Real Survival Stories

A Canadian Air Force search & rescue team is dispatched to save a fisherman in a critical condition. But as the weather closes in over the icy Labrador Sea, Scott McCoy and his companions will find themselves in dire straits. When their helicopter meets the fierce cold of the water, the men will be faced with a series of threats: drowning, hypothermia, death by exhaustion. Will the rescuers be rescued in time?   A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins.   Written by Heléna Lewis | Produced by Ed Baranski | Assistant Producer: Luke Lonergan | Exec produced by Joel Duddell | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Matt Peaty | Assembly edit by Rob Plummer | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Ralph Tittley.   For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions   If you have an amazing survival story of your own that you’d like to put forward for the show, let us know. Drop us an email at support@noiser.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into a festive preview featuring chilling tales by Charles Dickens, narrated by the beloved Sir David Suchet. Encounter a lonely signalman’s dark premonitions and a chaotic Victorian murder trial interrupted by a ghostly presence. Discover a sinister hotel haunted by identical spirits. The highlight? A heartwarming reading of A Christmas Carol, where we meet the miserly Scrooge and witness his transformative journey through haunting apparitions. This mix of ghostly chills and festive spirit sets the stage for captivating stories ahead!

Colin Dowler, a passionate outdoor enthusiast, shares his harrowing story of survival after a grizzly bear attack in British Columbia. He recounts the tense moments leading up to the confrontation, including losing his pepper spray and the initial encounter with the massive bear. Colin describes the agonizing battle for his life, employing quick thinking and sheer willpower to fend off the predator. He reflects on his incredible recovery journey and how the near-fatal experience reshaped his approach to adventure and resilience.

Tom Booth, a 28-year-old cruise director and skilled diver, shares his harrowing tale of survival during a 2015 typhoon in Chuuk Lagoon. He vividly recounts the chaotic moments as the storm hit, revealing how he led his crew amidst chaos when the captain was incapacitated. With quick thinking, he cut the sea anchor to save the yacht, all while dealing with electric shocks and the panic of crew washed overboard. Finally, Tom reflects on the aftermath, which propelled him into a career in marine salvage and transformed his outlook on safety.

Rod Liberal, an experienced rock climber and lightning strike survivor, recounts his harrowing experience on Grand Teton in 2003. He shares the treacherous ascent, facing worsening weather, and a life-altering lightning strike that left him dangling over a deadly drop. Rod's emotional journey continues as he discusses the painful aftermath, grappling with survivor guilt after losing a friend. His incredible recovery inspires hope, and he reflects on the bravery of his rescuers and the emotional complexities of returning to the mountain.

Tom Wilson, a former area manager and floatplane crash survivor, shares his harrowing tale of survival after a 2008 crash in British Columbia. He discusses experiencing a premonition before the flight and his struggle to escape the burning wreckage while trapped. After fleeing, he faces the agony of severe burns and the loss of his colleagues. Tom recounts the emotional turmoil during his rescue attempts and the profound transformation he underwent during recovery. Now a public speaker, he emphasizes the importance of gratitude and finding meaning in life's challenges.

We return to Matt Scott and his terrifying escapade in South America. The young British backpacker was recently kidnapped by armed men. But he’s just made a break for it - over a precipitous ridge deep in the rainforest. Will he make it down in one piece? Will the soldiers lay chase? How can he hope to make it out of the jungle alive? A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins.   Written by Joe Viner | Produced by Ed Baranski | Assistant Producer: Luke Lonergan | Exec produced by Joel Duddell | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Matt Peaty | Assembly edit by Rob Plummer | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Ralph Tittley.   For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions   If you have an amazing survival story of your own that you’d like to put forward for the show, let us know. Drop us an email at support@noiser.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A British backpacker nears the end of his gap year in South America. Before flying home, Matt Scott signs up for a guided trek into the mountains of northern Colombia. But within days, the trip will take a sinister turn. As he and his fellow tourists are taken hostage at gunpoint, Matt will be left to wonder: who are these men? And what do they want? Should he do as they command? Or take his chances against the jungle, and run?…   A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins.   Written by Joe Viner | Produced by Ed Baranski | Assistant Producer: Luke Lonergan | Exec produced by Joel Duddell | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Matt Peaty | Assembly edit by Rob Plummer | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Ralph Tittley.   For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions   If you have an amazing survival story of your own that you’d like to put forward for the show, let us know. Drop us an email at support@noiser.com   Our sister podcast Short History Of… has a new book! Pre-order your copy of A Short History of Ancient Rome now at noiser.com/books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A 16-year-old battles through a terrifying human tragedy. Gillian Lashbrooke is on her way home from a family trip to Belgium. But when a critical error leads to the ferry taking on water, a routine crossing turns into a nightmare for the 450 people on board. Suddenly alone in the North Sea, Gillian will have to summon a resilience, courage and composure far beyond her years…   A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins.   Written by Joe Viner | Produced by Ed Baranski | Assistant Producer: Luke Lonergan | Exec produced by Joel Duddell | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Matt Peaty | Assembly edit by Rob Plummer | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Ralph Tittley.   For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions   If you have an amazing survival story of your own that you’d like to put forward for the show, let us know. Drop us an email at support@noiser.com   Our sister podcast Short History Of… has a new book! Order your copy of A Short History of Ancient Rome now at noiser.com/books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A young man seeks fulfilment in the majesty of the great outdoors. But one day, all alone in the Rockies, Ryan Montoya gets into serious trouble. Near the summit of a formidable peak, one wrong move sees him slip and tumble down the mountain. From this dizzying height, how long will it be before he grinds to a halt? And how can he possibly survive such a punishing fall? A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins.   Written by Edward White | Produced by Ed Baranski | Assistant Producer: Luke Lonergan | Exec produced by Joel Duddell | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design by Matt Peaty | Assembly edit by Rob Plummer | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Ralph Tittley.   For ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions   If you have an amazing survival story of your own that you’d like to put forward for the show, let us know. Drop us an email at support@noiser.com   Our sister podcast Short History Of… has a new book! Pre-order your copy of A Short History of Ancient Rome now at noiser.com/books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices