Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 5, Episode 1 - Western Pacific - full transcript

Bear gets dropped off shore in the shark infested waters of a deserted island new Papua New Guinea and wisely swims for shore. But he doesn't have the sense to stay on land and instead crosses a sand reef to another island and enjoys an all too close encounter. But that doesn't stop him from trying to catch a shark bare handed. Then Bear attempts another ill considered crossing to another island on one of his suspect rafts.

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
WHOO!

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE

FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
PLACES ON EARTH.

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.

NOW I'M ON AN ISLAND
SOUTH OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA,

WHERE I'LL BE CLIMBING
CRUMBLING VOLCANIC CLIFFS...

GETTING TO THE CRUX OF IT NOW.

...WINDSURFING OCEAN WAVES...

I'M STRUGGLING NOW.



...AND SQUARING UP
TO SOME SERIOUS SHARKS.

TWO OF THEM.

OKAY, IT'S COMING
STRAIGHT THIS WAY.

STAY STILL, STAY STILL.

THIS IS GONNA BE
MY ULTIMATE ISLAND ADVENTURE.

SHOT PAST MY LEGS THERE.

THIS IS THE TORRES STRAIT --

A STRIP OF OCEAN BETWEEN THE
NORTHERNMOST TIP OF AUSTRALIA

AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

IT'S OVER 25,000 SQUARE MILES

OF TREACHEROUS CURRENTS,
SANDBANKS, AND CORAL REEFS.

THESE ARE DANGEROUS WATERS
DOWN HERE.

THEY'RE FULL OF TIGER SHARKS,
HAMMERHEADS, AND BULL SHARKS,

NOT TO MENTION
THE STINGRAYS, MORAY EELS,



AND DEADLY JELLYFISH.

GOT TO LOVE IT, EH?

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF ISLANDS
OUT HERE.

THE VAST MAJORITY ARE DESERTED.

I'M HEADING FOR ONE
OF THESE UNPOPULATED ISLANDS,

AND FROM A DISTANCE,
IT'S AN AWESOME SIGHT.

BUT APPEARANCES
CAN BE DECEPTIVE.

PEOPLE OFTEN THINK
OF DESERT ISLANDS

AS SOME SORT OF PARADISE,

BUT THE REALITY IS,
THEY CAN BE THE ULTIMATE PRISON.

FOR SHIPWRECKED SAILORS
THROUGH THE AGES,

ISLANDS LIKE THIS HAVE
PROVED THE SUPREME CHALLENGE,

AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
HOW THE SMART FEW SURVIVED.

100 FEET NOW.

MY FIRST TASK IS TO GET ASHORE.

WITH NOWHERE TO LAND,
I'M GONNA JUMP.

50 FEET NOW.

IT'S TOO SHALLOW
INSIDE THE REEF,

SO I'M GONNA DROP INTO
THE DEEP-BLUE WATERS OUTSIDE.

OKAY, BEAR, OFF YOU GO.

[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]

NEED TO SWIM IN
THROUGH THE SURF NOW.

I WANT TO GET OUT
OF THIS DANGEROUS DEEP WATER,

BUT THAT MEANS
BRAVING THE WAVES

THAT BREAK
OVER THE SHALLOW REEF.

THERE'S ONLY
A FEW FEET OF WATER

BETWEEN ME AND THE SHARP
CORAL REEF BENEATH.

CORAL CUTS ARE A REAL DANGER,

AND BLOOD IN THE WATER
CAN ATTRACT SHARKS.

BUT I'M THROUGH THE BREAKERS
AND INTO THE LAGOON.

WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT

IS THAT SHARKS ARE GONNA LOVE
THIS SORT OF AREA.

THEY CAN SHOAL FISH IN HERE
AND COME TO FEED.

YOU JUST NEED TO BE VIGILANT,
KEEP A GOOD EYE OUT HERE.

MANY SHARK ATTACKS OCCUR IN THE
NEAR-SHORE WATERS LIKE THIS,

INSIDE SANDBARS OR REEFS,

WHERE THE SHARKS FEED
AND GET TRAPPED AT LOW TIDE.

BUT THEY'RE NOT
THE ONLY DANGERS HERE.

LOOK, A BLUE BOTTLE JELLYFISH.

THIS COMES FROM THE SAME FAMILY
AS THE PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR,

WHICH CAN BE DEADLY.

YOU KNOW, THOSE CAN KILL YOU
IN A COUPLE OF HOURS.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET STUNG
BY THIS GUY.

THERE'S THAT BLUE TENTACLE
YOU WANT TO WATCH OUT FOR.

LET'S GET OUT OF THIS WATER.

SINCE MAN TOOK TO THE SEAS,

MAROONED SAILORS HAVE BEEN
WASHED ASHORE LIKE THIS,

EXHAUSTED AND BATTERED,
BUT ALIVE.

WHEW.

IT WAS A GOOD FEELING,
GETTING ASHORE,

ESPECIALLY THROUGH
THOSE SORT OF BREAKERS,

AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU KNOW

YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY THING
LIVING IN THIS WATER.

THERE'S A SHARK IN THE WATER

JUST UP THE BEACH
FROM WHERE I CAME ASHORE.

HE'S PATROLLING THE SHALLOWS
IN SEARCH OF FOOD.

MIGHT EASILY HAVE TAKEN
A CHUNK OUT OF ME.

IT'S A CLOSE CALL, BUT I'VE GOT
OTHER PRIORITIES NOW.

YOU KNOW,
THE MISTAKE PEOPLE OFTEN MAKE

IS THEY WAIT TOO LONG TO TAKE
ACTION TOWARDS THEIR SURVIVAL.

YOU KNOW, THE TIME TO ACT

IS WHEN YOU'RE FEELING STRONG
AND FEELING FRESH.

