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I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY OUT THERE ALL DAY.
NOT A SINGLE BOAT.
IT'S COMPLETE AND PURE SURVIVAL ON THE ISLAND.
TRYING TO FIND MY OWN WATER AND MY OWN FOOD.
IT'S EITHER THAT OR DIE.
THAT'S THE REAL STORY OF SURVIVAL ON A TROPICAL ISLAND.
YOU CAN'T GET OFF.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
THE ISLAND OF FRIGATE, AN UNINHABITED TROPICAL ISLAND
THAT RESTS DEEP IN THE HEART OF THE CARIBBEAN SEA,
NOT FAR FROM GRENADA.
DISCOVERED BY COLUMBUS IN 1498,
THE ISLAND HAS REMAINED UNTOUCHED BY CIVILIZATION
FOR CENTURIES,
LARGELY DUE TO THE FIERCE WAVES
THAT PUMMEL ITS ROCKY SHORELINE.
SURVIVAL ON A TROPICAL ISLAND IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS.
IN A UNIQUE WAY,
AN ISLAND REPRESENTS A STRANGE FORM OF ENTRAPMENT.
I CAN WALK ACROSS THIS ISLAND IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
THE BIRDS CAN LEAVE WHENEVER THEY WANT,
BUT NOTHING AND NO ONE ELSE CAN.
SURVIVAL ON A TROPICAL ISLAND --
THAT LIKELY CONJURES UP IMAGES OF PALM TREES AND SANDY BEACHES
AND DRINKING LOTS OF COCONUT WATER.
THE REALITY IS THAT PIRATES USED TO MAROON PEOPLE
ON TROPICAL ISLANDS TO DIE.
THEY'D GIVE THEM A BOTTLE OF RUM, A GUN, AND ONE BULLET.
THE BULLET -- WELL, THAT WAS TO USE ON THEMSELVES
BEFORE THEY WENT MAD OR DIED OF DEHYDRATION OR STARVATION.
YOU SEE, TROPICAL ISLANDS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS IDEAL, PRETTY,
AND AS EASY AS LIVING ON "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND."
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE PALM TREES ARE REPLACED WITH CACTUS
AND THE WATER THAT YOU CAN DRINK IS STAGNANT POOLS?
HOW DO YOU SURVIVE THAT TROPICAL ISLAND?
THERE THEY GO.
MY FAITHFUL TEAM LEAVES ME HERE,
MAROONED AND ALONE FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.
THEY'VE LEFT ME HERE WITH A RAFT FOR SAFETY,
BUT THE DEADLY OCEAN CURRENTS THAT HIT THIS ISLAND
MAKE THE RAFT ALL BUT USELESS.
THERE'S ABOUT ANOTHER HOUR BEFORE THE SUN SETS.
I'M JUST GONNA SLEEP HERE ON THESE ROCKS.
HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T RAIN.
BEFORE I DO THAT, I'M GONNA SCROUNGE AROUND,
SEE WHAT I CAN FIND.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING ON THE EDGE OF THE OCEAN.
NO MATTER HOW PRISTINE OR HOW REMOTE OF A PLACE YOU ARE IN,
YOU WILL FIND FLOTSAM, STUFF THAT COMES UP.
CHECK OUT WHAT I'VE GOT HERE.
HALF A BOTTLE OF WATER, WHICH, IN AN HOUR OR TWO,
WILL BE AN EMPTY BOTTLE OF WATER.
I'VE GOT A RAIN JACKET THERE,
AND THEN I'VE GOT THIS -- I'VE GOT THIS POT.
GOT A BELT KNIFE, AS WELL.
AND THEN THIS.
[ SIGHS ] THEY CALL IT A CUTLASS.
NOW, THAT'S A MACHETE. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SURVIVE.
LET ME SEE WHAT I CAN FIND AROUND THESE ROCKS.
AND JUST LIKE THAT, IN ONLY A MATTER OF SECONDS,
I'VE FIGURED OUT WHAT I HAVE
WITHIN MY ZONE OF ASSESSMENT NUMBER ONE --
MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND MY BODY.
SO THE NEXT STEP IS ZONE NUMBER TWO,
MY IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS.
IN THIS CASE, IT'S THE RAFT THAT THE CREW LEFT BEHIND.
LOOK AT THIS.
THERE'S ALWAYS STUFF, RIGHT?
WATER BOTTLE.
THEN I GOT AN OLD LIGHTER.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S WATER OR FLUID IN IT,
BUT YOU CAN SEE IT'S BEEN THERE A WHILE.
THERE'S THE RUST STAIN.
IF THIS WORKS, I'M GONNA BE SMILING.
HEY! ALL RIGHT!
SO THAT'S FLUID.
OH, THAT'S FANTASTIC.
SOMEBODY'S SMILING DOWN UPON ME RIGHT NOW.
IF I DON'T LOOK BEYOND MY CIRCUMSTANCES,
I NEVER KNOW WHAT ADVANTAGES MAY EXIST
TO HELP ME THROUGH A SURVIVAL ORDEAL.
OH, OH, OH, OH.
I SEE SOMETHING RIGHT THERE.
FISHING LINE.
HANG ON. HANG ON. THAT'S A HOOK.
I SEE THE HOOK.
[ LAUGHS ]
I'VE WALKED ONLY 100 YARDS -- NOT EVEN THAT, MAYBE.
AND I'VE GOT MYSELF FISHING LINE --
OUCH -- AND A HOOK.
AND I EVEN FOUND A LIGHTER THAT WORKS.
I'M NOT GONNA HAVE ANY TIME TO FISH RIGHT NOW.
