Improvised Chemistry — Medical Applications in Survival

Mix 9 grams of sodium chloride (table salt or sea salt) into 1 liter of boiled, cooled water. Stir until fully dissolved. Store in a clean, sealed container. Use exclusively for wound irrigation and eye rinsing—never for intravenous administration, as improper osmolarity can cause tissue damage. This solution mimics body fluid osmolarity and is safe for flushing debris, bacteria, and dead tissue from wounds. For every wound irrigation, use fresh solution or reheat and cool if stored longer than 24 hours.

Do not inject intravenously. Do not use if salt source is contaminated or uncertain. Boiling water is critical to eliminate pathogens.

To prepare a 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, mix 1 part household bleach (typically 5–6% strength) with 9 parts water. For example: 100 mL of bleach + 900 mL of water yields 1 liter of working solution. Apply only to wound edges and surrounding skin, never inside deep wounds or body cavities. The hypochlorite denatures bacterial proteins and disrupts cell membranes. Prepare fresh solution every 24 hours, as hypochlorite degrades rapidly. Use with a clean cloth or gauze, dabbing gently.

Never apply inside wounds or on mucous membranes. Never inject. Fumes can irritate respiratory passages—use in ventilated areas. Never mix with other chemicals. Avoid contact with eyes.

For open wounds, apply granulated sugar or raw honey directly into the wound cavity. Sugar and honey are hypertonic, drawing interstitial fluid out of tissue and into the wound space (osmotic pressure), which dehydrates bacteria and reduces infection. Honey additionally contains enzymes (glucose oxidase) that produce hydrogen peroxide, providing mild antimicrobial activity. Cover the packed wound with clean cloth or gauze to keep the sugar/honey in place. Change dressing every 12–24 hours or when saturation occurs. This method is particularly effective for chronic wounds, diabetic ulcers, and infected surgical sites.

Do not use if the patient has diabetes and cannot monitor blood glucose—sugar can elevate readings if absorbed systemically. Ensure the sugar or honey source is clean and free of contamination. If infection worsens (fever, red streaking, pus), seek professional medical care.

Activated charcoal binds toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing absorption. Administer 1 gram per kilogram of body weight mixed with water to create a slurry (for example: a 70 kg adult would receive 70 grams). Mix the charcoal powder with the minimum amount of water needed to swallow, as charcoal is poorly palatable. Administer orally within 1 hour of ingestion for maximum efficacy. Charcoal is only effective for substances it can bind—not for strong acids, bases, heavy metals, or methanol. After administration, bowel movements will be black due to charcoal excretion.

Do not administer if the patient is unconscious or cannot swallow safely (aspiration risk). Activated charcoal is only effective if given within 1 hour of poisoning. Seek professional medical evaluation for all poisoning cases. Do not delay seeking advanced care if available.

Combine 1 liter of clean, boiled water with 6 teaspoons of sugar (approximately 30 grams) and 0.5 teaspoon of salt (approximately 2.5 grams). Stir until fully dissolved. This ratio approximates WHO-recommended ORS osmolarity (75 mmol/L sodium, 65 mmol/L glucose) and facilitates sodium-glucose cotransport in the small intestine, maximizing fluid absorption during diarrheal illness. Administer in small, frequent sips (5–10 mL every 5–10 minutes) rather than large volumes at once. If the patient vomits, wait 10 minutes and resume sipping. Continue rehydration until urine output returns to normal and mucous membranes become moist.

This solution does not replace professional IV rehydration in severe dehydration or when oral intake is impossible. Monitor for signs of severe dehydration: extreme lethargy, sunken eyes, no urine output for 8+ hours. Boil all water before use to eliminate pathogens.

Mix baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with water at a 3:1 ratio (3 parts powder to 1 part water) to form a thick paste. Apply directly to minor acid burns or irritant rashes (urticaria, poison ivy, eczema flares). The alkaline pH of baking soda neutralizes acidic irritants and reduces inflammation. Allow the paste to dry on the skin; reapply every 4–6 hours or when the paste dries completely. For heat burns (thermal), apply cool compresses first, then baking soda paste once cooling is complete. This method is safe for children and sensitive skin but is less effective on severe chemical burns—those require immediate dilution with copious water.

Do not use on deep chemical burns; dilute immediately with large volumes of water instead. Do not apply to open wounds or broken skin; baking soda paste is for intact or lightly abraded skin only.

Soak vinegar (acetic acid, typically 4–8% strength) into clean cloth and apply as a compress to alkaline chemical burns or jellyfish sting sites. The acetic acid neutralizes alkaline irritants and may help dissolve jellyfish nematocyst venom. Soak the affected area for 15–20 minutes or longer if pain persists. Vinegar is also effective on sea urchin spine puncture wounds. After vinegar soaking, remove any visible spines or stinging cells with tweezers, then apply the baking soda paste (from Step 6) to reduce inflammation. Do not apply vinegar to acid burns—use water instead.

Do not use vinegar on acid burns; water is the appropriate treatment. Vinegar efficacy on jellyfish stings varies by species and is not a substitute for professional medical care if multiple stings are present or systemic symptoms develop.

If you have iodine tincture (typically 2–7% iodine in alcohol), dilute it 1 part tincture to 10 parts water or saline to create a working solution. For example: 10 mL of tincture + 90 mL of water yields 100 mL of working solution. Apply with a clean cloth or cotton swab to wound surfaces and surrounding skin. Iodine is highly antimicrobial, denaturing bacterial proteins and inhibiting DNA synthesis. Allow the iodine to air-dry on the skin (2–3 minutes) before covering the wound. Reapply once daily or after wound cleaning. Pure iodine tincture (undiluted) can cause chemical burns and is too irritating for direct application.

Do not apply undiluted tincture. Do not use on patients with known iodine allergy. Do not ingest iodine. Iodine stains clothing and skin yellow-brown; this is temporary. Avoid prolonged skin contact with concentrated iodine—limit application to wound areas.

Mix all-purpose flour with water to create a thick paste (roughly 2 parts flour to 1 part water). Apply the paste to clean cloth strips and wrap around a fractured or sprained limb over a padded base (cloth or towel). The flour paste will harden as it dries (4–8 hours depending on thickness and humidity), creating a rigid shell that immobilizes the injury. While not as strong as medical plaster of Paris, this improvised plaster is sufficient for minor fractures and severe sprains in survival contexts. Ensure the limb is positioned correctly before the paste dries. Once hardened, the 'cast' provides support for 2–3 weeks, after which mobility exercises can begin if swelling has resolved.

This improvised plaster is weaker than medical-grade plaster. If fracture is displaced or compound (bone pierces skin), immobilize and seek professional care immediately. Do not attempt closed reduction without training. Watch for compartment syndrome signs: increasing pain despite immobilization, numbness, coldness, or color change in the limb—these indicate impaired circulation and require emergency care.