Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 3, Episode 2 - The Deep South - full transcript
Bear bumps into alligators, snakes, catfish and a nutria or two in a Louisiana swamp. But that's OK because they're might good eating.
I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
PLACES ON EARTH.
WHOO!
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH
A WEEK OF CHALLENGES
IN THE SORT OF PLACES
YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS.
THIS TIME,
I'M GONNA BE IN THE SWAMPS
OF THE DEEP SOUTH OF THE U.S.,
WHERE I'LL BE BATTLING
THROUGH TERRIFYING TERRAIN...
OWW!
...FIGHTING FOR FOOD,
FINDING HAZARDS
DEEP IN THE SWAMP...
WHOA!
...AND COMING FACE TO FACE
WITH SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
WILDLIFE ON THE PLANET.
SOMETHING JUST WENT --
HIT ME QUITE HARD.
THE DEEP SOUTH IS HOME TO
THE LARGEST SWAMPS IN THE U.S.
IT'S THOUSANDS OF SQUARE MILES
OF EXTREME WILDERNESS
ON THE VERY EDGE
OF CIVILIZATION --
THE FRONT LINE
BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE.
AND IT SEES SOME OF
THE WORST WEATHER IN THE WORLD.
THIS IS HURRICANE COUNTRY!
THIS PLACE HAS SEEN SOME OF THE
WILDEST WEATHER ON THE PLANET --
WITH TORNADOES, THUNDERSTORMS,
AND HURRICANES LIKE KATRINA!
WHEN KATRINA
RIPPED THROUGH HERE IN 2005,
IT BROUGHT
175-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS,
30-FOOT STORM SURGES,
AND DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE.
I'VE GOT A FEW BASIC
SURVIVAL TOOLS,
AND MY CAMERA CREW
ARE COMING WITH ME!
AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO
SURVIVE IN KATRINA COUNTRY!
LET'S GO!
I CAN'T LAND IN THE SWAMPS,
SO THE PILOT IS GONNA DROP ME
IN A DEEPWATER CHANNEL.
AS SOON AS IT TOUCHES
THE WATER, I'M OFF.
HITTING THE WATER
AT THIS SPEED IS DANGEROUS.
GET IT WRONG, AND YOU'RE
GONNA BREAK A LIMB OR WORSE.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
[ GRUNTS ]
I DO NOT WANT TO HANG AROUND
LONG IN THIS RIVER.
I NEED TO GET TO THE BANK.
DEEP WATER IS HOME TO THE
BIGGEST DANGERS IN THE SWAMPS.
THE PILOT SAID THAT THERE
ARE OVER TWO MILLION ALLIGATORS
IN THESE SWAMPS,
INCLUDING THE BIGGEST ONE
EVER RECORDED -- OVER 19 FOOT.
THAT'S WHY I WANT TO
GET OUT OF THIS RIVER...
IN 2006,
THREE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA
WERE KILLED BY ALLIGATORS
IN JUST A FEW DAYS.
I'M GONNA NEED TO STAY SHARP
AND KEEP FOCUSED.
THERE'S SOMETHING
EERILY STILL ABOUT THIS PLACE.
IT'S AMAZING HOW SENSITIVE
YOUR EARS BECOME
JUST TO EVERY LITTLE
CRACK OF A TWIG...
WHEN YOU'RE NOT QUITE SURE
WHAT'S UNDER THE SURFACE.
AS WELL AS ALLIGATORS,
THESE SWAMPS ARE HOME
TO HALF A DOZEN SPECIES
OF POISONOUS SNAKES,
AGGRESSIVE SNAPPING TURTLES
THAT CAN WEIGH AS MUCH
AS A FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK,
AND PREHISTORIC FISH
UP TO 10 FEET LONG.
[ GRUNTS ]
SOMETHING JUST WENT --
HIT ME QUITE HARD.
I CAN TELL ALREADY
IT'S JUST GONNA BE A CASE OF...
ACCEPTING THAT THERE
IS STUFF IN THIS WATER...
AND JUST GETTING ON WITH IT.
I HAVE TO TRY
AND CONQUER MY INITIAL FEARS
AND JUST KEEP MOVING.
SWAMP IS THE TOUGHEST TERRAIN
TO GET THROUGH,
WITH DEEP WATER, THICK MUD,
AND UNSEEN HAZARDS EVERYWHERE.
THE FIRST THING I REALLY WANT
IS JUST SOME SORT OF STICK
TO HELP ME MOVE THROUGH HERE.
[ WATER SPLASHES ]
YOU OKAY?
THAT'S WHY
WE GOT TO GET A STICK.
THE SWAMP BED
IS FULL OF HOLES,
AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT
MIGHT BE LURKING DOWN THERE.
JAM IT BETWEEN
THESE KNEES OF THE ROOT.
[ CRACKS ]
[ GRUNTS ]
THAT'LL DO.
A STICK HELPS YOU MOVE,
PROVIDES SOME PROTECTION
FROM ALLIGATOR ATTACK,
AND CAN BE A USEFUL WEAPON
WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW
WHAT'S 'ROUND THE NEXT CORNER.
[ GRUNTS ]
[ SPITS ]
DID YOU SEE THAT?!
THAT WAS A HUGE NUTRIA!
IT JUST SHOT ALONG HERE
UNDER THIS TREE.
THESE ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST
RODENTS IN THE WORLD.
KIND OF LIKE A BEAVER WITH
A HUGE, LONG RATTAIL,
AND THEN THESE BIG ORANGE TEETH.
NUTRIA ARE GOOD TO EAT,
BUT THEY'RE ALSO DANGEROUS
AND WILL ATTACK ANIMALS
FAR LARGER THAN THEMSELVES.
WATCH OUT
IF HE COMES FLYING OUT OF HERE.
JUST STAND BACK THERE.
[ THUDDING ]
HE'S PRETTY WELL BURIED
IN THERE.
LET'S LEAVE HIM BE.
THE SWAMP
IS TEEMING WITH WILDLIFE,
WHICH MEANS
THERE IS FOOD OUT THERE.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW
THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN WHAT'S EDIBLE
AND WHAT'S GONNA KILL YOU.
OHH! SNAKE!
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
THERE'S A LITTLE WATER SNAKE.
THIS ONE ISN'T VENOMOUS,
BUT THE SWAMP IS ALSO FULL
OF WATER MOCCASINS
AND CORAL SNAKES,
BOTH OF WHICH CAN BE DEADLY.
AND THIS GUY WILL MIGHT
FEED OFF FISH.
AND NONPOISONOUS
AND REALLY JUST GOOD TO EAT --
GOOD TO EAT RAW.
[ CRUNCHES ]
GET RID OF THE HEAD.
[ CRUNCHES ]
SNAKE MEAT
IS FULL OF NUTRITION,
BUT WITH THIS SNAKE,
THAT'S NOT ALL YOU MIGHT GET.
YOU WANT TO BE A BIT CAREFUL
EATING A LOT OF THESE SORT OF
SNAKES WITHOUT COOKING THEM
'CAUSE, ESSENTIALLY,
THE INSIDES OF THEM
ARE FULL OF LOADS
OF ROTTING...FISH...
THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO GET --
THERE YOU GO --
INSIDE YOUR MOUTH.
BUT THAT MUCH IS ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S ONE LESS SNAKE
TO WORRY ABOUT.
LET'S KEEP GOING.
FINDING FOOD IN THE SWAMPS
CAN BE EASIER
THAN FINDING YOUR ROUTE OUT.
TWO YEARS AGO,
A MAN WAS LOST OUT HERE
WHEN HIS BOAT GOT STRANDED.
HE HAD NO FOOD, NO WATER,
AND WAS FINALLY FOUND
SIX DAYS LATER,
EXHAUSTED, DEHYDRATED,
AND BARELY ALIVE.
HE'D ONLY GONE OUT
FOR A PACK OF CIGARETTES,
AND AT NO TIME WAS HE MORE
THAN A FEW MILES
FROM CIVILIZATION.
[ SPLASHING ]
IT'S FUNNY HOW,
NOW THAT THE SWAMP IS LESS DEEP,
IT'S BECOME A LOT MORE STINKY.
AND LOOK.
YOU SEE IF I STICK THIS
IN THE MUD,
IT RELEASES
ALL THESE BUBBLES.
AND THAT'S JUST THE METHANE
FROM ALL THE ROTTING VEGETATION
DOWN THERE.
LOOK -- THIS IS WHAT
WE'RE WADING THROUGH.
[ SNIFFS ]
AND THAT REALLY SMELLS LIKE
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A SMALL ROOM
HAVING EATEN TOO MANY BEANS.
THERE ARE ONE AND A HALF
MILLION ALLIGATORS HERE.
THEY PREFER THE SHALLOW,
MUDDY WATERS,
AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
BEFORE YOU FIND ONE.
LOOK --
A LITTLE BABY ALLIGATOR.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
WHOA.
NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
[ HISSES LOUDLY ]
[ GRUNTS ] SEE, THAT'S HOW
THEY CATCH THEIR PREY.
AND YOU HAD THAT STUMP
BETWEEN US.
WHACK WITH ITS TAIL AND AT
THE SAME TIME WITH HIS HEAD.
[ HISSES ]
HE'S QUITE A FIGHTER, THIS GUY.
JUST KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
A LITTLE BIT.
JUST NEED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT
AS WE'RE MOVING.
LAST YEAR, THE STATE RELEASED
MORE THAN 60,000 ALLIGATORS
INTO THE WILD
TO ENCOURAGE HUNTING.
AVOIDING THEM OUT HERE
IS NOT GONNA BE EASY.
HE'S PRETTY PRIMED.
I'M STRUGGLING THROUGH
HURRICANE COUNTRY
IN THE DEEP SOUTH.
EVERY YEAR, THIS AREA
IS BATTERED BY NATURE,
AND THE STORMS CAN LEAVE
SURPRISING STUFF BEHIND.
LOOK AT THIS.
LOOK.
A LITTLE LOO SEAT JUST IN
THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
KIND OF RANDOM.
ACTUALLY, LOOK -- THERE'S
SOMETHING OVER HERE, AS WELL.
[ SPLASHING ]
LOOK, IT'S AN OLD DOMESTIC
WATER HEATER.
AND THE ONLY WAY
THIS WOULD HAVE GOT HERE
IS FROM A BIG STORM SURGE.
YEAH, BUT YOU'VE GOT
TO BEAR IN MIND
THIS PLACE
SEES HUGE HURRICANES --
150-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS,
WATER LEVEL RISING 20, 25 FOOT.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU GET
THESE RANDOM THINGS
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THESE TRACES OF CIVILIZATION
ARE A GOOD SIGN.
THIS COULD BE
THE WAY OUT OF HERE.
THE MORE HUMANS
THAT COME INTO THE SWAMPS,
THE MORE THEY'RE GONNA
COME UP AGAINST ALLIGATORS.