FOR ANY DESERT-ISLAND SURVIVOR,

THE PRIORITIES ARE PROTECTION,
RESCUE, WATER, AND FOOD.

BUT, FIRST, ORIENTATE YOURSELF
AND WORK OUT YOUR OPTIONS.

HERE, THE WAY TO DO THAT

IS TO GET A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW
OF THE ISLAND

FROM ITS HIGHEST POINT.

BUT, LOOK, THERE IS A CRACK
RUNNING STRAIGHT UP

THAT'S MUCH NARROWER.

MIGHT BE ABLE
TO CHIMNEY UP THAT.

IT'S ABOUT 100 FEET TO THE TOP,

AND IT LOOKS LIKE
A CHALLENGING CLIMB.

FROM HERE, IT DOES LOOK
PRETTY DARN SHEER.

JUST SO SHARP AND CRUMBLY
AND EXPOSED.

OKAY.

CLIMBS LIKE THIS
ARE BEST BROKEN INTO SECTIONS

AND TACKLED ONE STEP AT A TIME.

THE ROCK IS HARD ON THE HANDS
AND UNPREDICTABLE UNDERFOOT,

AND IT'S PROVING HARD
TO FIND RELIABLE HOLDS.

HERE I'VE GOT TO
STRETCH MY LIMBS TO THE MAX

TO MAKE ANY SORT OF PROGRESS.

IT COULD BE AWKWARD,
THIS BIT.

PSHEW!

BUT I'VE MADE IT
UP THE FIRST SECTION.

OKAY, LET'S BRING YOU
UP TO THIS BIT.

THEN, WE'RE GONNA FACE
THE REAL MUSIC --

TOP BIT OF THIS CHIMNEY.

LET'S GO, THEN.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

THIS IS WHERE THE HARD WORK
REALLY BEGINS.

THE CLIMB HERE IS SHEER
ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

GETTING TO THE CRUX OF IT NOW.

ONE MORE HOLD UP THERE.

I MIGHT BE ABLE TO REACH IT.

THIS BRITTLE ROCK REQUIRES
SPECIAL CARE AND TECHNIQUE.

[ GRUNTS ]

THING IS,
THIS IS ONLY CLIMBABLE

BY MAKING ALL THE FORCE
GO THAT WAY AND THAT WAY.

SO I'M TRYING TO PULL ON THIS.

IT'S ALL JUST GONNA CRUMBLE.

PUSHING WITH OPPOSING FORCES

ALLOWS ME TO CREEP MY WAY
UP THE ROCK FACE,

BUT AS THE GULLY TIGHTENS,
I'M RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS.

THING IS, IT'S SO NARROW.

I'VE GOT TO COME OUT
A LITTLE BIT

AND AROUND THE EDGE
OF THE CHIMNEY HERE.

GOT TO TRY AND TURN AROUND,

'CAUSE I'M OUT THE CHIMNEY
THIS SIDE.

OKAY, HERE WE GO.
ONE, TWO, THREE.

THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PART
OF THE CLIMB,

AND I'VE GOT
A 100-FOOT DEATH DROP

STRAIGHT BENEATH ME.

GET OVER THIS LITTLE LIP.

UP, UP, AND AWAY.

ONE, TWO, THREE!

[ PANTING ]

OKAY, AT THE TOP.

A TOUGH CLIMB, BUT I'M UP.

OKAY, THAT'S IT.
LET'S JUST GET SAFE HERE.

JUST SHREDDING
FOR THE HANDS AND THE ARMS.

IF THERE'S ANY DOUBT YOU WANTED
TO ROCKET IT BEFOREHAND,

NO DOUBTING THIS VIEW.

THIS IS VOLCANIC,

AND THAT'S A HUGE RIM
OF THE CRATER.

BUT, LOOK,
WE STILL GET HIGHER HERE.

LET'S GET UP TO THAT BIT.

I WANT TO MAKE FOR THE HIGHEST
POINT ON THIS ANCIENT VOLCANO

FOR THE BEST VIEW OF WHAT
THIS ISLAND HAS TO OFFER,

BUT THIS TERRAIN IS DIFFICULT
AND UNPREDICTABLE.

ANOTHER BIG DROP.
LOOK.

THE THING IS,

TRYING TO REACH THAT HIGH POINT
IS NOT PROVING EASY.

SO, MILLIONS OF YEARS,

JUST WIND AND WEATHER HAS ERODED
ALL THIS VOLCANIC ROCK

INTO THESE SORT OF
PINNACLES AND TOWERS,

AND THEN WITH THESE
VERY STEEP, SHEER DROP-OFFS.

IT MUST BE 100 FOOT DOWN THERE,
YOU KNOW?

IT'S JUST WHETHER WE CAN
JUMP ACROSS TO THIS BIT.

OKAY, FOCUS ON THE LANDING BAY.
HERE WE GO.

WHEW!
GOOD ONE TO HAVE GOT RIGHT.

COME ON, GUYS.
KEEP GOING.

I'VE REACHED THE TOP,

BUT WHAT SEEMED TO BE
ONE ISLAND IS, IN FACT, TWO,

AND IT LOOKS LIKE I MIGHT BE
ON THE WRONG ONE.

I RECKON, AT ONE TIME,

ALL OF THIS
WOULD HAVE BEEN JUST ONE ISLAND,

BUT YOU SEE NOW IT'S SEPARATED
BY THIS STRETCH OF WATER.

YEAH, BUT THAT ISLAND'S
WAY BIGGER.

IT'S GONNA HAVE
MORE RESOURCES ON IT,

AND AS A SURVIVOR, YOUR CHANCES
ARE GONNA BE BETTER OVER THERE.

BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM.

YOU CAN SEE A SHARK DOWN THERE.

NOW, THAT'S GONNA BE
THE CHALLENGE

OF TRYING TO CROSS
THIS STRETCH OF WATER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I RECKON
IT'S WORTH THE RISK.

