One of the best skills you can learn in life is staying cool as a cucumber in emergency situations. While everyone else around is panicking, you’re collected and know exactly what to do. You take charge. You calm everyone down. You lead them out of the crisis.
Reddit user u/Accidentallyupvotes1 sparked an important discussion on the r/AskReddit forum. They invited everyone to share the facts that could end up potentially saving a person’s life. We’ve collected the most important ones. You might find some of these insights and suggestions new. Meanwhile, others are a good refresher for all of us.
Bored Panda reached out to the author of the viral thread, u/Accidentallyupvotes1, and they were happy to answer our questions and share their thoughts. You'll find their insights as you scroll down.
#21
As soon as your car door is unlocked, relock it. People get back into their cars and fiddle with their wallet or whatever all with their car doors unlocked and it makes them an easy target.
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134points
#22
If you get caught in a rip current, don’t fight it. It won’t pull you under. People die because they panic, fight it, and get tired and then drown.
When you can, swim parallel to the shore out of the rip and then diagonally back to shore.
EDIT: I’m taking out the part about “let it take you out” because people bring up a point below that you should start swimming parallel immediately. I just meant you shouldn’t fight it and swim against straight back to shore. That’s not going to end well. Stay safe out there everyone!
131points
#23
CPR requires a flat surface!
When Michael Jackson died, it was mentioned on the news that someone tries CPR with him on his bed. My mom said, "You're just pushing the mattress up and down!"
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127points
#24
Don’t pull a knife or anything else out of a puncture wound. The object may very well be keeping you from bleeding out, only a medical professional should remove something stuck in you.
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123points
#25
Bring a lot of water, if you head into the desert. Like way more than you think you need.
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118points
#26
The symptoms of a heart attack are different for women.
Have a mole check as soon as you can.
Never put off going to the Dr if you think something is wrong.
Fight your Dr if they don't help you. Never give up. It's YOUR life that is in danger, not theirs.
117points
#27
Signs of a stroke: FAST.
Face drooping? Arm weakness? Speech slurred? Time to go to the hospital! (**EDIT: it's now BE FAST: Balance Eyes (sudden vision loss or trouble seeing) Face Arm Speech Time.** Thanks multiple commenters!!)
Speed of response makes the difference between "sometimes walks a little funny when tired" and "bedbound lump." If you know old people, you need to know how to spot a stroke.
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116points
#28
Baking soda will extinguish a fire, even grease and electrical fires.
You should always keep a box of it nearby when you're cooking and grilling.
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110points
#29
You lose heat 20 times faster when wet vs being dry. Shed wet clothes.
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102points
#30
Losing weight without trying could very well be cancer.
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95points
#31
Never walk/ski/snowboard near trees when there is heavy snow- there is something called a "tree well" that sometimes forms under trees where if you fall in you will become impacted by snow, often upside down and suffocate to death
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95points
#33
A fishy smell in your house could mean there’s an electrical fire
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92points
#35
If you ever feel dizzy or tired after a short ride in your car,get your car checked,cause there might be some exhaust leak leading into your cabin and might leak some harmful substances like CO
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85points
