Characteristics of the Ideal Sick Room

To ensure that the sickness is as contained as possible, set up the sick room in a bedroom or another separate room in the house. Ensure that the room has good lighting, a window that opens, and easy access to a personal bathroom with a sink and running water.

Prevention is Key

To avoid other family members falling ill, try to limit the exposure of the sick person to the other family members. This includes making sure that any communal areas (kitchen, bathroom, etc) be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant each day to avoid the transmission of germs. Towels, water bottles, drinking glasses, and other personal care items used by the sick person, should not be used by other family members.

Other preventative measures for the sick room could be made ahead of time to make the room ready before it is needed. Having all necessary items in the room will make for easy accessibility as well as containment of illness. Consider these 9 preventative measures:

1. All tissues, utensils, equipment, bedding, and clothing in contact with the sick person should be handled as if the germs of the illness were on them. Dishes and equipment should be washed in hot soapy water or wiped with 10% bleach or other disinfectant.
2.  Use disposable dishes when possible so they can be discarded in plastic bags in the room.
3. Place all used tissues directly into a plastic bag that can be closed at the top before leaving the sick room. Have alcohol-based hand cleaning solution (Purell) at the bedside so the person can wash their hands after they cough or sneeze.
4. Gently fold or roll clothing and bedding into a plastic bag, being careful not to shake them, possibly releasing the germs into the air. Clothing and bedding should be washed in hot water.
5. Clean items in the room with a 10% bleach solution (made by combining 1 ounce of bleach with 9 ounces of water) or other disinfectant. Clean bathroom faucets and sink with 10% bleach or disinfectant wipes after the sick person has used them.
6. Wear a raincoat or other washable gown/coat over your clothes when in the room caring for the sick person. This gown will help to protect you from getting the germs on your clothes while caring for the person. This gown should stay in the room.
7. Wash your hands or use a alcohol-based cleaning solution (Purell) on your hands every time you leave the room. If disposable gloves are available, they can be worn while in the room but they should be removed in the room and discarded in the room, and then your hands must be washed.
8. Limit the people in close contact (within 6 feet) of the sick person. Keep the door to the sick room closed. Have a bell or cell phone by the bedside so the person can call for assistance when needed.
9. If respiratory masks (N95) are available, they should be worn by the sick person and the caretaker when they are in close contact.

Some items to consider when stocking a sick room are:

• Bed with linens, pillow and blanket
• Small wastebasket or a bucket lined with a plastic garbage bag.
• Pitcher or large bottle for water
• Large plastic dishpan
• Clipboard with paper and a pen for writing in the daily log.
• Clock
• Hand crank or battery-powered radio
• Good source of light
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• A clothes hamper or a garbage can lined with a plastic garbage bag can be used to collect soiled clothing and bedding before they are washed.
• A bell or a noisemaker to call for assistance.
• Thermometer
• Tissues
• Hand wipes or a waterless hand sanitizer
• Cotton balls
• Rubbing alcohol, disinfectant or bleach
• Plastic garbage bags
• Measuring cup capable of holding 8 ounces or 250 ml
• Over-the-counter medications for use in the sick room
• Aprons or smocks (at least 2)
• Latex household cleaning gloves (2 pairs)
• Disposable vinyl gloves (2 boxes)
• Garbage bags
• N95 respirator masks (2 boxes) for use when the sick person is coughing or sneezing (can be purchased at hardware stores and some drugstores)

To prepare for longer-term scenarios, consider adding other medical supplies to the sick room. Further having some medical response packs pre-packaged cuts down on response time, and gives the caregiver more of an advantage in properly caring for the wounded. To prepare for a SHTF scenario, it would be beneficial to take into account the most likely medical situations you may come in contact with and plan accordingly.

To conclude, preventing the transmission of an illness can be done with proper planning and preparation. A little forethought will help the caregiver be as efficient as possible in treating the ill patient, and in the process, keep the rest of household as healthy as possible.

Sections of this article were adapted from the book Pandemic Home Care

The ten tools listed below are some of the most important survival tools that should be in your 72-hour bags or survival bags. Of course, other items can be included, but these essentials are a must-have for every survival pack. Practice using these tools regularly so that you know their capability and their strength.

