rainingcatsandsprogs
Mon 04-Mar-13 19:31:33
Was just inspired by the 'bystander' thread and remembered something that I learnt which helped me out once but not sure if most people would know.
If you have the 'bystander effect' going on (everyone watching a crime/accident/etc but no-one helping) the best way to get help is to identify people personally and ask them to help rather than asking for help generally. Read a study had been done and apparently it made the person asked far more likely to help but even made others more likely to help even if they hadn't been asked. This only came in handy once after I'd read it but it really worked.
Was walking with a friend of mine and she collapsed without any warning (later diagnosed with epilepsy), just as we were crossing a road, which made it worse. I was trying to help her but was really worried about whether a car would come past (was on a side street but right off a main road and I was paranoid a car turning might not see us) and I had no idea whether to move her or not. Cars were slowing down on the main road to look but then driving off even though I was waving for help and this advice came back to me and I shouted at a bloke walking a little way away specifically rather than generally ("hey, you in the blue coat, can you help me?") and he rushed over and literally as soon as he started helping another walker ran over and two cars stopped to help. Could have been coincidence but definitely didn't seem like it at the time. Can imagine even if it was something more 'risky' like an attack it would be harder for someone to ignore the victim if they were calling out to them personally.
Thought it was worth passing on in case anyone else was ever in a similar situation. Any more pieces of advice that are a bit too obscure for common sense that you wish everyone knew?
If you are trapped in an avalanche, and don't know which way is up or down, let some saliva or tears come out and then see which way they drip.
Fast
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:01:15
TV prog on last month about extreme weather/ flooding in the UK. One of the things mentioned was that if you are in a vehicle, and get stuck in rapidly rising water, open your windows immediately. The rising water will short your car electrics and so prevent you escaping via a window if you leave it too long.
Halfords sell a car safety hammer for £15, to shatter windows in an emergency, it includes a seat-belt cutter too.
littlebitofthislittlebitofthat
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:07:07
if you need help from a bystander... shout 'fire' they are likely to come running. if you shout 'help' they are likely to leave it to someone else.
PrincessOfThemyscira
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:08:25
Fast, also by opening the windows you will not cause an imbalance of air pressure, so your doors will be easier to open.
Trucks - I agree totally. A couple of years ago when DD was 3 we were on holiday on the beach and DD was playing in a massive "puddle" for want of a better word on the beach (the tide had gone out) and there were quite a few kids in it. It came up to her knees at the deepest part. She slipped and landed head first in the water and I assumed she would get up (I was right next to her) and it was the most eerie thing, she just went limp and lay in the water face down and made no effort to get up at all. I obviously yanked her up (she was under for maybe 3 seconds) but made me realise how small DC drown in a few cms of water 
Blood in your poo is not a good thing and you should not be fobbed off by the GP. If it doesn't clear up quickly, go back. Again and again and again until you find out what's wrong. Because even if you're not over 50 it might be bowel cancer.
If your car goes into deep water and you don't have time to open a window, the water pressure outside will quickly become too much for you to open a door. If that happens and you are trapped, the car will take a minute or so to fill with water, use that time to get everyone's seat belt off and into the back seat - the car will settle front-first because of the engine. As soon as the car is full of water, the pressure will equalise and you'll be able to open a door and swim out.
BOF
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:13:15
I need to know more about the kirby grips...
In general, men ignore symptoms and are reluctant to go to the doctor. That sounds sexist but true. So if your DH says something's wrong. make sure they get to the GP and take time to explain. Even if it's embarassing.
Embaressment kills.
chicaguapa
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:21:32
*Drowning doesn't look like drowning
mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/ *
Having sat by a private villa pool reading a book while DS (3 at the time) drowned, I can absolutely agree this is true. DS was resuscitated but he made absolutely no sound whatsoever. I never realised that this was always the case though.
(And yes, it was bloody awful and my whole life turned on a pin head. But all is well now and he's 8. But I honestly thank everyday for him still being with us.)
If you are doing CPR, don't expect the person suddenly to come round. I was on a first aid course really and it was drummed into us that you are doing CPR in order to keep the person "ticking over" until professional help arrives. People rarely spring back to life from chest compressions and rescue breaths, but you can keep someone going this way. Don't give up because you think it's not working, keep going and keep going.
Don't leave your dishwasher/washing machine on when you are in bed/out. They are a major cause of house fires. I have actually had the thermostat on my washing machine fail, and came down to find the kitchen full of steam and the top and dispenser drawer of the washing machine buckled with the heat. Luckily I was at home, and could switch it off...
Dromedary
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:28:30
Children being out in the midday sun without hats and sunscreen may cause skin cancer in later life. The sun is more dangerous than it was when we were children. Most schools don't give a toss about this - it is up to you to do something about it.
Glass fibres (most commonly found as roof insulation) may cause lung cancer.
if you ever get coldsores, even if you don't presently have one, never kiss a baby.
Carbon monoxide kills. Get your boiler serviced, get a monitor and be careful with disposable BBQS. People still die from these BBQs.
chicaguapa
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:30:31
oopslateagain That's a brilliant piece of information! I'm going to definitely remember that one. That's a proper difference between dying and surviving!
If you are having a heart attack and you are alone cough hard-barking like a seal/dog and keep coughing-it can restore your heart rhythm long enough for you to get help.
If you are hillwalking with your family, don't forget conditions can change and take appropriate clothing / food and map. I've seen so many people out on the hills who seem so underequipped and the weather has just changed.
<Especially when people do Snowdon. It's a serious mountain and the fact it's popular does not mean it should be taken seriously>
HavingALittleFaithBaby
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:34:25
somuch and tumble dryers! Make sure the filter us cleaned regularly.
hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:38:07
and tumble dryers! Make sure the filter us cleaned regularly
Yes, because they really do catch fire quite easily if you don't bitter experience
Oooh, yes, Having - wouldn't go out and leave the tumble dryer on. We don't use it much at all, but certainly not when no-one is in the house. And I do de-fluff the filter regularly.
Ledkr
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:40:51
Always finish antibiotics or you may end up with a worse infection.
FattyMcChubster
Mon 04-Mar-13 22:42:34
Whiteandyellow can you tell me why? My dad gets cold sores and has kissed my dd even when he didn't have one. Quite worried now...
Slightly out there knowledge but you never know.
Crocodiles can bite easily but have weaker muscles to open their jaws. So if they miss you first time, hold their jaws shut. Then what - I'm not sure.
<Off to Google shark attack - something to do with punching in eyes>
