I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.
WHOO!
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH A WEEK OF CHALLENGES
IN THE SORT OF PLACES YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS.
THIS TIME,
I'M GONNA BE IN THE SWAMPS OF THE DEEP SOUTH OF THE U.S.,
WHERE I'LL BE BATTLING THROUGH TERRIFYING TERRAIN...
OWW!
...FIGHTING FOR FOOD,
FINDING HAZARDS DEEP IN THE SWAMP...
WHOA!
...AND COMING FACE TO FACE
WITH SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS WILDLIFE ON THE PLANET.
SOMETHING JUST WENT -- HIT ME QUITE HARD.
THE DEEP SOUTH IS HOME TO THE LARGEST SWAMPS IN THE U.S.
IT'S THOUSANDS OF SQUARE MILES OF EXTREME WILDERNESS
ON THE VERY EDGE OF CIVILIZATION --
THE FRONT LINE BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE.
AND IT SEES SOME OF nTHE WORST WEATHER IN THE WORLD.
THIS IS HURRICANE COUNTRY!
THIS PLACE HAS SEEN SOME OF THE WILDEST WEATHER ON THE PLANET --
WITH TORNADOES, THUNDERSTORMS, AND HURRICANES LIKE KATRINA!
WHEN KATRINA RIPPED THROUGH HERE IN 2005,
IT BROUGHT 175-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS,
30-FOOT STORM SURGES,
AND DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE.
I'VE GOT A FEW BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS,
AND MY CAMERA CREW ARE COMING WITH ME!
AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE IN KATRINA COUNTRY!
LET'S GO!
I CAN'T LAND IN THE SWAMPS,
SO THE PILOT IS GONNA DROP ME IN A DEEPWATER CHANNEL.
AS SOON AS IT TOUCHES THE WATER, I'M OFF.
HITTING THE WATER AT THIS SPEED IS DANGEROUS.
GET IT WRONG, AND YOU'RE GONNA BREAK A LIMB OR WORSE.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
( GRUNTS )
I DO NOT WANT TO HANG AROUND LONG IN THIS RIVER.
I NEED TO GET TO THE BANK.
DEEP WATER IS HOME TO THE BIGGEST DANGERS IN THE SWAMPS.
THE PILOT SAID THAT THERE ARE OVER TWO MILLION ALLIGATORS
IN THESE SWAMPS,
INCLUDING THE BIGGEST ONE EVER RECORDED -- OVER 19 FOOT.
THAT'S WHY I WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS RIVER...
IN 2006, THREE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA
WERE KILLED BY ALLIGATORS IN JUST A FEW DAYS.
I'M GONNA NEED TO STAY SHARP AND KEEP FOCUSED.
THERE'S SOMETHING EERILY STILL ABOUT THIS PLACE.
IT'S AMAZING HOW SENSITIVE YOUR EARS BECOME
JUST TO EVERY LITTLE CRACK OF A TWIG...
WHEN YOU'RE NOT QUITE SURE WHAT'S UNDER THE SURFACE.
AS WELL AS ALLIGATORS, THESE SWAMPS ARE HOME
TO HALF A DOZEN SPECIES OF POISONOUS SNAKES,
AGGRESSIVE SNAPPING TURTLES
THAT CAN WEIGH AS MUCH AS A FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK,
AND PREHISTORIC FISH UP TO 10 FEET LONG.
( GRUNTS )
SOMETHING JUST WENT -- HIT ME QUITE HARD.
I CAN TELL ALREADY IT'S JUST GONNA BE A CASE OF...
ACCEPTING THAT THERE IS STUFF IN THIS WATER...
AND JUST GETTING ON WITH IT.
I HAVE TO TRY AND CONQUER MY INITIAL FEARS
AND JUST KEEP MOVING.
SWAMP IS THE TOUGHEST TERRAIN TO GET THROUGH,
WITH DEEP WATER, THICK MUD, AND UNSEEN HAZARDS EVERYWHERE.
THE FIRST THING I REALLY WANT IS JUST SOME SORT OF STICK
TO HELP ME MOVE THROUGH HERE.
( WATER SPLASHES )
YOU OKAY?
THAT'S WHY WE GOT TO GET A STICK.
THE SWAMP BED IS FULL OF HOLES,
AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE LURKING DOWN THERE.
JAM IT BETWEEN THESE KNEES OF THE ROOT.
( CRACKS )
( GRUNTS )
THAT'LL DO.
A STICK HELPS YOU MOVE,
PROVIDES SOME PROTECTION FROM ALLIGATOR ATTACK,
AND CAN BE A USEFUL WEAPON
WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S 'ROUND THE NEXT CORNER.
( GRUNTS )
( SPITS )
DID YOU SEE THAT?!
THAT WAS A HUGE NUTRIA!
IT JUST SHOT ALONG HERE UNDER THIS TREE.
THESE ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST RODENTS IN THE WORLD.
KIND OF LIKE A BEAVER WITH A HUGE, LONG RATTAIL,
AND THEN THESE BIG ORANGE TEETH.
NUTRIA ARE GOOD TO EAT,
BUT THEY'RE ALSO DANGEROUS
AND WILL ATTACK ANIMALS FAR LARGER THAN THEMSELVES.
WATCH OUT IF HE COMES FLYING OUT OF HERE.
( THUDDING )
HE'S PRETTY WELL BURIED IN THERE.
LET'S LEAVE HIM BE.
