0:00:02 > 0:00:03Have you ever wondered what it would be like
0:00:03 > 0:00:06if humans had the super skills of animals?
0:00:06 > 0:00:10But who would be crazy enough to try and fly like a falcon,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13grip like a gorilla, and swim like a shark?
0:00:13 > 0:00:14This guy.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18I'm Andy Torbet, and this is Beyond Bionic.
0:00:18 > 0:00:19The show where I try and match the skills
0:00:19 > 0:00:23of some of nature's most incredible animals.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25Action is Andy's middle name.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26I mean, it's Thomas, but...
0:00:27 > 0:00:32And now, I'm using my super skills to take on nature's superheroes
0:00:32 > 0:00:35in the biggest challenge of my life.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36And don't worry.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40I'm hanging around to make sure he doesn't do anything too extreme.
0:00:40 > 0:00:41Whoa!
0:00:41 > 0:00:45To date, the Beyond Bionic team have set me a near-impossible challenge
0:00:45 > 0:00:50as I attempt to swim underneath this frozen lake in Alaska.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Well, you're always saying, "Life's too short for standing still."
0:00:53 > 0:00:56It's time to go Beyond Bionic.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59This is a real sink-or-swim challenge you've taken on.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23On today's Beyond Bionic,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27we're heading out into the North Sea off the Northumberland coast
0:01:27 > 0:01:29in search of one of my favourite animals.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34We're looking for a super-friendly animal
0:01:34 > 0:01:36that's specially adapted to live on land,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40but also in some of the coldest waters in the world.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43You're such a tease, Andy. Get in already!
0:01:49 > 0:01:53The animal I'm diving deep for is at its most graceful under the water.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59And it's not long before I catch my first glimpse of a seal.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Aw, I think he likes you, Andy!
0:02:04 > 0:02:07These are grey seals.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11They can spend hours in water so cold, no human would survive.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17The only reason I can swim in these waters
0:02:17 > 0:02:19is because I'm wearing a dry suit,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23which is totally watertight, and with a layer of insulation,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26helps protect me from the chilly temperatures.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29These animals don't just have fur to keep them warm -
0:02:29 > 0:02:33they also have a thick layer of fat, called blubber,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37that helps to insulate them no matter how cold the water.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41That cold sure isn't bothering this little dude.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43He's totally at home down here.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45That is so cool.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49You see seals on land, these big lumbering animals.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53But underwater, they're so much more skilful, so much more agile,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55they're like acrobats.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57And now, I've got to match them.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06There are 33 species of seal, and all are super-skilled swimmers.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08But that's not the only amazing thing
0:03:08 > 0:03:10about these marvellous marine mammals.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Seals are expert fisherfolk,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and make cone-shaped breathing holes in ice sheets,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18so they can hunt for food across large areas.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20The holes also make quick escape routes
0:03:20 > 0:03:22if predators appear unexpectedly.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25That's a whole lot of fantasticness right there!
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Seals are aquatic chatterboxes...
0:03:28 > 0:03:30GROWLING
0:03:30 > 0:03:33..and often talk to each other using clicks, groans, whistles,
0:03:33 > 0:03:35and growls.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Different noises mean different things,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41from defending territory to warning of danger.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Well, they do say it's good to talk.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Seals' eyes can focus both on land and under water -
0:03:49 > 0:03:52twice as useful as a human's.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Seals have huge, round lenses in their eyes,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57so their vision doesn't go blurry under water,
0:03:57 > 0:04:02and an iris that can open right up to let in as much light as possible.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Those peepers are off-the-scale cute, too!
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The seal is one cool creature, Andy. So how are you going to match it?
0:04:16 > 0:04:18My chilly challenge is to conquer the cold,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and swim in some of the most frosty waters in the world.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28I've got to swim 40 metres under the ice of this frozen Alaskan lake.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33I'm going to attempt to swim from one breathing hole to another,
0:04:33 > 0:04:34holding my breath the whole time.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37And no blubbering if you fail.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39"Seal" what I did there?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42So, I need to search out the science that can help me go beyond bionic...
