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Prepper’s Survival MedicineHandbook (Book Review)You’re a suburban homesteader. You know how to raise your ownfood, protect your land, hunt for your protein, fix just abouteverything around your home and work with your neighbors tomake your world that much better. But, do you know how todeal with any acute medical emergencies that show up? ScottFinazzo’s book Prepper’s Survival Medicine Handbook will helpyou not only identify medical issues, but also treat them tothe point where you can get them to higher-end medical care.
Book Set-UpSurvival medicine is a broad topic as you might image. ScottFinazzo breaks down this immense topic into sixteen segmentsthat, while still large, make the overall topic a bit moredigestible. This breakdown allows for quicker reference whichwill be important when seconds count.
The chapters of this book are as follows:
IntroductionThe Introduction is just that – an introduction to the bookand a general reasoning behind why Scott wrote this book. Histime as a firefighter and the research he did into militarymedical response are leveraged heavily in the advice providedin the following chapters.
Chapter 1 – Basic ProceduresSometimes the best place to start is the beginning. Thischapter speaks highly of understanding your situation, workingtowards a positive outcome and being prepared to take care of
things when they go south. Gear – protective clothing, firstaid supplies, and the like – is discussed as arecertifications and classes that individuals may want to takepart in. I was especially interested in the section onsmartphone apps that may be helpful.
Chapter 2 – Controlling Blood LossThis chapter is the first in a long line of “meat and potato”chapters with actionable advice. As you might imagine, topicssuch as direct pressure, elevation, tourniquets and clottingagents are addressed.
Chapter 3 – TraumaTrauma is a big word and encompasses a few major differenttypes of injuries. Scott uses this chapter in Prepper’sSurvival Medicine Handbook to discuss such topics as bluntforce trauma, falls, gunshots and stabbings/impalements.
Chapter 4 – ShockShock is probably the most overlooked medical situation when asituation goes sideways. Events such as gunshots or headinjuries are quite apparent visually. Shock can sometimessneak up on you. Scott outlines the four stages of shock andhow to best treat them.
Chapter 5 – FracturesImagine being in the middle of a fifty-mile multi-day hikewith a buddy when he slips and breaks his leg. Would you knowhow to treat it properly so that he’s both comfortable and notenduring further injury? This chapter will teach you how.
Chapter 6 – BurnsBurns can range from that sunburn after a little too long atthe beach to full blown third-degree burns which result fromprolonged exposure to flames. Scott uses this chapter ofPrepper’s Survival Medicine Handbook to dive into each type ofburn and explain how to treat it.
Chapter 7 – Heat-RelatedEmergenciesHeat-related emergencies include dehydration, heat exhaustion,cramps and heat stroke. They can be just as dangerous andcold-related emergencies and, sometimes, harder to treat. Scott’s advice could help you save the day after longexposure to sunny, warm days.
Chapter 8 – Cold-RelatedEmergenciesThe human body does not like to be cold. Frostbite andhypothermia can be dangerous situations. With the rightinformation, they can be avoided or, at the very least,treated in short order.
Chapter 9 – Allergic ReactionsLike many medical situations, allergic reactions can rangefrom the benign (seasonal allergies) to the severe (deadlyfood allergies). Treatment can be tricky as each person canhave a different reaction to epinephrine but Scott does hisbest to help provide solutions that will make the patientcomfortable and stabilize them.
Chapter 10 – Bites and StingsBites and stings fall into the same category as allergicreactions. Some are benign – mosquito bites for instance –and some can border on deadly – picture shark bites or somesnake venoms. Learning how to not only identify the guiltypredator but also provide the right treatment is critical tosuccess in these situations.
Chapter 11 – Common MedicalEmergenciesCardiac arrest, seizures, and diabetic attacks can all belife-threatening. Scott spends some time in this chapter ofPrepper’s Survival Medicine Handbook talking about each andhow to deal with them if you do not have immediate access toprofessional medical services.
Chapter 12 – Chemical, Biological,Radiological, and Nuclear First AidWhile the general population is not immune to such situations,this chapter was definitely written with military personnel inmind. The good news is that the average reader will probablynever have to experience this kind of trauma. The better newsis that this chapter gives you a fighting chance of survivingit if you do.
Chapter 13 – Specific ClimateSurvivalThe big three – fire, water and shelter – are discussedheavily here. After all, they are three of the most importantskills to survival. Food and medicinal plants are alsodiscussed at length. Specific climates such as desserts,
cold/icy environments, mountain ranges and forest areas arepresented as well. Each terrain style is broken down intodetail about what to look for and how to make do in yoursurroundings. While interest, this chapter could be a bookunto itself. I would caution the reader that each topic isjust touched on and not gone into detail due to the need forsome kind of brevity.
Chapter 14 – Rescue OperationsSo you’ve made your buddy comfortable after that fall ortraumatic event. How do you go about extricating yourself andhim from the situation? Do you know how to perform one- ortwo-man carries? Build a stretcher? Or even drag your fallenbuddy appropriately?
Chapter 15 – Psychological FirstAidPost Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious issue andone that can raise it’s ugly head after a situation goessideways. Learn how to identify it and possibly treat it sothat everyone can get out of the situation safely.
Chapter 16 – ResuscitationBlood flow and oxygen are critical to survival. Scott goesinto great detail in this chapter of Prepper’s SurvivalMedicine Handbook to talk about resuscitating someone who hasstopped one or both of these critical functions.
Editor’s Note: While the information provided in this chapteris high quality, it in no way replaces a Red Cross CPRcertification.
What I Liked About Prepper’sSurvival Medicine HandbookScott took a very straightforward approach with this book. His chapters read clearly and both the identification andtreatment sections are quite clear. It’s evident that hisyears as a firefighter and his time researching militarymedical response have aggregated into all the information inthis book.
What I Didn’t LikePrepper’s Survival Medicine Handbook was definitely writtenfrom more of a military/group perspective than a homesteaderor suburbanite. That’s not a knock on the book; it’s more ofa heads up for the readers of this site.
Overall Thoughts on Prepper’sSurvival Medicine HandbookThose of you who were ever a Boy Scout remember the bookletsthat each merit badge had associated with it. Prepper’sSurvival Medicine Handbook reminds me of those booklets onsteroids! It’s chock full of both identification andtreatment information. It’s definitely geared more towardsimmediate treatment so that you can get the patient to moreprofessional treatment.
I’d recommend this book as a good back-up to any formal firstaid training you’ve received in the past.
Disclaimer: Scott Finazzo supplied a copy of Prepper’sSurvival Medicine Handbook via Ulysses Press for me to review.I can assure my readers that I gave it a fair and honestreview.
