Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 3, Episode 12 - Bear's Ultimate Survival Guide: Part One - full transcript

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.

I'VE TRAVELED
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

IN SEARCH
OF THE MOST EXTREME CHALLENGES

IN THE MOST DANGEROUS
LOCATIONS.

IN THIS PROGRAM,

I'LL TAKE A LOOK BACK AT SOME
OF MY MOST TRICKY MOMENTS

TO SHOW YOU THAT HAVING
THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS

CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

WHOO!

I'VE DROPPED INTO EVERY CORNER
OF THE EARTH,

BATTLING SUBZERO WASTELANDS,



PARCHED DESERTS,

AND STEAMING JUNGLES,

BATTLING THE ELEMENTS,
CONSUMING THE UNIMAGINABLE,

AND DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO SURVIVE.

YOU ALIVE?

I'VE BEEN TO SOME OF THE MOST
REMOTE LOCATIONS ON EARTH

TO SHOW YOU
WHAT I DO TO SURVIVE.

AND IF YOU GOT THE RIGHT
BASIC SURVIVAL SKILLS,

YOU DRAMATICALLY INCREASE
YOUR CHANCES OF STAYING ALIVE.

IN THIS,
MY ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE,

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
EVERYTHING YOU NEED

TO MAKE IT OUT IN ONE PIECE.

WHATEVER ENVIRONMENT
I'M CONFRONTED WITH,

FROM SIBERIA TO THE SAHARA,



MY FIRST CHALLENGE
IS ALWAYS THE SAME --

TO FIND MY WAY IN

TO SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE
LOCATIONS ON EARTH.

OKAY, THIS IS IT!

WHOO!

WITH EACH DROP,
I TAKE MY LIFE IN MY HANDS.

SINCE I BROKE MY BACK
IN A PARACHUTING ACCIDENT,

I'VE ALWAYS
BEEN NERVOUS OF THIS.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING,

AND FINDING A SAFE DROP ZONE
AN ABSOLUTE MUST.

BUT ONCE MY FEET
HIT THE GROUND OR THE WATER,

IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING.

[ COUGHING ]

FAIR TO SAY I'VE LANDED!

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF STRANDED,

YOU MUST TAKE TIME
TO ACCLIMATIZE

AND ASSESS YOUR SITUATION.

TAKE A LONG, HARD LOOK AROUND
AND TRY TO GET TO GRIPS

WITH WHATEVER ENVIRONMENT
YOU'RE IN.

THIS MUST BE THE HOTTEST DESERT
I HAVE EVER BEEN IN.

IT'S OVER 130 DEGREES HEAT.

JUST TOUCHING THAT SAND,

YOU CAN ALMOST
NOT HOLD YOUR HAND DOWN

LONGER THAN A FEW SECONDS.

THE COLD HERE
IS JUST INTENSE.

YOU KNOW, IT FEELS LIKE
IT'S JUST BITING INTO YOUR SKIN.

AND, YOU KNOW, JUST A BIT
OF SNOT FROM YOUR NOSE

JUST FREEZES, YOU KNOW?

FIRST THING THAT HITS YOU
ABOUT THIS PLACE

IS JUST HOW HOT AND HUMID IT IS.

TO SURVIVE
IN ANY EXTREME ENVIRONMENT,

YOU MUST
GET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT.

AND HIGH UP THAT LIST IS WATER.

YOU CAN SURVIVE THREE WEEKS
WITHOUT FOOD.

BUT WITHOUT WATER, MOST PEOPLE
WON'T LAST THREE DAYS.

BUT FINDING IT
CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

AND THAT'S BEAUTIFUL WATER
TO DRINK.

IT FILTERS UP
THROUGH THE GROUND...

[ SLURPING ]

...INTO THE BAMBOO.

[ SIGHS ]

FRESH, COLD, CLEAN WATER.

WHETHER YOU'RE CAUGHT
IN UNBEARABLE HUMIDITY

AND SEARING HEAT...

...OR TRAPPED
IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES...

...WITHOUT WATER,
TIME IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE.

SNOW AND ICE

SEEM LIKE THE PERFECT SOLUTION
TO DEHYDRATION,

BUT THINK AGAIN.

THE THING IS,

THERE'S NOT EXACTLY A LOT
OF NICE RUNNING STREAMS UP HERE.

IT'S JUST MASSES OF SNOW.

BUT YOU REALLY NEED
TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION

TO START EATING FRESH SNOW.

AND THIS IS A MISTAKE

SOME OF THE SURVIVORS
FROM THE ANDES PLANE CRASH MADE.

THEY WOULD START EATING IT
JUST LIKE THIS.

AND WHAT IT DID WAS,
LIKE, BURN THEIR LIPS

AND GIVE THEM ULCERS
AND BLISTERS INSIDE THEIR MOUTH

AND ALSO REALLY LOWER
THEIR BODY CORE TEMPERATURE.

SO INSTEAD,
JUST GET YOUR WATER BOTTLE

AND JUST STUFF IT FULL OF SNOW.

PRESS IT ALL IN THERE.

AND WHEN THAT'S FILLED,
STUFF IT UP YOUR JUMPER,

JUST BETWEEN THE LAYERS --
NOT NEXT TO YOUR SKIN.

AND THEN, AS YOU MOVE,
THAT'S GONNA SLOWLY MELT.

GUYS, THIS WIND IS PICKING UP,
AND IT STARTED SNOWING AGAIN.

I NEED TO GET GOING BEFORE I
LOSE THE FEELING IN MY FINGERS.

STREAMS
ARE AN EASY SOURCE OF WATER.

THEY MAY APPEAR CLEAN,
BUT BEWARE --

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.

LOOK -- THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO
BE CAREFUL WITH THESE STREAMS.

YOU SEE THAT?
DEAD SHEEP.

