Interesting new medical development.

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Thats is EASY and CHEAP, However one esential point first, If you are RELIANT on meds like Insulin your cooler system and power supply MUST be portable. Especially in places were Evacs can be compulsory.

Cheap as in what price do you put on staying alive after TSHTF. Go to an RV breakers and get a 3 way fridge freezer 12VDC, 120VAC, Gas powered, then a couple of liesure batteries and a 100 watt PLUS (200 better) PV panel. You could add a micro turbine off a small boat. That way you can keep stuff as delicate as Insulin and other perishable meds running of the Mains normally then 12vdc doing blackouts with the gas power as an emergency back up. When I was still helping new preppersvout in the UK I had two families with kids with type one diabetes and they adopted a similar system to what I describe below to keep Insulin cool.

More info go visit your local Snowbirders camp site
Books start with
Do It Yourself 12 volt Solar Power by Michel Daniek
OFF the grid by DUNCAN keridge

There are now many VERY high quality white goods available for RVers, off griders and preppers based around 12VDC systems. Normally powered by combined micro wind turbines (often VAWTs) and a couple of good monocrystaline PV panels. The beauty of some makes of fridge freezer is they use THREE types of energy, 12v 120v and propane/ butane which makes em great for our community.

This is a British version
https://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/do...7?nosto=nosto-page-category1-fallback-nosto-1

The NEW Dometic CombiCool ACX 40 3 Way Absorption Coolbox is a great quality camping coolbox.

It runs on 12-volt supply in your vehicle, 230-volt mains at home or at the campsite and can easily be switched to gas operation for enjoying the great outdoors.

This new super absorption portable cooler comes in a premium retro aluminium style, with even higher ambient cooling performance, ideal for UK & Southern Europe destinations up to 30°C below ambient temperature.

With a capacity of 40 litres and room to store 1.5 and 2.0 litre bottles standing up, the COMBICOOL ACX 40 is the perfect camping cooler to keep food and drinks cool.

The cooler is encased in a hard wearing Aluminium Skin

61POmEb102L._SY355_.jpg

Micro VAWT Turbine

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/3923282413...MIpa2X1vqO5QIVh7PtCh371AQBEAQYBCABEgKvy_D_BwE

s-l640.jpg


Free standing PV system for RVs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/1230331162...MIuYXwk_uO5QIVhbHtCh3gVwEBEAQYASABEgK9tfD_BwE
s-l640.jpg



Deep cycle liesure batteries

tpower-exv110-pair.jpg
Thank you very much. This info seems quite valuable, and I'll let everyone know how it works out in a few months after we get settled in.
 
most meds will store for a long time if stored in a cool dry place, they work long after any expiry date they just lose there effectiveness over time, but they still work.
For the most part, I agree with you.....but some meds actually become dangerous when they deteriorate.

Tetracycline is an example. This antibiotic can save lives, but if you take it past its expiration date, it can shut down your kidneys......and transplants and/or dialysis don't seem likely post SHTF.
 
we can only get them on prescription from health centres here, I don't fancy using something meant for an animal.
 
Thank you very much. This info seems quite valuable, and I'll let everyone know how it works out in a few months after we get settled in.
Glad to have been of service, Your best starting point is still your local senior snowbirders most of them are wizzards with 12v systems
 
yup,cool,dry,no sun.
still don't though have an answer where to get that stuff if your stock is depleted in a shtf scenario, sure tablets can be some kind of substitute.

There was a guy on the Rocky mountain SG forum who actually moved next to a pig farm and said he had the gear to extract insulin from porkers, which I believe is where the originalinsulin came from before the artificial stuff was invented. My missus has access to gallons of all types of insulin, BG monitors, Pens, Insulin pumps including the new 670G. But I dont have diabetes thank heaven
 
About two to three years, but probably longer if they were stored in a cool, dry environment.

I plan on getting a wine storage cooler (keeps contents at constant 55°F) and hooking up to an inverter, battery pack, and solar panels. I'll use bolt cutters to remove the shelving.

The cooler is $119.00, and the panels are around $100.00. It seems doable and practical......I just need to learn more about electrical work.

