Dry Pre-Measured Complete Meals In Jars (just add water and cook!) Homesteading

Note: I would seal these jars 

Copyright: Rainy Day Food Storage

ABC's Sloppy Joe's Jar Meal

1 cup Thrive FD Hamburger

1/2 cup Thrive FD Tomatoes

1/2 Cup Thrive FD Bell peppers

1/2 cup Abc pasta

1/4 cup Thrive Celery 

1/4 Cup Thrive  Corn

1/4 cup Thrive Tomato power

4 Tablespoons Sloppy Joe Seasoning mix

Layer Ingredients in a one quart caning jar add oxygen absorber and label.

Sloppy Joe Seasoning mix

1 cup Dried Minced Onion

3 Tablespoons Green Pepper Flakes

4 teaspoons dried minced Garlic

2 teaspoon Dry Mustard

2 teaspoons Celery Seeds

2 teaspoons chill powder

mix well together and store in a air tight container.

To cook the Jar meal 

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil turn off heat let sit for 10 to 15 mins to rehydrate turn heat back on and let Simmer for 20 to 25 mins.

Savory Onion Roll Jar Mix 

1/4 Cup dehydrated onions flakes 

3 1/3 cup bread flour 

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon powdered milk

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dyed parsley

 1 envelope yeast

place the onion flakes in a small Zip lock baggie and set aside.

Combine ingredients except for the yeast, in a one quart jar. add the baggie of onions and the yeast to the top of the mix and close the jar.  vacuum seal and store the mix in a cool, dry place.

To Make

follow your bread machines instructions... add the Jar Mix, yeast and onions to 1 and 1/8 Cups of Water (105 to 110 degrees F) along with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil... I put my machine on the dough cycle and when it is done I cut and shape them into rolls I get about 12 rolls out of this jar mix.  

I let the rolls rise again and then brush the tops with butter and bake at 350 for about 20 t0 25 mins.  Until golden brown...

If you do not have a bread machine use traditional instructions.

Chili Jar Meal

1 cup Thrive Instant Red Beans

1/2 cup Thrive Tomato Powder

1 cup Thrive Freezed Dried Cooked Ground Beef 

1/2  cup Thrive  Mixed Bell Peppers

1/2 cup Thrive Diced Freezed Dried Tomato Dices

1/4 cup Thrive Freezed Dried Thrive Chopped Onions

1/4 cup Thrive Freezed Dried Celerly 

1 Tablespoon Beef Bulloin 

1 Tablespoon Chili Seasoing Mix

In a one Quart Mason Jar add

1 cup red beans and the 1/2 cup tomato powder

shake the tomato powder down into the red beans.

In a med sized bowl add...

all other ingredients mix well...Add to quart jar put in your oxygen absorber and lable and date.

To Make

Put 8 cups of water in a pot and bring to a  boil add the Chili Jar meal and simmer for 25-30

Chili Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons chili powder

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper

1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 tablespoon dried, minced garlic

2 teaspoons white sugar

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Mix well together and store in a air tight container

Chicken Broccoli Stir-Fry Jar Meal

1 cup of Thrive FD Chicken

1/3 cup Chicken stir-fry sauce mix 

1 cup Thrive FD Dried Broccoli

1/4 cup Dehydrated Thrive Carrots

2 tablespoon Thrive Chopped Onions 

1/2 Cup Thrive FD Green Peppers

1 Cup Thrive Instant Rice

Layer ingredients in a one quart jar in the order listed...Add oxygen absorber or vacuum seal the jar.

To Make 

Add 4 cups of water to a skillet and bring to a boil. Add Jar meal and mix well turn off the heat and let rest for 10 minutes.  After your rest period simmer for 20 to 25 minutes covered.

I like to add more sauce so I then take 1/3 cup of the chicken stir-fry sauce mix and add that to 1 1/4 cup water and mix and simmer until it thickens...stir into the jar meal when it is finished cooking.

Chicken Stir-Fry Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup chicken bouillon 

3 Tablespoons corn starch

2 Tablespoons Sugar

2 Tablespoons dried minced Onion

2 teaspoons dried Parsley 

1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger 

1/4  teaspoon Crushed Dried Red Pepper flakes 

To make the Sauce 

1/3 cup stir-fry seasoning mix 

1 1/4 cup water

In a sauce pan add water and sauce mix stir over low heat until sauce thickens.