OKAY, COME ON,
LET'S GET DOWN TO THIS.

I'M IN THE TORRES STRAIT,
NEAR PAPUA NEW GUINEA,

ON A SMALL DESERTED ISLAND

WHERE THERE'S LITTLE SIGN
OF FOOD, WATER, OR WILDLIFE.

THERE'S A LARGER ISLAND
WHICH PROMISES MORE RESOURCES,

BUT GETTING THERE
MEANS CROSSING

A TIDAL CHANNEL FULL OF SHARKS.

WELL, THIS IS THE BIT OF SAND
THAT I WANT TO USE

TO GET ACROSS
TO THE OTHER ISLAND.

THING IS, THERE ARE SHARKS
LIKE THIS ONE HERE.

ALL IN THIS WATER,
I'M SEEING LOADS OF THESE,

AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO
WATCH OUT FOR.

THIS STRAIT IS A NATURAL FUNNEL
FOR THE SHARKS' PREY,

WHICH IS WHY
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE HERE.

BEFORE CROSSING,
I HAVE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS.

OKAY, LET'S GET SOME SORT
OF STICK BEFORE WE DO THIS.

COME ON.

A DRIFTWOOD POLE WILL PROVIDE
ME WITH SOME PROTECTION.

WE'RE GONNA NEED THIS JUST TO
HELP US IN THE WIND, AS WELL,

WITH THIS CURRENT.

LET'S GET INTO THIS.

IT'S A TRICKY CROSSING OF ABOUT
200 YARDS TO THE OTHER ISLAND.

THE TIDE IS ON THE TURN,

AND I DON'T WANT TO BE
TRAPPED MIDSTREAM

IN FAST-RISING WATERS.

NOW, I NEED YOU TO STICK
REALLY CLOSE TO ME ON THIS.

GOOD, POSITIVE STANCE.
JUST GET ACROSS IT, ALL RIGHT?

I NEED YOU TO HELP ME
KEEP AN EYE OUT, THOUGH.

SOME SHARK ATTACKS OCCUR IN
AS LITTLE AS 2 FEET OF WATER.

NOT FAR SOUTH OF HERE, IN 2006,

A WOMAN WAS ATTACKED AND KILLED
BY THREE SHARKS

IN WAIST-DEEP WATER
ONLY 15 YARDS FROM THE BEACH.

OH!

WHAT'S THAT?

SORT OF A SHOVE.

SHOT PAST MY LEGS THERE.

WE NEED TO SPEED UP.
GET MOVING.

SHARKS LOCK ON
TO THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

THAT ALL LIVING CREATURES
PRODUCE.

THE LONGER I'M IN THE WATER,

THE MORE LIKELY
I'LL BE DETECTED.

WE'RE OVER HALFWAY.

COME ON, STICK WITH ME.
WE CAN MAKE THIS.

LESS THAN 100 YARDS TO GO
TO SAFETY.

BUT SUDDENLY, THERE'S SOMETHING
BETWEEN ME AND THE SHORE.

OH, LOOK AT THE SHARK HERE.
JUST THERE.

STAND STILL.
DON'T MOVE.

START PANICKING
AND THRASHING AROUND,

SENDS OUT A SIGNAL
YOU'RE VULNERABLE

AND YOU'RE POTENTIAL PREY.

BEST OFF JUST STANDING
YOUR GROUND

AND LETTING THEM SWIM BY.

BUT I'M IN DANGER
OF BEING SURROUNDED.

THERE'S TWO OF THEM.

STAY STILL.
HOLD YOUR NERVE.

OKAY, IT'S COMING
STRAIGHT THIS WAY.

JUST STAY STILL.
STAY STILL.

THERE'S AN 8-FOOTER
COMING STRAIGHT FOR ME.

THIS IS NO TIME TO PANIC.

BUT AT THE LAST MOMENT,
HE TURNS AWAY.

THAT'S MY CHANCE TO GET ACROSS.

COME ON.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT.

LET'S JUST MOVE.
COME ON.

JUST STICK WITH ME.

[ PANTING ]

[ SIGHS ]

LONGER AND HARDER WORK
THAN I THOUGHT.

[ SPITS ]

BUT WE DIDN'T GET EATEN
BY A SHARK,

SO IT'S GOOD NEWS.

IT'S AMAZING. YOU GET
A SUDDEN SURGE OF ADRENALINE.

OKAY, GOOD JOB.
LET'S GO.

SURVIVAL IS ABOUT BALANCING
RISKS WITH BENEFITS,

SO THAT CROSSING
WILL BE WORTH IT

IF THIS ISLAND OFFERS
MORE RESOURCES,

AND I'M OFF TO A GOOD START.

LOOK, COCONUTS.

FOR THE SURVIVOR,
FINDING THESE IS JUST A GODSEND.

NOW, THOSE ARE THE ONES
I WANT, THOUGH --

THE UNRIPE,
GREEN OR ORANGEY ONES.

CHALLENGE IS
TRYING TO REACH THEM.

UNRIPE COCONUTS
CONTAIN THE MOST LIQUID,

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW
HOW TO GET THEM FIRST.

BASICALLY, YOU'RE WORKING
WITH OPPOSING FORCES.

YOU'RE PUSHING WITH YOUR FEET,

AND YOU'RE PULLING
WITH YOUR HANDS.

YOU GET INTO
A BIT OF A RHYTHM THEN.

ANOTHER TIP
IS TO KEEP YOUR FEET

AS FLAT AS POSSIBLE AGAINST
THE TREE FOR MAXIMUM GRIP.

OKAY.

THEN YOU KIND OF
JUST WANT TO TWIST THEM...

TO GET IT OFF.

[ GRUNTS ]

GETTING THE COCONUT DOWN
IS JUST THE FIRST STEP.

NOW TO GET IT OPEN.

