These facts are crazy helpful! Today, we’re counting down our picks for the Top 100 Survival Facts That Might Save Your Life One Day.
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00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 100 survival facts
00:06 that might save your life one day.
00:08 If you have any useful survival tips, please sound off in the comments.
00:13 Who knows, it might save somebody's life.
00:18 Don't cross a river unless you can confirm that the water is shallow and slow.
00:23 If the water exceeds jogging pace, find another way around.
00:28 You've been taken hostage and your captor is tying you up.
00:31 Tighten your muscles so the ties will be loose when you relax, making it easier to escape.
00:38 If there's a fire, air conditioning can increase the spread of smoke.
00:42 If you don't really need it, turn AC off before you go to sleep.
00:47 If you want to store water for emergencies, keep it in BPA-free 55-gallon barrels made
00:54 of food-grade plastic.
00:57 There are no less than 1.5 gallons of water per person per day, .5 of which should go
01:03 towards cooking and cleanliness.
01:06 You can extend the shelf life of food using oxygen absorbers.
01:11 Label unpackaged food with purchase dates, and leftovers in Tupperware with preparation
01:16 and expiration dates.
01:19 Camping and worried about intruders?
01:21 You can use string or fishing line and tin cans to create a tripwire alarm around the
01:27 perimeter of your campsite.
01:30 You might have even seen this trick on The Walking Dead.
01:33 You can leave a sticker on the outside of your home alerting prowlers that you have
01:37 a security system.
01:39 Don't specify what kind of system, though, as that'll make it easier to disarm.
01:45 Always check the peephole before answering the door, even if you're expecting company.
01:50 You never know who could be on the other side, or what they're carrying.
02:03 Make sure to filter and purify water from rivers or streams before drinking.
02:08 If you don't have purification tablets, boil water for 10 minutes in a metal container
02:14 and let it cool.
02:16 You can sharpen a knife using a coffee mug, leather belt, smooth stones, or even a nail
02:23 file.
02:24 If birds and insects are nearby, as opposed to only reptiles, water is likely within reach.
02:31 Even out of matches, reading glasses and the sun can spark a campfire.
02:47 If an RV is out of your price range, a four-wheel drive SUV is the next best option for shelter,
02:54 storage and transportation.
02:56 A riot has broken out with you stuck in the middle.
03:00 Avoid contact with aggressors, keep your head down, and calmly move toward the nearest exit.
03:06 Fire is spreading through your house.
03:08 As you make your way to the closest exit, close every door you go through, thus slowing
03:13 the fire down.
03:15 Moisture and high temperatures are bad for medications, so it's actually not a great
03:20 idea to keep them in your bathroom's ironically named medicine cabinet.
03:25 A prepared wilderness explorer keeps first aid gear in easily accessible outside pockets
03:32 for immediate action.
03:34 Acting in self-defense, aim for your attacker's eyes, throat, or chin.
03:40 If their head is out of reach, the knees and groin are also vulnerable areas.
03:45 A wide variety of household items can function as self-defense weapons, from pens to coffee
03:51 pots to even bathrobe belts.
03:54 Pepper spray can be an effective self-defense weapon, but if an attacker is just two or
04:00 three feet away, it can blow back into your own eyes, especially if the wind is working
04:06 against you.
04:12 If you don't know the emergency number while traveling overseas, dialing 112 can get you
04:18 immediate help in most places, especially European countries.
04:23 If a tornado isn't moving to the right or the left, it could be moving straight for
04:29 you.
04:30 Seek the nearest shelter, ideally without windows.
04:33 Take four turns if you think the car behind you is following you.
04:38 If they're still on your tail after the fourth turn, call authorities and drive to
04:42 the nearest police station rather than home.
04:45 Don't turn any lights on or off if you smell gas in the house, as this can trigger an explosion.
04:53 When being chased by bees or wasps, don't jump into the water, because they'll just
04:58 wait for you to come up for air.
05:00 Just keep running as far from their hive as possible.
05:04 When an object is stuck in a wound, don't remove it.
05:08 Call the authorities and apply pressure until they arrive.
05:15 A pack of wolves has confronted you at close range.
05:19 Instead of running away and inviting a chase, firmly stand your ground until they, hopefully,
05:25 leave.
05:26 If you're struggling to find a water source, try dried-up riverbeds, sand dune troughs,
05:33 or beach-high tide marks.
05:35 Carve a makeshift spade from a branch and dig a hole a few feet deep.
05:40 If water seeps in, collect, filter, and boil for drinking.
05:48 Rather than explore the wilderness alone, bring along a canine companion to combat loneliness
05:54 and alert you to predators and prey.
05:57 If your temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 39.4 degrees Celsius, seek medical
06:05 help.
