In open water, finding fresh water and food becomes a vital issue within the first hours after a shipwreck. You must act quickly to drink and eat without poisoning yourself.
In this article, discover 4 essential resources to know in order to survive several days at sea, without relying on external supplies.
1. Collect rainwater and dew
Rain is your best ally. Use a clean tarp to collect it. If it is salty, rinse it with seawater before use.
At night, set up the tarp like an inverted roof to collect dew in the early morning. You can also collect it with a cloth on the sides of the raft. As soon as it rains, drink as much as possible.
2. Use desalination equipment
Solar distillation devices and desalination kits are invaluable. Use them as soon as the sea is calm.
Solar distillers work slowly but continuously. Kits should be reserved for days without sun or emergencies. Always ration water, and do not eat if you are short on supplies.
3. Take advantage of fish
The fluids found in the eyes and along the spine of large fish can be drunk if you are in extreme need of water. However, avoid all other bodily fluids, which accelerate dehydration.
For food, fish are your main source: eat them raw, cooked, or dried, but never if they emit a bad smell or show signs of decomposition.
4. Exploit birds and other marine creatures
Seabirds are edible. You can also eat their entrails, feathers, and feet as bait. Seaweed and small shrimp attached to improvised hooks are also usable, but only if you have enough fresh water to digest them.
Even sharks are edible, but must be bled and rinsed immediately. Never consume their liver, which is rich in toxic vitamin A.
Conclusion
At sea, every drop of water and every bite counts.
By applying these techniques, you can meet your vital needs for several days, until help arrives or you reach shore.
