I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
IN SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.
WHOO!
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH A SERIES OF CHALLENGES
IN THE SORT OF PLACES YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS.
NOW I'M IN INDONESIA...
WHOO!
...A LAND RAVAGED BY THE TSUNAMI.
I'M GONNA BE ON A REMOTE ISLAND...
BATTLING AGAINST THE SEAS...
DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FIND FOOD...
IT'S A STING RAY.
[ COUGHS ]
...TRYING TO GET WATER...
ALL YOU'RE GONNA GET IS SALT WATER.
...AND USING EVERY OUNCE OF SURVIVAL KNOWLEDGE
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.
YOU EITHER STAY, BUT YOU'RE GONNA DIE...
OR TAKE YOUR CHANCES WITH THE OCEAN.
I'M OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF SUMATRA,
ONE OF THE MOST VOLCANIC REGIONS ON EARTH.
IT'S KNOWN SIMPLY AS THE PACIFIC RING OF FIRE.
IN 2004, ONE OF THE LARGEST EARTHQUAKES EVER WITNESSED
ERUPTED UNDERNEATH THESE SEAS.
IT WAS SO VIOLENT THAT THE SEABED BUCKLED
AND IS THOUGHT TO HAVE RISEN BY A STAGGERING 15 FOOT.
I'M HEADING FOR THE EPICENTER, THE BANYAK ISLANDS.
SOME OF THESE ISLANDS DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT.
OTHERS WERE CATAPULTED OUT OF THE WATER.
THIS IS AS FAR FROM AN ISLAND PARADISE AS YOU CAN GET.
IF YOU'RE STRANDED OUT HERE,
MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS IS CRITICAL.
MAKE A BAD CALL, AND YOU'RE DEAD.
I'M 9,000 FOOT UP, PREPARING TO LAND IN OPEN OCEAN.
IT'S A DANGEROUS DROP
AND ONE THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET WRONG.
I'VE GOT A FEW BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS,
AND MY CAMERA CREW IS COMING WITH ME.
I'M FREE-FALLING AT AROUND 120 MILES AN HOUR.
[ PARACHUTE DEPLOYS ]
BEFORE I HIT THE SEA,
I MUST DETACH FROM MY PARACHUTE.
IT'S A TECHNIQUE USED BY THE SPECIAL FORCES,
BUT IT'S A HIGH-RISK MANEUVER.
THERE'S NOTHING BELOW ME TO HELP ME JUDGE DISTANCES
AND GAUGE JUST WHEN TO DETACH.
THE DANGER IS DROPPING TOO EARLY AND TOO HIGH.
GET THIS WRONG, AND HITTING THE WATER
IS GONNA BE LIKE LANDING ON CONCRETE.
WHOO!
OKAY.
[ Breathing heavily ] I HIT THE...
THE WATER QUITE HARD THERE.
BUT I NEED TO GET THIS PARACHUTE...
GET THIS OFF...
...AND START SWIMMING.
AND THERE'S THE ISLAND. THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING.
I CAN FEEL CURRENTS TAKE ME AWAY FROM THE ISLAND,
SO I'M GONNA NEED TO AIM OFF IF I'M GONNA HIT IT.
STRONG CURRENTS SURROUND THE ISLAND,
AS THE OPEN OCEAN HITS THE LAND,
AND THERE'S A REAL DANGER
THAT THE CORAL SHELF IS CAUSING A RIPTIDE.
FIGHTING THAT WOULD BE A LOSING BATTLE.
THESE RIPTIDES ARE KILLERS.
AND IN AMERICA ALONE,
100 PEOPLE A YEAR DROWN IN THEM.
THE ONE THING I CAN HEAR IS THE ROAR OF THE SURF,
SO THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOME SORT OF BREAK AROUND THE ISLAND.
I CAN SEE A LINE OF BREAKERS AHEAD.
SEE THAT, SEE THE WHITE?
YOU'RE SAFER IN THE SURF.
THE CALM WATER INDICATES WHERE THE RIPTIDE IS,
AS THE WATER IS SUCKED BACK OUT BETWEEN THE BREAKERS.
YOU HAVEN'T GOT A CHANCE AGAINST ITS FORCE.
WITHIN SECONDS, YOU'LL BE DRAGGED BACK OUT TO SEA.
STAYING IN THE SURF MEANS TAKING A POUNDING IN THE WAVES,
BUT THEY SHOULD CARRY ME CLOSER TO THE SHORE.
BUT THERE'S ALSO RAZOR-SHARP CORAL JUST BENEATH ME,
AND IF YOU GET DRAGGED OVER THIS,
IT WILL CUT YOU TO SHREDS.
I'VE MADE IT ASHORE,
BUT MY CHALLENGES ARE ONLY JUST BEGINNING.
WELL, I'M ON THE ISLAND, JUST ABOUT.
MY FIRST BATTLE ON THIS ISLAND
COMES FROM DIRECTLY ABOVE MY HEAD.
THE ISLAND IS ONLY 3 DEGREES SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR,
AND IT'S ROASTING HOT.
DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE CLOUDS.
THEY OFFER NO PROTECTION FROM HARMFUL U.V. RAYS.
AND THE SUN HERE IS AN EVER-PRESENT ENEMY --
12 HOURS EVERY DAY.
I CAN ALREADY FEEL MY SKIN BURNING.
15 MINUTES IS ALL IT TAKES TO GET INTO TROUBLE,
AND SUNSTROKE HERE CAN BE A KILLER.