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Go! ..to swim like a seal.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49You could say this challenge is all about breaking the ice.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52The seal is definitely one cool creature,
0:04:52 > 0:04:56but if I'm to stand any chance of matching its skills in icy water,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I'm going to need to get used to being a bit chilly myself.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05So, I've come to the Manchester Ship Canal for an open-water swim.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Before I dive in, I need a medical once-over from paramedic Phil,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12so he can compare how my vital signs measure up
0:05:12 > 0:05:14after I've been for a dip.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15BLEEPING
0:05:15 > 0:05:20And there we go, the little beep, and you're already at 35.1,
0:05:20 > 0:05:21- which is quite cold.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24And how low do you expect that to go after the swim?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27If you get towards 30 or anywhere below,
0:05:27 > 0:05:31we're really going to get worried about cold water shock.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Cold water shock happens anywhere below 15 Celsius.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Blood vessels in your skin close, the flow slows,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41your heart beats faster, and blood pressure increases,
0:05:41 > 0:05:43all affecting your breathing and movement.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47That does not sound so good.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49It's quite important that we know where you are now,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and we can then monitor you when you're in the water,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54because it won't take long for you to get into a situation
0:05:54 > 0:05:56where you need help.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Also taking the plunge with me is expert swimmer Keri-anne Payne,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04who's an Olympic open water and champion cold water specialist.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08So who better to give me some top tips for this ice-cold challenge?
0:06:08 > 0:06:12When we jump in, it's going to be about 60 to 90 seconds
0:06:12 > 0:06:14of what is called cold water shock.
0:06:14 > 0:06:15So your brain is going to go,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19"Oh, my goodness. What is going on?" And it's going to want to fight.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21It's going to want to move your arms and your legs,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24but the best thing to do in the situation is just to float.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Swimming in open water is dangerous,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30so watching me carefully is a rescue team.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31They'll monitor how I'm getting on,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34and pluck me out straight away if I get into trouble.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39I can't put this off any longer. It's time to get in.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43One, two, three, go!
0:06:48 > 0:06:51The water I'm jumping into is 7.4 degrees.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55In Alaska, it's going to be nearer to freezing.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Can you feel your heart rate?- Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00And you're feeling it's quite hard to breathe?
0:07:00 > 0:07:01HE GROANS
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Yeah, OK, so in this situation... - I'm gasping.- Definitely.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08The best thing to do is just to try and lean back a little bit,
0:07:08 > 0:07:09open up the airways.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- That's it.- Whoo. Yeah.- That's it.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19So, just a couple of deep breaths in...and out. There you go.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Keri-anne isn't feeling the cold as much,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24as she's wearing her wet suit, which is helping keep her warm.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26I'm going to try and get you just a little bit warmer again.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28It's not going to be much help,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30but we're just going to swim just little bit. So...
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- If we swim a little bit that way... - Yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34..and then we'll come back again.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Head up, breaststroke is good.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39I can start to feel, you know, the cold.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- I've overcome that initial cold water shock.- Yeah.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- I'm in control of my breathing... - Yeah.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48..but I can feel the cold seeping into my arms and legs.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49So I think in that situation,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52it's probably time for us now to get back out.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Compared to the average seal,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01which can stay in cold water for 45 minutes,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04and only comes up for air, not because of the cold...
0:08:04 > 0:08:09my two and a half minutes feels like a feeble effort.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11I wasn't quite prepared for how quickly
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I start to lose co-ordination and power of my arms and legs.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Of course, that's what you need to swim,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18that's what you need to stay afloat.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22SO there's a very real danger there that if you're in much longer,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25you lose the ability to keep your head above water, and you drown.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29But for now, I'm safely back on dry land,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33and paramedic Phil is right on hand to re-check my vital signs.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- Your heart's racing, cos you're still fighting that cold.- Yeah.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39Quick ear temperature.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43And there we go.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46So, your core temperature hasn't dropped too much.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48It's obviously your extremities that are really feeling the cold,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50and that was only two and a half minutes.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- You go get yourself warm.- Thank you.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56My challenge to match the seal is quickly turning out to be
0:08:56 > 0:09:00more difficult and more dangerous than I'd imagined.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04It's clear my body alone is just not cut out for freezing temperatures.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07So, Andy, that cold water shock - I could see it.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Physically, I could see it when you jumped in.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I didn't struggle anywhere near as much as you are struggling,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13because your skin was just completely out,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15whereas I had the wet suit.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18SO I think there definitely needs to be a look into what you wear
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- when you do your big challenge.- OK.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23It's certainly opened my eyes to how big the challenge is.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24Some of the dangers involved, really.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- Thank you very much for that. - My pleasure.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28When I say thank you, I'm not sure I really mean it,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- but shall we go and get warm? - Yes, please!
