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- [00:02]
Sponsor
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- [00:25]
Narrator
It's August 15, 2014. A cold night somewhere in the middle of the vast Florist sea of Indonesia. Fierce black waves pound a fragile wooden boat. The tiny 25 meter craft bobs and bounces caught in the swell, adrift and helpless. Around 20 tourists are crammed onto its deck. People are slipping and stumbling and bumping into each other. Panicked glances are shared. Angry shouts and agitated cries slice through the darkness of the night. There is a large breach in the boat's hull and they are sinking. Water sloshes across the overcrowded deck. Jostling amongst the throng of people, shivering in just her underwear and a life jacket is 24 year old Elz Visa. It's clear to Else and everyone else on board that their situation is appalling. There is just a single lifeboat which can only hold six people. It has no paddle and no motor. More critically, there's no radio on the boat so they can't put out a mayday call. The furious frightened travelers yell at the crew who cower in a corner. Else scans the horizon. There are no distant lights, no evidence of the shoreline and no signs of any other vessel.
- [01:59]
Els Visser
Past two days we haven't like seen any other boats. Our destination is two days ahead of us so nobody really starts looking for us. And all this water is coming in. Yeah, well this is super serious situation.
- [02:16]
Narrator
At some point tonight it's almost certain they're going to have to abandon ship and enter the ocean. That presents myriad dangers. Hypothermia, dehydration and whatever may be lurking in the waters. As a trainee, Dr. Els is more than capable of keeping a cool head in an emergency. She gets herself as ready as she can, rushing to the sleeping quarters. There is a large bottle of water by her things. She forces herself to drink it all down. Next she takes a jumper and puts it on under her life jacket. And there is one more thing that she needs to take with her.
- [02:59]
Els Visser
I decided to take my money belt and then put it around my waist and then put my passport in there because I was also like kind of convinced that this will be it, you know, my life will come to an end. And I thought when people find my body then it will be good to have my passport with me so they can identify me.
- [03:20]
Narrator
Back on deck, arguments continue between the travelers and the one crew member who speaks English. But as the confrontation escalates, the irate voices are suddenly drowned out by something far louder and far more sinister. A huge heaving wave rises out of the sea and crashes into the side of the boat. It overwhelms the crowded deck, violently washing passengers and crew overboard. Else hits the wild, choppy waters and goes under.
- [03:55]
Els Visser
It really pulled me underneath the water surface and I was just underneath the water. And that was the moment that I thought, okay, well, this will be it, you know, this will now be the end of my life.
- [04:13]
Narrator
Ever wondered what you would do when disaster strikes if your life depended on your next decision, could you make the right choice? Welcome to Real Survival Stories. These are the astonishing tales of ordinary people thrown into extraordinary situations. People suddenly forced to fight for their lives. In this episode, we meet Dutch student els Visser. In 2014, as part of her training to become a doctor, Elz takes an internship at a hospital in Bali for a final adventure before she returns home. She signs up for a four day cruise around the tranquil tropical islands of the Flores Sea. But when a mixture of bad luck and bad management leads to a disaster in the ocean, Elz's final adventure could well become her final act on Earth.
- [05:06]
Els Visser
It was just an endless situation and there was no good option. I was convinced if I stayed there with the boat, I was going to die. I was also convinced that I would die.
- [05:15]
Narrator
Swimming along with her fellow shipwrecked travelers, Elves will face dark, dangerous waters, a life or death slog across a treacherous ocean and seek sanctuary on a live volcanic island. And not everyone will make it through the ordeal alive. I'm John Hopkins from Noise of this is Real Survival Stories. It's morning on August 13, 2014, on the island of Lombok, nestled in the southern stretch of the Indonesian archipelago. An excited crowd of backpackers gather on a beautiful white beach, looking out at the crystalline, shimmering blue waters of the Flores Sea. It's an international bunch. Brits, French, Germans, New Zealanders, Spanish, and among them, a solo Dutch woman named Els Visser. The tourists, sweltering in the early morning sun, laugh and swap tales about the amazing places they've already visited on their escapades. Like her new companions, Els is awaiting the arrival of a small, simple wooden boat that will be their home for the next four days. The sea breeze blows her blonde hair, which has turned even lighter after two months touring the sun kissed isles. But Els didn't come to Indonesia just to sightsee. She's in the fifth year of medical studies at Utrecht University back in the Netherlands. She's hoping to become a surgeon. And as part of her training, El's recently completed an internship at a hospital on the island of Bali.
