Two Mexican fishermen have been rescued after spending five days stranded in the Pacific Ocean, more than 150 miles (around 240 km) off the coast of Chiapas, a southern state in Mexico that borders Guatemala. Incredibly, they drifted in a cooler to survive their ordeal.
Daniel Guerrero Martínez, 53, and José Luis Portelas Villegas, 32, disappeared after their fishing boat sank in rough waters, leaving them to survive by clinging to a floating cooler without food or drinking water until Mexican Navy rescuers located and airlifted them for treatment on August 19.
Their remarkable story of survival is a reminder of how quickly an unexpected situation at sea can become life-threatening. Without reliable access to food, water, shelter, or flotation, individuals stranded in the ocean face a range of dangers, including dehydration, drowning, exposure, and exhaustion. Even those who manage to stay afloat can struggle to survive as hours turn into days.
If you're planning a cruise trip or a leisurely day at the beach, read this gallery in advance to find out how long you could potentially survive if you happened to get lost at sea! Click through now.