1. Water Treatment: We simply cannot live without water. The more energy you consume, the more water your body will need. Having a means to purify water in a survival situation will help keep you hydrated, your brain functioning properly and your focus on survival. In addition, if you sustain an injury, water can be poured over the wound for cleaning.
2. Compass and Map: Knowing which direction you are headed and where you need to be are essential. Keep maps of your surrounding area at home (in case you have to evacuate by foot), in your car and in your survival bags.
3. Fire Starter, flint bars, matches or lighter: Having a way to produce fire can help you cook food and keep warm and prevent hypothermia.
4. First Aid Kit: You do not want to be caught in a survival situation without a first aid kit. This kit assists in injury treatment and helps prevent infections from perpetuating.
5. Mirror: Used for signaling, checking face for wounds, looking at your back for wounds/ticks, and can be used to start fire.
6. Rope or Paracord: This can be used for making snares or assisting in making other traps lashing branches together to build a shelter, assisting in first aid (splints, tourniquets, slings), or to make survival tools such as spears.
7. Survival Blanket or Bivvy: A bivvy or survival blanket can be used as an emergency shelter, sleeping bag or can be an extra layer added to your existing sleeping bag if you are expecting a cold night.
8. Multi-tool: Used for notching or more complex wood working skills, opening cans, altering equipment, medical uses, if snare wire is around wire cutters can cut it.
9. Lighting: Lanterns, light sticks, flashlights, and head lamps can help you find your way if in the dark. LEDs, solar and hand crank will get you the most for your money.
10. Survival Knife: Survival knives should be made of good quality steel. Invest in one you can rely on. Make sure it is well made, is strong enough for rough field use, and is the best you can afford.

Bottom line is your preparedness tools are your life line andwithout them, you could be ill-equipped in a survival situation.

Having a guideline on hand of which foods last longer than others will ensure that your food supply stays within it’s expiration. According to the National Terror Alert website, the following foods can be stored for long-term use.

Guidelines for Food Storage:

Use within 6 months:

• Powdered milk (in box)
• Dried fruit (in metal container)
• Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)
• Cereal
• Dried potatoes
• Flour

Use Within 1 year:

• Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups
• Canned fruit, fruit juices and vegetables
• Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)
• Vitamins
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Hard candy and canned nuts
• Vegetable oil

May Be Stored Indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions):

• Wheat
• Dried Corn
• Sugar
• Honey
• Soybeans
• Instant coffee, tea and cocoa
• Salt
• Non carbonated soft drinks
• White rice
• Bouillon products
• Dry pasta
• Powdered milk (in nitrogen packed cans)

 

You can help the individual you support to learn these warning signs and symptoms of some common medical emergencies listed below:

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two minutes or more
• Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness, seizure
• Possible serious bone fractures
• Major burns
• Changes in vision
• Difficulty speaking
• Confusion or changes in mental status, unusual behavior, difficulty waking
• Any sudden or severe pain
• Head pain that lasts longer than five minutes
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Shock symptoms, e.g., confusion, disorientation, cool/clammy, pale skin
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Unusual abdominal pain
• Suicidal or homicidal feelings

Knowing these signs and acting quickly could save the individual’s life.  Get treatment promptly.  For many medical emergencies, time is very important.  Some people experience the symptoms of an emergency, such as a stroke or a heart attack, but do not get help right away.  A delay in treatment could lead to a more serious illness.

When medical emergencies arise, knowing which protocals to follow to care for the victim can help sustain them and even save their life. The following suggestions can help you respond when you are with an individual that is experiencing a medical emergency.  This list describes your priorities in an emergency situation. 

