(1924 - 2005)

Born on October 27, 1924 in Paris.
Physician, biologist.
Researcher at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco (1952).
Voluntarily crossed the Mediterranean Sea (1951) and the Atlantic Ocean (1952) in the inflatable boat "Heretic" to prove the possibility of survival for the shipwrecked.
Secretary of State under the Minister environment(1981).
V last years Dr. Bombard continues to write travel books; he presides over various research competitions and leads the humanitarian organization "Justes d" Or (something like "fair gold").
At the Fifth Jules Verne Festival, held in Paris in November 1996, A. Bombard headed the competition jury documentaries about research.
In 1997 came out A new book A. Bombara "Les Grands Navigateurs" ("Great Navigators").
At the International Festival of Adventure Films in Dijon (2002) A. Bombard was an honorary delegate.
On March 8, 2003, Dr. Bombar, as head of the aforementioned humanitarian organization, awarded another such organization "Voiles Sans Fronti?res" (something like "transparent borders") for "humanitarian and public services." ...
Dr. Bombar died on July 19, 2005.

On a single rubber boat under sail in 65 days, almost no food or fresh water. The experience ended successfully. His feat was one of the most outstanding achievements humanity in confrontation with the ocean.

« Victims of legendary shipwrecks who died prematurely, I know it wasn't the sea that killed you, it wasn't hunger that killed you, it wasn't thirst that killed you! Swinging on the waves to the plaintive cries of seagulls, you died of fear».

(Alain Bombard)

Brief chronology

1952 Bombard set sail alone in a rubber boat across the Atlantic Ocean. The voyage lasted 65 days and was intended to prove that shipwrecked people could live for long periods at sea without food or water supplies, eating only what they could find at sea. The experiment was a success

1953 edition books "Overboard at will"

1960 thanks to the Bombard experiment The London Navigation Safety Conference decided to equip ships with life rafts

Life story

This amazing person, French physician Alain Bombard, clearly and convincingly proved that in order to acquire a reputation as a great sea traveler, it is not at all necessary to be a sailor. Moreover, there is evidence that he did not even know how to swim. While working as a practicing physician in a seaside hospital, Dr. Bombar was literally shocked by the statistics, reporting terrible numbers. Every year, tens and hundreds of thousands of people die in the seas and oceans! The bomber was convinced that a significant part of them did not drown, did not die of cold or hunger. Being in boats and boats, kept on the water thanks to life belts and life jackets, most shipwrecked die in the first three days. As a doctor, he knew that the human body can live without water10 days, and without food even up to 30. “Victims of the legendary shipwrecks who died prematurely, I know: it was not the sea that killed you, it was not hunger that killed you, it was not thirst that killed you! Swinging on the waves to the plaintive cries of seagulls, you died of fear, ”Bombar said firmly, deciding to prove own experience strength of courage and self-confidence.

Knowing well the reserves human body, Alain Bombard was sure that death from fear and despair overtook not only passengers of warships and comfortable liners, but also professional sailors. They are accustomed to looking at the sea from the height of the ship's hull. A ship is not just a means of transportation on water, it is also a psychological factor that protects the human psyche from fear of an alien element. On a ship, a person has confidence that he is insured against possible accidents provided by designers and shipbuilders, that a sufficient amount of any food and water is prepared in the holds of the ship for the entire period of navigation and even beyond that ...

But even in the days of the sailing fleet, they said that only whalers and hunters for fur seals. They attack whales and seals in the open ocean from small whaleboats and sometimes wander for a long time in the fog, carried by storm winds from their ships. These people were prepared in advance for a long sea voyage on a boat and therefore died much less frequently. Even having lost a ship in the open ocean, they traveled enormous distances and still came to land. And if some died, it was only after many days of stubborn struggle, having exhausted the last forces of their body.

The French doctor Alain Bombard was sure that there is a lot of food in the sea and you just need to be able to get it in the form of fish or planktonic animals and plants. He knew that all rescue boats on ships had a set of fishing lines and even nets, that if necessary they could be made from improvised means. This means that you can get food, since almost everything that our body needs is contained in marine animals, including fresh water. And even sea water, consumed in small quantities, can save the body from dehydration.

