WHEN HELP IS NOT COMING!

A Plain-Language Guide to Over-the-Counter Medications for Disaster and Catastrophic Survival Situations

By J.P. “Jim” Stephens, MSN, RN, EMT-P and Darlene A. Stephens, MSN, RN, RRT

What happens when the pharmacy is closed, roads are blocked, hospitals are overwhelmed, and professional medical help is unavailable?

Most people have a cabinet full of over-the-counter (OTC) medications but have little understanding of what they do, how they work, proper dosing, drug interactions, or the dangers of combining medications. During disasters and emergencies, those mistakes can have serious consequences.

When Help Is Not Coming was written to help ordinary people understand common OTC medications before they need them. Written in plain language and designed for readers with little or no medical background, this guide explains the safe use of commonly available medications and provides practical preparedness information for families, caregivers, community responders, and preparedness-minded individuals.

Inside This Guide:

✅ Common OTC medications and what they are used for

✅ Generic names vs. brand names and store-brand equivalents

✅ Proper dosing information and medication safety considerations

✅ Common side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions

✅ Building and organizing an emergency OTC medical kit

✅ Medication storage and stockpiling guidance

✅ Disaster and emergency preparedness considerations

✅ Oral rehydration and electrolyte replacement

✅ Quick-reference emergency charts for fast access during stressful situations

Digital Download

This product is delivered as a downloadable PDF file through our secure digital delivery partner. After purchase, you will receive an email containing instructions for downloading your copy.

We strongly recommend that you:

• Save a copy to your computer
• Save a backup copy to your phone or tablet
• Print a hard copy for your emergency supplies
• Store printed copies in a waterproof container or emergency kit

Electronics fail. Batteries die. Internet access disappears. A printed copy may prove invaluable during a prolonged emergency.

Copyright & Personal Use License

Copyright © J.P. “Jim” Stephens and Darlene A. Stephens. All rights reserved.

Your purchase grants you a license for personal use only. Reproduction, redistribution, posting online, file sharing, emailing copies to others, uploading to websites, cloud-sharing services, social media platforms, or distributing copies outside your immediate household is prohibited without written permission from the authors.

To help protect the intellectual property rights of the authors, your downloaded copy may contain identifying purchaser information, transaction details, digital watermarking, or other ownership markings. Unauthorized distribution may be traceable to the original purchaser.

Thank you for supporting independent authors and preparedness education.

Be prepared before disaster strikes.

Instant Digital Download • 80+ Pages of Preparedness Information • Written by Experienced Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Emergency Responders