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Date Published: October 15, 2024
In an evolving, fast-paced society, everyone should know a few specific foundational skills. From basic lifesaving skills to emergency preparedness and helping others, these core concepts enhance personal growth and promote resilience. Whether a student, professional, or lifelong learner, grasping the things everyone should learn empowers you to make informed decisions and build meaningful connections with the people and world around you.
Now you may be wondering where to start! We’ve compiled a list of top things everyone should know to help you get started.
Emergencies can happen when you least expect it. Tornadoes can erupt without warning, and wildfires can engulf communities, leaving only ashes in their wake. Earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, volcanoes, flooding, and snowstorms create unpredictable situations that leave disaster in their paths.
Beyond natural disasters, emergencies can happen at home, work, or while traveling and require you to respond, whether to save a life or lessen the severity of symptoms and complications.
Emergency preparedness reduces fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. Communities, families, and individuals should learn what to do in the event of a fire and where to seek shelter during a powerful storm.
Some common emergencies you may need to respond to are as follows.
Being prepared for an emergency means knowing not just what to do but how to do it. Follow these three steps to be Red Cross Ready.
Check if your organization is safe and ready for a disaster or other emergency.
OAbout 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered, leaving plenty of opportunity to encounter water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 4,500 people drowned each year in the United States from 2020–2022. Additionally, drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1–4, and over half (55%) of U.S. adults have never taken a swimming lesson.
Swimming skills and water competency — improve water safety for yourself and others — are things everyone should know. A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing life, or apply sunscreen. Death and injury from drownings happen every day in home pools and hot tubs, at the beach, or in oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, bathtubs, and even buckets.
Water safety things everyone should know include:
Everyone should know water competency skills for various water environments (like home pools, oceans, lakes, rivers and streams) include how to:
Download the Red Cross Swim app to learn more about water competency, track swimming lesson progress, and more:
Or text: "SWIM" to 90999
Medical emergencies occur every day. Unfortunately, what's not so common are people with essential lifesaving skills and training to recognize and respond to these situations when they arise.
The good news is — most of these lifesaving measures don't require you to have any professional medical background. You can learn basic lifesaving skills — like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic external defibrillator (AED) — quickly, easily, and on your schedule.
For more than a century, the American Red Cross Training Services has prepared people to respond to emergencies of all sizes, from basic lifesaving skills to large disasters. Join the millions we train every year and learn the skills that can save a life. Browse all our classes and sign up today.
Keep up with the latest first aid techniques with the Red Cross First Aid App.
Or text: "GETFIRST" to 90999
Knowing how to react in a survival situation prevents the issue from escalating and could save a life. Survival skills are things everyone should know because they equip you with the knowledge and abilities to protect yourself and others in dangerous or unpredictable situations — ensuring safety, security, and confidence in facing adversity.
Helping other people in need is essential to life, giving you a sense of purpose and boosting your happiness. Acts of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, control, joy, and optimism, says the Mental Health Foundation.
Knowing how to help others and understanding their positive effect on the world around them are things everyone should know how to do. Here are some ideas for helping others.
Being prepared for the unexpected is a vital skill that can significantly enhance your resilience and adaptability regardless of the situation. By mastering the things everyone should know, you cultivate your awareness, stay informed, and develop the practical skills to navigate life’s uncertainties confidently. Remember, while you can't predict the future, you can prepare for it!
Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross. Our mission is to advance lifesaving education so you are better to prepared. Our robust training curriculum includes CPR and AED, First Aid, Basic Life Support (BLS), Babysitting and Child Care, Lifeguarding, Water Safety and more.