21 of the Dumbest Near-Death Moments That Are Hilarious to Terrifying
Wild and Dumb Near-Death Experiences That Could Have Been Much Worse
There’s something oddly comforting about hearing stories of people almost dying from what seems like the most ridiculous reasons. These tales often highlight how close we can come to danger without even realizing it. From choking on candy to accidentally electrocuting oneself, these experiences are both terrifying and strangely humorous. Here are some of the most unforgettable near-death moments shared by individuals who somehow managed to survive.
1. A Childhood Mishap with Candy
One person recalls a childhood incident where they were passing around a bowl of hard Christmas candy. As they took a breath, they received a final whack on their back while hanging upside down by their feet. The candy bounced onto the floor, and they were left in shock. Years later, they had another close call when a bean landed in their airway while eating chili. They jumped up from the table, which allowed them to expel the bean, only to be scolded by their husband for the dramatic move.
2. An Allergic Reaction at Law School
Another story involves a person who ate a Larabar on the first day of law school. Unbeknownst to them, they were extremely allergic to cashews, which make up most of the bar. This led to an ambulance ride, an EpiPen, hospital admittance, and an IV treatment. It was a shocking start to their legal education.
3. A Kitchen Accident with a Refrigerator
A high school job in a family-style restaurant kitchen turned dangerous when someone decided to clean the inside of a stand-up refrigerator. While wiping the interior, they wrapped a damp cleaning rag around their finger and inserted it into a hole near the top—only to discover it was where the lightbulb would go. The next moment, they were flung across the kitchen and landed on the grill, suffering burns that took time to heal.
4. A Shocking Experience with a Toaster
At the age of a tweenager, someone thought the inside of a new toaster looked interesting and stuck their finger in to feel it. What followed was a cartoon-like experience with zig-zag lightning bolts and a face contorted in agony. Their mother remained unfazed, and the incident left a lasting impression on their memory.
5. A Dangerous Dare with Gasoline
At around 10 years old, someone was dared to drink gasoline. The result was immediate sickness, leading to crawling home and vomiting. They never told anyone about it until now, highlighting the dangers of peer pressure.
6. A Life Saver Mint and Choking
While getting their hair washed by their mom, someone leaned down and choked on a Life Saver mint. Fortunately, their mom used the Heimlich maneuver to save them. The irony was that the mint nearly ended their life.
7. A Snowy Driving Incident
During winter, someone was driving backroads in the country when they saw an oncoming car. The situation was tense, but no further details were provided.
8. A Golf Ball to the Eye
On their honeymoon, someone tried to speed up play on a golf course by hitting their drive first. Unfortunately, they didn’t move out of the way enough and were hit by a golf ball in the eye, resulting in a shattered orbital and loss of vision in that eye.
9. Confronting Trauma at a Shooting Range
After losing an uncle to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, someone was encouraged by their husband to confront their fear by visiting a shooting range. This was a brave step toward healing.
10. Electrocution from a Key
Someone was old enough to know better but still stuck a key in an outside outlet. They found themselves lying on their back looking up the stairs at their younger sister, who saw it but didn’t move. Though there was no obvious damage, they later experienced issues with electricity.
11. A Close Call with a Discus
As a freshman in high school, someone was practicing long jumps near discus throwers. A discus grazed the top of their head, leading to stitches. A few inches lower, and the outcome could have been much worse.
12. A Lamp and a Towel
To cope with the darkness, someone covered a lamp with a towel. However, the towel touched the bulb directly, causing smoke. Their mother's intuition saved them before the situation escalated.
13. A Shock from an Electric Toothbrush
In the late '60s, someone used an electric toothbrush and mistakenly put their finger between the prongs to find the plug. The result was a bad shock, and their dad called it "stupid."
14. A Bow and Arrow Incident
While driving a pick-up truck, someone was hit by a bow and arrow shot by a friend. The arrow came through the windshield and stopped at their neck, leaving them lucky to be alive.
15. A Crosswalk Accident
In 1969, someone was hit by a car while crossing the street in a crosswalk. The driver was distracted, and the person was knocked about 10 feet. They spent three days in the hospital and lost Superman comics in the process.
16. A Failed Outlet Fix
Someone attempted to fix an outlet without guidance and ended up being electrocuted. The experience taught them a painful lesson about DIY electrical work.
17. A Peeing Incident with a Light Socket
As a toddler, someone peed in a light socket after being taught to pee in the drain behind a pool. A wall of fire burst out, and their grandmother arrived just in time to prevent a disaster.
18. A Spray Bottle Mistake
Curious about what a spray bottle looked like, someone looked straight into it and squeezed the trigger. The chemicals entered their eyes, nose, and mouth, causing pain but no lasting damage.
19. A Near-Drowning in the Pool
In elementary school, someone jumped into the deep end of a pool without knowing how to swim. They nearly drowned, grabbing the side of the pool for survival. No one noticed their struggle, highlighting the importance of supervision.
20. A Head in the Window
As the youngest in a family with two older brothers, someone was dared to stick their head out of a car window. Their brother pushed the up button, trapping their head in the window. Their dad intervened, preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
21. A Peanut Butter Pretzel
Someone with a severe peanut allergy was given a peanut butter-filled pretzel in sixth grade. They ate it, unaware of the danger, and were met with a shocking realization.
These stories serve as reminders of how unpredictable life can be. Each one is a testament to survival and the importance of learning from mistakes. If you have a similar story, don’t hesitate to share it!