1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:01,900 I am Bear Grylls. 2 00:00:02,233 --> 00:00:04,500 I have served with the British Special Forces. 3 00:00:04,634 --> 00:00:06,266 I have climbed to the summit of Everest 4 00:00:06,500 --> 00:00:09,033 and crossed the frozen waters of the Arctic. 5 00:00:10,266 --> 00:00:14,233 Now, my challenge is to survive the alligator infested swamps 6 00:00:14,266 --> 00:00:14,934 of the Everglades. 7 00:00:15,300 --> 00:00:18,533 Every year, over 60 tourists need to be rescued 8 00:00:18,567 --> 00:00:21,100 from one of the world's most hostile environments. 9 00:00:21,300 --> 00:00:24,467 I am going to show you the skills needed to survive here. 10 00:00:31,767 --> 00:00:33,333 I am in the Everglades, in Florida, 11 00:00:33,700 --> 00:00:37,400 over 4,000 square miles of water logged grassland. 12 00:00:37,967 --> 00:00:41,500 Every year, this wilderness attracts six million visitors. 13 00:00:41,834 --> 00:00:44,667 Many get lost and need to be airlifted to safety. 14 00:00:44,900 --> 00:00:48,467 I am going to put myself in the position of a lost tourist 15 00:00:48,734 --> 00:00:52,934 and show you how to survive in a wilderness like this. 16 00:00:53,567 --> 00:00:57,166 The Everglades was formed by a 50 mile wide river flowing 17 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,934 from mid Florida down to the Gulf of Mexico. 18 00:01:00,900 --> 00:01:04,333 The swamps, forests and marshes have remained almost unchanged 19 00:01:04,367 --> 00:01:08,767 for thousands of years and there is no other area like it in the U.S. 20 00:01:09,033 --> 00:01:11,100 That's why millions come here. 21 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,533 Last year, 65 people were rescued, 22 00:01:14,867 --> 00:01:18,333 many had become stranded after their boats had broken down. 23 00:01:19,266 --> 00:01:22,233 I am starting in the most challenging part of the Everglades, 24 00:01:22,467 --> 00:01:22,900 the swamps. 25 00:01:23,700 --> 00:01:26,033 We are hovering at about a hundred foot above the ground now 26 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:29,467 and the trees are still about 40 foot beneath me. 27 00:01:30,867 --> 00:01:34,700 Three, two, one, go. 28 00:01:36,934 --> 00:01:41,266 All I have with me is a water bottle, a flint and my knife. 29 00:01:43,367 --> 00:01:45,600 A film crew will follow my journey. 30 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:51,567 (GROANS) 31 00:02:01,700 --> 00:02:05,700 (BIRD SOUNDS IN THE BACKGROUND) 32 00:02:05,734 --> 00:02:09,767 (BIRD SOUNDS IN THE BACKGROUND) 33 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:13,600 (BIRD SOUNDS IN THE BACKGROUND) 34 00:02:13,634 --> 00:02:15,233 I tell you, I do not like this stuff at all, 35 00:02:15,266 --> 00:02:18,767 you just cannot see what is in the water. 36 00:02:24,967 --> 00:02:27,600 There is water as far as the eye can see. 37 00:02:28,066 --> 00:02:28,867 It is up to my thighs 38 00:02:29,066 --> 00:02:31,900 and it is deep enough to hide big alligators. 39 00:02:32,367 --> 00:02:35,133 There are over one million of them in the Everglades 40 00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:38,133 and the first thing I want is a weapon. 41 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:44,967 I am just going to cut this pop ash down here 42 00:02:45,266 --> 00:02:48,767 and use this as a stick and what you do is you just bend it over 43 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:50,066 to put it under tension. 44 00:02:54,700 --> 00:02:56,634 And then it will come off like that. 45 00:03:01,166 --> 00:03:02,000 It's not much of a weapon 46 00:03:02,367 --> 00:03:05,634 but this stick will give me an extra four feet of reach 47 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:07,700 to ward off any alligators. 48 00:03:10,634 --> 00:03:11,700 Just look at this place. 49 00:03:11,934 --> 00:03:13,500 It is so disorientating 50 00:03:13,900 --> 00:03:17,333 and I think out of all the wildernesses I've ever been in, 51 00:03:17,367 --> 00:03:20,433 this has to be the easiest place to get lost in. 52 00:03:20,467 --> 00:03:23,367 It is just more of the same in every direction 53 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,934 and there is a couple who got stuck out here recently 54 00:03:27,266 --> 00:03:30,767 when their airboat hit a tree and broke a gas line 55 00:03:31,133 --> 00:03:32,567 and even though they had a cell phone 56 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:34,266 and could call search and rescue, 57 00:03:34,500 --> 00:03:36,033 they had no idea where they were. 58 00:03:36,367 --> 00:03:40,467 And it actually took search and rescue two days to find them. 59 00:03:40,667 --> 00:03:42,333 And you can kind of see why. 60 00:03:44,467 --> 00:03:47,133 They survived by staying in their airboat 61 00:03:47,367 --> 00:03:49,300 and that's the right thing to do. 62 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:51,166 I do not have that luxury. 63 00:03:51,467 --> 00:03:55,467 I want to get out of this water and away from the alligators. 64 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:59,400 There is dry land here but I don't know where. 65 00:03:59,634 --> 00:04:02,300 I first of all need to get my bearings. 66 00:04:03,367 --> 00:04:04,834 This tree here should do. 67 00:04:05,433 --> 00:04:08,200 It's high enough, it is probably about 40 foot at the top of that, 68 00:04:08,500 --> 00:04:12,066 it should give me a view over the top of the rest of this swamp. 69 00:04:12,433 --> 00:04:15,967 But also it is thin enough to allow me to climb up this thing 70 00:04:17,066 --> 00:04:20,467 but there is no way I am going to be able to just free climb up this. 71 00:04:20,934 --> 00:04:24,800 But what I can do is use something as simple as just my shoelaces 72 00:04:25,300 --> 00:04:26,033 and... 73 00:04:27,300 --> 00:04:31,133 All I got to do is untie each of these 74 00:04:32,066 --> 00:04:35,734 and then tie them together, 75 00:04:36,233 --> 00:04:39,500 so I have got one long, one long loop 76 00:04:40,333 --> 00:04:42,166 and I want to do it in a bow 77 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,867 because I want to be able to undo these things at the end. 78 00:04:44,900 --> 00:04:46,500 This is going to get really tight now. 79 00:04:47,233 --> 00:04:51,533 But, once I've got this loop so my feet are joined together, 80 00:04:52,066 --> 00:04:57,266 I should be able to use these to jump and then wrap around the tree. 81 00:04:58,433 --> 00:05:02,200 And that will give me enough traction to go up. 82 00:05:09,967 --> 00:05:14,867 And the key to doing this is to just keep calm and not rush it 83 00:05:15,066 --> 00:05:17,133 and use your leg strength to lift you up 84 00:05:17,567 --> 00:05:20,800 and your arms are there purely just to balance. 