Search and rescue workers save lives—but they pay a price to do it. From time away from family to the trauma of getting close to death, come with us as we discover the difficult truth behind the headlines.

Tim Watts took an unexpected fall when he lost consciousness during a multi-pitch climb in Yosemite. His story unfolds against the rugged walls of this iconic valley, highlighting the challenges of the remarkable efforts of those who rushed to aid him.

Climb into the heart of Rocky Mountain Rescue to uncover the rigorous training, unwavering dedication, and gripping tales from volunteers who brave Colorado's Front Range and Rockies.

David Cicotello and his brother embarked on an adventure that was meant to be a thrilling day of canyoneering. But their journey took an unexpected turn as a rappelling accident claimed David's brother's life, leaving him stranded on a narrow ledge for 6 days.

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's harrowing encounter with an elephant offers a unique perspective on the real dangers she faces.

In this episode of Out Alive, join friends Dan and Jim as a routine glissading in the Tetons swiftly turns perilous, plunging one into the concealed depths of a hidden ice cave.

She was tormented by homophobia—her own, and society’s. Then she took a fateful step at the top of a cascade in the Smokies.

During a summer of unnerving animal encounters making headlines, we dive in with bear experts Dr. Tom Smith and Wes Larson and explore this wild narrative.

In the remote expanse of the Wind River Mountains, an ultra runner's routine training turns into the ultimate test of his endurance after a devastating mishap with his trekking pole.

As temperatures worldwide continue to soar, it's time to understand the insidious danger of extreme heat.

Venture into an intense survival story in a cave so deep and treacherous that explorers must rely solely on their own wits

Unveiling the truth: Should you drink your own pee to survive? Expert Jessie Krebs separates fact from fiction, delivering insights for life-or-death decisions in the wild.

Survival, courage, and tragedy intertwine on Mount Rainier in this riveting episode of Out Alive. Join us as we recount a daring rescue, honor a fallen hero, and explore the thin line between triumph and disaster in the face of unimaginable odds.

Uncover the secrets of survival packing essentials with renowned survivalist Jessie Krebs as she shares her expert tips and strategies.

In the face of a daunting cancer diagnosis, polar explorer Eric Larsen discovered unexpected solace and strength in the lessons he had learned from polar exploring.

Lost in the Pecos Wilderness with her aid dog, Shannon Baruth faced extreme weather conditions for four nights. Together, they fought to make their way back to safety.

Watch footage of a heroic rescue with commentary from a fast-acting bystander.

In this episode of Out Alive Survival Shorts, we discuss the crucial role of signal fires in emergency situations, using a real case story to highlight important dos and don'ts. Former Air Force SERE instructor Jessie Krebs offers expert analysis and practical tips on site selection, fuel choice, smoke color, and other factors critical for survival

In this episode, you'll hear an incredible story of survival from the Editor-in-Chief of Backpacker magazine. While backcountry skiing on a glacier in British Columbia, he developed a rare brain virus that left him struggling with double vision and other neurological symptoms.

From tracking scents to navigating treacherous terrain, we'll learn about the rigorous training and specialized skills of SAR dogs and the incredible bond that forms between handler and canine.

A climber in the right place at the right time leads a daring rescue of a BASE jumper stranded high on a cliff.

When Charlie Finlayson was just 13 and alone with his dad David deep in the backcountry, his father suffered a horrific injury from a rockfall. But Charlie, despite being forced to make decisions way beyond his age and experience, never doubted that his father could survive and that he could help him. Thanks to his unwavering faith, Charlie and David pulled off the impossible.

A pair of hunters wearing camouflage become lost for six days in Alaska. Help is tantalizingly close but just out of reach, as rescuers are unable to see them.

Jeremy Evans takes us through a first-hand account of the catastrophic injuries he sustained after being mauled by a grizzly bear while deep in the Canadian backcountry.

In the second of a two-part episode, listen to a terror-filled tale on one of America's deadliest peaks.

Listen to a hair-raising account of terror and salvation on one of America's deadliest peaks.

When Svati Narula agreed to spend a season as part of a communications team at Mt. Everest basecamp she thought there would be a buffer between hers and the perils of Everest’s high slopes. But she would find there was no safe distance from the worst disaster in Mt. Everest’s history.

Peter Agricola was mountain biking near his home in Norfolk, Massachusetts when went over the handlebars on a downhill and landed chest-first on a downed log.  

When a rafter was stung by a scorpion, she assumed she’d be fine. Then she lost her ability to see or speak clearly.

While snow climbing, William Toor and Mariella Colvin fell nearly 1,000 feet down a couloir in Rocky Mountain National Park.

A first-hand account of an alligator attack in Florida.

A firsthand account of a free-solo accident in the Sierra Nevada.

Cave divers Rick Stanton and Dr. Richard Harris, two of the most influential rescuers from the Thai Cave Rescue, disclose how their pursuit of an unusual and dangerous hobby made them some of the only people anywhere who would have a chance to save the lives of 12 boys and their coach. 

Trauma specialist and psychologist Dr. Alison Roy is confronted with helping her own family heal in the aftermath of a vicious, rabid animal attack.

Andrew Devers survived 9 days near the Pratt River Trail in Washington by drinking stream water and eating berries. But the biggest threat to his own survival and only hope turned out to be himself.

In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.

In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.

A routine flight turns into a fight for life.

After Jacob Velarde fell 50 feet while on a solo hike, he could hardly move, let alone hike out.

When a flash flood raged through Havasupai in 2008, it would change the canyon forever—and their lives.

In June of 2020, Courtney Henderson and Gavin Caruso fell more than 50 feet down a mountainside. They were trapped, bleeding, and a storm was raging overhead. But help was on the way.

Matt Dyer thought he would be lucky to see a polar bear on his trip to Canada's Torngat Mountains National Park. As it turned out, he did see one—from closer than he ever expected.

Ultrarunner Jeremy Humphrey could move effortlessly through the mountains. But when a hiker went missing in his home range, he decided to put his skills to a higher use.

Check out Louisa Albanese's author page.

Check out Louisa Albanese and Zoe Gates's author page.

The thru-hiking community knew that "Sovereign" was bad news. Why wasn't anyone able to stop him?

An unexpected rescue leads to many unanswered questions in the latest episode of Out Alive.

Falling rock leaves a hiker injured and trapped miles from help in the latest episode of Out Alive.

Four climbers struggle to survive as they face life-threatening conditions in the alpine.

After a fall while climbing a remote Alaskan peak, Malcolm Daly found himself gravely injured and miles from help.

A misstep in Zion traps a hiker in the mud in the season 2 premiere of Out Alive.

Are we wired to get out of dangerous situations alive? We talked to the experts.

When a boulder snaps his leg on a California mountain, Gregg Hein finds himself in a fight for his life.

What if you were bitten by a venomous snake far from help? For Scott Vuncannon, an encounter with a rattler in the North Carolina backcountry was the beginning of a struggle for survival.

Your chances of being attacked by a bear are around one in two million. Todd Orr was mauled by one twice in a single day. Listen to his story in the latest episode of our podcast.

A fatal accident is the beginning of a six-day-long wilderness ordeal in the second episode of BACKPACKER's Out Alive podcast.

The wilderness is full of dangers. This podcast tells the stories of the people who survived them.