Les must survive on a raft in the middle of the ocean near Belize for several days in temperatures of 102 °F (39 °C), then washes ashore on an uninhabited island. Created by Les Stroud Starring Les Stroud
Totally. I didn't fully appreciate what he was doing until now. I am a videographer now, and the pressure of getting all the footage he needed to produce a broadcast television show by himself with only packed equipment is mind boggling. I can't imagine balancing that while surviving in such extreme circumstances.
Goes to show how truly fucked you are if this was real, tbh. They knew when and where he was at the inflation of the raft and they still could have genuinely lost him, without knowing those things, who's to say if he would be found at all. 😬
I lost my dad when I was young and some of my most fond memories are of the two of us sitting on the couch watching survivorman, it’s so nostalgic and makes me so happy that these are all on RU-vid now
My great uncle John and I sit on the couch watch this show when I was younger I couple years ago my great uncle John passed away and so did my other 2 great uncles there names where Mike and Mark
Yo Les was ahead of his time by not doing the filler scenes before and after commercial breaks “coming up next!” “Before the break...” when you watch older shows on streaming services without commercials it’s painfully obvious, but Les didn’t do that 15 years ago. Ahead of his time man. Cool episode thanks for upload!
@@codefeenix Yes, but he had creative control over the whole show. He's talked about having to fight with the networks to not have to do those filler scenes.
That's a great observation and i'm finding it really refreshing, i remember many US shows being frankly unwatchable, despite interesting subject matter for a kid/teen as i was. Like for example Mythbusters, that was disgraceful about 15mins of actual content per 45 min show.
@@Perkustin I find that Mythbusters' early seasons (1-4) were pretty good. They were less structured, showed more of the build processes, and the scenes that introduced the myths were much less scripted. Season 5 is when it became difficult for me to watch without skipping through the scripted stuff.
i think it shows how good your character is that you showed the footage of you needing to get out of the storm and didnt edit it out, honesty goes a long way. Thank you
@@mrstupiduniverse731c Pretty sure that Les stayed in the raft overnight, as he made the disclaimer that he did hop into the boat as they took him out from the bay so they could release him again. Although no mention of the ham sandwich, fruit and gallon of water that he had on the boat ride! ;) I'm positive that he didn't - but that must have been REALLY tempting!
Ruined it for me and made me lose alt of respect, so yeah glad he admitted he’s got a little grylls in him too. But hurts the show because let’s be honest, it’s an option during every episode. One phone call away. The real survivors are the people waiting on his every beckoning call.
Had not seen this one since it aired. You gotta hand it to Les, figuring out how to make the ocean, the sky and a raft interesting for :35 isn’t easy. There’s a book about a guy whose sailboat was destroyed in a storm and he drifted 2.5 months from the Azores to S. America. The following things contributed tremendously to his survival: 1. He spent the extra money and purchased a 6 person raft 2. Being the experienced, adventurous type he crafted a far better survival duffel than what the raft contained. His kit included canned water and a fishing spear. 3. Following the “two is one & one is none” rule of survival he packed additional solar stills in the auxiliary survival kit. Without these he likely would’ve died of dehydration. 4. As his boat sank he kept his mind focused and repeatedly transferred canned goods, fruits & vegetables from his half submerged galley to the life raft. 5. He possessed celestial navigation skills 6. He knew marine life & what to eat and how to catch it 7. If there’s a theme to his story it is that he accepted his predicament as his new lifestyle. That is how he survived 70+ days adrift in the South Atlantic. He made the raft his “new home” Knowledge + preparation = survival
Well, it has a roof, a rain catch, and supplies. All things considered, it's not horrible. And as terrible as it sounds, the bailing gives him something to focus on
I remember first finding this show when I was in 5th grade and being obsessed with it. I’m 24 now and rewatching this series has been a real treat of nostalgia
This is the most scary, gnarly Survivorman episode. I was actually kind of scared for Les here. Big respect Les- this was a big risk to take for a TV show.
@@pesky-media not a film crew but the guy's trying to provide entertainment and give some useful and interesting information, not actually almost die all the time or put himself in very serious, life-threatening situations without any backup plans. That would be suicide. If you're stranded in the wilderness you'll probably die, he's hopefully giving some tips to help turn the odds in your favor (though you'll still probably die).
It's actually disheartening to see how unreliable these emergency rafts are. You would think they would be supplied better... Also, the leaks constantly interrupting sleep to have to fix would be draining on your mental state. Les had a best case scenario kind of situation. I can't imagine how rough it would be for somebody who ended up stranded with no way of contacting for help. Could you imagine seeing a helicopter in the distance, preparing a flare, and the heartbreak you would have when you discover that the flare was ruined by the water?
Yeah, it must be impossible to make the raft lightweight but also leak-proof because that should be the first thing they design into it. And of course the supplies must be as waterproof as they could manage.
