Wiekes weetjes: 10 survival facts that could one day save your life
Sorry guys, I'm still in my grim phase. Last week I already delighted you with ten facts that you probably didn't need to know either, you didn't have to know, today I'm staying a bit in the same genre. But no stress: a bit with a positive note. Because you never know, these facts might someday save your life. Hopefully, you'll never find yourself in that situation, but better safe than sorry.
1. If someone ever wants to kidnap or hold you hostage: never go to a second location. Statistics show that the chance of being murdered increases by 90 (!) percent when you do. So hit, kick, scream, yell, give it your all: as long as you don't get taken away.
2. And if you're screaming, don't scream for help. No, scream ‘fire’. According to research, people are more likely to help then. The reasoning behind this is that people don't think they can be of service when they hear ‘help’, and that fire could also harm them. Well, people are selfish beings.
3. Suppose you're swimming in the sea and can't get out of the current anymore. Acute panic and everyone's nightmare. Life tip number three: swim parallel to the shore, so horizontally. This will cost you less energy and you'll swim out of the current.
4. During an earthquake, do not stand in a doorway. Instead, lie on your side, near a large object (like a cupboard). Just make sure that when the object falls, it doesn't fall on you, so in the case of a cupboard, lie on the side.
5. A simple mnemonic for when you ever encounter a bear and don't know what to do. Sure, we live in the Netherlands, but just in case you ever get lost in Canada or something.
If it’s black — fight back (scream, make yourself big and make wild gestures)
If it’s brown — lie down (play dead)
If it’s white — say goodnight (you don't stand a chance. Sorry.)
6. If you ever get stabbed (let's hope not), leave the object that stabbed you in place. Don't pull it out: this can cause blood vessels to tear and bleed profusely, as they were initially held back by what stabbed you.
7. If something bad happens and there is a group of people present, there is often the ‘bystander effect’: no one does anything because everyone expects someone else to do it. The solution is to point out specific people and give them tasks.
8. Are you in the car afraid of being followed? Turn right or left four times. You'll end up back in the same place, and if someone isn't following you, they've already given up. Is the car still behind you? Drive to the nearest police station.
9. Don't have a weapon on you but need one? Use your belt.
10. Last but very not least: always trust your instincts. Don't be ashamed to run away if something doesn't feel right, because your safety is always more important.
