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Internet Users Are Sharing ‘Unknown’ Facts That Could Save Your Life, And Here Are 40 Of The Most Useful Ones
You might be beset by dozens of problems in your daily life. But the moment there’s a threat to your safety or that of your loved ones, all of that goes out the window. Then, there’s only one focus: survival, at any cost.
However, in life-or-death situations, you can panic and freeze up. It takes quick wits and agility to get out of danger in one piece, whether you suddenly smell gas, get stuck in freezing weather, get lost in a big crowd, or feel like someone is following you. Though there’s no substitute for training, a decent starting point is knowing what to do in critical situations. At least, in theory.
Today, we’re featuring various redditors’ survival tips and tricks, as they shared lesser-known facts about staying safe, in an informative thread on r/AskReddit. Have you ever found yourself in any perilous situations like the ones described here, dear Pandas? What advice would you add? Share your wisdom and experience in the comments.
Bored Panda got in touch with the Australian Firefighters Calendar team to learn more about fire safety. Firefighter Ben Church was kind enough to answer our questions. Established in 1993, the Australian Firefighters Calendar has raised over $3.4 million for various charities. You'll find our interview below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I have 8 siblings; one is a firefighter/paramedic, other is a 911 dispatcher, other is a soldier, other is a cop and my sis is a lifeguard. They all contributed to this. None do Reddit so they wanted this. A lot of this is frequently asked questions. Sorry, this is long, we have a lot to share.
Fish smell but no fish? GET OUT, ELECTRICAL FIRE, CALL 911.
Drunk but no alcohol? Tell the person to smile, if it's drooping, it's a stroke.
Stabbed? Don't move it. Go to the ER because it's the only thing preventing you from bleeding to death.
Cinnamon smell in your drink? Don't drink it, it's a cover up for poison.
No service and need help? You're still able to call 911.
Ocean retreating? Get to high ground, there's a tsunami.
Need heat/light? Burn a crayon, it will last up to 14 minutes.
Don't know how to talk to 911? Say where you are first, what happened, your info, the victim's info, stay calm and answer questions best you can. The more info, the better.
Square waves? Avoid the water, you'll drown.
Think you're being followed? Make 4 right turns. Still behind you? Following you, DON'T GO HOME, GO TO THE POLICE STATION.
Held at gunpoint/knifepoint and told to go somewhere? DON'T GO. You're more likely to be found where you are than to the location you're being taken and make a scene too.
White fuzzy spot on your banana? Don't eat it, spider infestation.
In the woods and nothing to eat? Dandalions (the yellow ones) are fully edible.
Carjacker? Crash the car, then you're useless.
Under rubble? Grab an object and tap in intervals of 3, wait 10 seconds, tap 3 times again and so on.
Unmoving tornado? It's coming towards you.
Fall on tracks at a subway? There's a crawl space under the platform, go there until you get help.
Don't know the emergency number? Call 112, it's a worldwide emergency number.
Disturb a bee/wasp nest? They're not stupid, don't go in water, they'll keep stinging you when you go for air.
Purple flag on the beach? Don't swim, there are dangerous sea creatures in that area.
Bleeding? Elevate it above the heart.
Gas smell? DON'T USE THE ELECTRIC, YOUR HOUSE WILL EXPLODE.
Bitten and poisoned? DON'T SUCK IT. YOU'LL ONLY MAKE IT WORSE.
Someone overdosing? DON'T BE AFRAID TO CALL 911, NOR YOU OR THE PERSON WILL GET IN ANY LEGAL TROUBLE.
Elevator falling? Lay flat on your back and cover your face.
When does drunk driving occur? Late hours of the night (Midnight-4:00 in the morning) Friday-Sunday.
Hair randomly stands up while outside? DUCK AND COVER, YOURE GETTING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
What info should I carry? List of medicines you take, allergies, name, age, address, phone number, where you live, what language you speak, blood type, any useful information for emergency services.
Fire? Before you leave the room, touch the door with the back of your hand. Cold? Peek out. Hot? Use the window if possible.
What's the 3-minute rule? You only have 3 minutes to escape a house fire. 3 weeks without food is survivable. 3 days without water. 3 hours without shelter. 3 minutes oxygen deprived
How should I leave a fire? Don't use the lobby or where you came from, when you walk into a building, there are exit signs, use those instead.
