Almost all people who are lost out at sea are found in a matter of hours or days. Science tells us that the human body can survive up to 2 weeks without food, but just 3-4 days without water.  So if there is no natural source of fresh water, start looking for a way to collect rainwater.  Any source of water is great! As long as you have found a source of water, you can try to purify or desalinate it later. If fresh water is available, try boil it for 2-3 minutes. This will purify it.  If you have a desalination device, that's even better! If not, don't fret, there are actually several methods by which you can desalinate water. One such method is distillation. To distillate water, construct a solar still, or one that works over a fire. A solar still can be built by filling a large, flat container with salt water or even urine which can be re-used, if the need arises. Place a smaller container in the center with a rock inside it to hold it in place. Cover it with a thin sheet of plastic or whatever similar material you have and place a rock in the center above the cup. If placed in direct sunlight, the water will evaporate and it will condense on the plastic sheet, which will then run down the sheet and drip into the smaller container. For a method that works over a fire, create steam and condense the steam by using a large piece of metal or glass placed inside the steam. This will allow the condensed water to run into another container. You will need a shelter as protection from the elements and from natural predators as well. The best options are usually a natural shelter such as a cave, or one that you build. The next step to follow after having found a natural shelter, is to build a more enduring shelter.  A shelter acts as a home base, a warm and shady place for you to sleep in, a place for storing your resources, and a hiding place from beasts of prey as well. Ensure that the shelter above the ground so that bugs don't crawl all over you. The ocean is filled with life. Try building a low V-shaped wall made  of stones at low tide, with the pointed part of the V pointing out towards the sea. At high tide, fish will swim into it, and get trapped as the tide flows out.  There are a lot of edible roots and berries that you can actually consider eating, but do remember to watch out! Some of these roots and berries are poisonous and eating them would probably be fatal. Only eat them if you are sure they are safe to eat. The most reliable source of food on a deserted island are bugs. Yes, bugs! They can be found everywhere and they are an excellent source of protein, too.  If you decide to fish with the bugs instead of eating them, a hook can be fashioned by carving out a stick into a hook shape and putting a barb on it. Tie string to it and you're in business. Have you found a source of fresh water? Do you have a long range radio, satellite phone, or any other means of communication? Try to find other people who might be inhabiting the island. Remember that people can be your greatest resource. This may seem a bit trivial, but on a deserted island, fire has a number of uses. At the very least, it boosts morale. Fire can also be used to distill water, to cook, and to provide light for you and for your rescuers who can find you if they spot the fire! If you can't start a fire, don't worry, just move on to the next step and keep on trying. If you know somehow that there are dangerous animals in the vicinity, use a fire at night time to help keep them at bay. If you have a fire extinguisher, you could use that to ward them off in an emergency. Traps and warning signals (such as snapping twigs) can be used to prevent animals from entering your shelter zone or alert you to their presence.

Summary: Look for clean and fresh water supply. Create a shelter. Find sources of food. Take the time to evaluate your resources. Start a fire. Ward off dangerous animals.


While the cheesecake is still in the oven, use an oven mitt to gently shake the pan. Don’t be too rough with your still-warm dessert or it may crack. Simply jiggle the pan a small amount. Take care not to get water in the pan if you have baked your cheesecake using a water bath. When you shake the pan and a 2 in (5.1 cm) area in the center jiggles slightly, the cheesecake is done. If there is a large, jiggly area, or if liquid breaks the surface or sloshes over the edges of the pan, the cheesecake is not finished cooking. Bake the cheesecake for another 5 minutes or so before checking it again for doneness. If you used a fair amount of sour cream in your cheesecake, it will jiggle more than a cake that is filled primarily with cream cheese or ricotta. There will be a large soft spot in the center, so look for slightly brown, puffed-up edges to indicate when the cheesecake is done. Keep in mind, also, that the center will continue cook and firm up slightly as the cheesecake cools. If you continue cooking the cheesecake until the center is firm and doesn’t jiggle it will be baked for too long.

Summary: Shake the cheesecake pan gently. Check to see how much the center jiggles. Expect sour cream filling to jiggle more than cream cheese filling.


Pour a 16-ounce (473 ml) bottle of Coca-Cola into a punch bowl or serving pitcher. If you don't have Coca-Cola, substitute any cola flavored soft drink.Use chilled Coca-Cola to keep the drinks cold. You can easily double or triple this recipe as long as you keep the proportions the same. Just use a larger punch bowl. Open a 16-ounce (473 ml) bottle of Mountain Dew, Mello Yello, or Sprite and pour it into the Coca-Cola in the punch bowl. Pour slowly to prevent the soda from fizzing up a lot. Open and pour in a 16-ounce (473 ml) bottle of cream soda. Take a long spoon and slowly stir the mixture until the liquids are combined. Set out serving glasses so guests can help themselves to this fizzy drink. If you'd like to put the cola in bottles, use a funnel to pour it into the bottles and serve them before the Nuka cola loses its carbonation. If you choose to bottle the Nuka cola, consider setting out some old Nuka Cola Caps.
Summary: Measure Coca-Cola into a punch bowl. Add the Mountain Dew to the bowl. Pour in cream soda and stir the Nuka Cola. Serve the Nuka Cola.