THE SWAMP IS TEEMING WITH WILDLIFE,
WHICH MEANS THERE IS FOOD OUT THERE.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN WHAT'S EDIBLE AND WHAT'S GONNA KILL YOU.
OHH! SNAKE!
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
THERE'S A LITTLE WATER SNAKE.
THIS ONE ISN'T VENOMOUS,
BUT THE SWAMP IS ALSO FULL OF WATER MOCCASINS
AND CORAL SNAKES,
BOTH OF WHICH CAN BE DEADLY.
AND THIS GUY WILL MIGHT FEED OFF FISH.
AND NONPOISONOUS AND REALLY JUST GOOD TO EAT --
GOOD TO EAT RAW.
( CRUNCHES )
SNAKE MEAT IS FULL OF NUTRITION,
BUT WITH THIS SNAKE, THAT'S NOT ALL YOU MIGHT GET.
YOU WANT TO BE A BIT CAREFUL
EATING A LOT OF THESE SORT OF SNAKES WITHOUT COOKING THEM
'CAUSE, ESSENTIALLY, THE INSIDES OF THEM
ARE FULL OF LOADS OF ROTTING...
FISH...
THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO GET --
THERE YOU GO -- INSIDE YOUR MOUTH.
BUT THAT MUCH IS ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S ONE LESS SNAKE TO WORRY ABOUT.
LET'S KEEP GOING.
FINDING FOOD IN THE SWAMPS
CAN BE EASIER THAN FINDING YOUR ROUTE OUT.
TWO YEARS AGO,
A MAN WAS LOST OUT HERE WHEN HIS BOAT GOT STRANDED.
HE HAD NO FOOD, NO WATER,
AND WAS FINALLY FOUND SIX DAYS LATER,
EXHAUSTED, DEHYDRATED, AND BARELY ALIVE.
HE'D ONLY GONE OUT FOR A PACK OF CIGARETTES,
AND AT NO TIME WAS HE MORE
THAN A FEW MILES FROM CIVILIZATION.
( SPLASHING )
IT'S FUNNY HOW, NOW THAT THE SWAMP IS LESS DEEP,
IT'S BECOME A LOT MORE STINKY.
AND LOOK. YOU SEE IF I STICK THIS IN THE MUD,
IT RELEASES ALL THESE BUBBLES.
AND THAT'S JUST THE METHANE
FROM ALL THE ROTTING VEGETATION DOWN THERE.
LOOK -- THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WADING THROUGH.
( SNIFFS )
AND THAT REALLY SMELLS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A SMALL ROOM
HAVING EATEN TOO MANY BEANS.
THERE ARE ONE AND A HALF MILLION ALLIGATORS HERE.
THEY PREFER THE SHALLOW, MUDDY WATERS,
AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE YOU FIND ONE.
LOOK -- A LITTLE BABY ALLIGATOR.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
WHOA.
NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
( HISSES LOUDLY )
( GRUNTS ) SEE, THAT'S HOW THEY CATCH THEIR PREY.
AND YOU HAD THAT STUMP BETWEEN US.
WHACK WITH ITS TAIL AND AT THE SAME TIME WITH HIS HEAD.
( HISSES )
HE'S QUITE A FIGHTER, THIS GUY.
JUST KEEP YOUR DISTANCE A LITTLE BIT.
JUST NEED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT AS WE'RE MOVING.
LAST YEAR, THE STATE RELEASED MORE THAN 60,000 ALLIGATORS
INTO THE WILD TO ENCOURAGE HUNTING.
AVOIDING THEM OUT HERE IS NOT GONNA BE EASY.
HE'S PRETTY PRIMED.
I'M STRUGGLING THROUGH HURRICANE COUNTRY
IN THE DEEP SOUTH.
EVERY YEAR, THIS AREA IS BATTERED BY NATURE,
AND THE STORMS CAN LEAVE SURPRISING STUFF BEHIND.
LOOK AT THIS. LOOK.
A LITTLE LOO SEAT JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
KIND OF RANDOM.
ACTUALLY, LOOK -- THERE'S SOMETHING OVER HERE, AS WELL.
( SPLASHING )
LOOK, IT'S AN OLD DOMESTIC WATER HEATER.
AND THE ONLY WAY THIS WOULD HAVE GOT HERE
IS FROM A BIG STORM SURGE.
YEAH, BUT YOU'VE GOT TO BEAR IN MIND
THIS PLACE SEES HUGE HURRICANES --
150-MILE-AN-HOUR WINDS, WATER LEVEL RISING 20, 25 FOOT.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU GET THESE RANDOM THINGS
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THESE TRACES OF CIVILIZATION ARE A GOOD SIGN.
THIS COULD BE THE WAY OUT OF HERE.
THE MORE HUMANS THAT COME INTO THE SWAMPS,
THE MORE THEY'RE GONNA COME UP AGAINST ALLIGATORS.
THIS IS VERY MUCH THEIR HOME.
THEY CAN LIE LOW IN THE WATER HERE, DROP INTO THAT MUD,
AND YOU'RE HARDLY GONNA NOTICE THEM.
YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ALMOST STAND ON TOP OF THEM
BEFORE YOU'RE GONNA REALIZE.
BUT YOUR BEST WEAPON IS ACTUALLY YOUR EARS.
JUST LISTEN, 'CAUSE WHEN ANYTHING MOVES THROUGH HERE,
YOU'RE BASICALLY GONNA HEAR IT.
OVERHUNTING ONCE THREATENED THE GATOR POPULATION,
BUT SINCE THE 1970s,
THEIR NUMBERS HAVE GONE UP NEARLY TENFOLD.