What's dry drowning? When you're drowning to the point you feel like you need to throw up water, even though you make it out, go to the ER because your lungs will fill with fluid over time then you drown from the fluid.
What if an animal is vividly colored? It means they're more likely to be poison.
Money falling from buildings? Don't pick it up, get the hell out of there, it's a way terrorists kill more people, is by having them all in one place.
What happens if a service animal is not with its owner? Go with it, it's getting help.
Firefighter Ben, from the Australian Firefighters Calendar team, confirmed that fire does indeed spread rapidly. "In as little as 3-5 minutes, a small fire can quickly spread causing a house to be fully involved. This is due to many factors but primarily due to the construction of homes nowadays and the materials used," he explained to Bored Panda.
"Even the furniture that is in homes nowadays is different to what it used to be, which accelerates the rate of spread fire as compared to 20 years ago. Previously, furniture was made of hardwood material (which was slower burning) and now we have a lot of flat pack furniture made of chipboard (which burns much quicker than hardwood)." This may come as a shock to many of you readers. One would assume that there would be progress regarding fire safety as time moves forward, not the other way around.
Firefighter Ben said that you should evacuate your home if "initial/first strike firefighting actions such as using an extinguisher or fire blanket are ineffective or unsuccessful." The best firefighting method, instead, is prevention.
"It would be wise to make a fire proof plan for your household. Have a fire blanket in the kitchen and an extinguisher nearby but not too close to flammables such as paints, solvents, petroleum, etc. Make sure you don't leave power tools or batteries on charge for extended periods."
RELATED:
#2
Losing too much weight too fast will damage your kidneys.
Happened to my father who was trying to go into retirement in better shape. Lost 60 pounds in 2 months eating ONLY salads and drinking water. No carbs or fat. All cardio no weight training. Somehow destroyed one kidney and impaired the other one, he is on daily dialysis now. After it happened I did some research and it seems that your body gets used to the fat in your system which helps curb the toxin filtration. Losing too much too fast is like throwing extra dirt into a filter all at once instead of little at a time. The right way to do it is a few pounds a week with both weight lifting and cardio, also still include some carbs and fat in your diet even if it takes a longer to shed off the pounds. Maybe this is common knowledge because I had somewhat heard this before but I had never seen how it shreds through kidneys so quickly before.
#3
Not exactly an answer that will save your life, but may save the life of an animal. Never, ever, ever give away animals for free to strangers. Creating a financial disincentive to adopt weeds out people who cannot afford to care for a pet, people who will neglect that pet, and most importantly people who intend to abuse that pet. Serial animal abusers search for free animals on social media explicitly for this purpose.
Always charge money. It’s not so you can make profit. It’s to increase the chances that animal will be okay.
Shyla Bouche 2 years ago
I adopted a dog off craigslist. The humans had new jobs, and couldn't give their dogs the time and attention they needed any longer. The adoption fee was $25.00. The owners had me make out of the check to the Humane society. They just wanted to be sure their animals went to decent homes.
There may come a moment in our lives when we have the opportunity to save someone in danger and be an everyday hero. For instance, you may see a fire in your local area. Once you call the emergency services, what do you do next? Do you wait for the authorities to arrive and support them then or do you attempt to save anyone who's inside by yourself? A lot depends on each individual situation. Bored Panda wanted to get the Australian Firefighters Calendar team's opinion on the right approach.
"It's a tough call and the general answer is to just wait outside and stay away from danger. I would encourage people to use common sense in these situations. Try and alert people that are inside by means of not endangering yourself," firefighter Ben said.
"Can you set off your car horn or alarm? Can you knock on the door or window out of the smoke? I would encourage passersby to gather as much information as possible (contact the neighbors to inform them of fire) so that they can inform the professionals that are arriving but also give them space to do their work," he told Bored Panda.
"There are a lot of hazards involved in structure fires that we as firefighters are trained to look out for and 2 casualties caused by a fire is much worse than 1 casualty.".
#4
Relationships are voluntary.
If someone is hurting you or you just don't like being around them, mentally or physically, parent, friend, or partner, you are always allowed to leave.
#5
From a person who lives in the arctic:
If you are outside in cold weather and you are freezing, but all of a sudden feel really warm with no explanation as to why DO NOT REMOVE ANY CLOTHES.
You are about to die and your body is spending it’s very last energy on heating you up. Seek shelter and warmth immediately even if it feels like you are boiling hot.
