How To Survive Anything!

Expert advice on navigating life’s perils—great and small

- Jen McCaffery

A SHARK ATTACK

Your chances of being attacked by a shark aren’t great—about one in 11.5 million. That said, if you want to avoid being that one:

Do: Maintain eye contact. Sharks like to ambush, so turning your back can be a trigger. Try not to let the shark get behind you.

Don’t: Create a commotion. Distancing yourself by swimming backward slowly is a safer bet.

Do: Stay big ... or go small. If the shark looks aggressive, try to maintain a strong presence. But if it appears to be just swimming by, curling up and not causing a scene could encourage the shark to continue on its merry way.

Do: Aim for the gills or eyes. If a shark is attacking you, hitting these sensitive areas with anything you might have on you, such as a camera or a snorkel mask, could stun the shark temporarily and buy you some time.

Being cornered by someone with different POLITICAL VIEWS

“When you’re married to someone from the world of politics, you socialize with opinionated people. Luckily, my mother, who was Nancy Reagan’s social secretary, taught me diplomacy. Anytime somebody’s making my blood boil, I wonder what they looked like as an infant. All babies are cute. Then I smile.” —Ali Wentworth, actor, author of Go Ask Ali, and wife of ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, a former adviser to Bill Clinton

A BLOWN-OUT TIRE

Blowouts are serious business, causing an estimated 75,000 accidents a year and killing more than 400 drivers. If you hear that telltale BOOM!, Firestone suggests taking these actions:

1. Steer straight. Your car might be fishtailing, so get a firm grip on the wheel and do your best to keep the car moving in a straight line. Do not hit the brakes.