- [07:27]
Els Visser
Every morning we went on our motorbikes to the hospital and worked a few hours in the hospital in the morning, saw different patients and then around lunchtime actually we drove back to the beaches and then we were just like enjoying the surf and the afternoon. So it was, I would say, like a really nice balance between doing some work in the hospital and then also really enjoying some holidays in Indonesia.
- [07:53]
Narrator
With a passion for medicine and helping others, becoming a doctor will be the realization of Elz's childhood ambition.
- [08:01]
Els Visser
I think already from a very young age I knew that I wanted to become a doctor and I just really like to help other people to take care of other people. I'm really fascinated in the human body. And you also like work with patients. So it's also like a really big social aspect of the job, which I loved as well.
- [08:24]
Narrator
Next week she returns to Utrecht and her studies. But she wants one last memorable trip before she gets on the flight home.
- [08:34]
Els Visser
And then I heard that around the island of Flores you could make like beautiful dives. Some other backpackers told me about this boat trip from the island Lombok to Flores. And I thought, well, that's actually just a great way to finish my backpack trip here in Indonesia.
- [08:52]
Narrator
Now, standing alongside her fellow expectant travelers, the voyage ahead certainly promises to be unforgettable. Els turns her head as a quaint white painted wooden craft slowly drifts towards them. A crew of locals stand on deck smiling and waving to their new guests. The four day cruise sounds like a bargain. $150 all in. But that does mean that the boat is pretty basic. Els and the others will sleep like sardines, side by side on a semi open deck with just their backpacks and sleeping bags. But that's a small price to pay for the fun ahead. And so the passengers clamber on board. Soon the little vessel is busy with bodies, laughter and chatter. And they're chugging through the turquoise waters, heading towards multicolored coral reefs and idyllic tropical isles. It's only now she's on board that Elz sits down and reads more about these kinds of boat trips in her guidebook.
- [09:58]
Els Visser
I was reading in the Lonely Planet and then I read, oh, like sometimes those boats they sink. And I, like, read it to some of the other backpackers, and we were kind of laughing about it. Oh, look at this. And, well, hopefully this won't happen to us.
- [10:16]
Narrator
As soon as they reach open sea, the cruise gets choppier. The tiny craft rises and falls as it speeds over the powerful current. Quickly, El's sense of enjoyment dissipates as nausea takes over.
- [10:32]
Els Visser
To be honest, I didn't really enjoy the boat trip because I was just, like, really sick. And I told myself, I just think that I'm not, like, made for those trips. Yeah, my body couldn't really handle it.
- [10:44]
Narrator
The boat continues to weave through the waves as the sun lowers in the sky. As dusk falls, the passengers all gather for their first dinner. On board, Elz appears to be the only person really suffering from seasickness and can't keep her food down. But even so, she and her compatriots are treated to a relaxed atmosphere and magnificent views of the undulating ocean, with a spectacular sunset on the horizon. But then there is a sharp bump and a strange grinding noise as the hull scrapes hard against something in the ocean. People are shaken in their seats. Some leap to their feet. Suddenly, the boat stops moving and the engine cuts off. Everybody rushes to the railings, leaning over as far as they can to peer down into the clear, unpolluted waters around the hull.
- [11:46]
Els Visser
That was really weird. We looked into the ocean and we just saw the coral, and everyone was, like, really laughing about the situation. And I didn't find it funny. I was, like, really confused.
- [12:01]
Narrator
Somehow the crew has managed to steer the boats onto a coral reef. They must wait a few hours for the tide to rise so the vessel can float free. Meanwhile, crewmen jump down into the water to inspect for damage. After just a few minutes, they climb back up and declare the hull is intact and all is well. The journey resumes. But the incident raises some serious concerns.
- [12:33]
Els Visser
I was just wondering if the captain knew how to navigate. And I found it just a bit strange that we were there in the middle of the ocean, hitting the coral. And then also at that moment, I checked out if there were live jackets on board. And that's. I guess you started maybe to have a gut feeling. Is this actually, like, a right trip? Do the crew members know where we are going, how to navigate? And at that moment, I already, like, took one of the life jackets and put it next to my bed on the sleeping deck.
