25 Simple Survival Tips That Could Literally Save Your Life

Life is full of surprises, but that does not mean that you have to be spontaneous when the situation suddenly falls apart. These seemingly simple life(saving) hacks can prove to be survival tips if your life is in danger because they introduce the most useful hacks from the Internet. Don’t become vulnerable, people, the world is a merciless place!

1. Survive a Zombie Apocalypse

You may think that something like a zombie apocalypse is not going to happen. But you may be surprised to learn that government officials have plans for such events, just in case. Here are some of them:

• Buy and stock up on weapons like stun-guns and handcuffs
• Stock up on as many supplies as possible
• Buy a protective suit (like the one used against Ebola) and keep at your disposal
• Isolate your friends and family somewhere safe and unaffected by the disease
• Wait until the government comes up with a cure

ALSO READ: 20 Creepy Photos Caught On Camera

2. Survive a Plane Crash

Most of us think that plane crashes are a traumatizing and usually fatal event. But this is not true (well, for the most part.) Even if the chances of surviving a plane crash are slim, this does not mean that they are insurmountable. So how can you survive a plane crash?

• Be fit – To survive a plane crash, you need to operate quickly through narrow corridors with wreckage.
• Rely on larger planes if possible – Larger planes absorb more impact in a crash, which means you are less exposed to fatal impacts.
• Remember the Five Row Rule – Those who have survived plane crashes generally were five rows from the emergency exit. The chances of escaping beyond five rows are much lower. If you can’t get a seat in the exit row, go to the aisle. 64% of passengers who survive plane crashes were sat on an aisle seat.
• Listen to what the flight attendants say – you can survive a plane crash if you just listen to the flight attendants’ pre-flight safety measures.
• Wear the oxygen mask immediately – oxygen masks help you breathe at high altitude: when there is a rupture in the body of the aircraft, there is very little air, so pumping oxygen into your bloodstream becomes impossible. The oxygen mask can help you breathe normally in such cases.
• Adopt the brace position – brace positions are not recommended for nothing! In the brace position, the chances of survival in a plane crash are far higher.
• Do not inflate the lifejacket while in the aircraft – Always remember not to inflate the lifejacket while you are still in the aircraft. If water gets inside the sinking plane, it will be difficult to move while floating. This in turn reduces the chances of getting out of the plane.

3. Survive a Terrorist Attack

You never know when and where to expect a terrorist attack. The element of surprise is the terrorists’ ultimate weapon. To be prepared for a terrorist attack and to survive it, three important steps are necessary:

• Run – The very first thing to do during a terrorist attack is to “run” and move away from the location after you have located the danger zone. Also help other people to escape the danger zone, if at all possible.
• Hide – If running away from the danger area is not possible, hiding is the next best option. If you are eating in a restaurant during the attack, stay inside and lock all doors. Also, turn off all lights in the building and turn off your mobile phones. You should lie on the floor and stay away from windows and openings.
• Call for help – if you and others are not in danger, call the emergency hotline and inform the authorities about the ongoing terrorist attack.

4. Survival Tips For A Nuclear Holocaust

With all the nuclear weapons that the nations of the world possess, we are far from being in the safe zone. And we are also far from a lifelong peace among our nations. We are therefore forced to plan ahead and to think practically about how we can survive a nuclear attack. This means we have to prepare as much as possible, from stocking up on things that we may not have thought of like a gas mask for dogs, cats, and other pets, as well as humans, so there is a better chance of survival. Down below you can see some other essentials that need to be thought through.

• Water – Water is the most priceless thing you need to survive. That is why you need to store as much water as possible in your shelter.
• Food – Next, stock up on (non-perishable) food as much as possible, as it is very dangerous to go out foraging for food immediately after the fallout.
• Communication – You need to know what is happening in your city, state, nation, etc. So get a rechargeable or battery-operated radio.
• Medical supplies – Without life-saving medications, allergy medications, or painkillers for illnesses you or a family member is suffering from, you cannot make it. Have all medications stored in a waterproof plastic bag in your accommodation.
• Extra supplements – Of course, don’t forget the important supplements such as tape, flashlights, face masks against dirt, dust, etc. and some garbage or plastic bags.
• Keep up to date with national affairs – Nuclear attacks do not just happen out of nowhere and without warning. If you keep up with the newspapers and TV news, you can estimate that there is some tension between a few countries, which could soon escalate. This can help you to prepare yourself both mentally and physically.
• Hours before the attack – This is the time when you need to act quickly. Evaluate the areas with a high risk of attack, such as military bases, trade ports, federal buildings. Crowded areas also carry a high risk of being attacked. Therefore, go to the countryside, away from all military bases or government buildings.
• High Altitude Explosions – Nuclear bombs at high altitude can cause electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) that can affect all electronic devices and equipment, including mobile phones and digital data. Devices that plug into electrical outlets can cause short circuits or detonations that can endanger the lives of you and your family.

