Okay, you’re looking for instructions on creating functional basic medical equipment including (in theory) surgical instruments for a survival library.
Important Disclaimer: Attempting to create surgical instruments in a non-sterile environment carries extremely high risks of infection and complications. This information is for theoretical knowledge in a true survival situation where no other options exist. Under no circumstances should you attempt surgery on yourself or others without proper medical training and sterile equipment.
Guide to Creating Basic Non-Surgical Medical Equipment
This guide provides instructions for creating basic medical equipment in situations where access to manufactured medical supplies is limited. It’s crucial to remember that improvised medical care should only be used when real medical e professional medical help is unavailable.
Water Filtration: Access to clean drinking water is paramount for survival. A basic water filter can be constructed using a plastic bottle or container. Cut off the bottom of the bottle to create a funnel shape. Layer the following materials inside the bottle, starting from the bottom: a clean cloth or coffee filter, pulverized charcoal, fine sand, coarse sand, and gravel. A top strainer can be used to help eliminate spilling. This process removes larger impurities, but boiling the filtered water is still essential to kill bacteria and make it safe to drink.
Improvised Splints: In the event of a fracture, creating a splint can prevent further injury. A splint immobilizes a broken bone, preventing further injury and pain. The main goal of a splint is not to heal the bone, rather to immobilize it until help arrives. Securing the injured and non-injured legs together can help ease and speed up evacuation. Start by applying padding around the injured area using cloth or bandages. Position the splint, such as sticks, boards, or rolled-up newspapers, so that it extends beyond the injury, immobilizing the joints above and below. Finally, secure the support using cloth, tape, or any available binding material, ensuring it’s snug but not constricting circulation.
Improvised Tourniquet: Severe bleeding requires immediate control. While commercial tourniquets are ideal, an improvised tourniquet can be fashioned from a strong cloth, such as a triangular bandage or canvas belt. A tourniquet is controversial due to the potential nerve or tissue damage, so it would be a really extreme situation to require one. Wrap the cloth tightly around the limb above the wound and use a sturdy stick or similar object as a windlass to twist and tighten the tourniquet until bleeding stops. Secure the windlass to prevent it from unwinding and monitor circulation.
Improvised Wound Dressing: Keeping wounds clean and covered is crucial to prevent infection. The bandage by itself can serve as a reasonable barrier for application of direct pressure on an injury. Lacking sterile bandages, clean cloths or bandanas can be used to pack into the wound, if needed. Improvised wound dressings can be crafted from clean cloths or even items like tampons or sanitary napkins (if available) for absorption. Apply direct pressure to the wound using the improvised dressing and secure it with tape or cloth strips.
Improvised Cervical Collar: An improvised cervical collar can be made by firmly rolling and taping a fleece jacket around the head and neck[1].
Improvised First Aid Whistle: A great improvised survival gear item is that of making a survival whistle from a simple water bottle cap.
Improvised Surgical Instruments (Conceptual)
Given the extreme difficulty and risk of creating functional surgical instruments without advanced tools and materials, I’ll focus on the concepts and potential improvisations using readily available materials, emphasizing their limitations.
1. Scalpel:
* Concept: A sharp blade for making incisions.
Improvisation:
* Razor Blade: A new, unused razor blade, carefully cleaned and disinfected (boiling, alcohol). Wrap handle with cloth.
* Sharpened Metal: A thin piece of hardened metal (knife fragment, tool steel) carefully sharpened to a fine edge using a whetstone or similar abrasive. Handle must be well-secured.
* Limitations: Difficult to achieve a truly sharp and precise edge. High risk of breakage and contamination.
2. Forceps (Hemostats):
* Concept: Used to grasp and hold tissues or to clamp blood vessels.
Improvisation:
* Tweezers: Cleaned and sterilized tweezers can be used for grasping small tissues.
* Modified Pliers: Pliers can be filed down to create smaller jaws.
* Bent Wire: Stiff wire bent into a U-shape with the ends filed to create a gripping surface.
