Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 3, Episode 13 - Bear's Ultimate Survival Guide: Part Two - full transcript

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.

I'VE TRAVELED
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

IN SEARCH OF
THE MOST EXTREME CHALLENGES

AND THE MOST DANGEROUS
LOCATIONS.

IN THIS PROGRAM,
I'LL BE DRAWING ON THE LESSONS

OF MY MOST DEMANDING
EXPERIENCES

TO SHOW YOU THE SKILLS YOU NEED

TO SURVIVE IN THE WORLD'S
TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTS.

I'VE DROPPED INTO EVERY CORNER
OF THE EARTH,

FIGHTING SUB-ZERO WASTELANDS...

PARCHED DESERTS,
AND STEAMING JUNGLES,



BATTLING THE ELEMENTS,
CONSUMING THE UNIMAGINABLE,

DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO SURVIVE.

YOU ALIVE?

IN THIS,
MY ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE,

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
HOW TO DEAL WITH DEADLY ANIMALS,

FIND FOOD,
AND BATTLE THE ELEMENTS --

EVERYTHING YOU NEED
TO STAY ALIVE.

WHATEVER ENVIRONMENT
I'M CONFRONTED WITH,

FROM THE DRY SANDS
OF THE SAHARA

TO THE TORTUROUS SWAMP
OF INDONESIA,

THE FIRST CHALLENGE
IS ALWAYS THE SAME --

FIND A WAY IN.

FAST-ROPING LIKE THIS

IS A TECHNIQUE
IN THE SPECIAL FORCES



AS A WAY OF GETTING SOLDIERS
DOWN ONTO THE GROUND

THE FAST WAY.

WHETHER IT'S FAST-ROPING
FROM A CHOPPER

OR A FREE FALL FROM 8,000 FEET,

IT'S ALWAYS A BUZZ.

AND HE JUST MADE IT IN,
TO THIS RIVERBED.

GET THIS STOWED
AND THEN HAVE A LOOK AROUND.

AND THIS WHOLE PLACE
JUST LOOKS LIKE IT'S...

DEAD AND ROTTEN.

AND IT SMELLS LIKE IT, TOO.

EVERY ENVIRONMENT PRESENTS
ITS OWN SPECIFIC OBSTACLES

AND ITS OWN SPECIFIC
SET OF DANGERS.

[ GRUNTS ]

ONE THREAT YOU'LL HAVE
LITTLE OR NO CONTROL OVER

IS THE WILDLIFE.

BE ON YOUR GUARD AT ALL TIMES.

NOW, THOSE BISON ARE COMING
STRAIGHT THIS WAY.

GET INTO COVER.
DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH THEM.

SO, LOOK.
A LITTLE BABY ALLIGATOR.

NOW, LOOK AT THIS GUY.

ALLIGATORS HAVE THE MOST
POWERFUL JAWS OF ANY REPTILE.

IF YOU'RE ATTACKED,
GO FOR ITS EYES AND ITS SNOUT.

SEE, THAT'S HOW THEY CATCH
THEIR PREY.

WHACK WITH HIS TAIL, AND AT
THE SAME TIME, WITH HIS HEAD.

SNAKES CAN BE FOUND WORLDWIDE
IN ALL SORTS OF PLACES.

THAT CAN KILL YOU.

AND WHEREVER YOU FIND SNAKES,
YOU FIND DANGER.

WHEN YOU'RE HANDLING A SNAKE,

YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TO WATCH
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ITS HEAD,

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S POISONOUS.

WHOA!

OKAY.

AND PIN HIS HEAD DOWN.

OKAY, I'VE GOT HIM.

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL SNAKE
BUT PRETTY POISONOUS.

IF IT BITES YOU, IT'LL INJECT

THIS, LIKE, CYTOTOXIC VENOM
STRAIGHT INTO YOU

AND, LIKE, NUMB, PARALYZE
YOUR ARM FOR A FEW DAYS.

MASTERS OF DISGUISE,

THESE DEADLY PREDATORS
BLEND INTO THE LANDSCAPE.

YOU'VE GOT TO STAY ALERT.

OKAY, COME IN VERY GENTLY.

OF THE FOUR KINDS OF SNAKES
IN THE SAHARA,

THE EGYPTIAN COBRA
IS ONE OF THE MOST VENOMOUS.

THE FIRST THING YOU'VE GOT TO DO
IS JUST KEEP ABSOLUTELY STILL.

[ SNAKE HISSES ]

THIS ONE'S AROUND 4 FOOT LONG.

[ SNAKE HISSES ]

IT CAN STRIKE UP TO HALF HIS
BODY LENGTH IN UNDER A SECOND.

THERE HE GOES.
SEE THAT HOOD COMING RIGHT OUT?

AND THESE GUYS MOVE SO FAST.

THEY KILL ALMOST 100 PEOPLE
A YEAR IN AFRICA, THESE.

THERE YOU GO.
SEE HIM STRIKE THAT?

ALWAYS BACK OFF SLOWLY
AND NEVER CORNER A COBRA,

BUT GIVE IT ROOM
TO MAKE A GETAWAY.

COME ACROSS THIS
IN THE NIGHT, THOUGH,

AND IT COULD BE ALL OVER
FOR SOMEONE.

THE COBRA'S
DEADLY NEUROTOXIC VENOM

ATTACKS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.

EVENTUALLY, THE RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY.

THE BASIC RULE WITH DANGEROUS
ANIMALS IS, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.

BUT IN THE HUNT FOR FOOD,

YOU MAY BE FORCED
TO COME INTO CLOSE CONTACT.

IN MEXICO, SWARMING BEES
MEANT ONE THING --

HONEY.

SEE, THAT'S WHAT I'M AFTER.

LOOK, HE'S ON MY FOREHEAD.

FOREHEAD.
GO AWAY. GO AWAY.

