Survival Medicine: Recent Episodes

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss the basics of mass casualty events, where the number of casualties exceeds the available resources. What do you do in these circumstances, especially in survival settings? But it's not all mass casualties, lesser issues can affect work efficiency and make things hard for a mutual assistance group after a disaster. What do you do when someone breaks a tooth? Medically prepared people also need to be dentally prepared if they're worried about a long-term event. Plus, a discussion about tonsillitis in an off-grid setting. You need to identify it fast and nip it in the bud to prevent it from becoming a major issue.All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton.Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!Joe and Amy Alton

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton talk tips on how to get through the next hurricane. Hurricane Helene caused major destruction even in inland areas of North Carolina and other points south. Dr. Alton gives his thoughts on how to make the next one a bump on the road, not the end of the road, for you and your family.Also, a discussion on how to deal with migraine headaches on or off the grid. They may not kill you, but they can affect all-important work efficiency in times of trouble. Plus, a primer on the various antiseptics that would make sense to have in your medical kit, plus some natural options.All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton, MD (aka Dr. Bones) and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton.Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy Alton

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss the Monkeypox, now called Mpox, and it potential, if any, to be an issue on this continent in the future. Also, some basics about suturing in survival scenarios, including what materials are used. Plus, how to put together a reasonable sick room for epidemic infectous disease cases without getting healthy people sick.  All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, APRN!Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss wound infections, how to diagnose, treat, and prevent. Also, multiple warnings by the FDA regarding contamination of meats and vegetables with the bacteria listeria monocytogenes, a common cause of food poisoning.Plus, Nurse Amy talks about sinusitis and various natural herbal remedies that can help speed recovery, and a question from a reader about beating the heat, both for you and your dog. All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Nurse Amy and Doctor Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy Alton Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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Lately, there have been a lot of angry young people carrying flags that aren't red, white, and blue. One day you might find yourself in the midst of these unhappy folks, which is what we call "cruising for a bruising." Dr. Joe Alton tells you strategies on how to stay safe in times of civil unrest.Plus, the medic in times of trouble must have the knowledge and ability to close wounds when it's appropriate. We've talked about this subject many times, and how important it is to cultivate the judgment related to when to and when not to close a wound. You'll also need to know a little about the suture materials available to you, which you'll find in this episode!Lastly, you might be more likely to get hit by lightning than bitten by a shark, but it's not impossible if you go in the water and it's interesting to talk about! Dr. Bones tells you what to do. Also, a question from a listener of the podcast about the usefulness of the time-honored "Dakin's solution" for wound care.All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse PractitionerAlton discuss the recent outbreak of tuberculosis cases on the West Coast, and how to prevent it from affecting your family in good times or bad. Don't worry, it's not an epidemic in the U.S., even though it accounted for more than a million deaths in Africa and Asia in 2022!Also, everything you need to know about tornadoes! We're in tornado season for a while yet, and much of the country has experienced the kind of weather that spawns them. Here's how to keep you family safe in major storms. Plus, pregnancy off the grid isn't all peaches and cream, and the family medic should know what to expect, especially in late pregnancy as labor approaches. Dr. Bones gives yout the 411 on this natural, but sometimes complex situation.Plus Plus, a couple  of questions from our listeners, readers, and viewers about things like plasma donations and much more! All this in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton. Here's wishing  you the best of health in good times or bad,Dr. Bones and Nurse AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net. W

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss important tips on controlling bleeding wounds (18 tips, as a matter of fact!), The cover-up (alleged) of the true origins of COVID-19 by the powers that be, biologic weapons in warfare, the pros and cons of the LifeVac dechoking device, and how to prevent lightheadedness and fainting when donating blood.All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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You know, we talk a lot about medical supplies that you have to get serious training for, like tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, decompression needles, and the like, but there are important supplies you probably have right now in your medicine cabinet that are also very important for the survival medic in long-term disaster settings. Dressings, bandages, antiseptics, and much more are discussed in this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast. Also, internal injuries:  What you need to know, with Dr. Joe Alton.Also, the benefits of raw honey in wound care, but a discussion of mold and its risks and remediation.All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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Joe and Amy Alton's Survival Medicine Podcast discusses the start of tornado season and how to get yourself prepared, [lus basics of draining boils and abscesses off the grid. Dr. Bones takes a hard look at medical skills needed to survive, listing them out, and giving a reasoned look on how to be a successful family medic in times of trouble. Also, Dr. Alton takes a question from a listener on testosterone replacement therapy, not really a survival topic but you'll learn a lot.All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and AmyHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss hard realities regarding survival situations, and how the family medic needs a mindset adjustment to be effective in that role. Also, Dr. Joe Alton talks about cold-related extremities injuries like frostbite and immersion (trench) foot.Amy Alton, NP, discuss what you need to know about the basics of essential oils as a tool in the survival medicine cabinet, and Dr. Bones answers a question from a listener of their friend Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast about Dakin's solution, an old option for wound care that has serious survival implications.All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss cold weather exposure and its ill effects, known as "hypothermia." Plus, the medic has to know how to deal with mundane issues as well as the sensational "prepper" problems like disaster trauma. One of these issues is lice. Dr. Alton tells you everything you need to know about lice: head lice, body lice, and public lice. Plus, scabies! Ugh!Finally, Dr. Bones discusses how viruses change from year to year, and what that means for this year's cold/flu/RSV/Covid season.All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton!Joe and Amy AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton lament the loss of fish and other equivalent antibiotics due to the actions of the FDA, leaving the family medic in survival settings with one less tool in the medical woodshed. Also, Dr. Bones discusses important strategies to stay safe in your vehicle this winter, even if stranded in a blizzard.Also, natural remedies for respiratory infections, with a special in-depth look by Nurse Amy at the health benefits and uses of peppermint. All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with medical preparedness advocates Joe and Amy Alton!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and AmyLearn more about cold weather survival and 200 other off-grid topics with the 4th edition of the award-winning “Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way,” available on Amazon in black and white, or get a color or color spiral-bound version at store.doomandbloom.net. And check out our entire line of quality medical kit and supplies there too! You’ll be glad you did.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton proudly announce their first children's book, "Snowbie, the first snowman," a heartwarming story of how snowmen came to be, great Christmas bedtime reading for little ones! Reading to children helps develop listening, vocabulary, social, and other skills that last well into their teens. Check out Snowbie here: Snowbie: The First Snowman: Alton A.R.N.P., Amy, Alton M.D., Joseph, Crouthamel, Cheryl: 9781510780675: Amazon.com: BooksPlus, Dr. Bones discusses pneumonia, whooping cough, epigottitis, and other respiratory infections that come out in the cold weather months (part of a series). Also, his thoughts on bartering in survival settings, and why you should have more medical supplies that you currently have in your storage!Lastly, a question from a listener about inflammation of the prostate. What is it and how is it treated?All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,The AltonsHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss dental issues, gouty arthritis, yellow fever, more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, broadcast from the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains!You might be ,medically prepared, but are you dentally prepared? Most family medics don't realize that, in survival scenarios, they're bound to come across dental issues with little or no knowledge or supplies. Dr. Joe Alton discusses the basics of the dental exam, tooth anatomy, dental decay, tooth abscesses and more. Also, check out our unique dental kit for off-grid settings...Experts say we're in for cases of yellow fever in the near future. Find out about this past and future epidemic disease, and why the authorities are worrying about the U.S. suffering an outbreak now!Also, a reader question about arthritis, especially gouty arthritis...All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss a wide range of medical topics from tic disorders to acid relux to wound care. Amy gives a thorough overview of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the various treatments used, their advantages and disadvantages. Dr. Joe Alton discusses wound care and how proper irrigation of an open wound helps healing and increases survival rates. Plus, a news story out of New York City that suggests the government there is asking everyone to carry anti-overdose drugs like Narcan(r) due to an alarming death rate from fentanyl.Dr. Alton also takes a question from an audience member about tic disorders, especially in kids.There's not much that the Altons won't cover in the Survival Medicine Podcast!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Amy and Joe AltonHey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast., Dr. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss upcoming fall season issues like colds, flus, respiratory syncytial virus, headaches, quality control of herbal drugs, and the myth of the popular OTC drug phenylephrine as an effective nasal decongestant in cold and flu season. Also, learn about the basics of protective vests in survival scenarios with Dr. Bones.All this and more in this topic-packed episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy Alton

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Recent hurricanes on the West and East coast have threatened millions, and it's important for you to know what to do if one of these juggernauts is heading in your direction. Dr. Joe Alton tell you what you need to know.

Last time, we talked about shark attacks, but many more people are injured by less scary critters like sting rays and jellyfish. Dr. Alton tells you what to do for these injuries, and also talks about the recent spate of cases of marine waters that harbor Vibrio vulnificus, the flesh eating bacteria that has killed several people this summer. 

Plus, heavy rains from Cyclone Hilary have cause flash floods and mudslides in the normally desert Southwest. Dr. Bones tells you all about them, and what to do before you build that dream retreat in the mountains, how to harden a home already built, and what to do if the river of mud is an imminent threat.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits (including suture kits) at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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You’d have to look far and wide for someone who hasn’t been stung by an insect at one point or another.  It’s not pleasant in any situation, but bees and wasps especially can inflict some real discomfort if you run afoul of them. In a small minority of cases, allergic reactions to the venom injected can be life-threatening, a condition known as “anaphylaxis.” Find out more about wasp and bee stings with Dr. Joe Alton in this segment.

Plus, a lot bigger but, thankfully, a lot rarer, is an encounter with a shark. About 25 species are known to attack humans, some provoked, some not so much. There's a lot more people these days (more than 8 billion, and they're heading to the beach in the summer. Find out about how to prevent a shark attack, what to do if you're in the water with sharks, and what to do if you witness an attack.

Also in this episode, Nurse Amy goes into specifics on how to make your own ointments, a useful skill for the off-grid pharmacist. When the drugs run out, you'll still have herbs if you start your garden now, and these can be compounded into ointments with medicinal benefits.

All this and more from Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy in the Survival Medicine POdcast!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy 

Find out more  in our books and  get medically prepared with kits and supplies from Nurse Amy’s entire line of supplies and education at store.doomandbloom.net!

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It’s true that a survival group needs someone with medical knowledge and supplies to treat heavy bleeding and orthopedic injuries. Indeed, the average survival medical kit concentrates on these issues to the exclusion of much else. Even well-prepared medics don’t realize that they’ll be faced with a quite different challenge much more often: dental problems. In this podcast, Dr. Joe Alton tells you how to deal with dental trauma off the grid.

Also, Amy Alton, NP, discusses herbal remedies like tonic wines and syrups, hot-infused oils, and how to make capsules and powders, and Dr. Joe takes note of malaria cases transmitted right here in the U.S.A., and what you need to know.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page SURVIVAL MEDICINE HANDBOOK: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR WHEN HELP IS NOT ON THE WAY is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In this extended episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss another wide range of topics, including how to make herbal remedies, dehydration from hot summer weather, how to diagnose, treat, and prevent heat-related emergencies, soft tissue infections like cellulitis, and much more....

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way, available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net! Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

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In this extended episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Joe Alton, MD, FACS, FACOG, and Amy Alton APRN, CNM go into various diverse topics! Dr. Joe Alton discusses bleeding issues in honor of National Stop The Bleed Day, then pivots, as school ends, to the Great Outdoors and the ticks that inhabit it.Nurse Amy goes into making herbal meds and tells you how to put together a good herbal first aid kit, and Dr. Bones answers a listener's questions about preventing dental cavities with various products you can stockpile for times of trouble.All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton,aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and AmyHey, learn more about 200 medical topics in survival settings with the two-time Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way, available in black and white at Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net! Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies while you’re there! You’ll be glad you did!

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In a survival scenario, the family medic will be called on to care not only for medical issues, but dental as well. Military medics during the Vietnam War reported that they dealt with dental problems almost as often as medical. Therefore, the survival medic should expect much of the same. Dr. Joe Alton discusses a strategy that can take care of 90 percent of all dental emergencies: Extraction!Plus, Dr.Joe and Nurse Amy discuss what you need to know to have a thriving medicinal herb garden underway well in advance of the zombie apocalypse! Everything about soil, cuttings, grow zones, etc. to get you on the learning curve for a successful supply of sustaining medicines.Plus, Dr. Joe Alton answers some questions from a listener about osteoarthritis. Our moving parts get wear and tear, and osteoarthritis is the inevitable result. What you should know.All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with the Altons!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy Alton

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Water. You can't live without it, but in a survival scenario, bad water could be the reason you don't make it. In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses various ways to deal with questionable water, including disinfection methods, filtering, getting fresh water from salt water, and much more.Also, you may want to hear about a new virus about as much as you'd like a hole in the head, but Ebola-like Marburg may be worth knowing about. Dr. Alton (Bones) tells you what you need to know in a calm, reasoned manner (In other words, don't worry, odds of it leaving its place of origin is very small).Plus, Dr. Alton answers a question from a listener about the passing of a friend from a stroke. What you need to know about this often life-threatening event.All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast!Wishing you the best of health in good or bad times,Joe and Amy AltonDon't forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss the importance of the medic knowing their role and job description in times of trouble, plus how to decide the types and number of medical supplies should be in your storage. Also, the train derailment in Ohio last month caused a major chemical spill. Would you know what to do if 115,000 gallons of vinyl chloride were thrown at you from a train. Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know.Plus, Nurse Amy discuss the medical uses of thyme as a natural remedies when the commercial medications run out.All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!Check out our Stomp Supreme to get an idea of what the serious medic might need in a long-term off-grid scenario without hope of medevac, plus our other kits, many one-of-a-kind, at store.doomandbloom.net. Learn about the medical supplies you’ll need in times or trouble and 200 other medical topics in disaster settings in the award-winning 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way...

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Recently, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused massive damage and loss of life in parts of Turkey and Syria. Over 22,000 deaths are confirmed so far, with more than 60,000 injured. Dr. Joe Alton tells you everything you need to know to increase your chances of surviving this unpredictable and devastating natural disaster.Also, Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton gives you the scoop of preventing allergies in the coming season, with a number of natural remedies to improve your quality of life. Dr. Alton returns to discuss the recent listeria outbreak that has caused 400 food brands to be recalled from the market in the last couple of weeks.All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and AmyHey, make sure you get your family medically prepared with quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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It's winter, and some folks are heading for ski resorts, and that means a big change in altitude for most. The National Academy of Sciences reports that 33.5% of the population lives below an elevation of 100 meters above sea level. That means that, in any major disaster, getting out of Dodge often means heading for the hills.There’s a possibility that we might have to abruptly relocate from a home at sea level to a “bug-out” location in the mountains. Many people adjust to changes of climate and altitude easily, but others don’t; the rapid change in elevation may cause a condition known as Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know, and discuss with Nurse Amy some case histories of backcountry high-elevation sickness.Plus, is it better to be a lone wolf or is it important to have a community to fall back on? Many preppers are keeping their thoughts to themselves these days, and they might survive a major disaster, but can it be done all by themselves? Some thoughts...This and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton. Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy AltonHey, don't forget to get your copy of the survival medicine gold standard, The 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for when Help is NOT on the way, in black and white on Amazon or in color at store.doomandbloom.net.

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Winter storms like "bomb cyclones" can be life-threatening, so it's important to know how to winterize, not only your car, but yourself. In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses different ways to make sure you survive that car trip out in the blizzard, including all the supplies that would make sense to keep in the car just in case.Also, dental extraction is a rare thing you'd have to do yourself these days, but in long-term survival, someone has to do it, and you're elected. How to go about it? Dr. Alton tell you in this segment.Plus, Chestnuts have distinct health benefits which we'll tell you about, but also let's talk about the efforts to revive the American Chestnut, a rare tree in America's landscape today, but more than a quarter of our Eastern and Midwest forests 100 years ago.  Dr. Alton will talk about canine influenza, which seems to be more prevalent this year than others. What is the dog flu and can it, one day, mutate to infect humans. What you need to know for your dog and, maybe, yourself!All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Joe Alton!Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,Joe and Amy Alton

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Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones, covers a broad range of topic in this episode, including traumatic brain injuries like concussions and worse. Head injuries will be common in survival settings, and the medic can still be effective even with limited supplies and materials.Also, Paxlovid, the COVID therapy, has been free so far (which is good, since it costs an average of $530) but that changes in mid-2023, simply because the FDA hasn't approved it fully yet. Medicare Part D won't cover it until it does, but these things may take a while, which could put some lives at risk. Dr. Alton discusses further.Plus, a question from a listener who has become more and more allergic to bee stings. What can she do to desensitize herself and avoid anaphylactic shock? Dr. Bones thinks aloud as to some options.Finally, some pointers on soft tissue wound care to help the off-grid medic help an injured survivor recover fully. All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast!Wishing the best of health in good times and bad,Joe Alton MDCheck out the 4th edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way!

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People in off-grid settings are often called upon to perform activities to which they’re not accustomed. In daily survival, the inexperienced will suffer mishaps that lead to injury; in situations where sanitation is questionable, these injuries carry a risk of infection, especially in unsanitary conditions. One of these is known as “cellulitis.” Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know about this common problem.

Also, aquarium antibiotics have been a staple for survival medics since Dr. Alton's article in survivalblog close to 15 years ago. Now, the government is tightening the screws as to how citizens can access antibiotics, starting with food-producing livestock. What does it mean for the preparedness community?

Plus, an outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus on the west coast may become an epidemic and part of a triple whammy this winter along with flu and COVID. Find out about this surging virus. 

Finally, some advice on what to do in falls into cold water from a capsized boat (or, in the case of recent headlines, a fall from a cruise ship!)

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones!

Hey, don't forget your copy of The Survival Medicine Handbook, the 4th edition, a 2022 Book Excellence Award Winner in the Medical category!

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In normal times, once you have stopped the bleeding and applied a splint or dressing, the emergency is “over.” You sit and wait for an ambulance or rescue helicopter to arrive and your part is over. In an austere setting, however, the medic must follow the status of the wound for more than a few minutes or hours. You’re in charge until the person is fully recovered. Constant, diligent wound care is your responsibility.

It’s important to understand that a wound is not just a “hole”; it’s part of a person who should be informed of your plan of action and participate, if possible, in their care.

Most wounds will heal completely over time, but some may never achieve full recovery. Due to massive injuries or complicating conditions such as diabetes, the best care may sometimes yield a less-than-optimal result even in good times. The medic’s duty is to care for the patient the best they can with the limited supplies and technology available off the grid.

In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses daily wound care in austere settings, including the removal of non-viable tissue using sharp debridement. It ain't pretty, but if you're the medic, it's you that has to do it. Also, questions that preppers should ask their doctors when told to take a new drug or get a serious diagnostic test.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, 

Joe Alton MD

Hey fill those holes in your medical knowledge and supplies with award-winning books, kits, and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In normal times, once you have stopped the bleeding and applied a splint or dressing, the emergency is “over.” You sit and wait for an ambulance or rescue helicopter to arrive and your part is over. In an austere setting, however, the medic must follow the status of the wound for more than a few minutes or hours. You’re in charge until the person is fully recovered. Constant, diligent wound care is your responsibility.

It’s important to understand that a wound is not just a “hole”; it’s part of a person who should be informed of your plan of action and participate, if possible, in their care.

Most wounds will heal completely over time, but some may never achieve full recovery. Due to massive injuries or complicating conditions such as diabetes, the best care may sometimes yield a less-than-optimal result even in good times. The medic’s duty is to care for the patient the best they can with the limited supplies and technology available off the grid.

In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses daily wound care in austere settings, including the removal of non-viable tissue using sharp debridement. It ain't pretty, but if you're the medic, it's you that has to do it. Also, questions that preppers should ask their doctors when told to take a new drug or get a serious diagnostic test.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, 

Joe Alton MD

Hey fill those holes in your medical knowledge and supplies with award-winning books, kits, and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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A world weary of one viral pandemic is now experiencing the early stages of another: In the last three months, more than 88 countries have reported a total of more than 30,000 cases of the disease called monkeypox, which was previously restricted to parts of Africa. That’s more than we saw in the 2014 Ebola epidemic, so the survival medic should know about it.

Plus, flooding in Kentucky takes more than three dozen lives. Flooding is a common disaster, and anyone who doesn't live on a mountaintop should be prepared to deal with one. Flash floods, burn scars, ice jams, snowmelt, dam failures, and more are discussed so you'll know what to do to keep your family safe.

Lastly, one of the most common problems the medic will see in survival scenarios is mundane: constipation. At least, it's mundane until you get a bad case of it! Dr. Joe Alton discusses all you need to know to help your people stay at 100 percent in times of trouble. Bonus: What about MREs and constipation?

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP....

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Hey, don’t forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, our Book Excellence Award-winning 700-page Survival Medicine Handbook is now available in black and white on Amazon and in color and color spiral-bound versions at store.doomandbloom.net.

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t’s summer, and this is the time that people head out to the shore and take in the Great Outdoors. Millions will do just that, and the vast majority of beach-goers will experience nothing but a great time. On occasion, however, a person may run afoul of a sea creature during their time in the water. It’s their home, after all, and some can get pretty aggressive when disturbed or when looking for a meal. In this podcast, we discuss everything from encounters with jellyfish to sharks.

Also, we review everything you should know about preventing summer drownings everywhere, including pools, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Finally, Nurse Amy introduces a new first aid kit meant for minor wound care, and Dr. Alton discusses how to deal with minor soft tissue infections like cellulitis.

All this and more in the latest survival medicine podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP! 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Find out more about animal encounters, survival at sea, and 200 other medical topics off the grid in the Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help Is NOT On The Way. Plus, check out quality medical kits for beach outing and other scenarios at store.doomandbloom.net.

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Well, it’s summer and a lot of folks are heading out into the great outdoors. In a disaster or any other situation that knocks us off the grid, we’ll be exposed a lot more to things like insect stings and poison ivy, as well as strange food items that we aren’t accustomed to. Being in contact with all this stuff may cause Allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

When we develop an allergic reaction, it might be mild or it might be severe. If severe enough, we refer to it as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Dr. Joe Alton discusses what you need to know and options on how to get epinephrine auto-injectors at a discount..

Plus, a discussion all about lightning in summer storms, and what to do to avoid being a victim.

Even if you’ve medically prepared, and have a big stockpile of conventional medications, hey, they’ll eventually run out. If you’re gonna be the family medic in a survival setting, you’ll need to find alternatives if you want to keep your people healthy long-term. What's the difference between alternative, complementary, integrative, holistic, and other types of care?

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Learn about 200 medical topics off the grid with a copy of the 2022 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook's 4th Edition. Plus, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net

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Today Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones talk about the health benefits of chamomile.  Yes, a regular MD and nurse practitioner touting the benefits of herbal tea, how about that?  Hey, in times of trouble, you gotta use all the tools in the woodshed! Plus, a thorough discussion on the basics of IV therapy, with emphasis on essentials and practical tips to get fluids into a dehydrated patient. Learn how to recognize signs of dehydration and an ancient, but useful off the grid, method of rehydrating an unconscious patient: rectal rehydration. Yes, that's a thing...

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, educational books, and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net! You'll be glad you did.

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A bill entered in California’s state legislature has gone where President Biden’s “disinformation bureau” couldn’t. Bill AB-2098 gives power to the state’s medical board to investigate and punish doctors whose advice and treatment regarding COVID-19 varies from their perceived “applicable standard of care.” The medical establishment now has “disinformation” authority over others who dare to voice alternative options to their patients or even on social media. Dr. Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones, gives his thoughts.

Also, Nurse Amy Alton tell you about peppermint oil, and its potential as a viable tool in the survival medicine cabinet. Uses and ways to prepare it are included. Plus, Dr. Joe Alton talks about how to deal with wounds from sharp objects like knives in survival settings with limited supplies. Finally, a question from a listener about what to do about leg cramps.

All this and more in this episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast, with Joe Alton MD and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, 

Joe and Amy

Hey, don't forget to check out our entire line of educational books, individual supplies, and the highest-quality medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did!

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It’s a rare individual who has never had a nosebleed and a lot of people have, over the course of their lives, been the recipient of a punch in the nose or other facial trauma. Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss nosebleeds, nasal fractures (broken noses) and foreign bodies in the nostrils of children in this episode.

Also, Amy Alton, NP discusses the usefulness of valerian root off the grid for various purposes in the survival medicinal garden. Plus, a listener asks about the heart condition that causes palpitations, irregular beat, and much more: Atrial fibrillation.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr.Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

Hey, fill those holes in your medical storage with kits and individual supplies from our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!

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More than 20 million Americans experience some form of hormonal dysfunction related to the thyroid gland, so you can bet that the off-grid medic will eventually come across someone with it. You've gott to know  know how to recognize these conditions and improve them, if possible. This can be way harder off the grid than in today's modern world, but you might still be able to do something that helps. Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy explore the topic...

Also, Dr. Joe Alton answers a difficult question from a person dealing with issues relating to alcohol use. How to get on the wagon and stay there. Are there ways to get back to full sobriety? If so, how? Dr. Alton explores the possibilities in this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, check out the greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, the essential guide for when help is NOT on the way, available in black and white at Amazon or in color at store.doomandbloom.net!

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How long do you think you’d last when the SHTF if you can’t hear the zombies sneaking up on you muttering something about tasty, tasty brains? The ear is the organ that controls, not only hearing, but balance as well. It’s a rare parent who hasn’t had to deal with ear problems at one point or another during their life. In some cases, It could be a chronic issue that makes an otherwise healthy child (or adult) miserable. Dr. Joe  Alton discusses what the medic needs to know about ear problems off the grid.

Plus, a question from a listener dealing with inflammatory bowel syndrome. Learn all about the condition and ways to diagnose and treat the condition. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr.Joe Alton and Amy Alton.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

Hey, fill those holes in your medical storage with high-quality medical kits and supplies from our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!  (We also  have otoscopes at a reasonable price!) You'll be glad you did.

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Some of our friends have discouraged us from speaking about the small possibility of a nuclear event in the unstable and uncertain future, but everyone should know about them, not panic, and understand that survival is possible in many cases. Dr. Joe Alton discusses different types of nuclear weapons and meltdowns, types of radiation, percentages and radius of damage, symptoms of radiation sickness, building shelters, treating the sick, and much more. Plus, a question about suture kits from a listener leads to a discussion of why and when to close wounds, and how to developing good judgment is more important than just learning how to throw a stitch.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast! 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, check out our medical kits, books, individual supplies, and more at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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In this topic-filled podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss corruption in the medical establishment that has led to bad messaging and advice for the current pandemic, and why this happens in a highly politicized society. Also, Dr. Alton cover cold injuries like frostbite and immersion (trench) foot, and other cold exposure issues. Nurse Amy tells you all you need to know about clove bud oil, a useful item to have in long-term survival medicine cabinets, and Dr. Bones returns to discuss the significance of expiration dates and how they affect the survival medic...

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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In good times or bad, families may face any number of events where trauma causes injuries. In the United States alone, there are over 37 million emergency department visits annually due to some type of trauma. Off the grid, it stands to reason that activities of daily survival performed by those unaccustomed will greatly increase the number of traumatic wounds. This week, Dr. Joe Alton discusses what to do for strains and sprains. 

Also, the Alton discuss antiseptics, both commercial and improvised, and their use in survival scenarios to save lives. Plus, a Survival Podcast question about strokes leads Dr. Alton to tell you all you need to know about them in good times or bad.

Hey, find out more about  150  medical topics in survival settings with a copy of the greatly expanded 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, available at Amazon or get a personally signed copy at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

Joe and Amy Alton

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Well, we survived our first cold wave of the year down here in South Florida, where the temperatures dived all the way down into the high fifties. We’ve heard rumors that some places get even colder in winter, so, even though they’re probably just rumors, the Altons talked last time about general hypothermia. This time, they’ll talk about cold water safety in survival settings. Plus, Dr. Bones (Joe Alton MD) discusses things you should know about medical gloves, all about wound infections, and more.

Nurse practitioner Amy Alton discusses nursing care in a comprehensive way in part two of her series, as much information as you'll find anywhere on the subject.. All this and more on the lastest Survival  Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

Consider getting your family medically prepared and use those HSA/FSA dollars at store.doomandbloom.net, where you'll find an entire line of medical kits, individual supplies, and the latest 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook!