* Limitations: Difficult to achieve precise clamping force. Sterilization challenging.
3. Retractor:
* Concept: Used to hold back tissues and expose the surgical site.
Improvisation:
* Bent Spoons/Forks: Cleaned and sterilized spoons or forks bent to provide a holding surface.
* Stiff Wire: Heavy-gauge wire bent into a suitable shape.
* Limitations: Limited holding power. Difficult to maintain sterility.
4. Scissors:
* Concept: Used to cut tissues and sutures.
Improvisation:
* Small Scissors: Small, sharp household scissors, thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
* Modified Pliers: Pliers can be filed down to create smaller jaws.
* Limitations: Difficult to achieve a clean, precise cut. Sterilization challenging.
5. Needle Holder:
* Concept: Used to hold a suture needle securely.
Improvisation:
* Small Pliers: Cleaned and sterilized small pliers with a locking mechanism.
* Modified Forceps: Forceps with a modified jaw to hold the needle securely.
* Limitations: Difficult to achieve a secure grip on the needle. Sterilization challenging.
6. Tissue Forceps (Grasping Forceps):
* Concept: Used to grasp and manipulate tissues.
Improvisation:
* Tweezers: Cleaned and sterilized tweezers with serrated tips.
* Modified Pliers: Small pliers with modified tips to grasp tissue.
* Limitations: Difficult to achieve a delicate grip. Sterilization challenging.
7. Trocar: (Used for draining fluids. Very difficult to improvise safely).
* Concept: A pointed instrument used to create an opening into a body cavity for drainage.
Improvisation: Highly dangerous to improvise.
* Sharpened Tube: A metal tube that has been sharpened.
* Limitations: Extreme risk of organ damage and infection.
8. Bone Saw: (Extremely difficult to improvise).
* Concept: Used to cut bone.
Improvisation: Highly difficult to improvise.
* Hacksaw Blade: A hacksaw blade attached to a makeshift handle could potentially be used.
* Limitations: Very difficult to control, high risk of injury.
9. Rongeur: (Used for nibbling bone. Very difficult to improvise).
* Concept: Used for nibbling away at bone.
Improvisation: Nearly impossible to improvise effectively.
* Modified Pliers: Strong pliers with sharpened, cupped jaws might be attempted.
* Limitations: Extremely difficult to control and sterilize.
10. Surgical Drill: (Impossible to improvise safely and effectively).
* Concept: Used to drill holes in bone.
Improvisation: Not possible without advanced tools and materials.
General Considerations (Survival Context)
- Sterilization is Paramount: Boil instruments for at least 20 minutes. Use alcohol or strong disinfectants if available.
- Cleanliness is Essential: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Clean the surgical site meticulously.
- Knowledge is Power: Only attempt procedures you have some understanding of. Understand anatomy.
- Pain Management: Attempt to manage pain with available remedies (natural pain relievers).
- Infection Control: Monitor closely for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus).
- Seek Help: If possible, get guidance from someone with medical knowledge, even remotely.
Again, I must strongly emphasize that attempting surgery with improvised tools is incredibly dangerous and should only be considered as an absolute last resort in a true survival scenario. This information is provided for theoretical understanding, not practical application without proper medical training and resources.
Read More
[1] https://www.emra.org/emresident/article/improvised-medicine-lessons-from-the-wilderness
[2] https://outdoors.com/improvised-wilderness-medicine/
[3] https://www.crisis-medicine.com/category/improvised/
[4] https://survivalschool.us/9-improvised-survival-items-that-could-save-your-life/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29907602/
[6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/emergency-essentials/basics/art-20134335
[7] https://www.offgridweb.com/survival/medical-improvisations-diy-techniques-for-survival-first-aid-hygiene/
[8] https://ufpro.com/de/blog/house-prepping-whats-my-combat-medic-bag
[9] https://www.polymathproducts.co.uk/blog/improvised-first-aid-items
[10] https://www.exploretruenorth.com/improvisation-the-lifeblood-of-survival/