LOST AT SEA !!

You have chartered a yacht with a few friends, for the holiday trip of a lifetime across the Atlantic Ocean. Because none of you have any previous sailing experience, you have hired an experienced skipper and two-person crew.

Unfortunately in mid Atlantic a fierce fire breaks out in the ships galley and the skipper and crew have been lost whilst trying to fight the blaze. Much of the yacht is destroyed and is slowly sinking.

Your location is unclear because vital navigational and radio equipment have been damaged in the fire. Your best estimate is that you are many hundreds of miles from the nearest landfall.

You and your friends have managed to save 15 items, undamaged and intact after the fire.

In addition, you have salvaged a four person rubber life craft and a box of matches.

Your task is to rank the 15 items in terms of their importance for you, as you wait to be rescued. Place the number 1 by the most important item, the number 2 by the second most important and so forth until you have ranked all 15 items.


Here is the list of items:

A sextant
A shaving mirror
A quantity of mosquito netting
A 25 liter container of water
A case of army rations
Maps of the Atlantic Ocean
A floating sea cushion
A 10 liter can of oil/petrol mixture
A small transistor radio
20 square feet of opaque plastic sheeting
A can of shark repellent
One bottle of 160 proof rum
15 feet of nylon rope
An ocean fishing kit & pole
Two boxes of chocolate bars


1- Share the order in which you'd like to rank the items.
2- Elect a spokesperson.
3- Discuss with your friends until you reach an agreement.
4- On Tuesday, June 9 at the latest, the spokesperson informs me of your common decision.

And then I'll let you know if you survived! And why...

I think that the right order of importance for our supplies would be:

1-A 25 liter container of water
Because without clear water we won't survive long enough to do anything

2-An ocean fishing kit & pole
For obvious reasons, live to win, eat to live

3-One bottle of 160 proof rum
To treat the injuries (and in the worst case, the last one alive can have a blast)

4-A case of army rations
Food again, but in limited quantities

5-15 feet of nylon rope
A rope is always useful, especially in a survival context

6-20 square feet of opaque plastic sheeting
Like the rope, but a bit less useful

7-A quantity of mosquito netting
For the netting to be useful we need a shaft, and without rope nor sheets, no shaft. That's why the netting is less important

8-A small transistor radio
Try and call for help, but I don't think that it will ever work.

9-A sextant
To know were we are exactly but I hope someone knwos how tu use it, because I don't  

10-Maps of the Atlantic Ocean
Yes it's great to know were we are and were to go, but we won't go far in a rubber life craft, so it's pretty useless if we can't contact anyone

11-A can of shark repellent
If we have to fish a little far from the coast, or if a small group wants to risk it all by taking the boat and sail across the sea to find some help

12-A floating sea cushion
A security mesure again like the shark repellent for the boat group

13-A 10 liter can of oil/petrol mixture
Does our boat have a motor ? Then it would be very useful ! but if not, I don't know what we could use it for

14-Two boxes of chocolate bars
It's nice, it gives energy, but it's only a small quantity

15-A shaving mirror
... Well I guess we could use it to send a signal to a nerby boat, but a big fire would be better. And I guess the last one could use a shrd of glass to... well... To not die of thirst and hunger !

Well that's it !  As you can see I chose to focus and survival more than a rescue, because if we're really lost many hundreds of miles away from land, it's not a rubber boat that will save us.

Thanks for being the first to answer! Interesting... let's see what the others have to say!

Dear students...

The clock is ticking...!

Personally I'll put them in this order!

A 25 liter container of water
I think water is the most important thing, you need water to live.

A case of army rations
Food is also important to survive

Two boxes of chocolate bars
Food again, more we have, the best it is

A shaving mirror
Useful to cut something like the ropes or plastic sheeting

20 square feet of opaque plastic sheeting
It should protect a little of the rain and the bad weather

An ocean fishing kit & pole
For food again, but I think fishing is not easy it’s therefore not something we should believe in

15 feet of nylon rope
Useful for set a shelter with the plastic sheeting and for fix things

One bottle of 160 proof rum
If someone get injured, he can disinfect the wound with it

A 10 liter can of oil/petrol mixture
Oil float on water maybe it can be useful to know if we are always on the same way?

A floating sea cushion
Useful if there is a problem with the rubber life craft

A can of shark repellent
Like his name say, it’ll scare away the shark, but I don’t think shark attack humans

A small transistor radio
In case we can contact another boat

Maps of the Atlantic Ocean
Useless if we don’t know where we are

A sextant
Also useless, like the map

A quantity of mosquito netting
I don’t think there are mosquitos in the middle of the sea?

