Now What?

Survival sometimes depends on the brave intervention of strangers and the skill of medical professionals — just ask Michael Nolte, the subject of the profile you just read. Often, however, you hold the keys to survival in your own hands.
We came up with eight scary scenarios — some of them life-and-death and some of them terrifying for completely different reasons — and asked the experts what you can do to survive.

By Anita Neal Harrison

How To Survive If A Live Power Wire Falls On Your Vehicle
First, take stock of your surroundings. Look and smell for fire. If you are not in immediate danger, stay put, and if you have a cell phone, call 911. Do not step out of the vehicle; that could lead to electrocution.
“The whole idea is to avoid coming in contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time,” says Mike Cleary, a spokesperson for AmerenUE. “As long as you are in the vehicle, you are safe.”
If, however, there is another danger that makes staying in the vehicle impossible, such as fire, then you will have to make a jump for it. Open a door wide, swing your body around to face the ground, and look for hazards. If the ground is clear, fold your arms over your chest and jump as far as possible, being sure both feet hit the ground at the same time.
Jumping will be extremely dangerous, so do it only as a last resort, Cleary adds.

How To Survive A Venomous Snakebite
Two of Missouri’s five venomous snake species are found in Boone County: the Osage copperhead and the timber rattlesnake. The good news is there are no recorded cases of someone dying in Missouri from a venomous snakebite.
“We just tell folks to get to the hospital as soon as possible,” says Brian Flowers, an outdoor skills specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Julie Weber, the director of the Missouri Regional Poison Control Center, says do not cut at the bite site, do not attempt to suck out the venom, do not put ice on the bite, do not take any medication, and do not use a tourniquet. Do wash the area, do remove constricting clothing and jewelry, and do keep the area of the bite immobilized.
At the hospital, treatment might include an IV. Hospital staff will likely mark the bite and every 15 minutes monitor the swelling. Antivenom will be administered only if symptoms are severe enough and is almost never given within the first hour of the bite, Weber says.

How To Survive A Home Invasion
Detective Tom O’Sullivan with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department says it is very, very rare that a burglar enters an occupied home.
“They don’t want to be confronted,” he explains.
But if you are home when burglars arrive, grant them their wish and, if possible, stay out of sight. Try to escape out a back door or window. If a cell phone is handy, grab it on your way out to call 911. If you can’t get outside, hiding is better than confrontation. If the burglars see you, follow their directions. Do not argue or get in the way. Let them take what they want.
“I am 100 percent against confronting a burglar or armed robber,” O’Sullivan says. “That can make a bad situation turn tragic.”

How To Survive In A Sinking Vehicle
First, remove your seatbelt. If the water level is still below the windows, roll the windows down immediately, before the electrical system shorts out. Climb out, and swim to safety. If the water is above the windows, wait until the water in the interior is about halfway up the window, slowly roll down the window, let the water rush in, and then swim out. If the windows will not roll down, find something to break one (aim for corners and edges for greatest impact) or push one out with your feet. If the windows won’t open or break, move to the back of the car, as it will sink last (if the motor is in the front). Take off your shoes and heavy clothing. Make sure the door you will use is unlocked. Unequal pressure will probably make doors impossible to open until the car is almost filled with water. When it is, take a deep breath and open the door. Swim out to safety.
Source: Louisiana State Police

How To Survive A Confrontation With A Vicious Dog
If a vicious dog is threatening to attack, resist your instincts and do not run!
“All running does is kick in that dog’s chase instinct,” says Molly Aust, an animal control supervisor with Columbia/Boone County Animal Control. Instead, “stand, look at the dog and say a stern, ‘No,’ Most dogs know the word ‘no.’ ”
After issuing that command, slowly back away from the dog without turning your back. “Keep your eye on it, but do not stare the dog in the eye,” Aust adds. Once in a safe place, call animal control.
If the dog actually attacks, do not scream or yell, Aust says. Protect your face and stomach as well as you can until the attack is over.

How To Survive A Bank Robbery
What should customers do during a bank robbery?
“Stay down,” says Detective Tom O’Sullivan with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department. “Do what the bank robber tells you.”
He adds that you should not do anything that would draw attention to yourself, such as using your cell phone to alert help, even through texting. Do not even look too closely at the robber.
“You’re not going to be able to give a better description than we can get off the surveillance cameras anyway,” O’Sullivan says.
He adds that in many cases, customers do not even know when a bank robbery is taking place.
“It’s not like the movies where the robber comes in and shoots up the ceiling and announces, ‘This is a holdup,’ ” he says. “A lot of times he just hands the teller a note and the other customers do not even know it’s happening.”

How To Survive An IRS Audit
Of the more than 200 million tax returns filed, just around 1 percent triggers an audit.
“It’s very rare,” says IRS spokesman Luis Garcia, “but when it does happen, it’s nothing to freak out about.”
He explains that the vast majority of audits — 78 percent — are resolved through the mail.
“We send a letter saying: ‘Hey, you took this reduction. Can we see the receipt?’ You send photocopies of the receipt, and we say: ‘OK. Cool. That’s it.’ ” Garcia adds that good organization will make audits less harrowing. Have a system for filing receipts, tax-related documents and charitable contributions.
“And don’t lie,” he says. “That’s bad. If you don’t know something or don’t have it, don’t make stuff up. That’s a big no-no.”
And one more thing: Don’t be a jerk.
“We appreciate it when people are professional and courteous with us,” Garcia says.

How To Survive Identity Theft
According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Web site, (www.ftc.gov/idtheft) victims of identity theft should take these four steps:

1. Place a fraud alert on and review your credit reports. You need only call one of the three main consumer-reporting companies: TransUnion, 1-800-680-7289; Equifax, 1-800-525-6285; and Experian, 1-888-397-3742.
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. First call and speak with someone in each company’s security or fraud department. Follow up in writing, and include copies (not originals) of supporting documents. Send letters by certified mail, return receipt requested, for documentation. Keep a file of all correspondence. When you open new accounts, use new PINs and passwords.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. You can file online or call toll free at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338). Provide a copy of the online complaint form to police. The printed FTC ID Theft Complaint, in conjunction with the police report, can constitute an Identity Theft Report and entitle you to certain, important protections.
4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

For more detailed instructions, visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.