“Desert island” doesn’t mean an island is made of desert-like land—even though we imagine a desert island as a little circle of sand with a palm tree poking out. In this case, “desert” means “deserted”—as in, nobody lives there.

Do you know how to survive on a desert island? First, remember how to spell HELP. Then think about the three necessities for human life: water, food, and shelter.

Water. People can survive only around three days without drinking water. And they can’t drink sea water. Too salty! To collect water, find objects that can hold water. Set them out to catch rain. While you wait for a drizzle, move inland to look for a fresh stream.

Got a sprinkle in your bucket yet? Remember, even rain isn’t safe to drink as-is. Bitty bacteria may float inside. Boil your caught water before drinking.

Food. People can survive without food for one to three weeks. But eating will keep you strong. Not in the mood to hunt down a wild animal? No worries. You can eat coconuts. Coconuts are a coconut palm’s seeds. They contain nutrients to keep you kicking for a while: fat, protein, sugar, carbohydrates, potassium, manganese, and selenium. The liquid inside also helps meet your water needs. Break a coconut like this: Wedge one into the ground. Bash it with the largest rock you can find. Also look for edible plants such as bananas and seaweed. Do not eat strange berries. Do catch fish, build a fire, and cook them. Bon appétit!

Shelter. You’ll need a good night’s sleep to keep your brain sharp for survival. Find a good camping spot, probably under trees and near fresh water. Make a bed of branches. Spread palm leaves over it. Build a tent like this: Lean a large log against a tree. Prop smaller branches against it, forming a triangle shape. Cover the top with leaves.

We hope you’ll never need these tips. But people love to imagine needing them. Creative imaginations have spun many desert island or wilderness tales. Have you ever read Swiss Family Robinson, Nim’s Island, or Island of the Blue Dolphins?