I prefer to put the supplies in this order :

1- A 25 liter container of water : obviously we can’t survive without water

2- A case of army rations: again to be sure to survive

3- An ocean fishing kit with pole : useful if you know how to use it

4- A shaving mirror : we can use it to cut something or to reflect light so we could be seen by other boats

5- A 10 liter can of oil/gasoline mixture : you can use it to make  a fire or to let it float on the water so you can also be seen by boats near yours

6- 20 square feet of plastic sheeting : can be use to cover yourself from the rain

7- 15 feet of nylon rope : I’m sure it’s an essential supply for survival

8- One bottle of 160% proof rum : can be used to take care of an injured person

9- A floating seat cushion : just in case it can be useful for security

10- 2 boxes of chocolate bars : more food supply

11- A can of shark repellent : obviously to repel shark

12- A small transistor radio : I don’t know if it’s useful in the middle of the sea

13- A quantity of mosquito netting : I guess there are no mosquitos in the sea

14- Maps of the Atlantic Ocean : I suppose if you are in the middle of the sea and you don’t know where you are it’s useless

15- A sextant : the same thing as the maps of the Atlantic Ocean

Anaïs, Maéva, Pauline L and I did a work together, as if we were the four survivors who had to make a decision

A 25 liter container of water
Vital need, you can't stay alive much days without drinking.

A case of army rations
Vital need n°2, necessary to survive a certain time.

20 square feet of opaque plastic sheeting
Can be used to collect rain water and filter it, and protect possible setups* from rain, wind...

A shaving mirror
To cut things like food or rope… or even try to make fire with sun

A 10 liter can of oil/petrol mixture
Can help make signals by starting a bigger fire than with matches for exemple. And once the can is empty it can be used to stock water for exemple

Two boxes of chocolate bars
Additionnal food, even if not the healthiest

An ocean fishing kit & pole
Will be used to fish, in order to get more food

15 feet of nylon rope
Can be used to build, fishing poles or different setups*, and even a build a boat

A floating sea cushion
For potential attempts to escape the island, it can be used in the building of a boat or as a life boat if something happens.

One bottle of 160 proof rum
Alcohol can be used to disinfect wounds or help start a fire.

A quantity of mosquito netting
Insect bites can be pretty dangerous if it's infected so better avoid it.

A can of shark repellent
For potential attempts to escape the island n°2.

A small transistor radio
Not very useful because no electricity if there's no batteries...

Maps of the Atlantic Ocean
Not that useful either without knowledge of navigation

A sextant
Useless without a navigation table as there is in ships and without knowledge

-In my opinion, the most important thing is to stay hydrated, because we can’t live or escape without « feeling good », so I would put the 25 liter container of water in the first position.
-Second, I will choose a small transitor radio to try to contact other people to come, and give them my location
-So I would obviously need a maps of the Atlantic Ocean to notify of my location
-Then I’d like to have a 20 square feet of opaque plastic sheeting to be able to create a shelter, to sleep safely but also to create a sail for the boat.
-I’d put in 5th position a case of army rations because it’s really important to feed oneself.
-Then, à shaving mirror because it’s useful to cut therefore create tools, and also to do light calls, and do fire.
-In 7th position I would put the bottle of 160 proofrum because it’s really helpful in case of injury
-Then I would put the ocean fishing kit&pole to be able to feed myself by my own means and enough
-In 9th position I would put the 15 feet of nylon rope because it’s useful to crate some tools and a rate
-In 10th position I would put the 10 liter can of oil/petrole mixture to be able to restart the boat and return to the continent once restarted.
-Then I would put in 11 position the sextant to be able to spot me in the ocean
-Then I would like to have a quantity of mosquito netting because if the island is infested by mosquito they can transmit diseases.
-Then I would put the can of Shark repellent because it can be useful to safe fishing
-Then, the two boxes of chocolate bars because it’s fine for the morale but not essential
-And finally the floating sea cushion because I don’t really see how I could use it for

I can see several different lists.

Remember: I want you all to AGREE on ONE list by tomorrow!

So you need to discuss where you put your priorities!

(and it seems we've already lost a few of your classmates in the shipwreck...)

1 ) a 25 liter container of water
Obviously, thirst is the worst enemy of human, especially at sea when your body is covered in salt. To prevent dehydratation and be able to act in order to survive, water is the priority.

