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If you were to ask someone about “life saving” skills, first aid would probably be the number one answer, and for good reason. However, there are a lot of other things that could potentially save a life that are probably good to know.
Instagram content creator Classnomeleve went viral for sharing some tips and facts that could be possibly life saving. So get comfortable as you scroll through, perhaps take some notes, upvote your favorites and be sure to add your own thoughts and examples in the comments below.
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Image credits: classnomeleve
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#1
Most people who drown are actually close to safety. Many people don't know this, but the actual vast majority of drownings don't happen in the middle of the ocean. Instead, they happen within close reach, or arms reach within safe exit. The problem lies with panicking. People panic, which wastes energy instead of conserving it. This is why it is absolutely necessary that if you're ever struggling in water, do not flail. Float immediately. What you must do is extend your limbs, tilt your head back, and take slow, deep breaths. This will buy you the essential seconds needed to regain control and to strategize.
Doctor Strange 6 days ago
There are more drownings close to safety than in the middle of the ocean... Might have something to do with the fact that there are a lot more people swimming at the shore than in the middle of the ocean.
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#2
You actually lose heat 20 times faster when you're wet versus when you're dry. That is why it's absolutely necessary that if you can shed the wet clothes, dry them before wearing them. It's also worth noting as well that wool is actually warmer than anything that feels warm even when it's wet. It's highly advisable that if you ever go out to anywhere that's cold, bring with you something that's made of wool.
#3
If you are ever in a public parking lot and someone points out a damage in your car, do not go to investigate it immediately. Criminals may use this moment to ambush or kidnap you.
#4
Baking soda is widely known to actually extinguish fires, even grease and electrical fires. In the case of a house fire, do not pour water on a grease fire. That is why it's absolutely necessary that you put baking soda instead. You should always try to keep a box of it nearby you, especially when you're cooking and grilling.
Novel Idesa 6 days ago
And DO NOT use flour. I've seen people say to put flour on a grease fire, but flour is flammable!
#5
If you ever hear laughter in the woods - run. This is not just some urban legend. Criminals such as kidnappers, human traffickers and predators often use laughter to disorient people and lure them into getting closer. Never, ever investigate strange noises in remote areas, especially on your own.
#6
If you're ever stuck in an elevator, especially in a very tall building, and it starts falling, never jump. Instead, what you should do is that you should lay flat on the floor with your hand behind your head and one in front. This will distribute the fall evenly and avoid injury as much as possible, while also protecting your head.
#7
Do not, and I repeat, do not lay in the snow or walk alone in the cold when you're way too drunk. There should be no need for explanation of this. This should be common sense.
keyboardtek 6 days ago
My oldest brothers best friend died when he drove home drunk and passed out in the snow in front of his house.
#8
Losing weight without trying could very well be one of the two cancer or diabetes, get checked immediately.
#9
Most human traffickers are actually women in most human trafficking, while men are the ones who dominate the leadership networks. It's actually women who are often the ones recruiting and deceiving victims. They often exploit the women trust women mentality to lower defenses.
This also goes for children as well. If anything, this goes for everyone as well, including men, because women are more likely to be perceived as trustworthy. They are often more effective at abducting people because their presence feels less threatening. The very scary thing about this is that not many people know this. They assume that the majority of human traffickers are operated by men, but in reality, women actually dominate this.
But it's not because these women are predatory. It's also important to note as well that many of these women were once victims themselves, broken and coerced into becoming predators, and because being a woman itself is usually connoted to being nurturing and being motherly, children fall for this trap that trust becomes a weapon, and the cycle feeds itself, ultimately turning vulnerability into a trap from which few can escape. It should always go without saying as well that many victims of human trafficking, from all forms of human trafficking, only 5% or less ever make it out alive or ever seen again.
This is why it is so important that you, number one, stay with others, avoid being alone or isolated. Number two, refuse help at all cost, refuse any rides or favors from strangers. Number three, you must be very quick to move to safety. Head to a well lit and populated area if you ever approach or you feel that something is off, specifically, run towards crowds.
