5 Vital Instructions: How to Act in an Extreme Situation

### **1. If Caught in a Thunderstorm** Never hide under trees, metal structures, or with an open umbrella — lightning strikes there. It is best to take shelter in a building or a car. If there is no shelter — crouch down in a low area, with your hands on your knees. ### **2. If the Elevator Falls** An elevator fall is a rare but extremely dangerous situation. The main thing is to try to **lie on your back** and **cover your head and face with your hands**. This way, the impact will be distributed across your body, increasing your chances of survival. Jumping at the last moment is useless. ### **3. If the Car is Sinking** Act calmly — you have about **one minute**. * Immediately **unbuckle your seatbelt**. * Try to **open or break the side window** (the front windshield is too strong). * If the window won’t budge, **wait for the water to fill the cabin** — then the pressure will equalize, and you will be able to open the door. The main thing is not to panic and control your breathing. ### **4. If Caught in a Rip Current (at Sea)** Do not try to swim **against the current** — it is useless. Instead, **swim parallel to the shore** until you are out of the current zone, and only then swim back to shore. Stay calm and conserve your energy. ### **5. If You Fall Through the Ice** You have about **10 minutes** to get out before your muscles go numb. * **Do not panic** and turn towards the shore — the ice is stronger there. * **Push with your elbows**, help with your legs as if you are swimming, and pull your body onto the ice. * **Crawl** to the shore without getting up. * Once you reach a safe place, **remove wet clothing, warm up, and call for help**. --- These simple actions can save your life in the most unexpected circumstances. The main rule is to **stay calm and act thoughtfully**.