AND BESIDES THAT, I'VE GOT TO CATCH SOME BAIT ANYWAY.
THE FISH AREN'T JUST GONNA JUMP ON A HOOK.
AH. I DID FEEL RAINDROPS.
I SEE SOME MAJOR RAIN COMING.
THIS IS NOT GONNA BE PRETTY. I GOT NOWHERE TO HIDE.
I'M GONNA LIGHT THIS FIRE NOW
BEFORE IT DOES START RAINING BAD.
I CAN'T BELIEVE I FOUND A LIGHTER.
THAT'S JUST AMAZING.
YEP. BEAUTIFUL.
OHH. UH-OH.
THAT'S NOT GOOD.
I DON'T USUALLY FAIL AT A FIRE, BUT I NEED THAT BLADE.
[ GRUNTS ]
IT SHOWS YOU. I'VE LIT THOUSANDS OF FIRES.
I SHOULD KNOW BETTER, BUT I WAS COUNTING ON ALL THE DRIED GRASS
AND DRY WOOD TO JUST TAKE OFF ON ME.
TURNS OUT ALL THIS DRY WOOD IS HARDWOOD.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN, AND THIS TIME,
ENVIRONMENTALLY HORRIBLE SCENARIO
OF BURNING SOME OF THIS RUBBER AND PLASTIC THAT I FOUND.
THAT MEANS I CAN GET THIS FIRE GOING,
THEN I'M GONNA USE IT.
INSTEAD OF USING THE LIGHTER,
I SEE I'VE GOT SOME WOOD HERE THAT'S SMOLDERING REALLY NICELY.
THANKS TO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE,
MY SELF-CONFIDENCE WILL OFTEN BETRAY ME
AND STILL TO THIS DAY CAUSE ME TO TREAT SOMETHING
AS VITAL AS FIRE A LITTLE TOO CASUALLY.
YET THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS FIRE IS AS STRONG AS IT IS
FOR ANY SURVIVAL SITUATION.
ALL RIGHT.
FINE. LET'S TRY SOME RUBBER.
RIPPING APART A RUBBER SHOE HERE.
[ GRUNTS ]
PRETTY BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, BURNING PLASTIC AND RUBBER,
BUT IF IT GETS MY FIRE GOING,
IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS WHERE IT'S ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL,
WELL, YOU GOT TO DO WHAT YOU GOT TO DO.
WHEW.
I FEEL KIND OF STUPID, TRYING TO START THAT FIRE SO HASTILY.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
BUT NOW IT'S GOING.
WHETHER IN THE DESERT, THE ARCTIC,
OR ON A TROPICAL ISLAND,
THE NEED FOR FIRE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN MY GREATEST CONCERN.
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS TO BRING ABOUT COMFORT
IN A PLACE WHERE COMFORT IS HARD TO FIND.
IT'S SO HOT HERE. I'M STILL SWEATING.
I DON'T NEED THE FIRE FOR HEAT, THAT'S FOR SURE.
BUT IT SURE IS NICE FOR COMFORT.
[ SIGHS ]
I SURE HOPE THAT WATER DOESN'T COME UP ANY HIGHER.
IT'S MAKING ME NERVOUS.
THIS IS THE RAINY SEASON.
WELL, THAT'S ACTUALLY AN UNDERSTATEMENT
'CAUSE IT'S ALSO THE HURRICANE SEASON.
HURRICANE IVAN DEVASTATED THIS WHOLE REGION.
GRENADA IS A POWERFULLY BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
BEAUTIFUL, BUT, FOR ME ALONE OUT HERE RIGHT NOW,
I STILL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.
LEFT ALONE AGAIN, THIS TIME ON AN ISLAND.
I'M GONNA TRY TO GET SOME SLEEP.
IT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY SLEEPING ON A ROCK.
I'M STILL SWEATING AT THIS POINT.
YOU KNOW, THERE AREN'T TOO MANY EXPERIENCES
THAT ARE AS POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL,
SLEEPING OUT UNDER THE STARS BY THE OCEAN.
IF YOU CAN'T SURVIVE THE PSYCHOLOGY AND THE EMOTIONS,
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY FISH YOU CATCH
OR HOW MANY FIRES YOU GET GOING...
...YOU'LL STILL PERISH.
[ SIGHS ]
HERE COMES THE RAIN.
OH, I GOT NOWHERE TO HIDE HERE.
I'M LITERALLY JUST STANDING UP IN THE DARK.
THE FIRE'S SORT OF SMOLDERING.
ALL RIGHT, I FOUND A PLACE TO SIT.
IT'S ON THE TREE
THAT HAD ALL THE BITING ANTS CRAWLING ON IT EARLIER.
OW!
WHEN WEATHER WANTS TO MESS WITH YOU,
THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO.
SURVIVAL IS ALL ABOUT EITHER DEALING WITH THE WEATHER
OR PREPARING FOR THE WEATHER.
IF YOU'RE NOT DEALING WITH IT, YOU BETTER BE PREPARING FOR IT.
AND I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS.
IT'S GONNA BE A LONG NIGHT.
GOT TO WAIT IT OUT.
STARTING A FIRE WAS EASY AFTER FINDING THE LIGHTER.
KEEPING IT GOING WILL BE ANOTHER STORY
DURING THIS RAINY SEASON.
FRESH WATER, HOWEVER, IS ANOTHER MATTER.
[ SIGHS ]
THIS IS HOW I SPENT THE NIGHT LAST NIGHT.
IT'S NOT GONNA HELP ME OUT HERE.
I CAN'T GET ACROSS THE STRONG OCEAN CURRENTS
TO GET TO THE MAINLAND ANYWAY.
