Survival Series

Bleach Water Treatment

2011-01-10T16:11:00.000-08:00

Scenario: after a disaster, clean drinkable water may be difficult to find.

Solution: use bleach to purify your water.

For every 1 Gallon of water - use about a 1/4 teaspoon of your household bleach to purify the water. For cloudy water double the amount of bleach.

Shake up the water and let it sit for 30 min. There should be a subtle smell of bleach after this. If you don't smell anything - repeat the process.

Notes: In a survival situation it is critical for an individual to stay hydrated. The average human can only last 3 to 5 days without water, and will experience effects of dehydration long before that (to see effects of dehydration visit discovery health ). The average person needs to drink about 8 cups a day. Effects of drinking contaminated water are serious and can greatly limit your ability to survive.

Treating for Shock

2011-01-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

Scenario: After a disaster, friends or family members may be injured and may be starting to go into shock.

Solution:

1. Keep the patient laying down - face up. Open the airway and check their breathing and pulse
2. Treat obvious external bleeding
3. Splint any broken bones or joint injuries
4. Make sure patient is getting adequate ventilation
5. Place blankets under and over the patient; do not use external heat sources such as heating pads- as they may do further harm to the patient
6. If no fractures are suspected - elevate the legs up to 12 inches
7. Seek professional medical attention

Note: Do not give the patient anything by mouth - to relieve their thirst, give them a moistened piece of gauze to suck on.

Home Defense: Bulletproof Barricade

2011-01-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

Scenario: after a major catastrophe you must protect your house and supplies from armed looters.

Solution:
Build a bulletproof barricade in or around your home, where you can go to as an area of safety and defense. Several studies show, that a couple feet of dry sand or dirt will stop small arms fire.
Gather what storage containers you have; such as the large Rubbermaid containers, buckets, or even luggage. Fill up each container with dirt and began to build up walls that are at least 2 feet in width and tall enough for you to crouch behind. It would be wise to keep your most valuable supplies in or near your barricade.

Starting a Fire with a Car Battery

2010-12-30T14:54:00.000-08:00

Urban Scenario: stuck in a situation without matches or a lighter; you need to build a fire for food preparation and warmth.

Solution:
What you will need:
1. Car Battery
2. Jumper Cables or Electrical wire
3. #2 Pencil
4. Tinder (cotton balls caked with Vaseline, or stripped dry tree bark work best)

What to do:
Cut two notches on the pencil exposing the graphite. Make the notches about an inch and half apart. Connect the ends of the jumper cables directly onto each notch, then attach the other cable ends to the battery. Place your tinder directly on top of the wood in between the the two notches of the pencil. Graphite is an excellent conductor of heat and the pencil will become very hot. With controlled blowing work with the tinder until it catches fire, be patient- it may take several attempts.

Healing Wounds with a Sugar Solution - "Shooter" Treatment

2010-12-29T11:41:00.000-08:00

Scenario: Individual suffering from a bodily wound

Solution: Sugardine solutions have been used on humans and livestock for thousands of years. The most effect solution is to use a mixture of granulated sugar and a Betadine solution (which can be purchased online or at your local drug store and has a shelf life of several years). Mix the Betadine with the sugar until you have a fairly thick paste (not quite as thick as peanut butter). Apply the paste directly to the wound and dress it. Re-pack several times a day if possible.

NOTE: Always Seek Advice From a Licensed Medical Professional Before Treating Any Illness or Injury