Introduction

This is an Emergency Medical Preparedness Guide to keep yourself prepared in times of emergency like the currently evolving situation between India and Pakistan. It is written keeping in mind non-medically trained personnel, but can be used by medical personnel as well. Remember, everyone is deserving of humanitarian and medical assistance at all times. This preparedness guide is not the ultimate guide and care should be taken to follow local guidelines from the Ministry of Home, Ministry of Health and other relevant Medical Authorities. Further, it is requested that those following these guidelines assume full responsibility when enacting these guidelines as they are not a substitute for actual medical advice. It is thoroughly advised that this guide is enacted with the cooperation of your personal physician or surgeon.

DISCLAIMER

There are no affiliate links on this page. The Medical Trench and Dr Aparajeya Shanker do not assume personal responsibility for the items on the page, as the responsibilities for these products rely entirely on the sellers and manufacturers.

WOUND CARE

This is a list of items that all first aid kits or aid stations should have as relates to the care of wounds. Remember, gauze, bandages, and cleaning wounds is the first step to recovering a person and preventing further complications.

1. Povidone Iodine Cream

   1. This is a antiseptic cream used for wounds which are not bleeding profusely. Remember, wash the wound, press on it with a bandage, cloth or gauze, and then use povidone-iodine cream. Cover the wound.

   2. BRAND NAME IN INDIA: BETADINE

      1. https://ph.betadine.global/en/ph/product-category/product/wound-care/povidone-iodine-betadine-cream

      2. ALSO KNOWN AS BETADINE 10%

         1. The 10% variant is a higher concentration variant.

2. Silver Sulfadiazene Cream

   1. This cream is used for burns. You can apply this cream in areas of burns where there is still some skin left. Remember, cover burns of all types with a moist bandage, soaked in clean water, or soaked in Normal Saline.

   2. CAUTION: DO NOT COMBINE SILVER SULFADIZENE CREAMS WITH OTHER TYPES OF CREAMS LISTED HERE OR ELSEWHERE.

   3. BRAND NAMES IN INDIA:

      1. BURN HEAL

3. Povidone Iodine Solution (Liquid)

   1. This is the liquid form of the above mentioned cream. It used for thoroughly cleaning large wounds. Soak a cotton ball, gauze or bandage in this solution and clean the wound and surrounding skin. It is best used for large wounds and then covered with two layers of bandages, the lower bandage should be soaked in this liquid, and the upper bandage should be dry.

   2. BRAND NAMES IN INDIA:

      1. BETADINE SOLUTION

4. Sterile Gauze

   1. Sterile Gauze are rectangular cotton bandages that are used to actually cover wounds. They can also be used to clean wounds. Remember, you have to use bandaging tape ABOVE the sterile gauze to fix it properly. There are many brands available so this guide will only mention different sizes that you should have at all times.

   2. 10cmX10cm

      1. This size is the best for covering most wounds. Remember again, that you should use two layers of sterile gauze. One should have medication on it (any one of the creams mentioned above) and this should be in contact with the wound. The second layer should cover the medicated first layer and should be in contact with bandages or tape.

   3. 5cmX5cm

      1. This is a smaller size and is very good for using on small scrapes, cuts, scratches. They can also be used as a way to clean wounds by soaking them in BETADINE solution.

   4. EXAMPLES

      1. Sterile Gauze Variant 1

      2. Sterile Gauze Variant 2 10cmX10Cm

5. Bandage Rolls

   1. These are used to wrap around the gauze. Especially used when the wound is on a limb, like the leg or the arm. There are different widths available, but it is generally accepted that you should own two or three different widths.

6. Bandage Tape/Surgical Tape/ Dressing Tape

   1. These are the adhesive tapes that hold the bandages together. Remember, they need to cover the gauze bandages you have used above so that they are fixed in place.

   2. Adhesive Tape

   3. Micropore

      1. Micropore tape is breathable but it is not very strong. It used when the aim is to hold the bandaging over a joint, like the fingers or the fingertips. It doesn’t hold for very long.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Managing Pain is a very complex and multi-step process. In case of severe injury it is not recommended that you attempt to treat pain yourself. However, it is a good idea to keep over the counter pain medications with you, especially those that you have used in the past with good effect. Specific pain formulations are not mentioned here as it is in contravention with Indian Law, however, these can be used as a guide when consulting your personal physician.