TO AVOID THE STINGS,
COVER UP ALL EXPOSED FLESH --

HANDS, FACE, AND FOREHEAD.

THAT ONE HAS GOT ME
JUST UP HERE.

HERE, CAN YOU SEE?
CAN YOU PULL IT OFF FOR ME?

AND THAT'S
WHAT YOU WANT TO PULL OUT.

YOU GUYS SEE THAT?

FOR SUCH A SMALL,
LITTLE FLY THING,

IT DOESN'T HALF-DELIVER
A PUNCH -- OOH.

BEESTINGS CAN TAKE A COUPLE
OF HOURS TO AFFECT YOU,

BUT WHEN THEY DO HIT,
THEY HIT HARD.

MET QUITE A BRUTE
OF A BEESTING, THIS.

IT'S MADE ALL OF
THIS PART OF ME SWELL UP.

I FEEL A BIT
LIKE THE ELEPHANT MAN.

YOU KNOW, MY EYE AND NOSE,
FOREHEAD SWELLING UP.

ALLERGIC REACTION TO BEESTINGS
CAN BE FATAL.

I'M WORRIED
ABOUT ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK.

THE FIRST SIGNS
ARE SWELLING AROUND THE EYES,

FOLLOWED
BY DIFFICULTY BREATHING

AND LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

IT CAUSES 1,000 DEATHS A YEAR
IN THE U.S.

FEELS LIKE A KIND OF BIG PRICE
TO PAY FOR A BIT OF HONEY.

PLANTS ARE A VITAL COMPONENT
TO SURVIVAL.

THEY PROVIDE YOU
WITH FIRE, INSULATION,

EVEN CORDAGE TO MAKE A SHELTER.

THE VEGETATION
COULD BE YOUR SAVIOR,

BUT IT COULD ALSO BE
YOUR WORST ENEMY.

OH, THIS IS ONE TREE THAT --

YOU DON'T WANT TO
REACH FOR THIS ONE.

LOOK AT ALL THOSE SPIKES.
AND THIS IS CALLED A BLACK PALM.

I'VE GOT ANOTHER NAME FOR IT.
IT'S A [BLEEP] TREE.

WATCH OUT FOR IT.

THESE SPIKES
WILL SLASH YOUR HANDS,

AND THE WATER DRIPPING OFF THEM

IS A LETHAL COCKTAIL
OF BACTERIA.

WOUNDS OUT HERE
TURN SEPTIC IN HOURS.

WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD,

A LITTLE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

TO YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVING.

YOU'RE MOVING
THROUGH THE DESERT,

AND SUDDENLY YOU COME
ACROSS THESE SORT OF BUSHES.

YOU MIGHT THINK, "GREAT, FOOD.
LOOKS LIKE MANNA FROM HEAVEN."

BUT YOU'D BE WRONG.
THESE ARE DEADLY.

AND WHAT THEY'RE CALLED
IS CALITROPIS.

YOU CAN TELL THAT
FROM THESE BIG LEAVES

AND THESE FRUIT
THAT LOOK LIKE AVOCADOS.

BUT LOOK, IF I BREAK THIS,

YOU GET THIS MILKY SAP,

AND YOU DO NOT
WANT TO GET THAT ON YOURSELF.

GET THAT IN YOUR EYE,
IT WILL BLIND YOU.

TRY AND EAT ANY OF THIS, YOU'LL
PROBABLY BE SICK FOR DAYS.

AS A GENERAL RULE,

A WHITE, MILKY SAP
SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS,

AND THIS EUPHORBIA, MIMICKING
A CACTUS, IS NO EXCEPTION.

THIS STUFF LITERALLY
HAS BEEN KNOWN TO KILL PEOPLE.

ONE OF OUR CREW GOT A TINY,
LITTLE BIT ON HIS FINGER,

AND A BIT LATER ON,
HE WAS SWEATING,

WENT TO WIPE HIS FOREHEAD,
GOT A LITTLE BIT IN HIS EYE,

AND, REALLY, ALMOST BLINDED HIM.

SURVIVAL
CAN BE A RISKY BUSINESS,

AND THINGS
DON'T ALWAYS GO TO PLAN.

SORRY.

THE BRITISH ARMY HAS A SAYING
ABOUT DEALING WITH PROBLEMS --

"IMPROVISE,
ADAPT, AND OVERCOME."

THIS ATTITUDE WILL CARRY YOU

THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT
SITUATIONS,

AND AT THE HEART OF IT
LIES RESOURCEFULNESS.

IN DENSE FORESTS
WITH NO WAYPOINTS,

IT'S EASY TO LOSE DIRECTION.

TO SEE THE LAY OF THE LAND,
GET UP HIGH,

BUT SOMETIMES
THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

I'M GONNA SEE IF I CAN GET UP --
GET UP THIS TREE.

I RECKON IF I CAN GET LIKE
MOST OF THE WAY UP THIS,

I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A NICE
VIEW OUT OVER THE FOREST

AND GET MY BEARINGS.

AND TO GET UP TO THE BRANCHES,
YOU GOT TO IMPROVISE.

WHAT I'VE GOT IS MY RUCKSACK,

AND THERE'S LOADS OF WEBBINGS
AND DRAWSTRINGS AND EVERYTHING

HANGING OFF THIS.

AND WHAT I CAN THEN DO
WITH THIS...

...IS TIE IT AROUND MY BOOTS
IN A BOWLINE.

THROUGH THE LOOP,

AROUND THE TREE,
BACK DOWN THE HOLE.

THAT'S ONE.

AND THEN DO THE SAME
ON THE OTHER.

THE STRING AROUND MY BOOTS
GIVES ME EXTRA GRIP

AND ACTS AS A CLAMP
AROUND THE TRUNK.

SO I CAN QUITE NICELY -- LOOK.

