Article created by: Indrė Lukošiūtė

In this day and age, survival in the traditional sense of the word is no longer a thing. Or, at the very least, its meaning has shifted from what hunter-gatherers considered it to mean to a less extreme version of getting by in the world.

But it is by no means gone as a concept. There is always a non-zero chance of any of us finding ourselves in situations that would require survival skills.

So, just to be safe, folks in this viral r/ask thread shared random first aid and survival facts.

• Read More: Person Asks “What Is A Random First Aid Or Survival Fact That You Know?”, 20 Folks Deliver

#1

Had an elderly neighbor pass out in his yard last summer at the age of 96. Ran over while calling 911 and checked vitals, then ran back home after remembering from 30 years back in boyscouts that if someone is possibly heat strokin, stuff ice packs in their armpits and growing area. Paramedics said it probably saved his life and kept his heart from stopping. He was back home from the hospital 2 days later and back out mowing his lawn in 98 degree weather. He’s a stubborn old man with a good heart

Image credits: CantFeelMyLegs78

#2

Trust your instincts. Don’t worry about “looking dumb” or “offending” someone by crossing the street, not getting into a lift, doing something because others dare you and a whole lot of other things.

Image credits: Baaastet

#3

if your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, or in a snowstorm, stay with the car. It is a shelter and easy to see from the air. Whereas people who walk off to get help end up lost or frozen, fall into ditches, get covered up by snow, etc.

Also, in an emergency situations, do not take shortcuts through unfamiliar territory. If you know a sure way to get somewhere, use that.

Image credits: BaldBear_13

#4

Honey is a natural anti-biotic and can be applied directly to a wound.

Image credits: mrxexon

#5

This isn’t physical first aid, but if you experience a traumatic event, play Tetris as soon as possible. It helps to block the formation of memories that can lead to post-traumatic symptoms and flashbacks.

Image credits: dangerousfeather

#6

If you are bitten by a cat and it breaks skin, it is advised to go to urgent care immediately. This is not because of rabies but rather the nasty bacteria in a cat’s mouth. Cats’ teeth are so sharp and small that it is essentially taking a hypodermic needle of bacteria and injecting you. The puncture wound is usually so small that the skin heals very quickly and the bacteria in deeply, making it hard to clean properly. These bites more often than not result in nasty fast-spreading infections.

Getting bitten in the hand or finger are the worst spots.

Look for red streaks.

Luckily, oral antibiotics that are started on right away usually clear the infection…but sometimes you will need IV antibiotics.

The oddly cool thing, and I can speak from experience, when you get IV antibiotics for this kind of bite you can basically start feeling the infection stop spreading and your swollen wound site beginning to shrink. It was like instant relief. My cat bit me (by mistake, he was trying to bite a brush). I didn’t think anything of it. The next day the infection was spreading up my arm and my finger looked like a cocktail sausage. The ER doc said I could have lost my hand if I waited just a little bit longer to go somewhere.

Image credits: AcidCatfish___

#7

If you feel like you are going to throw up, get an alcohol swab or a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol on it and breath in the fumes. It takes away the need to hurl long enough to get some Gravol on board, or at least to get to a bathroom. 17 years as a nurse. Still use this trick all the time. Have seen it stop people from throwing up mid hurl(but it’s not long lasting and you don’t want to be breathing and alcohol fumes for hours so it’s just a temporary fix).

Image credits: Joygernaut

#8

Super glue can be a band aid in desperation

Image credits: Beneficial-Guest2105

#9

Cobwebs contain coagulants. You can use cobwebs to stop a wound from bleeding

Image credits: Spirited-Law7316

#10

The needles from a white pine tree are very high in vit A and C, and you can make tea out of it if you’re at risk of a vitamin deficiency

Image credits: Eureka05

#11

Not so much of a tip as dispelling a myth, but you definitely don’t have to run zig zag away from an alligator or crocodile. Just run straight and fast.

Image credits: FireTheLaserBeam

#12

If you have asthma and without an inhaler nearby you can drink a strong cup of coffee to lessen the symptoms temporarily

Image credits: redgagw

#13

You can tell the difference between a fracture and a sprain if the subject is nauseous when you apply pressure to the wound. Nausea is a symptom of a fracture

Image credits: Spirited-Law7316

#14

Don’t immediately offer water to burn victims until checked out by an EMT or authorized medical personnel. They could choke if their throat is swollen from breathing smoke.

Image credits: ConstantAmazement

#15

I have used duct tape and electrical tape as a band aid. Just don’t use carpet seam tape. I knew a carpet installer once that did that, and ended up with blood poisoning that almost killed him.

Image credits: spider1178

#16

If you’re choking and no one’s around to give you a heimlich, fall on your stomach. It’s the same principle and a lot easier to pull off than a self-heimlich.

Image credits: Upset_Toe

#17

Rubbing Vaseline or some type of lip balm up your nose can help with nose bleeds when in dry climates or high altitude.

Any time I travel out west I do this. I also do it basically when I turn on the heat in my house for the first time. I do it before bed and keep the practice up until I quit running the heat. It also helps me be less congested when I wake up. I use Blistex.

Image credits: Low_Copy4023

#18

Birch tree bark makes great fire starter.

Image credits: Right-Ad-5647

#19

You can get limited water by placing a bag over a branches full of leaves but keep it closed around the branch. Then after a little while you accumulate a gulp of pure water. Also, dig a hole with a cup in the center and place a similar film/wrap over the hole with a rock over the cup on the plastic. it will fill the cup over time due to humidity. It will only prolong the inevitable, but it’s something.

Image credits: Global_Profession_26

#20

Never ever eat a bear’s liver. Their livers contain so much vitamin a that you will quickly and painfully die of poisoning. In a similar vein, if you suspect you’ve just ingested Deadly Nightshade, you need to quickly drink about 1 liter of vinegar to give you enough time to make it to the hospital.

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Image credits: IHateConservatives66

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