If you’re looking for information that can help you get out of a jam, or even save your life, the internet is a great place to go. We’ve compiled a handy guide of 40 people’s life-saving advice from the internet’s most helpful users, using the most helpful tips we could find.
Fire Safety
A grease fire is one of the most common mishaps that can occur in the kitchen. If these are not handled properly, the results can be disastrous, if not fatal, to the user.
If your first instinct is to douse the flames with water, don’t make that mistake. The fire will only get out of hand if this is allowed to go on any longer. Smothering the fire and denying it the oxygen it needs as fuel is the best course of action.
On Weather Safety
Tornadoes can strike at any time, so it’s critical that you know where to find shelter. As a last resort, you may have to seek out a safe haven on your own.
You should always check the direction a tornado is moving in if you see one in the wilds. If it appears to be stationary, it is actually moving toward you, and you will need to flee at that point. There may be enough time to get away from the storm if you know where it is heading.
Escaping Poison
Smells that are out of the ordinary are a good indicator that hazardous materials are present in the area. Gas leaks, poisons, and other potentially harmful substances are often the cause of these unpleasant odors.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for the aroma of roasted almonds if there’s no reason for it to be there. Evacuate immediately if you detect this odor. Cyanide can be detected by the smell of roasted almonds in the area.
Aspirin and Heart Attacks
If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, don’t wait until it’s too late. The first step is to give the person an aspirin, but it must be taken correctly.
You must chew the aspirin if you think you’re having a heart attack so that it can work properly. Because of this, the blood clot can be broken up more quickly by chewing the tablet. A person’s life can be saved by chewing the tablet, which saves time.
Electric Warnings
For homeowners, electrical fires caused by faulty wiring or appliances can be devastating. The vast majority of electrical fires can be avoided with routine maintenance, despite the fact that they appear to happen out of the blue.
Watching for warning signs of an electrical fire can help prevent them. An unpleasant odor may emanate from circuits if they become overheated, which can happen just before a fire breaks out. To avoid an emergency, unplug all electrical appliances near the source of the odor.
Water and Electricity Don’t Mix
Everyone is aware of the dangers of combining water and electricity. The fact that electricity can pose a risk in a swimming pool may come as a surprise to many people.
If you experience a metallic aftertaste while swimming, you should exit the pool immediately. There may be an electrical short in the water, which could be the result of a problem with the pool’s system, as this flavor suggests. Shocks can result from electrical shorts in water, which can be extremely dangerous.
Songs For Saving Lives
It is necessary to perform compressions at a specific rate for proper CPR. The majority of people perform compressions too slowly, resulting in ineffective CPR that will not save the life of the victim.
You’ll need to memorize one of three songs that will help you perform compressions at the correct rate in order to perform proper CPR. “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is the most well-known. To maintain the correct tempo, sync your compressions to the song’s tempo.
Drive Safe
Snow and ice are possible in many parts of the world during the winter months. Getting rid of ice from your car can take a long time, making your commute even longer.
The ice that has formed on your windshield and/or mirrors can be easily removed. The night before, rub a raw onion on the glass to prevent the formation of ice. As a result, you’ll spend less time scraping ice off your vehicle and be less likely to be involved in an accident due to poor visibility.
Just In Case
Having a plan in place in the event of an animal attack is essential if you live in a rural area. Even more so in areas where large wild animals are common.
There’s a chance you’ll run into a polar bear if you’re in northern Canada. As you flee, you’ll want to remove your clothes. Because it will stop to smell your clothing, the polar bear will give you some breathing room to get away.
Feet On the Dash
Leg and back pain can be alleviated by putting your feet up on the dashboard during long car rides. In the event of an accident, however, this can be dangerous.
Airbags can cause injury to passengers if their feet are on the dashboard during an accident. Even death can result if airbags are deployed in this situation. Despite the discomfort, it’s better to keep your legs tucked in while driving.
Dangerous Tides
The ebb and flow of the tide is normal when you’re at the beach. However, the tide can serve as a warning sign in certain situations. Get to higher ground as soon as possible if you notice that the tide is significantly out of whack compared to normal.
When you see something like this, it’s a good bet that the opposite extreme is on its way. High tide events, such as tsunamis, are almost always preceded by this phenomenon, which is extremely dangerous and potentially deadly.