Alain Bombard knew well the power of suggestion and self-hypnosis. He knew that the Polynesians, sometimes blown far from land by hurricanes, could rush through the stormy ocean for weeks and months and still survive by catching fish, turtles, birds, using the juices of these animals - tasteless, even nasty, but saving from thirst and dehydration . In all this, the Polynesians did not see anything special, since they were mentally prepared for such troubles. But the same islanders who survived in the ocean meekly died on the shore with a full abundance of food when they found out that someone had “bewitched” them. They believed in the power of magic and died of self-hypnosis.

In order to make potential victims of shipwrecks believe in themselves, in a real opportunity to overcome both the forces of the elements and their apparent weakness, Alain Bombard set up an experiment on himself in 1952 - he went to sailing the atlantic ocean in an ordinary inflatable boat. Bombar added only a plankton net and a speargun to her equipment. He called his rubber ship defiantly - " Heretic».

The bomber chose a route that runs far from sea routes, in a warm, but deserted zone of the ocean. Previously, as a rehearsal, he and his friend spent two weeks in the Mediterranean. For 14 days they made do with what the sea gave them. The first experience of a long journey dependent on the sea was a success. Of course, and it was difficult, very difficult! Swimming participant Jack Palmer said: “Feelings, already specifically negative, were aggravated solar radiation, dehydrating thirst and an oppressive feeling of absolute insecurity from the waves and the sky, in which we dissolved, gradually losing our own selves. Hundreds of miles covered, a few days of a throw to salvation, a monotonous menu of meat, juice, fat of caught fish, did not allow us to act fully. There was only an opportunity to imitate life, to survive in essence on the sharply sharpened blade of the knife of uncertainty ... "

Jack Palmer was an experienced sailor, having previously crossed the Atlantic all alone in a small yacht equipped with everything necessary, but at the last moment he refused to participate in the ocean voyage with the Bombard. He assured that he believed in his friend's idea, but did not want to eat raw fish again, swallow the healing but disgusting plankton and drink even more disgusting fish juice, diluting it with sea water.

Speaking of fish juice. As a physician, Bombar knew that water was more important than food. Previously, he examined dozens of fish species that he could get for lunch in the ocean, and proved that fresh water makes up from 50 to 80% of the weight of the fish, and the body marine fish contains significantly less salt than the meat of mammals. Bombard also made sure that every 800 grams of sea water contains about the same amount of salt (not counting table salt) as there is in a liter of different mineral waters. During his journey, Bombar became convinced that it was extremely important to prevent dehydration of the body in the early days, and then a decrease in water rations would not be detrimental to the body in the future.

Bombard had many friends, but there were also skeptics, ill-wishers, and people who were simply hostile to him. Not everyone understood the humanity of his idea. Newspapermen were looking for a sensation, and since there was none, they invented it. But people who are well acquainted with the history of navigation and shipwrecks warmly supported the idea of ​​Bombard. Furthermore, they were confident in the success of the experiment.

August 14, 1952 single Bombara expedition started from Monte Carlo. For insurance, in case of a threat of imminent death, he nevertheless took an emergency supply - a small set of high-calorie canned food. There was also a hermetically sealed shortwave radio set aboard the Heretic. In fact, it broke down pretty soon. Bombard's last radio message was his firm promise: "I will certainly prove that life always wins!"

The sea element constantly threw Bombard tests, one more serious than the other. A heavy wind tore the sail, making it difficult to keep the course. Frequent rains did not leave a dry thread and soaked to the bone. And the boat was chased by impudent sharks. They also prevented fishing and plankton sifting. The navigator's body was covered with non-healing ulcers, his fingers could hardly be bent, from constant nervous tension and lack of sleep dizzy.

The water made me sad, sometimes it looked like a seething cauldron, and sometimes it created the illusion of immobility. Alain stubbornly drove away despair. The one who called himself a heretic nevertheless felt that this was a great sin, and the doctor knew that the feeling of despair was harmful to health, in his own conditions it was simply life-threatening. And the movement towards the goal continued - slow, winding, but - movement.