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo 

1 cup of freeze dried Chicken

1 cup of freeze dried Broccoli 

1/3 cup Basic Sauce Mix

1/4 cup Parmesan dry cheese

1/4 Ramano dry cheese

3 Tablespoons Dry Sour Cream Powder

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

1 1/2 cups Broken up Fettuccine Noodles 

In a one Quart Jar layer Chicken,Broccoli add basic sauce mix and shake it down do the same with the cheeses,sour cream powder and pepper. Shake it down into the jar so there are room for the noodles. Add Noodles. With a paper towel or a dry dish towel wipe off the rim of the jar and add a oxygen absorber. place lid on jar and store in a cool dry place.

To Make your jar meal...In a skillet add four cups of hot water add your jar meal and stir together well let set for 10 minutes. Bring it to a boil then reduce heat to low cover and let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until noodles are tender.

Alfredo Sauce Mix

1/3 cup Basic Sauce Mix (recipe for that is below)

1/4 cup Parmesan dry Cheese

1/4 cup Ramano dry Cheese

3 Tablespoons Dry Sour Cream Powder

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

Scalloped Potatoes Jar Meal

3 cups dehydrated Potatoes

1/4 Cup of dehydrated bell peppers

6 Tbsp Basic Sauce Mix  

1/3 cup Nonfat Dry Milk 

3 Tablespoons Dry butter powder

2 Tablespoons Dehydrated Onions

Place these ingredients into a one quart jar, add Oxygen absorber 

 Place lid on jar and store in a cool dry place until ready to use.

To Make

  Remove Oxygen absorber and  Pour the Scalloped potatoes Jar meal into a medium size ungreased casserole add 2 3/4 cups of boiling water, Mix well Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes 

or until tender. 

Mac & Cheese Jar Meal

1/3 cup Basic Sauce Mix

1/2 Cup Thrive Cheese Blend Powder

2 Tablespoons Thrive Dehydrated Butter Powder

1/8 teaspoon Pepper 

2 1/4 cup of elbow macaroni Or small pasta shells

1 1/4 Cup of Water

In a 1 quart mason jar add 2 1/4 cups pasta, set aside.

In a mixing bowl mix together well the basic sauce mix,cheese blend powder,dehydrated butter and the pepper. Place mixture in a baggie and add to the top of the 1 quart mason jar add your oxygen absorber and vacuum seal the jar and label.

To make the meal cook remove the baggie and oxygen absorber, toss the oxygen absorber in the trash.

Boil the pasta until tender and drain. In a small sauce pan add 1 1/4 cups water and bring to a boil add the sauce mix and whisk over med heat until thickened pour over pasta.

Basic Sauce Mix

2 Cups Powder Non-Fat Dry Milk

3/4 cups Corn Starch

1/4 Cup Chicken Bullion Powder

2 Tablespoons Dry Onion Flakes

2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning 

Mix well together in a medium sized bowl.

Store in a mason jar and label.

Minestrone Jar Meal

In A Quart Jar Layer

1 Cup Orzo (or tiny pasta)

1/3 Cup Instant FD Red or Black Beans

1/3 Cup FD Green Beans

2/3 Cup FD Ground Beef

¼ Cup FD Spinach

1/8 Cup Thrive Mixed Red/Green Peppers

2 Tsp Italian Seasoning

1 Tsp Garlic powder

¼ Cup FD Celery

1/8 Cup FD Sweet Onion

¼ Cup FD Sweet Corn

Directions For Making

Bring to simmer in a 2+ quart pot :

4 Cups of chicken (or vegetable) broth

A splash of Olive Oil.

One (160z) Can diced tomatoes

Optional Ingredients

Add 8 Leaves Fresh cut Basil

Add all ingredients from Jar. Stir Often. As soup thickens, stir in additional chicken (or vegetable) broth until desired thickness. Cover between stirrings. Once orzo or pasta is tender, soup is ready to serve.