AND YOU'LL EASILY GET, LIKE,
E. COLI OR STREPTOCOCCI,

BOTH OF WHICH CAN GIVE YOU
NASTY DIARRHEA AND VOMITING.

AND IF YOU'RE IN A SURVIVAL
SITUATION, THAT CAN KILL YOU.

WATER CAN BE FOUND
IN THE MOST UNUSUAL PLACES

IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

IN THE SAHARA, A TRICK
I LEARNED FROM BERBER TRIBESMEN

SAW ME SEARCHING DEEP
INTO A CAMEL CARCASS.

AND THE BIT I WANT
IS CALLED THE RUMEN,

WHERE IT KEEPS THE FLUIDS.

THERE WE GO.
NOW I'M THROUGH.

SEE THE INNARDS HERE?

LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S AMAZING.

[ SLURPING ]

[ GAGGING ]

AND THE FLUID IN THIS,
AGAIN, IS DRINKABLE.

GOD, THAT MUST HAVE HURT
WHEN IT WENT DOWN HIS THROAT.

IN THE HUNT FOR WATER,

RESOURCEFULNESS
AND IMPROVISATION ARE KEY.

I FASHION STRAWS AND FILTERS
OUT OF GRASS.

YEAH, IT'S A LITTLE DIRTY,
BUT IT'S REHYDRATING AND GOOD.

I'VE TRIED ANYTHING,

FROM THE LACES OF MY BOOTS

TO SOAK UP
THE TINIEST TRICKLE...

...AND MADE DEW TRAPS

USING ANYTHING
FROM ROCKS TO REFUGE BAGS.

BUT ONE OF MY SIMPLEST
AND BEST RESULTS

CAME FROM AN OLD ARMY TRICK
USING THE SHIRT OFF MY BACK,

WRAPPED AROUND MY LEGS,
TO SOAK UP THE MORNING DEW.

AND THIS SHOULD BE
WET ENOUGH NOW.

THE BAKING SALT FLATS OF MEXICO

PRESENTED
A MUCH TOUGHER SCENARIO.

IN A PLACE LIKE THIS,

YOU MIGHT BE FORCED
TO DO THE UNTHINKABLE.

I NEED TO PEE,
AND I DON'T WANT TO WASTE THAT,

SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO
IS USE A SNAKESKIN.

NEVER DRINK YOUR OWN URINE

UNLESS IT REALLY IS
A LAST RESORT.

IT CONTAINS SALT AND TOXINS,

BUT AS A LAST,
DESPERATE MEASURE,

IT WILL ACT AS AN ADDITIONAL
SOURCE OF FLUIDS.

IT'S NOT SO EASY
TO HOLD AND AIM.

[ URINATING ]

AND I'M NOT EXPECTING THIS
TO BE PARTICULARLY APPETIZING.

[ GASPS ]

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

I'M ALL FOR COCKTAILS,

BUT SNAKE INNARDS AND PEE
IS NOT HIGH ON MY LIST.

GOD.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

[ COUGHING ]

[ SPITS ]

WHEREVER I'VE BEEN,
WHATEVER I'VE DONE,

THERE'S NEVER BEEN
A SHORTAGE OF RISKS

I'VE HAD TO TAKE IN ORDER
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE.

AND IF I'M HONEST,
I'M A LITTLE BIT SCARED OF THIS.

I FACE THE TOUGHEST TERRAINS
ON THE PLANET

TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE
WHEN FACED WITH ADVERSITY.

EVERY ENVIRONMENT PRESENTS
ITS OWN SET OF DANGERS.

IN THE OPEN EXPANSES
OF THE DESERT,

YOUR WORST ENEMY
IS THE UNRELENTING SUN.

IN THE BLISTERING HEAT
OF A DESERT ISLAND,

WITH SUNBURN A REAL THREAT,

I FOUND THE ANSWER
LYING ON THE SEAFLOOR.

AND THIS GUY IS AMAZING!

BUT IF YOU EVER DOUBTED
HOW COOL NATURE IS,

WATCH THIS.

OKAY, YOU SEE THE WATER
COMING OUT OF IT?

GIVE IT A FEW SECONDS, AND
THAT'S GONNA TURN TO A MUCUS.

AND LOOK, YOU SEE IT'S SUDDENLY
NOW MUCH MORE GLOOPY.

AND WHAT THIS STUFF IS,
IS LIKE SUN BLOCK.

AND THE CORAL ITSELF
WILL USE THIS AT LOW TIDE.

WHEN IT'S EXPOSED TO THE SUN,

IT WILL SECRETE THIS
AS A WAY OF PROTECTING ITSELF.

JUST AMAZING.

SCIENTISTS
HAVE ACTUALLY RECKONED

THIS STUFF IS, LIKE,
AS GOOD AS FACTOR 50.

AND LOOK, YOU CAN SEE
WHERE MY SHOULDER'S

GETTING A LITTLE BIT
SUNBURNT ALREADY.

BUT RUBBING THIS IN --
OH, THAT FEELS NICE.

YOUR EYES ARE AS VULNERABLE
AS YOUR SKIN.

IF YOU'VE HAD A CAMPFIRE,
RUB CHARCOAL AROUND THEM.

IT REDUCES THE GLARE AND STOPS
YOUR CORNEAS FROM FRYING.

AND USE THIS AND JUST, LIKE,
PUT IT EVERYWHERE.

IF THE WEATHER DOESN'T GET YOU,
DISEASE-RIDDEN INSECTS WILL.

I'VE USED MUD
FROM THE MANGROVES

TO SEE OFF SAND FLIES...

SMEAR THIS ALL OVER.

...AND EVEN ANT MOUNDS,
ABUNDANT WITH FORMIC ACID --

THE PERFECT MOSQUITO REPELLENT.

OKAY, MOVING ON.

THE GOLDEN RULE OF SURVIVAL
IS TO STAY PUT.

EVENTUALLY, RESCUE WILL COME.

BUT SOMETIMES,
YOU WON'T HAVE THE CHOICE --

YOU'LL HAVE TO MOVE ON.

