Yes, you did. Dave gave a reasonable advice: "Don´t do it."


Those guys are supposed to give a good show. Do not confuse that with showing what to do. Unfortunately each season has to be more spectacular than the one before. So expect the techniques to get less useful.


The wound was so shallow that it would not even require a suture (I´ve actually taken a cut like that from slipping with a straight razor). They had trouble to KEEP it bleeding. It will usually stop bleeding by itself in a couple of minutes - almost immediately if you apply a little pressure). Applying direct pressure is the proper way to deal with even more severe wounds.
The cauterizing by applying a generous amount of heat is supposed to cause plenty of dead tissue with an elevated risk of infection and long term damage. The original wound might not have left a scar - the burn probably will.
Apart from that it does not seem feasible at all.

• start the fire before getting injured - otherwise the uncontrolled bleeding might kill the injured before you get your chance to do so
• even with the small wound the powder got to wet to light - a live threating wound might well soak all of their gunpowder
  
• the pain from the burn may well cause a shock and generate a life threatening situation by itself

I would really recommend you to attend a first aid course. It´s worth it´s money just for the confidence it gives you for dealing with medical emergencies. If you successfully apply the skills only once it´ll be priceless.

I haven't seen the show but I can guarantee that they haven't shown their viewers one of the most important survival skills around out in the wilderness - how to use a map and compass.



Plus the fact that 3M Steri-strips, Celox, Commercial FAKs, etc.. are somewhat easier to find and purchase than black powder.

Any reality show is all about entertainment and ratings. The fact that the show is the subject of a thread here proves they succeeded. These entertainers do know what they're doing if entertainment and ratings is their goal. Heck, I want to watch the show to see why I don't want to watch it.

From my observation, the common theme for a successful "reality" show is drama. The drama can be real or totally fake. It doesn't matter, just as long as there's drama.

Related issue, I believe the entertainment industry is nearly recession-proof. People will pay their cable bill before they pay for proper health insurance. If I could be a youngster again, I'd base my career in the entertainment industry from the beginning. I could get paid for having fun, making up drama and not thinking too much!

I am bothered by it. I also know they don't have the freedom to tell producers to put their head in a bucket of water the way Stroud did.

They get another chance. Even if I've always thought Lundin's "always barefoot" thing was kinda nutty. I understand the logic, but traditional mocassins give you 90% the feel, and infinantly more protection than just your feet.

A little light reading on the role and history of cauterization:

http://www.scientiacuriosa.com/early-surgery-cautery-how-to-boil-a-puppy/

I think that's the most asinine stunt I've ever seen this side of Jackass. It's appalling that Cody would have anything to do with it. Cutting yourself in a survival situation so you can experiment with gunpowder cauterization...well, even Bear isn't that stupid. Congrats, D.C.- you've sunk to a new low for reality TV.

NOt everyone agrees with the near unanimous verdict being expressed in this thread.

http://youtu.be/LL3FaY4fV-I

After reading 98.6* a few years back, I ran into Cody in an REI in Tempe, just shopping like the rest of us. Really nice dude, had a great chat in the aisle. Yes he was barefoot.

How does he cross Arizona asphalt in the summer?

As for the topic, don't forget that this is a Discovery Channel production. It's all about ratings.

For everybody getting pissed off with the TV show, watch this video, get even more pissed off and then go workout. You may put up a personal best in the gym.