People have been found freezing to death in their underwear not far from civilization because they believed they were warm
#6
If you're in a crowd that's packed almost uncomfortably tight, ask yourself: If my shoe fell off right now, would I be able to retrieve it? Or would I just never see it again? if the latter, GTFO of that crowd.
General Anaesthesia 2 years ago
Get out calmly because if you really GTFO you could cause the crowd to panic. That could end badly.
You can never truly be 100% prepared for anything in advance because situations can and do change in unexpected ways. There's always room for error. There's always room for the unexpected. However, training and preparation are still essential. Don't sleep on learning survival skills or coming up with a plan of action in case of an emergency.
That’s one of the reasons why you periodically have fire drills at school and work: you need to put your theoretical knowledge to the test. You need your body to know what to do. Of course, things will probably never play out like you imagine them to when there’s a real emergency, but it’s good to build up some muscle memory
One half of someone’s survival habits is having a sharp mind and knowing exactly what to do and how you can tell if you’re in real danger. For example, knowing not to turn on the lights if you smell gas. Or knowing not to take off your clothes if you’re feeling hot when you’re someplace very cold.
The other half of this is physical fitness. If you’re healthy, athletic, and have good endurance, your chances of survival are far better than that of someone who spends all of their time on the couch, glued to their phone or laptop, constantly eating junk food. That’s aside from all of the daily quality of life benefits that come from regular exercise and eating a good diet, of course.
#7
If you meet a confused, psychotic or drugged person, there are important things to be aware of.
Confusion is a more common word for "brain failure". The brain is no longer able to do its primary job: Filter what is important for you. You may have heard that our consciousness have very little bandwidth. If the brain can't sort things, sensory input becomes a fire hose, and you can't understand what's ever relevant to you to start dealing with. The frontal lobes shut down, and you start acting and reacting in some very primal ways. In many ways, you function mentally like a frightened animal.
You will perceive things differently. A smile is bared teeth and a warning. Eye contact beyond very short moments is a challenge. And so on.
So, you're somewhere where you happen to be alone with someone confused. Rule 1: Keep your distance. The personal sphere grows. Rule 2: Keep your face neutral, maybe a bit worried. Rule 3: No sudden movements. Rule 4: Hands where they can see them. Rule 5: Use simple words and short sentences. Rule 6: If you can get them to sit down, the risk of violence decreases. Rule 7: If you can give them a situation they recognize, like eating a sandwich and drinking some coffee, it's even better.
Remember, it's not an evil person. It's someone who is in very bad shape. When it goes south, it does so because you cornered them.
Stephanie Did It 2 years ago
I've learned that in the UK, a potentially dangerous or hysterical person can often be calmed down by simply giving them a cup of tea.
#8
I learned this from Mythbusters, in the episode about crashes (cars/helicopters) if you find yourself disoriented underwater: Calm people live, panicked people die.
I was in a boat crash a number of years ago, and I believe this saved my life. No flotation device, stupid, I know. I dont remember the impact, I was suddenly several feel underwater and didn't know which way was up. I freaked for a split second, then that advice popped into my head. I stayed still, and let bouyancy do it's thing, saw some bubbles and followed them as they rose.
Jon Steensen 2 years ago
The pressure gradient in water is much bigger than in air, and hence if you sink quicky, you risk your eardrums flooding. When that happens, you inner ear will be filled with water, and as our balancing organs is located in them, you can loose your sense of what "up" is. It happens to divers sometimes, and as they are balaced to be neutrally boyant, they will not naturally float to the surface. Therefore it is important to not panic, but remember that up is the direction that the exhaused air floats.
#9
If you ever have to touch an electrical wire that you’re not sure is live or not, touch it with the back of your hand. If you touch it normally, the electricity will make your muscles contract, and you’ll automatically grab on to the wire tighter and tighter until you’re dead.
Ranger Kanootsen 2 years ago
Thanks! As a person who loves touching electric fences, I'll keep this in mind.
Though changes in technology and medicine have improved our chances of survival, it’s still vital to have a good level of fitness. It’s as important now, as it was hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Especially in cases when you’re isolated or don’t have access to that technology.
In short, being fit and having a vast knowledge base will help you survive. Especially if you’ve physically practiced what to do.
