystals are a mixture of potassium penicillin and potassium acetate.

There you have it, you have put together a laboratory and made Penicillin! You are now officially a mad scientist.

**REALITY**

It’s clear that making penicillin at home is beyond the ability of non-chemists. However, it does make a point. If there’s a major long-term disaster, there isn’t a way that anyone will be able to produce reliably safe and effective antibiotics at home. You might read about producing penicillin teas, but the issue is that you might have contamination by other molds that could be hazardous to your health.

If you are concerned about a collapse-level event, it may be wise to consider stockpiling some veterinary equivalents. At present, no prescription is necessary nor is there a limit to quantities purchased. This may eventually change as the CDC has declared that an increased “stewardship” of animal antibiotics will be necessary to combat the issue of [antibiotic resistance](https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/). Now, it’s more difficult to obtain supplies.

You can find lists of useful antibiotics, their veterinary equivalents, and much more in [“**The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way**”](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZKOB9H87L1TR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SXkiF3iGkYU7H9B_nz-THGxmX2sb4jzAYW3N_dKTPPlnRdH8VpGn2z6jwG0ZyE0iBc9EWwbfmWHSo0_QAdVZyWpqPgwj7UcSqlj18bDyImvTBhL91vGcWMV52oYCtKUNzVA5wBqTCUMnGkCVBr2yi787UjY_fGh8-ZYJ9InAnVRwNCi3GRiKttK0fNWRE9ZatCZClqDK2wReD47v8ykcFbbNUCgLn9gbeHdoIy8koC4.wsTs4O7D0TZOOw6-37VECmxUMlPAw53sQEKmWJYh_oQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1720622792&sprefix=survival+medicine+handbook%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1), now in its 700 page Third Edition. The book is available in black and white on Amazon or in color at DoomandBloom.net.

If you don’t want to buy fish medicine, at least grow plants that might have some antibacterial action. Garlic, for example, has scientifically proven antibacterial properties, as do some other herbs. Honey, in its raw and unprocessed state, is also consider to be antibacterial. More on various herbal options in a future article.

Joe Alton, MD

![JoeAltonLibrary4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-274x300.jpg)Dr. AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [New Bad Outcomes For Zika Newborns?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-bad-outcomes-for-zika-newborns/) 

 [Video: Latest Zika News](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-latest-zika-news/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** antibiotic alternatives, avian antibiotics, fish antibiotics, formula for penicillin, how to make penicillin, joe alton md, medical preparedness, penicillin, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Dengue Fever](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dengue-fever/)

**Published:** July 8, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DENGUE-FEVER-signs-symptoms-cause-treatment-prevention-mosquito-bites-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-1-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DENGUE-FEVER-signs-symptoms-cause-treatment-prevention-mosquito-bites-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-1.png)

In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton tells you about an emerging viral illness transmitted to humans by mosquitoes: Dengue Fever. To date this year, there are three time the number of cases (2300) than there were last year at this time. Learn how to recognize it and how to prevent it.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: West Nest Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-west-nest-virus/) 

 [West Nile Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/west-nile-virus/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Dengue virus, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Mosquito-borne Illness, Stings and Bites, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** dengue fever, dengue virus, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mosquito-borne illness, survival medicine, tropical disease

---

### [Fate of the Forgotten Founding Fathers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fate-of-the-forgotten-founding-fathers/)

**Published:** July 4, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[**FATES OF THE FORGOTTEN FOUNDING FATHERS**![nelson](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/nelson-232x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/nelson.jpg)

It’s **Independence Day** in the U.S., and famous names like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams come to mind. It’s difficult to imagine that any of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence might not have been celebrated in their time. Influential and affluent, these men were so well thought of that they were given the power to declare freedom from the greatest empire of its time.

Don’t think for a second that these 56 men didn’t understand the risks involved of leaving the British fold. Hostile soldiers were occupying their towns, even their homes. The new country needed money and many of the signers loaned millions of dollars to the cause of freedom. Their personal wealth, their reputations, and their very lives were put on the line. They had committed high treason and they were in danger.

“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” is the last sentence Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration. Sadly, for some of the signers, these were forfeited as a result of their brave act. 9 of them paid for their lives; almost 1 in 3 lost their fortunes and their homes. Yet none of the 56 ever recanted their decision to sign the Declaration or apologized for it, even under duress.

## The Forgotten Founding Fathers

Here are the fates of some of the (mostly forgotten) *Founding Fathers*:

**William Ellery, Rhode Island**: A vocal opponent of slavery, his entire estate was burned to the ground.

**William Floyd, New York**: Escaping the British invasion of New York, they left behind their home and his entire income; it was burned to the ground. 7 years later, the family was destitute.

**Lewis Morris, New York**: Morris put his entire fortune at the service of the Continental Army. Loyalists confiscated his property and forced him into exile, not seeing his own family for many years.

**Phillip Livingston, New York:** One of the richest Americans in 1776, Livingston lost every penny he had as a result of signing the Declaration. His family was driven from their house by the British and his estate plundered. Livingston died penniless just two years later, while still serving in the Continental Congress.

**John Hart, New Jersey:** Hart’s wife was dying as he signed the Declaration. His efforts to reach her were thwarted by the British. His 13 children never saw their father again: they were all forced to flee for their lives as well. He died in 1779.

**Richard Stockton, New Jersey:** Judge Stockton was arrested by the British in 1776 and imprisoned in a military stockade. He was released, an invalid, 5 years later and died a pauper in Princeton.

**John Witherspoon, New Jersey:** He served as President of the College of New Jersey (better known today as Princeton University). The British responded to his signing the Declaration by burning the College library to the ground and pillaged the rest of the campus.

**Robert Morris, Pennsylvania**: Morris earned a fortune as a banker and commercial magnate – and gave it all away to finance the army/navy. The ships that brought provisions from Europe to the colonies were entirely paid for and provisioned by Morris. He also loaned an enormous sum to the Continental Congress when it was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1776. He never got his money back. He died impoverished in 1806.

**John Morton, Pennsylvania:** Despite living in a Loyalist-dominated part of the colony, and personally preferring reconciliation with Great Britain, Morton signed the Declaration. His neighbors turned on him and he never returned home. Just before his death in 1777, he submitted to Congress what became known as the “Articles of Confederation”.

**Thomas Nelson, Virginia**: As American guns shelled the British defenses, an anguished Nelson (now a General in the Continental Army) saw that they were sparing his house, which was General Cornwallis’ headquarters. As the story goes, Nelson personally turned a cannon towards his home and blew it up, to show that he was no less willing to sacrifice than his fellow Virginians. He loaned over $2 million to the Continental Congress, none of which was repaid, and died in poverty.

**The entire South Carolina delegation:** All four Palmetto State signatories paid dearly for joining the cause for Independence. Edward Rutledge, Arthur Middleton and Thomas Heyward, Jr. were all imprisoned by the British when Charleston was taken in 1780. They were beaten and humiliated in prison, then released to find their plantations had been burned and pillaged. They were more fortunate than co-signatory Thomas Lynch – he disappeared at sea while seeking medical help in the West Indies, together with his young wife, at some point in 1779.

**Lyman Hall, Georgia:** a physician, Dr. Hall helped to supply food and provisions for the Continental Army throughout the war. Despite living the furthest away from Philadelphia of all the signers, he returned to Georgia just once between 1775 and 1780 (when his friend and co-signer Button Gwinnett was killed in a duel). The British burned his property when they seized Savannah in 1780.

**Francis Lewis, New York:** His wife was captured by the British in 1776 and later died as a result of her captivity. Lewis himself lived out his years in relative poverty, having sacrificed his entire fortune to the cause.

**Phillip Livingston, New York:** He and his family fled their home to escape the British army and never returned.

**George Clymer, Pennsylvania:** His family fled to escape the British soldiers who ransacked their house.

**Abraham Clark, New Jersey:** Two of Clark’s sons were officers in the army. They were captured by the British and confined to the prison ship Jersey, where thousands of American captives died. One was held in solitary confinement and given no food. Reportedly, Clark still refused to change his position and support the crown when the British offered to spare his sons’ lives if he did so.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Dr.-Joseph-Warren-168x300.jpg)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention **Dr. Joseph Warren (pictured above)**, one of the most important founding fathers in U.S. history. An early advocate of independence in Boston, Dr. Warren, a physician, would certainly have signed the Declaration of Independence except for one thing: he was killed by the British the year before when he fought with the colonial militia in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was offered the rank of general, but only accepted the rank of private. It was only the lack of ammunition that prevented Dr. Warren from taking his proper place with men like George Washington.

Dr. Warren and the above signers of the declarations won’t be found on any coins and paper currency. Their faces won’t be on your stamps and it’s unlikely that there will be many colleges or parks named after them. Yet, they freely risked all at a time when their country needed them most, at its beginning. The next time you are asked to risk something for your beliefs, think of the forgotten men who bravely assisted at a difficult birth: The birth of the United States.

Happy Independence Day!

Joe Alton, MD

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Would you know what to do if the grid is down and someone is sick or injured? Get the plain English 700 page 3rd Edition of the Amazon Bestseller [“The Survival Medicine Handbook](http://amzn.to/2sC7Jvm) and you’ll have a head start on staying healthy in hard times! It’s the essential guide for when medical help is not on the way!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The Survival Medicine Handbook(tm): Our Thanks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbooktm-our-thanks/) 

 [The Survival Medicine Handbook Second Edition Is Out!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-second-edition-is-out/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness

**Tags:** Declaration of Independence, Founding Fathers, Independence Day, The Forgotten Founding Fathers

---

### [West Nile Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/west-nile-virus/)

**Published:** July 3, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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It promises to be a hot summer and, combined with wet weather, an ideal environment for mosquitoes. Bites from mosquitoes can transmit a number of serious diseases, one of which is the **[West Nile virus](https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/symptoms-diagnosis-treatment/index.html).** West Nile is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States.

West Nile is in the[ **flavivirus** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavivirus)family and cases have been reported this year in states are far apart as South Dakota, Connecticut, Texas, and Colorado. It can infect a wide variety of hosts, including at least 30 species of mammals and birds, including horses, dogs, and cats.

(Note: Everyone thinks West Nile is named after the Nile river in Egypt, but it’s actually named after the West Nile district of Uganda, where the virus was discovered in 1937.)

### **Symptoms of West Nile**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/culex-mosquito-300x169.webp)Culex species mosquito (CDC)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/culex-mosquito-scaled.webp)

Luckily, most people who become infected with West Nile virus don’t experience any symptoms at all. If you’re in the unlucky one-in-five minority, symptoms normally appear 2–14 days after being bitten by an infected (usually,[ *Culex* species](https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/life-cycle-of-culex-mosquitoes.html)) mosquito or, rarely, receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from an infected person. You can expect to see:

- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache

Some victims will experience skin rashes on the torso, eye discomfort, and swollen lymph nodes as well. Mild cases recover in a few days to a few weeks and receive lifelong immunity thereafter.

### **Severe West Nile Symptoms**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_1565537548-headache-stroke-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_1565537548-headache-stroke-scaled.jpg)

About 1 out of 150 very unlucky patients will develop a sometimes-life-threatening sickness, mostly after the nervous system. Folks over 60 years of age are at highest risk, as well as those with a history of chronic illness of impaired immune systems.

Severe symptoms include:

- Headache
- High fever
- Tremors
- Neck stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Paralysis and coma

When it affects the nervous system, West Nile can cause something called “encephalitis.” There are various types of encephalitis, including Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, and others. All take a while to improve and can cause significant damage, sometime permanent. A 10 percent death rate is seen in the worst cases.

### **Treating West Nile Virus**

There is no specific treatment for West Nile other than treating symptoms as they occur, such as fever. The worst cases require hospitalization and, often, intensive care. A vaccine has not yet been developed. Fortunately, most will recover, although some continue to have long-term problems with weakness and fatigue.

The good news is that human and some animals, like horses, are “end hosts,” meaning that they may become infected, but won’t spread it to others of their own species. Animal to human transmission, however, can occur. If you’re caring for a sick horse, for example, use gloves and disinfected equipment used.

### **Preventing West Nile Virus**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Zika-Miami-Mosquito-Larvae-Garbage-Can-Water-300x168.jpg)mosquito larvae in empty flowerpot](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Zika-Miami-Mosquito-Larvae-Garbage-Can-Water.jpg)

The best way to prevent West Nile virus transmission is to [reduce the local mosquito population](https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/index.html). If you live in an at-risk area, you can protect yourself by:

- Using DEET or other mosquito repellent (even indoors in areas without AC. Picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are EPA approved.
- When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks or mesh outfits. Mesh outfits are commercially available and inexpensive.
- Clothing can be treated with 0.5% permethrin, an effective repellent. It can’t, however, be used on skin.
- Keep windows and doors shut if you have air conditioning. Use window and door screens if you don’t, and mosquito netting on beds and cribs.
- Eliminate standing water wherever possible. Get rid of tin cans, flowerpots, old tires, bird baths, and anything that can hold standing water. Even your pet’s water dish can support mosquito larvae. Clear clogged gutters.
- Avoid activities at dusk, dawn, or early evening when most mosquito species are especially active.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Dengue Fever](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dengue-fever/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Riot Survival, Shark Attack, Suture Materials, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-riot-survival-shark-attack-suture-materials-more/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Medical Preparedness, Mosquito-borne Illness, neurological disorders, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** culex mosquito, encephalitis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mosquito control, survival medicine, west nile virus

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Riot Survival, Shark Attack, Suture Materials, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-riot-survival-shark-attack-suture-materials-more/)

**Published:** July 2, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss a wide variety of topics, including how to implement the best strategies to stay safe during a civil unrest unrest. With the last several months seeing protests throughout college campuses and a presidential election coming up, you should know what to do.

Also, it’s summer and there have been several shark attacks in Florida and elsewhere already. What do you to avoid an encounter, besides just staying out of the water? You still have a higher chance of getting hit by lightning, but it’s interesting to talk about.

Suture materials are part and parcel of the medical supplies of the serious survival medic, but few have a working knowledge of the different types and what to use for what injury. Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Midwife Amy both have a lot of experience suturing, and tell you what you need to know.

Plus, a question from a listener prompts a talk about the time-honored wound care aid called “Dakin’s Solution.”

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### ****

Wishing you the best of health in good times and bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [West Nile Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/west-nile-virus/) 

 [Dengue Fever On The Rise](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dengue-fever-on-the-rise/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, Civil Unrest, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, dakin's solution, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat waves, joe alton md, medical preparedness, shark attack, survival at sea, survival medicine

---

### [Dengue Fever On The Rise](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dengue-fever-on-the-rise/)

**Published:** June 27, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_83498191-mosquito-bite-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_83498191-mosquito-bite.jpg)

Tropical diseases are on the rise in the United States and worldwide, including the mosquito-borne “**dengue fever**.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised healthcare providers nationwide to be on the lookout for symptomatic cases. Although many Americans have a history of having recently traveled abroad, dengue is now thought to also be spreading locally.

At least 2,241 cases have been reported in the U.S. this year, three times more cases than at the same point last year. The greatest number on the mainland have occurred in Florida, Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, has seen nearly 1,500 individuals afflicted with the infection. Cases also exist in the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

Worldwide, dengue is a much worse issue. It affects about 400 million people yearly. In 2019, places as far apart from each other as Singapore, Nicaragua, and Bangladesh reported community-wide outbreaks: not since the beginning of that year, but on *the same day*.

### **WHAT IS DENGUE?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/asian-tiger-mosquito1-300x194.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/asian-tiger-mosquito1-e1412014557260.jpg)

The virus is spread by infected Aedes Aegyptus, Aedes Albopictus, and other mosquito species acting as “vectors.” Vectors transmit the disease from human to human through their bite, sickening their victims while suffering no ill effects themselves.

(Aside: Only female mosquitoes bite.)

When an infected mosquito bites a person, the virus enters the skin through its saliva. Dengue infects nearby cells in the skin and, then, makes its way to white blood cells, where it reproduces.

There are several different subtypes (called DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) which present with similar symptoms. Infection with one subtype of dengue usually gives lifelong immunity to that type, but only short-term immunity to the others. If you get infected again with a different subtype, the second infection increases the risk of a more severe version of the disease.

### **WHY ARE DENGUE CASES ON THE RISE?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_182753726-hyperthermia-dog-with-fan-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_182753726-hyperthermia-dog-with-fan-scaled.jpg)

Rates of Dengue infection are also thought to have increased greatly since 1960 due to encroaching civilization and population growth in warmer regions. As a resident of South Florida, I believe that the widespread introduction of residential air conditioning around that time may have precipitated the explosion in potential victims.

Climate change has been blamed for dengue’s spread. Increasingly warm and wet summers are a result of the current El Nino event. The influx of immigrants with asymptomatic dengue may also play a part in local mosquitoes becoming infected in the U.S..

### **SYMPTOMS OF DENGUE VIRUS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2339323751-232x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2339323751-scaled.jpg)

Thankfully, most dengue infections are asymptomatic. If you’re in the unlucky minority that gets sick, you can expect to see signs about four to fourteen days after the infectious bite. You may experience:

- A high fever (up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit) of sudden onset
- Severe joint, bone, and muscle pain
- Severe headaches
- Pain behind the eyes
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rashes (several days into the sickness)

Sometimes, the orthopedic symptoms are so painful that Dengue has been called “**Breakbone Fever**”. Thankfully, most resolve their symptoms within a week or two and become immune to the virus (at least the specific strain they contracted; remember, there are four). If someone with a history of Dengue fever gets sick again, it is likely with a different strain.

I mentioned that second dengue infections tend to be worse than the first. Although most will still recover, a small minority will develop a life-threatening version of the disease called “**dengue hemorrhagic fever**”. The victim may experience resistant fevers, bleeding from nose and gums, blood and lymphatic vessel damage, and liver enlargement. In the most severe cases, the disease may progress further to “**Dengue Shock Syndrome”** where massive bleeding, organ failure, and circulatory collapse occurs. If you had to compare it to another disease, think of end-stage Ebola or Marburg.

### **TREATING DENGUE**

There is no specific therapy that cures dengue fever. Treatment is symptomatic; for example, acetaminophen for fever. NSAIDs like ibuprofen should be avoided due to bleeding risks. Ensuring the patient is well-hydrated is extremely important, as is bedrest.

There are dengue vaccines that are given in special cases, such as if this is a second infection, or the patient lives in an area where dengue is common. Vaccines are also recommended by the CDC for U.S. territories.

### **HOW TO PREVENT DENGUE INFECTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/shutterstock_106432124-mosquito-netting-200x300.jpg)mosquito netting](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/shutterstock_106432124-mosquito-netting.jpg)

In the U.S., the majority of the cases occur in travelers who went to areas where dengue is well-established. But, because mosquitoes are so widespread, local spread of dengue is highly likely. No matter the location, the best way to prevent catching the disease is to avoid mosquito bites.

If you live in an area where there is a large mosquito population, you can best protect yourself with a few precautions:

- Use DEET or other mosquito repellant regularly (even indoors in some areas).
- When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts.
- When outdoors, wear long pants and tuck the cuffs into your socks.
- Clothing can be sprayed with the insecticide Permethrin 0.5% (but not skin).
- If you have air conditioning, keep the windows and doors shut.
- If you don’t have air conditioning, use mosquito netting and door/window screens.
- Reduce the mosquito population by eliminating standing water wherever possible. Eliminate junk like tin cans, flowerpots, and old tires that could serve as breeding grounds. Bird baths and your pet’s water dish may also support mosquito larvae.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Zika-Miami-Mosquito-Larvae-Garbage-Can-Water-300x168.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Zika-Miami-Mosquito-Larvae-Garbage-Can-Water.jpg)Mosquito Larvae In Garbage Can WaterPeople should be especially cautious about prevention if they are planning to travel to Latin America, which has seen a record-breaking number of cases.

In olden days, epidemics of tropical disease killed residents of southern cities in the U.S., such as New Orleans. These can become serious issues again in disaster settings. Be sure to acquire knowledge about the recognition and treatment of the infectious diseases that can affect your region. If you do, you’ll be more likely to succeed, even if everything else fails.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Riot Survival, Shark Attack, Suture Materials, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-riot-survival-shark-attack-suture-materials-more/) 

 [Man, It's Hot, Part 2: Heat Stroke/Heat Exhaustion](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-2-heat-stroke-heat-exhaustion/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Medical Preparedness, Mosquito-borne Illness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** dengue, dengue fever, dengue on the rise, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Man, It's Hot, Part 1: Summer Heat Risks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-1-summer-heat-risks/)

**Published:** June 18, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/shutterstock_182753726-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/shutterstock_182753726-scaled.jpg)

We’re haven’t yet reached the first day of summer, but a major **heat wave** is expected to strike parts of the Midwest and Northeast for several days this week. Record high temperatures are predicted to hit dozens of major cities from Iowa to New Hampshire.

Unlike a typical occasional hot day, the forecast heat wave is likely to linger for a week, with some areas having to deal with uncomfortable (and possibly dangerous) temperatures for two weeks or more. Indeed, it may be the longest heat wave experienced in the regions in decades.[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271-300x300.jpg)Heat dome from prolonged high pressure front](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271.jpg)

Extended regions of high pressure that aren’t expected to move quickly through an area can cause the formation of a **“heat dome,”** A heat dome is a slow-moving or stationary high pressure system that helps create and encase heat, kind of like a lid on a boiling pot (except the pot is Cleveland).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/fox-weather-map-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/fox-weather-map.png)

Source: Fox Weather

### **HEAT RISK**

2024 is the first year that the **Centers for Disease Control (CDC**) and **The National Weather Service (NWS)** will measure the health implication from hot weather using a new tool called “**Heat Risk**.” Heat Risk is a color-numeric index that forecasts the risk of heat-related impacts to occur over a 24-hour period. Heat Risk takes into consideration:

- How unusually high the air temperature is during the 24-hour period.
- The duration of the high temperatures, including both daytime and nighttime temperatures.
- If the high temps pose an increased risk, per the CDC, of heat-related impacts.

### **HEAT RISK CATEGORIES.**

**GREEN (0):** Little or no risk from expected heat.

**YELLOW: (1);** **Minor** – This heat level affects mostly those people extremely sensitive to heat, especially when outdoors without an effective cooling method or adequate hydration.

**ORANGE (2): Moderate** – This heat level affects most individuals sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling methods or adequate hydration. Impacts begin in certain health systems and heat-sensitive industries.

**RED (3):**  **Major** – This level of heat affects even non-heat senstive people if they don’t have an effective cooling method and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries. Infrastructure begins to be affected.

**MAGENTA (4): Extreme** – High heat levels of long-duration with little to no overnight relief. Affects anyone without an effective cooling method and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries, and infrastructure.

Instituted by the **National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)**, the Heat Risk hopes to provide guidance to municipalities and other decision-makers with regards to actions needed to help prevent bad outcomes. Heat Risk is not the same as the Heat Index, which takes into account temperature combined with humidity.

Here’s what a Heat Risk map may look like:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HeatRisk_7_Mercator1-300x175.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HeatRisk_7_Mercator1.png)

Source: NOAA

The Heat Risk hopes to provide guidance to municipalities and other decision-makers with regards to actions needed to help prevent bad health outcomes in the local population.

### **THE HEAT INDEX**

You’ll hear on weather channels that the heat index is high, but why is the Heat Index even more important than air temperature? Above 60% relative humidity, loss of heat by perspiration is impaired. Exposure to full sun increases the reported heat index by as much as 10-15 degrees F. That means that high humidity and a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit could feel like 105 degrees! All this increases the chances of heat-related illness.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/noaa-heat-index-chart-300x206.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/noaa-heat-index-chart.jpg)Source: NOAA

Expect the power grid to be challenged by tens of millions of air conditioning units set on “high”, and we can expect to see some major health issues if the electricity goes out and people have to fight the heat with hand fans, like they did in the “good old days”.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/shutterstock_87382682-300x210.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/shutterstock_87382682.jpg)

the “good old days”

Urbanizations of the American landscape since the “good old days” hasn’t helped. The formations of **“heat islands”** in cities cause the development of higher temperatures than outlying areas. Structures such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies.

You might not consider a heat wave to be an actual natural disaster, but it most certainly is. Heat waves can cause mass casualties, as they did in Europe when tens of thousands died of exposure (not in the Middle Ages, but in 2003, due to widespread lack of air-conditioning). Places like India, Pakistan, and other underdeveloped countries in tropical zones experience thousands of heat-related deaths yearly. It’s important to know how to deal with heat-related illness in good times or bad.

Next time, we’ll discuss exactly how heat kills a person, the various types of heat-related illness like heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and more. We’ll also discuss the proper way to treat heat emergencies.

For part 2 of this article, click here:[ https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-2-heat-stroke-heat-exhaustion/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-2-heat-stroke-heat-exhaustion/)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/barracuda-and-joe-300x225.gif)Dr. Alton and friend](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/barracuda-and-joe.gif)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Man, It's Hot, Part 2: Heat Stroke/Heat Exhaustion](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-2-heat-stroke-heat-exhaustion/) 

 [Asthma Off The Grid, Part 2: Treatments and Myths](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-off-the-grid-part-2-treatments-and-myths/)

**Categories:** Burns, Fires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Heat Stroke, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** heat dome, heat emergencies, heat index, heat island, heat risk, heat waves, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Man, It's Hot, Part 2: Heat Stroke/Heat Exhaustion](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-2-heat-stroke-heat-exhaustion/)

**Published:** June 20, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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You might not consider a [**heat wave**](https://weather.com/forecast/national/news/2024-06-13-record-heat-forecast-midwest-northeast) to be a natural disaster, but it can cause mass casualties if severe. Heat wave season is averaging almost 50 days longer than in the 1960s, with three times more wave events each year. This weekend, a relentless and prolonged heat wave is going to raise temperatures to dangerous levels in the Midwest and Northeast.

Last time, we discussed heat index, heat risk, and other factors that lead to hot weather emergencies. This time, we’ll talk about the effects on the human body and what you, the family medic, can do about it.

### **HOW HEAT WAVES KILL YOU**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2465343271.jpg)

How exactly does excessive exposure to heat kill a person? Your body core regulates its temperature for optimal organ function. When body temperature rises excessively (known as “hyperthermia”), damage occurs that leaks toxins, causes major inflammation, and even kills cells. Deaths can occur very quickly unless you act quickly, even in people who are physically fit.

Who is especially at risk. Everyone is different in terms of their ability to tolerate heat. Risk factors for heat-related emergencies include:

- Obesity.
- Poor level of physical fitness.
- Age (very young or very old).
- Gender (men are more at risk).
- Being Dehydrated
- Use of Alcohol, recreational drugs, and certain prescription meds (water pills, antihistamines, laxatives, and others) in hot weather.
- Wearing heavy or dark-colored clothing in the sun.
- Acute or chronic illness; running a fever from the flu, for example, or having chronic problems with diabetes or heart problems.
- Prior history of a heat-related medical event.

### **HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_703576354-some-symptoms-signs-hyperthermia-heat-stroke-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_703576354-some-symptoms-signs-hyperthermia-heat-stroke-scaled.jpg)

The ill effects due to overheating are called **“heat exhaustion**” if mild to moderate; if severe, it’s called **“heat stroke.”** Heat exhaustion usually doesn’t result in permanent damage if treated, but heat stroke can; You have to know when it’s happening and resolve it before it causes permanent damage.

Lesser issues include ‘prickly heat,” a stinging heat rash that turns skin red, and painful muscle spasms called “heat cramps.” These, fortunately, can be dealt with using simple therapies, like cold packs, massage, and some rest in the shade.

### **SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHERMIA (HEAT EXHAUSTION/HEAT STROKE)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_618552482-fainting-collapse-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_618552482-fainting-collapse-scaled.jpg)

Heat exhaustion signs and symptoms include:

- Profuse sweating
- Rapid pulse
- Flushing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Temperature elevation up to 105 degrees F

If action isn’t taken rapidly to cool off the victim, heat stroke may ensue. In addition to all the possible signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke will manifest as shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Fatal shock and organ malfunction may be the end result.

An interesting characteristic of heat stroke is that the skin is likely to be hot to the touch, but dry; sweating might be absent. This occurs because the body naturally efforts to cool itself down by sweating until it reaches 105-6 degrees or so. After that, you’ll notice the skin is red, not because it’s burned, but because blood vessels are dilating in a desperate effort to dissipate heat.

### **TREATING HYPERTHERMIA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/heat-stroke-hyperthermia-300x232.jpg)Oral fluids are only for those who are awake and alert](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/heat-stroke-hyperthermia.jpg)

If hyperthermia is suspected, you have to act quickly. 10-15 minutes in the heat can cause heat stroke, less for children or pets in cars on a hot day. The rescuer should immediately:

- Move the victim away from the heat source (for example, out of the sun).
- Remove clothing.
- Immerse in or drench with cool water (or ice, if available) If the victim can’t be immersed in cool water, wrap in a cool, wet sheet, or place moist cold compresses in the neck, armpit, and groin. Why there? Major blood vessels run close to the skin in these areas; cold packs there will more efficiently cool the body core. A recent military study suggests that immersing the hands and forearms is also useful.
- Elevate the victim’s legs elevated above the level of their heart (known as the “shock position”)
- Fan or otherwise ventilate to help with heat evaporation

How about giving fluids? Oral rehydration is useful to replace fluids lost, but only if the patient is awake and alert. If your patient has altered mental status, he or she might “swallow” the fluid into their airways; this causes damage to the lungs and puts you in worse shape than when you started.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/heat-stroke-1-300x255.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/heat-stroke-1-scaled.jpg)

### **PREVENTING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS**

Heat stroke is preventable in many cases. The Arizona state department of health, no stranger to the heat, recommends the following:

- Drink at least 2 liters (about a half-gallon) of water per day if you are mostly indoors and 1 to 2 additional liters for every hour of outdoor time. Drink *before* you feel thirsty, and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and use a sun hat or an umbrella to deflect the sun’s rays.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones.
- Wear sunscreen to prevent burns.
- Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Take regular breaks if you must exert yourself on warm days.
- Follow heat warnings from the National Weather Service.

In a heat wave, don’t forget to check on the elderly, the very young, and the infirm regularly and often. These people have more difficulty seeking help if ill, and, with some vigilance, you just might save a life.

For part 1 of this article, click here: 

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Dengue Fever On The Rise](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dengue-fever-on-the-rise/) 

 [Man, It's Hot, Part 1: Summer Heat Risks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-1-summer-heat-risks/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Heat Stroke, Hyperthermia, Medical Preparedness, Survival at Sea

**Tags:** heat emergencies, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat wave, joe alton md, medical preparedness, preventing heat stroke, survival medicine

---

### [Asthma Off The Grid, Part 2: Treatments and Myths](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-off-the-grid-part-2-treatments-and-myths/)

**Published:** June 12, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[Last time,](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-off-the-grid-part-1/) we discussed how to identify asthma attacks, the triggers that cause them, and how to tell them from other medical problems that cause shortness of breath. In part 2, we’ll talk about how to treat asthma with conventional and natural methods, plus dispel some “myths” that have come up over the years.

**CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT OF ASTHMA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2312923921-300x131.jpg)Various asthma inhalers](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2312923921-scaled.jpg)

The cornerstones of asthma treatment are the avoidance of[ **“trigger”** allergens](https://www.webmd.com/allergies/know-your-allergy-triggers), as mentioned in our last article, and the maintenance of open airways. Medications come in one of two forms: drugs that give quick relief from an attack and drugs that control the frequency of asthmatic episodes over time. Below, the generic name is given with the brand name in parentheses. Remember that, in panic attacks, these medicines are ineffective.

Quick relief asthma drugs include “**bronchodilators**” that open airways, such as Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA), among others. These drugs should open airways in a very short period of time and give significant relief from attacks. These prescription drugs are sometimes useful for people going into a situation where they know they will be exposed to a trigger, such as before strenuous exercise. Don’t be surprised if you notice a rapid heart rate on these medications; it’s a common side effect.

If you find yourself using quick-relief asthmatic medications more than twice a week, you’re a candidate for daily control therapy. These drugs work, when taken daily, to decrease the number of episodes over time. They’re usually some form of inhaled steroid. There are long-acting bronchodilators as well, such as ipratropium bromide (Atrovent HFA).

Another family of drugs known as Leukotriene modifiers prevents airway swelling *before* an asthma attack even begins. These are usually in pill form and may make sense for storage purposes. The most popular is Montelukast (Singulair).

Often, medications will be used in combination, and you might find multiple medications in the same inhaler. The U.S. pharmaceutical fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair), for example, contains both a steroid and an airway dilator. Remember that inhalers lose potency over time. Expired inhalers, unlike many drugs in pill or capsule form, have less effect than fresh ones. Physicians are usually sympathetic to requests for extra prescriptions from their asthmatic patients.

**NATURAL TREATMENT OF ASTHMA**

In mild to moderate cases of asthma, you might consider the use of natural remedies. Some natural methods involve breathing exercises:

**Pursed-lip breathing**: This slows your breathing and helps your lungs work better. Breathe in slowly through your nose for two seconds. Then position you lips as if you were whistling, and breathe out slowly through your mouth for four seconds.

**Abdominal breathing:** Similar to pursed-lip breathing but focuses on using the diaphragm more effectively. With your hands on your belly, breathe as if you were filling it with air like a balloon. Press down lightly on the belly as you slowly exhale.

There are also a number of natural substances that have been reported to be helpful. They include:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734.jpg)

**Ginger:** A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology indicates that ginger is instrumental in inhibiting chemicals that constrict airways. Animal tests find that extracts of ginger help ease asthmatic symptoms in rodents. Use as a tea or extract twice a day.

**Ginger and Garlic Tea:** Add three or four minced garlic cloves in some ginger tea while it’s hot. Cool it down, strain and drink twice a day. Some report a benefit from just the garlic.

**Other herbal teas** are thought to help: Ephedra, Coltsfoot, Codonopsis, Butterbur, Nettle, Chamomile, and Rosemary all have been used in the past to relieve asthmatic attacks.

**Caffeine:** Black unsweetened coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks may help open airways. Interestingly, coffee is similar in chemical structure to the asthma drug Theophylline.

**Eucalyptus:** Essential oil of eucalyptus, used in a steam or direct inhalation, may be helpful to open airways. Rub a few drops of oil between your hands and breathe in deeply. Alternatively, a few drops in some steaming water may be good respiratory therapy.

**Honey:** Honey was used in the 19th century to treat asthmatic attacks. To decrease the frequency of attacks, stir one teaspoon of honey in a twelve-ounce glass of water and drink it three times daily.

**Turmeric:** Take one teaspoon of turmeric powder in 6-8 ounces of warm water three times a day.

**Mustard Oil Rub:** Mix mustard oil with camphor and rub it on your chest and back. There are claims that it gives instant relief in some cases.

**Gingko Biloba leaf extract:** Thought to decrease hypersensitivity in the lungs; not for people who are taking aspirin or ibuprofen daily, or anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin).

**Lobelia:** Native Americans actually smoked(!) this herb as a treatment for asthma. Instead of smoking, try mixing tincture of lobelia with tincture of cayenne in a 3:1 ratio. Put 1 milliliter (about 20 drops) of this mixture in 8 ounces of water and drink at the start of an attack, repeat every thirty minutes or so as needed.

Further research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of many of the above remedies, especially in severe asthma attacks. While you have a supply, consider standard medications if your peak flow reading is 60% or less than normal (discussed in the last article).

**DIET AND ASTHMA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102.jpg)

Don’t underestimate the effect of diet on the course of asthma. Asthmatics should:

- Replace animal proteins with plant proteins.
- Increase intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
- Eliminate milk and other dairy products.
- Eat organically whenever possible.
- Eliminate trans-fats; use extra-virgin olive oil as your main cooking oil.
- Always stay well-hydrated; more fluids will make your lung secretions less viscous.

**RELAXATION METHODS AND ASTHMA**

Finally, various relaxation methods, such as taught in Yoga classes, are thought to help promote well-being and control the panic response seen in asthmatic attacks. Acupuncture is thought by some to have some promise as well.

I’m sure you have your own home remedy that might work to help asthmatics. If so, let us know.

**ASTHMA MYTHS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_323783324-large-group-of-people-300x203.jpg)Asthma is NOT contagious](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_323783324-large-group-of-people-scaled.jpg)

There are many other myths associated with asthma; the below are just some:

- Asthma is contagious. (False: You can’t get it from other people or animals.)
- You will grow out of it. (False: it might become dormant for a time but you are always at risk of it re-emerging.)
- It’s all in your mind. (False: although emotional stress may trigger it, it’s very real.)
- If you move to a new area, your asthma will go away. (False: it may go away for a while, but eventually you will become sensitized to something else and it will likely return.)
- Asthma should only be treated when an episode occurs. (False: chronic asthmatics are best treated with regular medication to reduce frequency and severity of attacks. Encourage your asthmatic group members to stockpile meds.)
- You will become addicted to your asthma meds. (False: inhalers and oral asthma drugs aren’t addictive. It’s safe to use them on a regular basis.)

Here’s are two “true” myths: Asthma is, indeed, hereditary. If both parents have asthma, you have a 70% chance of developing it compared to only 6% if neither parent has it. Also, asthma does have the potential to be fatal, as I mentioned last article in a case dating from my active career. You’re at highest risk if you are over 65 years old.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Man, It's Hot, Part 1: Summer Heat Risks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/man-its-hot-part-1-summer-heat-risks/) 

 [Asthma Off The Grid, Part 1: Diagnosis and Triggers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-off-the-grid-part-1/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Asthma, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Respiratory diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** asthma inhalers, asthma myths, asthma treatments, conventional asthma treatment, herbal remedies, joe alton md, medical preparedness, natural asthma treatment, survival medicine

---

### [Asthma Off The Grid, Part 1: Diagnosis and Triggers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-off-the-grid-part-1/)

**Published:** June 10, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-scaled.jpg)

Last year, I wrote about the massive [**Canadian wildfires**](https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/the-worst-of-canadas-wildfire-smoke-hit-philadelphia-1-year-ago-could-it-happen-again/ar-BB1nS7H4) that devastated, not only the wilderness, but the air quality in many cities, including New York. Now, reports are coming in of [146 wildfires](https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/canada-wildfires-air-quality-alerts-us-states-rcna151956) up north, many out of control, that are causing health issues at the Northern Border such as asthma.

For those who don’t know, asthma is a chronic condition that limits your ability to breathe. It affects the tubes that transport air to your lungs, collectively known as the “airways”. At the time, I didn’t write much about this common but possibly serious consequence of fires. Nevertheless, the family medic should know how to deal with asthma and other respiratory problems, as it affects 20 million Americans and is the most common chronic illness in children.

When people with asthma are exposed to a substance to which they are allergic (an “**[allergen](https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/allergen.htm)**”), airways become swollen, constricted, and filled with mucus. As a result, air can’t pass through to reach the part of the lungs that absorbs oxygen (the “**alveoli**”).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_74586247-1-asthma-full-size-300x228.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_74586247-1-asthma-full-size-scaled.jpg)

**ASTHMA TRIGGERS**

There are many possible triggers for asthma attacks, almost too many to list. They include;

- Pollen
- Pet or wild animal dander
- Mold and mildew
- Smoke
- Dust or the excrement of dust mites
- Aerosol sprays
- Workplace chemicals
- Pollutants in the air
- Some medicines
- Food or food preservatives

In addition, certain viral respiratory infections can trigger asthma, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID, influenza, and rhinovirus (the common cold).

More uncommonly, although generally thought to strengthen the lungs, exercise seems to trigger attacks in some people.

Changes in weather, either hot or cold, is also thought to be a cause. In the fall of 2016, [strong thunderstorms in Australia](https://www.3aw.com.au/thunderstorm-asthma-leaves-hundreds-of-victorians-in-hospital/) reportedly caused a number of asthma attacks that resulted in hundreds of emergency room visits in Victoria and Melbourne.

**PHYSICAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)

An episode of asthma is commonly referred to as an “asthma attack.” In rare situations, the airways can become so constricted that a person could suffocate from lack of oxygen.

Asthmatic symptoms may be different from attack to attack and from individual to individual. Some of the symptoms are also seen in heart conditions and other respiratory illnesses, so it’s important to make the right diagnosis. Symptoms may include:

- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
- Wheezing (usually of sudden onset)
- Chest tightness (sometimes confused with coronary artery spasms/heart attack)
- Rapid pulse rate and respiration rate
- Anxiety

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1578378907-lip-cyanosis-300x208.jpg)cyanosis](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1578378907-lip-cyanosis-scaled.jpg)

Besides these main symptoms, there are others that are signals of a life-threatening episode. If you notice that your patient has become “cyanotic”, they are in trouble. Someone with cyanosis will have a blue/gray color to their lips, fingertips, and face.

You might also notice that it takes longer for an asthmatic to exhale than to inhale. As an asthma attack worsens, wheezing may take on a higher, almost musical pitch. As the attack worsens, the patient suffers a lack of oxygen that makes them confused and drowsy; they may possibly lose consciousness.

**ASTHMA VS HEART ATTACK**

As an asthma attack may resemble a heart attack, the medic should know how to tell the difference. Asthma is usually improved by using fast-acting inhalers, a strategy that doesn’t offer relief from a heart attack or other cardiac events.

Patients with chronic heart disease often have swelling of the lower legs, also called “**edema**.” This is rarely seen with asthma. Asthmatics also don’t have the arm and jaw pain that is often seen with heart attacks. Cardiac chest pain improves with the angina drug nitroglycerin, which many heart patients carry on their person.

**DIAGNOSING ASTHMA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_56966074-lady-doctor-with-stethoscope-and-patient-217x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_56966074-lady-doctor-with-stethoscope-and-patient.jpg)

On physical exam, use your stethoscope to listen to the lungs on both sides. Make sure that you listen closely to the bottom, middle, and top lung areas. You’ll find a more detailed discussion of the physical exam in the latest edition of [“**The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.”**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

In a mild asthmatic attack, you will hear relatively loud, musical noises when the patient breathes. Exhaling generally takes longer than inhaling. As the asthma worsens, less air is passing through the airways and the pitch of the wheezes will be higher and perhaps not as loud. If *no* air is passing through, you will hear nothing even when you ask the patient to inhale forcibly. This person may become cyanotic.

Sometimes a person might become so anxious that they become short of breath and may think they are having an asthma attack. To resolve this question, you can measure how open the airways are with a simple diagnostic instrument known as a **“peak flow meter.”** A peak flow meter measures the ability of your lungs to expel air, a major problem for an asthmatic. It can help you identify if a patient’s cough is part of an asthma attack or whether they are, instead, having a panic attack or other issue.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/peak-flow-meter-Alton-300x225.jpg)peak flow meter](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/peak-flow-meter-Alton-scaled.jpg)

To determine what is a normal for an individual, you should first document a peak flow measurement when they are feeling well. Have your patient purse their lips over the mouthpiece of the peak flow meter and forcefully exhale into it. Now you know their baseline measurement. If they develop shortness of breath, have them blow into it again and compare readings.

In moderate asthma, peak flow will be reduced 20-40%. Greater than 50% is a sign of a severe episode. In a non-asthma related cough or upper respiratory infection, peak flow measurements will be normal or close to it. The same goes for a panic attack: Even though they may feel short of breath, the peak flow measurement is still about normal.

Asthma can be fatal if not taken seriously. In the 1980s, I treated a patient in advanced pregnancy who had the worse type of asthma attack, called “*status asthmaticus*.” Once she improved somewhat, she insisted on going home against my advice to care for her other children. She returned that night in an irreversible state of oxygen loss. Both mother and baby perished.

Next time, we’ll discuss the treatment of asthma with both conventional medicines and with natural means. We’ll also go over some “myths” that should be dispelled (or confirmed!) when it comes to the disease.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Asthma Off The Grid, Part 2: Treatments and Myths](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-off-the-grid-part-2-treatments-and-myths/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes, Tuberculosis, Early Labor, Blood, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-tuberculosis-early-labor-blood-more/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** alternatives to traditional medical treatments, asthma, asthma attack, asthma off the grid, asthma symptoms, joe alton md, survival medicine

---

### [Twins and Breech Babies: Human Birth, Part 4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/twins-and-breech-babies-human-birth-part-4/)

**Published:** May 28, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this comprehensive series of normal labor and delivery off the grid, we’ve discussed late-term pregnancy, the signs of impending labor, the progress through the stages of labor, delivery of the infant, and recovery care of the new mother. In this final part of this series, let’s talk a bit about the delivery of twins and other multiples and those babies that are not in the usual (headfirst) position.

**MULTIPLES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/astronaut-twins-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/astronaut-twins-scaled.jpg)The Kelly astronaut twinsMultiple births like twins can be handled similarly to single deliveries if both are “cephalic”; that is, presenting head down. Each is delivered in turn, but the first placenta isn’t delivered until the second baby is out. Clamp and cut the first umbilical cord and place the first baby on the mother’s chest as with a single birth. Once the second baby is out, the placentas can be delivered in an unhurried manner.

Triplets or more are complicated, but rare. These occur (without fertility treatments) in about 1 in 8000 births and usually deliver very prematurely. Post-disaster settings are unfavorable for the survival of premature babies as they are often unable to breath on their own. Indeed, it wasn’t until about 100 years ago that triplets and higher multiple births resulted in all surviving infancy.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_163605515-Types-of-breech-presentation-300x166.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_163605515-Types-of-breech-presentation-scaled.jpg)

Much more common than multiple births are breech births. Although the grand majority of babies present head down, breech babies are “heads-up” and comprise about three percent of all births. With twins, there’s a chance that one of the fetuses may be breech. The survival medic or midwife may eventually encounter one or two.

In normal times, breech babies are routinely delivered by cesarean section. This is because studies have shown that about 4% of vaginal breech deliveries end up with a bad outcome, compared to about 1.5% of breech babies delivered by C-section.

Why? The reason is often because the head, the largest-diameter part of the baby, comes last. Sometimes, it gets stuck and oxygen deprivation or other complications may occur. Most parents aren’t willing to accept *any* increased chance that their baby will come out with a problem. Hence, cesarean sections are the norm.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1157970-bulb-syringe-during-cesarean-section-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1157970-bulb-syringe-during-cesarean-section-scaled.jpg)

Cesarean is an unlikely option off the grid

Off the grid, however, C-section is not an option. Most breech babies delivered vaginally, however, will come out without incident. It is, however, somewhat different. Instead of the head crowning, it’s the buttocks. This is called a “[**frank breech**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjs_Xfj_a8&t=8s)” and is the most common type of breech presentation. The legs may sometimes come first (called a “single or double footling breech”), they usually deliver spontaneously a push or two after the buttocks in frank breeches. If they don’t, using the fingers to perform a sweeping motion in the vagina (called the “[**Pinard maneuver**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjs_Xfj_a8&t=8s)”) may safely bring down the feet and legs.

Once the legs and buttocks are out, you’ll use both hands to grasp the hips of the baby, thumbs on the sacroiliac and fingers in front on the iliac crests. With each push, the abdomen and cord will descend and then deliver. You’ll use your grip on the hips to help guide one shoulder, (the topmost one) by gently pulling down and slightly out. If the arm doesn’t deliver on its own, a sweeping motion with a gloved finger in the vagina may be performed to move an extended arm across the chest, and then down and out. Then, deliver the second shoulder by holding the feet with both hands and exerting gentle upward traction. Don’t allow the baby’s body to hang without support.

At this point, the entire body is delivered except for the head. Now you’ll move your hands to the baby’s chest and back. Avoid squeezing the neck with your fingers. You want to keep the head flexed, which can be done by having an assistant place some pressure downward just above the pubic bone of the mother. The midwife supports the body with the left forearm and palm and may also place a finger in the baby’s mouth, not to apply any pressure whatsoever, but to keep the head flexed so it will deliver easily. The right hand’s fingers are spread over the back pressing on both shoulders and the back of the base of the skull (called the “occiput”). Using only the hand on the back, traction is exerted downward and outward. In most cases, the head will deliver without an issue. This is known as the [Mariceau-Smellie-Veit maneuver.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjs_Xfj_a8&t=8s)

Although a little technical, an excellent video of the various breech delivery maneuvers can be found at:

**[Breech Presentation : Types & Obstetric Maneuvers : Dr. Shonali Chandra #NEETPG, #AIIMS PG (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBjs_Xfj_a8&t=8s)**

The description above is just part of the process; there are a lot of nuances that help decrease the chance of complications. You’ll find the whole process described in detail in Varney’s Midwifery, an essential resource for those medics that may be responsible for off-grid labor and delivery. In the end, however, there’s no substitute for experience.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/19th-century-baby-and-mother-300x207.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/19th-century-baby-and-mother.jpg)Your goal

As previously mentioned, there are different schools of thought regarding some of the above, many of which are equally valid. Remember that your goal is to end up with a healthy mother and baby, both physically and emotionally.

To review this series from the beginning, start here: [Signs Of Labor: Human Birth, Part 1 | (doomandbloom.net)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/signs-of-labor-human-birth-part-1/)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OB-kit-300x211.jpg) Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery Kit at store.doomandbloom.net](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OB-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Urinary Infections Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/urinary-infections-off-the-grid/) 

 [How To Deliver A Placenta After The Baby: Human Birth, Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-deliver-a-placenta-after-the-baby-human-birth-part-3/)

**Categories:** First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Pregnancy/Delivery, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** breech delivery, breech presentation, labor and delivery, mariceau maneuver, medical preparedness, pinard maneuver, survival medic, survival medical supplies, survival medicine, twin delivery, twin pregnancies

---

### [Urinary Infections Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/urinary-infections-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** May 30, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![the urinary tract includes a urethra, bladder, 2 ureters and 2 kidneys](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/URINARY-TRACT-281x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/URINARY-TRACT.jpg)

The group medic in survival scenarios has to be ready to deal with major injuries and serious infections. Sometimes, infections aren’t serious to begin with, but can progress to something serious if not treated. Some of these infections involve the [urinary tract](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinary_system). The urinary tract filters your blood and removes excess fluids and waste. The end result is urine. It includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, pictured above.

Urine directly from the bladder was once thought to be generally sterile, meaning devoid of bacteria. Recent studies, however, have revealed low levels of bacteria in otherwise healthy people. Therefore, not technically sterile. There are more than a million emergency room visits and [**100,000 hospital admissions**](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8931190/) due to urinary tract infections (UTIs) annually in the United States.

Women are more commonly affected by UTIs than men. Indeed, most women have experienced one at one point or another. The areas most commonly contaminated are the bladder, which holds the urine, and the urethra, the tube that drains the bladder. Although men can also get bladder infections (also called “cystitis”), their urethra is much longer and bacteria must travel much further to reach the bladder.

If untreated, bladder infections may ascend all the way to the kidneys via tubes called ureters. This causes a kidney infection, also called “pyelonephritis”. Once in the kidneys, it can even make its way to the bloodstream and lead to shock or worse.

**Symptoms of UTIs**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1614617365-symptoms-of-bladder-urine-infection-uti-273x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1614617365-symptoms-of-bladder-urine-infection-uti-scaled.jpg)

Each type of UTI manifests in more or less specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected.

Inflammation of the urethra (**urethritis**) may be caused by E.Coli, Gonorrhea, Herpes, and other bacteria and viruses. Sufferers will feel a burning sensation with urination; males may also have a urethral discharge, while women with certain sexually transmitted infections may notice a foul discharge from the vagina.

Bladder infections (**cystitis**) are characterized by pelvic pressure, lower abdominal pain, frequency of urination, and darker, cloudy, or blood-tinged urine. Some people may feel an urgent need to go without warning (called “urgency”) but notice that the stream of urine is slow to start (called “hesitancy”). The urine itself may be cloudy or red-tinged with blood and have a strong smell. Some women also report leaking of urine, often without the other typical symptoms of a UTI.

Once the infection reaches the kidney (**pyelonephritis**), other signs and symptoms will become apparent. Fever and chills are common, with pain on the flank (the side of your back). Normally, it will be noticeable only on one side. Tap the flank lightly at the level of the lowest rib with the side of a closed first. This will elicit no response in a healthy patient, but someone with an infection will grimace and flinch. Kidney stones may be mistaken for a kidney infection, as they also cause tenderness in this region. They are, however, less likely to cause fever and the pain will travel as the stone makes its way through the urinary tract.

Bacteria in the urine can be identified with the use of at-home dipstick tests. [Here’s my article on reading commercially-available urinary strip products.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/reading-urine-test-strips/)

**Treating a UTI**

Treatment revolves around the vigorous administration of fluids. Lots of water will help flush out the infection by decreasing the concentration of bacteria in the affected organs. Some feel relief with a heating pad or compress in the area of discomfort.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Antibiotics.jpg)various antibiotics work to treat UTIsAntibiotics are the standard of therapy. Bacterial infections cannot be cured by increasing fluid intake. The following are commonly used for UTIs:

- Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Cephalexin
- Azithromycin
- Doxycycline
- Ciprofloxacin

For dosages, days taken, side-effects, and warnings, use the search engine on this website for the particular antibiotic.

To eliminate the pain that occurs with urination in UTIs, stockpile over-the-counter medications like Phenazopyridine (also known as Pyridium, Uristat, Azo, etc.). Don’t be alarmed if your patient’s urine turns a reddish-orange color; it’s an effect of the drug and is only temporary.

**Natural Remedies for UTIs**

There are a number of natural remedies to help someone with a urinary infection. Vitamin C supplements, for example, are thought to reduce the concentration of bacteria in the urine.

Others include:

- Garlic or garlic oil (preferably in capsules).
- Echinacea extract or tea.
- Goldenrod tea with vinegar (1 to 2 tablespoons),
- Uva Ursi (1 tablet).
- Cranberry tablets (1 to 3 pills).

Take any one of the above remedies three times per day.

Another home remedy to help treat the pain of urethritis is to take one Alka-Seltzer tablet and dissolve it in 2 ounces of warm water. Pour directly over the urethral area.

One more natural alternative that may be helpful is to perform an external massage over the bladder area with 5 drops of lavender essential oil (mixed with castor oil) for a few minutes. Then, apply a gentle heat source over the area; repeat this 3 to 4 times daily. The combination of lavender/castor oil and warmth may help decrease bladder spasms and pain.

I’m sure you have a tried-and-true strategy of your own. As with many home remedies, however, your experience may vary. In normal times, consult your physician.

**Preventing UTIs**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570-300x241.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570.jpg)

Preventative medicine plays a large role in decreasing the likelihood of urinary tract infections. Basic hygienic methods, such as wiping from front to back after urinating, is important for women. Also, drinking a full glass of water and emptying the bladder right after an episode of sexual intercourse is a wise choice.

Wear cotton undergarments to allow better air circulation in areas that might otherwise encourage bacterial or fungal growth. Adequate fluid intake, especially cranberry juice if available, is also a key to flushing out bacteria and other organisms. People who get urinary tract infections are often dehydrated, characterized by dark, amber-colored urine. Strive to drink enough to make your urine light yellow or clear. Lastly, never postpone urinating when you feel a strong urge to go.

Certainly, the off-grid medic may have to deal with gunfights at the OK corral, but it’s how well they handle everyday problems like UTIs that gauges their day-to-day effectiveness and value to their survival community.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr, Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes, Tuberculosis, Early Labor, Blood, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-tuberculosis-early-labor-blood-more/) 

 [Twins and Breech Babies: Human Birth, Part 4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/twins-and-breech-babies-human-birth-part-4/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Urinary Tract

**Tags:** bladder infections, joe alton md, kidney infections, medical preparedness, survival medicine, urinary tract infections

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes, Tuberculosis, Early Labor, Blood, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-tuberculosis-early-labor-blood-more/)

**Published:** June 3, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the **Survival Medicine Podcast,** Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse PractitionerAlton discuss the recent outbreak of **tuberculosis** cases on the West Coast, and how to prevent it from affecting your family in good times or bad. Don’t worry, it’s not an epidemic in the U.S., even though it accounted for more than a million deaths in Africa and Asia in 2022!

Also, everything you need to know about **tornadoes**! We’re in tornado season for a while yet, and much of the country has experienced the kind of weather that spawns them. Here’s how to keep you family safe in major storms. Plus, **pregnancy off the grid** isn’t all peaches and cream, and the family medic should know what to expect, especially in late pregnancy as labor approaches. Dr. Bones gives yout the 411 on this natural, but sometimes complex situation.

Plus Plus, a couple of questions from our listeners, readers, and viewers about things like plasma donations and much more! All this in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton.

To Listen In, click below:

## [**https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/06/03/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-tuberculosis-pregnancy-off-the-gird-more**](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/06/03/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-tuberculosis-pregnancy-off-the-gird-more)

Here’s wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)The Altons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Asthma Off The Grid, Part 1: Diagnosis and Triggers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-off-the-grid-part-1/) 

 [Urinary Infections Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/urinary-infections-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Pandemic Diseases, Pregnancy/Delivery, Storm Preparedness, Tornadoes

**Tags:** joe alton md, labor and delivery, late stage pregnancy, medical preparedness, plasma donation, survival medicine, tornadoes, tuberculsosi

---

### [All About Urinary Tract Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-urinary-tract-infections/)

**Published:** July 19, 2017
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Urinary Tract Infections**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/URINARY-TRACT.jpg)Urinary AnatomyMedics in survival scenarios have to deal with major injuries and serious infections, Sometimes, infections aren’t serious to begin with, but worsen if not treated. Some of these infections involve the urinary tract.

Urine directly from the bladder is generally sterile, but most women have experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) at one point or another. The areas most commonly contaminated are the bladder, which holds the urine, and the urethra, the tube that drains the bladder. Although men can also get bladder infections (called “cystitis”), their urethra is much longer and bacteria are much less likely to reach the bladder.

If untreated, bladder infections may ascend to the kidneys via tubes called ureters, causing an infection known as “pyelonephritis”. Once in the kidneys, it can make its way to the bloodstream and lead to shock or worse.

**Symptoms of UTIs**

Each type of UTI manifests in more or less specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected.

Inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) may be caused by E.Coli, Gonorrhea, Herpes, and other bacteria and viruses. Sufferers will feel a burning sensation with urination; males may also have a urethral discharge, while women with certain sexually transmitted infections may notice a foul discharge from the vagina.

Bladder infections are characterized by pelvic pressure, lower abdominal pain, and frequency of urination. Some people may feel an urgent need to go without warning (urgency) but notice that the stream of urine is slow to start (hesitancy). The urine itself may be cloudy or red-tinged with blood and have a strong smell.

Once the infection reaches the kidney (pyelonephritis), other signs and symptoms will become apparent. Fever and chills are common, with pain on the flank (the side of your back). Normally, it will be noticeable only on one side by tapping the flank lightly at the level of the lowest rib with the side of a closed first. This will elicit no response in a healthy patient, but someone with an infection will grimace and flinch. Kidney stones may be mistaken for a kidney infection, as they also cause tenderness in this region. They are, however, less likely to cause fever.

**Treating a UTI**

Treatment revolves around the vigorous administration of fluids. Lots of water will help flush out the infection by decreasing the concentration of bacteria in the affected organs. Some feel relief with a heating pad or compress in the area of discomfort.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Antibiotics.jpg)various antibiotics work to treat UTIsAntibiotics are another standard of therapy. The following are commonly used for UTIs:

- Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Cephalexin
- Azithromycin
- Doxycycline
- Ciprofloxacin

For dosages, days taken, side-effects, and warnings, use the search engine on this website for the particular antibiotic.

To eliminate the pain that occurs with urination in UTIs, stockpile over-the-counter medications like Phenazopyridine (also known as Pyridium, Uristat, Azo, etc.). Don’t be alarmed if your patient’s urine turns a reddish-orange color; it is an effect of the drug and is only temporary.

**Natural Remedies for UTIs**

There are a number of natural remedies to treat someone with a urinary infection. Vitamin C supplements, for example, are thought to reduce the concentration of bacteria in the urine.

Others include:

- Garlic or garlic oil (preferably in capsules).
- Echinacea extract or tea.
- Goldenrod tea with vinegar (1 to 2 tablespoons),
- Uva Ursi (1 tablet).
- Cranberry tablets (1 to 3 pills).

Take any one of the above remedies three times per day.

Another home remedy is to take one Alka-Seltzer tablet and dissolve it in 2 ounces of warm water. Pour directly over the urethral area.

One more alternative that may be helpful is to perform an external massage over the bladder area with 5 drops of lavender essential oil (mixed with castor oil) for a few minutes. Then, apply a gentle heat source over the area; repeat this 3 to 4 times daily. The combination of lavender/castor oil and warmth may help decrease bladder spasms and pain.

I’m sure you have a tried-and-true strategy of your own. As with many home remedies, however, your experience may vary. In normal times, consult your physician.

**Preventing UTIs**

Preventative medicine plays a large role in decreasing the likelihood of urinary tract infections. Basic hygienic method, such as wiping from front to back after urinating, is important for women. Also, emptying the bladder right after an episode of sexual intercourse is a wise choice.

Wear cotton undergarments to allow better air circulation in areas that might otherwise encourage bacterial or fungal growth. Adequate fluid intake, especially cranberry juice if available, is also a key to flushing out bacteria and other organisms. Lastly, never postpone urinating when you feel a strong urge to go.

Off-grid medics may have to deal with gunfights at the OK corral, but it’s how well they handle everyday problems like UTIs that gauges their day-to-day contributions to their community.

Joe Alton, MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MDHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Bears, UTIs, Kratom for Pain?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-bears-utis-kratom-for-pain/) 

 [Video On Germs That Cause Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-on-pathogens-the-germs-that-cause-disease/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Urinary Tract

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, bladder infections, cystitis, home remedies for UTIs, joe alton md, kidney infections, medical preparedness, pyelonephritis, survival medicine, urethritis, UTIs

---

### [How To Deliver A Placenta After The Baby: Human Birth, Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-deliver-a-placenta-after-the-baby-human-birth-part-3/)

**Published:** May 24, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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 **[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1843493662-fetal-side-of-the-human-placenta-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1843493662-fetal-side-of-the-human-placenta-scaled.jpg)**

In this series on labor and delivery off the grid, we’ve emphasized the importance that knowledge of the birth process plays in producing a healthy newborn. In [parts 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/signs-of-labor-human-birth-part-1/) and[ 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/from-early-labor-to-delivery-human-birth-part-2/), we got you all the way through the delivery of the baby. With the baby in the arms of its mother, you might think you’re done, but you’re not. You still have to deliver the placenta, otherwise known as the “afterbirth.” This is the third stage of labor. You’ll also have to look for and repair vaginal tears incurred during the delivery.

**THE BABY’S OUT: NOW WHAT?**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1157970-bulb-syringe-during-cesarean-section-300x200.jpg)Suctioning nose and mouth with a bulb syringe

Once delivered, the baby’s nose and mouth are suctioned out again to remove amniotic fluid and clear breathing passages. Then, place the newborn on the mother’s chest. It will usually begin crying, which is a good sign that it is a vigorous infant. Spanking the baby’s bottom to get it to cry is rarely needed, and is more of a cliché than anything else. A better way to stimulate a baby to cry is to rub the baby’s back while drying it with a towel.

Once dry, wrap the newborn up in a towel or blanket. The head (but not the face) should be covered to avoid heat loss. At this point, you may clamp the cord twice (2 inches apart) with Kelly or Umbilical clamps, and cut in between with a scissors. There is usually no special hurry to perform this procedure. The items needed are available in commercially-produced delivery kits.

**THE THIRD STAGE**

Once the baby has delivered, it’s the placenta’s turn. Be patient: In most cases, the placenta will deliver by itself in a few minutes. Avoid pulling on the umbilical cord to force the placenta out. Breaking the cord due to excessive traction might require your placing your hand deep in the uterus to extract it. This is traumatic and can introduce infection. You can ask the mother to give a push when it’s clear the placenta is almost out. The process may take up to 30 minutes.

If too much time has passed, traction may possibly be necessary. Place your fingers above the pubic bone and press down as you apply mild traction. This will prevent the uterus being turned inside out (yes, this can happen) and life-threatening hemorrhage may occur. A moderate amount of bleeding is not unusual after delivery of the afterbirth.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1843493662-fetal-side-of-the-human-placenta-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_1843493662-fetal-side-of-the-human-placenta-scaled.jpg)Fetal surface of a placenta

After the placenta delivers, the uterus naturally contracts to control bleeding. The top, or “fundus,” is now felt around the level of the belly button. In a long labor, the uterus may be as tired as the mother after delivery and may be slow to contract. As a result, this may cause excessive bleeding. Although drugs like oxytocin are given in modern times to firm up the uterus, massaging the fundus should also work to limit blood loss. Uterine massage may be necessary from time to time during the first 24 hours or so after delivery.

Once bleeding is under control, examine the afterbirth. The “fetal” surface is grey and shiny; turn it inside out and you will see the “maternal” surface, which look like a rough version of liver. The fetal surface is separated into sections called “**cotyledons**”.

If one of the cotyledons remains inside, there will appear to be a section missing and bleeding may be difficult to control. This may have to be extracted manually. Using a gloved hand, detach the placenta from the wall with your fingers and gently pull it out. Expect the mother to experience some pain. Antibiotics are helpful to prevent infection.

**RECOVERY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/delivery-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/delivery.jpg)

Recovery is often called the fourth stage of labor. It is during this time that the mother’s body begins the process of returning to its pre-pregnancy state.

Treatment rendered during the time period after the three stages of labor are completed is called “[**postpartum care**](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/postpartum-care/art-20047233).” Evaluate the vagina for signs of tears, which can be repaired with [**absorbable suture**](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-to-know-absorbable-sutures). You’ll be monitoring for bleeding and infection over the next few days. In normal situations, the bleeding will become more and more watery as time progresses. Have a supply of sanitary pads in your medical storage. Also, keep an eye out for evidence of fever, foul discharge, or other signs of infection (usually bacterial).

Do pelvic floor muscle training, also called **Kegels**, to tone pelvic floor muscles and help control bladder leakage. To do Kegels, tighten your pelvic muscles. Try it for three seconds at a time, then relax for a count of three. Work up to doing the exercise 10 to 15 times in a row, at least three times a day.

It would be wise to place the baby on the mother’s breast soon after delivery. This will begin the secretion of **“colostrum,”** a clear yellow liquid rich in substances that will increase the baby’s resistance to infection. Suckling also causes the uterus to contract, which decreases blood loss. It’s also important to recognize the bonding element between mother and baby when breastfeeding.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/19th-century-baby-and-mother-300x207.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/19th-century-baby-and-mother.jpg)

It should be noted that there are different schools of thought regarding some of the above, many of which are equally valid. Remember that your goal is to end up with a healthy mother and baby, both physically and emotionally. in the last part of this series, we discuss the delivery of multiples (twins and above) and of unusual presentations, like a breech birth.

To review this series from the beginning, go here: ****

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-300x225.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OB-kit-300x211.jpg)Typical](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-emergency-deluxe-labor-and-baby-delivery-ob-kit/) OB Kit

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Twins and Breech Babies: Human Birth, Part 4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/twins-and-breech-babies-human-birth-part-4/) 

 [From Early Labor To Delivery: Human Birth, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/from-early-labor-to-delivery-human-birth-part-2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Supplies, Nursing Care, Pregnancy/Delivery, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** delivering a baby, delivering the placenta, labor and delivery, medical preparedness, off-grid obstetric care, survival medicine, third stage of labor

---

### [Signs Of Labor: Human Birth, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/signs-of-labor-human-birth-part-1/)

**Published:** May 16, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)

Pregnancy and childbirth are usually considered a blessing in modern times. Off the grid, however, we will be thrown back to the 19th century from a medical standpoint. Back then, childbirth was associated with a much higher rate of complications than today. It was thought that *each* pregnancy carried a one- to two-percent *death rate*. This may not sound like a huge number but, given that the average woman would become pregnant an average of ten times, it added up to a very real risk. A family stood a significant chance of losing its mother.

Even if a group has no women of childbearing age at present, the family caregiver may be called upon to attend a delivery without the benefits of a modern medical system. Therefore, they must be ready to deal with a pregnancy at term, classically defined as one that has reached 37-42 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. In this part of our series, we’ll discuss what happens and the terms used.

(Note: In addition to being a retired Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, I am an actively-licensed Life Fellow of the American College of Ob/Gyn and Nurse Amy is an actively licensed Certified Nurse Midwife.)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_934316471.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_934316471.jpg)

**APPROACHING THE DUE DATE**

As a woman approaches her due date, several things happen. The fetus begins to “drop”, assuming a position deep in the pelvis. Her abdomen may look different, or the top of the uterus, also called the “fundus,” may appear lower. Heartburn, if experienced, may lessen as pressure on the stomach is relieved. As the neck of the uterus (the cervix) relaxes, she may notice a mucus-like discharge mixed with a little blood. This is referred to as the “bloody show” and is usually a sign that labor will occur soon, anywhere from the next few hours to a week or so. Any bright red bleeding is an immediate emergency and, in modern times, requires a visit to the emergency room ASAP.

To determine the patient’s status, you can perform a vaginal exam. This is done by *gently* inserting two fingers of a lubricated (use lubricating jelly) gloved hand. You’ll notice the cervix is firm like your nose when it is not ready to begin dilating or becomong “ripe,” but becomes soft like your lips when the due date is approaching. This softening and thinning out (shortening) of the cervix is called “effacement.”

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1770266792-1024x401.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1770266792-scaled.jpg)

Effacement is measured in percentages. When 50% effaced, the cervix is half its normal thickness and length. At 100% effacement (“completely effaced”), the cervix is paper-thin. Much of the effacement usually occurs before any significant opening of the cervix (also called “dilation”).

Contractions will start becoming more frequent as labor begins. To identify a contraction, feel the skin on the soft area of your cheek, and then touch your forehead. A contraction of the fundus will feel like your forehead. False labor, also called Braxton-Hicks contractions, will be irregular and will go away with bed rest (especially on the left side) and hydration. If contractions are regular, getting closer together and more painful, even with bed rest and hydration, it’s likely the real thing!

A gush of watery fluid from the vagina will often signify “breaking the water”, and is also a sign of impending labor and delivery. The timing will be highly variable, however, and sometimes urine leakage may confuse the situation. A product called “nitrazine paper” will turn a bright blue when it touches amniotic fluid due to its high pH. A bright blue result (nitrazine positive) usually verifies that the bag of water is broken. If you have a microscope in the hospital tent, a little amniotic fluid, when dried, on a slide will reveal fern-like crystals. This is called “ferning” and is more solid proof of membrane rupture than nitrazine positive tests.

There are three stages of labor:

- The first stage, which is broken up into latent (early) and active phases.
- The second stage, which starts when the cervix is fully dilated and the baby is born.
- The third stage, when the placenta is delivered.

We’ll discuss these stages in the next part of this series.

**THE DELIVERY KIT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OB-kit-300x211.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OB-kit-scaled.jpg)

In the meantime, you’ll want to have certain supplies on hand. A typical OB kit used in birthing centers would have items like you’ll find in the one found at [store.doomandbloom.net:](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-emergency-deluxe-labor-and-baby-delivery-ob-kit/)

- Sterile basin with lid
- Baby blanket
- Infant head warming cover
- Umbilical cord clamp
- Under-buttocks drape without pouch
- Curved hemostat forceps
- Straight hemostat Kelly forceps
- Plastic sponge forceps
- Straight mayo scissors
- 12-Ply, 4 x 4″ gauzes
- Large Sterile vinyl gloves
- 18 G x 1.5″ needle
- 7″ serrated needle holder
- 10 mL luer-lock syringe; 2 oz.
- Bulb syringe (to suck out baby’s nose and mouth at birth)
- 50″ x 90″ Table cover
- O.R. towels x4

In addition to the typical birthing center kit above, Additional supplies, including nitrazine paper, antiseptics, extended length gloves, and more, are listed here:

To go directly to the next part of this series, go here:

> [From Early Labor To Delivery: Human Birth, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/from-early-labor-to-delivery-human-birth-part-2/)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [From Early Labor To Delivery: Human Birth, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/from-early-labor-to-delivery-human-birth-part-2/) 

 [Labor and Delivery in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/labor-and-delivery-in-austere-settings/)

**Categories:** Pregnancy/Delivery

**Tags:** baby delivery, baby delivery kit, baby delivery supplies, contractions, false labor, how to tell if I am in labor, joe alton md, labor and delivery, labor and delivery off the grid, painful contractions, signs of labor

---

### [From Early Labor To Delivery: Human Birth, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/from-early-labor-to-delivery-human-birth-part-2/)

**Published:** May 21, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054-300x238.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)

In survival settings, the family medic has to deal with a variety of different problems. Unlike what you might see in the movies, the problem may not be orthopedic trauma or gunfights at the OK corral. There’s always the possibility that they might be pressed into service as… a midwife.

[Last time](https://www.doomandbloom.net/signs-of-labor-human-birth-part-1/), we discussed how to recognize signs of labor in the lates stages of pregnancy. In part 2 of the series, we’ll discuss the interval between the beginning of labor up until the delivery of the baby.

**STAGES OF LABOR**

There are three stages of labor (four, if you add recovery). The first stage is the longest, often lasting 20 hours or more in a woman’s first pregnancy. It begins when your cervix starts to dilate and efface (discussed in part 1), and is separated into a latent phase and an active phase. The first stage is considered complete when the cervix reaches 10 centimeters and is so effaced that you can barely identify it.

**FIRST STAGE (LATENT PHASE)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_96898390-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_96898390-scaled.jpg)

The latent phase is when labor begins. **False labor** has been ruled out and contractions are stronger, more regular, and greater in frequency. They may also last longer (60-90 seconds). The contractions cause your cervix to dilate and efface. In latent phase, however, dilation to about 4 centimeters or so often progresses slowly.

During this time, the mother should be given as much freedom to walk, sit, practice breathing techniques, or do any other activities as she can handle. Keeping her occupied and moving is a good way to move the process along. A soak in a warm tub or shower is helpful if the water hasn’t broken. Oral hydration and small meals are also acceptable.

Once the cervix reaches 4 centimeters of dilation, you should be able to place two (normal-sized) fingertips in the cervix on vaginal exam. You’ll feel something firm inside the cervix; this is the baby’s head. More than 95 percent of deliveries will be headfirst.

Although vaginal exams can give important information, they are invasive and shouldn’t be performed more often than, perhaps, every two hours to follow the progress of the labor.

**FIRST STAGE (ACTIVE PHASE)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1142035970-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1142035970-scaled.jpg)

When the cervix reaches 5 centimeters or so of dilation, labor enters the active phase. Contractions get even stronger and are spaced closer together. As the baby’s head descends, the mother may notice back pressure and bloody vaginal discharge. If the water membrane hasn’t ruptured, it will likely happen around this time.

Cervical dilation in active phase speeds up to about a centimeter an hour, although it may go even faster in women who have had children. Breathing techniques may be needed to manage discomfort during contractions (you won’t have epidural anesthesia or strong pain meds off the grid). Other strategies include:

- Changing positions. Some women prefer being on hands and knees to improve back pain.
- Walking between contractions with a helper.
- Emptying the bladder often.
- Gently massaging the mother’s back.

It may help to remind the mother that each contraction brings her closer to having a baby in her arms. Despite that, don’t encourage her to push until the cervix is completely dilated and the baby’s head has descended well into the pelvis.

**SECOND STAGE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/delivery-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/delivery.jpg)

The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends when the baby is born. This stage is usually completed within two hours, but is dependent on the strength and frequency of contractions. First-time mothers take longer to deliver than those who have had children. Those who have several children may proceed through this stage very quickly.

At this point, the mother will likely feel a strong urge to push. Encourage rest between contractions. When pushing, different positions may work for different mothers. Try squatting, lying on one side with a leg raised, or even hands and knees. The body should “curl into” the push as much as possible, almost exactly like having a bowel movement.

The delivery of a baby is best accomplished with the help of an experienced midwife or obstetrician, but those professionals will be hard to find in survival settings. If there is no chance of accessing modern medical care, you must prepare to perform the delivery.

**NORMAL DELIVERY**

Wash your hands and put gloves on. Then, place clean sheets so that there will be the least contamination possible. Tuck one under the mother’s buttocks if supine and spread it on your lap so that the baby, which comes out very slippery, will land on the sheet instead of the floor if you lose your grip on it.

Place a towel on the mother’s belly; this is where the baby will go once it is delivered. It will be very important to dry the baby and wrap it in the towel, as newborns lose heat very quickly.

As the labor progresses, the baby’s head will move down the birth canal and the vagina will begin to bulge. When the baby’s head begins to become visible, it is called “**crowning**”. If the water has not yet broken (which can happen even at this late stage), the lining of the bag of water will appear as a slick gray surface. Some pressure on the membrane will rupture it, which is okay at this point (controversial to some). It might even help the process along.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_628024163-1-scaled.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/shutterstock_628024163-1-scaled.jpg)To make space, place two gloved fingers along the edge of the vagina by the “**perineum**”. This is the area between the vagina and anus. Using gentle pressure, move your fingers from side to side. This will stretch the area somewhat to give the baby a little more room to come out. Although not advocated by all, “perineal massage” might decrease the risk of lacerations caused by the delivery of the baby.

With each contraction, the baby’s head will come out a little more. Don’t be concerned if it goes back in after the contraction. It should make steady progress over time and more and more of the head will become visible. Encourage the mother to help by taking a deep breath with each contraction and then pushing while slowly exhaling.

On occasion, a small cut is made in the bottom of the edge of the vagina to make room for the baby to be delivered. This is called an “**episiotomy**”. We discourage this if at all possible, as the cut has to be sutured afterward. The decision should be made as the head is crowning; You should only perform an episiotomy if you believe a large jagged tear will occur that could damage the anal sphincter muscle or the rectum.

As the baby’s head emerges, it will usually face straight down or up, and then turn to the side. The umbilical cord is sometimes wrapped around its neck. If this is the case, gently slip the cord over the baby’s head. In cases where the cord is very tight and is preventing delivery, you may choose to doubly clamp it (with the clamps two inches or so apart) and cut between. This will release the tension and make delivery easier. This is also a good time to suction the nose and mouth of the baby with a bulb syringe to remove amniotic fluid and clear breathing passages.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054-300x238.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)

Next, place a hand on each side of the baby’s head and apply gentle traction straight down. This will help the top shoulder out of the birth canal. The second shoulder should then deliver with some gentle traction upward. Occasionally, steady gentle pressure on the top of the uterus during a contraction may be required. This is usually frowned upon, but may be needed if the mother is exhausted. Many times, however, little if any help will be needed for the baby to deliver, (especially in a woman who has had children before). Once the shoulders are out, the baby will deliver with one last push. The mother can now rest.

In the next part of this series, we’ll talk about the delivery of babies not in the headfirst (cephalic) position and what to do with twins or other multiples. We’ll also discuss the third stage of labor: the delivery of the placenta and after-delivery (called “postpartum”) care.

To review part 1 of this series, go to: 

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [How To Deliver A Placenta After The Baby: Human Birth, Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-deliver-a-placenta-after-the-baby-human-birth-part-3/) 

 [Signs Of Labor: Human Birth, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/signs-of-labor-human-birth-part-1/)

**Categories:** First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Pregnancy/Delivery, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** baby delivery, how to deliver a baby, joe alton md, labor and delivery, medical preparedness, stages of labor, survival medicine

---

### [Secrets of Healthy Soil](https://www.doomandbloom.net/secrets-of-healthy-soil/)

**Published:** February 11, 2011
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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## The Importance of Mycorrhizae

[![](https://184.168.191.176/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CornSeeds1.jpg "CornSeeds1")](https://184.168.191.176/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CornSeeds1.jpg)

Research over the years has supported the fact that cultivated or landscaped soils throughout America lack the benefit of microorganisims that are associated with helping the root system of plants. What does this mean?? Well it means we have been dumping chemicals into our land that kill off needed bacteria and fungi. We are killing our **living soil**.

These fungi are called *mycorrhizae*. They are responsible for moving both water and nutrients INTO the plant root systems. No fungi=poor growth. They also provide defense against disease. No fungi=plant death.

They form a barrier around the roots which move water and nutrients into the root system and without this barrier the roots are left to there own defenses. Water and nutrients are not absorbed as efficently and the plant suffers hardship.

### How Do I Get Mycorrhizae on My Plants?

So what can you do? Mycorrhizae fungi is VITAL to your plants health, so add it to the seeds before planting ( see my picture of corn seeds covered in a paste of micorrihizae and water), or add it to a watering can and pour it onto the base of the plant.

All the fertilizers and compost in the world cannot do a better job keeping your plant healthier than this fungi!! The plant will be more drought tolerant and grow healthier and stronger.

Over 95% of the plants on this planet depend on these microorganisms and cannot adequately take up water or nutrients without them. They may live, but not very well.

Our soil is our life source.

I add this to all of my raised beds and container plants. Peas and legumes need a special innoculant called Rhizobium which is a nitrogen fixing bacteria, but everything else needs Mycorrhizae.

So,please, don’t kill your soil “zoo” it is as vital as the plants growing in the soil. Even grass needs mycorrhizae! Think before you spray!

Wishing you a healthier soil and plants!

Nurse Amy

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Save the Herbs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/save-the-herbs/) 

 [Patio Container Gardening](https://www.doomandbloom.net/patio-container-gardening/)

**Categories:** Gardening-Homesteading, Survival Garden

**Tags:** Garden Secrets, healthy plants, healthy soil, How Do I Get Mycorrhizae on My Plants?, living soil, microorganisms, mycorrhizae, mycorrhizae fungi, survival garden, survival gardening

---

### [Tornado Season Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-season-tips/)

**Published:** April 28, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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U.S. citizens are no strangers to natural disasters. In spring and early summer, tornados are a major concern in certain parts of the country; most recently, the states of Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, and elsewhere were hit. Injuries and loss of life from disasters are common consequences of these catastrophes.

If I had to choose between being in the path of a hurricane or a tornado, the hurricane wins every time. With hurricanes, you get several days of warning that they’re coming; Tornadoes, however, are unpredictable and can form very quickly, making rapid action a matter of life and death.

In the aftermath of a tornado, the family medic may end up treating significant traumatic injuries. It doesn’t end there, however. Flooding may contaminate your water supplies and expose you to serious infectious disease. Preparing to weather the storm safely will avoid major medical problems later on.

**TORNADOES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tornado.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tornado.jpg)

A tornado is a rotating column of air that contacts with both the earth’s surface and the thunderstorm (sometimes called a “**supercell**”) that spawned it. From a distance, you can tell a tornado usually by its appearance as a visible dark funnel with all sorts of flying debris in and around it. Close up, they may be more difficult to see.

A tornado (also called a “twister”) may have winds of up to 300 miles per hour, which can make a hurricane seem like a light breeze. Twisters can travel for a number of miles before petering out and be accompanied by hail the size of golf balls. If you’re unlucky enough to have a tornado pass close by, it will emit a roaring sound that reminds you of a passing train.

**NOTE:** (I can tell you this is true by personal experience when I lost some roof tiles and some trees on my property some years ago. You never forget that sound).

There are almost a thousand tornadoes in the United States every year, more than are reported in any other country. Most of these occur in Tornado Alley, an area that includes Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and neighboring states. There are exceptions: The one that struck my house developed all the way down in South Florida!

**THE FUJITA SCALE**

Tornadoes are categorized by something called the Fujita Scale, from level 0-5, based on the amount of damage caused. You can expect:

- **F0-** Light: broken tree branches, mild structural damage, some trees uprooted
- **F1-** Moderate: broken windows, small tree trunks broken, overturned mobile homes, destruction of carports or toolsheds, roof tiles missing
- **F2-** Considerable: mobile homes destroyed, major structural damage to frame homes due to flying debris, some large trees snapped in half or uprooted
- **F3-** Severe: Roofs torn from homes, small frame homes destroyed, most trees snapped and uprooted
- **F4-** Devastating: strong structure building damaged or destroyed or lifted from foundations, cars lifted and blown away, even large debris airborne
- **F5-** Incredible: larger building lifted from foundations, trees snapped, uprooted and debarked, multi-ton debris becomes airborne missiles

Although some places may have sirens or other methods of warning you of an approaching tornado, it is important to have a plan of your own to weather the storm. This plan should extend to your entire family. Children should be taught where to find the medical kits and, if feasible, how to turn off gas and electricity. Training loved ones in the use of a fire extinguisher and some training in the treatment of injuries would be highly useful as well.

**WHAT TO DO**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_1548478790-tornado-shelter-300x165.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_1548478790-tornado-shelter-scaled.jpg)

If you see a twister funnel, take shelter immediately unless your residence is a mobile home. They are especially vulnerable to damage from the winds. If there’s time, get to the nearest building that has a tornado shelter; underground shelters are best.

If you live in Tornado Alley, consider putting together your own underground shelter (check the link below). At the very least, find out your municipality’s tornado plan and shelter locations. This goes for your kid’s school as well, as tornadoes may appear during school hours.

Here’s a link: 

Unlike bunkers and other structures built for long-term protection, a tornado shelter has to provide safety for a short period of time. As such, it doesn’t have to be very large; 8-10 square feet per person would be acceptable. Despite this, be sure to consider ventilation and the comfort or special needs of those using the shelter.

If you don’t have a shelter, find a place in the house where family members can go if a tornado is headed your way. Basements, bathrooms, closets or inside rooms on the first floor are the best options. Stay away from rooms with windows, these can easily shatter from impact due to flying debris. For added protection, get under a heavy object such as a sturdy table. Covering your body with a sleeping bag or mattress will provide an additional shield. You might consider planning tornado drills; it’s a great way for the kids to know what to do by heart.

**IN A CAR**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tornado-damage-115801_1920-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tornado-damage-115801_1920-scaled.jpg)

If you’re in a car and can drive to a shelter, do so. You might be hesitant to leave your vehicle, but remember that they can be easily tossed around by the winds; you may be safer if there’s a culvert or other protected area lower than the roadway. In town, though, leaving the car to enter a sturdy building is the most appropriate course of action. If there is no other option, your car may protect you from some of the flying debris. Keep your seat beat on, put you head down below the level of the windows, and cover yourself with whatever’s available.

**CAUGHT OUTSIDE**

If you are caught outside when the tornado hits, stay away from wooded areas. Torn branches and other debris become missiles, so an open field or ditch may be safer. Lying down flat in a low spot in the ground will give you some protection. Make sure to cover your head if at all possible, even if it’s just with your hands.

If you have enough time, fill up your bathtub with water just in case; you’ll need one gallon of water per day for every member of your family. I don’t have to tell you that you should have food and medical supplies stored up as well.

Armed with a plan of action, you’ll have a head start on weathering that storm. Make natural disasters just a bump in the road, not the *end* of the road, for your family.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Tuberculosis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tuberculosis/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bleeding, Biological Warfare, LifeVac, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bleeding-biological-warfare-lifevac-more/)

**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Tornadoes

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, natural disasters, survival medicine, tormadoes, tornado preparedness, Tornado survival

---

### [Tuberculosis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tuberculosis/)

**Published:** May 7, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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A disease that has existed since prehistoric times is making news in today’s West Coast. [Long Beach](https://www.yahoo.com/news/170-exposed-tuberculosis-long-beach-183544242.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall), California seems to be the epicenter of an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB), leading to a public health emergency in the area.

[Tuberculosis (TB)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberculosis), known in the past as “consumption” because it appeared to gradually “consume” the body, is an infectious disease caused by the microbe *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. One quarter of the population in Africa and Asia is believed to have tested positive for the disease, which resulted in 1.3 million deaths in 2022.

At this time, Long Beach’s health department has identified 14 cases so far, with nine hospitalizations and one death. They have also found about 170 others with probable exposure. The cases seem to be centered around an unnamed hotel frequented by substance abusers, homeless, and the mentally ill.

TB has infected humans and certain animals for thousands of years. Evidence of the disease has been found in fossils of bison living in Wyoming 17,000 years ago. In Egypt, human skeletal remains with signs of tuberculosis have been dated to 4000 BC. TB has been shown to exist in the Americas for at least 2000 years. It should be noted, however, that there is no factual reason to believe that animals passed it to humans, as was previously thought.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TUBERCULOSIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tuberculosis-xray-249x300.jpg)Tuberculosis on Xray](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tuberculosis-xray.jpg)

Tuberculosis usually affects the respiratory system, but can also involve other parts of the body. Most cases are asymptomatic and are known as “[latent](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250).” Perhaps ten percent of latent infections activate into significant disease; if left untreated, TB kills about fifty percent of victims.

Symptoms include:

- Chronic cough
- Bloody phlegm
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss

Once TB travels to other organs, symptoms relating to those organs may be seen.

**HOW TUBERCULOSIS SPREADS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)

Tuberculosis is a contagious disease. It’s spread from person to person through the air. Only actively infected individuals spread the disease. Those considered “latent” don’t. Airborne droplets emanate from coughs, sneezes, spit, and even just speaking. Those with weakened immune system are most likely to develop active TB.

(ASIDE: I was working the emergency room in 1980 at a major inner city hospital in Miami when Fidel Castro shipped 125,000 refugees, many from Cuban prisons, to our area from a place called [Mariel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariel_boatlift). As you can imagine, many were ill, and I was one of the physicians on the front line. This was before mask mandates, and sure enough, I turned positive for tuberculosis via skin test during the crisis. Luckily for me, it was a latent case and remains so to this day.)

**DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-scaled.jpg)

TB is usually diagnosable by chest X-ray or lab examination of body fluids. Without modern lab studies, the diagnosis is made by the signs and symptoms, especially cough with bloody mucus. As many people have taken the TB skin test in the past, medics should include that information in patients’ medical histories.

Treatment requires a four-to-six-month course of combinations of antibiotics (which I took). Resistance is an issue in some areas, with increased cases of multiple drug-resistant TB reported.

**TUBERCULOSIS IN THE U.S.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-scaled.jpg)

In the 19th century, TB killed one out of seven people living in the United States and Europe. The advent of antibiotics and improved public health measures markedly decreased the disease in the U.S. The current outbreak in California, however, is noteworthy in that it comes after the number of [2023 cases](https://apnews.com/article/tb-tuberculosis-cdc-us-e278fdbc1a7912bfbbab8934ad0691d9) in the U.S. were the highest in ten years.

Forty states reported an increase among all age groups. Most cases were diagnosed in people born in other countries. Although not proven with hard data, undocumented immigrants probably comprise the majority of the increase in the states. Despite this, the U.S. has less TB cases than many other nations.

**PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_98093702-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_98093702-scaled.jpg)

Mask use is suggested for those caring for the actively infected. N95 masks, recently reported to be of little use against COVID-19, should be effective as they are 95 percent effective against airborne droplets larger than 1.3 microns. *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* measures an average of 2-4 microns.

Standard respiratory precautions are appropriate to help prevent Tuberculosis:

-Practice good hand hygiene; wash hands thoroughly and often during the day.

-Clean countertops, doorknobs, and other common-area items to reduce the viral load. A dilute bleach solution will work.

-Avoid social situations where someone is sick. Coughs and sneezes can reach others several feet away.

-Sick persons should cover their mouth and nose with tissues or other barrier when coughing or sneezing. Don’t have tissue? Sneeze or cough into your elbow or sleeve.

-Seriously ill individuals should be quarantined in an area away from high-traffic spots in the home. N95 masks provide some measure of protection.

Remember that staying indoors is not particularly protective against respiratory infections. The viral load in a closed and crowded room is probably much higher than the air outside!

### Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [From Early Labor To Delivery: Human Birth, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/from-early-labor-to-delivery-human-birth-part-2/) 

 [Tornado Season Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-season-tips/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** 2022 outbreak enterovirus, epidemic diseases, joe alton md, medical preparedness, respiratory infections, survival medicine, Tuberculosis

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bleeding, Biological Warfare, LifeVac, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bleeding-biological-warfare-lifevac-more/)

**Published:** April 16, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss important tips on controlling bleeding wounds (18 tips, as a matter of fact!), The cover-up (alleged) of the true origins of COVID-19 by the powers that be, biologic weapons in warfare, the pros and cons of the LifeVac dechoking device, and how to prevent lightheadedness and fainting when donating blood.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To listen in, click below:

## 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Tornado Season Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-season-tips/) 

 [Biological Agents As Weapons](https://www.doomandbloom.net/biological-agents-as-weapons/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, bacterial disease, Bleeding Wound, COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical HIstory, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Respiratory infections, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Viruses, Wound Care

**Tags:** biological agents, biological warfare, bleeding control, donating blood, hemorrhage, joe alton md, lifevac, lightheadedness, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Biological Agents As Weapons](https://www.doomandbloom.net/biological-agents-as-weapons/)

**Published:** April 12, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Many different disaster scenarios can lead to mass casualties. The largest in the last century, short of a World War, was a biological event: the COVID pandemic. I have always believed that COVID originated in a lab, and the evidence for my suspicions seem to become more justified over time. While the release of the virus may have been accidental, its potential as a biological weapon, used intentionally, shouldn’t be ignored. Biological warfare *is* a weapon of mass destruction, and it can be a society-breaker.

**HISTORY OF BIOLOGICAL WARFARE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/plague-ridden-corpses-catapulted-in-siege-warfare-biological-300x154.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/plague-ridden-corpses-catapulted-in-siege-warfare-biological.webp)

Biological warfare is the term given to the use of infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or their by-products to wreak death and havoc among a target population. As a result, the attacker achieves control over an area or a people by weakening the ability to resist. Biological weapons don’t necessarily have to kill humans directly: unleashing a horde of locusts to destroy crops or an agent that kills livestock can be just as effective.

Biological weapons have been used since ancient times, even appearing in the bible as the plagues visited upon Pharaoh by a wrathful God. Medieval accounts of plague-ridden corpses catapulted into besieged cities abound; this method was used as late at 1710.

The Western hemisphere was changed forever by the inadvertent introduction of smallpox into the Native American population. In some areas, 90% died. The end result was the opening of vast swaths of land for European colonization. In addition, purposeful biological warfare was waged against Native Americans when the British presented a “gift” of infected blankets as a “peace offering” during Pontiac’s War in the mid-1700s.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/bartering-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/bartering.jpg)

New infectious agents, such as anthrax, were used in certain situations during World War I. Seeing their horrific effects, use of biological weapons was banned by the Geneva Protocol in 1925. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop research and production by both sides during World War II. Sometimes it would go awry: Work by the United Kingdom on anthrax left their laboratory in Scotland contaminated for five decades.

Eventually, the storage, production, and transport of toxic agents was banned by the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). As of 2022, 183 countries have signed the BWC pact. Despite this, there have been a number of violations documented in the former Soviet Union and Iraq (with various others suspected).

**THE IDEAL BIOLOGICAL WEAPON**

To date, all biological weapons have been less than perfect. The ideal agent would have these characteristics:

- Be infectious and contagious in a large percentage of those exposed.
- Cause severe long-term debilitation or death of the infected organism.
- Have few available antidotes, preventives or cures.
- Be easily deliverable to the area or population targeted.
- Have low likelihood of causing damage to those using the agent on others.

The concerns about “accidents” affecting the aggressor have most countries reluctant to use these weapons in normal tactical situations. During the largest such accident in 1979, a Russian lab released anthrax into the surrounding area, killing 42 people, infecting sheep over 200 miles away, and causing the immediate area to be off-limits even today. There is speculation by some that the COVID pandemics effects on China are another example of such an “accident.”

**DEADLY BIOLOGICAL AGENTS**

Some candidates for use as biological warfare agents include coronaviruses, anthrax, smallpox, viral hemorrhagic Fevers (Ebola, etc.), and pneumonic plague.

**CORONAVIRUSES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/viruslarge-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/viruslarge.jpg)

I would be remiss if I didn’t start by mentioning coronaviruses like covid-19 or SARS. Indeed, these viruses check a lot of boxes: they are contagious and infect a large number of people. They can cause serious disease; new strains may not respond to current treatment methods. The current versions, however, aren’t lethal enough to kill a significant part of the population, nor would they be easy to deliver to a specific target group. In addition, they are just as problematic for those using the weapon as those exposed to it.

The many strains of COVID have led to many victims experiencing different symptoms. Most develop:

- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache

Some strains of the virus cause their own particular symptoms, such as loss of taste or smell, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Although COVID-19 could mutate into a biological weapon-grade agent, current death and hospitalization rates are very low. Vaccines for the latest strains are widely available; treatments like Paxlovid help with the symptoms. Influenza viruses, if mutated like coronaviruses, could also pose a pandemic threat with a higher mortality rate.

**ANTHRAX**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/grazing-sheep-public-domain-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/grazing-sheep-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

Anthrax, often mentioned as a biological weapon, can be contracted in several ways: skin contact, inhalation, and gastrointestinal infection. More common in livestock than people, anthrax is not an ideal “weapon of mass destruction” in that no person-to-person contagion occurs, except in skin cases (the least lethal form). A massive “cloud” of it would be necessary to affect a large population. That said, large numbers of infected livestock could result in an epidemic of the disease in humans.

The bacterium exists as spores which, in the right environment, release toxins that cause a flu-like syndrome which eventually destroys cells in lymph nodes, spreading to the lungs and blood. Although Penicillin, Doxycycline, and Ciprofloxacin are effective against this bacterium as either a preventative or for early treatment, full-blown inhalation anthrax may be difficult to survive, as the toxins released by the spores remain active even if the spores are killed.

Inhalation anthrax, the most feared form, appears first as a flu-like syndrome, deteriorating to shock and death in many cases; luckily, not everyone exposed will get symptoms. Because of higher risk of exposure, certain individuals, such as livestock workers, are often offered a vaccine against the disease.

**PLAGUE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/plague-victim.jpg)Signs of bubonic plague](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/plague-victim.jpg)

Plague has been, well, a plague since medieval times (and, probably, much earlier). Caused by microbes known as *Yersinia pestis*, they make their home in the GI tract of fleas that infest rodents. There are three types, all of which can cause fever/chills, headaches, body aches, weakness, and fatigue. Many cases also suffer from diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

There are three types:

**Pneumonic plague**: Pneumonic plague is, by far, the most contagious. It is easily spread by coughing bacteria into the air. Starting off as a flu-like syndrome, this highly lethal version quickly develops into pneumonia with fever, weakness, shortness of breath, and cough (often with blood).

Unlike inhalation anthrax, which may take weeks to develop symptoms, patients with pneumonic plague may be dead in two to four days if not treated early. Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Ciprofloxacin, and IV Gentamycin are effective treatments. Oxygen, if available, will help support the sick individual. For caregivers, protective masks like the N95, are imperative.

**Bubonic Plague:** Bubonic plague is different from pneumonic plague in that the sufferer develops blackish-purple swellings in the groin or armpit (called “buboes”). These are infected lymph nodes that are painful and swollen. While pneumonic plague can easily be spread from person to person, bubonic plague (if treated) cannot, and carries a low death rate. Untreated, however, bubonic plague can spread to the lungs or bloodstream and become highly lethal.

**Septicemic Plague:** When plague organisms infect the bloodstream, it is termed septicemic plague. Victims of septicemic plague, in addition to basic symptoms, often complain of abdominal pain, but may also bleed from the nose, mouth, or under the skin. This form is fatal if untreated.

As a biological weapon, some forms of plague would be formidable due to the historical death rate. Today, however, a simple course of antibiotics would prevent bad outcomes if started early. The same could be said for another past epidemic disease: cholera!

**VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ebola-health-worker-and-patient-un-dot-org.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ebola-health-worker-and-patient-un-dot-org.jpg)

There are several types of “fevers” associated with different viral organisms that infect animals like bats and some primates. Hemorrhagic fevers include filoviruses like Ebola or Marburg, mosquito-borne flaviviruses like Dengue or Yellow Fever, and a number of others. Ebola and Marburg are the most likely candidates for use in biological warfare, due to the combination of high transmissibility and death rates.

Most victims start off with flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and weakness. They quickly progress to diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. More serious problems relating to internal and external hemorrhaging appear in severe cases; victims may bleed from the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or rectum. Bruising can occur from bleeding under the skin.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers are easily spread by bodily fluids, so masks, gowns, and gloves are extremely important for health care workers (who are often also victims during outbreaks). This makes it formidable due to its contagiousness, death rate, and various methods of spread.

Normal antivirals don’t seem to cure viral hemorrhagic fevers: Death rates may be as high as 90% in some types if untreated. If a virus like Ebola ever mutated to become primarily airborne, it would be a formidable biological weapon. Fortunately, vaccines are now available for some Ebola strains. Marburg vaccines are still in development.

**SMALLPOX**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/smallpox3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/smallpox3.jpg)

Smallpox (also called “variola”) is another highly contagious viral illness that was responsible for the decimation of entire populations in the Americas. Related to the chickenpox (varicella) virus, smallpox differs in that all the blisters develop at the same time, rather than at varying points of development and healing like chickenpox. Also, chickenpox spreads less to the limbs than smallpox. Contact with blisters could transmit the disease to others. Fever, stomach pain, vomiting, fatigue, and weakness accompanied the illness.

Although smallpox is considered to have been eradicated in 1980, University of Alberta scientists were able to recreate an extinct horse pox virus in 2017. This suggests that it’s possible to recreate the smallpox virus. If so, a case of the “ordinary” strain is highly contagious and carries a one in three death rate, making it a formidable biological weapon. Others range from rarely fatal to always fatal.

Interestingly, the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) still has mass quantities of smallpox vaccines in storage.

By-products released by microbes and plants walk the fine line between biological weapons and chemical weapons. Toxin released by the bacterium that causes botulism, for example, causes paralysis of muscles, and is used in small quantities as the cosmetic agent Botox. Ingredients in castor beans contain Ricin, a potent toxin that causes respiratory and circulatory failure. 3 milligrams of Ricin is potent enough to kill an average-sized adult if inhaled.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bleeding, Biological Warfare, LifeVac, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bleeding-biological-warfare-lifevac-more/) 

 [Call Me Crazy, But Was There A COVID Cover-Up?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/call-me-crazy-but-was-there-a-covid-cover-up/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, bacterial disease, COVID-19, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Infections, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, Viruses

**Tags:** anthrax, biological weapons, Bubonic plague, dangerous biological agents, Ebola virus, influenza virus, inhalation anthrax, joe alton md, marburg virus, medical preparedness, pandemic diseases, plague, pneumonic plague, survival medicine

---

### [Call Me Crazy, But Was There A COVID Cover-Up?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/call-me-crazy-but-was-there-a-covid-cover-up/)

**Published:** April 9, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The COVID pandemic is over, and the virus is now one of those that circulate through the population annually. There has always been doubt, to many, about the apparently [spontaneous emergence of COVID-19](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57268111) in a Chinese live market. Claiming that a Chinese virology lab intentionally developed a pandemic-capable virus was deemed by most of the media to be some sort of racist right-wing conspiracy.

Believe what you will, but my feeling has always been that the virus was developed purposefully in the[ lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_lab_leak_theory). For what use? As a biological weapon? Maybe so, maybe not.

In any case, how did it get out? it was unlikely to have been intentionally released into the country’s own population; that would violate the purpose of biological warfare in general. It could be as simple as a lab employee selling some infected bat carcasses at the market for a little extra dough. Or, leaving the live market out of it, some incompetent worker just didn’t follow the right protocol for disposing of dead lab animals and caused some form of contamination.

It appears that some U.S. federal agencies were aware of the intentional development of the virus that killed seven million people. Initially proposed to the Department of Defense’s **DARPA (**Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)**** as [**the** **“DEFUSE” project**](https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/reps/dr-paul-sends-letters-to-fifteen-federal-agencies-after-discovering-their-knowledge-of-risky-defuse-project/)**,** the Wuhan Institute of Virology and some other entities wanted to “defuse” SARS-like coronaviruses by reverse-engineering new RNA viruses from bat vectors. Theoretically, a vaccine or antidote would be developed at the same time. Pitching the idea along with the Wuhan lab was Dr. Anthony Fauci’s **National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases** (NIAID) and an organization called **Ecohealth Alliance**. This proposal was considered problematic, however, in terms of the risks of developing new possibly pandemic viruses or even, possible biological weapons to existence.

In 2021, a leak to the media by a group of researchers claimed that the highly dangerous COVID-19 virus was suspiciously similar to what the DEFUSE project wanted to develop. None of the involved parties, however, came forward to warn the public that a highly transmissible virus was possibly released into the environment.

Enter Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who wondered if there was some kind of cover-up . It seemed that there was a lot of shade thrown on those suggesting that COVID originated in the Institute of Virology. US health agencies even enlisted a scientist involved in the effort to write a paper called [“Proximal Origins.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proximal_Origin)” This document, commissioned by Dr. Fauci and operatives at the National Institute of Health, criticized anyone putting forth the notion that COVID-19 might have originated in a lab.

It’s certainly possible that US agencies had been working in tandem with the Wuhan Institute of Virology; If so, were they attempting to deflect blame for developing a dangerous virus in the lab and allowing its dispersal into the population? If we had known early enough that a virus purposefully adapted for human transmission was out there, proper containment might have saved many lives . [Senator Paul is now conducting a further investigation](https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/reps/dr-paul-sends-letters-to-fifteen-federal-agencies-after-discovering-their-knowledge-of-risky-defuse-project/) into the nature of the US involvement in keeping things quiet.

If true, what should happen to those who withheld this information? Seven million life sentences comes to mind. Unfortunately, I doubt Dr. Fauci and his accomplices will ever suffer any consequences. COVID is no longer news; even now, many virologists state publicly that COVID was a completely natural phenomenon. They would certainly deny any knowledge to the contrary.

Whatever your opinion, researchers should realize that developing new viruses has risks attached: Virologists aren’t all mad scientists, of course, but we need a watchdog. The next lab-developed virus could be a useful research tool, an accidental pandemic, or a biological weapon.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Biological Agents As Weapons](https://www.doomandbloom.net/biological-agents-as-weapons/) 

 [Bird Flu: The Next Viral Outbreak?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bird-flu-the-next-viral-outbreak/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, Viruses

**Tags:** covid cover-up, joe alton md, lab theory of covid, medical preparedness, natural theory of covid, survival medicine

---

### [Bird Flu: The Next Viral Outbreak?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bird-flu-the-next-viral-outbreak/)

**Published:** April 4, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/public-domain-chicken-flock-300x201.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/public-domain-chicken-flock.webp)

Experts are waving the red flag on the bird flu virus that has infected wild and food-producing poultry, farm animals like cattle, fur-bearing critters, and recently, a dairy worker. The virus, 2020’s H5N1 influenza, theoretically has the potential to be the source of the next pandemic, and some claim it could be 100 times worse than COVID.

Although the virus is showing up in humans at risk around the world, it’s similar to a number of bird flu outbreaks that did not pan out to be COVID-style societal catastrophes. The math is also fuzzy: Since COVID’s total death rate was one percent, a virus 100 times worse would, I guess, kill everyone on Earth.

That’s not to say that the Bird Flu is benign. Its death rate could approach Ebola-like figures of 50 percent. But it hasn’t been as easy for the virus to pass on to humans as it has some mammals. Up to this point, the positive results in cattle were the first seen in the U.S.

H5N1 was originally identified in geese in China in 1996 but has rarely caused humans to sicken. A case in a Colorado resident in 2022, for example, didn’t cause an outbreak. Of course, viruses mutate, and the wrong genetic turn could be reason to worry. As humans exhibit little immunity against the virus once infected, they could be sitting “ducks” for the bird flu. Sitting ducks, see what I did there?

**CDC Findings**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/viruslarge-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/viruslarge.jpg)

The CDC revealed its genetic sequencing findings for the virus in a technical update on its website. There were minor differences between human specimens and the cattle samples, but both had avian characteristics. One change noted in the viral genome was a known link that helps it adapt to mammalian hosts. This was seen before in past samples and doesn’t seem to be related to transmission.

Therefore, the CDC states the overall risk to human health remains low at present, and only cattle in Ohio and Idaho have tested positive so far. Herds in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico are still in the process of testing, however.

**Transmission**

Factors that include wild bird migrations, especially involving geese and ducks, could worsen the situation. Those making trips North and South could spread the Bird Flu far and wide.

Just so you know, symptoms of bird flu include eye redness, coughing, body aches, and fevers. The dairy worker recently infected, however, only had eye symptoms and not respiratory, which likely decreases the risk of H5N1 becoming lethal.

At present, the CDC doesn’t consider a Bird Flu outbreak to be likely. Those who are involved in the poultry and other food-producing livestock industry should, however, practice infection prevention strategies, like:

- Proper and frequent hand hygiene.
- Proper food preparation techniques.
- Avoidance of touching the face, mouth, nose, or eyes when in contact with animals or after using the restroom.
- And, maybe, consider influenza vaccination if you’re high-risk.

The above strategies are also useful for the general prevention of influenza.

**Another Pandemic? Ugh.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1826742611-300x222.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1826742611-scaled.jpg)

Americans are pandemic-weary at this point, having seen Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, enterovirus, and COVID in the news just in the last decade. Federal funding for pandemic preparedness is no longer a priority. About 335 million dollars for pandemic issues are earmarked this year, well short of the 2025 budget request of 1.15 billion.

There is good news (even though it involves vaccines): Two viruses that could form the building blocks manufacturers use to produce a vaccine appear suitable to protect against the H5N1 strain seen in dairy cattle and birds. But right now, most resources are being used to produce standard seasonal flu vaccines. So don’t expect the availability of mass quantity of bird flu vaccine anytime soon.

Bottom line: You shouldn’t spend nights up worrying about the bird flu, but you should spend some time at the kitchen or bathroom sink washing your hands. Watch out for cold and flu symptoms and don’t answer that ad for a cattle wrangler or chicken plucker anytime soon, or a chicken wrangler or cattle plucker.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Call Me Crazy, But Was There A COVID Cover-Up?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/call-me-crazy-but-was-there-a-covid-cover-up/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Internal Injuries, Bandages/Dressings, Raw Honey, Antiseptics, More...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-internal-injuries-bandages-dressings-raw-honey-antiseptics-more/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** avian flu, bird flu, H5N1 virus, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pandemic outbreak

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Internal Injuries, Bandages/Dressings, Raw Honey, Antiseptics, More...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-internal-injuries-bandages-dressings-raw-honey-antiseptics-more/)

**Published:** March 27, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

You know, we talk a lot about medical supplies that you have to get serious training for, like tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, decompression needles, and the like, but there are important supplies you probably have right now in your medicine cabinet that are also very important for the survival medic in long-term disaster settings. Dressings, bandages, antiseptics, and much more are discussed in this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast. Also, internal injuries: What you need to know, with Dr. Joe Alton.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_291155645-applying-a-tourniquet-in-the-field-medic-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_291155645-applying-a-tourniquet-in-the-field-medic-scaled.jpg)

Also, the benefits of raw honey in wound care, but a discussion of mold and its risks and remediation.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To listen in, click below:

## **https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/03/27/survival-medicine-podcast-internal-injuries-dressingsbandages-raw-honey**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Bird Flu: The Next Viral Outbreak?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bird-flu-the-next-viral-outbreak/) 

 [Video: Thoughts On Bleeding Control, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-thoughts-on-bleeding-control-part-2/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Animal Bites, bacterial disease, Bleeding Wound, Burns, Cellulitis, Crush injuries, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** antibiotic ointment, antiseptics, bandages, internal injuries, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mold damage, raw honey, survival medicine, wound dressings

---

### [Video: Thoughts On Bleeding Control, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-thoughts-on-bleeding-control-part-2/)

**Published:** March 26, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-stop-bleeding-hemorrhage-injury-trauma-deep-wound-fix-blood-tourniquet-use-Part-2-doctor-alton-MD-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-stop-bleeding-hemorrhage-injury-trauma-deep-wound-fix-blood-tourniquet-use-Part-2-doctor-alton-MD-scaled.jpg)

The family medic should know about hemorrhage and how to treat it as a basic skill, but there are aspects not always clear to the average person. This companion video to a recent article is Part 2 of Dr. Joe Alton’s thoughts (a total of 18 over 2 videos) on bleeding control off the grid and in disaster/survival scenarios. Link to Part 1 will be down at the bottom.

To watch, click “watch on YouTube” below (subject matter) or go to: 
\]

For Part 1 of this video, go to: 
Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Internal Injuries, Bandages/Dressings, Raw Honey, Antiseptics, More...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-internal-injuries-bandages-dressings-raw-honey-antiseptics-more/) 

 [Video: Thoughts On Bleeding Control, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-thoughts-on-bleeding-control-part-1/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** bleeding control, disaster medicine, hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, joe alton md, survival medicine, traumatic bleeding

---

### [Video: Thoughts On Bleeding Control, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-thoughts-on-bleeding-control-part-1/)

**Published:** March 25, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-stop-bleeding-hemorrhage-injury-trauma-deep-wound-fix-blood-tourniquet-use-Part-1-doctor-alton-MD-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-stop-bleeding-hemorrhage-injury-trauma-deep-wound-fix-blood-tourniquet-use-Part-1-doctor-alton-MD-scaled.jpg)

The family medic should know about hemorrhage and how to treat it as a basic skill, but there are aspects not always clear to the average person. This companion video to a recent article is Part 1 of Dr. Joe Alton’s thoughts (a total of 18 over 2 videos) on bleeding control off the grid and in disaster/survival scenarios. Link to Part 2 will be down at the bottom.

To watch, click “watch on YouTube” below (subject matter) or go to: 

To watch part 2, click here: 
Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Thoughts On Bleeding Control, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-thoughts-on-bleeding-control-part-2/) 

 [18 Principles Of Bleeding Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/18-principles-of-bleeding-control/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma

**Tags:** bleeding control, disaster medicine, hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, joe alton md, medical preparedness, stop the bleed, survival medicine

---

### [18 Principles Of Bleeding Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/18-principles-of-bleeding-control/)

**Published:** March 19, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_658908205-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_658908205-scaled.jpg)

The risk of **hemorrhage** from traumatic injury exists in good times or bad, whether it’s due to a motor vehicle accident, a work mishap, civil unrest, or the zombie apocalypse. A major arterial bleed, if untreated, can cause a victim to be beyond medical help in just a few short minutes. The bleeding may be so severe that emergency medical personnel can’t arrive in time to help.

Having a way to control massive extremity bleeding is useful for the medic in survival settings. One of the most important tools for emergency hemorrhage control is the [**tourniquet**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourniquet). A tourniquet is a device that uses compression to stop the flow of blood through a vein or artery. Not having one in your medical kit can lead to a tragic outcome.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/albert-sidney-johnston-confederate-general-200x300.jpg)General Johnston](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/albert-sidney-johnston-confederate-general-scaled.jpg)

Here’s an example from our relatively recent past: After serving in the Texan and U.S. armies, [Albert Sidney Johnston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Sidney_Johnston) became a full general on the Confederate side in the Civil War. He was considered to be the best general they had at the time (Robert E. Lee had not yet ascended to command). At the battle of Shiloh in April 1862, General Johnston took a bullet behind the knee, severing a major artery. Unfortunately, no doctor was at hand and none on the battlefield thought to apply a tourniquet. It took an hour for him to bleed to death. Ironically, a tourniquet was later found in his pocket.

Even in recent conflicts, uncontrolled blood loss is a leading cause of fatality in potentially survivable battlefield injuries. The grand majority of these deaths occurred before the casualty was able to reach a modern medical facility. It’s imperative, therefore, for the effective medic in the field to have a working knowledge of bleeding wounds and the tools that staunch them.

**ORIGINS OF TOURNIQUET USE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/19th-century-amputation-kit-with-tourniquet-and-bone-saw-225x300.jpg)Late 19th Century amputation set with tourniquet](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/19th-century-amputation-kit-with-tourniquet-and-bone-saw-scaled.jpg)

Attempts to stop battlefield hemorrhage have been described in ancient writings as far back as the time of Alexander the Great. Usually, these efforts involved using a cloth or strap and a stick which was turned to apply pressure to a bleeding limb.

In the early 1700s, Jean Louis Petit, a French surgeon, developed a strap with a screw that could be turned to effectively compress blood vessels and stop bleeding. The word “tourniquet” developed from the French verb “tourner” (to turn). During the American Civil War, more than 50,000 strap tourniquets and 13,000 Petit screw tourniquets were employed on the Union side, mostly to facilitate the performance of more than 29,000 amputations.

Since then, the tourniquet has been both praised as a life-saver and vilified as a limb-loser. In the 21st century, our attitudes have turned towards the former: A 2013 study of the military’s experience in Iraq and Afghanistan showed that nearly a quarter of combat deaths due to hemorrhage between 2001 and 2011 might have been prevented with the right equipment and training. Therefore, every U.S. soldier now carries a tourniquet in an **individual first aid kit** (IFAK).

**THE PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF BLEEDING**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_295754804-messy-bleeding-control-hemorrhage-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_295754804-messy-bleeding-control-hemorrhage-scaled.jpg)

Although the amount of blood in the human body varies depending on sex, weight, age, and even altitude, an estimate of 9 to 10 pints is about average. How does blood loss affect what signs and symptoms a rescuer would note in a victim?

The **American College of Surgeons** identifies four classes of hemorrhage with their signs and symptoms:

**Class I:** 1.5 pints (0.75 liters) or less: little or no effect; you can donate a pint of whole blood, for example, as often as every 8 weeks. The victim may be somewhat anxious (after all, there’s blood). Pulse may rise a bit, but blood pressure and respirations are normal.

**Class II:** 1.5-3.0 pints (0.75-1.5 liters): The victim is usually agitated, with a rapid heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute) and respirations (20-30 per minute) as the body speeds up processes that allow the smaller population of red blood cells to deliver oxygen to tissues. Blood pressure remains within normal limits for now. The skin becomes cool and may appear pale.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ACS-bleeding-classes-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ACS-bleeding-classes.jpg)

**Class III:** 3.0-4 pints (1.5-2 liters): Blood pressure begins to drop due to less volume in the arteries. The body’s ability to transport oxygen to tissues begins to weaken; at this point, the victim is pale and may be very agitated and confused. Heartbeat is usually very rapid (over 120 beats per minute) and respirations reach 30-40 per minute in a desperate attempt to maintain oxygenation.

**CLASS IV:** Over 4 pints (more than 2 liters): Patient is now very pale; confusion becomes lethargy, leading to unconsciousness. The pulse is very rapid (over 140 beats per minute) and thready. After a period of continued blood loss, the blood pressure drops further. The heart rate and respirations begin to drop as the body loses the oxygenation battle. The circulatory system eventually collapses, a condition known as “hypovolemic shock.” This casualty is in serious danger without major intervention.

**HOW TO STOP BLEEDING: 18 PRINCIPLES OF HEMORRHAGE CONTROL**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_291155645-applying-a-tourniquet-in-the-field-medic-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_291155645-applying-a-tourniquet-in-the-field-medic-scaled.jpg)

Understanding hemorrhage and the proper use of tourniquets is necessary to be an effective off-grid medic. There are a number of principles that must be considered:

**1)** Know the difference between arterial and venous bleeding. Arterial blood is oxygen-rich, giving it a bright red color. It tends to spurt vigorously from the wound in time with the pulse. Venous blood is oxygen-poor and is much darker. It tends to flow more steadily. Arterial bleeding is under more pressure than venous and is, therefore, harder to stop.

**2)** Using your hands to apply direct pressure on the extremity will staunch the majority of cases of mild-moderate bleeding, but there are circumstances where it’s obvious you’re dealing with a life-threatening injury. In these cases, using a [tourniquet](https://store.doomandbloom.net/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t-tq-gen-7-newest-edition/) immediately is usually the right move. The likelihood of survival is much higher when a tourniquet is applied *before* the victim has gone into shock. from blood loss.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-scaled.jpg)

That doesn’t mean applying pressure is useless. Upon first encountering a victim, put gloves on, if possible, and use a cloth, dressing, or other barrier to press on the area. You might be successful at stopping mild-moderate bleeding. If so, continue pressure for at least ten minutes and call for help asap, if it exists.

**3)** To access supplies like gloves, dressings, and tourniquets, your hands must be free. This is difficult where you’re pressing on a bleeding wound. A knee may be applied over the bleeding area to place pressure long enough to access a tourniquet, bandages, and other supplies.

**4)** Be aware that standard limb tourniquets are not meant for groin/hip, torso, or armpit/shoulder bleeds. Those require special devices known as “[junctional tourniquets](https://store.doomandbloom.net/sam-pelvic-sling-ii-standard-size-fits-95-of-adults/)”.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sam-junctional-tourniquet-300x239.png)SAM Junctional Tourniquet](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sam-junctional-tourniquet.png)

**5)** Effective tourniquet use on extremities depends on knowing the full extent of the bleeding injury. Using shears to fully expose the limb will allow a rapid but thorough investigation of the source and extent of the hemorrhage. Place the casualty in the position most convenient for visualization. Often, this will be the “shock” position: Supine with the leg raised 12 inches or so above the heart.

**6)** Tourniquets are best placed on bare skin. In hostile encounters, however, bleeding may be especially severe or the medic may be under heavy fire. When you don’t have the time to cut away clothing and perform a thorough evaluation, place a tourniquet as high and tight as possible on the extremity *over* the clothing. If there are foreign objects or projectiles embedded in the wound, leave them in place; they might stem the bleeding. Pressure can be applied by packing alongside the object on both sides.

**7)** Elevation of a bleeding limb above the level of the heart may make it more difficult for the heart to pump blood out of the body, but it’s unlikely to stop bleeding altogether without direct pressure. As such, using “pressure points” away from the wound has been and is still recommended by some sources. Compressing “pressure points,” however, rarely stops heavy bleeding for two reasons: 1) finding the right spot to apply pressure may be difficult for the untrained and 2) limbs are supplied with blood by more than one artery.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tourniquet-in-place-300x200.jpg)CAT tourniquet placed “high and tight”](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tourniquet-in-place-scaled.jpg)

**8)** Apply the tourniquet a good 2-3 inches above the hemorrhagic wound. Why not directly on the bleed? When an artery is severed, it tends to retract back towards the torso. Avoid placing the tourniquet directly over a joint, however. Application over the nerves in joints like the knee, ankle, or elbow may result in significant damage. Go higher instead.

**9)** Tourniquet pressure against one bone is superior to pressure against two. In the forearm and lower leg, bleeding can occur between the radius and ulna or the tibia and fibula. Pressure against the humerus in the upper arm or femur in the upper leg will be more effective in controlling hemorrhage.

[![Image of Hemostatic Gauzes](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image-300x180.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image.jpg)Hemostatic gauze options ChitoSam, QuikClot and Celox**10)** In most cases, deep bleeds will require packing of the open wound to reach bleeding vessels. If bleeding continues, standard dressings should remain in place; firmly pack new dressings on top of the old ones. If the wound bleeds through subsequent bandaging, consider the use of hemostatic-type dressings like[ Quikclot,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/quikclot-combat-gauze-z-fold-12-feet/) [ChitoSam](https://store.doomandbloom.net/chitosam-gauze-100-3-x-6-feet/) or Celox. To be effective, these products must be in direct contact with the bleeding vessel. In this situation, first remove the plain gauze packing before inserting the new hemostatic gauze and then apply direct firm pressure for at least three minutes.

**11)** Beware of “**pressure loss**”. Pressure loss refers to the loss of tension (due to a decrease in tissue volume from stoppage of blood flow) under the tourniquet that occurs after the initial minute or two of placement. The tourniquet may loosen enough to allow a re-bleed. One of the benefits of sturdy elastic tourniquets like the [SWAT tourniquet](https://store.doomandbloom.net/swat-t-tourniquet-orange/), that is, if it’s applied properly, is that it maintains a steady pressure underneath and prevents pressure loss from occurring.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMAGE-203B-Principles-of-TOURNIQUET-USE-two-tourniquets-AALTON-300x188.jpg)Two tourniquets placed one above the other](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMAGE-203B-Principles-of-TOURNIQUET-USE-two-tourniquets-AALTON-scaled.jpg)

**12)** The first tourniquet may not stop the bleeding; a second one may be necessary and should be part of every medical kit. Place the second directly above the first (closer to the heart, see image).

**13)** Apply firm pressure when cinching the tourniquet and twisting the windlass. If the victim is not experiencing pain when you do this, you’re not applying enough pressure. It’s probably a good idea to warn them: “This is gonna hurt”. If the tourniquet is tight enough the bleeding and any pulse beyond it (farther from the heart) should both disappear. Traumatic amputations are an exception: some oozing from the bone marrow of stump may occur despite proper tourniquet placement.

**14)** The time of application should always be documented with a permanent marker in a clearly visible location. With regards to the military style [CAT tourniquet](https://store.doomandbloom.net/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t-tq-gen-7-newest-edition/), there is a space provided on the windlass strap itself. Luckily, placement for two hours (or even more in some studies) should pose little risk of permanent damage. In austere settings, write a “T” and time on the patient’s forehead with ashes or even blood.

[![Using a thick scarf or bandanna with a strong stick will help stop bleeding](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bandanna-tourniquet-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bandanna-tourniquet.jpg)Improvised tourniquet**15)** Improvised tourniquets like a bandanna and a stick may be of help in controlling hemorrhage, but are inferior to commercially-made and military-tested items. Using a man’s tie may cause a cord-like effect so thin that it damages tissues. A tourniquet should be at least 4 centimeters (about 2 inches) wide to prevent damage to nerves underneath it. The classic leather belt tourniquet seen in movies is usually too difficult to tighten enough and can’t easily be secured in place, you will have to hold it pulled tight if used.

**16)** Transport of a victim with a tourniquet in place requires constant monitoring for rebleeds. Covered with blankets to avoid shock, a tourniquet (especially an improvised one) could be dislodged during the jostling that occurs during evacuation. Expose the wound area frequently to check for bleeding. Splinting ([Sam splints](https://store.doomandbloom.net/sam-splint-36-inches/) are excellent) the extremity will help stabilize it and decrease the chance of further hemorrhage.

**17)** Avoid loosening or removing the tourniquet until the patient is in a controlled environment and considered stable. Repeated loosening and tightening will likely increase blood loss and worsen the condition of the victim.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-300x200.jpg)Transitioning the tourniquet; compression dressing in place](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-scaled.jpg)

**18)** If it’s clear that help is not on the way and that you are the highest medical asset left, you will need to transition the casualty off the tourniquet. If possible, aim to transition to hemostatic gauze covered with a pressure dressing before the 2-hour mark. If a hemostatic gauze and pressure dressing have already been applied you may slowly loosen the tourniquet while observing for bleeding that restarts.

If no hemostatic gauze has been applied, follow these directions to safely remove a tourniquet:

1. Remove old plain gauze.
2. Apply hemostatic gauze packed firmly inside the wound, toward the injured vessel.
3. Cover with a pressure bandage, like an[ Emergency Bandage (aka Israeli dressing](https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/israeli-emergency-bandage-6/)).
4. Loosen the tourniquet slightly (don’t remove it) and evaluate for recurrence of bleeding. If so, re-tighten. If not, loosen further.
5. Re-evaluate when all tension has been released from the tourniquet and monitor constantly.
6. Evaluate for recurrence of bleeding.

You may have some additional advice to add to the above. If so, don’t hesitate to use the contact form to write a note or comment to me.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open-300x205.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Thoughts On Bleeding Control, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-thoughts-on-bleeding-control-part-1/) 

 [VIDEO: How Wounds Heal](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-how-wounds-heal/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** bleeding control, CAT tourniquet, hemorrhage control, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tourniquets

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes, Draining Abscesses, Medical Skills, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-draining-abscesses-medical-skills-more/)

**Published:** March 10, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

Joe and Amy Alton’s **Survival Medicine Podcast** discusses the start of tornado season and how to get yourself prepared, \[lus basics of draining boils and abscesses off the grid. Dr. Bones takes a hard look at medical skills needed to survive, listing them out, and giving a reasoned look on how to be a successful family medic in times of trouble. Also, Dr. Alton takes a question from a listener on testosterone replacement therapy, not really a survival topic but you’ll learn a lot.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### **[Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes, Medical Skills, Draining Abscesses, More 03/10 by NurseAmyandDrBones | Health (blogtalkradio.com)](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2024/03/10/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-medical-skills-draining-abscesses-more)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [VIDEO: How Wounds Heal](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-how-wounds-heal/) 

 [TORNADO!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-2/)

**Categories:** Cellulitis, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hormones, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tornadoes

**Tags:** 2011 cantaloupe listeria epidemic, amy alton np, boils and abscesses, draining an abscess, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medical skills, survival medicine, testosterone, tornado preparedness, Tornado survival

---

### [VIDEO: How Wounds Heal](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-how-wounds-heal/)

**Published:** March 11, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/canva-how-wounds-heal-video-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/canva-how-wounds-heal-video-scaled.jpg)

Traumatic injuries occur in the tens of millions every year. These don’t always (hardly ever, as a matter of fact) occur right outside of a hospital. You may need to evaluate a wound, stop bleeding, and possibly care for the injury until it heals, depending on the type of wound and availability of modern medicine. The family medic in long-term survival scenarios will have it even worse and must know how wounds heal and the types of wounds they’ll encounter.

In this video, Dr. Alton describes the different types of wounds and the process of healing. Future videos will detail wound care procedures for off-grid settings.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)

[![three compact first aid kits great for hiking and camping made by Amy Alton of store.doomandbloom.net](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors-300x176.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)

\\

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [18 Principles Of Bleeding Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/18-principles-of-bleeding-control/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes, Draining Abscesses, Medical Skills, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-draining-abscesses-medical-skills-more/)

**Categories:** Fractures, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** date syrup. medical preparedness, how wounds heal, joe alton md, long-term wound care, medical preparedness, types of wounds, wound care

---

### [TORNADO!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-2/)

**Published:** March 10, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_107588384-300x212.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_107588384-scaled.jpg)

A recent storm system brought days of severe weather to parts of the Southeast, heralding the start of tornado season. Every year, lives are lost to the high winds that can lift a home right off its foundations and flying debris that can weigh a ton or more.

The most recent weather event swept across several states, producing a number of twisters, many in Georgia. Every year, we can be pretty certain that early spring to mid-summer is going to bring on tornadoes in much of the country, some of which ignore the normal timeline and come early or late.

If you had to choose between being in the path of a major hurricane or a tornado, which would you prefer? I’d prefer the hurricane. Why? Because even though more territory is hit by the hurricane and the storm lasts longer, they’re pretty much predictable these days. You get time, usually several days, to prepare for them. Tornadoes? Well, not so much. It’s the element of surprise that leads to hundreds killed and injured by these storms annually. Knowing what to do before a tornado touches ground helps avoid many tragic outcomes.

First, the basics: A tornado (also called a “twister”) is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and the thunderstorm (sometimes called a “supercell”) that spawned it. From a distance, tornadoes appear as a dark funnel with all sorts of flying debris in and around it. They may be difficult to see up close due to accompanying rainfall.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tornado-Alley-public-domain-300x235.gif)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tornado-Alley-public-domain.gif)

Almost a thousand tornadoes touch ground in the United States every year, more than are reported in any other country. Most of these occur in “**Tornado Alley**,” an area that isn’t officially defined but encompasses the land between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains. Peak tornado season in the southern U.S. states is March through May; in the northern states, it’s late spring through early summer, but some believe that Tornado Alley is shifting east over the years.

In this region, tornadoes average 500 feet (150 meters) across and travel on the ground for about 5 miles (8.0 kilometers), generating winds of up to 300 miles per hour and often accompanied by hail.

While in contact with the ground, twisters can travel at a speed of 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. Others may “hop” from point to point before petering out. Those in close proximity to the funnel will note a roaring sound that’s reminiscent of a passing freight train.

(Aside: Having personally experienced this decades ago, we can confirm that it’s terrifying.)

Injuries from tornadoes are usually due to trauma from flying debris carried by the winds. In some cases, very large objects are flung around in a manner that is hard to believe. Indeed, there’s a report from 1931 that an 83-ton train was lifted and thrown 80 feet from the tracks.

**ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE**EF065–85 mphLight damageEF186–110 mphModerate damageEF2111–135 mphConsiderable damageEF3136–165 mphSevere damageEF4166–200 mphDevastating damageEF5>200 mphIncredible damageThere are various classification models for tornadoes, but the most commonly used is the **Enhanced Fujita Scale**. Fujita levels are rated from 0-5, based on wind speeds and the amount of damage caused:

F0 Light: Winds 65-85 miles per hour; smaller trees uprooted or branches broken, mild structural damage.

F1 Moderate: winds 86-110 miles per hour; broken windows, small tree trunks snapped, overturned mobile homes, destruction of carports or toolsheds, roof tiles missing (this is the level that struck our home).

F2 Considerable: winds 112-135 miles per hour; mobile homes destroyed, major structural damage to frame homes due to flying debris, some large trees snapped in half or uprooted.

F3 Severe: winds 136-165 miles per hour; roofs torn from homes, small frame homes destroyed, most trees snapped and uprooted.

F4 Devastating: winds 166-200 miles per hour; strong-structure buildings damaged, destroyed or lifted from foundations, cars lifted and blown away, large debris becomes airborne (The worst of the Mississippi tornadoes was given this level).

F5 Incredible: winds greater than 200 miles per hour; larger buildings lifted from foundations, trees snapped, uprooted, and debarked, objects weighing more than a ton become airborne missiles.

Although some places have sirens or other methods to warn you of an approaching twister, every family should have a plan of action before a tornado appears. Children should know where to hide in the home, find medical kits, and use a fire extinguisher. If appropriate, teach everyone how to safely turn off the gas and electricity.

When you’re in the path of a tornado, take shelter immediately unless you live in a mobile home. These are especially vulnerable to damage from the winds. If there is time, get to the nearest solid building that has a tornado shelter; underground shelters are best.

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If you live in Tornado Alley, you might consider putting together your own underground shelter. Unlike bunkers and other structures built for long-term use in survival scenarios, a tornado shelter only has to provide safety for a short period of time. As such, it doesn’t have to be very large: 8-10 square feet per person would be acceptable. Despite this, be sure to consider ventilation and the comfort or special needs of potential occupants.

If you don’t have a shelter, find the safest place in the house where family members can gather. Basements, bathrooms, closets, or inside rooms without windows are the best options. Windows can easily shatter due to impact from flying debris.

Speaking of windows, some suggest opening windows due to the great pressure caused by a tornado. Well, most windows are made of ¼ inch panes of glass, and you’re not going to prevent your roof from being blown off simply by opening them. It’s the speed and violence of the winds, not the pressure, that causes the most damage to homes.

For added protection, get under a heavy object such as a sturdy table. Covering your body with a sleeping bag or mattress will provide an additional shield. Discuss this plan of action with every member of your family until it’s clear they will know this process by heart.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tornado.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tornado.jpg)

If you’re in a car and can drive to a shelter, do so. Although you may be hesitant to leave your vehicle, remember that they can be easily tossed around by very high winds; you may be safer in a culvert, ditch, or other area lower than the roadway. It is not safe, however, to hide under a bridge or overpass, as the winds can easily reach you.

In town, leaving the car to enter a sturdy building is an appropriate course of action. If there is no other shelter, however, staying in your car will protect you from some of the flying debris. Keep your seat belt on, put your head down below the level of the windows, and cover yourself as much as possible.

If you’re out hiking when the tornado hits, get away from heavily wooded areas. Torn branches and other debris become missiles, so an open field or ditch may be safer. Lying down flat in a ditch or other low spot in the ground will give you some protection. Make sure to cover your head, if at all possible, even if it’s just with your hands.

If you have pets, make provisions for them in your emergency plan. Your local disaster shelter may not have supplies for them.

If you end up trapped in a building that been damaged, If you are trapped, cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting. Save your breath.

Now, after the tornado has passed, there’s cleaning up to be done. Some injuries can occur during the process of putting your property back together, so wear appropriate gear such as thick-soled shoes, long pants, work gloves, and eye protection, and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes, Draining Abscesses, Medical Skills, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes-draining-abscesses-medical-skills-more/) 

 [Winter Wildfires](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-wildfires/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tornadoes

**Tags:** Fujita Scale, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tornado preparedness, Tornado survival, tornadoes, twisters

---

### [Winter Wildfires](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-wildfires/)

**Published:** March 5, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The state of Texas is no stranger to weather extremes, especially in summer, but it’s going through a new experience with its largest winter wildfire on record. The Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas panhandle has burned more than a million acres and has now crossed into Oklahoma. After more than a week, it is still only 15 percent contained. Fire officials claim more than 500 buildings destroyed, a number of injured firefighters, and two deaths. Adding to the disaster is the loss of thousands of head of cattle, likely to increase meat prices in the near future.

**WHY ARE THERE WILDFIRES IN THE WINTER?**

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Why are wildfires becoming more common in winter? In general, the wildfire season, once about four months of the year, has recently extended to eight months as winter snows are melting area and rain seem to be arriving later in the autumn. Drought, trees lost to invasive species, and leaf litte under snow play a part.

Yeah, but what about the snow? Frontline Wildfire Defense stated that snow does help extinguish fires but there are situations where it can make it worse. If an area doesn’t get enough rain in the fall and the snowfall is of the “dry” variety, burns can still spread under snow covered terrain. Theas tree litter on the ground is still dry enough to burn. Also, dry snow has enough air to sustain a fire, but not enough water content to douse it.

Note: (Actually, [winter pile burning](https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/fires-of-winter) is one way the Forest Service removes excess debris in the hopes of lowering fire risks to communities in advance of wildfire activity in warmer weather.)

Notwithstanding the size of the current conflagration, the majority of property lost to wildfires are started by minor burns. If you can improve the resistance of the area around the home to ignition, your residence will be less susceptible to spot fires and ember storms. You can best create a defensible space by managing vegetation and other flammables in what are called “Home Ignition Zones”.

**HOME IGNITION ZONES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-300x267.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Home-Ignition-zone-hi-rez-fiverr-scaled.jpg)

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) is a concept I’ve written about before. It was developed by the Forest Service in the 1990s and represents an area up to 100-200 feet from the foundation and includes vegetation, the home itself, and other structures, items, or attachments (decks, sheds, outdoor furniture, fencing). Measures to improve fire resistance may sometimes be difficult, but will decrease the risk of fire damage.

Generally, Home Ignition Zones are divided into three parts:

**The Immediate Subzone:** This is the area including the home and up to 5 feet surrounding it. This area is the most prone to combustion. Non-flammable surfaces here are protective and consideration should be given in construction of the home itself.

Vegetation, woodpiles, and other flammables should be limited here. You can harden your home against wildfires with the following measures:

- Screening areas under patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent burning debris from entering.
- Avoiding the storage of combustible materials under patios and decks.
- Clearing leaves and other debris from rooftops and gutters.
- Repairing or replacing any broken, loose, or missing shingles or roof tiles.
- Preventing embers from passing through eave vents by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
- Cleaning debris from exterior attic vents; add 1/8 inch metal mesh as a barrier.
- Replacing damaged or loose window screens.
- Removing mulch, woodpiles, and other flammables from against exterior walls.

**The Intermediate Subzone:** This is the area 5-30 feet away from your home. Here, careful use of landscaping can slow the spread of fire by reducing both fuel availability and continuity. You should:

- Have driveways, paths, decks and patios made of non-flammables that can serve as fuel “breaks”.
- Keep lawns and ground cover no more than four inches high.
- Remove “ladder fuels“. Ladder fuels include vegetation under trees that allow a ground fire to reach the canopies. Lower branches on large trees also can act as ladder fuels.
- Prune mature trees ten feet from the ground or up to 1/3 of the total height for smaller specimens.
- Be sure to have at least eighteen feet between tree canopies, more if you are uphill from the potential fire.
- Limit trees and shrubs to small separate groupings of a few each to break up fuel continuity.
- Beware of vegetation near large propane tanks.

**The Extended Subzone:** This is the extended areas 30-100 feet from the home): Strategy revolves around spacing and pruning shrubs and trees in an effort to keep the fire low to the ground and interrupt its path. The wise property owner would:

- Remove accumulations of dead plant and tree material in this space.
- Remove all saplings growing between mature trees.
- Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings
- Assure that all trees 30-60 feet from the residence have at least 12 feet between canopies (more if downhill).
- Assure that trees 60-100 feet (200 feet if downhill) from the home have at least 6 feet between canopies.

There are variations in these strategies based on location, types of flora in the area, and other factors. Discuss your specific situation with a local U.S. Forest Service official. For more information, check out [the National Fire Protection Association (nfpa.org)](https://www.nfpa.org/).

Bottom line: Work to harden your home against wildfires, but don’t be a hero; hit the road if you’re in the path of the burn.

Joe Alton MD

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 [TORNADO!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-2/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Med Supplies, Frostbite, Essential Oils, Dakin's, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/72949-2/)

**Categories:** Burns, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Wildfires

**Tags:** 4th edition survival medicine handbook, disaster preparedness, fires of winter, joe alton md, medical preparedness, national forest service, panhandle wildfire, survival medicine, texas wildfire, winter wildfires

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Med Supplies, Frostbite, Essential Oils, Dakin's, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/72949-2/)

**Published:** February 24, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss hard realities regarding survival situations, and how the family medic needs a mindset adjustment to be effective in that role. Also, Dr. Joe Alton talks about cold-related extremities injuries like frostbite and immersion (trench) foot.

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Amy Alton, NP, discuss what you need to know about the basics of essential oils as a tool in the survival medicine cabinet, and Dr. Bones answers a question from a listener of their friend Jack Spirko’s Survival Podcast about Dakin’s solution, an old option for wound care that has serious survival implications.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### ****

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Winter Wildfires](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-wildfires/) 

 [Video: Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-frostbite-immersion-foot/)

**Categories:** Bartering, Diarrhea, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton np, dakin's solution, essential oils, frostbite, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical supplies, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [How To Drain An Abscess](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-drain-an-abscess/)

**Published:** July 9, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Abscesses**, sometimes known as Boils or Furuncles, are areas where an infection has caused an accumulation of pus. Pus is the debris left over from your body’s attempt to eliminate an infection; it consists of white and red blood cells, live and dead bacteria, and inflammatory fluid. The most common bacterial culprits are Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Pyogenes. These organisms are thought to occur naturally on the skin of ¼ of the general population.

## What Causes Boils?

The tendency to boils may be related to issues with hygiene or a foreign body lodged under the skin, but could just as easily be hereditary in nature. I know a number of families in which multiple members suffer from this condition. Other risk factors include Diabetes, chronic skin conditions, weakened immune systems (like those on dialysis), and intravenous drug use. Those prone to abscesses may benefit by regularly cleansing with Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) or other antibacterial soaps.

*Abscesses may form anywhere that there is an infection*. They can be found in deep organs, such as an inflamed appendix, in the breasts of new mothers, or in areas of diseased gums and teeth. The most common location, however, is just below the skin, most commonly in the armpits, groin, thighs, buttocks, and face (severe acne). The average person has many glands and hair follicles that can become blocked and infected. Although microscopic, these infected glands can give rise to abscesses the size of baseballs. Once they reach a certain size, significant pain due to pressure and inflammation is likely. This is especially true around the area of the buttocks.

The body’s immune response has a tendency to wall off infections. This effort by your immune system to isolate the infection is praiseworthy, but the walls of the abscess make it difficult for antibiotics to penetrate inside and kill the remaining organisms. In these cases, modern medical care must be accessed to eliminate the problem. But what if the aftermath of a catastrophe leaves you without this option? You might have to intervene by performing a procedure we call “Incision and Drainage”.

### Boils and Their Treatment in Crisis Medicine

Before you resort to this sort of intervention, make every effort to use non-invasive techniques. The most successful of these would be the application of moist warm compresses to the abscess. This should be performed several times a day for at least 20 minutes each time. Over time, the boil should “ripen” and come to a white or yellow “head”. With any luck, it will then drain on its own. This can take a week in some circumstances, but the compresses should speed the process considerably. Don’t forget to wash the area frequently with an antiseptic cleanser, such as Chlorhexidine (Hibiclens). Some use Witch Hazel for this purpose.

If the abscess fails to blaze a trail to the surface by itself, you have reached the point where you must seek professional medical help. If this no longer exists, you can still deal with the issue. You will need:

- Soap and Water
- Towels (preferably sterile)
- Antiseptic
- Ice
- A scalpel (#11 blade), needle, or knife blade (sterile)
- Gauze
- Gloves
- Your choice of dressing tape
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment

First, wash your hands with soap and water and put on your gloves. Place ice on the head of the abscess and wait a short time for some numbness to occur. Then, apply your antiseptic (Betadine, alcohol, etc) over the area to be incised or “lanced”. Isolate the area with drapes or towels. If your scalpel or other instrument isn’t sterile, place it under a fire until it turns red. Let it cool off. Have some gauze ready to catch the pus as it drains; it is filled with bacteria, and you don’t want to spread the infection. Dispose of the gauze immediately afterward.

Then, using the tip of your scalpel, pierce the skin over head of the abscess, where it is softest (this will hurt). The bigger the opening, the more easily the boil will drain. The pus should drain freely, and your patient will probably experience immediate relief. Although some question its effectiveness, apply some triple antibiotic ointment to the skin surrounding the incision and cover with a clean bandage. Clean the site and change the dressing frequently.

Alternative to antibiotic ointments include Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil or even raw unprocessed honey. If you have oral antibiotics available, begin a course of Clindamycin (300mg three times a day x 7 days for adults – available in veterinary equivalents). Clindamycin is acceptable for those allergic to Penicillin.

Very large boils, once incised and drained, are sometimes kept open so as to allow continuous drainage. Often, a wick made of thin gauze with dilute Iodine solution (“Iodoform”) is inserted to kept normal immune response from closing the abscess wall. This insertion requires some practice, so reserve this technique only for the worst cases.

Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Sterile Vs. Clean In Survival Situations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sterile-vs-clean-in-survival-situations/) 

 [The Next Pandemic?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-next-pandemic/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections

**Tags:** abscesses, Abscesses may form anywhere that there is an infection, boils, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, drainage, furuncles, incision, incision and drainage, infection, Iodoform, medical preparedness, Staphylococcus Aureus, Staphylococcus Pyogenes

---

### [Video: Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-frostbite-immersion-foot/)

**Published:** February 19, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/frostbite-cdc-300x164.gif)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/frostbite-cdc.gif)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton tells you all about cold-related injuries like frostbite and immersion (trench) foot. What you need to know to recognize signs and symptoms and apply effective treatment off the grid.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_221321356-300x228.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_221321356-scaled.jpg)

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Med Supplies, Frostbite, Essential Oils, Dakin's, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/72949-2/) 

 [Video: Concussions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-concussions-2/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** frostbite, hypothermia, immersion foot, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, trench foot

---

### [Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-immersion-foot-2/)

**Published:** February 14, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_221321356-300x228.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_221321356-scaled.jpg)

[In a recent video](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-cold-weather-and-hypothermia/), I discussed what happens when your body is exposed to extreme cold, a condition known as **hypothermia**. Left untreated, general hypothermia leads to failure of various organ systems and even death. Besides general hypothermia, however, there are other cold-related injuries, such as **frostbite** and **immersion foot.**

**What Causes Frostbite?**

The body responds to cold temperatures by narrowing the blood vessels, something called “vasoconstriction.” Blood flow to the extremities decreases to preserve flow to the vital internal organs. As the blood is redirected away, these parts of the body get colder, and ice crystals can form and destroy tissue.

**Stages of Frostbite**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_1700017972-stages-of-frostbite-hypothermia-300x150.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_1700017972-stages-of-frostbite-hypothermia-scaled.jpg)

Frostbite usually occurs in the extremities, but sometimes affects areas like the ears and nose. It occurs in stages that cause more and more damage as time goes on.

First stage: **Frostnip-** In frostnip, the skin turns red and cold and the victim experiences pain, numbness, and a “pins and needles” sensation.

Second stage: **Superficial Frostbite-** This causes skin to lose color, going from red to white to blue. At this point, tissues are freezing and swelling may be noted. The texture of the skin changes too, becoming stiff and waxy. Although “frozen,” the victim may feel the sensation of heat in the area affected.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_1031595757-300x169.jpg)Gangrene](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shutterstock_1031595757-scaled.jpg)

Third Stage: **Deep Frostbite-** In third-stage frostbite, both superficial and deep tissues are affected. The skin appears blue and splotchy and circulation is blocked by clotting blood. Even after rewarming, many will develop dark, blood-filled blisters within the first 24-48 hours. Loss of sensation and malfunction of nearby muscles are common consequences.

Although rewarming is appropriate, it may not succeed. Blue skin may turn black, a condition known as “**gangrene**.” Gangrene is the death of tissue resulting from loss of circulation. Once this happens, amputation may be required to remove non-viable parts before infection sets in.

**Immersion Foot/Trench Foot**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Trench-foot-immersion-foot-poster-WWII-212x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Trench-foot-immersion-foot-poster-WWII.jpg)

A condition related to frostbite is “**immersion foot**” (formerly known as “trench foot”). This condition was seen commonly in soldiers who spent long periods of time in cold and waterlogged trenches during World War I. Immersion foot doesn’t freeze tissue solid, but causes damage to nerves and small blood vessels due to prolonged time in water 60 degrees or lower. Immersion foot is a non-freezing injury that appears like frostbite, but might have a more swollen, wet appearance.

**Treated Cold-Related Injuries**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/frostbite-cdc-300x164.gif)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/frostbite-cdc.gif)

Rewarming a frostbite injury can be painful but should begin as soon as possible in survival settings to avoid further trauma and improve the chances of full recovery. Most use warm water soaks (no more than 103-4 degrees F or 39 degrees C) on the affected extremity for 30 minutes or until the skin returns to red. The water can’t be so hot that it’s uncomfortable when you place your own hand in it. It should remain warm, however, so replace cooling water as needed. Note that the practice of using warm soaks to treat frostbite is different from that of general hypothermia, which is best treated with warm dry compresses to the groin, neck, and armpits.

In superficial frostbite, clear blisters may form in the damaged area as the patient recovers. In deep frostbite, they’ll likely be filled with blood, and skin may appear bruised, blue, or otherwise discolored. Expect them to turn into thick dark scabs. Some of this tissue may be non-viable and have to be removed. That process is called debridement, we’ll talk about that in a future video.

Patients often complain of burning or stinging, which can be treated with ibuprofen at standard dosages (up to 600 mg four times daily). This may or may not help the pain much but will decrease the constriction of blood vessels and decrease further tissue damage. If you can help it, don’t use the frozen extremity for walking, climbing, or other activity.

Although many victims recover completely from superficial frostbite, others have permanent issues with pain or numbness in the affected area. Infection is a possibility and may require antibiotics.

Here’s some other treatment tips:

- Don’t allow thawed tissue to freeze again. The more often tissue freezes, thaws, and re-freezes, the deeper the damage. If you can’t prevent your patient from being exposed to freezing temperatures again, you should wait before rewarming, but not more than a day.
- Don’t rub or massage frostbitten areas. Doing so will result in worse damage to already injured tissue. For the same reason, prevent the victim from walking on frostbitten toes.
- Avoid the use of heat lamps or fires to treat frostbite. The area is numb and can’t feel the frostbitten tissue, sometimes causing significant burns.

There is controversy as to whether frostbitten areas should be bandaged. Some advocate placing absorbent padding between frostbitten toes and fingers. Others suggest leaving it open to air.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shutterstock_87791806-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shutterstock_87791806.jpg)

Prevention is hugely important. Wear appropriate clothing that protects your extremities, such as:

- well-insulated boots and a thick pair of well-fitting socks on your feet.
- mittens for your hands; they provide better protection against very cold weather than gloves
- a warm, weatherproof hat that covers your ears – it’s important to protect your head from the cold.
- And multiple thin layers of warm, loose-fitting clothing which act as insulation. Keep them dry and remove any wet clothing as soon possible.

With some preparation, cold weather doesn’t have to be more than a bump on the road, not the end of the road, for you and your family.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Concussions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-concussions-2/) 

 [Concussions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/concussions/)

**Categories:** Cold-related illness and injury, frostbite, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cold-related injuries, frostbite, frostnip, hypothermia, immersion foot, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Concussions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-concussions-2/)

**Published:** February 14, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Traumatic brain injury is a major issue leading to bad outcomes in bad times or good. In this video, Dr. Joe Alton discusses head trauma leading to concussions in off-grid settings.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in troubled times,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Medium_Survival_Trauma_Carry_Kit__13319.1520882597.1280.12801-300x238.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Medium_Survival_Trauma_Carry_Kit__13319.1520882597.1280.12801.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-frostbite-immersion-foot/) 

 [Frostbite/Immersion Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-immersion-foot-2/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Head Injuries, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** concussion, head injury, joe alton md, medical preparedness, neurological injury, survival medicine, traumatic brain injury

---

### [Concussions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/concussions/)

**Published:** February 6, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-scaled.jpg)

[Traumatic brain injuries](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557) (or TBIs) usually occur from a sudden blow to the head. It’s one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. TBI’s a broad term that encompasses many types of damage that can impact the brain. If it effects one area of the brain, it is termed a “focal” injury. If it spans over several areas, it is called a “diffuse” injury. Severity can range from a mild concussion to a life-threatening situation involving fracture of the skull.

Fortunately, most head injuries aren’t lethal and cause only superficial damage, such as a laceration of the scalp, a black eye, a broken nose, or a painful bump. These wounds, however, can hide damage inside the cranium (the part of the skull that contains the brain). It’s important for the off-grid medic to recognize when trauma to the skull causes damage that can lead to a bad outcome.

CONCUSSIONS

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_8530189-300x235.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_8530189.jpg)

[Concussions](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355600) are the most common type of TBI. It’s associated with a variety of symptoms that are often immediately apparent, although the effects vary from one individual to the next.

Classically, you might expect a loss of consciousness; in the majority of cases, however, the victim remains completely alert. Headache is actually the most commonly seen symptom and may occur on-and-off for days afterwards.

Other symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Loss of motor coordination
• Blurred or double vision
• Slurred speech
• Ringing in the ear (also called “tinnitus”)
• and Difficulty focusing on tasks at hand

It should be noted that a physical strike to the head is not necessary to suffer a concussion. A particularly jarring football tackle or the violent shaking of an infant can cause a concussion or worse. This is because the brain “bounces” against the hard walls of the cranium. When injury occurs at the site of a blow to the head, it’s called a “[coup”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_contrecoup_injury) injury. Just as often, it can occur on the opposite site of the head as the brain rebounds, known as a “[contrecoup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_contrecoup_injury)” injury.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/contrecoup.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/contrecoup.jpg)

Let’s say a person *has* been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. In most cases, they will regain consciousness in less than 2 minutes. You can expect them to be “foggy,” move clumsily, be slow to answer questions, and behave inappropriately (put me in, coach!). They may not even remember the events immediately prior that led to the injury. In sports, an injured player may not remember their position, the score, or who their opponent is.

MANAGEMENT OF CONCUSSIONS

Loss of consciousness is a serious concern. Even if the victim is “out” less than two minutes, they’ll merit close observation for the next 48 hours. You should examine for evidence of other injuries and determine that the patient has regained normal motor function. Make sure they can move all their extremities with normal range of motion, coordination, and strength.

A period of “[relative rest](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355600)” is prescribed for the next 48 hours. The patient should avoid strenuous activity or perform duties that require serious mental effort (including video games). The patient does not have to be kept awake nor has to remain in a dark room, as suggested by some. There are many who [no longer believe](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-it-safe-to-sleep-after-a-concussion/) it’s necessary to wake the patient if they’re asleep as long as they’re breathing normally, but [some still recommend](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/concussion-sleep) awakening them every two or three hours the first night, to make certain they’re easily aroused.

The victim can gradually increase daily activities if they don’t trigger symptoms. Light exercise and physical activity (as tolerated) starting a couple of days after the injury have been shown to speed recovery, but avoid any activities that could cause another head impact. Headaches, which are common in the aftermath, may be treated with acetaminophen, but avoid ibuprofen or aspirin due to an increased risk of bleeding. In good times or bad, there is always the risk of head injury.

The survival medic must always be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion and other traumatic brain injuries. We’ll discuss more severe head trauma in the near future.

### Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, Pest Infestations, Respiratory Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-pest-infestations-respiratory-infections/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Head Injuries, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury

**Tags:** concussion, head injury, head trauma, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, traumatic brain injury

---

### [Body Lice And Other Infestations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/body-lice-and-other-infestations/)

**Published:** January 19, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Last time, we talked about the curse of the overcrowded day care, the head louse. This time, we’ll talk about less common, but more dangerous versions of one of our least favorite pests: **body lice, pubic lice,** and **scabies**. With the advent of homeless cities throughout the nation, these can be an issue in normal times as much as in disaster settings.

**Body Lice**

Body lice ([*Pediculus humanus humanus*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_louse)) appeared much more recently than head lice, probably around the time that humans started wearing clothes (about 160,000 years or so ago). As the concept of doing laundry occurred somewhat later than that, you can imagine that constant contact with dirty clothes caused frequent infestations. Situations where washing your clothes and/or your body regularly isn’t an option can cause problems with body lice, so you can see the significance for the medic in survival scenarios. Unlike head lice, body lice carry many diseases that can affect humans; diseases that can cause problems more serious than just an itchy rash.

There are three stages of body lice:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nit.jpg)Louse nit](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nit.jpg)

**Nit:** Nits are oval-shaped, yellow-white lice eggs. Body lice nits are tiny; you’re most likely to find nits in the seams of your clothing than on your body.

**Nymph:** A nymph is a juvenile louse. Nymphs are smaller than adult lice but will mature into adults after feeding on human blood for 9-12 days.

**Adult:** (image at top) An adult louse looks yellow-gray or brown-red. They’re a little larger than head lice, about the size of a sesame seed. The life span of a body louse is about 20 days.

**Pediculosis corporis**, also known as “[**vagabond’s disease,**](https://mavcure.com/vagabond-disease/)” is a skin condition caused by body lice that lay their eggs on clothing and to a lesser extent on human hairs. They manifest as intense itching and rashes; long-term infestations lead to skin areas that are thickened and darker than the surrounding skin tone. Body lice have also been linked to outbreaks of infectious diseases such as **[typhus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhus)**, trench fever, and epidemic relapsing fever in places like homeless camps.

Pediculosis corporis is spread through prolonged direct physical contact with a person who has them or with that person’s clothing, towels, or bedding. The lice themselves are slightly larger than head lice and prefer to live on dirty clothes (especially the seams) rather than on the body itself. They go to the human body only to feed. Also, they are sturdier than their cousins and can live without human contact for 30 days or so. Examination of clothes and bedding seams usually identifies the problem.

Destruction of the infested clothing, if possible, is the appropriate strategy here. Sometimes, using medication is unnecessary as the lice have left with the clothes (don’t bet on it, however).

**Treatment Of Body Lice Infestations**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_389837935-washing-machine-epidemic-300x199.jpg)Wash in hot water or throw out](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_389837935-washing-machine-epidemic-scaled.jpg)

Body lice are primarily treated by thoroughly washing yourself and any contaminated items with soap and hot water at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry clothing and bedding in a machine dryer using the hot cycle. Ironing clothing that cannot be washed may also be effective. Of course, destruction of the infested clothing may be the most appropriate strategy. Sometimes, using medication is unnecessary as the lice have left with the clothes (don’t bet on it, however).

Items that can’t be washed, dried, or discarded should be sealed in a plastic bag and stored for two weeks. Mattresses, couches and other upholstered furniture items should be hot ironed or sprayed with lice-killing products to eliminate eggs from seams. Exposure to infested items should be avoided for two weeks.

Itching and skin irritation can be treated with 25 mg of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or other antihistamine. Hydrocortisone cream may also help. Natural remedies include aloe vera gel, oatmeal pastes, and ice. Some suggest vinegar, but it may not be effective.

In most cases, stronger medicines (called “pediculicides”) aren’t needed, but If these measures don’t work, an over-the-counter lotion or shampoo, similar to that used for head lice. 1% permethrin (Brand name: NIX) or pyrethrin (Brand name: RID) are viable options. Other, stronger meds used to treat lice include:

- Lindane Shampoo (prescription brand Kwell). Too strong for kids and may have side effects on the nervous system.
- Spinosad (brand name Natroba, a natural insecticide derived from soil bacteria; only for lice in children 4 years or older
- Ivermectin 0.5% (brand name Sklice). Yes, *that* ivermectin. Also derived from soil bacteria; only for lice in children 6 months or older)

Nix lotion (permethrin) will kill both the lice and their eggs. Rid shampoo will kill the lice, but not their eggs; be certain to repeat the shampoo treatment 7 days later. This may not be a bad strategy with the other treatments as well. Thoroughly examine the area in question for persistent nits and adults.

**Pubic Lice**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_1400759207-pubic-lice-300x200.jpg)pubic louse or “crab”](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_1400759207-pubic-lice-scaled.jpg)

Some lice specialize in the scalp, like head lice, but others inhabit the human groin. Commonly known as **“[crabs](https://www.std-gov.org/stds/crabs.htm),”** pubic lice (scientific name: *Pthirus pubis*) have many colorful nicknames (my favorite is “crotch crickets”). Although they famously are passed from the pubic area of one person to another via “close contact,” pubic lice can also be found in other hairy places, like the armpit.

Severe itching is the main symptom. Although they are sometimes seen on a patient that coincidentally has other sexually transmitted diseases, pubic lice do not actually transmit them. Having said that, all lice cause irritation that can have major implications for the health of family members. Irritation and itching caused by lice may break the skin, allowing other infections to develop.

Interestingly, pubic lice are a rarity among sexually transmitted diseases in that they are one of the few *not* prevented by the use of a condom.

**Scabies**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_1415146211-scabies-rash-300x200.jpg)Appearance of skin in scabies](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_1415146211-scabies-rash-scaled.jpg)

**[Scabies](https://www.std-gov.org/stds/scabies.htm)** is often confused with “crabs”, but it’s caused by another creature entirely: tiny eight-legged mites of the species *Sarcoptes scabiei*. Like pubic lice, scabies can be passed through sexual contact or other direct skin-to-skin contact with another human, but not from animals.

Unlike lice, however, the mites do not live and reproduce on hair shafts but burrow through the skin forming small raised red bumps that may become “crusty”. These areas may hold hundreds of mite eggs. Itching is usually severe and most intense at night. It should be noted that Scabies can affect skin folds, even in areas with little hair, such as those of the wrists, elbows, or between fingers and toes.

Infestations with pubic lice and scabies mites can be treated with the same medicines in lotion or shampoo form as those used for body lice. They are repeated below:

- Pyrethrins (brand name Rid shampoo, a natural product also found in chrysanthemum flowers).
- Permethrin 1% (brand name Nix lotion, a synthetic pyrethrin)
- Lindane Shampoo (prescription brand Kwell); usually used only in severe cases and not in children.
- Spinosad (brand name Natroba, a natural insecticide derived from soil bacteria; only for lice in children 4 years or older.
- Ivermectin 0.5% (brand name Sklice, also from soil bacteria and only for head lice in children 6 months or older).

It should be noted that continued vigilance is needed despite having treated the condition. If living lice or mites are still noted, repeat in 7-10 days. If nits are seen, lice combs such as used for head lice are recommended.

Foe more about head lice, click this link:

> [Head Lice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/head-lice/)

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, Pest Infestations, Respiratory Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-pest-infestations-respiratory-infections/) 

 [Head Lice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/head-lice/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Lice, Minor Wounds, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** body lice, crabs, epidemic typhus, ivermectin, joe alton md, lice infestations, medical preparedness, pediculicide, pediculosis, pubic lice, pymethrin, Pyrethrin, scabies, survival medicine, vagabond's disease

---

### [Head Lice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/head-lice/)

**Published:** January 11, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Being the family medic off the grid or in survival scenarios isn’t always about treating bullet wounds. Mundane problems are also on the menu, and you better know how to treat them.

In “normal” times, this is the time of year that kids return to school. Lots of children together in close quarters means you might have to deal with, surprise, [**head lice**](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/4/e2022059282/189566/Head-Lice?autologincheck=redirected). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that 6-12 million children contract head lice infestations every year in the U.S. You can bet that it’ll be an issue that would run rampant in survival communities as well.

**HEAD LICE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/adult-head-lice-300x202.jpg)Adult head lice, source: Dr. Dennis D. Juranek, USCDCP](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/adult-head-lice-scaled.jpg)

Head lice (scientific name: pediculus humanus capitis) are parasitic wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed (2-3 mm) that feed on blood from the human scalp. Their presence, known as “**pediculosis,”** causes irritation and itching in many, although many kids don’t seem to notice them. Their less-developed immune systems cause less of a reaction that you might see in an adult.

Lice (singular: louse) are, generally speaking, species-specific: You can’t, for example, get lice from your dog or cat like you could get fleas. You get them only from other humans. Head lice are so specialized that they are built to survive only on human head hair. When not attached, they perish within about three days or so.

The good news is that, although they might make you miserable, head lice don’t transmit diseases to other humans, like mosquitoes might. Body and pubic lice are different stories altogether; we’ll discuss them in a future article.

Although a houseful of kids with head lice might make you wary of the sanitary conditions in the residence, they’re not really related to cleanliness. Even the most hygienic household may end up with lice-infested members!

**SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS OF HEAD LICE INFESTATION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1467351707-300x199.jpg)head lice infestation](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1467351707-scaled.jpg)

The most common symptom is itching of the head, which normally worsens 2-6 weeks after the initial infestation. In subsequent infections, itching tends to appear earlier. The bite reaction is very mild and might (or might not) be possible to see between hairs. In people with long hair, bites might be noted on the back of the neck.

In cases where Itching is severe, excessive scratching may cause skin breakdown, leading to bacterial skin infections like [cellulitis.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cellulitis-off-the-grid/) At the other end of the spectrum, many individuals don’t experience any itching at all.

Pediculosis is diagnosed by finding live lice and unhatched eggs (called “**nits**”) on the scalp or individual hairs. Specialized louse combs used with a magnifying glass on wet hair can help, although some people identify an infestation, although some confuse dandruff, lint, and even dried hair product for the eggs.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1500548894-294x300.jpg)Head lice nit](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1500548894-scaled.jpg)

Nits, indeed, look like small bits of dandruff that are stuck to hairs. They are more easily seen when examined using a “black light”. This causes them to appear as light blue dots attached to the hair shafts near the scalp. Black lights will be scarce off the grid, though, so a fine-tooth metal pet comb run through the hair is a more practical option to reveal the adult lice and nits. The diligence required to do this effectively led to the coining of the term “nitpicking”.

You will find the nits firmly attached to the hair shaft about ¼ inch from the scalp. Nits will generally appear yellowish-white and oval-shaped. The application of olive oil to the comb may make them easier to remove.

Sometimes, an infestation will go “extinct” on its own. An extinct infestation will have no living lice present and empty, white-colored nits further out than 1/4 inch from the scalp.

**PREVENTION OF HEAD LICE INFESTATIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_389837935-washing-machine-epidemic-300x199.jpg)wash clothes in hot (140 degree F) water](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_389837935-washing-machine-epidemic-scaled.jpg)

Once an active infestation is identified in a family member, everyone in the household must be thoroughly examined. In survival or other situations where lice are common, weekly examination of children is an important routine duty of the medic. Any child frequently scratching their head should be evaluated.

It’s wise to disinfect the clothes, towels, bedding, and hairbrushes of those infested and all close contacts. Leave these items outside for three days (lice can’t survive longer than that without a blood meal) or, alternatively, wash in hot (140 degrees Fahrenheit) water for a full 30 minutes. Boiling combs and brushes for 5-10 minutes is advised. Freezing items for over 24 hours has also met with success.

Some suggest vacuuming the floor and furniture where the infested person spent time. Having said that, it’s highly unlikely that someone will get lice that have fallen onto the floor or furniture as they can’t survive long once off a human host. Nits can’t hatch and will die if not kept at the same temperature as that found on the human scalp.

**MEDICATIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-scaled.jpg)

Medicines that kill lice are known as “**pediculicides**” and the family medic should have some in their storage. Over-the-counter shampoos or lotions containing permethrin, like **Nix**®, are usually the first option used to deal with lice. Permethrin is a synthetic form of pyrethrin, a chemical derived from chrysanthemum flowers. It should be noted that the effectiveness of permethrin is starting to decrease, due to resistance on the part of some varieties of “super-lice.”

A non-prescription lotion containing [**ivermectin**](https://www.drugs.com/search.php?searchterm=ivermectin) (brand name: Sklice) is toxic to lice and approved for use in adults as well as children over the age of 6 months. Apply it once to dry hair, starting at the scalp and working it outward so the entire head is covered. Rinse off with water after 10 minutes. One application is about 75 percent effective in eliminating the problem.

Oral prescription ivermectin (brand name: Stromectol) is available for adults and children over 15 kilograms in weight as a tablet. The oral drug effectively treats lice with only two doses given eight days apart. This drug is typically used when other treatments haven’t been effective.

Topical prescription drug Malathion (you may have used it on your plants) is effective for those over 5 years old when applied to hair and then rubbed into the scalp. Malathion has a high alcohol content and is flammable, so keep it away from heat source, such as a hair dryer.

Spinosad (brand name: Natroba) is useful in adults and children over the age of four. You can apply it to dry hair and the scalp for 10 minutes and then rinse with water. The treatment doesn’t usually need to be repeated. But it can be used again after seven days if live lice are still present.

The latest medication approved for head lice by the FDA (2020) is [Abametapir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abametapir) (brand name: Xeglyze).

**HOME REMEDIES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/lice-comb-public-domain-300x188.jpg)lice comb](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/lice-comb-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

Perhaps the simplest home remedy is the[ “conditioner and comb”](https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/wet-combing-conditioner-treating-head-lice) method, which avoids irritating chemicals and eliminates issues with strains of insecticide-resistant lice.

First, apply hair conditioner to damp hair. Then use your fine toothed lice comb to work from the scalp through the hair tips to remove adult lice. This involves frequently wiping off the comb.

This process should be repeated twice, about a week apart, to break the head lice life cycle. As all the eggs will hatch within a week or so, repeating treatments again and targeting the adult lice before a new batch of eggs is laid should work.

Other natural option to kill head lice include the use of products such as eucalyptus or tea tree oil. Other home remedies, such as putting vinegar, rubbing alcohol, olive oil, mayonnaise, or melted butter under a shower cap, however, are generally thought to be ineffective. The CDC states that swimming does not “drown” lice.

For more on other lice infestations, like body lice, “crabs,” and others, click this link:

> [Body Lice And Other Infestations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/body-lice-and-other-infestations/)

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page 4th edition of the **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 **Just one of our entire line of quality medical kits!**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Body Lice And Other Infestations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/body-lice-and-other-infestations/) 

 [Video: Cold Weather and Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-cold-weather-and-hypothermia/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Cellulitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Lice, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** head lice, joe alton md, lice infestation, medical preparedness, pediculicide, pediculosis, pediculus humanus capitus, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, Pest Infestations, Respiratory Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-pest-infestations-respiratory-infections/)

**Published:** January 24, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss cold weather exposure and its ill effects, known as “hypothermia.” Plus, the medic has to know how to deal with mundane issues as well as the sensational “prepper” problems like disaster trauma. One of these issues is lice. Dr. Alton tells you everything you need to know about lice: head lice, body lice, and public lice. Plus, scabies! Ugh!

Finally, Dr. Bones discusses how viruses change from year to year, and what that means for this year’s cold/flu/RSV/Covid season.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### ****

Joe and Amy Alton

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Concussions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/concussions/) 

 [Body Lice And Other Infestations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/body-lice-and-other-infestations/)

**Categories:** Cellulitis, COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Iinfluenza, Infections, Lice, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** antigenic drift, antigenic shift, avoiding hypothermia, body lice, hypothermia, joe alton md, lice infestations, medical preparedness, pubic lice, scabies, survival medicine

---

### [Super Lice Now in 48 States](https://www.doomandbloom.net/super-lice-now-in-48-states/)

**Published:** August 6, 2016
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![licehead1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/licehead1.jpg)head lice (pediculus humanus capitis)It’s August, time to get the kids ready to go back to school. A bunch of children together in class means a lot of close contact, and one of the issues you might have to deal with is **head lice**. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (**CDC**) believes that 6-12 million children contract head lice in the U.S. every year.

Head lice (*pediculus humanus capitis*) are parasitic wingless insects that feed on blood which they obtain by biting the scalp. Their presence causes irritation and itching in many, although 50 per cent of kids don’t seem to notice them. Lice are, generally speaking, species-specific: You cannot, for example, get lice from your dog like you could get fleas. You get them only from other humans.

icide, and Triple X will likely be ineffective in most of the U.S. So how to identify and treat super lice?

**HOW TO IDENTIFY HEAD LICE**

Lately, evidence has emerged that the average head louse has mutated into [a “super” louse](https://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/08/04/super-lice-have-spread-to-48-us-states-study-finds.html) which is relatively immune to common over-the-counter treatments like pyrethroids. While pyrethroids were successful 100 per cent of the time in 2000, in 2013 the success rate dropped to 25%, due to a new trait called “knockdown resistance” (kdr).

According to a March 2016 study in *the Journal of Medical Entomology*, kdr lice have been identified in 48 states and Canada, up from 25 states a year or so ago. In 42 states, mutant lice with the resistance trait comprised 100% of the infestations.

This means that currently recommended products by the [CDC ](https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/)to eliminate head lice, like Rid, L[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shutterstock_101992126-300x211.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shutterstock_101992126-scaled.jpg)

Super lice look just like regular lice (other than the cape, of course). They’re greyish or yellowish-white as adults and can reach the size of a small sesame seed. Infestation with lice can cause itching and, sometimes, a rash. Unlike body lice, however, this type of lice is not a carrier of any other disease.

With their less developed immune systems, kids often don’t even realize they are infested with lice. Adults, however, are usually kept scratching and irritated unless treated. An interesting fact is that those of African-American descent are somewhat resistant to head lice, possibly due to the shape and width of the hair shaft.

The diagnosis is made by identifying the presence of the louse or its eggs, also known as “**nits**”. Nits look like small bits of dandruff that are stuck to hairs. They are more easily seen when examined using a “black light”. This causes them to fluoresce as light blue “dots” attached to the hair shafts near the scalp.

A fine-tooth comb run through the hair will also reveal the adult lice and nits. These special combs are used to remove as many lice as possible before treatment and to check for them afterwards. The diligence required to do this eventually led to the coining of the term **“**nitpicking**”**.

You will find the nits firmly attached to the hair shaft about ¼ inch from the scalp. They will appear yellowish-white and oval-shaped. The application of olive oil to the comb may make them easier to remove. Many prefer the metal nit combs sold at pet stores for animals to plastic ones sold at pharmacies for humans.
**TREATING SUPER LICE**

[Dr. Kyong Sup Yoon](https://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/08/04/super-lice-have-spread-to-48-us-states-study-finds.html), a researcher involved with the recent studies, believes that the only way to be sure to eliminate the super lice is to use stronger “pediculicides”. These are available by prescription only, so he recommends a visit to the doctor first. Dr. Robin Gehris of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh suggests that using the usual treatments and repeating in a week might work. Some believe that home remedies like olive oil, coconut oil, or mayonnaise could suffocate the pests.

The sharing of personal items can also lead to louse infestations. Clothing, combs, bedding, and towels that are used by multiple individuals are common ways that lice spread from person to person.

Be sure to wash and, more importantly, dry all clothes in hot temperatures (130 degrees Fahrenheit) or, alternatively, place them in the freezer for two or three days.

Another option is to place clothing and personal items (like stuffed animals and toys) in a plastic bag for two a week or two and then shake outside. Adult head lice usually only live a few days off the host.

Over-the-counter products that normally kill lice include:

- **Pyrethrins** (brand name Rid shampoo, a natural product for adult lice only also found in chrysanthemum flowers)
    • **Permethrin 1%** (brand name Nix lotion, a synthetic pyrethrin that kills lice and their nits)

These would likely require more than one treatment to get “Rid” of resistant lice. For super lice, consider these prescription products available through your physician:

- **Lindane** Shampoo (prescription brand Kwell; avoided in kids because it’s known to cause neurological side-effects)
    • **Spinosad** (brand name Natroba, a natural insecticide derived from soil bacteria – only for head lice in children 4 year or older)
    • **Ivermectin 0.5%** (brand name Sklice, also from soil bacteria and only for head lice in children 6 months or older)

Here’s the procedure:

- Start with dry hair. If you use hair conditioners, stop for a few days before using the medicine. This will allow the medicine to have the most effect on the hair shaft.
- Apply the medicine to the hair and scalp.
- Rinse off after 10 minutes or so.
- Check for lice and nits using a comb in 8 to 12 hours.
- Repeat the process in 7 days

Combs and brushes should be placed in alcohol or very hot water after treatment. It would be wise for any item that might have been exposed, even if it belongs to unaffected family members.

Want to take chemicals out of the process altogether? Some centers like Lice Clinics of America in Denver, Colorado use heat in special hair dryers about triple the strength of your home unit. This dehydrates the adults and their eggs over a 30 minute period. They also ask that you vacuum the house thoroughly to prevent recurrences.

Although crowded, unsanitary conditions may cause infestations to occur, the cleanest children can be affected if exposed. Treating aggressively and being “nitpicky” will help get rid of super lice.

Joe Alton, MD

![JoeAltonLibrary4](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/JoeAltonLibrary4-274x300.jpg)Joe Alton, MDLearn more about more than 200 medical topics in survival settings with the award-winning 4th edition of **the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,”** and other books by Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP. Also, get your family more medically prepared with quality kits and individual supplies from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Latest Zika News](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-latest-zika-news/) 

 [Prepping With Prescription Dependencies, Guest Post by Cory Thomas](https://www.doomandbloom.net/prepping-with-prescription-dependencies-guest-post-by-cory-thomas/)

**Categories:** Insect Stings and Bites, Lice, Medications, Sanitation, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** head lice, how to treat head lice, joe alton md, lice clinics, lice treatment, nits, super lice

---

### [Being Nitpicky About Lice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/being-nitpicky-about-lice/)

**Published:** December 28, 2015
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In good times or bad, your family’s **hygiene** is a big factor with regards to their health. As Winter progresses, you’ll be spending more time inside, and close quarters means more risk of infections. It also means more risk of infestations, and **lice** are one of the most common you’ll see.
A common health problem pertaining to poor hygiene is the presence of lice, also known as “**Pediculosis**”. Lice (singular: louse) are wingless parasitic insects that feed on blood and are found on many species. On humans, there are three types:

• **The Head Louse** Pediculus humanus capitis
• **The Body Louse** Pediculus humanus corporis
• **The Pubic Louse or “Crab”** Pthirus pubis
.
Body lice can act as a vector to transmit disease to human hosts. At present, there is no evidence that head or pubic lice do, but all lice cause irritation that can have major implications for the health of a survival group. Sometimes, irritation and itching caused by lice breaks the skin; this allows other infections to develop.

Lice are, generally speaking, species-specific: You cannot, as an example, get lice from your dog, like you could get fleas. You get them only from other humans. It’s interesting to note that human lice and chimpanzee lice diverged from each other, from an evolutionary standpoint, about 6 million years ago; this is almost exactly when their hosts went their separate ways.

Major risk factors for lice infestations include crowded, unsanitary conditions or situations where close personal contact is unavoidable. In normal times, these conditions most commonly occur in schools where ordinarily clean children come into contact with those who have lice.

The sharing of personal items can also lead to louse infestations. Clothing, combs, bedding, and towels that are used by multiple individuals are common ways that lice spread from person to person. These risks are even more pronounced in survival settings.

### **HEAD LICE**

**Head lice** (Pediculus humanus capitis) are greyish-white as adults and can reach the size of a small sesame seed. Infestation with head lice can cause itching and, sometimes, a rash. However, this type of lice is not a carrier of any other disease. Head lice are relatively common, so much so that 6-12 million cases a year are reported in the United States (mostly among young children).

With their less developed immune systems, kids often don’t even realize they are infested with lice. Adults, however, are usually kept scratching and irritated unless treated. An interesting fact is that African-Americans are somewhat resistant to head lice, possibly due to the shape and width of the hair shaft.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1500548894-294x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1500548894-scaled.jpg)

The diagnosis is made by identifying the presence of the louse or its “**nits**” (eggs). Nits look like small bits of dandruff that are stuck to hairs. They are more easily seen when examined using a “black light”. This causes them to fluoresce as light blue “dots” attached to the hair shafts near the scalp.

As black lights will be rare commodities in a collapse, a fine-tooth comb run through the hair will also reveal the adult lice and nits. These special combs are used to remove as many lice as possible before treatment and to check for them afterwards. The diligence required to do this effectively led to the coining of the term “**nitpicking**”..

You will find the nits firmly attached to the hair shaft about ¼ inch from the scalp. Nits will generally appear as yellowish white and oval-shaped. The application of olive oil to the comb may make them easier to remove. Many prefer the metal nit combs sold at pet stores for animals to plastic ones sold at pharmacies for humans.
In normal times, wash and dry all clothes in hot temperatures or, alternatively, place in the freezer to kill the lice. If you are off grid, place clothing and personal items in a plastic bag for two weeks. Adult head lice usually only live a few days off the host.

### **BODY LICE**

**Body lice** (Pediculus humanus corporis) are latecomers compared to head lice, probably first appearing when humans began to wear clothes about 170,000 years ago. As the concept of doing laundry occurred somewhat later than that, you can imagine that constant contact with dirty clothes caused frequent infestations.

Body lice, unlike head lice, have been linked to infectious diseases such as typhus, trench fever and epidemic relapsing fever. Continuous exposure to body lice may lead to areas on the skin that are hardened and deeply pigmented, a condition previously known as “vagabond’s disease”.

Infestations may be an issue common only with the homeless or in underdeveloped countries today; it will, however, likely be an epidemic in settings where regular bathing and washing of clothes isn’t possible.

Body lice are slightly larger than head lice; they also differ in that they live on dirty clothes (especially the seams), not on the body. They go to the human body only to feed. Also, they are sturdier than their cousins and can live without human contact for 30 days or so. Examination of clothes and bedding seams usually pinpoints the problem.

Destruction of the infested clothing, if possible, is the appropriate strategy here. Sometimes, using medication is unnecessary as the lice have left with the clothes (don’t bet on it, however). .

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1400759207-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1400759207-scaled.jpg)

### **PUBIC LICE**

Pubic infestations may be either caused by lice or mites. **Pubic lice** (Pthirus pubis), also known as “**crabs**”, usually start in the pubic region but may eventually extend anywhere there is hair. They are most commonly passed by sexual contact. Severe itching is the main symptom and can involve the axillary (armpit) hair or even the eyelashes.

Although they are sometimes seen in a patient that has other sexually transmitted diseases, pubic lice do not actually transmit other illnesses. It should be noted that pubic lice infestations are one of the few sexually transmitted diseases that is not prevented by the use of a condom.

### **SCABIES**

**Scabies** is often confused with “crabs”, but is caused by another creature entirely: tiny eight-legged mites of the species Sarcoptes scabiei. Like pubic lice, scabies can be passed through sexual contact or other direct skin-to-skin contact with another human but not from animals.

Unlike lice, however, the mites do not live and reproduce on hair shafts but burrow through the skin forming small raised red bumps that may become “crusty”. These areas may hold hundreds of mite eggs. Itching is usually severe and most intense at night. It should be noted that Scabies can affect skin folds, even those with little hair such as the folds of the wrists, elbows, or between fingers and toes.

### **TREATMENT**

Infestations with lice and mites can be treated with medications called “**Pediculocides**”. They include:

• **Pyrethrins** (brand name Rid shampoo, a natural product also found in chrysanthemum flowers)
• **Permethrin 1%** (brand name Nix lotion, a synthetic pyrethrin)
• **Lindane** Shampoo (prescription brand Kwell)
• **Spinosad** (brand name Natroba, a natural insecticide derived from soil bacteria – only for head lice in children 4 year or older(brand name)
• **Ivermectin 0.5%** (brand name Sklice, also from soil bacteria and only for head lice in children 6 months or older)

Nix lotion (permethrin) will kill both the lice and their eggs. Rid shampoo will kill the lice, but not their eggs; be certain to repeat the shampoo treatment 7 days later. This may not be a bad strategy with the other treatments as well. Thoroughly examine the area in question for persistent nits and adults.

You might ask your physician for a prescription for Kwell (lindane) shampoo to stockpile. It is a much stronger treatment for resistant cases. It may cause neurological side-effects in children, so avoid this medicine in pediatric cases. Here are general instructions for the above products:

• Start with dry hair. If you use hair conditioners, stop for a few days before using the medicine. This will allow the medicine to have the most effect on the hair shaft.

• Apply the medicine to the hair and scalp.

• Rinse off after 10 minutes or so.

• Check for lice and nits using a comb in 8 to 12 hours.

• Repeat the process in 7 days

Wash all linens that you don’t throw away in hot water (at least 120 degrees). Unwashable items, such as stuffed animals, that you cannot bring yourself to throw out should be placed in plastic bags for 2 weeks (for head lice) to 5 weeks (for body lice). The bags are then opened to air outside and shaken out.

Combs and brushes should be placed in alcohol or very hot water. Your patients should change clothes daily, although this may be problematic in austere settings. It would be wise for any item that might have been exposed to be treated, even if belonging to other family members. Have enough pediculocide product to treat the entire group.

Over time, commercial medications may run out, but natural remedies for lice have existed for thousands of years. Even commercial medications like Rid Shampoo use pyrethrin, a substance extracted from the chrysanthemum flower. Another favorite anti-lice product is Clearlice, a natural product containing peppermint, among other things.

A combination used for lice utilizes tea tree and neem oils. One topical therapy mixes a blend of vinegar, tea tree oil, and neem oil, which is applied daily for 21 days. A mixture of Witch Hazel and tea tree oil applied daily after showering for 21 days has also been reported as effective against hair lice.

A triple blend of tea tree, lavender, and Neem oil applied to the public region for 21 days may be effective in eliminating Scabies. All of these methods require diligent removal of nits and adult lice by combing beforehand.

Although I have seen recommendations to “suffocate” head lice with mayonnaise, lard, butter, or coconut/olive oil, there isn’t enough evidence to be certain that this method will work. Besides, you might just need those products for survival purposes. If you do use it, you would generously apply to the head, place a shower cap overnight, and rinse out in the morning.

In normal times and not-so-normal times, keeping an eye out for lice will give you a head start on staying healthy. Good hygiene is the key to success, even if everything else fails.

Joe Alton, MD

[![tent joe's kids](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids-300x201.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510-300x300.jpg)Dental kit by Grab N Go(r)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Tornadoes, Lice, Dental Issues](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-tornadoes-lice-dental-issues/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Vitals, Dakin's Solution, Fungal Meds, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-vitals-dakins-solution-fungal-meds-more/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medications, Skin issues, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** body lice, crabs, head lice, joe alton md, Kwell, lice, Lindane, medical preparedness, mites, nit combs, Nix, pubic lice, pyrethrin. permethrin, Rid shampoo, scabies, survival hygiene, survival medicine

---

### [Those Lousy Lice!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/those-lousy-lice/)

**Published:** March 3, 2011
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1500548894-294x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/shutterstock_1500548894-scaled.jpg)

Part of the Master Gardener program involves learning all about insects. Many of these insects are interested in eating plant matter or other insects, but some are interested in eating us! Case in point: The lousy louse! Lice are species-specific, which means that lice that live on your dog will not want to bite humans, unlike fleas. There are **three types of lice**:

## The Three Types of Lice

Head Lice – *Head lice* are usually issues for children, who have less developed immune systems than adults. Head lice do not carry any human disease, but will make an adult miserable as the more developed immune system will cause all sorts of itching and rashes. Kids often don’t even notice them, but pass them to anyone they contact.

Body Lice – Body lice appeared much more recently than head lice, probably related to the advent of humans wearing clothes (160,000 yrs ago, it is thought). Not washing your clothes and/or your body will cause an infestation of these critters. In the event of a societal collapse, your washing and laundry habits may suffer, and this will be a real issue for many preppers. Unlike head lice, body lice carry many diseases that can affect humans, diseases that are oftentimes more serious than just itching and rashes.

Pubic Lice – called by many names like Scabies (although my favorites is Crotch Crickets), These lice must live on hairy areas of the body. They are highly mobile and can go to any hairy region of the body (armpits, for example). They rarely cause systemic disease.

### How Do I Get Rid of Lice?

These pests are treated with special shampoos and by combing lice eggs (known as nits) from hair follicles. Part of your medical preps should include shampoo and fine combs to eliminate the likely outbreak of lice (all three types) that the breakdown of good sanitation and hygiene could bring.

Don’t ignore the importance of hygiene, and the dangers of the lack of it in any off-grid setting. If you do, prepare for a LOUSY existence!

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Dehydration in a Collapse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dehydration-in-a-collapse/) 

 [Flu Treatment and Herbal Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flu-treatment-and-herbal-remedies/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** body lice, body lice carry many diseases that can affect humans, collapse medicine, collapse situation, head lice, Head lice are usually issues for children, How Do I Get Rid of Lice?, How do you get rid of lice?, lice treatment, medical preparedness, survival medicine, three types of lice

---

### [Video: Cold Weather and Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-cold-weather-and-hypothermia/)

**Published:** January 9, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/shutterstock_88477075-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/shutterstock_88477075.jpg)

It probably seems to everyone that I bring up hypothermia every winter; well, everybody’s right. I do, and for good reason. Whether in a backcountry campsite or an urban blackout disaster, cold conditions must be taken in account. If you don’t prepare for the environment, you have made it your enemy, and it’s a formidable one.

In this video, I talk about aspects of hypothermia and what the family medic should know in good *or* bad times…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)

Find out more about hypothermia and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the award-winning 4th Edition of T**he Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**! And get your family medically prepared this year with quality medical kits and individual supplies from [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Head Lice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/head-lice/) 

 [Viral Antigenic Shift/Antigenic Drift: JN.1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/viral-antigenic-shift-antigenic-drift-jn-1/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cold weather survival, general hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, treating hypothermia, winter preparedness, winter readiness

---

### [Viral Antigenic Shift/Antigenic Drift: JN.1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/viral-antigenic-shift-antigenic-drift-jn-1/)

**Published:** January 3, 2024
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965.jpg)

This year’s cold and flu season is similar to every other: The latest strain is often different from the previous one. Usually, the difference is small, and that’s how vaccines work. They take last year’s virus and make this year’s vaccine.

Influenza vaccines produced in a particular year are derived from certain proteins found in last year’s virus. The CDC makes a determination about what strain they expect to be dominant in the coming year, and companies base their decisions on those predictions. From a Covid standpoint, that strain is called JN.1. JN.1 is derived from a variant of the famed Omicron Covid strain, although the original Omicron strain no longer exists.

If you have the material from last-year’s Covid or flu viruses, why are vaccines sometimes so ineffective in achieving their purpose? In one recent year, the flu vaccine gave you no more than 19 percent protection against the next year’s virus.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/immunity-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/immunity.jpg)

To understand why, let’s talk about two concepts we’ll discuss today: [**Antigenic Drift**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/5-things-to-know-about-pandemics/) and [**Antigenic Shift**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/5-things-to-know-about-pandemics/).

**Antigenic Drift:** Viruses are notorious for their ability to mutate, but, fortunately, their mutations rarely make a major change in their genetic makeup. When the changes are so small that the current virus going around is essentially the same as the previous one, it is called antigenic *drift*. In this circumstance, vaccines are more effective; that is, they reach the surpris0ingly modest CDC goal of 40-60% prevention rate because they are fighting essentially the same virus.

**Antigenic Shift:** Sometimes, a virus undergoes a major mutation or, alternatively, two viruses combine to make a significant change in the nature of a virus. For example: If the Ebola virus primarily lives in fruit bats in Africa, some mutation along the way made it able to live in human beings. Perhaps another mutation made it more easily transmitted to other humans in bodily secretions. These significant changes in the genetic makeup are called antigenic shifts. With antigenic *shifts*, all bets are off with regards to predicting the success of a vaccine in preventing disease. To take an even more extreme example, if the [Ebola virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/airborne-ebola/) mutated to make it easily transmissible via airborne droplets, we’d be in a lot of trouble.

It can be difficult to predict the evolution of the COVID variants, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that JN.1 cases (currently 44 percent of all new cases) will increase through the winter. The situation is fluid, so much so that another strain, HV.1, was the dominant strain as recently as early December. EG.5 was the dominant strain during the summer.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/viruslarge-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/viruslarge.jpg)

The good news: So far, JN.1 doesn’t seem to cause more severe cases of COVID than other circulating variants.

One remarkable aspect of JN.1 is its rapid evolution, which suggests it may be better at evading immune systems, or it may simply be more transmissible, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). In any case, it’s not to sneeze at.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-scaled.jpg)

Protective efforts can help as well. Follow these rules of respiratory “hygiene”:

- Practice good hand hygiene; wash hands thoroughly and often during the day.
- Clean countertops, doorknobs, and other common-area items to reduce the viral load. A dilute bleach solution will work.
- Avoid social situations where someone is sick. Coughs and sneezes can reach others several feet away.
- Sick persons should cover their mouth and nose with tissues or other barrier when coughing or sneezing. Don’t have tissue? Sneeze or cough into your elbow or sleeve.
- Seriously ill individuals should be quarantined in an area away from high-traffic spots in the home. N95 masks, while not considered effective against COVID, can still provide some measure of protection.

Remember that staying indoors is not particularly protective against respiratory infections. The viral load in a closed and crowded room is probably much higher than the air outside!

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

And don’t forget something entirely different, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy’s Christmas bedtime story book “[Snowbie, The First Snowman,” published by Sky Pony Press!](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/151078067X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DISZMOH64NUA&keywords=snowbie&qid=1702150020&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n GoHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Cold Weather and Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-cold-weather-and-hypothermia/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antibiotic News, Winter Car Survival, Natural Remedies, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antibiotic-news-winter-car-survival-natural-remedies-more/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Viruses

**Tags:** a history of antibiotics, antigenic drift, covid, jn.1 variant, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antibiotic News, Winter Car Survival, Natural Remedies, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antibiotic-news-winter-car-survival-natural-remedies-more/)

**Published:** December 30, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton lament the loss of fish and other equivalent antibiotics due to the actions of the FDA, leaving the family medic in survival settings with one less tool in the medical woodshed. Also, Dr. Bones discusses important strategies to stay safe in your vehicle this winter, even if stranded in a blizzard.

Also, natural remedies for respiratory infections, with a special in-depth look by Nurse Amy at the health benefits and uses of peppermint. All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with medical preparedness advocates Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

[**https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2023/12/30/survival-medicine-podcast-pet-antibiotics-winter-car-survivalnatural-remedies**](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2023/12/30/survival-medicine-podcast-pet-antibiotics-winter-car-survivalnatural-remedies)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonLearn more about cold weather survival and 200 other off-grid topics with the 4th edition of the award-winning “Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,” available on Amazon in black and white, or get a color or color spiral-bound version at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And check out our entire line of quality medical kit and supplies there too! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Survival_Bag_First_Aid_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__32732.1520882285.1280.12801-300x246.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Survival_Bag_First_Aid_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__32732.1520882285.1280.12801-e1523430747449.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Winter Car Readiness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-readiness/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Children's books from the Altons, COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Vitamins and Minerals

**Tags:** amy alton np, bird antibiotics, fish antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, natural respiratory remedies, peppermint, pet antibiotics, survival medicine, winter car survival, winter preparedness

---

### [Winter Car Readiness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-readiness/)

**Published:** December 28, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Winter in the U.S. can be pretty darn cold, and you can bet we’ll be experiencing some serious winter storms over much of the country at one point or another before spring. In the backcountry, unprepared folks might experience hypothermia (the effects on the body from exposure to cold), but it can also happen right in the family car. During the winter, it’s important to have a plan of action to prevent problems that might leave you stranded, or worse, injured in cold weather. How important? There are 500,000 winter motor vehicle accidents every year, with about 2000 deaths.

**YOUR CAR IN WINTER**

Winter conditions don’t just affect people, they affect cars as well. Cold degrades rubber and metal; it even decreases the efficiency of car batteries. Tires become stiff and flat, especially when you start driving, and oil and other lubricants become thicker the colder it gets. All this makes the engine work harder, so vehicles doing duty in extreme cold should be “winterized”.

**WINTERIZING YOUR VEHICLE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/winter-public-domain-road-empty-300x197.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/winter-public-domain-road-empty-scaled.jpg)

If you live in an area that experiences extreme cold, you need to complete a vehicle checklist before the first winter storm. Each car has its own set of requirements for cold weather, but here are some basics:

**Battery:** Get your battery tested before the temperatures drop; replace old batteries before severe weather hits. Check the battery cables for cracks and breaks. The terminals should fit snugly with no loose connections. You can check your battery fluid by uncovering the refill hole (or sometimes holes). If the level is below the bottom of the cap, refill with distilled water. While you’re inspecting your battery, look around for the manufacture date. Knowing how old your battery is can give you an idea when it’s likely to lose charge.

With electric vehicles, the driving range drops with the temperature (sometimes, a lot). It’s important to realize a electric vehicle’s range limitations; A new one with a range of 250 miles at 75 degrees Fahrenheit may have only 150 miles of range when it’s 20 degrees. Used models have even less range, as batteries lose capacity with time and use.

**Fluids:** Regularly check and fill antifreeze, oil, brake fluid, coolant, windshield fluid, and transmission fluid to appropriate levels. Antifreeze should have the right ratio of coolant to water (about 50/50). Switching to a less viscous engine oil can make cold starts easier and maximize protection against wear. Wiper fluid is often overlooked, but you’ll need it to be freeze-resistant to keep your windshield clean and your vision clear.

**Brakes:** Your brakes have to respond quickly in cold weather, so make sure brake pads are sound and brake fluids levels are full.

**Heating and cooling systems:** A working heating and defrosting system is essential for comfort and visibility during winter driving.

**Fuel:** Keep your gas tank at least half full or keep your electric vehicle fully charged. For gas vehicles, maintaining tank levels helps prevent the fuel lines from freezing. Keeping your vehicle indoors when not in use will also help stabilize the vehicle temperature at reasonable levels.

**Tires:** Low air pressure and worn tires are especially dangerous on wet or slick roads, as both can reduce traction. Check your owner’s manual and keep them inflated at the recommended pressures. How can you tell a tire’s too worn? Take a Lincoln penny and insert it between the treads. Can you see the top of Abe’s head? If so, your tires are worn out. Some brands have a color band that becomes visible with wear.

If course, if you live in an area with a lot of snowfall, consider snow tires to improve traction.

More information can be found here:

**STAYING SAFE IN COLD WEATHER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/winter-car-crash-oregon-dept-of-transportation-300x225.jpg)Source: Oregon Dept. of Transportation](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/winter-car-crash-oregon-dept-of-transportation.jpg)

You’re not a bear, so you can’t hibernate through the cold weather; you’ll have to take measures to avoid becoming a victim of it. Many deaths from exposure are avoidable if simple precautions are taken.

Keep an eye on weather forecasts before you head out; conditions can change rapidly if a cold snap is on the way. The first question you should ask before you get in the car in cold weather is: “Is this trip necessary?” If the answer is “no”, you should stay cozy and warm at home. For most people that commute to work, however, the answer is “yes”.

If you have to hit the road during a winter storm, drive as if your life depends on it (because it does). Brush ice and snow off of windshields, side mirrors, or anywhere that your view might be blocked. Don’t speed, tailgate, or weave in and out of traffic. Make turns slowly and deliberately, and avoid quick stops and starts.

If you must hit the road, notify someone of your travel plans before you head out. Always take your cell phone with you. Many smartphone apps now allow your location to be tracked (with your permission).

Snow and ice can challenge drivers, regardless of their level of experience. Here are some things to consider:

**Pay attention to the temperature.** Many vehicles show the outside temperature on the dashboard or systems screen. When it’s near or below freezing, be sure to drive with extreme caution.

**Recognize “black ice.”** If an area of pavement looks wet, even though the rest of the area looks dry, it may be an icy patch. Reduce your speed accordingly.

**Properly use headlights and fog lights. In winter storms, visibility is of utmost importance.** Using your lights appropriately will help you see more clearly.

**Maintain control.** Understand your vehicle’s traction modes (4WD, AWD) and learn how to regain control when you skid.

Note: (This may be putting it too simply, but an AWD system is usually used for giving a vehicle all-weather traction all the time, while 4WD is meant to be a little more able off-road.)

**Be sure to keep focused on the road.** (not on the latest texts from your friends).

**Make space.** Increase the distance between and you and the car in front of you; It takes longer to slow down and stop on icy roads

**STRANDED!**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/car-stranded-public-domain.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/car-stranded-public-domain.jpg)

If you live in an area that routinely has very cold winters, you may become stranded in your car one day. Your level of preparedness will improve your chances of staying healthy and getting back home. So what should your plan of action be?

1. Stay calm and don’t leave the car. It’s warmer there than outside and you have protection from the wind. Having adequate shelter is one of the keys to success, whether it’s in the wilderness or on a snow-covered highway.
2. Crack a window on the side away from the wind for some fresh air. People talk about water and food being necessary for survival but, first, you’ll need a source of fresh air. Wet snow can block up your exhaust system, which causes carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment. Colorless and odorless, this is a deadly gas that kills in enclosed spaces without ventilation. Clearing the exhaust pipe of snow and running the engine only ten minutes or so an hour will help prevent monoxide poisoning.
3. Charge your phone while you can, so you have a way to communicate.
4. If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car.
5. Rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving to make your muscles produce heat.
6. Don’t overexert yourself. If your car is stuck in the snow, you’ll want to dig yourself out, but sweating will cause clothing to become wet. Wet clothing loses its value as insulation and leads to hypothermia.
7. Let others know you’re there. If you have flares (and you should), use them. Flashing emergency lights on your vehicle will drain battery power, so use them only if you think someone might see them.

**WINTER CAR ITEMS**

If you’re going to travel in very cold conditions, there are a certain number of items that you should keep in your vehicle. This is what an effective winter survival car kit contains:

- Wool Blankets (for warmth; wool can stay warm even if wet).
- Spare sets of dry clothes, including socks, hats, and mittens.
- Hand warmers or other instant heat packs (they’ll last for hours).
- Matches, lighters and/or firestarters in case you need to manufacture heat.
- Candles in a metal can or bucket. These can produce a surprisingly decent amount of heat in a small space like the interior of a car.
- Flashlights (keep batteries in backwards until you need them to extend their life).
- Ice scraper/snow brush.
- Multi-tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
- Larger combination tool like a foldable multi-use shovel (acts as a shovel but also an axe, saw, etc.).
- Sand or rock salt in plastic container (to give traction where needed). Believe it or not, some have used cat litter successfully!
- Tow chain or rope.
- Starter cables (for jump starts)
- Fix-A-Flat or a portable air compressor in case of a flat tire.
- Water, Food (energy bars, MREs, dehydrated soups, trail mix, candy).
- Baby wipes (for hygiene purposes).
- A first aid kit ([every car should have one](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)).
- Medications (routine meds you take daily, ibuprofen, acetaminophen.
- Tarp and duct tape (brightly colored ones will be more visible and aid rescue).
- Metal cup, thermos, heat source (to melt snow, make soup, etc.).
- Noisemaker (such as a whistle).
- Cell phone and charger (and, in normal times, the number of a towing service).

It may seem like a lot, but the items above will give you a head start in keeping safe and sound even if stranded. With a plan of action, a few supplies, and a little luck, you’ll survive even in the worst blizzard.

**Joe Alton MD**

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0Learn more about cold weather survival and 200 other off-grid topics with the 4th edition of the award-winning “**Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,**” available on Amazon in black and white, or get a color or color spiral-bound version at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And check out our entire line of quality medical kit and supplies there too! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-300x246.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antibiotic News, Winter Car Survival, Natural Remedies, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antibiotic-news-winter-car-survival-natural-remedies-more/) 

 [Video: A Survival Tool Lost](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-survival-tool-lost/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cold weather driving, hypothermia, stranded in a blizzard, winter car preparedness, winter car survival

---

### [Kidney Stones: Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/kidney-stones-diagnosis-treatment-prevention/)

**Published:** November 15, 2018
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**KIDNEY STONES: Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention**

The ability to urinate without pain is a blessing taken for granted; that is, until you can’t.

In some people, the kidney has a tendency to accumulate crystals that form what we call “stones” or, in medicalese, “nephrolithiasis” or “renal calculi”. Many kidney stones are as small as grains of sand; some are bigger, but any size can cause excruciating pain known as “renal colic” and, sometimes, blood in the urine. Your chances of experiencing a kidney stone is about 1 in 20 over your lifetime.

Once formed in the kidney, stones usually don’t cause symptoms until they begin to move down the tubes (called the ureters) which connect the kidneys to the bladder. When this happens, the stones, if big enough, can block the flow of urine. This may cause swelling of the affected kidney as well as significant pain. Kidney stones as small as grains of sand may have no problem passing through the ureter to the bladder, but then cause pain as they attempt to pass through the tube that goes from the bladder to the outside (also known as the “urethra”). Ouch.

Renal colic pain often comes in waves. These waves can last from 20 to 60 minutes, and may include nausea and vomiting and an urgent need to urinate. Your urine may have a foul odor, and be red or brown in color due to the presence of blood.

Although the symptoms of kidney stones are pretty uniform, there are actually several different types:

**Calcium stones**: Calcium stones are the most common. Calcium combines with other substances, such as oxalate, phosphate, or carbonate to form a stone. They occur more often in men than in women, and usually in those 20 to 40 years old.

**Cysteine stones**: These form in people who have an excess of a substance called cysteine in the urine, a condition that tends to run in families.

**Struvite stones**: This variety is mostly found in women and can grow quite large; they can cause blockages at any point in the urinary tract. Although not an infection in itself, a history of frequent and chronic infections is a risk factor.

**Uric acid stones**: More common in men than in women, these stones are associated with conditions such as gouty arthritis, something we’ve talked about before.

To diagnose a kidney stone, look for pain that starts suddenly and comes and goes. Pain is commonly felt on the side of your back (also known as your “flank”). Lightly pounding on the right and left flank at the level of the lowest rib will cause significant pain in patients with kidney stones causing inflammation, as well as kidney infections. As the stone moves, so will the pain; the discomfort will travel down to lower the abdomen and could settle in the groin or even the urethral area.

You can tell the difference between a kidney stone and a kidney infection by whether there is a fever associated with the pain. Most kidney infections present with a fever as well as flank pain, I guess it’s possible to have a fever with a kidney stone, but it’s much less common.

Your treatment goal is to assist the stone to pass through the system quickly. Staying well-hydrated is one way to help. Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to produce a large amount of urine. The flow will help move the stone along. Drinking lots of water may serve to prevent stones as well.

Some have used water pills, also called “diuretics”, or cranberry juice for the same purpose. Pain relievers may help, with ibuprofen the most available treatment of choice for pain relief in survival settings. Stronger pain medications, if you can get them, may be needed in severe cases.

Although there are drugs available to decrease the frequency of developing certain stones, some dietary changes may prevent the formation of kidney stones. Avoid foods that have a lot of calcium, such as:

- Spinach
- Rhubarb
- Beets,
- Parsley
- Sorrel
- Chocolate

Also, decreasing dairy intake will restrict the amount of calcium available for stone formation. This will keep them as small as possible and, therefore, easier to pass.

Sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate increases the alkalinity of the urine and may decrease the likelihood of formation of uric acid stones.

It should be noted that, other than pain control, different types of stones may respond differently to treatment based on their composition. A strainer is sometimes used to catch the stone as it passes for evaluation by the lab (if one is available).

Other natural substances that may help (again, dependent on what kind of stones you have) are:

- Horsetail tea (a natural diuretic)
- Pomegranate juice
- Dandelion root tea
- Celery tea
- Basil tea

As for supplements, there are a lot of them on the market like “Stone Breaker”, a hydrangea, celery seed, and other herbs in a combination extract that you’ll find on Amazon. I can’t vouch for its effectiveness due to the lack of hard data, but given the severe symptoms, it may be worth trying.

Joe Alton MD

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonDon’t forget to fill those holes in your medical supplies with educational materials, medical kits an,d individual items from Nurse Amy’s entire line of Grab N Go products at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Alton-Antibiotic-Cover-book-200x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Alton-Antibiotic-Cover-book.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Bacterial Infections, Stones, Antibiotics, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-bacterial-infections-stones-antibiotics-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Animal Bites, Active Shooters, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-animal-bites-active-shooters-more/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Dehydration, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Stones, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** calcium oxalate, cysteine stones, joe alton md, kidney stones, medical preparedness, nephrolithiasis, renal colic, struvite, survival medicine

---

### [Video: A Survival Tool Lost](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-survival-tool-lost/)

**Published:** December 20, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the FDA warning letters to Chewy and other companies telling them to shut down the sale of fish antibiotics to the public. This represents a significant loss of an important tool in the medical woodshed in survival scenarios. In normal times, sure, only use them under the supervision of a doctor/vet, but could the FDA action may cause unnecessary deaths if the you-know-what hits the fan and a minor infection gets out of control. Find out more in the video below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

And don’t forget the Altons’ first ever children’s story book “Snowbie, The First Snowman” on Amazon! 100 percent of our royalties will go to Tunnels 2 Towers this year!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Winter Car Readiness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-readiness/) 

 [We've Lost Another Survival Tool](https://www.doomandbloom.net/weve-lost-another-survival-tool/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, Expiration Dates, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Respiratory infections, Stomach/Intestinal, Wound Care

**Tags:** Aqua-Mox, bird antibiotics, chewy, FDA warning letter, fish antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [We've Lost Another Survival Tool](https://www.doomandbloom.net/weve-lost-another-survival-tool/)

**Published:** December 17, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_191826866-pills-capsule-antibiotics-many-varieties-scaled.jpg)

If you know of me, it’s probably because of my writings and videos over the years meant to help the family medic in times of trouble. I’m talking about a true long-term disaster where the medical infrastructure has broken down, hospitals are out of commission, and doctors are not accessible for the foreseeable future. A post-apocalyptic world.

In 2010, I first wrote about what could happen to those with minor bacterial infections like cellulitis if there were no available antibiotics. I referenced the History Channel program called “[After Armageddon](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1607542/),” where a paramedic and his family try to survive in a post-disaster landscape. In the show, the paramedic gets a minor injury, which he recognizes has become infected. No one, however, has antibiotics, so this trained professional can only watch his infection worsen. He dies a short time later.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cellulitis-day-1-225x300.jpg)cellulitis infection](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cellulitis-day-1-rotated.jpg)

Realizing the gravity of this, I looked for ways that a family medic could obtain the supplies necessary to avoid such preventable deaths. Having been involved in the aquarium hobby and raised tilapia in ponds, I knew of some antibiotics available for fish. I decided to check these out in depth and found about a dozen were identical to those used in humans. These few were unusual in that they were available only in human dosages, even though they were meant to treat your pet guppy. They also had the identical numbers, letters, and colors on the capsules as the human versions. After further research, it turned out they were the same as the human version, just redistributed in different containers to the pet fish and bird hobby.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/amoxicillinaquarium.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/amoxicillinaquarium.jpg)

So I suggested getting a supply, not for use in normal times, but to be held in reserve for disasters that could take society to the brink. They were available without a prescription and could be purchased in unlimited quantities, a huge benefit for the survival medic. [That has now change](https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/chewy-inc-664707-11302023)d, and you should know about it.

On Dec. 14, the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-warns-nine-manufacturers-distributors-unapproved-antimicrobials-animals) announced the issuance of nine [warning letters](https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/chewy-inc-664707-11302023) to manufacturers and distributors of “unapproved” antimicrobial animal drugs for violations of federal law.

The following companies received letters:

- American Aquarium Products
- Aquanest Biotic
- Aquarium Pharmacy LLC
- California Veterinary Supply
- Chewy Inc.
- Kraft Drug
- Midland Veterinary Services LLC
- Silver Lease LLC
- Valley Veterinary Clinic LTD

The agency claims the meds used for fish and birds were never registered for approval as veterinary medicine. Thus, the FDA considers them to be “new animal drugs” despite their being around for at least two decades, The agency says that using them outside of the direct supervision of a doctor or veterinarian contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which occurs when microbes like bacteria become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them.

I can’t deny this statement is true; injudicious use of antibiotics can lead to just that.

Of course, I have always recommended these then-widely available meds as part of your medical storage for use *specifically* in societal collapse scenarios. This is something that, despite all the nation’s problems, has not happened (yet). If such an event occurred and the family medic had some of these stored away, they might prevent some of the unnecessary deaths that might occur in such scenarios by eliminating bacterial infections. With the new FDA warning, that is no longer an option.

The products affected by the FDA warning are not, so far, being applied for approval as a New Animal Drug, nor has the FDA conditionally approved them for the [Index of Legally Marketed Unapproved New Animal Drugs](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1607542/) for Minor Species – these are the main legal pathways for animal drugs to reach the marketplace. Since neither of these pathways are yet being taken (and may never be), the FDA considers drugs like Aqua-mox as being illegally marketed over the counter until an application is made and the approval process completed.

In the recent past, the FDA has removed accessibility without a prescription to many drugs, mostly for food-producing livestock. But now, the animal products referenced in the warning letters are marketed and labeled for aquarium fish and pet birds. The FDA goes on to quote prominent veterinarians about the risks of a layman using these medicines.

None of what they say is wrong, at least in normal times, but in a post-apocalyptic setting, this would be little consolation to a parent with a sick child or a woman with an infection after childbirth.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-antibiotics-fish-with-id-numbers-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-antibiotics-fish-with-id-numbers-scaled.jpg)

The FDA claims that many animal drugs are not identical to similar products approved for use in people. This is true, especially when it comes to dosing for small animals. I have only written about those that are, indeed, the same, were produced by human pharmaceutical companies and re-packaged for the pet trade, and were offered only in human dosages with identical markings as the human drug.

The [drugs affected](https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/chewy-inc-664707-11302023) are Aqua-Mox, Aqua-Mox Forte, Aqua-Mox Forte 30, Aqua-Ceph, Aqua-Ceph Forte, Fishbiotic Cephalexin, Aqua-Cipro Forte, Aqua-Doxy, Aqua-Zole, Aqua-Zole Forte, and Aqua-Zithro.

The FDA recommends that anyone currently using or administering the products included in these warning letters should safely dispose of them. That’s up to you. In normal times, when antibiotics are easily available by prescription from your family doctor or vet, that might be a reasonable thing to do. But in a true long-term major disaster, which is what I mostly write about, it would be useful to have some in your storage, if only to use under the supervision of a qualified physician or veterinarian.

The FDA states that they will continue to monitor the marketplace and “take necessary steps to protect human and animal health against companies selling unapproved animal drugs that can put people and animals at risk.” Today, when the ambulance is heading in your direction and the hospital is just a few minutes away, that’s the way it is. Of course, I’m not sure there are many vets out there that will examine and [treat my sick pet guppy](https://aquariumscience.org/index.php/10-3-4-fin-rot/). I also remember a $200 bill to treat a sick parakeet. For survival settings, however, the lack of antibiotics will be one less weapon available against the challenges that face the family medic if the infrastructure is knocked out long-term.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: A Survival Tool Lost](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-survival-tool-lost/) 

 [This Year's Respiratory Infection Surge](https://www.doomandbloom.net/this-years-respiratory-infection-surge/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, Cellulitis, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** Aqua-Mox, bird antibiotics, Chewy fish antibiotics, FDA warning, fish antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [A Virus Affecting Kids Re-Emerges: Enterovirus D68](https://www.doomandbloom.net/resurgence-of-a-virus-affecting-kids/)

**Published:** December 5, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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There was an increase in acute respiratory illnesses in children last summer Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are [warning](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-warns-enterovirus-d68-muscle-weakness-kids-rcna47362) doctors that they should prepare for more issues in young patients with a virus known as [**enterovirus D68.** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterovirus_68)

Enterovirus D68, or EVD68, is a member of the Picornaviridae family, a group of viruses which includes the virus that causes polio. It is similar in nature to the rhinovirus, the cause for most common colds. Normally characterized by mild symptoms, the infection can rarely cause severe respiratory illness requiring hospitalization, especially in children.

EV-D68 is not a new virus; it was first discovered in 1962, and seasonal outbreaks have occurred before in the United States. In 2014, I wrote my first article about an outbreak which led to almost 1,400 cases and over 100 severely ill kids, some of which died. Since then, a few cases have been reported every year. Kids who have gotten EV-D68 this year are under 3 years old, on average.

This time, however, the CDC confirms an increased number of cases between March and early August. This is hardly a pandemic, but it’s more than have been reported in recent years. As most children experience only symptoms mimicking a cold or have no symptoms at all, there have probably been many more that have gone unidentified.

Given the generally benign nature of enterovirus infection, why are practitioners warned to be on the lookout? As Enterovirus D68 is in the same family as polio, it can cause a small percentage of affected children to develop a condition known as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), an inflammation of the spinal cord in the region of the neck. It’s a serious complication that can lead to long-term paralysis. “Increased vigilance for A.F.M. in the coming weeks will be essential,” the C.D.C. cautions.

D68 and more than 100 other non-polio enteroviruses are thought to result in up to 15 million infections every year in the United States. Outbreaks tend to occur in late summer and early fall (that is, right about now). My 2014 article reporting on EV-D68 was published September 2nd. This year, with 84 cases in the Spring and early Summer, the worst may yet be to come. As such, you should know how to identify it.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_1668414553-hospital-epidemic-tent-sick-room-scaled.jpg)

**SYMPTOMS OF EV-D68**

In most kids, an EV-D68 infection will appear just like a cold, with nasal congestion and sneezing. In rare cases, it can q progress to include fever, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Victims look like extremely nauseous asthmatics. In the worst cases, ventilators are necessary to maintain breathing.

Other symptoms seen in severe situations involve damage to the nervous and musculoskeletal system, the previously-mentioned Acute Flaccid Myelitis. These children will experience a sudden onset of arm or leg weakness. Muscles lose tone and reflexes disappear. Other signs include drooping eyelids, facial weakness, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. Asthmatic children seem to do worse.

Testing for it involves a battery of lab tests, spinal taps, and other studies, so the average citizen will have to rely on seeing worsening respiratory and neurological signs to make the diagnosis.

**TREATMENT AND PREVENTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

Like the common cold, there is no cure at present for the illness. Treat early symptoms like nasal congestion as they occur, and, in normal times, get a child with signs as described above to the hospital.

Parents can help avoid enterovirus infections by practicing good respiratory hygiene and instilling it in their children. This is a time-honored and proven strategy reinforced through painful lessons during the pandemic. If you’re the parent:

- Perform hand hygiene before and after contact with infected kids and contaminated surfaces or other items. Wash soiled hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds (best) or clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (second-best).
- Wipe down all surfaces, such as kitchen counters or doorknobs, with an appropriate disinfectant (dilute bleach solution will do).
- Isolate sick individuals away from common areas, as you would with any airborne infection.

Instruct the patient to:

- Cover their mouth and nose with tissues and dispose of those tissues safely. If tissues or other barrier aren’t available, teach them to sneeze or cough into their elbow or shoulder.
- Wear a mask if they’re coughing or sneezing a lot, especially in crowded indoor areas.
- Keep them at least six feet away from healthy people. This is the distance that air droplets can spread from a cough or sneeze.

To some, the above may seem like overkill, even after a long, painful pandemic., The damage that could be caused by the consequences of EV-D68, however, is long-lasting and, often, permanent. The fact that the virus has a tendency to strike children makes it even more tragic.

Hopefully, Enterovirus68 will stay what it is, a rare virus that pops up from time to time in a small group. Knowledge of the symptoms, however, will help the family medic identify severe cases and better succeed in dealing with the disease.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, as a special Christmas gift, consider our first children’s bedtime story book “Snowbie, The First Snowman,” a heartwarming story for a cold season! Thanks to Skyhorse/Sky Pony Press for picking it up.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Salmonella Contamination](https://www.doomandbloom.net/salmonella-contamination/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Pneumonia, Survival Barter, Prostatitis, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-pneumonia-survival-barter-prostatitis-more/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton np, cold and flu season, enterovirus D68, joe alton md, medical preparedness, nervous system complications of infection, survival medicine

---

### [This Year's Respiratory Infection Surge](https://www.doomandbloom.net/this-years-respiratory-infection-surge/)

**Published:** December 9, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Cold and flu season is in full swing with months to go before cases abate. In addition to the [“tri-demic” viruses](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/tripledemic-covid-rsv-flu-winter-cdc-rcna95448) of COVID, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), there’s news about strange pediatric pneumonias in China. And did I mention the common cold? The family medic should know about all these infections and why they happen.

First, what do we know about pneumonia in Chinese children? The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that the increased number of cases do not appear to be associated with some new disease-causing organism, but an entire grocery list of known microbes. These include “walking pneumonia” caused by a bacteria known as *[Mycobacteria pneumoniae](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mycoplasma-driver-child-pneumonia-outbreak-china)*. While most are generally not lethal, the sheer number of infected kids is straining the local medical infrastructure.

Of course, we’ve had [undiagnosed cases of pneumonia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/) from China in the recent past (COVID), so forgive me if I take WHO’s claims with a grain of salt; right now, however, we’re more concerned with the bugs that we know are affecting people on *our* continent.

I’ve written about each of the “tri-demic” diseases of[ influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/), [RSV,](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/) and [COVID](https://www.doomandbloom.net/six-new-symptoms-of-covid-19/) many times, as well as many other viruses. Suffice it to say that anyone with viral respiratory illnesses will likely complain of:

- Sneezing and nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Body aches and fatigue
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea

These are treated as needed for the specific symptoms: Pseudoephedrine for runny nose and acetaminophen for fever, for example. The grand majority of healthy individuals will get better over time on their own.

The concern is not that we are dealing with lethal new viruses in the U.S. and Canada, but that known viruses are appearing earlier than expected and in greater numbers. This translates into a lot more hospitalizations. Why is this trend occurring? Why do infectious respiratory diseases recede and then come back with a vengeance? This winter, it’s something called the “**immunity gap**.”

**WHAT IS THE IMMUNITY GAP?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/immunity-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/immunity.jpg)

Usually, there’s a predictable pattern to the outbreak of seasonal respiratory viruses. They usually ramp up in late fall or early winter and decrease in the spring and summer. But because of the restrictive measure taken to try to mitigate the COVID pandemic (masks, social distancing, school lockdowns, etc), cases of non-COVID infections were significantly decreased, especially influenza and RSV due to less exposure than normal.

The result is low levels of natural immunity, especially among infants and small children. Nursing mothers were not exposed to normal exposure to things like the flu, so didn’t pass along enough antibodies in breast milk.

Now that COVID measures are a thing of the past, viruses like the flu and RSV are circulating in mass quantities and infecting vulnerable infants and small children. As infectious diseases, they are spreading in earnest and are seen in higher numbers than before.

The immunity gap is especially noticeable with RSV. Nearly all children get this infection by the age of two. In normal times, these babies spread it to others and the virus continually circulates, with the infected individuals producing antibodies against it. This results in a population with good levels of immunity. Most children born since early 2020, however, have not been exposed to RSV. This large group is now becoming infected and spreading it to others. Will newly resurgent viruses like RSV be more deadly than usual? We don’t know yet.

**THE HYGIENE HYPOTHESIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood.jpg)

Part of the surge in viruses may also relate to something called “the hygiene hypothesis.” Supporters of this theory say that the overly sterile environments we created during COVID caused a lack of exposure to germs. Some even believe that extreme measures to protect children causes some of the food allergies, like peanuts, we see today. Maybe kids should get a little dirty once in a while?

**RESPIRATORY HYGIENE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-scaled.jpg)

You can’t completely avoid catching a virus, but you can follow the rule of “respiratory hygiene” to reduce your exposure:

- Practice good hand hygiene; wash hands thoroughly and often during the day.
- Clean countertops, doorknobs, and other common-area items to reduce the viral load. A dilute bleach solution will work.
- Avoid social situations where someone is sick. Coughs and sneezes can reach others several feet away.
- Sick persons should cover their mouth and nose with tissues or other barrier when coughing or sneezing. Don’t have tissue? Sneeze or cough into your elbow or sleeve.
- Seriously ill individuals should be quarantined in an area away from high-traffic spots in the home. N95 masks, while not considered effective against COVID, can still provide some measure of protection.

Remember that staying indoors is not particularly protective against respiratory infections. The viral load in a closed and crowded room is probably much higher than the air outside!

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

And don’t forget something entirely different, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy’s Christmas bedtime story book “[Snowbie, The First Snowman,” published by Sky Pony Press!](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/151078067X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DISZMOH64NUA&keywords=snowbie&qid=1702150020&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Family-Portrait-final-300x243.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Family-Portrait-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [We've Lost Another Survival Tool](https://www.doomandbloom.net/weve-lost-another-survival-tool/) 

 [Salmonella Contamination](https://www.doomandbloom.net/salmonella-contamination/)

**Categories:** Children's books from the Altons, Christmas tales, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** Age-related COVID restrictions, common cold, hygiene hypothesis, immunity gap, Influenza, respiratory hygiene, respiratory infections, respiratory syncytial virus, RSV

---

### [Salmonella Contamination](https://www.doomandbloom.net/salmonella-contamination/)

**Published:** December 6, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an alert to consumers about a widespread bacterial outbreak in the US and Canada linked to consumption of cantaloupes. The bacteria in question is called “salmonella.” So far, about 120 cases have been identified, hospitalizing 60 and killing two in Minnesota. More cases are expected to be documented in the coming days and weeks.

Contaminated whole and pre-cut products were apparently distributed to chains like Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Aldi, and others in states including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas and Florida, as well as Canada. Brands include Trufresh, Crown Jewels Produce, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable, CF Dallas, ALDI, and Pacific Trellis Fruit. These have all been recalled.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cantaloupe-public-domain-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cantaloupe-public-domain.jpg)

Look for whole fresh cantaloupes with Malichita, Rudy, “4050” and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique” labels. These, along with pre-cut versions, are unsafe and should be thrown away.

These are serious recommendations, as the CDC states that all forms of salmonella poisoning cause, annually, 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States. This may seem like a lot to you, but worldwide, typhoid fever, one of the illnesses caused by salmonella, infects 21 million people a year and kills 200,000 (the U.S., however, only sees about 400 cases of typhoid fever yearly).

In survival settings, food contamination will be a common problem confronting the family or group medic. They must be aware of the signs and symptoms and intervene early in the infection to prevent a tragic outcome.

**SALMONELLA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SalmonellaTyphi-300x166.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SalmonellaTyphi.jpg)

*Salmonella* is a group of rod-shaped bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. It was named after a famous veterinary surgeon, Daniel Salmon, in the 1880s but the genome has been found in human remains 6,500 years old.

Salmonella is a common cause of “enteric fevers,” including the very dangerous “typhoid fever.” Enteric fevers are acquired by the ingestion of water, food, or dirty hands contaminated with the feces of those infected.

Typhoidal salmonella strains (*Salmonella e. typhi*) can only be transferred between humans. In these cases, salmonella invades the bloodstream and invades organs by secreting toxins that lead to shock.

Nontyphoidal Salmonella strains (*Salmonella enterica*) can be transferred from animals as well as between humans. These are known as “paratyphoid fever” and stay in the intestinal tract and are usually less lethal.

**SYMPTOMS OF SALMONELLA INFECTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rose-spots-typhoid-fever-3040640374-e1701908998189-300x90.jpg)Rose spots from Salmonella](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Rose-spots-typhoid-fever-3040640374-e1701908998189.jpg)

Most people who get ill from Salmonella have diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Some experience nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle ache. A rash may develop but doesn’t affect everyone infected. It consists of rose-colored spots on the neck and abdomen.

Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days. A few have a delayed response which may occur weeks after consuming contaminated food.

**TREATMENT OF SALMONELLA INFECTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Antibiotics-300x173.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Antibiotics.jpg)

Thankfully, most people with salmonella-associated enteric fever recover in a few days with rest, electrolyte rehydration, and fever meds.

Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people who have severe illness (unrelenting fever and diarrhea), such as may be seen with typhoid fever or those at high risk. These are mostly the elderly, infants, and those with compromised immune systems or significant heart and joint disease. Fatalities can occur when they invade urine, blood, bones, joints, or the brain.

In severe cases, antibiotics that may be effective include:

- Azithromycin 500mg PO for 7 days for adults (1000mg may be given on the first day as a “loading dose.” Children get 10-20mg/kg body weight once daily.
- Cefixime 200mg twice a day for 10 to 14 days for adults. Childen get 10mg/kg body weight twice a day.
- Amoxicillin 500mg three times a day for 14 days for adults. Children get 30mg/kg body weight three times a day.
- Sulfamethoxazole 800mg/trimethoprim 160mg twice a day for 14 days. Children get 20mg SMX/4mg TMP/kg body weight twice a day.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) also works and is the drug of choice in some areas, but may cause significant damage to muscle/nerve tissue.

In all cases, antibiotic-resistant salmonella can affect results of treatment. If no success, switch to another (a good reason why I recommend having a variety in your storage).

**PREVENTION**

Salmonella isn’t killed by freezing, but heating food to 167 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature and UV sterilization are effective methods of decontamination.

Those who are ill and normally responsible for food preparation in a family or group must be relieved of those duties for the duration of the illness. As there is a “carrier” status, it may be wise to delegate food preparation to others for several weeks.

In the case of the recalled cantaloupes, if you can’t tell if yours were impacted by the current recalls, throw it away. The CDC has advised people to wash utensils, plates, or surfaces that may have come into contact with the fruit using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [This Year's Respiratory Infection Surge](https://www.doomandbloom.net/this-years-respiratory-infection-surge/) 

 [A Virus Affecting Kids Re-Emerges: Enterovirus D68](https://www.doomandbloom.net/resurgence-of-a-virus-affecting-kids/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, Diarrhea, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cantaloupe salmonella, food contamination, joe alton md, medical preparedness, paratyphoid fever, salmonella enterica, salmonella infection, salmonella typhi, survival medicine, typhoid fever

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Pneumonia, Survival Barter, Prostatitis, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-pneumonia-survival-barter-prostatitis-more/)

**Published:** November 30, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_746526580-pneumonia-symptoms-respiratory-300x217.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_746526580-pneumonia-symptoms-respiratory-scaled.jpg)

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton proudly announce their first children’s book, “Snowbie, the first snowman,” a heartwarming story of how snowmen came to be, great Christmas bedtime reading for little ones! Reading to children helps develop listening, vocabulary, social, and other skills that last well into their teens. Check out Snowbie here: [Snowbie: The First Snowman: Alton A.R.N.P., Amy, Alton M.D., Joseph, Crouthamel, Cheryl: 9781510780675: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/Snowbie-Snowman-Amy-Alton-R-N-P/dp/151078067X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36XZ4UAVVMLOE&keywords=snowbie&qid=1701010728&sprefix=snowbie%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

Plus, Dr. Bones discusses pneumonia, whooping cough, epigottitis, and other respiratory infections that come out in the cold weather months (part of a series). Also, his thoughts on bartering in survival settings, and why you should have more medical supplies that you currently have in your storage!

Lastly, a question from a listener about inflammation of the prostate. What is it and how is it treated?

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

### **[Survival Medicine Podcast: Pneumonia, Medical Barter, Prostatitis, More 11/30 by NurseAmyandDrBones | Health (blogtalkradio.com)](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2023/11/30/survival-medicine-podcast-pneumonia-medical-barter-prostatitis-more)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)

Hey, don’t forgetto check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-300x246.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma-300x190.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [A Virus Affecting Kids Re-Emerges: Enterovirus D68](https://www.doomandbloom.net/resurgence-of-a-virus-affecting-kids/) 

 [What To Barter Off The Grid?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-barter-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, Bartering, Christmas tales, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, epiglottitis, joe alton md, pneumonia, prostatitis, respiratory infections, survival medicine, whooping cough

---

### [What To Barter Off The Grid?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-barter-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** November 17, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bartering-joe-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bartering-joe-scaled.jpg)

Every so often, people ask me about the importance of precious metals for barter purposes in a societal collapse. There’s no reason not to have some silver or gold if you can afford it, but there’s something you should know if you’re counting on it in a post-apocalyptic economy: You can’t eat it. Precious metals would be useful as barter only in the earliest stages of a long-term disaster. Other items, like food and medical supplies, have more long-term trading power.

In the early days after civilization has been taken over the brink, people haven’t yet realized that “money” may be worthless in terms of long-term survival. In these circumstances, your paper money may have value at first, but you can expect more and more will be needed to buy a loaf of bread. Although crimes are committed daily in “normal” times to obtain it, currency is only paper, as evidenced by the government’s apparent ease of printing it whenever desired. Wise survivors will realize this before long (you could, I suppose, use a nice wad of it to get a fire started or as bathroom tissue).

Then, for a while, silver and gold will replace paper money. The amount of time you’ll be able to use your coinage will vary with the rapidity of the collapse, but, soon enough, even gold and silver will just be pretty hunks of metal.

Food, defensive items, and medical supplies will eventually become the most valuable surplus items you can have for successful trading. If you live in an arid climate, add water to the list.

**FOOD AS BARTER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/food-large1-300x130.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/food-large1.jpg)

Face it, once the supermarket shelves are empty, food will be on everyone’s mind. Those who have experienced true hunger will tell you how difficult it is to think of anything else. Counting on your hunting skills to feed your crew? If there are enough good hunters in your area, deer and other critters will be hunted to the point of scarcity in short order.

The answer is to grow your own food. Few, however, have the seeds or the knowledge to grow their own vegetables. Even fewer have success producing enough for their families, not to mention a mutual assistance group.

Gardening has a learning curve that’s subject to the whims of factors such as the amount of rainfall, storms, and extremes in temperature. Soil conditions and pests are also a factor. Despite the challenges, learn how to be successful growing food and you have some real bartering power.

Although Nurse Amy and I happen to be fortunate to live near sources of fresh water, availability isn’t the only issue. Disease-causing organisms in untreated water could cause infectious disease to run rampant in your group. Materials to purify water, even just sodium hypochlorite (household bleach), could be highly useful for bartering with knowledgeable survivors. Unfortunately, it loses potency in 6-12 months. Alternatively, a supply of calcium hypochlorite crystals used in pool additives will last longer and is easier to portion out. Properly stored, calcium hypochlorite has a shelf life of over 5 years.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/white-powder-granules-300x237.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/white-powder-granules.jpg)

How to disinfect water with calcium hypochlorite:

- Add one heaping teaspoon to two gallons of water and stir. This makes a “bleach” solution. Don’t drink this!
- Add one pint of the “bleach” solution to 12 ½ gallons of water or a half liter to every 50 liters of water to make it potable. Essentially, you’re making drinkable water by adding one part of chlorine mixture to each 100 parts of water.
- Pouring the water from one container to another seems to help decrease the chlorine taste
- Wait a good 30 minutes before using.

**AMMUNITION AS BARTER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/hollow-point-bullets-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/hollow-point-bullets-scaled.jpg)

Items for defense will be important for protection in survival settings. In fact, some have specifically stored extra ammunition specifically for barter purposes. If you’re planning on accumulating ammo for barter, try to figure out what calibers are popular in your area. In most states, 9mm is the most popular handgun round in the U.S. For rifle rounds, it’s the .223/5.56.

Encounters in survival scenarios for bartering ammunition can be especially risky, however, as someone can simply complete the transaction by loading their firearm with your items and…well, you know the rest. This will always be a possibility. Indeed, it’s naive to think you *wouldn’t* be a target for the desperate or unscrupulous. Therefore, any barter meeting should be undertaken only with plenty of what we call ‘backup.” If the product to be traded is ammunition, it should be packaged so solidly that it can’t be accessed until you’re far away.

**MEDICAL SUPPLIES (AND KNOWLEDGE) AS BARTER**

[![Prepper Medical Supply Kit](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-Medical-Bag-inside-1-282x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-Medical-Bag-inside-1.jpg)Doom and Bloom’s Grab N Go(r) Family BagFood and ammunition seem to be natural barter items. So, why would medical supplies have trade value? The reason is simple: You can easily make a wound with a loaded weapon, but few will have the items necessary to *heal* a wound. Bandages, antibiotics, blood clotting agents, and other medical materials are unique and irreplaceable goods in a world without hospitals and emergency rooms. These items *and the knowledge to use them* will become important materials and services both in the short and the long term.

You can never have too many medical supplies in your survival storage. You’d be surprised how many dressings one major bleed will consume. Don’t forget that you won’t be dealing with wound care just until you can get the patient to the hospital. There *is* no hospital. You’ll be in charge from beginning to end in a true survival scenario. For any lengthy event, that means you’ll use up a lot of medical supplies.

Bandaging materials, antiseptics, and other wound care items will be highly valuable. Antibiotics will be as well. I’ve written for over a decade on the importance of antibiotics to avoid unnecessary deaths in survival settings. Veterinary antibiotic equivalents are not as easily found these days, but are still available online.

It’s not just medical items. Let’s take the value of your medical *knowledge* as a trade item: Not everyone knows how to stop bleeding, splint an orthopedic injury, perform long-term wound care, or treat infection. If you’re the medic, your services have a value. What do you think that value would be in circumstances where a family has a child who’s sick or an injured loved one? This is a compelling argument for taking the time and effort needed to learn these skills.

This doesn’t mean that you should expect something in return every time you help someone in medical need. The value of good will in a survival community shouldn’t be underestimated. Grateful parents, if they’re able, will want to reward you in some way for saving a child’s life. In this way, volunteering your services may increase the chances for your own family’s survival. As time goes on, your skills may be deemed so valuable that you become an important asset to a community; one whose members will expend resources to protect.

[![Medical and Herbal natural remedies](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Herbal-Kit-Doom-and-Bloom-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Herbal-Kit-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)

If you spend enough time off the grid, it stands to reason that all the commercial supplies will run out. A knowledge of herbalism will come in especially handy here. An understanding of what plants in your area may have medicinal value will help cement your long-term value to the group.

Food, water, and shelter are the most important things to have if things go south, but medical supplies and the knowledge of how to use them are a strong second, maybe more than ammo (but I’m biased). Keep this in mind as you put together your stockpile. I’ll bet you have your own ideas on what would be useful barter items and skills in a post-apocalyptic world. Let me know your thoughts!

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton aka Dr. Bones](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Pneumonia, Survival Barter, Prostatitis, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-pneumonia-survival-barter-prostatitis-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dental Issues, Arthritis, Yellow Fever, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dental-issues-arthritis-yellow-fever-more/)

**Categories:** Bartering, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic

**Tags:** bartering, bartering medical items, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival bartering, survival medicine

---

### [First Aid Phil's Special Announcement!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-phils-special-announcement/)

**Published:** November 22, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/First-Aid-Phil-230x300.jpg)FIRST AID PHIL](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/First-Aid-Phil-scaled.jpg)

Subscribers know First Aid Phil from our newsletter. Now, First Aid Phil, Nurse Amy, and Joe Alton, MD are pleased to announce the publishing of their first children’s story book [**“Snowbie, The First Snowman”** ](https://amzn.to/46wxpHQ)by Skyhorse, just in time for the holiday season. In “**Snowbie…**,” you’ll find a heartwarming origin story about how the first snowman came to be; an old-fashioned classic to read to young children and grandchildren. **100 percent of author royalties from 2023 sales will go to disabled veterans’ charities.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-300x246.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Front-Cover-with-text-final-scaled.jpg)

**Why should you read a story like “Snowbie…” to your young children or grandchildren?**

Children who are read to are known to show better social and emotional skills. Parent-child bonding is enhanced. Plus, reading to a child makes them feel more secure and helps view literacy in a positive way. Hearing a story read aloud helps develop listening and concentrating skills that can last a lifetime.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/santa-and-moving-snowballs-300x241.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/santa-and-moving-snowballs-scaled.jpg)

Experts from the National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning say that reading books to kids helps expand the number and variety of words they use. One 2019 study estimated that children who are regularly read to in the 5 years leading up to kindergarten are exposed to 1.4 *million* more words than children who aren’t read to. A 2013 study showed that even reading to babies allows them to score higher later in language skills and problem solving, which can extend to higher IQs even in the teen years.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snowbie-putting-on-hat-300x241.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snowbie-putting-on-hat-scaled.jpg)

Some pointers when reading to a child: Guide them by pointing to the pictures, and say the names of the various objects. By drawing attention to pictures and associating the words with both pictures and the real-world objects, your child will learn the importance of language and reap benefits later on.

Writing “[Snowbie, The First Snowman](https://amzn.to/46wxpHQ)” was a labor of love for us both, and we are only too happy to donate any income we garner from the book to our disabled veterans. If you have a special veterans’ charity in mind, send us a note at drbonespodcast@aol.com. Oh, by the way, Happy Thanksgiving!

Note: Some of the links in this article are Amazon affiliate links; remember that any income we derive from the sale of this book go to charity.

Amy and Joe Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)The Altons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Want **a numbered, signed copy of “Snowbie: The First Snowman”**? [Click this link](https://store.doomandbloom.net/snowbie-the-first-snowman-by-amy-and-joseph-alton/) to our store for a limited edition signed version of this heartwarming story!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Family-Portrait-final-300x243.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Snowbie-Family-Portrait-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [This Year's Respiratory Infection Surge](https://www.doomandbloom.net/this-years-respiratory-infection-surge/)

**Categories:** Children's books from the Altons

**Tags:** amy alton np, joe alton md, snowbie, snowman story, the first snowman

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dental Issues, Arthritis, Yellow Fever, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dental-issues-arthritis-yellow-fever-more/)

**Published:** November 10, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss dental issues, gouty arthritis, yellow fever, more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, broadcast from the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains!

You might be ,medically prepared, but are you dentally prepared? Most family medics don’t realize that, in survival scenarios, they’re bound to come across dental issues with little or no knowledge or supplies. Dr. Joe Alton discusses the basics of the dental exam, tooth anatomy, dental decay, tooth abscesses and more. Also, check out our unique[ dental kit ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-dental-grab-n-go/)for off-grid settings…

Experts say we’re in for cases of yellow fever in the near future. Find out about this past and future epidemic disease, and why the authorities are worrying about the U.S. suffering an outbreak now!

Also, a reader question about arthritis, especially gouty arthritis…

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To listen in, click below:

### **[Survival Medicine Podcast: Dental Issues, Arthritis, Yellow Fever 11/10 by NurseAmyandDrBones | Health (blogtalkradio.com)](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2023/11/10/survival-medicine-podcast-dental-issues-arthritis-yellow-fever)**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DENTAL-KIT-NURSE-AMY-300x300.jpg)Dental Kit by Alton First Aid/Grab N Go(r)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DENTAL-KIT-NURSE-AMY.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [What To Barter Off The Grid?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-barter-off-the-grid/) 

 [Bear Encounters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bear-encounters-2/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Mosquito-borne Illness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** arthritis, dental anatomy, dental issues, gouty arthritis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, off the grid dental issues, tooth abscess, tooth decay, yellow fever

---

### [Bear Encounters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bear-encounters-2/)

**Published:** November 4, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/shutterstock_1379741990-grizzly-brown-bear-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/shutterstock_1379741990-grizzly-brown-bear-scaled.jpg)

(This article was originally published in [Prepper Survival Guide](https://magazineshop.us/collections/subscriptions/))

You might feel at home in the Great Outdoors, and, truly, it’s a wonder to behold. There are, however, dangers as well, such as encounters with large wild animals. It pays to know what to do when you encounter them on or off the grid.

At our mountain home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the area’s iconic mascot, the black bear, is a common sight. So common, in fact, that our yard is part of their daily circuit.

Bears are mammals belonging to the family Ursidae, and I’ll bet you don’t know what their closest living relative is: Dogs? Nope, it’s seals. There are a number of bear species in North America, but the American black bear is the one that’s present just about anywhere in the U.S. About 2000 live in the Great Smoky Mountains area; many of them have, unfortunately, become very accustomed to humans.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bear-looking-up-300x200.jpg)Large black bear male as seen from our deck](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bear-looking-up-scaled.jpg)

Black and brown/grizzly bears eat more plant matter than meat, opportunistically taking in any food source they can find. Poor crops of staple foods like acorns, called “mast,” result in bears moving out of the back country to look for less than natural alternatives, like your campsite or suburban trash.

Even though black bears are only 8 ounces when they’re born, males (also known as boars) can weigh 400 pounds. Grizzly newborns weigh a pound, but boars may reach 650-700 pounds in their prime. In Alaska, male brown bears commonly reach 1000 pounds!

(Note: The great chestnut blight of 100 years ago took out almost all the chestnut trees in the Great Smokies, resulting in smaller-sized black bears in modern times.)

**Black bears vs Grizzlys**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/black-bear-vs-grizzly-bear-300x215.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/black-bear-vs-grizzly-bear.png)

In the eastern part of the United States**,** there are only black bears. In the American and Canadian West, brown or grizzly bears are also encountered. ”Grizzly,” refers to white-tipped hair on the back and shoulders of some brown bears. While their diet, habitat, and many behaviors are similar, there are ways to tell the difference between them:

- Despite the names brown/grizzly and black, color isn’t always one of them. For instance, grizzlies may range from blonde to almost black. From a distance, a grizzly bear may appear to have darker legs and lighter upper parts. Black bears are usually uniformly black, but not always: They can be brown, cinnamon, or patchy.
- Body size is also not a reliable indicator for identifying bears in the West. A typical adult female grizzly weighs 300-400 pounds and adult males weigh 300-650 pounds. An adult black bear may not only weigh the same as a female grizzly but also be about the same height (3–4 feet at the shoulder).
- Grizzly bears have a prominent shoulder hump between the front shoulders. This is most visible from the side. Black bears have no such hump.
- A grizzly typically has a concave face that extends from between its “brow” to the end of its nose. A black bear normally has an almost straight profile from forehead to nose.
- Grizzly bears have smaller, more rounded ears in proportion to their head size. Black bears have larger ears that are more pointed and erect.
- Grizzly bears have curved, often light-colored claws that can be longer than a person’s finger. Black bears have darker claws that are usually less than two inches long.
- The tracks of a grizzly’s front feet are squarer than that of a black bear. A black bear front track is more rounded.

**Bear Encounters**

The National Park Service says that each bear encounter is unique; there is no single strategy that will work in all situations. To prevent injuries from bear encounters, situational awareness is the order of the day. Be especially careful in areas where bears are active. In national parks, signs are placed at trailheads where bear encounters have recently been documented. Watch for disturbed trash, fresh tracks, droppings, and of course, actual bears.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bear-poop.jpg)Black bear droppings](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bear-poop.jpg)

Some basic advice: Don’t hike alone. Whenever possible, you should hike in groups, 90% of people injured by bears (mostly grizzlies) in Yellowstone National Park were alone or with only one other hiking partner.

You might think it’s not smart to yell “Any bears out there?” or sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the trail, but bears don’t like noise and it’s actually a pretty good strategy. This is especially appropriate when traveling near babbling brooks or other settings where normal hiking noises might be muffled (just don’t do it with a hamburger or hot dog in your hand).

When you see a bear, it will, hopefully, be at a distance: If so, and the bear doesn’t see you, keep out of sight and go slowly behind and downwind of it. If the bear *does* see you from far away, slowly retreat.

**Accidental Encounters**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-300x177.jpg)You might encounter a bear in the backcountry](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-scaled.jpg)

You’re just as likely to come upon a bear as it is to come upon you. Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or at night. These are times that bears are most active in warm weather months.

Bears, like humans, have a need for personal space. If you happen upon a bear, don’t approach it, even to get a photo; give it as much room as possible. This advice is often ignored by foolhardy tourists at their peril.

If your encounter with the bear on the trail is up close and personal, or if it wanders into your campsite, identify yourself as a human by speaking calmly in a monotone voice.

Try to look as large as possible. If in a group, stay close together. Pick up small children immediately.

Back away slowly in the opposite direction. Walk, don’t run. Running triggers a chase response in the animal. Keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react, but [avoid direct eye contact](https://www.nps.gov/articles/bearfindsme.htm) (considered an act of aggression). In most cases, the bear will move on.

Advice on how to deal with bear encounters is not universal: [The National Park Service (NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm) recommends moving away sideways, reasoning that you are less likely to trip than walking backwards. This is certainly true, but there’s not much room to move sideways if you’re on a trail. Although the NPS says to avoid eye contact and not shout, [other sites actually recommend direct eye contact and loud noises](http://westernwildlife.org/black-bear-outreach-project/black-bear-safety/), in the hopes that it will intimidate the bear.

