Some stuff for you survivalists out there....

This is some information I'd like to impart to those of you who are preparing for the WWIII, SHTF scenarios out there. I welcome additions, criticism and corrections.

Please deal with me on the "Unclassified" tags just covering my rear.

This is purely to help you guys out.

[Expedient Medical Aid]

Chocolate: Nutrient which contains carbohydrates, fats and caffeine. Said to have calming, analgesic, and antidepressant properties.

Coffee: Contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. Additionally, coffee acts as a diuretic and promotes bowel movement.

Cinnamon: Promotes sweating and aids digestive troubles. Cinnamon also inhibits spasms and has antibacterial/antifungal qualities.

Pepper: Snort pepper as a decongestant. Pepper can be applied as a solution for insect repellant, or as a skin irritant to alleviate painful joints. Has a mild antimicrobial effect and can serve as a food preservative.

Salt: Helps in electrolyte replacement and food preservation. Acts as a weak antimicrobial and as a poultice to relieve swelling. Taken as a strong solution, it can induce vomiting and bowel movement.

Sugar: Nutrient with antibacterial properties. Can aid healing when applied directly to chronic ulcerated wound. Sugar may also serve as a food preservative.

Tea: Applied topically can shrink or contract mucous membranees and other soft tissues. Tea contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. Additionally, tea acts as a an antibacterial, diuretic aid and source of fluoride. You can also use tea for unbroken skin rashes and swelling.

Vinegar: Apply vinegar topically for superficial fungal infections. Put vinegar in tea for sore throats and general health.

Toiletries/Personal Items:

Duct Tape: Many uses to include binding or taping wounds, splinting fractures, immobilizing limbs and bandaging.

Mouthwash: Most mouthwashes are alcohol based and can serve as an antiseptic. Some brands treat superficial fungal infections (Listerine). They also, of course, promote dental health.

Oil of Clove: Cloves are a potent pain reliever for dental pain, lost fillings and crowns.

Shaving Cream: Can act as a soapy lubricant and skin cleanser. Contains aromatic compounds that can alleviate nasal congestion. Many shaving creams possess skin softeners for dry skin.

Soap: Usually for cleansing the skin. Some types of soap have a high fat/oil content, which may be eaten in small amounts as a stool lubricant.

Super Glue: May be used for expedient suturing and dental appliance repair.

Tobacco: Serves as a topical poultice to relieve hemorroids and insect stings (bees, wasps, hornets, etc). Also used as an insect/leech repellant. Tobacco is lightly antiseptic in small amounts.

Toothpaste: Toothpaste has mild antibacterial properties. It can relieve nasal congestion and topical fungal infections. Toothpaste can also relieve heartburn and if applied topically can kill germs.

[Foods]

Apples: Apply a poultice of crushed apples to relieve skin irritation, infections or minor cuts/abrasions. Apples are nutritious and promote bowel movement.

Cabbage: Cabbage or other leafy vegetables can act as a weak anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Apply leaves or juice to infected or inflamed areas of intact skin.

Citrus: Fruits act as a digestive stimulant, diuretic and mucus thinner. Use juice, pulp or peel as a direct application to insect bites.

Garlic: Garlic is an antibiotic, antifungal, analgesic and lowers cholesterol. It also inhibits coagulation of blood and acts as mucus thinner for colds. Use topically for fungal skin infections.

Honey: Honey is an antimicrobial. May be applied to wound dressing. Honey also soothes a sore throat. Helps coughing and cold symptoms.

Oatmeal: Oatmeal is said to have calming, topical painkilling, anti-depressant properties and is an excellent dietary fiber source. It is nutritious and makes an excellent poultice for skin irritations.

Olive Oil: Olive Oil (or other oils/fats) can be nutritional and also acts as an insect barrier, stool lubricant and skin emollient.

Onion: Onions or onion juice is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and a topical painkiller. Topical use can relieve earache, insect stings or fungal infections. Consume for nutrients and cold symptoms.