Kevin L, is am just now starting a similar project (will complete it this year to take advantage of Tax Credits). It is almost as simple as you have it. The most expensive part is the batteries. You live in Florida so Solar makes a lot of sense. If all you are going to run is the small cooler, then one 100W panels and one 100AH battery should do the trick (check out amazon for a lot of choices). But, I would recommend you install two of the panels to charge the battery faster. In your case, no real wiring will be needed (except what you can get as part of the kits). The panels will connect to a "charge controller" which is connected to the battery. The battery is then connected to an inverter (like used in any RV) that have 120v outlets. Just plug the cooler into the outlet and you are up and running. Lots of videos on Youtube showing how to hook these up. In this case you are not touching your existing wiring.

In my case, I am going a step further. I will be connecting 4 to 6 100w panels to a larger "charge controller". Then connect to multiple batteries. I will the use a little larger inverter to power my home Refrigerator and Entertainment center. As with your setup, I will run separate wires and outlets to those devices from the inverter and not touch my existing house wiring. In the future, I could add additional batteries and/or solar panels to power more devices of this works out. This is where I will need to install subpanels with breakers, etc.

Good luck. What you suggest is a great starting point. Once you get this working, you may want to add additional devices to the system. It may require additional batteries or panels. Maybe larger inverter but you will have the advantage of just growing an existing system and gaining knowledge as you go. Won't be long before you can help others making a move to solar emergency.
 
Kevin L, is am just now starting a similar project (will complete it this year to take advantage of Tax Credits). It is almost as simple as you have it. The most expensive part is the batteries. You live in Florida so Solar makes a lot of sense. If all you are going to run is the small cooler, then one 100W panels and one 100AH battery should do the trick (check out amazon for a lot of choices). But, I would recommend you install two of the panels to charge the battery faster. In your case, no real wiring will be needed (except what you can get as part of the kits). The panels will connect to a "charge controller" which is connected to the battery. The battery is then connected to an inverter (like used in any RV) that have 120v outlets. Just plug the cooler into the outlet and you are up and running. Lots of videos on Youtube showing how to hook these up. In this case you are not touching your existing wiring.

In my case, I am going a step further. I will be connecting 4 to 6 100w panels to a larger "charge controller". Then connect to multiple batteries. I will the use a little larger inverter to power my home Refrigerator and Entertainment center. As with your setup, I will run separate wires and outlets to those devices from the inverter and not touch my existing house wiring. In the future, I could add additional batteries and/or solar panels to power more devices of this works out. This is where I will need to install subpanels with breakers, etc.

Good luck. What you suggest is a great starting point. Once you get this working, you may want to add additional devices to the system. It may require additional batteries or panels. Maybe larger inverter but you will have the advantage of just growing an existing system and gaining knowledge as you go. Won't be long before you can help others making a move to solar emergency.

Jack check your area for companies that service Fork lift trucks, very often you can get part worn battery packs for a pittance and they are good for years. Also check out Golf cart service centers for the same.
 
There was a guy on the Rocky mountain SG forum who actually moved next to a pig farm and said he had the gear to extract insulin from porkers, which I believe is where the originalinsulin came from before the artificial stuff was invented. My missus has access to gallons of all types of insulin, BG monitors, Pens, Insulin pumps including the new 670G. But I dont have diabetes thank heaven
Still.....valuable for trade and goodwill?
 
yup,cool,dry,no sun.
still don't though have an answer where to get that stuff if your stock is depleted in a shtf scenario, sure tablets can be some kind of substitute.
You get a veterinarian to make insulin from the pancreas of pigs, cows, etc..
 
You get a veterinarian to make insulin from the pancreas of pigs, cows, etc..
If you can make insulin, that's great....but I got a tip on how you can test sugar levels, which is the other half of the equation.

Evidentally, ants can be used to test for sugar.

We've all seen ants congregating around spilled sugar. In the old days, there was a way to use ants by spilling a urine sample near an anthill and checking to see how they congregate around the spot.

I have no clue as to how this was done, but maybe a diabetic prepper could research it? It might by an interesting topic for discussion.
 