THERE'S ONE AND A HALF MILLION OF THEM IN THESE SWAMPS.
THERE'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THRASHING AROUND
ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY OVER THERE.
JUST MOVE REALLY QUIETLY.
HUNTING IS ENCOURAGED HERE.
EACH YEAR, HUNTERS KILL 30,000 WILD GATORS
FOR THEIR SKIN AND MEAT.
AND I WANT THAT MEAT.
( ROAR )
THERE YOU GO. DID YOU HEAR THAT?
THERE'S SOMETHING RIGHT OVER THIS WAY.
LET'S GO 'ROUND. LET'S GO 'ROUND.
ALLIGATOR ATTACKS ON HUMANS
HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY IN THE U.S.
IN THE LAST DECADE,
MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED THAN IN THE PREVIOUS 30.
WITH SO MANY ALLIGATORS AROUND, CONTACT IS INEVITABLE.
BUT THERE ARE WAYS OF DEALING WITH THEM IF YOU EVER HAVE TO.
OKAY. COME THROUGH.
HE'S SEEN US. HE'S SEEN US NOW.
COME ON. JUST COME NICE AND STEADY.
ONE BITE FROM THIS WOULD SEVER MY ARM LIKE A ROTTEN TWIG.
THAT'S A GOOD SIZE -- ABOUT SIX FOOT, PROBABLY.
A GATOR THIS BIG IS ALREADY FULLY MATURE,
BUT IT WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN SIZE.
AND ONCE THEY STRIKE,
THEIR INSTINCT IS TO GET YOU INTO A DEATH ROLL.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST GONNA BE SIX FOOT OF SOLID MUSCLE.
AND DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HOW POWERFUL THESE THINGS ARE.
AND THIS THING IS STRONGER THAN ME,
AND IT'S DEFINITELY FASTER THAN ME.
YOU CAN'T OUTRUN THESE.
THEY CAN SPRINT AT OVER 35 MILES AN HOUR.
AND THIS CLOSE TO HIM, YOU'VE GOT NO MEANS OF ESCAPE.
AND LOOK, THOSE EYES ARE LOOKING STRAIGHT AT ME.
HE'S PRETTY PRIMED.
HE DOESN'T NEED TO BE SCARED OF VERY MUCH IN THESE SWAMPS.
AND THAT'S WHY HE'S NOT BACKING AWAY FROM ME.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK NOW.
I'VE GOT TO DO IT AS QUICKLY AND AS HUMANELY AS POSSIBLE.
I WANT TO PIN IT DOWN, CLAMP ITS JAW SHUT,
AND THEN HOLD ON.
OKAY, I NEED TO GO FOR THIS FAST.
WHOA! OKAY.
( Straining ) AND, REALLY, THIS GUY'S JUST SOLID POWER.
TRY AND KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.
ALL THE POWER OF ITS JAWS ARE THE FORCE THAT CLOSE.
THERE'S NOT VERY MUCH STRENGTH TO OPEN IT.
THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO DISPATCH IT
IS TO SEVER THE SPINAL COLUMN BEHIND THE HEAD.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
OKAY, THAT'S HIS SPINAL CORD...CUT.
( BREATHING HEAVILY )
AND DEATH IS INSTANTANEOUS.
( Panting ) OKAY.
THIS ALLIGATOR IS GONNA BE INCREDIBLY USEFUL TO ME.
BUT FIRST, I NEED TO FIND A PLACE TO MAKE CAMP.
THERE'S A GOOD BIT OF HIGH GROUND JUST OVER THERE.
IF I CAN REACH THAT, IT'S GONNA BE A GOOD PLACE TO SET UP CAMP.
IT'S A BIT DEEPER THAN I THOUGHT.
( EXHALING SHARPLY )
( GRUNTS )
TIDES, RAINS, AND STORMS CAN MAKE THE WATER LEVELS RISE
SEVERAL FEET IN JUST A FEW HOURS.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO PITCH YOUR SWAMP CAMP
ON THE HIGHEST GROUND YOU CAN FIND.
ACTUALLY, THIS COULD WORK QUITE NICELY HERE.
USE THIS AS A PLATFORM TO LIE ON.
LOTS OF SPANISH MOSS, AS WELL.
WHAT I HAVEN'T GOT IS ANY SORT OF VINE AROUND HERE.
I'VE GOT ONE IDEA OF WHAT ICANUSE.
ALLIGATOR HIDE IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST
AND SUPPLEST OF ANIMAL SKINS,
WHICH MAKES IT GREAT MATERIAL TO WORK WITH.
IF I CAN JUST CUT STRIPS OF THIS SKIN,
THIS IS GONNA BE THE TOUGHEST CORDAGE YOU CAN EVER GET.
AND IT'S GONNA BE IDEAL JUST FOR TYING MY CAMP TOGETHER.
DARKNESS COMES QUICKLY IN THE SWAMP,
AND I NEED TO GET THIS CAMP BUILT FAST.
SO I'M MAKING A SIMPLE SWAMP BED,
USING JUST WHAT'S AROUND ME --
LOTS OF FALLEN CYPRESS BROUGHT DOWN BY THE HURRICANE WINDS.
OKAY -- THAT'S THE PLATFORM THAT I'M GONNA LIE ON.
AND THEN WHAT I CAN DO
IS USE ALL OF THIS SPANISH MOSS HANGING IN THE TREE.
AND IF THIS STUFF IS ON THE GROUND,
YOU WANT TO BE A BIT CAREFUL OF IT.
