A Granola Order is being taken from now until April 1st.  This is high quality, very good tasting granola.  There are 12 one pound bags in a case.  The case is $25.  Full cases must be ordered, but you can order as many cases as you like.  This Granola has Almonds and coconut in it.  To order or if you have questions call Fran 801 544 4489.  Thanks.    Delivery will be in May.

The Fruit Heights City is sponsoring Emergency Preparedness classes the last Wednesday of each month.  Please attend these classes so that you, your family and neighbors can benefit from the knowledge you gain from these classes in an emergency.  If you have a topic that you would like to learn about please contact me @ 801 544 4489 and we will work on getting that information to you and others in a future class.  Thanks for your support.

The next Fruit Hts. Preparedness forum class with be held on January 18th @ 7 pm.   Todd Spotz will be the speaker.  He will be talking about ways to stay warm in the cold of winter without your central heat. Todd will have any items to show and even some that you can purchase if you would like.   Reminders will be sent.  I just wanted you to be aware of the class at this time so that you could put it on your calandar.  Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all of you!!

There will be NO Class in December in Fruit Hts.  They will start up again in January2012.  Thanks for a great year.  I hope you are more prepared now then you were at the first of the year 2011.

ANSWERS TO FUEL QUESTIONS 

      All fuel must be stored in an unattached shed or garage.  Except as stated below.  NO fuel is to be stored in your basement. All fuel must be stored in approved containers. This is for obvious reasons of safety to you and your home.

GAS AND WHITE GAS

      Max. gallons to be stored is 25 gallons.  10 gallons may be stored in the garage if there is a fire extinguisher between 10-50 feet away.  Gas in vehicles is exempt.

DIESEL, KEROSENE, AND LAMP OIL

      Same as above--NOT in basements!!! In approved containers!!!  With a Fire extinguisher 10-50 feet away.  The limit is 60 gallons of these fuels.  Portable kerosene appliances are limited to a 2 gallon fuel tank.

PROPANE AND BUTANE

      Permanent tanks can hold up to 2000 gallons, but  you need a permit.  Portable tanks are limited to 25 gallons. If you want to store the flammable/combustible liquids together they must be at least 10 feet apart.  You may store up to 2  1 lb cylinders in your attached garage.  Again, not in the basement, attached garage and in approved containers.

These are just guidelines.  Contact your local fire department for more details and info. 

 

CITY OF FRUIT HTS IS SPONSERING TIM WOLFE TO SPEAK!!

AUGUST 24TH 7 PM @ THE FRUIT HTS CITY BUILDING. (910 MOUNTAIN RD). TIM WOLFE IS COMING TO SPEAK TO US.  TIM WORKS FOR THE HUMANITARIAN DEPARTMENT OF THE LDS CHURCH. HE IS SENT OUT AS A FIRST RESPONDER TO DISASTERS.  HE KNOWS WHAT PEOPLE NEED AND WANT IN A DISASTER SITUATION.  TIM AS ALSO LIVED OFF GRID WITH HIS FAMILY FOR A YEAR AND HAS MANY EXPERIENCES TO TELL ABOUT THIS ADVENTURE.  PLEASE COME AND HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING EVENING!!

SCHOOL STARTED AND WE ARE STARTING UP AGAIN ALSO

AFTER A GREAT SUMMER OFF, WE ARE READY TO START OUR PREPAREDNESS JOURNEY AGAIN.  THOSE OF YOU THAT DIDN'T STOP FOR THE SUMMER.....GOOD FOR YOU!!!  YOU ARE THAT MUCH FURTHER AHEAD.  WATCH FOR NEW POSTS STARTING now!!

Are you new to this blog? 

If so, please go back through all the old posts.  There is lots of great preparedness info for you that has been posted during the past year and a half.   Please take advantage of it and use it as you can.  The most important thing is that you are doing something how ever big or small to become more empowered by being prepared for an earthquake, flood, or what ever may come our way.  Please use, learn from and enjoy this blog!   Thanks!!

Gloria Schick from Washington State spoke to us last night.  Here are some of the highlights of what she said. 
I can't put all she said- if you missed it you really did miss a great amount of info.  I will try to get the hightlights in here for you.
Gloria and her family lived though the Mt. Saint Helen's disaster, which was 31 years ago.  She had 3-4 minute warning that the ash was coming.  She could see a black cloud coming toward her home.  They got the kids in the house, closed windows, flues, and any other openings to the house as best as they could to keep the ash out.  Then they put breathers, masks, goggles, hats, etc on to protect themselves.  They could not go outside for about 4 days.  When they could go out they had to shovel the ash off everything, even the roof of their house. There was lots of cleaning to be done. (tools) The ash stayed for about 4 years before they could see the dirt again. They used foam and soaked it in motor oil and put that over the intake of the engine of their car so that the car would continue to work.  They needed insulated clothes because the sun could not get through the ash and the temperature went down to -90 degrees!  Heat source is very important!  If your home was built before 1985 make sure it is attached to a foundation. Have a way to turn off your gas to the house. Make sure you have water, food, clothing, fuel stored.   By your bed, keep the following items: thick soled shoes that glass will not get though, socks, leather gloves, whistle, goggles, light source, crowbar, and duct tape.  These things can go into a cloth bag and tape to the side or under the bed so they don't get thrown away from you in an earthquake.  Or tape to the wall next to the bed.  Anchor things to the wall so they don't fall. Be careful not to get injured if possible.  You can't help yourself or anyone else if you are injured.  ER will be overwhelmed so going there will not be much help.  Have 1st aid kits ready, as well as any meds you may need.  The first response team is YOU!  Think about things you use daily and store those items.   When stressed your body needs good nutrition. Eat well!!   Carbs/Protein for energy. Have basics of food, water, heat, and a way to cook.  Store vitamins.  Don't store things in one place incase you can't get to that place. Most men are working miles from home, but the youth are usually within a few miles from home while in school.  Train the youth to be ready to respond, especially the young men.  They should know how to find escape routes, use first aid, chop wood, wrap car engines with foam/motor oil,  turn off gas to homes, use knifes, ropes, make fires, etc.  Young women can help with these things as well.  Keep some supplies in your car at all times.  Have a fire extingusher, sleeping bags, 72 hour kits, extra eye glasses, meds, heat source, ladder to get from upper rooms of the house.  Empower yourself by being prepared!   "What makes the difference from a crisis mode to an alert mode is preparedness".  Don't count on anyone else for your survival-not a friend, neighbor, church or government.  They may not be there for you.  YOU can count on YOU only!  Be Ready!!! 

