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Everyday life isn’t just about sunshine, rainbows, and cat memes. It’s also not the harsh, joyless reality that we often see on the evening news. Life’s… complicated. That means that you have to be ready to dodge or take the punches that it’s guaranteed to throw your way. Part of that is knowing about the things that could save your life. Forewarned is forearmed, after all.
The internet is a great resource for learning new things (as long as you take all advice with a large grain of salt and double-check everything), and the people of Reddit have been sharing some insightful tips and tricks over on r/AskReddit that might end up saving your life. Bored Panda has compiled this list of handy advice for you to look through, so go ahead and have a read. From health tips to help about what to do if someone attacks you, you’ll find everything (and more!) below.
Remember to upvote the bits of advice that you believe are the most important. Meanwhile, let’s go expand our minds and learn something new, dear Pandas. It might make the difference between staying safe and getting hurt. Also, be sure to scroll down for Bored Panda's chat with fitness expert Jack Bly.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
If a service dog comes up to you without its human, FOLLOW IT.
RELATED:
#2
Fighting mental health sometimes requires medicine and counseling. Don't be too proud or scared to seek help.
#3
If someone breaks into your home and you use a bat to protect yourself, put a sock overtop of it so if they grab the bat, you can take it back because the sock will slide off.
I reached out to Jack to get his opinion about how important fitness is when it comes to surviving unexpected emergencies. Especially in modern times, as compared to way back in the past.
"Realistically, having a good level of fitness isn’t as important as it was hundreds of years ago," Jack told Bored Panda. He noted that "massive technological advances" have improved our chances of survival, meaning that we're capable of a lot more than our ancestors. However, this doesn't change the need to get fit. There are plenty of upsides to doing this.
"Having a high level of fitness grants you the best life possible," he said.
#4
When in an emergency situation, tell someone to call 911 by pointing at them and saying "Hey you, in the [descriptive] shirt...call 911].
Shock is a real thing and some people need to be delegated roles explicitly.
"You there, control the traffic around the scene." "Run to the nearest library or mall and get a defibrillator, you will see a sign of a heart with a lightening bolt through it."
Delegate and be descriptive. Get them working for you.
Alexia 3 years ago
Also applicable if you get attacked on the streets (happened to me as a young student). Don't just cry for help, but describe the person(s) around whom you are asking for help: "Help, sir with the green shirt, I don't know this man! Lady with the red skirt, please call the police!"
#5
If you're at a bar or club and some as*hole antagonizes you don't let your ego get involved. Seen so many people get hurt when they could just walk away. Funny thing is most people think fighting back will defend their pride but to me and a lot of other people you just look insecure. Be the cool guy who just laughs it off. Yours sincerely. Former bartender.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
The strong person is the one who walks away. Unless you’re defending someone else who is being harassed or assaulted, just walk away. Yes, sometimes you will have to turn around and fight, so be sure you’re able, but generally it doesn’t get to that point. So walk away.
#6
Crawl out of a burning building, breathing as close as possible to the floor as you move.
Toxic smoke rises while air remains more breathable nearest the floor.
Fitness expert Jack listed the positives that come from getting and keeping fit: "More energy, better mood, longer life, and higher quality of life."
Meanwhile, he added that getting a check-up at your doctor once a year is generally enough for most people.
#7
If you are deep frying something and the entire freakin pot is on fire, DO NOT PUT IT OUT WITH WATER!!!.
1) Turn off the gas/electric range. Don't pour water on it.
2) Cover the pot with a lid. Don't pour water on it.
3) If you don't have a lid, dump baking soda on it. Don't pour water on it.
If you pour water on it your house might burn down and your face might melt.
Steve Barnett 3 years ago (edited)
I’ve commented on similar posts before on this subject. I cannot stress enough how important this. I will add two things. NEVER, EVER, put more than a third of oil into a saucepan that you intend to deep fry food in. Also, if you don’t have a suitable fire extinguisher to hand then at least make sure you have a damp towel, NOT TOTALLY WET, IT HAS TO BE JUST DAMP, nearby that you can place over the top of the pan. You then leave the towel on for hours. DO NOT REMOVE FOR AGES. I’ve been involved in such a fire and the house would’ve burnt down but for the quick thinking of my GF at the time. Plus, I wouldn’t have been able to give you this additional life-saving advice, because I would be dead.
#8
If you ever get held at gunpoint and asked to get in a vehicle, you fight with everything you've got to not do that. Run zig zag, punch and kick, do whatever even if you die in the process. Because 99% of the time, people who get in the car do not come back. Especially if being moved from a public place to a private place.
