Real Survival Stories

Tim Benford, former RAF supply officer and older brother who survived the 1972 hovercraft capsizing. Andy Benford, ex-naval trainee who used dunker training to survive. They describe boarding the SRN-6, weather worsening, violent impacts and the craft flipping. Hear escaping through windows, reuniting on an upturned hull, rescues and the aftermath that changed hovercraft rules.

George Burke, a US Air Force captain and Vietnam War veteran, shares his harrowing survival story following a mid-flight structural failure in 1970. He vividly recounts the moment he spotted a spider crack in the window before chaos erupted with explosive decompression. From the wreck's destruction to his miraculous rescue by a rancher, George discusses the physical and emotional scars he endured. He reflects on coping with survivor guilt, PTSD, and his journey as an author and speaker, highlighting the delicate balance of chance and fate in survival.

In this gripping discussion, journalist and author Sandra Younger shares her incredible survival story from the 2003 Cedar/Seed of Fire wildfire. She describes the chaos of evacuating her home as flames approach, aided by a mysterious bobcat that guides her through smoke. Sandra touches on the ecological factors behind the fire's ferocity and reflects on the emotional toll of loss. She also reveals her journey of rebuilding and how she now empowers others with her coaching, encouraging them to 'follow their bobcat' in times of adversity.

An idealistic teenager gets the chance to fulfil his long-held dream of living off-grid for an entire year. But when David Scott and his friend arrive deep in the wilderness of Manitoba, a nightmare scenario unfolds. Unable to locate their cabin - the only shelter for 120 miles - they are totally exposed. With civilisation unreachable, their only hope is to venture deeper into the woods and find the elusive cabin before it’s too late…   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 more on this story check out David's book, Paradise Creek: A True Story of Adventure and Survival. 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

This week, another epic story from the Real Survival Stories archive. We’ll be back as normal, every week, after a short break.   A festive family outing takes one wrong turn… literally. In 2016, the Kleins drive out towards the Grand Canyon. But in the height of winter, just before Christmas, the snowy roads are deserted and the route is unclear. A small slice of misfortune sends their vacation into a tailspin. As mother Karen heads off alone to find help, she has no idea how close she’ll come to never seeing her family again…   A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins. Written by Joe Viner.   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

Join experienced seafarer Pete Goss as he relives a thrilling Christmas Day rescue during the Vendée Globe. Facing the worst storm of his life, Pete receives a mayday call from fellow skipper Rafael Dinelli, who is sinking 160 miles away. With treacherous conditions ahead, Pete discusses the seafarer’s code that compels him to turn back. The harrowing rescue unfolds as he battles the elements and brings Rafael aboard, treating his severe hypothermia. Their bond grows despite language barriers, illustrating the true spirit of camaraderie at sea.

A young New Zealander joins an intrepid crew carving mountain bike trails through the mountains and valleys of Patagonia, Chile. But with just a month left to go on the job before he returns home, a freak accident threatens Jamie Nicoll’s hopes of ever seeing his loved ones again. While drilling into a wall of rock using a jackhammer, a sudden malfunction in the machine results in a violent eruption of flames. Jamie will find himself directly in the line of fire… 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: Cody Reynolds-Shaw. 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 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.