Imagine you’re having a really tough day: a huge black bear is chasing you, you’re stuck in a forest fire, or your hands are tied with a cable tie. It might seem hopeless, but there’s always a smart way out. Let’s learn some cool survival tips!
If you’re ever trapped under an avalanche, spit to find out which way is up. Make a small hole around your face, spit into the air pocket, and see where your saliva goes. Then, dig in the opposite direction to escape.
If you’re at the beach and the water suddenly pulls back, exposing the ocean floor, warn everyone and get away fast. This is a sign of a tsunami.
No air pump and a flat tire? Stuff the tire with grass or leaves to make it firm enough to reach a safe place.
If a moose is after you, hide behind a tree. Moose have a blind spot in their peripheral vision, so they might lose sight of you.
If a black bear is chasing you, don’t run or turn your back. Lie flat on your stomach, cross your hands behind your neck, and stay still to show you’re not a threat. Don’t climb a tree; bears are better climbers!
In a plane emergency landing on water, don’t inflate your lifejacket until you’re out of the plane. Otherwise, you’ll float to the ceiling and struggle to move.
If you’re in a cold house without heating, use bricks, a terracotta pot, and candles to make a DIY heater. Light the candles, place bricks around them, and cover with the pot upside-down.
In a fire, stay low to the ground to avoid smoke, which rises. Crawl to safety to breathe cleaner air.
If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current, then head back to the beach.
If you’re on thin ice, lie down and spread out your weight. Use ice picks if you have them, or roll back the way you came to safety.
In a sinking car, wait until the car fills with water to open the door. If stuck, break the window at the edges, not the center. Use the headrest if needed.
If your hands are tied with a cable tie, untie your shoelaces, thread one through the tie, and secure it to the other shoelace. Kick your legs like cycling to break the tie.
On a plane, count the rows to the nearest exit. If there’s smoke or no light, count headrests to find your way out.
If you encounter wolves, stand your ground. Running triggers their instinct to chase, but standing firm might make them back off.
If you’re choking and alone, use a hard surface like a chair to perform the Heimlich maneuver on yourself. Push your fist into your stomach while bent over the surface.
If fish suddenly disappear or jump out of the water while you’re swimming, head to shore quickly. It could mean sharks are nearby.
In a fire, protect your lungs from smoke and ash. Use a bra cup as a mask by covering your nose and mouth, securing it with the straps.
If you don’t have the right batteries, use aluminum foil to fill the gap in the battery compartment.
In the northern hemisphere, align the hour hand with the sun. South is halfway between the hour hand and 12. In the southern hemisphere, align 12 with the sun.
To filter water, use two containers and a cloth. Fill one with dirty water, place the cloth in it, and let the other end hang into the empty container. The water will filter through the cloth, but remember to boil it afterward.
During a tornado, hide in a bathtub. It’s anchored to the ground and usually in a well-framed bathroom.
Hopefully, you’ll never need these tips, but it’s always good to be prepared. Stay safe and remember to share these tips with friends!
Imagine you’re trapped under an avalanche. Create a small model using a box filled with flour or sand to simulate snow. Practice the technique of spitting to determine which way is up. Discuss with your classmates how this method can help you escape in a real-life situation.
Work in groups to create a short skit demonstrating the signs of a tsunami, such as the water pulling back from the shore. Act out how you would warn others and evacuate the area safely. This will help you remember the signs and appropriate actions to take.
Gather materials like bricks, a terracotta pot, and candles to build a DIY heater. Work in teams to construct the heater and discuss how it works to provide warmth in an emergency. Reflect on the importance of resourcefulness in survival situations.
Using a large open space, simulate a rip current scenario. Practice swimming parallel to the “shore” to escape the current. This activity will help you understand the technique and build confidence in handling such situations.
Bring a watch to class and practice using it as a compass. Align the hour hand with a light source to simulate the sun, and determine the direction of south. This hands-on activity will reinforce your understanding of using everyday objects for navigation.
Survival – The act of staying alive, especially in difficult situations. – Learning basic survival skills can help you stay safe in the wilderness.
Tips – Helpful pieces of advice or information. – My dad gave me some tips on how to fix a leaky faucet.
Safety – The condition of being protected from danger or harm. – Always wear goggles for safety when using power tools.
Water – A clear liquid that is essential for life and used in many DIY projects. – Make sure to turn off the water supply before repairing the sink.
Fire – A process of combustion that produces heat and light, often used in cooking or heating. – It’s important to have a fire extinguisher nearby when using a grill.
Heater – A device used to generate heat, especially for warming a room. – We installed a new heater in the garage to keep it warm during winter projects.
Escape – To get away from a dangerous situation. – In case of a fire, know the escape routes from your home.
Smoke – The visible vapor and gases given off by a burning substance. – A smoke detector can alert you to a fire in your house.
Filter – A device or material that removes impurities from a liquid or gas. – We need to change the air filter in the furnace to keep the air clean.
Emergency – A serious, unexpected situation that requires immediate action. – It’s important to have an emergency kit ready in case of a natural disaster.