MY MISSION IS TO SCAVENGE
FOR ANYTHING THAT CAN COMBAT THE BLISTERING SUN,
AND THIS BEACH SHOULD BE FULL OF FLOTSAM THAT CAN HELP.
I'VE BEEN TO SOME SERIOUSLY REMOTE PLACES IN THE WORLD,
BUT WHEREVER I AM, THERE'S ALWAYS RUBBISH,
YOU KNOW, WASHED UP, ESPECIALLY PLASTIC --
LIKE THIS, THAT LASTS JUST THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
AND IF YOU HAVE GOT THAT, YOU WANT TO USE IT,
AND SURVIVAL IS ALL ABOUT IMPROVISING AND THEN ADAPTING.
AND WHAT I CAN MAKE OUT OF THESE BOTTLES
IS, LIKE, SOME GOGGLES --
TO HAVE A BIT OF A FORAGE IN THE SEA AND THE SURF
AND SEE WHAT I CAN FIND.
AND IF I PUT THAT INTO THE WATER TO BREAK THE SURFACE,
I CAN LOOK THROUGH IT AND SEE WHAT'S ON THE BOTTOM.
I'M AFTER ONE OF NATURE'S MIRACLES IN THESE WATERS.
CHECK THIS GUY OUT. I'VE A MUSHROOM CORAL.
AND THIS GUY IS AMAZING,
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE SOMEWHERE
WHERE THE SUN IS AS STRONG AS IT IS ON THIS ISLAND.
BUT IF YOU EVER DOUBTED HOW COOL NATURE IS,
WATCH THIS.
OKAY, YOU SEE THE WATER COMING OUT OF IT?
GIVE IT A FEW SECONDS, AND THAT'S GONNA TURN TO MUCUS.
AND LOOK, YOU SEE IT'S SUDDENLY NOW MUCH MORE GLOOPY.
AND WHAT THIS STUFF IS, IS LIKE SUN BLOCK.
AND THE CORAL ITSELF, WE USE THIS AT LOW TIDE.
WHEN IT'S EXPOSED TO THE SUN,
IT WILL SECRETE THIS AS A WAY OF PROTECTING ITSELF.
JUST AMAZING.
SCIENTISTS HAVE ACTUALLY RECKONED
THIS STUFF IS, LIKE, AS GOOD AS FACTOR 50.
AND LOOK, YOU CAN SEE ONE OF MY SHOULDERS
GETTING A LITTLE BIT SUNBURNT ALREADY.
RUBBING THIS IN -- OH, THAT FEELS NICE --
IS GONNA HELP.
BUT THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS CORAL
IS THAT I'M NOT HARMING IT AT ALL BY DOING THIS.
I'LL PUT IT BACK AND USE HIM ANOTHER TIME.
ON THIS TINY ISLAND, MY TOUGHEST CHALLENGE
IS GONNA BE FINDING THE MOST BASIC RESOURCES
IN THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL.
DISGUSTING.
I'M ON A TINY DESERT ISLAND
OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF SUMATRA,
SHOWING YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE.
MY MISSION NOW IS TO EXPLORE IT,
TO DISCOVER WHAT RESOURCES THERE ARE
TO HELP IN THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL.
THE FIRST THING THAT HITS YOU ABOUT THIS PLACE
IS JUST HOW HOT AND HUMID IT IS.
YOU KNOW, OUT THERE IN THE SUN, IT IS JUST ROASTING HOT.
AND THEN IN HERE, IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ISLAND,
IT'S SO HOT AND STICKY.
HUMIDITY CAN REACH A STAGGERING 90%.
IT'S DANGEROUSLY DECEPTIVE.
YOU FEEL SOAKED TO THE SKIN,
BUT YOUR SWEAT JUST ISN'T EVAPORATING FAST ENOUGH,
AND HEATSTROKE IS A MAJOR RISK.
YOU NEED TO REPLACE ANY LOST FLUIDS,
AND FINDING FRESHWATER IS NOW YOUR TOP PRIORITY.
SO, IT'S LOOKING LIKE ALL THIS ISLAND IS, LIKE, CORAL.
AND LOOK AT THIS.
IT'S ALL JUST SOLID LUMPS, LIKE THAT...
WHICH MEANS ANY WATER THAT FALLS HERE
IS JUST GONNA RUN THROUGH.
YOU KNOW, IT'S SO POROUS.
YOU'RE ONLY A COUPLE OF FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
IT'S THE HIGHEST POINT.
SEE, IF YOU MANAGE TO DIG DOWN,
ALL YOU'RE GONNA GET IS SALT WATER.
AND REALLY, THE ONLY CHANCE OF GETTING FRESHWATER
IS WHERE RAIN HAS COLLECTED IN THE HOLLOWS OF THE TREES,
LIKE IN A LEAF LIKE THAT.
THAT'S GONNA BE RAINWATER.
YEAH.
THERE'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH HERE TO KEEP YOU ALIVE FOR LONG.
IN THIS CLIMATE, YOU NEED AROUND 10 LITERS A DAY.
DEHYDRATION IS NOW ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST ENEMIES,
AND WITH AS LITTLE AS 2.5% LESS WATER IN YOUR BODY,
YOU BECOME A QUARTER AS EFFICIENT.
THAT MAKES YOUR JOB OF SURVIVING MUCH HARDER.
THE ODDS AGAINST YOU ARE NOW STACKING UP.