SOS
Morse code isn’t something that needs to be mastered by everyone. However, there is at least one universal code. When a person is unable to communicate directly, they can use the SOS code, which originated as a distress signal for ships at sea.
It’s a good signal to commit to memory just in case. Fortunately, it’s also fairly simple, so it won’t take much practice to memorize and keep it in your back pocket.
Legal Advice
Writing out a date in MM/DD/YY format instead of the full MM/DD/YYYY format was acceptable for a long time. Instead of writing out the year 2014, you could simply use the number 14.
However, as of 2020, anyone can edit the date simply by writing down the final two digits. For the sake of your legal documents and your sanity, spend this year writing out the full four-digit date.
Living Through a Lightning Strike
Lightning is no laughing matter. When it happens, it’s deadly and it’s over in a matter of seconds. So, how do you prevent it from happening? Because lightning is more likely to strike taller objects, it’s best to crouch low.
Avoid touching any conductors and keep your ears covered to prevent hearing loss from the loud thunder that may come before a strike. When you’re crouching down, try to keep your weight on your toes rather than your heels.
Even Eclipses Hurt Eyes
Beautiful as the sun is, it poses a health risk. It not only causes skin burns, but it can also damage your eyes. Protecting your eyes is essential. In the event of an eclipse, you may think it’s safe to forego eye protection altogether.
After all, the sun isn’t shining at that time, isn’t it? Actually, you can still suffer permanent retinal damage during these solar events, so always wear eye protection even if you’re just sitting back and enjoying the show.
Keep Your Furry Friends Safe
It is especially difficult to navigate walkways and roads during the winter months. They can become difficult to navigate when there is even a trace of ice, forcing you to look for alternatives to avoid an accident.
Snow and ice on roadways can be melted using rock salt. It’s important to wash your pet’s paws after they’ve been outside to remove the salt’s toxic chemicals. Your pet’s health could be at risk if you don’t do this simple thing.
In Case of Emergency
If you’re caught in a flash flood, it can be terrifying. In a state of shock, you may not know where you’re going or how you’re getting there. Taking the elevator may seem like a better option if you’re on multiple floors high up in a building.
Because water can damage the electrical system and cause the elevator to become stuck, this is a bad idea. It’s preferable to use the stairwell instead of the elevator if you need assistance.
Don’t Fall for Everything Online
It can be difficult to know which pieces of advice to follow when there are so many internet pages dedicated to life hacks to choose from. The same can be said for health-related hacks, which is especially true.
Ticks and other insects can cause serious health problems if you don’t remove the bug as directed by a medical professional. Placing an oil or other substance in the insect’s saliva can increase your chances of contracting a virus like that caused by Lyme Disease.
Where to Shelter
When a tornado threatens, you need to be prepared with a tornado shelter in case one comes your way. When it comes to staying safe, staying put is often the best option. If your home has a basement, this is the best place to stay during a tornado.
The majority of the tornado’s force can be absorbed by an interior basement, which is at least partially underground. It’s critical to stay until the storm has passed before returning to assess the damage.
Surviving a Sinking Car
Car accidents are common, but they can quickly become fatal. Finding yourself and your car sinking in a body of water is a nightmare scenario that occurs in both movies and real life.
As long as your car has an adjustable headrest, you can use it to break your car window. These headrests can be completely removed. The metal prongs that keep the headrest in place can then be used to break the window and swim to safety.
Don’t Fall For It
Campers, hunters, and others stranded in the cold often succumb to hypothermia. In most cases, this isn’t immediately fatal, but if left untreated, it can quickly escalate into a serious emergency. After a certain point in the progression of hypothermia, you will no longer feel cold.
Severe hypothermia causes “paradoxical undressing,” in which people remove their clothing despite the fact that they are freezing. Taking off one’s clothes exacerbates hypothermia, increasing the risk of death.
Where to Do CPR
You should immediately begin CPR if you find a person in cardiac arrest. If you’re performing CPR correctly, it will be more effective than if you don’t. When someone is unconscious on a mattress, your first instinct may be to begin compressions immediately.