Emergency Preparedness Fair

The fair was held on April 30th and was a great success. Over 700 people attended.  Those that were there got to sample food made from stored items, watch dutch over cooking, see the police dogs demo the things that they do on the job,  see the inside workings of emergency vehicles,  watch shortwave radios work, have opportunities to see many products on display and demostrations of how they work and so much more. 

If you didn't get a chance to come you really missed out!  Mark your date for April 28th 2012 for the next one so you don't miss it also. 

The City of Fruit Heights is starting to hold Emergency Prep Classes...... once a month.  Please watch for the announcements for these classes.  The speakers they have lined up appear to be really good and informative. 

The first speaker is Dennis Rasmussen.  Dennis is very knowledgeable on Disaster Preparedness and will be very interesting to hear.  He speaks on May 19th at the City Building in the council room at 7pm.  Please attend,  I know you will be glad you did.

The second speaker is Tim Wolfe.  Tim spoke all over Utah.  We are very fortunate to have him come to Fruit Hts. to speak to us.  He will be here on June 12th at 7 pm in the City Building in the council room.  Again, please mark you calenders for this event.  It will be one you will not forget! 

If you have questions about these classes call the City building. 

A New Year........2011

After taking time for the holiday season, we are back to work!!  The scheduled forums for 2011 is as follows:

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FORUMS FOR 2011

MORNING FORUMS- 10-12:00am with a Pot Luck to follow @ the church building. When you make something at the forum it is yours to take home.

Jan 19th - Making and using a Wonderbox

Feb 2nd - Bread making

March 2 - Herbal Medicines: learning how to & making reference cards.

April 6th - Making and using water filters

May 4th - Solar Cooking: watch it work and make a solar oven

Oct 5th -Making Dry food mixes in Jars: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Nov 2 -Making Heaters, cookers and lamps



EVENING FORUMS 3RD Wednesday each month 7:00-8:00 pm @ Fran’s or Jane’s home. Watch announcements for location.

Jan 19th- What to do when “IT” happens!

Feb 16th- Food Storage in Action (Trisha Smith’s home) Mar16th- Gadgets to bring and try: water filters, wheat grinders, etc

Ap 20th - Family Plan/Communications after a disaster

May 18th- Experiences of those that lived through a Disaster!

Oct 19- Important Documents to have ready to go.



ALL ARE WELCOME! Invite your neighbors and Friends

Soup - it's the easiest way to warm up your kitchen on a cold day, and to feed yourself and your family in one delicious and healthy bowl. This is good for now and in hard times. Knowing how and being ready is the key!

I HAVE SEVERAL DRY SOUP MIX RECIPES, THE KIND YOU MAKE AND PUT IN A JAR.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THESE EMAIL ME AT fruithtspreparednessforum@comcast.net  and I will send you a copy.

Find out how to improve your soups and stews with these helpful tips and suggestions.

Here's How:

Make soup 1 to 2 days in advance to let flavors blend.

Reserve the vegetable cooking water and use in place of plain water to improve soup flavor.

Shin, marrow, neck and oxtail bones are best for stock flavoring.

1. Veal knuckles are best for making jellied stocks.

2. If soup tastes thin or weak, add bouillon cubes or powder as a strengthener.

3. Cold soups dull the tastebuds and usually need more seasonings than hot soup. Taste and adjust before serving.

4. If using beer or wine in the soup, reduce salt slightly.

5. When reducing or boiling down a soup stock, do not add salt until the end.

6. If soup is too salty, add half a peeled raw potato and simmer about 15 minutes to absorb excess salt and then remove potato.

7. 1 teaspoon of sugar or light brown sugar will mellow the acidity of tomato soup.

8. Vegetable cream soups can be thickened by pureeing some of the vegetables with a bit of the liquid.

9. Add herbs at the end to preserve the most flavor.

Tips:

1. As a general rule, 1 quart soup equals 6 first-course servings or 3 to 4 main course servings. Adjust to your family’s needs.

2. Match a light-flavored soup to a rich or spicy main dish and vice versa.

What You Need: soup or stew pot, dutch oven, meat bones for stock vegetables and herbs

Any vegetable will do- potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn peas, onions, zuchinni, turnip, leek etc. Cut them small about an inch or less to become tender quicker.

Making Vegetable Stock

A good vegetable stock is useful in a huge variety of dishes.

Vegetable stock is not only an excellent substitute for chicken stock, but is ideal used in all vegetarian fare. To make 4 cups of vegetable stock we used 2 large onions, 2 medium carrots, 3 stalks of celery, 1 whole bulb of garlic, 10 peppercorns, and a bay leaf.

  1. In order for the stock to take on all of the flavors of the vegetables in it, it will need to simmer for a full hour. Because of the long simmering time, it is in the stock's best interest the vegetables be chopped into large chunks rather than small dice. Cut a peeled and halved onion into large chunks.

2. Celery leaves, especially those on the outside of the bunch, are extremely bitter and should not be added to the stock. Remove and discard these leaves from the celery stalks.

3. Slice the celery into large pieces.

                           

4. Peel and chop the carrots into large pieces. If you would like to preserve more of the carrot's natural nutrients, do not peel it as the nutrients are in the carrot's skin. Instead, scrub the carrot under cold running water, then chop the carrot into large pieces.

5. Break up the whole bulb of garlic into individual cloves. Peel the garlic.There is no need to chop the garlic. A full bulb of garlic is used because garlic is the base flavor in vegetable stock.

6. Once all of your ingredients have been prepared, combine them in a stockpot large enough to contain all of the ingredients (including enough water to cover all of the vegetables).

7. Add aromatics to the vegetable medley. We used peppercorns and a bay leaf. Often people also add herbs or scraps leftover from other dishes. Potato scraps can be added as the starch will help thicken the stock a little. Other common additions are stems from herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary. If you are planning on using this stock in an Asian recipe, adding fresh, peeled ginger would be appropriate.

