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“Don’t Expect It To Look Like The Movies”: 30 Lifesaving Tips That Might Save Your Life One Day
Safety should always come first, right? After all, everyone has seen the posters and heard the mantras that teach us to drive safe, keep away from hostile situations, and always be alert to our surroundings. But no matter how smart we are, no matter the amount of information we try to absorb, it’s impossible to know everything.
But fear not! A few months ago, Redditor drjallz rolled up their sleeves and set out on a mission to learn some of the best potentially life-saving tips everyone should know. Fellow members of the Ask Reddit community wasted no time in sharing their precious wisdom on how to act in some of the most dangerous situations. So if you ever pictured a harrowing incident and asked yourself "What if?", we bet this thread has the answer.
We at Bored Panda scrolled through the responses and wrapped up a collection of the most practical and informative replies for times you have to enter into survival mode. Hit upvote on the ones you found useful, and be sure to share your own advice with us in the comments below!
Psst! If you’re eager to learn even more safety tricks, check out our earlier posts about them right here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
If a service dog comes up to you, *follow them*. Service dogs will only leave their owners as a last ditch effort for help.
Chris Jones 3 years ago
Or, as in a colleague's case, their guide dog was being naughty. Either way, he needed his dog back!
1.21Gigawatts?! 3 years ago
They’ll likely lead you back to the owner who is one the ground, and you can snatch a free wallet! Seriously though, good to know!
Esperanza Everlast 3 years ago
Why do people think it's funny to joke about stealing from disabled people in need of emergency medical care?
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jolie laide 3 years ago
I witnessed this once. Years ago, I went with my Mom to the SSA (social security administration) office for my city. We were in the waiting room and all of a sudden heard this dog start barking behind the door to the stairwell which went to the 2nd floor. A security guard opened it, and the dog raced out, barking, then spun around and went back into the stairwell. The guard followed, and I guess his owner had passed out on the landing to the 2nd floor before he could get through that door. At the time, the only office on that 2nd floor was the city tax department in the far corner. All the other rooms, etc. were empty so the dog must have known to come back down to the 1st floor where he knew more people would be. I don't know how the story turned out, but I hope good.
Katie Fitzpatrick 3 years ago
But also pay attention to your gut feeling when this happens and don't go alone if possible or already be calling emergency services. And if anything feels "off" don't ignore it. My city had a big problem a few years back with criminals literally training what appeared to be service dogs ( had vests and all ) to come up and do the same. So people were following the dogs to the owners only to end up getting robbed. Our police department even had to make PSA on how to safely respond. Smh
L̸1̶z̵ 3 years ago
No. Service dogs are trained not to. They are also trained not to bark. They don't just wander off.
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#2
If you get caught in avalanche and not sure which way you’re facing create space around your head and spit. Gravity pulls it down and you know which way to dig.
Kate 3 years ago
If you're buried in an avalanche, you're not going to be digging any direction. Wear a damn beacon.
Tami 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, I don't think most people realize that snow melts a little during the slide then freezes hard when it stops. If you're still alive when it stops, you'll be lucky to have enough space to breath a little. Then the CO2 starts building up. After a half-hour you have about a 50% chance of still being alive. Beacon, shovel, probe, make sure everyone in your party has them and knows how to use them efficiently!
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Martina Graf 3 years ago
Never heard of any case where a victim could dig his way out of an avalanche...
AAPnonraeba 3 years ago
Or you could dig a bit of snow, ball it and drop, and see where it will go.
#3
You should have a fire extinguisher in your home. You won’t need it until you really really do. 25 years ago my dad saved our house from burning down (and maybe our lives) because we had a fire extinguisher and when I moved out on my own he insisted that I get one which I’ve hauled around for years thinking I’d probably never need it.
Last weekend an electrical fire started in my building and I was the only one with an extinguisher. The fire department got there quickly so I probably didn’t save any lives, but I was able to keep it under control until they arrived. Buy one, know exactly where it is, and cut the safety tag off of it now so you don’t have to find something to cut it with in an emergency. You never know.
Alex Bailey 3 years ago
Going to repeat this as it is so worth it - get a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher for your kitchen. The advice to use a damp tea towel is NOT recommended by the UK Fire Brigade anymore so please don't rely on it! It is not easy to get the tea towel exactly the right level of dampness in a hurry. Too damp and it reacts with the grease, not damp enough it will just catch fire too. I know it might have saved someone but that was just luck, you don't always have time for judgement. Get the right tools for the job!
Who Panda 420 3 years ago
Also guys, stop drop and roll really works. I had an extra big shirt on one time and the fan blew it into a candle and before I knew it my whole back was on fire. I stop dropped and rolled to put it out. The emergency room doctor said it saved me from any further injuries. As it was it was second degree burns but I got away with no scarring and it's completely healed now.
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Robert Davis 3 years ago
Remember PASS: Pull pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze handle, Sweep the extinguisher side to side. .
Vesna 3 years ago
Have a couple in my house and 1 in a car. We live in a dry California, and most fires start from a burning car - the stats are crazy. Also there are several types of extinguishers - for chemical fire, electrical and other. Make sure to check the labels and read it twice on how to use it.
Snorkeldorf 3 years ago (edited)
After I attempted to "soften up" stale chocolate chip cookies in the microwave, I apparently set the timer for far too long. Who knew cookies could actually catch fire? Purchased them at the grocery store bakery but lord knows what was in those cookies. All contained to the microwave. No permanent damage other than to the cookies. My best friend found the story hysterical and bought me a fire extinguisher to be on the safe side for the future. It was, and is, greatly appreciated.
Dill 3 years ago
I do remember when there were a lot of fires caused by people heating up their Christmas Puddings for too long and they'd catch fire - when microwaves were new. These were mainly those 'dial' style timers. Digital ones tended to be more accurate!
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Bret Sander 3 years ago
There are now spray paint sized extinguishers that often come in double packs for around 25 dollars.
C Cat 3 years ago
I came to comment about this! I bought one from Amazon to keep in my kitchen and move the big one to the garage. I feel like I'll be a lot less hesitant to use the small one inside
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Scagsy 3 years ago
The fire department has already confirmed that they have eliminated Billy Joel from their inquiry.
Blackheart 3 years ago (edited)
Have a couple of them! There are different types. Chemical, electrical, kitchen, etc.
#4
A person who is drowning doesn’t look like people drowning on TV. When someone is drowning, they rarely cry out, can’t wave their arms around, and will often just bob/sink at the surface for a very little while, often gasping, before submerging. Don’t expect it to look like the movies when you’re keeping an eye on swimmers.
Zero 3 years ago
Yup. Their lungs/mouth are too filled with water to yell more than maybe once if they're lucky.
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Al Christensen 3 years ago (edited)
I nearly drowned, and two cousins did drown (in separate events). It was later discovered there's a congenital condition running through our family that can cause the brain to misfire during physical exertion. The three of us happened to be swimming when our brains failed us. The lifeguard that saved me said I was swimming, then just floating, then sank. Good thing he had is eye on me.
Who Panda 420 3 years ago
I was watching a bunch of clients at the group home we had with a pool. Well one guy we had was new and he promised me he could swim so he jumps into the deep end and just didn't come up. I waited a couple seconds then jumped in and he was so big he almost held me under the water but luckily I was able to push up with my feet on the bottom until he could grab the side of the pool and pull himself up. That was terrifying.
Justacrow 3 years ago
My son started drowning during swim lessons (swam away from the wall while the teacher was occupied with another escapee) I noticed because my friend had just almost lost her toddler during lessons and had to pull her out herself. Luckily just as I was about to scream the teacher saw him and got him back to the wall.
jolie laide 3 years ago
Always try to use a flotation device first, and be VERY careful about going in after them yourself because they can drown you too, in a heartbeat.
extio loves 3 years ago
If you are trying to save someone drowning, and they start pulling you under too, swim down. Have to get them to stop drowning you to save them, they won't hold to something sinking...
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Urbangirlatl 3 years ago
As we charge into summer and water sports, this PSA needs to be broadcast DAILY.
#5
If you think you’re being followed, turn right four times. Since you’ll get to the same place, they shouldn’t be following you anymore. If they do, you might be in trouble. Since it’s a common warning that you shouldn’t go home when you think someone is following you, the smartest is to go to a police station.
Wondering Alice 3 years ago
In my teens, long before mobiles, I was in a car with 2 other girls and we were being followed by a car with 4 boys. We tried a few turns, panicked a lot trying to think up what to do. Thought about hitting a motor way and speeding but realized scared inexperienced driver should not do this. We remembered local college had a manned security gate so headed there. Turned out the boys had been trying to tell us about a broken light. The lovely college security gave them a long lecture in what not to do.
Scotira 3 years ago
I was on the "other" end once. Driving home from work at night, minded my own business, when I realized the VW beetle in front of me took the same route AND stopped at the entrance to the same parking garage where I rented my parking spot. To gain entrance you had to drive up to the door and open the garage with a key through the window of your car. So I drive up behind the beetle and waited my turn. Suddenly the car in front of me puts in reverse and crashes in my front 😳 I was like WTF is wrong with you??? Yeah, the lady thought I was following her to do... whatever 🙈 she paid for the damage though which cost a bit bc she hit my frontlight real good 🤦♀️ Tbh it never crossed my mind, this person could feel threatened.In my country this constant misstrust usually is NOT a thing. Though times ARE changing! I too encourage everyone to be more aware of their surroundings. And sadly in Switzerland women have to be on their guard when walking/ driving alone at night too. 😢
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Marisol L. Banks 3 years ago
Or If you don’t know where the police station is, drive to the ER at the hospital. It’ll be well lit and there should be people there as well as perhaps a police officer.
Seanette Blaylock 3 years ago
Fire stations or hospital emergency entrances are a good bet too, I'm told. Staffed 24/7 with professionals used to handling tough situations, very well lit, frequently have security cameras.
Tessa Merkley 3 years ago
You can also turn the left blinker then turn right (or vice versa) if they do the same they are following you.
Nancy Marine 3 years ago
Actually, depending on the circumstances, don't go to a police station because you have to stop, get out of your car, them walk inside. At any time during this someone who wants to harm you doesn't care where they are. They will harm you anyway. Instead, call 911 while you drive towards the police station. Odds are great a police car is already in the area and will intervene. I'm a domestic violence survivor and a police officer told me this when my ex was harassing and threatening me. Stay moving and stay in your car, call 911 and tell them where you are, even if it's one long running commentary. It also helps you to relax a. It because the dispatcher will be working to help you calm down.
Winnie Brogan Wiggins 3 years ago
WOW! I'm not sure I would have thought of doing that. But you're so right. If they're intent on hurting you, as soon as you get out of your car, they can shoot, kill you, and speed off. Thank you so much for the advice. And I'm so very sorry you had to learn about this the hard way, especially being hurt by someone who you should have been able to trust with your life.
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Trinity Silvan 3 years ago
Police stations aren't always "manned" at night, at least in more rural areas. A 24hr grocery store or mini mart could be a better option.
jolie laide 3 years ago
And whatever you do, DON'T STOP. Some of these predators, especially at night, will set you up for a tail gating accident. Call the cops ASAP.