AND WHEN YOU'RE CROSSING
DESOLATE WILDERNESS,

DANGER LURKS
AROUND EVERY CORNER.

OW!

I'VE SURVIVED
IN MANY ENVIRONMENTS,

BUT NATURE WILL ALWAYS
THROW SURPRISES YOUR WAY.

UGH!

OHH!

FALL OUT OF A TREE,

LAND STRAIGHT ON A CACTUS
ON A PRECIPICE --

THE PLACE I GOT MYSELF INTO.

YAH!

IT'S A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
THAN I LIKE.

DESCENDING 40 FOOT DOWN
A STEEP, SLIPPERY CANYON

USING A RATA VINE HARNESS

WAS ONE OF
MY RISKIER STRATEGIES.

LET'S GO, FRIENDS.
GET DOWN THIS THING.

I'M CREATING
QUITE A LOT OF FRICTION.

I RAN THE VINE AROUND THE TREE.

THAT MEANS I CAN LOWER MY
BODY WEIGHT QUITE COMFORTABLY.

HALFWAY DOWN,
SUDDENLY MY LIFELINE SNAPPED.

IT WAS A GRIM REMINDER --

EVEN WITH AN IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE
OF THE ENVIRONMENT,

IT'S SO EASY TO MAKE MISTAKES.

AAH!

AND MISTAKES CAN BE DEADLY.

I MADE IT ONTO THIS LEDGE, JUST.

GLACIERS ARE
ONE OF THE TOUGHEST TERRAINS

TO SURVIVE IN.

IN THESE ICY DOMAINS, DANGER
LURKS AROUND EVERY CORNER.

[ RUMBLING ]

SEE THAT COMING
STRAIGHT OFF THE MOUNTAIN?

AVALANCHE.

AND THIS IS WHY
THIS AREA IS SO DANGEROUS.

YOU DON'T WANT
TO HANG AROUND HERE, GUYS.

THAT WHOLE SLAB JUST DROPPED.
LET'S KEEP MOVING.

HOLY SMOKE.
COME AND HAVE A LOOK AT THIS.

THERE YOU GO.
YOU SEE DOWN THAT?

THAT IS WHY WE'RE ROPED.

OH, GOD.

CREVICES, WHICH ARE FAULT LINES
IN THE GLACIER,

CAN BE HUNDREDS OF FEET DEEP
AND ARE DEADLY.

WITH SHEER, ICE-LINED WALLS,
ONCE THEY SWALLOW YOU UP,

IT'S HARD TO ESCAPE,

EVEN ARMED WITH CRAMPONS
AND ICE AXES.

GOD!

I'M GETTING REALLY,
REALLY DRENCHED HERE.

MY HANDS ARE FROZEN,

I CAN'T FEEL MY FEET,
AND I CAN BARELY HOLD ON.

BUT I HAVE TO MAKE
ONE LAST BIG PUSH TO GET OUT.

I CAN'T REMEMBER

WHEN I WAS LAST SO GRATEFUL
TO FEEL THE SUN ON MY FACE.

BUT BE CAREFUL
WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

INTENSE SAHARA SUNLIGHT
COUPLED WITH SINKING MUD

CAN BE JUST AS DANGEROUS.

AND WHAT'S NASTY
ABOUT THIS STUFF

IS THE MORE YOU FIGHT IT,
THE MORE IT, LIKE, PULLS YOU IN.

AND THE REASON
THESE CAN ACTUALLY KILL PEOPLE

IS NOT CAUSE THEY SWALLOW YOU.

IT'S BECAUSE THEY
JUST DON'T LET YOU OUT OF IT.

AND THE KILLER IS THAT --
THE SUN.

SO, THE WAY TO GET OUT OF THIS

IS TO TRY...AND PULL...

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

...YOUR LEGS UP...

TOWARDS THE SURFACE.

[ GRUNTS ]

AND THEN JUST MONKEY-CRAWL
YOUR WAY OUT.

GOD, IT FEELS LIKE
I'VE GOT LEAD BOOTS ON.

I'VE STRUGGLED TO GET OUT
OF A HOLE ON MANY OCCASIONS,

BUT THE MOST TERRIFYING

HAS TO BE FINDING MYSELF
ON THIN ICE IN SIBERIA,

DEMONSTRATING WHAT'S IT'S LIKE
IF YOU GO UNDER

AND HOW HARD IT IS TO GET OUT.

THE LAST THING I'LL NEED TO DO
BEFORE I GO IN

IS TIE THIS SAFETY LINE
TO MYSELF.

IF YOU DON'T SEE ME COME OUT
OF THAT ICE WITHIN 20 SECONDS,

PULL ON THIS ROPE.

I'M SERIOUS.
YOU JUST PULL ON IT, OKAY?

AND IF I'M HONEST,
I'M A LITTLE BIT SCARED OF THIS.

[ SIGHS ]

INSTANTLY, MY PULSE
IS UP AROUND THE 200 MARK.

IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE AIR
IS BEING SUCKED OUT OF ME.

BUT I'VE GOT TO KEEP CALM.

ONCE IN,
THERE'S NO TURNING BACK,

AND I'VE GOT TO KEEP GOING,

TRYING TO REACH THE LIGHT
OF THE THINNER ICE.

BUT THE COLD IS LITERALLY
SQUEEZING THE AIR OUT OF ME.

I'M AT MY VERY LIMIT NOW.

[ SPUTTERING ]

AND I CAN FEEL THE DANGER
OF WHY THIS WATER IS SO LETHAL

IS THAT IT REALLY
NUMBS YOUR SENSES,

YOUR FINGERS, AND YOUR HEAD.

JUMPING INTO A PATCH
OF ICY WATER IS A HUGE RISK.

BUT AN EVEN GREATER DANGER

IS WHAT CAN HAPPEN
ONCE YOU'RE OUT.

WHOO!

