Settling Down to a Period before Rescue

Having made an assessment of how long it will be before rescue is likely it is now necessary to decide how the available food and water will be divided and issued. The following are a few guidelines.

The minimum daily water ration should be around 450 ml to 500 ml given in three separate issues at sunrise, noon and sunset. This quantity will be sufficient to avoid severe dehydration. The daily food ration should consist of 800 kJ to 850 kJ of the emergency rations given in three equal amounts as for the water. (This equates to around 500 g.)

To make the decision as to how much should be issued take the total available, separate one third as emergency stock should rescue not be forthcoming when expected, then apportion the remainder where possible on the above basis as a minimum.

In each lifeboat there will be 3 litres of water and 10,000 kJ of food for each person that the boat is certified to carry. It should be noted that the emergency rations consist mainly of carbohydrates, some fat and minimal protein. These rations do not require the consumption of water or body fluid so that they can be digested, which is of great importance.

Food and water should be issued in such a way that all can see that it is fair. Everyone will become thirsty and as time passes human nature will make the ration distribution a very difficult and harrowing experience and also the highlight of the day.

If a desalination plant is available, this should be put into operation immediately and its output used in preference to the internal water.

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