8. Pour water into the stockpot. The vegetables should be immersed in water.

9. Turn the stove to a high temperature, and bring the stock to a quick simmer. Once the water has begun to boil, turn the stove down to low. Allow the vegetables to simmer for an hour. Any longer than an hour and the vegetables will begin to turn mushy and begin to lose all their flavorful vibrance, lending a wilted taste to the stock.

10. Strain your stock while the stock is at its peak (about an hour after it was placed on the stove). Strain your stock through a fine mesh straining device. Cheesecloth placed in a colander would also work well.

11. The stock should be light in color, sweet, and translucent. If you want a darker colored stock, caramelize the onions and carrots before placing them in the stockpot. Alternately, roast the vegetables until caramelized, then add them to the stockpot. Another interesting trick to making a delicious and thick vegetable stock is to use potato water that was strained from mashed potatoes in addition to (or instead of) water.

Make beef or chick broth the same way by simply adding the meat.  You may even decide to serve your wonderful soup right then and there.  Can/bottle the rest for later. 

Cream Soup Base

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter

• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups milk

• 2 cubes chicken bouillon

• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and make a paste. Add milk and bouillon cubes. Cook over low heat until thickened. Add pepper to taste. Add more milk when adding the other soup ingredients, depending on the thickness you desire.

To this base you may add steamed broccoli and American cheese; or chunks of baked potato (peel and all) with American cheese, bacon pieces, and chives; or pureed, stewed tomatoes for a bisque; or leeks that have been cleaned well, steamed, and chopped; or cooked asparagus cut in pieces (if canned asparagus is used, add some of the liquid as well), topped with grated cheese and bacon pieces.

YUMMY!!

Menu Planner Dinner Is:   Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:


Chicken: 1 (2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces
(or 1 quart Bottled Chicken with liquid)--That you canned all by yourself

3 ribs celery, chopped (or 3 Tbsp. of Freeze Dried or Dehydrated Celery)

1 large onion, chopped (or 1/4 cup Dehydrated Onion)

2 bay leaves

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1 teaspoon House Seasoning (The recipe is also included, below.)

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of celery or cream of chicken soup

Dumplings:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

Ice water

Directions:

To start the chicken:

Place the chicken, celery, onion, bay leaves, bouillon, and House Seasoning in a large pot. Add 4 quarts of water and in water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. (Increase water by 1 cup if using dehydrated celery and onions.)

The water from the chicken will also help to rehydrate the celery and onions.

Simmer the chicken until it is tender and the thigh juices run clear, about 40 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the pot and, when it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and separate the meat from the bones. Return the chicken meat to the pot.

(Bottled chicken can be added directly to the pot . . . It's a great time saver!)

Keep warm over low heat.

To prepare the dumplings:

Mix the flour with the salt and mound together in a mixing bowl. Beginning at the center of the mound, drizzle a small amount of ice water over the flour.

Using your fingers, and moving from the center to the sides of the bowl, gradually incorporate about 3/4 cup of ice water. Knead the dough and form it into ball. Dust a good amount of flour onto a clean work surface.

Roll out the dough (it will be firm), working from center to 1/8-inch thick.

Let the dough relax for several minutes.

Add the cream of celery soup to the pot with the chicken and simmer gently over medium-low heat.

Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces. Pull a piece in half and drop the halves into the simmering soup.

Repeat.

Do not stir the chicken once the dumplings have been added. Gently move the pot in a circular motion so the dumplings become submerged and cook evenly.

Cook until the dumplings float and are no longer doughy, 3 to 4 minutes.

To serve, ladle chicken, gravy, and dumplings into warm bowls.

Just a Note:

If the chicken stew is too thin it can be thickened before the dumplings are added. Simply mix together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water
then whisk this mixture into the stew.

House Seasoning:

1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Makes 1 1/2 cups


That's Good Home Cookin' Y'all

Bread Making--
If you missed this forum you really missed out!!  Everyone went home with their very own loaf of bread that they made all by themself....with a little help. Both the women and the men did a great job.

The first thing you want to do is get your ingredients together.  Starting with the wheat.  You want to grind your wheat just before you use it.  If you grind it more than 10 days before use, you lose a great deal of your nutients that are in the wheat.  I use a grain mill that looks like this:

It is set up in my kitchen for regular use.  There are many mills out there to pick from.  If you don't have one, research and find the one that suits  you or ask me which ones I would recommend.

When making bread you can use any type of flour you like: hard red wheat, hard white wheat, rye,corn, oat, and even white flour, or a combination of a few.

  I chose the recipe below because it only needs one rising instead of several that is called for is some other recipes.  You can adapt this recipe to your taste as you like. It is quick, easy and done in no time. (About 2 hours from grinding wheat until eating bread). When I say adapt the recipe I mean you can use different flour types, add eggs, use honey instead of sugar, or butter instead of oil.  The choices are yours according to your taste.

Here is the recipe:
2 C warm water
1/4 C sugar
1/4 C oil
2 TBSP yeast
5 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

In a large bowl mix warm water (not hot it will kill the yeast--not cool it will also not let the yeast "work"),  sugar or honey ( I use honey- about 1/2 C), yeast, and oil.  Let set until yeast "works".  By work I mean you will see it grow and bubble a bit.  Add 1/2 the amount of flour, knead about 5 minutes, add the salt and the rest of the flour.  Be careful with the flour amount.  If you add to much the dough will be stiff and the bread will be like a brick.  If you don't add enough the bread will crumble.  Add enough so that the dough comes off your hands as you knead it.  Knead for about 10 minutes to make this happen and to let the gluten devlope.  Shape into loaves.  This recipe will make 2 regular loaves or 1 large or many rolls, cinammon rolls or pizza crust.  So, back to the bread....Shape the loaves, put a small amount of oil on the dough to make it smooth as you shape it.  Let rise for about 30 minutes or until double in size.  Bake 350 degrees--bread 35 minutes, rolls 15 minutes. Remove from oven and pans. I like to rub some butter on the crust asap to make a softer crust. Let cool just a little and then enjoy some warm, buttery bread!  YUM!!