2) an ocean fishing kit & pole
Even if it might be complicated to use it at the beginning, when you want to eat, you eventually manage to find food. A fishing kit can provide food for a pretty long time.

3) equality : nylon rope and opaque plastic sheeting
I know it can seems odd but I feel like it can bee so useful if you are a bit inventive. You can use it as a shelter, try to create a sail, gather rain water, create trap to catch fishes...

4) a case of army rations
I guess it's not that useful because it's limited, but if I die of hunger before managing to catch a fish with the kit, I would definitly feel dumb. an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

5) a small transitor radio
It's the XXIth century. If I left on a goddam yacht (which is highly unlikely in the first place) I bet at least one person is aware of it and will be worried after a few days without any news. A small transitor radio can share our position if someone is looking for us, and I really hope it would be the case haha.

6) a quantity of mosquito netting
Depending on where our small rubber life craft is drifting, mosquitoes can be way more harmful than sharks. Near south America mosquitoes are proliferating and can be potential carrier of dangerous dangerous diseases. If mosquitoes aren't a problem, the netting still can be used as a fish trap.

7) one bottle of 160 proof rum
alcohol is a must-have. It can help avoid an infection if anyone is hurt, it can numb the person if the pain is unbearable, it can be used to lit a fire, it can keep you warm (never underestimate the cold), and keep you happy if you know that you are going to die ahah.

a shaving mirror
We had litteraly nothing cutting so far, when it's obviously very useful if you want to build anything. Also, you can create light signals and communicate with morse code which I know, thank me later (i just know how to say SOS but it's enough we aren't going to start a conversation).

9) a 10 liter can of oil/petrol mixture
I know it's not eco-friendly but we're talking about survival here, I will help baby pandas if I come out of here alive promised. A can of oil or petrol must be used very cautiously but can be utilize to light a fire (with our matches) and make smoke signals to other boats. It can also be used as a weapon to burn some shark arses because our trip is not ending up like jaws or open water this so out-of-date.

11- a can of shark repellent
This time I chose the ounce of cure before the pound of prevention because shark repellent isn't always effective and I don't think you can really rely on these things. Also, some shark repellents are also scaring off other fishes and that is so counterproductive. If I have to die I want to die with my stomach filled.

11) a floating sea cushion
We have to consider the possibility that our boat isn't 100% reliable. If anything happens to it, the floating cushion can be our only chance of subsistence.

12) a can of shark repellent
This time I chose the ounce of cure before the pound of prevention because shark repellent isn't always effective and I don't think you can really rely on these things. Also, some shark repellents are also scaring off other fishes and that is so counterproductive. If I have to die I want to die with my stomach filled.

13) two boxes of chocolates bars
I am making a little modification to my previous statement : if I have to die, I want to die with my stomach filled of something else than raw fish. Like chocolates bars.

14) a sextant
We have no motor, no paddle and no sail. And even if we manage to build a sail, knowing where we are is litteraly no use because we probably wouldn't be able to steer the boat. And I honestly have no idea how to use it.

16) a map of the Atlantic Ocean
There will be water everywhere. A map life expectancy on our rubber boat is approximatively 8 min.

This classification might not seems very logical but hey me going on a yacht without having a private jet to get me out of this mess is the real issue here.

I honestly have zero trust in mateo when in comes to survival because I know I would end up dying because of him (like, I would probably try to save him from his own stupidity and die instead). Yet, his list convinced me that he red enough survival books to be listened to. So I vote for mateo's list but please mate, stay on the firm ground.

With Laura and Solène we decided to put the items in this order :

1- A 25 liter container of water: the most important to survive as long as possible

2- An ocean fishing kit with pole: with practice it will be easy to use and very useful to be able to feed " endlessly".

3- A case of army rations: food if I can't catch any fish one day

4- A 10 liter can of oil/gasoline mixture : useful for fire (to warm up or to cook food but we already have matches) and to make signals on the water (or not)

5- 20 square feet of plastic sheeting : we can use it in many different ways, to be able to cover up, lie on the ground, protect ourselves from the rain, collect rainwater…

6- 15 feet of nylon rope : can be very handy for building things like a shelter for example

7- One bottle of 160% proof rum : In case of injury, you should have something to disinfect and alcohol is a very good alternative

8- A shaving mirror : useful for light signals and we can break it to cut things

9- 2 boxes of chocolate bars : It can be nice if we can eat something other than fish (and sugar will give us energy!).

