- 12 hours ago
Explore the harrowing challenges of survival at sea without food versus being lost in the desert, discover the risks of rescuing a kangaroo from water, and uncover school facts that have stood the test of time—or flunked completely. This journey highlights the unpredictable nature of survival and the surprising lessons learned along the way.
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00:01We have only explored 5% of the ocean so far.
00:04Even this info alone should be enough to make people scared of getting lost in the ocean.
00:09On the other part of the spectrum, there are deserts.
00:11You need to be in survival mode there too.
00:14Shockingly, more people lose their lives from drowning than dehydration in the desert.
00:18But what's worse?
00:20Being trapped at sea without food?
00:22Or getting lost in a desert?
00:25Being lost at sea is tougher for a bunch of reasons.
00:28There's no hiding from the sun during the day.
00:31Freezing temperatures at night and gusty winds most of the time.
00:35You're at the mercy of the sea.
00:36And depending on where you are, you might be dealing with massive, 40-foot-tall ocean swells.
00:42In places like the North Atlantic, staying afloat in the water is a struggle that lasts less than a minute.
00:49In wild seas, controlling your ride is a challenge.
00:53Capsizing or drifting in a random direction are real risks.
00:56The odds of a passing ship spotting and rescuing you are pretty slim unless you're floating in the area where
01:03a busy shipping route lies.
01:05You might think you can catch some fish.
01:07But the ocean might be 3 to 5 miles deep in many places.
01:11And marine inhabitants are likely to swim way below the surface.
01:16Catching them will require special gear.
01:18And even if you manage to catch something, you will still have no equipment to cook it.
01:24Surviving over a year adrift at sea might sound wild, but experts say it's doable with a bit of luck.
01:31One fisherman is living proof of this theory.
01:34He was rescued after more than a year of being lost at sea.
01:38Jose Alvarenga claimed he had set sail from Mexico in 2012, got carried off, and somehow ended up 5,000
01:47miles away at the Marshall Islands.
01:49When he was found, his face was covered with a bushy beard.
01:53He had survived by catching fish, birds, and turtles with his bare hands.
01:57In tropical waters, having fresh water, staying afloat on a boat or raft, and having shelter from the sun, some
02:05food, and a signaling device are crucial.
02:08Having a 24-foot-long boat and a tarp played a big role in Alvarenga's survival.
02:14Generally, 5 to 6 weeks without food is the human limit.
02:19Catching birds and fish by hand is tricky.
02:21But if done cleverly, it might work out.
02:24Smaller turtles can be captured and tossed into the boat.
02:27Providing fresh meat and preventing scurvy.
02:31In open waters, most turtles, birds, and fish are safe to eat raw.
02:36Marine toxins in fish are relatively uncommon.
02:39It's not that risky.
02:40Water is vital too.
02:42Rain, bird, and turtle blood, as well as their meat, which is high in water content, might help.
02:48In tropical environments, the main dangers are heat, solar radiation, dehydration, skin issues, and animal attacks.
02:58Alvarenga seem confused at times because sun exposure, dehydration, and vitamin deficiencies can affect mental state too.
03:06As for the desert, it seems to be easier to survive there.
03:10There are plants, lizards, and snakes you can munch on.
03:14You can stay in the shade during the scorching day and move around when it's cooler, in the evening and
03:20morning.
03:21We tend to think of the desert as a hot, dry, expanse of land.
03:25But it can get cold at night.
03:27So get ready to build a fire.
03:30Starting a fire at night will keep you warm and make it easier for rescuers to spot you if you're
03:35lost.
03:37Sage and dry bushes make excellent fire starters.
03:40So do dry animal droppings.
03:43The key to surviving in the desert is conserving water.
03:46Focus on maintaining a normal body temperature and keeping your skin shaded from the sun.
03:52Find shelter in the shade that allows for a nice breeze.
03:56Avoid strolling around under the sun.
03:59Skip the drink cactus water myth.
04:01That might do more harm than good.
04:03The liquid inside cacti is toxic.
04:07Even if exhaustion tempts you to lie down, steer clear of the ground if you can.
04:12It can be 30 degrees hotter than the air temperature.
04:15If you have your car with you, take out the seats and put them on the ground in the shade.
04:20Try to figure out what can serve as a decent seat.
04:23Aim to keep at least a foot and a half between you and the ground.
04:28Shedding clothes might seem like a good idea when the sun is blazing, but it's risky.
04:34Exposing your skin to the sun will lead to sunburn and speed up dehydration.
04:39Instead, cover up as much of your body as you can and stay away from direct sunlight.
