Hacking the Wild (2017–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - The Black Bayou - full transcript

Andy: THE ENDLESS SWAMPS
OF LOUISIANA...

LOOK HOW DEEP THIS IS.

OH, IT'S FREAKING ME OUT.

ARE SOME OF THE DEADLIEST
IN THE WORLD.

I'M ALREADY SEEING
YOUR SKELETON,

BIRDS PECKING
YOUR EYES OUT.

ANY TECH I BUILD HERE

WILL HAVE TO OVERCOME
A CHEMICAL BATH

OF PUTRID WATER
AND A THOUSAND MILES OF MUD.

I'LL HAVE TO RELY ON SOME
OF THE STRANGEST HACKS

I'VE EVER ATTEMPTED.



[ LAUGHS ]

IF MY TECH CAN'T
SURVIVE HERE...

WHAT IS THIS?

NEITHER CAN I.

SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES HAVEN'T
CHANGED IN THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

FOOD, WATER, SHELTER...

WE STILL USE THE SAME TECHNIQUES
AS CAVEMEN.

IT'S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE.

THERE WE GO.

THE SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY
THAT MOST OF US USE EVERY DAY

CAN TRANSFORM SURVIVAL
IN RADICAL WAYS.

LET'S BUILD A FIRE.

THIS IS MY MISSION,

AND I'M GOING TO
STAKE MY LIFE ON IT.



ARMED WITH EVERYDAY TECHNOLOGY
AND SIMPLE SCIENCE,

I'LL TAKE ON SOME OF THE MOST
DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH

WHOA.
AS I HACK MY WAY BACK

TO CIVILIZATION.

THIS IS "HACKING THE WILD."

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

THE SOUTHERN SWAMPS OF LOUISIANA

ARE THE LARGEST WETLANDS
IN THE U.S.

GIANT REPTILES RULE
THIS MUDDY LANDSCAPE.

FOUL-SMELLING WATER
HIDES A BOGGY,

INESCAPABLE MUD TRAP.

RECENTLY, A LOCAL HUNTER'S
BOAT SANK OUT HERE

AND HE BECAME
LOST FOR FOUR DAYS.

AND NOW, I'M HEADING
TO THE SAME PLACE.

MY GOAL IS TO ESCAPE A SWAMP
THE SIZE OF CHICAGO

TO A POPULATED AREA
ON HIGHER GROUND.

I'LL USE TECHNOLOGY
AS MY TOOL.

IF I CAN DO THIS
WITHIN FOUR DAYS,

THE AMOUNT OF TIME
THE HUNTER WAS LOST,

I'LL HAVE DONE MORE
THAN JUST SURVIVE.

I'LL HAVE ACHIEVED
A WHOLE NEW WAY TO DO IT.

IF I WANT TO
UNDERSTAND THE SWAMP,

THERE'S ONE MAN I NEED TO MEET.

LOCAL SURVIVAL EXPERT
BYRON KERNS

HAS TRAINED MEMBERS
OF SEAL TEAM SIX HERE

AND KNOWS BETTER THAN ANYBODY

THE DANGERS AND DEADLY ANIMALS
THAT AWAIT ME.

HEY, BYRON, IS THAT YOU?
OH, ANDY.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE OFF
YOUR PACK A MINUTE?

I WANT TO
TAKE YOU OVER HERE.

Andy: ALL RIGHT.

Byron: THE SWAMP ITSELF,
IT LOOKS VERY NICE.

IT AIN'T AS PRETTY
AS IT LOOKS OUT THERE

WHEN IT COMES TO SOME CRITTERS
THAT LIVE OUT THERE.

BE THINKING,
"DEEPER WATER, BIGGER GATORS."

NOW, WHEN THE ALLIGATOR LIFTS
THAT HEAD OUT OF THE WATER,

HE'S GETTING SERIOUS
ABOUT SOMETHING.

OKAY.
AND THIS SNAKE OUT HERE

IS THE WATER MOCCASIN,

OR WHAT THEY CALL
THE COTTONMOUTH.

DO YOU KNOW
WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE?

NOT REALLY.
JUST WATER SNAKE?

WHEN IT GETS DEFENSIVE,

IT WILL OPEN ITS MOUTH
AND IT'LL BE VERY WHITE.

OKAY.
AND THAT'S HOW YOU CAN IDENTIFY.

NOW, UP HERE, WE HAVE
WHAT WE CALL A HAMMOCK.

OKAY.
THAT'S WHAT WE CALL

HIGH GROUND IN THE SWAMP.

OH, THAT'S JUST LIKE
THE PARTS THAT ARE KIND OF DRY.

LET ME SEE YOUR SHOES.
YEAH.

THESE ARE WHAT
YOU'RE WEARING?

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU ABOUT
THREE HOURS OUT THERE BEFORE

SOMETHING'S GOING TO SUCK THEM
THINGS RIGHT OFF OF YOUR FEET.

UH-HUH.
LOOK HERE.

SEE IF THAT FOOT GOES IN.

PRETTY THICK.
YOU COULD STEP IN A HOLE

AND THIS LEG JUST GO,
WOOMPH.

IF YOU CAN'T GET
YOUR FOOT OUT,

I'M ALREADY SEEING
YOUR SKELETON,

BIRDS PECKING
YOUR EYES OUT.

YOU'VE GOT TO GET
YOUR FOOT OUT.

I WANT YOU TO THINK
OF HAVING A STAFF.

YOU CAN TAKE AND CREATE
AN AIR POCKET.

OH.
YOU UNDERSTAND THAT STUFF.

YEAH, YEAH.
YOU SHOVE IT DOWN IN THERE,

CREATE THAT AIR POCKET,
AND YOU GET YOUR THAT FOOT OUT.

RELIEVE THAT SUCTION. COOL.
ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S AS VALUABLE AS
ANYTHING IN YOUR PACK.

THERE WE GO.
ALL RIGHT, GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB.
MY SWAMP STAFF.

