When I first heard about this book, my first reaction was who would ever tape themselves together? Then I remembered… oh yeah, my brother has done just that!
When he was a teenager, he went hunting with his friend (another responsible teenager – yeah right) and he wound up in a 4-wheeler accident. The nearest town was 2 hours away, so instead of ruining his hunting trip, his friend patched him up with duct-tape and back they went to shooting pigs and filling deer feeders.
I guess I have to cut my brother some slack, because even though he never read Duct Tape 911 (since it wasn’t around then), he actually did a modified version of what Dr. Hubbard recommends.
Not only that, but Dr. Hubbard even mentions that doctors like to use tape on face cuts more than anywhere else because they usually heal pretty fast, and you don’t get railroad-track scars that stitches sometimes leave.
Duct Tape 911: The Many Amazing Medical Things You Can Do to Tape Yourself Together
First off, before taking any medical advice, be smart and use your head.
Use of the information in this book is AT YOUR OWN RISK, intended solely for self-help, in times of emergency, when medical help is not available, and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. DO NOT USE THIS INSTEAD OF SEEKING QUALIFIED MEDICAL PERSONNEL. – Dr. Hubbard
Ok, now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let’s get on to the good stuff!
Dr. Hubbard lays out the book by first mentioning why he likes duct tape – versatile, strong, easy to tear, easy to shape, sticky, & waterproof. Then he has 5 sections on the different ways to use the tape in medical emergencies.
Tape Your Joints
Tape Your Skin
Tape Your Eyes
Tape Your Clothes
Tape Your Life
I really like the simplicity he used when explaining things. His illustrations are very useful in detailing exactly where to tape (or not to tape) so anyone can follow along and do it! Let’s face it, when there’s an emergency situation simplicity is a must!
He covered how to use duct tape for things I’ve never thought of before – like removing rings, warts, & cactus-spine. He also discussed ways you can use duct-tape to save a life by making a tourniquet, your own bandages, or even a CPR mouth barrier to protect yourself.
Some of my favorite things I never would have dreamed-up to make with duct tape were – a waterproof bag, sunglasses, and insect/snake-resistant pants.
I realized I’ve actually used one of his methods before to keep my shoes from falling off during a mud race.
The only thing my husband mentioned when he was reading over my shoulder, was to make sure to shave the area first! Otherwise, it might be more painful taking the duct tape off than the original injury (according to him).
I’m going to try and get our family together one night and practice making some of the things he mentioned. My kids love tape and playing doctor, so this should be fun! Plus, I really want to try out these duct tape glasses :)
I loved that the book got right down to the point. Dr. Hubbard isn’t boring you with pages and pages of wordy monologues – instead, he tells you what you need to know and then moves on to the next topic.
This book has inspired me to put duct tape (and a razor) in each of our 72 hours kits & first aid kit along with a copy of the book. These techniques aren’t just for emergency situations either, but can come in handy now and maybe even save me a few trips to the doctor.
I definitely recommend adding Duct Tape 911 for your emergency preparedness library. This also makes for a fun and unique gift idea – at least I know I’ll be giving a copy to my brother for his birthday this year, along with a few rolls of duct tape ;)
So I want to hear what you think! Have you ever had to tape yourself back together in an emergency?
Meet the Author – James Hubbard, MD, MPH
Dr. James Hubbard, with over 30 years as a family doctor, uses his experience to help teach others how to survive when they can’t find professional medical help. He is also the author of Living Ready Pocket Manual: First Aid and the e-books The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Burns and The Survival Doctor’s Guide to Wounds. Get the latest news and information about Dr. Hubbard on his website TheSurvivalDoctor.com.
Yep, more than once. I’ve been cut on both arms and legs many times on a job site or just getting things done around the house and yard. Sometimes fairly deep or long cuts. Usually just stick some tape on it and go back to work. Along with stopping the blood from getting all over the tools(and yourself) the tape helps keep dirt, grass, wood chips, flies, gnats and lots of other stuff out of the cut. Quick, easy repairs can be made to both you and your equipment with just a few inches of good old duct tape. Never leave home without it.
I knew I could count on you to have tried duct taping yourself together ;)
Don’t forget the fun uses for duct tape. Picture a heavy sleeper on a hunting, fishing or camping trip. Morning coffee by the camp fire is always more fun if you get to listen to the screams of “I’m gonna kill you guys when I get loose”. Of course you have to make sure you use enough tape so they can’t get loose to really enjoy your coffee uninterrupted. Another good one is to tape them to a tree, then you get to be entertained by the faces they make while trying to break the tape. Always good for a few laughs.
I totally see where you got your nickname ;)
My first thought was: outch! That looks like it’d be pretty hard to take off!
But yeah, there are definitely more practical uses for duct tape than I’d imagined, as proved by this article :).
That’s what I was thinking too, big ouch – but I guess it’s better than nothing ;)
Definitely! :)
You can make duct tape less sticky and less painfull to remove from your skin by simply sticking it on a clean piece of clothing and ripping it off again before taping it on your skin. It will still stick, but will be easier to remove. This might be a good idea, depending on the type of injury you’re using it for and on how long it will have to stay in place.
Especially handy if using it on infants or toddlers sensitive skin.
What a great tip! I didn’t even think of doing that. Thanks for sharing!
You don’t know the half of it. Lets see, put a bobcat in a new suitcase and leave the suitcase on the side of the road, somebody WILL pick it up, put it in their car and drive away. The bet is how far they go before opening the case. If they’re quick it’s a show you don’t want to miss. I have to say though that I come by it naturally, my dad and his brothers once moved the out house back 6 feet in the middle of the night. They got woken up at 3 in the mornin by grandpa and a leather belt, both covered with you know what. Still fun, I mean. ya know your gonna pay, just cant help it, fun is fun. A country boy WILL survive, and have a few laughs along the way.
Love this post. Duct tape is a great thing to have thing to have on hand. One more reason to love this stuff! Stocking up for sure. Pinned!
Thanks Nichole! Definitely a great thing to have on hand for lots of reasons ;)
Yep it has allot of uses. Ever ask a military guy what they did with it in the field?
Super glue also works very well on large shallow cuts. Just be careful and don’t get it on you when you seal the cut with it.