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You never know what life has in store for you. Just think about it, one day, you're chilling on the sofa, and the next, you're fighting off a moose on a hike your pals forced you to go on – and while that might be a highly unlikely scenario, it's still good to be prepared, eh?
“What’s a life-saving tip you think everyone should know?” – this netizen took to Reddit, inviting its members to share their life-saving tips. The thread managed to garner 417 upvotes as well as 623 comments, containing some handy pointers.
More info: Reddit
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#1
For bears there is a rhyme. If it's black, fight back. If it's brown, lie down. If it's white, say good night.
In the case of black bears they're generally smaller. If one is attacking you then you have a chance of survival by fighting back. You'll probably be in awful shape but you'll live. In the case of a brown bear, it's best to show it that you are not a threat to it or it's cubs. Lie down, protect your neck and head. Make sure it's gone before getting back up. In the case of polar bears things are very different. If you notice a polar bear hunting you then it's already too late. Make peace with your gods because you are going to die.
#2
if you ever need someone to call 911, make sure you specifically point someone out of the crowd of people. "you in the red shirt, call 911". if you dont, nobody will because they assume someone else will
#3
Use condoms.
Take care of your oral hygiene .
If he (or she) hits you, leave. No second chances.
Ask for help when you need it. If you don't get it, ask someone else.
Hugh Cookson 1 year ago
I am an ex abuser, I was young, angry at everything and would hit out if I was threatened or confronted. I was a horrible person. Always walk away from an abusive person ; if you decide they are worth a second chance for whatever reason, be very aware. I'm ashamed for my conduct back then, thankfully I've found a wonderful lady who understands me and gets it when I need to walk away (yes, I still have anger issues but keep tem buried very deeply)
#4
Heart attack pain for women is often different than men. The classic symptoms of chest pains radiating down your left arm isn’t what most women feel. It’s often a chest tightness, horrible gastric reflux feeling, and an impending sense of doom. It’s also described as the worst pain you’ve ever felt and women don’t go to the dr for it bc “childbirth was worse” etc.
So women, don’t ignore any sort of tightness, pressure, or twinges in your chest.
Jeremy James 1 year ago
As someone who struggles with anxiety, the fact that "a sense of impending doom" is a heart attack symptom feels like a cruel joke.
#5
If your vomit ever looks like coffee grounds, you are bleeding internally and need to go to the ER immediately.
B.Nelson 1 year ago
This is especially important if you are on blood thinners or pain relievers. My dad collapsed one night at home. We woke him up, and he passed out a few minutes later. Had to call 911. He threw up what looked like coffee grounds in the ambulance. Found out he had a lacerated stomach from taking blood thinners for his heart and pain meds for his arthritis. They had to clamp one of the blood vessels in his stomach. He's okay now but it was super scary.
#6
If a service dog comes up to you, follow them. Service dogs will only leave their owners as a last ditch effort for help.
If you get stabbed, do everything in your power to keep the knife in. The knife is acting as a makeshift seal and it’s the only thing keeping you from bleeding out. Keep it in and get to a hospital immediately.
Car head rests can be used to break a window
Tiger attacks can be avoided by making eye contact with the tiger. If it knows you know its there, it can no longer ambush you.
Pressure on the wound is more important than covering it. Ice can also stem blood flow.
Pick up the phone and text/call someone if you know they're going through a rough time.
Don't try to breath under water, you're not a fish
edit: Always carry a small jar of Peanut Butter while going for a Hiking. If you get lost, Peanut Butter will keep you alive for days till the rescue arrives.
LizzieBoredom 1 year ago (edited)
If I ate a jar of Peanut Butter, I would be the only person lost in the woods for a week who gained 4 pounds.
#7
Driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. I got up at 4 am to make a 7 am flight from Toronto to LA, but I got bumped, and routed via Vancouver instead. Instead of getting into LA at 11 am local time, I ended up getting in at 4 pm, and hit a massive traffic jam heading south. This was before cell phones so I had no traffic info that I understood, and I just stayed on the highway. By the time I turned off the highway, I'd been up for 20 hours. I could feel my head falling as I micronapped and jerked awake, but I had only a few miles to go, so I kept going.
Bad move. Another micronap, crossed the median, and hit another car. Just a broken foot for me, and a few bruises for her, but it could have been much much worse. If you're that tired, pull off and sleep.
Alexia 1 year ago
Some people rely on stimulants to stay awake, but that's a trap. Stimulants such as energy drinks or coffee work for a very short period of time, building a wall to stop the accumulation of the sleep-pressure substance (I believe it's called adenosine). Once the caffeine effect is gone, the "wall" collapses and you feel even more tired than before.
