Survivorman
released 2004
www.ink2quill.com

”Survivorman” is a Canadian, adventure, survival reality TV series shown on many channels like the Discovery Channel, Outdoor Life Network and Science Channel. It was created, written, directed and stars Les Stroud. He is also the executive producer, cinematographer, camera setup person and overall authority on survival off the land in the wild. It also stars Todd Standing, Sam Omik (an Inuit hunter), Uzimann, Joseph McConnell and Logan Stroud. Although it is edited it is not staged or faked like so many other shows of this type.

His website is at: http://lesstroud.ca/survivorman

”Survivorman” deals with survival of the individual off the land in different environments. The premise of the show is simple: Les Stroud is dropped off in some remote location away from society and must survive and make his way to the rescue team waiting for him kilometers away. He must find water, food, shelter and stay warm while being careful to avoid predators, parasites and injury. The different terrains include mountains, jungles, deserts, forests, the open sea, swamps and more. The countries he´s placed in include the Canadian boreal forest, Arizona desert in the US, Costa Rica, lost at sea off the coast of Belize and much more. Every episode is a different place with a whole new set of challenges and Les Stroud must use his wits and common sense to make it through the day.

”Survivorman” is an unglamorous view of survival. Very often Les Straud has to scrounge for food or things he might need, for say, a shelter, lean-to or elevated place to sleep on. He often sleeps in uncomfortable places and drinks stagnant water from grimy spots like the fissures in rocks. His survival techniques are however sound and, like I said earlier, the show is not staged or fake like so many others.

I really like this show because it´s an honest look at survival outside of our cozy society. We see how ill prepared we are to just walk out into a given terrain, away from society, and survive. Problems like warmth, finding food and water are a real obstacles to survival. As are diseases and parasites from things like unboiled water or an open wound. You realize how much we take for granted and are grateful for all the good things we get from society and our communities that work together.

There is a very important caveat for the foolish who follow in his footsteps without any kind of preparation or research to a place far from civilization. The single biggest threat from parasites, besides insects, will be to drink unboiled water. No matter where you camp or hike and how beautiful and picturesque your view is don´t drink unboiled water. Some of the diseases and parasites you can get from water are really nasty and can negatively affect your health decades down the road. Otherwise, camping in remote places is all fun.

So, I say, next time you see a squirrel foraging for food throw them a nut. Don´t litter, especially when you´re in nature or at sea and enjoy ”Survivorman”. This is a good show worth watching.

(Commentary by www.ink2quill.com )
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