Survival Knowledge Base
Browse all documented situations. Every instruction clearly separates life-saving actions from dry commentary.
Allergy Escalating Rather Quickly
“Inject epinephrine into the outer thigh immediately, call 911/112, keep the person lying flat, and never let them stand up.”
INJECT EPINEPHRINE (ADRENALINE) IMMEDIATELY: If the person has a prescribed auto-injector (EpiPen, Jext, Auvi-Q), use it immediately at the first sign of airway swelling, breathing difficulty, or dizziness.
Animal Has Made an Unplanned Hole in You
“Wash vigorously with soap and water for 15 full minutes, apply antiseptic, and seek rabies PEP/antibiotics immediately.”
WASH VIGOROUSLY WITH SOAP & WATER FOR 15 MINUTES: Copious mechanical washing with soap and running water immediately destroys the lipid envelope of rabies virus and flushes bacteria.
Asthma Inhaler Noticeably Not Doing the Job
“Sit upright, take 4–10 puffs of rescue inhaler (1 at a time), and call 911/112 immediately if words cannot be spoken.”
ADOPT TRIPOD POSITION (KUTSCHERSITZ): Sit upright leaning forward with hands or elbows braced against knees to mobilize accessory respiratory muscles.
Bleeding More Than Is Generally Recommended
“Press hard with both hands directly on the wound; for catastrophic limb bleeds, apply a tourniquet high and tight.”
APPLY DIRECT UNRELENTING PRESSURE: Firm, continuous pressure is the primary tool to stop external hemorrhage:
Blood Sugar Has Left the Chat
“Give 15g fast sugar ONLY if fully awake and swallowing; never pour liquids into a drowsy or unconscious mouth.”
ASSESS CONSCIOUSNESS & SWALLOWING REFLEX: Determine if the person can safely swallow without risk of fatal aspiration:
Body Part Pointing in a New and Unapproved Direction
“Immobilize in the position found, never try to snap bones or joints back in place, and check distal pulses.”
IMMOBILIZE IN FOUND POSITION: Support and splint the injured limb in the exact position found. Never attempt amateur bone or joint realignment.
Building Has Started Moving Without Permission
“Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head under a sturdy desk, and hold on until shaking stops; never stand in a doorway or run outside.”
DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON: Protect yourself under sturdy furniture immediately during seismic shaking:
Car Currently on Fire
“Pull over, turn off ignition, get everyone 30 meters upwind immediately, and never open the hood.”
PULL OVER, TURN OFF IGNITION & EVACUATE: Steer to shoulder safely, cut ignition to stop fuel pumps, and exit all passengers immediately.
Car Unexpectedly Becoming a Boat
“Seatbelt OFF, Window OPEN, Children OUT, Escape (SWOC) before the car sinks below the surface.”
SEATBELTS OFF & OPEN WINDOWS IMMEDIATELY: Execute within the first 60 seconds before vehicle submerges and electrical power fails:
Carbon Monoxide, Quietly Ruining Everyone's Afternoon
“You cannot smell carbon monoxide; if your alarm beeps or multiple people feel flu-like indoors, get outside into fresh air immediately.”
EVACUATE EVERYONE TO OUTDOOR FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY: Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless. Move all occupants and pets into open air immediately.
Chest Feeling Unreasonably Heavy
“Call 911/112 immediately, sit upright with back supported, enforce absolute rest, and locate an AED.”
CALL 911 / 112 IMMEDIATELY: Report suspected acute coronary syndrome (heart attack) and put dispatch on speakerphone.
Cleaning Products Have Formed an Alliance
“Leave the room immediately into fresh air, never pour water into the reacting bucket, and call Poison Control / 911/112.”
EVACUATE ROOM IMMEDIATELY TO FRESH AIR: Mixing bleach with acids or ammonia produces lethal chlorine or chloramine gas. Inhale zero fumes and leave door open.
Cold, Excessive
“Handle gently, keep horizontal, insulate the core, and never rub freezing limbs.”