THIS IS VERY MUCH THEIR HOME.
THEY CAN LIE LOW IN THE WATER
HERE, DROP INTO THAT MUD,
AND YOU'RE
HARDLY GONNA NOTICE THEM.
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ALMOST
STAND ON TOP OF THEM
BEFORE YOU'RE GONNA REALIZE.
BUT YOUR BEST WEAPON
IS ACTUALLY YOUR EARS.
JUST LISTEN, 'CAUSE WHEN
ANYTHING MOVES THROUGH HERE,
YOU'RE BASICALLY GONNA HEAR 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.
THERE'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING
THRASHING AROUND
ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY OVER THERE.
JUST MOVE REALLY QUIETLY.
HUNTING IS ENCOURAGED HERE.
EACH YEAR, HUNTERS KILL
30,000 WILD GATORS
FOR THEIR SKIN AND MEAT.
AND I WANT THAT MEAT.
[ ROAR ]
THERE YOU GO.
DID YOU HEAR THAT?
THERE'S SOMETHING
RIGHT OVER THIS WAY.
LET'S GO 'ROUND.
LET'S GO 'ROUND.
ALLIGATOR ATTACKS ON HUMANS
HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY
IN THE U.S.
IN THE LAST DECADE,
MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED
THAN IN THE PREVIOUS 30.
WITH SO MANY ALLIGATORS AROUND,
CONTACT IS INEVITABLE.
BUT THERE ARE WAYS OF DEALING
WITH THEM IF YOU EVER HAVE TO.
OKAY. COME THROUGH.
HE'S SEEN US.
HE'S SEEN US NOW.
COME ON.
JUST COME NICE AND STEADY.
ONE BITE FROM THIS WOULD SEVER
MY ARM LIKE A ROTTEN TWIG.
THAT'S A GOOD SIZE --
ABOUT SIX FOOT, PROBABLY.
A GATOR THIS BIG
IS ALREADY FULLY MATURE,
BUT IT WILL CONTINUE
TO INCREASE IN SIZE.
AND ONCE THEY STRIKE,
THEIR INSTINCT IS TO GET YOU
INTO A DEATH ROLL.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST GONNA BE
SIX FOOT OF SOLID MUSCLE.
AND DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE
HOW POWERFUL THESE THINGS ARE.
AND THIS THING
IS STRONGER THAN ME,
AND IT'S DEFINITELY
FASTER THAN ME.
YOU CAN'T OUTRUN THESE.
THEY CAN SPRINT AT OVER
35 MILES AN HOUR.
AND THIS CLOSE TO HIM,
YOU'VE GOT NO MEANS OF ESCAPE.
AND LOOK, THOSE EYES
ARE LOOKING STRAIGHT AT ME.
HE'S PRETTY PRIMED.
HE DOESN'T NEED TO BE SCARED
OF VERY MUCH IN THESE SWAMPS.
AND THAT'S WHY
HE'S NOT BACKING AWAY FROM 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.
TRY AND KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.
ALL THE POWER OF ITS JAWS
ARE THE FORCE THAT CLOSE.
THERE'S NOT VERY MUCH STRENGTH
TO OPEN IT.
THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY
TO DISPATCH IT
IS TO SEVER THE SPINAL COLUMN
BEHIND THE HEAD.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
OKAY,
THAT'S HIS SPINAL CORD...CUT.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
AND DEATH IS INSTANTANEOUS.
[ Panting ] OKAY.
LET'S GO
AND GET THIS THING SKINNED,
AND I'LL COOK IT LATER.
[ GRUNTING ]
THIS ALLIGATOR IS GONNA BE
INCREDIBLY USEFUL TO ME.
BUT FIRST, I NEED TO FIND
A PLACE TO MAKE CAMP.
THERE'S A GOOD BIT
OF HIGH GROUND JUST OVER THERE.
IF I CAN REACH THAT, IT'S GONNA
BE A GOOD PLACE TO SET UP CAMP.
IT'S A BIT DEEPER
THAN I THOUGHT.
[ EXHALING SHARPLY ]
[ GRUNTS ]
TIDES, RAINS, AND STORMS
CAN MAKE THE WATER LEVELS RISE
SEVERAL FEET
IN JUST A FEW HOURS.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT
TO PITCH YOUR SWAMP CAMP
ON THE HIGHEST GROUND
YOU CAN FIND.
ACTUALLY, THIS COULD WORK
QUITE NICELY HERE.
USE THIS AS A PLATFORM
TO LIE ON.
LOTS OF SPANISH MOSS, AS WELL.
WHAT I HAVEN'T GOT
IS ANY SORT OF VINE AROUND HERE.
I'VE GOT ONE IDEA
OF WHAT I CAN USE.
ALLIGATOR HIDE
IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST
AND SUPPLEST OF ANIMAL SKINS,
WHICH MAKES IT
GREAT MATERIAL TO WORK WITH.
IF I CAN JUST CUT STRIPS
OF THIS SKIN,
THIS IS GONNA BE THE TOUGHEST
CORDAGE YOU CAN EVER GET.
AND IT'S GONNA BE IDEAL
JUST FOR TYING MY CAMP TOGETHER.
DARKNESS COMES QUICKLY
IN THE SWAMP,
AND I NEED TO GET
THIS CAMP BUILT FAST.
SO I'M MAKING
A SIMPLE SWAMP BED,
USING JUST WHAT'S AROUND ME --
LOTS OF FALLEN CYPRESS BROUGHT
DOWN BY THE HURRICANE WINDS.
OKAY -- THAT'S THE PLATFORM
THAT I'M GONNA LIE ON.
AND THEN WHAT I CAN DO
IS USE ALL OF THIS SPANISH MOSS
HANGING IN THE TREE.
AND IF THIS STUFF
IS ON THE GROUND,
YOU WANT TO BE
A BIT CAREFUL OF IT.
IT'LL OFTEN BE FULL OF
HORRIBLE CHIGGERS --
THESE LITTLE BUGS
THAT WILL BITE YOU TO DEATH.
WHEN IT'S IN THE TREE LIKE THIS,
IT'S NICE, IT'S DRY,
AND IT'S SOFT.
AND IT'S GREAT BEDDING.
RIGHT, LET'S JUST
GIVE THIS A TEST.
THAT'S ALL GOOD.
I'M GONNA PULL SOME OF THESE --
PULL SOME OF THESE ACROSS,
MAKE A BIT OF A ROOF, AS WELL.
TROPICAL STORMS BRING HUGE
AMOUNTS OF RAIN TO THIS AREA,
SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS
AN INCH IN AN HOUR.
IN WEATHER LIKE THIS,
RAIN COVER IS ESSENTIAL,
AND THESE PALMETTO LEAVES
ARE JUST WHAT I NEED.
WELL, THAT'S KIND OF FINISHED.
I'M OFF THE GROUND,
NICE AND SOFT,
AND I'VE GOT SOME COVERING
FROM THE RAIN.
NEXT THING I NEED IS A FIRE.
HANG ON -- LOOK.
SEE OVER THERE?
IT'S UNDER THAT LOG.
THAT'S A NUTRIA.
THAT'S WHAT WENT INTO THAT TREE
THAT I COULDN'T GET OUT.
A LITTLE
RODENT-LOOKING THING.
HE HAS BIG, BEAVER-LIKE TEETH --
REALLY GOOD EATING.
BUT I'VE GOT MASSES OF MEAT
WITH THIS ALLIGATOR.
RIGHT,
LET'S GET THIS FIRE GOING.
WHEN THE SUN SETS, THE
TEMPERATURE HERE DROPS FAST.
AND AT NIGHT, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN
TO FALL BELOW FREEZING.
MAKING FIRE IN THE SWAMP
WHERE EVERYTHING
IS BASICALLY SOAKING WET,
I'M NOT PREDICTING
IT BEING VERY EASY.
THIS STUFF'S QUITE NICE AND DRY
AND GOT FROM OUT OF THE NOOK
IN THAT TREE.
[ FLINT SCRAPING ]
AHH.
WELL, I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED.
AFTER HOURS
SPENT IN THE WATER,
YOU'VE GOT TO TRY
AND DRY YOURSELF OUT
AS MUCH AS YOU CAN,
ESPECIALLY YOUR FEET.
AND THE DANGER IS
IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR FEET DRY,
YOU JUST END UP
WITH TRENCH FOOT --
OR, IN THIS CASE, SWAMP FOOT --
WHERE EVERYTHING
JUST STARTS TO SHRIVEL
AND THEN BASICALLY FALL APART,
GET INFECTED.
AND THEN IT'S KIND OF ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK ON THEM.
THAT'S HOW PEOPLE DIE
IN THIS SORT OF PLACE.
WHEN YOU'RE TIRED AND HUNGRY,
ALLIGATOR MEAT IS ONE OF
THE BEST SOURCES OF ENERGY
AND NUTRITION
THAT YOU CAN GET.
AND THIS IS WHERE THE BEST MEAT
ON THE ALLIGATOR IS --
HERE ON THE SIDE OF THE TAIL.
IT'S WHERE THE REAL POWER IS.
LOOK AT THAT.
LEAN --
IT'S GONNA BE DELICIOUS.
ALLIGATOR MEAT
IS VERY LOW IN CHOLESTEROL.
POUND FOR POUND,
IT'S GOT THE SAME PROTEIN
BUT HALF THE FAT OF BEEF.
[ FIRE CRACKLING ]
THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY NOW.
HAVE A LITTLE LOOK.
AFTER AN EXHAUSTING DAY
IN THE SWAMPS,
IT'S GREAT TO GET DRY, WARM,
AND HAVE SOME GOOD, LEAN MEAT
TO CHEW ON.
MMM. DELICIOUS.
AND THE GREAT THING IS,
NO SHORTAGE OF SECONDS.
THE ALLIGATOR HAS GIVEN ME
PLENTY OF FOOD
AND ESSENTIAL CORDAGE
FOR MY SHELTER.
BUT IT CAN ALSO HELP PREVENT ME
CATCHING WEST NILE FEVER,
A DEADLY DISEASE SPREAD BY THE
EVER-PRESENT SWAMP MOSQUITO.
ONE THING THE LOCAL
NATIVE INDIANS USED TO DO
TO KEEP THE MOSQUITOES AWAY
WAS USE ALLIGATOR FAT.
AND YOU SEE THERE -- IT'S MASSES
OF THE FAT ABOVE THE MEAT.
AND YOU CAN JUST RUB THIS
ONTO YOUR SKIN.
AND IT'S NOT GONNA SMELL
VERY NICE,
BUT IT'LL KEEP
THOSE MOSQUITOES AWAY.
AND, MAN, ARE THERE A LOT OF
THEM AROUND AT THE MOMENT HERE.
KKGHH!
AND I'M NOT HOLDING OUT MUCH
HOPE FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
[ FROGS CALLING LOUDLY ]
THE SWAMP'S QUITE
AN EERIE PLACE AT NIGHTTIME.
