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It's impossible to prepare for everything but that doesn't mean we have to face uncertainty with our naked butts.

Josh Otusanya is an internet personality who has captivated TikTok with quite a variety of different video series, like 'Small habits that can make someone dislike you' or 'Better questions to ask your crush.'

However, it's his uploads on survival that often get the most attention. Otusanya shares practical advice that can potentially save a person's life in everyday situations (getting chased by a swarm of bees) and extraordinary occurrences (getting kidnapped), and I know we would all like to never have to use these tactics. But it's probably best we know them.

More info: TikTok | YouTube

#1

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you call 911 for an emergency, say your location first. So if the phone cuts off, they know where to find you. "What is your emergency?" I'm at 222, Fake Address Drive, and I'm being held ca-.

joshotusanya , wikimedia Report

#2

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're swimming and find yourself so deep or disoriented that you don't know which way is up, blow some bubbles, then follow the bubbles. They always go up.

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

Otusanya describes his TikTok content as a mixture of life advice and comedy. "I have several years of experience as a stand-up comedian so I often use comedy to drive home those life lessons," he told Bored Panda

"Up to [starting this series], I made a lot of videos related to building up self-confidence, improving communication skills, and more. I wanted to experiment [and create something that could] improve someone's life by potentially saving it one day. I've received a lot of messages from viewers who said tips from that series legitimately helped them avoid danger which is great to hear."

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#3

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' There's an emergency and you or someone else needs help. Don't just yell, "help". Instead be specific like "you with the bad outfit, call an ambulance". You'll avoid the "bystander effect" where if people aren't called out specifically they'll freeze and not know what to do.

joshotusanya , flickr Report

#4

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're ever choking in a public area, don't try to avoid causing a scene by going to the bathroom. Most deaths are people found in the bathroom because there were too polite to seek help. Thank me later.

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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Keating_5
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are choking alone and can’t get help, you need to thrust under your ribcage just like performing the Heimlich on yourself. Using the back edge of a chair often works, the edge of a counter, but it must be under the ribs! trust me, speaking from experience here!

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Of course, such a project requires its fair share of research. Watching a few shows with Bear Grylls is nowhere near enough. It's something Otusanya has to constantly work on.

"I have a master list of potential video topics with random notes/information I come across for future video ideas," he said. "I source my information from a combination of books I read and audiobooks I listen to as well as various videos and documentaries, interesting conversations with people, articles related to random questions I want to know the answer to, and more!"

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#5

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're riding as a passenger in a car, never rest your feet on the dashboard. If an accident happens and the airbags deploy, your kneecaps will fly into your skull.

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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Caroline Nagel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of the x-ray shown in a documantary of a young woman with the volume k**b of the car radio in her head after her car crashed. This was in the 1950s.

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#6

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you ever get kidnapped, leave behind as many traces as possible, clothes, jewelry, anything that helps search dogs, pick up your scent and ultimately find you.

joshotusanya , wikimedia Report

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Keating_5
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also: be a pain in the ass! Kick, scream, yell that you don’t know this person, fight like you’re life depends on it, because once they succeed in getting you secured/to another location, that may very well be it! The key is to prevent them from taking you in the first place, so always look alert and make yourself a “bad target” to acquire!

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#7

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If a guy takes a pregnancy test and it comes back positive, go see a doctor immediately. There's a chance that he could have testicular cancer.

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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Dhukath
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some of these are stupid! Why would a guy take a pregnancy test? If he thinks there's an issue go see your doctor!

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#8

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're getting chased by a swarm of bees, don't jump in a lake or a body of water. They'll just wait for you above the water. Instead, keep running. They'll stop chasing you when they feel like they've won.

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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#9

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're in a lightning storm and your hair starts floating, it means you're about to get hit by lightning. So find shelter immediately.

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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Kat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not really about to get hit, but it means that lightning is really close and air is charged.

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#10

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're relaxing at your house and you smell something that reminds you of fish or pee, call an electrician immediately, house could be on the verge of having an electrical fire.

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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Aahzmandus Pervect
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That has happened to me, but it turned out I accidentally peed in my pants.

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#11

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you see a sign that says beware of pickpockets or thieves, don't instinctively patch your pocket, or check your belongings, thieves, and robbers, use these signs to know who to attack from afar.

