Island Survival

Although it's quite rare, the clasic television show 'Gilligans Island' reminds us that in the past some travelers have found themselves stranded on an uninhabited island. Modern examples of how this could realistically happen include a plane crash or a shipwreck.

In an island survival situation, it's important not to panic. Assess the situation and look around to see if you are alone. Look on the beaches for any items that have washed up that could prove to be useful. Check for radios, plastic or paper bags, blankets, knives, lighters and matches.

Issues that need to be considered immediately are: finding water, buildig shelter, finding food items, looking for ways to build a fire and signal for help.

Fresh water is of utmost importance. It is important that you do not drink saltwater, blood, or urine. Ingesting these will only hasten dehydration. You can survive a long time without food, but only days or even less without water. Alcohol is not a substitute for water; it can lower body temperatures and cause other problems for survivors. Smoking cigarettes will also hasten dehydration and should be avoided unless water is plentiful.

You need to drink before you get thirsty. Thirst is a very poor indicator of your state of hydration, especially in cold weather. Monitor your water consumption and attempt to drink at least four to six quarts of water daily, more in hot and dry climates. Dark coloured urine is the most reliable indication of significant dehydration.

Be certain to take water breaks at regular intervals and force yourself to drink if necessary. The effects of dehydration are insidious and extremely dangerous in an island survival situation.

If water is scarce, drink what you have, within reason, and search or more.

Without a faucet to turn on, you will have to find the water yourself. Dew can be collected from grass and plants. Water flows downhill so check the valleys and the base of cliffs. Look for animal tracks and trails heading downhill. In drier climates your search will be more difficult due to evaporation, but the same general rules apply.

In arid areas, lush vegetation is a sign of possible water. Dig down in dry washes at the base of cliffs, on the outside of a bend and near green vegetation. If you don't hit wet sand within a couple feet, try elsewhere.

Remember that if you dig deep enough into sandy soil you will come across water. Collect the water using a leaf from a tree or a shell. Cactus plants are another highly recommended potential water source.

Water from natural sources like rivers and springs should be considered contaminated. Before drinking, it must be boiled, chemically treated or filtered to purify it. You only need to bring it to a boil briefly to kill those bacteria and render the water drinkable.

If there is no possible wway to purify the water, you might be forced to drink it regardless. It is better, as an absolute last resort, to risk microbe-induced intestinal infection than to die from dehydration.

Look for materials from which it might be possible to build some sort of raft. It's important to realize however, attempting to float away from the island into the ocean in hope of getting a resuced is a very dangerous course of action and should only be excercised if no other options exist.

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Island Survival