5. Survive a Tornado

• Close all doors (inside and outside) during a tornado. Houses with open doors or windows are much more likely to be destroyed by strong winds.
• Never seek shelter under a bridge or overpass during a tornado. Traffic structures collapse. Either drive to another safe place nearby or stop, fasten your seat belt and cover your head.
• Avoid gyms, theatres, shopping centers and other structures with large open interior spaces where the probability of roof collapse is higher.
• If you are driving during a tornado, do not try to escape it as it can travel at 70 miles per hour.
• Stay in your shelter until you are sure the tornado has passed.

6. Survive a Shark Attack

Statistically speaking, you will not be confronted with a shark attack unless you provoke it. So here are some tips to help you survive when confronted with an angry shark rushing towards you:

• Arm yourself – The very first thing you need to do when a shark attacks you is to reach for a weapon. Be it a rock, a knife, or a stick, whatever is near you. Because hitting a shark with even the most impotent, blunt object is better than with your bare hands.
• Never play dead – If you play dead, you will simply appear to the shark as a light meal. Trying to escape is preferable.
• Back up – Get into a position with your back to something, such as the side of a boat or a cliff. In this way, you minimize the possible angles of attack for the fish and increase the likelihood that you will be able to take it on.
• Punch it in the face – This may sound oddly ridiculous, but it’s a proven and fairly reliable way to repel the creature. Be sure to land the first punch really hard, though, as the following punches won’t be as effective.
• Use your claws – When the situation becomes hopeless, such as when he has reached for your weapon or does not react to your blows, scratch, and scrape at the two weakest parts of the fish – the eyes and the gills. You may have a chance to swim away from it by disabling its eyes.
• The last chance – If all else fails and the shark grabs you with its jaws, there is only one thing you can do: go crazy. Hit and smack the shark in every possible way. Slap, punch, kick, insult; the full program. This could panic the shark, making it let go of you and giving you a chance to escape.

7. Survive a Bear Attack

A bear will attack you if it is surprised when it senses danger to protect its territory or its cubs. The best way to fend off an attack is to avoid the bear. But if you spot a bear, make sure it sees you. Do not try to flee.

• Speak to the animal in a slow, reassuring voice to show that you are not a threat. Now slowly raise your hands above your head to make yourself appear taller to the bear.
• Now try to leave the area by slowly walking away from it.
• Do not try to take a photo or feed the bear or try to run away from the bear. These creatures run faster than you do, and they enjoy chasing their prey.
• Do not climb a tree – bears can easily climb trees. If you cannot climb up to 12 feet above the tree, you should not climb it. Since this is quite difficult, make this a last resort.
• Carry a firearm – It is best to carry a firearm (if allowed in your country) when entering or living in the forest. However, it is almost impossible to kill a bear with a single bullet, and it can attack even if it is wounded.
• Carry Bear Spray or Pepper Spray – both of them will work. Spraying one of these can change the mind of the animal to break off the attack; and sometimes it makes the animal go crazy. However, this might help you escape the scene.
• Carry bear spray or pepper spray– both work. Spraying one of them can change the animal’s mind and stop the attack; and sometimes it can make the animal even angrier. Either way, this could help you escape the scene.
• Play dead – If you see a bear storming towards you and the chance of escape is very slim, drop down and play dead! Cover the vital parts of your body with your hands. Keep playing dead even if the animal bites you. The bear will leave as soon as it realizes that you are no threat to it. And if it does not stop attacking you, defend yourself, hit it as hard as you can and scream as much as you can until help arrives.

8. Survive an Earthquake

• Curl up – Babies and animals often curl up naturally in the fetal position during a disaster. You should do the same because it is a natural instinct.
• Don’t stand under a doorway – If you stand under a doorway during an earthquake, you will be crushed by the ceiling as the doorposts are the weakest parts of a building. You could also be cut in half by the doorpost collapsing.
• Stay close to the outside walls – The further away you are from the center of the building, the better your chances of escaping. The ceiling could fall in and block your escape route or even crush you to death.
• If you get trapped in a car – If you are in a car during an earthquake, you are at risk of being crushed from inside. You should get out and lie down next to your car.