But there is a limit to how much you can prepare: it’s not like you can ready yourself for a thousand different catastrophes. That would mean that it’s all you live for. It’s impractical, not to mention exhausting, having to live with the stress that something bad will happen.
#10
An "Impending Sense of Doom" is a legitimate symptom and you should hurry yourself to the ER, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pains, dizziness, numbness in limbs, etc...
Lene Stoustrup 2 years ago
I suffer from bad anxiety, and YES. This happens ALL the time :-/
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Natalie Bohrteller 2 years ago
It can be a sign of a heart attack. I feel that's missing in the post and the reason why you should go to the ER.
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
"Impending Sense of Doom" ----- you note "accompanied by other symptoms". If you need the impending sense of doom to kick your butt to the ER when yo have dizziness/numbness/and/or chest pain? Or nausea (Yes, nausea!)... You may not get to the ER. Call emergency service ASAP, sit down if you're not seated. No sense passing out on the stairs.
Terri Johnson 2 years ago
True! Unbeknownst to me at the time, I have a genetic clotting disorder. What I thought was 'walking pneumonia' and shortness of breath was actually a huge pulmonary embolism forming. On a Sunday evening after not being able to walk from one end of my home to the other due to lack of breath, I had that 'impending sense of doom'. Told my spouse and we headed to the ER. Fortunately they knew what tests to run and figured out the PE, put me in ICU, and administered a clot-busting drug. I'm hear to tell the story, but if I hadn't paid attention to the impending sense of doom, I might not be.
Ashleigh O'Sullivan 2 years ago
My grandmother said she felt like this to my cousin a day or 2 B4 she died of a heart attack... I always thought it was just a coincidence
Emma S 2 years ago
Apparently it's one of the symptoms of having been given the wrong blood type during a transfusion.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago
Oh, damn. That’s scary. Horrible way to go.
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I learned this in nursing school. If a patient tells you, "I just don't feel right, something is wrong", treat it as an emergency. Responding to their feeling of doom has saved many lives!
TC Wilson 2 years ago
I have anxiety and have had this impending sense of doom before a heart attack. It’s hard to explain, but the feeling of impending doom was different from my usual anxiety and depression. I had other symptoms too such as pain in my arm and heartburn.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago
Interesting, that’s good to know. Sorry you had to go through all of that, though.
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the shrimp whisperer 1 year ago
this happened to me recently and that same day i had a brownout from stretching too hard so i was a lil scared for my life but im alive so far so
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago
There’s a jellyfish whose venom can cause such an extreme feeling of doom, some patients begged their doctors to put them out of their misery. To make it even better, it’s about the size of a pinhead to a thimble. And the stings look like long, thin, twisty burn scars.
Isaac Harvey 2 years ago
I get impending senses of doom from where my mind goes in late evenings. Does that mean…?
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago
Nah, welcome to the “our brains hate us and don’t want us to be functioning humans” club. Here’s your iron-on patch and mental health crisis hotline number, we have either a bumper sticker or a keychain.
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Henry Russell 2 years ago
i remenber once when i was 9 during covid i was just about to go to bed when all of a sudden i feel like someone bad was going to happen i remenber running downstairs super scared. now right before a go to bed sometimes i will have it
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl) 2 years ago
I've seen this around a lot. It's never been explained and comes across as a myth that is just passed from mouth to mouth, because some person said once that that's how they felt.
rodger coghlan 2 years ago
Yeah! I was pretty lucky that I was weirded out and dialed 911 (American for emergency hotline); I was having a heart attack but did not recognize any of the symptoms. There was a heart surgeon on his rounds when I got to the hospital - he said I was about an hour from death. (I kept talking to the surgeon and told me the equivalent of "shut up, I trying to save your life")
Jill Bussey 2 years ago
I get this if I take in too much caffeine. It's the only way I can describe it.
Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
Ok this is no laughing matter lol, but i Will because of my own experience,só a wille back out of the blue, i started felling dizzy, having chest pains and short breath, at 1st i didn't pay atention because i have a messed up vestibulary system, but then it started to get worst and worst, to the point of One night i got up, stumble to my cat, hold him and thinking i was not gonna ser him again, Next morning i was ok, but the episodes where getting more frequent and worst, One day i was Alone at home and called my brother ( his wife is a doctor ), 1st they didn't want to come, but after i ask again they did come, só i was on the sofá thinking i was gonna die, and they where both playing with their cellphones and that really pissed me off, só i asked my SIL, " what do you think this is " and She looks at me and goes " you're having a panic attack you idiot " in my 43 years of life i had never had a panic attack, só i did not knew the simtomes lol and i thought i was dying.