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The environment plays a large role in your success as medic in survival settings. If you don’t take weather conditions and other factors into account, you have made the environment your enemy, and it’s a formidable one. One major issue is cold-related illness, otherwise known as hypothermia.

Normally, the body core ranges from 97.5 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius) when taken orally or rectally. Rectal temps tend to be slightly higher than oral, and oral temps slightly higher than skin readings, such as those taken in the armpit. Hypothermia begins when the body core drops below 95 degrees. Dr. Joe Alton discusses what to do when the family medic is faced with someone struck by cold exposure.

Also, Nurse Amy Alton begins a series on nursing care off the grid. While not as sensational as emergency trauma care, the daily maintenance of the bedridden group member is so important that you're bound to lose people if you don't know how to properly care for them all the way to recovery. Amy discusses what you need to know in part 1...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, have you gotten your copy of the brand new, greatly expanded 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook? You should check it out here! You'll be glad you did!.

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Many of the medical items in your storage, like instruments and some dressings, may come already sterile, but in survival, dressings are consumed and the sterile instruments become dirty. This leads to the question of how to sterilize your reusable items and produce a store of sterile supplies. Dr. Joe Alton discusses how best to disinfect reusable and even some disposable items in the aftermath of a major long-term disaster.

Also, a major obstacle to good sanitation and health in survival will be infestation of retreats by rodents like rats and mice. Their droppings, urine, saliva, and nests can contaminate your food supply and make things much harder. Dr. Bones discusses all sorts of strategies to keep your retreat rodent-free.

Plus, a question from a listener about alopecia aereata, a hair loss syndrome that can be difficult to deal with in good times or bad.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast, with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton NP.

Hey, if you want to know more about survival medicine in times of trouble, consider a copy of the greatly expanded, brand new 4th edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the way, available at Amazon or at store.doomandbloom.net.

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Although science has made great progress against bacterial disease, our advances against viruses are still in their infancy. Now, potentially good news is being reported in the battle against the current pandemic: An experimental oral drug known as molnupiravir reduces the risk of hospitalization and death in phase III clinical trials.

Today Joe Alton MD (aka Dr.Bones) and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton  are going to talk about two products developed by Merck Pharmaceuticals: Ivermectin and Molnupiravir, and the evidence for their effectiveness in the COVID pandemic. Plus, why is Merck pushing this new drug over ivermectin, already FDA approved for certain parasitic issues?

All this and more on the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Hey have you gotten a copy of the brand new, greatly expanded 4TH EDITION of the Survival Medicine Handbook? Check it out at store.doomandbloom.net along with our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies and personal protection gear (including N95 masks) or go to Amazon.com. You'll be glad you did.

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The control of major hemorrhage (called “hemostasis”) is the territory of paramedics and trauma surgeon in normal times. In survival scenarios, however, the family medic is unlikely to be either of these. Although direct pressure on a bleeding wound may stop the bleeding, there are times when it just ain’t enough. In such cases, tourniquets are the best first course of action, but they can’t stay on there forever.

While tourniquets, gauze rolls, and Israeli battle dressing will help stop bleeding, they don’t have anything special in them that specifically aids in the clotting process.

In the last several decades, however, special substances have been identified that can help control the loss of blood. If you know how to properly use them in an emergency, often in conjunction with a tourniquet, you’ll increase an injured patient’s chances of survival. Off the grid, having a supply of these will save lives. Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton talk about different hemostatic dressings, including some improved ones that can still serve as a way to stop bleeding.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Hey, find out about all the latest materials for the survival medic in the brand-new greatly expanded 4TH EDITION of "The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the Way", available at Amazon and at store.doomandbloom.net! And don't forget to get more medically prepared with our entire line of kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear (including N95 masks)! You'll be glad you did.

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For the survival medic, increasing international tensions means that knowledge about nuclear events and the physical damage associated with them is a worthwhile topic to know about. Short of an asteroid hitting Earth or an ultra-deadly pandemic disease, we mean more deadly than COVID, no disaster has the potential to destroy society as much as a nuclear war. Even “minor” radiation accidents, such as reactor meltdowns, may cause long-standing damage to whole areas. The medic must always have a plan of action for every type of disaster to increase the chances for survival of group members.

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcastl, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton NP discuss radiation events like dirty bombs, atomic and thermonuclear weapons, likelihood of survival from the various types of damage that could occur, fallout shelters, and diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation sickness.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, 

Joe and Amy

Hey, check out the greatly expanded brand new 4th Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, now available for immediate shipment from amazon and from store.doomandbloom.net. Consider a limited-edition signed color copy for the survival medic in your family!

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In the US, almost twenty percent of the population has problems with anxiety, which is defined as feelings of apprehension, nervousness, and unease. It might be about an imminent event, a current situation, or may be of unknown origin. For example, Israel announced that Iran will complete a nuclear weapon in 10 days, and that was 9 days ago. Also, are we going to need a vaccine passport to travel, work, go to the bathroom? Don’t be surprised. So, yeah, a lot of anxiety. And these are “normal” times. In survival scenarios, anxiety, depression, and PTSD are going to be epidemic among survivors, and the family medic had better be prepared to deal with people suffering from these conditions. Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss ways that you could help out if you were knocked off the grid long-term.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD              Amy Alton NP

Hey, don't forget to check out our entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and more at store.doomandbloom.net, plus preorder a personally-signed copy of our upcoming 4TH EDITION of the Survival Medicine Handbook at the website! You'll be glad you did.

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Last week The Altons said It’s a cruel, cruel summer, like the 80s song goes, and if you live on the coast or considering a trip to the beach during the dog days, you have more than sunburn to worry about. There’s all sorts of critters in the sea that can cause trouble, even close to shore. I’m not talking about sharks, it’s shark week on Nat Geo and some of you are probably all sharked out. I’m talking about other sea creatures that don’t bite you, but sting you like jellyfish, stingrays, spined catfish, scorpion fish, lionfish, etc.

Plus, Joe and Amy discuss the heartbreaking tragedy of drowning accidents. How does someone drown, what happens in the body during the event, and how to treat near-drownings and prevent it altogether. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget that a brand new edition (the fourth) of the Survival Medicine Handbook will be on bookshelves and at Amazon soon! To check it out or get a signed copy, go to store.doomandbloom.net!

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It’s a cruel, cruel summer, like the 80s song goes, and everywhere from Oregon to Montana to New York City can experience big problems this year with blackouts taking out the AC and making homes and businesses into sweatboxes more often than ever before. In the west, wildfires have burned three times the acreage this year as compared to last year at this time. So, the family medic better be prepared to deal with heat-related illness. Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Practitioner Amy Alton discuss heat wave safety, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, first- and second-degree burns, and sun protection.

Also, Nurse Amy discusses one of her favorite natural products, raw unprocessed honey as well as its medicinal benefits. This stuff is good for you! All this and more on the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton, APRN.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

Hey, we're coming out, after five years, with a new expanded and revised edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook! Check out the details at store.doomandbloom.net. Also, new kits for eye care, labor and delivery, and more!

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Well, a lot of you might be wondering where we’ve been and why we took a hiatus from our podcasts and videos. It because ol' Dr. Bones had pneumonia, and recovery for me has been slow going. I have acid reflux, and it’s not just heartburn, it goes all the way up to my throat, a condition called laryngopharyngeal reflux. Laryngo means the voicebox, and pharyngeal is all about the throat.

So one night I woke up coughing and gagging on a lot of acid that went all the way up and entered my airways. By the morning I had a temperature of 100 and, scarier than that, bloody phlegm. X-rays showed pneumonia in multiple areas of the right lung, after antibiotics and oral steroids, I improved despite being exhausted for more than a month, almost two months. I’m finally getting my energy back and keeping to a very low diet.

So, this show is all about pneumonia and acid reflux, how to diagnose and treat both conditions even if you have limited supplies and the miracle of modern medicine just doesn't exist. Everything the family medic needs to know in times of trouble! Plus, all about gastritis and ulcers...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, if you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, check out our entire line of quality medical kits and supplies at https://store.doomandbloom.net/. You'll be glad you did!

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Six people are dead in the South after at least 23 tornadoes tore through Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia last week. The damage in places like Coweta County is Georgia, well, it looks like a bomb went off there. Five people lost their lives in Calhoun County, Alabama, after the state was hit with 17 reported tornadoes. Sounds like an apocalypse movie? Nope, stuff like this happens this time a year every year, in the United States, the world’s capital for tornadoes.

Now why would an old country doctor be talking about general disaster preparedness? Where the blood and gore or the catastrophic pandemics we usually talk about. Well, with tornadoes there’s plenty of blood and gore, and you’d better get ready to deal with it, if you’re going to be the family medic, whether it’s in good times or bad. But even more importantly, the family medic can take steps to decrease the chances that a loved one with be injured or get sick, and that save precious supplies, which save a lot of headaches, and maybe a heartache or two as well.

Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton tell you what you need to know about keeping your family safe in Tornado season...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

Hey, fill those holes in your medical supplies with quality HSA-approved medical kits from Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In this audio episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast, Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton discuss chronic medical problems in survival scenarios, such as thyroid issues and high blood pressure. We mentioned in a recent show that the family medic won’t have lab tests and fancy diagnostic imaging like MRIs and CT scans to help with medical issues if some disaster throws us off the grid. You, medic, will have to go by physical signs and symptoms, just like they did in the 19th century, which is just about where you’ll be thrown back to medically. This can be done if you learn about what signs and symptoms are visible in different disease conditions. The Altons discuss thyroid issues in detail off the grid, and answer a listener's question on hypertension, plus more!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones         Amy Alton ARNP, CNM, aka Nurse Amy

If you support our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family, check out Nurse Amy's entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at store.doomandbloom.net.

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In a disaster, especially a long-term one, the family medic has to be able to handle a lot of different emergencies. Some of these are clearly survivable, such as a broken finger, and some are not, like a bullet to the brain. It’s important for the medic to have a realistic attitude towards the hard facts. Being realistic won’t make decision-making easier, but it might make it clearer.

If you’re diligent in your role as medic you’ll accumulate various medicines that will help keep the family healthy and you’ll do it BEFORE the you-know-what hits the fan. We talked a little while ago about antibiotics. But you need more than just antibiotics, you’ll need a lot of different over the counter drugs, something we’ll talk about in the near future, and probably you’ll have people in your family or survival group that need medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical problems.

Dr. Joe and Nurse Amy Alton discuss the truth about expiration dates, and what role they have in choosing medications for storage purposes in times of trouble. Also, how to properly store drugs for the longest possible shelf life.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Do you support Amy and Joe's mission to put a medically prepared person in every family? If you do, check out their entire line of medical kits, individual supplies, and more at store.doomandbloom.net! You'll be glad you did.

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All injuries carry a risk of infection. Various kinds of microbes can invade the body and cause Inflammation in soft tissues, also known as “cellulitis”. These infections develop when bacteria enter through a crack or break in your skin. You can imagine that, off the grid, and especially on the road or in the wilderness, that all sorts of injuries will occur that break the skin and get infected. Think of all the activities you might be doing that you don’t do a lot of now. Making a lot of campfires? Chopping a lot of wood for fuel. Doing stuff you’re not used to can certainly put you at risk.

Dr. Joe Alton (aka Dr. Bones) and Amy Alton ARNP (aka Nurse Amy) discusses various soft tissue infections, how to identify and treat them, and how to lance a boil if required. Different antibiotics may help in oral form, several of which you should have in your medical storage for long-term survival scenarios.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Show your support for our mission to put medical prepared people in every family by checking out Nurse Amy's entire line of quality medical kits, individual supplies, and personal protection gear at store.doomandbloom.net.

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It’s 2021, and over the last year, we’ve seen the most productive distributor of fish antibiotics, Thomas Labs stop manufacturing products, probably related to pressure from the FDA, who has repeatedly stated that it was increasing its “stewardship” of animal medications. This, they say, is because of antibiotic resistance issues, but reports of people using these medications without medical supervision probably had something to do with it also. As we’ve always said, these meds, even if they’re identical to human meds, aren’t candy, and shouldn’t be used in any situation where there’s a functioning modern medical system, which despite the pandemic, there still is. Still, for the preparedness community, the ability to have some of these in your survival medicine cabinet may save a life if a disaster knocks us off the grid long-term. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss new antibiotic brands that are taking the place of the non-defunct Thomas Labs fish and bird antbiotics...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

We don't sell antibiotics, but we have an entire line of quality medical kits that can save a life in times of trouble. Check them out at store.doomandbloom.net

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COVID-19 was supposed to peter out around now, but cases are peaking again, with 300,000 cases reported just on Jan. 8th. Is 2021 going to be just more of the same as 2020? With vaccines now available, can you still get the virus? Can you still give it to others? Will you still have to wear masks? Dr. Fauci says he expects some workplaces and institutions to require the vaccination, will you need to carry a COVID-Card in your wallet in the future? The Altons give their opinion (just an opinion) on what's in the future.

Also, what easily available products may help you avoid a bad outcome from exposure to SARS-CoV2. Amy Alton ARNP gives her recommendation (also that of Eastern Virginia Medical School).

Plus, dress warmly or you'll catch a cold? It's smart to dress for the weather appropriately, for sure, but more to prevent hypothermia than getting an infection. The Altons, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, dispel some common myths about getting colds and flus, and tell you the real reasons why winter is cold and flu season.

All this and more on the lastest episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD    Amy Alton ARNP

Hey, don't forget to have your medical supplies in order for these uncertain times. Check out our entire line of quality kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net.

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We’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of my original article “A New Pneumonia”, where I wrote about a strange new virus that had sickened 60 people in a place called Wuhan, China. That was Jan.7th, before anyone died or they even had a name for the pathogen we now know as SARS-Cov2. Now, almost into 2021, the virus will still be an issue well into 2021 and some places are at maximum lockdown. Ivermectin is considered a new option by some, is it the real thing or a flash in the pan? Dr. Joe Alton explains all you need to know.

Also, Nurse Amy Alton worries about our listeners with depression due to cold weather and gray skies, as well as Christmas "blues". She talks about what to do if tough times are getting you down, with natural remedies and lifestyle advice.

All this and more on the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alto, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the Happiest of Christmases and the healthiest of New Years!

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Todd Sepulveda of the popular PrepperWebsite.com brings his podcast onto our channel for an interview with our regular hosts Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton, this time about pregnancy, labor, and delivery off the grid and other obstetric topics. Be aware that some of the subject matter may be graphic regarding the natural processes that occur during childbirth. 

Be sure to check out Todd's website and his podcast channel!!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, check out Amy's latest one-of-a-kind kit, an obstetric kit that a modern hospital would envy, at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In any long term survival setting, somebody’s  going to get pregnant at one point or another. Even if you daughter is 7 years old right now, a decade or so into an EMP strike that knocks us off the grid once and for all, she’s gonna be 17 and you might end up a grandparent in a world with power. You’ll need some equipment that will increase your chances of having a successful birth and a healthy mother afterward. This isn’t something to laugh at; during the era of the civil war, maternal deaths approached 1-2% per pregnancy. With women having an average of 10 pregnancies back then, that adds up to 10-20 percent. That’s a lot of heartbreak and tragedy when things have to running smoothly to survive.

Now, Certified Nurse Midwife Amy has put together a one-of-a kind kit that puts all the other ob kits to shame. This is pretty much what the hospitals use minus the fetal monitor machine. Listen in as Amy describes her latest brainchild and gives valuable tips on pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Check out Nurse Amy's OB kit and our entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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The person that’s responsible for the health of their family isn’t just there to stop a bleeding wound or set a broken leg. Poorly cooked or contaminated food will kill more people in survival settings than gunfights at the OK corral. Infectious disease might run rampant if you’re not vigilant about food safety.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, one in six Americans will get sick from food poisoning this year alone, with over 100,000 hospitalizations nationwide. Dr. Joe Alton discusses one microbe that has sickened more than 1,100 people this quarter alone called "CYCLOSPORA". Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Plus, principles of food safety to guard against feeding your people contaminated food in good times or bad.

Plus, a short rant about COVID statistics and the idea put forth by health officials that only 9% of the US population has been exposed to COVID so far, making herd immunity impossible without a widespread (probably miulti-year) vaccination program. Dr. Alton thinks exposure is much more prevalent than suggested and that there may be little that guarantees any long-term immunity against COVID-19. 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Hey, today we’ve invited our old friend Leon Pantenburg of Survival Common Sense to the show. Leon Pantenburg is a wilderness enthusiast and journalist, and also the author of “Bushcraft Basics: A common sense guide to wilderness survival”.

As an award-winning newspaperman for four decades covering stories about search and rescue events, Leon has seen his share of floods and forest fires, hurricane and tornadoes, earthquakes, mud slides and other natural disasters. He’s also reported on too many tragic outcomes from wilderness emergencies.

It’s unfortunate that people die unnecessarily from outdoor accidents and emergency situations when simple, common sense actions can help. Leon teaches such common sense techniques to the average person in order to avert potential disasters. His emphasis is to apply thoroughly tested and practiced, simple techniques of wilderness survival.

Plus, we've talked a lot about property defense and avoiding burn injuries, but today we'll talk about burn injuries in general regarding treatment for each category of injury. The wildfires continue to rage on in the American West, and we’ve talked about property defense but not much about burns. Whether caused by a forest fire or due to an accident while preparing food, burns are a major challenge both on and off the grid. Injuries from burns that require medical help top one million each year in the United States, with thousands of deaths reported. These numbers are alarming, given the fact that, in modern times, few are us are exposed to fire as often or directly as our ancestors were. Despite this, only a small percentage of families have formulated and practiced an escape plan for their own homestead.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr.Joe and Nurse Amy Alton!

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The CDC has recommended that Americans wear masks “in public”, but are vague on what to do in many situations.

From the CDC website:  “CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”

The Cleveland Clinic is a little more lenient: ": If you’re unlikely to be around anyone or will have the option of maintaining a safe distance from anyone you encounter, then a mask likely isn’t necessary but having one handy is a good idea just in case."

What's the history of social distancing defined as six feet? Distancing from sick individuals, for better or worse, has a long history. In ancient times, people stayed away from “leper” colonies (leprosy is now known as “Hansen’s Disease”).  No one really knew, however, how much distance was required. The Altons try to make sense of it all.

Also, millions of tons of plastic refuse have entered our oceans annually since about 1950, forming a Texas-sized dump known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (or GPGP). People are often confused about what the garbage patch is. The GPGP isn’t a landfill-like continent made of plastic that you can walk on or build a vacation home. , but it's true that, due to currents, there is a higher concentration of plastic there than other parts of the ocean. Dr. Alton tells you what you need to know.

All this and more in the lastest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, 

The Altons

Hey, get medically prepared for the uncertain future with high-quality medical kits and individual supplies from Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net.

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Recently, Dr. Alton was asked to write an article on tourniquets for the highly popular Survivor’s Edge magazine, a great read if ever there was one. Most people know at this point how to place a tourniquet, but there are some principles you may not know about hemorrhage and how to stop it using this life-saving device.

The risk of hemorrhage from traumatic injury is always a possibility, whether it’s due to a motor vehicle accident, a work mishap, civil unrest, or the zombie apocalypse. A major arterial bleed, if untreated, can cause a victim to be beyond medical help in just a few short minutes. The bleeding may be so severe that emergency medical personnel arrive too late to help. 

Dr. Alton outlines more than a dozen important points that must be understand to properly stop hemorrhage with tourniquets.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD    Amy Alton APRN

Learn more about bleeding and 150 other medical topics with a copy of the Survival Medicine Handbook's award-winning Third Edition, available at Amazon and store.doomandbloom.net.

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Today on the Survival Medicine Podcast, we welcome good friend Charley Hogwood.

Charley is the author of THE SURVIVAL GROUP HANDBOOK: How To Plan, Organize and Lead People for Short and Long Term Survival, the foremost guide, in the world probably, to planning, organizing and building a survival group for any situation.  He's also an accomplished post-apocalyptic fiction novelist, with Book 1 of his Bound To Survive series, the Unraveling, at Amazon and Book 2, Road Trials, being released in the near future.

Also, some news updates on COVID treatments Remdesivir, Beta-Interferon, and....Pepcid-AC!

All this and more on this episode of the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

Hey, we know you could use some more personal protecion gear, individual medical supplies, and maybe an entire quality kit that will help in any disaster. Check out our entire line at store.doomandbloom.net! Also, please follow us on Twitter @Preppershow or on YouTube's DrBones NurseAmy Channel!

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The podcast is not going to talk just about COVID today, but  it’s a good idea to keep a running update and how Dr. and Ms. Alton's views are evolving based on what seems to be happening these days. So the Altons throw a few stats at you and tell you what they mean, if they're believable, and how it affects, or should affect, peoples’ activity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that the country has approved a coronavirus vaccine despite not having completed crucial clinical trials to determine its efficacy and safety. What are clinical trials and why are they required in most cases for a new drug or vaccine?

Plus, a listeners of our friend Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast asks about strategies to prevent Alzheimer's dementia even if you have the genetic markers and a family history. Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know about this devastating disease.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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You know, we get dozens of questions from folks every week, and we do our darndest to answer as many as we can. You’re always welcome to send your questions to drbonespodcast@aol.com, we answer as many of them as we can. Sometimes, we answer them on the air, and that’s what we do with a few today. By the way, questions don't have to just be about COVID-19.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Man, it’s hot. Summer is here with a vengeance and parts of the Midwest and Southern U.S. are experiencing record high temperatures in major heat waves. Officials predict a high-risk situation for 200 million citizens in the U.S. Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss heat-related emergencies and what you can do to save lives this summer.

Also, what do you do about keeping tabs on family and friends during the COVID pandemic? Dr. Alton answers some common questions that listeners are anxious about, with his own specific take on the subject.

Plus, Chinese officials report 1700 deaths from a mysterious pneumonia in the neighboring country of Kazakhstan. Health officials there say that their report doesn't "conform to reality". Is there a new virus or is it all a bunch of hooey? The Altons give their opinion...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD     Amy Alton ARNP\

Become more medically prepared by checking out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at https://store.doomandbloom.net/

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Many people are concerned about what appears to be a second wave of COVID-19, the pandemic disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. Indeed, some states that were relatively unaffected by the virus are now reporting high numbers of cases and people are getting concerned about hospitals’ abilities to deal with the more severe cases. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss what goes into pandemic waves and discuss a brief history of the Spanish Flu of 1918-1919. To forget history is to repeat its mistakes!

Regardless of municipalities closing pubic beaches and pools, In warm weather, many folks head to the waterfront for recreation. Some wind up getting in trouble, and I’m not talking about Jaws, We're talking about something just as scary though: Drowning. Dr. Alton tells you what you need to know to stay safe this summer.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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If you’re reading the headlines, you’re probably hearing that, as the country slowly reopens, we’re seeing many more people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s getting coronavirus and a lot of fear about second waves. What does this mean for second and third waves? Are hospitals going to be overwhelmed? Maybe not, say the Altons. Hear why in this episode.

Plus, wound closure is a basic skill needed by any medic in areas without modern medical facilities. Suturing is just one of the way you can close a wound, and judicious use can help accelerate the healing process. Learn more about suture needles with Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton.

Also, when you think of protester-police confrontation, you think of tear gas. What do you do to protect yourself if you're in an area of civil unrest to deal with tear gas exposure? Dr. Alton tells you what to do, plus some myths and misconceptions about treatment.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

Fill those holes in your medical supplies with kits and individual items from Nurse Amy's store at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In the news, COVID-19 cases are again on the rise as a second wave of infections coincide with the reopening of many businesses throughout the United States.

Perhaps the first thing I should mention is that a second wave occurring as society reopened is an inevitable event. Regardless of the timing or the measures taken, pandemics commonly have this pattern. Health officials and political policy can do little to stop it from happening, but do their best to lessen or delay its effect.

Also, important facts about immunity, plus how something we call COVID Fatigue and mass demonstrations are fueling the second and third waves of SARS-CoV2 in the United States.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

Hey, be prepared for any number of waves of infectious disease, civil unrest, or other disasters with medical kits and supplies from store.doomandbloom.net!

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The Altons are happy to welcome author Terry Blackmore of the Pandemic Series, the first book of which (called "Antigenic Shift") is receiving good notices. Unlike most post-apocalyptic fiction, "Antigenic Shift" is set in Canada!

Also, if we didn’t have enough reasons TO social distance as it is, now we have rioting in dozens of major cities, makes you want to live outside the city, or maybe outside the planet might be safer. Well, if you live in Minneapolis, interesting things are going on there, like the majority of the city council wanting to dismantle the police department. Interesting to know that the majority is a veto-proof majority, even if the mayor is against it and vetoes it, he can be voted down. Mayors in LA and NYC are also cutting band funding for police departments. Great idea? Good idea? Terrible idea?

In COVID news, the country of new zealand has declared that its last case of coronavirus has recovered, making it the first country to have no active COVID cases and declare the pandemic in the country to be over.  The nation of 5 million is opening sports stadiums, scheduling concerts, weddings, retail commerce, and hospitality without restrictions. 

Plus, Choloquines have been controversial since the moment they were mentioned by President Trump, with some studies reporting positive effects and others declaring the drug family downright dangerous. Now, some negative studies are being retracted, including one in the prestigious British medical journal "The Lancet". What's the deal? Dr. Joe Alton gives his thoughts.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

Fill those holes in your medical supplies with kits and individual items from store.doomandbloom.net

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As Free Speech advocates, we support the people’s right to protest and make their opinions heard. Unfortunately, demonstrations in the U.S. these days are becoming more frequent and violent. After a short break due to the pandemic, people are again out in the streets. Some have legitimate concerns; others, however, have bad intentions. How can you stay safe if you get caught in the middle of civil unrest? Dr. Joe Alton gives his thoughts.

With the violence we’ve seen in major cities, I’m sure there are quite a few people, especially law enforcement officers, that wound up getting hit by a brick or other projectile, and wound needing stitches. Lacerations of the skin can occur off the grid in survival scenarios, too, but there’s no hospital ready to close the wound. It’s up to the family medic, and that person needs to have a working knowledge of, not just how to throw a stitch, but when a wound should stay open due to risk of infection, and what type of suture materials would be best for the purpose. Some basics from the Altons.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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As we reopen, some words will have permanently entered our vocabulary: Social distancing. Telemedicine. Self-quarantine. These are all words you didn’t hear just a few months ago, but now we are all hearing and using them daily. There is no denying that the coronavirus outbreak has dramatically changed just about every facet of life around the world. Amy Alton ARNP and Joe Alton MD discuss what you can expect in part 1 of a series on permanent societal changes due to COVID-19

Also, studies on chloroquines are turning up claiming it is ineffective or perhaps even deadly, but are they missing the most important ingredient? Zinc is an important mineral second only to iron in our body, and chloroquines only act to potentiate its anti-viral action. Yet, studies seem to not include zinc in their protocols, leading to results that you could predict would show chloroquine isn't effective on its own. Is there an agenda here rooted in politics rather than public health. The Altons discuss a controversial topic.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, thanks for listening.

Joe and Amy Alton

We still have a limited supply of masks and other personal protection gear in addition to our entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net...

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Recently, we came across an article about coronavirus myths on, guess where, the AARP website, where old folks like Dr. Joe Alton get their news (just kidding). There are quite a number of misconceptions about COVID-19 disease and the virus that causes it, SARS-CoV2. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss what people think about coronavirus and pets, weather, vectors, and a troubling tendency for people to avoid hospitals even if they have significant medical issues.

Also, Dr. Alton talks you through what you need to know about broken bones. 6.3 million fractures are evaluated in ERs, urgent care centers, and hospitals every year in the U.S., and in survival scenarios, the numbers will be greater. Learn about how bones heals, sprains vs fractures, casts vs splints, bone "setting", traction, and the materials used in placing casts. There's a lot more to learn, but this is a great start!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD    Amy Alton ARNP

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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to steamroll populations of many countries, and drive efforts to find a treatment, cure, or vaccine. The drug most recently approved by the FDA for emergency use is Gilead Sciences’ antiviral drug Remdesivir. What is Remdesivir and why is it considered to have potential against the SARS-CoV2 virus? Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton tell you all about it.

