Emergency Medical Supplies

Stock up for Pandemic Flu

You may find that you will have to take care of your family and your elderly loved ones , without medical assistance, during medical emergencies . If you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet, you will be much better prepared to do so.

Photo courtesy of House of Sims

• Prescription Medications that family members take routinely - Make sure that you have enough medication to last for at least 2 months. If you can possibly get it, a year's supply is better!

• Over the counter medications - If you or your family routinely use over the counter medicines, make sure you have an ample supply of those on hand in your emergency medical supplies.

• First aid book - You only need one or two to help you with first aid emergencies and first aid procedures. Decide on a book or two that you would be comfortable using. Some suggestions are:
  1. The American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid & Emergency Care, by Stanley M. Zydio, James A. Hill

  2. Emergency Medical Treatment: Infants, Children, and Adults: A Handbook on What to Do in an Emergency to Keep Someone Alive Until Help Arrives, by Stephen N. Vogel, David H. Manhoff.

  3. Baby and Child Emergency First-Aid Handbook, step by step instructions for most emergencies., by Mitchell J. Einzig, MD.

  4. The Complete Idiot's Guide to First Aid Basics, by Stephen J. Rosenberg, Karla Dougherty

  5. Where There is no Dentist, by Murray Dickson

  6. The MERCK Manual of Medical Information. Home Edition. Published by Merck Research Laboratories.

  7. Disaster Blaster: A Kid's Guide to Being Home Alone, by Karin Kasdin, Laura Szabo-Cohen.

  
  
  
  
  

• First Aid Kit - A good first aid kit for Swine Flu or pandemic flu should include these first aid supplies:
  1. bandages
  2. topical antiseptic
  3. hydrogen peroxide
  4. alcohol (for sterilizing things)
  5. sewing needles (sterilize with alcohol or a burning match and use to remove splinters)
  6. pain killers (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) See the section on aspirin side effects.
  7. zinc lozenges
  8. blood pressure monitor + batteries
  9. scissors
  10. tweezers
  11. thermometer
  12. hot water bag
  13. ice bag – in an emergency, if you don't have an ice bag, use ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrapped in a dish cloth.
  14. humidifier
  15. bandage wrap (for sprains)
  16. heating pad
  17. syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting in case of accidental poisoning)
  18. electrolyte replacer like Pedialyte
  19. latex or vinyl gloves
  20. surgical respirator masks that filter airborne pathogens (N95 by 3M)
  21. eye protectors – could be safety glasses or swimming goggles

• Personal Needs - for each family member. For example, if you wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure that you have an extra pair of glasses and a sufficient supply of contacts.

  You may already have most of these emergency medical supplies in your bathroom cabinet. Check the section on stocking the sick room to see what you'll need to take care of someone at home.

  Try to get as many of these essential supplies as possible, so that you will be prepared to handle medical emergencies and first aid emergencies that may occur.
  
  
  
  

  
  
  

• Return to Flu Pandemic Preparedness

• Prepare for Medical Emergencies with Elderly Family Members

• Survival Skills

• Medical Emergencies

• Water Storage

• Hospital Care

• In Home Care

• Keeping a Medical Record

• Pandemic Flu Guide HOME - from Emergency Medical Supplies
  
  
  

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