There are a million little skills that might come in handy one day, but if you’re looking to pick up just a few, wouldn’t the ones that could actually save your life on day be at the top of your list?
If so, these 15 redditors have some thoughts on what bits of knowledge could one day mean the difference between life and death!
15. Roll under the platform.
If you ever fall/get pushed down from the platform onto the rails at a subway station, try to roll under the platform.
Many stations have space there (like little overhang) for exactly that reason.
14. Check for the reflection.
If you’re a pedestrian and crossing a street, if you can see the suns reflection on the windshield of a car, there’s a good chance the driver can not see you.
13. Don’t fight.
If you fall into cold open water, resist the urge to swim and try to float until the onset of panic subsides.
Once you have your breathing under control you can then start to swim to safety.
By doing this you will not hyperventilate and avoid potentially drowning.
12. Don’t charge it.
If you have to get through a locked door, don’t charge into it with your shoulder.
Instead, kick it straight on next to the doorknob/handle. This has a much better chance of breaking the lock.
11. Never go alone.
Always leave your itinerary with someone.
If you meet strangers, i.e., potential bad people, on the road, always let them know that you are in touch with friends and family and that they know exactly where you are. You become less attractive as a victim.
Edit: Always let strangers know that you have a destination and are expected at a particular time, too.
10. They can’t make sudden turns.
If a rhino is running towards you, wait until the last second then side step out of the way.
Rhinos cannot make sudden turns and will give you a couple seconds head start to run in the other direction.
Repeat as necessary!
9. Avoid it at all costs.
If you are ever bitten by a bat, raccoon, fox, or skunk go directly to the hospital.
There is no cure for rabies once it is fully onset.
8. Know the symptoms.
Female heart attack symptoms are often different than those commonly described, and women commonly assume they are just fatigued, or have the flu and die as they do not seek medical treatment.
Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Women are more likely to lack chest pain; instead, they may experience shortness of breath, pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, upper back pressure or extreme fatigue.”
If you or a woman you know is fatigued, out of breath, has jaw pain and neck tension, feels nauseous, etc. They may be suffering a heart attack! Chest an left arm pain is not a universal symptom.
Edit: Panic Attack symptoms often mimic Heart Attack Symptoms. If you have chronic incidents where it feels you are having a Heart Attack, especially if you are cleared by an EKG or a Cardiologist, it is possible Anxiety is the true source. In this case, Psychologists and Psychiatrists are ideal for helping you identify, manage and overcome your symptoms as well as providing techniques to prevent future Panic Attacks.
7. Know your exits.
When you go into a building look for an exit that is not the one you used to come in.
In an emergency most people will head out their original exit, but you will head out of the exit less traveled…and it may make all the difference.
6. Check your cleaning supplies.
Never use bleach and ammonia based cleaning products at the same time/in the same room. A combination of both their vapors creates chloramine vapor which can kill you if inhaled.
Check your cleaning supplies to see what’s in them (especially toilet and tile cleaners).
5. Fire hazard.
If you ever use boiled linseed oil to treat wood, dont leave soaked rags lying in the trash.
They oxidize, and after a few hours can self-combust.
4. Don’t be so polite.
EMT here!
If you’re ever choking on food in a public venue DO NOT go to the restroom to avoid causing a scene.
Almost every death I’ve seen from people choking are found unconscious in a bathroom stall because they were too polite to seek help.
3. Just keep swimming.
If you ever are kayaking and become pinned upside down, swim down deeper into the water to escape the kayak.
You may not be able to flip it over.
2. A ten-inch blind spot.
If you’re ever charged by a moose, get behind a tree.
They have about a ten inch blind spot and they’ll lose you.
1. Stay calm.
If you’ve been buried alive in a standard coffin, stay calm. If you are alive you haven’t been buried that long. Also the dirt above you hasn’t set yet. Most coffins are not build to last once buried and as a result have weak siding. So here is what you do:
Pull your shirt over your head. You dont want to be swallowing dirt
Position yourself so you are as sideways in the coffin as possible with hands and feet pushing on the long sides.
PUSH. You should be able to blow out one of the walls.
Start crawling up. Do not panic. You may not find a grip immediately.
Keep going until you make it out.
Well, I’m off to YouTube! Because that’s where EVERYBODY can learn ANYTHING!
Did you pick up anything from these answers?
Let us know in the comments!
