ADVERTISEMENT

You never know what life has in store for you. Just think about it, one day, you're chilling on the sofa, and the next, you're fighting off a moose on a hike your pals forced you to go on – and while that might be a highly unlikely scenario, it's still good to be prepared, eh?

What’s a life-saving tip you think everyone should know?” – this netizen took to Reddit, inviting its members to share their life-saving tips. The thread managed to garner 417 upvotes as well as 623 comments, containing some handy pointers.

More info: Reddit

#1

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online For bears there is a rhyme. If it's black, fight back. If it's brown, lie down. If it's white, say good night.

In the case of black bears they're generally smaller. If one is attacking you then you have a chance of survival by fighting back. You'll probably be in awful shape but you'll live. In the case of a brown bear, it's best to show it that you are not a threat to it or it's cubs. Lie down, protect your neck and head. Make sure it's gone before getting back up. In the case of polar bears things are very different. If you notice a polar bear hunting you then it's already too late. Make peace with your gods because you are going to die.

Chicken_Alphredo , Mark Basarab Report

#2

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online if you ever need someone to call 911, make sure you specifically point someone out of the crowd of people. "you in the red shirt, call 911". if you dont, nobody will because they assume someone else will

eplurabis , Artem Beliaikin Report

Add photo comments
POST
laurenlewis avatar
Gizmo
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the Bystander Effect. If you don't specifically assign someone in the crowd the task, everyone around will just assume someone else will do it.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Use condoms.
Take care of your oral hygiene .
If he (or she) hits you, leave. No second chances.
Ask for help when you need it. If you don't get it, ask someone else.

accordionwidow , Karolina Grabowska Report

Add photo comments
POST
hughcooks avatar
Hugh Cookson
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am an ex abuser, I was young, angry at everything and would hit out if I was threatened or confronted. I was a horrible person. Always walk away from an abusive person ; if you decide they are worth a second chance for whatever reason, be very aware. I'm ashamed for my conduct back then, thankfully I've found a wonderful lady who understands me and gets it when I need to walk away (yes, I still have anger issues but keep tem buried very deeply)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#4

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Heart attack pain for women is often different than men. The classic symptoms of chest pains radiating down your left arm isn’t what most women feel. It’s often a chest tightness, horrible gastric reflux feeling, and an impending sense of doom. It’s also described as the worst pain you’ve ever felt and women don’t go to the dr for it bc “childbirth was worse” etc.

So women, don’t ignore any sort of tightness, pressure, or twinges in your chest.

jahoefs , Yuris Alhumaydy Report

Add photo comments
POST
sprite420 avatar
Jeremy James
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who struggles with anxiety, the fact that "a sense of impending doom" is a heart attack symptom feels like a cruel joke.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If your vomit ever looks like coffee grounds, you are bleeding internally and need to go to the ER immediately.

freestyle43 , Sora Shimazaki Report

Add photo comments
POST
brittenelson_1 avatar
B.Nelson
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is especially important if you are on blood thinners or pain relievers. My dad collapsed one night at home. We woke him up, and he passed out a few minutes later. Had to call 911. He threw up what looked like coffee grounds in the ambulance. Found out he had a lacerated stomach from taking blood thinners for his heart and pain meds for his arthritis. They had to clamp one of the blood vessels in his stomach. He's okay now but it was super scary.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If a service dog comes up to you, follow them. Service dogs will only leave their owners as a last ditch effort for help.
If you get stabbed, do everything in your power to keep the knife in. The knife is acting as a makeshift seal and it’s the only thing keeping you from bleeding out. Keep it in and get to a hospital immediately.

Car head rests can be used to break a window

Tiger attacks can be avoided by making eye contact with the tiger. If it knows you know its there, it can no longer ambush you.

Pressure on the wound is more important than covering it. Ice can also stem blood flow.

Pick up the phone and text/call someone if you know they're going through a rough time.

Don't try to breath under water, you're not a fish

edit: Always carry a small jar of Peanut Butter while going for a Hiking. If you get lost, Peanut Butter will keep you alive for days till the rescue arrives.

Koolzx , MART PRODUCTION Report

Add photo comments
POST
kristiflanigan avatar
LizzieBoredom
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I ate a jar of Peanut Butter, I would be the only person lost in the woods for a week who gained 4 pounds.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#7

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. I got up at 4 am to make a 7 am flight from Toronto to LA, but I got bumped, and routed via Vancouver instead. Instead of getting into LA at 11 am local time, I ended up getting in at 4 pm, and hit a massive traffic jam heading south. This was before cell phones so I had no traffic info that I understood, and I just stayed on the highway. By the time I turned off the highway, I'd been up for 20 hours. I could feel my head falling as I micronapped and jerked awake, but I had only a few miles to go, so I kept going.

