A good reference guide to add to your home medical library is the second edition of the Survival and Austere Medicine: An Introduction. Last updated in April of 2005, the manual is a collective effort from the Remote, Austere, Wilderness and Third World Medicine Forum.

Over 200 pages, it is a substantial effort and provides a wealth of information. Divided into 20 chapters ranging from advice on training to long term survival medicine to dental care, the manual covers a broad scope. Although copyrighted, it’s available as a pdf file for printing and distribution (copylefting), so long as the entire text is used and all disclaimers and copyrights remain intact. We recommend printing it out on pre-punched three holed paper and putting it in a binder with a spine and cover labels.

The chapter on assembling a medical kit is very useful. The authors have taken a three tiered approach to the task: first aid kit, basic medical kit, advanced medical kit. Checklists and discussion about choosing equipment are included. The book wisely notes that what you stock up on should be related to what you know how to use.

One of the most exceptional contributions of the manual is its annotated Appendix listing medical suppliers and their contact information. We found the entries to be current and comprehensive. So if you’re wondering where to buy a kelly clamp, suture material or an airway, check out the entries in the back.