Peppers: Peppers are a mild food preservative and insect repellant. Peppers promote sweating and are a source of vitamins. Use pepper juice topically to relieve painful joints.

Potatoes: Apply slices of potato directly to swelling or insect bites.

Yams: Take orally to relieve muscle spasms, bowel discomfort, fever and urinary tract infections.

[Wild Plants/Nature]

Aspen/White Willow Bark: Contains salicin, the main ingredient in aspirin. Make tea from the bark or chew the bark to relieve pain or reduce a fever. Be careful about dosage. Ringing in the ears is an indicator of an overdose.

Clover: Clover flowers can be crushed and applied to bites or stings. May be used as an eyewash for conjunctivitis and as a compress for arthritic pain. Said to be useful as a douche for vaginal itching.

Dandelion: All parts of the Dandelion are edible. It acts as a diuretic and digestive tonic. Use the concentrate made by boiling down the roots to treat acne, eczema and constipation.

Maggots: Used for many generations to remove dead tissue from poorly healing wounds. Using maggots to remove dead tissue aids healing and the maggot secretions have antimicrobial properties. Allow fly eggs to hatch, remove extra maggots and monitor closely, as some types of maggots eat viable flesh. Remove all the maggots when red granular tissue remains.

Mullein: The leaves may be applied directly to wounds and juice/tea can relieve coughs and throat irritations.

Plantain: A breadloaf 'weed' growing in vacant lots or yards. The leaves are edible. Tea made from plantain leaves relieves digestive disorders. The leaves can also make a poulitce for insect stings and promote wound healing.

Tannins: Thick, bitter liquid derived from soaking bark or leaves of many types of plants, especially Oak. Apply topically for insect repellant or intact skin rashes. Avoid internal use since tannin is a known toxin.

Wild Rose: Contains vitamins and approximately 300 chemical constituents. Make tea from the rose hips to relieve chronic diarrhea or urinary tract infection.

More Information for survival to follow

[edit on 6-11-2008 by mf_luder]

Excellent post!

I never knew toothpaste could help relieve heartburn. Good to know.

Vinegar is good for insect bites too. Esp if itching.

Another thing about cloves, good for toothaches. For pain.

I remember when I was a small child and was living in Switzerland. In the summer we would go up into the mountains somewhere and I remember drinking a lot of water with sugar in it. No flavors, even though there were flavored syrops. Just sugar and water. We also ate chocolate and bread together. Not a chocolate spread. Just a chunk of chocolate and then a piece of bread. It was just a normal thing.

I look forward to reading further posts by you on this thread.

Excellent info. Thank you!

SURVIVAL (From FM 3-21.75 The Warrior Ethos and Soldier Combat Skills)

THIS INFORMATION IS UNCLASSIFIED AND APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE.

fas.org...

There's a link to it on an outside open source site for any of the "analysts" who are watching this and think I'm "releasing sensitive information".

S: Size up the Situation (Surroundings, Physical Condition, Equipment).
In combat, conceal yourself from the enemy. Security is key. "Size up" the battlespace (situation, surroundings, physical condition, and equipment). Determine if hte enemy is attacking, defending, or withdrawing. Make your survival plan, considering your basic physical needs-water, food and shelter.

Surroundings: Figure out what is going on around you and find the rhythm or pattern of your environment. It includes animal and bird noises, and movements and insect sounds. It may also include enemy traffic and civilian movements.

Physical Condition: The pressure of the previous battle you were in (or the trauma of being in a survival situation) may have caused you to overlook wounds you received. Check your wounds and give yourself first aid. Take care to prevent further bodily harm. For instance, in any climate, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. If you are in a cold or wet climate, put on additional clothing to prevent hypothermia.

Equipment: Perhaps in the heat of battle, you lost or damaged some of your equipment. Check to see what equipment you have and its condition.