I DO HAVE THIS LifeStraw HERE FOR DRINKING WATER.
I WANT TO TRY IT OUT,
BUT IT'S NOT GONNA HELP ME FOR SALT WATER.
CHECK THIS OUT.
I PUT THE CUP AT THE BACK OF THE DINGHY TO COLLECT RAINWATER.
LOOK HOW MUCH I GOT.
SO, THAT'S A HUGE BONUS,
USING THIS AS A BIT OF A RAIN-CATCH
TO GET ME SOME DRINKING WATER.
THE FIRE'S STILL SMOLDERING, AT LEAST.
THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.
THROW ANOTHER HUNK OF WOOD ON IT.
HOPEFULLY, THE RAIN WILL HOLD OFF
AND I CAN SCAVENGE FOR SOME FOOD.
25 YEARS OF SURVIVAL,
AND, FINALLY, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN AROUND CACTUS
WHILE THEY WERE ACTUALLY BEARING FRUIT.
OH! I CAUGHT IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
WHEN CACTUS FRUIT IS RIPE AND READY, IT IS GOOD.
OH, YEAH. THIS IS GOOD.
MMM. I'LL WATCH FOR MORE OF THESE.
SHOULD BE A GOOD BOOST OF ENERGY.
I FOUND SOME GARBAGE --
SOME PLASTIC AND THESE BLACK GARBAGE BAGS.
AND I SET THEM OUT SO I COULD CATCH MORE RAINWATER.
AND THIS PRICKLY PEAR --
YOU DON'T GET A LOT OUT OF THESE GUYS, BUT WHAT YOU GET HELPS.
THERE WE GO.
NOT MY FAVORITE WILD EDIBLES,
YET THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM ON THIS ISLAND.
NOT BAD.
PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS WAS ACTUALLY ONCE USED
AS A FOOD CROP FOR MANY DESERT DWELLERS,
BUT I'M ON THE EDGE OF THE OCEAN,
AND THAT MEANS POSSIBLY FISH.
THERE'S A LOT OF LINE HERE.
DEFINITELY ENOUGH TO CAST OUT THERE,
BUT I'M GONNA HAVE TO UNTANGLE IT,
AND I WANT TO GET IT AROUND THIS BOTTLE.
THIS IS NOT THE EASIEST SHORE TO FISH FROM,
SO IT'S GONNA BE MOSTLY THROW IT OUT,
LET IT SINK TO THE BOTTOM, AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.
USUALLY A TANGLED MESS,
THE FISHING LINE I FIND ON ISLANDS
IS ALSO OFTEN TOO WEAK TO USE.
IT SNAPS WITH AN EASY PULL.
BUT SOMETIMES I GET LUCKY
AND IT'S STILL STRONG ENOUGH TO USE.
THE TRICK WILL BE GETTING THE HOOK AND BAIT
OUT FAR ENOUGH TO CATCH A FISH.
WELL, NO SINKERS AROUND,
SO I'M GONNA TRY USING THIS LITTLE PIECE OF SHELL
BECAUSE IT'S GOT A NATURAL HOLE FOR ME.
IT'S A BIT HEAVY.
MAYBE IT'LL HELP TO GET THE LINE OUT THERE FAR.
HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.
HA-HA!
YOU DIDN'T EXPECT THAT -- A WHELK.
THAT'S NICE.
THAT'S GREAT, GREAT BAIT FOR FISHING.
OR I CAN EAT IT.
I'M GONNA TRY IT FOR BAIT FIRST.
OH, YEAH. I SEE A BUNCH MORE, TOO.
THIS IS GREAT NEWS.
A LOT OF TIMES, WHAT I MIGHT FIND FOR BAIT
I CAN ALWAYS CONSIDER AS FOOD FOR MYSELF, AS WELL
IF I'M UNLUCKY WITH THE FISHING.
THERE WE GO.
SOMETHING BITING ON THE OTHER END ALREADY.
I FELT THE LINE GO TIGHT.
SOMETHING'S BITING. SOMETHING'S BITING.
I GOT SOMETHING! I GOT SOMETHING!
WHOO-HOO!
THAT'S A LITTLE OCEAN PERCH.
HA-HA! OH, YEAH!
LOOK AT THAT.
WHOO-HOO-HOO!
ALL RIGHT.
I'M CALLING THAT LUNCH.
AND THERE'S STILL BAIT HERE.
I'M GONNA THIS LINE BACK OUT WHILE I'M STILL HERE AND SEE.
FORGET THE WHELKS.
WE'RE EATING FISH TODAY.
WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START.
SO I KNOW NOW THAT I CAN ACCESS A QUICK FOOD SOURCE CLOSE BY,
AND THAT'S A HUGE PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST,
BUT IT'LL BE A SHORT-LIVED ONE.
UNBELIEVABLE.
AND ALL THIS HERE WOULD BE EXCELLENT BAIT.
I SAY "WOULD BE" BECAUSE ON THE LAST CAST, I LOST THE HOOK.
SO THIS IS IT FOR FISHING.
JUST IN CASE, I'LL LEAVE IT OVER HERE.
YOU NEVER KNOW.
IF IT WAS ABSOLUTE DIRE STRAITS, I WOULD JUST EAT THE FISH RAW.
YOU GET MORE NUTRIENTS THAT WAY.
SURVIVAL ALSO COMES DOWN TO PSYCHOLOGY,
AND YOU WANT TO FEEL GOOD,
SO I'M PUTTING MY BALANCE ON THE SIDE
OF GOOD, STRONG, PSYCHOLOGICAL SURVIVAL
OVER THE SENSATIONALISM OF JUST EATING A RAW FISH
AND MAKING IT LOOK COOL.