GO FOR THE BOTTOM OF IT.

SLOWLY CUT YOUR WAY INTO IT.

THE AIM IS TO CUT
A TRIANGULAR SHAPE IN THE HUSK

AND EXPOSE THE NUT INSIDE.

AND ONCE YOU GOT
A GOOD PYRAMID SHAPE,

YOU THEN TEAR
THE TOP OF THE NUT OFF.

THERE YOU GO.

SCOOP THAT OUT.

THE TENDER COCONUT SEED
CONTAINS WATER

WHICH WILL MATURE INTO THE MILK

AND LATER INTO
THE WHITE FLESH OR MEAT.

THIS IS DELICIOUS.

AND YOU'VE GOT
ALL OF THAT WATER INSIDE.

WOW.

A GOOD-SIZED COCONUT

HOLDS AT LEAST
A LITER OF WATER.

IT CONTAINS MORE ELECTROLYTES
THAN A SPORTS DRINK

AND MORE POTASSIUM
THAN A BANANA.

OKAY, COME ON.

I'M NOW HEADING INTO THE
JUNGLE INTERIOR OF THE ISLAND

IN THE HOPE OF FINDING
MORE SOURCES OF FOOD AND WATER.

THESE BANANA TREES HOLD
MASSES OF MOISTURE IN THEM.

IT'S JUST GETTING TO IT, THOUGH.

ONE WAY IS JUST TO TAKE OFF
A SECTION OF BAMBOO...

...LIKE THIS.
IT'S HOLLOW.

[ BLOWS ]

SHARPEN ONE END.

PUT THAT STRAIGHT IN THERE.

AND THAT WILL BE
LIKE A TAP THEN,

AND LET THE MOISTURE
COME OUT OF THAT.

IN THE TROPICS,
IT'S A CONSTANT BATTLE

TO STAVE OFF THE SLOW PHYSICAL
DECLINE CAUSED BY DEHYDRATION.

YOU SEE HOW WET THAT IS ALREADY.

PUT THIS UNDERNEATH
AND JUST LEAVE IT.

WITH A SUSTAINABLE
WATER RESOURCE IN PLACE,

IT'S TIME TO CONCENTRATE
ON MY NEXT PRIORITY

AND LOOK FOR A PLACE
TO MAKE CAMP.

LOOK, THIS WILL DO UNDER HERE.

UNDER THIS TREE,
YOU'VE GOT GOOD, NATURAL SHELTER

AND ALSO GOOD VISIBILITY
OUT TO SEA, STILL.

I DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE
IN THE JUNGLE.

THAT'S WHERE
ALL THE CREEPY-CRAWLIES

AND SNAKES ARE GONNA BE.

I'M GONNA SLING UP A BIT
OF A HAMMOCK UNDER HERE.

OKAY.

THIS TROPICAL CLIMATE SUPPORTS
A WIDE VARIETY OF FLORA

THAT I CAN USE AS
BUILDING MATERIALS FOR MY CAMP,

AND WHAT DOESN'T GROW HERE
IS OFTEN WASHED UP BY THE SEA.

FIRST OFF,
I'M GONNA MAKE A HAMMOCK

BY SPLITTING
THIS LENGTH OF BAMBOO.

WORK YOUR WAY DOWN IT.

I'LL KEEP GOING ABOUT THE LENGTH
OF MY BODY ALONG HERE.

I'M CUTTING THE BAMBOO
INTO SEVERAL STRIPS

WHICH WILL ACT AS SUPPORTS.

AND, REALLY, BAMBOO IS THE
ULTIMATE D.I.Y. JUNGLE MATERIAL.

IT'S STRONG, IT'S FLEXIBLE,
EASY TO WORK WITH,

AND ALL THE FUNDAMENTALS
OF SURVIVAL --

FIRE, WATER, FOOD, SHELTER --
YOU CAN GET FROM THIS STUFF.

OKAY, SO LET THAT SPLIT,

AND PUT A BIT OF BEND IN IT,
SPLAY IT OUT,

AND THAT'S GONNA BE
THE BASIS OF A HAMMOCK.

AND ONCE SUSPENDED, THIS WILL
KEEP ME SAFELY OFF THE GROUND.

SEE IF IT'S GONNA WORK.

OKAY, THAT'LL BE GOOD.

A FEW COCONUT LEAVES ON THIS,
AND I'LL BE GOOD TO GO.

ACTUALLY, IT'S PROBABLY WORTH

PUTTING UP
A SIMPLE WINDBREAK HERE.

YOU KNOW,
THAT SEA BREEZE IS STRONG.

I DON'T WANT TO GET
SANDBLASTED ALL NIGHT.

LET'S DO THAT.

PALM LEAVES ARE PLENTIFUL

AND WILL PROVIDE ME
WITH SOME ADDED PROTECTION

FROM THE POWERFUL TRADE WINDS
THAT BLOW THROUGH HERE.

LET'S USE SOME OF THIS VINE
TO BIND IT ALL TOGETHER,

STOP IT BLOWING AWAY.

SPLIT PALM LEAVES ARE MALLEABLE
AND EASY TO WEAVE INTO BEDDING.

TIE THESE
JUST TO KEEP IT ON THAT.

OKAY, SO, I'M OFF THE GROUND

AND GOT A LITTLE BIT OF BEDDING,
AS WELL.

GOOD -- SHELTER DONE.

NOW FOR MY NEXT
SURVIVAL PRIORITY -- FOOD.

STINKING BIT OF FISH CARCASS.

MIGHT WELL HAVE JUST BEEN
MUNCHED BY A SHARK,

AND THEN THE CARCASS
TAKEN BY THE BIRDS, DUMPED HERE,

OR JUST WASHED UP
ON THE HIGH TIDE.

BUT CARCASS LIKE THIS
IS USEFUL --

FULL OF BONES THAT I CAN THEN
MAKE INTO A FISHING HOOK.

