As someone interested in topics related to survival and preparedness, I enjoy a survival television show. I’m talking real survival here, not Survivor, which is just a Hollywood version of a bad survival show.
After the September 11 terrorist attacks back in 2001, many people took an interest in learning basic survival skills. And the media was ready to deliver. Not long after, shows like Survivorman and then Man vs. Wild. A new show, Surviving Disaster recently started up on Spike TV, and it shows promise as a show that focuses on surviving various disasters, natural and man-made (fires, terrorism, etc.).
I’ve written a brief review of my two favorite survival television shows below, along with viewing information.
Man vs. Wild (Wednesdays, 9:00pm Discovery Channel). Since late 2006, Bear Grylls, former member of the SAS (Special Air Service), has been taking viewers through real-life survival situations. I particularly like this format because unlike other survival television shows, this one teaches you how to look for a way out, not just get by. I’d highly recommend this for anyone considering hiking, mountain climbing, etc, and of course, anyone interested in general survival topics.
One knock on Grylls’ show is that he occasionally receives help throughout his survival situation. I don’t see this as a problem, personally, but others feels this makes the show less authentic. I look at it from the perspective thate Grylls has a camera crew in tow, and is responsible for their safety, too. At times, conditions make it nearly impossible for the entire crew to survive without calling for help.
Surviving Disaster (Tuesdays, 10:00pm Spike TV). Surviving disaster debuted on September 1st, 2009. Former Navy SEAL, Cade Courtley, teaches viewers how to survive various disaster scenarios. Based on real-life events (such as the inaugural episode’s similarities to the September 11th hijackings), the show is re-enacted with plenty of realistic gore such as injuries, violence, etc. It is not for the faint of heart, but I think it helps to see this stuff to somewhat prepare for it in real life.
The first two episodes focused on surviving a plane hijacking and a burning office building. Each episode was filled with practical tips on improvisation, self defense and emergency preparedness. I’m already a fan, and looking forward to future episodes. Up next week: How to Survive a Hurricane.
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You can’t leave out “I survived” (www.biography.com/isurvived) on the Biography channel. And “I shouldn’t be alive” on Discovery channel.
Great idea for a blog. I hope you cover survival plans for home invasions too.
Surviving Disaster did do an episode on a home invasion! I am totally hooked on this show. I have learned so many tips on what to do in certain situations. By the way, love your blog, read it all the time. I recently put together the Bug Out Bags for my husband and I. We do not have kids so I only have 1 duffle bag per person.
Keep up the GREAT WORK!