One piece of advice that’s universal: If you have a backpack, keep it on. It might provide protection if you’re attacked. If you’re camping, be sure to store your food up high and well out of reach.

**A Bear In Your Backyard**

From personal experience, we can tell you that bears are becoming less wary of wandering into human-occupied areas to find food. If you encounter a bear in your backyard:

- From a safe distance, shout or bang pots and pans together.
- Check your yard for bears before letting out your dog. A dog is unlikely to win a confrontation with one.
- Leave the bear a clear escape route (do not corner it).
- Remove potential attractants such as garbage or pet food; ask neighbors to do the same.
- If, for some reason, a bear enters a building, leave the doors open as opposed to locking the bear in. More commonly, a bear will enter an unlocked car; yes, they can open car doors. Don’t leave food in the car.

**Defensive Encounters**

A bear that feels threatened may act defensively if you get too close. It can react in a number of ways, snapping its jaws, huffing, hissing, growling, yawning, or swatting the ground while blowing and snorting. The bear may lunge or “bluff charge” toward you in an attempt to get you to leave the area. This is most commonly seen with a mother protecting cubs.

Once a bear has noticed you and is annoyed by your presence, consider some additional strategies to help prevent the situation from escalating. Some western parks require[ pepper spray](https://www.outsideonline.com/2398108/bear-spray-guide) for campers and hikers; know how to use it. Try to de-escalate the situation by talking calmly, so the bear knows you’re a human and not a prey animal. Remain still and stand your ground. As mentioned earlier, running might activate a chase response in the animal. Wave your arms and appear as large as possible.

The bear may stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually more curious than anything else. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.

**Bear Attacks**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bear-422682_1280-300x200.jpg)Grizzly bear image by Robert Balog on Pixabay](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bear-422682_1280-scaled.jpg)

Most bears are only interested in protecting their space, getting food, and protecting their young. A bear in predatory mode, however, will act differently than a curious or defensive one. If the bear follows you quietly, head low, ears laid back, with attention clearly directed at you, it is more than just curious. Make yourself appear larger, louder, and threatening. Groups should stick together to look like a bigger threat.

If the bear attacks, don’t run. [You can’t outrun a bear](https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/yell/vol14-1-2a.htm). The top speed of a running bear is 35 miles per hour, far surpassing that of the fastest humans.

Unless you’re a squirrel, don’t climb a tree. You’re not 10 years old anymore; it takes longer than you think and your pursuer is a very good climber.

As the bear approaches, stand your ground and have your pepper spray out. Note the wind direction and adjust your position so the spray doesn’t fly back at you. Be sure the safety is off. Aim for the face and start spraying when the bear is within 25-30 feet away. Although it is most effective at 5-10 feet, the initial whiff further away may discourage the attack. If not, continue spraying until the can is empty. Note that there is a tendency for the can to recoil upward, so you must spray downward to hit your target.

Although predatory bear attacks are rare, you should know what to do if physical contact is made. The National Park Service recommends different actions for different species of bear:

**Grizzly Bears:** With grizzlies, fighting back may intensify the fury of their attack. If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and play dead. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck and your forearms protecting your face. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. A persistent attack or an attack in your tent may leave you no choice but to fight back. If that’s the case, use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.

**Black Bears:** When a black bear physically attacks, the rangers recommend you *don’t* play dead. Be aggressive and fight back using any object available, concentrating on inflicting trauma to the bear’s face, eyes, and snout.

Assuming you survive the attack, you may have bleeding wounds. Make sure your backpack has dressings, tourniquets, antiseptics, and other supplies needed for treating wounds. This is good advice in any backcountry setting.

Studies have shown that bears accustomed to humans never live as long a life as truly wild bears. Bears lose their fear of people by being fed by them. As a result, many of these are hit by cars or end up euthanized. Remember this: A bear that’s fed is a bear that’s dead.

Joe Alton, MD

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dental Issues, Arthritis, Yellow Fever, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dental-issues-arthritis-yellow-fever-more/) 

 [Yellow Fever: Epidemics Past and Future](https://www.doomandbloom.net/yellow-fever-epidemics-past-and-future/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** animal bites, black bears, black vs grizzly bears, brown bears, grizzly bears, grizzly vs black bears, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Yellow Fever: Epidemics Past and Future](https://www.doomandbloom.net/yellow-fever-epidemics-past-and-future/)

**Published:** October 25, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Tropical disease experts are predicting a return of the historically devastating disease [**yellow fever**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_fever) to the United States. Yellow fever causes 30,000 deaths annually in South America and Africa, but there are concerns the deadly disease will be the cause of future epidemics here.

There have been no active outbreaks of the viral disease in the United States since 1905, but other tropical diseases have made appearances. Earlier this year, several cases of malaria turned up in Florida. Mosquitoes have recently tested positive for West Nile virus in Texas. Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses have also been identified locally in the past few years.

**WHAT IS YELLOW FEVER?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-300x225.jpg)jaundice](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-scaled.jpg)

Yellow Fever is caused by an arbovirus (a virus transmitted through the bite or sting of an insect vector) in the flaviiviridae family. In this case, the vector is a bite from the mosquito known as **Aedes Aegypti**.

Once the virus has entered the human body, symptoms may appear within 3 to 6 days. Not everyone has symptoms; those who do experience headache, muscle pain, and nausea and vomiting. In most cases, symptoms subside in 3 to 4 days. Surviving the disease usually means lifelong immunity.

An unlucky 15-20 percent of victims, however, progress to a more serious second phase, often shortly after an apparent recovery. These develop high fever and inflammation of the liver and kidneys. Liver malfunction leads to a condition called “jaundice,” a yellowing of the skin and eyes, hence the name “yellow fever.” Bleeding in the GI tract leads to vomiting blood, sometimes black in appearance, in late stages. A death rate of 20-60 percent due to organ failure can be expected in these cases.

**HISTORY OF U.S. YELLOW FEVER OUTBREAKS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/yellow-fever-cuba-library-of-congress.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/yellow-fever-cuba-library-of-congress.jpg)

American history is peppered with yellow fever epidemics reaching as far north as [Philadelphia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1793_Philadelphia_yellow_fever_epidemic), where 5000 deaths were recorded from the disease in 1793. Most outbreaks, however, occurred in Southern seaports (New Orleans, Galveston, Charleston) or along the Mississippi (Vicksburg, Memphis). The New Orleans epidemic of 1853 killed almost 10 percent of the city’s population.

Back then, the disease was sometimes referred to as “**yellow jack**.” That was the name of the nautical flag that ships arriving from the Caribbean raised to indicate a quarantine had been imposed.

Some now-forgotten yellow fever epidemics killed more U.S. citizens than more famous disasters of the time, such as the Great Chicago Fire or the San Francisco earthquake. The last major outbreak was in New Orleans in 1905, when 1000 people perished.

But that was then, this is now. Why are experts becoming more concerned about small upticks in diseases that are mostly seen in equatorial regions of Africa and South America?

**WHY NOW?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Zika-Miami-Mosquito-Larvae-Bird-Bath-Water-300x200.jpg)mosquitoes breed in standing water](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Zika-Miami-Mosquito-Larvae-Bird-Bath-Water.jpg)

The health establishment blames climate change, population explosions, poverty, and increasing urbanization. El Nino events mean warmer temperatures and more rainfall, good conditions for mosquitoes. Growth spurts in places like Miami and Tampa mean many more potential victims than in previous eras, especially in poverty-stricken areas with poor mosquito control policies.

A factor you *won’t* hear much about is what authorities refer to as “[shifting patterns of human migrations](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20231019/scientists-fear-yellow-fever-may-soon-return-to-southeastern-us),” code words for the current crisis in illegal immigration. People crossing the border from at-risk areas are rarely vetted (medically or otherwise). As such, it stands to reason that some might bring infectious diseases up North into the U.S.

Health authorities worry, correctly, that we are unprepared for an outbreak of yellow fever, which has no known cure and kills a larger percentage of its victims than COVID-19. Mosquito control programs aren’t based on a national standard: They are usually administered through counties. The quantity and quality of resources vary greatly from place to place.

The main concern is that U.S. citizens aren’t vaccinated against yellow fever, nor is the vaccine part of the Strategic National Stockpile; therefore, the entire population is vulnerable to it. A vaccine is available but it uses live virus, is expensive, not made in large quantities, and can have serious effects on those with weakened immune systems. That means a sizeable yellow fever epidemic could run rampant through the entire U.S. population before the government can effectively combat it.

Some, however, believe there’s hope. In response to the threat of emerging infectious diseases, the White House established the [Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/21/fact-sheet-white-house-launches-office-of-pandemic-preparedness-and-response-policy/). So far, it has concentrated on coronavirus, influenza, and other known pandemic illnesses. But the department *could* tackle mosquito-borne infection if so directed by a vigilant administration.

Yellow fever is common in 13 Latin-American countries and 34 African countries. It’s not yet a problem in 21st century America. That means we have an opportunity: Prioritize a plan of action for an outbreak now, and yellow fever may be just a bump in the road, not the end of the road, for many U.S. citizens in the future.

Joe Alton MD

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 [Bear Encounters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bear-encounters-2/) 

 [Video: All About Fentanyl and "TranQ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-fentanyl-and-tranq/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Mosquito-borne Illness, Pandemic Diseases, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton np, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pandemic disease, survival medicine, yellow fever, yellow fever epidemic, yellow jack

---

### [Video: All About Fentanyl and "TranQ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-fentanyl-and-tranq/)

**Published:** October 17, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fentanyl-use-drugs-overdose-treatment-Medical-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fentanyl-use-drugs-overdose-treatment-Medical-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-scaled.jpg)

In this companion video for a couple of previous articles, Dr. Joe Alton discusses all you need to know about two real killers that have killed tens of thousands of Americans: Fentanyl and Zylazine (also called “TRANQ,” Learn about these drugs and why they’re so attractive to both dealers and users. Why are they so deadly?

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD
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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Yellow Fever: Epidemics Past and Future](https://www.doomandbloom.net/yellow-fever-epidemics-past-and-future/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Acid Reflux, Wound Irrigation, Tic Disorders, Narcan(r)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-acid-reflux-wound-irrigation-tic-disorders-narcanr/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Opioids, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** fentanyl overdose, joe alton md, medical preparedness, opioid overdoses, survival medicine, tranq overdoses

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Acid Reflux, Wound Irrigation, Tic Disorders, Narcan(r)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-acid-reflux-wound-irrigation-tic-disorders-narcanr/)

**Published:** October 14, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss a wide range of medical topics from tic disorders to acid relux to wound care. Amy gives a thorough overview of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the various treatments used, their advantages and disadvantages.

Dr. Joe Alton discusses wound care and how proper irrigation of an open wound helps healing and increases survival rates. Plus, a news story out of New York City that suggests the government there is asking everyone to carry anti-overdose drugs like Narcan(r) due to an alarming death rate from fentanyl.

Dr. Alton also takes a question from an audience member about tic disorders, especially in kids.

There’s not much that the Altons won’t cover in the Survival Medicine Podcast! To listen in, click the link below:

### ****

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

#### Amy and Joe Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)The Altons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: All About Fentanyl and "TranQ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-fentanyl-and-tranq/) 

 [Tic Disorders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tic-disorders/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Amy Alton ARNP, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medications, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, doom and bloom, fentanyl, joe alton md, medical preparedness, naloxone, narcan, survival medicine, tic disorders, tranq, wound care, xylazine

---

### [Tic Disorders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tic-disorders/)

**Published:** October 11, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tic-disoeder-pixabay-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tic-disoeder-pixabay-scaled.jpg)

In good times or bad, having a child with a tic disorder is certainly concerning for any parent, Many people experience spasm-like movements of particular muscles at some point, but not all qualify as a [**tic disorder**](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/diagnosis.html). Most are harmless and temporary, and even invisible: Tensing of abdominal muscles or toe movements, for example. In some cases, however, tics can be quite noticeable, as with the outbursts seen with Tourette’s syndrome, and greatly affect a person’s quality of life.

**WHAT IS A TIC?**

A tic is a brief, sudden movement or vocalization, which may seem like a normal gesture. but occurring repetitively and without warning. While people of all ages can experience tics, they are most often seen in children, affecting around 20% of all kids at one time or another. Tics are more common in boys than girls.

**TYPES OF TICS**

There are two types: **motor tics** and **vocal tics**. Either can be simple or complex in nature.

**Motor tics:.** Simple motor tics may include movements such as blinking or head-jerking. Complex motor tics consist of a series of movements performed in the same order. For instance, a child might reach out and touch a specific toy or person repeatedly.

**Vocal tics:**  Simple vocal tics might be clearing your throat, sniffing, or grunting. Examples of complex vocal tics might be repeating what another person just said or sudden inappropriate language.

**INVOLUNTARY OR UN-VOLUNTARY?**

Interestingly, tics are thought not to be involuntary movementS. They are *unvoluntary* movements. There’s a difference. With an unvoluntary movement, a person is able to temporarily suppress the action. This suppression, though, results in discomfort that worsens until it is finally relieved by performing the tic. The sensation is almost like needing to scratch an itchy spot. Children are not as aware as adults are of this urge.

**WHY DO TICS OCCUR?**

No one knows exactly why tics occur. Stress and sleep deprivation seem to play a role in some cases. Tics may actually increase in frequency as a result of boredom or, conversely, high-energy emotions. These can be negative emotions like anxiety or positive emotions like excitement or anticipation. Relaxation may result in more tic activity while concentration on a task often leads to a decrease. There’s a report of a surgeon who had severe tic disorder, but was able to suppress it while performing surgery.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_24041587-tick-lyme-300x199.jpg)No, not this kind of tick!](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_24041587-tick-lyme.jpg)

**TICS VS. TWITCHES**

While many people use the terms tic and twitch interchangeably, there are differences between these two types of movements. Unlike tics, the majority of muscle twitches are isolated occurrences, not repeated actions. Twitches are entirely involuntary and cannot be controlled or suppressed.

An example of a muscle twitch is an eyelid spasm. This often occurs repeatedly over a sustained period of time and occurs most often in adults rather than children. It’s thought to be due tom the misfiring of certain cells in an area of the brain.

**LEVELS OF SEVERITY OF TIC DISORDERS**

Doctors use four characteristics to identify and diagnose tic disorders:

- the age when tics began
- duration of the tics
- severity of the tics
- whether tics are motor or vocal or both

There are three levels of severity:

**Transient tic disorder.** This is most often seen in childhood and affects up to 20% of school-age children. In transient tic disorder, the tic is present for at least a month but less than a year. The majority of tics seen in this disorder are motor tics.

**Chronic motor/vocal tic disorder:** Chronic tic disorder occurs in less than 5 percent of kids. While transient tics disappear within a year, chronic tics can last for much longer. They may be either motor or vocal, but not really seen to be both. For a diagnosis of chronic tic disorder, symptoms must begin before age 18.

**Tourette’s syndrome:** This syndrome is the most severe tic disorder. It is characterized by the presence of both motor tics and vocal tics. Symptoms typically begin when children are between ages 5 and 18 years. Severity commonly changes over time, with periods of reduced activity followed by sometimes-striking frequency. Tourette’s syndrome may improve as the patient matures.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/shutterstock_62662183-300x218.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/shutterstock_62662183.jpg)

**DIAGNOSIS OF TIC DISORDERS**

The evaluation of Tics must rule out a multitude of other movement disorders like Huntington’s chorea, dystonia, and myoclonus. The movements seen in conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder or even autism must also be excluded. A full evaluation be a specialist, if available, is warranted.

Besides actual genetic or innate medical conditions that cause similar disorders, tics can be induced by certain recreational drugs, head trauma, stroke, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Tests ordered to evaluate tic disorders include blood tests and neurologic studies like EEGs to evaluate brain waves and MRIs of the brain.

**TREATMENT OF TIC DISORDERS**

Unfortunately, no clear guidelines exist for tic disorders. Every provider has their preferred course of therapy based upon their experience. Most begin with a “wait and see” approach. Many patients with tics resolve their condition on their own after a few cycles.

When necessary, medications may help, but these are often very strong drugs like Haldol or risperidone, both antipsychotics, or meds used to treat ADHD like Strattera and guanfacine. Some report improvement with antidepressant drugs. All these medications can have serious side effects that can be worse than the tics; they should always be started at the lowest possible dose.

The current therapy of choice for tic disorders is called habit-reversal therapy, or HRT. With this method, the individual learns to recognize the “trigger” that induces the tic. Once recognized, the patient learns to respond by engaging in some alternative behavior that reduces the tension. HRT can be highly effective, in both children and adults, with up to 50 percent improvement after 6 weeks of therapy.

Nutritional changes have been recommended as an alternative option. Omega-3-fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin B6 and avoidance of caffeine, sugar, and soda is supposed to help. Exercise can also help relieve stress that worsens tic behavior by replacing it with other motor activity.

Suspect a loved one has a tic disorder? Answer the questions in the link below:

> [\[Self-Test\] Tic Disorder in Adults](https://www.additudemag.com/self-test-for-tic-disorder-in-adults/)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Acid Reflux, Wound Irrigation, Tic Disorders, Narcan(r)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-acid-reflux-wound-irrigation-tic-disorders-narcanr/) 

 [Video: NYC Says Carry Narcan(R): Would YOU?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nyc-says-carry-narcanr-would-you/)

**Categories:** anxiety and depression, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medications, neurological disorders, Seizures/Fainting, Sleep Disorders, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, motor tics, neurological disorders, phonic tics, survival medicine, tic disorders, tourette's syndrome, vocal tics

---

### [Video: NYC Says Carry Narcan(R): Would YOU?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nyc-says-carry-narcanr-would-you/)

**Published:** October 5, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Narcan-use-administration-how-to-give-when-to-spray-overdose-treatment-Medical-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Narcan-use-administration-how-to-give-when-to-spray-overdose-treatment-Medical-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-MD-scaled.jpg)

In this video companion to a [recent article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/opioid-overdoses-and-narcan/), Dr. Joe Alton discusses the recent request by health authorities in NYC that all citizens carry the opioid antagonist Narcan(r) to give in encounters with overdose victims. Would you consider carrying this drug on your person or in your medical kit?

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Tic Disorders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tic-disorders/) 

 [Opioid Overdoses and Narcan®](https://www.doomandbloom.net/opioid-overdoses-and-narcan/)

**Categories:** depression and anxiety, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Pain Relief, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** fentanyl overdose, joe alton md, medical preparedness, NYC says carry Narcan, opioid epidemic, opioid overdose, survival medicine

---

### [Opioid Overdoses and Narcan®](https://www.doomandbloom.net/opioid-overdoses-and-narcan/)

**Published:** October 2, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Narcan-Nasal-spray-2-pack-box-and-sprayers-cropped-300x208.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Narcan-Nasal-spray-2-pack-box-and-sprayers-cropped-scaled.jpg)

The Fentanyl crisis in New York City has gotten so bad that all residents have been asked to carry Naloxone, brand name Narcan®, on their person. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the ill effects of opioid overdoses. The city Health Dept is offering training to people on what to do in case they encounter victims. According to one health official: “Narcan should be in everyone’s first aid kit, should be available on public transportation and subway stations, etc.”

New York City reported a 12% jump in overdose deaths last year (that’s over 3000 people) in 2022, The latest alarm surfaced after a 2-year-old boy was killed by exposure to fentanyl at a Bronx daycare.

Why is this happening? Porous borders aid the drug cartels run their operations. They’re now the 5th largest employer in Mexico. If you ask who controls the border, it’s not Mexico and it’s certainly not us, it’s them.

You might think that you have to be a junkie to die from, say, a fentanyl overdose, but anyone, like that 2-year-old, can experience an opioid overdose, even if they’re exposed to minimal quantities. That’s because opioids have the power to interrupt your ability to breathe, especially when they’re used in high doses or in combination with other substances. Opioid overdoses can cause respiratory failure. and face it, without oxygen, your brain can only survive for a few minutes. What do they say in the rule of threes? Three hours without shelter in extreme weather, three days without water, three weeks without food, and yes, three minutes with air.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-scaled.jpg)

What are the signs of opioid overdose? Expect to see slow or shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extremely pale, cold and clammy skin, blue lips or fingernails, vomiting, and altered mental status. The pupils are usually pinpoint, not dilated like you see with some other drugs. And if they’re totally unresponsive or unconscious, they need Narcan® immediately.

Fortunately, naloxone (Narcan®) can return normal breathing to a person who’s in oxygen deficit due to opioid use. There are various brand names and forms of naloxone, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specifically approved the use of Narcan® as an over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray. It’s effective when administered quickly and correctly.

Narcan nasal spray usually comes in a package with two doses. If the first dose is ineffective, you can give a second dose without worrying about any additional side effects. The drug is as life-saving as an Epipen is for anaphylactic shock and maybe even less risky, so don’t hesitate to use it.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_618552482-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_618552482-scaled.jpg)

It’s important to note that Narcan® is only effective against opioids, and its effects last as long as 30 to 90 minutes. If you suspect someone has overdosed, but you’re not sure if they used opioids, give them Narcan® anyway. It doesn’t cause any harm and it’s safe to take even when you don’t have opioids in your system. it’s best to give Narcan as soon as possible, The longer you wait to give them Narcan, the more likely that it might not work.

Someone who begins breathing again after receiving Narcan can still overdose again if they have substantially high amounts of opioids in their system or they relapse after the 30- to 90-minute effective of the drug. Because of this, it’s important that you call emergency services and stay with the person until help arrives to make sure they don’t deteriorate.

It’s helpful to have a compact item known as a pulse oximeter in your kit. This way, you can monitor the oxygen saturation level in the blood and know the level of oxygen deprivation.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fentanyl-and-penny-300x163.jpg)A lethal dose of fentanyl](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fentanyl-and-penny.jpg)

**Here’s how to administer Narcan®:**

- Lay the person flat on their back, making sure nothing’s in their mouth or blocking their airway.
- Open the outer carton of Narcan and peel back the inner packaging to remove the nasal spray device.
- Hold the device with your thumb at the bottom of the plunger and your pointer and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle.
- Tilt the person’s head back, Support the back of the neck with your hand, and insert the nozzle into one nostril until both your index and middle fingers touch the bottom of the nose.
- Firmly press the plunger to deliver the spray dose into the person’s nose and remove the device once it’s delivered. There’s only one dose, so don’t press the plunger to “test it.” It’s a one-shot deal.

Once you give them the first dose, you may need to support their breathing with CPR techniques, in extreme cases, until emergency services arrive. If the person starts breathing again and becomes responsive in two to three minutes, the Narcan worked. You can rotate them onto their side in the CPR recovery position and observe them.

If in two to three minutes the person is still unresponsive or not breathing, or if breathing trouble resumes after they’ve started breathing, you can administer the second dose of Narcan® in the opposite nostril. Once naloxone works, the patient often wakes up confused, agitated, and sometimes combative. Expect to feel a rapid pulse.

You should be able to find Narcan at your local pharmacy; it might even be available for free. Every state and insurance plan has their own rules, but one thing is sure: it will be an over-the-counter drug. You don’t need a prescription.

Unless things change for the better on the border, expect the opioid epidemic to continue unabated. That’s means 100,000 or more Americans will die every year for the foreseeable future. It seems strange to say it, but maybe it isn’t such a bad idea to have some naloxone in your medical kit.

Joe Alton MD

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: NYC Says Carry Narcan(R): Would YOU?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nyc-says-carry-narcanr-would-you/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Headaches, RSV, Herbal Quality Issues, Protective Vests, Phenylephrine, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-headaches-rsv-herbal-quality-issues-protective-vests-phenylephrine-more/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Patient Transport, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** drug overdose, fentanyl overdose, joe alton md, medical preparedness, naloxone, narcan, opioid epidemic, opioid overdose, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Headaches, RSV, Herbal Quality Issues, Protective Vests, Phenylephrine, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-headaches-rsv-herbal-quality-issues-protective-vests-phenylephrine-more/)

**Published:** September 24, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of The **Survival Medicine Podcast**., Dr. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss upcoming fall season issues like colds, flus, respiratory syncytial virus, headaches, quality control of herbal drugs, and the myth of the popular OTC drug phenylephrine as an effective nasal decongestant in cold and flu season. Also, learn about the basics of protective vests in survival scenarios with Dr. Bones.

All this and more in this topic-packed episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To listen, click below:

[**https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2023/09/24/survival-medicine-podcast-rsv-headaches-herbal-quality-protective-vest-more**](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2023/09/24/survival-medicine-podcast-rsv-headaches-herbal-quality-protective-vest-more)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Opioid Overdoses and Narcan®](https://www.doomandbloom.net/opioid-overdoses-and-narcan/) 

 [Video: A Nasal Decongestant You Have That Doesn't Work](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-nasal-decongestant-you-have-that-doesnt-work/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, COVID-19, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, body armor, cold and flu season, headaches, herbal quality, joe alton md, medical preparedness, migraines, phenylephrine, protective vests, quality control for herbs, RSV, survival medicine, tension headaches

---

### [Headache Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-treatment/)

**Published:** July 12, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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(Nurse Amy says: This article is not meant to infer that essential oils are proven remedies to treat any medical condition. Do your own research and reach your own conclusions)

In the [first part of this series](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5460), we discussed several healthy life-style changes that may help reduce the frequency, duration and/or severity of headaches in general. Let’s describe **the most common types of headaches** so that you can tell the difference between them:

## The Most Common Types of Headaches

*Migraine headaches* are debilitating and can run in families. There are over 80 different drugs that have been used with variable success to treat this condition. Migraines are characterized by a combination of several of the following:

• Throbbing pain
• Severe pain that is worsened with activity
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Recurring episodes
• One-sided pain
• Long-lasting, up to 72 hours
• Foreshadowing (visual distortion, hand numbness, or other strange sensations; these are referred to as “auras”)

**Tension Headaches** are the most common type and rarely as painful as migraines. The pain is often described as a band squeezing the temples or the back of the head. These headaches may be associated with muscle contractions in those areas as a response to stress.

**Cluster headaches** are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles and affect men more often than women. They appear suddenly and are characterized by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head. They may be differentiated from migraines by the presence of a watery eye and/or nasal congestion on the same side of the face. These headaches are sometimes treated with migraine medications.

**Sinus headaches** are often caused by infection. This headache causes pain behind the brow or the cheekbones. Sometimes, it is accompanied by fever. Antibiotics and antihistamines are commonly used conventional therapies.

**Trigeminal headaches**, otherwise known as “trigeminal neuralgia”, is caused by an artery compressing a specific nerve as it exits the brainstem. The fifth cranial nerve is the nerve that serves the face, so symptoms may include “electrical” or stabbing pain on one side. This type of condition (essentially a “face-ache”) is sometimes caused by actions such as washing your face or brushing your teeth. If bad enough, surgery is sometimes used to deal with this issue.

**Rebound headaches** may be related to withdrawal from over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, as well as some prescription medications. Pain reliever overuse appears to interfere with the part of the brain that controls pain messages to the nerves, worsening headache pain. Rebound headaches may be variable in their symptoms, but should decrease over time after the withdrawal has worn off.

### Treatment for Headaches

Let’s explore some treatment measures for consideration in grid-down scenarios. Most are natural remedies that could be available in a time when no modern medical facilities or prescriptions exist.

Treatment should begin at the first sign of an impending headache. Hoping a headache will just “go away” is the worst action you can take. Once headaches start they usually get much worse before they disappear. Headache sufferers sometimes deny the terrible realization that “here it comes again.” Don’t be fooled another time, act quickly to stop it in its tracks.

First, if possible, get into a dark, cool and quiet area. If you are outdoors get away from loud people or activities. Find a place to lay down with your head slightly elevated. Be as comfortable as possible and breathe slowly. Calm yourself with meditation techniques, as stress reduction may help decrease the pain.

A hot bath or shower is very relaxing. Add a few drops of peppermint, lavender and/or eucalyptus to the steamy bath water for steam inhalation. Put a sign on the door that says “do not disturb!” Nothing breaks the peace and relaxation like a loud knocking or yelling at the door. Make sure to inform your family of why you are asking for this time alone. Including them in your plans will make for a better chance of peacefulness.

Another method of steam inhalation of essential oils is to heat up some water to create steam, but not to a boiling point. Remove the water from the heat source and pour into a bowl. Add a few drops of one or more of these essential oils: peppermint, lavender, rosemary or eucalyptus to the hot water. Place your head close to the steamy water and place a towel over the back of your head. Breathe slowly and deeply.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_82641967-201x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_82641967-scaled.jpg)

Cool compresses on the forehead and/or neck, will decrease the pain sensation when applied, and may help alleviate the headache.

Fill a bowl with:

• 1 quart of water
• 2 drops of peppermint essential oil,
• 1 drop ginger essential oil (optional)
• 1 drop of marjoram essential oil (optional)

Place two to four washcloths into the water, wring them out and place into your freezer or an ice chest. Of course if this is a grid-down scenario you may only have air-temperature water, but at least try to get the coldest water you can find. After the cloths are cold, place one on your neck and one on your forehead (be careful not to get any water into your eyes). As an aside, some people feel warm compresses are better for their headaches; see what works for you.

Eat a healthy snack or meal. Low protein intake or low blood sugar levels can cause headaches. Make sure you are having regular healthy meals and drinking enough water. Dehydration can also cause headaches. You should always make sure you’re well hydrated at all times.

Another strategy involves pressing on the skin between your thumb and index finger; this is a “pressure point” that is said to help stop a headache. Try tapping between your eyes gently or press upward with your thumb on the roof of your mouth.

Massage therapy is well known as a therapeutic treatment for headaches. Massage is very relaxing and it may help release muscle tension that is causing your headache.

Herbal teas made with lavender, feverfew, chamomile lemon balm, valerian, passionflower, or peppermint, have been shown to help headaches in some people. Add some raw unprocessed honey and a little lemon for flavoring. You could also try adding 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a tea or a glass of warm water and add the raw, unprocessed honey for flavor. A caffeinated tea or drink may help some people with their headache, especially with migraines.

Another option is to apply 2 drops of undiluted peppermint or lemongrass essential oil in a massaging motion to your temples and back of the neck (avoid touching your eyes with your fingers). You can also try a cold and cough herbal salve, which usually contains peppermint or wintergreen. When applied to your chest or back of the neck, peppermint is especially cooling and soothing.

Various other herbal products have been used to treat headache pain. Try an herbal tincture made with ingredients such as:

• Meadowsweet
• Skullcap
• Passionflower
• Jamaican Dogwood bark
• St. John’s wort

I have a tincture called “Pain Away” with the above ingredients at a dosage of 1-2 droppersful in water or juice 2-4 times daily. As an alternative, one or two drops (only) of a cayenne pepper tincture at 90,000HU can be added to a tea or juice. Just remember tinctures are by nature very bitter and may taste horrible; don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Since modern medicine IS available to us now, my other suggestions to try are standard pharmaceuticals like Ibuprofen, Sudafed and Claritin. These can be stockpiled in quantity for disaster situations.

Since a lot of my headaches are related to allergens, Claritin helps stop the allergic reaction and the Sudafed decreases sinus congestion. Ibuprofen relieves some or all of the pain. This is my personal formula when combined with the methods outlined above like herbal teas, peppermint cold compresses, a hot bath and a temple peppermint massage.

Headaches can be debilitating and interfere in your daily activities. Before modern medicine becomes unavailable, I suggest you try some natural remedies for yourself. Every individual’s response is different, but you might just find a method or combination of methods that gives you real relief.

For part 1, go to this link: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-prevention/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-prevention/")

Nurse Amy

[![NurseAmyBook](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NurseAmyBook-300x254.jpg)Amy Alton APRN](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NurseAmyBook.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Cruel Summer: Asian Tiger Mosquitoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cruel-summer-asian-tiger-mosquitos/) 

 [Headache Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-prevention/)

**Categories:** Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** cluster headaches, crisis medicine, headache treatment, headache types, medical preparedness, migraine headaches, natural headache prevention, rebound headaches, tension headaches, trigeminal headaches

---

### [Headache in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-in-austere-settings/)

**Published:** December 24, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1826742611-300x222.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1826742611-scaled.jpg)

**Headaches** are one of the most common medical symptoms that you will see in your role as medic. The brain matter itself doesn’t have pain receptors, but there are several structures around the brain that are sensitive. Muscles, blood vessels, sinuses, lining tissue, and others can be the site for significant discomfort.

## Headaches: What Are the Causes?

Many consider headaches to be, well, more of a headache than an actual danger, but headaches can be associated with a large number of medical conditions, not to mention traumatic injuries.

There are almost more causes for headaches than you can reasonably write down; in a collapse, however, common causes will be:

- Hunger
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Infections
- Fevers
- Elevated blood pressures
- Caffeine or Alcohol withdrawal
- Fumes

*Headache pain is the interaction between the brain, blood vessels, and local nerves*. Nerves associated with blood vessels and muscles are activated and send pain signals to the brain. Headaches that occur suddenly may be related to infection or colds/flus, but may be the herald of a life-threatening event such as a stroke. Ear and sinus infections are particularly likely to cause headaches.

### **Tension Headache**

By far, the most frequently-seen type of headache is the tension headache. This is caused by spasms of the muscles of the neck and head. Tension headache is usually seen bilaterally (on both sides) and/or the back of the head and neck. They may be related to stress, anxiety or depression, a head injury, or even just time spent with the head or neck in an abnormal position. Lack of sleep, teeth grinding, and poor posture are also factors.

Tension headaches may last a half hour or they can last a week. A sensation of pressure or tightening is the most common symptom. This type of headache may be improved by massaging the back of the neck and temples. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are old standbys as treatment. Identifying the situation that triggers the headache may help avoid future episodes.

**Sinus Headache**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_382992073-300x212.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_382992073-scaled.jpg)

Sinus headaches are associated with constant pain in the front of the face. A sinus is an air-filled cavity in the bones of the skull. The forehead, cheeks or the bridge of the nose are the areas affected most by sinus infections; oftentimes, they may be one-sided, which will help you to make the diagnosis. Sudden head movement may intensify the pain.

Antibiotics may be helpful to treat the infections that can cause this type of headache. Amoxicillin (Fish-Mox Forte) 500mg three times a day for a week is a reasonable first choice. If you are allergic to Penicillin family drugs, consider Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxasole (Bird-Sulfa) 160mg/800mg twice daily. Nasal decongestants such as Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) may give some relief; so may sterile saline nasal rinses.

**Migraines**

The other common cause of headache is the migraine. The exact cause of migraines is uncertain. It is thought by some to be related to spasms in the blood vessels. Migraines may be genetic in nature, as they seem to run in families. Women are more susceptible than men.

A specific pattern of symptoms is seen in this variety of headache:

- Pain behind the eye (usually one-sided)
- Sensitivity to light, noise or odors
- Nausea and vomiting (causing loss of appetite or stomach discomfort)
- Vision changes (blurring, light and color phenomena)

Bed rest in the dark will be helpful here, as well as Ibuprofen and/or Acetaminophen. Some migraine medications use caffeine, and sometimes are effective. Teas and Coffee might be alternatives in an austere setting. If you are a chronic migraine sufferer, ask your physician for Sumatriptan (Imitrex), a strong anti-migraine medication, to stockpile.

**Other causes**

Headache is a symptom of many different medical conditions. Here are just a few:

In women, hormonal changes may be responsible for headaches. Pregnancy, menopause, menstruation, and the use of birth control pills have all been implicated as risk factors. Cranberry juice and other natural diuretics may be helpful to limit swelling that may cause some headaches in these cases. Limiting pre-menstrual salt intake may also help.

Headache caused by dehydration will be rampant in a long-term survival situation. This variety will also present bilaterally and is commonly made worse by standing up rapidly from a lying position. These patients need fluids, which will gradually improve their symptoms.

Less common causes of headache would include an infection of the central nervous system called “meningitis”. Along with headaches, meningitis presents with a stiff neck, fever, and possibly a rash. This condition may be caused by bacteria or viruses. Without modern medical facilities and labs, you could treat this condition with antibiotics and antivirals in the hope of improvement. Expect variable results.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure or a burst blood vessel in the brain may cause a stroke (medical name: cerebrovascular accident or CVA). Besides the sudden onset of a severe headache, you will notice that your patient has lost strength in the arm and leg on one side; you will also note decreased motion on one side of the face and absent or slurred speech. Loss of vision in one eye is sometimes seen.

This condition, in a collapse, will be treated only with bed rest. There is often some improvement over the first 48 hours or so. Beyond this point, further recovery may be limited. This is one of the main reasons why it is so important for you as medic to treat all cases of high blood pressure.

**Natural Relief**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_59381233-212x300.jpg "shutterstock_59381233")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_59381233.jpg)

If you would like a strategy to deal with a headache without drugs, try the following:

- Place an ice pack where the headache is.
- Have someone massage the back of your neck.
- Using two fingers, apply rotating pressure where the headache is.
- Lie down in a dark, quiet room. Get some sleep if at all possible. If your blood pressure is elevated, lay on your left side (pressure is usually lowest in this position).
- Track what you were doing or perhaps what you ate before the headache started, and avoid that activity or food if possible.

A number of herbal remedies are available that might help headache. Feverfew is an herb that stops blood vessel constriction and is anti-inflammatory. This can be taken on a daily basis (1-2 leaves) for those with chronic problems (warning: Feverfew should not be ingested during pregnancy or nursing). Gingko Biloba has a similar action.

The pain of tension headaches can be relieved if you utilize herbs that have sedative and antispasmodic properties. Teas made from Valerian, skullcap, lemon balm, and passion flower have both. Herbal muscle relaxants may also help: rosemary, chamomile, and mint teas are popular options.

For external use, consider lavender or rosemary oil. Massage each temple with 1-2 drops every few hours.

Joe Alton, MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Seizures in Survival Scenarios](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seizures-in-survival-scenarios/) 

 [Traumatic Head Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/traumatic-head-wounds/)

**Categories:** Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries

**Tags:** Alcohol, and local nerves, blood vessels, Caffeine, dehydration, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, Elevated blood pressure, Fevers, Fumes, headache, Headache pain is the interaction between the brain, headaches, Hunger, Infections, medical preparedness, menopause, menstruation, migraine, pregnancy, sinus headache, sinusitis, Stress, survival medicine, tension, tension headache, traumatic injuries, withdrawal

---

### [Headaches, Part 2: Migraines](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-part-2-migraines/)

**Published:** July 6, 2018
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In part I of this series, I mentioned that headaches might be just an annoyance to some, but a dangerous sign of a serious medical issue to others. They can be caused simply by tension and stress, a case of the flu, or by something as life-threatening as a stroke.

Last time, we talked about tension headaches and other basics, but there are various different types of headaches. One that can really make you miserable is the “migraine”.

**MIGRAINES**

A migraine is a disorder that affects nearly 15% of the world’s population and is characterized by repetitive episodes of moderate to severe headaches. In general, it’s more common in women than men, starting as a teenager or young adult and reaching a peak in the late thirties or early forties.

The exact cause of migraines is a matter of some debate. They are thought by some to be related to spasms in the blood vessels. Others believe environmental factors are to blame, and still others consider it some misfiring of nerve cells. There may be some genetic aspect as well, as they seem to run in families.

There are four phases to a migraine, although not everyone experiences all of them:

**1)**  The “**prodrome**”, which occurs hours or days before the headache

**2)**  The “**aura**”, which immediately precedes the headache

**3)**  The “**pain phase**” (the actual headache)

**4)**  The “**postdrome**”, the effects experienced following the end of a migraine attack

**THE PRODROME**

Prodromal symptoms occur in the majority of migraine sufferers. They represent essentially a “premonition” that there’s a migraine in your future. Prodromes can start anywhere from two hours to two days before the actual headache and include all sorts of symptoms, including:

· Mood swings

· Fatigue

· Stiff necks

· GI irregularity

· Increased sensitivity to noise or smells

· Food cravings

**AURAS**

A prodrome may be followed by an “aura”. An aura is an unusual sensory effect that usually precedes a headache but is not uncommonly part of the headache itself. Symptoms can be strange visual phenomena (the most common), unusual sensations, and other irregularities. Many people experience their own set.

**THE ACTUAL HEADACHE**

The actual migraine headache (the “pain phase”) can last two to 72 hours and has certain signs and symptoms. They are usually:

• One-sided

• Throbbing in nature

• Nausea inducing, sometimes causing vomiting and other GI symptoms

• Pain-inducing when looking at light sources

• Causative of visual changes such as blurring, lights, and color phenomena

• Made worse by physical activity

There are, of course, variations to the above and different persons will experience different symptoms. For example, in a significant minority of cases, the pain is on both sides of the head or involves the neck. In others, dizziness and confusion are part of the symptom complex.

**THE POSTDROME**

After the headache has subsided, a lot of people report soreness in the area and a foggy feeling similar to a hangover for a time, as well as weakness and other symptoms.

**TREATMENT**

As you might expect, initial treatment for a mild migraine simply involves bedrest in a dark, quiet room and Ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If that fails, consider a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, each of which has known beneficial effects.

Some older medications like ergotamine, sometimes combined with caffeine (Cafergot) are still prescribed for migraines. Some come in nasal sprays. Some of these meds can cause spasms of the coronary arteries, so if you have a high risk of heart attack, they may not be for you.

Another family of drugs that work to relieve migraines are in the “triptan” family, the most popular being sumatriptan (Imitrex). These are effective against both pain and nausea in the majority of patients and are often given when simpler treatments fail. Taken in combination with Naproxen (Aleve), they are even stronger in their effectiveness.

Some medications are thought to have a preventive effect against migraines, including valproate, metoprolol, topiramate, and others.

In the next part of this series on headaches, we’ll talk about natural treatments for migraines and discuss sinus headaches as well.

**Joe Alton MD**![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/HiDrBonesNurseAmy.jpg)Above you’ll see original cartoon images from our early work on medical disaster preparedness. For current images and content in our award-winning [Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook](https://amzn.to/2KC2Ziv), just click the link!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Heat Waves, Bears, Turmeric, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-heat-waves-bears-turmeric-more/) 

 [Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fireworks-safety/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Sleep Disorders

**Tags:** auras, joe alton md, medical preparedness, migraine headaches, migraines, postprome, prodromal phase, survival medicine

---

### [Headaches, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headaches-part-1/)

**Published:** June 28, 2018
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Medical issues that confront the medic on or off the grid can be obviously life-threatening, such as a heavily bleeding wound, or seemingly benign, such as a headache. A headache might not appear to be of much consequence, especially if you’re being chased by a grizzly bear; it can, however, be a sign of a imminent event, such as a stroke.

Headaches are one of the most common medical symptoms that you may face as a medic, but you might be surprised to know that brain matter itself doesn’t have any pain receptors. There are several structures around the brain that do, however, such as muscles, blood vessels, and sinuses. When stimulated, nerves associated with these structures can transmit pain signals to the brain, resulting in a headache.

Headaches are common components of flu syndromes and many other illnesses. There are almost more causes for headaches than you can reasonably write down. They include:

• Hunger

• Dehydration

• Stress

• Sinus or ear infections

• Sleep deprivation

• Teeth Grinding

• Hormonal changes

• Caffeine or alcohol excess and withdrawal

• Exposure to environmental toxins

·  Adverse reactions to medicines

More serious concerns would include an imminent stroke, brain tumors, nervous system infections like meningitis, glaucoma, and much more.

DIAGNOSING HEADACHES

Evaluating a headache involves determining what the symptoms are, the risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure), what makes it better or worse, and a physical exam. The part of an examination which evaluates the nervous system is called the “neurological exam”. Check reflexes, strength, sensation, movement, balance, coordination, vision, and hearing on both sides. It’s especially important to note any differences on one side versus the other.

TYPES OF HEADACHES

Once you have determined that the neurological exam is normal, you will have to determine what type of headache with which you’re dealing. The various types include:

• Tension headaches

• Migraine headaches

• Sinus headaches

• Headaches related to medical conditions

TENSION HEADACHES

By far, the most frequently-seen type of headache is the tension headache. Although the cause has not been established definitively, it may be caused by spasms of the muscles of the neck and head, anxiety, abnormal posture, or any of a number of other issues. Stress appears to be the initiating factor in many cases.

Tension headache is usually seen bilaterally (on both sides) and/or the back of the head and neck. Sufferers report a dull ache and the sensation of a tight band of pressure around the forehead. Neck and shoulder muscles may also be involved.

Tension headaches may last a half hour or they can last a week. Treating a tension headache involves relaxation techniques and NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil). Some feel relief simply by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol). Excessive use of medications, however, may lead to “rebound” headaches, where the headache pain returns when off the drug.

A number of prescription medications like naproxen or even stronger drugs are also used in severe cases. If muscle spasm is suspected, prescription medications like cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) may be of use. Relaxation techniques include massage, regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Cold packs to the affected area may help.

Biofeedback training is another way to reduce stress that can cause a tension headache. This method uses devices that monitor heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension. It attempts to give you “feedback” to help control some of the factors that lead to headache. Counseling, also called cognitive therapy, may help by allowing you to voice your stress and find ways to deal with it.

Other alternative therapies may also play a part in dealing with tension headaches. Some attest to the effectiveness of acupuncture as a therapy. Other use herbal teas: Herbs that have sedative and antispasmodic properties may help relieve the pain of tension headaches. Consider teas made from Valerian, skullcap, lemon balm, or passion flower. Herbal muscle relaxants may also help: Rosemary, chamomile, and mint teas are popular options. For external use, some alternative healers recommend lavender or rosemary oil. Massage each temple with 1-2 drops as needed.

I’ll bet you have your own home remedy for tension headaches. If so, let me know what works for you.

In part two of this series, we’ll discuss migraines and other types of headaches, plus more natural remedies.

Joe Alton MD

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Headache Types and Treatments, Fractures, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-headache-types-and-treatments-fractures-more/) 

 [Health Benefits of Turmeric](https://www.doomandbloom.net/health-benefits-of-turmeric/)

**Categories:** Dehydration, Dental Issues, depression and anxiety, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Pain Relief, Seizures/Fainting, Sleep Disorders, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** headache, joe alton md, medical preparedness, neurological exam, survival medicine, tension headache

---

### [Video: A Nasal Decongestant You Have That Doesn't Work](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-nasal-decongestant-you-have-that-doesnt-work/)

**Published:** September 15, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FDA-sudafed-PE-phenylephrine-ineffective-pseudoephedrine-effective-not-working-nasal-decongestant-off-market-Doctor-Alton-thumbnail-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FDA-sudafed-PE-phenylephrine-ineffective-pseudoephedrine-effective-not-working-nasal-decongestant-off-market-Doctor-Alton-thumbnail.png)

In this companion video to a recent article, an FDA panel admits that one of the nation’s most popular over the counter drugs, an ingredient in dozens of cold and flu meds, has turned out to be no better than a placebo. Does it work for you?

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Headaches, RSV, Herbal Quality Issues, Protective Vests, Phenylephrine, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-headaches-rsv-herbal-quality-issues-protective-vests-phenylephrine-more/) 

 [A Nasal Decongestant That Doesn't Work: Phenylephrine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-nasal-decongestant-that-doesnt-work-phenylephrine/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Product Reviews, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, survival medicine

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, Sudafed PE vs Sudafed, survival medicine

---

### [A Nasal Decongestant That Doesn't Work: Phenylephrine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-nasal-decongestant-that-doesnt-work-phenylephrine/)

**Published:** September 13, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_98093702-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_98093702-scaled.jpg)

As cold and flu season approaches, families are stocking up on medications that take away some of the misery experienced by those infected by viruses. One of these medicines is [phenylephrine](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/09/12/fda-says-phenylephrine-decongestant-doesnt-work/70832405007/), a prominent nasal decongestant on the market today. You may have been stocking up on OTC drugs that contain phenylephrine for years, but recent studies indicate you might as well have been taking Skittles.

A recent report by the FDA stated that phenylephrine, the “active” ingredient in many nasal decongestants, is ineffective in relieving symptoms like runny nose. Phenylephrine arrived on the market in 2006 after another decongestant, called pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), was taken off OTC pharmacy shelves.

Why? It’s an ingredient used in the making of crystal meth. After the passage of the [Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Methamphetamine_Epidemic_Act_of_2005), pseudoephedrine disappeared from view. Since then, meth use is no longer a problem in the United States (says nobody). More on that later

Drug companies quickly adjusted, with the manufacturer of Sudafed putting out a new product with a similar name (Sudafed PE) but with phenylephrine as the main ingredient. Others followed suit with their own products. Well, an FDA panel took a look at the original studies supporting the use of phenylephrine as a nasal decongestant and decided they were “inconsistent.” Indeed, phenylephrine turns out to be no better than a placebo, even if used at high doses.

The panel reported: “We do believe that the original studies were methodologically unsound and do not match today’s standard…. and do not provide evidence that oral phenylephrine is effective as a nasal decongestant.”

The investigation of phenylephrine, according to [Medpage Today](https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/fdageneral/106309), began as early as 2007 in response to a citizen petition. Big pharma pressure held off the latest reports for more than 15 years. In that time, how much money have American families been spending buying an ineffective drug? A consumer survey of 100,000 households revealed that about half purchased meds containing phenylephrine over the course of a year.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sudafed-cropped-300x113.jpg)Pseudoephedrine is still considered effective against nasal congestion ](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sudafed-cropped-scaled.jpg)

Interestingly, pseudoephedrine, the similar-sounding active ingredient in original Sudafed, is still considered very effective in the relief of nasal congestion, and has always been available, despite its utility in the making of methamphetamine. It’s always been just behind the counter at the pharmacy. All you have to do is ask for it (and not request 10,000 tablets). Bring your driver’s license, as Sudafed purchases are documented; you’ll have to sign for them.

Despite the FDA panel’s report, the FDA, at present, still allows the purchase of phenylephrine products. While I expect them to eventually take products containing it off the market, it probably won’t happen for a while. That means you’ll have to look at the ingredients list of your medicine cabinet’s nasal decongestants. You might have some products there that are shooting blanks.

Someone in your family will probably catch a cold or worse in the next few months. The smart family medic will stock up on pseudoephedrine, not phenylephrine. Just ask the pharmacist for original Sudafed, the real deal. It’s still over the counter, and just behind the counter.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, get your family medical prepared for the uncertain future with one-of-a-kind medical kits, books, and individual supplies from our entire line at **[store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).** And get a copy of the 2-time Book Excellence Award in medicine, **The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition!** You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: A Nasal Decongestant You Have That Doesn't Work](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-nasal-decongestant-you-have-that-doesnt-work/) 

 [Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flesh-eating-bacteria/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections

**Tags:** colds and flus, joe alton md, medical preparedness, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, respiratory infections, sudafed, survival medicine

---

### [Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flesh-eating-bacteria/)

**Published:** September 6, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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A national health alert has been issued for medical providers to be aware of infections caused by the flesh-eating bacteria *Vibrio vulnificus.* Several deaths in the U.S. this year have been linked to “necrotizing fasciitis,” a disease caused by the organism. Necrotizing fasciitis severely damages soft tissues from skin down to connective tissue known as “fascia.”

Recently, two people in Connecticut were infected after swimming in Vibrio-contaminated marine waters, while another was infected after eating raw oysters. As of late August, health officials in Florida have reported a total of 28 cases this year. It’s thought that 150-200 cases are identified in the U.S. annually.

**WHAT IS VIBRIO VULNIFICUS?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/vibrio-vulnificus-public-domain-300x200.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/vibrio-vulnificus-public-domain.png)

Vibrio is a well-known family of bacteria which includes the pathogen that causes cholera. *V. vulnificus*, however, is a different bug altogether. It normally occurs in warm salt or brackish water near the Gulf of Mexico, but can be found in higher concentrations up north from May to October when the weather is warm. If you spend time in the ocean or eat seafood, you should know how to recognize it and how it spreads.

There are two known routes for infections in humans. The bacteria can enter the body through open wounds when a person swims or wades in warm marine waters. It can also be ingested as a contaminant in raw shellfish.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_1357107860-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_1357107860-scaled.jpg)

If bad oysters are the culprit, common symptoms appear somewhat similar to cholera: You’ll see watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and chills. If an open wound is the mode of entry for the bacteria, you’ll see the typical early symptoms of an infected wound: It’ll present as a red, swollen, painful area that’s warm to the touch. Expect signs to appear quickly, usually within the first 12-24 hours of infection.

As necrotizing fasciitis develops, you’ll see:

- Fever and chills.
- Ulcers, blisters, or black spots on the skin.
- Pus or other drainage.
- Diarrhea and/or nausea and vomiting
- Altered mental status.

The Connecticut cases occurred in two adults between the ages of 60 and 80 years old. Both died after being infected in July. Although older folks are most likely to die from the infection, anyone exposed to contaminated water can get sick.

So, why is infection with *V. vulnificus* “flesh-eating”? Because the disease process of necrotizing fasciitis degrades the soft tissue around the infected wound. This includes the skin, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles. It also travels through the blood (septicemia) to sites distant from the wound, damaging extremities to the point that amputation may be required. in some cases, more than one limb is lost. Death from the disease occurs in one of five victims despite treatment; in some cases, patients expire within a few days of becoming ill.

(Note: In the TV series “Walking Dead,” a character underwent an amputation of a lower limb bitten by a zombie in order to prevent the pathogen from spreading. With necrotizing fasciitis, the strategy doesn’t seem to be much different.)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class.jpg)

In my wound care classes, I often mention the case of a young girl named Amy. She fell from a zipline in Georgia about a decade ago, sustaining a laceration on her thigh that was closed by 22 staples in the local emergency room. Unfortunately, closing the wound only sequestered flesh-eating bacteria in her soft tissues, which traveled to different parts of her body. She ended up with both hands amputated, as well as parts of both legs.

Strangely enough, people who take stomach-acid reducing drugs like Prilosec, Pepcid, and others may be at increased risk for infection because stomach acid helps kill harmful germs.

**OTHER ORGANISMS THAT CAUSE NECROTIZING FASCIITIS**

Other bacteria are known to cause necrotizing fasciitis. They include:

- Group A streptococcus
- Aeromonas hydrophila
- Clostridium
- coli
- Klebsiella
- Staphylococcus aureus

**TREATMENT**

Luckily, there’s no evidence that vibrio’s necrotizing fasciitis is transmissible from person to person. It’s not contagious and can be treated without major risk to the caregiver.

People with less severe stomach infections usually recover on their own after a few days. Standard treatment for diarrhea is the usual treatment: keep the patient as well hydrated as possible.

For wound cases, a doctor prescribes antibiotics such as doxycycline or ciprofloxacin early in the disease process. In the worst cases, tissues degrade, requiring surgical removal of non-viable tissue (debridement), including amputation. Access to intensive care gives the best chance of survival.

**PREVENTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_1069197155-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/shutterstock_1069197155-scaled.jpg)

Given the severe nature of necrotizing fasciitis, it’s important to know how to prevent a vibrio infection:

1. Those with open wounds such as scrapes, cuts, recent tattoos or piercing should avoid swimming or wading in warm marine waters.
2. If exposure to marine waters is unavoidable, cover any open wounds with a waterproof bandage.
3. Wear shoes if wading to avoid cuts from rocks or shells on the bottom,
4. Avoiding direct contact with floating algae like sargassum, especially in South Florida, where V. Vulnificus has been identified.
5. Don’t consume raw shellfish taken from warm coastal waters during the summer months. Cook them instead. Boil shucked oysters at least three minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10 minutes at 375°F,
6. Wear gloves when handling raw shellfish; wash with soap and water when done.

One interesting fact is that there’s apparently a connection between hurricanes and vibrio infections. Cases spike during and after flooding events from hurricanes, especially in the region of the Gulf of Mexico. In 2022, there were 38 cases (and 11 deaths) attributed to Hurricane Ian despite warnings to avoid contact with floodwaters, particularly for those with open wounds. Spikes in cases also occurred after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Irma in 2017, according to the CDC.

Fortunately, necrotizing fasciitis caused by Vibrio vulnificus is very rare, but the family medic should recognize when their family’s at risk and take preventive measures as needed.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-300x200.jpg)Joe Alton MD aka Dr.Bones](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/joe-2021-in-library-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at **[store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t.** Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [A Nasal Decongestant That Doesn't Work: Phenylephrine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-nasal-decongestant-that-doesnt-work-phenylephrine/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Flesh Eating Bacteria, Hurricanes, Mudslides, Tourniquets, Jellyfish/Sting Ray Stings, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-flesh-eating-bacteria-hurricanes-mudslides-tourniquets-jellyfish-sting-ray-stings-more/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** doom and bloom, flesh eating bacteria, joe alton md, medical preparedness, necrotizing fasciitis, survival medicine, Vibrio Vulnificus

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Flesh Eating Bacteria, Hurricanes, Mudslides, Tourniquets, Jellyfish/Sting Ray Stings, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-flesh-eating-bacteria-hurricanes-mudslides-tourniquets-jellyfish-sting-ray-stings-more/)

**Published:** August 28, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Recent hurricanes on the West and East coast have threatened millions, and it’s important for you to know what to do if one of these juggernauts is heading in your direction. Dr. Joe Alton tell you what you need to know.

Last time, we talked about shark attacks, but many more people are injured by less scary critters like sting rays and jellyfish. Dr. Alton tells you what to do for these injuries, and also talks about the recent spate of cases of marine waters that harbor Vibrio vulnificus, the flesh eating bacteria that has killed several people this summer.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/hurricane-key-west-naval-station-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/hurricane-key-west-naval-station.jpg)

Plus, heavy rains from Cyclone Hilary have cause flash floods and mudslides in the normally desert Southwest. Dr. Bones tells you all about them, and what to do before you build that dream retreat in the mountains, how to harden a home already built, and what to do if the river of mud is an imminent threat.

Plus, are those knock-off tourniquets the equivalent of the world-famous CAT tourniquet? A study from the Journal of Special Ops Medicine is discussed. Do you get what you pay for?

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_1174968847-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_1174968847-scaled.jpg)

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To Listen in, click below:

### ****

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Flesh-Eating Bacteria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flesh-eating-bacteria/) 

 [Maui Wildfire: Not Just Climate Change](https://www.doomandbloom.net/maui-wildfire-not-just-climate-change/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma

**Tags:** CAT tourniquets, flesh eating bacteria, hurricane safety, hurricanes, jellyfish stings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mudslide survival, sting ray stings, survival medicine, tourniquets, Vibrio Vulnificus

---

### [Maui Wildfire: Not Just Climate Change](https://www.doomandbloom.net/maui-wildfire-not-just-climate-change/)

**Published:** August 25, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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For a small state that is considered a lush tropical paradise, Hawaii has a surprisingly wide diversity of climate. There are areas that are semi-arid others that are rainforest. One thing we didn’t expect is a place at risk for massive wildfires. Indeed, before 2018, only two such events had been reported historically. Now, there have been two in five years.

We can expect this trend to continue. The usual reason given is climate change. Hawaii has had less yearly rainfall recently and parts of the island chain are in the midst of a drought. A non-impact by a hurricane in the general area was blamed for bringing higher-than-average winds, causing rapid spread of fire that destroyed the town of Lahaina, killing 115 (388 are still missing). Some meteorologists, however, were uncertain about the effect of the cyclone, which passed hundreds of miles south of Maui. High winds are no strangers to the Hawaiian isles, often gusting to 40 miles per hour in summer.

A small minority of reports point to another reason for the severity of the fire: the taking over of the ecosystem by invasive species.

What? Yes, I’m not kidding. Hawaii has changed in the last few decades. Land once dedicated to sugar cane farms, pineapple plantations, and cattle pastures have been abandoned. In fact, there’s been a 60 percent decline in the agricultural use of land previously devoted to farming and ranching. Such areas, no longer managed to control vegetation, have been overrun by very flammable non-native grasses that provide fuel to wildfires, then grow back faster than native plants. In the Hawaiian ecosystem, unlike the American West, there is little advantage to wildfires.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/fountain-grass-300x198.jpg)Fountain grass](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/fountain-grass-scaled.jpg)

The introduction of exotic species to Hawaii has occurred since its discovery by Europeans in the 18th century. The culprits in this case include guinea grass and fountain grass, used as pasture cover and as ornamental plants. Both species are adapted to thrive after fire, coming back with a vengeance afterwards and blocking the return of native species. In the wildfire of 2018, 85 percent of the area burnt were infested with these fire-prone grasses. Today, they cover about a quarter of the Hawaiian ecosystem.

Hawaii has little in the way of vegetation management and a plan for development of defensible spaces, the cornerstones of wildfire control. Invasive grasses grow right up against populated areas. The result is an increase in the risk of property damage and loss of life. The fact that there hasn’t been an above-average rainfall wet season on the island since 2006 gives little reason to believe that things will change anytime soon.

Controversies abound as to what was responsible for the loss of life in the recent wildfire. Silent alarm sirens, failure to shut off electricity early, blocked roads, and denial of water access for firefighters certainly played a part. Hawaii’s Wildfire Management Organization isn’t likely to help in the future. Although they “monitor” invasive species, no plan of action is yet implemented to cut down on the growing acreage of flammable vegetation that makes wildfires more intense and prolonged. Perhaps it’s too late to return Maui to the pristine state of several hundred years ago, but a strategy to exert control over invasive vegetation near populated areas is certainly possible.

Maui was caught off-guard. It shouldn’t have been, but I have little hope that any comprehensive strategy to eliminate invasive grasses is forthcoming. We can expect wildfires to be part and parcel of life in what was America’s Eden.

Joe Alton MD

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Flesh Eating Bacteria, Hurricanes, Mudslides, Tourniquets, Jellyfish/Sting Ray Stings, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-flesh-eating-bacteria-hurricanes-mudslides-tourniquets-jellyfish-sting-ray-stings-more/) 

 [Mudslides](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslides/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, General Preparedness, Rants and Raves, Wildfires

**Tags:** disaster preparedness, fountain grass, hawaii wildfire, invasive species, joe alton md, maui wildfire, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wildfire preparedness, wildfires

---

### [Mudslides](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslides/)

**Published:** August 22, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The sunny Southwest U.S., including Southern California, was hit recently by tropical cyclone Hilary, a weather event that gave some desert areas a year’s worth of rain in 24 hours. Have a dry climate, get wildfires. Wish for rain, get flash floods and mudslides.

I probably should write more about mudslides. We live part-time in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with a mountain home overlooking town and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As such, we live on a slope. How much of a slope? Let’s just say you’d need a pretty long ladder to access the back yard from our deck.

A mudslide, sometimes called a “[**debris flow**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debris_flow)”, is a landslide with a high-water content. Mudslides act like a river that, if the mud is thick, has the consistency of wet concrete. Mud, rocks, trees, and other large objects are carried along and can cause homes to collapse or slide off their foundations and a huge amount of traumatic injury to residents. In the U.S., 25-50 deaths occur on average due to this natural disaster.

Another type of landslide is a “[**mud flow**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudflow)“, which is characterized by a very rapid flow of water and debris. A mud flow is more “liquefied” due, at least partially, to a lot of rain added to loose soil in a short period of time.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood.jpg)[Loose soil and a lot of rain in a short period of time is a recipe for a mudslide](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_82784302-dirty-water-flood.jpg)

Mudslides occur for a variety of reasons: Periods of heavy rainfall or snow melt saturate the ground and cause instability in sloping areas. Areas prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters are especially susceptible. Indeed, in the case of the Los Angeles area, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred at the same time as the storm.

Areas in the West that have hard compacted soil as a result of wildfires have difficulty absorbing large amounts of rain, especially if it falls in a short period of time. As such, water that couldn’t get through hard earth quickly forms flash floods that cascade down slopes, picking up soil and debris to become a mudslide.

**CAN YOU PREVENT A MUDSLIDE?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_1174968847-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_1174968847-scaled.jpg)

Humans contribute to the risk of mudslides by planning poorly: Roads cut into hills and mountains and scenic mountain homes make mudslides more likely. River retreats at the base of a hill or mountain (in the “holler”, as we say in Tennessee) are also vulnerable.

Once you’ve built that home on a hillside, there’s a limited number of preventative measures that can be undertaken. It’s a different story, however, if you’re just now planning out that dream home:

- Beware of steep slopes, natural or man-made runoff conduits, or eroded areas.
- Have the county Geological Survey specialist assess your property for possible mudslide risk.
- Consider flexible pipe fittings (installed by pros) less prone to gas or water leaks.
- Consider building a retaining wall in likely mudslide channels.
- Avoid areas that have experienced mudslides in the past.
- Plan out an evacuation route.
- Have a battery-powered NOAA weather radio.
- Have a medical kit with items to deal with both traumatic injury and water sterilization.

**WARNING SIGNS OF A HOME AT RISK**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_110081558-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_110081558-scaled.jpg)[Watch for cracks developing in walls, floors, paving, and foundations](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/shutterstock_110081558-scaled.jpg)

Sometimes, pressure from unstable earth may give you a hint that trouble is on the way and give you time to evacuate. Mudslide prone areas will begin to show signs of strain:

- Cracks develop in walls, flooring, paving, driveways, or foundations.
- Outside structures (for example, stairs) begin to separate from buildings.
- Doors and windows become difficult to open or close.
- Utility lines start breaking.
- Fences, trees, and utility poles start tilting.
- Water starts accumulating in strange places.
- Roads and embankments along slopes start breaking off at the edges.
- Terrain starts to “bulge” or slant at the base of the slope.

**DURING THE EVENT**

- Turn on the NOAA radio and listen to warnings as they are reported.
- Warn your neighbors!
- If a mudslide is imminent, get out of Dodge if at all possible, with the understanding that roads may be washed out. Weather alerts should be heeded.
- Stay away from known mudslide areas; new mudslides may still occur.

In some mudslides, as in Southern California, things happen very quickly and you don’t have time to evacuate:

- If you stay home, get to the second story if you have one.
- Watch for and avoid downed power lines.
- As the slide passes through, get under a table and curl into a ball, protecting your head.
- If you’re trapped in the mud, survival rates go up if you can form an air pocket around you. As in avalanches, put your arms in front of your face to gain breathing room.
- It’s a good idea to carry a cell phone with you at all times in case you are trapped in the house.

Mudslides, like wildfires, leave scars on the land but are part and parcel of living with Mother Nature. Plan before you build, know the danger signs, and hit the road. Leave as early as possible in the face of an imminent threat.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD**Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Maui Wildfire: Not Just Climate Change](https://www.doomandbloom.net/maui-wildfire-not-just-climate-change/) 

 [Video: Tourniquets: You Get What You Pay For](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-tourniquets-you-get-what-you-pay-for/)

**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Landslides, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** california mudslides, joe alton md, landslides, mudslide survival, mudslides, survival medicine, survival medicine cabinet, tropical cyclone hilary

---

### [Video: Tourniquets: You Get What You Pay For](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-tourniquets-you-get-what-you-pay-for/)

**Published:** August 21, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tourniquet-fakes-genuine-comparison-copy-not-real-quality-of-material-made-tourniquets-CAT-Doctor-Joe-Alton--300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tourniquet-fakes-genuine-comparison-copy-not-real-quality-of-material-made-tourniquets-CAT-Doctor-Joe-Alton-.png)

In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton reports on a Summer 2023 article in the [Journal of Special Ops Medicine](https://www.jsomonline.org/) that compares the well-known and TCCC-approved CAT tourniquet to a popular knock-off. Do you get what you pay for?

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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 [Mudslides](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mudslides/) 

 [Wildfire Property Defense](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfire-property-defense/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror events, Tourniquets

**Tags:** bleeding control, CAT tourniquets, hemorrhage control, how to stop bleeding, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Wildfire Property Defense](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfire-property-defense/)

**Published:** August 12, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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It’s been a cruel, cruel summer with parts of Maui in ashes and massive record-breaking Canadian wildfires, and the American West has yet to enter its fire season in earnest. Yes, it’s true that wildfires are more intense, lasting longer, and causing more damage. Although evacuating the area is always the wisest choice from a personal safety standpoint, there are principles of property defense that may give you the best chance of returning to an intact home.

The majority of buildings lost to wildfires are started by minor burns. If you can improve the resistance of the area around the home to ignition, your residence will be less susceptible to spot fires and ember storms. You can best create a defensible space by managing vegetation and other flammables in the **“Home Ignition Zone”**.

The Home Ignition Zone **(HIZ)** concept was developed by the Forest Service in the 1990s. It is an area up to 100-200 feet from the foundation and includes vegetation, the home itself, and other structures, items, or attachments (decks, sheds, outdoor furniture, fencing). Measures to improve fire resistance may sometimes be difficult, but will decrease the risk of fire damage.

Generally, Home Ignition Zones are divided into three parts:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_569622439-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_569622439-scaled.jpg)

**The Immediate Subzone:** This is the area including the home and up to 5 feet surrounding it. This area is the most prone to combustion. Non-flammable surfaces here are protective and consideration should be given in construction of the home itself.

Vegetation, woodpiles, and other flammables should be limited here. You can harden your home against wildfires with the following measures:

- Screening areas under patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent burning debris from entering.
- Avoiding the storage of combustible materials under patios and decks.
- Clearing leaves and other debris from rooftops and gutters.
- Repairing or replacing any broken, loose, or missing shingles or roof tiles.
- Preventing embers from passing through eave vents by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
- Cleaning debris from exterior attic vents; add 1/8 inch metal mesh as a barrier.
- Replacing damaged or loose window screens.
- Removing mulch, woodpiles, and other flammables from against exterior walls.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_387299374-vehicular-terror-2-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_387299374-vehicular-terror-2-scaled.jpg)

**The Intermediate Subzone:** This is the area 5-30 feet away from your home. Here, careful use of landscaping can slow the spread of fire by reducing both fuel availability and [continuity](https://www.nwcg.gov/term/glossary/fuel-continuity). You should:

- Have driveways, paths, decks and patios made of non-flammables that can serve as fuel “breaks”.
- Keep lawns and ground cover no more than four inches high.
- Remove [**“ladder fuels**“](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ladder). Ladder fuels include vegetation under trees that allow a ground fire to reach the canopies. Lower branches on large trees also can act as ladder fuels.
- Prune mature trees ten feet from the ground or up to 1/3 of the total height for smaller specimens.
- Be sure to have at least eighteen feet between tree canopies, more if you are uphill from the potential fire.
- Limit trees and shrubs to small separate groupings of a few each to break up fuel continuity.
- Beware of vegetation near large propane tanks.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shutterstock_47274046.jpg)

**The Extended Subzone:** This is the extended areas 30-100 feet from the home): Strategy revolves around spacing and pruning shrubs and trees in an effort to keep the fire low to the ground and interrupt its path. The wise property owner would:

- Remove accumulations of dead plant and tree material in this space.
- Remove all saplings growing between mature trees.
- Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings
- Assure that all trees 30-60 feet from the residence have at least 12 feet between canopies (more if downhill).
- Assure that trees 60-100 feet (200 feet if downhill) from the home have at least 6 feet between canopies.

There are variations in these strategies based on location, types of flora in the area, and other factors. Discuss your specific situation with a local [U.S. Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/) official. For more information, check out the National Fire Protection Association ([nfpa.org](https://www.nfpa.org/)).

Bottom line: Work to harden your home against wildfires, but don’t be a hero; hit the road if you’re in the path of the conflagration.

Joe Alton MD

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**Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Tourniquets: You Get What You Pay For](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-tourniquets-you-get-what-you-pay-for/) 

 [Video: Malaria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-malaria/)

**Categories:** Fires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** home defense, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical preparedness advocate, survival medicine, wildfire property defense, wildfire protection, wildfire safety

---

### [Video: Malaria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-malaria/)

**Published:** August 11, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MALARIA-what-CAUSES-signs-of-SYMPTOMS-how-to-TREATMENT-PREVENTIONS-MOSQUITOS-locations-worse-outbreak-safety-doctor-Joseph-alton-medical-doctor-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/MALARIA-what-CAUSES-signs-of-SYMPTOMS-how-to-TREATMENT-PREVENTIONS-MOSQUITOS-locations-worse-outbreak-safety-doctor-Joseph-alton-medical-doctor.png)

Infectious diseases are a problem in every part of the world, and a common, yet deadly, example is **malaria**. Malaria was once a major medical issue in the Southern United States; in fact, a 1933 survey found that up to thirty percent of local populations in the Tennessee River Valley were affected. The disease was also common in WWII war zones, mostly in the Pacific. Malaria became such a concern that the CDC (back then, it stood for “[Communicable Disease Cente](https://www.cdc.gov/museum/history/our-story.html)r”) was established primarily to combat it. Recently, some case of malaria have turned up in Florida and Texas. In this video, Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know about this debilitating and, sometimes, deadly disease.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of help in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

**Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Wildfire Property Defense](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfire-property-defense/) 

 [Video: Horizontal Mattress And Figure-Of-Eight Sutures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-horizontal-mattress-and-figure-of-eight-sutures/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** anophele mosquito, joe alton md, malaria, malaria prevention, malaria treatment, medical preparedness, mosquito infections, mosquito-borne disease, survival medicine

---

### [Wildfires and Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-and-home-ignition-zones/)

**Published:** August 1, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_1260706639-spot-fires-wildfire-scaled.jpg)

As the island of Maui burns and we still smell the smoke from Canadian wildfires, it makes you wonder about the longer and more intense fire seasons we’ve experienced over the past few years. Although evacuating the area is the wisest choice from a personal safety standpoint, there are principles of property defense that may give you the best chance of returning to an intact home.Your main goal is always to perserve the lives of loved ones, but it would be nice if those loved ones have a home to come back to. With a combination of producing a defensible space and wise vegetation management, it can be done.

The majority of buildings lost to wildfires are started by minor burns. If you can improve the resistance of the area around the home to ignition, your residence will be less susceptible to spot fires and ember storms. You can best create a defensible space by managing vegetation and other flammables in the **“Home Ignition Zone”**.

The Home Ignition Zone **(HIZ)** concept was developed by the Forest Service in the 1990s. It is an area up to 200 feet from the foundation and includes vegetation, the home itself, and other structures, items, or attachments (decks, sheds, outdoor furniture, fencing). Measures to improve fire resistance may sometimes be difficult, but will decrease the risk of fire damage.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_144136270-vehicular-terror-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_144136270-vehicular-terror-scaled.jpg)

Generally, Home Ignition Zones are divided into three parts:

**The Immediate Subzone:** This is the area including the home and up to 5 feet surrounding it. This area is the most prone to combustion. Non-flammable surfaces here are protective and consideration should be given in construction of the home itself.

Vegetation, woodpiles, and other flammables should be limited here. You can harden your home against wildfires with the following measures:

- Screening areas under patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent burning debris from entering.
- Avoiding the storage of combustible materials under patios and decks.
- Clearing leaves and other debris from rooftops and gutters.
- Repairing or replacing any broken, loose, or missing shingles or roof tiles.
- Preventing embers from passing through eave vents by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
- Cleaning debris from exterior attic vents; add 1/8 inch metal mesh as a barrier.
- Replacing damaged or loose window screens.
- Removing mulch, woodpiles, and other flammables from against exterior walls.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_569622439-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_569622439-scaled.jpg)

**The Intermediate Subzone:** This is the area 5-30 feet away from your home. Here, careful use of landscaping can slow the spread of fire by reducing both fuel availability and [continuity](https://www.nwcg.gov/term/glossary/fuel-continuity). You should:

- Have driveways, paths, decks and patios made of non-flammables that can serve as fuel “breaks”.
- Keep lawns and ground cover no more than four inches high.
- Remove [**“ladder fuels**“](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ladder). Ladder fuels include vegetation under trees that allow a ground fire to reach the canopies. Lower branches on large trees also can act as ladder fuels.
- Prune mature trees ten feet from the ground or up to 1/3 of the total height for smaller specimens.
- Be sure to have at least eighteen feet between tree canopies, more if you are uphill from the potential fire.
- Limit trees and shrubs to small separate groupings of a few each to break up fuel continuity.
- Beware of vegetation near large propane tanks.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shutterstock_47274046.jpg)

**The Extended Subzone:** This is the extended areas 30-100 feet from the home): Strategy revolves around spacing and pruning shrubs and trees in an effort to keep the fire low to the ground and interrupt its path. The wise property owner would:

- Remove accumulations of dead plant and tree material in this space.
- Remove all saplings growing between mature trees.
- Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings
- Assure that all trees 30-60 feet from the residence have at least 12 feet between canopies (more if downhill).
- Assure that trees 60-100 feet (200 feet if downhill) from the home have at least 6 feet between canopies.

There are variations in these strategies based on location, types of flora in the area, and other factors. Discuss your specific situation with a local [U.S. Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/) official. For more general information, check out the National Fire Protection Association ([nfpa.org](https://www.nfpa.org/))

Bottom line: Work to harden your home against wildfires, but don’t be a hero; hit the road if you’re in the path of the conflagration.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton aka Dr. Bones](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

**Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Liver Disease Off The Grid: Hepatitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/liver-disease-off-the-grid-hepatitis/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: RSV, Cellulitis, Antibiotics, Cold Water Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-rsv-cellulitis-antibiotics-cold-water-safety/)

**Categories:** Uncategorized

**Tags:** home ignition zones, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical preparedness advocate, survival medicine, wildfire safety, wildfires

---

### [Video: Horizontal Mattress And Figure-Of-Eight Sutures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-horizontal-mattress-and-figure-of-eight-sutures/)

**Published:** August 8, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-suture-skin-cut-laceration-safely-instructions-teach-learn-stitch-sew-up-Horizontal-Figure-eight-style-Dr-Joseph-Alton-MD-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-to-suture-skin-cut-laceration-safely-instructions-teach-learn-stitch-sew-up-Horizontal-Figure-eight-style-Dr-Joseph-Alton-MD.png)

In this part of his series on suture wound closures, Dr. Joe Alton discusses and demonstrates two classic suture techniques: The horizontal mattress suture and the Figure-of-eight. Each has its purpose to save time and cover more ground than simple interrupted sutures, but should be used judiciously, especially by the family medic who doesn’t practice these methods regularly.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Malaria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-malaria/) 

 [With Tourniquets, You Get What You Pay For](https://www.doomandbloom.net/with-tourniquets-you-get-what-you-pay-for/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care, Wound Closure, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** figure of eight suture, horizontal mattress suture, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, suture techniques, wound closure

---

### [With Tourniquets, You Get What You Pay For](https://www.doomandbloom.net/with-tourniquets-you-get-what-you-pay-for/)

**Published:** August 6, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-scaled.jpg)

CAT Tourniquet on upper thigh

(NOTE: Data used in this article was first published in the Summer 2023 issue of The Journal of Special Ops Medicine.)

For more than a decade, I’ve designed medical kits for survival scenarios. In these kits, I always use “brand-name” items because I felt it was important in terms of reliability, especially for potential life-savers like tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, and compression bandages. Aside from field case reports, however, I had little data to support my opinion. Now, a study in The Journal of Special Ops Medicine (JSOM) compares the well-known Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) to a much cheaper look-alike that occupies space in many thousands of medical kits: the Military Tactical Emergency Tourniquet (MTET). These are commonly found on third party sites such as eBay, Amazon and online medical kit stores with low pricing.

(Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in any company that manufactures tourniquets.)

The current design of the CAT tourniquet involves a hook-and-loop fastening strap tightened with a thick plastic rod known as a “windlass.” The MTET is very similar in appearance and mechanics to the CAT, but available at approximately one-third to half the cost. It has been so successful in sales that it has been the “Amazon’s Choice” in the category. Made overseas, the MTET and a number of other tourniquets are marketed in English for the American/Canadian consumer. Given the visual similarity, discount price, and quality claims, the MTET is a tempting option for anyone on a budget.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_9691-300x225.jpg)CAT look-alikes](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_9691-scaled.jpg)

To compare the look-alike MTET to the CAT, The researchers of the JSOM study took a group of 50 combat medics (68W) that served as instructors at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. They were told to self-apply either a MTET or CAT tourniquet on their mid-thigh area. They were timed using one tourniquet on one leg, and then the other on the other leg. Placement time target was 60 seconds, with a successful application confirmed by sonogram showing cessation of arterial flow in the dorsalis pedis artery located on the top of the foot.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_744937009-pressure-to-bleeding-wound-300x200.jpg)In the field, rapid placement and reliability are life savers](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_744937009-pressure-to-bleeding-wound-scaled.jpg)

All 50 study volunteers were successful in applying the CAT tourniquet in under 60 seconds. With the MTET, only 40 combat medics (80%) succeeded, with the MTET requiring a longer median time overall to complete the task. In addition to failing the 60-second test, mechanical failures (14%) were encountered in the form of a bent windlass rod, ripped stitching, and a deformed buckle. I don’t need to tell you that mechanical failure of a tourniquet can mean the difference between life and death.

This study provides evidence that not all tourniquets are created equal, even when applied by experienced professionals. It’s true that combat medics may be more familiar with the CAT tourniquet, which could possibly explain some of the time difference in application; but, more importantly, the popular look-alike did *not* appear to be equally effective in stopping blood flow in a significant number of cases. This leads a reasonable person to suspect that production or material flaws may be to blame.

The CAT, as well as the SOF-T-wide and the Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet have all received the blessing of the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, a recommendation not given lightly. Don’t assume that the lower-cost imitations, although popular, are equivalent to those that have been thoroughly tested in both the lab and the battlefield. This study is rare proof that you get what you pay for.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)

**Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Horizontal Mattress And Figure-Of-Eight Sutures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-horizontal-mattress-and-figure-of-eight-sutures/) 

 [Video: Sleep Deprivation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-sleep-deprivation/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Tourniquets

**Tags:** bleeding, CAT tourniquets, hemorrhage, joe alton md, medical preparedness, MTET tourniquets, survival medicine, tourniquet imitations

---

### [Video: Sleep Deprivation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-sleep-deprivation/)

**Published:** August 1, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Many of us have issues with insomnia in normal times. In disaster settings, your chances to get a good night’s sleep plummet eve further as the stress, increased duties, and even hostile actors wreak havoc on your life. Those who are sleep-deprived are less alert and prone to mistakes in judgment that can impact their chances of survival. In this video, Dr. Joe Alton tells you all you need to know about sleep deprivation and what strategies exist that might help, even in tough times.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Find out more about sleep deprivation and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** Plus, check out quality medical kits for beach outing and other scenarios at [**store.doomandbloom.net.**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open-300x205.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [With Tourniquets, You Get What You Pay For](https://www.doomandbloom.net/with-tourniquets-you-get-what-you-pay-for/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bee and Wasp Stings, Shark Attacks, Making Home Remedy Ointments](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bee-and-wasp-stings-shark-attacks-making-home-remedy-ointments/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Sleep Disorders, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** insomnia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, microsleeps, narcolepsy, sleep deprivation, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bee and Wasp Stings, Shark Attacks, Making Home Remedy Ointments](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bee-and-wasp-stings-shark-attacks-making-home-remedy-ointments/)

**Published:** July 31, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

You’d have to look far and wide for someone who hasn’t been stung by an insect at one point or another. It’s not pleasant in any situation, but bees and wasps especially can inflict some real discomfort if you run afoul of them. In a small minority of cases, allergic reactions to the venom injected can be life-threatening, a condition known as “anaphylaxis.” Find out more about wasp and bee stings with Dr. Joe Alton in this segment.

Plus, a lot bigger but, thankfully, a lot rarer, is an encounter with a shark. About 25 species are known to attack humans, some provoked, some not so much. There’s a lot more people these days (more than 8 billion, and they’re heading to the beach in the summer. Find out about how to prevent a shark attack, what to do if you’re in the water with sharks, and what to do if you witness an attack.

Also in this episode, Nurse Amy goes into specifics on how to make your own ointments, a useful skill for the off-grid pharmacist. When the drugs run out, you’ll still have herbs if you start your garden now, and these can be compounded into ointments with medicinal benefits.

All this and more from Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy in the Survival Medicine Podcast!

To listen, click below:

****

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Find out more in our books and get medically prepared with kits and supplies from Nurse Amy’s entire line of supplies and education at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![A loaded first aid kit with medical supplies for trauma,burns, sprains and strains and other medical issues](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic.jpg)Stomp Supreme Major Trauma and Comprehensive First Aid Kit by Doom and Bloom Medical, Amy Alton, ARNPHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: Sleep Deprivation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-sleep-deprivation/) 

 [Video: How To Perform Vertical Mattress Sutures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-how-to-perform-vertical-mattress-sutures/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Animal Bites, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Remedies, Stings and Bites, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** 31 Days to Survival, amy alton np, bee stings, Dr. Bones and Nures Amy, e. coli outbreakjoe alton md, make home remedies, medical preparedness, preparedness, shark attacks, wasp stings

---

### [Video: How To Perform Vertical Mattress Sutures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-how-to-perform-vertical-mattress-sutures/)

**Published:** July 28, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Copy-of-How-to-Suture-sew-up-skin-repair-cut-laceration-fix-open-wound-suturing-doctor-Joseph-alton-md-1-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Copy-of-How-to-Suture-sew-up-skin-repair-cut-laceration-fix-open-wound-suturing-doctor-Joseph-alton-md-1.png)

In this video episode in a series on how to perform suture closures, Dr. Joe Alton discusses and demonstrates the very useful vertical mattress suture. Use for areas under tension and other applications, the vertical mattress suture is another tool in the woodshed for the family medic in times of trouble.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page **SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY** is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bee and Wasp Stings, Shark Attacks, Making Home Remedy Ointments](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bee-and-wasp-stings-shark-attacks-making-home-remedy-ointments/) 

 [Which Antibiotics For Your Storage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/which-antibiotics-for-your-storage/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Closure

**Tags:** how to suture, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medic, survival medicine, vertical mattress suture, wound closure

---

### [Video: Simple Running Suture Demo](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-simple-running-suture-demo/)

**Published:** July 17, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Suture-sew-up-skin-repair-cut-laceration-fix-open-wound-suturing-doctor-Joseph-alton-md-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/How-to-Suture-sew-up-skin-repair-cut-laceration-fix-open-wound-suturing-doctor-Joseph-alton-md.png)

For more than a decade, I’ve been teaching basic suturing to the preparedness community. Usually, the classes are introductory with discussion and hands-on work on pig’s feet in the classic single-suture instrument tie. Once you’ve gotten that solidly under your belt, and practiced like you should, you might consider saving time by perform a continuous or running suture. Although there is a little more risk associated with it (your knots better be good or the whole thing might unravel), a running stitch is commonly performed by surgeons today.

In this video, I show you how to perform a typical simple running suture. Remember, it’s not just important to know how to throw a stitch, but to have the judgment necessary to determine when a suture is the right form of closure, or when a wound might best be left open with daily wound care to allow it to heal in on its own. These are decisions the family medic may need to make in times of trouble.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

**Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/suture-kit.jpg)Suture kit from Doom and Bloom Medical](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/suture-kit.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/rss.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/twitterbutton-82x82.jpg)](https://x.com/preppershow)[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/facebook.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/blogtalkradioicon1-1-82x82.jpg)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/insta-1-82x82.png)](https://www.instagram.com/doomandbloommedical/)[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/drbonespodcast)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pinterest1-82x82.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/drbonesnurseamy/survival-medicine/)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1200px-Podcasts_iOS.svg1_-82x82.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Facebook-Group-Icon64-e1558131964516.png)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/333371483501127)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Which Antibiotics For Your Storage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/which-antibiotics-for-your-storage/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dental Trauma, Herbal Remedies, Malaria, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dental-trauma-herbal-remedies-malaria-more/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Minor Wounds, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care, Wound Closure

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, simple running suture, survival medicine, suture video

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dental Trauma, Herbal Remedies, Malaria, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dental-trauma-herbal-remedies-malaria-more/)

**Published:** July 13, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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It’s true that a survival group needs someone with medical knowledge and supplies to treat heavy bleeding and orthopedic injuries. Indeed, the average survival medical kit concentrates on these issues to the exclusion of much else. Even well-prepared medics don’t realize that they’ll be faced with a quite different challenge much more often: dental problems. In this podcast, Dr. Joe Alton tells you how to deal with dental trauma off the grid.

Also, Amy Alton, NP, discusses herbal remedies like tonic wines and syrups, hot-infused oils, and how to make capsules and powders, and Dr. Joe takes note of malaria cases transmitted right here in the U.S.A., and what you need to know.

To listen, click below:

****

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JoeAmyPortrait2013-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Simple Running Suture Demo](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-simple-running-suture-demo/) 

 [Malaria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/malaria/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Mosquito-borne Illness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, dental trauma, joe alton md joe alton md, malaria, medical preparedness, survival medicine, survival podcast

---

### [Malaria](https://www.doomandbloom.net/malaria/)

**Published:** July 7, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/shutterstock_834981911-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/shutterstock_834981911.jpg)

Infectious diseases are a problem in every part of the world, and a common, yet deadly, example is malaria. Malaria was once a major medical issue in the Southern United States; in fact, a 1933 survey found that up to thirty percent of local populations in the Tennessee River Valley were affected. The disease was also common in WWII war zones. Malaria became such a concern that the CDC (back then, it stood for “[Communicable Disease Cente](https://www.cdc.gov/museum/history/our-story.html)r”) was established primarily to combat it.

Note: (Now, it stands for “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”)

The CDC and the health agencies of thirteen Southeastern states instituted the [National Malaria Eradication Program](https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/history/elimination_us.html) in 1947. By the end of 1949, over 4,650,000 homes were sprayed with insecticide.

This had an immediate effect. In 1947, 15,000 new cases were reported. The next year, it was down to 2,000. By the end of the year after that, malaria was considered eradicated in the United States. This public health miracle happened through the widespread implementation of insecticides, drainage programs, and the installation of door and window screens.

In recent weeks, [six cases of malaria](https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/07/06/two-more-malaria-cases-confirmed-sarasota-county/) have been reported in Florida’s Sarasota county, and one in Cameron county, Texas. They represent the first documented cases of *local* transmission in twenty years, when eight cases were reported in Palm Beach, Florida. That doesn’t mean that Americans can’t get malaria abroad. In 2018, close to 1,800 cases of travel-related malaria were identified in returning travelers, seven of which died of the infection.

This is a drop in the bucket compared to the damage done yearly worldwide by malaria. The CDC reports that, in one recent year, an estimated [247 million cases](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria) were diagnosed with 619,000 deaths, mostly in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Given this fact, it’s important to identify threats early and take action to prevent outbreaks.

**WHAT CAUSES MALARIA?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/plasmodium-malaria.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/plasmodium-malaria.jpg)

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite in the genus *Plasmodium*. Several types can cause the disease, but *Plasmodium falciparum* is most likely to cause severe infections.

Malaria is usually transmitted by a bite from a specific species of mosquito known as Anopheles that carries the parasite. Only the females bite, and they must have previously taken a blood meal from an infected person to harbor the parasite. The organism lives in the saliva of the mosquito and is injected into each future victim during a bite.

Once in a human, the malaria parasite lives in red blood cells, leaving open a number of ways in which the disease can be spread:

- Blood transfusions
- Needle Sharing
- Organ transplants
- From mother to fetus

Other than these specific avenues, malaria is not considered contagious from person to person. It isn’t airborne like colds, flus, and COVID. It isn’t passed along by sexual contact.

**MALARIA SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS**

It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of malaria, just as it’s important to diagnose any disease early in the process.

Expect to see symptoms begin about 10 days after an infected mosquito bite; in some cases, however, symptoms may be delayed up to a year. This is because *Plasmodium falciparum* can remain dormant in the liver for a time. You see physical signs of sickness once it invades red blood cells. There may be a cycle of inactivity followed by active phases known as “relapses.” Relapses tend to worsen over time and may be separated by weeks, months, or even years.

Symptoms of malaria include:

- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Confusion

The organism that causes malaria sometimes destroys so many blood cells that anemia ensues. In some cases, skin and eyes turn yellow (“jaundice”). If ignored, organ failure, seizures, coma, and death may occur.

Diagnosis isn’t difficult if you have a microscope. The Plasmodium parasites can be identified in a drop of blood.

**WHY MALARIA, WHY NOW?**

The conventional wisdom put forth by many experts points to warmer temperatures caused by climate change. Hotter weather and increased rainfall, indeed, could lead to wider spread of malaria and other tropical diseases. Mosquitoes breed best in the heat (as long as there’s a water source to lay eggs) and are rendered inactive by cold.

Others suggest that the recent cases, which seem to have been caused by a type of Plasmodium (*P. vivax*) that causes less severe symptoms, may not have been recognized as being signs of malaria by the victims until they had a relapse.

Note: (Despite having less severe symptoms, the CDC considers any case of malaria a medical emergency which must be treated immediately.)

Perhaps, the malaria cases in Texas and Florida may have been discovered because COVID has raised people’s awareness regarding flu-like illnesses. Those who are feeling sick may be more likely to present to their medical provider, only to find they have malaria instead of COVID.

An alternative hypothesis you won’t hear about is the possibility that immigrants crossing the border, many of whom come from countries where malaria is common, may be carrying the parasite. If carriers get bitten by mosquitoes after they arrive in the United States, the now-infected mosquitoes transmit the disease locally. This may not only be true of malaria, but of other mosquito-borne illnesses or respiratory diseases like[ tuberculosis](https://nypost.com/2023/04/18/bidens-open-borders-are-bringing-contagious-diseases-to-your-neighborhood/).

**MALARIA TREATMENT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/quinine-bottle-antique-1880-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/quinine-bottle-antique-1880.jpg)Quinine sulphate bottle, 1880. Science Museum, London. Malaria cases here might even become more severe in nature in the U.S. than in places where it’s common. U.S. citizens have essentially no immunity to malaria due to lack of exposure. Rapid treatment is important to nip the infection in the bud.

For *P. Falciparum* infections acquired in areas without chloroquine-resistant strains, which include parts of Central America, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, treatment is with oral chloroquine or, alternatively, hydroxychloroquine.

Quinine sulfate in addition to doxycycline is an option in cases which were acquired in other areas where chloroquine resistance is common. A number of other drugs have been used with some degree of success.

**MALARIA PREVENTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/shutterstock_106432124-mosquito-netting-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/shutterstock_106432124-mosquito-netting.jpg)

— If you can’t help but travel in regions where *anopheles* mosquitoes live, you might consider taking medicine that offers protection against Plasmodium organisms. Begin the course of treatment a few days before, and both during and for a week after your trip. Examples include:

- Atovaquone/Proguanil
- Chloroquine
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Primaquine
- Tafenoquine

The exact dosing varies, dependent on the drug.

— Preventing mosquito bites will prevent malaria. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved insect repellents. The ones below are considered safe and effective for all adults, including pregnant/breastfeeding women.

- DEET
- Picaridin
- IR3535
- Oil of *lemon* eucalyptus
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone

Apply repellents after, not before, applying sunscreen.

—Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, preferably treated with 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels insects like mosquitoes and sand flies. Treated clothing (which is available commercially) provides protection, even after multiple washes. Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.

—Keep mosquitoes out of your residence. Air conditioning and window/door screens will decrease your exposure. Mosquito netting is also available for your bed. Choose one that’s compact, rectangular, has 156 holes per square inch, long enough to tuck under the mattress, and permethrin-treated. A white net would provide a background that allows you to better see mosquitoes.

—Strategies for children include:

- Long sleeves and pants.
- Netting to cover baby carriers.
- Using insect repellent.

Avoid applying repellent to the child’s hands, eyes, or mouth. Spray onto your hands and then apply to the child’s face. Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.

Some plants naturally repel mosquitoes, like citronella, rosemary, lavender, mint, basil, sage, and bee balm. Each grows in its own zone, so find the one that can thrive in yours.

Likely, you’ll won’t be able to completely prevent a mosquito bite here and there. If you’re bitten, don’t scratch the area as it could cause an infected wound. Wash the area with soap and water; then, apply an anti-itch or antihistamine ointment or cream as needed.

There’s no reason to believe a major outbreak of malaria will hit the U.S., but the family medic should know about the disease. Early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention will decrease a patient’s chance of long-term illness or worse.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

 **Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dental Trauma, Herbal Remedies, Malaria, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dental-trauma-herbal-remedies-malaria-more/) 

 [July 4th Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/july-4th-fireworks-safety/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Medical Preparedness, Mosquito-borne Illness, Stings and Bites, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** CDC origin, joe alton md, malaria, malaria in the U.S., malaria prevention, malaria treatment, medical preparedness, mosquito-borne illness, quinine sultate, survival medicine

---

### [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder](https://www.doomandbloom.net/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/)

**Published:** June 29, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Copy-of-Depression-mental-health-issue-symptoms-signs-how-to-tell-help-treatment-therapy-sadness-doctor-Joseph-alton-md-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Copy-of-Depression-mental-health-issue-symptoms-signs-how-to-tell-help-treatment-therapy-sadness-doctor-Joseph-alton-md.png)

Our last two videos concentrated on anxiety and depression in austere settings, and maybe you’re sick and tired of the mental aspects of the survival medic’s responsibilities. We get it, the sensational stuff usually has blood, but let’s spend just a few minutes on another important mental issue you, medic, are bound to encounter in times of trouble: Post-traumatic stress disorder, also called PTSD. In this video, Dr. Joe Alton tells you the difference between PTSD and regular anxiety/depression, and how to help your patient’s quality of life even with limited resources.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/joe-and-banana-plant-scaled.jpg)

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [July 4th Fireworks Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/july-4th-fireworks-safety/) 

 [Bee And Wasp Stings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bee-and-wasp-stings/)

**Categories:** depression and anxiety, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** joe alton md, post-traumatic stress syndrome, ptsd symptoms, survival medicine

---

### [Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vitamin-and-mineral-deficiencies/)

**Published:** June 5, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/fruits-and-veggies-at-the-store-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/fruits-and-veggies-at-the-store.jpg)

Last time, we discussed the connection between chronic illness and ultra-processed foods. Not only does it worsen diseases like diabetes and heart issues, it can lead to vitamin deficiencies that have their own negative effects on health.

Everyone knows that a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals prevents many health problems. A number of these important substances aren’t made by your body and must be taken in from outside sources. Failure to provide good nutrition, in good times or bad, leads to deficiencies that impact health and cause chronic disease. It’s the duty of the family medic to recognize these and plan for situations where good food sources are scarce.

Each vitamin and mineral plays a different role in your body. Compared to fats. proteins, and carbohydrates, just a small amount of these substances are required to maintain good health.

**VITAMINS VS. MINERALS**

Although they’re all “micronutrients,” vitamins and minerals are different from each other. Vitamins are organic in nature and can be broken down by, say, heat, or other processes. Minerals are inorganic and maintain their structure.

Does the difference matter? Minerals in soil and water are easily taken in through plants, animals, and fluids you consume. Vitamins, however, may be inactivated through cooking, improper storage, or even just exposure to air.

**WHO GETS VITAMIN/MINERAL DEFICIENCIES?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_323783324-large-group-of-people-300x203.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_323783324-large-group-of-people-scaled.jpg)

Any population may be susceptible to deficiencies if their diets are inadequate to meet their needs. Those at greatest risk are:

- Malnourished Individuals.
- People with gastrointestinal diseases or surgeries that prevent absorption of nutrients, such as Crohn’s disease.
- Patients with medical conditions that influence nutrient status (i.e. cystic fibrosis, renal disease, genetic disorders).
- Individuals on medications that are known to interact with the absorption or excretion of certain vitamins and minerals.
- People with substance abuse issues (such as alcohol).
- People who smoke.
- Women who have short intervals between pregnancies.

Nutrient deficiencies can be subclinical or clinical. Subclinical deficiencies involve changes in concentrations of the vitamin or mineral in the blood, while clinical deficiencies manifest noticeable change in the appearance of parts of the body, such as hair or skin. Disturbances in function of important cells and tissues may be apparent in both.

**COMMON DEFICIENCIES CAUSING CHRONIC DISEASE**

The human body can make some vitamins, but a number of vitamins and minerals must be obtained through the diet. the ones below are just some that can cause chronic medical problems:

**Vitamin A:** Vitamin A (retinol) is involved in immune function, cell growth, and maintaining good vision. Deficiency leads to abnormalities such as night blindness or eye dryness.

**Vitamin B6:** B6 is also known as pyroxidine. It’s involved in multiple enzyme reactions, as well as protein metabolism. Deficiency leads to anemia, cracking and scaling of the mouth, a swollen tongue, or even depression.

**Vitamin B12:** Also known as cobalamin. B12 aids in making red blood cells, production of DNA, and nerve function. Deficiency leads to anemia, chronic fatigue and weakness. Loss of appetite may lead to weight loss and constipation.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gum-disease-with-scurvy-vitamin-c-deficiency-300x181.jpg)Gum disease caused by scurvy/vit c deficiency](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/gum-disease-with-scurvy-vitamin-c-deficiency-scaled.jpg)

**Vitamin C:** Vitamin C is needed for the formation of connective tissue called collagen, as well as protein production. Certain chemicals involved in nerve function also depend on it. Deficiency leads to inflammation of the gums, chronic fatigue, and weakening of connective tissue (also called “scurvy”).

**Vitamin D:** Vitamin D is extremely important in absorbing calcium into the body, allowing proper bone development. It’s also involved in cell growth, is anti-inflammatory, and helps the immune system. It’s also thought to decrease the risk of severe respiratory disease caused by viruses such as COVID-19. Deficiency, which is thought to occur in at least 40% of Americans, can lead to poor bone formation in children (“rickets”) and adults (“osteomalacia”).

**Calcium:** Calcium is a mineral involved in maintaining good muscle and nerve function, as well the formation of normal bone structure. Deficiency leads to brittle bones, also known as “osteoporosis.”

**Folate:** Folate is a B vitamin (B9). It’s needed for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the normal development of the nervous system. During fetal development, lack of folate can lead to incomplete formation of the brain or spinal cord. In adults, deficiency can leads to a form of anemia.

**Iodine:** Iodine is a mineral that’s a component of thyroid hormone and helps regulate metabolism, protein synthesis, and more. Considered so important that it is added to table salt (“iodized”) to prevent goiter. Deficiency also results in stunted growth and developmental defects.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_1321386587-blood-components-261x300.jpg)Red blood cells’ hemoglobin has iron](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_1321386587-blood-components-scaled.jpg)

**Iron:** Iron is a mineral that’s part of the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. It’s important in helping transfer oxygen to organs from the lungs and the syntheses of certain hormones. Deficiency leads to anemia, a depressed immune system, and impairment in temperature regulation and brain function.

**Magnesium:** Magnesium is a mineral that’s part of more than 300 enzyme reactions in the body. Deficiency leads to poor muscle and nerve function as well as impaired blood sugar and blood pressure control. Lack of magnesium can also result in abnormal heart rhythms (“arrythmias”), cramps, seizures, and more.

**Zinc:** Zinc is a mineral required for good immune function and wound healing. It also plays a part in normal protein and DNA synthesis, some enzymes, and cell division. Deficiency leads to depressed immune systems, hair loss, delayed wound healing, and eye and skin problems.

For recommended daily allowances (RDAs) of major vitamins and minerals, plus good food sources of the same, click the link below:

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary\_Reference\_Intake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_Reference_Intake)

It should be noted that some sources recommend higher quantities than are listed in the link. For example, it’s thought that more vitamin D in the diet than officially recommended may decrease the severity of respiratory infections.

Despite the risks of vitamin deficiencies, few people get enough vitamins and minerals in their diet. The family medic should be aware of this fact and ensure good nutrition via both healthy foods and, when necessary, supplements. In this way, they’ll have the best chance of keeping it together, even if everything else fall apart.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Mental Health In Survival, Pt. 1: Anxiety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-mental-health-in-survival-pt-1-anxiety/) 

 [Chronic Disease and Ultra-Processed Foods](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chronic-disease-and-ultra-processed-foods/)

**Categories:** Bones and Joints, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Vitamins and Minerals

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, mineral deficiency, risk factors for vitamin deficiencies, survival medicine, vitamin deficiency, vitamins vs minerals

---

### [Chronic Disease and Ultra-Processed Foods](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chronic-disease-and-ultra-processed-foods/)

**Published:** June 1, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102.jpg)

[**The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)**](https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm) report that fully six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease, like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Obesity is also recognized as a disease by [the American Medical Association](https://obesitymedicine.org/why-is-obesity-a-disease/); add in those who are “just” overweight, and you’ll have a hard time finding citizens that *don’t* run the risk of significant health issues over time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define [chronic disease](https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm) as a condition of one year’s duration (or more) that merits ongoing medical attention and/or curtails activities of daily living. The care required for those suffering from chronic disease runs into the trillions of dollars. This doesn’t just represent treatment for medical complications; it includes mental health issues affecting quality of life.

The prevalence of chronic disease has been rising in the U.S. for years, and it’s not just due to population increases. Advances in medical knowledge play a part. Not only do we recognize new chronic illnesses, such as chronic Lyme disease, “Long-haul” COVID syndrome, and some genetic conditions , but the criteria has been adjusted for some common problems. High blood pressure, for example, was once considered to be levels of 140/90 or greater. Now, the [American Heart Association defines hypertension](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings) to be 130/80 or greater. This added many, mostly older, patients to the rolls of those requiring medical intervention.

The rise in chronic disease numbers may be related to our tendency to choose [“ultra-processed” food](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-are-ultra-processed-foods-and-are-they-bad-for-our-health-2020010918605). Ultra-processed foods have added ingredients such as sugar, salt, fat, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and preservatives. A study by New York University revealed that ultra-processed food consumption had risen to 57 percent of American caloric intake by 2018. Examples of these foods are frozen meals, soft drinks, cold cuts, fast food, packaged cookies, cakes, and salty snacks. What is concerning is that, at the same time, the number of those suffering from chronic disease skyrocketed. This is no coincidence. Ultra-processed foods lead to the development of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/potato-chips-225x300.jpg)Yep, ultra-processed](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/potato-chips-scaled.jpg)

The U.K. National Diet and Nutrition Survey confirmed that frequent consumption of ultra-processed food increased free sugars, carbohydrates, and sodium in daily diets, which increased the risk of several chronic diseases. As well, significant intake of ultra-processed foods generally meant less protein and fiber intake.

A safer alternative is the intake of unprocessed foods. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods are whole foods in which the vitamins and nutrients are intact in a natural state (or close to it). Of course, some food is minimally processed: That is, inedible parts may have been removed or the item may, for instance, have been dehydrated, boiled, frozen, or roasted in order to make it safe to eat or properly store.

How can you tell? Read the package to get an idea of the additives, like sugar, incorporated in the food in question. Some make common sense: A potato by itself is unprocessed. Baking processes it but, if the skin is retained, keeps most of its nutrients. Frying it up to make French fries ultra-processes it. A carrot is unprocessed, carrot juice is processed but retains its benefits (minus some fiber), carrot cake is ultra-processed and does not. Grains of wheat are unprocessed. Turning it into flour processes it. Making cookies, well….

Ultra-processing food depletes its nutritional value. Without the vitamins and minerals, you might as well be eating cardboard. Maybe worse: You probably won’t worsen your diabetes or heart disease if you ate a cardboard box (don’t try it, though!). To combat chronic disease, stick with minimally processed or unprocessed whole foods. You’ll be healthier for it.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![A loaded first aid kit with medical supplies for trauma,burns, sprains and strains and other medical issues](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic.jpg)Stomp Supreme Survival Trauma Kit by Doom and Bloom MedicalHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vitamin-and-mineral-deficiencies/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bleeding, Ticks and Lyme, Herbal Meds, Dental, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bleeding-ticks-and-lyme-herbal-meds-dental-more/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Nutrition, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** chronic disease, chronic illness, joe alton md, medical preparedness, minimally processed food, survival medicine, ultra-processed food, unprocessed food

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bleeding, Ticks and Lyme, Herbal Meds, Dental, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bleeding-ticks-and-lyme-herbal-meds-dental-more/)

**Published:** May 27, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)

In this extended episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Joe Alton, MD, FACS, FACOG, and Amy Alton APRN, CNM go into various diverse topics! Dr. Joe Alton discusses bleeding issues in honor of National Stop The Bleed Day, then pivots, as school ends, to the Great Outdoors and the ticks that inhabit it.

Nurse Amy goes into making herbal meds and tells you how to put together a good herbal first aid kit, and Dr. Bones answers a listener’s questions about preventing dental cavities with various products you can stockpile for times of trouble.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton,aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

### To listen in, click below:

### ****

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy AltonHey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Chronic Disease and Ultra-Processed Foods](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chronic-disease-and-ultra-processed-foods/) 

 [Bleeding Control: Pressure and Tourniquets](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-pressure-and-tourniquets/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Amy Alton ARNP, Bleeding Wound, Civil Unrest, Dental Issues, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Herbal Remedies, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, bleeding control, dental cavities, hemorrhage, herbal first aid kit, herbal meds, joe alton md, lyme disease, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tick bites

---

### [All About Ticks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-ticks/)

**Published:** May 19, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_24041587-tick-lyme-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_24041587-tick-lyme.jpg)

In situations where people find themselves spending a lot of time outdoors, they’ll be exposed to all sorts of creatures that want to make a meal of them. I’m not talking about packs of wolves or grizzly bears: In this case, I’m talking about ticks. As many tick-borne illnesses are treatable in the early stages, the family medic must know how to quickly identify and treat these conditions.

Ticks are well-known carriers (also known as “vectors”) of disease-causing organisms that affect humans, pets, and wildlife. As a matter of fact, they’re responsible for the vast majority of vector-borne diseases in the U.S. They’re not just a problem in the States: Ticks exist worldwide, with about 25 of the almost 900 known species being of medical importance. In extreme cases, they can be a severe threat to long-term health.

You might think of ticks as insects, but they are actually eight- legged arachnids related to scorpions and spiders. The range and “season” for ticks seems to be increasing, with the National Institute of Health blaming higher temperatures in recent years as the reason. For example, the blacklegged or deer tick now ranges all the way from the East coast to the South to the Upper Midwest. The Western blacklegged tick covers the entire Pacific coast. Others are more regional, such as the Lone Star Tick, mostly found in (you guessed it) Texas.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_287842529-tick-bite-entire-head-in-wound-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_287842529-tick-bite-entire-head-in-wound-scaled.jpg)

Ticks survive by biting the skin of a host and extracting a meal of blood. Unfortunately, they also transmit various disease-causing microbes to humans and animals through their infected saliva. The CDC recognizes more than fifteen, including:

- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Tularemia
- Babesiosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Ehrlichiosis
- Relapsing Fever

**LIFE CYCLE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tick-life-cycle-american-dog-300x220.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tick-life-cycle-american-dog.jpg)

Ticks have a life cycle that can last two to three years and includes egg, larva, juvenile (also called “nymph”), and adult stages. As an adult, some tick species, like the blacklegged tick, are only as big as a sesame seed. Others, like the American dog tick, are larger.

For a larva to develop into a nymph or for a nymph to develop into an adult, a blood meal in needed. It appears that the nymphs cause the most cases of Lyme Disease. The CDC estimates that about 30 percent of all ticks in the Northeast and Upper Midwest carry the organism, Borrelia, that causes the disease.

Ticks don’t jump like fleas do; they don’t fly like, well, flies. Usually, ticks hang on grasses and bushes, holding on with their back pairs of legs and latching onto passersby with their front pair(s). The larvae like to live in leaf litter. In inhabited areas, they can be found in shaded woodpiles, leaf piles, or tall grass. To pass along a disease to animals or humans, ticks must first find their hosts by detecting smells, sensing body heat, or feeling vibrations from movement. When the tick latches onto its victim, its mouth parts pierce the skin and start extracting blood.

Without finding an actual tick attached and feeding, it’s hard to tell one insect bite from any other. While there may be a small, red bump after the tick detaches, some experience a more expanded area of irritation and itching. The appearance of acute Lyme disease is a little different and will be discussed in my next article.

Given the risk for disease, a thorough examination of the entire body for ticks is warranted within two hours of returning from a day outdoors. This is most easily accomplished during a shower. Look behind the knees, in armpits, around the ears, hair, groin and even the belly button (navel). Be especially certain to examine dogs and children as well when they return from a day outdoors. Inspect clothing and backpacks for ticks as well.

**TICK REMOVAL**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/how-to-remove-a-tick-300x195.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/how-to-remove-a-tick.jpg)

Once found, it’s important to remove the tick as soon as possible. It may be possible to just brush or wash it off if it hasn’t bitten you yet. If that doesn’t work, the simplest method is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the bug as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull straight up in an even manner. Twisting as you pull or pulling at an angle may cause the mouth parts to remain in the skin.

After removal, thoroughly clean the wound area with soap and water or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and apply antibiotic ointment. Wash your hands afterwards. As an added precaution, launder clothing in hot water and dry in high heat. If all this is done soon after the bite occurs, infection is highly unlikely.

There are other methods of tick removal, such as using specially-designed instruments, smothering it with petroleum jelly, even lighting it on fire. No method, however, is more effective that simply pulling it straight out.

**PREVENTION OF TICK BITES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_28380934-activities-of-daily-survival-272x300.jpg)At-risk individual](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_28380934-activities-of-daily-survival.jpg)

An ounce of prevention is, they say, worth a pound of cure, and this old saying is particularly relevant when it comes to infections caused by tick bites. For prevention, consider:

- Long pants and sleeves while on the trail.
- Thick socks and high-top boots (tuck your pants into them).
- Walking in the center of trails to avoid brushing up against vegetation.
- Using insect repellants like DEET (20% or greater) on skin (oil of citronella or lemon eucalyptus are natural alternatives).
- Applying Permethrin 0.5% insecticide to clothing, hats, shoes, and camping gear 24-48 hours before using (proper application will even withstand laundering). It is not useful for application to skin, however.
- Thorough exams after a day outdoors, again, paying special attention to children and dogs.

Although not technically associated with poor hygiene, ticks are often first detected while bathing. This means that failure to bathe may allow them to remain on the body and increase the chance of disease transmission. Be sure to enforce good hygiene in your group members. If you do, you’ll be better able to keep it together, even if everything else falls apart. The next article below covers Lyme Disease

> [What You Should Know About Lyme Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-should-know-about-lyme-disease/)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead-300x225.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)

**Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [What You Should Know About Lyme Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-should-know-about-lyme-disease/) 

 [Blood-Clotting Alternatives: Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blood-clotting-alternatives-part-2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Insect Stings and Bites, Tick-borne illness

**Tags:** diseases caused by tick bites, joe altonmd, lyme disease, medical preparedness, survivalmedicine, tick bite prevention, tick bites, tick removal

---

### [Bleeding Control: Pressure and Tourniquets](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-pressure-and-tourniquets/)

**Published:** May 25, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-scaled.jpg)

In these troubled times, traumatic wounds may be commonplace is scenarios where there is civil unrest or failure to enforce the rule of law. In survival scenarios, daily activities may cause injuries that could be life-threatening. Therefore, the person medically responsible for a family or mutual assistance group must always be prepared for the worst possible injuries in good times or bad. Some of these, especially those that cause bleeding in the abdomen and chest, are likely to be fatal without advanced medical care. This article is written on National Stop The Bleed Day, a national acknowledgment of the importance of learning to control hemorrhage.

### **How To Apply Direct Pressure**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Direct-Pressure-AAltoncopyright-300x202.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Direct-Pressure-AAltoncopyright-e1459285591364.jpg)

We’ve established in previous articles that, when you encounter a person with a bleeding wound, the first course of action is to stop the hemorrhage. In the grand majority of mild-moderate cases, direct pressure on the bleeding vessel might stop bleeding all by itself.

The medic should always have nitrile gloves in his or her pack; Gloves will help prevent the wound from contamination by a “dirty” hand. Try to avoid touching the palm or finger portions of the gloves as you put them on. If there are no gloves, grab a bandanna or other barrier; thick is better than thin. Although clean hands are important, don’t spend a lot of time looking for the hand sanitizer. Expose the wound and stop the bleeding immediately.

If you have a medical kit, you will have to get to the items you need. In this case, you can temporarily apply pressure on the wound with a knee to keep hands free for the few seconds it should take to access your equipment. Always keep the bleeding control items obviously accessible to anyone, as there may be circumstances when *you’re* the victim.

There isn’t a great deal of consensus regarding the proper way to apply direct pressure, but some actions are just common sense. Hold a barrier dressing or cloth item in one hand and place directly on the bleeding area. Place the other hand on top of the first and, arms straight, position the most weight directly over the wound and press downward. This will give the maximum amount of pressure possible on the bleeding area (usually, the part of the wound closest to the torso). Your goal is to allow the body to form a clot in the bleeding blood vessel, which stops bleeding long-term.

Bleeding in an extremity may sometimes be slowed by elevating the limb, while still maintaining direct pressure, above the level of the heart. This decreases the blood pressure in the limb and, thus, the force by which blood leaves the body. Although this strategy doesn’t always work, it’s unlikely to worsen the situation.

### **When Direct Pressure Doesn’t Work**

It may become apparent very quickly that direct pressure is failing to work. Bleeding that doesn’t respond to direct pressure and may become life-threatening is characterized by:

- Blood spurting or pouring out.
- Clothes saturating with blood.
- Amputation injury.
- Victim becoming confused, disoriented, or loses consciousness.

If life-threatening bleeding involves an extremity, it is time to skip or abandon direct pressure and immediately place a tourniquet. Waiting will only cause further loss of precious oxygen-carrying blood.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/curved-hemostat-amazon-scaled-e1685029358487-300x289.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/curved-hemostat-amazon-scaled-e1685029358487.jpg)

For those with training, a curved instrument known as a “**hemostat**” can be used to clamp a damaged vessel. This should only be done if you can easily reach and clearly visualize the point of bleeding. The vessel is then tied off with suture string. This isn’t always possible, as transected veins and arteries may retreat into the soft tissue, especially in those who are obese.

If bleeding is controlled at this point, pack the wound tightly with dressings towards the bleeding blood vessel (see below for detailed instructions) and cover with a pressure bandage.

### **Commercially Available Tourniquets**

Since tourniquets became a recommended first course of action for heavy bleeding, quite a few have come onto the market. Let’s review some of the tourniquets available for inclusion in your survival medical storage. Note: All of the below require practice to place appropriately.

(Note: “Nurse” Amy has a series of instructional videos on several types of individual tourniquets and their placement, how to stop bleeding, “The Ten Principles of Tourniquet Use,” plus much more on [**our YouTube channel titled “drbones nurseamy.”**](https://www.youtube.com/@DrBonesNurseAmy))

Tourniquets are generally grouped in two categories: Inflatable or “pneumatic” and non-inflatable (most commonly found in medical kits). Many of these are possible to be applied with one hand by the casualty if necessary. Your choices include:

### **Non-Inflatable Tourniquets**

**The CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet):** The current generation of CAT tourniquets (Gens 7) has a wide 2.4-inch Velcro band and a one-handed hard plastic bar called a “windlass.” The windlass tightens the band, which should be placed 2 inches or higher above the wound. The windlass can then be secured into place to allow the caregiver use of both hands. The TCCC recommends several tourniquets; the CAT is preferred by the committee.

**The SOFT-T (Special Operations Forces Tourniquet):** Developed in response to concerns about the sturdiness of the plastic windlass in the CAT tourniquet, the SOF-T has a windlass made of fuselage-grade aluminum. A sturdy buckle eliminates the need for threading the tourniquet and secures the strap in place. Like the CAT tourniquet, it is also TCCC approved; newer generations with different designs are available.

**The SAM-XT Extremity Tourniquet:** Designed by the maker of Structural Aluminum Malleable (SAM) splints, the SAM XT is another option approved by the TCCC. Slack is the main cause of failed tourniquet application; SAM XT’s buckle technology auto-locks at a predetermined amount of circumferential force, eliminating nearly all tourniquet slack.

**The MATCOMBAT (Mechanical Advantage Tourniquet):** This tourniquet is a cuff with a “key” that you wind like an old-fashioned wind-up toy. There is a spot on the MAT that, when pressed, releases pressure instantly. Pressure may also be released by disengaging the buckle (which must be clipped into place at the beginning of the procedure). Best used with two hands.

**The SWAT Tourniquet:** SWAT stands for “Stretch, Wrap, And Tuck.” The SWAT tourniquet is a wide elastic band that can serve as a tourniquet or pressure dressing, and is very simple to use. It is compact, lightweight, inexpensive, and effective on very small children or adults and animals. The SWAT is often carried as a backup to other tourniquets due to its versatility. A SWAT tourniquet is able to be placed higher than military style tourniquets, and may be used to stop bleeding even in the groin, shoulder, and axilla (armpit). It can serve as a pressure dressing, an elastic (ACE) wrap, a sling, and also to stabilize splints. This is one of the few tourniquets that does not have a risk of pressure loss (re-bleeding) shortly after placement, as it maintains steady pressure to the tissue underneath.

**The Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet-Tactical (RMT-T):** Another ratcheting-style (self-locking) tourniquet, the RMT-T is lightweight and compact, but is marketed, at present, mostly for law enforcement and military use. TCCC approved.

**The Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT):** The TMT claims to be faster than other tourniquets for both one- and two-handed use, with a wider band and dual locking system to prevent **pressure loss**, a common problem that occurs shortly after application of non-elastic tourniquets and may start re-bleeding. Targeted for adults and older children. TCCC approved.

**The TX2-inch and TX3-inch tourniquet:** Another wide-strap ratcheting (self-locking) tourniquet meant for rapid one- or two-handed use. TCCC approved.

**The Parabelt:** The Parabelt is a utility belt designed for daily wear that becomes a ratcheting tourniquet with a self-locking system when needed. Available in several different sizes.

**The RATS (Rapid Application Tourniquet System):** The RATS tourniquet is essentially a flattened bungee cord that is wrapped around the extremity above the wound and then fitted into a metal clip to maintain pressure. Relatively inexpensive, it must be placed appropriately to avoid ligature effects on the skin. Each successive coil of the cord must be placed next to, not on top of, the first coil around the extremity. One of the few tourniquets that may work effectively on small children and pets.

**PNEUMATIC TOURNIQUETS**

**The EMT (Emergency and Military Tourniquet):** Commonly used in operating rooms, pneumatic tourniquets are reminiscent of a blood pressure cuff and are inflated until bleeding stops and pulses disappear. It is important to make sure the application avoids crinkling or folding of the cuff to avoid skin damage and other issues. This item imparts the unique ability of knowing exactly how much pressure is being applied. TCCC approved.

**The TPT2 and TPT3 (Tactical Pneumatic Tourniquet 2-inch and 3-inch versions):** Another brand of pneumatic tourniquet, it’s highly effective in stopping hemorrhage, but took slightly longer than the EMT to apply in one comparison study. The TPT2 is TCCC approved.

**JUNCTIONAL TOURNIQUETS**

In addition to tourniquets for extremity wounds, there are “junctional” tourniquets which are meant to be used in areas like the groin, pelvis, and underarm. For specialized tourniquets in junctional areas like the armpit, pelvis, hip, and groin, the TCCC guidelines approve the use of the **Combat Ready Clamp (CRoC), SAM Junctional Tourniquet (SAM-JT),** and **Junctional Emergency Treatment Tool (JETT).** These use mechanical or pneumatic compression to achieve their goals, but are more complex to use than extremity tourniquets. A minority of life-threatening wounds in the field will occur in these locations, however.

Be aware that there are many products available online that are imitations of the real thing. When investing in life-saving equipment, it’s important to know its origin. For example, CAT tourniquets are distributed in the USA only by North American Rescue; they do not have a jumping “cat” logo as some imitations do.

### **The iTClamp**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/itclamp-7-back-225x300.jpeg)Two iTClamps in place](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/itclamp-7-back.jpeg)

Fully 38 percent of civilian bleeding injuries and 42 percent of battlefield wounds involve the head and neck. Penetrating neck injuries are particularly concerning, as the death rate can range up to 50 percent. A simple item for hemorrhage control approved by the military’s TCCC guidelines for head and neck bleeding is the [**iTClamp**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxDJJCbw2Zo). The iTClamp is not a tourniquet, but a hemorrhage control device for use in the extremities, underarm, groin, scalp, and neck, where wound edges are close together and tourniquet use is not an option.

The iTClamp® works by closing the skin breach overlying a wound. This action forms a collection of blood (a “**hematoma**”) inside the wound cavity that generates pressure which reduces further blood loss from the injured vessel. The action of the device is similar to applying direct pressure, while leaving the medic’s hands free to perform other duties. It’s compact enought that several can be carried by the medic. It is placed similarly to how you place a clamp to hold documents together. An added benefit of the iTClamp® is that it does not require additional direct pressure once deployed. Of course, in neck wounds, close monitoring of the airway is important.

### **Packing A Bleeding Wound**

Some wounds that are deep or wide may require packing gauze dressings tightly towards the bleeding blood vessel while maintaining firm pressure at all times. If possible, fill the wound all the way to the skin surface. If you don’t have special blood-clotting gauze, use plain bandages, dressings, or even clean cloth to pack the wound. Vacuum-packed dressings (also called “compressed gauze”) are so compact that it’s easy to fit several into your pack. They’re an excellent addition to medical storage.

Packing of wounds with dressings is useful in many situations, but not all. Wounds of the neck, for example, are problematic due to the risk of compressing airways. Packing injuries in the abdomen, pelvis, and chest may not be effective due to the depth of the bleeding vessels. This is one reason why, in an off-grid setting, the death rate (called “mortality”) from these wounds is so high. Statistics from the Civil War put mortality rates for major injuries in these regions at close to 70 percent. This figure might also be expected in long-term austere settings.

To pack a deep or wide wound:

- Use specialized hemostatic gauze (QuikClot, ChitoSam, Celox, etc.); if not available, use clean gauze or cotton.
- Pack towards the bleeding blood vessel directly.
- Keep two fingers firmly against the gauze in the wound and use one or two fingers of the other hand to push in successive folds of gauze.
- Quickly move the fingers inside the wound over the new folds of gauze to maintain pressure against the bleeding vessel.
- Add more folds of gauze quickly until the entire wound is filled.
- Maintain direct firm pressure towards the bleeding vessel for at least 10 minutes (3 minutes for hemostatic gauze).

What if you don’t have hemostatic gauze and more than one dressing is required to keep the wound from bleeding? If so, don’t remove the dressings that are in place, even if soaked. Removing them may disturb forming clots. Just add more on top. If you, however, *do* have hemostatic dressings like QuikClot and they become saturated, remove and place a new one *directly on* the bleeding vessel. Their action depends on direct contact with the bleeding vessel to help form a clot.

It’s important to make sure that you begin the packing process and put the most pressure where the damaged blood vessel is located. For example, if the blood was coming from the top (closest to the torso) of a large wound, start packing there and apply firm and direct pressure. You’re especially trying to pack against intact bone, for example, the humerus in the upper arm. This increases the effectiveness of the packing.

If bleeding is controlled at this point, cover with a pressure bandage like the Israeli Battle Dressing, also called the “Emergency Bandage”, a pile of gauze pads covered with an ace wrap or other stretchy wrap, or thick cotton material (sterile is best) covered in wraps of fabric.

Here’s Nurse Amy’s demonstration of a bystander encountering a victim of an active shooter, using [our bleeding control kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-for-bleeding-grab-n-go/) that’s used at schools, churches, and other public venues:

### **Non-Extremity Bleeding**

In off grid scenarios, the control of major bleeding in non-extremity sites, where tourniquets or pressure dressings are not effective, can be the greatest challenge to saving lives. Abdominal injuries are the least compressible wounds and there is usually little that can be done without rapid access to modern medical facilities. Survival rates will be lower from these injuries.

A **junctional hemorrhage** is defined as bleeding from certain areas where the torso meets the extremities, i.e., the base of the neck, shoulder, axilla (armpit), perineum (area between the vagina and anus), buttocks, and groin.

Principles of non-extremity tourniquets and hemostatic gauze packing:

- Junctional tourniquets, if available, should be used for axillary and groin hemorrhage as the first option. If not available, use hemostatic gauze.
- All hemostatic gauze should be packed tightly towards the bleeding vessel and held in place for at least three minutes with firm direct pressure. Add additional hemostatic gauze or plain gauze to tightly pack and fill up wound after bleeding stops. If bleeding is under control, do not remove hemostatic gauze while packing the wound.

### **Common Mistakes While Treating Hemorrhage**

Errors committed in the approach to bleeding wounds can lead to tragic consequences. Some common mistakes include:

- Panic leading to inaction.
- Not applying firm direct pressure to the wound.
- Hesitating to apply a tourniquet in cases of heavy or life-threatening bleeding.
- Failing to apply pressure to a hemostatic dressing for the required three minutes.
- Loosening and retightening of tourniquets.
- Lack of equipment in at-risk situations.

Obviously, there’s a lot more to it than what’s in this article. In future articles, we’ll the discuss the best way to control hemorrhage by its location on the body.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

Hey, learn more about bleeding and 200 other medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,** available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at[ **store.doomandbloom.net**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)! Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

Also, please support our friends at Prepper Website by checking out this article:

> [The Best Survival Axe: Your Ultimate Tool for Wilderness Thriving](https://www.prepperwebsite.com/the-best-survival-axe-your-ultimate-tool-for-wilderness-thriving/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Bleeding, Ticks and Lyme, Herbal Meds, Dental, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-bleeding-ticks-and-lyme-herbal-meds-dental-more/) 

 [What You Should Know About Lyme Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-should-know-about-lyme-disease/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets

**Tags:** bleeding control, bleeding wounds, hemorrhage control, joe alton md, medical preparedness, packing a bleeding wound, survival medicine, tourniquets

---

### [Civil Unrest Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/civil-unrest-safety/)

**Published:** June 2, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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As a [Free Speech](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/) advocate, I support the people’s right to protest and make their opinions heard. Unfortunately, demonstrations in the U.S. these days are becoming more frequent and violent. After a short break due to the pandemic, people are again out in the streets. Some have legitimate concerns; others, however, have bad intentions.

My daughter lives in [Chicago](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-protests-looting-demonstrators-march-transit-shut-down/2281679/) in a high-rise apartment building. Last night, the pharmacy on the bottom floor was broken into and looted. Luckily, no fires were set. She has a golden retriever, however, and dogs need to be walked. Hence, I worry: How can she stay safe in such an environment?

I haven’t been to a protest since the Vietnam era. On the way to class, I happened to blunder into a wave of people that were escaping a cloud of tear gas. Back then, I was fit enough to hightail it out of there. Today, I can’t say the same.

There is so much civil unrest in the news these days that it’s a good idea to have a riot survival strategy, whether you’re an active participant or just a bystander.

It goes without saying that your objective should be to stay away from the where the violence is occurring. If you walk smack dab into a demonstration, things can get dicey pretty fast.

I’ve written a lot about [**situational awareness**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-ooda-loop-of-situational-awareness/), and that mindset will serve you well. Here are some simple tips that will help you avoid injury at a protest:

1\. Always be in a state of “**[Yellow Alert](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-ooda-loop-of-situational-awareness/)**”. Yellow alert simply means being aware of your surroundings and the people around you. When people are behaving strangely, take note and avoid them.

2\. Always mentally map out routes of escape as you walk along. Where’s the nearest side street? Is there a building or subway entrance that will get you off the street? If you don’t know the area, move away to where you know the lay of the land.

3\. If you have to make your way through the crowd, stay on the fringes. Don’t get caught in the midst of masses of people surging away (or towards) the violence. If you do, *they* are deciding your movements, not you.

4\. Avoid confrontation with protesters. Don’t engage in a political discussion of the latest controversies. It’s probably not a good idea to wear your political convictions on your T-shirt or had., wear it judiciously. In the wrong place and the wrong time, this has gotten women pepper-sprayed and men beaten.

5\. Have a bandanna handy. This classic survival supply isn’t a gas mask, per se, but most people have a face covering in these pandemic times. It’s better than nothing at riots when tear gas is sprayed. Some advocate the soaking of the cloth with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to counteract tear gas, but others consider this to be an urban myth.

6\. Wear sneakers or other footwear that will allow you the most mobility. The only women wearing heals are (foolhardy) reporters. Make sure you’re well-clothed so that your skin is protected. You’ll need to wash clothes thoroughly that have been exposed to tear gas, or throw them away.

7\. Be aware of the movement of law enforcement officers, but don’t approach them. Their job is tough enough, and they won’t be able to hear you above the roar of the crowd.

8\. Don’t run if you can help it. Unless everyone else is running, you will attract unwanted attention. Walk fast and purposefully around a corner, to higher ground, or another safe spot.

9\. Be inconspicuous. This may be difficult if you’re 6 foot 7 inches tall, but otherwise, do you best to be “[the gray man](https://urbansurvivalsite.com/gray-man-tips-help-blend-crisis/)”.

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/shutterstock_87231472.jpg) Don’t stand out in a crowd  

10\. If you’re with friends, stay together. If you can’t, agree on a meeting place beforehand in case you get separated moving through the crowd.

11\. Avoid being caught against walls, fences, blockades, or other solid objects. People can get crushed by masses of protesters.

12\. If you’re heading into an area of civil unrest, ask yourself “Is this trip necessary?”. Carry some water, milk, or diluted liquid antacid (like Maalox) in a container. If sprayed with tear gas, move quickly into an area of fresh air and pour the liquid on your face (especially your eyes). Drink it if sprayed in the mouth. Milk or liquid antacid are thought by some to work better than water, but there’s no hard data one way or another. The effects of the tear gas will resolve over a relatively short time in most cases.

13\. If you’re traveling in or through any area experiencing violence, carry a basic[ medical kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) that will help to treat injuries and stop bleeding.

I used to say that It’s likely you’ll never get caught in a civil unrest event, but I’m no longer so sure. Having a solid plan of action in these troubled times just makes common sense. We must be prepared for man-made disasters just as we should be prepared for hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Check out Prepper Website’s interesting article on pepper spray and other tools for self-defense in times of trouble. Go to: [ https://www.prepperwebsite.com/best-pepper-spray-a-comprehensive-guide-to-choosing-the-right-self-defense-tool/](https://www.prepperwebsite.com/best-pepper-spray-a-comprehensive-guide-to-choosing-the-right-self-defense-tool/)

Joe Alton MD

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-1024x867.jpg) Dr. Alton  

Get medical kits, personal protection gear, and individual supplies for your survival medicine cabinet by visiting Nurse Amy’s store at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Riot Safety, Suture Choices](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-riot-safety-suture-choices/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Zinc, Societal Changes, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-zinc-societal-changes-more/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, civil unrest, joe alton md, medical preparedness, protest safety, protest survival, riot safety, riot survival, situational awareness, survival medicine

---

### [What You Should Know About Lyme Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-should-know-about-lyme-disease/)

**Published:** May 21, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_24041587-tick-lyme-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_24041587-tick-lyme.jpg)

In our last article, we discussed general aspects of those tiny but problematic arachnids: ticks. Perhaps the most well-known disease transmitted by ticks is Lyme Disease.

Spring and Fall are seasons that ticks are commonly known to bite humans. The most well-known disease passed by ticks to humans is known as “Lyme disease.” Lyme disease was unknown until about 1975, where it was first diagnosed in the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Since then, Lyme has become the most common tick-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere, so common that May is officially Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

Lyme Disease is caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. Another species, Borrelia mayonii, has also been shown to also cause the disease. Both are carried by *Ixodes scapularis*, also known as the blacklegged or deer tick, in the East, upper Midwest, and all the way down south to Texas. The western blacklegged tick (*Ixodes pacificus*) can be found all along the Pacific coast. Ticks are responsible for more than Lyme disease; they’re also responsible for transmitting babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and other infections.

In settings where winters are milder and acorns abundant, the population of animals that ticks like to feed upon increases. These include mice, a favorite of baby ticks, and deer, popular targets for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are estimating many tens of thousands of Lyme cases in humans per year (three times the number reported 20 years ago).

**SYMPTOMS OF ACUTE LYME DISEASE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_537518422-bulls-eye-rash-lyme-tick-300x218.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_537518422-bulls-eye-rash-lyme-tick-scaled.jpg)

Sometimes, the presence of a tick on the body goes unnoticed. Indeed, by itself the bite wound is not medically significant and transmission of Lyme disease by a biting tick is rare in the first 24 hours. Once at least 24-48 hours have passed, however, Lyme bacteria is more likely to be passed to the host by the tick. Symptoms can become apparent anywhere from three days to a month afterwards. You will usually see:

- Rashes
- Fever and chills
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Joint pain

In about 70 per cent of patients, the rash occurs before the fever and starts as a bump with redness in the area of the bite. It often then develops into a red ring-like “bull’s-eye” that feels warm to the touch. Alternatively, some may present with a spreading, crusty, splotchy area of redness, a red oval plaque, or a bluish rash. Skin tone may affect the appearance.

Usually, very little pain or itching is associated. This pattern, which spreads over time, is called “**erythema migrans**” and may be enough to confirm the diagnosis. Lyme Disease, however, may be missed or misdiagnosed if symptoms are mild or, especially, if the tick bite was missed by the examiner.

**TREATMENT OF LYME DISEASE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/shutterstock_89589424-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/shutterstock_89589424.jpg)

When a bite from a blacklegged tick is newly identified, the use of antibiotics may prevent Lyme Disease. A single preventative dose of two 100mg tablets of doxycycline may suffice or 4.4m/kg for children of any age weighing less than 20 kg (about 45 pounds).g

Once there is the presence of erythema migrans, rapid treatment can still result in a cure. Symptoms, however, may last for a time after treatment. Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 14-28 days is indicated, or in children (must be over 8 years old) 4mg/kg twice a day for 14-28 days (max of 100mg per dose) Avoid doxycycline in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Alternatively, Amoxicillin can be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women at dosages of 500mg 3 times/day for 14-28 days. 50mg/kg is the dose for children younger than eight years of age (maximum 500mg 3x/day). Azithromycin has been mentioned as a second alternative. Although less effective, it can be used in those allergic to Penicillin-family drugs. These antibiotics are still available, at the time of this writing, in non-prescription **veterinary equivalents.**

**CHRONIC LYME DISEASE**

As Lyme disease is often missed in its early stages, some people progress to a late stage that results in a more diverse and complex set of symptoms. These may occur months after the tick bite and include:

- Neck pain and stiffness.
- Severe headaches.
- Multiple rashes away from the site of the bite.
- Joint pain and swelling in knees and other large joints.
- **Bell’s palsy** (nerve damage that causes drooping on one side of the face).
- Heart problems such as irregular heartbeats.
- Dizziness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Inflammation of the spinal cord (called “meningitis”).
- Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands, feet, or face.
- Memory loss.

Many of the above symptoms may persist for long periods. As of yet, there is not a proven cure or vaccine for chronic or late-stage Lyme disease. Treat the individual symptoms if possible.

**OTHER TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_88477075-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_88477075.jpg)

In our last article, we listed 15 different diseases passed by tick bites. They included:

**ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER:** Carried by the Rocky Mountain wood tick or species of dog tick, infection with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever features a red rash which usually develops about 3 days after fever begins. The rash may vary in appearance during the course of the disease from splotches to pinpoint dots. Almost all sufferers will get the rash, but it may appear later in the illness, making early diagnosis difficult. Left untreated, severe damage to blood vessels may require amputation of digits or limbs. Like Lyme disease, treatment with doxycycline at the very beginning gives the best results.

**EHRLICHIOSIS:** Caused by a bacterium transmitted by the Lone Star tick, symptoms from infection usually present within 7-14 days after being bitten. The appearance of the rash sometimes follows a fever and ranges from spotty, flat or with raised areas, to multiple small purplish areas (called “petechiae”). Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Like many other tick-borne diseases, early treatment with doxycycline may be effective.

**BABESIOSIS**

Babesiosis is a disease caused by parasites that infect red blood cells. Most U.S. cases are caused by *Babesia microti* and are transmitted by the same species of tick that harbors the organism that causes Lyme disease. Symptoms appear within several weeks but may recur months later. These can include fever and chills, night sweats, fatigue, and head, muscle, and joint pain. GI symptoms like nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and appetite loss are also common, as is a dark appearance in the urine.

Other than the appearance of the rash, most other tick-borne diseases not mentioned above have a similar presentation. You can expect to see fever, chills, head and body aches, fatigue, and, sometimes, nausea and vomiting.

**PREVENTION OF TICK BITES AND DISEASES THEY CAUSE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-300x177.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-scaled.jpg)

An ounce of prevention is, they say, worth a pound of cure, and this old saying is particularly relevant when it comes to infections caused by tick bites. Although mentioned in our last article, preventive strategies bear repeating:

- Wear long pants and sleeves on the trail.
- Wear thick socks and high-top boots (tuck your pants into them).
- Walk in the center of trails to avoid brushing up against vegetation.
- Use insect repellants like DEET (20% or greater) on skin (oil of citronella or lemon eucalyptus are natural alternatives).
- Apply Permethrin 0.5% insecticide to clothing, hats, shoes, and camping gear 24-48 hours before using (proper application will even withstand laundering). It is not useful for application to skin, however.
- Perform thorough exams after a day outdoors, again, paying special attention to children and dogs. Also, inspect backpacks and clothes.

So, beware of lions and tigers and bears (oh my!), but also make certain to have a plan against ticks.

**Joe Alton MD**

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,** available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at[ **store.doomandbloom.net**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)! Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Bleeding Control: Pressure and Tourniquets](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-pressure-and-tourniquets/) 

 [All About Ticks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-ticks/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Joe Alton MD, Tick-borne illness

**Tags:** babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, joe alton md, lyme disease, lyme symptoms, medical preparedness, rocky mountain spotted fever, survival medicine, tick bites, tick-borne illness

---

### [Blood-Clotting Alternatives: Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blood-clotting-alternatives-part-2/)

**Published:** May 16, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-scaled.jpg)

For part 1 of this series, [click here](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blood-clotting-alternative-part-1/).

One of the most important skills for the family medic to master is the ability to rapidly stop bleeding (also known as “achieving **hemostasis**”). In survival scenarios, bleeding can occur from various sources: anything from a fall on uneven terrain to a hostile encounter with another group.

**NON-PLANT BLOOD CLOTTERS**

Last time, we discussed some plant-based options that, along with direct pressure, might help control bleeding. While a number of plants are reputed to have hemostatic properties, you might be surprised to know that the two main products used in the expensive commercial blood-clotters are actually 1) a type of fine clay and 2) the shells of shrimp and other crustaceans.

**KAOLIN CLAY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-0-300x218.jpg)Various template options for improvised hemostatic dressings](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-0-scaled.jpg)

**Kaolin** clay is the main ingredient in the popular commercial hemostatic agent QuikClot. Kaolin was once the main ingredient in the anti-diarrheal drug Kaopectate (it’s now Bismuth Subsalicylate, the same ingredient used in Pepto-Bismol). Contact between kaolin and blood immediately initiates the clotting process by activating Factor XII, a major player in the cascade of events that stops hemorrhage.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-1-300x182.jpg)Coating gauze in kaolin clay powder](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-1-scaled.jpg)

Kaolin is commercially available for purchase in powder form. Apply the clay powder directly to a bleeding wound or onto a dressing and then on the injury. Kaolin dressings can be improvised by coating cotton gauze or cloth in kaolin, dipping in water, and allowing to dry. Like the commercial version, firm direct pressure on the area for several minutes is required for full effect.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-2-300x187.jpg)Dip kaolin-coated dressing in water](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-3-300x184.jpg)Allow to dry or use a dehydrator](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-3-scaled.jpg)

It should be noted that kaolin does not cause burns when used. This is the reason that QuikClot switched to it years ago after bad experiences with the former main ingredient (known as zeolite).[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-4-300x224.jpg)End result using different materials as a template. From left: lap sponge, triangular bandage, gauze roll, bed sheet](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kaolin-clay-dressing-improv-4-scaled.jpg)

**CHITOSAN**

**Chitosan** is a naturally occurring part of the exoskeletons of crustaceans like shrimp. Processed in a way that prevents reactions in those allergic to shellfish, it’s highly effective as a blood-clotting agent and can be found in products like ChitoSam, Celox, and others.

When chitosan products come in contact with blood, they bond with it and form a gel plug which acts as a clot. Unlike kaolin, chitosan doesn’t use up the body’s clotting factors, something beneficial to those who may have a deficiency of these important substances. A victim on a blood thinner like Coumadin will still benefit from chitosan.

Chitosan can be purchased as a powder. Use vinegar to moisten gauze pads and dip both sides into a bowl of the powder just like you would bread a piece of chicken. Use a dehydrator or oven on low heat to make your own hemostatic dressings. Alternatively, freeze and, then, use dry ice in a covered container with holes to achieve a similar effect.

**OTHER OPTIONS**

Kaolin clay, animal, or botanical products may be the answer to bleeding control in some cases, but certain other common items have the potential to staunch blood loss. As mentioned in part 1, your results may vary, especially with significant hemorrhage.

**ICE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ice-1-300x222.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ice-1-scaled.jpg)

Like some astringent plants, applying ice to a wound will constrict small blood vessels. In minor bleeds, ice might allow a clot to form more quickly while reducing swelling. Wrap some ice with a barrier like a clean, dry cloth and place on the wound with pressure to avoid traumatizing skin.

**ANTIPERSPIRANTS**

Some antiperspirants contain **aluminum chloride**, another astringent that might constrict small blood vessels. Aluminum chloride as low as 5 percent concentration exerted a hemostatic effect through a chemical reaction and was deemed effective in a 2015 study. Aluminum sulfate, the ingredient in styptic pencils to treat bleeding from cuts incurred while shaving, is a related product.

**PETROLEUM JELLY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/petroleum-jelly-2-300x172.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/petroleum-jelly-2-scaled.jpg)

For shallow cuts, petroleum jelly may be an option to slow bleeding. You may have been a spectator at a boxing match where the manager treats his fighter’s injuries with it. Apply a layer on a minor bleed with direct pressure. Once the bleeding has stopped, blot the jelly off and clean the wound.

**TACTICAL TAMPONS?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tactical-tampon-1-300x172.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tactical-tampon-1-scaled.jpg)

Another improvisation meant to stop bleeding is the “**[tactical tampon](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-tactical-tampon/).**” There’s a persistent notion that this feminine sanitary product is an excellent addition to your medical kit. There are many, usually second-hand, accounts that these items saved the life of a soldier because a savvy medic made sure to have some on hand.

Despite testimonials to the opposite, I don’t believe this would work. Why not? After all, it might be the right size to plug a bullet hole. When a projectile strikes soft tissue at high speed, however, it creates a channel through which the projectile travels. As a matter of fact, it causes two channels: A permanent one caused by the actual path and a larger, temporary one caused by the energy wave released into the body by the round’s impact. Vessels and organs affected by this secondary shock wave might not be in the direct line of the permanent cavity (and the subsequent tampon placement), but can be damaged and easily bleed.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_1335830291-cavitation-ballistic-trauma-300x161.jpg)Cavitation of a projectile through ballistic gel](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_1335830291-cavitation-ballistic-trauma-scaled.jpg)

Bullets traveling at high speeds go deeper into the body than a tampon can reach. Plugging a hole, even one that looks like it could fit a tampon, doesn’t stop the hemorrhage inside. It just pools internally or finds an exit wound. The tampon would just conceal the bleeding, not stop it. Even the most absorbent tampon can only handle about 15 milliliters or so of blood. The rest has to go somewhere. Just because you don’t see a hemorrhage doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. “Successes” in the field were, probably, nightmares for the surgical team after tactical evacuation.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tactical-tampon-2-226x300.jpg)Total quantity of blood absorbed by a tampon](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tactical-tampon-2-scaled.jpg)

That doesn’t mean a tampon is completely useless from a medical standpoint. A tampon might work to help stop a nosebleed. Of course, it would work for its intended purpose as well.

Are the above improvised strategies as good as having high-tech commercially-made hemostatic dressings? Unfortunately, no. None of these improvisations would have the standardized production process that a commercially-manufactured dressing like QuikClot, Celox, or ChitoSam would. But if the commercial items run out and the options mentioned here are all you have, it could still make the difference between life and death.

As Teddy Roosevelt once said, “**Do what you can, with what you have, where you are**.”

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)

**Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!**[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![A loaded first aid kit with medical supplies for trauma,burns, sprains and strains and other medical issues](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic.jpg)Stomp Supreme Major Trauma and Comprehensive First Aid Kit by Doom and Bloom Medical, Amy Alton, ARNPHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [All About Ticks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-ticks/) 

 [Blood-Clotting Alternatives, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blood-clotting-alternative-part-1/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** blood clotters, hemorrhage control, hemostatic agents, joe alton md, joe altonmd, medical preparedness, natural alternatives for blood clotting, survival medicine

---

### [Blood-Clotting Alternatives, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blood-clotting-alternative-part-1/)

**Published:** May 14, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/bleeding-hemorrhage-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/bleeding-hemorrhage-scaled.jpg)

One of the most important skills for the family medic to master is the ability to rapidly stop bleeding (also known as “**achieving hemostasis**”). In survival scenarios, bleeding can occur from various sources; anything from a fall on uneven terrain to a hostile encounter with another group.

Failure to properly treat bleeding wounds can lead to unnecessary deaths among members of mutual assistance groups off the grid. The military has learned painful lessons on just how true this is. A 2013 study reported in Military Times found that a significant number of combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2001 and 2011 might have been survivable with rapid action from those at the scene.

The **Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care** (CoTCCC) was originally established by the United States Special Operations Command in 2002. Although administrative oversight has shifted over the years, the official responsibility for determining correct strategies still lies with its members, including specialized medical providers from the various armed services. A larger, working group is constantly identifying alternatives that might improve outcomes among our personnel.

The painful lessons learned by the military benefit the survival group medic. With the right knowledge, training, and equipment, lives can be saved. A caregiver with a tourniquet and the knowledge to properly use it will be more successful than one without. In addition to tourniquets, there are commercially-available hemorrhage control (also known as “hemostatic”) agents that effectively stop even heavy bleeding.

[![Image of Hemostatic Gauzes](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image-300x180.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image.jpg)Different commercial hemostatic gauze optionsThe ideal hemostatic agent is one that works quickly, is easily portable, has few complications, and does not interfere with tissue healing. It must also be available at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, the most effective dressings like QuikClot, Celox, ChitoSam, and others aren’t cheap; it would be difficult, financially, for the average citizen to stockpile enough to deal with multiple bleeding wounds. This is especially true in long-term disaster settings.

It’s clear that a caregiver in austere settings must improvise once the commercial supplies are gone. What options are out there that could help stop the bleed besides just applying direct pressure and hoping for the best?

Direct pressure with both hands and your full weight on the wound may be successful, but what if it isn’t? Wounds with mild to moderate bleeding but not amenable to tourniquet use may benefit from direct pressure and a natural blood-clotting agent.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-9-ALTON-DIRECT-PRESSURE-scaled.jpg)

**NATURAL HEMOSTATIC AGENTS**

What natural products would work to stop bleeding? The answer might be growing in your own backyard. Certain plants are known for their blood-clotting abilities; it’s important to either grow them in a medicinal garden or know where to find them in the Great Outdoors. Granted, some of the items listed below may not yet have hard scientific proof of effectiveness. Despite this, they might be all you have when the commercial materials run out.

**YARROW**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-13-ALTON-Yarrow-Powder-on-Gauze-300x222.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-13-ALTON-Yarrow-Powder-on-Gauze-scaled.jpg)

Yarrow (*Achillea millefolium*), was known in ancient times as “herba militaris” for its use in staunching the flow of blood from wounds. Indeed, the Greek hero Achilles is said to have carried it during the Trojan war. It’s native to temperate regions almost everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere from sea level to altitudes of 11,500 feet.

To stop bleeding, yarrow is normally used as a powder made from grinding dried leaves and flowers, but applying fresh plant material in a poultice is also acceptable. Cover with gauze and apply pressure. Elevate if the wound is in an extremity.

**CAYENNE PEPPER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cayenne-peppers-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cayenne-peppers-scaled.jpg)

Cayenne pepper (*Capsicum annuum*) isn’t just meant to spice up your meal: The capsaicin in it is thought to have a coagulating effect on mild bleeding as well as some antibacterial properties. To be effective, you have to use a lot of the most potent cayenne you can find in powder form. Pour it directly on the wound, cover with gauze or other cloth, and apply pressure for several minutes. Multiple applications may be needed.

Won’t cayenne pepper powder burn when applied? Having applied it on myself and seen it applied to bleeding injuries in dogs, the answer seems to be “not much.” Others, however, have told me it, indeed, does burn, so the response depends on the individual.

**TEA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-15-ALTON-Teabag-in-mouth-to-stop-bleeding-300x170.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-15-ALTON-Teabag-in-mouth-to-stop-bleeding-scaled.jpg)

For dental bleeding after an extraction, black or green tea (*Camellia sinensis*) may be used. Teas contain tannins, which are thought to help blood to clot by making vessels constrict. They may also have antiseptic properties. Teas with caffeine are thought to be more effective.

Take a tea bag that’s been steeped and allowed to cool. Wrap it in thin gauze and place on the bleeding area with pressure. For bleeding after a tooth extraction, have the patient bite down on the tea bag gently but firmly in the now-empty socket. If bleeding is from the inside of the cheek or other area in the oral cavity, place against the bleeding area and apply pressure on the area from outside with the mouth closed.

Some believe that tea compresses may also help with mild external cuts on the skin. Press a dry green or black tea bag against the wound, cover with gauze or other cloth, and apply pressure.

**WITCH HAZEL**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-11-ALTON-Witch-Hazel-and-Gauze-sqaures-300x284.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Recoil-Offgrid-46-Improvised-Hemostatics-11-ALTON-Witch-Hazel-and-Gauze-sqaures-scaled.jpg)

Witch hazel is a temperate North American shrub. “Witch” does not refer to practitioners of magic, but the Middle English word for “bendable.” Distilled witch hazel has an astringent effect which tightens skin, constricts small blood vessels, and promotes clotting. Apply a small amount to a compress and press on the wound. Pure witch hazel can be found at most drugstores.

Other common plants that have an astringent effect include plantain, rose, and horsetail. Be aware that people may sometimes be allergic to certain plants, so monitor closely for rashes, itching, or other signs of a reaction.

Many question the effectiveness of some of the options discussed in this article. I understand that but, in desperate times, desperate measures must be taken, and we must use all the tools in the medical woodshed. Remember what Theodore Roosevelt once said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

In part 2, we’ll discuss other options, plus how to improvise hemostatic dressings.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-300x225.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)

 **Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Blood-Clotting Alternatives: Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blood-clotting-alternatives-part-2/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Osteoarthritis, Tooth Extraction, Medicinal Gardens](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-osteoarthritis-tooth-extraction-medicinal-gardens/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** black tea, blood clotting alternatives, CoTCCC, hemostatic agents, joe alton md, medical preparedness, natural blood clotters, survival medicine, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, TCCC, witch hazel, yarrow

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Osteoarthritis, Tooth Extraction, Medicinal Gardens](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-osteoarthritis-tooth-extraction-medicinal-gardens/)

**Published:** May 3, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In a survival scenario, the family medic will be called on to care not only for medical issues, but dental as well. Military medics during the Vietnam War reported that they dealt with **dental problems** almost as often as medical. Therefore, the survival medic should expect much of the same. Dr. Joe Alton discusses a strategy that can take care of 90 percent of all dental emergencies: Extraction!

Plus, Dr.Joe and Nurse Amy discuss what you need to know to have a thriving **medicinal herb garden** underway well in advance of the zombie apocalypse! Everything about soil, cuttings, grow zones, etc. to get you on the learning curve for a successful supply of sustaining medicines.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014-300x237.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014.jpg)

Plus, Dr. Joe Alton answers some questions from a listener about **osteoarthritis**. Our moving parts get wear and tear, and osteoarthritis is the inevitable result. What you should know.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with the Altons!

**To listen in, click below:**

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/JoeAmyPortrait2013-200x300.jpg)The Altons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/JoeAmyPortrait2013.jpg)

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)** available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open-300x205.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Blood-Clotting Alternatives, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blood-clotting-alternative-part-1/) 

 [Medical Preparedness For Nuclear War](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-preparedness-for-nuclear-war/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Garden, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, dental extraction, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Medical preparedness begins with you, medicinal garden, myccorrhizae, osteoarthritis, survival medicine, tooth extraction

---

### [Medical Preparedness For Nuclear War](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-preparedness-for-nuclear-war/)

**Published:** May 1, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/shutterstock_529014751-earthquake-damage-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/shutterstock_529014751-earthquake-damage-scaled.jpg)

(This article was originally published in Backwoods Home Magazine)

Given the actions of certain authoritarian regimes in recent times, it stands to reason that the risk of an attack by a nuclear-capable nation may include the detonation of a thermonuclear bomb. [Weapons of mass destruction](https://www.dhs.gov/topics/weapons-mass-destruction#) abound in the arsenals of the world’s bad actors. More and more, they seem to have less reluctance to use them to achieve a goal. In this article, we discuss strategies to prevent and treat medical issues related to a detonation. The family medic must always have a plan of action for every type of disaster.

The medical issue you probably most associate with proximity to a nuclear explosion is, well, death. If you’re at the epicenter of a blast (“ground zero”), you’d be right. Having said that, survival may be possible if almost anywhere else. Although the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 killed 150,000 people, another 250,000 in the area survived long-term. Indeed, a Japanese citizen named Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in the vicinity of *both* World War II atomic bomb detonations (Hiroshima and Nagasaki); he survived and lived to reach the age of 93.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1173101074-nuclear-blast-abandoned-city-1-300x157.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1173101074-nuclear-blast-abandoned-city-1-scaled.jpg)

The damage caused by a nuclear bomb is related to its “**yield**,” the amount of energy produced in multiples of a thousand tons of TNT (a “**kiloton**”). The Hiroshima atomic bomb of 1945 had a yield of 15-kilotons. Just 16 years later, the Soviet Union developed and detonated a [51,000-kiloton weapon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsar_Bomba). Most modern warheads, however, are in the 100-500 kiloton range. This is because they’re meant to be fired at a target in clusters harder to intercept than a single missile.

In 2023, the most likely scenario uses surgical strikes using “tactical” nuclear weapons (“**TACS**”). TACS are several times weaker than the Hiroshima bomb. In the minds of some despots, this makes the prospect of a “limited” nuclear confrontation a viable option. New technology known as “[**Dial-A-Yield**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_yield)” allows the military to adjust the strength of a detonation. For example, the yield of U.S.’s B61 nuclear bomb can be 0.3, 1.5, 10 or 50 kilotons.

**DAMAGE CAUSED BY NUCLEAR WEAPONS**

[![exploding nuclear blast from the ground with a fireball explosion up into the sky](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_79172968-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_79172968.jpg)

U.S. government estimates the distribution of damage from a nuclear bomb to be:

- 50% shockwave (kinetic energy)
- 35% heat (thermal energy)
- 5% initial blast radiation
- 10% dispersed radiation (fallout)

The damage pattern of a nuclear detonation is generally circular, but prevailing winds may give it a “keyhole” shape.

Two types of kinetic energy come into play: (1) “[**overpressure**](https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/chemical-spills/resources/overpressure-levels-concern.html)” effects measured in pounds per square inch (psi) over environmental norms and (2) wind effects measured in miles per hour. Overpressure can cause eardrum rupture at a threshold of 5 psi and severe lung injury at 20 to 30 psi. Blast winds can reach hundreds of miles per hour, causing collapse of buildings and creation of flying debris resulting in trauma to anyone in the area. In a 10-kiloton blast, it’s unlikely that anyone within a half-mile of ground zero would survive.

**Physical Effects of Overpressure**

10-20 psi: All solidly concrete buildings collapse or are severely damaged. Survival is highly unlikely.

5 psi Many buildings collapse or are severely damaged. Deaths are widespread, all are injured.

3 psi Residential structures collapse. Serious injuries commonly seen, a percentage die.

1 psi: Glass shatters, causing injuries to those nearby.

Thermal damage is another significant aspect of a nuclear detonation. Those outdoors at the time would receive fatal third degree burns within a mile radius of ground zero. In the center of a large city, this can amount to hundreds of thousands of people. Thermal effect would also cause major conflagrations that would be difficult to control, increasing the risk of death and injury to those inside.

The blast itself generates a brilliant flash of light that would cause temporary (at least) blindness in anyone outside within five miles or so, worse if at night. The victim would not have to stare at the fireball for visual damage to occur. Sudden loss of vision would cause air and ground traffic casualties to skyrocket. Highways would be clogged with debris, making it impossible for medical personnel to reach many victims.

Radiation damage occurs from the initial blast and from long-term exposure. In ground detonations, millions of tons of earth are vaporized and rise with the fireball (the “mushroom cloud”). The radioactive debris falls back to earth as “fallout.” In a 10-kiloton explosion, an area about 10 miles downwind would be in the path of enough fallout to present an immediate danger to life and health. The risk is worst in the first several hours. Those further downwind who have not taken shelter are in danger of developing acute radiation sickness (ARS). ARS is associated with burns, intestinal damage, bone marrow suppression, hair loss, a weakened immune system, and much more. Over time, rates of cancers and cataracts will exceed that of non-affected populations.

**MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-scaled.jpg)

Assuming the detonation was in the center of a city, hundreds of thousands of survivors would require medical care. Unfortunately, surviving hospital units would be able to handle only a minute fraction of the trauma, burn, and radiation cases presented to them. Indeed, in normal times there are [less than 2000 burn unit beds](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hospitals-couldn-t-handle-mass-burn-casualties-flna1c9469700) in the entire United States, 80 percent of which are already occupied.

Another factor is the lack of medical personnel. For example, 87% of physicians live in urban areas; many will be casualties. It’s thought that each surviving doctor would have responsibility for 600-700 patients. For these reasons, the responsibility for the well-being of loved ones will fall to the family medic.

**SUPPLIES FOR THE EFFECTIVE MEDIC**

[![A loaded first aid kit with medical supplies for trauma,burns, sprains and strains and other medical issues](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic.jpg)

In order to be effective in the role of medic in this scenario, it’s important to have supplies. Trauma supplies should concentrate on the results of high-impact injuries, such as hemorrhage, crush injuries, and broken bones. For burns, dressings to cover injured areas of skin, prevent infection, and a way to hydrate victims is needed. For radiation, a way to determine the level of exposure will give a good idea of the chance for survival. Supplies that, today, are mostly available for purchase by the average citizen include:

**TRAUMA SUPPLIES**

- Hemostatic dressings
- Tourniquets
- Dressings and bandages, various sizes, sterile and non-sterile
- Non-stick burn dressings
- Gauze rolls, sterile and non-sterile
- Compression dressings, various sizes
- Self-adherent wraps (Coban)
- Medical tapes, duct tape
- Vented chest seals
- Chest decompression needles
- Sterile cotton-tipped applicators
- Airways, oral and nasal, various sizes
- 

**PERSONAL PROTECTION GEAR**

- CPR protective masks
- Bag valve masks
- Sterile and non-sterile gloves
- Surgical face masks 3-ply, blue

**WOUND CARE SUPPLIES**

- Hand sanitizers and soap
- Alcohol, BZK, iodine, chlorhexidine antiseptics
- Dakin’s solution for wound care
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Bacitracin antibiotic ointment
- Waterproof pads (Chux®)
- Wound irrigation syringes, 12cc and 60cc sizes
- Sterile cotton-tipped applicators
- Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes
- Suture and stapler Kits
- Steri-Strips or butterfly bandages
- Tincture of Benzoin, swabs or wipes (to secure Steri-Strips)
- Burn gel
- Petroleum jelly

**EQUIPMENT**

- Pulse oximeters and extra batteries
- Reflex hammer
- Head lamps, penlights
- Blood pressure cuff & stethoscope kit
- Thermometer
- Magnifying glass
- Scalpels, sterile
- Bandage scissors or EMT shears
- Tweezers
- Iris/nail scissors
- Curved and straight clamps
- Needle Holders
- Solar/Mylar blankets

**ORTHOPEDIC SUPPLIES**

- Cervical collars
- Ace Wrap elastic bandages w/clips
- Triangular bandages with safety pins
- Malleable padded splints, assorted sizes
- Casting materials
- Instant and reusable hot/cold packs
- Pain reliever ointment or creams
- Moleskin sheets

**EYE ISSUE SUPPLIES:**

- Eyewash
- Eye Cups
- Eye pads, sterile
- Eye patches
- Plastic eye shields

 **WATER/REHYDRATION SUPPLIES:**

- Water purification tablets
- Water filters
- Rehydration salt packets

**ADDITIONAL MEDICATIONS:**

- Potassium iodide tablets (used for radioactive iodine)
- Prussian Blue (used for radioactive cesium)
- Acetaminophen (generic Tylenol)
- Aspirin
- Diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl)
- Ibuprofen (generic Advil)
- Nasal decongestant (phenylephrine HCl 10mg)
- Loperamide (generic Imodium)
- Laxatives
- Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
- Anti-fungal cream
- Hydrocortisone cream

Radiation dosimeters are required for daily wear to rule out excessive radiation exposure. A dosimeter is different from a Geiger counter. A Geiger counter is used for detecting the presence of ionizing radiation, while a dosimeter identifies the radiation “dose” received by an exposed individual.

Certain life-saving human and veterinary antibiotics are also part of the survival medicine cabinet and can be obtained through online aquarium outlets and other limited sources. Also, intravenous line needles, tubing, and fluids would be useful additions for those skilled in their use.

Unfortunately, supplies are of little use without the knowledge of how to use them. It may take time and effort but, armed with some know-how, you might save lives. Consider a copy of *T[he Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)* or other austere medicine manual for your off-grid library.

**PREVENTION**

Surviving a nuclear war requires a sound plan of action to prevent injuries and sickness. Your prospects depend on three main factors: time, distance, and level of available protection.

There are three basic ways of decreasing the total amount of radiation exposure:

**TIME:** Radiation damage is dependent on the length of exposure, so limit time spent in the open. Leave areas where high levels are detected and no adequate shelter is at hand. Luckily, the activity of radioactive particles decreases over time. Within 24 hours, levels usually drop to 1/10 of their previous value or less.

If you’re in a vehicle at the time of detonation, you’ll be exposed to significant radiation. Cars don’t provide a significant protective barrier, so if there is access to a large concrete building or underground structure nearby, go there immediately.

**DISTANCE:** Increase the distance from ground zero. Living in the center of a large city places you at a prime spot for severe trauma due to blast effects. If you survive the initial explosion, you would likely be one of many thousands that require medical care. Medical facilities that remain would be overwhelmed and, for your purposes, non-existent.

From a radiation standpoint, remember that the pattern of fallout spread is a “keyhole” that depends on prevailing winds. Radiation disperses over distance and the effects will be decreased in proportion.

**PROTECTION:** The third way to decrease the risk of death and injury is to have a functioning shield. Away from the immediate vicinity of the blast, a shelter will decrease the risk of injuries and radiation sickness. Shielding will decrease exposure exponentially, so it is important to know how to construct a barrier between your people and the radioactive source. It stands to reason that denser materials give better protection.

Shielding effectiveness is measured in terms of “halving thickness.” This is the thickness of a particular material that will reduce gamma radiation (the most dangerous kind) by one half. When you multiply the halving thickness, you multiply your protection.

Here are the halving thicknesses of some common materials:

- Lead: 0.4 inches or 1 centimeter
- Steel: 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters
- Concrete: 2.4 inches or 6 centimeters
- Packed Soil: 3.6 inches or 9 centimeters
- Water: 7.2 inches or 18 centimeters
- Wood: 11 inches or 28 centimeters

What does this mean from a practical standpoint? Let’s take concrete as an example. the halving thickness of concrete is 2.4 inches or 6 centimeters. That barrier thickness of concrete will drop exposure to gamma radiation by half. Doubling the thickness of the barrier to 4.8 inches or 12 cm drops it to one fourth (1/2 x 1/2). Tripling it to 7.2 inches or 18 cm will drop it to one eighth (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2), etc. Ten halving thicknesses drops the total radiation exposure to 1/1024th of the level in the outside environment. For concrete, that would be 24 inches or 60 cm. If you can do that, people not killed by heat or kinetic energy close to ground zero can wait out the highest radiation levels.

For lead, the thickness of your lead bunker would only have to be 10 cm or 4 Inches thick. If it was made of wood, however, you’d need a barrier 110 inches thick or 2.8 meters.

**DECONTAMINATION**

If you’re outside in a nuclear event and cannot get to shelter immediately, you may breathe in radioactive particle from fallout. Covering your face with a mask or other barrier can help reduce the inspiration of radioactive material. A mask would also be helpful while decontaminating children and pets.

Once inside, It’s important to remove fallout from your body as soon as possible. Just taking off and discarding outer layers of clothing can eliminate up to 90 percent of radioactive material. Place contaminated clothing in a plastic bag or other sealed container.

Next, Take a warm shower if possible. Use soap to gently wash your skin, but don’t scrub or scald it: Skin protects your internal organs, and any injury to it can worsen contamination. If you have open wounds, keep them covered while washing. It’s acceptable to shampoo, but conditioner can cause radioactive material to stick to hair.

If a shower isn’t an option, at least wash hands, face, and other exposed parts with soap and water or at least cleansing wipes. Gently blow your nose and wipe your eyes to remove particles in the nasal cavity, eyelashes, and eyelids.

Right now, the risk of a nuclear confrontation from some rogue power isn’t zero, but it’s small. Let’s hope it stays that way, but if you’re going to be medically prepared, this is one in which you’ll definitely be using your skills and equipment.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)** available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Osteoarthritis, Tooth Extraction, Medicinal Gardens](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-osteoarthritis-tooth-extraction-medicinal-gardens/) 

 [Tranq: The Latest Drug Threat](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tranq-the-latest-drug-threat/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nuclear Events, Radiation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** decontamination, doom and bloom, halving thickness, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical supplies, nuclear preparedness, nuclear shelter, nuclear war, radiation poisoning, survival medicine, thermonuclear weapons

---

### [Tranq: The Latest Drug Threat](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tranq-the-latest-drug-threat/)

**Published:** April 15, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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([This article was originally published in American Thinker](https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/04/another_drug_to_threaten_and_kill_americans.html))

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle-300x182.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle.jpg)

As if we needed more bad news on the drug front: A common livestock sedative, street name “**Tranq**,” has made its way into other dangerous drugs like fentanyl. Also called [**xylazine**](https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine), Tranq was first manufactured in 1962 by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and is used by veterinarians on cattle and horses to relieve pain, relax muscles, and sedate them for procedures. It is not FDA-approved for any purpose in human medicine.

Last week, the government formally designated xylazine as an “emerging drug threat.” The DEA indicates that 23 percent of tests for fentanyl in 2022 revealed evidence of Tranq in the sample. In the two-year period from early 2020 through late 2021, positive lab results grew 112 percent in the West and 193 percent in the South.

Tranq’s low cost is the reason it’s being mixed in with batches for more expensive drugs, including heroin. You might be surprised to find out that it’s not illegal (yet). A prescription from a vet is all you need to get your own supply.

[Xylazine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylazine) is not an opioid, but acts like it. Like opioids, it’s highly addictive, slows breathing and heart rate, and increases the risk of fatal overdoses. It causes the user to black out for hours, rendering them vulnerable to rape and robbery. Once they come to, they immediately crave more.

Tranq is unlike other drugs in one major way: It also causes the formation of skin ulcers and abscesses, some quite horrific. Many harden into painful, crusty, blackened tissue called “eschar.” Indeed, some call xylazine “the zombie drug” for the way its users appear. The skin effects may be so severe as to require amputation.

Doctors are still confounded by how xylazine causes wounds so severe that they initially resemble acid burns. The skin effects may not even appear at the injection sites; some users get them on their shins and other areas far from the needle puncture.

Withdrawal from the drug is as bad as many narcotics. Symptoms include migraines, double vision, severe anxiety, and more. But Xylazine is not an opioid: This is significant because you can reverse a fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone overdose with the drug [n**aloxone**](https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/naloxone/index.html) **(brand name: Narcan**), now available over the counter. You might not be able to fully revive a user of Tranq with it.

It’s uncertain where street xylazine is originating today, but China, Mexico, India, and Russia are prime suspects. Some also may come from domestic manufacturers who supply veterinarians.

Because the recognition of xylazine abuse in humans is relatively new, there are still few protocols to guide physicians on how to counteract the drug. No one yet knows which are the best rehabilitation therapies. In addition to addiction services, intensive wound care strategies are required to deal with the skin manifestations of Tranq use.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_94992094-300x270.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_94992094.jpg)

One of the difficulties associated with controlling Xylazine distribution is the widespread nature of its use in veterinary practices. It is frequently used in large-animal medicine to allow vets to stitch wounds, grind down molars, and treat damaged or infected hooves. Preserving the drug’s access for veterinarians while shutting down supplies to dealers may be problematic.

Although the drug is in a legal gray zone at present, laws are evolving in some states to restrict access to it. The formal designation of “emerging drug threat” given last week means that the administration must put together a plan of action to combat its use within 90 days. That plan of action will hopefully expand testing, devise treatment strategies, and give federal law enforcement the authority to act against suppliers.

In any case, it’s clear that a porous Southern border has allowed the easy transport of dangerous substances like Tranq, fentanyl, and more into the United States. Is there an answer for the latest emerging threat? As long as we fail to control its importation, the prognosis is grim. Without major changes at the border, we can expect many more lives lost or ruined from the scourge of illegal drugs.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)** available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Medical Preparedness For Nuclear War](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-preparedness-for-nuclear-war/) 

 [Video: Chemical Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-chemical-emergencies/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** drug overdose, joe alton md, medical preparedness, opioid overdose, survival medicine, tranq, xylazine

---

### [Video: Chemical Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-chemical-emergencies/)

**Published:** April 14, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chemical-spill-accident-contamination-clean-up-prevent-human-effects-dangers-Doctor-Alton-CANVA-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chemical-spill-accident-contamination-clean-up-prevent-human-effects-dangers-Doctor-Alton-CANVA-scaled.jpg)

The news has been full of events related to chemical emergencies, including derailment, factory explosions, and even junkyard fires. In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses what you should know about chemical spills, chemical warfare, and other chemical events.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, MD

Hey, learn more about chemical events and 200 other medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)** available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![A loaded first aid kit with medical supplies for trauma,burns, sprains and strains and other medical issues](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic.jpg)Stomp Supreme Major Trauma and Comprehensive First Aid Kit by Doom and Bloom Medical, image: Amy Alton, ARNPHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Tranq: The Latest Drug Threat](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tranq-the-latest-drug-threat/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Water Disinfection, Marburg, Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-water-disinfection-marburg-strokes/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, Burns, chemical warfare, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** chemical emergencies, chemical spills, chemical warfare, doom and bloom, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Water Disinfection, Marburg, Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-water-disinfection-marburg-strokes/)

**Published:** April 12, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)

Water. You can’t live without it, but in a survival scenario, bad water could be the reason you don’t make it. In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses various ways to deal with questionable water, including disinfection methods, filtering, getting fresh water from salt water, and much more.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/water.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/water.jpg)

Also, you may want to hear about a new virus about as much as you’d like a hole in the head, but Ebola-like Marburg may be worth knowing about. Dr. Alton (Bones) tells you what you need to know in a calm, reasoned manner (In other words, don’t worry, odds of it leaving its place of origin is very small).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-scaled.jpg)

Plus, Dr. Alton answers a question from a listener about the passing of a friend from a stroke. What you need to know about this often life-threatening event.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good or bad times,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Don’t forget to check out our entire line of informative books and quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Chemical Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-chemical-emergencies/) 

 [Video: Marburg Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-marburg-virus/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Dehydration, Diarrhea, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation, Strokes, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton np, doom and bloom, joe alton md, marburg virus, medical preparedness, stroke detection, survival medicine, Survival Medicine Podcast, water disinfection

---

### [Video: Marburg Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-marburg-virus/)

**Published:** April 10, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marburg-VIRUS-SYMPTOMS-SURVIVAL-prevention-outbreak-canva-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marburg-VIRUS-SYMPTOMS-SURVIVAL-prevention-outbreak-canva.png)

The last thing people want to hear about is a viral outbreak these days, but as family medic, you should always keep up with the latest news and learn about anything that might one day be a concern. In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton tells you all about recent **Marburg virus** cases in Africa, its similarity to Ebola, the strange circumstances of its “origin,” and why it’s unlikely to cause a major outbreak outside the region where it’s currently active.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

Learn more about viral outbreaks and 200 other medical topics off the grid with a copy of the award-winning **Survival Medicine Handbook, the essential guide for when help is NOT on the way**, available in black and white at Amazon and in color and spiral-bound at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Water Disinfection, Marburg, Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-water-disinfection-marburg-strokes/) 

 [Video: Tornado Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-tornado-survival/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** hemorrhagic fever, joe alton md, marburg virus, medical preparedness, survival medicine, viral outbreak

---

### [Video: Tornado Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-tornado-survival/)

**Published:** April 3, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tornado-preparedness-threat-safety-shelter-people-to-survive-Dr-Alton-CANVA-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tornado-preparedness-threat-safety-shelter-people-to-survive-Dr-Alton-CANVA.png)

With Spring just starting and deadly tornadoes hitting Mississippi, Arkansas, and elsewhere, I’ve decided to revisit tornado survival in this video. Companion to a recent article….

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-225x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)

Hey learn about tornadoes, other natural disasters, and many other topics that will help you save lives as the family medic in the Book Excellence Award-winning 4th edition of “[**The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)” and other books by NY Times bestselling author Dr. Joe Alton. Also, check out his entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Marburg Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-marburg-virus/) 

 [Marburg Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/marburg-virus/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Tornadoes, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** arkansas tornadoes, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mississippi tornadoes, survival medicine, tornado preparedness, Tornado survival

---

### [Marburg Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/marburg-virus/)

**Published:** March 30, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/marburg-virus-public-domain-e1680196537670-300x230.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/marburg-virus-public-domain.jpg)

A pandemic-weary nation probably wants to hear about a viral outbreak as much as they’d like a hole in the head, but my role as medical preparedness advocate requires that I note one when it occurs. On [Jan. 7th, 2020](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/), I reported on 60 cases of pneumonia in a place called Wuhan, China. At the time, no one had yet died from the unknown virus. 683 million cases and 6.83 million deaths later, well…So, it’s probably good to know about these things as early as possible, even if there’s only a small chance they’ll become a concern. Let me tell you about Marburg virus.

This time, with any luck, no such outbreak will happen, but recently, the African countries of Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania have reported cases of a hemorrhagic fever known as Marburg virus. So far, 13 cases have been confirmed in Guinea, with nine deaths and one recovery so far. In Tanzania, eight cases with five deaths have been documented. The last hemorrhagic fever to reach major epidemic status was [Ebola](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ebola-the-next-great-pandemic/) in 2014, with 28,616 total cases and 11,310 deaths.

Marburg is very similar to Ebola in many ways. Both are viruses in the filoviridae family. Like Ebola, Marburg causes a disease that severely impacts various organs of humans and non-human primates in a short period of time.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_550684873-fruit-bat-ebola-covid-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_550684873-fruit-bat-ebola-covid-scaled.jpg)

Both are zoonotic infections, which means that they can be passed from animals to people. Even the original animal source of the virus (the “reservoir”) is similar: local fruit bats, in this case, *Rousettus aegyptiacus*, the Egyptian fruit bat. Neither virus seems to sicken the bats, but both cause significant numbers of deaths among their human and primate victims. Like Ebola, it’s thought that humans may have first contracted the Marburg virus from undercooked bushmeat.

The Marburg virus was [first identified](https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/marburg/about.html) in 1967 in, of all places, German and Serbian (then Yugoslavian) labs after several simultaneous cases were linked to infected laboratory monkeys. Unlike the situation with COVID-19 and the Wuhan virology lab, the fact that Marburg was first identified in a lab doesn’t mean it was manufactured or otherwise developed there. It turns out that laboratory monkeys imported from Guinea arrived with the previously-unknown disease, which spread to lab workers. 31 people were infected, with seven deaths, before the virus was contained.

The very contagious Marburg virus can be transmitted whenever there’s contact with the bodily fluids, bedding, clothing, or other personal items of an infected person. The symptoms start, often suddenly, between 2 to 21 days after exposure (average 5-10). Infected individuals experience high fever, headaches, muscle aches, abdominal pain, malaise, and watery diarrhea at first, followed, several days later, by bleeding in the urine, bowel movements, from the nose, or under the skin. Bleeding may even occur from the gums, eyes, and ears. Blood loss is, not uncommonly, severe enough to cause shock, leading to death. In fatal cases, death occurs around day eight or nine.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/marburg-patient-public-domain-220x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/marburg-patient-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

Those most at risk of getting infected with [Marburg](https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/marburg/about.html) are people who have direct contact with infected individuals, such as family members and health care workers. One contributing factor to Marburg’s spread is the custom in parts of Africa of having the family wash the body of the deceased before burial. This may explain why the infection seems to run rampant among family members. Heath care workers are also at high risk for infection.

In previous outbreaks, case fatality rates have ranged from 24% to 88%, depending on the strain of the virus involved and the availability of medical treatment, such as intravenous fluids and blood products.

Patients with suspected Marburg virus should be placed in isolation. Those caring for them should wear personal protective gear like gowns, aprons, gloves, face shields, and masks. Treatment consists of supportive care: fluids, oxygen, and transfusions are often needed.

No vaccine has been developed against the Marburg virus, though some are in development. It has been suggested that, due to its close relation to Ebola, that existing Ebola vaccines may be effective.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the risk of an epidemic to be very high for Guinea and Tanzania, but previous outbreaks of Marburg, including on in Ghana last year, have all petered out on their own. The countries involved and their neighbors are initiating containment protocols with contact tracing and other methods of identifying and isolating those at risk for being infected. The chance for worldwide spread is considered to be low. Still, it’s imperative to be aware of Marburg, even if it’s still beyond the horizon. Let’s hope it stays there.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-274x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

[Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

The Book Excellence Award-winning “[The Survival Medicine Handbook”](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) is now in its 4th edition, ranked 4.8 out of 5.0 on Amazon over 2300 reviews! Check it out and our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Tornado Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-tornado-survival/) 

 [What To Do About Church/School Shootings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-do-about-church-school-shootings/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** epidemic in guinea, epidemic in tanzania, hemorrhagic fever, joe alton mf, marburg virus, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Ebola: The Next Great Pandemic?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ebola-the-next-great-pandemic/)

**Published:** August 6, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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##### EBOLA: THE NEXT GREAT PANDEMIC?

(Since the writing of this article, it became apparent that it was COVID, not EBOLA!)

(This article is meant to combine and update information in some previous articles on this website.)

Several countries in West Africa are in the throes of an epidemic of **Ebola** virus. Over 28000 cases and 11000 deaths in the countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Liberia make it a candidate for the next great Pandemic. The disease has decimated health care workers, with a number of doctors, nurses, missionaries, and others dying from the illness. Indeed, the Peace Corps has pulled 340 workers from the area in question.

The Ebola outbreak first hit close to home when American Patrick Sawyer died in Lagos, Nigeria en route to visit his family in Minnesota. Yesterday, the nurse who treated him has succumbed to the disease and a half-dozen other suspected cases have turned up in the country.

Various cases are turning up throughout the world. A Saudi Arabian man, recently returned from Sierra Leone, fell sick and died from Ebola-like symptoms, although test are still pending at the time of this writing. A woman, also from Sierra Leone, fell ill and died in London’s Gatwick Airport, but apparently tested negative for the disease, and a New Yorker recently returned from Liberia took sick, but also tested negative.

Although Patrick Sawyer did not become Patient Zero in the U.S., other infected Americans, a doctor and nurse, were transferred to the CDC hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Despite all this, few people really know what Ebola virus is and how it does its damage, and they certainly don’t know what to do if it arrives in their neighborhood.

##### **WHAT IS EBOLA?**

Ebola virus is a member of the FILOVIRIDAE virus family. It was first reported in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it resulted in 431 deaths out of 602 known cases. Ebola is named after the river where the first victims were identified. It has several variants, and the possibility exists that the virus may have the capacity to mutate. The variety of Ebola causing all the issues in West Africa is the “Zaire” strain.

**WHAT DO WE KNOW**?

Not much. How Ebola manages to first infect humans is poorly understood. Primates like monkeys and apes are possible agents of transmission (also called vectors), although bats may be more likely to transmit the disease. The virus can even be transmitted to dogs, although they don’t seem to get sick. All of these animals are potential additions to human diets in the areas affected.

Ebola appears to be transmitted through saliva and other bodily fluids, even sweat. The practice of relatives and workers washing a body before burial may have helped spread the disease. The virus can live on surfaces for a number of days, unless those surfaces have been cleaned with soap and water or Chlorine bleach ( 1 1/2 cups per gallon solution).

A 2012 Canadian study suggested that the virus may also be transmitted in air droplets. Given the highly contagious nature of the disease, this would be big trouble if true, but hasn’t been proven. I would say that it is unlikely to be transmitted by simply breathing the air in the same room as an Ebola patient, but find it hard to believe that a cough or sneeze couldn’t send infectious saliva or blood right at me.

**WHAT EBOLA DOES**

What does Ebola virus do to its victims? Ebola causes a hemorrhagic fever with a 25-90% death rate, much higher than even the worst of the influenza pandemics of the past century. Compare this to a 2.5% death rate from the great Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, and 0.1% from routine influenza outbreak.

Symptoms begin presenting about 2-21 days after exposure. Ebola patients develop the sudden onset of what first appears to be influenza: Aches and pains, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever and chills, and malaise are commonly seen at this stage. Nausea is noted, often accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Later on, The central nervous system becomes affected: Severe headaches, altered mental status, and seizures ensue, sometimes resulting in the patient going into a coma.
Evidence of disorders in blood clotting are seen in advanced stages of the disease. Signs include:

• Spotty Rashes
• Bruises
• Broken blood vessels in the skin
• Collections of blood under the skin after injections
• Bloody vomit or sputum
• Spontaneous nosebleeds
• Bleeding from gums
• Blood in bowel movements

Once bleeding disorders occur, the likelihood of survival is slim. Although deaths from severe hemorrhage have occurred in women giving birth, multiple organ failure and dehydration leading to shock are the usual causes of death.

**PREVENTION**

It’s thought that Ebola doesn’t spread until a victim develops symptoms. As the illness progresses, however, bodily fluids from diarrhea, vomiting, and bleeding become very contagious. Poor hygiene and lack of proper medical supplies in underdeveloped countries, such as in West Africa impede the progress of medical authorities to tame the outbreak. The best they can do is isolate sick individuals as best they can and follow infectious disease precautions.

This is something they are, apparently, not doing so well, because so many medical personnel are getting sick. I have read one report that says over 60 native doctors have died. When the doctors and nurses are dying, you know you have an illness about which to be truly concerned. Imagine if the disease becomes worldwide. The Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 killed 50 million people with a death rate of 2.5%. Ebola has a death rate of 60%.

**TREATMENT**

So how do we cure Ebola. We really aren’t sure. There is no accepted treatment, cure, or vaccine for Ebola at present. The doctors can only try to make the patient comfortable and hope they get better on their own. An experimental drug known as Zmapp have been given to the two Americans airlifted from West Africa, but time will tell if it leads to a cure. For more on Zmapp, see my corresponding report at:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/cure-for-ebola/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cure-for-ebola/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/cure-for-ebola/")
It should be noted that 40% of Ebola patients survive the infection, regardless of treatment.

**WHY YOU SHOULD CARE…**

So what’s the big deal? Why should an epidemic in Africa matter to citizens of countries thousands of miles away? Cases out of the epidemic zone are few and far between.

Well, this outbreak is not in the deepest areas of Africa, it’s on the west coast, a more populated and easily traveled area. As a matter of fact, 10,000 people from the area travel to Houston, Atlanta, or New York every three months. With air travel around the globe in 24 hours, this virus COULD travel fast.

Also, news about the virus is disrupting the economies of the countries affected, and their governments haven’t been all that straightforward about giving reports, until just recently. As such, many people in the countries affected are suspicious of health workers, sometimes blocking them from entering their villages with knives and machetes. At least 12 Ebola hotspots have been unable to be entered due to hostile natives.

The country of Guinea, where the first cases occurred, is the world’s largest exporter of bauxite, the ore used to make aluminum. Therefore, exports from the country go to many of the world’s manufacturing plants. With an incubation period of a couple of weeks, you might have Ebola and not even know it (until you’ve infected a lot of other people).

**WHAT YOU SHOULD DO**

Ebola virus is a highly contagious infectious disease. The first thing that you should do now, before the disaster has hit your area is to make a plan. This plan should involve:

1\. Choosing an isolation room

2\. Learning to identify symptoms of someone with Ebola (as described above)

3\. Not cutting corners when it comes to washing and disinfecting (it probably has caused a lot of health workers their lives in West Africa)

4\. Stockpiling food and medical supplies, including dedicated eating utensils, bedding, waste disposal materials, etc. for the sick.

5\. Having a means of communication if the grid goes down (hand-cranked radios, etc.)

6\. Considering safe ways to dispose of infected materials.

Picking an isolation room in your home is an important consideration, especially if you aren’t confident that medical help will be forthcoming. The room should be at one end of your domicile, have good light and a window for ventilation. You might, however, want to cover the air ducts in the room.

For in-depth information on putting together the survival sick room, check out my article on the subject at: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room "https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room")

I recommend stocking up on masks, coveralls, eye protection, shoe covers, and gloves. [Special mask](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?s=pandemic+masks "https://www.doomandbloom.net/?s=pandemic+masks")s called “N95” and “N100” are especially useful but a full body suit would be much more protective. I’ll be outlining a full pandemic kit in an article in the next few days.

A series of medications to serve as decongestants, fever reducers, and anti-diarrheal agents will be useful. It is especially important to have dedicated bedding and utensils for patient use only. Chlorine bleach is thought to kill Ebola, so have a good supply to disinfect countertops, doorknobs, and other surfaces.

If the epidemic has hit your area, you should be avoiding exposure to large groups of people. This is where some planning to store food and medical supplies will be very helpful. If you have food and other supplies stored in the house, it saves you multiple exposures and, perhaps, your life.

All this being said, our Modern Medical Systems are better stocked and have strict infectious controls in place. Most likely, the virus would be contained quicker and patients would receive higher levels of symptomatic treatment leading to much **lower death rates** than seen now in West Africa. Being prepared and aware will help all of us deal with this virus more effectively here in the United States.

**Joe Alton, M.D.**

![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D.Are you prepared to deal with medical issues in disaster situations? With the #1 Amazon Bestseller in Survival Skills and Safety/First Aid, “[**The Survival Medicine Handbook**](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1608586498&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=812b280abe8ef5360a7855dd62155bcc&language=en_US)” you’ll get a head start on succeeding, even if everything else fails. Read over 120 5-star reviews at Amazon.com: [The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide-When/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407380566&sr=1-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook "https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide-When/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407380566&sr=1-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook")

Also, check out our entire line of medical kits for times of trouble at :[ https://store.doomandbloom.net/](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Zmapp as Ebola Treatment: Video](https://www.doomandbloom.net/zmapp-as-ebola-treatment-video/) 

 [A Cure For Ebola?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cure-for-ebola/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Uncategorized

**Tags:** ebola, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [A New Pneumonia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/)

**Published:** January 7, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Health authorities in China are reporting 60 cases or more of [a previously unknown viral pneumonia](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-sickens-dozens-china/story?id=68094861) that has put dozens in the hospital. Officials note that victims exhibit fever up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, difficulty breathing, and abnormal findings on chest X-rays.

Nothing gets my attention like a mysterious, probably viral, pneumonia showing up in some foreign land. In the last decade or so, killers like [Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)](https://www.cdc.gov/sars/index.html) and [Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mers-what-you-should-know/) have entered the scene. The current infection doesn’t seem to be either of these, and lab studies have already eliminated influenza, avian flu, most bacteria, and other possible culprits. A number of victims were found to have attended a seafood market in the area.

The word “**pneumonia**” is defined as a lung inflammation usually caused by bacterial or viral infection. Occasionally, fungi or parasites may give rise to it. It’s a very general term and doesn’t identify the specific microbe that’s causing the problem.

It’s important to know that inflammation of the lungs may occur as a result of reasons other than infection, such as inhaling food, drink, or vomit into the lungs. This is called “**aspiration pneumonia**” and can be life-threatening.

Although pneumonia kills about 50,000 people annually in the United States, most of these cases are in the elderly, the very young, or those with poor immune systems. One infection that is clearly passed from one human to another is influenza.[ This year’s flu season](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-ne-flu-season-central-florida-20200107-lwsiawo4gvephaopes2cauu5im-story.html) is becoming one of the worst in recent memory, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The last serious viral influenza outbreak in the U.S. was 2017.

**HOW LUNGS WORK**

Your lungs are part of the respiratory system, the part of the body that controls breathing. Inhaling fresh air brings oxygen to tiny air sacs in the lungs called “**alveoli**”. Little blood vessels in the alveoli absorb oxygen from inhaled air and remove waste gases like carbon dioxide during exhalation. This vital process of oxygen in, carbon dioxide out is called “gas exchange”. Anything that interferes with it can become life-threatening.

**PNEUMONIA**

In pneumonia, the alveoli fill with pus and inflammatory fluid, preventing the proper absorption of oxygen. Milder cases of pneumonia may affect just a small section of the lung but severe cases may affect the entirety of both lungs (what was commonly known as “double pneumonia”).

Pneumonia may also be primary, that is, an occurrence in and of itself in an otherwise normal patient. It may be secondary, in response to a weakened system due to other infections, heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other condition. Patients with secondary pneumonia tend to have worsening shortness of breath, continued fever, or thicker mucus over the course of time despite the usual therapy.

Symptoms of pneumonia include:

- Coughing that produces mucus
- Fever and chills
- Fast breathing and heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Exhaustion
- Muscle aches
 
In some cases, victims experience loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or diarrhea. Severe cases may cough up blood (called “hemoptysis”) or turn blue around the mouth (known as “cyanosis”). Cyanosis is a sign that the body isn’t able to transport enough oxygen to the tissues.

Lots of germs can cause pneumonia, including different types of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. So many microbes can cause pneumonia that it may take a while to discover the offending organism, even in normal times and with modern technology.

As the cause of the current group of cases is still unknown, it’s uncertain how this pneumonia spreads. If there’s evidence that it can be transmitted from one human to another, you have the makings of an epidemic.

Health authorities are usually slow to sound the alarm, and the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission states “no clear evidence” of human-human transmission. They don’t rule out the possibility, however.

**TREATING PNEUMONIA**

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Antibiotics.jpg) Antibiotics work only for bacterial infections  

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat pneumonia, as many cases are bacterial in origin and the potential consequences are so dire. Often, the treatment is intravenous therapy, but some oral drugs include:

• Amoxicillin

• Doxycycline

• Azithromycin

• Cephalexin

• Erythromycin

• Ampicillin

• Clindamycin

The choice depends on the microbe involved and the available drugs. It’s important to know that the above medicines have no beneficial effect on viral causes of pneumonia.

More information (including dosages) on each of these drugs, plus veterinary equivalents, can be found in various articles at [doomandbloom.net](https://www.doomandbloom.net/) or in the book “[Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=KJH37JGHUXDQ&keywords=alton's+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease+the+layman's+guide&qid=1578417564&sprefix=alton's,aps,170&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=87391ab8374ac751f28cfe44ceb3ffb4&language=en_US)…” Due to overuse, cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been reported for a number of the medications listed.

Occasionally, the organism that causes pneumonia may be a fungus. One example is **[Coccidiomycosis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/valley-fever/)**, also known as [**Valley Fever**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/valley-fever/). Common in the Southwestern U.S., symptoms include persistent cough, fever, headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The treatment most often used is the oral antifungal drug [**Fluconazole**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fluconazole-in-survival-settings/) (Fish-Flucon) 400mg-800mg/day.

The medications listed above have no beneficial effect on viral causes of pneumonia. In cases of influenza, the administration of antiviral medications such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Zanamivir (Relenza), or baloxavir marboxil ([Xofluza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-xofluza-a-new-anti-flu-drug/)) will shorten the course of the infection if taken in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. After the first 48 hours, less medicinal effect is noted. These drugs are not known to be effective against pneumonia caused by other viruses, however. Other treatments involve alleviating the symptoms: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever, for example.

Cough suppressants may sometimes (but not always) be helpful. Coughing helps remove thick mucus and should not be suppressed unless it is so severe that breathing is difficult, causes vomiting, or prevents sleep.

**PREVENTION OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS**

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/MasksN95Loop.jpg) Face masks help prevent airborne transmission  

Good respiratory hygiene is necessary to prevent patients with respiratory infections from transmitting germs to others. **If you are the caregiver:**

• Perform rigorous hand hygiene before and after contact. Wash soiled hands with soap and warm water for 15 seconds or clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Wash down all possibly contaminated surfaces, such as kitchen counters or doorknobs, with an appropriate disinfectant (dilute bleach solution will do).

• Isolate sick individuals in a specific quarantine area, especially those with a high fever.

• Wear gloves and a mask at all times when treating someone with a contagious respiratory illness.

• Don’t self-medicate, especially with antibiotics, unless modern medical care is not accessible for the foreseeable future.

**If you are the patient:**

• Cover your mouth and nose with tissues and dispose of those tissues safely.

• Use a mask is you’re coughing or sneezing a lot. Although your caregivers may wear masks, it’s more important for you to wear one.

• Keep at least six feet away from healthy people. This is the average distance that air droplets will spread during a cough or sneeze, although some go much further.

Many people think that they can avoid respiratory infections by staying inside out of the cold. Actually, being in crowded, closed spaces increases the germ count in the air and, therefore, your chances of being infected.

Others believe that Vitamin C and zinc will prevent colds and flus. Indeed, they might decrease the duration of the illness, but don’t do anything to *prevent* exposure to the virus.

Time will tell whether the new pneumonia will pan out to be a concern in the U.S., but it’s important to always recognize the signs and symptoms and do all you can to prevent it or any other respiratory infection.

Joe Alton MD

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg) Joe Alton MD  

Find out more about pneumonia and 150 other medical topics in our award-winning [Survival Medicine Handbook’s Fouirth Edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) and also in our latest book “[Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide to Available Antibiotics in Austere Settings](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=KJH37JGHUXDQ&keywords=alton's+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease+the+layman's+guide&qid=1578417564&sprefix=alton's,aps,170&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=87391ab8374ac751f28cfe44ceb3ffb4&language=en_US)“!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Pneumonia in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-pneumonia-in-austere-settings/) 

 [Video: "Maxi-Pads" As Survival Bandage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vvideo-maxi-pads-as-survival-bandage/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tamiflu

**Tags:** aspiration pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, MERS, new pneumonia, pneumonia, SARS, survival medicine, viral pneumonia

---

### [Tornadoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornadoes/)

**Published:** March 26, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_107588384-300x212.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_107588384-scaled.jpg)

Recently, an outbreak of severe weather swept across several southern states, producing a number of **tornadoes**, including one in Mississippi that has been responsible, so far, for 26 dead, dozens injured, and number of missing.

If I had to choose between being in the path of a hurricane or a tornado, I’d prefer the hurricane. Why? Because hurricanes are predictable these days, so you get to prepare for them. Tornadoes? Well, not so much. It’s the element of surprise that leads to hundreds killed and injured by these storms annually. Knowing what to do before a tornado touches ground helps avoid many tragic outcomes.

A tornado (also called a “**twister**”) is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and the thunderstorm (sometimes called a “[**supercell**](https://www.weather.gov/ama/supercell)”) that spawned it. From a distance, tornadoes appear in the form of a visible dark funnel with all sorts of flying debris in and around it. They may be difficult to see up close due to accompanying rainfall.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tornado-alley-dot-map-300x225.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tornado-alley-dot-map.png)

Tornado alley image by Tertius51, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Almost a thousand tornadoes touch ground in the United States every year, more than are reported in any other country. Most of these occur in “[**Tornado Alley**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_Alley),” an area that isn’t officially defined but encompasses the land between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains. Peak tornado season in the southern U.S. states is March through May; in the northern states, it’s late spring through early summer. Some believe that Tornado Alley is shifting east over the years.

In the United States, tornadoes average 500 feet (150 meters) across and travel on the ground for about 5 miles (8.0 kilometers). Tornadoes may generate winds of up to 300 miles per hour and be accompanied by hail.

While in contact with the ground, twisters can travel at a speed of 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. Others may “hop” from point to point before petering out. Those in close proximity to the funnel will note a roaring sound that’s reminiscent of a passing train.

(Aside: Having personally experienced this decades ago, we can confirm that it’s terrifying.)

Injuries from tornadoes are usually due to trauma from flying debris carried by the winds. In some cases, very large objects are flung around in a manner that is hard to believe. Indeed, there’s a report from 1931 that an 83-ton train was lifted and thrown 80 feet from the tracks.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_326701055-tornado-fujita-scale-245x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_326701055-tornado-fujita-scale-scaled.jpg)

There are various classification models for tornadoes, but the most commonly used is the [**Enhanced** **Fujita Scale**](https://www.spc.noaa.gov/efscale/). Fujita levels are rated from 0-5, based on wind speeds and the amount of damage caused:

**F0 Light:** Winds 65-85 miles per hour; smaller trees uprooted or branches broken, mild structural damage.

**F1 Moderate:** winds 86-110 miles per hour; broken windows, small tree trunks snapped, overturned mobile homes, destruction of carports or toolsheds, roof tiles missing (this is the level that struck our home).

**F2 Considerable:** winds 112-135 miles per hour; mobile homes destroyed, major structural damage to frame homes due to flying debris, some large trees snapped in half or uprooted.

**F3 Severe:** winds 136-165 miles per hour; roofs torn from homes, small frame homes destroyed, most trees snapped and uprooted.

**F4 Devastating:** winds 166-200 miles per hour; strong-structure buildings damaged, destroyed or lifted from foundations, cars lifted and blown away, large debris becomes airborne (The worst of the Mississippi tornadoes was given this level).

**F5 Incredible:** winds greater than 200 miles per hour; larger buildings lifted from foundations, trees snapped, uprooted, and debarked, objects weighing more than a ton become airborne missiles.

Although some places may have sirens or other methods to warn you of an approaching twister, every family should have a plan of action before a tornado appears. Children should know where to find medical kits and how to use a fire extinguisher. If appropriate, teach everyone how to safely turn off the gas and electricity.

When you are in the path of a tornado, take shelter immediately unless you live in a mobile home. These are especially vulnerable to damage from the winds. If there is time, get to the nearest building that has a tornado shelter; underground shelters are best.

If you live in Tornado Alley, you might consider putting together your own underground shelter. Unlike bunkers and other structures built for long-term use, a tornado shelter only has to provide safety for a short period of time. As such, it doesn’t have to be very large: 8-10 square feet per person would be acceptable. Despite this, be sure to consider ventilation and the comfort or special needs of potential occupants.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_1548478790-tornado-shelter-300x165.jpg)Tornado shelter or “storm cellar”](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_1548478790-tornado-shelter-scaled.jpg)

If you don’t have a shelter, find the safest place in the house where family members can gather. Basements, bathrooms, closets, or inside rooms without windows are the best options. Windows can easily shatter due to impact from flying debris.

Speaking of windows, some suggest opening windows due to the great pressure caused by a tornado. Well, most windows are made of ¼ inch panes of glass, and you’re not going to prevent your roof from being blown off simply by opening them. It’s the speed and violence of the winds, not the pressure, that causes the most damage to homes.

For added protection, get under a heavy object such as a sturdy table. Covering your body with a sleeping bag or mattress will provide an additional shield. Discuss this plan of action with every member of your family until it’s clear they will know this process by heart.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tornado_safe_places-300x157.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tornado_safe_places.png)

If you’re in a car and can drive to a shelter, do so. Although you may be hesitant to leave your vehicle, remember that they can be easily tossed around by high winds; you may be safer in a culvert, ditch, or other area lower than the roadway. It is not safe, however, to hide under a bridge or overpass, as the winds can easily reach you.

In town, leaving the car to enter a sturdy building is appropriate. If there is no other shelter, however, staying in your car will protect you from some of the flying debris. Keep your seat belt on, put your head down below the level of the windows, and cover yourself as much as possible.

If you’re out hiking when the tornado hits, get away from heavily wooded areas. Torn branches and other debris become missiles, so an open field or ditch may be safer. Lying down flat in a ditch or other low spot in the ground will give you some protection. Make sure to cover your head, if at all possible, even if it’s just with your hands.

One final bit of advice: If you have pets, make provisions for them in your emergency plan. Your local disaster shelter may not have supplies for them.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)

Find out more about tornadoes and 200 other off-the-grid topics for the family medic with a copy of the 4th edition of **The Survival Medicine Handbook, the essential guide for when help is NOT on the way**, available in black and white on Amazon and in color and spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget our entire line of quality medical kits also!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [What To Do About Church/School Shootings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-do-about-church-school-shootings/) 

 [Video: A Compact Vehicle Medical Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-compact-vehicle-medical-kit/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Kits, Natural Disasters, Tornadoes

**Tags:** Fujita Scale, joe alton md, medical preparedness, mississippi tornado, survival medicine, Tornado Alley, tornado preparedness, Tornado survival

---

### [Video: A Compact Vehicle Medical Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-compact-vehicle-medical-kit/)

**Published:** March 25, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_53008990-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_53008990.jpg)

In this video, Nurse Amy again steps in front of the camera to demonstrate what she thinks should go in a compact vehicle medical kit. This isn’t your full “Bug-Out Bag,” but a lightweight setup that works in normal times or if the you-know-what hits the fan. Available at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-car-grab-n-go/).

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy Alton, NP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amy-with-fish-key-west-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amy-with-fish-key-west-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out the Book Excellence Award-winning 4th edition (700 pages) of T**he Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**, available in black and white on Amazon or in color and spiral bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Tornadoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornadoes/) 

 [The Group Medic In Hostile Actions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-group-medic-in-hostile-actions/)

**Categories:** First Aid Kits, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Kits, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, first aid car kit, first aid vehicle medical kit, medical supplies

---

### [The Group Medic In Hostile Actions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-group-medic-in-hostile-actions/)

**Published:** March 22, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_120239821-300x207.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_120239821.jpg)

Almost a decade ago, before Russia invaded Ukraine or even Crimea, I wrote about a Ukrainian medic named [Oleysa Zhukovskaya,](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/21/i-am-alive-volunteer-medic-injured-shot-kiev-tweets-surviving-bullet-wound) a young woman who volunteered as a medic at protests against the Pro-Russian government at the time.

In the midst of the action, she tweeted the words: “I am dying.” You see, the government used snipers to target medics and journalists. With an armband sporting a red cross, she was a natural target. She took a round to the neck.

Seeing this drama unfold, I considered long term survival scenarios in which civil unrest and other events may put a survival group’s medic in harm’s way. This may involve situations where the medic is foraging with his/her group or simply at “base camp” when hostile forces arrive.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/combat-medic-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/combat-medic.jpg)In Kiev, the young woman might have thought her red cross identified her as a “non-combatant” and made her immune to enemy fire. Despite the Geneva Convention, this probably could not be further from the truth: Eliminating the medics is a great way to decrease the effectiveness of the group and is a devastating hit to morale. US military medics today wear a much less noticeable insignia.

Doing the right thing at the right time is the cornerstone of [tactical combat casualty care (TCCC). ](https://learning-media.allogy.com/api/v1/pdf/1045f287-baa4-4990-8951-de517a262ee2/contents) This is different from what you might consider to be the practice of good medicine. In an unsafe environment, good medicine could be bad tactics, and that could get people killed.

When under fire, therefore, your priorities should be to:

- Return fire and take cover. This poses the question: Should medics be armed? Gosh-darn right they should. Your goal is to abolish all threats, and this means helping to provide suppressive fire if needed. The best medical care when under fire is eliminating the enemy, or at least keeping their heads down and weapons silent.

This tactic may be problematic for the medic, as they will want to attend to wounded members first. Without dealing with the threat, however, by running into the line of fire, they’re likely to become the next casualty. History shows us that this was a common way for medics to meet their end, sometimes on the way to evaluate casualties already beyond help.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/medic-keep-the-casualty-engaged-300x200.jpg)Keep the casualty engaged in returning fire](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/medic-keep-the-casualty-engaged-scaled.jpg)

- Direct the casualty to remain engaged as a combatant if appropriate. An exception is if mental status is altered due to wounds, concussion, or other injuries. In this case, it’s better to disarm the casualty.
- If you can’t reach the casualty, direct them to move to cover and apply self-aid using their individual first aid kit (IFAK). Each of the members of your group should have one. If you can reach the casualty without becoming one yourself, extract them to the relative safety of cover immediately, so as to avoid sustaining additional wounds.
- Stop life-threatening hemorrhage if possible. Use a [CoTCCC-recommended tourniquet](https://books.allogy.com/web/tenant/8/books/f94aad5b-78f3-42be-b3de-8e8d63343866/) for wounds anatomically amenable to tourniquet use. Apply the limb tourniquet over the uniform clearly above the bleeding site. If the site of bleeding is not readily apparent, place the tourniquet “high and tight” (as high on the extremity as possible) and move the casualty to cover.\\\\
- Transport your victim away from hostile forces as soon as possible.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/medic-cover-2-300x200.jpg)Get the casualty and yourself to cover asap](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/medic-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Notice I haven’t mentioned airway management or cervical spine immobilization, two basic steps in evaluation, care, and transport of victims of trauma in a safe environment. This is good medicine, but control of hemorrhage will be the most likely way you’ll save a life in this scenario. You don’t have the luxury of time to do much else. That part happens when all is clear, and is called [tactical field care](https://learning-media.allogy.com/api/v1/pdf/1045f287-baa4-4990-8951-de517a262ee2/contents). We’ll discuss what to do next in future articles.

A complex issue facing the medic is that many tools used to evaluate a victim might be useless in a firefight. Forget trying to listen to a casualty with a stethoscope if there is gunfire. As well, it’s foolhardy to use a head lamp at night to treat the wounded, as it might as well be a target bull’s-eye.

Something that was clear to me in these settings was the importance of cross-training. Everyone in your group should know how to apply a tourniquet correctly to themselves and others, as well as other basic hemorrhage control strategies. If the medic is the wounded party, the ability to give concise instructions to others under stress could save a life (yours!).

If you are the medically responsible member of your group, think about what you would tell other group members to do if you were bleeding, broke a bone, were sick, etc. The more people that know how to deal with medical issues, the higher the chances to succeed, even if everything else fails.

I have the highest respect for the combat medic, who has a tough job in the best of circumstances. Each one of them is a better man/woman than this old country doctor. To see what goes into becoming one, see these first-person accounts:

By the way: Our Ukrainian medic was transported to the hospital, and survived. The last information I have on her is from 2021, before the Russian invasion. Given the situation, I can’t say if she lives today. If you know, please contact me.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)

Learn more about more than 200 medical issues faced by the group medic in survival scenarios with a copy of the Book Excellence award-winning “[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is Not On The Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/),” now in its 700 page 4th edition. Also, check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n GoHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: A Compact Vehicle Medical Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-a-compact-vehicle-medical-kit/) 

 [Landslides](https://www.doomandbloom.net/landslides/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** ballistic trauma, joe alton md, medic in harm's way, medical preparedness, medici in the line of fire, survival medicine, wound care

---

### [Landslides](https://www.doomandbloom.net/landslides/)

**Published:** March 19, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_75057139-mudslide-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_75057139-mudslide-scaled.jpg)

[Heavy rain across the state of California](https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/california-slammed-by-heavy-rain-man-zapped-by-downed-wire-tree-crashes-into-teens-room/ar-AA18FcWW) has caused **landslides**, including one that left [several homes dangling](https://weather.com/news/weather/video/california-homes-dangling-from-cliffs-as-landslides-cause-problems-statewide) from a cliffside in San Clemente. The state has seen an unusual amount of rain in certain areas lately, causing destruction and blocking roads.

[Landslides](https://www.ready.gov/landslides-debris-flow#during) are caused by disturbances in the natural stability of a slope. Areas where wildfires or faulty land development destroyed vegetation on slopes are at increased risk, especially during and after heavy rains.

(Aside: It’s not just a California event. When I’m in [the Great Smokies](https://www.thegreatsmokies.net/massive-landslide-closes-newfound-gap-road-smoky-mountains/), I, not uncommonly, come across scars on the land caused by a previous landslide.)

An [avalanche](https://www.doomandbloom.net/avalanche-survival/) is somewhat different from a landslide. An avalanche is comprised of a large mass of snow and ice sliding down a mountain side, but may bring rocks and trees along with it. It’s most often seen from December to April in the Northern Hemisphere. A landslide breaks up even more terrain of the mountain side itself and can occur at any time.

A **mudslide**, sometimes called a “**debris flow,**” is a landslide with a high amount of water content. Mudslides act like a river that, if the mud is thick, has the consistency of wet concrete. Rocks, trees, and other objects are moved by its irresistible force. A debris flow can cause homes to collapse, as it is doing in parts of California, and present the risk of traumatic injury to residents.

An event characterized by a very rapid flow of water and debris is sometimes called a “mud flow.” A mud flow has a even higher water content than other slides due, at least partially, to a lot of rain in a short period of time. Periods of heavy rainfall or snow melt saturate the ground and cause instability in sloping areas.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gatlinburg-City-View-2015-300x225.jpg)A place in the mountains is great, but…](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Gatlinburg-City-View-2015.jpg)

Humans contribute to this susceptibility with poor planning: Roads that are cut into hills and mountains make mudslides more likely. Riverside retreats at the base of a hill or mountain are also vulnerable. Things to consider for homes on slopes:

- Steep grades, natural or man-made runoff conduits, and areas of erosion are more prone to mudslides. Most municipalities have a geological survey specialist. Contact one and have them assess your property for possible risks.
- Flexible pipe fittings are less likely to develop gas or water leaks.
- Retaining or deflection walls will help block likely mudslide channels and direct flow around building. Be aware, though, that big flows go where they want.
- Avoid building in areas that have experienced mudslides in the past.
- Plan out at least two evacuation routes out of the area.
- Always have a battery-powered NOAA weather radio.
- Have a medical kit with items designed to deal with traumatic injury.

Although the exact timing of a landslide is unpredictable, debris flow-prone areas will begin to show signs that trouble is on the way. They include:

- Cracks develop in walls, flooring, paving, driveways, or foundations.
- Outside structures (for example, stairs or pavers) begin to separate from buildings.
- Doors and windows start becoming jammed.
- Utility lines start breaking.
- Fences, trees, and utility poles start tilting.
- Water starts accumulating in strange places
- Roads and embankments along slopes start breaking off at the edges.
- Flat terrain starts to “bulge” or slant at the base of the slope.
- Sudden increases or decreases in water levels in nearby creeks might indicate a debris flow upstream.
- Trickles of flowing mud may precede a larger flow.
- Some report that approaching mudslides make a deep rumbling sound.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_608936846-starry-night-300x200.jpg)Landslides are particularly deadly at night](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_608936846-starry-night-scaled.jpg)

If a storm occurs at night and you live in an at-risk area, stay awake and alert. People who are sleeping may be more likely to die in a landslide.

When a slide occurs, you may not have much time to act. It would have been wise to follow warnings on a weather radio as they are reported. If there’s time, warn your neighbors before you evacuate. Moving away from the path of the slide and to higher ground is your best chance to avoid injury.

If you choose to remain in place, get to the second story if you have one. Watch for and avoid downed power lines. As the slide passes through, get under a table and curl into a ball, protecting your head. If you’re trapped in the mud, survival rates go up if you can form an air pocket around you. Holding your arm in front of your face may help form a space and give you time and a measure of maneuverability.

If you had to, you can survive without water for 3 days and without food for much longer. As with earthquakes, always have a means of communications, whether it’s a cell phone or even just a loud whistle you can blow.

After a landslide event:

- Stay away from the slide area. Additional slides may be forthcoming.
- Listen for the latest emergency information.
- Watch for flooding, not an uncommon occurrence following landslides.
- Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide. In normal times, avoid the main slide area and direct professional rescuers to likely locations.
- Report broken utility lines and damaged roadways as soon as possible to those in charge.
- Replant damaged ground with trees as soon as possible to restore the land; erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to future landslides.

If your property has been damaged by the event, consider asking trained professionals to perform a thorough inspection to determine whether further measures should be taken.

Joe Alton MD

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Learn more about natural disasters and over 200 medical issues you might encounter in the aftermath in the Book Excellence Award-winning “[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)” and other books by Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton. Also, check out their entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [The Group Medic In Hostile Actions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-group-medic-in-hostile-actions/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Chemical Emergencies, Thyme, Medical Supplies, More...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-chemical-emergencies-thyme-medical-supplies-more/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Landslides, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** avalanche, debris flows, disaster preparedness, joe alton md, landslides, medical preparedness, mudslides, survival medicine, things to do in a landslide

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Chemical Emergencies, Thyme, Medical Supplies, More...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-chemical-emergencies-thyme-medical-supplies-more/)

**Published:** March 9, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this episode of **The Survival Medicine Podcast**, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss the importance of the medic knowing their role and job description in times of trouble, plus how to decide the types and number of medical supplies should be in your storage.

Also, the train derailment in Ohio last month caused a major chemical spill. Would you know what to do if 115,000 gallons of vinyl chloride were thrown at you from a train. Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_675668563-train-derailment-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_675668563-train-derailment-scaled.jpg)

Plus, Nurse Amy discuss the medical uses of thyme as a natural remedies when the commercial medications run out.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe AltonCheck out our [Stomp Supreme](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-large-size-stomp-supreme/) to get an idea of what the serious medic might need in a long-term off-grid scenario without hope of medevac, plus our other kits, many one-of-a-kind, at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Learn about the medical supplies you’ll need in times or trouble and 200 other medical topics in disaster settings in the award-winning [4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1-300x210.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Landslides](https://www.doomandbloom.net/landslides/) 

 [Chemical Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chemical-emergencies-2/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, chemical warfare, Chronic Illness, Dental Issues, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Remedies, Nuclear Events, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** amy alton np, chemical spills, how manmy supplies is enough?, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical supplies, medical uses of thyme, Ohio train derailment, survival medicine, thyme medicinal herb

---

### [Chemical Incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chemical-emergencies/)

**Published:** November 8, 2019
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**CHEMICAL EMERGENCIES**

In today’s modern world, it’s difficult to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. Chemical weapons are largely prohibited by the **[Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_Weapons_Convention)**, a treaty that outlaws their production and use. Although almost all nations have signed this treaty, the risk of chemical attacks by terror organizations and industrial accidents still exist.

**A SHORT HISTORY OF CHEMICAL ATTACKS**

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/greek-body-armor.jpg) 

In a previous article, we discussed the use of lethal chemicals dating back to the first poison-tipped arrow. Historical examples of natural and man-made substances used to cause mass casualties abound: The ancient Greeks, for example, commonly poisoned the water supply of besieged cities and, on occasion, would use sulfur fumes on defending forces. During the French conquest of Algeria in the 1840s, French troops trapped 1,000 Berber tribesmen into a cave and used smoke to kill them.

The invention of tear gas in 1912 came just in time for [World War I](http://www.world-war-1-facts.com/World-War-One-Weapon-Facts/World-War-One-Poison-Gas-Facts.html). From 1914-1918, both sides used chlorine, sulfur mustard, and phosgene. Tens of thousands of artillery shells filled with these substances were employed throughout the duration, causing 1.3 million chemical casualties and close to 100,000 deaths.

Aside: A young Adolf Hitler was temporarily blinded by a gas attack in 1918.

Although the League of Nations ratified a chemical weapon ban in 1925, Benito Mussolini used mustard gas on Ethiopians during Italy’s invasion in 1935-6. Although not used on the battlefield in World War II, poison gas killed millions of civilians during the holocaust.

Later in the twentieth century, incendiary chemicals like napalm and herbicides like Agent Orange caused deaths and long-term ill effects. Several incidents of chemical weapon use in the Middle East were reported later still.

Attacks have been rare since the **[Chemical Weapons Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_Weapons_Convention)** went into effect in 1997. Exceptions include [attacks by Syria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Shaykhun_chemical_attack) against civilian targets in 2013 and 2017.

**CATEGORIES OF CHEMICAL AGENTS**

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/essential-oils-group.jpg) There are many types of chemical emergencies  

The response to a[ chemical emergency](https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/agentlistchem.asp) depends on the substance involved. Each agent has a [different effect](https://www.emedicinehealth.com/chemical_warfare/article_em.htm#types_of_chemical_weapon_agents) on the human body. The list includes:

- **Acids**: Chemicals that burn or corrode people’s skin, eyes, and mucus membranes (lining of the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs) on contact.
- **Blister agents** (also called “vesicants”): Chemicals that severely blister the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin on contact.
- **Blood agents**: Poisons that affect the body by being absorbed into the blood.
- **Choking agents**: Chemicals that cause irritation or swelling of the respiratory tract.
- **Incapacitating agents**: Drugs that that cause an altered mental state or unconsciousness.
- **Long-acting anticoagulants**: Poisons that prevent blood from clotting properly, leading to hemorrhage.
- **Metals**: Agents that consist of metallic poisons.
- **Nerve agents**: Chemicals that work by preventing the nervous system from working properly.
- **Organic solvents**: Agents that damage the tissues of living things by dissolving fats and oils.
- **Riot control agents**: Highly irritating agents sometimes used by law enforcement for crowd control or by individuals for protection (e.g., pepper spray).
- **Toxic alcohols**: Poisonous alcohols that can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system.
- **Vomiting agents**: Chemicals that cause nausea and vomiting.
 
**WHAT TO DO IN CHEMICAL EMERGENCIES**

Chemical accidents or attacks, such as an overturned tanker truck or a terror event, may render an area dangerous. Common sense dictates evacuation as the wisest course of action. This is not only to prevent physical contact but also to avoid noxious fumes that may be carried by the winds. Given the wide range of chemicals, be sure to seek and rapidly act upon the advice of local emergency departments for the specific event.

Evacuation may involve going to an emergency shelter. If so, notify others of your plan of action and take additional supplies and medications that the municipality may not have in sufficient quantities. Know what their policy is regarding pets. The schools your children attend will have their own plan of action for chemical emergencies; be aware of their disaster protocols. It may be more dangerous to try to bring them home.

**SHELTER IN PLACE?**

Some chemical emergencies could make going outdoors risky. Leaving might put you in harm’s way. Sheltering in place is a way to protect yourself until help arrives. Sheltering in a vehicle, however, is a last resort, as vehicles aren’t airtight enough to protect you from noxious fumes.

If you can’t evacuate the area, choose a room with as few windows and doors as possible. A room with a water supply (a connecting bathroom, perhaps) is best. Some gases sink to the floor, so a second-story room is preferable. Notice how different this strategy is from most natural disaster plans, where a basement might be the safest area in the home.

Shut all outside doors and windows as soon as you are aware of the emergency. Locking and taping them will make a better seal against the chemical. Turn off air conditioners, fans, and heaters. Close the fireplace damper, vents, and any place that air can enter from outside.

Go into the designated safe room and shut the door. Turn on the radio and keep a cell phone available. If it is necessary to drink water, drink safely-stored water, not water from the tap. If you run out of water, you can drink from a toilet tank (but not from the bowl).

**HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE**

Some types of chemical exposure involve direct contact. As many substances (especially in liquid or solid form) can penetrate clothing and be absorbed through the skin, it will be necessary to remove and safely dispose of contaminated clothing. A thorough body wash with soap and water is then needed to both protect the victim and medical personnel. The faster this is accomplished, the more effective the decontamination.

When taking off chemical-drenched clothing, avoid pulling it over your head. Cut it off instead. When removing clothing from others, make every effort to avoid touching contaminated areas without hand protection (rubber gloves), tongs, or other methods that avoid contact with skin. Place all “dirty” items in a biohazard bag and seal it.

Eye damage from chemical exposure can be severe. Remove any contact lenses and rinse eyes with clean water for 10-15 minutes. Hold the eyelids away from the eyeball while moving the eye in all directions. Wash eyeglasses with soap and water.

**SUPPLIES**

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/compact-medical-kit-1024x795.jpg) Grab N Go(r) compact kit by Doom and Bloom  

With any luck, a chemical emergency will last only a few hours. Despite this, your shelter should have the usual basics:

- -A good first aid kit
- -Flashlights, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries for both
- -A means of communication
- -Food and bottled water. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person in plastic bottles as well as non-perishable foods with a long storage life.
- -Towels and plastic sheeting. You may have to cut sheeting to fit your windows, doors, and vents. Duct tape can be used to form a better seal.
 
Of course, this is the absolute minimum necessary for a short-term event. Longer-term disasters require much more. In modern times, call 911 or your local poison control center.

**MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CHEMICAL SPILLS**

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_69666385.jpg) 

Some [specialized materials](https://safety.nmsu.edu/emergency-information/hazardous-spill-procedures-2/chemical-exposure-and-spill-response-procedure/) not normally included in medical kits are useful for chemical spills. They include:

- Rubber or other chemically-resistant gloves, aprons, and boots
- Brooms & dustpans
- Safety goggles
 
- [Gas masks](https://fast-act.com/gas-mask-vs-respirator-mask/) (Note: N95 and other respirator masks, while excellent to protect against infectious diseases, are insufficient to protect against most noxious chemicals and gases)
 
- Plastic spatulas
- Plastic hazardous material bags
- 5-gallon buckets with lids
- Drum liners
- Baking Soda (useful for gasoline spills)
- Vermiculite (useful for package spills)
 
Note:[ This source](https://www.palmbeachstate.edu/safety/Documents/ChemicalSpillResponsePlan.pdf) suggests that a 1:1:1 mixture of unscented kitty litter, sodium bicarbonate and sand is good for most chemical spills including solvents, acids and bases.

Joe Alton MD

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg) Dr. Alton  

Fill those holes in your medical kit with supplies from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [**store.doomandbloom.net**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)!

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png) Find our books on Amazon or at our store!  

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Altons-Antibiotics-Final-cover-October-30-2018-2-683x1024.jpg) 

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Clindamycin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/clindamycin/) 

 [Chemical Warfare vs. Biological Warfare](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chemical-warfare-vs-biological-warfare/)

**Categories:** Burns, chemical warfare, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** chemical emergencies, chemical spills, chemical warfare, joe alton md, preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Chemical Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chemical-emergencies-2/)

**Published:** March 8, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/essential-oil-bottles-large-300x176.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/essential-oil-bottles-large-scaled.jpg)

I guess by now you’ve heard of the chemical emergency caused by the [derailment of a Norfolk Southern train](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/15/ohio-train-derailment-palestine-toxic-chemical-leak) in early February. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the hazardous materials included 115,580 gallons of vinyl chloride in addition to other chemicals. Shortly afterwards, officials decided to set the vinyl chloride on fire, leading to health hazards for the surrounding community.

It’s been several years since I’ve written about inadvertent chemical spills or even deliberate chemical attacks. In today’s modern world, it’s difficult to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. **Therefore, everyone should have an idea of what to do if contamination occurs.**

**VINYL CHLORIDE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_675668563-train-derailment-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_675668563-train-derailment-scaled.jpg)

In the Ohio train wreck, exposure to toxic [vinyl chloride](https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/chemical/vc.htm) put the citizens of East Palestine at risk due to contaminated air and, possibly, the water supply. In the air, vinyl chloride is an irritant. If water is contaminated, vinyl chloride can enter the air when the water is used for showering, cooking, and clothes washing.

Long-term effects of vinyl chloride exposure may be widespread, involving the nervous system, lungs, the liver, bones, and the entire immune system. Over time, the risk of several types of cancer increases. Damage to the reproductive system of both male and female lab animals has also been reported.

**OTHER CHEMICAL AGENTS**

The response to a chemical emergency depends on the substance involved. Each agent has a different effect on the human body. The list of dangerous chemical agents is long and includes:

- **Acids**: Chemicals that burn or corrode people’s skin, eyes, and mucus membranes (lining of the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs) on contact.
- **Blister agents**(also called “vesicants”): Chemicals that severely blister the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin on contact.
- **Blood agents**: Poisons that affect the body by being absorbed into the blood.
- **Choking agents**: Chemicals that cause irritation or swelling of the respiratory tract.
- **Incapacitating agents**: Drugs that cause an altered mental state or unconsciousness.
- **Long-acting anticoagulants**: Poisons that prevent blood from clotting properly, leading to hemorrhage.
- **Metals**: Agents that consist of metallic poisons.
- **Nerve agents**: Chemicals that work by preventing the nervous system from working properly.
- **Organic solvents**: Agents that damage the tissues of living things by dissolving fats and oils.
- **Riot control agents**: Highly irritating agents sometimes used by law enforcement for crowd control or by individuals for protection (e.g., pepper spray).
- **Toxic alcohols**: Poisonous alcohols that can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system.
- **Vomiting agents**: Chemicals that cause nausea and vomiting.

**USE OF CHEMICALS AS A WEAPON**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WWI-Gas-Attack-public-domain-250x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WWI-Gas-Attack-public-domain.jpg)

Chemical weapons are largely prohibited by the [Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC),](https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcglance) a treaty that outlaws their production and use. Although almost all nations have signed this treaty (North Korea is a notable exception), the risk of chemical attacks by terror organizations still exist.

The deliberate use of lethal chemicals dates back to the first poison-tipped arrow. [Historical examples](https://britannica.com/technology/chemical-weapon/Defense-against-chemical-weapons) of natural and man-made substances used to cause mass casualties abound: The ancient Greeks, for example, commonly poisoned the water supply of besieged cities and, on occasion, would use sulfur fumes on defending forces. During the French conquest of Algeria in the 1840s, French troops trapped 1,000 Berber tribesmen into a cave and used smoke to kill them.

The invention of tear gas in 1912 came just in time for World War I. From 1914-1918, both sides used chlorine, sulfur mustard, and phosgene. Tens of thousands of artillery shells filled with these substances were employed throughout the duration, causing 1.3 million chemical casualties and close to 100,000 deaths.

(Aside: A young Adolf Hitler was temporarily blinded by a gas attack in 1918.)

Although the League of Nations (an early version of the United Nations) ratified a chemical weapon ban in 1925, Benito Mussolini used mustard gas on Ethiopians during Italy’s invasion in 1935-6. Although not used on the battlefield in World War II, hydrogen cyanide gas (known as Zyklon B) killed millions of civilians during the holocaust.

Later in the twentieth century, incendiary chemicals like napalm and herbicides like Agent Orange caused deaths and long-term ill effects. Several incidents of chemical weapon use in Syria were reported in 2013 and 2017.

**WHAT TO DO IN CHEMICAL EMERGENCIES**

Chemical accidents or attacks, such as an overturned tanker truck, train derailment, or a terror event, may render an area dangerous. Common sense dictates evacuation as the wisest course of action. This is not only to prevent physical contact but also to avoid noxious fumes that may be carried by the winds. Given the wide range of chemicals, be sure to seek and rapidly act upon the advice of local emergency departments for the specific event.

Evacuation may involve going to an emergency shelter. If so, notify others of your plan of action and take additional supplies and medications that the municipality may not have in sufficient quantities. Know what their policy is regarding pets. The schools your children attend will have their own plan of action for chemical emergencies; be aware of their disaster protocols.

There are many different chemicals; each might require a specific method to neutralize. To absorb a small spill comprised of inorganic acids and bases, there are commercial neutralizers like [FastAct®](https://fast-act.com/product/5-kg-bulk-pail/) available. Some sources suggest that a [1:1:1 mixture](https://www.seattleu.edu/media/college-of-science-and-engineering/chemistry-department/Chemical-Spill-Response-Guide.pdf) of unscented kitty litter, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and dry sand is good for most chemical spills including solvents, acids and bases. Another option is to absorb certain spills with absorbent pads (or non-flammable pillows to suppress vapors), sand, or vermiculite.

**SHELTER IN PLACE?**

Some chemical emergencies could make going outdoors risky. Leaving might put you in harm’s way. Sheltering in place is (arguably) a way to get some protection until help arrives. Sheltering in a vehicle, however, is a last resort, as vehicles aren’t airtight enough to protect you from noxious fumes.

If you can’t evacuate the area, choose a room with as few windows and doors as possible. Some gases sink to the floor, so a second-story room is preferable. Notice how different this strategy is from most natural disaster plans, where a basement might be the safest area in the home.

Shut all outside doors and windows as soon as you are aware of the emergency. Locking and taping them will make a better seal against the chemical. Turn off air conditioners, fans, and heaters. Close the fireplace damper, vents, and any place that air can enter from outside.

Go into the designated safe room and shut the door. Turn on the radio and keep a cell phone available. If it is necessary to drink water, drink safely-stored water, not water from the tap. Consider shutting off the valve for your house may help avoid contamination of the existing water in the pipes. If you run out of water, you can drink from the toilet tank (but not from the bowl) or release some from the hot water heater.

**DIRECT CHEMICAL CONTACT**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_102722018-conjunctivitis-eye-300x217.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shutterstock_102722018-conjunctivitis-eye.jpg)

Some types of chemical exposure involve direct contact. As many substances (especially in liquid or solid form) can penetrate clothing and be absorbed through the skin, it’s necessary to remove and safely dispose of contaminated clothing. A thorough body wash with soap and water is then needed to both protect the victim and medical personnel. The faster this is accomplished, the more effective the decontamination; once the chemical has contaminated the water supply, showering may spray it onto you.

When taking off chemical-drenched clothing, avoid pulling it over your head. Cut it off instead. When removing clothing from others, make every effort to avoid touching contaminated areas without hand protection (rubber kitchen gloves), tongs, or other methods that avoid contact with skin. Place all “dirty” items in a biohazard bag and seal it.

Eye damage from chemical exposure can be severe. Remove any contact lenses and rinse eyes with clean water for 10-15 minutes. Hold the eyelids away from the eyeball while moving the eye in all directions. Wash eyeglasses with soap and water.

**SUPPLIES**

With any luck, a chemical emergency will last only a short time. Despite this, your shelter should have the usual basics:

- [A good first aid kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)
- Flashlights, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries for both
- A means of communication
- Food and bottled water. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person in plastic bottles as well as non-perishable foods with a long storage life.
- Towels and plastic sheeting. You may have to cut sheeting to fit your windows, doors, and vents. Duct tape can be used to form a better seal.

Of course, this is the absolute minimum necessary for a short-term event. Longer-term disasters require much more. In modern times, call 911 or your local poison control center.

**MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CHEMICAL SPILLS**

Some [specialized materials](https://safety.nmsu.edu/emergency-information/hazardous-spill-procedures-2/chemical-exposure-and-spill-response-procedure/) not normally included in medical kits are useful for chemical spills. They include:

- Rubber or other chemically-resistant gloves, aprons, and boots
- Brooms & dustpans
- Safety goggles
- [Gas masks](https://fast-act.com/gas-mask-vs-respirator-mask/)(Note: N95 and other respirator masks may provide some protection against certain airborne infections, but are insufficient to protect against most noxious chemicals and gases)
- Plastic spatulas and shovels
- Plastic hazardous material bags
- 5-gallon buckets with lids
- Drum liners
- Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- Vermiculite

Hopefully, you’ll never be involved in a major chemical emergency, but it’s the responsibility of the survival medic to know about any crisis they may face in times of trouble.

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)Dr. Alton](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

Learn more about chemical emergencies, including [chemical warfare](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chemical-warfare-vs-biological-warfare/), in the Book Excellence Award-winning 4th edition of **The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**, available in black and white on Amazon and in color and spiral bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies as well! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_first_aid_kit_for_hiking_camping_travel_boating_Doom_and_Bloom_Medicial__21207.1508716098.1280.12801-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_first_aid_kit_for_hiking_camping_travel_boating_Doom_and_Bloom_Medicial__21207.1508716098.1280.12801.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Chemical Emergencies, Thyme, Medical Supplies, More...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-chemical-emergencies-thyme-medical-supplies-more/) 

 [Medical Supplies: How Much Is Enough?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-supplies-how-much-is-enough/)

**Categories:** chemical warfare, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** chemical emergencies, chemical spills, chemical warfare, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Ohio train derailment, survival medicine, vinyl chloride

---

### [Medical Supplies: How Much Is Enough?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-supplies-how-much-is-enough/)

**Published:** March 2, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)

A common question that family medics ask of me is “how much”? Indeed, the state of the world is making people more and more uneasy, and many casual preppers are now becoming more serious about their preparations. This means a real inventory of medical items they currently have, and what else would be useful if the you-know-what hits the fan.

The grand majority of prepared folk have non-perishable food in storage and some means of defense, but are woefully short on medical supplies. I would guess that, regardless of your level of preparedness, you could probably improve on your medical stockpile. Of course, it would be terrific if everyone had unlimited funds and the space to put together their own field hospital. Reality is cruel, however, and we must concentrate on the most important items. But what are they?

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-300x199.jpg)medical resources might be overwhelmed](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-scaled-e1631371164857.jpg)

Well, that depends on the specific situation you consider most likely to take society over the edge. Many people are now concerned about the situation in Ukraine. The idea of tactical nuclear weapon deployment is becoming less hard to believe as hostilities continue. If such an event occurred, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a war involving some kind of nuclear exchange could occur. Recently, [one Russian strategist even floated the idea](https://www.newsweek.com/could-nuclear-bomb-cause-yellowstone-erupt-1783679) of setting off a nuclear bomb in the [Yellowstone caldera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_Caldera)!

This scenario has specific challenges that will confront the survival medic: Massive trauma, burns, crush injuries, and radiation sickness are just some. Add to that the likelihood of mass casualties. Indeed, more than one member of your family and group may be injured or ill in such an event. A large number of supplies similar to what you’ll find in [the contents of this large backpack kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-large-size-stomp-supreme/) would be required to deal with multiple casualties at once.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/stomp-Supreme-open-HR_burned-236x300.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/stomp-Supreme-open-HR_burned.png)

The supplies you’ll need aren’t just trauma-related. Outside of the nuclear destruction scenario, there are various natural disasters that can overwhelm the existing medical resources. Even a massive solar flare may knock out power in your area for the long term. If that’s the case, water treatment failures and lack of refrigeration may lead to food contamination. Without significant stockpiles of materials to disinfect water, properly cook food, and maintain good sanitation, you can expect the return of many epidemic diseases of the past, like cholera. Antibiotics and other medications like loperamide will be very useful in these circumstances.

Many medical kit makers claim that their products can handle the needs of a specific number of people (“enough supplies for 25 people!”). Others claim that the supplies within will suffice for a group’s medical needs for a period of two, three, or five years. This is, of course, absolutely impossible to gauge with any accuracy.

[![Image of Hemostatic Gauzes](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image-300x180.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image.jpg)

For example, take the example of an injury with severe bleeding. Let’s say a liter or two of blood has spurted out of a torn femoral artery before you could stop the hemorrhage. I would bet it would take all the dressings you had in your storage to absorb that amount of blood from the wound. That means you’ll need more commercially-made or improvised dressings than you currently have at hand to function as the medic for more than that one incident. Better than that, you might consider the expensive but more effective blood-clotting items like QuikClot, Celox, and Chitosam, which can stop severe hemorrhaging in three minutes.

If your family’s camp is near a group of armed hostiles, your people will be more at risk for these kinds of injuries. You’ll certainly need much more in quantity and variety of items like bandages, tourniquets, and blood-clotting dressings than if you lived on top of a mountain with no other humans around for 25 miles.

So, in reality, no medical kit should be advertised as being sufficient for 25, 50, or any other number of people. One major disaster or hostile encounter can wipe out the contents in one day.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_28380934-activities-of-daily-survival-272x300.jpg)Lumberjack or accountant?](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_28380934-activities-of-daily-survival.jpg)

What a medical kit can “handle” also depends greatly on the specific family or group, the demographics of its members, and how perilous the conditions are. Even in decent off-grid scenarios, survivors will get injured performing acts of daily survival to which they’re not accustomed. Let’s take chopping wood for fuel as an example. If your survival group is composed of lumberjacks from the Great Northwest, you’ll probably end up with fewer injuries than if you handed axes to a group of accountants. How about the simple transport of water to base camp? If your group consists of 28-year-old ex-marines, you’ll likely have less problems lugging 5-gallon buckets from a water source than if you assigned the task to your grandmother and eight-year-old niece.

Therefore, the amount, variety, and longevity of medical supplies depends so much on the situation that it’s simply impossible to guarantee that this or that amount is enough. The best medics can do is to accumulate as much as their financial resources and storage space can accommodate. If there is such a thing as surplus medical supplies, they will make great barter items (something we’ll talk about in the near future).

Obtaining these materials isn’t something that must be done all at once. Dedicate a small amount of money to buy items every month or work in some time regularly to improvise, say, bandages from old sheets.

You should not feel that the more advanced supply lists are your responsibility to accumulate alone. Your entire group should (under the medic’s coordination) contribute to stockpiling medical stores over time. The accumulation of medical knowledge is even more important: Your members should be working to learn how to stop bleeding, wrap orthopedic injuries, and care for those bedridden with infections and other medical illnesses. If you have these skills, start teaching!

The responsibilities of the survival medic may seem daunting, but with diligence, study, and supplies, you’ll have a better chance to keep it together, even if everything else falls apart.

Joe Alton MD

Check out our [Stomp Supreme](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-large-size-stomp-supreme/) to get an idea of what the serious medic might need in a long-term off-grid scenario without hope of medevac, plus our other kits, many one-of-a-kind, at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Learn about the medical supplies you’ll need in times or trouble and 200 other medical topics in disaster settings in the award-winning [4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)..

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom(r)/Grab n Go(r)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Chemical Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chemical-emergencies-2/) 

 [Video: Minor Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-minor-wounds/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Bones and Joints, Chronic Illness, Earthquake, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Volcanoes

**Tags:** activities of daily survival, amy alton np, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical supplies, natural disasters, nuclear events, stomp supreme kit, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Minor Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-minor-wounds/)

**Published:** February 27, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CANVA-minor-wound-video-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CANVA-minor-wound-video.png)

In this video, Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton steps in front of the camera to discuss what should be in a solid minor wound kit and storage for a possible long-term survival scenario. You’ll be dealing with lesser wounds a lot more often than life-threatening (gosh, I hope), so this is your chance to compare your supplies to what we think the serious survival medic should have!

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy Alton, NP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Amy-Alton-Everglades-Close-up-400-x-600-244x300.jpg)Nurse Amy ](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Amy-Alton-Everglades-Close-up-400-x-600.jpg)

Learn more about minor wounds and 200 other off-grid medical topics, in the award-winning 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook, available in black and white at Amazon, and in color and spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies for the serious survival medic!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![A loaded first aid kit with medical supplies for trauma,burns, sprains and strains and other medical issues](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic.jpg)Stomp Supreme Major Trauma and Comprehensive First Aid Kit by Doom and Bloom Medical, Amy Alton, ARNPHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Medical Supplies: How Much Is Enough?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-supplies-how-much-is-enough/) 

 [The S.O.A.P. Note In Problem-Oriented Exams](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-s-o-a-p-note-in-problem-oriented-exams/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Minor Wounds, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** Amy Alton, joe alton md, medical preparedness, minor wound care, minor wounds, np, survival medicine

---

### [Who Was The First President?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/first-president/)

**Published:** February 17, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![john hanson](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/john-hanson.jpg "John Hanson, President")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/john-hanson.jpg)President John Hanson(updated 2/20/23)

It’s Presidents’ Day in the U.S., and we celebrate the 45 men who have held the office, beginning with George Washington. However, was George Washington really the first President? Seems like the simplest question that even a child could answer, but it’s not exactly as clear-cut as you’d think.

(As an aside, Joe Biden is the 46th president, but the 45rd person to hold the office, as Grover Cleveland’s two terms were not consecutive, making him both the 21st and 23rd President. If Donald Trump is elected in 2024, he would be the 45th and 47th president)

The United States declared its independence in 1776, and won the battle of Yorktown in 1781, but George Washington didn’t take office as president until 1789! So who was in charge of running the country until then? Naysayers say no one, but there were a number of patriots who had the title of president. The big question is, president of what?

There were a number of Presidents of the Continental Congress, beginning with the man who signed his name in large script, John Hancock. But were the thirteen colonies now one country on July 4, 1776? Not officially. It wasn’t until the Articles of Confederation were signed in 1781 that we could say that the thirteen colonies were a new unified nation, the United States of America.

The first man elected president under the Articles of Confederation (who didn’t resign immediately, at least) was one John Hanson of Frederick County, Maryland. Who?

Like many of our Founding Fathers, John Hanson (and the eight men who served as President after him) have been relegated to the dustbin of history. Many prominent patriots don’t have statues dedicated to them in Washington, D.C. In fact, a lot of them died penniless and uncelebrated. For more info, see my article:

[Fate of the Forgotten Founding Fathers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fate-of-the-forgotten-founding-fathers/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/fate-of-the-forgotten-founding-fathers/")

Once the signing of the Articles of Confederation took place in 1781, a President was needed to run the country. John Hanson was chosen unanimously by Congress (which included George Washington). As the first President, Hanson had quite the shoes to fill. No one had ever been President of the United States; the responsibilities were vague and ill-defined, but there were issues to be settled.

As the war for independence wound down, continental troops were demanding back salaries. Many of them were not in favor of the new government and even considered installing George Washington as King. John Hanson was responsible for quelling this discontent and held the rickety congress together.

Hanson is also responsible for ejecting foreign troops out of the new country. This wasn’t easy, as many of our allies felt they had a claim to special privileges due to their aid for the American cause. Among other things, he also established the Treasury, War, and Foreign Affairs departments. All of this in a term of office that lasted only one year.

After him, the following men were elected as President of congress:

- Elias Boudinot 1782-3
- Thomas Mifflin 1783-4
- Richard Henry Lee 1784-5
- John Hancock 1785-6 (elected but could not serve due to illness)
- Dr. David Ramsay (Nov 23, 1785 – May 12, 1786)
- Nathaniel Gorham (May 15, 1786-Nov. 5, 1786)
- Arthur St. Clair 1787-8
- Cyrus Griffin 1788-9

So why don’t we recognize these patriots as our first Presidents? Because we didn’t yet have a constitution that gave the federal government any significant power. As such, they served as President of Congress more than as leader of a united country.

Therefore, George Washington was the first president to serve under a firm constitution that established the United States that we know today. The first 9 presidents? They have faded into history, but let’s not forget their service to a fragile new entity that became a great nation.

Joe Alton, M.D.

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)Joe Alton, M.D.You won’t learn about American presidents in the award-winning 4th edition of [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/), but you’ll learn a lot about how to deal with medical issues in disasters and epidemics!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: The Medic Under Fire, Travel Preparedness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-the-medic-under-fire-travel-preparedness/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: The Simple Survival Smart Book, and more...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-the-simple-survival-smart-book-and-more/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Rants and Raves

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, george washington, joe alton md, John Hanson, the first president

---

### [The S.O.A.P. Note In Problem-Oriented Exams](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-s-o-a-p-note-in-problem-oriented-exams/)

**Published:** February 16, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_59573617-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_59573617.jpg)

Last time, we discussed some principles of the medical history and physical exam, something important to know for those medically responsible for a group in survival settings.

Few medics will be conducting regular yearly physicals in survival scenarios. Their patient encounters will be related to some medical problem, such as an injury or illness. The reason why a patient is seeing the healthcare provider is known as the **chief complaint (CC)**.

The reason someone seeks medical care is sometimes very obvious and may take little medical skill to ascertain. Why it’s happening is not always as clear. For example, a person presenting to the medic with tremors needs [a full neurologic (nerve-oriented) exam](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-how-to-perform-a-neuro-exam/), but might not have nerve disease. They could be withdrawing from alcohol addiction or suffering from exposure to cold.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_1762049183-foot-cellulitis-300x187.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_1762049183-foot-cellulitis-scaled.jpg)

Let’s say someone has a problem with their arm. When it comes to an injury in a specific area, a simple general method of evaluation is known as **D.O.T.S.**:

D: **Deformity**. Is there an abnormality of the area compared to the same place on the other side of the body?

O: **Open wounds.** Has the skin been breached?

T: **Tenderness:** Is there a lot of pain?

S: **Swelling:** Is the area swollen compared to the opposite side?

A problem-oriented exam more efficiently identifies the issue. If you’re evaluating a college football player whose CC is that they hurt their knee during a game, you probably don’t need to perform a full heart and lung exam. If an older person presents to you complaining of leg swelling not associated with injury, however, cardiac causes should be ruled out.