SEEK SHELTER & REMOVE WET CLOTHING: Move out of wind and cold, strip off wet garments, and insulate body with dry layers and windproof blankets.
Electricity Currently Using a Person as a Wire
“Never touch an energized person; kill the power at the breaker first, call 911/112, start CPR if pulseless, and hospitalize for ECG.”
NEVER TOUCH VICTIM DIRECTLY WHILE IN CIRCUIT: Current will pass through your body. Disconnect power at main circuit breaker or unplug cord immediately.
Elevator Has Stopped Being an Elevator
“Stay inside the cabin, use the emergency call button or phone, and never pry the doors to climb out between floors.”
PRESS EMERGENCY ALARM / CALL INTERCOM: Use the yellow alarm bell button or phone icon to connect directly with 24/7 elevator dispatch.
Escalator Currently Eating Something
“Hit the big red EMERGENCY STOP button at the top or bottom landing immediately; never pull against a running motor.”
HIT EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON IMMEDIATELY: Press prominent red STOP button located at top or bottom landing posts.
Eye Recently Contacted by Angry Chemical
“Flush with clean running water for 20 minutes with eyelids held wide open, never neutralize, and call 911/112.”
FLUSH EYE IMMEDIATELY WITH RUNNING WATER (15–20 MIN): Every second counts. Hold eyelids open and flush eye under gently running tap water or saline for 15 to 20 continuous minutes from inner corner outwards.
Face Doing Something Weird on One Side
“Check Face, Arms, and Speech; note the exact time, and call emergency dispatch immediately.”
PERFORM FAST STROKE ASSESSMENT: Quickly evaluate the four critical stroke criteria:
Floodwater Looking Surprisingly Drivable
“Turn around, don’t drown: 30 cm of moving water floats your car, and 15 cm sweeps you off your feet.”
TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN: Never drive into standing or moving water. Just 30 cm (12 in) floats passenger cars, 60 cm (24 in) sweeps heavy SUVs.
Frostbite Turning Fingers Waxy and Solid
“Rewarm in warm water (37–39°C) ONLY if there is zero chance of refreezing; never rub with snow or massage frozen tissue.”
SEEK WARM SHELTER & PREVENT FURTHER FREEZING: Move indoors, remove wet constricting gloves/boots, and shelter from wind.
Gas, Noticeably Existing Indoors
“If your house smells like rotten eggs, operate zero switches, leave doors open behind you, and call dispatch from outside.”
NO SWITCHES, PHONES, OR OPEN FLAMES: Do not operate light switches, doorbells, appliances, or mobile phones inside the gas-filled area (sparks trigger explosions).
Hair, Suddenly Vertical
“The atmosphere is preparing to strike, not complimenting your volume.”
LEAVE EXPOSED TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY: Vertical hair indicates you are inside an active electrostatic streamer channel:
Head Recently Met Something Solid
“Hold the head still in line, watch for red flags (vomiting, amnesia, pupil changes), and prioritize clear airway over spinal stillness.”
IMMOBILIZE CERVICAL SPINE & RESTRICT MOVEMENT: Keep head, neck, and spine aligned in a neutral position. Avoid turning or tilting the neck.
Heat Cramps and Exhaustion Escalating
“Move to shade, loosen clothing, sip electrolytes, and start rapid whole-body cooling if confusion or vomiting develops.”
MOVE TO COOL ENVIRONMENT & LOOSEN CLOTHING: Stop all activity immediately and move to air conditioning or deep shade.
Heat, Excessive
“Cool first, transport second: immerse in cold water immediately, call 911/112, and never give antipyretic fever pills.”
CALL 911 / 112 IMMEDIATELY (HEAT STROKE EMERGENCY): Report severe hyperthermia / heat stroke if altered mental state, confusion, or seizures are present.
Ice, No Longer Supporting You
“Control your breathing, kick your legs horizontally to flutter-kick onto the ice shelf, and roll away—never stand up immediately.”
