00:00 We have explored for the time being only 5% of the oceans.
00:04 This information alone should suffice to dissuade people from the idea of getting lost at sea.
00:08 At the other end of the spectrum are the deserts, where survival is also a test of every moment.
00:14 But surprisingly, more people lose their lives by drowning than by dehydration in the desert.
00:19 But what is the worst? Being lost at sea without food or being a prisoner of the desert?
00:25 Being lost at sea is much harder, and for a multitude of reasons. There is nowhere to shelter from the sun during the day.
00:31 The temperatures are glacial at night and the winds are violent most of the time.
00:35 You are at the mercy of the waves, and depending on where you are, you could face impressive waves of 12 meters high.
00:42 In regions like the North Atlantic, being lost at sea is a fight that usually lasts less than a minute.
00:48 In a rough sea, controlling your boat is a real challenge. There is a real danger of getting lost or drifting to the current.
00:57 The chances of being spotted and rescued by a passing ship are quite slim, unless you are on a very busy sea route.
01:05 You might think you can always catch some fish, but the ocean can reach a depth of 5 to 8 km in many places,
01:12 and the marine fauna is likely to swim well below the surface.
01:16 Catching it will require special equipment, and even if you manage to fish something, you still won't have enough to cook it.
01:24 Surviving more than a year drifting can seem incredible, but experts say it is doable with a little luck.
01:31 A fisherman named José Alvarenga is living proof of this.
01:35 He was rescued after spending more than a year lost at sea.
01:39 He claimed to have been on a boat since Mexico in 2012, and then was dragged off shore to end up, one way or another,
01:46 8,000 km away, near the Marshall Islands.
01:50 When he was found, his entire face was covered with a furrowed beard.
01:54 He had survived by catching fish, birds, and turtles with his bare hands.
01:59 In tropical waters, it is imperative to have fresh water, to stay afloat on a boat or a fortune raft,
02:05 to have shelter from the sun, food, and a signaling device.
02:11 The fact that he was on a boat 7 meters long and a large tarpon played a crucial role in Alvarenga's survival.
02:18 Generally, the human limit is around 5 to 6 weeks without food.
02:24 Catching birds and fish with your bare hands is delicate, but with a little bit of luck, it could still work.
02:30 Small turtles can be captured and kept on board, providing fresh meat and warning the score.
02:37 In Haute Mer, most turtles, birds, and fish can be eaten raw.
02:43 Marine toxins are relatively rare in fish, so it is not so risky.
02:48 Water is also vital.
02:50 Rain, the blood of birds and turtles, as well as their meat, which is rich in water, can always help.
02:56 In a tropical environment, the main dangers are heat, sun exposure, dehydration, skin infections, and animal attacks.
03:04 Alvarenga seemed confused when we found him.
03:07 Because exposure to the sun, dehydration, and vitamin deficiencies can also affect a person's psychological state.
03:14 As for the desert, it seems easier to survive there.
03:17 There are some plants, lizards, and snakes that you can nibble on.
03:22 You can stay in the shade during the scorching zenith, and only move when it's cooler, in the evening and in the morning.
03:28 We tend to imagine the desert as a warm, arid, sand-like area, but it can be very cold at night.
03:35 So, prepare to light a fire.
03:37 The latter will keep you warm, and will facilitate your tracking with the help if you are lost.
03:42 Soil and dry twigs are excellent fire-lighters, just like dried animal excrement.
03:48 The key to surviving in the desert is to conserve your water.
03:51 Focus on maintaining a normal body temperature, and keep your skin under the sun.
03:57 Find a shade where it's a little cooler.
04:00 Avoid walking in the sun.
04:03 Finally, ignore this myth that consists of drinking water from cacti.
04:07 It could do you more harm than good, because the liquid inside cacti is toxic.
04:12 Even if exhaustion makes you want to lie down, avoid the ground as much as possible.
04:18 Its temperature can be 16 degrees higher than the air temperature.
