Jeff Garrett - Dr. Prepper: The Disaster Preparedness Guide to Home Remedies

Copyright 2016 by Jeff Garrett

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Garrett, Jeff (Survival and preparedness expert), author.

Title: Dr. Prepper : the disaster preparedness guide to home remedies/Jeff Garrett.

Description: New York, NY : Skyhorse Publishing, [2016]

Identifiers: LCCN 2016033462 | ISBN 9781510712027 (paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: Emergency medicine. | Survivalism. | Self-care, Health. |

BISAC: HEALTH & FITNESS / First Aid. | MEDICAL / Emergency Medicine.

Classification: LCC RC86 .G37 2016 | DDC 616.02/5dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016033462

Cover design by Tom Lau

Cover photo credit: iStockphoto

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1202-7

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1203-4

Printed in the United States of America

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.

FOUNDATIONS OF SURVIVAL

INTRODUCTION

Survival preparedness is not to be taken lightly. We live in a society full of comforts, conveniences, and instantaneous answers to all of our questions. We rely on the Internet, 24-hour services, and homogenous one-stop-shop warehouse stores for everything from Q-tips and groceries to electronics and furniture. But what if these things dont last? What if, in an effort to live more independently and explore what nature has to offer, we stumble and cant get help? From a broken down car, to natural disasters and tests of the wilderness, to cyber-attack or infrastructure breakdown, there are threats small and large that everyone should be prepared for. While not everyone has the means and the know-how to ward off institutional threats or the powerful hand of Mother Nature, there is no reason that we all cant arm ourselves with a basic understanding of how to endure, and how to take care of our loved ones in times of threat and disaster, or in the face of wildlife, the elements, and medical emergencies.

Getting yourself out of high-risk situations or knowing what to do when someone goes into shock is not just about having the best supplies or the most experience. These things are undoubtedly essential, but preparedness must first begin on the inside. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with nourishing foods, regular physical activity, healthy outlets to reduce stress, and regular medical and dental exams are the foundational elements of wellness. Importantly, they can often determine whether or not you can physically endure inclement weather, broken bones in remote places, starvation, stress on the body, wild animal encounters, poisonous plants, and unexpected medical emergencies. Poor diet and sedentary lifestyles can lead to myriad health issues, and the simplest toothache can transform into an abscess that poisons the blood. You never know what small step you could have taken that would have helped you bounce back from an injury or could have reduced your risk of falling ill, so it is important to start preparing for the worst by treating your body the best you can.

This book is a comprehensive guide to knowing a little bit about everything, from what to include when you prepare a survival bug-out-bag, to knowing essential wilderness tips and tricks like water purification and finding shelter, to identifying and treating critter bites and stings or unfortunate brushes with poisonous plants. More importantly, this book provides widespread information on how to cope with medical emergencies, from basic background to home treatment methods for times when hospitals and emergency responders are not within reach. In this book youll find home remedies and recipes for fundamental treatment options like burn spray and fire ant treatment to stomach-settling teas and anti-inflammatory bone broth. While you never know whats going to happen, this book will give you the resources to plan ahead, assess your situation, find a solution, and help you keep going.

CHAPTER 1

YOUR BUG-OUT BAG

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR WHEN DISASTER STRIKES UNEXPECTEDLY

The bug-out bag is a survival essential, but it can mean different things to different people depending on the survival scenario, the length of necessity, the terrain, and the weather. Whether you have a go-to readiness bag for when your car breaks down in a blizzard and you are five miles from home, or you are preparing for something much, much worse, you will need to plan ahead, take stock of the items that are most valuable and will be of the most use to you, and personalize your preparation. While many bug-out bag guides will give you a comprehensive list of hundreds of items to includefrom weaponry and portable chainsaws to collapsible tents and fishing suppliesif your time of need is just an overnight in the woods or the wait for a tow truck, then none of these things will be of use to you. Personalization of your bug-out bag is key, so take this into account when putting it together based on your safety, nutritional wellbeing, overall health, shelter, clothing, and resource needs. If you have a severe allergy or medical condition, make sure to carry any medical bracelets, cards, or information with on or with you at all times. Make your bug-out bag easily customizable, organized, and compartmentalized, so that if you need to grab it but can already tell that you wont be needing that portable saw, your bag is navigable enough that you can just pull it out, save space, reduce weight, and get going.

First aid items are essential for your bug-out bag (BOB), no matter where you are going or what use you think this bag may serve. You will (hopefully) not need all of the items listed, but it is crucial to be prepared and have a sufficient supply of the things that can save your life so that you can keep going until you make it to safety from a hazardous event or location.

V ALUABLES AND I NFORMATION

Flash Drive and Personal Paperwork: Including but not limited to Social Security cards, passports, drivers licenses, birth certificates, deeds, and financial documents. Scan and save all of your important documents to a flash drive (at least 60GB) and keep it on you at all times.

E-Reader: Fancy multimedia and boredom prevention are not the targets here. Products like the no-frills Kindle Paperwhite and Nook have exceptionally long battery lives and can hold literally thousands of texts. You can have survival resources, digital maps, manuals, foreign language dictionaries, and entertainment on hand at a moments notice, which can make all the difference if you get into a dangerous or unknown situation (or if you just have time to kill).

Cell Phone, Power Cords, and Chargers: If you are completely secluded or have limited access to a power source, your cell phone will run out of juice. This doesnt mean you shouldnt prepare, though. Look for items geared for the outdoors, like solar chargers that can be attached to any cell phone. Keep chargers and cords organized and untangled with zip ties and plastic baggies.