As the proverb goes, caution is the parent of safety. The truth is that we never expect the worst to happen; hence we rarely prepare for what we would do if it did. For many, the only training they have ever done was fire and first aid training in school. In fact, according to research by the British Red Cross, only 5% of individuals have the knowledge and confidence necessary to give first aid in an emergency. Such a low percentage shows that the majority of the population is, in fact, unaware of how to respond to potentially detrimental situations. While health and fitness tips are important, tips that could save your life one day are, arguably, even more so.
Still, while knowing first aid is arguably No 1 of the life-saving skills one may possess, fire, a car crash, a tsunami, or a heart attack are just a few of the things that can be deadly. Hence, when someone in the AskReddit community asked, “What’s a tip that everyone should know which might one day save their life?” thousands of people jumped on the thread to share potentially life-saving tips with others. Things such as driving on a slippery road or putting an intoxicated person in the recovery position are just some of the life lessons not taught at school, yet, those might be the things that will save your life (or that of someone you love) one day.
Below, we’ve compiled some of the best answers from the thread, sharing the many tips that can save your life or someone you care about. Learned something new or discovered any good tips? Make sure to give them an upvote. Ever been in a life-threatening situation? Anything you learned from it or wish you had known earlier? Share your thoughts in the comments.
#81
"If you fall through the ice: relax and wait until you’re adjusted to the cold so you don’t go into shock. Kick your legs like you’re swimming until you’re horizontal before trying to scoot onto the edge, don’t try to pull yourself straight up. Once you work yourself onto the edge, don’t stand up, keep scooting on your belly until you find firmer ice, test it by smacking it with your elbow before you try standing."
Report
16points
#82
"Get a CO gas detector in your house. One near the furnace and one near your bedroom! Cannot smell or see CO leaks from regular household furnaces. They are pretty inexpensive too."
Report
15points
#83
Zephrozen said:
"Put toilet paper in your cars."
"Put toilet paper in your cars."
Gpig16 replied:
"I once saw a man taking a roadside emergency dump while holding onto a tire to keep from falling back into the demon he was releasing. I immediately checked for toilet paper and it has not left my vehicle since!"
"I once saw a man taking a roadside emergency dump while holding onto a tire to keep from falling back into the demon he was releasing. I immediately checked for toilet paper and it has not left my vehicle since!"
15points
#84
"Pain on your right side? Push down slightly on it and cough, if the pain intensifies it's most likely your appendix and you should get it checked out. My wife had two surgeries on it this year."
Report
15points
#85
princessmouseskin said:
"Don't pick up items on Craigslist or Kijiji alone. You never know when the item you head out to pick is actually just a lure. Been in uncomfortable situations and have always made sure to never go alone anymore. My life isn't worth a boxed set of DVDs..."
"Don't pick up items on Craigslist or Kijiji alone. You never know when the item you head out to pick is actually just a lure. Been in uncomfortable situations and have always made sure to never go alone anymore. My life isn't worth a boxed set of DVDs..."
commenter replied:
"If you don't have someone to bring, you can always meet at a public place like the library instead of going to their house."
"If you don't have someone to bring, you can always meet at a public place like the library instead of going to their house."
Report
15points
#86
"Metal handcuffs in the bedroom can cause serious nerve damage, so don't use them. Any tingling sensation means that it needs to come off immediately and medical attention may be necessary. Buy good fabric handcuffs that can be tightened and loosened to your comfort level from an intimacy boutique and have a quick-release latch."
Report
15points
#87
"If you smell or know there's a gas leak (LPG) in your house, do not turn off/on any switches (like exhaust fans, lights switches). Most switches give out a spark when turned on or off which would ignite the gas in the room and blow the place up (if enough gas is leaked). just open all the windows first!!"
Report
15points
#88
"Actively practice defensive driving every time you drive right from the start. You could be driving on the block you always do and a kid runs out and boom, done."
Report
15points
#89
"Rivers always flow downhill. If you're lost it's easy to rationalize things that don't make sense. Follow the river downstream. There is more likely to be a town, or any sort of civilization, in a valley."
Report
15points
#90
"Driving through as little as a foot of moving water is dangerous. Many cars can float in as little as 1 foot of water or up to the center of your wheels. 2 is enough to move your car."
Report
15points
#91
"If you feel generally weak but can't identify the cause get your hemoglobin levels checked and if they are low get your feces checked for blood traces. You may be internally bleeding because of some disease."
Report
15points
#92
"If you feel an earthquake start and the shaking doesn't piddle out after five or ten seconds, assume it will be big and take cover under something sturdy or run outside where there are no powerlines or bits of building above your head."
Report
14points
#94
"If you hydroplane do not make any sudden inputs just keep her straight and slowly lift off the throttle."
Report
14points
#95
"If you are driving and hit black ice do not slam on your breaks. Take your foot off the gas and try to keep the wheel straight and get past the slick ice."
Report
14points
#96
"If there is any intruder in your home, and you have a firearm you intend to use for self-defense, make a lot of noise with it. Very few run of the mill burglars are committed enough to die for a single flatscreen TV. If they don't leave, that probably means they're armed."
Report
14points
#97
"You can potentially get through to 9/11 on a phone without coverage, or on one without a SIM card."
Report
14points
#98
"I took a self-defense class, and if you are being attacked, there is a certain way to hit the attacker in the face. Use your entire hand positioned like taking an oath, fingers straight etc, you hit the attacker in the face repeatedly right in the middle of their face, kind of at an angle from below, like aim from the bottom of the nose. Keep hitting like this, it is painful and incredibly distracting for them. They won’t be able to get the upper hand."
Report
14points
#99
"If you're ever lost in the desert without a vehicle, travel at night and rest during the day. This way you dehydrate less quickly, and you can use the stars to avoid walking in a circle."
Report
14points
#100
"If someone grabs you by the throat from behind, don’t try to pull away. Lean backwards into the attacker instead to throw them off-balance, and jab them in the stomach/wherever you can with your elbow as you do it."
Report
13points
