Survival cannibalism refers to the act of consuming human flesh in extreme situations where individuals are faced with life-threatening circumstances, such as being stranded without food. This practice is often driven by desperation, as people may resort to it when all other food sources are exhausted. Historically, survival cannibalism has been documented in various incidents, including the Donner Party in the 1840s and the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in 1972. In these cases, survivors made the harrowing decision to consume deceased companions to stay alive, highlighting the moral and ethical dilemmas faced in dire situations.