- [13:08]
Narrator
Els sleeps badly, squished between sweaty bodies with the vessel tipping over the relentless waves. It's a Rough first night, but the following morning brings with it the promise of a full day of island hopping. Els is still ill, unable to eat anything other than dry crackers. But whenever the boat stops, she makes the most of being back on land. Lying in the hot sun on golden beaches. These moments are short lived and before long everyone is back on the craft for the next leg of their journey. A daunting non stop 18 hour trip across open waters to the islands of Komodo. After dinner, it gets dark and unfortunately for Els, the sea is becoming progressively rougher. The vessel speeds on regardless, bouncing over the waves. Now more passengers are getting seasick and some call for the captain to slow down. The pleas go unheeded. Else, facing a second night of discomfort and vomiting, retires unhappily to the sleeping deck. There she is, consoled by a couple of fellow travelers.
- [14:26]
Els Visser
I was laying next to two Spanish guys and they had like a boat in Spain themselves. So it was like really bumpy. And for me it was just kind of nice to lay next to them and to ask them some questions. Hey, do you think everything is okay? What do you think about the situation? Do you think it's normal or not? And it was like kind of nice to have them because they could like calm me down. And they said, well, Els, yes, we agree it's like super rough and bumpy, but don't worry too much.
- [14:58]
Narrator
For three hours, Els tries and fails to sleep as the oceanic roller coaster continues. At 11pm the boat eventually starts to slow down, offering some respite.
- [15:12]
Els Visser
It was kind of a moment of relief that we thought, oh, finally he's listening to us and we like slow down a little and we're not bouncing over the waves anymore. And then I think 30 seconds after that, the boat completely stopped. And then we didn't hear the motor anymore. And then I was like a bit, okay, what's going on here?
- [15:34]
Narrator
Slowing down is one thing, but why have they now totally stopped? A minute later, the only member of the five man crew who speaks English stumbles into their sleeping quarters.
- [15:45]
Els Visser
He said, okay, everybody awake? There's a hole in the boat, we're making water and yeah, put your life jackets on and calm down. So that was actually as the moment that it all started.
- [15:59]
Narrator
Frightened, confused passengers crowd onto the open deck. The boat suddenly feels even smaller. As they're thrown around in the darkness, Else can see nothing. No land, no other vessels. The crew huddles in a corner, talking amongst themselves. Gradually, information disseminates through the anxious tourists. There is a hole in the hull. It's in the exact spot where they hit the coral reef yesterday. There's no radio on board, so they can't call for help. The travelers immediately reach for their mobiles, turn them on and hold up the devices, desperately trying to locate a signal. It's useless. They're too far out from land.
- [16:45]
Els Visser
If at least people know that we are here, I'm like happy to wait here for a few hours. But people have no idea that we are here and we can't reach out to anybody.
- [16:55]
Narrator
There's just one six person lifeboat on board which has no motor. It cannot carry everyone. Knowing this, the crew and some passengers go down to inspect the damage to the hull. But it's no good. It can't be fixed. Water is pouring into the body of the boat and people are getting angrier, demanding answers from the crew. Surely there are emergency procedures for situations like this. But neither the captain nor any of his small team can offer any solutions. With every passing second, the boat becomes more laden with seawater. Else suddenly switches into survival mode.
- [17:41]
Els Visser
In that moment, I blocked all my emotions. And even though I realized, okay, this will be it, this will be the end of my life, I didn't feel anything about it because I was like so focused on, okay, I have to just take care of everything now of my body. I have to stay warm. I have to be really focused in the moment and everything else I blocked.
- [18:06]
Narrator
Elz returns to the sleeping quarters. If she's going to spend a night in the water, she needs to be as prepared as she can be. Rapidly, she downs a bottle of water and pulls a jumper on beneath her life jacket. She finds her passport, secures it in her waterproof money belt and straps it around her waist. Something to identify her should she not make it.
- [18:29]
Els Visser
I think that's just kind of the personality I have that I'm just able to really be able to have that hyper focus, be super concentrated. I did my PhD in surgery, being at like operations where I had to be there for eight hours and just like being super concentrated on the, on the job at that moment. So I would say maybe it's partly my personality, but then I also trained it during my medical studies to develop it and to put it into practice.
