Daily needs during long isolation
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
In prolonged isolation, basic needs have to be managed deliberately and systematically.
What to do
• Water: at least 2 litres of drinking water per person per day — purification is the priority
• Food: focus on calorie-dense, long-keeping foods
• Sleep: aim for 7 to 8 hours a day — lack of sleep reduces judgement
• Hygiene: daily hand hygiene and basic body care prevents infection
• Movement: at least 30 minutes of light exercise a day
Do not do
• Do not neglect any of the basic needs — all are equally critical to survival
• Do not skip meals — energy is essential for thinking clearly
Warning signs
• Someone has not eaten or drunk voluntarily for more than 24 hours
Get help if
• Medical symptoms are developing
• Mental condition is deteriorating significantly
Why this matters
Managing basic needs in a structured way improves the chance of surviving long isolation. Each element supports the others.
Source: WHO Emergency Preparedness Guidelines · reviewed 2025-01-01