Warm, sunny and tropical are some of the first impressions that come to mind when one thinks of a private island, and these qualities can certainly make for a dream vacation- but there are serious hazards involved in getting too much of a good thing. Heat stroke, also known in a milder form as heat exhaustion, can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated, particularly for children, the ill and the elderly. Resulting from an inability to generate enough cooling sweat to stabilize body temperatures, symptoms of heat-induced illnesses include faintness, nausea and headaches, and in extreme cases the afflicted may vomit, be unable to adequately breath, and become unconscious.
For hundreds of thousands of years, mankind’s survival in many cold or inhospitable places was largely dependent on the ability of skilled individuals to start, maintain and transport fire. Even with the plethora of heating and cooking products that minimize the importance of fire in modern life, humans have a deep and immovable attachment to one of our first- and possibly our greatest- invention. And in emergency or storm situations where electricity fails, fire can still make the difference between life and death. Manufactured by Burton, the Firestorm lighter can withstand virtually anything nature has to throw at campers, boaters or stranded islanders. Functional at wind speeds of up to 80mph, and in a durable and waterproof casing, this premium butane lighter will last for up to 30,000 ignitions.
This sleek outdoor garden shower has to be one of the most innovative ways of rinsing off after an afternoon spent sunbathing or swimming. An innocuous-looking circular platform that fits away easily when not in use, the Viteo sends a meters-high spray upwards when stepped on, providing a refreshing reverse-shower. The Viteo connects to any ordinary garden hose, and a minimum weight of 15kg activates the shower’s release valve. Water sprays in a continuous flow from 16 jets, which depending on your hose water pressure can reach heights of 13ft. Ideal for cottages and vacation homes, this stylish shower is a chic and surprising new way of keeping cool and clean.
There’s nothing like being in the wilderness, surrounded by nature- unless you need to answer nature’s call. Portable toilets are an essential tool for campers, Robinson Crusoe-style island users and hikers, and help keep your surroundings sanitary and uncontaminated. Even for island owners who intend to install full-scale utilities, some provisional washrooms may be necessary for initial periods, and for the labor that may be on the island for extended lengths of time during the development phase.One of the most complete solutions on the market is from Philips Environmental Products Inc., an innovative company that pioneered the foldable, dry-waste toilet. With a variety of applications ranging from disaster relief to boating and eco-friendly camping, the PETT Compact Dry Toilet System is ideal for island use. The toilet itself collapses to the size of a suitcase, and waste is collected in single-use bags filled with a sanitizing powder that solidifies waste and prevents odor and spillage during storage. A special tent is even available for privacy, making this a portable restroom that virtually anyone would feel comfortable using.
Dying of thirst while surrounded by water is a nightmarish scenario, and until recently, even the most fresh-looking seawater was strictly off-limits for human consumption. Although it may resemble clear and clean potable water, seawater is filled such high levels of salts that the human body is incapable of metabolizing it when ingested, as average ocean saline levels are triple of that normally found the bloodstream. Drinking large quantities of seawater can result in extreme dehydration, leading to seizures, kidney failure and eventually, brain damage and death. Hence, innumerable unlucky mariners have identified with Samuel Coleridge’s famous line of prose, “Water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink.” However, new filtration technology may make one of the most dreaded seafarer’s deaths a piece of history.
Without the need for a hand pump or electrical unit, the SeaPack Saltwater Desalination Unit is small enough to fit in a life raft, small boat or even backpack, and is capable of processing a life-sustaining half a litre of drinking water within 4 hours. The proprietary filtration system uses sugar syrup to speed the process of forward osmosis, which draws the saline and other minerals in the seawater through the filter membrane, leaving safe drinking water behind. This product is reportedly the first portable osmotic filter for desalinization, and this infant technology is certain to become larger in scale and availability. Portable desalination and filtration systems using this type of filter are currently used by NASA, the US Department of Defence and Coast Guard, and are invaluable in preventing dehydration and the spread of communicable diseases after hurricanes and tropical storms.
For hundreds of thousands of years, mankind’s survival in many cold or inhospitable places was largely dependent on the ability of skilled individuals to start, maintain and transport fire. Even with the plethora of heating and cooking products that minimize the importance of fire in modern life, humans have a deep and immovable attachment to one of our first- and possibly our greatest- invention. And in emergency or storm situations where electricity fails, fire can still make the difference between life and death. Manufactured by Burton, the Firestorm lighter can withstand virtually anything nature has to throw at campers, boaters or stranded islanders. Functional at wind speeds of up to 80mph, and in a durable and waterproof casing, this premium butane lighter will last for up to 30,000 ignitions.
This sleek outdoor garden shower has to be one of the most innovative ways of rinsing off after an afternoon spent sunbathing or swimming. An innocuous-looking circular platform that fits away easily when not in use, the Viteo sends a meters-high spray upwards when stepped on, providing a refreshing reverse-shower. The Viteo connects to any ordinary garden hose, and a minimum weight of 15kg activates the shower’s release valve. Water sprays in a continuous flow from 16 jets, which depending on your hose water pressure can reach heights of 13ft. Ideal for cottages and vacation homes, this stylish shower is a chic and surprising new way of keeping cool and clean. 
There’s nothing like being in the wilderness, surrounded by nature- unless you need to answer nature’s call. Portable toilets are an essential tool for campers, Robinson Crusoe-style island users and hikers, and help keep your surroundings sanitary and uncontaminated. Even for island owners who intend to install full-scale utilities, some provisional washrooms may be necessary for initial periods, and for the labor that may be on the island for extended lengths of time during the development phase.One of the most complete solutions on the market is from Philips Environmental Products Inc., an innovative company that pioneered the foldable, dry-waste toilet. With a variety of applications ranging from disaster relief to boating and eco-friendly camping, the PETT Compact Dry Toilet System is ideal for island use. The toilet itself collapses to the size of a suitcase, and waste is collected in single-use bags filled with a sanitizing powder that solidifies waste and prevents odor and spillage during storage. A special tent is even available for privacy, making this a portable restroom that virtually anyone would feel comfortable using.