- [19:02]
Narrator
She returns to the group where the acrimony and arguments continue. It seems certain that at some point they will have to abandon the sinking vessel. Little groups start to form as people talk frantically amongst themselves, working out how to stay together and support each other.
- [19:22]
Els Visser
From that moment, I started to feel a bit lonely because everyone was traveling by couples or with more people and I was traveling by myself. So everyone was kind of like sitting next to each other and I was sitting there, okay, I'm here by myself, you know, and who's going to help me? So that was pretty difficult in a situation that I felt really lonely. But in hindsight, I think it was really good that I was by myself because I could just decide everything for myself and I didn't have to think about a friend. I could just like do whatever I thought was good for me.
- [20:01]
Narrator
As the others hiss and holler at each other, Els turns and looks out across the ocean. In that very moment, she sees a giant, powerful wave advancing directly towards the boat. Before she can react, it hits violently, tipping the vessel, washing over the deck and sending people hurtling into the dark waters. Els, helpless, is plunged deep down under the rolling waves.
- [20:37]
Ryan Reynolds
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- [20:59]
Kaley Cuoco
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- [21:41]
Narrator
Beneath the surface of the Flores Sea, Els thrashes around in the inky water. For a moment, in the shock and disorientation of being submerged, she's helpless. But then she starts fighting her way.
- [21:55]
Els Visser
Upwards because I think I was like wearing my life jacket after I don't know how many seconds I was coming up again and then above the water surface again and I was oh wow, I'm still alive.
- [22:10]
Narrator
Head back above the water, Els takes in a desperate lung full of air as she struggles to to keep herself upright in the spinning Currents, arms reach down and take hold of her. Else is lifted out of the ocean and pulled into the small lifeboat. After the chaos of the crashing wave, the passengers and crew need some time to take stock and organize themselves. Amazingly, the roof of the wrecked boat is still above water. Some people manage to scramble up onto it, a solid platform in the moving sea. A few others, including Else, sit in the lifeboat. The rest have no choice but to stay in the waves, struggling to keep close to the wreckage. After further discussions, a rotor system is established. Everyone has equal time in the lifeboat, then on what's left of the sinking vessel, and then in the water. The Flores Sea is known as a hunting ground for sharks. The opaque waters surround the group, giving nothing away. It's a dark void filled with potential horrors. Else can't stop shivering.
- [23:29]
Els Visser
I kind of was really like focused on that, on my body temperature, trying to stay as warm as possible, to not move around too much, to not lose too much energy and really focus on that instead of thinking about sharks swimming underneath us. Because these are again, things you can't control. Okay, maybe there are sharks, but yeah, what can you do about it, right?
- [23:59]
Narrator
It's an unimaginably long night. The temperature drops and everyone focuses on conserving energy and keeping as warm as possible. Mostly the group is silent, but now and then they spot the taillights of large passenger planes flying high above them. They wave and scream, blowing the whistles on their life jackets.
- [24:22]
Els Visser
We all knew seeing like a plane, that it was no rescue and that this plane wasn't looking for us. They would like never see us. Already you kind of know, okay, this doesn't make sense at all what we are doing here. But still you're trying because it's still some hope.
- [24:47]
Narrator
It's 6am and dawn finally breaks.
- [24:52]
Els Visser
I was like just so happy that we made it through the night, that we could see again that the sun was coming up, so hopefully could warm up a little. And it's just nice to see, you know, and to not be in the dark and not see anything.
- [25:07]
Narrator
With the sun now illuminating their surroundings, Els takes stock. Quickly. She spots something. Something hopeful.
- [25:16]
Els Visser
I saw that we were surrounded by a big ocean. But then I also saw that there was an island in the far distance. And there was like another bit of hope.
- [25:27]
Narrator
Els can see what appear to be mountains rising up in the middle of the expansive ocean. Green and black slopes narrow to conical peaks. The island stands on the horizon, solid and tantalizing.
- [25:45]
Els Visser
I saw that island and I thought, okay, I have to go to this island. This is my only, my only chance to survive this leaving and swim to this island.
