It matters.

Hoping yes.

It matters a lot. For me, probably even more.

I'd say weed (with fertile seeds), knife, water purifier, and fishing pole (assuming it comes with fishing line and a hook or two).

Else I'd have to come up with some sort of net or spear for the fish. Fire would be hard at first. But I'm hoping there's enough material at hand to put together a simple hand-drill type fire starter kit. And something other than nearby dried kelp to burn.

I'd be set. Though a volleyball would be nice, so I could have someone to talk to.

None of the other items on the list provide any sort of sustainable nutrition past a short time window, and there's no discussion of what sort of flora and fauna a deserted island might have. It might not be more than a sand bar with a scrawny tree (if I'm lucky).

The fishing pole would help with some of that, and while stone-mashed oily hemp seed meal isn't the tastiest food, it can sustain a person for a while especially if there's fish.

Plus, the stalks would help provide fiber for minor repair and construction needs (like lashing spears together).

And the flowers would certainly provide a way to pass the time, to be sure.

Lol! I meant pot to boil water, fish, etc.
I had SUCH a day. Thanks for that laugh!

5 oz of "pot". Then I realized that it was an actual cooking pot that you all chose, not the weed.

Last edited Sat Aug 18, 2018, 06:27 AM - Edit history (1)

I wear glasses so I will use them to start a fire.

Then you can give me everything else and leave with your hands in the air.

the real pirate here!

after that a knife, matches, insect repellent, tp, hammock, ipod, tarp, hunting rifle, sunscreen, rope, ipod, pot, and the rest.

I guess there would be a lot of "singing while high." No crime, I suppose but nothing like the real thing.

Not a stoner, but since you're probably doomed anyway, better than worrying to death, to go out with peace.

And a well-appointed hotel with room service & a decent wine cellar.

1. Deck of cards

2. Gun

3. Fishing pole with synthetic lures

4. Gallon jug of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane

Plan to get rescued:

Take the deck of cards and start playing Solitaire. When the helpful idiot points over your shoulder telling you which card to play ... you are saved.

Take the gun and shoot some wild animal out of season. When the Game Warden shows up to arrest you for hunting without a license ... you are saved.

Take the Fishing pole with synthetic lures and go fishing. When the Fish and Wildlife officer show up to arrest you for fishing without a license ... you are saved.

If all else fails, pour the Trichloroethane out on the ground. When the EPA shows up to arrest you for polluting the environment with hazardous chemicals ... you are saved!

I'm going to die on the island anyway. Might as well read.

You wimps can stay if you like, but I'm leaving with the first tide.

Always wanted waterfront property for me and my kayak.

Tarp - versatile as a shelter, windbreak, a ground or top cover for rain and sun protection. Also as a carry all or a sled to drag heavy items, a hammock, can even be used as a fish trap.

Mirror - can be used as a fire starter and signalling device.

Knife - multipurpose utility tool.

Pot - used to boil and purify water, cook and store food, a carry all and a food safe.

It could be very useful.

I don't know why....

Who would pick TP?

Of course, knowing more details about what else exists on the island might alter my selection.

is Hawaii, but don't tell anyone else in this thread. It will spoil the fun.

I was pretty worried about being without tofu.

Such exclamations are bound to attract attention.

I hope that helps. Wow, I almost blew it.

Fishing pole and knife

What am I going to do on a desert island? Well, I've got a lot of time to kill, so I'm going to play Solitaire. I'm going to lay out the cards, and in five minutes somebody will be looking over my shoulder, and tell me to play the red eight on the black nine--and I'm FOUND!
Rescued! Never fails......

You're pouring your own!

The saw gets me wood for fires and construction. Also, i can keep the sides polished and use it as a signaling mirror.

The pot gets me boiled water, clean and purified. Also I can cook in it.

The knife can be fastened to a shaft of wood; now I have a spear for hunting and fishing.

The tarp is shelter and a water collector.

The hard part will be learning how to start a fire. But maybe I can bend the polished side of the saw into a parabola and ignite something using sunlight.

4 x 5 ounces = 20 ounces of weed

The knife can be used for many reasons: preparing food, cutting etc

Fishing gear.

Tent can be used shelter which would always be necessary even on a desert island. In ideal conditions you could build your own Bush shelter and use all of the tent materials for additional resources. Even without additional natural materials for shelter, the tend can be reduced to create adequate protection while still being able to retain material for additional use: string, line, stakes, tent fabric can be used for a solar still or to assist in desalination.

Pot: cooking and boiling water (either from fresh source or desalination)


For example: cut some of the tent fly material for use in capturing condensation from boiling sea water. Place the material above the pot and fashion in a manner that the water vapor will collect and run down to a reciptical created from additional tent material. This will effectively desalinize the water for drinking and cooking.


Many of the items on the list have limited use and will eventually cease function. I went back and forth on the mirror and fishing gear. A mirror can be used to assist in creating fire but I know how to start fire using wood and friction. That of course assumes the necessary materials are available. Once fire is started though, if you have fuel you can keep it going even in rain.

True fact: every summer my college friends and I get together for several days and keep up our survival skills. I learned in high school and I passed on the knowledge to my friends. We build our own shelters, fish or forage for food (I know how to trap but it feels wrong given I am only out there for 4 days. If it was longer perhaps but I see this skill as a true life or death need). I always start the fire using a bow drill. For supplies we generally only bring some clothes, a little bit of food and water and sleeping bags. I always bring a book or two.

Last month we were in the green mountain national forest

A bowl of soup, two kegs of brown ale and a yacht.