# Castaway! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205 "2008-05-13T20:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/21 "2008-05-14T14:32:32Z")
How about seeds? Tomato, onions, shallots, anything that you can eat or that will helkp you flavor the fish you catch? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/22 "2008-05-14T14:33:30Z")
wtf? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/23 "2008-05-14T14:45:48Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] wtf? [/QUOTE] That would be my first comment as well once I landed on the island. However, you just have to roll with it. Sunscreen, bug repellent, and one of those tiny, cheap-ass hammocks would be good. A hammer and nails could fit in a suitcase and would be handy. A battery powered garage door opener would be a nice perk once you finish your house. ---
**Author:** ![chicken\_wire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@chicken\_wire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicken_wire)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/24 "2008-05-14T15:00:07Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] wtf? [/QUOTE] I guess it’s just the way it goes in this thread. See posts #11, #16 & #17 above. Every good resolution needs a seconder. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/25 "2008-05-14T15:33:27Z")
[QUOTE=Lemur866] Magnifying glass/firestarter [/QUOTE] How about a small selection of lenses? Wouldn’t take up a lot of room, and you could use them in different configurations for different purposes: magnifier, telescope, focusing light to start fires, sticking one in your eye socket for your Col. Klink impression, and more. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/26 "2008-05-14T16:56:45Z")
Definitely a sun hat. A mesh hammock (doubles as fish netting, animal containment in a pinch, etc) Several Sarongs (Clothes, sheets, shade provider) I think I could get by with one metal pot or pan. A book on edible plants would be handy and a book I like to reread (for me, ‘A River Sutra’). Swiss Army Knife, sewing kit, saw blade, flint stones, small mirror, space blankets, and a pocket fisherman dooy, all of which would fit in a shaving kit. Rain poncho, doubles as ground sheet. Some tea, I’d miss it sooo much. At least a couple of bags for special occasions and to get through the initial shock would be nice. Doesn’t take up much room. Toothbrush, not being able to brush would make me nutso plus I don’t want to be toothless when they rescue me, after all. Large ball of plastic twine, for tying my shelter together with and making a laundry line. Harmonica, hey I could finally learn to play! A couple of large pillar candles would be handy after dark, for keeping the heebie jeebies away. Small first aid kit with a big tube of antibiotic, and maybe some sunscreen. A small hand full of nails and screws would be handy I’d bet. And if there’s any room left, I’m going with an inflatable (blow it up by mouth) tube with repair kit. I’m sure I’ve overlooked a couple of things of importance. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/27 "2008-05-14T17:00:24Z")
If I know ahead of time that I am going to be marooned on this island rather than packing all the appropriate things to help me survive I am just not going on the trip in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/28 "2008-05-14T17:55:41Z")
Several kilos of heroin, and a healthy, somewhat lesser amount of cocaine to go with it. I’m not joking. In addition to boredom, I’ll also be faced with a wide array of physical ailments (wounds, rotting teeth, etc.) that I won’t be able to treat effectively. So, I’ll need something to kill the pain and keep my mind “occupied,” and I’ll need to bring enough to last for decades. The only other thing I can think of that might not have been mentioned yet is 2 or 3 pairs of shoes, and maybe a dozen pair of socks. Those things will wear out, and I’d rather not have to traipse around the island in my bare feet. Might be a lost cause in the long run, however. Oh, and how about a fishing net? I like that idea. Ahh, also several notebooks, and pens. Also on the list: – A large towel, as for warding off the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal – Antibiotics, lots of 'em. – Survival guide of some sort. – Something with which to make fire, until I figure how to do it manually. – Harmonica is a good idea. – Some small knives and tools. – A large-ish plastic tarp. – I wanted to say a water desalinization machine, but I’m not seeing any online that would fit in a suitcase and leave room for everything else. ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/29 "2008-05-14T18:21:04Z")
After reading the OP I quickly jotted down a list of things to pack, before looking at what the other suggestion were. Here’s what I came up with: -knife -machete (the hatchet idea from **lemur866** might be better, though) -flint -rope -blanket -tarp -fishing line and hooks -bowl or pot for cooking (I like the suggestion of several nesting bowls, also from **lemur866** ) -net (to catch fish or birds) -water shoes -hat -change of clothes -bathing suit After looking at some other suggestions, I think I would add some tools, nails, a mirror, magnifying glass, antibiotics, survival book, and more shoes to my list. And maybe a notebook and pencil. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/30 "2008-05-14T18:22:10Z")
[QUOTE=elbows] I’m sure I’ve overlooked a couple of things of importance. [/QUOTE] Why yes, a [Real Doll](http://www.realdoll.com/) (Not Safe For Work) as long as the suitcase is large enough. It would be like a perpetually comatose Mariane. I recommend a very large duffel bag. If I was allowed two large duffel bags, I would probably volunteer for this situation. There are thousands of Caribbean islands that are beautiful and uninhabited. People visit them from time to time but you could shack up in a glorious sense. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/31 "2008-05-14T18:59:21Z")
