*Foot First Aid*
By: DuckMan
22 January 2007

Most all of us in the Rubicon are past the Idea that the back pack survivalist is the way to go , however there may be a time when you have to evade on foot, such as in case of an EMP, or traffic is at such a stand still that you have to abandon your vehicle. If this is the case you will then have to take care of your main source of transportation, your feet.

As some one who likes to hike and camp out I can tell you from personal experience blisters are no fun and can make an already miserable situation even worse.

 

First there are a few simple things you can do to prevent blisters, such as, wearing well worn, but not worn out, boots and shoes. I keep a spare pair of boots and old sneakers in my car just in case. Wear socks that wick, and use foot powder to keep your feet dry.

 

Most GI socks wick and you can get them at surplus stores or civilian versions at Wal-Mart and sporting good stores.

Now suppose you’ve done all this and your feet are still rubbing blisters. You can still treat the areas that are rubbing, " hot spots", before they become full fledged blisters by applying mole skin from your first Aid Kit (You DO have a first Aid kit, right?). Mole skin takes the pressure off the " hot spot" allowing the swelling to go down.

 

Here are the steps to apply mole skin.

  1. Cut a small circular patch of mole skin.
  2. Fold the patch over and cut at an angle to make a hole that will cover the hot spot.
  3. Remove the adhesive cover and place over the hot spot.
  4. If you have to give some extra adhesive use medical tape to tape it to your foot.
  5. If your Blister has already been popped or lanced wash the area with peroxide and apply Neosporin before applying the mole skin it will still make it feel better than not treating it with any thing and prevent infection.

DuckMan



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