The First Aid and Medical Challenge: Month 7

When emergencies strike, medical care might not be an option. Hospitals get overwhelmed, clinics shut down, pharmacies run dry. For us seniors, that’s not just inconvenient—it’s terrifying.

What will you do when SHTF and you or your elderly loved one needs medical help?

I’ve asked myself that question more than once. I depend on medication. I live with aches, limitations, and worries just like you. And when the system breaks down, we’re the ones who feel it first—and the hardest. How will I cope without my meds? It’s a scary thought.

In a world where help may not come, you become the first responder. That’s not easy. A small cut can turn septic. A burn can spiral out of control. A sprain can ground you. And fear? It clouds judgment fast.

But here’s what I’ve learned: preparation replaces panic. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to learn enough to protect yourself and those around you.

The Risks We Face

Most people don’t think twice about what they’d do without a doctor nearby. But we know better. We’ve seen how fast things can unravel.

Some of the biggest dangers in a crisis:

• Untreated wounds that become infected
  
• Dehydration that sneaks up and shuts down your body
  
• Fractures or burns that need stabilization
  
• Mental strain that wears you down from the inside out
  

We also can’t ignore mental health. Fear, grief, and uncertainty can drain energy and slow the healing process. Therapists and prescriptions might not be available. That’s why we prepare now.

What Helps: Training and Tools

I’m not a nurse. I’m not a paramedic. But I’ve taken the time to learn the basics. So can you.

First Aid and CPR Training

Taking a first-aid and CPR course was one of the most empowering things I’ve done, even though it was a few years ago. I learned:

• How to clean and dress wounds.
  
• How to do chest compressions and rescue breaths.
  
• How to use an AED (automated defibrillator).
  
• How to spot a heart attack or stroke fast.
  

Whether it’s through the Red Cross or an online class, this training gives you confidence. And that might be the one thing that saves a life.

Survival Wound Care: What You Need to Know

Cuts and Scrapes

Clean with water (or saline solution if available). Avoid peroxide—it can slow down the healing process. Apply the ointment, then cover it with a clean bandage. Change daily. Watch for redness, pus, or swelling.

Burns

• 1st-degree: Run cool water over it. Apply aloe.
  
• 2nd-degree: Cool it. Don’t pop blisters. Wrap loosely.
  
• 3rd-degree: Dry dressing only. No ointments. Keep the person calm and hydrated.
  

Dehydration

Early signs are dry mouth, dark pee, and fatigue. Encourage sipping water often. If it’s serious—dizziness, rapid pulse—lie them down and rehydrate slowly.

Fractures and Sprains

• Splint the limb. Don’t try to realign.
  
• Elevate and cool sprains. Use compression if you can.
  

Infections

Clean wounds daily. Use honey or iodine if that’s all you’ve got. Antibiotics help—if you have access. Rest and fluids make a difference, too.

Prevent It Before You Treat It

Don’t wait until you need help to wish you’d prepared.

• Always carry a first-aid kit (I never leave home without mine now).
  
• Keep gloves, bandages, wipes, and meds organized.
  
• Teach your family the basics, so you’re not the only one who knows what to do.
  

Natural Remedies I Trust

If the pharmacy’s closed for good, nature steps in. I’ve learned to stock a few herbs and oils that work when nothing else is around.

My Go-To Natural Aids

• Honey: for wounds
  
• Plantain: for bites and stings
  
• Yarrow: to stop bleeding
  
• Ginger and chamomile: for an upset stomach or nerves
  
• Willow bark: pain relief
  
• Lavender oil: calming at bedtime
  

These remedies have been used for centuries. I keep them in labeled jars and bottles in my cabinet, right next to my prescription meds.

Mental Health Isn’t Optional

Stress wears you down. In a long-term emergency, that’s dangerous. I use:

• Journaling: get it out of your head and onto paper
  
• Breathing exercises: 4 seconds in, 7 hold, 8 out
  
• Chamomile tea at night
  

I also grow lavender in my garden. Just rubbing the leaves and smelling the oil helps me sleep better.

My Medical Kit

I’ve built mine piece by piece. It has:

• Bandages, antiseptics, gloves, tweezers
  
• Painkillers, allergy meds, NSAIDs or fever reducers
  
• Burn gel, dental tools, thermometer
  
• Spare medications (where I can)
  
• Herbal teas, essential oils, tinctures
  

Every few months, I review it and check the expiration dates. I keep one kit at home, one in the car, and a small kit in each of our three bug-out bags/backpacks.

Final Thoughts

This challenge isn’t just about learning how to clean a wound or wrap a burn. It’s about taking control. When we’re prepared, we’re not helpless. We’re not waiting on someone else to save us.

We’re protecting our dignity. We’re standing strong.

And that, my friend, is what survival looks like in our golden years.

Please Comment Below

I’d love to hear from you. Have you taken a first-aid or CPR class recently? Do you have any home remedies or natural treatments that work for you? What’s one medical item you never want to be without? Your stories, tips, and even your questions help others like us prepare better. Let’s learn from each other—leave a comment below and join the conversation. We’re in this together.