Instant Cheese Soup

2 Cups Instant Coffee Creamer

1/2 Cup Ham TVP

1/2 Cup Thrive Cheese Blend

1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley Flakes

1 Tablespoon Chicken Bullion Granules

1 Tablespoon Thrive Dehydrated Onions

1/2 teaspoon Pepper

2 Cups (approximately) Of  Instant Potato Flakes

Layer ingredients in the order given in a one quart glass jar.  Use a spoon to pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient.  Pack instant potato flakes tightly, right to the top of the jar.

To Make: Empty Cheese Soup mix into a soup tureen or serving bowl. Stir in 5 cups of boiling water.  Allow to stand for five minutes and stir well.

Add 1 cup of re-hydrated broccoli or Cauliflower if you would like.

Chocolate Cherry Pancakes Mix in a Jar recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried cherries
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Stir flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in mixing bowl. Transfer flour mixture to 1-quart wide-mouth jar. Add cherries, then chocolate. Seal Jar. Decorate jar and attach gift tag with the following instructions: 

Makes 20 to 24 pancakes.

2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
Contents of Chocolate Cherry Pancakes Mix jar
1 1/2 to 2 cups milk 

Combine eggs and melted butter in large bowl. Add contents of jar. Stir until well blended. Add 1 1/2 cups milk. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened. Add additional milk if thinner pancakes are desired.

Heat griddle or large nonstick skillet until a drop of water dropped on surface sizzles.pour batter onto hot griddle 1/4 cup at a time. Cook pancakes until golden on both sides.

Cheesy Sloppy Joe Hot Dish

1 1/2 Cups Sloppy Joe TVP

2 Tablespoons Chopped Dehydrated Onions

1/2 Cup Freeze Dried Corn

1/2 Cup Thrive Cheese Blend

1/2 to 1 Cup Elbow Macaroni Noodles

4 Cups Water

Layer all ingredients in a wide mouth quart sized Jar.

To Store : Add oxygen absorber 

Cooking Instructions: Put 4 cups of water in a pot or skillet and bring to a boil add contents of the jar meal stir well cover and simmer for about 20 to 25 Minutes until noodles are tender.

Taco Beef & Cheese

In a one quart wide mouth Jar layer,

½ Cup Powder Cheese Blend

4 Tablespoon Taco Seasoning

¼ Cup Dehydrated Onions

2 Tablespoon Powder Milk

Fill the rest of the Jar with Egg Noodles.

Layer all ingredients in a wide mouth quart sized Jar.

To store: Add oxygen absorber and or vacuum seal.

Cooking Instructions: Brown 1 pound of Ground Beef and

drain off fat...add 3 cups of water to the meat and bring

to a boil. Now add the Jar mix of the Beef Taco & Cheese.

and simmer for 20 Minutes until the noodles are cooked.

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1/2 cup Kosher Salt

1/2 cup Citric Acid or 4 envelopes of Lemon or Lemon Lime kool-Aid.

Mix all ingredients well and store in a large labeled container.

To Use: Add one Tablespoon to your dishwasher per load.

 Make Your Own Homemade Laundry Soap

2 cups  of Zote Soap Or

Fels-Naptha soap or Ivory Soap (finely Graded)

1 cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax

1/4 cup Oxy-Clean

Finely Grated the bar of soap

add 2 cups of the grated soap to the washing soda,borax and the oxy-clean. add to a food processor or blender and blend in to a fine powder.

Store in a container 

To use add 1 to 2 teaspoons of washing powder to your load of wash.

Make Your Own Homemade Fabric Softener

6 cups of HOT water

1 1/2 cup White Vinegar

2 cups Hair Conditioner

Any scent of your choice such as Suave Lavender, Ocean Breeze Etc. 

Mix Conditioner & HOT water well, until conditioner is dissolved  completely.  Add the vinegar and mix well. 

Store in a large container.

To use:

Pour into a Downy ball up to the medium fill line or pour into the fabric softer dispenser in your washing machine.

Make Your Own Home Made Scouring powder

2 cups Baking Soda

1 Cup of Borax

1 Cup Kosher Salt

To Make

Mix all Ingredients well and store in a air tight container...Poke holes in the lid to make a shaker.

