In the issue of Outside magazine (july 07) there is an article about a kid who planned to spend 40 days on the island by himslef trying to survive without any help but a knife. It was carefully planned excercise with safety measures taken every step (sat phone call everyday to an answering machine, ACR beacon). He took a quick survival course and talked to survival gurus prior to leaving for his adventure. He lasted about 18 days. Couldn't make fire, and his diet consisted on mussels and coconut. Couldn't hunt or fish. Constantly botheresd by flys I think he ordered a supply of mosquito repelent to be dropped on the other side of the island. Island was located somewhere off coast of Panama. Interesting read since this was probably as close to a real survival situation as anyone can get. Also most of use make a statment : "if I had a blade I can survive anywhere" but I think it this kid would have give up his Kabar knife for a box of matches.

So if you are planning to spend $5 to read it there is also a short guide on how to do many handy things in life plus few other nice articles.