- [25:55]
Narrator
But others speak up against the idea it's too risky. They have no way of judging how far away the island is and the current is against them. A vote is taken. The majority want to stay put and wait for rescue. Els, it seems, has no choice but to agree. But more hours pass. There are no boats, no signs of a search party. Restlessness grows and the arguing starts again. Some voice their growing fears of shark attacks. The atmosphere is increasingly tense.
- [26:29]
Els Visser
We started arguing with each other and that was pretty frustrating too. I think it was very important to not waste your energy to unnecessary things and things you can't control. And if there's like an acute moment, how you react on it, if you like stay calm or if you like panic, freak out, get angry. So to me, being really in a survival mode, I blocked all my emotions and really focused on the things that matters.
- [27:06]
Narrator
Bobbing in the water, Els can't take her eyes away from the island. Surely they can't just stay here and hope. The tiny amounts of food and water that they have salvaged aren't going to sustain the group for long. The Flores sea is enormous, 93,000 square miles of water. No one knows their boat is in trouble and spending another night in the ocean could be fatal. Elz starts testing herself, swimming away from the group and then back again, getting the blood flowing, loosening the muscles.
- [27:42]
Els Visser
I was convinced if I stayed there with the boat I was going to die. I was also convinced that I would die swimming. But somehow it was just nice to be away from all those people arguing with each other. Also to focus on something instead of waiting and waiting and doing nothing. And now at least I could do something and trying to survive even though I knew, okay, well, there will be a moment that my body gives up. But for now I'm swimming. And it was a way to distract my thoughts as well, I guess.
- [28:21]
Narrator
It's 10am, 11 hours since the shipwreck. If she's going to set off, Els needs to leave soon to make the most of the day, to have some chance of making it to the island before nightfall. She reopens the discussion. Gaylene, a young woman from New Zealand who had earlier stated her opposition to Els suggestion, changes her mind. So do a small number of others. Most remain unconvinced and want to stay where they are. But that's their choice. Else has made hers. Being at sea plays tricks on the mind, on perceptions of distance. The island could be an hour's swim away, or it could be 10. This is a Hail Mary. And so else. Galeen and three others set off from the relative security of the wreckage, leaving their concerned companions behind. Whether it's brave or foolhardy, Els is convinced it is the right decision for her.
- [29:31]
Els Visser
Yeah, with swimming, maybe you really try to put an effort in to save your life and when you decide to stay with the boat, then you're like really dependent on luck if, like a possible boat passes by. And now I still thought, okay, maybe I can still control it a little. I just really liked it to focus on something and to swim.
- [29:55]
Narrator
But almost immediately, it's clear that this is going to be an incredibly tough journey. As they kick and thrash their way forwards, meter high waves impede their progress, attempting to pull them off course. The five swimmers try to stay together, using the whistles on their life jackets to signal their locations to each other. But Els and Gaylene, the strongest swimmers, soon lose contact with the others. Els swims on her back with her arms crossed over her life jacket, using her legs to propel herself forward. It means her face is fully exposed to the blasting heat of the sun. But it feels like the best way to conserve energy on what's going to be a very long journey. Galeen, a worldly, outdoorsy Kiwi, actually managed to retrieve flippers from her gear before being thrown into the ocean. She swims sidestruck. Occasionally, Els, unable to see ahead from her prone position, veers off course. Galeen ensures she keeps pointing in the right direction towards the island. Quickly, the women establish a bond.
- [31:12]
Els Visser
I think we are like very similar. The look in her eyes that she was so determined to make that swim, to swim as fast as possible just to make it to the island. And I think I was the same. So we were just both really determined to swim, to put all our energy in and to give our best.
- [31:33]
Narrator
For the longest time, it feels like they're making no progress at all. The warm, salty water drags on their increasingly heavy limbs. There are moments when it seems like the island is getting further away. What if a riptide takes them or they suddenly feel the sharp bites of something from below? Still, they struggle on.
- [31:58]
Els Visser
From the moment we started swimming, it was just us and the ocean. It doesn't matter, like how fit you are or how great of a swimmer you are, the ocean decides. We can't control the ocean. There are like very, very strong currents and especially in that part in Indonesia where we were, in the end, it all Comes down to the current of the ocean. And the ocean decides.