Byron: NOW, I REALLY,
REALLY WANT TO KNOW

WHAT YOU'RE
GOING OUT THERE WITH.

YEAH.
YOU WANT TO SEE MY GEAR?

I'D BE GLAD TO.
OKAY.

EVERYTHING I'M
GOING TO SURVIVE WITH,

I CARRY IN MY BACKPACK.

INSIDE I HAVE SOME
EVERYDAY ELECTRONICS...

A CELL PHONE, A LAPTOP,
AND AN AM/FM RADIO.

THEN I HAVE MY STANDARD
ELECTRONICS KIT

THAT INCLUDES
A SOLDERING IRON,

SENSORS, A HAND DRILL,

A U.V. L.E.D. LIGHT,
AND A COMPASS MODULE.

I'M ALSO EQUIPPED
WITH SOME THINGS

THAT ANYONE MIGHT BRING
INTO THE SWAMP...

A SHOVEL, SOME TALL BOOTS,
AND A FIRST AID KIT.

WHY DO YOU HAVE
A LAPTOP WITH YOU?

THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD PARTS
INSIDE HERE IN CASE,

YOU KNOW, I NEED TO HARVEST
SOMETHING THAT SPINS OR MOVES.

WHOA, WHOA.
MOTORS THAT CAN SHAKE THINGS.

WHAT'S THAT THING?

THIS IS A LITTLE GIZMO
I GOT MADE UP FOR YA.

THIS IS GOING TO
HELP YOU TRACK ME.

I'M GIVING BYRON
A GPS TRACKING DEVICE

TO WATCH MY EVERY MOVE.

IF THINGS DO TAKE
A TURN FOR THE WORSE,

AT LEAST HE'LL KNOW
WHERE TO FIND ME.

I HAVE THIS
TO TRACK YOU.

YEAH. WHAT DO YOU
HAVE TO NAVIGATE WITH?

THAT'S STILL
TO BE DETERMINED.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.

ONE OF THE GREATEST DANGERS
OUT HERE IN THE SWAMP

IS LOSING YOUR SENSE
OF DIRECTION OUT HERE.

EVERYTHING LOOKS THE SAME.

YOU GOING TO BE OKAY
WITH THIS OUT HERE?

I THINK SO.
I LIKE YOUR ATTITUDE.

DRY LAND'S IN SHORT SUPPLY
AROUND HERE.

JEEZ. THERE'S A COTTONMOUTH
RIGHT THERE.

IT'S GOT ITS HEAD UP.

IT'S LOOKING AT ME.

I DIDN'T THINK I WAS
GOING TO SEE 'EM THIS QUICK.

IT LOOKS JUST LIKE
A LITTLE COIL OF POO.

A BITE FROM A COTTONMOUTH
IS RARELY DEADLY,

BUT I COULD FACE
INTERNAL BLEEDING AND,

WITHOUT FAST TREATMENT,
LOSE MY FOOT.

OH [BLEEP]

I'VE BEEN GOING FOR
LIKE FIVE MINUTES

AND THIS IS ALREADY
THE SECOND SNAKE I'VE SEEN.

THIS TELLS ME TWO THINGS...

ONE, THIS HAMMOCK IS PROBABLY
A BREEDING GROUND FOR SNAKES.

AND TWO, I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE
TONIGHT'S CAMP HERE.

I CAN'T WASTE TIME
WANDERING AROUND AIMLESSLY,

SO I NEED A PLAN.

SWAMPS ARE TYPICALLY
FED EITHER BY

A LARGE RIVER SYSTEM
OR BY THE OCEAN.

BOTH OF THESE OFFER
MY BEST CHANCE

OF FINDING CIVILIZATION
OR A PASSING BOAT

AND GETTING OUT OF HERE.

IF I CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE
THIS WATER'S COMING FROM,

I'LL KNOW ROUGHLY WHAT DIRECTION
I NEED TO TRAVEL.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING
AT THE WATER A LOT,

AND GENERALLY,
IT'S COMPLETELY STILL,

BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN
I'LL NOTICE THE LEAVES

FLOATING ON TOP.

I CAN SEE THE LEAVES
SORT OF MOVING,

BUT THEY'RE MOVING
WAY TOO SLOWLY FOR ME

TO HAVE A REALLY ACCURATE IDEA

OF WHERE THIS WATER'S
COMING FROM.

THE MOST BASIC IDEA
I HAVE RIGHT NOW,

JUST SETTING UP
A QUICK TIME-LAPSE

WITH THIS LITTLE PHONE.

I'M TRYING TO USE IT
AS A FLOW METER,

SO IT CAN LET ME KNOW

IF THE LEAVES
ARE GOING THAT WAY

OR THAT WAY OVER TIME,

WHICH WAY THIS WATER'S
ACTUALLY FLOWING OUT THERE.

I MEAN, THAT'LL LEAD
TO BIGGER BODIES OF WATER,

HOPEFULLY TO THE OCEAN,
WHERE I CAN FIND A WAY OUT.

AND I'M GOING TO CHECK
BACK IN ON IT LATER.

OKAY, IT LOOKS LIKE THE WATER'S
BEEN STEADILY RISING,

AND SINCE IT WAS
FLOWING THAT WAY,

I KNOW THAT THE OCEAN'S PROBABLY
THAT DIRECTION SOMEWHERE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE THIS IS JUST A HUGE MAZE
OF THESE LITTLE RIVERS

AND THESE MUD HAMMOCKS
EVERYWHERE.

IT ONLY ELIMINATES, YOU KNOW,
HALF THE WORLD FOR ME.

BUT STILL, YOU KNOW,
THE OCEAN'S PROBABLY

NOT THAT WAY,
IT'S PROBABLY THAT WAY,

BUT IT COULD BE
THAT WAY OR THAT WAY.

BETTER THAN NOTHING.

