12 Life Hacks That Can Help You Survive

BRIGHT SIDE

6 Oct 201708:51

Summary

TLDRThis video script provides essential life hacks for emergency situations, debunking common myths and offering practical advice. It covers a range of scenarios from dealing with foreign objects in the eye to treating burns and sprains. Key takeaways include avoiding the application of ice directly on bruises, not inducing vomiting in cases of poisoning, and the correct way to rescue a drowning person. The script also highlights the importance of seeking professional medical help for serious wounds and the use of alternatives like skin glue for minor cuts. It emphasizes the need for accurate first-aid knowledge to prevent further harm and ensure a faster recovery.

Takeaways

👀 When dealing with a foreign object in the eye, do not attempt to remove it yourself and seek medical help immediately if it's a piece of glass. For an eyelash, use a wet cloth after washing your hands.
💊 Avoid applying ointment to a wound as it can trap moisture and encourage bacterial growth. Clean the wound with cool water and soap, then apply a dry bandage.
🧊 Do not rub a person with a fever with alcohol or vinegar, as it can lead to intoxication or raise blood acidity, especially dangerous for children. Instead, hydrate and cool the room.
🛑 If an unconscious person faints, do not lift them up as it can worsen the situation. Elevate their legs, loosen tight clothing, and avoid caffeine until fully recovered.
🔥 For treating burns, do not use butter or sour cream as they can dry out the skin and worsen the burn. Instead, cool the burn under running water for 15 minutes.
⚠️ Never attempt to set a dislocated bone yourself. Immobilize the limb and go to the hospital.
🏥 In case of a sprain, do not apply heat as it can increase swelling. Use cold compresses to reduce inflammation and pain.
🚨 Do not induce vomiting in case of poisoning as it can lead to lung damage or throat burns. Call emergency services immediately.
🏊‍♂️ When rescuing a drowning person, approach from behind to avoid being pulled under and support them under the armpits or by the chin.
🩹 Do not remove objects from serious wounds yourself. Keep the object in place and seek professional medical help.
❄️ When treating a bruise with ice, use a cloth barrier to prevent cold burns and follow the 20 minutes on, 90 minutes off rule post-injury.
🩹 For some cuts, skin glue can be a quick and painless alternative to stitches, but for larger wounds, seek professional medical assistance.

Q & A

What should you do if you have a foreign object like a piece of glass in your eye?
-Do not attempt to remove it yourself. Instead, have someone drive you to the hospital for professional treatment.
How should you handle a small foreign object like an eyelash in your eye?
-Wash your hands first, locate the eyelash using a mirror, blink to encourage tears to wash it out, and then use a wet piece of cloth to remove the eyelash if it's in the corner of your eye.
Why is applying ointment to a wound not recommended?
-Ointments like petroleum jelly can trap moisture, creating an environment for bacteria to reproduce more quickly. It's better to clean the wound with cool water and soap and then apply a dry bandage.
What is a safer alternative to rubbing a person with a fever with alcohol or vinegar?
-Instead, ensure the person drinks plenty of water, tea, or other non-alcoholic fluids and cool the room to a temperature between 61 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 18 degrees Celsius).
Why should you not lift an unconscious person up right after they faint?
-Lifting a fainted person up can aggravate the spasm. It's better to lift their legs, unbutton any tight clothing, and avoid letting them stand up immediately after regaining consciousness.
How should you treat a burn instead of using butter or sour cream?
-Hold the burn under cool water for 15 minutes. Butter and sour cream can dry out the skin and disrupt thermal exchange, potentially causing more damage.
What should you do if you suspect a bone is dislocated and you're not a medical professional?
-Immobilize the injured limb and go to the hospital as soon as possible. Do not attempt to set the dislocated joint yourself.
How should you handle a sprain instead of applying heat?
-Apply cold to the sprain to lessen inflammation and kill pain. Try to use the sprained limb as little as possible for at least the first 48 hours.
Why is making yourself vomit not a recommended action in case of poisoning?
-Forcing oneself to vomit can lead to the poison entering the lungs and causing damage, burning the throat, and potentially causing severe dehydration.
What is the correct way to approach rescuing a drowning person if you can swim?
-Approach the person from behind to avoid being hindered or dragged down by their panic. Grab them under the armpits or by the chin and move to shore, keeping their head at your belly.
Why should you not attempt to remove objects from serious wounds?
-Objects in serious wounds can help prevent bleeding. Removing them before professional medical supervision can lead to increased bleeding and potential infection.
What is an alternative to using ice on a bruise that can prevent a cold burn?
-Instead of using ice, you can place a cloth between the skin and the ice pack to prevent direct contact and the risk of a cold burn.
What is an alternative to stitches for closing smaller wounds?
-Skin glue can be used as a quick and virtually painless alternative to stitches. It involves cleaning the wound, stopping the bleeding, and applying the glue along the wound's edges.

Outlines

00:00

🚑 Emergency Life Hacks: Debunking Common Myths

This paragraph discusses common life hacks and their effectiveness in emergency situations. It highlights that some widely accepted advice, such as applying ice to a bruise or lifting an unconscious person, can actually be harmful. The paragraph provides alternative methods for dealing with foreign objects in the eye, treating wounds, managing a fever, and handling unconsciousness. It also warns against using butter or sour cream on burns, self-setting dislocated joints, and applying warmth to sprains. The key takeaway is to avoid potentially harmful home remedies and to seek professional medical help when necessary.

