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2023 Author: Katelyn Chandter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:08
90% of victims who are shipwrecked or lost in the ocean die within the first three days. But it would take much longer to die of hunger or thirst! How to survive in the sea or ocean when the rest go to their ancestors? What to do in case of a shipwreck?
On April 14, 1912, the transatlantic steamer Titanic collided with an iceberg. The first ships had already arrived at the crash site in 3 hours, but there were already enough dead and crazy passengers in the lifeboats. Statistics say that 90% of victims die in the first 3 days. Many who are shipwrecked or lost in the ocean die from ignorance of the elementary rules of survival, and not from objective reasons.
In modern times, there are many small disasters and loss of course in the water element. People find themselves many kilometers from land in the sea, ocean or other water element. Some die almost immediately, while others survive drifting for a long time. How to survive in the sea or ocean when the rest go to their ancestors?
French physician and biologist Alain Bombard has set up a risky ocean survival experiment. He crossed the Atlantic alone in a rubber boat. Alain Bombard proved that you can survive at sea for a long time, eating only the gifts of the sea. He lost 25 kilograms, got visual impairment, lost toenails, depleted his body, and his skin was covered with a rash. But Alain Bombard proved that you can survive in the ocean for sixty-five days.
Do you want to know how to survive in these extreme conditions? What to do in case of a shipwreck at sea or ocean? We have read the book by Alain Bombard "Overboard at will" published by "Alpina Publisher" and made recommendations so that you do not die like the rest.
How to survive in the sea or ocean?
1. Do not panic when shipwrecked
When troubles occur in the water element, a person becomes discouraged. He freezes in his small ship / boat / raft and fades away in a few days. The victims of legendary shipwrecks do not die from the sea, thirst or hunger. They die of pity and fear. Long before physical or physiological conditions become truly lethal.
2. Get water
The most important problem that a person will have to face in the ocean is the lack of water. Death is inevitable on the 10th day of existence. Moreover, even if you start to extract and drink water on the 10th day, it will not be enough. The body will not be able to recuperate. During the first three to four days after the incident, you must drink water. Where can I get it? Alain Bombard for fourteen days quenched his thirst with sea water (not in a row, but in total) and for forty-three days - with juice (squeezed from fish).
Sea water. Sea water is very dangerous, unlike fresh water, it contains a lot of sodium chloride (table salt). If you drink it a lot, then a person will die from jade. According to the observations of Alain Bombard, salt water can be drunk from 800 to 900 grams per day. But only for five days. Further use of it threatens to lead to jade. From seawater, a person sometimes gets stomach upset and vomiting. You can drink a little sea water periodically, when there is no fresh water, but very carefully.
Rain. Sometimes it rains, and this is real fresh water! It is necessary during this period to collect the maximum amount of water in the available containers.
Condensate. By morning, condensation can form fresh water condensation at the bottom of the boat. It's like dew on the roof of a well-closed tent. It can be collected with a sponge or a piece of rag in good quantities! It may not be enough, but it will provide essential support for survival.
A fish. Fresh water can be taken from fish. From 50 to 80% of the fish's weight is water. On large fish, you can make notches on the back, just like when harvesting pine resin. So you can quickly get drunk with fresh water. The fish itself can also be eaten. There is enough water in it.
3. Get food
A fish. When surviving in the sea or ocean, fish will be the main food and drink. Some tackle is required for fishing. It is good if there is a net, fishing rods, fishing line, spear, harpoon, cords, wire. Having some gear will help you go fishing. But if they are not there, then you can make it yourself. How to make an impromptu prison? Fishing is not very difficult if you tie something sharp to an oar or a piece of stick. This can be a nail from the ship's hull, a piece of iron, a knife, or other sharp object. How to make a fishing rod? You can tie something like a hook or shiny to the cord. Some types of fish are caught without any bait. Often at night the fish itself jumps into the boat, fleeing from their more predatory counterparts. To prevent it from jumping out back, put a net or other material on the bottom of the boat.
Seaweed. Algae can be used as food and vitamins.
Plankton. When there is no food at all, you have to be content with plankton. If there is more or less enough food, then it is necessary to consume a little plankton due to the presence of substances necessary for human existence in it. Plankton contains vitamin C and other beneficial substances. Plankton help prevent scurvy, a terrible disease for sailors. Plankton is a cloudy ooze that can be collected on the hull of a boat or in a fishing net. A piece of rare fabric tied behind the boat can act as a net.
4. Boat care
The boat, ship or raft on which you found yourself at sea needs to be looked after. Monitor her condition daily. Inspect the surface of the ship and don't let the sea inhabitants spoil it.
5. General advice for shipwreck
Hunger. In the early days, hunger makes itself felt with periodic pains. On the third day, the pain disappears, but drowsiness, weakness and fatigue appear. With a good catch, don't pounce on food. Consume a little, otherwise it will get bad.
Eyes. Eye inflammation due to strong solar reflection from the shiny sea surface should be feared.
Thirst. In order to reduce thirst, you can sometimes cover your face with a cloth soaked in sea water. Substitute it in the sun and it gets a little lighter.
Fight against large sea inhabitants. When the shark approaches the boat and circles around it, you can scare it off with a stroke of the oar.
Floating anchors. When the wind is strong, tie a floating anchor or two to the stern of the boat. This will allow you to meet the waves with the bow of the ship, and not sideways.
Dream. While sleeping, if necessary, it is better to tie yourself to the mast or other part of the boat. Especially important in bad weather.
6. Lifestyle
What to do in case of a shipwreck? Exercise even in such difficult conditions. This will help maintain better health, intelligence, flexibility, and muscle strength.
Watch your health. The amount of urine, stool, general physical condition, hunger and thirst.
The hours in the sea drag on endlessly. In these difficult times, do mental work. Think about abstract things, read books (if any), remember your past life. At the end of the evening, summarize: the water you drank, the fish caught, the state of health, the weather, the air temperature, the birds and fish seen.
7. Disembarkation
Sometimes a floating craft is washed ashore. Remember that 90% of accidents happen at the time of landing. Pay attention to the color of the sea: white lambs and signs of heavy surf. This is an indicator that a deadly reef is lurking under the water. Choose a sandy shore for a landing, not a rocky one.
8. Signaling
If you have a flashlight, light it up when a ship or plane appears. It can be dangerous to use a flashlight at night. It can attract large predators that can harm you or the boat. Use shiny surfaces as mirrors and use them to signal passing ships.
What to do in case of a shipwreck? How to survive in the sea or ocean? According to Alain Bombard, within 3 weeks a person will definitely be able to survive. And then how lucky. The main thing is not to lose heart and fight for your life.