THIS ISLAND JUST ISN'T THE LARDER I WAS HOPING FOR.
BUT KNOW WHERE TO LOOK, AND YOU CAN FIND FOOD.
YEAH, THE HERMIT CRABS.
LOOK, THEY SEE ME COMING.
THEY'VE ALL DISAPPEARED INTO THEIR SHELLS.
THEY'RE, LIKE, DISAPPEAR AND ROLL BACK DOWN THE HILL.
AND THE SHELLS THEY'RE IN,
THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY THEIR OWN SHELLS.
THEY'RE WHELK SHELLS.
AND WHAT THEY DO IS TAKE IT OVER.
AND THEN WHEN THEY GROW BIGGER,
THEY'LL ABANDON THEIR HOUSE, AND THEY'LL FIND A NEW SHELL.
BUT THESE YOU CAN EAT.
HERE YOU GO.
I'VE GOT THIS BEFORE HE'S GONE BACK IN HIS SHELL.
AND ALL OF THIS --
OW, OW! GET OFF!
ALL OF THAT, THE GUTS.
AND THEN HE'S GOT THIS ONE BIG CLAW HERE.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT.
THEY'RE MUCH EASIER TO GET WHEN THEY'RE OUT OF THEIR SHELL,
BUT YOU GOT TO BE QUITE QUICK TO GET THEM BEFORE THEY RETREAT.
YOU JUST HAVE TO GET OVER THAT WORRY OF BEING BITTEN BY THEM.
OKAY, I'VE GOT ENOUGH OF THEM HERE.
BARBECUE THEM UP. NICE CRAB.
I DON'T WANT TO EAT THEM RAW.
THEY'RE FULL OF HARMFUL BACTERIA.
FOOD POISONING IS THE LAST THING
YOU NEED OUT HERE.
IT'S LIKE SIGNING YOUR OWN DEATH WARRANT.
I'M GONNA FORAGE FOR MORE SUPPER,
AND I NEED SOMETHING TO HELP ME.
THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FOOD ON THE ISLAND.
BUT REALLY, THE REAL BOUNTY
IS TO BE FOUND OUT THERE IN THE SEA.
AND...
TRYING TO SHARPEN THE END OF THIS.
THIS WILL ACT AS A REALLY GOOD SPEAR.
I'M GONNA FREE-DIVE
AND THEN SEE WHAT I CAN FIND ON THE SEABED.
THE CORAL SURROUNDING THE ISLAND
SHOULD HARBOR PLENTY OF FOOD,
AND I'M AFTER SOMETHING THAT I CAN GET EASILY.
SEA CUCUMBERS ARE SOME OF THE SIMPLEST LIFE-FORMS IN THE SEA.
THEY SIFT PLANKTON AND WASTE ON THE SEABED
WITH UP TO 32 BLACK FEET AROUND THEIR MOUTHS.
JUST LIKE THE EARTHWORM,
THEY'RE THE COMPLETE RECYCLING MACHINE.
LOOKS A GIANT SACK OF BLACK SAUSAGE.
BUT THEY'RE ONE OF THE MOST PROTEIN-RICH FOODS IN THE WORLD
AND PERFECT FOR SURVIVAL.
[ COUGHS, SPITS ]
[ GROANS, SPITS ]
[ SPITS ]
BLACK, SALTY, RUBBERY...
PRETTY RUDDY DISGUSTING.
NOW, I'M GONNA GET BACK INTO THE SEA
AND TRY AND FIND SOMETHING MORE SUBSTANTIAL.
I'VE GOT TO GO DEEPER,
BUT I NEED TO TRAIN MY BODY FIRST.
THE MORE PRACTICE DIVES I MAKE,
THE LONGER I'M ABLE TO STAY UNDER.
AND SOON, I CAN MANAGE ALMOST TWO MINUTES.
BUT IF I IGNORE MY BODY, I COULD BLACK OUT AND DROWN.
[ GASPS ]
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
HARD WORK.
JUST FREE-DIVING.
IT'S JUST ABOUT SLOWLY STRETCHING
THE LIMIT THAT YOUR LUNGS CAN WORK AT.
A LOT OF IT'S JUST ABOUT SLOWING THINGS DOWN,
TAKE A GOOD FEW BREATHS, FILL YOUR BLOOD WITH OXYGEN,
AND THAT WILL LET YOU STAY DOWN THERE FOR LONGER.
YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO HYPERVENTILATE, THOUGH.
YOU DO TOO MUCH OF IT, AND YOU CAN GO HYPOXIC.
HYPOXIA IS STEALTHY KILLER.
IN THE U.S. ALONE, 4,000 VICTIMS DROWN EVERY YEAR.
YOUR EXPANDING AIR-STARVED LUNGS
RAID YOUR BLOODSTREAM FOR OXYGEN.
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU'RE UNCONSCIOUS,
AND YOU DIE WITHOUT ANY IDEA OF YOUR IMPENDING DEATH.
OKAY, WE'RE GETTING THERE NOW.
NOW I'M READY TO HUNT,
AND THERE'S A FISH I SPOTTED ON THE BOTTOM,
BURIED IN THE SAND.
IT'S A STING RAY,
BUT THESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO KILL.
THE VENOM IN IT'S BARB IS LADENED WITH ENZYMES,
WHICH DESTROY BODY TISSUE.
IF I GO FOR THIS,
I NEED TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.