**THE S.O.A.P. NOTE**

Documentation is important if you’re going to follow a person’s progress long-term in your role as medic. You can’t be expected to remember everything, and a written record helps those who succeed you as group medic. Of course, written records are most manageable if you are staying in place.

The simplest method is called “S.O.A.P.” A [**SOAP note**](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482263/) is concise and only contains necessary information. It can be used for a fast evaluation or, perhaps, to follow the progress of an injury or infection. There are four parts:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/raccoon-public-domain-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/raccoon-public-domain-scaled.jpg)

**S: Subjective:** What’s the chief complaint? What other information did the patient give you that’s pertinent to the encounter? Here’s an example: A raccoon is biting my foot! That foot, right there.

O: Objective: What physical signs of a problem did you uncover on physical exam? Multiple foot puncture wounds attached to the teeth of a live Raccoon?

A: Assessment: What is your impression of what’s wrong with the patient? Raccoon bite.

P: Plan: What you are going to do to deal with the problem? Remove raccoon. Clean and dress wound. Make Daniel Boone hat.

It’s not always that simple, but it’s concise and accurate. The chief complaint may require you to get and document more information, such as:

- Onset: When did the CC begin?
- Duration: How long has the CC been going on for?
- Alleviating and Aggravating factors: What makes the CC better? Worse?
- Radiation: Does the CC move or stay in one location?
- Time: Is the CC worse (or better) at a certain time of the day?
- Severity: Using a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the least, 10 being the worst, how does the patient rate the CC?

In any case, the S.O.A.P. note is the best way the group medic can have a short, concise written record to which they (or their successors) can refer.

In future articles, we’ll discuss more about aspects of the medical history and physical exam.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids-300x201.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids.jpg)Joe Alton MDLearn more about the off-grid history and physical, and 200 other medical topics, in the award-winning 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook, available in black and white at Amazon, and in color and spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies for the serious survival medic.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Minor Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-minor-wounds/) 

 [Surviving An Earthquake](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-an-earthquak/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical HIstory, Medical Preparedness, Physical Exam, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** history and physical, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical records, S.O.A.P., SOAP note, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Earthquakes, Listeria, Allergy Prevention, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-earthquakes-listeria-allergy-prevention-more/)

**Published:** February 11, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

Recently, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused massive damage and loss of life in parts of Turkey and Syria. Over 22,000 deaths are confirmed so far, with more than 60,000 injured. Dr. Joe Alton tells you everything you need to know to increase your chances of surviving this unpredictable and devastating natural disaster.

Also, Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton gives you the scoop of preventing allergies in the coming season, with a number of natural remedies to improve your quality of life. Dr. Alton returns to discuss the recent listeria outbreak that has caused 400 food brands to be recalled from the market in the last couple of weeks.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton!

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)The Altons](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Hey, make sure you get your family medically prepared with quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Surviving An Earthquake](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-an-earthquak/) 

 [Seasickness/Motion Sickness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seasickness-motion-sickness/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, bacterial disease, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Earthquake, epidemics, Food, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Stomach/Intestinal

**Tags:** allergy prevention, amy alton np, earthquake preparedness, food safety, joe alton md, listeria infection, medical preparedness, natural allergy remedies, survival medicine

---

### [Surviving An Earthquake](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-an-earthquak/)

**Published:** February 11, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_529014751-earthquake-damage-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_529014751-earthquake-damage-scaled.jpg)

Recently, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused massive damage and loss of life in parts of [Turkey and Syria.](https://www.foxnews.com/world/turkey-hit-7-8-magnitude-earthquake-felt-across-middle-east) Over 22,000 deaths are confirmed so far, with more than 60,000 injured. This makes the earthquake worse than the one that caused so much damage in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011. In 2010, more than 222,000 died in the [**Haitian earthquake**](https://www.britannica.com/event/2010-Haiti-earthquake). Indeed, earthquakes are relatively common natural disasters in certain parts of the world.

We haven’t had anything on that level in the United States, but you still should know, family medic, what to do in the case of one. I know, and you know, that hurricanes are more significant for residents of the Gulf or East Coasts of the United States, but the West Coast and even some areas of the Midwest should be concerned about the possible risk of an earthquake event.

Some of our most populated areas are actually near “**fault lines**”. A fault is a fracture in a volume of base rock. This is an area where earth movement releases energy that can cause major surface disruptions. This movement is sometimes called a “**seismic wave**”.

The strength of an earthquake has been historically measured using [**the Richter scale**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_magnitude_scale). This measurement (from 0-10 or more) identifies the magnitude of tremors at a certain location. Each increase of 1 magnitude increases the strength by a factor of 10. The highest registered earthquake was The [Great Chilean Earthquake of 1960](https://www.britannica.com/event/Chile-earthquake-of-1960) (9.5 on the Richter scale). Most Quakes, however, are less than 2.0 on the Richter scale, and occur every day in one place or another. These are unlikely to be noticed by the average person.

A newer measurement, the [**Moment Magnitude scale**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_magnitude_scale), calculates each point of magnitude as releasing more than 30 times the energy of the previous one. It is considered more accurate than the Richter scale, especially for higher magnitude earthquakes. So a moment magnitude 7 quake is 30 times as powerful as a magnitude 6.

If the energy is released offshore, a “**tsunami**” or tidal wave may be generated. In Fukushima, Japan, a very powerful offshore earthquake (8.9 magnitude) and tsunami wreaked havoc in 2011, causing major damage, loss of life, and meltdowns in local nuclear reactors.

**PREPARING FOR AN EARTHQUAKE**

Earthquakes, if they’re major, are especially dangerous due to their unpredictability. There’s usually little notice given beforehand. That means you should make sure each member of your family knows what to do no matter where they are when an earthquake occurs. That’s important because, unless it happens in the dead of night, it’s unlikely you will all be in the house together. Planning ahead will give you the best chance of gathering your family together and making the best of a bad situation.

To be prepared, you’ll need, at the very least, the following supplies:

- Non-perishable food and water
- Power sources
- Alternative shelters
- Medical items (especially those that handle trauma/open wounds)
- Clothing appropriate to the weather
- Fire extinguishers
- A Means of communication
- Money (don’t count on credit or debit cards if the power’s down)
- Individual tools like an adjustable wrench to turn off gas or water

Figure out where you’ll meet in the event of tremors. What’s the school system’s plan for earthquakes? Would you be able to find your kids? If you’re in an earthquake zone, you should be sure that they can easily reach you and have a plan of action.

It would be appropriate to always have a “get-home” bag put together at work or in the car. Some food, liquids, and a pair of sturdy, comfortable shoes are useful items to have available, in case you have to make it home by foot due to road damage.

At home, it’s especially important to know where your gas, electric, and water main shutoffs are. Make sure that everyone has an idea of how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrical short. Know where the nearest medical facility is, but be aware that you may be on your own; medical responders are going to be overwhelmed and may not get to you quickly or at all.

Look around your house for fixtures like chandeliers and bookcases that might not be stable enough to withstand an earthquake. Flat screen TVs, especially large ones, could easily be toppled by moderate tremors. Be sure to check out kitchen and pantry shelves, and the stability of anything that might be hanging over the headboard of your bed, like a work of art.

**WHEN THE TREMORS START**

What should you do when the tremors start? If you’re indoors, get under a table, desk, or something else solid and hold on. If cover isn’t available, stand against an inside wall. Don’t try to use elevators. You should stay clear of windows, shelves, and kitchen areas.

While the building is shaking, don’t try to run out. This goes against what your gut might tell you, but you could easily fall down stairs or get hit by falling debris. We had always thought you should stand in the doorway because of the frame’s sturdiness, but it turns out that, in modern homes, doorways aren’t any more solid than any other part of the structure.

Once the initial tremors are over, go outside. Once there, stay as far out in the open as possible, away from power lines, chimneys, and anything else that could fall on top of you.

You might be in your automobile when the earthquake hits. Get out of traffic as quickly as possible; other drivers are likely to be less level-headed than you are. Don’t stop your car under bridges, trees, overpasses, power lines, or light posts. Stay in your vehicle while the tremors are active.

**AFTERWARDS**

One issue to be concerned about is gas leaks; make sure you don’t use your camp stoves, lighters, or even matches until you’re certain all is clear. Even a match could ignite a spark that could lead to an explosion. If you turned the gas off, you might consider letting the utility company turn it back on.

Don’t count on telephone service after a natural disaster. Telephone companies only have enough lines to deal with 20% of total call volume at any one time. It’s likely all lines will be occupied. Interestingly, this doesn’t seem to apply to texts; you’ll have a better to chance to communicate by texting than by voice due to the wavelength used. This used to be cutting edge advice, but now everyone texts. If you have old folks who aren’t savvy about texting, take a moment to teach them. It’s not rocket science.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MDLearn more about surviving an earthquake and dealing with its medical consequences, plus 200 other medical topics in the award-winning 4th Edition of **The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is Not On The Way,** available in black and white on Amazon and in color or spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, get prepared with quality kits from our entire line. You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Earthquake, General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** earthquake preparedness, joe alton md, medical preparedness, moment magnitude scale, natural disasters, richter scale, turkey earthquake

---

### [Seasickness/Motion Sickness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seasickness-motion-sickness/)

**Published:** February 7, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/amy-boat-key-west-225x300.jpg)Not everyone on the boat was all smiles….](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/amy-boat-key-west-scaled.jpg)

Recently, Nurse Amy and I took a trip to Key West, Florida, for some deep-sea and reef fishing. I’d like to say a good time was had by all, but on every boat in moderate seas, there are those that suffer what the French call “*mal de mer*.” You know it as motion sickness or **seasickness**.

Don’t be embarrassed if you’ve been seasick or suffered other kinds of motion sickness before. It’s pretty gosh-darn common, so much so that the [Centers for Disease Control](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/motion-sickness) (CDC) report that almost everyone has experienced it. Indeed, Admiral Lord Nelson, British naval hero of the Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars, complained of having it. Even some of your favorite reality stars from “Deadliest Catch” suffer from it.

(Aside: The “medical-ese” for seasickness is “**kinetosis**.” You now know a medical term that the grand majority of physicians don’t. Ask yours “what should I do for kinetosis?” and get a blank stare!)

Some survival scenarios require water travel or a bumpy road trip. If your only route to your bug-out destination is by sea, you may suffer during the voyage. There are, however, a number of strategies to reduce or eliminate seasickness.

**WHY PEOPLE GET SEASICK**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/joe-with-remora-key-west-225x300.jpg)Dr. Bones with a remora fish stuck to his arm ](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/joe-with-remora-key-west-scaled.jpg)

Travel involves moving, but motion can make you sick. You get seasick when one part of your balancing system (for example, eyes, sensory nerves, and the inner ear) notes movement but other parts don’t. Let’s say you’re inside the cabin of a vessel at sea. Your inner ear senses the motion of the waves, but your eyes don’t detect it. This contradiction of sensory inputs confuses the brain and causes a processing failure that leads to motion sickness.

Who gets seasick? It appears that women are more likely to experience it than men. Also, people who are very sensitive to smells may be especially vulnerable. Where you are plays a part: The Atlantic Ocean has rougher seas than the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea. A small ship is less stable than a large one. Newer ships have more stabilization tech than older ships. If you’re on an old, small ship in the North Atlantic, be prepared.

**SYMPTOMS OF SEASICKNESS**

There are a number of symptoms seen in victims of seasickness. They include:

- Headache
- Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cold sweats
- Paleness

Some confuse it with the flu or eating contaminated food, but seasickness is specifically related to motion. If you feel better when you get off the boat, it’s seasickness.

**TREATING AND PREVENTING SEASICKNESS**

There are a number of strategies to prevent seasickness and others that treat an ongoing case. It’s important to know that everyone reacts individually to meds and natural remedies. Always have more than one way to deal with the problem and don’t be shy about asking your physician for options. Here are some:

**PRESCRIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS**

In normal times, you have access to various drugs and supplements that can help. Some are by prescription and others are over the counter.

**SCOPOLAMINE**: The most popular prescription medicine for seasickness and other forms of motion sickness comes in the form of a skin patch with [scopolamine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopolamine) (brand name: Transderm Scop). Placed on the skin behind the ear, it works for up to three full days. Scopolamine is most effective when applied four hours before boarding the vessel. These patches work similarly to antihistamines by interfering with the communication between nerves and the part of the brain that controls vomiting. Scopolamine patches last longer than antihistamines, however, and many insist they have fewer side effects. Wear only one patch at a time and avoid alcohol when wearing one. Also, make sure to remove the patch after three days, as withdrawal symptoms can occur that are very similar to…seasickness!

**ANTIHISTAMINES**: A number of over-the-counter antihistamines such as Dramamine and Bonine ([Dimenhydrinate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimenhydrinate)) have ingredients that calm down the brain’s nausea and vomiting mechanism. They are taken once on the night before the trip and then again an hour before boarding.

Scopolamine and antihistamines both have the possible side effect of causing significant drowsiness in susceptible individuals.

**HERBAL AND OTHER NATURAL REMEDIES**

A number of natural remedies have been reported to help with motion sickness. Although the hard data is not yet in, some might be worth a shot:

**GINGER:** Ginger is a popular remedy used to treat seasickness for centuries. Some studies suggest that a gram of ginger works as well or better than Dramamine. Ginger is available as chews, lollipops, or in teas.

**VITAMIN C:** Vitamin C may possibly work against seasickness. In one study, subjects were given either two grams of vitamin C or a placebo, then placed on a raft in a wave pool. Those taking vitamin C reported less symptoms.

**WRIST BANDS:** Based upon the practice of [acupressure](https://acupressure.com/acupressure-basics-fundamentals/acupressure-points/), these bands apply pressure on the underside of the arm about 1 ½ inches above the wrist. Some newer versions deliver a mild electrical pulse to the area instead.

**AROMATHERAPY:** Products like “[Quease-Ease](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Quease-Ease-Motion-Sickness-Instant-Relief/49424319)” contain a combination of several herbal essential oils and are meant to be inhaled to relieve symptoms of motion sickness.

**OTHER STRATEGIES TO TREAT OR PREVENT SEASICKNESS**

In survival settings, you may not have any of the above products. Here are some options:

**GET REST:** Not enough rest leads to sleep deprivation, which magnifies the occurrence of seasickness by interfering with the inner ear’s ability to habituate to turbulent motion.

**EAT WELL BUT NOT TOO MUCH:** Enduring rough seas on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster, but it’s just as bad to be full. Eat some starches before leaving and nibble on snacks throughout the day. Beware of greasy, spicy, or fatty foods as they can worsen the symptoms. Consider bread, crackers, or pretzels instead. Others swear by hard candies or chewing gum to avoid feeling sick.

**STAY HYDRATED (THAT’S WATER OR ELECTROLYTE DRINKS, NOT ALCOHOL):** Dehydration is bad enough, but seasick and dehydrated is worse. If you’re on the ocean, make sure to bring water or sports drinks and sip frequently. Don’t sip, however, on a martini or other alcoholic beverage! This can initiate or worsen a bout of seasickness.

**GET SOME FRESH AIR:** Staying in the closed cabin of a ship in rough waters can cause or worsen seasickness. Getting out on deck in the fresh air often helps relieve symptoms. Practice controlled breathing to avoid hyperventilating.

**FIND THE BEST PART OF THE SHIP:** The front and back of the boat will experience the most wave motion. Look for a spot in the center of the boat where the movement is at its lowest level. The helm (steering wheel) is often right at this spot, so taking over the wheel might also give you a sense of control that helps ease the discomfort.

**AVOID STRONG ODORS:** Strong smells like exhaust fumes or cooking odors can increase sensations of nausea.

**LOOK AT THE HORIZON:** In addition to getting out on deck for fresh air, look at the horizon. The horizon will likely be more stable than near views.

**TAKE A NAP:** Sleeping often eases seasickness. Staying low on the boat, towards the center, and on your back all work to mitigate motion and get you through the voyage. Closing your eyes prevents your brain from being on the receiving end of signals that can lead to seasickness.

**STOP READING:** Reading, texting, or otherwise concentrating on books, screens, or phones is liable to make you sick on a boat. This happens because focusing your eyes on an apparently stationary target convinces your brain that your balance is off.

**INSERT AN EARPLUG:** Seasickness is caused by the brain receiving mixed signals from the inner ear and the eyes. If you insert an earplug into one ear, this causes your brain to believe that your inner ear isn’t working quite right, so it ignores it in favor of your eyes, making the movement of the ocean correlate well what your eyes are seeing, thus decreasing motion sickness. Tradition suggests placing the earplug in the opposite ear from your dominant hand.

**STAY OUT OF THE SUN:** Long hours in the sun will hasten dehydration and worsen seasickness. If there’s no shade, consider a large hat to give you some protection.

**AVOID OTHERS WHO ARE SEASICK:** Sounds cruel, but seeing a lot of other people vomiting can trigger the same response in you. Don’t let the idea of getting seasick get into your head, or you might talk yourself into it!

**GIVE IN:**  Once you’re seasick and you really feel like vomiting, just go ahead. You’ll feel a lot better afterwards. Remember, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amy-with-fish-key-west-300x225.jpg)Heckuva haul, even after throwing 80 percent back!](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Amy-with-fish-key-west-scaled.jpg)

**HOW LONG DOES SEASICKNESS LAST?**

Here’s a little good news: Surveys reveal that the grand majority of the seriously seasick recover within 48 hours, even if they stay aboard ship. Try several of the strategies mentioned, and you’re likely to prevent or, at least, lessen the misery.

**Joe Alton MD**

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Get your family more medically-prepared this year with quality books, medical kits, and individual supplies from [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Community Vs. Individual Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-community-vs-individual-survival/)

**Categories:** Dehydration, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Motion Sickness, Natural Remedies, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** boat travel, joe alton md, medical preparedness, motion sickness, seasickness, survival medicine

---

### [How Community Affects Your Survival Chances](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-community-affects-your-survival-chances/)

**Published:** January 17, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We’ve all seen programs that follow the adventures and misadventures of individuals in survival settings. Sometimes, one or two rugged survivalists will successfully survive an off-grid challenge (sometimes naked) for a period of time. Despite this, having seen the results of extended time alone in hostile backcountry, I come away with the feeling that isolation is a bad thing for human beings.

Let’s imagine that a monumental disaster has occurred, and you have survived. The power grid is down, and is unlikely to be up again for years. You, however, have prudently stored food, medical supplies, farming tools, and hunting equipment. You’re safe alone in your shelter. You are a fine, young, reasonably intelligent person with no medical issues.

It sounds like you’ve figured out the formula for success, but you haven’t. The problem with the description in the last paragraph is one word: “alone.” Lone wolves are considered to be resourceful and tough. And they are, for a while.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1878810724-Tasmanian-tiger-wolf-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1878810724-Tasmanian-tiger-wolf-scaled.jpg)

Unfortunately, the lone wolf usually ends up a pretty miserable creature. Face it, wolves should be in a pack. The sad creature in the above photograph is a Thylacine, sometimes called a Tasmanian wolf. Despite the name, it’s actually related to the kangaroo.

Why did we choose this animal to illustrate our point? This specimen is certainly much less impressive than a gray wolf. Heck, it’s not even a real wolf. The reason is simple: Because the Tasmanian wolf is extinct. If you try to go it alone in a long-term disaster, you will be too.

The most basic way to help assure your medical well-being is to have help. The support of a survival group, even if it’s just your extended family, is essential if you are to have any hope of keeping it together when things fall apart.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_28380934-activities-of-daily-survival-272x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_28380934-activities-of-daily-survival.jpg)

Off the grid, you’ll have many responsibilities. You will have to stand watch over your property and supplies. You will have to lug gallons of water from the nearest water source. You will have to chop wood for fuel. You’ll have to search for food. To get a real idea of the situation, just fill a 5-gallon bucket with water and carry it around the block. Piece of cake? Now chop some wood, but do it after staying up all night outside your house.

Maybe you can accomplish the above for a few days, but on a daily basis for an extended period, don’t be so sure. Just do it for one day and you’ll begin to understand what I mean. For most of us, it would be the very definition of a miserable existence.

It wouldn’t take very long before your health would suffer. Exhausted and sleep-deprived, you’ll be an easy target not only for marauding gangs of desperados, but marauding bacteria as well. Since your immune system weakens when exposed to long-term stress, you’ll be at risk for succumbing to illnesses that a well-rested individual would easily weather. Division of labor and responsibility will make a difficult situation more manageable.

You can imagine how much easier this would be if you have a group of like-mindedurvival individuals helping each other. It’s not just the physical exertion: You can’t possibly have all the skills needed to do well by yourself.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014-300x237.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014.jpg)

For example, we are medical professionals that graduated from the Master Gardener program for our state. We have a working food and medicinal garden, have ham radio technician’s licenses and have even raised tilapia in ponds as a food fish. We have some skills, but have never done any carpentry or raised livestock. Neither have we ever been in charge of the security of others. There are those, however, who have done these things, but could use some of the skills we possess.

Put enough people together with differing skills, and you have, even in the middle of a devastated city, a village. A village filled with people that will help each other in a crisis. A rugged individualist might be able to eke out a meager existence in the wilderness alone, but a society can only be rebuilt by a community.

There’s no time like the present to communicate, network, and put together a group of like-minded people. How many? The right number of able individuals to assemble for a mutual assistance group will depend on your retreat and your resources. If each of these people have accumulated food, medical supplies, and other essentials, you’ve got a pretty good start.

The ideal group will have people with diverse skills but similar philosophies. This is difficult to accomplish after a disaster has occurred. Before the you-know-what hits the fan, however, you can work to find like-minded folks that wouldn’t have an argument every time something needs to be done. Identifying people who you can work with before a catastrophe hits pays dividends down the road.

Unless you are already in such a community, you may feel that it is impossible to assemble a group of people that could help you in times of trouble. That isn’t the case. Whether online or in person, there are others who think like you do. Start at your local place of worship, civic club, or similar groups and you will, over time, find them.

It’s not enough to just be in a group, however. The people in that group must have regular meetings, decide on priorities, and be ready to set things in motion. Devise a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C and decide what trigger events that would set them in motion. Keep lines of communication open so that all your group members stay informed.

In normal times, it’s easy to become complacent about this stuff, but during many disasters, things go downhill fast. If your group isn’t on the same page, especially about what to do if a trigger event occurred, some of your members may not make it to, say, a backcountry retreat. This results in your community losing some important skill sets. It just takes a road closure or two to block the success of a mutual assistance group.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/survival-group-handbook-200x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/survival-group-handbook.jpg)

There’s more that goes into a successful survival group than just being, well, a group. Consider a copy of Charley Hogwood’s excellent “[Survival Group Handbook](https://amzn.to/3Hdzkb1)” for good advice on how to navigate the ins and outs of a harmonious survival community.

Joe Alton MD

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Learn about more than 200 topics in survival medicine with the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way, [available at Amazon](https://amzn.to/3kjhDxD) in black and white or in color at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Altitude Sickness, Survival Communities, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-altitude-sickness-survival-communities-more/) 

 [The Kraken Variant](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-kraken-variant/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** Charley Hogwood, joe alton md, mutual assistance groups, survival community, Survival Group Handbook

---

### [Video: Community Vs. Individual Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-community-vs-individual-survival/)

**Published:** February 4, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the consequences of going it alone in long-term survival versus a community’s chances of rebuilding in times of trouble. To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Get yourself more medically prepared with quality medical kits and individual supplies from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget your copy of the gold standard in medical preparedness, the 4th edition of **The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help is NOT on the Way,** available on Amazon in black and white or in color and/or spiral bound at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Seasickness/Motion Sickness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seasickness-motion-sickness/) 

 [WHO's Nuclear Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/whos-nuclear-update/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** community and survival, joe alton md, long wolf, medical preparedness, survival communities, survival medicine

---

### [WHO's Nuclear Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/whos-nuclear-update/)

**Published:** February 1, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1173101074-nuclear-blast-abandoned-city-1-300x157.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1173101074-nuclear-blast-abandoned-city-1-scaled.jpg)

This article by Dr. Joe Alton was first published in [American Thinker…](https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2023/01/the_whos_nuclear_update_trouble_ahead.html)

On January 27th, 2023, [The World Health Organization (WHO),](https://www.who.int/) which keeps a list of what it consider essential medicines for times of trouble, updated its recommendations for what should be stockpiled for nuclear emergencies. Specifically mentioned are drugs that either prevent or reduce harm from radiation. This is the first such update since 2007.

(Aside: Does this mean WHO thinks that there’s trouble ahead?)

One WHO official, [Dr. Maria Neira](https://healthpolicy-watch.news/who-new-medicines-list-nuclear-emergency/), stated: “It is essential that governments are prepared to protect the health of populations and respond immediately to emergencies. This includes having ready supplies of lifesaving medicines that will reduce risks and treat injuries from radiation.”

The organization also includes policy advice for developing and maintaining national stockpiles for dealing with nuclear emergencies.

The recent update includes events such as emergencies at nuclear power plants, hospitals and medical labs, accidents involving radioactive materials, and, of course, intentional use as a means of destruction.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I doubt this update comes because WHO is worried about a nuclear reactor meltdown. I’m guessing Vladimir Putin has something to do with it. His threats to use nuclear weapons has, likely, triggered the update.

Of course, WHO sometimes cries “The sky is falling!” as it has at times during the COVID pandemic. Russia, however, seems determined to make Ukraine a wasteland these days, even the parts they claim to actually be Russian territory. Anyone who denies the possibility of escalation from the Russians is, well, in denial.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Radiation-Detector-and-compass-for-nuclear-attack-monitoring-300x191.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Radiation-Detector-and-compass-for-nuclear-attack-monitoring.jpg)

In its update, WHO suggests practices for establishing and managing radiation-protection stockpiles in selected countries, most of which would be involved in an expanded Ukraine war or a future war over Taiwan.

Having had experience designing medical kits for disaster settings, I can give you an idea of what should be at hand in a radiation emergency. Of course, the generic things like gloves, masks, and more advanced personal protection equipment are imperative. Next, supplies to treat burns, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and other signs and symptoms of radiation sickness should be available in quantity. Given the weakened immune system in these patients, antibiotics to combat bacterial infections are also important.

There are specific drugs known to prevent damage from the common radioactive product of a nuclear event: radioiodine. After the [Chernobyl](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246767/#:~:text=Reports) meltdown in 1986, radioiodine exposure led to thousands of cancers involving the thyroid gland, mostly in young people. This could have been prevented by the use of a compound known as [potassium iodide](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/bioterrorism-and-drug-preparedness/frequently-asked-questions-potassium-iodide-ki). It’s a nonradioactive form of iodine. Taken as soon as exposure is identified, potassium iodide prevents the absorption of radioactive iodine, protecting against thyroid cancer.

[![65mg of KI pills taken daily help prevent thyroid cancer after radiation exposure](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Thyrosafe-300x233.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Thyrosafe.jpg)

How does potassium iodide work? Imagine your thyroid is a parking lot and the organ’s receptors are parking spaces. When you’re exposed to radioactive iodine, it takes up the parking spaces and, once there, irradiates the gland. This leads to cancer down the road. Taking non-radioactive potassium iodide or iodate fills the parking spaces, preventing the radioactive iodine from occupying them and causing damage.

Children should be treated first, as they’re most likely to end up with cancer later. Dosages of potassium iodide for older children are 65 mg a day for as much as ten days. Adults take 130 mg a day. Usually, radioiodine concentration drops relatively quickly, however, so the course of therapy may not require the full ten days.

Among other things, WHO suggests other agents like Prussian blue to remove radioactive cesium from the body and a calcium/zinc compound to treat internal contamination with a number of other radioactive elements.

Unlike potassium iodide, not all of the WHO recommended substances are available to the general public. Prevention of radiation damage to the body can, however, be obtained by the preparation of a “shelter.” I’m not talking about an underground bunker, although I won’t complain if you invite me to yours in a nuclear emergency.

Shielding will decrease exposure exponentially, so it’s important to know how to construct a barrier between your people and the radioactive source. Denser materials will give better protection.

Shielding effectiveness is measured in terms of “[halving thickness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-acute-radiation-syndrome/).” This is the thickness of a particular material that will reduce gamma radiation (the most dangerous kind) by one half. When you multiply the halving thickness, you multiply your protection.

(Aside: Here are the halving thicknesses of some common materials:

- Lead: 4 inches or 1 centimeter
- Steel: 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters
- Concrete: 4 inches or 6 centimeters
- Packed Soil: 6 inches or 9 centimeters
- Water: 2 inches or 18 centimeters
- Wood: 11 inches or 28 centimeters

What does this mean from a practical standpoint? Let’s take concrete as an example: The halving thickness of concrete is 2.4 inches or 6 centimeters. That barrier thickness of concrete will drop exposure to gamma radiation by half. Doubling the thickness of the barrier to 4.8 inches or 12 cm drops it to one fourth (1/2 x 1/2). Tripling it to 7.2 inches or 18 cm will drop it to one eighth (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2), etc. Ten halving thicknesses drops the total radiation exposure to 1/1024th of the level in the outside environment. For concrete, that would be 24 inches or 60 cm. If you can do that, people not killed by heat or kinetic energy close to ground zero can wait out even the highest radiation levels, which drop to less than 10 percent of the original value in the first 24 hours after the nuclear event.)

Hopefully, the world isn’t heading in this direction, but the World Health Organization isn’t wrong to update its nuclear precautions in today’s world. If the wrong finger hits the button, you’ll be glad you prepared medically for the consequences.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MDLearn more about radiation emergencies and 200 other medical topics in disaster settings with the award-winning 4th edition of 

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Community Vs. Individual Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-community-vs-individual-survival/) 

 [Principles Of The Off-Grid History And Physical](https://www.doomandbloom.net/principles-of-the-off-grid-history-and-physical/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nuclear Events, Radiation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** essential drugs, medical preparedness, nuclear emergencies, nuclear preparedness, radiation emergencies, survival medicine, WHO update

---

### [Principles Of The Off-Grid History And Physical](https://www.doomandbloom.net/principles-of-the-off-grid-history-and-physical/)

**Published:** January 29, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_56966074-lady-doctor-with-stethoscope-and-patient-217x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_56966074-lady-doctor-with-stethoscope-and-patient.jpg)

The group medic must learn the skills to place a tourniquet or splint a sprain, Let’s face it, you have to deal rapidly with emergencies, but in a long-term off-grid setting, you have to know more than that. Learning the basic skills of how to obtain a pertinent medical history and perform a general physical exam is just as important to make a diagnosis and plan an appropriate course of treatment.

**THE MEDICAL HISTORY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/shutterstock_59573617-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/shutterstock_59573617.jpg)

For those willing to take responsibility for the medical care of others after a disaster, success involves familiarity with the patient’s history as much as the reason for the current visit. It’s important to compile as complete a medical history as possible for every person in your group *before* a disaster occurs. In this way, you can help them plan to stay healthy in hard times and save yourself some real problems down the road.

During the medical history and the physical exam, you must communicate with your patient in a calm manner and, if they don’t already know you, let them who you are, what you will be doing, and why.

You should first ask about past surgeries and hospitalizations, chronic illnesses, injuries, allergies, risk factors, and current medications. They will all factor into your evaluation. For example, a healthy young patient comes to you complaining of nausea after having a few drinks with friends. He usually has no problem with alcohol, but your medical history reveals that he’s on an antibiotic called metronidazole, which happens to cause nausea if mixed with alcohol. You still must examine the patient, but you have a head start in making the likely diagnosis: an adverse reaction to the drug.

Even things you might not think would matter in a survival setting, like a patient’s smoking history, might help you make sense of unusual respiratory complaints later. A history of alcohol abuse might explain a patient’s shakes, sweats, and other symptoms. These commonly occur not too long after the booze runs out.

Unless you’re on the run and have to travel light, you should keep a written record of all this information. Don’t depend on your memory; it isn’t perfect, and it won’t help other medics if you’re not around.

**PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_96898390-pregnancy-care-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_96898390-pregnancy-care-scaled.jpg)

In addition to taking a history, you must learn how to physically evaluate a patient and make a diagnosis. This means putting your (gloved, if possible) hands upon them and looking for physical signs of illness or injury. Sometimes the problem is obvious in seconds; other times, you will have to examine the entire body to determine the problem.

This can be done efficiently and in an organized manner. The most basic information is obtained by simply looking at and talking with the patient. What’s their general appearance like? Are they well-nourished or sickly-looking? Are they calm or obviously in distress? Does one side of the patient match the other? Is there an injury?

How do you perform full examinations in a way that is efficient and most likely to make the diagnosis? Your approach should:

1\) Allow you to evaluate the whole patient without excessive or awkward movements by yourself or the patient.

2\) Establish a routine that is easily reproducible, allowing to you to progress through full exams the same way for multiple patients.

3\) Evaluate sections of the body in groups based on their location, even though there may be signs of problems in another area. For example: Although foot swelling (also called “**edema**”) could be a sign of heart problems or high blood pressure, the legs are usually examined later than the heart or the vital signs (after the abdomen) in a complete general exam).

4\) Take into account the patient’s modesty. Expose only the area currently being examined. A naked patient is an anxious patient.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_209173573-hand-washing.jpg)

Every exam should begin by washing your hands and putting on gloves, if you have them. A well-equipped hospital tent will have a hand washing station and an exam table. Usually, the exam begins with the head and works its way down. You can do it differently, but the important thing is to be organized and have a routine.

The four cornerstones of physical examination are:

1. **Inspection**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_300934892-allergic-reaction-allergy-anaphylaxis-300x200.jpg) Sometimes, the problem is obvious just by inspection](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_300934892-allergic-reaction-allergy-anaphylaxis-scaled.jpg)

Each part of the body is evaluated using vision, hearing, and even smell to assess normal or abnormal states. Assess for color changes, size, location, movement, texture, symmetry, odors, and sounds as you inspect each body system.

2. **Palpation**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1390815239-palpation-abdominal-300x164.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1390815239-palpation-abdominal-scaled.jpg)

Palpation requires you to touch the patient with your hands, using various positions and degrees of pressure. Be sure to keep your fingernails short and your hands warm. Assess for texture, tenderness, temperature, moisture, elasticity, mobility, pulsations, and masses. This technique is especially helpful to feel enlargement of internal organs, like the liver, spleen, or lymph nodes.

3. **Percussion**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_226525372-percussion-on-physical-exam-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_226525372-percussion-on-physical-exam-scaled.jpg)

Percussion involves tapping a finger (usually the middle finger) of one hand sharply onto the middle finger of another hand against parts of the patient’s body. Is there a flat, dull quality to the sound or is it drum-like? This helps you locate organs and determine if an area is solid or filled with fluid or gas. This is usually done over the abdomen or lungs.

4. **Auscultation**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_704244208-auscultation-for-bowel-sounds-exam-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_704244208-auscultation-for-bowel-sounds-exam-scaled.jpg)

Auscultation involves listening for various lung, heart, and bowel sounds with a stethoscope. Most instruments have two heads, a “**diaphragm**” and a “**bell.**” Use the diaphragm to pick up high-pitched sounds and the bell for low-pitched sounds, the bell should be held against the skin with more pressure than the diaphragm to better hear softer sounds.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock-stethoscope-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock-stethoscope.jpg)

In future articles, we’ll discuss in detail some aspects of examining different areas of the body, and show you a simple documentation system that can be concise and informative.

Joe Alton MD

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Get your family more medically-prepared with quality books, medical kits, and individual supplies from [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [WHO's Nuclear Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/whos-nuclear-update/) 

 [Video: The "Medium-Sized" Survival Medical Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-medium-sized-survival-medical-kit/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical HIstory, Medical Preparedness, Physical Exam

**Tags:** auscultation, history and physical, joe alton md, medical preparedness, palpation, percussion, performing a physical exam, survival medicine

---

### [Video: The "Medium-Sized" Survival Medical Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-medium-sized-survival-medical-kit/)

**Published:** January 23, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/First-Aid-Kit-contents-list-review-camping-hiking-travel-car-RV-boating-home-family-best-kit-quality-high-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/First-Aid-Kit-contents-list-review-camping-hiking-travel-car-RV-boating-home-family-best-kit-quality-high.png)

In this video, Nurse Amy demonstrates what a [medium-sized medical kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-medium-grab-n-go/) for the family medic might look like. Taken from our line of quality kits at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy Alton, NP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Amy-Alton-Everglades-Close-up-400-x-600-244x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Amy-Alton-Everglades-Close-up-400-x-600.jpg)

Check out our entire line of no-nonsense quality medical kits for the serious survival medic at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-300x224.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Principles Of The Off-Grid History And Physical](https://www.doomandbloom.net/principles-of-the-off-grid-history-and-physical/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Altitude Sickness, Survival Communities, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-altitude-sickness-survival-communities-more/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton np, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medium medical kit, survival medical kit, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Altitude Sickness, Survival Communities, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-altitude-sickness-survival-communities-more/)

**Published:** January 21, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

It’s winter, and some folks are heading for ski resorts, and that means a big change in altitude for most. The National Academy of Sciences reports that 33.5% of the population lives below an elevation of 100 meters above sea level. That means that, in any major disaster, getting out of Dodge often means heading for the hills.

There’s a possibility that we might have to abruptly relocate from a home at sea level to a “bug-out” location in the mountains. Many people adjust to changes of climate and altitude easily, but others don’t; the rapid change in elevation may cause a condition known as Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know, and discuss with Nurse Amy some case histories of backcountry high-elevation sickness.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_88477075-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_88477075.jpg)

Plus, is it better to be a lone wolf or is it important to have a community to fall back on? Many preppers are keeping their thoughts to themselves these days, and they might survive a major disaster, but can it be done all by themselves? Some thoughts…

This and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton! To listen in, click below:

****

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to get your copy of the survival medicine gold standard, The 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the way, in black and white on Amazon or in color at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Video: The "Medium-Sized" Survival Medical Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-medium-sized-survival-medical-kit/) 

 [How Community Affects Your Survival Chances](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-community-affects-your-survival-chances/)

**Categories:** Altitude Sickness, Amy Alton ARNP, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** 2011 survival conference, acute mountain sickness, altitude sickness, amy alton np, community and survival, joe altonmd, medical preparedness, survival communities

---

### [The Kraken Variant](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-kraken-variant/)

**Published:** January 10, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-300x137.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-scaled.jpg)

COVID-19 continues to develop new forms of the Omicron strain, which is the predominant form of the virus circulating today. Much more contagious than the original novel coronavirus found in Wuhan, China in late 2019, the omicron strain has continued to mutate; there are now more than [650 subvariants](https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/lifecycle-of-covid-19-yet-another-omicron-sub-variant-has-countries-on-high-alert-86898), and that doesn’t include the previous Greek-letter versions like Alpha, Gamma, Delta, and their subtypes.

(Aside: The term “omicron,” was given to the strain purposefully even though the next assignable letter in [the Greek alphabet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_alphabet) was actually “Xi.” Given the similarity to the name of the Chinese head of state, scientists skipped to the letter after that, “omicron,” to avoid a diplomatic incident.)

Certain subvariants that are concerning are now being given names from Greek lore. The current mutation, XBB1.5, that is showing growth in the United States is being called [the “Kraken” variant](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/what-is-the-kraken-variant-what-we-know-about-the-new-covid-variant-so-far/3038720/), after the mythological sea monster.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_148016636-1-300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_148016636-1.jpg)

The Kraken variant is thought by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be the most transmissible version yet, with possible reproductive (R-Nought) numbers above 18. A disease’s [R-Nought](https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-the-r-nought-number/) is the number of cases that will occur in a vulnerable population if an infected person is placed in the middle of it. [Measles’ R-nought](https://www.salon.com/2022/01/27/omicron-variant-of-may-be-the-most-contagious-to-ever-exist-scientists-say/) is about 18, which means that an infected individual will give the disease to an average of 18 susceptible people. The Kraken variant is apparently even more contagious.

Actually, there hasn’t been an official R-nought given to XBB1.5 as far as I know, but it is contagious enough to displace previous high-level contagious subvariants like BA-5 (R-Nought of 18.5) and BQ1.1, meaning that it must have a higher number. This would make it the most contagious virus ever known. Dr. John Sader, a physician with a genetics background, emphasizes, however, that theoretical R-Nought isn’t necessarily what happens in the real world.

Having said that, he was alarmed when the scientific community stopped using R-Noughts as a statistic. He said: “On the world scientific stage, there was a decision last week to stop speaking about R-Noughts’s!!!! I hope it’s because Real World R-Noughts are difficult to follow and not because it is a politically-motivated decision.”

In any case, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the very contagious XBB1.5 made up [27 percen](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/01/08/new-covid-variant-xbb15/)t of US cases for the week ending on January 7th, a major increase from the month before. More than [70 percent](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/01/08/new-covid-variant-xbb15/) of cases in the Northeast are now believed to be the Kraken variant.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965-300x169.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965.jpg)

Some researchers believe omicron’s descendants are more able to evade antibodies than earlier version, while binding more tightly to cells and replicating faster.

It’s still unknown as to whether the Kraken variant, which evolved when two previous omicron subvariants exchanged parts of their genome, causes more severe disease than previous subtypes. [Hospitalizations](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html) have risen but are still far below the level of a year or so ago.

The White House states that to have much protection against XBB1.5, you need either to have had a very recent vaccine or infection with the virus. Some concerns among scientists exist because lab studies show that antibodies generated by vaccines have difficulty blocking the variant. They still seem to provide added protection against severe illness.

Paul Offit, director of the vaccine education center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, states: ““At some level, we are going to have to get used to mild illness unless you want to take three doses a year and stay in your house most of the time.”

The sickest COVID patients are still those who are elderly, have a weakened immune system, or a lot of medical problems. XBB1.5 is a concern, but it’s not the most severe form of COVID we’ve seen. The bottom line: You can’t assume you won’t get sick again if your last infection or injection was more than a few months ago. If there are situations where you’re in large crowds indoors, consider wearing N95 masks or, at least, ask yourself: “Do I really need to be here?”

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)

Get your family medical prepared this year with quality medical kits from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [How Community Affects Your Survival Chances](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-community-affects-your-survival-chances/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dog Flu, Winter Car Survival, Dental Extraction, Chestnuts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dog-flu-winter-car-survival-dental-extraction-chestnuts/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, Kraken variant, medical preparedness, mutations, omicron subvariants, omicron XBB1.5, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dog Flu, Winter Car Survival, Dental Extraction, Chestnuts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dog-flu-winter-car-survival-dental-extraction-chestnuts/)

**Published:** January 6, 2023
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)

Winter storms like “bomb cyclones” can be life-threatening, so it’s important to know how to winterize, not only your car, but yourself. In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses different ways to make sure you survive that car trip out in the blizzard, including all the supplies that would make sense to keep in the car just in case.

Also, dental extraction is a rare thing you’d have to do yourself these days, but in long-term survival, someone has to do it, and you’re elected. How to go about it? Dr. Alton tell you in this segment.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dental_Supply_Emergency_Kit_LR__17171.1547412121.1280.1280-300x289.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dental_Supply_Emergency_Kit_LR__17171.1547412121.1280.1280.jpg)

Plus, Chestnuts have distinct health benefits which we’ll tell you about, but also let’s talk about the efforts to revive the American Chestnut, a rare tree in America’s landscape today, but more than a quarter of our Eastern and Midwest forests 100 years ago.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_162405185-sick-dog-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_162405185-sick-dog-scaled.jpg)

Lastly, Dr. Alton talks about canine influenza, which seems to be more prevalent this year than others. What is the dog flu and can it, one day, mutate to infect humans. What you need to know for your dog and, maybe, yourself!

All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Make this year the one where you get your family medically prepared for any disaster! Let us help with quality medical kits, books, and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[j![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma__11072.1641066046-300x190.jpg) Just one of the many kits meant for preparedness folk at store.doomandbloom.net!](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma__11072.1641066046.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [The Kraken Variant](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-kraken-variant/) 

 [Chestnuts: Health Benefits And Are They Coming Back?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chestnuts-health-benefits-and-are-they-coming-back/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Dental Issues, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, H3N2 Virus, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** canine influenza, chestnut trees, chestnuts, dental extraction, dog flu, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter car survival

---

### [Chestnuts: Health Benefits And Are They Coming Back?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chestnuts-health-benefits-and-are-they-coming-back/)

**Published:** December 29, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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“Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.”

This verse from a Longfellow poem underscores the importance of the chestnut tree in American culture. In this article, I’ll describe the health benefits of chestnuts, that old holiday favorite, but I’m doing it for a special reason that you might approve of, or might not. Bear with me.

[Chestnuts](https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chestnuts#:~:text=Chestnuts) are a good source of antioxidants and, unlike most other foods, they not only remain after cooking, but two of them, gallic acid and ellagic acid, actually increase. Antioxidants are thought to be protective against substances which play a role in heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases.

Chestnuts can also help improve your digestion. These nuts are a good source of fiber, which helps keep you regular and supports the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. Chestnuts are also gluten-free, which makes them a healthy choice for people with celiac disease.

The fiber in chestnuts can also help your blood sugar, avoiding spikes that can be dangerous for diabetics. Plus, chestnuts have a low glycemic index. Foods rated lower on the glycemic index won’t cause major changes to blood sugar levels when eaten.

Chestnuts are lower in calories than many other types of nuts and are a good source of amino acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, phenols, and vitamin C, but also contain E, A, B-complex, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese.

So why aren’t we eating chestnuts all the time? And not just the nuts, the tree itself has valuable properties. Its root system guards against erosion better than some other trees, plus chestnut wood is relatively rot-resistant and was used widely in fences, telephone poles, railroad ties and even musical instruments. Now you’re lucky if you see a live tree in North America.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tree-identification-chestnut-dff418-1600-300x243.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tree-identification-chestnut-dff418-1600-scaled.jpg)American Chestnut Tree, early 20th centuryAlthough very small numbers still exist, American chestnut trees are scarce in North America. Once, whole forests in the east and Midwest were comprised of 100 feet tall chestnut trees. No more, due to a horrendous blight that wiped out billions of them in the first half of the 20th century. If you manage to find chestnuts in the store during the holidays, it’s because they’re from somewhere else. I found some that were imported from Italy.

In the 21st century, however, there are those who believe American trees can return utilizing genetic engineering. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released an [environmental impact statement](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2021/sa-08/ge-chestnut) and plant pest risk assessment that would allow the unrestricted planting of newly-engineered blight-tolerant chestnut trees on public and private lands. If approved, it’s thought the tree would be the first genetically engineered plant released with the specific purpose of spreading freely into wild forests.

If the plan works, the tree would improve forest health, increase biodiversity, and be an economic boon to nearby communities. A [controversy](https://www.vermontpublic.org/programs/2019-04-03/is-genetic-engineering-the-way-to-restore-the-american-chestnut-tree) is arising, however: Our history is filled with examples of introducing plants and animals into areas where they either aren’t native or haven’t been for many years. Sometimes, it’s successful, as when elk were reintroduced into the Great Smokies National Park. Other times, like when the Burmese python was let loose by snake owners into Everglades National Park, resulted in irreversible damage. Indeed, there have been 90 percent population collapses of just about every small mammal in the Everglades since the python became established there.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/chestnuts-public-domain-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/chestnuts-public-domain.jpg)

So where do you come down on introducing the genetically-modified American chestnut into your area? In survival, they say, “Want food security? Plant a nut tree.” But studies have shown that the genetic structure of plants can mutate and might exhibit unexpected traits after reproducing. No, they’re not going to start walking around, but [how will they affect the local ecology](https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3747170-that-new-chestnut-usda-plans-to-allow-the-release-of-ge-trees-into-wild-forests/)?

It’s also possible that these new chestnuts, as they grow older and larger, won’t be able to repel the blight, particularly if the enzyme produced by the wheat gene scientists inserted into chestnut DNA decides to shut off in more mature trees. There aren’t 50-year-old genetically engineered trees to study.

There’s no proof any of that will happen, however, and the chestnut tree has been an important part of the development of both natural and human communities in North America. Could some test areas be chosen, perhaps places cleared by wildfire, for some stands to be planted and observe their impact?

Worth a shot? Too risky? Let me know your thoughts at drbonespodcast@aol.com or on our FB, MeWe, or PrepperNet groups.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)

Become more medically prepared this year with quality medical kits, essential books, and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Dog Flu, Winter Car Survival, Dental Extraction, Chestnuts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-dog-flu-winter-car-survival-dental-extraction-chestnuts/) 

 [Winter Car Preparedness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-preparedness/)

**Categories:** Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies

**Tags:** chestnut trees, environmental impact, genetically modified chestnut trees, health benefits of chestnuts, joe alton md

---

### [Christmas Video: The Tale Of The First Snowman](https://www.doomandbloom.net/christmas-video-the-tale-of-the-first-snowman/)

**Published:** December 25, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/story-of-the-first-snowman-300x169.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/story-of-the-first-snowman.png)

A very Merry Christmas to all! Instead of a medical video, I’d like to celebrate with a telling of a Christmas tale I wrote meant for children, but adults may like it too. It’s the story of the First Snowman. Hope you like it.

To watch, click below:

Nurse Amy, First Aid Phil and I wish you the merriest of Christmas and all the blessings of this holiday season, plus a happy and healthy New Year!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Pneumonia, Survival Barter, Prostatitis, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-pneumonia-survival-barter-prostatitis-more/) 

 [Christmas Video: The Tale Of The Emerald Lizard](https://www.doomandbloom.net/christmas-video-the-tale-of-the-emerald-lizard/)

**Categories:** Christmas tales

**Tags:** joe alton md, snowbie the snowman, the story of the first snowman

---

### [Christmas Video: The Tale Of The Emerald Lizard](https://www.doomandbloom.net/christmas-video-the-tale-of-the-emerald-lizard/)

**Published:** December 24, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/christmas-tree-2019-13-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/christmas-tree-2019-13-scaled.jpg)

On Christmas Eve, we take a short break from medical preparedness videos to bring you this ancient tale of charity, as told by Joe Alton, MD. We bring you…the Emerald Lizard. To watch, click below:

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/amy-and-joe-munich-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Christmas Video: The Tale Of The First Snowman](https://www.doomandbloom.net/christmas-video-the-tale-of-the-first-snowman/) 

 [Video: What You Should Know About Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-what-you-should-know-about-hypothermia/)

**Categories:** Christmas tales, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** christmas tale, emerald lizard, joe alton md

---

### [Survival Medicine Cabinet: OTC Drugs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/otc-drugs-for-atc/)

**Published:** February 17, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_89589424-300x200.jpg "shutterstock_89589424")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_89589424.jpg)

We spend a lot of time talking about natural and alternative remedies, and we often make recommendations of what **herbal medicines** to have in your storage. We’ve also discussed antibiotics and a number of other prescription medications you should stockpile and how to obtain them. We haven’t spent much time, however, on which over-the-counter medications are important to stockpile now.

## Over the Counter Drugs

*Over the counter (OTC) medications* deal with a wide variety of problems; many of them were once prescription medications. These medications are widely available, and easy to accumulate in quantity. As such, they are ideal for the survival medic’s cache of medical supplies. Given the complexity of manufacturing pharmaceuticals, these drugs will be nearly impossible to produce after a collapse. Even aspirin, the oldest manufactured drug, won’t be available (at least not in a form you’ll recognize).

### Medical Supplies to Stockpile

But let’s put together a list of what you absolutely must have stockpiled as part of your medical supplies. We’ll go one by one.

**Ibuprofen** 200mg (Motrin, Advil): A popular pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and fever reducer. This medication is useful for many different problems, which makes it especially useful as a stockpile item. It can alleviate pain from strains, sprains, arthritis, and traumatic injury. As well, it can help reduce inflammation in the injured area. Ibuprofen is also useful in reducing fevers from infections. The downside to Ibuprofen is that it can cause stomach upset. Ibuprofen can be used 1 or 2 every 4 hours, 3 every 6 hours, or 4 every 8 hours.

**Acetaminophen** 325mg (Tylenol): Another popular pain reliever and fever reducer, this medication is known as Tylenol in the United States. It can be used for all of the problems that you can take Ibuprofen for, with the added benefit of not causing stomach irritation or thinning the blood. Unfortunately, it has no significant anti-inflammatory effect. This drug is excellent for treatment of pain and fevers in children at lower doses. Tylenol comes in regular and extra strength (650mg); adults take 1-2 every 4 hours.

An Aside: Patients with heat stroke receive no benefit from efforts to reduce their body core temperature with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen; these drugs work best when the fever is caused by an infection, and don’t work as well when infection is not involved (e.g., heat stroke).

**Aspirin,** 325mg: If you have Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen in your medical storage, why consider Aspirin? Aspirin has been around since the late 19th century as a pain-reliever, fever reducer, and anti-inflammatory, but it has blood thinning properties as well, as may be all we have to help those with medical issues that require the use of anti-coagulants It’s also useful to treat older folks with coronary artery disease. If you suspect someone of having a heart attack, have them chew an adult aspirin immediately. The ingredient in Aspirin can also be obtained by chewing on a cut strip of the underbark of a willow, aspen or poplar tree. Take 2 adult aspirin for pain, fever, and inflammation, 1 baby aspirin (81mg) daily to help with coronary artery disease and as an anticoagulant. In a collapse situation, higher doses may be appropriate to replace drugs like Coumadin, but have not been fully researched. Watch for stomach upset.

**Loperamide,** 2mg (Imodium): There’s a high likelihood of food and water contamination issues in the aftermath of a disaster, so this medication is essential as an anti-diarrheal. By slowing intestinal motility, less water loss and, thus, dehydration, will occur; remember that dehydration due to diarrheal disease killed more soldiers in the Civil War than bullets did. With diarrheal disease, you often have nausea and vomiting, so you will want to have:

**Meclizine** 12.5, 25, 50mg(Dramamine, Antivert): Mecilizine is a medication that helps prevent nausea and vomiting. Often used to prevent motion sickness, Meclizine also helps with dizziness, and tends to act as a sedative as well. As such, it may have uses as a sleep aid or anti-anxiety medication. Take 1 25mg tablet 1 hour before boarding , or 50-100mg daily in divided doses for dizziness, anxiety or sleep.

**Triple Antibiotic Ointment** (Neosporin, Bacitracin, Bactroban): In situations where we are left to fend for ourselves, we’ll be chopping wood and performing all sorts of tasks that will expose us to risk of injury. When those injuries break the skin, it puts us in danger of infections which could lead to a life threatening condition. Triple antibiotic ointment is applied at the site of injury to prevent this from happening. It should be noted that triple antibiotic ointment won’t cure a deep infection; you would need oral or IV antibiotics for that, but using the ointment immediately after an injury will give you a good chance at preventing it. Apply 3-4 times a day.

**Diphenhydramine** 25mg, 50mg(Benadryl): An antihistamine that helps alleviate the itching, rashes, nasal congestion and other symptoms of allergic reactions. It also helps drain the nasal passages in some respiratory infections. At the higher 50 mg dose, it makes an effective sleep aid. Use 25mg every 6 hours for mild reactions, 50mg every 6 hours for severe reactions, anxiety or sleep.

**Hydrocortisone cream** (1%): Speaking of rashes, this cream is used for various types of dermatitis that causes redness, flakiness, itching, and thickening of the skin. It’s a mild steroid which reduces inflammation and, as such, the various symptoms of allergic dermatitis, eczema, diaper rash, etc. Apply 3-4 times a day to affected area.

**Omeprazole** 20-40mg, Cimetidine 200-800mg, Ranitidine 75-150mg, (Prilosec, Tagamet, Zantac, respectively): In a situation where we may be eating things we’re not accustomed to, we may have issues with stomach acid. These antacids will calm heartburn, queasiness, and stomach upset. Calcium Carbonate (Tums) or Magnesium sulfate (Maalox) are also fine in solid form. These medications are also useful for acid reflux and ulcer disease.

**Clotrimazole, Miconazole** cream/powder(Lotrimin, Monistat): Infections can be bacterial, but they can also be caused by fungus. Common examples of this would be Athlete’s feet (tinea pedis), vaginal infections (monilia), ringworm , and jock itch (tinea cruris). Clotrimazole and Miconazole are examples of anti-fungal medications that would be useful to treat these conditions, which will be just as common in times of trouble as they are now, if not more. Apply twice a day externally, or once daily intra-vaginally. Some vaginal creams come in different strengths. In some, the whole treatment course is over in one day; in others, 3 days or a week.

**Multivitamins:** In a societal collapse, the unavailability of a good variety of food may lead to dietary deficiencies, not just in calories but in vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C deficiency, for example, leads to Scurvy. To prevent these issues, you should have plenty of multivitamins, commercial or natural, in your medical storage. You won’t have to take these on a daily basis; many multivitamins give you MORE than you need if taken daily, and you’ll just excrete what your body can’t absorb. In a collapse, once a week would be sufficient to prevent most problems.

The good news is that you can probably obtain a significant amount of all of the above drugs for a reasonable amount of money. To retain full potency, these medications should be obtained in pill or capsule form; avoid the liquid versions of any of these medicines if at all possible. When storing, remember that medications should be stored in cool, dry, dark places. A medicine stored at 90 degrees will lose potency much faster than one stored at 50 degrees.

Over the counter drugs are just another tool in the medical woodshed; accumulate them as well as prescription drugs such as antibiotics. Essential oils, herbal supplements, and medical equipment are also important. With a good stockpile, you’ll have everything you need to keep it together health-wise, even if everything else falls apart.

Joe Alton MD

Learn more about OTC drugs and 150 other medical topics in the award-winning 4th edition of [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help is Not on the Way!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/spiral-bound-color-version-the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)

 ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png) Find our book on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=15531Y3F2CPAM&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1562769137&s=gateway&sprefix=survival+medicine+,aps,169&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=ab6f8cc844404f130df04005ec57343a&language=en_US) or at our store!  

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Collapsed Veins in a Collapse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/collapsed-veins-in-a-collapse/) 

 [The Survival Medicine Cabinet: Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-cabinet-infections/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Supplies, Medications, Survival Medic

**Tags:** acetaminophen, antacids, aspirin, benadryl, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, herbal medicines, ibuprofen, lotrimin, meclizine, medical preparedness, medical supplies, multivitamins, over the counter drugs, survival medicine

---

### [The Survival Medicine Cabinet: Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-cabinet-infections/)

**Published:** February 12, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Recently, Nurse Amy published her (very ambitious) [list of medical supplies for the post-SHTF](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medical-supplies) (link provided) caregiver. Here you’ll find a list of useful medications that fight infection.

**Infectious disease** will be more of an issue in hard times, especially in a long-term survival situation. You don’t have to be a doctor to know that issues with water and food contamination are going to bring down epidemics of infectious disease onto the surviving population. As such, anyone expecting to survive long-term will have to provide for this eventuality.

## Bacterial Infections: What You Should Know

Even the clearest mountain stream in a National Park might have organisms like Giardia in it; many of these organisms lead to significant diarrheal disease, dehydration, and even death without appropriate treatment.

Few succumb to infections (except perhaps the elderly) in developed countries these days. In the aftermath of a major disaster, however, we can expect to be thrown back to an earlier era medically; the death rates back then may be what we’ll expect in the future if we are not prepared.

### Antibiotics

Of course, we should start with antibiotics. Here’s my list of antibiotics you should have stockpiled, along with the*ir* veterinary equivalents:

**Amoxicillin** 250mg/500mg (FISH-MOX, FISH-MOX FORTE)

**Ciprofloxacin**  250mg/500mg (FISH-FLOX, FISH-FLOX FORTE)

**Metronidazole** 250mg (FISH-ZOLE)

**Doxycycline** 100mg (BIRD-BIOTIC)

**Sulfamethoxazole** 400mg/**Trimethoprim** 80mg (BIRD-SULFA)

**Azithromycin** 250mg, 500mg (AQUARIUM AZITHROMYCIN)

**Clindamycin**  150mg/300mg (AQUARIUM CLINDAMYCIN)

(Note: Some brand names mentioned in the list above no longer exist, but have been replaced by other brands. Look up the generic name online.)

All of the above, with the exception of Amoxicillin and Ampicillin, are acceptable in those with Penicillin allergies. With the above antibiotics in your medical supplies, you’ll be able to treat 90% of the bacterial diseases that will appear on your doorstep in times of trouble, even Anthrax.

In the case of diarrheal disease, there is another useful prescription drug that may help prevent dehydration (the major cause of death). **Ondansetron** (Zofran in the U.S.) is an anti-emetic, which means that it decreases nausea and vomiting. Strong enough to be used in chemotherapy patients, it would be an unsympathetic physician that would refuse a request for a prescription for anyone in a situation where water quality may be an issue.

Unless you live in the middle of Death Valley, you will have to beware of fungal infections. Common ones like Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Jock itch, and others will be rampant in situations where you might not be able to change socks or underwear often. Therefore, it makes sense to keep some antifungal medication around as well.

**Clotrimazole** (lotrimin) is a good choice here, as it comes in cream or powder, and doesn’t require a prescription. Medications like **Miconazole** (Monistat) would also be useful for vaginal yeast infections. There is an oral tablet as well called **Fluconazole** (Diflucan), which may be more convenient but requires a prescription.

Finally, anti-viral medications will be useful as well. Many of the infections, especially respiratory, that we consider to be bacterial in nature are more likely to be viral in nature. Antibiotics have no significant effect on viruses, even though many patients will demand an antibiotic prescription from their doctors as soon as they feel the first symptom.

One of the most popular anti-viral drugs is called **Tamiflu (Oseltamvir)**. Tamiflu gives effective relief against symptoms of influenza and decreases the amount of time you would be sick. Given when you first realize that you have been exposed to someone with the flu, it could even prevent the illness altogether. It should be noted that some drugs that treat viral infections like herpes may have little effect against respiratory illness.

By the way, don’t throw away that expired Tamiflu; the government has given a 5 year use extension beyond the date of “expiration” through the Shelf Life Extension Program. Li*ke* many medications in pill or capsule form, Tamiflu remains effective long afterwards. See my article [“The Truth About Expiration Dates”](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-truth-about-expiration-dates "https://www.doomandbloom.net/2011/10/the-truth-about-expiration-dates.html") for more info.

Although we’re mentioning pharmaceuticals today, don’t forget that natural products such as Garlic and Honey have significant anti-infective properties. Garlic, for example, has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti0viral effects. Many people report significant antibacterial effect with colloidal silver, as well.

For more in-depth information, refer to our article which starts the series on how to use antibiotics:

https://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspot.com/2011/11/antibiotics-and-their-use-in-collapse.html

For our list of over the counter medications that are important for your medical storage (including some also useful for some infections), see our next article…

Dr. Bones

Are you ready to deal with medical issues in situations where help is NOT on the way? With “[The Survival Medicine Handbook”](https://store.doomandbloom.net/spiral-bound-color-version-the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/), you’ll become a better medical asset in just about any emergency.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Cabinet: OTC Drugs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/otc-drugs-for-atc/) 

 [Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medical-supplies/)

**Categories:** Infections, Medical Supplies, Medications

**Tags:** antibiotics, bacterial infections, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, expiration dates, fungal infections, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tamiflu, veterinary antibiotics, viral infections

---

### [Winter Car Preparedness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-preparedness/)

**Published:** December 22, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/winter-car-survival-wyoming-publiv-media-300x161.webp)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/winter-car-survival-wyoming-publiv-media.webp)

A “bomb cyclone,” a massive Winter storm, is predicted to be imminent in part of the United States. With the holiday season in full swing, many are traveling in the bad weather. We, ourselves, have daughters traveling all the way from New York and Colorado to join us here in South Florida for a Merry (and warm) Christmas!

With Winter just beginning, you can bet this isn’t the last blizzard many will experience before Spring arrives. It could bode poorly for unprepared folks stuck on the road during blizzards or other extreme conditions. [Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-what-you-should-know-about-hypothermia/) (the effects on the body from exposure to cold) may occur on the wilderness trail, but also right in the driver’s seat of the family car. It’s important to have a plan in case you are stranded in your vehicle.

**YOUR CAR IN WINTER**

Winter conditions don’t just affect people, they affect cars as well. Cold affects rubber and metal; it even decreases the battery’s efficiency. Tires become stiff and flat for the first few hundred yards. Your oil and other lubricants become thicker at cold temperatures. This makes the engine work harder. Therefore, vehicles doing duty in extreme cold should be “winterized”. This involves switching to a lighter viscosity oil, changing to snow tires, and choosing the right (anti-freeze) ratio of coolant to water. Gas tanks should never be less than half full.

For more info on winterizing your car, here’s an article from dmv.org:

**STAYING SAFE**

You’re not a bear, so you can’t hibernate through the cold weather; you’ll have to take measures to avoid becoming a victim of it. Many deaths from exposure are avoidable if simple precautions are taken.

Keep an eye on weather forecasts before you head out; conditions can change rapidly if a cold snap is on the way. The first question you should ask before you get in the car in cold weather is: “Is this trip necessary?” If the answer is “no”, you should stay in place, cozy and warm. sadly, for most people that commute to work, the answer is “yes”.

If you have to hit the road during a winter storm, drive as if your life depends on it (because it does). Brush ice and snow off of windshields, side mirrors, or anywhere that you view might be blocked. Don’t speed, tailgate, or weave in and out of traffic. Make turns slowly and deliberately, and avoid quick stops and starts. I, myself, found myself in a fender-bender years ago during a ski trip, when my car slid into the back of another; It went more than 60 feet (with my foot on the brake) before hitting the car in front, not on a highway, but a street in town!

If you must hit the road, notify someone of your travel plans before you head out. Always take your cell phone with you. Many smartphone apps now allow your location to be tracked (with your permission). We were able to monitor the progress of our children during their entire trips.

Be sure your focus is on the road, not on the latest texts from your friends.

**STRANDED!**

If you live in an area that routinely has very cold winters, you may not be able to avoid being stranded in your car one day. Your level of preparedness will improve your chances of staying healthy and getting back home. So what should your plan of action be?

1. Stay calm and don’t leave the car. It’s warmer there than outside and you have protection from the wind. Having adequate shelter is one of the keys to success, whether it’s in the wilderness or on a snow-covered highway.
2. Crack a window on the side away from the wind for some fresh air. People talk about water and food being necessary for survival but, first, you’ll need a source of fresh air. Wet snow can block up your exhaust system, which causes carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment. Colorless and odorless, this is a deadly gas that kills in enclosed spaces without ventilation. Clearing the exhaust pipe of snow and running the engine only ten minutes or so an hour will help prevent monoxide poisoning.
3. If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car.
4. Rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving to make your muscles produce heat.
5. Don’t overexert yourself. If your car is stuck in the snow, you’ll want to dig yourself out, but sweating will cause clothing to become wet. Wet clothing loses its value as insulation and leads to hypothermia.
6. Let others know you’re there. If you have flares, use them. Flashing emergency lights on your vehicle will drain battery power, so use them only if you think someone might see them.

**WINTER CAR ITEMS**

If you’re going to travel in very cold conditions, there are a certain number of items that you should keep in your vehicle. This is what an effective winter survival car kit contains:

- Wool Blankets (for warmth; wool can stay warm even if wet).
- Spare sets of dry clothes, including socks, hats, and mittens.
- Hard warmers or other instant heat packs (they’ll last for hours).
- Matches, lighters and/or firestarters in case you need to manufacture heat.
- Candles in a metal can or bucket. These can produce a surprisingly decent amount of heat in a small space, like the interior of a car.
- Flashlights (keep batteries in backwards until you need them to extend their life).
- Multi-tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
- Larger combination tool like a foldable multi-use shovel (acts as a shovel but also an axe, saw, etc.).
- Sand or rock salt in plastic container (to give traction where needed). Believe it or not, some have used cat litter successfully!
- Tow chain or rope.
- Flares.
- Starter cables (for jump starts)
- Fix-A-Flat or a portable air compressor in case of a flat tire.
- Water, Food (energy bars, MREs, dehydrated soups, trail mix, candy).
- Baby wipes (for hygiene purposes).
- A first aid kit ([every car should have one](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)).
- Medications (routine meds you take daily, ibuprofen, acetaminophen.
- Tarp and duct tape (brightly colored ones will be more visible and aid rescue).
- Metal cup, thermos, heat source (to melt snow, make soup, etc.).
- Noisemaker (whistle).
- Cell phone and charger (and, in normal times, the number of a towing service).

if you have other suggestions, send me an email to drbonespodcast@aol.com.

It may seem like a lot, but the items above will give you a head start in keeping safe and sound even if stranded. With a plan of action, a few supplies, and a little luck, you’ll survive even in the worst blizzard.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-225x300.jpg)‘](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)

Learn more about cold weather survival and 200 other off-grid topics with the 4th edition of the award-winning “**Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,**” available on Amazon in black and white, or get a color or color spiral-bound version at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And check out our entire line of quality medical kit and supplies there too! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Chestnuts: Health Benefits And Are They Coming Back?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/chestnuts-health-benefits-and-are-they-coming-back/) 

 [Video: What You Should Know About Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-what-you-should-know-about-hypothermia/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** hypothermia prevention, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter car preparedness, winter car survival

---

### [Video: What You Should Know About Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-what-you-should-know-about-hypothermia/)

**Published:** December 20, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/shutterstock_87791806-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/shutterstock_87791806.jpg)

It seems like I talk about hypothermia every winter, and it’s for good reason. Life-threatening winter storms like the imminent one in the Midwest and East happen every year, and people need to know what to do. I even learned a new word this year: Bombogenesis! It means a phenomenon or process in which there is rapid and sustained falling of barometric pressure in the center of a low-pressure system, indicating strengthening into a powerful storm. In this video, I talk about aspects of hypothermia and what the family medic should know in good *or* bad times…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)

Find out more about hypothermia and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the award-winning 4th Edition of T**he Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**! And use those HSA/FSA to get more medically prepared with kit and supplies from [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Winter Car Preparedness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-preparedness/) 

 [Video: Future of Fish Antibiotics In Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-future-of-fish-antibiotics-in-survival/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** blizzards, extreme cold, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter storms

---

### [Video: Future of Fish Antibiotics In Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-future-of-fish-antibiotics-in-survival/)

**Published:** December 19, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses changes in regulations regarding the availability of a number of [veterinary antibiotics](https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/pages/antibiotics-moving-to-rx-in-2023), especially in food-producing livestock but also in certain companion animals. What does it mean for the family medic in survival scenarios in terms of access to possibly life-saving medications if the medical infrastructure doesn’t exist?

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3-300x282.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)
Find out more about veterinary equivalents in survival settings in the Book Excellence Award-winning 4th edition of the [**Survival Medicine Handbook**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) and also [**Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease**: **The Layman’s Guide**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/altons-antibiotics-and-infectious-disease-the-laymans-guide-to-available-antibacterials-in-austere-settings/). Plus, use those HSA/FSA funds before the end of the year by checking out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: What You Should Know About Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-what-you-should-know-about-hypothermia/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Brain Trauma, Bee Stings, Paxlovid, Wound Care](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-brain-trauma-bee-stings-paxlovid-wound-care/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** fish antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, survival medicine cabinet, veterinary antibiotics

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Brain Trauma, Bee Stings, Paxlovid, Wound Care](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-brain-trauma-bee-stings-paxlovid-wound-care/)

**Published:** December 11, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)

Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones, covers a broad range of topic in this episode, including traumatic brain injuries like concussions and worse. Head injuries will be common in survival settings, and the medic can still be effective even with limited supplies and materials.

Also, Paxlovid, the COVID therapy, has been free so far (which is good, since it costs an average of $530) but that changes in mid-2023, simply because the FDA hasn’t approved it fully yet. Medicare Part D won’t cover it until it does, but these things may take a while, which could put some lives at risk. Dr. Alton discusses further.

Plus, a question from a listener who has become more and more allergic to bee stings. What can she do to desensitize herself and avoid anaphylactic shock? Dr. Bones thinks aloud as to some options.

Finally, some pointers on soft tissue wound care to help the off-grid medic help an injured survivor recover fully. All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast! To listen in, click below:

****

Wishing you the best of health in good times and bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)

Check out the 4th edition of [Th**e Survival Medicine Handbook: T**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**he Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way!** You’ll be glad you did! And don’t waste that FSA/HSA money, get more medically prepared with eligible kits from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Future of Fish Antibiotics In Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-future-of-fish-antibiotics-in-survival/) 

 [Video: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Cellulitis, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Insect Stings and Bites, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury

**Tags:** bee sting allergy, Brain trauma, concussion, COVID-19, paxlovid, TBI, traumatic brain injury, wound care basics

---

### [Video: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/)

**Published:** December 9, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RSV-canva-300x169.jpeg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RSV-canva-scaled.jpeg)

In this companion video to a recent article, **Dr. Joe Alton** tells you what you need to know about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus seen mostly in children and the elderly, that seems to be at high levels in outbreaks throughout the country this winter.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)
Hey, have you checked out all our [FSA/HSA eligible quality medical kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kits-hsa-and-fsa-eligible/) at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). We make it our job to make sure you get the most of your HSA/FSA funds and making your family medically prepared for any disaster!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Brain Trauma, Bee Stings, Paxlovid, Wound Care](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-brain-trauma-bee-stings-paxlovid-wound-care/) 

 [Paxlovid: Soon To Be Out Of Pocket?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/paxlovid-soon-to-be-out-of-pocket/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, respiratory syncytial virus, RSV infection, survival medicine

---

### [Paxlovid: Soon To Be Out Of Pocket?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/paxlovid-soon-to-be-out-of-pocket/)

**Published:** December 8, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_53362708-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_53362708.jpg)

In the battle to prevent severe cases of COVID, the oral medication **[Paxlovid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/paxlovid-oral-therapy-for-covid/)** has become a standard treatment, with nearly 6 million courses of therapy given in the U.S. Until now, this drug has been free to patients as the government has sprung for the cost. In a few months, however, that won’t be the case, leaving those who are at most risk for major illness (the elderly and uninsured) having to pay a substantial price, currently more than five hundred dollars.

Although the COVID pandemic seems to have [abated](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/) in the United States, the number of daily [worldwide cases](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/) as of Nov. 22, 2022 are about the same as the same date two years earlier. With winter coming in the U.S., some are concerned about a possible resurgence of the virus. Death rates from COVID remain at about one percent, more in the senior population. Indeed, the health department of [Billings, MT](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/28/covid-who-is-dying/) logged six deaths due to the virus. Two of the deceased were in their 90s, two in their 80s, and one each in their 60s and 70s.

Many billions of dollars have been spent on (sometimes hastily) developed options to treat or, at least, mitigate, the effects of COVID. Paxlovid, a combination of two drugs, is credited with a [decrease in hospitalizations](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7148e2.htm#:~:text=Report) and deaths from the virus. The Department of Health and Human Services, however, will soon [stop supplying free treatments](https://khn.org/news/article/paxlovid-covid-sticker-shock-insurance/), forcing pharmacies to buy and bill for them on the market just as they do other meds. (this will, by the way, also affect COVID vaccines, which will go from $30 to about $120).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)

Close to[ 90 percent](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/28/covid-who-is-dying/) of those dying from COVID are 65 or older, the age where Medicare covers many medical costs. Unfortunately, Medicare Part D would be restricted from covering the cost of Paxlovid. It’s only available now due to an FDA emergency use authorization. Until FDA gives full approval to the drug, it won’t be covered for the people most at risk.

A government approval for an additional 2.5 billion dollars is in the works, but there’s no guarantee funds will be available to continue the free program. Many citizens are already facing difficulties get Paxlovid prescriptions, but there’s a [procedure](https://www.goodrx.com/paxlovid/how-to-get-paxlovid) by which a COVID-positive patient might obtain it directly from the pharmacy (with proof of recent normal liver and kidney studies).

Even if you have health insurance, paying for COVID therapy is not a guaranteed thing. Eventually, I expect they will figure out the medicine is less expensive that a hospital stay, but it may take months. At the very least, expect higher copays. One bit of good news is that those on public insurance plans for low-income populations, like[ Medicaid](https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2022/12/07/when-paxlovid-is-commercialized-in-2023-patient-access-to-the-covid-19-treatment-will-depend-on-insurance-status/?sh=7f0b69791397), will have Paxlovid covered until at least 2024. Also, the government has only used a third of the 20 million doses it purchased from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. It’s hoped that these surplus doses will be made available, if not for free, then for a sizable discount.

Clearly, when faced with a potentially large medical bill, many patients will forego getting the medicine, which could lead to bad outcomes. The government, and even private insurers, would be remiss in not making sure that Paxlovid and other COVID treatments are affordable. Perhaps, they should review the data on the effectiveness of more affordable treatments not currently FDA-approved but suggested by the [Front Line COVID Critical Care Alliance](https://covid19criticalcare.com/). Face it: Any oral medication is far less expensive than two weeks in the intensive care unit. Lives will be saved by keeping COVID treatments affordable for the American citizen.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MDHey, is your family medically prepared for epidemics, natural disasters, and all the other calamities that can befall a society? Check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and educational resources at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801-300x215.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801.jpg)

[![A loaded first aid kit with medical supplies for trauma,burns, sprains and strains and other medical issues](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic-300x296.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/StompSupremePic.jpg)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/) 

 [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://www.doomandbloom.net/traumatic-brain-injury/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical prepraredness, paxlovid, paxlovid cost, survival medicine

---

### [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://www.doomandbloom.net/traumatic-brain-injury/)

**Published:** December 4, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_8530189-300x235.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_8530189.jpg)

[Traumatic brain injuries](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557) (TBIs) usually occur from a sudden blow to the head or other physical event. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. TBI’s a broad term that encompasses many types of damage that can impact the brain. If it effects one area of the brain, it is termed a “focal” injury. If it spans over several areas, it is called a “diffuse” injury. Severity can range from a mild concussion to a life-threatening situation involving fracture of the skull.

Fortunately, most head injuries aren’t lethal and cause only superficial damage, such as a laceration of the scalp, a black eye, or a painful bump. These wounds, however, can hide damage inside the cranium (the part of the skull that contains the brain). It’s important for the off-grid medic to recognize when trauma to the skull causes damage that can lead to a bad outcome.

**CONCUSSIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/concussion_228x143-cdc.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/concussion_228x143-cdc.png)

[Concussions](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355600) are the most common type of **TBI**. A concussion is associated with a variety of symptoms that are often immediately apparent. Although the effects vary from one individual to the next: You might expect a loss of consciousness, but in the majority of cases, the victim may remain completely alert. Headache is actually the most commonly seen symptom and may occur on-and-off for days afterwards.

Other symptoms include:

- Dizziness
    • Confusion
    • Nausea
    • Loss of motor coordination
    • Blurred or double vision
    • Slurred speech
    • Ringing in the ear (also called “tinnitus”)
    • Difficulty focusing on tasks at hand

Let’s say a person has been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. In most cases, they will regain consciousness in less than 2 minutes. You can expect them to be “foggy,” move clumsily, be slow to answer questions, and behave inappropriately (put me in, coach!). They may not even remember the events immediately prior that led to the injury. In sports, an injured player may not remember their position, the score, or who their opponent is.

A [standardized assessment of concussion test](https://newburghschools.org/files/departments/athletics/ConcussionTestForm.pdf) can be performed in suspect cases. This test evaluates orientation, immediate memory, concentration and delayed memory. Test questions include:

- Stating the date, month, year, day of the week.
- Memorizing a list of words, then repeating them.
- Repeating a sequence of numbers backwards.
- Saying the months of the year backwards.

Of course, loss of consciousness is a serious concern. If the victim is “out” less than two minutes, the patient will merit close observation for the next 48 hours. You should examine for evidence of other injuries and determine that the patient has regained normal motor function. Make sure they can move all their extremities with normal range of motion, coordination, and strength.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_353929088-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_353929088-scaled.jpg)

A period of “[relative rest](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355600)” is prescribed for the next 48 hours. The patient should avoid strenuous activity or perform duties that require serious mental effort (including video games). The patient does not have be kept awake nor has to remain in a dark room, as suggested by some. There are those who [no longer believe](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-it-safe-to-sleep-after-a-concussion/) it is necessary to wake the patient if they’re asleep as long as they’re breathing normally, but [many still recommend](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/concussion-sleep) awakening them every two or three hours the first night, to make certain they are easily aroused.

In most cases, a concussion causes no permanent damage unless there are multiple episodes of head trauma over time, as in the case of boxers or other athletes.

It should be noted that a physical strike to the head is not necessary to suffer a concussion. A particularly jarring football tackle or the violent shaking of an infant can cause a concussion or worse. This is because the brain “bounces” against the hard walls of the cranium. When injury occurs at the site of a blow to the head, it’s called a “[coup”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_contrecoup_injury) injury. Just as often, it can occur on the opposite site of the head as the brain rebounds, known as a “**[contrecoup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_contrecoup_injury)**” injury.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/contrecoup.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/contrecoup.jpg)

Illustration by Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator (http://patricklynch.net)

**OPEN AND CLOSED BRAIN INJURIES**

In many cases, evidence of direct trauma to the skull is visible. An “open” head injury means that the skull has been penetrated with possible exposure of the brain tissue. If the skull is not fractured, it is referred to as a “closed” injury. An indentation of the skull is clear evidence of a fracture and the outlook may be grim, due to the likelihood of bleeding or swelling in the brain. A closed injury may still become life-threatening for the same reasons.

Why? The brain requires blood and oxygen to function normally. An injury which causes bleeding or swelling inside the skull will result in pressure. This pressure makes it harder for the heart to get blood and oxygen into the brain. If bleeding, an accumulation, known as a “hematoma,” could occur within the brain tissue itself, or between the layers of matter covering the brain.

Without adequate circulation and oxygenation, brain function ceases. Pressure that is high enough could actually cause a portion of the brain to push downward through the base of the skull. This is known as a “brain herniation” and, without modern medical care, will almost invariably lead to death.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SEVERE TBI**

A severe traumatic brain injury occurs when bleeding into tissue causes a lack of oxygen or the brain’s nerve fibers (axons) tear as it “ricochets” inside the bony skull.

There are a number of signs and symptoms which might help the off-grid medic identify those patients that have a serious TBI. They include:

- Prolonged loss of consciousness
- Worsening headache over time
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bruising (around eyes and ears)
- Bleeding from ears and nose
- Worsening confusion/Apathy/Drowsiness
- One pupil more dilated than the other
- Seizures
- Indentation of the skull

If the period of unconsciousness is over 10 minutes in length, significant injury is suspected. In these cases, verify that the airway is clear and breathing is regular. Vital signs such as pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure should be monitored closely. The patient’s head should be immobilized, and attention should be given to stabilizing the neck and spine, in case they are also damaged.

Other signs of a traumatic brain injury are the appearance of bruising behind the ears (Battle’s sign) or around the eyes (raccoon sign). This indicates internal bleeding in the cranium, despite the impact did not occur in those areas. Bleeding from the ear itself or nose *without* direct trauma to those areas is another indication. The fluid that drains out may be clear or light yellow; this may represent spinal fluid leakage.

In addition, [**intracranial bleeding**](https://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/intracerebral-hemorrhage/overview.html) may cause pressure that compresses nerves that lead to the pupils. In this case, you will notice that your unconscious patient has one pupil more dilated than the other.

**CONSEQUENCES OF SEVERE TBI**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_475271116-stroke-symptoms-fast-diagnosis-300x240.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_475271116-stroke-symptoms-fast-diagnosis-scaled.jpg)

A severe consequence of bleeding in the brain is a stroke, (also known as a cerebrovascular accident or CVA). It represents damage to the brain caused by lack of blood supply. This could occur in a head injury due to a blockage of blood flow to a portion of the brain. This blockage could be due to a clot, a hemorrhage, or anything else that compromises the circulation in the area. Another possibility is a defect in a blood vessel known as an “aneurysm” which could rupture even in the absence of a traumatic event.

Look for these signs using the acronym “[B.E.F.A.S.T.](https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/stroke-warning-signs)”:

**B**alance: Patient experiences sudden loss of balance.

**E**yes: Partial or total vision loss.

**F**ace: Smiling yields an uneven appearance.

**A**rm: One arm is weaker than the other when testing strength.

**S**peech: The patient may slur words or be unable to talk

**T**ime: In normal times, getting the patient to advanced care immediately is of paramount importance.

A stroke is usually heralded by a sudden severe headache. In the aftermath, whatever functions are associated with the part of the brain affected will be lost or impaired, as described above.

Strokes may also occur due to reasons other than trauma, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure. Although it may not be difficult to diagnose a major CVA in an austere setting, few options will exist for treating it. Statistically, more than 80 percent of strokes are caused by a blood clot, so blood thinners like warfarin or even aspirin might help. The problem is, these medicines would worsen the minority of strokes caused by hemorrhage; it may be difficult to tell which is which without advanced testing.

In these circumstances, the medic should keep the victim on bed rest for a time; In the long run, they may recover partial function. If they do, most improvement will happen in the first few days. Having said that, each brain injury and rate of recovery is unique. In younger people, miraculous results have been documented. In these cases, it’s thought that other areas of the brain make up the deficit caused by damaged tissue. The brain might learn to reroute information and function around lost areas. The end result is, however, difficult to predict and may not be apparent for quite some time.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_1565537548-headache-stroke-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_1565537548-headache-stroke-scaled.jpg)

The many other possible long-term effects of serious traumatic brain injuries are wide-ranging and seriously impact a person’s quality of life. They include:

- Headaches
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Shortened attention span
- Memory deficits
- Loss of problem-solving ability
- Paralysis or weakness
- Spasticity (tightening and shortening of the muscles)
- Poor balance and loss of coordination
- Fatigue
- Tremors or seizures
- Problems swallowing
- Changes in vision, hearing, and other senses
- Loss of body awareness (position, movements, etc.)
- Difficulty communicating orally or in writing
- Difficulty understanding the written word
- Difficulty in performing common activities of daily living, like eating, bathing, paying bills, etc.
- Loss of the ability to drive a car or perform other learned skills
- Difficulties understanding and responding normally to social interaction
- Changes in sleep patterns and eating habits
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability, aggression, etc) or engaging in inappropriate behavior

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_688561-SLEEP-DEPRIVATION-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/shutterstock_688561-SLEEP-DEPRIVATION.jpg)

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “**Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.**” Trauma to the head may have negligible consequences, or it may be life-threatening and leave the victim with long-term deficits. In some circumstances, there may be little that you, the medic, can do in a long-term survival situation; it’s a hard reality in hard times.

Joe Alton, MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)

Hey, learn more about TBIs, strokes, and 200 other medical topics off the grid with a copy of the award-winning 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook, plus check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and educational materials at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Cellulitis Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cellulitis-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Head Injuries, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury

**Tags:** closed brain injury, concussions, consequences of traumatic brain injuries, joe alton md, medical preparedness, open brain injury, stroke, survival medicine, TBI, traumatic brain injuries

---

### [Traumatic Brain Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/traumatic-brain-injuries/)

**Published:** February 15, 2016
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![shutterstock_8530189](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shutterstock_8530189-300x235.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shutterstock_8530189.jpg)

Most head injuries cause superficial damage and are not life-threatening. Indeed, most head injuries amount to only a laceration of the scalp, a black eye, or a painful bump. These wounds, however, can hide damage inside the cranium, the part of the skull that contains the brain. Injuries that affect the brain are called [**traumatic brain injuries**](https://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/) (TBIs). It’s important for the medic to recognize when trauma to the skull has caused damage that is more than superficial.

Concussions are the most common type of **TBI**. A concussion is associated with a variety of symptoms that are often immediately apparent. The presentation differs from one individual to the next. Although you might expect a loss of consciousness, the victim may remain completely alert. Headache is actually the most commonly seen symptom. Other symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Loss of motor coordination
• Blurred or double vision
• Slurred speech
• Ringing in the ear (also called “tinnitus”)
• Difficulty focusing on tasks at hand

A person with trauma to the head may be knocked unconsciousness for a period of time. In most cases, they will “wake up” in less than 2 minutes. You can expect them to be “foggy” and behave inappropriately (put me in, coach!). They may not remember the events immediately prior to the injury.

Loss of consciousness is a serious concern. If the victim is “out” less than two minutes, the patient will merit close observation for the next 48 hours. You should examine for evidence of superficial injuries and determine that the patient has regained normal motor function. Make sure they can move all their extremities with normal range and strength.

Rest is prescribed for the remainder of the day. When your patient goes to bed, it will be appropriate to awaken them every two or three hours, to make sure that they are easily aroused. In most cases, a concussion causes no permanent damage unless there are multiple episodes of head trauma over time, as in the case of boxers or other athletes in contact sports

It should be noted that a physical strike to the head is not necessary to suffer a concussion. A particularly jarring football tackle or the violent shaking of an infant can cause a concussion or worse traumatic brain injury. This is because the brain “bounces” against the walls of the cranium. When injury occurs at the site of a blow to the head, it’s called a “coup” injury. Just as often, it can occur on the opposite site of the head, known as a “**contrecoup**” injury.

In many cases, evidence of direct trauma to the skull is visible. An “open” head injury means that the skull has been penetrated with possible exposure of the brain tissue. If the skull is not fractured, it is referred to as a “closed” injury. An indentation of the skull is clear evidence of a fracture and the outlook may be grim, due to the likelihood of bleeding or swelling in the brain. A closed injury may still become life-threatening for the same reasons.

The brain requires blood and oxygen to function normally. An injury which causes bleeding or swelling inside the skull will increase the intracranial pressure. This causes the heart to work harder to get blood and oxygen into the brain. Blood accumulation (known as a “hematoma”) could occur within the brain tissue itself, or between the layers of tissue covering the brain.

Without adequate circulation, brain function ceases. Pressure that is high enough could actually cause a portion of the brain to push downward through the base of the skull. This is known as a “brain herniation” and, without modern medical care, will almost invariably lead to death

There are a number of signs and symptoms which might identify those patients that have a serious TBI. They include:

• Prolonged loss of consciousness
• Convulsions (Seizures)
• Worsening headache over time
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bruising (around eyes and ears)
• Bleeding from ears and nose
• Worsening confusion/Apathy/Drowsiness
• One pupil more dilated than the other
• Indentation of the skull

If the period of unconsciousness is over 10 minutes in length, you must suspect the possibility of significant injury. Vital signs such as pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure should be monitored closely. The patient’s head should be immobilized, and attention should be given to the neck and spine, in case they are also damaged. Verify that the airway is clear and breathing is regular. In a collapse, this person is in a life-threatening situation that will have few curative options if consciousness is not regained.

Other signs of a traumatic brain injury are the appearance of bruising behind the ears (Battle’s sign) or around the eyes (raccoon sign). This indicates internal bleeding in the cranium, despite the impact not occurring in those areas. Bleeding from the ear itself or nose without direct trauma to those areas is another indication. The fluid that drains out may be clear; this may represent spinal fluid leakage.

In addition, [**intracranial bleeding**](https://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/intracerebral-hemorrhage/overview.html) may cause pressure that compresses nerves that lead to the pupils. In this case, you will notice that your unconscious patient has one pupil more dilated than the other.

A severe consequence of bleeding in the brain is a stroke, (also known as a cerebrovascular accident or CVA). It represents damage to the brain caused by lack of blood supply. This could occur in a head injury due to a blockage of blood flow to a portion of the brain. This blockage could be due to a clot, a hemorrhage, or anything else that compromises the circulation in the area. Another possibility is a defect in a blood vessel known as an “aneurysm” which could rupture even in the absence of a traumatic event.

Whatever functions are associated with the part of the brain affected will be lost or impaired. These patients often present with an inability to speak, partial or complete blindness, and paralysis or weakness of one side of the body and face. The stroke is usually heralded by a sudden severe headache.

Strokes may also occur due to other reasons as well, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure. Although it may not be difficult to diagnose a major CVA in an austere setting, few options will exist for treating it. Blood thinners might help a stroke caused by a clot, but worsen a stroke caused by hemorrhage. It could be difficult to tell which is which without advanced testing.

Keep the victim on bed rest; sometimes, they may recover partial function after a period of time. If they do, most improvement will happen in the first few days.

Trauma to the head may have negligible consequences, or it could have life-threatening consequences. In some circumstances, there may be little that you, the medic, can do in a long-term survival situation.

Joe Alton, MD

Learn more about traumatic brain injury and over 200 other medical topics in austere settings in our Amazon bestseller [“The Survival Medicine Handbook”](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/), rated 4.8 out of 5-stars over more than 2000 reviews!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Injuries to the Nail Bed](https://www.doomandbloom.net/injuries-to-the-nail-bed/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cerebrovascular accident, concussion, CVA, disaster preparedness, head injury, intracranial bleeding, joe alton md, medical preparedness, skull fracture, stroke, survival medicine, TBI, traumatic brain injury

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: RSV, Cellulitis, Antibiotics, Cold Water Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-rsv-cellulitis-antibiotics-cold-water-safety/)

**Published:** November 28, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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People in off-grid settings are often called upon to perform activities to which they’re not accustomed. In daily survival, the inexperienced will suffer mishaps that lead to injury; in situations where sanitation is questionable, these injuries carry a risk of infection, especially in unsanitary conditions. One of these is known as “cellulitis.” Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know about this common problem.

Also, aquarium antibiotics have been a staple for survival medics since Dr. Alton’s article in survivalblog close to 15 years ago. Now, the government is tightening the screws as to how citizens can access antibiotics, starting with food-producing livestock. What does it mean for the preparedness community?

Plus, an outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus on the west coast may become an epidemic and part of a triple whammy this winter along with flu and COVID. Find out about this surging virus.

Finally, some advice on what to do in falls into cold water from a capsized boat (or, in the case of recent headlines, a fall from a cruise ship!)

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones! **TO LISTEN IN, CLICK BELOW:**

****

Hey, don’t forget your copy of [The Survival Medicine Handbook, the 4th edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/), a 2022 Book Excellence Award Winner in the Medical category!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [What To Do About Baby Formula Shortages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-do-about-baby-formula-shortages/)

**Categories:** Uncategorized

---

### [Cellulitis Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cellulitis-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** November 26, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cellulitis-day-1-225x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cellulitis-day-1-rotated.jpg)mild case of cellulitisPeople in off-grid settings are often called upon to perform activities to which they’re not accustomed. In daily survival, the inexperienced will suffer mishaps that lead to injury; in situations where sanitation is questionable, these injuries carry a risk of infection, especially in unsanitary conditions. One of these is known as “[**cellulitis.**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulitis)”

**WHAT IS CELLULITIS?**

The term cellulitis commonly is used to indicate an inflammation of the skin and soft tissues, usually from acute infection. Once under the skin, subcutaneous fat, muscle layers, nerves, and blood vessels may become involved.

Why does cellulitis occur? When the skin is breached, various microbes can invade and cause damage. Inflammation in soft tissues may develop when bacteria enter through a crack or break in your skin. Fortunately, infections from minor wounds are relatively easy to treat today due to the availability of antibiotics. Without them, any bacteria may become life-threatening if it enters and multiplies in the circulation, a condition known as “[**septicemia.**](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/septicemia)”

Cellulitis may be easy to deal with in normal times with a short course of antibiotics, but it will be an epidemic in the aftermath of a major disaster. This is not because it’s contagious; unless there is an open wound or an exchange of bodily fluids, caregivers can treat the victim safely.

Without antibiotics, infections can spread to lymph nodes and the bloodstream, rapidly becoming life-threatening. The end result might affect the entire body, referred to as “[**sepsis**](https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/what-is-sepsis.html).” Once sepsis develops, inflammation of deep structures like the spinal cord (“meningitis”) or bone marrow (“osteomyelitis”) can further complicate the situation. In the past, sepsis was usually fatal. Even today, it is certainly life-threatening.

The bacteria that can cause cellulitis are on your skin right now. Normal inhabitants of the surface of your skin include Staphylococcus and Group A Streptococcus. They do no harm until the skin is broken and they enter deeper tissues where they don’t belong. Points of entry include dry, flaky or swollen skin, such as through a recent surgical site, cuts, puncture wound, skin ulcer, athlete’s foot, or other irritation.

In recent years, a resistant bacterium called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) has arisen which causes cellulitis resistant to the usual antibiotics.

(Note: As an aside, Cellulitis has nothing to do with the dimpling on the skin called “cellulite”. The suffix “-itis” simply means “inflammation”, so cellul-itis simply means “inflammation of the cells.”)

**WHO GETS CELLULITIS**

[![Any break in the skin can lead to cellulitis](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_85144678-abrasion-scrape-290x300.jpg)any break in the skin can lead to cellulitis](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_85144678-abrasion-scrape.jpg)

In a survival setting, anyone can. In normal times, several factors increase the risk:

- Injuries such as cuts, fractures, burns, or scrapes gives bacteria an entry point.
- Conditions or medications that weaken the immune system increase the risk of infection. Diabetes or leukemia are examples.
- Skin conditions such as ezcema, psoriasis, shingles, or athlete’s foot can cause breaks in the skin that serve as entry points for bacteria.
- Chronic swelling of extremities, also called “lymphedema,” which may occur after surgery for breast cancer and other conditions.
- A previous history of cellulitis increases the risk of getting it again.
- Excess weight can predispose to the development of cellulitis.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CELLULITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1756668542-1-300x213.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1756668542-1-scaled.jpg)

The signs and symptoms of cellulitis must be recognized as early as possible. They include:

- Discomfort in the area of infection (a common first sign).
- Heat in the area of the infection compared to non-affected areas.
- Redness, usually spreading towards torso.
- Swelling in the area of infection (often appearing shiny and causing a sensation of tightness).
- Drainage of pus or cloudy fluid from the area of the infection.
- Foul odor coming from the area of infection.
- Fever and chills.
- Exhaustion (fatigue).
- General ill feeling (also called “malaise”).
- Muscle aches (known as “myalgia”).
- Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over it.

**TREATING CELLULITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_1762049183-foot-cellulitis-300x187.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/shutterstock_1762049183-foot-cellulitis-scaled.jpg)

You’ll most often see cellulitis in an extremity, such as a leg. In these cases, it’s helpful to keep the limb elevated. Other strategies include warm or cool compresses/soaks to the affected area, and the use of ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to decrease pain, discomfort, and fever. If the wound is open or weeping fluid or pus, cover it with a non-stick dressing. Otherwise, try to avoid touching the area.

Some practitioners recommend compression dressings to keep down swelling. If you choose this option, be careful to avoid wrapping too tightly, as it can impede circulation.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/marked-area-of-cellulitis-2022-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/marked-area-of-cellulitis-2022-scaled.jpg)

To follow the progress of healing, use a felt-tip marker to outline the borders of the red, warm areas associated with the cellulitis. If the redness recedes, progress is being made towards healing. Concern increases if the redness breaks through the borders.

Although the body can sometimes resolve cellulitis on its own, a significant case is often given treatment which includes the use of antibiotics. These can be topical, oral, or intravenous.

It should be noted that topical therapy with antibiotic creams helps more to prevent infection than cure it.

High fever, spreading redness, warmth, pain, and swelling are signs that you’re dealing with a severe case. In normal times, intravenous antibiotics are indicated. Lacking these, the survival medic can try a combination of oral antibiotics.

As most cases of cellulitis are caused by bacteria, drugs in the penicillin, erythromycin, or cephalosporin families, given for 7-14 days, should eliminate the infection. Amoxicillin, Augmentin (amoxicillin with clavulanic acid), and ampicillin are particularly popular, but penicillin is still used by some. Azithromycin, clindamycin, doxycycline, and metronidazole are options in those allergic to penicillins. MRSA cellulitis can be treated with clindamycin and the sulfa drug combination of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMX-TMP).

Whichever antibiotic is used, it’s important to complete the full course of therapy to assure eradication of the offending germ.

(Note: How is amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (brand name Augmentin) different from regular amoxicillin? Augmentin can treat similar infections to amoxicillin plus some other infections that may have developed antibiotic resistance against amoxicillin, such as persistent ear infections.)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-scaled.jpg)

Some adult dosing examples:

- Penicillin, amoxicillin, cephalexin, or ampicillin 250-500 mg orally four times a day for 7-14 days (Amoxicillin also comes in 875 mg).
- Augmentin (amoxicillin with clavulanic acid) 500-875 mg every 12 hours or 250-500 mg every 8 hours for 7-10 days.
- Azithromycin 500 mg once on Day 1, followed by 250 mg a day on days 2-5
- Clindamycin 150-300 mg three times a day for 7-10 days.
- SMX 800 mg/TMX 160 mg twice a day for 7-10 days.
- Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7-10 days.

It should be noted that variations on dosing and duration of therapy vary from infection to infection. For more information, consider a copy of **“Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide…”.**

In resistant infections like MRSA, combination therapy with SMX/TMP 880/160 mg and cephalexin 500 mg orally four times a day for 7-14 days may be necessary. As with all medications, allergic reactions and other adverse effects may occur. The longer the therapy and the higher the dose, the more likelihood that adverse reactions may occur.

**PREVENTION OF CELLULITIS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_98516198-300x204.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_98516198.jpg)

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Using appropriate hand and foot protection and eyewear will help prevent many injuries, especially among the inexperienced performing activities of daily survival.

If an injury occurs, stop what you’re doing and immediately wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic like povidone-iodine (Betadine) or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens).

(Note: I failed to do this after an agave spine penetrated my shin because I was “in the middle” of a project. Big mistake. By the next morning, an angry, red cellulitis had developed.)

Encouraging good hygiene will also help decrease the chance of developing cellulitis. Promote regular washing with soap and water and check hands and feet for signs of injury. Consider treating dry skin with moisturizers to prevent cracking and peeling (avoid applying on open wounds, however). Keep group members’ fingernails and toenails trimmed. Watch for minor issues like athlete’s foot that could lead to worse problems.

All the drugs mentioned in this article are available in veterinary equivalents (at least at present). In a survival situation, however, antibiotics will be precious commodities. The family medic should dispense them only when absolutely necessary. The misuse of antibiotics, along with their excessive use in livestock, is part of the reason that we’re seeing an epidemic of antibiotic resistance in this country.

Having said that, I write about off-grid post-disaster scenarios. If you’re medically responsible for a family or mutual assistance group in times of trouble, you’ll be glad you stockpiled some antibiotics along with the bandages and antiseptics. Use them judiciously and you’ll save lives.

Joe Alton MD

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Learn more about cellulitis and over 200 other medical topics in survival settings with the award-winning 4th edition of **the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,”** and other books by Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP. Also, get your family more medically prepared with quality kits and individual supplies from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://www.doomandbloom.net/traumatic-brain-injury/) 

 [The FDA and Veterinary Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-fda-and-veterinary-antibiotics/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, bacterial disease, Burns, Cellulitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cellulitis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, sepsis, septicemia, skin infection, survival medicine, symptoms of cellulitis, wound care, wound infection

---

### [The FDA and Veterinary Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-fda-and-veterinary-antibiotics/)

**Published:** November 23, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_1784978723-300x211.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_1784978723-scaled.jpg)

Several years ago, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided that access to veterinary antibiotics was too easy for the average citizen. They announced that there would be an increased “stewardship” of these drugs (life-savers in survival settings) in the future. Thus began the implementation of Industry Guidance #213, also known as the **Veterinary Feed Directive** (VFD). This action was meant to discourage the use of veterinary antibiotics and, hopefully, decrease antibiotic resistance.

While this directive applied to food-producing livestock, there was no rule against access to antibiotics used in the pet trade, specifically those targeting aquarium fish or pet birds. Despite this, the writing was on the wall; large distributors like Thomas Labs, maker of “Fish-Mox,” quietly ended their line of products. Other producers rose to fill the void, but the selection was less and availability less reliable.

Recently, the FDA issued Industry [Guidance #263](https://www.drovers.com/news/industry/new-antibiotic-restrictions-soon-become-reality), a ruling that all remaining over-the-counter “medically-important” veterinary antibiotics should be “transitioned” to prescription-only by[ June 2023](https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/pages/antibiotics-moving-to-rx-in-2023). Product labels will now state: “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”

What does this mean for the preparedness community? The original article I wrote on “fish antibiotics” (about 15 years ago) was meant to give the off-grid medic a way to keep long-term disaster survivors from succumbing to minor infections that might turn into life-threatening ones. That concern still exists today, and you might agree we’re no less likely to suffer a major catastrophic event today than we were then. Having antibiotics around would save lives if the medical infrastructure collapsed. Not having them, well…

Websites that address this issue state that there will be no more OTC/non-prescription feed antibiotics available for use in *food animal* species. Unless you’re in the habit of eating your pet goldfish, though, there doesn’t seem to be a specific ban on currently available aquarium meds. Some sites note the rules apply to companion animals as well. Most likely, you’re not quite that close to the fish in your aquarium.

The FDA has its reasons for wanting to control veterinary antibiotics. A few years back, [73 percent of total antibiotic use](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibiotic_use_in_livestock) in the U.S. was in the food-livestock industry. This was not meant to treat infection, but given because animals fed antibiotics seemed to mature faster and get to market quicker. Now, it will be illegal to use them for that purpose. Producers now need to obtain authorization from a licensed veterinarian to use them for prevention, control, or treatment of a [specifically identified disease](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/development-approval-process/fact-sheet-veterinary-feed-directive-final-rule-and-next-steps).

Nonetheless, limiting the preparedness community’s ability to access veterinary antibiotics for stockpile purposes will mean lives lost in the event of a long-term disaster event. Even if a person has a relationship with a licensed veterinarian, how many vets will even see small animals like a pet rodent, chicken, or parakeet? If they do, how many will see a sick guppy?

The amount of veterinary antibiotics the preparedness community puts in their medical storage is not even a drop in the bucket compared to the total used. Having said that, I would guess the government will eventually get around to controlling every aspect of our lives; this will be no different. If you’re the family medic and are concerned about a scenario where infections may run rampant among your people, consider getting a supply while they’re still available.

(Note: I’m not suggesting using any of your stockpiled antibiotics in normal times without the supervision of a qualified medical professional. This article relates to the availability of medications like these for long-term off-grid survival settings.)

Some sources that still offer over-the-counter “fish” antibiotics:

Joe Alton MD

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Find out more about antibiotics, their uses, risks, and more in **The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th edition** or go even deeper with a copy of **Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease.** You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Altons-antibiotic-book-with-Book-excellence-2020-award-star-217x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Altons-antibiotic-book-with-Book-excellence-2020-award-star.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-240x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Cellulitis Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cellulitis-off-the-grid/) 

 [Respiratory Syncytial Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratory-syncytial-virus/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** bird antibiotics, fish antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, veterinary antibiotics, Veterinary Feed Directive

---

### [Respiratory Syncytial Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratory-syncytial-virus/)

**Published:** November 19, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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As we enter the winter season, outbreaks of infections like flu, COVID, and [respiratory syncytial virus](https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html) (RSV) become a concern. In California, all three have come together to make the state a possible site for a triple epidemic, or [“tridemic](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/flu-rsv-covid-19-trifecta-the-places-experts-think-put-you-at-highest-risk).” Some areas are experiencing an earlier flurry of flu cases than usual, and others a rebound of COVID-19, which may become a regular seasonal event. RSV is another contagious virus emerging in a number of outbreaks throughout the state.

**WHAT IS RSV?**

While many have personal experience with the flu or with COVID, respiratory syncytial virus is less well-known to the general public (strange for a virus so contagious that almost all children get the infection by age two). It usually presents as a mild cold, although it can be life-threatening to premature infants. This year, it’s severe enough to have parents worried, and it should: RSV is the second leading cause of death during the first year of a child’s life, after malaria.

RSV isn’t just a children’s’ virus. It can affect adults as well, and those over 65 can develop pneumonias requiring hospitalization. Orange county has recently declared a health emergency due to a surge in cases. Los Angeles County tests of phlegm and mucus are testing positive for RSV about 20 percent of the time. This is a five-year high, up from 6-7 percent a year ago and 1 percent the three years previous to that. Almost 10% of L.A. County ER visits among children younger than 5 are associated with respiratory syncytial virus.

Like a cold virus, respiratory syncytial virus affects your nose, eyes, throat, and, possibly, lungs. It spreads (like many airborne viruses) when droplets from a cough or sneeze get in someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth. [Other ways to get RSV](https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html) include direct contact, such as kissing the face of an infected child or touching a surface contaminated with the virus.

There are various strains of RSV, making it unlikely you will become immune. Some people even get it more than once in the same year.

**SYMPTOMS OF RSV**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1313942159-pneumonia-what-happens-in-alveoli-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1313942159-pneumonia-what-happens-in-alveoli-scaled.jpg)

RSV symptoms usually begin 4-6 days after infection and include:

- Nasal Congestion
- Coughing/sneezing
- Sore Throat
- Earache
- Fever
- Muscle aches

Infants may be difficult to diagnose, but you’ll notice a lack of energy and a poor appetite. In severe cases, wheezing may be a symptom. Indeed, RSV is the most common cause of pneumonia in kids under one year of age.

**TREATING RSV INFECTIONS**

There is no cure, vaccine, or even a specific treatment for RSV. The caregiver should perform measures that relieve the symptoms. Fortunately, most infections with respiratory syncytial virus go away on their own after one to two weeks.

One basic way to help is to encourage good hydration. Those who become dehydrated easily, like very young infants and the elderly, will have the worst outcomes.

Manage fever and muscle aches with fever and pain meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but avoid giving aspirin to children (or anyone under 20, due to the risk of a rare but serious disease known as “[Reye’s Syndrome](https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/reyes-syndrome#:~:text=Reye's).”

Symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus that should raise the level of concern include shortness of breath, chest or stomach pain, vomiting, and dehydration. These patients may require oxygen, IV hydration, and advanced care.

**PREVENTING RSV INFECTIONS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1665838531-respiratory-hygiene-coughing-into-sleeve-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1665838531-respiratory-hygiene-coughing-into-sleeve-scaled.jpg)

It’s as hard to keep from catching an RSV infection as it is to avoid a cold. Following a strategy known as “respiratory hygiene,” however, can lower the risk:

- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Have tissues or other barrier available at all times. If none is available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper arm.
- Keep no-touch trash containers available for safe disposal of tissues and other materials.
- Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer whenever you touch your mouth or nose.
- Provide materials for hand washing in areas where infected persons may be housed.
- Symptomatic patients should wear masks and avoid close contact with healthy individuals.
- Keep infected persons away from high-traffic areas in the home.

The above precautions are good advice for any outbreak of respiratory infections, including RSV, flu or COVID.

Hopefully, RSV cases will peak soon. Even so, close observation of your children and elderly relatives is important to prevent severe cases from leading to bad outcomes.

Joe Alton MD

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Learn more about respiratory infections and 200 other medical topics with a copy of the award-winning 4th edition of “**The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**.” Plus, check out our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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 [The FDA and Veterinary Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-fda-and-veterinary-antibiotics/) 

 [What You Need To Know About Fentanyl](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-need-to-know-about-fentanyl/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, respiratory infections, respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, survival medicine

---

### [What You Need To Know About Fentanyl](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-need-to-know-about-fentanyl/)

**Published:** October 18, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/overdose-deaths-infographic.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/overdose-deaths-infographic.jpg)This article was first published at [americanthinker.com](https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2022/10/what_you_need_to_know_about_fentanyl.html).

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has sent out an advisory to the public regarding the opioid crisis, specifically warning of the presence of brightly-colored fentanyl pills in general circulation. The presence of highly addictive [“rainbow fentanyl”](https://www.wbay.com/2022/10/10/dea-warns-rainbow-fentanyl-meant-target-younger-populations/) is a trend which potentially targets young people.

I’ve known of fentanyl my entire medical career. My professional experience with it involved use during general anesthesia on patients undergoing surgery and epidurals during labor. It has also been used in combat casualties and cancer patients in the form of “lollipops” for pain relief and sedation.

First synthesized in 1960, it gained approval for medical use in 1968 and achieved widespread acceptance. By 2017, fentanyl was the most frequently-used synthetic opioid in medicine. Two years later, more than one million prescriptions for it were being written annually. In 2021, fentanyl accounted for more than [71,000 opioid overdose deaths](https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates) in the United States. The vast majority of recent cases are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl originating, it’s thought, in Mexico.

The [Department of Justice](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-announces-results-enforcement-surge-reduce-fentanyl-supply-across-united) reports the seizure of more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder in the period from May 23 through Sept. 8, 2022

**WHY FENTANYL?**

For a drug dealer, [fentanyl](https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl) has some attributes that compare it favorably to heroin: Fentanyl is more potent, has higher profit margins, and is easier to transport to the “market” in the form of pills, lozenges, injections, nasal sprays, eye drops, and skin patches. It’s given unthreatening nicknames such as “dance fever,” “goodfellas,” and “jackpot.” As it’s relatively cheap, it can be used to mix in with more expensive illegal drugs.

For the consumer, fentanyl acts like other opioids, but “on steroids.” Once in the body, fentanyl attaches itself to nerve receptors that control pain response and emotions. The drug provides strong pain relief and creates an intense euphoric high. It does this by elevating levels of the chemical dopamine. The drug also takes effect faster than either morphine or heroin.

The duration of effect depends on the dosage taken, the method of intake, and other factors. In those who inject the drug, the “high” lasts 11-22 hours\*. If used as a patch, lozenge, or pill, it can last even longer. As the body breaks down the drug, it leaves traces behind called metabolites. Metabolites remain longer than the duration of fentanyl effects; as such, they may be detected in drug tests much longer than the high lasts.

(**Note:** \*In a reply to this article at americanthinker, a pharmacist indicated that, while it may remain active in the body for the time mentioned, the euphoria associated with fentanyl is much faster-acting and shorter-lived. I failed to emphasize the rapid onset of effect, which is, of course, one of the “attractions” of the drug.)

**FENTANYL DANGERS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/shutterstock_688561.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/shutterstock_688561.jpg)Unfortunately, there are serious risks associated with the use of fentanyl. You can expect sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression. This highly addictive substance leads to serious physical dependence in addition to tolerance (the need for higher doses over time to get the same “high”).

Additional dangers relate to the tendency for fentanyl powder to be mixed in with heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. As it can’t be identified by sight, taste, or smell, it would require a lab analysis or special [test strips](https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/basas/fentanyl-test-strips-brochure.pdf) to identify. This practice of “cutting” drugs with fentanyl causes the user to inadvertently be given a dose much stronger than ordinarily expected from, say, heroin. Indeed, accidental exposure of fentanyl to skin can be lethal in doses as low as 0.25 milligrams.

**OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS**

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for:

- Sleepiness or loss of consciousness
- Slow (or no) breathing
- Drops in blood pressure
- Choking
- Small, constricted pupils
- Changes in muscle tone
- Cold, “clammy,” blue-gray lips and fingertips (also known as “cyanosis”)

In addition to the above, signs and symptoms more specific to fentanyl may include foaming at the mouth, body stiffening, seizures, and confusion before becoming unresponsive.

**TREATING OPIOID OVERDOSES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/naloxone-nih.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/naloxone-nih.jpg)Treating fentanyl and other opioid overdoses involves administering a drug called [naloxone](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-narcan-side-effects#fa-qs) (brand name Narcan). It’s available as an injectable solution or a nasal spray. Although normally a prescription med, some states have passed laws allowing pharmacists to dispense the drug without a prescription.

Victims of opioid overdoses who are given naloxone should be monitored for another two hours after the last dose to assure good breathing and oxygenation. A pulse oximeter is useful to determine oxygen saturation in the body. Of course, in normal times, 911 should be called and emergency medical personnel should be dispatched.

It should be noted that naloxone has no major ill effects if given to a person who doesn’t have opioids in their system. Even if you’re not certain that a person has overdosed on opioids, you should still give them naloxone. Indeed, the worst side effect is that they may begin to experience withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, irritability, agitation, insomnia, and flulike symptoms.

Record seizures of rainbow fentanyl have amounted to doses that would be fatal to millions. Given that these discoveries are just a fraction of the total that crosses the border, the risk is significant enough that everyone should be aware of this dangerous drug.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Respiratory Syncytial Virus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratory-syncytial-virus/) 

 [Tetanus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tetanus/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** american thinker, fentanyl effects, fentanyl overdose, joe alton md, medical preparedness

---

### [Tetanus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tetanus/)

**Published:** October 13, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tetanus-2-newborn-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tetanus-2-newborn-scaled.jpg)Infant with tetanus source: CDCThe destruction caused by hurricane Ian in Florida recently was widespread and devastating. Flood waters teeming with contaminants and debris posed a hazard to all who ventured out after the storm. You can bet that there was a run on tetanus shots after citizens had a painful encounter with the proverbial “rusty nail” and other objects. In off-grid settings, **[tetanus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetanus)** is an ever-present risk. The family medic should have knowledge of risks, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

#### What is Tetanus?

Tetanus (from the Greek word *tetanos*, meaning tight) is an infection caused by the bacteria *Clostridium tetani*. The bacteria produces spores (inactive bacteria-to-be) that primarily live in soil or the feces of animals. These spores are capable of laying dormant for years and are resistant to extremes in temperature.

Tetanus is relatively rare in the United States, with about 50 reported cases a year. Worldwide, however, there are more than 500,000 cases a year. Most are seen in developing countries in Africa and Asia. Still, we should realize that developed countries may be thrown into third world status in the aftermath of a mega-catastrophe. There’ll be many more cases that could be your responsibility as medic to identify and treat.

#### Causes of Tetanus

Most tetanus infections occur when a person has experienced a break in the skin. The skin is the most important barrier to infection, and any breach in the armor leaves a person open to infection. The most common cause is some type of puncture wound, such as an insect or animal bite, a splinter, or even that rusty nail. This is because the bacteria is **anaerobic** (doesn’t like oxygen); deep, narrow wounds are exposed to less O2, providing a favorable environment for *C. tetani*. Any injury that compromises the skin, however, is eligible: Burns, crush injuries, and lacerations can also be entryways for tetanus bacteria.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusspores.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusspores.jpg)Tetanus sporesWhen a wound becomes contaminated with Tetanus spores, the spores become full-fledged bacterium and reproduce rapidly. Damage to the victim comes as a result of a strong toxin excreted by the organism known as ***tetanospasmin***. This toxin specifically targets nerves that serve muscle tissue.

Tetanospasmin binds to motor nerves, causing “misfires” that lead to involuntary contraction of the affected areas. This neural damage could be localized or can affect the entire body. You would possibly see the classical symptom of “**[lockjaw](https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/tetanus/)**”, where the jaw muscle is taut; any muscle group, however, is susceptible to the contractions if affected by the toxin. This includes the respiratory musculature, which can inhibit normal breathing and become life-threatening.

The most severe cases seem to occur at extremes of age, with newborns and those over 65 most likely to succumb to the disease. Death rates from generalized Tetanus hover around 25-50%, higher in newborns.

You will be on the lookout for the following early symptoms:

- Sore muscles (especially near the site of injury)
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lockjaw (also called “**trismus**”; facial muscles are often the first affected)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tetanus-6-lockjaw-688x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tetanus-6-lockjaw-scaled.jpg)Typical appearance of lockjaw source: CDCInitial symptoms may not present themselves for one to two weeks. As the disease progresses, you may see:

- Progressively worsening muscle spasms (may start locally and become generalized over time)
- Involuntary arching of the back (sometimes so strong that bones may break or dislocations may occur!)
- Fever
- Respiratory distress
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeats

Complications of untreated tetanus can lead to a fatal outcome in one out of four people. The death rate for newborns is even higher.

**Treating Tetanus**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/child-with-tetanus-WHO.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/child-with-tetanus-WHO.jpg)Child with generalized tetanusThe first thing that the survival medic should understand is that, although an infectious disease, tetanus is not contagious. You can feel confident treating a tetanus victim safely, as long as you wear gloves and observe standard clean technique. Begin by washing your hands and putting on your gloves. Then, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, using an irrigation syringe with 3% hydrogen peroxide to repeatedly flush out any debris. This will, hopefully, limit growth of the bacteria and, as a result, decrease toxin production.

You will want to administer antibiotics to kill off the rest of the tetanus bacteria in the system. Although not used as prevention, antibiotics will decrease the toxin load and speed recovery. Metronidazole (Aqua-zole, Flagyl) 500mg 4 times a day or Penicillin 500 mg 4 times a day are among some of the drugs known to be effective. Muscle relaxants like tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine are used to treat spasms, but are unlikely to be available to the off-grid caregiver.

Additional strategies include IV hydration, if available, and keeping the patient as comfortable as possible in a quiet and dimly-lit environment.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tetanus-public-domain-revised-1.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tetanus-public-domain-revised-1.jpg)Tetanus in Napoleonic soldier as result of bullet woundLate stage Tetanus is difficult to treat without modern technology. For this reason, it’s important for the survival medic to monitor anyone who has sustained a wound for the early symptoms mentioned earlier.

As medic, you must obtain a detailed medical history from anyone that you might be responsible for in times of trouble. This includes immunization histories where possible. Has the injured individual been immunized against tetanus? Most people born in the U.S. will have gone through a series of immunizations against diptheria, tetanus, and whooping cough early in their childhood. Booster injections for tetanus are usually given every 10 years (or if 5 years have passed in a person with a fresh wound, sometimes along with [tetanus Immunoglobulin antitoxin](https://www.cdc.gov/tetanus/clinicians.html)).

Tetanus vaccine is not without its risks; severe complications such as seizures or brain damage occur in rare cases (less than one in a million). Milder side effects such as fatigue, fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, and inflammation in the injection site are more common.

Given the life-threatening nature of the disease, though, this is one vaccine that you should encourage your people to receive, regardless of your feelings about vaccines in general. If not caught early, there may be little you, the off-grid medic, can do to treat your patient without all the bells and whistles of modern medicine.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Dr. AltonFind quality kits, some one-of-a-kind, for survival settings in our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, check out our Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, “**[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Wa](https://store.doomandbloom.net/spiral-bound-color-version-the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)y”** and other books at our store or on Amazon. Plus, check out our entire line of quality kits and individual medical supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512-1-1024x512.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512-1.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [What You Need To Know About Fentanyl](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-need-to-know-about-fentanyl/) 

 [Noroviruses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/noroviruses/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** bacterial infections, clostridia tetani, joe alton md, lockjaw, medical preparedness, survival medicine, Tetanospasmin, tetanus, trismus

---

### [Tetanus in Times of Trouble](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tetanus-in-times-of-trouble/)

**Published:** October 7, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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### **Tetanus in Survival Settings**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusadult.jpg "tetanus adult")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusadult.jpg)Tetanic SpasmMost of us have dutifully gone to get a **Tetanus** shot when we stepped on a rusty nail, but few have any real concept of what Tetanus is and why it is dangerous. The role of the survival medic is to maintain the well-being of their family or group in a collapse. This can be best assured with an understanding of what infectious disease is. Knowledge of risks, prevention. And treatment will be the armor plate in your medical defense.

## What is Tetanus?

Tetanus (from the Greek word *tetanos*, meaning tight) is an infection caused by the bacteria Clostridium Tetani. The bacteria produces spores (inactive bacteria-to-be) that primarily live in the soil or the feces of animals. These spores are capable of living for years and are resistant to extremes in temperature.

Tetanus is relatively rare in the United States, with about 50 reported cases a year. Worldwide, there are more than 500,000 cases a year, however. Most are seen in developing countries in Africa and Asia that have poor immunization programs. Citizens of developed countries may be thrown into third world status in the aftermath of a mega-catastrophe. Therefore, we can expect many more cases that could be your responsibility as medic to evaluate and treat.

### What Causes Tetanus?

Most *tetanus infections* occur when a person has experienced a break in the skin. The skin is the most important barrier to infection, and any chink in the armor leaves a person open to infection. The most common cause is some type of puncture wound, such as an insect or animal bite, a splinter, or even that rusty nail. This is because the bacteria doesn’t like Oxygen, and deep, narrow wounds give less access to it. Any injury that compromises the skin, however, is eligible; burns, crush injuries, and lacerations can also be entryways for Tetanus bacteria.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusspores.jpg "tetanus spores")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusspores.jpg)Tetanus sporesTetanus Spores

When a wound becomes contaminated with Tetanus spores, the spore becomes activated as a full-fledged bacterium and reproduces rapidly. Damage to the victim comes as a result of a strong toxin excreted by the organism known as Tetanospasmin. This toxin specifically targets nerves that serve muscle tissue.

Tetanospasmin binds to motor nerves, causing “misfires” that lead to involuntary contraction of the affected areas. This neural damage could be localized or can affect the entire body. You would possibly see the classical symptom of “Lockjaw”, where the jaw muscle is taut; any muscle group, however, is susceptible to the contractions if affected by the toxin. This includes the respiratory musculature, which can inhibit normal breathing and become life-threatening.

The most severe cases seem to occur at extremes of age, with newborns and those over 65 most likely to succumb to the disease. Death rates from generalized Tetanus hover around 25-50%, higher in newborns.

You will be on the lookout for the following early symptoms:

- Sore muscles (especially near the site of injury)
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lockjaw (also called “Trismus”; facial muscles are often the first affected)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusnewborn-300x198.jpg "tetanus newborn")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tetanusnewborn.jpg)Newborn infant with tetanusNewborn with Arching Back Typical of Generalized Tetanus

Initial symptoms may not present themselves for 1- 2 weeks. As the disease progresses, you may see:

- Progressively worsening muscle spasms (may start locally and become generalized over time)
- Involuntary arching of the back (sometimes so strong that bones may break or dislocations may occur!)
- Fever
- Respiratory distress
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeats

The first thing that the survival medic should understand is that, although an infectious disease, Tetanus is not contagious. You can feel confident treating a Tetanus victim safely, as long as you wear gloves and observe standard clean technique. Begin by washing your hands and putting on your gloves. Then, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, using an irrigation syringe with 3% hydrogen peroxide to repeatedly flush out any debris. This will, hopefully, limit growth of the bacteria and, as a result, decrease toxin production.

You will want to administer antibiotics to kill off the rest of the Tetanus bacteria in the system. Metronidazole (Fish-Zole or Flagyl) 500mg 4 times a day or Doxycycline (Bird-Biotic) 100 mg twice a day are among some of the drugs known to be effective. This study compares the use of Metronidazole versus Penicillin G: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1417474/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1417474/ "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1417474/")

Remember, the earlier you begin antibiotic therapy, the less toxin will be produced. IV rehydration, if you have the ability to administer it, is also helpful. The patient will be more comfortable in an environment with dim lights and reduced noise.

Late stage Tetanus is difficult to treat without modern technology. Ventilators, Tetanus Antitoxin, and muscle relaxants/sedatives such as Valium are used to treat severe cases but will be unlikely to be available to you in a long term survival situation. For this reason, it is extraordinarily important for the survival medic to watch anyone who has sustained a wound for the early symptoms listed above.

As medic, you must obtain a detailed medical history from anyone that you might be responsible for in times of trouble. This includes immunization histories where possible. Has the injured individual been immunized against Tetanus? Most people born in the U.S. will have gone through a series of immunizations against Diptheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough early in their childhood. If not, encourage them to get up to date with their immunizations against this dangerous disease as soon as possible. Booster injections are usually given every 10 years (or if 5 years have passed in a person with a fresh wound, sometimes along with Tetanus Immunoglobulin antitoxin).

Tetanus vaccine is not without its risks, but severe complications such as seizures or brain damage occur is less than one in a million cases. Milder side effects such as fatigue, fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, and inflammation in the injection site are more common.

Given the life-threatening nature of the disease, this is one vaccine that you should encourage your people to receive, regardless of your feelings about vaccines in general. If not caught early, there may be little you can do to treat your patient without all the bells and whistles of modern medicine.

Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg "Joe Alton, MD")Joe Alton, MDLearn more about infectious diseases and many other survival medical topics in the 700 page third edition of [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/), available at Amazon or here on this website.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [New Evidence on Expiration Dates](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-evidence-on-expiration-dates-2/) 

 [How to Extract a Tooth](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-extract-a-tooth/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries

**Tags:** Clostridium Tetani, doom and bloom, Doxycycline, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, infectious disease, lockjaw, medical preparedness, metronidazole, survival medicine, Tetanospasmin, tetanus, tetanus infections, tetanus shot, trismus, What Causes Tetanus?, What is Tetanus?

---

### [Noroviruses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/noroviruses/)

**Published:** October 1, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-scaled.jpg)Many of us have heard of the “[stomach flu](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katiecamero/norovirus-how-not-to-get-sick)” but not the actual virus that causes it: Norovirus. Norovirus has been in the news lately when a long-term outbreak occurred among more than 220 rafters and hikers in the [Grand Canyon National Park](https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article266612156.html) from April to mid-June of this year. Less well known is 448 norovirus cases reported in the U.S. from Aug 2021 to March of this year. That was six times the number of cases reported during the same time the year before.

We personally an experience with the virus a few years ago when my wife sampled “The World’s Best Hot Dog” at a street stand in New York City while visiting our daughter. Believe me, it’s no fun, and considering that norovirus can be found everywhere from the Big Apple to the Grand Canyon, the family medic should know about it.

**ABOUT NOROVIRUSES**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/039-765x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/039-scaled.jpg)If there’s norovirus here, it must be everywhere!The National Foundation for infectious diseases reports that noroviruses are the most common cause of acute stomach and intestinal infections in the United States, The U.S. reports 19 million to 21 million cases a year. Humans are, apparently, the only hosts of the virus. It affects people of all ages, but it’s particularly dangerous in the elderly, the very young, and those with weakened immune systems. Except for this year, winter is the most common time for outbreaks.

The virus was formerly known as the Norwalk virus because the first known outbreak took place at an elementary school in Norwalk, Ohio. Scientists identified the virus in 1972 from stool samples and renamed it “norovirus.” Since then, it’s been identified everywhere from cruise ships to nursing homes.

Norovirus is very contagious (just 5-20 viral particles can cause illness) and is easily transmitted through contaminated food or water, close personal contact, and even by air droplets from vomit, contaminated kitchen counters, and even toilet flushes. Infection can be passed from person to person for a time even after apparent recovery.

Here’s how contagious the norovirus is: In one outbreak reported in 1998, 126 people were dining at a restaurant when one person vomited onto the floor. Despite a rapid cleanup, 52 customers fell ill within three days. More than 90% of the people who later dined at the same table reported symptoms. More than 70% of the diners at a nearby table got sick; at a table on the other side of the restaurant, the rate was still 25%.

Norovirus is a hardy microbe, and is known to survive for long periods outside a human host. It can live for weeks on countertops and up to twelve days on clothes. It can survive for months in still water. Disinfectants containing chlorine, however, like bleach will quickly eliminate it, as will sufficient heat.

**SYMPTOMS OF “STOMACH FLU”**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965.jpg)The symptoms of the stomach flu include nausea and vomiting, watery diarrhea, and (sometimes severe) abdominal pain, usually within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. Along with this, muscle aches, headache, and fever may be seen. Luckily, life-threatening illness is rare, with dehydration being the main danger in those infected with the virus. Symptoms may last several days before eventually subsiding.

Unlike some viruses, immunity to norovirus is only temporary. Antibodies against the virus at thought to last up to six months after recovery. Also, there are various types of noroviruses, getting one doesn’t protect you against others.

Outbreaks of norovirus infection often occur in closed spaces such as cruise ships, nursing homes, schools, camps, and prisons. Shellfish, such as oysters, and salad ingredients are the foods most often implicated in norovirus outbreaks (except, of course, “the World’s Best Hot Dog”).

**TREATING NOROVIRUS**

As is the case with most viruses, there is no known cure for norovirus infection. Antibiotics will not be effective, as they are meant to kill bacteria, not viruses. Treatment involves staying well-hydrated. Suspect dehydration if you see these signs and symptoms:

· Dry mouth

· Decrease in quantity or dark color of urine

· Dizziness when standing up

· Decreased elasticity of skin (it “tents” when pulled)

· No tears when crying or unusual irritability in infants

Using antidiarrheal meds like loperamide (Imodium) and anti-vomiting drugs like Ondansetron (Zofran) may also help.

**PREVENTING NOROVIRUS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_53362708.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_53362708.jpg)A cure may not be available but prevention is another issue. To decrease the chance of norovirus infection:

· Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (norovirus is relatively resistant to alcohol), especially after using the restroom or handling food. Be especially sure to do this for 2 weeks after becoming infected (yes, you can be contagious for that long).

· Wash food before cooking; cook shellfish thoroughly.

· Frequently disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution (the EPA recommends 5-25 drops of bleach per gallon).

· Keep sick individuals away from food preparation areas.

· Avoid close contact with others when you are sick, and don’t share utensils or other items.

· Wear disposable gloves while handling soiled items.

· Immediately remove and wash clothes that may be contaminated with vomit or feces. Machine dry if possible.

It may be difficult to completely eliminate the risk of norovirus infection, but careful attention to hand and food hygiene will go a long way towards avoiding the stomach flu.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Dr. AltonFind quality kits, some one-of-a-kind, for survival settings in our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, check out our Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, “**[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Wa](https://store.doomandbloom.net/spiral-bound-color-version-the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)y”** and other books at our store or on Amazon. You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512-1-1024x512.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512-1.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Tetanus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tetanus/) 

 [Video: Multiple Casualty Kits with Nurse Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-multiple-casualty-kits-with-nurse-amy/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Diarrhea, epidemics, Food, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** alton first aid, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Questions To Ask Your Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-questions-to-ask-your-doctor/)

**Published:** September 26, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1971115097-patient-asking-doctor-a-question.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1971115097-patient-asking-doctor-a-question.jpg)Doctor visits can be stressful, and you’ll often be asked to take this medicine or that test or undergo that procedure. For various reasons, patients seem to be reluctant to ask medical professionals important questions regarding their health, even for serious issues. Getting the right information about your health status, medications prescribed and tests ordered can mean a huge difference in your health. Your well-being is a team effort, of which you are the most valuable player. Take charge of your health! In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the questions that you should pose to your doctor to get the the best information possible to guide your healthcare decisions.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton, MDFind out a lot more about health issues in homesteading or survival settings with a copy of the Book Excellence Aware winner in medicine, “The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way”, now in its greatly expanded 4th edition. And check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at[ store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Hurricane Ian: Just When You Thought...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-ian-just-when-you-thought/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Wound Care, Debridement, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-wound-care-debridement-more/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** alton first aid, ask your doctor, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical questions, questions to ask your doctor, survival medicine

---

### [Hurricane Ian: Just When You Thought...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-ian-just-when-you-thought/)

**Published:** September 27, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/shutterstock_129577547.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/shutterstock_129577547.jpg)Just when you thought we might get away without a serious hurricane, here comes Ian. Hurricane Ian is barreling down like a juggernaut in the direction of Florida, and they’re expecting a lot of wind, rain, and storm surge. Every year around this time, the U.S. can expect storms like this to menace the East and Gulf coasts, yet many citizens still find a way to be caught by surprise.

Hurricanes can certainly be dangerous, but they don’t have to be life-threatening for those who prepare. Unlike tornadoes, which can pop up suddenly, hurricanes are first identified when they are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away. We can watch their development and have a good idea of how bad the situation might be and how much time we have to get ready.

Even before it’s clear that your area is in danger of being hit by the storm, you should have considered factors like food, water, power, and shelter. By having a plan of action beforehand, you’ll decrease the risk to your family significantly.

Here are a few (actually, 30!) tips to help those preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best:

**HIT THE ROAD, JACK**

1.**Make a G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) decision**: Rugged individualists may want to ride out the storm, but some coastal residents would be best served by hitting the road. When the authorities say it’s time to evacuate, you should be ready to go. Don’t forget to turn off the power, gas, and water before you leave.

2.**Head inland**: Hurricanes gain their strength by warm ocean waters, and lose strength quickly as they get further into the interior. Some storms stall on the coast. If you’re escaping the storm, the further inland you go, the safer you’ll be. If there isn’t time, most coastal municipalities will have designated a sturdy building as a hurricane shelter. Make sure you ask about what facilities they have to help care for your pets.

3.**Have a “GO” bag**: Always have a set of supplies ready to take with you on short notice. Non-perishable food, bottled water, extra clothing, flashlights and batteries, a NOAA weather radio, medicines, and [a first aid kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) are just a few of the items that will ensure your survival. Although you’ll see recommendations to have a 72 hour supply, this figure is arbitrary; a week’s worth would be even better.

4.**Have a cell phone charger**: Communication is key. Many cell phone chargers can be plugged into the car where the cigarette lighter used to be. Solar chargers are also available.

5.**Have cash on hand:** Power for credit card verification could be down after a hurricane; if you don’t keep some cash in small bills on hand, you’ll have a power shortage: *Purchasing* power.

**STAYING HOME**

[](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/floods_02.jpg)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1659090466-flood-aerial-view-CROPPED-1024x729.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_1659090466-flood-aerial-view-CROPPED-scaled.jpg)Beware flooding from the storm surgeLet’s say you haven’t received an evacuation order, and you’re going to ride out the storm in place. Here are some considerations you’ll want to take into account:

**FOOD**

6.**Keep it Cold:** Have the refrigerator and freezer down to their coldest settings so that food will take longer to spoil if the power goes out.

7.**Collect Ice:** Collect ice in plastic bags and place them throughout to prolong freshness. If there are open spots, fill Tupperware containers or plastic soda bottles/milk jugs with water, freeze them, and place them in the spaces. The fuller the fridge is, the longer the items in it will stay cool.

8.**Wrap It in Foil:** Wrap food items in aluminum foil, eliminating air pockets, and cram the foil packs together as closely as possible.

9.**Cook ‘Em and Freeze ‘Em:** Cook meats before the hurricane gets close and freeze them. As cooking requires fuel, have some full propane tanks or charcoal briquettes in your supplies for when the power goes out.

10.**Eat the Perishables Now:** Eat the perishables first, canned foods later. And, for Pete’s sake, don’t forget to buy a hand-operated can opener in case of a power failure.

11.**Keep It Closed:** Don’t leave the refrigerator door open while deciding what food to take out. Visualize where a particular item is and then open the door. Close it as quickly as possible.

**WATER**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570-300x241.jpg)12.**Water, Water everywhere:** Yeah, but flood waters are usually contaminated! Have a stockpile of 5-gallon bottles of water or a plentiful supply of smaller bottles.

13.**Fill the Tub:** Fill all bathtubs with water. You might think this is overkill, but every member of your family needs at least 1 gallon of water per day. It goes fast.

14.**Drink the Melted Ice:** As refrigerated ice in containers melts, don’t waste it. Use it as an additional source of drinking water.

15.**Hot Water Heaters Hold, Well, Water!**: Hot water heaters have gallons and gallons of drinkable water; don’t hesitate to raid them if you get low. First, turn off the electricity or gas. Attach a hose to the drain valve and release the vacuum in the tank by opening a hot water faucet. There might be some sediment at the bottom that should be drained out first.

16.**Disinfect Questionable Water:** Don’t expect debris-laden flood waters to be clean enough to drink. Have some household bleach available to make water safe to ingest. 12-16 drops per gallon should do the job. 16 drops of tincture of Iodine will also work. Allow 30 minutes before drinking to let the chemicals work their magic.

17.**Have a Water Filter:** handheld filters like the [Lifestraw](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) or [Sawyer Mini](https://store.doomandbloom.net/), or larger ones like the Berkey, can be useful to deal with cloudy water.

**SHELTER**

18.**Put Up The Shutters:** If you have hurricane shutters, put them up at least 24 hours before hurricane landfall. It’s no fun to have to stand on a ladder in gale force winds and pouring rain to install them. Been there, done that.

19.**Move Furniture/Plants Inside**: Move the patio furniture and potted plants indoors. If you can’t for some reason, chain them together against an outer wall downwind from the direction of the storm.

20.P**rune Trees:** Prune all trees near your home so that wind can easily flow through the crowns. Otherwise, expect some to be downed by the storm. Branches, fruit (in South Florida, coconuts!), and other debris can act as missiles in high winds.

21.**Pick a “Safe Room”**: Choose a room in the interior of the home, preferably one without windows. It may be tempting to take a selfie out in the storm, but it might be your last one.

22.**Place candles in pans:** Candles can be knocked over by winds and cause fires. If you must use them, stick them in a pan with shiny sides that would be deep enough to cover the flame.

23.**Have Tarps at the Ready:** Large tarps can be used to cover windows and, after the storm, to cover any areas of the roof that might have been damaged. Don’t expect roofers to be waiting for your call, it took more than a year for all the tarps to disappear down here after Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

24\. **Sandbagging it:** [Sandbags](http://www.flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=53) may help protect your home from flooding less than two feet high. Fill sandbags one-half full with sand, if available, or soil. Fold the top of the sandbag down and rest the bag on the folded top. Tamp each sandbag into place.

**OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS**

25.**The Kids:** Have [board games](http://survivalboardgame.com/), toys, and books to keep the children’s minds off scary winds. If you’re evacuating, let kids bring their favorite stuffed animals, blanket, or pillow to keep them calm.

26.**Your Other Kids:** Don’t forget to take into account the needs of your pets. Have food, water, and their favorite toy available, whether you leave or stay at home.

27.**Your Other, Other Kid**: Make sure your car is in good working order and filled with gas. Having some spare gas cans will be useful in case of a shortage at the pumps, and can be used to run generators (although never inside).

28**.Your documents:** Place important papers like birth certificates, passports, insurance documents, and others in waterproof containers. Scan them and send them in an email to yourself.

29.**Keep your radio on:** A [NOAA weather radio](https://www.amazon.com/Weather-iRonsnow-Emergency-Speaker-Flashlight/dp/B075FXKPNY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1536694369&sr=8-3&keywords=noaa+weather+radio&dpID=51zkUgeOiQL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=9737a7229c7d875115e97940cb736047&language=en_US), battery-powered or hand-cranked, will be an important source of information on the progress of the storm, and for community updates.

30\. **Stay in Touch:** Whether you stay or go, let the rest of the family know your plans and how to reach you. Know that voice calls may be difficult during or after a storm; cell companies count on no more than 20% call capacity. Texts, however, seem to go through more easily than voice calls even in high volume settings.

Being prepared for a hurricane can make sure that the storm will be just a bump in the road, and not the end of the road for you and your family. Have a plan of action, get some supplies, and you’ll keep it together, even when everything else falls apart!

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2.jpg)Joe Alton, MDDon’t forget to get those medical supplies in place before the next storm by checking out Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t! Plus, learn more about hurricane preparedness and 150 other medical topics in times of trouble with a copy of the award-winning 4th Edition of *[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)*

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Multiple Casualty Kits with Nurse Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-multiple-casualty-kits-with-nurse-amy/) 

 [Video: Questions To Ask Your Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-questions-to-ask-your-doctor/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hurricanes, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** hurricane ian, hurricane safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness, storm suurge, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Multiple Casualty Kits with Nurse Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-multiple-casualty-kits-with-nurse-amy/)

**Published:** September 28, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Multi-Person-Trauma-Mass-Causualty-First-Aid-Kit-Bleeding-CANVA-1-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Multi-Person-Trauma-Mass-Causualty-First-Aid-Kit-Bleeding-CANVA-1-scaled.jpg)In an active shooter or similar event in a workplace, church, or other location, you may need more supplies than is usually available for emergencies involving one victim. Nurse Amy takes center stage in this video to describe items that could save lives when multiple people are injured and emergency personnel are not yet at the scene or, in survival settings, non-existent.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy Alton, NP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NurseAmyBook-1024x869.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NurseAmyBook.jpg)Nurse AmyFind quality kits, some one-of-a-kind, for survival settings in our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, check out our Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, “**[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Wa](https://store.doomandbloom.net/spiral-bound-color-version-the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)y”** and other books at our store or on Amazon. You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Noroviruses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/noroviruses/) 

 [Hurricane Ian: Just When You Thought...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-ian-just-when-you-thought/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** active shooter, amy alton aprn, church safety, mass casualties, mass casualty event, medical preparedness, multiperson medical kit, survival medicine, workplace safety

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Wound Care, Debridement, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-wound-care-debridement-more/)

**Published:** September 23, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)In normal times, once you have stopped the bleeding and applied a splint or dressing, the emergency is “over.” You sit and wait for an ambulance or rescue helicopter to arrive and your part is over. In an austere setting, however, the medic must follow the status of the wound for more than a few minutes or hours. You’re in charge until the person is fully recovered. Constant, diligent wound care is your responsibility.

It’s important to understand that a wound is not just a “hole”; it’s part of a person who should be informed of your plan of action and participate, if possible, in their care.

Most wounds will heal completely over time, but some may never achieve full recovery. Due to massive injuries or complicating conditions such as diabetes, the best care may sometimes yield a less-than-optimal result even in good times. The medic’s duty is to care for the patient the best they can with the limited supplies and technology available off the grid.

In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses daily wound care in austere settings, including the removal of non-viable tissue using sharp debridement. It ain’t pretty, but if you’re the medic, it’s you that has to do it. Also, questions that preppers should ask their doctors when told to take a new drug or get a serious diagnostic test.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)Dr. AltonFill those holes in your medical knowledge and supplies with award-winning books, kits, and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Questions To Ask Your Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-questions-to-ask-your-doctor/) 

 [Self-Reliance Experience, Knoxville](https://www.doomandbloom.net/self-reliance-experience-knoxville/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nursing Care, Sanitation, Trauma, Wound Care, Wound Closure

**Tags:** daily wound care, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Open wound care, survival medicine, wound debridement

---

### [Self-Reliance Experience, Knoxville](https://www.doomandbloom.net/self-reliance-experience-knoxville/)

**Published:** September 22, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/suture-kit.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/suture-kit.jpg)Nurse Amy and I would like to announce that we’ll be giving a free lecture, exhibiting medical kits, and conducting a small hands-on suture/staple/wound care class in Knoxville, TN at the Self-Reliance Experience the weekend of October 29-30, 2022 at the CHILHOWEE PARK & EXPOSITION CENTER, 3301 E Magnolia Ave, Knoxville. For more info on the suture class, go to:

If you’re in the area, come by and say hello!

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)The AltonsTo check out the products we’ll have on display in Knoxville, just go to [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Wound Care, Debridement, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-wound-care-debridement-more/) 

 [Enterovirus D68: 2022](https://www.doomandbloom.net/enterovirus-d68-2022/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Minor Wounds, Wound Closure

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, joe alton md, medical preparedness, self-reliance, staple kit, survival medicine, suture class, suture kit, wound care, wound closure

---

### [Enterovirus D68: 2022](https://www.doomandbloom.net/enterovirus-d68-2022/)

**Published:** September 19, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_56966074-lady-doctor-with-stethoscope-and-patient.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_56966074-lady-doctor-with-stethoscope-and-patient.jpg)Sometimes, I receive notifications from health authorities that cause me to take particular notice. Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (**CDC**) has issued an [advisory](https://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/hcp/ev-d68-hcp.html#) to health care providers about a viral infection known as **[enterovirus D68](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/parents-know-enterovirus-cdcs-concerns-214031092.html)** (EV-D68). Enterovirus D68 is a member of the Picornaviridae family, a group of viruses which includes the virus that causes polio. It’s similar in nature to the rhinovirus, the cause for most common colds. Normally characterized by mild symptoms, the infection *can*, rarely, cause severe respiratory illness requiring hospitalization, especially in children.

EV-D68 is not a new virus; it was first discovered in 1962, and seasonal outbreaks have occurred before in the United States. In 2014, I wrote [an article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/enterovirus-68/) about one such outbreak which led to almost 1,400 cases and over 100 severely ill kids, some of whom died. Since then, a few cases have been reported every year.

This time, however, the CDC confirms at least 84 cases between March and early August. This is hardly a pandemic, but it’s more than have been reported in the past three years. As most children experience only symptoms mimicking a cold or have no symptoms at all, there have probably been many more that have gone unidentified.

Given the generally benign nature of enterovirus infection, why are practitioners warned to be on the lookout? As Enterovirus D68 is in the same family as polio, it can cause a small percentage of affected children to develop a condition known as **[Acute Flaccid Myelitis](https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/acute-flaccid-myelitis-afm)** (AFM), an inflammation of the spinal cord in the region of the neck. It’s a serious complication that can lead to long-term paralysis. “Increased vigilance for A.F.M. in the coming weeks will be essential,” the C.D.C. cautions.

D68 and more than 100 other non-polio enteroviruses are thought to result in up to 15 million infections every year in the United States. Outbreaks tend to occur in late summer and early fall (that is, right about now). My 2014 article reporting on EV-D68 was published September 2nd. This year, with 84 cases in the spring and early summer, the worst may yet be to come. As such, you should know how to identify it.

**SYMPTOMS OF EV-D68**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_559306498-1024x640.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_559306498.jpg)In most kids, an EV-D68 infection will appear just like a cold, with sore throat, nasal congestion, and sneezing. In rare cases, however, Enterovirus D68 can progress to include fever, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Victims look like extremely nauseous asthmatics. In the worst cases, ventilators are necessary to maintain breathing.

Other symptoms seen in severe situations involve damage to the nervous and musculoskeletal system, (the previously-mentioned Acute Flaccid Myelitis). These children will experience a sudden onset of arm or leg weakness. Muscles lose tone and reflexes disappear. Other signs include drooping eyelids, facial weakness, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. Asthmatics seem to do worse.

Testing for it involves a battery of lab tests, spinal taps, and other studies, so the average citizen will have to rely on worsening respiratory and neurological signs to make the diagnosis.

**TREATMENT AND PREVENTION**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock-cough-small-scaled.jpg)Like the common cold, there is no cure at present for the illness. Treat early symptoms like nasal congestion as they occur, and, in normal times, get a child with signs as described above to the hospital.

Parents can help avoid enterovirus infections in good times or bad by practicing good respiratory hygiene and instilling it in their children at an early age. This is a time-honored and proven strategy reinforced through painful lessons during the pandemic.

If you’re the parent:

• Perform hand hygiene before and after contact with infected kids and contaminated surfaces or other items. Wash soiled hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds (best) or clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer (second-best).

• Wipe down all surfaces, such as kitchen counters or doorknobs, with an appropriate disinfectant (dilute 1:10 bleach solution will do).

• Isolate sick individuals away from common areas, as you would with any airborne infection.

Instruct the patient to:

• Cover their mouth and nose with tissues and dispose of those tissues safely. If tissues or other barrier aren’t available, teach them to sneeze or cough into their elbow or shoulder.

• Wear a mask if they’re coughing or sneezing a lot, especially in crowded indoor areas.

• Keep them at least six feet away from healthy people. This is the distance that air droplets can spread from a cough or sneeze.

To some, the above may seem like overkill, especially after a long, painful pandemic., The damage that could be caused by the consequences of EV-D68, however, is long-lasting and, often, permanent. The fact that the virus has a tendency to strike children makes it even more tragic.

Hopefully, Enterovirus68 will stay what it is, a rare virus that pops up from time to time in a small group. Knowledge of the symptoms, however, will help the family medic identify severe cases and better succeed in dealing with the disease.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton, MDLearn more about enteroviruses and 200 other medical topics as they relate to survival scenarios with a copy of the Book Excellence Award-winning book “The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is Not On The Way,” available, along with our entire line of quality medical kits and individual medical supplies, at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Self-Reliance Experience, Knoxville](https://www.doomandbloom.net/self-reliance-experience-knoxville/) 

 [Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/questions-you-should-ask-your-doctor-2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections

**Tags:** 2022 outbreak enterovirus, acute flaccid myelitis, enterovirus D68, infections in children, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [The Sea-Going Retreat; Medical Thoughts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-sea-going-retreat-medical-thoughts/)

**Published:** August 14, 2011
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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One of the options for a retreat that few of us will consider is that of buying a boat and sailing off to safe haven in times of **collapse**. For most of us, the distance to the ocean is simply too far to make this a reasonable option. For those who have access to the ocean or a Great Lake, however, this is a serious possibility that should not be ignored. Imagine being able to live comfortably in your bug-out vehicle! You have protein readily available in fishing, true mobility away from civil unrest, and a plethora of technology that has already been worked out to give you power, in solar and wind energy. There are issues in terms of limited storage area, but creative use of caches at various locations may be a solution. Given the depressed status of the boat sales market, your mobile retreat may be more affordable than you think.

There are some drawbacks, or perhaps we should call them challenges (Doom and BLOOM, remember?). You’re probably looking for a sailboat, not a motorboat due to the probable lack of available fuel. Learning the skill of sailing would be important. Fresh water may be an issue, although desalinization units for sea water exist in family-size units. You will have to develop some skill at working your wind turbine or solar cells. In any case, it’s true that the decision to sail is a complex one.

### Medical Sea-Worthiness and Nautical Medicine

With so many issues involved in outfitting your bug-out boat, it’s easy to overlook the all-important topic of *medical sea-worthiness*. Just like most landlubbers deal with medical emergencies by calling 911, most yachtsmen respond to the same by radio-ing “Mayday” and waiting for help to arrive. This is even more unlikely to arrive by sea than by land in a collapse situation. A medical emergency could occur hours or even days away from organized help, and this is where your collapse medical kit comes into play.

The most important steps you can take to prepare for a medical emergency at sea will be to have reliable communications, a good first aid kit, a supply of emergency pharmaceuticals, and maybe even some portable oxygen and a defibrillator. Even more important is to have a plan of action for every eventuality. In addition to standard first aid supplies, your medical bag (waterproof) should include items such as a suture kit, tourniquets, blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, Epi-pens and a pocket mask rescue breather. One particularly useful item is the Evac-U Splint, an inflatable splint that takes up very little of your precious storage space. A seagoing library of medical reference books is also important.

Weather and sea conditions will play a major part of your medical relief efforts, so have ways planned out to secure medical items before and during their use. One caution, however: It is easy to stow away your medical gear so well that it is not readily accessible when you need it. Be sure to make your supplies easy to reach.

First Aid training and more advanced education is imperative, and there are courses available that comply to U.S. Coast Guard Standards through companies like Maritime Professional Training and Marine Medical International. The gold standard is the “Medical Person in Charge” course,
a seven-day course that teaches suturing; IV therapy; treatment of exposure; treatment of dive injuries; infectious diseases; poisoning/overdoses; OB/GYN emergencies; cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies, and a number of other life-saving techniques. Check it out online at www.mptusa.com.
If you intend to sail out of harm’s way in a collapse, confirm your state of preparedness by having the right training and supplies for your environment. You’re the captain AND the group medic; you’re the end of the line with comes to the medical well-being of your crew. Make sure you’re up to the task!

Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Antibiotics, Agri-Business and You](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antibiotics-agri-business-and-you/) 

 [Tick! Tick! Tick!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tick-tick-tick/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic

**Tags:** bug-out retreat, bug-out vehicle, collapse, collapse medical kit, collapse medicine, collapse situation, desalinization, medical person in charge, medical sea-worthiness, nautical medicine, prepare for a medical emergency at sea, preparedness, seaworthiness

---

### [Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/questions-you-should-ask-your-doctor-2/)

**Published:** September 14, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_80114341-patient-advocate.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_80114341-patient-advocate.jpg)I often get questions from people who ask: “I take this medicine or that medicine for this health problem. What do I do if there’s an emergency?”

I usually start off by saying: Well, what did your doctor say? The response is often “I haven’t really asked.” Not many do. OK, how bad is your condition? “Umm, I’m not too sure…I haven’t really asked that, either, but the doctor wants me to do this test”. What’s the test for? “I’m not really sure, but I’m supposed to get it done” Do you see a problem here?

In the movie “I, Robot,” the hologram representing the deceased robotic designer says: “My responses are limited. You must ask the right questions.” The main reason for people being unclear about why they’re taking this medicine or why they should undergo this or that test is that they don’t ask the right questions. Or any questions at all.

For various reasons, patients seem to be reluctant to ask medical professionals important questions. When I first opened my medical office, I would recommend a medicine for a patient with a medical condition and I was always surprised when the only response was “yes, doctor”.

**A TEAM EFFORT**

I tell medical students that the secret to a successful career as a health provider is to:

1. Give your patients the same advice you’d give a member of your family (to me, this is number one.)
2. Do no harm (the other number one).
3. Keep up with the data.
4. Be objective; don’t judge people.
5. Keep the patient informed.
6. Keep all patient encounters confidential.
7. Make staying healthy a team effort.

Your health is, indeed, a team effort; one in which the patient, not the doctor, plays the most important role. One of the best ways to communicate with your doctor or other health care provider is by asking. If you’re a member of the preparedness community, you’ve accumulated all this knowledge, such as learning how to grow food, how to store preps, make shelters, perform first aid, and more. Why not learn more about your own health?

**WHAT YOU SHOULD ASK**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_96898390-pregnancy-care-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_96898390-pregnancy-care-scaled.jpg)Anyone that takes medications or is offered a test or procedure should ask their doctor *lots* of questions. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll have a better chance to deal successfully with medical issues. That means a better chance to stay healthy in uncertain times, when professional medical care might be scarce.

Answers to medical questions might be simple, but sometimes they’re complex. You have the right to have things explained in plain English; medical professionals speak medicalese, but you might not. If you don’t understand the explanation, ask them to describe things in terms you understand. The more you ask, the more it’s clear that you want to be an active partner in your care.

Here are some questions that you should ask your doctor:

**1. What will the medicine do for me?**

What will the medicine do for me? The response might be: “You have high cholesterol; this drug will lower it”. Ok, fine, but how does it work to do that? What benefit will I reap from being on it? The answer might be: “It’ll decrease your chances of dying from coronary artery disease”. This is a more logical reason to take the medicine than just lowering some lab value.

**2. What will the medicine do *to* me?**

All drugs have the potential for side effects and adverse reactions. It may be a factor as to whether you decide to take the medication, so you should be aware of them. Sometimes, side effects are related to the medicine’s primary purpose. Aspirin, for example, could cause bruising due to its blood thinning effect. Sometimes, an adverse reaction is unrelated to the purpose: Antibiotics could give you diarrhea.

Sometimes, the side effect is the reason to use the medicine. Ritodrine, an IV asthma medicine, was found to coincidentally relax uterine muscle. As such, it was used for a time to stop premature labor.

**3. Will this new medicine change the way my other medicines work, or their effectiveness?**

A lot of people have more than one medical condition and see more than one doctor. Don’t think that doctors have some kind of mental telepathy with each other. Some are pretty smart people, but they’re not psychic. Medicines can interact with each other; together, they may have a stronger or lesser effect; in some cases, they might cancel each other out altogether.

**4. This test you want me to take, what are the things you’re looking for?**

If a doctor asks you to have a test done out of the blue, what medical issues he might find? Which of these does the doctor believe you are most at risk for?

**5. Are there risks to this test?**

Tests might be necessary, but they are not always without risks. An individual CAT scan of the chest and abdomen, for example, won’t kill you, but does give the equivalent radiation exposure of at least 100 standard chest x-rays.

Cardiac catheterization is a test where they check for blocked coronary arteries (which is the cause of heart attacks). During this test, they run a line and infuse dye into your coronaries all the way from an artery in your thigh or arm. The procedure, considered quite safe, still has a small risk of actually causing a heart attack.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-scaled.jpg)**6. Is this test or medicine absolutely necessary?** What happens if I don’t take this medicine or don’t do this test?

You should be aware of how the test’s results will impact your treatment. Will anything change as a result of having the test done? If a test doesn’t affect the plan of action, is it really necessary?

**7. Would my condition improve if I changed my diet or lifestyle?**

I’ve had periods in my life where my weight has fluctuated. When I’m heavier, my blood pressure goes up. Staying at a normal weight keeps my blood pressure within normal limits.

Other lifestyle changes can significantly impact your help. Not smoking and exercising regularly will improve your stamina. The same goes for type 2 Diabetics. If you adhere to a good anti-diabetic diet, you might need fewer diabetic meds or a lower dosage.

**8. Is there a natural alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing?**

This is a tricky one, as many conventional practitioners aren’t really aware of the benefits of medicinal herbs and other natural products. As such, they may have no more knowledge about them (or less) than you do.

But, in this era of shortages, you might have to depend on natural products one day. Why not ask about what might actually work to treat your condition? Let’s take thyroid disease. There are a number of natural desiccated thyroid supplements on the market. If you’re interested in trying something that you could stockpile, ask the doctor if they would be willing to monitor your thyroid levels for a time on the natural supplement. In this way, you can identify whether the supplement would actually work to keep your thyroid levels at normal.

**9. Could you explain your plan for my long-term care?**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/shutterstock_1679707450-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/shutterstock_1679707450-scaled.jpg)Is this treatment a temporary solution, or will I have to be on this medication the rest of my life? This will help you rethink your medical supplies strategy.

Now, be honest: Did you ask any of these questions when you were prescribed this medicine or told to do this or that test? If you did, good for you. Was your healthcare provider receptive to answering? They should be. If not, well, you might have to find someone who is.

In the end, the more you learn, the more in charge you are of your own life. If I was told I had diabetes, I’d ask my doctor for every piece of literature that he or she had on the topic. I’d be on the computer, and by the end of the week, I’d know a heck of a lot more about the subject. You should have the same attitude towards your health.

Your obligation to your family and yourself is to have a plan of action to deal with medical issues in good or bad times. It’s not just about having medical supplies as part of your preps, it’s an actual plan on what to do if this or that medical issue happens and your doctor is unavailable. It’s your health; take charge of it and you’ll succeed, even if everything else fails.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton, MDLearn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with a copy of the 4th edition of **[“The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help is NOT On The Way”](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/)** Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Enterovirus D68: 2022](https://www.doomandbloom.net/enterovirus-d68-2022/) 

 [Video: Multi-Person Trauma Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-multi-person-trauma-kit/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** alton first aid, asking your doctor questions, doom and bloom, healthcare advocate, joe alton md, medical preparedness, questions to ask your doctor, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Multi-Person Trauma Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-multi-person-trauma-kit/)

**Published:** September 10, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Multi-Person-Trauma-Mass-Causualty-First-Aid-Kit-Bleeding-CANVA-1024x576.jpeg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Multi-Person-Trauma-Mass-Causualty-First-Aid-Kit-Bleeding-CANVA-scaled.jpeg)We sometimes get requests from schools, churches, and workplaces for kits meant to stop bleeding in [mass casualty events](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mass-casualty-incidents-2/) (such as, say, an active shooter or industrial mishap). In these circumstances, even a quality kit like our [gunshot ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/gunshot-wound-kit-grab-n-go/) module might not be sufficient to deal with life-threatening wounds in several people. In response, we designed a [multi-person kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/multi-person-trauma-kit-for-bleeding-wounds-grab-n-go/) with three modules meant to help bystanders treat hemorrhage in several people at once. One or more of these multi-person kits might make sense for any business, educational institution, or place of worship you might consider to be at risk. Having the items within could save a life in a bad situation. Below, check out our video with Nurse Amy demonstrating how to use a [multi-person kit….](https://store.doomandbloom.net/multi-person-trauma-kit-for-bleeding-wounds-grab-n-go/)

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy and Joe Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x2001.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x2001.jpg)The AltonsFor high quality medical kits and individual supplies, check out our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Alton First Aid/Grab n Go(r)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/questions-you-should-ask-your-doctor-2/) 

 [Burns, Part 3: Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-3-smoke-inhalation/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets

**Tags:** amy alton np, bleeding wounds, hemorrhagic wounds, joe alton md, mass casualties, medical preparedness, multi-person kit, survival medicine

---

### [10 Questions Preppers Should Ask The Doctor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/10-questions-preppers-should-ask-the-doctor/)

**Published:** August 15, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I often get questions from people that say: “I take this medicine or that medicine for this medical problem. **What do I do if there’s a collapse and I can’t get modern medical care?**” I usually say, well, what did your doctor say? “Well, I haven’t really asked.” OK, how bad is your condition? “Umm, I’m not too sure…I haven’t really asked that, either, but the doctor wants me to do this test”. What’s the test for? “I’m not really sure, but I’m supposed to get it done” Do you see a problem here? I do.

Your health is a team effort, in which you, not the doctor, play the most important role. One of the best ways to communicate with your doctor or alternative health care provider is by asking questions. If you’re accumulating all this knowledge as a prepper, learning how to grow food, how to store preps, taking responsibility for your family’s survival, why not take responsibility for your own health? Anyone that takes medication for a medical condition should ask their doctor lots of questions. Armed with this knowledge, you will be more likely to handle medical issues and stay healthy in uncertain times.

The main reason for people being unclear about why they’re taking this medicine or should undergo this test or that test is that they don’t ask the right questions. When I first opened my medical office, I would prescribe a medicine for a patient with a medical condition and I was always surprised when the only response was “yes, doctor”.

Answers to medical questions might be simple, but sometimes they’re complex. You have the right to have things explained in plain English; the more questions you ask, the more your doctor understands that you want to be an active partner in your care.

The below are what I should have been asked, and that you should ask your doctor if you haven’t yet…..

**1. Doctor, why did you decide to put me on that medicine?**

What will the medicine do for me? The response might be: “You have high Cholesterol, this drug will lower it”. Ok, fine, but how does it work to do that? What benefit will I reap from being on it? The answer might be: “It will decreased your chances of dying from coronary artery disease”. This is a more logical reason to take the medicine than just lowering some lab value.

2\. **What will the medicine do to me?**

All drugs may have side effects. You should be aware of them; it should be a factor as to whether you decide to take the medication. Sometimes, side effects are unrelated to the medicine’s primary purpose. Antibiotics could give you diarrhea, for example. Aspirin could cause bruising due to its blood thinning effect. Sometimes, the side effect is the reason to use the medicine. Ritodrine, an IV asthma medicine, was found to coincidentally relax uterine muscle. As such, it was used for a time to stop premature labor.

**3. Is there a natural alternative to the medicine I’m prescribing?**

You might have to depend on natural products one day, so why not try it now and see if it really works? Let’s take thyroid disease. There are a number of natural desiccated thyroid supplements on the market. If you’re interested in trying something that you, as a prepper, could stockpile, ask you doctor if he would be willing to monitor your thyroid levels for a time on the natural supplement. In this way, you can identify whether the supplement will actually work to keep your thyroid levels at normal. So the question would be:

**4. Would you be willing to monitor me, if I decide to try a natural alternative?**

The doctor might not be for this, but then ask: What’s the harm in

trying it for a short time and checking its effects?

**5. Would my condition improve if I changed my diet or lifestyle?**

I go through chubby phases and, well, less chubby phases. When I’m heavier, my blood pressure goes up. Staying at a normal weight keeps my blood pressure within normal limits. Another lifestyle change, such as not smoking, will improve your stamina. You know you’ll need more stamina if the you-know-what hits the fan. The same goes for type 2 Diabetics. If you adhere to a good anti-diabetic diet, you might need less diabetic meds.

**6. Will this new medicine change the way my other medicines work, or their effectiveness?**

A lot of people have more than 1 medical condition and see more than 1 doctor. Don’t think that doctors have some kind of mental telepathy with each other. Some are pretty smart guys, but they’re not psychic! That doctor may not have noticed that you wrote these medicines down on your medical history sheet. Medicines may affect each other; they may make each other have a stronger or lesser effect, or might cancel each other out altogether.

**7. This test you want me to take, what are the things you’re looking for?**

If a doctor asks you to do a test out of the blue, ask what he is worried that he might find? What does the doctor believe you are at risk for?

**8. Are there risks to this test?**

Tests might be necessary, but they are not always without risks. CAT scans of the chest and abdomen, for example, give the equivalent radiation exposure of having 100 standard chest x-rays.

Cardiac catheterization is a test where they check for blocked coronary arteries (which is the cause of heart attacks). During this test, they run a line and infuse dye into your coronaries to look for blockage all the way from an artery in your thigh. This procedure can actually cause a heart attack about 1- 2% of the time. Which leads us to the next question….

**9. Is this test or medicine absolutely necessary, what happens if I don’t take this medicine or don’t do this test?**

You should be aware how the test’s results will impact your treatment. Will anything change as a result of having the test done? If a test does not affect your doctor’s treatment, is it really necessary?

**10. Could you explain your plan for my long term care?**

Is this a temporary solution, or will I have to be on this medication the rest of my life? This will help you, prepper, rethink your medical supplies for times for trouble.

Did you ask this list of questions when you were prescribed this medicine or told to do this or that test? My patients rarely did; most just took their prescription and left. For most patients that I prescribed medicine for or recommended a diagnostic test, I asked: “Do you understand exactly why you’re being given this?” Do you have any questions or concerns? If they just looked at me and didn’t say anything, I would say: “Do you know what I would ask, if a doctor prescribed me this drug?”

So, could you explain your medical condition to a stranger? Could you tell someone what is different about your thyroid that requires you to take medication? Do you know why your doctor wants you to keep an aspirin in your purse or wallet, if you have heart disease (answer: to slow down further blockage in an acute coronary event like a heart attack)?

The more you learn, the more in charge you are of your own life! If I was told I had diabetes, I would ask my doctor for every piece of literature that he or she had on the topic. I’d be at the local bookstore the next day, and by the end of the week, I’d have a small library on the subject.

Lack of interest with regards to your health is tantamount to saying, “ok, you win. Guess I wasn’t meant to live that long, after all” That defeatist attitude is just not the prepper way. If you take charge of your destiny by storing and growing food, learning home defense, getting a ham radio license, all that stuff, it just makes common sense to take charge of your health the same way.

Find out what natural product might have an effect similar to the medicine you take. It’s easy to find: just google natural remedies for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. It probably won’t have as strong an effect, but it might help some, and something is better than nothing.

You have an obligation to your family and yourself to have a plan of action to deal with medical issues if a disaster occurs. It’s not just about having medical supplies as part of your preps, it’s an actual plan on what to do if this or that medical issue happens and your doctor is unavailable. It’s your health, take charge of it.

Joe Alton MD

Be sure to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and books like [The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) at [store.doomandbloom.net. ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Surgical Masks for Survival Situations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surgical-masks/) 

 [All About Essential Oils](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-essential-oils/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness, Thyroid disease

**Tags:** Cardiac catheterization, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, medical questions, preparedness, prepper, question you should ask your doctor, survival medicine, What do I do if there’s a collapse and I can’t get modern medical care?

---

### [Burns, Part 3: Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-3-smoke-inhalation/)

**Published:** September 9, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_102208234-smoke-inhalation.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_102208234-smoke-inhalation.jpg)In this article, I’d like to discuss the effects of inhaling smoke caused by fires. [Smoke inhalation](https://www.webmd.com/lung/smoke_inhalation_treatment_firstaid.htm) involves the breathing in of toxic gases and particulate matter, causing emergency respiratory distress or even lung failure. Those trapped in contained areas, like buildings, are most likely to be affected.

You might wonder what smoke inhalation is doing in [a series about burns](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-1-first-and-second-degree/). Well, smoke inhalation is essentially a burn in the upper airways and lungs; if the delivery of oxygen is inhibited, cells die. The result can be as life-threatening as skin burns caused by flames or scalds. Indeed, the majority of deaths in fires result from smoke inhalation.

**CAUSES OF SMOKE INHALATION**

Common causes of smoke inhalation include:

**Simple Combustion:** Combustion results from the destruction of a substance by heat (burning), producing smoke. Smoke consists of heated particles and gases, the composition of which depends on the item burning, the temperature of the fire, and other factors. Combustion uses up oxygen near a fire and can kill a person simply from oxygen deficit. The larger the fire, the more oxygen it removes from the area.

**Carbon Dioxide:** Some by-products of smoke may not directly kill a person, but could take up the space in the lungs that oxygen would ordinarily use. Even the expulsion of a large bubble of carbon dioxide from a wilderness lake can kill wildlife near it.

**Chemical irritants:** Many chemicals founds in smoke can cause irritation injury when they come in contact with the lung membrane. This amounts to a burn inside the lung tissue, which causes swelling and airway obstruction. Chlorine gas used in World War I is an example of a deadly chemical irritant.

**Other asphyxiants:** An **“asphyxiant”** is a gas that decreases the normal oxygen concentration in air. [Carbon monoxide](https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/toxins/index.html), cyanide, ammonia, and certain sulfides may interfere with the body’s ability to utilize oxygen. Of these, colorless and odorless carbon monoxide is the most common.

**SMOKE INHALATION SYMPTOMS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-1024x678.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_297651350-smoke-inhalation-scaled.jpg)Symptoms of [smoke inhalation ](https://health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/air/smoke_from_fire.htm)may include:

**Cough:** When the lining of your airways and lungs becomes irritated with thermal and other damage, the muscles that surround the passageways to lung tissue go into spasm and lead to reflex coughing. The lining of your respiratory tract also secretes more mucus than normal. It may appear clear, grayish, or even black depending on the amount of burned particles in your trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

**Shortness of breath:** Smoke inhalation decreases the supply of oxygen to your blood; breathing becomes more rapid to compensate for the deficit and take in the amount necessary to survive.

**Hoarseness and noisy breathing:** Toxic chemicals may irritate or damage vocal chords as they cause swelling and tightening of the upper airways. This results in hoarseness of varying severity. Mucus may become excessive and thicker, leading to partial blockages and loud breathing.

**Eye Symptoms:** Victims of smoke inhalation often have redness in their eyes. In severe cases, burns in the cornea may result.

**Nose and throat issues:** Smoke inhalation is sometimes diagnosed by the presence of soot in the nose and throat. Swelling can be noted in nostrils and the throat.

**Chest pain:** Besides simple irritation caused by reaction to smoke in the airways and excessive coughing, less oxygen flow to the heart can lead to chest pain in smoke inhalation victims.

**Skin changes:** Besides the effect of burns on the skin, carbon monoxide exposure may result in a bright pink or red coloration. If cyanosis is present, skin may appear a bluish color, especially around the lips and fingertips.

**Altered mental status:** Smoke inhalation often causes oxygen deficits in the brain. This leads to confusion, fainting, or other signs of altered mental status. Seizures and coma may also occur.

**DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SMOKE INHALATION**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image-63C-smoke-inhalation-shutterstock_1626973237-building-fires-smoke-inhalation-1024x480.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image-63C-smoke-inhalation-shutterstock_1626973237-building-fires-smoke-inhalation-scaled.jpg)Besides the soot, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and other signs, diagnosis of smoke inhalation in austere settings involves evaluating the oxygen levels in the blood.

This can be done with a simple, compact device called a “**[pulse oximeter](https://store.doomandbloom.net/finger-pulse-oximeter-fda-approved/)**.” In oximetry, a small device is attached to the fingernail to determine the degree of oxygen in the person’s blood. Although not perfect, it’s a good general measure of oxygen saturation. Results below 92% saturation should alert you to an individual at risk.

To treat smoke inhalation, get the person out of the smoky area and into an environment where there is clean air. This may not be as easy as it seems. You must be very careful not to put yourself in a situation where you are likely to succumb to smoke inhalation yourself. If you have a face mask or other barrier to the smoke, use it.

Unfortunately, in survival settings, your options for treatment are limited. Be prepared to use CPR if necessary. It’s important to have some way to deliver oxygen to your patient if needed. There are cans or cylinders available which would be useful to get oxygen quickly into the lungs. Consider these for your medical storage, but realize they eventually run out of oxygen after a certain number of breaths, depending on the product. They also require lungs that are not so damaged that they can absorb that oxygen.

Don’t expect a rapid recovery from significant smoke inhalation. Your patient will be short of breath with the slightest activity and will be very hoarse. These symptoms may go away with time, or could become permanent disabilities if there is scarring in the respiratory treat.

**PREVENTION**

Have a plan in place to [prevent smoke inhalatio](https://www.healthline.com/health/smoke-inhalation)n events in the first place. Planning escape routes and having regular drills will allow your people to get out of dangerous situations quickly. Pay attention while cooking in the kitchen or on a campfire. Avoid leaving space heaters unattended and dispose of smoking related items properly.

 If you have battery power, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are useful. Escape plans should be worked out before a fire occurs.

Of course, if you’re caught in a fire, act as soon as you sense danger. Drop or crouch low to the ground; since smoke rises, the air closest to the floor is most breathable.

Wet a towel or item of clothing and hold it against your nose and mouth. The water may filter some of the poisonous gases, decreasing your exposure.

It’s preferable to get out of the building rather than locking yourself in a “safe room.” Few rooms are completely safe from smoke. Crawl out if you have to.

If you’re trapped inside a room with no hope of escape, try to prevent as much smoke as possible from entering. Line the door frame and ducts with wet cloth or tape.

Staying situationally aware and knowing what to do will give you the best chance of avoiding smoke inhalation. Act quickly to get out of smoke-filled areas and a fire will be just a bump on the road, not the end of the road for you and your people.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD 
aka Dr. BonesLearn more about fires, smoke inhalation, and many other medical topics in survival settings with the award-winning 4th edition of **T[he Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/ "he Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way")**, plus check out our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Multi-Person Trauma Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-multi-person-trauma-kit/) 

 [NOWLIGHT](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nowlight/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, Burns, chemical warfare, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** building fires, burns, joe alton md, medical preparedness, smoke inhalation, survival medicine, wildfires

---

### [Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/smoke-inhalation/)

**Published:** November 25, 2011
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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If you wind up spending a lot of time in the woods, you may eventually come up against a wildfire. Also, once electricity is down and you have to cook food with wood fires or propane stoves, there will be a higher chance of a fire in your retreat. Other than burns, you can become seriously ill or even die from simple smoke inhalation.

**Causes of Smoke Inhalation**

Common causes of smoke inhalation include:

Simple Combustion: Combustion uses up oxygen near a fire and can kill a person simply from oxygen deficit. The larger the fire, the more oxygen it removes from the area. This is particularly troublesome in a building fire.

Carbon Dioxide: Some by-products of smoke may not directly kill a person, but could take up the space in the lungs that Oxygen would ordinarily use. Even the expulsion of a large bubble of Carbon Dioxide can kill wildlife near it, such as in the example of “swamp gas”.

Chemical irritants: Many chemicals founds in smoke can cause irritation injury when they come in contact with the lung membrane. This amounts to a burn inside the lung tissue, which causes swelling and airway obstruction. Chlorine gas used in World War I is an example of a deadly chemical irritant.

Other asphyxiants: Carbon Monoxide, Cyanide, and some Sulfides may interfere with the body ability to utilize oxygen. Carbon monoxide is the most common of these.

### **Smoke Inhalation Symptoms**

Symptoms may include:

• · Cough
• · Shortness of breath
• · Hoarseness
• · Upper airway spasm
• · Eye irritation
• · Headaches
• · Pale, bluish or even bright red skin
• · Loss of consciousness leading to coma or death

Your evaluation of the patient with smoke inhalation may show soot in the throat and nasal passages. Both of these areas may be swollen and irritated.

Of course, you will want to get your patient out of the smoky area and into an environment where there is clean air. This may not be as easy as it seems. You must be very careful not to put yourself in a situation where you are likely to succumb to smoke inhalation yourself. You should consider a surgical mask or even a gas mask before entering a conflagration to rescue a victim. Be prepared to use CPR if necessary.It is important to have some way to deliver oxygen to your patient if needed. There are many portable commercially-available canisters which would be useful to get oxygen quickly into the lungs. Consider these for your medical storage.

Don’t expect a rapid recovery from significant smoke inhalation. Your patient will be short of breath with the slightest activity and will be very hoarse. These symptoms may go away with time, or may be permanent disabilities. Prevention by planning escape routes and having regular drills will allow your people to get out of dangerous situations quickly. Burns are also a danger of exposure to fire. Read about burn treatment in a collapse situation. Know what to do before things happen.

Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones

[![videocast with bird](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/videocast-with-bird-300x225.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/videocast-with-bird.jpg)

Find out more about smoke inhalation and 200 other topics in the award-winning 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook, available in black and white, color, and color spiral-bound at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Antibiotics And Their Use in Collapse Medicine(tm), Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/antibiotics-and-their-use-in-collapse-medicinetm-part-1/) 

 [Parasitic Worms (Ugh!)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/parasitic-worms-ugh/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Wildfires

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, preparedness, prepper, smoke, smoke inhalation, survival, wildfires

---

### [NOWLIGHT](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nowlight/)

**Published:** September 4, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/lights-on-in-the-pantry-nowlight-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/lights-on-in-the-pantry-nowlight-scaled.jpg)NOWLIGHT in pitch darknessI received a product to check out recently. It’s called the [**NOWLIGHT** ](https://deciwatt.global/shop/nl01)from [**Deciwatt**;](https://deciwatt.global/shop/nl01) it’s an option for reliable lighting in any off-grid setting. In an austere setting, NOWLIGHT gets it power from the sun, with a compact solar panel attached to the main light by twelve feet of cable, or from you, by pulling the plastic cord strip as a manual generator. You get a full solar charge after a few hours in direct sunlight, and just one minute of pulling on the strip should give up to two hours of continuous light.

**NOWLIGHT** is lightweight, compact, and has 6 separate levels of intensity, from 5 to 160 lumens. When you get to the higher levels, you’re talking about some serious lighting for camping or any backcountry situation. Expect up to 90 hours of light on the lowest settings and about 4.5 hours at 160 lumens.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/pulling-to-charge-NOWLIgHT-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/pulling-to-charge-NOWLIgHT-scaled.jpg)Manual chargingThere’s also a port to charge your phone or other mobile device. One minute of pulling gives you about fifteen minutes of talk time.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/lights-on-in-library-nowlight-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/lights-on-in-library-nowlight-scaled.jpg)The SATLIGHTS come with long cords that allow you to light up entire rooms or large tentsThe NOWLIGHT also has additional light sources called **SATLIGHTs**. They attach to the main unit with a generous length of cord, so you can light a larger area if needed by hanging from beams, poles, or branches. These also come in handy if you need some directed light for working at night on a stalled engine or, if you’re the medic, an injured group member in low light conditions.

At home, the compact design makes it ideal for places where you need light from time to time but don’t want the hassle of installing a fixture.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/light-on-charging-with-cord-and-solar-panel-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/light-on-charging-with-cord-and-solar-panel-scaled.jpg)solar panel attaches to NOWLIGHT via 12 foot cableDeciwatt partners with humanitarian organizations to provide NOWLIGHTS to households and organizations who have little or no access to electricity due to disasters or other adverse circumstances, So: **Useful when you want, vital when you need it**, be sure to consider a NOWLIGHT for your survival storage. You’ll have an off-grid light source and be doing some good for those less fortunate.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/reading-book-nowlight-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/reading-book-nowlight-1-scaled.jpg)Reading in pitch darkness with the NOWLIGHTHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Burns, Part 3: Smoke Inhalation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-3-smoke-inhalation/) 

 [Today's Marijuana: It Ain't Your Grandpa's Weed](https://www.doomandbloom.net/todays-marijuana-it-aint-your-grandpas-weed/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Product Reviews, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** DECIWATT, joe alton md, medical preparedness, NOWLIGHT, Off-grid lighting, SATLIGHT

---

### [Burns, Part 2: Third-Degree Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/third-degree-burns/)

**Published:** August 31, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_354674111-severe-burn-hand-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_354674111-severe-burn-hand-scaled.jpg)In the United States, [more than 450,000 people](https://ameriburn.org/who-we-are/media/burn-incidence-fact-sheet/) require medical treatment for burn injuries annually. In our last article, we discussed the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of first- and second-degree burns, especially as they pertain to off-grid settings. Now, for a far more difficult issue: third-degree burns.

A third-degree burn is also known as a “**full thickness**” burn. This type of burn destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and the entire layer beneath (the dermis). Third-degree burns penetrate through both and can damage deep structures.

Although many sources use the term “third-degree” to describe any severe burn, some others differentiate further into fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-degree. A fourth-degree burn extends into fat, while a fifth-degree involves muscle below the fat. A sixth-degree burn goes all the way down to bone. All of these are serious, often life-threatening injuries.

**LIKELY CAUSES OF THIRD-DEGREE BURNS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_646481599-severe-scald-burn-1-1024x624.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_646481599-severe-scald-burn-1-scaled-e1661967065685.jpg)Severe scald burnUnlike first- and second-degree burns (“**[partial-thickness burns](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-1-first-and-second-degree/ "partial-thickness burns")**”), which can occur through sun exposure, third-degree burns usually require more intense heat to destroy both epidermis, dermis, and deeper structures. Events like those below are often to blame:

**FLAMES FROM FIRES OR FLASH FROM EXPLOSIONS.** Along with scalds, these are known as “**thermal burns**” and represent 80% of U.S. burn victims. Tissues are physically damaged with varying thicknesses due to the intensity of the exposure.

**SCALDS**. Scalds are thermal burns caused by hot liquids such as boiling water or steam. Burns can be very painful and cause swelling, redness, peeling skin, blisters, and white or charred discoloration.

**CHEMICAL SPILLS**. Although most associate burn from chemical spills with acids (pH < 7), bases (alkali) can be worse. Acid burns form a scab and don’t tend to penetrate as deeply as alkali burns.

**ELECTRICAL SHOCKS**. Burns from electricity can travel through the body and damage internal organs even if external skin damage is minimal. Damaged organs which lead to serious injury and fatalities include the heart, kidneys, bones, muscles, and nervous system.

Of course, any hot object applied to skin for extended periods of time can also cause severe burns.

**SYMPTOMS OF THIRD-DEGREE BURNS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_768006400-applying-water-to-severe-burn-683x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_768006400-applying-water-to-severe-burn-scaled.jpg)You’ll need more than a bottle of water for this burnDepending on the depth of penetration and the origin of the heat source, third-degree burns can vary in appearance. They may appear:

- Black
- Brown
- White
- Yellow
- Gray

Damaged tissue will look dry, waxy, or leathery. If significant tissue is lost, the burn area may appear indented. Swelling is common, but pain may be minimal due to damage to sensory nerves. Discomfort may be most noted in the less-burnt outside borders of the injury.

**TREATING THIRD DEGREE BURNS**

Any third degree burn or worse, even if very small, should merit the full attention of the medic. Actions should include:

1\) Removing the heat source immediately.

2\) Running cool water over the burn for at least 15-20 minutes as soon as possible. Don’t use ice, which can traumatize the wound.

3\) Removing rings and jewelry before swelling develops.

4\) Removing loose debris like smoldering clothing. If clothing sticks to skin, cut around it.

5\) Elevating the burned extremity.

6\) Cover the wound loosely and not entirely around an arm or leg. Keep the dressing at least three inches over the wound borders.

Third-degree burns or worse will rapidly cause dehydration, as the protective layer (the skin) that holds fluids in is lost. Broken capillaries will leak fluid into the wound around the clock. Replacing liquids with oral rehydration solution is essential to keep the patient stable (as long as the patient tolerates it).

In normal times, all third-degree burn victims are treated with intravenous fluids. Indeed, in some cases, the loss of fluids may be so rapid as to only be replaceable with intravenous hydration, a major challenge for the survival medic due to lack of access to these products. If available, Lactated Ringers solution, the common IV fluid closest in electrolyte content to natural plasma, is preferred. [Rectal rehydration](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-rectal-rehydration/ "Rectal rehydration"), discussed in other articles on this website, is a possible option.

**DEBRIDEMENT OF DEAD TISSUE**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_718682176-debridement-1-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_718682176-debridement-1-scaled.jpg)DebridementRemoval of dead tissue (also called “**[debridement](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-debridement/)**”) from burns is necessary to allow healing. The process of sharp debridement is as follows:

1\) Wash the wound with soap and water.

2\) Use a sterile scalpel or knife to cut away non-viable tissue. As the tissue is dead, it shouldn’t hurt or bleed. Some small amount of bleeding may be noted at the border with live tissue.

3\) Once all dead tissue is removed, cover the wound with a wet-to-dry dressing. Keeping the area moist is important. This may be accomplished by dripping half-strength sterile normal saline onto the dressing at regular intervals.

4\) If the injury is on an extremity, elevate it to decrease swelling.

5\) Change dressings at least daily.

6\) Debride additional non-viable tissue as needed.

You probably know that skin serves as protection against infection. As the skin no longer exists in these burns, infection is very likely after 48 hours or so, especially if the wound isn’t covered. Spenco Second Skin or even raw unprocessed honey are options as burn wound covers. [Celox hemostatic gauze](https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/celox-rapid-z-fold-gauze-5/) may also serve as a burn dressing. When moistened, the gauze forms a gel-like dressing that may provide a helpful barrier.

A more detailed discussion on [debridement](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-debridement/) and dressings can be found elsewhere on this site. Note that dressings should cover the entire burn area.

**ANTIBIOTICS IN THIRD DEGREE BURNS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-scaled.jpg)Antibiotics given preventively are discouraged in first- and second-degree burns, but third-degree burns are more problematic. Mupirocin (Bactroban) cream is a topical option, but avoid the use of mostly oil-containing material; heat might be trapped in the wound.

Oral antibiotics like cephalexin, clindamycin, or sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim may be given in survival scenarios if infection is suspected. This is a complicated issue, as healing wound edges in burns may mimic signs of a wound infection. In normal times, intravenous antibiotics are used for severe burns. Off the grid, topical application of raw unprocessed honey may be an option.

Any third-degree burns larger than an inch in diameter usually requires a **[skin graft](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plastic-surgery/what-happens/)** to heal completely. Scarring is common and may limit the range of motion of a limb. Keep the injured area splinted in a natural position and perform range of motion exercises daily. These burn care procedures will help decrease limited mobility due to scarring effects.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_242688688-burn-scars-contractures-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_242688688-burn-scars-contractures-scaled.jpg)Scarring from burns leads to contracturesA person with third-degree burns over more than ten percent of the body surface is in a life-threatening situation and will likely go into shock. Without advanced care, expect a poor outcome. Even for survivors, healing in the area may lead to loss of mobility from thick scars known as “**contracture**s.” Skin grafts are needed but unavailable in survival settings.

Even the most skilled medic in survival scenarios will encounter cases where the patient is injured to the point that survival is unlikely. Still, they must do what they can, with what they have, where they are.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MDFind out more about burns and 200 other medical issues in survival settings with a copy of the Book Excellence Award-winning “**Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the Way**.” Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)Just a small part of the contents of our large medic kitsHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Today's Marijuana: It Ain't Your Grandpa's Weed](https://www.doomandbloom.net/todays-marijuana-it-aint-your-grandpas-weed/) 

 [Burns, Part 1: First- And Second-Degree](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-1-first-and-second-degree/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, Burns, chemical warfare, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** burn care, debridement, full thickness burns, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, third-degree burns

---

### [Today's Marijuana: It Ain't Your Grandpa's Weed](https://www.doomandbloom.net/todays-marijuana-it-aint-your-grandpas-weed/)

**Published:** September 2, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/medical-marijuana-green-crack.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/medical-marijuana-green-crack.jpg)The public perception of marijuana use has evolved significantly in the 21st century. A comprehensive 2017 Marist poll revealed that an estimated 54 million US citizens smoke pot, the majority of which claim to use it regularly. At present, 37 states have legalized marijuana for medical use and 19 states have legalized it recreationally. As more and more states make recreational marijuana legal, it’s popularity for other than medical purposes will, likely, proliferate even further. As such, you should know this: It ain’t the same weed your grandparents smoked.

The compound in marijuana that gets you “high” is called [delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/15/723656629/highly-potent-weed-has-swept-the-market-raising-concerns-about-health-risks) (THC). An analysis of pot seized by DEA agents over the years found that the THC potency was about 4% in 1995. By 2017, studies were recording potency up to 17.1%. By 2019, almost 20%. That’s an increase of several hundred percent in a little less than 25 years. Other cannabis products, like “hash,” can reach levels of 90%.

How did marijuana become so potent? The 60’s hippie mantra regarding LSD was “better living through chemistry.” With today’s cannabis, it isn’t chemical manipulation; it’s agriculture. One reason weed is getting stronger is the concentration on harvesting something called “[sinsemilla](https://hightimes.com/culture/potent-pot-weed-getting-stronger/),” Spanish for “without seeds.” The highest level of THC is contained in the tops of female plants that have not been fertilized. Harvesters look for these and eliminate parts of the plant that contain lower levels of THC.

[Manipulating strains](https://hightimes.com/culture/potent-pot-weed-getting-stronger/) of marijuana have also increased their potency. The highest THC levels are favored by growers. Naturally-occurring varieties of the 1960s were known as “landrace” strains; they were named after their place of origin (for example, “Panama Red”). These have been replaced by more potent hybrid crosses, and new versions are developed regularly.

All this has led to grass on steroids. The joints grandpa smoked in the 60s and 70s probably wouldn’t even get a regular marijuana user high today. Weed doesn’t even look the same these days. Back in the 70s, choice buds of the plant were thinner and looked a leafy, stemmy, dark green or brown. Now, the top strains have dense, fat buds with a shiny, sticky, frosty-looking material loaded with THC.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_790346791-marijuana-trichome-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/shutterstock_790346791-marijuana-trichome-scaled.jpg)Marijuana flower with THC-laden trichomesSo why concern yourself with “progress”? If red-eyed scientists have built a better mousetrap, let the world come to their door. Well, it isn’t that simple: The higher THC grass strains may be causing [health issues](https://www.northtampabehavioralhealth.com/addiction/marijuana/high-thc/effects-symptoms-signs/). You might benefit from knowing what’s happening to some people who smoke them.

THC seems to have paradoxical effects depending on the dose used. At low levels, the THC in marijuana can relieve nausea and is used for that purpose in chemotherapy patients. At very high levels, however, chronic users may develop something called “[cannabinoid hyperemesis syndome](https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome.html),” where they wind up needing medical attention for vomiting and abdominal pain. It’s hard to treat and, in very rare cases, it can become life-threatening.

The vascular system is not immune. Low levels of weed increases blood flow through vessels, but high content seems to cause a decrease (called “vasoconstriction”) that may be harmful to those with circulatory issues.

Marijuana has also been touted as pain relief. Studies, indeed, show that some forms of pain from nerve damage may improve, but use of very high THC content pot may actually make it worse.

Perhaps the largest concern regarding the highly potent THC levels in today’s marijuana is the possibly of addiction. Indeed, there is tolerance that occurs with regular use; that is, you need more as time goes on to achieve the same effect. [Dependence on pot](https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/marijuana-use-disorder) bordering on addiction is a real thing: withdrawal symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and hot flashes.

Lower levels of THC have been shown to help relieve anxiety, but the higher concentrations can increase it and lead to panic attacks. In rare cases, people develop symptoms of memory loss and even paranoia. Worse than that, patients have been reported in full-blown psychosis. Large reviews by organizations like the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine ([NASEM](https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/24625/chapter/1#xiii)), have correlated high-potency marijuana use with development of schizophrenia or other psychoses. In a study of drafted 45,570 Swedish men, men who had tried cannabis by age 18 were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia over the next 15 years compared with non-users.

The NASEM also found a “moderate statistical association” between cannabis use and an increased risk for the development of depressive disorders, as well. In Colorado, one of the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use, the [most common drug](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6625695/) found in completed suicide attempts among 10-18-year-olds was marijuana, more than three times as often as alcohol.

A word about Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is another product that has become popular to treat myriad symptoms, including pain, although hard data is still lacking for some uses. It’s a cannabis product, but is not supposed to have THC. Generations of manipulating hemp to increase its THC content, however, have made it difficult to produce reliably THC-free CBD. Since standards for production have not been established, you might be consuming more than just cannabidiol.

With marijuana becoming widely legalized, the genie has been let out of the bottle. Can it be put back in? Doubtful. From a survival standpoint, marijuana might be a useful barter item and have some medicinal benefits, but they go along with its risks. Users should be aware of the consequences of regular use of today’s stronger, but not better (for your health), THC products.

Joe Alton MD

(This article of Dr. Alton’s was originally published at American Thinker.)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Joe Alton MDHey, are you medically prepared for long-term disasters? Check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, books, USBs, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

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 [NOWLIGHT](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nowlight/) 

 [Burns, Part 2: Third-Degree Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/third-degree-burns/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, anxiety and depression, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Pain Relief

**Tags:** joe alton md, marijuana medical, marijuana use disorder, medical preparedness, recreational marijuana, survival medicine

---

### [Burn Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burn-injuries/)

**Published:** July 3, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We were recently asked by our friend Jeremy Knauf of [howtosurviveit.com](https://howtosurviveit.com/first-aid-for-explosions/ "https://howtosurviveit.com/first-aid-for-explosions/") about possible issues with injuries caused by over-exuberant 4th of July celebrations (read: fireworks).

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to be a spectator at your municipality’s show. In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside fires. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage. In 2011, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,600 people for fireworks related injuries. Most fireworks injuries are seen in children or teens; unsupervised use of fireworks by children is a very bad idea. I was on the beach watching fireworks one July fourth, and a bottle rocket lit by a 6 year-old whizzed by, missing my head by a few inches.

## Burning Injuries

It struck me that I hadn’t written recently about **burn injuries** and that it was time to discuss this in detail. Before I go further: In stable times, get anyone with a signifcant burn to the emergency room. While you have modern technology, take advantage of it.

If we find ourselves off the power grid, we will be cooking out in the open more frequently. The potential for *significant burn injuries* will rise exponentially, especially if the survival group includes small children; naturally curious, they may get too close to our campfires. A working knowledge of burns and their treatment will be a standard skill for every group’s medical provider.

### Severity of Burns

The severity of the burn injury depends on the percentage of the total body surface that is burned, and on the degree (or intensity) of the burn injury. Although assessing the surface percentage is helpful to burn units in major hospitals (“rule of 9’s”), this practice will likely be of limited helpfulness in a collapse. Therefore, let’s concentrate on learning to identify burns by their degree.

**FIRST DEGREE BURNS:** First degree burns are superficial, only affecting the “epidermis” (the part of the skin you can see). These burns will be very common, such as simple sunburn. The injury will appear red, warm and dry, and will be painful to the touch. Placing a cool moist cloth or Spenco Second Skin on the area will give some relief, as will common anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen. Aloe Vera is also an effective treatment. Usually, the discomfort improves after 24 hours or so, as only the superficial skin layer is affected.

**SECOND-DEGREE BURNS:**  These burns are deeper, affecting the deep layer of the skin (the “Dermis”). You will see areas that appear moist and are painful and have blisters with reddened bases. The area will have a tendency to weep clear or whitish fluid.

**THIRD-DEGREE BURNS:**  The worst type of burn injury; it involves the full thickness of skin and possibly deeper structures such as subcutaneous fat and muscle. It may appear charred, or be white in color. The burn may appear indented if significant tissue has been lost. In third-degree burns, you have lost your body’s armor (the skin); this will cause loss of fluids and cause dehydration. Giving fluid is essential to keep the patient stable. Expect infection in the burn area over time, as your defenses are down.

**Treatment**

When a person gets burned, it’s of paramount importance to remove the heat source immediately. Run cool water over any degree of burn for at least 10-15 minutes as soon as possible after the injury. Immersion in a cool bath is another option, especially for torso burns. Don’t do this in large, severe burns, as third degree burns receive somewhat less benefit from this strategy. Cool water is preferable to ice as it is less traumatic to the injury. Be certain to remove rings or jewelry, as swelling is commonly seen in these kinds of injuries.

Application of topical burn ointments with Benzocaine will sooth first and second degree burns. Oral pain medications such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen may also be effective. 0.5% hydrocortisone cream has been used with beneficial effect. Silvadene ointment is an excellent antibacterial agent (contains Silver Sulfadiazine) to prevent infection. Your patient will experience less discomfort if they wear fabrics that don’t irritate the skin, such as light cottons or silks.

In a second-degree burn: Moist skin dressings such as Spenco Second skin may give some relief, as will lancing some of the larger, more tense blisters. Generally, most blisters do not have to be lanced, as infection may ensue. Antibiotic ointment may be an option, although these burns are usually sterile for the first 2 days or so. Products that contain Silver Sulfadiazine (Silvadene) will prevent infection in healing wounds.Be aware that those who are allergic to Sulfa drugs should not use Silvadene, although silver solutions applied topically may be acceptable.

Don’t forget to remove rings and bracelets due to swelling that may occur.

BTW, don’t cover second degree burns with loose cotton or regular gauze. Sterile non-stick dressings like Telfa pads will be less uncomfortable, especially during removal and dressing changes. When I was a kid, I got a pretty bad second degree burn on my back; my mom put gauze on it and took about 6 inches of skin off when she removed it!

In a third degree burn: As long as the victim’s clothing is not smoldering, don’t remove clothing over the burn. Elevate the burn injury about the level of the heart. Spenco Second Skin is, again, useful, as a burn wound cover, for protection purposes. Also, Celox combat gauze, when moistened, forms a reasonable gel-like dressing. Silver Sulfadiazine (Silvadene) cream is helpful in preventing infections in third degree burns. Cover the victim with a light sheet or blanket to help preserve body core temperature.

(Note: You might see fourth, fifth and sixth degree burns described in some other medical resource books. They are treated essentially the same as third degree burns.)

Honey has been used as a coating for significant burns and this may be implemented by spreading it over the wound and covering it with plastic wrap. Any burn this severe that is larger than, say, an inch or so in diameter, will require a skin graft to heal completely. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be available in a collapse situation. A person with third-degree burns over any significant percentage of the body could be in shock, and may die despite your best efforts.

Different types of burns may be helped in different ways:

**Fire burns:** Smother any flames by covering them with a blanket or dousing them with water. If clothing catches fire, don’t run (and fan the flames). Stop, drop, and roll on the ground.

**Cold burns:** Yes, cold can burn you (think of freezer burn). Frostbitten appendages can be warmed by blowing warm air on them, tucking them inside your clothing or putting them in warm water (no more than, say, 104 degrees F).

**Hot liquid burns (scalds):** Run cool tap water over the burn for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not use ice, as this constricts the blood vessels that supply circulation to the damaged area.

**Electrical burns:** Electricity can affect the function of your heart. Check for irregular heart rhythms (CPR may be needed).

**Hot tar or plastic burns:** Immediately run cold water over the area.

**Chemical burns:** Get some gloves on to protect yourself. Flood the wound with cool water for 20 minutes and be sure the runoff doesn’t get on undamaged areas (or you). Don’t put ointments on the wound until you can identify the chemical and are certain they will not interact negatively with it.

**Natural Remedies**

It’s important to realize that our traditional medicine resources may not be available some day and a successful medic will ensure that everyone will have some knowledge regarding alternate burn treatments. Various plants will have properties that will allow you to improve burn healing, even if no modern medical supplies are available. Although of limited use for severe burns, many first and second degree burns will respond to their effects.

The first remedy to consider is Aloe Vera. Most people recognize this treatment as something they heard before; studies have shown that Aloe Vera helps new skin cells form and speeds healing. This would be an excellent option for first or second degree burns. If you have an aloe plant, cut off a leaf, open it up and either scoop out the gel or rub the open leaf directly on the burned area. Reapply 4-6 times daily, with or without a bandage covering. Simplicity and fast relief are the key benefits to using Aloe Vera on burns, especially in a collapse situation.

Most articles you can find on burn treatments also commonly include any type of vinegar as a treatment for burns. Vinegar works as an astringent and antiseptic and helps to prevent infections. The best way to use vinegar on smaller sized burns is to make a compress with 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 cool water and cover the burn until the compress feels warm, then re-soak the compress and reapply. There is no limit to how many times you can apply the vinegar soaks. Another method is a cool bath with vinegar added. Start with tepid water and let the water cool off while the patient is soaking. if the burn is on the central body area use a cotton t-shirt soaked in vinegar and then wring it out. This method is especially useful as a treatment while sleeping.

Another “cooling off” treatment for burns is Witch Hazel compresses. Use the extract of the bark, which decreases inflammation and soothes a 1st degree burn. Soak a compress in full strength Witch Hazel and apply to the burned area. Reapply as frequently as desired. Elder flower and comfrey leaf decoctions are also an excellent remedy for burns.

For those unfamiliar with the term “decoction”, it is an extraction of the crushed herbs produced by boiling. Using lower water temperatures produces a tea instead. The Decoctions of these plants can also be used for compresses just like the Witch Hazel. However, they can also be freshly crushed and rehydrated and then applied directly to the burned area with a sterile gauze cover, this is called a poultice.

Black tea leaves have tannic acid that helps draw heat from a burn. There are several methods for the black tea treatment:

· Put 2-3 tea bags in cool water for a few minutes and use the water with compresses or just apply the liquid to the burned area.

· Make a concoction of 3 or 4 tea bags, 2 cups fresh mint leaves and 4 cups of boiling water. Then strain the liquid into a jar and allow it to cool. To use, dab the mixture on burned skin with a cotton ball or washcloth.

· If your patient has to be mobile, make a stay-in-place poultice out of 2 or 3 wet tea bags. Simply place cool wet tea bags directly on the burn and wrap them with a piece of gauze and some tape to hold them in place.

Both milk and yogurt have also been found to help cool and hydrate the skin after a burn. Wrap whole-milk, full-fat yogurt, inside gauze or cheesecloth and use as a compress. Replace the compress as the yogurt warms on the skin. Whole milk compresses can be used the same way.

Another method of application for large burn injuries is a yogurt “spa treatment” which involves spreading yogurt all over the burn then bathing with cool water after 15 minutes. Yet another home remedy is the baking soda bath. Add 1/4 cup baking soda to a warm bath and soak for at least 15 minutes or longer if needed until the water cools off.

There are two essential oils that can be used full strength on 1st or 2nd degree burns, Lavender and tea tree oils. They help with pain due to stinging and promote tissue healing. Mix tea tree oil with a small amount of water (lavender can be used full strength); apply all over the burned area. A loose covering of gauze over the oil may be helpful when used for 2nd degree burns. It is important to know that butter or lard, commonly used for burns in the past, will hold in the heat and are not to be used in the treatment of your patient. Egg whites, also used in the past, might lead to infection.

You can also make a poultice of Marigold (calendula) petals pounded with small amounts of olive or wheat germ oil; this can be spread lightly over the burned area and covered by loose gauze or a sterile covering. Marigold is a common ingredient in skin medication and it has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, which speed the healing of burns.

An oatmeal bath may be used to reduce itching related to healing, Crumble 1-2 cups of raw oats and add them to a lukewarm bath as the tub is filling and soak 15-20 minutes. Then, air dry so that a thin coating of oatmeal remains on your skin. You can do this as often as needed to reduce itching.

A time proven remedy related to Ancient Indian YUNANI healing arts has been used for many centuries to treat even severe burns. Here are the steps to make cotton-ash paste:

· Take a large piece of cotton wool; or any kind of pure white cotton fabric and burn it into ashes in a Dutch oven.

· Use the ASH of the burned cotton and mix with olive oil or any kind of cooking oil available

· Mix this into a thick paste and spread the black paste on the burned skin

· Cover it with ordinary plastic cling wrap and perhaps some gauze to hold it all in place.

· Add new paste every day for a week or so, depending on the severity of the burn.

One of the best natural remedies that is useful in treating the burn patient is [honey](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=4576). Honey in its raw unprocessed state is best to use, because of its antibacterial activity and hydrating properties. Honey has an acidic pH that is inhospitable to bacteria. Therefore, it will help prevent and even treat infections in many wounds. It can be used in 1st, 2nd and, if no other medical care is available, as a last resort for 3rd degree burns (along with a high protein diet, lots of water and a drink mixture of lemon juice, sugar and a pinch of salt in some water several times a day).

This is how to use the honey method:

· Immediately after the first 15 minute cooling-down treatment, apply a generous amount of honey in a thick layer all over the burned area

· Cover the honey with cling wrap plastic or waterproof dressings. Use tape to hold the dressing in place.

· If the dressing begins to fill up with fluid oozing out of the wound, change the dressing. The worse the burn, the more frequently the dressing will need to be changed. Repeat for 7-10 days.

· Do not remove or wash off the honey for the first 20 days (or earlier if healing is complete). Add more honey often and fill up any deeper areas as needed. Always have a thick layer of honey extending over the edges of the burn. You do not want any air getting to the burned skin until healing is completed. This will cut down the infection rate.

· Change the dressing at least three times a day regardless of the amount of oozing fluid.

Treating burns without a medical system available will require intense care and close observation. Severe fluid losses lead to dangerous consequences for these patients, so always be certain that you do everything possible to keep them well hydrated. The damage to the skin caused by burns leaves those injured to the mercy of many pathogens, so watch for fevers or other signs of infection.

Have a safe 4th of July out there!

Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones=

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Find out more about burns and 200 other medical issues in survival settings with a copy of the Book Excellence Award-winning **“Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the Way.**” Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Headache Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-prevention/) 

 [Adversity and Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/adversity-and-survival/)

**Categories:** Burns, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Wildfires

**Tags:** burn injuries, fireworks, medical preparedness, severity of the burn injury, significant burn injuries

---

### [Put Your Best Foot Forward](https://www.doomandbloom.net/put-your-best-foot-forward/)

**Published:** August 5, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/minorandmajorwounds1-300x199.jpg "minorandmajorwounds1")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/minorandmajorwounds1.jpg)

We self-reliant types spend our days working on our weapons, food, bug-out bags, and my personal favorite, **medical supplies**. Granted, these are very important, but having all of these in place will do little good if you ignore two things: Your feet.

*Foot health* is not just for the local bunion chiseler; it’s a priority for a shot at survival for the long term. The military has known this for a long time, and they take foot care seriously. Think about it this way: You may be required to do some major running at very short notice in a survival situation. Do you really want to do that running with those hiking boots you’ve never broken in?

## The Importance of Foot Care

If you don’t take of your feet, your feet won’t take care of you. Unless you are Cody Lundin or Fred Flintstone, some major thought should be given to how to keep your dogs from howling in times of trouble. Therefore, it pays to take a class called Foot Care 101. If you pay attention, it’s an easy A.

Your first lesson is taken from the book “Common Sense for Dummies”: Make sure your boots fit well. Many foot problems originate in poorly-fitting shoes. There are lots of different brands of boots out there, and there is no time limit at the store for trying them on. This is probably the most important article of clothing that you’ll own in a collapse situation, so spend the time to get the best fit.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Boots-300x231.jpg "Boots")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Boots.jpg)

### Foot Care: Must Know Items Before You Buy

Some things to know:

Shoe size changes as you get older, or after a pregnancy, or even during a particular day!
Go to the store after a day of walking, when your feet are a little larger than other times.
Most of us have one foot that’s larger than the other. Make sure your boots fit both feet (especially the larger one).

Each part of your foot should be comfortable in your new boots. The ball of your foot should fit the widest part of the shoe without issue. There should be about 1/2 inch or so from the end of your toes to the end of your shoe. The upper part of the shoe should be flexible enough to not cause discomfort on your instep. Your heel should not slip up and down when you walk. Soles should be thick Vibram or other sturdy material. Highcut boots will help prevent ankle sprains by giving more support and will protect against the occasional snake bite.

Don’t buy shoes that are too tight and expect them to stretch. They might, but you’ll go through a lot of discomfort to get them there. You might be used to buying shoes online , but you really should walk in a shoe first before making any purchase decisions. Your feet are shaped differently than the next guy’s, so one brand of boot might be better for you and another might be better for him.

Heavier boots, like steel-toed, are great if you’re chopping wood (you get to keep all ten of your toes) but are heavy. Remember that an extra pound of weight in your boot is like 5 extra pounds of weight on your back. Getting soft, flexible uppers will help. In wet climates, waterproof materials like Gore-Tex are your friends.

A special note: Unless you can count “shoemaker” as one of your survival skills, buy a spare pair or two now while they’re still available. Break them in.

Another factor in keeping your feet healthy is your socks. Most people hike in the same pair of socks all day, even in the heat of summer. This is as damaging to your feet as it is to your nose (phew!). Sweaty feet are unhappy feet; Wetness increases friction and gives you blisters. Change your socks often and have replacement pairs as a standard item in your backpack. Consider the use of a lighter, second pair of socks (sock liners) under the thicker hiking socks you use for additional protection.

Use foot powders, like Gold Bond, or even corn starch to keep your feet dryer. Think about getting some insoles. Who wouldn’t want more support and comfort? Dr. Scholl is a nice guy and he just wants to help.

Blisters are perhaps the most common foot ailment. Excessive friction to an area on your foot, will cause a blister to form. Usually, this is from failing Foot Care 101; in other words, choosing poorly fitting shoes, not having enough socks, and allowing your feet to become sweaty and wet.

I know that our readership is comprised of rugged individualists: “No pain, no gain” and all that. “It’s just a blister”, you might tell me. Well, blisters need time to heal and continued friction on the area will only continue to do damage and increase the risk of infection. An infected blister is a major issue, and will become more swollen, painful and red over the course of time. You might even develop pus in it and have it become an “ulcer” (essentially, a pressure sore).

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So, what should you do? First, clean the area thoroughly with an antiseptic like Betadine. The cleaner you start off, the less likelihood of infection. Should you lance the blister? If it’s small the answer is no. If it’s big, put a needle under the fire until it’s red hot; then, pierce the side of the blister and allow the fluid to drain. The skin overlying the blister will serve as a protective covering for the raw skin underneath.

Cover the area with padding, leaving an opening in the middle for the healing area. Moleskin is a good thing to have on hand (even if you’re not a mole). The less friction to the area, the faster it will heal. A little antibiotic cream to the area might be useful to prevent infection. Rest if you can. If you can’t, change the bandage frequently.

An old saying goes: A 1000 mile journey begins with the first step. In uncertain times, put your best foot forward!

Dr, Bones

Are you prepared to deal with medical issues in a disaster situation? For over 200medical topics off the grid, check out the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine, T[he Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)! You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [All About Essential Oils](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-essential-oils/) 

 [Survival Sprains](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sprains/)

**Categories:** Foot Care, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** blisters, collapse situation, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, foot care, foot health, hiking boots, hiking socks, Many foot problems originate in poorly-fitting shoes, medical preparedness, medical supplies. Blisters, survival medicine

---

### [Burns, Part 1: First- And Second-Degree](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-1-first-and-second-degree/)

**Published:** August 28, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1602078589-second-degree-burn-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1602078589-second-degree-burn-scaled.jpg)A wide variety of situations, both in normal times and disaster settings, put us in proximity with high levels of heat. If we’re knocked off the grid, it won’t be unusual to cook food over a fire of our own making, something very few do on a regular basis. As such, the survival medic will often be faced with **[burn injuries](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12063-burns)**. Having the materials and knowledge to treat burns will be absolutely necessary in times of trouble.

Burns can be caused by contact with sources other than flames, including:

• Scalds due to contact with hot water or steam.

• Contact with electricity associated with lightning or another source.

• Friction burns due to contact with hard surfaces such as roads (“road rash”), carpets, or hard flooring.

• Skin exposure to extreme cold and winds. Yes, extreme cold can cause burns.

• Chemical spills.

• Radiation due to contact with energy emitted by x-rays and other medical testing or treatment, “dirty bombs,” or thermonuclear explosions.

In general, the different types of burns are treated similarly, although some burns, like those caused by electricity or radiation, may cause internal damage without destroying the skin. Inhalation of superheated air may cause damage to lung tissue. Off the grid, the lack of advanced care will make these cases a challenge for the medic.

The severity of a burn injury and resulting chance of death or disability depends, in part, on the percentage of the total body surface involved, as measured by the “rule of nines.”

Assessing the percentage of body surface area burned is standard practice and helpful in modern medicine. It may, however, have less practical benefit in austere settings where transport isn’t an option. In any case, knowing the “rule of nines” may give the medic an idea of the chances of recovery for a burn victim.

Burns to the face, feet, hands, genitals, and lungs are considered the most problematic. Burns that go completely around a body part, say, an arm, cause constriction that may affect circulation. Areas with a lot of scar tissue may have limited mobility.

**BURN DEGREES**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_353582297-burn-degrees-2-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_353582297-burn-degrees-2-scaled.jpg)Besides total surface area involved, an important factor is the amount of penetration of the burn. This is usually measured in degrees.

**First-Degree Burns**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sunburn-first-degree-burn.jpeg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sunburn-first-degree-burn.jpeg)Most burns you’ll see will be due to excessive exposure to the sun. A majority of cases will be “**first-degree burns**.” In first-degree burns, the patient may be red as a lobster, but only the superficial layer of the skin (the “**epidermis**”) is injured.

A first-degree burn will appear red, warm, and dry. It will be painful to the touch, especially when large areas of skin are involved. Fortunately, major complications are rare unless other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting appear. Treatment is simply focused on relieving discomfort.

Immersion in a cool bath will be helpful; at the very least, run cool water over the injury. A cool moist cloth on the burn for 20 minutes will give some relief. So will anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen. Aloe vera, zinc oxide, and benzocaine sprays are effective alternatives. Expect the discomfort to improve after 24 hours. Until then, avoid constrictive, tight clothing and wear light fabrics, such as cotton.

Prevention, of course, is worth a pound of cure. To avoid this type of sunburn:

• Don’t “sunbathe” (a tan is not healthy).

• Avoid the peak sun hours for the time of year and latitude.

• Wear long pants and sleeves, hats, and sunglasses.

• Spend time in the shade whenever possible.

If extended exposure to sunlight is unavoidable, be certain to use a sunblock. Apply 15 minutes prior to going outside and re-apply frequently throughout the day. Even water-resistant sunscreens should be reapplied every one to two hours. Most people fail to put enough on, so be sure to use plenty.

As an aside, sunblock and sunscreen are not the same thing. Sunblocks contain tiny particles that “block” and reflect UV light. A sunscreen contains substances that absorb UV light, thus preventing it from penetrating the skin below. Many commercial products contain both. Sunblocks and sunscreens should be an integral part of your medical storage.

The SPF (**Sun Protection Facto**r) rating system was developed in 1962 to measure the capacity of a product to protect against UV radiation. It measures the length of exposure to the sun before you burn. A SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 is recommended. It takes about 20 minutes without sunscreen for your skin to start turning red. SPF 15 blocks 94 percent of the sun’s rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 45 98 percent. The higher the number, the longer it takes for the skin to burn.

Although the increase in protection may seem small, higher SPF numbers are especially beneficial to those with fair skin. They offer better protection against long-term skin damage leading to cancer.

Besides the sun, first-degree injuries will most likely be related to cooking or campfires. Using hand protection will prevent many of these burns, as will careful supervision of children near campfires and food preparation areas.

**Second-Degree Burns**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1615615975-2nd-degree-burn-2-1-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_1615615975-2nd-degree-burn-2-1-scaled.jpg)Second-degree burns are deeper injuries that penetrate through the superficial epidermis and partially through the deeper layer of the skin (the “dermis”). Thus, they’re often called “partial thickness burns.” While first-degree burns may cover a large percentage of surface area without becoming life-threatening (but are painful), a relatively small percentage of the body covered with significant second-degree burns may require serious medical intervention.

Unlike first-degree burns, which appear dry, second-degree burns will be moist and often have blisters with reddened bases. The area will have a tendency to weep clear or whitish fluid. Second degree burns will cause swelling as well, so it’s important to remove rings and bracelets.

To treat second degrees burns:

Remove the victim from the heat source immediately. Run cool water over the injury for 10-15 minutes (avoid ice, which will traumatize already-damaged skin). After washing and running water over the wound, pat the area dry. The next step is to apply moist skin dressings such as Xeroform, Spenco Second Skin or non-stick dressings (Telfa pads) with thin layers of products like aloe vera or Aquaphor. Be sure to replace regularly and review the progress of healing. Other actions should include:

• Removing jewelry like rings and bracelets (swelling may cause painful constriction).

• Elevating burned extremities.

• Applying cool compresses.

• Giving oral pain relief such as Ibuprofen (Advil).

• Applying anesthetic creams such as benzocaine or lidocaine.

• Avoidance of “peeling” burned skin, which sometimes comes off in sheets.

• Protecting adjacent burned fingers and toes with a dry barrier in-between.

• Encouraging hydration.

• Using a “tenting” method to keep sheets above extensive burns.

We’re often asked whether to [pop blisters ](https://www.healthline.com/health/should-you-pop-a-blister#how-to-do-it)associated with second-degree burns. It’s wisest to avoid the lancing of blisters, if possible, unless they’re infected and filled with pus. Some very large blisters will, however, break with the slightest pressure and may benefit from controlled drainage. If this is the case, use a sterilized needle or scalpel blade to pierce the side of the blister near the base. The roof of the blister is often retained to provide additional protection to the healing base.

It’s important to avoid the use of lard or butter on burns: They tend to keep in heat and may worsen the injury. Egg whites and toothpaste, long considered to be home remedies, may increase the risk of infection. It’s better to use sterile saline solutions to keep the burn area and (non-stick) dressing moist, especially in severe burns.

In part 2 of this series, we’ll discuss third-degree burns. Is there anything the survival medic can do if confronted with this life-threatening issue?

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD 
Find out more about burns and 200 other medical issues in survival settings with a copy of the Book Excellence Award-winning **“Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the Way.**” Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Burns, Part 2: Third-Degree Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/third-degree-burns/) 

 [Fecal Impaction Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fecal-impaction-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Burns, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** burn blisters, firs-degree burns, joe alton md, medical preparedness, second-degree burns, sun protection factor, survival medicine

---

### [Fecal Impaction Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fecal-impaction-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** August 25, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-scaled.jpg)A couple of my recent articles have discussed bowel irregularities, namely [constipation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/constipation-off-the-grid/), as a result of exclusively eating long shelf-life foods meant for off-grid scenarios. Failure to take precautions against constipation can lead to a decreased quality of life and, as well, work efficiency for group members in uncertain times. The end result of neglecting slow intestinal motility may be a condition known as[ fecal impaction.](https://www.healthline.com/health/fecal-impaction#diagnosis)

Fecal impaction is defined as a hard mass of feces in the rectum which a person is unable to expel. It’s usually the result of severe constipation. An inability to pass bowel movements causes feces to back up into the colon, where water is absorbed from the bowels. The stool becomes very clay-like and accumulates.

**WHO GETS IMPACTED?**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_80114341-patient-advocate.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_80114341-patient-advocate.jpg)Fecal impaction occurs most commonly in:

- The elderly. Fecal impaction rates over the course of a year approached [47.3% in one study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4141793/) of nursing home patients.
- People who are bedridden or otherwise mobility-impaired.
- People with nerve disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, or spinal cord injury.
- Children.
- Those taking certain medicines.

**MEDICINES THAT CAN LEAD TO IMPACTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/drugs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/drugs.jpg)There are many [medications](https://www.goodrx.com/drugs/side-effects/the-big-8-constipation-causing-medications) that can cause constipation and may lead to fecal impaction. They include:

- Opioid pain relievers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Antihistamines
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Urinary incontinence medications
- Iron supplements
- Blood pressure medications
- Anti-nausea medications

An individual’s response to a certain drug is, well, individual, so certain people experience this more than others.

**DIAGNOSING FECAL IMPACTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/shutterstock_1679707450-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/shutterstock_1679707450-scaled.jpg)How can you identify the person with a fecal impaction in survival scenarios, where food may be scarce? Many survival foods are low in fiber and constipation will be rampant throughout your group.

Symptoms of a fecal impaction can include:

- Abdominal pain.
- Swollen abdomen.
- Loss of appetite.
- A sensation of constantly being full.
- Frequent urination from pressure on the bladder.
- Fatigue and listlessness.
- Bleeding from the rectum.

In severe cases, the patient becomes nauseous. Dehydration is common, and older sufferers become confused and have other signs of impaired mental status.

Surprisingly, you may note the patient has diarrhea. This is because watery stool is making its way around the clay-like impaction.

Making the diagnosis requiring inserting a gloved finger (with lubrication) into the rectum. The hardened stool should be readily apparent on exam.

**TREATING FECAL IMPACTION**

Once the diagnosis is made, it’s up to the medic to relieve the blockage. This may be best accomplished by the use of laxatives and enemas. Injecting fluid through the anal route may loosen the impaction. Push fluids orally to improve hydration status and enforce a routine of evacuating bowels at regular intervals.

If all else fails, the off-grid medic may have to perform physical “[digital disimpaction](https://www.verywellhealth.com/digital-evacuation-1945037 "digital disimpaction")“. For this procedure, lubricate a single finger of a gloved hand and insert into the rectum. The clay-like stool is broken up and removed in pieces *as gently as possible*. In normal times, please be sure to leave this to experienced medical professionals.

Don’t be surprised if some bleeding occurs as a result of your manipulation as the lining of the rectum may be traumatized. This may occur even if digital disimpaction is not performed due to the density of the stool. Soreness in the area may be expected afterwards, but most patients feel better once the procedure is done.

**PREVENTION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570.jpg)In most cases, fecal impaction is preventable with some lifestyle changes:

- Stay hydrated.
- Increase fiber intake.
- Adjust constipation-causing medications if possible.
- Be active (regular walks are acceptable).

It’s unlikely that you’ll be confronted with a life-threatening case of fecal impaction, but failure to diagnose and treat chronic constipation can be problematic for the off-grid medic. Be sure to monitor diet and encourage group members to report changes in bowel habits.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Dr. AltonLearn more about constipation and over 200 other medical issues off the grid with the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine, [the 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/) plus check out our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net. ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)[![three compact first aid kits great for hiking and camping made by Amy Alton of store.doomandbloom.net](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Burns, Part 1: First- And Second-Degree](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burns-part-1-first-and-second-degree/) 

 [Dislocations Of The Shoulder Joint](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dislocations-of-the-shoulder-joint/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Constipation, Dehydration, Diarrhea, Food, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** chronic constipation, digital disimpaction, fecal disimpaction, fecal impaction, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Dislocations Of The Shoulder Joint](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dislocations-of-the-shoulder-joint/)

**Published:** August 21, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_515956444-medium-shoulder-dislocation.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_515956444-medium-shoulder-dislocation.jpg)A joint is a structure in the body that “joins” two bony parts together. Of all our joints, the shoulder has the greatest amount of mobility and range of motion. Such flexibility comes at the cost of low joint stability.

One common injury is a **[dislocation](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17746-dislocated-shoulder)**. In a dislocation, a bone is pulled out of its joint by some type of trauma. About 50% of all major joint dislocations seen in U.S. emergency rooms involve the shoulder joint, but knees, ankles, and hips may also be affected.

**THE SHOULDER JOINT**

Unlike the kids’ song, there is no “shoulder bone” connected to the “arm bone”. The shoulder actually consists of [three bones](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3GVKjeY1FM): the upper arm bone (known as the “**humerus**“), the shoulder blade or “**scapula**“, and the collarbone, also called the “**clavicle**“. The head of the humerus fits into a socket in the scapula. This socket (called the “**glenoid cavity**“) is stabilized by ligaments, strong connective tissues that keep the humerus centered in the socket. These connective tissues, along with muscles and tendons, form a capsule that keeps the joint stable.

Significant weakening of the capsule can cause the humerus to be dislocated from its socket. Damage is often incurred in falls, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injuries. In the vast majority of cases, the humerus is pushed forward of the socket, known as an “**anterior dislocation**.”

[![this is what an anterior and posterior dislocation looks like](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_121783261-1-1024x819.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_121783261-1-e1502983359566.jpg)**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS**

In a shoulder dislocation, you’re likely to see:

- Significant pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Visible deformation
- Inability to use the joint

If the dislocation is momentary and the bone slips back into its joint on its own, it is called a **subluxation**. Subluxations can be treated the same way that sprains are, using the **R.I.C.E.S.** method. It should be noted that the traditional medical definition of subluxation is somewhat different from the chiropractic one.

The patient with a shoulder dislocation will present to the medic in obvious discomfort, usually holding their forearm for support. The arm that will appear out of place and swelling is not unusual. You’ll notice that the shoulder appears “lower” than on the uninjured side.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_720789001-should-dislocation-photo-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/shutterstock_720789001-should-dislocation-photo-2-scaled.jpg)**HOW TO REDUCE SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS**

Of course, if there is medical care readily available, the patient with a shoulder dislocation should go directly to the local hospital. Indeed, some dislocations may only be reduced surgically under general anesthesia. In an off-grid setting, however, you’re on your own and will probably have to correct the dislocation yourself. This is known as performing a “**[reduction](https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/how-to-reduce-dislocations-and-subluxations/overview-of-shoulder-dislocation-reduction-techniques)**“.

Reduction is easiest to perform soon after the dislocation, before muscles spasm and the inevitable swelling occurs. Not only does reducing the dislocation decrease the pain experienced by the victim, but it will lessen the damage to the blood vessels and nerves that run along the line of the injury. The faster the reduction is performed, the less likely there will be permanent damage and the faster damaged muscles will recover. Unfortunately, a joint that experienced a dislocation may have a tendency to go out of place again in the future. Injured blood vessels and nerves may be permanently compromised.

If help is not on the way, the family medic must act. Expect significant pain on the part of the patient during the actual reduction procedure. Giving spain relievers like ibuprofen or stronger might be useful before the procedure to decrease discomfort. Prescription muscle relaxers such as Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) are also helpful.

The use of **traction** will greatly aid your attempt to fix the problem. Traction is the act of pulling the dislocated bone away from the joint in such a fashion as to give room for it to slip back into place. This goal can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the type of dislocation.

The following procedures for reducing a shoulder dislocation are just some of the techniques used in this emergency. A video from the Medical College of Georgia follows the description of three separate methods:

**Method 1**: Have the patient lie face down on a surface high enough that the arm (including the shoulder joint) dangles without hitting the ground. Place the patient’s arm into position slowly for the least discomfort.

Wrap a 15–20-pound weight around the forearm and wrist (again, not hitting the ground). Although they could hold the weight in their hand, this may tense the muscles, and you need them to relax. Once the muscles are relaxed enough (maybe 10 minutes or so), the arm should pop back into place.

**Method 2:** Have the patient lie on their back. With their elbow at a 90-degree angle, slowly rotate the arm outward with the palm facing the sky. This should be a gradual movement, and pain should be a sign to slow down.

Now, raise the arm so that the hand is behind their head, as if they were scratching the back of their neck. The action is similar to a baseball pitcher about to throw a ball. Once their hand is behind their head, slowly help them reach for the opposite shoulder. This motion should move the arm back into place.

**Method 3:** If you are alone with your patient, place your foot against the side of the patient’s chest and apply slow traction by pulling the arm while holding the wrist with the palm facing up. This, again, must be done slowly and gradually until the arm pops back into place.

If you’re fortunate enough to have an assistant, wrap a towel or sheet around the upper chest of the patient and have the assistant pull in the opposite direction to provide counter-traction. This avoids having to use your foot for that purpose.

**RECOVERY**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sling-and-swathe..png)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sling-and-swathe..png)
Sling and Swathe with two triangular bandagesIf these procedures are successful, pain and movement should be immediately improved, although it’s normal to have some continued discomfort in the injured shoulder. Your patient may benefit from the placement of ice packs to reduce swelling and a sling to immobilize the joint while it heals. In addition, a length of cloth can be wrapped around the affected arm and chest to further stabilize the joint. This is called a “**swathe**.”

Full recovery will take about 4-12 weeks, depending on the age and physical condition of the patient. should be noted that the dislocation itself or the reduction procedure could possibly disrupt blood vessels or nerves, leading to circulation issues as well as effects to sensation and motor function.

**PREVENTION**

To help prevent a dislocated shoulder, you should:

- Remove obstacles that can lead to falls.
- Wear protective gear if playing contact sports.
- Avoid situations which could lead to trauma to the area.
- Exercise to strengthen muscles in the area for support and maintain flexibility in the joint.

Orthopedic injuries will be common in any austere setting. The medic has to be ready to take the initiative when the ambulance is not on the way if full use of an injured extremity is to be recovered.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)Dr. AltonLearn more about dislocations and 200 other medical issues seen in survival settings with a copy of the Book Excellence Award-winning “**Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**.” Be sure to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Fecal Impaction Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fecal-impaction-off-the-grid/) 

 [Video: Should We Censor Doctors?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-should-we-censor-doctors/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** anterior shoulder dislocation, joe alton md, medical preparedness, reducing a dislocation, shoulder dislocation, survival medicine

---

### [Shoulder Dislocations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/shoulder-dislocations/)

**Published:** August 17, 2017
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_121783261-1-1024x819.jpg "Anterior shoulder dislocation accounts for 95-97% of cases")Anterior shoulder dislocation accounts for 95-97% of casesOf all the joints in your body, the shoulder has the greatest range of motion. This flexibility comes at the cost of low joint stability. 50% of all major [joint dislocations](http://www.healthline.com/health/dislocation) seen in U.S. emergency rooms involve the shoulder joint.

A **dislocation** is an injury in which a bone is pulled out of its joint by some type of trauma. Dislocations commonly occur in shoulders, fingers, and elbows, but knees, ankles, and hips may also be affected. The joint involved looks visibly abnormal and is unusable. Bruising and pain often accompany the injury.

If the dislocation is momentary and the bone slips back into its joint on its own, it is called a **subluxation**. Subluxations can be treated the same way that sprains are, using the [R.I.C.E.S. meth](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sprains/)od. It should be noted that the traditional medical definition of subluxation is somewhat different from the chiropractic one.

**SHOULDER ANATOMY**

First, a short anatomy lesson. Unlike the kids’ song, there is no “shoulder bone”&#157; connected to the “arm bone”&#157;. The shoulder actually consists of three bones: the upper arm bone (known as the “**humerus**“&#157;), the shoulder blade or “**scapula**“&#157;, and the collarbone, also called the “**clavicle**“. The head of the humerus fits into a socket in the scapula. This socket (the “**glenoid cavity**“&#157;) is stabilized by ligaments, strong connective tissues that keep the humerus centered in the socket. These connective tissues, along with muscles and tendons, form a capsule that keeps the joint stable. Significant weakening of the capsule can cause the humerus to be dislocated.

The patient with a shoulder dislocation will come, usually holding their forearm for support, with complaints of pain and an arm that will appear obviously out of place. Swelling is not unusual. You might notice that the shoulder appears “lower” than on the uninjured side.

Of course, if there is medical care readily available, the patient with a shoulder dislocation should go directly to the local hospital. Indeed, some dislocations may only be reduced surgically under general anesthesia. In an off-grid setting, however, you are on your own and will probably have to correct the dislocation yourself. This is known as performing a “reduction”.

**HOW TO REDUCE SHOULDER DISLOCATIONS**

Reduction is easiest to perform soon after the dislocation, before muscles spasm and the inevitable swelling occurs. Not only does reducing the dislocation decrease the pain experienced by the victim, but it will lessen the damage to all the blood vessels and nerves that run along the line of the injury. The faster the reduction is performed, the less likely there will be permanent damage. Unfortunately, a joint that experienced a dislocation may have a tendency to go out of place again in the future.

If help is not forthcoming, expect significant pain on the part of the patient during the actual reduction procedure. Giving some pain relievers like ibuprofen or stronger might be useful before the procedure to decrease discomfort. Prescription muscle relaxers such as Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) are also helpful.

The use of traction will greatly aid your attempt to fix the problem. Traction is the act of pulling the dislocated bone away from the joint in such a fashion as to give room for it to slip back into place. This goal can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the type of dislocation.

The following procedures for reducing a shoulder dislocation are just some of the techniques used in this excellent video from Larry Mellick, MD of the Medical College of Georgia:

**Method 1**: Have the patient lie face down on a surface high enough that the arm (including the shoulder joint) dangles without hitting the ground. Place the patient’s arm into position slowly for the least discomfort.

Wrap a 15-20 pound weight around the forearm and wrist (again, not hitting the ground). Although they could hold the weight in their hand, this may tense the muscles, and you need them to relax. Once the muscles are relaxed enough (maybe 10 minutes or so), the arm should pop back into place.

**Method 2**: Have the patient lie on their back. With their elbow at a 90-degree angle, slowly rotate the arm outward with the palm facing the sky. This should be a slow movement, and pain should be a sign to slow down.

Now, raise the arm so that the hand is behind their head, as if they were scratching the back of their neck. The action is similar to a baseball pitcher about to throw a ball. Once their hand is behind their head, slowly help them reach for the opposite shoulder. This motion should move the arm back into place.

**Method 3**: If you are alone with your patient, place your foot against the side of the patient’s chest and apply slow traction by pulling the arm while holding the wrist with the palm facing up. This, again, must be done slowly and gradually until the arm pops back into place.

If you’re fortunate enough to have an assistant, wrap a towel or sheet around the upper chest of the patient and have the assistant pull in the opposite direction to provide counter-traction. This avoids having to use your foot for that purpose.

If these procedures are successful, pain and movement should be immediately improved, although it is normal to have some continued discomfort in the injured shoulder. Your patient may benefit from the placement of ice packs to reduce swelling and a sling to immobilize the joint while it heals.

Full recovery will take about 4-12 weeks, depending on the age and physical condition of the patient. should be noted that the dislocation itself or the reduction procedure could possibly disrupt blood vessels or nerves, leading to circulation issues as well as effects to sensation and motor function.

Orthopedic injuries will be common in any austere setting. The medic has to be ready to take the initiative when the ambulance is not on the way if full use of an injured extremity is to be recovered.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg "Joe Alton MD")Joe Alton MDFind out more about orthopedic injuries in remote settings (and much more) with the award-winning 700 page 4th Edition of the [Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget to fill those holes in your medical supplies by checking out Nurse Amy’s entire line of kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](http://store.doomandbloom.net/).

![Grab and Go Deluxe First Aid Trauma Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Grab-and-Go-Trauma-Kit-LR.jpg "Our Grab N Go Medical Kit")Our Grab N Go Medical Kit

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Nuclear Blasts, Water Safety, Eclipse Eye Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-nuclear-blasts-water-safety-eclipse-eye-safety/) 

 [Types of Nuclear Weapons and Their Effects](https://www.doomandbloom.net/types-of-nuclear-weapons-and-their-effects/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, joe alton md, medical preparedness, orthopedic injuries in remote settings, R.I.C.E.S., reduction of a dislocation, shoulder dislocation, subluxation, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Should We Censor Doctors?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-should-we-censor-doctors/)

**Published:** August 11, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Medcial-censorship-rules-regulations-opinions-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-CANVA-1024x576.jpeg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Medcial-censorship-rules-regulations-opinions-Doctor-Joseph-Alton-CANVA-scaled.jpeg)In this video, Joe Alton, MD notes with concern the passage of California bill AB-2098 into law in June 2022, which gives the state medical board the power to revoke the licenses of physicians who go against the conventional wisdom on certain issues set by “standards of care.” Now, national medical board organizations are formulating their own policies on what advice can be given to patient by physicians, with the possible chilling effect of cancelling alternative therapies and medical freedom of thought.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page Survival Medicine Handbook is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Dislocations Of The Shoulder Joint](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dislocations-of-the-shoulder-joint/) 

 [Video: Constipation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-constipation/)

**Categories:** Medical Preparedness, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical censorship, should doctors be censored

---

### [Video: Constipation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-constipation/)

**Published:** August 11, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Constipation-treatment-definition-causes-medicine-enema-prune-juice-water-intake-CANVA-1024x576.jpeg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Constipation-treatment-definition-causes-medicine-enema-prune-juice-water-intake-CANVA-scaled.jpeg)In the video companion to a previous article, Nurse Amy takes the reins to give you all the information you need to battle one of the most common issues seen when a family is relegated to using long-shelf-life foods that are low in fiber: constipation. Amy discusses the mechanism of why it happens, symptoms to watch out for, and conventional and natural recommendations to keep your people regular in good or bad times.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy Alton APRN

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/r-lee-ermey-and-amy.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/r-lee-ermey-and-amy.jpg)Nurse Amy and GunnyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page Survival Medicine Handbook is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)[![Prepper Medical Supply Kit](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-Medical-Bag-inside-1-963x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-Medical-Bag-inside-1.jpg)Just one section of the Family Medical KitHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Should We Censor Doctors?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-should-we-censor-doctors/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Floods, Constipation, Monkeypox](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-floods-constipation-monkeypox/)

**Categories:** Constipation, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** constipation, constipation off the grid, medical preparedness, MREs, natural remedies for constipation, survival food, survival medicine, treating constipation&#039;

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Floods, Constipation, Monkeypox](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-floods-constipation-monkeypox/)

**Published:** August 7, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)A world weary of one viral pandemic is now experiencing the early stages of another: In the last three months, more than 88 countries have reported a total of more than 30,000 cases of the disease called monkeypox, which was previously restricted to parts of Africa. That’s more than we saw in the 2014 Ebola epidemic, so the survival medic should know about it.

Plus, flooding in Kentucky takes more than three dozen lives. Flooding is a common disaster, and anyone who doesn’t live on a mountaintop should be prepared to deal with one. Flash floods, burn scars, ice jams, snowmelt, dam failures, and more are discussed so you’ll know what to do to keep your family safe.

Lastly, one of the most common problems the medic will see in survival scenarios is mundane: constipation. At least, it’s mundane until you get a bad case of it! Dr. Joe Alton discusses all you need to know to help your people stay at 100 percent in times of trouble. Bonus: What about MREs and constipation?

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, APRN

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)Amy and Joe AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page Survival Medicine Handbook is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_first_aid_kit_for_hiking_camping_travel_boating_Doom_and_Bloom_Medicial__21207.1508716098.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_first_aid_kit_for_hiking_camping_travel_boating_Doom_and_Bloom_Medicial__21207.1508716098.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Constipation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-constipation/) 

 [Things To Know About Floods](https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-floods/)

**Categories:** Constipation, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, constipation in survival settings, doom and bloom, flood safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness, monkeypox, survival medicine

---

### [MREs: Meals Refusing To Exit?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mres-meals-refusing-to-exit/)

**Published:** July 29, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1-scaled.jpg)For those who want to be prepared for the uncertain future, food security is high on the priority list. The demand for long shelf-life items is high, so many in the preparedness community have turned to an old military standby: Meals-Ready-to-Eat, also known as “[MREs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meal,_Ready-to-Eat).”

Unfortunately, our military also has different meanings for the term MREs: Meals Refusing to Exit, Meals Resisting Excretion, Meals Requiring Enemas. Getting a general idea of what I’m talking about? Yes, I mean the reputation for the rations being the cause of….constipation.

U.S. [soldier ration](https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Soldiers-Meals-Through-the-Years-7846546.php#:~:text) policy was first implemented a during the Revolutionary War. It often consisted of a day’s supply of beef, peas, and rice. Canned foods with salted and dried meat became popular during the Civil War. Spam achieved its popularity as a result of 100 million cans being sent to our soldiers in the Pacific during WWII. Canned wet rations continued to be used throughout the Vietnam war.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MREs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MREs.jpg)MREs (FEMA)Around the same time, advances in technology allowed the first MREs to be developed under the supervision of Dr. Abdul Rahman. Dr. Rahman received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his efforts, although not every GI might agree about the “meritorious” part.

Today’s MREs provide a reasonable amount of convenient calories and are lightweight and compact. You can expect to find items like beef patties or turkey loaf, vegetables, rice, powdered milk, cheese powder, crackers with peanut butter, cereal bars, and dried fruit slices such as apple rings and raisins. Some even contain chewing gum. Every [generation](https://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-history/ "generation") is more palatable and convenient than previous versions.

(Note: [The contents of one MRE meal bag](https://www.dla.mil/TroopSupport/Subsistence/Operationalrations/mre/ "The contents of one MRE meal bag") provides an average of 1250 kilocalories (13 % protein, 36 % fat, and 51 % carbohydrates). This constitutes 1/3 of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals.)

But the topic of today’s post about MREs is [constipation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/constipation-off-the-grid/). Does eating MREs regularly cause it? This is important to know for the survival medic, as many will have MREs as a primary part of their food storage. If they cause constipation, it will be an issue that the family caregiver will have to handle.

Anecdotal from (large numbers of) servicemen suggest that MREs do, indeed, cause constipation, but is there hard data supporting this claim? In a word, yes. A [2020 study in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistr](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955286319302554)y split subjects into two groups. One who ate regular food for three weeks and one who ate nothing but MREs (and water or black coffee) for the same period of time.

The MRE group reported one fewer bowel movement per week than the regular food group. Why did this happen? The reason given was that MREs are worse at promoting the growth of good gut bacteria (like lactobacilli) than fresh foods. Being low in fiber, bowel movements become harder and less regular. It can also cause gas, a possible source of discomfort and decreased productivity in austere settings.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/constipation-amy-pic-2-768x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/constipation-amy-pic-2-scaled.jpg)Some dietary optionsIt should be noted that the MRE group’s issues with fewer bowel movements than usual resolved as soon as they went back on normal food. This leads me to suggest:

Don’t feed your survival group MREs exclusively or for long periods of time. Have foodstuffs available that will provide enough fiber to keep things moving. Some alternatives include trail mix, beef jerky, hummus (chickpea paste), prunes, and fermented foods like yogurt.

Keep your people well-hydrated. The more fluids you take in, the more likely you’ll remain regular. Add two to four glasses of water if you’re on a MRE diet.

Don’t just have tourniquets and splints in your medical storage. Things like fiber supplements, stool softeners, and laxatives are useful supplies to have on hand. Even some mineral, castor, or olive oil may be helpful.

Consider putting together a food garden. I often recommend having a medicinal herb garden, but having fresh veggies and fruits can help you stay regular. Be aware there’s a learning curve to vegetable gardening; don’t wait until the zombie apocalypse to start planting.

More general information about [constipation ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/constipation-off-the-grid/)can be found in my [last article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/constipation-off-the-grid/).

By the way, there’s apparently no truth (according to the manufacturer) to the notion that the chewing gum that often comes with MREs is a laxative to counteract the effects of the rest of the meal. Having said that, there is often sorbitol or xylitol as an ingredient, which may have a laxative effect in some.

Another “mistaken” belief is that MREs are intentionally meant to constipate our soldiers so they don’t have to go during missions. One “true” myth is the infamous recipe #4, the vegetable cheese omelet meal, which was so unpalatable that it was known as the “vomelet.” It was discontinued in 2009.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. AltonFind out more about minor wounds and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Car-Size-Best-Medical-Kit-Open.jpg)Grab N Go(R) bag by Alton First Aid/Doom and BloomHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Things To Know About Floods](https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-floods/) 

 [Constipation Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/constipation-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Constipation, Dehydration, Food, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Stomach/Intestinal

**Tags:** constipation, joe alton md, Meals refusing to exit, medical preparedness, MREs, survival medicine

---

### [Things To Know About Floods](https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-floods/)

**Published:** July 30, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_54203947.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_54203947.jpg)[Flooding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood "Flooding") is one of the most common natural disasters affecting U.S. citizens, causing deaths and massive property damage. Flood are overflows of water that submerge land which is normally dry. Some floods develop over time, while others can become dangerous very quickly and affect areas where it isn’t even raining. Unless you live on a mountaintop, you’re eligible to be a victim of a flood. The family medic who prepares for flood events can prevent injuries and illnesses with a plan of action.

**Types of Floods**

**Flash Floods:** [Flash floods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood) usually develop shortly after a nearby heavy rain. The rainfall creates a rapid rise of water which accumulates in low-lying areas like floodplains. This often catches populations downstream by surprise, causing severe damage and loss of life.

Flash flooding may also occur due to ice jams, overflowing levees, or dam failures (described below). This is especially common in the western United States where normally dry areas near steep terrain might fill with rushing water.

**River Flooding:** River flooding, like flash floods, can be caused by heavy rainfall, dam failures, rapid snowmelt, and ice jams. Unlike flash floods, some river flooding may cause water levels to rise slowly but steadily. Either way, the result threatens structures and populations along its course.

**Storm Surges:** Tropical (or even non-tropical) storm systems can bring heavy winds; storm surge flooding, however, is responsible for more damage. Storm surge is the rise in water generated by the storm above normal tide levels. When the storm approaches the coast, high winds cause large waves that can inundate structures, damage foundations, and cause significant loss of life.

**Burn Scars:** The Western U.S. has, in recent years, experienced significant wildfire activity. After a fire, the bare ground can become so hardened that water can’t be absorbed into the ground. This is known as a “burn scar”. Burn scars are less able to absorb moisture, leading heavy rains to accumulate water wherever gravity takes it.

**Ice Jams:** Northern areas of the continental U.S. and Alaska may have flooding as a result of ice jams. When waterways are blocked by an obstruction, such as ice and debris, water is held back. This causes flooding upstream. When the obstruction is finally removed, flash flooding occurs downstream. Many ice jams occur at bends in a river.

**Snowmelt:** Snowmelt flooding is common in mountainous northern U.S. states. Until temperatures rise above freezing, snow is just stored water. When it gets warmer, the snowmelt acts as if it were rain and flooding can occur.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/JOhnston-flood-public-domain-1024x698.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/JOhnston-flood-public-domain-scaled.jpg)Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 1889**Barrier Failures:** When a [dam or levee break](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWW2Vo4bOb0)s, it can be due to excessive rainfall, erosion, landslides, earthquakes, and many other natural causes. Some dams fail as a result of man-made issues, such as negligence, improper maintenance, and even sabotage. As a result, water levels can overflow the barrier or seep through defects in the structure. Failures of infrastructure, such as the sudden collapse of a dam, may cause catastrophic flooding: The 1889 Johnstown, Pennsylvania event took 2,200 lives.