85 00:05:28,767 --> 00:05:29,000 Okay. 86 00:05:29,667 --> 00:05:31,700 So I am going to get quite high up here 87 00:05:32,433 --> 00:05:36,634 and hope these laces are holding out for another couple of feet, 88 00:05:36,667 --> 00:05:37,567 I'll be above it. 89 00:05:45,300 --> 00:05:47,266 That's great, they worked perfectly. 90 00:05:48,200 --> 00:05:50,266 I thought they were going to break about halfway. 91 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,433 This is as high as I'm going to be able to get up this tree, 92 00:05:54,467 --> 00:05:58,433 it's getting really spindly and wobbly. 93 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:04,333 What I was hoping for is to get a glimpse of some pine trees, 94 00:06:04,367 --> 00:06:07,400 just because they grow on dry ground 95 00:06:08,066 --> 00:06:11,834 but instead, it's just cypress and water oak 96 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:15,800 and that means swamp and more swamp. 97 00:06:18,867 --> 00:06:22,600 Without any dry land to head for, I need another plan. 98 00:06:24,233 --> 00:06:27,634 One of the key parts of survival is preparation 99 00:06:27,967 --> 00:06:31,133 and having an understanding of the geography that you are in. 100 00:06:31,467 --> 00:06:36,567 And I know that in the Everglades, basically inland, is higher ground 101 00:06:36,834 --> 00:06:38,467 and that I know is to the west. 102 00:06:38,734 --> 00:06:43,033 And one way I can work this out is just by using my watch as a compass. 103 00:06:43,533 --> 00:06:47,800 And if I just point the hour hand at the sun, which is over there, 104 00:06:48,033 --> 00:06:52,066 halfway between that and 12 o'clock is south, 105 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:53,200 which means south is that way, 106 00:06:53,433 --> 00:06:57,467 west, inland, higher ground is that way. 107 00:06:58,433 --> 00:06:59,200 Grab my stick. 108 00:07:00,700 --> 00:07:01,500 And I'm out of here. 109 00:07:05,667 --> 00:07:09,367 Now, I have decided to go west, it's vital I stick to my bearing. 110 00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:12,667 It would be so easy to go around in circles here, 111 00:07:12,900 --> 00:07:14,867 the swamps are so disorientating. 112 00:07:15,500 --> 00:07:18,500 But I cannot afford to waste precious energy. 113 00:07:26,967 --> 00:07:30,567 This is why this swamp is so difficult, look, 114 00:07:31,266 --> 00:07:35,066 there's loads of these submerged logs 115 00:07:35,634 --> 00:07:38,200 and it just makes moving so difficult. 116 00:07:39,967 --> 00:07:41,667 These swamps are so forbidding. 117 00:07:42,166 --> 00:07:44,500 Anything could be lurking under the water 118 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:48,033 and you have no idea what you're stepping on. 119 00:07:50,500 --> 00:07:52,266 Hey, there are bubbles. Get out, get on that tree, 120 00:07:52,300 --> 00:07:52,934 get out of the water. 121 00:07:53,634 --> 00:07:55,400 Out of the water, right out, right out. 122 00:08:03,967 --> 00:08:08,401 I'm in the Everglades. It's home to millions of snakes and alligators. 123 00:08:08,434 --> 00:08:10,701 And danger is never far away. 124 00:08:10,735 --> 00:08:11,801 Look, you see that? Look. 125 00:08:12,101 --> 00:08:13,534 See the bubbles coming out of the 126 00:08:14,501 --> 00:08:16,901 Now, that could either be an alligator 127 00:08:16,935 --> 00:08:18,901 or just the gases coming out of the swamps. 128 00:08:19,434 --> 00:08:21,668 We just stay here and just watch it for a second. 129 00:08:24,001 --> 00:08:26,935 We just need to keep calm and not take the risk. 130 00:08:26,967 --> 00:08:29,134 We're going to back out this way and go around. 131 00:08:29,167 --> 00:08:33,101 So just quietly get back into the water and back away. 132 00:08:43,234 --> 00:08:45,534 This place has really got me spooked. 133 00:08:46,067 --> 00:08:48,034 There could be alligators anywhere. 134 00:08:48,601 --> 00:08:53,167 The best thing you can do is to make... 135 00:08:54,167 --> 00:08:55,868 Lots of noise and splash around 136 00:08:55,901 --> 00:08:57,267 and let them know that you are coming. 137 00:08:57,768 --> 00:09:00,868 The last thing you want to do is to surprise one, 138 00:09:01,201 --> 00:09:02,967 as they are much more likely to attack 139 00:09:03,334 --> 00:09:05,568 if they think they've got to defend themselves. 140 00:09:10,801 --> 00:09:12,501 The trees form a thick screen. 141 00:09:12,901 --> 00:09:15,001 It's almost impossible to see far ahead 142 00:09:15,301 --> 00:09:18,034 and it is so hard to keep my westerly bearing. 143 00:09:19,768 --> 00:09:23,967 But then, there is a clearing with some sort of deep water in my path. 144 00:09:24,368 --> 00:09:26,301 Hey, look, look, alligators. 145 00:09:26,801 --> 00:09:27,501 See them? 146 00:09:29,334 --> 00:09:32,701 And in this sort of swamp it's just inevitable 147 00:09:33,267 --> 00:09:35,768 that I would eventually come across some of these guys. 148 00:09:36,901 --> 00:09:39,501 But actually this is just the sort of place they would like, 149 00:09:39,534 --> 00:09:42,134 it is a clearing, which means the sunlight comes down 150 00:09:42,401 --> 00:09:44,034 and you know, they are cold blooded, 151 00:09:44,067 --> 00:09:45,768 they need the sun to keep them warm. 152 00:09:46,034 --> 00:09:46,835 And yeah, look there are a few of them. 153 00:09:47,368 --> 00:09:50,735 It is as if they are like recharging their batteries in the sun here. 154 00:09:51,334 --> 00:09:55,501 But there is no way that I want to be wading across the channel. 155 00:09:56,401 --> 00:09:58,601 However I have got to keep heading that way. 156 00:09:59,868 --> 00:10:02,001 I need another plan for getting across. 157 00:10:02,401 --> 00:10:03,101 Come on. 158 00:10:11,167 --> 00:10:11,967 Here, don't get too close in. 159 00:10:12,501 --> 00:10:17,868 That tree that might be ideal for crossing, crossing this channel 160 00:10:18,368 --> 00:10:21,267 and you get loads of these trees falling down in hurricanes, 161 00:10:21,301 --> 00:10:24,134 they've had like seven hurricanes here in the last five years. 162 00:10:25,067 --> 00:10:27,301 But yeah, there are still alligators around here, 163 00:10:27,735 --> 00:10:30,134 so I want to be careful. 164 00:10:31,001 --> 00:10:32,967 I'm gonna go for it. Throw this across. 