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Seals are great at fighting off the cold, and it's all down to blubber.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44A super-insulating layer of fat that keeps the cold out and body heat in.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Like a built in onesie!
0:09:46 > 0:09:48The harbour porpoise is a lover of the blubber, too.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50But with only two and a half centimetres,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53they only have half as much as the seal,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55which is wrapped up in five centimetres
0:09:55 > 0:09:57of the all-important insulation.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59I've got a spare scarf and jacket you can borrow.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Not only are seals well-insulated,
0:10:02 > 0:10:03they're also good at holding their breath.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05But so is a dolphin,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08who can last 20 minutes under water on one breath.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Although, that's nothing compared to the elephant seal,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13which can stay underwater for an incredible two hours.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Whoa! That has literally taken my breath away.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Seals are also renowned for their driving ability,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22but can they take on the walrus?
0:10:22 > 0:10:24This marine mammal can be found hanging out
0:10:24 > 0:10:26at 90 metres below the surface.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30But you've got to go a lot further down, to a staggering 600 metres,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32to find the Weddell seal.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36This animal so gets my seal of approval.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Animals really are nature's superheroes, and I'm totally in awe.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46But I'm also seriously competitive.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Hate being beaten, and I like to win.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53So, if I'm going to stand a chance against the strongest, fastest,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57and best-designed animals in the world, I need their super skills.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59And how do I do that?
0:10:59 > 0:11:00I'm going around the world
0:11:00 > 0:11:03to find the latest in cutting-edge technology,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06and the experts who can help me transform my body,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08and go Beyond Bionic.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14I've been set the ultimate seal swimming challenge.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Now, this I need to see.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18When I'm in icy water,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I'll lose body heat through something called convection.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24That's when heat is transferred from my body to the cold water.
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Not cool!
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Though technically, it is.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31To survive this, I'm going to have to rely on insulation.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Material that slows heat loss by making a barrier
0:11:34 > 0:11:36between me and the lake.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39The seal has built in insulation - a layer of fatty blubber -
0:11:39 > 0:11:42but I need to wear clothes to keep warm.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Problem is, add water, like the chilly lake,
0:11:44 > 0:11:49and wet clothes stop insulating, and you lose heat very quickly.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52So, here's a tip, Andy, don't be a drip.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54I need something to wear when I'm swimming
0:11:54 > 0:11:58that will keep my body heat in, and the water out.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Just like the super-insulating blubber of a seal.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07My next task is to find blubber of my own
0:12:07 > 0:12:10for protection against the super-cool temperatures I'll face
0:12:10 > 0:12:13on my final challenge.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16I'm at the University of Portsmouth to meet Dr Heather Massey.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19She's a cold water expert, and wants to dunk me all over again.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22So you know the challenge I'm facing.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23Well, we're going to put you to the test,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27and see how you measure up to being put in our cold water tank.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Initially, we'll put you in in your shorts,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32and then we'll gradually add more and more clothes
0:12:32 > 0:12:34to see how your responses change.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Before we can pick the right gear to help me mimic the seal,
0:12:39 > 0:12:40Heather has some tests
0:12:40 > 0:12:44that will show how the cold affects my coordination.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48I'm going to ask you to thread our nut onto our bolt,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- and we'll time you doing that.- OK.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Heather needs to know how my body performs before it gets cold.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Stop. 27 seconds. Lovely!
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Next, type a simple text.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04You're going to text, "It's time to go bionic...help." Go.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Done.- Seven seconds.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- Right!- OK.- Let's do this.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16And now, it's time to get cold again.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18This water is 12 degrees -
0:13:18 > 0:13:20the same temperature as your cold water tap at home.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22And down.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29You know, you don't look like you're enjoying this, Andy.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Yeah, just like before, that cold water shock is back.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Although this water is slightly warmer than it was in the canal,
0:13:40 > 0:13:41I'll be in for longer.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44That initial cold water response, that gasping,
0:13:44 > 0:13:45is beginning to wear off.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48So I've got a bit more control over my lungs.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53But it's not getting any warmer.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55After ten chilly minutes,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59it's time to rerun the tests and see how much the cold has affected me.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02You can see on the thermal camera...