Ranger Kanootsen 3 years ago
This has saved my life many times... a really great thing to know!
Mtg Wolfie 3 years ago
Roll up next to them at a light or stop sign and shout via an open window "your taillight is out!"
#6
If you go on a long, overnight hike, take a jar of peanut butter. If you get lost, that can keep you alive if you’ve already finished your food. Also, take a BLUE tarp. It’s the only color that doesn’t mesh with the environment and can make air search easier.
Zero 3 years ago
Those are great for all kinds of scenarios and definitely worth packing. Particularly since you can get one stuffed in a bag about the size of an AirPods case. But also pack something bright blue that you can pull out if needed. Tarp is best but is bulky for a backpacker/day tripper.
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Hobby Hopper 3 years ago
PB *is* a great choice for a survival food, but food is far from your first priority in that situation. The rule of threes states you can survive 3 minutes without air, 3 hours in a harsh environment (without shelter or proper clothing), 3 days without water, and 3 *WEEKS* without food! The recorded longest fast was by Angus Barbieri in 1965 for 382 days! Food just is not a priority in a survival situation.
Gavin Johnson 3 years ago
You get to take a jar of honey or golden syrup, if you like mint then I recommend Kendal Mint Cake. Stacks of calories and it got many and expedition up Mt Everest. I guess you could carry a jar of PB if you want a cheap cyanide pill?
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Tami 3 years ago
Don't forget the other eight essentials: navigation aids (map and compass or GPS with extra batteries), flashlight, sun protection, first aid kit, knife, fire starter, extra clothes, extra water. And tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
jolie laide 3 years ago
Don't forget an emergency blanket (think fire blankets or the kind EMS uses, silver reflective on 1 side) and possibly an emergency sack (same material). Also it's better to stay where you are, once you realize that you're lost. Understandable if you need to find a water source (water filter/sanitizing tablets are good) but stay there, don't wander.
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Don Golosso 3 years ago
Good tip on the peanutbutter, but blue? How about water? My guess is orange or yellow will work better.
Rosie Hamilton 3 years ago
Bodies of water, when looked at from Google Earth for example, don't tend to look actually blue. Blue isn't a very natural colour on the ground. Depends probably on your environment as well - yellow might not work on baked dry soil or sand.
Load More Replies... Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
I always tell hikers to either buy a hunters bright orange hat/vest or in the least, put reflective tape on the top of a hat or chest and back.
#7
If you or a person you’re with hits their head, briefly loses consciousness, but then becomes awake and alert again GO TO THE HOSPITAL ASAP.
You could have what’s called an epidural bleed in your brain, which classically presents as loss of consciousness followed by lucidity.
If you go home and just try to sleep it off, you likely won’t wake up.
LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 3 years ago
It’s more important for someone else to watch you. I’ve seen small concussions get more and more confused. In the hospital, we wake people and do a basic neuro check every 4 hours for 24h.
Carol Creger 3 years ago
Yes they will be passed at you but it's in their best interest
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Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
This happened to a dear friend of mine. He fainted in a parking lot after a dentist's appointment and hit his head on one of the concrete dividers. He didn't even lose consciousness, and insisted on going home instead of the hospital. Two hours later, he was dead.
Who Panda 420 3 years ago
Wow! I heard ring around the rosey was about the black death. Or some disease. Lots of nursery rhymes have creepy beginnings.
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JMC5003 3 years ago (edited)
I took a hard fall at the dog park when 2 large dogs plowed into me. Completely destroyed my right leg and was unconscious long enough for there to be a crowd gathered around me. The last I remembered there were only 6 people in the park. Came to, had no idea what happened, was completely in shock. No one called an ambulance. Drove myself the few blocks home at a crawl, got there and couldn't move my leg, pain was excruciating. About 6 months later, started getting blurry vision, lights flashing in the side of my eyes, difficulty with cognitive skills. Went to the eye doctor who thought I had a brain tumor. Saw a neurosurgeon who looked at my MRI and said I was fine. Now, more than a year later, I've been diagnosed with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. I've had to move in with my son and go part-time with work, can't drive outside of the neighborhood. Be aware that if a person is knocked unconscious, they may seem fine for 6 months to a year before they show symptoms of TBI.
JMC5003 3 years ago (edited)
BTW, I did go to the emergency room, which was packed with COVID patients. Doctor told my daughter I sprained my knee and sent me home. Wound up in a wheelchair for 5 months and had to learn to walk again. Fully torn ACL, partially torn meniscus, fractured tibia and vertebrae, multiple torn muscles and ligaments in my foot, bone bruising so severe it caused microfractures in my foot, knee and lower leg. No doctor ever asked me if I had been unconscious and my daughter wasn't there, so she didn't know. A friend asked me to describe my accident about 6 months ago, after hearing about the visual disturbances and difficulty with cognitive skills. They're the one who said I needed to be evaluated for a TBI. My primary care confirmed the diagnosis. Before that, I honestly thought I was losing my mind. Finally have an appointment with a neurologist who treats TBI next week. Because all the specialists were backed up from COVID, took me 6 months to get an appointment. In the US with insurance. Now I'm losing my insurance because I had to go part-time; no way can I afford the therapy I need without insurance.
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Kahlan H 3 years ago
Someone in my neighborhood died from this, him and his friend got drunk while at one of their homes, somehow got in a fight, one of them fell and hit his head but after passing out was "Fine" both went to sleep, one did not wake up. Friend was initially arrested for murder as he called in the body the next day, at first all they could see was the head injury and he couldn't remember enough or i guess his story wasn't convincing, autopsy revealed the truth.
Bored Retsuko 3 years ago
Now I'm scared of this happening and then not be taken seriously, and being sent home. 😔
Ki Li 3 years ago
If they want to send you away ask for a note from them stating that what they are sending you away for and why they don't think you need more tests. They don't want to be held accountable.
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Blackheart 3 years ago
It can also cause problems later in life, such as dementia, scarring, etc.
#8
In a nuclear explosion, most of the damage and death is caused by the shockwave the blast creates, not the fireball which has a comparatively small radius. One day you may find yourself outside or looking out a window to see an extremely bright flash. As bright as if you were staring straight at the sun. Do not attempt to locate the source of the flash. You have maybe 8-10 seconds to respond if you’re far enough away from the fireball. Lay face down on the ground and put your thumbs in your ears and fingers over your eyes. Breathe through your teeth. Since you’re laying face down the shockwave will mostly pass over you. (If you’re standing up it can cause your lungs, eardrums, and other organs to explode.) Once the shockwave passes over you, you need to find shelter immediately. I said before that most death from the explosion is caused by the shockwave. Well, FAR more death is subsequently caused by nuclear fallout AFTER the blast. Do not attempt to travel anywhere. Just get underground. If you’re next to a complete stranger’s house or a business, don’t hesitate to go inside and hide out under as much concrete and steel as possible. You need to remain in this location for the next 48 hours. This is critical. Even if you survive the blast if you attempt to go home and spend just 20 minutes outside traveling you will more than likely die of radiation sickness. Radioactive material after a blast decays exponentially, and you will be safe to try and find your loved ones after 48 hours. If you don’t wait this out, you definitely won’t be alive to find them. When you’re ready, you need to leave the city and get as far from the fallout as you can.
Kate Micheals 3 years ago
I think I'd rather die in the initial shockwave then diary of radiation sickness which is bound to happen in the next few days after experiencing something like this.
Al Christensen 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, I have no desire to live in a post-apocalyptic world. It's not nearly as fun as the movies. I lived just outside Washington DC when I was a kid. We had nuclear air raid drills several times a day during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Even as a kid I knew I'd rather not survive a nuclear blast. Better to die as quickly as possible.
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censor 3 years ago
I've got a better plan. Vote conservatives out of power all around the world, and push all politicians for global nuclear disarmament (USA, NK, China, FR, IL, Russia, all included).
DUCKYWUCKY 3 years ago (edited)
woah, this totally cured my phobia of nuclear bombs. At least ik i have a chance at surviving edit: im not being sarcastic, this was legit a fear of mine.
JNo3277 3 years ago
Why are you being downvoted? Tips like this are useful in the world we live in, especially now. I don’t think you were being sarcastic? Here’s an upvote
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Marco Conti 3 years ago
If you have a mask, you can go outside, but you need some kind of poncho, pants and a brush to decon yourself. When I went through NBC (Nuclear, Bacteriological, Chemical) training in the Army (during the Cold War) I thought they were kidding when our kit had a shoe brush. Turns out, it's really important.
Lisa Intally 3 years ago
The nukes we have now, we are pretty much all dead and we are going to take all life on Earth with us. I would be sad for the innocent people, but sadder that we destroyed everything for nothing.
SCP-3998 3 years ago
The only thing we will destroy, if that eventually happens, is ourselves and what we've made. Yes some animals will also die, and plant matter, however, look at Chernobyl, it's pretty much fine now, animals have taken over again and so has plant life. Mutations happened, but life continued without us there just fine. We are not going to destroy the Earth, we will either destroy ourselves, or annoy Earth enough that She will destroy us.
Load More Replies... Joshuatreewi 3 years ago
Stop believing what the government told you during the cold war. All it was designed to do was give you a false sense of security that you could survive. If nuclear war breaks out your pretty much F***ed no matter where you are.
Bayou Billy 3 years ago
Naw as Chernobyl taught us from those too poor to leave. Some are immune... We'll have survivors
Load More Replies... Jrizzy Jay 3 years ago
just stare directly at the blast standing straight up and get it over with. We all go one day.
Scotira 3 years ago (edited)
I read this post, reread it and have to say the whole thing is rubbish without distances. The "comparative small radius" for the initial explosion and all the following effects depend on the bomb! AN602 (TZAR-bomb) 50 megatonns (tested in Russia 1961): The fireball can be up to 5 km radius (or more) and will kill you immediatley! The pressure blast that follows will kill you up to 100 % in a 10km radius, 80% to 50% in 10km to 20km. 50% to 20% in a 50km, 3rd degree burns still in 60km distance! That said, sadly what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (13kt and 22kt) is NOTHING compared to what modern nuckear bombs can dish out! So it's more likely, if you can see the innitial explosion, prepare to be dead within those 48 hours. (These numbers are estimates on an explosion close to the surface. In the real test they did in Russia windows still burst in Norway and Finnland. You can look it up.)
Victoria Stolp 3 years ago
There's also major differences between an air burst and a ground burst. The EMP from an air burst is going to take out infrastructure, anything electric, and that means vehicular transport, phones, and GPS devices are inoperable.
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Greg Hughes 3 years ago
Stay low to the ground, put you head between your legs, and kiss your a*s goodbye.
#9
If you get caught up in an undercurrent and notice you’re getting dragged slowly out to sea, do not swim directly toward shore. Swim parallel to the shore until you don’t feel yourself being pulled out, then swim directly toward the shore.
Who Panda 420 3 years ago
Yup. Me too in Florida. It really works. Key is not to panic!