Major flooding may also be caused by the effects of an earthquake or even a volcanic eruption. If these events occur offshore, they may result in tidal waves (“tsunamis”) which have both short- and long-term effects. Short-term issues which cost lives include the inability of emergency medical services to access flooded areas. Penetration of saltwater causes widespread failure of freshwater delivery systems which cause crop failures and may make farmland infertile, sometimes for years. When agriculture and certain industries fail, an economic collapse in the affected area may be the result. Civil unrest often follows.

The nightmare scenario above is not purely hypothetical: Disasters related to flooding have sometimes caused millions of casualties. In 1931, major flooding of rivers in China resulted both directly and indirectly in three million deaths. If you take out war, famine, and pandemics, flooding is, potentially, the deadliest of human tragedies.

 **FLOOD SAFETY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/shutterstock_10856371-e1462882622863.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/shutterstock_10856371-e1462882622863.jpg)Most people have heard of hurricane or tornado watches and warnings, but the U.S. weather services also tries to warn the populace of flooding. Just like storm alerts, a “flash flood watch” means that flash flooding is possible in the near future; a “flash flood warning” means that flooding is imminent or already occurring in the area.

To make it safely through a flood, consider the following recommendations:

**Pay attention to flood alerts:** If you live in a low-lying area, especially near a dam or river, you should heed warnings when they are given and be prepared to evacuate quickly. Timing is important: Make the decision to leave for higher ground *before* flooding occurs and roads are blocked. Rising flood waters could easily trap people in their home, and you don’t want to have to perch on your roof waiting for help. Having a NOAA weather radio will keep you up to date on the latest advisories.

**Be careful walking Through flood Waters:** Drowning is the most common cause of death during a flood, especially a flash flood. Rapidly moving water can knock you off your feet even if it’s less than a foot deep. The calmest flood waters are often murky and hide debris that can cause injuries if you walk through them.

Wounds exposed to contaminated flood water are more likely to become seriously infected. Wash wounds immediately with clean drinkable water, cover with dry sterile dressings, and change dressings twice daily. Keep dressings dry and be sure to clean with drinkable water during each dressing change until fully healed. See the section on wound care for more information.

**Don’t drive through flooded areas:** Roads and bridges could easily be washed out if you wait too long to leave the area. In a flood, many people drown in their cars as they stall out in moving water. Average-sized vehicles can be carried away by water just two foot deep. In one recent event, 130 people required rescue from partially submerged cars. Try to plan a “high road” route to safety *before* a flood occurs.

**Beware of downed power lines:** Electrical current is easily conducted through water, so beware of downed power lines. You don’t have to physically touch the downed line to be electrocuted, only step in the highly conductive water nearby. There are numerous instances of electrocutions occurring as a result of rescuers jumping into the water to try to save victims of a shock.

Never touch someone who has been electrocuted without first shutting off the power source. if you can’t shut off the power, you will, somehow, have to move the victim. Use a *dry* nonmetal object, such as a wooden broom handle or rope. Be aware that, although dry wood may not be conductive of electricity, wet wood conducts it very well and can kill you.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/water.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/water.jpg)**Don’t drink the water:** Flood water is not clean water. It is contaminated by debris and water treatment plants may have been compromised by the disaster. As a result, water-borne illness such as cholera may run rampant unless the water is disinfected. Have a reliable way to purify water and a good supply of clean water stored away. It is, indeed, a medical supply item. 8 drops of 6% household bleach will sterilize a gallon of water (1/3 teaspoon for 4 gallons), but twice the amount will be needed for cloudy water. Remember that a filter might also be needed to eliminate debris. Wait 30 minutes after adding bleach before drinking. This and other water disinfection methods are discussed in the sanitation section of this book.

**Have supplies handy:** Flood waters may not recede quickly. Besides water, have non-perishable food, bottled water, heat and light sources, batteries, tools, extra clothing, a medical kit, a cell phone, and a NOAA weather radio among your supplies. Don’t forget extra prescription medications.

**Turn off the power:** If you have reason to believe that water will get into your home, turn off the electricity before the flooding occurs. If the water reaches the level of the electric outlets, you could easily get electrocuted. Some warning signs might be sparks or strange sounds like crackling, popping, or buzzing.

**Beware of intruders and pests:** Animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Mosquitoes and the diseases they carry will be on the rise as flood waters increase potential breeding grounds. Use insect repellent, mosquito netting or stay inside air-conditioned buildings if possible. Snakes, raccoons, and other refugees may decide your residence is now their territory. Beware of human intruders as well; they may be interested to see what valuables you left behind.

**Watch your step:** After a flood, watch where you step when you enter your home; there will, likely, be debris everywhere. The floors may also be covered in mud, causing a slip-and-fall hazard.

**Check for gas leaks:** Don’t use candles, lanterns, stoves, or lighters unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area is well-ventilated.

**Avoid exhaust fumes:** Only use generators, camping stoves, or charcoal grills outside. Their fumes can be deadly.

**Clean out saturated items completely:** If cans of food got wet in the flood, their surfaces may be covered with mud or otherwise contaminated. Thoroughly wash food containers, utensils, and personal items before using. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have completely dried. You might have to take some apart to clean the debris out.

Mold is going to be an issue after the water recedes. Remove all materials susceptible to mold growth as soon as possible. For things that can’t be removed, clean with a 10% bleach solution.

**Use waterproof containers for Important items:** Waterproof containers can protect food, personal items, important documents, and more.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Joe Alton MDHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page Survival Medicine Handbook is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Floods, Constipation, Monkeypox](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-floods-constipation-monkeypox/) 

 [MREs: Meals Refusing To Exit?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mres-meals-refusing-to-exit/)

**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** flood preparedness, flood safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, types of floods, what to do in a flood

---

### [Flood!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood/)

**Published:** April 3, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_54203947.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_54203947.jpg)Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters affecting U.S. citizens, causing deaths and massive property damage. Flood are overflows of water that submerge land which is normally dry. Some floods develop over time, while others can become dangerous very quickly and affect areas where it isn’t even raining. Unless you live on a mountaintop, you’re eligible to be a victim of a flood. The family medic who prepares for flood events can prevent injuries and illnesses with a plan of action.

**Types of Floods**

**Flash Floods:** Flash floods usually develop shortly after a nearby heavy rain. The rainfall creates a rapid rise of water which accumulates in low-lying areas like floodplains. This often catches populations downstream by surprise, causing severe damage and loss of life.

Flash flooding may also occur due to ice jams, overflowing levees, or dam failures (described below). This is especially common in the western United States where normally dry areas near steep terrain might fill with rushing water.

**River Flooding:** River flooding, like flash floods, can be caused by heavy rainfall, dam failures, rapid snowmelt, and ice jams. Unlike flash floods, some river flooding may cause water levels to rise slowly but steadily. Either way, the result threatens structures and populations along its course.

**Storm Surges:** Tropical (or even non-tropical) storm systems can bring heavy winds; storm surge flooding, however, is responsible for more damage. Storm surge is the rise in water generated by the storm above normal tide levels. When the storm approaches the coast, high winds cause large waves that can inundate structures, damage foundations, and cause significant loss of life.

**Burn Scars:** The Western U.S. has, in recent years, experienced significant wildfire activity. After a fire, the bare ground can become so hardened that water can’t be absorbed into the ground. This is known as a “burn scar”. Burn scars are less able to absorb moisture, leading heavy rains to accumulate water wherever gravity takes it.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ice-jam.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ice-jam.jpg)**Ice Jams:** Northern areas of the continental U.S. and Alaska may have flooding as a result of ice jams. When waterways are blocked by an obstruction, such as ice and debris, water is held back. This causes flooding upstream. When the obstruction is finally removed, flash flooding occurs downstream. Many ice jams occur at bends in a river.

**Snowmelt:** Snowmelt flooding is common in mountainous northern U.S. states. Until temperatures rise above freezing, snow is just stored water. When it gets warmer, the snowmelt acts as if it were rain and flooding can occur.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/JOhnston-flood-public-domain-1024x698.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/JOhnston-flood-public-domain-scaled.jpg)Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 1889**Barrier Failures:** When a dam or levee breaks, it can be due to excessive rainfall, erosion, landslides, earthquakes, and many other natural causes. Some dams fail as a result of man-made issues, such as negligence, improper maintenance, and even sabotage. As a result, water levels can overflow the barrier or seep through defects in the structure. Failures of infrastructure, such as the sudden collapse of a dam, may cause catastrophic flooding: The 1889 Johnstown, Pennsylvania event took 2,200 lives.

Major flooding may also be caused by the effects of an earthquake or even a volcanic eruption. If these events occur offshore, they may result in tidal waves (“tsunamis”) which have both short- and long-term effects. Short-term issues which cost lives include the inability of emergency medical services to access flooded areas. Penetration of saltwater causes widespread failure of freshwater delivery systems which cause crop failures and may make farmland infertile, sometimes for years. When agriculture and certain industries fail, an economic collapse in the affected area may be the result. Civil unrest often follows.

The nightmare scenario above is not purely hypothetical: Disasters related to flooding have sometimes caused millions of casualties. In 1931, major flooding of rivers in China resulted both directly and indirectly in three million deaths. If you take out war, famine, and pandemics, flooding is, potentially, the deadliest of human tragedies.

 **FLOOD SAFETY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/shutterstock_10856371-e1462882622863.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/shutterstock_10856371-e1462882622863.jpg)Most people have heard of hurricane or tornado watches and warnings, but the U.S. weather services also tries to warn the populace of flooding. Just like storm alerts, a “flash flood watch” means that flash flooding is possible in the near future; a “flash flood warning” means that flooding is imminent or already occurring in the area.

To make it safely through a flood, consider the following recommendations:

**Pay attention to flood alerts:** If you live in a low-lying area, especially near a dam or river, you should heed warnings when they are given and be prepared to evacuate quickly. Timing is important: Make the decision to leave for higher ground *before* flooding occurs and roads are blocked. Rising flood waters could easily trap people in their home, and you don’t want to have to perch on your roof waiting for help. Having a NOAA weather radio will keep you up to date on the latest advisories.

**Be careful walking Through flood Waters:** Drowning is the most common cause of death during a flood, especially a flash flood. Rapidly moving water can knock you off your feet even if it’s less than a foot deep. The calmest flood waters are often murky and hide debris that can cause injuries if you walk through them.

Wounds exposed to contaminated flood water are more likely to become seriously infected. Wash wounds immediately with clean drinkable water, cover with dry sterile dressings, and change dressings twice daily. Keep dressings dry and be sure to clean with drinkable water during each dressing change until fully healed. See the section on wound care for more information.

**Don’t drive through flooded areas:** Roads and bridges could easily be washed out if you wait too long to leave the area. In a flood, many people drown in their cars as they stall out in moving water. Average-sized vehicles can be carried away by water just two foot deep. In one recent event, 130 people required rescue from partially submerged cars. Try to plan a “high road” route to safety *before* a flood occurs.

**Beware of downed power lines:** Electrical current is easily conducted through water, so beware of downed power lines. You don’t have to physically touch the downed line to be electrocuted, only step in the highly conductive water nearby. There are numerous instances of electrocutions occurring as a result of rescuers jumping into the water to try to save victims of a shock.

Never touch someone who has been electrocuted without first shutting off the power source. if you can’t shut off the power, you will, somehow, have to move the victim. Use a *dry* nonmetal object, such as a wooden broom handle or rope. Be aware that, although dry wood may not be conductive of electricity, wet wood conducts it very well and can kill you.

**Don’t drink the water:** Flood water is not clean water. It is contaminated by debris and water treatment plants may have been compromised by the disaster. As a result, water-borne illness such as cholera may run rampant unless the water is disinfected. Have a reliable way to purify water and a good supply of clean water stored away. It is, indeed, a medical supply item. 8 drops of 6% household bleach will sterilize a gallon of water (1/3 teaspoon for 4 gallons), but twice the amount will be needed for cloudy water. Remember that a filter might also be needed to eliminate debris. Wait 30 minutes after adding bleach before drinking. This and other water disinfection methods are discussed in the sanitation section of this book.

**Have supplies handy:** Flood waters may not recede quickly. Besides water, have non-perishable food, bottled water, heat and light sources, batteries, tools, extra clothing, a medical kit, a cell phone, and a NOAA weather radio among your supplies. Don’t forget extra prescription medications.

**Turn off the power:** If you have reason to believe that water will get into your home, turn off the electricity before the flooding occurs. If the water reaches the level of the electric outlets, you could easily get electrocuted. Some warning signs might be sparks or strange sounds like crackling, popping, or buzzing.

**Beware of intruders and pests:** Animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Mosquitoes and the diseases they carry will be on the rise as flood waters increase potential breeding grounds. Use insect repellent, mosquito netting or stay inside air-conditioned buildings if possible. Snakes, raccoons, and other refugees may decide your residence is now their territory. Beware of human intruders as well; they may be interested to see what valuables you left behind.

**Watch your step:** After a flood, watch where you step when you enter your home; there will, likely, be debris everywhere. The floors may also be covered in mud, causing a slip-and-fall hazard.

**Check for gas leaks:** Don’t use candles, lanterns, stoves, or lighters unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area is well-ventilated.

**Avoid exhaust fumes:** Only use generators, camping stoves, or charcoal grills outside. Their fumes can be deadly.

**Clean out saturated items completely:** If cans of food got wet in the flood, their surfaces may be covered with mud or otherwise contaminated. Thoroughly wash food containers, utensils, and personal items before using. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have completely dried. You might have to take some apart to clean the debris out.

Mold is going to be an issue after the water recedes. Remove all materials susceptible to mold growth as soon as possible. For things that can’t be removed, clean with a 10% bleach solution.

**Use waterproof containers for Important items:** Waterproof containers can protect food, personal items, important documents, and more.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2.jpg)Hey, thanks for showing your support for our mission by checking out the quality medical kits, individual items, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, don’t forget our Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, The 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512-1-1024x512.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Twitter-Feed-book-excellence-award-1024x512-1.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Storm Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** flood preparedness, flood safety, Floods, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, types of floods

---

### [Constipation Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/constipation-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** July 24, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1080392243-constipation-abdominal-pain-scaled.jpg)In difficult times, storing a good supply of long-shelf-life food is a wise move. Folks in the preparedness community have, for decades, filled pantries and freezers with enough food to get them through any disaster. Long-lasting food items, however, can sometimes cause digestive issues when combined with the stresses associated with apocalyptic settings. One of these is constipation.

Constipation is usually defined as having less than three bowel movements a week. Stools tend to be hard, dry, “lumpy,” and difficult to pass. Patients complain of abdominal bloating and discomfort. In some cases, there’s significant pain associated with prolonged efforts to have a bowel movement. Afterwards, there may be a feeling that the evacuation of feces was incomplete

One-sixth of the general population experiences constipation, with percentages rising significantly higher with age. There are millions of doctor visits due to problems relating to it and 250 million US dollars spent on treatment each year. Women have the problem more often than men.

What happens in the body that leads to constipation? The body absorbs nutrients as food moves through the digestive tract. Partially digested food travels from the stomach to the small intestine and, then, the large intestine (also called the “colon”). Your large intestine absorbs water from digested contents, leading to solid feces (also called “stool”). When food moves too slowly through the colon, too much water is absorbed, causing stool to become dry and hard in consistency. This makes it difficult to push out.

**CAUSES OF CONSTIPATION**

Source: Cabot Health

Constipation is not a disease itself, but it can be a symptom of a number of dietary and medical problems. Common causes of constipation include:

**DIET**

Constipation is often caused by failing to stay well-hydrated and maintaining a diet rich in high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A diet consisting only of high-fat meats, dairy products, eggs, or sugary items also predispose you to having problems with bowel movements. You can see how difficult it might be to maintain a balanced diet in a post-disaster situation, where your choice of foods (and the availability of them or even water) may be limited.

Prepared families have a store of preserved foods in case of a major catastrophe. These tend to have low fiber content, which can lead to constipation. If water is rationed, dehydration may contribute to worsening the situation. Indeed, the family medic must enforce the adequate intake of (clean, disinfected) fluids in order to prevent the problem.

**DISEASE**

Many medical conditions can cause constipation:

- GI disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Diverticulosis, obstruction, cancer, and structural defects.

- Hormonal problems like hypothyroidism, diabetes, and kidney disease.

- Nerve disorders like spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.

- Diseases that affect multiple organs, such as autoimmune systemic lupus, scleroderma, and amyloidosis.

- Pregnancy.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_93431647.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_93431647.jpg)Constipation is common in pregnancyMany medicines have constipation as a likely adverse reaction, including:

- Pain medicines (opiates and others).
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
- Antacids containing calcium or aluminum (Tums, Mylanta).
- Iron supplements.
- Antidepressants.
- Blood pressure medicines like calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers.
- Diuretics.
- Anti-seizure medications like clozapine (Clozaril).
- Anti-diabetic medications like semaglutide (Ozempic).
- Anti-nausea medications like ondansetron (Zofran).

The above is just a partial list. Ask your physician if your meds are causing your constipation *before* a disaster knocks out medical infrastructure.

**LIFESTYLE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1826742611-1024x756.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1826742611-scaled.jpg)Stress can lead to constipationMany people have habits or behaviors that predispose them to constipation. They include:

- Not getting enough exercise.
- Irregular routines that affect the composition and timing of meals.
- Frequent travel schedules.
- Stress.
- Ignoring the urge to go due to work or other responsibilities.
- Ignoring opportunities to hydrate.

**TREATMENT**

What’s the right number of bowel movements to have? It’s different for each person. For some, it can mean bowel movements twice a day. For others, having movements three times a week is normal.

In most cases, constipation is manageable with simple measures:

**HYDRATE:** You’ll be surprised to know the quantity of fluids recommended by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. They determined that daily fluid intake should be 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women (Some of these fluids are present in dietary solid foods). Drink an extra two to four glasses of water a day if you’re constipated.

**CHANGE YOUR DIET:** Add more fruits, vegetables whole grains and other high-fiber foods to your daily routine. Eat foods known to help you go, like prunes, prune juice, and bran cereal. Watch the number of high-fat foods, like meat, eggs and cheese you consume daily.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/constipation-amy-pic-768x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/constipation-amy-pic-scaled.jpg)Prune juice can really work!**ON THE TOILET:** Certain positions are more effective in evacuating your bowels. Raising your feet, squatting, or leaning back may help. Don’t spend more than ten minutes on the toilet at a time, as excess pressure on the anus can lead to hemorrhoids. Interestingly, taking your phone to the bathroom doubles the amount of time you spend on the toilet!

**EXERCISE:** Get moving and your bowels may do the same. 30 minutes of walking or other activity can help.

**OTC OPTIONS:** Over the counter fiber supplements, stool softeners, laxatives, and enemas are options when you need extra help. For the survival medic, they’re useful items for survival storage. It’s important to know that frequent use of these strategies can worsen the situation, so use only when necessary.

**Fiber supplements:** Metamucil, Fybogel, Benefiber, Citrucel.

**Stool softeners:** Colace, Surfak

**Oral bowel muscle stimulants:** Dulcolax, Senokot

**Laxative suppositories:** Glycerin, Dulcolax

**Enemas:** Saline solution, sodium phosphate, mineral oil

Be sure to follow the instructions.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_580982017-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_580982017.jpg)**NATURAL OPTIONS:** A number of herbal teas are thought to be helpful for those suffering from constipation. They include:

**Senna tea:** Thought to have a laxative effect.

**Dandelion Tea:** laxative effect.

**Cascara Tea:** A strong laxative. Use sparingly.

**Peppermint tea and green tea:** May be useful in cases of chronic constipation.

**Black coffee** is also commonly used to help stimulate a bowel movement.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/constipation-amy-pic-2-2.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/constipation-amy-pic-2-2.jpg)**WHEN CONSTIPATION MAY BE A SIGN OF SOMETHING WORSE**

While most cases of constipation can be treated without major intervention, certain symptoms should alert you to seek modern medical care if available.

- Blood in the stool or from the anus.
- Constant abdominal pain or distention.
- Inability to pass gas.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Weight loss.

In my next article, I’ll discuss what happens when stool become so hard it isn’t coming out by itself, a condition called “**fecal impaction**.” I’ll also talk about the survivalist’s and military’s go-to for food on the go: Meals Ready-to-Eat, also known as MREs or “Meals Refusing To Exit.”

In the meantime, if you have tried and true methods to treat constipation, let me know!

Joe Alton MD

Find out more about minor wounds and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** Plus, check out quality medical kits for beach outing and other scenarios at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [MREs: Meals Refusing To Exit?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mres-meals-refusing-to-exit/) 

 [Video: Dr. Bones and Canadian Prepper on Ortho Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dr-bones-and-canadian-prepper-on-ortho-injuries/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Constipation, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal

**Tags:** causes of constipation, constipation, constipation in survival settings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, treating constipation

---

### [Video: Minor Wound Care](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-minor-wound-care/)

**Published:** July 21, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CANVA-minor-wound-video.png)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CANVA-minor-wound-video.png)From a simple cut to burns, any damage to skin is akin to a hole in your body’s protective armor. These injuries occur more frequently than we’d like. The main goal is to encourage quick healing while preventing infection. In this video, learn how to achieve both of these objectives from medical doctor Joseph Alton and Amy Alton, Nurse Practitioner. (Disclaimer: Information shared in our videos are for entertainment purposes only and are not meant to replace medical advice by your provider. Always seek medical help when possible.)

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)The AltonsFind out more about minor wounds and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** Plus, check out quality medical kits for beach outing and other scenarios at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Medium_Survival_Trauma_Carry_Kit__13319.1520882597.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Medium_Survival_Trauma_Carry_Kit__13319.1520882597.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Dr. Bones and Canadian Prepper on Ortho Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dr-bones-and-canadian-prepper-on-ortho-injuries/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Saltwater Encounters, Drownings, Cellulitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-saltwater-encounters-drownings-cellulitis/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Minor Wounds, Orthopedic Issues, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton np, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wound care

---

### [Video: Dr. Bones and Canadian Prepper on Ortho Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-dr-bones-and-canadian-prepper-on-ortho-injuries/)

**Published:** July 22, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/canada.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/canada.jpg)In an appearance on the popular channel of Nate the Canadian Prepper, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, NP demonstrate how to wrap an injured ankle and place a lower leg splint using SAM products. The unusual intro is not to be missed!

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP

Find out more about minor wounds and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** Plus, check out quality medical kits for beach outing and other scenarios at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Constipation Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/constipation-off-the-grid/) 

 [Video: Minor Wound Care](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-minor-wound-care/)

**Categories:** Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, ankle splint, canadian prepper, joe alton md, lower leg splint, medical preparedness, sprained ankle, survival medicine, zombieland

---

### [Minor Wounds Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/minor-wounds-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** July 15, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_85144678-abrasion-scrape.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_85144678-abrasion-scrape.jpg)In long-term survival, the performance of tasks like chopping wood, cooking food over open fires, and other activities will likely lead to a number of soft tissue injuries. These are ones that do not involve bony structures.

From a simple cut to a severe burn, any damage to skin is akin to a hole in your body’s protective armor. Your skin is a considered an organ; indeed, the largest organ in the body. It serves as a barrier against infection and loss of fluids. When this barrier is weakened by an injury, your health is at risk. Rapid and effective treatment of these injuries will prevent them from becoming life-threatening.

Movie heroes can be shot in the arm and shrug off the injury. In real life, it’s not so easy. “Minor” injuries aren’t without consequences and have the potential to cause trouble down the road. As the healthcare provider in survival scenarios, you must monitor the healing process of every wound. Each is different in its nature and also in the process of evaluation, treatment, and recovery.

If you’re not present at the time the wound is incurred, begin by asking the simple question: “What happened”? A look around at the site of the accident will give you an idea of what type of debris you might find in the wound and the likelihood of infection. Always assume that a wound incurred outdoors is dirty. Other questions to ask are whether the victim has chronic medical problems, like diabetes, and whether they are allergic to any medications. This will give you an idea of how complicated the recovery might be and what tools you *won’t* be able to use during treatment.

**TYPES OF MINOR INJURIES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_768647389-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_768647389-scaled.jpg)When is a soft tissue injury considered minor? A torn knee ligament, for example, isn’t.

While there are many interpretations, a soft tissue injury is considered minor when it fails to penetrate the deep layer of the skin, called the “dermis.” This would include cuts, scrapes, blisters, and bruises:

Superficial **cuts and scratches** are tears in the skin that only penetrate the epidermis (superficial skin layer) and are rarely problematic in a healthy person.

**Abrasions**, also known as “scrapes”, occur when a portion of the epidermis has been scraped off due to trauma. You probably have experienced plenty of these as a child.

**Bruises**, also known as “contusions” result from blunt trauma and don’t penetrate the skin at all. However, there is bleeding into the skin from blood vessels disrupted by the impact. This small amount of blood under the skin gives a characteristic blue-black color.

**Blisters** occur where fluid fills a space between layers of skin. These bubble-like swellings form due to excessive friction, such as seen in long hikes with ill-fitting shoes.

The physical examination of a wound requires you to determine the following: Location on the body, length, depth, and the type of tissue involved. Local circulation and nerve involvement must also be evaluated. Whitish or blue coloration beyond the level of the injury may indicate impaired blood supply. Pins and needles and other strange sensations may suggest compromise of a nerve.

If an extremity is injured, you must determine if the wound has affected the patient’s range of motion. This is especially important if the injury involves a joint. Sensation and motor strength should also be assessed. In minor wounds, these are usually not greatly affected.

For contusions without an associated open wound, apply pressure and cold packs (if available). This action will help prevent it from getting bigger. Over time, bruises will change color from blackish-blue to brown to yellow. They may be gravity-dependent and may appear to descend slightly as time goes on. A black eye, for example, may show color changes in the cheek as it resolves.

Blisters are minor injuries than can cause major pain. Most people are eager to pop them right away. This shouldn’t be done with small blisters as it makes little difference and could lead to infection. The skin over a blister can serve as a kind of dressing; a sterile one, if it’s intact. Large blisters are different, as they pop easily anyway and it’s important to control how that happens. This is what you do:

• Clean the area with disinfectants like alcohol or povidone-iodine (Betadine).

• Take a needle and sterilize with alcohol or heat it until it’s red hot. Pierce the *side* of the blister, not the top. This allows the fluid to drain but keeps the protective skin covering. This will ease some discomfort and allow healing to begin.

• Cover the blister to offer protection and apply antibiotic cream if .you have it.

• Take some moleskin or Spenco Second Skin; cut a hole in the middle a little bigger than the blister.

• Place the moleskin on so that the blister is in the middle of the opening in the moleskin.

• Cover with a gauze pad or other bandage.

• Rest if at all possible. If you can’t, make sure that your bandage has stopped the friction to the area. Remember, bandages frequently come off, so check it from time to time to make sure it’s still on. Change the bandage frequently to keep it clean.

For many minor wounds, an alternative to ointment and an adhesive bandage is the “liquid skin” bandage. It’s a good way to cover a minor injury where the skin edges come together naturally. Apply it once to the cut or scrape. It dries within a minute or so and seals the wound. It also stops minor bleeding and won’t fall off during baths. There are various brands available (Band-Aid, New Skin, Curad, 3M); many come as a convenient spray.

Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are useful over-the-counter drugs to treat minor pain. These injuries will heal over the next 7-10 days, dependent on the amount of skin area affected.

**NATURAL REMEDIES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_594437918-collection-herbs-with-mortar-pestle-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_594437918-collection-herbs-with-mortar-pestle-scaled.jpg)You don’t always have to travel the traditional road to treat many medical problems. If you have a minor injury, you can choose any of a number of natural remedies. If you think about it, if a survival scenario lasts long enough, natural remedies may be all you have once the medicines run out. It’s important for the survival medic to know what plants growing in their own backyard might have medicinal benefits.

Here’s an alternative process:

Stop minor bleeding with herbal blood clotting agents such as Cayenne Pepper powder and simple compression with gauze. Substances that clot blood are called “hemostatic agents.” These include:

• Essential oils, like Yarrow, geranium, helichrysum, lavender, cypress, myrrh, or hyssop. Apply any of these to the wound with a gauze compress and apply firm pressure until bleeding stops.

• Medicinal Herbs- Apply cayenne pepper or cinnamon powder with direct pressure; alternatively, use yarrow tincture soaked in a gauze compress.

After minor bleeding is stopped, the wound can be cleaned with an herbal antiseptic comprised of a few drops of certain essential oils with sterile water. Those who have this property include:

• Lavender oil

• Tea tree

• Rosemary

• Eucalyptus

• and Peppermint

As an alternative, use peppermint oil in a 50/50 mix with carrier oils such as olive or coconut oil. Other natural antiseptics include garlic, raw unprocessed honey, echinacea, witch hazel, and St. John’s wort.

At this point, the wound can be covered using adhesive bandages or clean gauze. Don’t wrap too tightly. Change the dressing, reapply antiseptic, and observe for infection twice daily until healed. Infected minor wounds will show worsening redness, warmth, swelling, and pain over time. Using a sharpie to mark the borders of the redness will give you an idea if things are getting worse or better. If the red area shrinks over time, it’s healingl. If it’s spreading, well, not so much. Here’s where oral antibiotics come in handy, something we’ve talked about in many videos, articles, and podcasts, and in our book Alton’s antibiotics and infectious disease.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Dr. Joe AltonHey, do your family a favor and become better medically-prepared with quality medical kits, individual supplies, and award-winning books from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Shark Attacks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/shark-attacks/) 

 [Compartment Syndrome in Crush Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/compartment-syndrome-in-crush-injuries/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care

**Tags:** abrasions, alternative wound care, blisters, bruises, contusions, joe alton md, lacerations, medical preparedness, minor wounds, survival medicine

---

### [Shark Attacks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/shark-attacks/)

**Published:** July 17, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_409943065-shark-sign.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_409943065-shark-sign.jpg)Summer is when people head out to the shore and take in the Great Outdoors. Millions will do just that, and the vast majority of beach-goers will experience nothing but a great time. On occasion, however, a person may run afoul of a sea creature during their time in the water. It’s their home, after all, and some can get pretty aggressive when disturbed or when looking for a meal.

When you think about encounters with dangerous sea creatures, you’re probably thinking about sharks. It’s true that running afoul of a shark when you get in the water is a very rare occurrence. Recently, however, there has been [more shark sightings and even attack](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/shark-attacks-up-across-the-u-s/ "more shark sightings and even attack")s. Five shark attacks have been reported in the past two weeks off Long Island in New York. It’s not absolutely certain why, but some blame warmer waters due to climate change, others an increase in prey animals near well-populated coastal communities.

**WHICH SHARKS ATTACK HUMANS?**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1716267454-tiger-shark.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1716267454-tiger-shark.jpg)All oceans have sharks, although only about 20 or so species are known to attack humans. Types that have [documented attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_attack) in the record include:

- Great white sharks
- Tiger sharks
- Bull sharks
- Blue sharks
- Oceanic whitetip sharks
- Hammerhead sharks
- Mako sharks
- Lemon sharks
- Grey nurse sharks

It should be noted that grey [nurse sharks](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/559319/nurse-shark-facts) are not especially aggressive and usually bite as a result of being disturbed by swimmers or divers.

**PREVENTING AN ENCOUNTER**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shark-attack-painting.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shark-attack-painting.jpg)Every sailor’s nightmare is to be thrown overboard in shark-infested waters. Sharks are perfectly engineered to live and hunt in the sea; humans there are like, well, a fish out of water.

If you’ve even seen a shark bite, you realize the importance of prevention. You certainly want to prevent them rather than treat them. Make sure your people:

• Avoid areas where sharks regularly patrol, such as rapid changes in depth from shallow to deep water, deep channels, and the spaces between sand bars. Sharks sometimes spend time in the area where rivers meet the sea, where silt makes it more difficult to see them. Stay out of low-visibility water.

• Stay out of the water if bleeding. Sharks have a very keen sense of smell (sharks have nostrils, not for breathing, but for smelling) and are attracted to even small amounts. That includes blood from menstruation. Although there is controversy regarding this, other substances that might possibly attract sharks are urine and feces.

• Avoid wearing or carrying shiny objects, which can be mistaken by sharks for fish scales. Swimmers should avoid wearing high-contrast clothing. sharks can distinguish light colors from dark, and seem to be [attracted to certain colors](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/outreach-and-education/fun-facts-about-shocking-sharks) like yellow, orange, white, and silver. Clothing and equipment should be in dull colors.

• Remove anything speared while fishing out of the water as soon as possible. A fish that’s speared bleeds and struggles, both of which attract sharks.

• Avoid splashing the surface while swimming; swim smoothly in the water. Thrashing around may make you appear like a fish or seal in trouble and gain a shark’s unwanted attention.

• Stay out of the water at night, dusk, or dawn when sharks actively hunt.

• Swim in groups if possible.

**MAROONED IN SHARK-INFESTED WATERS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_154286831-survival-at-sea.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_154286831-survival-at-sea.jpg)Sharks can injure you without biting. Shark skin is as abrasive as sandpaper. They often bump potential prey to investigate before deciding to attack. Blood from abraded skin can make them more aggressive as a result. As such, you should make sure to keep your clothing on when in the water, including shoes.

It’s not a good idea to let a shark out of your sight. Sharks like to ambush from below or behind, so make every effort to know its location at all times. If you are in the water with other swimmers, form a circle facing outward to better defend yourselves.

If a shark approaches, slap the water with cupped hands or shout underwater. Otherwise, try to kick or punch it, especially in sensitive areas like the “snout,” eyes, and gills. These strategies might deter a shark that’s just curious. Some sharks adopt a posture that signals an impending attack. A raised snout, lowered fins, and a hump-backed posture is a sign of aggressiveness.

Do not “play dead”; this doesn’t discourage them (they’re not bears). Likewise, swimming as fast you can will only make you appear like a thrashing fish. I don’t care how good a swimmer you are; you can’t outswim a shark. Make slow, smooth strokes and keep the shark in view if possible (sharks like to ambush from below or behind).

**THE ATTACK**

In some cases, you may receive an investigatory bump from a shark, which may then just swim away. Other times, the animal will just bite. If the shark realizes you’re not prey material, it will, likely, not pursue the attack. In some cases, however, it will attack again and again. For this reason, some authorities distinguish between “bite incidents” and “attacks.”

Even in deliberate attacks, sharks often bite once and then retreat to wait for the victim to die or weaken from shock and blood loss. This is protective to the shark, to avoid injury from a desperate victim. For humans, however, it allows some time to possibly save a life.

If a person has been bitten, it’s important to try to get the victim out of the water immediately. Even a solitary bite can cause bleeding that is often life-threatening, with removal of soft tissue (avulsions) or even amputation of a limb.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/military-tourniquet-in-place-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/military-tourniquet-in-place-scaled.jpg)Get the victim out of the water and place a tourniquet high and tightYour priority is to stop the hemorrhage (discussed in detail in [many other articles](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-wound-management-pt-1/) on this site). Don’t try to clean the wound first. Expose the wound if needed, but time’s running out. If it’s obvious where the bleeding is, don’t even wait to cut away clothing.

Lay the victim down and apply firm, direct pressure using overlapped hands and your full body weight. If you have dressings, use them between your hands and the wound as a barrier. Employ the tourniquet in your medical kit or improvise one. This should be the first course of action in any serious bleed. Place it “high and tight” on the extremity.

Cover the patient: they’ll be in shock and lose body heat quickly. If the bleeding is from an extremity, elevate it above the level of the heart. Once the bleeding is under control, apply a compression bandage. In survival settings, take the victim to a more controlled environment where the bulk of your supplies are. Of course, in normal times, call emergency services immediately.

Shark attacks may be the most sensational eye-popping item in the news, but many more beach-goers will incur stings from rays and jellyfish. What do you do when confronted with them? Find out in my next article…

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/barracuda-and-joe.gif)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/barracuda-and-joe.gif)Dr. Alton and friendFind out more about animal encounters, survival at sea, and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** Plus, check out quality medical kits for beach outing and other scenarios at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/compact-medical-kit-1024x795.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/compact-medical-kit.jpg)Grab N Go(r) compact kit by Doom and Bloom [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Saltwater Encounters, Drownings, Cellulitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-saltwater-encounters-drownings-cellulitis/) 

 [Minor Wounds Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/minor-wounds-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, Tourniquets

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, shark attacks, shark bites, survival at sea, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Saltwater Encounters, Drownings, Cellulitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-saltwater-encounters-drownings-cellulitis/)

**Published:** July 18, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)It’s summer, and this is the time that people head out to the shore and take in the Great Outdoors. Millions will do just that, and the vast majority of beach-goers will experience nothing but a great time. On occasion, however, a person may run afoul of a sea creature during their time in the water. It’s their home, after all, and some can get pretty aggressive when disturbed or when looking for a meal. In this podcast, we discuss everything from encounters with jellyfish to sharks.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1716267454-tiger-shark.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/shutterstock_1716267454-tiger-shark.jpg)Also, we review everything you should know about preventing summer drownings everywhere, including pools, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Finally, Nurse Amy introduces a new first aid kit meant for minor wound care, and Dr. Alton discusses how to deal with minor soft tissue infections like cellulitis.

All this and more in the latest survival medicine podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP!

To listen, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe.jpg)Ol’ Doc BonesFind out more about animal encounters, survival at sea, and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** Plus, check out quality medical kits for beach outing and other scenarios at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Minor Wound Care](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-minor-wound-care/) 

 [Shark Attacks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/shark-attacks/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, bacterial disease, Bleeding Wound, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton np, cellulitis, drowning incidents, jellyfish stings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, near-drownings, shark attacks, soft tissue infections, sting ray stings, survival medicine

---

### [Compartment Syndrome in Crush Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/compartment-syndrome-in-crush-injuries/)

**Published:** July 9, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/vintage-crush-injury-image-1024x717.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/vintage-crush-injury-image-scaled.jpg)The group medic in survival scenarios will face a number of challenges not normally seen today. Even in normal times, however, there are many areas away from cities where the ambulance isn’t just around the corner. Take a cross-country road trip and you’ll realize that there’s a lot of territory where medical help may not be readily at hand. One case that’s particularly challenging to the off-grid medic is that of [crush injuries](https://www.acep.org/imports/clinical-and-practice-management/resources/ems-and-disaster-preparedness/disaster-preparedness-grant-projects/cdc---blast-injury/cdc-blast-injury-fact-sheets/crush-injury-and-crush-syndrome/).

Crush injuries can be seen in many types of situations. Automobile crashes, explosions, earthquakes, and rockslides are just some of the circumstances where the medic may find themselves caring for a crush victim.

**Crush injuries** are problematic when they happen and when they’re treated. Bleeding vessels may be disguised if the skin isn’t broken. They may present, instead, as severe bruising or an accumulation of blood in body tissues known as a “**hematoma**”. In the chest and abdomen, hemorrhage is hard to control even with modern facilities available. Direct pressure in certain areas may cause bleeding to abate, but pressure at the suspected site would be more effective if there were a skin breach that allowed visualization of the wound and packing with dressings.

In reality, crush damage may be worst, not at the time of injury, but when pressure is released from the affected area. As blood re-enters an oxygen-starved extremity, cellular toxins released from dying cells can disrupt cardiac and renal function, as well as metabolic status. This can develop several hours after removal of the offending weight.

For example, as muscle cells rupture due to crushing from a blunt injury, they release a variety of chemicals, enzymes, and proteins into the area. The body attempts to remove these to maintain the delicate balance of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and other substances required for proper cellular function. Ruptured muscles release these ions uncontrollably to great detriment.

A complication of significant crush injuries is known as “[compartment syndrome](https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/compartment-syndrome-causes-treatments)”. Groups of organs or limb muscles are supported in sections by tough connective tissue known as “**fascia**”. These form compartments in the body. The purpose is to provide strength to the structures surrounded, but in a crush injury, excessive pressure builds up due to volumes of free blood pooling internally or the weight of the impacting body itself.

As a result, muscles may swell or blood may accumulate in one or more of these compartments. Because of the fascia, there is nowhere to go. The increased pressure prevents good circulation, leading to a lack of oxygen in the area. The end result is sometimes irreparable damage to nerves and other tissues. Paralysis, organ failure, or even death may ensue.

At the point of injury, the first sign of compartment syndrome is, as you might imagine, severe pain. This is followed by “pins and needles” sensations. The limb becomes swollen and shiny, losing sensation and function the longer the crushing weight is upon it. As muscle cells swell in response to the injury, inflammation from cytokines (remember “cytokine storm” from our COVID articles?) worsen the situation and increase the chance for compartment syndrome.

If the injury is confined to a small area, say only a part of the foot, the effects are usually confined to the local vicinity. When larger areas are involved, however, the situation becomes much more complex.

Releasing a person who has been under a crushing weight for a significant period of time is called “reperfusion syndrome”. Dying muscles and organs release toxins that can not only cause local effects like paralysis of the affected area or dysfunction of the particular organ, but also overwhelms the kidneys’ ability to eliminate those toxins, leading to renal failure. These toxins include potassium, which can be released in large quantities throughout the body when pressure from the crush injury is released, causing life-threatening irregular heart rhythms.

Remember the [5 P’s of compartment syndrome](https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_5_ps_of_compartment_syndrome/article.htm) caused by crush injuries:

- **Pain** and lots of it (at first).
- **Pale**, ashen skin (also known as “pallor”).
- **Paresthesia** – strange sensations like numbness, tingling, or pins and needles.
- **Pulse** abnormalities (lack of it beyond the level of the injury or a rapid, irregular heartbeat).
- **Paralysis** due to nerve damage.

When first approaching a crush injury victim, follow the [MARCH series](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-tccc-core-principles-phases-of-care-march-paws/) from our previous articles to address any immediate life-threatening issues. Begin IV fluids with Normal Saline if available (difficult for the off-grid medic due to its prescription status) and follow oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter (widely available). These and other interventions are often started by emergency medical personnel before removing the weight.

The extrication process is tricky. A pinned extremity would benefit from tourniquet placement to prevent excessive potassium and other possible toxic releases into the bloodstream. If the affected area has been under crushing pressure for a short period of time, say 10-15 minutes, try to lift the weight off them. Longer than that, let emergency medical personnel make the decision. They will often administer IV hydration, oxygen, and certain medications before removing the weight.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Compartment_syndrome_with_fasciotomy_procedure_02-public-domain.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Compartment_syndrome_with_fasciotomy_procedure_02-public-domain.jpg)FasciotomyOnce at the hospital, surgeons will often have to make an incision in the fascia (**“fasciotomy”**) to release the pressure in the compartment. It doesn’t get easier from here. Intensive care personnel will have to monitor the victim for kidney failure, arrythmias, and a host of other issues.

In survival settings, it goes without saying that the lack of modern medical facilities will force the medic to make the same decisions as modern providers without the materials needed to assure a good outcome. Essentially, it will be like being thrown back to the 19th century medically. Other that stabilization, there’s not much more the medic can do with a crush victim in an earthquake without modern medical and surgical care. In especially dire circumstances, the medic may choose to cut the fascia in the affected area to release pressure on the compartment, a risky proposition even in survival settings. Besides the crush itself, fractures, sprains, and internal bleeding combine to truly challenge the lone medic off the grid.

As such, expect some tragic outcomes off the grid despite your best efforts. Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)Dr. and Nurse AltonLearn more about crush trauma and 200 other medical topics off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/).** Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Minor Wounds Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/minor-wounds-off-the-grid/) 

 [When A Shooter Targets A Crowd](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-shooter-targets-a-crowd/)

**Categories:** Crush injuries, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Trauma

---

### [When A Shooter Targets A Crowd](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-shooter-targets-a-crowd/)

**Published:** July 8, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_59713321-active-shooter-terrorist.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_59713321-active-shooter-terrorist.jpg)Originally published at [Americanthinker.com](https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2022/07/when_a_shooter_targets_the_crowd_youre_in.html#commentsSection)

On July 4th, 2022, parade spectators in [Highland Park, Illinois](https://www.foxnews.com/us/highland-park-fourth-of-july-shooting-timeline) were exposed to the worst kind of fireworks you could imagine: an active shooter. This time, it was a 120-pound 22-year-old man who calls himself “Awake the rapper.” Dressed in women’s clothing, he fired more than 70 rounds into the crowd from a nearby rooftop. When the perpetrator was done, 7 were dead and 38 injured.

The event caused a dozen nearby municipalities to cancel fireworks displays due to the tragedy and concerns about further shootings. It makes you wonder: Is the era of public gatherings going the way of the dinosaurs? A cascade of occurrences in recent years have instilled fear of being in crowds in many Americans. The COVID pandemic, domestic terrorism, Antifa riots, and other calamities have given the average citizen the feeling that just being seen in groups has become hazardous to their health.

Is there a way to increase the level of safety when attending concerts, parades, and other events? As a medical preparedness advocate, I’ve written a lot about [situational awareness: ](https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/lwit/assets/downloads/situational-awareness.pdf) A calm vigilance that allows citizens to identify “anomalies” that may signal imminent violence. That mindset will serve you well in these troubled times. In that vein, here are some tips to improve the chances that your group outings will be memorable…in a good way.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks.jpg)1\. Always remain in a state of “Yellow Alert”. Yellow alert simply means staying calm and being aware of your surroundings and the people around you. When people are behaving strangely, take note, move away, and avoid them.

2\. Always mentally map out routes of escape in your vicinity. Where’s the nearest side street? Is there a building or subway entrance that will get you out of harm’s way? If you don’t know the immediate area, go to where you know the lay of the land.

3\. If you have to make your way through or remain in a crowd, stay on the fringes. The best seats at a concert may be in the center, but they also give you the least mobility. If something happens, you’ll be caught in the midst of masses of people surging away from the violence. If you are, the crowd is deciding your movements, not you.

4\. Shooters are only one type of mass casualty event. Vehicles are well-documented as weapons of destruction as well. Stay away from curbs, even if it’s the best spot to view the parade. Pedestrians nearest the curb will bear the brunt of a vehicular attack.

5\. Avoid confrontation. Don’t engage in political or religious discussions with people you don’t know. It’s probably not a good idea to wear your political convictions on your T-shirt or hat. In the wrong place and the wrong time, this has gotten women pepper-sprayed and men beaten.

6\. Be inconspicuous. This may be difficult if you’re 6 foot 7 inches tall, but otherwise, do you best to be “the gray man”. You might not know who the shooter is targeting, but don’t be the only one wearing a Day-Glo orange shirt.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/man-person-shoe-white-street-glass-138743-pxhere.com-sneaker-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/man-person-shoe-white-street-glass-138743-pxhere.com-sneaker-scaled.jpg)image from pxhere.com7\. Wear sneakers or other footwear that will allow you the most mobility. Only foolhardy reporters wear high heels to a parade.

8\. That said, don’t run if you can help it. Unless everyone else is running, you will attract unwanted attention. Walk fast and purposefully around a corner, to higher ground, or another safe spot.

9\. If you’re with friends, stay together. If you can’t, agree on a meeting place beforehand in case you get separated moving through the crowd.

10\. Avoid being caught against walls, fences, blockades, or other solid objects. People can get crushed by masses of people fleeing the area.

11\. If law enforcement arrives, stay out of their way. Their job is tough enough, and they won’t be able to hear you above the roar of the crowd.

12\. If you’re going to be in a crowd for the day, you might need more than a folding chair and a picnic lunch. Consider carrying a small medical kit, (say, a tourniquet and a compression bandage) that can help control bleeding. With a little knowledge and training, you might just save a life.

I used to say that It’s unlikely you’ll ever get caught in someone’s violent outburst; these days, however, I’m no longer so sure. Having a solid plan of action in these troubled times just makes common sense. We must be prepared for man-made disasters just as we should be prepared for hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Dr. AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Compartment Syndrome in Crush Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/compartment-syndrome-in-crush-injuries/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Anaphylaxis, Lightning, Complementary Medicine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-anaphylaxis-lightning-complementary-medicine/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** active shooter, joe alton md, medical preparedness, situational awareness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Anaphylaxis, Lightning, Complementary Medicine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-anaphylaxis-lightning-complementary-medicine/)

**Published:** June 28, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)Well, it’s summer and a lot of folks are heading out into the great outdoors. In a disaster or any other situation that knocks us off the grid, we’ll be exposed a lot more to things like insect stings and poison ivy, as well as strange food items that we aren’t accustomed to. Being in contact with all this stuff may cause Allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

When we develop an allergic reaction, it might be mild or it might be severe. If severe enough, we refer to it as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Dr. Joe Alton discusses what you need to know and options on how to get epinephrine auto-injectors at a discount..

Plus, a discussion all about lightning in summer storms, and what to do to avoid being a victim.

Even if you’ve medically prepared, and have a big stockpile of conventional medications, hey, they’ll eventually run out. If you’re gonna be the family medic in a survival setting, you’ll need to find alternatives if you want to keep your people healthy long-term. What’s the difference between alternative, complementary, integrative, holistic, and other types of care?

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)Amy and Joe AltonLearn about 200 medical topics off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/).** Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [When A Shooter Targets A Crowd](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-shooter-targets-a-crowd/) 

 [Video: Eye Trauma Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-eye-trauma-emergencies/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Alternative Medicine, anxiety and depression, Asthma, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases

**Tags:** alternative medicine, amy alton np, anaphylaxis, comlementary medicine, doom and bloom, epinephrine, epipen, joe alton md, lightning safety, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Eye Trauma Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-eye-trauma-emergencies/)

**Published:** June 26, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Eye-trauma-scratch-cut-pain-canva-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Eye-trauma-scratch-cut-pain-canva-scaled.jpg)In survival settings, it’s important to enforce the use of eye protection when doing at-risk activities. At one point or another, the group medic will be confronted with an eye injury. In this video, Joe Alton MD tells you how to identify and treat some common eye emergencies.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/joe-tv-768x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/joe-tv.png)Dr. AltonLearn more about eye emergencies and 200 other medical topics off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/).** Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Anaphylaxis, Lightning, Complementary Medicine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-anaphylaxis-lightning-complementary-medicine/) 

 [Hernias](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hernias/)

**Categories:** chemical warfare, Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma, Wound Care, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** corneal abrasion, eye emergencies, eye trauma, foreign object in eye, hyphema, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Hernias](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hernias/)

**Published:** June 23, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1176763255-inguinal-hernia-1024x554.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1176763255-inguinal-hernia-scaled.jpg)Inguinal herniaIn off-grid settings, the amount of physical exertion involved in activities of survival can be significant. Bending, lifting, and carrying heavy weights is part and parcel of the daily duties needed to stay alive. Our bodies have muscles and connective tissue to hold in internal organs in the face of pressure. When they fail, you can develop a [hernia](https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-hernia-basics).

Hernias happen when part of an organ pushes through a defect or weakness in the wall that holds everything in place. Let’s take an analogy: imagine an old car tire with an area that has a weak wall of tread. If you put that area under enough internal pressure, the contained inner-tube will bulge out. That bulge is a hernia.

Hernias mostly occur in the torso between the chest and the hips. They can be caused by excessive lifting, obesity, aging, excessive coughing or straining on the toilet, or pregnancy. You might also just be born with a weakness in the abdominal wall.

Hernias may be broadly divided into two main groups: groin and abdominal. Each group contains multiple types:

**GROIN HERNIAS**

Groin hernias include:

[![Blausen 0560 InguinalHernia](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Blausen_0560_InguinalHernia.png/512px-Blausen_0560_InguinalHernia.png)image Bruce Blaus: Blausen.com staff (2014). “](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blausen_0560_InguinalHernia.png "BruceBlaus. When using this image in external sources it can be cited as:

Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436., CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons")[Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014](https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/WikiJournal_of_Medicine/Medical_gallery_of_Blausen_Medical_2014)

[**Inguinal Hernias:**](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16266-inguinal-hernia) An inguinal hernia is the bulging out of a part, usually a section of bowel, through a defect in the abdomen near the groin. Inguinal hernias are, by far, the most common type; they comprise about 75-80 percent of hernias found in adults (seen more in men). We’ll discuss this type in more detail later.

**Femoral Hernias:** A femoral hernia occurs when part of the bowel protrudes into the groin at the top of the inner thigh. Known as the femoral area.

**ABDOMINAL HERNIAS**

Abdominal hernias include:

**[Umbilical hernias:](https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/u/umbilical-hernia)** An umbilical hernia occurs when fatty tissues or part of the bowel protrudes through the abdomen near the belly button. This results in a pretty striking “outie” in some cases. Some people are born with this and may actually notice it improving on its own as they grow.

Epigastric hernias: This is a midline hernia that occurs when tissue protrudes out between the navel and the base of the breastbone.

**Incisional hernias:** A hernia can occur as a complication of a surgical incision, known as an incisional hernia. It’s been reported that 15% of all abdominal surgeries end in an incisional hernia (honestly, I remember it happening maybe one or twice total in my entire career, maybe due to my working mostly in the pelvis.)

**[Hiatal hernias:](https://www.healthline.com/health/hiatal-hernia#What-is-a-hiatal-hernia?)** Hiatal hernias are internal and not readily apparent on simple physical exam. In hiatal hernias, part of the stomach pushes into the chest cavity through a weakness in the breathing muscle known as the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias may be associated with heartburn and reflux in addition to abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain.

**SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF INGUINAL HERNIAS**

Since inguinal hernias are the most common (especially in men), it’s important for the family medic to recognize the signs and symptoms. They include:

-A bulge on either side of your pubic bone, which becomes more obvious when you’re upright, especially if you cough or strain. As part of a male’s typical physical exam for inguinal hernias, the doctor feels the area around the testicles and groin while the patient is asked to cough.

- A burning or aching sensation at the bulge
- Abdominal or groin pain
- Heavy pressure sensations
- Swelling in the area of the testicles if a part of the bowel descends into the scrotum.

Symptoms get worse when bending over, coughing, or lifting heavy objects.

**COMPLICATIONS OF INGUINAL HERNIAS**

Some hernias cause little discomfort, but others can become serious medical issues. A hernia that can’t be manually “reduced” by pushing in with a finger is thought to be “incarcerated.” If the incarceration is severe, it’s known as a “**strangulated hernia**.”

Signs and symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Fever

• Intense, sudden pain

• A bulge that turns dark red or purple

• An inability to pass gas or have bowel movements.

If a strangulated hernia isn’t dealt with, usually by surgical repair, pain worsens and an intestinal obstruction may occur. The strangulated section of bowel may develop “**gangrene**,” the death of tissue due to loss of blood supply. In the past, death was a common end result.

**TREATMENT**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1245874738-INGUINAL-HERNIA-BINDER-TRUSS-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1245874738-INGUINAL-HERNIA-BINDER-TRUSS-scaled.jpg)Truss/binder for inguinal hernia supportA hernia usually doesn’t go away without surgical intervention, but non-surgical approaches do exist. Wearing a binder to exert gentle pressure on the hernia helps keep it in place. Another item used for inguinal hernias is called a **[“truss.” ](https://bostonhernia.com/faq/is-it-safe-to-use-a-hernia-belt-or-hernia-truss/ "“truss.” ")**A truss is an undergarment that keeps protruding tissue inside by applying pressure to the weakened abdominal wall.

Manual reduction (mentioned above) slowly applies pressure to the hernia to guide the portion of bowel back through the defect. Some believe that hernias may improve on their own by using cold packs, changing position, and muscle relaxation.

**SURGICAL MESH**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1427046740-mesh-for-hernia-repair-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1427046740-mesh-for-hernia-repair-scaled.jpg)Surgical hernia meshThe term “**mesh**” is used to describe a flat sheet Of, usually, plastic used as a patch on the hernia. If you look at it, you’d think “window screen.”

Years ago, hernia repairs were performed by simply suturing the hernia closed. This is still an option, but simple sutures can result in a recurrence of the problem later on in the 25 percent range or more. Using mesh, however, lowers the chance of hernia recurrence decreases to about 5 percent.

Having said that, complications related to the mesh do occur. It’s essentially a foreign body and has the potential to become contaminated and lead to infection. If placed inside the abdomen, mesh material can cause scar tissue called “adhesions.” Adhesions can lead to pain, and, if severe enough, bowel obstructions. Fortunately, the most problematic hernia mesh products are no longer on the market. Vaginal mesh used for incontinence issues still have a significant rate of complications, much more than when used for hernia repair.

Your chance to survive a major catastrophe isn’t good if you can’t bend, lift, or carry weight. If non-surgical interventions fail to relieve hernia symptoms, making use of high technology to resolve the problem surgically is probably the wisest move. Take advantage of it while it’s available while being aware of the risks.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2.jpg)Dr. AltonLearn more how to deal with over 200 medical issues off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **The 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**, available in black-and-white on Amazon (4.8 out of 5 stars with over 1200 reviews) or get a signed color (or black-and-white) copy at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Eye Trauma Emergencies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-eye-trauma-emergencies/) 

 [Dental Extraction Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-extraction-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hernias, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** abdominal hernia, groin hernia, hernia mesh, hernias, inguinal hernia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, strangulated hernia, survival medicine, umbilical hernia

---

### [Reading Urine Test Strips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/reading-urine-test-strips/)

**Published:** May 30, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_692543761-urine-dipstick.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_692543761-urine-dipstick.jpg)Every so often, I get a question from a reader, listener, or viewer about what it means when they have their urine checked with a commercially-available “[dipstick.](https://patient.info/treatment-medication/urine-dipstick-test)” A good amount of information can be gleaned from this simple tool, which can test from one to fourteen “reagent” parameters that relate to health. Having a supply of test strips might, therefore, be helpful for the survival medic.

Dipsticks are little plastic strips with colored squares that react when dipped in urine. Each square measures a different aspect of the chemical composition in the sample. The dipstick container has a color chart which indicates the level of the parameter tested. The results can suggest infection, diabetes, kidney issues, and more.

Urine dipsticks are easy to use and read. You dip the strip in a urine sample and compare the color change of the squares to the colored chart to get a reading. Some color changes occur after a period of time, so the chart may say 30 or 60 seconds before the result of a particular square is considered accurate.

[![the urinary tract includes a urethra, bladder, 2 ureters and 2 kidneys](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/URINARY-TRACT.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/URINARY-TRACT.jpg)Anatomy of the urinary tractThe fourteen parameters tested in the most extensive dipsticks available are

- Leukocytes (bladder, kidney infections)
- Nitrites (bladder, kidney infections)
- Urobilinogen (liver health)
- Protein (kidney health)
- PH: (acidity or alkalinity)
- Blood: (kidney stones, infection)
- Specific Gravity (concentration of urine, dehydration)
- Ascorbate (Vitamin C level)
- Ketones (diabetes, starvation)
- Glucose (diabetes)
- Microalbumin (kidney damage)
- Creatinine (kidney health)
- Calcium (kdney, heart, thyroid health)

**[LEUKOCYTES:](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-urinary-tract-infections/)** Also known as white blood cells, these entities’ job is to fight infection. An excessive amount could be a sign of an ongoing infection, usually in the bladder or kidney.

**NITRITES:** Normal urine contains nitrates. If bacteria is present in the urinary tract, nitrates turn into *nitrItes*, a sign of a urinary tract infections.

**UROBILINOGEN:** There’s a substance in your liver called bilirubin. It helps to break down old red blood cells. Normal urine has some of the metabolic product of bilirubin, called “urobilinogen.” If there is no urobilinogen in the urine, it could mean your liver is malfunctioning.

**BILIRUBIN:** If bilirubin isn’t converted into urobilinogen, it could register in the urine and indicate liver damage, disease, or hepatitis.

**[KETONES: ](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetic-ketoacidosis.html)**If your body is burning fat for energy, such as in poorly-controlled diabetes or in a state of starvation, substances called ketones appear in your urine. People on keto diets may also have ketones.

**CREATININE:** Creatinine is a breakdown product of a similarly named compound called creatine in muscles. The body eliminates creatinine through the kidneys. High levels in the urine can indicate diabetes, kidney damage, or are even seen in those with large muscle mass.

**BLOOD:** Blood in the urine is usually microscopic and not visible with the naked eye. Kidney stones, bladder infections, and various other problems may cause blood to be present in the urine reading.

**PROTEIN:** The presence of protein, or albumin, can be a sign of kidney damage caused by hypertension, congestive heart failure, tumors, or other conditions. Some situations where protein is noted that aren’t disease-related, however, include pregnancy or extreme muscle exertion.

**MICROALBUMIN:** Very small levels of protein (albumin) can be identified via dipstick. When microalbumin is noted on the strip, it may represent a warning sign of early chronic kidney disease. It’s considered more specific for kidney issues that just protein in the urine.

**[GLUCOSE:](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-off-the-grid/)** The presence of glucose on urine dipstick is suggestive of diabetes. Normally, non-diabetics will have no glucose present on the test strip. The result, however, varies with the person and, may be elevated soon after a meal. Blood tests are considered much more accurate, but when seen in the urine, glucose is very likely to also be high in the blood.

**CALCIUM:** Too much or too little calcium in the urine may indicate kidney disease or stones. It also may be seen in much rarer conditions such as [parathyroi](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperparathyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356194)d gland dysfunction or [sarcoidosi](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sarcoidosis/)s. Sometimes, a high calcium may be a result of high vitamin D levels (which is good!) Like all tests, it’s important to take the patient’s history to look for symptoms.

**ASCORBATE:** Ascorbic acid is vitamin C and found in various foods and supplements. When the urine reveals high levels, some of the other parameters may not be accurate, such as glucose, nitrite, or bilirubin.

**[pH: ](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323957)**Urine may be neutral (pH=7.0) or it may be acidic or alkaline. Normal urine is a little acidic, about 6.0 pH. It can vary, however, dependent on diet, time of day, and level of hydration. Examples of more acidic foods are grains, sodas, fish, sugary foods, and foods that are high in protein. Foods with high alkaline levels include vegetables, nuts, and most fruits.

Various medical conditions can also affect urine pH. Low pH can be seen with:

- Kidney stones
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Dehydration
- Starvation
- Diarrhea‌

A high pH level could be a sign of:

- Kidney failure
- Respiratory alkalosis (happens when you’re breathing too fast)
- Kidney malfunction
- Certain types of GI obstruction
- Urinary tract infection

**[SPECIFIC GRAVITY: ](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-urine-specific-gravity)**The specific gravity tells you how concentrated the urine is. Normal specific gravity falls between 1.005 and 1.030. The higher the value, the more dehydrated you are. Constantly very low values may indicate a form of diabetes called diabetes insipidus or certain types of kidney damage. Constantly high values may suggest severe dehydration, kidney damage, liver or heart failure, or even shock. Renal failure is noted to have a specific gravity fixed at about 1.010 regardless of hydration status.

It should be noted that general appearance of the urine to the naked eye can also give you some information. Urine may range in color from light yellow to amber, but it should be clear; cloudy urine is a sign of infection. The darker the urine and smaller the output, the more likely the patient is dehydrated and needs fluids. Some drugs used to treat painful urination, like Pyridium (phenazopyridine), will change the urine’s color to orange. This color change is harmless. The odor is important, as well: A fruity odor is a sign of ketones and is often seen in poorly-controlled diabetes. Alternatively, it can be seen in someone who is not taking in enough food or is fasting.

The result of one urine test strip evaluation doesn’t necessarily make the diagnosis. It’s useful to perform multiple readings at different times. The specific gravity, for example, of urine will vary within a short time if someone is given a lot of fluids or is deprived of fluids.

The urine can identify a number of medical problems and test strips are a helpful addition to the medic’s storage. They don’t take the place of knowing the signs and symptoms of an illness, however. Use all the tools in the medical woodshed and you’ll be effective in your role as survival caregiver.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton Learn more about how to deal with 200 medical issues off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **The 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**, available in black-and-white on Amazon (4.8 out of 5 stars with over 1200 reviews) or get a signed color (or black-and-white) copy at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Stab Wounds, Peppermint, Censorship, Leg Cramps](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-stab-wounds-peppermint-censorship-leg-cramps/) 

 [VIDEO: Diabetes, Pt. 3: Off The Grid Options](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-pt-3-off-the-grid-options/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Dehydration, Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, hyperglycemia, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nursing Care, Urinary Tract

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, urinalysis, urine dipsticks, urine test strips

---

### [Dental Extraction Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-extraction-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** June 18, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/shutterstock_120929266.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/shutterstock_120929266.jpg)In a survival scenario, the family medic will be called on to care not only for medical issues, but dental as well. Military medics during the Vietnam War reported that they dealt with dental problems almost as often as medical. While dental training was relatively informal back then, A special operations combat medic today may train to become a [Special Operations Medical Sergeant](https://work.chron.com/army-medics-10478.html), undertaking training not only in dental care (including extractions) but other outside-the-box skills, as well.

When the miracle of modern dentistry isn’t around to save a damaged tooth, we may have to return to tooth extraction as the treatment of choice for most dental emergencies. In any situation that involves long-term loss of power, the medic will eventually be confronted with a tooth that must be extracted. Indeed, the grand majority of dental emergencies can be resolved that way.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dental_extraction_forcep.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dental_extraction_forcep.jpg)Tooth Extractor[Tooth extraction](https://www.simplydentalchatswood.com.au/tooth-extraction-explained-step-by-step/) is not an enjoyable experience as it is, and will be less so in a long-term survival situation with no power and limited supplies. Unlike baby teeth, a permanent tooth is unlikely to be removed simply by wiggling it out with your (gloved) hand or tying a string to it and the nearest doorknob and slamming. Knowledge of the extraction procedure with limited supplies, however, will be important for anyone expecting to be the family caregiver off the grid.

Note: Be aware that It is illegal and punishable by law to practice dentistry without a license. The lack of formal training or experience in dentistry may cause complications that are much worse than a bum tooth. If you are lucky enough to have access to modern dental care, seek it out.

Once a decision has been reached to remove a tooth, recent studies suggest that giving 800 mg of ibuprofen before dental procedures helps relieve post-extraction pain significantly. Have a good supply of this useful medication in storage.

Proper positioning will help you perform the procedure more easily. For an upper extraction (also called a “**maxillary extractio**n”), the patient should be tipped at a 60-degree angle to the floor. The patient’s mouth should be at the level of the medic’s elbow. For a lower extraction, (also called a “**mandibular extraction**”), the patient should be sitting upright with the level of the mouth lower than the medic’s elbow.

Right-handed medics should stand to the right of the patient; left-handers stand to the left. For uppers and most front lower extractions, it is best to position yourself in front. For lower molars, some prefer to position themselves behind the patient.

The medic will want to wash hands and put on gloves, a face mask, and some eye protection. The area around the tooth should be kept as dry as possible, so that the area can be easily visualized. There will be some bleeding, so place cotton rolls or balls around the tooth to be removed (rolled gauze squares will also work in a pinch). These may have to be changed from time to time.

Teeth are anchored in their sockets by ligaments, which are fibrous bands of connective tissue. These ligaments must be severed to loosen the tooth. This goal is best accomplished with dental elevators, instruments which come in various shapes. Some may appear like a screwdriver with a very small head; others like a tiny chisel, shovel, or arrowhead.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-83-Dental-Issues-picture-of-teeth-shutterstock_73855759-993x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-83-Dental-Issues-picture-of-teeth-shutterstock_73855759-scaled.jpg)Once loosened, instruments called extraction forceps are used to remove the tooth. These are specialized for each type of tooth ([incisors, canines, premolars, molars)](https://www.healthline.com/health/teeth-names#diagram). Indeed, there are more types of extractors than there are teeth.

 Once positioned, [the procedure](https://www.simplydentalchatswood.com.au/tooth-extraction-explained-step-by-step/) goes as follows:

1\) Separate the gum from the tooth: Use your spoon excavator between the tooth in question and the gum on all sides to separate the two. If this is not done, the gum may tear during the extraction, causing bleeding that will slow the healing process.

2\) Loosen the tooth: Use a dental elevator to go between the tooth and the bony socket. Use your index finger for support against the tooth in front of the one being extracted, and apply pressure with the head of the elevator to get down to the root area. Your goal is to sever the ligaments holding the tooth in place. Expect some bleeding.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-91-Dental-Extraction-drawing-how-to-grasp-the-tooth-for-extraction-791x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Image-91-Dental-Extraction-drawing-how-to-grasp-the-tooth-for-extraction-scaled.jpg)3\) Extract the tooth: Take your extraction forceps and grasp the tooth as far down the root as possible. This will give you the best chance of removing the tooth in its entirety the first time. For front teeth (which have one root), exert pressure straight downward for uppers and straight upward for lowers. For teeth with more than one root, such as molars, a gentle side-to-side rocking motion will help loosen the tooth further as you extract. Once loose, avoid damage to neighboring teeth by extracting towards the cheek rather than towards the tongue. This is best for all but the lower molars that are furthest back (wisdom teeth).

4\) Not uncommonly, a tooth might break during the extraction. In this case, use your elevator to identify and further loosen the root. Then, extract it from the socket using the instrument as a lever.

5\) Control bleeding: Place some gauze on the bleeding socket and have the patient bite down. In most cases, bleeding should be light.

6\) If excessive bleeding occurs, products such as ActCel or chitosan hemostatic gauze can be cut into small, moistened squares and placed directly on the bleeding area. It should form a gel which can be rinsed away with water in 24 hours. Alternatively, layers of 2-inch x 2-inch gauze (2x2s) can be used to place pressure into the socket by closing the mouth.

7\) Occasionally, a [suture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRKYd4qzFQQ) may be required if bleeding is heavy and direct pressure with gauze fails. Use 4-0 chromic catgut or 4-0 polyglycolic acid (Vicryl) absorbable suture material.

Without some of these items, improvisations may be necessary. In a Cuban study, veterinary “Super-glue” (N-butyl-2- cyanoacrylate) was used (very carefully, we hope) in over 100 patients with good success in controlling both bleeding and pain. Dermabond, a prescription medical glue, has been used in some cases in U.S. emergency rooms.

Notice I haven’t mentioned anesthesia. I write about situations where there is no functioning medical or dental infrastructure, so this procedure was explained almost as if we were in an earlier era. It may sound unrealistic or even barbaric to you, but disasters happen and the medic may find themselves in austere settings. The materials used are available in unique specialty kits like the one below, which comes with a copy of “Where There Is No Dentist”:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510.jpg)Grab N Go(r) Survival Dental KitLiquids and a diet of soft foods should be given to decrease trauma. Hot liquids and hard foods, however, should be avoided for 24-72 hours. Expect some swelling, bruising, and pain over the next few days. Cold packs will decrease swelling for the first 24-48 hours; afterwards, use warm compresses to help with jaw stiffness. Use medicines such as Ibuprofen 200-400 mg every 4 hours or 600-800 mg every 8 hours for pain. Alternatively, Acetaminophen 500 mg every 4 hours should also help for pain. Some stagger the two medicines. Begin warm saltwater rinses after six to eight hours.

Stay away from aspirin, as it may hinder the protective blood clot that naturally forms in the socket. That blood clot is your friend, so make sure not to smoke, spit, or use straws. These actions might dislodge it and cause a condition called “Alveolar Osteitis” or “dry socket.” With this condition, you will notice the clot has disappeared and that the patient has throbbing jaw pain and very foul breath. Antibiotics and warm saltwater gargles are useful here; a solution of 8 fluid ounces of water with 1-2 drops of Clove oil may serve to decrease the pain. Don’t use too much, however, as it could burn the mouth.

Although not all agree, antibiotics given just before and/or just after extraction may reduce the risk of infection and dry socket. Amoxicillin 500 mg, Cephalexin 500 mg, or Metronidazole 500 mg are options and are, at the time of this writing, available in [veterinary equivalents.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-case-for-fish-antibiotics/)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Dr. AltonLearn more about how to deal with dental issues and many other medical topics off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/).** Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical/dental kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Hernias](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hernias/) 

 [Video: Safe Camping Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-safe-camping-tips/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** dental extraction, dental preparedness, medical preparedness, off the grid dental issues, survival dentistry, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Safe Camping Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-safe-camping-tips/)

**Published:** June 11, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Camping-Safety-safely-hazards-shelter-hiking-starting-fires-stay-warm--1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Camping-Safety-safely-hazards-shelter-hiking-starting-fires-stay-warm--scaled.jpg)In this video, Dr. Joe Alton notes the ending of the school year and the beginning of summer, marking a great time to teach yourself and your kids self-reliance by camping out. Important tips abound which can help newcomers to the preparedness community (and also old veterans) cover issues that can make outdoor living memorable (in a good way)!

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)That ol’ Dr. BonesLearn more about outdoor safety and 200 other medical issues off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, **The 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**, available in black-and-white on Amazon (4.8 out of 5 stars with over 1200 reviews) or get a signed color (or black-and-white) copy at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Dental Extraction Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-extraction-off-the-grid/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Chamomile, IV Basics, Rehydration Alternatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-chamomile-iv-basics-rehydration-alternatives/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, poisonous plants, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** camping safety, hiking safety, joe alton md, medical preparedness, outdoor self-reliance, survival medicine, tips for safe camping

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Chamomile, IV Basics, Rehydration Alternatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-chamomile-iv-basics-rehydration-alternatives/)

**Published:** June 10, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)Today Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones talk about the health benefits of chamomile. Yes, a regular MD and nurse practitioner touting the benefits of herbal tea, how about that? Hey, in times of trouble, you gotta use all the tools in the woodshed! Plus, a thorough discussion on the basics of IV therapy, with emphasis on essentials and practical tips to get fluids into a dehydrated patient. Learn how to recognize signs of dehydration and an ancient, but useful off the grid, method of rehydrating an unconscious patient: rectal rehydration. Yes, that’s a thing…

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP!

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)Amy and Joe AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, educational books, and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Safe Camping Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-safe-camping-tips/) 

 [Hypertension Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypertension-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Dehydration, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, chamomile tea benefits, intravenous therapy basics, iv basics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, rectal rehydration, survival medicine

---

### [Strokes (CVAs) On and Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/strokes-cvas-on-and-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** May 24, 2018
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**STROKES ON AND OFF THE GRID**

Often, medics in remote areas are confronted with a major challenge. Some of these challenges relate to wilderness exposure, or perhaps, an accident while performing activities of daily survival. Give me an axe and set me to chopping wood and you’ll probably see what I mean.

Sometimes the challenge faced by the medic isn’t from some external trauma, but internal; problems so severe that, even in normal times, there are limits to the options available for treatment. One issue that fits this description is the **[Cerebro-Vascular Accident](https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_stroke.htm) (CVA)**, also known as a “[**stroke**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke)”.

Although modern medicine can do more for stroke victims than the pioneer medic, it’s important for an off-grid healthcare provider to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke and to act quickly to improve a victim’s chances of survival.

**WHAT IS A STROKE?**

A CVA, or stroke, is a medical event in which a blood vessel that supplies the brain with oxygen becomes blocked or leaks blood. The effect is that tissue served by that blood vessel becomes starved of oxygen. Within a few short minutes, the region affected begins to die, and functions controlled by that part of the brain are lost or impaired.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is considered to be a major risk factor for a stroke. Other predisposing factors include diabetes, tobacco, obesity, and some heart irregularities. In a sizable number of cases, however, no obvious cause is ever identified.

According to the [**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention**](https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm), stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, with about 800,000 cases a year. Of those that survive a stroke, many are left with significant permanent disability; a percentage do not survive more than a year afterward.

**TYPES OF STROKES**

The failure to provide oxygen-carrying blood to the brain could happen in one of two ways:

- A blood clot obstructs a blood vessel that is needed to maintain circulation (“perfusion”) to the brain. This is called an “*ischemic*” stroke and is the most common type.
- Blood from an artery, vein, or an abnormal structure leaks into brain tissue or the space between the brain and the membranes that cover it. This can happen due to trauma, blood-thinning medication, or other causes, and is known as a “*hemorrhagic* stroke”.

Sometimes, hemorrhage can occur in the area of an ischemic stroke, blurring the line between the two types.

**ISCHEMIC STROKES**

Ischemic strokes can be caused by a number of issues, including:

- **Thrombosis**: A blood clot forms locally, causing obstruction.
- **Embolism**: A blood clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels through the circulation to lodge in the brain.
- **Systemic Hypoperfusion**: An inadequate amount of blood gets to the brain due to, say, severe bleeding, as in hemorrhagic shock.

**HEMORRHAGIC STROKES**

When blood leaks into brain tissue, it places pressure on sensitive brain cells, causing significant damage. Hemorrhagic strokes can be caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure or, less commonly, by a malformation of a blood vessel known as an “aneurysm”. An aneurysm is a weakness in a vessel wall that looks like a tiny balloon; if it bursts, a catastrophic bleed into brain tissue can occur.

Certain medications that suppress blood clotting may increase the risk of CVA. I mention this as a nod to my father, who survived a heart attack only to have a hemorrhagic stroke from blood thinners given to him in the aftermath. He died a few weeks later.

Hemorrhagic strokes can occur:

**In the brain tissue itself**: This is known as an “intracerebral” hemorrhage and is the most common hemorrhagic stroke.

**Between the brain and the thin membranes that surround it**: This type, albeit less common, can accumulate a significant amount of blood and cause severe pressure on brain tissue.

**TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS (TIAs)**

Occasionally, the medic may encounter a short-term event called a “**Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)**”. Sometimes referred to as a “*mini-stroke*”, a TIA can present as minimal or significant symptoms, which are, well, transient in nature. In a classic TIA, symptoms will disappear for the most part within two hours or so.

Despite this, it is impossible to know whether you’re dealing with a major stroke or a TIA when first presented with the victim. Those who experience a TIA, even if all symptoms disappear, will be at higher risk for a major stroke in the near future.

Click the link below to read an account by a real person of her TIA experience:

[https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/survivor\_stories/blanche.htm](https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/survivor_stories/blanche.htm)

**IDENTIFYING A STROKE**

The **CDC** has compiled a list of symptoms that point the medic to the diagnosis of a stroke. By learning these (often unmistakable) signs, quick action may lead to lives saved and function restored. Stroke victims will often exhibit the sudden onset of:

- Severe headache
- Numbness or weakness affecting (usually) one side of the face, arm, or leg.
- Trouble speaking or inability to understand speech.
- Difficulty with vision in one or both eyes
- Confusion or dizziness
- Trouble walking
- Loss of coordination

The CDC recommends the memorization of “[**F.A.S.T.**](https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm)”, a simple way to help with stroke diagnosis and treatment:

**Face:** Smile. Does one side of the face sag?

**Arms**: Raise both of the victim’s arms and see if one droops.

**Speech:** Have the victim say a common phrase: Does it sound strange or slurred?

**Time:** Call 9-1-1 right away if you notice any of these symptoms (of course, this won’t be an option off the grid).

It’s important to note when symptoms started and when the victim was last seen well. The longer the time frame between wellness and debilitation, the more likely there’ll be long-term consequences.

**TREATING A STROKE**

The presentation of a stroke victim is oftentimes quite striking and an observant medic will make the diagnosis quickly. Rapid action may help preserve function and even life.

The majority of CVAs are ischemic in nature. In normal times, a patient with this type of stroke can be treated with [a powerful IV therapy called *tPA*](https://www.verywellhealth.com/tissue-plasminogen-activator-tpa-3146225) that helps break up clots (must be given within three hours). Procedures can also be performed that might be successful in removing the clot that’s blocking the circulation.

In the absence of modern medical facilities, blood thinners like aspirin may be of use. If no aspirin is available, Salicin from the underbark of willow trees will have a similar effect.

It should be noted that a hemorrhagic stroke may actually worsen with the use of blood thinners like aspirin. As many of these are caused by elevated blood pressures, anti-hypertensive meds may help to reduce damage caused. Blood pressure is usually at its lowest if the patient is placed on their left side. If caused by an aneurysm, surgical procedures may be necessary.

Recovery from a stroke is not impossible. The National Stroke Association reports 10% will experience almost complete recovery, with another 25% with minor impairments. Reports suggest that most recovery occurs soon after a stroke, but improvement may still occur over a longer period of time, especially with rehabilitation.

With the lack of modern medical facilities in the aftermath of a disaster, the hard reality may be that major medical events like strokes may be very difficult to deal with. The medic’s motto may have to be: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/joetent.jpg)

Learn about 150 medical issues and how to deal with them when the ambulance is not just around the corner, by checking out [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way](https://amzn.to/2J1Vf7z), available at Amazon or on this website.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1-200x300.png)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cerebrovascular accident, CVA, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, joe alton md, medical preparedness, stroke, survival medicine

---

### [High Blood Pressure](https://www.doomandbloom.net/high-blood-pressure/)

**Published:** March 19, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock-stethoscope-300x200.jpg "shutterstock stethoscope")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock-stethoscope.jpg)

One of the most common chronic medical conditions that we will see, in good times or bad, is **high blood pressure**. Looking back recently at all the articles on this blog, I surprised myself when I realized that I hadn’t written about this condition, also known as hypertension, even though I have a touch of it myself. So, here is a primer on high blood pressure, its diagnosis, and treatment.

## What is Blood Pressure?

The *blood pressure is the measure of the blood flow pushing against the walls of the arteries in your body*. Without this flow of blood, oxygen would never get to all the organs of the body. If this pressure, however, is elevated over time, it can cause long-term damage. Many millions of adults in the U.S. have this condition, which is often asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms). Because of this, it has been referred to as a “silent killer”. Blood pressure tends to rise with increasing age and weight.

The group medic should have, as part of his equipment, a stethoscope for listening and a pressure monitor called a “sphygmomanometer” (blood pressure cuff). This is relatively inexpensive and will allow you to keep an eye on the blood pressures of the members of the community. To use it, place the cuff around the upper arm and fill it up with air, using the attached bulb. Place your stethoscope over an area with a pulse (commonly the inside of the crook of the arm – see figure above) and listen while looking on the gauge on the cuff. Some new compact blood pressure units are shaped like wristbands and no longer require a stethoscope.

### Taking a Patient’s Blood Pressure

When you take a blood pressure, you are listening for the pulse to register on your stethoscope as a rhythmic thumping sound. A blood pressure is measured as systolic and diastolic pressures. “Systolic” refers to blood pressure when the heart beats and “Diastolic” refers to blood pressure when the heart is at rest. Therefore, blood pressure is written down as systolic over diastolic: for example: (systolic pressure) 120 over 80 (diastolic pressure).

Wherever the gauge is when you first hear the pulse is the “systolic” pressure. As the air deflates from the sphygmomanometer, the pulse will fade away. When it first appears to fade is the “diastolic” pressure. You should be concerned with numbers that are above 140/90 in the supine or sitting position. As blood pressures tend to vary at different times of the day and under different circumstances, you would be looking for at least 3 elevated pressures in a row before making the diagnosis of high blood pressure (hypertension). Readings above 160/100 are associated with higher frequency of complications. Persistent hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure and chronic kidney failure. Commonly seen symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, or nausea and vomiting.

Sometimes, elevated pressures can cause a blood vessel in the brain to have an “accident”. Strokes (also known as “cerebrovascular accidents” or CVAs) are bleeding episodes or clots in the brain that occur as a high pressure event, and can cause paralysis. Suspect this condition if your patient has suddenly found themselves unable to control the extremities on one side of their body, or is unable to speak and cannot move one side of their face. They will usually complain of a severe headache as well.

The first step to controlling elevated blood pressures is to return to a normal weight for your height and age. Most people who are obese find that their pressures decrease (often back to normal) when they lose weight. Physical exercise and dietary control are the best way to get there. Dietary restriction of Sodium (salt) is an important factor when it comes to decreasing pressures. Alcohol, Nicotine, and perhaps Caffeine are also known to raise blood pressures, so abstention from these substances is an additional strategy.

The National Institute of Health recommends the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. A major feature of the plan is limiting intake of sodium and it generally encourages the consumption of nuts, whole grains, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables while lowering the consumption of red meats, sweets, and sugar. It is also rich in protein, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Studies have found that the DASH diet can reduce high blood pressure within two weeks in certain cases. These are the daily guidelines of the DASH diet:

- 7 to 8 servings of grains
- 4 to 5 servings of vegetables
- 4 to 5 servings of fruit
- 2 to 3 servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy
- 2r less servings of meat, fish, or poultry
- 2 to 3 servings of fats and oils
- 4 to 5 servings per week of nuts, seeds, and dry beans
- Less than 5 servings a week of sweets

Serving Sizes

-1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta
-1 slice bread
-1 cup raw vegetables or fruit
-1/2 cup cooked vegetables or fruit
-8 oz. of milk
-1 teaspoon olive oil

Optimize your results on this diet by implementing the following tips:

- Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat, such as lean meat, poultry, and fish.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; aim for eight to ten servings each day.
- Include two to three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods each day.
- Choose whole-grain foods, such as 100 percent whole-wheat or whole-grain bread, cereal, and pasta.
- Eat nuts, seeds, and dried beans — four to five servings per week (one serving equals 1/3 cup or 1.5 ounces nuts, 2 tablespoons or 1⁄2 ounce seeds, or 1⁄2 cup cooked dried beans or peas).
- Go easy on added fats. Choose soft margarine, low-fat mayonnaise, light salad dressing, and unsaturated vegetable oils (such as olive, corn, canola, or safflower).
- Cut back on sweets and sugary beverages.

A number of medications with impressive names are available for the control of high blood pressure: ACE inhibitors, alpha blockers, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and others. Those with hypertension will be placed on one or more of these medications until their readings are back to normal.

All of these commercially prepared products will be scarce in a collapse, so consider asking for higher doses of your specific medication than what you need, so that you can break them in half and store a portion. Some physicians will be sympathetic, and some will flatly refuse. Have an honest conversation and discuss your concerns about being left without a safety net in a major disaster. Again, always take your medications in the dosage prescribed by your physician.

Natural supplements have been used to help lower blood pressure, as well. Any herb that has a sedative effect will likely also lower pressures. Valerian, Passion Flower, and Lemon Balm are just a few examples. Garlic is also well-known to have a modest lowering effect, as is Cayenne Pepper. Coenzyme Q10 has shown some promise in this field. Antioxidants like Vitamin C and fish oil may prevent free radicals from damaging artery walls.

Don’t forget natural relaxation techniques. Meditation, Yoga, and mild massage therapy will relax your patient. Take their blood pressure after a session and see what effect it has had. Often, you will see a significant drop. Hypertension related to stress will be most likely to respond to this approach. In a societal breakdown, stress will be rampant, and so will the effects of stress on the human body.

Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** blood pressure, Diastolic, high blood pressure, hypertension, medical preparedness, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, Systolic, systolic over diastolic

---

### [Hypertension Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypertension-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** June 7, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock-stethoscope.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock-stethoscope.jpg)Most consider the duties of the off-grid medic to be solely the treatment of injuries and infections. These can occur suddenly and are referred to as “acute” problems. However, more often, group members will have long-standing medical issues we call “chronic” conditions. These can be just as or more dangerous if left untreated. The medic must always have a plan of action to deal with some of these very common disorders.

**HYPERTENSION**

One of the most common chronic medical conditions the medic will see in hard times is high blood pressure (also known as “**[hypertension](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410 "hypertension")**”). Stress associated with activities of daily survival can raise blood pressure in the short term and may worsen chronic conditions. Lack of blood pressure medications may cause complications in people who were previously under good control.

The “**blood pressure**” is a measure of blood flow pushing against the walls of the arteries in your body. In older people and the obese, those walls become less elastic, and more force is necessary to maintain your circulation. This additional stress can lead, over time, to **[heart attack](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heart-disease-in-survival/)**, heart failure, or **[stroke](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-strokes/)**. Millions of adults in the U.S. have hypertension, which often lacks any signs or symptoms. Hence, it has been referred to as a “silent killer.”

A blood pressure is measured as [“**systolic**](https://www.healthline.com/health/diastole-vs-systole#blood-pressure-ranges)” and “**[diastolic](https://www.healthline.com/health/diastole-vs-systole#blood-pressure-ranges)**” pressures. Systolic refers to the blood pressure when the heart beats and diastolic refers to the blood pressure when the heart is at rest. Blood pressure readings are written as systolic over diastolic: for example: (systolic pressure) 120 over 80 (diastolic pressure). You’ll see it written like this: 120/80.

Until 2017, a person was not considered hypertensive unless their blood pressure was 140/90 or higher. Since then, the American Heart Association standard has become stricter, with 130/80 now being considered borderline hypertension. As a result, more than 40% of the U.S. population are now in the elevated range or worse.

Blood pressure may be[ designated](https://www.healthline.com/health/diastole-vs-systole#blood-pressure-ranges) as:

**Normal:** A systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80 (less than 120/80).

**Elevated:** A systolic of 120-129 and diastolic of less than 80 (less than 130/80).

**Stage 1 hypertension:** A systolic of 130-139 and diastolic between 80-89 (less than 140/90).

**Stage 2 hypertension:** A systolic of 140 or higher and diastolic 90 or higher.

**Hypertensive Cris**is A systolic of 180 or higher than diastolic of 120 or higher.

It’s important to know that these numbers should be used only as a guide. A single blood pressure measurement higher than normal is not necessarily an indication of a problem. Multiple (at least three) readings over several days or weeks should be taken before making a diagnosis of hypertension. Any consistent series of high blood pressure readings are a concern, but those above 160/100 are associated with a higher frequency of complications.

**BLOOD PRESSURE CUFFS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1454504117-high-blood-pressure-infographic-943x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/shutterstock_1454504117-high-blood-pressure-infographic-scaled.jpg)The group medic should have, as part of his equipment, an inexpensive pressure monitor called a [“**sphygmomanometer**,” or blood pressure cuff](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/multimedia/how-to-measure-blood-pressure/vid-20084748), and a stethoscope for listening.

First, place the cuff around the upper arm. You should be able to fit two fingertips under the top edge but not beneath the cuff. If you can wedge your full fingers under the cuff, loosen it and pull it tighter before closing it again

Squeezing the attached bulb several times, fill the cuff with air until the gauge registers around 180-200. Place your stethoscope over an area with a pulse (usually the inside of the crook of the arm). Slowly loosen the valve until the gauge readings slowly drop, while listening for the pulse using your stethoscope.

When you first hear the pulse, the number noted is the systolic pressure. As the air deflates from the sphygmomanometer, the pulse will reach the point where it fades away. When it’s no longer audible is the diastolic pressure. As blood pressures tend to vary at different times of the day and under different circumstances, you would be looking for at least three elevated pressures in a row sitting or standing (spaced a few days or weeks apart) before confirming the diagnosis of hypertension.

Persistent hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure. Commonly seen symptoms that are red flags include:

- Headaches
- Foot and leg swelling
- Blurred vision
- Nausea/vomiting
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Fatigue

 High blood pressure is not only a disease of the obese and elderly: **[Pregnancy-induced hypertensio](https://nursestudy.net/pregnancy-induced-hypertension-pih-nursing-diagnosis/)n** (also called “**pre-eclampsia**”) is a serious late pregnancy condition that may lead to seizures (“**eclampsia**”) and blood clotting abnormalities. It is most commonly seen in the latter stages of a first late-term pregnancy.

**TREATMENT AND PREVENTION**

The first step to controlling elevated blood pressures is to return to a normal weight for your height and age. Most people who are overweight find that their pressures decrease (often back to normal) when they lose weight. Even a loss of ten pounds may have a beneficial effect.

Physical exercise and dietary control are the best ways to get there. Restricting sodium is important when it comes to decreasing pressures. Excessive salt intake appears to decrease the natural elasticity of arteries. The sodium in salt is in just about everything you eat, so stop adding salt to food; humans get enough in their diet. If you’re living off your long-shelf-life food supplies, you’re getting even more.

From a survival standpoint, limited food intake during a drawn-out disaster may actually have a beneficial effect on the blood pressures of previously obese people.

Alcohol, nicotine, and perhaps, caffeine are substances also known to raise blood pressures; avoidance of these may help. If blood pressures are particularly high, lying the patient on their side (many prefer the left) has a tendency to lower readings, at least temporarily.

**THE DASH DIET**

The [National Institute of Health](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash/following-dash) recommends the **DASH** (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. A major feature of the plan, as you can imagine, is limiting intake of sodium. It generally encourages the consumption of (unsalted) nuts, whole grains, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables while lowering the consumption of red meats, sweets, and sugar.

The **[DASH die](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash/following-dash)t** is also a reasonable diet for healthy people. Rich in protein, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, studies have found that the DASH diet can reduce high blood pressure within two weeks in certain cases. These are the daily guidelines of the DASH diet:

- 7 to 8 servings of grains
- 4 to 5 servings of vegetables
- 4 to 5 servings of fruit
- 2 to 3 servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy
- 2 or less servings of meat, fish, or poultry
- 2 to 3 servings of fats and oils
- 4 to 5 servings per week of nuts, seeds, and dry beans
- Less than 5 servings a week of sweets

**Typical serving Sizes**

-1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta

-1 slice bread

-1 cup raw vegetables or fruit

-1/2 cup cooked vegetables or fruit

-8 oz. of milk

-1 teaspoon olive oil

Optimize your results on this diet by implementing the following tips:

- Choose foods that are low in saturated and total fat, such as lean meat, poultry, and fish.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; aim for eight to ten servings each day.
- Include two to three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods each day.
- Choose whole-grain foods, such as 100 percent whole-wheat or whole-grain bread, cereal, and pasta.
- Eat nuts, seeds, and dried beans — four to five servings per week (one serving equals 1/3 cup or 1.5 ounces nuts, 1 tablespoons or 1⁄2-ounce seeds, or 1⁄2 cup cooked dried beans).
- Go easy on added fats. Choose soft margarine, low-fat mayonnaise, light salad dressing, and unsaturated vegetable oils (such as olive, soybean, canola, or safflower).
- Cut back on sweets and sugary beverages (or better, eliminate them).

The above is good advice about nutrition in almost every circumstance, whether you are dealing with high blood pressure or not.

A number of [medications are available for the control of high blood pressure](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/types-of-blood-pressure-medications): ACE inhibitors, alpha blockers, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, and others.

All of these drugs will be scarce in times of trouble, leading some to consider asking sympathetic physicians for higher doses of specific medications than what is needed. The strategy is to break them in half and store some. This request may be considered unethical to many medical professionals.

Natural remedies may, eventually, be all you have when the medicines run out. Any herb that has a sedative effect may also lower pressures. Valerian, passionflower, and lemon balm are some examples. Garlic and cayenne pepper are also thought to have a modest lowering effect.

Antioxidants like Vitamin C 500mg daily and up to three grams of fish oil per day may prevent free radicals from damaging artery walls. Coenzyme Q10 100mg daily (200 mg for smokers and those on cholesterol-lowering meds) has shown promise in some studies as well.

Don’t forget natural relaxation techniques. Meditation, Yoga, and mild massage with aromatherapy will help relax your patient. Take their blood pressure after a session and see what effect it has. You might be surprised at the results in high-stress austere scenarios.

Any avenue you can find that help blood pressures remain within normal range will keep the people under your care healthier. Diet, mild natural sedatives, relaxation techniques, and conventional medications are all tools in the medical woodshed. Consider each one with an open mind.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Dr. AltonLearn more about how to deal with hypertension and 200 other medical topics off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine,**[ The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/).** Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Medium_Survival_Trauma_Carry_Kit__13319.1520882597.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Medium_Survival_Trauma_Carry_Kit__13319.1520882597.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Chamomile, IV Basics, Rehydration Alternatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-chamomile-iv-basics-rehydration-alternatives/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Stab Wounds, Peppermint, Censorship, Leg Cramps](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-stab-wounds-peppermint-censorship-leg-cramps/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypertension, Medical Preparedness, Nutrition, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** DASH diet, high blood pressure, hypertension, joe alton md, medical preparedness, natural remedies for hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension, survival medicine, treatment of hypertension

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Stab Wounds, Peppermint, Censorship, Leg Cramps](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-stab-wounds-peppermint-censorship-leg-cramps/)

**Published:** May 31, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

A bill entered in California’s state legislature has gone where President Biden’s “disinformation bureau” couldn’t. Bill AB-2098 gives power to the state’s medical board to investigate and punish doctors whose advice and treatment regarding COVID-19 varies from their perceived “applicable standard of care.” The medical establishment now has “disinformation” authority over others who dare to voice alternative options to their patients or even on social media. Dr. Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones, gives his thoughts.

Also, Nurse Amy Alton tell you about peppermint oil, and its potential as a viable tool in the survival medicine cabinet. Uses and ways to prepare it are included. Plus, Dr. Joe Alton talks about how to deal with wounds from sharp objects like knives in survival settings with limited supplies. Finally, a question from a listener about what to do about leg cramps.

All this and more in this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast, with Joe Alton MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of educational books, individual supplies, and the highest-quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image-819x1024.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image.png)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png) ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email")

 [Hypertension Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypertension-off-the-grid/) 

 [Reading Urine Test Strips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/reading-urine-test-strips/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Orthopedic Issues, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma

**Tags:** amy alton np, bleeding control, censorship, joe alton md, knife wounds, medical censorship, medical preparedness, stab wounds, stop the bleed, survival medicine

---

### [VIDEO: Diabetes, Pt. 3: Off The Grid Options](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-pt-3-off-the-grid-options/)

**Published:** May 27, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Diabetes-supplies-symptoms-insulin-storage-run-out-of-diet-exercise-Part-3-canva-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Diabetes-supplies-symptoms-insulin-storage-run-out-of-diet-exercise-Part-3-canva-scaled.jpg)In part 3 of this video series on diabetes, Dr. Joe Alton goes outside the conventional wisdom to offer alternative strategies to treat diabetics in situations where there is no existing medical infrastructure and you’re off the grid. Some controversial issues are addressed in this companion video to a previous article.

To watch, click below:

If you missed part 2: 

If you missed part 1: 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Joe Alton, MDLearn more about diabetes and 200 other medical issues off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, available in black-and-white on Amazon (4.8 out of 5 stars with over 1200 reviews) or get a signed color (or black-and-white) copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-scaled.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png) ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email")

 [Reading Urine Test Strips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/reading-urine-test-strips/) 

 [Video: Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-stab-wounds/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** diabetes in survival, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, treating diabetes off the grid

---

### [Video: Diabetes Off The Grid, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** April 25, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Diabetes-symptoms-signs-organ-damage-insulin-diet-nutrition-Dr-Joe-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-Part-1-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Diabetes-symptoms-signs-organ-damage-insulin-diet-nutrition-Dr-Joe-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-Part-1-scaled.jpg)A major issue that the family medic may confront in survival settings is diabetes mellitis. It’s thought that close to 30 million Americans suffer from one form or another and another 96 million may be “prediabetic.” In this [companion video ](https://youtu.be/itkRVwJ6vYY)to a 4-part series, Joe Alton, MD discusses the basics of the disease and his experience with it personally in insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetic family members.

To watch, click below:

More on this issue in future videos…

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Dr. Joe AltonCheck out Dr. Alton’s entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png) ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email")

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Thyroid Issues, Alcoholism, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-thyroid-issues-alcoholism-more/) 

 [Diabetes, Part 4: Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-4-natural-remedies/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, hyperglycemia, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** diabetes mellitis, diabetes off the grid, doom and bloom, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Diabetes, Pt. 2: Complications](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-pt-2-complications/)

**Published:** May 7, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Diabetes-results-in-causes-changes-organ-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-Part-2-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Diabetes-results-in-causes-changes-organ-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-Part-2-scaled.jpg)In part 2 of this video series that serves as a companion to earlier articles, medical preparedness advocate Joe Alton MD discusses the effects of poor diabetic control to various parts of the body, like the kidneys, eyes, blood vessels, extremities, and more. To watch, click below:

Next time, Dr. Alton offers some controversial thoughts on what it takes for diabetics to survive if a disaster throws us off the grid. For part 1, click here: 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton, MDLearn more about diabetes and 150 other medical topics in post-disaster settings in our 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine, the 4th Edition of “**the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,”** available in black and white at Amazon or get a signed color copy at store.doom[andbloom.net,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) along with our entire line of quality kits and individual supplies.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png) ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email")

 [What To Do About Baby Formula Shortages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-do-about-baby-formula-shortages/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nasal Trauma, AFib, Valerian](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nasal-trauma-afib-valerian/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, Foot Care, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** diabetic complications, diabetic damage to exremities, diabetic kidney damage, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-stab-wounds/)

**Published:** May 23, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-to-treat-fix-Stab-knife-wounds-Joe-Alton--1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-to-treat-fix-Stab-knife-wounds-Joe-Alton--scaled.jpg)

In this companion video to a recent article, physician and medical preparedness advocate Dr. Joe Alton discusses the basics of how to deal with bleeding from wounds caused by sharp objects. Injuries like this can occur by accidents or by hostile encounters in survival scenarios. The family medic would be wise to know what to do if and when they occur.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Learn more about how o deal with penetrating wounds and 200 other medical issues off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, The 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way, available in black-and-white on Amazon (4.8 out of 5 stars with over 1000 reviews) or get a signed color (or black-and-white) copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.net"). You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [VIDEO: Diabetes, Pt. 3: Off The Grid Options](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-pt-3-off-the-grid-options/) 

 [Bleeding Management, Pt 2: Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-management-pt-2-stab-wounds/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Tourniquets, Trauma, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** bleeding control, hemorrhage control, how to stop bleeding, joe alton md, medical preparedness, stab wounds, survival medicine

---

### [Bleeding Management, Pt 2: Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-management-pt-2-stab-wounds/)

**Published:** May 22, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_443553790-stab-wounds-knives-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_443553790-stab-wounds-knives-scaled.jpg)

Any disaster can put your people at risk for injury. Many of those injuries cause bleeding, and, depending on the area damaged, a few can be life-threatening. In survival, a lot of activities involve the use of sharp objects. In this article, we’ll discuss how to deal with hemorrhage from knife wounds.

You could define a classic stab wound as a laceration where the puncture on the skin is smaller than the depth of penetration into the body. This is in contrast to a slash injury, which is generally longer on the skin than deep. Stab wounds tend to enter in line with the long axis of the knife, while slashes don’t.

These types of wounds are a type of penetrating trauma, which is further divided into two types: perforating and non-perforating. A perforating wound is one in which the object causing the damage goes in one side of the body and then exits through the other side. A wound from a .223 round or NATO .556 would be a good example of perforating trauma.

Stab wounds are an example of a non-perforating wound: the projectile causing the damage enters the body and either stays there or exits where it entered. There are some sharp instruments that could possibly do perforate: A crossbow bolt, for example, or a spearhead, but let’s assume these will be less common than knife wounds, even in a survival setting.

Bullets and other high-speed projectiles cause damage not only from the act of penetration, but also the shock wave produced as the bullet passes through the body at high speed. Low speed projectiles such as knives don’t produce much of a shock wave, so your concerns are mostly related to the area of entry and the structures located directly in the path of the offending instrument.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_744937009-pressure-to-bleeding-wound-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_744937009-pressure-to-bleeding-wound-scaled.jpg)

With stab wounds, blood loss will be the major issue. Your immediate action upon encountering a victim with a wound from a sharp instrument may save their life. The heart takes less than one minute to pump blood to the entire body; if the circulatory system is breached, arterial blood loss can become life-threatening very quickly.

Average-sized adult males have approximately 9-10 pints (about 5 liters) of blood in their body. Athletes and those living at very high altitudes may have more. You can’t afford to lose more than 40% of total blood volume without needing major resuscitation. To get an idea of how much blood this is, empty a 2-liter bottle of any liquid on the floor. It’s an eye opener. Imagine how much of your supply of bandages might be expended from just one major bleed.

**HOW TO HANDLE A STAB WOUND**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/bleeding-hemorrhage-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/bleeding-hemorrhage-scaled.jpg)Rapid action is needed to staunch arterial bleeding

If you’re attending to an actively bleeding wound from a sharp object, you’ll need a level head and quick action. In normal times, of course, contact emergency services immediately.

 In the meantime, follow these steps:

-Assess the safety of the situation. Make sure there is no active threat. it makes no sense for you to become the next casualty.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/putting-gloves-on-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/putting-gloves-on-scaled.jpg)

-Put on gloves if possible. Your hands are full of bacteria and you’ll reduce the risk of infection by doing so. If no gloves are available, any barrier or, at least, hand sanitizers will be useful if you have to touch the wound with bare hands (let’s face it, though; you might not have the time if the bleeding is that heavy).

-Verify the victim’s breathing and mental status. Clear airways if obstructed. Determine if the person is alert enough to follow commands.

[![Learn how to stop bleeding in wounds](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/expose-wound-to-see-the-full-extent-of-the-injury-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/expose-wound-to-see-the-full-extent-of-the-injury.jpg)Exposing the wound

-In a non-combat setting, remove clothing or otherwise fully expose the area and identify other injuries. Make sure that you have a bandage scissors or EMT shears in your medical pack.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Direct-Pressure-AAltoncopyright-1024x689.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Direct-Pressure-AAltoncopyright-e1459285591364.jpg)

-Apply pressure with some type of dressing, even your shirt if that’s all you have. Most non-arterial bleeding will stop with firm direct pressure on the wound. If the sharp instrument is still in place in the victim and help is on the way, place pressure down on either side towards the blade to prevent it from slipping out. The knife may actually be providing pressure on damaged vessels. Stabilize the wound with the weapon in place with ample dressings on either side and gauze or elastic rolls to secure. An example is seen below.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stab-wound-simulation-packing-2-691x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/stab-wound-simulation-packing-2-scaled.jpg)Knife in place secured with dressing and bandage materials

-If one dressing doesn’t work and you don’t have specialized blood-clotting materials (called “hemostatics”), place additional dressings on top of the first.

-Elevate the feet above the level of the heart and head (**[the “shock position”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_leg_raise)**) to increase blood flow to the heart and brain. If the wound is to the abdomen, however, bend the knees instead.

-Lift an injured extremity above the level of the heart. Make it more difficult to pump blood out of the body.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/woundelevation.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/woundelevation.jpg)Elevation may help slow bleeding

-If direct pressure fails, apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Our experience in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that tourniquets save lives in cases of severe or arterial hemorrhage. As a matter of fact, if the bleeding is obviously arterial (bright red blood spurting out of the wound), **using a tourniquet should be your FIRST course of action.**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/military-tourniquet-in-place-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/military-tourniquet-in-place-scaled.jpg)Tourniquet “high and tight”

-If you’re transporting a patient to a modern medical facility, make sure you mark a “T” on the victim’s forehead or otherwise notify emergency personnel of the location and length of time that the tourniquet’s been in place.

[![Image of Hemostatic Gauzes](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image.jpg)Different hemostatic gauze options shown: ChitoSam, QuikClot and Celox

-I mentioned hemostatics earlier. In cases of heavy bleeding, the use of special blood clotting materials such as Quikclot, Celox, or ChitoSam is a life saver. We put these products in all our medical packs, even the smaller individual first aid kits. In this case, you *would* remove the blood-soaked bandages and place a hemostatic gauze *directly* on the bleeding vessel with pressure for 3 full minutes.

-Secure everything with a pressure dressing, of which there are various on the market. The Israeli Battle Dressing, known as The Emergency Bandage in the U.S., can apply up to 30 pounds of pressure if used properly.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/pressure-dressing-in-place-with-tourniquet-scaled.jpg)Hemostatic dressing and pressure bandage in place

-Keep the victim warm: Throw a mylar blanket or other cover over them. If help *is* coming, keep them as still and calm as possible to avoid further bleeding. Monitor breathing, pulses, and mental status. An unconscious patient should be placed, if possible, in the “recovery position”. This will, among other things, allow fluid to drain from airways and help them breathe.

Let’s say you placed a tourniquet successfully and there’s no help coming. Ever. You’re the end of the line when it comes to medical care for this victim. If a tourniquet is on, should you loosen it from time to time? You may be tempted to do this, but **don’t**: It can cause further bleeding.

That doesn’t mean you can leave the victim, now your patient, with a tourniquet on and a knife sticking out of them forever. Carefully transport them to a more controlled setting where you have the bulk of your medical supplies and remove the knife. Yes, I said remove the knife, there’s no hospital, no trauma surgeon, just you. You may have to place a second tourniquet above the first one if bleeding returns. You goal is to transition the patient from the tourniquet within, say, 2 hours or so, to a hemostatic gauze and a pressure bandage.

Once the bleeding is under control, clean the wound thoroughly and dress it. Remove hemostatic materials within 24 hours. Wound closure may be an option in some cases, but most back-country stab wounds will be dirty and should be left open. You’ll find daily wound care described in other articles on this website.

All of the above may not be necessary if you practice preventative measures. In other words, insist your people wear hand and eye protection when using sharp instruments, and don’t run with scissors. With some foresight, you may be able to avoid a mishap that could turn into a tragedy.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids-1024x686.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Learn more about bleeding and 200 other medical issues in survival settings with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition, available in [black and white at Amazo](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MAKD2MY9TZK2&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook+4th+edition&qid=1653233311&sprefix=survival+medicine+handbook%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-1)n or get a signed color or black and white version at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Plus, tourniquets, hemostatic dressing, pressure bandages, and an entire line of medical kits too!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)The 700-page 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)Just three of many quality medical kits at store.doomandbloom.netHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-stab-wounds/) 

 [Medical Censorship](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-censorship/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma

**Tags:** bleeding management, bleeding wounds, hemorrhage, joe alton md, knife wounds, medical preparedneses, stab wounds, stop bleeding, survival medicine

---

### [Medical Censorship](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-censorship/)

**Published:** May 21, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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A February [resolution](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2098&showamends=false) entered in California’s state legislature gives broad powers to the state’s medical board to investigate and punish doctors whose advice and treatment during the pandemic varies from the “applicable standard of care.” This type of vague “disinformation” authority over physicians who dare to voice alternative options includes actions that can take away a medical license.

California’s attempt to reign in “misinformation” goes against everything a young physician should be taught in medical school. It’s important to be objective with regards to the current conventional wisdom and to question it when appropriate. If we didn’t have this freedom, medical progress wouldn’t move at the pace needed to meet today’s challenges. California wants to “cancel” a healthcare professional’s right to free thinking by creating a censor. Worse; a censor with the power to ruin careers.

If today’s practicing physicians in California fail to toe the conventional dogma, they will suffer the penalty. This is a risk young doctors, many with spouses and children to support, will be reluctant to take. They will feel forced to follow the straight and very narrow path, even if they believe that path to not be in their patients’ best interest.

Yes, some doctors may be incompetent, even negligent. Some may have opinions that aren’t supported by hard data. Indeed, nothing cures everything, and sweeping medical claims should be viewed with a skeptical eye. Scrutinize these practitioners and take action when necessary to keep patients safe.

What’s going on in California, however, will have implications that are far-reaching. It’ll set a precedent for other state and national organizations. Before long, there will be one way to deal with a particular health issue (not just COVID) and one way only. If it doesn’t work, what are physicians to do? Shrug and walk away?

It’s already started. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has just passed [a “misinformation” policy ](https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/policies/ethics-committee-report-misinformation-april-2022-final.pdf)recommending that its members crack down on errant physicians. The CEO of the organization has been quoted in [the L.A. Time](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-08-16/doctors-coronavirus-misinformation-license)s as saying: “…it’s incumbent upon physicians to keep up with what’s permissible, what’s approved, what’s authorized and what’s not.” The FSMB wants to expand its control broadly across social media.

It appears that many media outlets actually welcome a 1984-style medical Ministry of Truth. I don’t. I’m a retired physician who writes about strategies that might save lives in long-term disasters. In these situations, the caregiver’s options are limited due to a lack of a functioning medical infrastructure, so you have to be flexible and think outside the box. This means crossing into uncharted territory sometimes, but something is better than nothing. Theodore Roosevelt once said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

There’s more than one way to skin a cat or even treat an illness. Developing different ways to handle infections and injuries is the way medicine moves forward. Discouraging free thought in our healthcare providers is a mistake; the kind that, one day down the road, will cost us dearly.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

Learn about medical issues in austere settings with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine, the 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way. You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Bleeding Management, Pt 2: Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-management-pt-2-stab-wounds/) 

 [Cases of Hepatitis In Children](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cases-of-hepatitis-in-children/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Joe Alton MD, Rants and Raves

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical censorship, state medical boards

---

### [Cases of Hepatitis In Children](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cases-of-hepatitis-in-children/)

**Published:** May 17, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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“[Hepatitis](https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/index.htm)” is the term used for inflammation of the liver. Mostly caused by viruses, this condition disrupts the body’s ability to process toxins and can be life-threatening. Recent reports indicate that an unusual number of cases of hepatitis among children aged 2-5 years are emerging. [The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control](https://cdn.ecdc.europa.eu/novhep-surveillance/) noted about 450 affected over 25 countries as of the week of May 11, 2022. About a quarter of these come from the United States.

More than 90% of the children diagnosed in the United States required hospitalization, and five have succumbed to the disease. [Liver failure caused organ transplantation](https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/hepatitis-in-children) to be required in 14 percent of cases.

There are several main types of Hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. The most frequently seen are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and C can become chronic inflammations with long-lasting ill effects. The recent pediatric cases, however, seem to be of unknown origin or related to the presence of a virus known as “[adenovirus 41](https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0421-hepatitis-alert.html).” The relationship between the hepatitis cases and the virus is not yet known, although the CDC noted its presence in half the patients.

**SYMPTOMS OF LIVER INFLAMMATION**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1395946604-jaundice-hepatitis-scaled.jpg)

In hepatitis, the liver becomes enlarged and tender to the touch. Other signs and symptoms include:

- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stool, whitish-gray or clay-colored in some cases
- GI symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and appetite loss
- Fever
- Fatigue, weakness
- Muscle and joint aches

Parents who note the above in their children should take them for medical evaluation immediately.

**HEPATITIS A, B, AND C**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1420119932-symptoms-of-hepatitis-A-1-1024x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1420119932-symptoms-of-hepatitis-A-1-scaled.jpg)

Here are what you should know about the main types of hepatitis:

**Hepatitis A:** The hepatitis A virus is found in the bowel movements of infected individuals. You get it by ingesting something contaminated with microscopic feces containing the virus. This is known as “oral-fecal contamination.” It can also be passed sexually.

Expect symptoms to start 2-6 weeks after infection. Hepatitis A could be severe enough to require hospitalization in about 20 percent of cases, but most cases are self-limited and resolve in two weeks or so. Long-term damage is rare.

**Hepatitis B:** This type can be spread by exposure to contaminated needles, blood products, semen, and vaginal fluids. The virus also can pass from a mother to her newborn child at birth or soon afterward.

Symptoms are usually indistinguishable from Hepatitis A. Unlike Hepatitis A, however, hepatitis B may cause achy joints. In some circumstances, Hepatitis B may lead to a chronic condition known as “cirrhosis” that leads to permanent liver dysfunction.

**Hepatitis C:** About 200 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus throughout the world. It is a blood borne virus (there are several subtypes) contracted by intravenous drug use, transfusion, contaminated tattoo needles, and unsafe sexual practices. A percentage of these patients will progress to cirrhosis over time and, sometimes, liver failure. It is also the primary cause of liver cancer.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_84037051-liver-cirrhosis.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_84037051-liver-cirrhosis.jpg)

In cirrhosis, the functioning cells of the liver are replaced by nodules that do nothing to help metabolism. The signs and symptoms may be striking, and include:

• Accumulation of fluid resulting in a swollen abdomen (called “**ascites**”).

• Varicose veins, especially in the stomach and esophagus.

• Jaundice.

• Swollen ankles and legs.

Cirrhosis can also be caused by prolonged alcohol or drug abuse. Luckily, most hepatitis cases don’t develop cirrhosis and improve over 4-8 weeks. Victims are contagious, however, and can spread infection through close contact with others even before feeling sick or when their own symptoms disappear.

**WHY IS HEPATITIS OCCURRING IN CHILDREN?**

Hepatitis in children is very rare, so why is this occurring now?

The answer is “no one knows for sure,” at least at present. Is a normally mild virus like adenovirus 41 mutating into something more serious? Usually, you’d just see a few days of flu-like symptoms, GI complaints, or perhaps bladder discomfort or conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Some are concerned about a COVID-related origin, but there were no current SARS-CoV-2 infections in the reported cases. There is, however, a multi-system inflammatory reaction that can occur in children after COVID known as “MIS-C.” It’s possible that a prior COVID infection might have made the liver “triggered” by an adenovirus into a major inflammatory response. Other hypotheses suggest the presence of toxins in the environment or, perhaps, a different infectious agent. As for the vaccine, liver specialists have stated that few if any of the 2–5-year-old victims had been vaccinated.

**HEPATITIS IN SURVIVAL**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-1024x605.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-scaled.jpg)

Antiviral treatment for some forms of hepatitis, such as hepatitis C, has been rapidly improving, with more than 90 percent cure rates. It should be noted that vaccines also exist for Hepatitis A and B, but not C. Unfortunately, these options won’t be available to the austere medic.

What, if anything, can be done for a hepatitis victim off the grid? Once hepatitis is diagnosed, the austere medic can prescribe rest, assure proper nutrition, and give plenty of fluids while the patient’s body fights the infection.

At one point, medications run out and the medic is left with only natural alternatives. There are a few “detoxifying” and anti-inflammatory herbal remedies that may help support a liver afflicted with hepatitis. Some of these supplements include:

• Milk Thistle

• Artichoke

• Dandelion

• Turmeric

• Licorice

• Red Clover

• Green Tea

Be aware that these aren’t cures and are lacking hard data as to their effectiveness. They might assist your other efforts by having a restorative effect.

Nutritional strategies that may help recovery:

• Avoid fatty foods and alcohol

• Increase zinc intake

• Emphasize lean proteins (fish, egg whites, skinless chicken)

• Improve hydration status, especially with herbal teas, vegetable broths and diluted vegetable juices.

Hopefully, the number of children developing hepatitis will not increase, but it’s important to know the signs and symptoms. Armed with knowledge, the family medic can recognize the problem and begin efforts, in normal times, to seek help from qualified professionals.

Joe Alton MD

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Formula Shortages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-formula-shortages/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, hepatitis, Herbal Remedies, Infections, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** adenovirus 41, all about hepatitis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis in children, joe altonm d, liver cirrhosis, liver inflammation, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Formula Shortages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-formula-shortages/)

**Published:** May 16, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/baby-formula-canva.png)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/baby-formula-canva.png)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the shortage of infant formula across the country. Also in the conversation are possible alternatives to scarce brands and links to options a mother would have if she were knocked off the grid due to a disaster and unable to breastfeed.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

Learn more about off-grid medical solutions in the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, “***The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help is NOT On The Way***,” available in black and white on Amazon or get a signed color copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/). And don’t forget our entire line of [quality medical kits and individual supplies](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) .

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Cases of Hepatitis In Children](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cases-of-hepatitis-in-children/) 

 [Book Excellence Award Category Winner!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/book-excellence-award-category-winner/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Supplies, Nutrition, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** Abbott labs formula recall, baby formula shortage, homemade recipes for baby formula, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Book Excellence Award Category Winner!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/book-excellence-award-category-winner/)

**Published:** May 12, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We’re pleased to announce that the 4th Edition of ***The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way*** has been awarded 1st place in the medical category of the Book Excellence Awards! This marks Dr. and Nurse Alton’s third such award since 2017. Thanks to all for your support!

The book covers more than 200 topics and has over 330 illustrations over 700 pages, and it’s all in plain English. You can find it in [black and white on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NR472QGBWKGN&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1652377217&sprefix=survival+medicine%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-1) and in [black and white (signed) or color (signed) at our website](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition-black-and-white-or-color-upgrade/). Check it out, you’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Formula Shortages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-formula-shortages/) 

 [What To Do About Baby Formula Shortages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-do-about-baby-formula-shortages/)

**Categories:** Book, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** 4th Edition, amy alton np, Book excellence award winner, joe alton md, The Survival Medicine Handbook

---

### [What To Do About Baby Formula Shortages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-to-do-about-baby-formula-shortages/)

**Published:** May 11, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1988857328-baby-formula-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1988857328-baby-formula-scaled.jpg)

A large survey of 11,000 stores have found that fully 43% are sold out of baby formula. More mothers are breast-feeding their babies these days, but most still find themselves using baby formula at one point or another in their child’s first six months of life. A formula shortage panic is part and parcel of a society that is unprepared for shortages in the face of disasters and other upheavals.

In this case, the formula shortage is thought to be due to a [major recall ](https://www.axios.com/2022/03/01/abbott-recall-baby-formula-similac)by one of the three companies that make the product: Abbott labs. Recently, several infants were hospitalized with *[cronobacter sakazakii](https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/index.html)*, a bacterium that was identified in the company’s Michigan plant. One of the babies is reported to have died. Supply chain issues may also be a factor in the current crisis.

If you have Abbott products in your pantry, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asks that you check to see if it might be at risk for contamination. [Recalled lots](https://www.cdc.gov/cronobacter/index.html) can be identified. Check to see if the first two digits of the product code are 22 through 37, the code contains K8, SH, or Z2, and has an expiration date later than April 1, 2022. Abbott’s website has a search feature that allows you to plug in your lot numbers to see if it’s part of the recall.

Baby formula is meant to be as close to human breast milk as possible, making an acceptable substitute difficult to find. What to do? You should first consult with your pediatrician, of course, about the issue. Some pediatricians say that Pedialyte is an option for a day or so to keep the baby hydrated. Others say that toddler formula will do for a few days while you’re hunting for the right stuff. Infants over one year of age on formula can slowly transition to whole milk. A few say small amounts of cow’s milk can even be g[iven in babies 6 month of age ](https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/pregnancyparenting/baby-formula-shortages-what-to-do-if-you-run-out/)or over for a short time.

The brands removed from supermarket shelves include popular brands like Similac, Alimentum, and Elecare. Pediatricians from Prisma Health are reported in South Carolina’s Greenville News as suggesting the following substitutes for recalled products:

**Similac 360 Total Care/Advance substitutions:** Gerber Good Start Gentle, Enfamil Infant, Enfamil NeuroPro, Enfamil Enspire, Up&Up Advantage/Infant, Parent’s Choice Advantage/Infant

**Similac Soy Isomil substitutions:** Gerber Good Start Soy, Enfamil Plant Based, Up&Up Soy, Parent’s Choice Soy

**Similac Neosure substitutions:** Enfamil Enfacare

**Similac Sensitive/360 Total Care Sensitive substitutions:** Gerber Good Start Soothe, Enfamil Gentlease, Up& Up Sensitivity, Parent’s Choice Sensitivity

**Similac for Spit-up substitutions:** Enfamil AR, Parent’s Choice Added Rice Starch

**Similac Total Comfort substitutions:** Enfamil Reguline, Up&Up Advantage Complete Comfort, Parent’s Choice Tender

**Similac Alimentum substitutions:** Gerber Good Start Extensive HA, Enfamil Nutramigen, Up&Up Hypoallergenic, Parent’s Choice Hypoallergenic

**Similac Elecare substitutions:** Nutricia Neocate Infant, Enfamil Puramino, Nestle Alfamino

If these options are not available, there isn’t a lot of advice that the government or the pediatric establishment give as alternatives. They recommend continuing to breastfeed or returning to breastfeeding if the infant was recently weaned. Another suggestion is to search for it in places other than supermarkets: pharmacies, for example. Look in areas where the infant population is low (such as senior communities), you may find more available there. Of course, if you can find your baby’s formula online from a trusted source, use that avenue.

If you do find a supply, though, the government says not to get more than a month’s worth (because that’s just greedy). Needless to say, advice like this goes against the grain for preparedness folk.

It’s possible that an infant could transition to solid food. [A baby that’s ready](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/babys-first-solid-foods/) should be able to:

- remain stable in a sitting position.
- hold their head steady while sitting up.
- have sufficient coordination so they can look at food, pick it up, and put it in their mouth by themselves.
- swallow food easily without frequently spitting up.

Other behaviors could be mistaken as ready for solids. Chewing fists and wanting extra formula are not indications to switch over.

The opinion of the FDA, CDC, and [almost all pediatricians](https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/pediatricians-plea-parents-baby-formula) is that no formula shortage should result in using cow’s milk in young infants, plant milks like soy or almond, watering down existing formula, or making your own. They explain that all [these options are dangerous](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2022/05/11/baby-formula-shortage-safe-substitutes/9730061002/) and can overload an infant’s kidneys or cause electrolyte imbalances that can lead to seizures. The CDC states that homemade formula recipes you’ll find online can contain harmful ingredients or be contaminated. They recommend you ignore those “mommy blogger” recipes.

Unfortunately, solutions to the problem are scarce. Some websites actually advise mothers to borrow a can of formula from a neighbor as a strategy. Not exactly a long-term answer.

Of course, families with infants should listen to their pediatricians, but what happens when the approved commercial substitutes are sold out? What if a disaster knocks out formula manufacturing altogether? In the old days, there were nursemaids, but that doesn’t seem like a popular career path today. Up until the 1960s, some mothers were even sent home with [homemade formula recipes](https://dustyoldthing.com/1950s-homemade-formula-recipes/).

If the formula shortage continues, you might have little choice but to buck the pediatric establishment and make your own. I’m not a pediatrician and haven’t been in a situation where I needed formula and there was none to be had. Having said that, you have to do something if you can’t find formula and your baby needs to eat. Here are a number of links to various “[mommy blogger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mommyblogs)” homemade recipes (none of which, I have to admit, I’ve tested myself):

[Formula – Homemade Baby Formula – The Weston A. Price Foundation ](https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/childrens-health/formula-homemade-baby-formula/)

[https://wellnessmama.com/wprm\_print/203435](https://wellnessmama.com/wprm_print/203435)

It should be noted that no formula recipe using honey is safe for infants, due to the risk of[ botulism.](https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/prevention.html)

For now, it may take a little searching to find the formula you need, but be sure to consider what you’d do if there was none to be found. That’s part of being prepared; if we all had a plan of action for every contingency, we’d be a nation that could weather any shortage.

(Addendum: There’s a program called “Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies” that has formula stockpiles in various parts of the country. Worth checking into.)

Joe Alton MD

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Check out our entire line of quality Grab N Go(r) medical kits or individual supplies at **[store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)** You’ll be glad you did. Plus, our 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, The 4th edition of **The Survival Medicine Handbook** still sits atop its categories at Amazon! Get a copy in black and white there or a signed copy in color at our store!

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 [Video: Diabetes, Pt. 2: Complications](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-pt-2-complications/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nursing Care, Nutrition, Pediatric Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized

**Tags:** alternatives to baby formula, baby formula shortage, joe alton md, medical preparedness, similac shortage, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nasal Trauma, AFib, Valerian](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nasal-trauma-afib-valerian/)

**Published:** May 6, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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It’s a rare individual who has never had a nosebleed and a lot of people have, over the course of their lives, been the recipient of a punch in the nose or other facial trauma. Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss nosebleeds, nasal fractures (broken noses) and foreign bodies in the nostrils of children in this episode.

Also, Amy Alton, NP discusses the usefulness of valerian root off the grid for various purposes in the survival medicinal garden. Plus, a listener asks about the heart condition that causes palpitations, irregular beat, and much more: Atrial fibrillation.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr.Bones and Nurse Amy! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, fill those holes in your medical storage with kits and individual supplies from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Diabetes, Pt. 2: Complications](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-pt-2-complications/) 

 [Bleeding Wound Management, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-wound-management-pt-1/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Bleeding Wound, Chronic Illness, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Herbal Remedies, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nasal Issues, Trauma

**Tags:** Afib, amy alton np, atrial fibrillation, broken nose, foreign object in nose, joe alton md, medical preparedness, nasal trauma, nosebleed, survival medicine, valerian root

---

### [Bleeding Wound Management, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-wound-management-pt-1/)

**Published:** May 3, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-scaled.jpg)

In a destabilized society, traumatic wounds may be commonplace is scenarios where there is a desperate population and no rule of law. Even routine activities of daily survival may cause injuries that could become life-threatening. Therefore, the family or group medic must always be prepared to deal with bleeding wounds. Some of these, especially those in the abdomen and chest, are likely to be fatal without advanced medical care. In this article, let’s commemorate **[National Stop The Bleed Mont](https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/news-and-articles/press-releases/2022/stop-the-bleed-month/ "National Stop The Bleed Mont")h** (I’m a certified instructor through the American College of Surgeons) by concentrating on those hemorrhages that are survivable.

Cuts in the skin can be minor or catastrophic, superficial or deep, clean or infected. Significant cuts (also called “lacerations”) penetrate both layers of the skin (dermis and epidermis) and are associated with bleeding, the amount of which depends on the blood vessels disrupted. Knowing how to manage hemorrhagic wounds quickly and effectively will be of paramount importance for the survival medic.

In studies of casualties in recent wars, 50 percent of those killed in action died of blood loss. 25 percent died within the first **[“golden hour”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_hour_(medicine))** after being wounded. The golden hour is the time after which a victim’s chance of survival diminishes significantly if untreated, with a threefold increase in death rate for every 30 minutes without care thereafter.

If there is active bleeding and the wrong artery is severed, however, it could take just a few minutes for a person to “bleed out” and be beyond medical help. A severed femoral artery can lose more than a pint of blood a minute. With hemorrhage, the reality should, perhaps, be called the “**platinum five minutes**” instead.

Venous bleeding manifests as dark red blood that drains steadily from the wound, while arterial bleeding is bright red (due to higher oxygen content) and comes out in spurts that correspond to the pulse of the patient. As the vein and artery usually run together, a serious laceration can have both.

Once below the level of the skin, large blood vessels, muscles, and nerves may be involved. You’ll identify more problems with vessel and nerve damage in deep lacerations and crush injuries. In any case, bleeding control must be achieved.

In response to fatalities due to bleeding in recent military conflicts, the U.S. instituted[ **Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines**](https://books.allogy.com/web/tenant/8/books/b729b76a-1a34-4bf7-b76b-66bb2072b2a7/)**.** It is thought that up to one in five deaths from hemorrhage in the field may be prevented with quick action by those at the scene. Civilian and law enforcement authorities have established similar strategies in response to the hard lessons learned by our soldiers; so should the family medic.

**BLOOD BASICS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1321386587-blood-components-890x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/shutterstock_1321386587-blood-components-scaled.jpg)

It’s worthwhile for the medic who may be dealing with bleeding wounds to know some basics about blood. Blood is a specialized fluid that comprises about 7-8 percent of a person’s total weight. It’s involved in:

• Delivering oxygen to the body from the lungs and eliminating carbon dioxide (a process called “gas exchange”).

• Forming clots that stop hemorrhages.

• Transporting substances that fight infections and disease.

• Delivering waste products to the kidneys and liver.

• Helping to regulate body temperature.

There are four main components to blood:

**Red blood cells (RBCs):** RBCs are the cells that carry oxygen to body tissues, thanks to a special iron-containing protein called “**hemoglobin**.” Red cells account for 40-45 percent of total blood volume. They start as immature cells in the bone marrow that mature and are released into the bloodstream. The average lifespan of a red blood cell is about 120 days.

**White blood cells (WBCs):** These cells account for only about one percent of total blood volume, but are extremely important for fighting infection and disease. There are several types, including short-lived cells deployed for immediate response and longer-lived ones that regulate the function of immune cells, make antibodies, and directly attack infected cells and tumors.

**Platelets and other clotting factors:** These are small cell fragments that allow bleeding to stop by gathering at the wound site and helping to form a clot. Like RBCs and WBCs, they originate in the bone marrow.

**Plasma:** A yellow liquid that transports all of the above throughout the body.

Together, these components are referred to as “whole blood.”

**PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF BLOOD LOSS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ACS-classes-of-hemorrhage-bleeding.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ACS-classes-of-hemorrhage-bleeding.jpg)

Evaluating blood loss is an important aspect of dealing with wounds. An average size human adult has about 10 pints (4.73 liters or 4730 ml) of blood. The effect on the body caused by blood loss varies with the amount incurred. The American College of Surgeons recognizes four classes of acute hemorrhage, along with expected signs and symptoms:

**Class I:** Hemorrhage is less or equal to 15 percent of blood volume (1.5 pints/750 ml) in an average adult male. 750 ml is the amount in a bottle of wine. A person donating 1 pint of blood is giving slightly less than 500 ml. At this level there are almost no signs or symptoms, although some may have a slightly rapid pulse and feel vaguely faint or anxious.

**Class II:** Hemorrhage is 15 to 30% loss of total blood volume (1.5-3 pints/750-1500 ml). The body’s efforts to compensate for less red blood cells at this point results in a faster heartbeat and breathing rate to speed oxygen to tissues. This patient will appear pale and skin will be cool. They’ll feel shaky, weak, and anxious. Blood pressure remains, for now, within normal range. Urine production begins to slow down in order to retain fluid volume.

**Class III:** Hemorrhage is 30 to 40% loss of blood (3-4 pints/1500-2000 ml). At this point, the heart will be beating very quickly and breathing very fast as the body encounters difficulty getting enough oxygen to tissues. Blood pressure drops. Smaller blood vessels in extremities constrict to keep the body core circulation going. This patient will be confused, pale, and in hypovolemic (low blood volume) shock. Urine decreases significantly. In normal times, blood transfusion is usually necessary.

**Class IV:** Hemorrhage is more than 40% of total blood volume (greater than 4 pints/2000 ml). The heart can no longer maintain blood pressure and circulation. All parameters are well outside normal range and the patient becomes lethargic due to lack of oxygen and circulation to the brain. Without major resuscitative help at this point, organs like the kidneys fail. The patient loses consciousness. Heart rate and respiration slows and eventually ceases as the patient dies.

**ABCDE VS. CABDE**

The traditional initial field assessment of a victim usually involves the acronym ABCDE. Although ABCDE may mean different things to different people, one interpretation goes as follows:

**A**irway: Is the airway open? If the patient can talk, it is.

**B**reathing: Is the victim breathing?

**C**irculation: Is the victim bleeding?

**D**isability: Can the victim feel and move extremities? Can they respond appropriately to questions?

**E**xposure: Can you see the full extent of the injury? Are there other hidden injuries, such as an exit wound?

This sequence is fine for, say, a heart attack, but must be adjusted in bleeding wound cases to CABDE. In these circumstances, the cause of death is more often hemorrhage. The determination of the victim’s airway, breathing, and even mental status can often be done simultaneously with bleeding control.

It’s important to note that the bleeding may not be coming from the most visible wound. Where there is an entry wound, there is (depending on the projectile) probably an exit wound. This may not be directly on the opposite side of the entrance wound. A bullet may ricochet off a bone and exit in an entirely different direction. Also, the position of the victim when wounded plays a part. If they were in a crouching position when hit in the chest, the exit wound might be in the lower back or buttocks.

Modern strategies for bleeding trauma go beyond ABCDE or CABDE. It pays to remember the mnemonic **M.A.R.C.H./P.A.W.S**. MARCH is an effective primary survey in situations where serious hemorrhage must be managed. M.A.R.C.H. stands for:

• **M Massive Hemorrhage:** Establish, continue, or improve the control of life-threatening bleeding by whatever means necessary. Tourniquets, hemostatic agents, pressure dressings, pelvic binders, and more are tools to help stop hemorrhage (known as “**hemostasis**”).

• **A Airway:** Establish and maintain a reliable airway via chin lift, jaw thrust, recovery position, oral or nasal airways, and other devices/procedures.

• **R Respiration:** Seal open chest wounds, decompress tension pneumothoraxes, and ventilate to assure oxygen gets to the lungs. This may be through a bag-valve mask (BVM) and include the use of oxygen if available. In modern times, trained professionals may even place a tube in the windpipe of a casualty, a procedure known as **“intubation.”**

• **C Circulation:** In normal times, IV fluids are administered to treat shock. This can involve giving blood or other related products. Improvement in circulation may also be seen by laying a victim flat or in the shock position, and preventing heat loss. Keep the victim warm by covering them with a blanket, if possible, but monitor the site of injury carefully. If the wound is in an extremity, raise their legs 12 inches above the level of the heart. If the wound is in the torso, however, don’t elevate the legs.

• **H Hypothermia:** Remove wet clothing, cover with blankets, and establish a barrier between the cold ground and the victim. Some also use H to stand for “head”: treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

Of course, you may not have all the materials to fully implement MARCH off the grid. Once you’ve evaluated and treated the issues addressed in MARCH as best you can, it’s time to survey **P.A.W.S.:**

• **P** Pain management.

• **A** Antibiotics for early prevention of infection.

• **W** Wound reassessment and care.

• **S** Splinting fractures and providing stabilization to limb dressings.

Although some equipment involved in maximally effecting MARCH will be scarce, the wise medic will likely have some options to implement PAWS. Pain meds, antibiotics, wound dressings, and splints widely available in one form or another for addition to your medical storage.

Next time, I’ll go step-by-step through the process of stopping a possibly life-threatening hemorrhage, including some of the items helpful to succeed.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Dr, Alton

Learn more about how to deal with hemorrhagic injuries and 150 other topics in survival scenarios with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine “**The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.**” Also, check out our entire line of medical kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nasal Trauma, AFib, Valerian](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nasal-trauma-afib-valerian/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Thyroid Issues, Alcoholism, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-thyroid-issues-alcoholism-more/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Gunshot Wounds, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

---

### [The Case For Fish Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-case-for-fish-antibiotics/)

**Published:** December 15, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Betta-Fish-Nurse-Amy.jpg)

More than a decade ago, I was the first physician to advocate for the storing of antibiotics marketed for tropical fish and pet birds as a potential tool for the medic in long-term survival settings. Although I never recommended them for use in situations where there is a functioning medical infrastructure, I believe, despite criticism, that having a supply of these on hand will save lives, otherwise lost from bacterial infections, in a prolonged off-grid disaster scenario.

Accumulating over-the-counter drugs for the medic’s storage may be a simple enterprise, but not prescription medicines. Even with a sympathetic physician, the ability to obtain the quantity needed to be an effective caregiver for a survival community is limited, at best. Antibiotics are one example of life-saving medications that would be in short supply off the grid.

The inability to have antibiotics at hand may cost some poorly prepared individuals their lives in a survival situation. There will be a much larger incidence of infection when people have to fend for themselves and are injured as a result. Any strenuous activities performed that aren’t routine in normal times can lead to injuries that break the skin. These wounds will, very likely, be dirty. Within a relatively short time, they might begin to show signs of infection in the form of redness, heat, and swelling.

Treatment of such infections at an early stage improves the chance they will heal quickly and completely. However, many rugged individualists are likely to “tough it out” until their condition worsens and the infection spreads to their blood. If the medic has ready access to antibiotics, the problem can be nipped in the bud before a tragic outcome occurs.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-1024x605.jpg)Some solutions for medical issues off the grid without medical help, like fish antibiotics, may save lives

The following is contrary to standard medical practice; it’s a strategy that is appropriate only when help is not on the way. If there are modern medical resources available to you, seek them out.

**Antibiotic Options**

Small quantities of antibiotics can be obtained by anyone willing to tell their doctor that they are going out of the country and would like to avoid “[Travelers’ Diarrhea](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diarrhea_treatment/)” or other infections common at their destination. Likewise, asking for medications that must be taken early in an infection, like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for influenza, is a reasonable strategy; after all, not everyone can get in to see their doctor right away, and the antiviral Tamiflu is most effective in the first 48 hours after symptoms begin.

(Note: Tamiflu is an anti-viral and only works against influenza (and not COVID-19. Antibiotics have no effect against viruses at all.)

This approach is fine for one or two courses of therapy, but a long-term alternative is required for the survival caregiver to have enough antibiotics to protect a family or survival group. In the aftermath of a disaster, some deaths may be unavoidable, but bacterial-related deaths are unacceptable. This concern led us to what we believe is a viable option: aquarium and avian antibiotics.

For many years, we have kept tropical fish in aquaria and tilapia in ponds. We also have parrots as pets. After years of using aquatic medicines on fish and avian medicines on birds, we decided to evaluate these drugs for their potential use off the grid. They seemed to be good candidates: All were widely available, available in different varieties, and didn’t require a medical license or prescription.

A close inspection of a number of these products found exactly one ingredient: the drug itself, identical to those obtained by prescription at the local pharmacy. A bottle labeled aquatic amoxicillin, for example, had as its sole ingredient amoxicillin, which is an antibiotic commonly used in humans. Unless they’re listed on the bottle, there are no additional chemicals to makes your scales shinier or your feathers more colorful.

Any reasonable person might be skeptical about considering the use of aquarium antibiotics for humans, even in disaster settings. Those things are for fish, aren’t they? Yet, a number of them only come in dosages that correspond to pediatric or adult human dosages.

The question became: Why should a one-inch guppy require the same dosage of, say, amoxicillin as a 180-pound adult human? We were told that it was due to the dilution of the drug in water. However, at the time, there were few instructions that tell you how much to put in a ½ gallon fishbowl as opposed to a 200-gallon aquarium (they have them now, however).

Finally, the “acid test” was to look at the pills or capsules themselves. The aquatic or avian drug had to be identical to that found in bottles of the corresponding human medicine. For example, when (in 2010) we opened a bottle of FISH-MOX FORTE 500 mg distributed by Thomas Labs and a bottle of Human Amoxicillin 500mg (DAVA pharmaceuticals), we found:

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/amoxicillinhuman.jpg)human amoxicillin by DAVA pharmaceuticals

Human Amoxicillin: Red and Pink Capsule, with the letters and numbers WC 731 on it.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/amoxicillin-dava-pharm-1024x896.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/amoxicillin-dava-pharm.jpg)aquarium version of amoxicillin

FISH-MOX FORTE: Red and Pink Capsule with the letters and numbers WC 731 on it.

There are still a number of examples today, including:

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-antibiotics-fish-with-id-numbers-1024x768.jpg)fish versions of different antibiotics

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/capsules-of-azithromycin-levofloxacin-minocycline-human-versions-1024x584.jpg)Appearance of same antibiotics made by human pharmaceutical companies

Logically, then, it makes sense to believe that they are essentially identical, manufactured in the same way that human antibiotics are. Further, it is our opinion that they are probably from the same batches; some go to human pharmacies and some go to veterinary pharmacies or bottling companies. Over the years, readers in the human and veterinary pharmacy fields have confirmed this.

This is not to imply that all antibiotic medications met the criteria. Many cat, dog, and livestock antibiotics contain additives that might cause ill effects on a human being. Look only for those veterinary drugs that have the antibiotic as the sole ingredient.

There has been significant controversy regarding these medicines as some have chosen to use them in normal times against our recommendations, which only apply to long-term survival scenarios. As a result, the original distributor of these drugs, Thomas Labs, eventually stopped production in response to political pressure. For now, other brands with names like FISH-AID and others have, at the time of this writing, filled the void by offering a number of veterinary equivalents online. Expect volatility in terms of availability as a number of these drugs are placed under increasing government control in the future.

**VETERINARY “EQUIVALENTS”**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Antibiotics.jpg)Having antibiotics in quantity will help the medic save lives in survival scenarios 

Here is a list of antibiotics that are commercially available in aquatic or avian form as of the writing of this article:

AMOXICILLIN, (Amoxicillin 250 mg and 500 mg)

AMPICILLIN 500 MG

PENICILLIN 250 mg and 500 mg

CEPHALEXIN 250 mg and 500 mg

METRONIDAZOLE 250 mg and 500 mg

CIPROFLOXACIN 250 mg and 500 mg

CLINDAMYCIN 150 mg

AZITHROMYCIN 250 mg

LEVOFLOXACIN 500 mg

SULFAMETHOXAZOLE/TRIMETHOPRIM 400 mg/80 mg and 800 mg/160 mg

DOXYCYCLINE 100 mg

MINOCYCLINE 50 mg and 100 mg

FLUCONAZOLE (anti-fungal) 100 mg

Most of the above come in lots of 30 to 100 tablets which can be bought in multiples. This makes them eligible for the survival medic to stockpile for prolonged disaster events. As recently as December 2020, we were able to purchase several without a prescription.

Of course, anyone could be allergic to one or another of these antibiotics, but it would be a very rare individual who would be allergic to all of them. It should be noted that there’s a 10% cross-reactivity between Penicillin drugs and cephalexin (Keflex). If you are allergic to penicillin, you could also be allergic to Keflex. For those who can’t take penicillin, there are suitable safe alternatives. Any of the antibiotics below should not cause a reaction in a patient allergic to Penicillin-family drugs:

- Doxycycline
- Metronidazole
- Tetracycline
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clindamycin
- Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim
- Levofloxacin
- Minocycline

This one additional fact: We have personally used some (not all) of these antibiotics as veterinary equivalents on our own persons without any ill effects. Whenever we have used them, their effects have been indistinguishable from human antibiotics.

Having said this, we recommend *against* self-treatment in any circumstance that does not involve the complete long-term loss of access to modern medical care. This is a strategy to save lives in a post-calamity scenario only.

**Finding Out More**

Although you might think that any antibiotic will work to cure any disease, specific antibiotics are used at specific doses for specific illnesses. The exact dosage of each and every medication in existence for each and every disease is well beyond the scope of this article. It’s important, however, to have as much information as possible about medications that you plan to store.

This information is available in a number of drug reference manuals (with images) in both print and digital form. Online sources such as drugs.com or rxlist.com are other useful sources, but we recommend a hard copy for your medical library in case a disaster affects the internet.

Your manual should list medications that require prescriptions as well as those that do not. Under each medicine, you will find the “indications”, which are the medical conditions that the drug is used for. Also listed will be the dosages, risks, side effects, and even how the medicine works in the body. It’s okay to obtain a book that isn’t the latest edition, as information about common drugs doesn’t often change a great deal from one year to the next. Try to obtain a recent copy, though, as occasional changes do occur.

For those skeptical of our opinion on this topic, we ask you to imagine this circumstance: A disaster has occurred that has knocked you off the grid and sent you on the road. Your family is performing activities of daily survival like chopping wood for fuel, something they’ve never done before. Your son or daughter cuts themselves and, in a day or so, the wound becomes red, hot, and swollen. There may be the beginnings of a fever. You only have a bottle of “fish” amoxicillin. Would you use it? We’ll let you decide.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Dr. Alton

Dr. Alton’s opinions are his own and not meant as medical advice. They do not take the place of evaluation and treatment by qualified medical providers wherever a functioning medical infrastructure exists.

Learn more about antibiotics, infectious diseases, and more than 100 other topics in off-grid settings in the 2017 Book Excellence Award 1st place winner in medicine, [The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 3rd edition](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1608048771&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=083aebc571697efc6ecf7b840b901116&language=en_US).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award.png)](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1608048771&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=083aebc571697efc6ecf7b840b901116&language=en_US)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Altons-antibiotic-book-with-Book-excellence-2020-award-star.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2J72B22LF5RA6&dchild=1&keywords=altons+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1608049775&sprefix=antibiotics+and+infectious,aps,185&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=eea4feb1d42be265711b987157219151&language=en_US)[2020 Book Excellence Award 1st place winner in medicine](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2J72B22LF5RA6&dchild=1&keywords=altons+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1608049775&sprefix=antibiotics+and+infectious,aps,185&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=eea4feb1d42be265711b987157219151&language=en_US)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Ivermectin for COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ivermectin-for-covid-19/) 

 [How Many Antibiotics?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-many-antibiotics/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Diarrhea, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tamiflu

**Tags:** fish antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, using antibiotics wisely, veterinary antibiotics

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Thyroid Issues, Alcoholism, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-thyroid-issues-alcoholism-more/)

**Published:** April 26, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)

More than 20 million Americans experience some form of hormonal dysfunction related to the thyroid gland, so you can bet that the off-grid medic will eventually come across someone with it. You’ve gott to know know how to recognize these conditions and improve them, if possible. This can be way harder off the grid than in today’s modern world, but you might still be able to do something that helps. Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy explore the topic…

Also, Dr. Joe Alton answers a difficult question from a person dealing with issues relating to alcohol use. How to get on the wagon and stay there. Are there ways to get back to full sobriety? If so, how? Dr. Alton explores the possibilities in this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x2001.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x2001.jpg)The Altons

Hey, check out the greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, the essential guide for when help is NOT on the way, available in black and white at Amazon or in color at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Bleeding Wound Management, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-wound-management-pt-1/) 

 [Video: Diabetes Off The Grid, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Nutrition, Thyroid disease

**Tags:** alcoholism, amy alton np, getting off alcohol, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Diabetes, Part 3: Options Off The Gird](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-3-options-off-the-gird/)

**Published:** April 5, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle.jpg)

In [part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-1/) and [part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-2-levels-and-complications/) of this series, we discussed the different types of diabetes and their complications. In this article, we’ll discuss what the medic’s treatment strategies should be for diabetic family or group members in times of trouble.

Finding yourself as the end of the line with regards to control of diabetics in the uncertain future will be difficult. You may have learned how to splint a fracture or clean a wound; treating chronic medical illnesses like diabetes, however, will be quite a challenge even for medical professionals.

Your goal for diabetics won’t be the same as it is in normal times. Tight control of sugar levels involves aggressively expending items that will be in short supply in times of trouble. When the grid’s down, your goal should be to balance the available insulin and other supplies with glucose control, especially in type 1 diabetics.

Here’s the tough part: This must be done in such a fashion, not necessarily to keep glucose levels normal, but to keep them below that seen in “**[diabetic ketoacidosis](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371551)**,” something we discussed in earlier articles. This condition occurs as a result of extreme high blood sugars due to lack of Insulin, as you would see in a societal collapse. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is usually characterized by a [serum glucose level over 250](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21945-diabetic-ketoacidosis-dka).

I have absolutely no scientific proof for the above strategy other than plain logic. Insulin, like most liquid medications, will lose potency relatively quickly after it expires. A power source is needed to maintain insulin pumps, glucometers, and other paraphernalia needed to tightly control blood sugars. What happens when the batteries run out? What happens when you run out of test strips and have to go by physical signs and symptoms?

If the you-know-what hits the fan, you will find yourself in the unenviable position of making decisions as to how to dispense precious and limited commodities. Therefore, unless the disaster scenario is a short-term one, you can’t afford to expend supplies in the usual manner necessary for tight diabetic control.

This hard fact leaves you with having to accept the possibility that you will have to keep your type 1 diabetics at higher glucose levels than you would like. If you’re unable to check blood sugars, your only guide will be to keep your diabetics from showing signs of deterioration. Their glucose will not be normal, but you might be able to keep it at levels low enough to avoid emergencies like DKA. Even a few months of less-than-optimal control may be survivable and give time for society to re-stabilize.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_369850517-hypoglycemia-hyperglycemia-diabetes-symptoms-1024x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/shutterstock_369850517-hypoglycemia-hyperglycemia-diabetes-symptoms-scaled.jpg)general symptoms of low and high sugar levels

[Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetic-ketoacidosis.html) may occur at different blood levels in different individuals, so you should always be aware of visible signs and symptoms, which often present quickly. These signs and symptoms include:

- Excessive hunger and/or thirst
- Frequent urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness or fatigue
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Fruity-scented breath (also called “ketosis”)

You have to watch your diabetics closely, especially the type 1 patients, for the above signs and symptoms. In normal times, low sugar reactions (also called “**[hypoglycemia”](https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia)**) from too much insulin or physical activity comprise more than 90% of diabetic emergencies. These patients improve rapidly from receiving a small amount of sugar or honey under the tongue. As the insulin runs low, however, high sugar reactions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, will become more common.

The product labels recommend that insulin be stored in a refrigerator at approximately 36°F to 46°F. Unopened and stored properly, it maintains potency until the [expiration date ](https://www.hdrxservices.com/insulin-expiration-dates-an-update/)on the package (usually about a year). Opened vials kept at room temperature are thought to last only 28-42 days, depending on the insulin type. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s useless the day after, but, unlike l[onger-shelf life meds in pill or capsule form](https://www.doomandbloom.net/straight-talk-about-expiration-dates/), loses strength rapidly.

So what would you do when a disaster leaves you with a limited amount of [insulin](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency) and no ability to get any more? That’s a difficult situation, and there is no CDC recommendation (as far as I can tell) that addresses it. Therefore, the following is purely my opinion.

One option is to take the insulin as usual until it runs out. This will assure normal control for the time being. The insulin is still potent; you can even continue to check glucose levels if the batteries are still good. This is the simplest (and, certainly, most optimistic) strategy. Hopefully, society will restabilize in time for insulin manufacture to restart. If it doesn’t, rapid deterioration of your diabetic patients may occur once your insulin runs out. This may be noticeable within days after the last dose.

Another option is to “ration” insulin. Your goal would be to give just enough to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If you were able to measure blood glucose levels, you would shoot for a value of closing in on 200. This level is much higher than normal but lower than usually seen in DKA. Rationing is a grim strategy, however, because you will be decreasing your patient’s lifespan even if it works to improve the short-term situation.

Insulin adjustments will be difficult to make. There are no studies that evaluate what the effect of withholding part of an insulin dose would be. The same goes for using expired insulin. By the way, insulin that is clear when new should not become cloudy, change color, or accumulate debris in the bottom of the bottle. These could be signs that it has degraded or contaminated.

An additional strategy for diabetics, especially type 1, would be to strictly regulate diet and subsist on a diet almost entirely comprised of protein and fats. The key is to restrict caloric intake, especially from carbohydrates: Give barely enough to maintain normal weight. This is yet another unhealthy practice in the long run, but frequent, small, high-protein meals may keep glucose levels below ketoacidosis levels for a time.

(An aside: Diabetics have increased sugar levels in their saliva and a decreased ability to fight infection, so careful attention to dental hygiene is important. Ill-fitting dentures are more likely to cause mouth sores that won’t heal.)

With regards to type 2 diabetes, it’s most often seen in older, heavier, and less active individuals. Weight control and limitation of the amounts of dietary carbohydrates (which the body turns into sugars) is important. Regular exercise also decreases blood sugar levels, thus improving glucose control.

In survival settings, dietary restriction and increased physical activity may be exactly what the type 2 diabetic will experience. I suspect that a number of type 2’s will find their condition doesn’t worsen, especially if they started off overweight. Eating small, frequent meals and staying active may even improve some of the minor cases. Here’s where careful attention to appropriate food storage for diabetics will help. Plan for a balanced diet high in fiber, low in saturated fats. and (of course) low in concentrated sugars.

The most popular medication used for treatment of type 2 diabetes is called **metformin**. It works in various ways, including increasing the cells’ sensitivity to insulin. In tablet form, it is a good candidate for long-term medical storage. Other oral medications for type 2 include sulfonylureas and others. Metformin and sulfonylureas may have a synergistic effect: That is, they may have more effect on lowering glucose levels when used together than alone.

Be careful to watch your type 2 diabetics on Metformin as they lose weight during the struggle for survival; they could easily become hypoglycemic. if so, you may have to adjust the oral dosage downward. Dosages of medications vary according to several factors, such as weight, age, severity of condition, etc.

Although controversial, there are a few studies that indicate that [Metformin ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5771191/)may help with type 1 diabetes. In 2018, researchers published a report that concluded that metformin decreased glucose concentrations and required insulin dosage more than insulin therapy alone. These effects were seen even one year later. Patients still require insulin, but may need less. If you’re considering alternative strategies, testing glucose levels would be wise before a disaster occurs.

Remember, any diabetic for whom you will be responsible should be evaluated now by a physician. Make sure that they are well controlled before a disaster occurs. The better the diabetic control early on, the less organ damage and the higher the chance for survival.

(Aside: New therapies are always under investigation that may one day eradicate Type 1 diabetes. One discovery, made at [UT Health San Antonio](https://news.uthscsa.edu/diabetes-breakthrough-increases-insulin-producing-cells/), increases the types of pancreatic cells that can be made to secrete insulin. It claims to have cured diabetes in mice. To my knowledge, the research on this option and others remains in clinical trials.)

[Next time, we’ll examine the potential of natural substance](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-4-natural-remedies/)s to improve the situation for diabetic patients when the you-know-what hits the fan.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones

Learn more about diabetes and 200 other medical topics in austere settings with a copy of the greatly-expanded **4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is Not On The Way**, available in black-and-white on Amazon and in color or black-and-white at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) While you’re there, check out our entire line of high-quality medical kits and individual supplies for the survival medic! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dental_Supply_Emergency_Kit_LR__17171.1547412121.1280.1280.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dental_Supply_Emergency_Kit_LR__17171.1547412121.1280.1280.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ear Issues, IBS](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ear-issues-ibs/) 

 [Diabetes, Part 2: Levels and Complications](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-2-levels-and-complications/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** diabetes and survival, diabetes mellitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, Insulin, joe alton md, medical preparedness, metformin, survival medicine

---

### [Diabetes, Part 2: Levels and Complications](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-2-levels-and-complications/)

**Published:** March 31, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle.jpg)

In [**part 1 of this series**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-1/), we gave an overview of diabetes, including the types, how the body uses glucose to generate energy for the body, the incidence in the population, and what to look out for in terms of signs and symptoms. We also briefly touched on two common diabetic emergencies: low blood sugar-related ([hypoglycemi](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-hypoglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20371525)a) and very high blood sugar-related ([diabetic ketoacidosis](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetic-ketoacidosis.html) or DKA).

To be able to treat high blood glucose, the family medic must first know what the normal values should be. There is some slight variation of what’s normal, depending on the source. A urine glucose test involves dipping a special test strip in a urine sample. The kidney eliminates excess glucose from the body, so elevated urine levels mean there’s an elevated blood level.

Unfortunately, urine glucose tests can be very inaccurate. The test reflects what the glucose level was a few hours earlier, not at the time of testing. Also, various things cause false readings, such as certain medicines and even vitamin C. Therefore, whenever possible, blood is used for a much more accurate reading. Levels can be checked while fasting (not eating for about eight hours), one to two hours after eating, or randomly.

Some tests are “[oral glucose tolerance tests](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003466.htm)” (OGTT). In an OGTT, a glucose is taken after fasting and, then, the patient is given a glucose-rich drink. Repeat blood glucose levels are performed either 2 hours afterwards or 1, 2, and 3 hours afterwards to see the body’s response to a “sugar load.”

Blood glucose readings differ depending on whether a person is normal, diabetic, or “prediabetic.” Prediabetes is when your blood sugar level is impaired (higher than normal), but not high enough to meet the criteria for diabetes. Almost all type 2 diabetes were prediabetic earlier in life; the CDC estimates that 1 in 3 Americans may be prediabetic.

The chart below shows common glucose levels for normal, prediabetics, and diabetics.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_766795750-diabetes-blood-glucose-level.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_766795750-diabetes-blood-glucose-level.jpg)Typical glucose values for certain conditions (some sources are more strict)

Another useful blood test is the “[Hemoglobin A1C](https://www.testing.com/tests/hemoglobin-a1c/)” or “glycohemoglobin.” Hemoglobin is a protein in blood cells that gives them their red color. In diabetics, sugar binds to a higher percentage of red blood cells than normal.

If the percentage of “sugared” cells is excessive, it is a result of poor control over the past 3 months, the average life span of a red blood cell. Anyone can have a bad random glucose test, so it’s useful to have one that gives you an idea of a patient’s control over a longer period.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_2086821616-hgb-A1C-diabetes-1024x716.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_2086821616-hgb-A1C-diabetes-scaled.jpg)Hemoglobin A1C levels and other glucose standards

Tests are usually done 2-4 times a year. Of course, Hemoglobin A1C studies won’t be available in survival scenarios, but it’s important to know about them. A chart with typical control ranges is below.

**DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1313279585-diabetes-complications-diabetic-853x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1313279585-diabetes-complications-diabetic-scaled.jpg)Diabetic complications

Having a higher level of sugar than normal in your blood causes damage to various organs. Many of the complications below were experienced by my son, a brittle diabetic who was poorly controlled. They include:

**CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE**: Diabetes greatly increases the risk of heart, blood vessel, and circulation problems. It doubles the risk of **coronary artery disease**, which leads to chest pain, heart attack, stroke, and more.

Impaired blood flow to the lower extremities causes minor cuts and scrapes to heal more slowly and be more prone to infection. Diabetics are much more likely to require amputation of a toe, foot, or leg than non-diabetics.

**KIDNEY DAMAGE:** Kidney damage is also known as [“**nephropathy**](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/diabetes/diabetic-nephropathy-kidney-disease).” Diabetes damages the ability of the kidney to filter waste toxins from the body. If bad enough, the kidneys fail, leading to the need for dialysis to stay alive.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1178641459-dialysis-diabetes-kidney-failure-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1178641459-dialysis-diabetes-kidney-failure-scaled.jpg)Kidney failure requires a machine to filter out wastes (dialysis)

**EYE DAMAGE:** The tiny blood vessels of the retina are disrupted by elevated glucose levels, a condition referred to as “**[retinopathy](https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy)**,” In severe cases, retinopathy leads to blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma.

**NERVE DAMAGE:** Also called “**[neuropathy](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/nerve-damage-diabetic-neuropathies)**,” high glucose levels damage the nerves. This is most evident in the lower extremities. Impaired nerves cause tingling, burning, pain, and numbness. The symptoms usually begin at the ends of the toes and spreads up. In some cases, complete loss of feeling may occur. For men, it can lead to troubles in the bedroom.

**SKIN CONDITIONS:** Those with high glucose levels are more likely to have bacterial and, especially, fungal infections.

**HEARING IMPAIRMENT:** Loss of hearing is not uncommon in those with diabetes.

Diabetes during pregnancy can lead to overly large babies, causing complications with delivery. Stillbirths are occasionally seen. Mothers will have a higher tendency to develop high blood pressure and other serious medical issues, as well.

Some also believe that diabetics are more likely to develop mental issues such as depression, and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease (also known as “senile dementia”).

Although most of the complications above manifest later in life, poor control led to my son experiencing kidney, eye, foot, and heart disease in his late twenties.

[Next time](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-3-options-off-the-gird/), we’ll discuss [treatment options for diabetes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-3-options-off-the-gird/), both on and off the grid.

Joe Alton MD

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Learn more about diabetes and 200 other medical topics in times of trouble with the greatly expanded Amazon top 20 bestseller “***The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way***,” available in black and white on Amazon and in color or black and white at **store.doomandbloom.net**. And check out our store for an entire line of the highest-quality medical kits for good times or bad! You’ll be glad you did.

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 [Diabetes, Part 3: Options Off The Gird](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-3-options-off-the-gird/) 

 [Diabetes, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-1/)

**Categories:** Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Strokes, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** blood glucose, diabetes mellitis, diabetic complications, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, hemoglobin A1C, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Diabetes, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-1/)

**Published:** March 26, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1732988525-insulin-needle.jpg)

One of the most common questions we receive from readers, listeners, and viewers is how to deal with [diabetes](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/index.html) (officially known as diabetes mellitis) in a grid-down scenario. This article is the first in a series all about this serious condition.

Diabetes is problematic for the survival medic. The medications used to treat the worst cases are unlikely 1) to be manufactured or 2) keep their potency in a long-term collapse scenario. I’m not just interested professionally. I’m also a father who had a severely diabetic son with kidney failure, partial blindness, and an amputated toe. He required a kidney and pancreas transplant to stay alive.

“Diabetes” comes from the Greek word for “to pass through” and mellitis comes from the Latin word for “honeyed” or “sweet”. These words refer to one of the most common characteristics of diabetes mellitis: Large amounts of sweet-smelling urine. Early physicians noticed that it even attracted ants. Diabetes is also characterized by high sugar (also called “glucose”) levels in the blood.

**HOW DIABETES WORKS**

I’m sure most people have heard of “carbs” and the importance to eat a balanced diet. Carbs (carbohydrates) come in many forms, and most foods have some carbohydrate content. All carbohydrates are broken down into simple glucose in your body, some faster and some slower. The resulting glucose ends up in the blood.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-103-Abdominal-Issues-graphic-anatomy-of-abdomen-shutterstock_549006208-pancreas-874x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-103-Abdominal-Issues-graphic-anatomy-of-abdomen-shutterstock_549006208-pancreas-scaled.jpg)

The pancreas is a large gland located behind your stomach and in front of your spin. Certain cells in it monitor the glucose in the blood and release a hormone known as “insulin.” Insulin is necessary to move the sugar from the blood into the body’s cells. Here, it can be converted to energy. If insulin is unable to control high glucose levels in the blood (also called “hyperglycemia”), damage occurs. The various organ systems involved include eyes, heart, kidneys, circulation and nerves.

**HOW COMMON IS DIABETES?**

The incidence of Diabetes has been increasing over time in developed countries. This may be due to some societies converting to “Western” diets or perhaps due to issues relating to rising obesity rates. According to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html)(CDC), in 2011, 25.8 million Americans had the disease. Ten years later, the number has risen to 37.3 million, or 11.5 percent of all U.S. adults. 96 million are thought by the CDC to be “pre-diabetic.”

The recent pandemic didn’t help the numbers. A large new study showed that people who were infected were 40 percent more likely to become newly diagnosed diabetics compared to the general population. The study identified the disease in many young adults who were otherwise healthy before being infected.

**TYPES OF DIABETES**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_2074675117-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes-1024x822.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_2074675117-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes-scaled.jpg)

Diabetes is separated into various types, the most common of which are type 1 and type 2:

Known in the past as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes, **Type 1 diabetes** results from the failure of cells (called “beta cells”) in the pancreas to produce insulin. Type 1 represents about 5-10 percent of all diabetics.

Failure or destruction of beta cells is thought to be caused by some type of autoimmune response. This means that the body’s own immune system attacks parts of itself: In this case, the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is often first diagnosed in childhood, as it was in my son at age 8. Today, however, 60% of new cases are now found in those over the age of 40. These patients need insulin from an external source. As of yet, there is no way to regenerate the lost pancreatic cells.

**Type 2 diabetes** was known in the past as adult-onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes. In this disease, the pancreas produces insulin but your body is resistant to its effect. Type 2 diabetics may require some oral medications or even insulin to keep glucose under control. Lifestyle and dietary changes are often helpful in this form of diabetes and may even reverse the course or, at a minimum, prevent worsening. Most commonly diagnosed after age 40, the increased incidence of obesity these days is causing Type 2 diabetes even in children. Type 2 diabetes is, far and away, the most common type.

**Pregnancy-Related (also called Gestational) Diabetes** is a condition not uncommon even in normally non-diabetic women. In some cases, it can be serious enough to lead to organ damage, overly large babies, delivery complications, and worse. Most women with pregnancy-related diabetes go back to normal after the baby is born, but some studies show those women are prone to diabetes later in life.

Interestingly, A [new study ](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(22)00044-4/fulltext)suggests it’s possible that the coronavirus may selectively target beta cells in the pancreas. It may even morph them into another type of cell that leads to a new version of diabetes that isn’t type 1 or type 2. The research is still in progress.

**SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1121594999-diabetes-signs-and-symptoms-854x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/shutterstock_1121594999-diabetes-signs-and-symptoms-scaled.jpg)

It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia (elevated sugars). The three most classic symptoms of diabetes are:

1\) Excessive thirst (also called “polydipsia”)

2\) Excessive hunger (also called “polyphagia”)

3\) Frequent urination (also called “polyuria”)

These are exactly the symptoms that my son began to manifest at age 8. As well, I noticed:

- He began to wet the bed.
- His urine smelled vaguely “sweet” (a sign mentioned earlier).
- He was losing weight.
- His breath had an unusual “fruity” odor.

Why do diabetics have fruity breath? When your body can’t access energy from glucose in cells (leading to very high levels in the blood), it burns fat instead. The fat-burning process creates a buildup of acids in your blood called ketones, which can lead to a life-threatening condition called [diabetic ketoacidosis](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371551) (discussed later). Fruity-smelling breath is a sign of high levels of ketones.

Other issues occur as well. Cuts and scrapes, especially in a diabetic’s lower extremities, are slow to heal. Over time, nerve damage occurs which causes numbness, pins and needles sensations and, in the worst cases, gangrene. Many uncontrolled diabetics require amputation of gangrenous extremities.

**DIABETIC EMERGENCIES**

While many diabetic complications take time to develop, there are two common diabetic emergencies. These are related either to very low or very high glucose levels. If a diabetic, especially Type 1, fails to eat regularly or injects too much insulin, he or she may develop a “**hypoglycemic” reaction** (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia can occur very rapidly; symptoms include sweating, loss of coordination, confusion, and even loss of consciousness.

On the other hand, very high glucose levels lead to a condition called “[diabetic ketoacidosis](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371551)” or DKA, something I mentioned earlier. This occurs as a result of missed insulin doses and/or chronically under-dosed insulin, leading to a combination of high glucose levels and high ketone levels. In addition to the symptoms of diabetes I previously mentioned, there will be nausea, vomiting, dehydration, hyperventilation, and abdominal pain as well. This is a major emergency which could lead to coma and even death. Once the patient is in full-blown ketoacidosis, the prognosis is grave without insulin and other interventions.

Now that you have a good overview of the disease, [our next article in this series ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-2-levels-and-complications/)will concentrate on other aspects of diabetes. Ultimately, we’ll discuss both conventional and alternative strategies for each type. We’ll work on situations where you have limited supplies and no way to monitor glucose levels, a serious handicap for the medic in long-term survival settings.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD

learn more about diabetes and 200 other medical issues in survival settings with a copy of the greatly expanded Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition, on sale at Amazon (black and white) or on our website at [store.doomandbloom.net ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)(color or black and white). Plus, check out our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at the store! You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Diabetes, Part 2: Levels and Complications](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-2-levels-and-complications/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nuclear Events, Wound Closure, Radiation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nuclear-events-wound-closure-radiation/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, hyperglycemia, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** all about diabetes, blood glucose, blood sugars, DIABETES, hyperglycemia, Insulin, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Diabetes, Part 4: Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-4-natural-remedies/)

**Published:** April 14, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In [part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-1/), [part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-2-levels-and-complications/), and [part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-3-options-off-the-gird/) of this series, I discussed types, symptoms, emergencies, and much more relating to diabetes. Some strategies were offered that, while not viable options in normal times, may be all the family medic has available in a true long-term survival scenario. In this part, we’ll discuss some natural remedies that, albeit controversial, may have potential as tools in the medical woodshed.

I say “controversial” because the proof of effectiveness simply for some does not exist in scientific studies. Without research, it’s difficult to determine the appropriate dosage of a natural substance that might achieve an anti-diabetic effect. Some may have side-effects if used in excess (yes, natural products may have side-effects). As such, there is currently no natural supplement that is recognized by the FDA as both safe and effective in the treatment of diabetes.

Despite this, an open mind is a good thing to have when the pharmaceuticals run out. Perfect control of blood glucose levels is probably impossible, but you could possibly prevent life-threatening high sugar states such as **diabetic ketoacidosis** ([described in earlier parts of this series](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-3-options-off-the-gird/)). Some benefit is better than none at all. If you’d like to try an alternative therapy, don’t stop taking anti-diabetic drugs before discussing the below supplements with your doctor; If you are currently taking medicine, there may be interactions.

It’s important to remember the role of diet and exercise in keeping glucose levels in check, especially in **type 2 diabetes**. The likely event will be that dietary restriction and physical exertion will just be part and parcel of activities of daily survival. Obtain food supplies that provide a protein-rich diet to your diabetic loved ones.

**TRACE ELEMENTS**

Substances detected in small but not precisely known amounts in the body were once called “trace elements.” This is because the exact amount present there could not be precisely measured. Modern technology has made measurements possible, but you’ll still hear the term or, possibly, “micronutrients.” There are various micronutrients thought to improve diabetic control:

**Magnesium:** Some studies suggest that a deficit of magnesium in your system worsens sugar control. Diabetics are, thus, thought to be deficient in this element. Low levels of Magnesium seem to correlate with increased resistance to insulin. Insulin lowers blood sugars, so a resistance to insulin results in higher blood sugars. As well, high magnesium intake (200 mg/day) is associated with a decreased risk of developing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recognizes this but stops short of recommending magnesium supplementation as a treatment.

**Vanadium:** A trace element in a number of plants, animal studies seem to suggest that that blood sugar levels can be improved in both type 1 and type 2 cases. Safe dosages for human use have yet to be determined.

**Chromium:** For the last decade, chromium supplements have been reported as having a positive effect against diabetes, mostly for its ability to strengthen the action of insulin. As Chromium may also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, it may be useful for healthy people who may be prediabetic, obese, or otherwise prone to cardiac disease.

**Zinc:** A 2012 study revealed that zinc supplementation reduced fasting glucose by 18 points and post-meal glucose by 35 points, confirming some animal studies. In addition, benefits were noted in cases of high cholesterol and triglycerides. 15 mg/day of zinc is the recommended daily allowance for adults. Overdose can cause upset stomach and other side-effects.

**VITAMINS**

Some vitamins and vitamin-like substances may have a beneficial effect on diabetes:

**Vitamin B1, B6, B12:** Studies done in countries where Vitamin deficiencies are rampant show that patients low in Vitamin B tend to have more pain from diabetic nerve damage. Not all vitamin B’s are beneficial, however. High doses of Niacin (B3) supplementation may actually impair glucose levels.

**Vitamin C:** Some studies relate that moderate usage of Vitamin C may improve glucose levels, while mega-doses may worsen glucose control.

**Vitamin D:** Vitamin D is needed to maintain blood levels of insulin. Some evidence suggests that supplementation can improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, not enough is known about what the optimal dose would be for daily use. Vitamin D is produced naturally in the body by exposure to sunlight, but 40 percent of Americans are thought to be deficient.

**Vitamin E:** Low blood levels of vitamin E are associated with higher rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Vitamin E supplementation has, in some studies, improved glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes after three months of use. 900 IU of vitamin E per day is the usual dose.

**Coenzyme Q10:** This is an antioxidant substance found is certain meats and seafood that acts similarly to a vitamin. Type 2 diabetics have been found to have lower blood levels of CoQ10 than the general population. Commonly available at 50-300mg dosages, its properties suggest a number of benefits, including reducing pain from nerve damage caused by type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

**Alpha-lipoic Acid:** A powerful natural antioxidant, Preliminary trials have found that 600 to 1,200 mg of Alpha-lipoic acid daily improves insulin sensitivity. Long-term therapy with the same dosage slowed the progression of kidney damage in type 2 diabetes.

**Fish Oil:** Fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, responsible for a number of health benefits. Some studies have found that fish oil supplementation improves glucose tolerance, high triglycerides, and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

 **PLANT-BASED SUBSTANCES**

Many plants are rich in vitamins and minerals that are important for good health, but some may have a specific effect against diabetes:

**Ginseng:** Studies have shown that American Ginseng intake can decrease fasting, post-meal, and long-term sugar levels. Asian (Korean red) Ginseng has, in one study, improved long-term control when compared to placebo. Ginseng increases insulin levels following meals and assists insulin in passing glucose through cell membranes.

**Clove:** Clove oil has been found to help augment the action of insulin to lower glucose. Cholesterol and triglycerides are also improved.

**Cinnamon:** Cinnamon extracts can increase sugar metabolism as well as augment the release of insulin. After a 2007 study stated that Cinnamon had no effect on diabetes, another published in 2009 found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetics who take 500 mg of cinnamon twice a day for 90 days improved hemoglobin A1C levels. Hemoglobin A1C is a test discussed in earlier parts of this series that identifies the level of sugar control over the previous 2-3 months.

**Goldenseal:** Goldenseal is thought to have an insulin-like effect in the body.

**Coffee:** An as-yet undetermined ingredient of coffee (apparently not caffeine) appears to play some role in making cells more sensitive to insulin, something that would be very helpful for type 2 diabetics.

**Fenugreek:** One human study found that fenugreek can help blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Some trials suggest that fenugreek helps improve blood sugar control in both type 1 and type 2 patients.

**Olive Leaf:** Olive leaf extracts have been found to lower elevated blood-sugar levels in one study using diabetic animals. Human results are not yet conclusive.

**Quercetin:** Quercetin is a “flavonoid”, a constituent found in certain fruits, vegetables, and grains. It may decrease levels of sorbitol, a sugar that accumulates in cells of organs damaged by diabetes, especially nerves, kidneys, and eyes.

**Bitter Melon:** Bitter Melon has 3 different constituents that may lower blood sugars, according to some studies. Indeed, the combination of these substances may work to strengthen the anti-diabetic effect.

**Ginkgo Biloba:** Preliminary research suggests that Ginkgo biloba may be useful for prevention or treatment of early-stage diabetic nerve damage.

Additional natural substances abound that may one day be shown to have a positive effect on diabetes:

- Mistletoe
- Cayenne
- Onion
- Primrose oil
- Hibiscus
- Psyllium
- Crepe Myrtle
- Goldenseal
- Aloe
- Billberry
- Basil
- Gymnema

I have to admit that the amount of information (often conflicting) about and the number of natural remedies for diabetes are so numerous that a skeptical mind would doubt that all of them are equally effective. More and more studies will be needed in order to confirm the true utility of each alternative method of treating diabetes. it’s encouraging, at least, that researchers are performing evaluations on so many of the above.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)That ol’ Dr. Bones

Learn more about diabetes and 200 other medical topics in austere scenarios with a copy of the greatly expanded 4th Edition of “T***he Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way.***” Plus, check out our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Diabetes Off The Grid, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-off-the-grid/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ear Issues, IBS](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ear-issues-ibs/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Chronic Illness, Diabetes, diabetes mellitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, hyperglycemia, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Nutrition, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** DIABETES, diabetes mellitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, joe alton md, medical preparedness, natural treatment for diabetes, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ear Issues, IBS](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ear-issues-ibs/)

**Published:** April 6, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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How long do you think you’d last when the SHTF if you can’t hear the zombies sneaking up on you muttering something about tasty, tasty brains? The ear is the organ that controls, not only hearing, but balance as well. It’s a rare parent who hasn’t had to deal with ear problems at one point or another during their life. In some cases, It could be a chronic issue that makes an otherwise healthy child (or adult) miserable. Dr. Joe Alton discusses what the medic needs to know about ear problems off the grid.

Plus, a question from a listener dealing with inflammatory bowel syndrome. Learn all about the condition and ways to diagnose and treat the condition. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton. To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Dr. Bones

Hey, fill those holes in your medical storage with high-quality medical kits and supplies from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) (We also have otoscopes at a reasonable price!) You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Diabetes, Part 4: Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-4-natural-remedies/) 

 [Diabetes, Part 3: Options Off The Gird](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-3-options-off-the-gird/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Ear Issues, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** ear infections, foreign objects, joe alton md, medical preparedness, otitis externa, otitis interna, otitis media, survival medicine

---

### [Inflammatory Bowel Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/inflammatory-bowel-disease/)

**Published:** February 17, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/shutterstock_1666073059-crohn-ulcerative-inflammatory-bowel-disease-1024x559.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/shutterstock_1666073059-crohn-ulcerative-inflammatory-bowel-disease-scaled.jpg)Crohn’s Disease vs Ulcerative Colitis

Two major inflammatory conditions that affect the bowels are [**Crohn’s disease** and **ulcerative colitis**. Together, they are known as ](https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/ "Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Together, they are known as ")**[inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)](https://www.cdc.gov/ibd/what-is-IBD.htm#:~:text=Inflammatory "inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)")**. IBD is classically thought to be autoimmune; in other words, the result of the body’s immune system attacking itself. Recent evidence may point to the immune system attacking, not just itself, but the normal bacteria and other microbes in the gut.

Inflammatory bowel disease was once thought to originate from dietary and stress issues. These are now considered aggravating factors rather than the cause.

People with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are a diagnostic challenge to the medic, as they present with pelvic pain that may mimic other GI conditions such as diverticulitis or appendicitis. The first signs of IBD normally appear in teenagers or young adults.

**CROHN’S DISEASE**

Crohn’s disease is characterized by inflammation that can affect any part of the GI tract. It most commonly affects the end of the small bowel (ileum) and the beginning of the colon. This is called “ileocolitis.” Other areas include the stomach, jejunum, duodenum, ileum, and large intestine.

Crohn’s can affect the entire thickness of the bowel wall. In some patients, intestinal inflammation may “skip” some locations, leaving normal spots between patches of inflamed tissue.

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary dependent on the areas affected. The condition may “flare” up for weeks or months and, then, improve. They include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Persistent diarrhea or, sometimes, constipation.

• Bleeding from the rectum.

• Sudden and severe urges to have a bowel movement.

• Feeling like there isn’t complete evacuation of the bowels.

• Loss of appetite and weight loss

Crohn’s disease is problematic off the grid, as it is commonly treated with prescription steroids, but may require surgery in the most severe cases. Both options are off the table in survival scenarios. Off the grid, acetaminophen for pain, antidiarrhea meds like loperamide, and a soft, bland diet may help. Probiotics such as kefir, yogurt, miso, or supplements may help decrease flareups, although further study is required.

If inflammation leads to bacterial infection with fever, Metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and ampicillin are antibiotic options. Some of these are available in certain veterinary equivalents such as Aqua-Zole and Aqua-Cipro. It should be noted that ciprofloxacin can cause serious long-term side effects, such as tendon rupture, nerve damage, and more.

**ULCERATIVE COLITIS**

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine, usually the rectal area. Like Crohn’s disease, it is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is thought to be autoimmune in nature. Ulcerative colitis is often first diagnosed in adolescence and early adulthood, but sometimes begins in older age groups.

In ulcerative colitis, inflammation of the inner lining of the colon leads to symptoms, such as:

• Intermittent abdominal pain, often left-sided.

• Diarrhea, often more than four times a day; may be mixed with mucus and blood.

• Abdominal pain, often left-sided.

• Rectal bleeding and pain.

• Constipation despite frequent urges to have a bowel movement.

• Fecal incontinence.

• Fever and fatigue.

• Weight loss.

Flare-ups of bloody diarrhea and pain may last for weeks, followed by a period of relative improvement. Over-the-counter meds like Loperamide 2 mg orally can be given for diarrhea and acetaminophen for pain. Steroids and even immune suppressants are options in normal times.

**CROHN’S DISEASE VS. ULCERATIVE COLITIS**

Although both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are differences: Ulcerative colitis is limited to the rectum and large intestine, while Crohn’s disease develops anywhere throughout the entire digestive system (sometimes even causing mouth sores!). As such, someone whose Crohn’s disease affects primarily the stomach may be more likely to have symptoms like nausea and vomiting, something rarely seen in ulcerative colitis.

In Crohn’s disease, healthy areas of intestine can be seen between areas of inflammation. Ulcerative colitis causes the colon to appear more uniformly and continuously inflamed. Ulcerative colitis only affects the innermost lining of the colon while Crohn’s disease can occur in any part or the entirety of the bowel wall.

Both forms of IBD can result in scarring if severe. Scars often occur in the form of abnormal narrowing of the intestines called [“strictures”](https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/About-Crohn-s-Colitis/IBD-Journey/Complications-and-Extraintestinal-Manifestations/Stricture "“strictures”") that can cause obstruction.

**DIET AND IBD**

Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may possibly be made less severe with dietary changes. Patients may have difficulty digesting uncooked produce, unpeeled fruit, and vegetables with high fiber content like cauliflower and broccoli. Fatty foods and dairy products can also worsen symptoms. If possible, stick with frequent, small meals of non-spicy cooked vegetables and lean meats and fish. Also, avoid high-sugar content foods, alcohol, and caffeine.

Some consider [intermittent fasting (IF)](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-guide "Intermittent fasting (IF)") as an option. Intermittent fasting is a diet pattern in which a person eats only during a certain number of hours and fasts for the rest of the day. The most common way to accomplish this is to fast immediately following dinner through part of the next day.

Ohers suggest [time-restricted fasting (TRF)](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/time-restricted-eating "time-restricted fasting (TRF)"), where the person eats only during certain hours of the day. Although some early research suggests a benefit to those with IBD, weight loss, vitamin D and iron deficiency, and lack of nutrients make it a controversial strategy. In normal times, IF and TRF regimens are best monitored by a registered dietician.

Probiotics and prebiotics have also been recommended as helpful, but may vary in their effectiveness. Probiotics are harmless microbes that you can consume. They are found in certain foods and supplements, and work like the good bacteria in your gut. Yogurt is a probiotic, but not recommended for IBD due to its dairy content. Other foods include:

- Sauerkraut
- Kombucha
- Kefir
- Kimchi

Prebiotics are food for probiotics and for intestinal bacteria. Adding prebiotics to your diet might improve the function of your normal intestinal bacteria. Using prebiotics along with probiotics might make the probiotics more effective.

- Honey
- Whole grains
- Bananas
- Onions
- Garlic
- Artichokes

Some believe that the anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may help those suffering from Crohn’s disease. One study suggests that remissions last longer in people taking fish oil than a placebo. Avoid high doses, however, as it can cause bleeding problems.

**OTHER NATURAL OPTIONS**

There are herbal therapies claimed to ease the symptoms of irritable bowel disease. These include:

- aloe vera juice
- slippery elm bark
- chamomile
- peppermint

Some natural therapies may not mix well with certain prescription meds. Discuss these with your physician before a disaster strikes to see if they are safe to use.

**STRESS AND IBD**

Stress and anxiety don’t cause inflammatory bowel disease, but they can certainly impact health and aggravate GI symptoms. Exercise may help reduce tension by focusing on pleasurable activities like biking, swimming, and walking. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness techniques may make a difference.

Some notice improvement with **[diaphragmatic breathing](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing "diaphragmatic breathing")**. In this technique, you sit or lie in a comfortable position and place one hand on the abdomen. Inhale through the nose for four seconds, hold for another two, then exhale slowly through your mouth for six seconds. Repeat.

Another technique called progressive muscle relaxation or PMR, involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups to relieve tension that can make stress and pain worse. Starting with both hands, make fists and hold them tightly for 10 seconds, followed by relaxation for 20 seconds.

With each movement, focus on the sensations of relaxation coming into your body. You may feel warmth and a sense of well-being and peace. Hold each position for 7 to 10 seconds, then relax your muscles for about 20 seconds. Tense and relax each muscle group twice before moving on to the next part of the body. Repeat and, then, tense and relax muscle in both lower arms, upper arms, shoulders and neck, abdomen, legs, and so on in order.

Without advanced technology and medications, inflammatory bowel disease may be difficult for the survival medic to treat. We must do the best we can, with what we have, in times of trouble.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-vane-edited-683x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-vane-edited-scaled.jpg)Dr, Alton

Find out more about IBD and 200 other medical issues in long-term disaster settings in our greatly expanded 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook! And don’t forget our entire line of quality FSA/HSA-eligible medical kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.net"). You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Eye Trauma and Other Issues](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-eye-trauma-and-other-issues/) 

 [Video: The Broken Nose](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-broken-nose/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, Diarrhea, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic

**Tags:** crohn&#039;s disease, IBD, inflammatory bowel disease, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, ulcerative colitis

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nuclear Events, Wound Closure, Radiation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nuclear-events-wound-closure-radiation/)

**Published:** March 12, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Some of our friends have discouraged us from speaking about the (hopefully) unlikely possibility of a nuclear event in the unstable and uncertain future, but everyone should know about them, not panic, and understand that survival is possible in many cases. Dr. Joe Alton discusses different types of nuclear weapons and meltdowns, types of radiation, percentages and radius of damage, symptoms of radiation sickness, building shelters, treating the sick, and much more. Plus, a question about suture kits from a listener leads to a discussion of why and when to close wounds, and how to developing good judgment is more important than just learning how to throw a stitch.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)The Altons

Hey, check out our medical kits, books, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Diabetes, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-part-1/) 

 [Potassium Iodide Tablet Alternatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/potassium-iodide-alternatives/)

**Categories:** Burns, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Nuclear Events, Radiation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, nuclear events, nuclear war, nuclear weapons, radiation exposure, radiation sickness, survival medicine, when to close a wound, wound closure

---

### [Potassium Iodide Tablet Alternatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/potassium-iodide-alternatives/)

**Published:** March 7, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Given the present conflict in Europe and the possibility of others in our unstable world, it’s time to take seriously the risk of a nuclear confrontation in the uncertain future. One of the medical issues associated with nuclear events recently on this website and in our books: [**radiation exposure**.](https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/)

Recently, I explained the units used to describe radiation, the effects of various doses, dosimeters, and how to gain protection by building a shelter using various materials. I also mentioned the use of potassium iodide or KI, known by brand names such as Thyrosafe, Iosat, and various supplements to counteract the effects of a common fallout component known as **radioactive iodine** or I131. It’s the lightest radioactive contaminant and can affect people and food sources hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from ground zero.

In the **[Ukraine conflict](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/07/russia-ukraine-bill-ackman-says-world-war-iii-likely-already-started.html "Ukraine conflict"),** the Russian leader has recklessly played the “I’ve got nukes” card and has even attacked nuclear energy plants. This is occurring in the same general area as the Chernobyl meltdown of 1986, which remains the site of elevated radiation levels today. The nuclear energy plant recently attacked is at least six times the size of the Chernobyl facility. A meltdown there or in any of the other 14 nuclear plants inside Ukraine would be a major catastrophe.

The end result of a significant exposure to radioactive iodine is thyroid cancer, often years after the original exposure. In the case of **[Chernobyl,](https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx "Chernobyl,")** thousands of cases of thyroid cancer have been recorded, mostly in those who were less than 18 years of age at the time of the event.

To prevent this from happening, we recommend **[potassium iodide tablets](https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/ki.htm)**. How does potassium iodide protect against thyroid cancer? Imagine your thyroid is a parking lot and the organ’s receptors are parking spaces. When you’re exposed to radioactive iodine, it takes up the parking spaces and, once there, irradiates the gland. This leads to cancer down the road. Taking non-radioactive potassium iodide or iodate fills the parking spaces, preventing the radioactive iodine from occupying them and causing damage.

Having potassium iodide or iodate tablets on hand in these troubled times is a good idea. The current crisis, however, has led to a run on all forms of potassium iodide in both Europe and across the pond. Our own store ran out of potassium iodide within 2 days and it seems that there are few, if any, other sources selling it commercially. If they exist, they’re selling it at outrageous prices.

Let’s say. however, that you don’t have Potassium Iodide tablets. What are some other options? One is **[Lugol’s solution](https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/ki.htm)**, also known as “strong iodine solution.” Lugol’s is a liquid combination of potassium iodide and iodine first formulated in 1829 by, you guessed it, Dr. Jean Lugol. It’s used for various purposes: Decades ago, I used it as a stain to identify possible cervical cancers. It can be used as an antiseptic on small wounds and even, in very small quantities, to disinfect questionable water.

It can also protect the thyroid from radiation injury. Lugol’s is most commonly available as a 2% solution. Each drop at that concentration contains approximately 2.5-3 mg of iodine. 20 drops equals a milliliter. Therefore, 1 milliliter of 2 percent Lugol’s equals about 65 mg, the same dose as a Thyrosafe tablet.

[130 mg is the daily adult dose](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/iodine-and-potassium-iodide-strong-iodine-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20062037) in a radiation event, so 2 ml orally should be sufficient to block radioactive iodine in those over 12 years of age and over 150 pounds (about 70 kg). For children over the age of 3- or adults less than 150 pounds, 1 ml or 65 mg should suffice as a daily dose. For small children over 1 months to three years, ½ milliliter or 32 mg iodine should be enough. For newborns, ¼ ml or 16 mg.

By the way, this product should be taken with a full glass of water or in fruit juice, milk, or broth to improve the taste and lessen stomach upset.

Be aware that radiation levels generally drop to 10% of the original level in the first day, much more after that. This means that you might need only one dose total to get adequate protection. The earlier you take it before or during an exposure, the more effect it has. In total, you should not take it for more than a few days or you can develop some pretty serious adverse reactions. Only take it until significant risk of exposure to radioactive iodine no longer exists. As I mentioned in a recent article, time spent under shelter and increased distance from ground zero are your friends when it comes to radiation.

If you can’t find Lugol’s 2% solution, you might consider a controversial but logical alternative: the antiseptic **povidone-iodine, brand name Betadine**. Iodine is absorbed through intact skin and wounds, and, according to the Stritch school of medicin[e at Loyola Universit](http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/meded/radiation/radaccident/decon.html)y, betadine solution used on the skin can contain enough iodine to help prevent thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine. Don’t drink betadine, it should be only applied to skin.

According to a [1989 study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2722514/) published in the journal Health Physics by researchers from Hershey Medical Center, an adult could get a blocking dose of stable iodine by painting 8 ml of a 2 percent tincture of Iodine on the abdomen or forearm approximately 2 hours prior to I-131 contamination. The study suggested that, in the absence of KI tablets, most humans would benefit from topical application of tincture of-Iodine.

10% povidone-iodine solution (Betadine) contains 1% available iodine, so use double the amount and, as it’s absorbed more slowly by soft tissues, apply as early as possible once a radiation event is imminent.

For adults, paint 8 ml of a 2 percent tincture of Iodine or double that of 1% on the abdomen or forearm daily, starting at least 2 hours prior to initial exposure. If you’re lucky, the authorities will warn you when an event is imminent.

For children 3 to 18, but under 150 pounds, paint 4 ml of 2 percent iodine, double that of 1 percent. For children under 3 but older than a month, 2 ml of 2 percent. For newborns up to 1 month old, half it again, or just 1 ml. Newborns normally receive only a single dose total. Again, stop once there is no longer a significant risk of radiation exposure.

It’s important to know that absorption through the skin is not as exact a dosing method as using tablets, but should still be effective for most. Also, be sure to first wash away any external contaminants on exposed skin with soap and water before application, and, if a nuclear event has already occurred, perform skin decontamination and discard fallout-exposed clothing.

Some people have asked about iodine crystals, but it appears that they vary in composition, so I can’t say much about them. One thing I can say is that iodized table salt and foods rich in iodine *do not* contain enough iodine to block radioactive iodine and are not a substitute for KI.

I have to mention that potassium iodide only protects against thyroid cancer, not against any other cancer caused by radiation exposure. Cancers associated with high dose gamma radiation exposure include leukemia, breast, bladder, colon, liver, lung, ovarian, and stomach. As those exposed as children or teens are most prone to thyroid cancer, treat them with KI first.

**There’s no Good Housekeeping Seal or FDA approval on any of the strategies I mention here**. You should do your own research and make your own conclusions, but as a survival medic, you must do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton, MD

Learn more about nuclear events and 150 other topics in troubled times with the Amazon top 20 4th Edition of ***The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Medical Help Is Not On The Way***. You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nuclear Events, Wound Closure, Radiation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nuclear-events-wound-closure-radiation/) 

 [All About Acute Radiation Syndrome](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-acute-radiation-syndrome/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Nuclear Events, Radiation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** ;lugol&#039;s solution, joe alton md, KI, medical preparedness, nuclear events, potassium iodide, radiation exposure, survival medicine, tincture of iodine

---

### [All About Acute Radiation Syndrome](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-acute-radiation-syndrome/)

**Published:** March 5, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In a de-stabilized world, the risk of a nuclear power detonating a weapon of mass destruction is greater than it’s been in decades. One of the effects of a nuclear attack that causes death and disease is radiation. Let’s discuss the medical effects of radiation exposure. These are collectively known as “**radiation sickness**” or “**[Acute Radiation Syndrome](https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/ars.htm)**.” A certain amount of radiation exposure is tolerable over time, but your goal as medic is to shelter your group so they receive as small a dose as possible.

To accomplish this goal, we should first describe the different terms for measuring the quantity of radiation. Scientists use a variety of confusing terms such as RADS, REMS, SIEVERTS, BECQUERELS, GRAYS, and CURIES to describe radiation amounts. Different terms describe the amount of radiation being given off by a source, the total amount of radiation that is actually absorbed by a human or animal, or the chance that a living thing will suffer ill effects from exposure:

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/marie-curie.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/marie-curie.jpg)Marie Curie

**BECQUERELS** and **CURIE**S describe the amount of radiation that, say, a hunk of plutonium gives off into the environment. They’re named after the scientists who were the first to work with (and die from) radioactivity.

**RADS** represent the amount of the radiation in the environment that is actually absorbed by a living thing. Some use the term “**GRAY**” similarly. 100 Rads equals 1 Gray.

**REMS** and **SIEVERTS** are the measurement of the risks of health damage from the radiation absorbed.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/radiation-1024x819.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/radiation-scaled.jpg)

For our purposes, let’s use RADS. RAD stands for **Radiation Absorbed Dose** and, as I mentioned a second ago, measures the amount of radiation energy transferred to some mass of material, typically humans.

An acute radiation dose is one received over a short period of time. It’s the most damaging type of exposure. For comparison purposes, we’re going to assume that the average person absorbs about 0.6 RADs per year from natural or household sources.

You might not have symptoms until you hit **30-70 RADS** of exposure. At that point, you might notice a Mild headache or nausea within several hours of exposure, but recovery is usually rapid.

At **70-150 RADS**, nausea and vomiting is seen in about a third of patients. Decreased wound healing and increased susceptibility to infection occurs, but eventual recovery is the usual outcome.

At **150-300 RADS**, Moderate nausea and vomiting happens in a majority of patients. Fatigue and weakness is experienced by about half. Infection and/or bleeding may occur due to a weakened immune system. Burns may be seen and medical care will be required for many. Expect occasional deaths at 300 RADS exposure.

At **300-500 RADS**. Expect moderate nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and weakness just about all victims. Diarrheal stools, dehydration, loss of appetite, skin breakdown, and infection will be common. Hair loss is visible in most over time. At the high end of exposure, expect at least a 50% death rate.

Over **500 RADS**, it’s not good. Spontaneous bleeding, fever, stomach and intestinal ulcers, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, low blood pressure, infections, and hair loss is anticipated in almost all patients. Death rates begin to approach 100%.

All of the effects related to exposure may not happen at the same time and aren’t immediate in many cases. Hair loss, for example, may take 10-14 days to appear. Deaths often occur weeks after exposure.

Be aware that, if knocked off the grid and modern medical care is not an option, worse outcomes than what I’ve mentioned will be the norm.

The treatment goals for radiation sickness are to prevent further radioactive contamination; treat life-threatening injuries like burns and trauma; reduce symptoms; and manage pain.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/shutterstock_209173573.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/shutterstock_209173573.jpg)

First is **Decontamination**. Decontamination lowers the risk of internal contamination from inhalation, ingestion, or open wounds. This involves removing radioactive particles. Removing clothing and shoes eliminates about 90 percent of external contamination. Gently washing with water and soap removes additional radiation particles from the skin.

If you have group members with radiation sickness, you’ll have to treat the effects, things like:

- Headache
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Burns
- Sores or ulcers
- Bacterial infections
- And, of course, Pain

Medications include pain meds, antibiotics, antidiarrheals, anti-nausea agents, and burn gels and dressings. Materials to provide daily wound care are also important.

[![65mg of KI pills taken daily help prevent thyroid cancer after radiation exposure](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Thyrosafe.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Thyrosafe.jpg)Potassium Iodide can help decrease the risk of thyroid cancer after radiation exposure

**Potassium iodide** ( available commercially as Thyrosafe, Iosat, and other brands is also used. This is a nonradioactive form of iodine. Iodine is essential for proper thyroid function. If you’re exposed to significant radiation, your thyroid will absorb radioactive iodine (radioiodine) just as it would other forms of iodine, leading to certain cancers down the road.

If you take potassium iodide, it prevents the absorption of radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide is most effective when taken as soon as you’re aware there has been an exposure. Treat the children first, as they’re most likely to end up with cancer later. Treatment for older kids is Thyrosafe 65 mg a day for up to ten days, although if radiation levels are no longer an issue, you can stop the treatment. Adults take 130 mg a day for up to ten days. Usually, however, no more than a few doses are needed. Alternative methods and dosing for small children and pets are discussed further in our Survival Medicine Handbook.

Let’s talk about prevention. The medic’s goal is to prevent exposures over 100 RADS. A radiation dosimeter is a useful item to gauge radiation absorbed. It’s much more useful than a Geiger counter, in y opinion, and is widely available commercially. This item helps predict the likelihood of developing radiation sickness.

There are three basic ways of [decreasing the total amount ](https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/safety.html)of radiation exposure:

First, **Limit time spent in the open**. Radiation damage is dependent on the length of exposure. Leave areas where high levels are detected and no adequate shelter is at hand. The activity of radioactive particles decreases over time. After 24 hours, levels usually drop to 1/10 of their previous value or less.

Second, **Increase the distance from the radiation source**. Radiation disperses over distance and the effects will be decreased in proportion. In nuclear reactor meltdowns, common evacuation patterns include a complete ten-mile circle or, sometimes, a “keyhole” consisting of a several-mile circle and an additional three miles radiating from the direction of the prevailing winds.

The third way to **shield people to decrease radiation** where they are. In many cases, people may have to shelter in place. Shielding will decrease exposure exponentially, so it is important to know how to construct a barrier between your people and the radioactive source. Denser materials will give better protection.

Shielding effectiveness is measured in terms of “**halving thickness**.” This is the thickness of a particular material that will reduce gamma radiation (the most dangerous kind) by one half. When you multiply the halving thickness, you multiply your protection.

Here are the halving thicknesses of some common materials:

Lead: 0.4 inches or 1 centimeter

Steel: 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters

Concrete: 2.4 inches or 6 centimeters

Packed Soil: 3.6 inches or 9 centimeters

Water: 7.2 inches or 18 centimeters

Wood: 11 inches or 28 centimeters

What does this mean from a practical standpoint? Let’s take concrete as an example. the halving thickness of concrete is 2.4 inches or 6 centimeters. That barrier thickness of concrete will drop exposure to gamma radiation by half. Doubling the thickness of the barrier to 4.8 inches or 12 cm drops it to one fourth (1/2 x 1/2). Tripling it to 7.2 inches or 18 cm will drop it to one eighth (1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2), etc. Ten halving thicknesses drops the total radiation exposure to 1/1024th of the level in the outside environment. For concrete, that would be 24 inches or 60 cm. If you can do that, people not killed by heat or kinetic energy close to ground zero can wait out the highest radiation levels.

For lead, the thickness of your lead bunker would only have to be 10 cm or 4 Inches thick. If it was made of wood, however, you’d need a barrier 110 inches thick or 2,8 meters.

Right now, the risk of a nuclear confrontation from some rogue power isn’t zero, but it’s small. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Are you prepared for a truly long-term disaster? Consider getting your medical storage in order and check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) And don’t forget our greatly expanded 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way, available at Amazon (in black and white) or in black and white or color signed copies at our [store.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Potassium Iodide Tablet Alternatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/potassium-iodide-alternatives/) 

 [Video: Nuclear Blasts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nuclear-blasts/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Nuclear Events, Radiation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** acute radiation syndrome, bomb shelter, halving thickness, joe alton md, radiation exposure, radiation sickness, RADS, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Nuclear Blasts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nuclear-blasts/)

**Published:** February 25, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/NUCLEAR-BOMB-WEAPONS-power-destruction-killing-rate-ground-zeroDr-Joe-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/NUCLEAR-BOMB-WEAPONS-power-destruction-killing-rate-ground-zeroDr-Joe-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-scaled.jpg)

With nuclear weapons in the hands of rogue powers, it’s possible that we are closer to a nuclear confrontation than we have been in decades. In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton describes the mechanism of nuclear detonations, the types of nuclear weapons, and whether they might be survivable in certain circumstances. First of a series on survivability, medical effects of radiation, and more…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Hey I can’t think of a better time to get your family medically prepared. Don’t forget to check our entire line of quality medical kits at **[store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**. You’ll be glad you did.

[![three compact first aid kits great for hiking and camping made by Amy Alton of store.doomandbloom.net](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [All About Acute Radiation Syndrome](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-acute-radiation-syndrome/) 

 [Nuclear Events](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nuclear-events/)

**Categories:** Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Nuclear Events, Radiation, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, joe alton md, medical preparedness, neutron bombs, nuclear blasts, nuclear weapons

---

### [Nuclear Events](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nuclear-events/)

**Published:** February 24, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![exploding nuclear blast from the ground with a fireball explosion up into the sky](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_79172968.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_79172968.jpg)

Given the current state of affairs in Eastern Europe and various other places around the globe, it is becoming clear that the risk of a confrontation involving nuclear weapons is a growing possibility. The nations that are stoking tensions are, for the most part, ones that have nukes in their arsenal, and not all of them are guided by reason.

Short of an asteroid hitting Earth or an ultra-deadly world pandemic, no disaster has the potential to destroy society as much as a nuclear war. Even “minor” radiation accidents, such as reactor meltdowns, may cause long-standing damage to entire areas. The family medic must always have a plan of action for every type of disaster to increase the chances for survival of group members.

It’s worthwhile to know the Types Of Nuclear Weapons. The least destructive weapon using radioactive materials is the “dirty bomb” used by terrorists. A dirty bomb is not technically a nuclear weapon. It uses conventional explosives to disperse radioactive material in the general area. Usually, the effect of the explosion causes more damage and casualties than the radioactive elements.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/manhattan-project-pin.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/manhattan-project-pin.jpg)

Our concept of an “**atomic bomb,**” as developed by **[the Manhattan Project](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project "the Manhattan Project")** in the 1940s, is one that uses what’s called “**[nuclear fission](https://www.britannica.com/science/nuclear-fission "nuclear fission")**.” The explosion is caused by a chain reaction that splits atomic nuclei. The result is a wave of intense heat, light, pressure, and kinetic energy equaling thousands of tons (also called kilotons) of TNT. This is followed by the release of radioactive particles in a cloud that resembles a mushroom (if a ground blast). Mixed with dirt and debris, the particles fall back to Earth, contaminating crops, animals, and people. This will happen at the site of detonation (known as “**ground zero**”) but will also be blown elsewhere by the prevailing winds.

Atomic bombs gave way to **[hydrogen bombs](https://www.livescience.com/53280-hydrogen-bomb-vs-atomic-bomb.html "hydrogen bombs")**, often described as **“thermonuclear” weapons** due to the generation of extreme heat during detonation. Hydrogen bombs use a process known as “**[nuclear fusion](https://www.britannica.com/technology/thermonuclear-bomb "nuclear fusion")**,” which takes two light nuclei and forms a heavier one, using variations of hydrogen atoms called “isotopes.” This fusion process requires high temperatures and usually involves a fission reaction to initiate. H-Bombs don’t just generate atomic power in the kilotons; they can reach levels in the megatons (millions of tons) of TNT.

Another type of thermonuclear weapon is the “**[neutron bomb](https://www.britannica.com/technology/thermonuclear-bomb "neutron bomb")**,” which generates much less kinetic energy and thermal damage, but much more radiation. Enhanced radiation weapons like the neutron bomb generate a fusion reaction that allows neutrons to escape the weapon with only a limited blast. Originally designed to counter massive Soviet tank formations, the neutron bomb is an example of a tactical nuclear weapon. The effect is to leave infrastructure mostly intact while wiping out human targets due to massive radiation.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/soviet-tank-1024x581.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/soviet-tank-scaled.jpg)Soviet tank

(Note: Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons that would have destroyed the Russian tanks currently invading the country in an 1990s agreement in which Russia recognized its national sovereignty.)

The impact of a nuclear bomb is related to its “yield,” a measure of the amount of energy produced. The Hiroshima atomic bomb had a yield of 15 kilotons, while the “Tsar Bomba” detonated by the Russians in 1961 had a yield of 51 megatons (that’s 51,000 kilotons). Most of the weapons stockpiled in the U.S. and Russia consist of bombs in the 100 to 500 kiloton range, much stronger than Hiroshima and much weaker than Tsar Bomba. This is because they’re meant to be fired at major cities in clusters of 20 or so, much harder to intercept than one big bomb.

You can expect a generally circular pattern of local damage, but various factors come into play besides the yield of the weapon. The altitude of the explosion, weather, wind conditions, and nearby geologic features play a role. The U.S. government estimates the distribution of damage for fission bombs to be:

• 50% shockwave (kinetic energy)

• 35% heat (thermal energy)

• 5% initial blast radiation

• 10% dispersed radiation (fallout)

You might think there isn’t anything you can do to survive a nuclear attack, and if you’re at ground zero at the moment of detonation, you’re right. But your chances of survival, given time, distance, and protection, may be better than you think.

The atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 flattened buildings over a roughly four-square mile area and killed 60,000 people instantly. Another 90,000-140,000 succumbed later to injuries and radiation exposure. Although this represents a total of 150,000 to 200,000 fatalities, the entire population did not perish. At the time of the explosion, there were about 350,000 people in Hiroshima, including 43,000 soldiers. Indeed, a Japanese citizen named Tsutomu Yamaguchi survived both 1945 atomic bomb detonations (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) and lived to reach the age of 93. This shows that, although horrific in its effects, distance from ground zero and other factors besides the power of the bomb itself play a role in a nuclear weapon’s lethality.

A 50 megaton H-Bomb like the Russian Tsar Bomba, however, would cause a much larger circle of devastation than the Hiroshima bomb, with widespread fatalities at least 20 miles from ground zero and third-degree burns 50 miles away. Windows were reported shattered from the 1961 detonation as far away as Norway and Finland.

I’ll be doing a number of videos on this subject, including some strategies that might give people away from ground zero the best chance for survive the initial blast, as well as discussing radiation issues and shelter building.

Next, we’ll discuss other issues related to nuclear events, such as radiation.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey I can’t think of a better time to get your family medically prepared. Don’t forget to check our entire line of quality medical kits at **[store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.net")**. You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Trauma_Kit_3_Person_Bleeding_Control_Kit_and_Bag__32622.1507144039.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Trauma_Kit_3_Person_Bleeding_Control_Kit_and_Bag__32622.1507144039.1280.12801.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dental_Supply_Emergency_Kit_LR__17171.1547412121.1280.1280.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dental_Supply_Emergency_Kit_LR__17171.1547412121.1280.1280.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Nuclear Blasts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nuclear-blasts/) 

 [Video: Eye Trauma and Other Issues](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-eye-trauma-and-other-issues/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Nuclear Events, Survival Medic

**Tags:** atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, joe alton md, kilotons, medical preparedness, megaton, nuclear bomb, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, survival medicine, thermonuclear bomb

---

### [Video: Eye Trauma and Other Issues](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-eye-trauma-and-other-issues/)

**Published:** February 18, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_529440640-flourescien-dye-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_529440640-flourescien-dye-scaled.jpg)

In survival scenarios, the sense that will be the biggest determinant of your chances of success is that of vision. Many people have one vision defect or another and would be wise to have corrective Lasik surgery before the SHTF, or, at least, some spare eyeglasses in their medical storage. Others with perfectly normal eyesight may end up with a traumatic injury that damages the eye is some way. In this video, Dr. Joe Alton talks about eye trauma as well as medical items directed to treat it. [Nurse Amy’s eye trauma kit ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/eye-care-emergency-kit/ "Nurse Amy's eye trauma kit ")gets a mention.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Dr. Alton

Find out more about eye issues and 200 other topics in survival settings with a copy of the greatly expanded 4th edition of **The Survival Medicine Handbook**. Plus, consider filling those holes in your medical supplies with quality kits and individual items from [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.net"). You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Nuclear Events](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nuclear-events/) 

 [Inflammatory Bowel Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/inflammatory-bowel-disease/)

**Categories:** Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** corneal abrasion, eye trauma, foreign object in the eye, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Nosebleeds Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nosebleeds-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** February 1, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/nasal-emergency-kit-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/nasal-emergency-kit-scaled.jpg)

Everyone gets nosebleeds at one point or another. With any luck, minimal bleeding is all you’ll experience, but it’s always possible to have a significant bleed, especially off the grid in survival settings. It’s important for the family medic to know just what to do with limited supplies in these situations. The video below is a companion to a recent article by Dr. Joe Alton.

To watch, click the image:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

Hey, for a good [nasal emergency kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/nasal-emergency-kit-nose-trauma/ "nasal emergency kit") or other quality kits, check out our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net. And don’t forget, our greatly expanded **4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is Not On The Way** is still atop the bestseller charts at Amazon. Get a copy there or, if you prefer a color signed copy, at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/ "store.doomandbloom.net")!

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma__11072.1641066046.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma__11072.1641066046.jpg)Nasal Emergency Kit by Alton First Aid/Grab N(r) Go Kits

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Medical Corruption, Frostbite, Clove Oil, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-medical-corruption-frostbite-clove-oil-more/) 

 [An Omicron Subvariant: What It Means](https://www.doomandbloom.net/an-omicron-subvariant-what-it-means/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Nasal Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** how to treat nosebleeds, joe alton md, medical preparedness, nosebleed, survival medicine

---

### [Video: The Broken Nose](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-broken-nose/)

**Published:** February 6, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_88250302-broken-nose-woman.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_88250302-broken-nose-woman.jpg)

In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses strategies for the off-grid medic when confronted with someone who incurred a nasal fracture. All you need to know about the broken nose in post-disaster settings…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones

Get your family medically prepared this year with HSA/FSA eligible medical kits and supplies from s[tore.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Also, check out our brand new, greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the way at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?crid=1BUDAUH14AB4Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook+4th+edition&qid=1633630295&sprefix=survival+medic%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=ec0fef709c41d8950481f510b8f6b5a7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) or get a signed copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)[.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Inflammatory Bowel Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/inflammatory-bowel-disease/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Medical Corruption, Frostbite, Clove Oil, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-medical-corruption-frostbite-clove-oil-more/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Bones and Joints, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nasal Issues, VideoCast, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** broken nose, joe alton md, medical preparedness, nasal fracture, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Medical Corruption, Frostbite, Clove Oil, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-medical-corruption-frostbite-clove-oil-more/)

**Published:** February 4, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In this topic-filled podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss corruption in the medical establishment that has led to bad messaging and advice for the current pandemic, and why this happens in a highly politicized society. Also, Dr. Alton covers cold injuries like frostbite and immersion (trench) foot, and other cold exposure issues. Nurse Amy tells you all you need to know about clove bud oil, a useful item to have in long-term survival medicine cabinets, and Dr. Bones returns to discuss the significance of expiration dates and how they affect the survival medic…

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To listen in, click below:

[Survival Medicine Podcast: Medical Dishonesty, Frostbite, Clove Oil, More 02/04 by NurseAmyandDrBones | Health (blogtalkradio.com)](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2022/02/04/survival-medicine-podcast-medical-dishonesty-frostbite-clove-oil-more)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, fill those holes in your medical supplies with quality kits and items from our entire line at [store.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)[doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)[ ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)Plus, get a copy of our greatly expanded 4th Edition of [The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is Not On The Way! ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: The Broken Nose](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-broken-nose/) 

 [Video: Nosebleeds Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nosebleeds-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Expiration Dates, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton np, clove bud oil, doom and bloom, expiration dates, frostbite, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Eye Trauma Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/eye-trauma-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** June 14, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_185722172-foreign-object-in-eye-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_185722172-foreign-object-in-eye-scaled.jpg)Foreign object embedded in the cornea

In survival scenarios, the sense that will be the biggest determinant of your chances of success is that of vision. Many people have one vision defect or another, and would be wise to have corrective Lasik surgery or, at least, some spare eyeglasses in their medical storage. Others with perfectly normal eyesight may end up with a traumatic injury that damages the eye is some way. In this article, we’ll talk about eye trauma.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_8530189.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_8530189.jpg)The eyes are recessed in bony sockets, helping to protect them from injury.

The conformation of the human skull is such that your eyes are slightly recessed in bony sockets. This helps protect them from injury. Despite this, there are many activities of daily living that can be traumatic to your eyes.

Here are just a few of the ways you can injure your eyes:

- Accidents while using tools.
- Splatter from bleach or other household chemicals.
- Lawn mower or gardening tool mishaps.
- Grease splatter from cooking.
- Chopping wood.
- Hot appliances near your face, such as curling irons or hair dryers.

The grand majority of these injuries are avoidable with a little planning and, perhaps, protective eyewear. Despite this, it’s likely the group medic will come upon an eye injury at one point or another.

Simple trauma to the eye often results in a collection of blood under the skin (a “black eye”). In these cases, apply a cold pack around, but not on, the eye for 20 minutes to keep down swelling. The injury is serious only if the patient develops double vision or other changes in eyesight.

**Foreign Objects**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_179070620-foreign-object-under-eyelid-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_179070620-foreign-object-under-eyelid-scaled.jpg)

If there’s a foreign object in the eye, there will be immediate symptoms, including:

- Eye pain or pressure
- Tearing up
- Light sensitivity
- Frequent blinking
- Redness (a “bloodshot” eye)

The patient will communicate that they feel something in their eye. The most common location will be under the upper eyelid. Use a moist cotton swab to lift and evert the eyelid. This will allow you to effectively examine the area. Clean (drinkable) water can be used as irrigation to flush out the foreign object. Alternatively, touch lightly with the moistened swab to dislodge it.

It’s rare for a foreign object to actually impale the eye. You would need a high-speed impact for this to happen, mostly seen in explosions.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Augenmagnet_martin-eye-magnet-and-loop-5snake5-public-domain.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Augenmagnet_martin-eye-magnet-and-loop-5snake5-public-domain.jpg)Eye Magnet and Loop (image by 5snake5)

To remove small *metallic* foreign objects from the eye (or any wound) an “**eye magnet and loop**” instrument can be used. Any magnet is useful, but the special instrument has a handle you hold like a pencil. The handle allows the medic to get close while maintaining direct visualization of both the eye and the foreign object. The tip is dull to prevent further injury. The loop side has a small nylon loop which can remove other objects gently. To use the eye magnet and loop instrument:

• Clean the magnet and loop sides with an antiseptic like alcohol and allow to dry.

• Hold the magnet side close to the metallic object to remove.

• If the metallic object is lifted but not 100% removed then use the loop side to complete the removal.

• For other small eye (or wound) foreign object removals, the loop can help gently lift them out.

Even in the best of circumstances, foreign objects are difficult to remove without causing scarring and vision loss, especially if it’s on the cornea or pupil.

**Corneal Abrasions**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_529440640-flourescien-dye-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_529440640-flourescien-dye-scaled.jpg)Corneal abrasion seen under cobalt blue light with flourescein dye

Let’s say you looked, and there’s no foreign object. Take a close look at the “**cornea**.” The cornea is a clear layer of tissue over the colored part of the eye (the ‘iris”) which exists for purposes of protection and to help with focusing. When this layer of tissue is scratched or damaged, it’s called a “**corneal abrasion**.” A corneal abrasion is relatively common, especially in those who wear contact lenses. The patient will probably complain to you that they still feel as if there’s a grain of sand in their eye, especially when they blink.

Sometimes the injury of an eye cannot be seen easily. To enhance visualization of the eye, and help diagnose the issue, a special “fluorescein” dye can be added to the eye. A (commercially-available and inexpensive) “cobalt blue” light is then used to highlight lacerations. To use:

- Place one or two drops of sterile eye wash or saline to the fluorescein strip.
- Ask the patient to look upwards.
- Pull down the lower lid of the injured eye.
- Touch the strip to the surface of the eye located under the lower lid.
- Release the lid and ask the patient to blink a few times to spread the orange dye.
- Use a cobalt blue light to visualize the eye; defects will appear bright green.
- The dye will wash out of the eye naturally, but eye wash may help if desired.

The abraded eye needs to rest and heal. After flushing it clean with water and using antibiotic drops (if available), cover the closed eye with an eye pad and tape or an eye patch. Alternatively, the bottom of a paper cup can be substituted if an eye pad or patch is painful. It’s wisest to cover both eyes, as the open eye will move around and the closed eye will follow its movements. As covering both eyes may agitate the victim, a small peephole can be made through which the unaffected eye can see. This will limit movement but relieve anxiety. Over the next few days, the eye should heal by itself. Use ibuprofen for pain relief if necessary.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_383887093-eye-goggles-pandemic-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_383887093-eye-goggles-pandemic-scaled.jpg)Protective eyewear is a must for many activities

For prevention of corneal damage, consider the following:

- Wear eye protection whenever you’re performing any activity that could possibly cause an eye injury, such as shop work, target shooting, or using power tools. Anyone who is close to you when you’re doing these activities should also wear protective gear.

- When working in the yard, watch for low hanging branches; Be sure to remove loose objects in your path. Make sure that your kids never point water under force (say, from a garden hose) at someone’s face.

- Put in contact lenses carefully; don’t sleep in them.

- Keep fingernails trimmed short.

- Employ a grease shield when using a frying pan.

Occasionally, blunt trauma to the eye or even simple actions like coughing or sneezing may cause a patch of blood to appear in the white of the eye. This is called a “**subconjunctival hemorrhage**” and, although not painful, can be alarming to the patient. It’s usually harmless, however, and will clear up in about a week without treatment.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_1348151027-hyphema-eye-1024x512.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_1348151027-hyphema-eye-scaled.jpg)

A more serious condition is a “**hyphema**.” In hyphemas, there is bleeding covering the iris and, perhaps, the pupil. The patient may experience pain and vision may be blurry, cloudy, or otherwise affected. If so, there is more cause for concern. Evaluate this injury as described for abrasions.

Treatment for hyphemas involves keeping the patient’s head elevated to allow any blood to drain to the lower part of the eye chamber. This strategy may help preserve vision. Cool compresses applied to the affected eye are also recommended, perhaps using the natural substances mentioned earlier. Recovery may be slow.

**Chemical Injuries**

In an event where the eye is exposed to noxious chemicals, burns and other reactions may occur. Rapid action is required in these cases. Hold the eye wide open while flushing with warm water. This should be done for at least 15 minutes in severe cases. Avoid getting the other eye wet, as chemical runoff may damage it.

Eye damage from chemical exposure can be severe. The medic must quickly:

- Remove contact lenses if applicable.
- Tilt the head in the direction of the affected eye.
- Hold the eyelids away from the eyeball while having the victim move the eye in all directions.
- Rinse the area with warm, clean water for 10-20 minutes.
- Wash any eyewear with soap and water.
- Bandage both eyes with a moist dressing.

(NOTE: Nurse Amy has put together an outstanding “Eye Care Emergency Kit” for the family medic in survival settings. Check it out by clicking the link below)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class-1024x680.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class.jpg)Dr. Alton

If you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Eye-Injury-Trauma-First-Aid-Kit-1024x471.jpg)](https://store.doomandbloom.net/eye-care-emergency-kit/)Eye Care Emergency Kit

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Nerve Blocks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nerve-blocks/) 

 [Dental Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-trauma-2/)

**Categories:** Eye Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Trauma

**Tags:** chemical injury to eye, corneal abrasion, eye trauma, foreign object in eye, hyphema, joe alton md, medical preparedness, subconjunctival hemorrhage, survival medicine

---

### [An Omicron Subvariant: What It Means](https://www.doomandbloom.net/an-omicron-subvariant-what-it-means/)

**Published:** January 27, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_1625027965.jpg)

As if you weren’t sick of hearing about COVID-19, a [new subvariant of omicron](https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/new-omicron-subvariant-could-be-more-contagious-boston-doctors-say/2623933/ "new subvariant of omicron") has now been identified in more than 40 countries, including the United States. Called “BA.2,” some public health officials suggest it may be more contagious. Whether it can compete with the dominant omicron variant currently in the U.S. remains to be seen.

Variants are a concern because they may circumvent strategies currently used to quell the pandemic like vaccines, antibodies, and oral therapies. For example, in Massachusetts last week, there were 46,092 new “breakthrough” COVID cases. These are infections in people who have been vaccinated. The previous week saw 86,450 new COVID infections in vaccinated people. Therefore, the need to know more makes it important to always keep an eye out for “variants of interest.”

There is good news: It’s been suggested that the current omicron, being very contagious but not as deadly as the delta variant, may signal the light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic. Viruses mutate randomly, but to be successful, it has to become easier to catch but rarely kill its human host. A virus that kills everyone it infects is doomed to extinction. This points, in the end, to COVID-19 becoming an endemic disease (always around) but no more deadly than, say, influenza virus.

(Note: This is not to say that influenza virus can’t be deadly; it can be a major issue for the very young, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.)

Knowing how fast and frequently RNA viruses mutate, it’s not surprising that new variants come around, much like the influenza virus arrives in a slightly different incarnation on a regular basis. The sheer [number of COVID subvariants](https://cov-lineages.org/lineage_list.html "number of COVID subvariants"), however, is impressive. BA.2 already has at least 20 just in the spike protein.

Doctors don’t yet know if someone who’s already had COVID-19 caused by omicron can be sickened again by BA.2. They’re cautiously optimistic that cross-protection via a prior omicron infection may decrease the effect of BA.2 on a patient.

While some officials refer to BA.2 as “[stealth omicron](https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/stealth-omicron-subvariant-covid-19/291-db789d74-6478-4eaf-bfcc-6c9107429ee0 "stealth omicron"),” conventional COVID-19 tests can still detect it. Some, including myself, question the benefit of using “stealth” and other adjectives which could stir up fear and panic. Stealth or not, BA.2 doesn’t appear to cause more severe disease than the original omicron. If further evaluation determines it’s a concern, BA.2 will get its own Greek letter; It may be named the “Pi” variant if this is the case.

When a new strain emerges, it’s important to tell whether the strain can evade vaccines or oral treatments better than its predecessor or causes more severe disease. At present, all the available data suggests the new strain is similar to omicron in both respects.

Luckily, most variants never become a major issue. The [“Mu” varian](https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/mu-covid-variant/ "“Mu” varian")t, for example, was on the rise late last year in the UK, but there have been few, if any, new cases since the beginning of 2022. Many come and go so quickly, the public hardly knows they existed at all. Hopefully, this will be the case with BA.2.

I’ll continue to report on new variants and other infectious diseases as they emerge, [like I did with COVID in early January of 2020](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/ "like I did with COVID in early January of 2020"), but not to instill panic. Forewarned is forearmed, they say. Armed with knowledge, you can make informed decisions as you plot your route out of this pandemic.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Hey, make this the year you finally get your family medically prepared! Let us help with quality kits, books, and individual supplies from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.net"). And check out our latest 4th edition, greatly expanded, of [the Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/ "the Survival Medicine Handbook"). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Nosebleeds Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-nosebleeds-off-the-grid/) 

 [Patient Advocacy In Good Times Or Bad](https://www.doomandbloom.net/patient-advocacy-in-good-times-or-bad/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Viruses

**Tags:** BA.2, COVID-19, joe alton md, medical preparedness, omicron subvariant, pandemic disease, stealth omicron, survival medicine

---

### [Patient Advocacy In Good Times Or Bad](https://www.doomandbloom.net/patient-advocacy-in-good-times-or-bad/)

**Published:** January 25, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![NUrse caring for sick patient](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_80114341.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_80114341.jpg)

I’ve written a lot about medical issues that result from natural and man-made disasters. When we read about mass casualties caused by epidemics, building fires, floods, and other disasters, it’s easy to forget that each victim is important. We don’t just mean generally, but to parents, children, and friends.

When hospitals are overcrowded, exhausted but dedicated medical professionals take a beating. They’re human and fallible. Even in normal times, it’s easy for a patient to “fall through the cracks” and, perhaps, not receive the absolute best care possible.

As humans are, well, human, the highest level medical facilities may make mistakes. This happened to one of our adult sons, Daniel. Daniel had severe diabetes since the age of nine. Due to his disease, he developed kidney failure and partial blindness; he was on dialysis and a transplant list for more than a year.

After a number of false alarms, a kidney and pancreas became available when a drunk driver took the life of a young father as he was riding his bicycle. Daniel underwent kidney and pancreas transplant surgery at a famous big-city hospital, one of the few in the state that performed this type of procedure.

Perhaps as a testament to his youth, Daniel’s new organs functioned well from the very start, producing urine and lowering his blood sugars to almost normal levels within 24 hours. Several days after the operation, he was deemed well enough to leave the Intensive Care Unit and go to a regular hospital floor. This meant that, instead of having a nurse assigned solely to him, he shared a nurse with several other patients. This is standard operating procedure and usually has no ominous implications.

However, when we went to see him the day of his transfer, he took a turn for the worse. He was pale and his abdomen seemed more distended that it did before. There was a drain coming out of his belly, and it was full of bright red blood.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_345308609-surgical-drain.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_345308609-surgical-drain.jpg)Daniel’s surgical drain filled with blood every few minutes

Seeing the blood draining out of his abdomen was concerning, to say the least. A transplanted kidney goes into the abdomen and bleeding is a known complication of the procedure. Having performed many surgeries myself, I took it upon myself to examine my son. I took Daniel’s vital signs earlier than scheduled and found him to have a racing pulse (tachycardia) and a very low blood pressure (hypotension). As we were unable to find medical staff, we emptied the bloody drain and watched it rapidly fill up again (and again) in short order. It was clear that he was bleeding internally.

This was very late at night, well after visiting hours. Staffing was light, and it took some time to find his nurse, who was attending another patient. Our hackles were raised, and we’re not ashamed to admit that we raised a racket. This led an overworked resident to take a serious look at Daniel. To her credit, the young doctor realized that something was wrong, and Daniel returned to the operating room. They wound up removing three liters of free blood from his abdomen before the hemorrhage came under control. He required transfusions of multiple units of blood and clotting factors.

Daniel recovered from this ordeal and, thankfully, his transplanted kidney and pancreas are still functioning years later. Thinking back, however, we shudder to realize how badly it could have ended. If we weren’t present at his bedside that night, we would have received a call in the morning notifying us that he had passed away during the night.

We relate this story not to gain sympathy or a pat on the back, but to convince you of the importance of being a patient advocate. If you are working to become a better medical asset to your people in hard times, then you must take patient advocacy as seriously as learning first aid. You must walk a mile in the shoes of your patient.

You may already see yourself as an advocate. Indeed, most doctors today are sure they know what’s best for their patients. As a medic in a disaster, however, you may be overworked and under stress. This may make it difficult for you to see things from your patient’s perspective. Your patient may “fall through the cracks” if you’re not careful, simply due to the amount of pressure on you to care for a large survival community.

Consider appointing a family member or other individual to follow a sick patient with you, not necessarily to provide care but to provide support as an advocate. Allow your patient to participate in medical decisions regarding their health whenever possible. Never resent their questions, whether they be easy or hard. If the patient is too weak to competently participate in important decisions, communicate your plan of action with their appointed advocate.

Here are **Alton’s Three A’s of Advocacy**:

1\) **A**ccept the importance of a patient’s rights.

2\) **A**dvise the patient so that they can be a full partner in the process.

3\) **A**llow an advocate to be an intermediary if the patient cannot actively participate in their care.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [An Omicron Subvariant: What It Means](https://www.doomandbloom.net/an-omicron-subvariant-what-it-means/) 

 [Cloth Masks?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cloth-masks/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, patient advocacy, patient advocate, survival medicine

---

### [Cloth Masks?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cloth-masks/)

**Published:** January 19, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-two-Front-view.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-two-Front-view.jpg)

Early in the pandemic, cloth masks were the preferred protective gear due to the lack of high-quality materials. Back in 2020, I wrote about the weak filtering capacity of these items and, indeed, it appears that cloth masks are just north of useless when it comes to preventing infection with SARS-CoV2, especially the ultra-contagious omicron variant.

Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sometimes known as the Center for Mask Mandates, has updated its guidance. They now admit that loosely woven cloth masks offer the least protection against COVID-19 and compare poorly with N95 and even KN95 masks. “Loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection, layered finely woven products offer more protection, well-fitting disposable surgical masks and KN95s offer even more protection, and well- fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including N95s) offer the highest level of protection,” the CDC says.

That means that millions of you are walking around with masks on your face that do little to prevent infection.

(Aside: England has recently eliminated its mask mandates throughout the country)

I wrote as much in 2020, when I felt that wearing a mask was situational, not a full-time job, and also when I said that if you’re going to wear them, wear N95s. At the same time that the CDC said the average citizen could expose themselves by caring for contagious mild-moderate COVID cases at home, they also made it nearly impossible to get the type of mask that would make it least likely that you would get sick too. This effectively made my advice a good idea, but a pipe dream.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/n95.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/n95.png)Typical N95 mask

Today, the increased availability of N95 masks ([you can get some here](https://store.doomandbloom.net/face-masks-3m-n95-aura-9205-niosh-approved-set-of-10-masks/ "you can get some here")) makes it easier to protect yourself from getting the infection. In these mask-weary times, however, people are getting sick and tired of wearing masks at all (including Amy and myself)! Is the CDC’s recent guidance too late?

Some are even suggesting that it might be best for everyone to get the virus and get to herd immunity once and for all. Instead of making the tough decision of discontinuing mask mandates, however, many states are still promoting a culture of fear. This is not only unnecessary but damaging to many young people, including those at least risk for getting severely ill.

Of course, not wearing masks might mean a bad outcome for some people who can’t avoid being indoors with large numbers of people. Several of our friends, vaccinated and unvaccinated, have ended up in the hospital in recent months. Many more, however, probably had the infection and never even knew it.

Double masking? Triple masking? With better-quality N95s around, these seem to be almost ridiculously excessive.

It’s almost certain that COVID-19 is going endemic and will be around long-term. leading the government to continue to recommend masks. Certainly, some young, healthy people will remain in a state of apprehension about the virus. If you choose to wear them, wear the ones that fit snugly and actually make a difference. When placed properly, N95 or KN95 masks should fit closely on the face without gaps and be comfortable.

Me? I’m pushing 70 and have more medical issues than I can count on my fingers so, yeah, I’m wearing an N95 whenever I’m in a crowd indoors. You? Do your own research and come to your own decision.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Dr, Joe Alton

Find out more about face masks, viral illness, and much more in the greatly ex[panded 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the Way](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition "panded 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the Way"), available at Amazon or in color at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition "store.doomandbloom.net"). Plus, check out our entire line of medical kits and supplies at [](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)[store.doo](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)[mandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)[](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)[t](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Patient Advocacy In Good Times Or Bad](https://www.doomandbloom.net/patient-advocacy-in-good-times-or-bad/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ortho injuries, Antiseptics, Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ortho-injuries-antiseptics-strokes/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Respiratory infections

**Tags:** cloth masks, joe alton md, KN95, medical preparedness, N95, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ortho injuries, Antiseptics, Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ortho-injuries-antiseptics-strokes/)

**Published:** January 13, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In good times or bad, families may face any number of events where trauma causes injuries. In the United States alone, there are over 37 million emergency department visits annually due to some type of trauma. Off the grid, it stands to reason that activities of daily survival performed by those unaccustomed will greatly increase the number of traumatic wounds. This week, Dr. Joe Alton discusses what to do for strains and sprains.

Also, the Alton discuss antiseptics, both commercial and improvised, and their use in survival scenarios to save lives. Plus, a Survival Podcast question about strokes leads Dr. Alton to tell you all you need to know about them in good times or bad.

To listen in, click below:

Hey, find out more about 150 medical topics in survival settings with a copy of the greatly expanded [4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/), available at Amazon or get a personally signed copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Cloth Masks?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cloth-masks/) 

 [Surviving Building Fires](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-building-fires/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Orthopedic Issues, Sanitation, Strokes, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** amy alton np, antiseptics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, sprains, strains, strokes, survival medicine

---

### [Nasal Fractures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nasal-fractures/)

**Published:** January 10, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_88250302-broken-nose-woman.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_88250302-broken-nose-woman.jpg)

Recently, I discussed off-grid strategies for nosebleeds, both minor and major. Bleeding often is spontaneous, but can also be related to trauma. Trauma to the nose can result, not only in bleeding, but also in damage to the bone or cartilage. Indeed, A fractured nose is the most common fracture of the face.

If there is a [nasal fracture](https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1001/p1315.html "nasal fracture") (“broken nose”), the patient will experience significant swelling and pain; any pressure on the nose may be seriously uncomfortable. Bleeding occurs in varying amounts, depending on the nature of the fracture. Blood collection in the nasal cavity can block breathing and can result in abscesses (collections of pus).

When examining the patient, you may notice a “crunching” sensation. Bruising beneath the eyes is common.

This injury can cause permanent deformity and difficulty breathing from a damaged septum (the wall that separates the nostrils). If there’s no major issue with breathing, however, it’s mostly a cosmetic problem. An instrument called a “[nasal speculu](https://store.doomandbloom.net/nasal-speculum-stainless-steel/ "nasal speculu")m” will allow you to inspect each nostril for blood clots or other abnormalities.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_711524908-NASAL-ANATOMY-1024x819.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_711524908-NASAL-ANATOMY-scaled.jpg)A number of delicate structures in the nose receive little protection from trauma

Early treatment for a broken nose places emphasis on decreasing pain, bleeding, and swelling. Apply cold packs over the nose for periods of 20 minutes on and off throughout the day. This will be useful only for the first 48 hours, but will help reduce swelling and discomfort. ‘

It should be noted that deformations caused by a nasal fracture will not straighten out by themselves, so the medic may sometimes choose to intervene in survival settings. If this is the course of action, it should be performed in three days or so, after swelling has subsided. This should not be attempted, however, after two weeks have passed (healing is too far along).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/nasal-speculum-768x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/nasal-speculum-scaled.jpg)A nasal speculum is useful to see inside the nostril 

The goal of reducing the deformity is to realign cartilage and bone and to their original positions, to decrease discomfort, and maximize air flow. Be aware that this kind of manipulation may cause further damage and should not be done if modern medical care is available. Physicians use special instruments like [nasal elevators](https://www.jedmed.com/products/boies-nasal-elevator "nasal elevators") and others to manipulate, pack, and “cast” the nose into its original shape. Most of these items are unlikely to be in your medical kit.

If modern medical care is not an option and you choose to intervene, the procedure goes as follows:

1\) Sit the patient down. The pain associated with the procedure may cause lightheadedness.

2\) Have them blow their nose once to eject blood and mucus.

3\) Make a triangle with your hands, placing four finger pads of one hand against four finger pads of another.

4\) Place the apex of the triangle snugly at the top of the nose.

5\) Have the patient take a deep breath, then bring your palms together until they are molded firmly against the nose.

6\) Slowly drag your hands straight down towards the chin.

If you were successful in reducing the deformity, you should then consider placing some moist gauze packing and taping the nose in position. The packing should not be removed for two or three days. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen will be helpful for pain relief. Swelling in nasal passages may be improved with a nasal decongestant once the packing is removed.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/nasal-splint-in-hot-water-768x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/nasal-splint-in-hot-water-scaled.jpg)Thermoplastic Nasal Splint

A useful tool to splint the nose in position is the thermoplastic nasal splint. It can be placed on the nose with or without tape (Elasticon is an option) for stabilization. The splint helps reduce swelling and dead space during the healing process and protects against further injury.

How to use a Thermoplastic Nasal Splint for stabilization of the nose after treatment:

1\. Activate the nasal splint by placing in water heated to 70-75 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit) for 3-5 minutes.

2\. After it’s activated, the splint becomes soft and pliable, remove from water and dry it with a soft cloth.

3\. Remove the glue layer, place it on the nose, pushing gently into position.

4\. Within 3 minutes, it should become rigid and fixed.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thermoplast-nasal-splint.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/thermoplast-nasal-splint.jpg)hardened nasal splint in place

Note:

1\. Don’t put the nasal splint into water more than 175 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius).

2\. Don’t allow the nasal splint to remain in water more than 10 minutes.

3\. Store at room temperature.

It should be noted that a traumatic event hard enough to fracture the nose also can cause injury to the neck. Careful attention should be given to possible cervical spine damage; stabilization with a neck collar may be appropriate.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Hey, our entire line of quality medical kits now includes a specialty kit for nosebleeds and nasal trauma! Check it out at [store.dooma](https://store.doomandbloom.net/nasal-emergency-kit-nose-trauma/ "store.dooma")[ndbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/nasal-emergency-kit-nose-trauma/ "ndbloom.net.") And make sure to get a copy of our expanded 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine book!

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma-1024x650.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Nasal-Emergency-Kit_Nose_Trauma-scaled.jpg)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Surviving Building Fires](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-building-fires/) 

 [Treating Nosebleeds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/treating-nosebleeds/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Nasal Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, broken nose, joe alton md, medical preparedness, nasal fracture, survival medicine

---

### [Surviving Building Fires](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-building-fires/)

**Published:** January 10, 2022
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_1673381209-firemen-firefights-building-fire-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_1673381209-firemen-firefights-building-fire-scaled.jpg)

I wrote about how to survive a house fire back in [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Bronx_apartment_fire "2017"), when an apartment building in the Bronx, NY went up in flames, taking 12 lives. A tragic coincidence has me writing about the same issue in 2022, when another Bronx apartment building became an inferno and took at least 17 lives and injured dozens more. This time, the cause was a faulty space heater. In both instances, the fires occurred in deep winter, causing firefighters to work in freezing conditions.

Having written a lot about [wildfires ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfire-survival/ "wildfires ")in the open West, the story made me think about what you should do to protect your family from becoming victims of a building fire.

**The Nature Of Home Fires**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_569622439-300x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shutterstock_569622439-scaled.jpg)

Every year, millions are at risk for, and thousands of people are killed or injured by, fires in the U.S. Many of these deaths and injuries can be prevented with some knowledge of the nature of fire. You should understand the following six points:

**1)** Most people who die in fires don’t die because of [burns](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burn-injuries-on-and-off-the-grid/) as much as from asphyxiation (suffocation). This was the case with the recent Bronx fire, as people fleeing the burning apartment left the door again, allowing billows of smoke to permeate the 19 story building. Victims were found on almost every floor.

Fire consumes available oxygen that you need to breathe, and produces harmful gases and smoke. Inhalation of even a small amount of these can disorient you and affect your ability to respond appropriately. Even if there is little smoke, some poisonous gases are invisible and odorless. Some people who die in bed appear to have not woken up at all, most likely a result of toxic inhalation. That doesn’t mean the bodies can’t have burns on them, but they are often not the cause of death.

**2)** Fire spreads rapidly. A small fire can go out of control in less than a minute if not extinguished rapidly. Many house fires occur at night when everyone is asleep, making it possible for smoke and flames to engulf the entire building before you are even aware of it. Sometimes, rooms can combust all at once, a phenomenon known as a “[flashover](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashover)“. Opening hot doors can cause a fire effect called a “[backdraft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backdraft)“, which appears similar to an explosion.

**3)** The environment in a fire is likely to be dark, not bright as you might think. Black smoke can easily make it impossible to see clearly as well as cause eye irritation. This leads to confusion as to where the best avenues of escape might be.

**4)** Heat from a fire can burn you, even if you’re in a room that isn’t on fire itself. Breathing in super-heated air can burn your lung tissue and is more lethal than burns on the skin.

**5)** Hot air rises. Most people understand this concept, but not the extremes you’d experience in a fire. Air that is just hot at floor level becomes much hotter at eye level. This is why you should stay close to the floor as you make your way out of the building.

**6)** Fire needs fuel (and oxygen) to survive and grow. People unwittingly feed fires by keeping all sorts of flammable clutter around the house. Don’t collect old newspapers or other combustibles, especially near heaters or stoves.

**What To Do In A Fire**

A plan of action made before a fire occurs will greatly increase the chances for survival. Here are some important considerations:

- **Make it clear to everyone that there’s a fire**. Hit the fire alarm or loudly yell “Fire!”. You should have previously identified at least two exits and conducted fire drills with your family so that they know exactly what to do. In the Bronx fire, fire alarms were working but the only reports to the fire department were about smoke alarms going off.
- **Get the heck out of there** if it’s clear the fire isn’t the kind that can’t be doused easily by your fire extinguisher (you should have more than one placed in susceptible areas). Don’t wait to grab personal items, you might have only seconds to safely leave.
- **Get down low and crawl to an exit** to be least exposed to heat and smoke. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth if possible. Authorities often suggest wetting it, a good idea if you can do it quickly without delaying your leaving the building. Covering your body with a wool blanket is an option, but don’t use a wet one; when wet, wool will conduct heat more quickly and cause scald burns.
- **Once you’re at the exit, touch the doorknob or the door itself before opening**. If very hot, leave it closed and pick another exit. If the door isn’t hot, open it slowly; close it if fire or heavy smoke is present.
- **Call 911 as soon as you exit the house.** If you are missing someone, tell the firefighters where they might be located in the building. Same with pets. Returning to a burning building to search for someone may be heroic, but it is also extraordinarily dangerous. One person was killed when he re-entered the building in the Bronx fire to look for more victims.
- **If someone catches fire: stop, drop, and roll.** Stop them immediately, drop them to the ground, and roll them until the fire is out. Smother the flames with a thick towel or blanket if available.

**Trapped in the Building**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_387299374-vehicular-terror-2-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_387299374-vehicular-terror-2-scaled.jpg)smoke can limit vision as well as respiration

Many peoples’ worst nightmares involve being stuck in a burning building. There are a number of things, however, that you can do that will give you time until help arrives.

First, stay calm. People who are agitated may panic and make decisions that lead to very bad outcomes.

Do everything possible to let rescue personnel know you are there. If you can communicate with firefighters, let them know where you are, using either your cell phone or by signaling for help from a window. If possible, hang a sheet out to make it obvious where you are.

Speaking of windows, tear off any window treatments, like curtains. They are flammable and might prevent you from being seen. Make sure that your windows are not secured in a fashion that prevents opening them in an emergency.

If there’s a bathroom or sink, fill it with cold water and soak whatever cloth items are available. Use them to block the ventilation duct (turn the system off) and the spaces under and around doors. If you’re in a bedroom, soak the mattress and put it up against the door; secure with a chair.

If there’s a bathroom, there’s likely to be an exhaust fan. If it works, you can clear some smoke with it.

If you still can’t get out of the building and smoke is building up, wet a towel and cover your nose and mouth with it. Grip the towel with your mouth and breath through your nose (it’s a longer route to your lungs). Get down low to the ground, as mentioned above.

Given the cause of this deadly fire, I shouldn’t have to mention that extreme care should be taken when using space heaters. Also, if you’re in an old building, make sure that fire and smoke alarms work, and that any sprinkler system is still functional.

Many deaths and injuries from fires are preventable with a little planning and quick action. Be aware of fire hazards in your home and work to eliminate them *before* a disaster strikes.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

P.S. I have great respect for the firefighters who fought this huge blaze in freezing weather. They are true heroes.

Hey, find out more about fires, burns, smoke inhalation, and 150 other medical topics in survival settings with a copy of the greatly expanded [4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/ "4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook"), available at Amazon or get a personally signed copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.net"). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ortho injuries, Antiseptics, Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ortho-injuries-antiseptics-strokes/) 

 [Nasal Fractures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nasal-fractures/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** apartment building fire, bronx fire, house fires, joe alton md, medical preparedness, winder building fires

---

### [The Omicron Variant](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-omicron-variant/)

**Published:** December 2, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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A recent development in the COVID-19 saga is the emergence of a new strain in South Africa known as the Omicron variant. The World Health Organization has named it a “variant of concern”, the fifth such strain to be given that title. Cases of the new version are rising rapidly, suggesting that Omicron might soon replace the Delta variant as the dominant virus in North America. How much of a threat is Omicron?

The SARS-CoV2 virus is composed of RNA instead of having both DNA and RNA. RNA viruses are notoriously defective in terms of replicating themselves. As such, they often mutate with variable consequences. In the case of Omicron, there are a number of different mutations that cause it to be more contagious but, perhaps, not as severe as some previous versions. At present, physicians’ experience in South Africa doesn’t seem to show increased percentages of hospitalizations or deaths over previous variants.

This is not a surprise. Viruses have the goal of spreading throughout a population. The more lethal a virus is, the less likely they can spread. If an airborne virus killed 100% of the humans it infected, it would be difficult for those dead humans to breathe on live ones. The best way for a virus to become widespread is to become *less* lethal, so there would be many more opportunities to find new hosts. Of course, people who are elderly or immune-compromised are at risk for worse outcomes.

Omicron may present somewhat differently than other variants. You might see:

-scratchy throat

-mild muscle aches

-fatigue

-a dry cough

-night sweats

Preliminary evidence shows that Omicron may cause reinfection in people who previously had COVID infections. Some vaccine manufacturers believe that their products will be effective against the new strain, but others are less certain. In any case, it appears that the vaccinated population are given decent protection against severe disease, but little against getting infected or spreading the disease. If it turns out that the new strain is resistant to vaccines, drug manufacturers believe it would take about three months to produce a new one. It’s uncertain if the new oral drugs coming out to treat infection will be effective against Omicron.

(Note: The names of SARS-CoV2 variants are taken from the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc.). This variant was going to be named after the next letter in line, which was “nu.” The World Health Organization decided it sounded too much like “new.” The next letter was “Xi,” which was coincidentally the name of the current Chinese leader Xi Jinping, so that was ruled out, given the “sensitive” nature of the virus’s origin in China. Omicron was next, so the variant was named that.)

