Basic Medical Skills for Urban Preppers

Equipping yourself with medical knowledge and practical skills can make a significant difference in your ability to manage health emergencies effectively. Here’s a guide to essential medical skills every urban prepper should master.

MEDICAL

12/20/20246 min read

Basic Medical Skills for Urban Preppers

Urban preppers often focus on stockpiling food, water, and other essential supplies to survive potential disasters. While these are vital, having basic medical skills is just as critical. In an emergency, access to professional medical care may be delayed or unavailable. Therefore, equipping yourself with medical knowledge and practical skills can make a significant difference in your ability to manage health emergencies effectively. Here’s a guide to essential medical skills every urban prepper should master.

Here are some items worth carrying in a get home bag:

Get Home Bag Survival Planner and Checklist

Bug-out bag items worth looking at:

Bug-out bag planner and checklist

Here are vehicle disaster items to have:

Vehicle bag planner for SHTF

Urban Prepping: The Essential Medical Gear for Survival

Here is my bare minimum thought on medical skills... 1) Get medical training in CPR, 2) Learn how to clear airways including the Heimlich maneuver, and 3) Learn how to stop bleeding. This is a minimum. One of my clients was a doctor and while i helped him build a stealth doomsday bunker, he taught me so much unique medical knowledge, some of which was psychology in relation to diet. It seems that every time I learn something new, I also realize more vulnerabilities. But i also learn not to obsess over prepping. This is where the mental side of disaster meets physical prepping. The goal is to prep at a comfortable pace without it effecting your life. In fact, it should improve your life by reducing stress due to contingency plans. The more grounded you are while realizing the severity of what could come, the better you will be if/when something does happen. Imagine being nervous while applying a tourniquet, or while helping someone from choking. Panic is a death sentence waiting, no different than trying to reload a magazine and clear a double feed while being shot at. Until you practice in the chaos, you will stumble in the chaos when it matters, and when the adrenaline screws with your fine motor skills. The same goes for medical skills. I recently wrote a home defense piece about stopping holes, plugging holes, and making holes. This article will deal with the skills needed to plug holes i.e. stop bleeding and medically treat someone...

The city can turn hostile in an instant. One moment, the streets hum with the rhythm of daily life; the next, chaos takes hold. When disaster strikes, the gridlock of urban sprawl compounds the danger. First responders are overwhelmed, pharmacies are emptied, and hospitals become war zones. For the urban prepper with a bug out bag and a plan, the ability to handle medical emergencies is no longer optional—it’s survival.

Start with the basics. A well-stocked first-aid kit is more than bandages and adhesive tape. It’s your frontline defense in scenarios ranging from minor injuries to life-threatening trauma. Adhesive dressings and gauze pads are critical for stemming blood loss, but they’re not enough. Add hemostatic agents—powders or impregnated dressings designed to clot blood fast. In an urban environment where emergency services might take hours, stopping a bleed quickly can mean the difference between life and death.

Every urban prepper needs tools to address fractures and sprains. Splints and elastic bandages help stabilize injuries, reducing the risk of further damage. A SAM splint, malleable and lightweight, is ideal for field use. Pair it with a triangular bandage for added versatility, whether securing a limb or fashioning a makeshift sling.

Medications like OTC meds to stock up on, are another cornerstone. Pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen manage inflammation and fever. Antihistamines like diphenhydramine counter allergic reactions. For those with specific conditions, stockpile extra doses of prescribed medications. Antibiotics, often overlooked, are critical in a prolonged disaster scenario. Minor wounds can quickly become septic without proper treatment, and urban environments teem with bacteria.

Respiratory threats demand attention. Dust, smoke, or chemical exposure can quickly incapacitate. Stock N95 masks for filtration and consider a portable CPR mask to provide life-saving ventilation. For those anticipating civil unrest, burn gels and aloe-based creams can soothe injuries caused by fire or explosive devices.

Wound care supplies often separate the amateurs from the prepared. Beyond bandages, saline solution is indispensable for cleaning debris from cuts. Add antimicrobial ointments and iodine-based solutions to fight infections. Sterile gloves ensure you’re not introducing contaminants, and a small surgical kit provides the means to address deeper lacerations when professional help is out of reach.

