1. Don’t text on the go
Every year about 270 thousand 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 checked 33 studies on the influence of the phone on people’s behavior on the road. It turned out that when texting someone, pedestrians look left and right less often before entering the crossing, and also more often collide with other people and vehicles.
If you really need to immediately respond to a message or look at something on your smartphone, just step aside and type away.
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. This way you can at least see where you are going.
2. Remember that rear view mirrors distort the image
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 reflected objects, making them visually more distant.
By looking into the spherical mirror on the passenger side, the driver can make a mistake in estimating the time to impact by as much as half a second, and this can have fatal consequences.
To avoid getting into an accident, before performing the maneuver, remember that the car moving behind may actually be much closer to you than it seems.
3. Don’t try to drink snow
If you are lost in winter and thirsty, don’t try to eat snow. This can lead to dehydration.
Snow density amounts to about 200 g/l, and water – 1,000 g/l. That is, to get a glass of liquid, you will have to melt a liter of snow. You can do this in a cauldron over a fire. But there is no point in dissolving snow: for this you use your own energy, for the production of which the body spends water.
Trying to get drunk this way will only waste your energy and push you closer to dehydration.
4. If you choke, use the Heimlich method
The Heimlich maneuver is one of the most effective methods of rescue when the airway is blocked by a stuck piece of food or small object.
In the classic version, it requires the help of another person, but in extreme cases Can cope on your own. Follow these steps:
- Make a fist with one hand and place it on your stomach between your navel and costal arches.
- Cover your fist with the palm of your other hand and press it into your stomach with a quick upward push.
- Continue vigorous thrusting until the airway is clear.
You can also use the back of a chair or the corner of a table for maneuvering. Stand so that the edge of the support is at the level of your stomach, and push towards the spine and up.
5. When going to new places, take antihistamines
Even if you have never experienced an allergy attack, take when traveling, a drug with antihistamine action. There is always a chance that a new environment, food, vegetation or insects will cause an unexpected reaction.
If you have already had cases of anaphylactic shock, capture Bring with you a solution of adrenaline in ampoules and an automatic injector to provide quick assistance.
It’s also worth remembering symptoms acute allergic reaction:
- skin redness and itching;
- swelling of the lips, tongue, or larynx;
- suffocation, wheezing;
- dizziness or fainting;
- abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and diarrhea;
- abdominal cramp;
- a feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
If several of the listed symptoms occur after a certain food or insect bite, take an injection of adrenaline and call an ambulance.
6. In extreme situations, remember the “rule of three”
When you find yourself in an extreme situation, the main thing is to set your priorities correctly and solve problems in order of their importance. To do this, remember the “rule of three.”
Human 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 forest in winter, you first need to take care of shelter, then a source of water, and only then think about what you will eat.
If you only have food available, hold off on it until you find water. The body uses fluid to digest food, so snacking will only push you closer to dehydration.
7. If you receive a penetrating wound, do not remove the blade.
If you were hit with a knife or other sharp object, then don’t pull it out foreign body from the wound. This puts you at risk of increased bleeding.
If possible, apply a bandage to secure the object and prevent it from moving, and seek medical attention.
8. If you need help, ask 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 social-psychological theory explanatory This feature of people’s behavior is the bystander effect. According to her, a person’s desire to help decreases when there are other passive observers nearby.
Perhaps this happens due to the dispersion of responsibility, when everyone thinks: “Why should I help?” Or because people are not sure whether help is needed at all and whether they will look stupid if they start providing 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.
9. If attacked in the dark, use a flashlight
If you often walk home through dark streets, buy a bright flashlight and always carry it in your pocket. In the event of an attack, aim the beam at the attacker’s eyes. This will confuse him and distract him for a few seconds, which can be spent on breaking the distance.
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