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.
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.
While on a remote, secluded island, it often strikes vacationers of how many tools are taken for granted back in the civilized world. We discover the weather and keep abreast of storms with a flick of the remote, simply pick up the phone and dial Emergency in case of accidents or other serious problems, and generally rely on an urban infrastructure supported by thousands of professionals when in need. Solitude and isolation may be a uniquely gratifying experience, but there are certain high-tech products that many wise vacationers won’t leave home without.
Thunderstorms, hurricanes and blizzards are all exceptionally dangerous for those in remote areas and cut off from support organizations. Offered through the Discovery Channel, the Weathertech Stormtracker is a portable electronic device that provides immediate information on the latest weather patterns in your area. Running on ordinary batteries, the Weathertech gives accurate forecasts, temperature and barometric readings, and helps ensure that if a storm is heading your way, you’ll have time to prepare or make it safely to the mainland.
For the Melanesian people of Vanuatu, a small island country located in the South Pacific Ocean, their dramatic volcanic mountains and lush forests are not only beautiful scenery, but an important source for healing and skincare products. The indigenous tribes of this exotic, isolated island nation have had centuries to make the most out of their abundant environment, and have developed organic and all-natural solutions to afflictions such as bug bites, sunburns and cuts.
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.
While on a remote, secluded island, it often strikes vacationers of how many tools are taken for granted back in the civilized world. We discover the weather and keep abreast of storms with a flick of the remote, simply pick up the phone and dial Emergency in case of accidents or other serious problems, and generally rely on an urban infrastructure supported by thousands of professionals when in need. Solitude and isolation may be a uniquely gratifying experience, but there are certain high-tech products that many wise vacationers won’t leave home without.
For the Melanesian people of Vanuatu, a small island country located in the South Pacific Ocean, their dramatic volcanic mountains and lush forests are not only beautiful scenery, but an important source for healing and skincare products. The indigenous tribes of this exotic, isolated island nation have had centuries to make the most out of their abundant environment, and have developed organic and all-natural solutions to afflictions such as bug bites, sunburns and cuts.