Published: 7 December 2023
How does a person survive with NO food and NO water in the middle of nowhere? What foods are available on a deserted island? And how long could someone survive relying solely on those resources?
These are the questions that inevitably flood our minds when watching a survival movie like “Cast Away”.
Long story short, Tom Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a FedEx troubleshooter obsessed with work who ends up stranded on a deserted island in the vast Pacific Ocean. What ensues is an Oscar-worthy performance depicting the severe physical and mental transformations that take place when a person is stranded in the middle of nowhere with no food, no water and no way out.
This gem of a film, also starring Helen Hunt and Nick Searcy, has made it to my top 10 favourite movies of all time. I’m not sure what makes this movie so memorable but 23 years later, I still randomly think about that heart-breaking scene when Hanks loses Wilson on the raft. Am I the only one that genuinely got teary-eyed as that blood-faced volleyball floated away? (But seriously, I’m not the only one, right??) That’s how strongly committed you get to the story. It’s an immersive piece of cinema that embraces the most beautiful (yet often perceived as “boring”) parts of our humanity.
Many scenes are without spoken words, which only empowers the non-verbal dialogue that slowly kindles between the main character and the viewer. Cast Away is simply genius if you ask me. Till this day, I have yet to encounter another film capable of evoking such profound emotions toward inanimate objects (you know, the ones that actually don’t talk!).
Anyways, let’s get down to business and unearth the food lessons sprinkled throughout the masterpiece that is “Cast Away” written by William Broyles Jr. and directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Did you know? Cast Away was filmed in the South Pacific Ocean island of Monuriki in the Republic of Fiji. This uninhabited island is home to volcanic rocks, palm trees, a pine forest, lagoons and small white beaches.
1. You can’t chuck a coconut against a rock and expect it to open. It’s all about SHARP thinking instead.
Energy is a priceless resource when you are stuck on a deserted island. So don’t waste it! Instead, channel any pent-up anger and focus on finding the right tools to move onwards. For Hanks’ character, Noland, finding a source of hydration is essential to his survival in the beginning of the movie. Luckily for him, the island is filled with coconuts albeit his first attempts at opening one end up rather fruitless. So here’s what to keep in mind:
A coconut is essential made up of three different layers:
1-the exocarp, which is the green, hard shell that Noland cuts open using a sharp rock;
2-the mesocarp, which is the fibrous husk in-between the external and internal layers. This is basically the hair you see outside the coconut itself when purchasing it at a market;
3- and the endocarp, which is the inner-most layer that protects the coconut meat and the coconut water.
In order to access the good stuff, you need to start by removing the first two layers. Once that is done, you are left with the endocarp (the dark brown shell that contains all the delicious treats inside). Now listen closely. You want to avoid acting hastily at this point. Otherwise, you might lose that electrolyte-rich water nestled inside!
Every coconut has three marks called “eyes” on the top part of the endocarp. One of these three dots is softer and easier to puncture than the others. Your job is to locate it. Once you do, insert a blade or thin sharp object in it and twist until you poke through. Now enjoy nature’s own sport drink! Then, all that’s left is to get to the coconut meat. To do so, simply hit all around the middle section of the coconut until it breaks open.
Coconut water is rich in sodium, potassium and magnesium, all of which are essential to support physical exertion (you’re gonna need it to build camp and scavenge for food!). On average, a young coconut will provide 1/2 cup to 1 cup of coconut water.
Tip: don’t discard that shell too quickly! You can repurpose it as a drinking cup or even a bowl for whatever edible fruits you manage to find (Careful though! If the movie “Into the Wild” taught me anything, it’s that a single mistake can quickly lead to an agonising demise. R.I.P Chris McCandless).
Also, bear in mind that coconut palms can be extremely tall so brace yourself for the challenge to come. Climbing a coconut tree is no easy feat! If you don’t believe me, ask Bear Grylls!
2. When all else fails, rainwater is your best bet.
If I was floating in the middle of the Pacific ocean with no resources and little hope of being saved, I would also be collecting rainwater like crazy. After all, the alternative – sea water – would only lead to more thirst and, ultimately, death. That being said, don’t assume that all rainwater is safe to drink!
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), “rainwater can carry bacteria, parasites, viruses, and chemicals that could make you sick, and it has been linked to disease outbreaks. The risk of getting sick from rainwater may be different depending on your location, how frequently it rains, the season, and how you collect and store the rainwater.”
You would think that the presence of pollution and other contaminants would be virtually negligible when dealing with an uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean, right? Wrong! Even remote islands in the Pacific can be vulnerable to the impacts of human activity and environmental changes.