Vitamin D is made in the body when the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit the skin. Vitamin D is important for many bodily function, including the absorption of calcium for bones, nerve conduction, and immune function as well. Now, it’s becoming clear that the worst COVID-19 patients seem to have more likelihood to be deficient in Vitamin D than other people. Recent studies are discussed by the Altons about whether Vitamin D makes a difference.

Also, let's say you just got a blood test to see if you have had Covid-19. Many people don’t get symptoms, and so it’s possible you had it and didn’t even know, or maybe had some mild cough or GI complaints that went away after a week or so.

There are a number of tests that can give you information about COVID-19 and you, but what do they mean? It's possible that they mean less than you think. Dr. Alton discusses antibody blood tests, swab tests, and much more.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Learn more about viral epidemic and pandemic disease with the Altons' latest book "Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide", available at Amazon or in a special color version at store.doomandbloom.net!

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The daily headlines are chock-full of stories about the COVID-19 pandemic. If you read them, you’re probably left with the impression that society was unready for the ravages of the SARS-CoV2 virus. Surprise, Surprise…Yet, epidemic outbreaks of viral infectious diseases are relatively common: In the last few years, we’ve seen Ebola in West Africa, Zika in South America, and Chikungunya throughout the Caribbean. Tropical countries experience yearly malarial outbreaks, just as nations in cooler climates experience influenza every winter.

A contagious and, sometimes, lethal disease that infects almost every country on the planet, however, is much rarer.  Dr. Joe Alton welcomes Amy Alton ARNP back to the podcast to discuss various origin theories for the current pandemic, plus the idea that people may wind up getting reinfected a lot more often than previously thought.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD        Amy Alton ARNP

Hey, fill those holes in your preparedness plan with kits, personal protection items, and more from Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, extreme shortages of personal protection equipment (PPE) have been a major issue for medical workers and home caregivers. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognize the problem, publishing guidelines for the extended use and limited reuse of disposable face masks and other materials. For those who didn’t include masks in their medical preps, the government says that homemade cloth masks or bandannas are acceptable, all after first saying that they weren’t effective a while ago. In this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discusses the use of UV germicidal irradiation to battle COVID-19.

Also, Dr. Alton takes a break from COVID-19 to discuss natural disasters. Every year in the United States, we go through various natural disasters. During Spring, tornadoes become some of the most common deadly events in certain parts of the country. In Lee county, Alabama, a violent storm took the lives of 23 people. Unlike hurricanes, tornadoes are unpredictable and always a possibility.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD

Check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits, personal protection gear, and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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Survival Medicine Podcast

Are you going to survive this pandemic? If I asked America this question a month ago, I would have gotten more than 27000 people saying yes that, well, were wrong. They are no longer with us. In order to succeed in situations where everything else is failing, you gotta have training, knowledge, and supplies. You must also have a mindset that is, perhaps, the opposite of what you were taught in your first responder course: That some disaster or epidemic has overwhelmed conventional medical resources and you are now the highest medical asset left to your family. Joe Alton MD discusses some important aspects in staying healthy in times of trouble.

PLus, social distancing is the main strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but is 6 feet enough? It's been reported that coughs can throw 3000 droplets with virus loads up to 19 feet, and sneezes 40000 droplets all the way to 26 feet away. Dr. Alton gives his thoughts.

Lastly, the lab accident theory from Wuhan's Biosatety level 4 lab is gaining more and more currency as time goes on. What do they think happen and how does that compare with the live market theory?

All this and more in the latest survival medicine podcast with Joe Alton MD

Learn more about viral diseases with a copy of the Altons' latest book: Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide: Dealing with Current and Emergency viral threats, available at amazon and a special color limited edition at  store.doomandbloom.net.

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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rampage throughout the known world, killing close to 100000 and ruining the economies of whole nations. There is no proven treatment, cure, or vaccine, a common but deadly problem whenever a new virus emerges. The lack of an option leaves scientists scrambling to find a medicine that works, immediately if not sooner. Dr. Joe Alton discusses a new treatment using an old anti-malarial drug, an antibiotic, and zinc.

In infectious disease outbreaks, mundane chores like food shopping may become much more exciting (but not in a good way).  Yet, these activities are necessary to keep a family going. How can you avoid getting infected in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic? Joe Alton MD discusses CDC opinions and gives some of his own.

Plus, how to deal with laundry if you're taking care of a COVID-19 patient at home. Guidelines exist that will decrease the chances of infection.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

Hey, learn more about viral diseases in our new book "Alton's Pandemic Preparedness Guide", available on Amazon and at store.doomandbloom.net...

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COVID-19 tests are now available in larger numbers in the U.S. and the numbers of positives are jumping as a result. That means that it’s the testing that identifying the numbers that are there already, not that there are necessarily factors that are making the virus more contagious. Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton ARNP discuss numbers relating to cases and death rates, plus what it will take for Chloroquine, alone or in combination with other drugs or minerals, to be considered an effective remedy against the virus. 

Plus, a discussion of official guidelines for caring of COVID-19 patients at home. Yes, even the government understands that overcrowded and understaffed hospitals may not be the best place for some of the milder cases of COVID-19, so they've put together advice that will help the home caregiver give sick patients the best chance of recovery.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

Hey, check out Nurse Amy's supplies and medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net! You'll be glad you did.

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Well, we’re in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., with close to 1000 cases and 30 deaths. Other countries like Iran, Italy are a lot worse off, but the U.S. hasn’t hit its peak, and probably we can expect thousands and maybe tens of thousands more. Old folks like me are advised to stay away from crowds, and we might have to deal with more restrictions before things get better. All because of a bug that’s measured in billionths of a inch…How did we first figure out that viruses exist? Dr. Joe Alton takes you through the first scientific steps to identifying a major killer all the way to the current pandemic.

All that and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad! 

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits, personal protection gear, and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In the last few weeks, we have found ourselves challenged by a new virus from a family that is known for being very unfriendly to humans: Coronaviridae. The coronavirus family mostly causes common colds, with four different strains accounting for 15% of more cases reported worldwide. Until very late 2019, there were only two other known coronavirus strains: SARS and MERS. These viruses, however, didn’t just give you a cold; they could kill you. Now, the current virus, called SARS-CoV2, is making the rounds of more than 60 countries and the disease it causes (COVID-1he9) is causing community-wide outbreaks in multiple regions of the globe.

Amy returns from her Mystical Warehouse of Mystery to give her thoughts and to discuss the virus with Dr. Joe Alton. Can we expect more outbreaks? For sure. Can we control it? Maybe. Find out more in the latest episode of the Survival Medical Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

If you're in need of medical kits and supplies, check out Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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The latest viral epidemic has been given an official new name! Instead of 2019-nCoV, it’s now COVID-19. World Health Organization officials wanted a name that doesn’t refer to a geographical location, animals, an individual or a group of people, so I guess they’ll be changing the name of the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918 one day in the name of political correctness. That’s ok, since that flu didn’t start in Spain but in Asia. Now you know there’s someone who being paid a salary to come up with catchy names for viral epidemics.

There are currently 60,000 confirmed cases, almost all in China. 60,000 cases, that is, if you believe the Chinese government. It’s obvious that there are several times the amount of cases. Dr. Joe Alton puts the number likely to be well in the hundreds of thousands, and it could end up with millions of people getting sick. Dr. Alton tells you his thoughts in this podcast.

Plus, what about COVID-19 in animals? Theories of viral lab accidents or deliberate release aside, there are coronaviruses that affect dogs, cats, bats, and many other animals, and they're all for sale (for slaughter) in live markets in China. Dr. Alton tells you about the risk to your pets from COVID-19 and other members of the coronavirus family.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton MD (Nurse Amy is out making personal protection gear kits for her store at store.doomandbloom.net.!

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Unless you just got back from a trip to Mars, you probably know that there’s an epidemic going on in China. I first reported on it briefly in my article on “A new pneumonia” on Jan. 7, 2020, when there were only 60 known cases of an infection of unknown origin.

It turned out to be a virus. Viruses are tiny, much smaller than bacteria, and barely meet the definition of a living organism as it must enter the cells of a host to activate and reproduce. Yet, they are able to cause the downfall of organisms much more advanced and complex than they are.

This virus is in the family coronaviridiae, or coronaviruses. It's named 2019-nCoV, and it appears to be highly transmissable and kills about 2% of those that are infected. Just in the last 24 hours, there are 2500 new cases. 

In this episode, Joe Alton MD (Amy's off making Pandemic kits for store.doomandbloom.net) tells you all about 2019-nCoV and a lot more you don't know about viral epidemics.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD

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Reports from Yosemite National Park in California reveal that at least 170 visitors and personnel have experienced a mysterious intestinal ailment. Lab studies have identified a virus called “Norovirus” as the culprit in at least two cases, with most of the rest consistent with the illness. Find out what you need to know about the most common cause of the stomach flu in the U.S.

Also, Dr. Alton discusses the first new antiviral flu drug approved by the FDA in years: Xofluza. Xofluza is a one-day treatment that is meant to decrease symptoms and duration of influenza illness. Learn more about a drug that deals with a lot of flu symptoms, usually with one dose.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, find out about norovirus, the flu and 150 other medical topics in the award-winning Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, your guide for when help is Not on the way!

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Health authorities in China are reporting 60-70 cases of a previously unknown viral pneumonia that has put dozens in the hospital. Officials note that victims exhibit fever up to 105(!), difficulty breathing, and abnormal findings on chest X-rays.  

Nothing gets my attention like a mysterious, probably viral, pneumonia showing up in some foreign land. The word “pneumonia” is defined as a lung inflammation usually caused by bacterial or viral infection. Occasionally, fungi or parasites may give rise to it. It’s a very general term and doesn’t identify the specific microbe that’s causing the problem.In the last decade or so, killers like Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) have entered the scene. 

Dr. Joe Alton discusses the "new pneumonia" and tells you what you need to know about pneumonia in general: symptoms, treatments, how to tell pneumonia from regular flu symptoms, and natural remedies, plus preventative strategies...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to fill those holes in YOUR medical supplies with kits and individual items from Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Survival Medicine Podcast

You know, the world isn’t getting any safer these days, and that means that, more than ever, you should be prepared for disasters, whether they be natural disasters or man-made. The family medic must assess their level of preparedness well before a disaster occurs, and now is as good a time as any. We refer to this as a "status assessment”. When performing this assessment, a number of questions must be asked and answered that clarify your job description and your level of readiness.  

Dr. Alton (aka Bones) and Nurse Amy discuss the survival medic's job description, basic duties, considerations relating to the type of disaster, and misconceptions regarding the number of supplies and people that must be cared for in times of trouble...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD     Amy Alton ARNP

Hey, don't forget to subscribe to DoomandBloom.net and check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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We often talk about trauma and infection, but less so about chronic diseases. We have to face the fact that in some settings, namely those without some of modern medicine’s miracle technology, some people will long-term issues may end up having life spans similar to those of their ancestors a hundred or more years ago. One category of patient that has less options off the grid are those with COPD, also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis cause real damage to lung tissue from cigarettes and other reasons.Folks with these conditions may have trouble with stamina and work efficiency in tough times, especially in austere settings.

In this episode, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP talk about what you need to know about COPD and what strategies, if any, are helpful for those with severe cough, mucus production, and lack of oxygen intake. 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out our HSA/FSA-eligible medical first aid kits, plus our books and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Survival Medicine Podcast #379

Today, we talk about a mosquito-borne illness. What? It’s freezing out there, there’s no mosquitoes! Well, Down here in South Florida, we get outbreaks of tropical infections even in wintertime. A while ago, I wrote about a mosquito-borne virus that strikes warm weather regions: Dengue Fever.

At that time, I reported that places as far apart from each other as Singapore, Nicaragua, and Bangladesh had reported Dengue outbreaks. Not since the beginning of the year, but on the same day! This distribution meets the WHO definition of pandemic, characterized by community level outbreaks in different regions.)

This week, the Florida Department of Health in Miami issued an alert after two local residents came down with Dengue symptoms, bringing the total to 14 for 2019. These cases were not thought to be contracted in other countries, but locally in the South Florida area. The implication is that local mosquitoes in the area are a reservoir for the disease. Dr. Alton and Nurse Amy discuss what you need to know about Dengue in terms of recognition, treatment, and prevention.

Also, methods to apply Permethrin 0.5% solution to clothing (not skin). This insecticide gives long-lasting effective protection against mosquito bites and might be useful in epidemic settings caused by insect bites.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out our entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In the last couple of days, we’ve read about multiple stabbing incidents, one killed a freshman at a NY college, another killed two young men, and others just seem to pop up in the news pretty much all the time. Any incident like this or any kind of natural or man-made disaster puts your people at risk for injury. When it occurs, trauma may be minor or major; penetrating trauma such as stab wounds can be life-threatening, depending on the organs and blood vessels damaged. 

In this episode, Joe Alton MD discusses important factors relating to stab wounds and trauma from sharp objects, and how to manage them in the safest way possible in both normal times and survival scenarios...

Wishing the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net!

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This episode is broadcast (poorly) from a hotel room in New Yawk City, where we are visiting one of our daughters who's, well, a city girl. Ignore the police sirens and other "technical difficulties"!

Hey, from time to time, old dr. bones or the lovely nurse amy are asked to come on other podcasts, radio shows, and even TV to talk about disaster medical preparedness, and just a few days ago, our good friend Jeff Anderson from Modern Combat and Survival .com asked us to come on his show, which we’ve put on our website if you want to hear the whole show. In addition, he does a little lightning round as well that he calls the 5 in 5, where he asks five questions and the guest has to answer each in a minute or less. You know that it usually takes me a minute just to get a sentence out so it was a real challenge, but I accepted it. Here goes…

Plus, a question for Dr. Alton as a member of the Expert Council at Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast about soft tissue infections like cellulitis and more!

Wishing you the best of health in good time or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

For the best HSA/FSA eligible first aid kit on the internet, check out Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!

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THE SURVIVAL MEDICINE PODCAST #376

Hey, I’ll bet you’ve wondered from time to time if you’re medically prepared enough. Do you have the supplies to deal with the medical issues you’ll face? To know that, you need to know what medical issues you’ll face. In my research, I’ve taken the experience of those in remote locations with limited supplies as guidance. People like medical missionaries  spend months at a time off the grid in communities where infections and injuries occur, and usually assume medical responsibility with very limited equipment.

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP talk about some of those duties, and what you can expect to face in times of trouble. Plus, a basic discussion of infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses and how they differ.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Learn about bacterial infectious diseases and the antibiotics available to the average citizen in Joe Alton MD's book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease". And don't forget Nurse Amy's entire line of high-quality medical kits and individual supplies at her store at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Survival Medicine Podcast #375

In survival, the medicines eventually run out no matter how well you’ve prepared if the disaster knock you off the grid for long enough. This is especially true for drugs for which you can only stockpile a limited quantity, simply because they’re too expensive. One item that isn’t too expensive is fish oil, commonly available in supplement or in FDA-approved prescription items. The scientific data shows that they can reduce triglycerides in your blood, a factor in coronary artery disease, and perhaps help in other ways.

So what is fish oil and is it of any use off the grid? Should you accumulate it in quantity in your medical storage. That's your decision, but you'll know a lot more about it after listening to Dr. Joe Alton of doomandbloom.net!

Also, Dr. Alton answers a question from someone suffering from symptoms similar (but not exactly) to carpal tunnel syndrome. Could he have Guyon's Syndrome instead? Learn about it in this episode of the new-format Survival Medicine Podcast!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD/Amy Alton ARNP

Hey, show your support for our mission to put a medically prepared person in every family by subscribing to our website at doomandbloom.net and checking out Nurse Amy's often-imitated, never-equaled medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Infectious disease is of major concern in good times or bad, and the family medic must be able to identify some of the deadliest. Having just written a book about infectious diseases and the antibiotics that treat them (Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman’s Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings), we’ve done our research on some of the worst illnesses that can occur even in countries with advanced medical systems. There are infections out there, however, that are often fatal and aren’t in our book, because they can’t be treated with antibiotics. I’m talking about viruses.

What are the worst viruses on the planet? Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, in their new podcast format, give their thoughts on past, present, and future viruses that antibiotics can't cure and could cause a true epidemic apocalypse....

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's Health Savings Account-eligible first aid kits at store.doomandbloom.net!

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After a brief hiatus, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy try out a new format that removes a lot of the up front "housekeeping" and get to the meat of the medical topic for the week immediately. They plan to put out more frequent shows lasting about 15-20 minutes each and stay on one topic to delve into it more deeply.

This week, Dr. Alton discusses the Ebola epidemic from the standpoint of the health workers that are being killed by armed rebels in the area. Even the local population seem to hate medical personnel out of fear and superstition, blaming them for the civil unrest and spread of the epidemic, which was waning at last report. Now, health workers are being told to stay home out of concern for their safety.

This situation can be extrapolated to fit survival scenarios. When the group medic is in a hostile situation, what should be their priorities? Dr. Alton and Amy give their thoughts on when good medicine may become bad, even dangerous tactics....

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad...

Don't forget that it's closing in on the end of the year, so get your money's worth out of that HSA or FSA account with one or more of Nurse Amy's many eligibile kits at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In the midst of a break from their podcast, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP are interviewed by good friends Glen Tate and Shelby Gallagher from the Prepping 2.0 podcast. The topic is pandemic disease, what infections can become the next major epidemic to push society to the brink, what to do to keep your family safe, and the supplies you'll need to avoid infectious disease from running rampant among your people.

Keep an eye out for future podcasts with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, we'll be back soon!

And don't forget to check out our medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net! Sign up at our website to get special coupon codes for the Thanksgiving shopping days!

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A fractured femur or a gunshot wound to the chest are major injuries that affect your chances of survival in disaster settings, but not all injuries are so extreme. “Minor” injuries can also impact the efficiency of a group member off the grid.  Of these, nailbed injuries are some you’ll commonly see. You can imagine that nailbed injuries will be more common when untrained (and perhaps careless) people perform tasks to which they’re not accustomed. Joe and Amy Alton describe various types of trauma and their treatments.

The journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) reports that 33.5% of the population lives below an elevation of 100 meters above sea level. That means that there’s a possibility that you might have to abruptly relocate from a home at sea level to a “bug-out” location in the mountains. Too abruptly, though, and you can get sick. Joe Alton MD discusses acute mountain sickness and what to do to prevent and treat it.

Also, the second greatest cause of death from protozoal parasites, after malaria, is amebiasis (amoebiasis), a condition caused by entamoeba hystolitica. This organism attacks various organs, sometimes the intestines, other times the liver, and elsewhere. Find out how to recognize and treat this terrible pathogen and various ways to disinfect water which may contain  it. 

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour!

Don't forget to get your medical kits and supplies from the many choices at store.doomandbloom.net! You'll be glad you did. Also, get a copy of our award-winning Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook and our new bestseller Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide...

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369 SURVIVAL MEDICINE PODCAST

The world is on the brink of destruction and you have all your preps together; You’ve got water, food, you can start a campfire, you’ve got your knife or knives, and you’ve provided for the common defense. You can sterilize water, your vehicle ready for the road if you need to go and your ducks are all in a row. Duck is good eating, by the way.

Well, how about some baking soda? Joe Alton MD goes solo this week to talk about just some of the medical and other uses of this versatile item.

Plus, how to identify, treat, and prevent common trail mishaps like blisters and splinters off the grid. Add to that some news about the invasive species the northern snakehead, which has reared its ugly, well, snakehead, for the first time in Georgia! And Tokyo is hit with a typhoon and an earthquake on the same day! Ouch!

Lastly, a history of bacteria and human knowledge, as well as some amazing (and a little scary) development or two with ramifications for our future!

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD (Amy's folks came down to visit this week)

Joe and Amy Alton

Make sure to check out our medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll also find our Survival Medicine Handbook and Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide... at amazon.com!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Amy Alton ARNP takes over the show! She's got a lot to say about some important medical problems that all of us have to care about: Heart disease, hypertension, and kidney disease. She'll describe risk factors, diet, prevention, treatment, and more. Did you know that frequent ibuprofen usage damages your kidneys? I'll bet you didn't, and Nurse Amy will tell you a lot more that might just surprise you.  These are issues she cares deeply about in good times or bad, so do yourself a favor and listen in as she gives you strategies to live a healthier and longer life in any situation.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Amy and Joe Alton

Hey, have you put together that medical kit you'll need in survival scenarios? I know where you'll find some of the best on the web at Nurse Amy's store at store.doomandbloom.net!

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A#366 SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

You may have heard the phrase "Gone But Not Forgotten" but how about "Forgotten But Not Gone"? For some time, The Democratic Republic of Congo has been in the throes of a deadly epidemic: Ebola. I wrote a lot about the Ebola virus during the 2014 epidemic in West Africa and even wrote a book  (published by Skyhorse Publishing) about the disease. In West Africa, more than 28,000  got sick and 11,000 died. This time, more than 2,000 have succumbed to the virus since 2018 but you’d hardly know it with nary a mention in the media.Joe Alton MD tells you about the second deadliest Ebola epidemic in history, even if few others will.

Wounds are tough to deal with in any circumstance, but especially if you’re the person taking care of the wound off the grid. Dead tissue doesn’t heal, so you have to make sure you remove every possible bit of it. Debridement is the removal of dead (necrotic) or infected skin tissue to help a wound heal. It’s also done to remove foreign material from tissue. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss the various types of debridement and when you should consider the procedure.

Plus, a listener from Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast asks Dr. Alton about Type II diabetes and more....

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

The Altons

Don't forget to fill those holes in your medical storage by checking out Nurse Amy's entire line of kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Just back from a trip to the United Kingdom, Amy Alton ARNP and Joe Alton MD discuss some topics not recently covered in previous shows. Sleep deprivation is a serious issue: Some researchers believe that it carries health risks approaching that of cigarettes or heart disease. The mental and physical deterioration that sleep deprivation causes can break you: So much so, that it’s been used as a method of torture. The CDC estimates that up to 50-70 million Americans suffer from some kind of sleep disorder. The Altons discuss sleep disorders as an issue that can negatively affect your chances of survival in disasters, and offer some suggestions (might even help you night shift workers).

Also, from time to time you'll find  the persistent notion on social media that tampons, the feminine sanitary product, are an excellent addition to your medical kit. Many, usually second- or third-hand, swear that these items saved the life of a soldier because a savvy medic made sure to carry what some call a “tactical tampon” in his pack. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy have their own thoughts on the subject...

Lastly, the Indian spice turmeric is more than just an ingredient in a decent curry: It has medicinal properties as well. Dr. Alton discusses the possible, although not fully proven, benefits of having some as part of the natural section of your medical toolshed. In times of trouble, you might have to depend on natural substances when the medicines run out.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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364 SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

In this info-packed episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss poisonous plants like poison ivy, oak, sumac, and poisonwood; how to identify, treat, and prevent medical issues related to contact with problematic flora! Plus, how to deal with broken bones off the grid, including reducing deformities, placing casts, creating traction, and much more.

In addition, Dr. Alton answers questions in his role as medical expert for his good friend Jack Spriko's Survival Podcast. One involves hair loss and one listener's concerns about dietary causes, and another from someone with frequent soft tissue infections from insect bites and minor trauma.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to fill those holes in YOUR medical supplies with kits and individual items from Nurse Amy's store at store.doomandbloom.net. PLus, get copies of our bestselling books "The Survival Medicine Handbook" and "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease" at our website or at Amazon.com!

Also, if you believe in our mission, please follow us on twitter @preppershow and subscribe to our YouTube channel DrBones NurseAmy. You'll be glad you did.

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SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the citizens of the Bahamas affected by the recent hurricane; we have been fortunate enough to escape its wrath here in South Florida, but many are still suffering. We ask our readers, listeners, and viewers to consider donating to the various relief funds aimed at helping our Bahamian friends.

In this episode, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss the phenomenom known as the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and how the U.S. is poorly prepared to withstand even a small-moderate event without chaos. Also, Dr. Alton discusses the factors that go into deciding whether a wilderness wound should be closed or not; the answer isn't simple and might surprise you.

Also, in long-term situations where the medicines run out or even in normal times, natural remedies such as herbal teas may be helpful tools in the medical woodshed. Amy and Joe discuss a number of different ones that you might consider for your medicinal herb garden.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP

Learn more about medical issues in long-term disaster setting with the Alton's award-winning "Survival Medicine Handbook" third edition! You'll learn about more than 100 medical topics in situations where modern medicine may not be accessible. Also, consider one of Nurse Amy's often imitated but never equalled medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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363 SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

Outbreaks of hepatitis A are springing up in various parts of the country, leading us to want you to know all about this inflammation of the liver, plus the other types of hepatitis that can cause damage. Learn how to identify and prevent this disease which has been found in homeless populations in variouus cities.

Also, Joe and Amy interview post-apocalyptic fiction author Jeff Motes of "Once Upon An Apocalypse" fame. The three books in the series has been Amazon bestsellers in several categories. His Books:

!:  The Journey Home

2: The Search

  1. Gathering Storm

Check them out, they're bona fide good reads!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to subscribe to our website to keep up on all our content and to get special offers on medical kits and supplies from our store at store.doomandbloom.net!

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If you want to know how to keep informed on all the latest preparedness topics, you don't have to go further than Todd Sepulveda's prepperwebsite.com. Todd is a pastor and information guru that has compiled for you a daily smorgasbord of prepper articles from some of the best sources on the internet (including ours!). He also has his own weekly podcast at https://www.theprepperwebsitepodcast.com.

Join us as Todd talks about his journey to preparedness and gives his thoughts on some of the best ways to stay up to date on not only preparedness topics, but everything you need to know in daily life!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Find the best quality medical kits and individual supplies in Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!

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361 Survival Medicine Hour Podcast

In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, welcome author Craig Caudill of Nature Reliance School to the show. Craig gives us the benefit of his experience in off-grid settings and his thoughts on survival in times of trouble. Craig's books are a wealth of information:

Extreme Wilderness Survival: Essential Knowledge to Survive Any Outdoor Situation Short-Term or Long-Term, With or Without Gear and Alone or With Others

Ultimate Wilderness Gear: Everything You Need to Know to Choose and Use the Best Outdoor Equipment

Essential Wilderness Navigation: A Real-World Guide to Finding Your Way Safely in the Woods With or Without A Map, Compass or GPS

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to have a good medical kit as part of your preparedness supplies. Find them at store.doomandbloom.net!

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360 SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

In summer camping or zombie apocalypses, there are campfires. Where there are campfires, there are mesmerized children staring at them and wanting to help maintain them. That causes them and others to be at high risk for burns. Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton discuss all types of burns in detail, with characteristics for identification and standard as well as natural remedies.

Also, Dr. Alton talks about a little thing that can be a big pain in good times or bad: ingrown toenails. Find out what you can do to treat one and how to decrease your chances of having a recurrence.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Stock up on medical supplies or get a pre-made kit designed by medical professionals at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did.

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359 SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

The mosquito-borne disease Dengue Fever is a virus that is causing community-wide outbreaks in various regions throughout the world, including Singapore, Nicaragua, and Bangladesh. Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss an infection that could 1)cause no symptoms, 2)make you sick for 1-2 weeks, or 3)kill you (luckily, just a tiny minority). Find out how to identify and prevent Dengue fever.coup

Also, Joe Alton MD discusses a pregnancy that implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, also called an ectopic (out of place) pregnancy. He relates a personal history of a family member who suffered internal bleeding as a result of a ruptured tube, and gives thoughts on what to do if you were off-the-grid.

Plus, Dr. Alton answers questions about orthopedic issues and the herb comfrey in his role as a member of Jack Spirko's popular Survival Podcast Expert Council. Is comfrey useful for orthopedic pain?

All this and more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

Hey, don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and individual items at store.doomandbloom.net! You'll also find our bestselling Survival Medicine Handbook and the new book Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease there, as well as on Amazon.

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358 SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR

This week, not only did we undergo a record heat wave in parts of the country, but so did Europe (where air-conditioning is not that common)! If that wasn't enough, a near-miss by an asteroid known as 2019 OK came within 45,000 miles of earth (the moon is 220-240,000 miles away) and a plague of grasshoppers (apparently mild-mannered ones) made its way through Las Vegas!

