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Risks and Dangers
At Desert Island Survival, At Desert Island Survival, we believe real adventure always comes with real risk. It’s what makes the experience authentic — and why it feels so different from a luxury safari or a staged survival show.
Our role is to manage those risks with world-class preparation, expert training, and invisible safety systems, so you can immerse yourself fully in the wild. You’ll always know what’s involved, and you’ll always have professional support close at hand.
We’re committed to full transparency. That’s why we share a clear overview of the realities of wild environments, how we mitigate them, and why stepping into the unknown is what makes these expeditions truly life-changing.
Before booking, you should carefully read both our risks & dangers and the waiver. This ensures you fully understand the challenges and risks before choosing to join.
We mitigate risk through:
- Thorough island assessments before selection.
- Destination-specific evacuation strategies.
- Wilderness First Aid-trained instructors (recertified every two years).
- Comprehensive medical kits and 24/7 access to a remote doctor.
- Clear safety protocols for activities such as spearfishing, fire-starting, and open-water crossings.
General Risks on All Expeditions
- The time it may take to access professional medical care in the event of an emergency is increased.
- Evacuation delays can occur due to boat issues, weather, or regional infrastructure.
- We operate in developing nations, where medical standards may differ from those in Europe or North America.
- Coconuts weighing 3–4 kg can fall from height and cause injury or death.
- Deadwood in trees can fall unexpectedly, particularly in wind.
- Sharks: Mostly juvenile reef and nurse sharks in Panama and the Philippines—attacks are extremely rare. Risk increases slightly during spearfishing. In Tonga, shark populations are healthier, and while tiger sharks are possible, encounters remain highly unlikely.
- Stingrays: Common in shallow waters. One castaway in Panama was stung but did not require evacuation.
- Jellyfish: Mostly harmless stingers. Highly venomous types are extremely rare but theoretically possible.
- Lionfish & Stonefish: Rare but dangerous. Mostly encountered when caught.
- Pufferfish: Common in Panama—must be handled carefully.
- Coral: Cuts can become infected. Fire coral causes stings.
- Tides & Currents: Can be strong and disorienting. We assess these on each island. Swimming strength and good judgement are essential.
- Spearfishing: Carries risks including hypoxia, drowning, accidental injury, and being swept out. Always use a buddy system.
- Monitor lizards, pigs, saltwater crocodiles: Generally avoid humans, but may attack if trapped or startled.
Trapped animals: Will fight for survival and can cause serious injury. - Snakes: Avoided through island selection. Tonga has none. Rare sightings in Panama/Philippines.
- Moose and Wild Boars (Sweden): Aggressive if provoked.
- Centipedes: Painful bites (Philippines, Tonga).
- Spiders: Brazilian wandering spider seen twice in Panama; rare but potentially serious bite.
- Wasps & Bees: Stings can be dangerous to those with allergies. Epinephrine is carried.
- Scorpions: Non-lethal local species; stings possible when gathering firewood.
- Sandflies: Itchy bites, particularly in Panama after rain. Can leave marks or scars.
- Mosquitoes: Low in dry season. Present in all locations.
- Ticks: Can carry Lyme disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Wales and Sweden.
- Regions are chosen to minimise disease risk.
- Possible but low risk of: malaria, dengue, rabies, leishmaniasis.
- Disease from animals, insects, or contaminated water is rare but possible.
- Some plants are toxic if touched, ingested, or inhaled.
- We teach which plants are safe and which to avoid.
- Allergic reactions (even to unknown triggers) are possible in new environments.
- Cuts: Machetes, knives, coral, hooks, thorns—footwear is essential.
- Burns: Common from open-fire cooking.
- Fishing Injuries: Hooks, barbs, and sharp tools.
- Trips & Falls: Rocks, roots, wet terrain—made worse by fatigue or hunger.
- Skin Infections: Thrive in tropical humidity and poor hygiene.
- Dehydration: A constant risk. We monitor water intake closely.
- Sun Exposure: Can lead to sunburn, heat stroke, or long-term damage.
- Food Poisoning: From mishandled food or water; procedures are taught and supervised.
- Allergic Reactions: From bites, stings, or environmental exposure.
- Car Travel: Road conditions vary in developing nations. We require seatbelt use.
- Boat Travel: Inherently risky. Life jackets are provided and encouraged.
- Human Contact: Remote regions rarely involve outsider interaction—but we can’t eliminate the possibility. We avoid high-risk geopolitical areas.
Risks by Location
Final Note
Even though this list is comprehensive, desert islands are not hostile or dangerous by default. Most of our expeditions pass without incident. To date, we’ve had only two evacuations—one for a deep cut, the other for a fish hook injury. Both castaways returned after a local clinic visit.
That said, the wild is unpredictable. New risks may emerge no matter how prepared we are. But with our safety systems and your awareness, we believe that risk is what transforms a trip into a true adventure.