MAN ALIVE! OKAY!

IT'S SO COLD, THE CAMERA
HAS FROZEN UP IMMEDIATELY,

AND I CAN FEEL MYSELF
GOING THE SAME WAY.

I'VE GOT TO GET WARM FAST.

I CAN GET FROSTBITE,
AND ALREADY, I'M GETTING

TO THE FIRST STAGES
OF HYPOTHERMIA.

I CAN LITERALLY
HARDLY FEEL MY TOES NOW.

AND THESE
ARE THE PART OF MY BODY

THAT I'M MOST WORRIED ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, THE CORE OF ME
IS COLD, BUT IT'S SURVIVING.

IT'S THE EXTREMITIES
THAT ARE THE DANGEROUS BITS.

AND THAT INCLUDES
THE FAMILY JEWELS!

IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
AS STORM CLOUDS GATHER,

MOTHER NATURE IS ABOUT
TO TEACH ME A HARSH LESSON.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]

THERE YOU GO.
THERE'S THE LIGHTNING.

REALLY, I'M NOT IN A GOOD PLACE
INSIDE THIS TEPEE.

[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]

IF YOU'RE STRANDED IN THE WILD,
A GOOD SHELTER

WILL IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES
OF SURVIVAL DRAMATICALLY.

THE TYPE OF DEN YOU CONSTRUCT
IS DEPENDENT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

AND THE DANGERS
YOU'RE FACED WITH.

LOOK. YOU CAN SEE IT'S
CLOUDING OVER ALREADY HERE NOW.

AND IN SIBERIA, THE WEATHER CAN
CHANGE IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.

AND IF YOU'RE CAUGHT OUT HERE --
BIG STORM, HIGH WINDS,

IN THIS FOREST,
THIS AMOUNT OF SNOW --

VISIBILITY WILL BE ALMOST ZERO.

AND IF YOU JUST SAT DOWN
AND DID NOTHING,

YOU'D FREEZE TO DEATH.

SO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS FIND
SOME SORT OF EMERGENCY SHELTER,

BUT WORK WITH
WHAT NATURE'S GIVEN YOU.

AND LOOK -- YOU SEE THIS IS
THE WAY THIS IS SPLIT,

AND WHAT I CAN DO IS MAKE,

LIKE, A REALLY QUICK,
SIMPLE LEAN-TO SHELTER HERE.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED
A PLACE TO REST UP.

YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING FANCY,

JUST SOMETHING
YOU CAN KNOCK UP IN MINUTES

TO KEEP YOU
OUT OF THE ELEMENTS.

IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS,

AN IMPROMPTU SHELTER
WILL NOT BE ENOUGH.

BUT GOOD SHELTERS
TAKE TIME TO BUILD.

UNDER THE THICK TREE CANOPY
OF THE JUNGLE,

WHERE DARKNESS CLOSES IN FAST,
YOU'LL NEED TO START EARLY.

WHEN YOU'RE MAKING SHELTER,

ONE OF YOUR
MOST IMPORTANT GOALS MUST BE

JUST TO TRY AND RAISE YOURSELF
UP OFF THE JUNGLE FLOOR

'CAUSE THE LAST THING
YOU WANT TO DO

IS HAVE TO SHARE YOUR BED WITH
ALL OF THE SNAKES AND SCORPIONS

AND ANTS THAT LIVE
ON THE JUNGLE FLOOR.

AND THE FIRST THING
YOU NEED TO DO

IS MAKE, LIKE,
TWO CROSSES AT EACH END

THAT'S GONNA
SUPPORT THE HAMMOCK.

THE CROSS ENDS
WILL CARRY MOST OF THE WEIGHT,

SO THEY NEED TO BE SECURE.

AND THEN WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
IS TAKE THIS VINE,

THREAD IT BEHIND THE TREE,
AND TIE THESE TIGHT.

AND THEN ALL YOU NEED TO DO THEN

IS INTERWEAVE CROSS ONES
ALL THE WAY THE LENGTH OF THIS.

AND, HOPEFULLY,
THIS WILL TAKE MY WEIGHT.

[ GRUNTS ]

[ VINE SNAPS ]

ONE LITTLE SNAP,
BUT THAT'S NOT TOO BAD.

LOCAL MATERIALS
CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

AND IN INDONESIA, WITH PLENTY
OF BAMBOO LYING AROUND,

MY AMBITIONS WENT SKY-HIGH

AS I CONSTRUCTED
A DOUBLE A-FRAME.

I'M MAKING IT ABOUT 6 FOOT,
JUST LONG ENOUGH TO TAKE ME.

WITH MY WEIGHT
COMPRESSING THE FRAME,

THE SHELTER BECOMES ONE
OF THE STRONGEST YOU CAN BUILD.

AND THAT IS, THEN,
THE TWO LENGTHS OF THE BEDPOST.

THE WHOLE THING TAKES ME
JUST OVER A COUPLE OF HOURS.

PLEASE DON'T BREAK.

AHH.

HEAVEN.

COMFORT IS A BONUS.

BUT PROTECTION IS THE MOST
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION,

ESPECIALLY WHERE LARGE
PREDATORS ARE A REAL THREAT.

LOOK AT THESE BEAR CLAW MARKS
ALL THE WAY UP HERE.

AND WHAT'S HAPPENED IS, THE
BEAR'S PROBABLY JUST COME ALONG,

HAD A SCRATCH, SHARPENED
IT'S CLAWS, AND MOVED ON.

AND THEY DON'T LOOK PARTICULARLY
FRESH, BUT LOOK HOW HIGH IT IS.

THAT CAN'T BE
FAR OFF 10 FOOT UP THERE.

NOT A MILLION MILES AWAY
FROM HOW HIGH MY CAMP IS.

SO I BUILT A 15-FOOT LADDER TO
GET ME SECURELY OFF THE GROUND.

AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO
BEFORE I BED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT

IS JUST CUT THESE RUNGS.