Tapio Magnussen 3 years ago
And even scream: if you make it harder, most of times kidnapping is interrupted if the affected person is randomly chosen.
#9
If you are being chased by a swarm of bees, do not jump into a lake or other body of water to escape. This isn't a cartoon. The bees will simply wait above the water to sting you, and now you have created a situation where you move slower, can't breathe as well, and suffer worse if the toxins affect you. You may even swallow a bunch of bees gasping for air. Also, water has unseen predators that you've now introduced to the equation. If pursued by bees, just keep running and running. They will defend their hive to a large proximity, perhaps even a mile. Just run until they feel they've won.
Devil's Advocate 3 years ago
Then they all stick their tiny bee fingers up at you and moon your failure. Good work today, bees!
Staying safe is a weird state of being when you think about it. There is never any guarantee that you won’t get hurt. No matter how prepared you are, something will always (eventually) go wrong (given enough time). In short, you can’t be ready for everything, but you can be ready to overcome at least some of the challenges that will undoubtedly come flying your way. Trying to think of all the possible ways in which you could get hurt can lead to analysis paralysis and you won't get much done in life this way.
Keeping physically and mentally fit can make you better suited to tackling those challenges. Having a few survival skills and the willingness to reach out for professional help when you’re unsure about your health are things that also don’t hurt your chances of living a long and happy life.
However, just because the internet is a wonderful place full of animal memes doesn’t make it 100% accurate. Unfortunately, the net is full of misinformation and fake news that can be a tad tough to separate from the kernels of truth in between.
#10
Never hesitate to call police to report a missing person the "24 hour rule" is a myth.
#11
If the accelerator in your car gets stuck and you cannot stop, shift your car into neutral.
#12
Trust your gut, if something doesn't feel right then move to the other side of the street or change direction or don't go down that dark alley that moans.
Lee McIntyre, from Boston University, explained to me how we should approach fact-checking. He told Bored Panda earlier that we should prioritize finding accurate sources of information and reliable news websites. Though all sources make mistakes from time to time, reliable ones make fewer and they’re less likely to be biased.
“It would be exhausting to fact check every single news item we hear. In fact, insisting on this degree of skepticism is something that demagogues use to get us to be cynical, because when we doubt that it is possible to know the truth—even when it is staring us in the face—we are riper to their manipulation. So I'd say the best thing with news is to do a little investigation into finding a reliable source," Lee said.
#13
If you're outside in a lightning storm and your hair starts floating, seek immediate shelter. You're about to be struck by lightning.
Jill Hojnacki 3 years ago
If your hair is floating it’s too late to start running for shelter. Drop whatever you’re holding, especially if metal. Crouch down on the balls of your feet. Brace the heels of your feet against one another so that if you get struck the lightning might pass through your feet & back to ground instead of through your body. Put your hands over your ears to protect them from the thunderclap that’s coming, close your eyes to protect them from the lightning flash, and open/breathe through your mouth to help keep the air pressure equalized.Pray, if you believe it will help.
#14
When you're waiting to make a left turn, keep the wheels facing forward until you're ready to go. If you get rear-ended, it can make the difference between just a fender-bender or getting launched into oncoming traffic and getting t-boned. They used to teach this in driver's ed, but I don't think my kids ever heard this from their instructors.
#15
If you are taken to the hospital and the doctors ask you if you have taken any drugs don’t just think about the illegal stuff also tell them if you’ve had small things like Advil or Tylenol it could save your life.
Becky Samuel 3 years ago
If you think you may be admitted then always tell doctors if you are on steroids, even if it's inhaled steroids for asthma. Steroid withdrawal can cause very serious consequences.
"Look for an organization that does investigative journalism (and doesn't just repeat information from other sources), double sources its quotations, discloses conflicts of interest, etc. Once we've found that we can relax a bit and trust the reporting behind the stories. Do we still need to be on guard? Yes. Even The New York Times can make mistakes. Or individual reporters can have biases. But that doesn't mean 'all sources are equal.'"
Lee explained that media literacy is vital. It’s also something that kids are taught from a very early age in some parts of the world. So we don’t have an excuse not to give it the attention it deserves.
#16
When someone shouts 'duck' , don't question it and freakin duck.
#17
If a canker sore in your mouth or on your tongue isn't healing in about 2 weeks, it might not be a canker sore.
I'm going in to surgery today, and they will likely remove 100% of my oral cancer, because of early detection.
#18
If someone gets stabbed, do NOT take the knife out if possible. If it stays in it acts as a plug to the hole and will reduce bloodloss. Apply pressure around the wound as best you can and call an ambulance.
