1. How to perform CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an essential skill every adult should know. Even if you’ve taken a CPR class in the past, you should refresh your skills every few years to stay sharp in the event that an emergency arises. You can review the procedure online, but simply knowing the proper steps of CPR isn’t sufficient to manage spontaneous emergencies. Get yourself tested and certified. The training is relatively inexpensive and quick to complete.
2. The Heimlich Maneuver
First, determine whether the person’s choking. If he or she can talk or cough, don’t take action yet. If the person can’t say anything or cough, announce that you’re going to do the Heimlich Maneuver – you’re there to help. Next, get behind the person and wrap your arms around his or her waist. Roll your hand into a fist with your thumb facing in, hold the fist with your other hand and thrust upwards in five quick bursts. Continue until you have expelled the foreign body.
3. Learn to recognize the signs of a stroke
Strokes can present in anyone at any age. Signs include: difficulty seeing, confusion or cloudiness of thought, weakness or numbness – particularly down one side of the body, sudden acute headache, difficulty balancing or walking in a straight line, and spasms of the muscles in the face. Not all signs present in every stroke. If you suspect a stroke, get medical help ASAP.
4. Learn to recognize signs of poisoning
Symptoms depend on the type and amount of chemical ingested and can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include: diminished appetite, headaches, irritation of the eyes (e.g. tearing), sweating, strange breath, and nausea. More severe symptoms can include: confusion, coughing, erratic pulse, shortness of breath, convulsions, lack of muscle coordination, twitching, seizure, spiking fever, and loss of consciousness.
5. Learn to recognize and handle an epileptic seizure
Initial symptoms may include seeing “auras” in the field of vision, numbness, loss or alteration of ability to see or smell, nausea, and panic. Advanced symptoms may include: tongue biting, drooling, facial twitching, a sense of being “out of it,” and difficulty communicating. The seizure victim should be kept clear of any objects or situations that could cause injury. Once the seizure has passed, the victim should be taken for medical evaluation. Remember, not all seizures present the same symptoms, so even if you experience/observe minimal symptoms, you should still seek help.
6. Learn how to swim strongly
First, you need to get comfortable in the water. Practice holding your breath underwater for brief stints of time (5-10 seconds). There are several different strokes to learn, including the backstroke, the butterfly, the crawl stroke, and the breast stroke. Get lessons from a qualified instructor and focus on technique over speed. Aim for smooth actions, and spend time practicing at your local pool. You should also strengthen your body in preparation by doing exercises for your core, your legs, your back, and your chest/arms.
7. How to look for food in the wild
Whether you are out camping, lost at sea, or abandoned on the side of the road in a desert in an unfamiliar country, you need to know basic principles about how to find edible food in the natural world. The untrained forager's first instinct is to assume that berries and fruits are generally edible. However, many delicious-looking berries and leaves are filled with toxins that can cause serious illnesses and even death. Cultivate a rudimentary understanding of the naturally edible foods in your local environment. For instance, if you live in New England, learn to recognize at least a few naturally occurring edible berries and plants in your area. You should also be able to fish and hunt with rudimentary tools -- particularly if you live far from a major shopping center.
8. How to create a shelter in the wild
If you’re caught out in increment weather while hiking, canoeing or exploring the wilderness, you need to be able to protect yourself from the elements and from natural predators. Learn to construct a rudimentary shelter using items like big stones, overhanging trees, roots, or branches. Brush-up on the skills you learned in the Boy Scout or Girl Scouts -- such as how to tie ropes, how to start fires using flint, and how to signal to other parties that you are lost.
9. Develop an evacuation plan
In the event of a nuclear holocaust, natural disaster, or other unexpected event that requires you and your family to flee at short notice, you need to have a roadmap in place to keep safe. Drill your family for quick evacuations. Although this may seem silly and over reactive, specialists recommend that families practice fire drills and escape strategies regularly. You should also keep a map of nearby shelters and a schematic of your home's blueprints nearby, so you can turn off gas, water, and power if need be.
10. Become a good communicator under pressure
When disaster strikes, the natural human reaction is to panic. But keeping a cool head is essential to solving practical problems at hand. It can be difficult to hone this skill, particularly if you aren’t thrust into dangerous situations on a regular basis. But you can get better. Learn stress reduction techniques. Improve your public speaking skills. Focus on your breathing. Develop an emergency “knowledge-base,” so that you know how to react in various key situations. The more prepared and confident you are, the better you will intuitively communicate with those around you.