CONTROL BREATHING & COMBAT COLD SHOCK: Keep head above water and suppress the initial 60-second hyperventilation panic reflex.
Large Reptile Has Decided You Are Relevant
“The water's edge is their front door. Do not wait for them to answer it.”
BREAK THE WATER BOUNDARY IMMEDIATELY: Step back at least 5 meters (15–20 feet) from the water's edge and move continuously inland.
Oil, Currently on Fire
“Never pour water on burning oil: turn off the heat, slide a metal lid over the pan, and leave it covered.”
NEVER POUR WATER ON BURNING OIL: Water boils instantly into steam, atomizing burning grease into a catastrophic fireball explosion.
Open Chest Wound Making an Unsettling Sucking Sound
“Wipe blood, apply a vented chest seal (or leave uncovered if none available), and burp the dressing immediately if breathing worsens.”
EXPOSE AND SEAL WOUND IMMEDIATELY: Quickly expose puncture wound and cover immediately with a gloved hand during exhale.
Person, Currently Choking
“If they can cough, encourage coughing; if they cannot breathe or speak, alternate 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts.”
ASSESS SEVERITY AND ENCOURAGE COUGHING: Determine if the airway obstruction is mild or severe:
Person Currently Having a Seizure
“Protect the head, time the duration, never put anything in the mouth, and turn onto the side once shaking stops.”
PROTECT FROM TRAUMA & CLEAR AREA: Move sharp, hard, or dangerous objects away from the convulsing person and place a soft jacket under their head.
Person Has Inhaled More Water Than Recommended
“Call 911/112, start resuscitation with 5 initial rescue breaths, alternate 30 compressions with 2 breaths, and seek emergency evaluation for all submersions.”
RESCUE SAFELY FROM WATER: Reach with a pole or throw a flotation device; keep victim’s airway clear during extraction.
Person Looking Alarmingly Pale After Something Bad Happened
“Lay flat with legs raised 20–30 cm (if no head/spine trauma), wrap in warm blankets, give zero fluids, and call 911/112.”
CALL 911 / 112 & IDENTIFY SHOCK CAUSE: Report severe circulatory shock and immediately address triggers (e.g. compress external bleeding, remove allergen).
Person No Longer Breathing for Some Reason
“Call 911/112, push hard and fast in the center of the chest (100–120 bpm, 5–6 cm deep), and use an AED immediately.”
CHECK RESPONSIVENESS AND BREATHING (10 SEC MAX): Quickly assess for responsiveness and normal breathing:
Person Unconscious but Inconveniently Still Breathing
“Turn them onto their side with head tilted back and mouth facing down, and check breathing every 60 seconds.”
VERIFY UNRESPONSIVENESS & NORMAL BREATHING: Gently shake shoulders, shout loudly, and tilt head back to check breathing for up to 10 seconds.
Power Line, Inconveniently on the Ground
“Keep a 10-meter perimeter; if caught inside the gradient, shuffle with feet touching or hop with both feet together.”
STAY AT LEAST 10 METERS (33 FT) AWAY: Treat every downed line as fully energized. Keep clear of lines, fences, and wet ground.
Sea, Suspiciously Missing
“If the sea vanishes exposing the sea floor, run inland and uphill immediately—do not explore the seabed.”
RECOGNIZE THE TSUNAMI WARNING & RUN: A rapidly receding shoreline, roaring ocean sound, or ground tremor means a tsunami is imminent. Move immediately without waiting for sirens.
Skin Recently Introduced to Too Much Heat
“Cool with running tap water for 20 minutes, remove jewellery immediately, cover loosely with cling film, and never apply ice or butter.”
STOP THE BURNING PROCESS IMMEDIATELY: Extinguish flames, disconnect from heat/electricity, and remove non-adherent hot clothing and metallic jewelry.
Skin Recently Perforated by Hypodermic Needle
“Wash under running water with soap, encourage free bleeding without squeezing, and seek hospital PEP within 2 to 72 hours.”
