Not all of us would ever come face to face with a situation where our life depends on the choices we make in a short period of time. We wake up every morning and most of us have our day planned and none of it includes facing a life threatening situation. However, if we do, it’s best to be prepared. With that in mind, we have gathered a list of safety and survival tips that could help you overcome the greatest challenges and save your life.
1. If you ever feel like someone is following your car, take four right turns and eventually it will lead you back to where you started.
If they are still behind after this, that means they are following you. In this case, don’t ever drive towards the direction of your home. Keep your vehicle moving and call the police and drive to the nearest police station.
2. Always have a signaling mirror and whistle when hiking.
If you are hiking solo, then remember to carry a signaling mirror and whistle with your gear. In case of an emergency, the best way to get someone’s attention when you are far away is with light and sound. Use the mirror to reflect sunlight towards the rescuers and use the whistle to make a high pitched sound so rescuers can locate you easily.
3. If you ever wake up in the middle of the night to the smell of gas, do not turn on the light.
If you have a propane line to your house or any propane accessories and you smell gas, do not turn on the light. Instead, use the flashlight on your phone to find the source and turn it off. If you suspect there’s a gas leak, use the flashlight to find your way out and call the fire department. Light switches can cause sparks, which can in fact start a fire.
4. If you accidentally disturb a beehive or wasp nest, do not run for the water.
Summer is here. So it won’t be long before we accidentally stumble upon a bee hive or wasps nest. If you do find yourself accidentally disturbing a nest, do not ever run for the water. They’ll wait for you to resurface and continue stinging you. Just run fast and as far as you can. Bees usually have a specific radius and they will stop following you if you put enough distance between yourself and the hive.
5. When walking downstairs, don’t put your hands in your pockets.
It doesn’t take much for us humans to trip and fall, especially while walking downstairs. In such a scenario, if our hands are not free to grab onto the rails, it could put us in serious trouble.
6. If you are at a party, never leave your drink unattended.
The general rule is that if you are at a party alone, you never leave your drink unattended. If you do, then make sure to get a fresh drink when you return.
7. If you are ever being chased by a polar bear, take off your coat and drop it as you run.
If that doesn’t stop the polar bear, take off your hat and drop it. If you have gloves, then drop them next. Polar bears are really curious creatures and will stop to inspect and get a quick smell.
8. If you ever see square waves in the ocean get out immediately.
They are powerful currents that can drag you away from the shore and put your in a potential life threatening situation.
9. If you ever come face to face with a mountain lion, don’t turn your back on it, just walk backwards.
Cats are ambush predators and they’ll wait for you to turn around before they pounce. So, never turn your back towards such a wild animal.
10. Wolves will only attack you if they can intimidate you into running away from them.
Wolves are what is known as coursing predators meaning they take their prey on the run. While it can be scary to stand your ground against a pack of wolves, they will eventually leave you alone.
11. If your hair suddenly stands up on end, duck and cover.
If your hair stands on end, it means that lightning is about to strike you or somewhere near you. In this case, run to the nearest shelter and if no shelter is available, drop to your knees and bend forward but don’t lie flat on the ground.
12. If you’re going on a trip, make sure you tell at least two people where you’re going.
Hiking and camping is fun and a great way to get in touch with nature. However, it can be extremely dangerous if you leave without informing anyone. If you end up lost or stuck in the middle of the wilderness, rescuers would not have a place to start and in such scenarios, every second counts. Telling a family member and a friend of your travel plans will help authorities find you in case you fail to return at the specified time.
13. Keep your car keys by your bedside table.
Before you go to bed, make it a habit of keeping your car keys by your bedside table. In case of an emergency, you can press the panic button on your car to scare away any intruders. While it’s not as effective as having a home security system, it can serve as an alternative.
14. Potatoes are a good survival food.
While a potato-only diet is not recommended for long periods of time, it is still a good source of food to get you by since they are packed with nutrients and are easy to grow.
15. Baking soda can help put out fires.
If a fire starts getting out of control, and you have no fire extinguisher close by, you can use baking soda to put the fire out quickly.
