The Survival Medicine Handbook (2021 4th edition)

"An absolutely essential book that should be one of the first in every preppers library"

-Canadian Prepper

Our 2021 newest edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way, Fourth (4th) Edition is available. It is revised and greatly expanded.

It is almost 700 pages, 8" x 10" size (much larger now) and have over 300 photo and graphic images, charts and how-to text boxes. We have rewritten 90% of the third edition (which was 700 pages at 6" x 9" size, with a larger font size and spaced paragraphs) and added over 300 additional step-by-step instructions/topics/issues/educational graphics and images. This book edition is full of how-to instructions.

Dr. Alton's description and almost the entire table of contents (a few subchapter listings are not here yet):

If a disaster took away the high-technology we take for granted in normal times, would you be prepared to keep you family healthy? Could you be an effective medic when hospitals are overcrowded and the ambulance is heading in the other direction? Can you take over if you were the highest medical asset left? Medical preparedness advocates Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, NP’s award-winning Survival Medicine Handbook: A guide for when help is NOT on the way is now out in its greatly expanded and revised 4^th edition!

Previous editions have been 1^st place winners in the Book Excellence Awards in medicine, and this new edition has many more topics and almost triple the illustrations to give you the best chance of keeping it together, even when everything else falls apart. Called “America’s favorite survival medic” by American Outdoor Guide, NY Times/Amazon bestselling author Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton have put together an essential book that encompasses first aid, chronic care, medical procedures, and much more in a comprehensive book that’s an essential reference for anyone concerned about the uncertain future.

The Survival Medicine Handbook is written in plain English that anyone can understand, but it’s not just another medical first aid book. It’s unique in that it assumes that a disaster, natural or man-made, has removed all access to hospitals or doctors for the foreseeable future; you, the average person, are now the highest medical resource left to your family. The book’s goal is to make you effective in that role.

When medical personnel are overwhelmed and modern technology is non-existent, The Survival Medicine Handbook is THE essential book for you library.

Here are just some of the over 300 topics (plus over 330 illustrations) covered:

SECTION 1: PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS

• The Case For Medical Preparedness
• The New Normal
• What Is Survival Medicine?
• Integrative Medicine
• Spirituality And Survival
• The Importance Of Community
• Personal Goals And Survival
• The Patient Advocate

 

SECTION 2: BECOMING A MEDICAL ASSET

THE STATUS ASSESSMENT

•    What Are Your Responsibilities
•    What Scenario Are You Preparing For?
•    How Many People Are You Responsible For?
•    What Are Your Provisions For Special Needs?
•    What Physical Environment Will You Live In?
•    How Long Will You Needed As Medic
•    How Do You Obtain Knowledge and Training?

MEDICAL ISSUES YOU’LL FACE

USEFUL MEDICAL SKILLS

 

SECTION 3: MEDICAL SUPPLIES

THE MEDIC’S BAG

MEDICAL KITS FOR AUSTERE SETTINGS

•   Personal Carry (IFAK) Kit
•   The Vehicle Kit
•   The Family Kit
•   The Field Hospital
•   How Much Is Enough?

MEDICAL SUPPLIES AS BARTER

MASKS AND GLOVES

STERILE VS. CLEAN

HOW TO DISINFECT MEDICAL SUPPLIES

ULTRAVIOLET GERMICIDAL RADIATION

 

SECTION 4: NATURAL MEDICINE

 

TYPES OF NATURAL HERB PRODUCTS

  -Colloidal Silver

ESSENTIAL OILS

  -Ways To Extract Essential Oils

  -Using Essential Oils

  -“Essential” Essential Oils

HERBAL TEAS

  -Herbal Tinctures

GROWING MEDICINAL GARDENS

  -Seeds And Cuttings

  -Harvesting

  -Useful Herbs for The Garden

CBD

BOOSTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

  -Sleep

  -Nutrition

  -Stress

  -Bad Habits

  -Probiotics

  -Herbs

  -Supplements

 

SECTION 5: THE HISTORY AND PHYSICAL

 