I WANTED TO SET MY CAMP
UP EARLY ENOUGH

SO I WASN'T STEPPING
ON SNAKES IN THE DARK,

BUT TRYING TO FIND
A SNAKE-FREE AREA

MADE ME SEARCH TOO LONG,
AND NOW I'M PAYING THE PRICE

BY HAVING TO BUILD MY BED
AND FIRE BY WORK LIGHT.

EVERYTHING'S SO WET OUT HERE.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT
GETTING A FIRE GOING.

ALL THE WOOD
I CAN FIND IS DAMP.

A SIMPLE FLAME LIKE
A MATCH MIGHT PROVIDE

WOULDN'T BURN LONG ENOUGH
OR HOT ENOUGH TO START A FIRE.

SO I'M GOING TO LEAN
ON A CHEMICAL REACTION

BETWEEN TWO ITEMS
FROM MY FIRST AID KID.

A-HA.

I BROUGHT
POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE,

AN ANTI-FUNGAL TREATMENT
FOR FEET,

PERFECT FOR
A SWAMPY ENVIRONMENT.

I'M ALSO GOING TO USE
A GLYCERIN PACK.

I'M WARMING UP THIS
IN MY HAND.

IT'S STARTING TO MELT.

IT SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 10 SECONDS

FOR THE FIRE
TO START MIXING UP.

THAT'S USUALLY
WITH LIQUID GLYCERIN.

OH, THERE.

YOU CAN SEE IT
STARTING TO FIZZLE.

SEE SOME EARLY SMOKE.

I'M GOING TO GET
MY KINDLING.

THERE WE GO.

NICE.

BEAUTIFUL.

THIS FIRE PROVIDES
SOME SECURITY,

BUT THIS SWAMP HAS
HAD ME ON EDGE ALL DAY,

AND WITH NIGHTFALL,

THAT FEELING HAS GOTTEN
A LOT WORSE.

THE FEAR OF FALLING ASLEEP
AND SOMETHING ATTACKING

IS AT THE FOREFRONT
OF MY MIND.

IT'S GOING TO BE
A LONG NIGHT.

I'M SUPER WORRIED ABOUT THESE
THINGS THAT ARE EVERYWHERE.

THERE'S GATORS,
THERE'S SNAKES.

SO I'M GOING TO TRY TO WHIP
TOGETHER SOME BASIC TRIP LINE.

I WAS THINKING, YOU KNOW,
I GOT THIS LITTLE RADIO.

I CAN HOOK UP THIS LINE
INSIDE THE DIAL,

AND SO IF SOMETHING,
YOU KNOW,

IF SOME GATOR'S COMING TO GET ME
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,

IT JUST BLASTS
THIS STATIC AT ME.

[ STATIC NOISE ]

GETTING SLEEP TONIGHT
WILL BE TOUGH.

BEING THIS LOW TO THE GROUND
IN A NOISY SWAMP

CRAWLING WITH
ALL MANNER OF PREDATORS,

I'M COMPLETELY ON EDGE.

WHAT KIND OF SLEEP
I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET?

[ ANIMAL CALLS ]

[ SIGHS ]

THERE'S JUST WAY
TOO MANY THINGS HERE.

THIS PLACE IS LIKE
A HORROR FILM.

[ ANIMAL CALLS ]

I'LL NEVER GET ANY SLEEP.

OH, THAT WAS
A NIGHT OUT HERE.

I WAS HOPING TO GET SOMEWHAT DRY
HANGING OUT NEAR THIS FIRE,

BUT I'M STILL JUST SUPER DAMP.

GOTTA CHECK INSIDE THE BOOTS,

MAKE SURE NOTHING
CREEPY-CRAWLY CLIMBED UP THERE.

I'VE GOTTA BUILD A MUCH
BETTER SHELTER TONIGHT.

I MIGHT JUST FIGURE OUT
WHERE MY NEXT CAMP IS.

THAT'S ONE OF MY FIRST
PRIORITIES TODAY.

MY PLAN'S SIMPLE.

I'M LEAVING THIS CAMP AND
FOLLOWING THE TIDES OUT OF HERE.

BUT I HAVE TO LEAVE
MYSELF ENOUGH TIME

TO BUILD A BETTER,
SAFER CAMP TONIGHT.

WE'RE ALL USED TO SLEEPING
IN A NICE BED AT NIGHT.

I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT HE BUILT
FOR A SHELTER.

SLEEP DEPRIVATION'S
GOING TO MAKE HIM

EVEN TIREDER THE SECOND DAY.

THERE'S TOO MANY THINGS
TO DO OUT THERE

SURVIVING IN THE SWAMP.

FIRE-MAKING, SHELTER-BUILDING,
WATER PROCUREMENT.

I'M REALLY CONCERNED
ABOUT THAT.

WOW, MY THROAT'S REALLY DRY.

I NEED A WAY TO FINALLY
GET SOME WATER IN ME.

I'M SURROUNDED BY WATER
THAT'S RIDDLED WITH BACTERIA,

SO I'M GOING TO MAKE
A WATER DISTILLERY.

THE CONCEPT IS TO BOIL
THE UNDRINKABLE WATER

AND CONDENSE THE STEAM,

COLLECTING IT INTO DRINKABLE,
PURIFIED WATER.

THE METAL CASE OF MY LAPTOP

SHOULD MAKE A GREAT
COOKING SKILLET.

I'LL PUT THAT OVER A FIRE THAT
CAN HOLD MY VESSEL FOR BOILING.

I NEED TO FIND A FEW CLEAN
SHELLS THAT CAN HOLD WATER.

THAT ONE'S DECENTLY CLEAN.

ONCE THEY'RE FILLED UP,

I CAN PUT 'EM ON TO
THE LAPTOP CASE AND BOIL THEM.

I CAN TELL IT CAN
HOLD WATER IN IT,

SO THAT'S COOL.

JUST NEED TO FIND A COUPLE MORE.

OH...

THAT ONE'S GOT A DEAD SNAIL
INSIDE OF IT.

UGH.

I THINK THAT'S EVEN
TOO PUTRID TO BOIL.

YEAH.

