If you could only take 5 items with you, should you be cast away on an uninhabited tropic island, what would they be?
If you could only take 5 items with you, should you be marooned on an uninhabited tropic island, what would they be?
There would be fresh water on the island. Forget about anything requiring electricity or batteries, or that you could use up (like toilet paper, LOL). Your ingenuity in providing shelter for yourself is important.
What would you do to survive?
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You're not Tom Hanks, so forget about the basketball.
1. A solar power plant
2. A water treatment plant
3. That company that cultures beef from a muscle sample.
4. My house.
5. A satelite dish.
Is that cheating?
"Is that cheating?
Absolutely!!! LOL"
Actually you don't need a water treatment plant because I said fresh water was there. So instead, taking into consideration your choices, you may as well bring along a licensed restaurant.
Or maybe a hospital ... you can never be too safe.
Yeah, but hospital food is usually the pits.
A 10' salt water fly rod/reel/leader material/line
A box of assorted streamers
A flint fire/spark ignitor with extra flints
A pup tent with ground cloth
A folded plastic tarp to catch rain (with a plastic bottle in the fold)
If we're talking actual "marooned," then let's stay with what might keep us alive.
You don't need the rain-catching tarp since there will be fresh water - although something to store water is a good idea.
I guess you would have to "release" your "catch and release" philosophy.
I guess you would have to "release" your "catch and release" philosophy.
It's different when it's a matter of survival. I currently know where and when my next meal is coming from.
The world's best how-to book on mental telepathy so I could try and communicate with someone and tell them where I was at. Assuming I knew where I was at.
A full set of Encyclopedia Britannica to pass the time.
Something to protect the books from the weather.
Swiss army knife.
About 50 lbs of chocolate in a weather proof and heat proof sack.
Britannica? It's great to increase your knowledge, but what are you going to do with all those facts? Better to have books on survival.
1. Machete -- One with a good handle!
2. Braided rope -- 500' at least
3. Steel pot -- one with a handle, about 1 gal in size
4. Large magnifying glass -- (good idea up there!)
5. Large tarp -- One that is large enough to cut into several good-sized pieces.
If I could add to my list, I would add a small shovel. I'm assuming this is a tropical, volcanic island, with rocks available, so I don't need anything like a blanket or warm clothing, but would also like to add a steel grill to put over the fire, which is bounded by rocks. Deet might be a good idea... A Medical Kit with the latest, greatest anti-malarial/Dengue Fever/Yellow Fever/Snake bite meds. A book on the flora and fauna of the island, and what is edible. I'm a camper, and you can tell I always over-pack! For me, personally, I need my medications to stay alive. I am also assuming that there are no Komodo Dragons or anything awful out there... Otherwise, I need to add a nice shotgun with plenty of ammo.
We watch Naked and Afraid on occasion, and I always wonder about some of their choices. Just about every place has clay, beneath the dirt. Why aren't they digging up clay to make more pots to fire in the fire? Why do they let their fire go out, especially when they have such a time building one? If they're only going to be out there for 21 days, why not boil and drink the water dripping down in a cave? Why don't they boil and eat the ants for protein? I think if I could take 10 things, I might survive.
Obviously you're aware of the environmental problems of camping.
Yep... Now that we're up and out of a tent, we almost always camp at an RV park, with sewers, etc.
We watch Naked and Afraid on occasion, and I always wonder about some of their choices.
And most of the time they are supposed survivalist or survival instructors. The show, to me anyway, is a comedy because of their obvious screw ups! And when are they going to do one where it is REALLY cold? Take USAF Winter Survival School! Now That's Challenging!
It IS funny-- we enjoy it! And we talk with one another about how dumb they can be... The one that got me, was the one where water was dripping off a cave ceiling. The woman said that there would be all kinds of chemicals in the water. Huh? Bad stuff, like calcium. (nope) Anyway, if they are only going to be there for 21 days, there is no way they could develop a kidney stone or anything...
It's a great show, and I've learned a lot!
It's extra funny when they obviously don't like each other or have no respect for each other!
Some of those guys are so very Macho, and some of the women are hardheaded... It's funny!
#1 Firestarter, I know how to start a fire without it but since I get to take it.....
#2 Hatchet...... more versatile than an axe but you can still cut down a tree with it.
#3 20 yrds of #1 grade hemp Canvas....... in an open, hot marine environment, the only fabric that would survive.
#4 Bowie knife or derivative, w scabbard..... Must have wilderness tool/weapon.
#5 100' of 2" 9 strand hemp rope. A marlinspike is easily made from wood for properly binding and mending the rope when it wears and with 9 strand you have almost a thousand feet of 5/8th' rope once you untwist it. And hemp will last forever in a marine environment.
With these tools and a mate, you could easily re-populate the island with your own tribe. Then it wouldn't be a desert isle anymore.
It is a tropic isle, not a desert isle. If it were a desert isle you could not survive. As I told Randy, "items" would be chattels, whereas a mate is a person (who would not appreciate being considered a chattel). Otherwise I think you made good choices.
And if they really get on your nerves, you could eat them!
I said "Mate" Buzz, Not slave girl.
Oh, then maybe you should wait for Friday.
5 women.
Things, Randy, things! How do you think women feel if you call them chattels?
Well, it's not like I wouldn't marry them. I mean it's my island, so my rules.
Okay Randy, it's not like you're not living up to your name. According to Dictionary.com:
randy
[ran-dee]
adjective, randier, randiest.
1.
sexually aroused; lustful; lecherous.
I always loved my name!
-swiss army knife
-large tarp
-swim fins
-spear gun
-snorkel mask
I will make rope from native materials ;-)
I assume you're a good swimmer and your items will assure you good meals, but how would you cook the fish?
I'm a relatively good swimmer, I've learned when I can go in and when I can't.
The fish I would dry in the sun or have sushi (thanks to my swiss army knife).
I would suggest a light to medium searing, with sea salt and black pepper. Served with a Lemon wedge and Parsley. A good white wine would be appropriate.
There's a good chance that island will have citrus fruit I can use with my food. Soft, native greens could sub for Parsley, maybe. As for the good white wine, sorry, best I would be able to do is find a way to ferment some fruit, maybe in empty coconut shell.
Realistically, the first thing you would need is a fresh water source.
The article says fresh water is available:
"There would be fresh water on the island."
If the island were coral-based, it would act like a filter and there would be fresh water all over the island, just like Barbados. If it were an island like Eleuthera, you would have to ship in fresh water. This uninhabited tropic isle HAS fresh water.
I would look for fresh water...and then for plants with bright green five finger leaves and purple or red buds!
Better add a pipe to your list, Randy.
Large plastic tarp
100 gallons of vodka
Good multi purpose knife
self charging am/fm/sw/ 2 way radio
200 yards of heavy cotton canvas.