Using a bed to perform compressions will put all of the force on the mattress, not the heart of the person doing the compressions. Before beginning compressions, place the subject on the floor to ensure that they are as effective as possible.
Save Yourself From Scams
As our lives become more and more reliant on technology, so does the incidence of identity theft. You need to know how to avoid scams because there are so many out there.
If you’re curious about the caller’s identity, you may be tempted to answer the phone. This is especially true if the phone number appears to be similar to a well-known one. This tactic of impersonating real phone numbers is commonly used by scammers, so don’t pick up the phone if you receive one.
Flood Tips
Flood water contains a wide range of potentially harmful substances. From animal waste to cleaning products, floodwater contains a wide range of poisonous substances. It’s essential to wear protective gear while cleaning up flood-damaged areas.
Protect yourself from disease by wearing protective gear like gloves, goggles and boots when dealing with flooding. To avoid the spread of pathogens once you get home, make sure these items are thoroughly cleaned after use.
Searching for Water
One of the first things to do in an emergency is to locate a source of safe drinking water. Finding water can be difficult, but if you follow the birds, you’ll have no trouble.
In the morning, birds fly directly to bodies of water, so you can find one by following them. If you go in the opposite direction of where the birds are flying at night, you’ll be able to get the water you need.
Creating Your Own Light
The ability to see clearly is one of the most important things we take for granted. It’s critical to know how to restore visual cues in the event of a power outage or other disaster.
Your favorite coloring book may actually hold the answer. Burning a crayon can keep the area around you lit for up to 30 minutes, which is astoundingly long. No need to be concerned about working in the dark.
Call In a Professional
There are many situations in which you can solve a problem without the assistance of a trained expert. This isn’t true in all cases, such as when repairing a garage door.
Large springs that are tightly wound are used to lift garage doors. When they are released, they spin rapidly as they shrink. You could be seriously injured or even killed if your hand, sleeve, or other object is in the spring as the spring releases. It’s best to leave this to the experts who have the necessary education and experience.
Saving Yourself
The Heimlich maneuver is well-known to the majority of the population in the event of a choking victim. What many people aren’t aware of is how to deal with choking when you’re all alone in the situation.
You’re unlikely to be able to use the traditional technique on yourself to gain the leverage you require. The proper placement of a chair, on the other hand, could save your life. You can dislodge the food in your throat before it causes serious injury or death by leaning over a chair for leverage.
Dress for the Job
Construction and other jobs involving heavy machinery require a high level of workplace safety. Workplace accidents can result in serious injury or death, so accident prevention is crucial.
Wearing blaze orange at all times is one way to prevent many workplace accidents. Blaze orange makes you more visible to your coworkers, which helps you avoid accidents where you might otherwise go unnoticed. When using heavy machinery, make sure those around you can see you at all times.
Stay Up-to-Date
The majority of house fires can be avoided by following a few simple maintenance procedures. Similarly, smoke alarms, which are critical in protecting homes from catastrophic house fires, should be considered.
Every year, smoke alarms must be inspected and replaced. Using the date of manufacture on the back of the smoke alarm, you can figure out when it’s time to replace the device. To keep your home safe, replace the alarm when the expiration date approaches.
On Venomous Snakes
Animal bites and attacks are a common hazard when engaging in outdoor activities. Snake bites are extremely common, and if not treated quickly, they can cause serious injury or death.
You can avoid snake bites by keeping an eye out for snakes on the ground, so keep an eye out for them. As a result of their excellent camouflage, many species are difficult to identify. Always keep an eye on the ground and avoid areas where you can’t see what’s around you.
Where to Grill
While grilling can be a lot of fun, it’s also a lot of trouble if something goes wrong. Because grilling involves using an open flame, it’s important to keep in mind that it can be dangerous.
At least three feet from any structure in your yard, you should grill. Trees, cars, and your own house are all included in this category. In the event of a grill fire, the flames can quickly spread. Keep the grill on its own so that you can easily put out any fires that may occur.
Stay Hydrated
In times of need, people often turn to coconuts as a source of water. It’s important to know which types of coconuts will hydrate you because not all of them are.
Brown coconuts lack the hydrating liquid found in green coconuts. Brown coconut water can actually cause dehydration if ingested. Despite their inability to provide water, brown coconuts do have a flammable husk that keeps mosquitoes away.