Survivalists take "be fruitful and multiply" as instructions for a post-apocalyptic event, but the truth is that you don't want your female group members pregnant at a time when everyone has to be at 110% efficiency. Dr. Alton discusses some of the complications that could take away a valuable member of your team when they're needed most.

Plus, grasshoppers might not bite, sting, or transmit diseases, but there are plenty of bugs that can. Amy and Joe discuss bees, wasps, and hornets as part of a multi-part series on bites and stings.

All this and more on this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In normal times, we have the luxury of a modern and well-equipped medical system. When the ambulance is just around the corner, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the average person may become the highest asset left to his/her family. Yet, that’s exactly what can happen in remote settings or after a natural or man-made disaster. Amy Alton ARNP tells the medic how to be best equipped to fulfill their purpose off the grid.

Plus, heat waves throughout the country and even in Europe are causing heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and deaths from exposure. Is a heat wave a natural disaster? What causes it and what makes cities "heat islands" that can be expecially deadly? How is heat exhaustion different from heat stroke and how do you treat and prevent both? Dr. Joe Alton tells you what you need to know...

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Don't forget to check out our kits, individual supplies, and educational materials at store.doomandbloom.net!

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356 SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

Warm weather wakes humans up from their hibernation, but it also wakes inhabitants of the Great Outdoors as well, such as snakes. Inevitably some hiker, camper, or hunter experiences a face-to-face (or face-to-ankle) encounter with a slithering serpent.

Of the 3000 species of snakes on planet Earth, only about 400 are venomous. In North America, those that inject venom into their victims are either pit vipers or elapids. Pit vipers include species of rattlesnakes, water moccasins (cottonmouths), and copperheads. One species or another exists everywhere in the U.S. except for Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii. Elapids include coral snakes, found mostly in the South. Find out everything you need to know about snakebites in this episode with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

Also, Joe Alton MD explores the utility of doxycycline, aka Bird-Biotic, in survival settings. Find out about one of the World Health Organization's "essential medicines", including indications for use and much more.

All this and more in the Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton...

Wishing you the best of health in good time or bad,

Joe Alton MD   Amy Alton ARNP

Show your support for the Alton's mission by following them on twitter @preppershow, subscribing to their YouTube channel (DrBones NurseAmy), and joining the survival medicine drbones nurseamy group on Facebook! Also, check out Nurse Amy's quality medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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355 THE SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST

Southern California has been hit with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake which followed a 6.4 the previous day. Hundreds of smaller quakes have hit the general area as well, and residents are getting nervous. Although earthquakes are unpredictable, there are a number of things you can do to decrease the amount of damage and prevent injuries in most circumstances. Joe and Amy Alton MD spend time discussing what to do before, during, and after a seismic event.

Also in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton MD answers a listener's concerns and questions about rheumatoid arthritis off the grid. In these days of advanced pharmaceuticals (DMARDS) meant to help sufferers, can anything be done to improve the quality of life in a survival setting? Nurse Amy discusses a number of alternative methods that might help.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net. You'll be glad you did. Subscribe to our website at doomandbloom.net to get regular newsletters with special offers that will help get you medically prepared for any disaster.

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354  Survival Medicine Hour podcast

Ask anyone on the street which of the five senses they would least be willing to sacrifice. They probably will tell you that their vision is the sense they would most want to preserve. Imagine a world where a disaster has taken society to the brink, what would you do with less than perfect vision? Would you know how to treat common eye infections and other conditions? Would you know what to do when an eye is injured due to trauma?

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP devote this episode to eye issues that might face the medic in austere settings. They discuss how to deal with various problems likely to be part and parcel of situations where modern medicine and technology are not an option.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits, supplies, and books/DVDs at store.doomandbloom.net. Subscribe to our newsletter for special offers at doomandbloom.net!

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Public support for the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana is at an all-time “high”. Many believe that the effects of products made from the Cannabis sativa plant are all “psychoactive”; that is, mind-altering. Studies, however, suggest that some substances in Cannabis plants have little or no psychoactive action at all, but might have other medicinal benefits. What's the real deal? Amy and Joe, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, tell you what you need to know.

Whether you’re a hiker, camper, or survivalist, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the Great Outdoors.  During your off-grid adventures, you’ll be exposed to all sorts of critters that want a piece of you (watch an episode of “Naked and Afraid” to see what I mean). One of these is the lowly tick. Learn more about these critters and the bacteria that cause Lyme Disease, and what to do.

Plus, Nurse Amy answers a listener question about what birthing supplies should be in your medical storage for disaster situations.

Lastly, a Very Special Feature: Is prepping dead? As we go further into Donald Trump’s presidential term, many citizens that were previously interested in preparedness seem to have dropped off the map and a number of popular websites and supply stores have become inactive or just aren’t there anymore. Dr. Joe Alton and Nurse Amy Alton give their thoughts...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

Don't forget to check out our books, DVDs, supplies, and kits at store.doomandbloom.net...

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The school year has ended, and families are planning this summer’s campouts. Camping trips are a great way to create bonds and memories that will last a lifetime, also a great way to get kids off their smartphones and annoy the heck out of them, but once they’re in the great outdoors, they’ll come around, most of them, at least. A poorly planned camp out, however, can also become memorable, but in a very bad way, especially if someone gets injured. A few preparations, though, will help you enjoy a terrific experience with the people you care about. Dr. Alton gives you his take on camping safety.

Also, Nurse Amy talks about home remedies, this time for GI complaints like diarrhea. If you're worried about long-term medical issues in disasters, you'll want to know about some of these options. Plus, Dr. Bones gives useful information about boils and abscesses, plus a how-to on how to safely drain one if you didn't have access to modern medical care. Of course, seek modern professional medical help whenever and wherever it is available.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out our books, DVDs, medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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You might associate armed attacks with wars or survival scenarios, but they can occur in normal times as well. The recent mass shooting in the public facility in Virginia Beach is a reminder that, in these toxic times, no one is safe from those with bad intentions. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss strategies that give you a better chance of avoiding a bad outcome.

Plus, everything you need to know about storing your medications for the most longevity and potency with advice from Nurse Amy and Dr. Alton.

Lastly, infections that cause dehydration by diarrhea can rapidly become life-threatening in a situation where no IV rehydration is available and antibiotics aren't accessible. Dr. Alton discusses Cholera as one disease that still kills 100,000 people every year worldwide and could easily a major pandemic outbreak.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Last week, the Altons discussed less invasive methods of wound closure off the grid  like steri-strips, butterfly closures, and medical or industrial glues. Those are great for minor injuries, but they aren’t solid enough to keep some wounds, say over a joint, closed. For that, you need staples or sutures. It's not hard to learn how to use these items, but how much do you know about the different types of suture materials available. What do you use internally and what do you use on the skin?

Also, a discussion on water disinfection, especially by boiling and with filters. Ask a bunch of survivalists and you'll get a bunch of answers about how long to boil water and other important aspects of disinfection. What's the real deal? The Altons let you know current CDC and WHO recommendations and much more!

All this and lots of other important information on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

Wishing the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits, books, DVDs, and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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349 Occasionally, we have the honor of a mention in books that are of benefit and interest to the preparedness community. We have authors like James Wesley Rawles, Franklin Horton, A. J. Powers, Patrick Shier, and Charley Hogwood to thank for including us in some of their fiction and non-fiction.

Joe Ordia of P.E.G. Solar, author of "Built To Survive: How we designed and built a sustainable, secure, and survivable custom home", has done us a similar honor, so we bring him on to talk about his journey to preparedness and his series of solar solutions for a safe and comfortable retreat for good times or bad.

Also, Nurse Amy talks about recent videos and webinars on SWAT and SAM XT tourniquets, as well as the many medical uses for the trusty triangular bandages, all items you should have in multiples in your medical storage.

Dr. Alton also discusses when to use staples vs. sutures for wounds in survival scenarios, plus much more!

All this in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Don't forget to fill those holes in your medical supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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SURVIVAL MEDICINE HOUR PODCAST with JOE ALTON MD and AMY ALTON ARNP

In survival scenarios, you can bet that there will be lots of injuries that break the skin, your body's natural barrier. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss various considerations with regards to wound closure in austere settings, including infection, bleeding, delayed closure, and some different would closure techniques.

Also, Amy Alton ARNP talks about her recent video on the newly approved tourniquet by the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, the SAM XT tourniquet, and her opinions regarding its usefulness for the average person.

Another concern involves the constant battle between natural healers and conventional healthcare providers, and why it's ridiculous to be dogmatic about what medical therapies make the most sense in times of trouble. Joe Alton MD suggests the active use of all the tools in the medical woodshed.

Lastly, Dr. Alton welcomes Wes Peters of Gold Wealth International to discuss some concerning events on the world stage, plus the advantages of physical gold in the uncertain future.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to stock up on medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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The use of tourniquets to control bleeding has been in use for centuries, sometimes praised and sometimes reviled as a tool of the devil. We learned a few very painful lessons, though, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now we believe that tourniquets save lives that would otherwise be lost to hemorrhage. In civilian life, the rapid and effective use of a tourniquet by those at the scene gives valuable time for emergency medical personnel  to arrive. Now, the TCCC committee has widened the range of options acceptable when it comes to tourniquets for the effective control of bleeding. Dr. Alton discusses the additions and more...

Also, Nurse Amy is asked by a listener about the differences with regards to different types of face masks. She explains each one and what you should have in your medical storage generally and in times of epidemics.

The Altons also go into detail about how to treat fractures, both on and off the grid: The importance of "reducing" the deformity caused by the fracture, realigning broken ends of bone, and even placing a cast!

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP

Don't forget to check out store.doomandbloom.net for the highest quality medical kits and individual supplies, plus books and DVDs!

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It’s a rare individual who passes an entire lifetime without breaking a bone. Accidents happen, and trauma can occur with such force that even bones may be damaged. Injuries to bones present in the form of breaks in the skeletal structure called “fractures”.  In the U.S., it is estimated that the average person will experience two fractures during their lifetime, not including broken teeth. The Altons tell you all about the different types of fractures, how a bone heals, and much more you didn't know about treating a break.

Also, a special report on Kissing Bugs. No, not kissing bugs, as in how to kiss bugs, I mean kissing bugs, an invasive species from south of the border that is now found here in Tennessee and as far north as Pennsylvania and Illinois. They cause a potentially fatal infection called "Chagas Disease". Dr.Alton, aka Dr. Bones, tell you all you need to know about the insect and the parasite it carries that can get you sick.

Medics in areas of conflict are always at risk for violence. There are circumstances where non-military personnel on humanitarian missions become targets in times of “peace”. This is currently the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo; health workers combatting the Ebola epidemic there are being attacked and looted by armed groups under the control of local warlords. Recently, a World Health Organization (WHO) physician, Dr. Richard Mouzoko Kiboung, was killed at a treatment center. Would you be safe if you were the medic in a world without the rule of law?

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out our books, DVDs, medical kits, and more at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Todd Sepulveda is the founder of PrepperWebsite.com , a popular round-up of all the prepper articles on the web and a great place to keep an eye on all things preparedness. Todd interviewed Dr. Alton for his podcast last month, and since Amy and Dr. Bones are on the road in North Carolina, we thought we'd air his interview, which had a lot of thoughts on medications you should have in disaster settings.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

For books, DVDs, and medical supplies, go to store.doomandbloom.net!

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For years, Dr. Bones has been writing about antibiotics and how important  they are as part of your survival medicine cabinet. In survival scenarios, there will be a lot of people that will owe their lives to you because you were wise enough to include antibiotics in your supplies.

Besides killing the bad bacteria, though, they also kill good bacteria in your gut. If the good bacteria becomes collateral damage in your war against infection, the lack of them can  have negative effects on your body’s immunity, digestion, and detoxification ability. This pales as a concern compared to withholding antibiotics and having a patient DIE of a bacterial infection, but it's still a big deal.

Fortunately, there are ways to replace your body's good bacteria after taking antibiotics. Ingesting, as you suggest, probiotics is one of them. Find out all you need to know about probiotics and antibiotics and get some how-to on how to produce your own probiotics off the grid from Nurse Amy!

Plus, Dr. Alton wrote an article two years on building fires (not building a fire) in response to a 100 year old building going up in flames and killing several people. Notre Dame was built 850 years ago with what they say is 52 acres of wood, and you can imagine that, after 8 centuries, that wood was bone dry. The church was closed at the time, just closed a short time before the fire started, otherwise there may have been hundreds of deaths.

So why are we talking about this? It’s important to know how to escape a forest fire, but most of us  live in a house or apartment building. Many of us, probably most, will stay in place if the you-know-what hits the fan, and we should know a little about the nature of fire if we are to survive them.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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In off-grid settings, you can expect there to be concerns about food preparation. Outbreaks of bacterial disease, however, can occur even in the most developed country due to contamination. A recent example is the salmonella outbreak that’s sickened close to 100 people, putting 23 of them in the hospital. The culprit appears to be pre-cut melon from CAITO foods, the kind sold in those plastic clamshell-looking containers and sold at places where you probably shop. Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, Target, and others.  the recalled products include watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe. Dr. Joe Alton tells you how to identify salmonella symptoms, typhoid fever, and much more...

Also,

A major disaster can easily take away access to a functioning modern medical system. In that circumstance, caring for the sick and injured becomes the responsibility of a brave soul with some knowledge and supplies; that brave soul is probably going to be you.

Even in bad times, a caregiver’s responsibility usually involves dealing with one ill or injured individual at a time. There may come a day, however, when all hell breaks loose and you’re confronted with multiple casualties at once. This is known as a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI).

An MCI is any event in which the existing medical resources are inadequate for the number and severity of injuries incurred. Situations where this might be the case include everything from a multi-car accident to a nuclear detonation. Find out what to do if you're the first on the scene with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Hey, don't forget to check out our Survival Medicine Handbook, Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, and our kit and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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You may have read some of my articles where I talk about the latest military methods used to save more lives on the battlefield. Then you say, how does an old country surgeon and obstetrician, of all things, have any idea of what the military is doing. The guys an old geezer, for pete’s sake, is he some kind of geriatric navy seal corpsman or combat medic or big-city trauma surgeon? No, I respect those guys too much to pretend I’m in their league, but I do know a thing of two that’s worked for me over a long career, and I keep up with the latest thinking in military, EMS, and wilderness medical journals, certifying in advanced wilderness provider topics whenever possible. Amy’s the same. We discuss some core principles of tactical combat casualty care, including phases of care and the MARCH/PAWS paradigm.

Plus, have people ever given you the impression that preparedness is not for "normal" folks? Well, we'll talk about what "normal" means and whether it's sane to not be actively preparing for natural and man-made disasters.

We also welcome Gold Wealth Management as a sponsor!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out our book, DVDs, medical kits, and individual supplies at our store at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Spring is tornado season, and all up and down Tornado Alley, families are making plans in case a twister crosses their paths. Joe and Amy Alton discuss all you need to know about tornadoes and how to survive them with a little planning and wise action.

Also, Joe Alton MD's recent video on expiration dates included some recent new evidence that he knows what he's talking about when it comes to your survival medicine cabinet. When the government and the scientific evidence agree, it's time to add some of those meds in pill, capsule or powder form to your survival storage. (of course, in normal times, call your doctor for a refill!).

Plus, Nurse Amy discusses some of the medicinal benefits of a very inconvenient plant, the stinging nettle.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits, books, DVDs, and individual items at store.doomandbloom.net!

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When a storm knocks out the power for a week, there may be medical emergencies. It’s unlikely, however, that the family medic will need to deal with a dental emergency. If a disaster disables the grid long term, though, the medically responsible person should have a plan of action when it comes to tooth issues. Dental problems are inevitable in any prolonged off-the-grid settings; one of the most dangerous are tooth abscesses.When a storm knocks out the power for a week, there may be medical emergencies. It’s unlikely, however, that the family medic will need to deal with a dental emergency. If a disaster disables the grid long term, though, the medically responsible person should have a plan of action when it comes to tooth issues. Dental problems are inevitable in any prolonged off-the-grid settings; one of the most dangerous are tooth abscesses. Joe and Amy Alton discuss some off-grid strategies to deal with this possibly life-threatening issue.

Plus, Joe and Amy welcome Tom Rader and John Stokes, managing and deputy editor of ThePrepared.com, an up-and-coming preparedness website with lots of great information for those concerned about the uncertain future.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times and bad,

Joe and Amy

Don't forget to check out our books, DVDs, medical kits, and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Sometimes, diseases that are rare today pop up unexpectedly, such as the recent outbreak of mumps on the warship U.S.S. Fort McHenry, where 25 sailors came down with the illness. This led to the quarantine of the ship at sea for two months.

If you’re concerned about medical issues in long-term survival scenarios, it’s important to recognize the infectious diseases that may return to the scene. Children of survivors will be unvaccinated and, a few years down the road, measles, mumps, and whooping cough will make a reappearance. It’s important to be able to identify those afflicted. The Altons discuss how to identify and treat mumps.

Plus, one of Dr. Alton's first articles about preparedness was on expiration dates.  You’ll read all sorts of stuff about how dangerous any drug becomes once it passes the date on the bottle, but what actually does happen?  Throwing away medicine as soon as it expires may leave you without a means of stockpiling medical supplies if you’re thrown off the grid. Dr. Bones tells you what you need to know.

Also, how to identify and treat hypothermia in dogs, there are specific signs to look for that determine if your best friend is getting into real trouble.

Lastly, our good friend Todd Sepulveda of prepperwebsite.com was gracious enough to interview ol' Dr. Bones recently for his podcast. We present excerpts on important OTC drugs to have plus other topics covered.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour!

Wishing  you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget store.doomandbloom.net for quality medical kits and individual supplies! You'll find our award-winning books and other educational resources there as well!

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One of the most frequent questions I receive from readers, listeners, and viewers is which antibiotics to have on hand in survival settings. I have received a flurry of these lately in response to our new book “Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease”: The Layman’s Guide To Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings. In the book, I discuss, well, antibiotics and infectious disease: The infections to be expected in those knocked off the gird and the antibiotics obtainable by the average citizen that help prevent otherwise avoidable deaths.

(NOTE: I don’t sell antibiotics nor own any part of a company that does.)

Certainly, it would be great if you had the financial resources to have all of the medications we talk about in Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease, but that’s beyond the means of almost everyone. You’ll probably need to pick a limited number to stockpile, but which? Chances are, if you lined up 10 doctors, you’d get 10 different answers.

Your choices would depend on the infections you’re most likely to encounter. Is it wound infections you’re concerned about, or intestinal infections like dysentery or cholera? Does someone in your group have a medical condition that makes them prone to a certain infection? Certainly, one drug doesn’t cure all. Dr. Alton gives you his opinion on what would be good choices for the average family.

Also, Survival Group Medicine Handbook guru Charley Hogwood comes to the show to talk about his first post-apocalyptic fiction novel "The Unraveling", an awesome start to a great series that will give you chills and thrills!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss what their plans are for the garden this year, plus a review of the antibiotic cephalexin (Keflex, Fish-Flex) and its potential as a tool in the medical woodshed for long-term survival settings. Keflex is useful for various infectious diseases you might encounter off the grid.

Also, Amy answers a listener question about what should be in a pediatric first aid kit, plus some important tips on what to do when your kid have some common medical problems.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Yesterday a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador, part of the "rim of fire" that circles the Pacific (but certainly not pacified) ocean. There's no season for earthquakes like there are for hurricanes, and you can't see an earthquake coming like you could a tornado. So how do you survive one? Joe and Amy Alton talk about strategies that will give you the best chance.

Also, Dr. Joe Alton finishes his series on radiation events with a discussion of decontamination procedures, treatments for radiation sickness, and how to remove radioactive elements from drinking water.

Plus, the Altons talk about their latest book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings"...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Check out our latest book and our entire line of kits at store.doomandbloom.net!

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We don’t often get to report good news these days, but here’s something that’s making the authorities celebrate and may have saved hundreds of lives in, of all places, Australia. In a joint drug bust, Australian and u.s. agents seize record-setting 1.7 tons of meth worth $1.29 billion in Los Angeles, right at the sea port before sailing. Dr. Alton tells you how to identify Meth use and overdose.

Many consider a nuclear attack an outlandish scenario to which only conspiracy theorists subscribe. Unfortunately, the threat of a nuclear incident, accidental or purposeful, always exists. Last time, we talked about the different types of nuclear weapons and the different types of radiation they emit. Today, The Altons talk about how radiation doses to the human body are measured, as well as the effects on the body at different doses. Plus: How radioactivity was discovered!

50 cases of measles were reported in the state of Washington and the legislature there is debating whether to void personal exemptions outside of medical or religious reasons. If you’re the medic and some disaster event makes you the end of the line for years, eventually all the children under your care are going to be unvaccinated, so it’s important to know it when you see it. Dr. Alton tells you what to look for.

All this and more in this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour Podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Don't forget to check out the Alton's new book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease" at Amazon, plus their entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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You may think that preparedness is purely an American passion but there are folks from all over the world that contact us to ask questions or tell us about their medical preps. One of these is our good friend Tom, who lives in Germany and volunteers with a first responder team. Joe Alton talks a little about his volunteer medical team and wonders why we don't have the same here.

It’s been a good long time since we’ve talked about radiation exposure and nuclear detonations and other stuff that preparedness folk are concerned about. But with Russia and China getting more aggressive, the risks of a nuclear confrontation aren’t zero. In fact, the Doomsday clock put us at 2 minutes to midnight and, as they say, the clock is ticking.

Most people associate use of nuclear weapons with devastating outcomes. That’s pretty reasonable. Few, however, know much about the different types and their actual effects. The Altons talk about the types of weapons, their effects, and concentrate on radiation exposure and what to do about it when it happens, and maybe prevent it.

Plus, a question from Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast Expert Council about the usability and effectiveness of expired Epipens. Joe Alton MD's answer might surprise you!

All this and more on the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, don't forget to get a copy of the Alton's latest book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease", a book that talks all about bacterial infections and antibiotics for your medical storage that can help deal with them off the grid.  Plus, Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits has one that's perfect for you!

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In a long term survival situation, it will be an extremely fortunate family or group that has a physician or other formally trained medical professional among its members. When there is no doctor, however, someone in your group should be assigned the responsibilities of group medic. That person will make the difference between success and failure for a community that has lost access to modern medicine.

Joe and Amy Alton discuss supplies, responsibilities, and other factors that go into being a successful medic for times of trouble, especially for a survival community.

Also, mudslides in Peru and Brazil kill dozens, what are they and how do they differ from avalanches and floods? Special considerations and safety measures before and during a mudslide risk period are discussed in detail.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

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Today, we have advanced laboratory studies that allow identification of many pathogens. Despite this, it can be a challenge for healthcare providers to tell a bacterial disease from a viral one. Bacteria and virus can attack the same organ systems.

For example, pneumonia can be bacterial or viral. Both produce similar symptoms like cough and fever. From a diagnosis standpoint, it can be difficult to tell the difference even in normal times. Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss how to tell the difference, empirical vs definitive therapy, and some signs of specific bacterial pneumonias.

It goes without saying that, as group medic, you will be responsible for the medical well-being of your survival community. But what does that mean? It means that, as well as being the Chief Medical Officer, that you will be responsible for sanitation, water disinfection, proper food preparation, and much more. Joe discusses important aspects of medic duties that may determine the failure or success of a survival group.

All this and much more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Don't forget to check out the Altons' books, DVDs, medical kits and individual supplies at store.doomandbloom.net! Their new book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings" is available at amazon.com.

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This week, Winter Storm Gia, they’ve been naming them for a few years now, will spread a swath of snow and ice from parts of the Rockies, Plains and Midwest to the mid-Atlantic into this weekend, hopefully not causing more than a few travel delays.

Yeah, I know, winter storms occur every year in the United States, but if you don’t take them seriously, they can cause fatalities among the unprepared. And, sadly, that’s just what they do. 70% of deaths in blizzard conditions occur due to traffic accidents and 25% from hypothermia, sometimes called exposure, from being caught outside or even inside without a heat source. With Gia’s strong winds, trees and power lines burdened with heavy snowfall may topple, causing additional hazards.

If a blizzard knocks the power out, but you’re still in your home (a great place to be), you’re gonna want a strategy, a plan of action. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, tell you what you need to know.

Hypothermia and other cold-related issues must be identified and treated with quick action if you want to save a life. Dr. Alton tells you how to identify, treat, and prevent medical trauma related to exposure. 

Plus, what to do on the backcountry hike when someone yells "AVALANCHE!". Ways you can protect yourself and increase your chances of surviving this catastrophic event!

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net and our latest book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease", a guide for the layman on how to use antibiotics available to the average citizen in times of trouble, available on Amazon!

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Infectious disease is of major concern in good times or bad, and the family medic must be able to identify some of the deadliest. Having just written a book on the subject, we’ve done our research on some of the worst illnesses that can occur even in countries with advanced medical systems. There are infections out there, however, that are often fatal and can’t be treated with antibiotics. These are usually viral in nature. Joe and Amy Alton discuss what you need to know about what could become the next pandemic.

Cold and Flu season is usually something that occurs when it’s, well, cold, not so much from the actual loss of heat but from spending a lot of time inside with other people and breathing in their germs. But infections aren't the only risk from cold weather.

In the winter, northern regions with lots of water features become vast fields of ice. Since the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, you may be tempted to cross that frozen lake rather than go around it. That’s fine if the ice is thick, but there’s a risk of falling through the ice. If so, you’ll be in extremely cold water (and extremely big trouble). Find out how to survive this life-threatening mishap.

Plus, a question from Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast regarding the Epipen from a parent with a child that has had anaphylactic allergic reactions. Dr. Alton explains what the options are, whether expired epipens still work, and other things you might need to know in an emergency.

All that and info regarding the new book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease" in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour! Check it out at Amazon or our store at store.doomandbloom.net!

Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP

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Infectious disease is of major concern in good times or bad, and the family medic must be able to identify some of the deadliest. Having just written a book about infectious diseases and the antibiotics that treat them, we’ve done our research on some of the worst illnesses that can occur even in countries with advanced medical systems. There are infections out there, however, that are often fatal and can’t be treated with antibiotics. These are usually viral in nature.

Viruses are microscopic pathogens that, unlike most bacteria, can reproduce only inside the living cells of other organisms. Viruses are very simple entities that rarely consist of much more than a bit of genetic code covered by a protein coat (a “capsid”).

Joe and Amy Alton talk about some of the deadliest viruses on the planet, you've heard of some and not of others. Find out how to identify some of the diseases that may become the next big pandemic!

All this and more on the Survival Medicine hour with Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to get a copy of the Altons' new book: "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibiotics in Austere Settings" now available at Amazon along with the award-winning guide "The Survival Medicine Handbook"'s third edition. For autographed copies, go to store.doomandbloom.net, where you'll find an entire line of medical kits and supplies as well!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Ask people about the last pandemic and most will say it was the “Spanish Flu” of 1918-9. Certainly, that outbreak is a well-known example, but pandemics have occurred throughout history. At least three or four are identified every century. It can even be argued that we’ve experienced more than one just in the last few years.

We all do our best to serve our families food that’s safe and healthy, but some common myths about food safety might surprise you. We talked about food safety basic like "Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill" a couple of weeks ago, but here are some food safety myths that might surprise you!

One of the most common medical issues facing the population today is asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, the tubes that transport air to your lungs, making it difficult to breathe.  In the United States alone, there are almost 20 million people who suffer respiratory issues due to asthma and its complications. Indeed, it’s the most common cause of chronic illness in children. In a survival setting, stress, exposure to new allergens (allergy-causing substances) and hygiene issues will only make things worse.

We usually write about asthma in the Spring, when pollen counts are high but winter can be trouble as well, not so much outdoors, but with the accumulation of pet dander, smoke, dust, and molds indoors..

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Don't forget our latest book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings", the unique book that talk about how to wisely use antibiotics available to the average citizen in major catastrophes. You can find it on Amazon or at store.doomandbloom.net (if you want it autographed)!

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Upon the passing of President George H. W. Bush, we should remember and honor his military service in World War II as a navy pilot. Having flown 58 missions, Lieutenant Bush was often under enemy fire. On September 2, 1944, his plane was shot down off an island called Chi Chi Jima. He was the only survivor.

He swam about 50 yards to a small life raft and fought the currents that would have caused him to make landfall on the island, where he had heard that starving enemy soldiers were making meals of downed pilots. Fortunately, a U.S. plane had spotted him and he was rescued by a submarine several hours later.

