Life Saving Safety Tips We Should All Know But Don’t

1. How to stop someone choking!

Image source: Reddit

Everyone should know what to do in the event that someone starts to choke. If someone cannot communicate or cannot clear the obstruction in their throat then the Heimlich Maneuver can save a life. Stand behind with your hands around their waist and make a fist with one hand against the middle of their abdomen. Grab the fist with the other hand and thrust upward in sharp motions.

2. What to do if you find yourself pulled out to sea

Image source: Reddit

If you find yourself getting carried out to sea, sometimes people's first instinct is to try and fight against it to pull back to shore. However, this will take all of your energy which could leave you in a seriously dangerous position. Instead, let it take you without too much resistance and move diagonally instead of forward or backward so that you eventually end up on shore.

3. You may hear a crack when performing CPR

Image source: Reddit

Chest compressions during CPR have to be around 2 inches deep for an adult to be effective. So sometimes fractures or breaks do happen. If you hear a crack you may fear that you have broken something, but you should not stop the CPR. Broken bones are generally less serious than not breathing.

4. To turn the handle of a boiling pot towards the stove

Image source: Reddit

This is such a simple but serious tip to remember the next time you are cooking hot water or sauce. Spin the pan so that the handle faces towards the back of the cooker. This way you, somebody else, or a child will not walk back the handle and knock the scolding hot liquid onto themselves.

5. What to do if you catch fire

Image source: Reddit

You look down and you see you're on fire...often the first response is to panic and run. This is definitely not the right thing to do as running actually fans the flame providing more oxygen which can make the fire worse. Instead, immediately stop, drop to the ground, and roll to distinguish the fire from a lack of oxygen.

6. If you're out in public and need help, ask one person

Image source: Reddit

You may have seen shocking statistics or experiments of people who are out in public in need of help, seeing everyone around them ignore the others in need. If you're the person in need, ask somebody directly so that they feel they have to help rather than leaving it to the crowd.

7. Never pull out an object from a deep wound

Image source: Reddit

If you have an object such as a blade of glass or a knife embedded into your skin in a deep wound the LAST thing you should do is to remove it. If you do so you risk cutting a vital artery or allowing the blood from the artery to flow out if the severing object was blocking the blood flow. It's super dangerous, so seek help without removing it!

8. If you can't find your child, first check the dangerous spots - not the common places

Image source: Reddit

Something people also often do if they cannot find their child in their home is to look in the places where their child is most likely to be. It sounds like common sense, right? But it may not be life-saving. First off, check the areas that are the most dangerous to ensure that they are not at risk as soon as possible.

9. When crossing the road at night point your flashlight toward oncoming traffic

Image source: Reddit

At night, crossing a road is dangerous because cars cannot see you if you have no light which can lead to accidents or fatalities. Make sure, even if you are at a crossing, that you point the flashlight toward the oncoming traffic so that they are aware that you are there!

10. If you've banged your head, get it checked even without symptoms

Image source: Reddit

Banging your head is serious because we can often not see the damage it may have caused. Internal injuries inside our heads are so dangerous. And they may cause symptoms until it is too late. For example, don't dismiss it just because you don't feel anything, this means nothing! Get it checked right away.

11. If a wild animal is chasing your dog, let the leash go

Image source: Reddit

Our dogs are so precious to us and our instinct is to protect them. But if a wild animal is chasing you or your dog, let go of the leash. Statistically, you are both less likely to survive if you continue to hold your dog. Your dog can outrun the animal on their own, and the likelihood is that the animal is chasing them and not you. So keeping hold may seem protective, but actually, it's endangering you both.

12. If someone is in trouble in the water, don't let them cling to you

Image source: Reddit

If you see someone in the water who needs help, do not swim up to them directly and allow them to hold on to you to save them. Instead, throw them a tow or swim nearby and let them grab a rope. Otherwise, in their panic, they may cling to you and hold you down accidentally.

13. Don't jump in the water to save your dog

Image source: Reddit

Again, if we see our furry best friend in trouble we want to help. But your dog has a much better chance of survival in the water than you. Do NOT jump in the water after them, instead go downstream and wait at a bank where your dog can float and call them to encourage them to swim sideways, not against the current which will fatigue them.

14. Don't move someone who is injured unless their location poses an imminent threat

Image source: Reddit

If someone is hurt or has had an accident and is on the floor unable to move themselves, do not move them. You could make their situation much more serious as they may have a head or spinal injury. Unless they are in imminent threat where they are, wait by them for medical help.