Follow these steps to care for victims during a medical emergency:

1. Evaluate the situation to protect yourself and others from injury.
2. Be calm and reassuring.  Talking to yourself may help keep you calm.  It may reassure the individual needing help to hear that you are calm.
3. Do not move the individual unless the individual is in immediate danger or unless you cannot provide assistance without moving the individual.
4. Get help.  Call out for someone to call 9-1-1 or, if the individual does not need immediate assistance, make the call yourself.
5. Calmly explain the exact nature of the illness or injury.
6. State the exact location of the emergency.
7. STAY ON THE LINE! The dispatcher will need to ask additional questions.
8. Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
9. Feel for a pulse to determine if the heart is beating.
10. Control bleeding with direct pressure by putting a bandage, cloth, or gloved hand over the spot that is bleeding.
11. Treat for shock.  Lay the individual flat.
12. If the individual is unconscious, move him or her into the recovery position.
13. If the situation is a choking emergency, perform the abdominal thrust (Heimlich) maneuver.

ESSENTIALS: 

Note: As a precaution, do not include candles. Candles cause more fires after a disaster.

WATER:

FOOD:

SANITATION:

CLOTHING:

TOOLS & SUPPLIES:

FOR BABY:

PETS:

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:

FAMILY MEDICAL NEEDS:

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

What Your Pets Need Before a Disaster Threatens

Knowing how your pet will react before, during and after a storm is the first step in ensuring their safety.  Take your pet inside the home before the disaster occurs.  This will help them find a secure and quiet spot for them to ride out the disaster in.  Also, as a contingency plan, it is always good to have your pet’s medical documentation and emergency identification cards on hand, or included along with your emergency documents.  Additionally, having some first aid supplies set aside for your pets may help ensure their safety if they happen to become injured. 

Suggestions for your pet’s first aid kit:

• Phone numbers to the pet’s veterinarian
• Latex gloves
• Gauze rolls for wrapping wounds or for muzzling an injured pet.
• Gauze sponges
• Non-stick bandages, towels or towels cut in to strips to control bleeding.
• Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic
• Elastic cling bandages  
• Water-based sterile lubricant
• Eye-wash or sterile saline wash
• Topical antibiotic ointment
• Petroleum jelly
• Antiseptic towelettes
• Diphenhydramine (antihistamine) – *Should be approved by your veterinarian
• Q-tips
• Milk of Magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb poison.  *Call the pet’s vet first administering this.
• Hydrogen Peroxide to clean wounds and induce vomiting.  *Call the pet’s vet before administering this. 
• Thermometer to check your pet’s temperature. 
• Eye dropper or large syringe without the needle to administer any medications orally.
• Materials to make a splint.
• Cold pack
• Small scissors
• Safety pins
• Tweezers
• Magnifying glass
• Emergency blanket
• Muzzle
• Leash
• Penlight with batteries

Ensuring our pets are as safe as the other members of the family will help all family members cope with the stressful situation.  The American Red Cross offers Pet First Aid courses that could further assist you in caring for your pets when they become injured.  At the very least, those who have pets should pick up a first aid manual for pets.  The American Red Cross offers a pet first aid manual that can be bought online.

Emergencies can arise in the most unlikely places – even while on the road.  Leaving home means venturing away from the security and the supplies within it.  While no one plans to get sick or hurt on the road, accidents can and do happen. 

Preparedness websites and organizations alike have suggested carrying emergency supplies for the car, as well as a medical care kit.  When a person plans for an emergency, they think of the worst case scenario and plans accordingly for the scenarios.  Planning for these situations ahead of time can add convenience and relief to your life. 

Pre-assembled first aid kits can be purchased in stores, or you can make your own vehicle kit at a fraction of the cost.  If you plan to make your own first aid kit, keep some considerations in mind:

• Keep in mind the the unique needs of your family.
• If you have children, make sure you have child appropriate medications.
• If a family member has severe allergies or illnesses such as diabetes, keep necessary supplies on hand such as an EpiPen or insulin close by.
• Have emergency phonenumbers written down in case you need to call from a pay phone.

Vehicle Medical Care Kit Suggestions

• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Anti-nausea medication
• Allergy medication
• Eye drops
• Exam gloves
• Pain reliever
• Band-aids (in different sizes)
• Ace bandage
• First aid ointment
• Anti-bacterial wipes
• Cold pack
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Flare, compass, mirror
• Flashlight
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers

When an emergency occurs while driving, you want to be as prepared as you would be as if you were in your home.  Having some medical and first aid supplies on hand to deal with upset stomachs, headaches, or minor medical emergencies can save time, money and provide relief when you’re in a pinch.

