When your survival is on the line, your ears might turn out to be your best weapon. Certain sounds—shrill, eerily subtle, or sudden—signal that danger is close, and moving as fast as possible is best. Whether walking on city streets or out in the wilderness, knowing what noises to listen for can mean the difference between life and death. Here are 15 sounds that scream: GET OUT!
The Crack of Breaking Branches Behind You
If you’re all alone in the wilderness and you suddenly hear the snap of branches behind you, take it very seriously. It could potentially be a predator, like a mountain lion or a bear that’s been quietly stalking you. Although it could also be a harmless deer, predators go out of their way to silently track their prey and only reveal themselves when they’re close. So stay alert, don’t panic, and make yourself as big as you can to seem like the bigger threat.
Zipper Sound When Filling A Tire
Hearing a rapid “zipper” sound while inflating a tire means you should immediately step back. In most cases, it can be a sign of a “tire zipper rupture,” which is a catastrophic sidewall failure that happens when a tire is put under immense pressure. The blast from one of these ruptures can be fatal, especially when handling larger truck tires. It’s recommended that you stand clear during inflation and use inflation cages to limit the damage a rupture can cause.
Rapid Footsteps Getting Louder
Fast-approaching footsteps, especially in an empty parking lot, wooded trail, or dark alley, are a universal red flag. They can indicate someone running toward you, most likely with the intent to rob or harm you. Just don’t freeze; move to a well-lit area, call for help, or make loud noises. Having good situational awareness will give you a few more seconds to act. So if you can’t see them but hear footsteps closing in, you’ll have to do something.
A Sudden Blood-Curdling Scream
Screams don’t pierce the silence for no reason. They usually signal extreme distress. It could be someone who’s injured, being attacked, or in a life-threatening situation, so if you hear a scream, pay attention and then make a swift exit if your life is in danger. However, in the wilderness, these screams might not be human. It could be an animal like a fox or mountain lion, which often emits terrifying screams when threatened. Regardless, it means there’s something dangerous nearby, so you should call for help or get to safety immediately.
Grinding, Crushing, or Groaning Sound On A Bridge
A bridge shouldn’t groan. Noises like creaking or grinding can indicate the imminent failure or structural fatigue of a bridge. A good example is the I-35W Bridge that collapsed in Minnesota in 2007, where these warning sounds could be heard but were tragically ignored. So if you’re on a bridge and you hear these sounds, get off as fast as you can.
Whispering Your Name from the Shadows
Although it may sound paranormal, hearing your name whispered from a source you can’t see is deeply unsettling and most probably dangerous. It is a tactic used by many human traffickers and in assault scenarios where the victim is lured into an isolated area. So before you follow the voice, call out to someone, turn on a light, or simply leave without a second thought.
Glass Shattering Nearby
The breaking of glass signals sudden chaos. It may indicate an active shooter event, a home invasion, or an environmental hazard about to occur. That means you need to quickly think, take cover, or call someone for help. Not only is the situation itself frightening, but the glass can severely injure you, especially indoors. You’ll need to react fast, quickly assess the situation, and act—don’t freeze up.
Unnatural Silence After a Storm of Noise
In nature or combat, silence following a storm can be more frightening than the chaos itself. If silence falls after the noises of nature or gunfire, it might mean that something else is lurking nearby, and the threat isn’t gone. Remember, shooters have to reload, and predators will freeze before striking. So if everything around you goes quiet, don’t assume the noise has simply quieted down—assume that something has changed.
Buzzing Sound Around You
When walking in dry terrain, a cicada-like buzzing sound can be the warning of a rattlesnake telling you to back off. It’s only their defense mechanism, so if you hear it, you’ll know you’re too close. Before you act, freeze, try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from, and slowly back away. Making any sudden movements could provoke a strike, and rattlesnake venom can be deadly if treatment isn’t administered quickly.
The Hissing of Escaping Gas
A hissing sound near industrial equipment or your stove may signal a gas leak, which can be a potential explosive threat. Remember, natural gas has been odorized to help you detect it. But if the leak is large or you’re in an industrial zone, you might hear the gas before you smell it. So don’t use your phone nearby, light any flames, or flip switches. Immediately evacuate and call emergency services for assistance.
A Deep, Slow Thud Repeating
Deep, rhythmic thuds can signal many things, such as collapsing structures, a nearby landslide, or the footsteps of something large like a bear or moose. In an urban setting, you’ll want to watch out for structural instability or machinery failure. You should never investigate these noises. Simply move away from them and, if outdoors, gain elevation. So if you’re in an area with buildings, mechanical hazards, or near certain wild animals, stay alert and don’t panic.
Fire Alarm
You should never dismiss a fire alarm as a simple drill, especially in a public space. Fires usually double in size every 30 seconds, and smoke can disorient or kill you faster than flames can. So if you hear a fire alarm, act fast, stay low, and get to an exit as quickly as possible. Stay away from elevators, and always look for an exit to the ground floor.
Heavy Breathing Right Behind You
If you’re isolated and you feel or hear someone’s breath right behind you, there’s an immediate threat in your vicinity. It’s most likely a human attacker, so you’ll need to think quickly and run. Get as much distance from the person as possible by moving to a well-lit area, shouting for help, and running like your life depends on it.
Five Horn Blasts From A Ship
The international maritime rule states that five short blasts from a ship signal imminent danger or confusion in the navigation of the vessel. For the most part, it alerts those around that someone or something is in the way or that there are unclear intentions. So if you’re on a kayak, the shoreline, or another vessel, these horn blasts can mean anything from a hazardous maneuver taking place to a potential collision.
A Distant Explosion or Gunshot
You should never ignore loud bangs in the distance. They can indicate an active shooter, an accidental explosion, or a conflict zone—meaning a distant boom always signifies that danger may be heading your way. Get behind cover, move away from the source of the noise, and stay low while doing so. Even hearing one bang can mean there’s more to come, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