'CAUSE THAT'S REALLY --

IF A BEAR WANTS TO GET ME DOWN
FROM UP THERE,

HE'S GONNA BE ABLE TO.

BUT LET'S NOT
MAKE IT EASY FOR HIM.

WHEN BUILDING MATERIALS
ARE SCARCE,

YOUR INGENUITY
WILL BE TRULY TESTED.

THERE'S JUST
NO NATURAL SHELTER HERE.

BUT WHAT I HAVE GOT

IS JUST TONS AND TONS
OF SNOW UNDER MY FEET,

AND SNOW
IS A REALLY GOOD INSULATOR.

WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS JUST MAKE
A REALLY SIMPLE SNOW CAVE.

IN THE DESERT,
YOUR OPTIONS ARE ALSO LIMITED.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE RESOURCEFUL.

NEVER GOT MY LEG
OVER WITH A CAMEL BEFORE.

[ GRUNTING ]

BUT I HAVE NOW.

AND THAT IS WHAT'S
GONNA BE MY BLANKET TONIGHT.

AND IF YOU CAN,
HAVE A LOOK INSIDE THE CARCASS.

THE BERBERS COULD USE THIS

AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER
IN A SANDSTORM.

AND ALL I'D DO IS...

GET INSIDE IT, PULL IT OVER...

AND I'LL BE 100% PROTECTED
FROM THE SAND.

A DEAD SHEEP
GAVE ME A WAY TO STAY WARM

ON THE FREEZING IRISH MOORS.

BY BOX-SKINNING IT,

TAKING THE FLEECE OFF
LIKE A TUBE,

I HAD THE PERFECT COVER
FOR THE NIGHT.

AND THEN, YOU SEE,
I GOT MY LEGS INSIDE THIS.

BUT THIS SHOULD BE
NICE AND SNUG,

EVEN THOUGH
IT LOOKS PRETTY DISGUSTING.

IT'S A "SHEEPING" BAG.
THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

WHATEVER TYPE OF COVER
YOU CHOOSE,

YOU'RE NOT ALWAYS
GONNA GET IT RIGHT.

IN SOUTH DAKOTA, I BUILT
A NATIVE AMERICAN WAR CAMP --

FAST TO PUT UP, BUT NO USE
AT KEEPING OUT THE RAIN.

THE FIRE WAS LIT
AND DINNER COOKING

WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGED.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]

RECKON I'VE PROBABLY GOT
ABOUT 10 MINUTES

BEFORE THE HEAVENS OPEN.

OKAY, GUYS,
IT'S GONNA BE A WET ONE.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]

THERE YOU GO.
THERE'S THE LIGHTNING.

REALLY, I'M NOT IN A GOOD PLACE
INSIDE THIS TEPEE.

JUST BACK UP.

YOU WANT TO KEEP AWAY
FROM MOUNTAINTOPS, TREES, CAVES.

YOUR BEST PLACE, ACTUALLY,
IN A LIGHTNING STORM,

IS OUT IN THE OPEN.

YOU WANT TO MAKE YOURSELF
AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE

AND JUST CROUCH ON YOUR FEET
AND MAKE YOURSELF LIKE A BALL.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]

I WAS IN FOR A LONG, WET NIGHT.

BUT WHEN IT WORKS OUT,
THERE'S NO BETTER FEELING.

IT'S TAKEN ME ABOUT AN HOUR
AND A HALF TO FINISH THIS CAVE.

YEAH.

NOT A BAD JOB,
EVEN THOUGH I SAY IT MYSELF.

NEXT ON MY LIST OF PRIORITIES
IS FIRE.

AND SECURING IT CAN BE TOUGH.

WHAT YOU NEED
IS PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.

AAH! YOU DOG!

STUCK OUT IN THE WILDERNESS,
FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL,

NOTHING IMPROVES MORALE
MORE THAN A WARM, GLOWING FIRE.

MY HANDS WERE STARTING
TO GET REALLY COLD THERE,

AND OUT HERE,

IF YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THAT STRAIGHTAWAY,

YOU END UP IN REAL TROUBLE.

AND, YOU KNOW,
THAT SORT OF THING,

THAT ATTITUDE IS SOMETHING
THAT WAS REALLY INSTILLED IN US

IN THE SPECIAL FORCES --

JUST THAT ABILITY
TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

ON YOUR OWN IN THE EXTREMES.

IN EXTREME CONDITIONS,
IT CAN BE A REAL BATTLE.

FINDING THE RIGHT LOCATION,
THOUGH, IS CRITICAL.

THIS IS ABOUT THE BIGGEST
BOULDER AROUND HERE.

AND IT'S A GOOD PLACE
FOR ME TO SHELTER --

NICE AND PROTECTED
FROM THE WIND.

THEN IT'S A CASE
OF GATHERING TINDER

FROM WHATEVER RESOURCES
ARE ON HAND.

HERE WE GO.
THIS IS LOOKING BETTER.

SEE ALL THAT?

THAT IS DRY, AND THAT'S
GONNA MAKE GREAT, GREAT TINDER.

WHAT I'M GONNA USE JUST
FOR TINDER IS ALL OF THIS STUFF.

IT'S CALLED "BARBA DE VIEJO,"

WHICH LITERALLY MEANS
"OLD MAN'S BEARD."

AND YOU CAN SEE WHY. LOOK --
IT'S REALLY KIND OF WISPY.

BUT THE REASON
IT'S GOOD FOR TINDER

IS THAT IT GROWS ON THESE TREES

AND THEREFORE IS OFF
ALL OF THE NASTY, WET GROUND,

AND IT SHOULD TAKE A SPARK
PRETTY WELL.

AN OLD BIRCH TREE.

THIS STUFF IS GREAT.

THAT'S TINDER.

ALL WE GOT TO DO IS CUT INTO IT
A BIT AND PEEL IT OFF.