165 00:10:33,701 --> 00:10:34,768 Okay, if you stay here. 166 00:10:40,534 --> 00:10:44,434 Dead wood is often weak but this is a cypress tree. 167 00:10:44,835 --> 00:10:46,134 There are no lower branches 168 00:10:46,167 --> 00:10:48,201 and it has vertical grooves in the bark. 169 00:10:48,601 --> 00:10:52,334 And because they live in water, the wood takes years to rot. 170 00:10:52,868 --> 00:10:54,167 It should be safe. 171 00:10:55,701 --> 00:10:58,067 What I'm doing is just using my thighs to grip 172 00:10:58,534 --> 00:11:01,568 and then the top of my feet to push me up. 173 00:11:02,835 --> 00:11:07,101 But, it's really just about trying to keep your balance on this thing 174 00:11:07,434 --> 00:11:09,434 because it is getting thinner as I get higher. 175 00:11:10,534 --> 00:11:11,534 (GROANS) 176 00:11:19,368 --> 00:11:21,267 Two reasons why I do not want to fall off this, 177 00:11:21,601 --> 00:11:24,134 one, look, it's getting, getting pretty high 178 00:11:24,568 --> 00:11:26,234 but also there are the alligators there 179 00:11:26,568 --> 00:11:30,001 and I do not want to end up as alligator food. 180 00:11:30,868 --> 00:11:33,868 I'm just going to work out a way of getting to the main tree 181 00:11:33,901 --> 00:11:35,101 and getting down there. 182 00:11:36,368 --> 00:11:38,368 I am just going to have to swing over I think. 183 00:11:49,334 --> 00:11:53,001 I just got to try and get my, get my leg around here. 184 00:12:05,501 --> 00:12:09,568 It is late and I have to get out of the water before nightfall. 185 00:12:09,967 --> 00:12:12,601 That's when the alligators become more active. 186 00:12:12,801 --> 00:12:14,501 It's their main feeding time. 187 00:12:14,901 --> 00:12:16,134 I need to set up camp. 188 00:12:16,568 --> 00:12:19,701 I could probably use this pop Ash tree here. 189 00:12:19,901 --> 00:12:21,935 It's got enough limbs off the branches 190 00:12:22,234 --> 00:12:26,034 and what I can do is if I can find a few more uprights like this, 191 00:12:26,267 --> 00:12:31,034 lash one like that and then another one here 192 00:12:31,334 --> 00:12:33,267 and then lay some branches along it. 193 00:12:33,368 --> 00:12:35,267 That will lift me up out of the water. 194 00:12:35,434 --> 00:12:37,401 And the other good thing about this pop Ash, 195 00:12:37,635 --> 00:12:39,101 it has got lots of vine on it 196 00:12:39,134 --> 00:12:42,501 which I can use just as natural cordage to tie it with. 197 00:12:43,301 --> 00:12:46,668 But make sure that the wood is thick enough to take your weight. 198 00:12:48,034 --> 00:12:50,201 And what I want to do here is just do, 199 00:12:50,901 --> 00:12:53,067 do like a simple overhand knot 200 00:12:53,368 --> 00:12:56,835 and then tuck it in again once more on itself 201 00:12:56,868 --> 00:12:58,134 and that just locks it. 202 00:12:59,368 --> 00:13:03,167 This process is quick and all the raw materials are around me 203 00:13:03,534 --> 00:13:04,568 and that's good news. 204 00:13:04,768 --> 00:13:07,034 It's saving me time and energy. 205 00:13:08,034 --> 00:13:09,434 Construct a base to sleep on. 206 00:13:09,735 --> 00:13:13,134 It should be long enough to lie on full stretch and wide. 207 00:13:13,668 --> 00:13:16,301 This is one bed I don't want to roll out of. 208 00:13:16,868 --> 00:13:20,534 Ideally, pick straight timbers and remove the off shoots. 209 00:13:20,668 --> 00:13:23,267 They will dig in and make sleeping even harder. 210 00:13:23,568 --> 00:13:26,868 There you go and I just need a load of these across here 211 00:13:27,101 --> 00:13:28,967 and this will make a good platform. 212 00:13:34,568 --> 00:13:37,967 Right. That is almost enough for the actual platform 213 00:13:38,001 --> 00:13:39,201 that I am going to lie on. 214 00:13:40,034 --> 00:13:41,534 Now, to pad this bed out a bit. 215 00:13:41,735 --> 00:13:46,001 Hey, look at this stuff, this is this is all Spanish moss 216 00:13:46,201 --> 00:13:49,201 and even though this looks really nice and soft 217 00:13:49,234 --> 00:13:51,167 and you think would make an ideal mattress, 218 00:13:51,401 --> 00:13:55,468 it is actually often full of nasty little chiggers 219 00:13:55,501 --> 00:13:59,601 and chiggers are these tiny little things you cannot actually see 220 00:13:59,967 --> 00:14:00,801 but what happens, they bite you 221 00:14:01,034 --> 00:14:04,167 and then 24 hours later you will start to scratch 222 00:14:04,201 --> 00:14:06,401 and you are going to keep scratching for days. 223 00:14:06,967 --> 00:14:10,401 And I have come across this before in the jungles of Belize 224 00:14:10,434 --> 00:14:13,301 and trust me, it's a mistake you only make once 225 00:14:13,334 --> 00:14:16,735 so I am going to need another plan for something to use as bedding. 226 00:14:19,401 --> 00:14:22,301 The fronds of the cabbage palm are much better. 227 00:14:22,868 --> 00:14:24,935 This palm is the state plant of Florida 228 00:14:25,267 --> 00:14:26,201 and it has been used for shelter 229 00:14:26,234 --> 00:14:29,601 by the local Seminole Tribe here for centuries. 230 00:14:30,501 --> 00:14:34,001 Once a bed is made, fire is my next priority. 231 00:14:34,368 --> 00:14:37,501 It will help keep predators away and also dry my clothes. 232 00:14:37,801 --> 00:14:41,935 But to light it, I need to find some tinder and once again, 233 00:14:41,967 --> 00:14:43,801 the cabbage palm is the key. 234 00:14:43,967 --> 00:14:45,201 This stuff is great. 235 00:14:45,501 --> 00:14:48,935 It's really, really dry and stays pretty dry even 236 00:14:48,967 --> 00:14:49,635 when its been raining 237 00:14:50,134 --> 00:14:53,167 and you do have to be a little bit careful reaching around 238 00:14:53,201 --> 00:14:56,801 in this stuff, just because loads of nasty creepy crawlies 239 00:14:56,835 --> 00:14:59,835 often live in this from ants to scorpions 240 00:15:00,167 --> 00:15:00,801 and I have even got a friend 241 00:15:01,434 --> 00:15:04,301 who found once a coral snake wrapped up in this sort of stuff. 242 00:15:04,967 --> 00:15:06,701 So I am going to stuff this in my pocket, 243 00:15:07,134 --> 00:15:09,534 it is about the only place on me that is dry. 244 00:15:11,601 --> 00:15:14,935 Make a base for the fire or the embers will burn your bed. 245 00:15:15,334 --> 00:15:18,201 You should let the mud dry but I do not have the time. 246 00:15:18,768 --> 00:15:23,167 However, these green twigs will create a barrier between the tinder 247 00:15:23,201 --> 00:15:24,401 and the wet mud. 248 00:15:28,334 --> 00:15:31,267 It would be easy to think that starting a fire in such a wet 249 00:15:31,301 --> 00:15:33,735 and humid environment would be impossible 250 00:15:34,201 --> 00:15:37,001 but this shows how a little local knowledge 251 00:15:37,034 --> 00:15:38,468 can make all the difference. 