ENCOURAGE SPONTANEOUS BLEEDING UNDER WATER: Rinse puncture site with running water and gentle soap, allowing blood to flow freely without aggressive tissue squeezing.
Sky Is Rotating More Than Usual
“Get to an underground basement or small windowless interior room on the lowest floor; never shelter under a highway overpass.”
SEEK LOWEST INTERIOR ROOM IMMEDIATELY: Move to a basement or storm cellar; if unavailable, choose a small interior room on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet) away from windows.
Smoke Entering Places Smoke Should Not Be
“Crawl low on hands and knees under the thermal smoke layer, close doors behind you to compartmentalize, and never open hot doors.”
CRAWL LOW UNDER THE SMOKE LAYER: Drop to hands and knees where breathable air and visibility are highest beneath toxic smoke strata.
Snake Has Expressed an Opinion
“Keep the limb still at heart level, remove constricting jewelry, mark advancing swelling, and call 911/112 for antivenom.”
MOVE OUT OF STRIKE RANGE & REMAIN COMPLETELY STILL: Keep calm and motionless; physical activity accelerates lymphatic venom spread throughout the bloodstream by over 70%.
Someone Ate Something They Really Should Not Have
“Secure the container, call Poison Control or 911/112 immediately, and never induce vomiting or give milk.”
SPIT OUT RESIDUE & RINSE MOUTH: Spit out any remaining substance in mouth, rinse with a small sip of water, and keep original packaging/container.
Something Important Is No Longer Attached
“Stop catastrophic bleeding first with a tourniquet/pressure, wrap the amputated part dry, seal it in a bag, and place the bag in ice water.”
CONTROL LIFE-THREATENING BLEEDING FIRST: Apply direct pressure, pack wound, or place a windlass tourniquet 5–7 cm proximal on the stump.
Something Is Stuck in a Person
“Never pull out an impaled object; build a bulky donut bandage around it to stabilize it in place, and call 911/112.”
NEVER REMOVE THE IMPALED OBJECT: The object acts as an internal biological plug tamponading lacerated major blood vessels. Removal causes fatal hemorrhage.
Sudden Crushing Headache Like Thunder
“A headache hitting maximum 10/10 agony within 60 seconds is a subarachnoid hemorrhage until proven otherwise: call 911/112 immediately.”
CALL 911 / 112 IMMEDIATELY: Report sudden onset thunderclap headache reaching maximum severity within seconds (suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage).
Tick Currently Attached and Dining
“Pull straight out with fine-tipped tweezers close to the skin; never smother with oil, butter, or fire.”
GRASP TICK CLOSE TO SKIN WITH FINE-TIPPED TWEEZERS: Grip tick head and mouthparts as close to the skin surface as possible without squeezing the swollen abdomen.
Tooth Violently Evicted from Mouth
“Touch only the white crown, rinse gently without scrubbing, store in cold milk, and see a dentist in under 60 minutes.”
HANDLE TOOTH BY CROWN ONLY (NEVER TOUCH ROOT): Touch only the enamel chewing surface. The root is lined with living periodontal ligament cells essential for replantation.
Tree, Suspiciously Alone During a Thunderstorm
“An isolated tree is a natural lightning rod with explosive side-flashes; keep a distance equal to twice the tree’s height.”
EVACUATE TREE VICINITY IMMEDIATELY: Move away from any solitary tree to a distance of at least twice the tree’s total height to avoid deadly side-flashes.
Vehicle Currently Touching a Live Power Line
“Stay inside the car; if fire forces you out, jump completely clear with feet together and shuffle 10 meters away without touching car and ground at the same time.”
STAY INSIDE THE VEHICLE (FARADAY CAGE): The vehicle body is an equipotential Faraday cage and safe as long as you stay completely inside.
Wildfire Is Now Considerably Less Distant
“Evacuate early; if trapped by the flame front, shelter inside a solid structure or closed car rather than fleeing on foot in the open.”
EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY ALONG DESIGNATED ROUTES: Leave early before smoke blocks roads. Drive downhill with headlights on and windows closed.