---

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_365894090.jpg)

There’s a chance that Omicron isn’t as contagious as some are suggesting: A (vaccinated) Israeli cardiologist was the first to test positive in that country. He was in contact with several dozen people (most of them vaccinated) when he began to have symptoms. A thorough tracing and testing program found only one of his contacts, a 70-year-old colleague, had contracted the virus.

The standard recommendations against COVID-19 remain unchanged: Remain socially distanced, wear a well-fitted mask, open windows for increased ventilation and to decrease viral concentrations inside, keep hands clean, and avoid crowds. Of course, if you’re coughing or sneezing, do it into a tissue or, at least, into a bent elbow.

When will the pandemic end? If the goal is zero cases, the answer is never. My opinion is that the SARS-CoV2 virus is here to stay, but will morph into a flu-like or cold-causing organism, with severe cases no more frequent than with influenza. Indeed, four different coronaviruses cause “common cold” symptoms every year, comprising about a fourth of all such infections.

Over time, we’ll know more about Omicron and be able to figure out its impact on society. There is certainly no cause to panic or to buy into the hysteria which appears to be the agenda of many politicians, media pundits, or certain “experts.” Wear a quality mask when it’s appropriate, stay away from large indoor crowds, and wash your hands (Mom was right about this one).

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Dr. Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-scaled.jpg)

Hey, if you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family, consider a copy of the brand new, greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, available at Amazon or at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hypothermia-2/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, Off-Grid Nursing, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-off-grid-nursing-pt-1/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** COVID-19, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Omicron variant, SARS-COV2, survival medicine, viruses

---

### [Treating Nosebleeds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/treating-nosebleeds/)

**Published:** December 29, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_2001282227-nosebleed-1-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/shutterstock_2001282227-nosebleed-1-scaled.jpg)

It’s a rare individual who has never had a nosebleed. The nose has many tiny blood vessels, most located in the cartilage-bearing **nasal septum** (the wall between the nostrils). Unlike the eyes, which are protected by being recessed into the skull, the nose protrudes from the face, leaving it vulnerable to injury.

About 90% of the time, nosebleeds (also called “**epistaxis**”) originate in the front of the nose (“anterior”) near the septum. This location, known as “Little’s Area” or “Kiesselbach’s Plexus” contains numerous small arteries and veins where bleeding can originate. Anterior bleeding comes from one nostril only in the grand majority of cases.

In a small percentage of cases, bleeding starts in back of the nose (“posterior”) where other arteries are located. These nosebleeds have a tendency to occur more often in the elderly, be heavier in volume, and more difficult to stop. A posterior nosebleed may be suspected if you see heavy bleeding from both nostrils or blood draining down the back of the throat.

Nosebleeds can, of course, occur from trauma to the face. They can also be caused by factors that affect the inside of the nose, such as excessive “picking” or irritation from upper respiratory infections. Environmental factors such as particularly cold or dry climates may also play a role, as can medications that prevent clotting. In unusual cases, underlying illness (such as high blood pressure), pregnancy, or small tumors may be implicated as the cause.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Image-81-Nosebleeds-graphic-head-down-and-up-shutterstock_196163300-1024x646.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Image-81-Nosebleeds-graphic-head-down-and-up-shutterstock_196163300-scaled.jpg)Bend forward, not back

Deaths due to nosebleeds are very rare, but bleeding can be significant. Still, most can be handled successfully with limited supplies in an austere environment.

**To stop a nosebleed**:

1. Keep the patient calm. Anxiety will speed the pulse and cause more rapid bleeding.
2. Sit the patient upright with the head tipped slightly forward. You may have been taught to tilt the head backward, but this causes the blood to run down the back of the throat. Have them breathe through the mouth.
3. Spit out blood in the mouth and throat instead of swallowing it. Blood can irritate the stomach.
4. Using the thumb and index finger, firmly pinch the soft part of the nose just below the bone and press towards the face. Apply pressure for 5-10 minutes. Be patient.
5. Apply an ice pack to the affected side. Cold constricts blood vessels and may help stop the bleeding.
6. Check to see if your patient’s nose is still bleeding after 10 minutes. If still bleeding, sniff in or blow out accumulated blood once and, then, hold the nose for 10 more minutes.
7. Nasal spray oxymetazoline (generic Afrin) will also help stop the bleed, but beware of elevating blood pressure.
8. If the bleeding successfully stops, the patient should try not to blow their nose, bend over, or strain for the next day.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nasal-Packing-Dental-roll-in-half-with-curved-clamp.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nasal-Packing-Dental-roll-in-half-with-curved-clamp.jpg)dental roll on clamp

A dental cotton roll folded in half (with petroleum jelly or Afrin, if available) on a clamp (see image) may be placed in the nasal cavity to stop bleeding with some external pressure. Pinch the nose for 5-10 minutes while the head is tipped forward. Once bleeding has ceased, carefully and slowly remove the clamped dental roll.

**Placing A Nasal Pack**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Image-82-Placing-A-Nasal-PACKING-graphic-nose-gauze-ALTON-1024x393.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Image-82-Placing-A-Nasal-PACKING-graphic-nose-gauze-ALTON-scaled.jpg)nasal packing with gauze roll

If the above procedure fails to stop bleeding, a packing with petroleum jelly may be required to apply pressure to the leaking vessel. Other materials, like BleedCEASE or NasalCease, contain blood-clotting agents which can be fashioned into a packing.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bayonet-Forceps-to-place-nasal-packing.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bayonet-Forceps-to-place-nasal-packing.jpg)Bayonet forceps

To place a simple packing into the nose, strips of gauze impregnated with petroleum jelly is gripped with a “bayonet” forceps, Kelly clamp, or blunt tweezers and inserted into the anterior nasal cavity. The first packing layer is inserted straight back along the *floor* of the anterior nasal cavity (not at an upward angle). A small instrument called a “nasal speculum” may be used to open the nostril for a better view.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/nasal-speculum-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/nasal-speculum-scaled.jpg)Nasal Speculum

Additional layers of packing are then added in accordion-fold fashion. The nasal speculum can be used to hold layers down as new ones are inserted. Packing is continued until the nasal cavity is filled. Be aware that you could traumatize the nasal cavity if placement is poorly performed.

It should be noted that nasal packing can be very uncomfortable. Significant pressure is usually required to be effective and the packing must stay in place for a good 48 hours or so.

In stubborn cases, carefully place BleedCEASE, Nasalcease, or other hemostatic dressing in the nostril with a blunt tweezers or curved Kelly clamp. If using a longer strip, be sure to leave a small piece outside. Then, apply external pressure by pinching the bridge of the nose for 5-10 minutes. Hemostatic gauzes can be left in place for up to 24 hours. If they dry out, moisten before removing with some water or saline nasal spray from a 12 cc or bulb syringe.

Alternatively, the bleeding nostril can be flushed with sterile saline; then, gently introduce a thin strip of cloth drenched in oxymetazoline (Afrin) or epinephrine (from an Epi-pen or other anaphylactic shock kit) and pack gently into the nostril. Apply external pressure for 5-10 minutes and don’t remove the packing for several hours. Avoid blowing the nose to eject clots, as it may restart the bleeding, regardless of the origin.

A natural hemostatic agent is geranium oil. A few drops on a strip of gauze could be placed in the bleeding nostril with good results in many cases. Yarrow is another time-honored option. Crush the leaves between the fingers and insert them into the nostril. Leave in place until the bleeding stops and then remove. Don’t forget to apply external pressure as described above.

A true posterior bleed may be difficult to stop without expensive balloon catheters such as the Rhino-Rocket, the Epistat catheter, or the Simpson Plug. A urinary Foley catheter with a filled balloon (add sterile water to the balloon after placement) may also be an option. All of these options help increase pressure further back along the nasal cavity.

Once you’ve had a significant nosebleed, you’ll do everything possible to not have another. Here are some strategies that will decrease the chances of a recurrence. One basic strategy is to prevent nasal dryness. This can be achieved in a number of ways:

- **Apply petroleum jelly.** In patients with frequent nosebleeds, chronic irritation of the walls of the nostril may be the problem. Protect this area by applying small amounts of petroleum jelly gently inside the nose, especially before going to sleep. Admonish children to avoid “picking” their nose. Keep fingernails of both children and adults well-trimmed.
- **Use sterile saline nose drops during the day to keep nasal passages moist.** Simply mix one teaspoon of salt into a quart of clean water, boil for 20 minutes, and let cool before flushing each nostril.
- If you have electricity, **use a humidifier**, especially in the bedroom at night. Those who use tobacco and suffer from nosebleeds should know that smoking dries out and irritates the nasal lining.

Other strategies that decrease the frequency of nosebleeds include:

- abstaining from blowing your nose forcefully.
- avoiding excessive use of decongestants.
- monitoring the use of aspirin or alcohol.

Nosebleeds may be a minor occurrence, but can present a lot of anxiety for the patient and headaches for the family medic. Keep nasal passages moist and, just a thought, you might consider avoiding those bar fights you’re always getting into (just kidding)!

See Nurse Amy’s brand new Nasal Emergency Kit here: 

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3934-1024x931.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_3934-scaled.jpg)Nurse Amy’s Nasal Emergency Kit Instruments and bag

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD aka Dr.Bones

Hey, start off a new year by getting your family medically prepared with quality kits and individual supplies from [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget to check out our greatly expanded **[4th edition](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)** (brand new) of **The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way**, available at Amazon and at our store!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Nasal Fractures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nasal-fractures/) 

 [Bartering And Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bartering-and-medical-supplies/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Nasal Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** epistaxis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, nasal packing, nasal speculum, nosebleed, survival medicine

---

### [13 Foods That Can Help Diabetics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/13-foods-that-can-help-diabetics/)

**Published:** September 10, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![food](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/food.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/food.jpg)image by PixabayOne of the most-frequently asked questions I get regarding medical preparedness is about diabetes. Insulin, as it come in liquid for, doesn’t maintain its potency after its expiration dates very well. This is all well and good in normal times, but what about survival settings where the pharmaceuticals just aren’t there for you? What natural substances might have some sugar-lowering effect?

Clearly, we’re not talking about the same effect you would get with insulin. Even Metformin, an oral glucose control agent, doesn’t work very well for type 1 diabetics. Type 2 diabetes might have more luck in a survival scenario, as increased physical exertion and dietary restrictions will work to, if not improve, keep sugar levels down.

So perhaps we should know what foods might have a lowering effect on blood sugars. There are quite a few that might be helpful:

**Avocados:** Avocados may have a high fat content, but they’re still good for you in moderation. They’re loaded with monounsaturated fats. These help slow sugar release into the blood.

**Olive Oil:** Rich in the same monounsaturated fats you’ll find in avocados, they decrease the body’s resistance to the effect of insulin, a major issue in type 2 diabetics. Your insulin has a stronger effect to keep glucose levels down.

**Eggs:** If you’re overweight, two eggs for breakfast will help you lose weight by controlling hunger sensations and may decrease the highs and lows of sugar levels after a meal.

**Cherries:** Certain chemicals in cherries could lower blood sugars in diabetics, requiring less insulin to stay “normoglycemic” (within normal glucose ranges).

**Blueberries:** Blueberries help increase your body’s sensitivity to the effects of insulin. When insulin is more effective, your blood sugars go down, especially in type 2 diabetics.

**Cinnamon**: Muscle and liver cells react more readily to insulin where you ingest cinnamon. The result is improved blood sugar regulation.

**Spices**: Turmeric, Fenugreek, Cumin, Ginger, Mustard, and Coriander have shown promise in lowering blood sugars in many cases.

**Chia Seed:** This gluten-free grain helps control glucose, especially after meals. It increases the body’s response to insulin and may even have a beneficial effect on a number of other issues that diabetics have to deal with, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

**Oatmeal:** If unsweetened, oatmeal is a carbohydrate, the quantity of which diabetics should carefully control. Having said that, it’s a pretty good carb. It’s high in soluble fiber, which means it digest slower and, thus, raises sugar levels less and in a more gradual fashion.

**Green Beans, Spinach, Tomatoes, Broccoli:** Nonstarchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and green beans, are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates, which make them ideal for people with diabetes. Potatoes, corn, peas, and squash are some examples of starchy vegetables.

**Vinegar:** Vinegar may limit blood sugar and insulin elevation. Some say that it may also give you the sensation of fullness after a meal, thereby cutting down on poor choice snacks.

**Lean Meats:** High-protein foods, such as meats, aren’t as problematic for diabetes as carbohydrates. Fish, lean cuts of meat, and chicken breast (skinless) are good choices. Meat is a source of Chromium, which helps insulin do its job and helps the body metabolizes carbs.

**Club Soda:** Carbonated beverages, the kind without a lot of sugar, have no carbohydrates, which helps sugar control and as well as weight control. Most now come in fruit flavors to make them less boring.

Making the right food choices can make a big difference with regards to your health, and good nutrition can keep your glucose levels from going over the brink. Next time, we’ll talk about some herbs that might be helpful for diabetic control.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr.Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/AuthorJoe.jpg)Joe Alton, M.D.Check out our greatly expanded and revised 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook, available at Amazon or at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/immunity-2/) 

 [Medical Supplies, Part 4: Open/Bleeding Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medical-supplies-part-4-openbleeding-wounds/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** diabetics, medical preparedness, survival medicine, top foods for diabetes

---

### [How To Make Insulin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-make-insulin/)

**Published:** September 18, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![Injecting Insulin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot-300x152.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot.jpg)Injecting Insulin**(Dr. Bones says:** Originally published in somewhat different form in 2011, this is a supplement to my 5-part series on Diabetes and Survival. The final part of the series (natural remedies for Diabetes) will be published in the next day or two.**)**

## Type I Diabetes and Making Insulin

One of the questions I am asked most often is how to deal with **Type 1 diabetics** (Insulin-dependent) in a long-term survival scenario. There is a story about how home-made Insulin was produced in Japanese-occupied Singapore during WWII. I have been unable to find the specific process used there, but I have come upon a lecture by one of the scientists who first produced **Insulin** in the lab. This occurred in 1922, and the lecture is from that era. The material used was the pancreatic organs of cows and pigs. I will add some comments below the transcript of the lecture.

Here it is:

“The present method of preparation is as follows. The beef or pork pancreas is finely minced in a larger grinder and the minced material is then treated with 5 c.c. of concentrated sulphuric acid, appropriately diluted, per pound of glands. The mixture is stirred for a period of three or four hours and 95% alcohol is added until the concentration of alcohol is 60% to 70%. Two extractions of the glands are made. The solid material is then partially removed by centrifuging the mixture and the solution is further clarified by filtering through paper. The filtrate is practically neutralized with Sodium Hydroxide. The clear filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to about 1/15 of its original volume.

The concentrate is then heated to 50o degrees Centigrade, which results in the separation of lipoid and other materials, which are removed by filtration. Ammonium sulphate (37 grams. per 100 c.c.) is then added to the concentrate and a protein material containing all the Insulin floats to the top of the liquid. The precipitate is skimmed off and dissolved in hot acid alcohol. When the precipitate has completely dissolved, 10 volumes of warm alcohol are added. The solution is then neutralized with NaOH and cooled to room temperature, and kept in a refrigerator at 5oC for two days. At the end of this time the dark coloured supernatant alcohol is decanted off. The alcohol contains practically no potency. The precipitate is dried in vacuo to remove all trace of the alcohol. It is then dissolved in acid water, in which it is readily soluble. The solution is made alkaline with NaOH to PH 7.3 to 7.5. At this alkalinity a dark coloured precipitate settles out, and is immediately centrifuged off. This precipitate is washed once or twice with alkaline water of PH 9.0 and the washings are added to the main liquid.

It is important that this process be carried out fairly quickly as Insulin is destroyed in alkaline solution. The acidity is adjusted to PH 5.0 and a white precipitate readily settles out. Tricresol is added to a concentration of 0.3% in order to assist in the isoelectric precipitation and to act as a preservative. After standing one week in the ice chest the supernatant liquid is decanted off and the resultant liquid is removed by centrifuging. The precipitate is then dissolved in a small quantity of acid water.

A second isoelectric precipitation is carried out by adjusting the acidity to a PH of approximately 5.0. After standing over night the resultant precipitate is removed by centrifuging. The precipitate, which contains the active principle in a comparatively pure form, is dissolved in acid water and the hydrogen ion concentration adjusted to PH 2.5. The material is carefully tested to determine the potency and is then diluted to the desired strength of 10, 20, 40 or 80 units per c.c. Tricresol is added to secure a concentration of 0.1 percent. Sufficient sodium chloride is added to make the solution isotonic. The Insulin solution is passed through a Mandler filter. After passing through the filter the Insulin is retested carefully to determine its potency. There is practically no loss in berkefelding. The tested Insulin is poured into sterile glass vials with aseptic precautions and the sterility of the final product thoroughly tested by approved methods.”

### Making Insulin is Not Easy

When I first published this article in 2011, my first impression was (and still is): It will be nearly impossible to put together the chemicals necessary to produce Insulin as described above, not to mention the power to run centrifuges and other lab equipment. In fact, you almost need a degree in Chemistry to even read the above. Bottom line: Your kid’s chemistry set isn’t going to help much.

It seems clear to me that perfect control of our Type 1 diabetics will be highly unlikely, but it may be possible to prevent life-threatening glucose levels as seen in **Diabetic Ketoacidosis**. Consider stockpiling oral medications such as Metformin in the highest doses available, and place your diabetics on these when the Insulin runs out. These medicines help counteract Insulin resistance, and what little Insulin your diabetics produce naturally **may** have more of an effect to lower blood sugars. **This, unfortunately, won’t work if the body produces no Insulin at all.**

Strict dietary restriction barely enough to maintain weight will also be necessary, in the form of frequent, very small protein-rich meals. Maintain a reasonable level of activity, and hope for society to re-stabilize. Type 1 diabetics will have difficulty staying healthy in a long term off-grid situation. Many type 2 diabetics, however, might actually improve from the limited caloric intake and the increased physical exertion involved in daily survival.

Part 5 of “**Diabetes and Survival**” will discuss the most promising natural remedies to treat diabetes. These include trace elements, vitamins, and herbs. I can’t promise you glucose control, however; The FDA still does not recognize any natural supplement as both safe and effective in treating diabetes.

With regards to major medical issues such as Diabetes, we will be between a rock and a hard place. We will have to improvise in an effort to keep our people reasonably stable. In a collapse, we will have to realize that, sometimes, something is better than nothing.

For the beginning of my series on Diabetes and Survival, go to Part 1 by clicking the link below:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/")

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Are you ready to deal with medical issues in a disaster? With the [Fourth Edition of “The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)“, you’ll get a head start on keeping it together, even if things fall apart!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Diabetes and Survival, Part 5: Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-5-natural-remedies/) 

 [Diabetes and Survival, Part 4: Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-4-treatment/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** diabetes and survival, diabetic ketoacidosis, Insulin, the formula for insulin, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

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### [Diabetes and Survival, Part 5: Natural Remedies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-5-natural-remedies/)

**Published:** September 22, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In the first 4 parts of our series on **Diabetes Mellitis**, we discussed **type 1 diabetes** and **type 2 diabetes**, methods of prevention, and conventional survival strategies. In this, our closing segment, we will discuss various natural remedies reported to have a beneficial effect on the disease. We will especially concentrate on substances that you can either grow in your garden or stockpile in quantity for times of trouble.

For the earlier parts of this series, click the links below:

[ https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/")

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/")

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/")

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-4-treatment/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-4-treatment/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-4-treatment/")

and the supplement “**How To Make Insulin**“: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-make-insulin/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-make-insulin/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-make-insulin/")

There is controversy regarding most of the below because the proof of effectiveness simply does not exist in most scientific studies. Without these studies, however, it’s difficult to determine the appropriate dosage of a particular natural substance to achieve an anti-diabetic effect. Some may have side-effects if used in excess. As such, there is currently no natural supplement that is recognized by the FDA as both safe and effective in the treatment of diabetes.

Despite this, an open mind is a good thing to have when the pharmaceuticals run out. I am not suggesting that you will achieve perfect control of blood glucose levels, but you can possibly prevent life-threatening high sugar states such as **Diabetic Ketoacidosis** (described in earlier parts of this series). Some benefit is better than none at all. If you’d like to try an alternative therapy, don’t stop taking standard anti-diabetic drugs and discuss the below supplements with your doctor; If you are currently taking medicine, there may be interactions with what you’re currently taking.

It’s important to remember the role of diet and exercise in keeping glucose levels in check, especially in type 2 diabetes (discussed in Part 4). The likely event will be that dietary restriction and physical exertion will just be part and parcel of early survival. It is important to gear food supplies to provide a protein-rich diet to your diabetic patients.

There are various supplements of trace elements thought to improve diabetic control:

**Magnesium:** Some studies suggest that a deficit of Magnesium in your system worsens sugar control. Diabetics are thought to be deficient in this element. Low levels of Magnesium seem to correlate with increased resistance to insulin. Insulin lowers blood sugars, so a resistance to insulin results in higher blood sugars. As well, high magnesium intake (200 mg/day) is associated with a decreased risk of developing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recognizes this but stops short of recommending Magnesium supplementation as a treatment.

**Vanadium:** A trace element in a number of plants, animal studies seem to suggest that that blood sugar levels can be improved in both type 1 and type 2 cases. Safe dosages for human use have yet to be determined.

**Chromium:** For the last decade, chromium supplements have been reported as having a positive action against diabetes, mostly for its ability to strengthen the action of insulin. As Chromium may also have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, this may be useful for healthy people who may be prediabetic, obese, or otherwise prone to cardiac disease.

**Zinc**: A 2012 study in the Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome journal reveals that zinc supplementation reduced fasting glucose by 18 points and post-meal glucose by 35 points, confirming some animal studies. In addition, it had beneficial effects of cholesterol and triglycerides. 15 mg/day of zinc is the recommended daily allowance for adults. Remember that overdose can cause upset stomach and other side-effects.

Some vitamins and vitamin-like substances may have a beneficial effect on diabetes:

**Vitamin B1, B6, B12:** Studies done in countries where Vitamin deficiencies are rampant show that patients low in Vitamin B tend to have more pain from diabetic nerve damage. Not all vitamin B’s are necessarily beneficial. High doses of Niacin (B3) supplementation may actually impair glucose levels.

**Vitamin C:** Some studies relate that moderate usage of Vitamin C may improve glucose levels, while higher doses may worsen glucose control.

**Vitamin D**: Vitamin D is needed to maintain blood levels of insulin. Some evidence suggests that supplementation can improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, not enough is known about what the optimal dose would be for daily use. High levels of vitamin D may be toxic. Vitamin D is produced naturally in the body by exposure to sunlight.

**Vitamin E:** Low blood levels of vitamin E are associated with higher rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Vitamin E supplementation has, in some studies, improved glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes after three months of use. 900 IU of vitamin E per day is the usual dose.

**Coenzyme Q10:** This is an antioxidant substance found is certain meats and seafood and acts similarly to a vitamin. Type 2 diabetics have been found to have lower blood levels of CoQ10 than the general population. Commonly available at 50-300mg dosages, its properties suggest a number of benefits, including reducing pain from nerve damage caused by type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

**Alpha-lipoic Acid:** A powerful natural antioxidant, Preliminary trials have found that 600 to 1,200 mg of Alpha-lipoic acid daily improves insulin sensitivity. Long-term therapy with the same dosage slowed the progression of kidney damage in type 2 diabetes.

**Fish Oil:** Fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, responsible for a number of health benefits. Glucose tolerance tests improve in healthy people taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Some studies have found that fish oil supplementation also improves glucose tolerance, high triglycerides, and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Many plants are rich in vitamins and minerals that are important for good health, but some may have a specific effect against diabetes:

**Ginseng:** Studies have shown that American Ginseng intake can decrease fasting, post-meal, and long-term sugar levels. Asian (Korean red) Ginseng has, in one study, improved long-term control when compared to placebo. Ginseng increases insulin levels following meals and assists insulin in passing glucose through cell membranes.

**Clove**: Clove oil has been found to help augment the action of insulin to lower glucose. Cholesterol and triglycerides are also improved. One study points to improvement when taking the equivalent of one to two cloves per day.

**Cinnamon:** Cinnamon extracts can increase sugar metabolism as well as augment the release of insulin. After a 2007 study stated that Cinnamon had no effect on diabetes, another published in 2009 found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetics who take 500 mg of cinnamon twice a day for 90 days improved hemoglobin A1C levels. Hemoglobin A1C is a test that identifies the level of sugar control over the previous 2-3 months.

**Goldenseal:** Goldenseal is thought to have an insulin-like effect in the body.

**Coffee:** An as-yet undetermined ingredient of coffee (apparently not caffeine) appears to play some role in making cells more sensitive to insulin, something that would be very helpful for type 2 diabetics.

**Fenugreek:** One human study found that fenugreek can help blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Some trials suggest that fenugreek helps improve blood sugar control in both type 1 and type 2 patients.

**Olive Leaf:** Olive leaf extracts have been found to lower elevated blood-sugar levels in one study using diabetic animals. Human results are not yet conclusive.

**Quercetin:** Quercetin is a “flavonoid”, a constituent found in certain fruits, vegetables, and grains. It may decrease levels of sorbitol, a sugar that accumulates in cells of organs damaged by diabetes, especially nerves, kidneys, and eyes.

**Bitter Melon:** Bitter Melon has 3 constituents that may lower blood sugars, according to some studies. Indeed, the combination of these substances may work to strengthen the anti-diabetic effect.

**Ginkgo Biloba:** Preliminary research suggests that Ginkgo biloba may be useful for prevention or treatment of early-stage diabetic nerve damage.

Additional natural substances that may one day be shown to have a positive effect on diabetic control or complications of diabetes:

- **Mistletoe**
- **Cayenne**
- **Onion**
- **Primrose oil**
- **Hibiscus**
- **Psyllium**
- **Crepe Myrtle**
- **Goldenseal**
- **Aloe**
- **Billberry**
- **Basil**
- **Gymnema**

I will be writing in the future about a number of the substances in the list above as I investigate more regarding their use in diabetes. I have to admit that the amount of information (often conflicting) and the number of natural remedies for diabetes were more than I expected to find. More and more studies will be needed in order to confirm the true utility of each alternative method of treating diabetes. However, it is encouraging that researchers are performing evaluations on so many of the above. I look forward to their findings.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

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A special thanks to all our readers for keeping our 4th edition of “[The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)” at #1 on Amazon in various categories for years now (updated 2022)!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Surviving Severe Storms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-severe-storms/) 

 [How To Make Insulin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-make-insulin/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** alternative remedies for diabetes, bitter melon, chromium, cinnamon, clove, Coenzyme Q10. Vitamin B and diabetes, diabetes mellitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, fenugreek, gingko biloba, ginseng, magnesium, medical preparredness, olive leaf, quercetin, survival medicine, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, vanadium, Vitamin C and diabetes, zinc

---

### [Diabetes and Survival, Part 4: Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-4-treatment/)

**Published:** September 8, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![Injecting Insulin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot-300x152.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot.jpg)

In the first 3 parts of this series, we discussed the **different types of diabetes** and strategies (some “outside the box”) for prevention.

For Part 1: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/")

For Part 2: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/")

For Part 3: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/")

In this article, we’ll discuss what your goal should be for your diabetic family or group members as the medic. We’ll also consider strategies for treatment of diabetes in survival scenarios, using conventional drugs (sometimes unconventionally). I found so many *natural substances purported to be helpful to treat diabetics*, it will have to be its own article (part 5).

##### Treating Diabetes in a Collapse Situation

First, I have to say that this is an article about what to do in a post-apocalyptic setting. This is not a standard article about treating diabetes in normal times. Consult a qualified medical professional and do not attempt to practice medicine without a license. It is punishable by law.

Finding yourself as the end of the line with regards to control of diabetics in times of trouble will be difficult. You may have learned how to splint a fracture or clean a wound; treating chronic medical illnesses, however, will be quite new even to some medical professionals.

##### Diabetes and Survival Scenarios

Of course, your goal for diabetics won’t be the same as it is in normal times: Tight control of sugar levels involves aggressively expending items that will be in short supply in times of trouble. In a grid-down situation, your goal should be to balance your available insulin and other supplies with glucose control, especially in type 1 diabetics. This must be done in such a fashion, not necessarily to keep glucose levels normal, but to keep them below that seen in “**diabetic ketoacidosis**”. This condition occurs as a result of missed Insulin doses and/or chronically under-dosed Insulin, as you would see in a collapse.

I have absolutely no basis for my above statement other than plain logic. Insulin, like most liquid medications, will lose potency relatively quickly after it expires. A power source is needed to maintain insulin pumps, glucometers, and other paraphernalia needed to tightly control blood sugars. What happens when the batteries run out?

If the you-know-what hits the fan, you will find yourself in the unenviable position of making decisions as to how to dispense these precious and limited commodities. Therefore, unless the disaster scenario is a short-term one, you can’t afford to expend supplies as would be necessary for tight diabetic control.

This leaves you with having to accept the possibility that you will have to try to keep your type 1 diabetics at higher glucose levels than you would like. If you’re unable to check blood sugars, as a matter of fact, your only guide will be to keep your diabetics from showing signs of ketoacidosis. Their glucose will not be normal, but you might be able to keep it at levels low enough to avoid emergencies. Even a few months of less than optimal control may be survivable and might give some time for society to re-stabilize.

Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms may occur at different blood levels in different individuals, so you should be aware of visible signs and symptoms, which often present quickly. These signs and symptoms include:

- Excessive hunger and/or thirst
- Frequent urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness or fatigue
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Fruity-scented breath (also called ketosis)

A strong index of suspicion is required. This means that you have to watch your diabetics closely, especially the type 1 patients, for the above signs and symptoms. In normal times, low sugar reactions (also called **hypoglycemia**) from too much insulin or physical activity comprise more than 90% of diabetic emergencies. These patients improve rapidly from receiving a small amount of sugar or honey under the tongue. As the insulin runs low, however, high sugar reactions, such as **diabetic ketoacidosis**, will become more common.

So what would you do with a limited amount of insulin and no ability to get any more? That’s a difficult situation, and no one (as far as I can tell) has ever addressed it. Therefore, the following is purely my opinion and has, again, no basis in scientific study.

One option is to take the insulin as usual until it runs out. This will assure normal control for the time being. The insulin is still potent; you can even continue to check glucose levels if the batteries are still good. This is the simplest (and, certainly, most optimistic) strategy. Hopefully, society will restabilize in time for insulin manufacture to restart. If it doesn’t, rapid deterioration of your diabetic patients may occur once your insulin runs out.

Another option is to “ration” insulin. Your goal would be to give just enough to prevent ketoacidosis. If you were able to measure blood glucose levels, you would shoot for a value of close to 200 (much higher than normal). This is a grim strategy, because you will be decreasing your patient’s lifespan even if it works.

Other issues with “rationing” in a power-down setting would be the inability to refrigerate insulin. At room temperature, potency would drop quickly despite having sufficient quantities. Insulin adjustments will be difficult to make. There are no studies that evaluate what the effect of withholding part of an insulin dose would be. The same goes for using expired insulin.

By the way, insulin that is clear when new should not become cloudy, change color, or accumulate debris in the bottom of the bottle. These are signs that it has degraded.

An additional strategy for diabetics, especially type 1, would be to regulate diet severely and subsist on a diet almost entirely comprised of protein and fats. The key is to restrict caloric intake: Give barely enough to maintain normal weight. This is unhealthy in the long run, but frequent, small, high-protein meals may keep glucose levels below ketoacidosis levels for a time.

As an aside: Careful attention to dental hygiene is important in diabetics, who have increased sugar levels in their saliva and a decreased ability to fight infection. Ill-fitting dentures are likely to cause mouth sores that won’t heal.

As type 2 Diabetes is most often seen in older, heavier, and less active individuals, weight control and limitation of the amounts of dietary carbohydrates (which the body turns into sugars) is important. Regular exercise will also decrease blood sugar levels, thus improving glucose control.

Interestingly, dietary restriction and increased physical activity is exactly what the type 2 diabetic will experience if the grid fails. I suspect that a number of type 2’s will not find their condition worsened in a survival scenario, especially if they started off overweight. If they eat small, frequent meals and stay active, they may even improve. Here’s where careful attention to appropriate food storage for diabetics will help. Plan for a balanced diet high in fiber, low in saturated fats. and (of course) low in concentrated sugars.

The most popular medication used for treatment of type 2 diabetes is called Metformin. It works in various ways, including increasing the cells’ sensitivity to insulin. In tablet form, it is a good candidate for long-term medical storage. Other oral medications for type 2 include sulfonylureas, glitinides, glitazones, and others. Metformin and sulfonylureas may have a **synergistic** effect: That is, they may have more effect on glucose when used together than alone.

Be careful to watch your type 2 diabetics on Metformin as they lose weight during the struggle for survival; they could easily become hypoglycemic. if so, you may have to adjust the dosage downward. Dosages of medications vary according to several factors, such as weight, age, severity of condition, etc.

There are a few studies that indicate that Metformin may help with type 1 diabetes. This occurs if the person is overweight and their body has some resistance to insulin. These patients will, however, be in the minority and still require insulin.

Remember, any diabetic for whom you will be responsible should be evaluated now by a physician. This will make sure that they are well controlled at present. The better the diabetic control before a disaster, the less organ damage has occurred and the higher the chance for survival.

In Part 5, the concluding part of this series, we will discuss the various natural alternatives for the control of blood sugar.

Some additional reading on this topic:

[https://tmedweb.tulane.edu/pharmwiki/doku.php/oral\_hypoglycemic\_drugs](https://tmedweb.tulane.edu/pharmwiki/doku.php/oral_hypoglycemic_drugs "https://tmedweb.tulane.edu/pharmwiki/doku.php/oral_hypoglycemic_drugs")

[https://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes\_treatment/article.htm](https://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes_treatment/article.htm "https://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes_treatment/article.htm")

https://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/chronicdisease/diabetes\_education/diabetes\_treatments.html

[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17199734: metformin and type 1 diabete](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17199734 "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17199734")s

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Joe Alton. M.D. is the co-author of [The Survival Medicine Handbook,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/) the #1 amazon bestseller in the category of Survival Skills and Safety/First Aid. His mission is to have a well-informed medic in every family or mutual assistance group **before** a disaster occurs.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [How To Make Insulin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-make-insulin/) 

 [Survival Medicine vs. Outdoors Medicine: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-vs-outdoors-medicine-video-by-dr-bones/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** dental hygiene in diabetics, DIABETES, diabetes and survival, diabetes diet, diabetes mellitis, doom and bloom. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, insulin therapy, medical preparedness, oral diabetes meds, survival and diabetes, survival medicine, type 1 diabetes treatment, type 2 diabetes treatment

---

### [Diabetes and Survival, Part 3: Type 2 Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/)

**Published:** September 2, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![Injecting Insulin](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot-300x152.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot.jpg)

In [part 1 ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5750)of this series of articles, we gave an overview of diabetes mellitis , its types, and its implications for the medically responsible person in grid-down scenarios.

In [Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5766), we discussed prevention strategies for Type 1 (formerly known as Juvenile-Onset or Insulin-Dependent Diabetes. These strategies were controversial, as you can still find many medical sources that will declare there is no way to delay or prevent it. Today, in part 3, we will tackle prevention strategies for Type 2 diabetes. In part 4, we’ll discuss treatment options for both type 1 and type 2. For Parts 1 and 2, clicks the links below:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/")

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/")

## Type 2 Diabetes and Its Effects

**Type 2 Diabetes** (known in the past as adult-onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes) is usually the result of your body’s resistance to pancreatic insulin. Insulin is required to move sugar (glucose) into cells; there, it is stored and later used to produce energy for the body.

In type 1 diabetes, there is the failure or death of the pancreatic cells that make insulin. This causes an absolute deficiency of the hormone. In type 2, there is insulin produced; your body, however, chooses to resist its effects, resulting in elevated sugar levels (“*hyperglycemia**“***). Over time, hyperglycemia causes damage to various organs, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.

If there is a good example for an epidemic disease, type 2 diabetes would be it. In the U.S., there are 24 million diabetes, the grand majority of which are type 2. This number should more than double by the year 2050, both in the U.S. and worldwide, afflicting more than half a billion people.

Diabetes is the cause of death or a contributing factor in close to 100,000 deaths each year in the U.S. As many who have type 2 diabetes are unaware of it, there are likely huge numbers of “pre-diabetics” who may begin to have medical issues in the next decade. This means that millions will be dependent on oral medications like Metformin or insulin injections to stay healthy. In the event of a true disaster, this translates into big problems when the pharmaceuticals run out.

### Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Given this disturbing trend, we should formulate a plan of action to nip type 2 diabetes in the bud. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 does have a well-known and accepted preventative strategy. These seek to correct the main risk factors for the disease:

- Obesity (especially around the waist)
- Lack of Exercise
- Poor Nutrition
- Age older than 45 years
- High blood pressure
- Elevated bad cholesterol (LDL), low “good” cholesterol (HDL) and high tryglycerides (fats in blood)
- Smoking
- Family history
- Genetic factors

Certain minority groups such as African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native-Americans seem to have higher risk of diabetes. Although genetics, age, and other uncontrollable factors may play a role in type 2 diabetes, they are less important than aspects relating to lifestyle and behavior. You may not be able to change your age (you can try), but you can change your lifestyle. If you can follow a few simple recommendations, you canl decrease your chances of progressing to type 2 diabetes if you are currently pre-diabetic. Also, if you have type 2 diabetes currently, you can prevent the long-term damage to organs that it causes.

You may be thinking: “Not another doctor telling me to exercise and live right”. Well, maybe I am; there are studies, however, that back me up. The landmark study called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) took thousands of people at high risk for type 2 diabetes and placed half of them on a basic diet and exercise program. Over the next few years, the chances of becoming diabetic were 58% lower in those who lost an average of 10 pounds (5% of body weight) and exercised. These results were not flukes; studies from China and Finland achieved the same results.

Another well-known Study took 85,000 female nurses and followed them over a period of 16 years. The risk for development of type 2 diabetes was decreased 90% if the nurse in question:

- Had a normal weight for height and age
- Ate a healthy diet
- Exercised 30 minutes a day
- Didn’t smoke
- Drank around 3 alcoholic beverages a week (!)

So here are some simple recommendations that can help you prevent the progression of type 2 diabetes:

**Get to a normal weight.** Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes. You have several times the chance of becoming diabetic if you don’t get to a healthy weight for your height and age. The risk is even higher if you are morbidly obese. You don’t have to lose it all at once; even if you just lose 5% of your current weight, you can drop your risk by half.

**Change your diet.** Several adjustments in what you eat can decrease your chances of developing type 2 diabetes:

- Avoid processed foods. In the Nurse’s Health Study, diets rich in whole grains were found to protect against diabetes; processed foods (white bread, white rice, donuts, etc.) caused an increased risk. Scientists looked at the whole grain consumption of over 160,000 women. they found that women who had 2 or 3 servings of whole grains daily had a 30% less chance of type 2 diabetes that those who ate processed foods. Drinks like sodas were particularly bad, causing spikes in blood levels of sugar (glucose). Drink water or unsweetened coffee and tea instead (in moderation).
- Carefully manage the fats in your diet. Polyunsaturated fats found in liquid vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Trans fats, found in many baked goods and fried fast foods, have the opposite effect.
- Pick protein sources that improve your ability to avoid type 2 diabetes. There is evidence that red meat (beef and pork) increases your risk, especially if processed (hot dogs, bacon, deli meats). In the Nurse’s Study, eating 3 ounces of red meat increased the chance of developing type 2 diabetes by 20 per cent. If the red meat was in a processed form, the risk increased by 50 per cent.

**Get active.** Getting your muscles moving improves their ability to use insulin and absorb sugar. This causes less pressure on insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. You don’t have to run a daily marathon to get this effect. Just a brisk 30 minute walk daily will decrease your chances of developing type 2 diabetes by 30 per cent.

**Quit smoking.** Surprise! Not really, I’m sure you know that smoking does bad things to just about every organ that is affected by diabetes. Smokers have a 50 per cent higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes, not to mention heart disease, etc., etc.

**Drink Alcohol in moderation.** Surprise again, this time for real! Moderate amounts of alcohol (up to a drink a day) increases insulin’s efficiency at the cellular level. If you don’t drink at present, though, don’t start: You get more benefit by eating well, exercising, and maintaining a normal weight.

Although the above recommendations are standard ways to prevent type 2 diabetes, some natural substances may have a specific beneficial effect. Consider reducing your diabetic risk with:

**Cinnamon**. Research suggest that regular intake of cinnamon may help reduce levels of blood glucose and cholesterol.

**Tea.** Drinking several cups of tea (or perhaps a lesser amount of coffee) may help prevent some type 2 diabetes. Green tea was considered superior to black tea for this purpose.

**Vitamin D and Calcium**. A 2006 study found that daily intake of 800 IU of vitamin D and 1200 mg. of Calcium decreased the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 33 per cent.

**Barley.** A study published this year suggests that barley may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

There are others, but these are mostly related to treatment as opposed to prevention. In the next part of this series, we’ll explore both conventional and alternative options for diabetes in survival settings.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Are you ready to deal with medical issues in times of trouble? With the greatly expanded [4th Edition of “The Survival Medicine Handbook”](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/) in your survival library, you’ll get a head start on keeping it together, even if things fall apart.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** alcohol and diabetes, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, glucose, hyperglycemia, Insulin, medical preparedness, natural prevention of diabetes, smoking and diabetes, survival medicine, type 2 diabetes prevention

---

### [Diabetes and Survival, Part 2: Type 1 Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/)

**Published:** August 25, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![DIABETES TYPES](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIABETES-TYPES.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIABETES-TYPES.jpg)

In Part 1, we discussed the long-standing history of diabetes (also called “diabetes mellitis”) and the main types of diabetes. We also described the **symptoms and signs of diabetes**, including those that led me to diagnose it in my own son when he was 8 years old.  Finally, we introduced two major glucose-related emergencies: Hypoglycemia and Diabetic Ketoacidosis. For Part 1 of “Diabetes in Survival Settings”, click this link:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/")

## Preventing Type 1 Diabetes

This article (Part 2 of a series) will discuss methods of prevention [Type 1 diabetes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_1 "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_1") in grid-down circumstances. It should be noted that cases of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes have been increasing globally for decades, with some areas of Northern Europe showing 5-6 times the number reported 60-70 years ago. Therefore, there is the likelihood that someone with a form of the disease will be among those for which you, survival medic, will be responsible.

I should tell you that this was originally going to be a 2-part series, but I found a lot more information that I felt I should pass on to you, so there will be more installments. Some of this is uncharted territory. You may disagree what I have to say; if so, I respectfully ask you to take a number and form a line to the right.

Can you do anything to prevent Type 1 (formerly known as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent) *diabetes*? This condition is caused by a process in which a person’s own immune system (in the form of “**auto-antibodies**”) attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin (“**beta cells**”). Interestingly, the body may view insulin itself as a foreign substance. This type of reaction is referred to as “**autoimmune**”. Without living beta cells, there is no insulin produced, leading to signs and symptoms of diabetes.

### Autoimmune Response and Type I Diabetes

What triggers this autoimmune response? It could be purely genetic, yet only 33% of identical twins both have Type 1 diabetes. Various other factors have been suggested, including:

- · Viral infections
- · Early exposure to toxins
- · Early physical/emotional stress
- · Vitamin deficiency
- · Early cessation of breastfeeding
- · Gluten sensitivity

Insulin deficiency usually results in full blown diabetes by the age of 13 years or so (there are exceptions), but a pre-diabetic state can be identified where there exists evidence of autoantibodies; this test identifies those who are likely to get Type 1 diabetes as early as 6-12 months of age, perhaps earlier.  Research is ongoing to determine strategies that may prevent or slow down the destruction of pancreatic cells and, thus, the onset of Type 1 diabetes.

Yet, I haven’t answered the question “Can you prevent Type 1 diabetes?”. The conventional wisdom says no. However, let’s look at some of the above-listed factors that may trigger the autoimmune response, and see if we can formulate a strategy.

**Viral Infections:** Type 1 diabetes is more commonly diagnosed during winter, when viral infections are more frequent. Some viruses have been shown to causes diabetes in lab animals, but this has not been shown conclusively in humans. Several viruses have been implicated:

- · Rubella (German Measles)
- · Mumps
- · Coxsackie B
- · Enterovirus
- · Cytomegalovirus
- · Adenovirus

These viruses may trigger autoimmune responses against the pancreas. Cytomegalovirus, for example, may directly damage or inflame the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. Some patients are diagnosed soon after recovery from an infection; others have a history of their mother having Rubella, for instance, while she was carrying them. Could strict anti-viral precautions in your survival retreat decrease the risk of type 1 diabetes? Perhaps, but this might not apply to all “infections”. Having certain bacteria in your gut may actually be protective against type 1 diabetes.

[![breastfeeding](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/breastfeeding.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/breastfeeding.jpg)

**Breast feeding:** Children who are exclusively breastfed may have some protection from type 1 diabetes, according to a Swedish study. This was especially true if:

- · Breastfeeding occurred exclusively for more than 5 months.
- · Breastfeeding lasted more than 7-9 months.
- · Substituting other foods was started  later than the 7th month.

Although some other studies have not shown the same results, breastfeeding has many other benefits and is an excellent strategy for any post-SHTF mother. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months before slowly introducing new foods. Including breast milk in your baby’s diet for the first 2 years is a good idea. If breast milk is not available, using non-cow’s milk formula may also be helpful in decreasing the incidence of type 1 diabetes. Cow’s milk contains bovine insulin, which may trigger the autoimmune reaction against the pancreas.

**Vitamin D deficiency:** Vitamin D has long been recognized for its role in bone and mineral metabolism, and breast milk doesn’t have enough of it. Vitamin D plays a role in controlling immune response, and studies on certain lab animals show a preventative effect. Giving a vitamin D supplement (200 and 1,000 IU/day) to infants may, therefore, be useful in decreasing or delaying Type 1 diabetes. Consider a supply of it for your medical storage.

**Toxins:** The problem with many of the studies quoted above is their inability to determine the effect of environmental pollutants or toxins. The effect of plastic toxins from baby bottles is one possibility; mercury is another. Along with a lot of love, breastfeeding provides a lot of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), chemical contaminants that it is almost impossible to avoid. The POPs most associated with Type 1 diabetes include the dioxins HpCDD and OCDD, [DDE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), PCB-153, oxychlordane, and trans-nonachlor. These are ingredients in pesticides found commonly in the diet of breastfeeding mothers. Their effect on Type 1 diabetes is still in question, but maintaining as organic an environment as possible is a very good strategy.

**Gluten Intolerance:** Some studies suggest that sensitivity to wheat, barley, rye, and other products may cause autoimmune reactions and, thus, play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. Although by no means conclusive, there are benefits to avoiding gluten products whenever possible.

In Part 3 of this series, we’ll discuss prevention strategies for type 2 (formerly known as adult-onset or non-insulin dependent) diabetes. In Part 4, we’ll explore options for treatment of both type 1 and type 2 forms of the disease.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Some references for this article were:

[https://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/causes/](https://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/causes/ "https://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/causes/")

Are you ready to deal with medical issues in times of trouble? With the [4th Edition of “The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)” in your survival library, you’ll get a head start on keeping it together, even if things fall apart.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Diabetes and Survival: Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** autoimmune response, DIABETES, diabetes mellitis, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, gestational diabetes, gluten intolerance, Insulin, insulin antibodies, Insulin deficiency, ketoacidosis, medical preparedness, pancreas, polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, survival medicine, symptoms and signs of diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 1 prevention, type 2 diabetes, viral infections, vitamin d deficiency

---

### [Diabetes and Survival: Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/)

**Published:** August 23, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![pancreas](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pancreas.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pancreas.jpg)PANCREAS AND INSULIN-PRODUCING CELLSOne of the most common questions we receive during our travels is about Diabetes (officially known as [Diabetes Mellitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus")) in a grid-down scenario.

## Diabetes in a Collapse Situation

**Diabetes** is problematic for the survival medic in that the medications used to treat the worst cases are unlikely to be manufactured or keep their potency in a long-term collapse scenario. I’m not just interested professionally: I’m also a father with a severely diabetic son who has already had kidney failure (2012 kidney/pancreas transplant) and partial blindness as complications of the disease, I am personally invested in formulating a viable strategy for the uncertain future.

“Diabetes” comes from the Greek word for “to pass through” and Mellitis comes from the Latin word for “honeyed” or “sweet”. These words refer to one of the most common characteristics of *diabetes mellitis*: Large amounts of sweet-smelling (and, I’m told, sweet-tasting) urine. Early physicians noticed that it even attracted ants. Diabetes is also characterized by high sugar (also called “glucose”) levels in the blood.

### Processing Sugar and Diabetes

I’m sure most people have heard of “Carbs” and the importance to eat a balanced diet. Carbs (Carbohydrates) come in many forms, and most foods have some carbohydrate content. All carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugar (called “glucose”) in your body, some faster and some slower. The resulting simple sugar ends up in the blood.

[![islet cells](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/islet-cells.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/islet-cells.jpg)INSULIN IS PRODUCED IN ISLET BETA CELLSCells in the pancreas (a large gland located behind your stomach) monitor the sugar in the blood and release a hormone known as “insulin”. Insulin is necessary to move the sugar from the blood into the cells where it can be converted to energy. If insulin is unable to control high sugar levels in the blood (also called “hyperglycemia”), damage occurs. The various organ systems involved include eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves.

The incidence of Diabetes has been increasing over time in developed countries. This may be due to some societies converting to “Western” diets or perhaps due to issues relating to rising obesity rates. In 2011, 25.8 Americans were recorded as having the disease (more than 8% of the entire population).

Diabetes is separated into various types, the most common of which are:

**Type 1 Diabetes** was known in the past as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes. It results from the failure of cells (called “Beta cells”) in the pancreas to produce insulin (called “Beta Cells”). Failure or destruction of these cells is thought to be caused by some type of **autoimmune** response. This means that the body’s own immune system attacks parts of itself: In this case, the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is often first diagnosed in childhood as it was in my son. Today, however, 60% of new cases are now found in those over the age of 40. These patients need insulin from an external source.

**Type 2 Diabetes** was known in the past as adult-onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes. It is more commonly the result of the resistance of the cells in your body to the insulin produced by the pancreas. There is some insulin produced, but your body is less sensitive to its sugar-reducing effects. Type 2 diabetics may require some oral medications or even insulin to keep glucose under control. Lifestyle and dietary changes is often helpful in this form of diabetes. Usually diagnosed after age 40, the increased incidence of obesity these days is causing Type 2 diabetes even in children. Type 2 diabetes is, far and away, the most common type.

[![DIABETES TYPES](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIABETES-TYPES.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIABETES-TYPES.jpg)DIABETES TYPE 1 VS. TYPE 2**Pregnancy-Related (also called Gestational) Diabetes** is a condition not uncommon even in normally non-diabetic women. Disturbances in glucose metabolism can lead to organ damage, overly large babies (and the problems sometimes seen in delivery of same), and worse. Some believe that those women that get diabetes during their pregnancies may be prone to the condition later in life.

It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia (elevated sugars). The three classic symptoms of diabetes are:

1\) Excessive thirst (also called “**polydipsia**”)

2\) Excessive hunger (also called “**polyphagia**”)

3\) Frequent urination (also called “**polyuria**”)

These are exactly the symptoms that my son began to manifest at age 8. As well, I noticed:

- · His breath had an unusual “fruity” odor sometimes seen in starving people. (This is due to acetone and commonly called “ketosis”.
- · He began to wet the bed.
- · His urine smelled vaguely “sweet”.
- He was losing weight.

Cuts and scrapes, especially in a diabetic’s extremities, are slow to heal. Over time, nerve damage occurs which causes numbness, pins and needles sensations and, in the worst cases, gangrene. Many severely uncontrolled diabetics may require amputation later in life.

There are two common diabetic emergencies. These are related either to very low or very high glucose levels. If a diabetic, especially Type 1, fails to eat regularly or injects too much insulin, he or she may develop a “**hypoglycemic**” reaction (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia can occur very rapidly; symptoms include sweating, loss of coordination, confusion, and even loss of consciousness.

On the other hand, very high glucose levels lead to a condition called “**Diabetic Ketoacidosis**”. This occurs as a result of missed insulin doses and/or chronically under-dosed Insulin. The patient will have a characteristic “fruity” odor to his or her breath, as previously mentioned in my son’s case. In addition to previously-mentioned symptoms, there will be nausea, vomiting, dehydration, hyperventilation, and abdominal pain as well. This is a major emergency which could lead to coma and even death. Once the patient is in full-blown ketoacidosis, the prognosis is grave without insulin and other interventions.

Now that you have an overview of the disease, we will concentrate our next article on both conventional and alternative methods of prevention and therapy of each type of diabetes. We will especially concentrate on situations where you have limited supplies and no way to monitor glucose levels.

To VIEW Part 2 of Diabetes:

[**https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/")

Dr. Bones

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Are YOU prepared to deal with medical issues in a future where modern medicine is no longer available? With our Amazon-bestselling 4nd edition of “[The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)“, you will be! Put US in your survival library.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Diabetes and Survival, Part 2: Type 1 Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-2-type-1-prevention/) 

 [Lower Back Pain, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/lower-back-pain-part-2/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** diabetes mellitis, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, gestational diabetes, Insulin, ketoacidosis, medical preparedness, pancreas, polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, survival medicine, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

---

### [Video: Diabetes Off The Grid with Dr. Bones and City Prepper](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-diabetes-off-the-grid-with-dr-bones-and-city-prepper/)

**Published:** May 12, 2019
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

**DIABETES OFF THE GRID**

[![Insulin will be scarce](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot-300x152.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/InsulinShot.jpg)Insulin will run out in times of troubleI was asked recently to come on the popular [YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmb2QRAjdnkse21CtxAQ-cA) founded by good friend [City Prepper](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57fevpYkS-o). The topic was a tough one: What to do about Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) off the grid if no modern medical care was available for the long haul? To see my early article on the formula for how insulin was first made, [click here](https://www.doomandbloom.net/how-to-make-insulin/). A tough topic to tackle, for sure, but here’s my shot at answering some of City’s questions:

Thanks again to City Prepper for having us on [his channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmb2QRAjdnkse21CtxAQ-cA)!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![Joe Alton MD](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/joe-video-tent.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/joe-video-tent.jpg)Dr. Bones (on left) with some other bonesFill those holes in your medical supplies by check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of items at [store.doomandbloom.net](http://store.doomandbloom.net).

Note: There is now a greatly expanded [4th edition to The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [New Tourniquet Additions To TCCC Guidelines](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-tourniquet-additions-to-tccc-guidelines/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Treating Fractures, Tourniquets, Face Masks, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-treating-fractures-tourniquets-face-masks-more/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Diabetes, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications

**Tags:** diabetes in survival, diabetes off the grid, joe alton md, making insulin, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Bartering And Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bartering-and-medical-supplies/)

**Published:** December 26, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bartering-joe-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bartering-joe-scaled.jpg)

Every so often, people ask me about the importance of precious metals for barter purposes in a societal collapse. There’s no reason *not* to have some silver or gold if you can afford it, but there’s something you should know if you’re counting on it in a post-apocalyptic economy: Precious metals would be useful as barter in the earliest stages of a long-term disaster. Later on, not so much. Other items, like food and medical supplies, have more long-term trading power. Skilled services, like medical care, will also be valuable in the long haul.

In the early days after civilization has gone over the brink, people haven’t yet realized that “money” may be worthless. In these circumstances, your paper money may have value, but you can expect more and more will be needed to buy just a loaf of bread. Although crimes are committed daily in “normal” times to obtain it, currency is only paper, as evidenced by the government’s apparent ease of printing it whenever desired. Wise survivors will realize this before long (you could, I suppose, use a nice wad of it to get a fire started or for hygienic purposes).

Then, for a while, silver and gold will replace paper money. The amount of time you’ll be able to use your coinage will vary with the rapidity of the collapse, but, soon enough, even gold and silver will just be pretty hunks of metal. Time to bury it in the hopes of a more stable future.

Food, defensive items, and medical supplies will eventually become the most valuable surplus items you can have for successful trading. If you live in an arid climate, add water to the list.

FOOD AS BARTER

Face it, once the supermarket shelves are empty, food will be on everyone’s mind. Those who have experienced food shortages tell stories about how they couldn’t think of anything else.

The answer is to grow your own food. Few, however, have the seeds or the know-how to grow their own vegetables through gardening. Even fewer have success producing enough regularly even for their own families.

Gardening has a learning curve and is subject to the whims of the weather such as the amount of rainfall, storms, and extremes in temperature. Soil conditions and pests will also be a factor. Learn how to be successful growing food, and you have some real bartering power.

Although we happen to be fortunate to live near sources of fresh water, its availability isn’t the only issue. Untreated water could be a death sentence from disease-causing organisms like cholera. Materials to purify it, even just sodium hypochlorite (household bleach), could be highly useful for bartering with knowledgeable survivors. Unfortunately, it loses potency in 6-12 months. A supply of 70% calcium hypochlorite crystals used in pool additives will last longer and is easier to portion out. Properly stored, calcium hypochlorite has a shelf life of over 5 years.

How to disinfect **water with calcium hypochlorite:**

- Add one heaping teaspoon to two gallons of water and stir. This makes a “bleach” solution.
- Add one pint of the “bleach” solution to 12 ½ gallons of water or a half liter to every 50 liters of water to make it potable. Essentially, you’re making drinkable water by adding one part of chlorine mixture to each 100 parts of water.
- Pouring the water from one container to another seems to help decrease the chlorine taste.
- Wait a good 30 minutes before using.

**AMMUNITION AS** **BARTER**

Items for defense will be important for protection in survival settings. In fact, some have stored extra ammunition specifically for barter purposes. If you’re planning on accumulating ammo for barter, try to figure out what calibers are popular in your area. In most states, 9mm is the most popular handgun round. For statistics by state, go here:

Encounters for bartering ammunition can be especially risky, however, as someone can simply complete the transaction by loading their firearm with your items and…well, you know the rest. This will always be a possibility. Indeed, it’s naïve to believe you wouldn’t be a target for the desperate or unscrupulous. Therefore, any barter meetings should be undertaken in different locations and only with plenty of what we call “backup.” If the product to be traded is ammunition, it should be packaged so solidly that it can’t be accessed until you’re far away.

**MEDICAL SUPPLIES (AND KNOWLEDGE) AS BARTER**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1.jpg)

Food and ammunition seem like natural barter items. So, why would medical supplies have trade value? The reason is simple: You can easily make a wound with a weapon, but few will have the items necessary to heal a wound. Bandages, antibiotics, blood clotting agents, and other medical materials are unique and irreplaceable goods in a world without hospitals and emergency rooms. These items and the knowledge to use them will become important materials and services both in the short and the long term.

You can never have too many medical supplies in your survival storage. You’d be surprised how many dressings one major bleed will consume. Don’t forget that you won’t be dealing with wound care just until you can get the patient to the hospital. In survival, there are no hospitals. There’s you. You’ll be in charge from beginning to end in a true survival scenario. For any lengthy event, that means you’ll use up a lot of medical supplies.

Bandaging materials, antiseptics, and other wound care items will be highly valuable. Antibiotics will be as well. I’ve written for over a decade on the importance of antibiotics to avoid unnecessary deaths in survival settings. Veterinary antibiotic equivalents are not as easily found these days, but are [still available](https://fishmoxfishflex.com/).

It’s not just medical items. Let’s consider the value of your medical *knowledge* as a trade item: Not everyone knows how to stop bleeding, splint an orthopedic injury, perform long-term wound care, or treat infection. If you’re the medic, your services have a value. What do you think that value would be in circumstances where a family has a child who’s sick or an injured loved one? This is a compelling argument for taking the time and effort needed to learn these skills, even in normal times.

This doesn’t mean that you should expect something in return every time you help someone in medical need. The value of good will in a survival community shouldn’t be underestimated. Grateful parents, if they’re able, will want to reward you in some way for saving a child’s life. In this way, volunteering your services may increase the chances for your own family’s survival. Indeed, your skills may be deemed so valuable that you become an important asset to a community; one whose members will expend resources to protect.

Of course, spend enough time off the grid and all the commercial supplies will run out. Some knowledge of herbalism will come in especially handy here. An understanding of what plants in your area may have medicinal value will help cement your long-term value to the group.

Food, water, and shelter are the most important things to have if things go south, but medical supplies and the knowledge of how to use them are a strong second. Keep this in mind as you put together your stockpile. I’ll bet you have your own ideas on what would be useful barter items in a post-apocalyptic world. Let us know your thoughts.

Joe Alton MD

If you’re looking for medical supplies in quantity, look no further than our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies, most available in bulk, at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget our brand new[ 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/) is better than ever, with more topics covered and everything revised in greater detail!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Treating Nosebleeds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/treating-nosebleeds/) 

 [Video: Paxlovid As Oral COVID Therapy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-paxlovid-as-oral-covid-therapy/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Bartering, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** bartering, bartering ammunition, calcium hypochlorite, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival barter, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Paxlovid As Oral COVID Therapy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-paxlovid-as-oral-covid-therapy/)

**Published:** December 21, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Paxlovid-treatment-New-antiviral-medication-for-covid-decreases-hospitalizations-and-deaths-Dr-Joe-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Paxlovid-treatment-New-antiviral-medication-for-covid-decreases-hospitalizations-and-deaths-Dr-Joe-Alton-Doom-and-Bloom-scaled.jpg)

The COVID-19 pandemic has been with us for a full two years now, and effective oral therapies are only now being approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The most promising of the candidates is **Paxlovid**, A Pfizer combination drug with an estimated 89 percent success rate in preventing hospitalizations and deaths. In this companion video to a recent article, Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Hey, if you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family, check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Also, the brand new, greatly expanded 4th Edition of **The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Guide For When Help is NOT on the Way** is available at Amazon, or get a personally signed copy at the store!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Bartering And Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bartering-and-medical-supplies/) 

 [Paxlovid: Oral Therapy For COVID](https://www.doomandbloom.net/paxlovid-oral-therapy-for-covid/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival, survival medicine

---

### [Paxlovid: Oral Therapy For COVID](https://www.doomandbloom.net/paxlovid-oral-therapy-for-covid/)

**Published:** December 18, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![medical supplies and knowledge](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_53008990.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/shutterstock_53008990.jpg)

The **SARS-CoV2 viru**s has been the scourge of the modern world for the last two years. New variants like omicron inject a sense of urgency to finding treatments for those infected. Important among these is an effective oral therapy which can be used to minimize hospitalizations and deaths.

Not too long ago, I wrote about the development by Merck Pharmaceuticals (the maker of ivermectin) of an oral COVID-19 treatment called **molnupiravir**. Molnupiravir inhibits coronavirus replication inside the body by inserting errors in viral genetic code. As more and more faulty genetic material is produced, it causes an “error catastrophe” that prevents viral reproduction completely.

At the time, clinical trials were reporting a 50 percent decrease in severe disease in COVID patients taking molnupiravir compared to placebo. Since then, Merck’s drug has slipped somewhat: Current evidence has modified the effectiveness against SARS-CoV2 down to 30 percent.

Given the lackluster results at present with molnupiravir, an alternative was needed. This comes in the form of a Pfizer combination drug known as **Paxlovid.** Paxlovid is a combination of the experimental drug **nirmatrelvir** and the HIV med **ritonavir**. The ritonavir allows nirmatrelvir to remain active in the body at higher concentrations for a longer period of time.

Like molnupiravir, Paxlovid also stops viral replication, but in a different way. It acts by binding to enzymes called proteases. Without protease, reproduction can’t occur. The new drug may also have additional applications for future outbreaks of related viruses like SARS and other coronaviruses.

An ongoing study called EPIC-HR (Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in High-Risk Patients) originally published results showing an 85 percent reduction in hospitalization and 100 percent decrease in deaths in those taking Paxlovid compared to placebo. Even later data increased effectiveness to 89 percent if taken in the first three days of symptoms, 88 percent in the first five days, even against the omicron variant. Adverse reactions include headaches and muscle aches.

If approved, a dose of 300 mg of nirmatrelvir and 100 mg of ritonavir would be given twice a day for five days. As with many antiviral drugs, treatment should begin at the first sign of symptoms or after a suspected exposure.

The newly-developed drugs won’t be cheap, costing at least several hundred dollars per treatment. Compared to hospital costs or even intravenous infusions of monoclonal antibodies or remdesivir (FDA approved), it’s still a bargain. Pfizer expects to produce 80 million courses of therapy by the end of 2022. Of course, ivermectin is still a cheap and effective alternative, according to the physicians of the Front Line COVID Critical Care Alliance.

In the next year, expect a number of other new COVID drugs emerging. Hopefully, one or more will pan out to be effective strategies against the pandemic virus.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD

If you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, check out our entire line of quality, HSA/FSA eligible medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Plus, our new bestselling **4th edition** of **The Survival Medicine Handbook** is available at Amazon or at our store!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Paxlovid As Oral COVID Therapy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-paxlovid-as-oral-covid-therapy/) 

 [Tornado Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-survival/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Viruses

**Tags:** COVID-19, joe alton md. amy alton arnp, medical preparedness, nirmalrelvir, paxlovid, ritonavir, SARS-COV2, survival medicine

---

### [Tornado Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-survival/)

**Published:** December 12, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_107588384-1-1024x724.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_107588384-1-scaled.jpg)

In the wake of a series of off-season storms, a swarm of rare but off-season tornadoes may have killed more than 100 people. One managed to travel 200 miles before petering out.

There are few people who haven’t been in the path of a major storm at one point or another. If the family medic fails to plan ways to protect their family, they may be confronted with significant traumatic injuries in the immediate aftermath. Later, flooding may contaminate water supplies and cause exposure to serious infectious disease.

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and the thunderstorm (sometimes called a “**supercell**”) that spawned it. From a distance, tornadoes usually appear in the form of a visible dark funnel with all sorts of flying debris in and around it. Because of rainfall, they may be difficult to see when close up. A tornado (also called a “**twister**”) may have winds of up to 300 miles per hour, and can travel for a number of kilometers or miles before petering out. They may be accompanied by hail and will emit a roaring sound that will remind you of a passing train (I can tell you this is true by personal experience). There are almost a thousand tornadoes in the United States every year, more than are reported in any other country. Most of these occur in Tornado Alley, an area that includes Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and neighboring states. Spring and early summer are the peak seasons.

Injuries from tornadoes usually come as a result of trauma from all the flying debris that is carried along with it. Strong winds can carry large objects and fling them around in a manner that is hard to believe; Indeed, there is a report that, in 1931, an 83 ton train was lifted and thrown 80 feet from the tracks.

 Tornadoes are categorized by something called the **Fujita Scale**, from level 0-5, based on the amount of damage caused:

- **F0** Light: broken tree branches, mild structural damage, some uprooted
- **F1** Moderate: broken windows, small tree trunks broken, overturned mobile homes, destruction of carports or toolsheds, roof tiles missing
- **F2** Considerable: mobile homes destroyed, major structural damage to frame homes due to flying debris, some large trees snapped in half or uprooted
- **F3** Severe: Roofs torn from homes, small frame homes destroyed, most trees snapped and uprooted
- **F4** Devastating: strong structure building damaged or destroyed or lifted from foundations, cars lifted and blown away, even large debris airborne
- **F5** Incredible: larger building lifted from foundations, trees snapped, uprooted and debarked, multi-ton debris becomes airborne missiles

Although some places may have sirens or other methods of warning you of an approaching twister, it is important to have a plan for your family to weather the storm. Having a plan **before** a tornado approaches is the most likely way you will survive the event. Children should be taught where to find the medical kits and, if possible, how to turn off gas and electricity. Giving your loved ones experience in the use of a fire extinguisher and the treatment of injuries would be highly useful as well. Just use the search engine at [www.doomandbloom.net](http://www.doomandbloom.net) for more information on treating wounds and fractures.

If you see a twister funnel, take shelter immediately. If your domicile is a mobile home, leave! They are especially vulnerable to damage from the winds. If you live in a mobile home and there is time, get to the nearest building that has a tornado shelter; underground shelters are best. If you live in Tornado Alley, consider putting together your own underground shelter. Here’s a link on how: 

Unlike bunkers and other structures built for long-term protection, a tornado shelter has to provide safety for a short period of time. As such, it doesn’t have to be very large; 8-10 square feet per person would be acceptable. Despite this, be sure to consider ventilation and the comfort or special needs of those using the shelter.

If you don’t have a shelter, find a place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. Basements, bathrooms, closets or inside rooms without windows are the best options. Windows can easily shatter from impact due to flying debris. For added protection, get under a heavy object such as a sturdy table. Covering up your body with a sleeping bag or mattress will provide an additional shield. Discuss this plan of action with each and every member of your family or group in such a way that they will know this process by heart.

If you’re in a car and can drive to a shelter, do so. Although you may be hesitant to leave your vehicle, remember that they can be easily tossed around by the winds; you may be safer if there is a culvert or other area lower than the roadway. In town, leaving the car to enter a sturdy building is appropriate.If there is no other shelter, your car will protect you from some of the flying debris. Keep your seat beat on, put you head down below the level of the windows, and cover yourself with something.

If you are caught outside when the tornado hits (on a hike, for instance), stay away from wooded areas. Torn branches and other debris become missiles, so an open field or ditch may be safer. Lying down flat in a low spot in the ground will give you some protection. Make sure to cover your head if at all possible, even if it’s just with your hands.

Armed with a plan of action, you will know what to do when you see that funnel cloud or hear that tornado siren. Evaluate your home for weak and strong points, educate your loved ones on the right strategy, and you’ll have a head start on weathering that storm.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, if you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of the nation’s top ten medical kits, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, consider getting a copy of our brand new Amazon top 50 4th Edition of **“The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is Not On The Way,”** available in black and white at Amazon or in both black and white and color versions at the store.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Paxlovid: Oral Therapy For COVID](https://www.doomandbloom.net/paxlovid-oral-therapy-for-covid/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Cold Water Safety, Wound Infections, Gloves, Nursing Care, Pt.2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-cold-water-safety-wound-infections-gloves-nursing-care-pt-2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tornadoes

**Tags:** joe alton md, kentucky tornado, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tornadoes

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Cold Water Safety, Wound Infections, Gloves, Nursing Care, Pt.2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-cold-water-safety-wound-infections-gloves-nursing-care-pt-2/)

**Published:** December 8, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/COLD.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/COLD.jpg)

Well, we survived our first cold wave of the year down here in South Florida, where the temperatures dived all the way down into the high fifties. We’ve heard rumors that some places get even colder in winter, so, even though they’re probably just rumors, the Altons talked last time about general hypothermia. This time, they’ll talk about cold water safety in survival settings. Plus, Dr. Bones (Joe Alton MD) discusses things you should know about medical gloves, all about wound infections, and more.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1756668542-1-1024x726.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1756668542-1-scaled.jpg)

Nurse practitioner Amy Alton discusses nursing care in a comprehensive way in part two of her series, as much information as you’ll find anywhere on the subject. All this and more on the latest extended **Survival Medicine Podcast** with Joe and Amy Alton!

To listen, click below:

[Survival Medicine Podcast: Cold Water Safety, Gloves, Wound Infections, Nursing 12/08 by NurseAmyandDrBones | Health (blogtalkradio.com)](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2021/12/08/survival-medicine-podcast-cold-water-safety-gloves-wound-infections-nursing)

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AmyandJoePodcast400x200.jpg)The Altons

Consider getting your family medically prepared and use those HSA/FSA dollars at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/), where you’ll find an entire line of medical kits, individual supplies, and the latest 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Tornado Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-survival/) 

 [Video: Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hypothermia-2/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton np, cold water safety, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical gloves, medical preparedness, Nursing Care, survival medicine, wound infections

---

### [Video: Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-hypothermia-2/)

**Published:** December 3, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/COLD.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/COLD.jpg)

Winter is coming and, if you’re not ready for it, you have made it your enemy (a formidable one). Cold-related illness claims victims every year, so you must know what to do to avoid the perils of hypothermia. In this video, Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones, discusses all you need to know to identify, treat, and, most importantly, prevent issues related to exposure. To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad (or cold),

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, if you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of medical kits, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Also, our greatly expanded, brand new 4th Edition of **the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way** is worth a look! Look for it at Amazon or at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-1-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-1-scaled.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Multi_person_Trauma_Bleeding_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__00486.1520881100.1280.12801.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Cold Water Safety, Wound Infections, Gloves, Nursing Care, Pt.2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-cold-water-safety-wound-infections-gloves-nursing-care-pt-2/) 

 [The Omicron Variant](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-omicron-variant/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, doom and bloom, frostbite, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, preventing hypothermia, survival, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, Off-Grid Nursing, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-off-grid-nursing-pt-1/)

**Published:** November 25, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)

he environment plays a large role in your success as medic in survival settings. If you don’t take weather conditions and other factors into account, you have made the environment your enemy, and it’s a formidable one. One major issue is cold-related illness, otherwise known as **hypothermia**. Dr. Joe Alton discusses what to do when the family medic is faced with someone struck by cold exposure.

Also, Nurse Amy Alton begins a series on **nursing care off the grid**. While not as sensational as emergency trauma care, the daily maintenance of the bedridden group member is so important that you’re bound to lose people if you don’t know how to properly care for them all the way to recovery. Amy discusses what you need to know in part 1…

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Hey, have you gotten your copy of the brand new, greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook? You should check it out **[here](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)**! You’ll be glad you did!.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [The Omicron Variant](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-omicron-variant/) 

 [The Vehicle In Mass Casualty Events](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-vehicle-in-mass-casualty-events/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Nursing Care, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton np, frostbite, hypothermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Nursing Care, off-grid medicine, survival medicine

---

### [The Vehicle In Mass Casualty Events](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-vehicle-in-mass-casualty-events/)

**Published:** November 22, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_387299374-vehicular-terror-2-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_387299374-vehicular-terror-2-scaled.jpg)

[A driver rammed into a Christmas parade](https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/wisconsin-waukesha-suv-plows-crowd-christmas-parade) in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing at least five people and injuring 48 others. Although not characterized as a terror event, it appears to many that the suspect deliberately targeted spectators at high speed. The attack parallels the killing of 86 people and the wounding of 434 others in Nice, France by a truck during a fireworks display several years ago.

Despite the claim that the killings were not terror-related, the method used was similar to those used by jihadists. Even if not jihad-related, the use of vehicles to inflict mass casualties is not occurring by accident.

The origin of the strategy is unclear, but an English-language ISIS magazine called “[Rumiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumiyah_(magazine))h” called for vehicle attacks on the West some years ago. An article that discussed which vehicles are best to do the most damage was titled “Just Terror Tactics”. Al-Qaeda has called pickup trucks “the ultimate mowing machine”.

Bu[siness Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/isis-calls-for-vehicle-knife-attacks-2016-11) quoted an article in the magazine: “Though being an essential part of modern life, very few actually comprehend the deadly and destructive capability of the motor vehicle and its capacity of reaping large numbers of casualties if used in a premeditated manner…Vehicles are like knives, as they are extremely easy to acquire…”

Ordinarily, mass casualty events are associated with guns, but these items are difficult to come by in most countries. Bombs, another preferred terrorist weapon, require expertise to assemble safely. Owning or renting a vehicle, however, is much more common and requires little skill to operate. Trucks and cars can cause mass casualties if wielded as a weapon; obtaining one elicits no suspicion.

Therefore, those willing to cause murder and mayhem now have a new blueprint. There are few who pay much attention to traffic unless they’re in a vehicle themselves or crossing the street. The speed at which a vehicle can accelerate and turn into a crowd leaves little time for reaction. Hence, the “success” rate of this type of terror event may surpass even a gunman’s ability to cause deaths and injuries.

The increasing number of terror events around the world underlines the increasing need for [situational awarenes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-ooda-loop-of-situational-awareness/)s. Situational awareness is the mindset whereby threats are mentally noted and avoided or abolished. Originally a tool for the military in combat, it is now a strategy for the average citizen in these uncertain times.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_109507571-crowd-watching-fireworks.jpg)Situational awareness may be difficult in crowds

The situationally aware person is always at a state of “Yellow Alert” when in crowded public venues. By that, I mean a state of relaxed but vigilant observation of what is happening around him or her. When an action or behavior occurs that doesn’t match the surroundings and situation, it’s an anomaly.

When a vehicle moves erratically or leaves the normal pattern of traffic, it’s an anomaly that requires rapid action. Mentally noting routes of escape whenever you’re in a crowd will give you the best chance of getting out of the way. Just as knowing the location of exits in a mall or theatre is good policy, a heightened awareness is now important at any outdoor event or popular public area near roadways.

For those who use vehicles to kill, the target will be crowds of people near the street. Their objective is mass casualties, and the pedestrians nearest the curb will bear the brunt of the attack. Consider walking on the fringe of a crowd away from the road to give yourself the most options. In the center, the masses, not your own good judgment, will dictate your movement. Take a walk along Times Square and you’ll see what I mean.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1015673872-bollards-vehicular-terror-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/shutterstock_1015673872-bollards-vehicular-terror-scaled.jpg)Bollards

Municipalities can protect their citizens by constructing barriers known as “bollards” which would stop vehicles from entering pedestrian areas. These can be seen outside many government buildings and airport terminals. Expanding their use to areas that attract crowds would be an important consideration for the future. Setting up other types of roadblocks could prevent a vehicle from reaching high enough speeds to plow through crowds.

I’ll admit that the likelihood you’ll be in the path of a maniac using a vehicle, or any other weapon, is very small. Panic isn’t the answer, but these are troubled times; the more situationally aware you are, the safer you’ll be.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Dr, Alton

Find out more about mass casualty events and many other medical topics in troubled times with a copy of the brand new Survival Medicine Handbook’s 4th Edition, greatly expanded from previous versions and, today, a member of Amazon’s top 50 of all books! [Get your copy there](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501/ref=sr_1_3?crid=78I9IFK7UJOQ&keywords=the+survival+medicine+handbook+4th+edition&qid=1637611285&qsid=146-9614418-3733621&sprefix=the+survival+me%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-3&sres=0988872501%2C0988872552%2C057841452X%2C1629147702%2C1493046942%2C1914207815%2C0071837027%2C0988872536%2C1616082658%2C1440587965%2C1494418908%2C0062378074%2C0323476333%2C1465419500%2C1975144309%2C1451663005&srpt=ABIS_BOOK), or order through our website at [store.doomandbloom.net,](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/) where we also have a special signed color edition available. Also, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did…

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hypothermia, Off-Grid Nursing, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hypothermia-off-grid-nursing-pt-1/) 

 [Dealing With General Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dealing-with-general-hypothermia/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Terror, Terror events, Trauma

**Tags:** joe alton md, mass casualties, medical preparedness, situational awareness, vehicular terror

---

### [Dealing With General Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dealing-with-general-hypothermia/)

**Published:** November 17, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Recently, Backwoods Survival Guide was kind enough to publish my article on cold water safety. Even in situations where you find yourself on dry land, general hypothermia is a big issue. Given the coming winter, I think we all should know how to treat a victim suffering the ill effects of cold weather.

The environment plays a large role in your success as medic in survival settings. If you don’t take weather conditions and other factors into account, you have made the environment your enemy, and it’s a formidable one.

Different areas may pose special challenges. If you live in Miami, you might be treating a lot of people with heat stroke. If you live in Siberia, you’ll be treating a lot of people with cold-related exposure. In many places, you’ll be at risk for both, depending on the time of year.

Illness related to cold temperatures is known as “**[Hypothermia.](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/)**” Normally, the body core ranges from 97.5 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius) when taken orally or rectally. Rectal temps tend to be slightly higher than oral, and oral temps slightly higher than skin readings, such as those taken in the armpit. Hypothermia begins when the body core drops below 95 degrees.

The body loses heat in various ways:

**Evaporation** – Perspiration (sweating) from physical exertion or other reasons releases heat from the body core.

**Radiation** – the body loses heat to the environment when the ambient (surrounding) temperature is below the core temperature. For example, you lose more heat if exposed to an outside temperature of 20 degrees F than if exposed to 80 degrees F.

**Conduction** – The body loses heat when its surface is in direct contact with cold temperatures, as in the case of someone falling from a boat into frigid water (think “Titanic”). Water, being denser than air, removes heat from the body much faster.

**Convection** – Heat loss where, for instance, a cooler object is in motion against the body core. The air next to the skin is heated and then removed, which requires the body to use energy to re-heat. **Wind Chill** is one example of air convection: If the ambient temperature is 32 degrees F but the wind chill factor is at 5 degrees F, you lose heat from your body as if it were actually 5 degrees F.

**Identifying Hypothermia**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-road.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/winter-road.jpg)image by pixabay

The body, when it is exposed to cold, kicks into action to produce heat. It does this by muscle actions as the core cools. Muscles shiver to produce heat, and are a warning that you need to warm up. As hypothermia worsens, more symptoms will become apparent.

Aside from shivering, the most noticeable symptoms of hypothermia will be related to mental status. The person may appear confused, uncoordinated, and lethargic. The victim’s speech becomes slurred and they often will appear uninterested in helping themselves. Look for what are called the **“-[Umbles](https://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml)“** – stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. These represent changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness

All this occurs due to the effect of cooling temperatures on the brain; the colder the body core gets, the slower the brain works. Other organs begin to shut down, and the victim loses consciousness. Any unconscious person you find exposed to cold weather is hypothermic until proven otherwise.

Cold-related tissue effects also includes local damage, such as **frostbite**. Frostbite affects areas like fingers, toes, nose, earlobes, and even lips. Sometimes called “Frostnip” or “Chilblains” in early stages, it begins as numbness, pins and needles sensations, and redness. Blistering may occur.

If not warmed, the skin turns progressively white and waxy, then blue, and, finally, black, a condition known as “gangrene”. Gangrenous tissue is dead and unsalvageable in survival settings, and may require debridement (the removal of dead tissue) or amputation. We’ll discuss this further in a future article.

**Prevention of Hypothermia**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/boy-in-winter-pixabay.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/boy-in-winter-pixabay.jpg)image by pixabay

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and many cases of hypothermia can be prevented. To prevent hypothermia, you must anticipate the climate that you will be traveling through, including wind conditions and wet weather. Condition yourself physically to be fit for the challenge. Travel with a partner if at all possible, and have enough food and water available for the entire trip.

Remember the simple acronym **C.O.L.D.** This stands for: **C**over, **O**verexertion, **L**ayers, and **D**ry

**C**over. Dress appropriately for the weather. Protect your head by wearing a hat. This will prevent body heat from escaping from your head. Instead of using gloves to cover your hands, use mittens. Mittens are more helpful than gloves because they keep your fingers in contact with one another. This conserves heat.

**O**verexertion. Avoid activities that cause you to sweat a lot. Cold weather causes you to lose body heat quickly; wet, sweaty clothing accelerates the process. Rest when necessary and use rest periods to self-assess for cold-related changes. Pay special attention to the status of your elderly or juvenile group members. Diabetics are also at high risk.

**L**ayers. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers allow a thin layer of warm air between and do the best job of insulating you against the cold. Use tightly woven, water-repellent material for wind protection. Wool or silk inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. Some synthetic materials, like Gore-Tex, work well also. Especially cover the head, neck, hands and feet.

**D**ry. Keep as dry as you can. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. It’s very easy for snow to get into gloves and boots, so pay particular attention to your hands and feet.

**Treating Hypothermia**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image116-1024x791.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image116-scaled.jpg)Cover with warm blankets, including the head but not the face. Apply dry warm compresses to neck, armpit and groin.

Immediate measures must be taken to reverse the ill effects of hypothermia. Failure to act quickly may lead to organ failure and death. Important measures to take are:

**Get the person out of the cold.** Transport to a warm, dry location. If you’re unable to move the person out of the cold, shield them as much as possible. Be sure to place a barrier between them and the cold ground.

**Monitor breathing.** A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious. Verify that the patient is breathing and check for a pulse. Begin CPR if necessary.

**Take off wet clothing.** If the person is wearing wet clothing, remove them gently. Cover them with layers of dry blankets, including the head, but leave the face clear.

**Share body heat.** To warm the person’s body, remove your clothing and lie next to the person, making skin-to-skin con- tact. Then cover both of your bodies with blankets. Some people may cringe at this notion, but it’s important to remember that you are trying to save a life. Gentle massage or rubbing may be helpful, but vigorous movements may be traumatic.

**Give warm oral fluids**. If the affected person is alert and able to swallow, provide a warm, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage to help warm the body. Alcohol does not warm you up; instead, it expands blood vessels and actually hastens the loss of heat from the body core.

**Use warm, dry compresses**. Use a first-aid warm compress or a makeshift compress of warm (not hot) water in a plastic bottle. Apply compresses to the neck, armpit, and groin. These areas will transport heat to the body core more effectively than placing warm compresses on the extremities, which sometimes worsens the condition.

**Avoid applying direct heat.** Don’t use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp directly on the person. The extreme heat can damage the skin, cause strain on the heart, or even lead to cardiac arrest.

**STRANDED!**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tree-well.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/tree-well.png)Tree Well Shelter

The concern of anyone stranded in the cold, whether it’s in the wilderness, an urban environment, or a vehicle is to find the warmest shelter available. In the post-collapse city, many abandoned buildings will provide a refuge from the wind and, perhaps, fuel to build a fire. A vehicle can serve as its own shelter.

In the forest, a “**[tree well](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_well)**” shelter can be constructed out of the snow. A tree well is the sunken area around the trunk in very deep snow. Although often considered a hazard, this area is relatively easy to excavate and, if the tree has low-hanging branches, should provide some protection from falling snow. Look for natural barriers nearby that may serve as windbreaks, but beware of slopes where you may be exposed to drifting snow or avalanches.

The space you dig out should be small, as small shelters take less effort to keep warm than large ones. Pack your snow “walls” well, so that they can retain heat better and support a makeshift roof. Place evergreen boughs and debris on the floor to protect you from the cold ground. Then, add some on top to make a roof. Tarps or solar blankets may be used for this purpose, but winds might easily blow them off. Tie rocks to the corners as weights.

If you make a fire, be sure to have ventilation holes in your shelter. Entrances and ventilation holes should open at a 90 degree angle to the prevailing winds.

Let’s say you’re stuck in a stalled car on the road in a blizzard. Stay in the vehicle as, thanks to your body heat, the temperature in the vehicle is warmer than outside; in addition, you have protection from the wind. Leaving the vehicle might disorient you in driving snow.

If the motor runs, turn it on for only about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Although the heater helps, wet snow can block up your exhaust system and cause carbon monoxide gas to enter the passenger compartment. You’ll need fresh air, so crack a window on the opposite side from where the wind is coming. If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car.

Your muscles produce heat involuntarily by shivering, but you can rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving to achieve the same goal.

**The [Winter Survival Car Kit](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-survival-tips-3/)**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pixabay-car-in-winter-1024x650.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pixabay-car-in-winter-scaled.jpg)image by pixabay

There are a number of items that you should always have in your car, especially in cold weather. These are meant to keep you safe if the unthinkable happens and you’re stranded without hope of rescue.

A full set of camping supplies would be useful to keep if you have space in your car, but there are some items that are especially important:

- Wool blankets (for warmth; wool can stay warm even if wet)
- Spare sets of dry clothes, especially socks, hats, and mittens.
- Hand warmers or other instant heat packs (activated by shaking, they’ll last for hours)
- Matches, lighters, and fire starters to manufacture heat Flashlights and candles (keep batteries in backwards until you need them to extend life).
- Small multi-tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.
- Larger combination tool like a foldable Chinese Army shovel (acts as a shovel but also an axe, saw, etc.)
- Sand or rock salt (to give traction where needed) Tow chain or rope
- Flares
- Starter cables (for jump starts)
- Water and food (energy bars, MREs, dehydrated soups, candies) Baby wipes (for hygiene purposes)
- A medical kit and medications
- Tarp and duct tape (brightly colored ones will be more visible and aid rescue)
- Metal cup or thermos (to melt snow, make soup, etc.) Noisemaker (whistle) to signal for help
- Cell phone and charger, weather radio

It should be noted that some of the above materials, such as starter cables, are most helpful in normal times when rescue resources are available.

Winter can be harsh, but with some planning and supplies, the family medic can identify and treat those suffering from cold exposure. Act quickly to help a victim of hypothermia, and you’ll save a life.

Joe Alton MD

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/joe-stream-rotated.jpg)Dr. Alton

Learn more about hypothermia and 200 other medical issues in tough times with a copy of the brand new, greatly expanded 4th Edition of the [Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1637172106&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=32160f7dfe9f3445c175715514504ad2&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl), now with 330 illustrations! Also, support our mission and get your family medically prepared with quality medical kits at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t. You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The Vehicle In Mass Casualty Events](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-vehicle-in-mass-casualty-events/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Instruments, Rats, Hair Loss](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-instruments-rats-hair-loss/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** general hypothermia, hypohermia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter car survival

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Instruments, Rats, Hair Loss](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-instruments-rats-hair-loss/)

**Published:** November 4, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Many of the medical items in your storage, like instruments and some dressings, may come already sterile, but in survival, dressings are consumed and the sterile instruments become dirty. This leads to the question of how to sterilize your reusable items and produce a store of sterile supplies. Dr. Joe Alton discusses how best to disinfect reusable and even some disposable items in the aftermath of a major long-term disaster.

Also, a major obstacle to good sanitation and health in survival will be infestation of retreats by rodents like rats and mice. Their droppings, urine, saliva, and nests can contaminate your food supply and make things much harder. Dr. Bones discusses all sorts of strategies to keep your retreat rodent-free.

Plus, a question from a listener about alopecia aereata, a hair loss syndrome that can be difficult to deal with in good times or bad.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast, with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, if you want to know more about survival medicine in times of trouble, consider a copy of the greatly expanded, brand new 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the way, available at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PGNJE0X8V04V&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1636050651&sprefix=survival+medicine%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1) or at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-1-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-1-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Dealing With General Hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dealing-with-general-hypothermia/) 

 [Ortho Injuries: Sprains, Strains, Ruptures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ortho-injuries-sprains-strains-ruptures/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** alopecia, disinfecting instruments, hair loss, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medical supplies, mice, rats, rodent infestation, survival medicine, UV germicidal irradiation

---

### [Ortho Injuries: Sprains, Strains, Ruptures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ortho-injuries-sprains-strains-ruptures/)

**Published:** October 23, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_78209806-sprained-ankle-with-swelling-bruising.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_78209806-sprained-ankle-with-swelling-bruising.jpg)

We’re back in our home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, right at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That means a lot of fall hikes through the woods for us, and, let’s face it, we ain’t no spring chickens so we’re at risk for sprains, strains, and other ortho injuries more than ever.

Your muscles, bones, and joints give the body strength, support, and movement. The amount of work these structures are called upon to perform over a lifetime is pretty impressive, and like any other moving parts, are subject to stress and wear.

Off the grid, the group medic can expect to be constantly bombarded with patients that present with sprains, strains, and even fractures. In most cases, full recovery can be expected but, in others, there could be permanent loss of function.

## **JOINTS**

A joint is the physical point of connection between two bones. It allows for a certain range of motion. The components include:

• **Ligaments**: Ligaments are fibrous tissues that connect one bone to another, oftentimes across a joint.

• **Muscles**: Muscles are elastic bundles of protein soft tissue that function to produce force and motion.

• **Tendons**: Tendons are cords of strong fibrous tissue attaching a muscle to a bone.

• **Fasciae** (fa-sha): Fasciae (singular: fascia) are similar to ligaments and tendons in that they are strong fibrous connective tissue.

Tendons join muscles to bone, ligaments join bone to bone, and fasciae often surrounds muscles and other tissues in “compartments.” Injuries to bones themselves can involve bruising (bone contusions) or actual breaks (“fractures”), something we’ll discuss in other articles.

The tissue damage we’ll discuss here include:

• **Sprains**: A sprain is an injury where a ligament is excessively stretched or torn by forcing a joint beyond its normal range of motion.

• **Strains**: Strains occur when a muscle or its tendon is partially torn as a result of an injury.

• **Ruptures**: A rupture is a severe, often complete tear through a ligament or muscle.

## **SPRAINS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_78209806-sprained-ankle-with-swelling-bruising.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_78209806-sprained-ankle-with-swelling-bruising.jpg)Sprained ankle

Joints provide mobility and locomotion and can bear an incredible amount of stress without mishap. When ligaments are torn, sprains occur. Most common sprains involve the ankle, wrist, knee, and fingers. The most likely signs and symptoms are:

• Bruising

• Swelling

• Pain

Some categorize sprains as Grade I, II, and III based on the amount of tearing.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/amy-and-joe-sprained-ankle-kit-scaled.jpg)

Treatment for most sprains is relatively straightforward and follows the easy-to-remember **R.I.C.E.S protocol**: **R**est, **I**ce, **C**ompression, **E**levation, **S**tabilization.

**REST**: It’s important to avoid further injury by not stressing the injured joint. In some circumstances, you may not have a choice, but continued strain will cause further damage to the weakened ligament. Cessation of whatever activity led to the injury will give the best chance for a full recovery.

**ICE**: Cold therapy decreases both swelling and pain. The earlier it’s applied, the more effect it will have in speeding up the healing process. If you’re in the wilderness, you might have to stick your ankle in a stream to get some cooling action. The medic should always have a supply of “shake and break” cold packs in their medical kit. Cold therapy should be performed several times a day for 20-30 minutes or so each time. It’s most effective in the first 48 hours after the injury. This is followed each time by applying compression.

**COMPRESSION**: A compression bandage is useful to decrease swelling and should be placed after each cold therapy. This will also help provide support to the joint. After applying some padding to the area, wrap an elastic (“ACE”) bandage around the injured area and some space below and above it (described below). The wrap should be tight, but not uncomfortably so. Any tingling, increased pain, or numbness tells you that the wrap is too tight and should be loosened. Excessively tight wraps also may affect the circulation: You may notice the fingertips or toes becoming white or even blue. Loosen immediately.

**ELEVATION**: Elevate the sprain above the level of the heart. This will help prevent swelling at the site of the injury. Swelling (also called “edema”) is caused by fluid that pools where the inflammation is and where gravity will allow. By elevating the leg, you allow the fluid to process itself back into circulation and aid the healing process, or at least not impede it.

**STABILIZATION**: Immobilizing the injury will prevent further damage. This may be accomplished by the compression bandage alone or may best be supported with a splint or a cast. Such a strategy will help support the patient who is unable to place much weight on the joint. Splints may be commercially produced, such as the versatile SAM (Structural Aluminum Malleable) splint or be made of casting material (without surrounding the entire limb). They may also be improvised with sticks and cloth or pillows and duct tape.

## **SPRAINS VS. FRACTURES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/shutterstock_79304863.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/shutterstock_79304863.jpg)

We are often asked how to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture. Sometimes it’s quite easy, as when, due to trauma, a straight bone is suddenly “zig-zag” in shape. Many times, however, it’s hard to determine without modern diagnostic tests (not an option in long-term survival). Look for one or more of these signs:

• A sprain will generally have less pronounced swelling and bruising than a fracture.

• A person can usually walk a few steps both immediately and an hour later with a sprain. A fracture is generally so painful that no pressure may be placed on the injury at all.

• Sprains are rarely associated with breaks in the skin, but fractures may (an “open” fracture”).

• Sprains involve joints. Injuries in the middle of a bone are more likely fractures or other injuries.

• Swelling on one side of, for example, an ankle is more likely to be a sprain. Swelling on both sides suggest a fracture.

• A fracture may show motion in an area beyond the joint (if your finger suddenly has five knuckles, you probably broke it).

For sprains, Ibuprofen serves as an excellent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Natural remedies may also help. The green underbark of willow, aspen, and poplar trees contains salicin, a natural pain medicine from which the first aspirin drugs were manufactured.

Most sprains, (such as wrist and ankle sprains) commonly heal well over time using the R.I.C.E.S. protocol, pain relievers, and a lot of rest. Others, however, such as severe knee sprains with torn or ruptured ligaments, may heal completely only with the aid of surgical intervention. It’s important to get joint issues dealt with while there is still a functioning medical infrastructure in place. During uncertain times, you (and your joints) want to be in the best shape possible to face the challenges ahead.

## **STRAINS**

By far, the most frequently seen strain will be to the back muscles. Strains, especially back strains, involve injury to the muscle and their tendons. As the lower part of the back holds the majority of the body’s weight, you can expect the most trouble in these muscles.

Some of these injuries are preventable with simple precautions:

• Start the day with stretching exercises to increase blood flow to cold, stiff muscles and joints.

• When lifting a heavy object, such as a backpack, keep the back straight and let your legs perform the work.

• Objects should be close to your body as you lift them (don’t reach).

• For packs, keep the weight on the hips rather than the shoulders.

• If you are on rocky or unstable terrain, consider using a walking stick for balance.

Remember, any weight-lifting action that you perform while off-balance is likely to result in a strained muscle. Treatment involves cold packs to decrease swelling for the first 48 hours or so. After that, heat packs may be more effective in providing pain relief. Ibuprofen is an excellent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever for these types of injury. For muscle injuries, prescription relaxants such as Diazepam (Valium) or Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) will also provide relief. Assuming these are not available, the victim will benefit from massage of the strained muscles.

## **RUPTURES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1081147022-1024x698.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1081147022-scaled.jpg)

For all ruptured tendons, begin with the standard RICES protocol. Ruptures of particular muscles/tendons require proper positioning. For front upper leg (quadriceps) injuries, stabilize with the knee straight. For a biceps (front upper arm) rupture, immobilize with the elbow at 90 degrees.

Although some ruptures are best treated with surgical repair, lesser strategies may work for certain injuries off the grid:

-Achilles tendon (back heel area). Immobilize the area so that the foot is pointing down for 8-12 weeks.

-Biceps ruptures. The affected arm is stabilized with a sling at a 90 degree angle. Recovery without surgical intervention often ends with decreased strength and the inability to go from a palm-down position to a palm-up position (supination).

-Rotator cuff injuries. The rotator cuff is made up of several muscles and tendons that keep the upper-arm bone (humerus) in the shoulder socket. Chronic damage is often treated without surgery, as a percentage of symptoms will decrease with time. Sudden tears are more complex.

-Quadriceps (front upper leg) tears. Quadriceps tendon injuries may be immobilized for about 6 weeks, or at least until the patient is able to raise the affected leg without discomfort for two weeks.

It should be noted that recovery from these injuries varies from individual to individual and can be prone to re-rupture. In normal times, most are treated surgically, especially in younger patients. Failure to do so often leads to reduction in strength and range of motion of the affected extremity.

Preparedness folk needs to be at 110 percent efficiency when the you-know-what hits the fan, so do everything possible to “tune up” orthopedic injuries before a disaster occurs. The last thing you need is a bum knee in times of trouble.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)Dr. Alton

If you believe in our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget our brand new, greatly expanded **4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook**, available at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1635005841&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=b9fd76fcbbecdf9f3d22406bebfbf099&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) or at our [website](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Instruments, Rats, Hair Loss](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-instruments-rats-hair-loss/) 

 [Video: The iTClamp Device](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-itclamp-device/)

**Categories:** Bones and Joints, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, orthopedic injuries, ruptures, sprains, strains, survival medicine

---

### [Video: The iTClamp Device](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-itclamp-device/)

**Published:** October 18, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/iTClamp-Use-Stop-Bleeding-Fast-How-to-control-hemorrhage-wound-care-head-hand-lacerations-Dr-Joe-Alton-1-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/iTClamp-Use-Stop-Bleeding-Fast-How-to-control-hemorrhage-wound-care-head-hand-lacerations-Dr-Joe-Alton-1-scaled.jpg)

New medical products are introduced from time to time that may help deal with complex injuries. A number of bleeding wounds, such as those on the neck and face, are not amenable to placing a tourniquet, so there is space for new technology that could be used by the survival medic to deal, at least temporarily, with these types of problems. One such product is the iTClamp(r), a simple device approved by the Tactical Combat Casualty Care committee for certain injuries. In this video, Dr. Joe Alton discusses and demonstrates the iTClamp(r)….

To watch, click below….

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Do you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family? If you do, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies (including iTClamps), and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). And don’t forget, our greatly expanded 4th EDITION of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the way is available at [amazon.co](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=survival+medicine+handbook+4th+edition&crid=ZNCGG8QJEDCR&sprefix=survival+medicine%2Caps%2C200&linkCode=ll2&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=1ed93f8c43f5597a18868dcbcc1d552c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)m or at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Ortho Injuries: Sprains, Strains, Ruptures](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ortho-injuries-sprains-strains-ruptures/) 

 [Video: All About Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-strokes/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** bleeding wounds, hemorrhage, iTClamp(tm), joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: All About Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-strokes/)

**Published:** October 11, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/What-is-a-STROKE-Definition-Causes-Symptoms-Treatments-Recovery-physical-therapy-Dr-Joe-Alton-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/What-is-a-STROKE-Definition-Causes-Symptoms-Treatments-Recovery-physical-therapy-Dr-Joe-Alton-scaled.jpg)

I was saddened to hear of the passing of **[Dave ( “Wolf”) Stutts](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mooresvilletribune/name/david-stutts-obituary?pid=200321854)**, a great preparedness and firearms instructor who was a fellow member of preppernet. David served proudly in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. He was selfless, honorable, and served others first. He loved God, his family, and his country. We here at [doomandbloom](https://www.doomandbloom.net/) send our condolences and prayers to his family.

Dave passed away from a [cerebrovascular accident](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113), which you’ll know better as a “stroke”. I haven’t talked about this issue in a long while, so I think it’s important to let everyone know about them. To watch, click below:

If you prefer to watch your videos on Odysee, click here:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids-1024x686.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/tent-joes-kids.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Get your family medically prepared this year with HSA/FSA eligible medical kits and supplies from s[tore.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Also, check out our brand new, greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the way at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?crid=1BUDAUH14AB4Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook+4th+edition&qid=1633630295&sprefix=survival+medic%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=ec0fef709c41d8950481f510b8f6b5a7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) or get a signed copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)[.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: The iTClamp Device](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-itclamp-device/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antivirals](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antivirals/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Nursing Care, Strokes, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** cerebrovascular accident, Dr. Joe Alton, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antivirals](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antivirals/)

**Published:** October 10, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_573011056-assorted-drugs-capsules-antibiotics-scaled.jpg)

Although science has made great progress against bacterial disease, our advances against viruses are primitive. Now, new clinical trials report progress against the current pandemic in the form of a new drug. An experimental med known as molnupiravir reduces the risk of hospitalization and death in phase III clinical trials.

Today Joe Alton MD (aka Dr.Bones) and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton talk about two products developed by Merck Pharmaceuticals: Ivermectin and Molnupiravir, and the evidence for their effectiveness in the COVID pandemic. Plus, why is Merck pushing molnupiravir over ivermectin, which is cheaper and has been in use for decades?

All this and more on the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, have you gotten a copy of **the brand new, greatly expanded 4TH EDITION of the Survival Medicine Handbook**? Check it out at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) along with our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies and personal protection gear (including N95 masks). Our book is also on sale at [Amazon.com](https://amzn.to/3DrLbNJ).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: All About Strokes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-all-about-strokes/) 

 [All About Molnupiravir](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-molnupiravir/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton np, covid, ivermectin, joe alton md, medical preparedness, molnupiravir, survival medicine

---

### [All About Molnupiravir](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-molnupiravir/)

**Published:** October 2, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_53362708.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_53362708.jpg)

Although science has made great progress against bacterial disease, our advances against viruses are still in their infancy. Now, potentially good news is being reported in the battle against the current pandemic: An experimental oral drug known as [molnupiravir](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/01/merck-to-seek-emergency-authorization-for-oral-covid-19-treatment.html) reduces the risk of hospitalization and death in phase III [clinical trials](https://www.concertpharma.com/understanding-clinical-trial-terminology-whats-a-phase-1-2-or-3-clinical-trial/).

Molnupiravir, a product of research from Merck Pharmaceuticals and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, inhibits coronavirus replication inside the body by inserting errors in viral genetic code. The clinical trial consisted of 775 unvaccinated people with lab-confirmed infection and at least one complicating issue that put them at high risk for hospitalization (for example, advanced age, diabetes, obesity, etc.). The drug therapy was instituted within five days of symptom onset and given in the form of four capsules a day for five days.

Results from the study revealed that 14.1 percent of high-risk patients receiving placebo ended up hospitalized after diagnosis. In the oral [molnupiravir](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/mercks-covid-19-pill-cuts-risk-death-hospitalization-by-50-study-2021-10-01/) group, only 7.3 percent of patients were. No deaths were reported in the group that received molnupiravir compared to eight deaths in the placebo group. Adverse reactions, such as headaches, were seen at the same rate for both groups.

The researchers claim that molnupiravir is effective against all strains of the coronavirus, including the Delta variant. They also state that their data shows the drug isn’t capable of causing genetic changes in human cells.

A simple oral treatment like [molnupiravir](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/10/01/pill-to-treat-covid/) for outpatients, if approved, may change the way viral infections are managed. At present, treatment for pandemic cases such as [remdesivir](https://www.doomandbloom.net/remdesivir-in-covid-19/) consists of intravenous infusions and are generally given once a patient has been hospitalized.

The manufacturers are in the process of seeking emergency authorization from the FDA. If successful, molnupiravir would become the first approved oral antiviral medication for SARS-CoV2. Having an effective oral at-home therapy is a major advance against the pandemic, easing the burden on our medical infrastructure.

Treatment will be by prescription and given as soon as possible after symptom onset. This strategy is similar to other oral antiviral drugs like [Tamiflu](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-17765-5294/tamiflu-oral/oseltamivir-oral/details) (oseltamivir). These drugs decreased the severity of many influenza cases when taken early in the course of the infection. As with Tamiflu, It will be very important for those at risk to be educated in what to look for in terms of symptoms, and to contact medical professionals immediately.

It should be noted that another study currently in [Phase III clinical tria](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/10/01/pill-to-treat-covid/)ls is examining molnupiravir for its effectiveness in preventing the infection.

Hopefully, more new antivirals will be developed as time goes on, making viral diseases just a bump on the road, not the end of the road, for our citizens, regardless of their age or health status.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, don’t forget to get your medical preparedness plans in order with medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear from Nurse Amy’s entire line at[ store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Also, pick up a copy of the brand new, greatly expanded 4th EDITION of the SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK at [amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1633195837&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=f7ba63ad9280bb8f94b20f00028d94ec&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) or get a personally signed color or black-and-white version at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/). You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Antivirals](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-antivirals/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hemostatic Dressings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hemostatic-dressings/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Pandemic Diseases, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, molnupiravir, oral therapy, pandemic diseases

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hemostatic Dressings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hemostatic-dressings/)

**Published:** September 24, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

The control of major hemorrhage (called “hemostasis”) is the territory of paramedics and trauma surgeon in normal times. In survival scenarios, however, the family medic is unlikely to be either of these. Although direct pressure on a bleeding wound may stop the bleeding, there are times when it just ain’t enough. In such cases, tourniquets are the best first course of action, but they can’t stay on there forever.

While tourniquets, gauze rolls, and Israeli battle dressing will help stop bleeding, they don’t have anything special in them that specifically aids in the clotting process.

In the last several decades, however, special substances have been identified that can help control the loss of blood. If you know how to properly use them in an emergency, often in conjunction with a tourniquet, you’ll increase an injured patient’s chances of survival. Off the grid, having a supply of these will save lives. Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton talk about different hemostatic dressings, including some improvised ones that can still serve as a way to stop bleeding.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

 Hey, find out about all the latest materials for the survival medic in the brand-new greatly expanded **4TH EDITION of “The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the Way”**, available at [Amazon](https://amzn.to/3i2rRym) and at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)! And don’t forget to get more medically prepared with our entire line of kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear (including N95 masks)! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [All About Molnupiravir](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-molnupiravir/) 

 [What Is Nipah Virus (NiV)?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-is-nipah-virus-niv/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror events, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton np, celox, ChitoSam, chitosan, hemostasis, hemostatic agents, improvised hemostatic dressings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, quikclot, survival medicine

---

### [What Is Nipah Virus (NiV)?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-is-nipah-virus-niv/)

**Published:** September 19, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, the last thing you want to hear about is another virus with pandemic potential. Yet, an outbreak of one has appeared in India. It’s called the **[Nipah virus (NiV)](https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/index.html)**.

Before you sound the alarm, it should be noted that, unlike CoVID-19, NiV is already known to science. A member of the Paramyxoviridae viral family, the [first outbreak of Nipah](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19108397/) was in 1999, when 265 cases were reported in Malaysia and Singapore. Of these,105 died, making NiV much more lethal than the current pandemic.

Fortunately, it’s much less contagious, with an [R-Nought number](https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-the-r-nought-number/) less than 1.0 (CoVID ranges from 1.4-3.9, depending on the area). Also reassuring is that no other outbreaks have since occurred in the countries of origin. For some reason, however, it’s become an almost annual event in other places like Bangladesh and India.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_550684873-fruit-bat-ebola-covid-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_550684873-fruit-bat-ebola-covid-scaled.jpg)Cute (for a bat) but carries all sorts of nasty viruses

Nipah virus (NiV) is a **zoonotic** virus, which means it passes across different species (including from animals to people). Fruit bats, also called flying foxes, are the animal reservoir for NiV in nature. For those who are experiencing déjà vu, they’re the same animals thought to be responsible for [Ebola](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-admin/post.php?post=9321&action=edit). In this case, it seems to sometimes use pigs as a “middleman” host. Indeed, one million pigs had to be slaughtered to contain the 1999 outbreak.

People become infected from contact with an infected animal or its body fluids, and then from the sick individual to other humans. The World Health Organization classifies it as a “virus of concern” for future epidemics because of its tendency to spill over from animals to humans.

Each time a virus replicates in a person, however, mutations may occur. This leads to new strains which could possibly be more easily transmitted person to person. If this happens, it could surpass Ebola in lethality. During the 2014 epidemic in West Africa, [Ebola had a death rate of about 40-45%](https://www.worldvision.org/health-news-stories/2014-ebola-virus-outbreak-facts). Although the death rate from NiV in 1999 was similar, some of the latest outbreaks of NiV came with a 70 percent death rate, suggesting a more deadly strain may have emerged.

Surprisingly, some COVID-19 precautions may have helped control the spread of Nipah this year. Hospital workers had stockpiles of masks, gloves, and gowns, giving protection to the people most at risk. Social distancing may have prevented contact with bodily fluids.

Symptoms may initially include one or several of the following:

- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting

In the worst cases, brain swelling and inflammation known as “**[encephalitis](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/encephalitis)**” can occur, leading to altered mental status, seizures, coma, and death.

Symptoms usually become apparent about 4-14 days following exposure to NiV. You can expect several days to two weeks of fever, headache, and other flu-like symptoms. Progression to critical status can happen within 48 hours in some cases.

Nipah infection can be diagnosed via blood tests, but there is no proven treatment or cure at present. Monoclonal antibody therapy and Remdesivir, both in the news for CoVID therapy, are under development for NiV.

In areas where Nipah virus outbreaks have occurred, people should:

- Wash hands regularly with soap and water.
- Avoid contact with sick animals, like bats or swine.
- Stay away from areas where bats are known to roost.
- Avoid consumption of fruits or other food products that may be contaminated by bats.
- Avoid contact with blood or other body fluids of any infected individual.

Because NiV can be spread from person-to-person, proper infection control and nursing care, such as we’ve described previously in various of our website articles and books, should be instituted.

Is all this overkill? Hopefully. The folks in India are working hard to contain the virus so, for now, it’s doubtful that a NiV epidemic will be coming to your town. Then again, how many said that about a new virus that began in a city called Wuhan in China? It’s wise to be aware of all infectious disease threats *before* they arrive in your neighborhood.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton aka Dr. Bones

Are you interested in learning about all th[e medical issues that confront the survival medic? If so, check out our brand new, greatly expanded 4TH EDITION of The Survival Medicine Handbook! Plus, take a gander at some of the quality medical kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/") in our entire line! You’ll be glad you did!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)Get a special, limited-edition, signed, and numbered color copy of our new book at **[store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Hemostatic Dressings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-hemostatic-dressings/) 

 [Survival Gardening: Sweet Potatoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-gardening-sweet-potatoes/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Viruses

**Tags:** Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, encephalitis, fruit bats, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Nipah virus, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Gardening: Sweet Potatoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-gardening-sweet-potatoes/)

**Published:** September 13, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Nurse-Amy-Medicinal-Garden1.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Nurse-Amy-Medicinal-Garden1.jpg)

You might not know that both Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy graduated from the state of Florida’s Master Gardener program. The family medic can benefit from some experience growing food crops to provide the calories, essential nutrients, and vitamins that can keep their people healthy. According to[ Healthlin](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sweet-potato-benefits)e, baked sweet potatoes offer the following (per cup):

- **Calories:** 180
- **Carbs:** 41.4 grams
- **Protein:** 4 grams
- **Fat:** 0.3 grams
- **Fiber:** 6.6 grams
- **Vitamin A:** 769% of the
    Daily Value (DV)
- **Vitamin C:** 65% of the DV
- **Manganese:** 50% of the DV
- **Vitamin B6:** 29% of the DV
- **Potassium:** 27% of the DV
- **Pantothenic acid:** 18% of the DV
- **Copper:** 16% of the DV
- **Niacin:** 15% of the DV

Even better, the amount of yield that one sweet potato plant can give makes it a highly attractive crop for any homesteader, prepper, or survivalist. Plus, in survival, the vines thrown out by the plant look more, well, like kudzu that anything else, making them a candidate for guerilla gardening. And you don’t need a green thumb to have a successful harvest! Here’s a video with Nurse Amy that tells you what you need to know. To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy and Joe Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/AmyGarden2014.jpg)

Hey, growing food and medicinal herbs is just part of what it takes to be a successful medic for an off-grid family or survival group. Find out much more about 200 medical topics in times of trouble in [the brand new, greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook,](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?crid=3F887PMXRLKTL&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook+4th+edition&qid=1631548935&sprefix=survival+medicine%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=26bbbb510b85f3a88ebba57195446571&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) available at Amazon.com and, if you want a signed or color copy, at store.doo[mandbloom.net! ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [What Is Nipah Virus (NiV)?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-is-nipah-virus-niv/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nuclear Events/Radiation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nuclear-events-radiation/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Survival Garden, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton np, Growing Sweet Potatoes, medical preparedness, survival medicine, sweet potatoes in containers

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nuclear Events/Radiation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nuclear-events-radiation/)

**Published:** September 12, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1173101074-nuclear-blast-abandoned-city-1-1024x537.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_1173101074-nuclear-blast-abandoned-city-1-scaled.jpg)

For the survival medic, increasing international tensions means that knowledge about nuclear events and the physical damage associated with them is a worthwhile topic to know about. Short of an asteroid hitting Earth or an ultra-deadly pandemic disease, we mean more deadly than COVID, no disaster has the potential to destroy society as much as a nuclear war. Even “minor” radiation accidents, such as reactor meltdowns, may cause long-standing damage to whole areas. The medic must always have a plan of action for every type of disaster to increase the chances for survival of group members.

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcastl, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton NP discuss radiation events like dirty bombs, atomic and thermonuclear weapons, likelihood of survival from the various types of damage that could occur, fallout shelters, and diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation sickness.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)The Altons

Hey, check out the greatly expanded brand new 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, now available for immediate shipment from [amazon](https://amzn.to/3C5Zzut) and from [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/). Consider a limited-edition signed color copy for the survival medic in your family!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Gardening: Sweet Potatoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-gardening-sweet-potatoes/) 

 [Mass Casualty Incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mass-casualty-incidents-2/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Radiation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** atomic bomb, dirty bombs, fallout shelter, medical preparedness, medical supplies, nuclear events, radiation, radiation protection, radiation sickness, survival medicine

---

### [Mass Casualty Incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mass-casualty-incidents-2/)

**Published:** September 11, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-1024x678.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_753255712-mass-casualties-ambulances-scaled-e1631371164857.jpg)

On the anniversary of 9/11, it only seems appropriate to discuss what you would do if confronted with more victims of traumatic injury than you can handle. This can happen anywhere, anytime, and in normal times or times of trouble.

For the survival medic caring for their family or a group off the grid, most patient encounters will be unhurried, routine, and one-on-one. If you have trained and accumulated supplies, your encounter with any one patient should be, with any luck, well within the limits of your expertise and resources. In the New Normal, however, the medic might be confronted with multiple victims of trauma simultaneously and have to make quick decisions. We refer to this type of event as a **mass casualty incident** **(MCI).**

A mass casualty incident is any event in which your medical resources are inadequate for the number and severity of injuries incurred. MCIs can be quite variable in their presentation and can occur in both good times and bad. They might be:

- Terrorist bombings, such as occurred on 9/11.
- Active shooter events.
- The aftermath of a storm, such as a tornado or hurricane.
- Consequences of civil unrest.
- Mass transit mishaps (train derailment, plane crash).
- A car accident with, say, three people significantly injured (and only two ambulances available).
- Doomsday scenario events, such as nuclear weapon detonations.

You may read that the COVID-19 pandemic is considered an MCI. From an organizational standpoint, it is. As medical resources were overwhelmed in some areas, a similar command structure and set of community safeguards was implemented to “flatten the curve” and stay within the available limits of personnel and equipment.

Most often, however, we are talking about incidents where there are multiple traumatic injuries. The response to injuries caused by a tornado or active shooter is different than the response to a pandemic. Often difficult to predict, the damage is done in a matter of a few minutes. A multiple vehicle or mass transit accident occurs in a second. When these events happen, all the emergency resources of the city or town go into high alert and activate.

Pandemics come with their own unique problems: In a car accident or tornado, the rescue personnel arrive after the event and rarely become victims themselves. With infectious disease outbreaks, however, the medical assets start getting sick, leaving less resources for patient care. Facilities receive patients over a prolonged period of time, much like a field hospital in a war zone.

The effective medical management of the above events requires rapid and accurate triage. Triage comes from the French word “trier” (to sort). It’s the process by which medical personnel rapidly assess and prioritize injured individuals. When the first evaluations occur at the scene, it’s called “**primary triage**.”

In trauma MCIs, triage identifies those with injuries most likely to benefit from immediate, priority attention. In pandemics, triage identifies those who may require rapid isolation from the general patient population. In both cases, you attempt to do the most good for the most people. Note that we didn’t say: “the best possible care for each individual.”

Let’s concentrate on trauma MCIs: Let’s say you’re in a marketplace somewhere in the Middle East or perhaps your survival group has had hostile encounters with another group that are increasing in frequency. You hear an explosion and come upon a horrific scene. There are twenty of your people on the ground, some moaning in pain. There were probably more, but only twenty are in one piece. You are the first responder.

## **The 5 “S’s” Of MCI Triage**

As the first to arrive at the scene, you must assume to role of “Incident Commander” until someone with more medical expertise arrives. What do you do? Your initial actions comprise what we call the “5 S’s” of evaluating a mass casualty scene:

**1)Safety Assessment:** Many terrorists employ an insidious strategy using primary and secondary bombs. The main bomb causes the most casualties, and the second bomb is triggered as rescue personnel (you) arrive.

You might grimace when we advise not approaching the injured in a hostile setting. Yet, your primary goal as medic is your own self-preservation. Keeping the medical personnel alive is likely to save more lives down the road. You do your family and community a disservice by becoming the next casualty.

Here’s a tragic example: In the immediate aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, various medical personnel rushed in to aid the victims. One of them was a heroic 37-year-old Licensed Practical Nurse named Rebecca Anderson who, as she entered the area, was struck by a falling piece of concrete. She sustained a head injury and died five days later. So, whether it’s falling bricks or bullets flying, be as certain as possible that there is no ongoing threat.

**2)Size up the Scene:** Ask yourself the following questions: What’s the situation? Is this a mass transit crash? Did a building on fire collapse? Was there a shooting or explosion?

How many injuries are there? How severe are they? How many victims? Are there any uninjured that could assist you? Are the victims all together or spread out over a wide area? Are there lanes open that are large enough for vehicles to come through and help transport victims?

**3)Send for Help:** If you sized up the scene correctly, you have a lot of important information to pass on to emergency medical services or, in survival scenarios, other group members arriving at the scene.

If modern medical care is available, notify emergency services and say (for example): “I am calling to report an accident involving three cars at the intersection of Hollywood and Vine. There are at least seven people injured that will require medical attention. People are trapped in their cars and one vehicle is on fire.”

In three sentences, you have informed the authorities that a mass casualty event has occurred, what type of event it was, where it occurred, an approximate number of patients that need help, and the types of care or equipment that may be required. In survival settings, use your walkie-talkie or other communication device to notify base camp of the situation. Let them know what you’ll need in terms of personnel and supplies. If you are not medically trained, contact the person who is the group medic. The most experienced medical person who arrives becomes the new Incident Commander.

**4)Set-Up:** Determine likely areas for various triage levels (see below) to be further evaluated and treated. Also, determine the appropriate entry and exit points for victims that need immediate transport to medical facilities, if they exist. If you are blessed with lots of help at the scene, assign triage, treatment, and transport team duties.

**5) S.T.A.R.T.:** Triage uses the acronym S.T.A.R.T., which stands for **Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment**. The first round of triage, known as “primary triage,” should be fast (30 seconds per patient if possible) and does not involve extensive treatment of injuries. It should be focused on identifying the triage level of each patient.

## **S.T.A.R.T.**

Evaluation in primary triage consists mostly of quick evaluation of respirations (or the lack thereof), perfusion (adequacy of circulation), and mental status. Other than controlling massive bleeding and clearing airways, very little treatment is performed in primary triage.

Although there is no international standard, triage levels are usually determined by color:

- **Immediate (Red tag):** The victim needs immediate medical care and will not survive if not treated quickly (for example, a major hemorrhagic wound/internal bleeding). This person has top priority for treatment.
- **Delayed (Yellow tag):** The victim needs medical care within two to four hours. Injuries may become life-threatening if ignored, but can wait until red tags are treated. An example of a yellow tag would be an open fracture without major bleeding.
- **Minimal (Green tag):** Generally stable and ambulatory (“walking wounded”) but may need some medical care (for example, broken fingers or a sprained ankle).
- **Expectant (Black tag):** The victim is either deceased or is not expected to live (for example, open fracture of skull with brain damage, multiple penetrating chest wounds).

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/triage-cascade-amy-image.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/triage-cascade-amy-image.jpg)The medic off the grid probably won’t have colored tags or tape. Instead, use felt markers (handy items to have in your pocket). If you only have a black marker, you can still write numbers on the victims’ foreheads. If you use numbers:

- 1 is immediate/red (top priority)
- 2 is delayed/yellow
- 3 is minimal/green
- 4 is dead/expectant/black

The number method is the standard in many countries. it’s also useful if you’re color blind.

Knowledge of this system allows a rescuer to understand the urgency of a patient’s condition. You should know that, without modern medical care, a lot of red tags and even some yellow tags will become black tags. It will be difficult to save someone bleeding internally without surgical intervention.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/shutterstock_54203947.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/shutterstock_54203947.jpg)

Let’s go through an example of a mass casualty incident and discuss how you would perform primary triage.

Here’s our hypothetical scenario: It is market day at your village near the border with another (hostile) group. You hear an explosion. You are the first one to arrive at the scene, and you are alone. There are about twenty people down, and there is blood everywhere. What do you do?

Referring back to the 5 S’s, let’s say that you have already determined the **SAFETY** of the current situation and **SIZED UP** the scene. It appears that a bomb has exploded. There are no hostiles nearby, as far as you can tell. You don’t see anything that you suspect might be a second device. Therefore, you believe that you aren’t currently in danger. The injuries are significant (there are body parts) and the victims are all in an area no larger than, say, 20 yards.

The incident occurred on a main thoroughfare your people use, so there are ways in and out. You have **SENT FOR HELP** on your handheld radio and described the scene. Several survival group members have replied, including a former ICU nurse. The area is relatively open, so you can **SET UP** different areas for various triage categories. Now you can **START** (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment).

Call out as loudly as possible: “I’m here to help, everyone who can get up and walk and needs medical attention, get up and move to the sound of my voice. If you are uninjured and can help, follow me.”

You’re lucky, 13 of the 20 victims still in one piece sit up, or at least try to. 10 can stand, and you direct the walking wounded to an area you designated. These people have cuts, burns, and scrapes. A couple are limping; one has obviously broken an arm. Two bruised but sturdy individuals volunteer to join you. By this simple communication, you have made your job as temporary Incident Commander easier by identifying the walking wounded (Green Tags) and getting some immediate help. You still have 10 victims down.

Your team then goes to the closest victim on the ground and proceeds in an organized manner to the next nearest victim in turn. In this way, you will triage faster and more effectively than trying to figure out who needs help the most from a distance.

Let’s cheat just a little and say that you happen to have SMART tags in your pack. SMART tags are handy tickets which allow you to mark a particular triage level on a patient. Once you identify a victim’s triage level, you remove a portion of the end of the tag until you reach the appropriate color and place it around the patient’s wrist.

It is important to remember that you’re triaging, not treating. The only treatments in START will be the control of heavy bleeding, opening airways, and elevating the legs in case of shock.

## **RPMs**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/shutterstock_96228059.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/shutterstock_96228059.jpg)

As you go from patient to patient, stay calm, identify who you are and that you’re here to help. Your goal is to find out who will need help most urgently (red tags). You will be assessing **RPMs** (Respirations, Perfusion, and Mental Status):

**Respirations:** Is your patient breathing? If not, restore the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin or, if you have them, insert an oral airway (Note: in MCI triage where time is of the essence, the rule against moving the neck of a victim due to risk of cervical spine injury is, for the time being, suspended). If you have an open airway but no breathing, that victim is tagged black. If the victim begins to breathe once an airway is restored or has a respiration rate of more than 30 times a minute (or less than ten), tag red. If the victim is breathing normally, move on to perfusion.

**Perfusion/Pulse:** Perfusion involves evaluating the adequacy of blood flow and circulation. Check for the presence of a (wrist or neck) pulse, then press on a nail bed or finger pad firmly and quickly remove. The coloration will go from pale back to normal color in less than two seconds if circulation is good. This is referred to as the **Capillary Refill Time** (CRT). If you’re not feeling a pulse or it takes longer than 2 seconds for nail bed color to return, tag red. If a pulse is present and CRT is normal, move to mental status.

**Mental Status:** Can the victim follow simple commands (“open your eyes,” “squeeze my hand”)? If the patient isn’t breathing excessively fast and has normal perfusion, but is unconscious or disoriented: Tag red. If they can understand you and follow commands, tag yellow if they can’t get up, or green if they can. Remember that, as a consequence of the explosion, some victims may not be able to hear you well.

It might be easier to remember all this by just thinking **30-2-Can Do:**

- 30 (less than 30 respirations)
- 2 (CRT less than 2 seconds)
- Can Do (follows commands)

It should be noted that different regions may use other systems of primary triage. This is, in our opinion, the simplest to use when no specialized equipment is available.

If there is any doubt as to the category, always tag the highest priority triage level. Not sure between yellow and red? Tag red. Once you have identified someone’s triage level, tag them and move immediately to the next patient unless you have major bleeding to stop. Any one RPM check that results in a red result tags the victim as red. Elevate the legs if you suspect shock.

When there are multiple victims, spend only as much time as is needed to determine the triage level. The only treatment you’ll provide in the primary triage phase will be to stop heavy bleeding and clear airways with a chin-lift jaw thrust. In this way, you’ll do the most good for the most people in the shortest amount of time, if not the best for every individual.

It stands to reason that you would be more effective if you had help. If uninjured or minimally injured victims can help you, say, apply pressure to a wound, you can move on to evaluate the next victim. A tourniquet or an airway in the medic’s pocket can be lifesavers.

Off the grid, the medic’s job is exponentially tougher, and some **RED** victims will assuredly end up tagged **BLACK**. You can only aim to achieve what Teddy Roosevelt once advised:

### “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Joe Alton MD

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/joe-at-trailhead.jpg)That ol’ Dr. Bones

Hey, if you believe in our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear (including N95 masks) at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Also, our greatly expanded and **brand new 4TH EDITION of The Survival Medicine Handbook** has just hit the stands at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1631370756&sr=8-1)! For a personally signed copy or a limited edition signed color version, go to [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png) ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email")

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nuclear Events/Radiation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nuclear-events-radiation/) 

 [Proper Storage Of Survival Meds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/proper-storage-of-survival-meds/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** 5 S&#039;s of triage, 9/11, amy alton np, joe alton md, Mass Casualty Incidents, medical preparedness, primary triage, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Video Podcast #7](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-video-podcast-7/)

**Published:** September 6, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

This video version of the Survival Medicine Podcast cover anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other issues that will confront the medic in times of trouble as well as “good” times….

To watch, click below…

.Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Amy-Alton-Joe-Alton-About-us-600-x-300.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Amy-Alton-Joe-Alton-About-us-600-x-300.png)The Altons

Hey, if you believe in our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family, take a second to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Also, check out our #1 Amazon bestseller, the brand n[ew 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?crid=2FX74EXCL1WMM&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook+4th+edition&qid=1630945975&sprefix=survival+medicine%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=1d4147d216125e2c94f40e226c5f3a39&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)! Get a signed copy or a color limited edition at our store!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png) ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email")

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Nuclear Events/Radiation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-nuclear-events-radiation/) 

 [Video: Unboxing The 4th Edition](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-unboxing-the-4th-edition/)

**Categories:** anxiety and depression, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, VideoCast, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton np, anxiety, depression, joe alton md, medical preparedness, PTSD, survival medicine

---

### [Proper Storage Of Survival Meds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/proper-storage-of-survival-meds/)

**Published:** September 1, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/drugs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/drugs.jpg)

Being prepared for disasters means storing food, but it also means putting together a stockpile of [medical supplies](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). While bandages and instruments may keep acceptably in a variety of environments, medications are another story. How medicines are stored can affect their potency over time. To maintain the maximum effectiveness of the drugs, there are several factors that deserve your attention: **heat, humidity, and light**.

**Heat:** Many medicines are best stored in a cool environment. The effective life of a drug usually is in inverse relation to the temperature it is stored at. In other words, a drug stored at 50 degrees Fahrenheit will last much longer than one stored at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Having said that, most medications are meant to be stored at room temperature. Insulin and some antibiotic elixirs are an exception, and should be stored in the refrigerator, although one recent study on insulin showed little short-term (one month) degradation at room temperature. A good rule of thumb is that, unless the bottle contains labeling that says otherwise, it’s unnecessary (and often harmful) to freeze or otherwise diverge from the advice given by the manufacturer.

**Light:** Much like excessive exposure to the sun could damage skin, light sometimes could have an ill effect on certain drugs. These meds are commonly stored in brownish-colored or amber bottles. Keep all medicines in their original containers, but place them in a dark place for long-term storage.

**Humidity:** Medicines should be kept as dry as possible. It might be a good idea, however, to remove the cotton ball commonly placed with some drugs, as it could pull moisture into the container. Concerns about humidity is why medicines often come with small packets of desiccant (drying crystals or powder) inside the container. Moisture could cause mold and mildew to form, especially on natural remedies such as dried herbs and powders. These often spoil after a year or so.

Most folks store medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet, but you might be surprised to know that the moisture from showers and baths can degrade drugs significantly. Instead, consider a high shelf in a closet or a dedicated storage box.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/apothecary-bottles-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/apothecary-bottles-scaled.jpg)

One of the questions we’re often asked is whether drugs will benefit from vacuum sealing. Although you’ll find opinions everywhere, there seems to be little hard data on the issue. It would be logical that more drugs would be vacuum packed by the manufacturer if it was that important to maintain potency. Pharmaceutical companies want you to discard older meds, however, so they might not be motivated to recommend it.

Vacuum packing would protect against moisture but wouldn’t affect other preservation factors like temperature or light. As meds do best in their original containers, it seems that, with the possible exception of powder packets, it wouldn’t be an essential storage method in most cases. It makes sense, however, to vacuum pack dried herbs and some other natural products.

**How Drugs Go Bad**

Although many drugs last well beyond their expiration dates, there are always concerns as to whether a drug has “gone bad.” There are three ways this can happen:

• **PHYSICAL MEANS**: Deterioration due to factors like heat, evaporation, freezing, change in coloration, etc.

• **CHEMICAL MEANS:** Deterioration due to reactions like oxidation that change the composition, concentration, odor, or other characteristic of a substance.

• **MICROBIAL MEANS:** Deterioration due to contamination by organisms like mold, fungi, bacteria, etc.

Many times, it might be hard to tell if a drug has been affected negatively by improper storage; other times, it’s pretty obvious. Aspirin pills, for example, can develop a vinegar- or ammonia-like smell (even before the expiration date). Besides smell, a change in color or consistency may signal that a medication has degraded. If pills or capsules are harder or softer than normal or stick together, be wary. In liquids, color or viscosity changes may be a sign, as could an unusual odor or if solids accumulate at the base of an ampule or vial.

Some people get their meds through the mail. If so, choose overnight shipping whenever possible to avoid prolonged travel time. A 1995 FDA study found that a standard black mailbox can reach 136 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer heat. Excessive time in the hot sun or extreme cold for a long period of time can cause drug deterioration. A better alternative may be to deliver them where you can take possession personally and immediately. For many, this might be the workplace instead of the home.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)That ol’ Dr. Bones

Hey, have you checked out our brand new 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook, the essential guide for when help is NOT on the way? If you support our mission, please [click here](https://amzn.to/3DMWjWG) to read all about it. Also, if you’re in the market for a quality medical kit or individual supplies for your storage, you can’t go wrong with any in our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Mass Casualty Incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mass-casualty-incidents-2/) 

 [Video: Unboxing The 4th Edition](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-unboxing-the-4th-edition/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Supplies, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** drug spoilage, drug storage, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Unboxing The 4th Edition](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-unboxing-the-4th-edition/)

**Published:** August 29, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Unboxing-The-Survival-medicine-Handbook-The-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Unboxing-The-Survival-medicine-Handbook-The-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-scaled.jpg)

[Video: Unboxing The 4th Edition](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-unboxing-the-4th-edition/)

A strange package arrived at our house yesterday, which prompted ol’ Dr. Bones to get out the stethoscope (might be a bomb, you never know) and perform a delivery. Imagine his and Nurse Amy’s surprise when it turned out to be the brand new [4th Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=73c6ee4e26e28a39e35e6f640f1f1819&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl): The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the way! The good doctor and Nurse Amy compare it to its older edition siblings…

To watch, click below:

The currently available [4th editio](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=73c6ee4e26e28a39e35e6f640f1f1819&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)n is the black and white version, which can be found on Amazon as well as our store, make sure you get the latest with the medical kit on the left side and saying “[Fourth Editio](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=73c6ee4e26e28a39e35e6f640f1f1819&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)n.” Still to come is the limited edition color version of the book (signed and numbered), which is available for preorder at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/).

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png) ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email")

 [Proper Storage Of Survival Meds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/proper-storage-of-survival-meds/) 

 [Video: The 4TH EDITION](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-4th-edition/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** 4th edition survival medicine handbook, amy alton np, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival, survival medicine

---

### [Video: The 4TH EDITION](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-4th-edition/)

**Published:** August 26, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-announcement-video-canva-scaled.jpg)

Let me ask you a question: Would you be prepared to keep you family healthy if a disaster took away everything we take for granted? Could you be an effective medic when hospitals are overcrowded and the ambulance is heading in the other direction? Could you take over if you were the highest medical asset left? Medical preparedness advocates Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP’s award-winning “Survival Medicine Handbook: A guide for when help is NOT on the way” is now out in its [greatly expanded and revised 4th edition](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988872501?pf_rd_r=M2XP7NQDX3ZE3JNNEENN&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=33d906e9-65ea-490d-8462-5cdd6f47398a&pd_rd_w=aSJ5p&pd_rd_wg=KOwol&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=15fd6b583c035163e1f8e5c9d6d58894&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)!

In this video, Dr. Joe Alton announces the greatly expanded 4th edition’s publication and shows you the entire table of contents scrolling by as he talks about how we got to where we are now.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Check out the new book on[ Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988872501?pf_rd_r=M2XP7NQDX3ZE3JNNEENN&pf_rd_p=8fe9b1d0-f378-4356-8bb8-cada7525eadd&pd_rd_r=33d906e9-65ea-490d-8462-5cdd6f47398a&pd_rd_w=aSJ5p&pd_rd_wg=KOwol&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=15fd6b583c035163e1f8e5c9d6d58894&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) or get a personally signed copy (black and white/color) at our website at [store.doo](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)[mandbloo](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)[m.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Unboxing The 4th Edition](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-unboxing-the-4th-edition/) 

 [The Survival Medicine Handbook's 4TH EDITION](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbooks-4th-edition/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized

**Tags:** amy alton np, fourth edition, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, survival medicine handbook

---

### [The Survival Medicine Handbook's 4TH EDITION](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbooks-4th-edition/)

**Published:** August 25, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

We’re pleased to announce the publication of [the brand new and greatly expanded 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=20509d69619722e2b85d67c9f19f01c1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) Handbook on Amazon! After an entire year of putting it together, we believe the new version to be a major improvement on the Book Excellence Award-winning 3rd Edition from more than 5 years ago. We’re also happy that we can publish the new edition at the exact same price as the 2016 book, something you can’t say about a lot of things nowadays.

(Note: If you’d like to receive a personally signed copy of our book or a special signed color numbered limited edition book, go to our store at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)!)

Of course, the big question readers may ask, especially those who own previous editions of The Survival Medicine Handbook, is what’s different about this book that makes it better than the last edition? [The 4th Edition](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=20509d69619722e2b85d67c9f19f01c1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) has a lot more information and topics, plus many more how-to illustrations and images (about 350!) than the 3rd Edition. So much so, that the book is now physically larger. If we had kept the book the same size, it would have been over 1000 pages!

Compared to the 3rd Edition’s 10 sections, we’ve revamped [the 4th Edition](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=20509d69619722e2b85d67c9f19f01c1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) into 35 sections with more chapters and subchapters than you can shake a stick at. The table of contents is published below in its entirety. Every old chapter has been revised and almost all old topics are discussed in much more detail. To take some examples, the eye chapter discusses traumatic injuries and treatment in detail, something only touched upon in the previous edition. The ear chapter has added foreign objects and other non-infection related issues. Trauma sections have added blunt trauma/crush injuries, internal bleeding, specific fracture and dislocation areas, traction, new tourniquets and other useful technology like the ITClamp® and Zipstitch®. The step by step instructions, (often illustrated) many graciously given to us for the book by brand name manufacturers, include:

- Casting a fracture
- Applying splints to various areas
- Inserting a decompression needle
- Placing airways
- Applying chest seals
- Inserting a chest tube and drainage system
- Reducing different types of dislocations
- Stopping extremity and non-extremity bleeding (in different parts of the body)
- Incision and drainage
- Wound debridement
- Placing a nasal pack
- Much, much more

Respiratory infections, food contamination, dehydration, animal-related injuries, pregnancy, integrative medicine, and skin issues are greatly expanded. Nurse Practitioner Amy has added an additional section on daily nursing care for injured and sick patients. We even discuss topics like rectal rehydration and safe burial practices. There’s a lot more, as you’ll see as you progress through the table of contents. We hope you’ll consider ou[r new 4th Edition](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=20509d69619722e2b85d67c9f19f01c1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) for your survival library. You’ll be glad you did. Oh, and check out greatly-appreciated testimonials from the experts at the bottom of the page!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-819x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/4th-edition-COVER-final-scaled.jpg)

## **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

PREFACE: The fourth edition

**WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK**

**GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THIS BOOK**

SECTION 1: PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS

**THE CASE FOR MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS**

**THE NEW NORMAL**

**WHAT IS SURVIVAL MEDICINE?**

**INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE**

 **-Spirituality and Survival**

**THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY**

**PERSONAL GOALS AND SURVIVAL**

**THE PATIENT ADVOCATE**

SECTION 2: BECOMING A MEDICAL ASSET

**THE STATUS ASSESSMENT**

 **-What Are Your Responsibilities**

 **-What Scenario Are You Preparing For?**

 **-How Many People Are You Responsible For?**

 **-What Are Your Provisions For Special Needs?**

 **-What Physical Environment Will You Live In?**

 **-How Long Will You Needed As Medic?**

 **-How Do You Obtain Knowledge and Training?**

**MEDICAL ISSUES YOU’LL FACE**

**USEFUL MEDICAL SKILLS**

SECTION 3: MEDICAL SUPPLIES

**THE MEDIC’S BAG**

**MEDICAL KITS FOR AUSTERE SETTINGS**

 **-Personal Carry (IFAK) Kit**

 **-The Vehicle Kit**

 **-The Family Kit**

 **-The Field Hospital**

 **-How Much Is Enough?**

**MEDICAL SUPPLIES AS BARTER**

**MASKS AND GLOVES**

**STERILE VS. CLEAN**

**HOW TO DISINFECT MEDICAL SUPPLIES**

**ULTRAVIOLET GERMICIDAL RADIATION**

SECTION 4: NATURAL MEDICINE

**TYPES OF NATURAL HERB PRODUCTS**

 **-Colloidal Silver**

**ESSENTIAL OILS**

 **-Ways To Extract Essential Oils**

 **-Using Essential Oils**

 **-“Essential” Essential Oils**

**HERBAL TEAS**

 **-Herbal Tinctures**

**GROWING MEDICINAL GARDENS**

 **-Seeds And Cuttings**

 **-Harvesting**

 **-Useful Herbs for The Garden**

**CBD**

**BOOSTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM**

 **-Sleep**

 **-Nutrition**

 **-Stress**

 **-Bad Habits**

 **-Probiotics**

 **-Herbs**

 **-Supplements**

SECTION 5: THE HISTORY AND PHYSICAL

**THE MEDICAL HISTORY**

**PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION**

**THE PROBLEM-ORIENTED EXAM**

 **-The SOAP Note**

**VITAL SIGNS**

 **-Pulse Rate**

 **-Respirations**

 **-Blood Pressure**

 **-Body Temperature**

 **-Mental Status**

**THE PHYSICAL EXAM**

 **-Head and Neck**

 **-The Chest Exam**

 **-The Abdominal Exam**

 **-Extremities**

SECTION 6: HYGIENE AND SANITATION

**HANDWASHING**

**FOOD AND WATER SAFETY**

 **-Water Filters**

 **-Water Disinfection**

 **-Preparing Food Properly**

**DEALING WITH HUMAN WASTE**

**RODENTS AS A SANITATION HAZARD**

 **-Rodent Proofing a Retreat**

**SAFE BURIAL PRACTICES**

SECTION 7: HEAT, COLD, AND ALTITUDE ISSUES

**TEMPERATURE REGULATION**

**HYPERTHERMIA**

 **-Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke**

 **-Treating Heat-Related Illness**

**HYPOTHERMIA**

 **-How the Body Loses Heat**

 **-Symptoms of Hypothermia**

 **-Levels of Hypothermia**

 **-Treating Hypothermia**

 **-Prevention of Hypothermia**

**FROSTBITE/IMMERSION FOOT**

 **-Stages of Frostbite**

 **-Immersion Foot**

 **-Treating Frostbite/Immersion Foot**

**COLD WATER SAFETY**

 **-Falling Through the Ice**

**ALTITUDE SICKNESS**

SECTION 8: NATURAL DISASTERS

**BLIZZARD SURVIVAL**

**AVALANCHE SURVIVAL**

**HEAT WAVE SURVIVAL**

**TORNADO SURVIVAL**

**HURRICANE SURVIVAL**

**FLOOD SURVIVAL**

**LIGHTNING SURVIVAL**

**EARTHQUAKE SURVIVAL**

**MUDSLIDE SURVIVAL**

**MARITIME SURVIVAL**

 **-Stranded at Sea**

 **-Hazards Posed by Sea Creatures**

 **-Near Drowning

SECTION 9: RADIATION/BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL EVENTS

**NUCLEAR EVENTS**

 **-Types of Nuclear Weapons**

 **-Damage Caused by Nuclear Attacks**

 **-Radiation Exposure**

 **-Nuclear Reactor Meltdowns**

**RADIATION SICKNESS**

 **-Prevention**

 **-Treatment**

**BIOLOGICAL WARFARE**

 **-Biological Agents**

 **-Biological vs. Chemical Warfare**

**CHEMICAL WARFARE**

 **-Chemical Accidents**

 **-Treatment of Chemical Exposure**

SECTION 10: HEAD ISSUES

**HEADACHE**

 **-Types of Headaches**

 **-Headache Relief**

**TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES**

 **-Concussions**

 **-Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention**

**STROKES**

 **-Types of Strokes**

 **-Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)**

 **-Identifying a Stroke**

 **-Treating a Stroke**

**EYE ISSUES**

 **-Eye Infections**

 **-Styes**

 **-Eye Trauma**

 **-Foreign Objects**

 **-Corneal Abrasions**

 **-Other Injuries to The Eye**

**EAR ISSUES**

 **-Using an Otoscope**

 **-Otitis Externa**

 **-Otitis Media**

 **-Otitis Interna and Vertigo**

 **-The Ruptured Eardrum**

 **-Wax Blockage/Foreign Objects**

 **-Tinnitus**

 **-TMJ**

**NASAL ISSUES**

 **-Nosebleeds**

 **-Placing a Nasal Pack**

 **-The “Broken” Nose**

 **-Foreign Object Removal**

SECTION 11: DENTAL ISSUES

**DENTAL ANATOMY**

 **-Dental Hygiene**

 **-Tooth Decay and Gum Disease**

 **-Diet And Decay**

**THE SURVIVAL DENTAL KIT**

**THE DENTAL EXAM**

 **-Toothache**

 **-Temporary Fillings**

**TOOTH ABSCESSES**

 **-Signs and Symptoms**

 **-Treatment and Prevention of Tooth Abscesses**

**DENTAL TRAUMA**

 **-Dental Fractures (Broken Teeth)**

 **-Dental Subluxations (Loose Teeth)**

 **-Dental Avulsions (Teeth Knocked Out)**

**DENTAL EXTRACTION**

 **-Other Oral Cavity Injuries**

Section 12: RESPIRATORY ISSUES

**UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS**

 **-The Common Cold**

 **-Influenza**

 **-Colds vs. Flus**

 **-Treating Colds and Flus**

 **-Treating a Fever**

 **-Pharyngitis**

 **-Epiglottitis**

 **-Tonsillitis**

 **-Sinusitis**

 **-Laryngitis**

**LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS**

 **-Croup**

 **-Bronchitis**

 **-Pneumonia**

 **-Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome**

 **-Prevention of Major Respiratory Infections**

**NATURAL RESPIRATORY REMEDIES**

**CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE**

 **-Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis**

 **-COPD and Smoking**

 **-Treatment and Prevention of COPD**

**ASTHMA**

 **-Symptoms of Asthma**

 **-Treatment of Asthma**

 **-Natural Remedies For Asthma**

SECTION 13: HEART ISSUES

**HEART ATTACK**

 **-Other causes of Chest Pain**

 **-Cholesterol and The Heart**

**CPR IN AUSTERE SETTINGS**

 **-Airway Obstruction**

 **-Tracheotomy/Cricothyroidotomy**

 **-CPR in Cardiac Arrests**

 **-Maintaining An Open Airway**

SECTION 14: ABDOMINAL ISSUES

**ACID REFLUX**

 **-Gastritis**

 **-Peptic Ulcers

 **-Treating Acid Inflammation**

**THE PANCREAS**

**THE SPLEEN**

**THE LIVER

 **-Hepatitis**

**THE GALL BLADDER

**INTESTINAL INFECTIONS

 **-Botulism

 **-Campylobacter

 **-Cholera

 **-Cryptosporidium

 **-Cyclospora

 **-Dysentery

 **-E. Coli

 **-Giardiasis

 **-Norovirus

 **-Rotavirus

 **-Trichinosis

 **-Typhoid Fever (and Typhus)**

**PARASITIC WORMS

 **-Types of Worms

 **-Treatment**

**DIARRHEA AND DEHYDRATION**

 **-Dehydration**

 **-Oral Rehydration**

 **-Rectal Rehydration**

 **-Treating Diarrhea**

**CONSTIPATION**

 **-Fecal Disimpaction**

**FOOD POISONING**

 **-Edibility testing**

**APPENDICITIS**

**DIVERTICULOSIS/ITIS**

**INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE**

 **-Crohn’s Disease**

 **-Ulcerative Colitis**

**HEMORRHOIDS**

 **-Incision of External Hemorrhoids**

SECTION 15: URINARY TRACT ISSUES

**THE KIDNEY**

 **-Kidney Stones**

 **-Kidney Infections**

 **-Kidney Trauma**

**BLADDER INFECTIONS**

SECTION 16: GENITAL TRACT ISSUES

**MALE GENITAL TRACT**

 **-Prostate Issues**

 **-The Enlarged Prostate**

 **-Urinary Retention**

 **-Epididymitis**

 **-Jock Itch**

**FEMALE GENITAL TRACT**

 **-Ovarian Cysts**

 **-Tubal Pregnancy**

 **-Endometriosis**

 **-Fibroids**

 **-Vaginal Yeast Infections**

**SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (BACTERIAL)**

**SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (VIRAL)**

**SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (OTHER)**

SECTION 17: BONES AND JOINTS

**STRAINS, SPRAINS, AND OTHER INJURIES**

 **-Sprains**

 **-Wrapping a Sprain**

 **-Sprains vs. Fractures**

 **-Bone Contusions (Bruises)**

 **-Strains**

 **-Tendinitis**

 **-Plantar Fasciitis**

 **-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome**

 **-Orthopedic Natural Remedies**

**FRACTURES**

 **-Types of Fractures**

 **-How a Broken Bone Heals**

 **-Evaluating the Fracture**

 **-Reducing a Deformity**

 **-Traction**

 **-Applying Splints**

 **-Placing a Cast**

 **-Care of Casts and Splints**

 **-Fractured Clavicle (Collarbone)**

 **-Open Fracture Wound Care**

 **-Long-Term Fracture Care**

**DISLOCATIONS**

 **-Shoulder Dislocations**

 **-Wrist Dislocations**

 **-Finger Dislocations**

 **-Hip Dislocations**

 **-Knee Dislocations**

 **-Jaw Dislocations**

**AMPUTATION**

**CHRONIC JOINT DISEASES**

 **-Types of Arthritis**

 **-Natural Therapy for Joint Disease**

SECTION 18: SKIN ISSUES

**SKIN RASHES**

 **-Acne**

 **-Eczema**

 **-Atopic Dermatitis**

 **-Contact Dermatitis**

 **-Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac**

 **-Seborrheic Dermatitis**

 **-Stasis Dermatitis and Varicose Veins**

 **-Less Common Types of Eczema**

 **-Natural Eczema Relief**

**HERPES**

**PSORIASIS**

**ROSACEA**

**SKIN INFECTIONS**

 **-Impetigo**

 **-Cellulitis**

 **-Abscesses**

 **-Incision and Drainage**

**HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA**

**TETANUS**

**NAIL BED ISSUES**

 **-Nail Anatomy**

 **-Nail Trauma**

 **-Ingrown Nails**

**BLISTERS, SPLINTERS, AND FISHHOOKS**

 **-Blisters**

 **-Splinters**

 **-Fishhooks**

SECTION 19: animal bites, stings, and other issues

**INSECTS**

 **-Bees/Wasps/Hornets**

 **-Fire Ants**

 **-Chiggers**

 **-Bedbugs**

 **-Lice and Scabies**

 **-Kissing Bugs**

**MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES**

 **-Malaria**

 **-Zika**

 **-Chikungunya**

 **-Dengue Fever**

 **-Yellow Fever**

 **-West Nile and Related Viruses**

 **-Mosquito Control**

**ARACHNIDS**

 **-Black Widow Spiders**

 **-Brown Recluse Spiders**

 **-Scorpions**

 **-Ticks**

 **-Lyme Disease**

 **-Other Tick-Borne Illnesses**

**SNAKE BITE**

 **-Pit Vipers**

 **-Elapids**

 **-Treating A Snake Bite**

**ANIMAL ATTACKS**

 **-Cat Bites**

 **-Dog Bites**

 **-Wild Animal Bites**

 **-Rabies**

 **-Treating Animal Bites**

 **-Skunks**

**LARGE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS**

 **-Bears**

 **-Cougars**

 **-Wild Boars**

 **-Wolves**

 **-Alligators and Crocodiles**

 **-Human Bites**

SECTION 20: ALLERGic reactions and anaphylaxis

**ALLERGIES**

 **-How Allergens Cause Reactions**

 **-Types of Allergens**

 **-Drug Treatment of Allergies**

 **-Natural Treatment of Allergies**

**ANAPHYLAXIS**

 **-Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis**

 **-Treatment of Anaphylaxis**

SECTION 21: MINOR WOUNDS

**CUTS, SCRAPES, AND BRUISES**

 –**Herbal Treatments For Minor Wounds**

SECTION 22: BURNS

**BURN DEGREES**

 **-First Degree Burns And Treatment**

 **-Second Degree Burns And Treatment**

 **-Third Degree Burns And Treatment**

 **-Natural Burn Remedies**

SECTION 23: BLEEDING TRAUMA

**BLOOD BASICS**

 **-Physical Effects of Blood Loss**

**EVALUATION IN THE FIELD**

**BLEEDING CONTROL TECHNIQUES**

 **-Direct Pressure**

 **-Packing a Bleeding Wound**

 **-Non-Extremity Bleeding**

**TOURNIQUETS**

 **-Other Bleeding Control Devices**

**HEMOSTATIC DRESSINGS**

 **-Compression Bandages**

**CONVERTING A TOURNIQUET**

 **-Wound Care After Bleeding Control**

SECTION 24: MAJOR WOUNDS

**CHEST TRAUMA**

 **-Rib Fractures**

 **-Pneumothorax**

 **-Needle Decompression**

 **-Chest Seals**

 **-Chest Tubes**

**BLUNT TRAUMA**

 **-How Blunt Trauma Damages Tissue**

 **-Motor Vehicle Accidents**

 **-Falls from Height**

 **-Identifying Internal Injuries**

**STAB WOUNDS**

 **-Treating a Stab Wound**

**GUNSHOT WOUNDS**

 **-Ballistic Trauma**

 **-Treating a Gunshot Wound**

**BODY ARMOR**

**CRUSH INJURIES**

**SHOCK**

SECTION 25: OPEN WOUND CARE

**HOW SOFT TISSUE HEALS**

 **-Signs of Wound Infection**

**DAILY WOUND CARE**

**WOUND IRRIGATION**

 **-Making Irrigation Solutions**

**DEBRIDEMENT OF NON-VIABLE TISSUE**

**ANTIBIOTICS AND NATURAL WOUND TREATMENTS**

**DRESSINGS AND BANDAGES**

**-The “Wet-to-Dry” Dressing

SECTION 26: WOUND CLOSURE

**CLOSE A WOUND OR KEEP IT OPEN?

**LOCAL ANESTHESIA

**METHODS OF WOUND CLOSURE**

 **-Tapes and Glues**

 **-Sutures and Staples**

 **-Suturing Materials**

**HOW TO SUTURE SKIN**

**HOW TO STAPLE SKIN**

**DRAINS**

**PERFORMING DRESSING CHANGES**

SECTION 27: MASS CASUALTIES

**MASS CASUALTY INCIDENTS**

 **-The Five S’s Of MCI Triage**

 **-S.T.A.R.T.**

**PRIMARY TRIAGE SCENARIO**

 **-RPMs**

 **-Scenario Results**

**ACTIVE SHOOTERS AND TERROR EVENTS**

 **-Shooter events**

 **-Run, Hide, Fight**

 **-The OODA Loop of Situational Awareness**

**VEHICULAR TERROR**

**CIVIL UNREST SAFETY**

**THE MEDIC UNDER FIRE**

 **-Zones of Care**

SECTION 28: PATIENT TRANSPORT

**CONTROLLED TRANSPORT**

 **-Transport Using Materials At Hand**

 **-Transport Using No Materials**

SECTION 29: PREGNANCY, AND CHILDBIRTH

**PREGNANCY IN SURVIVAL SETTINGS**

 **-Pregnancy and Childbirth Complications**

**PREVENTING PREGNANCY OFF THE GRID**

 **-Natural Family Planning**

**PREGNANCY BASICS**

 **-Diagnosing Pregnancy**

**PRENATAL CARE**

**LABOR AND DELIVERY**

 **-Stages of Labor**

 **-First Stage**

 **-Second Stage**

 **-Delivering The Baby**

 **-Breech Birth and Multiples**

 **-Third Stage (placenta)**

**POST PARTUM CARE**

SECTION 30: OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS

**HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE**

 **-Treatment and Prevention**

**DIABETES**

 **-Types of Diabetes**

 **-Symptoms of Diabetes**

 **-Treating Diabetes Off the Grid**

 **-Diabetic Emergencies**

**THYROID ISSUES**

 **-Hyperthyroidism**

 **-Hypothyroidism**

 **-Goiter and Other Thyroid Issues**

**SEIZURE DISORDERS**

 **-Types of Seizures**

 **-Syncope (Fainting) or Seizure?**

**ANEMIA**

 **-Types of Anemia**

Section 31: PANDEMICS

**GERMS THAT CAUSE DISEASE**

 **-Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic**

 **-How Infections Spread**

**IMMUNITY**

**INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS**

 **-Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic**

**DISEASES THAT CAUSE PANDEMICS**

 **-The R-Nought Number**

**COVID-19**

**THE EPIDEMIC SICK ROOM**

 **-Separate Areas for Injured Patients**

 **-Disinfectants and Contact Times**

SECTION 32: NURSING CARE OFF THE GRID

**NURSING CARE PROTOCOLS FOR THE SICK AND INJURED**

 **-Vital Signs And Charting**

 **-Safety And Shelter**

 **-Hygiene And Sanitation**

 **-Nutrition And Hydration**

 **-The Bedridden Patient**

Section 33: MENTAL HEALTH

**ANXIETY**

**DEPRESSION**

 **-Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome**

**SLEEP DEPRIVATION**

 **-Sleep Hygiene**

 **-Natural Remedies for Sleep**

SECTION 34: MEDICATIONS

**ESSENTIAL OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS**

**PAIN MEDICATIONS**

**NATURAL PAIN RELIEF**

SECTION 35: ANTIBIOTICS

**MAKING THE CASE FOR ANTIBIOTICS**

 **-Risks Associated with Antibiotics**

 **-Stockpiling Other Medications**

**HOW TO USE ANTIBIOTICS**

 **-Amoxicillin**

 **-Ciprofloxacin**

 **-Cephalexin**

 **-Doxycycline**

 **-Azithromycin**

 **-Clindamycin**

 **-Levofloxacin**

 **-Metronidazole**

 **-Sulfa Drugs**

 **-Ampicillin**

 **-Erythromycin**

 **-Minocycline**

 **-Fluconazole**

 **-Other Antifungal Drugs**

 **-Antiviral Drugs**

**WHICH AND HOW MANY?**

 **-Determining How Much To Store**

 **-Preferred Antibiotics**

**EXPIRATION DATES**

**PROPER STORAGE Of MEDICINES**

 **-Drug Spoilage**

**AND MUCH MORE!**

## [TESTIMONIALS](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Essential-Guide/dp/0988872501?dchild=1&keywords=joseph+alton+md&qid=1629899967&sr=8-11&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=20509d69619722e2b85d67c9f19f01c1&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) (Thanks, guys!)

“I have known and worked with the Joe and Amy Alton for over 10 years now. They have been an invaluable resource to my community at The Survival Podcast. I know of **no other individuals who have done as much to educate the prepper community as to medical preparedness**.”

-Jack Spirko, Owner and Founder of The Survival Podcast

“You can’t purchase medical preparedness like you can buy other survival and preparedness gear. Medical preparedness is 90% knowledge and know-how! That is why I always say, **the first book any prepper should own is The Survival Medical Handbook** by Dr. Joe and Amy Alton!”

-Todd Sepulveda, Founder, PrepperWebsite.com, ThePrepperWebsitePodcast.com

“As a person responsible for many people. I keep my Survival Medicine Handbook nearby. If you’re not a medical provider, this book will help you keep someone alive until help arrives. **Kudos to Joe and Amy for their dedication to teaching austere medicine** through their podcasts and publications.”

-Scott Hunt, Author, Engineer775 on YouTube, Owner of Practical Preppers ++tr

“**I’ve relied on Joe and Amy Alton for timely and important medical articles for more than 20 years.** They increase the magazine’s value, and they are a part of the reason we are not simply read and tossed, but read and kept in a drawer for later rereading.”

-Dave Duffy, Founder and Editor Emeritus, Backwoods Home Magazine

“Joe and Amy Alton have long been my preferred source for any information related to medical issues in austere settings. **Their Survival Medicine Handbook (4th edition) should be in every prepper library.** They cover a huge range of topics, with easy to follow and understand steps for diagnosis and treatment for when the professionals aren’t available. I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough.”

-Jim Cobb, Editor-in-Chief, Prepper Survival Guide Magazine

“**Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy have been on the forefront of preparedness and have established themselves as experts in the world of survival medicine**. I appreciate the way they are able to take complex concepts and teach them in a way anyone can understand. I’ve owned every edition of their Survival Medicine Handbook and each edition I’ve marked and highlighted!”

-Lisa Bedford, Founder, TheSurvivalMom.com

“**If the situation calls for you to be the medic for family or friends, the best resource you could possibly have is right here in this book.** Joe and Amy Alton have used their knowledge, experience and compassion to build a reference guide that exemplifies the standard of care we should all strive to provide if we find ourselves as first responders. I am confident in trusting Joe and Amy for all my medical preparations and information and proud to think of them as part of my family.”

-Charley Hogwood, Author, The Survival Group Handbook and The Bound to Survive series, Founder of ReadyGoPrep.com

“I have found Joe and Amy and their detailed Survival Medicine Handbook to be THE “GO TO” resource that I recommend to ALL our video students. **They are trailblazers in Survival Medicine Education and I can’t think of anyone else I would recommend learning this valuable and lifesaving information** more than my colleagues and friends, Joe and Amy Alton.”

-Karen Hood, Cofounder & Owner of Survival Quarterly

“**Joe and Amy are among the biggest assets and contributors to the preparedness community and have been so for the past few decades**. The medical expertise they provide is a necessity to both a beginner prepper as well as those who have been prepping for years.”

-Forrest Garvin, CEO of Sun Oven & Founder of PrepperNet.Net

“In the day and age where medical specialists have more diagnostic technology, more education and testing than ever before… but seem confused and unable to pinpoint medical problems… Joe and Amy’s information gets to the root of your issue. **Tried and true medical knowledge that you can read and understand.**”

-Jack Lawson, Author, Civil Defense Manual

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: The 4TH EDITION](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-4th-edition/) 

 [Earthquake Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/earthquake-survival-2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton np, joe alton md, survival medicine handbook

---

### [Earthquake Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/earthquake-survival-2/)

**Published:** August 23, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1044748162-earthquake-road-damage-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1044748162-earthquake-road-damage-scaled.jpg)

Given the chaos in Afghanistan, hardly any reporting has been devoted to a [horrific earthquake which devastated Haiti ](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/haiti-earthquake-death-toll-rises-gang-leader-offers-truce/)recently. Currently, more than 2,200 are known dead and over 12,000 injured. 600,000 Haitian citizens have been affected by the 7.2 magnitude quake.

West-coasters are aware that [earthquakes are a hard reality](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?extent=15.11455,-143.87695&extent=56.02295,-46.05469), but few really consider the threat far off the US East coast on the island of Hispaniola, home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Yet, earthquakes here are most devastating due to the impoverished nature of the two countries. If the U.S. were suddenly thrown off the grid, we could expect similar results. In Haiti, things are so bad that [gang leaders](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/haiti-earthquake-death-toll-rises-gang-leader-offers-truce/) are both hindering and helping the rescue effort.

Most earthquakes occur near “**fault lines**.” A fault is a fracture in bedrock where movement releases energy that can cause major surface disruptions. This movement is sometimes called a “**seismic wave**.”

The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the “**hypocenter**”; the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the “**epicenter**.” The largest, main earthquake is called the “**mainshock**.” Mainshocks always have “**aftershocks**” that follow. These are smaller earthquakes that occur afterwards in the same place as the mainshock. Sometimes, hundreds of aftershocks may follow the mainshock.

The strength of an earthquake has been historically measured using the **Richter scal**e. This measurement (from 0-10 or more) identifies the magnitude of tremors at a certain location. Quakes less than 2.0 on the Richter scale occur every day, but are unlikely to be noticed by the average person. Each increase of 1.0 magnitude increases the strength by a factor of 10. The highest registered one was The [Great Chilean Earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_Valdivia_earthquake) of 1960 (9.5 on the Richter scale).

A newer measurement, the **Moment Magnitude scale**, calculates each point of magnitude as releasing more than 30 times the energy of the previous one. It is considered more accurate than the Richter scale, especially for higher magnitude earthquakes.

If the energy is released offshore, a “tsunami” or tidal wave may be generated. In [Fukushima, Japan](https://www.britannica.com/event/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011), a powerful earthquake (8.9 magnitude) and tsunami wreaked havoc in 2011, causing major damage, loss of life, and nuclear reactor meltdowns.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1245353269-devastation-tornado-earthquake-1024x576.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1245353269-devastation-tornado-earthquake-scaled.jpg)

A major earthquake is especially dangerous due to its unpredictability. Unlike hurricanes, there is usually little notice given beforehand. Unless it happens in the dead of night, it’s unlikely you will all be in the house together; each member, therefore, must know what to do no matter where they are when the first tremor is felt. Planning ahead will give a medic the best chance of gathering the family or group together and making the best of a bad situation.

To be prepared, you’ll need, at the very least, the following:

- Food and water (and water filters).
- Power sources.
- Alternative shelters.
- Medical supplies.
- Clothing appropriate to the weather.
- Blankets.
- Fire extinguishers.
- Flashlights and batteries.
- Means of communication.
- Portable radio.
- Money (don’t count on credit or debit cards if the power’s down).
- Adjustable wrench to turn off gas or water.
- Cash in small bills.
- Whistle or other noisemaker (in case you’re trapped under debris).

In high-risk areas, most schools have strategies to employ in case of earthquakes. This may involve moving children to shelters. Be aware of your municipality’s plan of action so you’ll know where to find your kids.

It would be appropriate to always have a “get-home” bag put together at work or in the car. Some food, liquids, and a pair of sturdy, comfortable shoes are useful items to have available.

Especially important to know is where your gas, electric, and water main shutoffs are at home. Make sure that everyone who’s old enough has an idea of how to turn them off if there’s a leak or electrical short. Know where the nearest medical facility is but be aware that you may be on your own. Roads will be damaged and medical responders are going to be overwhelmed; they’re unlikely to reach you quickly.

**Before The Quake Hits**

Considering the unpredictability of quakes, it’s important to do everything possible to minimize damage and prevent injuries before they occur. It may not be possible to completely “earthquake-proof” a home, but some simple planning can make a big difference.

Look around your house for fixtures like chandeliers and shelving that might not be stable enough to withstand a quake. Make sure that any heavy or breakable items are on the bottom shelves or on the floor. Bookcases should be secured to the walls. Remove art or other items over the headboards of beds. Flat screen TVs, especially large ones, could easily topple if not anchored. Secure weed killers, pesticides, and other flammable items in closed containers away from common areas.

**When The Quake Hits**

What should you do when the tremors start? If you’re indoors, remember to **Drop, Cover, and Hold On**. Drop and get under a table, desk, mattress, or other solid cover, and hold on. If nothing’s available, huddle against the inside corner of a room and cover your head with your hands. Be sure to stay clear of windows, shelves, and kitchen areas.

If the building is shaking violently, don’t try to run out; Most injuries seem to occur when falling downstairs or struck by debris. Avoid elevators. Don’t be surprised if the electricity goes out, fire alarms ring, and sprinkler systems activate.

You’ve probably heard that standing in a doorway is safest because of the frame’s sturdiness. It turns out that, in modern homes, many doorways aren’t more solid than any other part of the structure.

Once the initial tremors are over, get outside. Once there, stay as far away from power lines, chimneys, walls, and anything else that could fall on top of you.

What if you’re in the car when the earthquake hits? Get out of traffic as quickly as possible; other drivers are likely to be less level-headed than you are. Don’t stop under bridges, trees, overpasses, power lines, or light posts: They may collapse. Stay in your vehicle while the tremors are active.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1486974551-earthquake-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_1486974551-earthquake-scaled.jpg)

**In The Aftermath**

Should you go home? If you’re in a coastal area, there might be the risk for tsunamis. In that case, it’s best to head inland. If your residence is heavily damaged, it may be dangerous to enter. Err on the side of caution and watch out for aftershocks.

One issue to be concerned about is gas leaks; make sure you don’t use your camp stoves, lighters, or even matches until you’re certain all is clear. Even a match could ignite a spark that could lead to an explosion. If you turned the gas off, you might consider letting the utility company turn it back on.

Wear personal protection gear including long pants, long sleeves, boots, gloves, and eyewear while cleaning up debris. Be wary of lifting heavy objects without assistance.

Don’t count on telephone service after a natural disaster. Most only have the capacity to deal with 20 percent of call volume at any one time. Interestingly, you’ll have a better chance of communicating via texts due to the wavelength used.

Even if phone service is out, you can monitor local news reports on a battery operated or hand crank radio. Be vigilant about emergency alerts and instructions.

**Trapped Under Debris**

Recently, the plight of people involved in a building collapse made the news when [a building collapsed in Surfside](https://apnews.com/article/technology-florida-surfside-building-collapse-8c92c024cab1511d130898f02cf3489a), Florida. In the worst possible earthquake scenario, you may find yourself trapped under debris. In this circumstance, you’ll probably be inhaling a great deal of dust, so cover your face with an article of clothing or anything else that will serve as a barrier. Don’t light matches, as gas leaks could cause an explosion. Use anything you can to tap on something solid to let people know where you are. If you live in an earthquake zone, it’s a wise move to attach a whistle to your keychain. These are better options than shouting, which can exhaust you pretty quickly.

Hopefully, an earthquake isn’t in your future, but armed with a plan of action, it can be just a bump on the road and not the end of the road for you and your family.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Hey, if you support our mission to put medically-prepared people in every family, check out our entire line of quality medical kits, personal protection items, and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did. And don’t forget, the greatly expanded brand new [4th edition of the Survival Medical Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/) is available for preorder at the store, personally signed to you!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [The Survival Medicine Handbook's 4TH EDITION](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbooks-4th-edition/) 

 [Cloth Masks And Infectious Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/about-cloth-masks/)

**Categories:** Earthquake, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Natural Disasters

**Tags:** earthquake preparedness, epicenter, fault lines, hypocenter, medical preparedness, seismic waves, survival medicine

---

### [Cloth Masks And Infectious Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/about-cloth-masks/)

**Published:** August 22, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-two-Front-view.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-two-Front-view.jpg)Dr. Bones, not the Mandalorian

**I haven’t written about infectious diseases for a while, but a recent trip to my lung specialist to review a chest CAT scan (good news: it was finally clear of pneumonia) found her looking a little haggard. She admitted, doctor-to-doctor, that she’d been spending a lot of time caring for new COVID cases in recently filled local hospital wards.**

**With contagious infectious diseases always a concern for the family medic, it’s probably a good idea to review some of the new research that has come out on cloth masks. The belief that a cloth mask your granny made out of yarn will prevent infection as well as an N95 or even a surgical mask is, in my opinion, pretty dubious (though I’m sure she’s a very nice lady).**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_87715741.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_87715741.jpg)Early on, masks were scarce

**Sure, in early 2020, logistics issues meant that the public had to rely on cloth masks because of the lack of medical-grade supplies. The government specifically asked us to avoid using N95s so that healthcare workers can have some.**

**Sounds fair, but now, there’s a reasonable supply of the higher-quality gear that’s out there for purchase. Still, I see the majority of folks in our area wearing cloth masks in high-risk settings. Is this a wise move in general and in terms of your medical storage?**

**You say you’ve gotten attached to your cloth mask? It even has a moustache painted on it? Great, use it on Halloween. Arguments are now being made that the public, if they choose to wear masks, should start using masks that are more protective. Some countries have even tightened their rules on what masks you can use. For example: In France, homemade masks and store-bought cloth masks are now banned.** **Austria and Germany require real medical masks in many indoor public spaces. The mayor’s office in London is considering a similar requirement.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/MasksN95Loop.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/MasksN95Loop.jpg)

**Now, I’m not saying there is no protection whatsoever from cloth masks. One study** **tested different face masks and reported that fabric face masks blocked at least 62.6% of fine particles, whereas surgical masks protected against an average of 78.2% of fine particles. N95 masks, however, blocked 99.6% of fine particles.**

**Despite the percentages above, how often is a mask fitted properly? How many times have you seen a cloth mask under the nose or basically dangling over the face? That provides zero protection.[ Other research ](https://www.studyfinds.org/face-masks-wont-stop-covid-indoors/)has found that many cloth and even surgical masks only filter about 10 percent of exhaled aerosols. The rest go past, mostly around the cheeks and nosepiece. Higher-quality N95 and KN95 masks do a much better job at blocking aerosol droplets because of a tighter fit. See how to properly fit a medical mask below:**

**The CDC in the U.S. still recommends the use of cloth masks because, face it, they’re better than nothing and they want healthcare workers to have priority for the better items in the current pandemic. However, the average citizen may wind up taking care of a loved one during an epidemic and deserves similar protection. We shouldn’t fool the public into believing that cloth masks are just as good as the real thing.**

**Michael Osterholm, director for the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the U. of Minnesota, recently said that people should upgrade from cloth masks and bandannas to more-effective N95 respirators. He says to not assume that anything you put in front of your face works to prevent infection. He feels that many cloth masks are just not very effective.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-N95-wearing-One-front-view-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-N95-wearing-One-front-view-scaled.jpg)N95 tightly and properly fitted

**Since N95 masks are now more widely available ([see here](https://store.doomandbloom.net/face-masks-3m-n95-aura-9205-niosh-approved-set-of-10-masks/)), it’s worth having some for situations where infectious disease outbreaks are an issue in your community. Every medic should have a strategy for epidemics that they feel is appropriate according to their own research.**

**Personal responsibility should be the key, not politics nor government mandates. Decide the level of protection you need and learn how to use personal protection gear properly.**

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)

Hey, if you support our mission to put medically-prepared people in every family, check out our entire line of quality medical kits, personal protection items, and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did. And don’t forget, the greatly expanded brand new [4th edition of the Survival Medical Handbook](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/) is available for preorder at the store, personally signed to you!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Earthquake Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/earthquake-survival-2/) 

 [Choosing A Medic "Bag"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/choosing-a-medic-bag-2/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** cloth masks, COVID-19, joe alton md, medical preparedness, n95 masks, surgical masks, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Off-Grid Anxiety, Depression, PTSD](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-off-grid-anxiety-depression-ptsd/)

**Published:** August 14, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

In the US, almost twenty percent of the population has problems with anxiety, which is defined as feelings of apprehension, nervousness, and unease. It might be about an imminent event, a current situation, or may be of unknown origin. For example, Israel announced that Iran will complete a nuclear weapon in 10 days, and that was 9 days ago. Also, are we going to need a vaccine passport to travel, work, go to the bathroom? Don’t be surprised. So, yeah, a lot of anxiety. And these are “normal” times. In survival scenarios, anxiety, depression, and PTSD are going to be epidemic among survivors, and the family medic had better be prepared to deal with people suffering from these conditions. Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss ways that you could help out if you were knocked off the grid long-term.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/), plus preorder a personally-signed copy of our upcoming 4TH EDITION of the Survival Medicine Handbook at the website! You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Video Podcast #7](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-video-podcast-7/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Summer Water Hazards](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-summer-water-hazards/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast

**Tags:** amy alton np, anxiety, depression, joe alton md, medical preparedness, PTSD, survival medicine

---

### [Choosing A Medic "Bag"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/choosing-a-medic-bag-2/)

**Published:** August 12, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Survival_Bag_First_Aid_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__32732.1520882285.1280.12801-e1523430747449.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Survival_Bag_First_Aid_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__32732.1520882285.1280.12801-e1523430747449.jpg)

If you are going to be the medical caregiver for your family or community in times of trouble, you will, hopefully, have accumulated a significant number of medical supplies. You’ll find many recommendations about what materials to put into a medical bag, but little about the bag itself. Many choose to buy kits already packed (often in China) and accept whatever bag in which they happen to come, regardless of quality.

Choosing a medic’s bag, however, should be part of your process when deciding on medical supplies. Without a place to organize these items, they’ll probably be strewn about in a way that prevents you from accessing the stuff you need when an emergency arises. This wastes precious time when someone’s life may hang in the balance. Organization is key; if you’re disorganized, you’re not going to provide aid quickly and effectively when most needed.

Having said that, even those who have shelves full of supplies color-coded and categorized alphabetically may not have a good bag that they can take at a moment’s notice to help someone in the field. Even if the bulk of your storage isn’t mobile, you should a separate medical kit packed and ready to go just like the rest of your, well, “go bag” items.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Trauma-Kit-3-Person-Bleeding-Control-Kit-and-Bag.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Trauma-Kit-3-Person-Bleeding-Control-Kit-and-Bag.jpg)

One important aspect of choosing a bag that fits your needs is size. Size matters; you should assess your needs to determine which size bag is right for you. The factors that go into this decision include:

- Are you staying in place or on the move?
- How many people are you responsible for?
- How long will you be the medical resource for your family or group?
- Are you in an area that is potentially dangerous?
- What climate should you be prepared for?
- What medical issues will you be most likely to encounter?
- Can you depend on clean water?
- How much are you comfortable carrying?

The medic’s bag should be substantial (but manageable) in size, but every member of your family will benefit if they carry some supplies in case you get separated. In the military, certain medical supplies are carried by every infantryman. The combat medic carries the more advanced items in a larger bag. This strategy would work well for a family on the move.

[![Prepper Medical Supply Kit](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-Medical-Bag-inside-1-963x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Family-Medical-Bag-inside-1.jpg)

The best medic bags are sturdy with lots of loops and clear or mesh pockets. These bags have everything you’ll need in an emergency in plain sight if packed right, and will avoid the question you never want to ask yourself if someone’s injured: “Where’d I put the tourniquet?” or “Where’d I put the burn dressings?” Closed pouches in the bag could be used for non-emergency items, like certain medicines, water filters, etc.

A good idea is to place your items in modules based on the type of injury, but the important thing is to have things organized in a way that makes sense to you personally. This might mean taking a kit already packed with supplies (even one of our USA-packed kits) and moving things around so the arrangement seems natural to the medic.

Where we put items in our kits seems intuitive to us, but it’s much more important that it does so to you. Don’t just buy a kit, put it in the back of a closet somewhere, and say you’re medically prepared. Open it up, take things out and figure out which materials you know how to use, and work to learn how to use the rest.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TraumaBagODGreen.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TraumaBagODGreen.jpg)

A medical bag doesn’t have to be commercially produced, by the way; a toolbox or other item that sets up your supplies in an organized way may be all that is needed. If it must travel with you, however, so do some hiking while carrying the kit to see how it feels.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones

Hey, you can check out our entire line of medical kits (packed in solid Voodoo Tactical bags right here in the USA) by going to[ store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) And don’t forget, the greatly expanded and revised 4th EDITION of the award-winning Survival Medicine Handbook: The Guide for When Help is NOT on the Way is available for preorder at our [store](https://store.doomandbloom.net/), and soon, at Amazon.com. More news to come!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Cloth Masks And Infectious Disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/about-cloth-masks/) 

 [Vein Issues Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vein-issues-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** joe alton md, medic bags, medical kits, medical preparedness, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [Vein Issues Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vein-issues-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** August 5, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_298557455-varicose-veins-1024x790.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_298557455-varicose-veins-scaled.jpg)

Problems relating to veins, especially in the legs, can affect a group member’s productivity when the you-know-what hits the fan. [Varicose veins](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/varicose-veins), skin changes, and blood clots can severely impact the health and quality of life of loved ones in good times or bad.

Millions, especially over the age of 50, experience issues with veins. Normal veins have one-way valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. Over time, weakened or damaged valves can cause blood to pool (called “**stasis**”) and even flow backwards. As a consequence, the veins grow larger and become distorted, resulting in the classic appearance of varicose veins.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_664079785-varicose-veins-1024x592.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/shutterstock_664079785-varicose-veins-scaled.jpg)

Varicosities are most commonly seen in people who are:

- 50 years of age or older. The valves in your veins weaken as you age.
- Have a family history.
- Female. High levels of estrogen as seen during puberty, pregnancy, and while taking birth control pills increase your risk.
- Obese. Extra weight puts pressure on the veins and causes them to swell.
- Work in a profession that requires long periods of standing, lifting weights, or sitting with legs bent.

Although most cases are more cosmetic issues than anything else, inflammation in varicose veins due to poor circulation (known as “**phlebitis**”) can occur. Over time, the skin overlying these areas is damaged. Symptoms of [stasis dermatitis ](https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/dermatitis/stasis-dermatitis)with phlebitis include:

- Itchy, dry, and discolored skin, especially over varicose veins.
- Soreness over the affected area.
- Heaviness or achiness in the leg.
- Swelling, often on the inside of the ankle, improved after sleeping but worsening during the day.

Severe stasis dermatitis appears dark and hardened, with intensely itchy, scaly skin. The lower part of the calf may decrease in size, taking on the appearance of an upside-down bowling pin. Pain is common, and “leaky” skin breakdown may occur (see below). Tissue begins to degrade and form ulcers which are hard to eliminate.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Image-150-STASIS-DERMATITIS-graphic-legs-redness-ulcers-Untitled-design-1024x410.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Image-150-STASIS-DERMATITIS-graphic-legs-redness-ulcers-Untitled-design-scaled.jpg)**Stages of stasis dermatitis leading to skin ulcers**

Although surgical procedures to remove varicose veins may eliminate stasis dermatitis in normal times, the off-grid medic’s strategy must be, instead, to treat the symptoms and improve quality of life. The treatment involves using compression stockings or elastic wraps to provide support, moisturizers for dry skin, and elevation of the affected limb above the heart to decrease swelling. Pain meds can be used as needed. Open wound care, antibiotic creams, or raw honey may be needed if there are skin ulcers. The medic should encourage sufferers to accumulate these supplies in their storage.

Besides the skin manifestations of varicose veins, the medic might be confronted by one of these complications:

**Thrombophlebitis[:](Thrombophlebitis: "https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombophlebitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354607")** In superficial thrombophlebitis, a varicose vein on the surface of the skin becomes inflamed due to a blood clot. Symptoms include:

- Painful swelling.
- Warmth to the touch.
- Redness (sometimes along the line of the vein).
- Tender, hard nodules.
- Itching.
- Fever.

Basic treatment involves moist warm compresses and anti-inflammatory medicine for discomfort and fever. Elevation of the affected extremity may be useful with elastic support hose for performing activities of daily living. Although most cases of thrombophlebitis are not due to infection, antibiotics are occasionally needed. Cephalexin (Keflex) is known to have activity against Staphylococcus, the most common bacterial cause. Sometimes, the condition improves on its own.

As an aside, a blood clot in a hemorrhoid (discussed elsewhere in this book) is a type of superficial thrombophlebitis.

**[D](https://www.healthline.com/health/deep-venous-thrombosis)[eep vein thrombosis (DVT)](https://www.healthline.com/health/deep-venous-thrombosis):** In DVT, a blood clot forms in a *deep* vein. The patient will experience a “full” or “firm” feeling, usually in the calf area. This will be accompanied by pain, heat, swelling, and redness as seen in superficial thrombophlebitis.

While many people may present with no symptoms at all, a DVT can be dangerous if the blood clot dislodges and makes it way to the lungs. Indeed, shortness of breath may be the only symptom noticed. This is referred to as a “**[pulmonary embolism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_embolism)**” and is possibly life-threatening. Other signs and symptoms may include breathlessness, chest pain, a fast heart rate, panting, and/or bloody phlegm.

In addition to compresses and pain relief, patients with deep vein thrombosis may require blood thinners; Salicin from the under bark of willows, poplars, and aspens is a natural alternative if the pharmaceuticals have run out. The amount given using this method will, however, always be uncertain, as each tree may have variable amounts of Salicin. Do not attempt this treatment on someone who is also on blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin).

Besides wearing simple support hose, encourage patients with varicose vein issues to:

1. Exercise their legs to improve tone; this will provide support to the blood vessels.
2. Avoid standing for long periods of time.
3. Shift their weight from foot to foot often.
4. Take short walks if they sit all day.
5. Keep their weight down to avoid putting strain on their legs.
6. Elevate their legs above the level of the heart for a half hour daily and during sleep.
7. Avoid wearing high heels for long periods (probably not an issue in the aftermath of a disaster).
8. Eat a low-salt diet. Less salt consumption can help with the swelling seen with varicose veins.

The herbal remedy most quoted to treat varicose veins is the horse chestnut (*Aesculus hippocastanum*). Horse chestnuts contain a substance called aescin, which appears to block enzymes that damage capillary walls. Take 300 mg of horse chestnut seed extract (usually contains 50 mg of aescin) by mouth twice daily. For external use only, create a mixture of 4 parts witch hazel with 1 part tincture of horse chestnut and rub on affected varicosities. Be aware that this is dangerous for those with liver or kidney disease; horse chestnut can be fatal if eaten raw.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, if you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear (including N95 masks) at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll also find our brand new and greatly expanded 4TH edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, not yet on shelves but available as a signed copy if you preorder at[ store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)Our brand new 4th Edition is ready for preorders on our website and soon on Amazon

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Choosing A Medic "Bag"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/choosing-a-medic-bag-2/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Summer Water Hazards](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-summer-water-hazards/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, DVT, joe alton md, medical preparedness, phlebitis, skin ulcers, stasis dermatitis, survival medicine, thrombophlebitis, venous stasis

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Summer Water Hazards](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-summer-water-hazards/)

**Published:** August 1, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/shutterstock_10856371-e1462882622863.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/shutterstock_10856371-e1462882622863.jpg)

Last week, the Altons said It’s a cruel, cruel summer, like the 80s song goes, and if you live on the coast or considering a trip to the beach during the dog days, you have more than sunburn to worry about. There’s all sorts of critters in the sea that can cause trouble, even close to shore. I’m not talking about sharks, it’s shark week on Nat Geo and some of you are probably all sharked out. I’m talking about other sea creatures that don’t bite you, but sting you like jellyfish, stingrays, spined catfish, scorpion fish, lionfish, etc.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_449280097-jellyfish-medusa-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_449280097-jellyfish-medusa-scaled.jpg)

Plus, Joe and Amy discuss the heartbreaking tragedy of drowning accidents. How does someone drown, what happens in the body during the event, and how to treat near-drownings and prevent it altogether. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget that a brand new edition (the fourth) of the Survival Medicine Handbook will be on bookshelves and at Amazon soon! To check it out or get a signed copy, go to [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)Preorder now at [doomandbloom.net ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-the-essential-guide-for-when-help-is-not-on-the-way-fourth-edition/)or soon at Amazon!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Vein Issues Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vein-issues-off-the-grid/) 

 [Jellyfish and Stingray Stings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/jellyfish-and-stingray-stings/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival at Sea, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, drowning, jellyfish stings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, stingrays, survival medicine

---

### [Jellyfish and Stingray Stings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/jellyfish-and-stingray-stings/)

**Published:** July 29, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_488958124-jellyfish-scars-from-tentacle-stings-1024x507.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_488958124-jellyfish-scars-from-tentacle-stings-scaled.jpg)Box Jellyfish Sting Marks

Summer is the season when coastal dwellers head to the deep blue sea (well, the shallow parts of it, at least) and enjoy a cool dip in the water. Some unlucky bathers might, however, run afoul of sea creatures that can cause painful injuries. You’re probably thinking of sharks.

**JELLYFISH**

Although sharks get all the publicity (and will be discussed in a future article), [**Jellyfish**](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/jellyfish.html) cause 150 million injuries a year throughout the world. Jellies are marine animals with a fascinating life cycle that would remind you of an alien life form. Many spend part of their life on the seabed, then become free-swimming in their reproductive (often called “medusa”) stage.

Jellyfish don’t bite, but have tentacles with millions of stinging cells called “**[nematocysts](https://www.britannica.com/science/nematocyst)**” that injure millions of swimmers every year by injecting them with a type of venom. Species to watch out for include the Portuguese man of war, the box jellyfish, the sea nettle, and others.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_449280097-jellyfish-medusa-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_449280097-jellyfish-medusa-scaled.jpg)“Medusa” stage

The symptoms may present as very minor to, rarely, life-threatening. They include:

• Local throbbing, burning pain with irritation.
• Muscle spasms.
• Itching.
• Swelling.
• Reddish-brown or purple tracks corresponding to where tentacles contacted the skin.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Weakness.
• Confusion.

Some note the development of blisters and other reactions up to one or two weeks after a sting. In severe envenomation, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, and other heart and lung symptoms may manifest, dependent on the dose of venom injected into the body. It should be noted that the tentacles of dead jellyfish on the shore may still impart venom if stepped on or touched.

Remove any visible stingers with tweezers or even a credit card, but avoid rubbing the area. Once removed, skin irritations may be treated with oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or calamine lotion, as well as topical steroids like hydrocortisone one percent cream or ointment. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be required for pain. If the injury is near the eye, thorough flushing is advised.

Burning sensations may be relieved with a rinse using sea (not fresh) water; Heating the sea water is thought to be more effective in soothing the pain. Different sources advocate vinegar, witch hazel, urine, rubbing alcohol, baking soda paste, and other substances as treatment. These may inactivate the nematocysts, but vary in their effectiveness or could worsen the condition, dependent on the individual victim and the species of jellyfish involved. The medic should determine the right treatment for jellies *in their area* before a disaster occurs. Expect symptoms to last from a few days to a few weeks.

To prevent jellyfish stings, avoid swimming on the occasions when they swarm (also called a [“**bloom**”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jellyfish_bloom)). This is often seasonal. It may be wise to avoid the shore altogether during these times. If you must enter the water, do so with protective clothing. Wear shoes if walking on the beach.

**STINGRAYS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-spotted-stingray-publicdomainpictures-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/blue-spotted-stingray-publicdomainpictures-scaled.jpg)Blue Spotted Stingray (Alex Borland/public domain)

Another creature responsible for more injuries than sharks is a relative: the [stingray](https://www.britannica.com/animal/stingray). Stingrays are flat, roundish, and seem to fly in the water with fins that look like wings. They’re most often seen in warmer climates. Like Jellyfish, stingrays don’t bite but defend themselves with stingers.

A stingray’s tail contains one or more barbed spines, each containing venom which can be very painful when injected into an unwary victim. This usually occurs by accidentally stepping on it, so expect most injuries to be in the feet, ankle, or lower legs. Wounds appear as punctures or small lacerations. The venom can be lethal, however, if injected into the chest or abdomen, as occurred with the famous wildlife expert Steve Irwin.

The list of symptoms the victim experiences is extensive. It includes:

• Bleeding.
• Extreme pain.
• Swelling.
• Dizziness.
• Anxiety.
• Sweating.
• Nausea and Vomiting.
• Muscle cramps.
• Skin discoloration.

In the worst cases, the victim may complain of irregular heartbeats, shortness of breath, muscle paralysis, fainting, and even seizures. Treating a sting would involve:

• Stopping the bleeding with pressure.
• Flushing the wound and removing barbs and debris (tweezers will help).
• Soaking in hot (not scalding) water. Heat can inactivate the venom.
• Scrubbing the wound with soap and fresh water.
• Avoiding wound closure unless absolutely necessary.

Remove any visible barbs from the wound, but avoid rubbing the area. Once removed, skin irritations may be treated with oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or calamine lotion, as well as topical steroids like hydrocortisone one percent cream or ointment. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be required for pain.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/lionfish-public-domain-jacky-weyenbergh-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/lionfish-public-domain-jacky-weyenbergh-scaled.jpg)Lionfish (public domain/Jacky Weyenbergh

Antibiotics like doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for 7 days may be helpful to prevent infection. It should be noted that treatment strategies for stingrays can work on injuries caused by venomous spined catfish, scorpion fish, and certain other toxic sea creatures.

Joe Alton MD

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/big-smile-joe-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones

Hey, if you believe in our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)Soon-to-be-released 4th Edition! Available on preorder at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Summer Water Hazards](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-summer-water-hazards/) 

 [Video: Medical Gloves With Demo](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-medical-gloves-with-demo/)

**Categories:** Animal Encounters, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** jelly blooms, jellyfish, jellyfish stings, joe alton md, medical preparedness, stingray, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Medical Gloves With Demo](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-medical-gloves-with-demo/)

**Published:** July 23, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/glove-canva-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/glove-canva-scaled.jpg)

We’ve talked a lot on this channel about face masks, how to properly fit, place, and remove them, but we haven’t talked much about gloves. You’ll be using gloves a lot more often than masks when performing routine tasks as the family medic, so you should know the different types and how to put them on properly.

In this video, Joe Alton, MD tells you all you need to know about medical gloves, an important part of the family medic’s storage preps. Also, Nurse Amy demonstrates proper donning and doffing of sterile and non-sterile gloves. A must-see for anyone who will take responsibility of others in survival scenarios….

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Do you believe in our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family? If you do, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits packed in the USA, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) Plus, our new 4th edition is at our store for those wanting signed copies (Don’t worry, it will also be on Amazon in the near future).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)Our new greatly expanded 4th Edition!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Jellyfish and Stingray Stings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/jellyfish-and-stingray-stings/) 

 [Survival Medicine Videocast](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-videocast-3/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, exam gloves, how to put on medical gloves, joe alton md, medical gloves, medical preparedness, surgical gloves, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Videocast](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-videocast-3/)

**Published:** July 20, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)

In this video version of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton discuss the recent heat waves, especially in the West, where it’s been a cruel, cruel summer, with wildfires burning three times the acreage than was destroyed at this point last year. Also, what to do about first- and second-degree burns, with a personal anecdote from ol’ Dr. Bones. Plus, Nurse Amy talks about the medicinal benefits of raw unprocessed honey.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine videocast!

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)The Altons

Hey, do us (and your family) a favor by getting more medically prepared! If you believe in our mission, check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of high-quality medical kits, some one-of-a-kind, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did. And don’t forget, the upcoming new 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook will soon be on sale on Amazon. For now, preorder at our store.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-826x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Medical Gloves With Demo](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-medical-gloves-with-demo/) 

 [Fractures, Bones Contusions, And Sprains](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fractures-bones-contusions-and-sprains/)

**Categories:** Burns, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Heat Stroke, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, VideoCast, Wildfires

**Tags:** burns, heat wave safety, joe alton md, medical preparednes, medicinal honey, survival medicine

---

### [Fractures, Bones Contusions, And Sprains](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fractures-bones-contusions-and-sprains/)

**Published:** July 18, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/shutterstock_79304863.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/shutterstock_79304863.jpg)

In survival settings, the family medic will be confronted with a variety of orthopedic injuries. They might be injuries to joints like sprains, to muscles like strains, or to bones like contusions or fractures. We are often asked how to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture. Sometimes it’s quite easy, as when, due to trauma, a straight bone is suddenly “zig-zag”(!) in shape. Many times, however, it’s hard for even an orthopedic surgeon to determine without modern diagnostic tests. Needless to say, this is not an option when the you-know-what hits the fan.

There are certain signs that can help make the diagnosis without high technology. One simple one is that sprains involve joints: Injuries in the middle of a bone are more likely a fracture or other injury, although a bone contusion (bruise) is a possibility in some cases.

Look for one or more of these signs to differentiate between a sprain and a fracture:

- A sprain will generally have less pronounced swelling and bruising than a fracture.
- A person can usually walk a few steps both immediately and an hour later with a sprain. A fracture is generally so painful that no pressure may be placed on the injury at all.
- Sprains are rarely associated with breaks in the skin, but fractures may (an “open” fracture”).
- Swelling on one side of a joint (for example, an ankle) is more likely to be a sprain. Swelling on both sides suggests a fracture.
- A fracture may show motion in an area beyond the joint (if your finger suddenly has five knuckles, you probably broke it).

Ankle and certain foot fractures can be diagnosed without modern diagnostic devices by following the Ottawa Rules, described below in this video:

For sprains, Ibuprofen serves as an excellent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Natural remedies may also help. The green underbark of willow, aspen, and poplar trees contains Salicin, a natural pain medicine from which the first aspirin drugs were manufactured.

Most sprains, (such as wrist and ankle sprains) commonly heal well over time using the famous [**R.I.C.E. protocol**](https://louisville.edu/campushealth/files/self-care/RICETherapy.pdf), pain relievers, and a lot of rest. Others, however, such as severe knee sprains with torn or ruptured ligaments, may heal completely only with the aid of surgical intervention.

It’s important to get joint issues dealt with while there is still a functioning medical infrastructure in place. During uncertain times, you (and your joints) want to be in the best shape possible to face the challenges ahead.

**Bone Contusions**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1039065277-bruise-ecchymosis-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1039065277-bruise-ecchymosis-scaled.jpg)possible bone contusion

An injury that can mimic either a joint sprain or a partial fracture is the “bone bruise,” otherwise known as a [“](https://www.cincysportssurgeon.com/bone%20contusion-knee-orthopedic-surgeon.html)[**bone contusion**.](https://www.cincysportssurgeon.com/bone%20contusion-knee-orthopedic-surgeon.html)” It occurs when an impact causes a small injury on the surface of a bone, but doesn’t fully fracture it. The **“[periosteum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periosteum)”** is a layer of tissue that covers most bones. Trauma could cause blood and inflammatory fluid to build up beneath it.

Although any bone can be involved, it usually affects those closest to the skin, such as the knee or shin. Bone contusions that happen in joints may be accompanied with , tears (sprains) as well. Fractures may have occurred nearby.

One way to identify a fracture versus a contusion is with two basic tools: the tuning fork and stethoscope. Strike a tuning fork (128 hertz will do) on a surface and then on the bone below the level of the fracture (away from the torso). Then, place a stethoscope above the level of the fracture (closer to the torso). In a fracture, sound will be decreased in a fracture compared to a contusion on intact bone. Compare with the opposite, uninjured side.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_771818020-ecchymosis-bruise.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_771818020-ecchymosis-bruise.jpg)large ecchymosis

Simple bruises, also known as “**ecchymoses**,” appear reddish-brown to purplish-black, but bone bruises will have more symptoms. They include:

- Pain, often throbbing or aching.
- Swelling.
- Difficulty using the affected area.

A sign that you’re dealing with more than a minor injury is if there is long-standing swelling or increasing pain. Any areas beyond the injury, such as fingers or toes, that lose color or sensation is another diagnostic sign.

Rest and pain relievers like naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil) may be all you need. For the first 48 hours, cold packs may decrease swelling. Be sure to place a barrier between the cold pack and traumatized skin. In leg injuries, elevation of the site above the level of the heart will also help relieve swelling.

If the skin if broken from the trauma and turns red and hot or if there is fever, the patient may have developed **[cellulitis](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/cellulitis),** something we’ve talked about before on this website**,** and require antibiotics. cephalexin 500 mg orally 4 times a day, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim 800/160 mg twice a day and clindamycin 300 mg 4 times a day for a week to ten days are reasonable options off the grid and available in veterinary equivalents. Antibiotic cream should be applied to any broken skin, which should be kept clean.

Bone contusions are often the result of trauma from strenuous activities of daily survival. Victims should be placed on light duties until fully healed. Unfortunately, these types of injuries may linger for weeks or months until fully healed. Addition of extra vitamin D and calcium to the diet may help speed recovery.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/JoeAltonLibrary3-e1530717226588.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/JoeAltonLibrary3-e1530717226588.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, do you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family. If you do, please take a moment to check out our quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did. Don’t forget the upcoming 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Videocast](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-videocast-3/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Heat Waves, Burns, Medicinal Honey](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-heat-waves-burns-medicinal-honey/)

**Categories:** bone contusion, Bones and Joints, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, bone bruise, bone contusion, contusion vs fracture, fracture, joe alton md, medical preparedness, sprain, sprain vs fracture, strain, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Heat Waves, Burns, Medicinal Honey](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-heat-waves-burns-medicinal-honey/)

**Published:** July 15, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

It’s a cruel, cruel summer, like the 80s song goes, and everywhere from Oregon to Montana to New York City can experience big problems this year with blackouts taking out the AC and making homes and businesses into sweatboxes more often than ever before. In the west, wildfires have burned three times the acreage this year as compared to last year at this time. So, the family medic better be prepared to deal with heat-related illness. Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss heat wave safety, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, first- and second-degree burns, and sun protection.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-1024x634.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-scaled.jpg)

Also, Nurse Amy discusses one of her favorite natural products, raw unprocessed honey as well as its medicinal benefits. This stuff is good for you! To listen in, click below:

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton, APRN.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/joetent.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/joetent.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Hey, we’re coming out, after five years, with a new expanded and revised edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook! Check out the details at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Also, new kits for eye care, labor and delivery, and more!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Fractures, Bones Contusions, And Sprains](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fractures-bones-contusions-and-sprains/) 

 [Botulism](https://www.doomandbloom.net/botulism/)

**Categories:** Burns, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Heat Stroke, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, burns, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat waves, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medicinal honey, raw honey, SPF, survival medicine

---

### [Botulism](https://www.doomandbloom.net/botulism/)

**Published:** July 13, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_531163477-botulism-818x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_531163477-botulism-scaled.jpg)

***[Clostridium botulinum](https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/general.html)* is a bacterium that thrives in anaerobic environments. Botulism toxin is most commonly produced by contaminated food containers that have been improperly preserved. Off the grid, canning foods will be an integral part of survival; the family medic must enforce the safe preparation of food if they’re to keep people healthy.**

**The bacteria that make botulinum toxin acts by blocking nerve function, which leads to paralysis. It’s found in many places but, thankfully, it’s a rarity these days in natural settings. These pathogens make [“spores”](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/botulism) that act like protective coatings. Spores allow the bacteria to survive in even the most hostile environments. Spores don’t always produce toxin when accidentally ingested, however; certain conditions must prevail, such as:**

- **Settings where there is little or no oxygen.**
- **Certain temperatures (different types become active at different temperatures).**
- **A high moisture index.**
- **Low salt, acid, and sugar levels.**

**There are several kinds of botulism. They are:**

##### **FOODBORNE: Foodborne botulism occurs about 18-36 hours after ingesting contaminated or improperly prepared foods. Pickled foods that lack the right formula of brine, as well as smoked fish stored at high temperatures and poorly canned foods present a major risk. Store-bought foods are more unlikely to contain toxin.**

**WOUND-RELATED: Bacteria may contaminate a wound and make toxins. People who inject drugs have a higher chance of infection. It may also be seen after traumatic injuries or, rarely, surgical procedures.**

I**NFANTILE: The bacteria may get into a baby’s intestines and cause illness.**

**IATROGENIC: Iatrogenic means “physician-caused”. Botulism may occur from cosmetic injections of toxin for wrinkles or migraine headaches, though this is rare if administered properly.**

**INTESTINAL COLONIZATION: Like infantile botulism, spores can cause bacteria to grow in intestines of adults.**

**All of the above types of botulism can be fatal: Once, the death rate was 50 percent, but it’s currently about 5 percent in modern times. In any case, it should be considered a medical emergency.**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_82159063-brain-in-color-in-situ.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_82159063-brain-in-color-in-situ.jpg)

**The muscle weakness in botulism is due to nerve damage that usually starts high in the “cranial nerves,” a group of nerves that control important functions like eye movements and facial muscles. Common symptoms include:**

- **Blurred vision**
- **Double vision**
- **Drooping eyelids**
- **Slurred speech**
- **Problems swallowing**
- **Lightheadedness**
- **Difficulty breathing**
- **Muscle weakness**

**All of the above happens without losing mental capacity or developing fever.**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-1024x634.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1317576056-herbal-teas-with-honey-scaled.jpg)

**Botulism is one of the reasons to avoid giving raw honey (which may contain *Clostridia* spores) to infants less than one year. If infected, they develop [“floppy baby syndrome,](https://www.webmd.com/baby/hypotonia-floppy-infant-syndrome#1)” where poor muscle tone and lethargy are common signs. An antitoxin is available in modern times, but off the grid, a severe case may be fatal.**

**For cases of foodborne botulism, doctors sometimes clear out the digestive system by inducing vomiting and giving medications to induce bowel movements. Metronidazole is an antibiotic sometimes used in infected wounds that is available in veterinary equivalents for survival scenarios. In some cases, dead and dying tissue may require surgical removal** **by debridement.**

**The FDA has approved an antitoxin for certain botulism variants; it’s known as [Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent ](https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/approved-blood-products/bat-botulism-antitoxin-heptavalent-b-c-d-e-f-g-equine)(serotypes A, B, C, D, E, F, G) or BAT. BAT is indicated as an intravenous treatment for adults and children following exposure to the neurotoxin.**

I**f you’re a canning pro, you already know to follow safe procedures as recommended by the Department of Agriculture. For others, here’s the complete guide to safe canning:**

[**https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications\_usda.html**](https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html)

**Low-acid foods, while good for reflux symptoms like heartburn, are the most likely to be contaminated with botulinum toxin. These include:**

- **Asparagus**
- **Green beans**
- **Beets**
- **Corn**
- **Potatoes**

**The CDC suggests reducing the chance of botulism by:**

- **Refrigerating homemade oils infused with garlic or herbs and throwing away any unused oils after 4 days.**
- **Keeping potatoes that have been baked while wrapped in aluminum foil hot (at temperatures above 140°F) until they are served, or refrigerating them with the foil loosened.**
- **Refrigerating any canned or pickled foods after you open them.**

**In survival, it’s not just the availability of food that’s important. The medic must be sure that food is safe to eat if they’re to succeed when everything else fails.**

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2.jpg)Joe Alton MD

If you believe in our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Heat Waves, Burns, Medicinal Honey](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-heat-waves-burns-medicinal-honey/) 

 [All About Medical Gloves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-medical-gloves/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** botulism, floppy baby syndrome, food botulism, infantile botulism, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wound botulism

---

### [Dental Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-trauma-2/)

**Published:** June 7, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/shutterstock_181466222.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/shutterstock_181466222.jpg)Tooth decay weakens enamel and can lead to dental fractures, but many are due to trauma.

Many believe that they can handle any emergency if the grid goes down. For those who are trained to stabilize and transport, that may be true for typical injuries due to trauma. Experienced medical professionals faced with *dental* trauma, however, are often unsure how to proceed. In a long-term austere setting, the group medic must be ready to deal with as many dental problems as medical.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_500409571-tooth-anatomy-dental-1024x597.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_500409571-tooth-anatomy-dental-scaled.jpg)

Dental trauma may appear in various forms. After an injury to the oral cavity, a person may have a:

**[Dental Fracture:](https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=840421)** a portion of a tooth chipped or broken off.

[**Dental Subluxation**:](https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/the-5-classifications-of-tooth-luxation) a loose tooth.

**[Dental Avulsion:](https://litfl.com/tooth-avulsion/)** a tooth knocked out completely.

#### **Dental Fractures (Broken Teeth)**

When a portion of a tooth is broken off, its categorization is based on the number of layers of the tooth that are exposed. Classically, dentists have referred to these as **Ellis class 1, 2, and 3 fractures**.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/28-1024x791.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/28-scaled-e1623093896240.jpg)Ellis 1 fracture

**Ellis 1 fractures:** In an Ellis 1 fracture, only the enamel has been broken and no dentin or pulp is exposed. This is a problem only if there is a sharp edge to the tooth. The medic can consider filing the edge smooth or using pre-mixed commercial filling cement, Also, a mixture of oil of cloves, also known as eugenol, and zinc oxide powder can be improvised to make temporary cement. Brand names that are commercially available are called “[Dentemp](https://dentemp.com/dentemp.html)” and “[Cavit.](https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00008036/)“

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/29-1024x791.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/29-scaled.jpg)

**Ellis 2 fractures:** Ellis 2 fractures show yellow or beige dentin under the enamel. This area may be sensitive and should be covered if possible. The composition of dentin is more porous than enamel and allows bacteria to enter and infect the tooth. This is especially the case with pediatric dental trauma.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/30-1024x791.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/30-scaled.jpg)

**Ellis 3 fractures:** Here the pulp and dentin are both exposed. Ellis 3 fractures can be quite uncomfortable. If the pulp is exposed, there may be some bleeding. The risk of permanent damage is most likely here, so protective coverings will be very important.

When you identify a fracture of a tooth due to external trauma, you should:

- Evaluate the patient for associated damage to the face, inside of the cheek, tongue, and jaw. On occasion, a tooth fragment may be lodged in the soft tissues and require removal or soft tissue lacerations sutured. Use an absorbable suture like 4-0 or 5-0 plain catgut, polydiaxanone (PDS), or polyglycolic acid for the inside of the cheek.
- Use water to thoroughly flush and rinse the inside of the mouth with an irrigation syringe for easier evaluation.
- Place a bite block; even a large eraser will do (pain may cause the patient to reflexively bite down).
- Using your gloved hand or a cotton applicator, lightly touch the injured tooth to see if it is loose.
- For sensitive Ellis II fractures of dentin, thoroughly dry the exposed surface and cover with temporary cement as described above or a prescription calcium hydroxide composition (commercially sold as “Dycal”). If these products are unavailable, improvisations include a fluoride dental varnish, clear nail polish, or a cyanoacrylate glue gel to decrease sensitivity (avoid the gums).
- Provide pain medications and cold packs (a thin cloth should be placed between the pack and the skin).
- Instruct the patient to avoid hot and cold food or drink.

Ellis III fractures into pulp are more problematic, partially due to the high risk of infection. Calcium hydroxide on the pulp surface coupled with additional temporary cement can be used as protective coverings. Alternatively, a commercially-available product from India known as [Prevest Fusion Flo](https://www.ebay.com/itm/253935028495) is a composite material that is effective but must be “cured” with a UV dental curing light (available online) to harden.

If the pulp is breached, antibiotics may be appropriate. Penicillin 500 mg orally every six hours or Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for a week are acceptable options. Pain relief will be required in many cases as well.

Particularly difficult dental fractures involve the root. Sometimes, it is not until the gum is peeled back that the damage to the root is identified. If this is the case off-grid, the tooth is likely unsalvageable (especially in vertical fractures) and should be extracted (discussed in previous articles).

Prevent dental fractures by:

- Not chewing on hard objects such as ice or hard candies.
- Not using your teeth as a cutting tool or to open packaging.
- Avoiding the clenching or grinding of teeth (sometimes called “[bruxism](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095)“).

Of course, in normal times, use mouth guards when playing contact sports.

#### **Dental Subluxations (Loose Teeth)**

A tooth that is knocked loose but not out of its socket is called a “**subluxation**”. Use your gloved fingers or a cotton applicator lightly to identify any mobility. Often, these injuries will appear to bleed slightly from the border between the tooth and gum.

Minimal trauma may require no major intervention, although the tooth may benefit from support. The loose tooth should be pressed back into the alveolus (socket) and “splinted” to neighboring teeth for stability. Dentists use wire or special materials for this purpose, but you might have to use soft wax if professional help is not at hand. Use enough to anchor the loose tooth to neighboring teeth both in front and in back. Dental wax is an option. Prevent further trauma by placing your patient on a liquid diet for a time. Puddings, gelatins, or soft cereals are also ok.

#### **Dental Avulsions (Teeth Knocked Out)**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/232425-1024x791.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/232425-scaled.jpg)

Occasionally, the trauma may be severe enough to completely knock the tooth out of its socket. This is called a [“**dental** **avulsion**”](https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/143899316.pdf). The most favorable situation is when a tooth is knocked out in one piece, including the root and ligaments.

In this circumstance, time is a very important factor in treatment success. If the tooth is not replaced or, at least, preserved in a solution, the success of re-implantation drops 1% every minute the tooth is not in its socket.

A good preservative for teeth that have been knocked out is “**[Hank’s Solution](https://www.grandfamilydentistry.com/blog/save-a-tooth)**”. This is a balanced salt solution that has been used to culture living cells, and it helps protect raw ligament fibers for a time. Hank’s Solution is available commercially as “Save-a-Tooth”. Although you can make your own Hank’s Solution, it’s a fairly complex process.

If you are not at your retreat at the time of injury:

- Find the tooth
- Pick it up by the crown; avoid touching the root as it will damage already-compromised ligament fibers.
- Flush the tooth clean of dirt and debris with water or saline solution. Don’t scrub it, as it will further damage the ligaments.
- Place in preservative solution. If you don’t have Hank’s solution, place the tooth in milk, normal saline, egg white, or saliva (put it between your cheek and gums or under your tongue). This will keep the ligament cells viable longer than plain water would.

If the tooth has been out for less than fifteen minutes, you may attempt to re-implant it. Replacing a tooth isn’t always successful, but it’s worth a shot. You should:

- Flush the tooth and the empty socket with Hank’s solution (Save-a-Tooth).
- Replace the tooth.
- Hold in place for five minutes, making sure the tooth is level with its neighbors.
- Cover with cotton or gauze.
- Have the patient bite down firmly to keep it in place.
- Splint the tooth to the teeth on either side for support for two weeks with soft dental wax (some suggest [aluminum foil or even Blu Tack adhesive putty](https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/143899316.pdf)). Another improvisation utilizes thin wire and cyanoacrylate glue gel, almost like making a “brace.”

Place the patient on a liquid diet and, to prevent infection, consider antibiotics such as Penicillin 500 mg orally every 6 hours for 7-14 days or doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7-14 days. Antibiotics and their veterinary equivalents will be discussed later in this book.

If the tooth has been out longer than 15 minutes, you may have to soak the tooth for a half hour or so in Hank’s Solution before you replace it. The longer you wait to replace the tooth, however, the more painful it will likely be to replace due to swelling and other factors. Make sure you have pain meds and cold packs available in your supplies.

After a couple of hours of being out, the ligament fibers dry out and die; the tooth is, for most intents and purposes, dead. Replacing it at this point is likely to be unsuccessful, as the pulp will decay like all dead soft tissue. Chronic inflammation may develop that causes the dead tooth (which may turn dark in color) to scar down into its bony socket, almost like a dental implant. This is called “**[ankylosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_ankylosis)**”.

It’s important to know that, in mature permanent teeth, the pulp rarely, if ever, survives the injury even if the ligaments do. As such, without the availability of root canal procedures to remove dead tissue, even your best efforts may be unsuccessful. If a serious infection arises in the dead pulp, your patient may be in a worse situation than just missing a tooth. It should also be noted that avulsed “baby teeth”, should not be replaced. This is because the scarring process may prevent the permanent teeth from emerging.

Of course, none of the techniques mentioned above should take the place of a full evaluation by a qualified dental professional anywhere a functioning modern dental system exists.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, do you believe in our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family for the uncertain future? If so, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)[.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2019_Deluxe_Dental_Kit_Contents_on_Table__20491.1550926428.475.510.jpg)[Dental Kit by Doom and Bloom Medical](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-dental-grab-n-go/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Eye Trauma Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/eye-trauma-off-the-grid/) 

 [Medicinal Gardens](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-gardens/)

**Categories:** Dental Issues, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** dental avulsion, dental fracture, dental kit, dental subluxation, dental trauma, joe alton md, loose tooth, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tooth avulsion, tooth knocked out

---

### [All About Medical Gloves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-medical-gloves/)

**Published:** July 10, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/putting-gloves-on-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/putting-gloves-on-scaled.jpg)

**Throughout history, infectious diseases have been part and parcel of the human experience. Ever since the Middle Ages, we have known that some infections have the capacity of passing from person to person. Therefore, the wise medic will take measures to protect themselves from becoming the next victims.**

**I’ve written frequently over the last decade or so about the importance of personal protection gear in good times or bad. Mostly, those discussions were centered around face masks. Today, let’s talk about medical gloves, an item that should be in good supply in everyone’s survival medical storage.** **You’ll be using gloves more often than masks when performing medical tasks. In busy hospitals, it’s estimated that caregivers in busy centers change gloves 80-160 times a day.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/woundelevation.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/woundelevation.jpg)

 **The first disposable gloves (made from rubber) used for medical procedures were introduced by Dr. William Stewart Halstead, first chief of surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, around the year 1890.**

**Note: Some of the “mosquito” hemostatic clamps we use in our medical kits are also called “Halstead clamps.”**

**Now, most gloves are made from latex, nitrile, or vinyl**:

***Latex*: Latex gloves are made of natural rubber and are thought to have the highest level of comfort and flexibility. They provide good defense against bacteria and viruses and many surgeons prefer them because of their sensitivity.**

***Nitrile*: Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic materials and provide excellent protection against viruses and chemical exposure. They are stretchy, durable, and puncture-resistant. Nitrile is the best option for those with latex allergies or who may have patients with latex allergies, an issue becoming more common every year.**

***Vinyl*: Made of polyvinyl chloride, vinyl gloves provide good protection against nonhazardous chemical exposure and are cost-effective. They tend, however, to be less elastic and not fit as well.**

**Gloves are often separated into exam gloves and surgical gloves. Non-sterile exam gloves are used for evaluating patients, performing blood tests, and disinfecting. They usually come is sizes from small to extra-large.**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_658908205-surgical-bleed-during-amputation-scaled.jpg)

**Surgical gloves are used for medical procedures and must meet higher quality standards. They come in more precise sizing than regular exam gloves in order to increase tactile sensitivity. If you’re the medic, it’s helpful to know what size fits you. Surgical gloves are often numbered, with the most common sizes ranging from 6 to 8 ½.**

**Tips for choosing gloves are pretty basic: Find one that fits well and is designed for the intended use. Check each glove for any punctures or tears. Once gloves are on, avoid touching anything but the area that is at issue. In most cases, gloves are meant to be used once only and then safely disposed. Reasons to use a fresh pair include:**

- **Between patients or tasks.**
- **When gloves become dirty or contaminated.**
- **When gloves get torn.**
- **When gloves have been used for four consecutive hours.**
- **After sneezing, coughing, or touching one’s hair or face.**
- **During dressing changes between removing the old dressing and placing a new one (between any contaminated procedure and a clean procedure).**

**THE REUSE OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES?**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/gloves-and-scissors-II-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/gloves-and-scissors-II-scaled.jpg)

**In normal times, all exam and surgical gloves should be discarded after use, a good reason for the family medic to have a plentiful supply. In survival scenarios, however, they’ll eventually be expended and no fresh supplies will exist. Is there a way that medical gloves can be disinfected and reused?**

**Some controversially suggest that, in austere settings where no new supply of gloves is forthcoming, a 0.5% chloride solution may be employed to disinfect them so they may be reused. First wash gloves with soap and water to remove visible contamination. This may be best performed while still wearing the gloves. Remove gloves then add one part 3.5% plain bleach to six parts water and soak for ten minutes. For stronger disinfection, use a pressure cooker at 15 psi for 20 minutes and allow to dry in the container. Be aware that this may degrade the gloves in a percentage of cases.**

**A Turkish study found that liquid soaps containing 4% chlorhexidine and 7.5% povidone-iodine effectively eliminated all pathogens. Another study, conducted by Johns Hopkins Hospital, found that disposable gloves could be most effectively disinfected using an alcoholic-based chlorhexidine. In fact, some research suggests that disposable gloves can be disinfected several times (up to 10!) using these types of solutions. If going from patient to patient, wash with soap and water and sanitize while on the hands.**

**If cleaning and reusing gloves is the only option, examine each glove carefully after disinfection to determine if there are tears, punctures, or other evidence of deterioration. When putting on and removing gloves, make every effort to avoid touching the outside of the glove. In any case where contamination is caused by blood or feces, discard the gloves.**

**It should be noted that gloves do not replace proper handwashing. Wash and dry hands before putting on a pair and when replacing with new ones.**

**Joe Alton MD**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

If you believe in our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits (some one-of-a-kind), individual supplies, and personal protection gear at store.doomandbloom.net. You’ll be glad you did.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-826x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-1-scaled.jpg)Coming Soon! More on this in the near future.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Botulism](https://www.doomandbloom.net/botulism/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast Returns!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-returns/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies

**Tags:** austere medicine, exam gloves, medical gloves, medical preparedness, reusing glove in survival settings, surgical gloves, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast Returns!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-returns/)

**Published:** July 7, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/tent-modest.jpg)

**Well, a lot of you might be wondering where we’ve been and why we took a hiatus from our podcasts and videos. It because ol’ Dr. Bones had pneumonia, and recovery for me has been slow going. I have acid reflux, and it’s not just heartburn, it goes all the way up to my throat, a condition called laryngopharyngeal reflux. Laryngo means the voicebox, and pharyngeal is all about the throat.**

**So one night I woke up coughing and gagging on a lot of acid that went all the way up and entered my airways. By the morning I had a temperature of 100 and, scarier than that, bloody phlegm. X-rays showed pneumonia in multiple areas of the right lung, after antibiotics and oral steroids, I improved despite being exhausted for more than a month, almost two months. I’m finally getting my energy back and keeping to a very low diet.**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_746526580-pneumonia-symptoms-respiratory-1024x742.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_746526580-pneumonia-symptoms-respiratory-scaled.jpg)

**So, this show is all about pneumonia and acid reflux, how to diagnose and treat both conditions even if you have limited supplies and the miracle of modern medicine just doesn’t exist. Everything the family medic needs to know in times of trouble! Plus, all about gastritis and ulcers…**

**To listen in, click below:**

**Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,**

**Joe and Amy Alton**

**Hey, if you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and supplies at **. **You’ll be glad you did!**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [All About Medical Gloves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-medical-gloves/) 

 [Nail Bed Issues Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nail-bed-issues-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** acid reflux, amy alton aprn, aspiration pneumonia, gastritis, GERD, joe alton md, LPR, medical preparedness, peptic ulcer, pneumonia, survival medicine, ulcers

---

### [Nail Bed Issues Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nail-bed-issues-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** July 2, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_690307405-nail-bed-injury-2-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_690307405-nail-bed-injury-2-scaled.jpg)Nail Bed Injury

Minor injuries can sometimes become a major detriment to the function of a member of a survival group. Although not as life-threatening as a gunshot wound or an open fracture, nail bed injuries are common; they will be more so when survivors are required to perform carpentry, chop wood, or other duties to which they’re not accustomed.

Your fingernails and toenails are made up of protein and a tough substance called **keratin**. They are, as you might imagine, similar to the claws of animals. When we refer to issues involving nails, we refer to it as “**ungual**” (from the latin word for claw: unguis).

**NAIL ANATOMY**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/nail-anatomy.png)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/nail-anatomy.png)

The nail consists of several parts:

**The nail plate (body):** this is the hard covering of the end of your finger or toe; what is generally considered to be the nail.

**The nail bed:** The skin directly under the nail plate. Made up of an upper and lower layer (“epidermis” and “dermis”) just like the rest of your skin, the superficial epidermis moves along with the nail plate as it grows. Vertical grooves attach the superficial epidermis to the deep dermis. In older people, the nail plate thins out and you can see the grooves if you look closely. As with all skin, blood vessels and nerves run through the nail bed.

**The nail matrix:** The portion or root at the base of the nail that produces new cells for the nail plate. You can see a portion of the matrix in the light half-moon (the “**lunula**”) visible at the base of the nail plate. This determines the shape and thickness of the nail; a curved matrix produces a curved nail, a flat one produces a flat nail.

**The cuticle:** The thickened layer of skin surrounding fingernails and toenails. New, living cells in the cuticle are known as the “**eponychium**.”

**Nail Trauma**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1518513962-nail-bed-injury-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_1518513962-nail-bed-injury-scaled.jpg)

The nail plate may be ripped off by some form of trauma. This is known as a “**nail avulsion**.” The nail may be partially or completely gone, or may just be lifted up off the nail bed. Ordinarily, depending on the type of trauma, an x-ray would be performed to rule out a fracture of the digit; you won’t have this tool available without modern facilities, but you may still need to intervene. You will:

- Numb the area if local anesthesia is available.

- Clean the nail bed thoroughly with saline solution, if available, and irrigate out any debris. Paint with Betadine (two percent povidone-iodine solution) or other antiseptic.

- Cover the exposed (and very sensitive) nail bed with a non-adherent (Telfa) dressing. Some add petroleum jelly for additional protection. Change frequently. Avoid ordinary gauze, as it will stick tenaciously to the nail bed and be painful to remove.

- If the nail plate is hanging on by a thread, remove it by separating it from the skin folds using a small surgical clamp. You can consider placing the avulsed nail plate on the nail bed as a protective covering; it is dead tissue, but may be the most comfortable option. Avoid scraping or clipping off loose edges, as it may affect the nail bed’s ability to heal.

- If the nail bed is lacerated, suture it (once cleaned) with the thinnest absorbable suture available, such as 6-0 Vicryl PGA. Suture closure is described later in the book.

- Place a dressing over the wound. It would be wise to immobilize the digit with a padded finger splint to protect it from further damage. Begin a course of antibiotics if the nail bed was contaminated with debris.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Image-162-NAIL-TRAUMA-blood-under-toenail-drawing-needle-in-nail-1024x393.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Image-162-NAIL-TRAUMA-blood-under-toenail-drawing-needle-in-nail-scaled.jpg)Trephination (left) of Subungual hematoma

In some crush injuries, such as striking the nail plate with a hammer, a bruise (also called an “**ecchymosis**”) or a collection of blood (a “**hematoma**”) may form underneath. A bruise will be painful, but the worst pain should subside within an hour or two. A hematoma, however, will continue to be painful even several hours after the event. A bruise will likely appear brownish or blue, but a hematoma may appear a deep blue-black.

For a bruised nail, little needs to be done other than giving oral pain meds, such as Ibuprofen. For a significant hematoma, however, some suggest a further procedure called “**trephination**”. In this instance, a very fine drill (or a hot 18-gauge needle or paper clip) is used to make a hole in the nail plate. This opening must be large enough to allow the blood that has collected under the nail to escape. Once the pressure is relieved, the pain will abate.

This procedure should not be performed unless absolutely necessary, as the pain will eventually decrease over time by itself. If you go too deep through the nail, you may further injure the nail bed. Make sure to keep the finger dry, splinted, and bandaged for a minimum of 48 hours afterwards.

It’s important to realize that damage to the base of the nail (the matrix) may be difficult to completely repair, and that future nail growth may be deformed in some way. In situations where modern medical care is available, a hand surgeon is often called in to give the injury the best chance to heal appropriately. Even then, a higher incidence of issues, such as “ingrown” nails, may occur over time. A completely torn-off nail will take four to five months to grow back, maybe longer.

**INGROWN TOENAILS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_157069160-ingrown-toenail-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/shutterstock_157069160-ingrown-toenail-scaled.jpg)Ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenails, also known as “**onychocryptosis**,” may not be considered a major issue; that is, until you have one. When you have to be at full efficiency just to survive, you don’t want to be in pain every time you take a step. In the worst scenarios, ingrown nails can cause skin ulcers, blood infections (also called “**septicemia**”), or even total loss of circulation (“**gangrene**”).

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows downward into the skin of the toe. It can occur for a number of reasons, but poorly fitting shoes and poor trimming are the most common causes. Although any toenail can become ingrown, the big toe is usually involved.

The skin along the edge of a toenail that is ingrown may appear:

- Red
- Swollen
- Painful
- Warm to the touch

These are signs not only of pressure on the skin, but also, possibly, the beginning of an infection. If not treated, the condition worsens, possibly even leading to the drainage of pus.

Shoes that are either too tight or too loose can cause ingrown toenails. If too loose, it causes continual pounding of your big toe against the inside due to movement within the shoe as you walk. With shoes that are too small for your foot, extra pressure is placed on your toes which prevents normal nail growth.

Nails that are not trimmed properly can also cause ingrown toenails. This happens when your toenails are trimmed too short or you cut your toenails in a rounded fashion instead of straight across. Rounded cuts are appropriate for fingernails, but not toenails. The edges of the nails will tend to curl downward and grow right into the skin.

While the above problems can be fixed, some less avoidable factors like heredity, injuries, or medical conditions may also cause ingrown toenails. Some people are born with nails that are curved and naturally tend to curve inward. Injuries to the nail bed can also cause ingrown toenails, especially if it affects the **germinal matrix**, the living part of the nail that produces new cells.

People with diabetes or other illnesses that cause poor circulation are also at higher risk for these problems. A diabetic, for example, may experience nerve damage and not realize that excessive pressure is being applied to the toes by ill-fitting shoes. They may not even notice that the nail is growing into the skin.

Of course, in normal times, medical specialists deal with the problem. Off the grid, however, here’s some tips on how to treat an ingrown nail:

- Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts three to four times a day. In between soaks, keep the toe dry.
- Use an antiseptic to decrease the bacterial count in the area.
- Place a small piece of moist cotton, waxed dental floss, or other material under the ingrown edge to help it grow away from the skin.
- Consider wearing sandals until improved.

**Aggressive Treatment**

At some point, the pain may be so great that the medic must intervene more aggressively. In these circumstances, you may have to remove the offending segment of nail.

The procedure will involve the ingrown, curved side of the nail, about 1/5 or less of the nail plate width. A diagonal trim to remove the offending corner may alleviate the pain and pressure, but the medic may have to cut all the way down to the base of the nail plate in some cases. This procedure is more easily done with a digital block (discussed elsewhere) using numbing medicine such as lidocaine. Avoid lidocaine mixed with epinephrine, however; it may compromise the circulation and possibly lead to gangrene.

After the procedure, soak the affected toe in warm water with Epsom salts or essential oil drops of tea tree, lemon grass, eucalyptus, rosemary, or citron. Dry and cover with a bandage or loosely rolled gauze.

If the toe is infected, antibiotics might be appropriate. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment may be helpful here as prevention, but oral antibiotics, such as cephalexin, amoxicillin, or clindamycin for several days may be necessary. Antibiotics are discussed in their own section.

If a portion of the nail is cut off, patience is required. It will take months for the nail to regrow. If your patient has a genetic tendency toward ingrown toenails, be prepared to deal with recurrences. Wearing properly-fitted and protective shoes, managing medical conditions, and teaching appropriate foot grooming methods will help.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton

This article is an excerpt from our forthcoming 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook! More to follow, but for now, please support our mission to place a medically prepared person in every family by checking out our quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at store.doomandbloom.net. You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast Returns!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-returns/) 

 [Nerve Blocks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nerve-blocks/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Nail Injuries, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** ingrown toenail, joe alton md, medical preparedness, nail bed injuries, nail hematoma, survival medicine, trephination

---

### [Sand Fleas and Flies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sand-fleas-and-flies/)

**Published:** July 7, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/barracuda-and-joe.gif)Big ol’ barracuda (let him go, don’t eat them at this size due to ciguatera poisoning)

Recently, we were on the west coast of Florida doing some fishing. On the open ocean, luck was with us with some nice big fish, one of which was a large Spanish Mackerel that fed all four in our party. The rest of the time, we fished from the beach.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mackerel-joe.jpg)Heckuva nice mackerel

In the area where we were, there were large numbers of small biting flies on the sand. We were told by locals that they were “sand fleas”. Each bite left a small raised red welt; I easily had one hundred of them on exposed areas (and this was *with* the use of DEET-based insect repellent).

This episode got me thinking about the minor issues that an off-grid medic would likely encounter. Certainly, things could be worse. Biting insects often cause rashes and itching, but go away over time. Still, a group member’s work efficiency could be affected and, if the area is scratched, breaks in the skin may become infected. It’s always appropriate for the medic to recognize what threats exist that could cause medical problems, even the very small ones.

**“SAND FLEAS”**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sand-flea-bait.jpg)Sand flea (the real thing)

There’s some confusion about what is or isn’t a **[sand flea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerita_(genus))**. What locals call a sand flea and what actually *is* one are two different things. A real sand flea (*Emerita analoga*) is a type of small crustacean that has an adult size of about 1 or 2 inches in size, depending on your location. Females are bigger than males. Also called a “**mole crab**”, it tends not to bite humans. I’ve often used them as bait for tasty crab-loving fish like pompano.

There are other creatures erroneously called sand fleas: “**[sand hoppers](https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/crustaceans/sand-hopper)**” (*Orchestia agilis*). These are crustaceans that look different from real sand fleas. They also appear very different from regular fleas, but have the same amazing jumping ability. They are much bigger (up to an inch) than your typical flea and look more like a tiny lobster. These are, like the mole crab, unlikely to bite.

There is, however, a tiny, yet nasty, flea that lives in the sand and *does* bite humans: the **chigoe flea** (*Tunga penetrans*). Females burrow into the skin of the feet and ankles. There, they grow to a centimeter in size and lay eggs. The appearance is that of a small black speck in the middle of a welt. Pressure from the swelling may cause serious discomfort.

Chigoe fleas can be removed with tweezers with care taken to avoid leaving the head under the skin. They may also be suffocated and killed on the skin’s surface with oil or petroleum jelly. As they leave a small open wound, antisepics and antibiotics are often given to treat infections in the area.

**CHIGGERS**

Chigoe fleas should not be confused with “[chiggers](https://www.healthline.com/health/chigger-bites)”. **Chigger**s (*Trombicula autumnalis*) are tiny juvenile mites who live in tall weeds, grass, and wooded patches. These are reddish in color and barely visible to the naked eye. There are many species, but only a few bite as larvae, causing rashes and itching. Mites in this stage are what we recognize as chiggers. All chiggers are mites, but not all mites are chiggers.

Back to my tale of woe. It appears that none of the above qualified as the culprit for my particular ailment. It was clearly not a sand flea of any kind. It was a tiny flying bug but not a mosquito: a **[sandfly](https://healthrid.org/sand-fly-bites-treatment-pictures-healing-time/#:~:text=%20You%20may%20have%20been%20bitten%20by%20these,bites%20to%20control%20the%20itching%2C%20and...%20More%20)**.

**SANDFLIES**

Although you’ll find a number of articles on mosquitoes and the diseases they carry at doomandbloom.net, I have yet to address sandflies. If you live in a warm coastal area in the southern United States, you probably are acquainted with them.

Sandflies aren’t just one species: The name stands for any flying, biting fly in sandy zones. Those in the *Ceratopogonidae* family are also called “**[biting midges](https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/bitingmidge.html)**”. Tiny enough to be considered, like chiggers, “no-see-ums”, they are responsible for small itchy red welts which last for up to two weeks.

Like mosquitoes, female sandflies suck the blood of humans and animals. For them, it’s a prerequisite for reproduction. They may, as in my case, attack in large numbers, biting on any areas of exposed skin.

Sandfly bites can cause small red bumps and blisters that may itch and swell. The effects may take hours to manifest, but last for days to weeks. Antiseptic and hydrocortisone lotions will help ease itching and prevent infections from developing. Some recommend **diphyenhydramine** (Benadryl), an ingredient in “Tylenol PM”. Be aware that, at higher doses (50 mg or more), drowsiness may occur.

Like mosquitoes, sandflies may (though rarely) transmit diseases in their bites. One of these is a parasitic illness called **[leishmaniasis](https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/extraintestinal-protozoa/leishmaniasis/?network=o&matchtype=e&keyword=leishmaniasis&creative=&device=c&devicemodel=&placement=&position=&campaignid=395649988&adgroupid=1277632838182880&loc_physical_ms=71650&loc_interest_ms=&msclkid=293944db9fc514a4bc641bdf7b5f5f1f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=EDL_MERCKUSA_Professional_SE_SEM_N_MIX_NTL_US_EN_M&utm_term=leishmaniasis&utm_content=Infectious%20Diseases%20-%20Leishmaniasis)**. Victims develop skin ulcers which may take a year to heal.

**PREVENTING SANDFLY BITES**

–Wear DEET-based insect repellents; reapply every two hours and after swimming on the beach.

–Avoid the beach in the early morning, at dusk, after rainfall, or whenever the sky is overcast. Cooler temperatures are when sandflies and chigoe fleas are most active. Late morning and early afternoon are best.

–Windy days don’t allow sandflies to navigate very well and make it harder to bite.

–Keep moving: Sandflies will swarm you if you stay in one place.

–Use a lounge chair rather than lying on a towel. They’re more likely to bite lower legs and feet and avoid the face and neck. Deny them even that by covering lower legs and feet.

–Keep ground-floor windows and doors shut at night if you’re near the beach. Sandflies are often so small they fit through screens.

**ABOUT DEET**

Although DEET didn’t prevent my becoming a victim of biting midges, it probably prevented the effects from being worse.[ **DEET**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEET) (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) was developed in 1946 but not widely used until 10-20 years later, when the insecticide [DDT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDT) was found to have negative environmental impact. The **Environmental Protection Agency** (EPA) last reviewed DEET in 2014 and believes it is safe when used as directed.

DEET doesn’t kill biting insects like mosquitoes or sandflies, but the chemicals in it affects neurons and receptors located on antennae and mouth-parts to repel them.

The EPA states that there is no age restriction regarding DEET usage. Products containing DEET can be used on children but I suggest avoiding the highest concentrated products. Irritation may occur.

I wondered about expiration dates, but most products containing DEET don’t have one listed on the container. This suggest they are, at least, long lasting. Over time, however, effectiveness may decrease.

Those preferring a natural alternative might consider **[lemon eucalyptus oil](https://amzn.to/2O0sc5g)** (also EPA-approved). Other natural products used include oatmeal baths and aloe vera.

It’s important to apply insect repellent correctly. If you use a spray, shake first, then hold 6-8 inches from skin and clothing and spread evenly. Some repellents can cause eye irritation, so spray onto your hands first, then apply to the face.

Off-grid medics must recognize bites that may be minor but can cause infection if not caught early. That way, a bump on the road doesn’t become the end of the road for their patient.

**Joe Alton MD**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Hey, fill those holes in *your* medical storage with medical kits, books, and individual supplies in Nurse Amy’s store at [s**tore.doomandbloom.net.**](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: The Spanish Flu](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-spanish-flu/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Insect Stings and Bites, Medical Preparedness, Stings and Bites, Survival Medic, Uncategorized

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, chiggers, chigoe fleas, insect bites, joe alton md, preparedness, sand fleas, sandflies, survival medicine

---

### [Nerve Blocks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nerve-blocks/)

**Published:** June 23, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Radial-Nerve-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Radial-Nerve-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)

In a disaster that knocks us off the grid, increased exertion from activities of daily survival, combined with poor health and sanitation, can lead to injuries that pose a challenge to the family medic. For example, an injured patient that requires a suture repair will suffer discomfort due to the unavailability of local anesthesia.

I am often asked about the use of Lidocaine (brand name Xylocaine), and other injectable local anesthetics for the purpose of preparing an injured area for suturing. Although difficult to find without a prescription, the medic should be acquainted with the use of these useful medications. Relatively small and superficial lacerations are best anesthetized with place a small amount of drug at the wound site itself (“local infiltration”). In other circumstances, [nerve blocks](https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/nerve-blocks) are more appropriate. Each nerve block is intended to numb a portion of the course of a nerve as it travels through the body to the wound site.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_1498543058-hand-laceration-finger-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_1498543058-hand-laceration-finger-scaled.jpg)

As each area of the body and wound is different, the corresponding nerve block method is different as well; let’s take the example of a hand injury. A nerve block may be required for:

· Multiple lacerations to the hand or fingers.

· Injuries with multiple embedded foreign objects and debris.

· Large lacerations.

· Burns where extensive removal of dead tissue (debridement) is required.

· Poisonous bites that involve the removal of significant foreign material, such as a stingray spine

· Areas that are particularly sensitive (e.g., the palm of the hand).

There are various injectable local anesthetics on the market, such as Procaine (Novocain), Bupivacaine (Marcaine), and Mepivacaine (Carbocaine). Lidocaine (Xylocaine) is, however, the most widely used these days, due to the rapidity and effectiveness of its anesthetic action. Lidocaine also comes in the form of an ointment, jelly, patch, and aerosol spray. Injecting the drug gives, of course, a much stronger effect. You can obtain one or two percent Lidocaine; the more concentrated dosage is useful for longer procedures.

**Lidocaine and Its Use**

You can expect full effect about ten minutes after administration, and the effect should last one to two hours. Epinephrine 1.200,000-1,000,000 has been used in conjunction with lidocaine to help decrease bleeding and prolong the effect further. This combo should not be used in areas with limited circulation, such as the fingers or earlobes. The epinephrine could constrict the blood vessels excessively and cause lack of blood flow to the tissues (also called “ischemia”).

Before you consider the use of local anesthetic, you should be aware of your patient’s medical history. Some, such as those with liver disease, cardiac disease, or the elderly, should receive less quantities of the drug.

Of course, you’ll need some equipment: Sterile towels and gauze to create a sterile field in which to work, an antiseptic such as povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine, at least one 6 cc or 10 cc syringe, and a thin gauge needle (25 or 27 gauge will do fine). You can decrease the “sting” of the injection by warming the local anesthetic slightly and/or adding 1 cc of sodium bicarbonate solution to each 10 cc of medication.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Anesthetic-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Anesthetic-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)Supplies for local anesthesia

[](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Anesthetic-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)Performing a local infiltration with injectable Lidocaine is relatively simple. Position your needle at one end of each side of the laceration and insert superficially at a 45-degree angle to the skin. Pull back on the syringe to make sure you haven’t entered a blood vessel by mistake (Intravenous or intra-arterial injection of Lidocaine can cause seizures or cardiac arrhythmias). Then, inject the drug slowly as you withdraw the syringe. A swelling should form (called a “wheal”).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LocalAnesInjection4-e1497888926420.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LocalAnesInjection4-e1497888926420.jpg)Forming a “wheal” (or “weal”)

[](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/LocalAnesInjection4.jpg)Repeat until each side appears slightly swollen. You can decrease the discomfort of multiple injections by entering in an area already anesthetized by a previous injection. To see this procedure in real time, check out my YouTube video “How to Suture with Dr. Bones”.

To describe every type of nerve block would take an entire medical textbook, so let’s pick a specific one and go through the procedure. We’ll use the example of a laceration on the back of hand.

The nerve we want to block is the radial nerve, as it supplies sensation to that area. If you’re the designated medic, It’s helpful to have a book on anatomy in your medical library so you can see where the nerve travels in that area. For now, see the image below:

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Radial-Nerve-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Radial-Nerve-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)Radial nerve distribution

[](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Radial-Nerve-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)You’ll start with the patient’s hand in the palm-up position. Clean the entire wrist and back of the hand with your antiseptic. Feel the radial artery pulse; this is the one that the doctor takes your pulse with when you have a physical exam. Then feel the radial styloid, this is the part of the wrist that protrudes slightly below the thumb area (see image below).

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pulse-Doom-and-Bloomcaptioned.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pulse-Doom-and-Bloomcaptioned.jpg)

[](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Pulse-Doom-and-Bloomcaptioned.jpg)

Insert your needle between the radial artery and the styloid near the crease of the palm, and inject two to three cc of the anesthetic. Don’t forget to pull back on the syringe to rule out an accidental entrance into a blood vessel.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Anesthetic-Supine-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Anesthetic-Supine-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)radial nerve block injection #1

[](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Anesthetic-Supine-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)Next, you will turn the hand over and, using the same insertion site, inject another five cc or so of Lidocaine along the back of the wrist to about the midpoint area. Use a longer needle than the one in the images if you can; this will decrease the numbers of injections you’ll have to do.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Anesthetic-Dorsal-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Anesthetic-Dorsal-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)radial nerve block injection #2

[](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Anesthetic-Dorsal-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)

Finally, wait 10 minutes and then test the area for anesthetic effect by lightly touching the area to be sutured with a needle.

Lidocaine is a prescription drug, and for good reason. Complications of injecting local anesthesia include:

· **Nerve injury** – a sign of this is severe pain during the injection.

· **Vascular injury** – usually with Lidocaine in combination with epinephrine.

· **Hematoma** – blood accumulating under the skin due to puncture of a blood vessel.

· **Lidocaine toxicity** – accidental injection of anesthetic into a blood vessel.

Lidocaine toxicity presents with lightheadedness, visual changes, numbness (often in the tongue), metallic taste, and ringing in the ears. Severe cases can progress to irregular heart rhythms, unconsciousness, and convulsions. In rare instances, a patient could develop heart arrhythmias, respiratory arrest, and even go into a coma.

Finally, it’s important to remember that, while we have the luxury of modern medical care, injuries and wounds should be treated by medical professionals. There are doctors with a lot of experience performing nerve blocks; take advantage of their expertise while they’re still there for you.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, if you believe in our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits (some one-of-a-kind), individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eye-kit.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eye-kit.jpg)[Advanced Eye Care Kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/eye-care-emergency-kit/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Nail Bed Issues Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nail-bed-issues-off-the-grid/) 

 [Eye Trauma Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/eye-trauma-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Closure

**Tags:** joe alton md, lidocaine, local anesthesia, medical preparedness, nerve block, radial nerve, radial nerve block, survival medicine

---

### [Medicinal Gardens](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-gardens/)

**Published:** June 6, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Nurse-Amy-Medicinal-Garden1.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Nurse-Amy-Medicinal-Garden1.jpg)Nurse Amy and some of her raised garden beds

Planting your own medicinal garden is the best way to provide alternatives to modern medicine in long-term austere settings. Until pharmaceuticals were produced in factories, people had to grow their own medicine. This practice was a natural part of the landscape and provided needed remedies for many medical issues. Sometimes, a community would have a person who served as an herbalist and supervised the cultivation and processing.

Growing your own medicinal garden is both rewarding and beneficial. It’s important to realize that you’ll probably have limited access to pharmaceutical*s* if things go south. Whatever you have in the medicine cabinet will eventually run out. The gardening learning curve can be steep, so don’t wait until the situation becomes critical to get started. Obtain some gardening supplies, including items to amend the soil in less fertile areas.

Select a well-drained, sunny area with healthy soil. Although some herbs grow well in shade, most plants need at least 6-8 hours of full sun for proper growth and development. Potting is appropriate for medicinal plants that will need to be transported inside during a cold winter. Water should be provided on a regular basis to allow the soil to stay moist, but not muddy or waterlogged.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/coconut-coir.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/coconut-coir.jpg)

Soil in many areas must often be amended for the best results. For a well-draining soil, mix a potting soil with some bark (fir is my favorite) and coconut coir. **[Coconut coir](https://www.amazon.com/coconut-coir/s?k=coconut+coir&linkCode=ll2&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=bc376d8c2cc2e1674f043054c9b66e1e&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)** is the material between the outer shell of the coconut and the inner shell that contains the “water” and “meat”. Add compost to enrich. Drill, or punch, lots of holes all over the sides and bottom of pots. Fill the pot with soil to about 5 inches from the top.

Add a few red worms to the soil, if available. Feed the worms compost materials by adding vegetable peels, left over uncooked vegetables, etc. Dig a little hole along the edges of the pot, put the compost materials in, and then cover with soil. The worms will eat the vegetables and poop “worm castings”. Worm castings contain a mixture of bacteria, enzymes, remnants of plant matter, and other substances. They’re rich in plant nutrients and may contain more humus than surrounding soil.

Use only organic pest and disease control. Consider putting together a soapy mixture of one tablespoon of neem oil, one teaspoon of Dr. Bronner’s lavender, peppermint Castile soap, and, perhaps, a few drops of tea tree essential oil in about four to eight cups of water. The combination makes a great disease and natural pest control. Spray foliage in the late afternoon every five to seven days or after a heavy rain. Shorter intervals are acceptable if diseases or pests are being treated.

The medicinal plants you select should match the climate as best as possible. For some, that means that the herbs must survive the winter; for others, the summer heat. The Department of Agriculture publishes both “Plant Hardiness” maps for cold weather and “Heat Zone” maps to help you choose what to grow.

You may be able to grow warmer climate plants by protecting them from the cold with greenhouses or using row covers. This will expand the range of medicinal plants you may choose to grow either in pots or around your homestead.