I'M LOOKING FOR THE TELLTALE MOUND IN THE SAND,
WHICH WILL GIVE IT AWAY.
I'M HUNTING FOR FOOD ON THE OCEAN FLOOR
ON A TINY INDONESIAN ISLAND OFF THE SUMATRAN COAST.
I'M USING ALL MY SURVIVAL SKILLS
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.
I'M DIVING FOR STING RAY.
THIS LETHAL REEF PREDATOR HAS POWERFUL JAWS,
BUT ITS REAL WEAPON IS IN ITS TAIL.
GET TOO CLOSE TO ONE,
AND THESE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO KILL.
I'M LOOKING FOR THE TELLTALE MOUND IN THE SAND,
WHICH WILL GIVE IT AWAY.
MY LUNGS ARE NOW BURSTING, BUT I'M DETERMINED TO GET HIM.
WHOO!
IT'S A STING RAY.
[ SPITS ]
LOOK AT IT. BEAUTIFUL.
BUT THESE CAN BE...DEADLY.
AND THE DANGEROUS BIT OF IT IS THIS -- THE TAIL.
AND THAT'S GOOD TO EAT.
MY CHALLENGE NOW IS THE FADING LIGHT.
BACK ONSHORE, I'VE TO GET A SHELTER MADE
BEFORE NIGHTFALL.
ON THE EQUATOR,
IT GETS DARK LIKE THE FLICK OF A SWITCH,
SO I NEED PLENTY OF TIME
TO FIND JUST THE RIGHT SPOT TO MAKE CAMP.
YEAH, THIS VERY TIP END OF THE ISLAND
IS PROBABLY GONNA BE MY BEST PLACE FOR A SHELTER.
I GOT A REALLY GOOD VIEW HERE OUT TO SEA,
SO I CAN SEE ANY SHIPPING THAT MIGHT BE COMING PAST.
I'VE GOT A NICE SEA BREEZE
THAT'S GONNA KEEP THE SAND FLIES AWAY.
AND I ALSO GOT THIS TREE --
GONNA GIVE ME GOOD SHADE FROM THE SUN.
GOT LOADS OF DRIFTWOOD AND FIREWOOD, AS WELL.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN GET.
MY CHANCES OF SIGNALING TO A SHIP ARE SLIM.
THESE AREN'T EXACTLY
THE BUSIEST SHIPPING LANES IN THE WORLD,
BUT THERE ARE FISHING BOATS OUT THERE WHICH MIGHT SPOT YOU.
BUILD YOUR SHELTER OFF THE GROUND,
WELL AWAY FROM SAND FLIES.
THEY CAN CARRY LEISHMINIASIS.
SORES, FEVER, AND DIARRHEA ARE JUST WHAT YOU DON'T NEED.
THIS DRIFTWOOD IS PERFECT FOR A SHELTER.
A BIT OF WOOD IMPROVISES FOR A HAMMER,
AND I CAN TRIM THE DEAD BRANCHES WITH MY KNIFE.
[ GROANS ]
I DON'T KNOW WHY EVERYTHING ON THIS ISLAND IS SO RUDDY SHARP --
THE BARK ON THIS TREE, THE CORAL.
THESE PALM FRONDS
ARE JUST WHAT I NEED FOR MY ROOF.
THEY'RE HUGE,
AND THEIR LEAVES ARE NATURAL CHANNELS
FOR THE RAINWATER TO DRAIN OFF.
WHOA. ALMOST ME WITH IT.
NOW I NEED SOMETHING TO LASH EVERYTHING TOGETHER WITH,
AND I KNOW JUST WHERE TO FIND IT.
JUST LOOK AT THIS PLACE. INCREDIBLE.
IT'S ACTUALLY JUST ONE GIANT, HUGE FIG TREE,
BUT IT'S GOT, LIKE, HUNDREDS OF THESE VINES
THAT ARE, LIKE, SPROUTED OFF IT.
AND THESE WOULD BE IDEAL CORDIS FOR A SHELTER...
IF I CAN JUST GET THEM DOWN.
THEY'RE SUPER, SUPER STRONG.
SEE IF WE CAN GET UP THIS ONE.
THIS VINES ARE INCREDIBLY SUPPLE AND STRONG
AND WILL HELP TO REINFORCE MY SHELTER
AGAINST TROPICAL STORMS.
VINES ARE THE ANSWER TO A SURVIVALIST'S PRAYERS.
IN INDONESIA, THERE ARE MORE THAN 2,000 TYPES,
AND THESE CAN BE HUNDREDS OF FEET LONG.
SO, THAT'S A VINE DOWN.
COOL. LET'S GO AND GET THIS BUILT.
I'M MAKING AN A-FRAME SHELTER --
TOUGH ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND A TROPICAL DOWNPOUR.
THAT THE FIRST UPRIGHT THAT'S LASHED TOGETHER.
AND THAT'S GONNA GO LIKE THAT.
[ LAUGHS ]
AND THEN THIS IS THE OTHER A-FRAME OF IT.
AND THEN THROUGH THE MIDDLE, WE'LL HAVE THIS.
I'M MAKING IT ABOUT 6 FOOT, JUST LONG ENOUGH TO TAKE ME.
WITH MY WEIGHT COMPRESSING THE FRAME,
THE SHELTER BECOMES ONE OF THE STRONGEST YOU CAN BUILD.
AND THAT IS THEN THE TWO LENGTHS OF THE BEDPOST.