04:22 If you were in a car, remove the seats and place them in the shade.
04:26 Try to determine what will make a suitable seat.
04:29 Try to stay at least 30 cm above the ground.
04:33 Getting rid of your clothes may seem like a good idea when the sun is so bright, but it's very risky.
04:39 Exposing your skin will cause sunburns and will accelerate your dehydration.
04:44 Instead, cover your body as much as possible and stay away from direct sunlight.
04:50 Sudden rains are one of the main dangers in the desert.
04:54 The ditches, streams and other canyons can quickly fill up with water, taking you by surprise.
05:00 Don't forget that more people have lost their lives by drowning than by dehydration in the middle of the desert.
05:05 So stay on the high ground and avoid areas that could be flooded in the event of a strong downpour.
05:10 In Morocco, you can take part in the Marathon des Sables.
05:14 It's a tiring race, which is more than six times longer than an ordinary marathon.
05:18 And it all takes place in the heart of the desert.
05:21 Mauro Prosperi, an Italian police officer, decided to join the race in 1994.
05:27 A sandstorm hit along the road, leaving Prosperi disoriented.
05:32 Unnoticed, he ran in the wrong direction and traveled several dozen kilometers before realizing the gravity of his situation.
05:40 Finally, he sought refuge in an abandoned sanctuary in the middle of nowhere.
05:45 He went into survival mode and used the strength he had for one last sprint through the desert, hoping to find help.
05:53 After being lost for a whole week, he finally fell on an oasis with a small stretch of water.
06:00 But his mouth and throat were so swollen by dehydration that he couldn't swallow much.
06:06 He just stayed lying there, next to the sea, taking small sips all day long.
06:12 The next morning, he managed to fill his gourd and get back on his way.
06:17 Later, he spotted fresh tracks left by goats, which caught his attention.
06:23 Along the track, he also found human footprints.
06:27 It turned out that they belonged to the young girl who was taking care of the goats.
06:31 When Prosperi rushed to her, desperately asking for help, he first frightened her.
06:37 After which, he was finally rescued.
06:40 Let's now talk about survival on a desert island.
06:43 Here, you have more chances than lost in the ocean or in the desert.
06:47 You can increase your chances of survival by following these steps.
06:51 Look for fresh water sources, like streams, waterfalls, or rainwater.
06:57 If the place is arid, create a solar distiller by digging a hole,
07:00 then place a container inside and cover it with plastic.
07:04 Collect rainwater and boil it before drinking it. Avoid salty water from the ocean.
07:10 The next step will be to find food.
07:13 Try to eat only familiar fruits, such as coconut or bananas.
07:17 And avoid the bays, which are unknown to you.
07:19 Algae will also be beneficial to you.
07:21 And it is possible to prevent scurvy by nibbling on fresh vegetables such as lemons and oranges.
07:28 You can find a source of protein in fish, molluscs, and other small animals.
07:34 Sharpen sticks to hunt them.
07:36 Be careful with the biggest gibbets and opt for insects if necessary.
07:41 Cook the seafood well.
07:43 Before eating unknown fruits, rub them on your skin and lips to check for side effects.
07:49 Avoid fruits that smell like fish or almonds, because they could be toxic.
07:54 Do not waste anything, even if it is an excess.
07:57 Store food and water in excess and follow the plan to the letter.
08:01 I still hope that you will never find yourself in such a situation.
08:05 A man named Nelson Nedy survived five days on a desert island near Rio de Janeiro.
08:11 He had been dragged by a wave while he admired the view from the rocks near the Groumary beach and ended up on the island of Las Palmas.
08:19 The 51-year-old gardener found a cave where to sleep the first night and fell the next day on a tent and a blanket abandoned by fishermen.
08:28 Over the course of the days, Nedy began to despair and decided to drink seawater.
08:33 Finally, on the coming Saturday, jet skiers spotted the signals he was making with his shirt and warned the authorities.
08:40 A helicopter came to the rescue. And that's how Nedy was saved.
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