Survival Medicine

Winter storms like "bomb cyclones" can be life-threatening, so it's important to know how to winterize, not only your car, but yourself. In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses different ways to make sure you survive that car trip out in the blizzard, including all the supplies that would make sense to keep in the car just in case. Also, dental extraction is a rare thing you'd have to do yourself these days, but in long-term survival, someone has to do it, and you're elected. How to go about it? Dr. Alton tell you in this segment. Plus, Chestnuts have distinct health benefits which we'll tell you about, but also let's talk about the efforts to revive the American Chestnut, a rare tree in America's landscape today, but more than a quarter of our Eastern and Midwest forests 100 years ago.   Dr. Alton will talk about canine influenza, which seems to be more prevalent this year than others. What is the dog flu and can it, one day, mutate to infect humans. What you need to know for your dog and, maybe, yoursel

Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones, covers a broad range of topic in this episode, including traumatic brain injuries like concussions and worse. Head injuries will be common in survival settings, and the medic can still be effective even with limited supplies and materials. Also, Paxlovid, the COVID therapy, has been free so far (which is good, since it costs an average of $530) but that changes in mid-2023, simply because the FDA hasn't approved it fully yet. Medicare Part D won't cover it until it does, but these things may take a while, which could put some lives at risk. Dr. Alton discusses further. Plus, a question from a listener who has become more and more allergic to bee stings. What can she do to desensitize herself and avoid anaphylactic shock? Dr. Bones thinks aloud as to some options. Finally, some pointers on soft tissue wound care to help the off-grid medic help an injured survivor recover fully. All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast! Wishing the best of health

People in off-grid settings are often called upon to perform activities to which they’re not accustomed. In daily survival, the inexperienced will suffer mishaps that lead to injury; in situations where sanitation is questionable, these injuries carry a risk of infection, especially in unsanitary conditions. One of these is known as “cellulitis.” Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know about this common problem. Also, aquarium antibiotics have been a staple for survival medics since Dr. Alton's article in survivalblog close to 15 years ago. Now, the government is tightening the screws as to how citizens can access antibiotics, starting with food-producing livestock. What does it mean for the preparedness community? Plus, an outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus on the west coast may become an epidemic and part of a triple whammy this winter along with flu and COVID. Find out about this surging virus.  Finally, some advice on what to do in falls into cold water from a capsized boat (or, in the case

In normal times, once you have stopped the bleeding and applied a splint or dressing, the emergency is “over.” You sit and wait for an ambulance or rescue helicopter to arrive and your part is over. In an austere setting, however, the medic must follow the status of the wound for more than a few minutes or hours. You’re in charge until the person is fully recovered. Constant, diligent wound care is your responsibility. It’s important to understand that a wound is not just a “hole”; it’s part of a person who should be informed of your plan of action and participate, if possible, in their care. Most wounds will heal completely over time, but some may never achieve full recovery. Due to massive injuries or complicating conditions such as diabetes, the best care may sometimes yield a less-than-optimal result even in good times. The medic’s duty is to care for the patient the best they can with the limited supplies and technology available off the grid. In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses daily wound care

A world weary of one viral pandemic is now experiencing the early stages of another: In the last three months, more than 88 countries have reported a total of more than 30,000 cases of the disease called monkeypox, which was previously restricted to parts of Africa. That’s more than we saw in the 2014 Ebola epidemic, so the survival medic should know about it. Plus, flooding in Kentucky takes more than three dozen lives. Flooding is a common disaster, and anyone who doesn't live on a mountaintop should be prepared to deal with one. Flash floods, burn scars, ice jams, snowmelt, dam failures, and more are discussed so you'll know what to do to keep your family safe. Lastly, one of the most common problems the medic will see in survival scenarios is mundane: constipation. At least, it's mundane until you get a bad case of it! Dr. Joe Alton discusses all you need to know to help your people stay at 100 percent in times of trouble. Bonus: What about MREs and constipation? All this and more in the latest episode

t’s summer, and this is the time that people head out to the shore and take in the Great Outdoors. Millions will do just that, and the vast majority of beach-goers will experience nothing but a great time. On occasion, however, a person may run afoul of a sea creature during their time in the water. It’s their home, after all, and some can get pretty aggressive when disturbed or when looking for a meal. In this podcast, we discuss everything from encounters with jellyfish to sharks. Also, we review everything you should know about preventing summer drownings everywhere, including pools, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Finally, Nurse Amy introduces a new first aid kit meant for minor wound care, and Dr. Alton discusses how to deal with minor soft tissue infections like cellulitis. All this and more in the latest survival medicine podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP!  Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy Find out more about animal en