U: Use All Your Senses: Undue Haste Makes Waste
Evaluate the situation. Note sounds and smells. Note temperature changes. Stay observant and act carefully. An unplanned action can result in your capture or death. Avoid moving just to do something. Consider all aspects of your situation before you do anything. Also, if act in haste, you might forget or lose some of your equipment. You might also get disoriented and not know which way to go. Plan your moves. Stay ready to move out quickly, but without endangering yourself, if the enemy is near.

R: Remember Where You Are
Find out who in your group has a map or compass. Find yourself on a map and continually reorient yourself on your location and destination. Ensure others do the same. Rely on yourself to keep track of your route. This will help you make intelligent decisions in a survival or evasion situation. Always try to determine, as a minimum, how your location relates to -
Enemy units and controlled areas.
Friendly units and controlled areas.
Local water sources (especially important in the desert)
Areas that will provide good cover and concealment.

V: Vanquish Fear and Panic
Fear and panic are your greatest enemies. Uncontrolled, they destroy the ability to make intelligent decisions, or they cause you to react to feelings and imagination rather than the situation. They will drain your energy, and lead to other negative emotions. Control them by remaining self-confident and using what you've learned.

I: Improvise
Americans are unused to making do. This can hold you back in a survival situation. Learn to improvise. Take a tool designed for a specific purpose and see how many other uses you can find for it. Learn to use natural objects around you for different needs, for example, use a rock for a hammer. When your survival kit inevitably wears out, you must use your imagination. In fact, when you can improvise suitable tools, do so, and save your survival kit items for when you have no such options.

V: Value Living
When faced with the stresses, inconveniences, and discomforts of a survival situation, Soldiers (and civilians) must maintain a high value on living. The experience and knowledge you have gained throughout your life will have a bearing on your will to live. Perseverance, a refusal to give in to problems and obstacles that face you, will give you the mental and physical strength to endure.

A: Act Like the Natives
Locals (indigenous people and animals) have already adapted to an environment that may be strange to you.
Observe the daily routines of local people. Where do they get food and water? When and where do they eat? What time do they go to bed and get up? The answers to these questions can help you avoid capture.
Watch animals, who also need food, water, and shelter, to help you find the same.
Remember that animals may react to you, revealing your presence to the enemy.
In friendly areas, gain rapport with locals by showing interest in their customs. Studying them helps you learn to respect them, allows you to make valuable friends, and, most importantly, helps you adapt to their environment. All of these will increase your chance of survival.

L: Live By Your Wits, but for Now Learn Basic Skills
Having basic survival and evasion skills will help you live through a combat survival situation. Without these skills, your chance of survival is slight.

From FM 3-21.75

THIS INFORMATION IS UNCLASSIFIED AND APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE.

Three-Phase Survival Kit

Phase 1 (Extreme)
Soldier without any equipment (load-bearing equipment or rucksack). Items to be carried (and their suggested uses) include -
Safety pins in hat (for fishing hooks or holding torn clothes).
Utility knife with magnesium fire starter on 550 cord* wrapped around waist (knife, making ropes, and fire starter)
Wrist compass (navigation).

Phase 2 (Moderate)
Soldier with load-bearing equipment. Load-bearing equipment should contain a small survival kit. Kit should be tailored to the Area of Operations and should only contain basic health and survival necessities:
550 Cord*, 6 feet (cordage, tie down, fishing line, weapons, and snares)
Waterproof matches or lighter (fire starter)
Iodine tablets (water purification, small cuts)
Fish hooks or lures (fishing)
Heavy duty knife with sharpener, bayonet type (heavy chopping or cutting)
Mirror (signaling)
Tape (utility work)
Aspirin
Clear plastic bag (water purification, solar stills)
Candles (heat, light)
Surgical tubing (snares, weapons, drinking tube)
Tripwire (traps, snares, weapons)
Dental floss (cordage, fishing line, tie down, traps)
Upholestry needles (sewing, fish hooks)

Phase 3 (Slight)
Soldier with load-bearing equipment and rucksack. Rucksack should only contain minimal equipment. The following are some examples:
Poncho (shelters, gather water such as dew)
Water purification pump.
Cordage (550), 20 feet.
Chage of clothes.
Cold and wet weather jacket and pants.
Poncho liner or lightweight sleeping bag.