Tips:
*Use SAF yeast it works the best
*Use fresh ground flour
*Salt inhibits the yeast growth, add near the end as in recipe above
*Knead enough to develop gluten-about 10 minutes

What kind of wheat is best?
*Hard white or red wheat.  White has a milder flavor and the flour has a lighter texture than the red wheat.  The flavor of the red is better in my opinion, but it makes a heavier bread. Add some white flour with it. Use what ever combination of flour you prefer
*Protein content should be at least 12-14%
*Moisture content should be less than 10%

How to store wheat?
*Store in a cool, dark, dry place in air tight containers such as food grade 5 gallon buckets.
*Use and rotate so it is fresh
*Do not store directly on cement as it will absorb moisture and go bad. Put a cardboard, rug, or 2x4 under the buckets
*Do not store in platic bags, especially garbage bags--they are not food grade and some have chemicals in them that you would not want on your food.

What to do when there’s no doctor .........

Marylou who has work as a nurse for many years came to lead this forum.  She gave us many good ideas on how to care for ourselves when we could not get to a doctor, one wasn't available or the hospitals were crowded because of an emergency. 

We are used to being able to see a doctor at any time for any reason, no matter how small. Will this always be the case? Not necessarily.


There are many scenarios in which access to medical care may be restricted. You could be on your own for a few days to a few weeks. All it takes is a major natural disaster, such as a blizzard, earthquake, or flood, a sustained power outage, or a terrorist attack to disrupt routine care. Doctor’s offices and walk-in clinics will close. In a disaster with mass casualties, doctors will all be at hospitals dealing with the seriously injured.

New threats, such as biological or nuclear attacks, could cause hundreds of thousands of casualties. Unlikely? We all hope so. If one occurred, however, there may be regional or national quarantines and doctors from around the country will be sent to the affected area, causing shortages locally.

During any sustained natural or man-made disaster you may be doing things that you normally would not. Cutting or lifting firewood, cooking over an open fire, using a gasoline generator, working by flashlight, lifting sandbags, and any number of other activities may expose you to the chance of injuries or burns that you would normally not face. Improper food storage, sanitation problems, and contaminated water during a disaster can expose you to illness that you would not normally have to worry about.

Be prepared—You can’t assume that help will arrive in a crisis. Know first aid and have a family first aid kit and medicines available before disaster strikes.

Are you prepared for the many situations that could limit your availability to medical care? Many individuals and families are not. During one earthquake in southern California, people lined up outside hospitals for Band-Aids, while overworked staff struggled to deal with the seriously injured. Now is the time to prepare. You need to be able to take care of your own medical needs when no doctor is available.

The information presented here is intended to help you plan and prepare for the possibility that you might need to manage your own routine medical care and minor injuries if medical care is not available. It is not a substitute for seeking proper medical care when it is available.

In life-threatening situations, always seek medical care whether there is a disaster or not. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number for serious problems such as a person who is unconscious, has trouble breathing, has chest pain or pressure, is bleeding severely, is vomiting blood, has a seizure, severe headache, or slurred speech, has injuries to the head, neck, or back, has possible broken bones, or appears to have been poisoned.

Preparing for the worst

Well before a disaster strikes, you need to prepare by having the knowledge and supplies available to take care of yourself. Educate yourself in first aid and medical care by taking a class in first aid and CPR, available through the American Red Cross and other community organizations. Obtain first aid books that you can refer to, if necessary. Many first aid and home care books are available at your local bookstore or on the Internet. Several that cover a wide spectrum of injuries and illnesses include Community First Aid and Safety by the American Red Cross, the Boy Scout Handbook by the Boy Scouts of America, Wilderness 911 by Eric Weiss, M.D., and the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.

Next, have a good first aid kit and a stock of medicines that you might need. You should have a first aid kit in every car and a larger family one at home. You can buy a ready-made kit or make one up yourself. I prefer to make my own so that I am sure it has what I need for every situation. It may be more costly, but you can be confident that you have enough of the right materials.

Several variables will influence what your kit will contain, including your medical expertise, the distance to and availability of medical care, the number of people in your family, any preexisting medical conditions of family members, and your geographic location. For example, you would want a Sawyer Extractor for snakebites if you lived in Arizona, but not if you lived in Alaska.

To make your own first aid kit, use a list from one of your books and supplement it as needed. When I do this, I make a list of problems I might need to treat and then list the materials for each. For example, you will want materials to treat bleeding and lacerations, burns, sprains and fractures, and medicines for fever, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and rashes. Include over-the-counter medications for any other problems you may have including heartburn medication, Preparation H, or Milk of Magnesia. Also, make sure you have an ample supply of any prescription medications that you take, along with a written copy of the prescription, which would be handy if your doctor is unavailable to authorize a refill. Depending on your situation and the remoteness of your location, you may want to ask your doctor about the advisability of having some prescription antibiotics and pain medicines in your family medicine kit.

First aid supplies- this is a partial list. Store whatever you feel you may need, because you probably will need it.

Disposable gloves
Sterile gauze pads
Rolled gauze bandages
Tincture of benzoin
Steri-Strip wound closure strips
Butterfly bandages
Nonstick dressings (Telfa)
Spenco 2nd Skin
Assorted sizes of Band-Aids
Polysporin antibiotic ointment
Splint materials
Rolled elastic bandage (Ace wrap)
Triangular bandage
Adhesive tape
Ice packs
Eye wash
Dental first aid kit
Tweezers
Bandage scissors

Keep your first aid kit and medicines in a container or pack that you can easily grab in an evacuation and make sure everyone in the family knows its location.

Once you have your family medical supplies together, consider what health and sanitation problems you could be faced with in a disaster or survival situation.

Sanitation is even more important in a disaster than other times. Diseases can be spread easily so be sure to have soap to wash hands and appropriate facilities to deal with human waste.

Finally, the healthier you are when a disaster or survival situation strikes, the greater the chance that you will survive. Exercise regularly, eat well, have preventative medical and dental care, and be happy.

When disaster strikes

Now that you are prepared, what do you do if a disaster occurs? First, stay calm and make sure to account for everyone. If in an unsafe area, move to safety. Treat any injuries and comfort those around you.

Once you are safe and injuries are treated, stop and think. How bad is your situation? What risks do you face? Is there a continued threat from the disaster? Can you expect outside help? How long will you likely need to depend on yourself? What shelter, food, water, medical, and other resources do you have available? Develop a well thought out plan of action.

Include preventative and safety measures for your food, water, sanitation, health, and safety. Accidents and injuries can occur during disasters as individuals are performing activities that they are not used to doing. You do not need to complicate your already difficult situation with injuries. Try to stay as healthy as possible, avoiding illness or injuries.