Devil's Advocate 3 years ago
Not just a knife, even impaled on the spikes atop a fence, which is why the fire service come and cut the fence and take it to hospital with you!
“There are various sources for media literacy that can help. They teach this to KIDS in Finland! It's easy to learn. Is the story copyrighted? Is it dated? Is there a byline? Are other stories by the author solid? Is it published in a source that has been reliable in the past? Does it seem plausible— if not then you can do some research," the expert said.
"Will we get fooled sometimes in doing this? Yes. But we're going to get fooled sometimes anyway. It's analogous to how scientists form their beliefs. They are skeptics, but they also—at some point when the evidence is sufficient—give their assent. Scientists deal with warrant, not 'proof.' They are what philosophers call 'fallibilists.' You give your belief to things that are well-sourced with evidence, while always holding out the possibility that if further evidence comes to light that contradicts your belief, you should give it up because you might be wrong."
#19
Assume other drivers are out to kill you... healthy paranoia when paying attention to other drivers is a great basis for successful defensive driving
Devil's Advocate 3 years ago
Don't assume that because almost nobody is out to kill anyone, just assume they're all idiots. I used to say to my students "we all have that mate, the one you wouldn't trust with your pet rock, well they have a drivers licence, and they're probably not the worst either". Assume everyone is an idiot, assume they're distracted, assume they never maintain their car and that they didn't tighten their wheel nuts properly.
#20
A lot of choking deaths are actually due to embarrassment. If you're choking, fight the urge to save face. Don't go to the bathroom to fix it yourself, don't sit silently and try to spit up the food yourself. Ask for help asap
#21
Actual fires spread shockingly fast. We all like to play "What's the one thing you'd grab if your house was on fire?" but the real right answer is that if it's not alive, you should leave it and get the hell out. People tend to imagine a fire burning on the floor in a corner somewhere, but the reality is often that it's running across the ceiling and circling around the walls. Just get out.
Alexia 3 years ago
It's a matter of seconds. Fires spread like hell especially with all these plastic and poliester items we have in our homes. I've seen some simulations on youtube. Fires started by a candle, some Christmas lights, an outlet. In all cases, the room was engulfed in smoke and flames in less than a minute.
#22
Don't swim in Florida waterways at night, dusk, or dawn, because teeth. But if you should find yourself in the mouth of a hungry gator, don't go for the standard eye poke, go for the nostril poke. Jamming your finger in their nostril breaks the seal they use to keep water out of their airways when submerged and they will release you instantly.
#23
3 minutes without air. 3 days without water. 3 weeks without food.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
Three hours without shelter. More lost people get in trouble because of exposure than any of the above.
#24
If you feel uneasy like someone is watching you, someone or something (animal) likely may be watching/stalking you. Trust your gut feeling. Your brain picks up on things subconsciously that you do not notice.
Caro Caro 3 years ago
Where I live there is a very quiet spot where the counsel has the glass/paper/plastic containers. I was there and I became to scared, I felt someone watching me but couldn't see anyone. I actualy felt the hairs in the back of my neck ... NOPE. Jumped in the car, went home, husband poured me a drink.
#25
There is no such thing as a fair fight. If it's a life threatening situation, fight dirty. Attempt to bite if you are pinned down, and press the base of your thumbs onto their eyes if necessary. As soon as you get the opportunity, run towards the nearest place with people around, and report to the police
Obvious, but often people view fighting as a boxing match.
#26
If you EVER get bit by a wild animal, no matter how it acts. Get. A. Rabies. Shot.
Rabies becomes a death sentence upon the onset of symptoms.
#27
If you are stranded in the desert do not drink the “water” in a cactus. It will induce vomiting which will dehydrate and kill you faster
Jayne Kyra 3 years ago
And it will make you hallucinate while you and your friends look for your sky bison that the sand raiders stole. Even if cactus juice is the quenchiest.
#28
If you have been driving for a while and you find yourself or your mate, in the car starting to micro sleep. Pull over immediately and get some rest (~ 20 minute power nap with an alarm to wake you). Your/their reward is being alive and not wrapped around some tree.
Devil's Advocate 3 years ago
I did this once when it was really hot and the car didn't have AC. Pulled over and had a nap, didn't die.
#29
Don't be afraid to go to a psychologist.
It's nothing to be ashamed of. I keep telling this to a friend of mine, but he keeps refusing. I try to help and listen, but in the end, there is only so much a normal person can do
#30
If you get pulled out into a rip current at the beach, swim parallel to the shore to work your way out of the riptide rip current before trying to swim back to shore. Fighting against it directly is only going to exhaust you a ton faster.