I am into using many different plants to make tee, cough syrup, bandages, coffee and such. One of the interesting things I found out, was taking the leaves of misteltoe and soaking them in well water for 3 days to use to control problems with diabetes. The berries of misteltoe are poisonous but the leaves are not. Depending on how bad your diabetes is and which stage you have, maybe this could help.
 
I am into using many different plants to make tee, cough syrup, bandages, coffee and such. One of the interesting things I found out, was taking the leaves of misteltoe and soaking them in well water for 3 days to use to control problems with diabetes. The berries of misteltoe are poisonous but the leaves are not. Depending on how bad your diabetes is and which stage you have, maybe this could help.
It's conceivable that this may work for Type II (ie: "adult onset") diabetes, but won't do anything at all for Type I (or "juvenile diabetes") diabetes.

There are a lot of misconceptions about the disease that should be clarified while we're discussing it.

Type I diabetes occurs when your pancreas completely stops making insulin because the beta cells in the "Ilets of Langerhans" die. There is, therefore, no insulin.

In Type II diabetes, your pancreas may produce insulin just fine, but your body isn't using it because of insulin resistance. If you've seen alcoholics who build up a tremendous tolerance to booze (an alcoholic who can drink everyone under the table), then you can compare this situation to Type II diabetes, and think of a person having a "tolerance" (like in alcoholism or drug addiction) to their own insulin.

The chemistry behind this "tolerance" is well understood, so drugs that treat Type II diabetes are drugs that attack this tolerance, and let the body use its own insulin.

This is why drugs for Type II diabetes are useless for Type I diabetes, as there is no insulin in the patient's body to be used.

The only answer in this situation is to add insulin in the form of injections.

A diabetic's life can be prolonged by managing diet and carbohydrate intake, but without insulin, a Type I diabetic will usually die.
 
CA just encouraging unsafe sex and promiscuity.
Or just making available things people may need? The drugs exist, and a lot of the prescription-only laws are just to discourage use, but why? That's not the government's place to tell people how to live their lives. Should people make good choices in their sexual practices? Absolutely. But the government doesn't need to be making them do so, or inflicting some weird sort of punishment by making it difficult to access the medications that can lessen the consequences of bad choices.
Also, there are other uses for post-exposure prophylaxis - just this week one of my employees was prescribed the medication because of exposure to blood and we were unsure if the source individual carried a blood-borne illness. In this area the medication costs an insane amount of money (which due to the work related injury, we had to pay) and I'm sure that would be reduced if it were more widely available.
I believe that in general medications should be sold over-the-counter, with proper warning labels regarding misuse and comprehensive dosage instructions, as well as advice to consult a doctor before use for more specific medications. But people should have the choice whether to heed that advice (and well, if stupid people don't accept good advice, maybe we'll have fewer to deal with?).
 
After seeing the response to my comments, I feel that it is a larger topic than thought. The US gov't does not and is not the responsible entity here. They only pass the legislation desired and pressed by the lobby and firms of the billion dollar profit Pharmaceuticals. And all of the control, all of the prescription only BS, all of the strict control of -if you drive under the influence of drugs- BS, now the same gov't has legalised mary jane. With the lobby and the profit and the taxes imposed on the sales and marketing, one would think the over-the-counter of MJ would compare to aspirin.
Google aspartam again and see the 49 known bad things that happen after this **** reaches a temperature of 28,5 degrees centigrade in your body. Parkinsons, Alzheimers, bad nerve synapses, diabetes and and and. Live free, GP
 
CA just encouraging unsafe sex and promiscuity.

maybe they are just trying to curb the spread of the HIV Virus and lets face it like it or not there are 1000's of abortions each year the morning after pill should reduce those numbers,,,,it really is a better option than Abortion,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,bottom line which would you rather see the pill or the Butchering of children
 
ASG-1401-BG-FirstAid1-1024x671.jpg

The 50 Person Trauma Kit is your go-to bag when an emergency or disaster strikes in your neighborhood, school or office building. Fully stocked with more than 250 first-aid essentials, this bag is equipped to handle multiple injuries.

I dont see a tourniquet, how can it be a Trauma kit? I cant find a complete list of everything in it. Take your garbage Spam someplace else.
 