AND WHAT HAPPENS, I PUT MY WEIGHT ON IT,
IT WILL PUSH IT DOWN AND HOLD IT IN PLACE.
AND I JUST NEED VINE TO GO ROUND AND ROUND
AND MAKE, LIKE, A HAMMOCK OUT OF THIS.
THE WHOLE THING TAKES ME JUST OVER A COUPLE OF HOURS.
AND THAT'S THE BED FRAME.
AND NOW I NEED THE PALM FRONDS.
GRAB THE END
AND THEN JUST SPLIT THEM IN HALF.
IT COMES AWAY REALLY NICELY.
AND THIS MAKES GREAT ROOFING.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND SUNNY NOW,
BUT WHEN THESE TROPICAL STORMS HIT,
YOU REALLY KNOW ABOUT IT.
THEY ROAR THROUGH,
UNLEASHING AN INCH OR MORE OF RAIN IN AN HOUR,
SO, I'M NOT GONNA MISS
ANY OPPORTUNITY TO COLLECT FRESHWATER.
IF I JUST SPLIT THIS BAMBOO...
...DOWN THE MIDDLE,
I CAN USE THAT THEN AS SOME GUTTERING AT THE BACK.
PLACE IT DIRECTLY UNDER THESE LEAVES.
IT WILL COLLECT ALL THE WATER RUNNING OFF HERE.
SO LET'S HOPE IT RAINS.
MY SHELTER'S FINISHED,
AND I'VE JUST GOT ENOUGH TIME TO COLLECT WOOD FOR MY FIRE.
THE BEST PLACE FOR ME TO GET TINDER
IS SOME OF THIS PALM FIBER AT THE TOP OF THE COCONUT TREE.
COCONUT IS KNOWN AS A TREE OF A THOUSAND USES.
AND IT'S A LIFESAVER -- FOOD, FLUID, TINDER.
AND WHEN THE HUSK BURNS, IT REPELS MOSQUITOES.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS STUFF IS THAT IT'S ALL NICE AND DRY.
IT'S DRIED BY THE SUN.
RUB IT UP, SO IT'S JUST THE FIBERS.
AND THEN THAT WILL TAKE A SPARK.
[ SCRATCHING ]
AT NIGHT, IT'S AROUND 70 DEGREES,
SO YOU DON'T NEED A FIRE SO MUCH FOR WARMTH
AS FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST IT CAN GIVE YOU.
AND OF COURSE, IT MEANS I CAN COOK MY STING RAY.
THE BITS OF THIS THAT I WANT TO EAT
ARE THE WINGS HERE.
A BIT OF DRIFTWOOD MAKES A PERFECT SKEWER.
AND I'VE GOT THESE CRAB CLAWS.
SPRINKLE THESE INTO THE HOT COALS.
AND THEN THAT'S GONNA BE A PROPER SEAFOOD SUPPER --
STING RAY AND HERMIT CRAB CLAWS.
LET'S SEE IF THESE CRAB CLAWS ARE READY.
MMM. THAT'S AMAZING.
BE EVEN BETTER WITH SOME MAYONNAISE.
WITH FRESHWATER SO SCARCE, EAT LITTLE AND OFTEN.
OTHERWISE, DIGESTION USES UP FLUIDS
YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE.
DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT WILL HASTEN DEHYDRATION.
OH, IT'S CHEWY AS HELL
AND ACTUALLY DOESN'T TASTE VERY NICE.
I NORMALLY LOVE FISH, BUT...
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY QUITE A MEAN ONE.
NOW THERE'S ONE LONG NIGHT AHEAD OF ME --
12 HOURS OF DARKNESS ON THE EQUATOR.
BEING ABANDONED ON A DESERT ISLAND
MUST BE A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE.
AND, YOU KNOW, IN THE DAYTIME, THIS PLACE JUST LOOKS IDYLLIC.
YOU GOT BLUE SKIES, SUN, SEA, SAND,
BUT AT NIGHTTIME, IT'S JUST PITCH BLACK.
AND THAT SENSE OF ISOLATION
WHERE ALL YOU'VE GOT AROUND YOU IS JUST VAST OPEN OCEAN...
IS VERY POWERFUL.
[ FIRE CRACKLES ]
[ SCRATCHING ]
NOW THE WIND HAS PICKED UP.
I CAN ALSO HEAR ALL THESE CRABS, LIKE, SCURRYING AROUND UNDER ME.
ON TOP OF THAT,
THIS BED IS SERIOUSLY BEGINNING TO CREAK.
AND THERE'S ONE REALLY ANNOYING BIT OF PALM FROND IN MY BACK.
SO, AT THE MOMENT,
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF SLEEPING GOING ON HERE.
AND I'LL NEED ALL MY STRENGTH FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
HE'S QUITE A NASTY-LOOKING FELLA.
I'VE JUST SPENT A LONG AND UNCOMFORTABLE NIGHT
ON A REMOTE ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF SUMATRA.
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH A SERIES OF SURVIVAL CHALLENGES
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE.
AND THIS MORNING, THINGS ARE LOOKING UP.
WHEN THESE TROPICAL STORMS HIT, THEY'RE FIERCE.
JUST LOOK AT IT POURING DOWN.
AND ALL OF THIS RAIN COLLECTOR IS FILLING UP REALLY FAST.
I NEED TO PUT MORE OF THEM OUT HERE.
BUT FOR ME, THIS IS JUST HEAVEN.
