Vertigo (also known as Perch, Crystal Method, and Four the Win) is a recurring challenge on Survivor.
Rules[]
In Panama, contestants would stand on the top of a perch over the water. Upon starting the challenge, they would toss a bucket into the ocean and collect water which would then be poured into a bamboo chute, causing a flag to rise. The first person to grab their flag would win.
In Micronesia, the initial format remains similar but the flag is now replaced with a key. After retrieving the key, contestants would then jump off their perch and swim to shore where they would use the key to unlock a box of ladder rungs. The rest of the challenge then played out using the rules of Great Escape Run. The first person to raise their flag would win.
In Cagayan, Game Changers, and David vs. Goliath, after retrieving the key, contestants would then jump off their perch and swim to shore where they would use the key to unlock a series of puzzle pieces. The first person to solve their puzzle would win.
History[]
United States[]
The challenge debuted as the final six Immunity Challenge in Panama, where Terry Deitz won in a close race, forcing the Casaya Alliance to turn on themselves.
The challenge was later used in Micronesia as the final four Immunity Challenge. Although Natalie Bolton maintained a lead early, Amanda Kimmel eventually caught up and beat Natalie in assembling the ladder, granting Amanda a spot in the final three.
In Cagayan, this challenge was once again used as the final four Immunity Challenge. All three men finished the perch portion quickly and had a large amount of time to solve the puzzle. Kass McQuillen, on the other hand, took over 15 minutes to fill her chute. After one of the biggest comebacks in Survivor history, Kass beat the men to win immunity.
In Game Changers, the challenge was used as the final seven Immunity Challenge. Michaela Bradshaw was the first to assemble her puzzle, but was wrong. Brad Culpepper, who saw an error with his puzzle, quickly reassembled it and won immunity.
In David vs. Goliath, the challenge was used as the final five Immunity Challenge. Alison Raybould was the first to retrieve her key and unlock her puzzle pieces. However, Nick Wilson followed and quickly assembled his puzzle on his first try before the other contestants made sufficient progress on their puzzle, winning immunity.
Australia[]
Quebec[]
The Survivor: Cagayan format was used in Survivor Québec (2023), but only the first three castaways to get back to shore would have a chance to work on the block puzzle. Christophe Tiffet won his first individual Immunity Challenge.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Panama "Bamboozled" |
Individual Immunity |  Terry Deitz |
| Micronesia "Stir the Pot!" |
Individual Immunity |  Amanda Kimmel |
| Cagayan "It's Do or Die" |
Individual Immunity |  Kass McQuillen |
| Game Changers "Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow" |
Individual Immunity |  Brad Culpepper |
| David vs. Goliath "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" |
Individual Immunity |  Nick Wilson |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Survivor (2017) Episode 25 |
Individual Immunity |  Peter Conte |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2023) Episode 55 |
Individual Immunity |  Christophe Tiffet |
| Survivor Québec (2024) Episode 63 |
Individual Immunity |  Ghyslain Octeau-Piché |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The challenge was called "Perch" in Panama, which is the name of another challenge.
- Cirie Fields is the only castaway to participate in the challenge multiple times. She lost the challenge every time.