04:45One of the major dangers in the desert is flash floods.
04:49Ditches, arroyos, and canyons can fill up with water quickly, catching you off guard.
04:55Remember, more people have lost their lives from drowning than dehydration in the desert.
05:00Stick to high ground and avoid areas that could spell disaster during a heavy downpour.
05:06In northern Africa, you can take part in the Marathon des Sables.
05:11It's a grueling run that's more than six times longer than a regular marathon.
05:15And it all happens in the heart of the desert.
05:19Maro, an Italian police officer, decided to join the race in 1994.
05:25A sandstorm struck at a certain point along the route, leaving Maro disoriented.
05:30Losing his sense of direction, he ran in the wrong direction.
05:34He covered several dozen miles before realizing the gravity of his situation.
05:39Eventually, he sought refuge in an abandoned shrine in the middle of nowhere.
05:45Survival mode kicked in.
05:46He summoned the strength for one last dash through the desert, hoping to find help.
05:52After being lost for a whole week, he finally stumbled upon an oasis with a little water puddle.
05:58But his throat and mouth were so swollen from dehydration that he couldn't swallow much of the water.
06:03He was just lying there next to the puddle, taking tiny sips throughout the day.
06:09The next morning, he managed to fill up his water container and kept on walking.
06:15Later, he spotted some fresh goat marks, and that got his attention.
06:19Along the trail, he found human footprints.
06:22It turned out to be a young girl who was taking care of the goats.
06:27When Maro sprinted towards her, desperately asking for help, he freaked her out at first.
06:32But then, he finally got rescued.
06:35And now let's talk about surviving on a deserted island.
06:39There, you have more chances than in the ocean or desert.
06:42You can boost your luck by following these steps.
06:46Look for freshwater sources, such as streams, waterfalls, or rain.
06:51If the place is dry, create a solar still by digging a hole, placing a container inside, and covering it
06:57with plastic.
06:59Collect rainwater and boil it before drinking.
07:02Avoid saltwater from the ocean.
07:04The next step is to get food.
07:07Try to eat only familiar fruits, like coconuts and bananas, and avoid unknown berries.
07:13Seaweed will also do you good.
07:15It's possible to prevent scurvy by munching on fresh citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges.
07:22You can get protein from fish, mollusks, and small animals.
07:27Sharpen sticks to hunt for fish or birds.
07:29Be careful with bigger game and go for slower insects if needed.
07:34Cook shellfish thoroughly.
07:36Before eating unfamiliar fruits, rub them on your skin and lip to check for adverse reactions.
07:42Avoid fruits with a peach or almond smell, as they might be poisonous.
07:47Don't waste anything, even if you have extra.
07:51Store excess food and water, and stick to a plan.
07:54I hope you'll never find yourself in this situation.
07:58Nelson Nettie survived five days on a deserted island near Rio de Janeiro.
08:03He got caught in a wave while checking out the view from the rocks near Grumari Beach,
08:07and ended up on Palmas Island.
08:09This 51-year-old gardener found a cave to sleep in on the first night,
08:14and stumbled upon a tent and a blanket left by fishermen the next day.
08:19As the days went by, Mr. Nettie got desperate and started drinking seawater.
08:24Finally, on Saturday, jet skiers spotted him waving his shirt, and they called the authorities.
08:30A helicopter came to the rescue, and that's how Mr. Nettie got saved.
08:35Food is essential, right?
08:37Good news, if you somehow find yourself in the middle of the ocean, you won't starve there.
08:42Almost all seawater fish can be eaten raw, just like sushi.
08:47Parasites can't survive in saltwater, so this fish is pretty safe.
08:51Sadly, you won't have any soy sauce to dip your makeshift sashimi into.
08:58You won't starve in the middle of the forest, either.
09:01Inner bark from pine, aspen, maple, willow, and birch trees are edible.
09:06And while it's not as yummy as sushi, it's still okay.
09:09Plus, it contains vitamin C.
09:12Also, using pine needles, you can make fantastic tea that will warm you on cold winter days.
09:19Now on to the bad news.
09:21Eating snow is a big no-no.
09:23And it's not about the suspiciously yellow type of snow.
09:27Snow will neither fill your belly nor quench your thirst.
09:31In fact, eating it can lower your body temperature.
09:34And your body will also need more water to melt the snow than the amount you will consume,
09:39making you even more dehydrated.
09:45Right.
09:46Even if you look for food in your own kitchen, it can still be pretty risky.
09:50When making delicious pastries, keep the flour away from the fire,
09:54because it is a highly flammable substance that can burst into flames in seconds.