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH NOISE.
BUT ALMOST EVERYTHING
THAT LIVES IN THE SWAMPS
DOES ITS HUNTING
DURING THE NIGHT.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT'S ALL
I CAN HEAR AT THE MOMENT.
AND THIS PLACE
JUST NEVER SLEEPS...
AND AT THE MOMENT, NOR AM I.
IT'S GONNA BE A LONG NIGHT.
I'VE JUST SPENT THE NIGHT IN
THE SWAMPS OF THE DEEP SOUTH.
THIS PLACE NEVER RESTS,
AND I DIDN'T GET MUCH SLEEP,
BUT AT LEAST THERE WERE
NO STORMS.
HURRICANE WINDS
HAVE BROUGHT DOWN
LOADS OF TREES AROUND HERE,
AND WHEREVER I CAN, I USE THEM
TO KEEP ME OUT OF DEEPER WATER,
WHERE THE BIGGER ALLIGATORS
MIGHT BE LURKING.
LOOK OVER THERE. LOOK.
LET'S GO AND HAVE A LOOK.
THIS LOOKS LIKE
MORE SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION,
AND THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING
THERE THAT CAN HELP ME.
LOOKS LIKE AN OLD LOGGING CABIN.
BUT LOOK --
IT'S PRETTY TRASHED NOW.
PROBABLY KNOCKED DOWN
IN ONE OF THE HURRICANES.
BUT, ACTUALLY, THERE'S STILL
LOADS THAT YOU COULD USE IN HERE
IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.
I COULD PROBABLY
USE SOME OF THIS
TO MAKE A RAFT
TO GET ACROSS THIS RIVER...
'CAUSE IT'S
IN THE BIG RIVERS LIKE THIS
THAT YOU GET THE BIG ALLIGATORS.
THESE DEEP RIVERS ARE HOME TO
ALLIGATORS UP TO 18 FOOT LONG.
YOU DON'T WANT TO TANGLE
WITH ONE OF THESE MONSTERS,
SO I'M GONNA TRY
AND STAY OUT OF THAT WATER.
THERE'S A COTTONMOUTH.
COME HERE.
NICE AND STEADY.
SEE THAT?
IT'S MOVING THROUGH THERE.
IT JUST SLITHERED
STRAIGHT UNDER THERE.
THERE YOU GO.
SEE HIM?
THIS SHACK IS JUST FULL
OF HIDDEN DANGERS.
AND THE COTTONMOUTHS
ARE ONE OF THE FEW SNAKES
WHO WILL ACTIVELY GO FOR YOU.
HE'S GONE, AND IN THE CASE
OF A COTTONMOUTH,
THAT'S A GOOD THING.
THIS RUINED SHACK IS OF NO USE
TO ANYBODY ELSE ANYMORE.
BUT FOR ME, IT'S A GOLD MINE.
THIS WILL SUPPLY ME WITH
ALL THE RAW MATERIAL I NEED
TO BUILD A SUBSTANTIAL RAFT.
IT MAY LOOK LIKE OLD JUNK,
BUT IF YOU KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
THIS STUFF
CAN BE A REAL LIFESAVER.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
WELL, THIS WILL WORK
REALLY WELL
AS A GOOD, LIKE,
BASEBOARD FOR THIS RAFT.
I'LL USE THAT...
AND THEN A LOAD OF STRUTS
ALONG IT.
AND THEN ALL I NEED --
ONE OF THOSE BIG PLANKS
JUST ON THE TOP.
AND THAT'LL BE ENOUGH
TO KEEP ME OUT OF THE WATER
AND FLOAT ME ACROSS.
THE SHACK IS FULL
OF OLD RUSTY NAILS.
I CAN USE THEM TO HOLD
MY RAFT TOGETHER.
BUT IT'S SO EASY TO GET
A NICK OR CUT FROM ONE,
WHICH COULD TURN SEPTIC
WITHIN HOURS
IN THIS STINKY,
FETID SWAMP.
OWW!
BUT I NEED TO HURRY
BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS TAKING
A TURN FOR THE WORSE.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE ]
THAT'S THE THUNDER STARTING.
IT'S ALSO STARTING TO DRIZZLE.
KKGHH!
AND THE MOSQUITOES ARE OUT.
MY WORST TIME OF DAY
IN THE SWAMPS.
I WANT TO GET THIS FINISHED
AND GET ACROSS THIS RIVER
WITHOUT GETTING EATEN.
OKAY, LET'S GIVE IT A TRY.
LET'S HOPE THIS FLOATS.
THIS NEEDS TO WORK
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T GOT MUCH
TIME TO CROSS THE RIVER.
THERE'S A THUNDERSTORM
ON THE WAY.
BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS,
AND WHEN IT COMES TO BIG
ALLIGATORS AND BIG RIVERS,
YOU'VE GOT TO GET IT RIGHT.
NO, NO, NO, NO.
IT'S GONNA BE NO GOOD.
IT NEEDS MORE.
I DO NOT WANT TO BE SINKING
RIGHT OUT
IN THAT ALLIGATOR RIVER.
IT NEEDS MORE BUOYANCY.
I'VE GOT TO WORK QUICKLY
IF I'M GONNA GET
ANOTHER CHANCE AT THIS.
THE WEATHER IS GETTING WORSE
ALL THE TIME.
I NEED TO GO FOR THIS NOW.
I DON'T WANT TO BE OUT ON OPEN
WATER IN A LIGHTNING STORM
BECAUSE THERE'S A REAL DANGER
OF BEING STRUCK.
LET'S GIVE THIS A SECOND GO.
[ RAIN FALLING ]
[ THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE ]
NO.
THIS IS GONNA BE MAD.
MY RAFT
STILL ISN'T BUOYANT ENOUGH,
AND THE WEATHER
IS MAKING THIS TOO DANGEROUS.
THERE'S NO CHOICE
BUT TO WAIT THIS OUT.
AND EVENTUALLY,
CALM RETURNS TO THE SWAMPS.
NOW'S MY CHANCE
TO MAKE THE CROSSING.
I PUT MORE WOOD IN IT
AND BUOYANCY.
HOPEFULLY,
NOW IT SHOULD FLOAT.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT MUCH
OF THIS WOOD IS SO WATERLOGGED,
IT'S MAKING IT HEAVY.
LET'S GIVE IT A GO RIGHT NOW.
IT'S BUSINESS TIME!
THIRD TIME LUCKY.
I'VE WAITED OUT THE STORM
AND REDESIGNED MY RAFT.
NOW I'VE JUST GOT TO
PADDLE IT ACROSS.
THIS IS WORKING PRETTY WELL.
AND NO ALLIGATOR'S GONNA WANT
TO TAKE A BITE OF THIS.
THERE'S SO MANY NAILS IN IT.
SURVIVAL IS ABOUT WORKING
YOUR WAY 'ROUND PROBLEMS
AND NEVER GIVING UP.
AS THEY SAY IN THE ARMY,
"IMPROVISE, ADAPT,
AND OVERCOME."
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!
AAH!
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
I'M GOING FISHING
THE SOUTHERN WAY.
THAT IS QUITE A BIG --
QUITE A BIG CATFISH!
I'M IN THE SWAMPS
OF THE DEEP SOUTH.
AND DOWN HERE, I'M IN THE WATER
MOST OF THE TIME.
BUT IT'S NOT THE SORT OF WATER
I WANT TO BE DRINKING.
BUT YOU CAN GET TO CLEAN FLUIDS
IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.
ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS
IN THE SWAMPS
IS ACTUALLY JUST GETTING
ANY WATER THAT YOU CAN DRINK.
BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
THESE THISTLE PLANTS
ONCE YOU GET RID
OF THESE HORRIBLE SPIKES.
[ HOLLOW THUDDING ]
AND LOOK -- KIND OF BREAKS OFF
A BIT LIKE CELERY.
BUT YOU CAN CHEW THAT.
[ CRUNCHES ]
[ SUCKING, CHEWING ]
AND IT'S GOT LOTS OF DRINKABLE,
CLEAN FLUID IN IT.
I'LL TAKE THE REST OF THAT
TO CHEW ON.
[ CRUNCHES ]
THE SWAMP
IS MAINLY STILL WATER,
BUT IT'S CRISSCROSSED
WITH THESE LITTLE RIVERS
CALLED BAYOUS.
AND IF YOU'RE HUNGRY
AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
THESE CAN BE A GOOD PLACE
TO FIND FISH.
WHAT YOU'LL OFTEN GET
WITH THESE TREES --
YOU GET A BIT WHERE ALL
THE ROOTS HAVE BEEN ERODED...
BY THE WATER.
AND YOU GET
THESE MINI CREVICES AND CAVERNS.
I THINK THAT'S A NICE ONE.
THESE HOLES ARE OFTEN HOME
TO CATFISH --
LARGE, STRONG, SOLITARY FISH
THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND
BUT ARE REALLY GOOD TO EAT.
CATFISH ARE PREDATORS
THAT CAN GROW TO SIX FOOT
AND WEIGH 100 POUNDS.
THEY WILL LIE IN THEIR HOLES
ALL DAY
WAITING FOR SMALLER FISH
TO SWIM PAST
AND THEN MAKE A GRAB FOR THEM
WITH THEIR HUGE
TOOTH-FILLED MOUTHS.
WHAT I'M ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO
IS JUST USE MY...HAND
AND FINGERS...
AS KIND OF HOOK AND BAIT.
I'LL SEE IF I CAN
GET MYSELF SOMETHING.
A CATFISH LOCKS ON TO ITS PREY
AND DRAGS IT INTO ITS HOLE.
I WANT IT TO LOCK ON
TO MY HAND,
AND THEN I'LL HAUL HIM OUT.
THAT'S RISKY ENOUGH,
BUT CATFISH HOLES
ARE SOMETIMES TAKEN OVER
BY ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLES
THAT CAN WEIGH
OVER 200 POUNDS
AND BITE YOUR HAND
CLEAN OFF.
OWW!
MAN, THERE'S SOMETHING --
THERE'S SOMETHING DOWN HERE.
[ GRUNTING ]
OWW!
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
ALL MY INSTINCTS ARE SCREAMING
TO GET MY HAND OUT OF THERE.
BUT I WANT THIS FISH.
[ GRUNTING ]
THAT IS QUITE A BIG --
QUITE A BIG CATFISH.
GET HIM ONTO THE SHORE.
[ Straining ] LOOK, HE'S --
YOU HEAR THAT?
LOOK, HE'S GOT MY --
TRY AND SHOW YOU THIS.
[ SPITS ]
[ CATFISH GRUNTING ]
HE'S GOT MY FINGER
RIGHT DOWN ITS MOUTH.
AND WHAT I GOT TO DO
IS HANG ON TO THOSE GILLS.
BUT THESE ARE THE BITS
YOU WANT TO WATCH OUT FOR --
THE FINS
AND THESE LITTLE BARBS HERE.
