Ep 6. Tanya, Andy & Denise

Tanya, Andy and Denise are the focus of season 8 episode 6 of the gripping reality show, I Survived. Each of these individuals has experienced a life-threatening situation, yet they have lived to tell their tales in a jaw-dropping account of their struggles to survive.

In the first segment of the episode, Tanya tells of her weekend getaway that turned into a nightmare when she and her friends became lost in the snowy wilderness. They had set out for a leisurely hike, but soon found themselves struggling to stay alive in the blistering cold as the sun began to set. The group's cell phone batteries died quickly, and they were stranded with no way to call for help. As survival instincts kicked in, the group tried to remember tips they'd seen on TV shows, like building a fire using basic materials found in nature. But their limited resources soon dwindled, and their attempts to keep warm became increasingly desperate. Meanwhile, tensions among the group mount as they began to disagree about the best way to survive. To hear Tanya describe the grueling experience is something of a lesson for anyone who thinks they know how to make it out in the wilderness.

In the second segment, Andy recounts a horrifying day when he was working as a tree trimmer and suffered a horrific accident, leaving him trapped in the fallen debris. As his coworkers frantically alerted emergency services, Andy struggled to remove himself from underneath heavy tree limbs. His story offers viewers a glimpse into the harrowing moments of a workplace accident and the bravery of his colleagues, who risked their own lives to help him. The scenes of Andy's accident are truly chilling, with the sounds of roaring chainsaws and the crunch of fallen trees seeming to come through the TV screen. Through Andy's story, viewers are given a clear look at the dangers of working in the field with heavy machinery, as well as the impact that this kind of accident can have on a person's psyche.

Lastly, Denise shares her story of a traumatic confrontation with a convicted criminal who broke into her home. The intruder, who was known to the police, had been released from prison just days prior, and had taken up residence in an abandoned home near her neighborhood. After breaking into her home in the middle of the night, he attacked her viciously, leaving her with knife wounds and several broken bones. In describing her experience, Denise explains what it's like to be a victim of violent crime and the aftermath that comes with surviving such a traumatic event. Through her story, viewers get a sobering look at just how helpless we can all be when confronted with crime.

As in all other season 8 episodes of I Survived, the common theme throughout all of these stories is resilience in the face of extraordinary danger. The individuals featured in this particular episode experienced some of the most difficult and traumatic situations imaginable - from getting lost in the wilderness, to enduring near-fatal workplace accidents and violent crimes - and yet they managed to persevere. Each of these incredible stories illustrate how survival is a testament to the fragility of human life and the incredible strength of human willpower.