[ BLOWING ]

NOW I CAN SEE
WHERE I'VE GOT TO GO.

OKAY, THIS IS ABOUT AS HIGH
AS I CAN GET UP THIS TREE.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

YOU CAN SEE I CAN GET A VIEW NOW
OUT OVER THAT VALLEY,

AND, REALLY, THAT'S WHERE
I SHOULD BE HEADING.

ON A FROZEN GLACIER,

THE SIMPLE TASK OF WALKING
PRESENTS A HUGE CHALLENGE.

NORMAL FOOTWEAR
IS RENDERED USELESS.

IN BOOTS LIKE THIS ON THE ICE,

IT'S LIKE GOING UPHILL
ON AN ICE RINK.

LOOK. WATCH THIS.

TRYING TO MOVE ACROSS A GLACIER
WITHOUT CRAMPONS

IS PRETTY IMPOSSIBLE.

AND THAT'S JUST TRYING
TO MOVE 20 FEET.

I'M GONNA NEED ANOTHER PLAN

IF I'M GONNA MAKE ANY PROGRESS
ACROSS THIS.

IF I GET MY BOOTS OFF
AND THESE OFF,

I NEED TO TRY AND GET THEM
OVER THE END OF THIS.

AND THE AIM, REALLY,

IS FOR THESE SOCKS
TO GIVE MORE TRACTION

THAN JUST THE RUBBER SOLE
OF THESE BOOTS.

OKAY.
TIME TO GIVE IT A TRY.

AND THAT'S GREAT.

IT'S DEFINITELY GRIPPIER
THAN JUST RUBBER SOLES.

SOMETIMES THE KEY SKILLS
YOU LEARN IN ONE ENVIRONMENT

WILL HELP YOU
OVERCOME A PROBLEM

IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
LANDSCAPE.

IN THE BADLANDS
OF SOUTH DAKOTA,

WHERE THE EARTH LITERALLY SLIPS
AWAY FROM UNDER YOUR FEET...

ICE-CLIMBING TECHNIQUES
BECOME KEY.

I CAN ACTUALLY USE
A BIT OF THIS DEAD JUNIPER BUSH

TO MAKE MYSELF
A BIT OF AN ICE AX.

AND THAT, THEN...

IS GONNA DO AS AN AX.

PUT IT IN AND PULL ON.

I NEED ONE MORE OF THOSE,

AND THAT WILL HELP ME
GET OUT OF THIS PLACE.

ACTUALLY, THIS IS WORKING
QUITE NICELY.

AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE THE
PRETTIEST ICE AXES IN THE WORLD,

BUT AT THE MOMENT,
THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB.

WHEREVER YOU FIND YOURSELF
IN THE WORLD,

SOMEONE WILL HAVE BEEN THERE
BEFORE YOU.

DEFINITELY AN OLD MINE,

AND IT LOOKS
LONG SINCE ABANDONED.

THE PEOPLE MAY BE LONG GONE,

BUT WHAT THEY LEAVE BEHIND
COULD BE YOUR SAVING GRACE.

NOW, THAT I CAN USE --
OLD BIT OF CAR TIRE.

CUT IT INTO STRIPS FOR CORDAGE.

CAN USE AS SPRING SNARES,
SO I'M GONNA TAKE THAT WITH ME.

LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE
WE CAN FIND HERE.

OLD BIT OF FLIP-FLOP.

CAN BE USEFUL. LOADS OF THINGS
YOU CAN DO WITH THAT.

START A FIRE WITH IT.

IF YOU BURN IT,
THERE WILL BE BLACK SMOKE.

GOOD SIGNAL FIRE.

A BIT OF FLOAT FISHING.
I'LL KEEP THAT.

COMBINE WHAT YOU FIND
WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.

THE MOST BASIC COMPONENTS
PRODUCE AMAZING RESULTS.

A DEER ANTLER
AND THE CORD FROM A RUCKSACK

MAKE A CATAPULT
WITH A RANGE OF UP TO 40 FOOT.

BULL'S-EYE.

WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE,
YOU NEED TO BE CREATIVE FAST.

HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS
OF SIBERIA,

TO ESCAPE THE COLD,

YOU'VE GOT TO FIND
A QUICK WAY TO DESCEND.

IN THE NIGHTTIME HERE,

THE TEMPERATURE
IS GONNA PLUMMET.

YOU KNOW, WINTER IN SIBERIA.
MINUS 40, NOT UNCOMMON.

AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE UP HERE.

THE FASTEST WAY DOWN
IS BY SLEDGE.

OKAY, THIS IS HOW TO MAKE
A TOBOGGAN THE BEAR WAY.

THE TUVAN TRIBE,
DESCENDANTS OF GENGHIS KHAN,

HAVE CARVED OUT A LIVING HERE
FOR CENTURIES.

TO GET AROUND, THEY MAKE SLEDS

OUT OF WOODEN FRAMEWORKS
WRAPPED WITH DEER FUR.

OKAY,
I'VE GOT TOBOGGAN FINISHED.

I'M OUT OF HERE.

LET'S GO.

IT BEATS WALKING ANY DAY.

IT'S A RISKY STRATEGY.

IF I COME OFF AT SPEED,
I COULD BREAK A LEG.

BUT I'M GOING FOR IT,

AND AT LEAST
I'M COVERING GROUND SUPERFAST.

WHOO!

EVERY 300 FOOT YOU DESCEND,

THE TEMPERATURE RISES
AROUND ONE DEGREE.

IN THE FREEZING
SIBERIAN NIGHTS,

THIS COULD BE A LIFESAVER.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

THAT WAS JUST
A COMPLETE WHITEOUT.

IT'S LIKE ZERO VISIBILITY.

IT'S LIKE BEING STRAPPED
TO A HUMAN CANNONBALL.

IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
THE SEARCH IS ON

FOR A BIG CATCH IN THE SWAMPS
OF THE DEEP SOUTH.

I'VE FACED THE EARTH'S
MOST INHOSPITABLE LANDSCAPES

TO SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES
TO STAY ALIVE.

SELF-RESCUE MEANS MOVEMENT.

AND MOVEMENT EXPENDS ENERGY...

WHOO!

WHOO-HOO!

...SO FOOD MUST BE HIGH
ON YOUR PRIORITY LIST...

...HOWEVER BAD IT TASTES.

[ SPITS, COUGHS ]

PRAWN.

BOGEY, CUSTARD.

RUBBERY, TINNY, SUPER BITTER.

LIKE AN EXPLOSION OF PUS
IN MY MOUTH.

DISGUSTING. BLEGH!

UGH.

HAD SOME QUITE BAD ONES TODAY.

WITH NO WEAPON, MAKING A KILL
IS HARD TO ACHIEVE.

CHECK OUT THIS LITTLE GUY.

IF YOU CAN OVERCOME
YOUR PREJUDICES,

EATING BUGS AND GRUBS
WILL KEEP YOU ALIVE.

BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHERE TO LOOK.

A BIG, ROTTING LOG,

AND THAT, FOR ME,
MEANS ONE THING --

FOOD.

BUGS AND INSECTS FEED
ON ROTTING WOOD, BUT BEWARE.

DEAD TREES ARE ALSO HOME TO
POISONOUS SNAKES AND SPIDERS.

HERE, COME UP
AND LOOK AT THIS IN HERE.

COME ON.

LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S QUITE A MONSTER.

LARVA.

MAYBE LIKE A MOTH LARVA
OR SOMETHING.

AND A BEETLE, AS WELL.

AND THIS IS CALLED INSECT LUNCH.

OHH!

READY FOR THIS?

[ GRUNTS ]

OHH, MY GOODNESS.

PBHT!

THIS ONE
HAS BEEN LIVING IN THERE

A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.

I'M NOT GONNA NEED TO EAT
FOR A WEEK AFTER THIS ONE.

[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]

UGH.

POUND FOR POUND,
INSECTS LIKE THESE

CONTAIN MORE PROTEIN
THAN BEEF OR FISH.

THEY'RE PERFECT SURVIVAL FOOD.

UGH.

THIS ACTUALLY RANKS
AS ONE OF THE WORST THINGS

I HAVE EVER, EVER EATEN.

[ SPITS ]

SNAKES MAKE
A MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL MEAL

IF YOU CAN CATCH THEM,

BUT TREAT POISONOUS SPECIES
WITH GREAT RESPECT.

SOME CAN STRIKE
FROM OVER 4 FOOT.

USE A LONG STICK OR A ROCK
AND AIM FOR ITS HEAD.

EVEN ONCE IT'S DEAD, BE WARY.

THE VENOM CAN REMAIN ACTIVE
FOR DAYS.

EVEN AFTER IT'S OFF, LOOK.

YOU CAN SEE THE FANGS ON THAT

LOOK LIKE LITTLE HYPODERMICS,

BUT THEY'RE STILL CAPABLE
OF KILLING YOU EVEN NOW.

THE SAFEST THING IS TO BURY IT.

ALL MEAT SHOULD BE COOKED
THOROUGHLY TO KILL BACTERIA,

BUT IF YOU'VE GOT NO WAY
TO START A FIRE,

YOU'LL BE FORCED TO EAT IT RAW.

SEE ALL OF THE BLOOD COMING
OUT OF ITS JUGULAR THERE?

AND THAT REALLY, IN AN EMERGENCY
SURVIVAL SITUATION,

IS FOOD AND LIFE.

[ SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE ]

[ SPITS ]

AND REALLY FRESH BLOOD LIKE THAT

IS SO RICH
IN MINERALS, VITAMINS, ENERGY,

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SURVIVE.

AND SO MANY NOMADS AND TRIBES
ALL AROUND THE WORLD

WILL DRINK THE FRESH BLOOD
FROM THEIR ANIMALS

AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY
AND SURVIVAL FOOD.

WHEN FOOD IS IN SHORT SUPPLY,
WASTE NOTHING.

YOU NEVER KNOW
WHEN YOU'LL EAT AGAIN.

TRY NOT TO BE SQUEAMISH HERE,
'CAUSE OUNCE FOR OUNCE,

EYEBALLS WOULD GIVE YOU
MORE PROTEIN THAN A STEAK.

AND IN THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL,

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE
A STRONG STOMACH.

AND THERE YOU GO.
YOU CAN SEE IT THERE.

LOOKS JUST LIKE A GIANT MARBLE.

AND I HAVE NO IDEA
WHAT THIS IS GONNA TASTE LIKE.

SHORT ANSWER OR LONG ANSWER?

SHORT.

AWFUL!

IF YOU'RE FORCED
TO EAT RAW MEAT, BE PREPARED.

IT DOES HAVE ITS RISKS.

GUYS, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO
STOP HERE FOR TWO SECONDS.

THIS DIARRHEA
IS NOT WAITING FOR ANYONE.

SORRY, SORRY, SORRY.

I DO FEEL BETTER, THOUGH.

OKAY. 30 MORE FEET.

RIVERS AND OCEANS
ARE RICH HUNTING GROUNDS.

HIGH IN PROTEIN, SEA URCHINS
CAN BE FOUND WORLDWIDE,

BUT BEWARE.

MANY SPECIES
HAVE VENOMOUS SPINES

WHICH CAN INFLICT GREAT PAIN.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE SPIKES
ON THIS.

AND YOU WANT TO GET
ALL OF THESE BARBS OFF FIRST.

THERE WE GO. OKAY, LOOK.
YOU CAN SEE INSIDE IT.