65 days Alain Bombard sailed across the ocean. In the early days, he refuted the assurances of connoisseurs that there were no fish in the ocean. Yes, many authoritative travelers who have plied the ocean many times have said so. This delusion was due to the fact that it is difficult to see life in the ocean from large ships. But Bombar then crossed the ocean in a boat, from the side of which to the surface of the water - some centimeters. And the doctor was convinced from his own experience that the ocean is often deserted for many weeks of travel, but there are always creatures in it that can be useful to humans.

“When my strength was exhausted and defeatist moods crept into my soul,” recalls Bombar, “I was lifted aboard by the team of the British vessel "Arakoka". From the navigator, tormented by despair, I learned that I was 850 miles east of what I thought. What to do? Fix the bug, that's all. The captain began to dissuade, convincing that life is a priceless gift. I replied that I was doing my job to save other lives. "Heretic" again took the Atlantic. Again loneliness, harsh sun during the day, dank cold at night, again fish and plankton, giving strength in doses, now only enough to somehow cope with the sail of a clumsy rubber boat.

The bomber felt as happy as ever before, and entered with a pencil into the damp, moldy logbook the prophetic words: “You, my brother in distress, if you believe and hope, you will see that your wealth will begin to increase day by day, on the island of Robinson Crusoe, and you will have no reason not to believe in salvation.

When the traveler finally saw the shore, it was Barbados island. And again a test - for the soul and will. The bombard was met by hungry fishermen, who were not at all surprised by the appearance of a half-dead man in a rubber boat, and began to beg Alain to give them emergency food supplies. What a test for a doctor! But Bombar, overcoming the natural impulse of the soul, resisted. He later recalled: “It was fortunate that they did not eat the emergency supply. And then how would I prove that in 65 days of swimming I did not touch it ?!

Dr. Alain Bombard proved that a person can do a lot if he really wants to and does not lose willpower, that he is able to survive in the most difficult conditions. Describing this unprecedented experiment on himself in the sensational book "Overboard of his own free will", which sold millions of copies, Alain Bombard saved tens of thousands of lives of those people who were alone with the hostile elements and were not afraid.

Returning from swimming, Alain Bombard organized in San Malo (France) marine research laboratory. Now he firmly knew that it was vital to study them. These studies are extremely important because they are aimed at developing optimal modes of survival in extreme conditions. Practical results announced themselves very soon. Those who followed the recommendations of Bombar and the staff of his scientific center survived even where it would seem impossible to survive.

The great traveler Alain Bombard died at an advanced age (80 years) in the southern French city of Toulon on July 19, 2005.

But history also knows those who are ready to sacrifice their lives in the raging waves of a troubled ocean for the benefit of humanity, for the sake of science. This was exactly what Alain Bombard was - a doctor, traveler, biologist and public figure. His circumnavigation in an inflatable rubber boat showed that a shipwrecked man can survive without food and water in the open ocean, and Bombar's will power, shown on the way to the goal, amazed the whole world.

French doctor's theories

Alain Bombard was born on October 27, 1924 in Paris. As a very young medical student, Alain often wondered why the statistics of shipwreck victims were so high. Already when he, having completed his studies and went to work in one of the coastal hospitals, he had a chance to face a terrible picture of a shipwreck: 43 bodies of the unfortunate who were victims of the water element were brought to the hospital. This was imprinted in the memory of Bombard for life, the young doctor was amazed why people die in the first days of a shipwreck, when there is an adequate supply of water and food.

Alain Bombard delved into the problem of mortality due to maritime disasters and he managed to establish a terrible pattern - people who, by the will of fate, fell into the open sea on a lifeboat, died of despair, of fear of inevitability. The doctor realized that the main reason for the numerous deaths was the lack of desire to fight for his life and the loss of faith in a possible salvation. After studying the problem, Bombar developed survival techniques for those who were shipwrecked.

Experiment Idea

V scientific world Alain Bombard's theories were skeptical, and in 1952 he had the idea to prove by his own example that a person can survive on an inflatable boat in the open ocean, eating raw fish and drinking salty sea water from time to time. Such a desire caused general disapproval, and the desperate French doctor was considered crazy, because such an experiment was a real suicide.

Alain Bombard believed in himself and knew that the human body has huge internal resources and, subject to certain rules, will be able to endure a long journey in difficult conditions. Filled with this faith, the young doctor begins preparations for round the world trip. He begins theoretical training: he examines the types of fish that can be found in the ocean and determines that the body of fish consists of 80% water, containing fats, salts and trace elements. Bombar admits that the juice squeezed out of fish can be used as a source of fresh water.

