Stranded On A Tropical Island What Would You Do?
91Find Food, Water, and Shelter
If I was stranded on a desert island the first priority would be survival. If it is assumed that I wasn’t just dropped off and maroon on the island, then I would search for things that would be useful in the craft or the wreckage of whatever got me there. Hopefully there would be something of use. The craft itself or the wreckage may the core material for a shelter if a natural one isn’t found. I would create some sort of signal as soon as I could. A fire and maybe the word HELP built as big as I could on the beach.
I would have to find sources of food and water, and I would have to find shelter. I am not an expert on survival so I would likely be in big trouble. If I found a fresh water lagoon that looked clear and running; I’d probably drink from it. There are probably many reasons why that one act would end my adventure quickly and painfully but, being ignorant; that’s what I would do. I also would have trouble if the eatable food wasn’t obvious; like bananas or coconuts hanging from a tree. If I had to guess what I could eat and what would kill me; I may end up very dead very fast.
Should, by some miracle, I find food and water then shelter would be a major challenge. If I was lucky I would find a cave. Many islands of the Pacific are volcanic in origin and would have steep slopes that could contain caves. Of course the caves may already have occupants. I may have to do battle to secure shelter or sleep out in the rain.
I hope that through all of this that I would remember to keep myself as covered as possible. Getting severely burned by the sun or getting eaten up by insects could create a great deal of suffering if no medication is available. Being sick is not an option when you must gather food and water or die.
If I had building materials from the wreckage and maybe something to use as a tool; I would probably try to construct a better shelter, but that would be quite a challenge. I am the world’s worse handyman so my chances of building anything of use may be quite small. The greatest value may be the emotional stability the effort might bring me.
Now, with all the luck in the world I have food, water, and shelter; what next. I would expand on the help signals. Maybe I would try to reach the highest point on the island and build a fire there. Of course it would be quite funny if I got there and found a Sandals resort on the other side of the island.
Barring that miracle I would explore the island. I would also attempt to create something to help me stay sane in my isolation. I would take a hint from Tom Hanks in the movie “Cast Away”. I would create a friend to talk to. Like Wilson, it would have to be small so I could carry it around and I would have to find some way to put a face on it. I am sure I would need someone to talk to even if that someone is a rock.
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Comments
Creating a "Wilson" that is a necessity if you used a rock as a friend can you describe how you would create it? I enjoyed the hub tremendously and you are such a wonderful writer I thank you so much for answering this request, you certainly placed a spin on what you would do which also made me laugh..:)
I would have to put on a face somehow. I would want something to direct my conversation to. I probably would have to scratch a simple eyes, nose, and mouth with another rock. I could imagine getting creative an making several more. I'm afraid my rescuers would think I had flipped. Thanks for the kind words.
I had seen the request and passed it over. Now knowing you Pete I got curious ...
The beginning ... this does not sound like Pete, too serious, too dry... but then it started pouring.
Thumbs up
I'd probably be in the same "boat" as you meaning that my being stranded would not be a pretty sight. Creating fire would be one of the biggest challenges after finding drinking water, etc.
I'd rather find that Sandals resort! LOL
Actually Cocoanuts are a natural laxative and would tend to dehydrate you.....bad choice...good in limited quantities...but bad in large doses.
And that's why I would be in big trouble.
I actually live on a tropical island...no bridge.
i would become like Tom Hanks and become friends with a ball or a coconut whatever I could find.
BP...you'd wither and die in about 2 days with noone to talk to and no internet....and no....how we say....whooppee
Now what would you cover youself with as clothin on an island? Or heck, if you're alone, being naked wouldn't be so bad? ; )
I run around naked all the time....in the grocery store...at the mall....I'm always naked under these clothes. Sunburn in ....delicate places....could be a problem May.
hahaha it is true I would die without my PC. It would have to come with me. I would invent something to plug it into. Naked that would be fun after all I am assuming I am all alone.Might get a bit parched on the delicate bits.
After Jumping for joy that I did not have to go to work the next day. I would find food and water and imagine that I am on extended vacation. I would talk to the animals if they are not hostile. If they are hostile then I am in big troble.
I'd spend all my time looking out to sea waiting for a boat load of super models to crash within swimming distance.
LOL! Did I miss something between fighting the other souls you'd find in a cave so you could make a "wilson" to talk to? And if you could build a fire, why not boil the water first? Loved your response Pete! Reminded me of the movie "6 Days and 7 Nights" where Anne Heche turns to Harrison Ford and asks, "Aren't you one of those guys who can take a nail file and build a mall?" (paraphrasing) Much more intriguing than the simple "enjoy the heck out of it" that came to my mind :)
I actually started my AF career in the SERE program. There are tons of amazing books that you can get on this subject Pete. Cover your body at night with either mud or sand to keep the bugs off, or stay close to a fire. The mud will also keep your skin from burning in the daytime. Look for fallen trees, all sorts of bugs live under and in them. Also, practice throwing rocks for aim and power, cause birds make a fine meal. Cook thoroughly though.
That is a darn good idea. Everyone really should have some knowledge of survival; who knows when you'll need it. Some Navy buddies of mine when through SERE school many years ago; they told me what a joy it was.
I am soooooooo sorry if my comment offended - it wasn't intentional. Guess I have a weird sense of humor. I do love your work Pete!
No problem SEM. The whole thing was done from the stand point of a dummy being stranded and trying to figure what to do. MattUSAF has the right idea. Read a book on the subject and be ready.
