The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Get ready for the most unbelievable survival story you've ever heard. Hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen deliver a jaw-dropping tale that sounds like Hollywood fiction but is 100% real—and it happened at 400 mph, 17,000 feet above ground. Picture this: June 10th, 1990. British Airways Flight 5390. Thirteen minutes after takeoff, the cockpit windscreen explosively blows out, and Captain Tim Lancaster gets literally sucked halfway out of the aircraft. For 22 agonizing minutes, he's pinned against the fuselage—outside a commercial airliner—while his crew desperately holds onto his legs and fights to land the plane. This isn't just a survival story—it's a masterclass in: * Split-second decision making under impossible pressure * How tiny maintenance errors can cascade into life-or-death emergencies * The extraordinary power of human resilience and teamwork * What happens to the human body at extreme altitude (spoiler: it's not pretty) * Why aviation safety procedures exist—and what happens when they fail Kaycee and Julie break down this incredible true story minute-by-minute, from the catastrophic windscreen failure to the heroic actions of First Officer Alistair Atkinson and flight attendant Nigel Ogden. You'll learn about the physics of explosive decompression, the investigation that revealed shocking maintenance failures, and how Captain Lancaster somehow survived conditions that should have killed him in minutes. Key Timestamps: * 00:00- Case Knives * 00:33 - Welcome & Story Introduction * 03:32 - Setting the Scene: June 10th, 1990 * 08:13 - The Explosion: Windscreen Blows Out * 15:56 - First Officer Takes Control * 20:47 - Emergency Landing at Southampton * 23:44 - Captain Lancaster's Miraculous Recovery * 26:56 - Investigation: The Maintenance Failures * 31:27 - The Science: What Happens to Your Body at Altitude * 40:23 - Lessons Learned & Aviation Changes

In this episode of 'The Crux: Disaster Strikes,' host Julie Henningsin delves into the harrowing story of the cargo ship El Faro, which sank near The Bahamas on October 1st, 2015, claiming all 33 lives on board. Through the recovered voyage data recorder, we gain a chilling insight into the ship's final hours. Henningsin explores the crew dynamics, the weather challenges, and the human errors that compounded the disaster. The episode highlights the systemic issues in maritime safety and the lessons learned to prevent future tragedies, paying tribute to the lost crew members. 00:00 Introduction to the El Faro Disaster 01:26 The Ship and Its Final Voyage 04:31 Weather Warnings and Crew Concerns 06:45 The Storm Intensifies 09:49 Critical Moments and Decisions 12:22 The Final Hours 19:36 Search, Recovery, and Investigation 29:28 Lessons and Legacy 32:35 Conclusion and Tribute Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com [thecruxsurvival@gmail.com] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/] Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ [https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/]

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen explore the ill-fated voyage of the Karluk during the 1913 Canadian Arctic Expedition. They discuss the questionable leadership of expedition organizer Vilhjalmur Stefansson, the concerns about the ship's seaworthiness, and the harrowing events that followed when the vessel became trapped in ice. The episode covers the dramatic sinking of the ship, the incredible 80-mile journey across shifting ice to Wrangel Island, and Captain Bartlett's heroic 700-mile trek to secure rescue. Through captivating storytelling and analysis, this episode highlights how leadership decisions, preparation, and resilience determined the fate of the expedition members in one of the most remarkable Arctic survival stories of the early 20th century. 