If there's enough interest, and someone's willing to host it gratis, I can scan "Where There Is No Doctor" and "Where There Is No Dentist" and make them freely available (Hesperian Foundation allows this). These books can explain the who/what/where/why/how's a heck of a lot faster than I can type <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

More useful for The End Of The World As We Know It than the typical 72 hour jaunt to civilization from broken car in desert scenarios...as a medical professional I see NO problem in over-educating the public!

Be Very Carefull with antibiotics. Missuse can kill or create MRSA, wich can be untreatable even in current conditions, and infect or kill others around you. Unless you are absolutly sure on what you are doing dont mess with it. On furthur note you body has its own means of fighting infection, Dial soap and good food do wonders. Most people are overprescribed by MD's on antibiotics which time would cure normally.

JoeBob,
Exactly what I did with my MD, and I have to convince my wife I'm not crazy - My MD TOLD me to keep Vicodan in the house, and to basically ignore the expiration date if I kept them cool and dry - my wife keeps wanting to throw them out (they are more than 6 months old (gasp)). Amazing how well they work when you suffer from kidney stones (he doesn't want me to have to suffer while waiting for him)

Sorry to imply this was an improper post. I reacted to the quantities of drugs on the website, and the (I think) implication that they'd provide the MD approval (?Prescription). Perhaps I jumped to conclusions... my only exercise lately.

However, I share the concerns medical professionals have expressed here regarding the inclusion of antibiotics (and many other drugs) in a PSK, BOB, or larger medical kit. IMHO the safe way to approach this is:

1) Discuss with your own doctor, or one familiar with your health history (and, ideally, that of anyone else you may medicate). Have him/her write a series of prescriptions. I use a "custom pharmacy" or "formulating pharmacy" which will dispense in atypical containers and label those: mine are in tiny ziploc plastic bags with labels. They are then, with the Instructions mentioned below, vacuum packed into one 4"x6" bag.

2) Include a list of INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, and adverse reactions / side effects for each drug in the kit. You may know them.. but someone else may be the one doing the pill passing. I am not uneducated in this area, but I sat down with an MD for several hours designing the proper pharmacy and being educated (and taking notes)on proper (and foolish) use. Cost me a liter of Irish Wiskey, but worth it.

3) Quantities?? I'm not preparing for an Survivalist scenario, so I pack to treat ONE EPISODE for 2 people. Buying at discount or in quantity isn't relevant to me. In fact, often I can get samples.

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't see this as a decision to take lightly. Spend as much time educating yourself about your BOB pharmacy as you spend learning to use a fire bow or other piece of gear.

I have spent years learning to use a fire bow and it still isn't easy! <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

He's right. Know that you are not allergic to any of those meds before paying for a large supply. I had a reaction to Cipro the first time I took it, and a colleague died the first time he took Tylenol #3, and he was an OB/GYN resident. Be careful.

All, thanks for the feedback on my posting; you gave me a lot to think about! Just a few answers to some of the questions I have seen:
1. I agree very much that antibiotics should not be treated lightly, and we ask everyone to sign a disclaimer that this is an emergency supply, not something to give yourself when you think you might be coming down with something. Inappropriate use can lead to resistant bacterial strains that become "superbugs" that hurt all of us.
2. These are not counterfeit, I get all supplies from Amerisource Bergen, which is one of the two biggest wholesalers in the country. Its the same place many hospitals get their supplies.
3. Storage - as we note on the site, the US government has shown some studies that Cipro can stay potent well beyond the original expiration dates. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2000/n03292000_20003292.html
However, it is VERY important to note that Tetracycline becomes dangerous, not just ineffective after its expiration date. Thats why I order a new bottle for every prescription, so we get the freshest batch available.
4. We include the literature on each drug, with all contraindications, instructions etc...
5. We have a Dr who is comfortable writing for emergency supplies of drugs like this which are very prevelant and not a 'controlled substance." If you want pain killers or Viagra try one of the canadian guys.

Well thanks for all the feedback and ideas, I appreciate it. If you have any other specific questions I would be happy to try and answer them.
Rob

In my humble opinion, the need for field use of antibiotics is limited.

Most intestinal boughts of vomiting and/or diarrhea are generally self-limiting. Dehydration is the major concern and can be dealt with though the use of diluted sport drinks, re-hydration/electrolyte formulas:

(http://www.diarrhoea.org/dehydration/treatment_plans.htm) “What is ORT?
ORT is the giving of fluid by mouth to prevent and/or correct the dehydration that is a result of diarrhea. As soon as diarrhea begins, treatment using home remedies to prevent dehydration must be started. If adults or children have not been given extra drinks, or if in spite of this dehydration does occur, they must be treated with a special drink made with oral rehydration salts (ORS). The formula for ORS recommended by WHO and UNICEF contains:
· 3.5 gms sodium chloride
· 2.9 gms trisodium citrate dihydrate (or 2.5 gms sodium bicarbonate)
· 1.5 gms potassium chloride
· 20 gms glucose (anhydrous)
The above ingredients are dissolved in one litre of clean water. WHO has recently recommended a change in the complete formula, replacing 2.5 gms of sodium bicarbonate with 2.9 gms of trisodium citrate dihydrate. The new formula gives the packets a longer shelf life and is at least as effective in correcting acidosis and reducing stool volume. Packets containing sodium bicarbonate are still safe and effective.”

In the absence of culture and sensitivity, even the best health care provider is taking educated pot shots at treating infections. Which is why when it becomes absolutely necessary in the field to treat an infection, a variety of antibiotics or the use of a broad-spectrum antibiotic is necessary.

Infections due to lacerations, can be effectively prevented though appropriate wound irrigation and cleaning techniques. As with many health related conditions, individuals in generally good health will be able to ward off many infections though the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Pete

Billy, I am all for education, it is a big part of what we do. Educated people make better decisions for themselves, the contributors to this forum are all good examples of that. I wish that I could host the information for you.
Rob, I should have been more specific. I didn't mean to imply that your product was expired or counterfeit, but that is a danger in procuring medications over the internet.
To All: as others have pointed out in other posts, there are dangers involved with taking any drug, and you could create more problems by taking them without knowing what you are doing.
If you have a known medical condition (kc2ixe- ouch!), by all means, work with your doctor and keep a supply on hand, and yes, some drugs last a while if stored in the proper conditions. As Rob pointed out, others become dangerous.

I know prescriptions will get you the things you need, but with the "terrorist" paranioa of those in charge, isn't carrying a large variety of high strength medications going to cause a lot of headaches.

I recently went through a checkpoint (Had to make 2 trips back to the car in the parking lot because I forgot to offload all the knives I had on me.) and the security agent took apart my aluminum cane to make sure it was not one of those that has a sword (They are available in adjustable aluminum canes.) concealed in the lower portion. The dipstick didn't reassemble it to the correct height, so I made sure to stand in the way of his scanning gate while reassembling it and chastising him for making a "handicapped" person suffer. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Despite his show of complete security, the dipstick did not look into the upper handle portion which could have had more than a blade in it.

With a large amount of meds, even with prescriptions attached, some of those dipsticks are liable to think you are immunizing yourself while preparing to attack others.

That is the part about carrying that concerns me.

Bountyhunter