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Argle Bargle 3 years ago
An undercurrent pulls you under, and is all along the coast near incoming waves. A rip is a narrow body of water travelling out from the shore. A riptide is where two or more currents meet, and creates stong currents, often two or more rips.
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Memere 3 years ago
Same here. I love going to the beach, and I'll wade in just enough to get wet, but I'm not swimming out in it, no way.
Load More Replies... JayCee 3 years ago
I actually survived at 5 by letting myself be pulled out by the tide and then swimming like hell when the wave pushed toward shore. As soon as I could feel the bottom, I used that to push off of as best I could. The lifeguards and my parents were frantically searching the waters, and I clawed myself up on shore and coughed up salt water. It was horrifying and one of my earliest memories. I can practically relive it as I'm typing!
Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
Actually it's suggested to float and let it pull you then swim around it. But some of them go out pretty far.
Mud spider 3 years ago
A lot of people don’t believe me but one time my two friends and I went to go see why the water was white in a little squarish area, and then we got pulled under, we tried to swim towards shore but we stayed in the same place, a lifeguard pulled us out with a long pole, it was f*****g terrifying
Wednesday 3 years ago
rip tides... Yep - just had that happen in Huntington Beach a couple months ago. Went for a swim in the ocean, it's been years upon years since I'd done that. But I learned to swim in the ocean, so started feeling that sideways pull, went parallel-ish 'til I could stand easily, and got out. As I was exiting, lifeguards up and down the beach rushed to the shore line and started blowing their whistles urging everyone to get out because of a rip tide.
DetongLhamo 3 years ago
Before entering the water look out for the calmest area of water where waves aren’t crashing and AVOID: it’s a rip and they’re lethal.
#10
Get a Carbon Monoxide detector with a ppm meter on it. Recently, I was experiencing intermittent bouts of nausea and lethargy, so I suspected CO poisoning despite my detectors being up to code. I bought a new one with a meter to check if there were trace amounts in my apartment. I discovered that my oven has a leak, so whenever I cook I get exposed to CO ranging from 35 to 90 ppm, which is pretty high. How come the detectors didn’t go off? Turns out that they only beep when there’s 50ppm for 8 hours, or 150 ppm for 5 to 10 minutes——I was just below the threshold while still getting smashed with carbon monoxide.
Scott Crowell 3 years ago
Get a Radon detector too! It's a order less gas that does kill too!
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Disgruntled Pelican 3 years ago (edited)
A family of 5 in my area died over the winter due to carbon monoxide. It's no joke.
Winter Eleven 3 years ago
Im so freaked out by that i switched everything to electrical (oven, stove, the water heater thingy)
jolie laide 3 years ago
The only 2 placse for CO2 for me, is my kitchen (old renters installed a gas stove/oven which got turned off and capped when we moved back in with an electric appliance) and my basement with my furnace/hot water heater. I have 3 detectors, LOUD ones, with PPM. One on the wall by my stove/oven, one by my furnace and the other at the top of the stairs from my basement. My house is also old and drafty as HELL, which I'm thankful for, for more reasons than just 1. I can't imagine living in a hermetically sealed house.
CJ Kelly 3 years ago
CO, carbon monoxide* can poison us. CO2, carbon dioxide, is what we exhale.
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Huddo's sister 3 years ago
Especially if you use a gas cooker or heater in your caravan, boat or tent. Basically anywhere you may have otherwise not thought of putting one. We have had a rise in deaths in Australia when people on holiday have faulty cookers or used them in areas not adequately ventilated.
Marilyn Russell 3 years ago
I do have one and it did go off when there was a problem with the furnace a dummy didn’t install right. They need to be replaced every 10 years too.
#11
Expired epinephrine (epi pen) is better than no epinephrine
Studies show, if properly cared for, epi retains full practical potency for up to 5 years past expiration. Just dont leave it sit in sunlight, freeze, or heat it. All those things speed up its breakdown.
This is especially important to know these days, with epi being $600+, a lot of poor people with serious allergies may be throwing out epi that is in fact still good. When you dont need to replace it every year, its a huge game changer when youre poor and uninsured.
Kinga Paździorko 3 years ago
Just to let people know: epi pen costs 56 USD in Poland..... HOW 600+ USD is even legal?
Zero 3 years ago
They're working on passing bills that will cap the out-of-pocket cost of epipens, insulin, and asthma inhalers. The epipen one has passed House and is currently waiting on Senate to approve, and I think this one actually has a chance to succeed. Fingers crossed.
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Lila Wells 3 years ago
My allergist did a few tests to see how well expired epi pens work (by stabbing himself with epi pens) and when I say that they still work well enough to save your life, I mean it. DONT throw your epi pens away; you never know when you might need them, especially with the prices only increasing for new ones.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
I wonder if they can be sent to overseas aid organisations? We have to get rid of expired epipens regularly in childcare (obviously). We can't keep them onsite legally and can't give them to the family either I don't think, so they have to be destroyed.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Most medications don’t just stop working and disintegrate the millisecond they reach their expiration date. That’s the manufacturer’s best estimate for when they start losing efficacy. They’ll still work, but may not be as strong as they were before that date. (Daughter of a pharmacist, who later got his PharmD, and who practiced for almost 50 years before finally retiring.)
Who Panda 420 3 years ago (edited)
I always keep any extra meds for a while even if they are expired because you never know. I've been in situations where a hurricane destroyed my local pharmacy and I was without meds for a while. And look at these poor people in Ukraine. I think it's always better to have expired meds than no meds. Within reason obviously. I don't want anything 20 years out of date LOL.
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Syd 3 years ago
Honestly and I know how this sounds but I would look up the "extended expiration" dates on all your meds. While taking old meds may not be good, medications do not expire as fast as the dates on them would suggest. They may lose potency more than anything. However, this is not the case for all meds. My longterm doc suggested this to me before I was going to lose insurance for a while. She told me to not throw out my meds just because of the expiration date and that they will still work. Reference: https://www.drugs.com/article/drug-expiration-dates.html
JMC5003 3 years ago
They found a whole cache of pharmaceuticals in an old basement in DC. All kinds of meds 50+ years old. Tested them and found that the majority still had full strength and the ones that didn't have full strength were not toxic and could have been used, just with a higher dose than normally prescribed. That said, I never saw a list of the drugs, so there very well could be drugs out there that can become toxic from chemical breakdown or lose strength over time. Just not most of the ones manufactured in the 50's and 60's, from what the article I read said.
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RandomHumanBean 3 years ago
also IF YOU HAVE GO INTO ANAPHYLAXIS SHOCK GET EPI IMMEDIATELY. my brother got stung by yellowjackets and we realized that he was allergic to them. the er didnt give him epi they just called to ambulence. if something like that happens, demand epi. they have it.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
I thought all doctor's offices had to have a certain number of generic epipens for this reason, but maybe it depends where you are?
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Dominique Na 3 years ago
I never throw mine away... My pharmacist saw us struggling to pay as we needed 2 sets one for home and one for school.. she showed us a website with a coupon for epi pen $30 copay for 5 years...she was a lifesaver...im not sure if the brand still has this coupon
Saint Thomas 3 years ago
70 € / 75 $ in Belgium...but social security reimburses 65%.,so in fact it's only 27 $
Kate Jones 3 years ago (edited)
A question I have to anyone living outside the US- sorry if this sounds dumb. I always see people posting about how much cheaper so many things are not in the US, but how easy would it be to get? For instance, I would love to get dental work done. Since I can't afford it people have said you can get it done in Mexico but...can you literally just make an appointment with a doctor and go get whatever you want done? Can I just go to Poland and buy as many epi pens as I want and leave? I just feel like it can't be that easy. Can I go to another country and buy diabetic meds in bulk and bring them back here? If so, why aren't we just doing that? I assume there are issues bringing into the country. I just feel like there must be more to it because people literally die without diabetic meds so if it was that easy why aren't we doing it?
Lavender Oak 3 years ago
You can go to other places for procedures, but you can't bring certain medicine or amounts of certain medicine back. For example if you're traveling and carrying a small personal supply or something then that's fine, but not you couldn't just bring a case of meds.
Load More Replies... jolie laide 3 years ago
My godsons 2 boys (5 and 4) are deathly allergic to bees, so I always have epi pens on hand. I pay for the ones I keep at my house/on me, to save them costs because it IS ridiculously expensive. I hate my country for many reasons, this being one of them.
#12
If you see someone who may be unconscious and looks like they're about to vomit ROLL THEM ONTO THEIR SIDE. Also do this if someone passes out drunk.
Carlotta Müller 3 years ago
Unconsious people must always be moved to the "stabile Seitenlage".
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Synsepalum 3 years ago
That scene was when I knew Walter White was inherently a bad person, and not just a good man trying to provide for his family after he died.
Jo Davies 3 years ago (edited)
Or.. Get basic first aid training, or at least study it on line. It is not always possible to look at someone you come across and decide they might throw up. If they are heaving, turn them to the right. If you have no idea why they are like that, evaluate. There could be a spinal issue involved. This post needs more information
Lisa Shaw 3 years ago
Yeah...this is what happened to ACDCs singer, Bonn Scott. His friends threw a blanket over him in the back seat of a car and said 'hey buddy we'll be back for you in the morning. He choked on his own vomit and died.
Scotira 3 years ago
That's was never verified. The coroners official report said acute alcohol poisoning, some suspected he froze to death in the car while being drunk and in "Bon, The last Highway" the author claims he choked on his vomit. 🤷♀️
Load More Replies... Who Panda 420 3 years ago
I've always tried to make sure that especially drunk folk don't pass out on their back
#13
If you are alone and start choking, you can use the back of a chair or sofa to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on yourself. Source: had to do it to myself when I was about 15
TheElementalGod️️ 2 years ago
my mom once was choking on a steak. Dad did the heimlich maneuver. Steak landed in salad my grandma spent days making.
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N Gregory 3 years ago
Not so fun fact, the lap part of a seatbelt works too. Source: me choking on a mint in the back seat, dad driving, turned down a side street and hit the anchors. And the mint hit him on the back of the head
That nerd Zoe ️🇺🇦️ 3 years ago
No offense but the mental image I got from that has me hyena laughinh
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Jorie 3 years ago
I choked on roast beef when I was alone, and ran myself into the kitchen counter. I'm kind of short, so it worked just fine. Use anything that will push forcefully upwards against the bottom of your ribcage and repeat as necessary. Also used it on my mom who was choking on steak.
Kika González 3 years ago
My father did it to a couch. And permanently damaged something in his throat
Monday 3 years ago
Well it's better to have permanent throat damage than to die I suppose.
Load More Replies... Kyle 3 years ago
Buy a LifeVac if you are general danger of choking. I have problems with my mouth muscles and this strange shaped thing gets it out without broken ribs.
Who Panda 420 3 years ago (edited)
I have never heard of a lifevac but I definitely want to look it up now. I live with several elderly people that choke quite a bit and I could use that. Thank you so much for bringing it up. I am already looking at prices.