WHEN IT RAINS LIKE THIS, YOU JUST GOT TO HAVE YOUR FILL.
DRINK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
AND STORE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
AND I'M SOAKED. I'M GONNA GO HAVE A WASH.
'CAUSE THE REST OF THE TIME,
IT'S JUST BEEN ROASTING-HOT, NO WIND.
AND NOW, IT'S JUST, LIKE...
POURING AND A NICE FRESH BREEZE.
[ SIGHS ] THAT IS SO NICE.
GET ALL OF THAT SALT OFF ME.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU LIVE WITH SALT FOR A LONG TIME,
IT JUST GIVES YOU SORES, LOADS OF ABRASION.
AND THIS IS JUST HEAVEN.
BEFORE THE PUNISHING HEAT AND HUMIDITY KICK IN AGAIN,
I'M GRABBING THE CHANCE TO EXERCISE.
IT WILL RELEASE ENDORPHINS,
WHICH WILL PUMP YOUR BODY AND MIND --
READY TO FACE THE DAILY STRUGGLES FOR SURVIVAL.
YEAH!
AH, IT FEELS GOOD!
THE DOWNPOUR MEANS I'VE GOT FRESHWATER,
BUT THERE'S NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH
TO KEEP YOU GOING ON THIS ISLAND FOR LONG.
HOWEVER DESPERATE YOU ARE,
NEVER BE TEMPTED TO DRINK SEAWATER.
YOUR KIDNEYS WILL COLLAPSE.
THERE'S A MILITARY RULE OF THUMB
THAT SAYS YOU CAN SURVIVE THREE WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD
BUT ONLY THREE DAYS WITHOUT WATER.
IN A PLACE LIKE THIS, YOU'RE NEARING CRUNCH POINT.
YOU EITHER STAY AND FACE DEATH
OR THINK OF A WAY TO GET OFF THIS ISLAND.
BUT FIRST, I'M BACK IN THE SEA. I NEED SOME BREAKFAST.
THIS SPINY SEA URCHIN
BRISTLES WITH PAIN-AFFLICTING DEFENSE MECHANISMS.
AS WELL AS THE SPINES,
SOME SEA URCHINS CAN RELEASE VENOM
WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE PARALYSIS.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
HE'S QUITE A NASTY-LOOKING FELLA.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE SPIKES ON THIS.
STAND ON THAT, YOU'RE GONNA KNOW ABOUT IT.
AND ACTUALLY, OFTEN WHAT HAPPENS,
PEOPLE ARE OUT SWIMMING OR SNORKELING,
AND THEY'LL STAND ON IT
AND GET THESE BARBS IN THEIR FEET.
AND THEY'RE REALLY HARD TO GET OUT.
WHAT HAPPENS -- PULL IT THIS WAY, IT'S FINE.
GO THE OTHER WAY...
AND THERE'S JUST MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF THESE LITTLE BARBS
THAT WILL JUST STICK IN YOUR FEET.
AND ACTUALLY, WHAT THE LOCALS DO IF THEY STAND ON THIS --
THEY SAY THE ONLY WAY OF GETTING IT OUT
IS TO GET A BIT OF WOOD AND JUST BEAT YOUR FEET
UNTIL ALL OF THESE LITTLE BITS
HAVE BROKEN UP INTO TINY LITTLE FRAGMENTS,
AND THEN YOUR BODY CAN ABSORB IT.
BUT YOU CAN ALSO EAT THIS.
AND YOU WANT TO GET ALL OF THESE BARBS OFF FIRST
SO YOU DON'T SPIKE YOURSELF.
THEN WHAT YOU WANT TO DO
IS SPLIT IT STRAIGHT ACROSS THE MIDDLE.
THERE WE GO. OKAY. LOOK, YOU SEE INSIDE OF IT.
ALL OF THE SAND AND THE GUTS -- I DON'T WANT THAT.
BUT UNDERNEATH THIS,
SEE ALL OF THESE BROWN BITS HERE?
THAT'S ALL OF ITS EGGS, ALL OF ITS ROE.
AND ALL OF THESE EGGS ARE GOOD TO EAT.
THEY SAY THIS IS THE CAVIAR OF THE SEA.
[ GROANS ]
IT'S LIKE...
IT'S LIKE KIND OF BABY POOP.
CAVIAR.
BUT LOADS OF GOOD ENERGY.
GOOD PROTEIN AND NUTRIENTS IN THIS.
[ SUCKS ]
IT'S A QUICK ENERGY BOOST,
BUT WATER REMAINS MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH RAINWATER I'VE MANAGED TO COLLECT,
IT'S NOT GONNA LAST LONG.
TO SURVIVE MEANS FACING SOME STARK CHOICES.
THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS,
IF YOU'RE STUCK ON A DESERT ISLAND
WITH A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FRESHWATER,
YOU'VE GOT A CHOICE.
YOU EITHER STAY, BUT YOU'RE GONNA DIE
A SLOW, LINGERING DEATH OF DEHYDRATION...
OR YOU TAKE YOUR CHANCES WITH THE OCEAN AND BUILD A RAFT.
AND WHAT THIS ISLAND LACKS IN FRESHWATER,
IT MAKES UP FOR IN RESOURCES.
AND I KNOW THE CHOICE THAT I'D MAKE.
I'VE GOT TO TACKLE PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
FACING ANYONE MAROONED ON A REMOTE ISLAND --
BUILDING A RAFT AND TRYING TO ESCAPE.
