Note: This story contains spoilers from “Survivor” Season 49, Episode 3.
After 25 years on the air, “Survivor” experienced its first medical evacuation due to an animal incident in Wednesday night’s Season 49 episode.
You read that right. Castaway Jake Latimer was medically evacuated from the Kele Tribe during the sixth day of the competition after being bitten on the foot by a venomous black and white Sea Krait.
Luckily for Jake, the medical team determined it was a “dry bite,” meaning it was a warning from the reptile not producing any venom. However, due to the nature of “Survivor” and the harsh environment, doctors decided to remove the 36-year-old father-to-be from the game.
“Unprecedented moment. We’ve never seen anything like this where Jake got a Sea Krait bite,” host Jeff Probst told the audience directly on camera. “Our team immediately took him to a boat. This is our medical center at base camp, he’s still there. Jake is visibly emotionally distraught, as anyone would be. But we felt like we needed to get you inside so you really know what’s going on and can see that we are absolutely focused on taking care of him.”
“It is not possible, Jake, even in the next 48 hours, to put you back in a situation as unforgiving as that of ‘Survivor,'” he added, with Dr. Barry McKenna agreeing.
“That was my goal, man. Being on the show was what I had to do for my dad, for myself, for my kid; bring home some money. For something like that to take me out of the game, it’s just not my fault. Because I was fine and I know I could win this show. But, on doctor’s orders, man. It’s been an absolute pleasure, Mr. Probst,” Jake shared once he realized he was absent. His final words to his three other tribe members: “Just tell them I love them and want to see them in the top three. I’m sorry I can’t be there to help them.”
The episode then moved on to the third immunity challenge, where Sophi, Jeremiah and Alex shocked their competitors Uli and Hina by losing an extra person after Annie’s elimination last week; although they insisted on continuing to compete fairly (and once again, they lost).
“This morning at Camp Kele. Jake was in the water, was bitten by a Sea Krait. It’s a very venomous snake – just for a little perspective, ten times more dangerous than a rattlesnake bite. So, serious situation,” Jeff told the entire cast. “He was immediately put on a boat, taken to base camp and our medical center, where it was all hands on deck. Very scary situation. I’m happy to say Jake is doing well, he’s doing great right now. He’s in great shape.”
“And for a little perspective with the Sea Krait, it’s very rare for their bites to contain venom, they usually just want you to go away. But it took a physical and emotional toll – he’s an expectant father; there were a lot of things going through his mind,” he continued. “So there was no way our medical team would consider putting him back in the game without food, without fire, under those conditions. So we made the only decision we could, which is to remove Jake from the game.”
“I want to reassure you all, we have been filming in these waters, right here, for 10 years. We have a lot of Fijians on our crew who were born and raised here. We spoke to everyone this morning when this happened: we don’t have any crew members who know anyone who has been bitten by a Sea Krait,” Jeff concluded. “It’s extremely rare. I know it’s happened, in the same way you can be struck by lightning. But I just want to reassure you, we’re going to be in the water, our crews are going to be in the water, you should feel good about being in the water.”
Jake’s removal now marks the 19th medevac in “Survivor” history.
In the end, Jeremiah was voted out 2-1 ahead of next week’s tribe swap. However, the episode ended with a positive update: “Jake is healthy and the positive side is that he came home for the birth of his son.” »
“Survivor” airs Wednesdays on CBS and the next day on Paramount+.
