Recently I started thinking about survival and preparedness in case the apocalypse is right around the corner. The question came to mind about what would be essential if stuff really did hit the fan? Would I be capable of surviving in an emergency and be ready to aid those around me? I think so because I have mastered these ten basic life skills that will help increase the odds of survival in an emergency.
Imagine this scenario: You are in a dining room, and halfway across the room a someone starts choking on their food. No one but you knows what to do. Yes, you can pull a Mrs. Doubtfire, shouting, “Help is on the way, dear!” But only if you really know how to do the Heimlich maneuver:
Although CPR should never be done without first having received appropriate training and certification, there may come a time (like after a plane crash into the ocean) when you have no choice but to perform it. “Hands-only” CPR, also renowned as “compression-only” CPR, is done by pressing down about two inches deep on a person’s chest at a rate of 100 times per minute until a doctor arrives.
Whether it is in you or someone else, knowing that a person is having a heart attack can save their life. The signs to look for are:
When you begin to feel this way, or suspect that an individual is having a heart attack, it is important to stay calm. Have the person (or yourself) sit down, call 911 or drive to the hospital. It is also beneficial to take an aspirin to keep blood in the heart from clotting.
Sometimes things happen, like the car breaking down, your GPS or cell phone dying or not having reception, and you not knowing your current location. Depending on the hour, you can use one of these two methods to help you find north.
Daytime Shadow Tip Method
The North Star
Your toddler, or the one you are babysitting, happened to spill hot coffee all over themselves. Immediately after the burn, you need to run cold water over the affected skin for about ten minutes. Afterward, continue cooling the skin with a damp compress. Never put ice or anything else on burned skin – that is an old wives tale.
Read also – 4 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Serious Health Problems
There is a handy mnemonic that will help you remember what to do if you see someone struggling to stay afloat:
The important thing is not to panic. Never swim directly for the shore when you are caught in a riptide. These are dangerous currents that people have drowned to death in because they get pulled farther out to sea the more they struggle. Instead, swim parallel to the beach until you are beyond the current then make your way back into shore. The majority of riptides are about 20 to 60 feet wide so you will not have to go too far before you are free.
Being that I am into the holistic and natural medicine stuff, knowing what plants can be used in place of pharmaceuticals can definitely come in handy. Here are some plants that can save your life or someone else’s:
And many more. When you know what to look for, the world is full of natural medicines.
Living in Japan, it is mandatory to know where the safest location is in case of disastrous earthquake strikes. You should have the same plan for your roommates, family, and even at work.
What if a fire occurs? Do you know where to go? What about in an active shooter situation? There should be a “safe zone” on every floor or ways to fortify where you are stuck if not. Having a general idea about how to handle these situations and where to go is crucial when the emergency strikes.
Though it may seem silly, a lot of people do not know basic First Aid care. For example, if you sprain your ankle, do you know how to RICE it? That means “Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation,” by the way. Other skills include knowing how to sterilize cuts, bandage open wounds, and how to clean these areas effectively. Always carry some kind of First Aid kit with you, because you never know when you will need a Band-Aid.
Read also – 6 Instant Ways to Calm Down When Anxiety Hits Hard
Knowing how to survive or get through emergency circumstances is all about keeping cool and understanding the necessary steps. Once you have calmed down and assessed the situation, you can then go on to act accordingly. Having these ten tricks in your back pocket for when disaster strikes will definitely help, too.