What do you do to survive if you get lost in the desert?

2024-07-01 2024-07-01T13:27:38Z

Arabia Weather - The desert is a geographical area characterized by scarcity of rainfall, and it is considered one of the extremely dry environments where the biological presence is little. Deserts vary between being rocks or soft sand, with some places where small shrubs and cactus plants grow.

The weather in the desert is characterized by extreme heat during the day and extreme cold at night. Despite the weak presence of plant and animal life in the desert soil, there are some organisms that adapt to this harsh climate and adapt to the conditions of the desert.

In some countries, road networks extend across deserts, many of which are important traffic routes. However, the harsh terrain and harsh weather conditions make deserts pose significant challenges to drivers, as cars can break down due to harsh environmental conditions; Because of this, they can get lost in the desert, and if they are not aware of ways to help them survive, this can pose a threat to their lives under many difficult circumstances.

How long can you survive without water?

The period that a person can survive without water varies greatly depending on several factors, such as the person's environmental and health conditions, the degree of physical activity, and the ambient temperature. However, the general answer is that a person can live for a very short time - a few hours to a day or two - without drinking water under normal conditions, if he is in good health. But in conditions of extreme heat or extreme drought, survival without water can be much poorer, and serious health effects can occur quickly.

The story of a desert survivor

In a dramatic incident, a young Saudi man, lost in the Al-Salil desert, wrote the phrase “Walking with stoning south” on the hood of his broken-down car, drawing an arrow pointing in the intended direction, which facilitated the work of the Aoun Search and Rescue Society in finding him and saving him from a state of certain death after he was killed. He was lost for four days. The family of the young man, Fahd bin Marzouq Al-Wadaani, who is studying electrical engineering in Al-Kharj, mobilized their efforts to search for him, informed the security authorities, and published calls on social media to reach him.

In narrating the details of the incident to the media, Fahd said:

“I went to Wadi Al-Salil to visit my sister, and while I was traveling in the desert in search of my missing camel, my car broke down. A relative helped me and offered me breakfast, but I refused and decided to return via Shuaib Al-Sabeha.” He added: "The car broke down, the fuel ran out, and the tires broke down, so I decided to leave the car and stay under a tree in search of shade and shelter from the intense heat. I wrote with my pen on the car 'Walking with stoning south', then I remained lost in the desert without a car or mobile phone."

He continued:

“After days of waiting in the hot weather, I became hungry and thirsty. I lit a fire at night in the hope that someone would save me, and I could not resist hunger after two days, so I ate scorpions and sapling leaves to stay alive. I dug my grave under the tree and wrote my will, then suddenly I saw more than 15 cars passing by.” By my side, until someone found me and told the association, and I was saved thanks to coordination and joint efforts.”

They left and did not return.. The bodies of two Jordanians who were lost in the desert were found

In Jordan, an atmosphere of sadness prevailed on social media platforms after two bodies were found in a remote desert area in the southern desert, east of Al-Jafr, after a report was filed about their absence according to local media.

The two bodies were evacuated for forensic medicine to determine the cause of death, and an investigation was opened into the incident, according to a security source.

According to local media reports, the two young men were heading at dawn on Thursday to the Al-Manawkh area east of Al-Jafr, where there is no cell phone coverage, and they were found, Enad Hamada Abu Tayeh and Enad Al-Fatna, in two separate areas in the desert.

This incident comes in the context of a similar occurrence in the past, as the body of a young man was found lost in the same area in late October 2022. At that time, Fayez Al-Naimat went out, accompanied by his cousin and a friend, to the Al-Jafr desert, and after their vehicle broke down, Fayez was found a distance away. 130 kilometers northeast of Al-Jafr, after extensive combing operations searching for him.

The security services confirmed the safety of the other two young men and found them in good health after an ongoing search for them.

What do you do to survive if you get lost in the desert?

With the advent of autumn and temperatures dropping in the Kingdom, citizens are increasingly interested in going out on land trips in the coming months. With the increase in cases of disorientation in the desert, which in some cases led to the death of missing persons, as happened to the late Abdul Rahman Al-Ajlan, who was found dead, several points must be noted that everyone planning a land trip must adhere to in order to avoid serious risks, including:

Ensure there is sufficient fuel: Provide a sufficient amount of fuel to cover long periods.
Ensuring adequate water and food: Carrying a sufficient amount of water and food for very long periods.
Use of GPS devices: It is necessary to carry geographical location devices for guidance in remote areas.
Satellite communication: Carry satellite cellular communication devices to maintain communication in areas not covered by cellular networks.
Stay close to the car: In case of disorientation, do not move away from the car because it is the first search target for security personnel and easy to see from aircraft. You must remain calm to avoid fear, which can lead to thirst and hunger.
Drink water with caution: Do not consume water except when absolutely necessary, and make sure to save it for as long as possible.
Shelter from the sun and wind: Seek shelter under the body of the car or use clothing that covers the entire body to prevent sunburn and dehydration.
Covering the body with clothing: Using clothing to reduce water evaporation from the body.
Water priority: The body can survive for days without food, but it cannot survive for a long time without water.
Using the water available in the car: Use the water contained in the car in the wiper tank as a water source if necessary.
Using tires for shade: Dig a hole under the car to get shade during the day.
Using smoke to alert: Burning a tire to emit a plume of smoke that can be seen from long distances to attract attention and aid in rescue.

Adherence to these guidelines contributes to maintaining the safety of individuals and avoiding potential risks during land trips in remote areas.