I dont see a tourniquet, how can it be a Trauma kit? I cant find a complete list of everything in it. Take your garbage Spam someplace else.
Actually, a tourniquet is very rarely required in most emergency situations (I'm ignoring the possible exception of tying a patient's arm off with a rubber tourniquet to start an IV. I always used a surgical rubber glove for this.).

Even with the vast majority of accidental amputations, a tourniquet is rarely required. Blood vessels tend to constrict when they are torn through, and many amputations spill surprisingly little blood. I know this first-hand from my paramedic career.

An exception might be if the patient is a haemophilliac, or if a limb was cut through with a surgically precise blade, like an authentic Japanese katana--assuming that it's being handled by someone who knows what they are doing.

Tourniquets aren't even reccomended for snakebite victims any more.

I know that the tourniquet used to be a mainstay of first aid, but this has changed. Try to avoid using one as much as possible, unless you're professionally trained.
 
Actually, a tourniquet is very rarely required in most emergency situations (I'm ignoring the possible exception of tying a patient's arm off with a rubber tourniquet to start an IV. I always used a surgical rubber glove for this.).

Even with the vast majority of accidental amputations, a tourniquet is rarely required. Blood vessels tend to constrict when they are torn through, and many amputations spill surprisingly little blood. I know this first-hand from my paramedic career.

An exception might be if the patient is a haemophilliac, or if a limb was cut through with a surgically precise blade, like an authentic Japanese katana--assuming that it's being handled by someone who knows what they are doing.

Tourniquets aren't even reccomended for snakebite victims any more.

I know that the tourniquet used to be a mainstay of first aid, but this has changed. Try to avoid using one as much as possible, unless you're professionally trained.

I disagree, I'm talking about a Trauma kit. It should also have quick clot. Of course you need to be trained on how to use it.
 
Actually, a tourniquet is very rarely required in most emergency situations (I'm ignoring the possible exception of tying a patient's arm off with a rubber tourniquet to start an IV. I always used a surgical rubber glove for this.).

Even with the vast majority of accidental amputations, a tourniquet is rarely required. Blood vessels tend to constrict when they are torn through, and many amputations spill surprisingly little blood. I know this first-hand from my paramedic career.

An exception might be if the patient is a haemophilliac, or if a limb was cut through with a surgically precise blade, like an authentic Japanese katana--assuming that it's being handled by someone who knows what they are doing.

Tourniquets aren't even reccomended for snakebite victims any more.

I know that the tourniquet used to be a mainstay of first aid, but this has changed. Try to avoid using one as much as possible, unless you're professionally trained.
All of this is true, but when you need a tourniquet, you really need one. Fortunately they aren't that difficult to improvise, but you also don't want to be wasting time improvising if you can avoid it. And since they don't take up that much space, I would say it's definitely something that should be included, even if it's hardly ever used.
Also this just seems more like a general "emergency kit" and why do we need 10 foil emergency blankets?
 
All of this is true, but when you need a tourniquet, you really need one. Fortunately they aren't that difficult to improvise, but you also don't want to be wasting time improvising if you can avoid it. And since they don't take up that much space, I would say it's definitely something that should be included, even if it's hardly ever used.
Also this just seems more like a general "emergency kit" and why do we need 10 foil emergency blankets?
I disagree, I'm talking about a Trauma kit. It should also have quick clot. Of course you need to be trained on how to use it.
I agree.

As for a trauma kit, a standard manual blood pressure can meet all (or almost all) of your tourniquet needs.

A stethescope, manual blood pressure cuff, and the skill to use these items means lots more than 90% of all of the fancy medical stuff that people stockpile.

True emergency care can be comprehensive and minimalist at the same time . . . if you know what you're doing.
 
you are welcome, the way I se things, I try to stockpile meds,though with our system here,it's only over the counter meds, no anti-biotics unless
the doc prescribes them.
what about your feed stores for livestock? Our Tractor Supply stocks Penicillin and Amoxicillin in pill form? Same thing you would get from the doctor, just in a different bottle. . .
 
I agree.

As for a trauma kit, a standard manual blood pressure can meet all (or almost all) of your tourniquet needs.

A stethescope, manual blood pressure cuff, and the skill to use these items means lots more than 90% of all of the fancy medical stuff that people stockpile.

