Two Chippewa County brothers get national attention for their amazing story of survival.

Dave and Jim Metza were snowmobiling on the Chippewa River between Cornell and Holcombe on February 28th, 2005.

"It was the first snow we had that winter,” Jim said.

That’s when Dave broke through.

"I felt the water just seeping into my body and started stealing the heat from me.” Dave said. “I thought it was a mistake that I'd never recover from."

"I saw him go through and I thought, oh God, he's gonna' swim back to me,” Jim remembered.

But, he didn’t – and Jim knew he had to get help. That’s when the river took him too.

"I was in probably about 30 minutes,” Jim said. “I was approaching the point where I really couldn't move anymore."

Jim says he thought he was going to die – so he threw his helmet up on the ice. He says that would let search crews know where to look for his body.

But, thanks to his Coast Guard training, Jim managed to rescue himself and help his brother – who’d been in the water nearly 90 minutes.

"I ran to a house about a 1/2 mile away and called 911," Jim said. Then, he rushed back to the river and pulled his brother from the water.

"When you're faced with the alternative, you just do everything you can to try to manage the situation as best you can,” Dave said. “And fight as hard as you can."

Nearly four years after that fateful day, Dave and Jim shared with story of survival with a nationwide TV audience Monday – on the Biography Channel’s “I Survived”.

"It brings back a flood of emotions,” Dave said after watching his episode. “Thinking you're gonna' die, it just stays with you."

"It was very emotional,” added Jim. “Brought back memories."

Two brothers – thankful for each other – and their second chance at life.

"It’s hard to watch someone you love dying,” Jim said. “You do whatever you have to do to make sure they survive."

Jim says he and Dave decided to share their story with the Biography Channel to let other people know how dangerous it can be to ride on the ice.