Posted on 06/30/2011 6:41:48 AM PDT by blam
The Four Most Likely Ways You Can Die If The SHTF
Tess Pennington
June 30th, 2011
Ready Nutrition
The subject of survival in a long term disaster goes beyond having stockpiles of beans, bullets and band-aids. Those that do survive during a long term emergency will no doubt be tried and tested with a great many things. One of those trying scenarios is dealing with death.
Zombie attacks seem to be a prevalent theme for preppers to prepare for. In fact, the CDC has even posted a preparedness article on how to ward off zombie attacks. While I believe these zombies will likely take the form of substance abusers, mental patients, chronically ill or diseased, and desperate individuals whose basic needs have not been met, they will die out in the first few months of an onset of a major disaster, and there presence will rarely be an issue in a long term situation.
In reality, a majority of those that will die during a long-term disaster will be from illnesses brought on by acute respiratory infections due to cramped living conditions, poor water conditions (or lack of), or bacterial infections from wounds. If we survive a major disaster, America would become a third world country and the aftermath of such a scenario will be similar to those living in Africa, Ethiopia and India.
Illness Due to Poor Water Conditions
Typically, any diseases that are brought on by lack of sanitation and hygiene are controllable and preventable. In a disaster where water sources are compromised, people within a 50 mile radius could be adversely impacted by illness and disease if just one person incorrectly handles water or incorrectly disposes of waste. Contaminated water, poor sanitation and/or lack of hygeine leads to diseases such as Hepatitis A, viral gastroenteritis, cholera, Shigellosis, typhoid, Diphtheria and polio. If these diseases affect enough people, an epidemic will ensue.
Dehydration and diarrhea are also water-related matters to contend with. Those without adequate water conditions and/or are suffering from disease brought on by poor water conditions could quickly dehydrate. These types of illnesses typically affect at-risk populations such as children, the sick and the elderly. Young children in particular are at high risk for diarrhea and other food- and waterborne illnesses because of limited pre-existing immunity and behavioral factors such as frequent hand-to-mouth contact. The greatest risk to an infant with diarrhea and vomiting is dehydration. In addition, fever or increased ambient temperature increases fluid losses and speeds dehydration. Having knowledge beforehand on how to properly clean drinking water and food, and the symptomatology and treatment of these types of diseases can prevent further outbreaks from occurring.
Recommended preparedness items: water filtration systems, water purification tablets, chlorine granules, bleach, electrolyte or rehydration powders, anti-diarrea medicines.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition from either improper water conditions or from lack of nutrients is also a large killer amongst those in impoverished communities. Medical experts say there is a symbiotic relationship between malnutrition and diarreah. Malnutrition increases the severity of diarrhea while diarrhea can cause malnutrition. Either way, prevention for both of these health issues is key.
Those that are malnourished are more suseptible to illness and disease. Individuals who are malnourished will also be vitamin deficient and their health is likely to regress further. Those who survive from malnutrition are permanently affected by this disease and may suffer from recurring sickness, faltering growth, poor brain development, increased tooth decay, reduced strength and work capacity, and increased chance of chronic diseases in adulthood. Adult women with this condition will give birth to underweight babies.
Recommended preparedness items: dietary supplements, vitamin powders, seeds for sprouting or seeds for fresh vegetables and fruits, survival bars, knowledge of alternative means to attain vitamins
Acute Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory infections (URI) will also be a leading cause of death in a long term disaster. Upper respiratory infections include: colds, flu, sore throat, coughs and bronchitis can usually be cured with additional liquids, rest and nourishment. Allowing the illness to exacerbate will lead to secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia. The germs from pneumonia are easily spread from an infected person to others by coughing or sneezing or through close contact. A major concern about respiratory infections is that there are many drug resistant strands of viruses, bacterias and diseases (including tuberculosis), that regular medicine will not cure. In a long term disaster situation, many could perish.
To properly prepare for this type of medical situation, learn about the more prevalent viruses and bacterias in your country and how to prevent them in order to provide a healthy living environment in a long term situation.
Not only are URI’s a concern but other air-borne diseases such as tuberculosis will likely fester during a long term scenario. In regular non-SHTF times, treatment for tuberculosis requires 6-12 months of medication. In a long term emergency, chances of surviving tuberculosis are slim. The best way to prevent tuberculosis is adequate nutrition, vitamin D and living in a properly ventilated shelter.
