SURVIVALIST #28 Improvised First Aid

Many of us already have at least basic first aid kits, and we run straight to them when something happens. Bandages, dressings, and burn creams are great in that they make our lives easier, but do they also make us soft? What would happen if we had to start over, without our kit? After years of using items made specifically for first aid, would we be able to improvise with the materials at hand? It is important to familiarize yourself with the practical first aid uses of unconventional materials in case you are separated from your kit. There are many items around us that we can use to treat wounds.

Did you know that raw, untreated honey has anti-bacterial properties and is a natural anti-inflammatory? It can be used as a salve for minor lacerations and burns, keeping the wound clean and moist. In a study, doctors compared the effects of raw honey to a number of antibiotics against 28 strains of pathogenic, multi-drug resistant bacteria associated with burns. Only three strains of bacteria were inhibited by the 11 antibiotics that were used in the study. However, all 28 strains were inhibited by a 25% concentration of raw honey. For small lacerations, drip a little honey into the wound and pull the edges together while applying a dressing. For a burn, after rinsing in cool water, cover the damaged area with a thin layer of honey and then loosely dress the wound. It can also be used to counter seasonal floral allergies. A teaspoon per day of local, untreated honey acts as a bit of a vaccination against the flower pollen in your area. It also helps to leach alcohol from your system during a hangover and can ease the membranes in a sore, itchy throat. Honey is very versatile, and ancient! The Greek and Roman empires used honey to treat soldiers on the battlefield.

The ancient Greeks and Romans used another natural substance for first aid as well, which many people will frown at today. They used spider webs to treat minor lacerations. The silk from a spider is a truly remarkable material. The thread can be stronger than a thread of steel of equal thickness, yet retain its extreme flexibility. These webs also have anti-fungal and antiseptic properties, which help wounds to heal with less chance of infection. They are rich with Vitamin K, which promotes clotting to help the bleeding to subside. To use spider silk, you will have to find a few clean webs. Look for webs that seem to be freshly spun, or that do not have an insect, or debris in them. Ball up the silk, and gently push it into the laceration. Pull the edges of the wound together and dress accordingly. If the web hardens in the wound, rinse in warm water to release.

Other unconventional anti-inflammatories include yellow mustard and black tea. The yellow mustard works great for burns as the cool, creamy texture instantly brings relief. Yellow mustard gets its color from turmeric, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. To use mustard for a burn, first rinse the burn in cool, clean water, then simply apply a thin layer to the wound and dress it as usual. After an hour or two, the mustard will dry. Gently rinse it off in cool water and assess if the burn needs further poulticing.

Black tea is also a natural anti-inflammatory but can be used for toothaches. Steep the tea bag in hot water until it swells. Let it cool before applying the entire tea bag to the site of inflammation. Black tea works because it is packed with tannins, a broad class of beneficial compounds. While all tea contains tannins, black tea has the highest concentration, and so, will work best. A tea bag can also stop a nose bleed, because the tannins are a vaso-constrictor, meaning they cause the blood vessels to contract, restricting flow. Prepare in the same way you would for a toothache, then roll up the bag and plug the nostril with it, keeping the patients head level. If the tea bag is too large for the nostril, it can be cut and the open edge rolled into the rest of the bag to keep the tea leaves inside.

For heavy bleeding, consider using a diaper, or feminine hygiene product, for an absorptive dressing. After all, they are basically the same as store bought trauma pads. Dressings can be secured with strips of clothing, rope, or duct tape. Always make sure that your makeshift bandages are not too tight, so as to provide proper circulation. (

You can also use strips of clothing, ropes, and duct tape to fashion a basic stretcher. Use two long branches laying parallel for the structure. If using fabric, or rope, tie each end of material (about 18” long) to each pole. If using duct tape, simply fold the tape over onto itself to construct the soft part of the stretcher.

For broken bones, use makeshift splints to stabilize the break. You can use sticks, rolled newspapers, and magazines, to keep the bone still. Broken bones should be kept still until professional help arrives, because the splintered bone fragments could sever blood vessels, or muscle tissue. If the break is on a finger, you can use a credit card, cut into strips and affixed with tape, or a shoe lacing.

Of course, if you have access to professional medical assistance, take it, but you should also be prepared to handle these situations yourself. The ultimate freedom is self-reliance. Constant awareness of your surroundings and visualization of the improvisational potential of unconventional objects will build your value as a survivalist. Your cleverness and versatility can greatly increase your chance of success when faced with an unexpected situation. Who needs a kit?

Resources:
Ravenscraft, Eric (2013). How to Treat Minor Injuries Without a First Aid Kit. Lifehacker.
Using Spider Webs to Heal Wounds (2015). Healthy Diet Base.
Williams, Dr. David (2015). Honey: A Natural Wound Healer. Dr. David Williams: Searching the World for Better Health.
Bennett, Lizzie (2012). Ten Unconventional Additions to Your Emergency Medical Kit. Ready Nutrition.

Original article by Heather Breneman, published in Survivalist Magazine #28

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