I'M ON A REMOTE ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF SUMATRA.
IT MIGHT LOOK IDYLLIC,
BUT EVERY DAY IN A PLACE LIKE THIS
IS A BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL.
WHAT FOOD THERE IS,
IS MOSTLY OUT THERE IN THE OCEAN,
AND IT'S PRETTY GRIM.
AND INLAND, THERE ARE ONLY SMALL PICKINGS.
HERE YOU GO. LOOK, HERE'S A TERMITE'S NEST.
SEE THIS? SHE RUNS ALL THE WAY UP THE TREE.
AND LOOK, IF I HACK A BIT OF THIS OFF...
THERE YOU GO.
LOOK AT MY ARM --
LOADS OF THEM ALL THE WAY ALONG HERE.
AND I CAN JUST EAT THESE...
STRAIGHT OFF THERE.
QUITE TANGY...
BUT, NO...
IF YOU LIKE THAT SORT OF THING.
BUT THEN, AFTER YOU'VE FINISHED, GET THEM ALL OFF.
OTHERWISE, THEY'LL GET INTO YOUR PANTS,
DOWN YOUR TROUSERS...
AND YOU DON'T WANT THAT.
BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS FRESHWATER.
THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH OF IT.
RISK STAYING ON THE ISLAND,
AND IT'S A CERTAIN DEATH SENTENCE.
ESCAPE IS YOUR BEST CHANCE OF MAKING IT OUT ALIVE.
I'M GONNA BUILD A RAFT.
ALL OF THIS HERE IS NOW THE DOWNWARD TIP OF THE ISLAND,
AND IT'S WHERE ALL OF THE DRIFTWOOD --
LOOK, YOU SEE ALL OF THIS STUFF --
HAS GOT WASHED UP...
PUT HERE BY ALL OF THE STORMS AND THE CURRENTS,
WHICH HAVE JUST WASH IT UP ONTO THIS BEACH.
BUT IT'S THIS STUFF THAT I CAN USE.
AND A LITTLE BAMBOO LIKE THIS IS IDEAL.
IT'S MUCH BETTER THAN WHEN IT'S LIVING.
IT DOESN'T HAVE ALL THE MOISTURE IN IT.
AND JUST LOADS AND LOADS OF DEADWOOD AROUND --
DEAD, STRAIGHT, FLOATY WOOD.
BUT I'M NOT GONNA MISS THIS CORAL,
THAT'S FOR SURE.
OW!
WHAT I WANT FOR THIS RAFT
IS BOTH STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY,
AND BAMBOO IS IDEAL.
YEAH, IT'S SUPER STRONG.
THAT'S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
USE IT FOR, LIKE, SCAFFOLDING AND BUILDING MATERIAL.
BAMBOO RULES OVER CONCRETE IN MANY EARTHQUAKE ZONES.
IT BENDS RATHER THAN COLLAPSES IN TREMORS,
AND IT'S THOSE QUALITIES I NEED FOR MY RAFT.
IT'S HOLLOW, BUOYANT, AND TOUGH.
BUT WHAT YOU COULD USE TO LASH IT ALL TOGETHER IS JUST VINES.
BUT MY EXPERIENCE OF VINES AND THE SEA -- THEY STRETCH.
AND, YOU KNOW, OVER TIME, WHEN YOU GET SOME BIG SWELLS,
IT CAN EASILY COME APART.
SO, INSTEAD, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS,
MAKE THESE SORT OF HOLES ALL THE WAY THROUGH EACH OF THEM
AND THEN PUT A BIT OF WOOD
STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE LIKE THAT.
AND WHAT THAT'S DOING IS THEN USING THE STRENGTH OF THE BAMBOO
TO HOLD IT TOGETHER
RATHER THAN THE STRENGTH OF THE VINE.
IT'S GONNA TAKE ABOUT THREE HOURS TO BUILD THIS.
[ GRUNTS ]
IT'S HARD WORK, THIS BIT.
THIS IS GONNA GIVE REAL STRENGTH TO THIS RAFT.
AND THAT'S THEN THE PLATFORM COMPLETE.
THE ONE THING YOU'VE ALSO GOT TO REMEMBER,
WHEN YOU MAKE A RAFT,
BUILD IT SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU CAN LAUNCH IT.
'CAUSE IT'S SO EASY TO MAKE A BIG THING,
GET READY TO LAUNCH IT, AND THEN IT'S TOO BIG AND HEAVY,
BECAUSE THIS THING IS A BIG HEAVY BRUTE.
BUT HOPEFULLY...
IT'S GONNA KEEP ME AFLOAT OUT THERE ON THE OCEAN.
BEFORE HEADING OUT TO SEA,
YOU WANT TO GET YOURSELF SOME PROVISIONS.
AND THE BEST THING I CAN GET IS SOME OF THOSE.
AND THIS IS PROBABLY GONNA BE THE BEST ONE TO TRY AND GET UP.
AND I CAN TELL ALREADY
THIS IS GONNA BE AS SLIPPERY AS AN ICE RINK.
ONE WAY OF GETTING UP THIS WITHOUT USING ANY CLIMBING TOOLS
IS JUST TO IMPROVISE SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO PULL ON.
AND I'VE GOT THIS VINE.
WE'LL JUST TIE THIS
IN A REALLY SIMPLE OVERHAND KNOT.
IT WILL ACT AS LIKE A SELF-TIGHTENING SLIPKNOT.
