These Smart Hacks Can Save Your Life In Case Of An Emergency
Those who want to live their life as safely as possible should be well-versed in necessary survival skills. Not only are these hacks useful, but they have the potential to save lives.
Whether you need to know how to jumpstart your car, check for signs of stroke, or escape from a riptide, here is what you should do in case of an emergency.
What To Look For In Case Of A Stroke
Strokes are more common than you may think, so it's beneficial to know the initial signs.
The best thing to do is use the FAST acronym. This stands for facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties, and time. Other symptoms to look out for include sudden confusion, blurriness, dizziness, loss of balance, and lack of coordination.
How To Stop A Grease Fire
There may be a time when a grease fire ignites in your kitchen. It should never be extinguished with water because that can cause the burning grease to splash.
If this happens, the fire can spread and injure those nearby. In order to put out a grease fire, it should be smothered with the closest towel or piece of cloth.
The Right Way To Jump Into Cold Water
Jumping into cold water can be brutal on the body, but there are ways to prevent it from affecting you.
It's best to use the HELP acronym, which stands for heat, escape, lessening, and posture. You should jump into cold water by bringing your knees to your chest and wrapping your arms tightly around them.
How To Avoid Being Struck By Lightning
Feeling your hair rise or your skin tingle may be a sign that you could be in the thick of a lightning storm.
In order to keep yourself safe, you should crouch down as low as you can to the ground so just the balls of your feet are touching it. Then, place your hands over your ears to prevent hearing loss. Finally, touch your heels together to minimize the amount of electricity entering your body.
Starting A Campfire Should Be This Easy
Starting a campfire isn't as simple as lighting a match. If you find yourself struggling to start one, you only need a couple of things.
Vaseline and cotton balls are the perfect flammable combination and should be placed at the base of the fire. Also, dryer lint can replace cotton balls.
Always Keep This Item In Your Car
Whether you drive long distances or rarely use your car, it's always wise to keep a pair of jumper cables in your car.
This will prevent you from having to call a tow truck or getting stuck in an unfamiliar location for a long period of time. Those who live in rural areas should have self-reliant electrical jumper cables in case there are no other cars nearby.
A Pain-Free Way To Remove Splinters
Splinters can be painful and tricky to remove. It's crucial to remove them as soon as possible in order to avoid an infection.
First, clean and dry the area impacted by the splinter. Tweezers are the most useful tool to remove a splinter, but other tools such as duct tape and sanitized needles work as well.
What To Do If You're Being Followed
Driving can be scary, and it's always important to be aware of your surroundings. If you think someone is following you, there's a way to throw them off.
Try making either four left or four right turns, which takes you in a square. If the same car is still following you, drive to either the police or fire station.
How To Prevent Drowning During A Riptide
Those who swim in large bodies of water may have experienced a riptide. These can be dangerous and lead to drowning, especially for inexperienced swimmers.
The first thing to do is to stay calm. Don't try to fight the riptide and swim parallel to the shore. Going in the direction of the current will make for a safer getaway.
The Best Way To Clean A Wound
Getting a wound can be serious if they are not properly handled. In order for the wound to heal, it needs to be cleaned.
Get rid of any unwanted germs and bacteria by flooding the wound with either bottled or running water. Then, use a saline solution to flush it out. Finally, clean it up with soap and wrap it with a cloth or bandage.
Why Hansel And Gretel Knew What They Were Doing
Those who remember the classic fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, will remember that they marked where they went in the forest with pieces of bread.
Those who want to avoid getting lost in the great outdoors should always mark their surroundings. Simply drawing an "X" with a piece of chalk will do the trick.
What To Do If The Room Smells Fishy
You may find it odd to smell something fishy when there is no actual fish in the room. This could be a sign of a big issue.
Circuits will transmit this smell when they overheat, which can easily lead to a fire. If you notice a fishy smell, go ahead and turn off and unplug everything in the room.
Chew On This During A Heart Attack
Heart attacks are very serious, so it's important to know the early symptoms. Those who are experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing should always have Aspirin on hand.
Chewing Aspirin can help the blood move through the circulatory system a lot faster and prevent clotting because it is a blood thinner.
Use Music With CPR
CPR is designed to save the lives of those who have lost airflow, so it must be done at a specific rate.
To use the proper compressions, it's best to follow the beat of the choruses of "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen, "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees, or "Nelly the Elephant" by Toy Dolls.
How To Navigate A Tornado
While tornadoes usually happen in certain parts of the world, it's always best to know how to act around them.
First, notice the path that the tornado is headed. If the tornado looks like it is staying in one spot, it actually is moving towards you. Then, it's time to act quickly and find some shelter, preferably underground.
