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

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

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

More info: TikTok | YouTube

#1

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

joshotusanya , wikimedia Report

#2

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

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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

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

#3

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

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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#4

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

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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

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

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

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

#5

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

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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

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

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#6

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

joshotusanya , wikimedia Report

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

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

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#7

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

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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

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

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#8

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

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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#9

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

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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kadri-annraidlepp avatar
Kat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#10

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

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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

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

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#11

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

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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

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

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#12

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

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

#13

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

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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

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

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#14

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

joshotusanya , pexels Report

#15

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

joshotusanya , pexels Report

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kadri-annraidlepp avatar
Kat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#16

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

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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lisac72 avatar
Not Proud British
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#17

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

joshotusanya , unsplash Report

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

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

kaileecraig avatar
K
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree. Hearing the panic button on a car just annoys people and they hope whoever it is turns it off. I don’t know anyone that responds or looks when they hear them?

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ii_3 avatar
I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NEVER leave them near the door , they can use a pole and hook and take them through the letter box , keep the out of sight

am_huegel avatar
ami-ainsworth avatar
Anonymous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I leave my purse in the kitchen, cuz maybe they'll just take it and leave vs coming into my bedroom to look for it. Better to lose my wallet and car than my life

renkarlej avatar
Ren Karlej
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leave a spare purse in the kitchen and keep the one with your important stuff by the bed maybe?

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

My car doesn't have an alarm. And how can I leave the car keys of someone I know next to my bed?

am_huegel avatar
Albino
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) my car has no alarm 2) bedroom is too far from car's parking space and even if the signal went there you couldn't hear it 3) I'd rather have them steal my car than go look for items until they are in my bedroom.

ehessler08 avatar
WolfGirl23
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also some keys have the emergency button on them so if an intruder comes in just press that

nadinebamberger avatar
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't leave your keys right behind your door, thief can scan them and break into your car.

britttjuh avatar
BkB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely leave them by the door, at all times. In my country cars get stolen on special order. Especially Volkswagen’s were really popular a few years ago. And the people who come for it, come for thát car specifically. They’ll come for your keys, no matter what. Leave them by the door, you’d rather have your car stolen than have your car stolen ánd being held at gunpoint or whatever.

nfrlprdpr avatar
Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This may not help, it’s always best to just get out of the house quickly and quietly.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously, how do people sleep if they think like this? My late father was what is known now as a 'doomsday prepper' and wasn't this way...

tiari avatar
tiari
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's only sound advice if your car is parked near enough...

neillpowell avatar
Neill Powell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wrong! If someone is going to break into your house, they want to in-and-out. leaving your money and car keys in an area AWAY from your rooms, particularly if you have a passage gate. This means the crimm's will take what they can and LEAVE. the LAST THING you want is to know a gun is pointed at your naked-ass in bed because they had to go all the way to your BEDROOM to search for car key or a wallet. Nope, nope, nope. put a real panic button in your room and hopefully when you hit it, they'll get spooked and flee with what they have.

renkarlej avatar
Ren Karlej
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they won't be interested in tech and jewellery and happy to just grab a bag by the door? Not necessarily. My sister and a friend have both been burgled and for my sister her whole house was searched and the TV, audio equipment, computers, jewellery were taken from her home. They didn't bother with her car at all. They wanted smaller, easier to carry items. My friend came out of her bedroom to find the man on her stairs and shouted 'what are you doing' in shock and he ran away thankfully. He didn't stop at her car keys or bag in the hall. Yes, these are anecdotal but you can't always make that many assumptions. Also, small point, in many countries the intruder isn't that likely to have a gun. Andy Acceber is right in that things will work in some instances and not others - not all burglars are after the same things.

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So I can go back upstairs every morning to grab the keys I forgot on my nightstand? I don't think so.

clanmorello avatar
Lynn Morello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all car key sets have the Alarm for the car. Mine is fairly modern and does not have this function.

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

But a robber could find your car keys so easily. Best place to keep them is hanging next to the front door so you can grab them when you're running.

erin_mitchell avatar
Erin Mitchell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Along the same line of thinking, a lot of people like to leave their purses, keys, wallets, etc by the door as soon as they walk in. Dont do this. It makes it easier for a burglar to steal your car.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keep something else which is more effective on my night stand

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#18

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

joshotusanya , wikimedia Report

#19

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

joshotusanya , flickr Report

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