THE NEXT AND MOST IMPORTANT
INGREDIENT OF ALL IS PATIENCE.

THE KEY WITH THIS IS NOT RUSHING
THE EARLY STAGES OF IT.

JUST TAKE YOUR TIME,

AND YOU WANT TO DO
AT LEAST A MINUTE,

MAYBE EVEN TWO MINUTES, OF JUST
STEADILY BUILDING UP THE HEAT

AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS SPINDLE.

AAH! YOU DOG!

COME ON.
DON'T GO OUT.

[ BLOWING ]

DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

I CAN'T REMEMBER
IT TAKING SO LONG.

WELL, I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED.

AND IT NEVER FAILS
TO MAKE ME SMILE.

FIRE IS SECURED.

NOW YOU CAN DRY OUT, WARM UP,
AND COOK YOUR FOOD.

THE LIVER'S REALLY GOOD SURVIVAL
FOOD, PACKED FULL OF IRON.

IT'S ALSO REALLY
VITAMIN- AND NUTRIENT-RICH.

AND I REALLY LOVE IT.

A FOUR-STICK FIRE CONCENTRATES
THE HEAT AND BURNS HOT,

SO WATCH OUT FOR THE HANDLES.

I'M GONNA USE
A BIT OF THIS MOSS.

MOSS MITTS.

LET'S GIVE THIS A TRY.

[ SLURPING ]

MMM.

SPRUCY.

A ROARING FLAME

WILL OFFER PROTECTION
FROM DANGEROUS PREDATORS.

AND ON THOSE DARK,
LONELY NIGHTS,

IT'S A WARM FIRE AND THOUGHTS
OF HOME THAT KEEP ME GOING.

I ALWAYS SAY ALMOST HALF
THE BATTLE OF SURVIVAL

IS BEING ABLE TO KEEP YOUR
HOPES UP AND YOUR SPIRITS ALIVE.

THERE IS A LITTLE PICTURE
OF MY FAMILY

THAT I ALWAYS KEEP WITH ME
WHEREVER I GO.

I KEEP IT LAMINATED
IN THE SOLE OF MY BOOT,

AND I PULL IT OUT.

I HAVE THAT -- MY LITTLE BOY.

AND THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE,
MY WIFE AND MY OTHER LITTLE SON.

AND THAT'S HELPED ME,
YOU KNOW, SO MUCH

THROUGH
SO MANY DIFFERENT ADVENTURES.

WHATEVER ENVIRONMENT
YOU FIND YOURSELF IN,

IT'S A CASE OF HANGING IN THERE
AND PERSEVERING

NO MATTER HOW TOUGH IT GETS.

AND WHEN THE ONLY WAY IS DOWN,

THERE'S A SENSIBLE WAY
OR THE BEAR WAY.

WHOO-HOO!

AND THE FASTER YOU GET,
THE MORE FUN IT IS!

THAT'S HOW TO GET DOWN
THE SCREE SLOPE.

THE SEARCH FOR FOOD
IS MY NEXT CHALLENGE

IN A MURKY LOUISIANA SWAMP.

I MIGHT HAVE BITTEN OFF
MORE THAN I CAN CHEW.

[ RATTLING ]

IN ORDER TO SURVIVE
IN THE WILD, YOU NEED ENERGY,

AND THAT MEANS FOOD.

YOU CAN'T BE SQUEAMISH

AND MUST BE PREPARED TO LEAVE
YOUR PREJUDICES BEHIND.

OKAY, I GOT HIM.

TO KEEP MYSELF ALIVE,
I'VE HUNTED, SNARED...

YOU KNOW, IF I'M HONEST,
I'M PRETTY AMAZED.

...TRAPPED...

AND FISHED...

THERE WE GO.
WE GOT HIM.

...FOR WHATEVER
I CAN GET MY HANDS ON.

BUT IT WAS IN LOUISIANA

THAT I TACKLED
ONE OF THE MOST DEADLY.

DO YOU HEAR THAT?

IT WAS SOMETHING
WAY OVER THIS WAY.

LET'S GO AROUND.
LET'S GO AROUND IT.

OVERHUNTING ONCE THREATENED
THE GATOR POPULATION,

BUT SINCE THE 1970s,

THEIR NUMBERS
HAVE GONE UP NEARLY TENFOLD.

THERE'S ONE AND A HALF MILLION
OF THEM IN THESE SWAMPS.

JUST COME NICE AND STEADY.

ONE BITE FROM THIS WOULD SEVER
MY ARM LIKE A ROTTEN TWIG.

AND DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE
HOW POWERFUL THESE THINGS ARE.

AND THIS THING
IS STRONGER THAN ME,

AND IT'S DEFINITELY
FASTER THAN ME.

THERE'S NO GOING BACK NOW.

I'VE GOT TO DO IT AS QUICKLY
AND AS HUMANELY AS POSSIBLE.

I WANT TO PIN IT DOWN,
CLAMP ITS JAW SHUT,

AND THEN HOLD ON.

OKAY, I NEED TO GO
FOR THIS FAST.

WHOA! OKAY.

[ Straining ] AND, REALLY,
THIS GUY'S JUST SOLID POWER.

AND I'M TRYING
TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.

IF YOU SEE ANIMAL TRACKS,
IT'S WORTH SETTING A SNARE.

THEY'LL OFTEN USE THE
SAME ROUTE TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WHAT YOU NEED TO FIND
IS A NATURAL BOTTLENECK,

THEN SET YOUR TRAP.

AND JUST GO ONCE,
TWICE AROUND IT.

[ GRUNTS ]

THE NOOSE IS ATTACHED
TO THE WILLOW SPRING

AND THEN ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR.

AND THEN I'M JUST USING
THIS LITTLE BIT OF DEADWOOD HERE

TO ACT AS A TRIGGER.

AND JUST LAY THE NOOSE
FLAT ON TOP OF THAT RAMP.

