Extopian

Experiencing a disaster can be overwhelming. Even when one has avoided the numerous physical challenges and dangers of a disaster, the psychological threats are often harder to identify, evaluate and address. These threats can serious degrade your ability to cope with the disaster and its ongoing situations, as well as result in lingering psychological issues well after the actual disaster has subsided. As with most dangers, the first and best defense is the ability to identify them.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

At some point during any discussion or practice of food indepedence, preparedness or storage, any reasonable person is going to express concerns about food related illnesses.  I firmly believe that most food borne illnesses are the results of avoidable factors such as negligant preparation, inadequate storage and substandard living conditions.  As a case in point, I have never experience so much as an upset stomach as a result of food prepared and eaten while hiking. Every case of food borne illness I have endured has been at the hands of resteraunters and other business food services. Personal opinions about the quality of our food industry (recalls, scandals and outright criminal negligance) aside, some knowledge for the home & farm never hurts.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Many self-reliant people rely on natural treatments and remedies whenever possible. While there are hundreds of recognized medicinal herbs and plants, many grow only in a specific area or require extensive preparation before using. The following seven plants are commonly found all over the United States. They are simple to prepare and use and, most importantly, are effective.

In primitive circumstances, medicinal plants are usually utilized in three ways: as a tea, a poultice, or raw. When preparing a tea, the part of the plant to be used is gently simmered in water over low flame to release its active ingredients. If the tea is to be ingested, adding honey or other flavorings will make it more palatable.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

In my life I have been an avid outdoorsman, hiking and camping in a variety of climates. During those outings, I have come in close contacts with snakes four times in nearly twenty years.  During the same period of time, I have encountered snakes EIGHT times in urban and suburban settings!  Clearly, some knowledge of snake safety is prudent for people of all walks of life and location.

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Popularity: 10% [?]

There is a common misconception that wounds need to be closed in order to heal. Texts on wilderness medicine will include sections on suturing techniques and equipment. They list recommended instruments, suture materials, and methods of making stitches. Unfortunately they don’t mention that suturing is an acquired skill and not easy to do, especially on yourself. Also, anyone who is planning to suture every laceration or wound that occurs in a remote location had also better learn the signs of several interesting wild creatures such as clostridium tetani (tetanus), clostridium perfringens (gas gangrene), staphylococcus, streptococcus, and pseudomonas.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

Home remedies have been passed down from generation to generation, but in the modern age with the reduction of extended family and increased presence of commercial remedies and industrialized medical practices, much of this valuable information has fallen to the wayside. Often minor ailments can be treated without a costly, stressful and sometimes impractical visit to the emergency room. While not meant to replace trained medical attention in the case of serious ailment or injury, you may find many of the treatments below useful.

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Popularity: 8% [?]