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First to Last

Episode 2 of 4

Series exploring the wonders of the human body. Michael Mosley shows how, from its first breath to its last, the body performs countless small miracles to stay alive.

In this episode, Michael Mosley shows how existence is a struggle and how, minute by minute, from your first breath to your last, your body performs countless small miracles to keep you alive.

It starts with a dramatic water birth, shot in slow motion, before a stunning graphics sequence takes us on a breathtaking journey into the heart. We see how that first, crucial breath leads to a dramatic re-plumbing of your entire circulatory system.

Michael meets remarkable people who demonstrate how well the human body adapts to extreme environments: Herbert, a world-champion free-diver, who can hold his breath in the depths of the ocean for up to nine minutes; Wim, the Ice Man, who can swim in glacial lakes so cold they would kill a normal person; and Debbie, who has lived for 10 years on a diet of crisps.

And finally we see what happens when your body finally fails; we share the last moments of Gerald, an 84-year-old, as he passes away at home with his family gathered around him.

59 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Mosley
Director Annabel Gillings
Series Producer Alice Harper
Executive Producer Andrew Cohen
Producer Annabel Gillings

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