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Glen Ellyn 3 years ago
I did this same thing years ago, even before I saw it mentioned anywhere. I'm glad I kept my wits about me and figured out what would work. Thank you, sofa!
Blackheart 3 years ago
Heimlich is something you don't use regularly, but will remember in an emergency. I was surprised I actually remembered how to do it properly, and have used it at least 3 times on kids. Two times were due to candy!
Joanna Malsbury 3 years ago
I also had to do this to myself. I was like 18 and at my mom's house. I was in the kitchen eating a microwaved pizza and she was in her bathroom taking a shower. Opposite end of the house. Part of the crust of the pizza was harder than the rest and I ended up swallowing that piece and it got stuck. I couldn't make a sound and I knew I wouldn't make it back to her room in time, so I tried to Heimlich myself. Tried it with just my hands, it didn't work. Didn't have a chair nearby. I knew CPR and I remembered what my instructor taught us about doing it on babies, that gravity helps push it back out. So I got down on my knees on the floor and bent so my head and neck was lower than my butt and I did the thrusting again. It loosened, but didn't dislodge. I could feel where it was and while still bent over, I massaged my throat in a downward (toward my head) motion and it loosened more. I did the thrusting again and it came up the rest of the way. I was terrified the entire time.
#14
Pressure on the wound is more important than covering it. Ice can also stem blood flow.
Britt Massez 3 years ago
Also, don't pull any object out of a wound, it is better to stabilize it than bleeding out when you pull it out. Leave the removing part to the doctors
Monday 3 years ago
PSA: If you do end up pulling the object and suddenly remember this tip, DO NOT put the object back.
Load More Replies... Zero 3 years ago
And don't change out bandages when treating the wound, swapping old for new. The old bandage is working as a fake scab to help stop the bleeding and pulling it off will just reopen and undo any work you've managed. Let the professionals do it.
Jp@nda 3 years ago
Exactly! If you've put something on the wound like a towel or bandage to stop blood and it becomes saturated, don't remove it to add dry towels, just put the new ones on top of the already bloody ones and add pressure
Load More Replies... Blackheart 3 years ago
Teacher here. Tourniquets and tampons can stem flow of blood from gunshots. FYI.
SCP-3998 3 years ago
The fact that Americans need to worry about gunshots in schools is just...I'm so sorry
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censor 3 years ago
if you have superglue, you can use it as well. that's what it was originally for.
John L 3 years ago
For cuts, yes. A wound requiring pressure is different.
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Kris Smith 3 years ago
I tried to cut my whole entire finger off and I used wet coffee grounds to staunch the bleeding and saved my finger
Mora Chilis 3 years ago
Ice can cause damage, frost bite. Do not apply directly to skin or a wound.
Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
NO reason every single person alive shouldn't know basic first aid. It's online. Years ago, I had to pay for my certifications but very glad I did. Have used many things over the years
#15
If you've swallowed something wrong in a restaurant and it's blocked your throat, even if you aren't technically "choking" yet, do NOT go to the bathroom out of embarrassment. The majority of female choking deaths occur in the restroom because they excused themselves out of embarrassment for "making a scene" Edit: the advice of 'don't go to the bathroom or isolate yourself when choking' obviously applies to both genders. I just don't know the statistics for where men are more likely to die when choking or why it's different than women. But I would imagine it has to do with: as women, we are more likely to stupidly be embarrassed and try to hide than men are.
censor 3 years ago
I saved myself and my kid with this advice recently. If you get soemthing stuck in your throat, CALM DOWN and STOP breathing. do NOT inhale, that sucks it in further. Try breathe in, slowly, through your nose. Sometimes the air can get past the block that way. Once you have managed to get some air in, cough outwards as hard as you can, but do it facing downwards, e.g. sloping down from a bed or couch, so that the whatever object gets help from gravity as well. Inhaling in a panic is what kills you.
Alana Voeks 3 years ago
This is more than likely why I've never needed the heimlich. Can't f****n hold my breath to save my life underwater, but my body instinctively knew never to panic when choking
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ChickyChicky 3 years ago
I was eating lunch with a very pregnant friend. She took a bite, I said something funny, she gasped, then ran to the bathroom. I sat there a second and then thought "what if she's choking?" I went in and asked her if she was okay. She said I made her laugh and she started to pee her pants. Still always a good idea to check!
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
Hell, grab a waiter on your way to the bathroom, if you have some phobia about making a scene, ffs! They’ll realize what’s going on soon enough, and help you or quickly find someone who can. At least you won’t be isolated and at least no one will know where you are.
Simen Loholt 3 years ago
Not only when chocking. Many have been found dead in bathrooms after having a heart attack. If you feel ill, have somebody follow you.
Agent 8433599 3 years ago
This happened to me at school once. I don't remember what I did to get it out, but I do remember that I finished the cheesy bread
Leisel Masson 3 years ago
I had this happen in a restaurant. Eating alone, swallowed a piece of meat the 'wrong way' and was choking. Ran to the restroom (wrong idea!). I, luckily, coughed it up. I could have died.
Keley Babs 3 years ago
Women aren't "stupidly" embarrassed. They are groomed since childhood to cater to the needs of everyone else in the situation rather than their own needs. It's not that women are stupid
#16
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. Plus, if it hurts like a b***h going in, it’ll hurt like a b***h going out.
Ranger Kanootsen 3 years ago
Yup. I've accidentally punctured, definitely best to leave it in until a professional gets it out.
Good Luckas 3 years ago
IKR! It’s like iLl JuSt LeAvE mY kNiFe HeRe FoR tHe PoLiCe To SeE aNd HaVe My FinGeRpRinTs!
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Al Christensen 3 years ago
"...everything in your power to keep the knife in." Unless there's an attacker holding the knife, in which case any attempts to keep the knife in you will probably result in further cutting.
Tree Of Rage 3 years ago
That last part is not true! I've been pierced with many objects and it almost never hurts going in at all. Comming out it feels like that entire section of your body is ON FIRE!
Mary Leverett 3 years ago
Your advice to keep the knife in is technically called a "tamponade"
Simen Loholt 3 years ago
Make a donut bandage to go around the item sticking out of your body. It also applies to broken bone sticking out of the body.
#17
If you are lost in the desert, or a lot of places for that matter, the number one thing you can carry to increase your chances of being found is a small reflective mirror. Anytime a plane flies overhead you can reflect light towards them, and you greatly increase your chances of being found. This seriously is more important than carrying more water with you (not that water doesn’t help, it’s just not realistic to carry that much water on your back). Furthermore, if you get stranded in the desert with a vehicle, do not leave your vehicle to find people. You are a lot harder to see than your vehicle, and your car can provide shelter (your car has some good reflective mirrors to signal with, especially the rearview mirror). Finally, the universal sign for needing to be rescued is waving two arms up and down. If you can’t use both of your arms, there is another universal way to signal for help that is more versatile. The way I can best describe it is three of anything quick signal. Three gunshots, three whistle blows, three flashes of a flashlight, three flashes from a reflective mirror, etc. Just make sure they are spaced widely enough (at least one second) and that you spend a considerable time before making your next three signals.
Mindghost 3 years ago
Pilot: " i see a person with ripped clothes waving like a maniac, but only with one arm. I guess he's just friendly :) *waves back and flys on*"
Beth L 3 years ago
That's exactly what happened to Carl McCunn. One arm wave is a greeting. Two arm wave is a request for assistance.
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Al Christensen 3 years ago
No, the number one thing to have is water. The number two thing is a Personal Locator Beacon to summon help. Number three, stay with your vehicle. It's easier to spot than you because it's shiny and an inorganic shape.
Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
Also S.O.S is world wide known help signal. in any surroundings helps. Make it big enough in a clearing if possible. A 3 letter "SOS" will be "easier" to create then more letters for help etc
Person 3 years ago
I've heard Lazer pointers (and water apparently) is a really good signal. If you point a green laser at a puddle or smth it shines up
Cierra Nope 3 years ago
If you point a laser at an airplane, it's guaranteed they'll find you, because that is considered an attack and they'll come get you and throw you in prison for life as a terrorist.
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A**hole2016 3 years ago
Also, do not travel without a towel. People think that it is crazy but it is true. Hitchhikers will tell you that. It explains it in a book which became a movie and other stuff that I love. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is where I learned that. I know it is crazy but it is a great lesson to learn. Towels are so useful in so many ways. It can be used for a bed, pillow, clothes, blanket, a towel, a signal for help, it can be used to help you climb up or down trees or any form of post, it can be used for dressing a wound, anything really.
NicNor5560 3 years ago
I'm lost all the times. I just call my kids to come and pick me up. No joke, this is real; I get lost in parking lots and everywhere else and I can't recognize my own street/house.
#18
If you’re being tied up, puff yourself out as much as possible so it’ll be easier to wiggle out of. Tense muscles, inhale deep and stretch out your arms and legs to make more space.
Anonymousplease 3 years ago (edited)
Me and my sister sometimes play a game where we blindfold and tie eachother to a chair and have to escape (it's fun and good practice with knot tying and escaping) and I have tried this and it makes a big difference in getting out
Ellie 3 years ago
I knew I wasn't the only person who practiced this! We used loads of bale twine and strapped each other to the barn walls and various places. It was great fun but we freaked our parents out lol.
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Blackheart 3 years ago
I had a friend who actually practiced floating in water in a hogtied position "just in case." He liked to date other people's wives.
Margaret Lacher 3 years ago
I've heard that if someone comes at you from behind and puts a rope, cord, fabric, etc. around your neck to choke you, DO NOT try to reach up with your hands in an attempt to pull the item off your throat. INSTEAD, turn your body around to face your assailant (if possible). This will take all the pressure off your throat and carotid arteries and jugular veins.
SCP-3998 3 years ago
And learn to break out of being duct taped. It's actually incredibly easy, like...ridiculously so
Boreddd🇺🇦 3 years ago
Read abt it in Winettou (is that how it's spelled?) or some other book by Karl May, then realizeze how stupid people in tv show or movies or stuff like that are
Seanette Blaylock 3 years ago
Common sense is not sufficiently dramatic to please Hollywood.
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Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Horses, one of the dumbest animals on the planet, know enough to do this. They will inhale when you're saddling them so the saddle will slip when you go to climb on.
Paul Kiefer 3 years ago
This happened to me once in black and white during the 1930s when some dastardly scoundrel was tying me to the railroad tracks. Everybody was running around in fast motion and for some reason a player piano was tinkering away. Then everything went dark and a sign came on saying "Unhand me, you heathen!". So weird.
Amy Stone-Chandler 3 years ago
Whipping your head back fast into someone's face is also effective if your behind held from behind
#19
If your car gets stuck on snow and your tire(s) just spin, you can take out your floor mats and stuff them under the wheel that spins when you press the gas. This will hopefully give the car enough traction to get itself rolling so you can be on your way again.
Lane Smith 3 years ago
This is one of those "lifehacks" that works way better in theory than in actual practice.
Zero 3 years ago
Yup. Better to keep a small shovel and actual tire grips mats or something similar in your trunk, and even better to learn actual snow driving.