**Seeds And Cuttings**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_594437918-collection-herbs-with-mortar-pestle-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_594437918-collection-herbs-with-mortar-pestle-scaled.jpg)

Now you can sow your seeds. Different plant seeds are placed at different depths of the soil. Usually, it’s better to plant too shallow than too deep. Some, like certain lettuces, aren’t buried at all. A good general strategy is to plant seeds at a depth which equals two to three times their width. A layer of mulch can help maintain even moisture levels in dry conditions. Make sure to read the seed packet for specifics, as every plant is different.

Stem cuttings are another option. This strategy involves putting cuttings in water or some other growing medium until they develop roots and then plant them into pots or the ground. You’ll need a sharp scissors or razor blade, a very healthy mother plant, a soilless potting mix, some **rooting hormone**, and small (4 inch or so) containers. Soilless mixes like perlite, vermiculite, sand, and coconut coir are used because they have less microbes that might inhibit rooting. As an alternative, water can be used instead of a mix, although planting in soil afterwards is less successful than with mixes.

Cuttings taken from new, green, non-woody stems make for easier rooting. Look for a stem with a bump somewhere near a leaf attachment. This is the area from which new roots will emerge. Use a clean scissors or razor blade dipped in alcohol and cut at a 45-degree angle just below the leaf attachment, sometimes called a “**node**.” The cutting should be a few inches long and contain a leaf or two plus the node. Although a leaf is necessary for photosynthesis, too many or a leaf that’s too large will take away energy from root creation. If the leaf is large, cut off a portion from the end.

Your chances of success might be higher with rooting hormone. Rooting hormone stimulates the formation of new roots. Dip the node into some water and then into the rooting hormone. Tap off excess; too much actually decreases the success rate.

Now, use a stick to make a hole slightly wider than the cutting. This will prevent rooting hormone from being knocked off the plant. Firm the soil around the cutting to stabilize it.

Place the whole thing into a plastic bag. This keeps the humidity high and holds in heat. Air is important, however, so don’t seal the bag completely. Keep in a warm area with a little light, but full sunlight isn’t necessary until new leaves form. Watch for two to three weeks, discarding any failed rootings. After this, a gentle tug on the plant should show some resistance, a sign that rooting has occurred. At this point, you have a new living plant!

It should be noted that cuttings should be taken from the mother plant in the morning, when it is most filled with moisture. For temperate climates, early Spring is the best season.

**Harvesting**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Herbs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Herbs.jpg)

Mature herbs might best be harvested in dry weather after the dew has evaporated. The different parts of the plant may require specific times of the year or other conditions for collection:

- Leaves: Usually best when collected soon after they open in spring and summer.
- Flowers: Harvest just as they start to bloom.
- Roots: Harvest in the fall
- Bark: Collect in the spring or fall in small amounts.
- Berries, Fruits, and Seeds: As you might imagine, best harvested when ripe but before they drop.

It’s preferable to take just the amount of plant material you’re ready to process for use or storage. Otherwise, rapid deterioration could occur and degrade the medicinal benefit of the herbs. Herbs can be preserved by air- or oven-drying, and then stored in a sterile dark glass jar with airtight lids. For the longest shelf life of about 12 months, make sure conditions are cool, dry, and dark. Vacuum sealing the jar works well, also.

In a future article, we’ll tell you about our favorite herbs for the garden that would make useful additions to your medicinal storage.

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton APRN

(Did You Know? Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy are graduates of the State of Florida Master Gardener program!)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Do you support our mission to put a medical prepared person in every family? If so, please check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Dental Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dental-trauma-2/) 

 [Video: Pneumonia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-pneumonia/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies

**Tags:** amy alton aprn, homestead garden, joe alton md, medical preparedness, medicinal gardening, medicine gardens, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Pneumonia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-pneumonia/)

**Published:** May 24, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1191565966-signs-symptoms-of-pneumonia-respiration-infection-1024x984.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1191565966-signs-symptoms-of-pneumonia-respiration-infection-scaled.jpg)

In this video, Dr. Joe Alton discusses pneumonia, a lower respiratory infection that can be life-threatening. This time, Dr. Alton is talking from experience: He is fighting a case of it right now, possibly from aspirating stomach acid into his windpipe when he was asleep. Hopefully, he’ll soon be back to writing, podcasting, and doing more videos on medical preparedness. In the meantime, thanks for all your best wishes and prayers.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Find out more about pneumonia and 150 other medical topics in our award-winning [Survival Medicine Handbook’s Third Edition](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1OS45APKGNV8V&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1578417623&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,160&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=268e344d61033f63c2893209b60b992d&language=en_US) and check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and other gear at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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[![three compact first aid kits great for hiking and camping made by Amy Alton of store.doomandbloom.net](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Medicinal Gardens](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-gardens/) 

 [Boosting Immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/boosting-immunity/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, aspiration pneumonia, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pneumonia, recovery from pneumonia, survival medicine

---

### [Boosting Immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/boosting-immunity/)

**Published:** May 21, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-1024x469.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-scaled.jpg)

In good times or bad, there are always issues that can impact your health. Black clouds might be on the horizon, but you can still weather the storm if you have a good immune system.

The immune system is your mechanism to protect against diseases by identifying and eliminating disease-causing germs called “**pathogens**”; It’s an expert at defending you against viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Most of the time, It works well, but sometimes a microbe will escape detection and cause sickness. Of these, viruses are the most problematic due to their tendency to mutate. Mutations in viral DNA or RNA might have very little effect in some cases, but, in others, can turn an average viral infection into a pandemic.

It’s important to understand that the immune system is not a single entity, but a number of different defense mechanisms that must work in harmony. To have it function optimally, changes are sometimes required in diet and lifestyle. Your ability to avoid illness is affected by several factors, including age, diet, medical conditions, physical fitness, and stress levels.

The off-grid medic can’t control all these factors, but encouragement of some simple lifestyle changes now can improve the long-term outlook for a survival group. If your people can maintain a healthy lifestyle, it will improve their ability to recover from medical issues more rapidly, if not avoid them altogether

**LIFESTYLE BOOSTS**

The first line of defense is replacing bad habits with good ones:

**GET MORE SLEEP**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_688561.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_688561.jpg)

In good times or bad, a poor sleep pattern can wreak havoc on your immune system. People who are sleep-deprived are at risk for all sorts of health problems, including higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol.

Better nighttime habits, known as “sleep hygiene”, increases the chance of falling asleep and staying there. They include:

- **Picking a time for “lights out” and sticking to it.** If your body is trained to expect sleep at a certain time, you’ll get to sleep faster.
- **Blocking out the light.** Your sleep space is meant to be dark at night. If you can’t achieve enough light blockage, wear eye shades.
- **Getting rid of extraneous noises.** Listen for sounds that might be keeping you awake. Ear plugs can help.
- **Getting some sun in the mornings.** It’s important to be in the dark at night, but you should also be exposed to sunlight during the day. A healthy balance helps to maintain a natural sleep-wake cycle.
- **Keeping Cool.** Cooler temperatures allow for a deeper sleep.
- **Shutting off the computer earlier.** In normal times, computers and televisions disrupt natural sleep patterns. Off the grid, reading a book seems to help shutting down for the night.
- **Avoiding late meals or snacks.** Heartburn is more common when lying flat, so don’t eat anything for at least two hours before you go to sleep. Some studies suggest that eating before sleep makes the brain more active and less likely to sleep.
- **Exercise regularly.** Exercise is also known to increase endorphins, chemicals that help to relieve pain or stress.

For the best night’s sleep, most people should avoid strenuous exertion close to bedtime. However, the effect on sleep differs from person to person: find out what works best for the individual.

**GET BETTER NUTRITION**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102-1024x681.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102.jpg)

Perhaps the most important change you can make is to decrease the consumption of sugar. Excess sugar in the diet is, essentially, a poison. Consuming too much decreases the immune system’s ability to attack germs. A detrimental effect seems to last for hours after drinking sodas or other sweet drinks.

Good nutrition is especially important for older people. Because they tend to eat less and have less variety in their diets, many suffer from “micronutrient deficiency”. Even in developed countries, the elderly lack certain vitamins and trace minerals that may affect the efficiency of immune response. A multivitamin supplement is a reasonable option, especially for seniors.

Adding more fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc will make your people less vulnerable to not only infection, but many chronic illnesses as well. Brightly-colored items like berries are an example of an antioxidant-rich food.

Which foods have which vitamins? Here are some examples:

 **Vitamin A:** egg yolks, cheese, nuts, whole grains, seeds, legumes, and oily fish like salmon

·**Vitamin B6:** green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, fish, chicken, and red meat

**Vitamin B9:** green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds

**Vitamin B12:** eggs, meat, and dairy products

**Vitamin C:** berries, citrus, tomatoes, broccoli, and red peppers

**Vitamin D:** fish, beef liver, egg yolks, fortified milks and cereals

**Vitamin E:** vegetable oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables

**Iron:** chicken, turkey, lean red meat, chicken, and fish, as well as beans, quinoa, spinach, and broccoli

**Selenium:** brazil nuts, lean red meat, chicken or turkey breast, pork, shiitake mushrooms, and whole wheat pasta

**Zinc:** Shellfish and other seafood, chicken, red meat, nuts, and beans

Other foods that help boost your immune system in general include fresh garlic and raw honey, both of which have been documented to have antibacterial and antiviral effects.

**About Chicken Soup:** Many people include chicken soup in their food storage. It’s a time-honored cold and flu remedy and not just an old wives’ tale. Research shows it decreases the duration and intensity of respiratory infections by slowing the movement of white blood cells to the oral and nasal cavity. This reduces congestion and eases other symptoms. Chicken soup seems to limit the amount of time viruses come in contact with the lining of the nose and can decrease the length of a cold.

Although not proven to cure or prevent illness, chicken soup contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, phosphorus, and antioxidants. Just the fluid in the soup helps prevent dehydration, helpful if you are sweating out a fever.

**DECREASE STRESS LEVELS**

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Stress is just part of life for many, but too much suppresses the immune system and makes you more vulnerable to illness. You might have less control (than you’d like) over the amount of stress to which you’re exposed, but here are some strategies that might help:

•  **Meditation**. [Here’s how to meditate.](https://www.mindful.org/how-to-meditate/#how)

• **Yoga.** [Here’s how to get started practicing Yoga.](https://www.yogabasics.com/practice/yoga-for-beginners/)

• [Massage therapy](https://florida-academy.edu/top-4-techniques-that-massage-therapists-learn-in-school/).

• Exercise.

• Learning new skills.

People who meditate regularly may have healthier immune systems. In one experiment, people who meditated regularly made more antibodies to the flu virus than others.

In situations where contagious disease is not involved, add social interaction as a stress reducer. Solo survivalists may succeed in staying alive, but it’s a miserable existence.

**LETTING GO OF BAD HABITS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Smoking-boys-1024x828.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Smoking-boys-scaled.jpg)

Across the board, smokers are less able to fight respiratory infections than non-smokers, and certainly suffer from decreased stamina. Stop as soon as possible. Vaping isn’t much better as an option. Just quit. [Here’s how.](https://tobaccofreeflorida.com/how-to-quit-tobacco/)

Other “vices” like drinking should be kept to moderate levels. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines excessive drinking as seven or more drinks per week for women and 14-15 for men. One standard alcoholic drink is considered to equal:

-12 fluid ounces or 234 milliliters of beer (5 percent alcohol)

-5 fluid ounces or 148 milliliters of wine (12 percent alcohol)

-1.5 fluid ounces or 45 milliliters of hard liquor (40 percent alcohol)

Why such a difference between men and women? It’s more than just the fact that men generally weigh more than women. Alcohol disperses in body water. Pound for pound, females have less water in their systems than males.

Women also tend to have lower levels of a substance called alcohol dehydrogenase (AHD) than men. AHD breaks down alcohol in the liver; having less AHD means that alcohol not only stays in a woman’s system longer, but accumulates faster.

**PROBIOTICS**

Probiotics are live microorganisms that impart health benefits when consumed. They can be found in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, and many dietary supplements. Many probiotic products contain the same or similar microorganisms that live inside our bodies.

Although many believe that bacteria are only harmful, a number of them (known as the “**microbiome**”) are beneficial to the body. Indeed, bacteria help you digest your food. They also produce vitamins in excess of their needs, which are then used by the human body. Intestinal bacteria secrete vitamin B12 and vitamin K; lactic acid bacteria produce some B-vitamins.

A lot of probiotic products can be made, even off the grid, but can they play a role in immunity? The research, although still in the early stages, point towards your microbiome having a major role in your immunity response. Even Harvard scientists suggest that, one day, we may be able to prevent certain diseases by modifying the microbiome to destroy abnormal or infected cells. There is evidence that regular consumption of fermented foods supports long-term health, helps prevent disease, and boosts our immune system. Avoid any fermented foods that are **pasteurized**, however: The probiotics are killed off during that process.

**HERBS**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-724x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_59381233-scaled.jpg)

Although the conventionally-accepted evidence for immune benefit is still lacking for a lot of herbal products, each herb works differently for each person. The herbs in the list below have been touted for their immune benefit and come as dried spices used in cooking, teas, extracts, salves, or essential oils:

• Turmeric

• Oregano

• Elderberry

• Ginger

• Cayenne pepper

• Cinnamon

• Black pepper

• Astragalus

• Boneset

• Echinacea

• Goldenseal

• Lemon balm

• Lemongrass

• Nettle

• Thyme

Essential oils used in inhalation and aromatherapy may help decrease viral exposure, open airways, or boost immunity. These include Thieves’ oil, oregano, clove, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, and peppermint.

Some herbs are immune modulators: that is, they aid immune response while preventing an overreaction, an issue thought to have caused fatalities in COVID-19 victims. These include several mushrooms like Reishi, Caterpillar, Turkey Tail, Maitake, Agaricus, and others.

Although the above substances are thought by many to improve the immune system, it’s important to note that none are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to cure or treat disease.

**SUPPLEMENTS**

There are hundreds of products available commercially that claim to boost or otherwise “support” immunity. Some of these items are the results of modern research. Others have been used for generations in a family or a culture. You might have a particular one you swear by.

While the hard scientific data on many of these is still somewhat lacking, you may feel most comfortable staying on your favorite supplement. Indeed, some supplements may alter some part of the immune process and help. It’s important to know, however, that no specific commercial product has been *proven* to boost immunity to a level where it is superior in avoiding disease to good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

Part of the medic’s plan of action should always include an honest appraisal of your peoples’ current diet and habits. Instituting changes in lifestyle now can help in achieving a solid immune system that will keep loved ones healthy in times of trouble.

Joe Alton MD

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 [Video: Pneumonia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-pneumonia/) 

 [Acid Reflux Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/acid-reflux-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** boosting immunity, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [Acid Reflux Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/acid-reflux-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** May 19, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Any pain due to acid inflammation is hard to ignore and will decrease work efficiency. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis and treatment are important to get your group member back to normal.

Pain originating from stomach acid can travel up the esophagus (the tube from the stomach to the mouth). Often described as “heartburn”. The medical term is “**[gastroesophageal reflux disease](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940)**” or G.E.R.D.

G.E.R.D. often occurs as a result of weakness in a valve formed by a ring of muscle called the [**lower esophageal sphincter** (LES)](https://www.bjsph.org/Health-Library/View-Content/contentTypeId/85/contentId/P00381). The LES is located at the entrance to the stomach and closes as soon as food passes through it. A defect in it allows acid to travel up the esophagus and cause a burning sensation. This relaxation at the stomach-esophagus border is known as a “**[hiatal hernia](https://medlineplus.gov/hiatalhernia.html)**,” which occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges through the large muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest (the “diaphragm”). Discomfort usually starts in the left or mid-upper abdomen and travels up to the breastbone.

Some patients can even taste the acid in their mouths. A related acid reflux condition is called **[laryngopharengeal reflux](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15024-laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr)** (LPR). In LPR, acid goes all the way up to the throat, causing injury to the vocal cord and throat. Hoarseness, chronic cough, clear-white phlegm, sore throat, and frequent throat clearing are among the symptoms. In severe cases, stomach acid may go down the windpipe, causing a serious lung inflammation known as “**aspiration pneumonia**.”

To make the diagnosis of acid reflux disease, the timing of the discomfort is important. Acid reflux discomfort occurs soon after eating but is sometimes seen several hours after a meal. It can be differentiated from other causes of chest pain in that it gets better by drinking milk or taking antacids. Many patients note improvement simply by sitting up straight. As you can imagine, these strategies wouldn’t be effective treatments for chest pain caused by a heart attack.

**GASTRITIS**

Gastritis simply means “inflammation of the stomach”. It relates to damage of the stomach lining caused by infection, irritation, or acid. Gastritis is most commonly caused by infection with the bacteria, [*Helicobacter pylori*.](https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/h-pylori-helicobacter-pylori) This is the same bacterium responsible for most stomach ulcers. A commercially-available test exists to diagnose it.

The signs and symptoms of gastritis include:

- Gnawing or burning in the left-mid upper abdomen that may worsen or improve with food.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fullness in the upper abdomen after eating.

Besides an H. pylori infection, risk factors for gastritis include:

–Regular use of certain pain relievers, especially NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin). These erode the stomach lining over time.

–Older age. Older adults have an increased risk of gastritis because the stomach lining tends to thin with age.

–Excessive alcohol use and smoking. Both tobacco and alcohol can make your stomach more vulnerable to digestive juices and cause gastritis.

–Stress. Chronic stress in survival settings can manifest itself in ways that are both emotional and physical, leading to gastritis.

–Other diseases and conditions. Gastritis may be associated with other medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, and parasitic infections.

–Injury, burns, extreme anxiety, or severe infections.

**PEPTIC ULCERS**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_75515089-peptic-ulcer-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_75515089-peptic-ulcer-scaled.jpg)

Another cause of pain possibly due to stomach acid is a **[peptic ulcer](https://www.emedicinehealth.com/peptic_ulcers/article_em.htm)**. These are open sores that form on the inside of the stomach and, possibly, the upper part of the small intestine (the “**duodenum**”). Ulcers can develop as a end result of an untreated gastritis caused by *Helicobacter pylori*. H. pylori may be transmitted from person to person through contaminated food and water, so proper water filtration and sterilization seems to decrease the likelihood of this infection.

Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve) may also cause them. Spicy foods and stress, however, are not thought to cause peptic ulcers, although they can certainly make symptoms more severe.

Symptoms include burning in the stomach area (mid- and upper left abdomen), bloating, belching, nausea, and problems eating certain foods. Patients complain that they feel worse on an empty stomach or at night.

The main danger with ulcers is bleeding. An ulcer can bleed slowly or quickly. If slow-bleeding, the patient will have a lack of energy, fatigue, and an inability to physically exert themselves. Over time, they will appear pale. A heavily bleeding ulcer usually causes black, sticky stools known as “**melena**”. It reminds you of tar. Bloody vomit or vomit with the appearance of material that looks like coffee grounds is another sign.

**TREATING ACID-RELATED INFLAMMATION**

There are a number of lifestyle changes that may be effective strategies against acid issues:

• Stopping the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

• Avoiding highly acidic fruit (like oranges or tomatoes), fatty foods, coffee, onions, peppermint, and certain teas.

• Eating smaller meals to cause less stress on the stomach.

• Avoiding meals altogether for several hours before bedtime.

• Sleeping with both the chest and head elevated 30-45 degrees.

• Losing weight if obese.

Medications used as treatment include:

• Antibiotics to kill H. pylori. Test kits are available over the counter to identify the bacterium. Combination therapy with Amoxicillin and metronidazole (available as veterinary equivalents) for 7-14 days with the addition of omeprazole (Prilosec) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is the most available alternative for the austere medic: One dosing option is omeprazole (Prilosec) 40 mg once daily, amoxicillin (Amoxil) 500 mg three times daily, and metronidazole (Flagyl) 400 mg three times daily.

• Medications that block acid production. A family of drugs known as proton-pump inhibitors work by blocking the action of cells that produce acid. Over the counter medications in this family are available for stockpiling purposes in long-term survival. They include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and esomeprazole (Nexium).

• Medications that reduce acid production. Drugs called histamine (H-2) blockers reduce the quantity of acid in the GI tract, soothing gastritis pain. Examples include famotidine (Pepcid) and cimetidine (Tagamet HB).

• Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. These meds don’t block or reduce production of acid, but neutralize existing stomach acid. Popular brands include Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepto-Bismol, and Alka-Seltzer.

Home remedies abound for acid-related discomfort:

• Organic apple cider vinegar: Mix one tablespoon in four ounces of water, drink before each meal.

• Low-fat milk or yogurt, four-eight ounces as needed.

• Aloe Vera Juice: Mix one ounce in two ounces of water before a meal.

• Baking soda: Mix one tablespoon in a glass of water and drink right away when you begin to feel heartburn.

• Honey lemon tea: Mix one teaspoon lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey with eight ounces of warm water.

• Glutamine: An amino acid found in milk and eggs that has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces acid reflux.

• Ginger or helichrysum tea.

It’s important to remember to communicate with your patients. Many in the preparedness and homesteading community are rugged individualists. They may be unlikely to tell the medic about something they consider trivial, like heartburn. Anyone that is clearly in pain, losing efficiency, or unable to sleep should always be questioned about their symptoms. Offer treatment and support wherever possible.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

Do you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family? If you do, do us (and your family) a favor by checking out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)! You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Boosting Immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/boosting-immunity/) 

 [Ticks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ticks-2/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal

**Tags:** abdominal pain, acid reflux, gastritis, GERD, heartburn, joe alton md, LPR, medical preparedness, melena, peptic ulcer, survival medicine

---

### [Ticks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ticks-2/)

**Published:** May 11, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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It’s the time of year when, whether you’re a hiker, camper, or survivalist, you’ll be spending more time in the Great Outdoors. During your off-grid adventures, you’ll be exposed to all sorts of critters that want a piece of you. In this case, we’re not talking about bears or mountain lions; we’re talking about ticks. As many tick-borne illnesses are treatable in the early stages, you must, as family medic, know how to quickly identify and treat these conditions.

You may believe ticks are insects, but they are actually eight- legged arachnids related to scorpions and spiders. One species or another of this parasite is found just about everywhere in the U.S. and Southern Canada, and a number of species seem to be extending their range over time. For the first time, disease-carrying ticks have been found near beaches in California.

The CDC identifies more than 15 diseases transmitted by ticks to humans. They include:

- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Tularemia
- Babesiosis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Ehrlichosis
- Relapsing Fever

**How Ticks Spread Disease**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1395862628-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1395862628-scaled.jpg)

Ticks make their living by biting the skin of a host and extracting a meal of blood. Unfortunately, they also transmit various disease-causing microbes to humans and animals through their infected saliva.

Ticks have a life cycle that can last two-three years and includes egg, larva, juvenile (also called a “**nymph**”), and adult stages. For a larva to develop into a nymph or for a nymph to develop into an adult, a blood meal in needed. It appears that the nymphs cause the most cases of Lyme Disease. The CDC estimates that about 30% of all ticks carry disease in the Northeast and Upper Midwest.

Ticks don’t jump like fleas do and they don’t fly like, well, flies. To pass along a disease to animals or humans, ticks must first find their hosts. How do they do this? By detecting smells, sensing body heat, or feeling vibrations with movement.

Usually, ticks hang on grasses and bushes, holding on with their back pairs of legs and latching onto passersby with their front pair(s). The larvae (juveniles) like to live in leaf litter. In inhabited areas, they can be found in shaded woodpiles, leaf piles, or tall grass. When the tick latches onto its victim, its mouth parts pierce the skin and start extracting blood.

**Identifying A Tick Bite**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_287842529-tick-bite-entire-head-in-wound-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_287842529-tick-bite-entire-head-in-wound-scaled.jpg)

Without finding an actual tick attached and feeding, it’s hard to tell one insect bite from any other. While there may be a small, red bump after the tick detaches, some experience a more expanded area of irritation and itching. The appearance of acute Lyme disease is a little different and will be discussed shortly.

Given the risk for disease, a thorough examination of the entire body for ticks is warranted within two hours of returning from a day outdoors. This is most easily accomplished during a shower. Look behind the knees, in armpits, around the ears, hair, groin and even the belly button (navel). Be especially certain to examine dogs and children as well when they return from a day outdoors. Inspect clothing for ticks as well.

**[TICK REMOVAL](https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/removal/index.html)**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1727269489-correct-and-incorrect-way-to-remove-a-tick-1024x377.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1727269489-correct-and-incorrect-way-to-remove-a-tick-scaled.jpg)Grasp as low down on the head and pull straight upOnce found, it’s important to [remove the tick](https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/removal/index.html) as soon as possible. it may be possible to just brush or wash it off if it hasn’t bitten you yet. If that doesn’t work, the simplest method is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the bug as close to the skin’s surface as possible, and pull straight upward in an even manner. Twisting as you pull or pulling at an angle may cause the mouth parts to remain in the skin.

After removal, thoroughly clean the wound area with soap and water or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and apply antibiotic ointment. Wash your hands afterwards. As an added precaution, launder clothing in hot water and dry in high heat. If all this is done soon after the bite occurs, infection is highly unlikely.

There are other methods of tick removal, such as using specially-designed instruments, smothering it with petroleum jelly, or lighting it on fire. No method, however, is more effective that simply pulling it straight out.

**LYME DISEASE**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_537518422-bulls-eye-rash-lyme-tick-1024x743.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_537518422-bulls-eye-rash-lyme-tick-scaled.jpg)“bulls-eye rash” seen in many cases of Lyme

The most well-known disease passed by ticks to humans is known as “[Lyme disease](https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html)”. Lyme disease was unknown until about 1975, where it was first diagnosed in the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Since then, Lyme has become the most common tick-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere.

Lyme Disease is caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium known as ***Borrelia burgdorferi***. A new species, *Borrelia mayonii*, has recently been shown to also cause the disease. Both are carried by *Ixodes scapularis*, also known as the blacklegged or deer tick, in the northeastern and upper midwestern U.S. and the western blacklegged tick (*Ixodes pacificus*) along the Pacific coast. They are also responsible for transmitting **Babesiosis**, **Anaplasmosis**, and other infections.

In settings where winters are milder and acorns abundant, the population of animals that ticks like to feed upon increases. These include mice, a favorite of baby ticks, and deer, popular targets for adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are estimating 300,000 cases of Lyme Disease in humans per year (three times the number reported 20 years ago).

**[Symptoms Of Acute Lyme Disease](https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs_symptoms/index.html)**

Sometimes, the presence of a tick on the body goes unnoticed. By itself, the bite wound is not medically significant; indeed, transmission of Lyme disease by a biting tick is rare in the first 24 hours. Once at least 24-48 hours have passed, Lyme bacteria is more likely to be passed to the host by the tick. Symptoms can become apparent anywhere from three days to a month afterwards. You will usually see:

• Rashes

• Fever and chills

• Muscle aches

• Fatigue

• Joint pain

In about 70 per cent of patients, the rash occurs before the fever and starts as a bump with redness in the area of the bite. It often then develops into a red ring-like “bull’s-eye” that feels warm to the touch. Usually, very little pain or itching is associated. The pattern, which spreads over time, is called “**erythema migrans**” and may be enough to confirm the diagnosis. Alternatively, some may present with a spreading, crusty, splotchy area of redness, a red oval plaque, or a bluish rash. Lyme Disease, however, may be missed or misdiagnosed if symptoms are mild or, especially, if the tick bite was missed by the examiner.

**Treatment of Lyme Disease**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/doxycycline.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/doxycycline.jpg)

When a bite from a blacklegged tick is newly identified, the use of antibiotics may prevent Lyme Disease. A single preventative dose of two 100 mg tablets of doxycycline may suffice.

Once there is the presence of erythema migrans, rapid treatment can still result in a cure. Symptoms, however, may last for a time after treatment. Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 14-28 days is indicated, or in children (must be over 8 years old) 4mg/kg twice a day for 14-28 days (max of 100 mg. per dose) Avoid doxycycline in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Alternatively, Amoxicillin can be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women at dosages of 500 mg 3 times/day for 14-28 days. 50 mg/kg is the dose for children younger than eight years of age (maximum 500mg 3x/day). Azithromycin has been mentioned as a second alternative. Although less effective, it can be used in those allergic to Penicillin-family drugs. These antibiotics are usually available in non-prescription veterinary equivalents.

**Prevention Of Lyme And Other Tick-Borne Diseases**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-1024x605.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_54144193-scaled.jpg)

An ounce of prevention is, they say, worth a pound of cure, and this old saying is particularly relevant when it comes to infections caused by tick bites. Whether you’re off the grid with your survival group or just on a camping trip, consider:

• Long pants and sleeves on the trail.

• Thick socks and high-top boots (tuck your pants into them).

• Walking in the center of trails to avoid brushing up against vegetation.

• Using insect repellants like DEET (20% or greater) on skin (oil of citronella or lemon eucalyptus are natural alternatives).

• Applying Permethrin 0.5% insecticide to clothing, hats, shoes, and camping gear 24-48 hours before using (proper application will even withstand laundering). It is not useful for application to skin, however.

• Thorough exams after a day outdoors, again, paying special attention to children and dogs.

Although not technically associated with poor hygiene, ticks are often first detected while bathing. This means that failure to bathe may allow them to remain on the body and increase the chance of disease transmission. Be sure to enforce good hygiene in your group members.

**Symptoms Of Chronic Lyme Disease**

As Lyme disease is often missed in its early stages, some people progress to a late stage that results in a more diverse (and problematic) set of symptoms. These may occur months after the tick bite and include:

• Neck pain and stiffness

• Severe headaches

• Multiple rashes away from the site of the bite

• Joint pain and swelling in knees and other large joints

• Bell’s palsy (nerve damage that causes drooping on one side of the face)

• Heart problems such as irregular heartbeats

• Dizziness

• Shortness of breath

• Inflammation of the spinal cord (called “meningitis”)

• Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands, feet, or face

• Memory loss

Many of the above symptoms may persist for long periods. As of yet, there is not a proven cure or vaccine for chronic or late-stage Lyme disease.

**ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER**

Carried by the Rocky Mountain wood tick or species of dog tick, infection with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever features a red rash which usually develops about 3 days after fever begins. The rash may vary in appearance during the course of the disease from splotches to pinpoint dots. Almost all sufferers will get the rash, but it may appear later in the illness, making early diagnosis difficult. Left untreated, severe damage to blood vessels may require amputation of digits or limbs. Like Lyme disease, treatment with doxycycline at the very beginning gives the best results.

**EHRLICHIOSIS**

A bacterium, transmitted by the Lone Star tick, symptoms from infection usually present within 7-14 days after being bitten. The appearance of the rash sometimes follows a fever and ranges from spotty, flat or with raised areas, to multiple small purplish areas (called “**petechiae**”). Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Like many other tick-borne diseases, early treatment with doxycycline may be effective.

Other than the appearance of the rash, most other tick-borne diseases have a similar presentation. You can expect to see fever, chills, head and body aches, fatigue, and, sometimes, nausea and vomiting.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-1024x867.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Acid Reflux Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/acid-reflux-off-the-grid/) 

 [Nursing Care Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nursing-care-off-the-grid/)

**Categories:** Animal Encounters, bacterial disease, Chronic Illness, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Insect Stings and Bites, Medical Preparedness, Tick-borne illness

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, borreliosis, erlichiosis, how to remove a tick, joe alton md, lyme disease, medical preparedness, rocky mountain spotted fever, survival medicine, ticks

---

### [Nursing Care Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nursing-care-off-the-grid/)

**Published:** May 10, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![NUrse caring for sick patient](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_80114341.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_80114341.jpg)Providing nursing care

Providing emergency care for an injury or other medical issue is important. In normal times, it’s the most that’s expected of the average citizen. More than that, and you’re expected to pass the sick or injured along to modern medicial facilities.

In survival settings, however, there is no hospital. rehab center, nor nursing home which can take in those who require convalescent care. Therefore, it’s the medic’s responsibility to learn proper nursing care for the sick and injured members of the group. In normal times, most of the care a patient receives is from the nurses on the ward. If the medic can acquire some of their skills, they’ll have surpassed the accomplishments of many a doctor in terms of helping a patient recover.

Here are a list of nursing care duties that will give a sick loved one a better chance at survival in good times or bad:

**Vital Signs & Charting**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_59573617.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/shutterstock_59573617.jpg)Vitals signs

-Take the patient’s temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and respirations (vital signs) three times a daily until recovered. Check more frequently if any result is out of the normal range. Maintain a chart to document their progress.

-Listen to lung sounds comparing one side to the other (see physical exam section for more details) once per day. In their record, chart “lungs clear on both side” or specify any issues found.

-A pulse finger oximeter will help check the status of the respiratory system. Although this is a device that requires batteries it is very useful to have in your medical supplies. This shows you how much oxygen is getting from the lungs into the blood as well as the heart rate. Document results in the chart.

-Perform capillary refill checks on both hands and feet to assure good blood flow to the extremities. While you are evaluating each hand and foot, also check skin color, pulses, and strength. Chart these results daily; If a body part involves the injured area, then the medic should check these signs during each dressing change.

-Ask the patient about their pain level while performing vital signs and dressing changes. Give appropriate over the counter medication to help with their comfort. Document the pain level (1-10), and any treatment in the chart, plus if improvement occurred.

**Safety & Shelter**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)

-Provide a safe shelter with a comfortable temperature and some fresh air.

-Encourage bed rest until fully recovered.

-Note any disabilities the patient has, such as trouble hearing, seeing, mental status and with mobility. Make sure all caregivers are aware if special care is needed.

-Check on the patient frequently and provide visiting time for loved ones to sit quietly by their side (except for contagious diseases). Feeling cared for speeds recovery.

-Assess the patient’s mental status with every encounter. Does the patient know who they are, where they are, and what day it is? Their moods, speech patterns, responses to questions or commands (“will you lift you right arm please”), as well as their posture and ability to walk should all be considered. You don’t need to directly ask these questions every five minutes but keep a note of any changes or sudden confusion. Chart “awake, alert, and aware” once per day or record any deficits.

-Keep a close eye on any confused or disoriented patient; they should have someone at their bedside at all times for their safety. Protect them from falls and further injuries.

-Assess their emotional status and look for signs of anxiety, depression and PTSD (all discussed in that chapter of the same name). Support and listen to the patient’s feelings. Allow them to verbalize as much as they want. Seek special counseling for the patient, if available, from a capable individual.

-Teach patients how to use any ambulation or movement equipment, like a wheelchair, (commercial or homemade) properly. Encourage mobility as tolerated by the patient.

**Hygiene & Sanitation**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/shutterstock_209173573.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/shutterstock_209173573.jpg)Washing hands often is imperative

-Wash your hands before providing any care or preparing your loved one’s food or fluids

-Protect yourself, the patient, and visitors from infections and contagious diseases with PPE (personal protection equipment) as needed. This includes hand washing and glove changes while providing wound care.

-Provide a comfortable sleeping cot or bed with a pillow and blankets. Change all linens daily (if possible) to avoid moisture and soil buildup (immediately if wet or soiled).

-Keep the patient clean. Bathe daily; even a sponge bath is helpful. Use a gentle soap and soft washcloth. Keep the patient warm and covered in areas not being bathed. Change linens immediately afterward. Provide or apply a skin moisturizer.

-On a daily basis, ask the patient to brush their teeth or assist if needed. Oral hygiene is often overlooked and causes problems down the road.

-For contagious patients, try to maintain the sickroom and a bathroom space for the patient separate from the other family members.

-Dispose of human waste safely.

**Nutrition & Hydration**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_107885570.jpg)Hydrate!

-Give plenty of fluids. Fluids help loosen secretions so that the patient can bring up phlegm and help maintain adequate hydration. Examples include water, sports drinks, ginger ale, and diluted fruit juices.

-Document how many ounces or cups of fluids the patient is able to drink and the volume of urination (or an approximation). In hospitals this is known as “I & Os” or “input and output”.

-Chart any bowel movements, including how the patient describes it (color, amount, and consistency). Listen for gurgling bowel sounds in all four quadrants during a daily exam until bowel movements are noted. Patients on bed rest tend to get constipated. Treat as needed with extra fluids, fiber and/or over the counter medications. Chart bowel sounds, problems, and treatments provided.

-Provide frequent small, easy-to-digest, nutritious meals and snacks. Add vitamin supplements to help boost the immune system. Chart type and amount of foods eaten plus any supplement type and dosage.

-Meals and snacks can include soups, applesauce, plain chicken, sandwiches, crackers, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, rice, gelatin, pudding, bananas, etc.

**Preventing Bedridden Patient Issues**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/shutterstock_161673146.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/shutterstock_161673146.jpg)infected bedsore

-Allow the patient to sit in a comfortable chair or prop the patient up in bed to help with breathing and prevent pneumonia.

-A short walk as tolerated will help decrease the chance of blood clots. Keep a patient record and chart mobility out of bed, time, and location.

-If the patient is on bed rest, perform ROM (range of motion) gently every day to prevent stiffness. This means helping the patient move every joint slowly and comfortably. As the patient gains mobility, add exercises that use small weights to increase strength. The injured area should receive special attention. Chart ROM performed, include the time and date.

-Change the bedridden patient’s position during waking hours at least every two hours to avoid skin irritation and bedsores.

Here are some different positions to place the patient in:

- Side lying with the upper leg bent and forwards (if possible) while supported with pillows, is one position utilized (both sides are used).
- Moving the upper hip backwards and bringing the upper leg parallel to the lower leg can modify this as another position.
- The back is supported with pillows and pillows are used to pad between the upper and lower leg.
- Keep both knees bent slightly.
- Further rotating the back and bringing the upper leg to its natural side is another position.
- Support the tilted back, tilted upper hip and upper leg with pillows.
- A back lying position is best performed while the patient is sitting up (it does not need to be fully sitting).
- Provide pillows behind the back and under both knees and lower legs to relieve strain on the hips and back.
- Chart each position change in the patient’s record.

-Provide some activities for the patient as tolerated. A deck of cards, some crossword puzzles, a few books and will keep them occupied and connected to the outside world.

**Wound Care**

-Wound care should be performed at least daily. Twice daily is ideal. Infections may need three or more dressing changes depending on the drainage of pus. Chart the look of the wound, including any signs of infection, and amount, odor and color of any discharge. We’ll discuss wound care in much more detail in a future article.

If you can perform all of the above duties regularly, you’ll have given your patient the best chance of a full recovery (and you’ll never have to prove your fortitude in any other way).

**Amy Alton ARNP**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NurseAmyBook-1024x869.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NurseAmyBook.jpg)Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton

If you support our mission, please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Ticks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ticks-2/) 

 [The 4th "R"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-4th-r/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Nursing Care, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, medical preparedness, nurses, Nursing Care, nursing skills off the grid, survival medicine

---

### [The 4th "R"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-4th-r/)

**Published:** May 6, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/stop-the-bleed-logo.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/stop-the-bleed-logo.jpg)May is Stop The Bleed Month!

When you go to school you learn the three “R”s: [**R**eading’, ‘**R**iting’, ‘**R**ithmetic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_three_Rs). That’s all well and good, but in these days of school shootings and civil unrest, it might be time to add to the curriculum a fourth “**R**“: Reducing hemorrhage.

We’ve written a number of time about [mass casualty incidents](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mass-casualty-incidents/) (also called **MCIs**). They’ve pretty much become part and parcel of the “New Normal”. A mass casualty incident is any event in which the medical resources available are inadequate for the number and severity of injuries incurred.

Look at images of any terrorist attack, and you’ll see a lot of blood. These events tend to be over very quickly, but during that time, death from bleeding wounds can easily occur. In a world where high level medical care is just minutes away, citizens has become awfully secure in the notion that help is forthcoming. Unfortunately, it is rarely immediately at hand; the actions of individuals at the scene, therefore, may make the difference between life and death. If aid isn’t administered in the first few minutes, hemorrhage can be fatal.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_1114217537-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_1114217537-scaled-e1616691663175.jpg)

Despite the urgency of the situation, even members of law enforcement are taught not to approach wounded victims until the threat has been neutralized. This is, in reality, a wise move that avoids additional casualties, but adds a delay that may cost the wounded their lives. Therefore, the quick action needed may have to come from those involved but uninjured in the event.

How many know exactly how to stop a major hemorrhage? Just a few. Only those in the medical field or who take First Responder classes have been taught basic techniques, such as how to use a tourniquet. But although you can find fire extinguishers on wall cabinets with medical kits shoved inside. Is it time to teach our children how to stop bleeding as a subject in school and workplaces? As horrible as this sounds, I believe we have reached that point.

Disasters occur regularly, not just terrorist events but natural disasters such as [tornadoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-a-tornado/), as well. If hemorrhage first aid were a part of the curriculum, would it make a difference? Imagine a community full of people who learned to deal with injuries during their school years. Would there be lives saved, even if just by a witness to a car accident? How many lives would have to be saved for such a subject to be worthwhile to teach?

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-1024x819.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-scaled.jpg)Teaching bleeding control can help in natural disasters, too

Certainly, a first aid bleeding control course in schools would not be for kindergarteners, but for older children and teenagers and, also, school staff. Videos and demonstrations would be important to desensitize students to the topic.

Would it make students uncomfortable to take a class on bleeding wounds? Sure. Of course, some parents concerned that their child would be traumatized emotionally will protest. Perhaps, however, those who underwent the training might become imbued with sterner stuff than some of our current crop of collegians, who melt like snowflakes if faced with adversity.

In terms of trauma, how about this: Burns cause some pretty horrible wounds and death, but I don’t see kids running from the fire extinguishers in the hall. Violence is part of the “New Normal” and we must learn to deal with it in ways that save lives. Teaching kids to use the medical kits tucked in with the fire extinguishers is a way.

These are hard times, and they come with hard realities. We can live in denial of the importance of teaching bleeding control in schools, but I think you’d be grateful if the life of a loved one was saved by someone who learned “**Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic, and “Reduce hemorrhage”**.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1352-765x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1352-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

May is “Stop the Bleed” month. Check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits, tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, and much more at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Nursing Care Off The Grid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/nursing-care-off-the-grid/) 

 [Tendinitis In Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tendinitis-in-austere-settings/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Hemorrhage, Medical Preparedness, Rants and Raves, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tourniquets, Trauma

**Tags:** bleeding class, bleeding control, hemorrhage, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Tendinitis In Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tendinitis-in-austere-settings/)

**Published:** April 30, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1312235585-tendinitise-foot-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1312235585-tendinitise-foot-scaled.jpg)

The average person imposes daily demands on muscles and joints, which can only be increased in survival scenarios. We’ve discussed **sprains and strains**, but have rarely mentioned tendons. **Tendons** are thick fibrous cords that join your muscles to your bones. This is different from a ligament, which is a fibrous band that connects one bone to another. When tendons become irritated or inflamed, it’s called “**tendinitis**” or “tendonitis”.

Tendinitis causes acute pain and tenderness, which makes it difficult to move the associated joint. Maybe the most well-known tendinitis is “tennis elbow”, but any tendon can become inflamed. Besides the elbow, the most common areas affected are the shoulder, knee, wrist, and heel.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1957197616-tennis-elbow-1024x731.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1957197616-tennis-elbow-scaled.jpg)Tendinitis in the elbow

Signs and symptoms of tendinitis can appear suddenly or develop over time. It usually occurs at the point where the tendon attaches to a bone. Symptoms include:

- Pain when moving the affected limb or joint, sometimes described as a dull ache.
- Tenderness when touched.
- Stiffness
- Swelling.
- “Popping” when using the nearby joint.

Although tendinitis can be caused by a sudden injury, the condition is much more likely to stem from repetitive movements, like swinging a tennis racket or working on an assembly line. It’s more common in people whose jobs involve a lot of exertion, awkward positions, frequent overhead reaching, or exposure to vibrations. With sports, tendinitis is sometimes due to faulty technique. If you’re swinging a tennis racket wrong, you’re likely to develop tendinitis.

Of course, some other factors besides bad technique put you at risk. Age is probably the most important. As you age, your tendons become less flexible, which leads to injury.

If tendon irritation persists for several weeks or months, a condition known as “**tendinosis**” may develop. This condition involves degenerative changes in the tendon, along with abnormal new blood vessel growth. Without treatment, the tendon becomes so weak it snaps in two, known as a “**rupture**“.

The goals of tendinitis treatment are to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Taking care of tendinitis at home includes the **R.I.C.E.** strategy as is used for sprains.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1904917897-1-1024x432.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_1904917897-1-scaled.jpg)

Different medicines are used for tendinitis. The most common are pain relievers like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) Topical anesthetic creams also may be effective in relieving pain. Special exercise therapy designed to stretch and strengthen the affected muscle-tendon unit may also help. One method involves contracting a muscle while stretching it out.

Rest is a key part of treating tendinitis, but prolonged inactivity can cause stiffness in joints. After a few days of completely resting the injured area, have the patient gently move it through its full range of motion to maintain joint flexibility.

Another option is massage therapy. **[Transverse friction](https://www.physio-pedia.com/Friction_Massage)** is a massage technique that’s sometimes used for tendonitis. The massage strokes used are deep and applied directly to the affected area, in a direction that’s perpendicular to the tendon. It may help reduce pain and improve blood flow.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734.jpg)

Natural remedies also exist for tendonitis, but aren’t subject to testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here are some:

The bark of the white willow contains salicin, which has effects similar to aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in pain relief and reducing inflammation.

Comfrey ointments have been used to heal bruises as well as pulled muscles and ligaments, fractures, sprains, strains, and osteoarthritis. But beware, never ingest it nor apply to broken skin. Comfrey can cause major damage to your liver. Use it for no more than 10 days at a time and definitely don’t give it to kids.

Other substances that have been suggested include turmeric. Curcumin, which gives the curry spice **turmeric** its bright yellow color, may help in treating painful inflammatory conditions, such as **tendinitis** and arthritis,

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Dr. Alton

Consider checking out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and more at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The 4th "R"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-4th-r/) 

 [Appendicitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/appendicitis-2/)

**Categories:** Foot Care, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** achille&#039;s heel, joe alton md, medical preparedness, ruptured tendon, survival medicine, tendinitis, tendonitis, tennis elbow

---

### [Appendicitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/appendicitis-2/)

**Published:** April 22, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Appendicitis Off The Grid**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_1121262569-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_1121262569-scaled.jpg)appendicitis

After a disaster or at a remote homestead, the medic may not have ready access to modern medical technology. As such, many conditions that are commonly identified with ultrasounds or CAT scans may be more challenging to diagnose. One of these challenges is abdominal pain. There are various medical issues that cause it, with the classic example of an abdominal emergency being **appendicitis**. Over 300,000 Americans have their appendix removed every year.

**The Appendix**

The “**vermiform appendix**”, as it is formally known, is a hollow tubular organ a few centimeters long and a centimeter wide. It looks like a worm (vermiform means worm-like). Attached at the entrance to the large intestine (the “**cecum**”), it resides in the lower right portion of the abdomen in almost all people. Inflammation of the appendix can become a medical emergency quickly; if ignored, it may represent a life-threatening situation.

*ASIDE: When the appendix (or any other organ, for that matter) is inflamed, the suffix “-itis” is added; thus, inflammation of the appendix is called “appendicitis”.*

What purpose does the appendix serve? Charles Darwin believed it was a left-over from an earlier time, as horses and some other animals have larger ones that help them digest vegetation. Today, it is thought by many that it serves an immune function for fetuses and children. It is also thought to be a reservoir for good gut bacteria. After a bout of, say, dysentery or cholera, it may help repopulate the gastro-intestinal tract with beneficial micro-organisms.

Having said that, there seems to be no major ill effects from having an appendix removed, although some studies suggest a small increase in diseases, such as Crohn’s Disease.

**What Happens in Appendicitis**

Appendicitis is related to an obstruction of the organ by, usually, calcified feces; it some cases, blockage can be caused by foreign objects, trauma, or even intestinal worms. How does this lead to a possibly life-threatening situation?

Once blocked, the mucus produced by the appendix is unable to drain into the cecum. The organ swells as a result. Once swollen enough, the ensuing pressure on the appendix walls prevents the circulation necessary to keep tissue alive. The dying tissue causes the appendix to fill with pus and, without treatment, will be either walled-off by the body’s defenses or will burst (a “ruptured appendix”).

Once ruptured, an inflammation of the lining of the entire abdomen called peritonitis occurs. From there, it can progress to an infection throughout the body (sepsis) if untreated. Death may be the final outcome.

**How to Identify Appendicitis**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_320931095-1024x761.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_320931095-scaled.jpg)McBurney’s Point

Many illnesses will be difficult for the medic to diagnose in austere settings. Although ultrasounds and CAT scans help confirm suspicions, appendicitis can be identified with some reliability based on physical signs and medical history.

Classic signs and symptoms that suggest appendicitis as the cause of abdominal pain include:

- Pain starting at or around the belly button, usually dull and aching
- Loss of appetite, followed by nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal swelling
- Fever
- Inability to pass gas
- Pain evolving to become sharper and migrates to the lower right abdomen

The pain tends to localize to a specific spot one-third of the way from the hip bone to the belly button, an area known as “**McBurney’s Point**”.

Once an appendix has ruptured, the pain becomes general throughout the abdomen in many cases. The belly may appear stiff and swollen, with tenderness on exam, both on pressing down (“guarding”) and when letting go (“rebound tenderness”, often worse).

It should be noted that other symptoms may present in a significant minority of patients. Cramping may occur, with some complaining of painful or otherwise difficult urination. As with any condition, signs and symptoms may vary from person to person.

**Mimics of Appendicitis**

Other conditions may lead you to erroneously suspect appendicitis when, in actuality, something entirely different is going on. Urinary infections, right-sided tubal pregnancies or ovarian cysts, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease may mimic an inflamed appendix to one extent or another and must be ruled out. These topics will be discussed in future articles.

**Treatment of Appendicitis**

Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain treated by surgery today, and the procedure is usually curative. The earlier the surgery is performed, the faster the recovery and the less likely scarring will occur. Below is a video of a (bloodier than usual) open removal of a swollen appendix:

Appendectomy can be performed, using a very small incision, [under sedation and local anesthesia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ewIUIrFiM4) off the grid. This procedure is not without difficulty for the inexperienced surgeon, as there is intervening small intestine and other structures that must be moved out of the way to visualize the inflamed area. Of course, patient discomfort is a major obstacle.

Recent studies have explored the possibility of [using antibiotics](https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/926795-overview) to nip early appendicitis in the bud. The patient should be placed on bedrest and restricted to small amounts of clear liquids as soon as you make the diagnosis.

Intravenous treatment is the preferred way to deliver antibiotics to treat appendicitis, but may not be an option off the grid. In that case, a combination of Ampicillin and either Clindamycin or Metronidazole might be useful. In cases of Penicillin allergy, Ciprofloxacin may be a suitable alternative to Ampicillin. It should be noted that, although most of these antibiotics can still be found in veterinary equivalents, this may no longer be the case in the uncertain future.

Joe Alton MD

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Do you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family? If you do, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Tendinitis In Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tendinitis-in-austere-settings/) 

 [Poison Ivy, Oak, And Sumac](https://www.doomandbloom.net/poison-ivy-oak-and-sumac/)

**Categories:** abdominal pain, appendicitis, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** abdominal pain, appendicitis, joe alton md, mcburney&#039;s point, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Natural Anti-Fungal Treatments](https://www.doomandbloom.net/natural-anti-fungal-treatments/)

**Published:** August 4, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Paragraph

[![athlete's foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/athletes-foot.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/athletes-foot.jpg)

Joseph Alton M.D., aka Dr. Bones, wrote an article recently reviewing [Athlete’s foot (and Jock itch)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=4587), which provided some excellent tips for prevention and treatment options. I wanted to add some additional information with regard to general antifungal treatments focused on natural and herbal treatments that may be useful. In times of trouble, natural remedies may be our only option. You may also want to try a more natural approach to treatment because you prefer them!

##  Fungal Infections

The list of external fungal infections includes forms of “*tinea*”, which is caused by the fungus Trihopytum and (although sometimes referred to as “**ringworm**”) is NOT a worm:

1\. Tinea capitus- “ringworm” of the scalp or neck

2\. Tinea barbae- “ringworm” of the beard area

3\. Tinea corporis- “ringworm” involving the non-hairy parts of the body (arms, legs, shoulders, face)

4\. Tinea cruris- “Jock itch”

5\. Tinea pedis- “Athlete’s foot”

### Natural Remedies for Fungal Infections

There are many natural and herbal remedies that are quite helpful in cases of fungal infections. I do not pretend to have performed intense scientific studies of each of these remedies. However, many people find they are useful in treating their fungal infections and you may also find your infection is cured by one or a combination of these remedies.

Diet changes may help treat internal and external infections. Add foods such as garlic, grapefruit seed extract, organic yogurt, coconut milk, carrot juice and/or apple cider vinegar to your daily diet. Avoid excessive sugar and carbohydrates; this will decrease the “food” used by fungus for growth.

Grapefruit seed oil has been noted as a treatment for several conditions. It is an effective antifungal both topically and internally.

For an internal infection:

1\. Take 3 drops mixed with 6 oz. fruit juice twice daily for the first week,

2\. Increase to 5 drops twice daily for the second week

3\.  Increase again to 5 drops, three times a day for the third week.

It’s a good idea to give yourself one week of rest from this treatment every three weeks.

For an external infection:

1\. Mix 20 drops in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle, spray feet twice daily for 3 weeks for Athlete’s foot.

2\. Also, spray the inside of shoes with this mixture to eliminate the source of infection.

3\. Add 20 drops of GSE to the final rinse cycle of your socks and underwear, allow the clothes to rest in the rinse water/GSE mixture for 10 minutes. Always wash these items in the hottest water possible.

4\. Keep your feet as dry as possible between treatments.

Essential oils that are effective for external application of fungal infections include:

1\. Cinnamon bark oil- use 10-20 drops in a hot footbath for 20 minutes. Add 1-2 tablespoons full of Epsom salts to the bath if available.

2\. Other essential oils that may be helpful in a footbath or for external application:

- · Tea tree
- · Lemongrass
- · Rosemary
- · Clove
- · Oregano
- · Peppermint
- · Lavender
- · Thyme
- · Myrr
- · Calendula
- · Geranium

For direct external application of these essential oils to the affected area, it is important to note some oils require a dilution with a carrier oil, like almond. Use twice daily before putting on clean socks.

Herbal baths or warm compresses are very soothing and may help treat fungal infection. These can be made with:

- · Garlic
- · Ginger
- · Black walnut hull
- · Echinacea root
- · Chaparral leaf
- · Fennel seed
- · Apple cider vinegar (one part vinegar, 4 parts water)
- · Goldenseal
- · Cinnamon
- · Thyme
- · Mustard powder
- · Boric acid (3 tablespoons full in a quart of water)
- · Baking soda
- · Mix ½ hydrogen peroxide and ½ water

Raw, unprocessed honey is an excellent anti-fungal. Before you go to bed cover the affected area with raw unprocessed honey and cover it with loose gauze or socks.

Colloidal Silver may be effective for your external fungal infection. Apply a thick coating to the area and allow it to dry. Internal ingestion of this is not suggested, as the ions simply bind to sodium and create a neutral substance (silver chloride).

Boric Acid and rubbing alcohol can be mixed in a ratio of 2 teaspoons to 1 cup of rubbing alcohol. Apply with cotton swabs or Q-tips twice daily.

Aloe Vera gel is soothing to the cracked, peeling and open areas of a chronic infection. Apply twice daily between treatment applications of antifungals.

Dry applications of various powders are great for keeping the skin dry while treating and/or preventing fungal infections. Apply after the area is dry usually twice a day. Here are some suggestions:

1\. Gold Bond medicated powder

2\. Crushed Aspirin tablets made into a powder, apply 3 times daily to the affected areas.

3\. Garlic powder (smells bad, best used before bedtime…lol)

4\. Baking soda

5\. Boric Acid

6\. Mix 4 parts Arrowroot powder, 1 part black walnut hull powder and 1 part chaparral powder.

7\. Cornstarch

 Fungal infections can be difficult to eliminate and treat. Your solution will most likely be a different combination of remedies than someone else’s, as each individual is unique. These natural and herbal remedies may not work for you, but at least you’ll have a list of options for a time when you have no medical professional to consult. We can always have hope if we have knowledge.

Remember to follow the principles outlined in Dr. Bones’ article for prevention of Athlete’s foot and Jock Itch. Here is a link to the article:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/athletes-foot/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/athletes-foot/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/athletes-foot/")

One source of a great anti-fungal formula can be found at: (I have no monetary gain, just wanted to share a link a reader shared with us!)

[https://www.enerhealthbotanicals.com/anti-fungal-herbal-extract-tincture.html](https://www.enerhealthbotanicals.com/anti-fungal-herbal-extract-tincture.html "https://www.enerhealthbotanicals.com/anti-fungal-herbal-extract-tincture.html")

Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Lower Back Pain: Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/lower-back-pain-part-1/) 

 [Ingrown Toenails in Tough Times](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ingrown-toenails/)

**Categories:** Foot Care, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections

**Tags:** anti-fungal, antifungal, collapse medicine, crisis medicine, external fungal infections, fungal infections, medical preparedness, natural remedies, ringworm, tinea

---

### [Poison Ivy, Oak, And Sumac](https://www.doomandbloom.net/poison-ivy-oak-and-sumac/)

**Published:** April 11, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_66518167-poison-ivy.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_66518167-poison-ivy.jpg)Poison Ivy”

A common form of **contact dermatit**is the medic will see in survival scenarios will be related to contact with natural irritants that exist in some plants. In an extended disaster scenario, you’ll spend a lot more time exposed to toxic plants like [poison ivy](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/default.html). Even in normal times, warmer weather means more outdoor activities and, thus, more exposure.

Unless you live in Alaska, Hawaii, or the middle of the desert, there will be a population of poison ivy, poison oak, and/or poison sumac. Once in contact with one or the other, 85% of people will develop antibodies against these plants that will generate an itchy rash of varying degrees of severity.

As an aside, Alaska has no poison ivy or oak, but it does have [cow parsnip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracleum_maximum). When bruised, the leaves of this plant can leave a chemical on the skin that makes it very sensitive to the sun, causing a blistered burn. Hawaii has the[ crown flower](http://garden-notes-from-hawaii.blogspot.com/2011/11/crown-flower-calotropis-gigantea.html) and the pencil plant; Both of these have sticky white sap that irritates and burns the skin.

With poison oak or ivy, the old saying goes: “**leaves of three, let it b**e.” Although it’s true these plants come in “leaves of three”, so do many others. The medic must become acquainted with images of poisonous plants native to their area so they can be identified and avoided.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_1712331778-poison-oak-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_1712331778-poison-oak-scaled.jpg)Poison Oak

Poison ivy and poison oak are very similar, with the same chemical compound (called “urushiol”) as the main irritant. The oil is in just about every part of the plant, including the vines, leaves, and roots. Winter does not eliminate the possibility of a reaction, as you can react against even dormant vines or shrubs.

Poison ivy leaves are generally almond-shaped and pointed. Poison oak often looks more like, well, oak leaves, with scalloped or lobed edges. Poison Sumac is a shrub or small tree, growing up to nearly 30 feet in height in parts of the Eastern United States. Each leaf has 7–13 pointed leaflets and the plant produces whitish berries in the fall. In most cases, berries this color are poisonous, leading to the saying “**berries white are a poisonous blight**.

For some images of poison sumac through the seasons, click this link: 

Of course, other plants may mimic the above. One test that suggests you’re dealing with a plant containing urushiol is to crush parts of the plant containing sap in a folded white paper. Urushiol should turn the paper dark in a short while.

Although poison sumac has the same chemical irritant present in poison ivy and poison oak, it is far more powerful. Simply inhaling smoke from burning poison sumac has been reported to be life-threatening.

A person can be exposed to urushiol directly or by touching gardening tools, camping equipment, and even pet fur that has been contaminated. Usually, poison ivy exposure isn’t noticed until physical signs appear. Interestingly, deer, dogs, and cats seem to be unaffected and have even been seen eating it.

The symptoms of poison oak, ivy, and sumac are very similar, since they all contain the same irritant. The reaction proceeds in phases:

• The skin exposed becomes red and itchy.

• A rash erupts in a pattern of streaks or patches.

• The rash develops into red bumps that take several hours to days to fully develop.

• In more severe cases, blisters may form.

• Itching can become severe.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_1413105536-severe-allergic-reaction-to-poison-ivy-blisters-1024x674.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/shutterstock_1413105536-severe-allergic-reaction-to-poison-ivy-blisters-scaled.jpg)Severe reaction to contact with poison ivy

Is the reaction from poison ivy and its relatives contagious? Technically, the rash is not. You could, however, possibly come in contact with the urushiol irritant if it’s on other people. A poison ivy rash, even one with open blisters, rarely spreads to other areas of the body that weren’t exposed.

The best strategy for prevention, of course, is not touching the plant and getting the toxin on your skin. If you can’t avoid exposure, consider these measures before you head outdoors:

• Long pants

• Long-sleeved shirts

• Work gloves

• High-top boots

Some recommend an over-the-counter lotion called Ivy Block as a preventative. Apply it like you would a sunblock to likely areas of exposure. Theoretically, it will prevent the oil from being absorbed by your skin. Once exposed, however, wash or shower with [Fels-Naptha soap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fels-Naptha), degreasing soaps used for washing dishes, or Tecnu Poison Oak and Ivy Cleanser as soon as possible.

The resin or oil from the plant that causes the reaction will remain active even on your clothes, so thorough laundering with special agents will be required. Fels-Naptha soap and Tec Labs products will remove residual resin from clothes. These products are more effective than regular detergent and can be used even several hours after exposure. Rubbing alcohol is another reasonable option and easily carried as hand sanitizers or prep pads, but dries the skin.

Routine body washing with soap will not be useful after 30 minutes of exposure, as your system will already be producing antibodies. Hot water seems to help the oil absorb into the skin, so use only cold water early on. After all the irritant has absorbed, however, hot water baths are actually recommended by some to relieve itching.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at 25-50 mg dosages 4 times a day will be helpful in relieving the itching (which can be miserable). It’s important to know that the 50 mg dosage will make you drowsy. Unfortunately, calamine lotion, an old standby, and hydrocortisone cream will probably not be very effective in more than mild cases.

Severe rashes have been treated with the prescription Medrol dose pack, (a type of steroid known as Prednisone). Prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory drug and will be more effective in preventing the inflammatory reaction that your antibodies will cause.

Some astringent solutions such as Domeboro have been reported to give relief from the itching. The active ingredient is aluminum acetate, which is similar to the aluminum chlorohydrate in many antiperspirants.

Fortunately, even an untreated poison ivy or oak rash will go away by itself over 2-3 weeks.

There are several alternative treatments for poison ivy, oak, and sumac:

• Cleansing the irritated area with apple cider vinegar.

• Essential oils mixed with Aloe Vera gel, such as a few drops of tea tree, lemon, lavender, peppermint, geranium, or chamomile.

• Baking soda paste

• Epsom salt baths.

• Jewelweed (mash and apply).

• Chamomile tea bag compresses.

For those who prefer drinking their tea, passion flower, skullcap, and chamomile are all thought to be soothing to victims of poison ivy.

Certainly, there are more poisonous plants than poison ivy, oak, and sumac, but the treatment is often the same as mentioned above.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-vane-edited-683x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-vane-edited-scaled.jpg)Dr. Alton

Do you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family? If you do, please check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes/)

**Categories:** Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, poisonous plants, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** contact dermatitis, cow parsnip, dermatitis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tornadoes!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tornadoes/)

**Published:** April 7, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-1024x819.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-scaled.jpg)

**Six people are dead in the South after at least 23 tornadoes tore through Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia last week. The damage in places like Coweta County is Georgia, well, it looks like a bomb went off there. Five people lost their lives in Calhoun County, Alabama, after the state was hit with 17 reported tornadoes. Sounds like an apocalypse movie? Nope, stuff like this happens this time a year every year, in the United States, the world’s capital for tornadoes.**

**Now why would an old country doctor be talking about general disaster preparedness? Where the blood and gore or the catastrophic pandemics we usually talk about. Well, with tornadoes there’s plenty of blood and gore, and you’d better get ready to deal with it, if you’re going to be the family medic, whether it’s in good times or bad. But even more importantly, the family medic can take steps to decrease the chances that a loved one with be injured or get sick, and that save precious supplies, which save a lot of headaches, and maybe a heartache or two as well.**

**Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton tell you what you need to know about keeping your family safe in Tornado season.** **To listen in, click below:**

**Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,**

**Joe and Amy**

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Poison Ivy, Oak, And Sumac](https://www.doomandbloom.net/poison-ivy-oak-and-sumac/) 

 [Flood!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tornadoes

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tornado, Tornado safety, tornadoes

---

### [Tornado!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-2-2/)

**Published:** March 5, 2019
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-300x240.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/shutterstock_239434720-tornado-scaled.jpg)

Every year in the United States, we go through various natural disasters. as we approach Spring, tornadoes become some of the most common in certain parts of the country. Deadly tornado events in Georgia and Alabama underscore the importance of being prepared. Although a little early in the season, tornadoes are always a possibility and they can be deadly.

**WHAT IS A TORNADO?**

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and the thunderstorm (sometimes called a “supercell”) that spawned it. From a distance, tornadoes usually appear in the form of a dark funnel with all sorts of flying debris in and around it. Because of rainfall, they may be difficult to see when close up, but certainly can be felt as all hell breaks loose.

A tornado (also called a “twister”) may have winds of up to 300 miles per hour, and can travel for a number of miles before petering out. They may be accompanied by rain and hail. As they pass, they emit a roaring sound that will remind you of a passing train (and nature’s fury). In the early 1980s, I experienced this exact phenomenon personally when I lost some roof tiles and several trees in what authorities called a “minor event”. We survived it, but you never forget that sound).

Tornadoes are especially dangerous because of their unpredictability and rapid formation. This contrasts with hurricanes, which, thanks to modern technology, usually come with several days warning. Therefore, it pays to have a plan of action in advance of the storm and, of course, supplies.

If you fail to plan ways to protect yourself and your family, you may find yourself having to treat significant traumatic injuries in the immediate aftermath. Later on, flooding may contaminate your water supplies and expose you to serious infectious disease. The unprepared family will have a lot of headaches and, tragically, heartaches, if they don’t plan.

**TORNADO ALLEY**

There are almost a thousand tornadoes in the United States every year, more than are reported in any other country. Most of these occur in “Tornado Alley”, an area that includes Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Alabama, and neighboring states. Spring and early summer are the peak seasons.

Injuries from tornadoes usually come as a result of trauma from all the flying debris that is carried along with it. Strong winds can carry large objects and fling them around in a manner that is hard to believe; Indeed, there is a report that, in 1931, an 83 ton train was lifted and thrown 80 feet from the tracks.

Tornadoes are categorized by something called the **Enhanced Fujita Scale**, from level 0-5, based on the amount of damage caused:

**F0** Light: broken tree branches, mild structural damage, some trees uprooted
**F1** Moderate: broken windows, small tree trunks broken, overturned mobile homes, destruction of carports or toolsheds, roof tiles missing
**F2** Considerable: mobile homes destroyed, major structural damage to frame homes due to flying debris, some large trees snapped in half or uprooted
**F3** Severe: Roofs torn from homes, small frame homes destroyed, most trees snapped and uprooted
**F4** Devastating: strong structure building damaged or destroyed or lifted from foundations, cars lifted and blown away, even large debris airborne
**F5** Incredible: larger building lifted from foundations, trees snapped, uprooted and debarked, multi-ton debris becomes airborne missiles

There have been about 60 EF5 tornadoes recorded, with wind speeds of between 260 mph (420 km/h) and 318 mph (512 km/h).

**TORNADO SAFETY**

Although some places may have sirens or other methods of warning you of an approaching tornado, it is important to have a plan for your family to weather the storm. Face it, having a plan *before* a tornado approaches is the most likely way you’ll survive the event. Children should be taught where to find the medical kits and, if mature enough, how to turn off gas and electricity. Giving your loved ones experience in the use of a fire extinguisher and some training in the treatment of injuries would be highly useful as well.

If you see a twister funnel, take shelter immediately. If you live in a mobile home, however, leave! They are especially vulnerable to damage from the winds. If you live in a mobile home and there’s time, get to the nearest building that has a tornado shelter; underground shelters are best. If you live in Tornado Alley, consider putting together your own underground shelter (check the link below). At the very least, find out your municipality’s (and your children’s school) tornado plan and shelter locations.

Unlike bunkers and other structures built for long-term protection, a tornado shelter has to provide safety for just a short period of time. As such, it doesn’t have to be very large; 8-10 square feet per person would be acceptable. Despite this, be sure to consider ventilation and the comfort or special needs of those using the shelter.

If you don’t have a shelter, find a place in the house where family members can go if a tornado is headed your way. Basements, bathrooms, closets or inside rooms on the first floor are the best options. Stay away from rooms with windows, these can easily shatter from impact due to flying debris. For added protection, get under a heavy object such as a sturdy table. Covering up your body with a sleeping bag or mattress will provide an additional shield. Discuss this plan of action with each and every member of your family in such a way that they will know this process by heart. Planning home tornado drills would be a great way for kids to learn what to do if a twister comes your way.

If you’re in a car and can drive to a shelter, do so. Although you may be hesitant to leave your vehicle, remember that they can be easily tossed around by the winds; you may be safer if there is a culvert or other protected area lower than the roadway. In town, though, leaving the car to enter a sturdy building is an appropriate course of action. If there is no other shelter, your car will protect you from some of the flying debris. Keep your seat beat on, put you head down below the level of the windows, and cover yourself with something.

If you are caught outside when the tornado hits, stay away from wooded areas if you can. Torn branches and other debris become missiles, so an open field or ditch may be safer. Lying down flat in a low spot in the ground will give you some protection. Make sure to cover your head if at all possible, even if it’s just with your hands.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-300x224.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)

If you have enough time, fill up that bathtub with water just in case, you’ll 1 gallon of water per day for every member of your family. I don’t have to tell you that you should have food and medical supplies stored up, also. Having a noisemaker on you (like a loud whistle) just in case you’re buried under debris will save you some energy (or just save you, period). This way, rescuers can hear you even if you’re stuck in your cellar.

For aftermath supplies, have the standard items like non-perishable food, water, an alternate shelter like a tent, a weather radio, and a [good medical kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) that concentrates on dealing with traumatic injury. For other items, something similar to our [winter survival list](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-in-march/) would be a good start.

**A POPULAR TORNADO MYTH**

A time-honored tornado myth states that if you open windows, it’ll prevent the roof from being blown off. In truth, opening the windows during a twister could potentially be lethal. It’s really a matter of simple physics. The roofs on most well constructed houses are held together by steel “L” brackets, a lot of nails, and 2×4 wood beams (or trusses). A window is nothing more than about a 1/4 inch pane of glass! This simply isn’t true.

Would you be ready if that tornado siren goes off? Armed with a plan of action, you will. Evaluate your home for weak and strong points, educate your loved ones on the right strategy, and you’ll have a head start on weathering that storm.

Joe Alton, M.D.

**Did you know? Tornadoes rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, but clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere!**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MDFind out more about natural disasters and 150 other medical topics in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine “[The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is Not on the Way](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=WB5REPQ64Z6R7JH4K7B3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=5562e572168edf018a674111266a6d27&language=en_US)“, now in its 700 page third edition! Also, our new book “[Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3IAV8NHLW2WD6&keywords=altons+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1551811791&s=books&sprefix=alton,stripbooks,157&sr=1-1-catcorr&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=d58fea460dba198ae7525604f7551638&language=en_US)…” and check out our entire line of medical kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Hypothermia In March?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-in-march/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Building/House fFires, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, how to stop bleeding, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tornadoes

**Tags:** enhanced fujita scale, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, tornado, tornado preparedness, Tornado survival, trauma, twister

---

### [Active Shooters In The New Normal](https://www.doomandbloom.net/active-shooters-in-the-new-normal/)

**Published:** March 25, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/active-shooter.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/active-shooter.jpg)

On March 23rd, 2021, a man thought to be mentally disturbed entered a Boulder, Colorado grocery store and began a shooting rampage. 21-year-old Al Aliwi Alissa, born in Syria but living in the United States since the age of three, managed to kill 10 people, including a police officer, before disrobing and surrendering to authorities. It’s thought that the gunman has a long history of anger issues and may have paranoid tendencies.

The shooting follows an incident where another 21-year-old killed 8 people in Georgia at local massage parlors, which he saw as a form of temptation for what is described as a “sex addiction.” The recent shootings in diverse settings follow a lull during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

In the last few years, shooting events by the disaffected, disturbed, and disgruntled have occurred on a regular basis. Schools, churches, places of business, and other public venues are now fair game for those with bad intentions. Armed not only with weapons but with a blueprint from previous incidents, gunmen can identify soft targets easily and are more “successful” in achieving their goal of creating mass casualties.

Like COVID-19, have these events become part of the “New Normal”? Should we just get used to them?

You might think that the “successes” achieved by active shooters occur at random. The increase in the sheer number of casualties, however, reveal a strategy that is being refined to deadly effect.

The selection of soft targets is becoming a science and is leading to higher numbers of deaths and injuries. In the 2018 South Florida high school shooting, for example, the gunman activated the fire alarm to make sure there would be lots of targets in the hall. To create confusion, he tossed smoke bombs (but prudently wore a gas mask).

If the ill-intentioned are now that much better at creating mayhem, it stands to reason that our society must become better at thwarting those intentions. Here are ways that would, in my opinion, decrease the number of shooter incidents and the deaths caused by them:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_1114217537-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_1114217537-scaled-e1616691663175.jpg)

**Improve security in areas at risk.** I would define an “area at risk” as just about anywhere where a crowd of people would gather. Better protection at malls or grocery stores may just be a matter of hiring more security personnel. Given the loss of so many jobs during the pandemic, it’s not a bad idea to train and hire workers specifically to keep an eye out for those with bad intentions. If the money isn’t there, establishing and training a volunteer safety team in places like [churches](https://www.doomandbloom.net/safety-plans-for-places-of-worship/), schools, or workplaces can increase the level of vigilance and identify threats early.

Although the recent attacks occurred in cities, rural areas aren’t immune. Establish volunteer safety officers in [small towns](https://www.doomandbloom.net/safety-plans-for-places-of-worship/) where there may not be law enforcement and emergency medical personnel just around the corner. These persons should have training in security, firearms, and first aid for bleeding wounds. If there are volunteer fire departments, while not trained volunteer safety departments?

**Instill a culture of situational awareness in our society.** Situational awareness is a state of calm, relaxed observation of factors that might indicate a threat. These are called “anomalies”; learning to recognize them can identify suspicious individuals and save lives.

Situational awareness involves always having a plan of action when a threat occurs, even if it’s as simple as making a note of the nearest exit in whatever building you’re in. Seems like common sense, but in these days of smartphone distractions, many are oblivious of their surroundings.

**Identify persons of interest through their social media posts.** Some active shooter candidates are vocal about their intentions. You might be concerned about “big brother” monitoring our public conversations on social media. It concerns me also, but you must answer this question: How many deaths are you willing to accept in your community due to a lack of vigilance?

We must always be on the lookout for signs of trouble. Even if this drives some potential gunmen underground, it might identify others in time to abort their mission.

In the case of Alissa, his sister-in-law felt compelled to take a gun away from him when he was acting erratically. In some states, it is possible for family members or police to ask the court to order the temporary removal of firearms from someone who may present a danger to others or themselves. A judge makes the determination to issue the order based on statements made and actions of the person in question. Controversial? Yes, but it could save lives.

Each municipality must set a mechanism (and an earlier trigger) for the authorities to apprehend and interrogate suspicious characters. Indeed, Ali Aliwi Alissa was a known person of interest to authorities before the attack.

[![Learn how to stop bleeding in wounds](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/expose-wound-to-see-the-full-extent-of-the-injury-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/expose-wound-to-see-the-full-extent-of-the-injury.jpg)Learn how to stop bleeding in emergencies

**Learn how to stop bleeding in emergencies:** Teach our citizens to avoid the natural paralysis that occurs in an unexpected event. This paralysis occurs as a result of “normalcy bias”, the tendency to discount risks because most days proceed in a certain standard manner; we usually assume that today will be the same.

By teaching simple courses of action such as the Department of Homeland Security’s **“Run, Hide, Fight”** triad, the decision-making process may be more intuitive and more rapidly implemented. This is more effectively taught and ingrained at a young age. Make sure it’s a part of every child’s education.

We should also teach our students simple first aid strategies to stop bleeding, the most likely cause of death in these scenarios. Rapid action by bystanders is thought to decrease the number of deaths from hemorrhage. Add “Reduce” hemorrhage to “Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic” as part of school curriculum, and lives might be saved.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Small-Bleeding-Control-Kit-image.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Small-Bleeding-Control-Kit-image.jpg)[Bleeding Control Kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-for-bleeding-grab-n-go/)

**Provide first aid kits for bleeding in public venues.** In the last few years,[ bleeding kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-trauma-products/) have been packed into fire extinguisher wall cabinets in many public venues and can be accessed by those at the scene. Unfortunately, in most places, there isn’t a sign that indicates their presence. With supplies, the Good Samaritan will be more likely to save a life. I predicted, years ago, that these kits will be fixtures everywhere one day. It’s good that they’re there, but let the public know they are.

Our response as a nation has been to do little to correct the problem. I say that era must end. Let’s stop being “soft” targets. We must forsake the notion that shootings are just part and parcel of the New Normal and begin the process by which we change our attitude and level of vigilance, not in isolated cases, but as a society.

The above recommendations wouldn’t affect the average (sane) citizen’s right to bear arms. It *would* mean more situational awareness so that people can be more ready to [“Run, Hide, Fight](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-active-shooter-staying-alive/)”.

If it means more surveillance, we should realize how much there is already. Watching people who publicly threaten violence more closely makes sense; so does increasing access to mental health resources to, perhaps, prevent someone from going off the rails.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_346913912-run-hide-fight-active-shooter-1024x658.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_346913912-run-hide-fight-active-shooter-scaled.jpg)

The New Normal is an angry, dangerous place. The American identity has been replaced by many tribal ones; Most seem to hate each other. It’s a recipe for disaster that’s likely to get worse if we don’t reverse course, but that takes fortitude and determination on the part of all parties.

You don’t have to be a Department of Homeland Security official to know that there are more active shooter events on the horizon. Watch for anomalies in behavior and always have a plan of action. A prepared nation wouldn’t be invulnerable to attacks, but its citizens would have a better chance to survive them.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gunshot-Trauma-Wound-Kit-for-Active-Shooter-Incident-Survival-Hunting_burned-e1522890254708.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gunshot-Trauma-Wound-Kit-for-Active-Shooter-Incident-Survival-Hunting_burned-e1522890254708.png)[Single gunshot kit from 
Alton First Aid](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-kit-severe-trauma-wound-grab-n-go/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video Podcast: Thyroid Issues](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-thyroid-issues/)

**Categories:** Active Shooter, Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror, Terror events

**Tags:** active shooter, joe alton md, mass casualty incident, medical preparedness, new normal, situational awareness, survival medicine

---

### [Video Podcast: Thyroid Issues](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-thyroid-issues/)

**Published:** March 17, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/thyroid-slow-fast-hypothyroid-hyperthyroid-treatment-signs-symptoms-how-to-tell-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/thyroid-slow-fast-hypothyroid-hyperthyroid-treatment-signs-symptoms-how-to-tell-scaled.jpg)

In this video version of the Survival Medicine podcast, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss the importance of the medic in survival settings to know about chronic illnesses, such as thyroid dysfunction.

In austere scenarios, the family medic won’t have lab tests and fancy diagnostic imaging like MRIs and CT scans to help with medical issues if some disaster throws them off the grid. They will have to go by physical signs and symptoms, just like they did in the 19th century, which is just about where we’ll be thrown back to medically if some long-term event really happens.

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck below the Adam’s apple. It’s found at the level of the windpipe, also known as the trachea. When you apply a thumb and forefinger lightly to the area (or use two hands from behind the patient) and ask the patient to swallow, you’ll notice it move.These days, you’ll get a bunch of studies, blood tests, a sonogram, stuff like that to look for problems. Some thyroids can be identified by physical signs and symptoms, and the family medic should know how to identify and, hopefully, treat some of these conditions. In this video, we discuss it in detail…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Show your support for our mission by checking out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net! ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)Just some of the quality medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Alton First Aid/Grab n Go

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Active Shooters In The New Normal](https://www.doomandbloom.net/active-shooters-in-the-new-normal/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Thyroid Issues, Hypertension](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-thyroid-issues-hypertension/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [The Importance of Patient Advocates](https://www.doomandbloom.net/2996/)

**Published:** March 2, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_80114341-300x200.jpg "shutterstock_80114341")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_80114341.jpg)

We spend a lot of time on this blog talking about medical issues in times of trouble, from storms to a **complete societal breakdown**. However, times of trouble can be very personal, such as when you find yourself or a loved one battling a debilitating medical condition.

This has happened to one of my sons, Daniel. Daniel is a 30 year old who has had severe *diabetes* since he was nine years old. Due to his disease, he has developed kidney failure and partial blindness, and has been on dialysis for the last year. He has been on a kidney and pancreas transplant list since that time.

After a number of false alarms, a kidney and pancreas became available as a result of a drunk driver taking the life of a young father of two as he was riding his bicycle. He underwent the surgery at a large hospital, one of the few in the state that performed this type of procedure. The good news is that the new organs functioned well from the very start, producing urine and lowering his blood sugars to almost normal levels within 24 hours.

Several days after the operation, he was deemed fit enough to leave the Intensive Care Unit and go to a regular floor. This means that, instead of having a nurse specifically for him, he shared a nurse with several other patients. This is standard operating procedure, and usually has no ominous implications.

However, when I went to see him that day, he wasn’t looking well. He seemed pale to me, and his abdomen seemed more distended that it did before. There was a drain coming out of his belly, and it was full of, what seemed to me, frank blood. He was getting vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, etc.) taken every 4 hours, and the chart appeared to show that he was stable and doing fine.

Seeing the blood draining out of his abdomen concerned me. I took his vitals myself earlier than scheduled; he was tachycardic (pulse very fast) and his blood pressure had dropped. As I was unable to find medical staff, I emptied the bloody drain and it filled up again (and again) within 2-3 minutes. It was clear to me that he was bleeding internally, and it was a significant amount. He was heavily sedated and wasn’t complaining; I doubt , since he is nearly blind, he could find the button to push to notify the nurse even if he was awake.

This was late at night, and most visitors had left. Staffing was light, also, and it took some time to find his nurse, who was attending to another patient. My surgeon’s hackles were raised, and I (not ashamed to say) raised a ruckus which led to an overworked resident to take a look at him. To her credit, it was clear that something was wrong, and he returned to surgery. They wound up removing 3000-4000cc of free blood from his abdomen and stopping the hemorrhage.

He is back in the ICU and, thankfully, his kidney and pancreas are still functioning. However, thinking about this episode, it was clear to me that it could have ended very badly. If not identified in time, it’s very likely that I would have received a call in the morning notifying me that he passed away during the night.

I’m telling you this story not to gain sympathy or a pat on the back, but to convince you of the importance of being a patient advocate for your loved ones who are experiencing a medical TEOTWAWKI. If, like many of our readers, you are working to become a better medical asset to your people in hard times, then you must take patient advocacy as serious as learning first aid.

Most healthcare providers see themselves as advocates for their patients, but they are limited by their workload and many other duties, especially in public or university settings. Having an outside person who is invested in protecting their loved ones is important; it’s too easy to get lost in the system, and a hospital patient is often in too weakened a state to fend for themselves. You don’t have to be a medical professional to be a patient advocate. Most are just friends and family who offer their time and support to help the patient communicate with their doctors and cope with a process that is often confusing and, frequently, just plain scary.

Nurses are often excellent choices as patient advocates, as are any of you who have taken on the responsibility of survival medic. Ethically, you are honor-bound to be committed to the medical welfare of those in your family or group. Part of this duty is to protect the rights of the patient. You will be required to be inquisitive regarding the care given, as well as courageous and vocal in your dealings with healthcare providers. It helps a little to be a diplomat, as well, but I’ll take the first two requirements over that.

Many consider a hospitalization a time to heal quietly, but the patient is best served by participating in their medical process. This means steering their providers to a course of action that is best for them, not the system. If the patient is too weak to take on this burden, then someone else must. Some hospitals, to their credit, have patient advocates on staff; better, though, to have a dedicated and supportive friend or family member to run the gauntlet for them. That person must follow Ol’ Dr. Bones’ **Three A’s of Advocacy**:

1. **Accept** the importance of a patient’s rights.
2. **Advise** the patient so that they can be a full partner in the therapeutic process.
3. **Act** to run interference between patients and their caregivers to ensure that the patient receives the best care possible for their condition.

My son is still in a fragile state, and I can’t tell you how he will end up. I CAN tell you that he is still alive, and he has advocates that will fight for him. Pick up the flag, and protect those who might not be able to protect themselves. It’s up to you.

Dr. Bones

Are you ready to deal with medical issues in times of trouble?  With the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Handbook, you will be!

Here’s the trailer: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Fractures, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fractures-part-1/) 

 [Athlete's Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/2978/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Rants and Raves

**Tags:** Are you ready to deal with medical issues in times of trouble?, complete societal breakdown, crisis medicine, DIABETES, medical TEOTWAWKI, patient advocacy, patient advocate, teotwawki

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Thyroid Issues, Hypertension](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-thyroid-issues-hypertension/)

**Published:** March 15, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)

In this audio episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, **Dr. Joe Alton** and **Nurse Amy Alton** discuss chronic medical problems in survival scenarios, such as thyroid issues and high blood pressure. We mentioned in a recent show that the family medic won’t have lab tests and fancy diagnostic imaging like MRIs and CT scans to help with medical issues if some disaster throws us off the grid. You, medic, will have to go by physical signs and symptoms, just like they did in the 19th century, which is just about where you’ll be thrown back to medically. This can be done if you learn about what signs and symptoms are visible in different disease conditions. The Altons discuss thyroid issues in detail off the grid, and answer a listener’s question on hypertension, plus more!

To listen in to our audio podcast, just click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones Amy Alton, ARNP, CNM, aka Nurse Amy

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, we hope you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family. If you do, please take a minute to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our [books on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552?crid=2E2VLN1QRHHXJ&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1615832362&sprefix=survival+medicine%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=16bafa63b4b90b0ffdcc7b37b670aabe&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) or at our store!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video Podcast: Thyroid Issues](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-thyroid-issues/) 

 [Dressings and Bandages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dressings-and-bandages/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Chronic Illness, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Thyroid disease

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, thyroid issues

---

### [Dressings and Bandages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dressings-and-bandages/)

**Published:** March 9, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wet-to-dry-dressing-in-vivo.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/wet-to-dry-dressing-in-vivo.jpg)

The medic in survival settings can expect to see their share of injuries, some of which involve open wounds. A working knowledge of dressings and bandages will serve a caregiver well in terms of accumulating supplies in normal times and using them when the you-know-what hits the fan.

Oftentimes, you’ll see the words “dressing” and “bandage” used interchangeably. There is a difference, however. A dressing is applied directly to the wound to promote healing and prevent further damage. A bandage, on the other hand, is something used to hold a dressing in place. Tight bandages can be used to slow blood loss from an extremity. They are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Commercial varieties can be purchased or they can be improvised from strips of cloth, blankets, or sheets.

Dressings should, if possible, be soft, sterile, and larger than the wound itself. They shouldn’t form lint or other loose fibers like a cotton ball might. If used properly, dressings will stop bleeding, prevent infection, and protect wounds from worse injury.

**Dressing Types**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_43127152-dressing-and-bandage-supplies.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_43127152-dressing-and-bandage-supplies.jpg)

A variety of different dressing types exists:

**Gauze pads:** Gauze pads are woven out of cotton. They usually come in standard sizes, like 4-inch by 4-inch or 2 inch by 2 inch. Standard gauze tends to stick to wounds, so some, like Telfa pads, come with a coating helpful in burns or other settings. Improvisations using ointments or petroleum jelly can perform similar duties.

**Adhesive strips:** Useful for small lacerations or abrasions, they use a small sterile dressing with a tape-like bandage to secure in place.

**Trauma dressings:** These tend to be larger at 5-inch by 9-inch or 10-inch by 30-inch and thicker than smaller pads. They may or may not be sterile.

When applying a dressing, washing hands and putting on gloves will decrease the risks of infection. In many circumstances, however, this may not be practical.

Sometimes, a dressing will dry and become stuck to a wound. If this occurs, add some clean, warm water to it. The dressing should be easy to peel off after a few minutes.

**Bandage Types**

Bandages are meant to hold a dressing in place and, often, to apply pressure. Direct pressure assists in the control of bleeding (“hemostasis”). Compression helps to decrease swelling and supports an injured joint or extremity. A popular compression bandage is the Israeli Battle Dressing (IBD), also known as “the Emergency Bandage” in the United States. This versatile item can serve as a covering for a dressing, a compression bandage, or even an elastic wrap to secure a splint in place.

Other bandage types include:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/israeli-battle-dressing-forearm.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/israeli-battle-dressing-forearm.jpg)Israeli battle dressing aka (The Emergency Bandage)

**Gauze rolls:** Rolls of gauze are similar to the pads used as dressings, but are often several yards long. They come in a wide variety of widths.

**Elastic wraps:** Sometimes called (“Ace”) wraps, these are rolls made of elastic materials used to cover dressings but are sometimes used by themselves to stabilize sprains of the ankle or other joints.

**Self-Adhering wraps:** Popular brands such as Coban serve similar purposes as standard elastic wraps but are much easier to secure in place due to their sticky surface.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/triangular-bandage.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/triangular-bandage.png)

**Triangular bandages:** These bandages are, well, triangular and resemble a large bandanna (40 x 40 inches is the usual size). They are extremely versatile, used as slings, swaths, and cravats.

In addition to the various dressings and bandages that should be in your medical kit, be sure to have a good supply of medical or paper tape to secure ends of gauze.

**Dressing and Bandage Principles**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_98516198.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/shutterstock_98516198.jpg)Step Number One

Different injuries can be dressed in different ways, but the medic should adhere to certain principles (steps are discussed under soft tissue wound care):

- Always wash hands and use gloves before working on wounds, if possible.
- Flush the wound with clean water until free of debris before placing the dressing.
- Remember the definitions of dressings and bandages. Apply the dressing *before* applying a bandage.
- The dressing should be sterile or, at least, as clean as possible.
- Avoid touching the part of the dressing that will be in contact with the wound.
- Be sure to cover the entire wound with the bandage, plus about two inches above and below.
- When wrapping around an extremity, advance one-half to two-thirds of the bandage width every turn.
- Avoid tightening so much as to restrict circulation. This is a particularly common problem with elastic wraps. Pulses should be clearly felt and skin coloration should be normal.
- On the other hand, always make sure that the bandage is fairly snug. Bandages are sometimes left so lax that they slip off the dressing. This may happen due to loose ends that get snagged on something and stretch.
- Prevent covering toes or fingers unless they are specifically injured. If covered, circulation is difficult to assess.
- Avoid ending the bandage directly on the area of the wound.
- Always have a strategy to prevent wound infection while healing. Antibiotic creams, ointments, or even raw, unprocessed honey (over one year of age) are options.
- Set a schedule for frequency for changing wound dressings and bandages.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_315046394-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/shutterstock_315046394-scaled.jpg)

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Dr. Alton

Hey, we appreciate your support of our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family. Please check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) to help protect your family in good times or bad! You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Thyroid Issues, Hypertension](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-thyroid-issues-hypertension/) 

 [Video Podcast: Expiration Dates, Drug Storage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-expiration-dates-drug-storage/)

**Categories:** Ballistic Trauma, Bleeding Wound, Fractures, Injuries, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** ace wraps, bandages, coban, dressing a wound, elastic wraps, israeli battle dressing, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, telfa pads, triangular bandage, wound dressings, wound treatment

---

### [Video: Eye Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-eye-trauma/)

**Published:** July 10, 2019
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this video companion to a previous article, Joe Alton MD discusses various types of traumatic injury to the eye. Learn about foreign objects, blood collections, abrasions to the cornea and more with strategies for treatment on or off the grid.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/JoeAltonLibrary4-e1529856507411.jpg)Dr. Alton

Fill those holes in your medical supplies with kits and individual items from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Subscribe to our website and get special discount coupons!

![three compact first aid kits great for hiking and camping made by Amy Alton of store.doomandbloom.net](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-Colors.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our books on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [\#356 Survival Medicine Hour: Snakebites, Doxycycline, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/356-survival-medicine-hour-snakebites-doxycycline-more/) 

 [Snakebites: First Aid and Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/snakebites-first-aid-and-prevention/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, eye injuries, eye trauma, injuries to the eye from a foreign object, joe alton md, medical preparedness, subconjunctival hemorrhage

---

### [Video Podcast: Expiration Dates, Drug Storage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-expiration-dates-drug-storage/)

**Published:** March 2, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Videocast-4-the-doom-and-bloom-survival-medicine-show-proper-medication-storage-safety-safely-keep-expiration-dates-meaning-shelf-life-of-prescription-drug--1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Videocast-4-the-doom-and-bloom-survival-medicine-show-proper-medication-storage-safety-safely-keep-expiration-dates-meaning-shelf-life-of-prescription-drug--scaled.jpg)

Since 1979, drug companies have been mandated to place expiration dates on their products, but what is the actual meaning of an expiration date? Are the drugs still good after that date? Are they dangerous? Will you drop dead or grow a horn in the middle of your forehead if you use expired medicines? In this video companion to a previous audio podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton discuss what you need to know about expiration dates and how to safely store drugs for long-term survival scenarios.

To watch, click below:

Our videos can also be seen on ODYSEE: 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD Amy Alton ARNP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-1024x682.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)The Altons

Hey, do you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family for the uncertain future. If you do, check out our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our book on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Dressings and Bandages](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dressings-and-bandages/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Expiration Dates, Drug Storage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-expiration-dates-drug-storage/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, drug storage, expiration dates, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Expiration Dates, Drug Storage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-expiration-dates-drug-storage/)

**Published:** February 25, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/drugs.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/drugs.jpg)

In a disaster, especially a long-term one, the family medic has to be able to handle a lot of different emergencies. Some of these are clearly survivable, such as a broken finger, and some are not, like a bullet to the brain. It’s important for the medic to have a realistic attitude towards the hard facts. Being realistic won’t make decision-making easier, but it might make it clearer.

If you’re diligent in your role as medic you’ll accumulate various medicines that will help keep the family healthy and you’ll do it BEFORE the you-know-what hits the fan. We talked a little while ago about antibiotics. But you need more than just antibiotics, you’ll need a lot of different over the counter drugs, something we’ll talk about in the near future, and probably you’ll have people in your family or survival group that need medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical problems.

Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss the truth about expiration dates, and what role they have in choosing medications for storage purposes in times of trouble. Also, how to properly store drugs for the longest possible shelf life.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![Amy Alton on the NYC Intrepid ship](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Amy-Alton-on-the-Intrepid-Ship-NYC-2018-with-Bioscarf-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Amy-Alton-on-the-Intrepid-Ship-NYC-2018-with-Bioscarf.jpg)Nurse Amy on the Intrepid in NYC keeping warm 2019.

Do you support Amy and Joe’s mission to put a medically prepared person in every family? If you do, check out their entire line of medical kits, individual supplies, and more at[ store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Survival_Bag_First_Aid_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__32732.1520882285.1280.12801-e1523430747449.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Survival_Bag_First_Aid_Kit_Alton_Doom_and_Bloom__32732.1520882285.1280.12801-e1523430747449.jpg)The Stomp Supreme with Dental Kit added

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our book on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video Podcast: Expiration Dates, Drug Storage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-expiration-dates-drug-storage/) 

 [COVID-19 Long-Haulers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/covid-19-long-haulers/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Expiration Dates, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, drug shelf life, drug storage, expiration dates, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [COVID-19 Long-Haulers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/covid-19-long-haulers/)

**Published:** February 24, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/antique-old-group-with-face-masks.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/antique-old-group-with-face-masks.jpg)

The [COVID-19 pandemic](https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html) hit home recently in our family when my brother, sister-in-law, and their kids came down with the virus. While my brother and the boys were better in a few days, his wife became short of breath to the point that she required hospitalization on oxygen. Luckily, she didn’t require a ventilator to breathe and, after a week, was discharged to home oxygen therapy and rest.

Hopefully, she’ll recover fully, but some people are still not completely back to normal months later. A number of these had only mild forms of the disease. Some have taken to calling these post-COVID victims “[long-haulers](https://abc7chicago.com/covid-long-term-effects-post-covid-symptoms-syndrome/10362909/)”. It’s thought to affect ten percent of COVID sufferers, making it possible that they number in the millions. The grand majority test negative for COVID-19.

Despite being primarily respiratory in its worst effects, it appears now that the virus could affect just about every organ system. The lungs are often involved in long-haulers, but the kidneys, heart, joints, and even the brain have shown to be impacted as well.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HeartHands1.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HeartHands1.jpg)Could you survive COVID-19 only to have heart and other problems later?

Strokes and heart attacks seem to occur more often. While large clots are mostly responsible for these events, COVID may also cause tiny clots that block very small capillaries in heart muscle and the brain. Besides causing clots, COVID might weaken blood vessels and cause leakage, which can damage liver or kidney tissue.

Chronic shortness of breath is not uncommon, sometimes making it difficult to sleep. Simple tasks like climbing upstairs become challenging.

In addition to these serious effects, the loss of taste and smell seen in some COVID victims may turn out to be permanent. General symptoms like tiredness, headache, and body aches are also reported. Mental changes seen include forgetfulness and confusion. Many long-haulers report simply not feeling like “themselves.”

Of course, those patients who required intensive care on ventilators for weeks just to remain alive have to deal with a lot more than that. Depression, anxiety, and P[ost-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD)](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967) plague many survivors. The related SARS virus, which caused an epidemic in 2003, left a number of victims with chronic fatigue syndrome.

In some, all of the above symptoms come and go, with relapses every few weeks.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ticklymerash.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ticklymerash.jpg)Chronic Lyme Disease is a complex syndrome; COVID-19 may have a chronic aspect in some victims

Like chronic [Lyme disease](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-lyme-disease/), there’s still a lot to learn about post-COVID syndrome and few facilities (so far) that are researching it. Expect to see an uptick in research and public awareness on long-term effects as we progress through the pandemic.

Fortunately, most who come down with COVID-19 recover quickly, and many have no symptoms at all. For those long-haulers, however, this fact gives little comfort. More attention must be placed to learning about what we can expect *after* the pandemic is over.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-scaled.jpg)Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones

Hey, do you support our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family? If you do, help us by checking out our entire line of medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our books on Amazon or at our store!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best_First_Aid_Survival_Disaster_Medical_kits_Complete__00548.1508715369.1280.12801.jpg)Just some of the kits at [store.doomandbloom.net…](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-lyme-disease/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Expiration Dates, Drug Storage](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-expiration-dates-drug-storage/) 

 [Double Masking](https://www.doomandbloom.net/double-masking/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** COVID long-haulers, COVID-19, joe alton md, medical preparedness, SARS-COV2, survival medicine

---

### [Double Masking](https://www.doomandbloom.net/double-masking/)

**Published:** February 12, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Excerpt:** Joe Alton MD gives his thoughts on the latest CDC recommendation: double masking to increase protection against COVID-19.

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-two-Front-view.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-two-Front-view.jpg)Both the CDC and the Mandalorian say “**This is the Way**“

After a year of wearing masks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has decided that wearing [**two masks**](https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/how-to-know-when-you-should-double-mask-when-one-mask-is-enough-and-which-masks-you-should-use/ar-BB1akzs7?ocid=uxbndlbing) on your face is really what you should do if you want to avoid COVID-19.

[Recent studies](https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/how-to-know-when-you-should-double-mask-when-one-mask-is-enough-and-which-masks-you-should-use/ar-BB1akzs7?ocid=uxbndlbing) using mechanical devices that simulate breathing and generate “cough droplets” gave the alarming result that you receive only 42% protection wearing a standard surgical mask and 44% wearing a cloth mask. The researchers used 3-ply masks for the experiment. Therefore, they recommend **[double masking](https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/how-to-know-when-you-should-double-mask-when-one-mask-is-enough-and-which-masks-you-should-use/ar-BB1akzs7?ocid=uxbndlbing)**: a disposable medical mask under a cloth mask.

[I have been saying all along](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhMmc4zi0-Q) that I felt cloth masks were not enough to provide the protection needed to avoid getting the virus. I have also said that standard surgical masks are not enough either, at least compared to the well-known N95. Still, I was surprised to see a protection rate in the low forties for both cloth and surgical masks, since the [Wake Forest](https://newsroom.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2020/04/Testing-Shows-Type-of-Cloth-Used-in-Homemade-Masks-Makes-a-Difference) Institute of Regenerative Medicine published data in April 2020 suggesting that these masks gave protection rates in the 62-79 percent range.

**[N95 masks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N95_respirator)** are supposed to give at least 95% protection against particles 3 microns in size or more. The SARS-CoV2 virus is actually smaller than that, though, so how can I say that wearing an N95 is the way to go? Is it better than the other options? Wouldn’t those tiny particles just go right through even N95s?

Studies were performed using medical workers dealing with the related (and similarly-sized) **MERS virus** in 2012. [Results](https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/05/commentary-protecting-health-workers-airborne-mers-cov-learning-sars) showed that those who used the N95 had less incidence of infection than those wearing lesser protection. The researchers stated that “policymakers might prefer to err on the side of caution and support recommendations for full protective equipment, including the use of N95 masks for MERS-CoV, an emerging novel respiratory virus.”

Well, in the 2020s, there’s a new novel respiratory virus (not so novel now), but the CDC has given mixed and confusing signals about mask wear since the pandemic began. They said not to buy N95 masks so that medical workers could have them. This was in the face of a scarce supply of these masks in the **[Strategic National Stockpile](https://www.phe.gov/about/sns/Pages/default.aspx)**.

Mask production has ramped up since then, but the FDA.gov website still publishes this statement: “[The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that the general public wear N95 respirators](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-and-face-masks#:~:text=The%20Centers%20for%20Disease%20Control%20and%20Prevention%20(CDC),protect%20themselves%20from%20respiratory%20diseases,%20including%20coronavirus%20(COVID-19).) to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including coronavirus (COVID-19).”

They cite the importance of availability to health workers (certainly true), but then, the CDC endorsed [home care](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html) for mild-moderate cases of COVID-19, cases that won’t kill you but certainly make you contagious. That made the average family caregiver a “health care worker” at risk too. The unavailability of quality masks, however, led to most people using cloth coverings or standard surgical masks.

The problem with these masks is that it’s hard to get a tight fit. The grand majority of procedure masks are fluid-resistant “melt blown” fabric secured with ear loops. They’re produced according to [American Society of Testing and Materials ](https://www.astm.org/)(ASTM International) standards and designed to protect from splashes and prevent aerosol particles from getting into the air. They don’t offer a perfect seal and tend to have openings where microbes can go in or out. Not a good thing, if you’re dealing with a virus that’s airborne.

N95 masks, however, are manufactured according to standards set by another body, NIOSH ([The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.htm). NIOSH testing considers a “worst-case” scenario as the testing conditions are the most severe likely to be experienced by the wearer.

On top of discouraging N95 usage, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization on April 18th, 2020, allowing for the production of medical face masks without fluid resistance. These may be manufactured from materials other than melt blown fabric, such as cloth. This began the cottage industry in cloth coverings encouraged by the government.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-N95-wearing-One-front-view-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-N95-wearing-One-front-view-scaled.jpg)N95 mask with elastic straps 

The problem with these masks is that it’s hard to get a tight fit with ear loops. All N95 “respirator” masks are equipped with elastic straps which hold the mask tightly to the users face. The recently-reported low percentage of protection from cloth coverings and standard procedure masks could possibly be improved with training in proper mask fitting.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-One-Side-view.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-One-Side-view.jpg)standard surgical mask with ear loops tied together and tucked for better fit

A good mask fit forms a seal between the mask and the person’s face, decreasing the chance of infection. One recent recommendation is to tie a knot in each ear loop as close to their attachment to the mask itself as possible, in the hopes of getting a better seal. This involves modifying each mask, and making sure to tie it properly. It’s very important to tuck in material that may represent a hole in your defenses. This method, the government says, is almost as good as wearing two masks.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-One-Untucked-Side-view.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Masks-wearing-One-Untucked-Side-view.jpg)Poorly tucked, a surgical mask gives poor protection even if ear loops are tied together

Also important is training on how to properly remove masks so as not to contaminate one’s hands. The front of the mask should be considered at risk for contamination and shouldn’t be touched if possible. To learn how to get a proper fit and seal for different masks, and how to properly remove them to avoid contamination, see my video from January of 2020, at the very beginning of the pandemic, where I originally discussed the importance of correct mask techniques. Click below:

Truth is, there is nothing like having the right medical equipment in normal times as well as pandemic times. If you can find N95 masks, you should invest in a supply. If you don’t have the best mask, you end up wearing two or modifying a less protective one. Next month’s CDC recommendations? Use the contact form to let me know what you think.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Show your support for our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family by checking out our entire line of books, quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video Podcast: Cellulitis/Abscesses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-cellulitis-abscesses/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** cdc recommenations, cloth face coverings, COVID-19, double masking, joe alton md, medical preparedness, surgical masks, survival medicine

---

### [Video Podcast: Cellulitis/Abscesses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-cellulitis-abscesses/)

**Published:** February 11, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Excerpt:** In this VIDEO version of Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton's podcast, soft tissue infections off the grid are highlighted, including cellulitis, abscess, and more. How to diagnose and treat....

**Content:**

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In this VIDEO version of Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton’s podcast, soft tissue infections off the grid are highlighted, with the Doc’s personal battle with a current cellulitis discussed. You’ll find out how to identify and treat these infections and how to tell them from a number of other conditions. Also, how to lance an abscess. For show and tell, a minor surgery set designed for Nurse Amy, and a bumper crop of winter grapefruit and bananas!

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/r-lee-ermey-and-amy.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/r-lee-ermey-and-amy.jpg)Amy with the late great Gunny!

Do you support our mission to put a medical prepared person in every family? If you do, please follow us on social media and check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Double Masking](https://www.doomandbloom.net/double-masking/) 

 [Ear Issues: Otitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ear-issues-otitis/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Skin issues, VideoCast

**Tags:** abscesses, amy alton arnp, cellulitis, how to treat cellulitis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, soft tissue infections, survival medicine

---

### [Ear Issues: Otitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ear-issues-otitis/)

**Published:** February 10, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Excerpt:** In this article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the different types of ear infections, also called "otitis", their diagnosis and treatment....

**Content:**

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It’s a rare parent who hasn’t had to deal with ear problems at one point or another. In some cases, they can be a chronic issue that can make an otherwise healthy child miserable. The most common symptom you’ll see relating to the ear is pain, usually due to an infection. The easiest way to prevent this is to carefully use cotton swabs moistened with rubbing alcohol to dry the ear canal after swimming or excessive sweating. Forceful use of a cotton swab, however, should be avoided; trauma may occur that damages internal structures. Normally, you shouldn’t place anything in the ear canal sharper than your elbow.

The ear is divided into 3 chambers, the outer, middle and inner ear. Inflammation of the ear is called “**[otitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otitis)**”. The most common ear infections will be in the external and middle ear chambers. The external canal can be examined with special instruments that allow visualization of the entrance to the middle ear; commonly known as the tympanic membrane or “**ear drum**.”’

**USING AN OTOSCOPE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1241954956-1024x761.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1241954956-scaled.jpg)

Evaluation of the ear canal and eardrum is performed with a special instrument known as an “**otoscope**”. Always hold the otoscope in the left hand if you’re looking in the left ear, the right hand for the right ear. Holding the otoscope like you would a hammer seems to work best, as it allows you to gently rest your knuckles against the side of the head. Alternatively, you could hold the otoscope as you would a pencil.

The external ear canal is about 2-5 cm long in adults, shorter in kids. In children, it’s relatively straight. in adults, it isn’t; you’ll need to pull the top of the ear upwards and backwards to get a better view of the ear drum (also known as the “tympanic membrane”).

If you’re using the otoscope on a child, always start by explaining the process. Let them know that it might feel “weird”, but shouldn’t hurt. Choose an otoscope end attachment (called a “**speculum**”) of appropriate size for a child. They often come in sets of different sizes.

Examine the normal ear first. This will allow you to see what the anatomy should look like. It will also prevent you from transferring the infection to the healthy ear. Be sure to have the light at high intensity.

You will first see the external canal wall. Is there redness or swelling compared to the normal ear? Is there debris, excessive wax, or even a foreign object? Don’t be surprised if you see small hairs; this is normal.

Now look for the eardrum at the end of the canal. A normal eardrum will appear pearly gray, shiny, and translucent. A dull yellowish color usually indicates fluid behind it, a classic sign of infection; in the worst cases, the eardrum will appear to bulge out towards you due to pressure from within.

**OTITIS EXTERNA**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/shutterstock_154286831.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/shutterstock_154286831.jpg)

Otitis Externa, also known as “**Swimmer’s Ear**” is an infection of the outer ear canal, and most commonly affects children aged 4 -14 years old. Cases peak during summer months, when most people go swimming. Bacteria accumulates in water or sweat and, once trapped in the ear canal, inflammation and discomfort ensue. Other causes may be due to inflammation from skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (discussed in the section on skin) and allergies.

Symptoms of Otitis Externa include:

- Earache (worsened by pulling on the ear)
- Itching in the ear
- Ringing, roaring, or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Decreased hearing
- A “full” sensation in the ear canal with swelling and redness
- Thick drainage from the ear

Standard treatment may include a warm compress to the ear to help with pain control. An antibiotic/steroidal ear drop like tobramycin/dexamethasone (Tobradex) will be useful, and should be applied for 7 days. In order to get the most effect from the medicine, place the drops in the ear with the patient lying on their side. They should stay in that position for 5 minutes to completely coat the ear canal. If ear drops aren’t available, oral antibiotics may be used although they are reserved, in normal times, for severe cases that spread beyond the ear canal.

Preventive strategies include use of earplugs while swimming, low-setting hair dryers, and head tilting to remove water from the ear canal. Discourage scratching the area.

A popular natural remedy for otitis externa is a 50/50 mix of apple cider vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol helps evaporate water trapped in the canal; the acidity of the vinegar decreases bacteria. Place 3-4 drops in the ear and wait 5 minutes before allowing to drain out. This is also a preventive strategy in those with frequent infections.

**OTITIS MEDIA**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1500451796-968x1024.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1500451796-scaled.jpg)Otitis media

The most common cause of earache is an infection of the middle ear called “[otitis media](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8613-ear-infection-otitis-media#management-and-treatment).” Normally, the eardrum is shiny and pearly-gray in appearance. When there is an infection in the middle ear canal, the eardrum will appear dull when examined with an otoscope. This is because there is pus or inflammatory fluid behind it. The resulting pressure is what causes the pain. Standard treatment often includes oral antibiotics and ibuprofen, especially in adults with the infection. If caused by a viral infection like the common cold, however, it should resolve on its own.

Otitis media is most common, however, in infants and toddlers. This is why mothers are always cautioned against bottle or breast-feeding with their baby lying flat. You can expect otitis media to present with one or more of the following:

- Pain, more so when lying down
- Difficulty sleeping
- Crying and irritability in infants
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of balance
- Holding or pulling the affected ear
- Drainage of fluid from the affected ear
- Difficulty hearing from the affected ear

“High-dose” Amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice: In children, use 80-90 mg per kilogram per day in two divided doses for ten days will be effective in infants 6-23 months. 5-7 days of treatment is usually enough in children over two years of age. In penicillin allergies, clindamycin 30–40 mg per kilogram per day in 3 divided doses is an option. It should be noted that some pediatricians treat with antibiotics only in prolonged or severe cases; for example, when there is a high fever. Adults may be given Azithromycin 250 mg twice on the first day of therapy, followed by one tablet daily for 4 days.

Pain relief may be required for otitis patients. A number of natural remedies are available. Follow this procedure:

- Mix rubbing alcohol and vinegar in equal quantities, or alternatively, 3% hydrogen peroxide.

- Place 3-4 drops into affected ear.

- Wait 5 minutes; then, tilt head to drain out the mixture. Next, use either plain warm olive oil, or add 1 drop of any one of these essential oils to 2 ounces of the olive oil: tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, thyme, lavender, garlic, or mullein.

- Warm the oil slightly and place 2-3 drops into the ear canal. This does not have to be drained or removed.

- A cotton ball with 2 drops of eucalyptus oil may be secured to the ear opening during sleep.

Some patients find a heat source soothing to a painful ear. If you’re off the grid, dip a sock or other absorbent material into heated water. Wring it out and place it on the outside of the affected ear.

**VERTIGO AND OTITIS INTERNA**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1565537548-scaled.jpg)

Inner ear canal issues often cause “**vertigo**”. It usually presents as a spinning sensation even when perfectly still. This differs from simple lightheadedness (dizziness) in that there is a feeling of rotational motion. Sometimes, vertigo is caused by an inflammation in the inner ear known as “**Otitis Interna**”. These patients commonly feel nauseous as well. Amoxicillin 500 mg three times a day for 7 days (adults) is an appropriate antibiotic therapy in infection-related cases.

To determine which inner ear is affected:

- Have the patient sit so that when they lie down, their head hangs slightly over the end of the bed.
- Turn the patient’s head to the right and have them lie back quickly.
- If the symptoms worsen after a minute, the right ear is affected.
- If no dizziness occurs, sit the patient back up and wait a minute or so.
- Turn the patient’s head to the left and have them lie back quickly.
- If the symptoms worsen after a minute, the left ear is affected.

Treatment for vertigo involves having the patient lie still in a quiet, darkened room. This tends to decrease nausea and reduce the sensation of spinning. Oftentimes, vertigo will go away by itself after a short time, but certain oral medications may be used for prolonged episodes:

- Meclizine (Antivert): 12.5 to 50 mg orally every 4 to 8 hours (non-prescription)
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine): 25 to 100 mg orally every 4 to 8 hours (non-prescription)
- Diazepam (Valium): 2 to 10 mg orally every 4 to 8 hours
- Lorazepam (Ativan): 0.5 to 2 mg orally every 4 to 8 hours
- Metoclopramide (Reglan): 5 to 10 mg orally every 6 hours

A low-tech therapy for vertigo is called the “**[Epley maneuver](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh72suV2p20)**”. If symptoms of vertigo occur from the right side, have your patient:

- Sit on a bed.
- Turn their head 45 degrees to the right.

If vertigo is related to the left ear, processed is reversed:

- The patient sits on a bed.
- Turn their head 45 degrees to the left.
- Lie down quickly, keeping the head turned and slightly extended (chin up). Wait 30 seconds.
- Turn their head 90 degrees to the right, without raising it. They should now be looking 45 degrees to the right. Wait another 30 seconds.
- Turn your head and body another 90 degrees to the right, into the bed. Wait another 30 seconds.
- Sit up on the right side of the bed for 15 minutes.

Most feel better right away after performing the maneuver, but some have to repeat several times to see an effect. They should continue to perform it three times a day until symptoms have been gone for 24 hours.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2.jpg)Dr. Alton

Support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family by checking out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video Podcast: Cellulitis/Abscesses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-cellulitis-abscesses/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Cellulitis, Abscesses, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-cellulitis-abscesses-more/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** ear infections, joe alton md, medical preparedness, otitis externa, otitis interna, otitis media, survival medicine, swimmer's ear, vertigo

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Cellulitis, Abscesses, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-cellulitis-abscesses-more/)

**Published:** February 9, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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All injuries carry a risk of infection. Various kinds of microbes can invade the body and cause Inflammation in soft tissues, also known as “cellulitis”. These infections develop when bacteria enter through a crack or break in your skin. You can imagine that, off the grid, and especially on the road or in the wilderness, that all sorts of injuries will occur that break the skin and get infected. Think of all the activities you might be doing that you don’t do a lot of now. Making a lot of campfires? Chopping a lot of wood for fuel. Doing stuff you’re not used to can certainly put you at risk.

Dr. Joe Alton (aka Dr. Bones) and Amy Alton ARNP (aka Nurse Amy) discusses various soft tissue infections, how to identify and treat them, and how to lance a boil if required. Different antibiotics may help in oral form, several of which you should have in your medical storage for long-term survival scenarios.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)Amy Alton ARNP

Show your support for our mission to put medical prepared people in every family by checking out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at **[store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Ear Issues: Otitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ear-issues-otitis/) 

 [Hidradenitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hidradenitis/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** abscesses, cellulitis, medical preparedness, soft tissue infections, survival medicine

---

### [Hidradenitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hidradenitis/)

**Published:** February 1, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_148330382-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_148330382-scaled.jpg)Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Lots of skin conditions can have striking appearances that can affect, not only the physical health of a person but also the emotional well-being. Years ago, a commercial ad lamented the “heartbreak of psoriasis.” Just as damaging to one’s self-esteem is the skin inflammation known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). More than three million U.S. citizens suffer from the disease. It usually begins in late teenage or early adult years, and may be a lifelong problem.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a condition that causes bumps to form anywhere skin rubs together. Areas affected include the groin, inner thighs, armpits, under the breasts, and on the buttocks. These bumps tend to be painful, grow, and break open. Different parts of the body can be affected at the same time.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1756668542-1-1024x726.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/shutterstock_1756668542-1-scaled.jpg)

Besides painful bumps (usually small) that last for weeks or months, symptoms include:

• Pitted areas with blackheads

• Fistulas (tunnels which form in the skin and leak pus)

• Foul odors from infected areas

All of the above combine to make life difficult for sufferers. It should be noted that HS is not caused by poor hygiene and even infection, although bacterial infection is a common complication.

Hidradenitis seems to run in families; women are more often affected than men. Obesity, hot environments, smoking, and age are additional risk factors. As it tends to start sometime after puberty, the condition may cause significant stress and depression due to the symptoms and subsequent scarring that occurs.

Long-term, hidradenitis suppurativa may block lymphatic drainage, causing swelling of extremities and other areas, even the genitals. This may limit the range of motion of extremities and make walking or even sitting uncomfortable. Hidradenitis sufferers often cover trouble areas with dressings, but these tend to leak and can be difficult to secure in place.

Mild cases may be treatable with antibiotic creams to fight infection and ibuprofen to decrease inflammation. Oral antibiotics such as clindamycin or doxycycline may be required for more moderate disease. In the worst cases, some surgical procedures are suggested:

• Fistulas under the skin are “unroofed” to expose and allow drainage.

• Surgical excision of a small but significantly painful area.

In normal times, injectable drugs like adalimumab (Humira), oral steroids or retinoids, laser surgery, and other modern options exist. At this point, none are considered permanent cures.

[![Medical and Herbal natural remedies](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Herbal-Kit-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Herbal-Kit-Doom-and-Bloom.jpg)Natural remedies

Natural remedies abound for HS, but the evidence supporting their use is very limited. They include:

- Neem oil (apply with a cotton ball and wash off after a short time)
- Tea Tree oil (mix 3-4 drops with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil like olive or coconut and apply to affected areas with a cotton ball)
- Green tea compresses (apply a wet tea bag directly over problem areas for 10 minutes)
- Raw unprocessed honey (mix 1 tablespoon with 1 tablespoon turmeric, ½ tablespoon of carrier oil, and apply for 15-20 minutes before washing off.)
- Zinc (oral supplement or make a cream with 1 tablespoon zinc oxide powder, ½ cup carrier oil, and 1 tablespoon of beeswax)
- Aloe vera (topically)
- Vitamin D (oral supplement)
- Rubbing alcohol (use with a cotton pad, but not on open sores due to burning sensations)
- Neem oil (apply with a cotton ball and wash off after a short time)
- Apple cider vinegar (apply with a cotton ball)

Lifestyle changes involve changing the diet to maintain a normal weight for height and age, as well as to exclude dairy, bread, beer (due to the yeast), and sugars. Adding anti-inflammatory foods may also help, such as:

- Green tea
- Tree nuts like walnuts
- Fatty fish like salmon
- Ginger
- Fresh fruits and vegetables

Although prevention of flare-ups is difficult, those who wear loose cotton clothing, keep affected areas as dry as possible, and maintain proper hygiene seem to do best. As many experience irritations from shaving armpits and groin areas, permanent hair removal procedures may be an option. It’s important to avoid the urge to pop and drain lumps, which often make the situation worse.

Some people claim bleach baths help chronic skin infections such as hidradenitis, eczema, and others. Because of the harsh nature of bleach, however, patients should be aware that some may find they are more irritated afterwards. If you decide to try this method, add ¼ cup of standard household bleach to a tub half-filled or more with water. Soak for 10 minutes before rinsing off with clean water and drying. This strategy should not be a daily routine.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast.jpg)Dr. Alton (aka Dr. Bones)

Show you support for our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family by checking out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Cellulitis, Abscesses, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-cellulitis-abscesses-more/) 

 [Video Podcast #2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-2/)

**Categories:** bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Natural Remedies, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** hidradenitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, hs, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Video Podcast #2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-2/)

**Published:** January 27, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/videocast-the-doom-and-bloom-survival-medicine-show-what-are-antibiotics-for-fish-on-the-market-today-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/videocast-the-doom-and-bloom-survival-medicine-show-what-are-antibiotics-for-fish-on-the-market-today-scaled.jpg)

In this second experimental video podcast, medical preparedness advocate Joe Alton MD, aka “Dr. Bones”, and nurse practitioner Amy Alton discuss the end of fish antibiotics as manufactured by Thomas Labs. Options still exist for long-term storage of antibiotics for survival settings, though, and Nurse Amy will demonstrate some of those that remain (for now) available. Also, a discussion of how to identify wound infections and much more with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD Amy Alton ARNP

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-1024x682.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)The Altons

Besides antibiotics, there are a lot of other medical supplies that can help make you an effective medic in austere settings. Check out Nurse Amy’s entire list of [quality medical kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) and individual supplies, including personal protection gear, at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![a small first aid kit with items shown such as a tourniquet, gauze, mini compression dressings, ace, scissors and more](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-and-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-with-CAT-Tourniquet.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorcycle-and-Biking-First-Aid-Kit-with-CAT-Tourniquet.jpg)Just one of the kits at store.doomandbloom.net[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our [books](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1611771851&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=8ee38ce9cdc5b81154add23d8c8c81a0&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl) on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Hidradenitis](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hidradenitis/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: New Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-new-antibiotics/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, VideoCast, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, antibiotics, aqua-ceph, fish aid, fish antibiotics, fishbiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wound infections

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: New Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-new-antibiotics/)

**Published:** January 24, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/tent-modest.jpg)

In this audio episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, **Dr. Joe Alton** and **Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton** discuss the usefulness of certain aquatic antibiotics to the austere medic in long-term survival. With the loss of Thomas Labs as a source, new brands have risen to fill the void. The Altons discuss what the options are in the dwindling supply of medicines that might save lives in times of trouble. Plus, how to recognize a wound infection and much more…

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-antibiotics-fish-with-id-numbers-1024x768.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-antibiotics-fish-with-id-numbers-scaled.jpg)

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

For more info on antibiotics, infectious disease, and 100 other topics when help is NOT on the way, [check out our book](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=joe+alton+md&ref=nb_sb_noss_1&linkCode=ll2&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=818c01354813d803e609bbef04b76b46&language=en_US)s! Also, become more medically prepared for disasters and epidemics with quality kits from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our [books on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=joe+alton+md&ref=nb_sb_noss_1&linkCode=ll2&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=818c01354813d803e609bbef04b76b46&language=en_US) or at our store!

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ultimate_Family_Medical_Kit_Bag_Doom_and_Bloom__22944.1497663518.1280.12801.jpg)Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video Podcast #2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast-2/) 

 [Labor and Delivery in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/labor-and-delivery-in-austere-settings/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, antibiotic resistance, fish antibiotics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wound infections

---

### [Labor and Delivery in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/labor-and-delivery-in-austere-settings/)

**Published:** January 23, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)

Pregnancy and childbirth are usually considered a blessing in modern times. Off the grid, however, the family medic/midwife will be thrown back to the 19th century, when childbirth was associated with a much higher rate of complications than now.

Even if the group has no women of childbearing age at present, at one point or another the medic may be called upon to attend a delivery without the benefits of a modern medical system. This article will focus on a pregnancy at term, classically defined as one that has reached 37-42 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. More articles on pregnancy diagnosis, care, and complications can be found at [doomandbloom.net.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/)

(Note: I am an actively-licensed Life Fellow of the College of Ob/Gyn and my wife is an actively licensed Certified Nurse Midwife.)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_934316471.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_934316471.jpg)

As the woman approaches her due date, several things happen. The fetus begins to “drop”, assuming a position deep in the pelvis. The patient’s abdomen may look different, or the “fundus” (the top of the uterus) may appear lower. As the neck of the uterus (the cervix) relaxes, the patient may notice a mucus-like discharge mixed with a little blood. This is referred to as the “bloody show” and is usually a sign that labor will occur soon, anywhere from the next few hours to a week or so.

If you examine your patient vaginally by gently inserting two fingers of a gloved hand, you’ll notice the cervix is firm like your nose when it is not ripe, but becomes soft like your lips when the due date is approaching. This softening and thinning out of the cervix is called “effacement”

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1770266792-1024x401.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1770266792-scaled.jpg)

Effacement is measured in percentages. When 50% effaced, the cervix is half its normal thickness and length. At 100% effacement (“completely effaced”), the cervix is paper-thin. Effacement usually occurs before any significant opening of the cervix (also called “dilation”).

Contractions will start becoming more frequent. To identify a contraction, feel the skin on the soft area of your cheek, and then touch your forehead. A contraction will feel like your forehead. False labor, Braxton-Hicks contractions, will be irregular and will go away with bed rest (especially on the left side) and hydration. If contractions are coming faster and more furious even with bed rest and hydration, it’s likely the real thing!

A gush of watery fluid from the vagina will often signify “breaking the water”, and is also a sign of impending labor and delivery. The timing will be highly variable, however, and sometimes urine leakage may confuse the situation. A product called “nitrazine paper” will turn a bright blue when it touches amniotic fluid due to its high Ph. A bright blue result (nitrazine positive) usually verifies that the bag of water is broken. If you have a microscope in the hospital tent, a little amniotic fluid on a slide will reveal fern-like crystals. This is called “ferning” and is more solid proof of membrane rupture than nitrazine positive tests.

There are three stages of labor:

**FIRST STAGE (LATENT PHASE)**

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_96898390-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_96898390-scaled.jpg)Latent phase

The first stage is the longest part of labor: lasting up to 20 hours or more. It begins when your cervix starts to dilate and efface, and is separated into a latent phase and an active phase. The first stage is considered complete when the cervix reaches 10 centimeters and is so effaced that you can barely identify it.

The latent phase is when labor begins. False labor has been ruled out and contractions are becoming stronger, more regularly, and in greater frequency. They may also last longer (60-90 seconds). The contractions cause your cervix to dilate and efface. In latent phase, dilation to about 4 centimeters or so often progresses slowly.

The mother should be given as much freedom to walk, sit, practice breathing techniques, or do other activities as she can handle. Keeping her occupied and moving is a good way to move the process along. A soak in a warm tub or shower is helpful if the water hasn’t broken. Oral hydration and small meals are also acceptable.

Once the cervix reaches 4 centimeters of dilation, a vaginal exam will allow you to place two (normal-sized) fingertips in the cervix. You’ll feel something firm; this is the baby’s head. In general, however, vaginal exams are invasive and shouldn’t be performed more often than, perhaps, every two hours.

**FIRST STAGE (ACTIVE PHASE)**

When the cervix reaches 5 centimeters or so of dilation, labor enters the active phase. Contractions get even stronger and spacing becomes closer. As the baby’s head descends, the mother may notice back pressure and bloody vaginal discharge. If the water membrane hasn’t ruptured, it will likely happen during this time.

Cervical dilation in active phase speeds up to about a centimeter an hour, although women who have had children may go much faster. Breathing techniques may be needed to manage discomfort during contractions (you won’t have epidural anesthesia or strong pain meds off the grid). Other strategies include:

-Changing positions. Some women prefer being on hands and knees to improve back pain.

-Walking between contractions with a helper.

-Emptying the bladder often.

-Gently massaging the mother’s back.

It may help to remind the mother that each contraction brings her closer to having a baby in her arms. Despite that, don’t encourage her to push until the cervix is completely dilated and the baby’s head has descended into the pelvis.

**SECOND STAGE**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1142035970-1024x1024.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1142035970-scaled.jpg)Various position to help with contractions

The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends when the baby is born. This stage is usually completed within two hours, but is dependent on the strength and frequency of contractions. First-time mothers take longer than those who have had children. Those who have delivered several children may proceed through this stage very quickly.

At this point, the mother will likely feel a strong urge to push. Encourage rest between contractions. When pushing, different positions may work for different mothers. Try squatting, lying on their side with a leg raised, or even hands and knees. The body should “curl into” the push as much as possible, almost exactly like have a bowel movement.

The delivery of a baby is best accomplished with the help of an experienced midwife or obstetrician, but those professionals will be hard to find in survival settings. If there is no chance of accessing modern medical care, you must prepare to perform the delivery.

**NORMAL DELIVERY**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/shutterstock_8530054.jpg)

Wash your hands and put gloves on. Then, place clean sheets so that there will be the least contamination possible. Tuck one under the mother’s buttocks if supine and spread it on your lap so that the baby, which comes out very slippery, will land on the sheet instead of the floor if you lose your grip on it. Place a towel on the mother’s belly; this is where the baby will go once it is delivered. It will be very important to dry the baby and wrap it in the towel, as newborns lose heat very quickly.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_628024163-1024x670.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_628024163-scaled.jpg)Positional changes as labor progresses in routine delivery

As the labor progresses, the baby’s head will move down the birth canal and the vagina will begin to bulge. When the baby’s head begins to become visible, it is called “crowning”. If the water has not yet broken (which can happen even at this late stage), the lining of the bag of water will appear as a slick gray surface. Some pressure on the membrane will rupture it, which is okay at this point (controversial to some). It might even help the process along.

To make space, place two gloved fingers along the edge of the vagina by the “perineum”. This is the area between the vagina and anus. Using gentle pressure, move your fingers from side to side. This will stretch the area somewhat to give the baby a little more room to come out. Although not advocated by all, “perineal massage” might decrease the risk of lacerations caused by the delivery of the baby.

With each contraction, the baby’s head will come out a little more. Don’t be concerned if it goes back in after the contraction. It should make steady progress and more and more of the head will become visible over time. Encourage the mother to help by taking a deep breath with each contraction and then pushing while slowly exhaling.

On occasion, a small cut is made in the bottom of the edge of the vagina to make room for the baby to be delivered. This is called an “episiotomy”. We discourage this if at all possible, as the cut has to be sutured afterward. The decision should be made as the head is crowning; You should only perform an episiotomy if you believe a very large, jagged tear will occur that would damage the anal sphincter or rectum.

As the baby’s head emerges, it will usually face straight down or up, and then turn to the side. The umbilical cord is sometimes wrapped around its neck. If this is the case, gently slip the cord over the baby’s head. In cases where the cord is very tight and is preventing delivery, you may choose to doubly clamp it and cut between. This will release the tension and make delivery easier. This is also a good time to suction the nose and mouth of the baby with a bulb syringe to remove amniotic fluid.

Next, place a hand on each side of the baby’s head and apply gentle traction straight down. This will help the top shoulder out of the birth canal. The second shoulder should then deliver with some gentle traction upward. Occasionally, steady gentle pressure on the top of the uterus during a contraction may be required. This is usually frowned upon, but may be needed if the mother is exhausted. Many times, however, little if any help will be needed for the baby to deliver, (especially in a woman who has had children before). Once the shoulders are out, the baby will deliver with one last push. The mother can now rest.

**BREECH BIRTHS AND MULTIPLES**

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_163605515-1024x565.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_163605515-scaled.jpg)different types of breech presentationsMultiple births like twins can be handled similarly to single deliveries if both are “cephalic”; that is, presenting head down. Each is delivered in turn, but the first placenta isn’t delivered until the second baby is out. Triplets or more are complicated, but rare. These occur (without fertility treatments) in about 1 in 8000 births. These usually deliver very prematurely, a bad thing for newborns as they are often unable to breath on their own. Indeed, it wasn’t until about 100 years ago that triplets and higher multiple births resulted in all surviving infancy.

Much more common than multiple births are breech births. Although the grand majority of babies present cephalically, breech babies comprise about three percent of all births. The survival medic or midwife can expect to eventually encounter one. Breech babies are “heads-up” and are routinely delivered surgically in modern times by cesarean section. This is because studies have shown that about 4% of vaginal breech deliveries end up with some bad outcome, compared to about 1.5% of breech babies delivered by C-section.

Why? The reason is often because the head, the largest-diameter part of the baby, comes last. Sometimes, it gets stuck and oxygen deprivation or other complications may occur. Most parents aren’t willing to accept any increased chance that their baby will come out with a problem.

Off the grid, however, C-section is not an option. Most breech babies delivered vaginally will come out without incident. The method is somewhat different. Instead of the head crowning, it’s the buttocks. This is called a “frank breech” and occurs 70% of the time. Although the legs may sometimes come first (a “footling” breech”), they usually deliver spontaneously a push or two after the butt. If they don’t, using the fingers to perform a sweeping motion (called the Pinard maneuver) may safely bring down the feet and legs.

Once the legs and buttocks are out, you’ll use both hands to grasp the hips of the baby, thumbs on the sacroiliac and fingers in front on the iliac crests. With each push, the abdomen and cord will descend and then deliver. You’ll use your grip on the hips to help guide one shoulder, (the topmost one) by gently pulling down and slightly out. If the arm doesn’t deliver on its own, a sweeping motion with a finger may be performed to move an extended arm across the chest, down, and out. Then, deliver the posterior second shoulder by holding the feet with both hands and exerting gentle upward traction.

At this point, the entire body is delivered except for the head. Now you’ll move your hands to the baby’s chest and back. Avoid squeezing the neck with your fingers. You want to keep the head flexed, which can be done by having an assistant place some pressure downward just above the pubic bone of the mother. The midwife may also place a finger in the baby’s mouth, not to apply any pressure whatsoever, but to keep the head flexed so it will deliver easily. Using only the hand on the back, traction is exerted downward and outward. In most cases, the head will deliver without an issue.

The description above is just part of the process; there are a lot of nuances that help decrease the chance of complications. You’ll find the whole process described in detail in Varney’s Midwifery, an essential resource for those medics that may be responsible for off-grid labor and delivery. In the end, however, there’s no substitute for experience.

**THIRD STAGE**

The third stage of labor begins after the baby is born and ends when the placenta (the “afterbirth”) separates from the wall of the uterus and is passed through the vagina. This stage is the shortest, lasting from a few minutes up to 20-30 minutes.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1157970-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1157970-scaled.jpg)Suctioning nose and mouth with a bulb syringe

Once delivered, the baby’s nose and mouth are suctioned out again to remove amniotic fluid. Then, place the newborn on the mother’s chest. It will usually begin crying, which is a good sign that it is a vigorous infant. Spanking the baby’s bottom to get it to cry is rarely needed, and is more of a cliché than anything else. A better way to stimulate a baby to cry is to rub the baby’s back while drying it with a towel.

Once dry, wrap the newborn up in a towel or blanket. The head (but not the face) should be covered to avoid heat loss. At this point, you may clamp the cord twice (2 inches apart) with Kelly or Umbilical clamps, and cut in between with a scissors. There is usually no special hurry to perform this procedure. The items needed are available in commercially-produced delivery kits.

Once the baby has delivered, it’s the placenta’s turn. Be patient: In most cases, the placenta will deliver by itself in a few minutes. Avoid pulling on the umbilical cord to force the placenta out. Breaking the cord due to excessive traction will require your placing your hand deep in the uterus to extract it. This is traumatic and can introduce infection. You can ask the mother to give a push when it’s clear the placenta is almost out.

If traction is necessary for some reason, place your fingers above the pubic bone and press as you apply mild traction. This will prevent the uterus being turned inside out and hemorrhaging (a potentially life-threatening situation). A moderate amount of bleeding is not unusual after delivery of the afterbirth.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1843493662-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1843493662-scaled.jpg)Fetal surface of a placenta

Once the placenta is out, examine it. The “fetal” surface is grey and shiny; turn it inside out and you will see the “maternal” surface, which look like a rough version of liver. The fetal surface is separated into sections called “cotyledons”. If one of the cotyledons remains inside, you may have to extract it manually.

The uterus after delivery naturally contracts to control bleeding. The top is now felt around the level of the belly button. In a long labor, the uterus may be as tired as the mother after delivery, and may be slow to contract. As a result, this may cause excessive bleeding. Although drugs like oxytocin are given in modern times to firm up the uterus, massage of the top of the uterus should also work to limit blood loss. You may have to do this from time to time during the first 24 hours or so after delivery.

Monitor the mother closely for excessive bleeding over the next few days. In normal situations, the bleeding will become more and more watery as time progresses. This is normal. Also, keep an eye out for evidence of fever, foul discharge or other issues.

It would be wise to place the baby on the mother’s breast soon after delivery. This will begin the secretion of “colostrum”, a clear yellow liquid rich in substances that will increase the baby’s resistance to infection. Suckling also causes the uterus to contract, which decreases blood loss. It’s also important to recognize the bonding element between mother and baby when breastfeeding.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_200196131-1024x683.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_200196131-scaled.jpg)Your goal

It should be noted that there are different schools of thought regarding some of the above, many of which are equally valid. Remember that your goal is to end up with a healthy mother and baby, both physically and emotionally.

Joe Alton MD

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Dr. Alton

Learn more about pregnancy, labor, delivery and 100 other topics in austere scenarios with a copy of [The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1611417261&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=0919b53f6be8834001ec1f5dfb205924&language=en_US). Also check out midwife [Nurse Amy’s OB kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/first-aid-emergency-deluxe-labor-and-baby-delivery-ob-kit/) and her entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: New Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-new-antibiotics/) 

 [Video Podcast?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Pregnancy/Delivery, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** breech presentation, joe alton md, labor and delivery, labor and delivery off the grid, medical preparedness, normal delivery, pregnancy at term, survival medicine

---

### [Video Podcast?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-podcast/)

**Published:** January 18, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1062402626-1024x681.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1062402626-scaled.jpg)

After about 600 audio podcasts, Amy and I have decided to experiment with a video podcast on YouTube. We have no idea if this will turn out to be good enough to be a recurring feature, and humbly ask you to give us your opinion in the video’s comments section. We’ll be continuing our blogtalkradio audio podcast.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, be sure to check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits (some one-of-a-kind), individual supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Labor and Delivery in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/labor-and-delivery-in-austere-settings/) 

 [Video: Anemia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-anemia/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, VideoCast, Viruses

**Tags:** Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, survival medicine hour, video podcast, viral news

---

### [Video: Anemia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-anemia/)

**Published:** January 16, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1171096219-967x1024.jpg)

In survival settings, the strain of malnutrition, injuries, and other issues can cause the inadequate production or destruction of the red blood cells that carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and eliminated carbon dioxide. This condition is known as “anemia.” In this companion video to [a recent article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/anemia/), Dr. Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones, discusses the basics of anemia, the different types, and the ways to treat it.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-stone-wall-1-1024x768.jpg)“Dr. Bones”

Hey, fill those holes in your medical storage with quality kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our book on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Viral News, Myths](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-viral-news-myths/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Chronic Illness, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** anemia, Folate deficiency, hemolytic anemia, joe alton md, low blood count, medical preparedness, red blood cells, sickle cell, survival medicine, vit b12 deficiency

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Viral News, Myths](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-viral-news-myths/)

**Published:** January 11, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tent-modest.jpg)

COVID-19 was supposed to peter out around now, but cases are peaking again, with 300,000 cases reported just on Jan. 8th. Is 2021 going to be just more of the same as 2020? With vaccines now available, can you still get the virus? Can you still give it to others? Will you still have to wear masks? Dr. Fauci says he expects some workplaces and institutions to require the vaccination, will you need to carry a COVID-Card in your wallet in the future? The Altons give their opinion (just an opinion) on what’s in the future.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-1024x469.jpg)

Also, what easily available products may help you avoid a bad outcome from exposure to SARS-CoV2? Amy Alton ARNP gives her recommendation (also that of Eastern Virginia Medical School). Plus, two types of bird flu are wreaking havoc in India, killing wild fowl and causing the culling of hundreds of thousand of livestock birds. Does it mean anything for us?

Plus, dress warmly or you’ll catch a cold? It’s smart to dress for the weather appropriately, for sure, but more to prevent hypothermia than getting an infection. The Altons, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, dispel some common myths about getting colds and flus, and tell you the real reasons why winter is cold and flu season.

All this and more on the lastest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast!

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD Amy Alton ARNP

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Hey, don’t forget to have your medical supplies in order for these uncertain times. Check out our entire line of quality kits and supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Fall Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fall-injuries-2/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, cold and flu myths, coronavirus, COVID-19, joe alton md, medical preparedness, SARS-COV2, survival medicine, viral myths

---

### [Fall Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fall-injuries-2/)

**Published:** January 6, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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A few years ago, we certified as [Advanced Wilderness Expedition Providers](https://www.wilderness-medicine.com/default.asp?pg=bigsky_winter_awep), and many of the training scenarios involved dealing with victims who were injured in falls. Whether you’re on a backcountry trail or in your own bathroom, a fall can seriously damage you, causing orthopedic injuries, bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ([CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html)) reports that one in five falls results in a major injury. All told, falls account for millions of emergency room visits and over 800,000 hospitalizations a year in the U.S.

Many risk factors exist that predispose people to fall. On the trail, loss of balance on uneven terrain and poorly supported backpacks could be to blame. Badly-fitting footwear leading to blisters and pain may also play a part. Essentially, anything that affects walking and balance may cause you to stumble over an obstacle and sustain an injury. At home, clutter, uneven steps, wet bathroom floors, and poor lighting put you at risk.

Whether you’re in the wilderness or at home, the use of medications (especially sedatives, anti-depressants, or other psychotropics) can affect your alertness and balance, leading to a fall.

**TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_97638173-682x1024.jpg)

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Most injuries are superficial and not life-threatening. Indeed, most head injuries amount to only a laceration of the scalp, a black eye, or a painful bump. These wounds, however, can hide damage inside the cranium, the part of the skull that contains the brain.

Injuries that affect the brain are called traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). It’s important to recognize when trauma to the skull has caused damage that is more than superficial.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_353929088-1024x683.jpg)

[**Concussions**](https://www.webmd.com/brain/concussion-traumatic-brain-injury-symptoms-causes-treatments#1) are the most common type of TBI. A concussion is associated with a variety of symptoms that are often immediately apparent. The presentation differs from person to person. Although you might expect that loss of consciousness is the most common symptom, it’s actually headache; the victim may remain completely alert. Other symptoms include:

- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Loss of motor coordination
- Blurred or double vision
- Slurred speech
- Ringing in the ear (also called “*tinnitus*”)
- Difficulty focusing on tasks at hand

A person with trauma to the head may be knocked unconsciousness for a period of time. In most cases, they will “wake up” in less than 2 minutes. You can expect them to be “foggy” and behave inappropriately (put me in, coach!). They may not remember the events immediately prior to the injury.

Loss of consciousness, even for a short time, is a serious concern that requires close observation for the next 48 hours. You should examine for evidence of superficial injuries and determine that the patient can move all their extremities equally on each side with normal range and strength.

Rest is prescribed for the remainder of the day. When your patient goes to bed, it will be appropriate to awaken them every two or three hours, to make sure that they are easily aroused. In most cases, a concussion causes no permanent damage unless there are multiple episodes of head trauma over time, as in the case of boxers or other athletes in contact sports.

There are a number of signs and symptoms which might identify those patients that have a serious TBI. They include:

- Prolonged loss of consciousness
- Convulsions (Seizures)
- Worsening headache over time
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bruising (around eyes and ears)
- Bleeding from ears and nose
- Worsening confusion/Apathy/Drowsiness
- One pupil more dilated than the other
- Indentation of the skull

If the period of unconsciousness is over 10 minutes in length, you must suspect the possibility of significant injury, often from bleeding inside the skull. Call 911 if possible. In the meantime, vital signs such as pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure should be monitored closely. The patient’s head should be immobilized, and attention should be given to the neck and spine, in case they are also damaged. Verify that the airway is clear and breathing is regular.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1467089804-1024x454.jpg)Raccoon Sign

Some signs tip you off that the fall has caused a significant head injury. Bruising behind the ears (“**Battle’s sign**”) or around the eyes (“**Raccoon sign**”) indicates internal bleeding in the skull. Bleeding from the ear itself or nose without direct trauma to those areas is another indication. The fluid that drains out may be clear; this may represent leakage of spinal fluid. In addition, intracranial bleeding may cause pressure that compresses nerves that lead to the pupils. In this case, you will notice that your unconscious patient has one pupil more dilated than the other. Individuals with any of these signs should be taken to a modern health facility, if possible, immediately.

**FRACTURES AND OTHER ORTHOPEDIC INJURIES**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/shutterstock_79304863.jpg)

Besides head injuries, falls commonly cause fractures, especially in areas like the wrist, arm, ankle, and hip.

Fractures may affect the upper arm, called the “humerus” or the two bones in the forearm, the radius (mentioned earlier) and the “ulna”. Trauma from a fall could also cause a “dislocation” of the shoulder, elbow, or other joint. In either case, the limb often appears deformed and must be re-aligned and immobilized if it is to regain function. This is called a “reduction” and may or may not require surgical intervention.

**Sprain or fracture?**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/shutterstock_78209806.jpg)

Sprains and fractures are sometimes difficult to tell apart, as both appear swollen, bruised, and painful. Fractures tend to be more painful, however. One way to tell is if the victim can walk at all on the injury. The [Ottawa Rules](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_ankle_rules) say that if the victim can’t take [4 steps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_ankle_rules), it’s probably a fracture. Pain when touching the [malleolus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_ankle_rules) (what we call the “ankle bone”) is more likely a fracture, while pain below it is more likely a sprain. This injury must be immobilized with a splint as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

A hip fracture is a break in the upper part of the thighbone where it connects to the pelvis to form the hip joint. It is most often seen in elderly people after a fall. Ordinarily a very strong bone, loss of calcium with age causes the area to become brittle and prone to injury. This occurs more often in women.

A person with a hip fracture will experience:

- An inability to move or put weight on the injured side
- Severe pain
- Bruising and swelling

Examination of the patient will reveal the leg has shortened on the side of the injury, with the extremity facing outward.

For an older person, this is a life-threatening condition; women who suffer a hip fracture are twice as likely to die within a year of the fall. Surgery is necessary to repair the damage.

**FALL PREVENTION**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/shutterstock_1161864499-1024x683.jpg)There are some strategies that might decrease the risk of falls in the Great Outdoors:

- On the trail, use walking sticks or poles on uneven terrain.
- Keep backpack weight centered on your hips, not your back.
- Slow down and watch where you’re stepping.
- Be careful of slippery rocks when crossing streams.
- Be aware of loose gravel on steep inclines.
- Take care of your feet; you may get off-balance from favoring a blistered area.

Here’s some advice for the home:

- Get rid of clutter on the floor.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Add grab bars and railings where appropriate.
- Consider a medical alert system for the elderly.

In general:

- Consider decreasing the use of alcohol or medications (prescription or over-the-counter) that cause drowsiness or make you dizzy. (for prescription meds, consult your healthcare provider)
- Maintain leg strength and balance with exercise. Tai Chi has been recommended as a good option, even for the elderly.
- Consider Vitamin D supplements to strengthen bone.
- Make sure your vision is clear (and watch where you’re going)
- Avoid walking in the dark if at all possible.

In life, there are always bumps in the road, but that doesn’t mean you have to trip over them. Don’t let a fall be the *end* of the road for you or your loved ones.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, please show your support for our mission by following us on social media and checking out Nurse Amy’s entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Viral News, Myths](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-viral-news-myths/) 

 [Anemia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/anemia/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Fractures, General Preparedness, Headache/Eyes/Ears, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, fall injury, fractures, joe alton md, medical preparedness, orthopedic injuries, raccoon sign, sprains, survival medicine, traumatic brain injury, wilderness medicine

---

### [Basics of Crush Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/basics-of-crush-injuries/)

**Published:** July 17, 2018
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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**BASICS OF CRUSH INJURIES**

Recently, I was asked by a friend to comment on medical issues related to Earthquakes. Seismic events are major concerns on the West coast of the United States, and the number of casualties could be significant, especially if access is lost to modern medical services in populated areas.

Even in normal times, there are many areas away from cities where the ambulance isn’t just around the corner. Take a cross-country road trip and you’ll realize that there’s a lot of territory where medical help may not be readily at hand.

The effects of an earthquake may be spread over a large area. The sheer number of casualties spread out over a seismic zone might overwhelm medical personnel. Those that report for duty, that is; some will understandably prioritize family over civic duty. Certainly, the distance of some rural areas from the nearest health facility makes it unlikely that help will soon arrive.

The types of wounds incurred in a major earthquake will include hemorrhages, sprains and fractures, burns, and crush injuries. We’ve talked about all the rest in past articles, so today, let’s concentrate on crush injuries.

Crush injuries are problematic when they happen *and* when they’re treated. Bleeding vessels may be disguised if the skin isn’t broken. They may present, instead, as severe bruising or an accumulation of blood in body tissues known as a “hematoma”. In the chest and abdomen, hemorrhage is hard to control with modern facilities. Depending on the location, direct pressure may cause bleeding to abate. But pressure at the suspected site would be more effective if there were a skin breach that allowed visualization of the wound and packing with dressings.

A complication of significant crush injuries is known as “**compartment syndrome**”. Groups of organs or limb muscles are supported in sections by tough connective tissue known as “**fascia**”. These form compartments. Ordinarily this provides strength, but in a crush injury, excessive pressure builds up due to volumes of free blood or the weight of the impacting body itself.

As a result, muscles may swell or blood may accumulate in one or more of these compartments. Because of the fascia, there is nowhere to go. The increased pressure prevents good circulation, leading to a lack of oxygen in the area. The end result is sometimes irreparable damage to nerves and other tissues. Paralysis, organ failure, or even death may ensue.

The first sign of compartment syndrome is, as you might imagine, severe pain. This is followed by “pins and needles” sensations. The limb becomes swollen and shiny, losing sensation and function the longer the weight is upon it.

If the injury is confined to a small area, say only a part of the foot, the effects are usually confined. When larger areas are involved, however, the situation becomes much more complex. The dilemma is that the victim is in danger while under the extreme pressure of the offending object itself, but also when the pressure is released.

Releasing a person who has been under a crushing weight for a significant period of time is called “**reperfusion syndrome**”. Dying muscles and organs release toxins that can not only cause local effects like paralysis of the affected area or dysfunction of the particular organ, but also overwhelms the kidneys’ ability to eliminate those toxins, leading to renal failure. These toxins include potassium, which can be released in large quantities throughout the body when pressure from the crush injury is released, causing life-threatening irregular heart rhythms.

Remember the **5 P’s** of compartment syndrome:

- **P**ain and lots of it (at first)
- **P**ale, ashen skin
- **P**aresthesia – strange sensations like numbness, tingling, or pins and needles
- **P**ulse (lack of it beyond the level of the injury or a rapid, irregular heartbeat)
- **P**aralysis due to nerve damage

It’s a good idea to keep a crushed extremity below the level of the heart to aid blood flow. If the affected area has been under crushing pressure for a short period of time, say 10-15 minutes, try to lift the weight off them. Longer than that, let emergency medical personnel make the decision. They will often administer IV hydration, oxygen, and certain medications *before* removing the weight. Some recommend the placement of a tourniquet as well, to prevent toxins from flooding the rest of the body.

Once at the hospital, surgeons will often have to make an incision in the fascia to release the pressure in the compartment. It doesn’t get easier from here. Intensive care personnel will have to monitor the victim for kidney failure and a host of other issues.

Other that stabilization, there’s not much more you can do with a crush victim in an earthquake without modern medical and surgical care. Besides the crush itself, fractures, sprains, and internal bleeding combine to truly challenge the lone medic off the grid.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4-275x300.jpg)Joe Alton MDFill those holes in your medical supplies with individual items or complete kits from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)!

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Injuries Incurred in Disasters, Casts, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-injuries-incurred-in-disasters-casts-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Antibiotics, Bears Pt.2, Nutrition with Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-antibiotics-bears-pt-2-nutrition-with-amy/)

**Categories:** Building/House fFires, Earthquake, Fractures, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, crush injuries, earthquakes, joe alton md, medical preparedness, subduction zone, survival medicine, trauma

---

### [Anemia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/anemia/)

**Published:** January 5, 2021
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In survival scenarios, there are plenty of occasions where the medic will encounter a group member suffering from anemia. Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells in your circulation. Red blood cells are what make your blood, well, red; their job is to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues and carbon dioxide away. If you don’t have enough of these tiny, disc-shaped cells, it can have major effects on your health.

Red cells primarily consist of a protein made in bone marrow called hemoglobin. In men, anemia is typically defined as a hemoglobin level of less than 13.5 gram/100 ml and in women as hemoglobin of less than 12.0 gram/100 ml.

Anemia happens for different reasons. Survivors in a prolonged disaster setting are unaccustomed to being off the grid, and could easily injure themselves and bleed heavily from a wound. This is the most sudden cause of severe anemia, but it can also occur from lack of production due to malnutrition or medical conditions that destroy red blood cells or shortens their life span (normally, about 115-120 days).

Depending on the cause, signs and symptoms of anemia may vary. If your patient’s case is mild and they’ve had it for a while, their body may have accommodated to the extent that they might not have symptoms. If they do occur, they might include:

- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Headache
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Cold hands and feet

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1559653967-1024x538.jpg)pale inner eyelid seen in anemia

Simple blood tests could identify the problem, but won’t be available off the grid. Just checking under the lower eyelid, however, may reveal a hemoglobin deficiency. Normally, the inside of the eyelid is light red or pink; in anemia, it’s very pale or yellow. Worse cases can cause major symptoms:

- Irregular or fast heart rates
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain

The worse the anemia, the less productive your group member will be, so it’s important to do everything possible to treat it and increase the hemoglobin level.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. It’s often seen in women who are or were recently pregnant. Heavy periods will also cause iron-deficiency anemia. Treatment usually involves oral supplements like ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate. The usual dose is 325 mg (65 mg of elemental iron) three times a day. Some complain of intestinal issues at that dose: dark stools, constipation, nausea, and cramps. This can take a lot out of a person, so consider a lower dose or every other day dosing in those afflicted. Be aware that caffeinated beverages may delay iron absorption, while vitamin C at 500 mg promotes it.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/shutterstock_1155358696-1024x1024.jpg)

In addition to iron, your body needs folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 to produce enough healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these and vitamin C can impair the production of red cells. Some people get enough B12 but can’t absorb it due to an autoimmune reaction, causing a condition called “pernicious anemia”. Special B12 injections are given for this and other conditions.

Anemia can also be related to inflammation. Certain diseases, such as cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory ailments can lower production of red blood cells or destroy them. For these, you have to treat the main problem, a major challenge for the off-grid medic.

Another group of anemias are known as “hemolytic” (blood disintegraters). They develop when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them. You can inherit a hemolytic anemia, or you can develop it later in life.

Sickle cell anemia (sometimes called “sick-as-hell” anemia) is a type of hemolytic anemia. It’s caused by a defective form of hemoglobin that forces red blood cells to assume an abnormal (sickle) shape instead of a disc. These irregular blood cells die prematurely, resulting in a chronic shortage. Patients, often African Americans, go into what we call “crises” that can be very painful when these abnormally shaped cells clog small blood vessels.

Hemolytic anemias can also be caused by certain drugs, which can cause the immune system to mistake your own red blood cells for foreign substances. The body responds by making antibodies to attack and destroy its own cells. Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you take any of these medicines:

- Cephalosporins like Keflex
- Fluoroquinolones like Levaquin
- Penicillins
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) and phenazopyridine (Pyridium; used for bladder infections)
- Levodopa for Parkinson’s disease
- Dapsone for skin disease
- Quinidine for irregular heartbeats
- Methyldopa for high blood pressure
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102-1024x681.jpg)

Dietary sources of iron may be helpful, so adjust your food storage and survival garden goals accordingly. Eating a diet high in meats, especially red meats, may help. Nonmeat iron sources include:

- Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables
- Peas and certain other legumes like chickpeas
- Beans
- Dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and apricots

Some foods are Iron-fortified, like certain cereals and breads. Many also have B12 added, as well. Other food sources of B12 are:

- Meats, such as liver, beef, fish, and poultry
- Eggs
- Dairy products

For folic acid:

- Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables
- Black-eyed peas and other dried beans
- Beef liver
- Eggs
- Bananas, oranges, and related fruits and juices

As mentioned earlier, vitamin C is a tool to help absorb iron. Good sources of vitamin C can be found in many fruits as well. Fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables, and juices usually have more vitamin C than canned ones. Vegetables rich in vitamin C include tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, potatoes, and spinach.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/joe-in-front-of-painting-683x1024.jpg)If you believe in our mission to put a medically-prepared person in every family, follow us on social media and check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Fall Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fall-injuries-2/) 

 [Video: Ivermectin for COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-ivermectin-for-covid-19/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Trauma

**Tags:** anemia, hemoglobin, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, vitamin b12 deficiency

---

### [Video: Ivermectin for COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-ivermectin-for-covid-19/)

**Published:** December 29, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this companion video to a recent article, medical preparedness advocate Dr. Joe Alton explores the potential of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin against COVID-19. This comes in the wake of Dr. Pierre Kory testifying before a senate committee that it may be a “wonder drug” against SARS-CoV2.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Amy_and_Joe_Alton_Best_medical_Kits_Camping_Hiking__41403.1478627890.1280.12801.jpg)Joe and Amy Alton

Fill those holes in your medical storage with one-of-a-kind HSA/FSA eligible kits and individual supplies from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [Store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Anemia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/anemia/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ivermectin, Winter Depression](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ivermectin-winter-depression/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** anti-parasitic drug, COVID-19, ivermectin, ivermectin and COVID, joe alton md, medical preparedness, SARS-COV2, survival medicine

---

### [When A Person Faints](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-person-faints/)

**Published:** November 29, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_618552482-1024x683.jpg)We often write about medical strategies when a society collapses, but, sometimes, an individual may collapse as a result of **fainting** (also called “**[syncope](https://www.healthline.com/health/syncopal-episode)**”). It usually occurs when a drop in blood pressure (“**hypotension**”) doesn’t allow enough oxygenated blood to reach the brain.

Someone who has fainted must be differentiated from the person who has “seized” from epilepsy. Fainters won’t exhibit jerky movements as in a **[Grand Mal seizure](https://nyulangone.org/conditions/epilepsy-seizure-disorders-in-adults/types)** or stare into space as in a **[Petit Mal seizure](https://nyulangone.org/conditions/epilepsy-seizure-disorders-in-adults/types)**. Also, a person who has had a seizure tends to be difficult to rouse for a period of time. This is called a “**post-ictal**” state and may last for 30 minutes or so before it resolves on its own. Most people who have only fainted will regain alertness relatively soon after the episode.

(Note: Grand Mal and Petit Mal are no longer used in the latest nomenclature of seizures. They changed the whole system in 2017, but most people still know them by these names.)

There are a few signs that a person is close to fainting:

- Cold, clammy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Complaints of feeling lightheaded or weak
- A sensation of spinning
- Tunnel vision or blurriness
- Yawning
- Slow pulse
- Momentary lack of attention

(Note: More than once, I’ve had a surgical intern or other assistant faint dead away during a grueling and long surgical procedure.)

Survival scenarios almost guarantee the medic will be confronted with a person who has fainted at one point or another. Simple activities of survival, such as long hikes to retreats, work sessions in hot weather, and hiding out in hot shelters without climate control, can make certain group members prone to syncope. In addition, skipped meals and dehydration will put many of your people at risk.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/DB_Poster-2No_copy-1024x761.jpg)

Low blood sugar and various other medical conditions can cause fainting. Good hydration and appropriate dietary intake will prevent most episodes. Glucose or honey packets, for example, can help raise a person’s blood sugar that has gone dangerously low. Have some in your kit. Others may pass out due to irregular heart rhythms, extreme stress, or even pregnancy.

If someone feels as if they are about to collapse, they should sit down and put their head down between their knees to increase blood flow to the brain. If you see someone who is fainting from a standing position, hold and gently lower them to the ground on their back. In normal times, of course, you would have someone call emergency medical services as soon as possible.

If help isn’t coming, it’s up to you to quickly evaluate the victim. If the patient fell to the floor, there is always the possibility of a head injury. Evaluate for obvious wounds and rule out concussion.

A person who has had a simple fainting spell will usually be breathing normally and have a steady, regular pulse. Raise their legs about 12 inches off the ground and above the level of their heart and head. This position will help increase blood flow to the brain. Assess the patient for evidence of trauma, bleeding, or signs of a seizure. If bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound. If no pulse or breathing, begin CPR.

([Seizure disorders are discussed on this website here.)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seizure-disorders-2/)

After the first few seconds, you have determined that the victim is breathing, has a pulse, and is not bleeding. Tap on their shoulder (some say to gently shake) and ask in a clear voice “Can you hear me?” or “Are you OK?”. Loosen any constricting clothing and make sure that they are getting lots of fresh air by keeping the area around them clear of crowds. Look for a medical alert bracelet that may give clues as to their health issues. If you are in an area that is hot, fan the patient or carefully carry them to a cooler area. Cool compresses may be helpful.

If you are successful in arousing the patient, ask them if they have any pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy. Stay calm and speak in a reassuring manner. People oftentimes are embarrassed and want to brush off the incident, but be aware they are still at risk for another fall.

Once the victim is awake and alert (Do they know their name? Do they know where they are? What year it is?), you may have the patient sit up slowly if they are not otherwise injured. Don’t let them get up for 15 minutes or so, even if they say that they are fine. If you are not in an austere setting, emergency medical personnel are on the way; wait until they arrive before having the patient stand up. Off the grid, however, you will have to make a judgment as to whether and when the victim is capable of returning to normal activities. A period of observation would be wise.

As dehydration and low blood sugar are possible causes, some oral intake may be helpful during recovery. This is appropriate *only* if it is clear that they are completely conscious, alert, and able to function. Test their strength by having them raise their knees against the pressure of your hands. If they are weak, they should continue to rest. Close monitoring of the patient will be very important, as some internal injuries may not manifest for hours.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/joe-alton-stream-1024x768.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton

Everything from honey packets to chest seals can be found in our many one-of-a-kind kits at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Use those FSA/HSA account funds in our [special eligible section](https://store.doomandbloom.net/hsa-and-fsa-eligible-first-aid-kits/)!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Seizure Disorders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seizure-disorders-2/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** fainting, joe alton md, medical preparedness, seizure disorder, survival medicine, syncope

---

### [Asthma In Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-in-survival/)

**Published:** November 15, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**[Asthma](https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma)** is a chronic condition that limits your ability to breathe. It affects the tubes that transport air to your lungs, collectively known as the “airways”. Asthma affects 20 million Americans and is the most common cause of chronic illness in children. Off the grid, increased stress and exposure to new substances will only makes things worse. The family medic must know how to recognize and treat symptoms with limited supplies.

When people with asthma are exposed to a substance to which they are allergic (an “**[allergen](https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/allergen.htm)**”), airways become swollen, constricted, and filled with mucus. As a result, air can’t pass through to reach the part of the lungs that absorbs oxygen (the “**alveoli**”).

During an episode of asthma, you will develop shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, and start to wheeze and cough. This is referred to as an “**asthma attack**”. In rare situations, the airways can become so constricted that a person could suffocate from lack of air.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/shutterstock_74586247.jpg)

Here are common allergens that trigger an asthmatic attack:

- Pet or wild animal dander
- Dust or the excrement of dust mites
- Mold and mildew
- Smoke
- Pollen
- Severe stress
- Pollutants in the air
- Some medicines
- Exercise

Yes, you can trigger an asthmatic attack with exercise. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay in shape. Exercise strengthens lungs, which helps improve asthma control.

There are many other **myths** associated with asthma; the below are just some:

Asthma is contagious. (False)

You will grow out of it. (False; it might become dormant for a time but you are always at risk for it re-emerging.)

It’s all in your mind. (False; although may trigger it, it’s very real.)

If you move to a new area, your asthma will go away. (False; it may go away for a while, but eventually you will become sensitized to something else and it will likely return.)

Asthma should only be treated when an episode occurs. (False; asthma is best treated with constant medication to reduce frequency and severity of attacks. Encourage your asthmatic group members to stockpile meds.)

You will become addicted to your asthma meds. (False; inhalers and oral asthma drugs aren’t addictive. It’s safe to use them on a regular basis.)

Here’s are two “true” myths: Asthma is, indeed, hereditary. If both parents have asthma, you have a 70% chance of developing it compared to only 6% if neither parent has it. Also, asthma does have the potential to be fatal, especially if you are over 65 years old.

(Note: In the 1980s, I treated a pregnant patient who had the worse type of asthma attack, called “*status asthmaticus*.” Once she improved somewhat, she insisted on going home against my advice to care for her other children. She returned that night in an irreversible state of oxygen loss. Both mother and baby perished.)

**PHYSICAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA**

Asthmatic symptoms may be different from attack to attack and from individual to individual. Some of the symptoms are also seen in heart conditions and other respiratory illnesses, so it’s important to make the right diagnosis. Symptoms may include:

- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
- Wheezing (usually of sudden onset)
- Chest tightness (sometimes confused with coronary artery spasms/heart attack)
- Rapid pulse rate and respiration rate
- Anxiety

Besides these main symptoms, there are others that are signals of a life-threatening episode. If you notice that your patient has become “**cyanotic**”, they are in trouble. Someone with cyanosis will have a blue/gray color to their lips, fingertips, and face.

You might also notice that it takes longer for an asthmatic to exhale than to inhale. As an asthma attack worsens, wheezing may take on a higher pitch. As the attack worsens, the patient suffers a lack of oxygen that makes them confused and drowsy; they may possibly lose consciousness.

**Asthma vs Heart Attack**

As an asthma attack may resemble a heart attack, the medic should know how to tell the difference. For Asthma is usually improved by using fast-acting inhalers, a strategy that doesn’t offer relief from a heart attack or other cardiac events. Cardiac patients often have swelling of the lower legs, also called “**[edema](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/symptoms-causes/syc-20366493)**.” This is rarely seen with asthma. Asthmatic also don’t have arm and jaw pain that is often seen with heart attacks. Those with a history of cardiac chest pain improve with the angina drug nitroglycerin.

Although both may be associated with shortness of breath, few will confuse the symptoms of COVID-19 with asthma, but suffice it to say that COVID-19 is associated with fever and loss of taste or smell.

**DIAGNOSING ASTHMA**

On physical exam, use your stethoscope to listen to the lungs on both sides. Make sure that you listen closely to the bottom, middle, and top lung areas as described in the section on physical exams.

In a mild asthmatic attack, you will hear relatively loud, musical noises when the patient breathes. As the asthma worsens, less air is passing through the airways and the pitch of the wheezes will be higher and perhaps not as loud. If no air is passing through, you will hear nothing, not even when you ask the patient to inhale forcibly. This person may become cyanotic.

Sometimes a person might become so anxious (a “**panic attack**”) that they become short of breath and may think they are having an asthma attack. To resolve this question, you can measure how open the airways are with a simple diagnostic instrument known as a **[peak flow meter](https://www.amazon.com/Quest-AsthmaMD-Lung-Performance-Meter/dp/B00B9AOKP6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=airzone+peak+flow+meter&qid=1605453983&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMREtEVE9YNzlHQkomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0MzM1ODUxNzEzODVSRkgxNkw2JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2ODc5NTExNjlKTjJTWUY1Tk40JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=47021729719c5794b5ecaf91197a24ec&language=en_US)**. A peak flow meter measures the ability of your lungs to expel air, a major problem for an asthmatic. It can help you identify if a patient’s cough is part of an asthma attack or whether they are, instead, having a panic attack or other issue.

To determine what is normal for a member of your group, you should first document a peak flow measurement when they are feeling well. Have your patient purse their lips over the mouthpiece of the peak flow meter and forcefully exhale into it. Now you know their baseline measurement. If they develop shortness of breath, have them blow into it again and compare readings.

In moderate asthma, peak flow will be reduced 20-40%. Greater than 50% is a sign of a severe episode. In a non-asthma related cough or upper respiratory infection, peak flow measurements will be close to normal. The same goes for a panic attack; even though you may feel short of breath, your peak flow measurement is still about normal.

**TREATMENT OF ASTHMA**

The cornerstones of asthma treatment are the avoidance of “trigger” allergens, as mentioned previously, and the maintenance of open airways. Medications come in one of two forms: drugs that give quick relief from an attack and drugs that control the frequency of asthmatic episodes over time. In panic attacks, however, these medicines are ineffective; treatment for anxiety is discussed elsewhere in this book.

Quick relief asthma drugs include “**bronchodilators**” that open airways, such as Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA), among others. These drugs should open airways in a very short period of time and give significant relief. These drugs are sometimes useful for people going into a situation where they know they will exposed to a trigger, such as before strenuous exercise. Don’t be surprised if you notice a rapid heart rate on these medications; it’s a common side effect.

If you find yourself using quick-relief asthmatic medications more than twice a week, you are a candidate for daily control therapy. These drugs work, when taken daily, to decrease the number of episodes and are usually some form of inhaled steroid. There are long-acting bronchodilators as well, such as ipratropium bromide (Atrovent HFA). Another family of drugs known as Leukotriene modifiers prevents airway swelling before an asthma attack even begins. These are usually in pill form and may make sense for storage purposes. The most popular is Montelukast (Singulair).

Often, medications will be used in combination, and you might find multiple medications in the same inhaler. The U.S. pharmaceutical Advair, for example, contains both a steroid and an airway dilator. Remember that inhalers lose potency over time. Expired inhalers, unlike many drugs in pill or capsule form, have less effect than fresh ones. Physicians are usually sympathetic to requests for extra prescriptions from their asthmatic patients.

**NATURAL TREATMENT OF ASTHMA**

In mild to moderate cases of asthma, you might consider the use of natural remedies. Some involve breathing exercises:

Pursed-lip breathing: This slows your breathing and helps your lungs work better. Breathe in slowly through your nose for two seconds. Then position you lips as if you were whistling, and breathe out slowly through your mouth for four seconds.

Abdominal breathing: Similar to pursed-lip breathing but focuses on using the diaphragm more effectively. With your hands on your belly, breathe as if you were filling it with air like a balloon. Press down lightly on the belly as you slowly exhale.

There are also a number of substances that have been reported to be helpful:

**Ginger:** A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology indicates that ginger is instrumental in inhibiting chemicals that constrict airways. Animal tests find that extracts of ginger help ease asthmatic symptoms in rodents. Use as a tea or extract twice a day.

**Ginger and Garlic Tea:** Add three or four minced garlic cloves in some ginger tea while it’s hot. Cool it down and drink twice a day. Some report a benefits from just the garlic.

**Other herbal teas** are thought to help: Ephedra, Coltsfoot, Codonopsis, Butterbur, Nettle, Chamomile, and Rosemary all have been used in the past to relieve asthmatic attacks.

**Caffeine:** Black unsweetened coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks may help open airways. Don’t drink more than 12 ounces at a time, as coffee can dehydrate you. Interestingly, coffee is somewhat similar in chemical structure to the asthma drug Theophylline.

**Eucalyptus:** Essential oil of eucalyptus, used in a steam or direct inhalation, may be helpful to open airways. Rub a few drops of oil between your hands and breathe in deeply. Alternatively, a few drops in some steaming water will be good respiratory therapy.

**Honey:** Honey was used in the 19th century to treat asthmatic attacks. Breathe deeply from a jar of honey and look for improvement in a few minutes. To decrease the frequency of attacks, stir one teaspoon of honey in a twelve-ounce glass of water and drink it three times daily.

**Turmeric:** Take one teaspoon of turmeric powder in 6-8 ounces of warm water three times a day.

**Mustard Oil Rub:** Mix mustard oil with camphor and rub it on your chest and back. There are claims that it gives instant relief in some cases.

**Gingko Biloba leaf extract:** Thought to decrease hypersensitivity in the lungs; not for people who are taking aspirin or ibuprofen daily, or anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin).

**Lobelia:** Native Americans actually smoked(!) this herb as a treatment for asthma. Instead of smoking, try mixing tincture of lobelia with tincture of cayenne in a 3:1 ratio. Put 1 milliliter (about 20 drops) of this mixture in water at the start of an attack and repeat every thirty minutes or so

Further research is necessary to determine the effectiveness that some of the above remedies have on severe asthma, so take standard medications if your peak flow reading is 60% or less than normal.

Don’t underestimate the effect of **diet** on the course of asthma. Asthmatics should:

- Replace animal proteins with plant proteins.
- Increase intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
- Eliminate milk and other dairy products.
- Eat organically whenever possible.
- Eliminate trans-fats; use extra-virgin olive oil as your main cooking oil.
- Always stay well-hydrated; more fluids will make your lung secretions less viscous.

Finally, various relaxation methods, such as taught in Yoga classes, are thought to help promote well-being and control the panic response seen in asthmatic attacks. Acupuncture is thought by some to have some promise as well.

I’m sure you have your own home remedy that might work to help asthmatics. If so, let us know!

Joe Alton MD

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**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Asthma, Chronic Illness, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** asthma, asthma in survival, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wheezing

---

### [Expect U.S. Outbreaks, But Don't Panic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/expect-u-s-outbreaks-but-dont-panic/)

**Published:** March 2, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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The **COVID-19** pandemic is spreading to scores of countries in all continents except for Antarctica. I say “[pandemic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-covid-19-isnt-a-pandemic-i-dont-know-what-is/)” not to instill panic, but vigilance and action. Unlike some World Health Organization health officials, I believe that people are more likely to prepare for a storm when they are shown the black clouds of the horizon.

[In the U.S., the number of cases and locations affected are increasing](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/02/world/coronavirus-news.html). With local human-to-human transmission the most likely cause for some, it is only a matter of time before a country as large as ours will see hundreds or even thousands of cases. Well-meaning government efforts to ban travel are likely to slow down the timeline of the disease in the U.S. but won’t prevent eventual outbreaks in multiple areas.

**THE BAD NEWS**

There are, certainly, many reasons to be concerned. COVID-19 has a severe form that causes pneumonia and worse in about one in five or sick patients. Seasonal influenza is rarely deadly, but COVID-19 kills about three percent of the time. This probably is similar to the death rate seen during the **Spanish Flu** pandemic of 1918-1919.

**COVID-19** is very contagious and our current tests have not proven to be 100% accurate in identifying it. The U.S. has improved its isolation protocols for contagious disease in the last few years but the general public isn’t always aware of ways you can prevent becoming infected.

Underdeveloped nations may not have the medical infrastructure to handle large numbers of people who might need respiratory support.

That’s some of the bad news, but there is good as well.

**THE** **GOOD NEWS**

The three percent death rate may be too high. With many countries either unable or unwilling to obtain accurate statistics, I believe there are hundreds of thousands more out there that are:

- Only mildly affected, didn’t seek medical care, and recovered
- Asymptomatic and unaware they have the virus
- Unreported by the nation’s government
- Sick but the nation lacks testing capability or mechanisms to report cases

One example of the last item above is North Korea, which shares a border with China. You haven’t heard of one case there. I’ll bet, however, that COVID-19 is probably running rampant throughout the country but not counted. The numbers from certain other countries, like Iran, are likely under-reported. Add them to the numbers and the death rate drops, perhaps significantly.

Another bit of good news is that [China’s hot zone seems to be reporting lower number](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)s of new cases. This could mean that the disease is taking its course in the country and is now on the far end of the bell curve. If China’s outbreak could wax and then wan in just two months, perhaps other countries will do so in turn.

It’s also important to remember that influenza’s millions of cases this year are still far greater than the numbers for COVID-19.

**WHAT TO DO**

Once community-wide spread occurs, we will have to have a plan of action; one that involves changes in our lifestyle. If you haven’t put together a strategy yet, it is time to do so. As no specific medicines cure or even treat COVID-19, we must turn to giving symptomatic relief such as acetaminophen for fever and other drugs as needed. The simple act of hydrating patients dropped the Ebola death rate in the 2014 epidemic from 60% to 40%.

Other than that, we will have to turn to **non-pharmaceutical interventions** (NPIs) NPIs are strategies that help to decrease your chances of catching the infection.

They include frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and strict attention to respiratory hygiene. With regards to hand sanitizer, don’t use one drop and think your hands are now clean. Use more and get you hands good and wet. If your hands are visibly dirty, however, use soap and water.

One of the most common ways to get sick is to touch a contaminated person or surface and then touch your face with your hands. You do this much more often than you’d think. Just ask a friend or family member to watch you for 15 minutes and count the number of times you absentmindedly brush your hand against your nose, mouth, and eyes. You’d be surprised how often it happens.

Respiratory hygiene is meant to keep your family safe by decreasing airborne infectious particles and droplets. Besides frequent hand washing, it entails:

- Covering all coughs and sneezes with a tissue or, at least, your upper arm. Dispose of tissues safely in a covered waste receptacle.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a mask or cloth if you are sick and in the company of others.
- Clean all surfaces that have been touched or coughed on by sick people with a disinfectant.

The other **NPI** strategy is more social than personal. It is called “social distancing” and is most helpful if your city or town is in the middle of an local outbreak. It includes:

Staying away from large crowds.

Not going to work if you’re sick or a lot of people there are sick

Keeping children home from school

Avoiding public transportation

Avoiding physical contact with others (even shaking hands)

Keeping a distance of about six feet from other people

Avoiding community candy jars or other items many people have touched

Isolating sick persons in your family from healthy ones.

The above seems to be almost paranoid to the average citizen, but these are recommendations that are endorsed by U.S. government agencies in the event of a deadly infectious disease outbreak.

The pandemic will reach the U.S., but that doesn’t mean it will damage the country long-term. Have a plan of action that decreases your chances of COVID-19, and you will find that this, too, shall pass.

Joe Alton MD

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**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** COVID-19, epidemic, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pandemic, survival medicine, U.S. COVID-19 outbreak

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Origins of Viral Research, COVID-19 Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-origins-of-viral-research-covid-19-update/)

**Published:** March 10, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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Well, we’re in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., with close to 1000 cases and 30 deaths. Other countries like Iran, Italy are a lot worse off, but the U.S. hasn’t hit its peak, and probably we can expect thousands and maybe tens of thousands more. Old folks like me are advised to stay away from crowds, and we might have to deal with more restrictions before things get better. All because of a bug that’s measured in billionths of a inch…How did we first figure out that viruses exist? Dr. Joe Alton takes you through the first scientific steps to identifying a major killer all the way to the current pandemic.

All that and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy…

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Joe and Amy Alton

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**Categories:** COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, COVID-19 update, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Origins of viral research, pandemic preparedness

---

### [Things To Know About The R-Nought Number](https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-the-r-nought-number/)

**Published:** March 26, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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If you’ve paid any attention to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 or watched movies like Contagion, , you’ve heard the term “**R-nought**”.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lotka.jpg)Alfred Lotka

The R-nought (or *reproduction number*) is the 100-year-old brainchild of a public health expert in demographics named **Alfred Lotka**. A disease’s R-Nought, he said, is the number of cases that will occur in a population if an infected person is placed in the middle of it. Not just any population, however; one that *hasn’t* been exposed to the infection in the past.

In the 1950s, epidemiologist George MacDonald used it to describe the contagious potential of malaria. He suggested that, if the R-nought is less than 1, the infectious person will transmit to fewer than one other person and an outbreak will eventually peter out. On the other hand, if the R-Nought is greater than 1, the disease will spread. Seasonal flu carries an R-Nought of 1.28, while the current COVID-19 is *probably* closer to 3.

Probably? Certainly, the R-Nought represents important data regarding an infectious disease. Why, then, probably? Because different sources may report different R-Noughts for the same disease based on a number of factors. It’s not just the nature of the virus itself.

Estimation of the R-nought primarily relates to 3 parameters:

1. how long a person is contagious
2. the likelihood that contact with a susceptible person will end in transmission of the disease
3. the frequency of contact between the infected individual and the susceptible population.

Let’s take them one-by-one. The first is how long a person is contagious. Certainly, you want to quarantine someone during their infectious period, but, with COVID-19, that period is not known for certain.

For SARS, it was about 14 days, so that’s what they’re using for the related SARS-COV2 (the name for the virus that causes COVID-19). There are outliers, however, that range from 20-37 days. With a range that wide, how do they figure out when you’re no longer contagious?

If COVID-19 testing is available, they have determined [three criteria](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html) for considering release from isolation:

• You no longer have a fever without using fever-reducing drugs.

• Symptoms like cough or shortness of breath have improved significantly.

• you have received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart.

If testing is *not* available, the [three criteria](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html) are:

• You have had no fever for at least 72 hours without using fever-reducing drugs.

• Symptoms like cough or shortness of breath have improved significantly.

• At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared (I was surprised at that last one; perhaps 14 days is more prudent).

Aside: Recovering COVID-19 patients might be surprised when they feel better but are told that the X-ray still shows signs of pneumonia. This is because the x-ray appearance of pneumonia commonly seems to lag behind the patient’s clinical appearance.

The second parameter is how likely is it that contact with a susceptible person ends up in infection. That depends partially on the characteristics of the virus itself, but It might also depend on a person’s age, general health, lifestyle, or even bad habits.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_80114341.jpg)

Older folks may get it as often as younger folks, but seem to do worse across the board. In one study, if you were in your twenties and got COVID-19, your chances of dying was 0.2 percent. If you were in your eighties, it was closer to 22 percent.

What about bad habits? Consider smoking: Most COVID-19 victims are men. in China, 50% of men smoke there as opposed to about 5% of women. Therefore, you can probably conclude that women have healthier lungs, on average, than men.

Cultural differences might also play a role. In Iran and certain other countries, most men work or spend a good amount of time outside. From this, we can infer that they might be exposed more often than women, who probably spend more time at home.

 The third parameter is the frequency of contact between the infected individual and the susceptible population. For example, there are people that are known as “**super spreaders**”. A super-spreader is an individual who is more likely, for one reason or another, to infect others. 20% of infected individuals are responsible for 80% of transmissions to others.

Although South Korea is held out as a model of success in the containment of COVID-19, that wasn’t always the case. In mid-February, confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection suddenly jumped in that country. The Korean CDC attributed the increase in cases to “[Patient 31](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/coronavirus-south-korea-church/)“, who had participated in a mass religious gathering in the city of Daegu.

In New York, a lawyer contracted the illness and then spread it to at least twenty other individuals in his community in [New Rochelle](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/18/health/coronavirus-new-rochelle-lawyer-garbuz-recovery/index.html). In the early going, he was thought to account at one point or another for more than half of coronavirus cases in the state

Super-spreaders aren’t confined to viral disease, 100 years ago, a woman named [Mary Mallon](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959940/) worked as a cook in New York. She was an asymptomatic carrier of the bacteria *Salmonella Typhi*, and passed that disease to more than 50 other people, giving her the nickname “*Typhoid Mary*“.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/typhoid-mary.jpg)

Terminating Typhoid Mary’s employment and quarantining super-spreaders and their contacts helps, but only if it’s done rapidly. In South Korea, it can be said to be successful. In New York, well, not so much.

There’s more to R-noughts than those 3 parameters, like testing issues, the availability of personal protection equipment to a community, and much more. It’s interesting to think about what the R-Nought of the [1918 Spanish Flu ](https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-pandemic-h1n1.html) would have been if it occurred today with commercial air travel so common.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/AltonsPandemic_3d-800x1024.jpg)

More updates on issues relating to the pandemic in the near future.

Oh, and if you were wondering where we’ve been lately, we’ve been personally packing medical kits seven days a week as well as writing our latest book, [**Alton’s Pandemic Preparedness Guide: Emerging and Current Viral Threats**](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Pandemic-Preparedness-Guide-Emerging/dp/1734817402/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=alton%27s+pandemic+preparedness&qid=1585248301&sr=8-3). You can find it on Amazon.com and, soon, at doomandbloom.net.

This is Joe Alton MD, that old Dr. Bones, wishing you the best of health in good times or bad. Thanks for watching.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award.png)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Cleaning Clothes of COVID-19 Patients](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cleaning-clothes-of-covid-19-patients/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Home Care For COVID-19 Patients](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-home-care-for-covid-19-patients/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** COVID-19, joe alton md, medical preparedness, patient 31, R-naught, R-nought, reporduction number, super-spreader, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Who Should Have Face Masks?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-who-should-have-face-masks/)

**Published:** March 27, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)

In the midst of an epidemic, personal protection equipment is usually reserved for medical personnel. This makes perfect sense, as they are on the front lines in the battle against deadly pandemics. In the case of COVID-19, however, the CDC has endorsed home care for mild-moderate cases to avoid overwhelming medical facilities. That makes the family medic a medical worker as well, doesn’t it? Should they have access to personal protection equipment as well? Dr. Joe Alton discusses a difficult subject in this video.

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Joe Alton MD

To learn more about pandemic preparedness from someone who’s been writing about it for years, check out Dr. Alton’s latest book: **“Alton’s Pandemic Preparedness Guide: Dealing with Emerging and Current Threats”**, now on presale at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/new-book-altons-pandemic-preparedness-guide-dealing-with-emerging-and-current-viral-threats/).

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cover-pandemic-preparedness-guide-705x1024.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation and COVID-19](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ultraviolet-germicidal-radiation-and-covid-19/) 

 [Expect U.S. Outbreaks, But Don't Panic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/expect-u-s-outbreaks-but-dont-panic/)

**Categories:** Uncategorized

**Tags:** face masks, home care covid-19, joe alton md, medical preparedness

---

### [Cleaning Clothes of COVID-19 Patients](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cleaning-clothes-of-covid-19-patients/)

**Published:** March 29, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The **COVID-19 pandemic** is overwhelming hospitals and overworked medical staff, leading the CDC to recommend home care for mild-moderate cases of the disease. This makes someone in the family a caregiver who must apply safe practices when dealing with a sick loved one. The epidemic sick room is one of the topics I discuss in our latest book **“Alton’s Pandemic Preparedness Guide: Dealing with Emerging and Current Viral Threats”**(You can also find articles on the subject on this website).

One aspect of preventing spread of the virus in home care settings is the proper practice of washing clothes used by the patient. The CDC has guidelines as to how best to deal with this issue, but I rarely see them discuss this topic in the media.

Washing clothes may seem boring and mundane to you. Well, let’s keep it that way by following some simple rules when it comes to washing items contaminated with COVID-19. The CDC suggests these strategies when cleaning, not only clothes, but linens, towels, and anything else you would launder.

- **Wear gloves.** Droplets from virus-laden coughs can contain viable germs that survive for a period of time on cloth. Disposable gloves should be discarded after each use, while reusable gloves are best used for disinfecting and cleaning surfaces.
- **Don’t shake out dirty laundry.** This reduces the possibility of the virus dispersing through the air.
- **You can wash a sick person’s laundry with other items.** This is the official CDC recommendation, but I would think it prudent to wash these items separately if it’s not an excessive burden. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use “the warmest appropriate water setting” Then, dry items completely.
- **Keep hands clean.** Wash hands immediately after taking off gloves. If you’re not using gloves when handling the dirty laundry, properly wash hands afterwards.
- **Keep hampers clean.** After putting laundry away, clean and disinfect hampers following [standard CDC guidance](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-your-home.html) for cleaning surfaces. Consider using a disposable bag liner or a reusable bag liner that can be washed.

Caregivers have to give care, but they also have to wash clothes, prepare food, and disinfect surfaces. We’ll continue giving tips we hope you’ll find useful as long as needed during the pandemic.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Want to find out more about viral infectious diseases? Check out a copy of our new book [“Alton’s Pandemic Preparedness Guide: Dealing with Emerging and Current Viral Threats”](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Pandemic-Preparedness-Guide-Emerging/dp/1734817402/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2AV75BVKDT6V0&keywords=altons+pandemic+preparedness&qid=1585528332&sprefix=alton's+pandemic,aps,166&sr=8-2&&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=b58fdfca6254a2c29e3e212928f0abc2&language=en_US), based on a decade of writing about medical preparedness.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cover-pandemic-preparedness-guide-705x1024.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [If You're Not Wearing A Mask, You're Nuts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-youre-not-wearing-a-mask-youre-nuts/) 

 [Things To Know About The R-Nought Number](https://www.doomandbloom.net/things-to-know-about-the-r-nought-number/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** CDC guideline for laundry, medical preparedness, Washing clothes of COVID-19 patients

---

### [If You're Not Wearing A Mask, You're Nuts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-youre-not-wearing-a-mask-youre-nuts/)

**Published:** March 31, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)

If the numbers of new cases and deaths caused by COVID-19 haven’t scared you, you’ll never have to prove your bravery in any other way. By bravery, I mean stupidity.

There’s brave and there’s stupid. Many people still think we’re dealing with a nasty flu. It isn’t the flu. It isn’t the common cold. It’s a coronavirus that’s ambitious; one that’s trying to outdo its relative SARS (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in infecting and/or killing human beings. It’s doing a good job at both.

Given the alarming news that 25 percent of infections may be asymptomatic, why isn’t everyone wearing masks? This is the same question the Centers for Disease Control and Protection is pondering at this very moment. The practice of wearing masks in public is now being “critically re-reviewed” by the organization.

Why haven’t they recommended this before? Health authorities are reluctant to tell people to wear personal protection equipment when the supply is scarce, preferring to funnel available items to medical workers on the front line. This is commendable, but with the CDC endorsing home care for mild-moderate cases, Isn’t the front line the sick room at home? Isn’t there a medical worker in every family?

These people are the “medics in reserve” that I’ve been talking about all these years. Because of that, I’ve recommended that every family should prepare a supply of medical items for disasters, like the current pandemic. The few who listened probably included some masks and gloves in their storage. The rest, however, may be reduced to bandannas or other improvisations.

If 25 percent of COVID-19 patients don’t even know they have the disease, it ‘s possible that every foray outside may infect someone that *will* have symptoms. A percentage may wind up in serious or critical condition. Some of those will occupy the limited number of ventilators available. The rest may be out of luck.

Now, some research says that you may be contagious for up to eight days after the disappearance of symptoms. They state: “COVID-19 patients can be infectious even after their symptomatic recovery, so treat the asymptomatic/recently recovered patients as carefully as symptomatic patients.” Note that they’re talking about people who were *mild* cases. It not known whether those who recovered from severe illness have even more residual viral presence.

Despite this, a trip to the local grocery makes it clear that only a small percentage will bother to wear a mask, gloves, or face shield. A month ago, personal protection gear would have been considered overkill. You might even consider it overkill today. But right now, it may make the difference between life and death; maybe not for you, but for someone you know, or someone you don’t who had the bad fortune of picking up a peach you decided against buying.

So, CDC/WHO recommendations or not, whether you have symptoms or not, wear a mask when you got out in public. Save a life. And don’t be surprised if they soon tell you to do just that.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)Dr. Alton

If you’d like to know more about viral infectious diseases, check out the Alton’s latest book: [Alton’s Pandemic Preparedness Guide: Dealing with Emerging and Current Viral Threats](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Pandemic-Preparedness-Guide-Emerging/dp/1734817402/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=H6FSOPHMTTF8&keywords=altons+pandemic+preparedness&qid=1585690849&sprefix=alton's+pandemic,aps,163&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=257c42a5f014e37232d7d4725a3b7834&language=en_US), the product of ten years of writing about pandemics and other infectious disease outbreaks.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cover-pandemic-preparedness-guide-705x1024.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Can You Get Re-Infected With COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/can-you-get-re-infected-with-covid-19/) 

 [Cleaning Clothes of COVID-19 Patients](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cleaning-clothes-of-covid-19-patients/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, Viruses

**Tags:** covid 19 face mask, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pandemic preparedness, wear a face mask

---

### [Can You Get Re-Infected With COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/can-you-get-re-infected-with-covid-19/)

**Published:** March 31, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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A number of reports have brought up the possibility of [re-infection](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/03/15/can-you-get-infected-by-coronavirus-twice-how-does-covid-19-immunity-work/#2463617e5c0f) with **COVID-19.** Unlike some other viruses, like chicken pox, that bestow long-term immunity to victims, it appears that COVID-19 does nothing of the sort. It is uncertain, however, whether they are being re-infected by a second exposure or just relapsing after an apparent recovery.

RNA viruses like SARS-CoV2 or Influenza have very high mutation rates. They mutate up to a million times higher than human cells. This happens because RNA is not as good at replicating as DNA. The higher rate of “errors” during reproduction (in other words, mutations), is a result. Sometimes, the mutation does little. Other times, however, it makes the virus more successful at infecting a certain species, faster at replicating, or more toxic. These may be beneficial for the virus, but not for you.

**(Note: COVID-19 isn’t the name of the virus; it’s the name of the disease. Scientists named the virus itself SARS-CoV2.)**

There is now evidence that SARS-CoV2 is mutating into multiple versions of itself. [Eight different strains have been identified](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/27/scientists-track-coronavirus-strains-mutation/5080571002/), whereas a month ago, there were two.

Most scientists believe the mutated strains aren’t more lethal, just different. This is “comforting” and may help epidemiologists track the origins of an outbreak. The problem is that you may not have immunity to every strain if you recover from being infecting with one.

An example of this is **[Dengue Fever](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dengue-fever-in-the-u-s/)**. There are four or so strains of Dengue. If you recover from one, you are immune to that strain. You aren’t immune, however, from being reinfected with another strain. Due to a phenomenon called Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE), infection with a second strain seems to cause more severe symptoms that are reminiscent of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/shutterstock_53362708.jpg)

Note: **[Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody-dependent_enhancement)**) occurs when antiviral proteins make it easier for viruses to invade host cells, leading to increased infectivity. This virus uses this to cause a relatively mild viral infection to become life-threatening.

It’s not thought at present that ADE will occur in COVID-19 patients, but scientists are hard-pressed to know for sure why some people that supposedly recovered are getting sick again. Are they infected with a new strain? Are they producing antibodies against it? If so, how long do those antibodies protect the victim from re-infection?

Answers to these questions are scarce, but there is evidence suggesting that individuals do develop antibodies after infection. If so, there should be some immunity conferred, although it may be very temporary.

In the meantime, we can take comfort in the fact that re-infection seems to be a rare occurrence. Hopefully, it will stay that way.

Joe Alton MD

Learn more about infectious diseases caused by viruses in [Alton’s Pandemic Preparedness Guide: Dealing with Emerging and Current Viral Threats](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Pandemic-Preparedness-Guide-Emerging/dp/1734817402/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=H6FSOPHMTTF8&keywords=altons+pandemic+preparedness&qid=1585690849&sprefix=alton's+pandemic,aps,163&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=257c42a5f014e37232d7d4725a3b7834&language=en_US)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cover-pandemic-preparedness-guide-705x1024.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Put On A Face Mask](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-put-on-a-face-mask/) 

 [If You're Not Wearing A Mask, You're Nuts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-youre-not-wearing-a-mask-youre-nuts/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, Viruses

**Tags:** covid-19 reinfection, joe alton md, medical preparedness, surviva medicine

---

### [Coronavirus: A Cure?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-a-cure/)

**Published:** February 2, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Promising Case Study in Thailand**

For many, the specter of infectious disease has always seemed to be an event that could possibly take society to the brink. Year after year, we experience a new infectious disease outbreak which crosses oceans and causes concern: Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya, Influenza, and now, [Coronavirus 2019-nCoV](https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6), have always been just a mutation away from becoming worldwide disasters.

Unlike [diseases caused by bacteria](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=antibiotic+alton&qid=1580684814&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=ab803d9927136e3373c1f3b8fe83da3b&language=en_US), all those listed above are viruses which can’t be cured with antibiotics. Indeed, our success treating illnesses caused by viruses has been spotty, and most still are beyond even the high technology of modern medicine. The current 2019-nCoV epidemic raging in China is an example.

I’ve been writing about this epidemic since there were only [60 known cases ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/)(Jan. 7th). To show how contagious it is, more than *[2500](https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6)*[ new cases](https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6) have been reported in just the 24 hours preceding the publishing of this article (Feb. 2nd). Most experts think 2019-nCoV will continue to spread in the near future. They continue to search for any opportunities to contain the disease.

Containment will give time for new treatments to be developed that will combat 2019-nCoV. Experience with related viruses like Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Asia) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome can help, but some novel approaches may be needed to kill a novel coronavirus.

Epidemiologist [Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding](https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/thai-doctors-cure-coronavirus-patient-using-powerful-aids-drugs) has been studying the virus and has noticed some strange characteristics of 2019-nCoV. The virus appears to have some genetic code in common with and act similarly to certain strains of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Indeed, he believes that 2019-nCoV binds to the same receptors as the HIV virus.

(Note: A common conspiracy theory is that Wuhan’s Biosafety Level 4 lab (the only one in China) may have accidentally released a weaponized viral “Frankenstein’s monster”. While it makes for exciting reading, no hard evidence exists for such an occurrence.)

In Thailand, [two doctors](https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/thai-doctors-cure-coronavirus-patient-using-powerful-aids-drugs) decided to put together a “cocktail” of different antiviral drugs to try on sick patients. These include a popular anti-influenza drug, oseltamivir (you know it as Tamiflu) and two anti-HIV drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir. The anti-flu drug was given in higher doses than usual.

The combination of drugs seems to have caused improvement in a [70-year-old female coronavirus patient](https://www.france24.com/en/20200202-thailand-sees-apparent-success-treating-virus-with-drug-cocktail). The woman had tested positive for 2019-nCoV for 10 days; the test results came back negative after 48 hours of treatment. It’s not yet considered a cure, however, and some other patients have exhibited allergic reactions to the mixture.

Combining several drugs and using non-standard dosing is risky, but thinking outside the box may be necessary to battle a highly contagious infection. Certainly, the coronavirus epidemic is not business as usual. Action is needed if we are to prevent a worldwide pandemic.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Consider becoming more medically prepared for disasters with medical kits and individual supplies from our store at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Coronavirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-coronavirus/) 

 [Video: Coronavirus 2019-nCoV: Preventing Infection](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-coronavirus-2019-ncov-preventing-infection/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Tamiflu, Viruses

**Tags:** 2019-nCoV, antiviral drugs, china epidemic, coronavirus, joe alton md, medical prepardness, survival medicine, viral epidemic, Wuhan virus

---

### [Epidemic Personal Protection Gear](https://www.doomandbloom.net/epidemic-personal-protection-gear/)

**Published:** February 13, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**PERSONAL PROTECTION GEAR**

Having knowledge of infectious diseases and how to treat them is very important, but you’ll be more effective in preventing their spread by having some supplies. Which supplies? That all depends on the nature of the disease itself and the risk that the healthy population will be exposed to it.

Before you can be a successful caregiver and heal the sick in an epidemic, you must avoid becoming one of its victims. Viruses can be very contagious (like the airborne common cold) and have a low fatality rate. Alternatively, a disease may have a high fatality rate (like Ebola) and be less contagious (it’s not officially thought to be airborne). Rarely, a really infectious agent may be both very contagious *and* lethal (like The Pneumonic Plague in the Middle Ages).

In a truly virulent outbreak, healthcare providers are at serious risk. During the Ebola epidemic of 2014,[ being a medical worker ](https://www.who.int/features/ebola/health-care-worker/en/)was one of the principal ways to get (and die of) the disease. In 2020, the physician who [first tried to warn](https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/482058-death-of-doctor-who-warned-about-coronavirus) the world of the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic was, unfortunately, also one of its casualties.

Because of the risk to medical workers, strict protocols regarding what items a caregiver should wear are formulated and constantly modified based on new scientific evidence. A uniform way to to don (put on) and doff (take off) equipment is very important in safeguarding healthcare providers

**PROTECTIVE GEAR TO WEAR**

Here is what we think you should wear if you are taking care of a highly contagious patient. First, we’ll discuss which armor would give you the most protection. You should have…

• Coveralls (with head and shoe covers; some come with hoods and booties built-in)

• Masks (N95 or N100)

• Goggles or face shields (to be used *with*, not instead of, masks)

• Nitrile Gloves

• Aprons

Shoe covers and built-in attached booties alone do not give you enough protection. Rubber boots should be worn and can be sanitized between patient encounters.

**ABOUT FACE MASKS**

Medical masks are evaluated based, partially, on their ability to serve as a barrier to very small particles that might contain bacteria or viruses. Masks are tested at an air flow rate that approximates human breathing, coughing, and sneezing. The quality of a mask is determined by its ability to tightly fit the average human face. The most commonly available face masks use ear loops or ties to fix them in place, and are fabricated of “melt-blown” coated fabric (a significant upgrade over woven cotton or gauze).

Standard medical masks have a wide range of protection based on fit and barrier quality; 3-ply masks (the most common version) are more “breathable”, as you can imagine, than 6-ply masks. The latter, however, presents more of a barrier.

**THE N95 MASK**

The upgrade to the basic mask is the “N95” respirator mask. N95 Medical Masks are a class of disposable “respirators” that have at least 95% effective as a barrier against particulates larger than 0.3 microns in size. The “N” in **N95** stands for non-oil resistant; there are also R95 (oil resistant) and P95 (oil proof) masks. These are used mostly in heavy industry and agriculture. Face masks that are approved by the [National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.htm) should have “**NIOSH**” somewhere on the label.

Few people understand just how tiny a micron is. Imagine that I took one of the hairs on your head and cut it in cross-section. Let’s say I enlarged the cross-section to the size of a dinner plate. A micron would be the size of a grain of pepper on the plate.

**N95 mask***[**s**](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/masks-and-n95-respirators#s1)* protect against many contaminants but are not 100% protective. Although used less frequently due to cost, **N99** masks (99%) and **N100** masks (99.7%) are also available. Many masks will have a square or round “exhalation valve” in the middle, which helps with breathability. This can only be used if the healthcare worker is *not* potentially infectious to patients.

There are reusable versions of these masks as well, some of which cover your entire face. They often come with special disposable filters which are replaced after each use. As disposable masks become less available, more and more are considering this more expensive option.

**PROPER FITTING OF THE N95 MASK**

No mask is protective without a proper fit. Your N95 should be an appropriate size and shape to give a seal that will prevent airborne particles from entering through gaps. The mask should not be so large that it obstructs your vision. Any facial hair may affect the ability to get a good seal, so shave off that snazzy beard or handlebar moustache.

The fit test involves using both hands to mold the mask to your face as well as possible. Put your hands to touch the mask edges without applying pressure and inhale sharply. Many masks will indent if there is a tight fit. Then exhale. If you feel air escaping through the cheek, chin, or bridge of the nose, you’ll need to adjust the mask further. Proper placement, fit testing, and removal is demonstrated in the video below:

It should be noted that none of these masks cover the eyes, so it is important to have a mask with a “**face shield**” or indirectly-vented goggles in order to prevent infection through the eyes.

Many believe eye contamination is rare. In any airborne epidemic, however, small particles are floating in the environment and can easily touch the eye. The particles are then washed down to the tear duct, which opens into the nasal cavity and on to the oral cavity. All this is happening even if you’re wearing a mask. A face shield or goggles will provide the additional protection needed.

**How Long Can I Wear An N95 Mask?**

Respirator masks can be worn until they are damaged, dirty, or difficult to breathe through. Remember that aerosolized viruses can remain on mask fibers; do not touch the front of the mask when removing.

In future articles, we discuss how to properly don and doff personal protection items and how to put together an epidemic sick room, both topics discussed in my book **“Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease”**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Altons-Antibiotics-Final-cover-October-30-2018-2-683x1024.jpg)

(Note: this book is mostly about ***bacterial*** **diseases** and the antibiotics you can get to cure them but has a section on epidemic sick rooms and personal protection gear towards the end)

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/JoeAltonLibrary3-e1530717226588.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Check out personal protection gear, medical kits, and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Coronavirus in Dogs and Cats](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-in-dogs-and-cats/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Coronavirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-coronavirus/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Sanitation, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** 2019-nCoV, coronavirus, COVID-19, epidemic, epidemic gear, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pandemic, pandmic protection equipment, personal protection gear, survival medicine, Wuhan virus

---

### [Coronavirus in Dogs and Cats](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-in-dogs-and-cats/)

**Published:** February 16, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**CORONAVIRUS AND PETS**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_1647124879-1024x684.jpg)Dog face masks

There have a been a lot of articles that tell you what [COVID-19](https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3050734/coronavirus-time-admit-flu-covid-19-here-stay) (the new name for the latest **coronavirus**) does to humans, but what about animals? There are about 90 million pet dogs in the U.S. and a similar number of cats. Can dogs and cats get **COVID-19**? Can they pass it on to humans or vice-versa? What does [coronavirus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus) infection look like in these animals?

Certainly, this has been on the mind of many pet owners, especially in areas at risk. You can even find companies that make [dog masks](https://www.chinanews.net/news/263881285/dog-face-mask-sales-skyrocket-in-china-amid-coronavirus-crisis) and other personal protection gear for pets.

The coronavirus family is known to infect birds, bats, cows, pigs, camels, dogs, cats, mice, and other animals. Although thought to be present in animals for thousands of years, human coronaviruses were first discovered around 1960. Seven different strains are seen in humans, including COVID-19, Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (**SARS**) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (**MERS**). Indeed, other coronavirus strains may be responsible for 15-25% of all common colds.

Like most viruses, coronavirus is species-specific: that is, it prefers a particular host creature. That is, a cat coronavirus usually won’t make a dog ill. That means that the new COVID-19 may be specific to human beings. Family dogs or cats don’t won’t give COVID-19 to their owners (I can’t say the same for the family bat, though). Coronaviruses and other viruses (including Ebola) often originate in bats.

When a virus jumps from one species to another, it’s likely due to some kind of mutation. As an RNA virus, coronaviruses are prone to mutate more than DNA viruses. This make the possibility of species-to-species transmission somewhat more likely (but still not common).

In humans and poultry, the virus attacks the respiratory tract, while it infects the intestinal tract in livestock like cattle and pigs. Dogs and cats are also mostly affected in the G.I. tract, although one variety of coronavirus ([Canine Respiratory Coronavirus](https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/canine-respiratory-coronavirus-faq)) causes respiratory infections in dogs.

**CORONAVIRUS IN DOGS**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/shutterstock_162405185-1-1024x535.jpg)

Canine coronavirus causes a highly infectious intestinal infection in dogs. The disease is usually seen in puppies and doesn’t last long, but can cause significant abdominal pain while it’s active. It is occasionally fatal (rarely) to young dogs. No one breed is more susceptible than another.

Most cases of canine coronavirus are spread by oral contact with infected feces. A dog may also get the infection by eating from contaminated bowls or by direct contact with an infected dog (the same can be said for cats and other animals).

To answer a specific question by a reader: Although an airborne virus can get on a dog’s fur, a more common source would be fecal matter that contaminated the coat. Close contact could pass it from dog to dog or cat to cat.

The most typical symptom in dogs is explosive diarrhea. Logically, that would be the most likely way that fur is contaminated. The diarrhea is often sudden in onset and may be accompanied by lethargy, fever, vomiting, and decreased appetite. The stool has a foul odor and appears yellow-green or orange-colored. It may contain blood or mucus, as well. Some symptoms may appear similar to that of the more-dangerous parvovirus or distemper.

The time from the virus invading the dog’s body and symptoms is about one to four days and most have recovered by ten days after getting sick. Complications like opportunistic bacterial or parasitic infections can occur that hinder recovery. Once well, the animal may serve as a carrier of the disease for up to six months, so hand-washing after handling your dog is a wise choice.

Treatment is supportive in nature; intravenous fluids and antibiotics can treat secondary bacterial infections and dehydration. To prevent the infection, it’s necessary to enforce strict sanitation practices and keep any sick dogs away from healthy ones.

For prevention, consider the vaccine for canine coronavirus. Since the infection rarely kills, veterinarians often don’t make it part of the routine vaccinations given. Factors depend on how many dogs are together on a regular basis as well as a history of the virus in the area.

Coronavirus in kennels can be destroyed with simple household disinfectants. Sunlight and dry environments will also help destroy the virus. To reduce the moisture in your home, use a dehumidifier. Take your dog’s bedding outside and place in the sun for a few hours.

Make a conscious effort to avoid areas where dog feces exist, such as dog parks

**CORONAVIRUS IN CATS**

In **Feline coronavirus** ([FCoV](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-health-diagnostic-center/veterinary-support/disease-information/feline-coronavirus)), the cat is often asymptomatic. When the virus mutates, however, it causes symptoms that make infection more lethal than in the canine version.

There are four possible end results of infection with coronavirus:

There are 4 possible outcomes of exposure to FCoV infection:

1. The cat is resistant to the virus. A small percentage of cats are completely resistant and don’t shed virus as a carrier.
2. The cat sheds FCoV for a period of time ranging from one to nine months, develop antibodies and are not contagious.
3. That cat becomes a lifetime FCoV carrier but are generally healthy.
4. The cat develops a condition called Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), usually a fatal condition.

Viruses mutate. When it does, Feline coronavirus may lead to a condition called **Feline infectious peritonitis** ([FIP](https://pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-fip-feline-infectious-peritonitis#1)).

FIP is very contagious and carries a high mortality rate because of its aggressive nature. Cats will develop diarrhea and fever, but other symptoms depend on the strain of virus, the organs affected, and the general health of the animal. You can expect to see the cat become lethargic and depressed. It may lose the luster of its coat.

There are two forms of [FIP: “wet” and “dry”](https://pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-fip-feline-infectious-peritonitis#1). The wet forms targets body cavities while the dry form targets specific organs. The wet form causes fluid accumulation and usually progresses faster than the dry, carrying a 95% mortality rate. While each type causes fever and loose stools, some cats will experience liver dysfunction leading to jaundice. FIP is more commonly seen in multi-cat households as these share litter boxes and food/water bowls.

Treatment for FIP is mostly supportive and aims to extend life rather than cure the disease. intravenous antibiotic and fluids may be given to treat secondary bacterial infections and dehydration. To prevent the infection, it’s necessary to enforce strict sanitation practices and keep any sick dog or cat away from others of its species.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to prevent FCoV (and FIP) is to enforce strict litter box hygiene. Be sure to remove feces as often as possible. Use dedicated poop scoops for each cat box.

Make sure that there are enough litter boxes, preferably one for each cat. Covered, self-cleaning boxes kept far from food areas are preferable. Non-tracking cat litter minimizes spread of microscopic particles around the house. Once or twice a week, clean your litter tray with a 1:10 chlorine bleach solution. domestic bleach is preferable to pine-based items which may be harmful to cats.

For both dogs and cats, treatment is supportive in nature; intravenous fluids and antibiotics can treat secondary bacterial infections and dehydration. To prevent the infection, it’s necessary to enforce strict sanitation practices and keep any sick dog or cat away from others of its species.

The bottom line from the World Health Organization **(WHO)** and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention **(CDC)**: WHO reports that no reported cases of coronavirus COVID-19 have been reported in companion animals like dogs and cats. The [CDC suggests](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html) that visitors to China avoid both live and dead animals, but add that there is no reason to think that any pets in the United States may be a source of infection with COVID-19.

I’ll leave you with a hypothetical situation: If I have COVID-19 and sneeze on your dog, will you contaminate yourself if you pet it afterwards and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes? The dog can’t, as far as we know, have the human version of the virus in its body, but it could have it on its fur. That’s what would have to happen for you to get COVID-19 from a companion animal.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Do Bats Play A Role In The Coronavirus Epidemic?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/do-bats-play-a-role-in-the-coronavirus-epidemic/) 

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**Categories:** Animal Encounters, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** canine respiratory coronavirus, cat coronavirus, coronavirus and pets, feline coronzvirus, feline infectious peritonitis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Do Bats Play A Role In The Coronavirus Epidemic?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/do-bats-play-a-role-in-the-coronavirus-epidemic/)

**Published:** February 16, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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**Coronavirus and Bats**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/shutterstock_550684873-1024x683.jpg)Bats and coronavirus

If you were in Wuhan, China and wanted some nice fresh seafood, the place to go was the Huanan Seafood Market. Indeed, freshness is important to most Chinese and even small stores have aquariums where people can pick out dinner while it’s still swimming.

A thorough walk-through of the Huanan Seafood Market, however, makes it obvious that there’s a lot more than fish for sale. If you know where to look, you can find a nice fat beaver or porcupine; snakes are available as well as a plethora of other creatures. Cuteness is not a defense: wolf pups and koalas are also on the menu. Pick one out, see it slaughtered. That’s why local slang for these establishments is “live” or “warm” markets. They’re also known as “wet” markets, because of the large volumes of water needed to wash out floors littered with butchered animal products.

In addition to the exotic animals listed, there are also…bats. Bats are natural reservoirs for the coronavirus that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s believed that a bat or some “middle-man” animal from the Huanan market started the entire pandemic. The SARS outbreak in 2003 was traced to civets (an animal with a cat’s body and a ferret’s face) sold in a live animal market where horseshoe bats were also available.

(Note: This article concentrates on an animal origin for the COVID-19 epidemic, but the theory exists that a lab accident from the Biosafety Level 4 lab in Wuhan, China is responsible for the epidemic. While I have no knowledge that such an event happened, there is no evidence disproving the possibility.)

Some studies suggest that the intermediate host was a snake: The Journal of Medical Virology suggests that snakes were susceptible to harbor 2019-nCoV. For an animal without legs, a snake makes an unlikely “jumping-off” point; another animal, the pangolin (looks like an anteater with scaly armor), has been suggested as a middle-man. To date, only educated guesses exist.

Bats, however, have been proven to harbor coronaviruses in past studies. Why do some many deadly viruses, like SARS, MERS, Ebola, Marburg and perhaps COVID-19 seem to originate in them?

A new study out of UC-Berkeley reports that bats have an impressive immune response to viruses. This protects the animals but could drive viruses to reproduce more rapidly. If the viruses mutate in a way that allows them to jump to other mammals with an average immune system, such as humans, they run amok.

Why do bats have a special propensity to mount defenses against viruses? Viral infection activates a mechanism that prevents the virus from penetrating cell walls. This makes bats a unique reservoir loaded with rapidly reproducing and highly transmissible viruses. While the bats themselves remain healthy, they act as a repository for rapidly-multiplying viruses. If a virus mutates and moves into another animal, the new virus can quickly overwhelm their new host.

 Perhaps it’s the unique ability of the bat to fly. High metabolic rates appear to be required for this activity to occur in mammals. The effect of such a metabolic demand normally would be higher tissue damage due to an accumulation of molecules called free radicals. Although bats require a high metabolism to fly, they have somehow managed to clean up these destructive molecules that cause inflammation. This might explain why bats live so long compared to other small mammals. A mouse or rat the size of a bat might live two years or so; many bats can live to the ripe old age of 40.

An antiviral immune response in humans involves inflammation, but bats seem to dampen this effect. This may be due to a substance produced by bats that warns other cells to activate defenses *before* a virus invades. One study showed that when a bat cell line was exposed to a virus, it successfully walled itself off from infection. When exposed to the same virus, a monkey cell line was quickly overwhelmed.

Bats may have evolved to protect themselves against viruses, which is good for them. If those viruses mutate to infect other species, however, it’s not so good for us. It may never be proven that a particular live market meat purchase started the COVID-19 epidemic, but it’s true that coronavirus can be found in many animals and is prone to mutate. It hasn’t been proven to cause coronavirus to mutate into a strain that infects humans, but it hasn’t been disproven either.

Joe Alton MD

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If you’re in the market for medical supplies or kits, be sure to look over Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/) You’ll be glad you did.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Home Care for COVID-19 Patients: WHO Guidance](https://www.doomandbloom.net/home-care-for-covid-19-patients-who-guidance/) 

 [Coronavirus in Dogs and Cats](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-in-dogs-and-cats/)

**Categories:** Animal Encounters, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** bats and coronavirus, joe alton md, live markets in china, medical preparedness, origin of coronavirus, survival medicine

---

### [Home Care for COVID-19 Patients: WHO Guidance](https://www.doomandbloom.net/home-care-for-covid-19-patients-who-guidance/)

**Published:** February 23, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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## Home Care for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms by Joe Alton, MD

In situations when hospitals may be overwhelmed or understaffed the [WHO has released guidance for Home Care of patients with mild symptoms](https://www.who.int/publications-detail/home-care-for-patients-with-suspected-novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-presenting-with-mild-symptoms-and-management-of-contacts). All concerned patients should be first be evaluated in a medical facility before home care is initiated. These measures are meant to decrease public contacts and the spread of disease, and decrease the patient load on hospitals during epidemics and pandemics .

Learn which patients may be asked to stay home during illness and when they should be hospitalized. A link to a medical facility should be established for the entire duration of any home home care until all symptoms have cleared and the facility releases the patient and resolved. This connection will allow family members and the patient to be reassured there is contact with a medical professional for questions and concerns.

Home care takes planning and education about personal hygiene, basic infection prevention and control protocols, and how to safely care for the sick person without spreading it to other household members. Recommendations (from the World Health Organization) are detailed in this video. Also see our [How To Build A Sickroom video](https://youtu.be/0nP5yfET70w).

Wishing you the best of health in good times and bad,

Joe Alton, MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)Joe Alton, MD ![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Amazon-Affiliate-Book-Ad-award-winner.png)**[Our Survival Medicine Handbook Amazon Affiliate Link](https://amzn.to/2VmiKOJ)**Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: WHO Guidelines for Home Care of COVID-19 Patients](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-who-guidelines-for-home-care-of-covid-19-patients/) 

 [Do Bats Play A Role In The Coronavirus Epidemic?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/do-bats-play-a-role-in-the-coronavirus-epidemic/)

**Categories:** Infections, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Sanitation, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** Amy Alton, Caring for sick at home, china, china epidemic, coronavirus, COVID-19, Home care, Homecare, Joe Alton, pandemic, pandemic disease, pandemic supplies, Sick people at home, sick room, sick room set up, sickroom, virus, WHO

---

### [Video: WHO Guidelines for Home Care of COVID-19 Patients](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-who-guidelines-for-home-care-of-covid-19-patients/)

**Published:** February 24, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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WHO Guidelines for Home Care

In situations like the current COVID-19 epidemic, international health agencies like the World Health Organization realize that a contagious disease could tax the medical infrastructure to the limit. The WHO also knows that a mild case of coronavirus may be best cared for in the home rather than overcrowded and understaffed hospitals. Here is guidance from the WHO for those with mild cases who might be best served by home care.

Dr. Joe Alton MD relays this information in the video below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [If COVID-19 Isn't A Pandemic, I Don't Know What is](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-covid-19-isnt-a-pandemic-i-dont-know-what-is/) 

 [Home Care for COVID-19 Patients: WHO Guidance](https://www.doomandbloom.net/home-care-for-covid-19-patients-who-guidance/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

---

### [If COVID-19 Isn't A Pandemic, I Don't Know What is](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-covid-19-isnt-a-pandemic-i-dont-know-what-is/)

**Published:** February 26, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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**COVID-19: PANDEMIC STATUS?**

The SARS-CoV2 virus, newest member of the coronavirus family has proven to be especially contagious, with over 80,000 cases and 2700 deaths so far. Cases of COVID-19 (the name for the disease) have been reported in more than 30 countries and community-wide outbreaks are confirmed in places like Italy in Europe, Iran in the Middle East, and South Korea (among others).

Although the grand majority of cases are still in mainland China, more cases are being reported outside China than inside these days. South Korea has more than 1,260 cases and one of them is a U.S. soldier. Italy has 320 cases and 12 dead. Iran only claims 139 cases but 19 deaths, much more than the 2 percent fatality rate seen in other countries. Most suspect this means that many tens of thousands are still undetected.

Meanwhile, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave an opinion that “the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time,” while also saying: “It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore but rather more a question of exactly when”.

Despite the many cases that are popping out throughout the world, Most U.S. experts and World Health Organization (WHO) officials believe that COVID-19 is not yet at pandemic status. If the COVID-19 outbreaks all over the world aren’t a pandemic, what is?

The World Health Organization should consider following their own definitions for pandemic disease. The different WHO phase alerts for infectious disease outbreaks are:

**Phase 1:** The disease is found circulating in animals; no known infections in humans. An example would be an outbreak in 2019 of vesicular stomatitis virus, a disease that affected more than a thousand premises holding horses. No cases were reported among humans, even those who worked daily with the animals.

**Phase 2:** The disease has caused proven infection in humans. The bird flu affected millions of poultry as well as a number of people who lived and worked in close contact with them.

**Phase 3:** Small clusters of disease occur in humans but do not affect entire communities. Measles virus may affect a number of non-vaccinated people in an area, but the large number of vaccinated individuals prevents it from running rampant.

**Phase 4:** The disease affects entire communities. The disease now qualifies as an epidemic, but the risk for a pandemic, although increased, is not certain. With COVID-19 in early 2020, large areas in China were saturated with cases but no major community-wide outbreak had originated anywhere else for a time (outside of a cruise ship). Since then, other countries are reporting spikes in cases, with cases in South Korea doubling over the course of one day. In my opinion, COVID-19 has now passed this stage.

**Phase 5:** Spread of disease between humans is occurring in more than one country in a region. The Ebola virus outbreak of 2014 is an example of this phase; cases affected communities in several different adjacent West African countries but no community outbreaks occurred outside of the region. In 2020, COVID-19 cases in nearby nations like South Korea and Japan are starting to accumulate, just as Ebola did in West African countries in 2014.

**Phase 6:** Community-level outbreaks exist in at least one additional country in a different region. With Ebola, cases in North America and Europe didn’t originate there and the infection didn’t take hold locally in any significant manner. Influenza, however, commonly reaches pandemic status on an annual basis.

COVID-19 in 2020 is developing large numbers of cases of human-to-human transmission outside of China. With outbreaks in Italy, Iran, South Korea, and elsewhere predicted to get worse before they get better, it’s clear you’ve got a pandemic on your hands. Right now.

I say this not just because of the cases that have been reported, but because we can only surmise that the number of cases documented is less than what really exist.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that real numbers are being held back. Statistics may be affected by the limitation on lab facilities to test for a disease. In some emerging infectious diseases, no test may be accurate enough to give proven results. In the COVID-19 outbreak, a number of people have tested negative using the current technology and still show symptoms.

Quarantines of entire cities in the face of a dangerous disease may lead those who are mildly ill to stay inside their homes and not seek care in overcrowded hospitals. As a result, many cases may not be counted.

Sometimes, however, a government may put out inaccurate numbers in an effort to avoid panic in its citizens. Certain regimes may limit the dissemination of information to give an unclear picture of the epidemic’s real effect on the country.

For example, we have no idea of how many cases of COVID-19 may exist in North Korea, a nation which borders China and most certainly has been affected. Yet, the government is completely silent about the SARS-COV2 virus.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/N95-Surgical-Mask.jpg)Face Masks cannot be exported from China

When people are prepared, they can purposefully and rationally act to decrease their chance of infection. But to get prepared, most people look to their government’s health agencies for advice. Those health agencies should alert citizens with enough time to get the supplies they need and prepare.

Epidemics don’t just make people sick; they also disrupt the chain of supply. China, a major producer of face masks, has already mandated that they are no longer for export. In the U.S., many personal protection gear items are already scarce.

It’s important to know that there’s no need to panic. Hopefully, the CDC opinion is correct in its assessment that the immediate risk to Americans is low . If we are to weather this storm, however, we need to be shown the black clouds on the horizon. Declare a pandemic and let’s work to get our communities ready with a plan of action. Complacency can be hazardous to your health.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Face Masks, Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-face-masks-part-3/) 

 [Video: WHO Guidelines for Home Care of COVID-19 Patients](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-who-guidelines-for-home-care-of-covid-19-patients/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** COVID-19 epidemic, COVID-19 pandemic, joe alton md, medical preparedeness, pandemic, SARS-COV2, survival medicine

---

### [COPD in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/copd-in-austere-settings/)

**Published:** January 2, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/respiratorysystemcaptioned.jpg)Respiratory Tract

You know, we often talk about trauma and infection, but less so about chronic diseases. We have to face the fact that, without modern medicine’s miracle technology, some people with long-term issues may end up having life spans similar to those of their ancestors a hundred or more years ago.

In normal times, many conditions have a clear path to proper diagnosis and various options regarding treatment. Off the grid, many of these options don’t exist and those that have lost, for example, lung or heart function due to chronic disease.

Take someone with a history of a heart attack. In this serious an event, a portion of heart muscle has died due to blocked arteries. You don’t grow this muscle back, and it leaves you with less capacity to function in good times or bad. It certainly would affect your ability to perform activities of daily survival.

(Note: Today, [research is ongoing](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022522302000417) to create heart tissue artificially. For more information, see this link:

You could say the same thing for chronic lung disease like **[COPD](https://www.copd.com/about-copd/what-is-copd/)**. COPD stands for **[Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease](https://www.copd.com/about-copd/what-is-copd/)**, a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes decreased flow of air and, thus, oxygen to the body.

**Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis**

**Emphysema** and **chronic bronchitis** are two most common consequences of COPD:

[Chronic bronchitis](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-bronchitis) is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (called alveoli) of the lungs. It’s characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production for a least three months in two consecutive years.

[Emphysema](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/symptoms-causes/syc-20355555) is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke or other irritating gases and particulate matter.

COPD causes your lungs to lose their elasticity and overexpand, which leaves some air trapped in your lungs when you exhale. As time goes on, you might have spaces of trapped air replacing areas of what were once functioning lung tissue. This is essentially dead space, robbing you of the ability to absorb oxygen into your body.

**Signs And Symptoms Of COPD**

Signs and symptoms of COPD are most obvious after the age of 40 and may include:

- Daily cough with mucus that may be anywhere from clear to white to yellow
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Having to clear your throat upon waking up, due to excess mucus in your lungs
- Later on, you may notice
- Frequent respiratory infections
- A Lack of energy
- Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
- Swelling in the ankles, feet or legs
- Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds (caused by a lack of oxygen known as cyanosis)

COPD symptoms often don’t appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and they usually worsen over time, particularly if smoking exposure continues.

Progressive disease in those with COPD causes episodes of symptoms that becomes worse than usual day-to-day variation and persist for at least several days.

Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other COPD issues are thought to be caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and a variety of other conditions.

**COPD and Smoking**

You might be skeptical about smoking causing certain health issues, but it’s pretty well established scientifically that the main cause of COPD in developed countries is tobacco smoking.

Having said that, Only about 20 to 30 percent of chronic smokers may develop physical ailments due to COPD. That doesn’t mean their lungs haven’t been affected, just that it doesn’t seem to affect their ability to function, at least at present.

In underdeveloped countries, COPD often occurs in people exposed to fumes from cooking and heating fuel and poor ventilation. I consider this to be a similar situation to what we might experience if we’re knocked off the grid due to some long-term disaster.

In about 1 percent of people with COPD, the disease results from a genetic disorder that causes low levels of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin. In normal times, this is treated by replacing it intravenously (with mixed results).

**COPD complications**

The damage that COPD does to your lungs is bad enough, but it can cause many other complications, including:

- Respiratory infections. People with COPD are more likely to catch infections like the common cold, influenza, and even pneumonia. Any of these will worsen respiratory difficulty and exhaust the patient. Although not 100% protective, flu (and pneumococcal pneumonia in those over 65) vaccines can prevent *some* infections.
- Lung cancer. People with COPD are more likely to get lung cancer. Quitting smoking helps to reduce this risk.
- Elevated pressure in lung arteries. COPD may cause elevated pressures in the arteries that bring blood to your lungs. This is known as “[pulmonary hypertension](https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pulmonary-hypertension)” and is a major medical problem.
- Depression. The energy spent breathing in those with COPD has an ill effect on mood. Losing the ability to perform activities of daily living (not to mention survival) can cause deep depression.
- Heart problems. COPD statistically increases your risk of heart attack.

**Prevention of COPD**

If you’re not a smoker, you can best prevent COPD by never starting. If you do smoke, stop now. The effects on your stamina alone will decrease your chances of survival in long-term disasters.

If your profession causes unavoidable exposure to fumes and dust, wear appropriate masks to protect yourself and use respiratory protective equipment.

Modern tests for COPD usually include pulmonary function tests, chest x rays, and CAT scans of the chest. Most of these aren’t options off the grid, but you can test lung function with a simple piece of equipment called an inspirometer, which gives a rough idea of how deep a breath you can take and measure progress or deterioration over time. A simple battery-powered item called a pulse oximeter can measure how saturated your blood is with oxygen.

In normal times, COPD is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions. Although you may run out of inhalers and prescription drugs that open airways, you can still help yourself:

Of course, the first step is to stop smoking. For smokers, it’s the only way to keep COPD from getting worse and reduce your ability to breathe. It isn’t easy, though, and you may need to use nicotine replacements products if you can’t go cold turkey. Whatever you do, get off cigarettes before the you-know-what hits the fan.

Some hospitals have pulmonary rehab, but, if you’re off the grid, they won’t be an option. That means, If you already have COPD, that you’ve got to stockpile inhalers, which *will* lose potency over time, and oral meds like steroids which may last longer. Having a supply of oxygen cannisters may be useful, but if you’re at the point that you need it daily, your supplies won’t last long.

One inexpensive med you might be able to stockpile if you have a sympathetic physician, is theophylline, an old asthma drug. Coffee or the caffeine in it, is actually similar from a chemical standpoint. Antibiotics, which I talk about in [Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=057841452X&pd_rd_r=1cd32c5d-4dfd-4cc9-9fbe-1ae14a791351&pd_rd_w=lYVLu&pd_rd_wg=BELBX&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=ZSBRM33J2ZDPX56157D4&psc=1&refRID=ZSBRM33J2ZDPX56157D4&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=93708dc8d18ab29b5dbe9cf79f3e0f7c&language=en_US), should also be accumulated as COPD patients have a tendency to be prone to infections. Remember that antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Altons-Antibiotics-Final-cover-October-30-2018-2-683x1024.jpg)

Other strategies include staying well-hydrated, controlled coughing, humidifiers, light exercise, and more. You may have your opinions about vaccines, but they’re probably a good idea in people at risk from lung complications, like the COPD sufferer.

**Controlled Coughing**

Notice I mentioned controlled coughing. What am I talking about?

Not all coughs are effective in clearing excess mucus from the lungs. Explosive or uncontrolled coughing may cause airways to collapse and constrict. This traps mucus and makes it even harder to breathe.

Controlled coughing helps a COPD patient use only enough force to loosen and expel mucus without causing them to collapse and constrict. this saves energy, the lack of which is a major problem in those with COPD. In these sufferers, more energy is required just to keep the body oxygenated.

As a low-tech technique, controlled coughing may be very useful in survival settings. So How can you teach controlled coughing to those with chronic lung disease in situations where you’re off the grid?

**Method of Controlled Coughing**

To cough effectively:

Have your patient relaxed on a chair or on the edge of a bed (or on a log for that matter), in a position where he is leaning somewhat forward. Both feet should be on the floor.

Fold his arms across his abdomen and have him breathe in slowly through his nose. The power of the cough, remember, will come from air movement

To exhale: the patient leans forward, pressing their arms against their abdomen. Cough 2-3 times through a slightly open mouth. Coughs should be short and sharp. The first cough loosens the mucus and moves it through the air passages. Successive coughs help enable you to cough the mucus out.

Then, have you patient inhale again by “sniffing” *slowly* through his nose. This gentle breath helps prevent mucus from moving back down. Quick inhalations, on the other hand, can interfere with the exit of mucus from the lungs, and may start a coughing fit.

Your patient should then rest and perform the technique again if more mucus needs to come out. If your patient uses and has a supply of inhalers, use the controlled coughing technique *after* they use their medicine. If the drug expands the airways, mucus will come out more easily.

**Other Ways of Managing Patients with COPD**

Other simple strategies that might help the COPD patient off the grid: Stay well-hydrated. Six to Eight glasses of water a day thins out mucus. This makes it easier to move out of the lungs. Of course, some sufferers might have other medical conditions that make drinking this much dangerous. Always know the full medical history of your patients.

There are also mucus-clearing mechanical devices that might be useful in austere settings. These use pulses of resistance in exhaled breath to clear mucus. These devices include the Flutter device, the Acapella® (known as the ‘pickle’), the RC Cornet®, Lung Flute (lungflute®), and the Aerobika®.

To use these devices, place the mouthpiece in your mouth, seal your lips around it, and take a deep breath using your diaphragm. Breathe out slowly with a moderate force through the device for as long as you can. The increased pressure in the airways and the oscillations created by the device will give you the feeling to cough. When you feel the urge to cough, take a deep breath in, hold for 1-3 seconds and cough to loosen the mucus.

Some medical issues are difficult to overcome in long-term disaster settings. COPD is one of them. We must be realistic about what can be accomplished in these patients, but never stop trying to help them.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Chronic illnesses like COPD are just one of the many medical topics covered in our award-winning Third Edition of[ the Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=WYTIBBLI36WM&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1577984774&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,158&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=bb90707b518c33731c1878f665dd1d01&language=en_US). Also, don’t forget to check out our kits, books, and other supplies at Nurse Amy’s store at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our book on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Austere Medics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-austere-medics/) 

 [Safety Plans for Places Of Worship](https://www.doomandbloom.net/safety-plans-for-places-of-worship/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, austere medicine, chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary, COPD, emphysema, joie alton md, medfical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Austere Medics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-austere-medics/)

**Published:** January 4, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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You know, the world isn’t getting any safer these days, and that means that, more than ever, you should be prepared for disasters, whether they be natural disasters or man-made. The family medic must assess their level of preparedness well before a disaster occurs, and now is as good a time as any. We refer to this as a “status assessment”. When performing this assessment, a number of questions must be asked and answered that clarify your job description and your level of readiness.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Best-Survival-Medical-First-Aid-Kit-Stomp-Supreme.jpg)

Dr. Alton (aka Bones) and Nurse Amy discuss the survival medic’s job description, basic duties, considerations relating to the type of disaster, and misconceptions regarding the number of supplies and people that must be cared for in times of trouble…

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD Amy Alton ARNP

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doom-and-Bloom-Survival-Medicine-education-supplies-header-1000-x-300-Joe-update.jpg)The Altons

Hey, don’t forget to subscribe to [DoomandBloom.net ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/)and check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at[ store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our book on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: "Maxi-Pads" As Survival Bandage?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vvideo-maxi-pads-as-survival-bandage/) 

 [COPD in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/copd-in-austere-settings/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, anxiety and depression, Ballistic Trauma, Dental Issues, depression and anxiety, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, joe alton md, medical kits, medical preparedness, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [Norovirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/norovirus-2/)

**Published:** January 17, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Norovirus: What you should know**

Reports from Yosemite National Park in California reveal that at least 170 visitors and personnel have come down wih a mysterious intestinal ailment. Lab studies have identified a virus called **[“Norovirus”](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/norovirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20355296?p=1)** as the culprit in at least two cases, with most of the rest also consistent with the illness.

Hearing about this incident struck a chord with me personally. I often write about various medical issues in austere settings, like trauma or epidemics. It doesn’t, however, take a survival scenario to suffer from a serious infection. Just taking a drink from a clear mountain stream could make you ill if contaminated with the wrong microbe.

Many years ago, I converted to positive for Tuberculosis during my E.R. work with Cuban refugees during the [1980 Mariel boatlift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariel_boatlift). I still carry two small (walled-off) lung nodules on X-ray, even after months of multi-drug therapy.

In 2017, we had a personal experience with norovirus, not in Yosemite, but in Manhattan. My wife Amy, a nurse practitioner, contracted [acute gastroenteritis](https://www.healthline.com/health/gastritis-acute#causes), also known as the “**Stomach Flu**”.

When this infection hits you, it makes even the healthiest individual miserable. Amy required an urgent care visit, no small issue in a strange and heavily-populated city. Looking at statistics, we found that she was just one of nearly 2 million outpatient visits caused by norovirus every year.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Amy-Alton-NYC-2018-using-bioscarf-in-Times-square-1024x768.jpg)Amy after her recovery

Norovirus is the most likely cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans. It was originally called **“[Norwalk Virus](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4284304/)”**, after the area where it was first identified in the 1960s. Since then, it’s been blamed for [50-60% of all gastroenteritis in the U.S.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4284304/)

Worldwide, there are more than 200 million cases of norovirus infection a year. It affects people of all ages, but it’s particularly dangerous in the elderly, the very young, and those with weakened immune systems. Winter is the most common time for outbreaks.

Norovirus is very contagious (just 5-20 viral particles can cause illness) and is easily transmitted through contaminated food or water, close personal contact, and by air droplets from vomit, contaminated work surfaces, and even toilet flushes. Infection can be passed from person to person for a time even after apparent recovery.

Here’s how contagious the Norovirus is: In one outbreak reported in 1998, 126 people were dining at a restaurant when one person vomited onto the floor. Despite a rapid cleanup, 52 out of 126 fell ill within three days. More than 90% of the people who dined later at the same table reported symptoms. More than 70% of the diners at nearby tables got sick as well; at a table on the other side of the restaurant, the infection rate was still 25%.

Norovirus is a hardy microbe, and is known to survive for long periods outside a human host. It can live for weeks on countertops and up to twelve days on clothes. It can survive for months in still water. Disinfectants containing chlorine, however, like bleach will quickly eliminate it, as will exposure to high heat.

The [symptoms of the stomach flu](https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/symptoms.html) include nausea and vomiting, watery diarrhea, and (sometimes severe) abdominal pain. These usually appear within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. Along with this, muscle aches, headache, and fever may be seen. Luckily, life-threatening illness is rare, with dehydration being the main danger in those infected with the virus.

Unlike some viruses, immunity to norovirus is only temporary, maybe six months, after recovery. Therefore, it is possible to get it more than once.

Outbreaks of norovirus infection often occur in closed spaces such as cruise ships, nursing homes, schools, camps, and prisons. Shellfish, such as oysters, and salad ingredients are the foods most often implicated in norovirus outbreaks. In Amy’s case, it might have been a kiosk advertising “the World’s Best Hot Dogs”.

As with most viruses, there is no cure for norovirus infection. Antibiotics are ineffective; they are meant to kill bacteria, not viruses. Treatment involves the prevention of severe dehydration. In developed countries, the ready availability of intravenous fluid replacement helps treat victims and saves lives.

Dehydration can be noted by these symptoms:

- Dry mouth
- Decrease in quantity or dark color of urine
- Dizziness when standing up
- Decreased elasticity of skin (it “tents” when pulled up)
- No tears when crying or unusual irritability in infants

Using antidiarrheal meds like loperamide (Imodium) and anti-vomiting drugs like Ondansetron (Zofran) may also help prevent the loss of body fluids.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_98516198.jpg)Prevention

Norovirus may not have a cure, but prevention is possible. To decrease the chance of norovirus infection:

- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (norovirus is relatively resistant to alcohol), especially after using the restroom or handling food. Be especially sure to do this for 2 full weeks after becoming infected (yes, you can be contagious for that long).
- Wash food before cooking; cook shellfish thoroughly
- Frequently disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution (the EPA recommends 5-25 drops of bleach per gallon)
- Keep sick individuals away from food preparation areas
- Avoid close contact with others when you are sick, and don’t share utensils or other items
- Wear disposable gloves while handling soiled items
- Immediately remove and wash clothes that may be contaminated with vomit or feces. Machine dry if possible.

It may be difficult to completely eliminate the risk of becoming ill from contaminated food and water, but careful attention to hand and food hygiene will go a long way to prevent, not only Norovirus, but many other infections as well.

Joe Alton, MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

A full medical kit is a part of an important defense against both natural and man-made disasters. Become more medically prepared with a kit from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Norovirus, Xofluza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-norovirus-xofluza/) 

 [Mechanisms of Blunt Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/blunt-trauma-part-1/)

**Categories:** Amy Alton ARNP, Dehydration, Diarrhea, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alon arnp, dehydration, gastroenteritis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, norovirus, survival medicine, viral infection, yosemite

---

### [Coronavirus: The Next Pandemic?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-the-next-pandemic/)

**Published:** January 22, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Last week, we reported on a mysterious ailment first reported Dec. 8th, 2019, in Wuhan, China. Wuhan is the seventh most populous city in China with 11 million people. The previously unknown disease is now identified as a type of **[coronavirus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus)**. Medical officials are currently classifying it as a “class B” disease, which puts it in the same category as **HIV/AIDS** and Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (**SARS**).

The rapidity and spread of the disease is impressive: When I began writing this article earlier in the day, there were 440 cases and 9 deaths, up from 200 cases last week. Later in the day, 555 cases and 17 deaths have been verified and other provinces in China are beginning to report cases.

(**Note**: I first reported on Ebola in early 2014, when 86 cases were reported. The epidemic eventually reached a total of 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths.)

Chinese authorities have taken the drastic measure of placing the entire city of Wuhan under quarantine, including the suspension of train and airline service, a step that suggests that many more cases are still unreported.

(1/23 update: Several U.S. airports are now conducting health screenings)

Although little is known at this point about the virus, it is certain that the disease is respiratory in nature and that human-to-human transmission (including medical personnel) is likely. For most respiratory infections, contagion is usually by airborne particles.

The[ first U.S. case ](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/coronavirus-seattle-washington.html)has just been identified in a 30-year-old man from the state of Washington who recently arrived from China. Similar coronavirus victims have been found in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea, almost all traced to an origin in Wuhan.

**ABOUT CORONAVIRUSES**

The Wuhan virus is from the same family of coronaviruses as SARS, which killed over 800 people worldwide in an outbreak toward the end of 2002. It is also similar to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (**MERS**), another epidemic disease. Although not officially named, the new virus is designated 2019-nCOV.

Coronaviruses are viruses made from RNA genetic material. One of the larger RNA viruses, coronavirus is so named from the Latin “corona” (crown or halo), from projections on the virus which give the appearance of a crown.

Coronaviruses are thought to be responsible for a large number of common colds in humans. Coronavirus colds seem to be associated with more major symptoms like fever or sore throat than colds caused by rhinoviruses, another common cause. 2019-nCOV seems to cause even worse respiratory symptoms than the typical coronavirus. Coronaviruses can also lead to pneumonia, either directly or through a secondary bacterial infection due to a weakened immune system.

**ABILITY TO CONTAIN THE VIRUS**

Chinese officials are probably wise to enact quarantine orders, as there is only one lab (called a Biosafety Level 4 lab or BSL-4) in their entire country with the capability of handling severe outbreaks. Luckily for them, it is located in Wuhan. The facility can care for victims of highly contagious diseases like SARS, Ebola, etc.

Personnel in a BSL-4 lab are subject to the strictest protocols: They must change their clothing on entering and shower upon exiting. Full-body hazmat suits must be worn while working in the lab and decontaminated afterwards. The facility is required to be a separate building or a wing properly isolated with separate air filtration systems.

The chances of spread of the new coronavirus is increased by the upcoming Chinese New Year, when it is thought that millions of Chinese citizens will be traveling throughout the world.

(1/22 Update: China has just issued a travel ban for the city of Wuhan; public transportation in the city is also suspended)

Having learned lessons from our experience with Ebola, the United States is better prepared to deal with highly contagious outbreaks of infection.

**HISTORY OF RECENT VIRAL OUTBREAKS IN CHINA**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/MasksN95Loop.jpg)masks

The presence of any biosafety 4 lab (BSL-4) inside China at all is due to the 2003 viral SARS outbreak. SARS reached epidemic proportions quickly, with 8000 cases leading to 750 deaths worldwide. Chinese authorities hope to have 7 such units built by 2025, but only the Wuhan lab is operational.

Although the use of face masks is common (and wise) in China, Wuhan has declared their use manadatory while in crowded locations. This requirement is causing a shortage of masks in the area, which could eventually lead to the same worldwide.

**WHAT TO DO ABOUT CORONAVIRUS AND OTHER VIRUS OUTBREAKS**

As of yet, no cure nor vaccine is available to combat coronavirus. Treatment at present focuses on treating symptoms and supporting a victim through the infection, while protecting the healthy from the disease.

Contagious illnesses like coronavirus, however, may morph into epidemics, or is widely distributed enough, pandemics. If you are preparedness-minded, you might consider a personal protection “[pandemic kit](https://store.doomandbloom.net/medical-natural-health-supplies/pandemic-kit/)” (or several) and plan out how you would care for a person with a contagious disease if the hospitals were full. Have you thought about what goes into putting together an effective [epidemic sick room](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/)?

[The CDC recommends](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/prevention.html#prevention):

- Washing your hands with soap and water frequently
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands
- Avoid close contact with sick people

If you are sick, you can protect others by:

- Staying home until fully recovered
- Avoiding close contact with others
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
- Keep objects and surfaces in your home or workspace clean and disinfected (bleach mixed 1:10 with water will do)

Alhough the CDC isn’t recommending this as of yet, having a supply of N95 [face masks ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/medical-natural-health-supplies/3m-n-95-particulate-respirator-and-surgical-mask/)isn’t a bad idea.

By the way, while I was writing this, I received a notice sent to all physicians in the state of Florida, warning about….coronoavirus.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Dr. Alton

For personal protection gear, medical kits, and individual supplies, there’s no better place to go than Nurse Amy’s store at [store.doomandbloom.net…](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pandemic-kit-640x494.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Face Masks, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-face-masks-part-1/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Norovirus, Xofluza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-norovirus-xofluza/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** coronavirus, coronavirus symptoms, epidemic, pandemic

---

### [The New Coronavirus: Future Pandemic or Not?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-new-coronavirus-future-pandemic-or-not/)

**Published:** January 27, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Is The New Coronavirus outbreak a Pandemic?**

Over the years, I’ve written about different infectious diseases in my articles and books, recently covering everything from local occurrences (for example, [170 Norovirus “stomach flu” cases in Yosemite](https://www.doomandbloom.net/norovirus-2/) National Park) to the [coronavirus epidemic](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/01/26/Wuhan-mayor-expects-1000-more-confirmed-cases-of-coronavirus-in-China/2441580054900/) currently raging in the area of Wuhan, China.

Outbreaks refer to a rapid increase of patients with a (usually) new disease or disease variant at a particular place. The number affected may vary from just a few to many thousands.

If a disease is commonly seen in a region at various times of the year, it is called “[endemic](https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/endemic+disease)”. Malaria is an example of an endemic infectious disease in tropical countries. Once an outbreak of a new disease becomes community-wide, it is often called an “epidemic”.

An endemic disease is cause for an active policy to prevent as many cases as possible, such as applying mosquito repellent when you’re in the tropics. An epidemic disease’s appearance raises an alarm and increases the actions taken by authorities to stop contagion, as is currently the case in Wuhan.

Most have heard of the word “[pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic)”. When the word “pandemic” is used, it has connotations of panic and worldwide societal disintegration. This is not necessarily the case. The Spanish Flu epidemic killed 50-100 million people (at a time when only about 2 billion were on the planet). Despite this, society survived.

When does a disease reach pandemic level? How is it different from an epidemic? I think it’s important to know where we stand with the current coronavirus outbreak and how world health officials view a novel infectious disease.

**Phases of a Pandemic**

The **[World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/)** classifies infectious diseases though a series of phases. This system is used to help determine the resources needed to prevent a worsening situation. Simplified, they are:

**Phase 1**: The virus is prevalent within animals only. No human infection has yet resulted from the animal virus. (We’ll take two viruses as examples: **Ebola** in 2014 and the latest coronavirus (known as **2019-NCoV**). Both of these are thought to originate in animals like fruit bats (Ebola) and bats or snakes (2019-nCoV). These are now found in humans, so we have passed this phase).

**Phase 2**: An animal virus has caused an infection in a human being. At this point, there is a basic level of pandemic threat because the virus strain has mutated to make that transfer to a human. (Both Ebola and the new coronavirus has exceeded this criterion.)

**Phase 3:** Small clusters of human beings have contracted the virus in one community. There is potential for the spread of the virus if others outside that community come into contact with those humans who are infected. At this point, the illness may be epidemic in that community, but it is not pandemic. (both 2014 Ebola and 2019-nCoV meet and exceed this criterion.)