NOW, THAT'S SURVIVAL.
MMM.
MMM!
MMM.
SOONER OR LATER, I GOT TO GO UP AND OVER
AND THROUGH THAT CACTUS
AND SEE WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE.
I NEVER WAIT WHEN IT COMES TO GATHERING FOOD OR WATER
IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION.
SEARCHING OUT SHELTER AND FOOD, WATER AND FIRE SOURCES
SHOULD HAPPEN OFTEN AND BE CONSIDERED CONSTANTLY.
THESE BASIC NECESSITIES OF SURVIVAL CAN RUN OUT QUICKLY.
GOT TO MAKE SURE I DON'T SLIP MY FOOT INTO A SEA URCHIN.
THERE'S A FEW OF THEM AROUND HERE.
REGARDLESS OF THE FISH I JUST CAUGHT,
THE REALITY IS I'VE ALSO LOST THE HOOK.
NICE.
SO THAT MAY VERY WELL BE THE LAST FISH I EAT,
AND THE WHELKS HERE ARE PLENTIFUL.
WELL, I'M HEARING
AN AWFUL LOT OF BIG THUNDER RUMBLING BEHIND ME,
SO I WANT TO COOK THESE UP RIGHT NOW.
ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PUT THEM RIGHT ON THE FIRE.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]
[ SCREECHING ]
WELL, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY SCREAM WHEN YOU COOK THEM.
[ SCREECHING CONTINUES ]
I'VE LOST THE ONE HOOK THAT I HAD FOUND.
THIS IS THE EDGE OF THE OCEAN, HOWEVER,
AND IN A STRANGE WAY, WHATEVER FLOATS IN ON THE OCEAN WAVES
MAKE IT A POTENTIAL LAND OF PLENTY,
YET EITHER WAY, I'M STILL VERY ISOLATED,
THOUGH I'M TECHNICALLY A SHORT BOAT RIDE FROM SAFETY.
I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY OUT THERE ALL DAY.
NOT A SINGLE BOAT.
SO I COULD SCREAM AS LOUD AS I WANT, LIGHT THE BIGGEST FIRE,
GET THE MOST SMOKE, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER.
I'M STILL STRANDED HERE,
AND WITHOUT RESCUE...
...IT'S COMPLETE AND PURE SURVIVAL ON THE ISLAND.
WELL, THAT'S NOT BAD AT ALL.
THAT'S GOOD.
THIS GUY HERE.
MMM. THAT'S EVEN BETTER.
LOTS OF THEM AND VERY EDIBLE.
THOSE WHELKS ARE REALLY TASTY.
ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA CLIMB UP THROUGH HERE NOW
AND CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ISLAND.
LOOKS TO BE A BIT OF A PATHWAY HERE.
NOW IT'S TIME TO CHECK OUT ZONE NUMBER THREE,
WHAT LAY FURTHER BEYOND MY IMMEDIATE AREA.
[ SEAGULLS SQUAWKING ]
WOW.
THAT'S AMAZING.
IT OPENS RIGHT UP.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT FROM WHERE I'VE BEEN,
JUST HUDDLED DOWN ON THE ROCKS
AND THE SHORELINE ON THE LEE SIDE.
A LOT OF BIRDS, AND THEY'RE ALL IN THE GRASS.
IT'S GONNA BE A GOOD CHANCE TO MAYBE LOOK FOR EGGS.
IF I'M LUCKY, MAYBE THERE'S SOME WATER --
FRESH WATER.
I GOT TO DO SOME EXPLORING.
THERE'S GOT TO BE NESTS AROUND HERE
WITH THIS MANY BIRDS ALL GETTING UPSET.
[ SQUAWKING CONTINUES ]
GOT TO BE EGGS AROUND HERE. GOT TO BE.
OR LITTLE CHICKS.
[ SQUAWKING CONTINUES ]
THIS IS A MAJOR SCORE.
THEY CALL THEM "MORROCOY."
I CALL THEM LUNCH AND DINNER.
YOU'RE LUCKY
BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY HAD SOME FISH AND SOME WHELKS.
IF I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ELSE BY TOMORROW TO EAT...
...TURTLE SOUP.
[ SQUAWKING CONTINUES ]
THERE IS ZERO FRESH RUNNING WATER ON THIS ISLAND.
ONLY A FECES-FILLED RAIN PUDDLE IS AVAILABLE TO ME.
THAT WATER IS ONLY DRINKABLE BECAUSE I HAVE THIS LifeStraw
OR IF I WERE TO BOIL IT.
BUT DRINKING IT STRAIGHT, AND I'M LIKELY TO KILL MYSELF.
I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT'S IN THAT POOL OF WATER
WITH THE DEAD BIRDS AND TURTLE FECES.
WITH THE STRAW OR WITH BOILING IT, I CAN DRINK IT,
AND THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE NOW I DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON RAINWATER.
WHEN THE RAINWATER COMES, IT'LL BE A BONUS.
NOT SINCE MY TIME IN THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK
OR SOUTH AFRICA HAVE I HAD
SUCH A REPULSIVE SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER.
IT'LL BE THE LifeStraw
THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR ME HERE.
[ SEAGULLS SQUAWKING ]
THEY'RE DIVE-BOMBING ME.
THEY WANT TO KEEP ME AWAY FROM THEIR CHICKS, THAT'S FOR SURE.
"AND THAT WAS THE END OF SURVIVORMAN.
"THEY FOUND HIM WITH HIS EYES PECKED OUT
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ISLAND."
