Despite a wealth of knowledge and experience, many of us have only a pretty faint idea of all the things we need to know in a life-or-death situation. Indeed, there are probably more first-aid kits in your vicinity than there are people who know exactly how to use them.

So one netizen decided to brush up on their knowledge and asked the internet about lesser-known tips that could ultimately save a life. So prepare to take notes as you scroll through all the answers denizens of the net provided, and be sure to upvote your favorites. Comment below if you have any tips that people didn’t list here. 

• Read More: “Prioritize Your Safety First”: 30 Things That May End Up Saving Your Life Or Someone Else’s

#1

If you find yourself lost in the wilderness somewhere, and your phone is starting to die, change your voicemail to include where you left from, what time and date you left, and what you see around you. That way, if someone tries to call you, you have the essential information in a recording.

Image credits: ThisGuyIRLv2

#2

Instead of saying “someone call 911/an ambulance,” point to a single person and tell them to call 911. If you need additional assistance (an AED, for example), then point to another individual and ask them to get you what you need.

If you don’t address anyone in particular, everyone will assume someone else has already called 911/gotten a first-aid kit/whatever, and then no one will do it.

(Source: a mandatory safety course I had to take for work some years ago.)

Image credits: femmemmah

#3

Always always listen to your “Spidey senses.” If something feels off- pay attention to that feeling. Hair on the back of your neck stands up when walking to your car in a parking lot? turn around and go back in the store. I cannot tell you how many crime victim reports include the phrase “Victim states they had a feeling something wasn’t right…but continued to…”

Image credits: After-Opportunity-61

#4

If someone (especially old people!) hits their head and is knocked out or just overall fuzzy, and then they get better and feel fine, TAKE THEM TO THE HOSPITAL.

A brain bleed presents as nothing until all of a sudden you die. And can look like a lucid period in which they seem fine.

Natasha Richardson was a good example of this.

Image credits: sejestedusername

#5

If I’m hiking or trekking somewhere remote I carry a tube of medical grade honey.

It can be used to treat wounds, burns, skin problems, and is a good antibacterial.

And it also does double duty as a calorie-dense food source with some moisture content, that could help you survive an extra week or so.

Some studies even suggest consuming honey might offer antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and anti-anxiety benefits. Especially useful in emergency situations.

Image credits: Ivymantled

#6

Prioritize your safety first. If you are the first to arrive on scene and see people need help the very first thing you should do is: Stop, look around for potential dangers and do what you can to mitigate them. Live electrical wire shorting out in water nearby? CPR isn’t your priority, shutting the breaker off and moving the wire away is. Don’t forget to look up when doing the scene survey. EMS has a name for people that don’t check first: canaries.

Image credits: Burstar1

#7

Never, ever, take a motorcyclists helmet off if they are not in direct danger after having an accident. The same as not getting someone out of a car.
There could be a serious head injury (despite wearing a helmet) and helmet could be the only thing holding their head together. Waaaay too many people think you have to take the helmet off immediately.

Image credits: SathanSax

#8

If someone is drowning, don’t jump in to save them. Chances are you’ll both drown because the panicking person will cling onto you. Your best bet is to find something that floats and throw it to them, or swim out to give it to them but keep a safe distance.

If someone does grab you or tries to climb on top of you, fight them off and swim downwards to get away, they won’t try to follow if you go underwater.

Image credits: OpinionatedNonsense

#9

When using an epi-pen do not cover the end opposite to the needle with your thumb. There’s a hole at the other end, if you cover it you create a vacuum and nothing will come out of the needle.

Image credits: Skunkernator

#10

A simple phone call to check-in can help someone decide that going on is the right choice today.

Life is low points and high. Help someone get to the next high point. Call a friend.

Image credits: anon

#11

If you find someone unconscious but still breathing and with a pulse, please put them on their left side. This will save them from aspirating on saliva or vomit.

Image credits: PaulyRocket68

#12

cpr is diffrent for children than adults. and again different for babies than children

Image credits: child234

#13

A fire extinguisher. People forget to pull out the safety pin

Image credits: MolassesReef

#14

Juice box, soda, gatorade – basically anything with sugar in it, (preferably a liquid so it’s less of a choking hazard), can immediately help someone with dangerously low blood sugar.

This most often (but not always) happens to diabetics who’s medication vs. sugar intake got unbalanced, which can be as simple as them taking their meds but forgetting to eat breakfast.

If someone you know is diabetic and they start suddenly, inexplicably acting strange, that would be a good time to give them sugar. It’s possible that it will cause their blood sugar to go higher than it should be, but having it too low is more immediately life threatening.

Image credits: 3mothsinatrenchcoat

#15

#1: Take a Basic First Aid/CPR class. A lot of Fire departments offer them for free. Call your local Fire Dep (NON Emergency Line) and ask.

#2: Learn the symptoms of a stroke. Knowing what to look for if someone is having a stoke can really make the difference. Time is a big factor here.

#3: Learn the symptoms of a Heart Attack. Recognizing the symptoms can save someones life.

#4: Learn how to properly perform the Heimlich on a choking victim and Yourself. I recently learned that someone I knew passed away because he did not know how to do this on himself. He was 25.

#5: Beware of your surroundings. Listen to your gut. If something dose not feel right, leave.

#6: If you are in the wilderness and everything gets quiet, There is a predator near by.

#7: Cliff Diving or diving into water from any height. “Swim It before you dive it.” I do not care if your friends are doing it, You do not know what is under the water or how deep the water is until you find out for yourself. Swim it first. And do this every time you go to dive your fav spot. What was safe last year may no longer be safe, Swim it first. Many ppl each summer are injured or die for not following this rule.

I know that some of these may seem like common knowledge but they may not be as common as they should be. Example the lose of my 25yo friend.

Image credits: OnixPanther

#16

If you’re engulfed in flames, don’t run. Drop to the ground and roll over until the flames are extinguished.

If someone else is on fire, tackle them (if safe) and cover them with a jacket or other piece of closing. Focus on their head first since hair catches fire very quickly.

Image credits: Algum

#17

Narcan. People know it saves lives, but fewer know just how easy and safe it is to use. One blast of nasal spray can bring someone back. Where I live (Canada), it’s available free at the pharmacy along with free training to anyone who wants it.

Image credits: StrawberriesRGood4U

#18

A chair can be used to Heimlich maneuver yourself.

Image credits: welltriedsoul

#19

Keep water in the car a blanket a towel clothes flashlight and a lighter.

Image credits: JockSandWich

#20

IF you’re ever impaled or stabbed obviously don’t remove anything but if it passed through or is no longer in the wound use a tampon to help with bleeding control also works w bullets wounds and serious nose bleeds. Duct tape and any semi sturdy material lasting can create a usable chest seal I’ve seen some first aid kits contain small rolls of duct tape recently

Image credits: Stinkypete0814

#21

chewing an aspirin in case of a heart attack can save your life

Image credits: TheUselessOne87

#22

Important to recognize signs of s stroke, immediate medical attention may save your/their life:

– inability to move or feel on one side of the body/face

– problems understanding or speaking

– dizziness

– loss of vision to one side

– strong headache different from usual

Call an ambulance immediately or go directly to the hospital!!!

Image credits: Thesleepypomegranate

#23

Don’t put a spoon in the mouth of a person having a seizure.

Image credits: The-Guy-In-Grey

#24

Heimlich maneuver, especially the modern day version. You now should do 5 hard back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts.

Image credits: Whyyyyyyyyfire

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