AND WHATEVER COMES ACROSS,
WALKS ACROSS THIS, TRIGGERS IT,

IS GONNA GET PULLED UP,
SUSPENDED, READY FOR DINNER.

WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD,
WHATEVER CONDITIONS,

SNARES WILL WORK
IF YOU GET THEM RIGHT.

I'M DETERMINED
TO GET A SQUIRREL,

COME HELL OR HIGH WATER.

TO IMPROVE THE ODDS,
I'M GONNA SET ANOTHER TRAP

WITH WIRE THAT I'VE PULLED
FROM THE INSIDE OF MY RUCKSACK.

FINGERS CROSSED
FOR SQUIRREL PIE.

GOD, MAN, I CAN SMELL IT.

BUT THERE HE GOES.
HE'S CAUGHT IN THE NOOSE.

YOU NEVER KNOW
WHAT YOU'VE CAUGHT

UNTIL YOU GET CLOSE
TO YOUR SNARES.

BUT A TRAPPED SKUNK IN MEXICO
GAVE ME PLENTY OF WARNING.

LITERALLY SMELLS LIKE A HUNDRED
BURNING TIRES ALL AT ONCE --

ABSOLUTELY REEKS.

WHAT I NEED TO DO IS MAKE,
LIKE, A ZULU SHIELD.

OKAY, LET'S SEE
IF THIS WILL WORK. COME ON.

I WANT TO GET IT OFF THE SNARE
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,

BUT I'VE GOT TO AVOID

GETTING COVERED
IN ITS HORRENDOUS SCENT.

I NEED TO GO IN SLOWLY.

[ SKUNK WARBLING ]

[ GRYLLS GAGGING, SPITTING ]

YOU SMELL THAT?

THAT...IS TRULY...

[ COUGHING ]

...TERRIBLE!

HEY, I THINK
WE'VE GOT SOMETHING.

A SQUIRREL I CAUGHT IN SIBERIA
WAS MUCH EASIER TO HANDLE.

IF I'M HONEST,
I'M PRETTY AMAZED.

YOU KNOW, I ONLY SET --
HAD TIME TO SET TWO TRAPS.

THAT'S A 50% HIT RATE.

OKAY,
GONNA TAKE THIS NOOSE OFF...

AND COOK HIM.

IN SUMATRA, I WAS AFTER FISH.

WITHOUT A NET,
I STOOD LITTLE CHANCE.

BUT SURVIVAL'S ABOUT ADAPTING

AND WORKING YOUR WAY
AROUND A PROBLEM.

I'M GOING FISHING
WITH MY TROUSERS.

THEN I NEED A WAY OF KEEPING
THE TOP OF THE WAIST OPEN.

AND THAT'S WHERE
THIS RATA VINE COMES IN.

THIS IS A TECHNIQUE I LEARNED

FROM A FRIEND
IN THE SPECIAL FORCES.

YOU GET SOME OF THE SAND
I'VE PUT IN THE POCKET.

BUT LIKE ALL FISHING,

IT DEPENDS ON A BIT OF LUCK
AND LOT OF PATIENCE.

THE THING IS, I CAN TELL --

I CAN JUST TELL ALREADY,
NOW THIS RAIN'S PICKED UP,

IT'S MAKING THIS JOB OF FISHING
A BIT OF A LOSING BATTLE,

TO BE HONEST.

WITH NO WAY TO SEE THE FISH,
I STOOD NO CHANCE.

BUT OUT IN THE CLEAR,
BLUE OCEAN,

ARMED WITH A MAKESHIFT SPEAR,

I WAS HOPING FOR MORE SUCCESS.

I'M DIVING FOR STING RAY.

THIS LETHAL REEF PREDATOR
HAS POWERFUL JAWS,

BUT HIS REAL WEAPON
IS IN ITS TAIL.

GET TOO CLOSE TO ONE,

AND THESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN
TO KILL.

I'M LOOKING FOR
THE TELLTALE MOUND IN THE SAND,

WHICH WILL GIVE IT AWAY.

MY LUNGS ARE NOW BURSTING,
BUT I'M DETERMINED TO GET HIM.

WHOO!

FOLLOWING ANY SUCCESSFUL HUNT,

IT'S TIME TO GET A FIRE GOING
AND THE FOOD READY.

LOOK AT THAT -- LEAN.

IT'S GONNA BE DELICIOUS.

BUT SOME THINGS ARE EASIER
TO PREPARE THAN OTHERS.

BUT LITERALLY,
HE IS FROZEN SOLID.

AND LOOK -- SEE WHAT I MEAN?
LISTEN TO THIS.

[ KNOCKING ]

ABSOLUTELY...RIGID.

AND HOW YOU COOK YOUR SPOILS
DEPENDS ON WHAT'S ON THE MENU.

WHETHER
IT'S ROASTING A KABOB...

I ALWAYS LIKE TO START
WITH SOME LEGS.

...A TIN-CAN STOVE...

THIS ONE SHOULD BE DONE,
I THINK.

...OR AN IMPROVISED GRILL.

FLAT STONE OVER THE FIRE

IS THE DESERT VERSION
OF A BARBECUE.

THIS SHOULD BE READY.

I ALWAYS MAKE SURE EVERYTHING
IS THOROUGHLY COOKED.

THE LAST THING I NEED
IS A BOUT OF FOOD POISONING.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT
I COOK THIS MEAT REALLY WELL

SO THERE'S NO RISK
OF ME GETTING RABIES.

BUT ONE THING'S FOR SURE --

I'M ALWAYS GRATEFUL
FOR A FEAST.

SNAKE A LA NAMIBIA.

LET'S TRY IT.

ALTHOUGH, SOME THINGS

HAVE TASTED A LOT BETTER
THAN OTHERS.

TASTES EXACTLY
HOW YOU'D IMAGINE

A CHAR-GRILLED, BRIGHTLY COLORED
WORM FULL OF WARM PUSS

WOULD TASTE.