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AKRaven 3 years ago
If there are trees around, break some branches off to place under tire. Works well as I've done that a few times.
SelkieBlackfysh 3 years ago
I've done this many times to get myself and others unstuck from mud.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
I’ve sometimes been able to move by rocking my car back and forth (forward-reverse-forward-reverse), hitting the gas hard when going forward. I even turned my steering wheel a bit each time, to widen my path. Eventually I would get over the hump of snow and get better traction on the snow that hadn’t packed down yet. It may have been the completely and utterly wrong thing to do, but it actually worked each time.
Rae Noble 3 years ago
I went to college in a snowy area, and this is how we'd get all the out-of-state students' cars un-stuck - the lightest person who was local (ie, had experience doing this before) would get in the driver's seat while a couple other people would rock the car, and when the forward motion was starting to give it a bit of traction, the person in the driver's seat would give it a little gas and steer. The exact amount of gas and where/how to steer is something you just kind of learn how to do by feel.
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Remi 3 years ago
One mistake people often make when they lose traction on the tires is trying to go faster. Rotating the wheels slower increases the chance the traction will be enough. Also if your tires are already in a hole, try switching between backwards and forwards motion like you were in a swing or something.
Robyn Bowns 3 years ago
Spinning the tires creates more ice. I taught my girls for winter driving you can't hit your brake or gas. To start to move you have to creap along until momentum lets you gas. To stop release the gas and let momentum slow you enough to brake. When rocking the timing is everything.
Load More Replies... Blackheart 3 years ago (edited)
Where I live, not really a problem. Poisonous snakes yes, snow no. Mud on the other hand, yes. And floor mats will not help you.
Inigo Montoya 3 years ago
Admittedly this is better than nothing, but I've seen a stuck vehicle spit a piece of plywood out from under it like nothing. Something tells me that a floor mat is not going to be much help in a situation like this. Better to keep sand & a small shovel with you. The sand will serve two purposes, the first being extra weight over the tires, the second, to put under your tires for traction.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Would keeping a shovel and a bag of kitty litter in your trunk work as well?
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The IRS 3 years ago (edited)
There's a lot more that needs adding. You need to turn traction control off. You need to be incredibly light with the power. You could let air out the tyres for more grip (as long as you're very close to a place to fill them again). Ideally keep chains in your car (and know how to put them on, oh and put gloves with them).
Bob Amazes 3 years ago
Lived in Lake Tahoe for 25 years. Using a floor mat is brilliant. Just feather the gas, most people try to jet their way out.
#20
Learn how to stay calm, breathe and assess situations. This will help in so many future surprise situations. Be aware of your surroundings, exits, bathrooms and where medical/fire kits, where land-line phones are if they are around.
Barbara L Bristow 3 years ago
Listen to the stewardess telling you where the exits are, etc. It could save your life
The Queen Of Upper Butt Crack 3 years ago
Count the number of seats between you and the closest 2 exits in case you cant see (smoke).
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Blackheart 3 years ago
I agree, but I do believe it is engrained in people to an extent to panic or resolve. I have seen the calmest people lose it in an emergency. I have anxiety, yet can handled emergencies calmly. You just do not know how your will react till you have to. Calm is always better.
Ingrid Nog 3 years ago
Yes, it's something we never know. I always read facts and helpful tips like these, but when there's a moment of panic I freeze. Can't use any knowledge because I can't think or move, I just stay there. When immediate danger ceases, I slowly get back to moving and thinking. It's horrible, but it seems like I was just born with this automatic response to fear.
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Lgndry Nomads 3 years ago
I can't express enough the importance of staying calm. Take deep breaths, think about your actions before you do them. So important it's unreal.
Winter Eleven 3 years ago
The only good thing about having social anxiety is that o don't panich in emergency situations. Only normal day to day situations 😅
George washingmashine 3 years ago
Use the “jack method” from the tv show lost. Five seconds of panic/fear, then let your brain take over.
Karolína T. 3 years ago
I agree completely, but why the bathroom? If I needed to brush my teeth urgently? No, bad joke; but if you mean the water source or toilet for sudden nausea or main valves, it can differ significantly throughout the world.
JMC5003 3 years ago (edited)
I kinda read it as knowing where the bathroom is so that you could hide there, in case of an active shooter. But I live in the US.
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#21
If someone has a seizure around you get them on their side, start timing their seizure, then protect their head as best you can, if you know they are epileptic and have emergency meds give EXACTLY how the bottle states, NEVER RESTRAIN, NEVER EVER INSERT SOMETHING IN THE MOUTH (yes they will likely bite their tongue, yes it'll probably bleed, no we can't swallow our tongues.) If this is the first seizure that they have ever had call paramedics and ESPECIALLY if the seizure lasts longer than 5 mins (regardless if they have epilepsy or not) call paramedic. Inform the professionals of any meds/drugs the person has taken(if you gave emergency meds) stay with person till help arrives. Seizures/epilepsy affects millions of people and they can absolutely result in death sometimes. Especially from choking due to poor help from bystanders. Please help us stay alive
RenaMoonlight 3 years ago
When I worked in France and had first aid training I was told to never give a person their meds, not even feed them water, if they can't take the meds or drink the water on their own. If anything happens to that person you may be held responsible. So, always check the laws of a country. In some countries, if you refuse to help them, and something happens to them, you will also be held responsible for denying help.
RenaMoonlight 3 years ago
I want to add to this, I'm from Germany, and over there, it's called "denial of assistance" (unterlassene Hilfeleistung), if you refuse or don't help at an accident but are physically able to, you make yourself guilty if you don't help. I think it's important to do what we think is best to probably save a life, but knowing the risk in some countries. A possible work-around to this law in some countries could be calling an emergency doctor, and explaining them the situation and then ask them if you can administer any medicine, and ask the doctor for exact instructions that you must follow.
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Ben Moss 3 years ago
Comments are confusing so here’s an idea: If someone is having a seizure call 911 immediately and do exactly what the professionals tell you to do instead of recalling random advice from strangers online. If they tell you to put them on their side, do it. If they tell you to cushion their head, do it. Source: My gf saved my a*s when I had a seizure because she called 911
Fluffybedsocks 3 years ago
Yea but also as a former first responder ive seen ppl freeze then kick in on training. Also, phones can be out of range. If you want to give good advice against the herd maybe prompt first aid training from professionals
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fAt.Lizard 3 years ago
Biggest danger is FALLING! My brother has a surprise seizure every couple of years. I was cutting his hair when he started to tip over. He's a lot heavier than me but I was able to break his fall and keep his head from hitting the table on his way down. I made him a comfy spot on the floor where he landed and wouldn't let him get up for a couple hours because of the fall risk.
Lsai Aeon 3 years ago
My son has seizures. He says he can see and hear during his seizures. Talk to the person, tell them your name and that you're there to help and they are safe, etc. If the person seizing is aware like my son, I guarantee they will appreciate you talking them through the seizure.
CJ Kelly 3 years ago (edited)
I had a fellow student in middle school like that. Teachers were made aware and knew to talk her through it. She would just be suddenly catatonic for a few minutes, completely confused as to her environment and her being, yet unable to speak or react to anything. All she could do was sit there lost and moaning softly. But she could still see and hear. The fear in her eyes as she sat stuck in this state was heartbreaking.
Load More Replies... WetBlanket 3 years ago
This should after 2 minutes, not 5. Breathing may not be happening, especially during a grand mal seizure.
Sean Seidell 3 years ago
I’m epileptic. Here’s what I need you to do if I have a gran mal seizure. Move hard objects away from me. Do not, repeat, do not put anything in my mouth! I might bite your finger off. After the seizure I likely won’t remember anything. My brain will be scrambled for awhile.
Joey David 3 years ago
My partner has epilepsy and this is good advice. Grand mal seizures are scary but I actually hate the absence seizures more. She can be having one and unless you are paying close attention no one will know it is happening and can be just as disastrous.
Jaqi Hegland 3 years ago
My oldest had a seizure when she was mid-twenties, and then never again. Neurologist says that happens. So even if they're not a person who has seizures, sometimes, it's a one-time thing.
Alana Voeks 3 years ago
Microseizures make people seem like they're spacing out, but we honestly aren't. Be aware of all the signs of any seizure. They can come up anywhere, and if the person's driving, you need to know what to do. Put the car in neutral, steer, put flashers on, and wait until you're stopped to do anything
Ashley Deane 3 years ago
I have a seizure disorder from a traumatic brain injury when I was 28.. it's absolutely insane.. the scariest s**t
#22
If you’re ever feeling lightheaded and seeing stars, and just a general feeling of thinking you’re going to pass out. Lay on your back and put your legs in the air and take deep breaths in and out. The blood from your brain rushed down to your feet and doing this will rush it back to your head.
Strawberry Pizza 3 years ago
Or sit on a chair and put your head between your knees if lying down isn't possible. That also helps.
Snorkeldorf 3 years ago
Don't know why, but this happened to me many years ago leaving a store. I did the only thing I could remember to do. Slid down the wall of the store, sat on the sidewalk and put my head between my knees. Yes, it did help and after a few minutes I was OK.
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Larissa Smith 3 years ago
Whatever you do, sit or lie down IMMEDIATELY, or you'll fall, and your head, or face, will bounce off the floor....happened to me once...I was dehydrated.
Anonymousplease 3 years ago
I passed out before and was really lightheaded and seeing white but I didn't sit, really wish I did, would've saved me a trip to the hospital to get my forehead glued
Mere Cat 3 years ago
If you need to buy a few seconds of time before you can lie down (like if you're just crossing a busy street or something), tense up all the muscles you possibly can - your stomach, sides, back, arms... This will squeeze blood from these areas so there's more for your brain. This will work only for a few seconds, though, and during those seconds you need to find a safe place to lie down or at least sit head bent down. (Source: emergency care doctor during lecture)
Anyone-for-tea? 3 years ago (edited)
Also if your ears feel like someone has put headphones on you and you get pins and needles or a tingly sensation in your arms and legs, that also means you’re going to faint. I wish I knew this instead of hitting the floor with my chin and spending 6 months with post concussion syndrome.
Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
This can be true, but it isn't always like that. I get pins and needles on my arms and legs quite a bit (mostly when I sit on it wrong or when I'm just waking up/going to bet), and I've never passed out like that. I think you should just be more vigilant when you get that sensation, it doesn't mean you're about to pass out.
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WoodenLion 3 years ago
i passed out twice recently for unknown reasons. i did not have time for any of that - i just hit the floor
Benita Valdez 3 years ago
Yup. Apparently I had a little heat stress and dehydration so when I thought I was just nauseous form drinking and got up to got to bathroom BOOM fell and knocked myself unconscious for a fee minutes.
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Gini Sarver 3 years ago
when in this situation and so many others ((pain for example)) Inhale through your NOSE and Exhale out of your MOUTH…. you will notice that it is more effective this way
Carrie Smigla-Didier 3 years ago
For most people, this sensation- the head rush, will be over in a second. If it's not, sit down immediately or make it to the floor and lie down. I pass out regularly bc of low blood pressure and vasovagal syncope. I pass out when I'm over heated, get blood drawn, have low blood volume, etc. I actually take a medication for it, have taken it for years. I got prescribed it after I passed out big time during a tilt table test-i scared the bejesus out of the tech who, i guess was used to people not passing out, bc i was talking to her fine, then the alarms went off and then i got dizzy then i woke up to her calling a code all panicked bc apparently, I flatlined!