Jessica Bertram 3 years ago (edited)
this is the truth. even experienced swimmers or swimmers with gear (snorkel and fins, which allow one to float and swim almost indefinitely if one keeps their head) can exhaust themselves and drown trying to fight a rip. my student lost her boyfriend right in front of her two years ago to a rip. He was masked and finned and only 50 yards out.
#31
Yell at a knife, whisper at a gun.
If you yell at an attacker with a knife, there is a small chance that could startle them and they drop it. At the least, you are attracting attention, and can get out of the situation.
Always whisper at someone with a gun, or at least, speak slowly and calmly. If you yell, that could startle them, and you could get shot.
Most weapons are used as intimidation, so if it's your wallet they are after, talk calmly, give them your wallet, and back away slowly.
Ginny Weasly 3 years ago
Better yet, carry 2 wallets one with not a lot of cash or fake money in it and old credit cards. Give them that one.
#32
Get a carbon monoxide detector for your home and regularly check to make sure it has fresh batteries.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
Out of everything here this is the one more likely to actually save lives
#33
If you happen to be walking near a downed power line DO NOT take your feet off the ground. This can create a potential between you and the ground and cause a discharge through your body. Take small shuffling steps away (without picking your feet up) from the power line and call the authorities.
#34
If you've gone two and a half or more days without water, and you have to choose between drinking water without any way to sanitize it or not drinking water, drink the water. If you don't, you'll definitely die soon. Most of the diseases you can get from bad water take a couple days to set in, which gives you more time to find help.
Donkey boi 3 years ago
Sometime you really do need to assess the risk. standing water is always the bigger risk, look for flowing. The best action is to locate the source of the water where it is likely to be purest. Always smell the water first, trust your nose. If you have a container, fill it and shake it, the longer it takes for the little foam and bubbles to dissipate the more 'dirty' the water is, if it looks cloudy it's probably best to avoid.
#35
If you pull a weapon in self defense, use it, immediately! I've known a number of people to be seriously injured from hesitating.
What do you think ?
Gavin Johnson 3 years ago
Do not write opinions onto the internet. Often you will be contradicted, attacked, misrepresented or threatened. For peace of mind simply steer clear of posting your thoughts….. wait, err hold on…..
Brobro McDuderson 3 years ago
And guaranteed, your opinion is wrong to someone anyways.
Load More Replies...
Mike Crow 3 years ago
When taking young kids to a crowded area like a mall at Christmas, a fun park or where ever, take their picture with your phone before going in. This way if they do go missing you have an up to date photo with what they were last wearing.
Jason Melvil 3 years ago
I will also add - if one of them is missing - SCREAM. Don't be embarrassed to make a scene. If people hear you, they are likely to help you find them. If the child is just walking away, they could hear you and return - maybe they can't find you and they will know how now. If it's someone kidnapping them, they could realize they are likely to be discovered during the commotion and let your kid go. You are better off being thought of as hysteric, than actually risk losing your child. Scream for help and yell a description of your child.
Load More Replies...
Amanda Reicha 3 years ago
If you see someone having a seizure, roll them on their side to help them breath, don't put anything in their mouth, don't try to keep them still, put something under their head if possible (jacket, shirt, purse, etc), time it and call 911 if it's 5 minutes or longer. A 5 minute seizure can turn into a seizure that won't stop. Video tape it if possible, it will help the doctor. Check the wallet, purse, or phone for medical ID.
Amanda Reicha 3 years ago
Also, they may be groggy or confused when the seizure is over. Try to stay with them until they can contact someone to help take care of them.
Load More Replies...
Nope 3 years ago
Learn how to perform CPR even if it's from videos. My dad had a heart condition, so when I attended the driving lessons I paid extra attention to the first aid videos and watched them again later at home. Two years later I had to use it to save his life, I could keep him on the line until the ambulance arrived around 13 mins later (sadly he died 10 days later anyway). Push to the tune of the song Staying Alive.
Chich 3 years ago
If you do not feel right, go to the Doctor (looking at you guys out there). I was feeling uncharacteristcally tired and worn down, Just happened to have an appointment about something else. Short version - whisked *immediatley* to a regional hospital for 6 weeks followed by 7 months outpatient. Leukemia. Type I had comes on and spreads very fast. Untreated, you have a few weeks at most.
