Get Rid Of Several Problems With The Use Of Essential Oils

essential oils for preppers

Health trends do come and go, but the use of essential oils is used extensively and reliably in medicine for many thousands of years. Essential oil therapy or aromatherapy can be recognized as the medicinal utilization of naturally mined plant aromas for promoting emotional and physical well-being. The use of aromatic plant extracts is very old as they are highly used for soothing skins, treating burns, relaxing your mind, and also lessening stress. Essential oils for babies who are older than three months are highly helpful in calming anxiety, encouraging sleep, and even relieving signs of colic.

However, before you apply these oils on babies, you must have a detailed understanding of the application processes as well as appropriate dilution ratios. As essential oils are hugely available, it becomes very important to go through the product levels well for ensuring that you have been using nothing short of unadulterated, genuine, and pure essential oils. When an essential oil gets premixed with alcohol, then it turns irritating. This is why; you should avert artificial fragrances that are entirely different from an essential oil as these synthetic fragrances can turn harmful to your health and can be irritating too on your skin.

Some useful essential oils for babies

Chamomile – These essential oils are gentle and help babies in having a sound sleep. Chamomile is equipped with natural comforting effects and it is used for treating insomnia in babies as well as adults. When you use chamomile along with lavender, then it will be able to soothe the signs of colic.

Distilled lemon – This is capable of helping mood and energy levels and it is also excellent for a post-nap wakeup call. People prefer distilled lemon as it doesn’t result in skin irritation.

Dill – Dill’s oil is antispasmodic and calming and it helps in soothing indigestion. For using this oil, dilute it in a ratio of a drop/teaspoon of carrier oil. After this, you can apply it on your baby’s skin.

Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus happens to be a natural expectorant which can help in unclogging respiratory congestion. Due to this reason, eucalyptus is preferred during the winter months.

Lavender – Lavender has numerous sedative and calming effects. An oil massage of lavender is helpful in relaxing a fussy baby besides encouraging his sleep.Again, you can use lavender on insect bites for lessening itchiness.

Tea tree – Tea tree happens to be an antifungal, antimicrobial, and disinfectant. When you add some drops of this oil to unscented oil, it will help in lessening fungal infections and diaper rash.

Safety rules regarding essential oils

It is highly important to select essential oils which are absolutely safe for babies and for the safety of these oils you have to follow some rules like:

  • Store essential oils in a dry and safe place.
  • Don’t allow direct sunlight to fall on the essential oil and use within date.
  • You must follow the correct instructions.

As with everything else, you must have a consultation with a medical professional regarding baby essential oils which would be ideal for use on your baby. You must be particularly careful if your child suffers from breathing problems or asthma.

Why It’s Important To Add A First Aid Kit To Your Survival Preps

Why It’s Important To Add A First Aid Kit To Your Survival Preps

You would think that everyone would understand the obvious, adding a first aid kit to your survival planning and preps. But like many things this is one survival item often overlooked.

Whether it’s a natural disaster, car crash or a zombie outbreak, medical treatment will always be needed in an emergency situation.

We suggest that you consider having at least 3 different types of first aid kits:

While kit contents will vary, your basic kit should include at least the following:

  • Bandages
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Gauze pads
  • Iodine or similar prep pads
  • Alcohol prep pads
  • Butterfly bandages
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Medical adhesive tape
  • Aspirin and/or non-aspirin pain relievers

The intermediate kit will include more of each of the above items, plus the following:

  • Larger adhesive bandages
  • Smelling salts or ammonia inhalants
  • Ace-type bandages for strains and sprains
  • Several sizes of sterile pads
  • Rolls of gauze
  • Antiseptic towlets
  • Thermometer
  • Snake bite poison extractor
  • Tweezers
  • Safety pins
  • Moleskin
  • Rubber (latex) gloves
  • Burn medication
  • Anti-itch treatment
  • Sun screen
  • Diarrhea medication
  • Eye drops
  • Basic first aid instructions

Your more extensive deluxe medical kit can be expected to include not only the above, but some or all of the following:

  • Special bandages, such as conforming, trauma and field dressings
  • Rubbing alcohol for sterilization
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Betadine
  • Scissors
  • Forceps
  • Scalpels
  • Hemostats
  • Sterile sutures, in several sizes
  • Wound probe
  • Mouth-to-mouth shield
  • Instant hot pack
  • Instant cold pack
  • Prep pads
  • Eye pads
  • Sponges
  • Cotton balls
  • Burn treatments
  • Dental tools
  • Splint materials
  • In-depth first aid/surgical guide
  • Cold medication
  • Decongestant
  • Antihistamine
  • Colloidal silver

If you need access to prescription medicines, you should consider stocking up on them now and adding these:

  • Broad spectrum antibiotic
  • Antibiotics for sinus infections, strep throat and other common “flu” ailments
  • Pain killers
  • Super Glue –  a way to deal with lacerations (a fairly common injury) other than just “band-aids.”
  •  Surgical stapler
  • Tampons and maxi pads as a way to apply pressure and control bleeding from a more serious injury.
  • Duct tape

Also, adding a medical encyclopedia with detail and instructions for basic surgical and other medical procedures would be good to have on hand. You might even invest in taking a First Aid training course at your local Junior College or continuing education center.