00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 02:24 The Karluk: A Questionable Vessel for Arctic Exploration 06:28 Trapped in Ice and Stefansson's Departure 09:49 Christmas Celebrations Despite Dire Circumstances 11:17 Dramatic Final Moments with Chopin's Funeral March 13:32 The Treacherous March to Wrangel Island 15:41 Bartlett's Epic Journey for Rescue 18:24 The Rescue After Eight Months 20:45 Stefansson's Continued Career and Lack of Remorse 22:49 The Ada Blackjack Story and Stefansson's Legacy 23:55 Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement References 1. Bartlett, R. A., & Hale, R. T. (1916). The Last Voyage of the Karluk: Flagship of Vilhjalmur Stefansson's Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-16. Cooper Square Press. 2. McKinlay, W. L. (1976). The Last Voyage of the Karluk: A Survivor's Memoir of Arctic Disaster. St. Martin's Press. 3. "Last voyage of the Karluk." (2025, February 3). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_voyage_of_the_Karluk [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_voyage_of_the_Karluk] 4. "Karluk (1884 ship)." (2025, March 12). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Karluk [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Karluk] 5. "Robert Bartlett (explorer)." (2025, April 12). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bartlett_(explorer) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bartlett_(explorer)] 6. Bartlett, R. A. (2001). The Karluk's Last Voyage: An Epic of Death and Survival in the Arctic. Cooper Square Press. 7. "The Karluk Disaster." Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador. https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/exploration/karluk-disaster.php [https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/exploration/karluk-disaster.php] 8. "The Karluk Disaster – The Wrangel Island Saga." Dartmouth College. https://journeys.dartmouth.edu/thewrangelislandsaga/the-karluk-disaster-2/ [https://journeys.dartmouth.edu/thewrangelislandsaga/the-karluk-disaster-2/] 9. "Robert Abram Bartlett." The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-abram-bartlett [https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-abram-bartlett] 10. "Wrangel Island." Arctic Portal. https://arcticportal.org/education/quick-facts/the-arctic/3711-wrangel-island [https://arcticportal.org/education/quick-facts/the-arctic/3711-wrangel-island] 11. "Defying the Ice: Shipwreck and Rescue of the Karluk." Bowdoin College. https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2016/07/defying-the-ice-shipwreck-and-rescue-of-the-karluk-at-arctic-museum.html [https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2016/07/defying-the-ice-shipwreck-and-rescue-of-the-karluk-at-arctic-museum.html] 12. "Transcribing Historical Documents – Captain Robert Bartlett's Journal from the Karluk." Bowdoin College. https://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum/news/2020/transcribing-historical-documents-captain-robert-bartletts-journal-from-the-karluk.html# [https://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum/news/2020/transcribing-historical-documents-captain-robert-bartletts-journal-from-the-karluk.html] "FROZEN FATES: SURVIVAL AGAINST THE ODDS" * Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com [thecruxsurvival@gmail.com] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/] Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ [https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/]

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the allure and dangers of Mount Fuji. They discuss the historical significance and the cultural importance of Japan's tallest peak, which attracts hundreds of thousands of climbers annually. The episode covers the tragic yet sensational story of a climber who had to be rescued twice within four days due to altitude sickness, along with other harrowing tales of fatalities and rescues on the mountain. The hosts also explore the symptoms and risks of altitude sickness, the importance of proper preparation, and the evolving role of technology in search and rescue operations on Mount Fuji. Through captivating storytelling and expert analysis, this episode underscores the delicate balance between