252 00:15:39,067 --> 00:15:41,735 I really need to watch out for my feet. 253 00:15:41,768 --> 00:15:45,901 Just in this sort of environment it is really easy to get trench foot 254 00:15:46,334 --> 00:15:47,901 and you get trench foot if your, 255 00:15:48,201 --> 00:15:51,001 your feet are wet you know for more than about 12 hours 256 00:15:51,201 --> 00:15:53,701 and it is a mix of just being cold and moist 257 00:15:53,735 --> 00:15:56,835 and what happens is eventually the skin starts to flake off 258 00:15:56,868 --> 00:15:58,768 and it can then become infected. 259 00:15:59,468 --> 00:16:03,167 But I really want to make sure I don't get that 260 00:16:03,201 --> 00:16:07,301 because I tell you, out here, if you can't walk, you die. 261 00:16:13,967 --> 00:16:16,134 By day this swamp is pretty surreal 262 00:16:16,434 --> 00:16:21,167 but at night time this whole place is just spooky, spooky, spooky 263 00:16:21,201 --> 00:16:23,935 and there is so much noise and things like rustling around 264 00:16:23,967 --> 00:16:26,668 and then you know splashing around in the mud 265 00:16:27,134 --> 00:16:30,134 and this whole place just does not sleep. 266 00:16:30,768 --> 00:16:32,967 And at the moment, nor am I. 267 00:16:34,034 --> 00:16:36,868 Tomorrow, I'll have to find a way out of the swamp, 268 00:16:37,234 --> 00:16:40,134 but that's never easy in the Everglades. 269 00:16:51,836 --> 00:16:53,836 I'm out in the middle of the Everglades. 270 00:16:54,168 --> 00:16:57,002 My first night in the swamp was not a good one. 271 00:16:57,736 --> 00:17:01,736 The mosquitoes last night were just ferocious 272 00:17:02,035 --> 00:17:04,369 and I had my trousers off for about 10 minutes, 273 00:17:04,402 --> 00:17:07,102 drying them and look, just in 10 minutes, 274 00:17:07,135 --> 00:17:10,968 this, all the way down there, all the way down my leg, 275 00:17:11,002 --> 00:17:12,535 same on both sides. 276 00:17:12,669 --> 00:17:14,569 Before I leave, I need water, 277 00:17:14,836 --> 00:17:17,202 but this swamp is full of rotting leaves, 278 00:17:17,302 --> 00:17:19,002 so I've got to filter it first. 279 00:17:19,435 --> 00:17:23,235 There is so much just rubbish floating around in this, 280 00:17:23,268 --> 00:17:25,102 all the muck and all the dirt 281 00:17:25,902 --> 00:17:26,935 and if I just... 282 00:17:29,435 --> 00:17:30,402 Get it like this. 283 00:17:33,869 --> 00:17:36,135 And make it into like a, a sack. 284 00:17:46,268 --> 00:17:49,836 And see, this water is now coming out all nice and clear 285 00:17:50,235 --> 00:17:53,102 and all the residue and the debris 286 00:17:53,135 --> 00:17:54,335 from the swamp... 287 00:17:55,836 --> 00:17:57,469 Should be all still trapped in here. 288 00:17:57,769 --> 00:18:01,402 And just to give you an idea of how much there is, 289 00:18:02,669 --> 00:18:06,135 that is what I am trying to keep out of my water bottle. 290 00:18:06,702 --> 00:18:07,702 The water now looks clear 291 00:18:07,968 --> 00:18:12,602 but it still contains parasites and bacteria, so always boil it. 292 00:18:14,736 --> 00:18:15,736 I am going to continue west 293 00:18:15,935 --> 00:18:19,068 and there is a local technique to help me find my bearings. 294 00:18:19,369 --> 00:18:21,569 The secret lies in the water. 295 00:18:22,202 --> 00:18:27,035 Basically, the Everglades is about a 50 mile wide river that runs 296 00:18:27,068 --> 00:18:28,736 from the north to the south. 297 00:18:28,769 --> 00:18:31,802 But it runs really slowly, maybe like a hundred foot a day, 298 00:18:32,202 --> 00:18:35,135 so a good way of working out direction is just tie 299 00:18:35,168 --> 00:18:37,602 this water bottle to the stick and while I am waiting 300 00:18:37,636 --> 00:18:38,402 for the water to boil, 301 00:18:38,535 --> 00:18:41,268 I can see which way this swings around 302 00:18:41,302 --> 00:18:42,202 and that will give me a south direction 303 00:18:42,469 --> 00:18:45,035 and therefore I can work out which way I've got to go, 304 00:18:45,068 --> 00:18:46,235 which should be west. 305 00:18:48,869 --> 00:18:51,535 The water flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. 306 00:18:53,736 --> 00:18:56,268 After 30 minutes, its moved two feet 307 00:18:56,502 --> 00:18:58,702 and that is enough to show me my way. 308 00:18:59,202 --> 00:19:01,736 This water bottle has swung around 309 00:19:02,135 --> 00:19:04,669 and has stayed pretty level in about this position, 310 00:19:05,335 --> 00:19:06,102 which means south is that way 311 00:19:06,402 --> 00:19:09,369 and the direction I want to go is west, that way. 312 00:19:14,035 --> 00:19:17,135 Walking through the swamp uses up a lot of energy 313 00:19:17,168 --> 00:19:18,636 and I need to eat something. 314 00:19:18,968 --> 00:19:20,469 But there is little food here. 315 00:19:21,035 --> 00:19:24,302 But dead wood is often home to bugs and insects 316 00:19:24,335 --> 00:19:25,769 and there is plenty of that. 317 00:19:26,369 --> 00:19:30,002 This should be quite a good place to try and find something 318 00:19:30,035 --> 00:19:30,836 and look at that, just break that off 319 00:19:31,202 --> 00:19:35,068 and instantly loads of these carpenter ants coming out 320 00:19:35,302 --> 00:19:38,235 and if I grab an end of this and just tip it up, 321 00:19:38,268 --> 00:19:40,168 you will see the carpenter ant larvae. 322 00:19:40,302 --> 00:19:44,068 Insect grubs are four times higher in protein than beef. 323 00:19:44,869 --> 00:19:47,202 They taste sour and are slightly gritty. 324 00:19:47,636 --> 00:19:50,902 They take some getting used to but being easy to find, 325 00:19:50,935 --> 00:19:52,268 they are a life saver. 326 00:19:59,935 --> 00:20:01,469 The swamp is changing, now. 327 00:20:01,869 --> 00:20:05,268 Everywhere, there are small roots sticking up out of the water. 328 00:20:06,235 --> 00:20:09,669 It would be easy to trip over and spike yourself on one of these 329 00:20:10,035 --> 00:20:13,168 but at least the water is gradually getting shallower. 330 00:20:19,168 --> 00:20:22,135 Beyond these trees I can see some distant ones 331 00:20:22,168 --> 00:20:25,102 and they look like more cypress but a little bit lower down, 332 00:20:25,135 --> 00:20:29,102 it looks greener and those are probably pine trees and possibly 333 00:20:29,135 --> 00:20:30,102 some oak as well. 334 00:20:30,369 --> 00:20:31,168 But that is good news for me. 335 00:20:31,302 --> 00:20:33,869 Those trees need dry ground to grow in, 336 00:20:34,102 --> 00:20:35,402 so that's where I'm heading. 337 00:20:40,035 --> 00:20:43,302 But the bad news is the tall vegetation ahead of me, 338 00:20:43,602 --> 00:20:45,002 it's saw grass. 