Cooking Beans
When the right circumstances arise, even the most commonplace items can be lethal if used improperly. This is especially true of red kidney beans, which can be poisonous if they are not prepared properly.
Toxins found in dried red kidney beans can lead to serious health problems if consumed. This toxin can be neutralized by boiling and draining the beans for ten minutes before cooking to remove the excess water. Severe abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can all be avoided by following this advice.
Old School Tips
If you’re in danger, the most critical thing you can do is call 911 and alert the authorities. Because of the importance of this skill, it is frequently the first thing that many children learn.
Don’t worry about finding a phone that’s working if you’re in need of 911. It doesn’t matter if the phone is with a carrier or not; all US-made phones are equipped to call 911 in the event of an emergency. There’s no charge for doing so on even payphones.
Surviving a Stampede
Even if you don’t get caught in a stampede every day, it’s a good idea to keep this information in mind. Because it’s not something that people normally think about, and certainly no one expects something like this to happen to them—until they’re in the situation.
Fortunately, if you ever find yourself accidentally tackled in the middle of a crowded area, this sound piece of advice may be able to save your life if you act quickly.
Easy Water Filter
Keeping a water filtration system in your pack is always a good idea because of the many dangerous pathogens and bacteria found in water. While this may be possible if you’ve gotten lost unprepared, this isn’t always the case.
As the water drips down the three sticks, each layer of natural matter acts as a filter, removing any impurities. In spite of this, we still recommend that you boil it! If you’re in a survival situation, this will ensure that the water doesn’t poison you.
Lighting a Match
Fire is essential for survival. It can keep you warm, filter water, and cook food, all of which are essential for your survival. In addition, a fire can improve morale and mental health.
Lighting a match in a windy environment, on the other hand, presents a number of difficulties. Cutting the wood into the shape of a Christmas tree can help you keep the flame going even when it’s gale-force winds outside.
Frozen Water
Keep your water icy cold to ensure your survival in any situation. The use of frozen water helps to maintain a constant temperature. Regardless of whether you live in a hurricane-prone area or not, this is an excellent piece of advice.
Water bottles that have been frozen can help keep food fresher for longer, and they can also serve as a source of hydration when they melt. Carrying a frozen bottle in a hot climate can also help you stay cool. For example, if you want to cool down your bed or sleeping area before you get in, you can place frozen bottles there!
Termite Repellent
Mosquitoes are the worst, and while we’re sure they serve a purpose on the planet, we don’t know what it is! However, if you live in a termite-infested area, you’ll want to know this trick.
Bugs have been used as a means of surviving in a number of survival situations. Termites are a great source of protein and can be the difference between life and death, even if they aren’t the most appetizing of snacks. Aside from that, the ability to spend the day without being bitten by mosquitoes is a big plus.
On Fire Safety
One of those things that everyone should be aware of is the dangers associated with fire, despite its necessity. If you’re engulfed in flames, moving around will only serve to stoke the flames and worsen the situation.
It is possible to put out the flames by using the stop-drop-roll method, however. Make sure all campers are aware of the importance of fire safety and what to do in the event of an emergency when lighting a campfire.
Crossing Water
Crossing water is unavoidable at times, and we must take precautions to ensure that we do so in a safe area. Crossing water can be hazardous at any time, but crossing fast-moving water can be particularly hazardous.
To test your ability to cross a river, simply throw a stick into the water. If you can’t see the bottom, you may also want to throw a stone in to get a sense of the depth of the water source.
Determining Daylight
Because it is extremely dangerous to be out in the wilderness late at night, you will need to have set up some sort of camp by the time sunset arrives.
Using this simple trick, you can figure out how long you have left before the sunsets. How far you’ve gotten off track may or may not matter. This may not be as accurate, for example, if you’re in arctic conditions.
Marking the Way
Also essential in your bag is chalk, which is a great way to keep track of where you’ve been. You won’t be going around in circles anymore! In addition, as the tip suggests, it can help rescue teams locate you more quickly.
As an alternative to a cross, you could draw an arrow in the direction you traveled. To avoid running into the same tree twice, make a mental note of the last time you saw it.