HECK YEAH.

USE A LITTLE BIT
OF MUD PASTE.

GLUE 'EM IN.

THERE WE GO.

I CAN GET ALL THESE
CLOSE TO EACH OTHER.

OKAY, SO THAT LOOKS GOOD.

IF I CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY
TO CATCH THE STEAM

THAT MIGHT BE COMING OFF...

I WAS TRYING TO USE
MAYBE THIS FOIL.

I DON'T KNOW HOW
I'M GOING TO ATTACH IT

OR HOW IT'S REALLY EVEN
GOING TO COLLECT THERE.

NOW WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT...

AND NOW MY TRAY
IS KIND OF GIVING IN,

EVEN THOUGH IT'S METAL,

AND NOW I JUST LOST
A SHELL THERE.

I'M WORRIED I'M NOT
GOING TO BE ABLE

TO GET ANY DECENT WATER
OUT OF THIS.

I NEED WATER I CAN TRUST.

WITH NO WATER TO DRINK,
MY BODY'S FINDING IT HARD

TO DO ANYTHING,
LET ALONE WALK.

OH.

EVERYTHING IS DIFFICULT.

IF I CAN FIND
JUST SOME FOOD...

SOME MORE OF THESE LOGS.

AH, THERE WE GO.

WE'VE GOT THIS LITTLE GUY
THAT'S JUST BEEN SITTING

NEXT TO ME
THROUGH THE WHOLE CAMP.

HE'S PROBABLY BEEN
SITTING OUT HERE EARLIER.

SORRY, BUDDY.

I'M KIND OF DISAPPOINTED
I COULDN'T GET THIS WATER GOING.

THERE'S STILL SO MUCH
MUCK AND GRIME.

I COULDN'T REALLY GET IT
BOILING OR COLLECT ANY TO DRINK,

BUT I MANAGED TO CATCH
SOMETHING TO EAT,

AND I GOT MY FIRE GOING,
SO MY POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

IS STARTING TO GO UP
A LITTLE BIT.

START PACKING UP.
THIS WILL BE MY TRAVELING SNACK.

I WASN'T ABLE
TO MAKE DRINKABLE WATER,

BUT AT LEAST
I'LL GET SOME PROTEIN

AND A LITTLE BIT OF LIQUID
FROM THIS CRAYFISH.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT DONE.

GOING TO TRY TO GET
SOME OF THAT MEAT BACK THERE.

BEING VEGETARIAN CAN MAKE
SURVIVING DIFFICULT.

TRY NOT TO GET MY FILTHY HANDS
ALL OVER THE MEAT.

STILL PRETTY CLEAN
ON THE INSIDE.

IN ONLY MAKE EXCEPTIONS
WITH ARTHROPODS,

AND THEN,
ONLY WHEN NECESSARY.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

THAT'S SOME GOOD
FIRST MEAL HERE.

OKAY. LET'S GET ROLLING.

ALL RIGHT.

NOT GOING OVER THERE.

I'M GETTING SICK OF ALL THIS
JUST AIMLESS WALKING AROUND.

I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING
IN CIRCLES.

EVERYTHING LOOKS THE SAME.

I NEED TO FIGURE OUT
A DIRECTION, A WAY TO GO,

SO ONE THING I WAS THINKING,

I TOOK THIS LITTLE BIT
OF ALUMINUM FOIL

FROM THE, UM,
LAPTOP BACK, AND...

I'VE GOT THIS RADIO, RIGHT?

SO THE RADIO ISN'T
GETTING ANYTHING OUT HERE.

WHAT I'M THINKING IS IT
SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK OUT...

YOU KNOW, IT'S PICKING UP
SOME STATIC.

A LOT OF THAT STATIC'S
COMING FROM, YOU KNOW,

SOME KIND OF GROUPS
OF RADIO TOWERS

AND STUFF FAR AWAY.

IF I CAN USE THIS AS KIND OF,
YOU KNOW, MAKE IT DIRECTIONAL.

IT BLOCKS THE RADIO WAVES
COMING FROM AROUND THE SIDE,

AND WHENEVER I POINT IT,
IT SHOULD, YOU KNOW...

IT'S STILL PROBABLY
GOING TO BE STATIC,

BUT MAYBE IT'LL BE LOUDER
IN SOME PARTS.

I WAS HOPING I'D BE ABLE
TO POINT IT THERE

AND IT'D BE LIKE, BWAMP!

AND OVER HERE,
IT'D BE LIKE, HUMM.

AND SO THEN I WOULD KNOW,
YOU KNOW,

MAYBE THERE'S A CITY OVER THERE,

SOMETHING WITH RADIO TOWERS,
RADIO WAVES, SOMETHING, RIGHT?

[ STATIC NOISE ]

I MEAN, LIKE, THIS ALUMINUM
FOIL SHOULD WORK,

SO I DON'T GET WHAT
THE PROBLEM IS,

AND I CAN'T BE THAT FAR AWAY

THAT I'M JUST GETTING
NO RADIO SIGNALS WHATSOEVER.

IT'S BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN
INTO THE WATER YET.

STILL HAVING NO RELIABLE
SENSE OF DIRECTION,

I'M GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THE LOW TIDE

AND HOP BETWEEN THESE
SMALL BITS OF LAND.

I'M WORRIED THE SHALLOW WATER
WILL FORCE THE ALLIGATORS

TO COLLECT IN
THE REMAINING POOLS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

THERE GO THE BOOTS.

WIZARD STAFF.

[ GRUNTING ]

THIS ISN'T LAND AT ALL.

THIS IS JUST... THICK
BROWN PUDDING.

[ GRUNTS ]

CAN'T BARELY USE
MY WIZARD STAFF ANYMORE.

[ GRUNTS ]

THAT'S NOT DOING ANYTHING.

OKAY.

OH...

OKAY,
I'M PRETTY STUCK HERE,

AND THIS IS A VERY BAD
POSITION TO BE IN.