Alain Bombard planned to travel in the company of a companion. He advertised in the newspaper, and his proposal began to respond. But among the large number of applicants there was no suitable candidate: as a rule, madmen and suicides responded, people offering to eat them on time, and those who tried to send relatives they did not like on a dangerous journey. The satellite was nevertheless found, it was the yachtsman Jack Palmer, who made a test trip with Alain from about. Menorca, during which travelers ate raw fish they caught and drank the juice from it. But on the day of sailing, the unfortunate yachtsman was frightened by the hardships of circumnavigating the world and disappeared without a trace.

Dangerous journey

October 19, 1952, despite the birth of his daughter, Alain Bombard went to long haul. His boat, four and a half meters long, was named "Heretic", as a challenge to the society that did not believe in his success. Throughout the voyage, Bombard used only raw fish and caught birds for food, drank sea water and fish juice. Despite the fact that there was a supply of food and water on board the boat, the traveler did not touch it even in the most difficult moments of ordeals - Bombar was ready for anything to prove his theories.

The journey was difficult, as expected. The bomber has been on the verge of death more than once, but thanks to determination, a thirst for life and superhuman efforts, a newcomer to sea ​​voyages managed to do what many experienced yachtsmen feared - he crossed Earth, proved the correctness of his theories and remained alive despite all the dangers of the path. Alain Bombard scooped water out of the boat for several hours in a row, during storms, falling from fatigue, he did not give up and fought, dispersed and big fish, striving to damage the boat and did not accept any offer of passing ships to take him on board. The idea for the Frenchman was more important than comfort, plentiful food and.

The tragedy that overshadowed the triumph

Returning to France after 65 days of wandering through the expanses of water, Bombard became a celebrity: they reckoned with him, honored him and tried to inherit. Since that time, he has held honorary positions, takes part in scientific and community service, writes the best-selling book "Overboard at will".

In 1958, Alain takes part in the design of the raft, which was planned to equip all ships. But the test of the raft ended tragically: nine crew members and rescuers died, only Bombar managed to escape. This led to the fact that Alain's reputation was damaged, and it was he who was blamed by many for the tragedy.

Alain Bombard survived a severe depression, but despite this, since 1975 he began his political career. He held high positions in various French parties and state structures, and in 1981 became a member of the European Parliament. At the age of 80, the great traveler and public figure died in Toulon. His activities and life principles became an example for travelers-followers, and the motto "Be more stubborn than the sea, and you will win!" helped many people who were victims of difficult circumstances.

Description of the presentation on individual slides:

1 slide

Description of the slide:

2 slide

Description of the slide:

Recall what should be understood by the autonomous existence of a person in natural environment? What types of autonomy are there and how do they differ? What are the personal qualities of a person that are necessary for successful survival in the natural environment offline.

3 slide

Description of the slide:

Voluntary autonomy is an exit planned and prepared by a person or a group of people into natural conditions for a specific purpose. Goals can be different: leisure in nature, the study of human possibilities of independent stay in nature, sports achievements, etc. Voluntary autonomy

4 slide

Description of the slide:

The voluntary autonomy of a person in nature is always preceded by serious comprehensive training, taking into account the goal: studying the characteristics of the natural environment, selecting and preparing the necessary equipment and, most importantly, physical and psychological preparation to the challenges ahead. The main thing is preparation!

5 slide

Description of the slide:

The most accessible and widespread type of voluntary autonomy is active tourism. Active tourism

6 slide

Description of the slide:

Active tourism is characterized by the fact that tourists move along the route due to their own physical efforts and carry all their cargo with them, including food and equipment. The main goal of active tourism is active recreation in natural conditions, restoration and promotion of health. Tourism

7 slide

Description of the slide:

Tourist routes of hiking, mountain, water and ski trips are divided into six categories of difficulty, which differ from each other in duration, length and their technical complexity. This provides ample opportunities for people with different backgrounds to participate in the campaigns. So, for example, a walking route of the first category of complexity is characterized by the following indicators: the duration of the hike is at least 6 days, the length of the route is 130 km. The pedestrian route of the sixth category of complexity lasts at least 20 days, and its length is at least 300 km. Categories of difficulty