ALL OF THE SAND AND THE GUTS.
I DON'T WANT THAT.

BUT UNDERNEATH THIS, SEE ALL
OF THESE BROWN BITS HERE?

THAT'S ALL OF ITS EGGS,
ALL OF ITS ROE.

AND ALL OF THESE EGGS
ARE GOOD TO EAT.

THEY SAY THIS IS THE CAVIAR
OF THE SEA.

BLEGH! UGH! IT'S LIKE...

IT'S LIKE KIND OF BABY POOP.

NOT CAVIAR.

WITHOUT A ROD AND LINE, YOU MAY
BE FORCED TO HUNT UNDER ROCKS

FOR CRAWFISH, CRABS,
AND FRESHWATER SNAILS.

OW!

MAN, THERE'S SOMETHING --

THERE'S SOMETHING DOWN HERE.

BUT IN THE MURKY WATERS
OF THE LOUISIANA SWAMPS,

IT IS POSSIBLE TO GO FISHING

SIMPLY USING YOUR FINGERS
AS HOOK AND BAIT.

[ GRUNTING ]

OW! AAH!

THAT'S --

THAT'S QUITE A BIG CATFISH.

GET HIM ONTO THE SHORE.

LOOK. YOU HEAR THAT?

OH, HE'S GOT MY --
TRY TO SHOW YOU THIS.

[ CATFISH SNORTING ]

HE'S GOT MY FINGERS
RIGHT DOWN HIS MOUTH.

WHAT I GOT TO DO
IS HANG ONTO THOSE GILLS.

OW!

THESE SPINES ON THE PECTORAL
AND DORSAL FINS

CAN CAUSE SEVERE WOUNDS,

AND THEY CONTAIN A POWERFUL
VENOM THAT CAUSES EXTREME PAIN.

AND THESE GUYS JUST GONNA
HANG ON FOR DEAR LIFE.

OW, OW, OW.

HE'S JUST SHREDDED MY FINGERS.

THAT MUST BE 20 POUNDS OF FISH.

AND, LOOK, ALL OF THAT
IS GREAT JUST TO EAT RAW.

IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,

I'LL TAKE ON
THE RAGING CURRENTS

OF THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER

TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE
THE WORLD'S WILDEST WATER.

IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION,
RIVERS ARE YOUR LIFELINE.

THEY LEAD TO LOW GROUND
AND CIVILIZATION,

BUT THEY CAN ALSO BE DEADLY.

I'VE FACED SOME OF THE WORLD'S
MOST TREACHEROUS RIVERS.

THE MOST FORMIDABLE BY FAR
WAS THE ZAMBEZI.

WITH THE RIVER AT FULL FLOOD,
I WAS ABOUT TO DROP

INTO THE THUNDERING WATER
OF THE VICTORIA FALLS.

THESE RAPIDS ARE KILLERS,

AND PEOPLE DIE IN THEM
EVERY YEAR.

I'M HOVERING 25 FOOT
ABOVE THE WATER.

I'M ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE
THE AWESOME POWER

OF ONE OF THE WORLD'S
GREAT RIVERS.

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO
MAKE IT OUT OF THIS ALIVE.

HERE IT IS!

I'M DUCKING UNDER THE WAVE
AS IT HITS ME

SO I DON'T GET BATTERED.

THIS IS THE TOUGHEST WATER
I'VE EVER BEEN IN.

SOME OF THE WAVES
COULD BE 10 FOOT HIGH,

AND THEY'RE POUNDING ME
FROM EVERY ANGLE.

I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING PULLED IN
A DOZEN DIRECTIONS ALL AT ONCE.

I'M FAIRY-GLIDING, WHICH MEANS
WORKING MY WAY OUT DIAGONALLY

AND NOT FIGHTING THE CURRENT.

[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]

KIND OF JUST DON'T REALIZE
HOW BIG THOSE MONSTERS ARE

UNTIL YOU'RE RIGHT IN THEM.

ANYWAY, I'M IN ONE PIECE,
AND I'M ASHORE.

SHALLOW RIVER WATER
IS DECEPTIVE

AND CAN LULL THE INEXPERIENCED
INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.

I WANT TO BE IN AND ACROSS
THIS RIVER AS QUICKLY AS I CAN.

MAN, IT'S SLIPPY,
AND THESE ROCKS ARE GREASY.

IT DOESN'T LOOK POWERFUL,
BUT THERE'S ENOUGH FORCE HERE

TO KNOCK YOU
CLEAN OFF YOUR FEET.

A STICK IS VITAL.

TRAVEL WITH YOUR BODY
SIDEWAYS TO THE CURRENT.

OH, MAN.

LIKE I SAID,
MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU IMAGINE.

AND THAT'S ONLY THIGH-DEEP,

AND THERE WAS NO WAY
I COULD FIGHT THAT.

THAT JUST TOOK ME.

IN SLOW-MOVING
RIVERS AND LAKES,

A RAFT CAN BE THE BEST WAY
TO CROSS.

A LITTLE BAMBOO LIKE THIS
IS IDEAL.

IT'S MUCH BETTER
THAN WHEN IT'S LIVING.

IT DOESN'T HAVE
ALL THE MOISTURE IN IT.

IN THE DEEP SOUTH,

A RUINED SHACK PROVIDED
ALL THE MATERIALS I NEEDED.

AND THEN ALL I NEED,

IS ONE OF THOSE BIG PLY SHEETS
ON THE TOP,

AND THAT WILL BE ENOUGH

TO KEEP ME OUT OF THE WATER
AND FLOAT ME ACROSS.

IF YOU HAVE TO CROSS
ALLIGATOR-INFESTED WATERS,

TAKE TIME TO BUILD
A RAFT BUOYANT ENOUGH

TO KEEP YOU ABOVE THE SURFACE
AND OUT OF HARM'S WAY.