STICK YOU WITH THOSE --
THEY'LL STING YOU.
AAH!
THESE SPINES ON THE PECTORAL
AND DORSAL FINS
CAN CAUSE SEVERE WOUNDS,
AND THEY CONTAIN A POWERFUL
VENOM THAT CAUSES EXTREME PAIN.
[ SPITTING ]
AND THESE GUYS JUST KIND OF
HANG ON FOR DEAR LIFE.
OW, OW, OW, OW,
OW, OW, OW, OW!
AND HE'S JUST
SHREDDED MY FINGERS.
THAT MUST BE --
MUST BE 20 POUNDS OF FISH.
WHEW!
OKAY, LET'S SEE
WHAT I CAN GET OFF HIM.
A CATFISH THIS SIZE
IS A GREAT CATCH,
AND THERE'S
MASSES OF MEAT ON IT.
AND THE BEST BIT
IS JUST THE MAIN FILLET --
EITHER SIDE OF HIS BACKBONE.
AND ALL OF THAT
IS GREAT JUST TO EAT RAW.
OUT HERE, THE FLESH WOULD
GO OFF REALLY QUICK.
IT'S NOT WORTH RISKING
FOOD POISONING,
SO I'M GONNA EAT ALL I CAN NOW
AND LEAVE THE REST.
BUT THERE'S A PRICE TO PAY
FOR MY FISHING.
ACTUALLY, ONE OF ITS SPINES
JUST NIPPED ME.
IT'S ACTUALLY BEGINNING
TO STING QUITE A LOT.
BUT ONE THING YOU CAN DO
TO COUNTERACT IT
IS JUST USE AMMONIA.
AND THERE'S AMMONIA
IN YOUR PEE.
STAGE FRIGHT.
THERE WE GO.
THE AMMONIA IN MY URINE
NEUTRALIZES THE VENOM
AND HELPS EASE THE PAIN.
AND THEN I'M READY TO GO.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING.
OUT HERE, IT'S NOT JUST THE
ANIMALS THAT WANT TO EAT YOU.
EVEN THE SWAMP WILL TRY
TO SWALLOW YOU WHOLE.
I'M OUT OF THE DEEP SWAMP AND
HEADING TOWARDS HIGHER GROUND.
BUT JUST WHEN I THINK
THE GOING IS GETTING EASIER,
IT GETS A WHOLE LOT TOUGHER.
[ Panting ] REALLY NOTHING
IN THIS SWAMP IS EASY.
THIS HAS TO BE
ONE OF THE WETTEST, STINKIEST,
MOST HUMID HELLHOLES
I'VE EVER BEEN IN.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING
THROUGH --
TRY AND GET OUT
ALL OF THIS CATTAIL.
CATTAIL REEDS ARE COMMON
IN WETLAND AREAS.
THEY GROW THICKLY,
AND THEIR LEAVES ARE SHARP,
MAKING THEM EXHAUSTING
AND PAINFUL TO MOVE THROUGH.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO
IS JUST USE THIS STICK
TO LAY DOWN THE CATTAIL
IN FRONT OF ME
AND MAKE MYSELF
A PATH THROUGH THIS.
IT IS HUMID, HUMID, HUMID
IN THIS HIGH GRASS.
AND THIS REALLY IS SNAKE
TERRITORY BIG-TIME IN HERE.
I KEEP SEEING
FLASHES OF THINGS, AS WELL.
JUST BE REALLY CAREFUL.
WITH THE TEMPERATURE UP TO
10 DEGREES HOTTER IN HERE,
DEHYDRATION AND HEAT EXHAUSTION
ARE REAL DANGERS,
SO I WANT TO
GET OUT OF HERE FAST.
MAN, THANK THE THE LORD
FOR THAT!
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
LOOKING A LITTLE CLEARER HERE.
IT'S SUCH A RELIEF
TO BE OUT OF THAT STUFF,
BUT IN THIS PLACE,
YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL
WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
HERE YOU CAN BE
DRY ONE MINUTE,
THEN BACK IN THE GLOOP
THE VERY NEXT STEP.
THIS LOOKS LIKE EASIER TERRAIN,
BUT APPEARANCES
CAN BE DECEPTIVE.
THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE
ABOUT THIS UNDERFOOT,
AND IT DOESN'T
FEEL AT ALL SAFE.
[ SPLASHES ]
[ SPITS ]
JUST BE REALLY CAREFUL
WHERE WE STAND HERE
AND GO THROUGH THIS
IN A WHISTLE.
THIS ISN'T
SOLID GROUND AT ALL.
IT'S FLOAT-ON --
A THIN MAT OF VEGETATION
LYING ON TOP OF THE WATER.
AND THERE'S NO TELLING
HOW DEEP THAT WATER MIGHT BE.
THIS STUFF
IS ALL COMPLETELY MAD!
REALLY, IT'S LIKE A GIANT,
VERY DANGEROUS TRAMPOLINE.
IF YOU GO THROUGH THIS STUFF,
YOU'RE IN TROUBLE.
THERE'S A MASS OF TANGLED WEEDS
DOWN THERE
THAT WILL CLOSE OVER YOUR HEAD
AND STOP YOU GETTING BACK UP
TO THE SURFACE.
[ SPLASHES ]
[ GASPING, SPITTING ]
WHOO!
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
THAT IS HORRIBLE!
[ SPITTING ]
GET OUT OF THIS THING.
JUST A MASS OF WEEDS AND DARK.
AND ALSO QUITE SCARY.
[ SPITS ]
WE NEED TO GO THIS WAY.
I NEED TO HEAD FOR
THE TREE LINE AND DRIER GROUND.
BUT THERE'S NO EASY ROUTE OFF
THIS DEADLY WATER BED,
AND IT'S A REAL STRUGGLE
TO STOP MYSELF
GOING UNDER AGAIN AND AGAIN.
FINALLY, I'M OFF
THE FLOATING MARSH,
AND I'VE GOT
REAL GROUND BENEATH MY FEET.
IT'S VERY, VERY GOOD
TO BE OUT OF ALL THAT WATER.
BUT EVEN THIS STUFF --
DRY GROUND -- IS HARD WORK.
THE VEGETATION IS SO THICK
THAT I CAN ONLY SEE
A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF ME,
AND IT'S SO HARD TO KEEP
ANY SENSE OF DIRECTION.
LOOK.
TOP OF AN OLD --
LOOKS LIKE AN OLD FISHING BOAT.
GO AND HAVE A LOOK.
UNBELIEVABLE!
JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THIS BOAT
IS MANY MILES FROM HOME.
A VESSEL LIKE THIS
IS USED TO CATCH SHRIMP IN
LARGE LAKES AND COASTAL WATERS.
BUT ITS FISHING DAYS
ARE OBVIOUSLY OVER.
THIS WAS PROBABLY DUMPED HERE
BY HURRICANE KATRINA.
YOU CAN IMAGINE
THE FORCE OF WATER
TO PUT THIS SHRIMP BOAT
JUST IN THE MIDDLE
OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.
NOW, THIS IS HOW TO GET
A LIE OF THE LAND.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME
I CAN ACTUALLY SEE
MORE THAN JUST SWAMP, WATER,
OR TREES.
ITS RIGGING IS THE HIGHEST
THING FOR MILES AROUND HERE,
AND THE BOAT OFFERS
A PERFECT VANTAGE POINT.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE MORE OPEN
GROUND, I THINK, OVER THERE.
OKAY.
THAT'S THE WAY
THAT I WANT TO BE HEADING.
WHOA!
AS MY SWAMP ADVENTURE
CONTINUES,
I FIND SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION,
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN SAFETY.
LET'S JUST WATCH
WHERE WE TREAD IN HERE.
I'M IN THE WATERLANDS
OF THE DEEP SOUTH,
FOLLOWING A TRAIL
OF HURRICANE DESTRUCTION
THAT'S LEADING ME
OUT OF THE SWAMPS.
JUST LOOK
AT THE DEVASTATION
THESE HURRICANES CAUSE.
BUT AT LEAST NOW
THIS IS GOOD OPEN GROUND.
KATRINA SENT A 30-FOOT WALL
OF SEAWATER THROUGH HERE,
KILLING MUCH OF THE VEGETATION
AND SPREADING
DEBRIS EVERYWHERE.
SO I CAN NOW FOLLOW A TRAIL
OF HURRICANE DESTRUCTION
RIGHT OUT OF THE SWAMP.
NOW IT'S EASIER GOING.
I CAN MAKE GOOD HEADWAY
TOWARDS MY PICKUP POINT.
THERE'S A HELICOPTER
OUT HERE SOMEWHERE
THAT'S GOING TO PICK ME UP,
SO I WANT TO FIND
SOME HIGH GROUND
WHERE I'LL BE MORE VISIBLE
AND WHERE I CAN SIGNAL FROM.
CHECK THIS OUT.
THIS COULD WELL BE
MY WAY OUT OF HERE.
THIS WATER'S ONLY KNEE-DEEP.
THERE'S LESS CHANCE OF FINDING
BIG GATORS IN THE SHALLOWS,
AND IT'S WORTH
RISKING THE CROSSING.
THE HOUSE MAY BE STORM-DAMAGED,
BUT IT'S STILL STANDING,
AND THE ROOF
IS THE HIGH GROUND I NEED.
MAN, THIS PLACE HAS
JUST BEEN COMPLETELY TRASHED.
AND PROBABLY THIS HOUSE AT ONE
TIME WAS ON TOP OF THESE STILTS
AND JUST GOT BLOWN.
THERE'S NO SIGN OF...ANYBODY.
LOOK, AT ONE TIME,
THIS WAS SOMEONE'S HOME.
THOUSANDS OF HOMES LIKE THIS
WERE DESTROYED BY KATRINA,
ONLY TO BE RECLAIMED
BY THE WILDLIFE.
HEY, LOOK.
THERE'S A COTTONMOUTH IN HERE.
SOMEBODY ELSE HAS MOVED IN.
LET'S JUST WATCH
WHERE WE TREAD IN HERE.
THE STORM DAMAGE WAS SO BAD
THAT MANY HOMES
BECAME UNINHABITABLE.
ALL JUST FALLING APART.
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.
AND THE HIGHEST POINTS
AROUND HERE ARE THE ROOFTOPS.
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.
ON THE ROOF,
I'M VISIBLE FOR MILES AROUND,
AND THE HELICOPTER
HAS SPOTTED ME.
HE'S GOT ME.
AND THEN GIVE HIM THE BIG
INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS SIGNAL --
A BIG "Y."
IT MEANS, "YES, I NEED HELP!"
[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]
MY HEART'S THUMPING.
I'VE GOT ONE CHANCE AT THIS,
AND IF I MISS,
IT'S A BIG FALL.
I'VE SURVIVED THE CHALLENGES
OF THE SWAMPS,
THE SNAKES,
AND THE ALLIGATORS.