#11
Having to wait a certain amount of time to report someone is missing is 100 percent a lie made up for TV and movies.
Finding a missing person is actually a race against the clock and the first 24 hours are the most important. If someone is missing missing, call the cops NOW.
Stephanie Did It 2 years ago
If you see something that looks like a kidnapping or hostage situation, SAY SOMETHING, TELL SOMEONE and don't assume you're overreacting. You may save one life now and others in the future.
#12
If you are injured or need help in a crowded place direct your pleas to a specific person. Otherwise people tend to think that someone else will help, it’s known as the bystander effect. In an emergency every second can be crucial, give specific instructions to specific people
wifeofweasley 2 years ago
Also if you're in danger - don't call out for "help"! Yell "Fire!". Way more people are likely to react to fire and you'll get more attention from the people around you. I sadly learned about this "hack" before I started going places without my parents. If someone tries to grab you, yell fire
Odds are that, yes, at some point in your life, you’ll probably have to deal with danger. However, you can’t sacrifice your peace of mind just for this possibility. You have to be aware of the dangers and prepare for the most common ones, without giving in to constant fear and paranoia.
When dealing with unpredictability, many people can react with frustration and disappointment. Most of us yearn for a sense of routine and certainty. And when that’s taken away from us, it can be traumatic.
The answer to this is to accept that there will be moments and entire stretches of time when we might not have control over what happens to us. Not everything will go according to plan. Sometimes, bad things will happen to us. But we can change our expectations and how we react to these new circumstances. It’s all about embracing what we can and cannot control.
#13
If you have a bad gut feeling about someone but nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, run.
It's better safe than sorry.
#14
ER nurse here, I have a few that may or may not have been covered:
Don’t mix alcohol with opiates. They both depress the respiratory center of the brain and combined, can kill you.
If you are a recovering addict and you relapse, don’t take the same amount of the drug as you did the last time you got high. You had a tolerance then, you don’t now. Many overdoses happen this way.
If someone arrests or dies in front of you, start chest compressions right away and don’t stop. Good quality chest compressions that are continuous and delivered at a rate of about 100/min can and do save lives (sing ‘Stayin Alive’ during compressions if necessary).
If you’re pregnant and having bad headaches that won’t go away, get to the ER; they’re a sign of preeclampsia.
If you’re worried about a heart attack and need to get to an ER, take an aspirin right away, it thins the blood.
If someone is passed out and vomiting, turn them on their side, don’t leave them lying on their back, they can aspirate on their own vomit.
Lastly, in an emergency, if an ambulance is on the way, don’t try to drive to the hospital instead. They have lifesaving equipment in their vehicles and you don’t. Wait for them and stay on the line with the 911 dispatcher.
Stay safe out there kids.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
lol at the ambulances. Ours take like a few hours to arrive. Uber is much more reliable.
#15
Avoid wearing headphones, earphones, or air pods if you're walking alone on a street especially when it's dark. This attracts kidnappers since they think you are off-guard and would not hear them approaching. Avoid being on your phone too cause it makes you appear distracted. Just walk and be alert. If you feel like somebody is coming or following you, try to fake a phone call as if someone is waiting for you not too far from your current location. Say things like "I'm almost there guys" or "I'm already here at (current location)."
This stuff came from a caught kidnapper. He describes what type of people they go for in the street. They also avoid approaching people with both hands stuck in their pockets since they are unsure if they're holding a knife or other self-defense weapon. Hope this helps.
#16
Don’t leave a suicidal person alone, no matter how jolly he looks that moment.
Ranger Kanootsen 2 years ago (edited)
Welp. I live alone. Too bad for me!! Edit: Oh my god. I really wasn't expecting all the support. Thank you all so so much. You guys are the best, you all made my day :)
#17
Don't mix window cleaner and bathroom cleaner
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago
Windex has ammonia. Many bathroom cleaners have bleach. The combination of ammonia and bleach's main ingredient, sodium hypochlorite, produces chloramine vapor. VERY toxic.
#18
If you are in a big crowd with a group and you lose track of them, call out your own name to find them, not theirs. I don’t know why it works, but people are more attuned to hearing their friend’s name yelled in distress than their own. I’ve had several opportunities to test it out, and I swear it works every time.