THAT'S FREAKING ME OUT
A LITTLE BIT.

I'VE SEEN THIS WATER
COME UP AND GO DOWN ALREADY.

I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE BACK
HERE WHEN IT'S COMING UP.

[ ANDY GRUNTS ]

MAKING PROGRESS WITH ONE LEG,

BUT IT JUST GOES
RIGHT BACK DOWN.

LET ME TRY TO SEE IF
I CAN SLIDE THIS DOWN.

THAT GOES IN ALONGSIDE MY BODY.

IT CAN PUSH SOME AIR
INTO THAT VACUUM

AND THEN HOPEFULLY
GET MY LEG BACK OUT.

MY CONSTANT MOVING IS PUSHING ME
DEEPER DOWN INTO THE MUCK.

[ GROANING ]

I NEED A WAY TO TRANSFER
WEIGHT OFF MY FEET.

IT'S WORKING A LITTLE BIT.

I MOVE SO SLOW.
GOT TO MAKE SURE NOT TO PANIC.

OKAY.

IT'S LATE INTO MY SECOND DAY

AND I HAVE TO STOP
AND MAKE A PROPER SHELTER.

I'VE GOT TO GET SOME REST.

I'VE NEVER BEEN SO GLAD
TO END UP

EXACTLY BACK WHERE I WAS.

Byron: ANDY'S BEEN IN THE SWAMP
TWO DAYS.

HE'S TOTALLY WET.

THE CHAFING OF THE MATERIAL
OF HIS CLOTHING ON HIS SKIN

COULD HAMPER
HIS TRAVEL PROGRESS.

ANDY HAS NO IDEA THE EFFORT
IT'S GOING TO TAKE

TO COMPLETELY
DRY HIS CLOTHES.

IS HE GOING TO BE NUDE?

IS HE GOING TO
HAVE CLOTHING ON

AND DRY IT WHILE
IT'S ON HIS BODY?

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE LIKE HOME

WHERE YOU THROW YOUR CLOTHES
IN A DRYER.

Andy:
FIGHTING THE MUD IS EXHAUSTING.

THE SMARTEST THING
FOR ME TO DO NOW

IS TO PUT MY JOURNEY ON HOLD

AND TAKE CARE OF MYSELF
BEFORE SETTING OUT AGAIN.

I'VE GOT A REAL NEW APPRECIATION
FOR HIGH GROUND HERE.

SO MUCH NICER TO HAVE GROUND
THAT DOESN'T SUCK ME INTO IT.

THAT MUD'S INSANE.

WHILE I STILL HAVE LIGHT,

I NEED TO FIND
ENOUGH LIMBS OR TRUNKS

TO BUILD AN ELEVATED SHELTER.

I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THESE
GROSS CLOTHES.

UGH, THIS IS SO NASTY.

TRYING TO CONCENTRATE ON
ANYTHING WHILE I'M SOAKING WET

AND COVERED IN MUD
IS IMPOSSIBLE.

PLUS, I RISK SORES AND INFECTION
BY KEEPING THEM ON.

IF I CAN GET THESE
SOMEWHAT CLEAN AND DRY,

I CAN START TOMORROW
ONE STEP AHEAD.

ONE END OVER THERE.

BUILDING THIS FRAME
IS REALLY ZAPPING MY ENERGY.

I HAVE TO FIND A WAY
TO GET SOME FOOD.

I'VE BEEN SEEING LOTS OF
INSECTS CRAWLING ALL OVER HERE.

I PULLED THESE SCREENS
OUT OF THE BACKING

OF THE LAPTOP SCREEN.

I'M TRYING TO MAKE
JUST A SIMPLE BUG CATCHER.

A LOT OF INSECTS
AREN'T THAT BRIGHT,

AND IF THEY HOP OR FLY
INTO SOMETHING

THAT'S KIND OF CONE-SHAPED,

THEY CAN'T FIND THAT
SMALL OPENING AND HOP BACK OUT.

SO THE ONLY GLOWING PART

IS COMING FROM THE FRONT,

WHICH IS THE GATEWAY
TO DOOM.

OH, YEAH.

THE BUG CATCHER WILL HAVE TO
WORK THROUGH THE NIGHT.

MY GOAL NOW IS TO CREATE
A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP

AND FIND A WAY
TO DRY THESE CLOTHES.

IN A PLACE THIS DAMP,

MY CLOTHES WILL NEVER GET DRY
WITHOUT SOME HELP.

I'M HOPING TO HACK
THIS SIMPLE HAND DRILL

TO WORK AS A CLOTHES DRYER.

SO JUST THIS TINY LITTLE DRILL

WHICH I'M HOPING I CAN HOOK UP
SOME OF MY CLOTHES REALLY FAR,

HAVE 'EM SLOWLY BE ABLE
TO GO OVER THE FIRE ALL NIGHT

WHILE I'M JUST TRYING
TO GET SOME SLEEP.

I'LL CENTER MOUNT A RIGID STICK

TO ACT AS
MY SPINNING CLOTHESLINE.

WHUP! YEAH.

TIME TO BUILD A FIRE.

[ LAUGHS ]

YES.

I HOPE I HAVE
ENOUGH BATTERY POWER

TO RUN THIS RIG LONG ENOUGH
TO DRY MY CLOTHES.

THIS IS KIND OF AWESOME.

EVERYTHING'S BALANCED.

THIS RULES.

THIS IS PROBABLY ONE
OF THE FIRST TIMES

I'VE BEEN UP HERE
I CAN ACTUALLY RELAX A BIT.

I'M EXHAUSTED
AND GETTING WEAK.

I'M REALLY COUNTING
ON MY BUG TRAP

TO PROVIDE SOME ENERGY.

MORE IMPORTANTLY,
I HAVE TO FIND A RELIABLE WAY

TO NAVIGATE
THIS ENDLESS SWAMP.

Andy: CHOOSING THIS HIGHER
GROUND WAS A GOOD DECISION.