AND FOR ME, MY
DEEP-SOUTH ADVENTURE IS OVER.
[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
PLACES ON EARTH.
WHOO!
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH
A WEEK OF CHALLENGES
IN THE SORT OF PLACES
YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS.
THIS TIME,
I'M GONNA BE IN THE SWAMPS
OF THE DEEP SOUTH OF THE U.S.,
WHERE I'LL BE BATTLING
THROUGH TERRIFYING TERRAIN...
OWW!
...FIGHTING FOR FOOD,
FINDING HAZARDS
DEEP IN THE SWAMP...
WHOA!
...AND COMING FACE TO FACE
WITH SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
WILDLIFE ON THE PLANET.
SOMETHING JUST WENT --
HIT ME QUITE HARD.
THE DEEP SOUTH IS HOME TO
THE LARGEST SWAMPS IN THE U.S.
IT'S THOUSANDS OF SQUARE MILES
OF EXTREME WILDERNESS
ON THE VERY EDGE
OF CIVILIZATION --
THE FRONT LINE
BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE.
AND IT SEES SOME OF
THE WORST WEATHER IN THE WORLD.
THIS IS HURRICANE COUNTRY!
THIS PLACE HAS SEEN SOME OF THE
WILDEST WEATHER ON THE PLANET --
WITH TORNADOES, THUNDERSTORMS,
AND HURRICANES LIKE KATRINA!
WHEN KATRINA
RIPPED THROUGH HERE IN 2005,
IT BROUGHT
175-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS,
30-FOOT STORM SURGES,
AND DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE.
I'VE GOT A FEW BASIC
SURVIVAL TOOLS,
AND MY CAMERA CREW
ARE COMING WITH ME!
AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO
SURVIVE IN KATRINA COUNTRY!
LET'S GO!
I CAN'T LAND IN THE SWAMPS,
SO THE PILOT IS GONNA DROP ME
IN A DEEPWATER CHANNEL.
AS SOON AS IT TOUCHES
THE WATER, I'M OFF.
HITTING THE WATER
AT THIS SPEED IS DANGEROUS.
GET IT WRONG, AND YOU'RE
GONNA BREAK A LIMB OR WORSE.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
[ GRUNTS ]
I DO NOT WANT TO HANG AROUND
LONG IN THIS RIVER.
I NEED TO GET TO THE BANK.
DEEP WATER IS HOME TO THE
BIGGEST DANGERS IN THE SWAMPS.
THE PILOT SAID THAT THERE
ARE OVER TWO MILLION ALLIGATORS
IN THESE SWAMPS,
INCLUDING THE BIGGEST ONE
EVER RECORDED -- OVER 19 FOOT.
THAT'S WHY I WANT TO
GET OUT OF THIS RIVER...
IN 2006,
THREE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA
WERE KILLED BY ALLIGATORS
IN JUST A FEW DAYS.
I'M GONNA NEED TO STAY SHARP
AND KEEP FOCUSED.
THERE'S SOMETHING
EERILY STILL ABOUT THIS PLACE.
IT'S AMAZING HOW SENSITIVE
YOUR EARS BECOME
JUST TO EVERY LITTLE
CRACK OF A TWIG...
WHEN YOU'RE NOT QUITE SURE
WHAT'S UNDER THE SURFACE.
AS WELL AS ALLIGATORS,
THESE SWAMPS ARE HOME
TO HALF A DOZEN SPECIES
OF POISONOUS SNAKES,
AGGRESSIVE SNAPPING TURTLES
THAT CAN WEIGH AS MUCH
AS A FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK,
AND PREHISTORIC FISH
UP TO 10 FEET LONG.
[ GRUNTS ]
SOMETHING JUST WENT --
HIT ME QUITE HARD.
I CAN TELL ALREADY
IT'S JUST GONNA BE A CASE OF...
ACCEPTING THAT THERE
IS STUFF IN THIS WATER...
AND JUST GETTING ON WITH IT.
I HAVE TO TRY
AND CONQUER MY INITIAL FEARS
AND JUST KEEP MOVING.
SWAMP IS THE TOUGHEST TERRAIN
TO GET THROUGH,
WITH DEEP WATER, THICK MUD,
AND UNSEEN HAZARDS EVERYWHERE.
THE FIRST THING I REALLY WANT
IS JUST SOME SORT OF STICK
TO HELP ME MOVE THROUGH HERE.
[ WATER SPLASHES ]
YOU OKAY?
THAT'S WHY
WE GOT TO GET A STICK.
THE SWAMP BED
IS FULL OF HOLES,
AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT
MIGHT BE LURKING DOWN THERE.
JAM IT BETWEEN
THESE KNEES OF THE ROOT.
[ CRACKS ]
[ GRUNTS ]
THAT'LL DO.
A STICK HELPS YOU MOVE,
PROVIDES SOME PROTECTION
FROM ALLIGATOR ATTACK,
AND CAN BE A USEFUL WEAPON
WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW
WHAT'S 'ROUND THE NEXT CORNER.
[ GRUNTS ]
[ SPITS ]
DID YOU SEE THAT?!
THAT WAS A HUGE NUTRIA!
IT JUST SHOT ALONG HERE
UNDER THIS TREE.
THESE ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST
RODENTS IN THE WORLD.
KIND OF LIKE A BEAVER WITH
A HUGE, LONG RATTAIL,
AND THEN THESE BIG ORANGE TEETH.
NUTRIA ARE GOOD TO EAT,
BUT THEY'RE ALSO DANGEROUS
AND WILL ATTACK ANIMALS
FAR LARGER THAN THEMSELVES.
WATCH OUT
IF HE COMES FLYING OUT OF HERE.
JUST STAND BACK THERE.
[ THUDDING ]
HE'S PRETTY WELL BURIED
IN THERE.
LET'S LEAVE HIM BE.
THE SWAMP
IS TEEMING WITH WILDLIFE,
WHICH MEANS
THERE IS FOOD OUT THERE.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW
THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN WHAT'S EDIBLE
AND WHAT'S GONNA KILL YOU.
OHH! SNAKE!
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
THERE'S A LITTLE WATER SNAKE.
THIS ONE ISN'T VENOMOUS,
BUT THE SWAMP IS ALSO FULL
OF WATER MOCCASINS
AND CORAL SNAKES,
BOTH OF WHICH CAN BE DEADLY.
AND THIS GUY WILL MIGHT
FEED OFF FISH.
AND NONPOISONOUS
AND REALLY JUST GOOD TO EAT --
GOOD TO EAT RAW.
[ CRUNCHES ]
GET RID OF THE HEAD.
[ CRUNCHES ]
SNAKE MEAT
IS FULL OF NUTRITION,
BUT WITH THIS SNAKE,
THAT'S NOT ALL YOU MIGHT GET.
YOU WANT TO BE A BIT CAREFUL
EATING A LOT OF THESE SORT OF
SNAKES WITHOUT COOKING THEM
'CAUSE, ESSENTIALLY,
THE INSIDES OF THEM
ARE FULL OF LOADS
OF ROTTING...FISH...
THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO GET --
THERE YOU GO --
INSIDE YOUR MOUTH.
BUT THAT MUCH IS ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S ONE LESS SNAKE
TO WORRY ABOUT.
LET'S KEEP GOING.
FINDING FOOD IN THE SWAMPS
CAN BE EASIER
THAN FINDING YOUR ROUTE OUT.
TWO YEARS AGO,
A MAN WAS LOST OUT HERE
WHEN HIS BOAT GOT STRANDED.
HE HAD NO FOOD, NO WATER,
AND WAS FINALLY FOUND
SIX DAYS LATER,
EXHAUSTED, DEHYDRATED,
AND BARELY ALIVE.
HE'D ONLY GONE OUT
FOR A PACK OF CIGARETTES,
AND AT NO TIME WAS HE MORE
THAN A FEW MILES
FROM CIVILIZATION.
[ SPLASHING ]
IT'S FUNNY HOW,
NOW THAT THE SWAMP IS LESS DEEP,
IT'S BECOME A LOT MORE STINKY.
AND LOOK.
YOU SEE IF I STICK THIS
IN THE MUD,
IT RELEASES
ALL THESE BUBBLES.
AND THAT'S JUST THE METHANE
FROM ALL THE ROTTING VEGETATION
DOWN THERE.
LOOK -- THIS IS WHAT
WE'RE WADING THROUGH.
[ SNIFFS ]
AND THAT REALLY SMELLS LIKE
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A SMALL ROOM
HAVING EATEN TOO MANY BEANS.
THERE ARE ONE AND A HALF
MILLION ALLIGATORS HERE.
THEY PREFER THE SHALLOW,
MUDDY WATERS,
AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
BEFORE YOU FIND ONE.
LOOK --
A LITTLE BABY ALLIGATOR.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
WHOA.
NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
[ HISSES LOUDLY ]
[ GRUNTS ] SEE, THAT'S HOW
THEY CATCH THEIR PREY.
AND YOU HAD THAT STUMP
BETWEEN US.
WHACK WITH ITS TAIL AND AT
THE SAME TIME WITH HIS HEAD.
[ HISSES ]
HE'S QUITE A FIGHTER, THIS GUY.
JUST KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
A LITTLE BIT.
JUST NEED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT
AS WE'RE MOVING.
LAST YEAR, THE STATE RELEASED
MORE THAN 60,000 ALLIGATORS
INTO THE WILD
TO ENCOURAGE HUNTING.
AVOIDING THEM OUT HERE
IS NOT GONNA BE EASY.
HE'S PRETTY PRIMED.
I'M STRUGGLING THROUGH
HURRICANE COUNTRY
IN THE DEEP SOUTH.
EVERY YEAR, THIS AREA
IS BATTERED BY NATURE,
AND THE STORMS CAN LEAVE
SURPRISING STUFF BEHIND.
LOOK AT THIS.
LOOK.
A LITTLE LOO SEAT JUST IN
THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
KIND OF RANDOM.
ACTUALLY, LOOK -- THERE'S
SOMETHING OVER HERE, AS WELL.
[ SPLASHING ]
LOOK, IT'S AN OLD DOMESTIC
WATER HEATER.
AND THE ONLY WAY
THIS WOULD HAVE GOT HERE
IS FROM A BIG STORM SURGE.
YEAH, BUT YOU'VE GOT
TO BEAR IN MIND
THIS PLACE
SEES HUGE HURRICANES --
150-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS,
WATER LEVEL RISING 20, 25 FOOT.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU GET
THESE RANDOM THINGS
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THESE TRACES OF CIVILIZATION
ARE A GOOD SIGN.
THIS COULD BE
THE WAY OUT OF HERE.
THE MORE HUMANS
THAT COME INTO THE SWAMPS,
THE MORE THEY'RE GONNA
COME UP AGAINST ALLIGATORS.
THIS IS VERY MUCH THEIR HOME.