15. If CPR seems like it's not working, keep going!

Image source: Reddit

When you do CPR, it's often not likely that the person will start breathing on their own or they will jerk into consciousness. But, you're forcing their body to breathe. Even if you are not bringing them to life you are sustaining their oxygen so that they are able to be revived when the professionals come. Do not stop even if it seems unsuccessful you may still be saving their life!

16. If you're stuck in a crowd or stampede, try to stay standing in the direction everyone else is

Image source: Reddit

When you're stuck in a crowd or a stampede, don't try and go against the crowd to get away, follow the motion of the traffic. Do what you can to stay upright and stay standing as the chances of survival decrease dramatically when you're on the ground. If you do fall to the ground, protect your head with your hands.

17. Keep a glass breaker and seatbelt knife in your car

Image source: Reddit

We never really know when a situation may arise where we are unable to get out of our car and need to. You should ideally carry a seat belt knife and a window breaker in your car in case your car locks, meaning that you are unable to break free. This way you can forcibly get out of the car.

18. If you suspect someone's following you, turn right four times

Image source: Reddit

The feeling of being followed is terrifying and you may question yourself, am I right or am I just imagining it? It's best to be on the safe side and get help. But there's also an easy way to be able to tell. If you can safely, take 4 right turns and end up in the direction you came from. This way, if they're still there you know they are following you.

19. If you're tied up, breathe in and flex your muscles as much as possible

Image source: Reddit

If you ever find yourself in a situation where somebody is tying you up, make sure that you inhale a very deep breath and expand yourself as much as possible. Tense your muscles so that you are as big as you can make yourself while they do it. This way you have room to try and free yourself afterwards.

20. If a service dog approaches you without an owner - follow it

Image source: Reddit

Service dogs are highly intelligent and their life is dedicated to keeping their human safe. So, if you see a service dog alone it's time to be alarmed and to follow the dog as they may be trying to attract help to take them to the position of their owner who may be in serious need of help. You could save a life!

21. If you see or hear strange things in your house, check your carbon monoxide levels!

Image source: Reddit

If you start to hear strange things in your house or have visions or see things that aren't realistic, it's a good idea to check the carbon monoxide levels in your home. Carbon monoxide leaks can be fatal, and they can cause hallucinations and visions initially.

22. The headrest pole in your car can smash car windows

Image source: Reddit

The headrest pole in your car is usually made of metal, or a material that can break a car window should you need to get out in an emergency and the doors will not unlock. Pull the headrest out of the seat and use it to break your way out in a life-threatening situation.

23. If you come face to face with a wild animal, back away whilst facing the animal

Image source: Reddit

Certain wild animals will wait until you have turned your back to strike and attack you. So if you do come face to face with a wild animal, don't give them the opportunity for an easy attack. Instead back away whilst facing the animal, very calmly and slowly.

24. If you have a wound or bug bite with a red line - go to ER

Image source: Reddit

Bug bites and wounds can happen so frequently that you may dismiss them. But you do not know what may have bitten you or what may have scratched you. It could be poisonous or infectious so check your wound and if there is a red line along your vein, seek emergency help because it's a sign of blood poisoning.

25. If you find someone who has been in an accident, don't take off their helmet

Image source: Reddit

If you witness a bike accident or find an injured person wearing a helmet, do not remove their helmet. It could make a spinal or head injury worse if you move them. Instead, wait until a medical professional or emergency service worker can remove it safely.

26. If a tornado looks like it's staying still, get away quickly

Image source: Reddit

If you notice a tornado in the distance and it seems to be staying still, it's time to move promptly away. The perspective of the tornado can make it appear as though it is staying in the same position but it can be an illusion when in reality it is moving towards you!

27. The more colorful the animal, the more poisonous it may be

Image source: Reddit

This isn't a certified rule, but generally, especially with amphibians or insects, the more colorful they are the more poisonous they are. So if you see a bright purple frog, for example, the color is warning you that it is dangerous and poisonous so stay away!

28. If you're lost in the woods, follow the water downstream

Image source: Reddit

When you're lost, walking in a straight line is virtually impossible. You cannot tell if you are walking around in circles or going in the direction you need to be. Instead, follow the stream down as it will eventually lead to a town or somewhere you can get help.

29. If you see square waves in the sea, get out

Image source: Reddit

Square waves are alarming as they can be a sign that there are rip currents which are severely dangerous. If you are in the sea and you see square waves or see anybody else in the sea, get out and shout to warn them as rip currents are strong and can carry you into the ocean.

30. If you're having some kind of attack, get out from inside your car

Image source: Reddit

If you feel something happening such as an asthma attack impending and you are inside your vehicle, pull over as soon as it's safe and get out of the car. If you're inside, nobody will see that you need help whereas outside of your car, you are much more visible if you are in need!