09:59It is 35 times more flammable than coal, so make sure it's in a safe place.
10:06There's one more cooking tip you gotta know.
10:09If oil catches fire, don't try to put it out with water.
10:12It'll only make it worse.
10:14Instead, you should throw baking soda on it if the fire is small.
10:17And if it's a bigger one, use a fire extinguisher.
10:21You can also put a lid on the pan.
10:23The oxygen will soon run out, and the fire can't survive without it.
10:29Imagine you're walking near a lake or a pond with your dog,
10:32and you see a kangaroo in the middle of the lake.
10:35Whatever you do, don't try to help it, and keep your dog on a leash.
10:39Kangaroos do this when they feel threatened by a predator.
10:42And when the unlucky predator enters the water, the kangaroo can drown the animal.
10:48It has been reported that many dogs have been hurt this way,
10:51so make sure your pooch and you are safe.
10:54Stay on the bank.
10:57Hiking is fun, but there are many dangers lurking in the forest.
11:01I bet you've seen people on TV telling to suck the venom out if you've been bitten by a snake.
11:07But that's a terrible thing to do.
11:09The thing is, it can introduce harmful bacteria to the wound.
11:13Instead, you should calm down, lie on the ground,
11:16adjust your position so that your wound is below your heart,
11:20and call emergency services immediately.
11:23Or your friends should rush you to the hospital.
11:26In emergency situations, you can start a fire using your reading glasses.
11:31Align them with the sun and point them at some easily flammable material, like dried grass.
11:37Soon, you'll see smoke.
11:38If the glasses don't have high magnification, you can add water to the lens to enhance the effect.
11:46Never run away from a cougar, and don't make eye contact.
11:50Looking the animal straight in the eye signals that you're up for a challenge.
11:55Instead, try to make yourself bigger.
11:57Spread your arms, puff your chest, and start yelling at the animal.
12:02Dangerous insects are everywhere.
12:04Before you put on your shoes, give them a good shake,
12:06because you definitely don't want your toes to meet with a spider or a scorpion.
12:12Rattlesnakes are known for getting into sleeping bags on hot summer days.
12:16I mean, you can't blame them.
12:18Everyone wants to escape the heat.
12:19So, before you get into one, make sure there are no wiggly creatures inside.
12:24Also, a campfire can keep the snake away.
12:28You've probably seen movies where bees attack one of the characters,
12:32and they jump into the water to get rid of the insects.
12:35While it may look plausible, the reality is very different.
12:39The bees will simply wait for you to run out of air and resurface.
12:43These guys are really smart.
12:46If you fall into a frozen lake and can't find your way up,
12:50go to the darkest spot in the ice,
12:53which is usually the hole you've fallen through.
12:55Snow and ice reflect light and are usually much brighter than an opening in the ice.
13:01After getting out, don't try to walk.
13:03Slide yourself away from the hole like seals do.
13:07Swimming is a fun activity, unless you've fallen into a frozen lake.
13:12But rip currents can easily ruin your fun, too.
13:16Should you ever end up in such a situation,
13:18start swimming parallel to the shore, and you will be out of the current.
13:22To get some rest while swimming, arch your back to stay afloat.
13:26Position your hips up in a horizontal position.
13:30Relax. No tension.
13:32Pull your shoulder blades together and release chest tension.
13:36Stay relaxed for optimal performance, and don't panic.
13:41If you don't know how to swim and you're not ready to shell out money to buy a life jacket,
13:46your pants have your back.
13:47They can be used as an actual life jacket.
13:51Tie them at the openings after filling them with air.
13:54Put them around your neck, and you're good to go.
13:56Hope your pants are waterproof.
14:01Your pants won't help, though, if you see a drowning person.
14:04Your first instinct will be to jump into the water and help them, right?
14:08But if you don't have a flotation device,
14:11they will grab you and pull you under the water,
14:13putting you both at risk.
14:15So, the best thing to do is throw them something that floats,
14:18or help them get out using a stick or rope.
14:23Diving in dark waters can be disoriented,
14:25since it might be hard to find a way to the surface.
14:28Exhale some air.
14:30It's less dense than the water and will always float to the surface.
14:33Follow these air bubbles, and you'll be safe.
14:37In a pinch, you can drink salt water.
14:40But first, you need to dilute it four times,
14:42because salt water is four times saltier than your bodily fluids.
14:46To put it simply,
14:47you will need three glasses of fresh water for one cup of seawater.
14:51Mix this all together, and you can safely drink it.
14:55Salt water has many minerals that are good for you.