9. Survive a Heart Attack

If you feel you are experiencing a heart attack and no one is there to help you, follow these simple steps to survive:

• First, you should call the emergency hotline (e.g. 911)
• Now take a deep breath and cough every two seconds.
• Pull over if you’re driving. If you have a heart attack, you may lose consciousness. Try not to drive, even if there is a hospital nearby.
• Aspirin or Sorbitrate – Taking aspirin (300 mg) or Sorbitrate (5 mg) during a heart attack helps to reduce the damage to the heart. The tablet needs more time to react if taken with water. You will need to chew the tablet or hold it under your tongue for it to work immediately. This helps to stabilize blood pressure and circulation. This increases the chances of survival until the emergency team arrives.
• Relax – More physical activity reduces your chances of survival by accelerating the progression of the heart attack.

10. If Your Taxi Driver Acts Suspiciously

• If you have just hailed a taxi and the driver is acting suspiciously, you can think up this little trick:
• Call a friend or just pretend to call someone, it doesn’t matter.
• During the conversation, tell them the details of your taxi (such as color, type, and even number) and the route you will take for the trip, loud enough for the driver to hear. This way he knows that the vehicle is now identifiable to the person you are talking to.
• He probably won’t be able to pull off any stunt.

11. If Someone is Following You…

• If you feel that someone is following you, you need to stop walking, turn around, and then look directly at that person. Serious criminals look for victims who are easy and unaware. If you look directly at them, there is no element of surprise.
• Call someone with your head held high to inform them of your situation and ask for help and make sure that the person following you can hear your conversation.
• Check your surroundings for signs of people or a public place where you can ask for help.

12. When the Brakes Fail…

Always remember this trick in case your car brakes fail.

• Start by pumping the brake pedal to alert the vehicle behind you.
• Use your parking brake (gently) to slow down your car, while shifting the car into a lower gear.
• If this does not work, find a soft spot (like a bush) to crash into.

13. SpareOne Emergency Phone

This emergency phone will last 15 years and works on a single AA battery. You can make emergency calls without using a SIM card. The phone has no display and looks like a toy phone, but works effectively.

The $59.99 USD SpareOne emergency phone (with AT&T connection) is a handy tool that you should have in your backpack, in the glove compartment of your car or in your purse for emergencies like a tornado, flood, fire or even a zombie apocalypse.

14. If You’re Lost in the Woods…

If you get lost in the forest while hiking or camping, the first thing you should do is find water and shelter.

• Remember that you can go for days without food, but not even hours without shelter in a harsh environment. And without water, you will die in 3 days.
• Start a fire with steel wool – You can start a fire with steel wool and a battery. Use a few thin strands of steel wool to bridge the battery poles (+ and -) and you will get sparks.
• Purify water with bleach – Not sure if your water is potable? Fill an empty soda bottle with water, add two drops of bleach and let it stand for 30 minutes.
• Breathe through your nose – If you are in the wilderness, remember to breathe through your nose and not through your mouth. Breathing through the mouth requires more energy and your body’s rate of dehydration will be twice as high.
• Eating makes you thirsty – If you find yourself in a situation where it is almost impossible to find drinking water, avoid eating at all costs. Eating will only make you thirstier. Remember that you can survive more days without food than without water.
• Use your watch as a compass – If you get lost during a trek or desert safari where it is really hard to find anything or someone who can help you, you can use your watch as a temporary compass.
  • Keep your watch flat and align the hour hand with the sun.
  • The point halfway between the hour hand and the 12 o’clock will be north.
  • If you are in the southern hemisphere, align the 12 with the sun.

15. Remember the Exits

• If you know that you will be in a crowded area (such as a concert), make a note of the emergency exits.
• In the event of a fire accident or other natural disaster, people will always exit through the same door they came in, resulting in a disaster.

16. Get Out of a Rip Tide

Riptides or rip currents are water currents that pull everything in between them into the sea. They are life-threatening, and you should know how to identify them. If you get caught in such a current, it is not so difficult to get out of them (if you act correctly).