0:14:02 > 0:14:03HE CHUCKLES
0:14:03 > 0:14:06..it's like somebody's painted my body black.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08This special camera shows the only part of me
0:14:08 > 0:14:11that's a normal temperature is my head.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Below my neck is completely blue,
0:14:13 > 0:14:16and that means my body is very cold right now.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Heather gets me to try the simple task again,
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- to see if there's a difference. - Nut and bolt test.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- Last time, I think we did this in about 27 seconds or something.- Yeah.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Much more difficult.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31HE GROANS
0:14:31 > 0:14:34And this is after only ten minutes in the water.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- There!- OK, so a minute and five seconds -
0:14:36 > 0:14:40so that took you over twice as long to do.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42And the text message, as well.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43Go!
0:14:45 > 0:14:46- Done!- Eight seconds.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51So, that's not quite as affected as the nut and bolt test.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55For now, the seal still has the upper hand,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59but to combat the cold, I'm bringing out some trusted tech.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02My dry suit keeps me completely enclosed,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04and as the name suggests, dry.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10This is what I used when I first met my seal friends in the North Sea.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Well, we know that works. Just fast-forward me to the test results.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Excellent - 21 seconds.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19HE CHEERS
0:15:19 > 0:15:20- Yes!- Personal best!- Look at that.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Four seconds.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26The times are good.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29But if I'm going to sue them under the ice like a seal,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31I need to be as sleek as one, too,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34and the dry suit is just too bulky for the job.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38It's time to try out a wet suit.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Dr Heather has given me an extra piece of technology
0:15:40 > 0:15:42to help fight the cold.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Not only have I got a big, thick wet suit on,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I'm also wearing this specialist undersuit
0:15:46 > 0:15:49that's got electric heating piles in it,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52so this time, I should be toasty warm.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Wow! It's like a superhero secret power body suit thing.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01How a wet suit works is that it traps the cold water,
0:16:01 > 0:16:03and lets your body warm that up,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07and that keeps a warm water barrier around your body.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I can feel the panels in my legs and in my back from the undersuit
0:16:10 > 0:16:13heating up nicely. Doesn't feel cold at all.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17OK, so basically, by adding more technology,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19we've made you more like a seal.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Hey, so, you've gone totally Beyond Bionic!
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Watch out, Mr Seal!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- Shall we get you out?- Yes.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Let's hope the wet suit stands up when it comes to the tests.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Halfway.- Yep.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- Done!- Oh! 28 seconds!- Ooh!
0:16:36 > 0:16:39So, how does a seal text? Tricky with the flippers.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40Six seconds!
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Not quite as good as the dry suit,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45but a bit positive of the streamlined wet suit
0:16:45 > 0:16:47is that it'll give me far more manoeuvrability
0:16:47 > 0:16:49in the freezing cold waters in Alaska.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55This challenge isn't just about surviving cold water -
0:16:55 > 0:16:57it's also about swimming like a seal,
0:16:57 > 0:17:02and that is where the wet suit trumps the dry suit.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10The Beyond Bionic team have set me an incredible challenge -
0:17:10 > 0:17:14to swim like a seal for 40 metres under a frozen Alaskan lake,
0:17:14 > 0:17:16holding my breath.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Seals have evolved for ice-water swimming,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21with a thick layer of fatty blubber to keep out the cold.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26And, so far, I've learnt my body alone isn't cut out for icy waters.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37To match the icy survival skills of the seal,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41I've skated all the way to Fairbanks in snowy Alaska,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45where the temperature is a freezing -18 Celsius.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Snow way! That's colder than my freezer at home!
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The ice beneath my feet right now is 20cm thick,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55and I need to cut through that
0:17:55 > 0:17:58if I want to be able to dive to the freezing cold waters beneath.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Seals do this by scraping with their claws and biting with their teeth,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05cutting an ice hole by keeping it open.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08We, on the other hand, will use power tools.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12We've seen you dunked like a man-sized cookie already,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15but how do you plan on surviving under the ice?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- There you go.- Beautiful!
0:18:18 > 0:18:21I've got my wet suit and my heated liner - we tested it in Portsmouth -
0:18:21 > 0:18:22and I've got my fins.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Both should help me mimic the seal,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28my suit acting like blubber, to keep me insulated and warm,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and my fins making me swim faster, like flippers.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33But no-one should attempt to swim like this alone.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36There's a diving team here to make sure I'm safe,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39including ice diver Nicole.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43So, we have this 40-metre distance for you starting in this triangle.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46You're going to swim all the way down to the other triangle
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- at 40 metres.- OK.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50And I see you've got more holes cut in the middle.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Yes. So, these are your safety holes, and they're every ten metres.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57So if you need to pull out at any time, we'll get you right on out.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- So, have you dived this lake before? - Yes.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02So what does it feel like when you first jump in?