Makeshift Compass
There are many reasons why you might want to leave a trail of markers in the event that you get lost and need to find your way back to civilization. You might want to give this life-saving tip a shot.
While a leaf and a needle may not seem like much on their own, combining them to form a makeshift nature compass could be your lifesaver if you find yourself in a situation where you have no idea where you are.
Removing Foreign Bodies
Many infections are common and deadly in the wilderness. Leave any foreign bodies in a wound that a member of your team may have sustained until you can get them medical help, if at all possible.
Whether or not you’ll be able to call for help will be determined by how long you plan to be out, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Avoid using a knife or tweezers to remove a small object like a splinter. Instead, fill a bottle with hot water and place the bottle’s opening on the area that is hurting you. Vacuuming up the splinter will remove it cleanly.
Cleaning Wounds
You should always pack your first aid kit because it can save your life in a variety of hazardous situations. It is possible to get an infection from even the tiniest of wounds in the wilderness. As a result, we advise you to keep a kit in your bag, a car kit, and a personal kit with you at all times.
Nevertheless, if it is not available or you do not have anything to clean wounds with, this simple trick for making your own saline solution could make all the difference until you can get medical assistance.
Importance of Shelter
When you’re lost in the great outdoors, having a safe place to stay is essential! However, protecting yourself from the elements entails more than just having a roof and walls built around you.
You should also insulate the flooring to create an effective shelter, as this is where we can lose a lot of heat. Making a makeshift bed out of grass, leaves, and moss! It’s also critical that you carefully select your shelter location. You don’t want to wake up to find out you’ve built your makeshift home on top of an anthill!
Making Fire
Fire, as previously stated, is a life-saving necessity in the wild, and any would-be wilderness expert will know how to make it. In his TV show, survival expert Bear Grylls shared this tip for quickly and easily starting a fire without a lighter or a match.
Gather some kindling and place it in the gum wrapper before lighting it. Material fibers, grass, hay, or even wood shavings could all be used as fuel for a bonfire.
Rule of Three
Regardless of the situation, it’s critical to keep in mind the “rule of three.” Three minutes without air, three days without water, and three months without food are enough to sustain us. After a long period of wandering, the most important thing you can do is get yourself some water.
Having a lack of hydration affects us both physically and mentally, making it more difficult to carry out other tasks. It’s critical, however, to only use freshwater as a water source because saltwater will only exacerbate your symptoms.
Candle In the Cold
Always have a plan in case you get stuck in the snow while driving in a cold climate. Hypothermia can be avoided in the event of an emergency thanks to this level of preparedness.
Having a survival candle in the car is a good idea for this reason. It is possible to survive for hours in the cold with the help of these candles, which produce enough heat and light. Some can even be used to boil water or heat small amounts of food.
Best Survival Apps to Have Handy
Smartphones allow us to have access to some of the most up-to-date information on the planet at our fingertips. If you’re in a life or death situation, which apps should you put your trust in?
There are a number of useful apps out there that can help you learn about general survival techniques. Red Cross Apps provide more detailed medical information, while Motion X-GPS provides location services and Wild Edible provides ways to counter starvation.
Identifying a Venomous Snake
There is always the possibility of encountering a snake, whether you are gardening in your backyard or hiking in the wilderness. You must be aware of which ones are potentially hazardous and which ones are not.
You should avoid any creature with a triangular head and elliptical pupils, while rounded heads and pupils are less threatening, according to these warning signs. However, keep in mind that it’s better not to get too close to a wild animal if you can avoid it.
How to Survive Quicksand
There are parts of the world where the threat of sinking into quicksand is more than just a cartoon. What should you do if you come across this deadly snag?
To begin, the worst thing you can do is a struggle. To increase your surface area, lay down if you can’t reach a branch to pull yourself out. Here, the sand can be floated on and you can slowly work your way out.
How to Light a Grill
When using propane grills, be sure to light them properly. If you don’t light the grill correctly, your enjoyable barbecue can quickly turn into a disaster. When lighting your propane grill, be sure to do so with the lid open all the way.
Propane gas can build up inside a grill if it’s lit with the lid closed. A simple spark can cause an explosion that could seriously injure those around the grill if enough gas has accumulated.