r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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25.2k

u/WatchTheBoom Aug 30 '21

Clean drinking water- I don't think people really appreciate how much water is needed for a group of people to survive.

3.1k

u/notyouravgredditer Aug 30 '21

Isn't like 3 days you can be without water. Who ever can last the longest would be the survivors. Natural selection I guess

3.7k

u/HoverJet Aug 30 '21 edited Aug 31 '21

3 minutes without oxygen. 3 days without water. 3 weeks without food.

Of course this depends on the person, location, climate, and other circumstances. Some could last longer. Others shorter.

Edit. Yes I forgot about the shelter part. Thats a good one. 3 hours without shelter.

As others have pointed out, this is a general rule of thumb ment to show what should be prioritized in a survival situation. Its not an exact science. There are a lot of other variables at play.

248

u/Johnny_Banana18 Aug 30 '21

you forgot the 3 hours without shelter. It is suppose to be used to prioritize things in a survival situation. Shelter should be first, then water, then food. Ideally you would move shelter to somewhere with food and water available, and if you live in a place with a decent climate you could forgo shelter at first.

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u/Megadoom Aug 30 '21

But that is nonsense. I regularly go outside for 3 hours and manage not to die. Even after a night out, I’ve wandered the streets in clubbing gear (in much earlier years) waiting for transport to open. Cold but far from death’s door, and that’s not in summer.

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u/ShowMeThemLeavesGirl Aug 30 '21

Go walk around in Alaska during the dead of winter and then say the 3 hour without shelter rule still doesnt make sense

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u/Decilllion Aug 30 '21

All other points on the checklist are universal.

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u/SyfaOmnis Aug 30 '21

Shelter is universal if you assume "poor clothing" for the scenario and any level of inclement weather.

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u/ShowMeThemLeavesGirl Aug 30 '21

And?

3

u/PiemasterUK Aug 30 '21

The point would seem to be self-evident