Survival groups that have multiple people living under one roof will only increase the likelihood of passing air-borne infections and diseases to one another. In addition, those in an at-risk group (elderly, immuno-deficient, infants) are more likely to catch illnesses. If a survival group is sharing a home, an infirmary or sick room should be prepared for those who have fallen ill. Isolating the person who is ill will limit exposure to the other members of the group. Adequate nutrition, water, rest, good sanitary practices and ventilation of the home is essential in curbing this.
Recommended preparedness items: decongestants, expectorants, upper respiratory medicines, antibiotics (for secondary and bacterial infections), knowledge on medicinal herbs, prepare a sick room at your survival homestead
Infections From Wounds
Open injuries have the potential for serious bacterial wound infections, including gas gangrene and tetanus, and these in turn may lead to long term disabilities, chronic wound or bone infection, and death. Anitibiotics will be few and far between and will be more precious than gold. Without proper medicines, antiseptic and knowledge on proper medical procedures, many will die of bacterial infections. Learning medical skills, gaining knowledge on natural medicines and alternative medical antiseptic (i.e., Dakin’s Solution) before a disaster occurs could help people survive from wound infections. Also, ensuring the area that you treat medical emergencies is clean and as sterile as possible may also prevent bacterial infections.
Recommended preparedness items: stock up on maxi pads for wound absorption, gauze, celox, antibiotics, suture needles and other basic first aid supplies
Additionally, consider developing the following skills: basic first aid class, sign up for EMT classes in your community, an off-grid medical care class such as those offered by onPoint Tactical. Also, consider investing in books such as When There is No Doctor and When There is No Dentist
Also look into making your own antiseptics utilizing alcohol distillation, such as the custom made units from LNL Protekt.
These illnesses (provided above) have impacted countries all over the world. These illness and conditions, coupled with unsanitary living conditions such as substandard sanitation, inadequate food and water supplies and poor hygiene, make disaster-affected people especially vulnerable to disease. These illnesses will affect us no matter what part of the world we live in, what socio-economic status we currently hold, and no matter how prepared we think we are.
Understanding what can happen and being prepared when it does is absolutely essential. The last thing we want to do when a serious condition arises is to panic. Preparing your supplies, developing your skills and educating the rest of your family and preparedness group on how to prevent, identify and counteract these serious conditions will provide a significant boost to your ability to survive if the worst happens.
Recommended Reading:
Patriot Nurse: 5 Diseases that Will Explode WTSHTF
Prevention and Management of Wound Infections
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Emergencies
TEOTWAWKI is “The End Of The World As We Know It”
I know what you mean. Not that I never worry or get upset, just happens a whole lot less then it use to. Life’s to short, it’s just not worth it.
Would it be reasonable to assume that English is not Tess Pennington’s native language?
>> “I am told they will also double as liquor distillers...” <<
.
This would be in some way useful in preparing the Passover Cup I assume? :o)
there was this broad trying to shove her way in front of the line at the coffee counter the other day. Imagine what will happen to those people once they need to wait in the gubmint line for water, or food anything for that matter..
It will not be a pretty sight when the entitled class does not have access to all their creature comforts and have no idea how to secure the basics.
Got that right. I learned a long time ago, that stuff happens whether I worry, or even know, about it. I’m on the downslope, probably 15-20yrs left. I imagine it will go by pretty fast, and I plan on enjoying what God has blessed me with.
Yep that’s how hitler came to power. I’m sure he’s not been the only one. Why do people always pic the evil guy? Why not the good guy? Hope most American’s are smarter than that.
One correction - calcium HYPOchlorite, ie, “pool shock”.
There’s also something called “dichlor” that is a lot stronger, to the tune of 1/4 teaspoon per 55 gallons.
Lots of places online that deal with this.
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/documents/FACT/31-008-1004.pdf
(This one talks about the hypochlorite purification)
http://ldsprep.org/WATER.doc
(this one talks about dichlor usage)
http://www.survivalblog.com/2010/02/letter_re_cost-effective_emerg.html
The fact that a majority picked ‘Bammy’ doesn’t bode well I think.