Cheese ReconstitutioN Recipe

Todd C. Leonard, CEC | Serves: 8 | Prep Time: 4 min

Ingredients
2 cups THRIVE Shredded Colby Cheese (FD)
½ cup cold water
Directions
1. Place the THRIVE cheese in a glass bowl.
2. With a spoon, lightly stir cheese while drizzling cold water over the cheese. Stir continuously until all the water is incorporated into the cheese.
3. Water should just barely start to collect on the bottom of the glass bowl. This is a sign that the cheese has absorbed enough water.
4. Place cheese in a zip lock bag and store in refrigerator overnight or for several hours before use.
Note: Cheese will last up to 8 days in refrigerator. Continue to reconstitute cheese, as you need it, following these simple steps. Adjust quantity for individual needs.
Serving Ideas
Enjoy THRIVE Cheese in your nachos, quesadillas, lasagna, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and many more wonderful cheesy and delicious recipes!

Summer Potato Salad

Ingredients

11⁄2 cups THRIVE Potato Dices (FD)

1⁄2 cup THRIVE Diced Ham (FD)
1⁄2 cup THRIVE Celery (FD)
1⁄2 cup THRIVE Chopped Onions (FD)
1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
11⁄2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
THRIVE Iodized Salt and pepper to taste
green onions, chopped, optional

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl add potato dices, ham, celery, and onion and cover with water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes or until ingredients are rehydrated and soft. Drain.

2. In a large mixing bowl add all ingredients with mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Stir until combined. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired.

3. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Blueberry Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup butter, softened
3⁄4 cup THRIVE White Sugar, divided
zest of 1 lemon
2 THRIVE Whole Eggs, rehydrated
(2 tablespoons powder + 1⁄4 cup water)
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup THRIVE White Flour
1 teaspoon THRIVE Baking Powder
1⁄2 teaspoon THRIVE Iodized Salt
1 cup THRIVE Peach Slices (FD)
1 cup THRIVE Blueberries (FD)
1 cup THRIVE Peach Drink, prepared
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, cover peach slices and blueberries with peach drink or warm water. Let sit 5-10 minutes until softened and rehydrated.

2. Preheat oven to 350˚F.

3. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together butter and ½ cup sugar. Add lemon zest, eggs, and vanilla extract.

4. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; add to the butter mixture, stirring to incorporate. Spread half of the batter on the bottom of a greased 8 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish.

5. Top the batter in the pan with the rehydrated peaches and blueberries, along with 1⁄2 of the hydrating liquid (about). Carefully spread the remaining batter over the top of the peaches. Sprinkle cinnamon and remaining sugar over the top.

6. Bake for 38-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
Serve hot with ice cream.

Strawberry Banana Freeze

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup THRIVE Orange Drink, rehydrated (1 tablespoon powder + 1⁄2 cup water)
11⁄2 cups cold water
1⁄2 cup THRIVE Pineapple Chunks (FD)
1 cup THRIVE Strawberries (FD)
1 cup THRIVE Banana Slices (FD)
1 cup ice cubes

Directions:

1. Combine the orange drink, water, pineapple, strawberries,
bananas, and ice in a blender and process until smooth.
Refrigerate until cold.

Rich and Creamy Broccoli & Cauliflower Bake

by Natalie Riley on Oct 20 2009

This cheesy dish is chock-full of vegetable goodness

Prep Time

30 minutes

Yield 6 servings



Ingredients

• 1 T butter
• 1 T thrive white flour or whole wheat flour
• 1 c thrive powdered milk, prepared
• 1 c mozzarella cheese, divided
• 3 T grated Parmesan cheese
• 1⁄2 t nutmeg
• 1⁄2 t thrive iodized salt
• 1 1⁄2 c thrive freeze dried broccoli
• 1 1⁄2 c thrive freeze dried cauliflower
• 2 T heavy cream
  

Instructions

In a medium size bowl, cover broccoli and cauliflower with warm water. Let sit 5-10 minutes until softened and re hydrated. Drain. Repeat same process for THRIVE freeze dried cheese if necessary.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for one minute. Next, whisk in prepared milk, stirring quickly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring over heat while sauce thickens for about 2-3 minutes.

Add cream, nutmeg, salt, and 2/3 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine and remove from heat.