IT'LL OFTEN BE FULL OF HORRIBLE CHIGGERS --
THESE LITTLE BUGS THAT WILL BITE YOU TO DEATH.
WHEN IT'S IN THE TREE LIKE THIS,
IT'S NICE, IT'S DRY, AND IT'S SOFT.
AND IT'S GREAT BEDDING.
RIGHT, LET'S JUST GIVE THIS A TEST.
THAT'S ALL GOOD.
I'M GONNA PULL SOME OF THESE --
PULL SOME OF THESE ACROSS, MAKE A BIT OF A ROOF, AS WELL.
TROPICAL STORMS BRING HUGE AMOUNTS OF RAIN TO THIS AREA,
SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS AN INCH IN AN HOUR.
IN WEATHER LIKE THIS, RAIN COVER IS ESSENTIAL,
AND THESE PALMETTO LEAVES ARE JUST WHAT I NEED.
WELL, THAT'S KIND OF FINISHED.
I'M OFF THE GROUND, NICE AND SOFT,
AND I'VE GOT SOME COVERING FROM THE RAIN.
NEXT THING I NEED IS A FIRE.
HANG ON -- LOOK.
SEE OVER THERE? IT'S UNDER THAT LOG.
THAT'S A NUTRIA.
THAT'S WHAT WENT INTO THAT TREE THAT I COULDN'T GET OUT.
A LITTLE RODENT-LOOKING THING.
HE HAS BIG, BEAVER-LIKE TEETH -- REALLY GOOD EATING.
BUT I'VE GOT MASSES OF MEAT WITH THIS ALLIGATOR.
RIGHT, LET'S GET THIS FIRE GOING.
WHEN THE SUN SETS, THE TEMPERATURE HERE DROPS FAST.
AND AT NIGHT, IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FALL BELOW FREEZING.
MAKING FIRE IN THE SWAMP
WHERE EVERYTHING IS BASICALLY SOAKING WET,
I'M NOT PREDICTING IT BEING VERY EASY.
THIS STUFF'S QUITE NICE AND DRY
AND GOT FROM OUT OF THE NOOK IN THAT TREE.
( FLINT SCRAPING )
AHH.
WELL, I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED.
AFTER HOURS SPENT IN THE WATER,
YOU'VE GOT TO TRY AND DRY YOURSELF OUT
AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, ESPECIALLY YOUR FEET.
AND THE DANGER IS IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR FEET DRY,
YOU JUST END UP WITH TRENCH FOOT --
OR, IN THIS CASE, SWAMP FOOT --
WHERE EVERYTHING JUST STARTS TO SHRIVEL
AND THEN BASICALLY FALL APART, GET INFECTED.
AND THEN IT'S KIND OF ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK ON THEM.
THAT'S HOW PEOPLE DIE IN THIS SORT OF PLACE.
WHEN YOU'RE TIRED AND HUNGRY,
ALLIGATOR MEAT IS ONE OF THE BEST SOURCES OF ENERGY
AND NUTRITION THAT YOU CAN GET.
AND THIS IS WHERE THE BEST MEAT ON THE ALLIGATOR IS --
HERE ON THE SIDE OF THE TAIL.
IT'S WHERE THE REAL POWER IS.
LOOK AT THAT.
LEAN -- IT'S GONNA BE DELICIOUS.
ALLIGATOR MEAT IS VERY LOW IN CHOLESTEROL.
POUND FOR POUND,
IT'S GOT THE SAME PROTEIN BUT HALF THE FAT OF BEEF.
( FIRE CRACKLING )
THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY NOW.
HAVE A LITTLE LOOK.
AFTER AN EXHAUSTING DAY IN THE SWAMPS,
IT'S GREAT TO GET DRY, WARM,
AND HAVE SOME GOOD, LEAN MEAT TO CHEW ON.
MMM. DELICIOUS.
AND THE GREAT THING IS, NO SHORTAGE OF SECONDS.
THE ALLIGATOR HAS GIVEN ME PLENTY OF FOOD
AND ESSENTIAL CORDAGE FOR MY SHELTER.
BUT IT CAN ALSO HELP PREVENT ME CATCHING WEST NILE FEVER,
A DEADLY DISEASE SPREAD BY THE EVER-PRESENT SWAMP MOSQUITO.
ONE THING THE LOCAL NATIVE INDIANS USED TO DO
TO KEEP THE MOSQUITOES AWAY WAS USE ALLIGATOR FAT.
AND YOU SEE THERE -- IT'S MASSES OF THE FAT ABOVE THE MEAT.
AND YOU CAN JUST RUB THIS ONTO YOUR SKIN.
AND IT'S NOT GONNA SMELL VERY NICE,
BUT IT'LL KEEP THOSE MOSQUITOES AWAY.
AND, MAN, ARE THERE A LOT OF THEM AROUND AT THE MOMENT HERE.
KKGHH!
AND I'M NOT HOLDING OUT MUCH HOPE FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
( FROGS CALLING LOUDLY )
THE SWAMP'S QUITE AN EERIE PLACE AT NIGHTTIME.
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH NOISE.
BUT ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT LIVES IN THE SWAMPS
DOES ITS HUNTING DURING THE NIGHT.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT'S ALL I CAN HEAR AT THE MOMENT.
AND THIS PLACE JUST NEVER SLEEPS...
AND AT THE MOMENT, NOR AM I.
IT'S GONNA BE A LONG NIGHT.
I'VE JUST SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE SWAMPS OF THE DEEP SOUTH.