ISLAND SURVIVAL
IS ALL ABOUT INGENUITY,

TURNING THE USELESS
INTO THE USEFUL.

REALLY SHARP POINT TO THAT.

ATTACHING THIS SHARP BONE
TO A PIECE OF CARVED BAMBOO

WITH PARACORD
MAKES AN IMPROVISED HOOK,

AND WITH THAT, THERE'S A CHANCE
OF CATCHING FRESH FISH.

AND THEN WHAT YOU'RE
LEFT WITH IS THAT.

LOAD MORE LINE,
AND THEN LET'S GO FISHING.

BUT, FIRST, I NEED
SOME LIVE BAIT,

AND THERE'S ONE QUICK WAY

TO GET A SARDINE
FROM THESE SHALLOWS.

LOOK. HERE WE GO.

THROWING ROCKS INTO THE WATER
SENDS OUT SHOCK WAVES,

WHICH STUN BUT DON'T KILL
MY BAITFISH.

FIRST LITTLE SARDINE
ON THE HOOK,

THEN, WE GET IT IN.

OKAY, LET'S GET THIS GUY OUT.

THE WATERS AROUND HERE
ARE RICH WITH SEA LIFE --

EVERYTHING FROM 2-INCH SARDINES
TO 20-FOOT SHARKS.

CATCHING ANYTHING
REQUIRES PATIENCE,

BUT THIS IS USEFUL
THINKING TIME,

AND THE BRAIN
IS THE MOST USEFUL

SURVIVAL TOOL OF THEM ALL.

AND, YEAH, THIS IS A NICE
TIME OF THE DAY FOR ME.

THE HEAT'S GONE OUT OF THE SUN,

AND I'VE GOT TIME
JUST TO THINK --

THINK THINGS THROUGH

AND COME UP WITH A PLAN
FOR TOMORROW.

THERE'S AN OLD
TORRES ISLAND SAYING

THAT THE SEA WILL PROVIDE.

BUT AT THE MOMENT,
IT'S NOT PROVIDING FOR ME.

WE GOT SOMETHING.

LET'S GET HIM IN.

NOT A MONSTER,
BUT A DECENT-SIZED FISH.

YEAH, THAT'S A FINGERMARK FISH.

SEE THAT?

A LITTLE LIKE A FINGERPRINT
JUST DOWN THERE.

GOOD. WE'VE GOT SUPPER...
AT LAST.

I NEED FIRE TO COOK,

AND THERE'S NO SHORTAGE
OF FIRE-LIGHTING MATERIALS.

AND JUST THESE COCONUT HUSKS...

ALWAYS MAKE GOOD TINDER.

FLUFF IT UP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
SO IT'S REALLY FIBROUS --

A BIT LIKE A BIRD'S NEST --

AND THEN THAT SHOULD
TAKE A SPARK.

IN THE PAST,
ISLANDERS IN THE TORRES STRAIT

WOULD PERFORM FIRE DANCES

TO THANK THE GODS
FOR THE GIFT OF FIRE.

HERE, IT'S AS ESSENTIAL TO LIFE
AS WATER AND AIR.

OKAY, THIS SHOULD BE COOKED NOW.

FRESH FISH --
THE BEST POSSIBLE PROOF

THAT, IN THE END,
THE SEA DOES PROVIDE.

ONE THING THE SEA DOESN'T HAVE
ANY SHORTAGE OF IS SUPPLIES.

IT'S JUST NOT ALWAYS EASY...

GETTING TO THEM.

BUT FOR THE DESERT-ISLAND
SURVIVOR,

THE KEY IS MAKING THE SEA
YOUR BEST FRIEND.

ONE THING I ALWAYS TRY AND DO,

WHEREVER I AM IN THE WORLD
AT NIGHTTIME,

IS JUST TO SAY MY PRAYERS
FOR MY FAMILY,

AND I THINK
FOR THE DESERT-ISLAND SURVIVOR,

ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS
TO ENDURE

IS JUST THAT LACK
OF COMPANIONSHIP,

SO WHATEVER YOU CAN DO
TO BRIDGE THAT GAP

AND GIVE YOU
THAT SENSE OF CONNECTION

IS GONNA HELP YOU.

I'VE JUST SPENT A NIGHT
ON A DESERT ISLAND

IN THE TORRES STRAIT
NEAR PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

QUITE A CRAZY NIGHT

WITH ALL OF THOSE BIRDS
GOING NONSTOP IN THIS TREE.

IT'S LIKE LIVING
INSIDE AN AVIARY.

I'M USING A BIT
OF THIS CUTTLEFISH

JUST TO SHARPEN MY KNIFE AGAIN,
PUT AN EDGE BACK ON IT.

THE SALT WATER'S
SO CORROSIVE HERE,

ANYTHING'S JUST GONNA RUST OUT.

OKAY.

TIME TO GET ON.
A NEW DAY MEANS A NEW ROUND

IN THE ENDLESS CYCLE
OF DESERT-ISLAND SURVIVAL.

THERE'S A SEA CAVE.

ALWAYS WORTH CHECKING THESE OUT.

HIGH TIDES BRING
ALL SORTS OF USEFUL THINGS

INTO SEA CAVES LIKE THIS.

THIS IS OLD NETTING.

THERE'S A LOAD OF IT.

I'M GONNA CUT
SOME OF THIS NETTING.

SUPER-USEFUL STUFF.
SO MUCH I CAN DO WITH THAT.

I'M GONNA SEE IF THIS CAVE
LEADS THROUGH

TO THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE ISLAND.

THERE'S WATER IN HERE,

WHICH MEANS THIS CAVE FLOODS
AT HIGH TIDE,

AND I DON'T WANT TO
GET TRAPPED.

BUT NOW I'VE GOT CLEAR DAYLIGHT
TO FOLLOW.