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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Keating_5
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was about 14, I was on a bus once in a high pickpocketing area and had my money tied around my neck in a little bag that I had tucked under my shirt. I actually felt a dude’s hand creeping under them hem of my shirt and at first I thought he was trying to grope me, but then I remembered the money pouch and realized he was probably trying to rob me instead (or as well as grope me). I alerted one of my friends with a look and then grabbed the guy’s hand before he could go too far, digging my nails into his skin so hard I drew blood as I gave him a look that warned “do it and it’ll only get worse for you.” He immediately dropped his hand back out and fled as soon as the bus stopped, and I kept my money tucked that way the rest of the trip.

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#12

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' Next time you enter a building, look for an exit that people don't use often in an emergency. When everyone's going out the main exit you take the one less traveled. that extra time can make all the difference.

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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#13

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If it's hot outside, avoid leaving plastic water bottles inside your car. If the sun hits the bottle at the right angle, it could eventually start a fire.

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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Kat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same can happen with glass bottles. Bottles are known to start forest fires as well, as people leave their trash behind when camping.

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#14

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're cooking on the stove and the stove catches fire, do not use water. First, turn off the stove, then cover the pot with the lid. If you don't have a lid, dump baking soda.

joshotusanya , pexels Report

#15

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you wake up in the middle of the night, and smell gas in your house, don't turn on the lights! Just go outside and call for an emergency. Because if your house has a gas leak, a spark from a light switch could blow up the house.

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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Kat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The same for turning off the lights. It can also ignite the gas. Flowing current isn't as dangerous.

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#16

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're at your house at night and feel like somebody broke in, turn your lights off. So they can't see you. And you know your way around your place in the dark better than they do, use it to your advantage.

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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Not Proud British
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really bad advice. If someone is in your house, you turn on all lights and make lots of noise to scare them off. If you confront them, chances are you will come off worse as they've a lot to lose.

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#17

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you or someone, you know, has a car, always leave the car keys near your bed. So if someone breaks in, you can press your car alarm and scare them away.

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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Robert T
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is only any use if your car has a panic button on the key fob. If you are that worried about someone breaking into your house, get a proper house alarm with a panic button by your bed. That will work better as it will sound inside the house as well as out.

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#18

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' If you're cleaning a cat's litter box, avoid using bleach! A cat's pee has a chemical in it called ammonia. If it mixes with bleach, it creates a deadly gas that can kill you.

joshotusanya , wikimedia Report

#19

19 Pieces Of 'Random Advice That Could Save Your Life' Whenever you're walking to your car, before you get inside, always check your back seat and be aware of your surroundings. In case someone is hiding, preparing to kidnap you.

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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Dhukath
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FFS, so a Google search for the number of people who've found intruders in their back seat! This thread is full of miss-information, untruths, exaggerations and plain lies!

Knoura
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve read somewhere not to touch anyhing that’s been left on your car. Get in and drive away. It’s an excuse to get close to you.

Robert T
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure why you got downvoted for this. You are absolutely correct. This is a distraction technique and you will likely only spot the offending item after you have unlocked the car and are about to drive off and the you get out to remove it and bang, your car's gone.

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Alexia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, be aware of the surroundings (not necessarily for a kidnap attempt). A few years ago I walked in the parking lot one evening (dim light, no cameras in that area), and I saw someone moving awkwardly, very close to my car. I backed away slowly and called the security of the complex. They found a guy who was apparently trying to break into the car next to mine. He was unable to explain what he was doing there and was rather violent, so I'm glad I didn't approach him alone.

Alexis Draskinis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It happens folks! Girl i know was getting ready to leave work (a bar). She started her car & thought she relocked it. She did not. A dude was waiting in her car, in her backseat. She saw movement & ran back inside! Cops called, report taken, none of us (i worked at the restaurant next door) allowed to walk to our cars alone, all that.

Robert T
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really!? Unless you have a car without central locking, or are in the habit of leaving your car unlocked, that isn't going to happen, is it? I mean the broken window would surely give it away.

Sage Gusano
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always be aware of your surroundings. A purse snatcher, etc will be looking for that person with their head stuck up their phone. The person paying attention is not as easy of a target.