beauty and danger in the wild. 00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:28 Introduction to Mount Fuji 02:08 The Climbing Experience 02:55 Challenges and Dangers of Climbing Fuji 09:50 A Tale of Two Rescues 13:59 Understanding Altitude Sickness 18:09 Severe Altitude Sickness: HAPE and HACE 19:53 Hallucinations at High Altitude 20:46 Celebrity Climbing Companions 21:09 Altitude Sickness and Controversies 22:17 Acclimatization and Climbing Practices 26:26 Mount Fuji's Fatalities and Statistics 28:59 Tragic Stories from Mount Fuji 31:10 Lessons and Patterns in Climbing Incidents 33:39 Heroic Rescues and Technological Advances 36:03 Reflections on Climbing Mount Fuji 40:06 Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement RESOURCES * CBS News: Mount Fuji climber rescued twice after returning to get phone [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mount-fuji-climber-rescued-twice-returned-to-get-phone/] * Fox5 Atlanta: Mount Fuji Japan student rescued twice phone [https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/mount-fuji-japan-student-rescued-twice-phone] * MSN: A man airlifted from Japan's Mount Fuji returns to the slope days later and is rescued again [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-man-airlifted-from-japans-mount-fuji-returns-to-the-slope-days-later-and-is-rescued-again/ar-AA1DM9kt] * Brobible: Man rescued from Mount Fuji two times in the same week [https://brobible.com/culture/article/man-rescued-mount-fuji-two-times-same-week/] * Global News: Mount Fuji climber rescued twice in Japan [https://globalnews.ca/news/11153506/mount-fuji-climber-rescued-twice-japan/] * CBS News: Mount Fuji deaths - missing climber sent photos from summit to family [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mount-fuji-deaths-missing-climber-sent-photos-from-summit-to-family/] * Wikipedia: Mount Fuji [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Fuji] * Official Mount Fuji Climbing Website: Risks of Climbing [https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/risks/risks-of-climbing.html] * Japan Facts: Mountain Mishaps - Record Rescues in Japan's Peaks [https://www.japanfacts.org/mountain-mishaps-record-rescues-in-japans-peaks/] * Mount Above: Have People Ever Died Climbing Mount Fuji? [https://www.mountabove.com/have-people-ever-died-climbing-mount-fuji/] * My Tokyo Guide: Mt. Fuji Off-Season Climb [https://www.mytokyoguide.com/mtfuji-offseason-climb.html] * Love Trails: Mt. Fuji Training [https://www.love-trails.com/entry/mt-fuji-training] * Japan Starts Here: Climbing Mount Fuji (2025) [https://japanstartshere.com/2025/03/24/climbing-mount-fuji/] * Statista: Mount Fuji Mountaineer Numbers Japan [https://www.statista.com/statistics/729744/mount-fuji-mountaineer-number-japan/] * Topics Japan: Why Are Deaths Increasing on Mount Fuji? [https://topicsjapan.com/en/tourism/why-are-deaths-increasing-on-mount-fuji-comparing-regulations-with-international-mountains-over-3000-meters/] * Official Mount Fuji Website: For Every Climber [https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/for-every-climber.html] * Japan Experience: Mount Fuji in History, Culture and Art [https://www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/japanese-history/mount-fuji-in-history-culture-and-art] * Magical Trip: Complete Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji 2025 [https://www.magical-trip.com/media/complete-guide-to-climbing-mount-fuji-2025-essential-tips-for-international-visitors/] * Cleveland Clinic: Altitude Sickness [https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15111-altitude-sickness] * Stars and Stripes: Mount Fuji Rescue - Military Members Japan [https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2022-08-26/mount-fuji-rescue-military-members-japan-7108732.html] * SoraNews24: U.S. Servicemen's Hike on Mount Fuji Turns Into Rescue Mission [https://soranews24.com/2017/07/12/u-s-servicemens-hike-on-mount-fuji-turns-into-rescue-mission-netizens-are-awed-and-grateful/] * Digital Trends: Japan to Use Drones for Search and Rescue Missions on Mount Fuji [https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/japan-to-use-drones-for-search-and-rescue-missions-on-mount-fuji/] * Email us! thecruxsurvival@gmail.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/] Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ [https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/]