• If you get caught in a riptide while you are enjoying the beach, just swim parallel to the shore instead of heading towards the shore. Riptides are long but not wide.
• If you can’t, just float on your back and let the tide carry you into the sea until you get out of the current. They usually range from 50 to 100 meters.
• As soon as the current subsides, swim a certain distance parallel to the shore and then towards the shore.

17. If a Blizzard Gets You Stranded in Your Car…

• This life-saving tip will be more useful for those living in countries like Canada where people face a lot of such problems in winter.
• If you get stuck in your car during a blizzard – stay put, keep the engine and heater running for 10 minutes every hour with a downwind window slightly open, and regularly check your exhaust pipe for snow.
• When it’s dark, turn on your dome lights so you’re easier to find.

18. Effective Areas to Hit the Enemy

• If you are attacked, you can defend yourself by hitting them in certain parts of your body – ears, eyes, or groin. That is where a person is weakest, and if you can hit them hard, you can traumatize them to give you enough time to escape.
• If you do not have a weapon to defend yourself, you can also use your belt as a whip.

19. If You See a Car Accident

• In emergency situations, especially in traffic accidents, people gather around you, but most will not step forward to help you because of the bystander effect. In this case, you should point directly to someone in the crowd and ask for help.
• For example, instead of shouting for help, you could simply point to someone and say, “You in the black T-shirt, call 911 now!”

20. Think Before Sharing Your Personal Details

• Think carefully before giving your personal information (such as name, contact number, address, credit card details, work address, etc.) to anyone. This applies to real life as well as the Internet.
• In today’s world, there are many criminals and thieves who try to provoke people to share their personal information with them so that they can swipe their identity and benefit from it in some way.

21. Male Pregnancy Test

Men should visit their doctor regularly for testicular cancer screening. You can also do this examination yourself at home by taking a pregnancy test. If the test result is positive, you may have testicular cancer and need immediate medical attention.

22. Let Friends or Family Know Your Whereabouts

Whether you live alone or just go out for the night, let someone in your family or friends know where you are going. This is hardly an effort for you, and if something goes wrong or you are not back in the morning, someone will know where to look for you.

23. When Being Carjacked…

If some crook forcibly enters your vehicle and orders you to follow his instructions to steal the vehicle, you can drive the vehicle directly into a tree or pole. This can help you in two ways: 1) the vehicle is damaged and 2) you have made yourself known to the public.

Sure, the vehicle will be damaged, but on the other hand, think about what is valuable – your car or your life?

24. Survive a Wildfire

Forest fires are unpredictable and fast-moving death traps. The smoke is visible from miles away, but the very first sign of a wildfire is falling ash. Here are some basic survival tips to avoid a wildfire:

• Flee the area – don’t think about hanging around here to see how it goes. Forest fires are highly unpredictable, dangerous and devastating; that even well-trained firefighters lose their lives fighting forest fires.
• Be aware of the situation – you must always know what is happening around you as you try to escape the wildfire. Simple, but essential.
• Walk downhill and not uphill unless you have no other choice. The fire progresses quite fast uphill due to the updraft.
• Have a plan – Find out the safety zones/escape routes where you could hide in case of a wildfire. Examples of safe zones are lakes, rivers, or large open areas.
• Take cover – If you are in the midst of flames, take cover, and lie down on the ground. The best place is a ditch that allows convection current to pass overhead.
• Temporary gas mask – When breathing through clothing that covers your nose, you can protect your lungs and airways from clouds of smoke.
• Last resort – If there is no possibility of escaping the approaching wildfire, you can use the help of a fire shelter (used by the fire department). This is an easily portable, storage-like foil cover in which you can take shelter when the fire passes.

25. Survive a Breakup

Breakups are no joke, no matter how it turns out. So here’s how to survive a breakup:

• Meditate more and don’t medicate at all! Avoid the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs as a distraction. Sometimes you may feel that eating helps you distract yourself, but it actually leads to weight gain. Instead, take a few minutes to sit down and calm your mind in a relaxing yoga or meditation.
• Eat nutritious food at regular intervals. Remember that your body cannot function properly without eating the right foods.
• Sleep more than enough! There is nothing more refreshing than getting enough sleep.
• Sweat! Raise your spirits by attending a boot camp or Zumba class at your gym. Think also about the amazing body you’ll get in a few months.
• Take a little vacation – you should give your mind some time to think and feel about the separation before you can really enjoy the trip.