Add well-drained broccoli and cauliflower. Gently stir together, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Place mixture in a greased baking dish or a small pie plate. Top with remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and golden brown.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Dumplings

2	tablespoons butter	1 Bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add butter, carrots, celery, and chicken in addition to 2 cups soup mix. Stir until combined and simmer for 5-10 minutes. For Dumplings: 1 In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, cornmeal, sugar, and salt. Add the prepared milk and mix just until combined; mixture should be thick. Drop 12 tablespoons of dumpling mixture into simmering soup. Cover and simmer for another 12 minutes.
1/2	cup THRIVE Carrot Dices
1/2	cup THRIVE Celery (FD)
2	cups THRIVE Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Mix
1	cup THRIVE Chopped Chicken (FD)
1	cup THRIVE White Flour
1/2	cup THRIVE Whole Wheat Flour
2	teaspoons THRIVE Baking Powder
1/2	cup THRIVE Cornmeal
1	tablespoon THRIVE White Sugar
1	teaspoon THRIVE Iodized Salt
3/4	cup THRIVE Instant Milk, rehydrated (4 1/2 tablespoons powder + 3/4 cup water)

The Ultimate Emergency Medical Supply Checklist

Article Credits: The Survival Doctor

The Survival Doctor’s Ultimate Emergency Medical Supplies

by James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Many have asked me what I would have in a first-aid kit or bug-out bag in case disaster strikes. So I’ve come up with my top must-haves, along with extras it would be great to have. This goes beyond your average first-aid kit. It’s my ultimate emergency medical supplies list.
You’ll customize yours depending on specific illnesses, ages of family members, medical training, etc. While this is my ultimate list, that doesn’t mean it’s exhaustive. I’ve tried to keep the medical supplies to a minimum with the realization that easy transport is essential. And some things can be used for more than one purpose. All the better.

Print Me!

Click here for a printable checklist of these emergency medical supplies.

For an infographic and picture checklist, click the picture below to enlarge.

Unless otherwise mentioned, you should be able to find all these items without trouble. In fact, I’ve linked some to Amazon.com for examples.* (The links are for general information and in no way specific endorsements.)
I’d suggest having a first-aid kit in the car, at your work, and in your bug-out bag if you have one. Then, have a much larger emergency medical supplies kit at home.

The Essentials

Infection Preventers

Quick Tip

I like liquid bulk items for home storage but individual packs for the travel kits so they don’t leak.

Vinyl gloves. Emergencies outside a clinic are never sterile. The gloves are not only to cut down on getting germs in the wound but to keep the caregiver safe from potentially germ-carrying bodily fluids. Tips:

• Get a box of disposable gloves for the house and put a few pairs in each of your bags.
• Get the vinyl type to avoid latex allergies.
• Go for one-size-fits-all or the large size. If they’re too small, you can’t use them, but if they’re too large they’re kind of bulky but usable.
• The cheaper ones work well but may be more likely to tear. If than happens, just slip a second pair over the first.
• Keep the gloves in a resealable plastic bag. The bag could come in handy for irrigating a wound and multiple other uses.
• A pair of dishwasher gloves is a good substitute.

Alcohol (rubbing, or isopropyl). Good to clean wounds and wash hands. I’d keep a bottle around the house (the drinking kind will do in a pinch) and some individually packed pads in each of the kits.

Betadine pads. Good for cleaning around wounds. If need be, you can disinfect water with them by adding a pad per quart of water. The water can be used for drinking or irrigating a wound.

Antibiotic ointment. I like bacitracin. Triple-antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) is fine, but some people are allergic to it.

Bandages and Splints

SAM Splint

Adhesive bandages—otherwise known as Band-Aids. Have few regular size and a few large size in each bag.

Kerlix gauze rolls. They’re kind of like continuous rolls of gauze. You can cut one to size for a dressing, fold it over to make it thicker, wrap it around an extremity to make a pressure dressing, or wrap it around a splinted leg or arm. Take at least four rolls if they’ll fit.

Elastic bandages. I think the 3-inch or 4-inch width is the most versatile. One or two will do.

SAM Splints. Put a standard size in each kit. They’re versatile and light—for splinting sprains and fractures. Know in advance how to use one.

Bandage scissors.

Matches in a waterproof case or a lighter. To sterilize needles, safety pins, paper clips, etc.