THOUGH THE ISLAND SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE
TO CONTINUE AS A BIOLOGICALLY UNIQUE AREA,
AS A BIRD- AND TURTLE-BREEDING COLONY,
LOCALS WILL STILL SNEAK ONTO IT TO TAKE EGGS AND TURTLES
AND EVEN SHOOT A SMALL GROUP OF GOATS
THAT WERE PUT HERE FOR THAT PURPOSE.
GRENADA ITSELF COULD BE A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
DUE TO THE STILL-PURE NATURE THAT EXISTS HERE,
AND THIS ISLAND IN PARTICULAR
COULD BE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF NATURAL BEAUTY,
ESPECIALLY IF THEY REMOVE THE GOATS.
[ GRUNTS ]
AT LEAST I KNOW I'LL STAY DRY HERE.
IT'S A LONG NIGHT WHEN YOUR PILLOW IS A ROCK.
BEAUTIFUL VISTAS ASIDE,
SURVIVAL ON AN ISLAND IS STILL NO WALK IN THE PARK.
THIS IS HOW I ENDED UP LAST NIGHT,
CRAWLING UNDER THIS DINGHY.
IT CAME ON TO JUST POUR DOWN.
PROBABLY ABOUT 4:00 OR 5:00 IN THE MORNING,
IT STARTED RAINING HARD.
I'LL TELL YOU, SURVIVAL IS SUCH A ROLLER-COASTER AFFAIR.
SUPER-HIGH HIGHS, SUPER-LOW LOWS,
PHYSICALLY, IN TERMS OF SUSTENANCE,
DEFINITELY MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.
WELL, LET'S SEE IF I CAUGHT SOME RAINWATER.
OH, YEAH.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES WHEN IT COMES TO THE WEATHER.
SAY WHILE IT'S CLOUDY AND IT'S RAINY,
AND I GOT TO HIDE FROM THE RAIN, THAT'S VERY TRUE.
I'M COLLECTING RAINWATER, AND THAT'S A LOT BETTER
THAN DRINKING OUT OF THAT SLUDGY PUDDLE.
I'LL TAKE THE RAIN.
I'LL TAKE THE CLOUDS RIGHT NOW.
WELL, SINCE I HAVE THE CLOUD COVER,
I CAN GO HUNT FOR SOME BIRD EGGS.
EVEN I FIND ONLY ONE OR TWO,
FINDING EGGS WOULD BE A HUGE BOOST.
IT'S IN THESE LITTLE HOLES RIGHT HERE,
LOOK FOR ALL THE LITTLE SPOTS
WHERE THE GRASS JUST KIND OF IS BLOWING OVER
AND YOU SEE MAYBE AN OPENING ON ONE SIDE.
LIKE, LOOK AT THIS RIGHT HERE.
FRESH TURTLE POOP RIGHT BESIDE THIS LITTLE EGGSHELL.
I'M GONNA LOOK ALL AROUND THIS AREA
TO SEE IF I CAN FIND SOME EGGS OF MY OWN.
HAVE A REAL BREAKFAST.
OH, LOOK AT THAT RIGHT THERE.
A LITTLE PAIR OF CHICKS, WHICH I COULD EAT,
BUT THEY'RE HATCHED, SO I'LL LEAVE THEM BE.
THERE'S NOTHING ON THOSE LITTLE CHICKS,
BUT IF THE TIMING WAS RIGHT, I COULD FIND PLUMP CHICKS.
REALITY IS THAT FINDING THEM WITH LITTLE MORE
THAN A TEASPOON OF MEAT ON THEIR TINY BONES
IS UNLIKELY, HARDLY WORTH THE LOST CALORIES
LOOKING FOR THEM OR CHASING THEM DOWN.
THERE'S A NICE LITTLE SHELTERED COVE OVER THERE.
THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
I THINK I FOUND MY NEW HOME.
SEE HOW IT IS FOR SHELTER.
IT'S CERTAINLY BIG ON COMFORT.
NOTHING LIKE A SAND BEACH.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE SPOT.
IT'S BETTER THAN THE OTHER SIDE.
AS ALWAYS, AFTER JUST A FEW HOURS OF EXPLORING,
I'VE DISCOVERED A WAY TO MAKE MY CIRCUMSTANCES MUCH BETTER.
[ SIGHS ]
A FEW ANTS, BUT THEY'LL SETTLE DOWN AT NIGHT, I THINK.
I HOPE.
OH, GOD, THAT FEELS GOOD ON THE BACK.
NICE VIEW, TOO.
JUST BEAUTIFUL.
[ SIGHS ]
I THINK I'M GONNA HAVE A DAYTIME NAP.
IT'S TOUGH SLEEPING AT NIGHT.
NOT MUCH AT ALL, REALLY.
[ GRUNTS ]
GETTING SUFFICIENT SLEEP
REMAINS VITAL TO KEEPING A CLEAR MIND FOR SURVIVAL.
WHERE I'M STAYING RIGHT NOW,
I HAVEN'T SEEN BIRDS COMING OVER HERE AT ALL.
I'M GONNA HOPE THAT IT'S NOT GONE BAD,
BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ACTUALLY ABANDONED
'CAUSE NOTHING'S BEEN AROUND IT.
I'LL TRY AND COOK IT UP.
NOW, THAT WAS RELATIVELY EASY --
ONE SINGLE EGG HIDING UNDER A LOG.
I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO GO LOOKING FOR IT.
BUT FINDING IT WITHOUT ANY ADULTS PROTECTING IT
SEEMS SUSPICIOUS TO ME.
STILL, IT'S WORTH A TASTE TEST.
