#2
#3
To learn more about how to be prepared for emergencies, we got in touch with Madison Lalonde, Director of Communications and Public Education at the Lifesaving Society. She was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and share some tips for water safety that everyone should know.
"Wear a lifejacket: Just like seat belts in cars, lifejackets save lives. Always wear one when you're on a boat or if you're a weak swimmer," the expert says. "Stay within arms' reach: If you're supervising children near water, always stay within arms' reach. Drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent."
Madison also recommends that everyone learns how to swim. "Swimming is a crucial life skill. Enroll in swimming lessons to build confidence and safety in the water," she shared. "Avoid alcohol: Alcohol impairs judgment and coordination. Avoid drinking when swimming or boating. [And finally,] never go alone. Always have a buddy with you for any aquatic activities."
#4
#5
Yell, scream bloody m****r, kick, bite, make the biggest scene you possibly can and run away as fast as you can.
Make sure your kids understand that this is the exception, the time they MUST draw as much attention as possible and do ANYTHING it takes to get away and get help.
#6
Don’t shout. You’ll lose your voice and waste energy.
Instead, grab a piece of rubble and knock in patterns of threes. Humans are expert pattern makers and pattern notices.
Rescuers will hear the distinctive pattern sound and go toward it.
Once you can hear people, then use your voice.
Edit: cite my source. I learned this from the Podcast The Big One. It’s about how to realistically survive a massive earthquake day by day with certain scenarios.
Madison also says that many of these safety tips are actually common knowledge, but sometimes they're forgotten or ignored in situations when there are one or more risk factors present. "It's important to highlight that these risk factors can lead to incidents, even if people are aware of the dangers," she noted.
"For example: Lack of skills. While people may understand the dangers, they often lack the practical skills to handle emergencies," Madison shared. "Knowing how to swim or self-rescue can make a significant difference in a crisis."
#7
#8
#9
Unexpected situations can also lead to disaster. "Drowning incidents frequently occur when people weren't planning to be in the water, such as falling into a river or getting caught in a rip current," Madison noted. "This unpredictability makes it challenging to always be prepared."
"Additional risk factors like not wearing a lifejacket, swimming alone, being under the influence of alcohol or d***s, or not knowing how to swim can significantly increase the likelihood of drowning," the expert continued.
#10
Once the reason for the feeling is known and seen and held with enough love, it becomes way way easier to be compassionate to oneself and address the wounds we are carrying. It becomes way easier to get help, which in turn makes many other steps easier still
We isolate ourselves because we feel ashamed for turning out this way. We were taught that this is how we make ourselves good. I have good news for you here. We don't need to do this to be good. We were born good. It is still there
As long as you keep with it at whatever pace works for you and show yourself some strong genuine kindness and love in whatever way matters to you, you will progress out. It does happen a lot and increasingly often, nobody is beyond healing. Progress starts slow as sun melts ice, and with consistent exposure to the light of our attention and love it will melt completely. Our cold selves pushed and locked away so long ago will come back
Crying is a very good thing to do, even when alone. Ice within melts into tears. It flushes the sinuses and eyes, releases endorphins, and expresses the hurt we have been carrying all this way. We can set it down, we can look at it with kindness, and we can progress into a space where this experience is a strength far more than an injury
I have been in this state for a very long time, over a decade. I chose to sit here and study it so I could show others the way out and warn them of the deception depression will use, the lie that the pain won't end. It was very hard to do alone, and I was not always alone
Beware the serpent, the lie of unending pain. Every storm ends, and after every flood there comes a bloom
You are not beyond help
Here, have a lifeline.
#11
#12
So how can we be better prepared for these situations?
First, Madison recommends taking a course. "Enroll in swimming lessons, first aid, and other lifesaving certification courses offered by organizations like the Lifesaving Society," she shared. "Stay informed. Follow reputable sources for safety tips and updates. Websites like Lifesaving.org provide valuable information."
It's also wise to practice safety drills. "Regularly practice emergency drills with family and friends to ensure everyone knows what to do in a crisis," the expert says. "Equip yourself. Always have safety gear on hand, whether it's a lifejacket, first aid kit, or a cellphone to call for help. [And] know your limits. Be honest about your swimming abilities and avoid situations beyond your skill level."
#13
#14
#15
Finally, Madison noted that drowning is preventable, and everyone has a role to play in promoting water safety. "Remember these key tips: Respect the water. Understand that natural bodies of water can be unpredictable and dangerous," she shared. "Spread awareness: Share water safety tips with friends and family. The more people know, the safer everyone will be."
"Take our free Water Smart® Advocate Course to learn unlock essential skills and knowledge to keep you and your loved one safe in, on, and around water and ice!" the expert added. "Stay safe and be water smart this summer!"
And if you're looking for more information about water safety, be sure to visit Lifesaving.org!
#16
#17
In an emergency situation pick 1 person to specifically call 911. In lots of stressful or emergency situations there are significant delays in calling 911. Some people assume that others will call 911 while other panic/freeze up and dont think to call 911.
If you're faced with an situation where 911 is necessary, pick a specific person to contact 911.
#18
#19
1. Honeybees die when they sting you. At the TOD, they release a pheromone that marks you as the hive’s current enemy so all the other soldier bees can find you. This is why you should never ever slap at honeybees or otherwise try to k**l them. Because believe me, they have a ton of angry family.
2. Our soaps and shampoos are very convincing as flowers. Similarly, honeybees often mistake blonde or red hair as great big flowers. Once the bee circles you a few times, she will figure out you aren’t a flower even though you smell like one. This is the part where you stop freaking out and flailing like a dummy so that you don’t accidentally k**l her and acquire those murder pheromones.
3. The best bee defense is quite literally calmly walking away, but you also have two distraction options that will not help you if you’ve been pheromoned. One is smoke. Beekeepers in history often used smoke when tending their apiaries. The reason being that smoke masks any chemical communication and the bees get confused, thinking the hive is on fire. Second is that low hanging branches and shrubbery are your friends. Circle around in that stuff, and once again, bees get confused as to where you are. But like I said, that dead bee pheromone will make them come after you hell or high water, smoke and shrubbery be damned.
I understand being afraid because you are allergic. Hell, once I moved away and was no longer exposed to bee venom on the regular, I developed an allergy. I carry an epipen when I’m outside. Know what else I do when I visit my dad? I don’t run away screaming like an idiot when a bee mistakes me for a flower. I calmly walk though some shrubs till that bee goes away. Be safe, tell your primal brain to shut up, and ask that one friend who still smokes to light one up to protect you from inquiring bees.
#20
