Is This Incredible Or What ?

[Bazile]

Truly amazing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37645201

[rsvp]

Yes, I read about it last week (I think) - got to give the guy his due - the boy done good - hugely strong mentally as well as physically. Great outcome and all credit to his rescuers too.

[naomi24]

Amazing survival - but how lucky to be found in the middle of that vast ocean!! Great story!

[237SJ]

I wonder if he saw any wing flaps?

[andy-hughes]

Fantastic story.

I have been on a few cruises, and when you walk on deck at night, it comes home to you that if you fell overboard and no-one saw you, you might not be missed for hours, and there is an awful lot of dark water out there.

[Bazile]

It would be a nightmare for me ( not being a good swimmer )

I probably could not stay afloat for more than 10 mins or so

[naomi24]

divebuddy, I too was left behind, along with someone else, on one occasion ... in the Red Sea .... but fortunately only for about 10 minutes. We were wearing jackets - but I can't say I wasn't nervous. The ocean is mighty big - especially when you can't see land!!

[naomi24]

divebuddy, oh I see - but like you I don't see why he was swimming! Automatic reaction I suppose.

[-Talbot-]

Sounds a great story. I wonder how much of it poetic licence?

[naomi24]

Treading water for 28 hours with nothing to cling to does seem an awfully long time.

[hereIam]

Incredible indeed !

[naomi24]

divebuddy, Really? I didn't know it was possible for that length of time - and I've never heard of anyone sleeping on water - well at least not without floatation aids. Thanks for that. We learn something every day.

[ladybirder]

Yep I can just imagine that. Fall over the side in the dark in the middle of an ocean and think, Oops, oh well I'll just have a kip until the rescuers come along. No worries;-)

[Tilly2]

Will his hand be OK? It looks awful in the photo.

[naomi24]

divebuddy, he's not home from the office yet. I'll ask him when he gets in.

[naomi24]

Right. He said some people experience great difficulty in trying to float, whereas others manage it very easily – something to do with the fat and muscle ratio of individual bodies affecting buoyancy. The time factor involved for survival would obviously depend upon the possibility of succumbing to hypothermia and the ability to survive without drinking water. If prevailing weather conditions/currents resulted in very calm water, it would be possible for someone who is able to relax and to float well, to sleep. A choppy sea would mean water sploshing over the face at regular intervals so wouldn’t be conducive to a peaceful snooze. He put it all rather more technically, but I’m sure you get my … err … drift.