THIS PLACE NEVER RESTS, AND I DIDN'T GET MUCH SLEEP,
BUT AT LEAST THERE WERE NO STORMS.
HURRICANE WINDS HAVE BROUGHT DOWN
LOADS OF TREES AROUND HERE,
AND WHEREVER I CAN, I USE THEM nTO KEEP ME OUT OF DEEPER WATER,
WHERE THE BIGGER ALLIGATORS MIGHT BE LURKING.
LOOK OVER THERE. LOOK.
LET'S GO AND HAVE A LOOK.
THIS LOOKS LIKE MORE SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION,
AND THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING THERE THAT CAN HELP ME.
LOOKS LIKE AN OLD LOGGING CABIN.
BUT LOOK -- IT'S PRETTY TRASHED NOW.
PROBABLY KNOCKED DOWN IN ONE OF THE HURRICANES.
BUT, ACTUALLY, THERE'S STILL LOADS THAT YOU COULD USE IN HERE
IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.
I COULD PROBABLY USE SOME OF THIS
TO MAKE A RAFT TO GET ACROSS THIS RIVER...
'CAUSE IT'S IN THE BIG RIVERS LIKE THIS
THAT YOU GET THE BIG ALLIGATORS.
THESE DEEP RIVERS ARE HOME TO ALLIGATORS UP TO 18 FOOT LONG.
YOU DON'T WANT TO TANGLE WITH ONE OF THESE MONSTERS,
SO I'M GONNA TRY AND STAY OUT OF THAT WATER.
THERE'S A COTTONMOUTH.
COME HERE.
NICE AND STEADY.
SEE THAT? IT'S MOVING THROUGH THERE.
IT JUST SLITHERED STRAIGHT UNDER THERE.
THERE YOU GO. SEE HIM?
THIS SHACK IS JUST FULL OF HIDDEN DANGERS.
AND THE COTTONMOUTHS ARE ONE OF THE FEW SNAKES
WHO WILL ACTIVELY GO FOR YOU.
HE'S GONE, AND IN THE CASE OF A COTTONMOUTH,
THAT'S A GOOD THING.
THIS RUINED SHACK IS OF NO USE TO ANYBODY ELSE ANYMORE.
BUT FOR ME, IT'S A GOLD MINE.
THIS WILL SUPPLY ME WITH ALL THE RAW MATERIAL I NEED
TO BUILD A SUBSTANTIAL RAFT.
IT MAY LOOK LIKE OLD JUNK,
BUT IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
THIS STUFF CAN BE A REAL LIFESAVER.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
WELL, THIS WILL WORK REALLY WELL
AS A GOOD, LIKE, BASEBOARD FOR THIS RAFT.
I'LL USE THAT...
AND THEN A LOAD OF STRUTS ALONG IT.
AND THEN ALL I NEED --
ONE OF THOSE BIG PLANKS JUST ON THE TOP.
AND THAT'LL BE ENOUGH TO KEEP ME OUT OF THE WATER
AND FLOAT ME ACROSS.
THE SHACK IS FULL OF OLD RUSTY NAILS.
I CAN USE THEM TO HOLD MY RAFT TOGETHER.
BUT IT'S SO EASY TO GET A NICK OR CUT FROM ONE,
WHICH COULD TURN SEPTIC WITHIN HOURS
IN THIS STINKY, FETID SWAMP.
OWW!
BUT I NEED TO HURRY
BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS TAKING A TURN FOR THE WORSE.
( THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE )
THAT'S THE THUNDER STARTING.
IT'S ALSO STARTING TO DRIZZLE.
KKGHH!
AND THE MOSQUITOES ARE OUT.
MY WORST TIME OF DAY IN THE SWAMPS.
I WANT TO GET THIS FINISHED AND GET ACROSS THIS RIVER
WITHOUT GETTING EATEN.
OKAY, LET'S GIVE IT A TRY.
LET'S HOPE THIS FLOATS.
THIS NEEDS TO WORK
BECAUSE I HAVEN'T GOT MUCH TIME TO CROSS THE RIVER.
THERE'S A THUNDERSTORM ON THE WAY.
BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS,
AND WHEN IT COMES TO BIG ALLIGATORS AND BIG RIVERS,
YOU'VE GOT TO GET IT RIGHT.
NO, NO, NO, NO.
IT'S GONNA BE NO GOOD. IT NEEDS MORE.
I DO NOT WANT TO BE SINKING
RIGHT OUT IN THAT ALLIGATOR RIVER.
IT NEEDS MORE BUOYANCY.
I'VE GOT TO WORK QUICKLY
IF I'M GONNA GET ANOTHER CHANCE AT THIS.
THE WEATHER IS GETTING WORSE ALL THE TIME.
I NEED TO GO FOR THIS NOW.
I DON'T WANT TO BE OUT ON OPEN WATER IN A LIGHTNING STORM
BECAUSE THERE'S A REAL DANGER OF BEING STRUCK.
LET'S GIVE THIS A SECOND GO.
( RAIN FALLING )
( THUNDER RUMBLES IN DISTANCE )
NO. THIS IS GONNA BE MAD.
MY RAFT STILL ISN'T BUOYANT ENOUGH,
AND THE WEATHER IS MAKING THIS TOO DANGEROUS.
THERE'S NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT THIS OUT.
AND EVENTUALLY, CALM RETURNS TO THE SWAMPS.
NOW'S MY CHANCE TO MAKE THE CROSSING.
I PUT MORE WOOD IN IT AND BUOYANCY.