Most cases of survival at sea, however, are not as fortunate; therefore, it’s important to have an idea of what to do if you find yourself in open water without rapid rescue. Your survival will depend on your ability to stay hydrated, obtain nourishment, and be protected against exposure to wind and temperature extremes.

Joe and Amy Alton talk about how to survive at sea when you have a life jacket, when you don't, and when you have a life raft. Also, some do's and don'ts when it comes to encounters with that apex predator of the deep, the shark!

Plus, Amy and Joe talk about their latest book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings", a truly unique book that may help you save lives in long-term survival scenarios....

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An outbreak of food poisoning with Escherischia coli (E. coli) has hospitalized 43 people in 11 U.S. states and another 18 in Canada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency reports no deaths as of yet, although one individual has developed kidney failure. Joe and Amy Alton discuss the increase of multistate outbreaks of food poisoning, signs that issues may be occurring at the processing or even at the farm.

Plus, food safety involves four main steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Find out important tips that  could possibly save you a case of food poisoning.

Also, Dr. Alton discusses a history of some of the larger pandemics that have occurred through history and how they have changed the course of civilization.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour Podcast!

Follow Joe and Amy on Twitter @preppershow, Facebook on their Doom and Bloom(tm) page, and YouTube at drbonesnurseamy channel!

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Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP are pleased to announce their new book: Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibacterials in Austere Settings, a plain English guide to veterinary antibiotics and their potential uses to treat infections in survival scenarios (only). Learn about various infectious disease that are common now or will be if things go South. Now available at store.doomandbloom.net or Amazon.

Also, when a burn goes through the skin, you've lost your body's armor and can get in real trouble. Dr. Alton talks about a major dilemma for the medic: second and third degree burns.

Plus, ingrown nails may not be a big deal, that is, unless you have one and have to do activities of daily survival. Find out more about what to do off the grid.

The Altons also talk about the importance of community if you want to succeed when everything else fails. You might be naked, afraid, and alone and still survive, but, boy, it's a miserable existence!

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow -  Facebook's Doom and Bloom(tm) page - YouTube: DrBones NurseAmy Channel and, of course, our award winning website at doomandbloom.net!

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To better understand current events, it’s useful to know the history behind them.  The same can be said of the developments through time that led humans to learn about bacteria.

Bacteria have played their part in the evolution of the planet for eons. Fossils of microorganisms have been discovered in stone dating more than 400 million years old. Some argue that primitive bacteria existed almost as far back as the very beginning of Earth’s history. For the majority of their time on Earth, they have been the predominant life form and left their mark, good and bad, on every species that came after them.

Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss the history of bacterial infections, human research, and antibiotics in this episode of the Survival  Medicine Hour. Plus, Dr. Alton tell you all you need to know about both kidney and gall bladder stones, two common medical issues that any medic should be prepared to confront in major disasters.

The Altons are proud to announce their new book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibiotics in Austere Settings" is done and has been uploaded to Amazon! You can get it there or obtain a personally signed copy by going to store.doomandbloom.net! Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and individual items!

Follow the Altons on Facebook's "Doom and Bloom(tm)" page, Twitter @preppershow, and YouTube's DrBones NurseAmy Channel!

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A gunman opened fire on a crowd at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California. The shooter, named Ian David Long, who killed 12 people and himself was a 28 year old former U.S. Marine who may have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, the Ventura County sheriff said.

Ian David Long, 28, apparently threw smoke bombs and methodically fired into a crowd of more than a hundred people Wednesday night.

It should be clear to everyone that there is no place safe from the deranged, disgruntled, or politically-motivated. The number of vehicular attacks and shootings in the last few years indicate that these events have become part of the “New Normal”. Should we just get used to them? Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton ARNP say no, and give their thoughts on what might be done to decrease the number of casualties and incidents.

Most people have, at some time of their life, run afoul of an ornery dog or cat. There are millions of animal bites every year. Amy and Joe discuss what to do to deal with these dirty wounds in off-grid settings.

All this and much more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour!

Don't forget to fill those holes in your medical storage with kits and individual supplies from Amy's store at store.doomandbloom.net, plus our new book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: The Layman's Guide to Available Antibiotics in Austere Settings" will be out later this month. Get yours at amazon.com or pre-order an autographed copy at our store.

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It’s around Halloween, so I figured I’d tell you a horror story. In centuries past, women married as teenagers and often had 8 to 10 children, that might sound like a horror story to you as it is, but what if I told that the big question was, would that woman survive pregnancy and childbirth at all? It happened in the past, but what if some long-term catastrophe took society to the brink?

Illiotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is caused by a number of factors, primarily being overusing your legs and lack of stretching or warming up. Essentially, the ligament that runs down your thigh and to your shin (the illiotibial band) is what secures your knee in place. Hiking gives a lot of work to this band, but without stretching and pacing, it can become inflamed, causing some pretty impressive discomfort. Dr. Alton discusses this little-known but serious trail injury.

Plus, Nurse Amy gets a wasp sting! Find out what she did and what you should do to deal with an ornery insect!

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow and YouTube at Drbones NurseAmy channel! Also, keep an eye out for our upcoming book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease" at Amazon or store.doomandbloom.net!

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Anyone who has done any hiking like we have or has bought the wrong pair of shoes has experienced a friction blister. For a relatively small soft tissue injury, a blister can certainly cause more than its share of problems. More than one hike has come to a screeching halt because the terrain was more rugged than the footwear could handle. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss choosing the right pair of hiking boots, plus treating and preventing blisters and splinters.

Also, burns can occur in backcountry settings from anything from a campfire to a wildfire. We discuss the "Rule of Nines" to determine burn severity, plus treatment for the three major degrees of injury. All this and more on the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Follow us on twiiter@preppershow, YouTube @drbones nurseamy channel and Facebook on our Doom and Bloom (tm) page!

Don't forget to check out our books, dvds,medical kits, and individual items at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In our upcoming book “Alton’s Antibiotics and Infectious Disease: A Guide to the Wise Use of Drugs in Austere Settings, we include a section about epidemic infectious diseases that aren’t common now, but will be if a disaster makes it impossible to maintain good hygiene. One of these is typhus, a disease transmitted by body lice, fleas, and ticks.

Well, it appears that there’s an epidemic of Typhus right now in the homeless population of Los Angeles county. Downtown's “skid row”, an area where thousands of homeless are concentrated, is being labeled a "typhus zone after more than 90 cases were identified. Find out more in Joe and Amy Alton's report.

Also, would medical items be attractive barter items off the grid, or should you stick to silver, gold, and ammo as the classic trade items? Joe Alton MD explains why you may need to rethink your strategy off the grid.

Plus, a couple of expert council questions answered by the Altons on Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast as members of his Expert Council, this time on Lyme Disease and Gouty Arthritis.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Check out our entire line of books, dvds, medical kits, and individual items at store.doomandbloom.net!

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o our store for HSA-approved medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

When modern medical care isn’t available, many deaths would be prevented by the availability of antibiotics in your disaster medicine cabinet. Indeed, you should consider having a supply of these drugs in your storage if you believe a disaster may occur that takes away your access to modern medical care. If you use antibiotics for every minor ailment that comes along, however, you will run out very quickly and may contribute to an epidemic of antibiotic resistance caused by overuse.Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss why the liberal use of antibiotics is not a great idea.

Joe and Amy's upcoming book "Alton's Antibiotics and Infectious Disease" is in formatting and will be out next month. Find out what you'll learn that might save lives in times of trouble.

Even in bad times, people (I should say, women) get pregnant; maybe more often if some long term event eliminates the availability of bc pills and other products that prevent pregnancies. There also won’t be much in the line of baby formula, so we’ll be feeding our babies the old-fashioned way, with breast milk. Breastfeeding is also called lactation, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. Learn how to identify medical issues related to nursing and treatments that help.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow, YouTube at drbones nurseamy channel, and our FB page at doomandbloom(tm). Go to store.doomandbloom.net for HSA approved medical kits and supplies!

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It’s important to realize that the majority of respiratory infections, including the flu and the common cold, are caused by viruses and do not improve with the use of antibiotics. Some infections of the respiratory tract are bacterial in origin, however; others are secondary infections that invade a weakened victim of a viral illness. These tend to be in the lower airways (called “bronchitis”) or in the lung tissue itself (called “pneumonia”). Find out from Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, what respiratory infections can be treated with antibiotics and which drugs are best.

Also, we are in the midst of an opioid epidemic and regulations to giving only 3-7 days of medicine at a time have decreased the number of overdoses from prescriptions opioids but have also cause users to enter the black market. This has resulted in a 10% increase in deaths from drugs purchased from cartels in Mexico and...China! Find out more about this plague that is raging like an epidemic in the United States.

Also, those medicinal herbs in Dr. Bones' and Nurse Amy's garden are under attack by snails! Find out about some ways to decrease the snail population in your garden with some clever traps and other items.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Check out our store at store.doomandbloom.net for the best medical kits and supplies, plus the Alton's Survival Medicine Handbook, 1st place winner of the Book Excellence Award in Medicine!

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We’ve mentioned that we’re finishing up a book on antibiotics and the diseases they treat, and I hope you’ve made some provisions for having some antibiotics in your medical storage, even if they’re the fish antibiotics that we write about. If you really believe there might be some event that’s going to take our society to the brink one day, you’ve got to know that this stuff is just not going to be as available as it was, and whatever you have is going to be hard to replace. So while you’re getting prepared this national preparedness month, think about getting our book when it comes out and some antibiotics.

When our infrastructure is working, we are able to provide clean water for drinking and food that’s safe to eat. We also have ways to easily flush waste from our immediate surroundings. When that infrastructure is damaged, however, we become easy prey for infectious disease. Joe and Amy Alton discuss how to deal with human waste issues in primitive off-grid settings.

Also, face masks have been in use since Plague times, and every medically-prepared family should have a lot of them to stay safe in times of trouble. Joe Alton MD discusses what face masks are all about and what types you should have in your medical storage.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow us on twitter @preppershow, YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel, and facebook at our Doom and Bloom(tm) page!

Check out our books, medical kits, and individual items at our store at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Our body is a fortress that is constantly under siege by bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Every day, we fight off attempts by one or another of these germs to gain a foothold. Luckily, our immune system is usually aware of the presence of substances not recognizable as part of the body. The human response to infection involves the actions of certain cells and other substances called “antibodies” in blood. Find out from Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP about how your body works to fight infection.

Few, however, consider the possibility that a major disaster may wipe out the ability to manufacture these drugs in mass quantities. Severe restrictions exist which put these drugs out of the reach of the average person.  What would happen if we are struck by a catastrophe that knocks out the power grid? Joe and Amy Alton tell you about ways to avoid infection that don't involve pharmaceuticals.

Plus, a rare look by the Altons at sexually transmitted diseases and how you could treat these with antibiotics available for storage in long-term disasters. All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe and Amy Alton!

Keep up with us on twitter @preppershow, YouTube at DrBonesNurseAmy channel, and Facebook at the Doom and Bloom(tm) page! Don't forget our entire line of kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

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Hurricane Florence is making landfall in the Carolinas as we’re recording, and they’re expecting a lot of wind, rain, and storm surge. Every year around this time, the U.S. can expect storms like this to menace the East and Gulf coasts, yet many citizens still find a way to be caught by surprise. Joe and Amy Alton put together 30 safety tips that will give your family the best chance of preparing for and surviving that storm.

The family caregiver has to be able to handle problems that occur in times of disaster and good times as well. One common issue they’ll encounter is that of styes.

Later in the show, Joe and Amy discuss a minor problem that can be a huge annoyance: Styes. A stye, also known as a “hordeolum”, is a bump on the eyelid. It’s a pimple that can be outside or inside the lid and is caused by a blocked gland near an eyelash. Styes are associated with redness and pain that, due to “what’s that on your eye?” comments you get, can be especially annoying.

Plus, Nurse Amy talks about some of her favorite natural remedies for coughs!  All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour Podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP...

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy

Hey, do us a great big favor by subscribing to our website at doomandbloom.net! You'll get a monthly newsletter with lots of great content and special offers that can save you a bundle on your medical supplies! Also, follow us on Twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm) page, and YouTube at drbones nurseamy channel.

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In good times, we have the luxury of modern medical facilities and advanced techniques to isolate a sick patient from healthy people. If we ever find ourselves in a grid-down scenario, most of these advantages will go the way of the dinosaur, and we will be placed in, essentially, the same medical environment we experienced in the 19th century.

It should be possible for the medically prepared to put together a “sick room” or “hospital tent” that will minimize the chance of infectious disease running rampant through your community. It’s important to care effectively for the sick while keeping the healthy out of the reach of contagion. Joe and Amy Alton tell you the basics of what makes an effective sick room for epidemic settings off the grid, plus discuss a number of infectious diseases that might become rampant in survival settings.

Also, new fires on the California/Oregon border, 20 people sickened on a 14 hour flight from the Middle East, and much more!

Plus, September is National Preparedness Month! Don't forget to get your medical kits up to snuff with Nurse Amy's entire line at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Happy National Preparedness Month!

Joe and Amy Alton often  talk about the risk of infectious diseases and some of the antibiotics that I’ve been able to find in veterinary form that you can access without a prescription. Of course,  in normal times, you should seek out a qualified medical professional first. One of the antibiotics we think is most useful in survival settings is something called metronidazole, brand name Flagyl). Metronidazole (aquatic equivalent: Fish-Zole) 250mg is an antibiotic in the Nitroimidazole family that is used primarily to treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. Find out more!

The diligent medic will be successful in accumulating various medicines that will help keep his family healthy.  What happens, however, when all these stockpiled drugs pass their expiration date”?  The short answer is:  In most cases, not very much. Shocked? Find out why Joe Alton MD says so in this episode.

Plus, a short talk about endemic, epidemic, and pandemic diseases. What makes something endemic and something else an epdemic or pandemic. Plus, Nurse Amy talks about a new compact kit she's designed!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Find us on Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm), Twitter @preppershow, and YouTube at drbones nurseamychannel! And don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits @store.doomandbloom.net!

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Recently, we certified as Advanced Wilderness Expedition Providers, and many of the training scenarios involved dealing with those who are injured in falls. Whether you’re on a backcountry trail or in your own bathroom, a fall can seriously damage you, causing orthopedic injuries, bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that one in five falls results in a major injury. All told, falls account for millions of emergency room visits and over 800,000 hospitalizations a year in the U.S. Joe and Amy Alton discuss some of the more common fall injuries and how to treat and prevent them.

California wildfires have claimed at least a dozen lives and destroyed more than 1,200 homes. Forest fires are horrible, but a building fire is also. Every year, millions are at risk for, and thousands of people are killed or injured by, fires in the U.S. Many of these deaths and injuries can be prevented with some knowledge of the nature of fire. Joe Alton MD tells you several things that we'll bet you didn't know about the nature of home fires, and how to prevent and survive them.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow, YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel, and Facebook on our Doom and Bloom(tm) page and/or our Survival Medicine DrBones NurseAmy pages!

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Most of us have dutifully gone to get a Tetanus shot when we stepped on a rusty nail, but few have any real concept of what Tetanus is and why it is dangerous. Tetanus (from the Greek word tetanos, meaning tight)  is an infection caused by the bacteria Clostridium Tetani.  The bacteria produces spores (inactive bacteria-to-be) that primarily live in the soil or the feces of animals. These spores are capable of living for years and are resistant to extremes in temperature. Tetanus is now rare in the U.S. but what if you're thrown off the grid by a disaster? Expect a resurgence of this possibly deadly infection as times goes on. Joe and Amy discuss.

An especially persistent cause of diarrheal disease from contaminated recreational waters is Cryptosporidium. Also known as “Crypto”, the organism survives for a longer time than other pathogens and is not uncommon in waterways. In high-density areas like pools, hot tubs, and water parks, Crypto is responsible for the grand majority of those made ill from contaminated water. Find out more about what it is and what you should do to stay safe from Dr. Joe Alton.

Hemostasis is just another word for bleeding control. Knowledge of the appropriate use of these agents in an emergency will increase the injured patient’s chance of survival. Despite this, few people have a reasonable supply in their medical kits, and in times of trouble, they might wish they did. Joe and Amy discuss the most popular products.

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

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Joe and Amy Alton return home to South Florida after almost two weeks in Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming! While they were in Grand Teton National Park, everyone was wondering why it was so hazy. Well sure enough, it was smoke from hundreds of miles away in California. Evidence of smoke has actually gone as far as New York City, yes, new Yorkers, it’s not just smog, at least right now, it’s smoke from the coast, the west coast, that is! Find out more about wildfires and how to create a defensible space that will give your property the best chance to survive. For your family, though, the best chance is by getting out of Dodge!

Also, an upcoming book by Joe Alton MD will address infectious disease, antibiotics, and their use in austere settings such as the aftermath of disasters, remote locations, ocean voyages, and other situations where modern medical help is not on the way. In addition, Dr. Alton discusses some of the uses for the popular antibiotic Keflex, aka Cephalexin.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Follow the Altons on twitter @preppershow, Facebook at their Doom and Bloom page, and Youtube at DrBones NurseAmy channel! If you like this show, please share on social media. Also, check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net...

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We have talked a lot about natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes, but not as much about the complications that go along with them. Flooding is one of the most common disasters to affect the United States, and there’s flash flooding in the Eastern part of the country as we speak.   It’s part and parcel of many different catastrophes, from the aftermath of blizzards to mudslides. Matter of fact, it’s the reason for almost 75% of presidential disaster proclamations. As such, it’s important to know how to keep your family safe during these events. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy tell you how.

There are nearly 4000 drownings each year and young children are overly represented as victims. Find out how to keep heartbreaking tragedies like this from affecting your family. Plus, some disease-causing organisms can cause major illnesses in the long hot summer, especially when germs invade recreational water areas, both natural and man-made. All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Recent reports suggest that the West coast is at high risk for a big earthquake. They’ve found a new stress area in the San Andreas fault and predict a 75% chance, not a chance, a 75% chance, that the big one will hit anytime in the next 30 years or so.

Of all the creepy-crawlies that cause trouble in a household, few are worse than bed bugs. Although poor standards of living and unsanitary conditions have been associated with bed bug infestations, even the cleanest home in the most developed country can harbor these parasites.

Also, a listener asks whether diatomaceous earth has a role in producing a good homemade water filter if no commercial options are available. Joe and Amy Alton have the answer and some advice on how to proceed!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Follow them on twitter @preppershow, YouTube at NurseAmy DrBones Channel, and Facebook at DoomandBloom(tm).

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A friend recently asked us to write about injuries that might be incurred in an earthquake scenario in the Pacific Northwest, so we decided to do a show on the various kinds of wounds you can expect in any major disaster, from a mudslide to a tornado to a major seismic event. Joe Alton MD recounts an incredible survival story of a woman who lived for a week at the bottom of a 200 foot cliff after running her car off it(!), and he and Amy Alton ARNP discuss everything from bleeding wounds, crush injuries, orthopedic damage, and much more, including basics on how to place a cast!

All this and much more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

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YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel

Please subscribe to our regular newsletter for more news you can use in any medical issue in good or bad times!

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The human body is a marvel of biologic engineering. Its immune system usually kills bacteria and other harmful germs before they can multiply and cause symptoms. Our blood contains white cells, also known as “leukocytes” that attack bacteria. Even if we do experience symptoms, our bodies can usually cope and fight off the infection. It’s thought that this process of suffering an infection and its elimination by an immune response happens every day, usually without any obvious sign.

There are occasions, however, when the body’s defenses are overwhelmed. In these cases, help is needed, and it comes in the form of antibiotics. The word "antibiotics" is derived from the Greek “anti” ("against") and “bios” ("life"). While this seems a strange foundation for a medicine that saves lives, the meaning is simply that the drug is “against” the life of the disease-causing organism. 

Joe and Amy Alton discuss antibiotics from a historical standpoint, do you know which was the first to be placed on the market?

Also, Joe Alton MD finishes his discussion of bear encounters with advice on bear sprays and the difference between brown and black bear attack and defense strategies. Lastly, Amy Alton ARNP discusses how nutrition plays a role in keeping you healthy in good or bad times!

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with the Altons!

Follow us on twitter @preppershow, Facebook @ Doom and Bloom(tm) and YouTube's drbones nurseamy channel...

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Many consider a heat wave to be just a time to put an extra ice cube in the lemonade, but it’s a deadly natural disaster. More people die in heat waves in the U.S. than just about any recent weather event short of hurricane Katrina. Find out from Joe Alton MD about what causes and worsens a heat wave, and some advice from the Arizona state government (they should know about hot weather) to stay safe this summer.

Also, Those who are concerned about a disaster plunging us into an off-grid scenario, however, must realize that commercial drugs will probably no longer be manufactured, and existing supplies will run out very quickly. This fact alone leads to the conclusion that any medically prepared person should have knowledge about medicinal herbs and, hopefully, a working garden. Amy and Joe discuss the data behind the health benefits of Turmeric, a popular herb used in curries and other foods.

Bears are mammals of the family Ursidae, and I'll bet you don’t know what their closest living relative is: It's seals. What do you do if you're come upon a bear in the woods or in your own backyard? In part 1 of this segment, Joe Alton MD gives some hint from the Park Service, plus some of his own comments.

Lastly, hope you had a safe 4th of July, but some people get injured every year by misusing fireworks. Here's tips from the National Council of Fireworks Safety so that your next holiday will be a blast, and not the kind of blast that blows off your fingers!

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour!

Follow Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, every week on their podcast and also at doomandbloom.net!  Also check their twitter feed @preppershow, YouTube channel at DrBones NurseAmy, and Facebook page at Doom and Bloom(tm)!

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Last week on the Survival Medicine Hour podcast, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP talked about some basics on sprains, strains, and fractures, and this week they continue the subject, especially how to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture, including something called the Ottawa Rules. The Ottawa Rules were meant to discourage unnecessary x-rays, but also have applications towards off-grid situations like survival scenarios.

Plus, Joe and Amy talk about headaches, sometimes an annoyance but sometimes a sign of a real medical issue and life-threatening event. Find out about the various types of headaches, how to identify them, treatments both conventional and natural, and some medical illnesses that headaches might be a sign of.

All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow Joe and Amy on Twitter @preppershow; Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm) page

and YouTube at drbones nurseamy channel! Also, check out their books, DVDs and medical kits at store.doomandbloom.net!http://store.doomandbloom.net/

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This week, Joe and Amy Alton go to Sanibel Island, where good friends and popular podcasters Jack and Dorothy Spirko are vacationing, for an interview on the occasion of Jack's 10th anniversary of his popular "Survival Podcast".

Plus, here we are in the first days of summer, and you can be sure it’ll be a cruel one in most of the country this year. But you’re going to be out and about, and you’ve got to be careful. It was pretty darn hot in Sanibel, and if we didn’t keep track of our exposure to the sun, we could easily have gotten in trouble. Find out how to identify and deal with heat exhaustion and heat stroke, serious heat-related emergencies.

Also, increased activities this summer or in survival settings put you at risk for orthopedic injuries like sprains, strains, and fractures. Joe and Amy discuss how to identify, treat, and prevent these problems, plus a little on how to tell the difference between a spraina and a fracture.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour podcast with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Wishing  you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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An infection is defined as the invasion of the body by microscopic organisms. A pathogen is any agent that can cause a disease, but the term is usually used to describe a microbe. Microscopic germs cause injury to tissues in a number of ways, often by producing toxic substances that damage the cells. Joe Alton MD discusses the different types of microbes that can affect your chances of survival if modern medicine isn't an option.

A boy in Idaho is recovering after contracting plague — the first human case in the state in more than two decades. The Plague? Where did that come from? Dr. Joe Alton discusses the modern history of Plague in the U.S., plus how to identify and treat it early and completely.

You might think that Penicillin family drugs were the first to be used by the general public, but another popular family of antibiotics called sulfonamides, or sulfa drugs, were actually on the market even earlier. Indeed, it has been called “the first miracle drug”. Sulfonamides deserve credit for saving tens of thousands of lives during World War Two. It was so widely used, that many soldiers’ first aid kits came with the drug in pill or powder form. Learn more about this drug and how it fits in with your medical supplies for times of trouble.

All this and much more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow them on twitter at preppershow, YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel, and join their survival medicine Facebook group at survival medicine drbones nurseamy! Plus, check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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School's out and a great way to teach your family survival basics is by taking them camping. The skills needed for successful camping are akin to those required for the activities of daily survival. Once learned, these lessons last a lifetime. There’s no greater gift that you can give young people than the ability to be self-reliant.

Camping trips create bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.  A poorly planned campout, however, can become memorable in a way you don’t want, especially if someone gets injured. Luckily, a few preparations and an evaluation of your party’s limitations will help you enjoy a terrific outing with the people you care about, and maybe impart some skills that would serve them well in dark times.

Plus, identifying a common summer infection, Lyme disease, that can have long-term effects. Treatment, prevention, and more, plus a discussion of a popular broad-spectrum antibiotic that treats Lyme and many other diseases, Doxycycline. Learn indications, side effects, dosing, and much more.

Plus, a discussion of an exagerrated form of a common pregnancy complaint: nausea and vomiting. When it's excessive, it's called hyperemesis and can cause dehydration, weight loss, and in austere settings, can become life-threatening.

All this and much more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP. aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Learn more about all of the above and 150 other medical topics with a copy of the award-winning Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook, available at Amazon or at https://store.doomandbloom.net!

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Recently, Joe Alton MD wrote about school safety solutions in the wake of mass killings perpetrated by the disgruntled and deranged. Some of these strategies aren't expensive, and those that are should make you ask: How much is it worth to save the lives of our young people by aborting these murderers? Find out what simple changes would lead to a much safer environment for our young people in these uncertain times.

Plus, Joe and Amy Alton tackle a questions from a listener in Germany that asks about how to deal with fungal infections in situations where modern pharmaceuticals aren't available. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Follow them on twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm) and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel, and check out their medical kits, books, and other supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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In 2014, Joe Alton MD began reporting on an outbreak of a little-known disease called Ebola in West Africa. At the time, there were less than 100 cases, but eventually became a major epidemic with 28000 cases and 11000 deaths. Now Ebola has broken out in urban areas in Congo, where it was first identified. With cities of 1 and 11 million in the area, could it become a major epidemic? Find out the latest in developments in Ebola research since the West Africa epidemic in 2014, and is the new vaccine panning out to be protective?

Also, Joe and Amy Alton, ARNP discuss a major challenge in austere settings: stroke, aka cerebro-vascular accident (CVA). Find out how to quickly identify a stroke in progress and what to do to increase the chances of full recovery for the victim.

Plus, a listener asks about the reliability of the medications he has in his vehicle's medical kit, which spends a lot of time in the hot Texas summer sun. What are the effects on medications and what should be done?

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

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Can you prepare for a day at the beach? Can you prepare for an asteroid strike? Well, preparing for volcanic eruptions is in the middle, actually closer to an asteroid strike that anyone would like. Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss what can and can't be done to prepare for a volcano, and whether volcano preparedness is an oxymoron!

Also, school's almost out and families will out hiking and camping. Ticks will also be out, and ready to make a meal out of the blood of your loved ones. The Altons discuss how to avoid being a blood donor to a tick this summer, and avoid diseases they transmit like Lyme disease.

All this and more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow; on Facebook at the Doom and Bloom(tm) page; on YouTube at the DrBones NurseAmy channel

Also, check out Nurse Amy's entire line of medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net!

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Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP often  talk about infectious diseases on the Survival Medicine Hour, a number of which are called emerging infectious diseases.

Emerging infectious diseases are infections that have recently appeared within a population or those whose frequency or geographic range is increasing or likely to increase in the near future. They say there’s nothing new under the sun, so how is this possible? Emerging infections can be caused by: Previously undetected or unknown infectious agents (SARS, MERS)Known agents that have spread to new geographic locations or new populations (Zika, Ebola, Chikungunya)Previously known agents whose role in specific diseases has previously gone unrecognized. (like some viruses now being thought responsible for certain illnesses)Re-emergence of agents whose incidence of disease had significantly declined in the past but whose incidence of disease has reappeared, say measles. This group is known as re-emerging infectious diseases. The World Health Organization warned in its 2007 report that infectious diseases are emerging at a rate that has not been seen before. Since the 1970s, about 40 infectious diseases have been discovered, including SARS, MERS, Ebola, chikungunya, avian flu, swine flu and, most recently, Zika.