06:06 This goes double for young children and adults over 50.
06:10 While choking alone in your house, don't hesitate to call 911.
06:15 Whether or not you can talk, the dispatcher should recognize the situation as they hear
06:20 you attempting to cough up the object.
06:22 You're lost, and the sun is setting.
06:25 Don't run aimlessly in hopes of stumbling upon civilization.
06:29 You're better off staying in one spot once it gets dark.
06:33 If your flashlight runs out of batteries, you can make a torch by splitting the end
06:38 of a branch, stuffing birch spark into the split, and lighting it.
06:42 Emergency blankets can be used to reflect the sun's heat away.
06:47 They can also reflect heat from a campfire toward you.
06:51 By pouring water into the corner of a plastic bag or bottle, you can make a magnifying glass
06:56 to start a campfire.
07:03 To conserve body heat, stuff your clothes with dry leaves.
07:08 You can make a little stove by cutting off the base of a soda can with some additional
07:13 tweaks and a fuel source.
07:15 Tie clothing around your legs and walk through long grass to absorb the dew.
07:20 Wring the clothes into a bottle to collect the liquid.
07:24 Tin foil can be used to craft a bowl, which in turn can be used to heat water.
07:30 Rubbing crab apples on wounds can help tighten the surrounding skin and blood vessels.
07:36 When choosing a campsite, avoid hilltops exposed to wind and rain.
07:41 Look instead for flat, dry ground with rocks, hills, or trees to shield you, ideally close
07:47 to wood for fire and a river for water and fishing.
07:52 Just because animals are eating leaves and fungi doesn't necessarily mean they're
07:57 safe for humans.
07:58 Don't eat anything you're not 150% sure about.
08:03 Daisies are generally safe to eat, with the flower even being used to brew tea.
08:10 If you extend an imaginary line through the two stars at the front of the Big Dipper's
08:15 cup, it will point you to the North Star.
08:18 When stranded somewhere, items you'd usually throw away can be used as survival tools,
08:24 so don't be eager to discard paper wrappers, used dental floss, paper clips, and other
08:30 junk.
08:31 P.A.C.E. is an acronym for Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency.
08:38 This communication plan applies to various survival scenarios, even being used by the
08:43 U.S. military.
08:44 When stocking food for an emergency, you should prioritize canned foods, given their long
08:50 shelf life.
08:58 If there's a shortage of cleaning supplies, baking soda can be used for dirty laundry,
09:03 dishes, and tiles.
09:05 FIFO, or First In First Out, is another acronym to live by.
09:11 When storing food, the first items to go in are generally the first to be consumed.
09:17 Just because you're home doesn't mean that somebody won't try to break in, so
09:22 consider keeping doors and windows locked regardless.
09:26 Your home address number should be clearly visible outside so that authorities can find
09:32 your residence during an emergency.
09:35 Rather than just leaving your porch lights on to deter burglars, consider installing
09:40 motion sensors that can suddenly turn lights on when someone intrudes.
09:45 For an extra layer of protection, make sure your front door has double-cylinder deadbolts.
09:51 It'll be harder for a burglar to come through a sliding glass door or window if you stick
09:57 a dowel rod in there.
09:59 If you leave music or the TV on when you leave the house, potential intruders are more likely
10:05 to believe it's occupied.
10:08 Before you leave on a hike, let someone know your route and expected return time.
10:20 When trying to keep a low profile in the wild, fire is inclined to attract attention.
10:34 Stick to eating canned foods and instead of burning your waist, take the cathole route.
10:39 You can often find food by heading to the nearest body of water.
10:43 At least there's likely to be fish there.
10:46 You never know when you might need a Silcock key.
10:49 In addition to water taps, they can be used to access electrical cabinets and gas supplies.
10:56 Your go-to sneakers might get you through a walk in the park, but you'll need a light,
11:01 comfortable pair of hiking boots to traverse the wilderness and avoid blisters.
11:06 If caught in a wildfire while driving, park in an area without vegetation, make sure all
11:11 windows are closed, wrap yourself with a blanket or jacket on the floor, and call the authorities.
11:18 Just as you shouldn't hide in a fridge during a nuclear explosion, the same goes for tornadoes,
11:23 earthquakes, and other disasters.
11:26 Indiana Jones may survive, but you probably won't.
11:29 You might even get trapped inside and suffocate.
11:41 Money isn't just a sweet treat, but thanks to its antibacterial nature, it can treat wounds.
11:48 When hiking or camping, bring portable power banks to recharge your phone.
11:54 When given a daunting endeavor, think it through one step at a time rather than diving in headfirst.
12:01 Bunkers aren't always as effective as you think.