**Phase 4:** Human-to-human and animal-to-human virus transmission are causing outbreaks in many communities and more people are getting sick in those communities. More communities report outbreaks and a pandemic-in-the-making is possible. (Ebola met and exceeded this criterion. 2019-nCoV cases outside the Wuhan area have been traced to travelers from the area, so it depends on your definition of “community”. There are, likely, different communities in the Wuhan area that are experiencing outbreaks but no community-wide outbreaks exist in, say, Chicago or Paris.)

**Phase 5:** Human-to-human transmission is taking place in at least two countries in one **WHO region**. At phase 5, most countries are not affected but a pandemic is considered likely. This phase is the alarm that national health systems must prepare for large numbers of cases in the affected countries. (Ebola met this criteria for at least three adjacent countries in West Africa. 2019-nCoV does not, at present.)

**Phase 6:** A global pandemic exists. Illness is widespread in at least two countries in different regions of the world. At this point, health officials are actively working to curtail the spread of the disease using preventive and stop-gap measures. (Neither Ebola in 2014 nor the new coronavirus meet these criteria, but the Spanish Flu of 100 years ago did.)

As far as I know, the time period for progression from phase 1 to phase 6 may be just a month or two. It may also take years.

I place the coronavirus outbreak, *at the time of this writing*, as early phase 4.

Once the number of cases begin to level off and decrease, there is a post-pandemic phase that may consist of multiple waves of outbreaks. High alert is still required for an extended period of time.

When it comes to infectious diseases, rapid action is needed to send medical resources where they are most needed. The WHO outbreak levels provide a framework, but the organization sometimes is slow to declare emergencies. Hopefully, coronavirus won’t become the next pandemic, but it’s wise for every citizen to keep watch and have [medical supplie](https://store.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-and-flu-pandemic-protection-kit-option-to-add-usb-presentation/)s to meet the possible need.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Medical supplies are a must in disaster, epidemics, and other scenarios where help is not on the way. Be sure to check out Nurse Amy’s [pandemic kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-and-flu-pandemic-protection-kit-option-to-add-usb-presentation/), [bleeding kits](https://store.doomandbloom.net/gunshot-wound-kit-grab-n-go/), individual items and more in her entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our books on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Coronavirus Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-update/) 

 [Video: Face Masks, Part 2: Placing, Fitting, Removal](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-face-masks-part-2-placing-fitting-removal/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** 2019-nCoV, coronavirus, Endemic Disease, epdiemics, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pandemic preparedness, pandemics, survival medicine

---

### [Coronavirus Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-update/)

**Published:** January 29, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Latest news on 2019-nCoV**

Unless you just got back from a trip to Mars, you probably know that there’s an epidemic going on in China. It appears to be viral in nature; viruses are tiny, much smaller than bacteria, and barely meet the definition of a living organism as it must enter the cells of a host to activate and reproduce.

Once it’s hijacked the cell’s machinery, however, it produces a lot of little viruses that enter the bloodstream, often killing the host cell in the process. The physical symptoms caused depend on the type of virus and the cells that are infected.

First reported December 8th in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people in Hubei province, the new virus appears to belong to the coronavirus family. Coronaviridae is a family of viruses with little projections that might remind you of a crown or the corona of the sun. The genetic material is not DNA, but RNA or ribonucleic acid.

RNA viruses generally have very high mutation rates compared to DNA viruses, which leaves the possibility of genetic mistakes more frequent. When I say “mistakes”, I mean an imperfect copy of the RNA genetic material as it reproduces. In most cases, not much happens. In some cases, it may hinder the virus but just as or more often, mutations improve the ability of the virus to succeed in some way, such as letting it multiply faster or making it harder to kill. Each person who becomes a host has the potential to become patient zero for a new, improved virus.

Several coronavirus strains have made the news this century: a couple of examples are [Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_acute_respiratory_syndrome) **(SARS**) in Asia and [Middle East Respiratory Syndrome](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/index.html) (**MERS**) in, well, the middle east, although many cases were workers of Korean descent.

[SARS killed about 800 out of 8000 victim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_human_disease_case_fatality_rates)s with the disease over 6 months or so. [Untreated MERS infected thousands with a 35-45% death rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_human_disease_case_fatality_rates). So far, the new coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, has sickened more than 6000 and killed 132 in 6 weeks, if you can believe statistics from the Chinese government. That’s a little more than a two per cent death rate.

(**Note**: [My first full article on this new coronavirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/) occurred when there were only 200 cases and 9 deaths, after mentioning it on January 7th at 60 cases, 0 deaths in an article on pneumonia. There are some who believe the number of cases and, perhaps, deaths, are much higher than reported)

Two per cent doesn’t seem like much, but the death rate from [the Spanish Flu](https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/1918-flu-pandemic) 100 years ago was also a little more than two per cent. That virus went on to infect a third of the world’s population and cause 50-100 million deaths.

You may have heard that 2019-nCoV was first found in some of the live markets common in China. Some mutation may have appeared which allowed a bat, a common living source of coronavirus, to infect other animals and then humans. That’s a big step, but it doesn’t mean that same mutation will make it easy to pass from human to human. What is known, however, is that it *can*happen.

That depends on the R Naught number. The what? The R Naught. R with a zero down where a comma would be. “R0” tells you the average number of people in a previously infection-free area who will catch a disease from one contagious victim. If the number is 1 or less, the virus will likely peter out, but the Spanish flu infected 2-3 people from each contagious victim. So did Ebola, and measles was a *lot* more contagious, with numbers between 6-18. This virus in China’s R0 numbers are about estimated by Chinese authorities to be 1.5 or so, but perhaps higher.

In most cases, people exhibit mild symptoms 1-14 days after exposure, similar to a cold or mild flu, and get better after a week or so. About 1 in 5, however, get very sick, including pneumonia, breathing difficulty, and respiratory failure. There appears to be evidence that people can be contagious *before* they experience symptoms, not unusual for a viral infection.

Should you panic? The answer is **no**. Right now the coronavirus epidemic is 99% in China, and no community-wide outbreaks have occurred outside its borders. That’s good news, at least for now, because no traveler from China to the U.S. has proven to be patient zero in an outbreak here. In the U.S.

When a community has a crisis, nearby municipalities rush to help. That goes for wildfires as well as epidemics. The situation which would concern me the most is if many communities are hit and have to direct their resources to their own people and not be able to help others. We’re a long way from that right now.

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a plan of action. There’s no [testing labs for the new coronavirus outside of the CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html) at present, so your local family doctor probably will send you to the hospital. That’s a problem if the hospitals are already crowded. If outbreaks occur here in the US, *you* may have to work to keep your family safe without much help.

It’s yet unclear how bad this outbreak will get outside of China’s borders, but some simple preventive measures will be worth much more than a pound of cure (for which there is none, at present).

That means you need to use [non-pharmaceutical interventions](https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/index.html).

This includes some changes in your lifestyle in a community-wide epidemic, including:

• Social distancing. This means staying away from large crowds,

• Not going to work if you’re sick or a lot of people there are sick,

• Keeping kids home from school

• Isolating sick persons in your family from healthy ones.

Avoiding close contact with possibly sick individuals is very important, especially if you don’t have personal protection gear. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet (2 meters) or in a closed room with a coronavirus victim without any personal protection gear. An unprotected person having direct contact with infectious secretions of a 2019-nCoV patient (for example, being coughed on) also qualifies.

The best policy is to wash hands frequently and carry hand sanitizer when touching surfaces. Close attention should be focused on avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth.

Masks and protective eyewear help you to avoid infection but chances are you’ll touch a lot of areas at work, school, or home that have been touched by a bunch of other people. This virus appears to be able to live on surfaces for longer than the average microbe, so work surfaces must be disinfected often. Work surfaces, by the way, includes computers used by more than one person. Other surfaces that could get contaminated could be your shirt, pants, shoes, and more.

For masks, look for a supply of N95 masks, these are better than standard surgical masks but are NOT 100% protective. During outbreaks in your community always wear n95 masks or better if you must be outside of your home. This isn’t just an option, it’s a sign of social responsibility.

It’s not just important to have proper masks, but more importantly to know

- How to put them on
- How to achieve a proper fit
- Take them off safely

Articles on the proper procedure can be found at doomandbloom.net and in our latest book “Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease. Although the book is about antibiotics and bacterial (not viral) disease, you’ll find the donning and doffing process in a section in the back of the book. You’ll also find my thoughts on putting together an effective epidemic sick room in the book, but also at doomandbloom.net and our YouTube Channel.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Have you put together a plan of action for disasters, both natural and man-made. Learn more about medical preparedness and get quality medical and pandemic kits, as well as individual items, at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pandemic-kit-640x494.jpg)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Altons-Antibiotics-Final-cover-October-30-2018-2-683x1024.jpg)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our books on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Things You Should Know About 2019-nCoV](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-things-you-should-know-about-2019-ncov/) 

 [The New Coronavirus: Future Pandemic or Not?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-new-coronavirus-future-pandemic-or-not/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** coronavirus symptoms, coronavirus update, medical preparedness, MERS, non-pharmaceutical intervention, SARS, social distancing, survival medicine

---

### [Video: Things You Should Know About 2019-nCoV](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-things-you-should-know-about-2019-ncov/)

**Published:** January 30, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Coronavirus video**

There’s a lot to know about epidemics, including the latest virus, 2019-nCoV, a relative of both SARS and MERS. The coronavirus family has been the source of some epidemics that have concerned virologists, but the U.S. has been spared any community-wide outbreaks.

This shouldn’t lead to complacency on our part, but it also shouldn’t lead to panic. In this video, Joe Alton MD tells you things about the new coronavirus you should know and some general information about infectivity such as the “R0 number”. Part of a series of updates on the epidemic in China…

To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/AuthorJoe-1024x867.jpg)Joe Alton MD

It’s always important to be medically prepared for any disaster, and you can’t go wrong checking out Nurse Amy’s line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video: Coronavirus 2019-nCoV: Preventing Infection](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-coronavirus-2019-ncov-preventing-infection/) 

 [Coronavirus Update](https://www.doomandbloom.net/coronavirus-update/)

**Categories:** epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** 2019-nCoV, coronavirus, joe alton md, medical preparedness, pandemics, RO numbers, survival medicine, what to do about coronavirus

---

### [COVID-19 And Age Realities](https://www.doomandbloom.net/covid-19-and-age-realities/)

**Published:** June 20, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In my recent article of June 12th, “[COVID Fatigue and The Second Wave](https://www.doomandbloom.net/covid-fatigue-and-the-second-wave/)”, I floated the controversial idea of lifting restrictions from those 54 years of age or younger while keeping stronger measures for those 65 and older. By letting the grand majority of our workforce get back to action, we might save our economy while not contributing significantly to numbers of severe cases and deaths from COVID-19.

Now, it appears that I’m not the only one who has been punching the numbers and considering this controversial (and admittedly “[ageist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ageism)”) strategy. The editorial staff of the Wall Street Journal, people who should know when something has to be done about the economy, are making similar recommendations.

In the June 13/14th weekend issue, the Wall Street Journal editorial staff evaluated statistics derived by Stanford University with regards to age. The Journal article states that researchers found the median age of death from COVID-19 is 80 years old, with 80% over the age of 65. The Journal article suggests that, in places like California and Florida, the risk of dying if you’re under 65 years old isn’t much greater than driving to work.

According to the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, the highest risk age group for death from COVID-19 is 85 and over. Of course, those over 85 are much more likely to die from just about any cause than younger folks.

On the other end of the age spectrum, children 14 and under are many times *less* likely to die of COVID-19 than the seasonal flu. Once you hit 25 all the way to 85 years old, your risk of dying from COVID-19 remains low, but twice or more the frequency of deaths from the flu.

The knowledge we’ve gained about the virus in the last few months appears to have benefitted young patients disproportionately. The Journal reports that, in late March, Americans over 75 made up half of deaths, with those under 45 about four to five percent. Currently, it is thought that 75-year-olds and older comprise two-thirds of fatalities, with the 45 and under age group down to about two percent.

None of the above is helpful personally to someone like me, who still remembers his draft lottery number from the Vietnam era. It is good news for the nation, however. Make no mistake, while a second and perhaps a third wave of COVID-19 is inevitable, the number of severe cases and deaths may be fewer than expected. As such, the majority of the workforce may, with precautions, return to a semblance of normality.

Of course, we have to continue formulating strategies to protect seniors, especially those in nursing homes. These folks are often frail and have multiple health issues that put them at the most risk. As increased production of personal protection equipment makes surgical masks and other items more available, a good amount should go to medical workers taking care of our elderly (even if it is at home and you are the “medical worker”). Frequent testing of nursing home staff and contacts is also imperative to nip outbreaks in the bud.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_80114341.jpg)

At home, elderly family members must still be protected from infection. Just because the economy needs a jump-start doesn’t mean that the recipe for personal safety has changed. As society opens up, second and third wave curves need to be flattened so as to not overwhelm our medical infrastructure.

While we haven’t seen the end of COVID-19 by a long shot, it’s time for the nation’s young people to prove that Americans are as resilient in the face of adversity as they have always been. I’ll accept a bit of “ageism” if it gets the country running again. Sure, reopening is fraught with risks, but the alternative is worse for both young and old.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/joetent.jpg)Dr. Alton

Check out our entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net. ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)You’ll be glad you did!

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Cover-New-book-Pandemic-Preparedness-705x1024.jpg)

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Suture Basics For The Off-Grid Medic: Needles](https://www.doomandbloom.net/suture-basics-for-the-off-grid-medic-needles/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Second Waves, COVID Fatigue](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-second-waves-covid-fatigue/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Uncategorized

**Tags:** Age restrictions with COVID, amy alton arnp, Covid AGE Penalty, COVID and Age, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Suture Basics For The Off-Grid Medic: Needles](https://www.doomandbloom.net/suture-basics-for-the-off-grid-medic-needles/)

**Published:** June 23, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lab6PushSuture2.jpg)Basic diagram of a suture (by medscape.com)

In my recent article “[Suture Basics For The Off-Grid Medic ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/some-suture-basics-for-the-off-grid-medic/)“, I gave some thoughts on suture materials, especially as they apply to closing skin lacerations. Your skin is your armor, and anything that breaches it can cause a life-threatening infection.

Although the decision to close a wound should never be automatic, simple skin lacerations can often be cleaned and closed successfully by the off-grid medic. Sutures are just one of a number of ways to accomplish this goal and allow acceleration of the healing process. Today, we’ll discuss the qualities of suture needles.

(Note: This article is for educational purposes only. If the medical system in your area is intact, seek it out to treat lacerations or other medical issues!)

Suture needles are made of a corrosion-resistant stainless steel alloy that is sometimes coated with silicone to permit easier tissue penetration.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/medscape-needle-diagram.jpg)Basic diagram of a suture (medscape.com )

A suture needle has three sections: the point, the midportion or body, and the swage. The swage is the “end” of the needle and is where the thread is attached. The midportion is usually curved at an arc, and the point is, well, pointy.

**SWAGING**

Before about 1920, suture needles had “eyes” and string was separate; the surgeon had to thread the eye of the needle. Since then, sutures became a single continuous unit. This process of connecting suture needle and string is called “swaging”.

Swaging dealt with a number of disadvantages associated with using separate needles and thread. In the old method, two lengths of string were formed on either side of the eye. Passage of a double strand of suture through tissue led to more tissue trauma and, perhaps, a higher risk of infection. Also, the suture string was more likely to become unthreaded or frayed.

**THE IDEAL SUTURE NEEDLE**

Suture needles perform based on a number of qualities, including strength and sharpness. The strength of a needle refers to its resistance to deformation during use, limiting the amount of trauma to tissue. Sharpness measures the ease of penetration into tissue and is dependent on factors involving not only the point, but the shape of the body of the needle.

Just as suture thread has ideal characteristics, the effective suture needle would be:

- Made of high-quality stainless steel
- The smallest diameter possible
- Stable in the grasp of the needle holder
- Capable of running suture material through tissue with minimal trauma
- Sharp enough to penetrate tissue with minimal resistance
- Sterile and corrosion-resistant to prevent introduction of microorganisms or foreign materials into the wound
- Rigid enough to go through tissue, but flexible enough to bend before breaking

Not all suture needles meet the above criteria, but will suffice for the basic needs of the medic.

**NEEDLE TYPES**

There are a number of different needle types variations at the point, body, and swaged end:

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/needle-types-2.gif)Common needle types with cross sections at midportion and point (ethicon.com)

**Cutting Needles:** The shape of the suture needle on cross-section may vary dependent on the particular need. The point of this shape to have more cutting edges. On cross section, it appears triangular. These needles are effective in penetrating thick, firm tissue, like skin.

There are two common types of cutting needles. “**conventional**” and “**reverse**”. Conventional cutting needles have the third edge of the “triangle” on the inner surface of the needle. Reverse cutting needles have the third edge of the triangle on the outer surface of the needle’s arc. The reverse edge is even stronger and able to penetrate tendons and other tough tissues, while decreasing the amount of trauma during the procedure.

**Tapered Needles:** These needles are round on cross-section and can pass through tissue by stretching more than cutting. A sharp tip at the point becomes round, oval, or square shape as you approach the swage. The taper-point needle minimizes trauma in delicate and easily-penetrated tissues such as organs or intestinal lining.

**Blunt Needles:** These don’t come to a sharp point, but are rounded at the end. These are best used for suturing liver, kidney, and other delicate organ tissue without causing excessive bleeding.

**BODY SHAPES**

The body of a needle is important for interaction with the needle holder instrument and the ability to easily transfer penetrating force to the skin. A needle must be stable in the jaws of the needle holder to give maximum control and prevent bending.

The midportion comprises most of the needle’s length and is commonly curved into a 3/8 circle arc for skin or 1/2 circle for close spaces. Of course, other curvatures are available. Straight needles may be used if dealing with easy-to-reach tissues such as certain types of skin closures.

Next time, we’ll discuss the instruments you’ll use when closing a laceration with sutures.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)Dr. Alton

Learn more about different types of wound closure and the factors you should consider beforehand, pick up a copy of [The Survival Medicine Handbook’s Third Edition](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1592938641&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=14ec563ff970173c9394db19e605b90b&language=en_US), available at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1592938641&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=14ec563ff970173c9394db19e605b90b&language=en_US) and an autographed copy at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). You’ll be glad you did.

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Tear Gas, Suture Needles, Second Waves, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-tear-gas-suture-needles-second-waves-more/) 

 [COVID-19 And Age Realities](https://www.doomandbloom.net/covid-19-and-age-realities/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, Civil Unrest, General Preparedness, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Closure

**Tags:** conventional cutting needle, cutting needle, joe alton md, medical preparedness, reverse cutting needle, survival medicine, suture needles, sutures, swaging

---

### [Pandemic Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/pandemic-waves/)

**Published:** June 29, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Many people are concerned about what appears to be a second wave of [COVID-19](https://www.doomandbloom.net/six-new-symptoms-of-covid-19/), the pandemic disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. Indeed, some states that were relatively unaffected by the virus are now reporting high numbers of cases. Concern about hospitals’ abilities to deal with severe cases is again on the rise.

In recent articles and videos, I stated that second waves are inevitable in a pandemic. One thing you should know about pandemic waves is that they have peaks and troughs; that’s why we call them “waves”. Health officials take measure in an attempt to delay them, but they can’t stop them anymore than the waves in the ocean. In the case of a very contagious disease, you can only hope to flatten the curve and not overwhelm the medical infrastructure’s ability to handle the case load.

A pandemic disease doesn’t begin everywhere in a country (especially not one as big as ours) all at once. Some places experiencing a rise in cases now are actually in their *first* wave.

When alarms went off in places like New York and California, hospitals elsewhere should have already had plans of action for when the very contagious COVID-19 hits their area.

Why should they have been ready for the invasion of a new contagious infectious disease? Because we have faced similar viral threats in the recent past. A few words: Swine Flu, SARS, MERS, Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya, and more. Besides swine flu, these diseases didn’t reach true pandemic status, but they all occurred in the last decade or two.

We’ve known for a long time how fast infectious disease can spread and had years to prepare. I often say that the most pernicious way that an infection spreads is not due to airborne or contact means, but because of complacency. Lack of preparedness and overconfidence can damage any society, even an advanced one.

The [Spanish Flu of 1918-1919](https://www.livescience.com/spanish-flu.html) is an example of second and, yes, third waves. After it slowed down in the spring of 1918, it came back at least twice within the next year, and the second wave was deadlier than the first. The virus infected 500 million people worldwide and killed an estimated 50 million victims. More recently, we experienced a second wave with the Swine flu pandemic in 2009.

Second waves may affect different segments of populations differently. In 1918, the first wave of the Spanish flu sickened poorer folks, while the second affected more affluent people that may not have had much contact with the folks affected by the first wave. The second wave turned out to be deadlier than the first.

 I believe we’ll experience second and third waves of COVID-19 over the next year or so, and that they’ll appear at different times in various parts of the nation. They may even be entirely new mutated versions of the virus, quite a number of which have already been identified. The strain currently causing a rise in new cases seems to be affecting young adults more, but appears somewhat less lethal.

Infectious disease outbreaks can last a long time. How long? The Plague decimated the population of Europe between 1347 and 1351. It didn’t completely go away for a century and returned just as deadly in the 1500s and 1600s. Even to this day, a few cases in the American West are reported every year.

Yet, people are suffering from COVID fatigue, and itching to get out and about. They hope that the hot weather of summer will slow the spread, just as it does in many influenza epidemics. But flu viruses and coronaviruses aren’t identical, and the break we hoped to get in the summer of this year isn’t materializing (at least, not yet). That means that we still need to wear masks, especially in situations where we can’t social distance, keep away from crowds, and wash hands or use hand sanitizer.

Of course, critics blame the second wave on the reopening of the economy. They may be right. But with a very contagious disease like COVID-19, reports of new cases are likely to be reported for quite some time. Keeping a nation on lockdown until there are *no* cases (a year, maybe two?) guarantees major and probably permanent damage to the economy.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)Wear a mask if you can’t social distance

This doesn’t mean that you have to wear a mask as you attempt to hike the entire length of the Appalachian trail. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings *where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain*. That means if you can’t stay 6 feet apart from others. Bottom Line: Use common sense.

By the way, I can’t say that I’ve hiked the entire length of the Appalachian trail, but I have hiked the entire *width*.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/JoeAltonLibrary3.jpg)Dr. Alton

Stay medically prepared with medical kits, personal protection gear, and individual supplies from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [A Brief History of the Spanish Flu Pandemic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-brief-history-of-the-spanish-flu-pandemic/) 

 [Video: COVID-Fatigue, Waves, and Age](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-covid-fatigue-waves-and-age/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, COVID-19, doom and bloom, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Pandemic Waves, survival medicine

---

### [A Brief History of the Spanish Flu Pandemic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-brief-history-of-the-spanish-flu-pandemic/)

**Published:** July 2, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We’ve spent a lot of time discussing the COVID-19 pandemic on this channel, but we should also take a look back down the line at the last major pandemic. We can learn a lot of lessons from history, if we’re willing to listen. Let me tell you about what was called the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-1919. The Spanish Flu was responsible for infecting about a third of the world’s population and killing 50 million people.

First, I think we owe the Spaniards an apology. During WWI, nations involved in the struggle, including the United States, didn’t allow the publication of bad news that could harm the war effort. Things like, say, a highly contagious epidemic. Spain, however, was neutral and didn’t censor the press, so whatever news you got about the new virus was usually from Spanish journalists. The pandemic became known as the “Spanish flu”, since whatever news there was about the virus came out of Spain.

When the Spanish flu first appeared in March 1918, it had all the hallmarks of a seasonal flu, but it soon became recognized as highly contagious and, in some cases, deadly. Some believe the flu started in China, but one of the first cases reported was not in Asia or Europe, but the United States.

He was Albert Gitchell, a U.S. Army cook in Haskell County, Kansas, who was hospitalized with a 104-degree fever. Yep, it’s possible the flu started right here in the U.S.A., although that’s still a point of contention 100 years later. It makes sense that a cook might become infected, as a lot of influenza viruses may mutate from swine and birds used as food-producing livestock.

Anyway, The virus spread quickly through the Army installation, which, at the time, was home to 54,000 troops. By the end of the month, 1,100 troops had been hospitalized and 38 had died after developing pneumonia.

As U.S. troops deployed for the war in Europe in 1917, they carried the Spanish flu with them. Throughout April and May of 1918, the first wave of the virus spread like wildfire through England, France, Spain and Italy. Some sources estimate three-quarters of the French soldiers were infected and half of British troops. Yet the first wave of the virus didn’t appear to be particularly deadly, with symptoms like fever lasting only three days. At first, the death rate was similar to seasonal flu.

By August, people were hopeful the worst was over, but it was really just the end of the first wave. In Europe, a mutated version of the flu emerged later that could kill healthy young adults. This became the second wave and it was deadlier than the first. It spread to the four corners of the Earth as many soldiers headed home as WWI came to a close.

Not to downplay today’s risks from COIVD-19, but From September through November of 1918, the more lethal version of the Spanish flu went out of control. In the United States, 195,000 Americans died from the Spanish flu…. Just in the month of October.

A normal seasonal flu, which mostly claims victims among infants and toddlers, the elderly, and infirm, looks like a “U” if you make a graph out of the age-related numbers. The second wave of the Spanish flu, however, made a graph that looked like a W, because it killed high numbers of 25-35-year-olds. Today, COVID-19 is affecting more people in this age group as the country attempts to reopen. Except for some hot spots, most of these younger cases (so far) are mild or asymptomatic.

The high numbers of Spanish flu deaths in healthy young adults mystified doctors at the time, but we believe now that the deaths were often caused by something known as “cytokine storm.” When the human body is being attacked by a virus, the immune system sends messenger proteins called cytokines to promote helpful inflammation. In the Spanish flu, like COVID-19, this system had a tendency to go haywire, and a massive overload of cytokines causes fatal inflammation in the lungs. Doctors in WWI likened the appearance on autopsy to the effects of gas warfare.

At the time, most public health officials were aware of the Spanish flu outbreaks but were unwilling to impose quarantines. They were concerned it would cripple the economy and, certainly, the war effort.

Physician and nursing shortages due to military enlistments didn’t help, as well as the American Red Cross’s refusal at the time to use African American nurses until very late in the pandemic.

The technology wasn’t sufficient to quell the crisis. We just couldn’t see viruses back then, and health officials were convinced the virus was bacterial in nature. We didn’t get the high tech to visualize viruses until the 1930s.

By December 1918, the deadly second wave of the Spanish flu had finally passed, but a third wave emerged in Australia in January 1919 and traveled back to Europe and the United States. It’s thought that even President Woodrow Wilson may have been infected.

The mortality rate of the third wave was equally as bad as the second wave, but the end of the war in November 1918 removed the conditions that allowed the disease to spread as rapidly. The soldiers were home. Still, millions more died by the middle of 1919, when the Spanish flu finally petered out.

Are there lessons to be learned from the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-19? I say to ignore history’s lessons is to repeat its mistakes. You can learn a lot from the past.

Joe Alton MD

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Learn about epidemic infectious diseases and much more with our books, DVDs, and USBs, available at [amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1K0J4WBVV2C6Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1593725400&sprefix=survival,aps,223&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=c2cc0b77dbabcf6b93334b8dab3bd388&language=en_US) and [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Near-Drowning, Spanish Flu Lessons, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-near-drowning-spanish-flu-lessons-more/) 

 [Pandemic Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/pandemic-waves/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, chemical warfare, COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory diseases, Respiratory infections, survival medicine, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** joe alton md, medical preparedness, spanish flu, spanish flu 1918, spanish flu pandemic, spanish flu second wave, spanish flu third wave, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Near-Drowning, Spanish Flu Lessons, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-near-drowning-spanish-flu-lessons-more/)

**Published:** July 3, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Many people are concerned about what appears to be a second wave of COVID-19, the pandemic disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. Indeed, some states that were relatively unaffected by the virus are now reporting high numbers of cases and people are getting concerned about hospitals’ abilities to deal with the more severe cases. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss what goes into pandemic waves and discuss a brief history of the Spanish Flu of 1918-1919. To forget history is to repeat its mistakes!

Regardless of municipalities closing pubic beaches and pools, In warm weather, many folks head to the waterfront for recreation. Some wind up getting in trouble, and I’m not talking about Jaws, We’re talking about something just as scary though: Drowning. Dr. Alton tells you what you need to know to stay safe this summer.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/amy-and-joe-rocking-chairs.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

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DoomandBloom/Grab N Go

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 [Video: The Spanish Flu](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-spanish-flu/) 

 [A Brief History of the Spanish Flu Pandemic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-brief-history-of-the-spanish-flu-pandemic/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, Book, COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Iinfluenza, Infections, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival at Sea, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, COVID-19 pandemic, joe alton md, medical preparedness, near-drowning, spanish flu 1918, spanish flu pandemic, survival medicine

---

### [A New Virus In Kazakhstan?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-virus-in-kazakhstan/)

**Published:** July 11, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Over the years, I have made it my mission to notify the public (those that will listen, at least) of new infectious disease outbreaks. There have been quite a number in the last decade: Swine flu, Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya, and now, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV2. My first posting on the current pandemic was on January 7th, when I read reports from China of a mysterious pneumonia that had sickened a total of 60 patients in the city of Wuhan.

Now there is a report from [Chinese officials](https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/new-virus-deadlier-than-covid-19-kazakhstan-rejects-chinese-report-over-unknown-pneumonia-outbreak/ar-BB16BA4Q) about a new respiratory infection in the neighboring country of Kazakhstan. Once part of the U.S.S.R., Kazakhstan is (to my surprise) one of the largest countries in the world, but is still dwarfed by bordering nations such as Russia and China.

According to the Chinese report, the unidentified pneumonia has killed more than 1,700 people in Kazakhstan. [Kazakh health ministry officials](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53363024) say the report doesn’t “conform to reality” but admit to seeing viral pneumonia cases in which the cause is unspecified. They add, however, that the word “unspecified” is often used for cases of COVID-19 diagnosed based on symptoms but not confirmed with laboratory tests.

The World Health Organization (WHO) believes the unspecified pneumonias are probably COVID-19. Kazakhstan has had a surge of over 10,000 COVID-19 cases in the last week or so. The organization says they are investigating the quality of testing as a possible issue. Indeed, the country has recorded 56,000 cases but only 265 deaths. This unusually low number of COVID-19 deaths makes one suspect that some of the unspecified infections are actually positive for the virus. WHO officials state that they are keeping an “open mind”.

(Aside: I believe that total cases are wildly underestimated, probably at a multiple of 10 or 20, which lowers the death rate percentage from COVID-19. I think that imprecise reporting accounts for the low death numbers in Kazakhstan more than anything else, however.)

Uncertainty about numbers can affect the ability to understand and control viral outbreaks. Statistics may be manipulated on purpose or simply by poor quality testing and reporting. I’m not an expert on the Kazakh medical infrastructure, but it’s possible that the numbers of cases and/or deaths there are not accurate.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_299550965.jpg)Are Chinese claims accurate?

A government may put out inaccurately low numbers in an effort to avoid panic in its citizens. China has been accused of low-balling their case numbers and deaths. On the other hand, a country may post inaccurately high numbers to panic another nation’s people. Could this be what’s happening in Kazakhstan?

Totalitarian regimes may limit the dissemination of information to give an unclear picture of an epidemic’s real effect on a country. A prime example is North Korea, which like Kazakhstan, borders China. There have been no COVID-19 cases reported by North Korean health officials, but it’s likely that they exist.

Numbers may also be affected by the limitation on lab facilities to test for a disease. Testing in the U.S., one of the most highly-developed nations in the world, has been criticized. In some emerging infectious diseases, it may take months to develop an accurate test. Could Kazakh testing be any better?

The number of tests available also play a factor in the reporting of new cases. Want to drop the numbers of cases of a virus? Stop testing for it. If the tests don’t exist, COVID-19 cases aren’t recorded unless you drop the standard. If you use x-ray evidence of pneumonia instead of testing, does everyone with pneumonia become labeled a COVID patient? What happens to all the influenza cases that kill thousands of elderly every year?

These are just some of the factors that confound scientists trying to get a handle on a new viral disease. Time will tell if the mysterious pneumonia in Kazakhstan turns out to be an entirely new virus or just a new or existing strain of COVID-19. Keeping an open mind is a wise approach to emerging viral threats.

(Aside: What is going on in Kazakhstan anyway? Entire herds of native critically endangered Saiga antelope recently dropped dead of an unknown disease. During May and early June 2020, 130,000 died, /about half of the total number in existence. Veterinarians say the extent and speed of the deaths is alarming. A bacterium is suspected as the cause.)

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-small-class-1024x680.jpg)Dr. Alton

Learn what to do in epidemic settings with a copy of [Alton’s Pandemic Preparedness Guide](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Pandemic-Preparedness-Guide-Emerging/dp/1734817402/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=pandemic+preparedness+guide&qid=1594499862&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=14fe32fee39ebc9068d33347d3397c7c&language=en_US), available on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Pandemic-Preparedness-Guide-Emerging/dp/1734817402/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=pandemic+preparedness+guide&qid=1594499862&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=14fe32fee39ebc9068d33347d3397c7c&language=en_US) or at [store.doomandbloom.net ](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)along with our entire line of kits and supplies.

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 [Visiting Family During A Pandemic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/visiting-family-during-a-pandemic/) 

 [Sand Fleas and Flies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sand-fleas-and-flies/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, bacterial disease, COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Viruses

**Tags:** COVID-19 pandemic, joe alton md, kazakhstan, medical preparedness, new viral pneumonia, saiga antelope, survival medicine

---

### [Visiting Family During A Pandemic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/visiting-family-during-a-pandemic/)

**Published:** July 12, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I recently saw an [article on CNN](https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/reopening-coronavirus/visiting_family_friends.html) where a number of medical experts were asked questions about how and when to visit friends and family during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m just an old country doctor, but I decided to take the same questions and answer them from my point of view:

**1) What should people be thinking about as they consider visiting family or friends they have not seen during the pandemic? How can people safely grow their “social circles” during this reopening phase?**

We know that COVID-19 is highly contagious and can be spread even by those who are asymptomatic. A number of strategies, however, can allow people to begin to reconnect without raising risks significantly.

Certain factors should be weighed before visiting family and friends. Even as we attempt to reopen, the factors that led to the lockdowns still exist. There’s no treatment or vaccine yet, and the virus is no less contagious than it was.

First, the easy decision: If you’re sick or the person you’d like to visit is sick, visits are a hard no. If you absolutely must visit, meet outside, wear masks, and stay more than six feet apart.

Your inner circle should consist of very few people, perhaps just your immediate family. You know how likely they are to have contact with COVID patients during work or socially. The more people in your circle, the harder it is to know who’s been exposed during their daily activities. If your nuclear family includes elderly folks or those with serious health conditions, use extra care around them.

Brand new contacts are a bit of a crap shoot. Since a person may be contagious for a good two weeks or more, you’re in contact (by proxy) with all the people with whom they’ve interacted.

Find out whether a new contact is COVID-savvy or if they make a show of not wearing masks or social distancing. Do they share your level of concern about exposure? Have they been in crowds or confined spaces where the risk is elevated? Is your area currently in the midst of a peak in the number of COVID cases?

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_1647124879-1024x684.jpg)

**2)How are you connecting with family and friends at this point, and how has that changed over the course of the pandemic?**

Lots of texting and virtual visits using Facetime, Zoom, etc. during lockdowns. These comprise almost all our contacts. When restrictions in Florida were relaxed, we met a very few people in person for short visits while outdoors and keeping more than six feet apart. One son came for an outdoor visit. One daughter has visited as well but the only physical contact we had was with her golden retriever puppy named Phil.

**3)What steps do you think people should take if they are going to see people they don’t live with? How does your view change based on people’s ages?**

Visits should be outside if at all possible, where the viral load is less concentrated. Some disagree, but I feel ok not wearing a mask in these outdoor visits *if* everybody is more than six feet apart or in motion, like a bike ride or trail hike. Make sure that any gathering is small and relatively short in duration; postpone those big family birthday/holiday parties for now.

As someone who is well into his geezerhood, I appreciate it when people wear masks if we’re in a small room together. One of our sons is a kidney transplant recipient, so we’re especially careful around him. IF you’re going to visit someone else’s home, don’t be shy about asking where you can wash hands or, at least, carry hand sanitizer with you (and, of course, wash often in your own home).

**4)What cues should people look for throughout the summer to loosen or tighten how strict they are with social get-togethers? What factors would make you change your behavior?**

I make sure to keep track of the number of cases and the latest CDC recommendations. Citizens should avoid any group activities if the area is experiencing spikes in cases. Gatherings that include small children that don’t understand social distancing should be especially careful.

Remember that every part of the country will have first and second waves, and they will likely occur at different times. This may be controversial, but if cases drop way down, restrictions should relax and businesses should reopen. You should realize, however, well that there *will* be a rise in cases as a result.

(Aside: People forget that health officials give advice purely in the hopes of “flattening the curve”, and leave concerns about a collapsing economy to the politicians and bureaucrats. The wisest medical advice in an epidemic scenario is rarely the soundest financial advice.)

**5)When will you feel safe visiting family and close friends without social distancing or masks?**

It’s uncertain as to whether we will ever return to the “good old days” of 2019. Once there is a viable treatment that is widely available or a proven safe vaccine, perhaps we’ll see things get close to the way they were; I will act accordingly. Expect socially responsible folks to have (as I have always recommended) a supply of masks and an early trigger to renew social distancing.

One issue that I don’t see discussed and is, to me, a concern is that we have experienced epidemic outbreaks several times in the last decade: MERS, Ebola, Zika, Chikungunya, SARS-CoV2 and others. I believe health officials will be quick to institute lockdowns in future outbreaks, and that may bode poorly for returning to our previous prosperity.

**6)What’s your advice if family members or friends see the risks differently?**

If you’re confronted with a stranger who won’t take measures to prevent infection, just move away. With friends and family, everyone has a different opinion. The important thing is to reach areas of agreement on what measures people can accept that will decrease the spread of the infection. We’re all in this together.

Don’t be afraid to lead by example. When others see you’re serious about measures that lower the risk of COVID-19, they may be more likely to take things seriously as well.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/small-ALTON-55-Surgical-Earloop-mask-Amy.jpg)Got mask?

One last thing: I hear people being shamed for wearing commercial face masks instead of cloth face mask coverings. Yes, medical workers should be given priority, but I’ve written for many years about the importance of having face masks and other epidemic/pandemic supplies in disaster medical storage. If you have them, wear them.

Joe Alton MD

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Are you ready to deal with medical issues in natural disasters, epidemics, civil unrest, and more? Check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Visits During COVID, Heat Waves, Kazakhstan Virus?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-visits-during-covid-heat-waves-kazakhstan-virus/) 

 [A New Virus In Kazakhstan?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-virus-in-kazakhstan/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Uncategorized, Viruses

**Tags:** family visits COVID, family visits SARS-coV2, medical preparedness, survival medicine, visiting during a pandemic, visiting family

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast COVID Q & A](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-covid-q-a/)

**Published:** July 29, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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You know, we get dozens of questions from folks every week, and we do our darndest to answer as many as we can. You’re always welcome to send your questions to , we answer as many of them as we can. Sometimes, we answer them on the air, and that’s what we do with a few today. By the way, questions don’t have to just be about COVID-19.

To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/joe-and-amy-radio.jpg)Amy and Joe Alton

Don’t forget to check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits and supplies at[ store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vitamin-d-deficiency-and-covid-19/) 

 [Video: Pandemic Waves](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-pandemic-waves/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, epidemics, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, COVID Q &amp; A, joe alton md, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19](https://www.doomandbloom.net/vitamin-d-deficiency-and-covid-19/)

**Published:** July 29, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Lately, we’ve been reviewing the potential for vitamin deficiencies to play a significant role in disease in people who, you’d think, would be otherwise healthy. This article is about vitamin D.

**WHAT IS VITAMIN D?**

**[Vitamin D](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/)** is an essential nutrient your body needs to maintain good health. It is produced in your skin when exposed to sunlight. It helps your body absorb and maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphate that are important for strong bones. In the past, deficiency of vitamin D was considered to be a cause for “rickets”, a condition which caused weak, deformed bones in children. Recently, more benefits of adequate blood levels of vitamin D have been found. It is even thought to decrease the risk of *severe* cases of respiratory infections, including COVID-19.

**WHO HAS VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY?**

It has been suggested by some vitamin D researchers that approximately 10–20 minutes of midday sun at least twice a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen may be [enough to produce the vitamin D](https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2018-07-18/how-much-time-in-the-sun-do-you-need-for-vitamin-d) needed by the average person .

Despite this, deficiency of vitamin D in the U.S. is seen in 42 percent of the total population, with different demographics having more risk than others. It seems to be more common in people who are:

- Over age 65
- African-Americans
- Hispanics
- Caucasians who avoid sun exposure
- Premenopausal females
- Nutritionally deficient
- Take certain meds for GI problems like heartburn, constipation, and others
- Obese
- People who have chronic kidney or liver disease

Other factors like weather, pollution, and the amount of time indoors also come into play. Complete cloud cover drops ultraviolet (UV) energy from the sun by half, shaded areas by more. This includes “shade” provided by air pollution. As UVB radiation doesn’t go through glass, sunshine radiating indoors through windows doesn’t help produce enough vitamin D. SPF 8 or greater sunscreens potentially block these same rays (although people don’t put enough on).

Putting together all these risk factors includes a pretty big chunk of the general population. I was initially surprised that darker-skinned people have more of a chance (up to 80%) of being vitamin D deficient. Most of us know that dark colors absorb light and light colors reflect it. In humans, however, it turns out that the more melanin pigment in your skin, the less vitamin D gets produced by exposure to sun. The percentage of African-Americans with vitamin D deficiency may be up to 80 percent, with Hispanics at about 70 percent. This percentage seems to be less in Africa and South America, where people spend more time outside and are exposed to more direct sunlight.

**FOODS HIGH IN VITAMIN D**

Even in those on an average diet, vitamin D is naturally present in just a few foods. This is why some food items, like milk and orange juice, are “vitamin D-enriched”. Infant formula is required to have vitamin D added in both the United States and Canada.

Although few natural food products naturally contain vitamin D, some do:

- Fatty Fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel)
- Some mushrooms
- Beef liver
- Egg yolks

Even vitamin D supplements are generally inert until converted by two organs. The liver and kidneys activate vitamin D by converting it to active forms like **25-hydroxyvitamin D** and **1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D**, respectively (also known as “*calcidiol*” and “*calcitriol*”). As calcidiol is several times more potent than the original vitamin, this explains why those with poorly functioning livers or kidneys are especially deficient.

**VITAMIN D AND IMMUNE RESPONSE**

Vitamin D has been found to reduce inflammation and *modulate* immune response. This is different from simply strengthening immune response; a body’s excessive reaction to an infection may cause the immune system to go haywire. This produces excessive amounts of proteins called “**[cytokines](https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/cytokine-storm)**” that send immune cells into action. This over-reaction by the body is known as “**[cytokine storm](https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/cytokine-storm)**”. Vitamin D helps prevent cytokine storm while allowing an effective defense.

**TESTING FOR VITAMIN D**

Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are a good indicator of whether someone is deficient or not. This is not a standard test done on routine yearly exams, however. What constitutes a normal vitamin D level may be a subject of disagreement among some scientists. I believe that a value of 40 ng/ml is optimal but may rarely be achieved at current recommended daily allowances (RDAs).

**Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Vitamin D**

**AGE**

0–12 months 400 IU daily

1–18 years 600 IU daily

18-70 years 600 IU daily

>70 years 800 IU daily

Like many things in medicine, these numbers are controversial. Many scientists suggest **2000 International Units (IUs)** or more (not to exceed 10,000 IUs) is more appropriate for adults receive all the benefits of vitamin D. Reports suggest that, in order to consistently raise serum levels of bioactive vitamin D in those deficient, **at least 1,500-2,000 IU/day** or more of supplemental vitamin D is needed.

This is likely hard to obtain without a supplement. In supplements and fortified foods, vitamin D is available as either **D2** (ergocalciferol) or **D3** (cholecalciferol). The two are very similar to each other and are both considered effective. D2 is thought to be less potent at high doses.

**VITAMIN D LEVELS AND COVID-19**

Having enough vitamin D in your system might just help avoid the intensive care unit (or worse) if you become infected with **COVID-19**. Studies from different nations seem to find the sickest patients have some of the same risk factors as those with vitamin D deficiency.[ Nations with higher percentages of deficiency have higher death rates](https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200518/more-vitamin-d-lower-risk-of-severe-covid-19). Also, places that have the most direct sunlight (near the equator) and those people spending the most hours outside seem to have less fatalities.

The controversy in conventional medicine continues, with more research needed. No treatment studies raising vitamin D levels in sick COVID-19 patients have been done to see its results. It’s also true no evidence exists that having healthy vitamin D levels won’t *prevent* you from catching the very transmissible virus.

Having said that, it seems that 2000-4000 IUs of vitamin D supplementation isn’t associated with any major complications, and may prevent a severe case of the disease. 4000 IU is the safe upper limit of vitamin D, according to the **[Institute of Medicine](https://www.nchpad.org/Directories/Organizations/2362/Institute~of~Medicine)** (IOM), but a risk assessment review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition failed to find toxicity at 10000 IU in healthy adults with no underlying health conditons.

Consider asking your physician for a vitamin D test to see whether you might benefit from more vitamin D. In these pandemic times, it’s a good idea.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Learn more about vitamin D deficiency and 150 other medical topics in the latest edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook. Also, check into some of our medical kits and individual supplies from the entire line at **[store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)**!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Suture Closure, Pt. 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-suture-closure-pt-1/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast COVID Q & A](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-covid-q-a/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joint Problems, Medical Preparedness, Orthopedic Issues, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** coronavirus, COVID-19, cytokine storm, cytokines, joe alton md, medical preparedness, rickets, SARS-COV2, survival medicine, vitamin d, Vitamin D and Covid-19, vitamin d deficiency, vitamin deficiency

---

### [Video: Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-vitamin-d-deficiency-and-covid-19/)

**Published:** August 20, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Vitamin D deficiency is seen in 42% of Americans, and the worse it is, the more likely that bad outcomes will occur in COVID-19 patients. Countries with less incidence of deficiency of this important nutrient have lower death rates from the virus. Although your skin produces vitamin D with exposure to the sun, are you getting enough to keep your levels healthy and avoid a bad case of COVID pneumonia or other respiratory infections?

In this companion video to a previous article, Dr. Joe Alton discusses what you need to know about Vitamin D. To watch, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Don’t forget to check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits, supplies, and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Wildfires In The West](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-in-the-west/) 

 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Survival Group Expert and Author Charley Hogwood, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-survival-group-expert-and-author-charley-hogwood-more/)

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---

### [Wildfires In The West](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-in-the-west/)

**Published:** August 21, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The American West is again the scene of [**wildfires**](https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/20/covid-geddon-a-look-at-the-dueling-wildfire-coronavirus-crises-in-california/) this year, as heat waves and low humidity levels allow [77](https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/us/wildfires-in-the-us-by-state/index.html) separate wildfires in 14 states to blaze out of control. Evacuations are in effect as forest land burns, temperatures soar, and winds reach sixty miles per hour. With plumes of smoke visible from space, extreme weather in California created 2500 lightning strikes and even a rare **“fire tornado”**. With over 650,000 acres in flames, none of the larger fires was more than 5 percent contained at the time of this writing.

**WAIT, A FIRE WHAT?**

Fire tornados occur when extremely hot air blows through the fire at a certain angle, producing a spinning momentum that then sucks up embers and debris. The explosive storms can be seen when extreme heat and plant moisture are released in the face of high winds. The hotter the fire, the faster the air rises and the tighter it twists until it looks like a tornado.

**ROLLING BLACKOUTS**

Wildfires and record heat waves have spurred some drastic measures. California’s state government instituted **[rolling blackouts](https://www.foxbusiness.com/energy/california-power-troubles-rolling-blackout-heat-wave-renewable-energy-clean-energy-power-supply-electricity-surge)**. Rolling blackouts are a drastic measure used by an electric utility company to avoid a total collapse of the power system. The manager of much of the state’s electric grid called on utilities to cut power to hundreds of thousands of customers. Even in areas not at risk for blackouts, high heat advisories, at present, affect more than 45 million citizens.

**AN ANNUAL EVENT**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/charcoal-and-acorn-1024x683.jpg)Oak tree in our area turned to charcoal

Every year, wildfires race throughout the western part of the country, causing property destruction and loss of life. Not everyone has been touched by this type of disaster, but it is personal to us: In 2016 our home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee barely avoided being burnt to the foundation by the whims of the winds.

100 other homes on the mountain were not so lucky. 14 people did not survive the conflagration; more than a hundred were injured. Several years later, the skeletons of trees killed by the fire stand as stark reminders of the nature’s fury (and man’s carelessness).

**PROPERTY DEFENSE**

What can you do in the face of an irresistible force like a wildfire? How can you protect your property (and yourself) from falling victim to the flames?

The main principle for property defense revolves around creating a cleared space by managing vegetation and other flammable materials. In addition to decreasing the chance of your residence catching fire, it gives more space for firefighters to work.

It should be noted that property defense is not the same as personal defense. The main principle for personal defense is, put simply, to “*get out of Dodge”.*

But let’s talk about how you can prepare your property to have a shot at surviving a wildfire. With vegetation management, the key is to direct fires away from your house. There are several ways to accomplish this, all of which require vigilance and regular maintenance.

You’ll want to clean up dead wood and leaf piles lying within 30 feet of your building structure. Pay special attention to clearing off the roof and gutters. Although you may have spent time and money putting lush landscaping around your home, you may have to choose: Do you want attractive, flammable plants next to your structure or do you want fire protection?

You’ll want to thin out those thick canopied trees near your house, making sure that no two canopies touch each other. A distance of 18 feet between treetops is recommended.

Any trees within 50 feet on flatland, or 200 feet if downhill from your retreat need to be thinned, so that you’re pruning branches off below 10-12 feet high, and separating them by 10-20 feet. No tree should overhang the roof. Also, eliminate all shrubs at the base of the trunks.

Lawns and gardens should be well-hydrated; collect lawn cuttings and other debris that could be used as fuel by the fire. If water is limited, keep dry lawns cut back as much as possible. Of course, preparedness folk don’t have that much use for lawns, anyway; better to use the land for vegetable and herb gardens.

Woodpiles and other flammables should be located at least 20-30 feet away from structures. Gardening tools should be kept in sheds, and those sheds should be at a distance from the home. Concrete walkways and perimeter walls may be helpful in impeding the progress of the fire.

Attic and other vents should be covered with screening to prevent small embers from entering the structure. Additional strategies for the home can be found at **[firewise.org](https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA)**.

**TERRAIN FACTORS**

The amount of defensible space you’ll need depends on whether you’re on flat land or on a steep slope. Flatland fires spread more slowly than a fire on a slope (hot air and flames rise). If winds are calm, the smoke will rise straight up.

A fire on a steep slope with wind blowing uphill spreads quickly and produces **“spot fires”** ahead of the main blaze. These are small fires that ignite vegetation ahead of the main burn due to small bits of burning debris in the air. That’s why the area of vegetation management must be larger downhill from your home.

The fire will tend to go uphill, so stay downhill and upwind on dirt roads and use rocky outcroppings or streambeds with little or no vegetation. These may serve as natural firebreaks.

**GETTING OUT OF DODGE**

Of course, once you have created a defensible space, the natural inclination is to want to, well, defend it. Unfortunately, you have to remember that you’ll be in the middle of a lot of heat and smoke.

Therefore, it’s wise to follow the principles of personal safety for wildfires and get out of Dodge if there’s a safe way to leave. When hitting the road, have a bag already packed with food, water, extra clothes, batteries, flashlights, and more. Don’t forget to bring your cell phone, any important papers you might need, and some cash. Keep track of road closures and be sure to have more than one route planned out in case you have to evacuate.

As an added precaution, make sure you shut off any air conditioning system that draws air into the house from outside. Turn off all your appliances, close all your windows and lock all your doors. Like any other emergency, you should have some form of communication system established with your loved ones in case you’re not together. Texts require less bandwidth than voice calls.

**MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO GET THROUGH A WILDFIRE**

Medical kits in wildfire-prone areas should contain masks, eye and hand protection, burn ointment (aloe vera is a natural alternative) and non-stick dressings. Specialized burn dressings like Xeroform are available that incorporate both. Gauze rolls and medical tape can be used for additional coverage. Round out your kit with scissors, cold packs, and some eyewash (smoke is a major irritant to the eyes).

Improvisations for burn dressings include taking sterile gauze in pads or rolls and impregnating it with petroleum jelly. Alternatively, the hemostatic dressing known as Celox, when moistened, turns in a slimy gel bandage that provides protection for burn injuries.

**TRAPPED!**

The best way to get away fast is via a pre-planned route in a vehicle. Unfortunately, your routes of vehicular escape may be blocked. You may have to leave by foot. If so, make sure you’re dressed in long pants, sleeves, and heavy boots. If possible, leave word about your evacuation with someone outside the disaster zone if case you need rescue.

Don’t be so sure, however, that you can outrun a wildfire. The flames may travel as fast as 20 miles per hour in drought conditions and be sped even further by spot fires. If the fire passes you, it’s just common sense to stay out of its projected path. If you can’t escape its edge, you may have to run through it into areas that have already been consumed (black areas). They may be the safest place left.

A wool blanket is very helpful as an additional outside layer because wool is relatively fire-resistant. Some people think it’s a good idea to wet the blanket first: Don’t. Wet materials transfer heat much faster than dry materials and will cause severe scald burns.

If you must stay inside a building, retreat to the side farthest from the fire and with the least number of windows (windows transfer heat to the inside). Stay there unless you have to leave due to smoke or the building catching fire. If that’s the case, wrap yourself in the blanket, leaving only your eyes uncovered.

You may have trouble breathing because of the smoke. In that instance, stay low and crawl out of the building. There’s less smoke and heat the lower you go. Keep your face down towards the floor. This will help protect your airway, which is very important. You can recover from burns on your skin, but not from major burns in your lungs.

If surrounded by fire with no possible escape route, some have suggested digging a “foxhole” below ground level. This will place you lower than where the thickest concentration of smoke will be.

A wildfire in your neighborhood is a major bump in the road. Don’t let it be the *end* of the road for you and your family. Plan and prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/UphillClimbJoe-e1419372107924.jpg)Joe Alton MD

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 [Wildfire Safety: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfire-safety-home-ignition-zones/) 

 [Video: Vitamin D Deficiency and COVID-19](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-vitamin-d-deficiency-and-covid-19/)

**Categories:** Burns, General Preparedness, Injuries, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** defensible spaces, fire tornado, fire whirl, joe alton md, medical preparedness, smoke inhalation, survival medicine, vegetation management, wildfire preparedness, wildfire safety, wildfires

---

### [Wildfire Safety: Home Ignition Zones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfire-safety-home-ignition-zones/)

**Published:** August 22, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**HOME IGNITION ZONES**

Recently, we published an article relating to the **[wildfires](https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/disasters-safety/wildfire-behavior-and-emergency-response/)** that turn the [American West](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/20/us/ca-fires.html) into a burn zone every year. This year, the fire season has been long and severe: 90 separate blazes covering at least 100 acres are being tracked at the time of this writing.

Although evacuating the area is the wisest choice from a safety standpoint, there are principles of property defense that may give you the best chance of returning to an intact home.

The majority of buildings lost to wildfires are started by minor burns. If you can improve the resistance of the area around the home to ignition, your residence will be less susceptible to spot fires and ember storms. You can best create a defensible space by managing vegetation and other flammables in the **“Home Ignition Zone”**.

The Home Ignition Zone **(HIZ)** concept was developed by the Forest Service in the 1990s. It is an area up to 200 feet from the foundation and includes vegetation, the home itself, and other structures, items, or attachments (decks, sheds, outdoor furniture, fencing). Measures to improve fire resistance may sometimes be difficult, but will decrease the risk of fire damage.

Generally, Home Ignition Zones are divided into three parts:

**The Immediate Subzone:** This is the area including the home and up to 5 feet surrounding it. This area is the most prone to combustion. Non-flammable surfaces here are protective and consideration should be given in construction of the home itself.

Vegetation, woodpiles, and other flammables should be limited here. You can harden your home against wildfires with the following measures:

- Screening areas under patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent burning debris from entering.
- Avoiding the storage of combustible materials under patios and decks.
- Clearing leaves and other debris from rooftops and gutters.
- Repairing or replacing any broken, loose, or missing shingles or roof tiles.
- Preventing embers from passing through eave vents by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
- Cleaning debris from exterior attic vents; add 1/8 inch metal mesh as a barrier.
- Replacing damaged or loose window screens.
- Removing mulch, woodpiles, and other flammables from against exterior walls.

**The Intermediate Subzone:** This is the area 5-30 feet away from your home. Here, careful use of landscaping can slow the spread of fire by reducing both fuel availability and [continuity](https://www.nwcg.gov/term/glossary/fuel-continuity). You should:

- Have driveways, paths, decks and patios made of non-flammables that can serve as fuel “breaks”.
- Keep lawns and ground cover no more than four inches high.
- Remove [**“ladder fuels**“](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ladder). Ladder fuels include vegetation under trees that allow a ground fire to reach the canopies. Lower branches on large trees also can act as ladder fuels.
- Prune mature trees ten feet from the ground or up to 1/3 of the total height for smaller specimens.
- Be sure to have at least eighteen feet between tree canopies, more if you are uphill from the potential fire.
- Limit trees and shrubs to small separate groupings of a few each to break up fuel continuity.
- Beware of vegetation near large propane tanks.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shutterstock_47274046.jpg)

**The Extended Subzone:** This is the extended areas 30-100 feet from the home): Strategy revolves around spacing and pruning shrubs and trees in an effort to keep the fire low to the ground and interrupt its path. The wise property owner would:

- Remove accumulations of dead plant and tree material in this space.
- Remove all saplings growing between mature trees.
- Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings
- Assure that all trees 30-60 feet from the residence have at least 12 feet between canopies (more if downhill).
- Assure that trees 60-100 feet (200 feet if downhill) from the home have at least 6 feet between canopies.

There are variations in these strategies based on location, types of flora in the area, and other factors. Discuss your specific situation with a local [U.S. Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/) official.

Bottom line: Work to harden your home against wildfires, but don’t be a hero; hit the road if you’re in the path of the conflagration.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/UphillClimbJoe-e1419372107924.jpg)Dr. Alton

Learn more about wildfire safety in the award-winning Third Edition of the **[Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1V0PFBYGW6DTD&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1598118230&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,193&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=b3c5f25681a249aac8248164a2970dbd&language=en_US)**, available at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1V0PFBYGW6DTD&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1598118230&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,193&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=b3c5f25681a249aac8248164a2970dbd&language=en_US) or at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)t.

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 [Video: The Problem With "Following The Science"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-problem-with-following-the-science/) 

 [Wildfires In The West](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wildfires-in-the-west/)

**Categories:** Burns, Fires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Wildfires

**Tags:** home ignition zones, joe alton md, ladder fuels, medical preparedness, survival medicine, wildfire preparedness, wildfire safety, wildfires

---

### [All About Lightning](https://www.doomandbloom.net/all-about-lightning/)

**Published:** August 27, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_79376425.jpg)

[Wildfires in the American West](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/california-wildfires-threaten-118-billionworth-of-homes-182841617.html) continue to rage, with September and October expected to be no better. Although most wildfires are caused by humans, lightning strikes have been identified as the culprits for some of this year’s biggest conflagrations. In the San Francisco Bay area alone, three [“lightning complex”](https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/24/bay-area-wildfires-live-updates-we-lucked-out-as-storms-bring-little-lightning-helping-firefighters/) fires have burned over 800,000 acres of woodland. More than 13,000 lighting strikes have been recorded since mid-August in California alone.

Many of us associate lightning with rainstorms, but “[dry” lightning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_thunderstorm) appears to be involved in causing the latest fires. Certain storms produce thunder and lightning without any appreciable rain as moisture evaporates before reaching the ground. These are not uncommon in drier areas of the country.

**ABOUT LIGHTNING**

A Lightning “bolt” is a discharge of a large amount of electricity in the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and the ground. Air normally acts to insulate the positive and negative charges in clouds. At one point, however, the difference between the two is so great that electricity is generated and released.

Most lightning events occur high in the atmosphere within a cloud or from cloud-to-cloud. Cloud-to-ground strikes are more responsible for injuries to humans. In recent years, the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)](https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning) has reported dozens of annual lightning strike fatalities. Although the death rate from a lightning strike hovers around 10 percent, the grand majority of survivors suffer some form of lasting ill effect.

(**Aside:** Why doesn’t lightning strike airplanes? Actually, it does. Commercial aircraft are designed so that electricity travels through them without any interruption. They are usually struck without experiencing damage.)

**ABOUT THUNDER**

Thunder is the sound caused by nearby lightning as it passes through the air. The discharge heats the air to as high as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit for a fraction of second, causing air to rapidly expand and then contract. This produces a sound wave that we hear as thunder.

(Aside: The temperature of a bolt of lightning reaches several times that of the surface of the sun!)

When you listen to thunder, the first rumble is created by the part of the lightning channel closest to you. Continued rumbling comes from portions of the lightning that are farther away.

Can you tell how far away a lightning strike is? If you hear a cracking or a very loud booming sound, that means the lightning was very close. More of a rumble, it’s probably several miles away. To hear thunder at all, the flash should be within 10 miles.

As the speed of sound is about 343 meters per second, a space of 5 seconds between a flash and associated thunder equals about a mile. Count the number of seconds and divide by 5 to calculate the distance to the strike.

(Aside: Two of Santa’s reindeer, Donner and Blitzen, are named after the German words for thunder and lightning.)

**WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES PEOPLE**

There are a number of ways in which a person may be “struck by lightning”:

**Direct Strikes:** A person struck directly by a lightning bolt is usually out in the open. The electricity moves along the skin and also through the body’s cardiovascular or nervous systems. Burns occur on the skin, but cardiac arrest from the current in the body is more likely to cause death.

**Ground Strike:** When lightning strikes, say, a tree, energy travels outward along the ground. This is known as “**ground current**”. Anyone near a lightning strike could be a victim. Indeed, this form of lightning strike causes the most injuries and deaths.

**Side Strike**: More commonly known as a “**side flash**”, it occurs when lightning strikes a taller object (again, say, a tree) near the victim. Some of the current jumps from the original target of the strike to the victim, who is usually a very short distance away. This is why you shouldn’t take cover under a tree.

**Conduction Strike**: Lightning can travel (or be “conducted”) along long distances in wires or other metal surfaces that help provide a path for it to travel. If you’re in contact with a wire fence and lightning strikes some distance away, you might be affected. Inside, anything (or anyone) connected to wiring, plumbing, or other metal surface may serve as a conductor.

**Streamer Strike:** “Streamers” aren’t as common a cause of a lightning injury but are still dangerous. As the downward-moving electrical charge (called the “step leader”) approaches the ground, electrical streamers are produced that rise from ground-based objects (even a person). If a person is involved, they could be killed or injured even if the streamer didn’t connect with the step leader itself.

**THE EFFECTS OF LIGHTNING ON THE BODY**

Being struck by lightning can be lethal, but effects vary based on the amount of current traveling through the body. You may see:

- Cardiac Arrest or Irregular Beat Patterns (arrythmias)
- Respiratory Arrest/Lung Inflammation
- Ruptured Eardrums/Deafness
- Eye Damage/Blindness
- Burns
- Mental Changes (memory, sleep disorders)
- Nerve Damage (numbness, pain)
- Broken Bones
- Internal Bleeding
- Chronic Vertigo
- Coma

Distinctive branching scars caused by blood vessel damage known as “**Lichtenberg figures**” can form as a result of blood vessel damage.

**LIGHTNING SAFETY**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/graphic-thunder-lightning-1024x535.jpg)

When thunder roars, go indoors! It’s important to realize that being outside is dangerous when a thunderstorm is in progress. If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of being hit by lightning for up to 30 minutes after the last rumble.

Get inside a sturdy building or a metal-topped vehicle (windows up) as quickly as possible. Strive to avoid being the tallest object in the area. Even when there are taller objects, like trees or utility poles, stay away from them. Lightning will likely target them, especially if they are isolated. Avoid touching metal: It doesn’t attract lightning, but conducts it for 100 feet or more.

Once inside, stay off computers and other electrical equipment. Avoid touching plumbing like sinks and faucets. Stay away from doors, windows, and porches. Don’t lean again anything metal or concrete. Lightning can travel through any metal wiring or bars that may be inside concrete walls or flooring.

Cardiac arrest is the most common immediate cause of death. The victim needs first aid immediately. Call for help and begin CPR. If an Automatic External Defibrillator is available, use it. Get the victim into a building if possible; lightning can strike twice in the same place.

**STUCK OUTSIDE?**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/lightning-dos-and-donts.png)

If thunderstorms are in the forecast, postpone your outside activities. There are circumstances, however, where you may be caught outside and unprepared for a lightning storm. In these cases:

- Leave high ground like ridges or hills.
- Don’t take cover under isolated trees. If you’re in the middle of the forest, stay near lower trees.
- Avoid rocky overhangs or cave entrances as shelters. someone at the entrance may form a conduit between the cave roof and floor. The same thing goes for the covered porch of a house.
- Stay away from lakes, streams, or other bodies of water.
- Avoid lying flat on the ground, but stay low with as little of your body touching the ground as possible (see below).
- Don’t touch barbed wire fences, power lines, or anything else that conducts electricity.

If you’re in a group, some say to stay 10 feet apart. This actually may make an individual more prone to being struck, but lessens the likelihood of multiple casualties and increases the chance of having uninjured rescuers at hand.

Hearing about a person struck by lightning may be shocking, but not as much as if you were the victim. Be prepared and make wise choices whenever there’s electrical activity in your area.

**JOE ALTON MD**

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/joe-beach-2-1024x768.jpg)Joe Alton MD

In these uncertain times, it makes sense to be medically prepared. Please consider supporting our mission by getting some of the quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear available at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Thank you!

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)Find our book on Amazon or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: The Problem With "Following The Science"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-problem-with-following-the-science/)

**Categories:** Burns, Fires, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wildfires

**Tags:** conduction strike, dry lightning, ground current, joe alton md, lightning, lightning safety, medical preparedness, side splash, streamers lightning, thunder, thunder and lightning, wildfires caused by lightning

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Microplastics, Safe "Six"](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-microplastics-safe-six/)

**Published:** September 11, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The CDC has recommended that Americans wear masks “in public”, but are vague on what to do in many situations.

From the CDC website: “CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”

The Cleveland Clinic is a little more lenient: “: If you’re unlikely to be around anyone or will have the option of maintaining a safe distance from anyone you encounter, then a mask likely isn’t necessary but having one handy is a good idea just in case.”

What’s the history of social distancing defined as six feet? Distancing from sick individuals, for better or worse, has a long history. In ancient times, people stayed away from “leper” colonies (leprosy is now known as “Hansen’s Disease”). No one really knew, however, how much distance was required. The Altons try to make sense of it all.

Also, millions of tons of plastic refuse have entered our oceans annually since about 1950, forming a Texas-sized dump known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (or GPGP). People are often confused about what the garbage patch is. The GPGP isn’t a landfill-like continent made of plastic that you can walk on or build a vacation home. , but it’s true that, due to currents, there is a higher concentration of plastic there than other parts of the ocean. Dr. Alton tells you what you need to know.

All this and more in the lastest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton! To listen in, click below:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)The Altons

Hey, don’t forget to get medically prepared for the uncertain future with high-quality medical kits and individual supplies from Nurse Amy’s entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Burn Injuries, Author Leon Pantenburg](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-burn-injuries-author-leon-pantenburg/) 

 [The Great Pacific Garbage Patch](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-great-pacific-garbage-patch/)

**Categories:** Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Viruses

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, great pacific garbage patch, joe alton md, medical preparedness, microplastics, practicing safe six, safe six, social disancing, survival medicine, wearing masks

---

### [Cyclospora Infection](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cyclospora-infection/)

**Published:** September 23, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/shutterstock_274607102-1024x681.jpg)

Food contamination is a constant concern in the United States, especially from imported produce. In normal times, U.S. citizens take for granted the ability to buy bananas in Montana in February. As long as we import food, we must be especially careful to eliminate subtropical and tropical pathogens from our food.

A number of different disease-causing organisms especially put humans at risk; one of these is *Cyclospora cayetanensis.* From May to late August, 2020, more than 1100 laboratory-confirmed cases of food contamination due to Cyclospora (known as cyclosporiasis) were reported in 34 states. In most cases, fresh imported produce, especially greens and vegetables, were identified as likely origins.

Cyclospora is a one-celled parasite that is a natural inhabitant of the tropics and subtropics, where it seems to cause outbreaks that are seasonal in nature. The U.S. cases, however, occurred in people who had not recently visited the tropics before symptoms began.

**THE LIFE CYCLE OF CYCLOSPORA**

Cyclospora is spread by people ingesting food or water contaminated with feces containing Cyclospora oocysts (essentially a thick-walled fertilized ovum). Unlike some similar parasites, however, the oocyst needs time (usually, at least 1–2 weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become infectious. Therefore, it’s unlikely that Cyclospora can be passed directly from one person to another. More likely, the oocysts contaminate crops or water sources.

**SYMPTOMS OF CYCLOSPORIASIS**

Exactly how food and water becomes contaminated with Cyclospora oocysts isn’t fully understood but, once the oocysts “hatch” in the human body, the microbes enter the intestinal wall. Some symptoms then begin to manifest. They start an average of 7 days after ingestion of the infective version of the oocyst and can include the following:

- Watery diarrhea (most common)
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Weight loss
- Cramping
- Bloating, increased gas
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue

A typical case would cause watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Interestingly, some people infected with Cyclospora have no symptoms at all.

If untreated, the illness endures for a few days, but some cases last a month. Some victims experience improvement and then relapse several times during the progress of the infection. Although not life-threatening, long-term fatigue and other problems are a possibility.

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cyclosporiasis-Life-Cycle-large-809x1024.jpg)The Complex Life Cycle of Cyclospora

**TREATMENT**

Once the organism is identified in a stool sample, cyclosporiasis can be effectively treated with the combination [sulfa drug **trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/sulfonamides-sulfa-drugs-in-survival/). The usual regimen for adults is trimethoprim (TMP) 160 mg plus sulfamethoxazole (SMX) 800 mg (one double-strength tablet) twice daily for 7–10 days. The veterinary equivalent is **FISH-SULFA FORTE.** No effective alternatives have been identified yet for those allergic to sulfa drugs. In this case, most immune-competent people will recover without treatment and with good hydration.

**PREVENTION**

Avoiding any food or water that might be contaminated with feces is the best way to prevent infection. Routine chemical disinfection is less effective for Cyclospora than for most other bacteria or parasites.

[Fruit and vegetable handling basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/food-safety-standards-clean-separate-cook-chill/) include:

1)Washing hands with soap and warm water after touching fruits and vegetables. Also, be sure to clean cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops between the preparation of meat, poultry, and seafood and fruits and vegetables.

2)Preparing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Remove any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables. Firm items like cucumbers or melons should be scrubbed with a clean brush dedicated to the purpose.

3)Storing properly by refrigerating cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables within two hours (preferable sooner). Separate the storage of fruits and vegetables and raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

It should be noted that routine chemical disinfection is less effective for Cyclospora than for most other bacteria or parasites. No vaccine exists and immunity isn’t long-term: Recurrence of infection is not uncommon if re-exposed.

(Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) **Center for Food Safety** **and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)** has a special advisory called: [Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables](https://www.fda.gov/food/produce-plant-products-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/guide-minimize-microbial-food-safety-hazards-fact-sheet).

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones

Learn more about food and water contamination in the latest edition of the award-winning [Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2NZB1WIFOA9X2&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1600822765&sprefix=survival+medici,aps,177&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=ec64107d90f3a98f3617a4a01891d232&language=en_US), available at [Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2NZB1WIFOA9X2&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1600822765&sprefix=survival+medici,aps,177&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=ec64107d90f3a98f3617a4a01891d232&language=en_US)and at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Dehydration, Diarrhea, Food, Gardening-Homesteading, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Stomach/Intestinal, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, cyclospora, cyclosporiasis, diarrheal disease, joe alon md, medical preparedness, parasites, sulfa drugs, surviva medicine

---

### [What You Might Not Know About Hand Washing](https://www.doomandbloom.net/what-you-might-not-know-about-hand-washing/)

**Published:** September 28, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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One of the simplest ways to maintain good health is washing your hands. You may feel that [hand washing](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253) doesn’t merit mention in a survival medicine article, but an austere medic’s encouragement of frequent hand-washing in a group can prevent many health issues off-the-grid. Once the power is down, you may not have hot water for showers, but there is still water for hand-washing.

A number of diseases are related to germs that somehow make their way onto your hands. Many of these, like [Salmonella](https://www.doomandbloom.net/7-serious-infections-from-contaminated-food-and-water/) or [E. coli](https://www.doomandbloom.net/7-serious-infections-from-contaminated-food-and-water/), exist in feces. There’s always a risk of microbes in excrement contaminating your hands. You probably wouldn’t be surprised if the contamination came from a dirty diaper, but it can also occur from touching soil or after handling raw meats that may have miniscule amounts of manure on them. Just one gram (1/454th of a pound) of human feces contains up to one trillion bacteria.

Germs can also get on your hands if people touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their faces, a very common occurrence. This leads to respiratory infections and may be a factor in the spread of COVID-19. Diarrheal disease, skin, and eye infections may be caused from microbes passed from hand to mouth, eyes, or small open wounds.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_54203947.jpg)

There are significant health improvements seen in areas that received education on proper hand washing with soap and water. Diarrheal infections were reduced by 23-40 percent. Respiratory illnesses dropped by 16-21 percent. In areas of the world where diarrheal disease and pneumonia are common, 1.8 million children under 5 years old die annually from these two illnesses. It may be inferred that a prolonged disaster setting may place a developed nation into similar circumstances.

Here’s how to wash your hands properly, according to [the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html):

• Wet your hands with clean water (temperature doesn’t matter)

• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with soap (bar or liquid). Be sure to apply soap to the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.

• Rinse your hands well with clean (preferably running) water.

• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.

Soap and water is much better than just using water. A good lather forms pockets called [“**micelles**” ](https://www.chegg.com/learn/chemistry/organic-chemistry/micelles-of-soap)that trap and remove germs, harmful chemicals, and dirt from your hands as you rinse. Running water is best for rinsing organisms off but may not be available in survival scenarios.

Not everyone agrees that cold water works as well as warm. [A chemist and associate professor at Emory University](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/health/soap-warm-water-hand-sanitizer-coronavirus-wellness-scn/index.html) who studies disinfectants says: “Cold water will work, but you have to make sure you work really vigorously to get a lather and get everything soapy and bubbly…Warm water with soap gets a much better lather, more bubbles. It’s an indication that the soap is trying to encapsulate the dirt and the bacteria and the viruses in them.”

Antibacterial soap has not been shown to be superior to regular soap for proper hand-washing; indeed, some chemicals (Triclosan) in antibacterial soaps have been banned.

**When To Wash Your Hands**

You are most likely to spread disease-causing organisms at certain times. The CDC counsels you to wash your hands:

• Before, during, and after preparing food

• Before eating

• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

• Before and after treating an open wound

• After using the toilet

• After changing diapers or cleaning a child who has used the toilet

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

• After handling pet food or pet treats

• After touching garbage

Recommendations are even stricter during infectious disease outbreaks. In the current pandemic, the CDC advises washing hands after being in public places and having touched door handles, tables, counter, gas pumps, shopping carts, and ATMs.

Hand sanitizer is useful for when soap and clean running water isn’t an option. It should contain at least 60% alcohol to kill germs.

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/alton-hand-sanitizer.jpg)

Proper use involves applying the product to the palm of your hand and rubbing your hands together. Cover the back of your hands and between the fingers until dry. Be certain to use enough to completely cover the area.

You should be aware that sanitizers can’t kill every type of microbe. Some that cause diarrhea like [Norovirus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/norovirus-2/), [Cryptosporidium](https://www.doomandbloom.net/summer-crypto-infections/), and Clostridioides difficile are resistant. Hand sanitizers also aren’t effective on visibly dirty or greasy hands and don’t remove harmful chemicals.

Hand washing should be instilled as part of a culture of good hygiene in good times or bad. Wash your hands as an activity with your kids often (and don’t forget a step stool so they can reach the sink!)

Bonus: Here’s a previously-released video about a time when hand washing was considered, well, weird, by the medical community….

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-1024x867.jpg)Dr. Joe Alton

Show your support for our mission by checking out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: "Safe Six"?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-safe-six/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, bacterial disease, COVID-19, Diarrhea, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Joe Alton MD, Medical Preparedness, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Viruses

**Tags:** hand hygiene, hand sanitizers, hand washing, joe alton md, medical preparedness, soap and water, survival medicine

---

### [Soft Tissue Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/soft-tissue-infections/)

**Published:** October 26, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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All injuries carry a risk of infection. When the skin is breached, various microbes can invade and cause damage. Inflammation in soft tissues known as “**[cellulitis](https://www.healthline.com/health/cellulitis)**” may develop when bacteria enter through a crack or break in your skin. Fortunately, infections from minor wounds are relatively easy to treat today due to the availability of antibiotics. Without them, any bacteria may become life-threatening if it enters the circulation.

If germs invade the soft tissues below the superficial level of the skin (the “**epidermis**”), they can rapidly infect the main layers of soft tissue below. These include the deep layer of the skin (the “**dermis**”), the subcutaneous fat, the muscle layers, and various blood vessels and nerves.

Cellulitis may be easy to deal with in normal times, but it will be an epidemic in the aftermath of a major disaster. This is not because it’s contagious; it isn’t unless you have an open wound yourself or exchange bodily fluids. Expect cases simply because of the sheer number of injuries incurred from performing activities of daily survival in less than sanitary conditions.

Without antibiotics, infections can spread to lymph nodes and the bloodstream, rapidly becoming life-threatening. The end result might affect the entire body, referred to as “**[sepsis](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351214#:~:text=Sepsis%20is%20a%20potentially%20life,can%20damage%20multiple%20organ%20systems.)**.” Once sepsis develops, inflammation of deep structures like the spinal cord (“**meningitis**”) or bone marrow (“**osteomyelitis**”) can further complicate the situation. In the past, sepsis was usually fatal.

The bacteria that can cause cellulitis are on your skin right now. Normal inhabitants of the surface of your skin include Staphylococcus and Group A Streptococcus. They do no harm until the skin is broken and they enter deeper tissues where they don’t belong. In recent years, a resistant bacterium called **[MRSA](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375340)** (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) has arisen which causes cellulitis resistant to the usual antibiotics.

As an aside, Cellulitis has nothing to do with the dimpling on the skin called “cellulite”. The suffix “-itis” simply means “inflammation”, so cellul-itis simply means “inflammation of the cells.”

The signs and symptoms of cellulitis must be recognized as early as possible. They include:

- Discomfort in the area of infection
- Fever and Chills
- Exhaustion (fatigue)
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Muscle aches (myalgia)
- Heat in the area of the infection compared to non-affected areas
- Redness, usually spreading towards torso
- Swelling in the area of infection (often appearing shiny and causing a sensation of tightness)
- Drainage of pus or cloudy fluid from the area of the infection
- Foul odor coming from the area of infection
- Hair loss at the site of infection (less common)
- Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over it (less common)

Cellulitis commonly occurs in an extremity, such as a leg. In these cases, it’s helpful to keep the limb elevated. Other strategies include warm or cool compresses or soaks to the affected area, and the use of ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to decrease pain, discomfort, and fever.

Although the body can sometimes resolve cellulitis on its own, treatment usually includes the use of antibiotics. These can be topical, oral, or intravenous. Topical therapy helps more to prevent infection than cure it.

As most cases of cellulitis are caused by bacteria, they should improve and disappear during a 7-14-day course of therapy with medications in the Penicillin, Erythromycin, or Cephalosporin (Keflex) families. Amoxicillin and ampicillin are particularly popular. MRSA cellulitis can be treated with clindamycin and the sulfa drug combination of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMX-TMP). It’s important to complete the full course of therapy.

Adult dosing:

-Penicillin, amoxicillin, cephalexin, or ampicillin 250-500 mg orally four times a day for 7-14 days (Amoxicillin also comes in 875 mg).

-Clindamycin 150-300 mg orally three times a day for 7-10 days.

-SMX 800 mg-TMX 160 mg orally twice a day for 7-10 days.

Those allergic to penicillins can still take clindamycin or SMX-TMP. It should be noted that not all sources will recommend the same dosage, frequency, and duration of therapy for a particular drug. In resistant infections like MRSA, combination therapy with SMX/TMP and Cephalexin 500 mg orally four times a day for 7-14 days may be necessary.

As with all medications, the longer the therapy and the higher the dose, the more likelihood that adverse reactions may occur. A much more comprehensive discussion of antibiotics can be found in [Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease](https://www.amazon.com/Altons-Antibiotics-Infectious-Disease-Antibacterials/dp/057841452X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=R60P5OZR3IZV&dchild=1&keywords=alton's+antibiotics+and+infectious+disease&qid=1603722048&sprefix=alton's+anti,aps,180&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=cf25b1f93296aa4ba85ff06ac857f64c&language=en_US): The Layman’s Guide, or online at [drugs.com](https://www.drugs.com/) and [rxlist.com](https://www.rxlist.com/drugs/alpha_a.htm).

All the drugs mentioned above are available in [veterinary equivalents](https://fishmoxfishflex.com/) (at least at present). In a survival situation, however, antibiotics will be precious commodities. You, as medic, should dispense them only when absolutely necessary. The misuse of antibiotics, along with their excessive use in livestock, is part of the reason that we’re seeing an epidemic of antibiotic resistance in this country.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Joe-Alton-MD-in-office-during-Podcast-1024x768.jpg)Joe Alton, MD

Fill those holes in your medical supplies by checking out Nurse Amy’s entire line of one-of-a-kind medical kits and personal protection gear at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/compact-medical-kit-1024x795.jpg)](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)Even our smallest kits can still handle a lot of issues: Grab N Go(r) Compact Kit by Doom and Bloom Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Bear Encounters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bear-encounters/) 

 [Video: Microplastics In Ocean Waters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-microplastics-in-ocean-waters/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, bacterial disease, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Skin issues, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Wound Care

**Tags:** cellulitis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, MRSA, skin infections, soft tissue infections, staph and strep, survival medicine, wound infection

---

### [Bear Encounters](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bear-encounters/)

**Published:** November 7, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The Great Outdoors is a place of beauty and wonder, but there are dangers as well. In encounters with large animals, it pays to know what to do when you encounter them on or off the grid.

At present, we’re in our mountain home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the area’s iconic mascot, the black bear, is a common sight. So common, in fact, that our yard is part of their daily circuit.

Bears are mammals of the family *[Ursidae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear)*, and I’ll bet you don’t know what their closest living relative is: Dogs? Nope, it’s seals. There are a number of species of bear in North America, but the American black bear is the one that’s present just about anywhere in the U.S. About 2000 live in the Great Smoky Mountains area; many of them have become very accustomed to humans.

Black and brown/grizzly bears eat more plant matter than meat, opportunistically taking in whatever they can find. Poor crops of staple foods like acorns, called mast, result in bears moving out of the back country to look for alternative food sources, like your campsite or suburban trash. Even though black bears are only 8 ounces when they’re born, males (also known as boars) can wear 400 pounds. Grizzly newborns weigh a pound, but boars may reach 650-700 pounds in their prime. In Alaska, male brown bears commonly reach 1000 pounds!

**Black bears vs Grizzly bears**

In the [Great Smoky Mountains National Park](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm), there are only black bears. In the American and Canadian West, brown or grizzly bears are also encountered. ”Grizzly,” refers to white-tipped hair on the back and shoulders of brown bears. While their diet, habitat, and many behaviors are similar, there are ways to tell the difference between them:

- Despite the names brown/grizzly and black, color isn’t always one of them. For instance, grizzlies may be blonde to almost black. From a distance, a grizzly bear may appear to have darker legs and lighter upper parts. Black bears, as well, aren’t always black. They can be brown, cinnamon, or patchy.
- Body size is also not a reliable indicator for identifying bears in the West. A typical adult female grizzly weighs 300-400 pounds and adult males weigh 300-650 pounds. An adult black bear may not only weigh the same as a female grizzly but also be about the same height (3–4 feet at the shoulder).
- Grizzly bears have a prominent shoulder hump between the front shoulders, which is visible from the side. Black bears have no shoulder hump.
- A grizzly typically has a concave that extends from between its “brow” to the end of its nose. A black bear normally has an almost straight profile from forehead to nose.
- Grizzly bears have smaller, more rounded ears in proportion to their head size. Black bears have larger ears that are more pointed and erect.
- Grizzly bears have curved, often light-colored claws that can be longer than a person’s finger. Black bears have darker claws that are usually less than two inches long.
- The tracks of a grizzly’s front feet are squarer than that of a black bear. A black bear front track is more rounded.

**Bear Encounters**

The National Park Service says that each bear encounter is unique; there is no single strategy that will work in all situations. To prevent injuries from bear encounters, situational awareness is the order of the day. Be especially careful in areas where bears are active. In national parks, signs are placed at trailheads where bear encounters have been documented. Watch for disturbed trash, fresh tracks, droppings, and of course, actual bears.

Some basic advice: Don’t hike alone. Whenever possible you should hike in groups, 90% of people injured by bears (mostly grizzlies) in Yellowstone National Park were alone or with only one other hiking partner.

You might think it’s not smart to yell “Any bear out there?” or sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the trail, but bears don’t like noise and it’s actually a pretty good strategy. This is especially appropriate when traveling near babbling brooks or other settings where normal hiking noises might be muffled. Just don’t do it with a hamburger or hot dog in your hand.

When you see a bear, it will, hopefully, be at a distance: If so, and the bear doesn’t see you, keep out of sight and go slowly behind and downwind of it. If the bear *does* see you from far away, slowly retreat.

**Accidental Encounters**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bear-and-shadow-1024x683.jpg)Local black bear – view from deck

You’re just as likely to come upon a bear as it is to come upon you. Avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or at night. These are times that bears are most active in warm weather months.

Bear, like humans, have a need for personal space. If you happen upon a bear, don’t approach it, even to get a photo; give it as much room as possible. This advice is often foolhardily ignored by tourists.

If your encounter with the bear on the trail is up close and personal, or if it wanders into your campsite, identify yourself as a human by speaking calmly in a monotone voice.

Try to look as large as possible. If in a group, stay close together. Pick up small children immediately.

Back away slowly in the opposite direction. Walk, don’t run. Keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react, but [avoid direct eye contact](https://www.nps.gov/articles/bearfindsme.htm) (considered an act of aggression). In most cases, the bear will move on.

(Note: [The National Park Service (NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm) recommends moving away sideways, reasoning that you are less likely to trip than walking backwards. This is certainly true, but there’s not much room to move sideways if you’re on trails. Although the NPS says to avoid eye contact and not shout, [other sites actually recommend direct eye contact and loud noises](http://westernwildlife.org/black-bear-outreach-project/black-bear-safety/), in the hopes that it will intimidate the bear.)

Keep your backpack on; it might provide protection if you’re attacked. If you are camping, be sure to store your food well out of reach.

**Defensive Encounters**

A bear that feels threatened may act defensively if you get too close. It may snap its jaws, huff, hiss, growl, yawn, or swat the ground while blowing and snorting. The bear may lunge or “bluff charge” toward you in an attempt to get you to leave the area. This is most likely with a mother protecting cubs. Once a bear has noticed you and is paying attention to you, additional strategies to the above can help prevent the situation from escalating.

Some western parks require[ pepper spray](https://www.outsideonline.com/2398108/bear-spray-guide) for campers and hikers; know how to use it. Try to de-escalate the situation by talking calmly, so the bear knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still and stand your ground. Running might activate a chase response in the animal. Wave your arms and appear as large as possible.

The bear may stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually more curious than anything else. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.

**Bear Attacks**

Most bears are only interested in protecting their space, getting food, and protecting their young. A bear in predatory mode will act differently than a curious or defensive one. If the bear follows you quietly, head low, ears laid back, and its attention clearly directed at you, it is more than just curious and not acting defensively. Make yourself appear larger, louder, and threatening. Groups should stick together to look like a bigger threat.

If the bear attacks, don’t run. [You can’t outrun a bear](https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/yell/vol14-1-2a.htm). Don’t climb a tree unless you’re a squirrel. You’re not 10 years old anymore; it takes longer than you think and your pursuer is a very good climber.

As the bear approaches, stand your ground and have your pepper spray out. Note the wind direction and adjust your position so the spray doesn’t fly back at you. Be sure the safety is off. Aim for the face and start spraying when the bear is within 25-30 feet away. Although it is most effective at 5-10 feet, the initial whiff further away may discourage the attack. If not, continue spraying until the can is empty. Note that there is a tendency to recoil upward, but you must spray downward to hit your target.

Although predatory bear attacks are rare, you should know what to do if physical contact is made. The National Park Service recommends different actions for different species of bear:

**Grizzly Bears:** With grizzlies, fighting back may intensify the fury of their attack. If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and play dead. Lay flat on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck and your forearms protecting your face. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. A persistent attack or an attack in your tent may leave you no choice but to fight back. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.

**Black Bears:** When a black bear physically attacks, the rangers recommend you *don’t* play dead. Be aggressive and fight back using any object available, concentrating on inflicting trauma to the bear’s face, eyes, and snout.

Assuming you survive the attack, you may have bleeding wounds. Make sure your backpack has dressings, tourniquets, antiseptics, and other supplies needed for treating wounds. Here’s part 1 of a video series on dealing with animal bites.

Studies have shown that bears accustomed to humans never live as long a life as truly wild bears. Bears lose their fear of people by being fed by them. As a result, many of these are hit by cars or end up euthanized. Remember this: A bear that’s fed is a bear that’s dead.

Joe Alton, MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/UphillClimbJoe-e1419372107924.jpg)Joe Alton MD

Can’t bear to be without a good medical kit? Check out Nurse Amy’s entire line over at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Asthma In Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asthma-in-survival/) 

 [Soft Tissue Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/soft-tissue-infections/)

**Categories:** Animal Bites, Animal Encounters, Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** bear attacks, bear encounters, black bears, brown bears, grizzly bears, joe alton md, medical preparedness, national park service, survival medicine

---

### [Understanding Asthma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/understanding-asthma/)

**Published:** February 24, 2016
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**[Asthma](https://www.asthma.com/about-asthma.html?cc=p1113c00145:e1:d1:w1:p25&pid=357911&rotation=71700000006616305&banner=58700000273982783&kw=4640953572&bing=e_)** is a chronic condition that limits your ability to breathe. It affects the airways, which are the tubes that transport air to your lungs. When people with asthma are exposed to a substance to which they are allergic (an “**[allergen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergen)**”), airways become swollen and filled with mucus. As a result, air can’t pass through to reach the part of the lungs that absorbs oxygen (the “**[alveoli](https://lungcancer.about.com/od/glossary/g/alveoli.htm)**”).

During an episode of asthma, you will develop shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, and start to wheeze and cough. This is referred to as an “[**asthma attack**](https://www.webmd.com/asthma/default.htm)”. In rare situations, the airways can become so constricted that a person could suffocate from lack of air.

Here are common allergens that trigger an asthmatic attack:

• Pet or wild animal dander
• Dust or the excrement of dust mites
• Mold and mildew
• Smoke
• Pollen
• Severe stress
• Pollutants in the air
• Some medicines
• Exercise

There are many myths associated with asthma; the below are just some:

• Asthma is contagious. (False)

• You will grow out of it. (False; it might become dormant for a time but you are always at risk for it returning)

• It’s all in your mind. (False)

• If you move to a new area, your asthma will go away. (False; it may go away for a while, but eventually you will become sensitized to something else and it will likely return)

Here’s a “true” myth: Asthma is, indeed, hereditary. If both parents have asthma, you have a 70% chance of developing it compared to only 6% if neither parent has it.

### **Physical signs and symptoms of asthma**

Asthmatic symptoms may be different from attack to attack and from individual to individual. Some of the symptoms are also seen in heart conditions and other respiratory illnesses, so it’s important to make the right diagnosis. Symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Wheezing (usually sudden)
• Chest tightness (sometimes confused with coronary artery spasms/heart attack)
• Rapid pulse rate and respiration rate
• Anxiety

Besides these main symptoms, there are others that are signals of a life-threatening episode. If you notice that your patient has become “cyanotic”, they are in trouble. Someone with **cyanosis** will have a blue/gray color to their lips, fingertips, and face.

You might also notice that it takes longer for them to exhale than to inhale. As an asthma attack worsens, wheezing may take on a higher pitch. Once the patient has spent enough time without adequate oxygen, they will become confused, drowsy, and possibly lose consciousness.

To make the diagnosis, use your stethoscope to listen to the lungs on both sides. Make sure that you listen closely to the bottom, middle, and top lung areas.

In a mild asthmatic attack, you will hear relatively loud, musical noises when the patient breathes for you. As the asthma worsens, less air is passing through the airways and the pitch of the wheezes will be higher and perhaps not as loud. If no air is passing through, you will hear nothing, not even when you ask the patient to inhale forcibly. This person may become cyanotic.

Sometimes a person might become so anxious that they become short of breath and think they are having an asthma attack. To resolve this question, you can measure how open the airways are with a simple diagnostic instrument known as a **[peak flow meter](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/peak-flow-meter/basics/definition/PRC-20013057)**. A peak flow meter measures the ability of your lungs to expel air, a major problem for an asthmatic. It can help you identify if a patient’s cough is part of an asthma attack or whether they are, instead, having a panic attack or other issue.

To determine what is normal for a member of your group, you should first document a peak flow measurement when they are feeling well. Have your patient purse their lips over the mouthpiece of the peak flow meter and forcefully exhale into it. Now you know their baseline measurement. If they develop shortness of breath, have them blow into it again.

In moderate asthma, peak flow will be reduced 20-40%. Greater than 50% is a sign of a severe episode. In a non-asthma related cough or upper respiratory infection, peak flow measurements will be close to normal. The same goes for a panic attack; even though you may feel short of breath, your peak flow measurement is still about normal.

In our next article, we’ll discuss conventional and alternative ways to treat asthma.

Joe Alton, MD

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Learn about asthma and other respiratory problems in the Amazon bestseller “[The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide-When/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456334006&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook)“, with over 275 5-star reviews!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Asthma, Zika, Fukushima 5 years later, more](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-asthma-zika-fukushima-5-years-later-more/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Sleep Deprivation, Burns, Zika, More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-sleep-deprivation-burns-zika-more/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Asthma, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic

**Tags:** airways, asthma, asthma attack, cyanosis, joe alton md, medical preparedness, panic attack, peak flow meter, survival medicine

---

### [Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stab-wounds/)

**Published:** December 21, 2019
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**[STAB WOUND MANAGEMENT](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1TVAJKTHEO60Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1600187610&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,176&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=08839d83fd4ce8d589635faddd26c098&language=en_US)**

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1416324827-768x1024.jpg)Stab wound to backAny disaster puts your people at risk for injury. Wounds caused by sharp objects can be life-threatening, depending on the organs and blood vessels damaged.

Stab wounds are a type of penetrating trauma, which is further divided into perforating and non-perforating injuries. A perforating wound is one in which the object causing the damage goes into one side of the body and then exits through the other side. A wound from .223 or NATO .556 would, commonly, be an example of perforating trauma.

Bullets and other high-speed projectiles cause damage not only from the act of penetration, but also the shock wave produced as the bullet passes through the body. Luckily, low speed projectiles such as knives will not do this. Your concerns are related specifically to the area of entry and the structures located directly in the path of the offending instrument.

Stab wounds are an example of a non-perforating wound: the projectile causing the damage enters the body and either stays there or exits where it entered. Some sharp instruments could possibly do this, say a crossbow bolt or a spearhead, but let’s assume that you’ll be unlikely to see these.

With stab wounds, blood loss and failure of damaged organs will be the major issue. A little about blood: Blood carries oxygen to the tissues and organs and removes waste products. It is made up of several components, including:

- Red blood cells: These cells carry oxygen to body tissues.
- White blood cells: These cells work to, among other things, fight infection and disease.
- Platelets and other clotting factors: These allow blood to coagulate and lessen blood loss.
- Plasma: A yellowish liquid in which the above are suspended.

Your immediate action upon encountering a victim of a wound with a sharp instrument may save their life. The heart takes less than one minute to pump blood to the entire body; if the circulatory system is breached, blood loss becomes life-threatening very quickly.

180 lb. (about 70 kg.) adult males have approximately 9-10 pints (about 5 liters) of blood in their body. Athletes and those living at very high altitudes may have more. You can’t afford to lose more than 40% of total blood volume without needing major resuscitation. To get an idea of how much blood this is, empty a 2 liter bottle of fruit punch or cranberry juice on the floor. You’ll be surprised at how much fluid that represents.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ACS-classes-of-hemorrhage-bleeding.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1TVAJKTHEO60Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1600187610&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,176&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=08839d83fd4ce8d589635faddd26c098&language=en_US)

Hemorrhage (bleeding) is classified by the American College of Surgeons (of which I am a Fellow) as follows:

**Class I:**  Hemorrhage is less or equal to 15% of blood volume (1.5 pints/3/4 liter) in an average adult male. A person donating 1 pint of blood is giving slightly less than 0.5 liters, for example. At this level there are almost no signs or symptoms, although some may feel vaguely faint.

**Class II:**  Hemorrhage is 15 to 30% loss of total blood volume (2-3 pints/1-1.5 liters). The body tries to compensate at this point with, among other things, a faster heartbeat to speed oxygen to tissues. This patient will appear pale and skin will be cool. They will feel weak.

**Class III:** Hemorrhage is 30 to 40% loss of blood (3-4 pints/1.5-2 liters). At this point, the heart will be beating very quickly and is straining to get enough oxygen to tissues and blood pressure is low. Smaller blood vessels in extremities are constricting to keep the body core circulation going. This patient will be confused, pale, and in hypovolemic (low blood volume) shock. Blood transfusion is usually necessary.

**Class IV:** Hemorrhage is more than 40% of total blood volume (greater than 4 pints/2 liters). The heart can no longer maintain blood pressure and circulation. Without major resuscitative help at this point, organs will fail and the patient will likely be comatose and die.

If you’re attending to an actively bleeding wound from a sharp object, you will need a level head and quick action. This is, sometimes, not as easy as it sounds; most people not accustomed to dealing with these issues on a daily basis will experience a type of paralysis that may waste precious time. If you can, contact emergency services immediately.

In the meantime, follow these steps:

**[Stab Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-admin/post.php?post=14735&action=edit)**

[![Direct Pressure on Bleeding Wound](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-NEWJOE-IMG_0249-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1TVAJKTHEO60Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1600187610&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,176&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=08839d83fd4ce8d589635faddd26c098&language=en_US)Bleeding wound

- Assess the safety of the situation. Make sure the situation is secure; it makes no sense for you to become the next casualty.
- Put on gloves if possible. Your hands are full of bacteria and you will reduce the risk of infection by doing so. Non-latex (nitrile) gloves are superior in avoiding allergic reactions to latex, more commonly seen than you’d think. If no gloves are available, plastic bags/wrap or, at least, hand sanitizers/soap will be useful if you have to touch the wound with bare hands.
- Verify the victim’s breathing and mental status. Clear airways if obstructed and determine if they are alert enough to help you by following commands.
- Remove clothing carefully to fully inspect the wound and identify other injuries. Make sure that you have a bandage scissors or EMT shears in your medical pack.
- Apply pressure with [some type of dressing](), even your shirt if necessary. Most non-arterial bleeding will stop with steady pressure on the wound. If the sharp instrument is in place and help is on the way, place pressure down on either side towards the blade to prevent it from slipping out. It may be providing pressure on damaged blood vessels and decreasing the bleeding. Stabilize the wound in place with dressings or in any way you can.
- If one dressing doesn’t work, place additional dressings on top (an exception is special blood-clotting gauze, discussed below). If there is no chance of emergency services reaching you long-term, you may have to remove it at one point or another. Don’t do this unless you are where the bulk of your medical supplies are.
- Elevate the feet above the level of the heart and head (the “**shock position**”) to increase blood flow to the brain. If the wound is to the abdomen, bend the knees instead.
- Lift the injured area above the heart (for example, an arm). Make it more difficult to pump blood out of the body.
- Some recommend applying additional pressure with your other hand to major arteries about the level of the wound (especially for extremities). These areas are called “*pressure points*”. For example, a major artery (the popliteal artery) is found behind the knee. Pressure here might decrease bleeding from a lower leg wound. There is an entire map of pressure points for most parts of the body, but a working knowledge of their locations is needed to be effective.
- Apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Our experience in Iraq and Afghanistan shows that tourniquets, when used as a first course of action, save lives in cases of severe or arterial hemorrhage. If you are transporting a patient to a modern medical facility, make sure you mark a “T” on the victim’s forehead or otherwise notify emergency personnel of the location and the length of time the tourniquet has been in place. (see [Nurse Amy’s YouTube videos on the principles of tourniquet use and also how to use individual tourniquets appropriately](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7rpYtlPtK0WRIoItcfwTkkBIOeAqVfAi)).
- In cases of heavy bleeding, the use of special blood clotting dressings such as Quikclot, Celox, or ChitoSam is effective. We keep these products in all our medical packs, even individual first aid kits. Remove saturated bandages and place a hemostatic gauze directly on the bleeding vessel for 3 minutes. It should be noted that the maximum time allotted for a hemostatic gauze to remain in place is 24 hours.
- Secure everything with a pressure dressing, of which there are various on the market. The Israeli Battle Dressing, known as The Emergency Bandage in the U.S., can apply up to 30 pounds of pressure if used properly.
- Keep the victim warm: Throw a blanket or a coat over them. If help is coming, keep them as still and calm as possible to avoid further bleeding. Monitor breathing, pulses, and mental status.
- An unconscious patient should be placed in the “recovery position”. This will, among other things, allow fluid to drain from airways and help them breathe.
- If a tourniquet is on, should you loosen it from time to time? You may be tempted to do this, but it can cause further bleeding. Transition from tourniquet within 2 hours to a hemostatic gauze and a pressure bandage only when no help is available in higher medical facilities.

![Image of Hemostatic Gauzes](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Hemostatic-gauze-chitosam-celox-and-combat-gauze-quikclot-group-image.jpg)Different hemostatic gauze options shown: ChitoSam, QuikClot and Celox

Once bleeding is under control, your goal is to clean the wound thoroughly and dress it. Wound closure may be an option in some cases, but most back-country stab wounds will be dirty and should be left open (subject of another article).

All of the above may not be necessary if you practice preventative measures. In other words, don’t run with scissors. With some foresight, you may be able to avoid a mishap that could turn into a tragedy.

Joe Alton MD

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Don’t let those HSA and FSA accounts go unused! Check out Nurse Amy’s FSA/HSA-eligible first aid kits at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)! You’ll be glad you did…

![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Group-Medical-Bags-1024x765.jpg)Just some of the medical kits from Doom and Bloom/Grab n Go

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Third-Edition-2016-with-Book-Excellence-Award1.png)](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1TVAJKTHEO60Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1600187610&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,176&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=08839d83fd4ce8d589635faddd26c098&language=en_US)Find our [books on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=1TVAJKTHEO60Q&dchild=1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook&qid=1600187610&sprefix=survival+medicine,aps,176&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=08839d83fd4ce8d589635faddd26c098&language=en_US) or at our store!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast #376: Q & A](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-376-q-a/)

**Categories:** Bleeding Wound, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Hemorrhage, Injuries, Joe Alton MD, Mass Casualties, Medical Preparedness, Natural Disasters, Survival Medic, survival medicine, Terror events, Tourniquets, Wound Care

**Tags:** hemorrhage, joe alton md, sharp wound management, stab wounds, survival medicine

---

### [Seizure Disorders](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seizure-disorders-2/)

**Published:** November 28, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[**Epilepsy**](https://www.epilepsy.com/) is a group of nerve disorders characterized by episodes known as “[**seizures**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure)” or “convulsions.” Seizures occur when the brain’s electrical system misfires. Instead of sending out signals in a controlled manner, a surge of haphazard energy goes through the brain. These abnormal signals can cause involuntary muscle contractions, loss of bladder control, and changes in mental status. A person who has convulsions is sometimes called an “epileptic”. At least 50 percent of epilepsy cases are “**idiopathic**”, that is, without a known cause.

Seizures may range from being almost undetectable to long periods of violent shaking. A person having a seizure may seem confused or look like they are staring at something that isn’t there. Severe seizures can cause a person to fall, quiver, and become unaware of what’s going on around them. If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, it is called “[status epilepticus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_epilepticus)” and may result in permanent damage.

In the last few years, a [new classification](https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2016/12/2017-revised-classification-seizures) of seizure disorders has been instituted. For example, the time span for status epilepticus was previously 30 minutes. The basic types of convulsive disorders have also changed. They are now called generalized and focal (once called partial). **Focal seizures** involve a particular area on one side of the brain. **Generalized seizures** start on both sides of the brain or, at least, quickly affect networks of brain cells on both sides.

Having said that, the classic definition of certain types of seizures remains easier to understand and identify:

**Grand Mal seizures**: This type, now called “**tonic-clonic seizures**,” is what most people associate with epilepsy. Loss of consciousness, bladder control, and sometimes violent shaking and jerking is seen. Strange sensations known as “**[auras](https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/epilepsy-auras)**” (smells, colors, etc.) may herald an upcoming convulsion. They may present as:

- An unusual smell or taste.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Twitching of a finger or other body part.
- A wave-like sensation passing through the head.
- Visual hallucinations, like colors or flashing lights.
- A feeling of intense fear or other emotion.

Once the convulsion has passed, the victim is usually lethargic for a time. This is referred to as the “post-ictal state.”

**Petit Mal seizures**: Not associated with violent, involuntary spasms, Petit Mal seizures (also called “**absence” seizures** because the victim is mentally absent), can present as a momentary loss of concentration or even consciousness. Blank staring or repetitive movements like lip-smacking may be noted. Some patients experience auras before an episode.

Other variations of generalized seizures include “**atonic**” seizures, where there is a sudden and complete loss of muscle tone, like a sack of potatoes. There is often a deficit in consciousness as well, but the entire episode lasts no more than about 15 seconds. The opposite might be the “**myoclonic**” seizure, where the shaking and jerking of a Grand Mal seizure occurs, but without the loss of consciousness. The risk of injury from either of these is as significant as with a Grand-Mal.

**Focal seizures**, also known as “partial” or “Jacksonian” seizures, are caused by abnormal signals from one part of the brain. They may involve involuntary shaking of just one limb or other specific behaviors. Occasionally preceded by auras, simple focal seizures don’t involve loss of consciousness, while complex focal seizure do.

Variations of focal seizures may involve localized spasms, twitching, or even emotional outbursts, with or without awareness of the situation.

There are various causes of convulsive disorders, such as:

- High fever (in children, mostly)
- Head injury
- Meningitis (Infection of the central nervous system)
- Stroke
- Brain tumors
- Genetic predisposition

In an austere setting, there won’t be sophisticated equipment such as EEGs (electroencephalograms) and brain scans, so you will have to watch for symptoms to identify the problem. It is important to know that one seizure does not make someone an epileptic. At least two witnessed episodes are required to be certain. In some cases (especially in childhood seizures associated with fevers), a person might even “outgrow” the condition.

In addition to auras that give some warning an attack may be imminent, there are triggers which sometimes cause a convulsion. A good example is a bright flashing light. Avoidance of these triggers will decrease the number of episodes.

The most important aspect of treatment, if intravenous medication is not available, will be to prevent the patient from injuring themselves during an attack. A tongue depressor with gauze taped around it and placed in the mouth was once a standard recommendation, but caused injuries to both the patient and the rescuer. Keep everything away from the patient’s mouth (especially your fingers).

You shouldn’t restrain the person physically, but remove nearby objects that could cause injury. An exception is if the patient is standing when the seizure starts. In this case, grab the patient and gently lower them to the floor. Placing them in the CPR **“[recovery” position](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/first-aid/recovery-position/)** will help keep their airway open and avoid aspirating vomit or other fluids down the windpipe.

Do not give oral fluids or medications to an epileptic after a seizure until they are fully awake and alert. If the convulsion is caused by a fever, as in children, cool them down with wet compresses, but don’t let shivering begin (it causes the body to raise the internal temperature again). Anyone in your survival group with a convulsive disorder should work towards stockpiling their medicine. Popular oral drugs are phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproic acid (Depakote), and diazepam (Valium). Injectable diazepam, if available, would be effective in treating status epilepticus. Emphasize the importance of stockpiling extra medications in cases of natural disaster or other emergencies to all group members.

Natural alternatives have long been claimed to decrease the frequency and severity of convulsions. Many vitamins and herbal supplements have a sedative effect, which calms the brain’s electrical energy. They may be taken as a tea (1 teaspoon of the herb steeped in a cup of water) or as a tincture (an extract with grain alcohol). Here are some that have been reported as beneficial for prevention or to decrease the frequency of episodes:

- Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- Kava (Piper methysticum) – (too much may damage your liver)
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis
- Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis),
- Vitamin B12 supplements
- Vitamin E supplements

Proponents of the [ketogenic diet](https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/dietary-therapies/ketogenic-diet), which restricts carbohydrates, is thought to decrease the frequency of childhood epileptic episodes in those resistant to standard drugs. It provides 3 to 4 grams of fat for every 1 gram of carbohydrate and protein. It may prove useful for the adult epileptic as well.

Joe Alton MD

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Hey, fill those holes in your survival medical storage with quality medical kits and supplies from our entire line at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/). Use those FSA/HSA account funds in our [special eligible section](https://store.doomandbloom.net/hsa-and-fsa-eligible-first-aid-kits/)!

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [When A Person Faints](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-person-faints/) 

 [Hypothermia in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hypothermia-in-austere-settings/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Natural Remedies, Seizures/Fainting

**Tags:** atonic seizures, epilepsy, grand mal, joe alton md, medical preparedness, Myoclonic seizures, seizure disorders, status epilepticus, tonic-clonic

---

### [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ivermectin, Winter Depression](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ivermectin-winter-depression/)

**Published:** December 23, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/christmas-tree-2019-13-1024x768.jpg)

We’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of my original article “A New Pneumonia”, where I wrote about a strange new virus that had sickened 60 people in a place called Wuhan, China. That was Jan.7th, before anyone died or they even had a name for the pathogen we now know as SARS-Cov2. Now, almost into 2021, the virus will still be an issue well into 2021 and some places are at maximum lockdown. Ivermectin is considered a new option by some, is it the real thing or a flash in the pan? Dr. Joe Alton explains all you need to know.

Also, Nurse Amy Alton worries about our listeners with depression due to cold weather and gray skies, as well as Christmas “blues”. She talks about what to do if tough times are getting you down, with natural remedies and lifestyle advice.

All this and more on the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alto, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

To Listen in, click below:

Wishing you the Happiest of Christmases and the healthiest of New Years!

Joe and Amy Alton

Check out our store at [store.doomandbloom.net!](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Video: Ivermectin for COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-ivermectin-for-covid-19/) 

 [Ivermectin for COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ivermectin-for-covid-19/)

**Categories:** COVID-19, depression and anxiety, Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast

**Tags:** amy alton arnp, christmas blues, COVID-19, ivermectin, joe alton md, winter depression

---

### [Ivermectin for COVID-19?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ivermectin-for-covid-19/)

**Published:** December 23, 2020
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/shutterstock_1655650486-1024x469.jpg)we’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of my original article “[A New Pneumonia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/a-new-pneumonia/)”, where I wrote about a strange new virus that had sickened 60 people in a place called Wuhan, China. That was Jan.7th, before anyone died or they even had a name for the pathogen we now know as SARS-Cov2.

(I also wrote early articles in January and February like “[If you’re not wearing a mask, you’re nuts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-youre-not-wearing-a-mask-youre-nuts/)”, and “[If COVID isn’t a pandemic, I don’t know what is](https://www.doomandbloom.net/if-covid-19-isnt-a-pandemic-i-dont-know-what-is/)”.)

Now, we’re heading into the winter season at [79 million cases ](https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)worldwide, and 1.8 million deaths. Usually, the flu causes the most problems this time of year, but seems to be almost non-existent as people have taken personal safety precautions seriously. Still, COVID-19 is likely to continue due to its high transmission rate, and is going to be part of our lives for another year.

Most of you know me as the doctor that recommended the storing of certain [fish antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-case-for-fish-antibiotics/) for scenarios where there is no longer a functioning medical infrastructure. That qualified me, in the eyes of some in the medical establishment, as certifiably insane. But my mission, after all these years, is still to put a survival medic in every family and prevent every avoidable death off the grid. For that, medics need a high level of suspicion as well as tools in the woodshed, like antibiotics for bacterial infections and personal protection gear.

We always get lots of questions about what you can do to obtain a supply of different medicines in times of trouble. For COVID-19, the latest is called [ivermectin](https://www.rxlist.com/stromectol-drug.htm). Is ivermectin an effective option and can you find it without a prescription?

What is [ivermectin](https://www.drugs.com/cdi/ivermectin-systemic.html)? It’s a drug used in oral form to deal with parasitic infections you’ve never heard of, like strongyloides and onchocerciasis, and in topical ointment to deal with things you have heard of, like [scabies](https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/health_professionals/meds.html), which is different, by the way, than [crabs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/being-nitpicky-about-lice/). It’s an ingredient in [Heartguard](https://heartgard.com/) for small pets and available online in a number of equine and food-producing livestock versions.

Ivermectin has recently gotten a lot of attention as a drug that could prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and treat the symptoms in those infected with SARS-CoV2. Some of the attention is positive, some negative, and it’s all reminiscent of the hydroxychloroquine controversy earlier in the year.

A number of foreign studies, like one in Australia, found that ivermectin had a good effect against SARS-CoV2 *in vitro*, that is, in test tubes and agar plates, and not on animals nor humans. A couple of weeks ago, results started to come more and more frequently from small studies done on humans everywhere from South Florida to Bangladesh; they all seem to confirm the potential of ivermectin against COVID.

In another study, hospitalized Covid-19 patients that received a five-day course of 12 mg daily did better than patients on placebo. The drug alone was superior to combinations of the drug given as a single dose with antibiotics like doxycycline. the five-day ivermectin group were 77 percent more likely to have viral clearance on day 14. The usual dose for ivermectin, by the way, is 0.2 mg per kilogram. One kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.

In [South Florida](https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(20)34898-4/fulltext), a study performed in the spring but released in October included 280 hospitalized patients, of which 173 received ivermectin and 107 didn’t. These were four Broward Health hospitals, one of which I rotated through a thousand years ago when I was a resident. The patients all had confirmed COVID-19; some were in ICUs and on ventilators.

[Analysis of the results](https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(20)34898-4/fulltext) showed lower death rates in the ivermectin group (15.0% vs 25.2% deaths from all causes). Results were also impressive in the patients in the ICU on ventilators (38.8% mortality vs 80.7%).

So, ivermectin treatment was associated with lower mortality during treatment of COVID-19, especially in patients with severe pulmonary involvement.

Since ivermectin is FDA approved for treatment of parasitic infections and is given in similar doses in these studies, it’s relatively safe. Between 3-4 billion doses have been given worldwide, not for COVID-19, but parasites; still, that means there shouldn’t be a lot of surprises regarding side effects.

Given the results of these studies, which, I admit, are composed of only small numbers of patients, Ivermectin has developed a following in the medical community. [Dr. Pierre Cory](https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Testimony-Kory-2020-12-08.pdf), a pulmonary specialist at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee, gave [testimony ](https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Testimony-Kory-2020-12-08.pdf)last week in front of a Senate Committee.

He said: The “data show that ivermectin is effectively a ‘miracle drug’ against COVID-19,” Dr. Kory’s a member of a group of doctors calling themselves the[ Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance](https://covid19criticalcare.com/). They’ve published a review of the research that it claims shows that not only can ivermectin prevent COVID-19, it can also improve outcomes for sick COVID-19 patients. A one-page summary of the most up-to-date clinical trials evidence supporting the use of ivermectin in the treatment of all stages of COVID-19—from prevention to serious illness, can be found online.

Now, you have to realize that professors at medical centers aren’t normally given to claiming “miracle drug” status to anything, including miracle drugs, so this is pretty interesting. As usual, the critics have been, well, critical of the ivermectin studies, claiming several flaws in the methodology. An interesting one is that the Florida study patients often received hydroxychloroqiuine and azithromycin as well as ivermectin, so there could certainly be some confusion. Other studies didn’t, however.

Despite this, The CDC has come out strongly against using any form of ivermectin against COVID-19 until more is known. It shouldn’t be a surprise that their recommendations definitely includes veterinary sources.

The perception of ivermectin as a COVID-19 remedy has mirrored that of **hydroxychloroquine**. That drug was highly touted as a possible treatment for COVID-19 after President Trump said in March he was taking it. The Food and Drug Administration even gave hydroxychloroquine a compassionate use authorization as a treatment for COVID-19 but later rescinded it after researchers claimed it wasn’t effective, but I believe it was the failure to include zinc in these studies that’s to blame for the less than impressive results. Once Trump came out for it, it became just another political football between right and left.

I guess the worst thing that could happen to any drug is for a politician to come out in favor of it. As for academics, they’re human too, with their own opinions, and I think they manipulate results whenever they feel it’s necessary. That’s why it’s so hard for me to do what I’m told and “follow the science”. The science is sometimes skewed to match the goals of the experts.

The critics say the studies are too small to believe. Small sample sizes can, indeed, lead to biased outcomes, but so do biased scientists, regardless of the study size. That’s my concern, and I’m hoping that more data comes out soon that shows benefits from the use of ivermectin in the near future.

With regards to veterinary sources, no veterinary ivermectin that I know of meets all of my strict criteria for medical storage. This is what I used when I evaluated fish antibiotics all those years ago:

 1) it must have one active ingredient (in this case, only ivermectin). That rules out Heartguard.

 2) It must be produced in human dosages (that rules out drugs made for horse and cattle).

 3) It must appear identical to the human version made by at least one pharmaceutical company. Haven’t found one yet.

Of course, ivermectin exists as a human drug. It’s by prescription only, and it looks like it’ll stay that way. Ivermectin certainly has potential, and some politicians like Sen. Rand Paul of KY are formally asking for the CDC to swiftly conduct further studies into it for COVID. The FDA can issue emergency use authorization for its use. If we can keep the politics out of it, it might be an option to help save some lives.

Joe Alton MD

![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JoeAltonLibrary4.jpg)Find out more about infectious diseases and 100 other medical topics in long-term survival settings with [books from Dr. Alton](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=books+by+joe+alton&qid=1608755034&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=ba84df2ba26a72fac3338927ada46395&language=en_US). Also, check out Nurse Amy’s entire line of medical kits for disaster scenarios at [store.doomandbloom.net](https://store.doomandbloom.net/).

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Podcast: Ivermectin, Winter Depression](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-podcast-ivermectin-winter-depression/) 

 [The Case For Fish Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-case-for-fish-antibiotics/)

**Categories:** Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide, COVID-19, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Pandemic Diseases, Respiratory infections, Survival Medic, survival medicine

**Tags:** COVID-19, ivermectin, joe alton md, medical preparedness, SARS-COV2, scabies, stromectrol, survival medicine

---

### [Seizures in Survival Scenarios](https://www.doomandbloom.net/seizures-in-survival-scenarios/)

**Published:** December 28, 2012
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Seizures** occur when the brain’s electrical system misfires. Instead of sending out signals in a controlled manner, a surge of haphazard energy goes through the brain. These abnormal signals can cause involuntary muscle contractions, poor control of certain organs, and loss of consciousness. A person with chronic problems with convulsions is sometimes said to have “epilepsy” and may be called an “epileptic”. There are several types of seizures:

## Types of Seizures

Generalized Seizures may involve the entire brain. There are several types that have been identified:

- **Petit Mal seizures**: No involuntary contractions, but a temporary loss of concentration or even consciousness. Blank staring may be noticed.
- **Grand Mal seizures**: Shaking and jerking with loss of consciousness, bladder control, and sometimes violent shaking and jerking. Absence seizures (petit mal) — Symptoms may include staring and brief loss of consciousness. Strange sensations known as “auras” (smells, colors, etc.) may herald an upcoming convulsion.
- **Myoclonic seizures**: Involuntary movement of the muscles without loss of consciousness (usually).

Partial seizures, known as “Jacksonian” seizures in the past, are caused by abnormal signals from one localized part of the brain. They may involve involuntary shaking of just one limb or specific twitching behavior. The patient may notice auras prior to some partial seizures. Although vision may be temporarily impaired, there may or may not be changes in mental status.

(Update: Since the writing of this article, the classification of seizures has changed. They can be found here: )

There are various causes of convulsive disorders, such as:

- High fever (in children, mostly)
- Head injury
- Meningitis (Infection of the central nervous system)
- Stroke
- Brain tumors
- Genetic predisposition
- Idiopathic (unknown – about 50% of cases)

### Symptoms of Seizures and Convulsive Disorders

In a *survival scenario*, there won’t be the sophisticated equipment such as EEGs (electroencephalograms) and Brain Scans to make the diagnosis, so we will have to watch for symptoms to identify the problem. It is important to know that one seizure does not make someone an epileptic. Multiple episodes are required to be certain. In some cases (especially childhood seizures associated with fevers), a person might even “outgrow” the condition.

In addition to auras that give some warning that an attack may be imminent, there are also triggers that sometimes cause a convulsion. A good example is a bright flashing light. Avoidance of these triggers will decrease the number of episodes.

The most important aspect of treatment when intravenous medication is no longer available will be to prevent the patient from injuring themselves during an attack. A tongue depressor with gauze taped around it and placed in the mouth was once a standard recommendation, but it was found to cause injuries to both the patient and the rescuer. Keep everything, including tongue depressors, away from the patient’s mouth (especially your fingers).

You shouldn’t restrain the person physically, but remove nearby objects that could cause injury. An exception is if the patient is standing when the seizure starts. In this case, grab the patient and gently lower them to the floor. Placing them in the CPR “recovery” position (discussed later in the book) will help keep their airway open.

Do not give oral fluids or medications to an epileptic after a seizure until they are fully awake and alert. If the convulsion is caused by a fever, as in children, cool them down with wet compresses. Anyone in your survival group with a convulsive disorder should work towards stockpiling their medicine. Popular drugs are Dilantin, Tegretol, Valproic Acid, and Diazepam (Valium). A frank discussion should emphasize the importance of extra medications in cases of natural disaster or other emergencies.

Natural alternatives have long been espoused to decrease the frequency and severity of convulsions. Many vitamins and herbal supplements have a sedative effect, which calms the brain’s electrical energy. They may be taken as a tea (1 teaspoon of the herb in a cup of water) or as a tincture (an extract with grain alcohol). Here are some that have been reported as beneficial for prevention:

- Bacopa (*Bacopa monnieri*
- Chamomile *(Matricaria recutita)*
- Kava (*Piper methysticum*) – (too much may damage your liver)
- Valerian (*Valeriana officinalis,*
- Lemon balm (*Melissa officinalis*),
- Passionflower (*Passiflora incarnata*)
- Vitamin B12 supplements
- Vitamin E supplements

Vegetable juices may help eliminate toxins that may induce seizures. Drink a combination of carrot juice, cucumber and beet juice; if possible drink a half liter a day. Coconut oil, 3 tablespoons a day, has also been reported to decrease seizure frequency. The scientific evidence warrants more research; be aware that your experience may vary.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Fungal Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fungal-infections/) 

 [Headache in Austere Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-in-austere-settings/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Seizures/Fainting

**Tags:** abnormal brain waves, collapse situation, d, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, epilepsy, grand mal, Grand Mal seizures, jacksonian seizures, medical preparedness, Myoclonic seizures, natural remedies, petit mal, petite mal seizures, seizures, survival medicine

---

### [Wound Care in the Wilderness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-care-in-the-wilderness/)

**Published:** January 24, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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Although we focus on **long term survival situations**, many of our strategies will be useful on a long hike or camping trip. During a wilderness outing, it stands to reason that you won’t have ready access to modern medical care. As such, it makes sense to have some idea of how to deal with the occasional wound that might occur. This is a skill set that few rugged outdoorsmen bother to learn; even though you might have extensive experience in bushcraft, it is essential to know basic first aid and have some medical supplies in your pack.

## Outdoor Medicine

Although your basic goal is to stabilize your victim and transport to the nearest emergency facility, there might be circumstances where you will have to administer *wound care* for a period of time. In the past, we discussed methods of wound closure, and when a wound should be left open. Let’s talk about the appropriate way to care for certain injuries when you are, temporarily, the end of the line with regards to your patient’s well-being.

Millions of people present to U.S. emergency rooms with an acute injury every year. The typical patient in wilderness settings would be a healthy young adult male who sustains a laceration in either the arm, leg or head and neck. This is a fortunate statistic, in that this person has a strong immune system, no chronic ailments, and is well-nourished. Despite this, the best outcomes will occur with rapid action from an individual with some medical knowledge. Let’s share some of that knowledge today.

Each wound is different and must be evaluated separately. If not present at the time the wound is incurred, begin by asking the simple question, “What happened?”. A look around at the site of the accident will give you an idea of what type of debris you might find in the wound and the likelihood of infection (always assume a wound is dirty initially). Other questions to ask are whether the victim has chronic medical problems, like diabetes, and whether they are allergic to any medications. You might be surprised to find that (even close) friends may have not imparted this history to you in all the time that you’ve known them.

The physical examination of a wound requires the following assessment: Location on the body, length, depth, and the type of tissue involved. Circulation and Nerve involvement must also be evaluated. If an extremity, have the patient show you a full range of motion during your examination. This is especially important if the injury involves a joint. Don’t forget the rest of the patient also: Are they breathing normally, are they mentally alert, and are there other injuries? Don’t be surprised to find an elevated pulse rate right after an injury. This person is going to be agitated, and heart rates surpassing 100 beats per minute will be common right after the incident.

A little knowledge of anatomy will help you understand the nature of the wound and what should be done to care for it. The skin is comprised of two layers: The (superficial) epidermis and the (deep) dermis. If the injury goes down to but doesn’t breach the dermis, it is called an **abrasion**. If it breaches the dermis, we refer to it as a **laceration** and is more serious. In cases where a flap of tissue has been traumatically removed, it is known as an **avulsion**. In most areas of the body, below the dermis you will find a layer of subcutaneous fat; below that, muscle and connective tissue (also known as fascia) and, finally, bone.

Your skin is, essentially, a suit of armor. Whenever the skin is entered, infection can easily follow. A wound that extends more deeply will require a close look to see what layers have been damaged. Subcutaneous fat will appear yellow, and muscle will appear a dark red (think steak). Connective tissue is usually grayish white.

Once below the level of the skin, larger blood vessels and nerves may be involved. Assess circulation, sensation, and the ability to move the injured area. You will notice more problems with vessel and nerve damage in deep lacerations and crush injuries. For an extremity injury, evaluate what we call the **Capillary Refill Time** to test for circulation. To do this, press the nail bed or finger/toe pad; in a person with normal circulation, this area will turn white when you release pressure and then return to a normal color within 2 seconds. If it takes longer or the fingertips are blue, you may have a person who has damaged a blood vessel. If motor function or sensation is decreased (test by lightly pricking with a safety pin beyond the level of the wound), there may be nerve damage. These are signals that your patient will require acute care as soon as possible. We have discussed how to deal with a hemorrhagic wound on this website before, so let’s assume there isn’t much bleeding for now.

In order to fully assess a wound and prevent infection, it is important to clean the wound area thoroughly. Inflammation, infection, or residual debris may delay (or even prevent) adequate healing. Antiseptic solutions such as betadine (povidone-iodine) solution may be helpful if very dilute, but studies have shown that drinkable (sterilized) water is just as good or better. When I say this, I am not referring to a water bottle you already drank from; that water has millions of your mouth bacteria in it.

Hydrogen Peroxide has been put forth as an option, but is traumatic to deep tissues and may impede the healing process. This is especially true when cleaning a burn injury. Remember, if the irrigation solution is not sterilized, you can easily introduce bacteria, even into a clean wound. Remember that your hands can be a source of contamination, so have some nitrile gloves in your kit.

It is important to apply pressure to the water when cleaning the wound. This is referred to as “irrigation”. Using a 60cc syringe to achieve this pressure will cause bacteria that is adherent to the tissues to dislodge. All wound surfaces should be irrigated; pull the wound edges open if necessary to reach the deepest layers. Repeat this procedure and re-examine for remaining debris until clean. If no syringe is available, apply a wet, clean compress using gauze or cloth. The soaking will help rehydrate the wound and improve healing. Many recommend a plastic bag with holes in it to irrigate a wound, but it is likely that you will not achieve an appropriate pressure (say, 12 PSI) using this method.

Debris is both a focal point for infection and may contain toxins that further damage the tissues. A contaminated injury that is not completely cleaned is dangerous to close. Take the example of the young woman in Georgia that was injured in a zipline accident: Her wound was closed with 22 staples and an infection developed in the deep tissues that eventually cost her a leg. This might have occurred due to poor wound cleaning or failing to close “dead space” in the wound. **Dead space** is a pocket of air or inflammatory fluid that accumulates in the wound. This area is laden with bacteria if not properly cleaned and closed prior to closing the skin.

The time period from injury to wound evaluation is important if you have the skill to close a wound. 8 hours is considered appropriate for laceration repair (discussed in previous articles), a little longer for the face and scalp. However, lean towards keeping the wound open, especially if you can get your patient to a modern medical facility. Healing occurs in most cases of open wounds as long as the wound is kept moist and clean. This type of healing is known as **“granulation”** or “second intention”.

Once you have cleaned and irrigated the wound, apply a moist, clean dressing to the tissues directly injured and cover with a dry dressing and tape. This is known as a **“wet-to-dry”** dressing. A moist healing environment will help prevent cell dehydration and death and promote the development of better circulation in the wound. Moisture also reduces pain and leads to a better cosmetic result. Compression dressings such as the **Israeli Battle Dressing** are useful for bleeding wounds, but unnecessary for wounds that are **hemostatic** (dry). Triple antibiotic may be useful on the skin edges and is thought by many to promote skin healing.

Dressing changes should be done at least daily until you are able to access professional care. Each time a dressing is changed, note the status of the tissues. Infection can often be seen on the skin edges in the form of redness, swelling, and heat. This is known as **“**cellulitis**”** and must be considered a risk for spread of infection to the entire body (“**sepsis**”). The presence of pus in the wound is another sign that trouble is ahead. Infections rates differ depending on the part of the body affected; scalp wounds get infected only 2% of the time, while thigh/leg injuries get into trouble in more than 20% of cases. Regardless, treat every wound as if you are dealing with a potential problem.

Many of these injuries may be candidates for antibiotic therapy. Based on how contaminated the wound is, the decision to use antibiotics should be made early, usually within 3-6 hours after the injury was incurred. The deeper the injury, the more you should lean towards starting therapy. Wounds that are most likely to be infected are animal bites or those lacerations contaminated with feces, saliva, or other bodily secretions. If you intend to be out in the wilderness for a period of time, make sure that you include some antibiotics in your medical supplies.

Speaking of medical supplies, what are some medical supplies that a wilderness traveler should carry? Here are some suggestions for the minimum you should have:

- Dressings (roller gauze, sterile gauze, triangular bandages, Combine pads, eye pads, Israeli battle dressings)
- Non-adherent dressings (Telfa pads for burns, Moleskin for blisters)
- Antiseptic solution/wipes (alcohol, BZK, Betadine)
- Sterilizing tablets or other ways to sterilize water
- 60cc or 100cc irrigation syringe
- Nitrile gloves
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Ibuprofen (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and other OTC meds
- EMT shears (bandage scissors) – to cut clothes away from the injured area
- Adhesive Bandages (Band-Aids or, alternatively, Second Skin)
- Sunblock
- Tape (Duct tape will do in a pinch)
- Solar blanket
- Light source
- Antibiotics
- Splint material (SAM and other splints come in a 36 inch roll you can cut to fit your needs

Being prepared to deal with injuries and other medical issues on your wilderness outing will make sure that they will be just a bump in the road and not the END of the road for the people in your party.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The Medicinal Garden](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-garde/) 

 [When a Person (not a society) Collapses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-person-collapses/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Injuries

**Tags:** abrasion, avulsion, cellulitis, dead space, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, granulation, laceration, long term survival situations, medical preparedness, outdoor medicine, sepsis, survival medicine, wilderness medicine, wound care

---

### [When a Person (not a society) Collapses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-person-collapses/)

**Published:** January 21, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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In our travels, we often speak at **preparedness** conferences and other events where there a lot of people attending. If you go to enough of these, you might eventually find yourself in a situation where someone has collapsed and you are at hand.

## What To Do if a Person Collapses

This happened at one of our lectures recently where a nice lady in the audience *fainted*. Luckily for her, a number of medical professionals were available to help, but even the non-medical person should know some basics about how to evaluate and assist the victim. Would you know what to do if something like this happened?

In this case, the victim simply lost consciousness and keeled over onto the person sitting next to her. This person saved her from injury by adeptly catching her and lowering her gently to the ground on her back. A person who loses consciousness and falls will not be able to break their fall in any way, and is at risk for major injuries, especially if they were standing at the time. Helping them gently to the ground is the first step towards preventing a major mishap.

### CPR in an Emergency Situation

Once the victim is on the ground, you must quickly assess them: Are they breathing? Do they have a pulse? If they don’t, immediately begin CPR and send someone to call for Emergency Medical help (911 in the U.S). If you aren’t trained in CPR, you should begin chest compressions by placing the heel of your hand in the middle of the chest; Place it, palm down, over the lower half of the breastbone at the level of the nipple. Place your other hand on top and interlace your fingers. Keeping yourself positioned directly above your hands (arms straight), press downward in such a fashion that the breastbone (also called the “sternum”) is compressed about 2 inches. Allow the chest to recoil completely and then perform 30 compressions, at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute. At this point, check again for breathing and a pulse. If none, continue chest compressions until help arrives. If you ARE trained in CPR, follow the standard procedure.

Hopefully, the person who collapsed will be breathing and have a pulse. If this is the case, raise their legs about 12 inches off the ground. This will help blood flow to the brain. Assess the patient for evidence of trauma, bleeding, or seizures. If bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound. If the person is having a convulsion, do not try to restrain them but remove nearby objects that might injure them.

Tap on their shoulder and ask in a clear voice “Can you hear me?” or “Are you OK?”. Loosen any obviously constricting clothing and make sure that they are getting lots of fresh air by keeping the area around them clear of crowds. If you are in an area that is hot, fan the patient or carefully carry them to a cooler area.

If you are successful in arousing the patient, ask them if they have any pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or epilepsy. Stay calm and speak in a reassuring manner. Don’t let them get up for a period of time, even if they say that they are fine. People oftentimes are embarrassed and want to brush off the incident, but they are still at risk for another fall. Once the victim is awake and alert (Do they know their name? Do they know where they are? What year it is?), you may slowly have the patient sit up if they are not otherwise injured. If Emergency Medical Personnel are on the way, wait until they arrive before having the patient stand up.

Common causes of fainting include dehydration and low blood sugar, so giving fluids may be helpful. Only do this if it is clear that they are completely conscious and able to function. Test their strength by having them firmly grasp two fingers of your hands; then, try to pull your hands away. If you can do so easily (especially on one side), this person may have had a stroke and should go to the hospital.

In any circumstance, you should remain with the victim until emergency medical personnel arrive. Once they do, let them do their work without interference. They are professionals who manage these issues on a daily basis.

Although our focus is medical issues in long-term survival situations, you should always be aware of how to deal with problems in good times as well. Prepare now and be ready, no matter what the uncertain future may hold in store.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Wound Care in the Wilderness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-care-in-the-wilderness/) 

 [Snakebite Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/snakebite-survival/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Seizures/Fainting, Survival Medic

**Tags:** collapse, Common causes of fainting, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, fainting, first aid, medical preparedness, preparedness, survival medicine, What To Do if a Person Collapses, what to do when a person collapses?

---

### [Snakebite Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/snakebite-survival/)

**Published:** January 14, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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In a grid-down scenario, you will find yourself out in the woods a lot more frequently, gathering firewood, hunting, and foraging for edible wild plants. As such, we will likely encounter a snake or two. Most snakes aren’t poisonous, but even **non-venomous snake bites** have potential for infection.

## Venomous Snakes

Poison is, perhaps, the wrong word to use here; venoms and poisons are not the same thing. Poisons are absorbed by the skin or digestive system, but venoms must enter the tissues or blood directly. Therefore, it is usually not dangerous to drink *snake venom* unless you have, say, a cut in your mouth (don’t try it, though).

North America has two kinds of venomous snakes: The pit vipers (rattlesnakes, water moccasins) and Elapids (coral snakes). One or more of these snakes can be found almost everywhere in the continental U.S. A member of another viper family, the common adder, is the only venomous snake in Britain, but it and other adders are common throughout Europe (except for Ireland, thanks to St. Patrick).

These snakes generally have hollow fangs through which they deliver venom. Snakes are most active during the warmer months and, therefore, most bite injuries are seen then. Not every bite from a venomous snake transfers its poison to the victim; 25-30% of these bites will show no ill effects. This probably has to do with the duration of time the snake has its fangs in its victim.

An ounce of prevention, they say, is worth a pound of cure. Be sure to wear good solid high-top boots and long pants when hiking in the wilderness. Treading heavily creates ground vibrations and noise, which will often cause snakes to hit the road. Snakes have no outer ear, so they “hear” ground vibrations better than those in the air caused by, for instance, shouting.

Many snakes are active at night, especially in warm weather. Some activities of daily survival, such as gathering firewood, are inadvisable without a good light source. In the wilderness, it’s important to look where you’re putting your hands and feet. Be especially careful around areas where snakes might like to hide, such as hollow logs, under rocks, or in old shelters. Wearing heavy gloves would be a reasonable precaution.

A snake doesn’t always slither away after it bites you. It’s likely that it still has more venom that it can inject, so move out of its territory or abolish the threat in any way you can. Killing the snake, however, may not render it harmless: it can reflexively bite for a period of time, even if its head has been severed from its body.

Snake bites that cause a burning pain immediately are likely to have venom in them. Swelling at the site may begin as soon as five minutes afterwards, and may travel up the affected area. Pit viper bites tend to cause bruising and blisters at the site of the wound. Numbness may be noted in the area bitten, or perhaps on the lips or face. Some victims describe a metallic or other strange taste in their mouths.

With pit vipers, bruising is not uncommon and a serious bite might start to cause spontaneous bleeding from the nose or gums. Coral snake bites, however, will cause mental and nerve issues such as twitching, confusion and slurred speech. Later, nerve damage may cause difficulty with swallowing and breathing, followed by total paralysis.

Coral snakes appear very similar to their look-alike, the non-venomous king snake. They both have red, yellow and black bands and are commonly confused with each other. The old saying goes: “red touches yellow, kill a fellow; red touches black, venom it lacks”. This adage only applies to coral snakes in North America, however.

Coral snakes are not as aggressive as pit vipers and will prefer fleeing to attacking. Once they bite you, however, they tend to hold on; Pit vipers prefer to bite and let go quickly. Unlike coral snakes, pit vipers may not relinquish their territory to you, so prepare to possibly be bitten again.

### What to Do if You’re Bitten by a Snake

The treatment for a venomous snake bite is “Anti-venin”, an animal or human serum with antibodies capable of neutralizing a specific biological toxin. This product will probably be unavailable in a long-term survival situation.

The following strategy, therefore, will be useful:

- Keep the victim calm. Stress increases blood flow, thereby endangering the patient by speeding the venom into the system.
- Stop all movement of the injured extremity. Movement will move the venom into the circulation faster, so do your best to keep the limb still.
- Clean the wound thoroughly to remove any venom that isn’t deep in the wound, and
- Remove rings and bracelets from an affected extremity. Swelling is likely to occur.
- Position the extremity below the level of the heart; this also slows the transport of venom.
- Wrap with compression bandages as you would an orthopedic injury, but continue it further up the limb than usual. Bandaging begins two to four inches above the bite (towards the heart), winding around and moving up, then back down over the bite and past it towards the hand or foot.
- Keep the wrapping about as tight as when dressing a sprained ankle. If it is too tight, the patient will reflexively move the limb, and move the venom around.
- Do not use tourniquets, which will do more harm than good.
- Draw a circle, if possible, around the affected area. As time progresses, you will see improvement or worsening at the site more clearly. This is a useful strategy to follow any local reaction or infection.

The limb should then be rested, and perhaps immobilized with a splint or sling. The less movement there is, the better. Keep the patient on bed rest, with the bite site lower than the heart for 24-48 hours. This strategy also works for bites from venomous lizards, like Gila monsters.

It is no longer recommended to make an incision and try to suck out the venom with your mouth. If done more than 3 minutes after the actual bite, it would remove perhaps 1/1000 of the venom and could cause damage or infection to the bitten area. A Sawyer Extractor (a syringe with a suction cup) is more modern, but is also fairly ineffective in eliminating more than a small amount of the venom. These methods fail, mostly, due to the speed at which the venom is absorbed.

Interestingly, snake bites cause less infections than bites from, say, cats, dogs, or humans. As such, antibiotics are used less often in these cases.

Dr. Bones

Are you prepared to deal with medical issues in disaster situation where help is NOT on the way? With “The Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Handbook”, you will be!

Check out our trailer at: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb3vdQecUPM")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [When a Person (not a society) Collapses](https://www.doomandbloom.net/when-a-person-collapses/) 

 [Fungal Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fungal-infections/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** adder, coral snake, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, non-venomous snake bites, rattesnake, rattlesnake, snake venom, snakebite, snakebite first aid, survival medicine, venomous snake bites, what to do if you're bitten by a snake

---

### [The Medicinal Garden](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-garde/)

**Published:** January 30, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

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(Dr. Bones says: We are obliged to say that essential oils are not proven treatments, according to the FDA, for medical conditions or illnesses)

We spend a lot of time discussing how to **accumulate medical supplies for times of trouble**. Despite your best efforts, however, you may find yourself running out of commercially manufactured medicines. In this case, you might feel like you’re out of luck, but there are options that might be growing in your own backyard. Many plants have medicinal uses and it only makes sense to take advantage of their benefits.

## Planting Your Own Medicinal Garden

*Planting your own medicinal garden* is a prudent way to provide alternatives to modern medicine. Until pharmaceuticals were produced in factories, communities and homesteads had to grow their own “medicine”. This common practice was a natural part of the landscape and provided needed remedies for many medical issues. Oftentimes, a community would have a person that served as an herbalist and supervised the cultivation and processing for proper administration.

Growing your own medicinal garden is both rewarding and beneficial; in times of trouble, you will likely have limited access to pharmaceuticals. The learning curve when gardening can be steep, so don’t delay planting those medicinal seeds until the situation is critical.

Select a well-drained, sunny area with healthy soil. Although some herbs grow well in shade, most plants need at least 6-8 hours of full sun for proper growth and development. Potting is appropriate for medicinal plants that will need to be transported inside during a cold winter. Water should be provided on a regular basis to allow the soil to stay moist, but not muddy or waterlogged. A small amount of natural mulch is perfect for maintaining an even moisture level in very dry conditions.

Learn about permaculture if you are planting in the ground. This method has many benefits and will reduce your maintenance schedule. Use only organic pest and disease control. A soapy spray of 1 tablespoon of neem oil, 1 teaspoon of Dr. Bronner’s lavender, tea tree or peppermint castile soap and, optional, a few drops of tea tree essential oil to 4-8 cups of water makes a great disease and natural pest control. Spray foliage in the late afternoon every 5-7 days or after a heavy rain.

The medicinal plants you select should match your climate as best as possible. However, with certain plants, you may be able to grow warmer climate plants by protecting them from the cold with greenhouses or using row covers. This will expand the range of medicinal plants you may choose to grow either in pots or around your homestead.

### Medicinal Herbs

Here is a short list of medicinal plants you may consider growing, with the most common part of the plant used and some of the conditions it might help:

**Aloe Vera** (Aloe Vera)- the slimy gel from the leaf is used to heal and soothe rashes, burns, and cuts.

**Angelica** (Angelica archangelica)- rhizomes (similar to a root but actually an underground stem) are used to make a tinctures and infusions to treat menstrual cramps.

**Arnica** (Arnica montana)- flowers and rhizomes are utilized to produce very dilute concentrations of an ointment or salve. Used only externally on unbroken skin for bruises or joint/muscle pain.

**Calendula** (Calendula officinalis)- the flowers are used fresh or dried and made into teas, tinctures, creams and salves. Drinking a calendula tea or tincture may relieve menstrual cramps, intestinal cramps and decrease the severity of a viral infection. Rich in antioxidants, it can be applied externally as a cream, salve, infused oil or as a compress. Calendula reduces pain and heals minor burns, cuts, rashes, ringworm and athlete’s foot. Cool, weak tea compresses may heal an eye infection; apply to the affected eye three times daily.

**Cayenne** (Capsicum frutescens)- the pepper (fruit) is used dried and powdered, infused in oil, as a tincture or mixed in a salve or cream. Good externally for arthritic pain as a salve, cream or infused oil, and may be useful to stop mild to moderate bleeding in a wound if direct pressure is not working. Cayenne can be taken internally as a tincture or as a pinch of powder in a tea for to treat intestinal infections, sore throat pain or gas. Some consider it a broad spectrum antibacterial.

**Chamomile, German** (Matricaria recutita)- the flowers are used in teas, salves and creams. Internally taken, the tea is known to be relaxing and is used as an antispasmodic (relaxes muscle tension and cramps). It also helps with insomnia, calms an upset stomach, and may also reduce the inflammation of joints. Externally used, cooled tea compresses or eyewash may treat eye infections. Applied to painful rashes, itchy skin, or sore nipples, a poultice (a mass of warmed crushed flowers), cream or salve may relieve and heal skin conditions.

**Comfrey** (Symphytum officinale)- the leaves, aerial parts, and root are used in creams, salves, infused oils, ointments, poultices and tinctures. Use is limited to external use on unbroken skin only. Common uses for comfrey externally are to help heal broken bones, sprains, strains and bruises. Comfrey may help with acne and reduce scarring.

**Echinachea** (Echinacea purpurea, augustifolia or pallida)- the flowers and roots are used to produce tinctures, teas, capsules, and pills. It is known to be a strong antibacterial and antiviral due to its immune stimulating effects. Some use it to help reduce allergies, such as hay fever.

**Elder** (Sambucus nigra)- this tree produces two parts used medicinally: the fresh or dried flowering tops and the berries. A tea, tincture or syrup made of the flowering tops are good for coughs, colds, flu and reducing allergies. Cooking is needed to prevent poisoning from elderberries, which can be used for the same ailments as the flowering tops but are not considered as effective. Wine is commonly made from elderberries.

**Witch Hazel** (Hamamelis virginiana)- tincture of the bark is used as an astringent to reduce hemorrhoids, stop itching from insect stings.

**Feverfew** (Tanacetum parthenium)- the fresh or dried aerial parts (stems, leaves and flowers) are used to produce a tea, tincture, capsules or pills. Use the leaves to produce a tea or tincture for the treatment or prevention of migraine headaches and also to reduce fevers. This herb may also help with arthritic conditions. Do not use in combination with blood-thinning medications.

**Garlic** (Allium sativum)- the fresh cloves are used (crushed) to make a tea, tincture, syrup, or capsules. Garlic may help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, thin the blood to help protect against blood clots, and lower blood sugar levels. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which makes it effective for treating both digestive and respiratory infections. It can be applied externally to dress wounds for reduced infection rates. Use with caution if taking blood thinners or antihypertensive medications.

**Ginger** (Zingiber officinale)- the rhizomes are used to make a tea, essential oil, capsule or tincture. Ginger is excellent for use in digestive disorders. It can help relieve both morning sickness and motion sickness. Some types of food poisoning may be treated effectively with ginger. Ginger may lower blood pressure. It increases sweating, which is beneficial to reduce a fever.

**Ginkgo** (Ginkgo biloba)- the leaves are the most commonly used part in Western medicine; the dehusked seed, however, is occasionally used in Chinese medicine. The fresh or dried leaves are used to make a tea, tincture or fluid extract. It is typically utilized to help improve memory and circulation. Gingko also has anti-allergenic properties, which makes it helpful to relieve wheezing in asthmatics.

**Ginseng, Siberian** (Eleutherococcus seticosus)- the roots are used to make a tea, tincture or incorporated into capsules. It is used to reduce the effects of physical stress and mental stress. It stimulates the immune system to help the body fight viruses and bacterial infections.

**Goldensea**l (Hydrastis canadensis)- the rhizomes are used to produce a tincture, tea, powder or infusion. It is said to be a mild laxative; it also reduces heavy menstrual bleeding. A dilute infusion can be used as eyewash for infections, as a mouthwash for swollen or infected gums, or as an external treatment for psoriasis. Goldenseal is not appropriate for use in pregnancy.

**Lavender** (Lavendula officinalis)- the fresh or dried flowers are used to produce a tea, tincture, infusion or essential oil. It enhances relaxation and calms nervous conditions, including muscle or intestinal cramps, and loosens tight airways in asthmatics. Applied externally, it is an antiseptic for open wounds and mild burns. It relieves itching and inflammation, and can be used to relieve bug bites and rashes.

**Lemon Balm** (Melissa officinalis)- the fresh or dried aerial parts are used to produce a juice, tea, tincture, infusion, lotion and salve/cream. It can reduce nervous conditions and cramping, and is useful for anxiety, intestinal cramps, and muscle aches. Lemon balm can relieve cold sores and reduce future outbreaks.

**Licorice** (Glycyrrhiza glabra)-the dried or fresh root is used to create a tea, fluid extract, tincture, dried juice stick or powder. It is a gentle laxative. It is considered to have anti-inflammatory effects. It helps with canker sores, upset stomach, and acid reflux. This same action also helps it reduce arthritic pain and inflamed joints. Do not take if anemic, have high blood pressure or during a pregnancy.

**Peppermint** (Mentha piperita)-the fresh or dried aerial parts are used to make a tea, tincture, lotion, capsules and essential oil. The tea or tincture is helpful for digestive problems and may reduce gas, cramps, and diarrhea. As a lotion or diluted essential oil, it helps relieve headaches and migraines when a small amount is applied to the temples in a gentle massage.

**Rosemary** (Rosmarinus officinalis)-the fresh or dried leaves are used to produce a tea, tincture or essential oil. The tea or tincture can help reduce stress and relieve headaches. Applied as a diluted essential oil or lotion it may relieve sore muscles or joint pain. Do not take the essential oil internally.

**Sage** (Salvia officinalis)-the fresh or dried leaves are used to make a tea, tincture or fresh leaves are crushed and applied directly to the skin. The fresh crushed leaves are helpful to relieve stings and bug bite irritation. The tea is good to relieve a sore throat, canker sores or sore gums when used as a gargle. Drinking the tea can help reduce menopausal symptoms.

**Skullcap** (Scutellaria lateriflora)-the fresh or dried aerial parts are used to create an infusion, tincture or capsules. It is said to calm and relax nervous conditions, including insomnia and menstrual pain. The tincture may help relieve headaches.

**Senna** (Cassia senna or Senna alexandrina)-the fresh or dried pods are used commonly to make a tea. It is a laxative and over-the-counter preparations are available to treat constipation. Senna should be used only in dilute, small dosages. Do not take for more than 10 days.

**St. John’s Wort** (Hypericum perforatum)- the fresh or dried flowering tops are used to make a tea, tincture, cream or infused oil.. Most commonly said to be a relaxant and helpful to treat depression, PMS and menopausal symptoms. The infused oil is useful when applied externally to help with stimulating tissue repair on wounds and burns; it may also may reduce joint and muscle pains. This herb may cause sensitivity to sunlight.

**Thyme** (Thymus vulgaris)- the fresh or dried aerial parts including leaves are used to produce a tea, tincture, syrup and essential oil. A tea may be helpful for use in treating colds and flu. Syrup made from thyme is a traditional cough remedy. A tincture applied externally may help with vaginal fungal infections. Thyme has been used as a treatment for intestinal worms. Do not use the essential oil during pregnancy

**Turmeric** (Curcuma longa)-the fresh or dried rhizome is used in a tea, tincture, poultice or powder. It is said to have a strong anti-inflammatory action, and may help with asthma, arthritis and eczema. A beneficial effect on stomach and intestinal cramps is also attributed to this herb. Turmeric has blood thinning properties and should be avoided if taking anti-coagulants. Externally it is useful in treating fungal infections, psoriasis and other itchy rashes and could be utilized as a replacement for hydrocortisone if modern medicines are unavailable. Turmeric may cause stomach upset or heartburn if taken regularly. It may cause sensitivity to sunlight if taken regularly.

**Valerian** (Valerian officinalis)- the roots and rhizome are used to produce a tea, tincture or powder.. Commonly used to reduce stress, induce relaxation and treat insomnia. It can help relax muscle tension, intestinal cramps and menstrual pain. Do not take with alcohol or if using sleep-inducing medications.

**Yarrow** (Achillea millefolium)-fresh or dried aerial parts are used to make a tea, tincture, essential oil or a poultice. Yarrow is used externally to heal wounds as a poultice. Traditionally mixed with other herbs in a tea, it may help with colds and flus. Some claim that it reduces menstrual bleeding. There are reports of allergic reactions to Yarrow by some, and it should not be used during pregnancy.

The above is, by no means, a complete list of all the possibilities for your herbal garden. The same issues regarding proof of effectiveness and uncertainty of dosage that we relate above every natural remedy are relevant for the herbs on this list. Perform your own research into these alternatives and come to your own conclusions.

Nurse Amy

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Plantar Warts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/plantar-warts/) 

 [Wound Care in the Wilderness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wound-care-in-the-wilderness/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Gardening-Homesteading, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** arnica, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, feverfew, growing herbs, lavender, medical preparedness, medicinal herbs, skullcap, survival medicine

---

### [Plantar Warts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/plantar-warts/)

**Published:** February 5, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In a grid-down scenario, some medical issues involve conditions that aren’t life-threatening by themselves but can affect work efficiency, thus decreasing your chances of survival in the long run. One of these is the **plantar wart**.

### What Are Warts?

Warts are rough, round skin lesions found most commonly on the hands or soles of the feet; the word “plantar” simply refers to the sole of the foot. They are caused, not by toads, but by the *human papillomavirus*. This virus comes in various subtypes that affect different areas. Some subtypes are responsible for genital warts and even cervical cancer.

Warts found on the soles of the feet are most likely to cause symptoms due to the weight placed on them as you stand and walk. The usual sensation is that of a pebble in your shoe. Normally brownish-gray or yellow in color, the visible part of a plantar wart is often just the top of a larger wart hiding under the skin.

### How Can You Tell It’s a Viral Wart?

A viral wart can be distinguished from corns or other foot lesions in that they interrupt the lines on the sole of your feet (yes, you have a unique footprint just like you have fingerprints). Also, they have little black dots that represent tiny blood vessels affected by the virus. Squeezing a plantar wart usually elicits pain.

Plantar warts are contagious; they can be caught by contact with infected skin scales on shower or locker room floors. The virus enters through small openings in the surface of the skin. Moistness allows the virus more time to enter. The tendency to develop warts seems to differ from person to person, however, even with similar exposure to the virus. Those who spend a lot of time barefoot develop calluses that seem to protect them from warts (good for you, Cody Lundin).

Therefore, common-sense preventative measures include:

- Not sharing socks, shoes, towels, or other items with others.
- Not re-using socks without washing them in hot, soapy water first.
- Wear sandals (your own) in locker rooms, gyms, and around swimming pools and shower rooms.
- Disinfect your bathroom floors on a regular basis.
- Don’t touch warts on others, and wash your hands after touching your own.

Once it has been determined that you have plantar warts, there are various ways to deal with them. It’s important to treat as early as possible; later on, the wart will get bigger, tougher, and harder to eliminate. Having said that, many plantar warts will go away by themselves over a period of time (sometimes, years). You don’t have to treat it unless you are experiencing discomfort, identify a spreading pattern, or believe the wart is unsightly.

You might want to apply a special foot pad (commonly available at any pharmacy) over the wart that cushions the foot as you walk. This would be useful to decrease discomfort while you are treating the wart.

One treatment technique is to obtain a cheap emery board specifically for the purpose of filing down the wart. Do this when your foot is wet and the wart has softened a little. NEVER use this emery board on your nails: It is possible to develop warts under your fingernails that may be uncomfortable and difficult to get rid of.

Then, use one of various medications, like Salicylic Acid, that will wear down the plantar wart with daily use. Don’t use these treatments on genital warts, as they will burn. Cover the wart afterwards with a small round band-aid to prevent spread of the virus. Another technique recommended by some involves occluding the wart by continually covering it with duct tape.

Physicians can cauterize warts by freezing (“cryocautery”) or burning (“electrocautery”). In the worst cases, surgical removal is performed. You should be aware that scarring can occur in some cases, so don’t try to do this yourself if modern medical care is available to you.

If you have warts now, you may get new ones in the future. To be ready for this possibility, a prepared individual will add some of the above items to their medical supplies.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medical-supplies/) 

 [The Medicinal Garden](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-garde/)

**Categories:** Foot Care, Health-Medical-Holistic, Skin issues

**Tags:** contagious warts, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, human papillomavirus, medi, medical preparedness, plantar wart, plantar warts, survival medicine, viral wart, warts

---

### [Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medical-supplies/)

**Published:** February 7, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Here’s my list of Survival and Collapse **medical supplies** with natural remedies included. We include natural remedies for first use or back up to save on items that won’t be produced in an austere setting. Dr.Bones and I spend a lot of time and energy researching “back-up” plans for traditional medicine. We want you to have the ability to provide medical help in a disaster scenario, and for that, you’ll need conventional medical supplies and some knowledge on what natural remedies are useful for certain situations. Below is a very ambitious list of things you should consider:

Here is our store if you decide it is easier for you to purchase a ready made Kit from a Nurse-Practitoner and a M.D.. I hand pack every item in water-proof bags with attention to the smallest details:

Oral antibiotics-(or if emergency, fish meds) may also include garlic oil, honey,cayenne,thyme oil,peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil as herbal alternatives or fresh garlic or ginger. If you can’t acquire prescription antibiotics, see our 4 part series that discusses antibiotics, their fish antibiotic equivalents, and how to use them. This is part one: https://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspot.com/2011/11/antibiotics-and-their-use-in- collapse.html

Antibiotic ointment and/or antibacterial herbal salves ( with calendula/tea tree oil/lavender oils)

Multiple sizes of adhesive bandages- (spot, knuckle, size 1×3 or 2 x 4 is great to cover most lacerations

Ace bandages- multiple sizes

Self adhering “Coban” wraps

Kerlix or rolled gauze

Steri strips and butterfly bandages to close minor lacerations

TONS of gauze/dressings (BOTH: sterile and non-sterile 4x4s. Include lots of non-adherent “telfa” pads so healing wounds won’t stick to the dressing)

Xeroform petrolatum dressings (non stick)

ABD pads (usually 5×9), also called combine dressings

12×30 trauma dressings

Maxi Pads and tampons- multi use materials

Tapes- include DUCT, adhesive and paper ( for adhesive tape allergies)

Quality bandage scissor/trauma shears ( ALL METAL, the plastic handle ones break cutting jean material!)

Pliable splinting material (“sam” splints – everything from finger splints to 36 inch rolls that you can cut to size)

Cast material Kit (comes in fiberglass or Plaster of Paris)

Moleskin with padding- for blisters

Scalpels (#10, #11, #15 most popular)

CPR masks

Paracord- multiple uses for this

LOTS of nitrile gloves -hypoallergenic (NEVER touch an open wound with bare hands if you can help it)

A few pair of sterile size 7 1/2 or 8 gloves (or more!)

Hand sanitizer/alcohol for cleaning hands and instruments

Antibacterial soap

Betadine swabs/wipes- wipes are great to make a betadine solution with water

60cc or 100cc syringe- for wound irrigation and cleaning

Antiseptics- get lots of various solutions, hibiclens is excellent

Universal Cervical collar

OPAs (Oral Airways) good for preventing occlusion of an airway due to an allergic reaction and while waiting for the epi pen or benadryl to reduce the swelling

BZK wipes-to clean hands/wounds – great for cleaning animal bites(may decrease rabies transmission)

Alcohol pads -to clean instruments/hands

Sting relief Pads

Masks- earloop surgical (for sick people)

N-95s (for healthy people to keep them from getting sick!)

Dermabond (Rx) or super glue ( may burn the skin)

Needle holder (if you are learning how to suture)

Sutures (2-0 nylon- don’t bother with 3-0 or smaller unless working with delicate skin on the face, eyelids, etc. (higher the number=smaller the needle!) – watch Dr.Bones’ youtube.com/drbonespodcast videos on [How to Suture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GlkuxNdTgc "How To Suture") for instructions (in a collapse) and [How to Staple Skin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsIbCjCQCIo "How to Staple Skin").

Skin stapler/remover and 2 adson forceps (if you or someone you know knows how to use properly)

Curved and straight Kelly clamps ( to remove foreign objects from wounds)

Tweezers

Several large safety pins

Magnifying glass

Light source -Pen light, head lamp, glow stick, flashlight

Some type of firestarter- to start fires for boiling water or sterilizing instruments, include a container for boiling water in your supplies!

Tongue depressor(s)

Mylar blankets

Wool Blankets

Thermometer

Ammonia inhalants

Cold and Hot Packs (reusable and instant)

Cotton Sheets- can be cut into strips for multiple uses, or used to carry patients

Stretcher- lightweight, portable is best if one is needed

Cot/examining table- a bed is fine with clean sheets

Blood pressure cuff/stethescope- a good quality set would be best

Chux Pads- for use in austere conditions to make a clean surface, also used under a patient to catch fluids, leaking or with incontinence

Clotting powders/dressings (Quikclot, Celox)- cayenne pepper powder may help minor bleeding- use 35,000 HU as a minimum for bleeding.

\*\* Remember- the more options available, the more likely you will find something that works!

Styptic pencil- minor bleeding

Tourniquet- such as CAT , only use in severe bleeding that will not stop with direct pressure or clotting agents

Pressure dressings – olaes modular bandage or Emergency Israeli bandage

Blood stopper dressings (dressing with 2 kerlix attached for wrapping)

Q-tips/cotton squares/cotton balls/cotton rolls

Cravat-style triangular bandages

Snake bit kit- must use within seconds of the bite or it is useless

Rubber bag (hot water bottle)

Re-useable GEL packs- can be cooled OR heated

Aquatabs -to help purify water

Fels naptha soap- to wash off poison Ivy,oak or sumac from skin and clothes (also a great clothes detergent)

Athlete’s foot powder (lasts longer than creams)

Monistat cream (or equivalent)- for vaginal yeast infections

Don’t forget that, in long-term survival situations, you will be responsible for dental care as much as medical care:

- Toothpicks,
- Dental mirror,
- Dental extractors/elevator
- Cotton tip applicators / cotton rolls/ cotton pellets
- Tweezers
- Dental filling material ( commercial or mix zinc oxide powder and 2 drops clove oil),
- Pill cups for mixing the dental filling
- Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and 2 drops of peppermint oil make a great gum treatment and toothpaste
- Hydrogen peroxide- makes a great oral mouthwash/gargle for gum swelling and irritations. Do not use on open skin wounds after the initial wound cleaning! HP may damage healing cells inside an open skin wound.
- Extra essential clove bud oil (numbs dental pain when applied directly
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dental Floss

Just when you think you’re done:

Eye cup

Eye wash- weak Chamomile tea (1 tea bag for 2 cups water) makes a great eye wash also, may add 1/2 teaspoon raw honey to the tea for pink eye treatments

Eye pads/eye patch

An ear oil natural remedy ( usually has garlic oil and mullein oil)- use 2 warmed drops in the affected ear and place a cotton ball over the ear canal secured with paper tape, repeat 3 times daily.

Claritin (non-drowsy antihistamine)- hay fever/allergies

Benadryl ( drowsy antihistamine)-allergic reactions to stings/medication/food/contact with irritants/this is the other ingredient in tylenol PM! It really puts you to sleep at 50mg dose, but this is a better dose for serious allergic reactions!

Epi-pen (Rx), if needed for anaphylactic reactions

Sudafed- decongestant,

Eucalyptus essential oil- also a decongestant and good for coughs ( direct or steam inhalation/ a good insect repellent

pain relievers/analgesics-

Aspirin (not for children)

Tylenol

Ibuprofen

Witch Hazel- good for bug bites/stings and as an antiseptic for wounds. The main ingredient for treating hemorrhoids (with hydrocortisone cream).

Arnica essential oil/salve (great mixed with St.John’s Wort)- also an analgesic used externally in very dilute amounts (6-12 drops per ounce of carrier oil)Great for bruises, joint and muscle pain, fracture pain, use ONLY on intact skin.

\*\*\*see my articles (doomandbloom.net) on[ Natural Medical Kit:Essential oils](https://www.doomandbloom.net/natural-first-aid-kit-part-1-essential-oils), [Part 2 here](https://www.doomandbloom.net/natural-first-aid-kit-part-2-essential-oils-continued)

Other Analgesic Essential Oils -Consider 1 or 2 of these – lavender,chamomile,rosemary,eucalyptus, marjoram

Gas X and Beano -to treat gas

Imodium-for diarrhea

hydrocortisone cream- anti-inflammatory, good for rashes

Gold Bond powder -for chafing, foot issues

Sunblock

Lip balm-I love carmex brand

Vaseline/Petroleum jelly- a million uses! Great to make non-stick dressings.

A&D ointment-great for rashes

Bag Balm-also great for rashes

Aloe vera- for burns

zinc oxide cream-useful for rashes and as a sunscreen

zinc oxide powder medical grade- to mix with Clove bud essential oil, and make a temporary dental filling

\*RAW honey-externally for serious burns and wound treatment OR internally mix with garlic oil or fresh minced garlic for an antibiotic effect or sore throat remedy

Vinegar (apple cider)- a hundred uses like baking soda and raw honey!!

Tea tree essential oil-antiseptic/anti-fungal/insect bite tx/burn tx

Lavender essential oil-analgesic/antiseptic/calming effect for insomnia,stress/skin care-rashes and cuts

Peppermint essential oil-respiratory and nasal congestion/Headache tx 1 drop to temples or inhale vapors/also good for digestive disorders/achy joints and muscle tx/ use 2 drops on toothbrush with baking soda as a “toothpaste”

Geranium essential oil- decreases bleeding when applied to wound/lowers blood sugar/burn tx /antibacterial

Thieves blend essential oil- A mix of clove,lemon,cinnamon,eucalyptus and rosemary oils- Antibiotic/antiseptic/and a host of other actions.

Helichrysum essential oil- anti-inflammatory and, additionally, an analgesic

Garlic- fresh crushed if you can find it is awesome mixed with raw honey for a cold/flu/cough tx.

Chamomile tea bags- internally relaxing,headache tx and digestive problems/ external compress for burns,bee stings

Ginger tea bags- internally good for nausea, stomach aches, digestive problems like gas and bloating, also good for motion sickness (crystallized ginger is an alternative, but weighs more)

Echinacea/elderberry tea bags- supports immune system, decreases flu and cold duration

Laxative tea bags/(or OTC laxative)- usually contains senna mixed with other herbs for a better flavor powdered

Gatorade or rehydration tablets/powders- for rehydration drinks ( to tx dehydration)

Multi-vitamins, extra vitamin C (tablets and powder), zinc, and other supplements to strengthen the immune system

Herbal Tinctures for Sleep and Pain treatment. Headache, PMS, Joint Pain and Menopausal Tinctures may be helpful, depending on your medical issues.

I know this is a lot to stockpile, but you will be well-equipped to deal with multiple issues. With the above list you can handle:

- colds/flu/cough/sore throat/lung congestion aches and pains
- allergies/allergic reactions
- skin irritations and conditions
- sprains/strains/fractures
- achy joints/muscles
- digestive upsets and nausea constipation/diarrhea
- dehydration
- bug bites/ bee stings/
- contact dermatitis( poison ivy/oak/sumac)
- burns/sunburn minor cuts.
- bleeding, scrapes and lacerations-including wound cleaning, and closure materials such as: suturing or stapling
- headaches,
- sinus congestion
- ear/eye/dental issues
- fungal infections
- stress and anxiety
- oral hygiene and
- basic dental tx (treatment)with extraction/ dental fillers
- surface disinfectant
- insect repellent
- wash clothes!

Some items that are missing from this list are commonly part of some medical ktis. Unfortunately, chest decompression kits and ambu-bags are of limited help without a hospital to transfer the patient to. I would concentrate on the supplies you will need most and will likely be able use without too much training. You will still have the ability to deal with 90% of the medical emergencies you will encounter in times of trouble.

Nurse Amy

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The Survival Medicine Cabinet: Infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-cabinet-infections/) 

 [Plantar Warts](https://www.doomandbloom.net/plantar-warts/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic

**Tags:** collapse medical supplies, medical list, medical supplies, supply list

---

### [Choosing a Get-Home Bag](https://www.doomandbloom.net/choosing-a-get-home-bag/)

**Published:** February 10, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TraumaBagODGreen-300x300.jpg "TraumaBagODGreen")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TraumaBagODGreen.jpg)

 (**Dr. Bones says:** Today we have a guest post by **Alex Smith**, author of the new book “**GETTING HOME**“. Today, he discusses the Get Home Bag (GHB) and how to select the right bag for your supplies. This is useful information for the survival medic, who may carry a lot of important items to keep his/her people safe in times of trouble.)

Your GHB should stand out as little as possible, but let’s face it – **you are going to stand out with a ruck on your back.** However, try to minimize your visibility as much as possible:

- Avoid tactical bags (MOLLE, military surplus, etc.).
- Avoid camouflage patterns.
- No military/survival/firearms patches on your GHB.

Instead, opt for a pack that a hiker might wear. Select from quality, brand-name bags with earth tones. **Remember it must be relatively comfortable when loaded, and you must be capable of carrying the load**.

Before you choose your GHB, consider the following:

- *How long will it take you to get home?* How many miles are you from home? How many miles can you hike (because you will basically be hiking with a pack) in a day? **Remember, walking is not hiking**; hiking works different muscles and will exhaust you much quicker. Your physical condition will dictate how far you can hike; some may be able to only hike 5 miles, while others might be able to hike 30. Terrain will affect your progress as well. Divide your miles/day into the total distance from home and you will know approximately how long it may take you to get home. The following is a very rough guideline with regards to pack capacity (Note – CI = Cubic Inches / L = Liters):
- - Trip Length = < 2 Days: Pack Capacity = < 3,000 CI (50 L)
    - Trip Length = 3 Days: Pack Capacity = < 3,600 CI (60 L)
    - Trip Length = 4 – 5 Days: Pack Capacity = < 4,900 CI (80 L)
    - Trip Length = > 5 Days: Pack Capacity = > 4,900 CI (80 L)
- *Will you pack light or pack heavy?* Does your physical condition and preferred level of preparedness require you carry a lot or very little? What use is a large pack if you are unable to carry more than what a small pack can carry? Opt for the smaller pack and save several pounds in pack weight.

- *What is your body type?* By body type, we mean torso height, since that is what the GHB will interface with. Measure your torso and determine what pack size will be most comfortable for you (requires help):
- - *Locate your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the top of your back when you lean your head forward).*
    - *Locate your iliac crest (the pelvic “shelf”): Have your friend run their hands down your side until they feel your hip bone.*
    - *Have them place their hands on top of the hip bone with thumbs pointing inward.*
    - *Measure from C7 to the point that your friend’s thumbs “point” to.*

Now that you know your torso length, the following are some guidelines for your body type:

- *Torso Length < 15.5”: Extra Small Pack*
- *Torso Length 16” – 17.5”: Small Pack*
- *Torso Length 18” – 19.5”: Medium Pack*
- *Torso Length > 19.5”: Large Pack*
- *Gender?* Take a long look in the mirror and determine what gender you are. Many brands offer packs that are designed specifically to fit the contours of the female body.
- *Climate:* The colder your climate, the larger the pack you will need. Cold weather sleeping gear and clothing take up much more space.

Now that you have an idea of what to look for in pack size, let’s examine several options you have to improve fit and make the pack more comfortable:

- *Load-lifter Straps*: Found at the top of the shoulder straps, load-lifter straps prevent the pack from pulling away from your body, disrupting your balance. When pulled snug, they should form a 45 degree angle with your shoulder straps and the pack itself. The heavier your load, the more important load-lifter straps are.
- *Sternum Straps*: The strap across your chest. Improves stability and balance.
- *Hip Belt*: The strap across your hips. Improves stability and balance.
- *Pack Frames*: Internal (usually lacks ventilation), External (often heavier) and Perimeter (a hybrid that strives to combine the benefits of internal and external) Frames are all designed to direct pack weight towards your hips – one of the body’s largest bone structures supported by some of the body’s largest muscle groups (the upper legs). Hikers and adventurers have debated which frame system is superior, but there is no clear winner. Choose based on what “feels” better to you. The heavier your pack, the more important it is to have a frame.
- *Pockets/Panels/Compartments/Attachment Points*: To easily access your gear, you will need a pack with a variety of storage compartments and attachment options. Imagine choosing an old military-style duffel bag as your GHB and needing a pair of socks located in the bottom. You will have to remove everything from your GHB to get those socks.
- *Ventilation:* Very important in hot humid climates, especially if an internal-frame pack is chosen. In such a scenario, your GHB needs a ventilation system to prevent your back from getting drenched in sweat.
- *Hydration:* Most packs allow you the option of inserting a reservoir (such as a [Camelbak](https://www.camelbak.com/)). Water is very heavy, but if you live in an arid climate with little access to surface water, you may be forced to carry much of the water you will need for your trip.
- *Padding:* Padding is important, especially if your pack is heavy. Ensure the padding on your hip belt and lumbar pad is sufficient for your needs.
- *Durability:* Your pack could be the most important component of your GHB; buy a quality pack from a respected brand. Be careful if you decide to purchase an ultralight pack. Ultralight packs utilize lighter materials that are often not as durable. Some brands to consider include: Osprey, the North Face, Black Diamond, Kelty and Gregory.

(**Dr. Bones says:** In his new book, **“Getting Home”**, Alex Smith also discusses what to load your GHB with. As well, he covers other important topics such as: Every Day Carry, the Daypack, office preps, vehicle preps, caches, and other tips and tactics. “Getting Home” (ebook) is currently 99 cents, but will go up in price soon (probably 3.99); paperback is also available. Consider it as important knowledge to increase your chances of success, even if everything else fails)

Here’s the link:

[ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BA4ALAO](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BA4ALAO "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BA4ALAO")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Everyday Prepper: Basic EDC Survival Tools](https://www.doomandbloom.net/everyday-prepper-basic-edc-survival-tools/) 

 [A New Epidemic](https://www.doomandbloom.net/anewepidemic/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness

**Tags:** alex smith, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, get home bag, getting home, medic bag, medic bags, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Collapsed Veins in a Collapse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/collapsed-veins-in-a-collapse/)

**Published:** February 22, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Varicose veins** are dilated blood vessels, usually in the legs, which have lost tone in the valves that control blood flow. This swelling of the vascular structures occurs in about 15% of the population, and becomes more common with age (50% over age 50). Women are several times more likely to have this problem than men.

Varicosities are gravity dependent; they may be more common in people whose occupation requires constant standing. In a power-down setting, we will be spending more time on our feet by necessity. Therefore, we must plan to prevent, if possible, and treat varicose veins before they become serious.

##### Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

*Varicose veins* are similar to but not the same as “**spider veins**”. Spider veins are tiny vessels called capillaries and exist everywhere in your body. When they become varicose, they appear like little red or blue spider webs; you may find them on your legs, face, or just about anywhere. People with fair complexions seem to get more of them.

Classically, varicose veins are larger, blue, swollen, and stick out from the skin. They tend to look twisted or contorted. Varicosities cause the circulation to become less efficient. This causes pain and fatigue in the legs, and could lead to an inflammation known as “**phlebitis**”.

You’re more likely to get varicose veins if you:

- Are 50 years of age or older. The valves in your veins weaken as you age.
- Have a family history. If your mother had varicose veins, you are likely to get them as well.
- Are a woman. High levels of estrogen as seen during puberty, pregnancy, and while taking birth control pills increase your risk.
- Are obese. Extra weight puts pressure on the veins and causes them to dilate.
- Work in a profession that requires long periods of standing, lifting weights or sitting with your legs bent.
- Spend longs hours in the sun, especially if your complexion is fair. You may notice them first on your cheeks or nose.

### Complications from Varicose Veins

Besides the discomfort and an unpleasing cosmetic appearance, varicose veins are usually not dangerous. Occasionally, however, you might see one of these complications:

**Thrombophlebitis**: a varicose vein on the surface of the skin can become inflamed; this is due to a blood clot which formed due to the poor circulation in the area. Symptoms include:

- Painful swelling
- Warmth to the touch
- Redness (sometimes along the line of the vein).
- Tender, hard nodules
- Itching
- Fever

Basic treatment involves moist warm compresses and anti-inflammatory medicine for discomfort and fever. Elevation of the affected extremity may be useful. Elastic support hose is helpful while performing activities of daily living. Although most cases of thrombophlebitis are not due to infection, antibiotics are occasionally needed. Cephalexin (Keflex) is known to have activity against Staphylococcus, the most common bacterial culprit. As an aside, hemorrhoids are a type of superficial thrombophlebitis; look for an article on the subject in the near future.

**Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)**: A blood clot that forms in a DEEP vein. The patient will experience a “full” or “firm” feeling, usually in the calf area. This will be accompanied by pain, heat, swelling, and redness as in superficial thrombophlebitis.

While many people may present with no symptoms at all, a DVT can be dangerous if the blood clot dislodges and makes it way to the lungs or other vital organs. Indeed, shortness of breath may be the only symptom noticed. In this circumstance, a blood clot may have already made it into the lung. This is referred to a “**pulmonary embolism**” and is possibly life-threatening. Other signs and symptoms may include breathlessness, chest pain, a fast heart rate, panting, and/or bloody phlegm.

In addition to compresses and pain relief, patients with deep vein thrombosis may require blood thinners; Salicin from the under bark of willows, poplars, and aspens is a natural alternative if the pharmaceuticals have run out. The amount given using this method will, however, always be uncertain. Each tree may have variable amounts of Salicin. Do not attempt this treatment on someone currently on medications such as Coumadin.

If your patient has varicose veins, have them stock up on compression stockings or support pantyhose while times are good. These will be unavailable in a collapse setting and neither will curative treatments like surgery, lasers, or chemical injections. If the resources are there to eliminate this issue in normal times, consider doing so. Encourage your patients at risk to:

- Exercise their legs to improve tone; this will provide support to the blood vessels.
- Avoid standing for long periods of time. Shift their weight from foot to foot often and take a short walk if they sit all day.
- Keep their weight down to avoid putting strain on their legs.
- Elevate their legs above the level of the heart for a half hour daily, and perhaps during sleep.
- Wear support stockings.
- Avoid wearing high heels for long periods (I doubt you’ll be wearing high heels after a disaster).
- Eat a low-salt diet. Less salt consumption can help with the swelling that you see with varicose veins.
- Wear sunscreen; this will limit spider veins in people with fair complexions.

The herbal remedy most quoted to treat varicose veins is the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum. Horse chestnuts contain a substance called aescin, which appears to block enzymes that damage capillary walls. Make a tincture (grain alcohol-based mixture) with the herb and take 1 tablespoonful up to 3 times a day.

For external use only, rub a mixture of 4 parts witch hazel with 1 part tincture of horse chesnut and rub on affected varicosities.

Hopefully, you will never seen a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in times of trouble. However, you will see varicose veins; knowing how to deal with them will improve your group members’ comfort and functionality.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spider Bites](https://www.doomandbloom.net/spider-bites/) 

 [Survival Medicine Cabinet: OTC Drugs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/otc-drugs-for-atc/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Skin issues

**Tags:** collapse medicine, crisis medicine, deep vein thrombosis, Doom and Bloom(tm), Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, phlebitis, pulmonary embolism, survival medicine, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, warm compresses

---

### [Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spider Bites](https://www.doomandbloom.net/spider-bites/)

**Published:** March 1, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Anyone spending time in the outdoors is subject to the risk that they might encounter a creepy-crawly or two during their travels. In survival situations, you can expect that risk to be multiplied if you’re bugging out and hiking through the wilderness.

Although large spiders, such as tarantulas, cause painful bites, most spider bites don’t even break the skin. In temperate climates, two spiders are to be especially feared: The *black widow* and the brown recluse.

The black widow spider is about ½ inch long and is active mostly at night. Southern black widows have a red hourglass pattern on their abdomens, but other sub-species may not (example below). They rarely invade your home, but can be found in outbuildings like barns and garages. Although its bite has very potent venom damaging to the nervous system, the effects on each individual are quite variable, unless you’re a male black widow. By the way, it’s isn’t always true that the female will eat the male after mating.

A black widow bite will appear red and raised and you may see 2 small puncture marks at the site of the wound. Severe pain at the site is usually the first symptom soon after the bite. Following this, you might see:

- Muscle cramps
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Shakiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Disorientation

Here’s what a black widow spider bite looks like:

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/black-widow-bite.jpg "black widow bite")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/black-widow-bite.jpg) Black Widow Spider Bite

Each person will present with a variable combination and degree of the above symptoms. The very young and the elderly are more seriously affected than most. In you exam, you can expect rises in both heart rate and blood pressure.

### The Brown Recluse Spider

The brown recluse spider is, well, brown, and has legs about an inch long. Unlike most spiders, it only has 6 eyes instead of 8, but they are so small it is difficult to identify them from this characteristic.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/brown-recluse-spider.jpg "brown recluse spider")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/brown-recluse-spider.jpg)

Brown Recluse Spider

Victims of brown recluse bites report them to be painless at first, but then may experience these symptoms:

- Itching
- Pain, sometimes severe, after several hours
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blisters

The venom of the brown recluse is thought to be more potent than a rattlesnake’s, although much less is injected in its bite. Substances in the venom disrupt soft tissue, which leads to local breakdown of blood vessels, skin, and fat. This process, seen in severe cases, leads to “**necrosis**”, or death of tissues immediately surrounding the bite (see example below). Areas affected may be extensive.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/brown-recluse-spider-bite.jpg "brown recluse spider bite")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/brown-recluse-spider-bite.jpg)

Once bitten, the human body activates its immune response as a result, and can go haywire, destroying red blood cells and kidney tissue, and hampering the ability of blood to clot appropriately. These effects can lead to coma and, eventually death. Almost all deaths from brown recluse bites are recorded in children.

The treatment for spider bites includes:

- Washing the area of the bite thoroughly
- Applying ice to painful and swollen areas
- Pain medications such as acetaminophen/Tylenol
- Enforcing bed rest
- Warm baths for those with muscle cramps (black widow bites only; stay away from applying heat to the area with brown recluse bites)
- Antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection

Home remedies include making a paste out of baking soda or aspirin and applying it to the wound. Dried basil has also been suggested; crush between your fingers until a fine dust and apply to the bite. One naturopath uses Echinacea and Vitamin C to speed the healing process. Be aware that these methods may be variable in their effect from patient to patient.

There are various devices and kits available that purport to remove venom from bite wounds. Unfortunately, these suction devices are generally ineffective in removing venom from wounds. Tourniquets are also not recommended and may be dangerous. Although antidotes known as “antivenins” (discussed in the section on snakebite) exist and may be life-saving for venomous spider and scorpion stings, these will be scarce in the aftermath of a major disaster. Luckily, most cases that are not severe will subside over the course of a few days, but the sickest patients will be nearly untreatable without the antivenin. Be especially careful when reaching into piles of debris or leaf litter; look closely before you leap.

Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones

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Are you ready to deal with medical issues if things go South? If you get a copy of “[Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1608586498&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=f428e5a70d22a1204992c9bae7f7ff25&language=en_US)“, you just might!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [YOU as Medical Resource](https://www.doomandbloom.net/you-as-medical-resource/) 

 [Collapsed Veins in a Collapse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/collapsed-veins-in-a-collapse/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** black widow, brown recluse, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, spider bites, survival medicine

---

### [YOU as Medical Resource](https://www.doomandbloom.net/you-as-medical-resource/)

**Published:** March 11, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In circumstances when you have lost access to modern medicine, there is no substitute for **being medically prepared**. Any disaster, short term or long term, puts your loved ones in jeopardy. History tells us that these types of calamities CAN happen. From tornados in Joplin, Missouri, to hurricanes on the gulf coast, medical personnel could easily be out of reach when a real emergency strikes someone that you care about. In this situation, YOU are now the highest medical resource left, whether you like it or not.

##### Why a Medic Matters

When there is no doctor, a well-prepared family or group should have already assigned the responsibilities of *medic*. The responsibilities of this person are daunting, and it certainly will be a challenge to accumulate adequate medical stores and obtain the medical knowledge necessary to be a healthcare provider in times of trouble. Those who are willing to step up and take responsibility for the medical well-being of their loved ones will be special individuals with a special mission.

If you have been chosen to pick up the flag, your first assignment is to get some training. Some of it will be book learning, and some will be hands-on; the more you learn the better your chances of acting quickly and effectively. In order to get a good start, you’ll have to study basic first aid and put together a library of medical information that you can refer to. Books on survival medicine/first aid, anatomy, and physiology will be useful. Anatomy is the blueprint of the body, and physiology is the operating manual. With a working knowledge of these two subjects, you’re in a better position to understand disease and injury. They’re essential for you to become a successful medic for your group.

##### Medical Preparedness: Medical Supplies

If you are prudent, you will have put together a store of medications, both pharmaceutical and natural, to use in an austere setting. These should include antibiotics, anti-diarrheals, pain relievers, and various others (use the search engine on the upper right of this page) for articles on must-have items). Medical equipment in the form of instruments, dressings, blood clotting agents, and others will make your job easier. As well, some dental equipment will also be important, especially in a long-term survival scenario.

The most important asset needed to become a competent healthcare provider for your group? How about common sense? A sensible person with good medical supplies, a few medical books and a willingness to learn will be an effective medical resource; No diploma is required to be an asset to your family in a collapse situation, just some time and effort NOW to get the knowledge and skills required.

Spend some time volunteering in your local emergency room. Take first responder courses and learn CPR. A number of medical professionals (including yours truly) offer courses on wound care, wound closure, and other medical topics. In time, an individual with emergency training and the right supplies would, perhaps, be more useful than a physician who has spent his or her career reading X-rays for a living and not seeing actual patients in distress. Remember to maintain a calm demeanor, as sick or injured people will be agitated and need a caregiver with a level head.

If you are a member of a mutual assistance group, write down the medical histories of the people you will be expected to care for. You’ll be surprised what you don’t know about family members or close friends with regards to their medical issues. These histories should always be private and confidential. To deserve trust, you must be, well, trustworthy.

Another useful attribute of a good medic is the dedication to teach other members of his/her group some of the skills that he/she learned. You can’t be everywhere at once, and the basics aren’t that hard to teach. Cross-training is important, as the medic may one day need a medic!

There’s a lot more to it than the few paragraphs above, but don’t let anyone tell you that it’s impossible for you to a successful medic in uncertain times. Sure, know the limitations of your situation and, if modern medical care is available, let the pros do their job. But know this: You may one day be the end of the line when it comes to the medical well-being of your people. Be ready, and you may be the one that helps save a life.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Dermatitis in Doomsday Scenarios](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dermatitis-in-doomsday-scenarios/) 

 [Black Widow and Brown Recluse Spider Bites](https://www.doomandbloom.net/spider-bites/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Survival Medic

**Tags:** being medically prepared, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medic, medical preparedness, medical supplies, mutual assistance groups, survival medicine

---

### [Dermatitis in Doomsday Scenarios](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dermatitis-in-doomsday-scenarios/)

**Published:** March 18, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Few of us are blessed with perfect skin in normal times, and the circumstances surrounding a disaster are unlikely to improve that. Given that the **preparedness community** is composed of rugged individualists who may not put nice skin at the top of their survival priorities, you can expect to deal with a number of neglected skin issues if things go South. While they may not land your people in the survival sick room, they can be major annoyances and affect their work efficiency, and that’s unacceptable.

## What is Dermatitis?

Most of us have heard of appendicitis, colitis or tonsillitis. The suffice “-itis” simply means inflammation; therefore, *dermatitis* simply means an inflammation of the skin. This condition may have many causes and may vary in appearance from case to case. Most types of dermatitis usually present with swollen, reddened and/or itchy skin. Continuous scratching traumatizes the irritated area and may lead to a type of deep skin infection called “cellulitis” once the skin is broken. Cellulitis could lead to a generalized infection that could lead to something dangerous. Here a link to my article on “cellulitis” (which actually has nothing to do with “cellulite”):

https://doctorbonesandamyshow.blogspot.com/2011/09/cellulitis-epidemic-in-collapse.html

### Types of Dermatitis

Many skin conditions look similar to each other, so I’ve provided a photo of each of the ones I describe. Some of the more common types of dermatitis are:

[![](https://184.168.191.176/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/dermatitiscontact.jpg "dermatitiscontact")](https://184.168.191.176/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/dermatitiscontact.jpg)

· Contact dermatitis (above):  Caused by allergens (allergy-causing substances) and chemical irritants. A good example would be poison ivy. Sometimes, wearing costume jewelry will cause it.

 You will most likely see contact dermatitis in an austere situation; your people will be exposed to substances, while scavenging, that may cause reactions. Some of these include:

· Soaps. laundry soap and detergents.

· Cleaning products.

· Rubber or Latex.

· Metals, such as nickel.

· Weeds, such as poison ivy, oak or sumac.

 Once you’re sensitized to an allergen, your body’s immune system produces antibodies against them. Future exposures, therefore, may cause skin reactions. Your patient will probably experience these reactions on and off for the rest of his or her life. Corticosteroid creams, cool moist compresses and avoiding irritants will be the cornerstones of treatment. Use these only until the rash is improved. Antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin will help relieve itching. Of course, if the dermatitis was caused by contact with an irritant, avoid it if at all possible. It is a “trigger” that will set off future reactions.

Seborrheic dermatitis (above): A commonly seen flaky, itchy condition that affects the face and scalp (common cause of dandruff). Scalp irritations caused by Seborrhea may be treated by shampoos that contain tar, pyrithione zinc (Head and Shoulders), or ketoconazole.·

Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema (above): A chronic itchy rash that can be found in various areas at once (oftentimes, the face) and tends to be intermittent in nature. This may be accompanied by hay fever or asthma, and sometimes flares up in cold weather. Treatment is similar to contact dermatitis.

Neurodermatitis (above): A chronic itchy skin condition localized to certain areas of the skin (as seen in a herpes virus infection called “Shingles”). Neurodermatitis caused by Shingles may be treated with anti-viral agents, such as Acyclovir, Valtrex, or Famvir (but not by Tamiflu, a commonly used antiviral for influenza).

·Stasis dermatitis (above): An inflamed area caused by fluid under the skin, commonly seen on the lower legs of older individuals. Poor circulation is a major factor here. To deal with dermatitis related to poor circulation, you may have to use support stockings on top of a mild steroid. See our article on varicose veins by using the search engine on the upper right of this page.

Rosacea (above): A reddened area on the face that is caused by swollen blood vessels, usually in fair-skinned individuals beginning in middle age. It is accompanied by spider veins, flushing, and, sometimes, a markedly red nose and an appearance like acne. It is NOT acne, however, and will not respond with over-the-counter acne medicine. Antibiotics are sometimes used, and Vitamin A-related medications like Accutane may help.

Psoriasis (above): Thickened patches of reddened skin with silvery flaking. This is actually an auto-immune condition, where the body fails to recognize its own skin cells! This causes a reaction that causes the buildup of new skin cells where the body mistakenly thinks an injury has occurred. Moisturizers as well as corticosteroid and coal tar ointments are helpful; Psoriasis responds to sunlight, so phototherapy using special lamps are used in this condition.

Natural supplements that improve dermatitis are numerous and often involve Omega-3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. Used with evening primrose oil, it is especially effective. Chamomile cream is thought to be as potent as a mild hydrocortisone. Calendula has skin-soothing properties and may protect against contact dermatitis. Be aware that it may trigger an allergic reaction on broken skin.

Learning to treat medical problems in a grid-down situation isn’t always about dealing with gunshot wounds and other major trauma. Sometimes, little things can make people miserable and affect their ability to contribute to group efforts. A working knowledge of skin conditions and their treatments will make you a more effective survival medic.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Raw Honey is Medicine!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/raw-honey-is-medicine/) 

 [YOU as Medical Resource](https://www.doomandbloom.net/you-as-medical-resource/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Skin issues

**Tags:** atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dermatitis, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, neurodermatitis, preparedness community, rosacea, skin conditions, stasis dermatitis, survival medicine

---

### [Raw Honey is Medicine!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/raw-honey-is-medicine/)

**Published:** March 24, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shutterstock_129600581-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shutterstock_129600581-scaled.jpg)

I love **honey**, always have and always will. My love of honey has grown deeper as I discover all the wonderful properties it possesses. As my research into alternative natural remedies has progressed I find RAW, unprocessed honey (the ONLY honey you should buy) mentioned in nearly every source I find, so I thought I would share some of that information with you.

I have said many times before that, IF a true disaster occurs, eventually all of us will run out of pharmaceutical medications. No question about it, they will either get used up or become expired (after a long time) and useless. So you need to learn how to live without antibiotics produced in a lab.

Honey has been used for thousands of years for it’s healing properties. It was commonly used until WW II, when lab antibiotics came into fashion. The use of honey is called apitherapy, which includes replenishing energy, enhancing physical stamina, and improving immune systems. Honey is produced in the bee’s gut and is then regurgitated into wax cells within the hive. This gut production is part of the reason for honey’s healing and antimicrobial properties. It forms a hydrogen peroxide effect in wounds and destroys bacteria, including MRSA and strep infections.

### Raw Honey, Wounds, and Burns

Within wounds, honey not only destroys bacterial infections, it creates a moist healing environment that allows skin cells to regrow naturally. This helps prevent raised scarring. Honey both prevents and kills bacterial infections. It has an acidic pH that is inhospitable for bacteria. It also has an osmotic effect which kills by drawing out fluid from the bacteria. Several studies have shown honey heals wounds better and faster, with a dramatic decrease in infection rates, especially in burn injuries. Apply to cuts, scrapes, burns of any depth if medical help is NOT available, rashes, or any open skin injury, after good wound cleaning.

In the event of a severe [second degree burn](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5393) or any third degree burn, immediate medical help should be sought. In the event this help is not available, using RAW honey would be the best choice for healing and prevention of infection. Do not rinse off the honey, just add more at least once daily and cover with plastic wrap or a clean linen or cotton wrap to hold the honey in place. Severe burn patients are at a serious risk for many problems and need to be monitored by the best medical personnel possible.

Honey is known to have a calming effect on the mind and promotes sleep. It may have a positive effect on heart disease by reducing C-reactive protein levels. Honey may reduce blood sugar levels and help stabilize wild swings of high and low levels. It has also been shown to have antiviral properties and is used frequently to help combat colds and influenza. Honey is helpful in the treatment and prevention of oral infections and disease. It soothes a sore throat and speeds healing of a strep throat infection.

Make sure you store honey as part of your preparedness plan. It never spoils or goes bad. If it crystallizes, just heat it up just a little and it will be as good as new!

One more important piece of advice: Manuka honey is NO different then regular honey. They claim it is made from “tea tree” pollen, however, the “tea tree” they site is a relative, and is NOT the true tea tree called melaleuca (just check your tea tree oil label). This is a fraud perpetrated to make money from unsuspecting customers.

Buy your local honey, save money AND reduce allergies. Local honey is made by bees from pollen that you might be allergic to. However, the minute doses of this allergen in the honey is like an ALLERGY SHOT and will help desensitize you to that pollen. That’s right, it helps decrease or eliminate allergies caused by your local environment. So eat the honey produced in your area and you will be healthier and save money!

Thanks,

Nurse Amy

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Essential Oils as Medicinal Survival Aid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/essential-oils-as-medicine/) 

 [Dermatitis in Doomsday Scenarios](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dermatitis-in-doomsday-scenarios/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** burn, burn treatment, cold treatment, collapse scenario, collapse situation, flu, honey, honey for burns, honey is medicine, medical preparedness, raw honey

---

### [Essential Oils as Medicinal Survival Aid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/essential-oils-as-medicine/)

**Published:** March 26, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734-300x200.jpg "shutterstock_84827734")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734.jpg)

(Dr. Bones Says: This discussion relates to essential oil as a survival tool in a post-apocalyptic setting. Seek modern and standard medical care in normal times)

As a medical doctor/registered nurse practitioner team, we received conventional medical training at university hospitals while getting our degrees. Since that time, however, we have explored various **alternative methods of healing**; this is not to replace our education, but as a supplement and as an additional tool in the medical woodshed. Before you say this is all a bunch of hooey, take a look at any conventional medical text from 100 years ago.

All the old-time standard medical books refer to *essential oils*, herbs, and all sorts of treatments involving the use of natural substances. What was conventional medicine then is considered alternative medicine now. You have to expect that a major disaster will limit (or eliminate) your access to pharmaceuticals; therefore, you should be well acquainted with other means of keeping your people healthy.

One class of alternative remedies that are commonly used is Essential Oils. These substances are called “essential” because they capture the “essence” of the plant. Unlike cooking oils, such as olive or corn, these oils are less fixed and more volatile. That means that they tend to evaporate easily, unlike the “fixed” oils, which don’t evaporate even in high temperatures. As such, essential oils are popular in aromatherapy.

Although you might not realize it, you’ve been using essential oils all your life. You’ve no doubt used them in soaps, furniture polishes, perfumes and ointments. Although it only takes a few leaves of peppermint to make a tea, it takes 5 pounds of leaves to make 1 ounce of essential oil. One source states that it takes an entire acre of peppermint to produce just 12 pounds. The same source says that 12,000 rose blossoms are required to produce a tablespoon of rose oil! These concentrated versions are the ones you see marketed in small, dark bottles.

You might be surprised to learn that the Food and Drug Administration only requires 10% essential oil in the bottle to be considered “Pure Essential Oil”. Beware of claims of FDA certification; the FDA has no certification or approval process for these products.

### Where Do Essential Oils Come From in Plants?

Essential oils are produced by plants to serve as either an attractant to pollinator insects (hence their strong fragrance) or as a repellant against invading organisms, from bacteria to animal predators. These substances usually contain multiple chemical compounds, making each plant’s essential oil unique. Oils may be produced by leaves, bark, flowers, resin, fruit or roots. For example, Lemon oil comes from the peel, Lavender oil from flowers, and Cinnamon oil from bark. Some plants are sources of more than one essential oil, dependent on the part processed. Some plant materials produce a great deal of oil; others produce very little. The strength or quality of the oil is dependent on multiple factors, including soil conditions, time of year, sub-species of plant, and even the time of day the plant is harvested.

The manufacture of essential oils, known as “extraction”, can be achieved by various methods:

- Distillation Method: Using a “still” like old-time moonshiners, water is boiled through an amount of plant material to produce a steam that travels through cooled coils. This steam condenses into a “mixture” of oil and water (which doesn’t really mix) from which the oil can be extracted.
- Pressing Method: The oils of citrus fruit can be isolated by a technique which involves putting the peels through a “press”. This works best only with the oiliest of plant materials, such as orange skins.
- Maceration Method: a fixed oil (sometimes called a “carrier” oil) or lard may be combined with the plant part and exposed to the sun over time, causing the fixed oil to become infused with the plant “essence”. Oftentimes, a heat source is used to move the process along. The plant material may be added several times during the process to manufacture a stronger oil. This is the method by which you obtain products such as “garlic-infused olive oil”. A similar process using flowers is referred to as “Enfleurage”.
- Solvent Method: Alcohol and other solvents may be used on some plant parts, usually flowers, to release the essential oil in a multi-step process.

As each essential oil has different chemical compounds in it, it stands to reason that the medicinal benefits of each are also different. As such, an entire alternative medical discipline has developed to find the appropriate oil for the condition that needs treatment. The method of administration may differ, as well. Common methods include:

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_82641967-201x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/shutterstock_82641967-scaled.jpg)

1\) Inhalation Therapy: This method is also known as “aromatherapy”. Add a few drops of the essential oil in a bowl of steaming water (distilled or sterilized), and inhale. This method is most effective when placing a towel over your head to catch the vapors. Many people will place essential oils in potpourri or use a “diffuser” to spread the aroma throughout the room; this technique probably dilutes any medicinal effects, however.

2\) Topical Application: The skin is an amazing absorbent surface, and using essential oils by direct application is a popular method of administration. The oil may be used as part of a massage, or directly placed on the skin to achieve a therapeutic effect on a rash or muscle. Before considering using an essential oil in this manner, always test for allergic reactions beforehand. Even though the chemical compounds in the oil are natural, that doesn’t mean that they couldn’t have an adverse effect on you (case in point: poison ivy).

A simple test involves placing a couple of drops on the inside of your forearm with a cotton applicator. Within 12-24 hours, you’ll notice a rash developing if you’re allergic. Mixing some of the essential oil with a fixed or “carrier” oil such as olive oil before use is a safer option for topical use. Another concern, mostly with topically-applied citrus oils, is “phototoxicity” (an exaggerated burn response to sun exposure).

I have some reservations about whether applying an essential oil on the skin over a deep organ, such as the pancreas, will really have any specific effect on that organ. It is much more likely to work, however, on the skin itself or underlying muscle tissue.

3\) Ingestion: Direct ingestion is unwise for many essential oils, and this method should be used with caution. Most internal uses of an essential oil should be of a very small amount diluted in at least a tablespoon of a fixed oil such as olive oil. Professional guidance is imperative when considering this method. You can always consider a tea made with the herb as an alternative. This is a safer mode of internal use, although the effect may not be as strong.

Essential oils have been used as medical treatment for a very long time, but it’s difficult to provide definitive evidence of their effectiveness for several reasons. Essential oils are difficult to standardize, due to variance in the quality of the product based on soil conditions, time of year, and other factors that we mentioned above. An essential Eucalyptus oil may be obtained from Eucalyptus Globulus or Eucalyptus Radiata, for example, and have differing properties as a result. These factors combine to make scientific study problematic.

In most university experiments, a major effort is made to be certain that the substance tested caused the results obtained. As essential oils have a number of different chemicals and are often marketed as blends, which ingredient was the cause of the effect? If the oil is applied with massage, was the effect related to the oil itself or the therapeutic benefit of the physical therapy?

The majority of studies on essential oils have been conducted by the cosmetics and food industries; some have been conducted by individuals or small companies. Standard studies for medicinal benefit are usually performed by the pharmaceutical industry, but they generally have little interest in herbal products. This is because they have few options in patenting these products. Therefore, serious funding is hard to find because of the limited profit potential. Despite this, essential oils have various reported beneficial effects, mainly based on their historical use on many thousands of patients by alternative healers. Although there are many essential oils, a number of them are considered mainstays of any herbal medicine cabinet. Here are just some:

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/EssentialOilsZinc.jpg "EssentialOilsZinc")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/EssentialOilsZinc.jpg)

Lavender Oil: An analgesic (pain reliever), antiseptic, and immune stimulant. It is thought to be good for skin care and to promote healing, especially in burns, bruises, scrapes, acne, rashes and bug bites. Lavender has a calming effect, and is used for insomnia, stress and depression. It has been reported effective as a decongestant through steam inhalation. Lavender oil may have use as an antifungal agent, and may be used for Athlete’s foot or other related conditions.

Eucalyptus Oil: An antiseptic, antiviral, and decongestant (also an excellent insect repellent), Eucalyptus oil has a “cooling” effect on skin. It also aids with respiratory issues and is thought to boost the immune system. Consider its use for flus, colds, sore throats, coughs, sinusitis, bronchitis, and hay fever. When exposure is expected, it has been reported to have a preventative effect. Eucalyptus may be used in massages, steam inhalation, and as a bath additive. Although eucalyptus oil has been used in cough medicine, it is likely greatly diluted and should not be otherwise ingested in pure form.

Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Oil: Diluted in a carrier oil such as coconut, Tea Tree oil may be good for athlete’s foot, acne, skin wounds, and even insect bites. In the garden, Tea Tree oil is a reasonable organic method of pest control. In inhalation therapy, it is reported to help relieve respiratory congestion. Studies have been performed which find it effective against both Staphylococcus and fungal infections. Some even recommend a few drops in a pint of water for use as a vaginal douche to treat yeast. Tea Tree oil may be toxic if used in high concentrations, around sensitive areas like the eyes, or ingested.

Peppermint Oil: This oil is said to have various therapeutic effects: antiseptic, antibacterial, decongestant, and anti-emetic (stops vomiting). Peppermint oil is applied directly to the abdomen when used for digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, and abdominal cramping. Some herbalists prescribe Peppermint for headache; massage a drop or two to the temples as needed. For sudden abdominal conditions, achy muscles or painful joints, massage the diluted oil externally onto the affected area. As mentioned previously, definitive proof of topical application effects on deep organs is difficult to find.

Lemon Oil: Used for many years as a surface disinfectant, it is often found in furniture cleaners. Many seem to think that this disinfecting action makes it good for sterilizing water, but there is no evidence that it is as effective as any of the standard methods of doing so, such as boiling. Lemon oil is thought to have a calming effect; some businesses claim to have better results from their employees when they use it as aromatherapy. Don’t apply this oil on the skin if you will be exposed to the sun that day, due to possible phototoxicity.

Clove Oil: Although thought to have multiple uses as an anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, analgesic, and sedative, Clove oil particularly shines as an anesthetic and antimicrobial. It is marketed as “Eugenol” to dentists throughout the world as a natural pain killer for toothaches. A toothpaste can be made by combining clove oil and baking soda; when mixed with zinc oxide powder, it makes an excellent temporary cement for lost fillings and loose crowns. Use Clove oil with caution, as it may have an irritant effect on the gums if too much is applied.

Arnica Oil: Arnica oil is used as a topical agent for muscle injuries and aches. Thought to be analgesic and anti-inflammatory, it is found in a number of sports ointments. As a personal aside, I have tested this oil on myself, and found it to be effective though not very long lasting. Frequent application would be needed for long term relief. Although some essential oils are excellent as aromatherapy, Arnica oil is toxic if inhaled.

Chamomile Oil: There are at least two versions of Chamomile oil, Roman and German. Roman Chamomile is a watery oil, while German Chamomile seems more viscous. Both are used to treat skin conditions such as eczema as well as irritations due to allergies. Chamomile oil is thought to decrease gastrointestinal inflammation and irritation, and is thought have a calming effect as aromatherapy, especially in children.

Geranium Oil: Although variable in its effects based on the species of plant used, Geranium oil is reported to inhibit the production of sebum in the skin, and may be helpful in controlling acne. Some believe that it also may have hemostatic (blood-clotting) properties, and is often recommended for bleeding from small cuts and bruising. When a small amount of oil is diluted in shampoo, it may be considered a treatment for head lice.

Helichrysum Oil: Thought to be a strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory, Helichrysum is used to treat arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia as part of massage therapy. It has also been offered as a treatment for chronic skin irritation.

Rosemary Oil: Represented as having multiple uses as an antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic, Rosemary oil is proven to control spider mites in gardens. Use a few drops with water for a disinfectant mouthwash. Inhalation, either cold or steamed, may relieve congested or constricted respiration. Mixed with a carrier oil, it is used to treat tension headaches and muscle aches.

Clary Sage Oil: One of the various chemical constituents of Clary Sage has a composition similar to estrogen, and has been used to treat menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome, and other hormonal issues. It is also believed to have a mild anticoagulant effect, and may have some use as a blood thinner. Clary Sage also is thought to have some sedative effect, and has been used as a calming agent.

Neem Oil: With over 150 chemical ingredients, the Neem tree is referred as “the village pharmacy” in its native India. The majority of Ayurvedic alternative remedies have some form of Neem oil in them. Proven as a natural organic pesticide, we personally use Neem Oil in our vegetable garden. Reported medicinal benefits are too numerous to list here and seem to cover just about every organ system. It should be noted, however, that it may be toxic when the oil is taken internally.

Wintergreen Oil: A source of natural salicylates, Wintergreen oil is a proven anticoagulant and analgesic. About 1 fluid ounce of Wintergreen Oil is the equivalent of 171 aspirin tablets if ingested, so use very small amounts. It may also have beneficial effects on intestinal spasms and might reduce blood pressure in hypertensives.

Frankincense Oil: One of the earliest documented essential oils, evidence of its use goes back 5000 years to ancient Egypt. Catholics will recognize it as the incense used during religious ceremonies. Studies from Johns Hopkins and Hebrew Universities state that Frankincense relieves anxiety and depression in mice (how, exactly, was this determined?). Direct application of the oil may have antibacterial and antifungal properties, and is thought to be helpful for wound healing. As a cold or steam inhalant, it is sometimes used for lung and nasal congestion.

Blue Tansy Oil: Helpful as a companion plant for organic pest control, Blue Tansy is sometimes planted along with potatoes and other vegetables. The oil has been used for years to treat intestinal worms and other parasites. One of its constituents, Camphor, is used in medicinal chest rubs and ointments. In the past, it has been used in certain dental procedures as an antibacterial.

Oregano Oil: An antiseptic, oregano oil has been used in the past as an antibacterial agent. It should be noted that Oregano oil is derived from a different species of the plant than the Oregano used in cooking. One of the minority of essential oils that are safe to ingest, it is thought to be helpful in calming stomach upset, and may help relieve sore throats. Its antibacterial action leads some to use the oil in topical applications on skin infections when diluted with a carrier oil. Oregano Oil may reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron, so consider an iron supplement if you use this regularly.

Thyme Oil: Reported to have significant antimicrobial action, diluted Thyme oil is used to cure skin infections, and may be helpful for ringworm and athlete’s foot. Thyme is sometimes used to reduce intestinal cramps in massage therapy. As inhalation therapy, it may loosen congestion from upper respiratory infections.

Many essential oils are marketed as blends, such as “Thieves’ Oil”. This is a combination of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils. Touted to treat a broad variety of ailments, studies at Weber State University indicate a good success rate in killing airborne viruses and bacteria. Of course, the more elements in the mixture, the higher chance for adverse reactions, such as phototoxicity.

Some important caveats to the above list should be stated here. Most of the essential oils listed are unsafe to use in pregnancy, and may even cause miscarriage. Also, allergic reactions to essential oils, especially on the skin, are not uncommon; use the allergy test I described earlier before starting regular topical applications. Even though essential oils are natural substances, they may interact with medicines that you may regularly take or have adverse effects on chronic illness such as liver disease, epilepsy or high blood pressure. Thorough research is required to determine whether a particular essential oil is safe for you.

Having said that, essential oils are a viable option for many conditions. Anyone interested in maintaining their family’s well-being should regard them as just another weapon in the medical arsenal. Learn about them with an open mind, but maintain a healthy skepticism about “cure-all” claims.

Dr. Bones

Nurse Amy’s essential oil pack with zinc oxide powder (for temporary dental fillings!):

[ https://store.doomandbloom.net/products/essential-oil-4-pack-with-zinc-oxide.html](https://store.doomandbloom.net/products/essential-oil-4-pack-with-zinc-oxide.html "https://store.doomandbloom.net/products/essential-oil-4-pack-with-zinc-oxide.html")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [When Your Dogs Are Howling (From Athlete's Foot)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/athletes-foot/) 

 [Raw Honey is Medicine!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/raw-honey-is-medicine/)

**Categories:** Alternative Medicine, Health-Medical-Holistic, Survival Medic

**Tags:** alternative medicine, distillation, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, essential oils, feverfew, geranium, lavender, sage, survival medicine, Thyme

---

### [When Your Dogs Are Howling (From Athlete's Foot)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/athletes-foot/)

**Published:** March 29, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_375975581-300x199.jpg "shutterstock_37597558")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_375975581.jpg)

Part of your duties as a **medical caregiver** is to deal with minor issues that don’t threaten your patients’ lives, but can seriously decrease their quality of life or work efficiency. In times of trouble, you’ll need your people at 110%, and many issues such as toothaches or foot infections will prevent this from happening. A special issue that is very common and will be more so in a long-term survival situation is Athlete’s Foot. When your dogs (by that, I mean your feet) are howling because you aren’t able to change socks often, you can expect major problems. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where you have to be on the move, and move on the double.

## Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot (also known as “*tinea pedis*”) is an infection of the skin caused by a type of fungus known as Trychophyton. This condition may be a chronic issue, lasting for years if not treated. Although usually seen between the toes, you might see it also on other parts of the feet or even on the hands (often between fingers). It should be noted that this problem is contagious, passed by sharing shoes or socks and even by wet surfaces such as shower floors. Those affected by Athlete’s Foot may also find themselves with Ringworm or Jock Itch (**“Tinea Cruris”**), caused by the same or similar organisms.

### What Exacerbates Athlete’s Foot?

Any fungal infection is made worse by moist conditions. People who are prone to Athlete’s foot commonly:

- Spend long hours in closed shoes
- Keep their feet wet for prolonged periods
- Have had a tendency to get cuts on feet and hands
- Perspire a lot

Sounds like something you might expect if things go South? You bet!

To make a diagnosis, look for flaky skin between the toes or fingers. The skin may appear red and the nails discolored. Your patient will complain of itching and burning in the affected areas, sometimes severe. If the skin has been traumatized by scratching, you might see some fluid drainage. Often, the damage caused by scratching is worse than the infection itself.

If the condition is mild, keeping your feet clean and dry may be enough to allow slow improvement of the condition. Oftentimes, however, topical antifungal ointments or powders such as **miconazole** or **clotrimazole** are required for elimination of the condition. In the worst cases, oral prescription antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan) are needed. Don’t use anti-itching creams very often, as it keeps the area moist and may delay healing. Patience is a virtue when it comes to monitoring the healing process; it may take more than a month for a significant case of Athlete’s Foot to resolve.

A favorite home remedy for Athlete’s Foot involves placing **Tea Tree Oil** liberally to a foot bath and soak for 20 minutes or so. Dry the feet well and then apply a few drops onto the affected area. Repeat this process twice daily. Try to keep the area as dry as possible otherwise. For prevention of future outbreaks of Athlete’s Foot, apply tea tree oil once a week before putting on socks and shoes.

There are various other remedies I’m sure our readers can share for this all-too-common issue. Feel free to share in our comments section…

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Casting a Fracture](https://www.doomandbloom.net/casting-a-fracture/) 

 [Essential Oils as Medicinal Survival Aid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/essential-oils-as-medicine/)

**Categories:** Foot Care, Health-Medical-Holistic, Skin issues

**Tags:** anti-fungal medication, athlete's foot, clotrimazole, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, fungal infection, medical preparedness, skin irritation, survival medicine, tea tree oil, tinea pedis

---

### [Casting a Fracture](https://www.doomandbloom.net/casting-a-fracture/)

**Published:** March 31, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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The **diagnosis of a broken bone** can be simple, as when the bone is obviously deformed, or difficult, as in a minimal, “hairline” fracture. X-rays can be helpful to differentiate a small fracture from a severe sprain, but that technology won’t be available in a power-down situation.

### Fractures in Long Term Survival Situations

In any *long-term survival scenario*, you will be likely to encounter traumatic injuries; knowing how to approach a possibly broken bone is important to helping your patient recover.

Suspect a fracture (as opposed to a sprain) in the following circumstances:

- A fracture will manifest with severe pain and inability to use the bone (for example. The patient cannot put any weight whatsoever on a broken ankle). Someone with a sprain can probably put some weight, albeit painfully, on the area.
- More pronounced swelling and bruising will likely be present on a fracture than a sprain.
- A grinding sensation may be felt when broken ends of a bone rub together.
- A deep cut in the area of the injury is a likely sign of an open fracture.
- Motion of the bone in an area where there is no joint is another dead giveaway that there is a fracture. If you notice that your injured finger appears to have 5 knuckles, you’re probably dealing with a fracture.

### How to Evaluate a Fracture

Dealing with a fractured bone involves first evaluating the injured area for the above signs and symptoms. Use your bandage or EMT scissors to cut away the clothing over the injury. This will prevent further injury that may occur if the patient was made to remove their own clothing. First, check the site for bleeding and the presence of an open wound; if present, stop the bleeding before proceeding further.

Fractures may cause damage to the patient’s circulation in the limb affected, so it is important to check the area beyond the level of the injury for changes in coloration (white or blue instead of normal skin color) and for strong and steady pulses. Usually, normal color returns to skin in the fingertips within 2 seconds of applying pressure and then releasing. This is known as the “Capillary Refill Time”.

To find out what a strong pulse feels like, place two fingers on the side of your neck until you feel your neck arteries pulsing. You will do this same action on, say, the wrist, if the patient has broken their arm. Lightly prick the patient in the same area with a safety pin to make sure they have normal sensation. If not, the nerve has been injured.

If the bone has not deformed the extremity, a simple splint will immobilize the fracture, prevent further injury to soft tissues and promote appropriate healing. Oftentimes, however, the bone will be obviously bent or otherwise deformed, and the fracture must be “**reduced**” as we discussed with dislocations. Although this will be painful, normal healing and complete recovery will not occur until the two ends of the broken bone are realigned to their original position.

Reducing a deformity is best performed with 2 persons and a sedated patient. One supports and provides traction on the side closest to the torso, and the other exerts steady traction on the area beyond the fracture. There are risks to this procedure and nerves and blood vessels can be damaged, but normal healing will not occur in a deformed limb. The earlier that reduction is performed, the easier it is. Often, some form of traction is needed to keep the broken ends of the bone in place.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/reduction1-261x300.jpg "reduction1")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/reduction1.jpg)

Splint the extremity in place immediately after performing the reduction. In an open fracture, thorough washing of the wound is absolutely necessary to prevent internal infection. Infection will invariably occur in a dirty wound, even if the reduction is successful. Therefore, antibiotics are important to prevent complications such as **osteomyelitis,** a serious infection of the bone. Always check the pulses and capillary refill time after the reduction is performed; this will assure adequate circulation beyond the level of the injury.

It is very important to immobilize the fractured bone in such a fashion that it is allowed to heal. When you are responsible for the complete healing of the broken bone, remember that the splint should immobilize it in a position that it normally would assume in routine function.

- For legs: The leg should be straight, with a slight bend at the knee.
- For arms: The elbow should be flexed at a 90 degree angle to the upper arm.
- For ankles: The ankle should be at a 90 degree angle to the leg.
- For wrist: The wrist should be straight or slightly extended upward.
- For fingers: The fingers should be slightly flexed, as if holding a glass of water
- [![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samsplints.jpg "samsplints")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samsplints.jpg)

Splints can be commercially produced (e.g., **SAM splints**), or may be improvised, using straight sticks with bandannas or T-shirt strips to immobilize the area. Another option is to fold a pillow around the injury and duct tape it in place. For most fractures, however, you will want to consider the placement of a cast to enforce immobilization. A cast is a solid supportive bandage that is solid that encases the injured limb. Casting material using plaster of paris or fiberglass is easy to obtain and lasts a long time. It’s a useful addition to any medical storage.

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PillowSplint-300x200.jpg "PillowSplint")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PillowSplint.jpg) Pillow Splint

As mentioned above, the most common types of cast material used are **plaster** and **fiberglass**. Plaster is useful after a reduction as it can be molded in a fashion that keeps the bone in place. Unfortunately, it is heavy and there are issues keeping the cast dry. If the plaster cast becomes wet, it will weaken the immobilization of the injured extremity and negatively affect your patient’s comfort. Fiberglass casts (see image at top of this page) are best used when the bone is in good position or if the healing process is already underway. Fiberglass casts are light weight, durable, and require less maintenance.

When placing a cast, you will first start with a liner of cotton known as a “**stockinette**”. Then, you will need rolls of padding to form a barrier between the skin and the cast. Rolls of plaster of Paris or fiberglass are then immersed in water for 20 seconds or so. Wring out the excess water (keep the end of the roll between your fingers or it will stick and be difficult to find). Then, you will begin to slowly roll the casting material around the area of the fracture, smoothing it out as you go along. Advance one half of the thickness of the roll as you go from beyond the fracture towards the torso. You will want perhaps three layers of casting material on the area, more in places where there is a bony prominence, such as the wrist.

Each fracture is casted somewhat differently: Stockinettes, padding, and casting rolls are available in different widths and lengths appropriate to the particular fracture. Although oscillating saws are used today to remove casts, they require the availability of electricity. There are still special heavy-duty shears available for the purpose, although some effort is needed to perform the removal. References to books devoted to the subject are listed at the end of this volume.

To review: Your goal is to immobilize the fracture in a position of function. Use padding under the splint or cast as possible to keep the injured area stable and protected. Most fractures require 6-8 weeks to form a “**callus**”; this is newly formed tissue that will reunite the broken ends of the bone. Larger bones or more complicated injuries take longer. If not well-realigned, the function of the affected extremity will be permanently compromised.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-antibiotics/) 

 [When Your Dogs Are Howling (From Athlete's Foot)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/athletes-foot/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries

**Tags:** cast, diagnosis of a broken bone, doom and bloom, dr. bones, fiberglass cast, fracture, immobilization, medical preparedness, nurse amy, osteomyelitis, osteoymyelitis, plaster of paris cast, reduction, shears, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Gardening Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-gardening-tips/)

**Published:** April 2, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Spring is upon us! Let the gardening begin! Starting a survival garden is one of the crucial steps towards preparedness success. The only way to gain this skill is to start in normal times before you need the food you grow to survive. Get through the learning curve now, and you’ll succeed, even when everything else fails.

**Gardening Tips**

Gardening is not as easy as throwing a seed into any random soil. Here is a guide for container gardens and also raised beds. I have tested all of these principles and this is what has kept my plants healthy and productive.

- Begin with 1 brick of Coconut coir, put this into a large 55 gallon container and begin adding water. It will start to break down as you add more water. It takes an incredible amount of water to turn it into a fluffy consistency so don’t give up, just keep adding more water until it is all broken up.
- Then add 1 large bag of ORGANIC garden soil. Mix well.
- Add 1/2 of 5 gallon bucket (orange ones from home depot) of pine straw.
- Add as much compost( cow manure) as the container will hold and mix it all up.
- Now you have the basic mix for any container.
- Obtain containers, use the biggest you can fit in your space and drill 1/4 inch holes ALL over the bottom and some on all 4 sides.

Remember soil needs to breathe!! Do not add anything to the bottom of the container. Fill up the container to 3/4 full. When it rains you don’t want the water just splashing out of the container!

Now mix in worm castings, no such thing as too much, it won’t hurt or burn the plants like “chemical” fertilizers!! It adds the micro nutrients. Also you can add some green sand, it also adds micro nutrients. You are feeding the SOIL organisms.

Depending on the plant’s pH requirement you will “drop” the pH with azalea ORGANIC soil acidifier, a little or a lot depending on the plant.

Now, add BALANCED ORGANIC fertilizer to the top 6 inches. It will “seep” down so don’t worry about the bottom. This is adding the MACRO nutrients, N-P-K. Nitrogen, phosphate and potassium.

**Planting Seeds and Gardening**

OK, now you are ready to add the seeds. But first:

ONLY plant heirloom or open pollinated seeds. You WANT to be able to save these seeds for your next planting and hybrid or GMO ( Gross Monster Offensive) seeds will not breed true. “Organic” is just the METHOD of gardening ie. NO CHEMICALS were applied while growing the plant, it isn’t a type of seed.

If the seeds are tiny, like carrots go ahead and follow the planting guide as to how far apart and how many. If they are a bigger: make a micorrhizae paste with some powder and a little water and throw the seeds into the paste.

Plant the paste covered seeds according to their guide and cover with soil.

If you are planting tiny seeds cover them up then mix the micorrhizae powder into some water, add some humid acid to the water also and sprinkle it over the soil. Kills two birds with one stone!

If you used the paste and have now covered the seeds with soil, mix humid acid into a watering can with water and pour that over the surface.

Now MULCH the entire surface with pine straw.

Water the surface everyday to keep the soil moist.

When the plants grow bigger TRY to ONLY water the soil NOT the plant leaves. Watering leaves and stems may contribute to DISEASES like fungus.

Keep the leaves as dry as possible. You can’t stop the rain, but you CAN water the soil only.

You need to REALLY water the soil deeply, this may take as much as 3-5 minutes per container, or 5-8 minutes for a raised bed if you are hand watering. Surface watering may make you feel better but the deep roots are still thirsty! Water is for the deep roots not the surface soil.

Spray the plants lightly with 1 cap full of neem oil to a spray bottle of water very few days to PREVENT pests and diseases.

Other treatments to keep pest away and treat diseases: Dr Bronners castile tea tree or peppermint soap in water with a few drops of tea tree essential oil (and some neem oil), garlic/ water, baking soda/ water, hydrogen peroxide straight ( aphids), or organicide oil/water.

There are hundreds of methods of organic pest control, I find prevention is the best so spray that neem oil/water very few days, especially if it rains ( it washes away).

Learn about companion planting to help chase away harmful pests, it’s not 100% effective but anything helps.

Organic matter in the soil helps keep nematode infestations at bay. Compost, worm castings, green manure (cover crops between planting) are all helpful. Planting marigolds (french variety is best) can also be an effective nematode prevention.

Before you plant read about it first. The more you know before you start the healthier the plant will be. A healthy plant is a happy plant!

Micorrhizae fungi (ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS for healthy plants!!) is a beneficial microorganism that attaches to the root system. It is a symbiotic relationship. The roots “feed” the micorrhizae carbohydrates and in return the micorrhizae “feed” the roots water and nutrients the roots ordinarily could not reach. The micorrhizae is the trucker that goes out and gets the food and water. It also competes for nutrients with “harmful” microorganisms and WINS, keeping your plant healthier.

Humic acid or substances are broken down organic matter that “stores” the water and nutrients until the roots decide that want it. It is the “storage facility”. Humic acids holds water and nutrients and prevent leaching during heavy rainfall. Awesome for any area with torrential rains!! Also terrific for areas in a drought, the humic acid will keep your plant roots moist and more drought tolerant.

Both of these work together to help the plant become:

• 1. More drought tolerant
• 2. Less watering dependent
• 3. Healthier
• 4. More disease resistant

**Soil Nutrients/Amendments**

• N= Nitrogen is essential to proper functioning of plant metabolism. It increases the protein content of food crops and is needed by most leafy vegetables, foliage plants and grass. Nitrogen gives plants their dark color and helps the growth of leaves and stems.

• P=Phosphorus is the most important nutrient in root formation, creating good fibrous root stems. It encourages blooming and seed formation, helps plants resist disease and increases the vitamin content of plants. Lettuce, potatoes, carrots, for example, require good reserves of phosphorous.

• K= Potassium (Potash) stimulates flowering and makes fruit tastier by converting sunshine into starches and sugars. Tomatoes, strawberries, beans, peas and flowering plants require especially high levels of potash.

Micro nutrients are found in several natural amendments and you should add these also. Greensand has over 30 micro nutrients and worm casting have over 60 micro nutrients. Others include kelp meal and glacial rock dust.

pH- In South Florida our soil is alkaline ( above 7.0). It is nearly or as some say, impossible, to create true acidic soil here. The quantity of acidifiers would be astronomical to even begin to lower a “yard”, let alone a huge plot to a tolerable pH for most plants to thrive and be healthy. Farmers have their soil “trucked” in and spend large amounts of money to replenish it every year. This is another reason container and raised bed gardens are so popular. However, if you do have the perfect soil for growing edible plants, you will save lots of money and effort!

Plants cover crops after harvesting and removing old plant matter.1- 2 weeks before the next planting dig into the soil and FLIP the cover crop over so the greenery is buried. Plant your new seeds into the ground after the cover crop has decomposed.

Good “cover crops”/green manure unclude:

mustard, buckwheat, rye, ALFALFA, CLOVER, comfrey ( although I would plant this one in a more permanent place and just pick some leaves and bury them with the flipped cover crop). Planting potatoes with fresh or dried comfrey leaves provides a calcium source.

Green manure keeps beneficial microorganisms alive ( remember them!), the plants absorb nutrients that would have been leached by rain, they improve the stability of soil particles, and add nutrients back into the soil for the next plants to absorb.

Good Luck!!

Nurse Amy

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Don't Skimp On The Cranberries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dont-skimp-on-the-cranberries/) 

 [The Medicinal Garden](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-garde/)

**Categories:** Gardening-Homesteading

**Tags:** coconut coir, gardening, organic gardening, preparedness, survival garden

---

### [Survival Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-antibiotics/)

**Published:** April 8, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/shutterstock_89589424-2-300x200.jpg "shutterstock_89589424 (2)")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/shutterstock_89589424-2.jpg)We were at the recent USA Prepares event in Missouri and many of the questions that we fielded during our time there related to the s**tockpiling of medicines** and what each medicine was useful for in times of trouble. There isn’t a 60 second answer to this. Actually, there isn’t a 60 MINUTE answer to this, but anyone that is interested in preserving the health of their loved ones in a collapse will have to learn what antibiotics will work in a particular situation.

It’s important to start off by saying that *you will not want to indiscriminately use antibiotics* for every minor ailment that comes along. In a collapse, the medic is also a quartermaster of sorts; you will want to wisely dispense that limited and, yes, precious supply of life-saving drugs. Having said this, not having antibiotics in your storage will result, in a grid-down scenario, in the unnecessary deaths of members of your group to infections incurred from activities of daily survival. An infected cut from chopping wood, for example, may travel to the circulation, causing a life-threatening condition known as “**Septicemia**” or “**sepsis**“. In the History Channel series “**After Armageddon**“, this was the cause of death of an EMT due to the lack of antibiotics in the community medical storage.

##### Why Liberal Use of Antibiotics is Bad

Liberal use of antibiotics is a poor strategy for a few reasons:

· Overuse can foster the spread of resistant bacteria. Antibiotics routinely given to turkeys recently caused a resistant strain of Salmonella that put over 100 people in the hospital. 36 million birds were destroyed.

· Potential allergic reactions may occur that could lead to anaphylactic shock (see my recent article on this topic).

· Making a diagnosis may be more difficult if you give antibiotics before you’re sure what medical problem you’re actually dealing with. The antibiotics might temporarily “mask” a symptom, which could cost you valuable time in determining the correct treatment.

You can see that judicious use of antibiotics, under your close supervision, is necessary to fully utilize their benefits. Discourage your group members from using these drugs without first consulting you. Remember, YOU are in charge of making these (sometime difficult) decisions to parcel out your limited medical supplies. Use them wisely.

##### What Antibiotics Should I Get?

There are many antibiotics, but what antibiotics accessible to the average person would be good additions to your medical storage? Each antibiotic belongs to its own family and is useful for different ailments. Here are some common antibiotics (most available in veterinary form without a prescription) that you will want in your medical arsenal and their veterinary equivalent:

- · Amoxicillin 250mg AND 500mg (FISH-MOX, FISH-MOX FORTE)
- 
- · Ciprofloxacin 250mg and 500mg(FISH-FLOX, FISH-FLOX FORTE)
- 
- · Cephalexin 250mg and 500mg (FISH-FLEX, FISH-FLEX FORTE)
- 
- · Metronidazole 250mg (FISH-ZOLE)
- 
- · Doxycycline 100mg (BIRD-BIOTIC)
- 
- · Ampicillin 250mg and 500mg (FISH-CILLIN, FISH-CILLIN FORTE)
- 
- Clindamycin 300mg (FISH-CIN)
- 
- · Sulfamethoxazole 400mg/Trimethoprin 80mg (BIRD-SULFA)

(Note: Brand names from this article are no longer produced in 2020, but others have arisen, look for the generic name in online searches.)

There are various others that you can choose, but the selections above will give you the opportunity to treat many illnesses and have enough variety so that even those with Penicillin allergies with have options. Cephalexin, although not in the same drug family, has been quoted as having a 10% cross-reactivity rate with Penicillin. There are many others that meet my criteria:

1)They must only be produced in human dosages, although they are “supposed” to be for fish

2)The only ingredient must be the antibiotic itself. Nothing else that makes your scales more shiny or your fins longer

3)They must appear identical to their human equivalents when removed from the bottle

4)They must be available without a prescription

5)They must be available for purchase in bulk

This article addresses one of the most common antibiotics available in aquatic equivalents. Amoxicillin (Aquarium version: FISH-MOX, FISH-MOX FORTE, AQUA-MOX): comes in 250mg and 500mg doses, usually taken 3 times a day. Amoxicillin is the most popular antibiotic prescribed to children, usually in liquid form. More versatile and better absorbed than the older Pencillins, Amoxicillin may be used for the following diseases:

· Anthrax (Prevention or treatment of Cutaneous transmission)

· Chlamydia Infection (sexually transmitted)

· Urinary Tract Infection (bladder/kidney infections)

· Helicobacter pylori Infection (causes peptic ulcer)

· Lyme Disease (transmitted by ticks)

· Otitis Media (middle ear infection)

· Pneumonia (lung infection)

· Sinusitis

· Skin or Soft Tissue Infection (cellulitis, boils)

· Actinomycosis (causes abscesses in humans and livestock)

· Bronchitis

· Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis (Strep throat)

This is a lot of information, but how do you approach determining what dose and frequency would be appropriate for what individual? Let’s take an example: Otitis Media is a common ear infection, especially in children. Amoxicillin is often the “drug of choice” for this condition, although it is not necessary so for some of the above-listed illnesses.

First, you would want to determine that your patient is not allergic to Amoxicillin. The most common form of allergy would appear as a rash, but diarrhea, itchiness, and even respiratory difficulty could also manifest. If your patient is allergic, another antibiotic such as Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprin or Cephalexin could be a “second-line” solution.

Once you have identified Amoxicillin as your choice to treat your patient’s ear infection, you will want to determine the dosage. As Otitis Media often occurs in children, you might have to break a tablet in half or open the capsule to separate out a portion that would be appropriate. For Amoxicillin, you would give 20-50mg per kilogram of body weight (20-30mg/kg for infants less than four months old). This would be useful if you have to give the drug to a toddler less than 30 pounds. A common child’s dosage would be 250mg and a common maximum dosage for adults would be 500 mg. Take this orally 3 times a day for 10 to 14 days (twice a day for infants). Luckily, these dosages are exactly how the commercially-made medications come.

If your child is too small to swallow a pill whole, you could make a mixture with water (called a “suspension”). To make a liquid, crush a tablet or empty a capsule into a small glass of water and drink it; then, fill the glass again and drink that (particles may adhere to the walls of the glass). You can add some flavoring to make it more palatable. Do not chew or make a liquid out of time-released capsules of any medication, you will wind up losing some of the gradual release effect and perhaps get too much into your system at once. These medications should be plainly marked “Time-Released”.

Anytime you, as medic, place a person on a new medication or supplement, they should be carefully watched for signs of allergy. If they develop a rash, itching, diarrhea, or other untoward symptoms, you should discontinue your treatment and look for other options.

You will be probably see improvement within 3 days, but don’t be tempted to stop the antibiotic therapy until you’re done with the entire 10-14 days. Sometimes, you’ll kill most of the bacteria but some colonies may persist and multiply if you prematurely end the treatment. In a collapse, however, you might be down to your last few pills and have to make some tough decisions.

For official recommendations regarding the use of Amoxicillin to treat the other illnesses listed, consider investing in a book called the Physician’s Desk Reference. It will have all this information (and more) on just about any medication manufactured today. Listed are indications, dosages, side effects, risks, and even how the drug works in the body. Online sources such as drugs.com or rxlist.com are also useful, but you are going to want a hard copy for your library. You never know when we might not have a functioning internet.

In my next article, I will be reviewing some of the other antibiotics that I listed above…

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Insect Bites And Stings, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/insect-bites-and-stings-part-1/) 

 [Casting a Fracture](https://www.doomandbloom.net/casting-a-fracture/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** amoxicillin, antibiotics, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, fish antibiotics, how to use antibiotics, otitis media, septicemia, survival medicine

---

### [Insect Bites And Stings, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/insect-bites-and-stings-part-1/)

**Published:** April 11, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In a **survival scenario**, you will see a million insects for every snake; so many, indeed, that you can expect to regularly get bitten by them. Insect bites usually cause pain with local redness, itching, and swelling but are rarely life-threatening.

## Arachnid and Insect Bites

The exceptions are black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, and various caterpillars and scorpions. Many of these bites can inject toxins that could cause serious damage. Of course, we are talking about the bite itself, not disease that may be passed on by the insect. We will discuss that subject in the section on mosquito-borne illness. In this article, we’ll talk about *bees*, wasps, and hornets.

**Bee/Wasp/Hornet Stings**

Stinging insects can be annoyances, but for up to 3% of the population, they can be life-threatening. In the United States, 40-50 deaths a year are caused by hypersensitivity reactions.

For most victims, the offender will be a bee, wasp or hornet. A bee will leave its stinger in the victim, but wasps take their stingers with them and can sting again. Even though you won’t get stung again by the same bee, they send out a scent that informs nearby bees that an attack is underway. This is especially true with Africanized bees, which are more aggressive than native bees. Wasps and hornets (also called Vespids) can also be persistent in their pursuit of the intruder (that’s you). As such, you should leave the area immediately whether the culprit was a bee, wasp or hornet.

### Reducing Bee Venom Reactions

The best way to reduce any reaction to bee venom is to remove the bee stinger as quickly as possible. Pull it out with tweezers or, if possible, scrape it out with your fingernail or sharp-edged object. The venom sac of a bee should not be manipulated as it will inject more irritant into the victim. The longer bee stingers are allowed to remain in the body, the higher chance for a severe reaction.

Most bee and wasp stings heal with little or no treatment. For those that experience only local reactions, the following actions will be sufficient:

- Clean the area thoroughly.
- Remove the stinger if visible.
- Place cold packs and anesthetic ointments to relieve discomfort and local swelling.
- Control itching and redness with oral antihistamines such as Benadryl or Claritin.
- Give Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce discomfort.
- Apply antibiotic ointments to prevent infection.

Topical essential oils may be applied (after removing the stinger) with beneficial effect. Use Lavadin, helichrysum, tea tree or peppermint oil, applying 1 or 2 drops to the affected area, 3 times a day. A baking soda paste (baking soda mixed with a small amount of water) may be useful when applied to a sting wound.

Although most of these injuries are relatively minor, there are quite a few people who are allergic to the toxins in the stings. Some are so allergic that they will have what is called an “**anaphylactic reaction**”. Instead of just local symptoms like rashes and itching, they will experience dizziness, difficulty breathing and/or faintness. Severe swelling is seen in some, which can be life-threatening if it closes the person’s airways.

Those experiencing an anaphylactic reaction will require treatment with epinephrine as well as antihistamines. People who are aware that they are highly allergic to stings should carry antihistamines and epinephrine on their person whenever they go outside.

Epinephrine is available in a pre-measured dose cartridge known as the **Epi-Pen** (there is a pediatric version, as well). The Epi-pen is a prescription medication, but few doctors would begrudge a request for one. Make sure to make them aware that you will be outside and may be exposed to possible causes of anaphylaxis. As a matter of fact, it may be wise to have several Epi-Pens in your possession. See our articles on allergic reactions for a more in-depth discussion.

In [Part 2 of this article](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=4705), we’ll discuss spiders, scorpions, fire ants, and other troublesome insects.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Triage for Mass Casualty Incidents, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mass-casualty-incidents/) 

 [Survival Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-antibiotics/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, bee stings, bees, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, epipen, hornet stings, hornets, insect stings, medical preparedness, remove the bee stinger as quickly as possible, survival medicine, survival scenario, survival situation, wasp stings, wasps

---

### [Thyroid Disease in Tough Times](https://www.doomandbloom.net/thyroid-disease/)

**Published:** April 28, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I recently received the following message from a nice lady who had her **thyroid** removed a number of years ago as a result of thyroid cancer. She warns me about a little-publicized but medically concerning report indicating that thyroid medications are becoming harder and harder to get.

##### Thyroid Medications and Big Pharma

It appears that several companies that make *thyroid replacement hormones* are being bought out by Pharma giant Pfizer. As a result, there are fewer and fewer sources of drug manufacturers producing this important medicine.

As well, she reports to me that there was a recall a few months ago of the popular medication Levoxyl due to issues with oxygen absorbers which caused the drug to smell somewhat foul. She says that it took her some searching to find the Levoxyl she needs to stay healthy, and this has to be worrisome to anyone who needs replacement hormones. According to a letter sent to physicians, the company stopped shipping all strengths of Levoxyl on February 13, 2013. They have said that they will resume shipment once the issue is resolved, but they have not indicated when that will take place. Abbott labs is still making Synthroid, another well-know thyroid med, but will it be enough to fill the need?

Armour thyroid replacement, a natural supplement, is still available but many conventional physicians are uncertain about the reliability of its effect. Dietary changes, as described below, and other natural or commercial supplements may be all that’s on the market at one point or another in the uncertain future.

##### Thyroid Patients

A new study just published provides some hope for frustrated thyroid patients struggling with this issue and, also, annoyance for inflexible endocrinologists. The study from the Miller School of Medicine in Miami (my alma mater) suggests that monitoring the thyroid hormone T3 may yield major benefits for low thyroid patients. This research looked at the role that an enzyme (Type II deiodinase or D2). The findings, according to Dr. Bianco, lead professor, “clearly shows that the body’s endocrine system is wired to keep plasma T3 in the normal range. It also points to the importance of T3 as a clinical indicator in the follow-up of hypothyroid patients who are being treated with levothyroxine.”

Despite this, most doctors do not even test for T3 in their thyroid patients. The test is not even recommended in the hypothyroidisn guideline protocols published last year.

Dr. Bianco says: “We know that about 20 percent of hypothyroid patients treated with levothyroxine are not happy despite having normal plasma T4 and TSH levels, and many of these patients exhibit lower plasma levels of T3. Other hypothyroid patients don’t complain to their doctors, but could potentially benefit as well from more effective treatments that normalize plasma T3, potentially making it easier to lose weight or maintain their mental focus.”

For more info, check out this link: [https://thyroid.about.com/b/2013/04/15/new-miller-school-study-points-to-importance-of-t3-for-thyroid-health.htm](https://thyroid.about.com/b/2013/04/15/new-miller-school-study-points-to-importance-of-t3-for-thyroid-health.htm "https://thyroid.about.com/b/2013/04/15/new-miller-school-study-points-to-importance-of-t3-for-thyroid-health.htm")

Meanwhile, here is an article to teach a little about thyroid issues you, survival medic, may have to deal with in times of trouble:

**THYROID DISEASE IN TOUGH TIMES**

The thyroid gland is positioned just in front of the trachea (the “windpipe”) and produces hormones that help regulate your metabolism. The thyroid produces substances called Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) that regulate growth, energy and the body’s utilization of other hormones and vitamins. The thyroid itself is regulated in turn by the pituitary gland in your brain, which tells the thyroid when to release T3 and T4. To underscore the complexity of this process, the pituitary gland itself is regulated by another gland, the hypothalamus! Thyroid disease usually involves the production of either too little or too much of the hormones from these three organs.

Over 20 million Americans suffer from some form of thyroid disorder. Thyroid malfunction can occur in anyone, but is most commonly seen in women.

Some thyroid problems that are common in third world countries today may one day become prevalent here in a post-collapse situation. One condition you may be familiar with is a “Goiter” (see image at top of this page); it is an enlargement of the gland that is the result (in 90% of cases) of a deficiency of iodine in the body. We rarely see this in developed countries because we are able to obtain iodine in our diet; indeed, it is the main reason why common table salt is “iodized”. A person may have a goiter without symptoms or even disturbed thyroid hormone levels.

Some thyroid masses may be cystic (filled with fluid) and some may be solid. These masses are usually “cold”, that is, not producing hormone, and have no cancerous or major ill effect. Thyroid cancer is relatively rare, even in the elderly, unless there has been exposure to radiation. Increase in cases of thyroid cancer have been seen, for example, in children raised in the vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown in 1986; most occurred many years after the disaster. The widespread effects of the Fukushima meltdown will probably have similar effects down the road.

Determination of thyroid malfunction depends on certain blood tests and sometimes a scan of the gland. This technology will be gone in a collapse, so it’s important to learn the various symptoms and signs that your patient may exhibit.

**Hyperthyroidism**

The excessive production of thyroid hormone is known as Hyperthyroidism. Some common signs and symptoms of this condition in adults are:

- Insomnia
- Hand tremors
- Nervousness
- Feeling excessively hot in normal or cold temperatures
- Frequent bowel movements
- Losing weight despite normal or increased appetite
- Excessive sweating
- Weight loss
- Menstrual period becomes scant, or ceases altogether
- Eyes seem to be “bulging out”
- Growth and Puberty issues (children)
- Muscle Weakness, Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath (elderly)

Severe hyperthyroidism causes a condition known as Thyroid Storm, which causes major effects on the heart and brain, and is life-threatening. You may see symptoms such as rapid pulse, angina, irregular heart rhythms, and, eventually, heart failure.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism involves medications such as Propylthiouracil and Methimazole, which block thyroid function. These medications should be stockpiled if you’re aware of a member of your group with hyperthyroidism, as they will be hard to find if modern medical care is no longer available.

Radiation therapy with radioactive iodine (“I-131”) has even been used to destroy the overactive thyroid, which, unfortunately, often results in the patient producing no thyroid hormone. This drastic strategy is useful in severe hyperthyroidism, but is also unlikely to be available in a collapse. Other forms of Iodide are useful in blocking the excessive production of thyroid hormone; kelp, for example, has high levels of Iodide. The anti-radiation medication KI (Potassium Iodide) might be another option in this situation. Unfortunately, Iodides must be used with care, as they can occasionally worsen the condition.

Dietary restriction of nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and other substances that alter metabolism are helpful lifestyle changes for hyperthyroid patients. Vitamins C and B12 are thought to have a beneficial effect on those with this condition. L-Carnitine is thought to be beneficial in that it is helpful in treating elevated thyroid hormone levels without damaging the gland. Some dietary strategies exist to depress production of thyroid hormone, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach. Foods high in antioxidants are thought to reduce free radicals that might be involved in hyperthyroidism. These include blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes, squash and bell peppers, among others.

**Hypothyroidism**

More commonly seen than hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism is the failure to produce enough thyroid hormone. Rarely, a newborn may be born without thyroid function; early diagnosis and the availability of modern hormone replacement drugs may prevent severe mental and physical handicaps. Without these drugs, these infants will be in serious trouble.

Hypothyroidism in adults is manifested by the following symptoms:

- Fatigue
- Intolerance to cold
- Constipation
- Poor appetite
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Hoarseness
- Depression
- Menstrual irregularity
- Poor Growth (Children)

The treatment of hypothyroidism is based on the oral replacement of the missing hormone. These come in a variety of dosages, and it is important to determine the appropriate dose for your patient while modern medical care is still available. Once you have determined this, you may consider asking a physician for a prescription for a higher dose, which would allow you to use, say, half of the pill in the present and stockpile the other half for the uncertain future. This strategy depends mostly on the physician asked; you may find your doctor to be sympathetic to your concerns or you may hit a brick wall.

Besides standard thyroid drugs such as Synthroid and Levothyroid, there are a number of other remedies that may have an effect in improving hypothyroidism. A number of thyroid extracts are available which consist of desiccated and powdered pig or cow thyroid gland. The amount of thyroid hormone delivered by a particular extract may differ from bottle to bottle; therefore, the medical establishment recommends against the use of these supplements.

