Just remember them and don’t make mistakes.
- Don’t text on the go
Every year, about 270,000 pedestrians die in road accidents around the world, and the prevalence of smartphones plays a significant role in this.
In a 2020 meta-analysis, scientists reviewed 33 studies on the effect of the phone on people’s behavior on the road. It turned out that when texting with someone, pedestrians look left and right less often before stepping into the crossing, and also collide with other people and vehicles more often .
If you really need to immediately reply to a message or look at something on your smartphone, just step aside and type to your health.
Another option to continue the conversation on the go is to call. According to the same meta-analysis , talking on the phone is much safer than texting. That way you can at least see where you’re going.
- Remember that rear-view mirrors distort the picture
It is important to know that the side mirrors of many modern cars are deliberately made slightly convex. This is necessary in order to give the driver a greater overview – the so-called spherical picture.
On the one hand, such mirrors help reduce blind spots. On the other hand, they reduce the reflected objects, making them visually more distant.
Looking into a spherical mirror from the passenger’s side, the driver can misjudge the time to collision by as much as half a second, and this can have fatal consequences.
In order to avoid an accident, before making a maneuver, remember that the car moving behind you may actually be much closer to you than it seems.
- Don’t try to get drunk on the snow
If you get lost in the winter and are thirsty, don’t try to eat the snow. This can lead to dehydration .
The density of snow is about 200 g/l, and that of water is 1,000 g/l. That is, to get a glass of liquid, you have to melt a liter of snow. You can do this in a pot on a fire. But to dissolve the snow does not make any sense: for this you use your own energy, for the production of which the body spends water.
Trying to get drunk this way only wastes your energy and gets you closer to dehydration.
- If you’re choking, use the Heimlich method
The Heimlich maneuver is one of the most effective rescue methods for blocking the airway with a stuck piece of food or a small object.
In the classic version, it requires the help of another person, but in extreme cases, you can handle it yourself. Do the following:
- Clench one hand into a fist and place it on the stomach between the navel and costal arches.
- With the palm of your other hand, cover your fist and with a quick push up, press it into your stomach.
- Continue sharp thrusts until the airway is clear.
You can also use the back of a chair or the corner of a table to maneuver. Stand so that the edge of the support is at the level of the stomach, and make pushes to the spine and up.
- Going to new places, take antihistamines
Even if you have never experienced an allergy attack , take an antihistamine medication with you when you travel. There is always the possibility that a new environment, food, vegetation, or insects will trigger an unexpected reaction.
If you have already had cases of anaphylactic shock, take with you an adrenaline solution in ampoules and an automatic injector for quick help.
It is also worth remembering the symptoms of an acute allergic reaction:
- skin redness and itching;
- swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat;
- choking, wheezing;
- dizziness or fainting;
- abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and diarrhea;
- spasm in the abdomen;
- feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
If several of these symptoms occur after a certain meal or insect bite , inject adrenaline and call an ambulance.
- In extreme situations, remember the “rule of three”
When you find yourself in an extreme situation, the main thing is to correctly prioritize and solve problems in order of their importance. To do this, remember the “rule of three”.
A person can survive :
- three minutes without air;
- three hours without shelter in extreme weather conditions;
- three days without water;
- three weeks without food.
For example, if you are lost in the woods in winter, first of all you need to take care of the shelter, then the source of water, and only then think about what you will eat.
If all you have available is food, refrain from it until you find water. The body uses fluid to digest food, so snacking will only bring you closer to dehydration.
- If you get a penetrating wound, do not pull out the blade
If you have been stabbed with a knife or other sharp object, do not remove the foreign body from the wound. So you run the risk of increased bleeding .
If possible, apply a bandage that will fix the object and prevent it from moving, and seek medical attention.
- If you need help, ask for a specific person.
You probably know situations when something bad happens to a person in a public place, for example, a heart attack , but no one rushes to his aid.
There is a socio-psychological theory that explains this feature of human behavior – the bystander effect. According to her, a person’s desire to help is reduced when there are other passive observers nearby.
Perhaps this is due to the dissipation of responsibility, when everyone thinks: “Why exactly should I help?” Or because people are not sure if help is needed at all and if they will look stupid if they begin to provide it.
In any case, if you are in dire need of help, do not call on everyone. It is better to choose a specific person from the crowd and contact him directly. This will increase your chances.
- In case of an attack in the dark, use a flashlight
If you often return home through dark streets, buy a bright flashlight and always carry it in your pocket. In the event of an attack , direct the beam into the attacker’s eyes. This will confuse him and distract him for a few seconds, which can be spent breaking the distance.