0:19:02 > 0:19:06It is like the coldest bath you've ever taken in your life.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11But before I attempt the full 40-metre swim,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14I'm going to take a refreshing dip in the water first,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17to give me an idea of the extreme cold.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Seals do this every single day.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23I'm glad I am not a seal.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25With this quick test dive,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27it should tell me a lot about how difficult
0:19:27 > 0:19:29the real challenge is going to be.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33HE GROANS
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- Remember to breathe.- Yeah.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40When you first get in, not only does it take your breath away -
0:19:40 > 0:19:44it's so cold on your skin, it feels like your skin's on fire.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48But this challenge isn't just about how I cope in the cold -
0:19:48 > 0:19:51I need to be able to hold my breath under water.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54And our bodies have a clever way of dealing with this.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56When you put your face in cold water,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59it triggers something called the mammalian dive reflex...
0:19:59 > 0:20:00Come again?
0:20:00 > 0:20:04..and basically what happens is cold water gets on your face,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and your body starts slowing your heart rate down,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11starts conserving oxygen, cos it thinks you might be underwater,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14you might need to hold your breath, and it's trying to keep you alive.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- OK, shall I go all the way under now?- I think so.- Yeah.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29The lake water is just four degrees,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33and as soon as I move away from the hole, it's almost pitch-black.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34I did not expect this.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38So, how was it?
0:20:38 > 0:20:41The suit and heat suit is actually working OK,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44but I think it's the psychology of it.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47The fact that you are kind of trapped under the ice.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49It's a long swim in those conditions.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Above the ice, the team have set up a special Arctic oven just for me.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57You mean a tent with central heating.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59It's very important when you're exposed
0:20:59 > 0:21:03to extremely cold temperatures, you get in somewhere and warm up,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05and that avoids you getting hypothermia,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08which is where your body is losing more heat than it can produce,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12and that leads to a dangerously low core body temperature.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Thankfully, it's toasty warm in here.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Lucky you, Andy.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21It's got me thinking, what if you tried to warm up a seal?
0:21:22 > 0:21:25So, what if a seal took a nice, hot bath?
0:21:25 > 0:21:29Well, it'd be a far-from-relaxing bubbly soap.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Seals are better at staying warm than cooling down,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35so it would quickly overheat and get pretty poorly.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38What if a seal wants to catch some Z's?
0:21:38 > 0:21:39No problem!
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Seals can snooze almost fully submerged in water.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44It's called bottling,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47and they switch off half their brain when they do it.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50What if a person ate as much every day as a seal?
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Well, they'd probably get a stomachache,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54and end up smelling very fishy.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57The grey seal will eat up to 12kg of fish daily.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00That's six times more food than we humans eat.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10It's time for my final challenge -
0:22:10 > 0:22:13to swim in a near-freezing lake under a solid sheet of ice
0:22:13 > 0:22:18in an attempt to match the amazing survival skills of the seal.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21All right, ice man, think you can seal the deal?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Well, I'm back at the lake at Fairbanks,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29and the temperature has taken a nosedive to -28 degrees Celsius.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33It is truly sub-zero - proper seal conditions.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Wow, you're giving me the chills, Andy!
0:22:38 > 0:22:40It's so cold now that the ice on the lake
0:22:40 > 0:22:43has frozen another five centimetres.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44What happened to the hole?
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Well, it got a little chilly last night!
0:22:46 > 0:22:48So, what do we need to do?
0:22:48 > 0:22:50You have to start with this big, heavy piece of metal.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Pound that into the ice.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Yep.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Perfect!
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- What's next?- Let's get fully warmed up with this ice saw.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05You're going to stick that down into that hole you just made.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Saw right through just like you're sawing a log.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12And just like a seal, I'm cutting my own hole in the ice.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Now, one of the things I was a bit worried about yesterday -
0:23:17 > 0:23:20it's quite dark under there.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22I need to be able to see where I'm going so I can find my way out.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24- We have your safety line...- OK.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26..and we actually attached glowsticks.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28But as soon as we got it into the water,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31the light stopped working, because it's so cold out.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33So, we're going to try our dive lights on the line,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- and hopefully that will light up your way.- Great.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Well, I'll leave you to finish this off, and I'll go and get changed.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41All right, I've been getting cold!