THE MEDICAL HISTORY

PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

THE PROBLEM-ORIENTED EXAM

   -The SOAP Note

VITAL SIGNS

   -Pulse Rate

   -Respirations

   -Blood Pressure

   -Body Temperature

   -Mental Status

THE PHYSICAL EXAM

  -Head and Neck

  -The Chest Exam

  -The Abdominal Exam

  -Extremities

 

SECTION 6: HYGIENE AND SANITATION

 

HANDWASHING

FOOD AND WATER SAFETY

  -Water Filters

  -Water Disinfection

  -Preparing Food Properly

DEALING WITH HUMAN WASTE

RODENTS AS A SANITATION HAZARD

  -Rodent Proofing a Retreat

SAFE BURIAL PRACTICES

 

SECTION 7: HEAT, COLD, AND ALTITUDE ISSUES

 

TEMPERATURE REGULATION

HYPERTHERMIA

  -Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

  -Treating Heat-Related Illness

HYPOTHERMIA

  -How the Body Loses Heat

  -Symptoms of Hypothermia

  -Levels of Hypothermia

  -Treating Hypothermia

  -Prevention of Hypothermia

FROSTBITE/IMMERSION FOOT

  -Stages of Frostbite 

  -Immersion Foot

  -Treating Frostbite/Immersion Foot

COLD WATER SAFETY

  -Falling Through the Ice

ALTITUDE SICKNESS

 

 

SECTION 8: NATURAL DISASTERS

 

BLIZZARD SURVIVAL

AVALANCHE SURVIVAL

HEAT WAVE SURVIVAL

TORNADO SURVIVAL

HURRICANE SURVIVAL

FLOOD SURVIVAL

LIGHTNING SURVIVAL

EARTHQUAKE SURVIVAL

MUDSLIDE SURVIVAL

MARITIME SURVIVAL

  -Stranded at Sea

  -Hazards Posed by Sea Creatures

  -Near Drowning

 WILDFIRE SURVIVAL

 

SECTION 9: RADIATION/BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL EVENTS

 

NUCLEAR EVENTS

  -Types of Nuclear Weapons

  -Damage Caused by Nuclear Attacks

  -Radiation Exposure

  -Nuclear Reactor Meltdowns

RADIATION SICKNESS

  -Prevention

  -Treatment

BIOLOGICAL WARFARE

   -Biological Agents

   -Biological vs. Chemical Warfare

CHEMICAL WARFARE

   -Chemical Accidents

   -Treatment of Chemical Exposure

 

SECTION 10: HEAD ISSUES

 

HEADACHE

   -Types of Headaches

   -Headache Relief

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES

   -Concussions

   -Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention

STROKES

   -Types of Strokes

   -Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)

   -Identifying a Stroke

   -Treating a Stroke

EYE ISSUES

   -Eye Infections

   -Styes

   -Eye Trauma

   -Foreign Objects

   -Corneal Abrasions

  -Other Injuries to The Eye

EAR ISSUES

   -Using an Otoscope

   -Otitis Externa

   -Otitis Media

   -Otitis Interna and Vertigo

   -The Ruptured Eardrum

   -Wax Blockage/Foreign Objects

   -Tinnitus

   -TMJ

NASAL ISSUES

    -Nosebleeds

    -Placing a Nasal Pack

    -The “Broken” Nose

    -Foreign Object Removal

 

SECTION 11: DENTAL ISSUES

 

DENTAL ANATOMY

  -Dental Hygiene

  -Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

  -Diet And Decay

THE SURVIVAL DENTAL KIT

THE DENTAL EXAM

  -Toothache

  -Temporary Fillings

TOOTH ABSCESSES

  -Signs and Symptoms

  -Treatment and Prevention of Tooth Abscesses

DENTAL TRAUMA

  -Dental Fractures (Broken Teeth)

  -Dental Subluxations (Loose Teeth)

  -Dental Avulsions (Teeth Knocked Out)

DENTAL EXTRACTION

  -Other Oral Cavity Injuries

 