#19
We all know the symptoms of a heart attack as pain in the chest and/or the arm closest to the heart (usually left, sometimes right). But women tend to have pain in their stomach instead. There are also cases of people thinking they have pain in their back which turned out to be their heart.
Natalie Bohrteller 2 years ago
Even if I might be downvoted: transmen should absolutely be aware of this, it can save your life! Stay healthy everyone :)
#20
Having a partner choke you amidst a bout of domestic violence indicates that you are more likely to die the next time it happens.
Lakota Wolf 2 years ago
Having a bout of domestic violence in a relationship is a red flag anyway, regardless of whether or not they choke you. GTFO out of that relationship as soon as you safely can.
#21
Heart problems present differently in women than they do in men. My mom was very exhausted and had excruciating jaw pain. Her boss’ mother was a nurse for many years and told my mom to get to an ER stat. One quadruple bypass and almost 6 years later and my mom is thankfully still here, currently en route to see her friend.
Caroline Sinclair 2 years ago
I have had four heart attacks. The 4th, AFTER a triple bypass, presented with excruciating jaw and left arm pain but minimal chest pain (I am female, and was a slim, fit, healthy 47 year old with no risk factors when this started).
#22
Humans are dangerous animals who will panic at a moment's notice. So, in an unfamiliar place always find out where the exit is. People have died being trapped by stampedes. Someone taught me this years ago and I do it without thinking now.
#23
Never ever pull out a deadly weapon (as in knife) in a fight if you do not intend to use it right away. If the other guy gets their hands on it, there is a strong possibility that they will use it on you instead.
Jon Steensen 2 years ago
yep and a lot of people get shot by their own guns that was laying around. Having a gun in your home might make you feel secure, but it can be a false security as it is just as good weapon when pointing at you as it is when it points away from you. Drawing a weapon escalates a conflict and elevates it into another and more dangerous level, so think twice before doing so.
#24
If you or your kid is eating fruit and they complain about it tasting 'fuzzy,' 'hairy,' or something along those lines, it means that they are allergic to it. You'll want to schedule an appointment with their pediatrician to schedule an allergy test.
#25
If anyone is ever getting electrocuted around you do NOT touch them directly.
Instead use some sort of object to get them away from the object they are holding or touching. You can use a belt wrapped around a waist (again be careful not to touch them), a broom, mop, fast moving office chair, hell if its that serious you can drop kick them out of contact.
Can't tell you how many people have gotten themselves electrocuted grabbing someone stuck to something.
Monday 2 years ago (edited)
If you have nothing to use and this is your child who you are in no way just going to leave to be electrocuted, tackle them. Take a running start and leap at them making sure your feet are not touching the ground when you connect with them. This is terribly dangerous advice and should be your literal last resort in the situation where you cannot live without trying to save said person and are okay with risking your life to do so.
#26
If you are ever being chased by a polar bear get completely naked and drop your clothes on the ground as you run away. Polar bears have really bad ADD and will firmly inspect your clothes before chasing you again
#27
If you’re ever involved in an active shooter incident outdoors, take cover behind the engine block of a car. Rifle rounds will go straight through most vehicles, but the engine can stop them. If you’re indoors don’t hug the walls (stay about a foot off) and get through doorways as quickly as possible.
Kind of sad that my MOUT training is also applicable in day to day life in America.
Siya Patel 2 years ago
I’ve been in an incident like this last year in 6th grade . I suggest staying away from windows and hiding yourself as best as possible .I don’t give a damn if its uncomfortable or it hurts. Don’t hide in areas with sharp objects . Keep a self defense weapon with you at all time so if said shooter runs out of ammo and tries to hit you , you can fight back. I find pens with fine fine tips useful. Don’t try to fight the shooter. You will die . Call 911 immediately where your school goes into lockdown
#28
Don’t remember where I learned it, but the air begins to smell like ozone before lightning strikes, so if the air starts smelling kind of like chlorine during a storm, it means lightning might be about to hit the area you are standing in
#29
If you're choking and alone, you can throw yourself onto the edge of furniture, like a chair or couch or table. A blow like that onto your midriff is similar to a heimlich manoever and can dislodge whatever is stuck in your trachea.