Thought the same, like they can't design a better raft and not even have the sense to put a sealed bag around the emergency supplies, who designs those things are they made in China...
That’s the Real problem. Nobody manufactures these “Survival” anything’s to save anyone. It’s only meant to keep you alive until you’re found… or until you run out of supplies. The. It’s just a Beacon to find your lifeless, sunburned body.
Out of all his episodes, this one had to absolutely be the most 100% dangerous one. I would've never volunteered for this, and just the fact that his raft never sink from the sheer weight of Les Strout's titanium balls. The fact he never bothered to check and make sure his dingy was 100% good(except the 1st one) water leak/ air leak proof, and yet *STILL* had such *massively sized titanium balls* to use a leaky, regularly needing water bailing, and air pumping to keep it afloat and he STILL decided to do it. Man is absolutely a living legend. And I would absolutely bow to him in real life.
This episode always hit me harder than the others. There's something comforting in knowing that, even when lost, you can choose which direction to travel. Out there, on the ocean? You have little if any control. This is less of a simulation of a survival situation, and more a willing, real survival scenario. This could have gone so much worse than many of the land-based episodes. Phenominal stuff Les. You've been an inspiration since I was a child, and I can't wait to teach my little one everything you've shown me
Add in the horror that in a real emergency he wouldn't have survived the first day after finding that the raft packed in the yacht was defective and past its due date. What a message right in the opening scene that you are putting your life in the hands of this safety equipment; so it is in your best interest to maintain it properly.
I love the one where he pretends to be a plane crash and doesn't use his arm for a day or two. The next day rolls around and he basically says "well if this were the real thing I'd have died so I'm going to use my arm now."
not all life rafts are crappy but most people just assume they'll never need it I know a ton of sailors who cut corners and get the cheapest gear possible cuz of their 20 odd years of sailing and nothing's ever gone wrong🙄
For anyone interested in survival stories in a life raft, if you haven't read it the book by Steven Callahan called _Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea_ is an amazing, harrowing, read. It's the true life story of the author's time spent in a life raft as he drifted for over 2 and a half grueling months in a leaky raft like the one Les was in. After his sailboat was rammed by something in the middle of the night on his way to England from the US, he drifted from the Atlantic all the way down to Africa, then across the Atlantic again to South America, and then up to Florida where he was finally found. I couldn't put the book down.
Les is badass. What I admire about him is that he’s ACTUALLY surviving alone and does all the filming. Other shows like Man vs Wild and Dual Survival, while they are surviving in the wilderness, they have camera crews and medics and people all around them for safety. Les is just by himself. What a beast.
He's sort of by himself. Don't get me wrong he's a beast and all but to say he's really out there alone isn't exactly true either, he has to get some comfort from knowing he is a radio call away from help fairly close by and ready to respond to him specifically.
@mikewhitman745 by law he has to for insurance reasons, otherwise he would never have been able to make the show. But he is as close as being alone and in a situation that is potentially very dangerous. Bear Grylls and others? Not really. And that's disappointing
He's obviously still in tons of danger, anything can happen out there, imagine if a rogue wave came out of nowhere and flipped him over into the sea, causing him to lose the radio. He would be thrust into an actual survival situation instantly.
Captain William Bligh of HMS Bounty, sailed over 2,000 miles (!!!) in an open boat with loyal crewmen, after being set adrift by the mutineers. Bligh and his men eventually managed to reach Batavia in the Dutch East Indies, an accomplishment that is still considered to have been one of the greatest in maritime history.
They found an island off the coast of Australia (now called Restoration Island) that supplied them with food and water. They could see the mainland from the island, but were afraid they'd be attacked by Aboriginals so they kept sailing for Batavia. Remarkable story. Bligh went on to become Governor of NSW, and was the victim of a second mutiny (the Rum Corps Rebellion) years later
It’s incredible how accurate his instincts are. At one point the shadow boat describes how he went in circles during the night, and the next morning Les says the same thing but based on the movement of the wind.
This man was hauling around camera gear in the early 2000s before smartphones. He’s the OG. Love you Les. Sorry for pirating your your shows to take underway when I was in the US Navy. I would lay down in my rack at night and watch you to get some nature and an escape from the grey bulkheads. God Bless.
What I like about Les Stroud is that he's not like other guys who do extremely hectic survival shows, trying to be superhuman, badasses. Les just chill and try to be calm and do things right. I am 25 years old and i am rewatching those survival shows that i watched as a child, so much nostalgia.
All you guys complaining about ads: it’s free. Get over it. All you guys complaining about him utilizing his safety crew when it gets super dangerous: would you... would you rather him die on camera or get actually lost at sea???????????????
@@ElfHostage I mean, he was in legitimate danger in other episodes, where he didn't have his crew. They were for short enough times that there wasn't much chance of starvation, but if he got injured he'd be in serious trouble.