HOPEFULLY, NOW IT SHOULD FLOAT.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT MUCH OF THIS WOOD IS SO WATERLOGGED,
IT'S MAKING IT HEAVY.
LET'S GIVE IT A GO RIGHT NOW.
IT'S BUSINESS TIME!
THIRD TIME LUCKY.
I'VE WAITED OUT THE STORM AND REDESIGNED MY RAFT.
NOW I'VE JUST GOT TO PADDLE IT ACROSS.
THIS IS WORKING PRETTY WELL.
AND NO ALLIGATOR'S GONNA WANT TO TAKE A BITE OF THIS.
THERE'S SO MANY NAILS IN IT.
SURVIVAL IS ABOUT WORKING YOUR WAY 'ROUND PROBLEMS
AND NEVER GIVING UP.
AS THEY SAY IN THE ARMY,
"IMPROVISE, ADAPT, AND OVERCOME."
WELL, IT MIGHT NOT BE VERY PRETTY,
BUT I MADE IT ACROSS WITHOUT BEING EATEN.
AND IN MY BOOK, THAT MAKES IT A GREAT RAFT.
WHEW!
AAH!
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
I'M GOING FISHING THE SOUTHERN WAY.
THAT IS QUITE A BIG -- QUITE A BIG CATFISH!
I'M IN THE SWAMPS OF THE DEEP SOUTH.
AND DOWN HERE, I'M IN THE WATER MOST OF THE TIME.
BUT IT'S NOT THE SORT OF WATER I WANT TO BE DRINKING.
BUT YOU CAN GET TO CLEAN FLUIDS IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.
ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS IN THE SWAMPS
IS ACTUALLY JUST GETTING ANY WATER THAT YOU CAN DRINK.
BUT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE THESE THISTLE PLANTS
ONCE YOU GET RID OF THESE HORRIBLE SPIKES.
( HOLLOW THUDDING )
AND LOOK -- KIND OF BREAKS OFF A BIT LIKE CELERY.
BUT YOU CAN CHEW THAT.
( CRUNCHES )
( SUCKING, CHEWING )
AND IT'S GOT LOTS OF DRINKABLE, CLEAN FLUID IN IT.
I'LL TAKE THE REST OF THAT TO CHEW ON.
( CRUNCHES )
THE SWAMP IS MAINLY STILL WATER,
BUT IT'S CRISSCROSSED WITH THESE LITTLE RIVERS
CALLED BAYOUS.
AND IF YOU'RE HUNGRY nAND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
THESE CAN BE A GOOD PLACE TO FIND FISH.
WHAT YOU'LL OFTEN GET WITH THESE TREES --
YOU GET A BIT WHERE ALL THE ROOTS HAVE BEEN ERODED...
BY THE WATER.
AND YOU GET THESE MINI CREVICES AND CAVERNS.
I THINK THAT'S A NICE ONE.
THESE HOLES ARE OFTEN HOME TO CATFISH --
LARGE, STRONG, SOLITARY FISH
THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND BUT ARE REALLY GOOD TO EAT.
CATFISH ARE PREDATORS
THAT CAN GROW TO SIX FOOT AND WEIGH 100 POUNDS.
THEY WILL LIE IN THEIR HOLES ALL DAY
WAITING FOR SMALLER FISH TO SWIM PAST
AND THEN MAKE A GRAB FOR THEM
WITH THEIR HUGE TOOTH-FILLED MOUTHS.
WHAT I'M ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO
IS JUST USE MY...HAND AND FINGERS...
AS KIND OF HOOK AND BAIT.
I'LL SEE IF I CAN GET MYSELF SOMETHING.
A CATFISH LOCKS ON TO ITS PREY AND DRAGS IT INTO ITS HOLE.
I WANT IT TO LOCK ON TO MY HAND,
AND THEN I'LL HAUL HIM OUT.
THAT'S RISKY ENOUGH,
BUT CATFISH HOLES ARE SOMETIMES TAKEN OVER
BY ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLES
THAT CAN WEIGH OVER 200 POUNDS
AND BITE YOUR HAND CLEAN OFF.
OWW!
MAN, THERE'S SOMETHING -- THERE'S SOMETHING DOWN HERE.
( GRUNTING )
OWW!
( BREATHING HEAVILY )
ALL MY INSTINCTS ARE SCREAMING TO GET MY HAND OUT OF THERE.
BUT I WANT THIS FISH.
( GRUNTING )
THAT IS QUITE A BIG -- QUITE A BIG CATFISH.
GET HIM ONTO THE SHORE.
( Straining ) LOOK, HE'S -- YOU HEAR THAT?
LOOK, HE'S GOT MY -- TRY AND SHOW YOU THIS.
( SPITS )
( CATFISH GRUNTING )
HE'S GOT MY FINGER RIGHT DOWN ITS MOUTH.
AND WHAT I GOT TO DO IS HANG ON TO THOSE GILLS.
BUT THESE ARE THE BITS YOU WANT TO WATCH OUT FOR --
THE FINS AND THESE LITTLE BARBS HERE.
STICK YOU WITH THOSE -- THEY'LL STING YOU.
AAH!
THESE SPINES ON THE PECTORAL AND DORSAL FINS
CAN CAUSE SEVERE WOUNDS,
AND THEY CONTAIN A POWERFUL nVENOM THAT CAUSES EXTREME PAIN.
( SPITTING )
AND THESE GUYS JUST KIND OF HANG ON FOR DEAR LIFE.
