In Nigeria, emergency response systems like first responders or a reliable 999 service are often unavailable during critical life-or-death situations, making personal self-reliance, basic first aid, self-defence, driving, flood safety, and community networking essential survival skills for every family. Let’s face it. Many things do not work in Nigeria. Most of the time you are on your own. No good emergency services exist to help you out in trouble.
Here are a few tips that can help you navigate these daily challenges.
First Aid
You do know there is nothing like a first responder or 999 to call when there is a medical emergency, right? It is highly important to know how to administer first aid. You must also know the dos and don’ts when dealing with an injured person. For instance, what should you do when someone is bleeding heavily? What steps do you take when someone is having a heart attack?
Many of us simply do not know these basic life-saving steps. Many deaths could have been prevented if people around knew how to give CPR. Administering immediate first aid before reaching the hospital saves lives. Keep a well-stocked emergency medical kit in your home at all times. You can review standard global health guidelines on the World Health Organization website. Read our practical guide on [how to handle medical emergencies at home] to keep your family protected.
Self-Defence
From the senate floor to offices, clubs, and market places, a minor argument can turn dangerous fast. A small disagreement can escalate into hot slaps and deadly blows in a few minutes. Sometimes the only way to save your life is knowing how fast you can react. You may need to punch your attacker’s groin quickly. Hitting him on the head can force him to lose his grip so you can escape.
Do you know how to turn seemingly insignificant things in your bag into a weapon? An umbrella, a key ring, or a heavy pen can protect your life when it is at stake. Paying attention to your surroundings in crowded places is equally important. Your primary goal during any physical threat is staying safe and getting away quickly.
Driving
A man fell ill in the middle of the night. There were cars available to take him to the hospital immediately. However, his wife could not drive at all. His sister who lives with them could not drive either. Their family driver lives miles away from their house!
Whether you currently have a car or not, knowing how to drive is essential. Whether you employ a driver or not, you should learn basic driving skills. The difference between life and death sometimes lies in your ability to drive a vehicle. Practice driving under different road conditions whenever you get the opportunity. Always keep spare car keys in an easily accessible location at home.
Swimming
We have not seen the end of the heavy floods yet. Proper safety precautions are still not in place across many urban areas. This means that one day someone will wake up to a chest-level flood in her living room. You should be able to at least stay afloat until someone can hear you screaming for help.
It is also shocking to know how many people approach open water without basic skills. Many women go so close to the water at the beach without knowing how to swim! That is extremely dangerous. Teach your children basic water safety and floating techniques early. Equipping your household with safety jackets can provide extra peace of mind during rainy seasons.
Talk Your Way Out of Trouble
There is so much lawlessness on the road, in the market, and even in your neighborhood. You will frequently encounter people who will try to take advantage of you. Sometimes knowing your fundamental rights and standing by them works very well. Other times, all that works is coming down to the level of whoever you are dealing with. Resolving issues amicably often prevents unnecessary violence.
You need to evaluate the situation carefully before taking action. Assess the kind of people involved to know which specific approach to use. Do not start stating your fundamental human rights to an agbero with a dagger in his hands! Toss him the naira he asked for and flee to safety immediately.
Put Out a Fire
There are fire service stations around, but they do not always have necessary resources. They often lack the tools they need to put out a fire promptly. Even when they have equipment, trucks get caught in heavy traffic. Their trucks may also be too big to navigate your narrow street. In other words, they are not entirely reliable during sudden emergencies.
Knowing how to quench a fire as soon as it starts may save your life and property. For instance, do you know that a simple kitchen fire can be extinguished quickly? A simple fire blanket or portable extinguisher can put out cooking flames immediately. Do you know that some fires require a CO2 extinguisher instead of water? Using water on an electrical or grease fire can cause a dangerous explosion.
Do you know the STOP, DROP, and ROLL procedure for when your clothes catch fire? These safety tools are not so hard to buy or learn. Yet many of us do not know them or have them in our homes. Check out our detailed article on [fire safety practices for Nigerian homes] to safeguard your living space.
A Smile, a Wave of the Hand, and Maybe a “Good Morning”
Don’t snub people around you that you see every single day. Greet your gate men, petty traders, and immediate neighbors warmly. Always show respect unless someone poses a clear threat to your personal safety. People around do not have to be your close friends, but they should not be your enemies either.
A simple smile, a wave, and an occasional “good morning” can do wonders for your security. You just never know when you will need someone’s emergency help. You might need a neighbor to kill a snake on your couch. Someone nearby might help jumpstart your flat car battery. A friendly neighbor could even help transport you to a hospital in the middle of the night. Building positive community relationships creates an indispensable safety network for your entire household.
Join the Conversation!
What other practical survival or safety tips have helped you stay safe in Nigeria? Please share your thoughts and suggestions in the comment section below so we can all learn together!
