In the wake of the latest hurricane and possibly more hurricanes to come, several bloggers are putting out their previous "emergency preparedness" or "survival" posts. One of the areas that routinely gets missed in all of these discussions is being prepared medically for a potential evacuation and long term stay away from home.
Most people think about this in terms of a first aid kit. However, three years ago, I noted that many people died or had terrible medical crisis because they did not properly prepare for such an event leaving many without the basic maintenance drugs like insulin for diabetes and nitro or other meds for heart attacks and high blood pressure. This lead to a number of preventable deaths.
So, I would like to point our readers with any interest towards an old post about emergency preparedness and your medicine.
These are practical ways to manage medicines and equipment prior to and during an emergency. Such as this:
5) Keep a copy of each of your prescriptions OR take a label off of an empty bottle of each of your medications.
i. Keeping it your “carry” item (wallet or purse) will ensure this is available if your emergency evacuation is to a hospital or other medical care unit and you are unable to retrieve your emergency medication kit
ii. Medical emergency personnel often look for a purse or wallet for information about the person being transported
c. This will ensure that when you arrive at a location where medications can be dispensed, your information is available and your prescriptions can be filled without delay.
Most people think about this in terms of a first aid kit. However, three years ago, I noted that many people died or had terrible medical crisis because they did not properly prepare for such an event leaving many without the basic maintenance drugs like insulin for diabetes and nitro or other meds for heart attacks and high blood pressure. This lead to a number of preventable deaths.
So, I would like to point our readers with any interest towards an old post about emergency preparedness and your medicine.
These are practical ways to manage medicines and equipment prior to and during an emergency. Such as this:
5) Keep a copy of each of your prescriptions OR take a label off of an empty bottle of each of your medications.
- a. Labels can be removed by soaking them for several minutes in warm soapy water.
- i. Make sure that they dry completely and are readable.
ii. Some pharmacies provide "inserts" or information sheets with the medication with a label attached to it with the name and directions for taking the medication. This can be used as well.
i. Keeping it your “carry” item (wallet or purse) will ensure this is available if your emergency evacuation is to a hospital or other medical care unit and you are unable to retrieve your emergency medication kit
ii. Medical emergency personnel often look for a purse or wallet for information about the person being transported
c. This will ensure that when you arrive at a location where medications can be dispensed, your information is available and your prescriptions can be filled without delay.
FEMA (and Big Brother) will know where we are at all times, and can "help" us .... as long as we have a number.