Alesha Folsom 3 years ago
If you can get flat safely, great. Then you can put your feet above your heart and breathe normally until the dizziness and tunnel vision clears. Then slowly, very slowly adjust your position to sitting, then standing and resume your normal activities. Believe me, I've passed out a lot, I'm sorry to say.
#23
Embassies/consulates have emergency numbers they answer 24 hours a day. Save (on your phone) the phone number of your nearest embassy/consulate when abroad. If you get in many kinds of trouble (with the police, other legal issues, medical stuff, if you’re a victim of a crime, lost your passport, etc.), they can help you much more effectively than your family/friends back home can.
Wondering Alice 3 years ago
Erm.... Having had to call embassies and consulates, I would not advise relying on them. Family/friends back home have the luxury of time and resources to call among other places embassies on the off chance they are helpful. Of course it depends on your nationality and the country you are in. If you ever find yourself in trouble in foreign country, airports can often be helpful for advice.
Kate Jones 3 years ago
Yes airports as well as hotels. Hotel staff are often bilingual and are usually incredibly polite so they could help translate for you if you need to call police. instead of going to the police station, ask hotel staff to call police for you and when they get there, ask for assistance with translation. It also has the added effect of keeping you in a safe place in front of many people.
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Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
Years ago I found a backpack with the identity cards, cellphones, and passports of two young German travelers (18m/17f) from Berlin. I was on my way to the credit union and with their help we called the local consulate and the embassy in Washington, DC. It was during daylight business hours and neither answered their phone. I figured that they must be freaking out so when I got home I emailed the 3 people I know there and asked them to try to look up their families. Within an hour I received a phone call from the girl's parents who were VERY relieved and I told them they could pick up their possessions at the local police station. I never told them my name but apparently they got it from one of my Berliner friends because a month or so later I received a bottle of herbal schnapps in the mail. Not really my beverage of choice though, so I have most of the bottle left.
Bexx 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 3 years ago
If you’re from a commonwealth country, save the numbers of other commonwealth embassies too, they’ll help you if you’re a commonwealth citizen! I’m Canadian and always make sure I know where the British and Australian etc embassies are too when I go abroad
Gin 3 years ago
This is a good point, All Commonwealth citizens may receive consular assistance from British embassies and consulates in foreign non-Commonwealth nations where their home countries have not established diplomatic or consular posts. They are eligible to apply for British emergency passports, if their travel documents have been lost or stolen and permission has been given by their national governments.
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Lysondra brooks 3 years ago
When I was doing independent modeling contracts in Costa Rica even though I knew the companies etc I registered with the embassy in case I got serial killed just being in an unfamiliar place. It's designed more for disasters etc but figured it couldn't hurt. This was 10+ years ago. Now at least for us citizens I think there is something called STEPS similar.
Richard Pennington 1 year ago
I had a l-o-n-g story about my (late) wife's (late) father. At the age of 81 (in 2005), he was chasing women on the Internet, and was taken ill. In Russia. To be more precise, in Komsomolsk-na-Amure in the Russian Far East (nearest borders: China, North Korea, or over the sea to Japan). And he had had a stroke. It fell to me (as the only family member who could possibly organise it) to get him back to the UK. So I ended up calling the UK embassy in Moscow, plus the hospital and various other places. Long story, but I succeeded (without ever leaving the UK myself...).
Kill-Bunny 3 years ago
Actually, just few days back, I've figured out, that it is not entirely true. My SO had a job, related to embassies. Some of them took calls only for 4-6 hours/day at specific times. When he tried to call in other times, than specified, no one answered (and these were normal working hours in public offices). And no, embassies have actually a very small amount of things that they can help you with and they are travel and passport related, not police/crime/medical/family stuff related. And even with passports, there is so little and basic things that they can do, that you would be surprised (source: SO latest, embassy related work tasks).
Jen 3 years ago
Not entirely true. All the US embassies have a department specifically for helping Americans in trouble abroad. There is a cell phone that the consular on duty needs to have on them turned on 24/7 for thier turn on call. They do deal with crimes and medical issues alot - particularly if the person needs a medical evacuation or help getting legal counsel. My best friend has been a political officer for a decade now and they all had to do a consular placement that included the American aid devision. She HATED that part of the job especially her on call weeks, because 90% of her job then was helping Americans who got scammed (she was stationed in Nigeria at the time). She loves her job now as an ambassador and didnt mind processing visas or immigration requests, but didnt like dealing with the stupid people who fell for scams and went there to meet thier "boyfriend" after sending them thousands of dollars.
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#24
If you ever lose control of your car (i.e. The rear end starts to come around on the freeway), take your foot off the gas and DO NOT hit the brakes. Take note of the direction the rear end is wanting to spin and turn into it. So if your rear end starts to spin counterclockwise you would want to turn the steering wheel clockwise opposing that spin. Do not over turn as you can cause the car to snap back too far and spin in the other direction. If you live in a snowy place you can practice this in an empty parking lot during a snowy day. Always leave room between the car in front of you!
censor 3 years ago
Similarly if you hit a puddle of water and start aquaplaning, do NOT brake, do NOT accelerate, just let the car drift to a halt and try steer to the emergency lane.
Who Panda 420 3 years ago
It's weird I can handle an aquaplane like nobody's business because I grew up in Florida but now that I live up north skidding in the snow terrifies me.
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Marco Conti 3 years ago
This is one of those things you want to practice beforehand. I once hit the brakes hard on the freeway trying to make an exit because my wife shouter "EXIT HERE". The road had gravel all over (road construction) and the car got sideways at high speed. I knew I wasn't going to make it and I was headed for the very middle of the exit, where the guard rail joins in a pointy divider. I let off the brakes and hit the gas. That gave me enough control to avoid hitting the guard rail junction. I had spent hours and hours as a kid doing donuts on gravel and I raced motocross for a few years. That experience saved our lives that day. I stopped the car and had my wife drive because I was trembling like a leaf.
MotorcycleDoggo 3 years ago
"Turn into the skid" is technically correct but can be confusing and is a great way to cause over-corrections. Simply keep the wheels pointing in the direction you you want to go.
Scotira 3 years ago
Correct, most do not have the experience for such a "slide move". Or had slip and grip courses.
Load More Replies... Remi 3 years ago
Ok confession time: I remember that front wheel drives and rear wheel ones behave differently and should be treated differently when you're sliding, but I don't remember which is which. Anyway - don't twist the wheel like a lunatic because the moment you get traction back, the cars gonna swerve there - hard
Marco Conti 3 years ago
FWD cars tend to understeer (i.e. go straight as if the front wheels are not turned) while RWD cars tend to oversteer (the back swings around) although both kinds can be made to over or under steer. You can totally lose the rear in a FWD car and you correct it the same way with steering. The difference is that in a RWD car you would also user the throttle to control the slide. I suggest practicing on a large gravel road. It's easier to break traction at low speed and it's quite intuitive after a while.
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Craig Reynolds 3 years ago
That works in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. In a front-wheel-drive vehicle taking your foot off the gas will make the situation worse as engine braking action will place a drag on the front wheels making the rear more inclined to come around. A FWD vehicle pulls the vehicle forward so it is unlikely the rear will ever come around under power unless you start slowing down. If that's the case then reapply power slowly. If that isn't enough then VERY GENTLY apply the hand brake but keep the release button pressed in so you can vary the effect and lock it. The goal is to gradually apply drag to the rear wheels while still applying some power to the front. If you live in a state that gets snow in winter, you should practice this in an empty parking lot so you are prepared. What works at low speeds also works at highway speeds.
eff the haters 3 years ago
In that case it's unlikely that a fwd car will spin like that but if that's the case I would say floor it and turn the direction the rear is spinning in
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Jason Marin 3 years ago
I actually tried this on a few occasions. During winter, if I would hit a patch of black ice and spin out. I would turn the wheel in the opposite direction. Guess what? It didn't work. It just made me spin even more. And yes, I was turning in the direction opposite the spin.
Marco Conti 3 years ago
Black ice will do that. You have essentially no traction and are at the mercy of the balance you had when entering the black ice patch. Unless you have put nails on your tires, there is little you can do until you start getting more traction. Most of the suggestions so far are for snow, gravel, wet pavement. Black ice you need special tires that would be more than uncomfortable on other surfaces.
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Stymied Egan 3 years ago
This is so much harder than what I was told. It's easier just to point your tires the way you want to go. You just keep turning the wheel in the forward direction you were heading. Once your tires stop sliding you will be heading the right way.
Leesa DeAndrea 3 years ago
Biggest mistake you see every day is people tailgating. I know it's really hard in traffic, but the proper spacing gives you time enough to react to avoid disaster.
Christopher McHenry 3 years ago
Another add on to not accelerating or hitting the breaks when you come across the ice is to downshift depending on how fast you were going. Anything over 40 mph immediately downshift, then again to second and even first if need be. A little wear and tear on your car is better than a vehicle or guardrail crash.
#25
When caught in a stampede: As soon as you get knocked down your chances decrease significantly. If this is the case, however, and you can’t get up immediately, assume a protective posture with your feet tucked up and your hands covering your head. Try to position your face in the direction the crowd is moving so you don’t get kicked and try to get back on your feet ASAP.
Alex Bailey 3 years ago
Grew up on a farm. Our 100+ herd stampeded when I was about 10 years old. Was absolutely effing terrifying. My dad shouted 'stand still they'll go around you'. Yeah, right. As if the instinct to run doesn't kick in anyway! I RAN. For anyone unsure my dad was completely wrong, they won't go round you. I threw myself over the gate to the field and looked back... they'd gone the other way. That was lucky, very lucky.
Hypoxia Smurf 3 years ago
We were tent-camping south of Mono Lake (California) with our Doberman gal sleeping in the front seat of our old pickup, windows open. Pre-dawn, we heard a rumbling, then barking. A herd of cattle was stampeding! Right through our campsite! Our Dobergal was out on the ground, splitting the racing herd so they forked around us. She earned a fat juicy steak that day.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
Also remember this doesn't refer to just animals. If you are in a crowd of people it can happen too.
Winnie Brogan Wiggins 3 years ago
I had gone to the fair with my sister one year when we were teenagers along with our boyfriends. My boyfriend & I had gone to see a side show where a person was supposed to turn into a gorilla. It was packed inside. When the show started, this guy changed into a gorilla, the cage doors come open, and out jumps that giant looking gorilla!! Everyone, EVERYONE is pushing & shoving to get outside. My boyfriend & I were separated by the crazed crowd & I ended up being shoved down to the ground. That crowd was so thick and so terrified that I was just scooped up along with it. Since I wasn't running as fast as they were, I got pushed out of the way. People were running over me, kicking my head and body. I managed to get my hands over my head and other than being dirty & scared, I was alright. But I was never so terrified in my life!