Section 12: RESPIRATORY ISSUES

 

UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

   -The Common Cold

   -Influenza

   -Colds vs. Flus

   -Treating Colds and Flus

   -Treating a Fever

   -Pharyngitis

   -Epiglottitis

   -Tonsillitis

   -Sinusitis

   -Laryngitis

LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

   -Croup

   -Bronchitis

   -Pneumonia

   -Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

   -Prevention of Major Respiratory Infections

NATURAL RESPIRATORY REMEDIES

CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE

   -Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis

   -COPD and Smoking

   -Treatment and Prevention of COPD

ASTHMA

   -Symptoms of Asthma

   -Treatment of Asthma

   -Natural Remedies For Asthma

 

SECTION 13: HEART ISSUES

 

HEART ATTACK

   -Other causes of Chest Pain

   -Cholesterol and The Heart

CPR IN AUSTERE SETTINGS

   -Airway Obstruction

   -Tracheotomy/Cricothyroidotomy

   -CPR in Cardiac Arrests 

   -Maintaining An Open Airway

 

SECTION 14: ABDOMINAL ISSUES

 

ACID REFLUX

   -Gastritis

   -Peptic Ulcers

   -Treating Acid Inflammation

THE PANCREAS

THE SPLEEN

THE LIVER

   -Hepatitis

THE GALL BLADDER

INTESTINAL INFECTIONS

   -Botulism

   -Campylobacter

   -Cholera

   -Cryptosporidium

   -Cyclospora

   -Dysentery

   -E. Coli

   -Giardiasis

   -Norovirus

   -Rotavirus

   -Trichinosis

   -Typhoid Fever (and Typhus)

PARASITIC WORMS

   -Types of Worms

   -Treatment

DIARRHEA AND DEHYDRATION

   -Dehydration

   -Oral Rehydration

   -Rectal Rehydration

   -Treating Diarrhea

CONSTIPATION

   -Fecal Disimpaction

FOOD POISONING

   -Edibility testing

APPENDICITIS

DIVERTICULOSIS/ITIS

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

   -Crohn’s Disease

   -Ulcerative Colitis

HEMORRHOIDS

   -Incision of External Hemorrhoids

 

SECTION 15: URINARY TRACT ISSUES

 

THE KIDNEY

   -Kidney Stones

   -Kidney Infections

   -Kidney Trauma

BLADDER INFECTIONS

 

SECTION 16: GENITAL TRACT ISSUES

 

MALE GENITAL TRACT

   -Prostate Issues

   -The Enlarged Prostate

   -Urinary Retention

   -Epididymitis

   -Jock Itch

FEMALE GENITAL TRACT

   -Ovarian Cysts

   -Tubal Pregnancy

   -Endometriosis

   -Fibroids

   -Vaginal Yeast Infections

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (BACTERIAL)

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (VIRAL)

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (OTHER)

 

SECTION 17: BONES AND JOINTS

 

STRAINS, SPRAINS, AND OTHER INJURIES

   -Sprains

   -Wrapping a Sprain

   -Sprains vs. Fractures

   -Bone Contusions (Bruises)

   -Strains 

   -Tendinitis

   -Plantar Fasciitis

   -Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

   -Orthopedic Natural Remedies

 

FRACTURES

   -Types of Fractures

   -How a Broken Bone Heals

   -Evaluating the Fracture

   -Reducing a Deformity

   -Traction

   -Applying Splints

   -Placing a Cast

   -Care of Casts and Splints

   -Fractured Clavicle (Collarbone)

   -Open Fracture Wound Care

   -Long-Term Fracture Care

 

DISLOCATIONS

   -Shoulder Dislocations

   -Wrist Dislocations

   -Finger Dislocations

   -Hip Dislocations

   -Knee Dislocations

   -Jaw Dislocations

AMPUTATION

CHRONIC JOINT DISEASES

   -Types of Arthritis

   -Natural Therapy for Joint Disease

 

SECTION 18: SKIN ISSUES

 

