According to MSN Health, the key to keeping the right rhythm while you're performing CPR is humming the Bee Gees classic, Stayin' Alive. Should be easy enough to remember. Thanks Brad! Photo by skyfaller.

Reader's Digest lists 12 life-or-death situations and the actions you can take to save yourself when you can't count on aid from anyone else—including some advice that might surprise you.

You're gushing blood—and getting scared. Forget about tourniquets, says Dr. Schneider of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Use your hand or a clean cloth, paper towels, a scarf, or any fabric you can grab, and push down on the wound until the bleeding stops. Tourniquets, which every Boy Scout learned how to make back in the day, are now a first-aid no-no.

The article covers everything from bear attacks and poison to impalement and heart attacks. Some are obvious (don't we all know about performing a self-Heimlich with a chair?), but in all there are some great tips worth adding to your survivalist repertoire. Got a few clever life-savers of your own? Let's hear about them in the comments.

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The Simple Dollar financial blog offers up a guide to creating a "Master Information Document"—a single piece of paper that's locked away securely, explained only to family and very close friends, and which has all the information someone would need to put your finances and will in order if something happened to you. Blogger Trent recommends writing down information on all your open accounts, a list of all your debts and assets, and any estate-related documents, like a will or trust, in a filing cabinet or other secure place. We've offered a bigger-picture guide to organising your family's information in case of emergencies, but Trent's advice is sound, especially for anyone who hasn't even glanced at the idea of emergency planning.

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Inspired by a relative's spending of nearly $70 on Suze Orman's "Ultimate Protection Porftfolio," J.D. at the Get Rich Slowly blog compiled a lower-cost DIY version that accomplishes the same goal: serving as a base-level, must-do box to ensure financial health and long-term security. Among the items he suggests keeping inside:

• A standard expanding/accordian file
• Will and trust forms/primers
• Emergency information sheets, such as those available free on the net.

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The Marc and Angel productivity blog drums up 10 useful mobile phone numbers to keep in your contacts list—the kind of numbers you don't use often, but you really want to get at fast when you do. Among them, they make a strong argument to do a little research ahead of time and find a reputable, affordable, and, most importantly, available locksmith:

There's nothing worst than being locked out, especially at night. Save yourself the hassle of trying to find a reputable locksmith with reasonable prices when you are locked out and stressed out. Do a little homework now and find yourself a reputable locksmith that has a 24 hour emergency call service.

Sound advice, and quick to accomplish with a Google Maps or online yellow page service. What must-have numbers are firmly lodged in your phone's address book? Serve up a few ideas in the comments.

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After two days of living on the verge of evacuation in wildfire-ravaged San Diego, I've had lots of time to think about what stuff to grab and go in case the fire comes my way. Of course the computer, a hard drive or two, irreplaceable photo albums, jewelry like wedding/engagement rings and heirlooms, and important paperwork—like birth certificate, house deed, insurance papers, passport—are all on my list. What about you? If you had 30 minutes to evacuate your home, what would you take with you? Let us know in the comments.

The standard advice for the size of an emergency fund is enough money for three to six months of expenses; however, that's not necessarily an obtainable goal for many of us. Financial advice blog Wise Bread suggests that you aim for at least one month's worth of emergency money to cover your bare-bones expenses, and have it stashed where you can get to it quickly in case of an emergency. One month is the minimum—it's a good start on the road to the preferable three to six month fund. What tips do you have for those looking to build up an emergency money stash? Thoughts in the comments.