#10
If you ever hear faint, irregular breathing in your bedroom, but don't see anyone - leave without a sound. Intruders hiding under beds in closets or even pressing themselves into corners try their absolute best to keep silent, but not everyone can suppress the sound of their own breathing.
#11
People have disappeared after responding to Job Interview ads, some criminals, including human traffickers, place fake job ads to lure desperate job seekers into secluded areas where they're abducted or worse. If you ever see a job ad, you always must research the company, the background everything before attending the interview, bring people with you or share your location in real time,
David 6 days ago
Or maybe just don't accept interviews located in back alley's behind dumpsters? I agree abductions do happen, but typically not at the office of an established company. Just avoid the no name stuff and the "seems to good to be true" jobs. An example of abduction (not USA) is I recently read a news article about scam farms near the border of China and (forgot the other country). They recently got busted and a lot of victims / slaves freed. A guy from Thailand applied for a job with them, but when he got there he was forced to live /work in a building doing scam calls. If people didn't make quotas they got beaten or worse. Sometimes their family back home threatened. So yes, it happens, but I expect it is extremely rare unless you are talking about little known companies or jobs where you have to travel a long ways to get there.
#12
There are places where screaming is practically useless, or you shouldn't even scream at all, deeply remote areas like the ocean, the mountains, rainforests, caves are known as dead zones, because nobody can hear you scream. Countless missing people vanish in these areas. Specifically, every single year. Always carry GPS trackers or emergency beacons in isolated areas, and never go alone in these areas without telling someone you trust
#13
Dead bodies always float face down in the water. If you're ever in a secluded area and you find a so called dead body in the water, always know this rule of nature. If someone claims that they found a drowning victim, but the body floating is faced up, they might be lying. Always be cautious of those around you in such scenarios, they might be hiding something. A dead body always floats naturally, face down due to buoyancy.
David 6 days ago
I'd never thought about it. Internet says this is "mostly true" but there are exceptions. Without getting graphic, smaller arms/legs in relation to torso size, and degree of decomp can both contribute to face up. Also, if someone managed to drown with a life jacket on, some of those by design keep the head above water.
#14
If you are ever in a petrol station and you happen to witness an armed robbery, do not make eye contact with the criminals. Almost certainly many criminals often shoot and k**l those who they feel could identify them. Stay still. Keep your head down and comply.
David 6 days ago (edited)
Good advice anyway, but if they didn't shoot the gas attendant they likely won't shoot you, because they are likely either wearing a mask or don't care. Plus any yokel these days knows almost all gas stations have multiple security cameras. You won't be the source of what their face looks like. It will be the clerk and various angles from the security cameras.
#15
If you ever feel light headed after standing up, you might be at risk of sudden death. People who frequently experience orthostatic hypotension, which is dizziness when they're standing up, have a significantly higher risk of strokes and heart attacks, even if they're seemingly young and healthy. This is because their body struggles to regulate blood pressure properly, which can be extremely dangerous.
Do not ignore sudden dizziness. Take it seriously if this happens to you. Often seek immediate medical help and see a doctor immediately. This can be an early warning sign of a circulatory failure or an undiagnosed neurological condition
#16
A loud knock, especially in odd hours, like in the middle of the night, can be a distraction. In some coordinated home invasions involving at least two people, one person will create a distraction by knocking on the door, and the others will sneak by to the side or the back of the house. Always know that in this scenario, the second they get into your house, your chances of survival drop significantly. Do not open any door, especially the front door. Check all entry points and make sure you're all secure. Stay quiet and do not turn on any lights. Turn off every single light before they break in, if you want to protect your home and yourself to the best of your ability, consider keeping a secondary lock on all doors.
Hippopotamuses 6 days ago
Perhaps people are politer where you live? Generally in New Zealand, they smash the door down. Especially if they're gang members.
#17
If you ever wake up, especially in the middle of the night, and you suddenly can't move a single part of your body, but you're fully awake and you feel like someone is watching, you do not panic.
What's happening to you is called Sleep paralysis, a very terrifying but fortunately harmless condition where the body is in full sleep mode, but the brain is fully awake. Many people have reported seeing shadowy figures whispering or hearing noises or especially feeling something sit on their chest. Do not panic, because it's not real. You are not in any real danger.