OW, OW, OW, OW, OW, OW, OW, OW!
AND HE'S JUST SHREDDED MY FINGERS.
THAT MUST BE -- MUST BE 20 POUNDS OF FISH.
WHEW!
OKAY, LET'S SEE WHAT I CAN GET OFF HIM.
A CATFISH THIS SIZE IS A GREAT CATCH,
AND THERE'S MASSES OF MEAT ON IT.
AND THE BEST BIT IS JUST THE MAIN FILLET --
EITHER SIDE OF HIS BACKBONE.
AND ALL OF THAT IS GREAT JUST TO EAT RAW.
OUT HERE, THE FLESH WOULD GO OFF REALLY QUICK.
IT'S NOT WORTH RISKING FOOD POISONING,
SO I'M GONNA EAT ALL I CAN NOW AND LEAVE THE REST.
BUT THERE'S A PRICE TO PAY FOR MY FISHING.
ACTUALLY, ONE OF ITS SPINES JUST NIPPED ME.
IT'S ACTUALLY BEGINNING TO STING QUITE A LOT.
BUT ONE THING YOU CAN DO TO COUNTERACT IT
IS JUST USE AMMONIA.
AND THERE'S AMMONIA IN YOUR PEE.
STAGE FRIGHT.
THERE WE GO.
THE AMMONIA IN MY URINE NEUTRALIZES THE VENOM
AND HELPS EASE THE PAIN.
AND THEN I'M READY TO GO.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING.
OUT HERE, IT'S NOT JUST THE ANIMALS THAT WANT TO EAT YOU.
EVEN THE SWAMP WILL TRY TO SWALLOW YOU WHOLE.
I'M OUT OF THE DEEP SWAMP AND HEADING TOWARDS HIGHER GROUND.
BUT JUST WHEN I THINK THE GOING IS GETTING EASIER,
IT GETS A WHOLE LOT TOUGHER.
( Panting ) REALLY NOTHING IN THIS SWAMP IS EASY.
THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE WETTEST, STINKIEST,
MOST HUMID HELLHOLES I'VE EVER BEEN IN.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING THROUGH --
TRY AND GET OUT ALL OF THIS CATTAIL.
CATTAIL REEDS ARE COMMON IN WETLAND AREAS.
THEY GROW THICKLY, AND THEIR LEAVES ARE SHARP,
MAKING THEM EXHAUSTING AND PAINFUL TO MOVE THROUGH.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS JUST USE THIS STICK
TO LAY DOWN THE CATTAIL IN FRONT OF ME
AND MAKE MYSELF A PATH THROUGH THIS.
IT IS HUMID, HUMID, HUMID IN THIS HIGH GRASS.
AND THIS REALLY IS SNAKE TERRITORY BIG-TIME IN HERE.
I KEEP SEEING FLASHES OF THINGS, AS WELL.
JUST BE REALLY CAREFUL.
WITH THE TEMPERATURE UP TO 10 DEGREES HOTTER IN HERE,
DEHYDRATION AND HEAT EXHAUSTION ARE REAL DANGERS,
SO I WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE FAST.
MAN, THANK THE THE LORD FOR THAT!
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
LOOKING A LITTLE CLEARER HERE.
IT'S SUCH A RELIEF TO BE OUT OF THAT STUFF,
BUT IN THIS PLACE,
YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
HERE YOU CAN BE DRY ONE MINUTE,
THEN BACK IN THE GLOOP THE VERY NEXT STEP.
THIS LOOKS LIKE EASIER TERRAIN,
BUT APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEPTIVE.
THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE ABOUT THIS UNDERFOOT,
AND IT DOESN'T FEEL AT ALL SAFE.
( SPLASHES )
( SPITS )
JUST BE REALLY CAREFUL WHERE WE STAND HERE
AND GO THROUGH THIS IN A WHISTLE.
THIS ISN'T SOLID GROUND AT ALL.
IT'S FLOAT-ON --
A THIN MAT OF VEGETATION LYING ON TOP OF THE WATER.
AND THERE'S NO TELLING HOW DEEP THAT WATER MIGHT BE.
THIS STUFF IS ALL COMPLETELY MAD!
REALLY, IT'S LIKE A GIANT, VERY DANGEROUS TRAMPOLINE.
IF YOU GO THROUGH THIS STUFF, YOU'RE IN TROUBLE.
THERE'S A MASS OF TANGLED WEEDS DOWN THERE
THAT WILL CLOSE OVER YOUR HEAD
AND STOP YOU GETTING BACK UP TO THE SURFACE.
( SPLASHES )
( GASPING, SPITTING )
WHOO!
( BREATHING HEAVILY )
THAT IS HORRIBLE!
( SPITTING )
GET OUT OF THIS THING.
JUST A MASS OF WEEDS AND DARK.
AND ALSO QUITE SCARY.
( SPITS )
WE NEED TO GO THIS WAY.
I NEED TO HEAD FOR nTHE TREE LINE AND DRIER GROUND.
BUT THERE'S NO EASY ROUTE OFF THIS DEADLY WATER BED,
AND IT'S A REAL STRUGGLE TO STOP MYSELF
GOING UNDER AGAIN AND AGAIN.
FINALLY, I'M OFF THE FLOATING MARSH,
AND I'VE GOT REAL GROUND BENEATH MY FEET.
IT'S VERY, VERY GOOD TO BE OUT OF ALL THAT WATER.
BUT EVEN THIS STUFF -- DRY GROUND -- IS HARD WORK.