14:57But it can never replace fresh water,
15:00so drink it only if you must.
15:04You're on a beach, and your legs are submerged up to your knees.
15:07But suddenly, you notice that the water is receding.
15:11You should run as fast as possible to the highest point you see,
15:14because that can be the sign of an incoming tsunami.
15:18Other signs are ground-shaking and loud noises.
15:24You're not 100% safe even in your own bed.
15:29Imagine you're sleeping in complete darkness,
15:31but a strong smell of gas wakes you up.
15:34Don't turn on the lights.
15:36The spark from a light switch can light up the gas,
15:39making the problem bigger than it has to be.
15:41Don't use any form of light.
15:43Even your phone's flashlight can ignite the gas.
15:50Now picture this.
15:52A service dog approaches you on the street.
15:55You might want to pet it,
15:56but you should not do that.
15:58Stay still and don't move.
16:00Let the handler move the dog.
16:02If the handler isn't around and the dog is trying to get your attention,
16:06the handler might be in trouble.
16:08So follow the dog.
16:09You might save someone's life.
16:14Never post on social media when you aren't at home.
16:17Thieves can use this info to break into your home.
16:20This should be obvious, but many people ignore this advice.
16:24You can post your pictures of the beautiful beach you visited
16:27when you get back home.
16:31So you're on a desert safari,
16:33but things don't go as planned.
16:35Now you've run out of water
16:37in one of the hottest and driest places on the planet.
16:40You might think you can get some water from a cactus,
16:43but sorry, that's just a myth.
16:46In fact, most cactuses have protective chemicals inside them
16:49that can make you sick if you try to eat them.
16:52There are only a couple of exceptions.
16:54The prickly pear and one type of barrel cactus
16:57called the fishhook barrel cactus
16:59have milder chemicals
17:00and could give you some water if you really needed it.
17:04Now, if you believe you can escape an alligator
17:06if you run in a zigzag,
17:08well, I need to disappoint you.
17:10This isn't true either.
17:11Just run as fast as you can.
17:13Alligators rarely chase humans on land.
17:17They prefer to ambush their prey in the water
17:19where they are faster and more agile.
17:22After all, they can swim at 10 miles per hour.
17:25So, the chance of an alligator chasing a human on land
17:28is very low.
17:29This zigzag-running advice is more of a joke
17:32than a serious survival strategy.
17:36Don't believe the myth claiming you can survive
17:39a wild animal attack if you pretend to not be alive.
17:43Okay, in the animal kingdom,
17:44playing dead is a common defense tactic.
17:47Some animals even excrete certain odors
17:49to enhance the illusion and deter predators.
17:52Yet, for humans, that's different.
17:55Investigation into 14 different types of animals
17:57in North America revealed that,
17:59in most situations,
18:01it's crucial to stay alert and knowledgeable
18:03to be able to take the right actions in time.
18:06The next popular but false idea
18:09is that polar bears hide their noses
18:11with their paws while hunting.
18:13People think they do it because
18:15their black noses are easy to see against the ice
18:17while their fur blends in.
18:19However, experts have spent years
18:22using telescopes to watch polar bears
18:24hunting seals in the Arctic.
18:26They've observed them for a long time,
18:28even up to 24 hours,
18:30and have never seen them cover their noses like that.
18:33Unless they have to sneeze.
18:35Eh, just joking.
18:39Another belief is that running downhill
18:41will save you from a bear.
18:42This is based on the idea
18:44that their shorter front legs
18:46struggle to run downhill.
18:47In reality, bears are incredibly fast runners,
18:51capable of reaching speeds of over 37 miles per hour,
18:55and they can sprint downhill
18:56just as easily as uphill.
18:58So, you'll need another strategy.
19:00The myth that vehicle headrests
19:02are designed to be detachable
19:04and sharp to break windows is false.
19:06The primary function of a headrest
19:08is to prevent neck damage in a crash.
19:11Research and documents about the headrest design
19:14don't mention any feature for breaking windows.
19:17Plus, not all vehicles have removable headrests,
19:20and those that are detachable
19:21are not necessarily sharp.
19:26Touching a baby bird
19:28will make its parents abandon it.
19:30Actually, birds have a limited sense of smell,
19:32so they're unlikely to detect human scent
19:35on their babies.
19:35This misconception often leads people
19:38to leave fledgling birds alone,
19:40thinking they're helping.
19:41But in reality,
19:42these young birds might need assistance.
19:45But also, it's common for young birds
19:47to leave the nest before they can fly well,
19:49and their parents usually to continue
19:51to feed them on the ground.
