Drifting in South China Sea for 80 hours, Singapore diving enthusiast stayed sane by talking to his watch and life buoy

Mr Low recovering in hospital last month (left) and after he was discharged, taking a picture with his rescuers from the Republic of Singapore Air Force's search-and-rescue team. PHOTOS: JOHN LOW/FACEBOOK
SPH Brightcove Video
After his boat sank, diving enthusiast John Low drifted in the South China Sea without food and water for three days before he was rescued. He told The Straits Times about his harrowing ordeal.
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SINGAPORE - Forty hours after Singaporean John Low's boat sank and he found himself drifting aimlessly on a ring buoy from Malaysian waters to the South China Sea, he decided to strip himself of his clothes.

The T-shirt, shorts and underwear he had on were rubbing against his badly sunburnt skin and it got so painful he couldn't bear it anymore. He stripped.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.