Bad move. Another micronap, crossed the median, and hit another car. Just a broken foot for me, and a few bruises for her, but it could have been much much worse. If you're that tired, pull off and sleep.

FratBoyGene , Adrien Olichon Report

Add photo comments
POST
alexia_1 avatar
Alexia
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people rely on stimulants to stay awake, but that's a trap. Stimulants such as energy drinks or coffee work for a very short period of time, building a wall to stop the accumulation of the sleep-pressure substance (I believe it's called adenosine). Once the caffeine effect is gone, the "wall" collapses and you feel even more tired than before.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online An obvious and simple one but ..it's saved me on numerous occasions. TRust your instincts and your gut when it says "Don't do it" "Somethng doesnt feel right" We sometimes forget to trust our own selves.

safeathome3 , Athena Report

Add photo comments
POST
alexia_1 avatar
Alexia
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's our reptilian brain (much older than the neocortex), which is responsible with our survival and primary instincts. It never failed me, while "rational" decisions often proved to be wrong.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online CPR should be done hard enough that you break ribs and done to the same tempo as "Staying alive"

TurnMeIntoAGameCube , RDNE Stock project Report

Add photo comments
POST
lizzy-abbey avatar
CORGI QUEEN
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

um.. its ok to break ribs but you should do roughly 2 inches and 1 for a child and infant

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online In the US, by law, every cell tower has to receive and connect 911 calls. It’s entirely possible that your cellphone says “no signal,” because you’re not in range of your specific network and you have roaming turned off, but if needed you could call 911 without any issue at all.

BAbe_Linc0ln , Miguel Á. Padriñán Report

Add photo comments
POST
acey-ace16 avatar
Ace
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why your phone will usually say "Emergency Calls Only" when you don't have a valid SIM card or your own network is unavailable.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Do not throw water on a grease fire. Please.

Delicious-Ad-1229 , Bulat Khamitov Report

Add photo comments
POST
jefbateman avatar
Jef Bateman
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a guy poor a greasy burning pan full of oil into the sink. That was a bad decision, too. I got good advice from a guy who worked as a cook for three decades - watch the fire for a second before you do anything. If you act immediately, your panic is probably going to lead you to do something stupid.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If you're driving somewhere and it's cold out, bring a coat. Even if your car is warm, something could happen that would prevent the heat from working, and you'll become a popsicle real quick.

Project_T00THL355 , Sebastiaan Stam Report

Add photo comments
POST
bobbyrowe avatar
Old Roadie
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Emergency kit in car: matches, candle, blanket, light, water, hat, socks, granola bars or similar sustenance. You can always use stuffing from your car's seat to make a fire. (Dryer lint works, too... just stuff it in a TP tube.) Stay with your car, if possible. It's easier to see from search helo.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online When travelling, always keep enough cash to buy a ticket back home and hide it somewhere safe, like inside your shoes or a secret pocket. That way you can return home even if you're robbed.

Flyinpotatoman , Karolina Grabowska Report

Add photo comments
POST
markglass avatar
Lotekguy
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Photocopy your passport and keep it in a separate place when traveling. That should make it easier to get credentials if it's stolen or lost when you're away from home.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Never combine cleaning products. For example combining bleach and ammonia creates chloramine gas which can kill you if inhaled.

fireguy7 , Nothing Ahead Report

Add photo comments
POST
laurenstern avatar
Lauren S
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And keep in mind I believe urine has ammonia in it that can also interact with bleach.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Choking is silent. All a choking person can do to signal distress is sign for it.

Corgi_with_stilts , Towfiqu barbhuiya Report

Add photo comments
POST
brendaspagnola avatar
Brenda
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're alone, throw yourself against a wall, back first. If others are near, but not actually with you, throw something breakable or knock something over to get their attention.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Always keep some extra bottles of water in a car door pockets for emergencies.

Koolzx , Steve Johnson Report

Add photo comments
POST
alexia_1 avatar
Alexia
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also keep extra water at home. In case of natural disasters (such as earthquakes) that may damage the infrastructure, you'll need that water until rescue team get to your building (may take days or even weeks)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If you smell fish in your house, it could be the start of an electrical fire.

9umopapisdn , Brett Samuel Report

Add photo comments
POST
jefbateman avatar
Jef Bateman
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some fish live at my house. Do you think those jerks are starting electric fires? I didn't know that was something to worry about.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If someone is drowning do not dive in to save them, throw something that floats.

If you suspect someone is being shocked by electricity, use wood or rubber or anything non conductive to help break their contact with the energy.

If someone is breathing and knocked out or fainted, or blacked out from [illegal substances], turn them on their side to avoid the risk they might drown in their own vomit.

