Life saving hacks: did you know?

Here are 20 life saving hacks you may or may not know about.

1. When it comes to snake bites, it's important to know that attempting to suck the venom out or applying a tourniquet is not the right approach. Instead, the first thing you should do is move the victim out of harm's way. Have them lie down with the wound below their heart, and transport them to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.

2. If you ever get bitten by a wild mammal, such as a bat or raccoon, it's critical that you get the rabies vaccine immediately, as this disease is one of the most lethal on the planet.

3. In case of a bone fracture, you should follow three essential steps. First, call for help immediately. Second, try to stop any bleeding if there is any. Finally, immobilize the injured area by wrapping it in a cloth, splinting it, or using a sling to prevent further damage.

4. Your car thermometer may not always be accurate, as most cars are equipped with a thermistor behind the grill, which is exposed to heat radiating from the roadway. As a result, even if your thermometer doesn't read below freezing, there could still be black ice on the road. It's important to be aware of road conditions and give your thermometer a few degrees buffer, as this could save your life.

5. Blue lights can disrupt the brain's secretion of melatonin, which is why it's recommended to keep your phone in another room before going to bed. Also, placing your phone face down can help save battery life, which could become essential, in case of an emergency. This will keep your phone from lighting up when it receives notifications.

6. Although eating snow may seem like a way to hydrate yourself, it's not a good idea. It takes a lot of energy for your body to melt the ice, which can end up dehydrating you further. Additionally, you lose essential body heat while doing so.

7. Starting a fire with a 9-volt battery and steel wool can be a lifesaver in an emergency. To do this, you can rub the battery against the steel wool, which should begin to spark. Place it on the ground before kindling, and you'll have an emergency campfire. Just be sure to have water nearby in case you need to extinguish it.

8. An overloaded keyring can cause damage to your car's ignition mechanism. All the weight can wear out sensitive internal components, making it difficult for your car to start.

9. Laughter is proven to have positive effects on health, including improving blood flow, immune response, blood sugar levels, and relaxation. Watching some funny internet clips before bed could actually help your overall health.

10. If you ever get caught in a rip current, don't panic and try to swim directly back to shore. Instead, swim across the current parallel to the shore until you're out of the rip. Additionally, if you need to catch your breath while exiting a rip, relax and float for around a minute or so. Some rip currents recirculate and might pull you closer to shore rather than just further away.

11. If you think you're having a heart attack, you should chew aspirin, not swallow it. Chewing it works faster to inhibit platelets, which trigger blood clotting.

12. If you come across a mountain lion, it's important not to run away. Instead, calmly back away while maintaining eye contact without bending over or crouching. If the mountain lion starts moving towards you, throw things at it, and if it starts getting aggressive, act as big and intimidating as possible.

13. Never ever go underneath a pin setter at a bowling alley, even as a joke, such as sliding into the pins. The force exerted by some of these machines is so strong that it can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Although these pin setters are well-engineered machines, they can still be dangerous, just like any other running machinery, with gears and pulleys.

14. If you're on vacation at the beach and suddenly notice the water receding from the coastline, you should immediately run for higher ground as it could indicate that a tsunami is on its way. Other warning signs include severe ground shaking and a roaring sound like that of a train or plane. Similarly, if a tornado doesn't seem to be moving left or right, it might be heading straight for you.

15. If someone has been stabbed or punctured by a sharp object, you should leave the object in the body as it may help prevent blood loss. Then, apply direct pressure on either side of the object, and make sure the person is sitting or lying down while elevating their legs if they're in shock. However, if the object is no longer inside the victim, apply direct pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding, since it takes about 10 minutes for blood clots to form. Use gloves, clean cloth, or plastic bags to protect yourself from blood contamination.

16. If you detect a fishy smell in a room in your house, you should check your electrical outlets and start unplugging appliances as the smell may indicate overheating electrical components. Taking this simple precaution could help prevent an electrical fire from occurring.

17. The bystander effect is a phenomenon where people are less likely to help a victim when there are others around. Therefore, when crying out for help, it is best to pick out an individual in the crowd, make eye contact, and call on that person specifically for help.

18. If you encounter a bear, it is essential to stand tall, talk calmly, and back away slowly without making eye contact. In the rare event that you are attacked, remember the rhyme: "if it's brown, lay down; if it's black, fight back; if it's white, good night." If a brown bear attacks, it's best to play dead; otherwise, you'll make the attack worse. For a black bear, which is smaller, you should fight back. If you encounter a polar bear, fight back since they may see you as prey, although the odds are not in your favor.

19. If your drink tastes unusually salty when you're out, it's best not to continue drinking it. GHB, a drug that can cause unconsciousness, has a salty taste, although it is often masked by other flavors. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended.

20. Lastly, if you wake up in the middle of the night and smell gas, do not turn on the light as a spark from the light switch could ignite the gas. It is best to leave the room immediately and call a professional to investigate the situation.

Keep these life-saving tips in mind and stay tuned for more helpful hacks in the future!