I'M DRY, BUT I'M STILL IN
THE MIDDLE OF THE SWAMP.

I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE.

I NEED TO FIND
A RELIABLE DIRECTION TO TARGET

BEFORE I PLOW BACK INTO
THIS BOGGY LANDSCAPE.

Byron: THE AREA OUT HERE,
THE WATER IS GOING TO BE

WHAT I CALL A DIRTY WATER,
FULL OF SEDIMENT.

DISINFECTING IT
AND STAYING HYDRATED OUT HERE

IS ANOTHER TASK HE'S GOING TO
HAVE AHEAD OF HIM.

HE'S FULL OF CHORES OUT HERE
WHETHER HE KNOWS IT OR NOT.

YEAH, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT
WHAT HE'S GOING TO EAT OUT HERE.

WILL HE GET
THE PROTEIN HE NEEDS?

Andy: IF I'M GOING BACK
INTO THE SWAMP, I NEED PROTEIN.

I HOPE MY BUG CATCHER WORKED.

OH, YEAH.

OH, IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD.

HERE'S A REALLY BIG ONE.

LOOKS LIKE I GOT
A BUNCH OF CRICKETS,

GOT SOME BEETLES.

I'M GOING TO NEED SOMETHING
TO HYDRATE ME, THOUGH,

SOME KIND OF LIQUID
TO GO WITH THESE.

FORAGING ALONG THESE WATERS,
I FOUND SOME CATTAILS.

THEY'RE PACKED
WITH VITAMINS A,

B, AND C, POTASSIUM,
PHOSPHORUS, AND WATER,

WHICH ALONG WITH BUGS ARE WHAT
MY BODY NEEDS RIGHT NOW.

INSECTS HAVE
A DIFFERENT PROTEIN.

MAKES 'EM ALL CRUNCHY
IN THEIR MEAT.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO RENDER 'EM
INTO A BIT MORE OF A PASTE.

BUT TO HELP THIS GO DOWN A BIT,

CATTAILS HAVE TUBERS
ON THE BOTTOM.

THEY'RE LIKE THE HARDEST
POTATO YOU'LL EVER EAT.

I'M GOING TO TRY
TO ROAST 'EM FIRST.

SO I'M HOPING...

THIS ROASTED PART'S
JUICY FOR ME.

AH.

NOW THAT LOOKS REAL GOOD.

MMM.

MMM, IT'S LIKED MASHED POTATOES.

I'M GOING TO MIX THIS UP
WITH MY BUGS,

MAKE A NICE,
JUICY PATTY FOR MYSELF.

YOU KNOW, I COULD'VE PROBABLY
JUST EATEN THE CRICKETS

AND GRASSHOPPERS
AND BEETLES ON THEIR OWN,

BUT PUTTING
ALL TOGETHER HERE,

IT'S MAKING ME A LOT HAPPIER

JUST TO SEE THIS
DELICIOUS-LOOKING THING HERE.

IT'S SURPRISINGLY,
LIKE, WET AND MOIST.

SWAMP BURGER.

MMM.

THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE...

THE GOOEY BUG GUTS
AND THE CATTAIL'S STARCHINESS

REALLY ROUNDS IT OUT.

ALREADY FEEL THE BRAIN
KIND OF RELAXING

AS I GET SOME OF THIS...

MOST OF ALL,
JUST THIS MOISTURE.

MMM.

MMM...
[ MUMBLES ]

[ LAUGHS ]

HERE'S A LEG.

IT'S PRETTY GREAT.

AFTER SOME REST AND FOOD,
I'VE HAD AN IDEA WHY MY RADIO,

OR ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD SENSOR,

DIDN'T PICK UP
ANY RADIO SIGNALS.

I WAS THINKING LAST NIGHT,

"WHY DIDN'T MY LITTLE
E.M.F. DETECTOR REALLY WORK?"

AND MY THOUGHT IS,

"I'M SURROUNDED BY
ALL THESE TREES."

AND THAT'S GOING TO KIND OF
JUST DAMPEN ANY RADIO WAVES

THAT ARE TRYING TO
GET THROUGH HERE.

SO I'VE GOT TO GET
MY E.M.F. DETECTOR

UP ABOVE THIS SWAMP CANOPY

FOR ANY KIND OF HOPE
THAT I'M GOING TO GET A SIGNAL,

SO WHAT I DID IS I ATTACHED

A WHOLE BUNCH OF
THESE STICKS TOGETHER

SO I CAN MAKE A MEGA STICK,
AND THEN I MADE

A KIND OF SONIC VISUALIZER
FOR THE RADIO,

'CAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO
BE UP THERE TO HEAR

THE DIFFERENCE IN CHANGES,

BUT I CAN SEE UNDERNEATH
THIS L.E.D. GLOWING.

MY SONIC VISUALIZER
IS A SIMPLE PIECE OF METAL

THAT SITS ON TOP
OF THE RADIO SPEAKER.

WHEN A STRONG SIGNAL IS FOUND,
THE SPEAKER WILL VIBRATE,

CAUSING THE PIECE
OF METAL TO MOVE

AND TOUCH THE OUTER RIM
OF THE HOUSING

AND COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT,

WHICH MAKES THIS L.E.D. FLICKER.

I'M GOING TO
GET THIS UP THERE.

HOPE IT WORKS.

THE WAY THAT THAT KEYBOARD'S
SHIELDING THAT L.E.D.

IS REALLY MAKING THE FLICKERING

STAND OUT WELL
AGAINST THE BRIGHT SKY.

IT'S LOOKING LIKE NOT GETTING
TOO MUCH FROM OVER HERE.

HMM. AROUND THIS WAY,

I'M STARTING TO SEE
SOME ACTIVITY, THOUGH.

THAT'S COOL, THAT'S BETTER
THAN IT WAS EVEN BEFORE.

YEAH, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS
PROBABLY THE STRONGEST AREA.

IT LOOKS LIKE
RIGHT PAST THAT TREE

WITH A LITTLE BIT
OF WHITE STUFF ON IT,

THAT'S MY LINE.