Having said this, in the absence of modern medications, it is better than nothing. From a dietary standpoint, you should avoid foods that depress thyroid functions, such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach. A number of natural supplements, such as Thyromine, are commercially available. These are combinations of various herbs that are touted as beneficial for both low and high thyroid conditions. Unfortunately, scientific studies proving their effect are scarce.

If you choose this route, ask your physician to follow your thyroid levels for a time on the supplement to see how much effect it has on your condition. If your thyroid levels stay within normal limits, the supplement is probably acting as advertised and you should stockpile it. If your thyroid levels drop precipitously, expect no benefit from that particular product and move on.

Learning the various signs and symptoms of a medical condition will help you become an effective medical resource in times of trouble. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed by the survival medic if he or she sharpens those diagnostic skills. Without lab tests, scans and the other accoutrements of modern medicine, your knowledge and supplies will be all you have to keep your people healthy.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Mosquitos and Diseases They Carry](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mosquitos-and-diseases-they-carry/) 

 [Triage For Mass Casualty Incidents, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mass-casualty-incident-part-2-f-2/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Radiation, Thyroid disease

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr. Bones and Nures Amy, goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothalamus, hypothyroidism, medical preparedenss, Miller School Study, pituitary gland, potassium iodide, survival medicine, T3, T4, thyroid cancer, thyroid disease, thyroid disorder, thyroid gland, thyroid medication, thyroid medication shortages, Thyroxine hypothyroidism, trachea, Triiodothyronine

---

### [Mosquitos and Diseases They Carry](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mosquitos-and-diseases-they-carry/)

**Published:** May 2, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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## PART 2 OF INSECT BITES AND STINGS

Spring is in the air, and so are a lot of flying bugs. We talked recently about the **stings of bees and wasps**. Unlike these, bites by mosquitos are common vectors of various infectious diseases. The good thing is that anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions associated commonly with bee stings) is rarely an issue with mosquito bites, but the downside is that several possibly life threatening illnesses may be passed easily by these insects.

The increased amount of time we will spend outside in a survival situation will increase the chances of exposure to one or more mosquito-borne illnesses. Let’s discuss some of the diseases that use these insects as an agent. One of the most notorious diseases caused by mosquito vectors is *Malaria*.

### Disease Vectors and Mosquitos

**Malaria** is caused by a microscopic organism called a protozoan. When mosquitos get a meal by biting you, they inject these microbes into your system. Once in the body, they colonize your liver. From there, they go to your blood cells and other organs. By the way, only female mosquitos bite humans.

Symptoms of Malaria appear flu-like, and classically present as periodic chills, fever, and sweats. The patient becomes anemic as more blood cells are damaged by the protozoa. With time, periods between episodes become shorter and permanent organ damage may occur.

Diagnosis of malaria cannot be confirmed without a microscope, but anyone experiencing relapsing fevers with severe chills and sweating should be considered candidates for treatment. The medications, among others, used for Malaria are Chloroquine, Quinine, and Quinidine.

Sometimes, an antibiotic such as Doxycycline or Clindamycin is used in combination with the above. Physicians are usually sympathetic towards prescribing these medications to those who are contemplating trips to places where mosquitos are rampant, such as some underdeveloped countries. If not, Doxycycline is available as Bird-biotic and Clindamycin as Fish-Cin.

 Other mosquito-borne diseases include Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, and West Nile Virus.

**Yellow Fever** is a viral illness known for taking the lives of workers during the construction of the Panama Canal. Originating in Africa, it most probably reach Latin America through the slave trade in the 16th or 17th Centuries. Walter Reed was a physician who first figured out that the causative organism for Yellow Fever was carried by mosquitos, and his name is still on the U.S.’s largest veteran’s hospital.

Yellow fever presents in most cases in humans with fever, chills, nausea, muscle pain, and headache. This symptom set goes away after several days but, sometimes, a toxic phase follows, in which liver damage causes yellowing of the skin (known as “jaundice”) and may lead to death. Because of the increased bleeding tendency, yellow fever is considered a typle of hemorrhagic fever. The World Health Organization estimates that yellow fever causes 30,000 deaths every year in unvaccinated areas, mostly in Africa, and considers it to be on the rise.

Vaccines are available that counteract the virus.

**West Nile virus** is also passed by mosquitos and the worst cases present with similar symptoms to other neuro-invasive infectious diseases with fever, headaches, and altered mental status. “Encephalitis”, a common term for this symptom group, relates to the inflammation of the Central Nervous System (brain, spinal cord, and coverings). A mild version involves the development of fever, headaches, back pain, and other non-specific symptoms, but a small percentage may develop a worse condition that damages the nervous system. The most common symptom is muscular weakness (seen in maybe half the patients), often with motor symptoms, paralysis, decreased reflexes. If severe enough, the symptoms may spread to other organ systems.

West Nile Virus is now the most commonly seen viral encephalitis in the United States, with record numbers of cases in the State of Texas in recent years. Although a vaccine is available for horses, no human vaccine is yet available.

**Dengue fever** is an infectious caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, joint inflammation, and a skin rash that looks vaguely like measles. A small minority of patients develops Dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can cause shock and death. There are several different types, with survival of one virus giving immunity long term to that subtype but only only short-term immunity to the other subtypes.

As viral illnesses, there are few curative options, although you may treat symptoms individually (for example, acetaminophen for fever, ibuprofen for backache). As commercial vaccines are controversial and, in a survival situation, non-existent for many of the above illnesses, it is important to decrease the chance of exposure. Prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes and limiting exposure to bites.

The lower the mosquito population near your retreat, the less likely you will fall victim to one of these diseases. You can decrease the population of mosquitos in your area and improve the likelihood of preventing illness by:

- Looking for areas of standing water that could serve as mosquito breeding grounds. Drain all water that you do not depend on for survival. This includes emptying unused pools, fountains, birdbaths, etc.
- Monitoring the screens on your retreat windows and doors and repairing any holes or defects
- Unclogging roof gutters.
- Being careful to avoid outside activities at dusk, dawn, or early evening. This is the time that mosquitos are most active.
- Wear long pants and shirts whenever you venture outside.
- Have a good stockpile of insect repellants.

If you are reluctant to use chemical repellants, you may consider natural remedies. Plants that contain Citronella may be rubbed on your skin to discourage bites. Lemon balm, despite having a fragrance similar to citronella, does not have the same bug-repelling properties (despite its name, lemon balm is actually a member of the mint family).

When you use an essential oil to repel insects, re-apply frequently and feel free to combine oils as needed. Besides Citronella oil, you could use:

- Lemon Eucalyptus oil
- · Cinnamon oil
- · Peppermint oil
- · Geranium oil
- · Clove oil
- · Rosemary oil

The smallest organisms can sometimes cause the most damage to your ability to survive the aftermath of a major disaster. Learning more about these critters will give you a good chance to avoid infection disease to run rampant through your camp.

Joe Alton MD

[ Read Part One of INSECT BITES AND STINGS](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=4622)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Poison Ivy And Its Relatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/poison-ivy-and-its-relatives/) 

 [Thyroid Disease in Tough Times](https://www.doomandbloom.net/thyroid-disease/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** clindamcyin, dengue fever, disease vectors, doom and bloom, Doxycycline, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, malaria, medical preparedness, mosquitos, survival medicine, walter reed, west nile virus, yellow fever

---

### [The Survival Sick Room](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/)

**Published:** May 10, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In good times, we have the luxury of modern medical facilities and advanced techniques to **isolate a sick patient** from healthy people. If we ever find ourselves in a grid-down scenario, most of these advantages will go the way of the dinosaur, and we will be placed in, essentially, the same medical environment we experienced in the 19th century.

## Collapse Medicine: Are We in Trouble?

We do have the benefit of knowledge of sterilization and the way *contagious diseases* are spread, so we have a head start on our ancestors. Using this knowledge, it should be possible for the medically prepared to put together a “sick room” or “hospital tent” that will minimize the chance of infectious disease running rampant through your family or mutual assistance group.

Hopefully, when the you-know-what hits the fan, you’ll have made or quickly make the decision to bug in or bug out. If you’re staying in place, pick a sick room. I would choose one at one end of the house, a room with a window or two to allow light and ventilation and a door that can be closed. If you bugging out, choose a hospital tent and place it on the periphery of your camp. Making these decisions before things go bad is important, as you will inevitably be kicking someone out of their room or tent if you don’t. As such, you can expect resentment at a time when everyone needs to pull together to survive.

### Makeshift Sick Rooms

If you don’t have a spare room or tent, you’ll have to raise a makeshift barrier, such as a sheet of plastic, to separate the sick from the healthy. Even if you have a dedicated sick room, this might make sense to hang over the door for when you go in and out. You’ll want to keep the injured separate from those with infectious diseases such as influenza/pneumonia, although sometimes wounds will become infected.

If you’re staying in place, your sick room’s air conditioning ducts will be close to useless in a power-down scenario, and could actually pose a major risk to the rest of your group. Cover them with duct tape. Keep windows or vent flaps open if at all possible, except in particularly inclement weather.

[![TentMEDIUM](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TentMEDIUM-300x199.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/TentMEDIUM.jpg)

A hospital tent to deal with injuries (not what you would see with possibly contagious disease)

Furnishings should be minimal, with a work surface, an exam area, and bed spaces. Cloth surfaces, such as you see in sofas, carpets, etc. can harbor pathogens (disease-causing organisms) and should be avoided if possible. Even bedding for the contagious might best be covered in plastic. The more areas that can be wiped down/disinfected easily, the better (try to do that daily with a carpet!). It’s important to have a way to eliminate waste products from your bedridden patients, even if it’s just a 5 gallon bucket and some bleach. Have closed containers like hampers to put used sick room items that need to be cleaned.

A station near the entrance of the room or tent for masks, gloves, gowns, and disinfecting would be very helpful. You’ll need a basin with water, soap or other disinfectant, and towels that should be kept for exclusive use by the caregiver. There should only be one (you, survival medic!) person involved in caring for the sick, especially with possibly contagious illness.

For supplies, get plenty of masks and gloves; gowns can be commercially made, can be plastic coveralls, or even dry cleaning clothes covers. Many people consider medical supplies to consist of gauze, tourniquets, and battle dressings, but you must also dedicate sets of sheets, towels, pillows, and other items to be used in the sick room. Keep these items separate from the bedding, bathing, and eating materials of the healthy members of your family or group. This may seem excessive to you, but you can never have enough dedicated medical supplies. You may save the life of a loved one or even your entire group if you are diligent in putting together your medical stores.

Cleaning supplies should also be considered medical preparedness items. You’ll want to clean the sick room as well as possible on a daily basis. Clean hard surfaces that may have germs on them with soap and water, or use other disinfectants. These include doorknobs, tables, sinks, toilets, counters, and even toys. Wash bed sheets and towels frequently; boil them if you have no other way to clean them. Consider bedding and clothes of the ill to be infected, and wash/disinfect your hands right after touching them. Ditto for plates, cups, etc. Any equipment brought into the sick room should stay there.

One additional item that will be important to your sick room patients: Give them a noisemaker of some sort that will allow them to alert you when they need help. This will decrease anxiety and give them confidence that you will know when they are in trouble.

Next time, we’ll discuss disinfectants as well as personal measures that will help keep the medical caregiver from becoming ill themselves.

Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Keeping The Medic Healthy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/healthymedic/) 

 [Essential Oils as Medicinal Survival Aid](https://www.doomandbloom.net/essential-oils-as-medicine/)

**Categories:** Respiratory infections, Survival Medic

**Tags:** bugging in, bugging out, contagion, contagious diseases, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, infectious disease, isolate a sick patient, medical preparedness, sick room, survival medicine

---

### [Keeping The Medic Healthy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/healthymedic/)

**Published:** May 16, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Last time, we talked about how to set up a [well-planned sick room](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=4749) in a bug-out camp or if staying in place. Now, let’s talk a little about the medic. How does the medic avoid becoming the patient? As a caregiver, what can you do to protect your health?

## How to Avoid Infectious Diseases

Most medics are concerned about contracting *infectious disease*, most of which will be respiratory in nature. I placed respiratory infections in the “hygiene-related illness” section of our book “**The Survival Medicine Handbook(**tm)”. Why? Because most infectious respiratory disease could be minimized by good “**Respiratory Hygiene**“:

- Sick Individuals should cover their mouth and nose with tissues and dispose of those tissues safely.
- Use a mask if coughing. In many countries, it is considered a sign of social responsibility to wear a mask if sick, in consideration of the health of others.
- Perform vigorous hand sanitation before and after contact with your patients. Warm water and soap for 30 seconds will do, or at least use hand sanitizers even if you think your hands are clean.
- Get those gloves on! Use nitrile gloves if you’re allergic to latex.
- Keep your sick patients at least 4 feet away from anyone else who does not have the same illness.
- Use appropriate disinfectants (next article) to decontaminate all work surfaces.
- Maintain isolation in your sick room (last article)

We’ll talk about disinfectants and other useful items in our next article, but the above advice is only useful to prevent you from becoming sick. It’s not meant to keep you, the healthcare provider, **well**.

### Caregivers and Maintaining Wellness

Below are the standard recommendations (in bold type) by the medical establishment for caregivers to maintain wellness in normal times. These are followed by my comments for survival situations:

 **Eat a balanced diet.** Not too hard to do in normal times if you put your mind to it, but not easy to do in tough times even with a reasonable variety and quantity of food storage. Just make sure you DO eat, it’s easy to forget when running from one patient to another.

 **Get plenty of rest.** Foregoing that 3rd cup of coffee may do it for you in good times, but don’t be surprised if you can’t 4 winks, not to mention 40 winks, in a survival situation. Someone is SUPPOSED to be up at night to keep watch for intruders and to watch the sick and injured.

When you are actively caring for the sick, your other duties for the group should be suspended if you have enough people to handle part of your workload. Tired people don’t have the best judgement, and it’s wise for your group to prevent you from becoming a zombie.

**Exercise.** A half-hour in your aerobics class at the gym may be the ticket for you in normal times, but, unless you are Superman/woman, you will probably be exhausted just from the activities of daily survival, not to mention caring for the ill and injured. Be certain to know the difference between exercise and stress. Exercise prevents heart attacks, stress causes them. You’ll probably be active enough just doing what you have to do to keep it together (if things have truly fallen apart).

 **Manage stress.** Stress today could mean a half-hour of overtime or biting your nails over the most recent episode of “Game of Thrones” or “Walking Dead”. In the uncertain future, don’t be surprised in you consider your most stressful times in your previous life to be “The Good Old Days”.

Sometimes it’s not a bad idea to set aside a short period of time during the day where you can obsess about all the bad things that are happening. Set a specific time for it, and when that time expires, stop thinking about it and do something else. Stay active by performing chores
and other important duties, especially those that keep you in contact with your fellow human beings. This might help keep your mind off the fact that it’s all gone to heck.

**Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.**  These vices are unhealthy now, and they will be unhealthy later. It will likely be difficult to find or manufacture these in troubled times; therefore, some people might actually wind up healthier in some ways, unless they turn to sniffing glue or other third world recreational drugs. Simply put, tobacco robs you of stamina, and you’ll need to be in shape if things go South. Alcohol and drugs rob you of good judgement, and you (or your patients) are unlikely to last long if you’re drunk or high.

 **Visit your doctor for regular check-ups.** Pretty good advice even for young people in normal times. In bad times, YOU will be the doctor, survival medic, so keep as close an eye on your own health as you do on those you’re responsible for.

 **Take a break from caregiving.** Conventional wisdom says that it’s reasonable to accept that there is a limit to what you can do as a caregiver. You may feel overwhelmed by the tasks you are required to perform. This is true in both good times and bad times. In bad times it’s worse, as laxity on your part can contribute to the demise of someone you love.

Although you may not be able to go on vacation in a power-down scenario, you MUST plan out times during the day when you can collect you thoughts or, maybe, not have to think at all for a little while. There are few circumstances where you will be required to be physically by
your patient at all times. Take some time to clean up, change clothes, and talk to people who aren’t delirious with fever. There are relaxation techniques like meditation, massage, and yoga that might be helpful, as well. Make sure your patient has a way to let you know that you or your substitute is needed (any noisemaker will do).

Most of the other advice I have seen concentrates on collecting phone numbers of police and fire departments, emergency rooms, and other things that might be just plain inaccessible in tough times. I’ll bet, however, that you, dear reader, have some useful advice to add to my modest proposals above. If so, feel free to comment!

**Bottom Line:** If you can take an active part in keeping your family healthy in these types of situations, you’ll have a head start on just about everyone else in town.

Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-2/) 

 [The Survival Sick Room](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/)

**Categories:** Survival Medic

**Tags:** caregiver, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, respiratory hygiene, sick room, survival medicine

---

### [Tornado:  What You Should  Know](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado/)

**Published:** May 22, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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After what I thought was a quiet spring, we have experienced a horrific **tornado** in Oklahoma with more than 50 killed. Loss of life from disasters, both natural and man-made, is an ever-present danger, and we must be prepared to deal with these issues are they present.

##### Tornadoes and Medical Preparedness

Given the unpredictable nature of these calamities, it is more important now than ever to be prepared to deal with injuries. *Medical preparedness* has never been more important.

There are few people who haven’t been in the path of a major storm at one point or another. If you fail to plan ways to protect yourself and your family, you may find yourself having to treat significant traumatic injuries in the immediate aftermath. Later, flooding may contaminate your water supplies and expose you to serious infectious disease. Preparing to weather the storm safely will avoid major medical problems for you, in your role as survival medic, later on.

###  What is a Tornado?

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and the thunderstorm (sometimes called a “supercell”) that spawned it. From a distance, tornadoes usually appear in the form of a visible dark funnel with all sorts of flying debris in and around it. Because of rainfall, they may be difficult to see when close up. A tornado (also called a “twister”) may have winds of up to 300 miles per hour, and can travel for a number of kilometers or miles before petering out. They may be accompanied by hail and will emit a roaring sound that will remind you of a passing train (I can tell you this is true by personal experience). There are almost a thousand tornadoes in the United States every year, more than are reported in any other country. Most of these occur in Tornado Alley, an area that includes Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and neighboring states. Spring and early summer are the peak seasons.

Injuries from tornadoes usually come as a result of trauma from all the flying debris that is carried along with it. Strong winds can carry large objects and fling them around in a manner that is hard to believe; Indeed, there is a report that, in 1931, an 83 ton train was lifted and thrown 80 feet from the tracks.

Tornadoes are categorized by something called the Fujita Scale, from level 0-5, based on the amount of damage caused:

- **F0** Light: broken tree branches, mild structural damage, some uprooted
- **F1** Moderate: broken windows, small tree trunks broken, overturned mobile homes, destruction of carports or toolsheds, roof tiles missing
- **F2** Considerable: mobile homes destroyed, major structural damage to frame homes due to flying debris, some large trees snapped in half or uprooted
- **F3** Severe: Roofs torn from homes, small frame homes destroyed, most trees snapped and uprooted
- **F4** Devastating: strong structure building damaged or destroyed or lifted from foundations, cars lifted and blown away, even large debris airborne
- **F5** Incredible: larger building lifted from foundations, trees snapped, uprooted and debarked, multi-ton debris becomes airborne missiles

Although some places may have sirens or other methods of warning you of an approaching twister, it is important to have a plan for your family to weather the storm. Having a plan **before** a tornado approaches is the most likely way you will survive the event. Children should be taught where to find the medical kits and, if possible, how to turn off gas and electricity. Giving your loved ones experience in the use of a fire extinguisher and the treatment of injuries would be highly useful as well. Just use the search engine at [www.doomandbloom.net](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado-preparedness "www.doomandbloom.net") for more information on treating wounds and fractures.

If you see a twister funnel, take shelter immediately. If your domicile is a mobile home, leave! They are especially vulnerable to damage from the winds. If you live in a mobile home and there is time, get to the nearest building that has a tornado shelter; underground shelters are best. If you live in Tornado Alley, consider putting together your own underground shelter.

Unlike bunkers and other structures built for long-term protection, a tornado shelter has to provide safety for a short period of time. As such, it doesn’t have to be very large; 8-10 square feet per person would be acceptable. Despite this, be sure to consider ventilation and the comfort or special needs of those using the shelter.

If you don’t have a shelter, find a place where family members can gather if a tornado is headed your way. Basements, bathrooms, closets or inside rooms without windows are the best options. Windows can easily shatter from impact due to flying debris. For added protection, get under a heavy object such as a sturdy table. Covering up your body with a sleeping bag or mattress will provide an additional shield. Discuss this plan of action with each and every member of your family or group in such a way that they will know this process by heart.

If you’re in a car and can drive to a shelter, do so. Although you may be hesitant to leave your vehicle, remember that they can be easily tossed around by the winds; you may be safer if there is a culvert or other area lower than the roadway. In town, leaving the car to enter a sturdy building is appropriate.If there is no other shelter, your car will protect you from some of the flying debris. Keep your seat beat on, put you head down below the level of the windows, and cover yourself with something.

If you are caught outside when the tornado hits (on a hike, for instance), stay away from wooded areas. Torn branches and other debris become missiles, so an open field or ditch may be safer. Lying down flat in a low spot in the ground will give you some protection. Make sure to cover your head if at all possible, even if it’s just with your hands.

Armed with a plan of action, you will know what to do when you see that funnel cloud or hear that tornado siren. Evaluate your home for weak and strong points, educate your loved ones on the right strategy, and you’ll have a head start on weathering that storm.

Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Flood Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/) 

 [YOU as Medical Resource](https://www.doomandbloom.net/you-as-medical-resource/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Storm Preparedness

**Tags:** storm preparedness, survival medicine, tornado, tornado preparedness, traumatic injury

---

### [Flood Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/)

**Published:** May 26, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We frequently discuss the risks associated with storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes, but not as much about the complications that occur as a result. Just about any storm can cause a deluge of water, and this can cause a deluge in the biblical sense. In Boulder, Colorado, it happened when 6 months of rain fell during a week’s time. As such, it’s important to know **flood safety precautions**.

## What is a Flood?

The definition of a flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is normally dry. Flooding may occur as an overflow of water from water bodies, such as a seacoast, river or lake, in which the water runs over or breaks levees, resulting in the escape of large amounts of water into populated areas. It may also occur due to an accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground.

Some floods develop slowly, while others (called *flash floods*), can develop in a very short time and affect areas where it wasn’t even raining. As a result, it often catches the population downriver by surprise, causing severe damage and loss of life

### The Many Types of Floods

There are several types of floods:

**Areal Floods**

Floods can happen on flat or low-lying areas when the ground is saturated and water cannot run off quickly enough to stop accumulating. This may be followed by a river flood as water moves into local waterways. Floods related to rainfall can also occur if water falls on an impenetrable surface, such as concrete, asphalt paving or frozen ground, and cannot rapidly be absorbed into the ground. In urban areas, it usually takes at least 1 inch (25 mm) of rainfall per hour to start significant ponding of water on impermeable surfaces.

**Riverine Floods**

Floods happen in rivers when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the river channel, particularly at bends in the waterway. These are some of the most dangerous, as people tend to live and work by rivers due to access to fertile soil, irrigation, and trade routes.

River flows may rise to floods levels at different rates, from a few minutes to several weeks, depending on channel width and the source of the increased flow.

Slow rising floods most commonly occur in large rivers, like the Mississippi, that have large catchment areas. The increase in flow may be the result of sustained rainfall, rapid snow melt, monsoons, or tropical storms.

**Coastal Floods**

Flooding on the coast is commonly caused by a combination of sea tidal surges caused by winds and low barometric pressure. Coastal areas may be flooded by storm events, such as hurricanes, resulting in waves over-topping seawalls and levees.

Failures of infrastructure such as the collapse of a dam may cause catastrophic flooding, as in the
Johnstown, Pennsylvania event in 1889 that took 2,200 lives. Major flooding may also be caused by the effects of an earthquake or volcanic eruption. These events often occur at sea hundreds of miles from the area affected, but result in tidal wave floods called Tsunamis. The penetration of salt water causes widespread failure of fresh water delivery systems and may make farmland unusable, sometimes for many years. More on tsunamis in a future article.

Flooding often causes a failure of the power grid. Once this happens, the aftermath
of the disaster may have more severe effects than the flood itself. These effects include loss of the water supply due to contamination by sewage. As a result, water-borne illness such as diarrheal disease may take a major toll on the population. Cholera and Typhoid are just some of the diarrheal/dysenteric diseases which may be life-threatening. Other issues include the inability of aid to get to flooded areas and the inundation of farmland causing loss of entire crops. Some industries may fail, leading to depression in the affected area. Once water and food shortage combine with the inability to receive help and/or make a living, economic collapse and civil unrest are likely to follow.

The scenario above is not purely hypothetical: Disasters related to flooding have sometimes caused millions of short- and long-term casualties. In both 1887 and 1931, major flooding of the Yangtze river in China ended up costing 1-2 and 3-4 million lives, respectively. If you take out war, famine, and pandemics, flooding is, undeniably, the deadliest of human tragedies.

Most people have heard of hurricane or tornado watches and warnings, but the U.S. weather services also tries to warn the populace of flooding. A “flash flood watch” means that flash flooding is possible in the near future; a “flash flood warning” means that flooding is imminent in the area. Many people ignore these warnings at their own peril.

If you live in a low-lying area, especially near a dam or river, then you should heed warnings when they are given and be prepared to evacuate quickly. Rising flood waters could easily trap you in your home,and you don’t want to have to perch on your roof waiting for help.

Here are some **flood safety tips**:

**Get Out Early**

Make the decision to leave for higher ground before extensive ponding occurs.

**Be Careful Walking Through Flowing Water**

Drowning is the most common cause of death during a flood, especially a flash flood. Wilderness experts know that rapidly-moving water can knock you off your feet even if not that deep.

**Don’t Drive Through a Flooded Area**

As many people drown in their cars as anywhere else. Cars stall and roads/bridges could easily be washed out. Try to figure out now if there is a “high road” to safety, before a flood occurs.

**Beware Of Downed Power Lines**

Electrical current is easily conducted through water. Watch for downed power lines; you don’t have to touch them to be electrocuted, only step in the water they’re in.

**Turn Off The Power**

If you have reason to believe that water will get into your home, turn off the electricity. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have completely dried. You might have to take some apart to clean debris out of them.

**Watch Out For Intruders**

Critters that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Snakes, raccoons, and other unfriendly creatures may decide your home is now their territory. Human
intruders may also be interested in your property.

**Look Before You Step**

After a flood, watch where you step; there is debris everywhere. The floors of your home may be covered in mud, causing a slip-and-fall hazard.

**Check for Gas Leaks**

Don’t use candles, lanterns, stoves, or lighters unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area has been well-ventilated.

**Exhaust Fumes Can Kill!**

Only use generators, camping stoves or charcoal grills outside. Their fumes can be deadly.

**Clean Out Saturated Items Completely**

Floodwaters are not clean! Don’t use floodwater as drinking water or to cook food unless you have thoroughly sterilized and filtered it. Make sure you have food storage in waterproof containers.

Floods are just one of the many natural disasters that can endanger your family. Pay close attention to storm and flood warnings and you’ll have a head start on keeping them safe.

Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [The Survival Medicine Handbook Second Edition Is Out!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-second-edition-is-out/) 

 [Tornado: What You Should Know](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado/)

**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Storm Preparedness

**Tags:** Areal floods, coastal flooding, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, flash floods, flood safety, Floods, hurricanes, medical preparedness, Riverine floods, storm preparedness, storm surges, survival medicine, tornadoes

---

### [Poison Ivy And Its Relatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/poison-ivy-and-its-relatives/)

**Published:** June 4, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In the Northern Hemisphere, warm weather is upon us and school is done for the summer. As such, we can expect a lot more time in the outdoors for the average family. Although this is ordinarily a healthy pursuit, there are circumstances where you will find that some things out there that present hazards that are difficult to avoid, such as **contact with poisonous plants**.

##### Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac

Unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii, a mountaintop, or the middle of the desert, the outdoors will have a population of poison ivy, poison oak, and/or poison sumac. Once exposed to one or the other, 85% of the population will develop antibodies against it that will generate an itchy rash of varying degrees of severity. Winter does not eliminate the possibility of a reaction, as you can react against even the dormant vines or shrubs.

The old saying goes: “Leaves of three, let it be”. Although it is true that poison ivy comes in “leaves of three”, so do many other plants. Familiarize yourself with what it looks like.

Poison ivy and poison oak are very similar, with the same chemical irritant, known as *Urushiol*. This irritant is an “allergen”, which is a substance that can cause your body to react against it when exposed. Poison ivy leaves may be pointier, with poison oak often looking more like, well, oak leaves (see images). One or both is present just about everywhere in the continental United States.

Poison Sumac is a shrub or small tree, growing up to nearly 30 feet in height in parts of the Eastern United States. Each leaf has 7–13 pointy leaflets. Although poison sumac has the same irritant present in poison ivy and poison oak, it is far more powerful. Simply inhaling smoke from burning poison sumac has been reported to cause death by suffocation. All of these plants contain toxic oil that causes a reaction after the first sensitizing exposure. The oil is in just about every part of the plant: The vines, leaves, and roots. Most people don’t know they have been exposed, even if they know how to identify the plant. Just think how difficult it is to be aware of every single plant you might come into contact with when you hike in the woods. Also, many people are exposed indirectly; for example, by petting the fur of a pet that has been exposed.

The best prevention is to avoid getting the toxin on your skin. If you can’t avoid exposure, here is advice before you head out into the woods:

- Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, work gloves, and boots are imperative if you’re doing work in areas known to have poison plants.
- Some recommend an over-the-counter lotion called Ivy Block as a preventative. Apply it like you would a sunblock to likely areas of exposure. Theoretically, it will prevent the oil from being absorbed by your skin.

### Exposure to Poisonous Plants

Unfortunately, many times people don’t identify the exposure before it’s too late. The rash takes from several hours to several days to become apparent. Usually, you will notice:

- Itchiness where your skin was exposed to the plant.
- Red streaky rashes where the plant brushed against you.
- Small bumps or hives along with the redness.
- Occasional blistering.

The rash usually appears in the first day or two after your contact with the Urushiol, although it may take longer in first exposures. The rash will continue to appear to spread over several days, even if you stay indoors. The rash, however, is not contagious. The more allergen you come in contact with, the more severe your reaction. Severe reactions to smaller amounts of Urushiol may be seen in those who are highly sensitive. Serious symptoms may include generalized swelling of just about anywhere on the body, including the genitals, and widespread blistering.

The resin or oil from the plant that causes the reaction will remain active even on your clothes, so thorough laundering will be required. Routine body washing with soap will not be useful after 30 minutes of exposure, as your system will already be producing antibodies. Hot water seems to help the oil absorb into the skin, so use only cold water early on. After all the irritant has absorbed, however, hot water baths are actually recommended by some to relieve itching.

Cleansers that remove resin or oil such as Fels-Naptha soap or Tecnu Poison Oak and Ivy Cleanser are more effective than regular detergent and can be used even several hours after exposure. Rubbing alcohol is another reasonable option and easily carried as hand sanitizers or prep pads; it is, however, very drying to the skin.
The good news is that, even if you choose not to treat the rash, it will go away by itself over 2-3 weeks. The bad news is that it could be so itchy as to make you absolutely miserable. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at 25-50 mg dosages 4 times a day will be helpful in relieving the itching. It’s important to know that the 50mg dosage will make you drowsy. This may be an added benefit at night to help you sleep, but not if you are in any situation that requires alertness. Unfortunately, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream, old standbys, will probably not be very effective.

Severe rashes have been treated with the prescription Medrol dose pack, (a type of steroid known as Prednisone). Prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory drug and will be more effective in preventing the inflammatory reaction that your antibodies will cause. This medicine would be a useful addition to any medical supply list if obtainable.

Some astringent solutions such as Domeboro have been reported to give relief from the itching. The active ingredient is aluminum acetate, which is similar to the aluminum chlorohydrate in many antiperspirants.
There are several alternative treatments for poison ivy, oak and sumac:

- Cleansing the irritated area with apple cider vinegar
- Essential oils mixed with Aloe Vera gel, such as tea tree, lemon, lavender, peppermint, geranium, and chamomile.
- Baking soda paste
- Epsom salt baths.
- Jewel weed (mash and apply)
- Chamomile tea bag compresses

For those who prefer drinking their tea: Passion flower, skullcap, and chamomile are all thought to be soothing.

Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Why We Are Wheezing: CO2 And Asthma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/why-were-wheezing-co2-and-asthma/) 

 [Mosquitos and Diseases They Carry](https://www.doomandbloom.net/mosquitos-and-diseases-they-carry/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** allergic reaction, domeboro, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, fels-naptha, ivy block, leaves of three, medical preparedness, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, survival medicine, tecnu, urushiol

---

### [Why We Are Wheezing: CO2 And Asthma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/why-were-wheezing-co2-and-asthma/)

**Published:** June 7, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Whatever your thoughts on **global warming**, one disturbing fact recently surfaced: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions in the atmosphere have reached a peak level not seen for over 3 million years.CO2 monitoring stations high on the Mauna Loa volcano (Hawaii), run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced the record measurement in early May. The daily average has passed 400 ppm for the first time since readings began in 1958 and is predicted to rise to 720 ppm by 2075. This is the culmination of a steady rise from 280 ppm at the beginning of the age of industrialization.

## CO2 Emissions in the Industrial Age

How do we know what the air was like millions of years ago? Incredibly, we can actually *evaluate the air* from millions of years ago by analyzing air trapped in ancient glacial or permafrost ice. You have to go back 3-5 million years to find these levels in “fossil” air. During that era, the temperature was several degrees higher than today, even higher in the polar regions. This caused forests to grow all the way to the Northern edge of the Arctic Ocean (treeless tundra today).

Why does all this matter to me as a physician, and as someone interested in the issue of survival in times of trouble? Because higher CO2 levels have an impact on your health in ways you may not realize. Due to higher pollen counts and longer pollen seasons, especially in the Northern latitudes, more and more people are testing positive for allergies. In many parts of the U.S., 20% of the population is allergic to, for example, ragweed.
Studies show that the more CO2 in the air, the more plants grow. This may allow us to grow more food, perhaps, but it also means that there’s a lot more pollen. It also means more hay fever and asthmatic reactions. Allergists all over the country are noticing that their patients are requiring stronger and stronger therapy to treat their condition. Let’s discuss asthmatic reactions and what you can do about them.

### What is Asthma?

**Asthma** is a chronic condition that affects your ability to breathe. It affects the airways, which are the tubes that transport air to your lungs. When people with asthma are exposed to a substance that they are allergic to (an “**allergen**”), these airways become inflamed. As the airways become swollen, the diameter of the airway decreases and less air gets to the lungs. As such, you will develop shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, and start to wheeze and cough. This is referred to as an “asthma attack”.

In rare situations, the airways can become so constricted that a person could suffocate from lack of oxygen. This extreme condition is sometimes referred to as “Status Asthmaticus”. Here are common allergens that trigger an asthmatic attack:

- Pollen
- Pet or wild animal dander
- Dust or the excrement of dust mites
- Mold and mildew
- Smoke
- Severe stress
- Pollutants in the air
- Some medicines
- Exercise

There are many myths associated with asthma; the below are just some:

- Asthma is contagious. (False)
- You will grow out of it. (False-it might become dormant for a time but you are always at risk for it returning)
- It’s all in your mind. (False)
- If you move to a new area, your asthma will go away. (False – it may go away for a while, but eventually you will become sensitized to something else and it will likely return)

Here’s a “true” myth: Asthma is, indeed, hereditary. If both parents have asthma, you have a 70% chance of developing it compared to only 6% if neither parent has it.

Asthmatic symptoms may be different from attack to attack and from individual to individual. Some of the symptoms are also seen in heart conditions and other respiratory illnesses, so it’s important to make the right diagnosis. Symptoms may include:
-Cough
-Shortness of Breath
-Wheezing (usually sudden)
-Chest tightness (sometimes confused with coronary artery spasms/heart attack)
-Rapid pulse rate and respiration rate
-Anxiety
Besides these main symptoms, there are others that are signals of a life-threatening episode. If you notice that your patient has become “cyanotic”, they are in bad shape. Someone with **cyanosis** will have blue/gray color to their lips, fingertips, and face.

You might also notice that it takes longer for them to exhale than to inhale. Their wheezing may take on a higher pitch. Once the patient has spent enough time without adequate oxygen, they will become confused, then drowsy, and then possibly lose consciousness.

To make the diagnosis, medic, use your stethoscope to listen to the lungs on both sides. Make sure that you listen closely to each lung from top to bottom in the areas shown in the above image. In a mild asthmatic attack, you will hear relatively loud, musical noises (wheezes) when the patient breathes for you. As the asthma worsens, less air is passing through the airways and the pitch of the wheezes will be higher and perhaps not as loud. If no air is passing through, you will hear nothing, not even when you ask the patient to inhale forcibly. This person is in trouble.

You can measure how open your airways are with a simple diagnostic instrument known as a **peak flow meter**. It can help you identify if a patient’s cough is part of an asthma attack or not, or whether they are having a panic attack instead. It also identifies the severity of respiratory compromise.

This is what you do: Take your patient’s peak flow meter instrument and then (forcefully) exhale into it. This will give you a baseline reading of their normal baseline air flow. Then, when they’re having an attack, have them blow into it again.

In moderate asthma, peak flow will be reduced 20-40%. Greater than 50% is a sign of a severe episode. In a non-asthma related cough or upper respiratory infection, your peak flow will be close to normal. The same goes for a panic attack; even though you may feel short of breath, your peak flow is still about normal.

The cornerstones of asthma treatment are the avoidance of “trigger” allergens and the maintenance of open airways. Medications come in one of two forms: drugs that give quick relief from an attack and drugs that control the frequency of asthmatic episodes.

Quick relief drugs include inhalers that open airways (known as bronchodilators), such as Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), among others. These drugs should open airways in a very short period of time and give significant relief. These drugs are sometimes useful for people going into a situation where they are exposed to a known “trigger”, such as before strenuous exercise. Don’t be surprised if you notice a rapid heart rate on these medications; it’s a common side effect.

If you find yourself using quick-relief asthmatic medications more than twice a week, you are a candidate for daily control therapy. These drugs work (when taken daily) to decrease the number of episodes and are usually some form of inhaled steroid. There are long-acting bronchodilators as well, such as ipratropium bromide (Atrovent). Another family of drugs known as Leukotriene Modifiers prevents airway swelling before an asthma attack even begins. These are usually in pill form and may make sense for storage purposes. The most popular is Montelukast (Singulair).

Often, medications will be used in combination, and you might find multiple medications in the same inhaler. U.S. commercial product Advair, for example, contains both a steroid and an airway dilator. Remember that inhalers lose potency over time. An expired inhaler, unlike many pills or tablets, will lose potency relatively quickly.

It’s important to figure out what allergens trigger your asthma attacks and work out a plan to avoid them as much as possible. Furthermore, make sure to stockpile as much of your asthma medication as possible in case of emergency. Physicians are usually sympathetic to requests for extra prescriptions from their asthmatic patients.

In mild to moderate cases, you might consider the use of natural remedies. There are actually quite a few substances that have been reported to be helpful:
[![shutterstock_84827734](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shutterstock_84827734.jpg)

**Ginger and Garlic Tea:** Put four minced garlic cloves in some ginger tea while it’s hot. Cool it down and drink twice a day. Some have reported a beneficial effect with just the garlic.

**Other herbal teas:** Ephedra, Coltsfoot, Codonopsis, Butterbur, Nettle, Chamomile, and Rosemary all have the potential to improve an asthmatic attack.
**Coffee:** Black unsweetened coffee is a stimulant that might make your lung function better when you are having an attack. Don’t drink more than 12 ounces at a time, as coffee can dehydrate you. Interestingly, coffee is somewhat similar in chemical structure to the asthma drug Theopylline.

**Eucalyptus:** Essential oil of eucalyptus, used in a steam or direct inhalation, is well-known to open airways. Rub a few drops of oil between your hands and breathe in deeply. Alternatively, a few drops in some steaming water will be good respiratory therapy.
**Honey:** Honey was used in the 19th century to treat asthmatic attacks. Breathe deeply from a jar of honey and you should see improvement in a few minutes. To decrease the frequency of attacks, stir one teaspoon of honey in a twelve ounce glass of water and drink it three times daily.
**Turmeric:** Take one teaspoon of turmeric powder in 6-8 ounces of warm water three times a day.

**Licorice and Ginger:** Mix licorice and ginger (1/2 teaspoon of each) in a cup of water. Warning: Licorice can raise your blood pressure.

**Black Pepper, Onion, and Honey:** Drink ¼ cup of onion juice with a tablespoon of honey, after adding 1/8 tablespoon of black pepper.

**Mustard Oil Rub:** Mix mustard oil with camphor and rub it on your chest and back. There are claims that it gives instant relief in some cases.

**Gingko Biloba leaf extract:**  Thought to decrease hypersensitivity in the lungs; not for people who are taking aspirin or ibuprofen daily, or anticoagulants like Coumadin.

**Vitamin D:** Some asthmatics have been diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency.

**Lobelia:** Native Americans actually smoked this herb as a treatment for asthma. Instead of smoking, try mixing tincture of lobelia with tincture of cayenne in a 3:1 ratio. Put 1 milliliter (about 20 drops) of this mixture in water at the start of an attack and repeat every thirty minutes or so.

With a number of these substances, further research is necessary to corroborate the amount of effect that they have on severe asthma, so take standard medications if your peak flow reading is 60% or less than normal.

Don’t underestimate the effect of your diet on your condition. Asthmatics should:

- Replace animal proteins with plant proteins.
- Increase intake of Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Eliminate milk and other dairy products.
- Eat organically whenever possible.
- Eliminate trans-fats; use extra-virgin olive oil as your main cooking oil.
- Always stay well-hydrated; more fluids will make your lung secretions less viscous.

Finally, various breathing methods, such as taught in Yoga classes, are thought to help promote well-being and control the panic response seen in asthmatic attacks.

Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Emergency Medicine Vs. Survival Medicine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/emergency-medicine-vs-survival-medicine/) 

 [Poison Ivy And Its Relatives](https://www.doomandbloom.net/poison-ivy-and-its-relatives/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Asthma, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** allergic reactions, asthma, CO2 emissions, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, evaluate the air, global warming, medical preparedness, natural remedies, peak flow meter, survival medicine

---

### [Emergency Medicine Vs. Survival Medicine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/emergency-medicine-vs-survival-medicine/)

**Published:** June 12, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Standard emergency medicine strategies are intended to aid you in managing situations where the incident did not occur within easy reach of a hospital . Certainly, **modern medical care** on an ocean voyage or wilderness hike is not readily available; even trips to the cities of underdeveloped countries may fit this category as well.

##### Medical Preparedness

There are *medical protocols* for these mostly short term scenarios that are widely published, and they are both reasonable and effective. An entire medical education system exists to deal with limited wilderness or disaster situations, and it is served by a growing industry of supplies and equipment. You expect, not unreasonably, that the rescue helicopter is already on the way. So what is the difference between routine emergency medicine and survival medicine? It revolves around your goal.

What is your goal when an emergency occurs in a remote setting? The basic premise of “wilderness” or “disaster” medicine is to:

- - Evaluate the injured or ill patient.
    - Stabilize their condition.
    - Transport the individual to the nearest modern hospital, clinic, or emergency care center.

This series of steps makes perfect sense; you are not a physician and, somewhere, there are facilities that have a lot more technology than you have in your backpack. Your priority is to get the patient out of immediate danger and then ship them off; this will allow you to continue on your wilderness adventure. Transporting the injured person may be difficult to do (sometimes very difficult), but you still have the luxury of being able to “pass the buck” to those who have more knowledge, technology and supplies. And why not? You aren’t a medical professional, after all.

### What is Collapse Medicine?

One day, however, there may come a time when a pandemic, civil unrest or terrorist event may precipitate a situation where the miracle of modern medicine may be unavailable. Indeed, not only unavailable, but even to the point that the potential for access to modern facilities no longer exists. Therefore, YOU have become the place where the “buck” stops for the foreseeable future. We refer to this type of long-term scenario as a “collapse”. In a collapse, you will have more risk for illness and injury than on a hike in the woods, yet little or no hope of obtaining more advanced care than you, yourself, can provide. It’s not a matter of a few days without modern technology, such as after a hurricane or tornado. Help is NOT on the way.

Few are prepared to deal with the harsh reality of a long-term survival situation. To go further, very few are willing to even entertain the possibility that such a tremendous burden might be placed upon them. Even for those stalwarts that are willing, there are few, if any, books that will consider this drastic turn of events. The chances of each individual disaster may be very small. Yet, the likelihood of your exposure to such a situation, in some degree and at some point in your lifetime, may not be so small. It stands to reason, therefore, that some medical education might be useful in times of trouble.

Almost all handbooks (some quite good) on wilderness or third world medicine will usually end a section with: “Go to the hospital asap”. Although this is excellent advice for modern times, it won’t be very helpful in an uncertain future when the hospitals might all be out of commission. We only have to look at Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to know that even modern medical facilities may be useless if they are understaffed, under-supplied, and overcrowded.

Unwittingly, the majority of the citizens in New Orleans became their own medical care providers in the aftermath of the storm. With medical assistance teams overwhelmed, no one was coming to the aid of one injured or ill individual when thousands needed help at once. Each household became the “end of the line” when it came to its own well-being. If you become the end of the line with regards to the medical well-being of your family or group, there are certain adjustments that have to be made. Medical supplies must be accumulated to deal with varied emergencies. Medical knowledge must be obtained, shared, and assimilated. These medical supplies and skills must then be adjusted to fit the new mindset that you must adopt in a collapse: That things have changed for the long term, and that you are the sole medical resource when it comes to keeping your people healthy.

This is a huge responsibility. Many, when confronted, will decide that they cannot bear the burden. Others, however, will find the fortitude to grit their teeth and wear the badge of survival “medic”. These individuals may have some medical experience, but most will simply be fathers and mothers who understand that someone must be appointed to handle things when medical help is NOT on the way. If this reality first becomes apparent when a loved one becomes deathly ill, the likelihood that you will have the training and supplies needed to be an effective medical provider will be close to zero. This is a sure way to assure that, when everything else fails, you will, too.

Yet, if you are willing to put some time and effort into being prepared now, you will be better equipped to handle 90% of the emergencies that you will see in a power-down scenario.

The tough reality, however, may place you between a rock and a hard place. Over time, you will certainly have to make difficult decisions. The strategies we put together are not the most effective means of taking care of certain medical problems. In fact, some of them are straight out of the last century. They adhere to the philosophy that something is better than nothing; in a survival situation, that “something” might just get you through the storm. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “You must do what you can, with what you have, where you are

Hopefully, societal destabilization will never happen. This articles and our book, DVDs, and website are a weapon against, not an argument for, an end of the world scenario. If we never encounter a long-term survival situation, this information will still have its uses. Natural catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina will always rear their ugly heads. These events are inevitable at one point or another, and will tax even the most advanced medical delivery systems. Medical personnel will be unlikely to be readily available to help you if they are overwhelmed by mass casualties. With some medical knowledge and supplies, you may gain precious time for an injured loved one and aid in their recovery.

An important caveat: The practice of medicine or dentistry without a license is against the law. None of our recommendations will protect you from liability if you implement them where there is a functioning government and legal system. Consider obtaining formal medical education if you want to become a healthcare provider in a PRE-collapse society. All it takes is time, energy, and dedication.

No matter how much you learn, you won’t not be a physician. You will, however, be more of a medical asset to your family, group, or community than you were before. In a very uncertain future. You’ll have a head start on making sure those bumps on the road aren’t the END of the road.

Dr. Bones
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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Stab Wound Management](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stab-wound-management/) 

 [Why We Are Wheezing: CO2 And Asthma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/why-were-wheezing-co2-and-asthma/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** civil unrest, collapse medicine, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, emeregency medicine. doom and bloom, emergency preparedness, long-term survival situation, medical preparedness, medical protocols, modern medical care, pandemic, survival medicine, What is your goal when an emergency occurs in a remote setting?

---

### [Stab Wound Management](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stab-wound-management/)

**Published:** June 16, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Given the media outcry against gun ownership, it’s easy to forget the wounds that are caused by knives and other sharp instruments. Trauma incurred from these injuries may be minor or major; **penetrating trauma** such as caused by a stab wound should not be discounted as a major injury; it can be life-threatening, depending on the organs and blood vessels damaged

##### Types of Penetrating Trauma

Penetrating trauma is divided into *perforating* and non-perforating. A perforating wound is one in which the object causing the damage goes into one side of the body and then exits through the other side. A wound from .223 or NATO .556 would, commonly, be an example of this type of penetrating trauma.

One of my first classes in medical school showed a slide of Major General Henry Barnum, who received a minie ball through the hip in the battle of Antietam. Years later, he could still pass a thin rod from the entry wound all the way out the other side. General Barnum’s hip, incidentally, is still on display in the National Museum of Medicine, where it has been for over 100 years.

Bullets and other high-speed projectiles cause damage related to the shock wave produced as the bullet passes through the body. This is called cavitation. Many bullets will fragment in the body as well, sometimes causing damage further from the entry wound than expected. Luckily, low speed projectiles such as knives will not do this. Your concerns are related specifically to the area of entry and the structures located directly in the path of the offending instrument.

Stab wounds are an example of a non-perforating wound: the projectile causing the damage enters the body and either stays there or exits where it entered. Most knife wounds would fit in this category, as the knife doesn’t pass entirely through and out of the body. Some sharp instruments might do this, say a crossbow bolt or a spearhead, but let’s assume that you’ll be unlikely to see these. Most knife wounds you’ll see will be minor lacerations. Blood loss and failure of damaged organs will be the major issue to deal with.

A little about blood: Blood carries oxygen to the tissues and organs and removes waste products. It is made up of several components, including:

- Red blood cells: These cells carry oxygen to body tissues.
- White blood cells: These cells work to, among other things, fight infection and disease.
- Platelets and other clotting factors: These allow blood to coagulate and lessen blood loss.
- Plasma: A yellowish liquid in which the above are suspended.

Your immediate action upon encountering a victim of a wound with a sharp instrument may save their life. Bleeding from arteries and internal organs can be very brisk. If you are a typical 180 lb. (about 70 kg.) adult, you have approximately 9-10 pints (about 5 liters) of blood in your body. Athletes and those living at very high altitudes may have more. You can’t afford to lose more than 40% of total blood volume without needing major resuscitative efforts. To get an idea of how much blood this is, empty a 2 liter bottle of fruit punch or cranberry juice on the floor. You’ll be surprised at how much fluid that represents.

Hemorrhage (bleeding) is classified by the American College of Surgeons (of which I am a Fellow) as follows:

**Class I:**  Hemorrhage is less or equal to 15% of blood volume (1.5 pints/3/4 liter) in an average adult male. A person donating 1 pint of blood is giving slightly less than 0.5 liters, for example. At this level there are almost no signs or symptoms, although some may feel vaguely faint.

**Class II:** Hemorrhage is 15 to 30% loss of total blood volume (2-3 pints/1-1.5 liters). The body tries to compensate at this point with, among other things, a faster heartbeat to speed oxygen to tissues. This patient will appear pale and skin will be cool. They will feel weak.

**Class III:** Hemorrhage is 30 to 40% loss of total blood volume (3-4 pints/1.5-2 liters). At this point, the heart will be beating very quickly and is straining to get enough oxygen to tissues and blood pressure is low. Smaller blood vessels in extremities are constricting to keep the body core circulation going. This patient will be confused, pale, and in hypovolemic (low blood volume) shock. Blood transfusion is usually necessary.

**Class IV:** Hemorrhage is more than 40% of total blood volume (greater than 4 pints/2 liters). The heart can no longer maintain blood pressure and circulation. Without major resuscitative help at this point, organs will fail and the patient will likely be comatose and die.

In most circumstances, sharp instrument injuries will be minor. After controlling bleeding, your goal is to clean the wound thoroughly and dress it. Wound closure may be an option in some wilderness cases, but most backcountry stab wounds will be dirty and should be left open (subject of another article).

If you’re attending to an actively bleeding wound from a sharp object, you will need a level head and quick action. This is, sometimes, not as easy as it sounds; most people not accustomed to dealing with these issues on a daily basis will experience a type of paralysis that may waste precious time. If modern medical care is available, contact emergency services immediately.

In the meantime, follow these steps:

- Assess the safety of the situation. Make sure the situation is secure; it makes no sense for you to become the next casualty.
- Put on gloves if possible. Your hands are full of bacteria and you will reduce the risk of infection by doing so. Non-latex (nitrile) gloves are superior in avoiding allergic reactions to latex, more commonly seen than you’d think. If no gloves are available, plastic bags/wrap or, at least, hand sanitizers/soap will be useful if you have to touch the wound with bare hands.
- Verify the victim’s breathing and mental status. Clear airways if obstructed and determine if they are alert enough to help you by following commands.
- Remove clothing carefully to fully inspect the wound and identify other injuries. Make sure that you have a bandage scissors or EMT shears in your medical pack.
- Elevate the feet above the level of the heart and head (the “shock position”) to increase blood flow to the brain.
- If the sharp instrument is still in the body, don’t remove it. It may be providing pressure on damaged blood vessels and decreasing the bleeding. Stabilize the wound in place with dressings or in any way you can. If there is no chance of emergency services reaching you, such as in a backcountry trip in an underdeveloped country, you may have to remove it at one point or another. Don’t do this unless you are where the bulk of your medical supplies are.
- Apply pressure with some type of dressing, even your shirt if necessary. Most non-arterial bleeding will stop with steady pressure on the wound. If the sharp instrument is in place and help is on the way, place pressure down on either side towards the blade to prevent it from slipping out and decrease bleeding.
- Elevate the injured area about the heart. Make it more difficult to pump blood out of the body.
- Some recommend applying additional pressure with your other hand to major arteries about the level of the wound (especially for extremities). These areas are called “pressure points”. For example, a major artery (the popliteal artery) is found behind the knee. Pressure here might decrease bleeding from a lower leg wound. There is an entire map of pressure points for most parts of the body.
- If this fails, consider applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Tourniquets are to be used only when absolutely necessary, as they also stop the circulation of undamaged arteries and veins. This will cause damage or death of tissue beyond the level of the wound if left on too long. They also, after a very short time, hurt like a son of a gun. If a tourniquet is on, you may choose to loosen it after a period of time to determine if the body’s clotting mechanisms have stopped the bleeding. Unfortunately, this can sometimes cause further bleeding, so this is mostly a strategy for when help in NOT on the way. If you are transporting a patient to a modern medical facility, make sure you mark a “T” on the victim’s forehead or otherwise notify emergency personnel (**Note**: we are reminded by Blaine Burnett, one of our readers, to mark the time the tourniquet was placed).
- In certain circumstances, the use of blood clotting agents such as Quikclot or Celox may be helpful. They are effective in stopping bleeding, although they are sometimes difficult to clean out later. We keep these products in all our medical packs, even individual first aid kits.
- Once bleeding has subsided, don’t remove a dressing unless you have to. There are clots that can be dislodged if you do, and this may restart the bleeding. Add additional dressings on top if help is on the way. In survival situations, you will eventually have to change and clean wound dressings.
- Secure everything with a pressure dressing, of which there are various on the market. The Israeli Battle Dressing, known as The Emergency Bandage in the U.S., has a hinge which can apply up to 30 pounds of pressure if used properly.
- Keep the victim warm: Throw a blanket or a coat over them. If help is coming, keep them as still and calm as possible to avoid further bleeding. Monitor breathing, pulses, and mental status.
- An unconscious patient should be placed in the “recovery position”. This will, among other things, allow fluid to drain from airways and help them breathe.

All of the above may not be necessary if you practice preventative measures. In other words, don’t run with scissors. With some foresight, you may be able to avoid a mishap that could turn into a tragedy. Dr. Bones

[https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/gunshot-wound-kit/](https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/gunshot-wound-kit/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/gunshot-wound-kit/")

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [It's A Cruel, Cruel Summer!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/its-a-cruel-cruel-summer-2/) 

 [Emergency Medicine Vs. Survival Medicine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/emergency-medicine-vs-survival-medicine/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** bleeding, cavitation, crisis medicine, hemorrhage, knife wounds, medical preparedness, non-perforating, penetrating trauma, perforating, pressure dressing, stab wounds

---

### [The Survival Medicine Handbook Second Edition Is Out!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbook-second-edition-is-out/)

**Published:** June 17, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy are happy to announce the publication of the Second Edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook!** “The Survival Medicine Handbook: When Medical Help is NOT on the Way” is the second edition of the Amazon bestseller “The Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Handbook”.

Our second edition, like the first, assumes that no doctors or hospitals are available to you due to a short-term or long-term disaster scenario, and that YOU are now the end of the line when it comes to your family’s health.

The Survival Medicine Handbook™ is a guide for those who want to be medically prepared for any disaster where help is NOT on the way. The expanded and revised second edition of the 3 category Amazon bestseller (Survival Skills, Disaster Relief, Safety/First Aid) is geared to enable the non-medical professional to deal with all the likely issues they will encounter in catastrophic scenarios.

In circumstances where medical personnel are overwhelmed and access to modern technology is limited or non-existent, The Survival Medicine Handbook™ is the essential reference book for every library. Written in plain English, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to identify and treat over 100 different medical issues.

The second edition also covers alternative remedies for almost every possible medical condition in situations where modern healthcare is inaccessible. Why not use ALL the tools in the woodshed?

Here’s just some of the topics covered:

- · MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS
- BECOMING A MEDICAL RESOURCE
- · THE EFFECTIVE SURVIVAL MEDIC
- · FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PREPARING
- · LIKELY MEDICAL ISSUES YOU WILL FACE
- · MEDICAL SKILLS YOU WILL WANT TO LEARN
- · MEDICAL SUPPLIES
- NATURAL REMEDIES
- · ESSENTIAL OILS
- · THE MEDICINAL GARDEN
- · THE PHYSICAL EXAM
- · THE MASS CASUALTY INCIDENT
- · PATIENT TRANSPORT
- · HYGIENE-RELATED MEDICAL ISSUES
- · LICE, TICKS, AND WORMS
- · DENTAL ISSUES
- · RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
- · FOOD AND WATER-BORNE ILLNESS
- · DIARRHEAL DISEASE/DEHYDRATION
- · DEALING WITH SEWAGE ISSUES
- · FOOD POISONING
- · APPENDICITIS/ABDOMINAL PAIN
- · URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
- · HEPATITIS
- · PELVIC AND VAGINAL INFECTIONS
- · WOUND INFECTIONS
- · ABSCESSES
- · TETANUS
- · MOSQUITO BORNE ILLNESS
- · FUNGAL INFECTIONS
- · HYPERTHERMIA (HEAT STROKE)
- · HYPOTHERMIA
- · ALTITUDE SICKNESS
- · WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS
- · TORNADO PREPAREDNESS
- · HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
- · EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
- · ALLERGIC REACTIONS
- · ASTHMA
- · POISON IVY, OAK, AND SUMAC
- · RADIATION SICKNESS
- · BIOLOGICAL WARFARE
- · MINOR WOUNDS
- · MAJOR AND HEMORRHAGIC WOUNDS
- · SOFT TISSUE WOUND CARE
- · WOUND CLOSURE/OPEN WOUNDS
- · LOCAL ANESTHESIA AND NERVE BLOCKS
- · HOW TO SUTURE/STAPLE SKIN
- · BLISTERS, SPLINTERS, AND FISHHOOKS
- · NAIL BED INJURIES
- · BURN INJURIES
- · ANIMAL BITES
- · SNAKE BITES
- · INSECT BITES AND STINGS
- · HEAD INJURIES
- · SPRAINS AND STRAINS
- · DISLOCATIONS
- · FRACTURES
- · AMPUTATION
- · THYROID DISEASE
- · DIABETES
- · HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- · HEART DISEASE AND CHEST PAIN
- · ULCER AND ACID REFLUX DISEASE
- · SEIZURE DISORDERS
- · JOINT DISEASE
- · KIDNEY AND GALL BLADDER STONES
- · SKIN CONDITIONS
- · VARICOSE VEINS
- · CPR
- · HEADACHE
- · EYE PROBLEMS
- · NOSEBLEED
- · EARACHE
- · HEMORRHOIDS
- · BIRTH CONTROL,
- PREGNANCY, AND DELIVERY
- · ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
- · SLEEP DEPRIVATION
- · ESSENTIAL OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS
- · A PRIMER ON PAIN MEDICATIONS
- · NATURAL PAIN RELIEF
- · STOCKPILING MEDICATIONS
- HOW TO GAIN ACCESS TO AND USE VARIOUS ANTIBIOTICS, ANTI-FUNGALS AND ANTI-VIRAL DRUGS
- · EXPIRATION DATES

Here’s a link to the book on Amazon:

[https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr\_1\_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1371417109&sr=8-8&keywords=the+survival+medicine+handbook](https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1371417109&sr=8-8&keywords=the+survival+medicine+handbook "The Survival Medicine Handbook, Second Edition")

When the buck stops with YOU, would you be ready to pick up the flag and deal with medical issues in grid-down situations? The Survival Medicine Handbook’s second edition is the essential medical reference for your survival library.

Stay healthy,

Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Fate of the Forgotten Founding Fathers](https://www.doomandbloom.net/fate-of-the-forgotten-founding-fathers/) 

 [Flood Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Medications

**Tags:** crisis medicine, medical preparedness, ong-term disaster scenario, The Survival Medicine Handbook

---

### [It's A Cruel, Cruel Summer!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/its-a-cruel-cruel-summer-2/)

**Published:** June 27, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/shutterstock_182753726-300x196.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/shutterstock_182753726-scaled.jpg)

As we enter the full furnace blast that is Summer in most parts of the country, we turn to medical issues influenced by environmental factors. If you aren’t prepared to deal with your environment, it is truly an enemy to be reckoned with.

## Hyperthermia

In the aftermath of storms or in the wilderness, you may find yourself without shelter to protect you from the elements. In the heat of summer, a common condition you’ll encounter might be heat stroke, otherwise known as “**hyperthermia**“. Even in cold weather, significant physical exertion in an over-clothed and under-hydrated individual could lead to significant heat-related injury. The elderly and the very young are particularly prone to issues relating to overheating, and must be watched closely if exposed to the sun. Many animals may also succumb to hyperthermia.

The ill effects due to overheating are called “*heat exhaustion*” if mild to moderate; if severe, these effects are referred to as “heat stroke”. This is a continuous process in which symptoms start piling one upon another. Heat exhaustion usually does not result in permanent damage, but heat stroke does; indeed, it can permanently disable or even kill its victim. It is a medical emergency that must be diagnosed and treated promptly to avoid long-term effects.

### Heat Stroke and the Heat Index

The risk of heat stroke correlates strongly to the “heat index”, a measurement of the effects of air temperature combined with high humidity. Above 60% relative humidity, loss of heat by perspiration is impaired, increasing the chances of heat-related illness. Exposure to full sun increases the reported heat index by as much as 10-15 degrees F. As such, it is important to factor in shade as a survival commodity just as it is to consider food and water sources. Other things to consider include what times of day it is most appropriate to put your people to work outdoors; providing shade and a pint of water an hour will go a long way to prevent heat-related events.

Simply having muscle cramps or a fainting spell does not necessarily signify a major heat-related medical event. You will see “heat cramps” often in children that have been running around on a hot day. Getting them out of the sun, massaging the affected muscles, and providing hydration will usually resolve the problem.

To make the diagnosis of heat exhaustion, a significant rise in the body’s core temperature is required. As many heat-related symptoms may mimic other conditions, a thermometer of some sort should be a component of your medical supplies.

In addition to muscle cramps, dizziness, and/or fainting, heat exhaustion is characterized by:

· Confusion
· Rapid pulse
· Flushing
· Nausea and Vomiting
· Headache
· Temperature elevation up to 105 degrees F

If no action is taken to cool the victim, heat stroke may ensue. Heat stroke, in addition to all the possible signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, will manifest as loss of consciousness, seizures or even bleeding (seen in the urine or vomit). Breathing becomes rapid and shallow.

If not dealt with quickly, shock and organ malfunction may ensue, leading to your patient’s demise. The skin is likely to be hot to the touch, but dry; sweating might be absent. The body makes efforts to cool itself down until it hits a temperature of 106 degrees or so. At that point, thermoregulation breaks down and the body’s ability to use sweating as a natural temperature regulator fails. In heat stroke, the body core can rise to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

You’ll notice that the skin becomes red, not because it is burned, but because the blood vessels are dilating in an effort to dissipate some of the heat.

In some circumstances, the patient’s skin may actually seem cool. It is important to realize that it is the body CORE temperature that is elevated. A person in shock may feel “cold and clammy” to the touch. You could be misled by this finding, but sim

ply taking a reading with your thermometer will reveal the patient’s true status.

![5(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/51-300x231.jpg)

**Only give fluids if awake and alert**

When overheated patients are no longer able to cool themselves, it is up to their rescuers to do the job. If hyperthermia is suspected, the victim should immediately:

· Be removed from the heat source (for example, out of the sun).
· Have their clothing removed.
· Be drenched with cool water (or ice, if available)
· Have their legs elevated above the level of their heart (the shock position)
· Be fanned or otherwise ventilated to help with heat evaporation
· Have moist cold compresses placed in the neck, armpit and groin areas
If water/ice are in good supply, use as much as needed to cool the patient

Why the neck, armpit and groin? Major blood vessels pass close to the skin in these areas, and you will more efficiently cool the body core. In the wilderness, immersion in a cold stream may be all you have in terms of a cooling strategy. This is a worthwhile option as long as you are closely monitoring your patient.

Oral rehydration is useful to replace fluids lost, but ONLY if the patient is awake and alert. If your patient has altered mental status, he or she might “swallow” the fluid into their airways; this causes damage to the lungs and puts you in worse shape than when you started. Close monitoring of mental status is important in the evaluation of any heat (or cold) related event.

You might think that acetaminophen or ibuprofen could help to lower temperatures, but this is actually not the case. These medications are meant to lower fevers caused by an infection, and they don’t work as well if the fever was not caused by one.

Wear clothing appropriate for the weather. Tightly swaddling an infant with blankets, simply because that is “what’s done” with a baby, is a recipe for disaster in hot weather. Have everyone wear a head covering. A bandanna soaked in water, for example, would be effective against the heat. Much of the sweating we do comes from our face and head, so towel off frequently to aid in heat evaporation.

If you can avoid dehydration, you will likely avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Work or exercise in hot weather (especially by someone in poor physical condition) will easily cause a person to lose body water content.

A loss of just 1% of your total water initiates the thirst mechanism. You’ll need a pint of water an hour to stay hydrated. If thirst is not quenched, as little as 2% water loss begin to affect work efficiency, mood, and other parameters. At 6%, you’re as delirious and uncoordinated as if you’ve been crawling for miles through Death Valley. At 10% and more, organ malfunction begins to occur and your patient could easily die.

Carefully planning your outdoor work in the summer heat and keeping up with fluids will be a major step in keeping healthy and avoiding heat-related illness. Monitor the workload (and the workers) and you’ll stay out of trouble.

Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Adversity and Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/adversity-and-survival/) 

 [Stab Wound Management](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stab-wound-management/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Heat Stroke, Uncategorized

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, heat exhaustion, heat related illness, heat stroke, heat wave, hyperthermia, medical preparedness, summer heat, survival medicine

---

### [Adversity and Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/adversity-and-survival/)

**Published:** July 1, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I recently read an article about a young man who lost a leg to a land mine while hiking in a third-world country. This stalwart outdoorsman was instantly transformed into a frightened victim with months of surgery, physical therapy, and prosthetic training in his future. His journey was inspiring, as he battled (as you can imagine) deep depression and **post-traumatic stress syndrome** in addition to his physical wounds. Eventually, he formed a support group for survivors, which eventually won a Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to ban landmines.

##### Adversity

This got me thinking about *adversity* in general, and how the preparedness community could face plenty of it in the uncertain future. Regardless of your level of preparedness, you will likely face your own metaphorical landmine or two after a major disaster. How you deal with these issues will determine your ultimate success or failure. As a doctor, what could I tell you that would help you overcome the challenges you would face and remain physically and mentally healthy?

Physically, the ability to overcome adversity is controlling the stress response. Chronic exposure to stress will weaken your immune system. Failure to control the physical effects of stress can lead to various ailments that will decrease your chances of survival. Besides depression, these include ulcers, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. Stress can also lead to a cascade of destructive behaviors, such as alcohol abuse and smoking (such as: “Man, I am so stressed out! I need a drink!”).

##### Surviving Adversity

Adverse events are part of any survival scenario. Stress is not always bad: facing challenges can make your stronger. Who makes it and who doesn’t will depend on their resilience. Education, training, and experience is essential, but resilience, or the lack of it, is the factor that will assure success or failure.

A person’s tendency to overcome adversity is partly nature and partly nurture. Could this ability be inherited? Certainly, some children warm up to new tasks or people more effectively than others. Yet, there are many environmental factors that play a part: family support, financial status, quality of schooling, and various others. An unemployed introvert is at a disadvantage when compared to the monetarily secure individual who belongs to a close family or active religious/social community.

Despite this, it is possible to increase your ability to overcome adversity through a disciplined approach. You can:

- learn to regulate emotions
- adopt a realistic, positive attitude
- become physically fit
- develop a supportive community

Emotions/Attitude: If you can control feelings of anger, fear, insecurity, and sadness, you can maintain a clear head in times of trouble. Oftentimes, people interpret a negative event as being worse than it is. Studies at Columbia University show that people who intentionally “reappraise” an event, such as a rejected application, as being less negative actually increase the activity of the part of the brain that helps to plan and direct. Reappraisal also seems to inhibit the activity of the part of the brain that is involved in feelings of fear. Study participants reported a stronger sense of well-being after adopting this strategy, which I call “looking for the silver lining in the storm cloud”.

This glass half-full approach could be useful everywhere from the athletic field to the workplace to the hospital room. Those patients with the ability to find a neutral or positive interpretation of a negative event tend to live longer and have a better quality of life than those who don’t. In another study performed many years ago, a group of women were asked to write a life history. These were rated accorded to the degree in which they expressed positive emotions. 34% of those who wrote negative history were alive after 80 years of age compared to 90% of the women who wrote positive histories.

In survival scenarios, however, the risk of positive reappraisal could lead to denial of negative events. If this occurs, you might underestimate dangerous situations; realism and positivity have to strike a balance.

Physical Exertion: It is well known that physical activity increases the “feel-good” substances in your brain known as “Endorphins” and improves your resilience. It also inhibits the stress hormone known as “Cortisol”. Regular physical activity not only is good for your heart. Studies at the University of Colorado show that regular aerobic exercise have various benefits: a decrease in anxiety/depression and an improvement in attention span, decision making, and memory. At the University of Illinois, moderate exercise study seem to indicate improved growth and repair of brain cells. NOTE: Always check with your physician to make sure an aerobic exercise program is safe for you.

Community: An effective strategy to improve your ability to overcome adversity is to establish and maintain strong relationships with other members of the preparedness community. A sense of security due to support from others allows you to deal with stressful events positively, and has even been shown to lower ill-effects suffered in veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A supportive community bolsters self-confidence and provides a safety net that minimizes the damage from failure. Social bonds are the glue that will keep us together in dark times; make an effort to develop these now by joining your religious community, social organization, and otherwise connecting with like-minded individuals.

You may think you are connected well to others, but ask yourself some questions:

- Who do you interact with regularly?
- Who would help you in times of trouble without hesitating?
- Who would YOU help without hesitating?
- Who do you turn to for advice who is glad to give it?
- Who do you know who has bounced back from adversity?

If your answer is few or none to the above, spend some time and effort to develop new and stronger relationships.

We have to be prepared to deal with setbacks if the you-know-what hits the fan. If we can see negative events as a bump in the road instead of the END of the road, we can succeed, even if everything else fails.

Dr. Bones

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Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Burn Injuries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/burn-injuries/) 

 [It's A Cruel, Cruel Summer!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/its-a-cruel-cruel-summer-2/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** adversity, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, improve your ability to overcome adversity, medical preparedness, post-traumatic stress syndrome, preparedness, resilience, survival scenarios, the preparedness community

---

### [Video:  The Survival Sick Room](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-the-survival-sick-room/)

**Published:** July 5, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![civil-war-nurse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/civil-war-nurse-300x199.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/civil-war-nurse.jpg)

If you’re going to be medically prepared, now is the time to plan out that sick room. Here’s a video on the subject by Ol’ Dr. Bones…

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmw\_nHp63g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmw_nHp63g "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmw_nHp63g")

(**Special Note**: Jim Rawles of Survival Blog is back online!)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine vs. Outdoors Medicine: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-vs-outdoors-medicine-video-by-dr-bones/) 

 [Stab Wound Management](https://www.doomandbloom.net/stab-wound-management/)

**Categories:** Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** crisis medicine, medical preparedness, quarantine, sick room

---

### [Cruel Summer: Asian Tiger Mosquitoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cruel-summer-asian-tiger-mosquitos/)

**Published:** July 16, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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This article is about Asian tigers you don’t see at the zoo, if you’re lucky. If you live in the northeast, this is going to be a cruel, cruel summer for mosquitoes. Actually, it’ll be crueler for you than the mosquitoes. Experts now say that an aggressive invasive species called the **Asian Tiger Mosquito** is swarming the region.

##### The Asian Tiger Mosquito: Pretty, Dangerous, and Pretty Dangerous

If you can call mosquitoes pretty, the *Asian tiger mosquito* is, with a black body with multiple white stripes like a tiger. It’s so tiny, though, you’d need a magnifying glass to appreciate it, and by then it’s already bitten you and gone on its merry way.

The Asian Tiger mosquito, originally from tropical southeast Asia, is now found in 27 states, Europe, and South America. It first arrived in this country in 1986, in a shipment of tires. It doesn’t have to live in wetlands, so it closely associates with human communities, and that’s bad news.

Most mosquito bites occur in the dawn or dusk hours, but this species is active and continues to bite all day long, even in the middle of that barbecue you’re having. It’s dangerous because it can transmit more than 20 diseases, including West Nile fever, dengue fever, yellow fever, St. Louis encephalitis, and a number of others. The Asian Tiger Mosquito does not, however, carry malaria; a different genus known as Anopheles is the culprit.

### Asian Tiger Mosquitoes and Heartworm

Tiger mosquitoes are also transmitters of a parasitic round worm that causes heartworm in dogs and cats. They even bite birds. The Asian tiger mosquito has a rapid bite that allows it to escape most attempts to swat it.

The Asian Tiger mosquito is one of the 100 world’s worst invasive species, according to the Global Invasive Species Database.

Only female mosquitoes of any species bite. Blood is necessary for the development of the female’s eggs. The male primarily feeds on nectar like a hummingbird.

The [Asian tiger mosquito](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5613) female lays her eggs near water, not directly into it like other mosquitoes; typically close to a stagnant pool. However, any open container with a little water will suffice for larvae development, even a bottle cap. It can also breed in running water, so stagnant pools of water are not its only possible breeding sites. It has a short flight range, spending its entire life within 175 yards of where it was born. If you’ve been bitten, it’s likely it was born right nearby.

How do mosquitoes find their prey (that’s you)? Here are some factors that play important roles:

1\) Carbon dioxide from exhaled breath.

2\) Organic substances produced by your skin, like fatty acids, ammonia, and lactic acid.

3\) Humidity.

4\) Visual cues (dark colors in daylight).

Asian Tiger mosquitoes are always on the search for a victim but, unlike other mosquitoes, are cautiously persistent when it comes to their blood meal. They often break it off short without enough blood ingested for the development of their eggs. You might think this is good, but this is why Asian tiger mosquitoes bite multiple hosts, making them particularly efficient at transmitting diseases.

The fact that they bite different species enables the Asian tiger mosquito to be a vector for certain viruses and other disease causing organisms that can jump species boundaries. West Nile Virus is one of these.

The Asian tiger mosquito Eggs can sometimes tolerate snow and temperatures under freezing in certain circumstances, which explains their success even in places like the state of Maine.

The control of the Asian tiger mosquito begins with destroying the places where the female lay her eggs. Since they are weak flyers, this is never far from where people are being bitten. Locate puddles that last more than three days, sagging or plugged roof gutters, old tires holding water (which is how they got here in the first place), bird baths or other possible containers or pools of standing water. Flower pots, knotholes and other crevices that can collect water should be filled with sand to discourage mosquitoes from laying their eggs in them.

If you have standing water that can’t be drained, you can treat it with properly labeled insecticides like DEET or something called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BT). BT or “Bti” often comes in what’s called a “mosquito dunk”. Bti is a bacterium that produces toxins which are effective in killing larvae of mosquitoes and certain other biting bugs. Interestingly, It has almost no effect on other organisms. Bti products can be found at just about any garden or pool supply store.

If you have a pond with minnows, you might have an answer, because the fish eat the mosquito larvae. Dragonflies, like we have here in sunny Florida, are also an excellent method of imposing control. Dragonfly larvae eat mosquito larvae in the water, and adults dragonflies will snatch adult mosquitoes as they fly.

Other methods of protecting yourself against the Asian tiger and other mosquitoes include:

- Monitoring the screens on your retreat windows and doors and repairing any holes or defects.
- Being careful to avoid outside activities at dusk or dawn. This is the time that mosquitos are most active.
- Wear long pants and shirts whenever you venture outside.
- Wear light colors
- Have a good stockpile of insect repellants, like DEET

If you are reluctant to use chemical repellants, you may consider natural remedies. Plants that contain Citronella may be rubbed on your skin to discourage bites. You may have to re-apply frequently.

Essential oils other than Citronella that may be effective are:

- Lemon Eucalyptus oil
- Cinnamon oil
- Peppermint oil
- Geranium oil
- Clove oil
- Rosemary oil

We are obliged to say that the FDA has not approved essential oils as a cure or treatment for any disease.

For treatment, there are all sorts of benzocaine anesthetic sprays and antiseptic sprays on the market, but anything alkaline on the bite area, like baking soda paste or even toothpaste, will give some relief.

Of course, there’s always Benadryl (diphenhydramine) cream or tablets, although the 50 mg dose will make you drowsy. Mosquito bites will leave you itchy, but scratching the area will increase your chances of developing an infection at the site.

Now, I haven’t tried this yet, but I’ve heard someone swear that placing the back of a hot spoon (I said hot, not flaming) on a mosquito bite confuses your nerve ending and decreases the histaminic response of your body, and therefore the itching. Be careful if you try this one, though, as you might burn yourself.

So why are YOU getting bitten and no one else is? There are several possibilities:

1\) Mosquitoes are more active when the moon is full, probably due to the dusk-like quality of the light.

2\) Mosquitoes are twice as likely to land on people with type 0 blood than those with type A. Sucks for me, to use a mosquito metaphor, as I’m O positive.

3\) The nasty smell of dirty feet is, apparently, irresistible to mosquitoes. A brave subject sat in a lab in his boxers to find out which parts of the body they are most likely to bite. 75 percent landed on his feet. Washing his feet caused the mosquitos to land in a more random pattern.

4\) Drinking beer can increase your risk of being bitten, according to a study done by the American Mosquito Control Association. (Why can’t I be a part of the fun studies?)

5\) Dark-colored clothing can increase your chances of getting bitten. One study compared how attracted mosquitos were to different colors: black was the most attractive, followed by red. Blues seemed to be about neutral. O.D. green, khaki, and yellow seem to be the most protective colors.

6\) Women in late pregnancy get bitten about twice as often as women who aren’t pregnant, according to a study conducted in Africa. The theory is that, since very pregnant women tend to be out of breath, they exhale more carbon dioxide. Mosquito attention is, in part, triggered by carbon dioxide.

7\) Using similar logic, you’re more likely to be bitten when you exercise than when you are at rest, (you’re breathing faster and sweating). In fact, physical exertion increases the risk for bites by up to 50 percent.

This is Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones, wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Asian Tiger Mosquitoes Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asian-tiger-mosquitoes-video-by-dr-bones/) 

 [Headache Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headache-treatment/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Insect Stings and Bites

**Tags:** Asian Tiger mosquito, dengue fever, insect repellent, invasive species, malaria, mosquito bites, preventing bug bites, summer bugs, west nile virus

---

### [Asian Tiger Mosquitoes Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/asian-tiger-mosquitoes-video-by-dr-bones/)

**Published:** July 17, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

For those who follow our website but learn better from videos, here’s our video accompanying our recent article on Asian Tiger Mosquitoes…

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMbpQo\_-K1g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMbpQo_-K1g "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMbpQo_-K1g")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/rss.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/twitterbutton-82x82.jpg)](https://x.com/preppershow)[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/facebook.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/blogtalkradioicon1-1-82x82.jpg)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/insta-1-82x82.png)](https://www.instagram.com/doomandbloommedical/)[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/drbonespodcast)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pinterest1-82x82.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/drbonesnurseamy/survival-medicine/)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1200px-Podcasts_iOS.svg1_-82x82.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Facebook-Group-Icon64-e1558131964516.png)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/333371483501127)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Snakebite, Pandemic Updates, Antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-snakebite-pandemic-updates-antibiotics/) 

 [Cruel Summer: Asian Tiger Mosquitoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cruel-summer-asian-tiger-mosquitos/)

**Categories:** Insect Stings and Bites, Stings and Bites

**Tags:** Asian Tiger mosquito, dengue fever, insect repellent, invasive species, malaria, mosquito bites, west nile virus

---

### [The Survival Medicine Handbook(tm): Our Thanks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbooktm-our-thanks/)

**Published:** July 24, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![NewBookCovSmaller199](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/NewBookCovSmaller199.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/NewBookCovSmaller199.jpg)The 2nd Edition##### It comes to mind that we haven’t officially thanked everyone for the warm reception and support that our 2nd edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook(tm) has received. The book has been in the #1 spot in the Survival Skills category of Amazon since it has been published almost 6 weeks ago. This has happened with little or no publicity or marketing.

##### For those who will take responsibility for the medical well-being in their loved ones in disasters or other times of trouble, we salute you. Have no doubt, one day you will save a life.

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [New Video: Athlete's Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-video-athletes-foot/) 

 [Cruel Summer: Asian Tiger Mosquitoes](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cruel-summer-asian-tiger-mosquitos/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic

---

### [New Video: Athlete's Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-video-athletes-foot/)

**Published:** July 26, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_37597558-300x199.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/shutterstock_37597558.jpg)

When your dogs are howling (your feet, not your rottweilers), your work efficiency may be affected. In survival situations, you’ll find it a challenge to keep **fungal infections** like Athlete’s Foot at bay. Here’s Dr. Bones’s latest cinematic effort:

Here’s the link: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0kv4yMXvR0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0kv4yMXvR0 "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0kv4yMXvR0")

Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/rss.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/twitterbutton-82x82.jpg)](https://x.com/preppershow)[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/facebook.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/blogtalkradioicon1-1-82x82.jpg)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/insta-1-82x82.png)](https://www.instagram.com/doomandbloommedical/)[![](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/youtube.png)](https://www.youtube.com/drbonespodcast)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pinterest1-82x82.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/drbonesnurseamy/survival-medicine/)[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1200px-Podcasts_iOS.svg1_-82x82.png)![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Facebook-Group-Icon64-e1558131964516.png)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/333371483501127)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Ulcers/Acid Reflux](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ulcersacid-reflux/) 

 [The Survival Medicine Handbook(tm): Our Thanks](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-survival-medicine-handbooktm-our-thanks/)

**Categories:** Foot Care, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** athlete's foot, clotrimazole, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, fluconazole, medical preparedness, miconazole, survival medicine, tea tree oil

---

### [Doom and Bloom Hour: Joe the Plumber](https://www.doomandbloom.net/doom-and-bloom-hour-joe-the-plumber/)

**Published:** July 27, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

On the Doom and Bloom(tm) Hour , the lovely Nurse Amy interviews “**Joe The Plumber**“, aka Joe Wurzelbacher, founder of JoeForAmerica.com, a dynamic and inspirational speaker and now a prepper! His frank and down-to-earth speeches regarding second amendment rights, patriotism and veterans rights are heard all over America. In this interview Joe shares some personal details of his past, present and future. We also discuss topics like gun control, family values and what is in the future for America. His newest venture online is American Culture, which will help us recapture our American Heritage. Joe says ” This great country was built on a spirit of individual liberty and self-reliance.” Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones couldn’t agree more!

Here’s the link to the podcast: [https://www.blogtalkradio.com/preppernationradio/2013/07/27/doom-and-bloom-hour-joe-the-plumber-interview](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/preppernationradio/2013/07/27/doom-and-bloom-hour-joe-the-plumber-interview "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/preppernationradio/2013/07/27/doom-and-bloom-hour-joe-the-plumber-interview")

Here’s Joe’s website:

[https://joeforamerica.com/category/american-culture/](https://joeforamerica.com/category/american-culture/ "https://joeforamerica.com/category/american-culture/")

Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Doom and Bloom Hour: Tom Martin of APN](https://www.doomandbloom.net/doom-and-bloom-hour-tom-martin-of-apn/) 

 [New Episode of the Doom and Bloom Hour 7/6](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-episode-of-the-doom-and-bloom-hour-76/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast

**Tags:** Joe the Plumber, JoeForAmerica.com, preparedness, prepper, second amendment rights, Veteran's Rights

---

### [Ulcers/Acid Reflux](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ulcersacid-reflux/)

**Published:** July 29, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![ACIDREFLUX](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ACIDREFLUX-300x193.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ACIDREFLUX.jpg)How Acid Reflux WorksChronic stress, as will be seen in a **collapse scenario**, can manifest itself in ways that are both emotional and physical. One of the physical effects related to stress is increased stomach acid levels.

## Stomach Acid and Stomach Issues

Excessive acid can cause an inflammation of the esophagus (the tube that goes from the throat to the stomach), the stomach itself and/or the next part of the bowel, called the duodenum. The irritated lining becomes weak and erodes. This erosion is called an “*ulcer*” and can cause bleeding or even perforate the entire thickness of the lining. The bleeding that occurs from ulcers usually takes the form of black-colored stools; bleeding from lower down is usually bright red.

### Symptoms of an Ulcer

The major symptom of an ulcer is a burning or gnawing discomfort in the stomach area. This pain is often described as “**heartburn**”. It usually occurs in the left or mid-upper abdomen or may travel up to the breastbone. Sometimes it will be described as hunger pangs or indigestion. The discomfort that goes along with this problem is hard to ignore and will decrease work efficiency. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment are important to get your group member back to normal.

It’s not always easy to make the diagnosis. There are many causes of pain in the chest and stomach areas. Chest pain caused by coronary heart disease (also known as “**angina**“) is just one of the possibilities that may imitate heartburn.

### How to Diagnose Acid Reflux Disease

To make the diagnosis of ulcer or acid reflux disease, the timing of the discomfort is important. Ulcer and acid reflux discomfort occurs soon after eating but is sometimes seen several hours after a meal. It can be differentiated from other causes of chest pain in another way: it gets better by drinking milk or taking antacids. As you can imagine, this wouldn’t do much for angina caused by heart problems.

Many ulcers and inflammation are caused by a bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori may be transmitted from person to person through contaminated food and water, so proper water filtration and sterilization will decrease the likelihood of this infection. Antibiotics such as Amoxicillin and Metronidazole in combination are some of the most effective treatments for Helicobacter pylori ulcers.

Other causes include the overuse of ibuprofen or aspirin; these can be an irritant to the stomach in some people. Avoidance of these drugs can prevent these ulcers and inflammatory pain. Smoking and alcohol abuse are also known causes.

**Acid Reflux Disease**

Acid reflux disease (aka gastro-esophageal reflux or GERD) is caused by acid traveling up the esophagus. This is sometimes caused by a relaxation at the stomach-esophagus border, or by an out pouching of the area (called a “**hiatal hernia**”). The primary symptom is heartburn, but severe disease can cause chest pain. It is usually relieved by antacids and/or by sleeping with the upper body raised.  Failure to treat may lead to ulcers in some people.

Certain lifestyle changes are often helpful for people with acid reflux. Eating smaller meals (say, 5 a day) and avoiding acidic foods before bedtime may help prevent reflux. Give your stomach at least 3 hours to empty before you lie down.

You would think chewing gum would increase stomach acid; this might not be case, however, as chewing gum (sugar-free, please) produces saliva: Saliva acts to buffer acid. Also, you swallow the saliva, which might force some of that acid further down the esophagus.

Your patient may benefit from avoiding certain foods. These commonly include:

- · Acidic fruit (for example, oranges or other citrus)
- · Fatty food
- · Coffee
- · Certain teas
- · Tomatoes
- · Onions
- · Peppermint
- · Chocolate

 One thing about milk: although it may be helpful as a treatment, avoid regular milk and stick with low-fat, as high levels of fat ingestion may actually increase stomach acid. Obese individuals seem to suffer more from this problem:  Excess abdominal fat can press against the stomach, forcing acids up into the esophagus.

Medications that commonly relieve acid reflux include calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and bismuth antacids such as Tums, Maalox, Mylanta or Pepto-Bismol, as well as other medications such as Ranitidine (Zantac), Cimetidine (Tagamet), and Omeprazole (Prilosec). These medications are available in non-prescription strength and are easy to accumulate in quantity.

Don’t forget that there are many alternative remedies reported to be helpful to deal with this issue. Home remedies for acid reflux include:

- Organic apple cider vinegar: Mix one tablespoon in four ounces of water, drink before each meal.
- Aloe Vera Juice: Mix one ounce in two ounces of water before a meal.
- Baking soda: Mix one tablespoon in a glass of water and drink right away when you begin to feel heartburn
- Glutamine: An amino acid that has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces acid reflux. It can be found in milk and eggs.
- Melatonin might be useful for some (more study is need on this one).

Herbal combinations like Iberogast, composed of 9 different herbs, has been reported to be helpful. It’s difficult to say which herb is involved, however, and it includes peppermint (thought to increase acid).

 It’s important to remember to communicate with your patients. Many in the preparedness and homesteading community are rugged individualists. They may be unlikely to tell the medic about something they consider trivial, like heartburn. Someone that is clearly in pain, losing efficiency, or unable to sleep should always be questioned about their symptoms.  It could be something that you just might be able to help them with, and that, survival medic, is your purpose.

Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Since we’re in the middle of summer, here’s an article for you on heat stroke: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/its-a-cruel-cruel-summer-2/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/its-a-cruel-cruel-summer-2/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/its-a-cruel-cruel-summer-2/")

And, if you’re looking for a good Survival Medicine book, check out [The Survival Medicine Handbook.](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1608586498&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=812b280abe8ef5360a7855dd62155bcc&language=en_US)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Ingrown Toenails in Tough Times](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ingrown-toenails/) 

 [New Video: Athlete's Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-video-athletes-foot/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Stomach/Intestinal

**Tags:** collapse scenario, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, duodenal ulcers, heartburn, hiatal hernia, How to Diagnose Acid Reflux Disease, medical preparedness, natural heartburn remedies, stomach acid, stomach ulcers, survival medicine, symptom of an ulcer

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Diabetes, Airway Obstruction, and More](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-diabetes-airway-obstruction-and-more/)

**Published:** September 30, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![TentMEDIUM](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/TentMEDIUM-300x199.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/TentMEDIUM.jpg)

In this episode of the **Survival Medicine Hour**(tm) with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy:

Talk about **diabetes** and survival and his 5-part web series on the subject. Here’s the link to part 1: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-in-survival-settings-part-1/")

Talk about considerations when a **heimlich maneuver** fails to open an **airway obstruction** (including tracheotomy)

Talk about recent developments regarding the **Monsanto Protection Act**

Talk about the 2011 cantaloupe contamination episode that caused 33 deaths

Talk about **Essential oils**

Talk about the new store products, including the **LIFESTRAW**

Whew! That’s a lot, but there’s a lot to learn on the road to **medical preparedness**!

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)DR. BONES AND NURSE AMYJoe Alton, M.D., and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-1/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Floods, Fires and Herbal Medicine Interview Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-flood-fire-herbal/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** 2011 cantaloupe listeria epidemic, airway obstruction, diabetes and survival, diabetes mellitis, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, essential oils, Lifestraw, listeria epidemic, medical preparedness, monsanto protection act, survival medicine, the disaster doctor, tracheotomy, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes

---

### [Survival Medicine vs. Outdoors Medicine: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-vs-outdoors-medicine-video-by-dr-bones/)

**Published:** September 5, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

In Joe Alton, M.D.’s latest video, he talks about how people confuse true long-term **survival medicine** with “wilderness” medicine. Some things may be similar, but the primary goal is different. In wilderness medicine, you are stabilizing a sick or injured individual and transporting them to the nearest modern medical facility. In true survival medicine, there is NO modern medical facility to transport to. This requires a change in mindset; additional skills and, even, supplies are needed when you are the end of the line with regards to your family long term survival. Here’s the link to the Video by Dr. Bones, the Disaster Doc…

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfD\_nmmPHa4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfD_nmmPHa4 "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfD_nmmPHa4")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Diabetes and Survival, Part 4: Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-4-treatment/) 

 [Diabetes and Survival, Part 3: Type 2 Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/diabetes-and-survival-part-3-type-2-prevention/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, outdoors medicine, survival medicine, wilderness medicine

---

### [The Case for Medical Preparedness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-case-for-medical-preparedness/)

**Published:** September 11, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**Medical preparedness** refers to the ability of a population to deal with sickness and injuries in tough times. Of course, anyone wishing to survive must first have food, water, and a shelter of some sort. Certainly, a full stomach and protection from the elements will be the top priority. What, then, should be next on the list?

After gathering food and building a shelter, many prepared individuals consider personal and home defense to be the most important priority in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The imperative to defend one’s family is, of course, not to be ignored. It must be understood, however, that a bullet can cause a wound but cannot heal one. Therefore, a strategy to deal with illness and injury must be formulated to give a community the best chance to survive.

##### Medical Preparedness in a Power Down Situation

In a situation where power might be down and normal methods of filtering water and cleaning food don’t exist, health is as much under attack as the survivors in the latest zombie apocalypse movie. Infectious diseases will be rampant in a situation where it will be a challenge to maintain sanitary conditions. Simple activities of daily survival, such as chopping wood, will commonly lead to minor wounds that could easily get infected. These issues, so easily treated by modern medical science, can become life-threatening if left untreated in a disaster scenario.

Despite this fact, most “well-prepared” individuals have done little to consider health issues in times of trouble. Accomplished outdoorsmen will have plenty of food and their share of defensive weaponry. Few wilderness devotees, however, would be ready to deal with the medical problems they would encounter if left to their own devices. The difficulties involved in a grid-down situation will surely put the health of a entire family or mutual assistance group at risk. It’s only logical to seek education and training to treat infectious disease and the other ailments.

##### Medical Preparedness: What to Expect in a Collapse

There will likely be a lot more diarrheal disease, for example, than gunfights in a survival setting. History teaches us that, in the Civil War, there were more deaths from dysentery than there were from bullet wounds. Some say “Beans, Bullets and Band-Aids”, but I say “Beans and Band-Aids, then Bullets”. I suppose, coming from a physician, that’s not too surprising. It makes perfect sense, therefore, that a survivor will, at one point, be responsible for healing the sick and treating wounds.

If a commitment is made to learn how to treat medical issues, you’ve taken a genuine first step towards assuring your family’s survival in dark times. A solid plan for the accumulation of appropriate medical supplies must go hand-in-hand with all other preparations made for the uncertain future. Those supplies will always be there if the unforeseen happens, and the knowledge gained will be there for the rest of your life. It should be noted that many medical supplies have long shelf lives; their longevity will be one of the factors that will give you confidence when moving forward. Also, do not ignore their value as barter items. In a long-term survival situation, they will more useful and sought-after than bars of gold bullion.

When I say to obtain medical knowledge, I am also encouraging you to learn about natural remedies and alternative therapies that may have some benefit for a particular medical problem. I cannot vouch for the effectiveness of every claim that one thing or another will cure what ails you. Suffice it to say that our family has planted an extensive medicinal garden and that it might be a good idea for everyone to do the same. Many herbs that have medicinal properties grow like weeds; a green thumb is not required to cultivate them. Many of them do not even require full sun to thrive. Some research into medicinal herbs and what plants might do well in your specific climate is imperative. This should be done before disaster hits, in order to have a thriving garden when it is most needed.

It’s important to understand that some illnesses will be difficult to treat if modern medical facilities aren’t available. It will be hard to do much about those clogged coronary arteries; there won’t be many cardiac bypasses performed. However, by eating healthily and getting good nutrition, you will give yourself the best chance to minimize some major medical issues. In a survival situation, an ounce of prevention is worth, not a pound, but a ton of cure. Start off healthy and you’ll have the best chance to stay healthy.

This is not a new and novel idea: Your ancestors included it as part of their strategy to succeed in life. In a collapse, Society will be thrown back, in a way, to that era. There are lessons to be learned from the methods they used to stay healthy. A discussion of the various plants with antibiotic properties can be found later in this book.

On a personal note: Some members of my family wonder why I spend all my time trying to prepare people medically for a major disaster. Despite a long human history of lethal infectious diseases, they are totally certain that there is no scenario that would take away, even for a while, the wonders of high technology. They see the hospital on their way to work and they have health insurance, so what could happen? As such, my family is truly puzzled when they read my books and articles. They tell me that I can’t turn everyone into doctors, so why I should try?

So I asked myself: Am I trying to turn you all into doctors? No, there’s too much to learn in one lifetime; even as a physician, I often come across things I’m not sure about. That’s what medical books are for, so make sure that you put together a survival library. You can refer to them when you need to, just as I do.

I AM trying to turn you into something, however: I’m trying to make you a better medical asset to your family and community than you were before**.** I firmly believe that, even if you have not undergone a formal medical education, you can learn how to treat the majority of problems you will encounter in a grid-down situation. You can, if you absolutely have to, be the end of the line with regards to the medical well-being of your people.

My mission is to help the non-medical professional deal with medical issues after a catastrophe. This is, I firmly believe, not a fool’s quest. If you can absorb the information on this website, you will be in a position to deal with most survivable emergencies when the worst happens. Maybe, one day, you might even save a life; if that happens just once, my mission will have been accomplished.

Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Serious about medical preparedness? Get a copy of our #1 Amazon bestseller in survival skills and safety/first aid, “The Survival Medicine Handbook”. Here a link to the book trailer:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umecjhnxs9w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umecjhnxs9w "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umecjhnxs9w")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Hurricane Safety Advice: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-safety-advice-video-by-dr-bones/) 

 [Survival Medicine vs. Outdoors Medicine: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-vs-outdoors-medicine-video-by-dr-bones/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** a strategy to deal with illness and injury must be formulated, diarrheal disease, disaster medicine, doom and bloom, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amu, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Floods, Fires and Herbal Medicine Interview Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-flood-fire-herbal/)

**Published:** September 14, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![Medical Survival Tent](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Tentsmall.jpg "Survival Medicine Hour September 14, 2013")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Tentsmall.jpg)Herbal Medicine In Times of SurvivalThe **Survival Medicine** Hour on September 14, 2013 with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss their **Wound Care** Classes, Flood Safety and the recent devastating fire on the Jersey Shore boardwalk.

##### What is a Flood?

The definition of a *flood* is an overflow of water that submerges land which is normally dry. Flooding may occur as an overflow of water from water bodies, such as a seacoast, river or lake, in which the water runs over or breaks levees, resulting in the escape of large amounts of water into populated areas. It may also occur due to an accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground.

Some floods develop slowly, while others (called *flash floods*), can develop in a very short time and affect areas where it wasn’t even raining. As a result, it often catches the population downriver by surprise, causing severe damage and loss of life.

For MORE information see our **Flood Safety** article here:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/")

**Nurse Amy** presents Part 2 of her interview with Herbalist Cat Ellis. They discuss specific medical issues and which herbs would be useful, plus a lot more awesome **Herbal Medicine** information. **Growing your own** **medicinal garden** is both rewarding and beneficial; in times of trouble, you will likely have limited access to pharmaceuticals. The learning curve when gardening can be steep, so don’t delay planting those medicinal seeds until the situation is critical.

For MORE information see our **Herbal Medicine Garden** article here:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-garde/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-garde/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/medicinal-garde/")

Here is the link to the **SURVIVAL MEDICINE PODCAST**:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/09/15/survival-medicine-floods-fires-and-part-2-herbal-interview](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/09/15/survival-medicine-floods-fires-and-part-2-herbal-interview "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/09/15/survival-medicine-floods-fires-and-part-2-herbal-interview")

Thanks for listening!

Nurse Amy

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Hurricane Safety Advice: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-safety-advice-video-by-dr-bones/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Wildfires, Drought, Herbal Medicine](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-wildfires-drought-herbal-medicine/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Floods, Storm Preparedness, Wildfires

**Tags:** flash floods, flood, flood safety, preparedness, wound care

---

### [Hurricane Safety Advice: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-safety-advice-video-by-dr-bones/)

**Published:** September 24, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, has gone through a lot of **hurricanes** in his career. Although a hurricane may not be on the way right at the moment, there are all sorts of storms that are still on the horizon. Even if we know that a hurricane is coming, a lot of unnecessary injury and damage may occur if we don’t pay attention to hurricane safety. In this YouTube video, Dr. Bones goes through hurricane basics and gives some tips on how to survive the latest storm.

Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Surviving Severe Storms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-severe-storms/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Floods, Fires and Herbal Medicine Interview Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-flood-fire-herbal/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Storm Preparedness

**Tags:** Areal floods, coastal flooding, flash floods, flood safety, Floods, hurricanes, medical preparedness, Riverine floods, storm preparedness, storm surges, survival medicine, tornadoes

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### [Surviving Severe Storms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-severe-storms/)

**Published:** September 28, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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During summer and early fall in South Florida (I used the term “fall” loosely, summer lasts 7-8 months down here), we have a **thunderstorm** just about every day in the early afternoon. With it comes **lightning**, **flooding**, occasional **hail**, a number of fender-benders and other assorted mishaps.

## Thunderstorms and Their Dangers

Although these are rarely life-threatening, I thought about how common they are down here and in so many other parts of the country. Yet, I have only written about **hurricanes**, **tornadoes**, **wildfires**, and **earthquakes** with no thought as to the much more frequently encountered thunderstorm. Thunderstorms can occur anywhere where cooler air collides with warm, moist air.

A storm is considered severe if certain events occur:

1)Wind reaches 58 miles per hour (93 kilometers per hour)

2)Hail reaches an inch (25 mm) in diameter

3)A tornado funnel cloud forms

4)2 or more inches of rain fall in an hour (Canada)

The risks of severe storms are several, including the following:

**Lightning**: Lightning occurs more than a billion times a year. About 25% of these will strike the ground. In a typical storm, lightning strikes happen 2-3 times per minute until the storm begins to dissipate. Weather conditions are so favorable in the tropics that 70% of lightning strikes occur there. Thunder is a sound wave that emanates from the lightning. The sound waves form along the length of the lightning’s path; if a lightning bolt was perfectly straight, it would be a single crack or boom. As lightning takes a jagged course to the ground, however, it causes a rumbling effect.

Sound travels about 350 yards per second, so you can **estimate the distance between you and a lightning strike** by counting the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the accompanying thunder. 5 seconds would be about a mile.

### Lightning Strikes

It is extremely rare to become a victim of a lightning strike. The majority survive the event, albeit often with some long-term nerve or mental damage. Staying away from metal fixtures in a home or car during a severe storm or away from tall objects, (for example, trees and utility poles) when outside are good strategies to avoid a lightning injuries. Also, wait for the storm to pass before showering; plumbing fixutres conduct electricity.

**Hail**: Once a thunderstorm produces **hailstones**, it becomes a “**hailstorm”**. Most common in mountainous areas, areas of Colorado, Wyoming, nearby states and parts of Canada comprise a “**Hail Alley**” just as areas of the Midwest have a “**Tornado Alley**”.

Hail often causes damage to vehicles, roofing, glass, and worst of all, crops and livestock. Aircraft may be damaged by airborne hail as small as a half-inch in diameter. Landing may be difficult due to hail on the ground.

To protect yourself, make sure you and your animals are inside when a major storm is likely. If you’re on the highway, get under an overpass or into a building’s parking garage as soon as possible.

**FLOODING: Flash flooding** is the process where a landscape is inundated as a result of large volumes of rain from a storm. For a discussion of this subject, see our article on Flood Safety:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/ ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/flood-safety/")

**TORNADOES**: The formation of tornadoes in a storm is the cause of major destruction in many cases. We have driven through Joplin and Branson, Missouri, and can tell you that Mother Nature can be a harsh mistress. For our article on tornadoes, go here:

[ https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/tornado/")

**DOWNBURSTS**: Downburst winds are often mistaken for tornadoes,due to the force of their winds. They are, however, actually quite different. In a tornado, the winds circle a central point inward and upward; in a downburst, winds travel downward and then outward from their landing point on the ground.

As in a tornado, crops, livestock, vehicles, and homes can be destroyed. Aircrafts taking off or landing are disrupted due to downburst, which are more difficult to identify that the classic funnel cloud.

Here are **American Red Cross Guidelines** for storm safety:

- Don’t ignore thunder. Anyone close enough to hear thunder can be struck by lightning.
- Avoid electrical appliances not attached to power surge protectors. Cordless telephones are safe to use during a thunderstorm.
- Close all windows and doors; high winds can break glass.
- Do not bathe or shower; plumbing conducts electricity.
- If driving, safely exit the road, and park away from trees or utility poles. Remain in the vehicle and avoid touching metal. If you can find a building with a garage, drive inside.
- Get inside a safe, sturdy building. If this is not possible, take cover in a low area and minimize contact with the ground.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, the Disaster Doctor

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D.Joe and Amy Alton are the authors of the #1 Amazon Bestseller in Survival Skills and Safety/First Aid “The Survival Medicine Handbook”. Find it on Amazon.com or get a personally signed copy here: [https://store.doomandbloom.net/books-and-dvds/the-survival-medicine-handbook-get-your-own-signed-copy/](https://store.doomandbloom.net/books-and-dvds/the-survival-medicine-handbook-get-your-own-signed-copy/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/books-and-dvds/the-survival-medicine-handbook-get-your-own-signed-copy/")

Want Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy to speak or hold classes for your municipality, organization or church group? Contact us at drbonesclass@aol.com for more information!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Head Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headwounds/) 

 [Hurricane Safety Advice: Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/hurricane-safety-advice-video-by-dr-bones/)

**Categories:** Floods, General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Storm Preparedness

**Tags:** doom and bloomDr Bones and Nurse Amy, downbursts, flash floods, flooding, hail, hailstones, hailstorm, lightning, medical preparedness, severe storms, storm safety, survival medicine, surviving servere storms, thunderstorm, tornadoes, victim of a lightning strike

---

### [Head Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headwounds/)

**Published:** October 6, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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At a recent conference, I was asked to see a toddler who received a nasty whack to the back of the head and ended up with a lump and a small cut at the site of injury. Although the child in question was ok, head injuries are always causes for concern. A **head injury** is a generic term that describes a number of injuries that occur to the skull, brain, scalp, and the tissues and blood vessels that serve them. In good times or bad, they can lead to disability and death.

##### What is an Open Head Injury?

An “open” head injury means that the skull has been penetrated with possible exposure of the brain tissue. You can imagine how serious this type of wound would be in a survival scenario. If the skull is not fractured, which is most of the time, it is referred to as a “closed” injury. You may also hear the term “TBI”, which stands for *Traumatic Brain Injury*”.

Damage can also be caused by the rebound of the brain against the inside walls of the skull (sometimes called a **“**Contrecoup” injury); this may cause tearing of the blood vessels in the brain, which can result in a hemorrhage. There may be no obvious penetrating wound in this case; the original trauma may even have occurred at a site other than the head. An example of this would be the violent shaking of an infant.

The brain requires blood and oxygen to function normally. An injury which causes bleeding or swelling inside the skull will increase the intracranial pressure. Blood accumulation (known as a “hematoma”) could occur within the brain tissue, itself, or from between the layers of tissue covering the brain. This causes the heart to work harder to get oxygenated blood into the brain tissue. The end result of inadequate circulation is the loss of cognitive function.

##### Intracranial Pressure

High intracranial pressure that may cause a portion of the brain to push downward through the base of the skull. This is known as a “brain herniation” and is usually treated with intravenous steroids. Without modern medical care, this type of head injury will almost invariably lead to death.

From the standpoint of the medic, anyone with a traumatic injury to the head must always be observed closely. Symptoms from bleeding and swelling in the cranium may take hours to develop.

Luckily, most head injuries only result in a laceration to the scalp and a swelling at the site of impact. Cuts on the scalp or face will tend to bleed, as there are many small blood vessels that travel through this area. This bleeding, although significant, does not have to signify internal damage; most cases can be treated as any other laceration. There are a number of signs and symptoms, however, which might identify those patients that are more seriously affected. They include:

- Loss of Consciousness
- Convulsions (Seizures)
- Worsening Headache over time
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Bruising (around eyes and ears)
- Bleeding from Ears and Nose
- Confusion or Drowsiness
- One Pupil More Dilated than the Other

- And, of course, an Indentation of the Skull

A person with trauma to the head may be knocked unconsciousness for a period of time or may remain completely alert. If consciousness is NOT lost, the patient may experience a headache and could require treatment for superficial injuries. After a period of observation, a head injury without loss of consciousness is most likely not serious unless one of the other signs and symptoms from the above list are noted.

Loss of consciousness for a very brief time (say, 2 minutes or so) will merit close observation for the next 48 hours. A head injury of this type is called a “**concussion**”. This patient will usually awaken somewhat “foggy”, and may be unclear as to how the injury occurred or the events shortly before. It will be important to be certain that the patient has regained normal motor function. In other words, make sure they can move all their extremities with normal range and strength. Even so, rest is prescribed for the remainder of the day, so that they may be closely watched.

It’s ok to let your patient get some sleep. Once asleep, it might be appropriate to awaken them every 3 hours, say,

to make sure that they can be aroused and have developed none of the danger signals listed above. This is somewhat controversial and I’ve read a number of articles that suggest waking a patient in worrisome cases (what WOULDN’T be worrisome about this?). In most cases, a concussion causes no permanent damage unless there are multiple episodes of head trauma over time, as in the case of boxers or some other athletes.

If the period of unconsciousness is over 10 minutes in length, you must suspect the possibility of some type of significant injury. Vital signs such as pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure should be taken frequently. The patient’s head should be immobilized with special attention given to the neck and spine. Verify that the airway is clear, and remove any possible obstructions. In a true survival setting, this person is in a life-threatening situation that will have few curative options if consciousness is not regained.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1467089804-300x133.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/shutterstock_1467089804-scaled.jpg)Raccoon signOther signs of a significant injury are the appearance of bruising behind the ears or around the eyes (the **“raccoon” sign**) because they look, well, like a raccoon, despite the impact not occurring in that area. This could indicate a fracture with internal bleeding. Another possible sign is bleeding from the ear or nose without direct trauma to those areas. The fluid could be clear and not bloody; this may represent the leakage of spinal fluid.

A skull fracture need not be present for bleeding to occur inside the cranium. An accumulation of blood between membranes that envelop the brain is called a **“subdural hematoma”**. This bleeding may occur quickly or slowly. Pressure from the hematoma may, among other things, compress nerves that lead to the pupils. In this case, you will notice that your unconscious patient has one pupil more dilated than the other.

A **stroke** (also known as a **cerebrovascular accident** or a **CVA**) occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (an “**ischemic stroke**“) or a blood vessel breaks (a “**hemorrhagic stroke**“). Either type interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs. Functions that pertain to that portion of the brain will be lost or impaired. This might include the inability to speak, blindness, or loss of normal comprehension. The first symptom of a stroke, however, is usually a sudden, severe headache. Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body and/or face subsequently ensues. Certain chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure may be associated with strokes.

Although it may be possible to diagnose a stroke event in an austere setting, few options will exist for treating it. Blood thinners might help a stroke caused by a clot-related stroke, but they can worsen a stroke caused by a hemorrhaging blood vessel in the brain. It will be difficult to tell which is which without advanced testing. Difficult decisions will have to be made.

Keep your patient on bed rest; sometimes, they may recover partial function after a period of time. If they do, most improvement will happen in the first few days.

Trauma to the head may have minimal consequences or it could have life-threatening consequences. In some circumstances, there may be little that you, the medic, can do in a long-term survival situation. This is one of the hard realities encountered by those who are medically responsible in times of trouble.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D.Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-1/) 

 [Surviving Severe Storms](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-severe-storms/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries

**Tags:** concussion, contrecoup injury, cranium, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, head injury, head trauma, hemorrhagic stroke, intracranial bleeing, intracranial pressure, ischemic stroke, Joe Alton, loss of consciousness, M.D., medical preparedness, sclalp laceration, stroke, subdural hematoma, survival medicine

---

### [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-1/)

**Published:** October 10, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Our mission has always been simple: To have a medically self-reliant person in every family that is ready to handle issues during or after a disaster. That person has to learn some **basic medical knowledge**, such as first aid, principles of infectious disease, and how to handle a problem long-term if necessary. Every “survival medic” should make a status assessment BEFORE a disaster occurs and accumulate the supplies necessary to be a truly effective caregiver. The medic should asks themselves the following questions:

## **What Collapse Scenario Are You Preparing For?**

It’s important to *accumulate medical supplies* and knowledge that will work in any survival situation, but what are you actually expecting to happen? Your preparations should be modified to fit the particular situation that you believe will cause modern medical care to be unavailable. There are many possible scenarios that could cause times of trouble, and each of them requires some specialized planning. Your readiness to deal with the most likely illnesses or injuries will increase your effectiveness exponentially.

If you feel that we are on the verge of an economic collapse, you probably believe that the reliable transport of food from farms to the public will no longer exist (nobody is paying the truckers). In that case, malnutrition will be rampant. Your responsibility as medic would be to make sure that your group’s food storage includes everything required to give good nutrition. Stockpiling vitamin supplements, commercial or natural, would be a good strategy in this situation. Even if not taken daily, vitamin supplements may be helpful in preventing diseases caused by deficiencies.

### Nutrients in a Collapse Situation

Knowledge of what nutrients are present in local plant life will be useful. Take the following historical example: In the 1500s, a Spanish exploration party was dying of scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency) in the middle of a pine forest. Native Americans came upon them and took pity on their situation. They walked to the nearest pine tree and picked some green pine needles. They made a tea out of them and nursed the Spaniards back to health. They knew that pine needles were rich in Vitamin C. That knowledge will be useful for you, as well.

Are you concerned about civil unrest? In that case, tailor your supplies and training to equip you to deal with possible traumatic injuries. Stock up on bandages and antiseptics. Other specialized equipment such as splints and blood clotting agents would be necessary in this circumstance. Here’s a link to my article on two popular blood clotters:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/to-bleed-or-not-to-bleed/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/to-bleed-or-not-to-bleed/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/to-bleed-or-not-to-bleed/")

(Special Note: The nice folks from Celox now tell me that people allergic to seafood CAN use their products, even thought they are processed from the shells of crustaceans.)

Many people are concerned about the possibility of a pandemic. If you’re worried about a “super flu” descending on your area, stock up on masks and gloves as well as antiviral drugs (such as osteltamivir (Tamiflu). Ask your physician for a prescription of this medication for every member of your family before every flu season). Figure out a quarantine strategy and how to put together a sick room that will decrease exposure to healthy family members. Here’s my article on the survival sick room:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/") (also, I have a video on the subject at: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmw\_nHp63g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmw_nHp63g "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLmw_nHp63g")

How about a nuclear reactor meltdown? To take this to extremes, perhaps you live near an army base, a large city or a nuclear plant and you’re concerned about a terrorist group setting off a nuclear bomb. In that scenario, you’ll have to know how to protect your group from radiation, and how to build an effective shelter. You’ll want medications like Potassium Iodide to counteract some of the long-term effects **of** radiation on the thyroid gland.

So, you can see that your supplies and training may vary somewhat, depending on the course of events**.** Discuss these scenarios with your family or community, and plan accordingly.

**How Many People Will You Be Responsible For?**

Your store of medical supplies should correlate well with the number of persons that you will be responsible for. If you have stockpiled 5 treatment courses of antibiotics, it might be enough for a couple or a sole individual, but it will go fast if you are taking care of 20 people**.**

Remember that most of those people will be out performing tasks that they aren’t used to doing. They will be making campfires, chopping wood and toting gallons and gallons of water. You’ll see more injuries like sprains and strains, fractures, lacerations, and burns among those people if they are forced to perform activities of daily survival. The injured will need items from your medical storage.

It only makes sense to accumulate as many supplies as you possibly can. You might wind up dealing with more survivors than you expected; in reality, you almost certainly will, so you can never have too many medical supplies. The biggest mistake that the survival medic will make is the underestimation of the number of people that will appear on their doorstep in times of trouble. Make allowances for more people than you currently expect.

Don’t be concerned that you have too much stored away. Any “excess” items will always be highly sought after for barter purposes. You might spend your money on buying physical silver and gold, but you won’t be able to set a broken bone or wrap a sprained ankle with “precious” metals. Food and medical items will be more valuable than mining stocks in hard times**.** Don’t become complacent just because you have a closet full of bandages; they will be used more quickly than you think. Even one major hemorrhage could consume all your available bandages.

The bottom line is simple: Always have more medical items on hand than you think are sufficient for the number of people in your group. Any extra medical items will be very valuable as barter items in times of trouble.

**What Special Needs Will You Have To Care For?**

The special issues you will deal with depend on who is in your group. The medical needs of children or the elderly are different from an average adult. Women have different health problems than men. Children are their own species in terms of reactions to medicines. You will have to know if group members have a chronic condition, such as asthma or diabetes. Failure to take things like this into account could be catastrophic. For example, would you be prepared if you found out a group member required adult diapers AFTER a calamity occurs?

Be certain to interview all of your group members, so that you won’t be surprised that this person has thyroid problems, or that person has high blood pressure. All of these variables will modify the supplies and medical knowledge you must obtain. Encourage those with special needs to stockpile materials that will help keep them well**.** Encourage them to have a frank discussion with their physician and obtain extra drug prescriptions in case of emergency (and have them filled in advance).

**What Physical Environment Will You Live In?**

Is your retreat is a cold climate? If so, you will need to know how to keep people warm and how to treat hypothermia. If you’re located in a hot climate, you will need to know how to treat heat stroke. Is your environment wet and humid? People who are chronically wet generally don’t stay healthy, so you will have to have a strategy to keep your group members dry. Are you in a dry, desert-like environment? If you are, you will have to provide strategies for providing lots of clean water.

Some people live in areas where all of the above conditions exist at one point or another during the year. These considerations might even be a factor in where you would choose to live if a collapse situation is imminent.

These are just some of the consideration that the effective medic will have taken into account before a disaster occurs. Next time, we’ll discuss a number of other important questions that the medically-responsible individual will ask themselves in tough times.

Read [Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5935) of this article series

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.O.G.If you’d like a great reference book to deal with medical issues in times of trouble, get a copy of “[The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1608586498&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=812b280abe8ef5360a7855dd62155bcc&language=en_US)“. Here’s our book trailer video:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umecjhnxs9w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umecjhnxs9w "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umecjhnxs9w")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Chronic Pain, Monsanto, Invasive Species](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-chronic-pain-monsanto-invasive-species/) 

 [Head Trauma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/headwounds/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** accumulate medical supplies, basic medical knowledge, collapse scenario, collapse situation, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, Joe Alton, M.D., medic, medical preparedness, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [Head Trauma Video by Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/head-trauma-video-by-dr-bones/)

**Published:** October 11, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![DoomBloomCamoPatchConcept99](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DoomBloomCamoPatchConcept99-282x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DoomBloomCamoPatchConcept99.jpg)

As survival medic, you will come across circumstances where you’ll have to evaluate a **head wound**. Here’s a primer on **head trauma** by Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones:

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [YouTube Video by Dr. Bones: Antibiotic Overuse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-by-dr-bones-antibiotic-overuse/)

**Categories:** YouTube video channel

**Tags:** cerebrovascular accident, concussion, contrecoup injury, dooma nd bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, head trauma, head wounds, hematoma, loss of consciousness, medical preparedness, scalp laceration, stroke, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Chronic Pain, Monsanto, Invasive Species](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-chronic-pain-monsanto-invasive-species/)

**Published:** October 12, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, we discuss new research about why some people experience issues with **chronic pain** and some don’t. We discuss the most common cause of chronic pain: The lower back. Also, we talk about how *Monsanto* has won the 2013 World Food Prize (what?!!) and what it means for self-sustainable organic farmers.

In addition, we discuss how the Burmese Python has reached numbers of 150,000 in South Florida and how the small mammal population in the area has been decimated by this voracious predator. Tune in for interesting topics and the continuous banter between the lovely Nurse Amy and that old codger Dr. Bones!

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/12/survival-medicine-chronic-pain-monsanto-invasive-species](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/12/survival-medicine-chronic-pain-monsanto-invasive-species "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/12/survival-medicine-chronic-pain-monsanto-invasive-species")

Podcast starts at 6 pm, or listen at your convenience at the link above. See you there!

Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)DR. BONES AND NURSE AMYHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-2/) 

 [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-1/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** Burmese python, chronic pain, invasive species, lower back, Monsanto, Monsanto evil

---

### [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-2/)

**Published:** October 16, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![civil-war-nurse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/civil-war-nurse-300x199.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/civil-war-nurse.jpg)

In [Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5916), we discussed the importance of the medically responsible member of a family or survival group to put together a “status assessment”. In this assessment, the prospective medic must ask themselves certain important questions (and answer them honestly). We considered some of these factors last time. If you missed the article, find the link below:

[ https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-1/")

Here are a few more important considerations:

## How Long Do You Expect To Be The Sole Medical Resource?

Some catastrophes, such as major damage from tornadoes or hurricanes, may limit access to medical care for a relatively short period of time. A **societal breakdown**, however, could mean that there is no availability of advanced medical care for the foreseeable future. What do you expect to be the event that tips society over the brink? If you’re only concerned with the rogue storm, your medical supplies can be relatively basic.

The longer you will be the *healthcare resource for your group*, however, the more varied the supplies you will have to stockpile. If the catastrophe means a few days to weeks without medical care, you probably can get away without, for example, equipment to extract a diseased tooth. If it’s a true long-term collapse, however, that type of equipment will become quite important.

[![dental_extraction_forcep](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dental_extraction_forcep-300x199.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/dental_extraction_forcep.jpg)DENTAL EXTRACTORSpend some time thinking about all the possible medical issues you might face as the end of the line caregiver for your family. Prepare a plan of action to handle each one. Remember to plan for issues that may occur further down the road, such as birth control issues for a daughter who has not yet reached puberty. Remember that some way to prevent pregnancy, at least in the early going, is a very important aspect of being medically prepared. You’ll need everyone at 100% efficiency in a survival setting; ask someone who has been pregnant, and you’ll find that they were anything but 100%!

### **How Do You Obtain The Information You Will Need To Be An Effective Healthcare Provider?**

A good library of medical, dental, survival and nutritional books will give you the tools to be an effective medic. Even if you were already a doctor, let’s say a general practitioner, you would need various references to learn how to perform surgical procedures that you ordinarily would send to the local surgeon. If you’re a surgeon, you would need references to refresh your knowledge of the treatment of diabetes. Even the most resourceful homesteader or educated medical school professor can’t know everything!

Luckily, medical reference books are widely available, with tens of thousands on sale at online auction sites like EBay or retail sites like Amazon.com on any given day. Often, they are deeply discounted. If money is tight, many libraries have a medical section and many local colleges have their own medical library.

Don’t ignore online sources of information. Take advantage of websites with quality medical information; there are thousands of them. By printing out information you believe will be helpful to your specific situation, you will have a unique store of knowledge that fits your particular needs. I recommend printing this information out because you never know; one day, the internet may not be as accessible as it is today.

The viral video phenomenon, at sites like YouTube, has thousands of medically oriented films on just about every topic. They range from suturing wounds to setting a fractured bone to extracting a damaged tooth. You will have the benefit of seeing things done in real time. To me, this is always better than just looking at pictures. Here’s my classic video on learning to suture:

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GlkuxNdTgc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GlkuxNdTgc "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GlkuxNdTgc")

An effective homestead medic is going to have to know not only conventional healing, but the various alternative remedies available. Remember that, one day, the pharmaceuticals will run out and only those with a medicinal garden will have “medical” supplies. Get your hands a little dirty and start growing some **medicinal herbs**. Some grow like weeds anywhere and others require tender loving care. Learn their uses and how to process them (making them into teas is easiest).

The number of medical resources, conventional and alternative, is almost endless; take advantage of them. I’ve spent quite a bit of time researching video and print resources on both conventional medicine and alternative remedies. I published an extensive list in the second edition of **“The Survival Medicine Handbook”**. Review them and consider adding them (and, forgive the shameless plug, maybe our book) to your library.

**How Do You Obtain Medical Training?**

There are various ways to get practical training. Almost every municipality gives you access to various courses or other opportunities that would help you function as an effective healthcare provider.

EMT (**Emergency Medical Technician**) Basic: This is the standard for providing emergency care. The courses are set out by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and are offered by many community colleges. The course length is usually several hundred hours.

I know that this represents a significant commitment of time and effort, but it is the complete package short of going to medical or nursing school for four years. You will receive an overview of anatomy and physiology, and an introduction to the basics of looking after sick or injured patients.

These programs are based around delivering the patient to a hospital as an end result. As medical facilities may not be accessible in the aftermath of a disaster, these classes may not be perfect for a long-term survival situation; nevertheless. You will still learn a lot of useful information and I highly recommend them.

It should be noted that there are different levels of Emergency Medical Technician. EMT-Basic is the primary course of study, but you can continue your studies and become a Paramedic. Paramedics are taught more advanced procedures, such as placing airways, using defibrillators, and placing intravenous lines. In remote areas, they might even take on the roles **o**f physicians and nurses to give injections, place casts or stitch up wounds. These skills, and knowing when to use them, are highly pertinent during a disaster.

Most of us will not have the time and resources to commit to such an intensive course of training. For most of us, a **Red Cross First Responder** or **CERT** (Community Emergency Response Team) course is the ticket. These programs cover a lot of the same subjects (albeit in much less detail) and would certainly represent a good start on your way to getting trained. The usual course length is 40-80 hours. A number of community outreach groups also offer the course.

Of course, the American Heart Association and others provide standard CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) courses and everyone should take these**,** whether or not they will have medical responsibility in times of trouble. You may not be able to do much about a cardiac arrest in a grid-down scenario, but you can successfully resolve an obstructed airway with training.

There are a number of “specialty” courses provided by private enterprises which might be helpful. Wilderness EMT/**Tactical EMT** courses are programs meant to teach medical care in a potentially hostile environment. Sometimes, they have a prerequisite of at least **EMT-Basic**.

There are many wilderness “schools” out there, however, that will offer some practical training to non-medical professionals that might be useful in difficult times. It pays to research the schools that provide this training, as the quality of the learning experience probably varies.

All of the above education may be somewhat less than optimal, as I suggested earlier, to someone preparing to be medically responsible in a long-term survival setting. The goal of every type of medical training above is to stabilize the sick or injured individual and transport them as soon as possible to the next highest medical resource. Of course there are no higher medical resources in a TRUE long-term survival setting. You have to be ready to be the end of the line if you have nowhere else to turn to.

Desensitizing yourself to the sight of the ill and injured is a good first start. Volunteer programs at a local emergency room are a great way to get over that initial paralysis of seeing an arm or leg out of joint or learning how to handle someone with a possibly infectious disease. If you’re very lucky, your municipality will allow you to ride along with paramedics during their shifts. You won’t get to do much, but you will become more accustomed to the idea of seeing wounds.

As you take some of the above courses, be sure to absorb the strategies taught for normal times. In the back of your mind, however, formulate an alternative strategy for each medical issue as if the buck stopped with you. In these uncertain times, one day you just might be the highest medical asset left.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones, the Disaster Doctor

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D. AKA DR.BONESAre you ready to deal with medical issues in times of trouble? When modern medical help is not on the way, can you handle injuries and illness? With a copy of “[The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Medicine-Handbook-essential-medical/dp/0988872552/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=survival+medical+handbook&qid=1608586498&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=doomandbloom-20&linkId=812b280abe8ef5360a7855dd62155bcc&language=en_US)“, you’ll get a head start on keeping your family healthy in these uncertain times.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Allergic Reactions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-allergic-reactions/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Chronic Pain, Monsanto, Invasive Species](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-chronic-pain-monsanto-invasive-species/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Survival Medic

**Tags:** alternative medicine, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, hurricanes. birth control issues, medical preparedness, medical resource, medicinal garden, medicinal herbs, storms, survival medic, survival medicine, tornadoes

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Allergic Reactions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-allergic-reactions/)

**Published:** October 19, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

On this podcast, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss the rising rate of allergic reactions, including severe reactions like anaphylactic shock. Treatments options like Epi-Pens and other antihistamines are explained in detail. We also talk about life on the road and some of the great preparedness events out there for people getting prepared for the uncertain future…

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/19/survival-medicine-hour-allergic-reactions-and-treatment](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/19/survival-medicine-hour-allergic-reactions-and-treatment "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/19/survival-medicine-hour-allergic-reactions-and-treatment")

If you’re in Atlanta this weekend, make sure to come see us at the NPS Expo at the North Atlanta Trade Center Saturday and Sunday!

Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy11-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy11.jpg)DR. BONES AND NURSE AMYHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [ ![Print Friendly, PDF & Email](https://cdn.printfriendly.com/buttons/printfriendly-pdf-button.png)
 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [YouTube Video by Dr. Bones: Antibiotic Overuse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-by-dr-bones-antibiotic-overuse/) 

 [Becoming A Medical Asset, Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/becoming-a-medical-asset-part-2/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** adrenaline, allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis, antihistamines, Epi-pen, epinephrine, histamine, survival medicine hour

---

### [YouTube Video by Dr. Bones: Antibiotic Overuse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-by-dr-bones-antibiotic-overuse/)

**Published:** October 24, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![shutterstock_89589424](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_89589424-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/shutterstock_89589424.jpg)ANTIBIOTIC OVERUSEFor years now, Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P. aka Nurse Amy have written about the importance of **adding antibiotics to your medical storage**. In times of trouble, simple cuts from chopping wood or other activities of daily survival can lead to infection that can become life-threatening. In the History Channel series “After Armageddon”, an EMT got just such a cut, and watched himself slowly die from septicemia (an infection in the bloodstream) because the community had run out of antibiotics. Our mission is to prevent such unnecessary deaths in a survival situation; many of our articles discuss fish antibiotics and other means of stockpiling needed supplies.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you, survival medic, should use antibiotics for every medical problem you encounter. Here’s a video by Dr. Bones about the dangers of the overuse of antibiotics…

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones, the Disaster Doctor

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D. AKA DR. BONESHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-with-dr-bones-and-nurse-amy/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Allergic Reactions](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-allergic-reactions/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Medications, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** After Armageddon, antibiotic misuse, antibiotic overuse, antibiotic resistance, antibiotics in livestock, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, salmonella, septicemia, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-with-dr-bones-and-nurse-amy/)

**Published:** October 26, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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This week on the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, we welcome Cindy Thompson of Fortress Management, founder of the Life Changes Be Ready Expo. The Expo will take place in Lakeland, Fl. (between Tampa and Orlando) and will have David Kobler (Southern Prepper 1), James Wesley, Rawles of survivalblog.com, among others (including Us!) as speakers. Listen as Nurse amy talks with Cindy about what it’s like to put together a big prepper event! Click the link below to tune in:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/27/survival-medicine-hourinterview-cindy-thompson](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/27/survival-medicine-hourinterview-cindy-thompson "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/10/27/survival-medicine-hourinterview-cindy-thompson")

Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Alternative Antibiotics in Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/alternative-antibiotics-in-survival/) 

 [YouTube Video by Dr. Bones: Antibiotic Overuse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-by-dr-bones-antibiotic-overuse/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** Cindy Thompson, David Kobler (Southern Prepper 1), Fortress Management, James Wesley, Life Changes Be Ready Expo, prepper, Rawles of survivalblog.com

---

### [Alternative Antibiotics in Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/alternative-antibiotics-in-survival/)

**Published:** October 27, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Years ago, I wrote the [original article on aquarium antibiotics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=197) as an option in a survival setting. Many of the questions that we field during our speaking engagements are related to the stockpiling of medicines. What fish medicines are equivalent to the human versions? What illness is each one used for? How much to take? Can children take them?

There isn’t a 60 second answer to these questions. Actually, there isn’t a 60 MINUTE answer to this, but anyone that is interested in preserving the health of their loved ones in a collapse will have to learn about and **stockpile antibiotics**.

## Responsible Antibiotic Use

It’s important to start off by saying that you will not want to indiscriminately use antibiotics for every minor ailment that comes along. In a collapse, the medic is also a quartermaster of sorts; you will want to wisely dispense that limited and, yes, precious supply of life-saving drugs.

*Liberal use of antibiotics* is a poor strategy for a few reasons. These include:

- Overuse can foster the spread of resistant bacteria. Antibiotics routinely given to turkeys recently caused a resistant strain of Salmonella that put over 100 people in the hospital. 36 million pounds of ground turkey were recalled.
- Potential allergic reactions may occur that could lead to anaphylactic shock (see our recent podcast on this topic at ).
- Making a diagnosis may be more difficult if you give antibiotics before you’re sure what medical problem you’re actually dealing with. The antibiotics might temporarily “mask” the symptoms, which could cost you valuable time in determining the correct treatment.

Having said this, not having antibiotics in your storage may result in the unnecessary deaths of members of your group to infections incurred from activities of daily survival. An infected cut from chopping wood, for example, may travel to the circulation causing a life-threatening condition known as “**Septicemia**” or “**sepsis**“. In the History Channel series “**After Armageddon**“, this was the cause of death of an EMT survivor due to the lack of antibiotics in the survival community’s medical storage.

You can see that judicious use of antibiotics in survival situations, under your close supervision, is necessary to fully utilize their benefits. Discourage your group members from using these drugs without first consulting you. Remember, YOU will be in charge of making these (sometime difficult) decisions to parcel out your limited medical supplies. Use them wisely.

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_1784978723-300x211.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shutterstock_1784978723-scaled.jpg)

In my dual role as physician and aquaculturist (I raise tilapia in ponds as a food fish), I treated humans and fish with antibiotics when it was appropriate. It wasn’t until I began writing about medical preparedness that I realized the similarities of some of the aquarium and avian medicines (I also have an African Gray parrot) to human antibiotics. After seeing a totally unnecessary death in the series “After Armageddon”, I decided to research the usefulness of alternative ways for the average person to accumulate medications. This is not for everyday use but only for a post-apocalyptic setting.

### Important Information about Antibiotics

Not any veterinary antibiotic will do, however. Only a certain number of antibiotics will meet my criteria, and should :

1)They must only be produced in human dosages, although they are “supposed” to be for fish or birds.

2)The only ingredient must be the antibiotic itself. Nothing else that makes your scales more shiny, your fins longer, or your feathers brighter.

3)They must appear identical to their human equivalents when removed from the bottle. Note that different pharmaceutical companies may make a particular drug in different colors. Dava labs, for example, makes Amoxicillin 500mg that looks identical (down to the I.D. numbers) to Fish-Mox Forte. (what does that tell you?) See my video: “Fish Antibiotics in a Collapse” at 

4)They must be available without a prescription.

5)They must be available for purchase in bulk.

There are many antibiotics, but which antibiotics accessible to the average person would be good additions to your medical storage? Each antibiotic belongs to its own family and is useful for different ailments. Here are some common antibiotics (available in veterinary form without a prescription) that you will want in your medical arsenal and their veterinary equivalent:

[![amoxicillinhuman](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/amoxicillinhuman-300x204.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/amoxicillinhuman.jpg)Amoxicillin 500mg/Fish-Mox ForteAmoxicillin 250mg AND 500mg (FISH-MOX, FISH-MOX FORTE)

Ciprofloxacin 250mg and 500mg (FISH-FLOX, FISH-FLOX FORTE)

Cephalexin 250mg and 500mg (FISH-FLEX, FISH-FLEX FORTE)

Metronidazole 250mg (FISH-ZOLE)

Doxycycline 100mg (BIRD-BIOTIC)

Ampicillin 250mg and 500mg (FISH-CILLIN, FISH-CILLIN FORTE)

Clindamycin 300mg (FISH-CIN)

Sulfamethoxazole 400mg/Trimethoprin 80mg (BIRD-SULFA)

Azithromycin 250mg (AQUATIC AZITHROMYCIN)

There are various others that you can choose, but the selections above will give you the opportunity to treat many illnesses and have enough variety so that even those with Penicillin allergies with have options. Cephalexin, although not in the same drug family as Penicillin, has been quoted as having a 10% cross-reactivity rate; that is, a person allergic to Penicillin will have a 10% chance of being allergic to Cephalexin.

In recent developments, Doxycycline recently had a huge price increase and is now available in 100mg powder packets instead of tablets/capsules. That is the human dose, but I haven’t evaluated a sample of it as of yet.

Don’t forget natural substances that have antibiotic qualities, such as garlic, honey, and silver. Before there were commercial antibiotics, topical solutions and ointment of these items were used to prevent infections. In a long-term survival setting, the pharmaceuticals will, one day, run out. Know self-sustainable alternatives for every medication in your storage. It’s important to use ALL the tools in the medical woodshed.

In our recently-published second edition of “The Survival Medicine Handbook”, we discuss the above antibiotics and more with the indications, dosages, and other important information. A thorough knowledge of infectious diseases and the drugs that treat them is imperative for success in a survival scenario. Have them in your supplies in quantity and only use them when you absolutely have to in times of trouble. Seek modern and standard medical care by medical professionals in normal times.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Heart Disease in Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heart-disease-in-survival/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-with-dr-bones-and-nurse-amy/)

**Categories:** Antibiotics / Fish Antibiotics, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** amoxicillin, antibiotics. survival medicine, aquarium antibiotics, bird biotic, doom and bloom, Doxycycline, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, fish-flox, Fish-mox, medical preparedness. sepsis, stockpiling of medicines, survival medic, wound infections

---

### [Thoughts on American Blackout](https://www.doomandbloom.net/thoughts-on-american-blackout/)

**Published:** October 31, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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I had the opportunity recently to see the National Geographic Channel docudrama “American Blackout”. In this program, the entire country is hit by a total **blackout**, putting Americans in the position of being off the grid for a period of time. This is apparently the result of the actions of Ukrainian cyber-terrorists. You, the viewer, follow a number of people who (inexplicably) have some of the longest lasting camcorder and cell phone batteries in existence.

##### Blackouts and Preparedness

I followed the program hashtag on twitter during the program and found that most folks found it scarey, but very few mentioned that it would change their way of thinking regarding *disasters*. To those people, I would simply say that there are a lot of possible scenarios that involve man-made or natural calamities that no one is immune to. Tornadoes, Hurricanes, floods, wildfires (all of which we’ve experienced somewhere in the country this year), earthquakes are just some of the natural events. Economic Collapse, nuclear meltdowns, targeted electromagnetic pulses, civil unrest, and pandemics are just some of the man-made catastrophes. Sure, the likelihood of your experiencing any one disaster is rather small, but what is the chance that you will never experience, to some degree, sometime in your lifetime? Your children’s lifetimes?

The victims portrayed in American blackout were mostly middle-class Americans whose DNA clearly didn’t contain the preparedness gene. These people, over a few days, went from being amused by the loss of power, to vaguely concerned, to rightfully terrified by the predicament they were in. Government efforts to help were well-intentioned, but had little effect in relieving the misery. Soon, people were taking drastic measures to obtain food and water, with limited success.

##### The Preparedness Community and the What-If’s

I won’t pick apart the program’s flaws, because I appreciate that it may bring a few more people into the preparedness community. But despite what the program portrays, I can assure you that it will be much worse. It just makes common sense to be ready for the uncertain future, and to be medically prepared. You saw injured and sick people with almost no average citizen ready to deal with them. I think every one of the families they followed wound up having someone who needed some kind of medical help, and that help just wasn’t on the way.

The show also focused on a family that was well prepared for the End of the World as We Know It. Despite all their supplies, however, they made one mistake: They didn’t put together a community of like-minded people that would help each other in a crisis. As a result, they could only depend on their own little family to perform activities of daily survival and to provide for the common defense. If you, the well-prepared citizen, haven’t thought of this yet, It’s time. The strain of doing what it takes to survive this type of disaster can’t be shouldered by one person, and probably shouldn’t be shouldered by one family. An individual may survive, but it takes a community to thrive.

Some people feel that those that prepare for survival scenarios are not right in the head. One of the definitions of the word “sane”, as a matter of fact, is “Conforming to the norm”. It logically follows, therefore, that the people in American Blackout were sane. But if being totally unready for disaster is “sane”, then put a straightjacket on me and lock me in the loony bin. Just put some food, water, and medical supplies in there with me.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D. AKA DR. BONESHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Heart Disease in Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heart-disease-in-survival/) 

 [YouTube Video by Dr. Bones: Antibiotic Overuse](https://www.doomandbloom.net/youtube-video-by-dr-bones-antibiotic-overuse/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** blackout, civil unrest, cyber-terrorists, disasters, earthquakes, economic collapse, Floods, hurricanes, nuclear meltdowns, off the grid, pandemics, preparedness, preparedness community, targeted electromagnetic pulses, tornadoes, wildfires

---

### [Heart Disease in Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heart-disease-in-survival/)

**Published:** November 5, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![HeartHands(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HeartHands1-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/HeartHands1.jpg)Myocardial InfarctionUnlike most doctors, I don’t spend a great deal of time discussing **coronary artery disease**, even though it is one of the leading causes of death in today’s society. Why? Simple. It will be difficult in a collapse to do very much about heart attacks, due to the loss of all the high technology that is used today to deal with the effects of blocked coronary arteries.

The loss of the power grid would throw us back into an earlier era from a medical standpoint. There won’t be a cardiac intensive care unit or a cardiac bypass surgeon at your disposal. This is a shame, as the stress associated with a major disaster is going to do a number on even the strongest heart. We will just have to accept that some folks with *heart problems* are going to do better than others in hard times.

## What Are Heart Attacks?

Heart attacks, also called “myocardial infarctions”, involve the blockage of an artery that gives oxygen to a part of the heart muscle. That portion of the heart subsequently dies, either killing the patient or leaving them so incapacitated as to be unable to function in a post-collapse scenario. This decrease in function is most likely permanent, as the heart’s anatomy is no longer normal.

Does that mean that you can’t or shouldn’t do anything if you suspect that someone is having a heart attack? No, there are low tech approaches; they just won’t do much if there has been a lot of damage caused.

### CPR and Emergencies

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a standard thing that everyone tells you to learn for emergencies. I highly recommend it, but it will be limited in its usefulness unless you have modern medical facilities the patient could benefit from. It’s mostly helpful for dealing with airway obstructions in a survival scenario.

You would suspect a heart event if your patient experiences a combination of the following:

- “Crushing” sensation in the chest area
- Pain down the left arm
- Pain in the jaw area
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Pale coloring

The main approach will be to immediately give your patient a chewable adult aspirin. This will act as a blood thinner; it aids in preventing further damage to the coronary artery and preserve oxygen flow. Aspirin works within 15 minutes to prevent the formation of blood clots in people with known coronary artery disease. One adult-strength aspirin contains 325 milligrams. Current evidence suggests that 325 milligrams of CHEWABLE aspirin would be preferred in the setting of a heart attack or sudden onset of “**angina**” (cardiac-related chest pain) if more advanced pharmaceuticals aren’t available. Angina occurs when not enough oxygen reaches the heart due to clogged coronary arteries. Chewable aspirin gets into the system faster (don’t use coated aspirin, takes too long). Interestingly, the green underbark of willow, poplar, and aspen trees are thought to have salicin, an aspirin-like substance. Chewing it might have some effect when the medicine runs out.

A natural substance (**Capsaicin**) found in **cayenne pepper** may also be helpful during a myocardial infarction. The strength of peppers are based on a measurement system called Scoville heat units ( H.U.). For use during a heart attack, the H.U. should be at least 90,000. Give the conscious patient a glass of warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. An alternative is to give 2 full droppers of cayenne pepper tincture or extract underneath their tongue. Studies at the University of Cincinnati show an 85% decrease in cardiac cell death if cayenne pepper is given. The tincture, extract or a salve can be used for an unconscious person as a possible life saving procedure.

A person suffering a heart attack will feel most comfortable lying down at a 45 degree angle. Complete rest will cause the least oxygen demand on the damaged heart. Don’t forget to loosen constrictive clothing; tight clothes make a cardiac patient feel anxious and cause their heart to beat faster. This would cause more strain on an already damaged organ.

Aspirin, in small doses, is also reasonable as a preventative strategy. One baby aspirin (81 mg) daily is thought to help prevent the deposition of plaque inside the blood vessels. You might consider having all of your adults 40 and over on this treatment. Men are most likely to have coronary artery disease, as female hormones seem to protect women, at least before menopause. If your patient takes heart medications, administer them immediately if they’re behind on their meds.

Those in your survival community with coronary artery issues should stockpile whatever medications they take to deal with their symptoms. Angina (cardiac-related chest pain) can be treated with nitroglycerine tablets. Placed under the tongue, they will give rapid relief in most cases. Unfortunately, nitroglycerine doesn’t keep as well beyond expiration dates as most other medicines.

Major illnesses during times of trouble are just that, trouble. Do your best, medic, and understand the limitations that exist when we lose our access to modern medicine.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)Dr. Alton aka Dr. BonesHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Influenza, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/) 

 [Thoughts on American Blackout](https://www.doomandbloom.net/thoughts-on-american-blackout/)

**Categories:** Chronic Illness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** aspirin, chest pain, collapse medicine, crisis medicine, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, heart attack, heart attacks, medical preparedness, myocardial infarction, salicin

---

### [American Blackout Video with Dr. Bones](https://www.doomandbloom.net/american-blackout-video-with-dr-bones/)

**Published:** November 7, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Recently, I managed to take in the latest National Geographic Channel docudrama, “**American Blackout**“. Here are some thoughts on the scenario and what you can do, as a prepared individual, to avoid become a casualty. Here’s the video version of my recent article on the program….

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Body Armor Basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bodyarmorbasics/) 

 [Thoughts on American Blackout](https://www.doomandbloom.net/thoughts-on-american-blackout/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness

**Tags:** american blackout, blackout, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, national geographic channel, off the grid, power outage, survival medicine

---

### [Influenza, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/)

**Published:** November 8, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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As we enter flu season, I will be writing various articles discussing **influenza** and the viruses that cause it. Influenza is an infectious disease affecting birds and mammals caused by viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family. Few people have gone an entire lifetime without having been a victim at one time or another. There, it stands to reason that the medical caregiver in a survival scenario may encounter this situation from time to time.

Part of your duties as survival medic include that of Chief Sanitation Officer (no, you’re not the janitor). It is your responsibility to make sure that infectious disease does not run rampant among your people. As influenza is an infectious disease, you have to be able to prevent the flu from affecting everyone in your retreat or camp. Management of sick rooms and keeping contamination down is your job. Difficult decisions regarding quarantine/isolation of some of your family or group members may have to be made.

## Influenza in a Collapse Situation

Although we will talk about symptoms and treatment in another article, here is what you can expect to see in your *influenza patients*:

- Fever
- Cough
- Muscle Ache
- Sore Throat
- Runny Nose
- Chills
- Headache
- Weakness and Fatigue

Although it is often confused with the common cold, the flu is a much more severe illness. Here is my article on differentiating colds from the flu:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/")

Influenza kills 250,000-500,000 people a year worldwide, which constitutes what is essentially a yearly pandemic. Periodic worldwide pandemics of influenza kill tens of millions, the worst in recent memory being “The Spanish Flu” of 1918. The 1918 pandemic may have taken 50 million lives.

[![influenza1918](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/influenza1918.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/influenza1918.jpg)1918 Spanish Flu### Are Viruses Alive?

One question I ask myself about viruses is “Are they alive?”. The precise definition of life has certainly been a topic for debate, but the answer here is “maybe”. Viruses exist in two states. When not in contact with a host cell, the virus remains as biologically dormant as a box of rocks. In this state, we refer to the dormant virus as a “virion”.

When a virion encounters a living cell, it enters it and introduces its genetic material. It begins to react to its environment and, more ominously, to direct its efforts to reproduction. In essence, it becomes alive.

Influenzas that affect the general population do not stay the same. The virus that you came down with last year is not necessarily the same one you’ll get this year. This variability in an organism would be downright disconcerting if it happened to humans. This generation, we have two arms; the next might have three if we acted genetically like viruses.

There are two ways that viruses can change:

**Antigenic Drift**

Small changes in a virus that happens over time is called Antigenic Drift. If a flu virus remained exactly the same year after year, you would be immune after surviving the first outbreak. It doesn’t stay the same, however, and these minor variations are what cause you to get the illness again. If the “drift” occurs mid-season, you could possibly get the flu twice. Flu vaccines are meant to deal with the last year’s type of virus. This is done in the hope that the antigenic drift will be minor. We’ll discuss the ins and outs of immunity in our next article.

**Antigenic Shift**

Once in a while, a major change in the influenza virus occurs. A new subtype of the Influenza A virus may emerge from an animal population so different from the previous versions that no one has immunity. When an antigenic shift occurs, widespread outbreaks occur. The H1N1 (Swine) flu epidemic of 2009 is an example of “shift” and resulted in a pandemic. Antigenic Shift events may result in a virus so deadly that large numbers of people die or become severely ill.

Now that you know a little about influenza, you’ll have a base of knowledge that may serve you well in the uncertain future. More in future parts of this series.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Influenza, Part 2: Immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-2-immunity-2/) 

 [Heart Disease in Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heart-disease-in-survival/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Respiratory infections

**Tags:** antigenic drift, antigenic shift, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, h1n1 virus, Influenza, medical preparedness, survival medicine, swine flu, the flu, virion

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Typhoon, Medical Supplies, Staying Calm](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-typhoon-medical-supplies-staying-calm/)

**Published:** November 9, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour Nov 9, 2013 with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, Nurse Amy talks about what medical supplies you should have in your storage (Part 1), Dr. Bones discusses habits of consistently calm people in stressful circumstances, and the devastating typhoon in the Phillipines. To listen in, click the link below:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/11/10/survival-medicine-hour-medical-supplies-pt-1keeping-calm](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/11/10/survival-medicine-hour-medical-supplies-pt-1keeping-calm "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/11/10/survival-medicine-hour-medical-supplies-pt-1keeping-calm")

Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Body Armor Basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bodyarmorbasics/) 

 [Heart Disease in Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/heart-disease-in-survival/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, habits of calm people, keeping calm in a crisis, medical kits, medical preparedness, medical supplies, Phillipines typhoon, survival medicine, Typhoon Haiyan

---

### [Influenza, Part 2: Immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-2-immunity-2/)

**Published:** November 11, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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[![immunity](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/immunity-300x224.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/immunity.jpg)IMMUNITYThis is part 2 of an ongoing series on **influenza**. For part 1, click this link:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/")

## Infectious Disease and Immunity

To *lower the risk of contracting infectious disease*, it pays to understand the concept of “immunity”. Immunity refers to the ability of an individual to resist a particular infection or toxin. This can refer to resistance of an entire species (humans, for example, don’t get fin rot) or the resistance of a particular individual to an illness (Typhoid Mary, for example).

The level of immunity to disease often correlates with the general health of an individual (or even a species). Human populations under stress, as in wartime or in survival circumstances, may have weakened immune systems and be less resistant to influenza or other infections. This resistance level isn’t always stable; it can change markedly due to a number of factors. These include:

- Age: The very young and the elderly are, typically, the most susceptible to infection.
- Diet: Malnourishment depresses the immune system.
- Environment: hot/cold/wet/dry conditions contribute to weakening the immune system of the unprepared.
- Stress: chronic stress can wear down an individual’s ability to fight infection.
- Injury: The energy required to heal an injury limits the ability to resist infections.
- Fatigue: Anyone who is overworked or sleep deprived will find their immune system weakened as a result.
- General health status
- Presence of other diseases: Diabetes and other illnesses notoriously affect an individual’s ability to resist infection
- Length or quantity of exposure to a disease-causing organism ( otherwise known as “pathogens”): Even healthy individuals may be exposed so frequently or to such a large quantity of pathogens that they succumb to infection.

### The Types of Immunity

There are, from a practical standpoint, four separate types of immunity. They are:

1\. **SHORT-TERM IMMUNITY**
When an infectious agent is detected, the body responds by producing a large amount of white blood cells (known as “leukocytes”), an immune response which attacks the invader. If successful in destroying the pathogen, the white cell count returns to its original level. White cell counts are part of a complete blood count, a common test performed in patient lab panels. During an epidemic, the human population’s ability to generate white cells increases its resistance. It is this property of the human body that causes the epidemic to eventually collapse.

2\. **LONG-TERM IMMUNITY**

The body’s defenses actually retain a type of ‘memory’ of the offending organism. If the pathogen returns to the area, that memory causes the body to produce a faster and stronger response against it. This is especially true with viral infection, often giving lifetime protection. An example would be “**Varicella**”, a viral illness otherwise known as ‘**chicken pox**”. Once you have had chicken pox, you are usually immune for the remainder of your life. The same cannot be said for viruses that frequently mutate, such as Influenza. In bacterial infections, the body’s memory may decrease over time, and re-infection is not uncommon.

3\. **NATURAL IMMUNITY**
A particular individual, or occasionally an entire species, might possess the ability to resist a pathogen due to genetic “memory” passed on from generation to generation. The advantage could exist, for instance, as a certain blood type which hinders nourishment of the organism.

When a community experiences its first outbreak of a disease, deaths will occur among the susceptible. The Native American population of the New World had an extraordinarily high mortality rate when exposed to **smallpox** by the first European explorers. Those same explorers, however, had a much higher survival rate; they had genetic advantages given by centuries of previous exposures.

Over time, however, the survivors reproduced and more of the community was able to survive re-exposures to the infection. Thanks to the passage of a new “memory”, their descendants achieved a much higher natural resistance level. As a result, epidemics of the same infection became less deadly and, in some cases, disappeared.

4\. **HERD IMMUNITY**

When a large group (a “herd”) possesses immunity, susceptible individuals enjoy a certain protection due to fewer exposures to an infection that may otherwise be fatal. The most common example today relates to vaccinated populations. If an unvaccinated person moves into an area where many are immune, the likelihood of exposure drops significantly. This confers a certain level of protection; there is less chance of that infection affecting the community that person is currently in. If many unvaccinated people move into an area, however, the overall “herd immunity” may be lost.

Knowledge of immunity to diseases such as influenza will help you understand how to protect your people in times of trouble. In future part of this series, we will concentrate on influenza’s signs, symptoms, and treatment (conventional and natural).

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)THAT OL’ DR. BONESHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Influenza, Part 3: Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-3-prevention/) 

 [Influenza, Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Respiratory infections

**Tags:** collapse medicine, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, herd immunity, immunity, Influenza, long-term immunity, lower the risk of contracting infectious disease, medical preparedness, natural immunity, short-term immunity, smallpox, survival medicine, varicella

---

### [Body Armor Basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bodyarmorbasics/)

**Published:** November 14, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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We often write articles on how to treat wounds caused by traumatic force such as bullets or knives, but we have rarely discussed the possible prevention of penetrating trauma by the use of **body armor**. Although a significant investment, body armor may be an effective strategy in high risk environments where there is civil unrest.

[![greek body armor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/greek-body-armor.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/greek-body-armor.jpg)ANCIENT GREEK ARMOR## Body Armor in History

*Body armor has been used throughout history*. The introduction of high-velocity firearms around the time of the Renaissance, however, negated the protective advantages of heavy mail and plate armor. As such, body armor fell out of favor for combat purposes until the latter part of the 20th Century.

The development of the protective synthetic fiber “Kevlar” by Dupont in the late 1960s led to the resurgence of body armor for use by the military and law enforcement. Lightweight and durable, more than 3000 police officers’ lives and even more combat soldiers owe their lives to it over the past 30 years.

### Types of Body Armor

There are two types of body armor:

[![body armor](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/body-armor.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/body-armor.jpg)SOFT BODY ARMOR- Soft body armor: Useful for its lightweight nature, it is protective against handguns but will not stop a rifle bullet.

- Hard body armor: This type is characterized by hard rigid plates which are effective even against rifle rounds. This is most commonly used by the military and police tactical units.

There are different types of protection afforded by body armor:

- Ballistic protection: protection against firearm projectiles
- Stab protection: protection against direct attacks with sharp weapons such as knives
- Spike protection: protection against sharp weapons such as ice picks, needles, etc.

Each of the above types of protections are characterized in the U.S. by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). To see what each level protects you against, go to this link:

[https://www.safeguardarmor.com/articles/body-armor-levels/](https://www.safeguardarmor.com/articles/body-armor-levels/ "https://www.safeguardarmor.com/articles/body-armor-levels/")

Interestingly, body armor that provides ballistic protection may not provide stab or spike protection. The mechanism of knife wound penetration is different that the mechanism that stops firearm rounds, and even different from spike wounds such as could be delivered by an ice pick.

Here’s the inside info on the inner workings of body armor by our friends at [www.safeguardarmor.com](https://www.safeguardarmor.com/ "https://www.safeguardarmor.com/"):

**How Does Body Armor Really Work?**

If you are in the Military, Law Enforcement, SWAT team, or even the FBI you always wear body armor. You will even wear body armor on low risk situations, but do you know how the body armor protects you from bullets or any other dangerous projectile? You will be surprised to find out that many people who wear body armor do not know how body armor, especially bullet-proof vests actually work.

When a bullet hits bullet proof armor, the bullet is caught in a web of very durable ballistic fiber. These fibers help attract and scatter the impact energy that is conveyed to the bullet proof vests causing the bullet to mushroom. Supplementary energy is absorbed in the bulletproof vest by each added layer of ballistic material until the bullet is stopped. Since the strength of ballistics in each layer of material combined with other layers, it forms what we call a larger area for impact energy to scatter and keep the bullet from penetrating straight through the bullet proof armor. This helps in non-penetrating injuries, which are blunt force trauma to vital organs.

Currently most bullet resistant armor will protect you against low risk threats. When you get into a Level III-A Body Armor, your protection level will increase dramatically. This will protect up from a .357 Magnum and a .44 Magnum, which happens to be serious handguns with serious bullets to be hit by. Just remember that no bullet resistant vest or body armor is entirely bullet proof, but depending on the level of armor you are wearing can determine the amount of injury you may or may not receive.

When in high risk situations such as the Military, Bomb Squad, SWAT team, and Law Enforcement, protection levels must be to the max. By adding a Type III or type IV ballistic hard armor plates to the inside of both the front and the back of your bullet resistant armor, your protection level increases tremendously. By adding a Type IV ballistic plate to your armor can provide can allow you protection against a .30 calibers. Not to mention your level of confidence while wearing this protection is much higher, especially when you are in high risk situations. Your confidence will play a major role in your mission and being able to go home at the end of the day thanks to this bullet proof armor.

The next time you are out on the field just remember the higher the levels you go the better protection you will receive. Not to mention that it does not matter what level you wear there is still a chance that the bullet or projectile can hit in a spot and it can penetrate your skin because not all bullet proof armor is entirely bullet proof, so do not forget your inserts.

**Dr. Bones says:** We have obtained a Ballistic level II, Stab level I vest from safeguardarmor.com and find it lightweight and comfortable, and easily concealed with normal clothing. Here’s some images below of the vest:

[![BodyArmorJoeFront](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeFront-300x177.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeFront.jpg)body armor 5.5 pounds[![BodyArmorJoeShirtFront](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeShirtFront-300x274.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeShirtFront.jpg)concealment factor![![BodyArmorJoeSide](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeSide-300x252.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeSide.jpg)Why so serious, Dr. Bones?[![BodyArmorJoeShirtSide](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeShirtSide-300x245.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/BodyArmorJoeShirtSide.jpg)hmmm, better lose a few pounds, Dr. Bones!Here’s a video by Reality Survival using this same vest and showing the protection level against both bullets and knives. I think you’ll be impressed.

Safeguard Armor is a top body armor manufacturer and has been a respected presence online for more than 7 years, and has outlets in the UK as well as the US. Their website at [www.safeguardarmor.com](https://www.safeguardarmor.com/ "https://www.safeguardarmor.com/") will tell you, in plain English, all you need to know about body armor. If you, survival medic, are expecting a survival scenario that involves civil unrest, you should take a look.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D.Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour(tm) Podcast: Charley Hogwood, Author of MAGS](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hourtm-podcast-charley-hogwood-author-of-mags/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Typhoon, Medical Supplies, Staying Calm](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-typhoon-medical-supplies-staying-calm/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic

**Tags:** ballistic protection, body armor, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, kevlar, medical preparedness, safeguard armor, spike protection, stab protection, survival medicine

---

### [Influenza, Part 3: Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-3-prevention/)

**Published:** November 19, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this latest part of our series on **influenza**, we will concentrate on ways to prevent the flu. Influenza hospitalizes 200,000 U.S. citizens every year, killing 36,000.

As the person medically responsible for your people in a survival scenario, it is your duty to do everything to prevent infectious disease from running rampant among your people. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You will have limited medical supplies and medications to combat what could affect every member of your family, including yourself. Therefore, it makes sense to do everything in your power to prevent the problem in the first place.

## People Most Vulnerable to Influenza

*Influenza* strikes those that are not in the best condition, so do your best to be healthy BEFORE a disaster hits. Some of the basic steps are:

- Make good nutrition a part of your lifestyle
- Get enough sleep
- Be physically active to build your strength and stamina
- Dump bad habits like smoking, which makes your lungs weaker and more prone to infection. Statistics show that influenza affects a higher percentage of smokers than non-smokers.

A strong index of suspicion is a good weapon in your fight to keep your people healthy. Watch your members closely for signs of flu symptoms:

### Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms include:

- A fever of 100degrees Fahrenheit (slightly less than 38 degrees Centigrade) or higher A cough and/or sore throat
- Nasal Congestion
- Sore Throat
- Headaches
- Muscle Aches
- Chills
- Fatigue and Malaise (queasiness)
- Nausea and vomiting (more often seen in children)
- Diarrhea (more often seen in children)

You may not be certain that what you’re observing is the flu or a common cold. To help make the diagnosis, check out my article on “Colds vs. Flus” at the link below:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/ ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/")

Highly contagious illnesses, like the flu, will devastate families or mutual assistance groups that fail to make efforts to build barriers against infection. The prepared medic will have already designated a sick room or tent in their retreat. This should be at one end of the house or camp. The room or tent should have a door or flap to separate the sick from the healthy but should have good ventilation. If you fail to designate this room now, you will, most likely, be evicting someone in your group from their living space when someone gets sick. This will be a sure recipe for discord at a time when everyone needs to pull together.

Every resource that provides information on avoiding the flu tells you to avoid sick people. As the medic, however, this is not an option for you. Having a good supply of protective masks, however, will be an important item to stockpile. Use simple earloop masks for the flu victims, and the N95 respirator masks for the medic. This strategy will stop germ-laden viruses from infecting the caregiver.

Although maintaining good hygiene will be a challenge in a collapse, simple strategies can be employed to make it tougher for viruses to do their damage.

1)Frequent hand washing is the cornerstone to preventing spread of influenza or, really, any other infection. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after patient contact. If water availability is an issue, make sure you have stockpiled lots of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

2)Use disinfectants to clean all surfaces in the sick room or any counter surfaces that are used to prepare food. A good supply of disinfectant solution and wipes is part and parcel of your medical storage. If you don’t have it, get it.

3)Discourage family members from touching their nose, mouth or eyes. This happens a lot more than you’d think. Just observe any child for 30 minutes and count the times they touch their face. You’ll be surprised at how frequently this happens. Hands to the face = viral particles into the body.

4)Don’t be reluctant to have your group wear masks in the midst of a flu epidemic. Although rare in the U.S., wearing masks in this situation is considered a sign of social responsibility in many other regions.

5)Teach your people to cough or sneeze with a tissue or cloth at all times. If none are available, sneeze into the upper arm rather than the hands.

6)Dispose of tissues used by sick patients. Don’t leave them around for others to touch. Bedding and utensils used by flu victims should be sterilized before re-use.

7)In normal times, consider flu vaccination before every flu season. This is controversial among many in the preparedness community. The flu vaccine will be effective AS LONG AS the current flu virus is similar to last year’s; the vaccine uses viral proteins in its production. If this year’s flu is genetically different from last year’s, the vaccine’s effectiveness will be limited (Antigenic Shift, as explained in Part 1 of this series, link below). In general, you can expect 60-70% success in avoiding the flu if you get the vaccine.

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/")

Having said this, the Center for Disease Control recommends yearly flu vaccination. Their reasoning is that more peoples’ lives are saved by the vaccine than have complications from its administration. To give an example, a serious neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome occurs more frequently in those who take the flu vaccine, but the increased risk is 1 in 100,000. Weighing the risks against the benefits is part of the CDC’s recommendation process.

In the next part of this article, we’ll discuss prevention and treatment of [influenza ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=6008)using conventional medications and natural remedies.

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Influenza, Part 4: Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-4-treatment/) 

 [Body Armor Basics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/bodyarmorbasics/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, Flu prevention, Influenza, medical preparedness, survival medic, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: MAG's Charley Hogwood, Heart Disease, Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-mags-charley-hogwood-heart-disease-medical-supplies/)

**Published:** November 23, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![Tentsmall](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Tentsmall.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Tentsmall.jpg)THE SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOURIn this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy welcome back **Charley Hogwood**, author of MAGS: The People Part of Prepping, to discuss part 2 of forming and managing mutual assistance groups. Dr. Bones discusses [heart disease and chest pain in survival situations](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=5978), and Nurse Amy continues her series on medical supplies. Also, a recap of the effects of Super Typhoon Haiyan….

[![Mags](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Mags1-200x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Mags1.jpg)

Click below to listen:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/11/24/survival-medicine-hour-mags-charley-hogwood-heart-disease-medical-supplies](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/11/24/survival-medicine-hour-mags-charley-hogwood-heart-disease-medical-supplies "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/11/24/survival-medicine-hour-mags-charley-hogwood-heart-disease-medical-supplies")

Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.[.](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Rodent Issues, Cranberries, Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-rodent-issues-cranberries-medical-supplies/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour(tm) Podcast: Charley Hogwood, Author of MAGS](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hourtm-podcast-charley-hogwood-author-of-mags/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness

**Tags:** Charley Hogwood, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, heart disease, MAGS, medical preparedness, medical supplies, mutual assistance groups, survival medicine

---

### [Influenza, Part 4: Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-4-treatment/)

**Published:** November 28, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In previous parts of this series on **influenza**, we discussed

- What the flu virus is and how it mutates ([Part 1](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/"))
- All about **immunity** ([Part 2](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-2-immunity-2/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-2-immunity-2/"))
- Prevention strategies ([Part 3](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-3-prevention/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-3-prevention/"))

In this article, we’ll talk about various methods of conventional and natural treatment of your patients with influenza.

#### Symptoms of the Flu

To review, common signs and symptoms of the flu include:

- Fever over 100 F (38 C)
- Aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs
- Chills and sweats
- Headache
- Dry cough
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nasal congestion

You may note that these symptoms are very similar to the common cold. Sometimes, it may be difficult to differentiate between these two illnesses. For a thorough discussion of how to tell the difference, see our 2011 article: [Colds vs. Flus](https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/respiratorinfections2011/").

### Treatment Strategies for Influenza

Your strategy should be preventive but, despite this, there will be circumstances where people come down with the *flu*. Treatment of the above individual symptoms listed above with over the counter medications is a perfectly reasonable plan of action. You would:

- Give **Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin** for fevers, headaches, and muscle aches.
- Give Robitussin DM(**dextromethorphan and guaifenisen**) or similar meds for cough (best used in adults only, although there are pediatric versions)
- Give **Diphenhydramine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine** (Sudafed) or similar meds for nasal congestion. Be aware that some of these medications may raise blood pressure. (Pseudoephedrine is an ingredient used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a highly addictive “recreational” drug, so may be difficult to accumulate in quantity.)

In addition:

- Give plenty of fluids, but be careful: Some of your flu patients will be nauseous and will tolerate only intermittent sips.
- Enforce rest and sleep, if possible. Your patient’s body is working overtime to fight the infection. More strain on it may prolong the duration of the flu.
- Start steam inhalation therapy and apply warm compresses to the sinus areas to relieve congestion and headache.
- Give warm salt water gargles to loosen up thick mucus that builds up in the back of the throat. This treatment is especially effective in the morning.
- Use a **neti pot** with sterile saline solution to irrigate out inflamed nasal passages. In survival, however, you may not be able to assure sterility. Using non-sterile solution in the neti pot is associated with certain infections caused by contamination.

You might be able to decrease the severity and duration of the illness if you stockpiled some antiviral medications like Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza).

**Antiviral medications** like **Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)** and **Zanamivir (Relenza)** are not antibiotics. Antibiotics, such as **Amoxicillin**, are most effective against bacteria, and will do little, if anything, to treat the flu. Tamiflu and Relenza may be helpful, but it’s important to know that they work best if started in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. After that window of time, their effectiveness drops significantly.

In long-term disaster scenarios, the pharmaceuticals will run out after a period of time. Therefore, it makes sense to have a working knowledge of natural remedies that may be useful. These include:

**Vitamin C**: Long term use of vitamin C appears to decrease the length of viral infections by about a day at doses of 2000 mg/day. Some people develop stomach upset and diarrhea at high doses.

**Zinc**: This mineral may prevent the formation of certain proteins that cold viruses use to reproduce themselves. These sometimes come in throat lozenges, which can also treat scratchiness. Take immediately upon development of flu symptoms.

**Chicken Soup**: It turns out that Grandma was right! Inhaling the steam can ease nasal congestion. The fluids can help avoid dehydration, and some believe the soup may soothe inflammation.

**Echinacea**: Like vitamin C, some report that Echinacea tea three times a day for 7 days may decrease the duration of flu symptoms.

**Garlic**: One of Nurse Amy’s favorites, it has antiviral and antibiotic properties.

**Menthol**: Apply a menthol ointment under the nose or on the chest and throat. It can relieve irritated skin due to blowing the nose. Also, the medicated vapors that contain menthol or camphor may help relieve coughing or nasal congestion

The above are just some of the home remedies that can get your patient through the misery of the flu. Use both conventional and natural methods, and you’ll be implementing all the tools in the medical woodshed.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D. Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Don't Skimp On The Cranberries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dont-skimp-on-the-cranberries/) 

 [Influenza, Part 3: Prevention](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-3-prevention/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Survival Medic

**Tags:** colds and flus, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, flu, Flu prevention, Flu symptoms, flu treatment, Influenza, medical preparedness, natural flu remedies, oseltamivir, relenza, survival medicine, tamiflu, zanamivir

---

### [Don't Skimp On The Cranberries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dont-skimp-on-the-cranberries/)

**Published:** November 30, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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##### Did you miss having cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving? Well, that’s okay, because there’s always cranberry juice; heck, it might even be part of your trail mix when you go hiking. You might wonder why I, a physician, am interested in your cranberry consumption, but it’s simple: **Cranberries are good for you**.

##### Cranberry Consumption in the US

I guess I really shouldn’t worry. Americans consume 400 million pounds of *cranberries* every year, one fifth of which occurs on Thanksgiving week. We can thank native Americans for first cultivating cranberries to fight scurvy, a disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency. They also used the berry in poultices to heal wounds and tumors.

Smart. Cranberries have a substance in them that is antibiotic in quality, in that it prevents some common bacteria (E. Coli, Staph) from attaching to the walls of your cells. According to a report from NYU, this is why we use cranberry juice to deal with urinary infections; E. Coli is a common cause of bladder infections.

##### Cranberries and Antioxidants

Cranberries are now well known for their antioxidant properties. The substance that gives the cranberry its red color is also associated with prevention of disease. There are few foods we can consume that has more antioxidant power than the little red bog berry. Researchers at Tufts University report that the chemicals in cranberries (polyphenols) may exert protective benefits in heart disease by reducing the formation of blockages in coronary arteries, not to mention aid in other chronic illnesses.

I have to say that the research quoted has to do with cranberries themselves, not processed food using cranberries. Despite this, I hope you went back for seconds this Thanksgiving.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)DR. ALTON, AKA DR. BONESHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [New Video: Depression in Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-video-depression-in-survival-settings/) 

 [Influenza, Part 4: Treatment](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-4-treatment/)

**Categories:** Gardening-Homesteading, Health-Medical-Holistic, Survival Garden

**Tags:** cranberry, cranberry health benefits, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Rodent Issues, Cranberries, Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-rodent-issues-cranberries-medical-supplies/)

**Published:** November 30, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of Doom and Bloom(tm)’s SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR, Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones talks about medical issues relating to **rodent infestations** in good times or bad. Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy continues her series on important supplies for your medical storage, and the hosts talk about the health benefits of [cranberries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=6060). Hope you had a second helping this Thanksgiving! To Listen in, click the link below:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/01/survival-medicine-hour-rodents-and-health-medical-supplies-cranberries](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/01/survival-medicine-hour-rodents-and-health-medical-supplies-cranberries "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/01/survival-medicine-hour-rodents-and-health-medical-supplies-cranberries")

Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)DR. BONES AND NURSE AMYAre you ready to deal with medical issues if the you-know-what hits the fan? With The Survival Medicine Handbook’s 2nd Edition, you’ll have a head start on staying healthy in times of trouble. Check out over 60 reviews here:

[https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385853070&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook](https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385853070&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook "https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385853070&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook")

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Influenza, Civil War Anesthesia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-influenza-civil-war-anesthesia/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: MAG's Charley Hogwood, Heart Disease, Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-mags-charley-hogwood-heart-disease-medical-supplies/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness

**Tags:** preparedness, rodent infestations, survival situations

---

### [New Video:  Depression in Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-video-depression-in-survival-settings/)

**Published:** December 3, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![UphillClimbJoe(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/UphillClimbJoe1-300x184.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/UphillClimbJoe1.jpg)It’s an uphill climb to get out of depressionI don’t have to tell you that the loss of modern technology will be a shock to almost everyone in a true **grid-down** setting. Most will respond will becoming depressed and you, survival medic, will encounter this issue frequently. As a matter of fact, much more frequently than gunfights at the OK corral. Here’s a new video on our YouTube channel about the subject:

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe.jpg)DOCTOR BONESHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Guest Post: CPR in a Survival Situation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cprinsurvival/) 

 [Don't Skimp On The Cranberries](https://www.doomandbloom.net/dont-skimp-on-the-cranberries/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** depression, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, natural treatment of depression, situational depression, survival, survival medicine

---

### [Guest Post: CPR in a Survival Situation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cprinsurvival/)

**Published:** December 5, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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## [![shutterstock_88056715](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/shutterstock_880567152-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/shutterstock_880567152.jpg)

## **CPR In A Survival Situation**

By Kyle Williams, RN, CFRN, EMT-P

**(DR. BONES SAYS: From time to time, we receive submissions from promising writers in the field of medical preparedness. Today, we have a well-reasoned article from Kyle Williams, a certified flight nurse and paramedic, on CPR and its implementation in survival settings.)**

Articles and podcasts on survival medicine generally include advice about obtaining **CPR and first aid training** as an essential part of our survival skills. Indeed, this training should be a high priority for preppers (as well as everyone), but one question that is rarely addressed is: Are the most modern standards of care applicable to survival situations?

Today, every aspect of healthcare, from *basic first aid and CPR* up to the most advanced surgical techniques, are based on a fully functional, well integrated, and highly technical healthcare system. The assumption in first aid and CPR training is that for anything more than simple cuts and bruises, our first aid skills are geared at keeping the patient stable until a higher level of care arrives or a patient reaches a hospital. In a survival situation when a higher level of care or transport to a hospital may not be available or may be significantly delayed, it may be necessary to modify the way we provide care. This intent of this article is not to debate current training guidelines; they are based on solid research and evidence.

**CPR**

Over the last decade there have been several changes to the standards of care for CPR. These changes have been based on the best scientific evidence available from large studies and have most certainly led to an increase in survivability.

One of the biggest changes has been to the way non-healthcare providers perform CPR. We have moved from a standard of 15 compressions and 2 ventilations, to compression-only CPR. The theory behind compression-only CPR is that during cardiac arrest, the body’s oxygen consumption is extremely low. The combination of passive oxygenation from the pressure changes in the lungs during compressions and the oxygen that remains in the blood are enough to maintain minimal cerebral oxygenation. Additionally, anytime compressions are stopped, cerebral blood flow stops. It takes a minimum of 15 compressions to build that blood flow back up. In the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, blood flow is what the patient needs most.

In a survival situation, the EMS system is not functioning normally; the single lay-person may be performing CPR for a prolonged period (more than 5-10 minutes). It will be necessary to deliver breaths. With the focus remaining on high-quality compressions, the lone rescuer should perform 30 compressions and 2 ventilations. A second person should assist as soon as possible because with one person performing compressions and the other ventilation, compressions will be interrupted for significantly less time.

**WHEN NO HELP WILL BE COMING**

What are we to do when the professional rescuers are not able to respond? A discussion of CPR in a survival situation would be remiss without discussion of when CPR should be stopped. Obvious signs of life, such as movement or spontaneous breathing, are signs of return of spontaneous circulation and CPR should be stopped and the patient monitored closely. It is likely that most patients will require continued rescue breathing.

What if the patient does not regain a spontaneous pulse? How long should you perform CPR when help will not be coming? The answer to this question will vary with each situation and here are a few things to think about should you ever be in such a situation.

Are you sure help will not be coming? The likelihood that a patient will regain a spontaneous pulse with CPR alone is extremely small in most cases. The most common non-traumatic cause of cardiac arrest are the lethal arrhythmias ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation which require defibrillation to convert back to a normal heart rhythm. Without a functioning EMS system to bring a defibrillator to the patient quickly, chances of survival are very low.

The increase in public access defibrillators has increased survival rates dramatically, so know where the closest defibrillator is and learn how to use them. In a witnessed arrest situation in which CPR is started immediately, the rescuer can attempt a precordial thump as a form of manual defibrillation. There are several good Youtube videos on how to perform this procedure.

What is the mechanism of injury? Under the best circumstances, with early CPR, early advanced life support, and rapid transport to a trauma center, a person suffering cardiac arrest caused by traumatic injury has less than 0.1% chance of survival.

(**DR. BONES SAYS: As you can imagine, it takes a major degree of trauma to stop a healthy heart; thus, the low survival rate. We will be publishing an article or video on working a portable defibrillator in the near future.)**

The most common non-traumatic cause of cardiac arrest in adults over 40 is myocardial infarction, which results in the previously mentioned arrhythmias. With immediate CPR, rapid defibrillation, early advanced life support and transport to a hospital capable of treating the clotted artery, survival is 65% at best. The most common cause of cardiac arrest in children is respiratory arrest. Early CPR and effective ventilation can often reverse the early stages of cardiac arrest in children.

Was this a witnessed cardiac arrest and was CPR started immediately or was there a delay in care? After 5 minutes of cardiac arrest without effective CPR, the chances of survival drop in the single digits even with the best care in a hospital.

What would the patient want? Has the patient ever expressed to you what they would want? Would they want everything done for as long as possible or would they want to die in peace and with dignity? Even if the patient never directly expressed his or her wishes, you may know what their wishes would be based on the life they led or conversations about other similar situations.

**(DR. BONES SAYS: Part of your duties as survival medic is to take a history and serve as medical archivist. You should ask every member of your group what their wishes would be in the situation discussed above. Do it BEFORE a disaster occurs.)**

Am I prepared to stop? Of all the questions, this is the toughest to answer. Would you be able to stop CPR on a child? On a loved one? On a stranger? As a paramedic and critical care nurse for over 20 years, I have had to make the decision to stop resuscitation many times, but always when the patient was a stranger and I the (somewhat) detached rescuer. Could I make a rational and objective decision to stop CPR on a loved one? Hopefully I will never have to find out, however it is something to take into consideration. Try to be as objective as you can, but if in doubt, go until you cannot go any longer.

**WHEN THERE IS NO MORE THAT CAN BE DONE**

It has been my experience (and evidence supports these numbers) that patients in cardiac arrest for more than 20 minutes, without return of pulses, have almost no chance of meaningful survival. We will define a meaningful recovery as not just merely regaining a pulse, but more importantly, the ability to live a productive life, to walk, talk, eat, and enjoy life. After all, regaining a pulse only to remain in a vegetative state is not our goal. When it comes to CPR in a survival situation, always remember to pump hard and pump fast, but also continually evaluate whether or not we are helping or harming the patient.

**LEGAL ASPECTS OF STOPPING CPR IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION**.

In normal times even the most autonomous paramedics must contact a medical control physician and get an order to stop CPR and in the hospital, a physician must be present and make the final decision to stop resuscitation. In first aid and CPR classes, the lay person is taught to keep going until you physically cannot perform compressions any longer. But these are rules for normal times, when two-way radio systems and cell phone services are functioning. What should we do in survival situations? The answer to this question depends on what type of survival situation you are in.

If you are in the backcountry wilderness with no way to communicate with medical authorities, you are in a legitimate survival situation and have to make the decision for yourself using your best judgment.

In most states you are covered by Good Samaritan laws. In a backcountry, SHTF or TEOTWAWKI survival situation, you may or may not have some form of communication with health authorities such as cellular or satellite phone, or a two-way radio. If you do, try to contact the closest 911 center who should be able to patch you through to a local emergency department physician. They should be able to provide you with guidance, as well as assist in the decision that everything reasonable has been done and that it is okay to stop resuscitation. Discussing the decision to stop resuscitation with a physician will provide you with both a level of comfort that you have done everything possible and are making the right decision, as well as provide you with legal backing.

**(DR. BONES SAYS: Clearly, this is a difficult decision in a survival scenario. You will be deciding when to stop CPR on a member of your family or mutual assistance group. Understand that the survival rate from any cardiac arrest in a grid-down situation is very low, and so will your resources. CPR will still be a mainstay of training to deal with airway obstructions.)**

Today your skills are aimed at supporting an injured person for just a few minutes until help arrives. Being forced into a true survival situation changes the rules of the game in many ways, not the least of which might be turning you into the only care available. If your goal is to learn medical skills for survival situations, is a wise idea to get more in depth training aimed specifically at providing medical care in austere environments. Hopefully this article has given you some food for thought and provided you with a bit of guidance to help you make the right decision should you ever be put in a survival CPR situation.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [RATS! Rodent-Proofing A Retreat](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rodent-proofing/) 

 [New Video: Depression in Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-video-depression-in-survival-settings/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic

**Tags:** basic first aid and CPR, chest compressions, CPR in survival, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, ompression-only CPR, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Influenza, Civil War Anesthesia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-influenza-civil-war-anesthesia/)

**Published:** December 7, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss prevention and treatment of a viral infection that kills 36,000 Americans every year: [Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/?p=6056). Also, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss their recent visit to the Museum of Civil War Medicine and its relation to a recent article they found on making Chloroform (Don’t try this at home, kids).

To listen in, click the link below:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/07/survival-medicine-hour-influenza-civil-war-anesthesia](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/07/survival-medicine-hour-influenza-civil-war-anesthesia "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/07/survival-medicine-hour-influenza-civil-war-anesthesia")

All the best of health in good times OR bad,

Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Brushfire Plague II, Organic Milk, Salt](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-brushfire-plague-ii-organic-milk-salt/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Rodent Issues, Cranberries, Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-rodent-issues-cranberries-medical-supplies/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast

**Tags:** chloroform, civil war anesthesia, civil war medicine, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, Flu prevention, flu treatment, Influenza, medical preparedness, respiratory hygiene, survival medicine

---

### [RATS! Rodent-Proofing A Retreat](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rodent-proofing/)

**Published:** December 9, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In a **long-term survival scenario**, it’s clear that you will be sharing your environment with rodents. Rodent-proofing a retreat may be difficult, but it is necessary to maintain the health of your people.

##### Rodents and Disease

Rats, mice, and other *rodents are well-known causes of infections* that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The rodent in question may feel fine but serves as a “vector”. A vector carries a disease to its target (you). Rodent-proofing a retreat may be difficult, but it is necessary to maintain the health of your people.

Rats and mice are thought to have originated in Asia, but wherever these animals are introduced, they cause a significant amount of environmental and economic damage. Indeed, they are some of the world’s most invasive species: Every year, a percentage of the world’s food supply is contaminated by their droppings, urine, and hair. Rodents can chew through electrical wiring, and are, therefore, also a fire hazard.

Before I go further, let me tell our readers who have rats and mice as pets that they are generally clean, intelligent creatures. I have had the privilege of working with them in university laboratories as a student. Despite this, it is indisputable that the diseases they may carry are cause for significant concern. These include Plague, Salmonellosis, and many others.

##### Prevent Rodent Infestation

Given the above, it makes sense to take measures to prevent rodent infestation in the retreat and to eliminate those already there. Much more effort is required to dislodge your unwanted guests once an infestation has occurred. Rodent-proof homes have been carefully evaluated for points of entry from the level of the foundation to the roofline. This includes sewer lines, bathroom vents, pipes and gutters, doors and windows, and vegetation near concrete slabs.

Some rodent-proofing techniques for homes include:

[![rodent-proof house](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/rodent-proof-house.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/rodent-proof-house.jpg)Rodent-Proof House (image victorpest.com)- Sealing cracks in building foundations, walls, siding, and roof joints with mesh hardware cloth, concrete patching, or other materials. Rodents only need ¼ inch of opening to gnaw their way into your home. Metal mesh scouring pads or galvanized window screening (not steel wool, which quickly deteriorates) may be stuffed into crevices as a temporary solution.
- Installing vent guards in bathroom or washer/dryer vents.
- Placing barriers to prevent climbing rodents from going up pipes or gutters.
- Trimming trees so that branches don’t come close to the roof.
- Contacting the utility company (in normal times) for strategies to prevent rats from traveling along power lines to your house.
- Preventing rodents, especially rats, from tunneling under the foundation by placing flat concrete pavers or gravel extending at least 3 feet from the base of the retreat.

Rodent-proofing also involves careful attention to both indoor and outdoor sanitation. Here are some suggestions for the well-prepared:

- Never leave food or water out overnight. Keep your counter tops clean and disinfected.
- Breadboxes may seem old-fashioned, but they are there for a reason: To keep the bread away from rats and mice.
- Never leave pet food outside; clean all bowls daily whether they are used inside or out. Rodents love to eat dog and cat food.
- Clean under kitchen appliances. Even a few crumbs will make a meal for a mouse or rat.
- Keep garbage disposals and sinks clean with a cup of bleach once a month.
- Never flush grease down the sink drain.
- Keep toilet lids down until needed.
- Store dry foods, even pet foods, in sealed containers at least 18 inches off the floor.
- Store firewood away from your home at least 18 inches off the ground.
- Trim all vegetation that abuts the house until the ground is easily inspected.
- Eliminate tree branches that make eaves and gutters accessible.
- Remove ivy or other climbing plants from exterior walls that may hide points of entry.
- Construct barriers around birdhouses and bird-feeders to prevent seed from being accessible to rodents.
- Remove any fruits or vegetables from your garden that you won’t use.
- Keep garbage can lids tightly closed.
- Keep the side and back yards free of debris that might serve as shelters.
- Deny access to water by fixing leaky faucets.
- Avoid putting animal products in your compost bin.

I admit that these are a lot of considerations, but as a person who has dealt with this issue personally, they are worth it. In a survival setting, you have to do everything you can to keep your people free of infectious disease. In a future article, I’ll tackle how to deal with the rodent infestation that’s already there.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)Joe Alton, M.D.Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Brushfire Plague II, Organic Milk, Salt](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-brushfire-plague-ii-organic-milk-salt/) 

 [Guest Post: CPR in a Survival Situation](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cprinsurvival/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, long-term survival scenario, medical preparedness, mice, rats, rats and mice as disease vectors, rodent control, rodent-proofing, rodents are well-known causes of infections, survival medicine

---

### [Video by Dr. Bones: Sprains and Strains](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-by-dr-bones-sprains-and-strains/)

**Published:** December 16, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this video, Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, discusses sprains and strains, general treatment, and how to tell them apart from fractures without X-rays, CAT scans, MRI’s, etc. Forgive the corny beginnings of his videos, he means well.. 🙂

All the best of health in good times OR bad…..

Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy

[![LabCoatsBonesAmy(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)Ol’ Dr. Bones and ME!Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Video By Dr. Bones: Anxiety in Survival Settings](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-by-dr-bones-anxiety/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Brushfire Plague II, Organic Milk, Salt](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-brushfire-plague-ii-organic-milk-salt/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, YouTube video channel

**Tags:** ankle sprain, back strain, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, sprains, sprains vs. fractures, strains, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Yoda of The Magnified View](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-yoda-magnified-view/)

**Published:** December 21, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the **Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour**, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy welcome Yoda of **magnifiedview.com** to talk about his experiences abroad and his advice on preparedness. Dr. Bones talks about the **Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)** and its robotic rescue challenge for disaster scenarios.

To Listen in, click here: [https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/21/survival-medicine-hour-yoda-of-magnified-view](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/21/survival-medicine-hour-yoda-of-magnified-view "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2013/12/21/survival-medicine-hour-yoda-of-magnified-view")

The show will air at 5 p.m. but click the link to listen at your convenience.

all the best of health in good times OR bad…

Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

[![Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/LabCoatsBonesAmy1.jpg)DOCTOR BONES AND NURSE AMYHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Rodent Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rodent-control/) 

 [What "Organic" Really Means](https://www.doomandbloom.net/whatorganicmeans/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness

**Tags:** disaster preparedness, magnifiedview.com, survival, survival medicine

---

### [Rodent Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rodent-control/)

**Published:** December 22, 2013
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In a recent article, we talked about **rodent-proofing** your home, but what about **rodent control** once they’re permanent residents? In good times OR bad, rodents in your retreat are bad news due to the various diseases they carry in their urine and droppings. For more information on these illnesses, as well as advice on how to rodent-proof your home, go here:

[https://www.doomandbloom.net/rodent-proofing/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/rodent-proofing/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/rodent-proofing/")

##### **HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS RODENT-FREE**

If you’re not sure that your home is currently rodent-free, you might consider:

- Looking for any partially eaten food, gnawed containers, or nesting material, especially in the back of pantries.
- Inspecting your home’s interior at night with a flashlight; look closely at the bases of walls, as rats and mice prefer to travel along them. Little used areas of the home should be especially targeted for inspection.
- Looking for **rodent droppings**. Mice and rat defecate 50 times a day; if they are in your home, you should be able to find their feces along floorboards, in attic crawl spaces, and in basements.
- Setting out a thin layer of flour or talcum powder by areas through which rats and mice might enter your home. Make sure to place additional flour or powder along floorboards, as rodents prefer to travel along walls. The critters will leave tracks which will prove their presence.
- Having cats and dogs as “mousers”. They may or may not be efficient at eliminating rats and mice, but they will alert you when a rodent is near.
- Listening for squeaking and scrabbling noises inside walls at night.
- Checking for unusual smells in areas of your home. If there are a lot of rats in your home, you may notice an odor from their urine.

Once you have made the determination that you have rats or mice in your home, it’s time to reduce the population. It should be noted that **long-term rodent control** will be difficult if you haven’t followed my suggestions for indoor and outdoor sanitation in the earlier article linked above.

##### **RAT TRAPS AND POISONS**

There are various mouse and ***rat traps*** on the market. Several poisons are also available to kill rodent invaders.These poisons act to cause the inability of the blood to clot. In a week or so, the rodent starts bleeding spontaneously and dies. Other poisons include metal phosphides, which react with rodent stomach acid to produce toxic gas in 1-3 days, as well as high-dose Vitamin D preparations, causing death by lethal calcium levels.

[**Rat poisons**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodenticide "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodenticide") are problematic, in my opinion. there is always the risk that something (or someone) that you don’t want to kill, like a household pet or a child, might accidentally ingest it. If that’s not enough to convince you, poisons may leave you with a bunch of dead, rotting animals inside your walls. The stench from their corpses may last a month or more. In extreme cases, a deodorizer is inserted through a hole drilled in the wall to eliminate the lingering odor. Therefore, it simply makes more sense to use traps.

If you must place traps outside, don’t use regular [traps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_trap "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_trap"). Consider **trapping boxes made specifically for rodents** instead. These can be **snap traps**, **electronic “zappers”**, **glue traps** or even **catch and release** versions. Both rats and mice will readily go for a small amount of fresh peanut butter as bait. Advice to the soft-hearted about catch and release traps: Brown rats, black rats, and house mice are not native wildlife; besides other damage, they will cause casualties among endangered songbird eggs and young if you let them go.

Glue traps are popular but controversial. They are better weapons against mice than rats. Unfortunately, they usually leave you with a live animal to kill. Throw the trap and animal into a bucket of water or strike it with a stick several times just behind the head. Another disadvantage of the glue trap is that it loses effectiveness in dusty areas or at extreme temperatures. By the way, never use a glue trap outside, you are not guaranteed to just have rats get stuck in them.

Your standard ***mousetrap*** is known as a “**snap trap**“. Snap traps should always be placed in perpendicular fashion with the bait side against the wall. Never use just one trap: Place a number of them several feet apart in the rodent’s usual path. Traps can also be fastened to pipes with wire or thick rubber bands if your rodent visitors are climbing to upper levels.

Electronic zappers are effective, if more expensive than your standard snap trap. For more info on **rodent traps** and control, consider a visit to [https://www.victorpest.com/advice](https://www.victorpest.com/advice "https://www.victorpest.com/advice").

##### **SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN ELIMINATING RODENTS**

When cleaning out a building populated with rats or mice, specific safety precautions should be followed to avoid infection. First and foremost: Remember that you should never handle a wild rodent, alive or dead, without disposable gloves. Masks, coveralls, and shoe covers should be worn when cleaning any significant infestation. Other steps to follow:

- Open windows and doors before cleaning to allow it to air out, then leave for an hour.
- Avoid raising dust if at all possible.
- Steam-clean all carpeting and upholstery.
- Clean all surfaces with a diluted bleach solution or other household disinfectant; soak areas that held dead animals, nests, or droppings.
- Wash all bedding linens, pillows, etc .with hot water; use the high heat setting on your dryer.
- Eliminate any insulation material contaminated by rodent urine, feces, or nesting material.
- Place contaminated items that cannot be thrown away (such as important documents), outside in the sun for several hours. If this isn’t possible, “**quarantine**” the items for a week in a rodent-free area. This should give enough time for viruses to be inactivated.
- Dispose of any contaminated items or dead rodents in a plastic bag (double-bagging is better), and then place them in an exterior garbage can.
- Thoroughly wash hands after cleaning. Consider showering with soap and hot water.

We share our world with many other creatures. Some of these creatures invade our homes and can damage our possessions and, more importantly, our health. With careful attention to sanitation and the occasional surgical strike, we can eliminate unwanted guests and make our homes safe environments for our families. Whether times are good or bad, these are house guests you don’t want to entertain.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![Joe Alton, M.D., Survival Expert ](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg "Joe Alton,M.D., Survival Expert")](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)JOE ALTON, M.D.Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Spirituality and Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/spirituality-survival/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Yoda of The Magnified View](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-yoda-magnified-view/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Infections, Medical Preparedness, Sanitation

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, electronic rat trap, glue trap, medical preparedness, mouse control, mousetraps, rat control, rat poison, rat traps, rodent control, rodent elimination, rodent glue trap, rodent-proofing, snap traps, survival medicine

---

### [Cold Weather Preparedness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/)

**Published:** January 2, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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# [![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shutterstock_87791806-300x225.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/shutterstock_87791806.jpg)

It looks like another harsh winter, with **ice storms** and **blizzards** already carpeting much of the Midwest, Northeast and Canada, and ***cold weather preparedness*** is a must for survival.  Failure to use precautions will lead to a condition called ***hypothermia***. [**Hypothermia** ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia")is a condition where the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The normal body core temperature is defined as between 97.5-99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.0-37.5 degrees Celsius).

In your efforts to be medically self-reliant, one of the major factors that must be taken into consideration is your environment. If you haven’t prepared for the weather, you have made your environment your enemy, and it is a formidable one. The last ice storm caused 27 deaths, some of which were avoidable. Therefore, it’s important to be prepared to prevent death from **exposure** and to know how to treat someone who is hypothermic.

##### **HOW YOUR BODY LOSES HEAT**

Your body has various methods it uses to control its internal “core” temperature, either raising it or lowering it to appropriate levels. The **body “core“** refers to the major internal organ systems that are necessary to maintain life, such as your brain, heart, liver, and others.

In cold weather, your blood vessels constrict to conserve heat. Muscles “shiver” as a method of heat production. You can voluntarily increase heat by exertion; it is recommended to “keep moving” in cold environments for this reason. Part of the healthcare provider’s role is to educate each and every member of their family or group on proper planning for outdoor activities. Monitor weather conditions as well as the people you’re sending out in the heat or cold.

[![13](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/13.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/13.jpg)

The body loses heat in various ways:

**Evaporation** – the body perspires (sweats), which releases heat from the core.

**Radiation** – the body loses heat to the environment anytime that the ambient (surrounding) temperature is below the core temperature (say, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). For example, you lose more heat if exposed to an outside temperature of 20 degrees F than if exposed to 80 degrees F.

**Conduction** – The body loses heat when its surface is in direct contact with cold temperatures, as in the case of someone falling from a boat into frigid water. Water, being denser than air, removes heat from the body much faster.

**Convection** – Heat loss where, for instance, a cooler object is in motion against the body core. The air next to the skin is heated and then removed, which requires the body to use energy to re-heat. **Wind Chill** is one example of air convection: If the ambient temperature is 32 degrees F but the wind chill factor is at 5 degrees F, you lose heat from your body as if it were actually 5 degrees F.

Most heat is lost from the head area, due to its large surface area and tendency to be uncovered. Direct contact with anything cold, especially over a large area of your body, will cause rapid cooling of your body core temperature. The classic example of this would be a fall into cold water. In the Titanic sinking of 1912, hundreds of people fell into near-freezing water. Within 15 minutes, they were probably beyond medical help.

##### **PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF HYPOTHERMIA**

Aside from shivering, the most noticeable symptoms of hypothermia will be related to mental status. The person may appear confused, uncoordinated, and lethargic. As the condition worsens, speech may become slurred; the patient will appear apathetic and uninterested in helping themselves, or may fall asleep. This occurs due to the effect of cooling temperatures on the brain; the colder the body core gets, the slower the brain works. Brain function is supposed to cease at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, although I have read of exceptional cases in which people (usually children) have survived even lower temperatures.

To prevent hypothermia, you must anticipate the climate that you will be traveling through, including wind conditions and wet weather. Condition yourself physically to be fit for the challenge. Travel with a partner if at all possible, and have enough food and water available for the entire trip.

##### **PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR HYPOTHERMIA**

In your efforts to be medically self-reliant, one of the major factors that must be taken into consideration is your environment. If you haven’t prepared for the weather, you have made your environment your enemy, and it is a formidable one.

Remember the simple acronym **C.O.L.D.** This stands for: **C**over, **O**verexertion, **L**ayering, and **D**ry:

**C**over. Protect your head by wearing a hat. This will prevent body heat from escaping from your head. Instead of using gloves to cover your hands, use mittens. Mittens are more helpful than gloves because they keep your fingers in contact with one another. This conserves heat.

**O**verexertion. Avoid activities that cause you to sweat a lot. Cold weather causes you to lose body heat quickly, and wet, sweaty clothing accelerates the process. Rest when necessary; use rest periods to self-assess for cold-related changes. Pay careful attention to the status of your elderly or juvenile group members.

**L**ayering. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers insulate you well. Use clothing made of tightly woven, water-repellent material for protection against the wind. Wool or silk inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. Some synthetic materials work well, also. Especially cover the head, neck, hands and feet.

**D**ry. Keep as dry as you can. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. It’s very easy for snow to get into gloves and boots, so pay particular attention to your hands and feet.

*Any unconscious person that you encounter in a cold environment is hypothermic until proven otherwise*. Immediate action must be taken to reverse the ill effects.

##### **TREATMENT OF HYPOTHERMIA**

A person who is hypothermic is in danger of losing their life without your help. Important measures to take are:

**Get the person out of the cold** and into a warm, dry location. If you’re unable to move the person out of the cold, shield him or her from the cold and wind as much as possible.

**Take off wet clothing.** If the person is wearing wet clothing, remove them gently. Cover them with layers of dry blankets, including the head (leave the face clear). If you are outside, cover the ground to eliminate exposure to the cold surface.

**Monitor breathing.** A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious. Verify that the patient is breathing and check for a pulse. Begin CPR if necessary.

**Share body heat.** To warm the person’s body, remove your clothing and lie next to the person, making skin-to-skin contact. Then cover both of your bodies with blankets. Some people may cringe at this notion, but it’s important to remember that you are trying to save a life. Gentle massage or rubbing may be helpful, but vigorous movements may traumatize the patient

**Give warm oral fluids**. If the affected person is alert and able to swallow, provide a warm, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage to help warm the body. Remember, alcohol does not warm you up!

**Use warm, dry compresses**. Use a first-aid warm compress (a fluid-filled bag that warms up when squeezed), or a makeshift compress of warm (not hot) water in a plastic bottle. Apply a compress only to the neck, chest wall or groin. These areas will spread the heat much better than putting warm compresses on the extremities, which sometimes worsens the condition.

**Avoid applying direct heat.** Don’t use hot water, a heating pad or a heating lamp to warm the person. The extreme heat can damage the skin, cause strain on the heart or even lead to cardiac arrest. Don’t rub on extremities that may be frostbitten, as the skin is already traumatized and the condition may be worsened.

**Don’t give alcohol.** You have all seen photos of St. Bernards with casks of brandy around their necks for lost alpine travelers. Alcohol may give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, but it also expands blood vessels, which causes heat loss!

If left untreated, hypothermia leads to complete failure of various organ systems and to death. Make sure your people are well clothed for the temperature, and monitor them closely if they are outside for extended periods of time in cold weather.

Our next article will address specific cold weather issues, such as **frostbite**, **immersion foot (trench foot)**, and **falling into cold water**.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, the Disaster Doctor

![Joe Alton, M.D., author of The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg "Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones")JOE ALTON, M.D., AKA DR. BONES Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Frostbite and Immersion (Trench) Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-immersion-foot/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Spirituality, Hypothermia, Fluoride, UTIs](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-spirituality-hypothermia-fluoride-utis/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness

**Tags:** blizzards, body core temperature, C.O.L.D., cold weather precautions, cold weather preparedness, doom and bloom, effects of hypothermia, hypothermia, ice storms, medical preparedness, snowstorm precautions, snowstorm preparedness, survival medicine, treament for hypothermia, warm compresses

---

### [Frostbite and Immersion (Trench) Foot](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-immersion-foot/)

**Published:** January 7, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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Exposure to cold may lead to injuries such as **Frostbite** and **Immersion (Trench) Foot**. The focus of survival medical training should be general, but also take into account the type of environment that you expect to live in if a disaster occurs. If you live in Miami, it’s unlikely you’ll be treating a lot of people with hypothermia. If you live in Siberia, it’s unlikely you’ll be treating a lot of people with heat stroke. Learn how to treat the likely medical issues for the area and situation that you expect to find yourself in.

One major environmental risk is the effect of ambient temperature. Humans tolerate a very narrow range and are susceptible to damage as a result of being too cold or too hot. Your body has various methods it uses to control its internal “core” temperature, either raising it or lowering it to appropriate levels. The **body “core“** refers to the major internal organ systems that are necessary to maintain life, such as your brain, heart, liver, and others. The remainder (your skin, muscles and extremities) is referred to as the “periphery”.

It’s been a harsh winter, with storms buffeting the Midwest and Northeast in the last few weeks. Reading about deaths than occurred due to lack of preparedness, we wrote an article recently on general hypothermia. To read the article, click here: [https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/")

In general hypothermia, the body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees F. There are cold-related injuries that occur in the periphery, however, and you might just encounter them if you’re on a winter hike or if there is a disaster-related grid shutdown.

Two particularly difficult ones to deal with are **Frostbite** and **Immersion (trench) Foot.** Frostbite is the freezing of body tissues, and it usually occurs in the extremities, especially fingers and toes. Sometimes, the ears, nose, and even the lips may be affected.

These conditions usually occur as a result of inadequately preparing for a trip in cold weather. If you expect to be outside for extended periods of time, dress warmly and consider what you would do for shelter and heat if you found yourself stranded somewhere. You could easily get lost during a hike in a snowstorm, have your car stall out, or other mishaps, so don’t feel that it couldn’t happen to you.

Although I’ve mentioned this before, It may be useful to remember the simple acronym **C.O.L.D.** This stands for: **C**over, **O**verexertion, **L**ayering, and **D**ry:

- **C**over. Protect your head by wearing a hat. This will prevent body heat from escaping from your head. Instead of using gloves to cover your hands, use mittens. Mittens are more helpful than gloves because they keep your fingers in contact with one another. This conserves heat.
- **O**verexertion. Avoid activities that cause you to sweat a lot. Cold weather causes you to lose body heat quickly, and wet, sweaty clothing accelerates the process. Rest when necessary; use rest periods to self-assess for cold-related changes. Pay careful attention to the status of your elderly or juvenile group members.
- **L**ayering. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers insulate you well. Use clothing made of tightly woven, water-repellent material for protection against the wind. Wool or silk inner layers hold body heat better than cotton does. Some synthetic materials work well, also. Especially cover the head, neck, hands and feet.
- **D**ry. Keep as dry as you can. Get out of wet clothing as soon as possible. It’s very easy for snow to get into gloves and boots, so pay particular attention to your hands and feet.

##### **HOW TO IDENTIFY FROSTBITE AND IMMERSION FOOT (TRENCH FOOT)**

[![frostbite](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/frostbite.bmp)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/frostbite.bmp)[![frostbite](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/frostbite.bmp)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/frostbite.bmp)

Frostbite is sometimes listed in stages, from minor [**“frostnip**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frostbite "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frostbite")” to severe cases causing permanent loss of tissue. Initial symptoms of frostbite include a “pins and needles” sensation and numbness. Skin color changes from red to white to blue as the condition worsens. The skin will begin to harden and may feel “waxy” to the touch. If cold exposure continues, the color may change to black, indicating that a condition known as “**gangrene**” has set in. Gangrene is the death of tissue resulting from loss of circulation. This usually results in the loss of the body part affected. Infection may also set in, affecting the entire body. This is called “Sepsis” and is life-threatening.

Immersion foot causes damage to nerves and small blood vessels due to prolonged immersion in cold water. This condition was previously called “Trench Foot”, as it was seen commonly in soldiers who spent long periods of time in the trenches of World War I. When seen in areas other than the feet, this condition is referred to as “chilblains”. Immersion foot appears similar to frostbite, but might have a more swollen or “juicy” appearance.

##### **HOW TO TREAT FROSTBITE AND IMMERSION FOOT**

The earlier that cold-related injuries are recognized and treated, the more likely the victim will recover without permanent damage. Frostbite or Immersion Foot is treated with a warm water (no more than 104 degrees F) soak of the affected areas. This is different from treatment of general hypothermia, which is best treated with warm DRY compresses in areas that effectively transport heat to the body core, such as the armpits, neck, and groin.

Follow these tips when treating frostbite or immersion foot:

1. Carefully monitor every member of your party for signs of frostbite in cold weather. If possible, get out of the cold and begin the rewarming process, even if it is just placing the victim’s hands in their armpits.

2. Don’t allow thawed tissue to freeze again. The more often tissue freezes and thaws, the deeper the damage (think about what happens to a steak that goes from the freezer to outside and back again). If you can’t prevent your patient from being exposed to freezing temperatures again, you should wait before treating, but not more than 24 hours.
3. Don’t rub or massage frostbitten tissue. Rubbing frostbitten tissue will result in damage to already injured tissues.
4. Don’t use heat lamps or fires to treat frostbite. Your patient is numb and cannot feel the frostbitten tissue. As a result, significant burns can occur.

Rapid action to rewarm cold-damaged tissues is the key to preventing long-term damage from exposure. Monitor your team members closely, and you’ll have the best change to succeed, even if everything else fails.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones the Disaster Doctor

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Surviving in Cold Water](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-in-cold-water/) 

 [Cold Weather Preparedness](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** doom and bloom, frostbite, immersion foot, medical preparedness, survival medicine, trench foot

---

### [Video:  Are Preppers Normal?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/video-are-preppers-normal/)

**Published:** January 15, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![shutterstock_62662183](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shutterstock_62662183-300x218.jpg)PROBABLY NOT A PREPPERThe media, through programs such as Doomsday Preppers, has the world asking the question: Are Prepper Normal? In his latest YouTube video, Dr. Bones cover this topic in a way that relates to the definition of “sane” and how preparedness relates to a “normal” mindset.

[OK](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-admin/post-new.php#edit_timestamp)
Wishing you the best of health in good times OR bad,

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones the Disaster Doctor

![JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg "Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy")Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Winter Car Survival Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-survival-tips/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: 150 shows, Frostbite, Vitamin Safety](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-150-shows-frostbite-vitamin-safety/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, YouTube video channel

---

### [Ginger and Asthma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ginger-and-asthma/)

**Published:** January 17, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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**GINGER AND ASTHMA**

In our efforts to find natural remedies to deal with medical issues, we’ve found some new information on the use of ***Ginger for asthma***. [Asthma ](https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/ "https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/")is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the airways, causing difficulty in breathing. It often results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity and is a chronic condition for many people (26 million in the U.S. alone). Standard medications exist for asthma, such as inhalers like Ventolin, but some may find relief with alternatives at well.

We are proponents of [“integrative medicine”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrative_medicine "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrative_medicine"); in other words, we want everyone to use ALL the tools in the medical woodshed. As such, our [“Survival Medicine Handbook”](https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389964565&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook "https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389964565&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook") tells you how to deal with medical issues both conventionally and naturally, with herbs, essential oils, etc.. We are obliged to say that the FDA states that essential oils are not proven to treat or cure any disease and our recommendations are for situations where modern medicine does not exist. The first natural item on the list for asthma is Ginger, and finally we have scientific proof of its effectiveness!

Ginger is attracting the notice of many scientists. A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology indicates the Ginger is instrumental in inhibiting chemicals that constrict airways. Animal tests find that extracts of Ginger helps ease asthmatic symptoms in rodents. Ginger also worked well in a French study to decrease inflammation in mouse lungs exposed to common allergens (substances that cause allergic reactions).

Although more tests are needed to prove its worth to humans, professors at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing say that Ginger is safe to use. It may even improve the effectiveness of some conventional medicines currently used in asthma treatment.

As always, I would like to strongly urge people to use organic root, as there could easily be pesticides contaminating commercial ginger.

Don’t discount the usefulness of natural substances to deal with medical issues. In disaster situations, pharmaceuticals will likely be unavailable and natural remedies will become the conventional way to treat illness. Consider starting a medicinal garden to increase the chances of keeping it together, even if things fall apart. Of course, discuss your condition with your physician before the you-know-what hits the fan.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones the Disaster Doctor

![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. BonesHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Flu, Croup, Depression, Birth Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-flu-croup-depression-birth-control/) 

 [Surviving in Cold Water](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-in-cold-water/)

**Categories:** Allergic Reactions, Asthma, Health-Medical-Holistic

**Tags:** asthma and ginger, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, ginger and asthma, ginger for asthma, integrative medicine, medical preparedness, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Flu, Croup, Depression, Birth Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-flu-croup-depression-birth-control/)

**Published:** January 18, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy, discuss the recent flu outbreak in the U.S., discuss natural remedies, and strategies to deal with childhood “croup”. Dr. Bones discusses the link between zinc deficiency and depression, as well as the resurgence of an old birth control method with possible survival applications.

To listen in, click below:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/01/18/survival-medicine-hour-croup-vs-flu-birth-control-depression](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/01/18/survival-medicine-hour-croup-vs-flu-birth-control-depression "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/01/18/survival-medicine-hour-croup-vs-flu-birth-control-depression")

Wishing you the best of health in good times OR bad…

Joe Alton, M.D., and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

![JOE AND AMY ALTON](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LabCoatsBonesAmy1-300x200.jpg "JOE ALTON, M.D. AKA DR. BONES AND AMY ALTON, A.R.N.P., AKA NURSE AMY")JOE ALTON, M.D., AKA DR. BONES AND AMY ALTON, A.R.N.P., AKA NURSE AMYHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Taking Medical Training To The Next Level](https://www.doomandbloom.net/taking-medical-training-next-level/) 

 [Ginger and Asthma](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ginger-and-asthma/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** birth control, common cold, croup, flu, flu epidemic, Influenza, intrauterine device, IUD, natural remedies, zinc and depression

---

### [Taking Medical Training To The Next Level](https://www.doomandbloom.net/taking-medical-training-next-level/)

**Published:** January 24, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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## TAKING MEDICAL TRAINING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

**By Kyle Williams, RN, CFRN, EMT-P**

**(DR. BONES SAYS: From time to time, we receive submissions from promising writers in the field of medical preparedness. Today, we have a excellent article on getting quality medical training from Kyle Williams, a certified flight nurse and paramedic. We thank him for his contribution.)**

If you are reading this article, chances are that you have already taken a **basic first aid and CPR course** (if not, you had better get a move on). Have you thought about getting more advanced medical training? You may think it cost too much money and takes a lot of time. In this article you will see how nothing could not be farther from the truth. High quality, free or low cost medical training is available at every level from first aid up to EMT-Paramedic and beyond. As for the time factor, in most places classes are designed for the person who works a full-time job and wants to take these classes on the weekends or evenings. You just have to know where to look.

My *initial first aid and CPR class* was provided free by the Boy Scouts. That was soon followed by an advanced first aid class provided for free by my Red Cross Explorer post. A few years after that, as a junior in high school, I took my first basic emergency medical technician (EMT-B) class for $150.00 (including the book). I became an EMT-Intermediate a year and a half later, which was completely paid for by my local volunteer ambulance corps in return for volunteering one six-hour shift a week (although I usually did more because I absolutely fell in love with it). A year later I took the EMT-Critical Care course, you guessed it, for free because I continued to volunteer six hours a week at the ambulance. Before long I became an EMT-Paramedic, again completely paid for by the volunteer ambulance. Today, even the basic EMT course would be paid for by the ambulance because you can join as a driver while you take the class. Over the years I have paid for very little of my healthcare education, either because I was involved with the local volunteer ambulance or the volunteer fire department, both of which pay for as much education as a person can soak up. There are plenty of ways to get your training paid for if you know where to find it.

There are many ways to get quality free or inexpensive medical training. In my experience, the best way is to join a community organization like a volunteer fire department or ambulance service. Do you live in a district that doesn’t have a volunteer service? Well, don’t worry, few agencies today require that you live in their primary district. Most only require that you live in an adjoining district or within a reasonable distance. Unfortunately, volunteerism today isn’t what it was 20 years ago, so most agencies take people from wherever they can. Once you belong to a one of these community first response agencies, the amount of free or low cost training you can get is almost unlimited.

**(DR. BONES SAYS: Kyle is dead on when he says that volunteerism is at low ebb. Giving a little time to your community is rewarding on many levels; you will find that you’ll make relationships that will last a lifetime. To be an effective survival medic, you need to nurture the volunteer within)**

In addition to the different levels of EMT courses I have taken for free, I have taken hundreds of continuing medical education (CME) courses that have been paid for and/or provided by these volunteer agencies or numerous government agencies. I have taken several week long advanced training courses at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, AL. These were some of the best courses I have ever taken and they are open to anyone involved in emergency services. For courses at this particular training center, the Federal government flies you down to Alabama, houses you, feeds you (Oh boy, do they feed you!), trains you, and flies you back home all for free. There are several other State and Federal training centers throughout the nation that provide these top notch training courses at no cost to participants, with each center specializing in specific topics. In addition to the numerous provider training courses, I have been through several instructor level courses and have been teaching for several years.

So where do you go to find this free training? My first recommendation is to contact your local volunteer fire department or ambulance service. Today most agencies in such dire need of help that at first sight they will get you signed up into their organization and then walk you through the process of get you enrolled in training classes. If there isn’t a volunteer agency in your town, seek out organizations in other towns. If you are still having trouble finding an organization, contact your state EMS agency or fire service office; they will be able to guide you to an appropriate agency.

If you’re not ready to run into burning buildings or provide direct patient care, don’t worry, not everyone in the fire department runs into the burning buildings or drives the big red trucks (BRT) (but why would anyone not want to drive the BRT?). And not every member of a volunteer ambulance service is an EMT or paramedic. These agencies need support personnel just as much. In the fire department, not everyone is an interior fire fighter, you can be an exterior fire fighter or scene support personnel. Not ready for that, how about fire police? Ambulance services need dispatchers and drivers too. It’s just fine to get your feet wet before you jump into the pool. Fire and EMS not your thing? Consider volunteering with your local Red Cross or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

This article has focused on how to get free medical training, but don’t misunderstand me, that’s not why I got into emergency services and it has nothing to do with why I still do it. It’s really about supporting and giving back to my community. I have made lifelong friendships through the fire and EMS service; in fact, I met my wife because of the fire department (we were introduced to each other by another member of the department). I have gone on to a career in critical care and flight nursing that stemmed out of my love of EMS. When it all comes down to it though, it all comes back to neighbor helping neighbor. Everything else is just an added bonus.

One last note – If you are going to go through the trouble of taking these classes, plan on joining an agency. First and foremost, it is a chance to give back to your community. Second, even the best classroom education, whether it be a basic EMT course or medical school, only provides you with a base of knowledge from which we need to learn how to implement through practical experience and guidance.

**(DR. BONES SAYS: Take note that Kyle William’s amazing journey to becoming a top level medical resource began with joining the Boy Scouts, which provides excellent first aid training at a young age. If you have kids, my highest recommendation is to get them to join Boy or Girl Scouts.)**

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Winter Car Survival Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-survival-tips/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: Flu, Croup, Depression, Birth Control](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-flu-croup-depression-birth-control/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Survival Medic

**Tags:** Boy Scouts, EMT-B, EMT-intermediate, Getting Medical Training, medical training, Volunteerism

---

### [Survive An Avalanche](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survive-avalanche/)

**Published:** January 27, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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In this article, we continue our series on cold weather preparedness by discussing a topic you’ll rarely see on the news: **Avalanche**. An avalanche is a mass of snow, ice, and debris sliding rapidly down a mountainside, and is a risk to any winter hiker.

##### Avalanches and Survival Medicine

*Avalanches cause an average of 28 deaths a year*. This may seem like a rare occurrence, but it happens a lot more often than, say, shark attacks (which get a lot more press).

Snowslides are part and parcel of the winter wilderness experience, and it pays to know what to do if you’re caught in one. If you’re not prepared to deal with issues associated with your environment, then you have made it your enemy. This is not just good advice for skiers or backcountry campers; anyone driving on mountain roads in winter could get in caught in an avalanche if not prepared.

##### What Happens to the Victim of An Avalanche

Besides [***general hypothermia***](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/"), there are a variety of ways that you can die as a victim of a snowslide.

- **Trauma:** serious injury is not uncommon in an avalanche, and not just due to the weight of the snow. Debris, such as rocks, branches, and even entire trees, can be carried along in the cascade.
- **Suffocation:** it isn’t unusual to die due to asphyxiation when buried in the snow. Densely packed snow is like concrete, and many victims may find themselves immobilized and unable to help themselves.

Hypothermia is, surprisingly, the cause of death of only a small percentage of avalanche victims. It’s much more likely that they will perish due to traumatic injury or suffocation before they freeze to death. Factors involved in deciding your fate include the density of the snowpack, air pockets for breathing, position of the body in the snow, injuries sustained, and whether you brought rescue equipment along.

##### **SURVIVAL BASICS**

![avalanche beacon](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/avalanche-beacon.jpg "Pieps Avalanche Beacon")Pieps Avalanche BeaconOn any wilderness outing, it makes sense to go in a group. That goes for avalanche country, as well, except for one thing: Space yourselves out far enough so that there’s not too much weight on any one area of snow. Specialized gear for the avalanche-conscious in modern times would include (besides clothing that protects against the cold):

 **An avalanche beacon**: A device that emits a pulsed radio signal. Everyone in the group carries one. If a member gets buried in an avalanche, the rest of the party picks up the signal from under the snow. The receivers interpret the signal into a display that aids the search.

**An avalanche shovel:** Special short shovels (aluminum) that fit inside your backpack and help chop and remove snow and debris from a buried hiker. These shovels usually have telescoping shafts. Shovels with D-shaped grips can be used with mittens.

**An avalanche probe:** Essentially, a stick that helps you pinpoint the exact location of an avalanche victim and see how far down he/she is. 2 meters or more in length, you can use it to tell a victim under the snow from the ground; the victim will feel “softer”.

**A helmet:** Many fatalities occur due to head trauma from rocks and debris flung around by the snow.

**Skier’s Air Bags:** Relatively new, these brightly colored air bags auto-inflate with a trigger; they work like a lifejacket to keep you buoyant and, therefore, closer to the surface and easier to find.

![avalanche air bag](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/avalanche-air-bag-300x300.jpg "avalanche air bag")Ortovox brand avalanche airbag### **WHAT TO DO AS THE AVALANCHE BEGINS**

90% of avalanches are triggered by the victim. To survive, rapid action will be needed:

**Yell:** Let everyone in your group know that you’re in trouble. At the very start of the slide, wave your arms and shout as loud as you can to alert as many people as possible to your location.

**Move.** If you started the avalanche, you may notice a crevice forming in the snow. Jump uphill of it quickly and you might not get carried off. If this isn’t an option, run sideways as fast as you can away from the center of the event, which is where the snow will be moving fastest and with the most force.

**Get Lighter.** Heavier objects sink in snow, so jettison your backpack and unnecessary heavy equipment so that you’ll be closer to the surface. Throwing off something light isn’t a bad idea either: A loose glove or hat on top of the snow could signal rescuers to your general location and save precious time. Deploy your avalanche air bag if you have one.

**Hug a tree (or rock).** If the avalanche is relatively small, you could grab the nearest immobile object and hold on for dear life. In a very large avalanche, trees and rocks may not be safe anchors; trees can be uprooted by the force of the snowslide.

##### **Swim!** The key is to stay as close to the top of the snow as possible. Increase your surface area by spreading your legs (feet downhill) and raising your hands. While in this position, swing your arms while trying to stay on your back (easier to breathe if face up), similar to swimming backstroke. With any luck, this strategy will keep you towards the surface of the snow.

##### **WHAT TO DO IF BURIED IN THE SNOW**

You did your best, but still got completely buried in the snow. You’ve got a little more than 15 minutes, on average, before you suffocate. Snow may be porous, but warm breath melts the snow which then refreezes as solid ice. This makes breathing difficult.

**As the snow slows:** The larger the air pocket you have, the longer you’ll survive. As the snowslide slows to a stop, put one arm in front of your face in such a way as to form a space that will give you the most air. If possible, raise the other arm straight up toward the avalanche surface. Your glove might signal your location to rescuers. Expand your chest by breathing deeply so that you have more room to breath once the snow has settled.

**Once buried**: Once you are completely buried, the snowpack may be so dense as to prevent you from moving. Stay calm, in order to use up less oxygen. If you’re not sure which way is up, spit. The spit will go towards the ground due to gravity. If you can move, work to make a bigger air pocket in the direction of the surface.

You’ll only have a second or two to act to avoid most avalanches. Rapid action, and some basic rescue equipment, may prevent you from being the harsh winter’s latest victim.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, the Disaster Doctor

![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg "Joe Alton, M.D.")Joe Alton, M.D., aka That Ol’ Dr. BonesHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [The Medic Under Fire](https://www.doomandbloom.net/the-medic-under-fire/) 

 [It's A Cruel, Cruel Summer!](https://www.doomandbloom.net/its-a-cruel-cruel-summer-2/)

**Categories:** Uncategorized

**Tags:** asphyxiation, Avalanches cause an average of 28 deaths a year, hypothermia, snowslides, suffocation, survival medicine, survive an avalanche, surviving an avalanche, trauma

---

### [Winter Car Survival Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-survival-tips/)

**Published:** January 29, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

It’s been incredibly frigid in parts of the U.S. and Canada this year, and it’s time to discuss ***winter car survival***. Many deaths from exposure are avoidable if some simple precautions are taken.

In other articles we’ve discussed [hypothermia](https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/cold-weather-preparedness/"), [frostbite](https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-immersion-foot/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/frostbite-immersion-foot/"), [falling through the ice](https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-in-cold-water/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/surviving-in-cold-water/"), and all sorts of cold weather issues, but these same problems can occur right in the driver’s seat of the family car. It’s important to have an idea of how to stay healthy if you are stranded in your vehicle during a blizzard.

##### PREVENTION

The first question you should ask before you get in the car in cold weather is “Is this trip necessary?”. If you don’t have to leave the house in a snowstorm, don’t. Period. If you do, drive as if your life depended on it, because it does. Don’t speed, tailgate, weave from lane to lane, and don’t go on cruise control so you can use your cell phone. Make turns slowly and deliberately, and be careful to avoid quick stops and starts.

Keep an eye on weather forecasts before you head out; conditions can change rapidly if a cold snap is on the way.

##### IF YOU’RE STRANDED

Despite your best efforts, you’re stuck on the road in a blizzard. Help may be on the way, but what if it isn’t? The first thing to do is to stay calm and, for Pete’s sake, don’t leave the car. It’s warmer there than outside and, at least, you’re protected from the wind. Having adequate shelter is one of the keys to survival in the wilderness or on a snow-covered highway.

Wet snow can block up your exhaust system and cause carbon monoxide gas to enter the passenger compartment. You’ll need fresh air, but don’t crack a window on the side where the wind is coming from. If you’re in a group, huddle together as best you can to create a warm pocket in the car. Rub your hands, put them in your armpits, or otherwise keep moving to make your muscles produce heat.

Maybe you can dig yourself out, but beware of overexertion in extreme cold. You’ll sweat, and wet clothes are a main cause of hypothermia: A condition where your body core loses heat to the point that you could succumb to exposure. If you have flares, use them to let others know you need help.

##### THE WINTER SURVIVAL CAR KIT

There are a certain number of items that you should always have in your car, especially in cold weather. These are meant to keep you safe if the unthinkable happens and you’re stranded without hope of rescue anytime soon. This is what the well-dressed winter survival car kit contains:

- Wool Blankets
- Spare sets of dry clothes, including socks, hats, and mittens
- Instant heat packs
- A first aid kit
- A light source and batteries
- Water and energy snacks
- Matches or a lighter in case you need to manufacture heat:
- A small camping shovel (often foldable)
- Flares

Of course, your cell phone will be useful to communicate with family if possible. I’m sure you can think of other items that would be useful in this situation. Put together a survival kit for your car that meets your needs and keeps you out of trouble.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg "Joe Alton, M.D.")Joe Alton, M.D.Are you prepared to deal with medical issues if a disaster occurs and the rescue helicopter isn’t on the way? Check out 100 reviews of our Amazon Bestseller
[The Survival Medicine Handbook](https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391035056&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook "https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391035056&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook"), now available in both print and kindle versions!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: Prepare Magazine's Donna Miller, Winter Car Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-prepare-magazines-donna-miller-winter-car-survival/) 

 [Taking Medical Training To The Next Level](https://www.doomandbloom.net/taking-medical-training-next-level/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Hypothermia/Cold Exposure, Medical Preparedness, Storm Preparedness

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, hypothermia, medical preparedness, survival medicine, winter car kit, winter car survival

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: Prepare Magazine's Donna Miller, Winter Car Survival](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-prepare-magazines-donna-miller-winter-car-survival/)

**Published:** February 1, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![PREPAREJanuaryDigital2014 (](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/PREPAREJanuaryDigital2014--232x300.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/PREPAREJanuaryDigital2014-.jpg)

In this episode of the Doom and Bloom ™ Survival Medicine Hour, Amy Alton, A. R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy, interviews our good friend Donna Miller of Prepare Magazine, Miller’s Grain House, and Your Preparation Station. Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones, discusses winter car survival and gives you some tips on how to stay healthy when traveling out there in the cold weather.

To Listen in to the podcast, click here:

[https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/01/survival-medicine-hour-donna-miller-of-prepare-mag-winter-car-survival](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/01/survival-medicine-hour-donna-miller-of-prepare-mag-winter-car-survival "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/01/survival-medicine-hour-donna-miller-of-prepare-mag-winter-car-survival")

Donna’s Links:

> [Welcome to PREPARE Magazine!](https://www.preparemag.com/)

https://www.facebook.com/PreparednessRetreatCenter

Here’s wishing you the best of health in good times OR bad…

Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

![JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)THE ALTONSHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Guide to Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/guide-to-survival-medical-supplies/) 

 [Winter Car Survival Tips](https://www.doomandbloom.net/winter-car-survival-tips/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** donna miller, miller's grain house, prepare magazine, winter car kit, winter car survival, your preparation station

---

### [New Technology for Bleeding Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-technology-for-bleeding-wounds/)

**Published:** February 6, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

In an effort to keep our readers abreast of new items that might be useful for survival, we like to showcase products that are new and promising. One has a new twist on some old technology, that of a sponge, to deal with stubborn **bleeding wounds**, especially gunshot and stab injuries.

The U.S. military is testing something called **X-STAT**, and it uses tiny sponges to get deep into areas that normal bandages can’t. Compression is important to stop bleeding, and X-STAT, made by RevMedX, can work to stop arterial bleeding deep in a wound. Arterial bleeding is visibly different from venous bleeding: Arterial blood is bright red and comes out in spurts corresponding to the pulse of a victim, while venous blood is blackish-red and streams out relatively evenly.

![Xstat](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Xstat-300x225.png "X-STAT")X-STATPackaged in a syringe, X-STAT dime-sized sponge pellets are injected into the wound, where they expand and apply pressure where the bleeding is occurring. The magazine “Popular Science” reports that this action takes only 15 seconds to stop bleeding, and is referred to as “Plug and Play”. Each pellet is impregnated with blood-clotting powder, and the syringes will come in various sizes.

If commercially available, this product would be a useful addition to anyone’s survival medical storage. The majority of avoidable traumatic deaths are caused by hemorrhage, and the medically self-reliant individual would do well to have multiple options to stop the bleeding.

RevMedX representatives state: “A significant number of wounds occur to regions of the torso where compression cannot be applied, such as the pelvis or shoulder … By working closely with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and US Special Operations Command, we succeeded in developing a novel hemostatic dressing capable of stopping high-flow arterial bleeding within seconds without external compression.”

Predicting success without compression is a pretty big claim, and I would recommend compression as the cornerstone for bleeding control. If it doesn’t work, though, X-STAT might be worth a shot.

X-STAT isn’t available yet, as it has to go through the FDA’s approval process, but survival rates could be significantly increased if it pans out to be as effective as advertised. Our thanks to our good friend **John Wesley Smith** of [destinysurvival.com](https://destinysurvival.com/ "https://destinysurvival.com/") for kindly sending us info on this new product. Be sure to check out his podcast on **Destiny Survival Radio**….

[https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/gunshot-wound-kit/](https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/gunshot-wound-kit/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/bleeding-control-products/gunshot-wound-kit/")

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones

[![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe-300x254.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/AuthorJoe.jpg)

Prepared to deal with medical issues in times of trouble? With the #1 Amazon Bestseller in Survival Skills and Safety/First Aid [“The Survival Medicine Handbook”](https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391639483&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook "https://www.amazon.com/The-Survival-Medicine-Handbook-Guide/dp/0988872536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391639483&sr=8-1&keywords=survival+medicine+handbook"), you just might be! Check out 80 5-star reviews on amazon by clicking the link.

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Guide to Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/guide-to-survival-medical-supplies/) 

 [Taking Medical Training To The Next Level](https://www.doomandbloom.net/taking-medical-training-next-level/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Injuries, Survival Medic

**Tags:** bleeding wounds, hemorrhage, medical preparedness, survival medicine, X-stat

---

### [Guide to Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/guide-to-survival-medical-supplies/)

**Published:** February 8, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

[![Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1-300x210.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1.jpg)

We’ve fielded a lot of questions over the years from people who want to become medically prepared, but aren’t sure what supplies to stockpile or how to use them. Finally, we got off our duff and put together a narrated DVD presentation about all the different medical supplies that will make YOU an effective survival medic.

 Not only will you see the items, but you will learn what to have, when to use them and how to use them safely. This is the first comprehensive DVD of it’s kind: Topics include: basic medical supplies, dental, wound care including hemostatic agents, eye care, respiratory care, sprain and fracture care, skin care, lighting, instruments, gastointestinal care, sterilization, medications and much more. Remember, this is not simply a list of items to have in your medical supply, it discusses the use of these items and why you should have them. All this by the authors of the #1 Amazon bestseller in Safety/First Aid, “**The Survival Medicine Handbook**“, two medical professionals with 65 years combined education and experience. This DVD is meant as an aid and partner to our other DVDs on Survival Medicine and Wound Care/Suturing/Stapling, as well as our books and kits.

The knowledge on this DVD is useful for anyone who needs to deal with medical issues in times where no medical help is available or no modern medical facility exists in which to transfer a injured or sick person. It covers every item in all the medical kits found in our store. If you are purchasing one of our kits and are unsure about how or when to use the items, this is the DVD for you. If you already have medical supplies, then this DVD will tell you where you might improve your chances of keeping it together, even when things fall apart.

For a limited time, get our DVDs at a discount when you buy all three! Check out **[our special offer here](https://store.doomandbloom.net/categories/books-and-dvds.html "https://store.doomandbloom.net/categories/books-and-dvds.html")**.

Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy

![NurseAmyBook](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NurseAmyBook-300x254.jpg "Nurse Amy")Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: New DVD, Avalanche, Medical Training, Peanut Allergies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-new-dvd-avalanche-medical-training-peanut-allergies/) 

 [New Technology for Bleeding Wounds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/new-technology-for-bleeding-wounds/)

**Categories:** General Preparedness, Health-Medical-Holistic, Medical Preparedness, Medical Supplies, Survival Medic

**Tags:** disaster medical supplies, medical kits, medical preparedness, survival medical supplies, survival medical supplies dvd, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: New DVD, Avalanche, Medical Training, Peanut Allergies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-new-dvd-avalanche-medical-training-peanut-allergies/)

**Published:** February 8, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

[![Share Button](https://static.hupso.com/share/buttons/share-medium.png)](https://www.hupso.com/share/)

In this episode of the Doom and Bloom™ **Survival Medicine Hour**, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy talk about getting medical training inexpensively, peanut allergies, and how to survive an avalanche. They also share some tips from listeners, as well as introduce their latest DVD, [The Guide to Survival Medical Supplies](https://store.doomandbloom.net/medical-and-dental-kits/guide-to-medical-supplies-dvd/ "https://store.doomandbloom.net/medical-and-dental-kits/guide-to-medical-supplies-dvd/").

[![Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom(1)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1-300x210.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Medical-Supplies-Doom-and-Bloom1.jpg)

click here to listen: h[ttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/08/survival-medicine-hour-new-dvd-avalanche-getting-training-peanut-allergies](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/08/survival-medicine-hour-new-dvd-avalanche-getting-training-peanut-allergies "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/08/survival-medicine-hour-new-dvd-avalanche-getting-training-peanut-allergies")

Wishing you the best of health in good times OR bad…

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Nurse Amy

![JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg)Dr. Bones and Nurse AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [Survival Medicine Hour: The Simple Survival Smart Book, and more...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-the-simple-survival-smart-book-and-more/) 

 [Guide to Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/guide-to-survival-medical-supplies/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness, Medical Preparedness

**Tags:** avalanche, butcher paper, doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, Getting Medical Training, guide to medical supplies, medical preparedness, peanut allergies, survival medicine, Survival Medicine Podcast

---

### [5 Things To Know About Pandemics](https://www.doomandbloom.net/5-things-to-know-about-pandemics/)

**Published:** February 11, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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## **5 Things To Know About Pandemics**

We were recently interviewed by our good friend **Denob**, host of **The Canadian Prepper Podcast**. Although the talk ranged on a wide variety of topics, Denob asked me 5 very relevant questions about **pandemics**, especially influenza. Here’s a link to the entire Canadian Prepper Podcast episode:

https://thepreparedcanadian.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-prepared-canadian-podcast-episode\_8.html

I really haven’t discussed pandemics on the website in a while, so I thought this was a good opportunity to bring up the subject in an easy-to-read question and answer format. This is, pretty much, what you need to know about pandemics that might affect us in the uncertain future.

A pandemic is an outbreak of an infectious disease that has spread through the population of a large region. When a new influenza virus emerges, a flu pandemic can occur that can rapidly go global. If the virus is a new type, those exposed have little to no immunity against it, and deaths begin to mount up.

For general info about influenza, see our series of articles on the subject. Click here for part 1: [Influenza](https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/influenza-part-1/")

### **1) How do pandemics spread?**

Pandemics caused by Influenza viruses are spread by air droplets expelled by sick individuals while coughing or sneezing. They can travel several feet and can remain alive on surfaces for 24 hours or so. It just takes one sick person to cause a global pandemic if they are around large groups of people.

Pandemics used to take a while to spread from region to region, but the advent of commercial air travel now makes it possible for a disease to spread around the globe in a matter of hours. The rapidity of spread underscores the importance of having a plan of action BEFORE the disease strikes your area.

### **2) We’ve been hearing a lot about “H” this, “N” that lately…what do those letters and numbers mean?**

Influenza A viruses, the most common, are divided into subtypes, based on the nature of certain proteins that exist on their surface. These are called *Hemaglutinins* and *Neuraminidases*, (**HA** and **NA** for short). There are 16 different HAs and nine NAs which have been identified so far, and your protection against one virus subtype does not necessarily work against another.

Currently, subtypes H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 are commonly found in people. Other subtypes are found mostly in animals. The H2N2 subtype, which started in the Far East and caused its damage between 1957-1968, seem to no longer be found in humans. H1, H2, and H3 are responsible for the three major pandemics of the last century.

During recent outbreaks of certain bird influenzas, there have been occasional transmissions of some other new strains to humans. Influenza A viruses, by the way, are known to also infect a variety of other mammals, including non-human primates, pigs, cats, weasels, horses, and even seals and whales.

### **3) Should we be worried about current influenza strains developing into killer pandemics?**

![pandemic ward empty beds](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pandemic-ward-empty-beds.jpg)Makeshift Pandemic WardLately, the predominant influenza strains currently have had a very low death rate, with victims mostly occurring among the elderly and very young. Any influenza virus, however, can mutate. When they do, the amount of deaths they cause depends on how different they are from the previous year’s virus. When they’re very similar from year to year, this is called **antigenic drift**. When a major mutation occurs, we call it **antigenic shift.** These affect young adults more often and are the viruses that cause killer pandemics, mostly because we haven’t developed immunity or resistance to the virus’s reproduction in the body.

**Smallpox** is a virus similar to a severe case of chickenpox. It was so common in Europe that it killed only a minority of people once a region became resistant to it, but when Native Americans in the new world came in contact with explorers and colonists, it wiped out 95% of entire populations in certain areas because they have never been exposed to anything like it. Spreading viruses was even an early type of biological warfare. Smallpox-ridden blankets were given to troublesome native tribes in the hopes that they would get the disease and be easier to conquer.

### **4) What supplies should we be stocking up on?**

![MasksN95Loop](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/MasksN95Loop-300x193.jpg)N95 and Earloop MasksFor influenza outbreaks, a good supply of N95 and Earloop masks, gloves (nitrile, not latex), and disinfectants would be very useful for prevention purposes. In survival scenarios, planning out a [**sick room**](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-sick-room/") is very important as well.

Hopefully, when the you-know-what hits the fan, you’ll have made or quickly make the decision to bug in or bug out. If you’re staying in place, pick a sick room. I would choose a place at one end of the house; a room with a window or two to allow light and ventilation and a door that can be closed. If you bugging-out, choose a hospital tent and place it on the periphery of your camp.

Making these decisions BEFORE things go bad is important, as you will inevitably be kicking someone out of their room or tent if you don’t. As such, you can expect resentment at a time when everyone needs to pull together to survive.

If you don’t have a spare room or tent, you’ll have to raise a makeshift barrier, such as a sheet of plastic, to separate the sick from the healthy. Even if you have a dedicated sick room, this might make sense to hang over the door for when you go in and out. You’ll want to keep the injured separate from those with infectious diseases such as influenza/pneumonia, although sometimes wounds will become infected.

Furnishings should be minimal, with a work surface, an exam area, and bed spaces. Cloth surfaces, such as you see in sofas, carpets, etc. can harbor germs and should be avoided if possible. Even bedding for the contagious might best be covered in plastic. The more areas that can be wiped down/disinfected easily, the better (try to do that daily with a carpet!). It’s important to have a way to eliminate waste products from your bedridden patients, even if it’s just a 5 gallon bucket and some bleach. Have closed containers available to put used sick room items.

A station near the entrance of the room or tent for masks, gloves, gowns, and disinfecting would be very helpful. You’ll need a basin with water, soap or other disinfectant, and towels that should be kept for exclusive use by the caregiver. There should only be one person in your group involved in caring for the sick.

Many people consider medical supplies to consist of gauze, tourniquets, and battle dressings, but you must also dedicate sets of sheets, towels, pillows, and other items to be used in the sick room. Keep these items separate from the bedding, bathing, and eating materials of the healthy members of your family or group. This may seem excessive to you, but you may save the life of a loved one or even your entire group if you are diligent in putting together your medical stores.

Cleaning supplies should also be considered medical preparedness items. You’ll want to clean the sick room as well as possible on a daily basis. Clean hard surfaces that may have germs on them with soap and water, or use other disinfectants. These include doorknobs, tables, sinks, toilets, counters, and even toys. Wash bed sheets and towels frequently; boil them if you have no other way to clean them. Consider bedding and clothes of the ill to be infected, and wash/disinfect your hands right after touching them. Ditto for plates, cups, etc. Any equipment brought into the sick room should stay there.

### **5) How can we protect ourselves from contracting dangerous diseases?**

In the case of influenza, good **respiratory hygiene** is the key. Practicing good hygiene is not only a good strategy for you and your family, but demonstrates social responsibility. All those Asians walking around with masks in public are doing their community a service by decreasing the spread of disease. Some important things people should do:

- Sick individuals should cover their mouth and nose with tissues and dispose of those tissues safely.
- Use a mask if coughing. Although others caring for the sick individual may wear masks (N95 masks are best for healthcare providers), it is most important for the afflicted person to wear one.
- Have caregivers perform rigorous hand hygiene before and after every contact with patients. Wash with soap and warm water for 15 seconds or clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Sick persons should keep at least 4 feet away from other persons, if possible, due to droplet spread.
- Wash down all possibly contaminated surfaces such as kitchen counters or doorknobs with an appropriate disinfectant (dilute bleach solution will do).
- Isolate the sick individual in a specific quarantine area, especially if he/she has a high fever.
- Have medical care providers wear gloves at all times when treating the patient.
- Keep bedding and eating utensils for patients separate from those used by healthy family members.

Keep track of any new diseases that may be invading your hometown. Have a plan of action in place, and you can prevent your family from becoming the next casualty.

Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr. Bones the Disaster Doctor

![AuthorJoe](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/AuthorJoe-150x150.jpg "That Old Dr. Bones")That Old Dr. BonesHey, you there in the Great White North! Check out Denob’s blog at www.preparedcanadian.com!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 [How To Remove Ear Wax](https://www.doomandbloom.net/remove-ear-wax/) 

 [Guide to Survival Medical Supplies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/guide-to-survival-medical-supplies/)

**Categories:** Health-Medical-Holistic, Infections, Respiratory infections

**Tags:** antigenic drift, antigenic shift, bird influenza, epidemics, influenza virus, medical preparedness, pandemic, respiratory hygiene, survival medicine

---

### [Survival Medicine Hour: The Simple Survival Smart Book, and more...](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-the-simple-survival-smart-book-and-more/)

**Published:** February 15, 2014
**Author:** Joseph Alton MD

**Content:**

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![Patrick Shrier](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Patrick-Shrier.jpg "Shrier")Patrick Shrier, Author of “The Simple Survival Smart Book”In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P. (aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy) welcome former Army cavalry scout, military history buff, and author Patrick Shrier of [military-history.us,](https://www.military-history.us/) to tell us about his interesting new book “The Simple Survival Smart BooK’. Also, a casualty of the most recent blizzard in the U.S. causes Dr. Bones to recount a painful episode from his past.

Click this link to listen: [https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/15/survival-medicine-hour-the-simple-survival-smart-book-and-more](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/15/survival-medicine-hour-the-simple-survival-smart-book-and-more "https://www.blogtalkradio.com/survivalmedicine/2014/02/15/survival-medicine-hour-the-simple-survival-smart-book-and-more")

[![shrier book](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/shrier-book.jpg)](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/shrier-book.jpg)

Get a copy of this useful new book on survival at Amazon here: [The Simple Survival Smart Book](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615880266/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0615880266&linkCode=as2&tag=patsmilhisblo-20 "https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615880266/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0615880266&linkCode=as2&tag=patsmilhisblo-20")

You can get a signed copy at Patrick’s interesting website: [www.military-history.us](https://www.military-history.us "www.military-history.us")

Wishing you the best of health in good times OR bad,

Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

![JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300](https://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/JoeAmyLabcoatSMALL300x300.jpg "DR BONES AND NURSE AMY")DR. BONES AND NURSE AMYHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at [store.doomandbloom.ne](https://store.doomandbloom.net/ "store.doomandbloom.ne")t. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at [store.doomandbloom.net.](https://store.doomandbloom.net/)

[![](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-242x300.jpg)](http://www.doomandbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Survival-Medicine-4th-edtion-front-cover-2-scaled.jpg)

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 ](# "Printer Friendly, PDF & Email") 

 [Who Was The First President?](https://www.doomandbloom.net/first-president/) 

 [Survival Medicine Hour: New DVD, Avalanche, Medical Training, Peanut Allergies](https://www.doomandbloom.net/survival-medicine-hour-new-dvd-avalanche-medical-training-peanut-allergies/)

**Categories:** Doom and Bloom / Survival Medicine Podcast, General Preparedness

**Tags:** doom and bloom, Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, medical preparedness, military history, patrick shrier, survival medicine, the simple survival smart book, winter storms

---

### [How To Remove Ear Wax](https://www.doomandbloom.net/remove-ear-wax/)

**Published:** February 26, 2014
**Author:** gpldev

**Content:**

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Some of our readers have asked me in the past about how to deal with ear wax, but I haven’t put up a post about it until now (could I not have been listening, or do I have too much ear wax myself?).

Let’s clear up a common misunderstanding about ear wax, also called “*cerumen*“: It’s not a disease, and actually protects the skin of your ear canal and assists in cleaning and lubrication. Recent studies suggest that it could also protect the ear from the germs that are found in water and decrease the chance of [ear infections](https://www.doomandbloom.net/ear-infections-and-earache/ "https://www.doomandbloom.net/ear-infections-and-earache/"). Despite this, the yellow-brown waxy material could be produced in excess in some people, and occasionally causes issues with hearing or discomfort due to pressure on the eardrum. The popular use of earbuds for cell phones and other electronic devices may play an increasing role in these problems.

Excessive ear wax may cause physical symptoms such as:

- Hearing loss
- Earache (related to pressure as mentioned above)
- A sensation of fullness in the canal
- Itchiness
- Ringing in the ears (also known as “tinnitus”),
- Discharge

Although most people will never need to perform special procedures to remove ear wax, some produce more cerumen than others and might benefit from eliminating excessive quantities of it. Some methods involve first softening stubborn wax with a few drops of **mineral oil, olive oil, hydrogen peroxide**, or commercial ear wax solutions such as **Murine** or **Cerumenex** (prescription). This may need to be applied every night for a few days, and sometimes results in the ear wax coming out on its own. In children, this is usually all that is required.

For significant cases, ear wax removal kits are readily available and often come with a **bulb syringe** (pictured below). This medical item