*550 Cord is like REALLY strong shoelace-type string that can be used for a number of purposes.

[edit on 6-11-2008 by mf_luder]

DO NOT EAT TOOTHPASTE, i dont care how bad your heartburn is, flouride is one of the most toxic substances known to man.

Further, Sugar is not a antibacterial, in fact a sugar rich environment is a breeding ground for bacteria which is why your supposed to starve colds and fevers...it deprives your body, AND the microbes of sugar, and makes them die off quicker. In case you never noticed its foods high in sugar that degrade the quickes...sugar is pretty much pure ATP which is what all plants and animals, everything that lives in fact, uses for energy. Its literally the suns energy, harnessed by plants and transformed to a usable source for everything on our planet.

I really dont recommend snorting pepper either. it works just fine for breaking up mucous membranes if you just ingest it in a pill or some such, and is much less painful.

reply to post by pexx421


Thanks for clarifying that stuff for the readership.



Star for you.

most of the items you listed as poultices for antibacterial properties pale next to the garlic and tea you mentioned, so just stick with them. Also, goldenseal is an excellent antibiotic for internal infections, and topically for eye infections.

one more thing, if your talking cataclysmic event here that your worrying about. One thing that will be mighty scarce.....ALCOHOL!!! Just an FYI, the easiest by far alcohol to distill is mead as its just honey, water, and yeast. Honey is also an antimicrobial, so not only can you use it on open wounds to fight infection, but it also makes it the easiest liquor to keep from getting polluted during fermentation!! All you do is take a big bucket or drum, fill it with water (thinking 2 gallons of water to 5lbs honey) toss in the yeast, and seal it for a month or two. There are naturally ways to polish the brew a bit and many recipes can be found online, adding fruit or herbs for flavor, etc, but you can make it pretty strong, up to 27%, its simple, and it can be great for bartering!! And a good cup of mead is great for cleansing the taste of poverty from the mouth!

Sodium Acetate Heat Pads.



Press concave disc inside for instant warmth.

reply to post by pexx421


I would just like to suggest one amendment to your post, I was always taught (and practice) FEED a cold and starve a fever. with a cold your body needs the energy and vitamins for your immune system to fight off the germs that cause the symptoms of a cold. Apart from that I've starred your post.

actually the "wives tale" was feed a cold and starve a fever but in actuality your supposed to starve any type of virus. Any vitamins you give your body once you are already exhibiting symptoms of either will not be usable in time to help you fight it off. Especially with a cold, as by the time you have cold symptoms the virus is already most likely destroyed by your immune system. What causes the cold symptoms are "interleukens" which are a biological byproduct of the cold that remain after the cold is gone, and which bind to your interleuken receptors until they are processed out by your mucous membranes, hence all the coughing and snot and boogies. The reason why echinacea is helpful is that (the right part of the plant) it binds to your interleuken receptors and helps minimize the symptoms. The best treatment, however, is 1) fasting because it lessens the load of work your liver is doing and thus allows your liver to cleanse the body faster, and also because the body works much more efficiently for all types of healing and repairs on restricted intake periods, and 2) I hate so say it but an enema at the first signs of the cold is one of the most dramatic ways to shorten the duration and severity of symptoms as it instantly cleanses the colon, greatly reducing the toxic load of the liver, and again, allowing the liver to more effectively work on cleaning the toxins from the cold out of the body.

reply to post by mf_luder


RE: Mullein

it can also be dried and smoked to relieve cough and sore throat