The remainder of this post will give you some ideas of common medical problems that you might be faced with. Again, it is recommended you take a course in first aid and not depend solely on this post.

Managing common injuries

Lacerations: Cuts (lacerations) are one of the most common injuries and can be caused by knives, broken glass, scissors, or falls. Deep cuts can damage blood vessels and nerves.

The first step in treating a cut is to stop the bleeding. While wearing a disposable latex or nitrile glove, place several sterile gauze pads over the cut and apply pressure directly over the wound for at least five minutes. Most bleeding can be stopped this way. Sometimes pressure may need to be held for up to 30 minutes. Nasal sprays that contain blood vessel constrictors, such as NeoSynephrine or Afrin, can help stop minor bleeding. Moisten a sterile gauze pad with the spray and pack it into the wound for five minutes before removing.

Your first aid kit should include materials to treat lacerations and bleeding. Some of the materials you will want include sterile gauze pads, pressure dressings, rolled gauze bandages, wound closure strips, antibiotic ointment, and Band-Aids.

After the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound to remove bacteria, dirt, blood clot, and damaged tissue. Use a 10 to 15-ml syringe filled with water to rinse the wound. This works like a high-pressure squirt gun to clean the wound of debris. Inspect the wound to make sure all particles of dirt or dried blood are gone, as they will be a source of infection.

Some wounds need to be stitched (sutured) by a doctor to help the healing process, improve the appearance of scars, and reduce the chance of infection. A general rule of thumb is to stitch any wound over an inch long or one where the edges of the skin do not fall together. Any wounds that show bone or muscle, are large or deep, involve joints, hands, or feet, or that could leave conspicuous scars, such as those on the face, should be seen by a doctor if possible. Sutures can be purchased at Smith & Edwards, along with many other needed medical supplies.

If wounds do not need to be stitched or if medical care is not available, they can be closed with wound closure tape strips, such as Steri-Strips, or butterfly bandages. Apply a thin layer of tincture of benzoin to the skin on each side of the wound and let it dry for 30 seconds. Apply the tape to the skin on one side of the cut, gently pull the wound closed so the skin edges just touch, and attach the tape to the skin on the other side. The tape should extend about one inch on each side of the wound. Apply more strips of tape about ¼ inch apart until the entire wound is closed.

After closing the wound, place a non-adherent dressing, such as Telfa or Adaptic, over the wound to keep it clean, followed by an absorbent gauze, and, finally, an elastic bandage or rolled gauze bandage to keep the dressings in place. Check the wound daily for infection, which will present as increased pain, redness, swelling, pus, or greenish drainage from the wound. If infection develops, seek medical care since antibiotics may be necessary. Remember our classes on herbal antibiotics or essential oils that may help here also.

Strains, sprains, and fractures: Injuries to the bones, muscles, and joints are common. Sprains are stretching or tearing of ligaments that attach bones together and strains are tearing or stretching of muscles or their tendons that attach them to bones. The ankle and knee are the joints most often sprained. Muscle strains from overexertion or lifting are common, with back strains being particularly disabling.

Pain or tenderness at the site, swelling, bruising, and pain on movement of the injured area are signs of a strain or sprain. These are also present with a fractured bone and it may be difficult to distinguish between fractures and strains or sprains.

Standard treatment for any sprain or athletic injury is summarized by the acronym RICE—rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Take the stress off the injured area by resting to prevent further damage to the ligaments or muscles. Apply ice early to reduce the swelling and pain. It should be used for up to 20 minutes 3 to 4 times per day. Swelling will return once the ice is removed unless a compression wrap is used. Place padding, such as gauze or socks, over a sprained joint and wrap with an elastic bandage. It should be comfortably tight and loosened if there is increased pain, numbness, or tingling. Elevate the injured area to reduce swelling. Continue the RICE treatment for the first 72 hours. After that, tape or splint the injured area to stabilize it and prevent further injury.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg. three times a day with food, can be taken to reduce both inflammation and pain.

For sprains and fractures, splinting materials should be part of your first aid kit. There are a SAM splint, wire splint, foam-board splint, finger splints, triangular bandage, elastic bandages, and adhesive tape. Have these ready.

Bone fractures are characterized by pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, the inability to put weight on or use the injured part normally, or the grating sound of bones rubbing against each other. The injured person may have heard a snapping or popping sound at the time of the injury.

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between a fracture and sprain without an x-ray. All known or suspected fractures require medical evaluation. Unstable or displaced fractures should be stabilized with a splint by emergency medical personnel or, if not available, by first aid methods before transport to a doctor hospital.

Back injuries: Muscle strains from overexertion or lifting heavy objects are the most common cause of acute back pain. Pain can be mild or so severe that the injured person is unable to sit or stand. Generally, the pain is worsened by bending, moving, or touching the area and made better by lying flat with the knees bent or supported by a pillow.

Bed rest is the initial treatment. Have the injured person lie on their back with a pillow under the knees, or on their side with a pillow between their legs for 1 to 2 days, while taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen 600 mg three times a day with meals. Ice packs will reduce swelling and decrease pain.

After two days, resume gentle activity as longer bed rest can slow recovery. Most people with back strains recover on their own in 2 to 4 weeks.

Ruptured (herniated) disks are ruptures of the cartilage discs in between the vertebrae of the back. Heavy lifting can cause discs to rupture and put pressure on the spinal nerves causing pain which can radiate down the buttock and leg (sciatica). The pain is worse with sitting, bending forward, coughing, and lifting the leg. Numbness or tingling of the leg may occur. Treatment is initially the same as a back strain, however the injured person should seek medical care.

Severe back pain that is not made worse with movement or change of position can be a sign of a serious abdominal problem, including a kidney stone or kidney infection. Seek medical care if possible, if not remember again the herbal helps we learned in previous classes.

Burns: Burns can be caused by heat, flames, chemicals, or by electricity. The severity of the burn depends on the temperature of the heat source, the length of time of exposure, the size of the burn, and the location on the body. First-degree burns, such as minor sunburns, injure the first layer of skin and cause redness and pain. Second-degree burns injure deeper layers of skin, causing blisters. Third-degree burns destroy the skin and burn into deeper tissue layers or muscle and are very serious. They can look charred, black, or brown and may be painless if nerve endings have been burned. When burns damage the integrity of the skin, the body loses fluid and is susceptible to infection.