Carrie Smigla-Didier 3 years ago
I was at Mardi Gras 20 years ago and the crowd on Bourbon Street was unreal. There were times I wasn't on my feet anymore bc of the press of people. And as one guy half a block away got into a fight with another guy, I freaked out, knowing that my friends and i had no way out. The whole crowd swayed with each punch and you had no real choice but to just go with it. I have never felt so claustrophobic in my life. Also the pickpockets and groping were just awful.
#26
Keep your bedroom door closed at night. It could save your life in a house fire. Check your smoke alarms regularly.
Ranger Kanootsen 3 years ago
same. I always hallucinate things standing in the doorway, so I prefer to keep it closed.
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Mona Storck 3 years ago
My dogs would tear down our door faster than a fire if we closed it. 3 large Siberians who think our bed is theirs too. They love their crates for naps only.. lol
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
If I close my bedroom door, I will never get any sleep, as three cats and one dog trying to get in would create so much noise and thumping it would be impossible to sleep. However, animals are quite often the very first ones to detect problems like fire and smoke, so they would wake up and do everything in their power to get my husband and I up. Then we’d close the door and make goddamn sure we would ALL go out one of the three large windows in the room. We’ve actually talked about this, and planned what to do. We’d shut the door first, then grab all the cats and tie the sheet around them. Then one of us would go out the window so we could grab hold of them when the other lowers them down as a bundle. The dog would be put in a pillowcase (he’s not big) and be lowered down before the other one of us climbs out. Sounds like a lot, but you would be amazed at how fast you can do stuff in an emergency, especially when you already have a plan in mind. (BTW, we don’t have children, so making sure the animals and both of us get out is all we have to plan for.)
AKRaven 3 years ago
Have two cats, so can't close doors as they will sit outside meowing all night to be let in or vice-versa.
Megan Romero-Herman 3 years ago
Lol my cats that only reason I don’t keep my door closed
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Elladine DesIsles 3 years ago
One apartment plus one air conditioner equals doors open all summer. I have to breathe!
Seanette Blaylock 3 years ago
My cat would not permit this. In my household, Siamese tantrums over closed doors are a much more likely problem.
Rae Noble 3 years ago
Same... and if there was a fire, there'd be an extra-dramatic Siamese tantrum the moment it started. Not out of altruism or a sense of danger, but more out of "Human! I OBJECT to this! Make it stop!" (That's what my roommate said she did during a large earthquake: She didn't panic, or try to hide, she just sat in the middle of the floor, looked at my roommate, and started yelling about it like she'd been put in a carrier)
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Lavender Oak 3 years ago
People saying they can't do this because of pets... Take the pets in with you. I know, I'm a genius lmao
#27
If you have a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks, get it checked out by your doctor. Don't ever think you're wasting their time.
Al Christensen 3 years ago
"...get it checked out by your doctor." Doctor's Clerk: "Okay, we can fit you in in six weeks." No, go to an urgent care place or ER.
Who Panda 420 3 years ago
Unfortunately that's why the ER is so full. In America first off people go to the ER if they don't have insurance because they have to be seen. Secondly even if you do have insurance you can wait months for a doctor's appointment. Even for an emergency especially in this covid environment it's been really difficult for me to get appointments. And impossible to get a vet appointment for my poor dog. He hasn't been in over a year because there are no vets in my area and if there are any they're not taking new patients regardless of whether it's an emergency or not. I'm terrified what's going to happen if my dog gets really sick
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Brandi Delph 3 years ago
And if the doctor is an idiot and tells you, over 3 visits in 11 weeks, that you have adult onset asthma /pneumonia/ acid reflux all without a single test or x_ray, even after being told you sometimes cough blood? Find a new doctor. (Turns out I had a large tumor that necessitated the removal of most of a lung)
Gin 3 years ago (edited)
Yes! Sometimes you just know your doctor has it wrong and you have to persist!! Push to be referred or see a specialist. Hope you are doing okay Brandi.
Load More Replies... Huddo's sister 3 years ago
That's what I'm sure mine is but still haven't told the doctor...
Load More Replies... Mtg Wolfie 3 years ago
I've had a cough for 24 years now. I'm 29. I've been repeatedly. Their answer? "Allergies. Take a once daily OTC allergy med". Know what everyone thought it was before the doctor? Allergies because those run in my family. Seriously, not one person in my family doesn't have allergies.
Lea S. 3 years ago
I had a scary lump in my breast once, the women in my family have a long history of breast cancer. I couldn't get in for six months. Six months for whatever was growing in there to potentially keep growing and infecting me.
Micheal Underscore 3 years ago
Honestly at that rate I'd probably just go to the ER.
Load More Replies... Joanna Malsbury 3 years ago
Also, hiccups that don't go away, or recurring (several bouts in a day) ones. It sounds silly, but it can actually be cause for concern.
Monica Michelle 3 years ago
Laughs in us where the charges are thousands remember the epinephrine?
Pizzagirl 91 3 years ago
Yeah, my husband had Whooping Cough without any of us knowing. The children had their shots, I had mine during pregnancy, but his booster had been moved several times, the last time to get the Covid booster (we got that as well, but it wasn't too bad). He's been sick for weeks because you have to really wait that one out if you don't take antibiotics in the first week or so... And you're more likely to get other respiratory infections afterward...
#28
Here’s some quick nature-related ones! Primarily for hikers and people who like to mess around outside. -If you encounter an animal that looks like it’s ready to stand its ground, do not run and do not turn your back. Doing so will likely provoke them further. No, you can’t fistfight a moose. -If you’re ever pursued by bees/wasps, run like hell! They don’t chase you particularly far (save for killer bees) and you will likely get away with minimal stings. Don’t go into water. They’re not stupid, they will wait for you to poke your fleshy bits above the water to breathe, and you will be attacked. -Snakes, Spiders, Scorpions. If you’re bit/stung, it may be a good idea to try and capture the animal so that it can be identified. However, only do so if you’re 100% certain that you can capture the animal quickly without further endangering yourself. Getting bit by a cobra is bad, getting bit by a cobra three times because you think you need to catch it is *REALLY* bad. Focus on getting your a*s to a hospital and if you can, keep an idea of what the animal looked like. Most hospitals are stocked with anti venom for local species, and most species are distinct enough for a description to work as an identifier. -Bats. If you get bit by a bat, or even have cause to *believe* you were bit by a bat, immediately get a rabies series. Bats are frequent carriers, and rabies is 100% lethal if it becomes symptomatic. -Currents. If you’re trapped in any sort of current, be it a river or the sea, do not fight it. You will tire yourself out, and you will die. You will never win against water. Instead, swim perpendicular to the current. -Wild animals, primarily large ones. If you bump into one and it tries to back you off, get the hell away. See tip #1 for what not to do. If you get the hell away and it sticks around, stay vigilant and leave the area immediately. It’s likely a predator doing this, and it’s stalking you. It sees you as food, and wants you dead. Whatever you’re doing, drop it and GTFO.
censor 3 years ago
Last point re water. Hypothermia sets in WAY faster than you would believe - like 10 minutes. You need to get out the water asap. IF you feel your limbs going numb and not responding, you are going to die, get hold of a branch or something fast.
JMC5003 3 years ago
Fell into ice cold water from a canoe. Thought I was a good swimmer, but, although I was moving my arms, I wasn't going anywhere. Fortunately, the guy I was with (and married a few years later) had been in the Navy and trained for that c**p. He put me on top of the canoe, which had flipped over. rescued the fishing poles and cooler, and pulled us all to shore. I have a healthy respect for cold water now.
Load More Replies... Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
Odd thing is I've also read DON'T catch whatever bit you, just get yourself to a hospital as soon as possible.
Hobby Hopper 3 years ago
That's because so many people get bit/stung again trying to catch it.
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Ellie Rosser 3 years ago
Australia has snake venom detection kits. Hospital will swab the bite and know what bit you and which antivenom to,give.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
If you encounter a wild feline, do NOT turn your back on it. Felines attack from behind.
Jason Marin 3 years ago
Another thing about being bit by a venomous snake is to stay absolutely calm. Getting scared and panicking will actually cause the venom to spread faster.
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
A general rule of thumb with scorpions is that the larger the claws the less venomous the sting and the smaller, the more venomous.
Weeblet 3 years ago
So like how most venomous snakes have triangular heads? Or is it just any snake that has a triangular head is definitely venomous? Or is the triangular head thing false? 🤔
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#29
If you ever get a tooth knocked out or pulled out, put it in milk. Depending on the roots they may be able to preserve the tooth! If you ever cut the quik on your dogs nails, keep a bar of soap on hand and rub the paw/nail area into the soap bar to stop the bleeding. Always keep a photo of important documents in your email or your phone. Phone is handiest - save it to a specific document. Trust me - people lose papers often, or don’t have a copy of ID readily available and if you ever had them stolen you have copies to help get the new ones, shut down old accts, etc and still have some things to use in the interim if absolutely necessary. Also - for your car - keep a photocopy of your ownership in the car and not the ACTUAL ownership (advice from an officer that I was once given).
Anonymousplease 3 years ago
So they could possibly put it back and save you from having a gap or needing a fake
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Snowfoxrox 3 years ago
re: Dog nails bleeding.. you can also use cornstarch. I don't know if soap might sting. You can also use a dremmel on their nails. I do this every few days and she has nicely manicured nails.
censor 3 years ago
regarding documents what I do is use a cloud provider and store all those sorts in the cloud, so if my phone is stolen i just need to login to the cloud again
JMC5003 3 years ago
I would think keeping that type of document on your phone would invite identity theft. We have crazy security on our work computers and our IT folks are still always concerned about security, so I can only imagine how easy it could be for someone to hack my phone.
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Karen Albeck 3 years ago
You can get a styptic pen for about $3 that will work better than a bar of soap.
Karolína T. 3 years ago
If you trim your dogs (or rat or birdie or whatever) nails, just buy vet haemostyptic powder (blood-stop) or caustic pencil. It is worth of.
CelticElff 3 years ago
PUT THE TOOTH BACK IN THE SOCKET. This was recently updated, https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/knocked-out-teeth/
Breezy 3 years ago
If you don't have milk you can also just hold it in your mouth and your saliva will preserve it as well.
Kelsey Dodds 3 years ago
I read something recently that says to put the tooth back in the socket it was knocked out of and get to the dentist immediately. It preserves blood flow or something so the nerves don’t die and can make reimplantation more successful.
Mud spider 3 years ago
I didn’t know animal claws bled when you cut them wrong until I clipped my chickens talons and she bled everywhere, I felt soooooo bad! I thought they were the same as human finger/toenails
#30
Don't try to breath under water, you're not a fish
Squirrel Girl 3 years ago
get bitten by one. you'll become FISH PERSON!! at least, according to superhero comic logic
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EyeYamStewPeed 3 years ago
Your brain does strange things when it's oxygen deprived.