339 00:20:47,435 --> 00:20:50,669 All of this saw grass around here is just razor sharp 340 00:20:50,702 --> 00:20:51,435 and it's vicious stuff 341 00:20:51,968 --> 00:20:56,168 but the key to getting through it is to know which way it cuts 342 00:20:56,335 --> 00:20:59,702 and the secret of it is this is if you pull up it like this, 343 00:20:59,736 --> 00:21:03,602 it's absolutely fine but as soon as you start doing it the other way. 344 00:21:05,569 --> 00:21:06,435 Look, you will see. 345 00:21:07,302 --> 00:21:09,369 Look at that, just cuts you straightaway 346 00:21:09,402 --> 00:21:11,968 and that's because of the tiny little filaments 347 00:21:12,002 --> 00:21:15,102 like little saw edges on the back of the grass. 348 00:21:15,602 --> 00:21:17,302 But how you want to walk through this, 349 00:21:17,469 --> 00:21:20,968 is just to really protect your face, keep you arms up like this 350 00:21:21,002 --> 00:21:21,869 and roll your sleeves down. 351 00:21:22,235 --> 00:21:27,135 And if you've got a stick, use it like this, in front of you. 352 00:21:27,335 --> 00:21:30,636 And as you walk, it will lay the saw grass flat in front of you. 353 00:21:31,002 --> 00:21:31,968 See you guys. 354 00:21:34,235 --> 00:21:36,102 Saw grass holds in the humidity, 355 00:21:36,302 --> 00:21:39,669 so it can feel 20 degrees hotter than it actually is. 356 00:21:40,135 --> 00:21:42,968 And with temperatures reaching 90 degrees in the Everglades, 357 00:21:43,268 --> 00:21:45,968 getting lost in this grass can be fatal. 358 00:21:46,435 --> 00:21:48,669 There was a guy just a few months ago 359 00:21:49,202 --> 00:21:52,135 who was out in his airboat when it ran aground 360 00:21:52,736 --> 00:21:55,836 and he went off looking for help through all of this saw grass 361 00:21:56,402 --> 00:22:00,736 but he got lost, got heat stroke, disorientated, 362 00:22:00,769 --> 00:22:03,636 and within 24 hours, he was dead. 363 00:22:04,235 --> 00:22:05,636 And when they found his body, 364 00:22:06,102 --> 00:22:09,202 he was just a quarter of a mile from a road. 365 00:22:10,035 --> 00:22:13,502 And that's how easy it is to get lost here. 366 00:22:18,736 --> 00:22:22,402 Maintaining my direction in this grass is so hard 367 00:22:22,669 --> 00:22:24,335 and that's why it's dangerous. 368 00:22:30,902 --> 00:22:34,135 (GROANS) 369 00:22:40,935 --> 00:22:44,602 Well, here is a river and normally for me that would be good news, 370 00:22:44,636 --> 00:22:47,869 you know, I would follow it downstream to civilisation 371 00:22:48,335 --> 00:22:51,435 but in this case I want to stick to my plan of heading west 372 00:22:51,469 --> 00:22:54,002 and to dry ground and towards those trees. 373 00:22:54,435 --> 00:22:56,836 The problem is this river is deep 374 00:22:57,235 --> 00:22:58,935 and it's going to have alligators in it. 375 00:22:59,535 --> 00:23:03,135 Until now, I've kept the alligators at a safe distance 376 00:23:03,369 --> 00:23:05,469 but that's all about to change 377 00:23:05,902 --> 00:23:11,235 You do not wanna be any closer than this, they are so territorial? 378 00:23:20,837 --> 00:23:23,336 I'm heading west in the Everglades swamps. 379 00:23:23,570 --> 00:23:25,837 And dry ground is finally ahead. 380 00:23:26,269 --> 00:23:29,670 But there's a problem, a big river blocks my path. 381 00:23:29,737 --> 00:23:31,136 And that means alligators. 382 00:23:31,236 --> 00:23:33,336 Back up, back up. See it through the grass, 383 00:23:33,370 --> 00:23:34,470 look, look, look. 384 00:23:35,603 --> 00:23:36,203 You see that? 385 00:23:37,236 --> 00:23:40,069 And this is as close as you want to get to one of these guys. 386 00:23:40,203 --> 00:23:42,136 They are so territorial. 387 00:23:43,303 --> 00:23:45,103 No closer really than 15 foot. 388 00:23:45,303 --> 00:23:47,470 In fact we are probably, we are probably too close here, 389 00:23:47,503 --> 00:23:49,336 so just back up, slowly. 390 00:23:51,036 --> 00:23:52,269 Okay, we need to come around. 391 00:23:53,203 --> 00:23:56,837 Alligators can run at 30 miles an hour over a short distance. 392 00:23:57,103 --> 00:23:58,403 That is faster than me. 393 00:23:58,837 --> 00:24:01,303 If it hisses, move back even further, 394 00:24:01,336 --> 00:24:03,069 it can mean it is about to attack. 395 00:24:03,837 --> 00:24:07,637 But where you find one alligator, there will often be others. 396 00:24:10,637 --> 00:24:11,603 Hey, come look at this. 397 00:24:14,703 --> 00:24:18,703 Look, it is an old alligator's nest and yeah, you see the slide. 398 00:24:18,737 --> 00:24:21,536 This is where, this is where the mother would come in 399 00:24:21,837 --> 00:24:22,503 and... 400 00:24:23,670 --> 00:24:25,936 And this is what they do, they build up this sort of mound 401 00:24:26,436 --> 00:24:28,203 for all of the eggs that she would lay. 402 00:24:28,770 --> 00:24:30,203 And she will typically lay about... 403 00:24:30,470 --> 00:24:33,370 Probably about 30 or 40 of these eggs 404 00:24:33,470 --> 00:24:35,770 but only about half of that will actually hatch. 405 00:24:36,136 --> 00:24:36,770 If this was a fresh nest, 406 00:24:37,203 --> 00:24:39,136 there's no way I would be able to get this close. 407 00:24:42,969 --> 00:24:44,936 And then, I spot something. 408 00:24:55,670 --> 00:24:56,470 Look at this. 409 00:24:57,336 --> 00:25:00,837 And this guy is probably, probably a couple of years old 410 00:25:01,370 --> 00:25:03,269 but this isn't a bad sign for me. 411 00:25:04,203 --> 00:25:06,770 Often if there are a lot of big male alligators around, 412 00:25:06,936 --> 00:25:08,269 they will eat these little guys, 413 00:25:08,303 --> 00:25:10,269 so the fact that he is around probably means 414 00:25:10,303 --> 00:25:12,737 there's no big ones nearby. 415 00:25:13,136 --> 00:25:14,936 And they will only stay with their mother until they are 416 00:25:14,969 --> 00:25:15,536 about a year old. 417 00:25:16,203 --> 00:25:19,770 But wow, that is just pure muscle, I can just feel the power, 418 00:25:19,803 --> 00:25:24,503 even just holding it like this, and just imagine how strong 419 00:25:24,536 --> 00:25:27,136 it would be if was like, you know, a big one would be like 420 00:25:27,169 --> 00:25:28,737 a hundred times this size. 421 00:25:29,603 --> 00:25:33,902 Amazing to see and those teeth, they are just like razor sharp. 422 00:25:37,236 --> 00:25:39,269 Okay, I am going to let him go now and move on. 423 00:25:40,503 --> 00:25:41,703 Okay, stand back, watch out. 424 00:25:42,936 --> 00:25:44,670 This little fellow is protected, 425 00:25:45,737 --> 00:25:47,902 shame, because he would be tasty. 426 00:25:49,470 --> 00:25:50,269 To keep going west, 427 00:25:50,570 --> 00:25:54,169 I have to find the safest place to swim this river. 428 00:25:57,470 --> 00:26:00,503 This is going to be a pretty good place to try and cross. 