LET'S GIVE IT A GO.

RIGHT NOW IS BUSINESS TIME.

THIS IS WORKING PRETTY WELL.

AND NO ALLIGATOR IS GONNA
WANT TO TAKE A BITE OF THIS.

THERE'S SO MANY NAILS IN IT.

WELL, IT MIGHT NOT
BE VERY PRETTY,

BUT I MADE IT ACROSS
WITHOUT BEING EATEN.

AND IN MY BOOK,
THAT MAKES IT A GREAT RAFT.

WHEW!

WITH NO ROPE
TO SECURE THE WOOD,

BUILDING A RAFT STRONG ENOUGH
TO NAVIGATE WHITE-WATER RAPIDS

IS A HUGE CHALLENGE.

IN THE YUKON,
A KAYAK LEFT IN A LOGJAM

SEEMED TO PROVIDE THE ANSWER.

ALMOST AS IF IT'S BUCKLED
IN HALF,

AND THERE'S AT LEAST ONE BIG,
GAPING HOLE IN IT.

LET'S TRY AND GET IT
OUT OF THE WATER.

BEFORE SETTING SAIL,

THE DAMAGED CRAFT
NEEDED REPAIRS.

A SPRUCE TREE
PROVIDED SUPPORT STRUTS

TO GIVE THE CANOE BACK
ITS RIGIDITY.

AND THE TREE'S RESIN,
THICKENED WITH ASH,

MAKES A PERFECT SEALANT
TO PLUG ANY HOLES.

IN A CANOE LIKE THIS,
YOU'LL NEED A PADDLE.

MAKE A WOODEN FRAME AND COVER
IT WITH A DRY BAG OR RUCKSACK.

THIS AND THAT.
READY TO GO NOW.

KEEP THE CANOE STRAIGHT ON
TO THE FLOW OF THE RIVER.

ALLOW IT TO TURN SIDEWAYS,

AND THE CURRENT
WILL FLIP YOU OVER.

ONCE IN THE WATER,

STAY ON YOUR BACK WITH YOUR
FEET POINTING DOWNSTREAM

TO PROTECT YOUR HEAD
FROM HITTING ANY ROCKS.

RECEIVE A DIRECT BLOW
AT THIS SPEED,

AND YOU'RE GONNA
BE UNCONSCIOUS.

I HUNG ON
FOR AS LONG AS I COULD.

THERE WAS NO WAY THAT CANOE WAS
GONNA STAY UPRIGHT IN THAT WAVE.

AND THAT'S LONG GONE.

NEXT, ON A HUNTING EXPERIENCE
IN NAMIBIA,

I FIND MYSELF TRAPPED IN A HOLE
WITH NO WAY OUT.

SURVIVAL
IS ALL ABOUT KNOWLEDGE.

NEVER BE TOO PROUD
TO LEARN FROM OTHERS.

DO YOU SEE THEIR CAMP
AROUND THE ACACIA TREE THERE?

BONJOUR.
BONJOUR.

CA VA?
CA VA.

IN THE PARCHED DESERT,

THE BERBERS, THE ANCIENT
NOMADIC TRIBE OF THE SAHARA,

SHOWED ME
THE KEY TO THEIR SURVIVAL

IN THESE INHOSPITABLE LANDS.

EVERY BERBER HAS A MENTAL MAP
OF JUST WHAT'S WHERE.

AND THIS IS A REAL SKILL
OF THESE BERBER FAMILIES.

THIS KNOWLEDGE
IS JUST PASSED DOWN

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION,

OF KNOWING WHERE THESE WELLS ARE
IN THE DESERT,

THESE UNDERGROUND
POCKETS OF WATER.

AND IT'S THAT KNOWLEDGE
THAT REALLY MEANS

THESE GUYS ARE THE ULTIMATE
SAHARA DESERT SURVIVORS.

IN PANAMA, THE EMBERA TRIBE,

WHO HAVE LIVED AND SURVIVED
IN THIS JUNGLE FOR CENTURIES,

TAKE SOMETHING
MUCH STRONGER THAN WATER.

WOW.

IT'S LIKE A GRAPE COCKTAIL.

MMM!

I HAVE AN EMBARRASSING WEAKNESS
FOR PIÑA COLADAS,

AND THIS IS GONNA RIVAL
THE PIÑA COLADAS.

MMM!

[ LAUGHTER ]

WHAT THEY DIDN'T TELL ME

IS THAT THEY ADD THE SALIVA
FROM THE VILLAGE ELDERS

TO HELP IT FERMENT.

I THINK I NEED SOMETHING
TO CLEAR MY HEAD.

WHOO!

IN MANY CULTURES,

IT'S POLITE TO ACCEPT
YOUR HOSTS' HOSPITALITY,

EVEN WHEN IT'S A GOAT'S
PRIVATE PARTS ON OFFER.

HE'S GONNA CUT INTO THAT, AND
THEN HE'S GONNA EAT ONE OF THEM.

AND THEN IN HONOR OF HIS GUEST,

HE WANTS TO GIVE ME
THE OTHER ONE.

IT'S TRADITIONAL FOR BERBER MEN
TO EAT GOATS' TESTICLES.

THEY'RE THOUGHT
TO ENHANCE FERTILITY,

AND IT'S CERTAINLY
GONNA BE A TEST OF MY MANHOOD.

THAT HURTS JUST LOOKING AT IT.

MERCI. MERCI.

NO.

I MUST SAY,
I'VE NEVER...

NEVER EATEN RAW
GOAT'S TESTICLES BEFORE.

MERCI, MOHAMMED.

MMM.

NO MATTER WHAT IT TASTES LIKE,
DO TRY NOT TO OFFEND.

[ GAGS ]

OKAY, MOHAMMED. SORRY
ABOUT THAT. LET'S CARRY ON.