- [32:22]
Narrator
They talk sparingly. Else wants to preserve her strength, to focus on the moment and on her movements. Then after five draining hours, Galen tells Elz to look ahead. They're now close enough to make out the trees on the upland of the island. It lifts their spirits immeasurably.
- [32:48]
Els Visser
I was 24 years old at the time and I said, well I'm too young to die, you know, I have like a great life. I'm becoming a doctor. I have like so many friends around. I just have a great life. I can't leave it at this moment. I just don't want. I'm not ready for it, you know. I wasn't ready to give up and to die.
- [33:10]
Narrator
Another couple of hours pass. Pain ridden legs and arms flail and fumble through the water. They're now just 500 meters from land. They see the beautiful clear beaches. They make out individual trees and the lush flora that bursts out at the other side of the narrow strip of white sand. They could even smell the fresh wild vegetation. It's all there waiting for them. It is so achingly close.
- [33:41]
Els Visser
That was the moment that we started to believe, okay, we will make this swim and we actually will reached the island. And then we got really motivated to keep swimming and trying to make it before sunset.
- [33:57]
Narrator
Els switches onto her front for the final stretch. It's more than 18 hours since she was swept off the deck into the ocean. She's exhausted, sleep deprived and malnourished. Her face and lips cracked from the relentless sun. Close to shore, the waves become more powerful. The current fights them 2 meters forward, 1 meter back. They need to summon every last scrap of energy.
- [34:25]
Els Visser
It was like a really big current and a really big tide. We had to get through. But being in that good spirit then you can find another extra gear to push even harder. And we broke through the current and then the moment was there that our feet hit the sand and we survived the ocean and we were on land.
- [34:54]
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- [35:12]
Unknown
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- [35:36]
Els Visser
Go to your happy price, Priceline.
- [35:44]
Narrator
El staggers up the soft, shifting sands out of the lapping waves. Her legs are so weak now she can barely support herself. It doesn't matter, she's ecstatic. She turns Gaylene, grinning ear to ear. The ocean has not claimed them. The Kiwi is delighted as well, but soon brings Els back down to earth.
- [36:11]
Els Visser
I gave her a big hug and we said, okay, wow, we've made it. We are on land. She was kind of happy, but she also said, els, you have to realize that this is a volcanic island.
- [36:24]
Narrator
Glancing up at the towering slopes just beyond the trees, Els can see that Galeen is right. This island is volcanic and alive.
- [36:35]
Els Visser
We saw the lava streaming, so we knew that there was an active volcano. There are no people here. We have to survive this island as well. And from the moment she said that to me, I was like straight into my survival mode again. Okay, this is a moment of relief and I'm out of the water. But I still have to be focused.
- [36:58]
Narrator
They don't know it, but they have arrived at Sangeang API, home to two extremely active volcanoes, one of which erupted only a few months earlier, meaning its few inhabitants were evacuated. This island is their salvation, but could also be their end. As well as the volcanic threat, they've also got no fresh water, food, adequate clothing or shelter, and no way of getting help because she was so seasick. On board the boat, Els hasn't eaten properly for more than two days. There is an hour of daylight left. They need to start looking for sustenance quickly. They gather stones and lay them out in the shape of an arrow in the sand, pointing in the direction they're headed in case their fellow swimmers arrive on shore soon. Then they set off, following the beach in a circle around the island. Soon they hear a rustle in the bushes off to the side. It's wild pigs snuffling through the undergrowth. A good sign. It means the island must have sources of food and fresh water. On they go, their weak, shaking legs dragging them slowly around the isle's sandy perimeter. Eventually they spot the tiniest pool of fresh water. Diving towards it, parched and drained, they share what's There. But it's only half a cupful, nowhere near enough. As the daylight dwindles, Else and Galen come to the grim decision that they'll need to drink their own urine. They don't have a choice. The sun drops down below the sea, bringing with it darkness and cold. Tomorrow they'll start their search again. Right now they need rest.
- [39:00]
Els Visser
We found a sheltered place. We were kind of like laying next to each other and because I was so sunburned, it was also that we were kind of heating each other up because there was just like a lot of heat in our skins. And actually I slept pretty good that night, being so tired, just happy to be on land and had a pretty good sleep.