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Mindghost 3 years ago
This is for the divers. When you have not enough oxygen you start to get crazy/high and think you can breath underwater, along with hallucinations etc.
Corey Smith 3 years ago
It's not hypoxia (too little oxygen), it's nitrogen narcosis that does that.
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#31
If your friend is overdosing or having a medical issue while drugs or alcohol are involved/around DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL 911 or whatever your emergency number is. In the United States at least, you will have amnesty and neither you nor the person having medical issues will get in trouble. This can genuinely save so many lives. Not only will ems be able to help you once they get there, but the operator can give you advice in the mean time. ALSO go to your local cvs or Walgreens or whatever and get naloxone. It is free in most places and can easily save someone’s life during an opioid overdose. Even if you don’t do drugs, even if your friends don’t do drugs, you may someday be in a situation where you need it so it never hurts. Edit: wanted to add drug test kits or legal. They sell them in most smoke shops and on Amazon and they are like $10. Fentanyl is in EVERYTHING. It is super deadly. Don’t assume cause you know the dealer or he has good stuff it’s gonna be clean. The cartels are known to add fent and a huge portion of drugs pass through them. TEST YOUR DRUGS
Don Golosso 3 years ago
Finally, instead of just naively shouting "Don't do drugs mmm'kay" someone who gives advice for those who do want to (recreatively) use.
SelkieBlackfysh 3 years ago
Folks are gonna do drugs whether it's legal or not we already know that. It would just make much more sense to show what to do when it goes bad and let people decide what they want to do with themselves.
Load More Replies... John L 3 years ago (edited)
And almost as importantly, don't lie to the medicos about what they took/drank....they care about saving your friend, not about busting you for drugs.... I can't understand why people willingly go to professionals (of all varieties) and then choose to lie to them....
Zero 3 years ago
And be upfront/honest about what they took! The med pros aren't interested in passing judgement, they want to get the person back to normal health. Some drugs react very very badly with certain other lifesaving drugs. Some street drugs will cause certain symptoms that mean they can't use certain techniques. So they need to know what was taken in order to not make things worse.
Benita Valdez 3 years ago
This also applies to men who may take those little blue pills to help in the bedroom. Yes it is embarrassing but if you're having a medical issue that sends you to a hospital it's better to be a live and a little embarrassed than then to be dead.
Load More Replies... Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
My cousin died from fentanyl-tainted heroin. Her dealers are now serving time, not just for selling illegal drugs, but also for negligent homicide.
El Dee 3 years ago
In my country the police, paramedics and others are carrying naloxone now..
Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
I think that's fairly common in the US as well.
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#32
When using a compass, be sure that it is far away from any metal parts of your kit. Got lost while on my first "solo" hunt last season because I didn’t realize that my compass would be attracted to the steel of my rifle. Only got out of there because I used the digital compass and map on my iPhone.
#33
If someone is having a heart attack, chew an aspirin (as directed by doctor) instead of swallowing it to make it work faster. Should help buy a little time until an EMT arrives.
Zero 3 years ago
Clarification: have THEM chew the aspirin, not you while they have the attack.
John L 3 years ago
I laughed, but sadly..clarification is sometimes needed.
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Larissa Smith 3 years ago
Although daily aspirin use has been shown to lower the chance of having a first heart attack or stroke, it can also increase the risk for bleeding in the brain, stomach, and intestines.Apr 27, 2022
JMC5003 3 years ago (edited)
I'm fairly certain the AMA no longer recommends taking a daily baby aspirin, but still recommends taking an aspirin at the time of a heart attack. Honestly, and Tylenol causing Downs Syndrome when taken during pregnancy (there's currently a class action suit in the US regarding this). You'd think as old and widely used as these meds are, they would have recognized these issues decades ago.
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Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
Not quite. Prophylactic aspirin has been shown to be ineffective at preventing heart attacks. Once the heart attack is occurring, chewing an aspirin can limit the damage and prevent blood clots.
Load More Replies... #34
If under gunfire and you have to duck behind a stationary car. Make sure you put the engine in between you and the shooter or where the shots seem to be coming from.
SummerSnoopy 3 years ago
The engine won't explode, but it will stop many kinds of bullets. It is also true that the gas tank could explode from a spark from the bullet. But if you stand or squat in the middle of the car frame, where the doors and windows are, you're much more likely to get hit, as bullets can go through that like "butta"!
Hobby Hopper 3 years ago
Yes, to all of that. I'm also tired of seeing TV shows where people duck behind a thin table or a sofa or behind a thin interior wall. Those would nothing against a bullet.
Load More Replies... SelkieBlackfysh 3 years ago
Plus you can put yourself behind a tire and avoid getting winged by ricochet or hit by deliberate aim.
Strawberry Pizza 3 years ago
Wait, seriously? Wouldn't it explode? (Im not joking I genuinely want to know)
Zero 3 years ago
The engine is effectively a solid hunk of metal. It's really hard to make a car explode on purpose, let alone accidentally. At most you'll get some minor flaming, but not an actual explosion.
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#35
Car head rests can be used to break a window
SelkieBlackfysh 3 years ago
It's not hard if you don't panic. Not panicking is, understandably, the hardest part.
Load More Replies... Carrie de Luka 3 years ago
Not ALL head rests will do this. You are better off getting an emergency hammer, one which comes also with a seat belt cutter, and keep THAT in your car.
Jenny Pugh 3 years ago (edited)
Close to hand and not in your boot/trunk.
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micca 3 years ago
Also, there was a thing where if you fall with your car into a body of water, you should wait for the car to fill up and then attempt to open the door. BS. Smash the windows with the headrest and get tf put of there. This won't work on a windshield unless it's already partially smashed bc windshields have a protective layer on them, side windows don't
#36
Don’t ever swim against a rip tide. Instead of swimming against the rip current, you want to swim perpendicular to it, in either direction. Rip currents are typically only 20-100 feet wide. Once you leave the rip, swim at an angle away from it towards the shore.
#37
Get at least 7 hrs of sleep every night. You’ll save your health, your sanity and your life.
Eastendbird 3 years ago
Yes, can we have an end to "tips" like this please. As if those of us who suffer from anxiety or insomnia, or have a young child or a painful medical condition or have to work unbelievably long hours to make ends meet are going to read this and think "Wow, of course, that's where I've been going wrong - thanks Internet stranger!"
Shelli Aderman 3 years ago
Right? Like I’m trying to NOT sleep enough? 🤦🏽♀️
Load More Replies... censor 3 years ago (edited)
To all the insomniacs below, I used to have that till I realised it was overthinking. You lie there thinking. Practice mindfulness ie emptying out any thoughts. It's not easy but keep trying. Visualise taking the thought and throwing it aside. Particularly imagined conversations, or rehearsals as they are called. The worst of these conversations is the why-cant-i-sleep conversation. Keep doing that and you will stay awake.
JMC5003 3 years ago (edited)
I learned to put myself into a deep meditative state, similar to self-hypnosis. I imagine climbing up steps cut into boulders and coming out beside a small pond of water on top of a mountain, with a creek running out of the pond, a willow providing shade, moss on the rocks, sun shining, birds singing. I lay down on the moss (in my mind) and focus on hearing the water and birds, feeling the sun and the slight, cool breeze. I can block out almost anything where pain is concerned, but monkey brain unfortunately usually won't respond. Hard to sleep with monkeys in my brain.
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Lsai Aeon 3 years ago
I too am an insomniac and have been since I was 4. I am also one that needs to talk/ play out what's going through my head. When I can control that, I pretend I'm very sick and need rest to heal, playing that scenario out in my head, I tend to fall asleep quite quickly with that one
#38
If the ice doesn't float, there is something in your drink. Always put your hand on top of it. Many people know these tricks, but just in case
Lane Smith 3 years ago
Oh good grief. Ice floats or sinks depending on the density of the fluid it's in. It has nothing to do with being spiked.
T. 3 years ago
Yes! Ice in straight whisky will sink to the bottom of the glass.
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What do you think ?
Anonymousplease 3 years ago
This is kind of random but important, if you are driving a boat trailer down a ramp into the water to launch it, open your car window. In case that the car goes under water, you are stopping yourself from being stuck in the car due to air pressure. You can open the door and swim out.
Andy C 3 years ago
Actually even in salt water power windows will continue to work just fine for a long time (until the battery goes dead).
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A. Jones 3 years ago
If you or someone has a car, invest in a window breaker with a seat belt cutter. Always have 1-2 water bottles stored in the car (dry cool place). Drinking water helps more than hydration, drinking some can perk you up and prevent an accident.
Memere 3 years ago
I plan to get the window breaker tool for Christmas gifts this year for my family.
Load More Replies... LH25 3 years ago
Don't be afraid to call 911(or the emergency number in your area). I've done so a very few times when I wasn't totally sure I needed to. I was always told they would rather be called if we aren't sure than not.
JMC5003 3 years ago (edited)
Absolutely. Although paramedics get angry at being used as a taxi service repeatedly by the same people (who don't need to go to the hospital), they'd much rather leave with an empty wagon than have to call the coroner for someone whom they could have saved, had they only been called sooner.
Load More Replies... NicNor5560 3 years ago
So ... where's the one in the thumbnail, the one about ice floating or not?
David Smith 3 years ago
I'm just very pleased and relieved that I didn't have to hit NEXT thirty times and wait for new pages to load. THANK YOU.
Lennah Palbachm 3 years ago
Cinnamon is often used to cover up the smell of poison in drinks. Idk why you'd need to know that, but there you go. Just in case you think someone is trying to poison you.
Anonymousplease 3 years ago
This is kind of random but important, if you are driving a boat trailer down a ramp into the water to launch it, open your car window. In case that the car goes under water, you are stopping yourself from being stuck in the car due to air pressure. You can open the door and swim out.
Andy C 3 years ago
Actually even in salt water power windows will continue to work just fine for a long time (until the battery goes dead).
Load More Replies... A. Jones 3 years ago
If you or someone has a car, invest in a window breaker with a seat belt cutter. Always have 1-2 water bottles stored in the car (dry cool place). Drinking water helps more than hydration, drinking some can perk you up and prevent an accident.
Memere 3 years ago
I plan to get the window breaker tool for Christmas gifts this year for my family.
Load More Replies... LH25 3 years ago
Don't be afraid to call 911(or the emergency number in your area). I've done so a very few times when I wasn't totally sure I needed to. I was always told they would rather be called if we aren't sure than not.
JMC5003 3 years ago (edited)
Absolutely. Although paramedics get angry at being used as a taxi service repeatedly by the same people (who don't need to go to the hospital), they'd much rather leave with an empty wagon than have to call the coroner for someone whom they could have saved, had they only been called sooner.
Load More Replies... NicNor5560 3 years ago
So ... where's the one in the thumbnail, the one about ice floating or not?
David Smith 3 years ago
I'm just very pleased and relieved that I didn't have to hit NEXT thirty times and wait for new pages to load. THANK YOU.
Lennah Palbachm 3 years ago
Cinnamon is often used to cover up the smell of poison in drinks. Idk why you'd need to know that, but there you go. Just in case you think someone is trying to poison you.
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