05:06

🆘 First Aid Misconceptions: Correct Approaches to Emergencies

The second paragraph continues to address misconceptions in first aid, focusing on the incorrect practice of inducing vomiting in cases of poisoning, the proper way to rescue a drowning person, the dangers of removing objects from serious wounds, and the misuse of ice on bruises. It emphasizes the importance of calling emergency services in cases of poisoning and approaching a drowning victim from behind to avoid being pulled under. The paragraph also explains that objects in wounds should not be removed without professional supervision and that ice should not be applied directly to the skin. Finally, it discusses the use of stitches and skin glue for closing wounds, advising to seek professional help for large wounds.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Emergency Situation

An emergency situation refers to a scenario that requires immediate attention and action to prevent harm or further damage. In the context of the video, it is the overarching theme to which all the life hacks are related, providing guidance on how to respond to various urgent health and safety issues.

💡Foreign Object in the Eye

A foreign object in the eye is any material, such as glass or an eyelash, that is not naturally part of the eye and can cause discomfort or injury. The video emphasizes the importance of not attempting to remove such objects without professional help and provides specific advice for dealing with less severe cases like an eyelash.

💡Wound Care

Wound care involves the treatment and management of injuries to the skin or underlying tissues. The video discusses the misconception of using ointment, which can retain moisture and promote bacterial growth, and instead recommends cleaning the wound with soap and water and applying a dry bandage to facilitate healing.

💡Fever Management

Fever management is the process of reducing high body temperature, which can be caused by illness. The video dispels the myth of using alcohol or vinegar to reduce fever, explaining the potential dangers, and suggests hydration and maintaining a cool room temperature as safer alternatives.

💡Unconscious Person

An unconscious person is someone who is not awake or aware of their surroundings, often due to injury or medical condition. The video corrects the common misconception of lifting an unconscious person and suggests lifting their legs, loosening tight clothing, and avoiding caffeinated drinks upon regaining consciousness.

💡Burn Treatment

Burn treatment involves the proper care of skin that has been damaged by heat. The video warns against using butter or sour cream, which can dry the skin and worsen the burn, and instead advises cooling the burn under water for 15 minutes to alleviate pain and prevent further damage.

💡Dislocated Joint

A dislocated joint occurs when bones in a joint are forced from their normal positions, often causing severe pain and requiring medical attention. The video advises against self-treatment and recommends immobilizing the injured limb and seeking immediate medical care to prevent further injury.

💡Sprain Management

Sprain management refers to the treatment of an injury to a ligament, which is the tissue that connects bones in a joint. The video explains that applying heat to a sprain can increase swelling and worsen the injury, and instead recommends using cold to reduce inflammation and pain.

💡Poison Response

Poison response is the action taken when someone has ingested a harmful substance. The video strongly advises against inducing vomiting, which can lead to additional complications, and emphasizes the importance of calling emergency services for professional help.

💡Drowning Rescue

Drowning rescue involves the act of saving someone from drowning, which requires careful approach and technique to prevent further harm. The video provides guidance on approaching a drowning person from behind and supporting their head while moving to safety.

💡Wound Debridement

Wound debridement is the process of removing foreign material and dead tissue from a wound to promote healing. The video advises against removing objects from serious wounds, as doing so can cause further bleeding and complications, and recommends professional medical treatment instead.

💡Bruise Treatment

Bruise treatment is the care given to an area of tissue where blood has leaked from blood vessels without breaking the skin. The video clarifies the correct use of ice to reduce swelling and pain, emphasizing the importance of using a cloth barrier to prevent cold burn and timing the application to avoid skin damage.

💡Stitches and Skin Glue

Stitches and skin glue are methods used to close wounds. The video discusses the traditional use of stitches and introduces skin glue as a quicker and less painful alternative for smaller wounds, while stressing the importance of seeking professional help for larger wounds.

Highlights

Applying ice directly to a bruise is not recommended; instead, use a cloth to prevent cold burns.

Lifting an unconscious person can lead to severe consequences; it's better to elevate their legs and loosen tight clothing.

Rubbing a person with a fever with alcohol or vinegar can be harmful; hydration and a cool environment are more effective.

Treating burns with butter or sour cream can cause more damage by disrupting thermal exchange and drying the skin.

Attempting to set a dislocated joint without professional medical training can result in additional injuries.

Applying warmth to a sprain can worsen swelling; cold application is advised to lessen inflammation.

In case of poisoning, inducing vomiting is not advised due to the risk of lung damage and dehydration.

Rescue techniques for a drowning person should involve approaching from behind to avoid being dragged down.

Objects embedded in serious wounds should not be removed by untrained individuals; professional medical care is necessary.

Using stitches to close cuts is not always necessary; skin glue can be a quick and painless alternative for smaller wounds.

Dealing with a foreign object in the eye requires caution; do not attempt self-removal for serious cases and seek medical attention.

Applying ointment to a wound can introduce unwanted moisture, promoting bacterial growth; clean and dry bandaging is preferred.

Blisters from burns serve a protective purpose; do not remove them as it may lead to infection.

In the case of a sprain, using the limb as little as possible for the first 48 hours can help prevent further damage.

Making yourself vomit in response to poisoning can be dangerous; it's crucial to call emergency services instead.

When rescuing a drowning person, ensure your own safety by knowing how to swim and approaching the victim correctly.

For minor wounds, skin glue can be used as an alternative to stitches, which can be a more comfortable option.

After 48 hours post-injury, applying ice is no longer beneficial for treating bruises.