- [39:24]
Narrator
It's the following morning. The orange glow of dawn crawls across the island. Yesterday's exposure to the sun has caused El's face to blister. Her eyes are so painful she can't handle direct sunlight. They fashion visors out of plastic bottles that have washed ashore, using them to protect their faces. Then the women make a new plan. Else will head into the interior to search for fresh water. Galeen will stay on the beach and look out for passing boats. Just as they're discussing this new course of action, they see a glint among the waves. A boat moving past the island. They scream, jump and shout, putting their red life jackets on branches and waving them about their heads frantically.
- [40:17]
Els Visser
The ball was just like going, going and going and was out of sight again and again. It was like a big moment of hope. But also when the boat was out of sight again, confirmation. Okay, they're not looking for us.
- [40:33]
Narrator
The boat disappears from view. Shaking off the disappointment, Elz refocuses and treks off on her mission, heading into the island's dense vegetation. Pushing the thick branches aside, she comes to a clearing and finds what she's looking for. A large hollow filled with fresh water. Perhaps their luck is finally changing. Els guzzles down her fill, the clear water, miraculously recharging her batteries. Taking one of the washed up plastic bottles, she fills it to the brim and starts walking back to Galeem. But just as she does, she looks through the plants and spots something.
- [41:21]
Els Visser
And at the moment I walked back to her, this same boat that passed by in the morning was coming back. But this time it was like just really coming towards me.
- [41:33]
Narrator
It's unmistakable. The boat is heading her way. Else immediately bolts towards the water's edge. This time she won't let them miss her.
- [41:43]
Els Visser
So then I dropped this bottle. I started jumping and waving. And then a small Boat came off this big boat and was motoring towards me. And then I knew, okay, wow, they've seen us. And my life continues.
- [41:58]
Narrator
Els runs out to greet the dinghy as it arrives on the island beach. She hugs the crew, laughing and weeping. They help her on board, the dinghy bucking beneath them. They set off, heading around the bay to pick up Galene. They find her where Else left her. The starving, sunburnt pair are taken out to the larger diving boat and safely placed on board. They've survived the shipwreck, survived the ocean, and survived the island. Finally, it is over. Once aboard the larger vessel, the women raise the alarm and the captain informs the emergency services about the accident. A party is launched to search for the wreckage, its passengers and its crew. Meanwhile, Else and Gaylene shower, change into clean clothes and eat ravenously. They are transported to the nearest inhabited island and dropped off at the police station. They're safe, but what about everyone else? The other swimmers and the rest of the group that stayed with the wreckage? Has anyone else made it?
- [43:18]
Els Visser
The other people were found still with this little lifeboat and drifted far away in the ocean, but still alive. They were like really in a bad state, but yeah, they were like still there. And they were found mercifully.
- [43:34]
Narrator
After 40 hours adrift in the ocean, almost everyone has survived, including the three others who set off swimming with Else and Galeen. They eventually reached a different part of the volcanic island and are later picked up by rescuers. Tragically, there are two fatalities. The two Spaniards who bunked next to Els on the sleeping deck. The kindly strangers who offered her words of solace when she was unwell. An hour after Elz and Galeen started their swim, the Spanish pair decided to head out after them. They didn't make it.
- [44:10]
Els Visser
It was very hard and especially because they have never been found. Their bodies haven't been found and I just can't imagine how difficult that would be for their families. You know, they just don't know what happened. It also made me realize how big the risk was to make that swim. And it could have been us as well. And we've just been like super lucky that the ocean gave us a second chance to live our life and that we made it to the island. But it was very, very lucky as well.
- [44:49]
Unknown
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- [45:19]
Narrator
My dad works in B2B marketing. He came by my school for career day and said he was a big roas man. Then he told everyone how much he loved calculating his return on ad spend. My friends still laugh at me to this day.
- [45:33]
Els Visser
Not everyone gets B2B but with LinkedIn.
- [45:36]
Narrator
You'Ll be able to reach people who do.
- [45:37]
Els Visser
Get $100 credit on your next ad campaign. Go to LinkedIn.com campaign to claim your credit.
- [45:43]
Narrator
That's LinkedIn.com campaign terms and conditions apply. LinkedIn the place to be to be. A week later, Els is back home in the Netherlands continuing her studies. But something lingers inside her.