The first thing to do to care for burns is to stop the burning. Put out flames on clothing and cool the burned area with large amounts of cool water for several minutes. Cover the burned area with dry, sterile dressings to help prevent infection. Don’t apply any type of ointment or burn cream as it seals in heat and does little to reduce pain. Blisters should be left unbroken to prevent infection.

Critical burns require immediate medical care. For burns that are large, involve breathing difficulty, are on the head, neck, feet, or genitals, cover more than one part of the body, or result from chemicals, explosions, or electricity. Stop the burning, cover the burned area to prevent infection, and keep the victim from becoming chilled.

Managing common illnesses

Bad Water: Drink water that you have stored and know is safe. If that is not available, you can collect rainwater, which is safe to drink without purifying. If you use water from other sources, you must purify it before drinking.

Water taken from natural sources such as rivers, streams, and lakes may be contaminated with protozoan parasites, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, or bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Wells that have been in flood waters may also become contaminated with these organisms. City water supplies occasionally become contaminated and there is a potential threat of terrorists attacking our water supplies.

Boiling water is an effective way to kill Giardia and other waterborne diseases. Water above 185°F (85°C) will kill all microorganisms within a few minutes. Therefore, in the time it takes water to boil at 212°F (100°C) all potential disease-producing organisms will be killed. While an excellent method of purifying water, the problem with boiling water for drinking is that it takes a long time and considerable fuel, especially if you are with a large group.
We Have a separate post on Water on this blog that goes into much more detail. Please see that post.


Medications :

Analgesics (pain medicines)
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Tylenol
Antidiarrheal
Imodium or Lomotil
Antinausea
Pepto-Bismol
Mylanta
Poisoning-Syrup of Ipecac
Rash and itching
Benadryl tablets
Hydrocortisone cream
Cough medicine
Earache drops
Eye drops
Other over-the-counter medicines you use
Prescription medications
Herbal medicines that you know and have on hand

Iodine and chlorine products have long been used to chemically treat contaminated water both in the wilderness and in municipal water supply systems. Iodine products, such as Polar Pure and Potable Aqua work well against Giardia, the most common contaminant, but are not effective against Cryptosporidium. Chlorine based products, such as halazone tablets and liquid chlorine (unscented chlorine bleach) may be used to purify water for people with iodine allergies or restrictions, although they are less effective than iodine products in treating water infected with Giardia. Follow manufacturer recommendations for any of these products.

A convenient way to purify water is with a commercial backpacking-type water filter that is designed to catch disease-producing microorganisms. Water is pumped through a microscopic screen that filters out microorganisms of a certain size. It would be worth having one with your emergency preparedness supplies.

Drinking bacteria or parasites in contaminated water will often produce a syndrome of diarrhea, gas, and abdominal cramping, in the case of Giardia beginning about 7 to 10 days after exposure. Nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, vomiting, and weight loss may also occur.

If you have such symptoms for over 24 hours use Antibiotics, such as Flagyl 250mg three times per day for seven days used for Giardia infections, can cure the problem.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is frequent (more than three a day) loose stools that can be caused from viral illnesses, bacteria from bad water or food, parasites from bad water, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and anxiety. Abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and fatigue may also be present.

No treatment may be necessary if it lasts only 1 to 2 days. Diarrhea may be serious if it lasts longer or if there are more than 10 bowel movements a day. In severe diarrhea, up to 25 quarts of water can be lost in a day, rapidly leading to dehydration.

For diarrhea lasting more than three days or when accompanied by blood or mucous in the stool, fever greater than 101°F, severe abdominal pain or distension, or dehydration, the victim needs medical care for intravenous fluids and treatment of the underlying cause. Again, in an emergency situation do what you can.

If these are not present, treat diarrhea by rehydrating the victim with water and electrolytes to replace lost salts, potassium, and bicarbonate. Oral rehydration salts containing the proper electrolytes are available commercially. Anti-diarrheal medications, such as Imodium, can reduce cramping and fluid loss. Imodium has fewer potential side effects than Lomotil. Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate can also be used, but are less effective.

Dehydration: Dehydration is water loss greater than the amount the body needs to maintain its balance. It occurs when lost water is not adequately replaced and it decreases the ability of doing even the simplest of activities. Dehydration will also increase the chance of severe shock if an individual is injured.

Normally, the body needs 2 to 3 quarts of water a day to maintain normal balance. Sweating from heat, exercise, or work increases the amount of water loss dramatically. In conditions of heavy activity, 5 to 6 quarts (1½ gallons) or more can be needed per day.

By the time an individual is thirsty, they are already dehydrated. A 5% loss of body water, only 2.5 quarts for a 150-pound person, will cause thirst, irritability, nausea, and weakness. A 10% loss, 5 quarts for the same person, will result in headache, dizziness, inability to walk, and tingling sensations of the arms and legs. A swollen tongue, dim vision, numb sensations on the skin, and painful urination can occur with a 15% loss of water and any greater can cause death.

It is easy to forget to drink or to have inadequate water available during a crisis situation. Dehydration is largely preventable, so plan your daily water needs.

Treatment for dehydration is to replace the lost fluids. Replace fluids by drinking water, juice, lemonade, soup, decaffeinated coffee, Gatorade, or similar sports drinks.

Vomiting: Many things can cause vomiting, including food poisoning, stomach flu, viral illness, motion sickness, anxiety, pregnancy, and irritants to the stomach such as medications. Drink small amounts of clear liquid such as soup, tea, 7-Up, or diluted Gatorade. Be careful not to drink too much too soon, which will distend the stomach and cause more vomiting. Once vomiting has stopped, bland food such as toast or crackers may be started, progressing to a normal diet as tolerated.

Medical care should be sought for vomiting that is associated with head or abdominal injury, fatigue or confusion, severe abdominal pain or distention, fever over 101°F, fresh or dried blood in the vomit, or if it lasts over 24 hours. The source of the vomiting needs to be determined and prescription antiemetic (anti-vomiting) drugs are available.