12:04 If there's a gas leak, a fire, or a relentless human intruder, your safe haven may become
12:11 a tomb.
12:12 In case your phone can't get a connection, be sure to have maps and survival guides downloaded.
12:18 Spitting can save your life when buried in an avalanche.
12:22 Wherever gravity takes your saliva, dig in the opposite direction to freedom.
12:27 In snowy backcountry areas, travel in a group and carry avalanche kits.
12:32 A kit typically includes a tracker beacon, probe, and shovel in case of an avalanche.
12:39 When confronted by a mountain lion, turning your back on it is an invitation for pouncing.
12:44 Instead, calmly walk backward.
12:53 It might not be the most exciting topic, but latrines are crucial in the wild.
12:59 Building a good latrine can keep diseases, bugs, and even bears away from your camp.
13:05 Make a trench 2 feet deep in a spot downwind at least 200 feet from your campsite and water
13:12 sources.
13:13 Cover your business with earth after each use.
13:16 It's worth the effort.
13:18 If a power line falls near you, put your legs together and hop away like a bunny rather
13:23 than run.
13:24 This can prevent electricity from traveling up one leg and down the other.
13:29 Vent pegs may be used as a canteen or pot holder, allowing you to boil the water inside.
13:36 When boiling water in a canteen, placing tinfoil on the lid can speed up the process.
13:42 Urine might be liquid, but drinking it won't rehydrate you.
13:47 If anything, it'll make you dehydrated faster.
13:50 It shouldn't be your first option, but alcohols can treat wounds if they have proof of 150
13:57 or more.
13:58 A zipper can be converted into a fish hook.
14:01 Just tear off the handle, break the loop open, move the loose ends 90 degrees, and use a
14:06 rock to sharpen the tip.
14:08 You probably know to keep electronics in a waterproof bag, but water can render compasses
14:14 useless as well if they're not waterproof.
14:17 Don't jump into a lake with one.
14:20 Used shotgun shells can be melted down to form new items, such as arrowheads and seals.
14:27 Whether used to patch up a hole in a tent, reseal food packages, or wrap a sprained ankle,
14:33 duct tape is a multi-purpose survival tool.
14:37 If you wake up to a red sky, a storm is likely on the horizon.
14:43 Moss grows away from light, meaning it's inclined to grow on the north surface of trees.
14:49 Think of it as nature's compass.
14:52 If your friend gets bitten by a snake, don't suck out the venom like in the movies.
14:57 Get them to a safe area, have them lie down with the wound below the heart, and seek medical
15:03 attention.
15:11 Even if it's not projected to rain, waterproofing your backpack with the proper lining will
15:16 keep you a step ahead of all weather conditions.
15:20 Avoid hiking and camping wearing cotton.
15:23 Once it's soaked up your sweat, it won't be drying anytime soon, and you'll be out
15:27 in the cold.
15:29 If your arm is broken in the wild, your t-shirt can be converted into a temporary arm sling.
15:35 You're being pursued, but your keys are locked in your car.
15:39 Bust the window open with any nearby blunt objects.
15:42 Aim for the edges, where the glass will shatter more easily.
15:46 Unlock the door, start the car, and hit the gas.
15:50 You're in your tent at night, when you hear something snuffling outside.
15:54 To keep critters, including bears, away from your camp, keep it clean.
15:59 And don't store food in your tent.
16:01 Hang it in a bag, 200 feet away, on a branch 15 feet above the ground.
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16:19 If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
16:24 You can add emergency contact and medical information to your phone's lock screen.
16:29 This is especially helpful if you're too weak to call an ambulance yourself and somebody
16:33 is around to help.
16:35 To minimize blood clotting while having a heart attack, chewing aspirin is more effective
16:40 than swallowing it.
16:41 When stuck in a tight situation, a paracord or parachute cord can be utilized to make
16:47 a ladder.
16:48 Faraday cages can be used to block electromagnetic radiation, such as from an EMP.
16:55 They can be made with plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
16:59 When somebody near you is being electrocuted, don't touch them, or else you'll be in
17:04 store for a shock as well.
17:06 If you can't turn off the electrical source, attempt to push them from the current with
17:10 a long wooden stick.
17:12 Vinegar and water can relieve pain when enduring a nasty sunburn.
17:23 Snow blindness is like getting sunburned on your eyes.
17:26 If you're stranded in the snow without sunglasses, rubbing charcoal beneath your eyes can reduce
17:32 reflection.
17:33 If there isn't enough food for three meals a day, eat at night to keep you warm.
17:39 If water gets in your waterproof shoes, heat some rocks and put them inside the footwear
17:44 to dry them off.
17:46 Air conditioning broken?
17:47 MacGyver one with a styrofoam case, ice cubes, and a fan.
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