IN THE FROZEN HEART OF SIBERIA,

WHERE THE WEATHER CHANGES
IN AN INSTANT,

THE TUVANS HAVE LEARNED HOW TO
CONSTRUCT A SHELTER QUICKLY

TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE
SEVEREST WEATHER CONDITIONS.

WELL, IT'S BEGINNING
TO TAKE SHAPE.

AT THE MOMENT, THOUGH,
IT LOOKS A BIT DRAFTY.

AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING

IS INSULATING IT
WITH ALL OF THIS BRUSHWOOD

AND THEN WEIGHTING THAT DOWN
WITH MORE OF THE LOGS.

YOU'VE GOT TO COVER THE FLOOR

TO CONSERVE BODY HEAT
WHEN YOU LIE DOWN.

THE TUVANS USE DRY GRASS
AS BEDDING.

AND, LOOK, WE'VE BUILT UP

QUITE A NICE MATTRESS
OF ALL OF THIS DRY GRASS,

LIKE A FOOT THICK,

AND THAT WILL GIVE ME
REALLY GOOD INSULATION.

BRILLIANT. THANKS.

WHEN THE SUN DISAPPEARS
IN SIBERIA,

MAKE SURE
YOU'VE GOT YOUR FIRE LIT.

IT'S GONNA GET COLD.

I AM FREEZING, FREEZING COLD.

AND I'VE JUST LOOKED AT
THE THERMOMETER ON THE CAMERA.

AND HAVE A LOOK.
SEE WHAT IT'S READING.

IT'S SAYING MINUS-30 DEGREES.

AND, REALLY, AT THE MOMENT,

THIS IS JUST BECOMING
AN ENDURANCE EXERCISE

TO KEEP MOVING
MY TOES AND MY FINGERS,

JUST TRYING TO KEEP --
KEEP THEM MOVING.

THIS IS NOT FUN. NO FUN.

MANY TRIBES STILL RELY ON
HUNTING TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES,

AND FOR THEM, IT REALLY IS
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

[ SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE ]

BRAVO!

NO ONE'S MORE SURPRISED
THAT I HIT IT THAN ME,

BUT I KNOW THIS IS SUPPOSED TO
BE GOOD TO EAT.

POISON DARTS ARE USED
WORLDWIDE, BUT BEWARE.

EVEN THE EXPERTS
CAN GET IT WRONG.

I SEE ROY HAS GOT A BIT
OF THE POISON FROM THE BLOW DART

ONTO HIS HAND, AND LOOK.

YOU CAN JUST SEE HIS FINGERS
ARE BEGINNING TO SWELL UP.

AND IT'S SO EASY TO DO,

WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO WORK
YOUR WAY THROUGH THE JUNGLE,

JUST TO RUB AGAINST THAT
VERY BRIEFLY

AND GET A LITTLE BIT
ON YOUR HAND.

YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT THAT, THEN,
WOULD DO TO A LITTLE ANIMAL.

HUNTERS HONE THEIR SKILLS
OVER A LIFETIME.

FOR THE NOVICE,
IT'S A FAST LEARNING CURVE.

WHAT THEY'RE DOING HERE

IS JUST SIMULATING
THE NOISE OF AN AGOUTI...

[ HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAKING ]

...JUST WITH A LEAF
BETWEEN THEIR MOUTH.

THEY WANT ME TO HAVE A GO AT
MAKING THIS NOISE WITH A LEAF,

BUT I HAVE A DREADFUL FEELING

THIS IS NOT GONNA RESEMBLE
THE SOUND OF AGOUTI,

WHAT COMES OUT OF MY LEAF,
BUT LET'S GIVE IT A GO.

[ LOW-PITCHED SQUEAKING ]

I'M NOT SURE WHAT ANIMAL
THAT WAS [LAUGHS]

BUT WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES
CHARGING OUT OF THE JUNGLE.

IN THE DRY LANDS OF NAMIBIA,

FINDING FOOD
IS A MUCH GREATER CHALLENGE

EVEN FOR THE LEGENDARY HUNTERS,
THE SAN BUSHMEN.

BUT THE SAN
KNOW THE TRACK AND TRAIL

OF EVERY ANIMAL
THAT LIVES HERE,

AND THERE'S ONE IN PARTICULAR
THAT THEY'RE AFTER TODAY.

THEY'VE TRACKED DOWN
A HUGE PORCUPINE,

AND THEY'RE TRYING
TO DIG IT OUT FROM ITS BURROW.

THESE GUYS HAVE BROUGHT OUT
THEIR HEAVY MACHINERY

TO TRY AND GET THIS PORCUPINE
THAT'S SOMEWHERE UNDER HERE.

BUT THEY'RE QUITE BIG,
THESE THINGS, YOU KNOW?

IT'S TAKEN EIGHT HOURS
TO DIG THIS DEEP --

A HUGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT
TO CATCH JUST ONE MEAL.

BUT THAT'S THE REALITY
OF LIFE AS A HUNTER-GATHERER.

WHOA!

[ SPEAKING
NATIVE LANGUAGE ]

GET HIM, GET HIM,
GET HIM.

LET'S HAVE A LOOK.

OKAY,
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN SEE HIM.

WE'VE YET TO SEE
HOW BIG HE ACTUALLY IS,

BUT ONE THING I DO KNOW

IS THAT A CORNERED ANIMAL
IS DANGEROUS.

[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]

WE'VE GOT SOME
OF HIS SPIKES, ANYWAY.

BUT IT'S TIME TO FINISH THIS.

AND IT'S LEFT TO ME
TO GET THIS THING

OUT OF ITS HOLE AND KILLED.

[ APPLAUSE ]

IT'S BRUTAL, BUT FOR THE SAN,

WHEN IT COMES TO SURVIVAL,
THERE'S NO ROOM FOR SENTIMENT.