[ GRUNTS ]
THE VINE WILL THEN CREATE ENOUGH FRICTION
TO ALLOW ME TO CONTROL THE CLIMB.
IT'S THE GREEN COCONUTS AT THE TOP THAT I'M AFTER.
THEY CAN BE PACKED WITH A LITER OF FLUID.
IF I USE ONE THAT'S ALREADY FALLEN,
THERE'S LESS LIQUID IN IT.
OKAY, THROW US THE CAMERA.
AND COCONUTS ARE GREAT SURVIVAL FOOD FOR RAFTS
JUST BECAUSE THEY LAST FOR AGES
AND AREN'T GONNA PERISH IN THE SALT WATER,
GOT LOADS OF CALORIES, AND INSIDE THEM
IS ALL OF THAT GOOD COCONUT FLESH AND COCONUT JUICE.
BUT RATION YOURSELF.
DRINK TOO MUCH, AND YOU RISK GETTING DIARRHEA,
AND THAT'S A FAST ROUTE TO DEHYDRATION.
SOON, I'LL BE LAUNCHING MY RAFT.
AND GETTING ONTO THE ISLAND WAS TOUGH,
BUT GETTING OUT TO SEA THROUGH THE SURF
IS GONNA BE A REAL BATTLE.
I'M BUILDING A RAFT IN A BID
TO GET OFF A DESERTED ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF SUMATRA.
IT'S GONNA BE A CHALLENGE,
BUT THAT'S WHAT SURVIVAL IS ALL ABOUT.
IN MANY WAYS, ONE OF THE BIGGEST DANGERS
OUT ON THE OCEAN ON A RAFT LIKE THIS
IS ACTUALLY THE SUN.
SO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS MAKE SOME SORT OF SHADE.
BEING SO CLOSE TO THE EQUATOR
MEANS THAT THE CONSTANT HEAT AND HUMIDITY DRAINS YOU.
OUT AT SEA, THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN ON THE WATER
INTENSIFIES ITS STRENGTH.
THESE PALMS ARE JUST WHAT I NEED TO HELP PROTECT ME.
I'M ALMOST READY TO HEAD OUT TO SEA.
THERE ARE DANGEROUS CURRENTS, STORIES OF PIRATES,
AND IT'S A GAMBLE.
BUT YOUR CHANCES ARE BETTER OUT AT SEA
THAN STAYING PUT ON THIS ISLAND IN THE HOPE OF BEING RESCUED.
THERE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH FRESHWATER TO SURVIVE FOR LONG.
I DO STILL BELIEVE THIS IS A GAMBLE WORTH TAKING.
BUT IF I'M HONEST, I AM NERVOUS ABOUT WHETHER...
I'M GONNA MAKE IT THROUGH THESE BREAKERS.
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT.
OUT THERE ARE NEARLY 100 ISLANDS
HUDDLED ON THIS ARCHIPELAGO.
MAKE IT TO ANOTHER ONE,
AND THERE COULD BE BETTER RESOURCES
OR YOU COULD BE RESCUED BY A FISHING BOAT.
I WANT TO USE THE RIPTIDES -- NARROW CHANNELS OF WATER
RUSHING OUT BETWEEN THE BREAKERS.
THEY MADE IT TOUGH FOR ME TO LAND ON THE ISLAND,
BUT IF I GET IT RIGHT,
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROPEL MY RAFT OUT OF HERE.
BUT THE WAVES ARE SUDDENLY COMING AT ME FROM ALL SIDES.
I JUST HOPE MY RAFT STANDS UP TO THE BATTERING.
I'VE GOT TO USE MY DRIFTWOOD PADDLE TO HELP STEER MY COURSE.
I DON'T QUITE BELIEVE
I MADE IT STRAIGHT OUT THROUGH THAT CORAL REEF.
AND THE RIPTIDE DID EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS MEANT TO DO.
IT TOOK ME STRAIGHT OUT
BETWEEN WHERE THOSE WAVES WERE CURLING AND BREAKING.
BRILLIANT.
THERE'S NO TELLING HOW LONG
YOU COULD BE ALONE ON THE OCEAN.
AND YOU DO FEEL VERY INSIGNIFICANT
AS YOU FLOAT IN THIS VAST EMPTINESS.
THERE'S NOTHING BUT A GNAWING LONELINESS.
TRY AND CONSERVE YOUR ENERGY AND KEEP FOCUSED.
REALLY, I'M LOSING THE LIGHT.
NOW WE WANT TO SEE IF I MAKE IT ACROSS...
TO ONE OF THOSE OTHER ISLANDS BEFORE THE SUN SETS,
'CAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE ON THIS RAFT AT NIGHTTIME.
MY RAFT TOOK A BIT OF BATTERING
IN THE LAUNCH THROUGH THE BREAKERS.
IT'S SITTING LOW IN THE WATER,
AND I'M HAVING TO DO CONTINUOUS RUNNING REPAIRS.
BUT THEN, I CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF AN ENGINE.
IT'S THE SORT OF SIGHT YOU PRAY FOR.
HEY!
LET'S GET THIS OFF.
BUMP INTO THESE GUYS, AND YOUR ORDEAL IS OVER.
MY CHALLENGES OF SURVIVAL ON A REMOTE INDONESIAN ISLAND
IN ONE OF THE MOST VOLATILE PLACES ON EARTH
HAS BEEN SOMETHING ELSE.
BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR ME TO HEAD HOME.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, LLC