SKIN RASHES

   -Acne

   -Eczema

   -Atopic Dermatitis

   -Contact Dermatitis

   -Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

   -Seborrheic Dermatitis

   -Stasis Dermatitis and Varicose Veins

   -Nummular Dermatitis

   -Dyshidrotic Eczema

   -Neurodermatitis

   -Natural Eczema Relief

HERPES

PSORIASIS

ROSACEA

SKIN INFECTIONS

   -Impetigo

   -Cellulitis

   -Abscesses

   -Incision and Drainage

HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA

TETANUS

NAIL BED ISSUES

   -Nail Anatomy

   -Nail Trauma

   -Ingrown Nails

BLISTERS, SPLINTERS, AND FISHHOOKS

   -Blisters

   -Splinters

   -Fishhooks

 

SECTION 19: animal bites, stings, and other issues

 

INSECTS

   -Bees/Wasps/Hornets

   -Fire Ants

   -Chiggers

   -Bedbugs

   -Lice and Scabies

   -Kissing Bugs

MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES

   -Malaria

   -Zika

   -Chikungunya

   -Dengue Fever

   -Yellow Fever

   -West Nile and Related Viruses

   -Mosquito Control

ARACHNIDS

   -Black Widow Spiders

   -Brown Recluse Spiders

   -Scorpion Stings

   -Ticks

   -Lyme Disease

   -Other Tick-Borne Illnesses

SNAKE BITE

   -Pit Vipers

   -Elapids

ANIMAL ATTACKS

   -Cat Bites

   -Dog Bites

   -Wild Animal Bites

   -Rabies

   -Treating Animal Bites

   -Skunks

LARGE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

   -Bears

   -Cougars

   -Wild Boars

   -Wolves

   -Alligators and Crocodiles

   -Human Bites

 

SECTION 20: ALLERGic reactions and anaphylaxis

 

ALLERGIES

   -How Allergens Cause Reactions

   -Types of Allergens

   -Drug Treatment of Allergies

   -Natural Treatment of Allergies

ANAPHYLAXIS

   -Signs and Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

   -Treatment of Anaphylaxis

 

 

SECTION 21: MINOR WOUNDS

 

CUTS, SCRAPES, AND BRUISES

   -Herbal Treatments For Minor Wounds

 

SECTION 22: BURNS

 

BURN DEGREES

   -First Degree Burns And Treatment

   -Second Degree Burns And Treatment

   -Third Degree Burns And Treatment

   -Natural Burn Remedies

 

SECTION 23: BLEEDING TRAUMA

 

BLOOD BASICS

   -Physical Effects of Blood Loss

EVALUATION IN THE FIELD

BLEEDING CONTROL TECHNIQUES

   -Direct Pressure

   -Packing a Bleeding Wound

   -Non-Extremity Bleeding

TOURNIQUETS

   -Other Bleeding Control Devices

HEMOSTATIC DRESSINGS

   -Compression Bandages

CONVERTING A TOURNIQUET

   -Wound Care After Bleeding Control

 

SECTION 24: MAJOR WOUNDS

 

CHEST TRAUMA

   -Rib Fractures

   -Pneumothorax

   -Needle Decompression

   -Chest Seals

   -Chest Tubes

BLUNT TRAUMA

   -How Blunt Trauma Damages Tissue

   -Motor Vehicle Accidents

   -Falls from Height

   -Identifying Internal Injuries

STAB WOUNDS

    -Treating a Stab Wound

GUNSHOT WOUNDS

   -Ballistic Trauma

   -Treating a Gunshot Wound

BODY ARMOR

CRUSH INJURIES

SHOCK

 

SECTION 25: OPEN WOUND CARE

 

HOW SOFT TISSUE HEALS

   -Signs of Wound Infection

DAILY WOUND CARE

WOUND IRRIGATION

   -Making Irrigation Solutions

   -Wet-To-Dry Dressings

DEBRIDEMENT OF NON-VIABLE TISSUE

ANTIBIOTICS AND NATURAL WOUND TREATMENTS

DRESSINGS AND BANDAGES

-The “Wet-to-Dry” Dressing

 

SECTION 26: WOUND CLOSURE

 

CLOSE A WOUND OR KEEP IT OPEN?

