However, these needless deaths can be avoided if people took the necessary precautionary measures before embarking on their desert trips, according to a survival expert.
“They need to be responsible for their actions, and precautionary measures are a must for these trips,” Abdullah Al-Musnad, a professor of geography at Qassim University, told the Arabic-language newspaper Al-Riyadh in a recent interview.
Al-Musnad, who specializes in the geographical environment of the Kingdom's deserts, said many of those who died in deserts after losing their way did not take the required safety and security measures.
“Some people were either ignorant of the danger the desert posed or they were overconfident of their ability to cross the wilderness without getting lost,” he said.
Al-Musnad said some travelers prefer to cut through the deserts instead of the assigned roads, as these “shortcuts” can greatly shorten the distance they travel. “These people might not know that death might be waiting for them in these shortcuts,” he said.
Al-Musnad advised Saudis and foreigners seeking to drive through the desert to take enough water and food in addition to satellite phones, first-aid kits and also ensure that their vehicles are fit for the purpose.
“You should inform a friend or a relative about your plans and the road you will be taking, carry a map, review the area using Google Earth, equip the car with a GPS and if possible make sure that you have a companion during the journey,” he said.
The survival expert said when a person gets lost in a vast desert like the Empty Quarter or Al-Nafud, his heartbeat will increase, his mouth will turn dry, he’ll lose concentration and suffer disorientation.
“These physiological changes will consume the body's energy and vitality and these are signs of impending, certain death,” he warned, while advising desert travelers who go astray to recite verses from the Qur'an and say duaa.
Al-Musnad also stressed that drivers or passengers should not step out into the desert until help arrives.
“If you have little water with you, do not consume it unless during extreme need. Try to collect as many insects and creepers as you can from day one. Roast the creepers or eat them raw. This may prolong your life until you are rescued,” he said.
The expert advised desert trekkers not to be in the direct rays of the sun or in the path of desert winds and to cover their bodies during the day to avoid losing body fluids through sweating.
“Try to breathe through your nose while keeping your mouth shut to preserve body moisture,” he said.
Al-Musnad advised desert travelers to move only by night and try to rest during the day. He also stressed they should not overtly worry about the scarcity of food, as humans can often go for days without eating.
Al-Musnad revealed another survival tactic in the traveler’s quest for water. “Water is found in various places in your car. There is clean water in the container connected to the windshield that is used to clean the glass. There’s some unclean water in the radiator which could be purified using a piece of cloth,” he said.
Al-Musnad asked travelers who lose their way in the desert to snap the rear view mirror out of its place and use it as a signaling device. “Send urgent and intermittent signals to possible aircraft that usually fly over the deserts in search of lost travelers. You can also write SOS in big letters using stones.”
He advised the lost travelers to dig ditches under their cars and lie down in them to avoid the scorching heat.
“Make this ditch your home and use all the equipment you have to call for help. The search for the lost people usually starts a day or two after they are reported lost,” the professor said.
He also advised these travelers to burn spare tires after flattening them first to avoid causing an explosion, adding that the smoke can act as SOS signals to rescuers.
He added that when all tires have been burned, the traveler should set the car itself on fire. “There will be fire and smoke which may be seen by people looking for you,” he said.