- [45:58]
Els Visser
I think the first few months I didn't even realize what happened to me. I just moved on. Being a complete zombie, still in that survival mode, still no emotions. I was just being like a robot and doing everything like on the automatic pilot without actually realizing what was going on.
- [46:22]
Narrator
Her sleep is terrible and she's periodically overcome by panic attacks. The simplest things unnerve and distress her. A train applying its brakes, traffic lights changing color.
- [46:34]
Els Visser
It was so weird to still be alive because for more than two days I was just convinced that my life would come to an end. And then out of a sudden I was like, still there. I was like back in Utrecht going to my studies and actually I shouldn't be there anymore. I had like this little book and after each day maybe I wrote down two or three words and I'm just not really a writer to write down my emotions. And it just didn't really work for me. But what actually really worked for me was after working for a long day in hospital that I just really liked it. To put on my running shoes, to run into the nature and to clear my mind.
- [47:21]
Narrator
Exercise becomes a vital therapeutic outlet. Before long, Els starts taking part in marathons and then a triathlon. She discovers she has a natural talent for these events. Soon she sets her sights on something bigger.
- [47:39]
Els Visser
Then I thought, okay, I've heard about the Ironman racing, which is like the full distance triad loam. And then I was just like wondering how I would feel myself if I was able to finish a race like that. And I just set it as a goal for myself, a challenge, and started training.
- [47:58]
Narrator
An Ironman triathlon consists of a two and a half mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride. And a 26 mile run. It's among the most grueling one day sporting events in the world and Els loves everything about it. The benefits to her body and mind, the close knit community of fellow athletes and just the sheer challenge of it all. Today, Els is a professional Ironman athlete, competing in events around the world.
- [48:28]
Els Visser
I have passion for medicine and being a doctor, but at this moment I'm really curious to see how far I can get in the sport as well. And I told myself that I wanted to live every day. I have to give my absolute best each day I have.
- [48:46]
Narrator
For Els, competing does present one particular challenge. The triathlon swim often takes place in open water, which revives disturbing memories.
- [48:57]
Els Visser
I prefer to swim in fresh water and to swim in flat water instead of being out in the ocean with high waves. But sometimes there are races with high waves and big currents. And then I just try to not panic, take it as it is. And also maybe sometimes accepting that I'm traumatized by the open water and just accept that.
- [49:26]
Narrator
Alongside competing at Ironman events, Elz is a motivational speaker. Her lectures focusing on how a person can develop to their full potential and how that potential can be born out of our darkest moments.
- [49:42]
Els Visser
I would never want to experience this another time because it was the most terrible days in my life. But now it had brought me so much and now I'm kind of grateful that I went through it. What really opened my eyes in the end, if it comes down to life or death, our human bodies are like so strong. But we never really discover that inner strength if it, if the moment is not there or if it's not really that life or death situation. Because I experienced that, I know it is in my body. So now in races, I try every race to open the door again. My inner strength, because I know it's there and it's like in every one of us. But we only need to be able to access it and use it.
- [50:41]
Narrator
In the next episode, we meet Todd Russell, a gold miner from Tasmania. Todd spends his days working up to a kilometer underground, extracting precious metals from deep within the earth. But on April 25, 2006, a deadly seismic tremor literally brings his world crashing down on top of him. Buried alive, trapped in a tiny air pocket, he must find deep wells of inner fortitude if he is to survive the unsurvivable. That's next time on Real Survival Stories. Listen to Todd's story now without waiting a week by subscribing to Noiser+ head to noiser.comsubscriptions to find out more or click the link in the episode description.
- [51:32]
Unknown
Thank you. I couldn't have completed this project without a little extra coffee. And since I brush with Colgate's Pro series toothpaste with an expert level whitening for a vibrant glow, I could show up to set each day, camera ready and smiling wide.
- [51:46]
Sponsor
Well Kelly, looks like a little Colgate.
- [51:49]
Narrator
Gave you a lot of confidence.
- [51:51]
Unknown
Colgate Optic White Find it at all major retailers.
- [51:59]
Narrator
Now. At T Mobile get four 5G phones on us and four lines for $25 a line per month when you switch with eligible trade ins. All on America's largest 5G network.
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