IF IT'S FRESH, IT COULD BE DELICIOUS.
COME ON, BABY, BURN.
ALL RIGHT.
I'LL LET THAT CATCH AND GET READY TO COOK AN EGG.
NOT ONLY DID I FIND THIS ONE EGG
BUT ALSO SOME WIRE AND A COUPLE OF OTHER SURPRISES
ALL AROUND THIS SHORELINE.
[ SIGHS ] THAT'LL WORK.
[ SNIFFS ]
OHH! OH! GOD!
I THINK THAT MIGHT'VE BEEN A WASTE.
I THINK THIS WAS SIMPLY A BAD EGG.
MAYBE IT WAS A DEAD EGG.
MAYBE THAT'S WHY IT WAS LEFT THERE.
[ SNIFFS ]
OH!
YOU KNOW WHAT? I EAT THAT, I RUN THE RISK
OF MAKING MYSELF HORRIBLY SICK 'CAUSE THAT DOESN'T SMELL...
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
OH!
IT LOOKS GOOD, BUT IT SMELLS HORRIBLY BAD.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT,
WHILE I WAS TRYING TO FIND SOME WIRE FOR TYING UP THIS TRIPOD,
I ACTUALLY FOUND MORE FISHING LINE -- LOTS OF IT --
AND HOOKS AND SINKERS, SO I'M GONNA GET OUT
AND TRY SOME FISHING IN THIS SECTION HERE.
I THINK I CAN WALK RIGHT OUT INTO THE SHALLOWS HERE
AND TRY FISHING.
NO WHELKS, BUT I'VE GOT A HANDFUL OF SNAILS
I'LL TRY OUT ON THE HOOK.
THE AREA HERE IS NOT AS ROCKY AND PERHAPS NOT AS FRUITFUL
AS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND.
THAT'S THE TOUGHEST PART. I GOT TO FIND SOME MORE BAIT.
[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]
I DON'T REALLY WANT TO HAVE TO GIVE UP TOO SOON
ON LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD EGGS, OR EVEN SOME PLUMP CHICKS.
THEY SHOULD BE AN EASY CATCH.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS AN ACTUAL LIVE CHICK,
A BIG, PLUMP ONE THAT I CAN GRAB AND EAT.
I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENED IS I'M ABOUT A WEEK TOO LATE.
MOST OF THE CHICKS, THEY'RE JUST UP --
THEY'RE UP ON THEIR FEET NOW,
AND I ALWAYS WATCH THEM SCURRY OFF INTO THE ROCKS THERE.
I'D HAVE TO RUN, THROW A ROCK.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE, BUT...
IN FACT, I'M GONNA GO LOOK OVER THERE AND SEE.
THIS IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY, BUT IT CAN'T HURT TO GIVE IT A TRY.
[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]
[ CHICK SCREECHING ]
[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]
[ CHICK SCREECHING ]
[ SCREECHING CONTINUES ]
WELL, NOW I KNOW IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE.
BUT THIS GUY, HE FEELS LIKE SKIN AND BONES.
THERE'S NOTHING TO HIM,
SO I CAN EITHER RUN AND CATCH A WHOLE BUNCH MORE OF THESE
OR PICK UP A TURTLE AT EASE.
I'VE UPSET THESE GUYS AND THIS LITTLE GUY ENOUGH.
[ SNIFFLES ]
[ SCREECHING CONTINUES ]
GONNA LET HIM GO.
AND OFF HE GOES.
[ SQUAWKING CONTINUES ]
HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
AS GOOD AS HE MAY HAVE LOOKED, THERE WAS NOTHING TO HIM,
MAYBE A TEASPOON OF MEAT AND A FEW CRUNCHY LITTLE BONES.
I WOULD NEED AT LEAST EIGHT OF THOSE
TO MAKE A MEAL WORTH EATING,
AND BY THEN, I WOULD'VE BURNED OFF
TWICE AS MANY CALORIES AS I WOULD'VE GAINED,
AND THAT'S NOT SMART SURVIVAL HUNTING,
NOT WHEN HUNDREDS OF TURTLES ARE AN EASY PICKUP
AS SOON AS MY BODY TELLS ME I NEED MORE FOOD.
WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO ME RIGHT NOW IS WATER.
DEHYDRATION WILL SHUT ME DOWN QUICK IF I DON'T KEEP DRINKING.
THAT'S FOUL-TASTING STUFF.
BUT AT LEAST I KNOW IT'S CLEAN.
IT'S THE ONLY WAY I CAN STAY HYDRATED,
OTHERWISE I'M DEHYDRATING PRETTY QUICK.
I'M GONNA CREATE AN IMPRESSION IN THE SAND
AND LINE IT WITH SOME PLASTIC.
IF IT RAINS TONIGHT, HOPEFULLY GET MORE RAINWATER I CAN DRINK.
[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]
ONE SMALL TRICK IS TO NOT EAT TOO MUCH.
THE MORE FOOD I EAT, THE MORE WATER I NEED FOR DIGESTION,
AND THIS IS NOT A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY,
JUST ONE STAGNANT POOL OF RAINWATER
FILLED WITH FECES AND DEAD BIRDS.
I'VE GOT THIS CRAB HERE.
I CAN EAT HIM, BUT I WANT HIM FOR BAIT.
THAT'S LOOKING LIKE FISH BAIT TO ME.
GOT ONE! GOT ONE! GOT ONE!
COME ON. I HAD YOU -- YEAH. OH, YEAH.
HOLY CRAP!
IT'S A BIG ONE. COME ON, BABY.
STAY ON THE LINE. [BLEEP]
COME ON.
WHOO-HOO-HOO!