Shay Tracy 2 years ago
I've done this too! I was lucky enough to be around a chair that was the right height. Worth the bruised chest for sure
#30
Kangaroos can't hop backwards
I don't care how drunk you get, you and a friend will be on vacation in Australia 5 years from now, he'll get attacked and you'll instinctively yell "get behind him!"
#31
If you can't talk, but have access to your phone, you can text message 911
The "ordering a pizza" trick isn't (or wasn't at least) an official thing. You might get a call-taker who remembers that story, and figures out what you mean, or they might just assume you're stoned and hungry.
Is your emergency really f'ing bad, and you need help fifteen f*****g minutes ago? Then answer all the f*****g questions that you (safely) can. Yes, the dispatcher thinks they're stupid too, but you're going to get better help sooner.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
would be nice if we (south africa) had an actual emergency line. the people at 112 sound like they are really bored with having to talk to you and always try palm you off onto someone else. They should all be fired. Source: experience.
#32
When doing CPR chest compressions pace them to Stayin Alive by the BeeGees
Scribbles & Scares 2 years ago
I was taught to go by the bass in "Another One Bites the Dust". Best not to sing it out loud, gives off the wrong impression
#33
Swim parallel to shore if you get caught in an undertow while swimming at the beach.
PattonPawter 2 years ago
is an undertow the same thing as a rip current? I’ve seen the same advice if you’re caught in a rip current.
#34
If something is squirting blood, that’s an arterial bleed. You need a tourniquet.
When applying a tourniquet, go high and tight.
How tight? It’s gonna hurt.
You’ll know the TQ is working when you can no longer feel a pulse on that arm/leg.
Tourniquets CAN be improvised, but it is highly recommended to use a proper CAT tourniquet if available.
Make sure to record the time (preferably in 24 time such as 0930) that the tourniquet was applied.
Stephanie Did It 2 years ago
I left my spare CAT tourniquet in my other handbag, anyone got a belt?
#35
Don’t try to put out a grease or oil fire with water. Boom
Stephanie Did It 2 years ago
Don't throw random stuff on the fire. Baking soda may put it out but flour will explode. Smother it if you can with a lid or towel.
#36
If you smell Natural Gas in your house, don’t turn on lights, appliances or use the phone inside.
A spark could cause an explosion.
#37
If you are in a jungle or something and have doubt on what fruit is edible and what isn't, look at the monkeys and what they eat.
Also fishes tend to be the safest bet on what to eat, followed by common insects (but you have to see another animal eat them first), ironically plants are the most dangerous SPECIALLY if you don't know what species can be venomous
NetworkMan 2 years ago
Remember, if you bite it and you die, it's poisonous. If it bite's you and you die, its venomous. Plants can't be venomous. And obsiouvly if you bite each other, and neither of you die, it's just kinky.
#38
Fire spreads fast. **Really** fast.
As in: It can go from a wastebasket to an entire room in three minutes flat.
If you find something in your house is on fire and you don't have something immediately to hand (such as a fire blanket or extinguisher), get everyone out immediately. Don't even stop to find your phone.
Jon Steensen 2 years ago
Also not that there is this nasty phenomenom where there is not enough air for things to burn, but there is still enough heat for a material to outgas all the volatile combustable gases. When it happens, it will result in a lot of smoke, that can fill up an entire building. When the conditions change, so the air supply suddently becomes plentyfull, e.g. because the roof collaps or someone opens a door, all the gasses will combust almost at once (think of it as all the smoke burning), resulting in an explotionlike development. It is called a flash over, and can set an entire building on fire almost instantly. You must therefore think twice before opening a door in a burning building, as what could meet you could be an enormous flame shooting straight into your face.
#39
If you're ever trapped in your car, pop the headrest of your seat out. Those metal pieces that lock it in place are also designed to break the cars windows
#40
Eating +24h old cooked pasta that has not been refrigerated can be deadly
if you're knifed or shot badly and is about to pass out and wont be able to put pressure on it, make sure the wound is at least pointed upwards when lying down as u will bleed out much slower.
if injected with an unknown venom, don't ice the area, most venoms become less effective if you instead heat the troubled area instead.
If stranded in the desert, don't save ur water, drink it when u are thirsty, a lot of people pass out and die with still water left because they were saving it
What do you think ?
Monday 2 years ago
Clever! Then you'll only have to deal with the in-house dangers like gas leaks, kitchen fires and choking on your food!