A DEAD DEER IN SIBERIA

PROVIDED THE BEST VENISON LUNCH
I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.

MMM.

MAN ALIVE!

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!

THE FINAL AND BIGGEST HURDLE
WOULD BE HOW TO FIND RESCUE.

IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,

I'LL BE TRYING TO PULL OFF
THE GREAT ESCAPE.

STAYING ALIVE IN THE MOST
UNFORGIVING ENVIRONMENTS

IS A HUGE CHALLENGE.

BUT THE FINAL TEST
I'M FACED WITH

IS SHOWING YOU HOW TO ESCAPE.

IN INDONESIA,

I FACED DANGEROUS CURRENTS
AND THE THREAT OF SHARKS

AS I PADDLED MY WAY
BACK TO CIVILIZATION.

I DON'T QUITE BELIEVE

I MADE IT STRAIGHT OUT
THROUGH THAT CORAL REEF.

BRILLIANT!

THERE'S NO TELLING

HOW LONG YOU COULD BE ALONE
ON THE OCEAN.

AND YOU DO FEEL
VERY INSIGNIFICANT

AS YOU FLOAT
IN THIS VAST EMPTINESS.

THERE'S NOTHING
BUT A GNAWING LONELINESS.

BUT THEN, I CAN HEAR
THE SOUND OF AN ENGINE.

IT'S THE SORT OF SIGHT
YOU PRAY FOR.

HEY!

HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN
IN PATAGONIA...

I ALWAYS SAY THERE ARE TWO WAYS
OFF THE MOUNTAIN --

THERE'S THE SLOW, LONG WAY,
OR THERE'S THE FAST, QUICK WAY.

AND I KNOW WHICH I PREFER.

HERE WE GO.

WHOO!

I LOVE PATAGONIA!

IN SIBERIA,
A MOVING FREIGHT TRAIN

WAS MY TICKET
OUT OF THE FROZEN WILDERNESS.

[ TRAIN WHISTLES ]

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THIS TRAIN!

ONE LAST SPRINT, AND I SHOULD
BE ABLE TO LEAP ABOARD.

WHATEVER TERRAIN
YOU FIND YOURSELF IN,

DO WHATEVER YOU CAN
TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES.

STATISTICS SAY
THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE RESCUED

FROM SURVIVAL SITUATIONS
WITHIN FIVE DAYS.

THE KEY TO BEING RESCUED
IS TO SIGNAL FOR HELP

AND GET YOURSELF NOTICED.

REALLY, TO STAND ANY CHANCE

OF BEING SPOTTED
IN THESE FORESTS,

YOU NEED TO REACH HIGHER GROUND.

SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO

IS TRY AND GET TO THE TOP
OF THIS RIDGE OUT THERE.

[ GRUNTING ]

IN DENSE, DARK JUNGLES,

MAKING YOURSELF VISIBLE
THROUGH THE CANOPY IS CRUCIAL.

I RECKON --
I RECKON THIS TREE'S CLIMBABLE.

WE'VE GOT THIS VINE RUNNING
ALL THE WAY UP THE SIDE OF IT.

THE CHOPPER'S DUE,

AND IF I CAN GET UP HERE,
I'M GONNA BE ABLE TO SEE IT.

THE THING IS,

THEY'RE GONNA STRUGGLE
TO SPOT ME IN THIS CANOPY.

SO, WHAT I'M GONNA DO

IS JUST MAKE
A BIT OF A SIGNAL FIRE.

THERE'S A NICE PATCH OF CLEAR
SKY ABOVE ME WITHIN THE CANOPY.

AND THE SMOKE WILL BE ABLE
TO RISE STRAIGHT UP THERE.

[ SCRAPING ]

THE SUCCESS OF A SIGNAL FIRE
LIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION.

I'M RAISING THE BASE
OF THE FIRE OFF THE GROUND

SO AIR CAN GET UNDER IT
AND IT'LL BURN BRIGHT AND FAST.

AND THIS PYRAMID CONSTRUCTION

HOLDS ALL THE LAYERS OF FUEL
IN PLACE.

GET IT RIGHT, AND IT SHOULD BE
SEEN FROM MILES AWAY.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS
WHEN YOU'RE MAKING A SIGNAL FIRE

IS TO MAKE SURE THE TINDER
YOU USE GOES UP FIRST TIME.

YOU MIGHT ONLY JUST HAVE
ONE CHANCE AT RESCUE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE FLAPPING
AROUND TRYING TO GET THINGS LIT.

AND A GOOD WAY OF MAKING SURE
YOUR TINDER'S DRY

IS JUST TO, LIKE,

RAKE YOUR HANDS
THROUGH THE TATTERED GRASS,

AND WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH
IS THE GOOD, DRY STUFF.

AND THE IDEA HERE IS
ALL OF THIS DRY STUFF UNDERNEATH

ACTS AS, LIKE, A FUSE,
TAKES VERY FAST AND VERY HOT

AND THEN BURNS
ALL OF THIS LIVING STUFF

THAT'S GONNA MAKE THE SMOKE
AND BE THE SIGNAL.

SMOKE WILL ALSO GIVE THE PILOT
AN IDEA OF THE WIND DIRECTION.

I WANT TO PILE ON AS MUCH
OF THIS LIVING WOOD AS I CAN

SO IT'S GONNA SMOKE.

HELI'S DUE
IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES,

AND I DO NOT
WANT THEM TO MISS ME.

THAT'S THE HELI.

THE CHOPPER'S SEEN ME.
IT'S HEADING IN.

THERE YOU GO!

AND THEY'VE SPOTTED
MY SMOKE SIGNAL.

AND I'M OUT OF HERE.

WHOO!

WITHOUT THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE,

LIVING IN THE WILD
CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

BUT IF YOU SECURE THE BASICS,

LIFE BECOMES EASIER

AND YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL
INCREASE DRAMATICALLY.