YEAH! HA-HA!
[ LAUGHS ]
WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO! YEAH!
I HAD A GOOD FEELING ABOUT THAT ALL ALONG.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
LOOK AT THAT BABY!
THAT'S DINNER!
OH, YEAH. I'M GETTING REPAID.
THE GODS ARE REPAYING ME FOR LETTING THAT LITTLE CHICK GO.
[ LAUGHS ]
I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
THAT WAS FREAKY, BEING IN THE WATER
AND HAVING HIM ON THE LINE.
HE FOUGHT WELL.
[ LAUGHS ]
OH, YEAH.
YEAH, BABY. YOU ARE DINNER.
YES, INDEED.
WITH SUCH LITTLE WATER TO DRINK,
I'LL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL I DON'T EAT TOO MUCH.
BUT THIS KIND OF A MEAL
IS AN INCREDIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST,
AND I'M NOT GOING TO FOREGO IT.
SEARCHING FOR FIREWOOD ON THE SHORE
REVEALS MORE THAN I REALLY WANT TO SEE,
AS IT DOES ON EVERY OCEAN SHORELINE AROUND THIS PLANET.
OH, I FIGURE THIS IS JUST REALLY, REALLY GOOD KARMA.
LET THE LITTLE GUY GO AND REWARDED WITH A FISH DINNER.
MMM!
OH, I CAN GUARANTEE
THIS TASTES A LOT BETTER THAN THAT LITTLE BIRD.
A LOT OF TIMES IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION,
YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHERE ALL SOURCES FOR SUSTENANCE ARE.
THE TURTLES ARE HERE ANYTIME I WANT THEM.
EASY PICKINGS.
PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS -- EASY PICKINGS.
BUT AS LONG AS I CAN CATCH FISH LIKE THIS,
I CAN LEAVE THE TURTLES WHERE THEY ARE,
I CAN LEAVE THE CHICKS WHERE THEY ARE,
AND EAT MY FISH AND MY PRICKLY PEAR
AND GET A LOT OF MY MAIN NUTRIENTS.
I'M GOING TO KEEP EATING.
TURN THE CAMERAS OFF.
I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE THAT I WILL NOT SLEEP TONIGHT
BECAUSE NOW I'M GONNA HAVE WAY TOO MUCH ENERGY
RUSHING THROUGH MY BODY, BUT IT WAS TIME TO EAT.
WOW.
THERE'S A MAJOR FISH THING GOING ON OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.
THIS HAS GOT TO BE A GOOD LITTLE BAY FOR CATCHING FISH.
[ HARMONICA PLAYING ]
[ MUSIC STOPS ]
OW!
ANTS.
WHY DOES IT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ANTS?
ACROSS THE CHANNEL FROM MY ISLAND
LAY SAFETY AND PEOPLE,
BUT THE CURRENTS HERE ARE DEADLY AND THEY TAKE LIVES,
AND SO I REMAIN ISOLATED AND ALONE WITHIN VIEW OF SALVATION,
AND THAT'S CLASSIC ISLAND SURVIVAL.
LAST NIGHT'S THE FIRST NIGHT IT HASN'T RAINED,
SO I ACTUALLY GOT A LITTLE BIT OF SLEEP.
EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND ALREADY THAT SUN --
WELL, I CAN START TO FEEL ITS HEAT.
IT'S GONNA BE INTENSE TODAY.
I CAN FEEL THAT COMING.
BEFORE THAT HAPPENS, I'M GONNA GET OUT
AND EXPLORE ALONG THE OUTER ZONE OUT THERE
JUST TO SEE WHAT ELSE I CAN FIND.
BOY, UNDER THE TROPICAL SUN,
IT'S NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE
WHEN HEATSTROKE COULD MEAN YOUR LIFE.
[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]
WELL, THEY CERTAINLY DON'T MAKE IT DIFFICULT.
THIS FELLA'S COMING WALKING RIGHT INTO CAMP.
THAT'S A BIG TURTLE.
ANYWAY, TOO BIG FOR MY NEEDS.
I CAN GET A SMALLER ONE THAT'LL BE JUST FINE.
WITH ABUNDANCE LIKE THIS,
I CAN AFFORD THE TIME AND CALORIES TO SEARCH FOR EGGS.
I'VE HAD BAD LUCK EATING TURTLES,
HAVING SUFFERED THROUGH SOME PRETTY HORRIBLE PARASITES.
AND THOUGH THESE ONES MAY BE JUST FINE AND WITHOUT ISSUE,
THEY'RE STILL ON MY "EASY LAST RESORT" LIST.
THE TURTLES AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE FAST, IN ANY EVENT.
AS SOON AS THEY START SWOOPING DOWN AT MY HEAD,
I FIGURE I MUST BE GETTING CLOSE TO SOMETHING.
SO IT'S BACK TO THE EGG HUNT.
[ GRUNTS ]
OW!
OH, THAT HURT!
CACTUS AND SHORTS DON'T GO TOGETHER.
OUCH.
HEY! HEY, HEY, THERE WE GO.
[ LAUGHS ]
AWESOME. CHECK THIS OUT.
[ LES GRUNTS ]
TWO EGGS.
SOUNDS SOLID.
WELL, I THINK WHAT I'LL DO IS
I'LL DO THE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THING
AND I'LL LEAVE ONE EGG BEHIND.
I KNOW WHERE IT IS.
AND I'LL GO EAT THIS ONE.
THAT'S A NICE-SIZED EGG.
[ SEAGULLS SQUAWKING ]
ONCE AGAIN, IT'S THE PROACTIVE SURVIVAL
THAT HAS SERVED ME WELL.
