Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: alancalverd on 24/08/2017 18:02:43

Title: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: alancalverd on 24/08/2017 18:02:43
Due to a minor navigational error, ace pilot Alan has run out of fuel in the Sahara instead of landing in Dublin (180°, 280° - anyone can make a mistake). Fortunately he has some water and has finally worked out how to locate himself with the GPS.

What is his best strategy for survival if he is (a) 20 (b) 100 (c) 300 miles from the nearest town and has (i) 5 liters (ii) 20 liters or (iii) 100 liters of water?

You may assume that he is, of course, athletically fit and has a reasonable number of Mars bars or non-melting equivalent, or that he is prepared to eat his dead passenger. 
Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: Bored chemist on 24/08/2017 20:09:25
In almost any such circumstance, his best bet is to stay with the plane.
Planes are big enough to see from another (search + rescue) plane; people aren't.

If he is 300 miles from town and has 5 litres of water his best bet is probably to hide from the sun under the plane.
At least that way they will find his body- which will be some comfort to his grieving relatives..
Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: jeffreyH on 24/08/2017 20:46:48
Hmmmm ... The old stay with the plane scenario.
Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: chris on 24/08/2017 21:48:59
This puts me in mind of this wonderful Question of the Week from a few years back:
https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=13669.0

Transcript and audio here: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/drink-wine-or-drink-nothing
Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: SammyS7 on 01/10/2021 15:17:37
In the desert, extream heat, use two tarps, or whatever you have like recommended in this article spam.  The top tarp gives shade and lessons the radiated heat from the sun.  Then a second tarp a foot below which will insulate the radiated heat coming from the top tarp.  Safety hint in the deserts of the southwest, snakes and other venomous critters like the shade too.  As they say, look before you leap, but in this case, look carefully before you squat. 
Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 01/10/2021 15:21:06
Travel at nihht, it will keep you from hypothermia. Watch all of Ray mears bear grylls before hand.

Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: Bored chemist on 01/10/2021 15:23:43
What is his best strategy for survival
Use the radio to call for help.
Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: Just thinking on 03/10/2021 14:06:29
Due to a minor navigational error, ace pilot Alan has run out of fuel in the Sahara instead of landing in Dublin (180°, 280° - anyone can make a mistake). Fortunately he has some water and has finally worked out how to locate himself with the GPS.

What is his best strategy for survival if he is (a) 20 (b) 100 (c) 300 miles from the nearest town and has (i) 5 liters (ii) 20 liters or (iii) 100 liters of water?

You may assume that he is, of course, athletically fit and has a reasonable number of Mars bars or non-melting equivalent, or that he is prepared to eat his dead passenger. 
Set fire to the aircraft scrape a large arrow in the sand the way you are heading and walk in the night and rest in the day have some covering for the cold night and hope for the best. That's if your radio doesn't work. Ps water is heavy so make a sled.
Title: Re: How to survive in the desert?
Post by: Zer0 on 03/10/2021 18:11:51
OffTopic!

Hi Alan
😊

What are your views & thoughts about Breatharianism?
🤔

Ps - 🤭
(lol)