Instead, what you must do is focus on moving a finger or a toe. This can help your body wake up and, most importantly, stay calm and take long, deep breaths. Panicking makes it worse.
However, in more terrifying cases, sleep paralysis can be a sign that something actually is going on. For example, there could be an actual home intruder in your home, and your body is paralyzed in fear. In such cases, what you must do is either try to wake up as soon as possible, or at least pretend to sleep at all costs. Do not panic, as this can and will k**l you. Many people have died from sleep paralysis this way. Do not panic.
David 6 days ago
HAHA! "If you wake up and can't move, don't panic. It is just sleep paralysis and is harmless. EXCEPT, it could be an intruder so maybe you gonna die!" LOL Okay then, you're making the don't panic part a tad more difficult. :)
Hippopotamuses 6 days ago
Also. If there was an intruder. How would my sleeping self be aware enough to have sleep paralysis, yet consciously unaware of said intruder? Schrodinger's intruder?
Load More Replies... David 6 days ago
Hippo, Yeah, I dunno. But brains are funny things so maybe? I don't think I've ever had waking sleep paralysis. I have had it in a dream, if that is considered similar. Like being frustrated in a dream because I couldn't move, then later waking up and realizing I could move. So, I'm hardly an expert about it.
Hippopotamuses 6 days ago (edited)
Fortunately, I'm not aware of having experiencing that. But, I do take your point.
Gadaffi Duck 5 days ago
Because your brain is mostly awake but your body is not. You're aware of everything around you, you can hear and smell etc but can't move. I've struggled with it for years.
Senjo Krane 1 day ago
I've had it a couple of times. It's awful. also once, I felt someone stroking my hair, and I woke up instantly in complete fear. after a minute or so of my brain frantically spinning my hand twitched and touched my hair and I realised it was me! I couldn't stop laughing in nervous relief.
UKGrandad 6 days ago
I don't think that it is possible to die from sleep paralysis. This sounds like one of those myths like the one that claims that if you dream you are falling and hit the ground then you'll díe for real.
BeesEelsAndPups 5 days ago
Actually, it's the other way around. Sleep Paralysis (something that I do suffer from) is often caused by sleep deprivation, which could be caused by sleep apnea or just good old insomnia.
Roni Stone 6 days ago
I have recurring sleep paralysis. I actually got a pet to sleep in the same room with me to give me a clue what's going on. Most dogs, and even cats, will alert if someone is breaking in. They will also tend to check on their human if they seem distressed in the bed. Little kitten saved my sanity several times when I lived alone and hallucinated people talking and standing in my room.
keyboardtek 6 days ago
Sleep paralysis is the explanation and common denominator of people who reported alien abductions.
Child of the Stars 6 days ago
I've never heard this but it does actually make sense. Hallucinations are common with sleep paralysis.
Load More Replies...
Maggie Fulton 6 days ago
I would try to move my head back and forth. The one that always gets me is when I feel a malevolent presence yank me out of bed. It feels so real.
Roni Stone 6 days ago
It's not so uncommon as I was first led to believe. Once I thought I'd had a stroke it felt so real.
StrangeOne 6 days ago
What if you do see a shadow man standing in the middle of your room, but you can move and you have made certain you are awake?
Rick Murray 6 days ago (edited)
The best part is when you know you're kind of awake but kind of still dreaming. You can start to take control of the dream and really go crazy, because your conscious is working enough to think but your subconscious is still mostly in the dream state. Have fun! Oh, yeah, the paralysis. That's mostly worn off by the time my brain is like "what the f**k happened at the end of that dream? what was with the cheese cannon? why was everybody being chased by a fire breathing goose? seriously, what!?!?". 😂
Binky Melnik 6 days ago
If you ever wake up and realize you don’t know where you are, when it is, or who you are (you mind is blank and all you can tell is that you know your native language), TRY not to freak out. I did, four nights in a ro, until I begged someone for help and was told they’re night terrors that normally happen to children and that they resolve themselves. (They did, the same night I found out what was happening.) In my case, I DID panic and began to shriek and flail, which caused my neighbor to call the EMTs two different nights. That got me out of the situation, but a dozen burly EMTs, firemen, and policemen banging HARD on your door trying to save your life is a whole *other* terror!
