We’re pleased to announce the publication of the brand new and greatly expanded 4th Edition of The Survival Medicine 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!)
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 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 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 our new 4th Edition 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!
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
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
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 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 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
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
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 (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
