In this day and age, survival in the traditional sense of the word is no longer a thing. Or, at the very least, its meaning has shifted from what hunter-gatherers considered it to mean to a less extreme version of getting by in the world.
But it is by no means gone as a concept. There is always a non-zero chance of any of us finding ourselves in situations that would require survival skills.
So, just to be safe, folks in this viral r/ask thread shared random first aid and survival facts.
#41
Rubbing Vaseline or some type of lip balm up your nose can help with nose bleeds when in dry climates or high altitude.
Any time I travel out west I do this. I also do it basically when I turn on the heat in my house for the first time. I do it before bed and keep the practice up until I quit running the heat. It also helps me be less congested when I wake up. I use Blistex.
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76points
#42
If you find a plant with berries, purple are your best bet, white or yellow are not. Roughly 80% of purple berries are edible, 50/50 on red, only about 10-20% of yellow or white berries are edible.
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74points
#43
If somebody comes from behind and tries to strangle you, raise your hands high and twirl around
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71points
#46
Stay low escaping a fire smoke will up so stay low and get out asap
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64points
#47
If you cut off your finger put it in a baggy with milk not ice. Ice will kill your nerves milk will preserve it
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64points
#48
You can get limited water by placing a bag over a branches full of leaves but keep it closed around the branch. Then after a little while you accumulate a gulp of pure water. Also, dig a hole with a cup in the center and place a similar film/wrap over the hole with a rock over the cup on the plastic. it will fill the cup over time due to humidity. It will only prolong the inevitable, but it's something.
60points
#49
If you're trying to keep a fire stoked or need to turn an ember into a fire, pinch your thumbs and pointer fingers together to create a diamond, press your lips against it and blow into the lower part of the fire or directly at the embers. This directed, powerful air will do wonders and keep you from wearing yourself out trying to get it going.
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59points
#50
Never ever eat a bear's liver. Their livers contain so much vitamin a that you will quickly and painfully die of poisoning.
In a similar vein, if you suspect you've just ingested Deadly Nightshade, you need to quickly drink about 1 liter of vinegar to give you enough time to make it to the hospital.
50points