THEY CAN LIE LOW IN THE WATER
HERE, DROP INTO THAT MUD,
AND YOU'RE
HARDLY GONNA NOTICE THEM.
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ALMOST
STAND ON TOP OF THEM
BEFORE YOU'RE GONNA REALIZE.
BUT YOUR BEST WEAPON
IS ACTUALLY YOUR EARS.
JUST LISTEN, 'CAUSE WHEN
ANYTHING MOVES THROUGH HERE,
YOU'RE BASICALLY GONNA HEAR 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.
THERE'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING
THRASHING AROUND
ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY OVER THERE.
JUST MOVE REALLY QUIETLY.
HUNTING IS ENCOURAGED HERE.
EACH YEAR, HUNTERS KILL
30,000 WILD GATORS
FOR THEIR SKIN AND MEAT.
AND I WANT THAT MEAT.
[ ROAR ]
THERE YOU GO.
DID YOU HEAR THAT?
THERE'S SOMETHING
RIGHT OVER THIS WAY.
LET'S GO 'ROUND.
LET'S GO 'ROUND.
ALLIGATOR ATTACKS ON HUMANS
HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY
IN THE U.S.
IN THE LAST DECADE,
MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED
THAN IN THE PREVIOUS 30.
WITH SO MANY ALLIGATORS AROUND,
CONTACT IS INEVITABLE.
BUT THERE ARE WAYS OF DEALING
WITH THEM IF YOU EVER HAVE TO.
OKAY. COME THROUGH.
HE'S SEEN US.
HE'S SEEN US NOW.
COME ON.
JUST COME NICE AND STEADY.
ONE BITE FROM THIS WOULD SEVER
MY ARM LIKE A ROTTEN TWIG.
THAT'S A GOOD SIZE --
ABOUT SIX FOOT, PROBABLY.
A GATOR THIS BIG
IS ALREADY FULLY MATURE,
BUT IT WILL CONTINUE
TO INCREASE IN SIZE.
AND ONCE THEY STRIKE,
THEIR INSTINCT IS TO GET YOU
INTO A DEATH ROLL.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST GONNA BE
SIX FOOT OF SOLID MUSCLE.
AND DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE
HOW POWERFUL THESE THINGS ARE.
AND THIS THING
IS STRONGER THAN ME,
AND IT'S DEFINITELY
FASTER THAN ME.
YOU CAN'T OUTRUN THESE.
THEY CAN SPRINT AT OVER
35 MILES AN HOUR.
AND THIS CLOSE TO HIM,
YOU'VE GOT NO MEANS OF ESCAPE.
AND LOOK, THOSE EYES
ARE LOOKING STRAIGHT AT ME.
HE'S PRETTY PRIMED.
HE DOESN'T NEED TO BE SCARED
OF VERY MUCH IN THESE SWAMPS.
AND THAT'S WHY
HE'S NOT BACKING AWAY FROM 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.
TRY AND KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.
ALL THE POWER OF ITS JAWS
ARE THE FORCE THAT CLOSE.
THERE'S NOT VERY MUCH STRENGTH
TO OPEN IT.
THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY
TO DISPATCH IT
IS TO SEVER THE SPINAL COLUMN
BEHIND THE HEAD.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
OKAY,
THAT'S HIS SPINAL CORD...CUT.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
AND DEATH IS INSTANTANEOUS.
[ Panting ] OKAY.
LET'S GO
AND GET THIS THING SKINNED,
AND I'LL COOK IT LATER.
[ GRUNTING ]
THIS ALLIGATOR IS GONNA BE
INCREDIBLY USEFUL TO ME.
BUT FIRST, I NEED TO FIND
A PLACE TO MAKE CAMP.
THERE'S A GOOD BIT
OF HIGH GROUND JUST OVER THERE.
IF I CAN REACH THAT, IT'S GONNA
BE A GOOD PLACE TO SET UP CAMP.
IT'S A BIT DEEPER
THAN I THOUGHT.
[ EXHALING SHARPLY ]
[ GRUNTS ]
TIDES, RAINS, AND STORMS
CAN MAKE THE WATER LEVELS RISE
SEVERAL FEET
IN JUST A FEW HOURS.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT
TO PITCH YOUR SWAMP CAMP
ON THE HIGHEST GROUND
YOU CAN FIND.
ACTUALLY, THIS COULD WORK
QUITE NICELY HERE.
USE THIS AS A PLATFORM
TO LIE ON.
LOTS OF SPANISH MOSS, AS WELL.
WHAT I HAVEN'T GOT
IS ANY SORT OF VINE AROUND HERE.
I'VE GOT ONE IDEA
OF WHAT I CAN USE.
ALLIGATOR HIDE
IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST
AND SUPPLEST OF ANIMAL SKINS,
WHICH MAKES IT
GREAT MATERIAL TO WORK WITH.
IF I CAN JUST CUT STRIPS
OF THIS SKIN,
THIS IS GONNA BE THE TOUGHEST
CORDAGE YOU CAN EVER GET.
AND IT'S GONNA BE IDEAL
JUST FOR TYING MY CAMP TOGETHER.
DARKNESS COMES QUICKLY
IN THE SWAMP,
AND I NEED TO GET
THIS CAMP BUILT FAST.
SO I'M MAKING
A SIMPLE SWAMP BED,
USING JUST WHAT'S AROUND ME --
LOTS OF FALLEN CYPRESS BROUGHT
DOWN BY THE HURRICANE WINDS.
OKAY -- THAT'S THE PLATFORM
THAT I'M GONNA LIE ON.
AND THEN WHAT I CAN DO
IS USE ALL OF THIS SPANISH MOSS
HANGING IN THE TREE.
AND IF THIS STUFF
IS ON THE GROUND,
YOU WANT TO BE
A BIT CAREFUL OF IT.
IT'LL OFTEN BE FULL OF
HORRIBLE CHIGGERS --
THESE LITTLE BUGS
THAT WILL BITE YOU TO DEATH.
WHEN IT'S IN THE TREE LIKE THIS,
IT'S NICE, IT'S DRY,
AND IT'S SOFT.
AND IT'S GREAT BEDDING.
RIGHT, LET'S JUST
GIVE THIS A TEST.
THAT'S ALL GOOD.
I'M GONNA PULL SOME OF THESE --
PULL SOME OF THESE ACROSS,
MAKE A BIT OF A ROOF, AS WELL.
TROPICAL STORMS BRING HUGE
AMOUNTS OF RAIN TO THIS AREA,
SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS
AN INCH IN AN HOUR.
IN WEATHER LIKE THIS,
RAIN COVER IS ESSENTIAL,
AND THESE PALMETTO LEAVES
ARE JUST WHAT I NEED.
WELL, THAT'S KIND OF FINISHED.
I'M OFF THE GROUND,
NICE AND SOFT,
AND I'VE GOT SOME COVERING
FROM THE RAIN.
NEXT THING I NEED IS A FIRE.
HANG ON -- LOOK.
SEE OVER THERE?
IT'S UNDER THAT LOG.
THAT'S A NUTRIA.
THAT'S WHAT WENT INTO THAT TREE
THAT I COULDN'T GET OUT.
A LITTLE
RODENT-LOOKING THING.
HE HAS BIG, BEAVER-LIKE TEETH --
REALLY GOOD EATING.
BUT I'VE GOT MASSES OF MEAT
WITH THIS ALLIGATOR.
RIGHT,
LET'S GET THIS FIRE GOING.
WHEN THE SUN SETS, THE
TEMPERATURE HERE DROPS FAST.
AND AT NIGHT, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN
TO FALL BELOW FREEZING.
MAKING FIRE IN THE SWAMP
WHERE EVERYTHING
IS BASICALLY SOAKING WET,
I'M NOT PREDICTING
IT BEING VERY EASY.
THIS STUFF'S QUITE NICE AND DRY
AND GOT FROM OUT OF THE NOOK
IN THAT TREE.
[ FLINT SCRAPING ]
AHH.
WELL, I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED.
AFTER HOURS
SPENT IN THE WATER,
YOU'VE GOT TO TRY
AND DRY YOURSELF OUT
AS MUCH AS YOU CAN,
ESPECIALLY YOUR FEET.
AND THE DANGER IS
IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR FEET DRY,
YOU JUST END UP
WITH TRENCH FOOT --
OR, IN THIS CASE, SWAMP FOOT --
WHERE EVERYTHING
JUST STARTS TO SHRIVEL
AND THEN BASICALLY FALL APART,
GET INFECTED.
AND THEN IT'S KIND OF ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK ON THEM.
THAT'S HOW PEOPLE DIE
IN THIS SORT OF PLACE.
WHEN YOU'RE TIRED AND HUNGRY,
ALLIGATOR MEAT IS ONE OF
THE BEST SOURCES OF ENERGY
AND NUTRITION
THAT YOU CAN GET.
AND THIS IS WHERE THE BEST MEAT
ON THE ALLIGATOR IS --
HERE ON THE SIDE OF THE TAIL.
IT'S WHERE THE REAL POWER IS.
LOOK AT THAT.
LEAN --
IT'S GONNA BE DELICIOUS.
ALLIGATOR MEAT
IS VERY LOW IN CHOLESTEROL.
POUND FOR POUND,
IT'S GOT THE SAME PROTEIN
BUT HALF THE FAT OF BEEF.
[ FIRE CRACKLING ]
THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY NOW.
HAVE A LITTLE LOOK.
AFTER AN EXHAUSTING DAY
IN THE SWAMPS,
IT'S GREAT TO GET DRY, WARM,
AND HAVE SOME GOOD, LEAN MEAT
TO CHEW ON.
MMM. DELICIOUS.
AND THE GREAT THING IS,
NO SHORTAGE OF SECONDS.
THE ALLIGATOR HAS GIVEN ME
PLENTY OF FOOD
AND ESSENTIAL CORDAGE
FOR MY SHELTER.
BUT IT CAN ALSO HELP PREVENT ME
CATCHING WEST NILE FEVER,
A DEADLY DISEASE SPREAD BY THE
EVER-PRESENT SWAMP MOSQUITO.
ONE THING THE LOCAL
NATIVE INDIANS USED TO DO
TO KEEP THE MOSQUITOES AWAY
WAS USE ALLIGATOR FAT.
AND YOU SEE THERE -- IT'S MASSES
OF THE FAT ABOVE THE MEAT.
AND YOU CAN JUST RUB THIS
ONTO YOUR SKIN.
AND IT'S NOT GONNA SMELL
VERY NICE,
BUT IT'LL KEEP
THOSE MOSQUITOES AWAY.
AND, MAN, ARE THERE A LOT OF
THEM AROUND AT THE MOMENT HERE.
KKGHH!
AND I'M NOT HOLDING OUT MUCH
HOPE FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
[ FROGS CALLING LOUDLY ]
THE SWAMP'S QUITE
AN EERIE PLACE AT NIGHTTIME.
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH NOISE.