Malina1606 6 days ago
I focus on my breathing, feel how it moves my body ever so slightly. And then I expend the movement step by step. Takes a little time to get control over the whole body again but I instantly feel less helpless when I can at least move something.
Huddo's sister 6 days ago
I have gotten this a few times. I can't remember what happened the rest of the times but this last time I was able to tell myself it was sleep paralysis and focus my energy at breaking out of it and it worked.
Another Panda 5 days ago
If a person died, how on earth would anyone know it was from sleep paralysis 😵💫😅
Ladedah 5 days ago
My husband used to experience this regularly... paralysis, noises, "shadowy figure," the works. When we were younger, he used to say it was a demon-like creature "holding [him] down"... as the more scientific one in the relationship, I validated his feelings but - deep down - was calling b******t. Eventually, I figured out what it was and we both better understood it. Later, I finally experienced it myself (once). For me it was just this awake total paralysis... and trying to scream out to my sleeping husband for help, but only coming out whipers (like in those horrible nightmares!). As a neuro nurse, I panicked, thinking the paralysis meant I was currently having the worst stroke imaginable and unable to get help (our minds go to what it knows and fears, right?). Inevitably it ended after what seemed like the longest two minutes of my life... and i finally understood. But, FYI, waking up unable to move body parts (particularly unilaterally) can happen with a stroke.
Kalikima 5 days ago
The only time I experienced sleep paralysis, I woke up and immediately noticed I didn't hurt, for the first time in 15 years. Then I realized I couldn't move. But I wasn't scared, I actually stayed as still as possible, trying to prolong the experience. Slowly feeling came back to my body, I could actually feel it "wake up". I told my then husband about it, and he explained what sleep paralysis was. I've actually been disappointed that I've never experienced it again, it was so pleasant waking up pain free.
#18
If you're ever in a body of water and suddenly you feel unreasonably tired, get out of the water, leave immediately. This could very well be a cold shock response or water toxicity. Basically, your body, quite literally, is shutting down from absorbing too much cold or absorbing too much water your skin or lungs, way too many people often ignore this morning and suddenly drown.
This is how you can save your own life and prevent this from happening. Immediately leave the water the moment you feel sudden fatigue, dizziness or confusion. Do not keep swimming. Do not ignore this morning sign. Do not panic, as this can and will make the situation worse. If you're swimming in a large body of water, such as the ocean, you want to make sure that you float on your back and wave one arm.
This should become a knowledge as it is a universal distress signal avoid hyperventilating before diving. This can and will trick your brain into thinking that you have more oxygen than you actually do, ultimately closing blackouts underwater at all costs, you must do whatever it takes to be saved or at least leave the body of water.
Hippopotamuses 6 days ago
'...too much cold, or absorbing too much water [in] your skin or lungs...' Cold yes. Lungs yes. But absorbing water into your skin?
#19
Phone snatching or phone thievery are on the rise and more dangerous than you think. Phone thievery can be extremely life threatening, especially if it involves the phone being used as a gateway for other crimes. This is how they get you.
The second they grab your phone, this is what they do. They go to the settings, they enable the airplane mode. And what they do next is that they turn your phone off so that you cannot track your own phone. Always understand that the second they do this, there's no immediate way to track your phone.
This is how you can stop this from happening. You can go to your face ID and pass code on settings. You press this, you fill out your password. Once you get into this tab, you usually scroll down. That's when you can find the control center tab, and you press that turn it off.
Now, if you turn this off, usually what happens is that they can't access your control center, so there's no way to turn on airplane mode. And you can maximize this even further. This is what you can also do. You can also go to your iCloud account, go to Find My press find my phone, and then you make sure that you turn this all on that way, when the thieves try to turn off your phone, it will say phone findable, have to power off.
