My brother plays alot of video games, and is a big fan of the Metal Gear Solid line. I noticed the character could take some drug that would settle his nerves when aiming his gun, so he could shoot straighter at the target. It got me wondering, does such a drug exist? If so, would anyone consider putting a drug of this type in their kits so as to stay calm in a survival situation (not a para-military fantasy)?

I use a perfectly legal substance found throughout the USA. It's called bourbon. It is generally NOT considered to be a good idea for the PSK though, and it does nothing for my aim <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

Vallium will calm your nerves, but I'm not sure what it will do to your aim. I had to take it for a muscle spasm in my back, and I hated how stupid it made me. But I hear it can be addicting, so use sparingly.

If there ever is a time you want to be operating @ 100% disasters is it. I would not want to take anything that would alter my mental balance in any way. A person’s brain is made to send danger signals, warnings and pain information to keep abreast of your surroundings. For me this is not theory but a chose I have made in the past. I have gone with out pain medications because I wanted to have 100% mental function, I can always quit hurting later when being less than 100% will not endanger myself or others around me.

I pack Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) in my first aid kit. In addition to being an antihistamine, one of its side effects is being a mild sedative. Less woozy feeling than valium, and available in non-prescription strength. Mind, I wouldn't use it for myself for that reason, but it is available if someone is about to go bug-squat crazy from the stress <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"bug-squat crazy" That's a new one for me, I like it. Mind if I use that ?

Dave

Sure, go ahead--I'll be here all week; try the veal.

Christina:

Got some demerol after some surgery in the "nether" regions and didn't really care about shooting someone or even getting shot. No drug made to relax you will help you come out on top in a shootout, wheather video or real.

It was a Catholic hospital where they did the surgery in the "nether" region and they had so much gauze shoved up there that it was pressing on my bladder. Believe it or not, they gave me beer to relax the bladder and allow flow to occur.

Demerol and beer is better than ice cream when you have a tonsilactomy. Demerol and Jim Beam bourbon would have been better, but the sitz baths weren't bad.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Recommendation from the Red Cross is not to put any drugs in the FAK. Not even paracetemol. If you do put medication/drugs in your kit. It better be for personal use only. Don't want anybody to have an allergic reaction during a disaster now do we?
But I doubt it'd be wise to alter your mental state...

Yes, giving prescription meds to others isn't a good idea. It's not legal, either (not that that bothers me all that much). But you do have to careful about allergic reactions. My sister had surgery and was given either morphine or a synthetic morphine (never got that part straight), and she turned into a paranoid screaming whacko, trying to climb out the window (3rd floor). They had an antidote for it, but they had to track her husband down to get permission to administer it.

One of the side-effects of the calming-type meds like Paxil & Prozac is shaking hands. ("No, Your Honor, I DID mean to shoot HIM, but I didn't mean to shoot the school and the old folks' home, too...") <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sue