0:23:41 > 0:23:43HE CHUCKLES
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Everything is set.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48The challenge is on.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50And I'm in the zone.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52I'm concentrating on my breathing,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55and trying to put out of my mind any thoughts of the extreme cold
0:23:55 > 0:23:58I'm about to endure under the ice.
0:23:58 > 0:24:0240 metres is starting to feel like a very long way.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10OK, just the final bit is to get on my seal flippers,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14and then, it's time to get in the water before I freeze up.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19It's so cold, if you leave this for a second or two,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22ice starts forming on the water surface.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Brrr! Good luck, Andy!
0:24:24 > 0:24:25HE GROANS
0:24:27 > 0:24:28As I take the plunge,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30it's obvious the lake water is colder
0:24:30 > 0:24:32than when I did my bionic training,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35and the lack of light under the ice is still playing on my mind.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39Visibility isn't great down there.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42It's quite hard to see where I'm going, hard to see the holes.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44But they've put a line down there for me,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47so I'm going to feel my way along,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50and that should take me all the way to the finishing line.
0:24:50 > 0:24:56I just need to let this freezing cold water sink into my wet suit,
0:24:56 > 0:25:02wait for that initial cold water shock to, sort of, calm down.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I need to be as relaxed as possible to hold my breath at least a minute
0:25:06 > 0:25:08to make this 40-metre ice swim.
0:25:08 > 0:25:09You still want to do this?
0:25:09 > 0:25:14HE SIGHS OK, it's time to go be a seal.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16It's time to go Beyond Bionic.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24As I begin my swim, dive supervisor Mitch takes charge topside.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25OK, Andy's in the water.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31My first priority is finding the guideline.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Using this will stop me getting lost and trapped,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37and Nicole's dive lights are showing the way perfectly.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Do you see him yet?
0:25:39 > 0:25:42I've only been in the water for just 13 seconds.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Ten metres!
0:25:44 > 0:25:46That's already a quarter of the swim done,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48and it's a much-needed confidence boost.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53My wet suit and heated liner are definitely giving me some insulation
0:25:53 > 0:25:56against the icy water, but the cold is starting to bite.
0:25:57 > 0:25:5920 metres!
0:26:00 > 0:26:01That's halfway.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04This feels like I'm making good progress.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06Keep going, Andy!
0:26:08 > 0:26:10As I make my way further through the murky water,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I'm starting to understand just how impressive an animal
0:26:13 > 0:26:14the seal really is.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19Expert divers, graceful swimmers, and masters at holding their breath,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22seals are completely at home in their aquatic environment,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and they make it all look so easy.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27- What do you think? You see him? - 30 metres!
0:26:31 > 0:26:33I'm three quarters of the way through the bionic challenge,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36and I'm starting to feel the pressure.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Holding my breath, fighting the cold, and swimming in the dark
0:26:40 > 0:26:43are sapping my energy, and making my lungs burn.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Now's the time to give this all I've got.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Yeah, now it should be coming.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53After holding my breath for nearly a minute,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56that triangle of light means I'm almost at the end of my swim.
0:26:56 > 0:26:5940 metres, coming up!
0:26:59 > 0:27:01And it's such a welcome sight!
0:27:07 > 0:27:11You did it! Congratulations, you big popsicle!
0:27:11 > 0:27:13The wet suit and the heated liner did its job,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16just like the seal's blubber.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18It was dark down there.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19And the biggest issue there
0:27:19 > 0:27:22is it's not nice being trapped under the ice in the dark,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24holding your breath.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Cos I knew the end was in sight, I could see the hole above me,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I took the time to turn on my back, and look up,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33and this arctic light that was shining through the ice
0:27:33 > 0:27:36made the whole place actually quite beautiful.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38So, this challenge is a win.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Now, it's time to get in my warm tent,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and have a cup of hot chocolate.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49I went flipper to flipper with one of nature's best swimmers, the seal.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Masters of their watery habitat,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54who've conquered cold water in the North and the South Pole.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00I used science and technology to help me increase my cold resistance,
0:28:00 > 0:28:05and swim 40 metres under a frozen lake on one single breath.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07That was Beyond Bionic.