A friend of mine said that once, when their plane was delayed, they went to the airport cinema to pass the time. The only film on was 'Alive'! <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Great planning on the airport's part. Hmmmm

Hmmm, it is fasinating the phsycological 'changes' that occur when one is placed in an emergency/survival situation. I do not know how I would react if placed in a situation such as what these people went through. they surived (some of them), so whether they made the correct descions or not AT THE TIME THAT THEY NEEDED TO MAKE THE DESCIONS is not for us to say. In retrospect, we can easily criticise. I feel that analysing and critisising what other people have done is good. you learn from your mistakes, and from the mistakes of others. the problem comes in when you do not respect the fact that people are ussually under great pressures when they need to make judgement calls.

I try read articles and books that focus on phsycological, physical and material preparedness, of which I rate phsycological preparedness to be the most important (Although, ultimately a balance needs to be found that incorporates all three attributes).

So, anyway, back to the original reply: I don't know what they should have done. They went in search of help when they lost hope for a being rescued (I think that this was a good call). they resorted to canniballism when they were hungry, and not starving (I have never been in this situation and i don't know how hunger affects you, so no comment).

I think I'm going to read this book again now that I've heard some different opinions on it.

"they resorted to canniballism when they were hungry, and not starving"
I'm not sure on the above sentence. Please bear in mind I have only seen the film and NOT read the book...
If my memory serves me right it was 60 days (or there abouts) before they were rescued. The food was gone after 7 days. At what point after the 7 days would they be starving? Or at what point do you succumb to one of the final taboos mankind has, and eat human flesh?
Its impossible to say for certain, and it will vary with each person. However even after 2 days without food, I know i could eat the backend off a donkey!
Take that to 3 weeks, (21 days) add sub zero temperatures, the fact half your colleagues are dead or dying, and the realisation your not going to be found.... Who knows what you might do. You may not be technically starving, but I'll bet you ain't feeling too good
Now add another 40 days onto that. All the mental preperation in the world will probably have been used up - if you don't eat something soon, you won't have a life to worry about such matters.
Starving or not - you eat or you WILL die.
DISCLAIMER: I am not advocating canabalism nor have I ever eaten or thought about eating human flesh. Just so no one gets the wrong idea!!!
Martin