THERE'S AN EXIT OUT HERE.

AND I'VE SPOTTED
SOMETHING ELSE.

THERE'S ANOTHER ISLAND,
AS WELL.

LET'S GET OUT.

THERE'S A THIRD,
EVEN LARGER ISLAND AHEAD,

WHICH MIGHT BE WORTH
GETTING TO.

THING IS
IT'S MUCH FURTHER TO THAT

THAN IT WAS TO GET ONTO THIS.

NEED TO WEIGH UP OUR OPTIONS
A BIT HERE.

A FEW OF THE ISLANDS
IN THE TORRES STRAIT

SUPPORT SMALL POPULATIONS
OR COAST GUARD STATIONS,

SO THIS MUCH LARGER ISLAND

OFFERS A GENUINE CHANCE
OF RESCUE.

IT'S NOT GONNA BE
EASY TO REACH,

BUT I'VE DECIDED
IT'S WORTH THE RISK.

BUT BEFORE UNDERTAKING
A JOURNEY LIKE THIS,

YOU WANT TO BE SURE
THAT YOU HAVE

THE NECESSARY ENERGY
TO SUCCEED,

AND THAT MEANS BEING WELL-FED
AND WELL-WATERED.

SEE IF THIS HAS FILLED UP.

GOT A GOOD AMOUNT IN THERE NOW.

YOU CAN STILL SEE IT DRIPPING
OUT OF HERE.

THIS BANANA WATER
WILL REHYDRATE ME

AND GIVE ME A QUICK SHOT OF
USEFUL MINERALS LIKE POTASSIUM.

TASTES LIKE UNRIPE BANANAS.

OKAY.

WITH A SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY
OF WATER TO RETURN TO,

THE NEXT PRIORITY IS FOOD.

THE BODY REQUIRES A MINIMUM

OF 1,000 CALORIES A DAY
TO FUNCTION --

MUCH MORE FOR AN ENERGY-SAPPING
SEA CROSSING,

SO I'M AFTER A BIG CATCH.

AND BACK AT THE SHORELINE,

I'VE NOTICED AN INCREASE
IN SHARK ACTIVITY.

THIS MAKES ME CAUTIOUS
BUT ALSO GIVES ME AN IDEA.

JUST SEEING A LOT OF FINS AROUND
IN THIS SHALLOW LAGOON HERE.

I RECKON IF I CAN GET AHOLD
OF A SHARK THAT'S SMALL ENOUGH,

I MIGHT WELL BE ABLE TO GET IT
OUT AND ONTO THE BANK.

SHARK MEAT IS A GOOD SOURCE
OF PROTEIN,

BUT FOR A LONE SURVIVOR,

CATCHING ONE IS A DIFFICULT
AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS OPTION.

PUT A BIT OF BAIT OUT
FOR THEM -- SEA CUCUMBER GUTS.

SEA CUCUMBERS ARE ANIMALS THAT
FEED ON DECAYING MARINE MATTER,

BUT THE SHARKS AREN'T GOING
FOR THEIR INNARDS.

TIME FOR BAIT PLAN "B."

THEY ACTUALLY SAY THAT PEE
ATTRACTS SHARKS --

A BIT OF URINE.

SEE IF THAT WORKS BETTER
THAN THE GUTS OF A CUCUMBER.

URINE IS A SIGN OF DISTRESS
IN SOME SEA MAMMALS

AND MIGHT AROUSE THE INTEREST
OF NEARBY SHARKS.

KEEP AN EYE OUT.

ACTUALLY, LOOK, THERE'S ONE
COMING IN OVER THERE.

FINALLY, A SHARK IS COMING
INTO THE SHALLOW WATER

AND WITHIN MY RANGE.

JUST HOLD YOUR GROUND.

YOU'D NEVER WANT TO TRY THIS

UNLESS THERE WAS
NO OTHER CHOICE.

I'M GONNA TRY TO CATCH IT
BY THE TAIL.

THIS GUY'S PROBABLY
7 FOOT LONG.

BUT MAKE ONE MISTAKE,

AND IT COULD DELIVER
A POTENTIALLY LETHAL BITE.

I'VE MISSED HIM, AND HE'S GONE.

MAN, THEY'RE FAST!

OH, THIS IS HOPELESS.

WITH A DIFFICULT
AND STRENGTH-SAPPING

SEA CROSSING AHEAD OF ME,

THERE'S STILL A NEED
FOR HIGH-ENERGY FOOD SOURCE.

TIME TO MOVE ON

AND COME UP
WITH A DIFFERENT PLAN.

THERE'S SOME TRASH
WASHED UP HERE.

ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE TO FIND
THAT SORT OF THING.

THE WINDWARD POINT
OF AN ISLAND --

ALL THE WIND AND THE WAVES
AND THE WEATHER

DRIVING STUFF UP ONTO THE ROCKS.

BOTTLES ARE ALWAYS USEFUL.
LOOK.

IT DOESN'T MATTER
HOW REMOTE THE PLACE,

YOU'LL ALWAYS FIND
SOME MAN-MADE MATERIAL.

A BIT OF FLEXIBLE RUBBER HOSING.

THAT, THOUGH,
COULD BE REALLY USEFUL.

MY DISCOVERIES
HAVE GIVEN ME A NEW IDEA.

ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT I'M
HUNTING FOR OR CHASING

IS BASICALLY FASTER THAN ME.

BUT FINDING JUST SOMETHING

AS SIMPLE AS A BIT OF HOSING
LIKE THAT

HAS ACTUALLY GIVEN ME
THE ADVANTAGE BACK.

IT ALLOWS ME TO MAKE
A SPRING-LOADED WEAPON.

IT'S GONNA GIVE ME MORE SPEED.

I'M GONNA MAKE
A SIMPLE BAMBOO HARPOON.