10- A floating seat cushion : we're certainly not going to try to go back to sea (it's not really safe) but it can be useful to sleep on it rather than on the ground

11- A quantity of mosquito netting : not sure if there are a lot of mosquitoes at sea so it's not a priority

12- A can of shark repellent : there's a very small risk of being attacked by a shark on an island and we don't want to scare other fish away (it shouldn't but we prefer not to take any risks)

13- A small transistor radio : there's probably no signal in the middle of the ocean so it wouldn't be of much use to us.

14- Maps of the Atlantic Ocean: useless since we don't know where we are.

15- A sextant: not very useful if we had to survive because we don’t even know how to use it

It seems we're never going to be able to have a TEAM list!! For the whole class!

Well, you still have until tomorrow... then I'll post the answer here.

I'm having a lot of fun reading your comments!

I think the list of the most useful items would be :

- a 25 L container of water because it's the element the most important for the human body
- a case of army rations because it's important to eat but for this you necessarily need water
- two boxes of chocolate bars, it could satiate a llittle bit also
- then a floating sea cushion because if the boat sank entierly,
- the small transitor radio for maybe trying to receive informations about your location, or the location of the closest lands
- a sextan is also important for knowing the our location compared to the North
- a map of the Atlantic could be useful if you remember the position you had before the boat sank
- the ocean fishing kit and pole will be useful when you will have no food remaining or too much wet
- the bottle of 160 proof rum can be helpful if you were injured with several or important wounds
- then the shark repellent because it might not be the Pacific or Indian Ocean but there are still tigeror great white sharks in the Atlantic
- the 15 feet of nylon rope can be usel as Matéo said but I don't think it would be immediatly here
- same observation for the 20 square feet of opaque plastic sheeting than for the nylon rope
- A 10 liter can of oil/petrol mixture can be saved if you managed to keep parts of the yatch, maybe you could start a fire for being comforted and more visible, but personnaly it's for ecological reasons that i would keep it
- a shaving mirror can be useful for psychological reasons (imagine you find yourself alone you will just have to look at it while you talk for feeling less alone), but it can help to reflect to sun inorder to attract attention
- finally the mosquito netting, it would have been useful next to a pond but not in the middle of the Ocean

1-A shaving mirror ; it is the most useful tool to communicate
2- A 10 liter can of oil/petrol mixture ; Useful for signaling beacause the mixture will float on water
3- A 25 liter container of water ; it’s pretty obvious that we need water to survive
4- A case of army rations ; we also need to eat to survive andit doesn’t expire
5- 20 square feet of Opaque plastic sheeting ; useful to collect rain water
6-2 boxes of chocolate bars ; food is important to survive
7- An ocean fishing kit with pole ; useful to fish but it’s not guaranted that we will be able to catch a fish. The pole can also be useful for a tent.
8- 15ft nylon rope ; it is always helpful to have a rope it can be used for differents needs
9- A floating sea cushion ; in case if someone fall overboard
10- A can of shark repellent ; because we don’t want to be eaten by sharks
11- One bottle of 160% proof rum ; can be used as an antiseptic for injuries
12- A small transistor radio ; not necessary because we would be out of range of any radio station
13- Maps of the Atlantic Ocean ; worthless
14- A quantity of mosquito netting ; there is no mosquitoes in the middle of the ocean
15- A sextant ; useless in our case
Mina Ben Ali; Marino Chiara, Bena Manon; Fournier Pauline

Thanks everyone for your answers. I can see some of you cheated and did some research instead of trusting your own knowledge. It's a pity - in that case the game is rigged and doesn't teach you much.

No consensus for the whole class, then. I'm guessing if you'd all been on the same boat, it might have ended like Lord of the Flies!!

Here's the answer:

https://insight.typepad.co.uk/lost_at_sea.pdf

As you can see, this was a very serious game planned by the US Coastguard. Those of you who chose the shaving mirror as a priority item were correct.
Read the PDF and you'll understand the explanation. Then you can come back on this forum and gloat or mourn your result!

So I know it's a bit late, but I still would like to answer to Fleur.

Thanks for agreeing with my list, I'd like to tell you wrong about my... survival skills, but I would be lying. If I were caught in a shipwreck I would at best follow the order of more capable folks (yes I'm talking about you) because if I had to lead, our little group of survivor's lifespan would probably be shorter than, let's say, a map in a rubber boat lost at sea.

Your answer made me laugh, Mateo.

Well with the US Coast guards' advice and remarks, at least now you know more than before!