Starvation : Survival Tips : Discovery Channel

Starvation: Worst-Case Scenario

Charles W. Bryant,

Most people who are so hungry they could eat horses probably wouldn't really do so unless faced with a worst-case scenario. Being lost, stranded and alone is a scary notion, and you don’t have to be "Survivorman" to find yourself in a life-or-death struggle. A simple car accident in a rural area could send you face-to-face with Mother Nature and her brutal elements. If you aren't an experienced hunter or fisherman, you may have a hard time finding food. Knowing what kinds of plants and insects to eat could keep you alive until you find rescue.

Hungry?

We know that humans can only go a few days in ideal conditions without water. We're pretty hearty though when it comes to not eating. People have been known to go weeks at a time on hunger strikes and fasts. Gandhi refrained from eating for 21 days straight when he was in his 60s. Keeping the body hydrated is more important than shoveling it with food, but going completely without grub, even with water, will eventually send you into starvation and death.

Food As Fuel

The body is a machine that needs fuel to operate. Food is this fuel. We store energy from the food we eat in the form of fat, carbohydrates and proteins. When you go without food for any length of time, your body will start to burn this stored food energy. Carbs are the first to go, followed by fat. Having excess fat on your body may actually help you survive longer without food. After you burn up your fat, protein steps up to the plate. If starvation sets in and you're using up proteins -- basically the body itself -- then you're in trouble.

Signs and Tips

Early signs of starvation include weakness, confusion, chronic diarrhea, irritability and immune deficiency. After this point, your internal organs will shut down one at a time. The final stages of starvation will include hallucinations, convulsions, muscle spasms and an irregular heart beat. In a worst-case scenario, plants and insects can provide protein and food energy. A good rule for each is to refrain from eating any insect that's brightly colored, spiny or gives off a pungent odor. If you know you'll be hiking someplace remote, buy a book on edible plant species in the region and chow down.

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Starvation: Worst-Case Scenario

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