I'VE JUST GOT TO FOLLOW
STRAIGHT ALONG THAT

AND WE SHOULD BE GOLDEN.

ASSUMING I CAN GET
PAST THE GATORS.

IT'LL BE NIGHT SOON,

SO I'LL STAY IN THE SAME CAMP
UNTIL MORNING.

THIS WILL GIVE ME TIME
TO GET MYSELF HEALTHY.

I'VE GOT TO GET RID
OF THIS HEADACHE.

THIS SWAMP JUST
SMELLS SO BAD.

ALL THIS METHANE IS JUST
BUBBLING UP EVERYWHERE I GO.

I'VE GOT ONE OF THOSE HEADACHES.

A BLACK WILLOW
AND THE SOFT UNDERBARK

THAT'S GOT SOME CHEMICALS

THAT ACT AS A KIND OF
NATURAL PAIN RELIEVER,

SO I CAN GET TO THAT
AND THEN MAKE LIKE

A TEA WITH IT
TO HELP WITH THIS HEADACHE.

OKAY, HERE COMES A PIECE.

GOT TO BOIL SOME WATER.

EARLIER IN MY JOURNEY,
I FAILED AT DISTILLING WATER

WITH SNAIL SHELLS.

NOW I HAVE ANOTHER IDEA,
USING AN EYEGLASS CASE.

THERE'S ACTUALLY
METAL UNDERNEATH THIS.

THAT'S A NICE CONTAINER.

I'VE GOT THE SCREEN FROM
THE BACK OF A MONITOR

AND SOME OF THE METAL RUNNER
TO CRIMP IT.

GOT A HANDY LITTLE CUP.

THE WATER'LL BOIL IN HERE,

AND I NEED A CHANNEL TO GET
THE DISTILLED WATER OUT OF IT.

I'VE BENT SOME OF THE ALUMINUM
FLASHING FROM AROUND

THE LAPTOP SCREEN
INTO A V-SHAPED GUTTER.

I'LL TURN THAT UPSIDE-DOWN

AND PLACE IT INTO THE NOTCH
OF THE SUNGLASS CASE.

THIS WILL ACT LIKE
A CHANNEL TO CAPTURE STEAM

THAT WILL CONDENSE
AND DRIP DOWN INTO THE CUP

FILLED WITH WILLOW BARK.

THIS MAY TAKE CARE
OF MY METHANE HEADACHE,

BUT WITH SO LITTLE WATER,

I'M DANGEROUSLY ON THE EDGE
OF DEHYDRATION.

IF I CAN'T GET OUT
OF THIS SWAMP SOON,

I'LL BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.

Andy:
I GOT A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP,

AND NOW I HAVE
A DIRECTION TO HEAD IN.

I'M DETERMINED TO MAKE THIS
MY LAST DAY IN THE SWAMP.

BYRON TOLD ME TO STAY
OUT OF THE WATER

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THE PROBLEM IS,
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

STUMBLING, SINKING,
AND TRIPPING THROUGH

THE MUDDY SWAMP IS ALMOST NORMAL
FOR ME AT THIS POINT.

[ GRUNTS ]

THE PROBLEM I'M FACING
IS THAT EVEN THOUGH

I HAVE A DIRECTION TO GO,
I CAN'T MAINTAIN IT.

LINE-OF-SIGHT TRAVEL
IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

I NEED A BETTER WAY.

I'VE GOT TO GET
OUT OF THIS WATER

IF I'M GOING TO
SOLVE A PROBLEM.

A LOG'S BETTER THAN BEING
IN THAT DEEP WATER.

THERE'S NO WAY TO KEEP
A STRAIGHT LINE

GOING THROUGH
A SWAMP LIKE THIS,

SO I HAVE THIS COMPASS MODULE
THAT I'VE HAD,

AND I HAVEN'T USED IT AT ALL YET
BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,

IT CAN TELL ME NORTH,
EAST, SOUTH, WEST,

BUT THERE'S...
NONE OF THAT'S USEFUL TO ME

UNTIL I KNOW WHAT'S
A GOOD DIRECTION TO GO.

IF I GO EAST, THAT COULD JUST
GET ME FURTHER LOST.

THERE'S NO SURE SIGN THAT

THERE'S ACTUALLY
CIVILIZATION THERE.

BUT I'VE GOT
MY E.M.F. DETECTOR UP.

FIGURED OUT THERE'S
SOME KIND OF SIGNAL

COMING FROM THAT WAY.

WHILE A NORMAL COMPASS
ONLY POINTS NORTH,

I CAN TELL MY MODULE TO POINT
TO THE DIRECTION

DETERMINED BY
MY E.M.F. DETECTOR.

SO I FIGURE I CAN GET MY COMPASS
HONED IN ON A CERTAIN DIRECTION,

BUT I NEED SOME KIND
OF INDICATOR FOR MYSELF

OF HOW TO MAINTAIN
THAT DIRECTION,

SO I'M ADDING A COUPLE L.E.D.s
SO IF I GET TOO FAR OFF,

I'LL HAVE THE ONE ON
THE RIGHT LIGHT UP

TO LET ME KNOW
TO GO TO THE RIGHT.

IF I DRIFT OFF
TOO FAR THIS WAY,

THE LEFT ONE'LL LIGHT UP,

SO I CAN KEEP
A STRAIGHT BEARING.

JUST GETTING
THE L.E.D.s ATTACHED

TO THE COMPASS MODULE
SO THEY CAN COMMUNICATE.

JUST GOING TO GIVE IT
SOME POWER.

I PROGRAMMED THIS COMPASS.

I HAVE TO CALIBRATE IT
A LITTLE BIT.

NOW, IF I TILT MY COMPASS
TOO FAR ONE WAY,

THE RED ONE LIGHTS UP,
TELLING ME,

"HEY, I'VE GOT TO GO THAT WAY."