429 00:26:00,536 --> 00:26:02,637 It's about as narrow as this river is going to get 430 00:26:02,670 --> 00:26:05,803 but also I've got good visibility all the way around. 431 00:26:06,470 --> 00:26:09,370 But I am just going to stay and watch for a while. 432 00:26:09,403 --> 00:26:13,103 Alligators can stay underwater, the big boy, for up to 45 minutes, 433 00:26:13,136 --> 00:26:14,837 so I'm just looking out for any ripples 434 00:26:14,870 --> 00:26:16,737 or when the eyes and the head surface. 435 00:26:17,136 --> 00:26:21,036 When it gets hot, alligators use deeper water to cool down. 436 00:26:21,536 --> 00:26:24,637 They lie motionless on the river bed and wait. 437 00:26:25,403 --> 00:26:28,536 Crossing rivers where there are alligators is dangerous 438 00:26:28,570 --> 00:26:30,203 and must only be a last resort. 439 00:26:30,370 --> 00:26:32,737 And never do it during the mating season, 440 00:26:32,770 --> 00:26:34,703 when the males are much more aggressive. 441 00:26:35,336 --> 00:26:39,336 In 2006, three women were killed in one week. 442 00:26:39,670 --> 00:26:40,103 One was swimming, 443 00:26:40,803 --> 00:26:43,136 the other two were dragged in from the water's edge. 444 00:26:43,336 --> 00:26:45,936 I've done everything I can to minimise the risk here. 445 00:26:46,103 --> 00:26:48,637 You know, it's midday, which means they are not feeding, 446 00:26:48,969 --> 00:26:51,069 it is the narrowest bit of river I could find 447 00:26:51,103 --> 00:26:53,069 and also I have been keeping a really good eye out 448 00:26:53,103 --> 00:26:54,536 for any signs of movement. 449 00:26:55,269 --> 00:26:58,703 I have waited for over an hour, and I am pretty sure it is safe. 450 00:27:00,203 --> 00:27:03,936 But alligators are inquisitive and are attracted to activity, 451 00:27:04,370 --> 00:27:08,103 so I need to be in and out of that water as quickly as possible. 452 00:27:14,036 --> 00:27:17,303 Often alligator attacks are mistaken identities. 453 00:27:17,603 --> 00:27:19,837 In other words, you know, they think you are something else 454 00:27:20,136 --> 00:27:21,269 and the danger of swimming on the surface 455 00:27:21,470 --> 00:27:25,536 with your head bobbing around is they can often think you are like a, 456 00:27:25,570 --> 00:27:26,737 a bird or a turtle. 457 00:27:27,136 --> 00:27:29,236 So what I am going to do is go under the water, 458 00:27:29,269 --> 00:27:32,570 swim as fast and as smoothly as I can. 459 00:27:33,503 --> 00:27:34,103 But whatever they say, 460 00:27:34,637 --> 00:27:36,969 I am still going to swim with this knife in my hand. 461 00:27:47,303 --> 00:27:49,770 It's almost zero visibility down here 462 00:27:50,036 --> 00:27:51,536 and it is disorientating. 463 00:28:19,103 --> 00:28:20,637 My heart's just thumping. 464 00:28:21,536 --> 00:28:23,637 I tell you, I am so pleased that is over. 465 00:28:24,169 --> 00:28:28,103 For some reason I just had a really bad feeling about that. 466 00:28:31,470 --> 00:28:34,570 There are over 4,000 square miles of swamp and marsh 467 00:28:34,603 --> 00:28:35,236 in the Everglades. 468 00:28:35,737 --> 00:28:39,036 And being wet for this long saps not only your energy, 469 00:28:39,336 --> 00:28:40,803 it can really get you down. 470 00:28:41,269 --> 00:28:42,870 I've had it with water now 471 00:28:43,737 --> 00:28:47,969 and I just pray there is dry ground ahead in those trees. 472 00:29:03,403 --> 00:29:03,670 Well... 473 00:29:04,370 --> 00:29:06,503 This is about the first time on this journey 474 00:29:06,803 --> 00:29:08,303 that I can actually see my feet again 475 00:29:08,737 --> 00:29:11,536 and it's just such a relief now to be on dry ground. 476 00:29:11,570 --> 00:29:12,370 Here, look at this. 477 00:29:13,436 --> 00:29:15,969 I don't know how far I still have got to go on this journey 478 00:29:16,503 --> 00:29:20,303 but it kind of feels like I have done the first major hurdle. 479 00:29:20,837 --> 00:29:21,236 And do you know what? 480 00:29:21,837 --> 00:29:24,136 I am just going to sit on this for five minutes 481 00:29:24,536 --> 00:29:29,336 and enjoy being able to sit down without getting a wet butt. 482 00:29:34,103 --> 00:29:35,770 I want to savour this moment. 483 00:29:36,169 --> 00:29:38,403 It won't be this easy, for long. 484 00:29:50,937 --> 00:29:53,104 After two days, I'm on dry land. 485 00:29:53,638 --> 00:29:57,504 Here. There are new hazards, like snakes and black bears. 486 00:29:57,771 --> 00:30:00,571 But finding food is my next priority. 487 00:30:09,571 --> 00:30:09,970 Look at this. 488 00:30:10,838 --> 00:30:16,137 Little tree frog and just going around in the grass there 489 00:30:16,170 --> 00:30:19,070 and you can actually eat these any of these frogs 490 00:30:19,104 --> 00:30:19,970 in the Everglades are fine to eat 491 00:30:20,137 --> 00:30:22,738 there no poisonous ones, you get poisonous toads 492 00:30:22,804 --> 00:30:24,571 but they are much bigger and rougher. 493 00:30:24,903 --> 00:30:27,104 And as I say any frog in the Everglades, 494 00:30:27,504 --> 00:30:28,337 is a good frog. 495 00:30:29,337 --> 00:30:32,704 It's too small to cook. And the first bite must kill it. 496 00:30:33,004 --> 00:30:36,104 Otherwise it will wriggle all the way down. 497 00:30:43,671 --> 00:30:45,170 Bit more calories at least. 498 00:30:47,771 --> 00:30:48,537 Okay, let's keep going. 499 00:30:50,304 --> 00:30:53,704 The key to survival. Is eating food whenever you can. 500 00:30:53,903 --> 00:30:55,437 Little and often. 501 00:30:56,537 --> 00:30:59,638 There's a pretty clear game trail here and you can see where, 502 00:30:59,671 --> 00:31:02,471 where the grass ends it is back to bare soil running off 503 00:31:02,504 --> 00:31:03,037 into the grass. 504 00:31:03,771 --> 00:31:06,738 But where there are animal tracks, it will often lead to food. 505 00:31:07,037 --> 00:31:08,738 So I am just going to follow this for a little bit 506 00:31:09,070 --> 00:31:10,104 and see where it goes. 507 00:31:11,771 --> 00:31:14,771 Animal tracks are always worth following for a little while, 508 00:31:15,137 --> 00:31:17,937 as they can often lead you to water and to food. 509 00:31:18,404 --> 00:31:20,004 But do not follow them for too long, 510 00:31:20,137 --> 00:31:22,870 as they can also lead you off course. 511 00:31:24,471 --> 00:31:25,870 Wow, grapefruits. 512 00:31:29,304 --> 00:31:30,471 Yeah, look, you see up there? 513 00:31:31,571 --> 00:31:35,137 I tell you, finding these out here is really, really unusual. 514 00:31:35,170 --> 00:31:37,304 These are not native to the region 515 00:31:37,337 --> 00:31:41,270 and coming across citrus fruit in the Everglades only means one thing, 516 00:31:41,504 --> 00:31:44,970 that this area here was probably used as an old Seminole camp. 517 00:31:45,304 --> 00:31:49,137 The Seminole Tribe moved here during the Florida Wars in 1817. 