E Menendez 6 days ago
Meh, sounds complicated. I don't have much to steal, so if they want to pretend to be me in FB or BP, fine.
#20
Your organs are worth a fortune. This is not an urban legend. The black market organ trait is very real, and many victims of kidnappings who have survived have often been found with their organs surgically removed. You are worth more dead than alive to the right people.
keyboardtek 6 days ago
Just about as true as immigrants eating your pets that Trump claimed happened.
#21
If you see anything powdery on things that you use daily, such as your car handle, mailboxes, etc, do not touch it. Never touch powder that's left on car handles, doorsteps and mailboxes, d***s like fentanyl and other dangerous substances can be absorbed through the skin, which will incapacitate you almost immediately. Stay safe.
What do you think ?
Forrest Hobbs 6 days ago
A long list of mostly paranoid nonsense with small number of useful tips. E.g., How many times has a human-rated elevator ever dropped down a shaft, outside of Hollywood movies? They have emergency brakes.
Jenn C 6 days ago
Even if it's uncommon, some people my have this fear, and be reassured by the tip.
Load More Replies... Forrest Hobbs 6 days ago
Human rated elevators dropping down the shaft 1) never happens due to mulitple redundant safety features and 2) if it ever did, you've got no real chance of surviving anything other than a short drop. There's no point in preparing for an imaginary risk with a plan that'd be useless in any case. You're much better off learning how to fall over onto hard ground without injury. Get that wrong and you can end up with a life-changing/threatening injury such as a broken pelvis or bashed in skull - and people really do fall over and/or get knocked over.
HARRY KOPPERS 5 days ago
1946. Plane crash into the Empire State Building. Elevator fell many floors (I've heard 75) but the person survived because the bunched-up broken cable acted as a shock absorber. It was the exception that proved the rule. It's so uncommon that elevators are considered the safest form of travel.
Binky Melnik 6 days ago
Jenn, yours is a perfect example of an аsshole downvoting you for simply posting a sentence of fact. Lotsa people have fears of elevators (though mine is getting caught in the closing doors and having my head pinched off like the doctor in Texas it happened to), and reading these things may make someone with an irrational fear feel better about it. It harms no one to believe he can survive an elevator falling, even if the chances of it happening are worse than winning at lotto.
Fellfromthemoon 5 days ago
Unfortunately, the other 20 "tips" are not just utter nonsense, but some are outright harmful and dangerous.
BeesEelsAndPups 5 days ago
Indeed. These are designed to make you afraid of being alive. You will never need this information, of which most is probably BS. If your elevator falls several floors, and all of the redundant braking systems somehow concurrently fail, you are going to die. Sorry, but you will. If a gang of murderers really wants to get into your house, not answering your door isn't going to help. And guess what, there aren't that many roving gangs of murderers. Not even in the United States.
liam newton-harding 6 days ago
Half this list was simply, “what to do if you suddenly find yourself in a Slasher Movie”.
Jaya 6 days ago (edited)
Most of these OPs should get some therapy for their anxiety disorders, paranoid personality disorders and hypochondriasis. It's not healthy to be THIS vigilant about every tiny thing that could theoretically be dangerous, that's no way to live. Also, you have a way higher chance of dying from all the stress than from dying from any of those incredibly rare things that most entries are talking about. And some are just nonsense from horror movies.
WonderWoman 6 days ago
This is one of the stupidest lists I have seen here, and I have seen a LOT. These are NOT life-saving techniques, these are idiotic things.
Panda Bear 6 days ago
Human traffickers aren’t waiting in dark corners to snatch you up. Human traffickers prey on desperate people usually in impoverished countries with promises of jobs or moving to better countries.
Gavin Johnson 6 days ago
Don’t go out in the dark, don’t stay in when it’s dark, don’t go out in the day light, don’t stay at home in the day, don’t let your phone out of your sight, don’t open your car window, don’t smile but don’t be sullen, do exercise but not too much exercise, do be scared of strange noises but don’t be visibly scared, look for the monster under the bed, don’t touch things, don’t do d***s, d***s can make you paranoid but don’t listen to the voice in your head, listen to me, it’s dangerous out there but inside can be bad too, so best hide under the bed but only when you’ve moved the monsters….
