I've watched the show and though I think surviorman is a better show because of what Les does and how he does it; man vs wild is good in that by his doing these stunts(jumping in the freezing water, swimming under an obstacle) he is showing what can happen to people (worst case scenarion) and that you can make it. on this very forum we see all kinds of discussion about different scenarios and what to do if this item is lost or malfunctions. Well those things happen to people, and some times it is not gear, or knowledge, it is simply determination that makes the difference. See Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why. Whether he has a camera crew or not does not matter it is that he is showing that you can walk away.
just my 02

You are correct; that those who survive any particular survival situation are those who have the mind set to do so. However, there is a huge difference between portraying/reenacting how a survivor (trained or untrained) survived a particular situation and portraying how (skills and action wise) one should encounter/tackle a survival situation. Since the show portrays Bear as a Survival Expert, he therefore should be held to a higher standard of conduct and instructive value.

I, like many have had issues with how he deals with certain survival issues. It makes no “survival sense” to risk significant injury for minimal benefit. All survival action before taken should include a risk/benefit analysis (if possible-remember the S.T.O.P. acronym). Does climbing a 100ft+ plus tree/mesa/waterfall to get the lay of the land or travel improve one’s chances of survival vs. serious injury make sense? Not to me, if I am alone and trying to survive, taking any additional risk where significant injury is increased, unless it is immediately life-threatening for me not to do so, is simply not intelligent.

If one is in such a situation and one decides to take such a risk, obliviously you are the one to suffer the consequences of such action. The issue with Bear is he is acting as an instructor and to instruct your students (the show’s viewers) to take such risks is extremely irresponsible.


Just my 2 cents-
Pete

I pretty much agree with deepdiverbob. Bear is trying to show by example (like jumping through the ice in that small pond). It's true he's got a camera crew (unlike Stroud, whose show is very good ); I think it's true he cheats (like one reader pointed out about the ice fishing stunt); but, it's TV.

To people not interested in survival, they're not going to go out and try this stuff. If they find themselves stuck and they do try it, well the stuff he's teaching is, theoretically, basically correct (I think). So they're better off trying and dying than not trying..... and still dying.

To people interested in survival (like members of this forum), his antics are instantly recognized as being "made for TV".

I was watching him run, literally RUN, down this walled canyon and I'm asking my wife "What's this clown think he's doing?", and she says, quite calmly "Proving to millions he's an idiot". (She doesn't misuse her words)

Now that I realize there are so many others out there that see this guy like I do, I'm going to keep watching him...if nothing more than for the humor. Certainly there's a woman or two in his camera crew:: What does he think he's doing taking off all his clothes after spending several minutes in ice-cold water?? Has this guy lost his pride as a man?? <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Forgive me

I think the main problem is that regardless of how it is labeled/marketed, it is not a "survival" show, rather it is an extreme "adventure" show.

And I have to wonder, does his first name of "Bear" help at all with the ratings?

I saw a quick preview of an episode last night on The Discovery Channel. I could hardly keep myself from yelling out obscenities. Apparently they are marketing a "Survival Friday" theme. I hope "Survivorman" is included in that!

Nope. Sorry. It's "Man vs. Wild" followed by "I Shouldn;t Be Alive".

I haven't seen Survivor Man mentioned in about 3 weeks, since his last Saturday afternoon show-fest (the Canadian Plane Wreck show; The Utah Desert/Canyon Bicycling show; and one other good one I can't think of right now).

While I agree that it is more of an “adventure show” rather then a traditional “how to survive” survival show, I do believe it is very important as to how the show is labeled and marketed.

I am sure that the other EMS/Fire/Rescue/LEO folks (I know I can) on the forum can give very real examples of someone who has injured themselves or placed themselves and others in harms way by doing something they saw on TV or in the movies generally portrayed by some expert.

I believe that many of Bear’s actions/techniques are very dangerous and do not belong in a show on how to survive, especially one marketed to the general public. I predict the show will some day get one seriously injured or killed.

Pete

speaking of getting survival tips from TV shows. One of my colleagues operated a propane-fueled generator for an hour inside the warehouse, having ignored my advice that the trailer was an outdoor toy. When asked what she was thinking, she indicated that she remembers the protagonist on "king of the hill" saying that "propane is a clean-burning fuel". I suggested that getting life advice from animated features was unwise. It is clearly unwise to get tips on law enforcement from CSI, trauma medicine from ER, or politics from rush limbaugh-they are entertainment, not instruction, whatever they say.

I agree Pete, it is irresponsible to present it as an informative show about survival.

The lesson to be learned is: Don't believe everything you see on TV. Especially if it involves pissing on your own head.

I've only watched the clips on the Discovery site, but I already have two mental scars just from that. It seems like many of the "survival" skills involve doing something "gross". A few children may consider that to have entertainment value, but that's about it.

All TV programs should be required to display a disclaimer: "WARNING - The following show may insult your intelligence."

Thanks to those of you who said that one can eat charcoal/ashes from the fire to assist w/ stomach problems in a survival situation.

So now I'm wondering, how much should one ingest? Is there a rule of thumb with that or something? Any general precautions one should know? I'm just wondering...