Well, it’s summer and a lot of folks are heading out into the great outdoors. In a disaster or any other situation that knocks us off the grid, we’ll be exposed a lot more to things like insect stings and poison ivy, as well as strange food items that we aren’t accustomed to. Being in contact with all this stuff may cause Allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. When we develop an allergic reaction, it might be mild or it might be severe. If severe enough, we refer to it as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Dr. Joe Alton discusses what you need to know and options on how to get epinephrine auto-injectors at a discount.. Plus, a discussion all about lightning in summer storms, and what to do to avoid being a victim. Even if you’ve medically prepared, and have a big stockpile of conventional medications, hey, they’ll eventually run out. If you’re gonna be the family medic in a survival setting, you’ll need to find alternatives if you want to keep your people healthy long-term. What's the difference be

Today Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones talk about the health benefits of chamomile.  Yes, a regular MD and nurse practitioner touting the benefits of herbal tea, how about that?  Hey, in times of trouble, you gotta use all the tools in the woodshed! Plus, a thorough discussion on the basics of IV therapy, with emphasis on essentials and practical tips to get fluids into a dehydrated patient. Learn how to recognize signs of dehydration and an ancient, but useful off the grid, method of rehydrating an unconscious patient: rectal rehydration. Yes, that's a thing... All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP! Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe and Amy Alton Hey, don't forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, educational books, and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net! You'll be glad you did.

A bill entered in California’s state legislature has gone where President Biden’s “disinformation bureau” couldn’t. Bill AB-2098 gives power to the state’s medical board to investigate and punish doctors whose advice and treatment regarding COVID-19 varies from their perceived “applicable standard of care.” The medical establishment now has “disinformation” authority over others who dare to voice alternative options to their patients or even on social media. Dr. Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones, gives his thoughts. Also, Nurse Amy Alton tell you about peppermint oil, and its potential as a viable tool in the survival medicine cabinet. Uses and ways to prepare it are included. Plus, Dr. Joe Alton talks about how to deal with wounds from sharp objects like knives in survival settings with limited supplies. Finally, a question from a listener about what to do about leg cramps. All this and more in this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast, with Joe Alton MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton! Wishing you the best o

It’s a rare individual who has never had a nosebleed and a lot of people have, over the course of their lives, been the recipient of a punch in the nose or other facial trauma. Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss nosebleeds, nasal fractures (broken noses) and foreign bodies in the nostrils of children in this episode. Also, Amy Alton, NP discusses the usefulness of valerian root off the grid for various purposes in the survival medicinal garden. Plus, a listener asks about the heart condition that causes palpitations, irregular beat, and much more: Atrial fibrillation. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr.Bones and Nurse Amy! Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe and Amy Hey, fill those holes in your medical storage with kits and individual supplies from our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!  

More than 20 million Americans experience some form of hormonal dysfunction related to the thyroid gland, so you can bet that the off-grid medic will eventually come across someone with it. You've gott to know  know how to recognize these conditions and improve them, if possible. This can be way harder off the grid than in today's modern world, but you might still be able to do something that helps. Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy explore the topic... Also, Dr. Joe Alton answers a difficult question from a person dealing with issues relating to alcohol use. How to get on the wagon and stay there. Are there ways to get back to full sobriety? If so, how? Dr. Alton explores the possibilities in this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast. Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe and Amy Alton Hey, check out the greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, the essential guide for when help is NOT on the way, available in black and white at Amazon or in color at store.doomandbloom.ne

How long do you think you’d last when the SHTF if you can’t hear the zombies sneaking up on you muttering something about tasty, tasty brains? The ear is the organ that controls, not only hearing, but balance as well. It’s a rare parent who hasn’t had to deal with ear problems at one point or another during their life. In some cases, It could be a chronic issue that makes an otherwise healthy child (or adult) miserable. Dr. Joe  Alton discusses what the medic needs to know about ear problems off the grid. Plus, a question from a listener dealing with inflammatory bowel syndrome. Learn all about the condition and ways to diagnose and treat the condition. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr.Joe Alton and Amy Alton. Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe Alton MD Hey, fill those holes in your medical storage with high-quality medical kits and supplies from our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!  (We also  have otoscopes at a reasonable price!) You'll be gla

Some of our friends have discouraged us from speaking about the small possibility of a nuclear event in the unstable and uncertain future, but everyone should know about them, not panic, and understand that survival is possible in many cases. Dr. Joe Alton discusses different types of nuclear weapons and meltdowns, types of radiation, percentages and radius of damage, symptoms of radiation sickness, building shelters, treating the sick, and much more. Plus, a question about suture kits from a listener leads to a discussion of why and when to close wounds, and how to developing good judgment is more important than just learning how to throw a stitch. All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast!  Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe and Amy Alton Hey, check out our medical kits, books, individual supplies, and more at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