Thermal blankets are crucial in urban prepping. Hypothermia isn’t exclusive to wilderness scenarios. In the aftermath of power outages or forced evacuations, even moderate temperatures can sap body heat. These lightweight, reflective blankets retain warmth and occupy minimal space in your kit.

Tools for diagnostics shouldn’t be overlooked. A digital thermometer, compact and reliable, monitors fever. Pulse oximeters, now widely available, measure blood oxygen levels—vital during respiratory crises. Add a blood pressure cuff to track cardiovascular strain during high-stress situations.

Training elevates the gear from a collection of items to a life-saving arsenal. Combat tourniquets and war items, for instance, are potent tools against arterial bleeding, but improper use can cause more harm than good. Invest time in learning techniques like wound packing, chest seals for puncture injuries, and the basics of airway management.

Preparation extends to the psychological realm. Include anti-anxiety medications if available, and consider natural remedies like chamomile or valerian root for their calming effects. In high-stress environments, maintaining focus and clarity often becomes its own battle.

Urban prepping demands foresight and precision. Each piece of gear must serve a purpose, with no space wasted. The stakes are high, but those who prepare have an edge—a lifeline when everything else collapses.

1. First Aid Basics

Understanding first aid is the cornerstone of medical preparedness. Key skills include:

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation): Learn how to perform CPR on adults, children, and infants to maintain blood flow and breathing in cardiac arrest situations.
Wound Care: Properly clean and dress wounds to prevent infection. Know how to use antiseptics, bandages, and sutures if necessary.
Bleeding Control: Techniques like applying direct pressure, using a tourniquet, and packing wounds with gauze can save lives during severe bleeding.
Splinting Fractures: Immobilizing broken bones reduces pain and prevents further injury.
Burn Treatment: Understand how to manage first, second, and third-degree burns using cool water, sterile dressings, and burn ointments.

2. Recognizing and Responding to Emergencies

Urban preppers should be adept at identifying life-threatening conditions and knowing when to act. This includes:

Shock: Recognize symptoms like pale skin, rapid heartbeat, and shallow breathing. Elevate the legs and keep the individual warm until help arrives.
Heart Attacks and Strokes: Familiarize yourself with the signs—such as chest pain, difficulty speaking, or sudden weakness—and the importance of rapid response.
Allergic Reactions: Learn to use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and recognize signs of anaphylaxis, such as swelling and difficulty breathing.

3. Essential Medical Supplies

Your medical kit should be tailored to your knowledge level and the specific needs of your household. A well-rounded kit might include:

Adhesive bandages and gauze pads of various sizes
Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointments
Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
Medical gloves and masks
A digital thermometer
Tweezers and scissors
A blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter
Prescription medications (stored securely)
A first aid manual for quick reference

4. Sanitation and Hygiene

Preventing illness is as important as treating injuries. Maintain strict hygiene practices, especially in close quarters:

Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
Safely dispose of waste to prevent contamination.
Disinfect shared surfaces and tools.

5. Improvisation Skills

In an urban environment, resources may be scarce. Learning to improvise can be invaluable:

Tourniquets: Use a belt or strip of cloth in place of a commercial tourniquet.
Splints: Immobilize limbs using sturdy objects like boards, magazines, or metal rods.
Wound Dressings: Clean clothing or plastic wrap can act as temporary dressings in emergencies.

6. Long-Term Health Management

Urban preppers should plan for scenarios that extend beyond immediate emergencies:

Chronic Conditions: Keep a supply of necessary medications and monitor conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
Nutrition and Hydration: Ensure your emergency food supply includes nutrients essential for healing and immunity.
Mental Health: Practice stress-relief techniques and build a support network to maintain psychological resilience.

7. Basic Knowledge of Infectious Diseases

Understanding common illnesses and their prevention is crucial, particularly in crowded urban settings. Learn about:

Common symptoms and treatments for viral and bacterial infections.
Vaccinations and their role in preventing diseases.
Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce exposure to pathogens.