Medications and First-Aid

MEDICATIONS: In a serious disaster, it may be a while before pharmacies are open and stocked to meet refill needs. You must include an adequate supply of your medications in your kit, not merely enough for 96 or 120 hours. You can accumulate an emergency supply by re-ordering your 30-day meds after 3 weeks or your 90-day meds after 75 days (or as soon as your drug insurance will allow). However, some meds do require the full time period before refill. Pack extra eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.

If you can, keep meds in original pill bottles. If you have to conserve space, transfer meds into small zip bags and be sure to label accurately by writing on the bag or putting a note inside with the medication name and dose. Include prescription data.  Review and rotate your kit meds every 6 to 12 months and use them day-to-day. Be sure to restock your kit.

FIRST AID: Serious disasters create medical emergencies. We neighbors will be on our own for many days to minister to each other’s first aid needs.  

First-Aid Suggestions: N-95 medical (or N-100) face masks, In some emergencies a gas mask would be life-saving; tourniquet to stop bleeding;  stomach remedies -- Imodium, laxative, anti-acid – lots of latex or nitrile gloves, rubbing alcohol, Ace bandages, Band-Aids, 4” sterile gauze pads, hypo-allergenic adhesive tape, cravats (large triangular pieces of fabrics), even better, a soft but sturdy tee shirt cut across the width of it just below the arms (discard upper cut-off portion), wrist  and knee splints, small scissors, tweezers, antibiotic cream, cotton-tipped swabs, cotton balls, thermometer, anti-itch cream, pain reliever, petroleum jelly, burn treatment, anti-inflammatory, saline solution, eye drops, any over-the-counter items you rely upon such as antihistamines, decongestants, hemorrhoid ointments.