Top 11 misconceptions about how to react in emergency situations and the actions that should replace them.

You might already know what to do if you get burned, but just to remind you, here’s what you should avoid. Don’t follow any ‘old wives' tales’: don’t apply anything to the burn and don’t spray anything on it. Avoid touching the burn with your hands and never try to tear off any fabric stuck to the area.

Instead, immerse the burned part of your body in clean cold water for 5-10 minutes or keep running water over it. After that, wrap the burn with sterile bandages. The bandages should be soaked in a 2% baking soda solution or alcohol. It’s essential to stay hydrated — tea and mineral water work well too.

In an emergency situation, grab onto any available handrails or push your feet against the wall or seats. Lying down on the floor is the safest option. Wait until the train comes to a complete stop before trying to move. Don’t stand up immediately after the first impact, as there may be additional, stronger shocks. Then, exit the train through the door or window, depending on the situation. If you need to break the window, remember to close the door first to protect yourself from any potential fire. Use any heavy object nearby, such as a suitcase or handrail, to shatter the glass. Once the window is broken, carefully jump out, ideally on the side of the track away from the field.

Live wires may be present on the ground, which is why you should avoid stepping more than 25 inches apart. This creates a “plus” and “minus” between your feet. Be aware that an explosion could also occur. Move to a safe distance and wait for help.

If you find yourself in the midst of a forest fire, first determine the direction of the wind and the fire’s spread. Leave your dangerous position by moving perpendicular to the direction of the fire. If the wind is at your back, the fire could catch up to you. If escape is impossible, finding a body of water will increase your chances of survival. Get into the water and cover yourself with wet clothing.

If there’s no water nearby, try to find a slope or an open area in the forest. Remember that the air is less smoky in open spaces, so crouch down to breathe in cleaner air. Some survival guides for travelers suggest clearing branches and leaves, digging a hole, covering yourself with damp earth, and waiting there until the fire subsides. If possible, make sure to alert 911 about the forest fire.

Rescue teams have learned a lot about the behavior of people lost in the woods. Often, they shift into survival mode, but some may panic. Rescue teams classify this behavior as: “guessing this way,” which is when someone runs around the forest, missing landmarks such as paths, rivers, glaciers, and even roads. All this panic leads them to leave the designated search area. When a person is scared, they may even “see” forest creatures, UFOs, or experience other hallucinations. Additionally, some people refuse help from others they meet (due to pride or because they believe they can rely solely on themselves).

Now, let’s focus on the proper actions to take. Don’t panic. If you have a phone, call 911 or a loved one. Keep your phone close to your body as the battery drains quickly in cold conditions. Look for landmarks such as water sources, power lines, or trails. Sometimes, a trail may lead to a swamp, meadow, or simply disappear, but it means that others have used it, and the other end could lead to a populated area.

Don’t confuse these with animal trails, which typically follow hanging branches. You might spot animal tracks along these paths, but they may lead you to a water hole or nowhere at all.

Many choking accidents happen because someone feels embarrassed about coughing in public and runs off to the bathroom. However, this can turn into a life-threatening mistake. If a piece of food becomes lodged in your airway, it’s essential to remove it as quickly as possible. Help from those around you, even if it’s just emotional support, is crucial. It can help you avoid panicking. For this reason, you should break a plate or flip a table – your task is to attract attention.

So, what should someone do if they find themselves choking? Generally, back blows between the shoulder blades aren’t very effective. Coughing naturally and forcefully exhaling after a deep, slow inhale will help expel the food from your throat. Firefighter and paramedic Jeff Rehman developed a special method involving just two steps. First, you need to get down on all fours, with your arms straight and your fists on the floor. The second step is to forcefully swing your arms forward and press your chest to the ground. This will push the air out of your lungs, expelling the food lodged in your throat.

Snakes never attack first, and if they do, it’s solely for self-defense. At first, the snake will issue a warning: a cobra will begin to shake its tail, while a rattlesnake coils up and starts hissing loudly when it feels threatened. Snakes are just as scared of humans as humans are of snakes.

If you notice a snake and hear it hiss, you should stay still and give it the chance to slither away, or simply retreat. If the snake adopts an attacking posture, immediately step back and avoid making any sudden movements. Don’t attempt to defend yourself by spreading your hands wide – this will only provoke the snake to strike. The best thing you can do in this situation is to leave the snake alone and move away calmly.

If you happen to come across a suspicious object or a bag in a public place, do not kick or touch it. Don’t be afraid of looking silly – notify the security personnel about the suspicious item, as they are there for situations like this. Even if someone simply forgot their bag, it’s still a good idea to alert the staff – doing so increases the chances of the item being returned to its rightful owner.

However, if the security team has already been notified, do not become curious and simply continue your activities as you were before you discovered the bag. But do not run, as you might be mistaken for someone involved. If you hear an explosion or gunshots, drop to the ground immediately.

Insect bites or stings can lead to swelling and even respiratory issues. Adrenaline can potentially save you from suffocating, but only a doctor can administer it – in an emergency, you should immediately call for an ambulance. But what if the incident happens outdoors?

Ask those around you if they have any antihistamine medication. You’ll need to apply something cold to the sting area to reduce swelling. Avoid using old folk remedies like ‘sprinkling cold dirt on the sting.’ Instead, use a damp plastic bag on the affected area.

If you happen to find yourself caught in a flood, remain calm. Quickly move to the nearest higher ground. If that is not possible, seek shelter on the upper floor or attic. If you're in a standalone house rather than an apartment, rescue teams recommend heading to the roof and securing children and the elderly to a chimney. Avoid climbing trees, poles, or flimsy structures, as the water may carry them away and cause them to collapse.

Make sure to have some water, food, and a blanket with you. You can attract the attention of rescuers using a white sheet or a bright curtain visible from a distance.

If you accidentally fall onto the subway tracks, the first thing you may instinctively want to do (but must avoid) is attempt to climb back onto the platform from the side of the contact rail. A contact rail made of steel is a yellow metal construction along the tunnel and it carries electricity!

Here’s what you should do instead: Scream and shout to alert the subway staff so they can notify the train operator that someone is on the tracks. Move in the direction opposite to where the train is coming from. The black-and-white stripes painted on the ground and walls will guide you to the nearest train stop. Draw the operator’s attention by yelling or waving, using your phone (make sure your screen is on).

If the train is approaching, remain calm. Lie flat on your stomach between the tracks. Don’t be alarmed by the noise, the warm air, or even the sparks. Take a deep breath and hold it. Then inhale, exhale, and inhale again – it will help you avoid panic. Do not change your position until you are rescued.

If you're hiking and an unexpected thunderstorm strikes, you should try to keep your distance from others in your group. Yes, you need to find shelter, but you should walk calmly and maintain a 6-8 feet distance from each other. Look for trees that aren’t too tall with thick canopies. If you're on a mountain, start walking downhill and seek lower ground. If you're in an open field, avoid taking shelter in tall dry grass – lightning could strike there. When no shelter is available, you’ll have to sit or lie on the ground. Sit down, bend your knees, and place your head between your knees – this will help keep you safe. To protect yourself from the wet ground, place a plastic bag or some branches between you and the earth. Keep all metal objects (including your turned-off phone) at least 15 feet away from you.

Before lightning strikes, winds will either stop or change direction. There's a simple way to estimate how far the storm is from you, whether it's approaching or passing by. Count the seconds between the flash of lightning and the thunder. The fewer seconds you count, the closer the storm is. By the way, if you multiply the seconds by 1,000 feet, you'll get an approximate distance of how far the storm is from you.