Tuesday, March 28, 2023

How to Make Dakin's Solution--and Why You Want It

Dakin's solution was developed during WWI as a wound antiseptic.  It is used to kill germs and prevent growth of germs in wounds.  It is an excellent solution for irrigating wounds without killing healthy tissue.  It is very inexpensive and easy to make, and thus ideally suited for the difficult circumstances a collapsed society will present.  

To make your own, you will need:
Sterile equipment--pan and lid, glass jar(s) and tight-fitting lid(s), measuring cups and spoons
32 oz clean water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Regular, unscented, not concentrated or ultra, just regular bleach in one of the following concentrations:

full-strength--3 ounces (95 ml) bleach--for sterilizing instruments
1/2 strength--3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (48 ml) bleach--for debridement of necrotized wounds
1/4 strength--1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons (24 ml) bleach--for irrigating wounds
1/8 strength--2 1/2 teaspoons (12 ml) bleach--for irrigating the mouth (do not swallow!)

Boil water for 15 minutes with the lid on the pan.  Remove from heat.  Add the baking soda to the boiled water.  Measure bleach according to desired strength and add to water.  Cover tightly in a glass jar and wrap the jar in aluminum foil to shield it from light.  (Do not store Dakin's solution in metal containers.)  Once opened for use it is good only for 48 hours.  Discard unused portion.  Unopened and protected from light, the solution can be stored for one month at room temperature.

Label the jar with the date and time you made the solution, as well as the date to discard it.

The full-strength solution is used only on stainless steel medical instruments.  Dakin's solution will corrode nickel, chromium steel, iron, and other metals.  Because of its corrosive nature, instruments should not be in the bath solution for longer than 30 minutes. 

Use only 1/4 strength solution for acute wound irrigation.  Always irrigate very generously with plain water following irrigation with Dakin's solution.  Use the 1/8 strength solution for mouth wash; do not swallow it. Do not use in individuals allergic to any of the ingredients.

Links to related posts:
Skin Preps and Washes
Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sterilizing
Medicinal Uses of Baking Soda

References:
https://www.itstactical.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Dakins_Solution.pdf
http://pottssurgery.com/documents/public/Dakin'%20s%20Solution.pdf

26 may 2020

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