Risk Takers

The U.S.-Mexican border is the most heavily used corridor for human trafficking and drug running in the United States. From harsh conditions to chasing down smugglers, being a border patrol agent is one of the most dangerous jobs in law enforcement. With political tension regarding this area always brimming, it has never been more important to have the right men and women working this risky job.

High risk photographers put their lives on the line to get the shots that no one else would dare to take. Working with some of the most dangerous animals in the world in some of the most remote and demanding locations, these photographers put their lives on the line for the perfect picture. Find out what drives these adrenaline junkies to take on such a dangerous challenge.

Bounty hunters have one mission: to track down fugitives and bring them to justice. Going after drug dealers, murderers, thieves, or all of the above, bounty hunters never know what to expect, or to what extremes their targets will go to stay out of prison. Preparation is of the utmost importance, because those who have killed before aren't afraid to kill again. Is the risk worth the payout?

Since their arrival in the U.S. in 1985, the Africanized Honey Bee has killed over two dozen people, and over 1,000 people since its creation by cross-breeding. They will chase an intruder over a quarter mile to inflict harm. Killer bee removal experts must brave the hives, working amidst swarms of thousands of angry bees, to remove them before anyone else falls victim to their vicious stings.

Stuntmen put their lives on the line every day to bring storyboards to life. From dangerous motorcycle tricks to being lit on fire, they do whatever they must to make movie goers feel as though their performances are real. It seems like a lot of danger for the sake of entertainment, but these individuals have nothing but passion for their craft. They can't imagine doing anything else.

When polar bears threaten towns in the arctic, it's up to the polar bear alert squad to confront them. These courageous people go head-to-head with nature's largest land predator, using whatever means necessary to relocate the bears. With the polar bear population shrinking, it is imperative that they come to as little harm as possible. This means the agents must sometimes get dangerously close.

Professional blasters spend their days surrounded by thousands of tons of dynamite, rigging complex explosives to demolish colossal structures. In the demolition line of work, there are no second chances, and even the slightest miscalculation could be fatal. Planning is everything to ensure that the structure comes down safely and efficiently, as a half-demolished building is a death trap.

Los Angeles has the country's largest population of homeless people, drug addicts, and street gangs. To be a paramedic in this demanding environment means enduring a huge amount of psychological stress, as well as physical danger from unstable patients. Every day, these brave men and women of the ambulance put their own lives on the line in order to preserve the lives of anyone in need.

More people lose their lives in logging accidents than in any other profession in the United States. To loggers, every tree is a potential killer, and the tools of the trade are so powerful that they could easily take a life if they backfire. With chainsaws, cranes, and winches, the tension of the job reflects the literal high tensions of the trees and cables. One lapse of focus can mean death.

Whether patrolling the shores or flying search and rescue missions out in the open ocean, the United States Coast Guard is always ready to serve and protect. The coast guardsmen stationed in Florida battle dangerous conditions every day to enforce the law and save lives. When they are needed, they jump into action no matter the hardships that mother nature's might ocean throws their way.