Prevent Your Windshield From Freezing, Here's How
Those who experience colder climates have probably needed to scrape ice off of their car windshield. On the bright side, there's a way to prevent ice from forming.
The night before you leave your car outside, you should rub a raw onion on the glass. The sugar from the onion creates a barrier and breaks down the ice molecules.
Why Morse Code Can Come In Handy
Morse code is a form of communication that was typically used in the 1800s before the invention of telephones. While it is a bit outdated, knowing three simple letters can save your life.
If you are in serious trouble and aren't able to call for help, the Morse code signal for SOS is three short dots, three dashes, and three short dots again.
Getting Help In A Crowd
There may come a time when you experience some sort of emergency when out in public. Your first instinct may be to attract as much attention as possible, but that will most likely lead to more chaos.
The best thing to do is to target one specific person and ask them for assistance.
A Soda Can Has More Uses Than Being A Drink
If you are walking through the woods, get lost, and only have a soda can along with you, don't panic. The can is actually an object that can save your life in case you become famished.
Pop off the tab, fashion it into a hook by removing a small section, find string-like material, and create a fishing pole to catch small fish in a nearby creek. It is a good survival skill to have in your back pocket.
Jumping Into Water Will Not Deter A Swarm Of Bees
While it is muscle memory for a lot of people to jump into the nearest body of water to get away from a swarm of bees, it is not the most beneficial plan of attack.
In fact, the bees won't leave, just wait for you to resurface. In this case, it is best to find shelter with walls so the bees cannot follow you.
Signs Someone Is Drowning
There are many dangers when it comes to swimming, and it can be very hard to tell if someone is starting to drown.
They often aren't expressive or loud. When someone is drowning, they won't make much sound, can't wave their arms, and will start to bob and sink toward the surface. Then, they may gasp a bit before submerging.
Removing A Sharp Object From A Deep Wound
In case you find yourself with a deep wound, there are certain steps that need to be followed.
Injuries from sharp objects, such as glass or knives, should never be pulled out by someone who is not a medical professional. The object may be sealing or slowing the blood flow from an artery. Instead, put pressure on the area and wait for emergency responders.
What To Do In Case You're Tied Up
It's always best to be prepared for the direst of emergencies. If you ever find yourself in a position of being tied up, there may be a way to escape quickly.
When the person is tying you up, you should puff out your body as much as possible. This will make it easier for you to wiggle out.
How To Help Someone Having A Seizure
There may come a time when you find yourself with someone experiencing a seizure. The most important things to remember are never to move them, wake them, or stick something in their mouth.
Instead, you should start a timer, move things out of their way, and call for medical help.
Pulling Away From Someone Grabbing Your Wrists
It can feel quite scary if someone tries to restrain you by grabbing you. Having a general knowledge of self-defense can save your life.
If someone grabs your wrists, you need to pull away as quickly as possible in the direction of their thumbs. This is because the thumbs are the weakest part of their grip.
Breaking A Car Window
There may be a time when you will need to break your car window. For example, your car may be sinking and need a way to get out.
All headrests should be able to detach, and the metal ends can be used to break the glass from the inside.
Preparing For An Overseas Trip
In the United States and other Western countries, you have the ability to notify the Department of State for free when you are traveling overseas.
This is a smart tool in case something happens in the country you are visiting because they will be able to evacuate you. They also update you on the state of the country when you notify them.
How To Assist People With Diabetes
There's a reason why people with diabetes carry around sugary snacks. If you are with someone with diabetes and they experience either fainting or dizziness, it could be because they need some sugar.
They could have experienced these symptoms because of a hypoglycemic episode, so giving them sugar can prevent their symptoms from worsening.
Carry Around Something Reflective When Traveling
If you end up needing to signal for help, then having some sort of reflective object can help you be located by others.
Items such as CDs, car mirrors, and polished metal reflect the light, so you can move them around until someone notices you. Make sure you wave them up and down and side to side.
Phones Can Call 911 Without Service
Since 911 is meant for emergencies, all phone carriers allow people to call the number without service, without a SIM card, or without a provider.
There is a law in the United States that is required by the FCC for any 911 calls to be routed to a 911 call center.
You Need This Detector In Your Home
While most people usually have smoke detectors in their homes, they may be missing another crucial detector.
It doesn't hurt to put a carbon monoxide detector in your house. The leaks often go undetected and would be difficult to identify without the device. These alert you of any unusual build-up of carbon monoxide.
Never Do This When Walking Down Stairs
Going down the stairs may seem like a safe activity that people do every day, but accidents can easily happen if you are not careful.
One of the biggest no-nos when walking down the stairs is putting your hands in your pockets. If you end up tripping, you will need your hands to break your fall.