More information on emerging infectious disease can be heard on this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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After a disaster or at a remote homestead, we all know that the medic for the family may not have ready access to modern medical technology. That means many conditions that are commonly identified with ultrasounds or CAT scans may be more challenging to diagnose. One of these challenges is abdominal pain. There are various medical issues that cause it, and Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss several common diseases that must be identified and treated, such as appendicitis, gall bladder stones, stomach viruses, and more. These issues have some telltale signs that clue you in on what's going on.

Don't forget to follow Dr.Bones and Nurse Amy on Twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom, and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel!

Here's wishing you the best of health in good times and bad...

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School is winding down, and families are starting to think about that camping trip to the mountains or shore. Camping safety is important, and a lot of factors need to be considered like weather, gear, and more to make a camping trip memorable (and I mean in a good way, not a bad way). What you need to do to deal with common injuries, supplies you'll need, and even a little about snakebite, since those critters are waking up from their cold-weather slumbers.

all this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP

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Spring has sprung, and snowmelt plus heavy rains may increase the risk of mudslides, aka debris flows, in many areas. Find out more about this dangerous natural phenomenom which is akin to a river of wet concrete, plus some early warning signs that you property is at risk. Joe and Amy, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, also discuss a new E. Coli outbreak that is hitting several states across the country but is still mysterious in its origin, plus their recommendations for water disinfection and how it compares to official EPA directives.

Also, some examples as to when the medic has to make tough decisions in survival settings, like giving medicines to someone who is really sick but claims to have an allergy to the only drug or natural option you've got in your medical supplies.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP!

Follow Joe and Amy on twitter @preppershow; Facebook at Doom and Bloom, and on Youtube at drbones nurseamy channel!

Find the award-winning third edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook at Amazon.com

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In certain seasons, like Spring, pollens and other substances are at high levels. For most, it's a great time of year to be outside, but for allergy sufferers, well, not so much. Joe Alton, MD,aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy, go into detail to tell you the history of allergies (the word didn't even exist in the year 1900!), what exactly happens in your body during an allergy attack, and how to identify it from, say, a simple adverse reaction to a medicine.

Also, a little about severe allergic reactions and your treatment options in good times or bad, plus why most people that tell their doctor they're allergic to something may actually not have an allergy at all!

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow the Alton on twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm), and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel! Drget to get a copy of their 2017 Book Excellence 1st Place Award winner in medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way, and medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net.https://store.doomandbloom.net/

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Injuries occur in disaster and other off-grid settings, and some of those break the skin or even go into deeper layers, like subcutaneous fat and muscle. When do you close a wound and when is it wiser to keep it open? Also, if you're going to close it, what materials should you use and why? Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, take you through the decision making process and much more in this episode devoted to wound closure in survival situations.

Follow Joe and Amy on Twitter @preppershow, plus their YouTube Channel

at drbones nurseamy, and Facebook on their Doom and Bloom(tm) page!

Don't forget their store at store.doomandbloom.net for your medical supply needs!

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We've been supporters of and speakers at the Self-Reliance Expo for many years, and we thought it might be interesting to talk to some of the speakers and exhibitors at the event. You'll hear our friend Rich Beresford of AroundtheCabin.com, 17 year old survivalist Blake Alma, and other popular YouTubers and celebs of the survival community. Listen to the stories of people who are members of the preparedness community.

Plus, Joshua Remer and Max Dodge of Stop The Bleed Day talk about the importance of teaching how to stop bleeding from traumatic wounds. Also, a short discussion of how the antihistamine Benadryl, in injectable form, is actually a reasonably strong local anesthesia. Is it an option for the survival medic? Find out on this out-of-the-box program,

Wishing you the best of health from good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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The right equipment is important for anyone to do a job efficiently. You wouldn't expect a steak knife to cut a tree down better than a saw, or see a hunter have the same success with a catapult as opposed to a rifle. The same goes for the containers you put supplies in, especially one you have to carry with you while bugging out or away from your retreat. The right medical backpack allows you to work effectively as a medic, while giving you the ability to have plenty of materials and minimizing back problems. Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss what goes into choosing a good medical backpack.

Plus, some basics of wound cleaning off the grid. In normal times, you can pass off a person with a wound to a hospital, but after a disaster, it's your responsibility to see the wound to full recovery. That means diligent and strict attention to wound cleaning. We talk about some strategies for wound care off the grid that will decrease the risk of wound infections and increase the chances for survival.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom's page, and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy channel

Get a copy of the Survival Medicine Handbook's award-winning Third Edition at Amazon.com!

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What if you had to function with joint pain in the aftermath of a major disaster? In the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Nurse Amy, our hosts tell you all about arthritis: The different types, signs and symptoms, how to tell one type from another, treatment both natural and conventional, plus much more.

A mass recall of fire extinguishers going all the way back to 1973 is in the news after a fire rescue team couldn't save a victim due to the failure of the all-important device. Is your device affected? Listen to Nurse Amy give an account of the Consumer Product Safety Commission's report.

Plus, a listener who has lost his sense of smell; could it be allergies? could it be a chronic medical condition. Listen to his story and Dr. Alton's thoughts.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

Survival Medicine Handbook Third Edition on Amazon

Follow Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy on twitter @preppershow, facebook at Doom and Bloom, and YouTube at drbones nurseamy channel!

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It may not be the wisest move to be fruitful and multiply in the early going after a disaster. You need all your people at 110% efficiency, and that isn't part of the deal with pregnancy, with all that fatigue, discomfort, nausea, and other symptoms. The best plans of mice and men often go awry, however, and you might find yourself taking care of a pregnancy and, eventually, delivering a baby.

Old Dr. Bones, retired obstetrician, and Nurse Amy, retired nurse-midwife, give you their perspectives on how to make labor and delivery manageable and result in a healthy baby and healthy mother. There's more to it that we can fit in a one hour podcast, but you'll learn a lot I'll bet your didn't know!

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP...

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You've heard "Be Fruitful and Multiply", but in the early aftermath of a major long-term disaster, getting your women pregnant and having babies might be problematic when your garden isn't doing so well and you need every person at 110% efficiency. But how to prevent pregnancy when IUDs, Birth Control Pills, and other high tech methods aren't available. Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, tell you what you need to know about natural family planning.

Plus, your may associate a long-term disaster with a lot of gunfights at the OK corral, but you're much more likely to deal with anxiety and depression than bullet wounds (we hope). Find out Dr. Alton's thought about the subject as he answers a question from a listener of the Survival Podcast as part of good friend Jack Spirko's Expert Council.

All this and more on The Survival Medicine Hour with Amy Alton ARNP and Joe Alton MD!

Please follow us on twitter @preppershow

YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel

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Check out our third edition of the award winning Survival Medicine Handbook at Amazon or on our website!

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Active shooter events may seem like faraway, low-probability events, but this week a 19 year old man entered a high school just a few miles from the Altons' home and killed 17 and injured a dozen more. This is another horrific incident in the New Normal, and you can be sure that it won't be the last. Is there anything that can be done to end these attacks on innocent citizens, often youngsters? Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, gives a few suggestions that might decrease the number of active shooter events and the deaths that surely follow.

Plus, a listener of Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast develops a frozen shoulder and wants advice. What is a frozen shoulder and is there anything that can be done to alleviate the pain and improve the range of motion of the joint?

All this and much more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm), and YouTube at drbones nurseamy channel!

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You might not think it's possible, but there are enough different flu viruses circulating this season that you could actually get the flu again before Spring! H3N2 is the most common form around this year, but late season flus like Influenza B could bring you down again before things warm up. Joe and Amy talk about their recovery from a nasty case of the flu and give you some important advice.

Plus, how to deal with nosebleeds with limited supplies. Nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis can occur in young or old, and for a dozen different reasons. Learn all you need to know about this common, but scary, medical problem.

Also, survival settings require your people to be at 100% efficiency, but what happens when people get pregnant? Back pain, nausea and vomiting, and much more can intervene to take out a productive member of your crew. Dr. Alton tells you about some of the issues that might complicate what is usually a normal and natural process.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour Podcast with Amy Alton, ARNP and Joe Alton MD!

To learn more about survival medicine, get a copy of the award-winning Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook!

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Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, come down with the flu after their successful appearance at the SHOT show in Nevada, just one of 47 states reporting widespread outbreaks of influenza. Find out how hard it is to escape becoming a victim, even if you walk around with hand sanitizer in your pocket all day! Nurse Amy gives her advice for speeding recovery and Dr. Bones talks about the anti-viral drug Tamiflu and how it works to shorten the duration of illness.

Also, Dr. Alton was the first physician to write about the use of fish and bird antibiotics as a survival tool, but this stuff isn't candy, and has to be used wisely if at all. Having a supply, however, may avoid the preventable deaths from infected cuts and other minor ailments that could become big trouble in hard times. Some general advice regarding appropriate usage is given, and a useful antibiotic called  metronidazole (Flagyl, Fish-Zole) is spotlighted.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow, FB at Doom and Bloom(tm), and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel!

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Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss chest trauma, including rib fractures, ballistic and projectile trauma, and pneumothorax. Plus, an interview with Survival Blog's James Rawles on a book he wrote about a hypothetical Christian homeland in his novel "Land of Promise".

Plus, a series of listener questions about things like Staph infections, food-grade diatomaceous earth, and much more!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Sleep deprivation is part and parcel of any post-apocalyptic setting, and you'd better know how to recognize it and deal with the issue in times of trouble. We discuss diagnosis, treatment, and use of natural remedies to help your anxious and depressed people stay work-efficient.

Plus, eye injury questions from a Survival Podcast listener, and a discussion of how to recognize and treat pneumonia off the grid, and a discussion of the basics of the use of face masks in the survival sick room.

All this and more in the latest survival medicine hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

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New Show 1/12/2018 mudslide survival, fish antibiotics, and electromagnetic pulses! More info to follow!

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It's January, and bitter cold has already engulfed much of North America, with heavy snowfall and high winds causing all sorts of issues that might be hazardous to your health. Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones (Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP) go over a myriad of cold weather issues like hypothermia, winter car survival if stranded, and more. .

We pleased to announce that KYAH in the great state of Utah is now carrying our show on land-based radio!

We wish you the best of health in 2018!

Joe and Amy Alton

For medical kits, individual supplies and our books/dvds, go to store.doomandbloom.net

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12 people die in an apartment house fire in New York City, despite the presence of outdoor fire escapes on each floor. Winter is associated with the cold, but the heat from a fire is also part of it, as gas leaks and frayed electrical heating wires combust and cause major damage. Dr. Alton discusses 6 important things to know about the behavior of fire, and just what to do to get out of that burning building alive.

Plus, many folks are well-prepared with regards to extra food and water, but relatively few are medically prepared. Why are the Altons still just starting to get people involved in putting together medical supplies. They make their case for being medically prepared in this episode.

All this plus updates on the California wildfires, and a welcome to radio station KYAH in Utah, the latest network to carry the Survival Medicine Hour! 

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Follow us on twitter @preppershow

Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm) page

YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss the role of spirituality in survival, and the role hope plays in keeping people resilient in the face of adversity. Also, some hard realities the medic must confront in long-term survival scenarios and the role natural plant products will play in keeping people healthy when the medications run out.

Plus, a discussion of one of the most common issues that will attend injuries in survival settings: cellulitis, or soft tissue infections. People performing activities of daily survival get injured and those injuries can get infected. How do you recognize these infections, and what can you use to treat them?

All this and more in the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow; on Facebook @Doom and Bloom(tm);on Youtube's DrBones NurseAmy channel!

And don't forget the award-winning Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way

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Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP welcome Anthony Furey of the Sun Newspaper Chain to discuss his new book "Pulse Attack: The Real Story Behind the Weapon that can Destroy North America".

Both the Altons and Mr. Furey are concerned about the risks associated with electromagnetic pulse attacks, when a nuclear weapon is detonated high in the atmosphere. Once thought to be the stuff of post-apocalyptic fiction, North Korea has recently acknowledged the usefulness of such an attack against the United States, and they ability to intiate the event.

Plus, wildfires in California are devastating a quarter million acres of forest, as well as destroying homes and causing casualties. What would you do in a wildfire, and can your home be saved? Is there any way to defend against it meanfully?

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Don't forget to check out the Alton's 2017 Book Excellence Award Winner in medicine, The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Medical Help is Not on the Way!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss various methods of wound closure and when it's acceptable to close and when it's not. Less invasive methods like Steri-Strips and Glues are discussed as important ways to stretch the longevity of more high-tech items like sutures and staples.

Also, the electromagnetic pulse caused by a North Korean nuclear weapon exploded high above, say, Kansas, can wreak havoc on the electrical grid and certain electronics, but we've done little as a nation to harden civilian infrastructure against EMP attacks. Find out about what used to be thought as a very low likelihood event, but more possible, it seems, by the day as the sabers keep rattling.

Lastly, using all the tools in the medical woodshed includes knowing the herbs in your own backyard that might have medicinal benefits. Dr. Alton thinks that herbal teas will be the easiest way for the medic to take advantage of nature's bounty in a long-term disaster where the medicines have all run out. Here are some of his and Amy's favorite teas (actually more accurately called "herbal infusions").

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm), and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy Channel

Get a copy of The Survival Medicine Handbook's award-winning Third Edition at Amazon.com!

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Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss a number of topics, including honey as a treatment for burns, how to tell colds vs. flus, medical barter items, acid reflux, using glues to close wounds, and much more!

Honey, if raw and unprocessed, has antibacterial effect and may be useful to treat burns in situations where modern medical care is not a possibility.

Do you have a cold or the flu? Here's some tips on how to tell the difference.

Most survivalists consider ammunition to be the most important barter item, but how about items that could heal, instead of cause, wounds? Dr. Alton bets that medical supplies would be important barter items in a post-disaster economy.

Medical glues and even Super-glue, may be valuable items for closing wounds. Here's how to use glue to close a wound (remember, that it's more important to know when a wound should be closed and when it should remain open!).

How many people do you know that have problems with stomach acid? In a disaster, those people will still be there, and they need your help. Dr.Alton tells you everything you need to know about gastroesophageal reflux disease (G.E.R.D.).

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Follow us on twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom(tm), and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy channel.

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Does the "lone wolf" have an advantage or disadvantage in situations where you're knocked off the grid and long term survival is not a sure thing? Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss the importance of community in tough times, even if it's just an extended family.

Plus, after discussing first and second degree burns last week, Dr. Alton, aka Dr. Bones, tackles third degree burns, a difficult challenge for the survival medic, as well as natural burn remedies that might help speed recovery for some of the injured.

Lastly, minor conditions like ingrown toenails may not seem like much to those who watch The Walking Dead, but they're a major impediment to work efficiency. Not being able to take a step without pain isn't likely to increase your chances for survival. Dr. Alton talks about what can be done to prevent and treat this condition off the grid.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

Hey, follow us on twitter @preppershow, YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy channel, and Facebook at Doom and Bloom. And check out the Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook on Amazon!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss how to recognize and treat different types of burns, from first to third degree and the percentages of body surface affected. Also, more information on respiratory infections, including sinusitis, laryngitis, and laryngotracheitis, also known as “Croup”.

Also, the FDA tries again to ban the natural pain herb Kratom after public pressure forced it to retract its plan to make it Scheule 1 (the same level as Heroin). All this despite thousands of testimonials and the support of over 50 members of Congress. Are the pharmaceutical companies behind this? How does the FDA know that, once banned, Kratom users won't turn to more dangerous drugs?

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

Folluw us on Twitter @preppershow /  Facebook: Doom and Bloom / YouTube: DrBones NurseAmy

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The shooting at a Texas church came fast upon the Las Vegas shooting and the shooting at a church in Tennessee. it seems like you can't get away from headlines about some deranged, disgruntled, or politically motivated person out to do harm to innocent people. Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP discuss some common sense tips for average citizens and some advice for our society to prevent becoming soft targets.

Also, Dr. Alton goes through various respiratory infections so that you can identify, treat, and prevent infections. Different infections require different treatments, from the common cold to strep throat to influenza to pneumonia. Plus, how infectious diseases spread from person to person to cause an epidemic.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

Twitter: @preppershow    FB: Doom and Bloom(tm)    YouTube: DrBones NurseAmy

Don't forget to check out Nurse Amy's medical kits and supplies at store.doomandbloom.net

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The NYC attack, which occurred very close to our daughter's workplace, killed 8 and injured a dozen more. More and more, terriorists are using vehicles to cause mayhem. What are some ways that you might be able to use rapid action to avoid losing your life in such an incident. Joe and Amy Alton discuss some options that might save some lives in these uncertain times.

Also, disasters seem to always be in the news, but are people spending enough time getting supplies to get through tough times? Some important tips from Nurse Amy on what you need to have in your storage closet or "GO" bag before a disaster occurs.

Plus, our hosts discussed the mechanisms of pain last week, but what should you have in your survival medicine cabinet to deal with the inevitable pain and inflammation that goes with the activities of daily survival? Some pharmaceutical AND natural options to deal with discomfort off the grid.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad...

Hey, follow us on twitter @preppershow, YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy, and FB at Doom and Bloom. Plus, don't forget to get a copy of the third edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook, 2017 Book Excellence Award winner in Medicine!

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An outbreak of plague in Madagascar has killed 124 people and infected 1200. Although not an uncommon occurrence in the rural areas, this epidemic has hit the larger cities in the island nation, and is the deadlier version called "pneumonic plague". Pneumonic plague can be cured if found very early but if not, invariably results in death. Dr. Alton tells you all about bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague and what the off-grid medic could do to prevent this terrible infectious disease from running rampant.

Also, inflammation of the liver, called "hepatitis", is caused by various viruses which are harder to cure than a bacteria like what causes the plague. There are several types of hepatitis, and it's important to know what to do to avoid becoming a victim of it. Symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention are discussed by our hosts Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP.

Plus, we start a series on pain issues, discussing different types of pain and also the government's categorization of drugs into "schedules" from 1-5.

All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

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YouTube: DrBones NurseAmy Channel

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Your survival medicine cabinet should have plenty of different meds that can handle pain, inflammation, fever, respiratory infections, stomach upset, diarrhea, and many more of the common issues that the survival medic will confront off the grid. Here's a good list and explanation of why you should  have these medicines in your storage.

Plus, Living in a cliffhanging home on Ski Mountain in Gatlinburg, TN, gateway to the Smokies, puts ol' Dr. Bones and the lovely Nurse Amy at risk for a mudslide, especially since the 2016 wildfire, destroyed so many trees that were preventing erosion in the area. What are warning signs of future mudslides and what can you do to prevent becoming a victim?

All this and more in the Latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

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This episode features labor and delivery, and natural childbirth off the grid. Plus, California wildfires underscore the need for preparedness for property and personal defense. All this and much more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

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What if you had to care for a pregnancy off the grid? Would you identify it as early as you should without pregnancy tests and ultrasounds? How can you assure the well-being of mother and baby during the pregnancy. Joe Alton MD and nurse-midwife Amy Alton, ARNP discuss how to keep an eye on that pregnant lady in your group from beginning all the way to 9 months (labor and delivery coming next time).

Also, what would be the items you'd want in a kit for a public venue where a gunman could cause multiple casualties? Nurse Amy discusses what's in her multiperson kit specifically meant for bleeding wounds.

Plus, natural remedies are important in good or bad times, but especially when modern medicines aren't being produced, such as in survival scenarios. Joe Alton MD discusses the health benefits of cloves and why you should have some in your survival medicine cabinet.

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

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Joe and Amy Alton are concerned about natural disasters, but man-made mass casualties can be caused by active shooters, and they're now targeting our churches. A plan of action to ensure the safety of congregants should be established for every church, and the Altons have some suggestions.

Also, after a disaster, you're told to be fruitful and multiply, but having a lot of women pregnant early in the aftermath could take away productive members of your group and put them at risk for complilcations that, in the early days of this country, cost women their lives. A discussion of the kinds of issues that could cause headaches and heartaches for the survival medic.

A bonus: A question on the use of oral rehydration salts in underdeveloped countries from a listener of Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast, of which the Altons are members of the Expert Council.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Nurse Amy!

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What would you have done if you were in Mexico City during the recent earthquakes? Is there anything that might have increased your chances of survival? In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, hosts Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP talk about earhtquakes in general and give you safety tips that could save a life.

Plus, what supplies would you need for delivering a baby and caring for a pregnancy in tough times? Nurse Amy put on her Expert Council hat from Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast to answer a listener's question. In addition, one of our readers sends us an entertaining story about her son's hornet sting and some natural remedies she uses for her allergy-prone family.

Lastly, is it time to add a 4th R to Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmetic in school curriculums? Should Reduce hemorrhage classes be talk in view of the risk of injury during natural disasters, shooter events, even car crashes? Sounds crazy, but would it save a life?

All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

You can follow us at twitter @preppershow, YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy channel, and Facebook at our Doom and Bloom page or our survival medicine group "survival medicine dr bones nurse amy"

Thanks!

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Hurricane Irma has wreaked havoc on Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and our hosts Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr.Bones and Nurse Amy have now had two different homes survive destruction in a year: Their place in Gatlinburg on Ski Mountain, where 100 homes burned to the foundation last November as part of a huge human-set wildfire, and now their home in South Florida from Hurricane  Irma's winds. We'll talk about flood survival and give you some tips on what to do in the aftermath of storms like Harvey and Irma.

Also, your shoulder is the most flexible of your joints, but also the least stable and most likely to be dislocated by trauma. Find out more about how to recognize and treat this painful but common wilderness and off-grid injury.

Don't forget, Dr. Alton and Nurse Amy will be holding an 8 hour class on 10/21 near Knoxville, TN where they'll impart a lot of knowledge and teach a lot of hands-on skills! Check doomandbloom.net's classes page to find out more!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @preppershow, Facebook at Doom and Bloom(TM), and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy!

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Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc, caused death, and inflicted billions in damage as it hit the south Texas coast and Louisiana this week. Hosts Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss the event and what must be done to prepare for killer storms, floods, and other aspects both before, during, and afterwards. Plus, Joe Alton MD answers a question from a listener about food grade diatomaceous earth, its uses and benefits, as well as untoward side effects.

All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour!

Joe and Amy Alton

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, our hosts discuss the difficulties in achieving sterility off the grid when it comes to techniques for procedures and for the proper cleaning and maintenance of important instruments. Plus, skin conditions that the medic will likely have to treat after a disaster, including contact dermatitis, psoriasis, stasis dermatitis, shingles, and much, much more.

Wishiing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

Hey, do us a huge favor and follow our YouTube channel at Drbones Nurseamy, Twitter @preppershow, and our Facebook page at Doom and Bloom (tm)! Also, join our survival medicine group at Survival Medicine drbones nurseamy on Facebook as well!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy discuss the types of nuclear weapons and the damage they cause in the form of shock and heat waves. Plus, the different types of radiation emitted by detonations of nuclear bombs: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, X-ray, and Neutron radiation. Also, what are the damage zones for, say, a Hiroshima type bomb and what are the chances you'll survive?

Plus, it's still pretty hot out and the kids will want to be at the pool, lake or beach. Here's 12 water safety tips that can prevent a near-drowning mishap, the second most common cause of death in those 14 years old and under by injury. Find out what actually happens when you drown (hint: it's not all screaming and thrashing around).

Lastly, how to safely view the coming solar eclipse. Did you know that old eclipse glasses more than three years old no longer give you protection, and that homemade filters or sunglasses will not do the job?

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

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and YouTube at DrBones NurseAmy

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss the recent saber-rattling from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, our responses, and what to do if your area is hit by radiation from an atomic blast (or a nuclear reactor meltdown). Dr. Alton also talks about what to do if you're lost at sea: How to get food and water, protection from the elements, and even a little about shark attacks!

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, hosts Joe Alton MD, aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy discuss the antiseptics you should consider for your medical storage, how to tell sprains from fractures without modern medical imaging, and what to do when your boat capsizes in open water and you find yourself alone with or without a life vest.  Plus, Nurse Amy answers a question as a member of the expert council on Jack Spirko's survival podcast regarding what medical supplies would be helpful for the motorcyclist on the highway!

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour!

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In the this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, our hosts discuss what you would do with a fractured bone off the grid or after a disaster where modern medicine is just not an option. Dr. Alton's take on the subject might shock modern medical professionals, but you have to do what you can, with what you have, where you are, in tough times. Topics including placing a cast, open fractures, re-aligning bones (known as "reductions") and more.

Also, the Altons talk about what to do when you're outdoors and surrounded by poison plants like poison ivy, oak, and sumac. How to identify plants, diagnose and treat the rash, plus natural remedies that might help.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss the controversial non-ban of a natural pain reliever, Kratom, the only non-opiate that seems to give major benefits to many, as evidenced by numerous YouTube testimonials. Also, bears love the summer, and they'd love to stay out of your way. If they don't, however, it can mean trouble for both you and the bear. Here's some safety tips from Dr. Alton, whose home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is home to many a black bear.

Also, the medic in survival scenarios may have to deal with gunshot wounds, but he/she's more likely to deal with common infections, like those that affect the urinary tract. Learn how to identify, treat, and prevent UTIs, which can travel to the kidneys, and eventually become life-threatening if not treated.

All this and more on The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP!

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In this episode of the The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy, discusses how to make those summer outdoor outings with your family, as well as off-grid survival scenarios, safer for all involved. To make a wilderness experience memorable (in a good way), you'll need to know what factors will make the environment friendly or not-so-friendly, with injuries as the end result. Amy and Joe tell you what you need to bring in your medical kit.

One thing you might not bring is that old snake bite kit! Dr. Bones talks about current thinking regarding the old standard, and what to do if you have a group member suffer a venomous snake bite when modern facilities are not an option.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with the Altons! Do us a huge favor and....

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss the Wilderness Medical Society's special edition on combat casualty care guidelines applied to survival settings, where they coincide and where they diverge. Also, some basics on an important part of wound care, wound debridement, the removal of dead skin from a healing open wound.

Also, more on the different types of shock, and what to do if you have to treat someone deteriorating rapidly from one of the various types. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with JOe Alton MD, and Amy Alton ARNP!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, tackles a number of tough topics like, what can you put in an open wound to prevent and treat infection if a disaster happens and all you have is household items? Here's how to use bleach and baking soda to make Dakin's solution, used for over 100 years to prevent death from infected wounds.

Also, Nurse Amy discusses the uses of garlic, it's not just for cooking! It's got great antibiotic properties and more...

Plus, there are a variety of types of shock, and we're not talking about the emotional kinds. Dr. Bones discusses hypovolemic, hemorrhagic, and cardiogenic shock in this ongoing series about dealing with a life-threatening event.

Finally, Joe Alton MD answers a question for the Survival Podcast's expert council about whether the HPV exam is worthwhile to give to preteens. Find out more about this virus and the controversy surrounding it.

All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad,

Joe and Amy Alton

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton discuss the alternative to lidocaine for local anesthesia: injectable benadryl (diphenhydramine). The pros and cons and its potential use in survival scenarios are explored. Also, dental issues will be a major problem for the medic in any long-term event; Dr. Bones talks about tooth abscesses and how they might be life-threatening if ignored in off-grid settings.

Lastly, a discussion of the different pathogens that cause disease with Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones. All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, welcome Glen Martin, owner and founder of the 50-show strong Preppers Broadcasting Network to talk about his journey and to discuss his new book on Amazon, Prepper's Survival Navigation. One way to put your health in jeopardy is not knowing where the heck you are, so listen in as Amy finds out secrets on how to stay grounded and pointed in the right direction in the wilderness.

Also, a question about thyroid problems with the Expert Council with Jack Spirko, with Joe Alton MD answering questions about what to do about thyroid issues in survival scenarios. All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, the topic is shock: What types there are, the stages of shock, the signs and symptoms of shock, and a  lot more that you might need to know in times of trouble. Also Dr.Bones discusses some examples of victims you might encounter in a mass casualty incident, plus the 30-2-Can Do paradigm for telling priority of need for immediate care.