If some people is working overhead, with fall arrest systems, have a game plan to get them down if they fall. FAS have a time limit before the constriction on their legs risk permanent damage or death.

If someone is buried alive from a tench collapse, you need to unbury them all the way, because of the pressure on their body. Especially their legs.

Confined Spaces contain invisible, senseless death. It can be any heavy gas in there, stay out.

Small falls kill.

And one thing I tell the kids I train, “You gotta be smart, if you want to be dumb.”

10_Virtues , Luca Nardone Report

Add photo comments
POST
h_5 avatar
Howard M. Lewis Ship
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had to swim out in rough water to assist my (then 10 yo) son; I was careful to approach from behind him and keep one arm free, the other across his chest, my front to his back. He wasn't in a panic situation, but still, these things could easily spiral out of control quickly.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#20

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Don't panic. It only takes a second or two to gather your wits and make decisions.

HelpfulAnywhere3731 , Keegan Houser Report

Add photo comments
POST
arthurwhite avatar
Rtblast66
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"A towel is the most important item a Hitchhiker can carry. Not only can you wrap it around yourself for warmth, but it can give you control of your life if you know where your towel is at all times." Douglas Adams

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If someone is too hot (heat exhaustion, heat stroke) do not give them cold water and do not suddenly move them to a cold area. Give them room temp water and try to cool them gradually. You will send some into shock by suddenly intoducing them to the cold

ApprehensiveGlass658 , Pixabay Report

Add photo comments
POST
amcgregor7419 avatar
Tams21
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Advice from the NHS in the UK appears to contradict this: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Electricity makes your muscles contract, so when people are being electrocuted they will grab to the metal they are holding really strongly. If you try touching them you might grab on to them in the same way and die alongside.

Push or pull them with non conductive things like wood or cloth. Kick them if needed. Take your pants off and wrap it on their neck to pull them. Do whatever you have to but don’t touch them.

Raioc2436 Report

Add photo comments
POST
lizphone70 avatar
Libby Tailor
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are in this situation,, just kick yourself from the electric thing. If you are on a ladder, just fall off. Better some broken bone than being dead. My dad was an electrician, he was taught to do that. Once his hand was forced to grip the wire by electric and he just fell himself from the ladder. I hope ilI wrote it understandable, English is not my native language.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online How to spot the signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else. 

YOU NEED TO THINK AND ACT F.A.S.T

Face: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

Arms: Can the person raise both arms?

Speech: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

Time: Time to call the emergency services to get the person the medical attention they need

DavosLostFingers , Kate Gundareva Report

Add photo comments
POST
apatheistaccount2 avatar
Apatheist Account2
Community Member
11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's more to it than this, apparently. Strokes don't always have the same symptoms.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online Don’t forget your sunscreen lotion.

FrostySquirrel820 , RF._.studio Report

Add photo comments
POST
queenofthecastle82 avatar
Child of the Stars
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And cover up. Natural fibers like cotton are very breathable. There's a reason the Saudis wear those robes.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If you live in an area of extreme temps, keep stuff in your car in case you break down and can't get help immediately.

For any temp - water and high density food such as protein bars.

For cold - a sleeping bag or blanket

For heat - more water and something to make shade.

awhq , Karolina Grabowska Report

Add photo comments
POST
airtnat avatar
Airt
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that water should be drink ONLY in case of an emergency. In hot car it becomes undrinkable quite fast (especially in plastic bottle). If you can either die from dehydration or drink toxic water once, obviously drink water, but it shouldn't be something that you do often.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

The Heimlich maneuver

acenewcast , wikihow Report

Add photo comments
POST
matthewhoare avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only if absolutely needed, use back blows first: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-do-if-someone-is-choking/

View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

If your lips or tongue start to swell. call for help immediately.

Delightful_day53 Report

#28

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If you are a kid for the love of everything good don't play with stray dogs they might be fighting dogs and could very much mull you so be careful.

Xensiform , Recep Fatih KAYA Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#29

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online If you feel something is wrong inside of you, call your doctor/hospital immediately. Don’t self-diagnose and let it fester for days or months.

wishnana , EVG Kowalievska Report

Add photo comments
POST
alexia_1 avatar
Alexia
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know someone who literally saved himself by going immediately to the hospital when he started to feel ill. Turned out, it was a myocardial infarction.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

30 Life-Saving Tips To Remember In Times Of Crisis, According To Folks Online For cars, always turn towards the skid.

RandomCashier75 , Dids Report

Add photo comments
POST
zak_1 avatar
zak
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And, look where you want to go, instead of looking directly at an obstacle you're trying to avoid. For example, if you are skidding toward a telephone pole, don't look directly at it, look at where you need to go to avoid it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 33 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.