IT'S A BASIC DESIGN
THAT'S BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES

AND IS STILL IN USE TODAY.

AND JUST USE THE TIP END
OF AN AGAVE PLANT

TO MAKE A BARB IN THIS,

SO IF I HARPOON SOMETHING,
IT'S NOT GONNA THEN COME OUT.

NOW FOR THE ALL-IMPORTANT
TRIGGER MECHANISM.

THERE'S VERY LITTLE
THAT YOU'LL FIND IN NATURE

THAT HAS ELASTICITY LIKE THAT,

AND WHAT THIS DOES -- GIVES ME
BACK THE ADVANTAGE OF SPEED.

I'M ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR THE BIGGER FISH

THAT CONGREGATE NEAR THE REEF,
BUT WITHOUT GOGGLES,

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CLEARLY
IN SALT WATER,

SO I'VE ADAPTED A PLASTIC
BOTTLE AS A VIEWFINDER.

BUT THE FISH
ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN,

AND THOSE THAT I AM SEEING
ARE PROVING TOO QUICK.

WIND THIS UP TIGHT, GIVE MYSELF
A BIT MORE POWER IN IT.

EVEN WITH MORE POWER
IN MY HARPOON,

I'M HAVING NO LUCK
IN CHOPPY WATERS

WITH LIMITED VISIBILITY.

HANG ON.

LOOKS LIKE A COUPLE OF FEELERS

JUST POKING OUT
FROM UNDER THAT ROCK LEDGE.

BUT I'VE SPOTTED SOMETHING
THAT MIGHT BE AN EASIER CATCH.

THERE'S A LOBSTER DOWN THERE.

SOMETIMES IF YOU JUST STROKE
THE TIPS OF THE FEELERS,

IT WILL BRING THEM OUT.

NEED TO DO THAT FIRST.

LOBSTER CLAWS ARE POWERFUL
ENOUGH TO BREAK A FINGER,

SO I NEED TO BE CAREFUL.

BUT HE'S OUT,
AND I'VE GOT A CLEAR SHOT.

WHEW!

STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE --
BETWEEN THE EYES...

AND IT'S KILLED HIM
STRAIGHT OFF.

BUT IT'S A PAINTED ROCK LOBSTER.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT TAIL.

THAT'S GONNA BE GOOD FOOD.

ROCK LOBSTERS CAN WEIGH
ANYTHING UP TO 20 POUNDS,

BUT THIS SMALLER ONE
IS GONNA BE PLENTY BIG ENOUGH

FOR A GOOD FEED.

LOBSTER TAIL IS CONSIDERED
A DELICACY

ALL AROUND THE WORLD,

BUT IN ISLAND COMMUNITIES,

OTHER PARTS OF THE ANIMAL
ARE JUST AS DESIRABLE.

THE BRAIN IS A REAL DELICACY
IN SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD.

BUT I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO GO TO.

THERE -- THE TAIL.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN
LOOKING FORWARD TO.

AND ON THE BASIS
THAT GOOD SURVIVAL

IS ABOUT KEEPING
YOUR MORALE UP...

THIS IS GOOD MORALE.

WOW.

WITH MORALE HIGH
AND A FULL STOMACH,

I'M FIRED UP AND READY TO GO
FOR THIS CROSSING,

BUT, FIRST, I'M GONNA NEED
A SERIOUS RAFT.

NEVER EASY, IS IT?

AAAH!

BAMBOO! GOD!

ALL RIGHT.
SORRY ABOUT THAT.

BAMBOO NAUGHT...

BEAR 1 -- JUST.

I'VE GOT MY BAMBOO.

MY PLAN NOW IS TO BUILD
A DESIGN OF RAFT

THAT I'VE NEVER ATTEMPTED
BEFORE.

OKAY, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS MAKE,
LIKE, A WINDSURFER WIDTH

WHERE THE CENTRAL BAMBOO'S
ALL TIED TOGETHER,

AND THEN JUST WITH
A COUPLE OF OUTRIGGERS...

ON EITHER SIDE FOR STABILITY.

AND THEN,
IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS ONE,

GONNA HAVE ONE UPRIGHT WITH,
LIKE, AN IMPROVISED SAIL ON IT.

BAMBOO IS PERFECT
FOR BUILDING RAFTS.

IT'S STRONG,
DOESN'T ABSORB WATER,

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
IT'S HOLLOW, FULL OF AIR,

AND SUPER BUOYANT.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO HERE

IS JUST CREATE THESE SORT OF
HOLES THROUGH THE BAMBOO,

AND THEN I JUST PUT
THE SMALLER BIT...

STRAIGHT THROUGH THEM ALL.

AND THAT'S GONNA GIVE
GOOD RIGIDITY TO IT.

THIS RAFT NEEDS TO BE STRONG,

BUT IT ALSO
NEEDS TO BE BIG ENOUGH

TO SUPPORT ME IN THE SEA SWELL.

AND JUST PUT THE CROSSBEAMS
IN HERE.

IT'S GONNA BE THE SUPPORT
FOR BOTH THE OUTRIGGERS.

OKAY, LET'S TIE THAT.

AND NOW FOR
THE ALL-IMPORTANT SAIL.

AND THEN JUST FOR THE SAIL,

DON'T WANT ANYTHING
TOO BIG AND CRAZY.

SURE IS WINDY OUT THERE.

JUST GONNA USE ONE BIT OF BAMBOO
LIKE THIS AS A MAST.

AND I CUT A BIT OF NETTING
JUST IN A SAIL SHAPE.

SIMPLE AS YOU LIKE.

AND THEN INTO
THE ACTUAL NETTING WEAVE...

...JUST GONNA LAY
SOME OF THESE PALMS.

IT'S STILL GONNA HAVE
A FEW HOLES IN IT,

BUT THAT'S GONNA BE OKAY.

