How to Survive on a Desert Island

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A desert island may sound inhospitable, but with the proper knowledge, anyone can survive on one.

Steps

Solar Stills

1. A solar still is a device that uses the suns energy to capture water. You will need...
   
   • plastic wrap sheet, or something to that effect
     
   • hole, bowl, or some sort of ditch
     
   • weight (rock, sand, keys, etc.)
     
   
   
2. Place the plastic wrap over the hole, completely covering it. In the center, place the weight, creating a slight grade to the center. If left for a period of time, water will collect in the center.
   

Tree Stills

1. A tree still uses the water given off by trees to hydrate you. You will need
   
   • plastic bag
     
   • a tree
     
   
   
2. Place the bag over a section of the tree and tie it shut as tight as you can. Wait overnight, and you should have some water in your bag.
   

If There Is A Water Source

1. If a direct water source is available, try and make a fire (this will be covered later). By boiling the water (if you have a container ie: a pot or coconut shell, that is) you will rid the water of bacteria, and if needed, create heat for you if you are in a cold environment. If you choose to drink directly from a stream, try and find a spot where the water is running.
   

Getting Water From other Things

1. Water can be found in in any plant, some more than others. On a desert island, you may try eating any (non-poisonous) fruit available if you are in the tropics, and if there are cacti around, then you can cut it open and chew the pulp for both water and a food source. If coconuts are available, they can be used for a water supply, food, a bowl for a solar still for for boiling water, and the outer rusk can be used as tinder when scraped off. If you are not sure if a fruit or plant is poisonous, break open the membrane and rub the inside of the object on a designated spot on your arm. Wait 10-20 minutes and observe if anything happens (rash, swelling, pain, etc.). If nothing happens, its probably safe to eat. Never eat a fungus or mushroom unless you are absolutely positive that it is safe. Unless necessary, don't eat it then either.
   

Fire

1. There are many ways to create fire. One of the best known methods is the bow method. for this, you will need...
   
   • bendable stick (living)
     
   • tinder (coconut rusk, wood shavings, etc.)
     
   • vine, or live grass (for the bow's string)
     
   • rock or piece of wood with hole in it.
     
   • another piece of wood with hole in it.
     
   
   
2. Take your bendy stick and curve it into a bow. While it's in this position, tie you vine or grass around both ends, making a sufficient bow. Find a sturdy stick, preferably dead, and wrap the bow's string around it in a loop fashion. Hold your rock or wood with a notch in it in your hand, and put the top of the stick into the notch. With the other end, put it in the notch in the other piece of wood. Pull the bow back and forth, making the stick spin in the notch to create enough friction to create an ember from the bottom wood. Take that ember, and put it into your gathered tinder and blow on it, making a flame. With that flame, you can catch larger sticks alight, and create a nice fire.
   
3. Another method is less complicated. You will need...
   
   • A 9-volt battery (the one with both terminals on one end)
     
   • Steel wool
     
   • Tinder (coconut rusk, wood shavings, etc.)
     
   
   
4. Touch both terminals on the battery to the steel wool. The electrical overload in it will cause the steel to melt at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. With this ember, you catch the tinder on fire, and create a fire that way.
   
5. You can also make a fire from...
   
   • Glasses
     
   • Concave mirror
     
   • Glasses: During the day, focus the suns rays onto some tinder using your glasses. The heat from the condensed light will catch it.
     
   • Concave mirror: Face the mirror towards the sun, and focus the reflection onto the tinder. The condensed light will catch it.
     
   • Flint and Steel: strike steel or a hard rock against flint, effectively creating a spark, which can be used to light the tinder.
     
   
   

Getting Rescued
Your main priority while on this island is to be rescued. This can be done in a few different fashions.

1. Signal fire: The international sign of distress is 3 fires in the shape of a triangle. After you've made the fires, throw living plants onto the fire, making heavy smoke. This will help you get noticed. At night, a fire works well as a beacon to ships or air-craft.
   
2. Anomalies: Anything out of the ordinary will help you get noticed. Moving rocks into an odd shape helps (Remember, a triangle means distress), and bright colors that aren't normally found in the landscape help also. Bright orange clothing or other materials are most noticeable, and anything reflective can be used to catch someones eye with a glint.
   

Tips

• Boil your water (if you can) before drinking from a direct source
  
• Test any unknown food for poisons before ingesting
  
• A triangle is the universal sign of distress
  
• Don't eat fungus unless you have intimate knowledge
  
• Stay in one spot if you can, and wait to be rescued
  
• Head for high ground to have a better chance of being noticed.
  
• Throw copper (copper can be found in pennies) in the fire to turn it green.
  

Warnings

• Do not attempt stranding yourself purposefully with knowledge from this guide. Only attempt surviving after correct training and consulting professionals in various helpful fields. It is dangerous, and may result in severe injury or death.
  

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