[QUOTE=pbbth] If I know ahead of time that I am going to be marooned on this island rather than packing all the appropriate things to help me survive I am just not going on the trip in the first place. [/QUOTE] Nice try. But for this exercise it’s like that immortal philosophical classic _Final Destination_ and its progeny. You can’t avoid it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/32 "2008-05-14T19:03:17Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] Why yes, a [Real Doll](http://www.realdoll.com/) (Not Safe For Work) as long as the suitcase is large enough. It would be like a perpetually comatose Mariane. I recommend a very large duffel bag. If I was allowed two large duffel bags, I would probably volunteer for this situation. There are thousands of Caribbean islands that are beautiful and uninhabited. People visit them from time to time but you could shack up in a glorious sense. [/QUOTE] A guy named [Tom Neale](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Neale) did it in the South Pacific. SO far as I’m aware, it was _sans_ Real Doll. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/33 "2008-05-14T19:10:18Z")
[QUOTE=VarlosZ] Several kilos of heroin, and a healthy, somewhat lesser amount of cocaine to go with it. I’m not joking. In addition to boredom, I’ll also be faced with a wide array of physical ailments (wounds, rotting teeth, etc.) that I won’t be able to treat effectively. So, I’ll need something to kill the pain and keep my mind “occupied,” and I’ll need to bring enough to last for decades. [/QUOTE] Have you ever read Stephen King’s short story Survivor Type? It’s in the Skeleton Crew collection. I think you’d like it. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/34 "2008-05-14T19:39:31Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Why bring anything? Just wait a week for somebody else to arrive, or for a Russian space probe to land, or for a pop band to seek to escape their fans. Then don’t screw up the rescue effort like Gilligan always did. [/QUOTE] Yes, let’s blame Gilligan for screwing up escape attempt after attempt, week in and week out. Never mind the fact that he’s always assigned to some kind of lynch pin role or allowed to fiddle with delicate equipment or some such. Sure, it’s all Little Buddy’s fault; he’s not being set up by a much smarter and more motivated character on the island to take the fall for every act of [del]sabotage[/del]failure that prevents the castaways from getting off the island. You are blind. Just look at who has the only single cabin on the island, and the entire conspiracy begins to unwind. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/35 "2008-05-14T19:47:46Z")
[QUOTE=Stranger On A Train] Yes, let’s blame Gilligan for screwing up escape attempt after attempt, week in and week out. Never mind the fact that he’s always assigned to some kind of lynch pin role or allowed to fiddle with delicate equipment or some such. Sure, it’s all Little Buddy’s fault; he’s not being set up by a much smarter and more motivated character on the island to take the fall for every act of [del]sabotage[/del]failure that prevents the castaways from getting off the island. You are blind. Just look at who has the only single cabin on the island, and the entire conspiracy begins to unwind. Stranger [/QUOTE] Yes they fucked Gilligan over time after time. We all know that. However, there was no one else that was smarter that could do anything except for the “Professor”. They never said what he was the professor of. I’ll tell you right here. He was a professor pf sodomy and he wasn’t about to give that up. The island gave him a captive “audience” so to speak. They did make it off the island eventually. I saw a documentary about it when I was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/36 "2008-05-14T20:12:12Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] Yes they fucked Gilligan over time after time. We all know that. However, there was no one else that was smarter that could do anything except for the “Professor”. They never said what he was the professor of. I’ll tell you right here. He was a professor pf sodomy and he wasn’t about to give that up. The island gave him a captive “audience” so to speak. They did make it off the island eventually. I saw a documentary about it when I was a kid. [/QUOTE] Okay, you’re just sick. Yes, they did get off the island, but then they were curiously re-marooned. Kind of like the episode “Many Happy Returns” of _The Prisoner_. Curious, that. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/37 "2008-05-14T20:54:31Z")
[QUOTE=pbbth] If I know ahead of time that I am going to be marooned on this island rather than packing all the appropriate things to help me survive I am just not going on the trip in the first place. [/QUOTE] I’d go tomorrow if the chance arose. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/38 "2008-05-14T21:15:17Z")
So what’s stopping you from going tomorrow? There are jet planes that go to the tropics, and from there you can charter a boat or small plane, get dropped off on some remote island, and camp there for as long as you like. This isn’t an impossible fantasy, it is a realizable fantasy that real people actually do. The biggest problem is that after a two or three months without human contact most people start to go off the rails. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/39 "2008-05-14T21:26:10Z")
[QUOTE=Lemur866] So what’s stopping you from going tomorrow? [/quote] It would mean abandoning my wife and two young kids, or taking them along - neither of those choices is going to work. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205/40 "2008-05-14T21:59:35Z")
seeds of several food and medicinal plants appropriate to the climate spade 2 or 3 fishgigs (heads only - will use bamboo for shaft) length of bungee cord several spools of fishing line and assortment of hooks small sewing kit 1 steel bowl 1 wok 1 large and 1 small water bladder small backpack flint magnifying glass knife toothbrush flouride tablets vitamins water purification tablets antibiotics local anaesthetic sunscreen fishing net machete several balls nylon twine mosquito netting 1 rat trap (If _Survivor_ has taught me anything…) a few spices (my luxury item) mesh hammock 1 multi-tool 1 swim mask and snorkel 2 pair aqua shoes of some sort floppy hat swim trunks hatchet writing tablet and a few pens ('cause I’m going to sell this story for a few million bucks when I get rescued) I _think_ I could squeeze all that into a regular suitcase. If there’s any extra room, I’d try to squeeze in a tarp and (lastly) a wool blanket. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castaway/449205.md?page=3)