MY SAIL NEEDS TO BE
CONTROLLABLE

IN THESE TRADE WINDS

AND THE SUDDEN STORMS
THAT BLOW UP HERE.

OKAY.

NOW, YOU SEE IT'S ALREADY
CATCHING THE WIND NICELY.

ALMOST READY TO SET SAIL.

BUT FOR A CROSSING LIKE THIS,

YOU WANT PROVISIONS
IN CASE YOU STRAY OFF COURSE.

BEACH ALMONDS ARE GOOD,
PORTABLE ENERGY,

AND COCONUT WATER
WILL KEEP ME HYDRATED.

TIME TO LAUNCH --

THE TIDE IS HIGH
BUT JUST STARTING TO GO OUT,

SO IT SHOULD HELP ME ON MY WAY.

MY RAFT IS KEEPING ME AFLOAT
AND OUT OF THE WATER,

AND MY IMPROVISED SAIL
IS DOING ITS JOB.

ACTUALLY, REALLY FEEL
THE WIND FILLING THIS,

PULLING AGAINST ME.

THIS IS SOMETHING
I'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE,

THIS IMPROVISED
LITTLE WINDSURFER,

BUT IT'S WORKING.

BUT THE CONDITIONS
ARE GETTING HARDER.

RIGHT OUT BEYOND THE REEF NOW.

IT'S WAY ROUGHER HERE.

REALLY WHERE THE BATTLE BEGINS

BETWEEN THE WIND
TAKING ME THAT WAY,

AND THE TIDE TRYING
TO SWEEP ME THAT WAY.

RECENTLY, THREE LOCAL FISHERMEN
LOST THAT BATTLE

AND SPENT 20 DAYS ADRIFT
IN THIS STRAIT,

ONLY SURVIVING
BY EATING RAW SQUID

AND DRINKING RAINWATER.

THE WEATHER'S CLOSING IN,
AS WELL, NOW.

FEEL THE RAIN.

HOPE THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE
WIND'S GONNA PICK UP EVEN MORE.

I'M STRUGGLING NOW
TO CONTROL THIS THING.

IN THE ROUGHER SEAS
AND STRENGTHENING WINDS,

IT'S PROVING FAR HARDER
TO STAY UPRIGHT.

EVERY TIME, THIS SAIL IS JUST
GETTING HEAVIER AND HEAVIER.

BUT VISIBILITY
IS GETTING WORSE,

AND I'M STRUGGLING
TO STAY ON COURSE.

SEE THIS MIST THAT'S COMING?
IT'S THE RAIN.

I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE SIGHT
OF THAT ISLAND.

NOT FAR TO GO NOW,

BUT AS I APPROACH THE REEF
SURROUNDING THE ISLAND,

DISASTER STRIKES.

COME ON, COME ON.

THING IS, YOU NEVER WANT TO
LET GO OF YOUR RAFT.

MY SAIL'S DETACHED
FROM THE RAFT.

I CAN'T REACH IT
AND STAY WITH THE RAFT.

JUST HOPE THE CURRENT,

THE WIND PUSH ME THE LAST
FEW HUNDRED YARDS IN.

I WANT TO GET OUT
OF THIS WATER NOW.

THERE ARE SHARKS PATROLLING
OFF THIS REEF,

AND I'M DRIFTING FAST
INTO THE BREAKERS.

I'M GETTING PUMMELED
BY THE WAVES,

AND ALL I CAN DO IS HANG ON
AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.

BUT I'M OVER THE REEF
AND OFF THE RAFT.

I'M EXHAUSTED, BATTERED,
AND BRUISED, BUT I'VE MADE IT.

GOLDEN RULE OF SEA SURVIVAL --

DON'T GET SEPARATED
FROM YOUR RAFT.

I DID THE RIGHT THING, THEN,
STAYING WITH THAT RAFT.

THAT AND ME GOT WASHED
THROUGH THE BREAKERS.

THAT SAIL HAS LONG GONE.

OKAY, LET'S GET ASHORE,
FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PLACE.

I'VE COME ASHORE

ON THE EXPOSED, WINDWARD SIDE
OF THE ISLAND,

WHERE THERE'S LITTLE LIKELIHOOD
OF FINDING A SETTLEMENT.

THE BEST CHANCE OF RESCUE
IS ON THE OTHER SIDE,

SO I'M HEADING UP AND OVER.

BUT I'M STRAIGHT
INTO A TOUGH CLIMB.

SEE IF WE CAN GET UP THIS WAY.

QUITE STEEP, THOUGH.

THERE'S A WHOLE ROOT SYSTEM
COMING DOWN THIS ROCK FACE.

OKAY, LET'S TRY THIS.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE SURVIVAL
STORIES OCCURRED IN ANTARCTICA.

ERNEST SHACKLETON AND HIS CREW
SAILED FOR 800 MILES

THROUGH THE WORLD'S
MOST HOSTILE SEAS

TO GET TO AN ISLAND.

BUT THEY CAME ASHORE
ON THE WRONG SIDE

AND HAD TO CLIMB FOR 36 HOURS
OVER MOUNTAINS

TO REACH CIVILIZATION.

AND THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS,

NEVER ASSUME
YOU'VE REACHED SAFETY

UNTIL YOU REALLY HAVE.

COME ON, WE NEED TO MOVE.

AND WHEN YOU GET A SHOT
AT RESCUE,

GRAB IT WITH ALL YOU HAVE.

IT'S AN AIRFIELD.

[ AIRPLANE ENGINE WHIRRING ]

THIS IS MY CHANCE.

THERE'S AN AIRCRAFT
TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF.

COME ON!
WE CAN MAKE THIS!

ONE FINAL PUSH
THROUGH THE PROP WASH...

AND IT'S THE END
OF MY TORRES ISLAND ADVENTURE,

AND I'M HEADING HOME.