A fit and healthy person can survive for up to two weeks in the Australian bush, say survival experts.

Water and access to shelter are more important than food, which becomes critical after more than three weeks.

Dr Paul Luckin, an Australian doctor who advises rescue teams, said today: "If Mr Neale was able to find water, his chances of survival would be fairly good. How long you can survive without water depends on how hot it is, the humidity, the winds and how much exercise you have been doing.''

Using vegetation to make a shelter or finding a cave is also important, he said. Aboriginal hunters survive by eating berries, roots and other edible plants, such as Warrigal greens - possibly the plant eaten by Mr Neal - which is similar to spinach.

While all travellers are told to carry sufficient water, they are also urged to familiarise themselves with methods of creating moisture, such as putting a plastic bag over a tree or bush.

The outback also has saltwater crocodiles, which grab prey from the bank, feral pigs, which can attack humans, and many poisonous snakes.

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