7 interesting facts about survival in the ocean

Man is the crown of creation, and the rightful owner of this planet. But this is true only as long as he is on land. Once people fall into the ocean, and the water, as it is known, covers more than 70% of the earth's surface, they become helpless, like children. Few who manage to survive in the open ocean, more than a few days. In this article you will find unusual stories, interesting facts and practical tips for survival in the ocean.

Alain Bombard and his experiment

The most famous person who by experience has proved that you can survive in the ocean, is a French doctor Alain Bombard (Alain Bombard). In the 60s of the last century, he suggested that the shipwreck victims die primarily from fear and depression, not the heat, hunger and thirst. To prove this theory, he undertook a single swimming in a rubber boat across the Atlantic Ocean without food and water reserves. The journey was a success. After 65 days his boat reached the coast of Barbados. Alain Bombard lost during this time 25 kilos, but was in a satisfactory physical condition.

Record Lin Peng

An absolute record for survival in the ocean is an English sailor of Chinese descent, Lin Peng (Lin Peng). He served as a steward on a merchant vessel, which in November 1942 was torpedoed and sunk. Two hours later vyprygnuvshy overboard sailor found a life raft with a minimal set of things to survive: a few cans biscuits, 40 liters of water, some chocolate, sugar, some hand flares, smoke grenades steam and electric Lantern. Of course, this only lasted for a short time, so that the bulk of his time in the ocean, but it dragged on for 133 days, had drinking rainwater and eating raw fish. April 5, 1943 Pan found three Brazilian fisherman, who took him to one of the ports.

In the ocean, there is water

The most important danger for the shipwreck victims is the lack of fresh water. dehydration occurs quite quickly and leads to the inevitable conclusion. However, Alain Bombard showed that small portions and you can drink salt water. The main thing - do it for no longer than five consecutive days. A second fluid source may be a fish, which is 80% of the fresh water. And finally, the best, but unstable source - this precipitation.

Around full of food

The second enemy of man in the ocean - it's hunger. However, it's not as scary as it seems at first glance. Even if you have absolutely no fishing gear, you can still get out of the situation. An excellent source of protein can serve as plankton, which is pretty easy to put together, dragging behind the boat shirt or sock. In addition, the curious fish often swim to the boat so close that you can try to get their oar. Lin Peng, for example, made a fishhook from wire torch as a scaffold built of raspletonnoy rope. This allowed him to even pick up some supplies of food, which he dried in the sun.

Do not forget about physical exercises

With limited resources, when every gram of food on the account, to spend energy on gymnastics seems rather silly exercise. But this is not the case. In fact, a far greater danger to health is enforced lack of movement. No less harmful physical inactivity affects the psychological condition. Both characters about whom we spoke above, swam every day, with cords in case rope.

The most important thing - peace of mind

This advice may seem a mockery. Well, what can be calm when thousands of kilometers around the hostile emptiness? However, Alain Bombard, who believes that accurately can be trusted, believed that it was in my head is the most important survival tool. "The victims of legendary shipwrecks, died prematurely, I know: you do not kill the sea, you do not kill hunger, thirst does not kill you! Rocking on the waves under the plaintive cries of seagulls, you have died of fear "- he said at the end of his journey.

Films about surviving in the ocean

Stories about shipwrecks and the miraculous rescue in the ocean are among the most popular in the film industry. If you are interested in this theme, we offer you a small selection of films and documentaries over the years.

«All Is Lost"(2013) - the story of an elderly sailor caught in a difficult situation.

«Life of Pi"(2012) - Indian boy is in the boat with a very unusual company.

«Open Sea: new victims"(2010) - while walking in the open sea yacht is inverted, and the company of young people find themselves in the water.

«lethal sea"(2009) - the real story of the collapse of the fishing vessel in the Bering Sea.

And what stories and movies about people who survived the shipwreck, can you advise?