IF I POINT IT TOO FAR THIS WAY,
THE GREEN ONE LIGHTS UP,

TELLS ME I'VE GOT TO
GO BACK THAT WAY.

MAKE LIKE A...
I'M THINKING LIKE

SOME KIND OF
HEAD-MOUNTED DISPLAY, RIGHT?

IF I COULD POP THIS ON MY HEAD

AND THEN GET THESE LIGHTS
OUT HERE

LETTING ME KNOW
I'M GOING TOO FAR

TO THE LEFT,
TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT.

HANDS-FREE.

ALIGNING WITH THE DIRECTION
I NEED TO GO.

PERFECT.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP ME
KEEP THAT VECTOR I WANT

WHILE I'M NAVIGATING
THIS SWAMP.

THIS COMPASS IS
REALLY HELPING ME BE

MUCH MORE EFFICIENT
ON THIS CRAZY TREK

THROUGH THE SWAMP.

INSTEAD OF WANDERING ALL OVER,

I CAN JUST REALIGN MYSELF
WHENEVER I NEED BE.

IT'S PRETTY GREAT.

LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A WHOLE,
LIKE, FIELD OF FLOWERS UP THERE.

THAT'S GOT TO BE
SOME DRY LAND.

[ GRUNTS ]

BE ABLE TO WALK AND GET OUT OF
THIS MUDDY DIARRHEA MESS.

[ GRUNTS ]

I'M ALMOST TO THE SHORE.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN
A PRETTIER SIGHT?

BIG, GOLDEN FIELD,

NICE DRY LAND TO
GO WALKING ACROSS.

MY...

MY HANDY COMPASS
BROUGHT ME RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS AWESOME.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET
OUT OF THIS POOPY MESS.

OH. I'M HERE.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN
ANYTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL?

LOOK AT THIS.

WHAT IS THIS?

WHAT?

THAT'S ALL JUST FLOATY STUFF.

WHAT I THOUGHT
WAS A FIELD OF FLOWERS

IS ACTUALLY
A MASSIVE WATER PLANT

FLOATING ABOVE
ALMOST FIVE FEET OF WATER.

IT'S A TANGLED MESS
THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE

TO WALK THROUGH,
AND FROM ABOVE,

AS DANGEROUS AS
A THINLY FROZEN POND.

I'VE GOT TO GET
ACROSS THIS STUFF.

THERE'S BOATS
GOING BY RIGHT THERE.

I'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY
TO GET ON TOP OF

THIS FLOATING FIELD

AND OVER TO WHERE
MY RESCUE COULD BE.

MY RESCUE IS LESS THAN
300 YARDS AWAY,

BUT IT MIGHT AS WELL
BE 100 MILES.

Andy: I'M ONLY ABOUT 300 YARDS
FROM SOME KIND OF BOAT TRAFFIC,

MAYBE A LAKE OR RIVER.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PUSH MY WAY
PAST THIS FLOATING FIELD,

AND FALLING THROUGH IT

COULD EASILY BECOME
A DEATH SENTENCE.

EVERY TIME I STEP
INTO THAT FIELD,

I JUST GO STRAIGHT THROUGH
ALL THAT FLOATING STUFF.

THOSE BOATS GOING BY,

THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE
GOING TO HEAR ME.

I'VE GOT TO GET OVER THERE
AND I'VE GOT TO DO IT QUICK.

IF I CAN SPREAD OUT
MY BODY WEIGHT,

I THINK I COULD ACTUALLY SCAMPER
RIGHT ACROSS, LIKE SNOWSHOES.

SO, SNOWSHOES.

SWAMP SHOES.

OKAY, I'M GOING TO TRY THIS.

IF I CAN EVEN GET STARTED.

OKAY.

WHO KNOWS WHAT'S
UNDERNEATH ALL THIS MESS?

ONE BOOT ON AT A TIME.

FEELS PRETTY GOOD.

DEFINITELY DOESN'T SEEM LIKE
IT SINKS THROUGH AS EASY.

OKAY.

THEY'RE KIND OF WORKING.

IF I FALL THROUGH
THIS TANGLED MESS,

I MAY NEVER BE ABLE
TO RESURFACE.

I'M WALKING ABOVE
A NIGHTMARE SCENARIO.

I'M ON TOP.

THIS IS AWESOME.

THESE ARE WORKING WAY BETTER
THAN I THOUGHT THEY WOULD'VE.

LOOK HOW FAR
THE STICK GOES DOWN.

I AM A GOOD, LIKE,
FIVE FEET JUST ABOVE THE BOTTOM,

AND I'M JUST STOMPING
RIGHT ON TOP.

IT'S JUST PURE SWAMP SHOES.

THIS IS INCREDIBLE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH
USING THE STICK ANYMORE,

'CAUSE IT JUST POKES
RIGHT THROUGH.

LOOK HOW FAR I'VE GONE.

I'VE GONE ACROSS
THIS WHOLE LAKE.

[ BOAT HORN BLOWS ]

HEY!

HEY!

HEY OVER HERE!

HEY!

HEY! HEY!

[ BOAT MOTOR SLOWS ]

HEY! HEY!

WE GOT 'EM!

IT'S A FAN BOAT, TOO.
THAT'S SUPER COOL.

WHAT...

HEY! HEY!
ALL RIGHT THERE, PARTNER?

CAN YOU TAKE ME
OUT OF HERE, BUDDY?

WHAT YOU DOING
WAY OUT HERE?

I MADE, LIKE, A COMPASS
TO WHERE I WANTED TO GO.

I MADE, LIKE, A LITTLE DEVICE
THAT WOULD...

OH, MY GOODNESS.
IT WOULD TELL ME TO GO RIGHT

OR IT WOULD TELL ME
TO GO LEFT.

TOOK ALL THESE VINES
AND I MADE BIG SHOES FOR MYSELF,

AND I JUST WALKED
ON THE TOP OF THE WATER.

GREAT IDEA.
IMPROVISATION.

TOTALLY.
WOW.

YOU ARE AMAZING.