Stranded on a Desert Island

[RobinHood3000]

Thought it might be fun to make a thread, given that a certain question has been repeated a few times in the 'Would you...?' thread.

Just in case it somehow happens, let this thread be a consolidation of everyone's ideas for how to survive. Robinson Crusoe managed--how shall we??


I think that a dwelling either in a cave in a cliffside (if it's viable) or a treetop house (if it's not) would suit one's purposes well. Fire-making will probably be a number one priority for survival and rescue, as it's the key to heat, signaling, cooking food, and purifying water. The old-fashioned bow-drill method is somewhat difficult, though...perhaps a more Cast Away-esque method of persistent stick rubbing with high surface area? Wood will be a precious resource, and rope remarkably handy. Tools of stone or very hard wood will probably be necessary to get more wood, to fuel fire and to make weapons such as spears for hunting. Rope, I imagine, can be made from either twined-up bark or jungle vines.

That about does it for now. Well, any input? It may save your life!

[starrwriter]

Thought it might be fun to make a thread, given that a certain question has been repeated a few times in the 'Would you...?' thread. Just in case it somehow happens, let this thread be a consolidation of everyone's ideas for how to survive. Robinson Crusoe managed--how shall we??
I wrote a magazine article about 5 men who didn't survive and two were friends of mine. They went ocean fishing in a 17-foot Boston Whaler and got caught in the worst storm in 50 yeas off Maui. A long search turned up no trace of them.

Nine years later the wrecked boat and the remains of one man were found on an uninhabited atoll in Micronesia, 2,300 miles away. They had slowly drifted there after the boat engine was swamped. The atoll had only two things to eat: coconuts and fish. Neither contains vitamin C, which meant scurvy was inevitable (plus other vitamin-deficiency diseases.) Fresh drinking water was very scarce. The lagoon was fished out and the coconuts were eaten the first couple years. The 5 men died one by one waiting 9 years for a rescue that never came. Tragically, the last man died only a month before the the grisly discovery was made by a cartographer.

Tropical atolls are low-lying islands that are little more than large sand bars. They look like paradise, but in reality they can't support human life without a connection to the outside world.

[RobinHood3000]

My condolences for your loss, but I think fish eyes have a little Vitamin C in them. Tropical atolls, at any rate, are not necessarily the point of discussion here.

[Nightshade]

whats the point sorry? IM a bit :confused:
this morning

[RobinHood3000]

Trying to discuss how one could best survive if stranded on a desert island.

[Nightshade]

Dont get stranded! duh!
sorry :blush: that wasnt very nice letts see what do we have if anything??
FIND running water should be number 1 I think.

[starrwriter]

My condolences for your loss, but I think fish eyes have a little Vitamin C in them. Tropical atolls, at any rate, are not necessarily the point of discussion here.
Tropical atolls are desert islands and my point was there is very little on desert islands to support human life. To me this seemed very pertinent to the topic.

(BTW, the man who inspired the novel "Robinson Crusoe" was not stranded on a desert island. It was a high (mountainous) island off the coast of South America with plenty of rain, not a desert climate, and the man was not shipwrecked. He was a fugitive who went there to hide from the law.)

[RobinHood3000]

Yes, but the assumption here is that the "desert" island (perhaps not the best descriptor) would have a combination of beach and jungle, with native wildlife to help support a marooned one.

[Nightshade]

possibly you mean a desserted island?

[RobinHood3000]

That too--if it's populated, it somewhat defeats the purpose.

[Nightshade]

oh how sweet you changed your sig to acknowledge your rubber duckieness
humm somthing is not spelt right in that sentese

:S
Edit I can see whats wrong now..
:D *g* ruby ducker :rolleyes:

[Aurora Ariel]

This kind of adventure sounds like an interesting once-in-a- lifetime experience.I'm sure it would be an exciting and unusual time wherever you were.I would love to try this at least once.And I have a good question to add.If you were stranded on a desert island or some place which was like a paradise to you, what book would you take if you were only allowed one choice?One book to read for a long time, over and over again?And what one song or piece of music would you wish to hear playing perpetually?

[rachel]

I simply wouldn't stand being on a desert island without my vitamin c, yogurt and a good b vitamin supplement. So I'd try rigging something, anything (canadians never are far from good old ducttape, and I would head back out to sea. Of course I'd be screaming if sharks came near but my days as a cheerleader might come in handy, perhaps I could damage their ear drums(if they have them). I would hope and pray for a cruise ship to come along. preferrably not one with cathie lee gifferd or whatever her name is or anyone singing rounds of red sails in the sunset. ( i worked as nanny for a Chinese Hawaian called Tom Ah Yee- dear man)
I would rather you started a thread on Robin Hood. Had a mad crush on him until I was a teen. He was my idea of the perfect guy,. well the tights, but no matter

[Virgil]

Dont get stranded! duh!


I'm with Nightshade. I would think there are other more pressing things in life to worry about. But, if you wish to fantasize.

[Aurora Ariel]

I think it would be enlightening though to experiment with alternative lifestyles, and do something unexpected and out from modern society.I mean how much luxury is really a necessity?And how often does one get to experience the full beauty of nature if they are only wish to be stuck inside with more modern convencies, which, in theory, are not necessary for basic survival.I think one month of a pure, more simple existence may leave one with a different and more open perspective.I would go to an unspoiled Elysian isle or the middle of a exotic rainforest and stay in it, even if it was only for a month, for the thrill of the experience alone.I like adventures and remain very open-minded and will consider nearly anything.But I agree that it's not for everyone, and one may not wish to live in a standed state forever.Even Robinson Crusoe left his self-made shelter and natural paradise eventually, and went back to the rest of civilisation.I do not believe anyone could sustain that kind of existence, successfully, for a really long time, but I can't see a problem with an "extended holiday."