BUT ALMOST EVERYTHING
THAT LIVES IN THE SWAMPS
DOES ITS HUNTING
DURING THE NIGHT.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT'S ALL
I CAN HEAR AT THE MOMENT.
AND THIS PLACE
JUST NEVER SLEEPS...
AND AT THE MOMENT, NOR AM I.
IT'S GONNA BE A LONG NIGHT.
I'VE JUST SPENT THE NIGHT IN
THE SWAMPS OF THE DEEP SOUTH.
THIS PLACE NEVER RESTS,
AND I DIDN'T GET MUCH SLEEP,
BUT AT LEAST THERE WERE
NO STORMS.
HURRICANE WINDS
HAVE BROUGHT DOWN
LOADS OF TREES AROUND HERE,
AND WHEREVER I CAN, I USE THEM
TO KEEP ME OUT OF DEEPER WATER,
WHERE THE BIGGER ALLIGATORS
MIGHT BE LURKING.
LOOK OVER THERE. LOOK.
LET'S GO AND HAVE A LOOK.
THIS LOOKS LIKE
MORE SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION,
AND THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING
THERE THAT CAN HELP ME.
LOOKS LIKE AN OLD LOGGING CABIN.
BUT LOOK --
IT'S PRETTY TRASHED NOW.
PROBABLY KNOCKED DOWN
IN ONE OF THE HURRICANES.
BUT, ACTUALLY, THERE'S STILL
LOADS THAT YOU COULD USE IN HERE
IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.
I COULD PROBABLY
USE SOME OF THIS
TO MAKE A RAFT
TO GET ACROSS THIS RIVER...
'CAUSE IT'S
IN THE BIG RIVERS LIKE THIS
THAT YOU GET THE BIG ALLIGATORS.
THESE DEEP RIVERS ARE HOME TO
ALLIGATORS UP TO 18 FOOT LONG.
YOU DON'T WANT TO TANGLE
WITH ONE OF THESE MONSTERS,
SO I'M GONNA TRY
AND STAY OUT OF THAT WATER.
THERE'S A COTTONMOUTH.
COME HERE.
NICE AND STEADY.
SEE THAT?
IT'S MOVING THROUGH THERE.
IT JUST SLITHERED
STRAIGHT UNDER THERE.
THERE YOU GO.
SEE HIM?
THIS SHACK IS JUST FULL
OF HIDDEN DANGERS.
AND THE COTTONMOUTHS
ARE ONE OF THE FEW SNAKES
WHO WILL ACTIVELY GO FOR YOU.
HE'S GONE, AND IN THE CASE
OF A COTTONMOUTH,
THAT'S A GOOD THING.
THIS RUINED SHACK IS OF NO USE
TO ANYBODY ELSE ANYMORE.
BUT FOR ME, IT'S A GOLD MINE.
THIS WILL SUPPLY ME WITH
ALL THE RAW MATERIAL I NEED
TO BUILD A SUBSTANTIAL RAFT.
IT MAY LOOK LIKE OLD JUNK,
BUT IF YOU KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
THIS STUFF
CAN BE A REAL LIFESAVER.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
WELL, THIS WILL WORK
REALLY WELL
AS A GOOD, LIKE,
BASEBOARD FOR THIS RAFT.
I'LL USE THAT...
AND THEN A LOAD OF STRUTS
ALONG IT.
AND THEN ALL I NEED --
ONE OF THOSE BIG PLANKS
JUST ON THE TOP.
AND THAT'LL BE ENOUGH
TO KEEP ME OUT OF THE WATER
AND FLOAT ME ACROSS.
THE SHACK IS FULL
OF OLD RUSTY NAILS.
I CAN USE THEM TO HOLD
MY RAFT TOGETHER.
BUT IT'S SO EASY TO GET
A NICK OR CUT FROM ONE,
WHICH COULD TURN SEPTIC
WITHIN HOURS
IN THIS STINKY,
FETID SWAMP.
OWW!
BUT I NEED TO HURRY
BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS TAKING
A TURN FOR THE WORSE.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE ]
THAT'S THE THUNDER STARTING.
IT'S ALSO STARTING TO DRIZZLE.
KKGHH!
AND THE MOSQUITOES ARE OUT.
MY WORST TIME OF DAY
IN THE SWAMPS.
I WANT TO GET THIS FINISHED
AND GET ACROSS THIS RIVER
WITHOUT GETTING EATEN.
OKAY, LET'S GIVE IT A TRY.
LET'S HOPE THIS FLOATS.
THIS NEEDS TO WORK
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T GOT MUCH
TIME TO CROSS THE RIVER.
THERE'S A THUNDERSTORM
ON THE WAY.
BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS,
AND WHEN IT COMES TO BIG
ALLIGATORS AND BIG RIVERS,
YOU'VE GOT TO GET IT RIGHT.
NO, NO, NO, NO.
IT'S GONNA BE NO GOOD.
IT NEEDS MORE.
I DO NOT WANT TO BE SINKING
RIGHT OUT
IN THAT ALLIGATOR RIVER.
IT NEEDS MORE BUOYANCY.
I'VE GOT TO WORK QUICKLY
IF I'M GONNA GET
ANOTHER CHANCE AT THIS.
THE WEATHER IS GETTING WORSE
ALL THE TIME.
I NEED TO GO FOR THIS NOW.
I DON'T WANT TO BE OUT ON OPEN
WATER IN A LIGHTNING STORM
BECAUSE THERE'S A REAL DANGER
OF BEING STRUCK.
LET'S GIVE THIS A SECOND GO.
[ RAIN FALLING ]
[ THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE ]
NO.
THIS IS GONNA BE MAD.
MY RAFT
STILL ISN'T BUOYANT ENOUGH,
AND THE WEATHER
IS MAKING THIS TOO DANGEROUS.
THERE'S NO CHOICE
BUT TO WAIT THIS OUT.
AND EVENTUALLY,
CALM RETURNS TO THE SWAMPS.
NOW'S MY CHANCE
TO MAKE THE CROSSING.
I PUT MORE WOOD IN IT
AND BUOYANCY.
HOPEFULLY,
NOW IT SHOULD FLOAT.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT MUCH
OF THIS WOOD IS SO WATERLOGGED,
IT'S MAKING IT HEAVY.
LET'S GIVE IT A GO RIGHT NOW.
IT'S BUSINESS TIME!
THIRD TIME LUCKY.
I'VE WAITED OUT THE STORM
AND REDESIGNED MY RAFT.
NOW I'VE JUST GOT TO
PADDLE IT ACROSS.
THIS IS WORKING PRETTY WELL.
AND NO ALLIGATOR'S GONNA WANT
TO TAKE A BITE OF THIS.
THERE'S SO MANY NAILS IN IT.
SURVIVAL IS ABOUT WORKING
YOUR WAY 'ROUND PROBLEMS
AND NEVER GIVING UP.
AS THEY SAY IN THE ARMY,
"IMPROVISE, ADAPT,
AND OVERCOME."
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!
AAH!
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
I'M GOING FISHING
THE SOUTHERN WAY.
THAT IS QUITE A BIG --
QUITE A BIG CATFISH!
I'M IN THE SWAMPS
OF THE DEEP SOUTH.
AND DOWN HERE, I'M IN THE WATER
MOST OF THE TIME.
BUT IT'S NOT THE SORT OF WATER
I WANT TO BE DRINKING.
BUT YOU CAN GET TO CLEAN FLUIDS
IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.
ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS
IN THE SWAMPS
IS ACTUALLY JUST GETTING
ANY WATER THAT YOU CAN DRINK.
BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
THESE THISTLE PLANTS
ONCE YOU GET RID
OF THESE HORRIBLE SPIKES.
[ HOLLOW THUDDING ]
AND LOOK -- KIND OF BREAKS OFF
A BIT LIKE CELERY.
BUT YOU CAN CHEW THAT.
[ CRUNCHES ]
[ SUCKING, CHEWING ]
AND IT'S GOT LOTS OF DRINKABLE,
CLEAN FLUID IN IT.
I'LL TAKE THE REST OF THAT
TO CHEW ON.
[ CRUNCHES ]
THE SWAMP
IS MAINLY STILL WATER,
BUT IT'S CRISSCROSSED
WITH THESE LITTLE RIVERS
CALLED BAYOUS.
AND IF YOU'RE HUNGRY
AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
THESE CAN BE A GOOD PLACE
TO FIND FISH.
WHAT YOU'LL OFTEN GET
WITH THESE TREES --
YOU GET A BIT WHERE ALL
THE ROOTS HAVE BEEN ERODED...
BY THE WATER.
AND YOU GET
THESE MINI CREVICES AND CAVERNS.
I THINK THAT'S A NICE ONE.
THESE HOLES ARE OFTEN HOME
TO CATFISH --
LARGE, STRONG, SOLITARY FISH
THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND
BUT ARE REALLY GOOD TO EAT.
CATFISH ARE PREDATORS
THAT CAN GROW TO SIX FOOT
AND WEIGH 100 POUNDS.
THEY WILL LIE IN THEIR HOLES
ALL DAY
WAITING FOR SMALLER FISH
TO SWIM PAST
AND THEN MAKE A GRAB FOR THEM
WITH THEIR HUGE
TOOTH-FILLED MOUTHS.
WHAT I'M ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO
IS JUST USE MY...HAND
AND FINGERS...
AS KIND OF HOOK AND BAIT.
I'LL SEE IF I CAN
GET MYSELF SOMETHING.
A CATFISH LOCKS ON TO ITS PREY
AND DRAGS IT INTO ITS HOLE.
I WANT IT TO LOCK ON
TO MY HAND,
AND THEN I'LL HAUL HIM OUT.
THAT'S RISKY ENOUGH,
BUT CATFISH HOLES
ARE SOMETIMES TAKEN OVER
BY ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLES
THAT CAN WEIGH
OVER 200 POUNDS
AND BITE YOUR HAND
CLEAN OFF.
OWW!
MAN, THERE'S SOMETHING --
THERE'S SOMETHING DOWN HERE.
[ GRUNTING ]
OWW!
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
ALL MY INSTINCTS ARE SCREAMING
TO GET MY HAND OUT OF THERE.
BUT I WANT THIS FISH.
[ GRUNTING ]
THAT IS QUITE A BIG --
QUITE A BIG CATFISH.
GET HIM ONTO THE SHORE.
[ Straining ] LOOK, HE'S --
YOU HEAR THAT?
LOOK, HE'S GOT MY --
TRY AND SHOW YOU THIS.
[ SPITS ]
[ CATFISH GRUNTING ]
HE'S GOT MY FINGER
RIGHT DOWN ITS MOUTH.
AND WHAT I GOT TO DO
IS HANG ON TO THOSE GILLS.
BUT THESE ARE THE BITS
YOU WANT TO WATCH OUT FOR --
THE FINS
AND THESE LITTLE BARBS HERE.
STICK YOU WITH THOSE --
THEY'LL STING YOU.