Also, Nurse Amy spends some time talking about what plants in your garden can give you some relief from disease-transmitting mosquitoes this summer.

All this and more from our show, remotely broadcast this week from Boston, Massachusetts while on the way to the Mother Earth News Fair event in Burlington, Vermont!

Joe and Amy Alton

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton discuss small injuries like those to the nail bed, and large, massive injuries like those seen in mass casualty events. Plus, what are the factors to consider before deciding to close a wound. Find out in this week's Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss how to deal with various eye issues that can confront a medic in an off-grid survival setting, plus, some basics on how to deal with broken bones.

Also, Dr. Bones answers a question from Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast Expert Council, of which he's a member, regarding the potential for use in survival scenarios of TENS units.

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour!

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Joe and Amy

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This week's Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discusses a new study from the California Poison Control System that indicates that EpiPens may be therapeutically effective even years after their expiration dates, welcome news given that a two-pack costs $300, even in generic form. Plus, part 2 of rodent control, this time how to get rid of rats and mice that already infest your retreat.

Plus, Joe and Amy discuss the increasing epidemic of Hepatitis C in people who are using or abusing opioids like heroin and other drugs. Learn the obstacles to controlling this deadly disease and what might be done to help.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour!

Follow us on Twitter @preppershow, FB at Doom and Bloom (tm), and YouTube at DrBonesNurseAmy!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton,MD and Amy Alton,ARNP discuss what's behind the increasing population of ticks and the record number of Lyme Disease cases in the United States, plus how to avoid tick bites and how to recognize and treat Lyme Disease early. Also,how to deal with fungal infections like Athlete's foot with conventional and natural remedies in austere or remote settings.

Rats and mice infestations will contaminate your survival food stores and transmit disease and otherwise lower your chances of survival in times of trouble. Find out how to rodent-proof a retreat with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

Wishing you the best of health in good times or bad, Joe and Amy Alton

Don't forget to check out store.doomandbloom.net to fill those holes in your survival medical supplies! Also, The Survival Medicine Handbook is celebrating several years on the Amazon bestseller list in disaster relief, safety/first aid, and survival skills! Check it out at Amazon.com.

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, we welcome John Steinbaugh of RevmedX to discuss his XStat product (which we previously mentioned was not an ideal product for the preparedness community), plus new products that his company has to help stop hemorrhage in wounds. Learn about the XGauze and Parabelt, plus some realities about TCCC guidelines and the issues that companies go through getting new technology to the public.

Plus, a question for Dr. Bones as a member of Jack Spirko's popular Survival Podcast Expert Council, this time about what to do with obese group members once the trigger event occurs for a SHTF situation.

Lastly, Dr. Alton talks about how to pack wounds effectively, and some recommendations from a doctor-paramedic team's recent article in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services.

All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Hour

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP (aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy), we welcome back Jack of Black Scout Survival's popular YouTube channel, who discusses a wide range of topics in part 2 of his interview with Amy.

Plus, Joe Alton, MD examines Azithromycin as a survival antibiotic. Thomas Labs has released a new bird drug, Bird-Zithro. Is Bird-Zithro a possible candidate for treating sick birds in your aviary after a disaster? Find out all you need to know about this important drug.

Lastly, when an infectious disease epidemic comes to your town, would you be able to set up an effective sick room that will help the infected recover while keeping the healthy from getting sick? Joe and Amy go over what factors will make for an effective area to deal with infectious disease off the grid.

All this and more on The Survival Medicine Hour with the Altons!

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Don't forget to get a copy of the new 700 page third edition of The Survival Medicine Handbook: The essential guide for when medical help is not on the way, available at Amazon or at www.doomandbloom.net

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, welcome back Jack of Black Scout Survival's popular YouTube channel to talk about his work and other important issues. Plus, Dr. Bones tells you all you need to know about gall bladder stones, a condition that affects 10-15 percent of the populations, and certainly would be an issue for the medic taking care of a large mutual assistance group.

Lastly, some ways to remove a fish hook from an outdoor mishap.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Some of the items mentioned in today's interview with Jack of Black Scout Survival:

Benchmade SOCP 

https://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-Dagger-Combo-Sheath-Skelentonized/dp/B008NBBTAS

BENCHMADE SOCP MEDICAL EDITION 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XD3J9LR/ref=pd_aw_sbs_200_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=H44CQTRPYXX6XPD852DR&dpPl=1&dpID=51a-lo20aYL

FELLHOELTER TIBOLT PEN

http://fellhoelter.com/shop/

Zebra pen f701 

https://www.amazon.com/Zebra-Stainless-Ballpoint-Retractable-29411/dp/B002L6RB80

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, welcome back Jack of Black Scout Survival's popular YouTube channel to talk about his work and other important issues. Plus, Dr. Bones tells you all you need to know about gall bladder stones, a condition that affects 10-15 percent of the populations, and certainly would be an issue for the medic taking care of a large mutual assistance group.

Lastly, some ways to remove a fish hook from an outdoor mishap.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

Some of the items mentioned in today's interview with Jack of Black Scout Survival:

Benchmade SOCP 

https://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-Dagger-Combo-Sheath-Skelentonized/dp/B008NBBTAS

BENCHMADE SOCP MEDICAL EDITION 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XD3J9LR/ref=pd_aw_sbs_200_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=H44CQTRPYXX6XPD852DR&dpPl=1&dpID=51a-lo20aYL

FELLHOELTER TIBOLT PEN

http://fellhoelter.com/shop/

Zebra pen f701 

https://www.amazon.com/Zebra-Stainless-Ballpoint-Retractable-29411/dp/B002L6RB80

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD (Dr. Bones) and Amy Alton, ARNP (Nurse Amy) examine Sulfa drug antibiotics as an option in survival settings. One of the first antibiotics, sulfa has been credited with saving the lives of tens of thousands in WWII, including Winston Churchill himself, and still has applications today in good or bad times.

Also, the herb Uva Ursi may have some use in urinary tract infections, one of the medical issues that sulfa drugs are effective for. Find out more about this herb in Nurse Amy's segment on natural remedies.

Plus, Dr. Bones discusses what disasters are most responsible for deaths in the U.S. over the last 40 years. The answers will definitiely surprise you!

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss an antibiotic called Clavamox that's used in dogs and cats as a possible survival med. Also know as Augmentin, is it exactly the same as the human drug, as  Dr. Alton found was the case years ago with certain fish and bird antibiotics? You might be surprised.

Also, the military may be getting taken for a ride with the expensive prescription product XSTAT, a syringe of hemostatic sponges used for severe hemorrhages. Sounds good, but does it work and what's behind the recommendations for the government to add this item to military supplies? And does it have any application for survival medics?

Plus, do dead bodies from natural disaster cause epidemics? Amy and Joe explore this possibility and compare it to Ebola in 2014 and other events. Lastly, a young man wants to take his 6 month old son and wife to Belize, currently under a Zika warning from the CDC. What is Dr. Bones' opinion?

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss improvised tourniquets and some TCCC guidelines regarding hemorrhage under fire or in normal times. Blood clotting agents are introduced and Quikclot/Celox are compared. Plus, when should a wound be closed and when should it be treated as a open wound from beginning to full recovery? All this and more from a Survival Medicine Hour on the road, this time in Chicago, Illinois.

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The Survival Medicine Hour, on March 11, 2017, is hosted by Joseph Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy of https://www.doomandbloom.net/. In today's show, Dr. Alton reviews the steps of a dental exam for those who find themselves in a remote area or post-disaster and who need to care for someone with an immediate dental issue.

Accidents happen everyday and you may find yourself as the person responsible for saving a life. Severe injuries with bleeding can be scary to non-medical persons. Knowing some basic steps to stop bleeding are important to understand and share with your family members. How to place a tourniquet if needed can save a life.

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The Survival Medicine Hour is hosted by Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy of https://www.doomandbloom.net/, where you can find over 900 posts, videos and podcasts on disaster and survival strategies. In this episode March 4, 2017 we discuss keeping your family safe in a tornado and dental supplies for long term disaster preparedness.

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The Survival Medicine Hour, hosted by Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy of https://www.doomandbloom.net/ brings you a few topics, including ear infections, bleeding control and the final part 3 of the allergy series: anaphylaxis. Monday, February 20, 2017 is President's Day, but do you know about the pre-George Washington "Presidents"? Do you also know who held the presidential office twice, but not with consecutive terms?

Severe allergic reactions may cause body-wide reactions called anaphylaxis that can be life-threatening. Although few die from simple allergic reactions, anaphylaxis is much more severe and, without quick intervention, the victim can die from respiratory or cardiac arrest. Having an epi-pen handy is advisable, although you can learn how to dose with epinephrine solution from a sterile vial.

Ear infections are fairly common in babies and children, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep your ear canal as dry as possible during and after swimming. Feed babies in a head-up position, to prevent formula or milk from entering the passages into the ear. Beware of early warning signs before the ear infection becomes severe, such as: pain and itching, drainage from the ear canal and redness and swelling in the ear canal. babies may tug at their ear.

Bleeding wounds are also reviewed.

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The Survival Medicine Hour this week, with your hosts, Joe Alton MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy, discusses water pollutants and part 2 of the series on Allergies. Your hosts request feedback on the show and other topics you may like to hear in future episode. They would also like to have any suggestions you might have about outdoor sport or activity first aid supplies and what you might experience as first aid incidents during those activities. Write to drbonespodcast@aol.com anytime!

Water contaminants are many and are reviewed in this episode. A guest post at https://www.doomandbloom.net/guest-post-10-things-you-didnt-know-were-in-your-drinking-water/ , by Jennifer Moran from https://theberkey.com/ is discussed in detail. Pollutants like lead, fluoride, BPA (Bisphenol A), iron and arsenic are just a few covered during this show.

In this part 2 series on allergies, Dr. Alton reviews a few allergies from the last show and continues with drug allergies, atopic dermatitis, and toxin allergies. Helpful medications that relieve specific symptoms can include Afrin (beware of too much, and you will learn why), antihistamines, and oral meds.  A few natural remedies to relieve symptoms, like a Neti Pot, are reviewed. One important hint when using a Neti Pot, always make sure the water or saline is a sterile solution, or you could get sick from the contaminated solution.

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The Survival Medicine Hour with your hosts Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy discuss Protest Safety, How to survive a capsized boat or cold water emersion, and part one of a series on allergies. Our website https://www.doomandbloom.net/ is a source for these and other topics

Getting caught in the middle of the crowd in the frenzy of protesting could be dangerous, especially if you are wearing anything that identifies you are their "enemy", knowing how to extricate yourself and be the grayman can help you stay safe. Don't approach police officers in riot gear, thay are focused on getting the crowd under control and could mistake you for a rioter. Try to stay with friends and escape as quickly as possible.

If you find yourself in "deep" water due to a capsized boat or other water incident causing you to be starnded in water, the first step is to try and stay calm. Always wear a life jacket if possible while boating, which enables you to stay warmer since you don't have to kick or try to swim to keep your head above the water. If any debris is nearby, try to elevate some of your body out of the water. Important steps to take are presented in the show today.

An immune reaction against an allergen occurs when it is encountered the first time, and may cause little to no reaction at all. The second exposure to this allergen is when the allergic cascade of symptoms and reactions are seen. Allergic reactions may appear in various forms. Part one of this allergie series is discussed on today's show.

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The Survival Medicine Hour with your hosts, Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy, today brings you some tips on how to store your long-term medication preps safely, what do expiration dates mean and what are the various face masks available and when do you use each type. Thanks for listening!

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The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy discusses altitude sickness, winter car survival, falling through the ice or into very cold water and more. Car Survival equipment should include wool blankets, instant hand warmers, flashlights and extra batteries (fresh), small tool with blade, screwdrivers, pliers etc, foldable shovel, sand or rock salt, flares and reflective large triangles, tow chain or tough rope, jumper cables, water and food, a first aid kit (Doom and Bloom makes a grab and go bag), tarp, noisemaker and more.

To increase your chances of survival in cold water you should wear a life jacket whenever you are on a boat. It enables you to stay alive longer by keeping you afloat without burning too much energy. A built-in whistle is a great item to have on the life jacket also. Keep your clothes on while you are still in the water. Button or zip up to retain some body heat. The layer of water between your clothing and your body is slightly warmer and will help insulate you from the cold.

Listen to the show to get more safety tips and advice to keep you and your family healthy in good times or bad.

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The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy, of https://www.doomandbloom.net/. Bees are having a hard time these days and new attention is being given to their plight. The Fish and Wildlife Service have added the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee to the endangered species list, which join seven species of the Yellow-Faced bee that were added in September.

Hypothermia (part 2) is discussed regarding treatments including: getting the person out of the cold or sheilding them from the weather as much as possible, monitoring their breathing, begining CPR if needed, warming them up with your body heat or warm dry compresses and more. Keep a Winter Car Survival Kit and supplies handy to help when disaster or accidents happen.

Avalanches are dangerous, but only a small percentage of victims die from hypothermia, most perish due to traumatic injury or suffocation before they freeze to death. Snow slides are part and parcel of the winter wilderness experience and it pays to know what to do if you're caught in one. Blizzrds occur every year in the United States, and cause fatalities among the unprepared. In these storms, 70% of deaths occur due to traffic accidents and 25% from being caught outside during the blizzard. Learn safety tips to prevent these deaths and keep you and your family safe and healthy during the winter.

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It's January, and a cold blast from the North is hitting parts of the Deep South. Hypothermia is a big issue for those not prepared for cold weather, and a number of people die every year from being unready to deal with Nature's challenges. Find out about hypothermia, how the body loses heat, and some strategies for prevention this winter.

Also, the Turkish nightclub shooting almost exactly duplicates the blueprint established by last year's Orlando Nightclub shootings. Along with vehicular terror, Dr. Bones makes the argument that this strategy is going to be repeated again and again, and tells you what you have to do to survive such events.

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All the best for a happy and healthy 2017!

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The Survival Medicine Hour, with Joe Alton,MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy, wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year on this last day of 2016. With holiday parties all around us, some will find themselves with a celebration full of alcohol and perhaps a hangover to remember the night before. Before you attend that party, you should listen to this podcast for tips to both prevent and cure that aweful hangover.

Amy Alton, ARNP, interviews the author of the Brushfire Plague Trilogy series after he has recently completed the third book. Mr. R.P. Ruggerio lives in Colorado with his wife and two sons, and spends as much time outdoors as possible. He strives to live by Robert Heilein's credo " Specialization is for insects." The Brushfire Plague trilogy are novels grounded in neighboorhood defense duringa devastating plague. Brushfire Plague, according to R.P., "also has useful lessons about the value of being prepared for possible disruptions to our normal way of life woven into the fabric of the story.  One unique aspect I focus on is the interpersonal dynamics one will be forced to deal with in any crisis situation.  This adds a lot to the drama and storyline and enhances the realism of the novel."

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Vehicular terror is the new blueprint for those wishing to cause mass casualties. Simple to obtain compared to guns and bombs, we can expect more events like the Berlin Christmas Market truck attack. Find out what you need to know to stay safe in these troubled times.

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The Survival Medicine Hour, with Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy, of https://www.doomandbloom.net? wish you and your family a wonderful Merry Christmas. May 2017 bring you blessings and good health. About 16% of our population is alone and may be lonely during the Christmas holiday. This show will help you and others find ways to be a part of this joyous time of year. Helping others, being a listening ear, making home-made presents, visiting the less-fortunate or sick,or joining a helpful cause are just some of the advice to help you and those around you feel more Christmas spirit. Christmas is not about store-bought presents. Merry Christmas and blessings for 2017.

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On the Survival Medicine Hour learn about the symptoms and prevention tips for Norovirus, why researchers think there is a "Man Flu" and cold virus myths that are busted.

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The Survival Medicine Hour, with Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy, bring you a tremendous amount of information today. Are you going to be the medic or caretaker in a disaster or survival situation?  Our mission is to help put a medically prepared person in every family for any disaster.

Pneumonia is an infection affecting the aprt of the lungs that absorbs oxygen from the atmosphere. Pneumonia may be viral, bacterial or fungal infection. The infection usually starts by affecting a portion of one lung (a "lobe") before spreading to the entire organ. If enough fluid clogs the air clogs the air sacs (alveoli), it's possible, while listening to lung sounds, you actually won't hear any sounds at all.

Natural remedies are available for help with respiratory infections to reduce symptoms and build a person's immunity. Antioxidants, like Vitamin C and Vitamin E and other antioxidants taken regularly are supossed to decrease the frequency and severity of respiratory infections.

Some of the best essential oils for symptoms are Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint and Geranium. Herbal teas such as Stinging Nettle, Licorice Root, Peppermint, Anise Sage and Dandelion are all made better with a bit of raw, unprocessed honey and fresh squeezed lemon.

Thanks for listening!

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On this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, your hosts, Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy discuss the devastating wildfires that have damaged or destroyed more than 400 structures and taken the lives of at least 13 innocent people, with more than 80 injured seeking help at local hospitals. The severity of the entire disaster is still unknown right now, and we will give you an update on the status of our own house in Gatlinburg. We live in South Florida so it has been a maddening few days to find out the results of the fires that spread up Chalet Village and Ski Mountain areas. Please donate to Red Cross to help fund those who need it so desperately and have lost their primary residence. There are so many without so much. Our prayers are with those who need it right now.

Christmas is almost upon us and the pressure to shop is causing some stress in shoppers. Dr. Alton discusses ways to decrease your stress levels ans still have a fun-filled time during the holiday season (one tip: don't be afraid to ask what they want!). Nurse Amy shares what she wishes for Christmas and what we all really want inside (hint: love, family and kindness). Relax and enjoy your Christmas with friends and family, we are all lucky to be on this beautiful earth together.

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The Survival Medicine Hour, November 25, 2016, with Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones, and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy explore various respiratory infections and their symptoms. We classify respiratory infections as upper and lower. Upper respiratory infections invlove the troat, nasal passages, sinuses and larynx. Lower respiratory infections invlove the trachea (wind-pipe), bronchi and lungs.

Discover the common treatments and medications commonly used to treat these infections, and some special tips to help prevent them. What do you do with your toothbrush after you recover from a respiratory infection? Are you still using anti-bacterial soap to wash your hands? Find out what you should be doing to stay healthy and why.

Christmas holidays are the time for shopping and lots of walking. Wear the wrong shoes and you may be in a world of hurt. Nurse Amy shares some good advice on what kind of shoes to wear on long walks and how to pick the right shoes for your feet.

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This week on the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD aka as Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP aka Nurse Amy, November 19, 2016, discuss some tips to help "survive" the possibly stressful Christmas shopping experience. Ebay did a study that found 88% of shoppers had elevated heartbeats similar to an athlete running a marathon. What are the effects of a rapid heart rate on the body, and learn why you feel so exhasuted after an anxiety attack.

The latest update on theories about why some countries are experiencing a hugher rate of birth defects than others. What is going on with the progress of a Zika vaccine, or a breakthrough medication to limit the ill effects of Zika on unborn babies.

Respiratory issues affect millions of people each year. Knowing how to tell the difference between different types will help you, as the survival medic, determine the best treatment plan.

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The Survival Medicine Hour (November 11, 2016) exposes the issues we all face when looking at an uncertain future. If you prepare for longterm survival due to man-made or especially, natural disasters one looming problem is how to keep your much needed medications in the best condition possible. Nurse Amy. aka Amy Alton, ARNP and Dr. Bones, aka Joe Alton, MD cover some techniques and methods to help you solve this medication storage problem.

Part 1 of resiratory infections is covered in this episode.

Thanks to all of our military staff new and old, we appreciate your service to our country!

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP discuss the hazards of trail blazing in Gatlinburg Tennessee, such as Bear Safety. Walking with a sturdy stick, making noise and keeping up situational awareness are all part of bear safety tips. Bears hibernate less deeply than some animals and can be found walking around even in the deep snow of winter. Always keep an eye out and learn all about bear safety.

Recently, Dr. Alton talked about parasitic worms in survival scenarios, but there's a more common parasite that infects our streams, waterways, and, unfortunately, intestines! Giardia Lambia is a common cause of severe diarrhea and is transmissible all sorts of ways. Find out more about this parasite and what fish antibiotic would be most effective to have in your medical storage.

All this and more on the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour! For more information you can visit our educational website at: https://www.doomandbloom.net/

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Nurse Amy Alton interviews Ron Melchiore, who with his wife Joanna, has lived for 36 years off the grid in Maine and, now, Northern Saskatchewan. Amy finds out all about what Ron's life as a self-reliant "pioneer" has been like, and how he's put it all in his book "Off Grid and Free: My Path to the Wilderness". Ron has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and has ridden a bicycle from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Ron talks about power issues, experience with local animals, wildfires, and other challenges he and his wife have faced in their long-term adventure in the woods. Ron currently lives at a homestead only reachable by float plane, with trips to get supplies twice a year

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, your hosts, Joe Alton, M.D. aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amyprovide a short review of the latest news on Hurricane Matthew and Zika. Then we offer a interesting interview with Cincy Preparedness Expo owner, Dan O'Hara.

Are preppers crazy? Find out what appropriate answers help you explain how this is a ridiculous question to those asking. Learn what are your first steps to becoming prepared. Let us answer why a preparedness expo might be a great place for hands-on training and learning new skills.

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The Survival Medicine Hour hosted by Joe Alton, MD aka Dr. Bones and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Nurse Amy, are bringing you another episode of exciting and thrilling (well very entertaining and useful at least) survival information. Don't miss out! Folks we have another hurricane on the horizon, Matthew is churning up the seas and is now a level 3 Hurricane with the possibility of hitting the USA in a few days time. Get prepared and learn what you need to do now to stay safe. Storm safety for all kinds of storms is vital knowledge.

What's up with the Epipen crisis? What will you do if you don't have or can't afford the epipen, or even the still expensive ($606 for 2 pack) generic version? Dr. Bones shares a method of administering an alternative in the face of an emergency.

Kratom is being made into a schedule 1 drug, which is the same level as Heroin. This herb is blamed for 15 deaths, but only one of those deaths was the person found with only Kratom onboard. Many Kratom users herald it as the reason they were able to stop using other drugs, like heroin and pain meds. The users and their families contacted their congress members and a call to delay the change of Kratom to a schedule 1 drug has been made by the supportive congress members. More research should be done to accurately determine the effects of Kratom before a hastily decision is made. We discuss this issue and give you the 411.

Chamomile is a wonderful herbal medicine. It has been used safely for thousands of years. It is know to calm digestive issues and calm nervous disorders. Nurse Amy discusses this awesome herbal remedy and how to use it.

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Survival Medicine Hour, September 23, 2016, with Joe and Amy Alton. We discuss the prevalent market on Ebay for fake C.A.T tourniquets, and a couple things to look out for. The increasing epidemic of diabetes, and what the world might look like if we make changes and if we don't. The World Health Organization announced a 4-fold increase in the number of diabetic diagnoses in the past 35 years.

If you plan to defend you or your family from harm, through self defense, using ANY item, whether gun, knife, a lamp or even hands, this interview with Larry Keilberg may provide your best protection from going to jail. When force is used, deadly or otherwise, the police and court systems are not always quick to render you innocent. Long trials and expensive defense teams can ruin your life. The SelfDefenseFund.com offers a very reasonable policy to cover you and family members in the case of self defense. From expert testimony, top lawyers and a team of defense planning, you will be defended by the best. Larry Keilberg is a founding member of The National Association for Legal Gun Defense, and is an excellent source of information. Don't miss this interview.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy (Joe Alton MD and Amy Alton ARNP), Dr. Bones discusses the upcoming ban on the useful but, perhaps, addictive herb Kratom, a Southeast Asian herb used for centuries to treat chronic pain and depression, and used by some today to replace addictions to opiates. Also, Nurse Amy discusses the many medical uses of Rosemary, and Dr. Bones discusses dental trauma, and what to do about that loose or knocked-out tooth in a survival setting.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, a Florida landfall occurs for a hurricane for the first time in more than a decade. Were you ready? What should you do to prepare for the next one? Plus, Dr. Bones discusses new tragedies for the native bee population in the U.S. What will be the straw that break's the bee's, I mean, camel's back? With every third bite of food you put in your mouth coming as a result of some bee pollinating a plant, you should be invested in this topic!

Plus, we haven't talked about Zika for a while, but that's not because there hasn't been a lot of news about it. Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones follow the globetrotting pandemic to a new outbreak in Singapore, talk about outbreaks that might not be reported due to lack of testing, and the effects that could occur on zika-infected newborns that are born looking perfectly normal.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP discuss some general thoughts on the nature of survival medicine that you might not have taken into account in making your preparedness plans. Also, Epi-Pens, indispensible products for anaphylactic shock, go beyond the financial wherewithal of most Americans. What's going on, and is this something that we can accept? If so, kids are going to die from allergies of bee stings and other allergens. Also, the earthquake in Italy kills 300 and injures hundreds more. Could you survive an earthquake? What should be your plan of action in case of tremors?

All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Hour!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, tell you about the recent deadly floods in Louisiana and offer some tips on how to keep your family safe during and in the aftermath of the disaster. Also, Dr.Alton tells you about some mutant lice that seem to have replaced normal head lice in most parts of the country. The downside: They're resistant to most over-the-counter lice shampoos and lotions. What to do? You'll find out here.

Also, Nurse Amy continues her series on alternative pain relief, with a number of natural substances you might not have known have analgesic action!

All this and more on Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy's Survival Medicine Hour!

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, the discussion turns to pain relief in survival setting and what options you have in terms of prescription and non-prescription drugs, as well as the beginning of a series of natural alternatives for pain by Nurse Amy. Also, Dr. Bones talks about 5 ways that being in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics is hazardous to your health, plus how to stay safe and healthy if you're going to the Games.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD (Dr. Bones) and Amy Alton, ARNP (Nurse Amy) tackles a bunch of topics. First, new cases of Zika in Florida may not be related to travel outside the country. Until now, all cases were from people who returned from the epidemic zone in the Caribbean and Latin America. Puerto Rico now has 4000 cases, almost all locally transmitted, and the CDC thinks we'll have some clusters of local cases in the continental U.S. as well.

Also, summer is here and a murderous heat wave has gripped the Nation's East, Midwest, and Southwest, causing at least 6 deaths and cause the heat index to feel like 100 degrees or more in locations that are used to much milder weather. Heat stroke is a major risk and you need to know how to identify and treat it.

Plus, out in the woods you'll encounter a lot of critters. Last week, we talked about bites and attacks from warm furry ones, this weeks it's snakes and bees/wasps. Learn all the latest about how to deal with a snakebite when modern medical help is not available, plus how to use an epi-pen to treat severe allergic reactions like anaphylactic shock.

All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP (aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy), we discuss animal bites, how to avoid them and what to do if someone gets bitten. Plus, what to do if you encounter a bear on that hike in the woods, or even rummaging through your trash. Special guest Gerald Celente, famous for forecasting economic events and trends, joins the Altons to share some troubling news about the world's economy and how the U.S. might be in for some tough times ahead.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, Tom Martin of American Preppers Network joins us to talk about his new show, plus a serious look at the recent shooter events and when violence is the answer to stop the fatalities. Also, places you'll be this summer that could make you seriously sick if you're not careful. Nurse Amy continues her discussion of natural remedies that will help for orthopedic injuries. Dr. Bones also talks about what the medic's priorities should be when under fire in hostile survival scenarios. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy (Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP), we discuss how a heat waves is a major natural disaster which commonly causes deaths, sometimes on a large scale, and how you can stay safe and avoid, identify, and treat heat stroke and other heat-related illness. Also, how to deal with orthopedic injuries like sprains and strains, plus some natural remedies that might be helpful to speed healing. The Altons also discuss Brazil's many woes, of which Zika virus is just one. Brazil is suffering from economic and political turmoil, and you can expect issues with security that may cause some injuries and deaths on top of the risk of infection. All this and more in this week's Survival Medicine Hour!