To deal with these unintended separations, disaster organizations have suggested that every family have personal information for each member of the family before a disaster occurs.  Having this information will help responders and medical personnel expedite the process more quickly, as well as help you get your loved one back safe and sound. 

Emergency information cards can be an easy solution to this problem and can fit in wallets, backpacks for school, bug out bags, as well as make great additions to the important information section of emergency supplies.  These cards provide needed information that can aide rescue workers or first responders, and are ideal for all members of a household: children, the elderly, those with serious medical conditions, mentally disabled, and for those wanting an extra layer of preparedness for their loved ones.  They can even come in handy during child sleepovers, play dates and during vacations. 

Information to Include:

• Name
• Thumb print (optional)
• Emergency contact phone numbers
• Blood type (be certain this is correct)
• Allergies or medical conditions
• Medications
• Organ donor information
• Birth year (leave month and date off for privacy concerns)
• City and state of residence
• Height and weight

Play It Safe

Protecting your personal information and your child’s personal informaiton is a must these days.  Therefore, when creating emergency id cards, provide the essential information only.  Never include any sensitive information or financial information, such as social security number, any account numbers, passwords, etc.  Keep your information safe with these tips:

• Putting the card in a place that is not easily seen by strangers, such as a wallet or inside of a back pack keeps the card holder safe.
• If a child is the card holder, only print the initial of their first name.  For example: J. Smith
• No need to print the birth date of the child.  Just state was year they were born to give first responders an idea of how old he/she is.
• During an actual emergency, if a child is too young to carry a card, the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children suggest writing only the necessary information (name, contact number and parents name) on the back of the child before the disaster occurs.

How To Make an Emergency ID Card

Emergency ID cards can be made in the convenience of your own home, made in cd form or printed to carry in a wallet or backpack.  This website, allows you to easily enter the information and add pictures to create an emergency id for free.  The site even has an area to create ids for your pets.  All you need to do is sign up to use their program.  I used this website to make id cards for my family.  I printed the card out and laminated them for durability.  I made 3 copies of the cards: 1 copy is for my personal records, 1 copy is for our bug out bags and the other copy is for my child.

8 Rookie Mistakes

Don’t Panic

Take a deep breath, sit down and make an emergency plan.  Decide what emergency you are preparing for and what supplies you will need.  Try and stay within a certain emergency time frame and work your way up to larger scale emergencies.  For example, begin planning for a 72 hour emergency and work your way up to a short term emergency and later, a larger scale or  long term emergency.  

Take your time and properly plan how you are going to open up your budget so that you can attain these emergency items.  Cutting out the extraneous spending in your budget can free up a lot of extra cash.  The money saved can be used toward your future preparedness items.  Make the choice of using the new found preparedness money or save it for a more expensive prep.  Either way, you will accumulate a little at a time and not break the budget.

Personal Experience – One mistake I remember (and am still paying for) was when my husband and I decided to get a short term food supply.  We hadn’t really researched what it takes to maintain your family’s health during a short term emergency so we impulsively went out and bought $200 in canned goods.  Needless to say that we are still living off of that canned good investment.  Looking back, we could have used that $200 in a more constuctive  manner.

Don’t always believe the experts.

Listen to what the experts say, but make the decision that is best for your family and your needs.  Some expert’s advice is driven by what makes them the most money or what other experts are saying at the time.  Make a list of what items you are looking for and research those items (include reading the customer reviews).

Personal Experience – An expert was telling everyone that they should have a certain brand of hiking boots.  Well, I went out and bought them because “the expert” said I should.  Because I didn’t research the boots (and the specs about the boot), after purchasing it; I made the realization that they were way too heavy for me.  Luckily, I was able to return the boots and get my money back.  After I researched and read customer reviews, I went out and invested in a different pair of hiking boots that were perfect for what I needed.

Don’t buy cheap preps.

Trying to save money here and there is great, but when you are investing in survival gear, you want to make sure the investment is worth the money spent.  Begin looking at your purchase as an investment for your future.  You want that product to last and do it’s desired function with minimal hassel.  And you want to be able to depend on that product to see you through an emergency.   On another note, whatever items or tools you buy, make sure you use it.  If you invest money and buy an item that you do not know how to use, it’s useless.