That’s a great link:
FISH-MOX (amoxicillin 250mg)
FISH_MOX FORTE (amoxicillin 500mg)
FISH-CILLIN (ampicillin 250mg)
FISH-FLEX Keflex 250mg)
FISH-FLEX FORTE (Keflex 500mg)
FISH-ZOLE (metronidazole 250mg)
FISH-PEN (penicillin 250mg)
FISH-PEN FORTE (penicillin 500mg)
FISH-CYCLINE (tetracycline 250mg)
These medications are available usually in plastic bottles of 100 tablets for much less than the same prescription medication at the pharmacy (some come in bottles of 30 tablets). The dosages are similar to that used in humans, and are taken two to four times a day, depending on the drug. The 500mg dosage is probably more effective in larger individuals. Of course, anyone could be allergic to one or another of these antibiotics, but not all of them. (Note that there is a 10% cross-reactivity between “-cillin” drugs and Keflex, meaning that, if you are allergic to Penicillin, you could also be allergic to Keflex). FISH-ZOLE is an antibiotic that also kills some protozoa that cause dysentery.
“All I can say is God help us.”
Amen. Have you heard of George Washington’s vision? I think it’s likely to play out. He foresaw the winning of the revolutionary war, the civil war, and then a day when Asia, Africa and Europe would come together and invade us, but that ultimately we would win the war. I dunno if it will happen, but I believe it, the Environazis have made sure we have plenty of useful resources kept from us, for easy plunder. Oh yeah, and Obama in Feb 2009 promised the Chinese they could have land if we defaulted on our debt. So, there’s that.
It is illegal for you to buy drugs online without a prescription. I personally know someone that had U.S. Customs and Homesand Security come out, because he was ordering his prescription drugs from Canada. The items were seized, and luckily he got off with a warning. I do believe that it falls under drug trafficking, but I could be wrong. There are also laws against having a controlled substance (there’s 101 laws for everything anyway).
If you have a prescription, you’re probably ok, but without it, you may have the men in suits knocking on your doors. The current administration doesn’t like preppers or Christians anyway, no telling what they’d do. Oh yeah, giving a prescription drug to someone else is also a felony IIRC, just an FYI.
Ping!
Actually I was wrong, according to wikipedia it’s illegal to import a prescription drug that is also made in the U.S., even if you have a U.S. prescription:
“It is illegal to purchase controlled substances from an overseas pharmacy. A person purchasing a controlled substance from such a pharmacy may be violating two federal laws that carry stiff penalties. The act of importation of the drug from overseas violates 21 USC, Section 952 (up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine for importation of non-narcotic Schedule III, IV, or V drugs; possibly more for narcotics and Schedule I and II drugs). The act of simple possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription violates 21 USC, Section 844 (up to 1 year in prison and $1,000 fine). FDA does not recognize online prescriptions; for a prescription to be valid there must be a face-to-face relationship between the patient and the health-care professional prescribing the drug. What exactly constitutes a “face-to-face” relationship is considered by many online pharmacies to be a subjective definition that would allow them to operate as an adjunct to the patient’s own physician if the patient submits medical records documenting a condition for which the requested medication is deemed appropriate for treatment. Sections 956 and 1301 provide exemptions for travellers who bring small quantities of controlled substances in or out of the country in person, but not by mail.”
“Importation of any prescription drug (not necessarily a controlled substance) violates 21 USC, Section 301(aa), even for personal use.[12] The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act does allow for the importation of drug products for unapproved new drugs for which there is no approved American version. However, this allowance does not allow for the importation of foreign-made versions of U.S. approved drugs.”
I forgot the link, to the section, here it is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_pharmacy#U.S._consumers
The leading cause of death will be the Government. All the other causes combined will not come close.
I have heard of Washington’s vision. I read it but, it’s been awhile really can’t remember much about it. I also read that it was a hoax, who knows, I wouldn’t doubt that he did though. God always gives His people visions and warnings.
Interesting. OISM.org’s Nuclear War Survival Skills has
a section on water.
I have never heard of it being a hoax, but I have heard that the people he told it to heard slightly different versions, but with the same basic facts (like any story retold from memory, no doubt).
“God always gives His people visions and warnings.”
Very true, and it’ll be a good thing for all of us in the days ahead.
If anyone’s interested, here’s the account:
http://usa-the-republic.com/items%20of%20interest/vision.html#vision
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