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In this topic-packed episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, survival group expert and author Charley Hogwood joins us to talk about survival group dynamics as well a number of other issues that may affect your chances for survival in the uncertain future. Also, Nurse Amy talks about one of her favorite herbs and its medical uses and Dr. Alton discusses an unusual subject, driven by recent news: Alligator attacks, what to do and some common-sense prevention strategies. He also brings you up to date with the Zika epidemic ramping up in Puerto Rico, and the 3 infants born with Zika-related deformities in the United States. Finally, Dr. Alton discusses antibiotics while answering a question from a listener of the popular Survival Podcast with Jack Spirko. Dr. Alton serves as the medical expert on Jack's Expert Council.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP discuss what it takes to be an effective medic in an urban survival setting. From dealing with contaminated water to controlling a bleeding wound, there are special considerations that must be taken into account when surviving in place in the town or city. Find out what items you should have and how to approach the bleeding wound. Plus, Dr. Alton answers a question from "rancher", a member of Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast audience, about how to deal with thinning skin as you age and spend time in the outdoors. Conventional and natural remedies are discussed to help wounds in fragile skin heal faster.

Also, the new 2016 Third Edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook has hit Amazon, and it's 670 pages of plain English advice on what to do in a disaster when the hospital is far away or just plain no longer exists. Check it out here.

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One of the great things about traveling to speaking engagements all over the country is meeting old and new friends who have made contributions to the welfare of those in the preparedness community. In this special road edition of the Doom and Bloom (tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD (aka Dr. Bones) and Amy Alton, ARNP (aka Nurse Amy) meet Leon Pantenburg, one of the first writers on preparedness topics in the modern, post-Y2K era at his website survivalcommonsense.com. Leon has been putting out great educational information for those interested in self-reliance for a very long time. It's a pleasure to have a few minutes with Leon to discuss his journey, both in the past and in the future.

Also, we are pleased to interview Annie Tuttle, editor of the new print edition of Self-Reliance Magazine, an important new publication about which Annie talks in detail with Nurse Amy. Get a perspective of what the future holds for Self-Reliance magazine, self-reliance in general and Annie, Dave and Lenie Duffy, and the rest of the great folks at backwoodshome.com.

Plus, the third edition of the Survival Medicine Handbook is almost ready to hit Amazon. The third edition will be 670 pages of medical information written in the mindset of the medically self-reliant, meant to help, in plain English, the average person become a medical asset to their loved ones in times of trouble. Dr. Alton talks about the upcoming third edition, his brand new Zika Virus Handbook, and more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour.

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A new superbug has scientists concerned after a Pennsylvania woman develops a urinary tract infection that is resistant to Colistin, an antibiotic of last resort. More and more, antibiotic resistance is becoming a challenge for doctors everywhere, where does that leave you if you were off the grid? Plus, depression is a big problem in good times or bad, and what can you do if you want to avoid drugs to treat it? Dr. Alton, part of Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast Expert Council, answers questions from a listener with the problem. Also, Dr. Alton joins the call to cancel the Olympics with 150 other practitioners who thinks it's a dumb idea to send half a million tourists to the epicenter of an epidemic zone.

As a special added treat, our good friend Clint Jivoin of Naked and Afraid joins us at a recent event to talk about his experiences on the show and his plans for the future. All this and more on the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton...

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Jack Spirko returns to complete his interview with Dr. Bones on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton. Also, an introduction to dental preparendess plus what items you might consider for your survival dental kit. Plus, cases of Zika more than triple among pregnant women in the U.S. Still no locally transmitted cases, but the CDC predicts they'll arrive in the heat of summer, when mosquitoes are out in force. All this and more in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour.

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Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones of the Survival  Medicine Hour podcast welcomes Jack Spirko of the wildly popular Survival Podcast, and interview each other in this special edition of each podcast. Topics include Zika virus, raising livestock, especially ducks, and a number of other topics. Part 1 of 2.

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The U.S, records its first Zika death in an elderly man from Puerto Rico, where 700 cases have been confirmed and thousands more suspected. The mainland U.S. hasn't been immune either: 93 cases so far in Florida and 77 in New York (no subtropical climate but stilll a home for the Aedes mosquito). They explore how politics is infecting the Zika debate over funding, and holding up appropriations for mosquito control just as warm weather is arriving in the U.S, Their new book "The Zika Virus Handbook" is an all-you-need-to-know about Zika virus, and now available at Amazon.com.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that prepper events, the ones Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy are speaking at as of this writing are in "the business of fear". If that's the case, are car insurance salespeople also in the business of fear? How about health insurance plan and Obamacare? Our hosts discuss how insurance takes many forms, and tangible items like food and medical supplies might just be another form of it. Also, is it fear or common sense that drives a small percentage of the population to take measures to be prepared for disasters? Who are the crazy ones, "preppers" or the general population who scramble to the supermarket and empty shelves in a frenzy before a big storm? You decide.

All this and more on the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP.

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Joe and Amy Alton announce their latest book, "The Zika Virus Handbook"! It's the first book on everything you need to know about the infection written by an MD. It's concise at 138 pages, but still way more information than the other books on Amazon. You'll find out how to identify, prevent, and treat the disease, all about the mosquito that transmits it, and every measure you can take to protect your family. You'll also hear about what our government is doing about it, plus some alternative theories about why so many cases are occurring on this side of the Atlantic. Zika's this year's pandemic, and with warm weather approaching, you should know about it.

Also, are people who prepare for disasters normal? Are "normal" people who don't prepare for disasters normal? Well, in the New Normal, they might be, but normal sure doesn't mean "sane". Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss the difference between "normal" and "sane" and why it's even more important, given recent events, for people to wake up and get together knowledge and supplies that might help in times of trouble.

Also, it's time for the 17 year cicadas to come out! Will it be a plague of biblical proportions, and do you have anything to worry about? All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Doom and Bloom's Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, we give you the latest news, and there is definitely news, about the Zika virus epidemic in South America. When warm weather arrives in your area, will you be in the 30 U.S. states where the Aedes mosquito lives? What does the CDC say about the risk of an epidemic here? Plus, Nurse Amy examines whether we really should have Fluoride in our water, and what the risks are versus the benefits (Hint: She's against it). Joe Alton, aka Dr. Bones, reports on the devastation left by 2 quakes and hundreds of aftershocks in Southern Japan, and Nurse Amy examines an interesting plant in our garden: The Miracle Fruit! All this and more in the Survival Medicine Hour

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Nurse Amy was asked by Ballistic magazine to pick three survival skills she considers most important from a lengthy list, guess which one she thought would help her most in times of trouble? Also, Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones talks about how to identify and treat altitude sickness, and some important considerations to protect your family in case of a radiation event. Plus, the results of a recent poll of US citizens on Zika virus, a possible issue when mosquitoes swarm later this spring and summer. All this and more in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour podcast!

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We're about a million primary care doctors short in the U.S., and it isn't getting any better in the near future. Find out why it may be important than ever to be medically self-reliant. Also, How to lance that nasty boil safely, and what about Dakin's solution to keep wounds free of infection? Also, Nurse Amy talk about different types of headaches and their treatments. All this and a question for Dr. Bones as a member of the Expert Council of Jack Spirko's popular Survival Podcast, on the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, aka Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP.

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Given the rash of bombings and shootings in recent years, should first aid 101 be taught in schools? Should bleeding control kits be placed next to the fire extinguishers in schools, workplaces, and malls? Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, explore this controversial topic. Also, is the 5 second rule legit or are the germophobes right? Hear what scientists have to say about it, plus how to identify and treat ear infections with natural and conventional remedies. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Podcast with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP

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Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP are the medical experts for Jack Spirko's popular Survival Podcast, and today take a question from Josh, who has four children with allergy issues although it's never been a problem in the family. Dr. Alton discusses the Hygiene Hypothesis of why we're experiencing an epidemic of allergies these days, and how to recognize and deal with severe reactions. Also, Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones talk about antioxidants, a controversial topic to some in Western Medicine. What are they, what do they do, and a lot about how diet and lifestyle affects your ability to use them to stay healthy. All this and more in the latest episode of The Survival Medicine Hour.

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In this episode of The Survival Medicine Hour, good friend, author, and new dad Charley Hogwood joins Dr. Joe Alton to discuss group dynamics in survival scenarios. Also the average family of four throws out $1500 worth of food a year, something that has got to concern any prepper. Plus: Is there a vaccine being developed that might kill cancer cells?  It's being tested right now in Great Britain. All this and more with Amy Alton, ARNP and Joe Alton, MD in their latest podcast.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom (tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton welcome old friend and prolific author Jim Cobb to talk about his new book: "Prepper Communications". He'll talk about communications in survival settings, survival group communications, and the importance of good communications in good times or bad. Also, is there a vaccine in the works that might cure cancer? A study is being conducted in the terminally ill in the United Kingdom that's showing promise. Also, Kudzu, the invasive vine, may help decrease the amount of alcohol you drink!

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Five years ago, The Fukushima Daichi plant melted down after an earthquake and tsunami, and today spills out radioactive water from cooling operations that are still ongoing. What effects will it have on the population? Plus, Joe Alton, MD, talks all about asthma, especially in survival settings and give an update on the latest on Zika Virus. Also, super-resistant lice are now seen in 25 states, what can you do to deal with this new threat? All this on the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

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In survival, getting sleep is important to keep you sharp and make sure that appropriate judgements are made and actions taken. Learn about sleep hygiene from Joe Alton, MD, plus a new study tells you what states in the U.S. are the most sleep-deprived. Also, Dr. Alton discusses first and second degree burns, the difference between sunscreen and sunblock, and what the SPF rating system means. Also, how to identify and treat these common injuries in disasters or other situations where medical help isn't on the way. Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones also discuss the latest about Zika virus, plus how the Army is so lacking in medical providers that they are offering a rapid path to citizenship for foreign medical graduate volunteers. All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

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Would you have the materials and knowledge to stop heavy bleeding if you were confronted with it? In these violent times, you should be prepared to deal with injuries that could be life threatening and have the equipment that might save a life. Hear Amy Alton, ARNP, explain her thinking in designing a compact med kit that deal with hemorrhage that she believes should be in every workplace, classroom, and homestead. Also, Joe Alton, MD, talks about natural remedies when he goes over some herbal teas. Plus: Why does Zika Virus in Brazil cause birth defects, while no major history of the problem seems to occur with Zika virus in its original territory (Africa and Asia)? Is a mutation the cause? All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

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26 inches of snow and high winds cost 19 people their lives this weekend on the East Coast. Would you know how to keep warm in a blizzard? Dr. Joe Alton discusses the news and basic strategies that could save your life. Also, What will you do when the pharmaceuticals run out in a survival setting? Do you know the basics of natural remedies like essential oils and herbal medicine? Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP, discuss what you need to know about the medicinal benefits of various natural substances.

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Survival scenarios come with an increased risk of major trauma. Gunshot and knife wounds can lead to life-threatening chest wounds. Joe Alton, MD discusses options with faced with rib fractures and collapsed lungs (pneumothorax) in these situations. Also, a new virus has made its way across the Atlantic and is causing birth defects in thousands of newborns in Brazil and other countries. Find out more in Dr. Alton's report. Plus, famed author James Wesley, Rawles discusses the idea of a Christian refuge nation in his new novel "Land of Promise", and discusses the recent stock market woes as they pertain to a possible future economic collapse, all in the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

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One big issue in remote locations is the sterilizations of instruments and dressings. Now, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Disease has tested a new method that claims 100% sterilization using portable items that won't break the bank. Joe Alton, MD explains the procedure and talks about infections you'll find in soft tissues as a result of poor disinfecting practices and dirty wounds. Also, Amy Alton, ARNP talks about one of her favorite natural remedies: Ginger. All on the latest Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy

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Being medically prepared means being dentally prepared as well. Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP discuss what you should have in your storage to deal with dental issues that you might encounter in a long term survival setting.

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More deaths from late season tornadoes in Texas makes us ask this question: Do you know how to keep your family safe if you were in the path of a twister? Find out what to do to decrease the risk of injury. Also what part does hygiene play in survival success. Dr. Alton talks about a common issue in good times or bad: LICE. Plus, some thoughts on the part dental hygiene plays in the duties and responsibilities of the survival medic, all in this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy.

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How do you transport an injured person when the ambulance is heading in the other direction? Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP, explore some of your options when a victim has to be transported and you have to improvise a stretcher. Also, Christmas trees increasing mold counts in homes are leading to some severe allergies, plus a Christmas Eve asteroid fly-by, and some discussion on vital signs in austere settings. All this and more on the latest Survival Medicine Hour.

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Is ISIS causing an outbreak of the parasite Leishmaniasis by dumping bodies on the street? Plus, are there fungal meds in veterinary medicine that could be used in survival scenarios for humans? Plus, how to treat wound infections with Dakin's solution and the simple formula that can save your precious supply of antibiotics. All this and a primer on vital signs for the survival medic with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton ARNP in the Survival Medicine Hour podcast.

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Would you know the right plan of action if you were caught in an active shooter situation? Having a plan of action may mean the difference between life and death in the New Normal. Joe Alton, MD, gives his take on what to do in a mass casualty event, plus discusses a new tourniquet, the SWAT, that might save lifes in these uncertain times. Plus, a new superbug that's resistant to just about everything. All this and more in the latest episode of Doom and Bloomtm's Survival Medicine Hour.

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What's different about the flu vaccine the FDA just approved? Will it allieve concerns of the general public about vaccines in general? Also, what natural remedies might have an effect on diabetes? Also: Head Trauma, Nosebleed treatment with Afrin, also known as Oxymetazoline, and much more in Joe and Amy Alton's latest Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour...

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What's for dinner? Well, it could be Frankenfish, as theFDA gives final approval for  genetically modified salmon to hit the supermarket shelves. This story and more about dealing with a person physically collapsing in front of you are part of this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy. Also, a visit to the Urban Farming Institute...

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What's the new normal? It's certainly not what is was just a few days ago for the French, that's for sure. Nurse Amy gives her opinion and Prepper Author Jim Cobb of Preppers Survival Hacks joins in to discuss the news of the day, and talk about his new book that's guaranteed to turn you into the next MacGyver. Also, Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones discuss some emergencies that cause a person to collapse, this week: heart attacks. All this and more on the Survival Medicine Hour.

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Famed survivalist and author James Wesley, Rawles of survival blog joins Nurse Amy for an interesting and educational interview in this episode of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour. Also, Dr. Bones, Joe Alton, MD, answers a question put to him by one of Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast listeners as a member of Jack's Expert Council.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Nurse Amy interviews James Wesley, Rawles of the popular survivalblog.com, and author of various fiction and non-fiction books on survival and preparedness. Also, Dr. Bones, Joe Alton, MD, answers a question from one of our friend Jack Spirko's Survival Podcast audience.

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Bear are cute and cuddly, right? Well, not so much if they're up close and personal. At 500 pounds, a male black bear is something to reckon with, and Joe Alton, MD, gives you some plans of action to survive an encounter. Also, Amy Alton, ARNP and Dr. Alton discuss the most recent E. Coli intestinal infection outbreak in the Northwest, and how to identify and treat it. Also, how to make sterile saline for wound care with limited supplies. All this from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

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What antibiotics should you have in your medical storage in case of disaster? In their continuing series, Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, talk about Metronidazole (Flagyl, Fish-Zole) and its potential for use in survival settings. Dr. Bones talks about Hurricane Patricia, the latest floods in Texas, and more, plus a visit to Carolina Readiness Supply, an actual brick-and-mortar Prepper Store in Waynesville, NC, and interview owner Jan Sterrett. Plus, Nurse Amy talks about freeze-dried foods and a couple of short interviews with famed prepper author Jim Cobb and Aroundthecabin.com founder Rich Beresford, the first videocast channel for preppers.

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On this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Nurse Amy (Amy Alton, ARNP) welcomes Vincent Von Doom of Disaster Survival Magazine and disastersurvivalnetwork.com. Vince moved from an urban lifestyle to a small town after his experiences led him to a preparedness lifestyle. Listen to his story and some good advice regarding "continuity of community" as a motto for success, even if everything else fails. Also, Dr. Bones (Joe Alton, MD) talks about airway obstruction and (gulp!) how to perform a tracheotomy (don't try this at home, kids)...

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Teaching the youngsters about preparedness isn't easy, but Navy Chaplain Kermit Jones is helping with his great series of children's book on self-reliance, Prepper Pete and Friends. In Nurse Amy's interview, you'll hear how Kermit is helping forge a new generation that will be resilient in the face of adversity. Also, Joe Alton, MD,,aka Dr. Bones, discusses the pros and cons of skin glues to close wounds, and how to use them.

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What if you were the medic in a long-term survival scenario and came upon an injury that won't get better with the usual treatment? What if you had to make an extreme decision like whether to perform an amputation? Joe Alton, MD steps out on a limb to talk about considerations that would be necessary in these circumstances. Also, Amy Alton, ARNP, discusses a common problem and how to deal with it: Insomnia! All this and more in the latest Survival Medicine Podcast.

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Have you ever attended a preparedness event? Ordinarily, we do a replay of an earlier podcast when we're off to speak at an event, but this time we interviewed a number of our fellow attendees at North Carolina's Prepper Camp! On this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, you'll hear from Scott Hunt of Practical Preppers, Charley Hogwood of the Survival Group Handbook, Tim French of Americans Networking to Survive (A.N.T.S.), Rick Johnson of NC Oathkeepers, and Josh Gore of North Star Tactical. Special thanks to Survivor Jane and Rick Austin for putting on a great event.

Also, a short discussion of electrolytes and their role in maintaining healthy body function, and their depletion in dehydration and diarrheal disease.

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One of the scariest situations for the medic in an austere setting is the broken bone. What are the basic of fracture diagnosis and care that everyone should know? Also, Joe Alton, MD discusses eye infections, styes, pink eye, and foreign object evaluation and treatment. Also, what are the medical supply items that a new member of the preparedness community can find in the local market or pharmacy? All on the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Joe Alton and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.

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September is National Preparedness Month, and Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP, are fully supportive of our nation's efforts to be ready for disasters. Dr. Bones discusses what preparedness should mean to you. Plus, new research on whether exposure to microbial debris in early life leads to an allergy-free child, how to approach medical issues relating to the eyes in survival settings, and an account of the effect of the migration of Syrian refugees out of the Middle East to Eastern Europe.

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Tropical storm Erika didn't become a hurricane, but still will dump rain and cause storms throughout Florida and perhaps the gulf states. What do you do when the storms come, and what happens when those storm cause mudslides, like that which killed 20 people on the island of Dominica? Also, Joe Alton, MD,discusses the right way to stop a nosebleed, and some updates on the medical problems still confronting Ebola survivors. All on the latest episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, this time recorded on the road in Atlanta, Georgia!

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Will this year's El Nino weather phenomenon save California from the worst drought in years? Is there any home remedy that can handle a bad case of heartburn? How do you treat a black widow or brown recluse spider bite? This and a common sense response to those in the survival community that would withhold a needed medication from a sick person because it expired. Plus much more on this week's Survival Medicine Hour with Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP.

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Prepper author Ron Foster joins us for an entertaining hour talking about his books and survival in general with the inimitable Nurse Amy! Also, capsaicin from chili peppers may help prolong your life, plus an update on the outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in New York City.

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Leprosy cases in Florida spark investigation of their source, plus Joe Alton, MD, aka Dr. Bones, tell you all you'll ever need to know about the disease. Shark attacks in South Carolina lead Dr. Bones to tackle the furry kind of bites, those from cats, dogs, and other mammals. Also: Flesh-eating bacteria in Virginia; the dandelion-like herb Feverfew is discussed by Nurse Amy, plus a little history about herbal medicine.  Finally, Nurse Amy talks about the different forms that herbs can be formulated in for human use.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour: Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP discuss how to control bleeding from gunshot wounds, consider medical supplies as a barter item, and respond to those who criticize the storage of fish and bird antibiotics for survival settings.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Nurse Amy welcomes back Glen Tate, who has finally finished his ten-book epic saga "299 Days". Glen makes some provocative statements about America today that will get you thinking, plus talks a little about what manhood really means in modern times, as well as giving us the scoop on his final installment of his long-running series of novels.

To Listen in, click below:

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton discuss fireworks safety tips for celebrants of the 4th of July, plus, how to deal with burns that may occur in good or bad times. Nurse Amy discusses the various uses of Chamomile, and Dr. Alton discusses the fate of some little-known signers of the Declaration of Independence. You won't find them on stamps, coins, or paper currency, but their sacrifice needs to be known.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy (Joe Alton, MD and Amy Alton, ARNP), our hosts welcome AJ Powers, authors of the apocalyptic fiction novel "As The Ash Fell".  Also, Dr. Bones discusses the recent tragic case of Plague killing a 16 year old athlete in Colorado and what you need to know about the disease. Also, some little-known facts about mosquitos and the diseases they carry (not the Plague though, that's carried by fleas).

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss the recent tropical storm and how to protect your family in a hurricane, how to prevent summer drowning accidents, drug resistant Tuberculosis, and much more. Tara Dodrill of Power Grid Down: Prepare, Survive, and Thrive when the Lights go out returns for part 2 of her interview.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, welcome Tara Dodrill, preparedness journalist and author of Power Grid Down: Prepare, Survive, and Thrive After The Lights Go Out, discuss the latest news about Middle East Respiratory Virus, and how this year's flu vaccine was only 19% protective against the illness (normally it's 60-70%). Also, a disease you don't know much about: Vibrio Vulnificus, a relative of Cholera that has killed two people in Florida this year, and a mention of National Pollinator Week, a week of awareness about our animal pollinators.  A third of human nutrition requires these bees, beetles, birds, and other wildlife to produce our food.

Also, on the lighter side, a segment of the Alton's collaboration with Charley and Courtney Hogwood, the "Barely Prepared" news parody Youtube series.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, welcome their good friends Dave and Lenie Duffy of Backwoods Home Magazines, a great homesteading resource! Also, Dr. Bones discusses nailbed injuries, the MERS epidemic brewing in South Korea, and the government's inadvertent shipment of live Anthrax spores to 51 labs in 17 states and 3 countries.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton (aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy) discuss the recent inadvertent shipment of live Anthrax to labs in nine states, the recent floods in Texas and Oklahoma and strategies on how to stay safe in one, and the antibiotic Azithromycin (Z-pack) and its application for survival settings. Nurse Amy discusses medical benefits of certain mushrooms, herbal therapy for depression, and genetically modified food issues.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss recent evidence of human-to-human transmission of Middle East Respiratory Virus (MERS), how teeth decay, considerations when dealing with open wounds, and the possible genetic nature of risk taking, and its relevance to survival settings.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour podcast, Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP, discuss Lyme disease in detail, Doxycycline as n antibiotic for survival settings, research on date syrup that suggests it has more antibacterial activity than Manuka honey, and the unusual case of Dr. Ian Crozier, Ebola CDC patient that developed active virus on the inside of his eye months after he survived the disease. Finally, a sneak peak at a project that the Altons are involved in that's a departure from survival medicine...

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour Podcast, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr.Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss principles of herbal healing, how penicillin was invented (by accident), the antibiotic Metronidazole (Flagyl, Fish-Zole), and the perils of antibiotic overuse.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP, discuss the recent news about bird flu, all about lice infestations, and the antibiotic Cipro and its application in survival settings.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour Podcast, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss a hazard you'll encounter if you don't sterilize water in the wilderness: Giardiasis! Also, a discussion of how to survive at sea, whether on a capsized boat, a life raft, or in the water. Plus, a bump on the road hits our dynamic duo when black mold is encountered in spare rooms at their residence...

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour podcast, the Altons, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss two epidemic diseases that sound  and look similar but aren't: Typhoid and Typhus. Also, Nurse Amy discusses the various uses of valerian root in home remedies, and we begin a discussion of the use of tourniquets in austere environments.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss the recent 3-building blaze in NYC, the nature of fires, and how to survive one. Also, Dr. Bones tells you how to make normal saline solution for irrigation of wounds, and Nurse Amy tells you went to close a wound and when to leave it open. Finally, Dr. Bones goes out on a limb with his recommendation to replace the standard handshake with fist bumps?! Hear him out, there's hard data supporting it!

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss expirations dates and what they really mean, how to deal with open wounds, and health benefits of tomatoes.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka  Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss concerns about recent cases of whooping cough, also known as Pertussis, that have hit their hometown, plus a how-to on dealing with stab wounds, as well as some thoughts on European prepping as their trip abroad comes to a close.  Also, Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy will be at the Self-Reliance Expo in Arlington Texas, the weekend of March 21.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, MD, and Amy Alton, ARNP, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss their ongoing journey in Europe. Also, Dr. Alton reports on a physician advisory he recently received from the state about Rubella, aka German Measles and about the different types of immunity. Last but not least, Nurse Amy welcomes our good friend Glen Tate of the great apocalyptic fiction series 299 Days (also a best-selling audio book)...

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alto, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, welcome Captain Bill Cirmo of BIBO (Bug-In Bug-Out) outfitters, author of the new book "Your BIBO Number: A guide for the (Sub)Urban Prepper", a new way to quantify when it's time bug in or bug out. Bill is also a former U.S. Navy pilot, dive instructor, and designer of an amazing bug-out trailer equipped with everything you could need in a survival situation.  Also, Dr. Bones talks about Athlete's foot, a small problem that could cause big problems with work efficiency off the grid, plus Nurse Amy discusses our European trip to a number of countries and the preppers we'll be talking with there.

Bill Cirmo's website:  http://www.bibooutfitters.com/

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss the Bourbon virus superbug and antibiotic resistance, how to identify and treat rib fractures, and some very important questions that you should ask your doctor if you want to take charge of your health in good times OR bad...

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In the episode of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss a third world disease that could become a major issue in an off-grid survival setting. Also, Dr. Alton takes on the controversial issue of vaccination policy as it pertains to Measles. When is it appropriate to curtail individual rights in the interest of public health and safety?

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, the topics include all you need to know about face masks as medical supplies, measles as a survival infection, and natural remedies to deal with respiratory infections.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom™ Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss the effects of alcohol, good and bad, on your health, sleep deprivation, new viruses on the horizon in West Africa, and basics of Escape and Evasion in Nurse Amy’s interview with Jack of Black Scout Survival, Part 2.

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Nurse Amy, aka Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., interviews Jack of the popular Black Scout Survival Youtube channel, and Joe Alton, M.D., aka Dr.Bones, discusses colds, flus and pneumonias from both a traditional and an alternative standpoint in survival settings. Plus: Boko Haram, End of Ebola in Sight?, and more...

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.,aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss how to deal with nosebleeds in austere settings, the role that honey may have in treating infections with MRSA, an old rehydration method that may have applications in post-apocalyptic scenarios, and Azithromycin as a survival antibiotic.  Also, the terrorist attack that killed 2000 this week that you didn't even hear about...

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom (tm) Survival Medicine Hour, the Altons discuss the viral illness that rages on in the Caribbean and South America, with 2000 U.S. cases in 2014:  Chikungunya Virus.  Also, Dr. Bones (Joe Alton, M.D.) discusses new thinking about tourniquets as well as the important survival antibiotic Metronidazole (Fish-Zole).

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones (Amy Alton, A.R.N.P. and Joe Alton, M.D.), we discuss the issues surrounding survival when stranded in a vehicle during a winter storm, what you should have in your car to stay safe, and more cold weather stuff. Also, how to prevent deaths that could be avoided in an off-grid scenario by stockpiling antibiotics, plus more...

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In the latest episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, the Altons, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss spirituality and its role in survival, cardiac and non-cardiac causes of chest pain (including acid reflux and ulcers), and more...

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, we discuss an incident of food poisoning in Florida and what to do if it happens to you, how to deliver a baby, a whooping cough outbreak in California, Olive crop failure in Italy, and much more...

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy discuss strange animal die-offs in the last month, the latest typhoon to threaten the Philippines, some good news from NASA, how to deal with kidney stones, and basics of caring for early pregnancy.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour with Joe and Amy Alton, aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, they discuss basics of ballistic trauma (how bullets cause wounds), good fats vs bad fats, and how to treat styes, plus much more...

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In this episode of the Doom and Bloom(tm) Survival Medicine Hour, Joe and Amy Alton (aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy) discuss things that you can do to prevent infectious diseases from affecting your family in good times OR bad...

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Joe Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P., aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, discuss survival sanitation as it pertains to human waste, uses of vinegar, and the latest case of Ebola being evacuated to the U.S.

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In this episode of the Survival Medicine Hour, Amy and Joe Alton, aka Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones, discuss the early cold wave coming from Alaska and cold-related medical issues like hypothermia. Also, our recent trip to the Self-Reliance Expo in Denver and more...