Sally Shideler Bill 3 years ago (edited)
Drowning does not look like drowning. That is to say, drowning is not flailing around in the water, hollering and waving. Drowning is quiet. Look for heads bobbing or hovering low, mouths open very near water level. Look for hair that's blocking the person's vision even as he or she does nothing to try to fix it; look for eyes that are glassy or unfocused. The person may be gasping or hyperventilating, and won't react if you call out to them. If you go swimming to a person in distress, meaning to drag them to safety, know that they may inadvertently pull you under, or try to, quite quickly. This is not on purpose, and the person won't understand that they're doing it. Be prepared to give the person a slap or punch to jolt them out of it and help them help you get them back to shore. They shouldn't be hurt by it and almost certainly won't remember it once they're safe and calm.
Annamagelic 3 years ago
The best thing to do if a drowning person grabs you is to swim DOWN. They will let go if you start pulling them further under. The best way to approach a drowning person is from behind and preferably with something that floats between you.
Load More Replies...
First Name Last Name 3 years ago
Don't assume that because something is marketed as a vaccine that it actually is one. It could be that it is just a drug that boosts your immune system to lessen the symptoms of a disease, rather than something that stops the disease or helps prevent you from getting it.
Gavin Johnson 3 years ago
Do not write opinions onto the internet. Often you will be contradicted, attacked, misrepresented or threatened. For peace of mind simply steer clear of posting your thoughts….. wait, err hold on…..
Brobro McDuderson 3 years ago
And guaranteed, your opinion is wrong to someone anyways.
Load More Replies... Mike Crow 3 years ago
When taking young kids to a crowded area like a mall at Christmas, a fun park or where ever, take their picture with your phone before going in. This way if they do go missing you have an up to date photo with what they were last wearing.
Jason Melvil 3 years ago
I will also add - if one of them is missing - SCREAM. Don't be embarrassed to make a scene. If people hear you, they are likely to help you find them. If the child is just walking away, they could hear you and return - maybe they can't find you and they will know how now. If it's someone kidnapping them, they could realize they are likely to be discovered during the commotion and let your kid go. You are better off being thought of as hysteric, than actually risk losing your child. Scream for help and yell a description of your child.
Load More Replies... Amanda Reicha 3 years ago
If you see someone having a seizure, roll them on their side to help them breath, don't put anything in their mouth, don't try to keep them still, put something under their head if possible (jacket, shirt, purse, etc), time it and call 911 if it's 5 minutes or longer. A 5 minute seizure can turn into a seizure that won't stop. Video tape it if possible, it will help the doctor. Check the wallet, purse, or phone for medical ID.
Amanda Reicha 3 years ago
Also, they may be groggy or confused when the seizure is over. Try to stay with them until they can contact someone to help take care of them.
Load More Replies... Nope 3 years ago
Learn how to perform CPR even if it's from videos. My dad had a heart condition, so when I attended the driving lessons I paid extra attention to the first aid videos and watched them again later at home. Two years later I had to use it to save his life, I could keep him on the line until the ambulance arrived around 13 mins later (sadly he died 10 days later anyway). Push to the tune of the song Staying Alive.
Chich 3 years ago
If you do not feel right, go to the Doctor (looking at you guys out there). I was feeling uncharacteristcally tired and worn down, Just happened to have an appointment about something else. Short version - whisked *immediatley* to a regional hospital for 6 weeks followed by 7 months outpatient. Leukemia. Type I had comes on and spreads very fast. Untreated, you have a few weeks at most.
Sally Shideler Bill 3 years ago (edited)
Drowning does not look like drowning. That is to say, drowning is not flailing around in the water, hollering and waving. Drowning is quiet. Look for heads bobbing or hovering low, mouths open very near water level. Look for hair that's blocking the person's vision even as he or she does nothing to try to fix it; look for eyes that are glassy or unfocused. The person may be gasping or hyperventilating, and won't react if you call out to them. If you go swimming to a person in distress, meaning to drag them to safety, know that they may inadvertently pull you under, or try to, quite quickly. This is not on purpose, and the person won't understand that they're doing it. Be prepared to give the person a slap or punch to jolt them out of it and help them help you get them back to shore. They shouldn't be hurt by it and almost certainly won't remember it once they're safe and calm.
Annamagelic 3 years ago
The best thing to do if a drowning person grabs you is to swim DOWN. They will let go if you start pulling them further under. The best way to approach a drowning person is from behind and preferably with something that floats between you.
Load More Replies... First Name Last Name 3 years ago
Don't assume that because something is marketed as a vaccine that it actually is one. It could be that it is just a drug that boosts your immune system to lessen the symptoms of a disease, rather than something that stops the disease or helps prevent you from getting it.
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