@@ElfHostage He was in situations where he could get hurt a bunch of times, but they wanted to reduce the risk as much as possible. Capsizing overnight in a storm was unnecessary risk, but like he showed when he couldn't contact the boat, he's definitely in risky situations. In the desert episode he definitely was borderline heatstroke which is extremely dangerous.
@@imnotgivingmynametoamachine683 I believe there was also an episode somewhere in Canada where he had to be extracted due to flooding. He could've been trapped for months.
I remember in one episode in the jungle he came face to face with a Jaguar, and recorded himself fleeing to a nearby village. He's been in some really dangerous situations. Legend.
When you see the price of those survival raft and what they actually are, it is just shocking to get issue like water amd air leaks in a product that is supposed to save your life...
Survivorman was the first (maybe only, come to think about it) series I ever purchased on dvd, and remains one of my favorite series' of all time. Love your work Les, thanks for releasing these on the tube!
I love that you are honest about jumping on the boat briefly and being tethered for your safety. I've always loved your honesty! I watch every one of the series you've put out over and over again! I'm your biggest fan! Thanks again for all you've taught us!
I love this community its honestly so uplifting watching these episodes with all the unrest going on in the world its comforting sitting here and being able to reflect with les
Hey Les, Just want you to know that you are probably the #1 influence on a generation of Canadian kids who are now more interested than ever in survival. Thank you so much for this amazing content. You're a real hero.
I've seen every episode of survivorman and this is by far my favorite. This is a lot of people's worst nightmare and the fact he did it with a failing raft is nuts.
Hey Les. I hope this comment finds you well. I have been watching your shows for quite a bit of time. 10+ years I would assume. (I'd have to really think back.) Either way, I'd like to thank you for the countless hours of entertainment you have provided, some knowledge, and the passion to get "lost". I have gone from building forts in my back yard, to taking trips across the country. Whether it be in car, motorcycle, RV, Cycling, boating, or the "hobo" way. I have taken these trips with great confidence due to your show and sense of adventure. I'd like to throw some appreciation towards you for giving me some of that "adventurous spirit" I have gained over the years, and give you a digital high-five! I do wish you prosperous ventures and a happy journey. Take care and be safe.
I love les, he is the true survivor of our world, I didn’t even think about this till now but we only see the parts where he makes a fire, catches some food, makes a shelter etc in reality there’s still hours and hours and hours in a day where he is just stuck, that’s got to be rough, especially in this scenario. What a legend! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Man! To me, this scenario is the scariest! (Sharks!!😳) Oh yeah, and dehydration, starvation, heat stroke, the raft getting punctured, no possibilty of a comforting fire, being turned over in a wave,🌊 getting lost, etc...😬..
I don't know how, but I missed this episode. Until now, the Norway one freaked me out the most. This one was on a different level. I can't think of many things scarier than being lost at sea. Absolutely mental.
I had this in my cable DVR and over the years have literally watched it hundreds of times....I DVR'd all Les' shows but for some reason this one on the raft was my "go-to", something about watching someone go through that stranded on a life raft in the middle of the ocean, a rarely documented ordeal....fascinating as always, the original....often duplicated but never as good as Les!
I can't imagine being adrift on the ocean,I would probably die of fright the first day..All that water..OMG..I would go crazy..Les,you are one brave dude.
Sometimes I wish I could go back to this time in my life where shit was so much more simple and I didn't have the worries and stress I have now. Les, you ease my stress and anxiety just by making these shows. I hope you never stop this as long as you're alive.
@@Kurathis552 You may have worry and stress at times, but deal with it, and get rid of it. I don't know anybody who currently has worry and stress, so it it possible.
This is a great episode. Thanks for posting these on RU-vid, it brings back many memories from my youth. I hope someone found the message in the bottle.
I remember watching you in highschool back in like 2007-2008. I was at a boarding school, and everyone in the dorm had to watch on one TV. This show was the SHIT! I remember when Man vs Wild came out, and immediately, like 60 guys said "fuck this, this shit is fake, WHERES MY BOY LES!". I'm glad to find your content on youtube. I hate that media values fake survival over real.
I miss this show on Saturday morning while I have coffee. It was awesome. Real survival no played out stuff or fake scenes. You were always real with it. Great show. I really miss them.
You inspire me Les. Both in your skills and technical knowledge, but even more so in your integrity and commitment to truth in your work. I remember watching Survivorman back in high school and it was clear how real and honest you were. I've gotten into many 'Survivorman vs. Bear Grylls' arguments over the years and always have, and always will, unyieldingly defend your work as the genuine article. I admire your honesty and try to exercise the highest level of humility in my own life, but I honestly don't know if I could ever reach your level. You're enlightened, man. Much respect. Thank you for sharing your work with the world.
