Prepography
The Art & Study of Self-Reliance
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of WD-40 (2,104)
Snake Eater – How to Field Dress a Snake (660)
Prepping with Garage Sales (647)
OCOKA – A Key Survival Acronym (638)
Fan of the Ammo Can – Top 10 Uses (616)
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Mineral Oil (572)
Top 10 Initial Steps to Preparation (534)
Don’t Be ‘That Prepper Guy’ (457)
Prepper SALUTE Report – An Observation and Reporting Tool (360)
Physical Security and the Forms of Protection (303)
Situational Awareness – An Introduction (275)
Top 10 Preparedness Uses of Diatomaceous Earth (259)
Blood Agents – Chemical Warfare Agents
Andrew’s Note: Today’s discussion on Blood Agents, also known as Cyanogen Agents is from U.S. Army Field Manual FM 4-25.11, First Aid (Approved for Public Release). If you don’t think there’s any chance you’ll ever encounter a blood agent then think again. There are a number of commercial and industrial uses for these agents in addition to their use by foreign governments in chemical warfare. The most frightening use of these agents is by criminal or terrorist groups against an unprepared populace.
Cyanogen agents interfere with proper oxygen utilization in the body. Hydrogen cyanide (AC) and cyanogen chloride (CK) are the primary agents in this group.
Protective Measures Continue reading
Inhalation Burns
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the final article in our series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discussions inhalation injuries and inhalation burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional.
INHALATION BURNS & INHALATION INJURIES Continue reading
Chemical Burns
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the fourth in our series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discussions chemical injuries and chemical burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional.
CHEMICAL BURNS & CHEMICAL INJURIES Continue reading
Electrical Burns & Injuries
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the second article in our series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discusses electrical burns and lightning burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional. Additionally, there are some discussions about handling electricity in this article…but that should also be done only by professionals.
ELECTRICAL BURNS Continue reading
Severity and Causes of Burns
Andrew’s Note: Today we present the first in a series on Burns, first aid for burns and treatment for burns drawn from U.S. Army Subcourse MD0576, Wound Care [Approved For Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited]. Today’s lesson discussions the severity and causes of burns. Needless to say, seek professional medical care immediately in the event of illness or injury and take action yourself only if you have been properly trained. Many of the therapies discussed in this series should only be attempted by a licensed medical professional.
SEVERITY AND CAUSES OF BURNS
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Vital Body Functions for First Aid
Andrew’s Note: Today we’re providing a lesson from FM 4-25.11 First Aid (Approved For Public Release) on understanding vital body functions for first aid.
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Apply a Tourniquet
Andrew’s Note: Today we’re providing a lesson from the Army’s Combat Lifesaver Course (ISO871 Edition C Approved For Public Release) on how to properly apply a tourniquet. Before we get started let me be perfectly clear…this is a refresher for those that have been trained in the proper use of a tourniquet and a gentle prod for those who haven’t received any training to seek training through a first aid or wilderness medicine course.
Over the years the use of a tourniquet in first aid situations has fallen into and out of favor. Currently the military medical community is promoting the proper use of tourniquets as an important lifesaving skill and the incredible wound survival rates in our current and recent conflicts are based in part on the training and proper use of this lifesaving technique. That said…never use a tourniquet unless the life or the limb is in danger…and all other bleeding control measures (elevation, direct pressure and pressure dressing) have failed or aren’t suitable. Additionally, seek qualified medical care IMMEDIATELY if you have to apply a tourniquet.
This lesson teaches how to apply the Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) but similar techniques can be applied to the much simpler and more reasonably priced Tourni-Kwik-4 (TK-4). I own and like both the CAT and the TK-4 but the CAT runs about $28.00 each and the TK-4 runs just $5.50. Both of these tourniquets can be applied one handed which is very important for self aid. The TK-4 is the one that rides with me every day in the car…accessible from the drivers seat…just in case…
APPLY A TOURNIQUET
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Snow Blindness
Andrew’s Note: The weather in my neck of the woods lately has reminded me of the dangers of Snow Blindness…yes I forgot my sunglasses for a drive I had to take recently so I had to grab my spares out of my Get Home Bag.
Every prepper in snow country should know the symptoms and treatment for Snow Blindness…and even more importantly what steps to take for prevention. The following information is from TC 21-3 Soldier’s Handbook for Individual Operations and Survival in Cold Weather Areas (Approved for Public Release).
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Psychological First Aid
Andrew’s Note: I had an old First Sergeant who came up as a Psychological Warfare specialist…he was fond of saying “psychological warfare…because physical wounds heal!” All messing with people’s head aside… there is such a thing as a psychological wound and I’ve seen some of the toughest people I’ve met affected by traumatic experiences. If you or a loved one are subjected to a traumatic experience, paralized by fear, depressed or temporarily shut down by excessive stress… you should know how to provide psychological first aid. Today’s lesson is from Army Field Manual FM-4.25.11 (Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited) First Aid and deals with psychological first aid:
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