How to survive in a shipwreck? Here are my personal top 10…
1. Hop into a row boat (after giving the distress call on the radio)
2. Grab a life vest
3. Hang onto jetsam if a row boat or life vest are not available
4. Hope the water temperature is warm (if not, put on wool clothing*, not synthetic wear)
5. Trust the currents are heading towards land or a shipping channel
6. Pray that you are not bleeding
7. Swim easy breaststroke after removing your clothing and shoes; it is not a race, no need to go fast unless the shore is close and sunset is approaching.
8. However, if you have no life vest, row boat or wetsuit, then tie the ends of your pants and blow into the legs so it can serve as a makeshift float.
9. Look where the currents are flowing and winds are blowing and head in that direction (because the rescue water/aircraft will look for the debris from the shipwreck first and if you go in the same direction as the debris, your chances of survival are greater)
10. Grab water or hydration before the ship goes down
Thanks! I’ve added in items you could pack in an ideal go-bag, like an EPIRB, a solar still, tarp, hooks and fishline, all packed in a dry bag that could double as a container for water. Plus tips on harvesting water, the debate about whether or not seawater can keep you alive, the different animals other survivors have lived off – birds, fish, barnacles, sharks, turtles – a reminder that protein requires a lot of water to digest, which is also a reminder that you can live without food much longer than water, plus all kind of other stuff.
It’s kind of packed. Researching what people have done while stranded for up to 133 days has been fascinating. Basically, rainwater and fish have kept people alive for remarkably long periods of time.
* Wool will keep you warmer and you might put gloves on which will keep your hands warmer and act as paddles which will help you progress further
Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source