Personal Experience – I wanted to save a few bucks and bought a basic sleeping bag that didn’t have any bells or whistles.  Later on down the line, I realized the sleeping bag was way too bulky, weighed too much for a bug out situation and had no capacity to really keep someone warm.  I ended up investing in an ultralight backpack that keeps me toasty when I need it the most and is feather light.  Although I made a mistake with the first sleeping bag, I am using it as a back up, so the investment was not a complete loss.  Other items I have found that are worth spending extra money on are good toothbrushes, survival tools, water filtration systems and survival knives. 

Buy preps that are multi purpose.

You want to make the most out of your preparedness investment so do some extra research and find preparedness items that have multiple functions. 

Personal Experience – I have found a lot of items that have multi uses, so listing  them would be an entire article in itself.  However, here are few suggestions that would help serve a multitude of functions.  Rope, for instance is a great multi use prep.  It can be used for hanging or securing emergency shelters, used as a laundry line or for hauling.  Other multi-function items are a good knife, multi tool, and emergency foods, such as salt, baking soda, and vinegar. 

Buy foods you and your family normally eat.

 This is one of the biggest mistakes that preppers make.  You want to use the food that you store.  To get the most out of your food investment, develop good storage habits.  Further, it’s a good rule of thumb to purchase foods and items that will be used within their allotted time span, so check the expiration date! 

Personal Experience – I came across some cans of seafood medley at my local grocery store and thought how great it would be to use it in an emergency situation.  I was so excited about this canned seafood because it was high in protein and vitamins, so I ended up buying 4 cans of this stuff.  Needless to say that after opening 1 of the cans up for a dinner… my family (and myself included) pushed our plates aside and decided to eat cereal instead.  Needless to say, the seafood medley was horrible.  I donated the remaining cans of the seafood medley to a food bank.

Eat what you store.

In an article I wrote about storing food, I stated, “Storing food is a continual process of using, rotating and reloading.   If a short term food supply is bought, the food must be used and more food purchased to resupply the storage shelf.  Thinking of the food supply as a small store where the foods in the front has the shortest expiration date and the ones in the back have the longest.  The food storage area should be checked every six months to make sure that appropriate food items are rotated. ”

Personal Experience – I can’t tell you how many items I have had to throw away unopened food because I didn’t use it within it’s expiration date.  Using and rotating your food supply takes some getting used to.  Many think that the stored food is for emergencies only.  And it is, but it should also be there for you when you need it.  It’s your own personal convenience store.  When you use an item, buy a new one at the store and replace it on your shelf. 

Have back ups for your back ups.

This is a golden rule for preppers.  You never know when one of your preps will break or jam up on you.  Having extra items gives you peace of mind because you are not solely dependent on one item for survival. 

Personal Experience – When we were researching water filtration systems, we ended up buying a katadyn water filter (A solid investment in my opinion).  However, we began thinking about the use and effectiveness of the filter after mulitiple uses.  We decided that solely depending on one item to give up potable water was not wise.  We not only bought extra filters for our katadyn, but also invested in micro-pur tablets (chlorine dioxide  tablets), and chlorine granuals to make sure that all areas were covered. 

Get  your friends and family on board.

In an emergency situation, you will need help from others.  It would be unrealistic to think differently.  Talking with friends and family about being prepared is a great way to awaken the need for their personal preparedness efforts and help you find more “like minded” individuals.  Help guide them and give them advise on how to begin.

Personal Experience – We all have stories of people thinking we are “cooky” because we prepare for short or long term emergencies, and I am no different.  I have learned to take other’s opinion in stride, but I have talked with some family and friends who see the need to prepare and have started doing so.  My largest accomplishment thus far has been helping my sister become more prepared.  I have peace of mind knowing most of my immediate family is prepared – at least for a short term emergency. 

There will be some friends and family members who are not going to be on board no matter how much you try and talk to them.  There will be some who will be on board and will listen to what you have to say.  Hopefully, after you share your experiences and first time mistakes, they will listen and learn from you. 

What are some prepping mistakes you have made?