In this topic-filled podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss corruption in the medical establishment that has led to bad messaging and advice for the current pandemic, and why this happens in a highly politicized society. Also, Dr. Alton cover cold injuries like frostbite and immersion (trench) foot, and other cold exposure issues. Nurse Amy tells you all you need to know about clove bud oil, a useful item to have in long-term survival medicine cabinets, and Dr. Bones returns to discuss the significance of expiration dates and how they affect the survival medic... All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy! Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe and Amy Alton

In good times or bad, families may face any number of events where trauma causes injuries. In the United States alone, there are over 37 million emergency department visits annually due to some type of trauma. Off the grid, it stands to reason that activities of daily survival performed by those unaccustomed will greatly increase the number of traumatic wounds. This week, Dr. Joe Alton discusses what to do for strains and sprains.  Also, the Alton discuss antiseptics, both commercial and improvised, and their use in survival scenarios to save lives. Plus, a Survival Podcast question about strokes leads Dr. Alton to tell you all you need to know about them in good times or bad. Hey, find out more about  150  medical topics in survival settings with a copy of the greatly expanded 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, available at Amazon or get a personally signed copy at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did. Joe and Amy Alton

Well, we survived our first cold wave of the year down here in South Florida, where the temperatures dived all the way down into the high fifties. We’ve heard rumors that some places get even colder in winter, so, even though they’re probably just rumors, the Altons talked last time about general hypothermia. This time, they’ll talk about cold water safety in survival settings. Plus, Dr. Bones (Joe Alton MD) discusses things you should know about medical gloves, all about wound infections, and more. Nurse practitioner Amy Alton discusses nursing care in a comprehensive way in part two of her series, as much information as you'll find anywhere on the subject.. All this and more on the lastest Survival  Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton! Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, The Altons Consider getting your family medically prepared and use those HSA/FSA dollars at store.doomandbloom.net, where you'll find an entire line of medical kits, individual supplies, and the latest 4th edition o

The environment plays a large role in your success as medic in survival settings. If you don’t take weather conditions and other factors into account, you have made the environment your enemy, and it’s a formidable one. One major issue is cold-related illness, otherwise known as hypothermia. Normally, the body core ranges from 97.5 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius) when taken orally or rectally. Rectal temps tend to be slightly higher than oral, and oral temps slightly higher than skin readings, such as those taken in the armpit. Hypothermia begins when the body core drops below 95 degrees. Dr. Joe Alton discusses what to do when the family medic is faced with someone struck by cold exposure. Also, Nurse Amy Alton begins a series on nursing care off the grid. While not as sensational as emergency trauma care, the daily maintenance of the bedridden group member is so important that you're bound to lose people if you don't know how to properly care for them all the way to recovery. Amy di

Many of the medical items in your storage, like instruments and some dressings, may come already sterile, but in survival, dressings are consumed and the sterile instruments become dirty. This leads to the question of how to sterilize your reusable items and produce a store of sterile supplies. Dr. Joe Alton discusses how best to disinfect reusable and even some disposable items in the aftermath of a major long-term disaster. Also, a major obstacle to good sanitation and health in survival will be infestation of retreats by rodents like rats and mice. Their droppings, urine, saliva, and nests can contaminate your food supply and make things much harder. Dr. Bones discusses all sorts of strategies to keep your retreat rodent-free. Plus, a question from a listener about alopecia aereata, a hair loss syndrome that can be difficult to deal with in good times or bad. All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast, with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP. Hey, if you want to know more about survival medic

Although science has made great progress against bacterial disease, our advances against viruses are still in their infancy. Now, potentially good news is being reported in the battle against the current pandemic: An experimental oral drug known as molnupiravir reduces the risk of hospitalization and death in phase III clinical trials. Today Joe Alton MD (aka Dr.Bones) and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton  are going to talk about two products developed by Merck Pharmaceuticals: Ivermectin and Molnupiravir, and the evidence for their effectiveness in the COVID pandemic. Plus, why is Merck pushing this new drug over ivermectin, already FDA approved for certain parasitic issues? All this and more on the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton! Hey have you gotten a copy of the brand new, greatly expanded 4TH EDITION of the Survival Medicine Handbook? Check it out at store.doomandbloom.net along with our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies and personal protection

The control of major hemorrhage (called “hemostasis”) is the territory of paramedics and trauma surgeon in normal times. In survival scenarios, however, the family medic is unlikely to be either of these. Although direct pressure on a bleeding wound may stop the bleeding, there are times when it just ain’t enough. In such cases, tourniquets are the best first course of action, but they can’t stay on there forever. While tourniquets, gauze rolls, and Israeli battle dressing will help stop bleeding, they don’t have anything special in them that specifically aids in the clotting process. In the last several decades, however, special substances have been identified that can help control the loss of blood. If you know how to properly use them in an emergency, often in conjunction with a tourniquet, you’ll increase an injured patient’s chances of survival. Off the grid, having a supply of these will save lives. Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton talk about different hemostatic dressings, including some improved ones tha