518 00:31:49,537 --> 00:31:52,838 The swamp was a refuge against the U.S. Army. 519 00:31:53,371 --> 00:31:56,571 This seems like the perfect place for me to set up camp. 520 00:31:57,537 --> 00:32:00,771 And this branch here can make a pretty nice like top beam 521 00:32:00,838 --> 00:32:04,237 and then all I need is a couple of bits like this on either side 522 00:32:04,270 --> 00:32:06,104 and it will make a nice little A-frame shelter. 523 00:32:06,771 --> 00:32:10,070 Lash two supports together at the mouth of the shelter. 524 00:32:10,738 --> 00:32:14,437 And once again, the cabbage palm makes excellent cordage. 525 00:32:14,738 --> 00:32:16,304 But it has other uses too. 526 00:32:17,371 --> 00:32:23,270 What I am using is just the stalks of the frond to make the frame here. 527 00:32:24,638 --> 00:32:25,937 Once the uprights are in place, 528 00:32:26,304 --> 00:32:29,903 make and tie cross bracings to complete the structure. 529 00:32:34,070 --> 00:32:36,738 Then layer the fan shaped palms over the top 530 00:32:36,903 --> 00:32:38,870 and that will keep the rain water off. 531 00:32:53,137 --> 00:32:55,304 Making fire is always important. 532 00:32:55,571 --> 00:32:59,137 It keeps predators away and also lifts morale. 533 00:33:00,037 --> 00:33:02,970 What I've made here is a four pointed fire 534 00:33:03,004 --> 00:33:05,371 and you can see these four logs coming out. 535 00:33:05,404 --> 00:33:08,204 And this is a very efficient fire, it's slow burning 536 00:33:08,437 --> 00:33:11,404 but also it's a very traditional fire of the Seminole Tribe 537 00:33:11,804 --> 00:33:12,671 and they would use this a lot 538 00:33:13,037 --> 00:33:15,571 when they were being hunted and tracked by the U.S. Army. 539 00:33:15,804 --> 00:33:17,571 And if they ever heard danger coming, 540 00:33:17,604 --> 00:33:18,937 they could pull these apart 541 00:33:19,337 --> 00:33:21,337 and the fire would die down pretty quickly 542 00:33:21,504 --> 00:33:24,738 and once the danger is past they could put it back together again 543 00:33:24,970 --> 00:33:27,371 and build the fire up very quickly. 544 00:33:28,137 --> 00:33:31,037 Now, I can finish the shelter by firelight. 545 00:33:36,970 --> 00:33:37,371 That will do. 546 00:33:38,070 --> 00:33:41,070 It's comforting to know that people once lived here, 547 00:33:41,537 --> 00:33:42,604 the Seminoles hunted for food. 548 00:33:43,137 --> 00:33:45,504 And tomorrow, I'll have to do the same. 549 00:33:49,471 --> 00:33:52,771 This morning I am going to hunt for some frogs or small fish. 550 00:33:53,237 --> 00:33:55,571 There are no poisonous frogs in the Everglades 551 00:33:55,738 --> 00:33:57,537 so they are all safe to eat. 552 00:34:16,771 --> 00:34:17,404 Look at this. 553 00:34:18,337 --> 00:34:21,771 It is a turtle and this is actually a Cooter, look, 554 00:34:21,804 --> 00:34:25,170 you can tell that from the spots on the side of the shell here. 555 00:34:25,437 --> 00:34:27,471 And these are a really good source of meat 556 00:34:27,738 --> 00:34:29,437 but also vitamins, minerals 557 00:34:29,471 --> 00:34:31,304 and salts that are in the actual blood. 558 00:34:31,437 --> 00:34:35,170 And I really need some of these salts just in this humidity. 559 00:34:35,337 --> 00:34:38,170 I can eat this turtle because it's not protected 560 00:34:38,371 --> 00:34:41,304 but you must be sure you kill it quickly and effectively. 561 00:34:41,404 --> 00:34:46,638 And that is it, dead, that is his arteries cut. 562 00:34:47,371 --> 00:34:50,304 I never enjoy this but stuck out here, 563 00:34:50,337 --> 00:34:52,304 you can't afford to be squeamish. 564 00:34:53,304 --> 00:34:57,270 This has been a real result for me to get this 565 00:34:57,537 --> 00:35:00,304 and whenever I've eaten turtles 566 00:35:00,337 --> 00:35:04,037 before I've always cracked the belly, gutted it 567 00:35:04,070 --> 00:35:06,604 and then scraped all the meat out and cooked it like that. 568 00:35:07,104 --> 00:35:07,638 But in the Everglades, 569 00:35:08,404 --> 00:35:11,070 what the Seminoles used to do is literally just cook it straight 570 00:35:11,104 --> 00:35:13,170 in its shell, sort of like a pressure cooker. 571 00:35:13,337 --> 00:35:17,571 And if I just put it on there and leave that for like an hour, 572 00:35:17,970 --> 00:35:21,437 that will cook and then give me a really good dinner. 573 00:35:22,070 --> 00:35:24,638 Cooking time will depend on the size of the turtle. 574 00:35:24,903 --> 00:35:26,838 But one good way to tell when it's ready. 575 00:35:27,037 --> 00:35:29,404 Is that the shell is brittle and cracks? 576 00:35:29,437 --> 00:35:32,504 And all I need to do now is get it off it. 577 00:35:35,838 --> 00:35:38,070 And then you see, just really brittle. 578 00:35:47,738 --> 00:35:48,937 I'm gonna try this. 579 00:35:57,371 --> 00:35:58,970 And this is one of those times, you can say, 580 00:35:59,304 --> 00:36:01,404 it really does taste quite like chicken. 581 00:36:04,437 --> 00:36:05,371 See all of that. 582 00:36:05,937 --> 00:36:07,371 Good fleshy meet here. 583 00:36:12,903 --> 00:36:14,604 And that's really good meat. 584 00:36:17,270 --> 00:36:19,304 The turtle has given me vital energy. 585 00:36:19,604 --> 00:36:22,004 And is also giving me a psychological boost 586 00:36:22,304 --> 00:36:26,104 and so much of survival is about keeping your morale up. 587 00:36:30,070 --> 00:36:33,204 Recharged. I am going to continue heading west. 588 00:36:36,337 --> 00:36:39,903 Time to check my bearings and make up some ground. 589 00:36:40,903 --> 00:36:42,903 This place is so deceptive. 590 00:36:43,170 --> 00:36:44,970 It feels safer than the swamps. 591 00:36:45,270 --> 00:36:48,304 But complacency out here is dangerous. 592 00:36:51,437 --> 00:36:54,237 Stop. That's a rattlesnake. Just wait there, wait. 593 00:37:03,271 --> 00:37:06,338 I'm in the Everglades. I've avoided the alligators, 594 00:37:06,372 --> 00:37:09,071 but now I stumble across a loud rattlesnake. 595 00:37:09,138 --> 00:37:10,038 Look. You see that? 596 00:37:10,672 --> 00:37:14,071 That's a... That is an eastern diamond back rattlesnake 597 00:37:14,372 --> 00:37:16,205 and these are actually the biggest, 598 00:37:16,238 --> 00:37:19,405 most venomous snakes in all of North America. 599 00:37:20,138 --> 00:37:22,138 And I do not want to get any closer really than this. 600 00:37:22,171 --> 00:37:25,038 They can strike up to half their body length. 601 00:37:26,505 --> 00:37:28,338 And if you do come across one of these, 602 00:37:28,505 --> 00:37:31,438 you have just got to back away really nice and slowly, 603 00:37:31,572 --> 00:37:34,572 always keep your eye on it, don't turn your back on it 604 00:37:34,772 --> 00:37:36,572 and give it a really wide berth. 