Surviving in the desert depends on three interdependent factors: ambient temperature, level of activity, and the amount of water stored. Under direct sunlight, even without physical exertion, a person consumes three times more water than in the shade. By minimizing water consumption, one’s chances of survival increase significantly. Experts have a warning: “Don’t fight the desert—adapt to it.” One British pilot, after crash-landing in the Western Sahara Desert, walked 224 kilometers over 11 days before being rescued. The secret lay in “traveling by night and resting by day.” Had he walked during the day, the water he had would never have been enough.
In 1959, an American named Veriel, along with his wife Lorna and their six children, went on a desert outing. Instead of driving on commonly used roads, they took a risky detour down an unmarked path. They hadn’t informed anyone of their destination. Just 600 meters after setting off, the car became stuck with no way forward. While trying to turn, Veriel hit a sharp-edged rock, damaging the radiator and causing water to leak. After traveling 16 kilometers, the radiator water began to boil. The family had neither drinking water nor food, only a small amount of coolant-contaminated water left in the radiator, which they finished by taking turns sipping.
At this critical moment, the clear-headed Lorna took a series of measures: she had the children rest in the shade of the car; together with her husband, she cut two blankets into strips to spell out “SOS” (a distress signal); she removed the rearview mirror to use sunlight reflection to signal airplanes; she soaked the spare tire in oil so it could be lit as a distress beacon at any time; she placed four tire covers on the ground to collect morning dew; during the day, she applied lipstick to her husband’s and children’s blistered lips and skin; realizing that a few centimeters beneath the desert surface was cooler, she buried the children’s bodies in the sand, covered their faces, and buried herself as well; she broke off a nearby branch, peeled off the bark, and sucked the sap; at noon, when the heat was unbearable and the children’s faces were blistered, the couple collected urine and used rags to dab it on the children’s faces to cool them down; she had the children eat a box of non-toxic starch paste; when no water could be found, they sliced open cacti, roasted them over a fire, and sucked out the water droplets to quench their thirst. Three days later, a rescue team spotted their distress signals, and they were finally saved.
Experts not only teach methods for preserving body moisture but also how to find underground water sources in places that appear completely dry. Many who have survived the desert found that various types of cacti act as natural reservoirs. One American pilot recalled after being rescued: “After tasting many kinds of cacti, I found that the bottle-shaped ones contain the most water—you can simply squeeze one and have a good drink.” A certain type of cactus in the desert is said to yield up to 4 liters of water at a time. Many people have died of thirst just inches away from a cactus’s shade, unaware of its life-saving potential. Additionally, the blood of many animals and the fluids of insects can also be used to relieve thirst.
Here are six principles for surviving in the desert:
One: Drink plenty of water, carry ample water, and learn various methods for finding water.
Two: “Travel by night and rest by day”—never move under the scorching sun.
Three: Always inform others of your planned route and your expected departure and arrival dates before setting off.
Four: Leave markers along the way to aid rescuers in locating you.
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