So how do you treat deep cuts, broken bones or Ballistic trauma (which may combine both of the former) when qualified medical help is weeks or even months away? (Years or maybe never in the case of TEOTWAWKI.)
First Aid as taught by the American Red Cross is just that FIRST aid (i.e. stop the bleeding, protect the wound, treat for shock and/or give CPR) until the patient can be brought to proper (professional) medical attention. Proper medical attention implies staff, supplies and tools that may not be immediately available in a When The $#!t Hits The Fan or The End Of The World As We Know It situation.
What's a prepper to do?
First, get free First Aid training and then advanced First Aid training from your local Red Cross. Yes yes, I know I just told you the Red Cross training is just a stopgap measure, but if you fail to properly open the patient's airway your surgical skills will come to naught before you can open your real survivalist's genuine war surgery medical kit.
What else can you do to help heal you and yours in such a time of dire need ?
If you've got the time and the bucks you may want to attend the Medical Corps class
They'll teach you how to use the contents of a Medic bag that can be bought at military surplus stores or online.
Filling the medic bag with the necessary contents including a minor surgical kit will take a bit of work on your part.
Real stainless steel surgical instruments can be a bit expensive, but will last through years of use. Made in China/Pakistan "stainless steel" surgical instruments are available for a lot less and may be the thing for you if you're not expecting to have to play doctor for twenty years after The End Of The World As We Know It.
There's nothing like sewing (suturing) up the wound on a dead chicken part to prepare you for the real thing, but books can help.
Even if you're not planning a safari to deepest darkest Africa or Amazonian jungles a cheap part of preparations would be the purchase of one or more of these books.
Where There Is No Doctor
Where There Is No Dentist
Emergency War Surgery
Superfluous Survival Tip of the Week:
New-skin Liquid Bandage (a close cousin of Super glue which can also be used) will seal up many wounds without suturing if you can get the surrounding skin dry before application.
QuickClot or Celox will stop almost all bleeding almost instantly and would make an excellent addition to your over-the-bathroom-sink home first aid supplies as well as your survival kit or Bug Out Bag.
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