19:52If you find a baby bird
19:54that has fallen out of its nest,
19:56it's best to leave it alone,
19:58as the parents are likely nearby
19:59and will continue to care for it.
20:02The widespread belief that humans
20:04use only 10% of their brains is a myth, too.
20:08Advanced neuroimaging tools like PET scans
20:11show that the entire brain is active,
20:13even during sleep.
20:14These scans reveal continuous activity
20:17across the brain,
20:18involved in functions such as regulating,
20:21interpreting, and acting.
20:22This debunks the idea that large parts of the brain
20:26remain inactive.
20:31The myth that shaving body hair
20:33makes it grow back thicker and darker
20:35is false.
20:36When you shave facial or body hair,
20:38it doesn't change its thickness,
20:40color, or rate of growth.
20:41Shaving just leaves hairs with blunt tips.
20:45These newly cut blunt tips
20:47might feel coarser or stubbier
20:49as the hair grows out.
20:50During this phase,
20:51the hair may seem more noticeable
20:53and could appear darker or thicker.
20:56But this is just a temporary effect,
20:58not an actual change
20:59in the properties of your body hair.
21:03The tall tale that daddy long legs
21:05are the world's most venomous spiders
21:07is just a bit of an overstatement.
21:09These critters aren't even true spiders.
21:12They have been wrongly accused
21:13of packing a dangerous venomous bunch.
21:16In fact, they don't have venom glands at all,
21:18and their tiny fangs
21:19can't even break human skin.
21:21It seems they got their fearsome reputation
21:24more from their spindly appearance
21:26and as a case of mistaken identity.
21:32The belief that everyone in medieval times
21:34kicked the bucket in their 30s
21:36is way off.
21:37Life expectancy is just an average.
21:40Back then, a lot of people
21:41didn't make it past childhood
21:42due to things like rampant infant mortality
21:45and risky childbirth.
21:46But if you went through those early life hurdles
21:49and hit your 20s,
21:50you had a decent shot
21:51at seeing your 50s or even 70s.
21:54Most of our medieval life expectancy data
21:57comes from noble dudes
21:58who often ended up as battlefield statistics,
22:01skewing the numbers.
22:03Soap is often seen as the arch nemesis
22:06of cast-iron cookware.
22:07But let's bust that myth
22:09with a little kitchen science.
22:10The fear is that soap will take away
22:12the precious seasoning
22:13that makes cast-iron pans
22:15non-stick and awesome.
22:17Modern soaps are much gentler
22:19than those old lye-heavy ones
22:21that started this whole
22:22non-soap-on-cast-iron rule.
22:24Today's soaps won't harm your pan seasoning,
22:27especially if it's well-established.
22:33The old wait-an-hour-after-eating-before-you-swim rule
22:37is more of a misconception
22:38than a medical must.
22:41The idea was that swimming
22:43right after a big meal
22:44could lead to cramps.
22:45But in reality,
22:47it's not a hard rule.
22:48Sure, your body diverts blood
22:50to your stomach for better digestion,
22:52which could theoretically
22:53leave less for your muscles,
22:55increasing the risk of cramps.
22:57But for most people,
22:58a little light post-snack swimming
23:01isn't a recipe for disaster.
23:04Bundling up because you think
23:05cold weather causes colds?
23:07Well, it's not exactly the air
23:09that's to blame.
23:10It's true that we often start sniffling
23:12when the temperature drops,
23:14but it's not the cold itself
23:15doing the deed.
23:16The real culprits are the viruses
23:18that cause colds,
23:20which just happen to love
23:21those lower temperatures.
23:23So while chilly weather
23:24provides a cozy playground
23:26for these germs,
23:27catching a cold still requires
23:28catching the virus.
23:30In other words,
23:31it's not the frosty weather,
23:33but the frosty weather-loving viruses
23:35that you need to watch out for.
23:38Oh, look!
23:39It's that time again
23:40when a Facebook privacy hoax
23:43makes the rounds,
23:44convincing people
23:44that a simple copy-paste
23:46can magically protect their data.
23:48Yes, the classic
23:50I-do-not-give-facebook-permission
23:52spiel is back.
23:53Charming users into thinking
23:55this status update
23:56is a legally binding shield
23:58against privacy breaches.
23:59Spoiler alert, it's not.
24:01These posts claim
24:02that declaring sovereignty
24:04over your personal content
24:05on your timeline
24:06will stop Facebook
24:07from using your photos,
24:09information, and messages.
24:11Facebook's actual policies
24:12and user agreements,
24:13which everyone agreed to
24:15by signing up,
24:16still hold the real power.
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