Survival Skills

The four directions

You already know these — but a quick refresher.

• North · East · South · West
• Read them clockwise: Never — Eat — Soggy — Waffles.

The needle of a real compass always points North. Once you know where North is, you know the other three.

Where the sun is, your shadow isn't

The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Your shadow points away from the sun.

Slide the sun across the sky and watch the shadow move.

Don't run. STOP.

If you ever can't see Mum or Dad, the very first thing to do is not move. Take a slow breath and remember the four letters.

Better to wait five quiet minutes than wander for thirty.

Five things every kid should know by heart

If a safe grown-up has to help you, they'll need to ask these. Practice typing them — answers are checked just to your screen, nothing is saved.

Three of anything means "I need help"

In every part of the world, three short signals — three whistles, three claps, three flashes — means help. Tap the circle three times, fast, to send the signal.

Three knots worth knowing

You can tie a shoe — that's already a bow. Here are three more, the same family. Press Tie it to watch the rope.

Clouds tell you the weather

Look up and you can guess what's coming next. Tap each cloud to see what it means.

If you don't know it, don't eat it

• Drink: only water you saw an adult open or pour. Bottled, boiled, or filtered.
• Don't drink: water from puddles, rivers, fountains, or anything still and open.
• Don't eat berries, mushrooms, or leaves — even if they look like ones you've seen at home.
• Hungry, but lost? Wait. Your body can wait many hours for food. Water is more important.

How to cross the road

In Vietnam the streets are busy. There's a way to cross that always works — even when there's no zebra crossing. Tap each step as you read it.

• Stop at the kerbToes on the line. Don't step yet — even if a friend goes ahead.
• Look both ways — twiceLeft, right, left again. In Vietnam, also check for motorbikes coming from any direction.
• ListenClose your eyes for a second. Honking? Engines? A bell?
• Walk slowly and predictablyDon't run, don't change direction. Drivers steer around steady walkers. Wave so they see you.

One more rule: never cross while looking at a phone. Always hold a grown-up's hand if one's there.

Some grown-ups are safer to ask

If you really need help and Mum or Dad aren't there, choose carefully. Tap the people you'd ask first — there are three good choices.

Why these? A mum with a child is rarely a danger. People in uniforms (police, security, shop staff) are easy to find again. Anyone who comes to you — especially in a car — is the riskiest pick. Walk into a shop instead.

Three numbers to remember

In Vietnam, dialling these on any phone — even a locked phone — gets help fast.

Read the situation, tap the right number on the dial. (Try a few — practice now means quick fingers later.)

What to say: Your name. Where you are (look for a sign, a shop name, anything). What's happening. They'll guide you.

The "uh-oh" feeling is information

Sometimes your body knows something is off before your brain does. A tight tummy, fast heart, wanting to run — that's your alarm. Listen to it.

• If a grown-up asks you to keep a secret from Mum or Dad — tell us anyway. Always.
• If a grown-up wants to take you somewhere alone — say no, walk away, find a safe grown-up.
• If someone touches you in a way that feels wrong — it IS wrong. Tell us. You won't be in trouble.
• If a friend dares you to do something risky — that's the dare you skip. Smart isn't the same as scared.
• If something just feels off — leave the place. Trust the feeling. We'll always believe you.