Yes, wilderness survival awareness must surely have plenty of rewards. I was on the side of your surmising that there was probably a Sandals resort on the other side of the island. In this day and age, I believe we have to search long and hard to find a spot free from fellow citizens. Of course, being Canadian, I could direct you to many, albeit all landlocked.
Another movie reference you might enjoy is "The Edge" with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. With a photographic memory, Hopkins displays many techniques of survival from a book he received. The greatest lesson seemed to be not to lose one's power of reason. He said most who die in the wilderness simply die from fear - when it wasn't necessary.
Again, apologies for laughing - my own reminiscing of wonderful times on islands looking for seclusion dominated my response. When living in HI, I spent a lot of time directing people to remote locations they couldn't have found in weeks worth of searching. Thank you for forgiving :)
That's true most people die because they're either too afraid to try anything risky, or they just don't calm there mind and assess the situation. If you're trying to climb up a tall rocky hill in a panicked hurry, you risk falling and possibly breaking an leg or your back. If any of you have Frostwire or Limewire, just go to Documents and type in either Survival--US Army Field Manual--Anything Paladin Press. The best book I've ever read however is the Camping and Wilderness Survival by Paul Tawrell.
it made me scared thinking about this. am one of those who easily gets frightened. i guess my husband's right in telling me that we should always have presence of mind.
I don't think i would survive for even one minute alone on a desert Island and I don't hink I would ever want to.... you came up with some great ideas though...
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I would not mind living on a tropical island, but I would want a few people there too. Guess that is not truly isolated :).
NICE HUB! I'd go primal, take a hint from those people that live in that type of habitat. First things first, go the highest point you can get to and then survey the ground. This is always key, next is shelter... exposure to the elements is going to kick your bleep, lay of the land is a reason for checking out your local. Next WATER! Water is going to really be a problem. Without a natural source you are dead within the week. Check the local flora for moistness near the base of the roots, check the leaves, check for vines! All have liquid (and yeah R. Blue is so right, don't think that coconuts are a god send a bad case of the runs and you're history) Food, well food comes in trial and error. Food you can get by trying and testing vegetation, use your skin first (pick a spot like the crease of your arm and see if it leaves it red) then do the tongue (bad taste or burning, numbness NO GO), next eat only a little bit to test how you feel, if within the next two hours you feel fine then go ahead and chow down. Fire yeah they got it right on Castaway, dry moss or other combustible and friction, best way to make a fire but with the most effort. Shelter, sleep in the heat of the day under the canopy of the trees when you can, watch out for nasty bugs... yeah use mud if you can. Fun facts on survival!
Excellent Cow Flipper. Good stuff.
I live in the southeastern Bahamas.Make sure the tropical island is not this one as survival would be a serious challenge. Imagine water and not being able to drink it because it is salty.The caves are okay but getting to them may demand ingenuity.I have always wondered what it would be like for Man Vs Wild to survive here for a week!
Nice one. I was about to read a Hub and saw this article as "related Hub" on the right hand side. So, I left that Hub to come and read this one. lol.
Pete, I don't think you could ever feel stranded. From reading the above, you give me the impression that you are very cool, calm, and collected with emergencies. Now, the talking issue - you could always talk to the fish.
Very useful tips though, cos it could really happen, when one goes on holiday and has those boat trips. Sometimes, people miss the boat, when it comes to take them back.
Cool hub Pete...I would put a fish head on a coco nut and pretend it was Barbra Streisand...then pretend I was Sinatra and tell her to shut up or take voice lessons. :)
That's great Tom! That was my first laugh of the day.
I think such thoughts are bound to cross our minds eventually, I appreciate you sharing your own - was quite interesting to correlate my accumulated thoughts alongside yours, haha. Very well thought out and written.
I'd take the opportunity to work on my tan and relax. I'd wait at least a week before I started floating the flaming S.O.S. message and take a break from typing!
I suppose I'd build a small debris shelter first. But, I'd be just as concerned about a good water source. If I didn't have spare clothing, I could make a solar still from a shirt until I could find a spring. Then, I'd look for firewood and make a good bow drill. Finding food would be the hardest part for me. I don't digest meat very well. I can identify and prepare edible wild plants in North America. But, the vegetation is completely different on a tropical island. I'd probably have to force my stomach to get used to a high fish and fruit diet. Making bone knives, hooks, needles, and arrow/spear tips would be high on the priority list too (assuming volcanic glass wasn't available). I guess I wouldn't even think about a SOS message or a signal fire until everything else was done. If I was stuck out there for a while, I'd probably experiment with dyes and weaving different natural materials to make everything from baskets to art. I'd eventually make a permanent hut (stone if possible) surrounded by a good 4ft-high wall. I'd have as much fun as possible. Maybe even raid the Sandals resort for soap every once in a while just to scare the tourists. haha
Thanks for the fun hub!
Great ideas J.
curl up and go to sleep
Stranded on a tropical island eh? I think that first I would start with trying to control my fear, and then deal with enduring all of the anxiety I would have over being stranded in the first place! I think I might cry too! Just being honest. : )
Find fresh water. That would be my first activity. Then I suppose I would meditate, calling on my ancestors and on God for HELP!!!
Hawkesdream says:
7 months ago
I have often thought about this topic but never in depth, more on the lines of what I would find the hardest to have left behind, think 'wilson' is a great idea, hadn't even considered that one.