Year Zero Survival has a great selection of survival first aid kits for the home, car, and workplace.  Now is the time to act, be prepared.

First Aid Guide List and Links

First Aid, learn as much as you can now for use later.

CPR is an important skill

Information to help you during a medical emergency:

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, emergency treatment or formal first-aid training. Don’t use this information to diagnose or develop a treatment plan for a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. If you’re in a life-threatening or emergency medical situation, seek medical assistance immediately.

via First Aid – MayoClinic.com.

How To Prevent, Recognize And Treat Snake Bites

Although nearly 8,000 people are bit by venomous snakes each year, there are usually no more than eight deaths. However, this should not lead backpackers and hikers to believe it isn’t something to worry about. Snakes do not want to waste their poison on humans, but rather rodents and other small animals to feed on. If a bite victim is not treated quickly, the venom can be deathly. Even a bite from a so-called “harmless” snake can cause infection or allergic reaction.

Preventing Snake Bites

While in the outdoors, do not pester, bother, or provoke snakes or other animals as you are in their territory. Do not play with them or attempt to pick a snake up unless you are a trained professional. If a snake is to bite a human, it is merely defensive in nature and will likely only leave enough venom behind to cause illness.

Backpacking Tip:

Rattlesnakes can strike from a distance of half their body length. Let the snake slip away, or walk around it. When scrambling up rocky trails, watch where you put your hands, especially on sunny ledges.

Avoid hiking in areas where snakes are known to be. Stay out of tall grass and on the trail as much as possible. If you must invade snake territory, wear long pants, ankle-high boots, or even snake-proof gaiters. Also, be careful when stepping in areas where snakes could be hiding, such as under rocks or logs. If you are entering an area where you can not see your feet, kick ahead of you to give snakes enough warning and time to slither away. However, always keep your hands and feet out of areas where you are unable to see them. Also, be careful around rocks or while picking up firewood.

Snake Bite Symptoms

  • Bloody wound discharge
  • Fang marks or swelling at wound
  • Extreme localized pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Burning sensation
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fever
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Weakness of body
  • Loss of muscle coordination
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Convulsions
  • Fainting
Symptoms compiled from the University of Maryland Medical Center. For a more in-depth map of these symptoms, see our Common Snake Bit Symptoms Map.
Snakebite_symptoms

All snakes will attack if they feel threatened or surprised, but only a handful are actually venomous. In any case, treat every bite seriously while you are backpacking or hiking. This list includes the:

  • Rattlesnake
  • Cobra
  • Copperhead
  • Coral snake
  • Cottonmouth Water Moccasin

Snake Bite First Aid Procedure

    1. Keep the snake bit victim calm, keeping them still and quiet. Restrict movement, and keep the affected area at or below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.
    2. Remove any rings or constricting items and clothing as the affected area may swell.
    3. Allow the bite to bleed freely for 15 – 30 seconds before cleansing.
    4. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.
    5. Contact medical help as soon as possible (see below).
    6. Evacuate the victim immediately by hiking to a car, a helicopter, or medical staff.
    7. Monitor the person’s vital signs — temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure — if possible. Watch for any signs of shock (sweating, clammy skin, or shallow breathing), since the fear of having been bitten is often more dangerous than the bite.
    8. Attempt to identify the snake or, only if can be done safely, bring in the dead snake. Do not waste time hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. After it has been killed, a snake can still bite for up to an hour, so be careful while transporting it.
Snake Bites

Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if someone has been bitten by a snake. If treated correctly, many bite victims will not have serious injuries. However, medical support needs to know the correct anti-venom to use, as this is the only treatment. Attempt to identify the snake or remember its appearance in order to let the hospital or poison control what type of anti-venom is needed.

You may also call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. The center can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in any kind of poisoning. You may call them with any questions regarding prevention or treatment. This national number is connected to all the local poison control centers. It does NOT need to be an emergency to call the National Poison Control Center – you may call them for any reason 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Six Don’ts

      1. Don’t let the allow the victim to engage in strenuous physical activity. If necessary, carry the person to safety. Otherwise, have them hike out slowly without their pack so they are not over-exerted.
      2. Don’t apply a tourniquet. Restricting superficial blood flow does keep the venom from spreading, which you want to avoid. Concentrated venom will rapidly destroy cells. Allowing it to spread will dilute the toxin and reduce tissue damage.
      3. Don’t apply a cold pack. Cold reduces healthy circulation to the infected area. Also, some experts believe snake venom increases vulnerability to frostbite.
      4. Don’t apply a suction device. Removing the venom by suction was once standard procedure, but is no longer considered safe treatment. These devices generally to not remove a substantial amount of toxin and can damage sensitive tissue.
      5. Don’t let the snake bite victim eat or drink anything, including medication and alcohol, unless okayed by medical staff.
      6. Don’t cut across the bite marks and attempt oral suction. Because snake fangs are curved, the pocket of venom will not be where expected and will probably have already spread. Plus, many snake bites are considered “dry,” where there was no toxin released into the victim. This may also increase the risk of infection in the area by having an open wound.

Additional Resources

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