#8
An obvious and simple one but ..it's saved me on numerous occasions. TRust your instincts and your gut when it says "Don't do it" "Somethng doesnt feel right" We sometimes forget to trust our own selves.
#9
CPR should be done hard enough that you break ribs and done to the same tempo as "Staying alive"
CORGI QUEEN 1 year ago
um.. its ok to break ribs but you should do roughly 2 inches and 1 for a child and infant
#10
In the US, by law, every cell tower has to receive and connect 911 calls. It’s entirely possible that your cellphone says “no signal,” because you’re not in range of your specific network and you have roaming turned off, but if needed you could call 911 without any issue at all.
#11
Do not throw water on a grease fire. Please.
Jef Bateman 1 year ago
I saw a guy poor a greasy burning pan full of oil into the sink. That was a bad decision, too. I got good advice from a guy who worked as a cook for three decades - watch the fire for a second before you do anything. If you act immediately, your panic is probably going to lead you to do something stupid.
#12
If you're driving somewhere and it's cold out, bring a coat. Even if your car is warm, something could happen that would prevent the heat from working, and you'll become a popsicle real quick.
Old Roadie 1 year ago
Emergency kit in car: matches, candle, blanket, light, water, hat, socks, granola bars or similar sustenance. You can always use stuffing from your car's seat to make a fire. (Dryer lint works, too... just stuff it in a TP tube.) Stay with your car, if possible. It's easier to see from search helo.
#13
When travelling, always keep enough cash to buy a ticket back home and hide it somewhere safe, like inside your shoes or a secret pocket. That way you can return home even if you're robbed.
#14
Never combine cleaning products. For example combining bleach and ammonia creates chloramine gas which can kill you if inhaled.
#15
Choking is silent. All a choking person can do to signal distress is sign for it.
#16
Always keep some extra bottles of water in a car door pockets for emergencies.
#17
If you smell fish in your house, it could be the start of an electrical fire.
Jef Bateman 1 year ago
Some fish live at my house. Do you think those jerks are starting electric fires? I didn't know that was something to worry about.
#18
If someone is drowning do not dive in to save them, throw something that floats.
If you suspect someone is being shocked by electricity, use wood or rubber or anything non conductive to help break their contact with the energy.
If someone is breathing and knocked out or fainted, or blacked out from [illegal substances], turn them on their side to avoid the risk they might drown in their own vomit.
If some people is working overhead, with fall arrest systems, have a game plan to get them down if they fall. FAS have a time limit before the constriction on their legs risk permanent damage or death.
If someone is buried alive from a tench collapse, you need to unbury them all the way, because of the pressure on their body. Especially their legs.
Confined Spaces contain invisible, senseless death. It can be any heavy gas in there, stay out.
Small falls kill.
And one thing I tell the kids I train, “You gotta be smart, if you want to be dumb.”
Howard M. Lewis Ship 1 year ago
I've had to swim out in rough water to assist my (then 10 yo) son; I was careful to approach from behind him and keep one arm free, the other across his chest, my front to his back. He wasn't in a panic situation, but still, these things could easily spiral out of control quickly.
#20
Don't panic. It only takes a second or two to gather your wits and make decisions.
#21
If someone is too hot (heat exhaustion, heat stroke) do not give them cold water and do not suddenly move them to a cold area. Give them room temp water and try to cool them gradually. You will send some into shock by suddenly intoducing them to the cold
#22
Electricity makes your muscles contract, so when people are being electrocuted they will grab to the metal they are holding really strongly. If you try touching them you might grab on to them in the same way and die alongside.
Push or pull them with non conductive things like wood or cloth. Kick them if needed. Take your pants off and wrap it on their neck to pull them. Do whatever you have to but don’t touch them.
Libby Tailor 1 year ago (edited)
If you are in this situation,, just kick yourself from the electric thing. If you are on a ladder, just fall off. Better some broken bone than being dead. My dad was an electrician, he was taught to do that. Once his hand was forced to grip the wire by electric and he just fell himself from the ladder. I hope ilI wrote it understandable, English is not my native language.
#23
How to spot the signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else.
YOU NEED TO THINK AND ACT F.A.S.T
Face: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arms: Can the person raise both arms?
Speech: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time: Time to call the emergency services to get the person the medical attention they need
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago (edited)
There's more to it than this, apparently. Strokes don't always have the same symptoms.
#24
Don’t forget your sunscreen lotion.
karen Young 1 year ago
Just got diagnosed with skin cancer. Never burned. Never tanned. Please wear a hat and sunscreen.
#25
If you live in an area of extreme temps, keep stuff in your car in case you break down and can't get help immediately.
For any temp - water and high density food such as protein bars.
For cold - a sleeping bag or blanket
For heat - more water and something to make shade.
