SURVIVAL CHALLENGE: 3 Days Escaping Volcano Island

Back 2 Basics Adventures takes us on their most epic survival challenge yet: stranded for three days on Volcano Island. Host and adventurer Mike warns viewers at the start of this YouTube video episode, ‘We’re gonna find out pretty quickly how well we can survive.’ Mike lands offshore and swims to shore carrying a drone and essential gear, setting up the challenge as he’s left without food, water, shelter or signal device for any potential rescuers.

Sailing Towards Survival

Mike is sailing towards an island with a volatile past, as evidenced by its volcanic nature and stories of shipwrecks in the remote T Straits area. The intention behind this challenge mirrors those of history’s survival stories like the 2004 family tragedy where three siblings survived six days on a small rock, only to be saved by a passing vessel.

Escaping Volcano Island

To start the survival challenge, Mike has been dropped offshore near an active volcano. This island is treacherous; it’s surrounded by rough waves, filled with crocodiles and other wild predators like sharks. His goal? To survive for three days.

Day One

Day one sees Mike battling not only the elements but also the dense vegetation covering the volcanic terrain. After a challenging climb, he arrives at what looks like an incredible view but has no obvious way down into the bay which would provide him with food and hydration. The first night is spent with Mike frantically trying to start a fire for cooking while contending with his own doubts about his survival skills.

Day Two

As the sun rises on day two, Mike wakes to the stark reality of needing food and water. After a failed attempt at catching fish using shellfish as bait, he builds an ingenious shelter using local materials to shield himself from the wind and sand.

Relying on Resources

The survival challenge proves that having skills in foraging and creating shelters is crucial when stranded. Mike makes do with what he can find around him – coconuts for hydration, Beach almonds for breakfast, and a variety of seafood sourced both deliberately and opportunistically. Although exhausting at times, Mike perseveres.

Day Three

On day three, Mike manages to catch a crab with his spear – an important step in providing himself some nourishment. He’s cautious about moving too quickly or looking like prey.

Rescue on the Horizon

In the end, Mike does manage to get a signal out and his vessel rescuer arrives just as he was reaching a critical state. As one would expect from this type of adventure story, it wasn’t without its challenges and moments of self-doubt, but Mike’s survival skills were truly tested and proven in this extraordinary situation.

Learnings from the Volcano Island Challenge

The ultimate takeaway from this challenge is understanding that humans are incredibly adaptable and resourceful creatures when faced with adversity. Whether you find yourself on an isolated island, shipwrecked near an active volcano or dealing with a challenging life situation – survival often comes down to leveraging what’s available to you and maintaining hope.

Mike’s experience provides inspiration for all who view it. As we are confronted with the unexpected, whether due to our adventures in remote locations or the unpredictable nature of life itself, perhaps remembering these key survival skills could make all the difference. This incredible story leaves viewers wondering about their own abilities and how they might fare if faced with such challenges.