# 1 of the emergency series: Emergency medical kit for a healthy family

Emergencies and disasters strike quickly and often without warning and can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services (water, gas, electricity or telephones) were cut off? Do you know what to do in an emergency? Do you know what emergencies are most likely to strike in your area? Where would you go if your family gets separated?

As of late I have taken a college course and spent much time in researching many ways of being prepared for numerous natural (and otherwise) disasters, as they seem to be happening at an increased rate.
 I believe that if a disaster strikes, you need to know how to take care of yourself and your family. This self-reliance is important because even in the best case scenario, local officials and relief workers won’t be able to reach everyone right away. People can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and by working together as a team. Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Ideally you should know your neighbors’ skills (i.e., medical, technical) and consider how you can help neighbors too. . .especially those with special needs, such as the disabled or elderly person.

One way to be a useful team player is to prepare a natural first aid kit oriented to a group, but you can also just customize it to your family.

One like this:  

• Activated charcoal capsules for poison inwardly or outwardly.
• Coconut water for electrolyte balancing after prolonged diarrhea. (Some people get this with stress, and many get it from bad water.)
• Probiotics not requiring refrigeration. (Also help the gut health.)
• Essential oils in small amounts.  Use topically. 

1. Tea tree –antiseptic, works on MRSA, antifungal.
2. Lavender-universal EO.  Antiseptic, anti burn, antimicrobial, insomnia.
3. Peppermint- for indigestion, nausea, cooling, reduces fever.
4. Catnip/citronella/geranium as mosquito repellent.
5. Rosemary for general immune function. 
• Packets of sugar.  Sugar was a battlefield antiseptic, providing a matrix for wound healing, ulcerations (even diabetic) and festering sores.  Also useful for hypoglycemia or diabetic coma.
• Saline (contact lens) solution for irrigating wounds and a few salt packets.
• Arnica for bruising and swelling.
•  Rescue Remedy for dealing with traumas better.
•  Goldenseal/Plantain/Calendula salve, nature's Triple antibiotic cream.
• Aspirin or Naproxin or willow/yanhusuo tincture for pain.
• Small packet of clay powder.  Can use with water to draw out insect bites, stings or for other skin conditions.
•  Neem oil, for tetnus, topical parasites, birth control/abortion.
• Black walnut extract, for internal parasites, as a gargle to build up teeth, or to treat wounds.
• Yarrow extract for topically for wounds, cuts and abrasions as it slows bleeding. Also intensifies other herbs. 
• Clove oil for numbing of pain in numerous locations. . .
• Bandaids of various sizes, butterfly bandage,  compress packets, sterile dressing, Ace bandage, medical tape and blister protection.
• Tools: scissors, tweezers, some duct tape, safety pins, pocket CPR kit, Non-latex gloves.
• A kit to put it all in.

This may seem like a lot of stuff to keep around for just emergencies, but believe me, this stuff should be in your medicine cabinet anyhow! So presuming you have this in a bin already, it would not be hard to get this out in an emergency. Besides for a medical emergency though, there are other things to be ready for. . .like weather related stuff. Many people go all out here, but even the laziest "prepper"  can and should have a plan. . .so check out my next in the series called #2 of the emergency series: The emergency plan for the healthy prepping family.