8 slide

Description of the slide:

Voluntary autonomous existence in natural conditions may have other, more complex goals: cognitive, research and sports. Define your goals

9 slide

Description of the slide:

In October 1911, two expeditions rushed to the South Pole almost simultaneously - a Norwegian and a British one. The purpose of the expeditions is to reach for the first time South Pole. Notable travels Amundsen route (Norway) Scott route (England)

10 slide

Description of the slide:

The Norwegian expedition was led by Roald Amundsen, a polar traveler and explorer. Roald Amundsen Roald Amundsen organized the expedition with exceptional skill and chose the route to the South Pole. The correct calculation allowed Amundsen's detachment to avoid severe frosts and prolonged snowstorms on their way. The trip was completed in a short time, in accordance with the timetable determined by Amundsen, within the Antarctic summer.

11 slide

Description of the slide:

On October 19, 1911, five people, led by Amundsen, set off for the South Pole on four dog sledding. On December 14, the expedition reached the South Pole, having traveled 1,500 km, and hoisted the flag of Norway. The entire hike over a distance of 3000 km under extreme conditions (ascent and descent to a plateau 3000 m high at a constant temperature above -40 ° and strong winds) took 99 days. At the South Pole Conquering the Pole

12 slide

Description of the slide:

The British expedition was led by Robert Scott - Marine officer, captain of the first rank, who had experience as a winter leader on the Arctic coast. Robert Scott From the very beginning of Scott's expedition, many difficulties had to be endured, partly due to the mistakes of the leader, partly due to a combination of circumstances. The snowmobiles broke down, and the Manchurian ponies, which Scott preferred to dogs, had to be shot: they could not withstand the cold and overload. People dragged heavy sleds through crevices in the ice glaciers.

13 slide

Description of the slide:

Robert Scott's expedition reached the South Pole more than a month later - January 17, 1912. The route to the pole chosen by Robert Scott was longer than that of the Norwegian expedition, and weather route is more difficult. On the way to the Pole and back, the detachment had to experience -40-degree frosts and get into a protracted blizzard. The main group of Robert Scott, which reached the South Pole, consisted of five people. All of them died on the way back during a snowstorm, about 20 km before reaching the auxiliary warehouse. victory and tragedy

14 slide

Description of the slide:

So the victory of some and the tragic death of others immortalized the conquest of the South Pole by man. The perseverance and courage of people moving towards the intended goal will forever remain an example to follow. In memory of Scott and his comrades in Antarctica, there is a cross on one of the peaks of Cape Hut. On it is written a line from the poems of the famous English poet Tennyson: “Fight and seek, find and not give up” Fight and seek, find and not give up

15 slide

Description of the slide:

Alain Bombard, being a medical practitioner at the Maritime Hospital, was shocked by the fact that tens of thousands of people die at sea every year. At the same time, a significant part of them died not from drowning, cold or hunger, but from fear, from the fact that they believed in the inevitability of their death. Alain Bombard “Victims of the legendary shipwrecks who died prematurely, I know: it was not the sea that killed you, it was not hunger that killed you, it was not thirst that killed you! Swinging on the waves to the plaintive cries of seagulls, you died of fear.

16 slide

Description of the slide:

Alain Bombard was sure that there was a lot of food in the sea and you just need to be able to get it. He reasoned as follows: all life-saving equipment on ships (boats, rafts) have a set of fishing lines and other tools for fishing. Fish contains almost everything that the human body needs, even fresh water. Drinkable water can be obtained from raw fresh fish by chewing it or simply squeezing out the lymphatic fluid from it. Sea water, consumed in small quantities, can help a person save the body from dehydration. You can survive

17 slide

Description of the slide:

To prove the correctness of his conclusions, he alone, on an inflatable boat equipped with a sail, spent Atlantic Ocean 60 days (August 24 to October 23, 1952), living only on what he mined at sea. On an inflatable boat

18 slide

Description of the slide:

It was the complete voluntary autonomy of man in the ocean, carried out for research purposes. Alain Bombard proved by his example that a person can survive in the sea, using what it can give, that a person can endure a lot if he does not lose willpower, that he must fight for his life to the last opportunity. Don't lose will power