IF THEY DON'T KILL,
THEY DON'T EAT.

WATER, FOOD, AND SHELTER ARE
THE KEY ELEMENTS OF SURVIVAL,

BUT SELF-HELP MEANS MOVING,
AND MOVING MEANS RISK.

IF YOU PLAN TO WALK OUT
OF A SURVIVAL SITUATION,

COUNT ON ONE THING --

NATURE WILL THROW EVERYTHING
AT YOU

AND BLOCK YOUR PATH
AT EVERY TURN.

TO MOVE ON, SOMETIMES
YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE RISKS.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, REALLY,
I GOT A BIT LUCKY THEN.

BUT YOU'LL NEED MORE
THAN A BIT OF LUCK.

DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN
TO IMPROVE YOURS CHANCES

OF FINDING A WAY OUT
AND BACK TO CIVILIZATION.

IT'S SO HARD TO JUST
KEEP FOLLOWING THE TRAIL, YEAH?

THE WORLD'S HOTTEST DESERT,
THE SAHARA.

AND IT'S IMMENSE --
NEARLY THE SIZE OF THE U.S.A.

WITH NO LANDMARKS TO GUIDE YOU,
IT'S EASY TO LOSE YOUR WAY.

BUT APPLY A FEW BASIC
NAVIGATION TRICKS,

AND YOU SHOULD STAY ON COURSE.

ONE WAY I CAN CHECK MY DIRECTION
IS JUST USE MY KNIFE,

AND THE SUN AND THEN
THE SHADOW THAT IT CASTS.

AND IF I JUST STICK THIS
INTO THE GROUND

AND PUT A PEBBLE WHERE
THE SUN CASTS A SHADOW --

SEE THAT JUST THERE?

AND IF I THEN LEAVE THIS
15 MINUTES OR SO...

THIS SHADOW NOW
HAS MOVED AROUND ENOUGH

JUST TO BE ABLE
TO GIVE ME TWO POINTS.

AND IF I MARK THAT LIKE THIS,

THAT'S GONNA
BE MY EAST-WEST LINE,

WHICH MEANS NORTH-SOUTH
IS LIKE THAT,

WHICH MEANS NORTHWEST
IS LIKE THAT.

TRAVEL NORTHWEST,

AND YOU'LL REACH THE SAFETY
OF THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS.

AT NIGHT, TEMPERATURES DROP
BY UP TO 80 DEGREES.

THE AIR IS CRISP AND CLEAR,

AND IN THE DARKNESS, THE STARS
WILL BE YOUR SALVATION.

THE BEST WAY OF NAVIGATING
AT NIGHT IN THE DESERT

IS JUST TO USE THE STARS.

AND IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE,

THE MOST RELIABLE ONE TO USE
IS THE NORTH STAR.

BUT THE WAY
TO FIND THE NORTH STAR

IS TO USE THE BIG DIPPER,
OR THE PLOW.

AND WHAT YOU DO,
YOU TAKE THE START OF IT,

FOLLOW THE HANDLE 'ROUND,
DOWN TO THE BOTTOM.

AND THEN YOU TAKE THE LAST TWO,

AND THE DISTANCE
BETWEEN THE LAST TWO --

YOU MULTIPLY IT FOUR TIMES.

1, 2, 3, AND 4.

POINTS DIRECTLY
AT THE NORTH STAR.

STARS MOVE ALL THE TIME,

SO RECHECK YOUR BEARING
EVERY 10 MINUTES.

CONSTANTLY LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS

THAT MIGHT LEAD TO CIVILIZATION
AND ULTIMATELY TO RESCUE.

JUST LOOK AT THE DEVASTATION
THESE HURRICANES CAUSE.

IN LOUISIANA,

THE TRAIL OF DEBRIS
LEFT BY HURRICANE KATRINA

LED RIGHT OUT OF THE SWAMPS
TO SAFETY.

AFTER KATRINA, MANY FAMILIES
WERE TRAPPED BY FLOODWATERS,

AND THEY HAD TO TAKE REFUGE
IN THE HIGHEST PLACE AVAILABLE.

THE ROOF LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN FIND A WAY
UP THERE.

FOR THOUSANDS
OF KATRINA VICTIMS,

THE ROOF
WAS THE ONLY SAFE PLACE TO BE,

AWAY FROM THE FLOODWATERS AND
THE DANGEROUS SWAMP WILDLIFE

THAT WAS OFTEN WASHED UP
IN THEIR HOMES.

IT WAS ALSO THE BEST PLACE

TO GET NOTICED,
LOCATED, AND RESCUED.

AND THAT'S GONNA BE
THE SAME FOR ME.

THE HELICOPTER HAS SPOTTED ME.

AND THEN GIVE HIM THE BIG
INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS SIGNAL --

A BIG "Y."

IT MEANS, "YES, I NEED HELP!"

IN THE HARSH CONDITIONS OF THE
DESERT, SETTLEMENTS ARE SCARCE.

YOU COULD BE WALKING FOR DAYS
BEFORE YOU SEE SIGNS OF LIFE.

OH, BUILDINGS,
PALM TREES, AND PEOPLE.

AND THAT WOULD MEAN ONE THING --

YOU'RE SAFE.

MERCI.

IN MOST CASES,
HEAD FOR THE COAST.

99% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION
LIVE BY WATER.

FOLLOW THE SHORELINE,
AND YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE.

WHAT I'M REMINDED OF
IN THIS PLACE

IS THAT NATURE IS ESSENTIALLY
NEITHER FOR US NOR AGAINST US,

AND WHAT DETERMINES
WHETHER WE SURVIVE OR NOT

IS OUR SKILL, OUR COMMON SENSE,

AND ULTIMATELY...

OUR DETERMINATION
TO MAKE IT HOME IN ONE PIECE.

WHOO-HOO! WHOO!