Surviving in the desert is really difficult. It is, basically, an attempt to stay alive in a barren wilderness where all the elements required to stay alive are almost completely unavailable. Alongside this, you will have dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, sunburn, eye irritation, climactic stress, sandstorms, mirages, extremes of temperature, lice, mites, wasps, flies, spides, scorpions, centipedes and snakes to contend with. It would be possible to fill this entire page with a list of things to be worried about when stuck in the desert.
Pretty desolate there, isn't it?
So, how do you even begin to survive in an environment as hostile as this? Above all other things, you must consider water your top priority. Not juices, not beer, water. The desert will sap you dry and dehydrate you faster than any other environment. A lack of water will affect not only your wellbeing but also your ability to make logical, rational decisions. Regardless of your situation, the consumption of water must be your priority. To put it in perspective, your body will require 19 litres of water to compensate for a full day in a 40-degree heat. To combat this, find shade immediately.
Breathe through your nose and place something between you and the hot ground. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, keep fully clothed. This will protect you from sunburn and it will also hold your sweat close to your skin, increasing its cooling effect. You will smell like an old flip-flop, but it could save your life. If you have a bottle, drink small amounts at regular intervals. It may feel like you are wasting the stuff, but if you wait until you are thirsty that means you are already dehydrated and it will take more water than you have conserved to pull you out of that state.
Keep drinking your Willy Nelson water...
Some tragic tales tell of dead bodies found in the desert with their water bottles still half full. Rationing will not save you - make the most of the water you have. It will allow you to stay sharp and focussed so that when the time comes to make the decision that might save your life, you will make the right choice. Not drinking enough water can also lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, caused by extreme loss of water and salt from the body. Any of these will require medical attention and it is unlikely you will be able to tend yourself if you are alone, so keep drinking.
It's not like cactus juice from Lidl
Desert plants such as cacti can temporarily sate your thirst if broken open, but their overall effect is to dehydrate you, and many of them can be toxic, so unless you happen to have packed a guide to desert vegetation, this should be considered a last resort. A better tactic is to tie a clear plastic bag around a green plant (if you do not have a clear plastic bag with you in the desert then you did not come prepared) which will collect water from the vapour produced inside. If you are struggling to ascertain whether you are dehydrated or not, check the colour of your urine. The darker it is, the more water you need. Also, try to avoid eating wherever possible unless you have an excessive amount of water available to you - digestion requires water, dehydrating you further. You can survive weeks without food, days without water.
The next priority is to get noticed. Although deserts may seem like barren wastelands where even the merest speck will stand out like a sore thumb, the dunes and general sameness of the environment means that most observers are not actually looking for anything. As a result, it is imperative that you make yourself as visible as possible. Light a fire if you can, using as many non-essential materials as possible. A spare tyre from your vehicle will create a strong, smoky fire that can attract attention from miles away. Failing this, collect as much reflective material as possible and use it to try and signal for help, catching the sun in a sequential pattern to attract any potential rescuers.
At night, with a full moon, reflective material can be seen from an extraordinary distance, and with the temperature drastically reduced, this can be your best chance to attract attention while conserving your energy. Finally, try to spell out the word SOS as big as you can using whatever materials are available to hand. Anything you can do to make yourself bigger or more noticeable, do as soon as possible. If others cannot find you, then any other survival tactics you use will ultimately be useless. Ensure that you stay with your vehicle too - it is by far the biggest signalling tool that you have available to you, and spotting a vehicle is easier than spotting a person for any would-be rescuer.
Has anyone got a torch?
Another problem you will encounter is the prevalence of dust and sand in the air. To protect your lungs and mucus membranes, wrap a bandanna or piece of cloth across your face, and if you have any protective eyewear at all, wear that too. This not only aids you in your breathing, it also keeps you hydrated as your body is not having to cope with the influx of all this dry material. Sandstorms only occur in certain desert areas, but if you find yourself caught in one, shelter in your vehicle. If you have no protection, try to stay as still as possible - wandering around aimlessly in the storm will not make it any easier to deal with and you are likely to waste energy and get lost if you do.
There are other hazards too, such as insects and snakes, which can be avoided by wearing gloves, tucking your trousers into your socks and inspecting any areas where you will be sitting down. Make sure you inspect them every time - complacency is a killer.
Keep clear of the snakes!
Despite these other hazards, your three main priorities must be a) hydration, b) shelter and c) signalling. If you can maintain these and keep a clear head, some people have survived for weeks in the desert before being rescued.