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As much as every parent would like to believe that the world is a safe place for their kids, this is far from the truth. And although we don’t want to imagine them going off on their own, this is what will eventually happen one day. Every bird has to leave their nest and your job as a parent is to prepare them well for this day. This means that apart from catering to their needs and instilling important values, you also have to teach your kids a couple of important survival skills, so that they are capable of looking after themselves and know exactly what to do in case of emergencies. Life is unpredictable and one can never tell when these skills will come into play. So, if you want to know what skills you ought to teach your child, then this is the article for you. Keep on reading for more!
1. How To Stay Afloat In Deep Waters
Not every child can be an expert swimmer but it is imperative that they know the basics, especially when it comes to how they can save themselves from drowning. It is a natural human instinct to flail our limbs in a state of panic when accidentally thrown into waters. This is most likely what your child will also do. But you need to train them to fight this instinct as it can be detrimental to them. Teach your kids how to float, by keeping their back straight, aligning their legs straight, and calmly kicking their way back up to the surface. This also requires little energy and is an easy technique. So if they ever find themselves overwhelmed in water, they can float instead of fighting it!
2. How To Build A Fire
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Yes, we understand that in the modern world, lighters exist and so do GPS’s and maps if you were to get lost. But building a fire is still a great skill to know if you somehow end up in a hopeless situation. This way you can keep yourself warm, cook something over the fire, and ward off dangerous wild animals. You can build a fire in a few simple steps. Keep your safety tools assembled and handy in the beginning and then go off to gather little pieces of wood, ideally 3-8 inches in length. And make sure they are dry. Then, teach them to stack the wood pieces in an A-frame structure for a lasting fire. Finally, it’s time for ignition. Teach your child to strike matches away from their bodies and light a fire safely.
3. How To Stay Safe If They Get Lost
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Kids are curious creatures who have a tendency to wander around and get lost. Sometimes all it takes is a split second to lose track of your little one. This is why it’s important to teach your kids how to stay safe if they are lost or alone from an early age. Teach them not to engage with strangers, unless it is a lady with children of her own. These may be the safest people to approach if a policeman or security isn’t around. Teach them not to eat or drink anything that a stranger hands them unless it’s from the above mentioned personals. You can also teach them not to lay down on the floor as this will suck all the heat from their body and tire them sooner. Instead, they can learn to make a bed out of any materials that they can find.
4. How To Signal For Help
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One good suggestion is to always have a whistle securely fastened around your child’s neck when you go camping or visit highly crowded places. This serves as a highly effective means for a child to signal for assistance. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to educate your children that this whistle is not a plaything. It should only be used in emergency situations, such as when they are lost and need to be located by their parents.
Yelling can quickly tire out your child, and amidst the chaos, your voice might go unnoticed. However, a sharp, piercing whistle is certain to grab your attention. Instruct them to blow the whistle three times, pause briefly, and then repeat the sequence three more times. They should continue with this pattern until they are found. The waiting periods between blows are essential because a constant whistle may make it difficult for both you and others searching for your child to hear.
Preparing your little one for the world may seem daunting and a bit discouraging. After all, no parent wants to think of anything bad happening to their baby. But it is better to be safe than sorry. So be sure to teach your kids these survival skills just in case.