605 00:37:42,438 --> 00:37:46,038 I tell you, that is why you have got to be so careful walking around 606 00:37:46,071 --> 00:37:48,639 in this thigh deep grass here. 607 00:37:49,705 --> 00:37:51,238 Wow, you can really hear her? 608 00:37:52,271 --> 00:37:52,538 Come on then. 609 00:37:53,438 --> 00:37:56,639 That snake had a loud rattle and gave plenty of warning 610 00:37:57,138 --> 00:38:01,105 but beware many are quieter or make no rattle at all 611 00:38:01,305 --> 00:38:04,071 and they can strike without warning. 612 00:38:06,138 --> 00:38:07,739 Snakes are not the only problem, 613 00:38:08,038 --> 00:38:10,372 there are other much larger predators here. 614 00:38:11,205 --> 00:38:15,038 When people think of the Everglades, they think of alligators and snakes 615 00:38:15,271 --> 00:38:17,871 but what they often forget is actually there are an awful lot 616 00:38:17,904 --> 00:38:19,871 of black bears here and look you can see, 617 00:38:19,904 --> 00:38:23,772 just on this tree how where a black bear has come along and just wham, 618 00:38:23,805 --> 00:38:25,338 claws straight in. See these? 619 00:38:25,971 --> 00:38:29,838 And for me, that is just one more thing to worry about. 620 00:38:37,805 --> 00:38:39,472 Hey, just wait there. 621 00:38:40,639 --> 00:38:43,305 There is a little flash of colour that is a snake under here. 622 00:38:47,705 --> 00:38:49,372 Look at this, look, look, here you go. 623 00:38:50,205 --> 00:38:55,639 And this is, this is either a coral snake 624 00:38:55,938 --> 00:38:57,372 or it is a scarlet king. 625 00:38:57,772 --> 00:38:59,238 The coral snake is highly venomous. 626 00:38:59,271 --> 00:39:00,971 You want to be pretty comfortable about what it is, 627 00:39:01,205 --> 00:39:04,705 but no, this is definitely, definitely a scarlet king. 628 00:39:05,171 --> 00:39:10,305 And, yeah, I can tell that from the markings, the colour. 629 00:39:10,871 --> 00:39:13,705 Where you see the, the red here, 630 00:39:13,739 --> 00:39:14,639 it has got the black stripes next to it 631 00:39:15,038 --> 00:39:17,605 and that means it is a scarlet king and there is an expression, 632 00:39:17,639 --> 00:39:21,538 an old saying in the Everglades, that says "Red on yellow, 633 00:39:21,938 --> 00:39:25,138 kill a fellow, red on black, friend of Jack." 634 00:39:25,372 --> 00:39:27,405 And this has got the red next to the black, 635 00:39:27,438 --> 00:39:30,171 so he is a friend of Jack and he is a friend of mine 636 00:39:30,205 --> 00:39:31,071 but this is a little constrictor. 637 00:39:31,372 --> 00:39:35,405 He will probably live off little lizards, little bugs. 638 00:39:36,171 --> 00:39:38,639 But he was quite happy under there so we are going to let him go. 639 00:39:43,871 --> 00:39:45,338 The Everglades are unique. 640 00:39:45,672 --> 00:39:49,372 They are a mosaic of different terrains all mixed together, 641 00:39:49,605 --> 00:39:51,605 each holding its own set of dangers. 642 00:39:52,205 --> 00:39:54,438 Ahead of me now is muddy bog. 643 00:39:54,772 --> 00:39:57,805 It is a place where the Earth will literally suck you in. 644 00:39:58,171 --> 00:40:01,904 All of this around here is what is called swamp mud 645 00:40:02,138 --> 00:40:05,538 and in the middle of it here is what is known as a sink hole 646 00:40:05,871 --> 00:40:06,672 and these things form 647 00:40:07,005 --> 00:40:10,071 when the water running underground erodes the limestone 648 00:40:10,405 --> 00:40:14,238 and then it creates like a pocket that fills with mud and with water. 649 00:40:14,405 --> 00:40:16,205 And these holes have been known literally 650 00:40:16,238 --> 00:40:18,938 to swallow entire small off-road vehicles. 651 00:40:19,538 --> 00:40:23,038 But the reason they are so dangerous is if you go into them, 652 00:40:23,071 --> 00:40:28,572 the more you struggle, the more it sucks you into it and really, 653 00:40:28,605 --> 00:40:29,171 if you came across this, 654 00:40:29,639 --> 00:40:32,071 you have got to retrace your steps and back out. 655 00:40:32,572 --> 00:40:37,205 But what I am going to do is jump in and show you how to get out of it. 656 00:40:44,338 --> 00:40:46,505 And, if I just try and struggle a bit, 657 00:40:46,538 --> 00:40:50,338 you will see how it begins to bring me down into it 658 00:40:50,705 --> 00:40:55,105 and this is why these things can be so hard to get out of. 659 00:40:58,238 --> 00:40:59,372 And each muscle 660 00:41:00,505 --> 00:41:04,672 I pull creates suction that pulls me down deeper. 661 00:41:05,271 --> 00:41:07,338 And the technique for getting out of this though, 662 00:41:07,639 --> 00:41:08,105 if you have got a stick, 663 00:41:08,871 --> 00:41:13,038 is to use that to create more surface area to be able to put 664 00:41:13,071 --> 00:41:16,138 your weight on and try and wriggle... 665 00:41:18,105 --> 00:41:19,605 Your chest onto it. 666 00:41:21,538 --> 00:41:24,071 Recently, a guy was out jogging in the Everglades 667 00:41:24,338 --> 00:41:26,538 and he ran into one of these sink holes. 668 00:41:26,739 --> 00:41:28,171 He went right up to his chest. 669 00:41:28,572 --> 00:41:32,305 He was stuck solid and for three days he tried to get out 670 00:41:32,505 --> 00:41:33,672 but he didn't know how. 671 00:41:34,171 --> 00:41:36,238 He avoided dehydration by drinking 672 00:41:36,271 --> 00:41:38,639 the murky swamp water on the surface. 673 00:41:38,971 --> 00:41:41,572 And on the fourth day he was found alive, 674 00:41:41,871 --> 00:41:45,271 completely delirious and covered in bug bites. 675 00:41:50,105 --> 00:41:52,005 And then once you are on the surface, 676 00:41:52,938 --> 00:41:56,572 just monkey crawl until you hit solid ground. 677 00:41:57,305 --> 00:41:59,105 And then it is quite easy like this. 678 00:42:10,705 --> 00:42:16,871 That would be a really nasty thing to be stuck in for four days. 679 00:42:23,438 --> 00:42:27,205 I am just caked in this stuff now, head to toe 680 00:42:27,971 --> 00:42:30,472 and it's making walking hard work. 681 00:42:31,171 --> 00:42:35,538 I also got sand in my trousers, which is not ideal. 682 00:42:48,171 --> 00:42:49,505 There is a fence ahead of me 683 00:42:49,772 --> 00:42:52,871 and beyond it a drainage canal and a road. 684 00:42:53,672 --> 00:42:59,739 And that for me means one thing, civilisation and my way home. 685 00:43:00,805 --> 00:43:04,871 In the Everglades, salvation can lie just around the next tree 686 00:43:05,205 --> 00:43:07,405 and it goes to show, if you are lost, 687 00:43:07,772 --> 00:43:09,238 never give up hope. 688 00:43:11,772 --> 00:43:14,038 Subtitle Caption by ZestCorp