Bandage scissors

Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly (Vaseline), stored in a resealable plastic bag. You may need the Vaseline to make a seal on an occlusive dressing for a chest puncture wound that involves a lung. In addition, the soaked cotton balls make great fire starters.

Duct tape. Actually, any tape will do. This is just a good all-purpose one. You can tape anything from a bandage to a wound with it. And it’s waterproof. You can even use it for some makeshift spectacles. You might keep a roll of paper tape also, in case someone’s allergic to the other kinds.

Super glue. Good to put on small finger nicks, which could lead to big infections in a dirty environment. It also can help the duct tape stick better.

Other Emergency Medical Supplies to Keep at Home

1. An aloe vera plant. This comes in handy. A little ground up orally can be used for a laxative. Use the gel inside the leaves for burns and soothing the skin.
2. Honey, honey, honey, for eating and coughs. Keep some manuka honey, such as Medihoney, to treat infected skin wounds.
3. More of all the other things the post mentions. (You can only keep so much in a bag.)

Safety pins of various sizes to pin elastic bandages, make slings, stick a hole in a plastic bag or jug for pressure irrigation, or pick out small splinters (after sterilizing the pin).

Other Essential Supplies

Over-the-counter medications. Have liquid or chewable sources for the kids. Keep a few individual packets in each kit.

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Aleve) or acetaminonphen (Tylenol) for pain and fever relief.
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergies or a sleep aid.
• Ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid) or your favorite antacid for heartburn and acid reflux.
• Loperamide (Imodium) for diarrhea.

One 14-gauge, 2-inch-long hollow needle in case someone has a tension pneumothorax and needs chest air-pressure release.

Warming blanket. Hypothermia can be a danger in injured people. This type is light and warms when it’s exposed to air.

Emergency airways—to keep the back of the tongue from obstructing the airway in an unconscious person. You need a children and adult size. You can learn how to use them in a CPR class.

Emergency airway kit

Of course, you’re going to need water for drinking. Store as much as you can—if possible, two gallons per person per day. For portability, carry a good, reliable water filter and bottle. Just be sure it’s the kind that filters bacteria, parasites, etc.

>> Learn the best ways to use these supplies in The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Wounds and The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Burns.

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If you still have room in your bag, add:

More Wound-Dressing Supplies

Israeli bandage

Nonstick sterile gauze, which helps keep the wound fluids from drying and sticking to the bandage. Keep a few in each kit.

Israeli bandage. This can be used as a pressure dressing or a tourniquet. It’s easy to learn how to use, but know how before you need it.

Vet wrap. This is a self-adherent wrap. It’s kind of like an elastic bandage that clings to itself. But it’s not readily reusable. The human medical brand is Coban, but vet wrap is cheaper, and otherwise, I don’t know that there’s a difference.

Sanitary napkins or more gauze. I like the 3-by-3- or 4-by-4-inch gauze. Again, I’d keep a pack in each of the bags or just get a big pack and store some in resealable plastic bags for the various first-aid kits. You can add a few sterile sponges to each kit also. They usually come individually wrapped. Sure, you can use sterile gauze even if you don’t need it to be sterile. It’s just more expensive.

Vet wrap

Tampons—good for nosebleeds or for any place they fit to stop the bleeding.

Hydrocortisone 1% cream for eczema, poison oak or ivy, or any other noninfectious skin irritation.

Aloe vera—the gel for the kits. It’s great first-aid for burns.

Lidocaine gel for numbing a wound.

Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) for skin moisturizing. It’s also about the only thing that gets tar off the skin or hair. And, as mentioned above, it helps seal chest puncture wounds.

Sterile gloves and dressings (as opposed to the less expensive nonsterile kind), which are most important when tending to burns or wounds that involve broken bones. (See my books.)

Medical Gadgets

Headlamp

Stethoscope, blood-pressure cuff

Pulse oximeter

Headlamp—not exactly “medical,” but it sure comes in handy. It’s amazing how a little extra light can help when you’re trying to do a medical procedure.

Stethoscope to listen to the heart and the lungs. Listen to some normal ones ahead of time.

Thermometer. A digital oral one is fine.

