Did anyone see the Ultimate survivor show on discover?
I just finished watching it with my 13 year old son and even he couldn't help pointing out all of the bad advice this show dished out as survival info. One of the worst was advising using your backpack as a flotation device, for riding rapids in an ice cold river, rather than walking (can anyone say hypothermia), let alone the obvious danger of the act itself. I couldn't help but notice that even after the so called survival expert set the rules about how the camera crew was not to help in any way he managed to get ahold of a flotation vest which he tried to hide under his shirt. This guy gave out some very dangerous advice which sadly some people will try to use in an already bad situation. At least Les Stroud manages to show some actual survival techniques along with the melodrama. Man this show was a major dissapointment, especialy when you have people like Doug Ritter out there really working to educate people.
sorry for the long rant but garbage like this could get someone hurt.
also did anyone see the pile of embers this guy suposedly got with a hand drill (more like a blowtorch with a little editing)

I watched. There was some good stuff, and the things you pointed out. Shootin' the rapids sans boat looked a tad dangerous to me, and while he no doubt knows his stuff, rappelling with 550 paracord or jumping off 70-ft cliff into unknown water (and rocks) are one of those "don't try this at home kids."

I will say, he's got an interesting "r?sum?." From bio on his website : climbed Mt. Everest at age 23; served 3 years in British SAS; crossed Artic Ocean in small, open inflatable (why would you want to do that? <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />), broke his back in a freefall parachute accident in Africa.

Dan

I missed the show unfortunately, but there is one thing you have to think about in just about any television program where a dangerous element is involved and in which the person isn't producing (funding) the piece themselves, and that thing is insurance. He may have had to wear the floatation vest because of that. However, it would have been better to make mention of such a thing if that were indeed the case rather than try and hide it altogether.

I also don't know the circumstances he had in mind that made using his backpack as a floatation device, but from what I've seen on more than one show is that it is taught at a lot of different special forces schools around the world. In any case, at some point you may find yourself in a situation where you have to cross a deep body of water with your gear, and it's better if the pack floats and you can use it as an aid rather than let it be the thing that drags you down. I will have to admit that In the context you mention him using this in, icy water and rapids, it sounds a bit rediculous when it would obviously be better to find a safer place to cross. If he was only doing this to cover distance more quickly than walking, I'd say he was out of his mind.

Anyway, I didn't see the show, but I just checked the schedule and it's on again this evening (03/12/06) at 7:00 pm. EST. I'll make sure to watch, and then join in on the blasting. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Then again, though I've trained, I'm betting I have a heck of a lot less time doing so than he has.

I agree. The show was somehow to be a personal challenge for himself, and at the same time cover survival strategy. I think he should put forth his information more for a person needing escape and evasion skills rather than just survival skills. I thought it very odd that he would advise children to walk out rather than staying until found, for instance. His show has potential, but he needs to decide upon what exact audience he is appealing to.

I too thought this show was a little high risk for teaching survival. I hope to see the other episodes, since this was the pilot episode just for entertainment value. although I might jump a 70 foot cliff if a bear was forcing me to do so. (but only if my director/cameraman checked the depth prior to me jumping.And I don't think I would jump with a floatation device like a daypack strapped to my back)

When I see Everest AND SAS in the same resume, I keep walking.

After watching a couple of Les Stroud's episodes, this one with Bear Grylls was like watching everything you shouldn't do.

Oh well, at least there was some entertainment value.

I was wondering if I was the only one that noticed the vest under his sweatshirt when he was in the water.

Also notice he had on a Breitling watch with a PLB built in? ONly $4500 when I looking at them.

I didn't like the show at all. Too many "don't do this at home" moments.

Les could whip him in a survival situation.

Just watched the "ultimate moronathon" last night; this show is a grand selection of misinformation, from throwing one's self into a river, to throwing river rocks in a fire. Oh well, some are raised by the TV and some will perish via the same........

Yep, watched the whole gruling hour. I think about the only thing he did right was build the debris hut...after that it was one mistake after another...walking at night, actually half running to get away from the unconfirmed bear...lucky the camera man was there with a light, jumping off the cliff again...some unseen bear was the enemy here...and I couldn't belive how fast he was moving down that burn area..talk about an injury waiting to happen. Just one wrong thing after another.

Yeah...this show is purely enterainment...Les has him beat hands down.