#27
If your lips or tongue start to swell. call for help immediately.
#28
If you are a kid for the love of everything good don't play with stray dogs they might be fighting dogs and could very much mull you so be careful.
#29
If you feel something is wrong inside of you, call your doctor/hospital immediately. Don’t self-diagnose and let it fester for days or months.
#30
For cars, always turn towards the skid.
What do you think ?
Strawberry Pizza 1 year ago
My dad told me that if you ever get stuck in a car, you can take the metal part of the seatbelt and use it to smash the window. Pretty clever.
Julie Snelling 1 year ago
Always hit the window in the corner it is the weakest point even double glazed windows can be broken by hitting them in the corner.
Load More Replies... My “in my head” Voice 1 year ago
Another One Bites the Dust works for tempo as well. Just don't sing it out loud!
DBear 1 year ago
Never brag about your self-defense skills in public, especially in a bar or at a party. Someone will take that as a challenge. Oh, and bragging about your street smarts means you don't actually have any. People who really do have street smarts know enough not to brag about it.
Diolla 1 year ago
Some of the advice made me LOL. I mean the need for me to always have a tourniquet, know how to death-stare a tiger, or how to negotiate a polar bear, is virtually non-existent. Some of this advice is so out there..... But someone somewhere might me saved by these things. I once was in a canoo in a river and met some crocodiles. Immediately my mind went digging for information on what to do if a crocodile attacks you. Didn't find anything but they didn't attack me so all good :-D
Ryon Cupidore 1 year ago (edited)
It's not just enough to have a first aid kit. Once a year, go through your kit and replace anything that is missing, expired or worn from disuse. The adhesive on bandages will often become less sticky over time. Open one and test it, if it doesn't adhere firmly, replace the entire set. Elastic bandages can become brittle if they sit too long. A simple stretch test can determine that. Aspirin has started to go bad if it smells like vinegar. Ensure the scissors can still cut and isn't rusted. Don't pack away the kit high on a shelf behind last year's curtains. Keep it in a place where your kids can access it and teach them where it is and what it's used for. There may be a time when you're injured and can't get to it but they will be able to. When calling emergency services, state your location first and then state the situation. Unless you're calling from a landline, triangulation of a call doesn't happen like it does in the movies. Even if you give no other info, they know where you are.
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
Took a course in college, for credit no less, but that was in the 70s. Was certified in CPR but let it lapse. Still keep up on the latest info - like caring for a bloody nose - and used the minor bits several times in the early 80s helping out the kids at the barn where I kept my horses. When I had horses.
Strawberry Pizza 1 year ago
My dad told me that if you ever get stuck in a car, you can take the metal part of the seatbelt and use it to smash the window. Pretty clever.
Julie Snelling 1 year ago
Always hit the window in the corner it is the weakest point even double glazed windows can be broken by hitting them in the corner.
Load More Replies... My “in my head” Voice 1 year ago
Another One Bites the Dust works for tempo as well. Just don't sing it out loud!
DBear 1 year ago
Never brag about your self-defense skills in public, especially in a bar or at a party. Someone will take that as a challenge. Oh, and bragging about your street smarts means you don't actually have any. People who really do have street smarts know enough not to brag about it.
Diolla 1 year ago
Some of the advice made me LOL. I mean the need for me to always have a tourniquet, know how to death-stare a tiger, or how to negotiate a polar bear, is virtually non-existent. Some of this advice is so out there..... But someone somewhere might me saved by these things. I once was in a canoo in a river and met some crocodiles. Immediately my mind went digging for information on what to do if a crocodile attacks you. Didn't find anything but they didn't attack me so all good :-D
Ryon Cupidore 1 year ago (edited)
It's not just enough to have a first aid kit. Once a year, go through your kit and replace anything that is missing, expired or worn from disuse. The adhesive on bandages will often become less sticky over time. Open one and test it, if it doesn't adhere firmly, replace the entire set. Elastic bandages can become brittle if they sit too long. A simple stretch test can determine that. Aspirin has started to go bad if it smells like vinegar. Ensure the scissors can still cut and isn't rusted. Don't pack away the kit high on a shelf behind last year's curtains. Keep it in a place where your kids can access it and teach them where it is and what it's used for. There may be a time when you're injured and can't get to it but they will be able to. When calling emergency services, state your location first and then state the situation. Unless you're calling from a landline, triangulation of a call doesn't happen like it does in the movies. Even if you give no other info, they know where you are.
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
Took a course in college, for credit no less, but that was in the 70s. Was certified in CPR but let it lapse. Still keep up on the latest info - like caring for a bloody nose - and used the minor bits several times in the early 80s helping out the kids at the barn where I kept my horses. When I had horses.
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