True emergency care can be comprehensive and minimalist at the same time . . . if you know what you're doing.
The teacher for my "backwoods" survival first aid class taught us how to use the manual blood pressure cuff for different things, and they always use one for a tourniquet when you donate blood. I remember the first time I donated blood I was a little confused but then I realized it made sense (after I got over almost fainting of course). A stethoscope and blood pressure cuff were some of the first items other than normal "first aid kit" things I purchased when making a survival first aid bag. Very handy items, and everyone should learn how to use them.
 
You definently dont want to improvise and look for something to use as a tourniquet in an emergency, when someone can bleed out in under 3 minutes. I disagree with Kevin and Kate, any real trauma kit should have a reliable Tourniquet, because when you do need it, it may be a matter of lie or death. Besides sometimes you will need 2 tourniquets. I think it would be irresponsible for a prepper to not have one in there trauma medical kit.
 
The teacher for my "backwoods" survival first aid class taught us how to use the manual blood pressure cuff for different things, and they always use one for a tourniquet when you donate blood. I remember the first time I donated blood I was a little confused but then I realized it made sense (after I got over almost fainting of course). A stethoscope and blood pressure cuff were some of the first items other than normal "first aid kit" things I purchased when making a survival first aid bag. Very handy items, and everyone should learn how to use them.
I agree.

Taking a basic first aid course, a lifeguard course, or an LPN course is cheap, and will pay 100× the dividends of just buying another rifle.

Duct tape has a surprising number of medical uses.

I also happen to think that Gorrilla Tape--see below--is better than duct tape for certian medical things.
Gorilla-Tape-35yd-New-Wrap-400x400.png

I would think that the medical field doesn't use this kind of tape because it adheres too well.

I can say that Gorrilla tape saved a hike for me.

I (stupidly, because I know better, and I blame myself) went on a day hike with boots that weren't completely broken in.

I started to get rubbing on the backs of my heels, and I just knew that I was going to get blisters.

Well, I used the scissors in my Swiss Army knife to cut out 2 sections of tape into tje correct shape, and stuck them on my heels before putting my boots back on.

My feet were then perfectly fine, and I completed the hike with no issues . . . thanks to Gorrilla tape. This tape is waterproof, so it will keep sticking to my feet despite sweat, moisture, constant movement, and so on.

It did sting and pull a bit when I was removing the tape later, but nothing compared to the pain (and the humiliation of eating crow after talking a good game to my girlfriend about the benefits of a hike in the woods . . . and how seasoned I am in the Great Outdoors.) of blisters from boots that haven't been broken in.

I think this stuff could be outstanding for holding a dressing in place.

I would think that a Maxi pad sanitary napkin hold blood, is clean and sterile (if packaged individually), and doesn't "stick" from congealed blood.

Holding a Maxi Pad in place with Gorrilla tape would seem like an effective treatment for a large wound.*

I would also imagine that Gorrilla Tape would be a great way to put an occlusive dressing over a "sucking chest wound", and prevent (or delay the onset of) a tension pneumothorax** . . . although I would have to practice on a dummy or a clothing mannequin before I could say that Gorrilla Tape is good for this.

------------------------------------

* This is speculation on my part, but I was a paramedic and/or an EMT.

** A tension pneumothorax is when air accumulates and expands in the cavity that's normally occupied by a lung. This air keeps accumulating until it pushes the heart against the other lung, and this continues until you can't breathe and your heart can't pump blood . . . and then you die.
 
You definently dont want to improvise and look for something to use as a tourniquet in an emergency, when someone can bleed out in under 3 minutes. I disagree with Kevin and Kate, any real trauma kit should have a reliable Tourniquet, because when you do need it, it may be a matter of lie or death. Besides sometimes you will need 2 tourniquets. I think it would be irresponsible for a prepper to not have one in there trauma medical kit.
I did not say you don't need a tourniquet. This is what I said: "Fortunately they aren't that difficult to improvise, but you also don't want to be wasting time improvising if you can avoid it. And since they don't take up that much space, I would say it's definitely something that should be included, even if it's hardly ever used." I for sure have a tourniquet in my trauma kit.
 

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