Alone
Support information for issues raised in Alone, can be found at channel4.com/support
Where did Alone take place?
The UK series of Alone was filmed on land around the Mackenzie River, in the Dehcho region of Northwest Territories, Canada. The area is home to the indigenous Dene community who, in conjunction with the Government of Northwest Territories, gave permission for fishing, hunting and filming to take place on their land. The land used for the filming of Alone is uninhabited by humans.
Were they really alone?
The competitors were each dropped a minimum of 1 mile away from each other and had their own designated area of around 3.75 square miles. Natural boundaries in the terrain and the river further ensured total separation. Each competitor had to carry a GPS device at all times, which allowed the production team to monitor the competitors’ whereabouts, to ensure their safety and check that they were not travelling outside their predesignated area.
The GPS device could be used to contact the production team in case of an emergency, along with a satellite phone and radio (both were pre-programmed to only enable contact with the production team.)
Competitors ‘checked in’ with the production team via text on the GPS device every morning and at sunset. Failure to check in would result in an emergency response by the Health & Safety team.
The production and Health & Safety teams were equipped with boats and had access to helicopters, and were fully prepared and able to respond to any emergency 24 hours a day.
During their time alone in the competition, competitors accessed essential filming supplies such as memory cards and camera batteries using a drop box system (a waterproof box that was emptied and replenished at set times). Each competitor also had a first aid kit for emergencies and was given remote trauma first aid training.
To monitor their health, once a week the location physician would make a brief visit to check each competitor’s heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood glucose and weight. This was the competitors’ only physical contact with the outside world.
What survival kit were they allowed to take?
Competitors were allowed to choose 10 survival items from a list of 53 essential items. They also had a small amount of basic provisions to assist their welfare during the initial drop period of seven days after which these were not replenished.
How did they film themselves?
Each competitor was given 5 cameras with multiple mounts, enabling them to film themselves by holding, wearing or fixing cameras to objects nearby. They were given training on how to use the kit and film themselves.
Were they safe?
Competitors were given full safety training on the best way to handle animal encounters. They carried bear deterrents with them at all times and were given detailed instruction on the best way to avoid large predators. They were also taught to forage safely and were given guidance about potentially poisonous plants they may encounter.
What about all the animals?
The competitors were issued with permits by the local government departments which informed them what animals, fish and birds were permissible to hunt and which were protected species. During the training period prior to filming the competitors were advised by the series’ survival consultants on how to trap and kill animals and fish humanely.
What happened to all of the shelters and traps / snares after filming?
All of the shelters were dismantled and all traps and snares located and removed once a competitor tapped out. The survival team ensured that, with the exception of the trees felled for fires and shelter building, the locations were returned to their original condition.