THE VEGETATION IS SO THICK
THAT I CAN ONLY SEE A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF ME,
AND IT'S SO HARD TO KEEP ANY SENSE OF DIRECTION.
LOOK.
TOP OF AN OLD -- LOOKS LIKE AN OLD FISHING BOAT.
GO AND HAVE A LOOK.
UNBELIEVABLE!
JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THIS BOAT IS MANY MILES FROM HOME.
A VESSEL LIKE THIS
IS USED TO CATCH SHRIMP IN nLARGE LAKES AND COASTAL WATERS.
BUT ITS FISHING DAYS ARE OBVIOUSLY OVER.
THIS WAS PROBABLY DUMPED HERE BY HURRICANE KATRINA.
YOU CAN IMAGINE THE FORCE OF WATER
TO PUT THIS SHRIMP BOAT
JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.
NOW, THIS IS HOW TO GET A LIE OF THE LAND.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME I CAN ACTUALLY SEE
MORE THAN JUST SWAMP, WATER, OR TREES.
ITS RIGGING IS THE HIGHEST THING FOR MILES AROUND HERE,
AND THE BOAT OFFERS A PERFECT VANTAGE POINT.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE MORE OPEN GROUND, I THINK, OVER THERE.
OKAY.
THAT'S THE WAY THAT I WANT TO BE HEADING.
WHOA!
AS MY SWAMP ADVENTURE CONTINUES,
I FIND SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN SAFETY.
LET'S JUST WATCH WHERE WE TREAD IN HERE.
I'M IN THE WATERLANDS OF THE DEEP SOUTH,
FOLLOWING A TRAIL OF HURRICANE DESTRUCTION
THAT'S LEADING ME OUT OF THE SWAMPS.
JUST LOOK AT THE DEVASTATION
THESE HURRICANES CAUSE.
BUT AT LEAST NOW THIS IS GOOD OPEN GROUND.
KATRINA SENT A 30-FOOT WALL OF SEAWATER THROUGH HERE,
KILLING MUCH OF THE VEGETATION
AND SPREADING DEBRIS EVERYWHERE.
SO I CAN NOW FOLLOW A TRAIL OF HURRICANE DESTRUCTION
RIGHT OUT OF THE SWAMP.
NOW IT'S EASIER GOING.
IT CAN MAKE GOOD HEADWAY TOWARDS MY PICKUP POINT.
THERE'S A HELICOPTER OUT HERE SOMEWHERE
THAT'S GOING TO PICK ME UP,
SO I WANT TO FIND SOME HIGH GROUND
WHERE I'LL BE MORE VISIBLE AND WHERE I CAN SIGNAL FROM.
CHECK THIS OUT.
THIS COULD WELL BE MY WAY OUT OF HERE.
THIS WATER'S ONLY KNEE-DEEP.
THERE'S LESS CHANCE OF FINDING BIG GATORS IN THE SHALLOWS,
AND IT'S WORTH RISKING THE CROSSING.
THE HOUSE MAY BE STORM-DAMAGED,
BUT IT'S STILL STANDING,
AND THE ROOF IS THE HIGH GROUND I NEED.
MAN, THIS PLACE HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETELY TRASHED.
AND PROBABLY THIS HOUSE AT ONE TIME WAS ON TOP OF THESE STILTS
AND JUST GOT BLOWN.
THERE'S NO SIGN OF...ANYBODY.
LOOK, AT ONE TIME, THIS WAS SOMEONE'S HOME.
THOUSANDS OF HOMES LIKE THIS WERE DESTROYED BY KATRINA,
ONLY TO BE RECLAIMED BY THE WILDLIFE.
HEY, LOOK.
THERE'S A COTTONMOUTH IN HERE.
SOMEBODY ELSE HAS MOVED IN.
LET'S JUST WATCH WHERE WE TREAD IN HERE.
THE STORM DAMAGE WAS SO BAD
THAT MANY HOMES BECAME UNINHABITABLE.
ALL JUST FALLING APART.
AFTER KATRINA, MANY FAMILIES WERE TRAPPED BY FLOODWATERS,
AND THEY HAD TO TAKE REFUGE nIN THE HIGHEST PLACE AVAILABLE.
THE ROOF LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN FIND A WAY UP THERE.
AND THE HIGHEST POINTS AROUND HERE ARE THE ROOFTOPS.
FOR THOUSANDS OF KATRINA VICTIMS,
THE ROOF WAS THE ONLY SAFE PLACE TO BE --
AWAY FROM THE FLOODWATERS AND THE DANGEROUS SWAMP WILDLIFE
THAT WAS OFTEN WASHED UP IN THEIR HOMES.
IT WAS ALSO THE BEST PLACE TO GET NOTICED,
LOCATED, AND RESCUED.
AND THAT'S GONNA BE THE SAME FOR ME.
ON THE ROOF, I'M VISIBLE FOR MILES AROUND,
AND THE HELICOPTER HAS SPOTTED ME.
HE'S GOT ME.
AND THEN GIVE HIM THE BIG INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS SIGNAL --
A BIG "Y."
IT MEANS, "YES, I NEED HELP!"
( HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING )
MY HEART'S THUMPING.
I'VE GOT ONE CHANCE AT THIS,
AND IF I MISS, IT'S A BIG FALL.
I'VE SURVIVED THE CHALLENGES OF THE SWAMPS,
THE SNAKES, AND THE ALLIGATORS.
AND FOR ME, MY DEEP-SOUTH ADVENTURE IS OVER.
( HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING )