Category Archives: Survival
How to survive an earthquake
Natural disasters are difficult to predict, and till date many scientists continue to look for fool-proof measures that can predict these happening. While there are no obvious tell tale signs of a major earthquake going to occur, these few indications have been noted from time to time.
Here is how to sense an earthquake
* Look for: Unusual behavior of animals
Animals like snakes, rats, dogs etc. have been noted to behave differently before a massive earthquake occurs. Various accounts of such anticipation by animals have been noted through history. Many believe that animals can feel the earth vibrating before humans do. Others also believe that animals can detect the gas released by the earth or electrical charges in the air before a large earthquake. However what animals exactly react to continues to remain a mystery and a topic of study for many researchers.
* Look for: Foreshocks
Many large earthquakes are often preceded by small tremors often known as ‘foreshocks’. While these small tremors can mean nothing more, and can end with tremors, they may predict that a larger earthquake is coming. People are thus advised to become prepared at such a time, that a bigger earthquake may come.
* Look for: Scientific seismographs
Seismographs are instruments that record the motion of the ground during an earthquake. These systems are installed underground and are connected to other such systems across the world as part of a seismographic network. These instruments record the shaking of the ground on to a graph and scientists can use this to predict when and how large the next earthquake will be. Continue reading
How to Jump-Start a car
Leave your lights on? To get your car going again you will need a set of jumper cables- those heavy duty insulated wires with alligator clamps on each end that draws power from a charged battery in another car to the flat battery in your car.
These 4 steps will teach you to jump-start your car safely and easily.
1. The black cable is the negative lead (-), and the red cable is the positive lead (+). Positive clamps must be attached to positive terminals on both batteries. Same deal with the negative clamps and the negative terminals. Remember the order in which you place the terminals on each battery. Get this right- and get a good connection- if you don’t, you could hurt yourself badly.
2. Call someone like a buddy or maybe even a stranger might give you a hand here. Start the support car. Let it idle for a few minutes, then try and start the car with the flat battery.
3. Once the battery has regained power from the support battery, the engine should turn over and the alternator should start charging the battery again. I this does not happen the first time, don’t panic, the battery may need more time to build up charge via the support battery. Continue reading