by Joseph Alton, M.D. and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P.
(aka Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy)
Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy, of the Doom and Bloom Hour, are my definitive ‘collapse medicine’ experts. So I was thrilled when I heard they had published a medical survival book and I immediately ordered a copy. When it arrived, I spent several days pouring through it.
I could not be happier, it is outstanding! Dr. Bones and Nurse Amy have written a first of it’s kind, an incredible medical reference in the–previously non-existent–category of collapse medicine.
They tell you what to do when, “Help is NOT on the way” ever.
Collapse: The situation after a TEOTWAWKI event; modern society, infrastructure, and systems as we know it will no longer exist.
Collapse Medicine: Medical care that will be provided when “there is no access to modern medical care, and there is NO potential for accessing such care in the foreseeable future.”
First aid books tell us, when treating a critical patient, to first stabilize then transport to a hospital emergency room. This one doesn’t. This one can’t – in a collapse there won’t be any. This book is written in plain easy to understand English, and it is written for you. You, the non-medical provider who takes it upon his or her self to assume the medical responsibilities for the group; doing your best to keep your people as healthy as you can.
The book begins by teaching you how to become a medical resource. It provides detailed lists of Likely Medical Issues You Will Face, Medical Skills You Will Want To Learn, and Medical Supplies you’ll want/need (including a thorough list of what to stock in your medical kit).
There is not only a valuable section explaining Natural Remedies (including a chapter on Essential Oils) but, whenever possible, it shows you how to effectively use them in conjunction with traditional (allopathic) pharmacology. Someday the only medicines available may be the ones you can grow and gather.
This book is as all-encompassing as I believe it can be. From respiratory infections to fractures to hypothermia to pregnancy and delivery, the chapters and the knowledge continue. There is even a detailed chapter on suturing; including when–and when not–to close a wound. If you can think of a medical problem that you may have to deal with in a collapse, there’s information about it in this book and more. Then, to further your medical education, they include a list of medical reference books you can add to your library and YouTube videos that demonstrate the procedures discussed.
The book concludes with information I don’t believe you’ll find written anywhere else; on the medically controversial topics of stockpiling medications (prescription and over-the-counter), how to use antibiotics (without a doctor’s guidance), and what drug expiration dates really mean.
Finally, I especially appreciate that they dedicated the book to me – okay, all of us. We, who will take on the medical responsibilities when there are no others; the ones who your group will affectionately call ‘Doc’. To us, Doctor Bones and Nurse Amy write, “…we both dedicate this book to those who are willing to take responsibility for the health of their loved ones in times of trouble. We salute your courage in accepting this assignment; have no doubt, it will save lives.”
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Great review. I recently recieved a copy of the book and am trying to find time to read it. Wow – it truely does have a lot of information in it.
Take care –
Rourke
Thanks. Yes it’s full of info and I’m very happy with it. I consider it a very valuable resource.
While this book will be of some value to someone with zero training, I was quite disappointed in its lack of advanced content–especially since it was written by a doctor, and sold at a hefty price. Most of the information in the book is widely available, and a lot of it does not exceed good first aid training. Some of the information Dr. Alton offers is out of date and does not reflect current practice. Most topics in the book are give a cursory and unsatisfactory treatment of a couple of small pages (the book is a trade paperback size), occasionally with a black and white tonal image—often serving solely as decoration. Dr. Alton frequently refers the reader to sources outside the book for information that should be in the book, and to me this betrays the entire purpose and promise of the book. Most of the herbal information is inserted for a woo-woo effect, and should not be taken seriously. Except for putting cayenne in wounds to stop bleeding, none of it will harmful, but none of will as helpful as other basic practical measures and home remedies. I have no doubt that Joe and Amy are interested in herbs, but what they offer is exceedingly weak from a clinical herbalist’s point of view. Medics should keep in mind that the placebo effect is statistically more effective than pharmaceuticals, and if the medic’s bedside manner is good the effectiveness goes way up. Nature performs the cure while the medic assists in the process. Way too much of the book is taken up preaching to the choir. Anyone interested in such a book has already realized that collapse is happening. I am afraid that a key selling point of this book is the section on suturing. What untrained people don’t realize is that in most cases suturing is cosmetic, and being suture happy can result in some really nasty consequences, including death from systemic infection. Most wounds should not be closed, and for those that require it 95% can be more safely closed with tape. I have many other issues with this book’s failure to fulfill its promise, but the above should adaquetely convey my disappointment. Caveat emptor.
