Common “Survival Tips” That Could Actually Land People In More Trouble
Drinking your own pee in the desert. Sucking out snake venom. These are just a couple of the most widely believed survival tips out there. But guess what, folks? They may actually be myths. And there are plenty more where that came from. Yep, here are 40 “tips” you should think twice about calling upon in a bind — they could really hinder your chances of escaping hazardous situations safely.
40. Jump in a free-falling elevator
If you ever find yourself inside a free-falling elevator, resist the urge to leap into the air. You might think it’ll improve your odds of survival, but it could very well have the opposite effect. Instead, the advice is to get on your back and make sure you’re as flat as possible.
39. Cotton is a good base layer in cold weather
Yes, cotton is a comfortable material to throw on at home. Out in the elements, though? Not so much. The Outdoor Life website noted that the fabric’s ability to insulate goes by the wayside as soon as it gets damp. Plus, the cloth doesn’t dry out as quickly as other garments. That’s bad news if you’re on a cold and rainy hike!
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38. Punches stop shark attacks
We have no idea where this tip came from, but it seems to massively overestimate most humans’ abilities. That’s according to outdoor lover Elena Manighetti, anyway. She told website The Active Times in 2015, “Even though it’s true that sharks get stunned if they get punched in the nose, not many people have enough strength to do this, especially underwater.” Instead, she suggests going for the gills or eyes.
37. Hide under an overpass during a tornado
Have you ever seen that heart-stopping viral video of a group riding out a twister in the girders of an overpass? Well, don’t follow their lead in similar situations. As a Reddit user noted, “The one they chose had some unusual construction that offered them protection in a way most don’t. Wind speed increases the higher you get from the ground, and the narrow passages can create a wind tunnel effect.” Stay low, then.