Have you ever heard of “forever chemicals“? Also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), these man-made, long-lasting chemicals have made their way all across the globe at dangerously high levels. In fact, a paper published in the journal “Environmental Science & Technology” in 2022 by researchers at University of Stockholm found evidence indicating that these substances have spread across the entire atmosphere, reaching every corner of the world without exception.
Forever chemicals are widely used in “food packaging, water-repellant clothing, furniture, carpets, nonstick coating on pots and pans, fire-extinguishing foams, electronics, and some shampoos and cosmetics.” High levels of PFAS can have a meaningful impact on our health and may lead to decreased fertility, high cholesterol, developmental delays in children and increased risk of some cancers.
3. Unless you want to be stuck squatting all day, avoid excessive coconut consumption.
Coconut meat provides a rich supply of healthy fats and fibre. Paired with coconut water, it constitutes a pretty nourishing meal especially if you are stranded on a deserted island! But beware, coconut is a natural laxative so don’t overdo it! Otherwise, you’ll be stuck under the palm trees nursing an upset stomach instead of catching your next big fish!
4. For an island fish feast, set your sights on stealth and finesse.
Hunting is all about patience and slow, steady movements. Spear fishing is one way of securing dinner. But how does one go about making a survival spear?
Well, for one, you want to find a sturdy piece of wood that has the right length, preferably taller than you. This not only increases your reach but also keeps you safe (after all, nobody wants to end up accidentally impaled by their own spear!). You should also invest time in meticulously sharpening the tip of the spear. The tip should be razor-sharp to effortlessly pierce through the fish, yet sturdy enough to withstand the resistance.
Expect your first spear fishing attempts to be unsuccessful. It’s kind of like joining into an already moving parade. You gotta get into the flow of things before becoming more in tune with your environment and reacting accordingly. After spending four years stranded on the island, Noland eventually becomes a pro at spearfishing in the water and on land.
One of the benefits of catching fresh fish is that you can consume it raw, ensuring that you stay well-fed even during periods when you don’t have a fire.
Another way of catching fish is by using a mesh or a net. This method will most likely increase your chances of success but expect smaller fish due to the shallow waters.
5. Get that fire started before you catch a crab. Otherwise, you’ll be crabby.
Spearfishing a crab proved to be a relatively straightforward task for Noland. But boy was he disappointed when he discovered nothing more but goo inside the crab leg. So where’s the delicious meat at?!
Well, apparently, recently moulted crabs will most likely contain a jelly-like mass since they haven’t had the opportunity to replenish their body cavities with flesh. So moral of the story? Don’t go for the crabs with the shiny, new-looking shells. And make sure to get a fire going before attempting to catch one of those side crawlers!
6. If you survive, the road to food reintroduction is one that should be handled by a professional.
You can’t just throw a regular diet at someone who’s been starving for years. This will surely shock the system and give rise to additional health concerns. In fact, “increased nutrition following a prolonged period of starvation can result in refeeding syndrome” which can be fatal. Health care professionals play a crucial role in overseeing the dietary regimen of a person who has experienced starvation by assisting in calorie and carbohydrate restriction, and closely monitoring blood electrolyte levels.
In Noland’s case, it is likely that he experienced various nutritional deficiencies, given that his diet consisted mainly of fish, crab, and coconuts. An iron deficiency could also explain the ice craving he experiences in the plane on his way to his welcoming ceremony. In some cases, chewing ice is also associated with emotional distress.
Bonus tip: Find yourself a Wilson. Survival isn’t just about food. It’s also about steering clear of the precipice of insanity.
Enjoying time alone is one thing. But being forced to live in solitude for prolonged periods of time is another.
Let’s be real, being stranded on a deserted island is no fun. It really messes with your head. You constantly see-saw between hope and despair, and your sanity and endurance are constantly being tested. You’re forced to navigate a mental maze where every decision feels like a make-or-break moment. You start craving human contact and the idea of seeing a loved one again is sometimes the only thing that keeps you going. So when the cold and sometimes hostile nature leaves you trembling, you start to create an inner world to keep you sane.
It is known that some older folks talk to their pets to find solace and keep their spirits up. But alas, for Noland, pet talks weren’t an option. So, at the end of the day, Wilson came into existence, born from a volleyball and a splash of human blood. This unconventional sidekick might seem like a joke to some, but I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it. Remember that unexpected bonds can emerge in the face of unconventional circumstances. Without Wilson, who knows where Noland would be today.
“I’m so sad that I don’t have Kelly. But I’m so grateful that she was with me on that island. And I know what I have to do now. I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow, the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?” (Cast Away, 2000)