Take care of yourself

Our ancestors had to depend on themselves to treat most of their medical problems. Despite our excellent access to health care, we also may be faced with such situations. Be prepared by staying healthy and fit, learning first aid and CPR, having family medical books available, and by having a well-stocked first aid kit and medicines available. Take the time now to prepare. Your life may depend on it.

Look online, in books or whereever else to learn how to move injured people and care for them.  Pressure Points is another thing that you should know. We can't cover all situations here so please learn as much as you can about this subject.

No Dentist... dental pain can bring us to our knees fast.  We need to know how to handle these situations if need be.  I encourage you all to learn as much as you can on these medical topics.  This knowledge will be needed in an emergency.  

We want to thank Bishop Morgan for taking his time with us on Thursday night.  As you know Bishop is a dentist.  He said that the most important thing you can do is to have the habit of cleaning your teeth.  The toothpaste, type of brush or floss don't matter as much as the fact that you use and have the habit of using these things.   Have teeth in good repair now, so that if there were an emergency you would be that much further ahead.  He also said that he thinks putting an asprin on a toothache would cause the gum to burn.  Look for toothpaste that has the ADA seal on it. Use a anti-microbicrol mouthwash.  Cold is better for a dental problem than hot. 
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This  information was given at this forum.

No dentist? Oh, no!

Enjoying lunch while looking out over the gorgeous view from your home, you bite down hard on a nut, hear a loud crack, and immediately feel excruciating pain from a broken tooth. Rare? No, it occurs all the time.

Dental emergencies can occur at home or in the wilderness without warning and can incapacitate a person in an instant. “No problem, I’ll get right over to the dentist,” you think. Hopefully, that is possible, but not always. You may live some distance from a dentist, it may be a night or weekend when it is hard to find one, or there may not be any available.

A toothache is the last thing you need when no dentist is available. Basic knowledge of dental first aid and a few things added to your first aid kit will help you until you can find professional help.





One of the first things that stop during a disaster is dental care. Major natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, or floods, and human disasters, such as terrorism or riots, close dental offices in a second. Electrical shortages, as seen in California recently, or any disruption of the regional power grids and there is no help since dentists can’t operate without electricity. Hospitals rarely have any dental services, so you could be on your own for hours or days.

Since dental first aid is rarely taught in first aid classes, information presented here is intended to help you in an emergency situation when no professional dental help is available. It is not intended to be a substitute for proper dental care.

Prevention

Living in a rural area?An avid hunter or fisherman?  Nothing can ruin a good hunting trip like a toothache. Anyone going on an extended trip, say over a week, should make sure they are current with their dental check-ups. This is good advice for everyone, whether traveling or staying at home.

A routine visit to the dentist can prevent many painful dental problems. Professional cleanings help prevent gum infections. Fillings that are starting to fail can be fixed before breaking at an inconvenient time. A small cavity in a tooth that causes no pain can be easily repaired before it does.

Proper care of teeth is important. Brush and floss teeth regularly to avoid cavities and gum infections. This is especially important during a time of crisis, such as a disaster or evacuation. While brushing is the last thing on your mind, gingivitis or gum infections are more frequent during times of emotional and physical stress, especially when coupled with poor oral hygiene.

A toothbrush with toothpaste is always the best way to clean your teeth. If one is not available or you find yourself in an emergency survival situation, clean your teeth in other ways. A wash cloth or towel can be used to remove the soft, sticky, bacteria-laden plaque that develops on the surface of the teeth. The end of a thin green twig from a non-poisonous tree or bush can be used. Chew it until it is soft and fibery and use this end as a brush to clean the teeth and gums. Even your finger will work if nothing else is available.

Dental first aid kit

The first time I needed to treat a broken tooth while backpacking, I opened my first aid kit and there was nothing that would help. I’ll bet yours is the same. A few small, lightweight items available at a drug store or market can be added to your first aid kit to treat dental emergencies. I recommend the following:

Dental floss
Soft dental or orthodontic wax
Cotton pellets
Tempanol or Cavit temporary filling material
Oil of cloves (eugenol)
Small dental tweezers

When working in the mouth, remember to always wear protective gloves from your first aid kit to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Toothache

A toothache is caused by the inflammation of the nerve inside a tooth, called the dental pulp. Decay from a cavity that extends into the pulp can cause a toothache, as can a fracture of the tooth. If infection occurs in the tooth, it can cause excruciating pain and can spread through the root of the tooth into the jaw causing an abscess.

Symptoms of a toothache include pain in a certain tooth or over several teeth. At first, the pain may be mild, intermittent, and made worse with hot or cold foods or drink, cold air, and the pressure of biting. As it progresses, the pain may become constant, excruciating, and incapacitating.

Sometimes, an abscessed tooth will slowly drain infection into a large cavity. After a meal, when food is packed into the cavity, the drainage may be blocked and the pressure will increase in the tooth causing the toothache to become worse until the food is cleaned out.

Treatment of a toothache consists of locating the painful tooth and checking for any obvious cavity or fracture. Clean out any food with a toothbrush, toothpick, or similar tool. Then soak a small cotton pellet or, if not available, a small piece of cloth, in a topical anesthetic, such as a eugenol or benzocaine solution. This should then be placed in the cavity. A small pair of dental tweezers, like the type provided in commercial toothache kits, tick removing tweezers, or a small instrument like a toothpick is helpful in placing the cotton as it is often hard to get your fingers into the mouth. This topical anesthetic should give quick relief.

Dental items to add to your first aid kit: Cavit or Tempanol temporary filling material, eugenol or benzocaine-based toothache medicine, cotton pellets, small tweezers, small tool for placing filling material, soft dental wax, and dental floss.




The type of topical anesthetic used is important. Dentists use pure eugenol for emergency treatment of toothaches since it is long-lasting, but this can be difficult to find. Oil of cloves is the same thing and is available without prescription at pharmacies and some health food stores. Be careful, however, as pure oil of cloves can cause chemical burns to the mouth and tongue if it gets off the tooth.

Commercial toothache medications that are available include Red Cross Toothache Medicine containing 85% eugenol, Dent’s Toothache Drops containing benzocaine and eugenol, and Orajel containing benzocaine. Some products include the small dental tweezers and cotton pellets that you will need.

Once the medicated cotton is in place, cover it with a temporary filling material, such as Tempanol or Cavit to prevent it from falling out. These are all soft, putty-like materials that can be molded into the cavity. If they are not available, soft dental wax or softened wax from a candle can be used. If a candle is used, melt some wax and let it cool until it is pliable before placing in the mouth.

