Summary: When people hear the phrase disaster medicine, they generally envision a field hospital full of traumatic injuries. But disaster medicine is about a lot more than that. This could be all the medical care available for a long time after a major crisis, with no doctor in sight. <br> Disaster medicine isn't just about first aid. It's about sanitation, disease control, long-term wound care to prevent infections, and caring for people with illnesses. Let's take a look at each of these important issues.<br> <br> <br> Disaster Medicine: Sanitation, Hygiene, and Disease Control<br> Major medical concerns during a crisis are sanitation and hygiene. If correct sanitation methods are not instituted, infections are more likely, as are sanitation-based illnesses. Both are far more likely to be deadly in a scenario without hospitals, doctors, and a pharmacy full of medications.<br> Personal hygiene is a good preventative. If people and areas aren't kept clean, people will get sick, which will reduce your ability to deal with other problems.<br> Disasters are dirty, but regardless of the situation, people must manage their hygiene and cleanliness. Make sure to clean up before going to sleep and throughout the day when possible.<br> Disaster Medicine Hand Washing Process<br> If you're going to be dealing with ill or injured people, you need to scrub down first.<br> <br> You need soap, water, and a clean towel.<br> Use the cleanest water possible. Filter out the nastiness and boil it beforehand.<br> Don't just wash your hands. Wash all the way up to your elbows.<br> The longer you scrub, the better you'll be.<br> Follow up with gel hand sanitizer.<br> <br> How to Dig a Latrine<br> Your restroom area is important.<br> Dig your latrine 100 meters or one terrain feature away from the area that people will cook or sleep. It should be 2 feet deep and 1.5 feet wide. Don't let it fill all the way up, and cover it up as you go. When one area is filled, move to another.<br> Insect Prevention<br> Insects are more than a pesky nuisance.<br> First of all, your body needs to be in a deep sleep to maximize healing time. With only interrupted and crummy sleep, you will not heal as fast. One key to getting essential sleep is keeping the bugs away.<br> As well, insects can carry a variety of diseases, depending on where you are. Here are some ways to reduce contact with insects/<br> <br> If you have power, use fans - the airflow will keep mosquitoes and bugs from landing on you.<br> Encircle your sleeping area with mosquito netting<br> Use DEET<br> Keep as much of your skin as possible covered.<br> Tie off your pants. Use rubber bands, gaiters, or blouse your pants into your boots to keep the ticks and bugs from making contact with your skin.<br> <br> Disaster Medicine: Treating Illness<br> Part of disaster medicine is taking care of people who become sick - and that includes YOU.<br> Don't be a tough guy. Be the smart guy so you stay healthy and can continue functioning. Listen to the people around you when you feel ill because they may be more aware of what is wrong with you than you are. Sometimes when we are ill or running a fever, we may not be able to assess ourselves accurately. When you're sick, take yourself out of the equation and focus on rest to heal up.<br> Quarantine people who become ill until you are certain their illness is not contagious. Use measures like gloves and masks when caring for the sick person and discard those before touching anything else. Carefully disinfect dishes and cutlery used by the sick person. Your goal is to prevent the illness from spreading throughout your group.<br> Children and the elderly get sick more easily, as do people with chronic illnesses and compromised immune systems.<br> Medications to Keep on Hand<br> Have a plan to manage medications.<br> Always stock up on extra prescription medications...