MEDICATIONS FOR PAIN

1. IBUPROFEN

   1. Take 2 tablets a day

2. KETOPROFEN

   1. Can take 3 tablets a day

3. NIMESULIDE

   1. Take 2 to 3 tablets a day, avoid if you have Liver disease

4. PARACETAMOL

   1. Take 3 tablets a day

5. ASPIRIN

   1. Take 3 tablets a day

CAUTION: ALWAYS USE ANTACID MEDICATIONS (MENTIONED BELOW) WITH ANY MEDICATIONS FOR PAIN AS A PRECAUTION AGAINST THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THESE MEDICATIONS. CHOOSE ANY ONE, BASED ON THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN.

ANTACID MEDICATIONS:

1. OMEPRAZOLE 20 MG

   1. Take twice a day, before meals.

   2. This is meant to act as a protectant barrier in the stomach

2. PANTOPRAZOLE 20 MG

   1. Take twice a day, before meals

   2. This is meant to act as a protectant barrier in the stomach

PAIN GELS AND SPRAYS

It is essential that pain gels and sprays are available in every household. These are usually Diclofenac formulations in gel and spray forms and can be used safely in most people. It is important that sufficient supplies be kept for the household. Remember, do not use pain gels and sprays on open wounds.

MANAGING BLEEDING

If a person has been hurt around you, the quickest way to stop bleeding is to put direct pressure on the wound, and tie a tourniquet above the wound. If you do not have a tourniquet, use a belt, tie, dupatta, or anything that you can get to stop the flow of blood. Note that the victim needs to be evacuated to a medical facility has quickly as possible. Gauze, bandages and cotton can also be used to cover wounds to act as direct plugs which stop bleeding.

NOTE: TRANEXA 500MG- Can be used for managing bleeding in some cases, but it is best used only under the direct supervision of a physician.

MANAGING INFECTIONS AND GENERAL ILLNESSES

Managing infections is a very complex topic that cannot be covered here. However, it is prudent to keep some antibiotics with you upon the advice of your doctor or personal physician. Commonly, a field emergency kit or a home kit should contain the following MEDICATIONS:

ANTIBIOTICS

1. AUGMENTIN

2. AZITHROMYCIN

3. CLARITHROMYCIN

4. CIPROFLOXACIN

5. ENTEROQUINOL

6. DOXYCYCLINE

ANTI-ALLERGENIC MEDICATIONS

1. SINAREST : Combination medication, available over the counter. Can be used for respiratory infections.

2. CETRIZINE : Used for allergic reactions in the skin, eyes, etc

3. LORATIDINE : Used for allergic reactions in the skin, eyes, etc.

REGULAR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

If you or a family member is reliant on regular medication for various illnesses like diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid issues, cancer, etc. It is highly recommended that you keep a supply of medications that can last your for 2 months at any given time. This is especially true for cardiovascular drugs and inhalers (such as those for asthma) and for diabetes medication like insulin. Always remember to keep some separate so that you can use them if you need to be evacuated elsewhere or are forced to move.

USEFUL TOOLS, INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

The items in the following list are useful items that can help you with making sure that you are safe at all time and don’t only include medical supplies:

1. Headlamp

2. Helmet

3. Torch

4. Extra batteries

5. Power Banks

6. Scissors

7. Tourniquets

8. Belts

9. Gloves

   1. Differing sizes, Nitrile gloves are the best for their durability

10. Sanitizer

11. Alcohol Wipes, Sterile Wipes, Antibacterial Wipes

12. Oral Rehydration Solution

    1. Keep pediatric versions if you have children in the family

13. Probiotics

14. Supplies of drinking water.

15. Screwdrivers

16. Pen knives

QUICK PRACTICAL FIRST AID ADVICE IN TIMES OF WAR

1. If a person around you is wounded, remember the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Lay them flat on the ground, tilt their neck back and lift their chin up. After this listen for breath sounds. If there are sites of active bleeding, control the bleeding first by applying direct pressure.

2. Tie a Tourniquet: Tourniquets save lives by ensuring that the victim doesn’t lose blood and reduces their chances of going into shock from excessive blood loss. In the limbs, tying a tourniquet is easier. Make sure that it is tight and you should note the time when you tied the tourniquet so that the doctors or surgeons know the duration of the tourniquet.

3. If a person has been shot or wounded in the chest, and you can see a hole, don’t panic. Take a piece of gauze and cover the wound. With a bit of bandaging tape, cover three sides of the gauze. This is an improvised 3-way vented chest seal and will help to prevent more air from entering the chest through the wound.

4. When moving a victim from one place to another, please attempt move them perfectly flat, supporting their neck so that their airway is clear and they can breathe. This will also help to prevent any further injuries to the neck or vertebral canal.

Resources/Further Reading

1. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

2. https://www.suomi.fi/guides/preparedness/checklist

3. https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/get-prepared-for-emergencies/

4. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/build-an-emergency-kit-and-grab-and-go-bag