A pain medication, such as 800mg Motrin every 8 hours, or prescription pain medicines, such as Vicodin, 1-2 every four to six hours, can be used if available. Do not place aspirin on the gum next to a painful tooth. Not only doesn’t it help, it causes a large, painful burn to the gum tissue.

Seek help from a dentist immediately. If it takes some time to find one, it may be necessary to replace the cotton pellet with another freshly soaked in topical anesthetic.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums (gingiva) most commonly due to inadequate tooth brushing. Gums become red, swollen, and may bleed while brushing the teeth. It is largely preventable by good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. When gingivitis causes pain and bleeding in the field, improve oral hygiene by brushing three times per day, followed by warm salt-water rinses. Over-the-counter anti-bacterial mouthwashes may also help.

Dental abscess

An infected tooth or gum infection (gingival infection) can cause a dental abscess, also known as a pus pocket. Food lodged between the teeth can also do so if not removed with dental floss.

Abscesses are normally located next to the offending tooth and cause pain and swelling. They can spread beyond the tooth to the face, floor of the mouth, or neck and it may be difficult to open the mouth or swallow. On rare occasions, dental abscesses can become life-threatening by getting so large that they block breathing or by causing fever or generalized infection throughout the body. Deal with any abscess immediately.

Antibiotics are required to treat abscesses. Go to a dentist immediately. If one is not available or if there is severe swelling go to a physician or hospital emergency room. When dental or medical help is not available and the situation is an emergency, oral antibiotics, such as penicillin 500 mg every six hours, can be given, after making sure the person is not allergic to the medication.

Warm salt-water rinses of the mouth every four hours may help the abscess to spontaneously drain, giving some relief of the pain. Do not place hot packs to the outside of the face unless directed to by your dentist or physician, as heat can spread the infection outward. Pain medications may be used as described above.

In the rare situation where no professional help is expected to be available for some time and no antibiotics are available, an abscess that is localized next to a tooth can be drained to remove the pus. A sterile scalpel, needle, or a fishhook (with the barb removed and disinfected by heating with a match) may be used to puncture the abscess. It will be painful to do, but there should be immediate relief from the abscess.

Broken filling or lost crown

Biting down on candy, nuts, ice cubes, and other hard or sticky foods are common ways to break a tooth or filling. If the tooth is not painful, be careful not to break it further during eating and see a dentist as soon as possible.

Over-the-counter toothache medicines will help ease the pain from a toothache or broken tooth. Many are available, including those containing eugenol (oil of cloves), such as Red Cross Toothache Medicine, benzocaine, such as Orajel, and those containing both, such as Dent’s Toothache Drops.

A temporary filling can be placed to prevent the tooth from becoming sensitive to hot or cold and to avoid food from packing into the hole left by the filling. Place a small amount of a temporary filling material, such as Tempanol or Cavit, into the hole in the tooth using a dental instrument or a flat tool such as the blade of a knife, popsicle stick, or similar tools. Have the person bite down on the temporary material to form it to their bite and then have them open their mouth and remove any excess material. These materials will harden some and remain in place. Soft wax also can be used in the same manner as filling a cavity described above.

Crowns (caps) can be pulled off teeth by sticky foods, such as caramel and salt-water taffy. If the tooth is not sensitive to hot or cold, save the crown and see a dentist as soon as convenient.

If the tooth is so sensitive that it prevents the person from eating, it may be necessary to replace it temporarily. Do this only if really necessary, as this is only a temporary solution and there is a risk that the crown could come off and be swallowed. Clean out any dry cement or material from the inside of the crown with a dental instrument or knife. Place a thin layer of temporary filling material, denture adhesive, or even a thick mixture of water and flour inside the crown. Making sure the crown is aligned properly on the tooth, have the person gently bite down to seat the crown all the way and see a dentist as soon as possible.

Injuries to teeth

A fall or blow to the mouth can injure teeth, most commonly the upper front teeth. Teeth may be in a normal position, but loose when touched, may be partially out of the socket or pushed back, or may be completely knocked out. Unless it is completely knocked out, the first thing you should do is see a dentist.

When one is not available within a reasonable time, a tooth that is out of place may be repositioned with steady, gentle pressure to bring it back into proper position. If it is very loose, gently biting on a piece of gauze can help hold it in place. A dentist should be seen as soon as possible, as the tooth may need to be splinted to hold it in place until healing occurs.

When a tooth is completely knocked out (avulsed), what you do in the first 30 minutes determines whether the tooth can be saved. The ligaments that hold a tooth into the jaw are torn along with the nerve and blood vessels when it is knocked out of its socket and it is essentially a “dead tooth.” When re-implanted into the tooth socket within 30 minutes the body will usually accept it and the ligaments will reattach. While it will require a root canal to remove the dead nerve and blood vessels, it will be a functioning tooth.

Over 30 minutes before it is re-implanted and the body treats it like foreign material and slowly dissolves the root over a period of weeks to months. Often the tooth needs to be extracted.

To treat an avulsed tooth, find the tooth on the ground or in the person’s mouth. If the socket is bleeding, have the person bite down on gauze pads placed over the top of the socket. A moistened non-herbal tea bag may also be used.

Check the tooth to make sure it is whole and not broken. Handling the tooth only by the crown, the part that normally shows in the mouth, don't clean off ,y dirt or debris, drop into milk or better yet set it in place in the mouth. It is important that you do not touch the thin, whitish colored layer of soft tissue covering the root. This is the important layer of periodontal ligament that will allow the tooth to reattach. Replace the tooth into the tooth socket and with gentle, steady pressure push it into place. Have the person bite down lightly on a piece of gauze to hold it in place and see a dentist immediately to have the tooth stabilized.

If a tooth cannot be immediately re-implanted, it should be wrapped in gauze and soaked in a container of sterile saline solution, milk, or the injured person’s saliva while they are immediately taken to a dentist. Some recommend keeping the tooth moist by placing it in the victim’s mouth.  Keeping it cold is important.
Dental emergencies are more common than most people realize. While you most often will be able to obtain help from a dentist, there are times when you may be on your own. Prevention, knowledge, and a few important items in a dental first aid kit can save you and your family during these times.