SURVIVAL ON LAND AND SEA 
know what to do and will help yon. For more information on 
natives see the section on that subject. 
Footgear is important here, for cuts made by live coral are 
always painful and slow to heaL Your main needs will again 
be water, food, and shelter. 
PROTECTION FROM THE SUN 
On most islands in the tropics some protection from the sun 
is necessary to prevent sunstroke and severe sunburn. Should 
you lack normal clothing or equipment there are several expe- 
dients which will minimize these dangers. Keep out of the sun 
as much as possible during the middle of the day. If green leaves 
are available tie them on to protect your head from the sun. 
Coconut oil smeared over exposed portions of the body also helps. 
See following discussion of the coconut. 
QUENCHING THIRST 
Many islands in the Pacific have a good water supply; others 
do not. In this regard it is interesting to note that many native 
peoples live permanently on islands that lack streams, springs, 
wells, or even coconuts. They get their water in a number of 
ways. In some cases there are holes and hollows in the rocks 
that collect rain water ; always look for these. Shallow pits or 
holes are also dug to catch rain or the seepage of water after 
rains, or water is obtained by digging holes along the shore at 
low tide. If you are forced to dig such a well, in the absence 
of better tools a large shell lashed to a stick makes a serviceable 
implement. Do not go deeper than the first water found. Fresh 