In this episode of Disaster Strikes, host Kaycee McIntosh tackles the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, often referred to as the 'silent killer.' This episode examines real-life tragedies, explaining how carbon monoxide exposure occurs and the devastating effects it can have on the human body. McIntosh emphasizes the importance of prevention through the use of carbon monoxide detectors and provides practical tips to protect yourself and loved ones at home and while traveling. The episode highlights shocking statistics and heart-wrenching stories to drive home the importance of being vigilant about this invisible threat. 00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes 00:27 Understanding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 01:48 Common Sources and Risks 03:49 Real-Life Tragedies 07:32 Survivor Stories and Lessons Learned 10:13 How Carbon Monoxide Affects the Body 12:54 Symptoms and Diagnosis 13:31 Emergency Treatment and Recovery 15:08 Preventative Measures 16:36 Final Thoughts and Call to Action First link is to a version you can plug in, the second is battery operated, lots of options on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-Monoxide-Detector-AC-Plug-Replacement/dp/B00M48BH30/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L6p3p3xFBriLwhQDpPfKpy3021_vNUEm16d6rWSXOZzKEVusxoEc0FfpNbR-dYIHzrXr1_R-wNa81N9LDsxFUX0Lf0t7Cjib9qVc5QDJDL0O3Pyflsq_fwgeDIyZWuuvHslr9prjmexImcOcTCycfe7EFB6zVHmnCRGHcrygwQroO5TehbWmjHgpZeApfAqgqWpjbpO813hhCxK8u0p6Rbu3k2LhaQ0dNQT-a6BuiKc9zkkRnKsujuDtTyGzjK2En2g9FwtSRVXC_bycgu5y-3k7efoRYeAsqSdCI3v9IoU.ql4ZAwQPFnzBit-O0QqRXQE99_bWBxD6vVE0IUC8Y94&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable%2Bcarbon%2Bmonoxide%2Bdetector%2Bfor%2Btravel&qid=1746676517&sr=8-5&th=1 [https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-Monoxide-Detector-AC-Plug-Replacement/dp/B00M48BH30/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L6p3p3xFBriLwhQDpPfKpy3021_vNUEm16d6rWSXOZzKEVusxoEc0FfpNbR-dYIHzrXr1_R-wNa81N9LDsxFUX0Lf0t7Cjib9qVc5QDJDL0O3Pyflsq_fwgeDIyZWuuvHslr9prjmexImcOcTCycfe7EFB6zVHmnCRGHcrygwQroO5TehbWmjHgpZeApfAqgqWpjbpO813hhCxK8u0p6Rbu3k2LhaQ0dNQT-a6BuiKc9zkkRnKsujuDtTyGzjK2En2g9FwtSRVXC_bycgu5y-3k7efoRYeAsqSdCI3v9IoU.ql4ZAwQPFnzBit-O0QqRXQE99_bWBxD6vVE0IUC8Y94&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable%2Bcarbon%2Bmonoxide%2Bdetector%2Bfor%2Btravel&qid=1746676517&sr=8-5&th=1] https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-Battery-Operated-Monoxide-KN-Copp-B-LPM/dp/B004Y6V5CI/ref=sr_1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L6p3p3xFBriLwhQDpPfKpy3021_vNUEm16d6rWSXOZzKEVusxoEc0FfpNbR-dYIHzrXr1_R-wNa81N9LDsxFUX0Lf0t7Cjib9qVc5QDJDL0O3Pyflsq_fwgeDIyZWuuvHslr9prjmexImcOcTCycfe7EFB6zVHmnCRGHcrygwQroO5TehbWmjHgpZeApfAqgqWpjbpO813hhCxK8u0p6Rbu3k2LhaQ0dNQT-a6BuiKc9zkkRnKsujuDtTyGzjK2En2g9FwtSRVXC_bycgu5y-3k7efoRYeAsqSdCI3v9IoU.ql4ZAwQPFnzBit-O0QqRXQE99_bWBxD6vVE0IUC8Y94&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable%2Bcarbon%2Bmonoxide%2Bdetector%2Bfor%2Btravel&qid=1746676586&sr=8-10&th=1 [https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-Battery-Operated-Monoxide-KN-Copp-B-LPM/dp/B004Y6V5CI/ref=sr_1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L6p3p3xFBriLwhQDpPfKpy3021_vNUEm16d6rWSXOZzKEVusxoEc0FfpNbR-dYIHzrXr1_R-wNa81N9LDsxFUX0Lf0t7Cjib9qVc5QDJDL0O3Pyflsq_fwgeDIyZWuuvHslr9prjmexImcOcTCycfe7EFB6zVHmnCRGHcrygwQroO5TehbWmjHgpZeApfAqgqWpjbpO813hhCxK8u0p6Rbu3k2LhaQ0dNQT-a6BuiKc9zkkRnKsujuDtTyGzjK2En2g9FwtSRVXC_bycgu5y-3k7efoRYeAsqSdCI3v9IoU.ql4ZAwQPFnzBit-O0QqRXQE99_bWBxD6vVE0IUC8Y94&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable%2Bcarbon%2Bmonoxide%2Bdetector%2Bfor%2Btravel&qid=1746676586&sr=8-10&th=1]