Survival Shows

A popular new show for fans of discovery and the great outdoors is Survivorman. This show features one man, Les Stroud, alone in the wilderness surviving with minimal tools and mainly on natural resources. The show airs in both Canada (on Outdoor Life Network) and the US (on Discovery) at different days and times, and is steadily developing a large following of dedicated viewers.

The TV show Survivorman has the host, Les Stroud, toting approximately 50 pounds’ worth of camera equipment with him throughout many different dangerous areas that are well-known for tourists becoming lost in. Each show is centered around the idea that Les has to survive in the specified area for seven days and then meet back up with his crew. The crew is there for rescue purposes should Les not show up on that seventh day like he is supposed to.

Depending on where the show is filmed—it has covered areas in Canada, the United States, Costa Rica and a variety of other places—Les begins his survival journey with only the items that a stranded tourist might have. For example, in the lost at sea episode, he begins with only the emergency pack that someone on a sinking ship might have, allowing a life raft and its emergency equipment for use. Other than these minor items, Les has to survive solely off the land (or sea, as the case may be). Other situations have included plane crash survival, mountain climbing survival, and many more.

The show is entertaining while Les talks the entire time and tells stories, as well as lets you know his thoughts and feelings about the situation. He does not lead you to believe it will be an easy thing to accomplish if you were in any of the situations he is in, often complaining of heat or cold or other elements, as well as how ready to go home he is. He also talks of ways to lift your spirits during the show, and how fire is not only important for warmth, but how it can help keep you going on your journey. There are other lessons throughout the show as well.

Depending on where Les is located for the episode, he may impart wisdom on how to eat poisonous bugs, what plants and animals can be eaten without cooking, how plants can help you, how to make a raft, how to build the proper shelter, how to avoid a polar bear, and much more. You can learn many tips and tricks that really could help you survive out in the wild, and the entertaining part is that you are learning them while watching someone else go through it.

While watching the show, you may be amazed at some of the things you will learn, such as how to evaporate fresh water out of grass and how to fight off hypothermia. While many people simply watch the show for its entertainment value, it really does offer a lot of information for you. And, since Survivorman is filmed in a variety of locations, covering snowy areas, tropical areas, deserts and jungles, you also get to see film of beautiful parts of our world while learning about what the land in that area has to offer.

Les sets up the cameras at a variety of angles and then later splices all of the video together in the correct order, so you are given the best view of each situation. He also maintains a sense of humor while talking the entire time, as well as including voice over narration in the show. It is an excellent way to be entertained while learning valuable information that could someday save your life if you found yourself stranded in this way.