How Would You Survive on a Deserted Island?

It sounds funny to even think about being stranded on a deserted island, but it can and has happened, even with all of our technological devises and whatnots. What would you do if you found yourself in the mists of a tragic event at sea or in an airplane and washed up on a deserted island? Maybe you're alone, maybe not. How would you survive while you waited for your rescue? Now don't you wish you would have paid better attention while in your geography class!

Knowing the basics of a tropical climate can help keep you alive. Tropical weather is very unpredictable. In its hot humidity, sudden rain storms can roll up on you as quickly as they leave. They are accompanied by thunder and lightning most of the time. The massive heavy rain can lead to flash floods. Major storms such as cyclones and hurricanes can cause huge tidal waves that can devastate the shore line. Choose your campsite location wisely. Make sure it is high enough not to be caught in a flash flood and out of harm's way when the winds pick up. Remember that you are likely in a monsoon prone area and adjust to the continuous rain.

Finding the right materials for your shelter isn't hard. The island is unlimited with materials to use. Banana leaves and bamboo shoots tied together with coconut coir (the fibrous material on the outside of the coconut) will make a quick make shift shelter. Layering the leaves and shoots will help protect you from the elements.

You need fresh water to survive. Do not under any circumstance drink the salty sea water. It will dehydrate your body. Carefully look for running water; a waterfall, stream that is moving. Do not drink from a pool of water that is still. It is full of bacteria and parasites that will surely make you sick or kill you. Look for the outlet of a stream on the shore line. Simply follow it inland and you will most likely find the source of moving water. You can make a canteen form a solid coconut shell that has only one hole in it where you drank the milk from. Refill it with fresh water and plug the hole to save for later use.

Food is the one thing you shouldn't have much trouble finding. Tropical climates thrive with fruit tress like coconuts, bananas, papayas and oranges. Stockpiling coconuts can give you food for when the winter comes if you are stranded in the warmer seasons. Wild boars are usually found on islands as well as a wide assortment of birds. Just think of them as pork chops and chicken. Fish are also available. Make a spear or net to catch them in the shallow water.

Having a fire is necessary for survival. It will keep you warm, cook your food, allow you to boil water, scare of curious animals and the smoke can help you be found. If you don't have any matches or a lighter, search for some piece of flint. Gather up a handful of VERY DRY-DEAD, not green, leaves and wood. Slap the flint together to make sparks fall on your dead leaves. When you see smoke, gently blow in the embers to ignite the fire. Once it is ablaze, slowly add more DRY wood and leaves until the fire is big enough to put a larger piece of dry wood on it. Keep the fire going night and day if possible. If the flame goes out but there is still smoke, gently blow on the embers and feed it more dry leaves to reignite the flame. If you can't find any flint, you'll have to do it the old fashioned way with sticks. Lay one dead dry stick on the ground and forcibly twist another into it until you see smoke. Gently blow the smoke and feed it dry dead leaves, the same as the flint technique.

The main thing to remember if you are ever stranded is to remain calm. Panicking will only make your situation worse. Look for water and food and build you a shelter and you can survive until help comes. Gather up any materials that wash up on shore that will help your survival.