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LillieMean 2 years ago
I don't know if this is a life-saving tip, but it is useful. I found this somewhere online. Never walk the stairs with your hands in your pockets or search your pockets for anything. Common sense, but sometimes we forget it.
moggie63 2 years ago
Not just stairs. I speak as one who fell over walking down the road with my hands in the pockets of my tight jeans. I was also too stupid to turn my head to the side so I landed flat on my face and broke my nose.
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ObsidianAce_ 2 years ago
Unplug the toaster. My dad was a firefighter, and he instilled that in me so young it’s become a household habit.
Summer Mason 2 years ago (edited)
Same! I also shut my kids bedroom doors at night. Less likely to burn quickly in their rooms with the door closed. They also have drop kits by their windows to get out if they smell smoke or the alarm goes off.
Load More Replies...
Anon822209 2 years ago
When driving across bridges, crack your car windows. If you go o er the side, the window will let water into the car. Sounds like the opposite of what you want, I know, but in reality it will equalize the pressure inside and outside the car so you can open the door and swim to the water's surface, greatly increasing your chance of survival.
Rachel Reynolds 2 years ago
If someone grabs you and they're unarmed, fight back with everything you have. Make yourself more trouble than it's worth. On the other hand, if they have a weapon, go with them, but talk. Tell them all about yourself. Make them see you as a person rather than an object. (source: Public safety officers from my local precinct)
simply.Taz 2 years ago
NEVER GO WITH THEM! They are taking you somewhere else to rape, and most likely, kill you! Drop to the ground, scream, kick them with your feet! It is more difficult to drag you when you are on the ground, kicking at them and screaming!! Hopefully, this will make them afraid of the attention that will be drawn to them. Don't let their threats and promises of "not hurting you", make you believe you can talk them out of their intentions for you, should you be taken to another location!! Stay safe out there!!!
Load More Replies...
Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
The one about texting 9-1-1 is WRONG, and should be taken down. Emergency services themselves tell people NOT to text in an emergency because there's very little chance anyone at Dispatch will see it in a timely manner. They are not set up for 9-1-1 incoming texts!
Monday 2 years ago
Clever! Then you'll only have to deal with the in-house dangers like gas leaks, kitchen fires and choking on your food!
Load More Replies... LillieMean 2 years ago
I don't know if this is a life-saving tip, but it is useful. I found this somewhere online. Never walk the stairs with your hands in your pockets or search your pockets for anything. Common sense, but sometimes we forget it.
moggie63 2 years ago
Not just stairs. I speak as one who fell over walking down the road with my hands in the pockets of my tight jeans. I was also too stupid to turn my head to the side so I landed flat on my face and broke my nose.
Load More Replies... ObsidianAce_ 2 years ago
Unplug the toaster. My dad was a firefighter, and he instilled that in me so young it’s become a household habit.
Summer Mason 2 years ago (edited)
Same! I also shut my kids bedroom doors at night. Less likely to burn quickly in their rooms with the door closed. They also have drop kits by their windows to get out if they smell smoke or the alarm goes off.
Load More Replies... Anon822209 2 years ago
When driving across bridges, crack your car windows. If you go o er the side, the window will let water into the car. Sounds like the opposite of what you want, I know, but in reality it will equalize the pressure inside and outside the car so you can open the door and swim to the water's surface, greatly increasing your chance of survival.
Rachel Reynolds 2 years ago
If someone grabs you and they're unarmed, fight back with everything you have. Make yourself more trouble than it's worth. On the other hand, if they have a weapon, go with them, but talk. Tell them all about yourself. Make them see you as a person rather than an object. (source: Public safety officers from my local precinct)
simply.Taz 2 years ago
NEVER GO WITH THEM! They are taking you somewhere else to rape, and most likely, kill you! Drop to the ground, scream, kick them with your feet! It is more difficult to drag you when you are on the ground, kicking at them and screaming!! Hopefully, this will make them afraid of the attention that will be drawn to them. Don't let their threats and promises of "not hurting you", make you believe you can talk them out of their intentions for you, should you be taken to another location!! Stay safe out there!!!
Load More Replies... Joyce Blodgett 2 years ago
The one about texting 9-1-1 is WRONG, and should be taken down. Emergency services themselves tell people NOT to text in an emergency because there's very little chance anyone at Dispatch will see it in a timely manner. They are not set up for 9-1-1 incoming texts!
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