8 Survival Tips to Use When One Second Decides It All

In a matter of seconds, you can go from swimming calmly to getting into trouble in the water. It’s important to assess a dangerous situation, and then to react to it. There are many risky situations we can get ourselves into, and knowing how to quickly survive in the face of danger is the absolute key.

Although we hope you don’t find yourself in the middle of any threatening emergencies, we at Bright Side understand that unusual circumstances are bound to happen when we least expect them.

1. How to survive getting caught in a riptide

Unfortunately, knowing how to swim doesn’t mean that you are secure in an environment like the sea. If you feel like a riptide is way too strong and you can’t swim, flip on your back and float. This way, you can rest your body as you catch your breath.

2. How to stanch bleeding

This is a proven trick used by athletes, especially in UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) tournaments. If you happen to get a cut, clean it, apply pressure to the scrape, and, with clean hands, smear a coat of petroleum jelly to stop it from bleeding. If possible, cover the wound with gauze pads and tape.

3. How to successfully survive a tornado in the sea

Generally, we are advised to look for a basement in the case of a tornado, but if you are on the water, that is practically impossible. If you are in the open sea and observe a tornado coming, move in a perpendicular direction in order to get away from it.

4. How to survive a piranha infested river

If you find yourself in an Amazonian river full of piranhas, don’t make any noise (to refrain from attracting more of them). Because these fish live in shallow water, protect your hands and feet and swim into deeper and colder water.

5. How to stitch yourself (without needles)

Got a deep cut on your skin that has no way of getting the proper medical attention? Try improvising a stitch by cutting the edges of a strip of adhesive tape and placing it on the cut, in order to close it until you get to an emergency room.

6. How to survive a charging elephant

If you come across a charging elephant, you will need to quickly react to save your life. Here are some things you can do to survive.

• Maintain your position and scream at the elephant.
• Run in a zig-zag pattern.
• Hide behind a large object.

7. How to survive a crashing motorbike

Bike and motorbike accidents are dangerous because there is a lack of protection between our bodies and the environment. If you are on a motorbike and a crash is inevitable, do the following things:

• Don’t let go of the handlebars until you fall.
• Tuck your head down and pull your elbows and knees closer to your body.
• Relax for the impact and if possible, roll.

This way, you’ll save yourself from the worst types of injuries.

8. How to survive a cougar attack

Cougar attacks may happen while camping or hiking. If you come across this animal, do not run. Stand still and tall, open your coat, and raise your arms to look big and scare the cougar away.

Was there an occasion where you only had a second to make a decision? What is the one tip we all should know to survive in dangerous situations?