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[-] shalafi@lemmy.world 83 points 1 year ago

Smelling salts are now a "new" thing. Take me out back like Old Yeller.

[-] BeigeAgenda@lemmy.ca 23 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Kind Sir please fetch me the smelling salts I've got the vapours. 🪭

[-] makeshiftreaper@lemmy.world 60 points 1 year ago

I react poorly to blood donation and have had these used on me, they are incredibly unpleasant. There's no lasting harm, and they do work very well. Basically imagine a chemical burn throughout your nose, sinuses, and upper respiratory system that lasts 30 seconds. It works immediately and gets a very strong reaction

[-] sbv@sh.itjust.works 22 points 1 year ago

Huh. It sounds like TV had it right this time. I assumed smelling salts were a convenient plot device, rather than an actual thing.

I work in medicine and I have used these on people (and tried it once to see how it was) they're very fucking strong. It's like inhaling cat piss that's on fire.

[-] KittenBiscuits@lemm.ee 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Can confirm. I also fainted once after donating blood. They used that stuff on me. The tv does get it right this time. It works very quickly, and is similar to getting a big whiff of ammonia. Pungent, sharp, yet kind of the same feeling like when your nose suddenly clears if you have a cold and can breathe again.

Edit: lol, I didn't know they were actual ammonia. Go figure. I'm trying to not light up the room so scrolled past the image at first.

[-] woop_woop@lemmy.world 49 points 1 year ago

Don't most first aid kits have smelling salts?

[-] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 27 points 1 year ago

I've never seen a first aid kid with smelling salts.

[-] Guest_User@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

They should be in all first aid kits. Extremely long shelf lives, very stable and very useful.

[-] yokonzo@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

I've never seen them before, honestly I wasn't even aware these were a thing

[-] LifeOfChance@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Everywhere I've worked has them however everywhere I worked has high temp work environments where passing out from hest exhaustion happens. They're always in the more expensive first aid kits though which I don't think are required.

[-] usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 year ago

In movies and TV it always looked like they cracked something in half. I'm wondering if they've been coming in a little pouch now for a long time but that cracking-in-half type is now movie shorthand for smelling salts so they keep doing it.

[-] BarrelAgedBoredom@lemm.ee 18 points 1 year ago

The ones in the movies exist irl. In the same way youve never seen the tube ones, I've never seen them in a pouch until now

[-] Ookami38@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 year ago

Glass ampoules definitely still exist for smelling salts and similar. Honestly I assumed it was because they'd eat through most other viable packaging, now I dunno. But they definitely still exist. My roommate has some.

[-] spittingimage@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

Lucky. Mine just has asbestos in the walls.

[-] ShepherdPie@midwest.social 5 points 1 year ago

Better there than in your lungs.

[-] spittingimage@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

True enough.

[-] Spaceinv8er@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 year ago

My roommate and I would get these things, though I've never seen a pouch version.

If anyone fell asleep on the couch you would get hit with some smelling salts.

Woke you right the fuck up lol

[-] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 7 points 1 year ago

Ammonia? Shiiit, just grab a bottle of cleaner from under the sink!

[-] mkwt@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

These are also used by competitive weightlifters.

[-] SonicBlue03@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago

A third party is required.

[-] ThePantser@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

What's the second party doing while the third wakes up the first?

[-] yokonzo@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Holding them down maybe?

[-] SonicBlue03@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

The third party swiftly rips open the second party to revive the first. Party on.

[-] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Well the real answer is that they should ensure only people actively helping are next to the person until paramedics arrive.

More often they're causing a bigger scene

[-] StaySquared@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

That's cool... I have a whole bottle (smelling salts) of it in powder form in case I need to pop off a personal record in one of my exercises.

[-] yokonzo@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

I have a whole tray of it I just keep sitting on the floor... Okay it's just a litterbox but still, it'll grow hair on your chin!

[-] StaySquared@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago
[-] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I need those for my girlfriend who passes out during flights. Where can I find some?

Edit: nevermind. Found some

[-] awwwyissss@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago

Sounds like orthostatic hypotension causing vasovagal syncope. She should wear compression socks and drink plenty of water. There are ways of mitigating and managing episodes. It's relatively common on planes.

[-] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

Interesting. We have a trip planned this fall. We'll try that out.

Thank you very much for the advice.

[-] yokonzo@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I see some of them on Amazon and it looks like they're okay with TSA too, question though. If ( and I'm assuming this is an anxiety, not medical issue) your girlfriend is unconscious, would she possibly prefer to just remain unconscious rather than feel anxious about the flight? Or does she not like the fainting part either, i wouldn't know as I've never fainted so maybe it's unpleasant

[-] awwwyissss@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

If it's vasovagal syncope it's probably unpleasant. Can cause sweating, confusion, and a bunch of other problems because your brain isn't getting enough blood to function.

[-] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

That sounds exactly like it.

[-] awwwyissss@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

I bet a little prep and informed management of the situation can resolve it for her. It's important to keep blood pumping to get it out of lower extremities and into the brain. Walking in the aisles and leg exercises while seated are easy options.

Elevating the legs + lowering the head can also help. If she does pass out, laying her down and lifting her legs can quickly get blood to the brain. Alcohol and large meals can exacerbate it. Good luck!

[-] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

Thank you for the advice. It's really appreciated. I'll communicate it to her and we'll see if it helps during our next trip. :)

[-] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

Nah. She passes out for like five seconds then wakes up and spends the rest of the flight puking.

Smelling salts are pretty strong, an alcohol swab can jave the same effect but is much less unpleasant.

[-] TotalFat@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Swedish Dream Cookies straight out of the oven will work too!

[-] fsxylo@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

That's how you leave someone's brain.

[-] ValenThyme@reddthat.com 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

in older medicine cabinets in addition to smelling salts you can also find small glass ampules of ammonia that work similarly. You had to break the glass tip off the capsule and that lets the stank out. They reeeeek!

this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2024
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