By Ashley Thompson

Amber and Ryan are in the Florida everglades. 2,000 square miles in South Florida of the largest subtropical wilderness of the United States. Not only will they be trekking through treacherous swamps but they will be fending off poisonous water moccasins, alligators up to 15ft in length as well as Florida panthers.

Amber is a 31 year old married mother of two. She feels her experience as an Army instructor, as well as her hands on experience training with alligators, makes her more than capable to be successful in this challenge. She enters with a PSR (primitive survival rating) of 7.8

Ryan is a 29 year old Marine from Maine. After doing several tours he returned home suffering from PTSD. In an attempt to heal, he did the Appalachian trail but considers this his ultimate test. If he succeeds he will open a survival school to help other veterans who suffer from PTSD. He enters the challenge with a PSR of 7.9.

On Day one, the pair find a glass bottle. Albeit dirty, it's the perfect way to ensure they will stay hydrated. During the first two weeks not much gets in their way, actually. They start a fire with ease (although the storm comes quickly), Ryan catches a catfish as well as a snake (which includes snake eggs that they hard boil in snail shells... badasses). What is Naked and Afraid without the infamous snake meal, anyways? You knew it was coming. Oh, and they are protected by a nice shelter as well as handmade clothing. These feasts are fine, but Amber wants alligator. When Ryan isn't as willing to die for his dinner, he's quickly called a "pussy". But other than the one tiny disagreement and the blood thirsty mosquitoes, all is looking well. Until the second catfish that is. Maybe it's karma for berating her partner, or maybe just bad food, but Amber isn't fairing so well. Describing her pain as 'intestine twisting', the medic is called and Amber is forced to tap out on Day 16 to receive further testing. Her ailments are never further explained.

Ryan isn't deterred. After he weaves a basket for foraging, he creates an "alligator boom stick noose" which he uses to catch a feisty alligator. Vindicated! He even forms a smoker/oven to cook the alligator in... which isn't affected in the least by the raging storm. Now you're just showing off.

On extraction day Ryan is forced to hike through raised water levels through thick marsh to be picked up by air boat. But he has done it, handmade native garb and all. During the challenge he lost 28 pounds and raised his PSR to 8.3. Amber lost 14 pounds and her PSR dropped to 7.4.

Photo credit: Discovery