LOCAL ANESTHESIA

METHODS OF WOUND CLOSURE

   -Tapes and Glues

   -Sutures and Staples

   -Suturing Materials

HOW TO SUTURE SKIN

HOW TO STAPLE SKIN

DRAINS

PERFORMING DRESSING CHANGES

 

SECTION 27: MASS CASUALTIES

MASS CASUALTY INCIDENTS

   -The Five S’s Of MCI Triage

   -S.T.A.R.T.

PRIMARY TRIAGE SCENARIO

   -RPMs

   -Scenario Results

ACTIVE SHOOTERS AND TERROR EVENTS

   -Shooter events

   -Run, Hide, Fight

   -The OODA Loop of Situational Awareness

VEHICULAR TERROR

CIVIL UNREST SAFETY

THE MEDIC UNDER FIRE

   -Zones of Care

 

SECTION 28: PATIENT TRANSPORT

CONTROLLED TRANSPORT

   -Transport Using Materials At Hand

   -Transport Using No Materials

 

SECTION 29: PREGNANCY, AND CHILDBIRTH

 

PREGNANCY IN SURVIVAL SETTINGS

   -Pregnancy and Childbirth Complications

PREVENTING PREGNANCY OFF THE GRID

    -Natural Family Planning

PREGNANCY BASICS

    -Diagnosing Pregnancy

PRENATAL CARE

LABOR AND DELIVERY

   -Stages of Labor

   -First Stage

   -Second Stage

   -Delivering The Baby

   -Breech Birth and Multiples

   -Third Stage (placenta)

POST PARTUM CARE

 

SECTION 30: OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

   -Treatment and Prevention

DIABETES

   -Types of Diabetes

   -Symptoms of Diabetes

   -Treating Diabetes Off the Grid

   -Diabetic Emergencies

THYROID ISSUES

   -Hyperthyroidism

   -Hypothyroidism

   -Goiter and Other Thyroid Issues

SEIZURE DISORDERS

   -Syncope (Fainting) or Seizure?

ANEMIA

   -Types of Anemia

 

Section 31: PANDEMICS

GERMS THAT CAUSE DISEASE

   -Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic

   -How Infections Spread

IMMUNITY

INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS

   -Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic

DISEASES THAT CAUSE PANDEMICS

   -The R-Nought Number

COVID-19

THE EPIDEMIC SICK ROOM

   -Separate Areas for Injured Patients

   -Disinfectants and Contact Times

 

SECTION 32: NURSING CARE OFF THE GRID

NURSING CARE PROTOCOLS FOR THE SICK AND INJURED

   -Vital Signs And Charting

   -Safety And Shelter

   -Hygiene And Sanitation

   -Nutrition And Hydration

   -The Bedridden Patient

 

Section 33: MENTAL HEALTH

ANXIETY

DEPRESSION

   -Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome

SLEEP DEPRIVATION

   -Sleep Hygiene

   -Natural Remedies for Sleep

 

SECTION 34: MEDICATIONS

ESSENTIAL OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS

PAIN MEDICATIONS

NATURAL PAIN RELIEF

 

SECTION 35: ANTIBIOTICS

MAKING THE CASE FOR ANTIBIOTICS

   -Risks Associated with Antibiotics

   -Stockpiling Other Medications

HOW TO USE ANTIBIOTICS

   -Amoxicillin

   -Ciprofloxacin

   -Cephalexin

   -Doxycycline

   -Azithromycin

   -Clindamycin

   -Levofloxacin

   -Metronidazole

   -Sulfa Drugs

   -Ampicillin

   -Erythromycin

   -Minocycline

   -Fluconazole

   -Other Antifungal Drugs

   -Antiviral Drugs

WHICH AND HOW MANY?

   -Determining How Much To Store

   -Preferred Antibiotics

EXPIRATION DATES

PROPER STORAGE Of MEDICINES

   -Drug Spoilage