Kristie Olmstead 6 days ago
I'm pretty sure this entire list was written by A.I. The consistent repetition and redundant sentences, the weird grammar choices, and the complete absurdity of some of these scenarios sounds like someone prompted an AI to provide them with random survival advice.
Forrest Hobbs 6 days ago
A long list of mostly paranoid nonsense with small number of useful tips. E.g., How many times has a human-rated elevator ever dropped down a shaft, outside of Hollywood movies? They have emergency brakes.
Jenn C 6 days ago
Even if it's uncommon, some people my have this fear, and be reassured by the tip.
Load More Replies... Forrest Hobbs 6 days ago
Human rated elevators dropping down the shaft 1) never happens due to mulitple redundant safety features and 2) if it ever did, you've got no real chance of surviving anything other than a short drop. There's no point in preparing for an imaginary risk with a plan that'd be useless in any case. You're much better off learning how to fall over onto hard ground without injury. Get that wrong and you can end up with a life-changing/threatening injury such as a broken pelvis or bashed in skull - and people really do fall over and/or get knocked over.
HARRY KOPPERS 5 days ago
1946. Plane crash into the Empire State Building. Elevator fell many floors (I've heard 75) but the person survived because the bunched-up broken cable acted as a shock absorber. It was the exception that proved the rule. It's so uncommon that elevators are considered the safest form of travel.
Binky Melnik 6 days ago
Jenn, yours is a perfect example of an аsshole downvoting you for simply posting a sentence of fact. Lotsa people have fears of elevators (though mine is getting caught in the closing doors and having my head pinched off like the doctor in Texas it happened to), and reading these things may make someone with an irrational fear feel better about it. It harms no one to believe he can survive an elevator falling, even if the chances of it happening are worse than winning at lotto.
Fellfromthemoon 5 days ago
Unfortunately, the other 20 "tips" are not just utter nonsense, but some are outright harmful and dangerous.
BeesEelsAndPups 5 days ago
Indeed. These are designed to make you afraid of being alive. You will never need this information, of which most is probably BS. If your elevator falls several floors, and all of the redundant braking systems somehow concurrently fail, you are going to die. Sorry, but you will. If a gang of murderers really wants to get into your house, not answering your door isn't going to help. And guess what, there aren't that many roving gangs of murderers. Not even in the United States.
liam newton-harding 6 days ago
Half this list was simply, “what to do if you suddenly find yourself in a Slasher Movie”.
Jaya 6 days ago (edited)
Most of these OPs should get some therapy for their anxiety disorders, paranoid personality disorders and hypochondriasis. It's not healthy to be THIS vigilant about every tiny thing that could theoretically be dangerous, that's no way to live. Also, you have a way higher chance of dying from all the stress than from dying from any of those incredibly rare things that most entries are talking about. And some are just nonsense from horror movies.
WonderWoman 6 days ago
This is one of the stupidest lists I have seen here, and I have seen a LOT. These are NOT life-saving techniques, these are idiotic things.
Panda Bear 6 days ago
Human traffickers aren’t waiting in dark corners to snatch you up. Human traffickers prey on desperate people usually in impoverished countries with promises of jobs or moving to better countries.
Gavin Johnson 6 days ago
Don’t go out in the dark, don’t stay in when it’s dark, don’t go out in the day light, don’t stay at home in the day, don’t let your phone out of your sight, don’t open your car window, don’t smile but don’t be sullen, do exercise but not too much exercise, do be scared of strange noises but don’t be visibly scared, look for the monster under the bed, don’t touch things, don’t do d***s, d***s can make you paranoid but don’t listen to the voice in your head, listen to me, it’s dangerous out there but inside can be bad too, so best hide under the bed but only when you’ve moved the monsters….
Kristie Olmstead 6 days ago
I'm pretty sure this entire list was written by A.I. The consistent repetition and redundant sentences, the weird grammar choices, and the complete absurdity of some of these scenarios sounds like someone prompted an AI to provide them with random survival advice.
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