The terrifying moment Shannan Ponton nearly dies from hypothermia on SAS Australia

A focus challenge proved to be too much for Shannan Ponton during Tuesday’s episode of SAS Australia, after he began to show worrying signs of hypothermia.

Following a helicopter jump into freezing cold waters, the remaining recruits were then forced to endure a three-kilometre uphill hike in their soaking wet clothes. 

But the 46-year-old former Biggest Loser trainer slowed right down and struggled to put one foot in front of the other, moaning as he walked. 

Life or death: A focus challenge proved to be too much for Shannan Ponton during Tuesday’s episode of SAS Australia, after he began to show worrying signs of hypothermia

After making it to the top of the hill, chief instructor Ant Middleton told the recruits to quickly change into dry clothing, as Shannan shook uncontrollably.

While the other recruits quickly stripped off, Shannan appeared disoriented, as the concerned DS (directing staff) watched on.

Sensing something was wrong, Ant stepped in and proceeded to help Shannan get changed into warm clothing.

Challenging hike: Following a helicopter jump into freezing cold waters, the remaining recruits were then forced to endure a three-kilometre uphill hike in their soaking wet clothes

Challenging hike: Following a helicopter jump into freezing cold waters, the remaining recruits were then forced to endure a three-kilometre uphill hike in their soaking wet clothes

Strenuous: The 46-year-old former Biggest Loser trainer slowed right down and struggled to put one foot in front of the other, moaning as he walked

Strenuous: The 46-year-old former Biggest Loser trainer slowed right down and struggled to put one foot in front of the other, moaning as he walked

‘The consequences of getting it wrong in the cold is totally unforgiving,’ explained DS Billy Billingham.

‘You are looking at a survival situation, literally in minutes. It’s a weak link creating more vulnerability and more danger.’

A worried Ant urged Shannan to ‘start moving’ as he grabbed hold of his shoulders and shouted: ‘Don’t switch off! Look at me! Look at me! Don’t f**king switch off now!’

Freezing: After making it to the top of the hill, chief instructor Ant Middleton told the recruits to quickly change into dry clothing, as Shannan shook uncontrollably

Freezing: After making it to the top of the hill, chief instructor Ant Middleton told the recruits to quickly change into dry clothing, as Shannan shook uncontrollably

In need of help: While the other recruits quickly stripped off, Shannan appeared disoriented, as the concerned DS (directing staff) watched on

In need of help: While the other recruits quickly stripped off, Shannan appeared disoriented, as the concerned DS (directing staff) watched on

After piling into the back of a truck, Shannan continued to moan, as fellow recruit Firass Dirani tried to get him to take hold of a hot drink.

Arriving back at the camp, a slightly warmer Shannan confessed he had no recollection of the last part of the challenge.

‘Did I pass out?’ the confused star asked a startled Nick Cummins, who pointed out that he’d seemed to have ‘lost a bit of memory’.

Getting assistance: Sensing something was wrong, Ant stepped in and proceeded to help Shannan get changed into warm clothing

Getting assistance: Sensing something was wrong, Ant stepped in and proceeded to help Shannan get changed into warm clothing

Survival mode: A worried Ant urged Shannan to 'start moving' as he grabbed hold of his shoulders and shouted: 'Don't switch off! Look at me! Look at me! Don't f**king switch off now!'

Survival mode: A worried Ant urged Shannan to ‘start moving’ as he grabbed hold of his shoulders and shouted: ‘Don’t switch off! Look at me! Look at me! Don’t f**king switch off now!’

Fellow recruit Erin McNaught helped Shannan pull on additional clothing, as the camp’s doctor came in to assess him.

‘I’ve got no real memory since coming out of the water…’ Shannan told the doctor, who asked Erin, 38, to help warm him up as a ‘priority’.

After warming up, Shannan was later pulled into interrogation, where Ant told him just how serious the situation had been.

Warming up: After piling into the back of a truck, Shannan continued to moan, as fellow recruit Firass Dirani tried to get him to take hold of a hot drink

Warming up: After piling into the back of a truck, Shannan continued to moan, as fellow recruit Firass Dirani tried to get him to take hold of a hot drink

‘I had to dress you like a child, and you’re telling me that you’re not suffering,’ Ant said matter-of-factly.

‘You’d be f**king dead, I don’t know why you’re laughing. I don’t know why you’re smiling. Your teammates would be in a s**t state right now…

‘It’s a horrendous thing to see someone suffer. To see you the way you were… You’d be dead right now.’

Helping hand: Fellow recruit Erin McNaught helped Shannan pull on additional clothing, as the camp's doctor came in to assess him

Helping hand: Fellow recruit Erin McNaught helped Shannan pull on additional clothing, as the camp’s doctor came in to assess him

Ant strongly suggested Shannan should turn over his armband and walk away from the competition, but he refused and insisted he was still at the top of his game.

Added DS Ollie Ollerton: ‘The problem is, whether you want to make it through or not, you’re body’s closing down. It’s dying.’

Ant then told Shannan that if he suffered another medical episode, he’d have no choice but to remove him ‘off the course’.  

Not backing down: Ant strongly suggested Shannan should turn over his armband and walk away from the competition, but he refused and insisted he was still at the top of his game

Not backing down: Ant strongly suggested Shannan should turn over his armband and walk away from the competition, but he refused and insisted he was still at the top of his game