IT WAS billed as Australian Survivor’s “most intense challenge ever”, and this segment on last night’s episode of the reality show certainly left many viewers squirming.

Competing for the game’s coveted immunity idol, the 10 remaining Survivor contestants had to slide under a barred grate that had been set up in shallow ocean waters.

Once positioned, they were required to hold their nerve as the rising tide slowly crept up over their faces — and airways.

Teeth chattering, the contestants were clearly freezing in the ocean water, and squealed as they contended with frequent nibbles from inquisitive fish.

But it was the impending fear of drowning that made this challenge so hard to watch, as contestants resorted to increasingly desperate methods — creating funnels with their hands, thrusting their mouths between the bars and out of the water — in an attempt to keep breathing and stay in the game.

For anyone with a fear of drowning — so, anyone — it was confronting viewing:

One by one, the contestants tapped out, emerging from under the grate gasping for air. In the end, and after more than an hour in the water, the competition came down to two sporting greats: Olympic swimming champion Shane Gould, and former rugby league footballer Mat Rogers.

A remarkably Zen Rogers managed to last the longest, earning the immunity necklace and a guaranteed place in the game for at least one more episode, but not before viewers took to social media to ask: What did you just make us watch?

You guys literally put my worst nightmare on screen... ugh... — essi (@essiSLH) September 11, 2018

I had a nightmare about this challenge. Hard pass.🙅🏼‍♀️#SurvivorAU — Monique La Terra (@MoniqueLaTerra) September 11, 2018

@Survivor_AU how on Earth did this challenge make it through OHS?? You essentially water board them in freezing water with biting fish, then make them sit shivering in the cold to watch the rest endure more torture?? #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/iQC46zXVip — Rebecca B (@LadyMacBec) September 11, 2018

I had an MRI today and I thought that was scary until I saw this water torture immunity challenge #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/0xW2EXMBpg — Anita Lawes (@mrsjbj) September 11, 2018

It's amazing what reality TV gets away with.



What #SurvivorAU immunity challenge was inspired by an Imperial Japanese torture technique? Trick question! It's all of them. — Madison Cartwright 📚✒🏴©️ (@madkcartwright) September 11, 2018

Otherwise know as the drowning challenge or Psychological torture, someone check the Geneva convention charter #SurvivorAU — Dear Jane (@austenite20) September 11, 2018

Is this challenge not literal torture #SurvivorAU — Emily Smith (@emilyjadeds) September 11, 2018

But, as one viewer was keen to point out: Think this is torture? Pfft. Remember the pole challenge? Season one winner Kristie Bennett spent six-and-a-half hours contorted and clinging to a pole before being carried away, weeping and shivering, by her own father.

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