I feel that I have to reply to this comment. We specifically wrote the book for the non-medical person, as most of the preparedness community is not comprised of doctors or other advanced practitioners, The book has a section on suturing, but also discusses when NOT to suture and the alternatives to close wounds. I emphasize that most wounds should not be closed (page 207-8), so it’s hard to understand why you believe that the book is “suture happy”.
The herbal and other remedies that don’t pertain to conventional medicine are there because we may not have pharmaceuticals available, and there are treatments available that buck the conventional medical wisdom. I provide lots of references so that people can research in more detail; to put all of this in the book would have made it 800 pages.
As this is the first negative comment on the book, I thank that many in the preparedness community appreciate the effort put forth in the book, and we are not discouraged in our effort to make preppers better medical assets to their family than they are now.
We will not stop writing articles, speaking at conferences, teaching classes or doing our podcasts…we feel a calling to HELP people become prepared for any disaster or collapse that may come our way.
To begin this path of medical preparedness, the very basics must be covered and explained first. Step 1 before step 2. As far as the information being “out of date” this information is for a time when modern medical help is NOT available, and we will be thrown BACK to a time when anesthesia, surgical interventions and pharmacies are gone, so yes it may seem out of date, but that’s what we may have to deal with. We have consulted many resourses, including medical texts from the 1800′s. before modern pharmaceuticals were invented!
I don’t think you grasp WHY or WHO this was written for or what scenarios we are trying to help. Perhaps you are not a “prepper” or understand the concept of a “TEOTWAWKI”, which would make sense, given your comments. If we are without pharmaceuticals, nature may become our “medicine chest”.
I have over 70 DIFFERENT medicinal herbs in MY backyard which I am growing. So I’d say I’m VERY interested in herbal alternatives. I use essential oils daily. When my family is sick, we suggest natural remedies for healing. I study herbal medicine daily.
We are trying to help provide a reliable resource for preppers, not educate the established medical professionals.
Since you took the time to copy and paste THIS exact comment on other websites, I suspect you have a hidden agenda, call me a “prepper” who has seen people with a “reason” to say negative things about people trying to help others.
We have over 200 FREE articles on our website, which are only meant to educate and we have been doing a “free” weekly podcast for 1 1/2 years. We write in Backwoods Home Magazine and Survivalist Magazine. We speak at the Self Reliance expos, Popular Mechanics Prep Shows, and the Survival and Tactical Expo held in the Blade Show. Why? Because we want to help people.
“bob” has posted this on several websites… why? Beats me but he has some serious issues…
Nurse Amy and Dr. Bones
http://www.DoomandBloom.net
Thank you very much Nurse Amy for responding!
I wasn’t quite sure how to deal with ‘Bob’. I don’t have a problem with dissenting opinions, but I was surprised by the almost venom behind his comment. Of course the book wasn’t written with an “advance content” audience in mind; it needed to start with the basics and explain potentially difficult situations that may have to be handled by someone without any medical background at all.
Yes Bob, I agree with you that the collapse is already beginning. You appear to be a medical professional – what are you doing to help the prepper community prepare for it?
Haven’t read the book, but flipping the coin on “bob’s” criticism reveals the books true value…provide paniced people a simple solid anchor of action (think of the almost elementary level first aid posters employers are required to hang), get people thinking about skill sets before they are critical, provide paths of exploration Via reference ports.
Exactly. “How you think is more important than what you know…”. You’re right, giving people a starting point and some confidence is a big step in the needed direction.
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