Brandy Grote
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if I KNOW I've locked my door, I still check. Car fobs get spoofed here..

Mazer
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You’re more likely to be attacked walking to your vehicle or from your vehicle not from inside your vehicle. I see a lot of women shoppers with a lot of things on their mind not paying attention to their immediate environment

Glirpy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My car has an app that tells me if my doors are unlocked and opened.

Just a girl in a crazy world
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do y’all live that people are getting in your car and trying to kidnap you? Is this what New York is like? Because if that’s what New York is like I don’t think I want to go there anymore.

Debby Marengo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can you NOT see if someone is in your back seat? I'll never understand how people aren't naturally aware of their surroundings in today's world.

Calli Thorne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a van without windows is parked on the driver side of your car, and very close to your car, turn around, go back to the store/office and request an escort from security.

RoseAnne Hutchence
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's on the list of 28 things women do on a regular basis to ensure their safety.

Lululoohoo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as a woman...i carry pepper spray, but if that's not available, i use my keys in my fist...and I make sure to unlock my car as I walk up to it, get in, lock the car immediately by turning the car on. If i need to sit in my car to do anything for any reason, make sure the car is turned on so you can quickly leave.

Jaybird3939
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it when men tell women that their fears are illogical. I was talking to 2 (male) co-workers and they were shocked! that women looked in their backseat, walked in lighted areas and were careful of their surroundings. It's just not something most men can understand.

S A GOULD
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That advice has been around for at least 50 years! If your car is that disorganized, clean it out! And if your car is so big you can't tell... have your chauffeur check it out.

Faith Nicole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always do this. I used to work very early in the morning and had to leave when it was still dark out. Because I'm so paranoid I would hold the phone up to my ear after walking out of my house amd pretend talk to my parents & also have my phone flashlight on. Once I walked off my porch I would tell them to hold on but I'll keep talking to them, use my flashlight to light up my path, & check my back & front seats, get in my car lock the doors turn on all the lighfs then tell them I was safe & that I would call them in x amt of minutes when I got to work (I would actually text my step mom & let her know when I was leaving & when I got to my destination) I've had some weird ahit happen to me so ya- I always took safety precautions

Martin König
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the most important things in my life, especially in this summer heat. Can not even imagine riding around with a corpse. Or sitting in and giving my abductor a bottle with lukewarm water.

Lindsey Judd-Bruder
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always peek under the car as I'm walking up to it, too. Just in case. Safe is always better than sorry.

Lisa Chambers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well its currently so hot where I live, there is no chance of that. But good advice say in the fall.

DatBoi Jay
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah that's not happening in Texas. Car is 120 degrees in the summer.

Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, NEVER approach a serial killer after you cut his head off, set him on fire, and ran the pieces through a wood chipper, because he might jump back up and murder you!

David F
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good one to make me feel scared when I forget to do it and start driving away.

Don't Look
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm trying not to laugh at these but this one put me over the edge.

Keating_5
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check under the car too, but not for too long; Otherwise the person may just come up to you and snatch you from behind! Just get in your car quickly and drive away quickly if you feel in danger.

maggier672
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My coworker and I were leaving the bar we worked at and our cars were parked side by side. As I was unlocking my door, I noticed a reflection in her backseat. I took another glance and saw someone in her backseat. I pretended I forgot something and asked if she'd walk back with me to get it. As we walked back I told her there was someone in her car. We called 911 and he was arrested so not a myth.

Frankenfrog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such an American thing. I would be paranoid on all levels if I lived there

Not Proud British
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? Methinks some people are watching too many trashy horror films. No-one, absolutely no-one, is hiding on the back seat or under your car.

Carol Emory
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, this happened to my Aunt. She forgot to lock her car and came back out at night to go home only to find a man with a knife in the back seat. He forced her to drive to a park and then into the back seat. She calmed him down enough for him to lower the knife, then she bolted and ran to the nearby house. Pounded on the door for someone to call police. Poor babysitter inside was terrified. My Aunt did get stabbed in the shoulder, but survived. Just because it didn't happen to you doesn't mean it doesn't ever happen. I've looked in my back seat ever since.

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