Comments on: 13 Survival Must-Haves You May Not Have Thought Of

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:29:24 +0000

One thing I haven’t Seen on any of the lists yet are (and I know this sounds gross at first) reusable femine pads. I happened to come across this great brand who also makes diapers. Called Charlie Banana. They come in packs of 3 for about $18 and are made of the softest cotton and super cute. I ordered mine on amazon. Have yet to use them but I put them in my bug emergency bag. They claim that just by washing them in a bucket of water they stay super white. So I figured this might be better then storing pads by the tote full. Check out the link. http://www.charliebanana.com/3-Feminine-Pads-Butterfly-Regular-Box_p_19.html

By: Tami

Tami — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:01:43 +0000

You forgot to mention the Holy Bible. And that, added to your list here, is everything I need to have with me to survive! (and bear mace. and a sling-shot. seriously.)

By: thesurvivalmom

thesurvivalmom — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:23:49 +0000

That’s what I carry! No need for the big plastic or cardboard, “applicator”. (Who knew you “applied” tampons???)

By: SallyD.

SallyD. — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:58:37 +0000

Actually the OB type is better. They are smaller and will fit most bullet holes, as per the Navy Medic who has a bagful for his tours in hostile areas. For a prepping plan they do take up much less room than cardboard applicator types. For larger wounds such as a chest wound or large leg wound a maxi-pad is very handy, cover with a bandage or large strips of cloth to keep it secure.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:37:28 +0000

Baby diapers work great for wounds too. My mother (an ER RN) confirmed use of tampons for sucking wounds. Sucking wounds are trauma chest wounds that are aggravated by breathing and beating of the heart. (So GSW to the chest) BUT they should only be used if no other dressing is available and you can get med help in the immediate hours following the trauma.

By: lynda

lynda — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:19:15 +0000

I went to an expo recently and I came across a Reusable Glow Sticks. Has an indefinite life. And its only $7 plus they have some other cool products. Then you only need one for each of your family members. It will save you loads over time. http://www.uvpaqlite.com/

By: Aaron Ladd

Aaron Ladd — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:15:38 +0000

You suggest Tampons as a first aid measure… It works great for nose bleeds that just won't stop the typical way. We use them in the ER all the time… and they have a built in pull cord for when it is time to remove them. Not great for GSW's ( as people have said) so please do not use them in that way.

I carry several overnight maxi-pads though, as they are highly effective for pressure with major bleeding, as others have said… and they do not stick to the wound.

Dental Floss is also great!!! Your are totally right… it can be used for tons of stuff… It is sterile, and therefore can be used as a suture if you are in a pinch… Just sterilize the Upholstery needle, you suggested, with a lighter, and get sewing( I carry several suture kits with needle drivers, but the floss is a good back up)

By: TheSurvivalMom

TheSurvivalMom — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:55:05 +0000

No one here is suggesting a tampon in a wound as a first choice in a crisis, but I\’ve read too many first person accounts of them being used in a real emergency by members of the military. The danger, actually, is removing them because, if not done correctly, pulling it from a wound would also remove any clotted blood as well. As far as the quarters go, well, again, it\’s just a suggestion! Lighten up!

By: Huston

Huston — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:42:58 +0000

This has a couple bits of just plain wrong information.
Shoving a tampon in a bullet wound? Seriously?! Bullet wounds are much worse than people think. It's not a simple in and out that makes you bleed. Shoving a tampon INSIDE a bullet wound will only aggravate it. Not to mention, those little cloth fibers can stay inside the wound after it "heals" and cause infection stupidly easily. I NEVER carried these in my first aid kit while deployed. If anything, use it as tinder for fire or on the OUTSIDE of the wound as a pressure bandage. DO NOT EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, STICK A TAMPON INSIDE OF A BULLET WOUND. I have seen this suggestion countless times by people with little to no first-aid training, and I hope to god that no one who believes this would ever perform first aid on me.
Also, stick a roll of quarters inside of a sock ? No thanks. Anyone who has ever tried this, or even thought about it extensively can tell you that one swing with a weight of some kind inside of a sock (doesn't even have to hit) will ruin the sock when it breaks and you may just lose your roll of quarters. Better off hitting someone with your fists.

By: WritingABookHere

WritingABookHere — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:05:08 +0000

For fire-starter, my mother used to used to keep cardboard egg cartons in the laundry room. She would stuff the bottom egg compartments with lint. When it was full, she would then melt paraffin in an old can (in a boiling bath in another pan on the stove). She would then use tongs to pour the melted paraffin into the lint filled egg carton. Worked like a charm for our barbecue! 1-2 egg compartments did the job with charcoal.
Another thing that I had a mom tell me was the glow stick necklaces for her kids for night-time while they were in a strange location. That way she could keep track of her kids in the dark. Plus the kids will have fun for the night, maybe lightening up the situation.
Lastly, somebody told me that an emergency thermal blanket is good to have. It can create insulation to a tent, your sleeping bag, and of course is good if someone goes into shock. A park ranger my husband met says he uses it for a poncho. Warm and waterproof.