IF I DON'T LOOK AROUND
AND I JUST SIT AND WAIT TO BE RESCUED,
I CAN WHITHER AWAY AND DIE.
BUT SPENDING THE TIME EXPLORING HAS BROUGHT ME FISH,
WATER, CACTUS, TURTLES, AND BEST OF ALL, AN EGG MEAL.
THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS A BIT FAR ALONG.
WELL, THAT LOOKS AND KIND OF SMELLS DISGUSTING, ACTUALLY.
MM.
THERE'S THE CHICK.
WELL, THE CRAZY THING IS...
IT'S ALL EDIBLE.
I'VE NEVER EATEN AN EGG THIS FAR GONE BEFORE.
LET'S START WITH THE EGG WHITES, SHALL WE?
OH, THAT'S ACTUALLY GOOD.
WOW. ALL RIGHT.
NOW LET'S TRY THE CHICK.
IT'S NOT BAD. [ CHUCKLES ]
THIS IS GOING DOWN A LOT BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO.
I'M GONNA ADD IN THE SHELL.
THERE'S CALCIUM IN THE SHELL.
WELL, THERE'S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM.
ONCE AGAIN, IN A STRANGE TWIST OF HOW SURVIVAL WORKS,
I'VE HAD THE BOOST OF EATING AN EGG,
BUT I'VE MADE MY NEED FOR WATER MUCH STRONGER
BY PUTTING FOOD IN MY STOMACH.
WELL, THAT'LL HELP, ANYWAY.
ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO TO CATCH SOME RAIN,
IF IT DOES RAIN TONIGHT,
BEATS GOING OVER AND DRINKING OUT OF THE SLUDGE PUDDLE.
THREE, FOUR INCHES OF WATER AND I'VE GOT A GOOD, COOL DRINK.
JUST TO BE SAFE,
I'M GONNA MAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A RAIN SHELTER HERE.
IN CASE IT DOES COME ON TO RAIN TONIGHT,
I DON'T HAVE TO GO RUNNING TO THE OTHER LOCATION
THROUGH THE CACTUS IN THE DARK.
THIS IS THE RAINY SEASON,
AND I HAVE TO REMAIN VIGILANT
AT PROTECTING MYSELF FROM THE ELEMENTS.
IT'S NOT WATERTIGHT BY ANY STRETCH.
IT'LL HELP TO SHED MOST OF THE RAIN.
I'LL TUCK IN HERE WITH MY RAINCOAT ON
IN CASE I GET ANY MORE DOWNPOURS
LIKE I DID THE FIRST COUPLE NIGHTS.
IT'S ALWAYS VERY HUMBLING WHEN YOU DO WELL IN SURVIVAL.
[ BIRDS SQUAWKING ]
...JUST ABOUT ANYTHING COULD GO WRONG IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION
AND USUALLY DOES.
I'M ALWAYS ASKED, "WHAT'S THE TOUGHEST PLACE TO SURVIVE?"
AND THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS THE SAME.
IT COMES DOWN TO TEMPERATURE.
GIVE ME HEAT OR MODERATE TEMPERATURES AND I'LL GET BY.
DROP IT BELOW FREEZING,
AND SURVIVAL BECOMES QUITE THE STRUGGLE.
TV HAS MADE SURVIVAL LOOK LIKE A RECREATION,
AND ME BEING IN THIS LOCATION
MAY ALMOST LOOK LIKE AN ADVENTURE,
BUT SURVIVAL WILL ALWAYS BE SURVIVAL,
AND BY ITS VERY NATURE,
IT'S A DIFFICULT AND A MISERABLE UNDERTAKING,
NOT TO BE WISHED ON ANYONE.
WELL, THAT SURE PAID OFF WELL.
UNBELIEVABLE. WORKS PERFECT.
OH, YEAH.
A LITTLE TINY THING LIKE THIS, A LITTLE IDEA,
AND I GET MYSELF A DRINK OF RAINWATER.
THIS ISLAND MIGHT NOT HAVE ANY PALM TREES,
NO COCONUTS, NO FRESH RUNNING WATER,
BUT IT HAS EGGS AND TURTLES,
PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS BY THE TON THAT I CAN EAT AND LIVE OFF OF,
AND GOOD FISHING.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA GET IN SURVIVAL.
YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DEAL WITH IT
'CAUSE SURVIVAL IS DOING WHAT YOU HAVE TO...
OR PERISHING.
TROPICAL-ISLAND SURVIVAL
OFTEN EXISTS IN PEOPLE'S MINDS AS A CLICHé,
YET IT'S THE REFERENCE POINT FOR US ALL
WHEN WE THINK OF BEING MAROONED,
AND THERE ARE PLACES WHERE THE COCONUTS FALL IN PERFUSION
AND FRESH WATER COMES CASCADING DOWN ROCK FACES
INTO AQUAMARINE POOLS.
BUT HERE, CACTUS REPLACED THE COCONUT,
AND THE FLOWING FRESH WATER IS ACTUALLY A STAGNANT POOL.
YET GRENADA STANDS
AS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF PURE NATURE,
AND ITS ISLANDS ARE UNIQUELY VIBRANT
AND RICH IN BIODIVERSITY.
SO WHY IS IT I ALWAYS SEEK OUT THE MOST DIFFICULT WAY
TO ENJOY SUCH POWERFULLY BEAUTIFUL PLACES?
SOMEDAY, I'LL HAVE TO TRY BEING A TOURIST
AND JUST TAKE PICTURES OF TURTLES
RATHER THAN CONSIDERING THEM MY LUNCH IN THE NAME OF SURVIVAL.