AAH!
THESE SPINES ON THE PECTORAL
AND DORSAL FINS
CAN CAUSE SEVERE WOUNDS,
AND THEY CONTAIN A POWERFUL
VENOM THAT CAUSES EXTREME PAIN.
[ SPITTING ]
AND THESE GUYS JUST KIND OF
HANG ON FOR DEAR LIFE.
OW, OW, OW, OW,
OW, OW, OW, OW!
AND HE'S JUST
SHREDDED MY FINGERS.
THAT MUST BE --
MUST BE 20 POUNDS OF FISH.
WHEW!
OKAY, LET'S SEE
WHAT I CAN GET OFF HIM.
A CATFISH THIS SIZE
IS A GREAT CATCH,
AND THERE'S
MASSES OF MEAT ON IT.
AND THE BEST BIT
IS JUST THE MAIN FILLET --
EITHER SIDE OF HIS BACKBONE.
AND ALL OF THAT
IS GREAT JUST TO EAT RAW.
OUT HERE, THE FLESH WOULD
GO OFF REALLY QUICK.
IT'S NOT WORTH RISKING
FOOD POISONING,
SO I'M GONNA EAT ALL I CAN NOW
AND LEAVE THE REST.
BUT THERE'S A PRICE TO PAY
FOR MY FISHING.
ACTUALLY, ONE OF ITS SPINES
JUST NIPPED ME.
IT'S ACTUALLY BEGINNING
TO STING QUITE A LOT.
BUT ONE THING YOU CAN DO
TO COUNTERACT IT
IS JUST USE AMMONIA.
AND THERE'S AMMONIA
IN YOUR PEE.
STAGE FRIGHT.
THERE WE GO.
THE AMMONIA IN MY URINE
NEUTRALIZES THE VENOM
AND HELPS EASE THE PAIN.
AND THEN I'M READY TO GO.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING.
OUT HERE, IT'S NOT JUST THE
ANIMALS THAT WANT TO EAT YOU.
EVEN THE SWAMP WILL TRY
TO SWALLOW YOU WHOLE.
I'M OUT OF THE DEEP SWAMP AND
HEADING TOWARDS HIGHER GROUND.
BUT JUST WHEN I THINK
THE GOING IS GETTING EASIER,
IT GETS A WHOLE LOT TOUGHER.
[ Panting ] REALLY NOTHING
IN THIS SWAMP IS EASY.
THIS HAS TO BE
ONE OF THE WETTEST, STINKIEST,
MOST HUMID HELLHOLES
I'VE EVER BEEN IN.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING
THROUGH --
TRY AND GET OUT
ALL OF THIS CATTAIL.
CATTAIL REEDS ARE COMMON
IN WETLAND AREAS.
THEY GROW THICKLY,
AND THEIR LEAVES ARE SHARP,
MAKING THEM EXHAUSTING
AND PAINFUL TO MOVE THROUGH.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO
IS JUST USE THIS STICK
TO LAY DOWN THE CATTAIL
IN FRONT OF ME
AND MAKE MYSELF
A PATH THROUGH THIS.
IT IS HUMID, HUMID, HUMID
IN THIS HIGH GRASS.
AND THIS REALLY IS SNAKE
TERRITORY BIG-TIME IN HERE.
I KEEP SEEING
FLASHES OF THINGS, AS WELL.
JUST BE REALLY CAREFUL.
WITH THE TEMPERATURE UP TO
10 DEGREES HOTTER IN HERE,
DEHYDRATION AND HEAT EXHAUSTION
ARE REAL DANGERS,
SO I WANT TO
GET OUT OF HERE FAST.
MAN, THANK THE THE LORD
FOR THAT!
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
LOOKING A LITTLE CLEARER HERE.
IT'S SUCH A RELIEF
TO BE OUT OF THAT STUFF,
BUT IN THIS PLACE,
YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL
WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
HERE YOU CAN BE
DRY ONE MINUTE,
THEN BACK IN THE GLOOP
THE VERY NEXT STEP.
THIS LOOKS LIKE EASIER TERRAIN,
BUT APPEARANCES
CAN BE DECEPTIVE.
THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE
ABOUT THIS UNDERFOOT,
AND IT DOESN'T
FEEL AT ALL SAFE.
[ SPLASHES ]
[ SPITS ]
JUST BE REALLY CAREFUL
WHERE WE STAND HERE
AND GO THROUGH THIS
IN A WHISTLE.
THIS ISN'T
SOLID GROUND AT ALL.
IT'S FLOAT-ON --
A THIN MAT OF VEGETATION
LYING ON TOP OF THE WATER.
AND THERE'S NO TELLING
HOW DEEP THAT WATER MIGHT BE.
THIS STUFF
IS ALL COMPLETELY MAD!
REALLY, IT'S LIKE A GIANT,
VERY DANGEROUS TRAMPOLINE.
IF YOU GO THROUGH THIS STUFF,
YOU'RE IN TROUBLE.
THERE'S A MASS OF TANGLED WEEDS
DOWN THERE
THAT WILL CLOSE OVER YOUR HEAD
AND STOP YOU GETTING BACK UP
TO THE SURFACE.
[ SPLASHES ]
[ GASPING, SPITTING ]
WHOO!
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
THAT IS HORRIBLE!
[ SPITTING ]
GET OUT OF THIS THING.
JUST A MASS OF WEEDS AND DARK.
AND ALSO QUITE SCARY.
[ SPITS ]
WE NEED TO GO THIS WAY.
I NEED TO HEAD FOR
THE TREE LINE AND DRIER GROUND.
BUT THERE'S NO EASY ROUTE OFF
THIS DEADLY WATER BED,
AND IT'S A REAL STRUGGLE
TO STOP MYSELF
GOING UNDER AGAIN AND AGAIN.
FINALLY, I'M OFF
THE FLOATING MARSH,
AND I'VE GOT
REAL GROUND BENEATH MY FEET.
IT'S VERY, VERY GOOD
TO BE OUT OF ALL THAT WATER.
BUT EVEN THIS STUFF --
DRY GROUND -- IS HARD WORK.
THE VEGETATION IS SO THICK
THAT I CAN ONLY SEE
A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF ME,
AND IT'S SO HARD TO KEEP
ANY SENSE OF DIRECTION.
LOOK.
TOP OF AN OLD --
LOOKS LIKE AN OLD FISHING BOAT.
GO AND HAVE A LOOK.
UNBELIEVABLE!
JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THIS BOAT
IS MANY MILES FROM HOME.
A VESSEL LIKE THIS
IS USED TO CATCH SHRIMP IN
LARGE LAKES AND COASTAL WATERS.
BUT ITS FISHING DAYS
ARE OBVIOUSLY OVER.
THIS WAS PROBABLY DUMPED HERE
BY HURRICANE KATRINA.
YOU CAN IMAGINE
THE FORCE OF WATER
TO PUT THIS SHRIMP BOAT
JUST IN THE MIDDLE
OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.
NOW, THIS IS HOW TO GET
A LIE OF THE LAND.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME
I CAN ACTUALLY SEE
MORE THAN JUST SWAMP, WATER,
OR TREES.
ITS RIGGING IS THE HIGHEST
THING FOR MILES AROUND HERE,
AND THE BOAT OFFERS
A PERFECT VANTAGE POINT.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE MORE OPEN
GROUND, I THINK, OVER THERE.
OKAY.
THAT'S THE WAY
THAT I WANT TO BE HEADING.
WHOA!
AS MY SWAMP ADVENTURE
CONTINUES,
I FIND SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION,
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN SAFETY.
LET'S JUST WATCH
WHERE WE TREAD IN HERE.
I'M IN THE WATERLANDS
OF THE DEEP SOUTH,
FOLLOWING A TRAIL
OF HURRICANE DESTRUCTION
THAT'S LEADING ME
OUT OF THE SWAMPS.
JUST LOOK
AT THE DEVASTATION
THESE HURRICANES CAUSE.
BUT AT LEAST NOW
THIS IS GOOD OPEN GROUND.
KATRINA SENT A 30-FOOT WALL
OF SEAWATER THROUGH HERE,
KILLING MUCH OF THE VEGETATION
AND SPREADING
DEBRIS EVERYWHERE.
SO I CAN NOW FOLLOW A TRAIL
OF HURRICANE DESTRUCTION
RIGHT OUT OF THE SWAMP.
NOW IT'S EASIER GOING.
I CAN MAKE GOOD HEADWAY
TOWARDS MY PICKUP POINT.
THERE'S A HELICOPTER
OUT HERE SOMEWHERE
THAT'S GOING TO PICK ME UP,
SO I WANT TO FIND
SOME HIGH GROUND
WHERE I'LL BE MORE VISIBLE
AND WHERE I CAN SIGNAL FROM.
CHECK THIS OUT.
THIS COULD WELL BE
MY WAY OUT OF HERE.
THIS WATER'S ONLY KNEE-DEEP.
THERE'S LESS CHANCE OF FINDING
BIG GATORS IN THE SHALLOWS,
AND IT'S WORTH
RISKING THE CROSSING.
THE HOUSE MAY BE STORM-DAMAGED,
BUT IT'S STILL STANDING,
AND THE ROOF
IS THE HIGH GROUND I NEED.
MAN, THIS PLACE HAS
JUST BEEN COMPLETELY TRASHED.
AND PROBABLY THIS HOUSE AT ONE
TIME WAS ON TOP OF THESE STILTS
AND JUST GOT BLOWN.
THERE'S NO SIGN OF...ANYBODY.
LOOK, AT ONE TIME,
THIS WAS SOMEONE'S HOME.
THOUSANDS OF HOMES LIKE THIS
WERE DESTROYED BY KATRINA,
ONLY TO BE RECLAIMED
BY THE WILDLIFE.
HEY, LOOK.
THERE'S A COTTONMOUTH IN HERE.
SOMEBODY ELSE HAS MOVED IN.
LET'S JUST WATCH
WHERE WE TREAD IN HERE.
THE STORM DAMAGE WAS SO BAD
THAT MANY HOMES
BECAME UNINHABITABLE.
ALL JUST FALLING APART.
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.
AND THE HIGHEST POINTS
AROUND HERE ARE THE ROOFTOPS.
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.
ON THE ROOF,
I'M VISIBLE FOR MILES AROUND,
AND THE HELICOPTER
HAS SPOTTED ME.
HE'S GOT ME.
AND THEN GIVE HIM THE BIG
INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS SIGNAL --
A BIG "Y."
IT MEANS, "YES, I NEED HELP!"
[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]
MY HEART'S THUMPING.
I'VE GOT ONE CHANCE AT THIS,
AND IF I MISS,
IT'S A BIG FALL.
I'VE SURVIVED THE CHALLENGES
OF THE SWAMPS,
THE SNAKES,
AND THE ALLIGATORS.
AND FOR ME, MY
DEEP-SOUTH ADVENTURE IS OVER.
[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]