As we all know, life is unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared when going gets tough. Most people can go through their life without being put in life-threatening situations, but sometimes, remembering what to do in such a case can make the difference between tragedy and a scary memory. There are many simple habits and practices one could follow to prevent themselves from becoming a victim. These 17 simple life lessons can come in handy and could help you save someone’s life or your own.

1. If You’re Caught In A Burning Building – Keep Your Head Down.

Fire victims often die from inhaling smoke rather than the fire itself. Poisonous smoke is hot and will rise while fresh air will remain close to the ground.  So, if you ever get caught in a burning building, always lay low to the ground since the breathable air will be closer to the floor (Cover your face with a wet towel for extra protection).

2. Let Someone Know Where You Are.

If the driver of the taxi that you have just hailed is behaving suspiciously, you can remember this little trick. Make a call to your friend/partner or pretend to call someone, it really doesn’t matter. In the course of the conversation, give details of your taxi (type, colour, and even number) and the road that you’ll be taking for your commute loud enough for the driver to hear. He doesn’t know the purpose of the call, but he knows that the taxi is now identifiable to your contact. Chances are he won’t pull off any stunt.

3. When Stuck in a Riptide.

If you find yourself caught in a riptide and being pulled out to sea, remain calm and swim along the shore, not towards it. Float if you get a cramp. We know it’s difficult to remember instructions during a time of panic, but it’s very important. Trying to fight the riptide is more likely to lead to exhaustion – the main cause of drowning. Swimming parallel to the shore or floating on your back will pull you out.

4. Carry Pepper Spray.

Pepper Spray (or Mace) is an awesome self-defense product.  It comes in a little pressurized ‘spray can’ and one little spray of the substance in an attacker’s eyes will immobilize them for nearly 15 minutes.  It is legal in most countries, very cheap, and it can save your rear end in a hostile situation.

5. In A Situation Where You Are Crying For Help, Be Specific.

In emergency situations, especially in accidents, most people will stand and look at you but will resist helping you because of the ‘bystander effect’ (the more people around, the more people feel like it’s not their responsibility to be the one to help). So, when crying for help, call out specific people (like “You with the blue shirt, please call the ambulance!”). It makes people more likely to act and help you. Being called outputs them in an accountable position, reducing the likeliness of the “bystander effect.”

6. Be Extra Cautious At Night.

If you’re heading towards a vacant parking lot especially at night or when the area is not particularly safe, walk with the car keys in your hand. This will reduce the amount of time it takes you to get into your car and start it, thereby reducing your exposure to any sudden attack. In fact, a key held in your fist and protruding between your knuckles can also act as a makeshift weapon in case of any emergency.

Do not stop at gas stations or quick marts late at night if anything looks suspicious or if the area is not well lit or supervised.  If you must stop, keep a safe distance from the car in front of you so you have plenty of space to drive away in an instant.

7. In survival situations:

If you ever get lost in the woods or in jungles, don’t forage for food. Instead, find water and shelter. While it will change depending on your body, remember the “Rules of Three”:

• 3 minutes without air (maybe you’re buried in snow following an avalance)
• 3 hours without shelter against the natural elements
• 3 days without water
• 3 weeks without food

8. Trust Your Intuition.

Always trust your instincts. If an environment or situation feels wrong, listen to your intuition (or gut-feeling).  Our subconscious mind always picks on those warning signs that your conscious mind doesn’t.  It’s smarter to be cautious than careless.

9. Be Safe At Hotel.

If you’re in a hotel room with a door that has a peephole without any cover, place a crumpled paper or tissue in the hole so that nobody can look inside. The one-way peephole technology isn’t always foolproof.

10. When Caught In Waves.

Don’t get caught on wet rocks where unexpected waves can suddenly appear.  Look for hidden rocks – the rocks in the water are very slippery and you can lose your balance very quickly.

11. Learn how to give yourself the Heimlich maneuver.

12. Defend Yourself.

If you are being attacked, you can defend yourself by hitting them in their groin, eyes or ears. This is where the person is most vulnerable and if you get a good hit, you can stall them long enough for you to get away. Alternatively, if you have no weapon to defend yourself, your belt can be used as a whip.

13. Never walk down the stairs with your hands in your pockets.

This way if you trip/fall, you’ll not be able to catch yourself.

14. Keep your Stomach Warm:

If you are cold and have no extra clothes, wrap a towel (or any suitable piece of cloth) or newspapers around your stomach. You can also stuff paper under any part of your clothing, but keeping the stomach warm is essential.

15. When Cooking Oil Catches Fire.

If your cooking oil catches fire, never ever try to put it out with water. Just turn off the stove, cover it up with the lid or a damp towel to cut off the oxygen supply and it will die out on its own.

16. Keep Your Car Keys On Your Bedside Table.

During a home invasion, if the car is in your bedroom range, you can press the panic alert button on your key that will cause your car horn to blast and headlights to flash, thereby scaring the burglar/criminal away. If not, there is always an ‘ALERT’ or ‘CODE RED’ app that comes pre-installed on your phone and is available on both Android and iPhone. Using that app, you can set off the panic alarm and send emergency messages to your friends and parents.

17. Fight or Flight.

Remember if you ever encounter any hostile situation/person, you will only have two options—fight or flight! Many people freeze up due to shock or adrenaline when they encounter a hostile situation.  And this is obviously the worst thing you can do. You need to make the decision in your head what your immediate course of action would be. Either you run and get away (usually the best option), or you can choose to fight with all your might.