Blood-pressure cuff. This is bulky, and really, feeling a pulse with your fingers—its rate and whether it’s weak or strong—can tell you enough in the field. Although, the cuff can be used for a tourniquet or pressure dressing. For home, if you don’t use one much, consider an automatic one. The arm kinds tend to be more accurate than the wrist types. Check its accuracy ahead of time by letting a trained person check your blood pressure with a manual cuff, then the automatic one.

Pulse oximeter. Clip this to your finger (no needles, no blood), and it tells you the oxygen saturation in your blood. You can use it when you suspect a panic attack, or heart or lung problems. Learn more here.

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Tea tree oil

If you have a smaller, separate leak-proof and waterproof bag, add:

Medihoney for the house. It treats infected wounds. Read my Wounds and Burns books for more specifics on how to use honey.

Clove oil—for toothaches.

Tea tree oil—for poison ivy and lice, scabies, and antifungal and antibiotic use.

Paracord Survival Bracelet. This is a strong cord with multiple uses. (The link goes to the store for Wounded Warriors, which is a great organization.)

>> Information overload? Learn at your leisure with the new The Survival Doctor ebooks.

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Those who have appropriate hands-on training, add:

Lactated Ringer’s solution

IV materials. You’ll need:

• A bag of IV fluids, like lactated Ringer’s solution.
• An IV kit.
• Several needles/catheters, butterfly-type infusion sets, or intraosseus infusion needles. Many paramedics would say the latter are the easiest in a nonhospital emergency setting.

Suture kits. Most wounds can be closed with duct tape. Others are best left open. For the rest, here are some options:

• You’ll need a suture holder.
• Small scissors would also be nice, especially if you’re going to be the one to take the sutures out.
• And you’ll need a suture with a needle connected; 3-0 or 4-0 nylon (Ethilon) should be strong enough to hold most wounds together.

Skin stapler

For local anesthesia (numbing) lidocaine solution, 1 or 2 percent, is what medical personnel use, but it’s prescription. You’ll need syringes and needles too. Lidocaine gel or ice packs and other options have variable results.

Skin staples. To me, skin stapling is easier than learning suturing. My book on wounds has a video link that shows how to do this.

Staple remover. A must if you’re planning on getting the staples out.

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What if I can’t get antibiotics?

Many infections, such as sore throats and gastrointestinal infections, are caused by viruses, and antibiotics don’t help. For other infections, there are alternatives if prescription meds aren’t available, There are alternative treatments for skin infections, pinworms, lice, scabies, fungal infections, yeast infections and numerous others.

Antibiotics

Talk to your doctor. He or she might give you a prescription for at least one round of treatment to add to your emergency medical supplies. Antibiotics must be stored in a cool, dry place. Temperature extremes can alter their potency.

Azithromycin (Z-Pak) is an erythromycin-type antibiotic that can treat strep throat, ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, and skin infections. Of course, there’s always chance the bacteria is resistant or the infection is a virus. Azithromycin also treats the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia.

Amoxicillin is a great drug if you’re not allergic to penicillin, but many bacteria, such as staph, have become resistant to it. Cephalexin is a good alternative.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is good for a bacterial gastrointestinal infection, but only take it if the infection is severe or won’t go away. Ciprofloxacin is also good for prostatitis and urinary-tract infections such as cystitis. It treats gonorrhea too. It may cause abnormalities in anyone whose bones are still growing (typically 18 years old and under). Don’t use if pregnant.

Metronidazole (Flagyl) treats the intestinal parasite giardia and the sexually transmitted parasite trichomonas. Makes you deathly sick if mixed with alcohol.

Septra and Bactrim are sulfa drugs good for urinary-tract infections. The antibiotic both of these contain is one of the only oral antibiotics that treats community-acquired staph aureus (MRSA). Not to use if pregnant.

Mupirocin (Bactroban) is a prescription ointment or cream that actively kills bacteria, even MRSA. (The over-the-counter antibacterials help prevent infections but don’t actively kill bacteria.)

Ivermectin kills many intestinal-worm infections, including pinworms. It also kills scabies and body, pubic, and head lice. Don’t take if pregnant or breastfeeding or under six years old.

Please read the package inserts on any medicine before taking it, and note the dosages, side effects, interactions, warnings, etc. The guidelines I’ve presented here are only partial.

Have you tried any of these products? Do you have comments or reviews—or emergency medical supplies to add to the list? Please share here.

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