Talk:Man vs. Wild
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[edit] Warning
To fellow survival practitioners and seekers of survival information. Some of the practices of Bear Grylls on this show can be dangerous to your health and your life. The consumption of impure water, raw meat, swimming in water with dead animal carcases, and getting your clothing wet during cold weather can kill you. These things should only be attempted if you know that you'll be back to civilization within a week or two and only if you MUST! Otherwise you will die from salmonella, giardia, amoebas, diarrhea, hypothermia, and frostbite. You must always boil water for at least 15 minutes, not only to get rid of bacteria, parasites, and amoebas, but also protists that can resist boiling temperatures for longer periods of time than most organisms. If you cannot boil water then make certain that you retrieve your water from a fast flowing stream with no dead animals upstream or any visible pollutants or factories in or near the water. Always cook meat so it's well done. This will also kill bacteria and parasites that might be within the meat. Never eat unless you have water to consume with your meal. Never get your clothing wet if it's cold or if the temperature will become cold during the night. Discovery Channel doesn't seem to realize that some of the practices witnessed on the show may actually be emulated by somebody at one point in time. If said person's rescue doesn't come within a week or two then they will almost certainly become extremely ill unless preventative measures are adhered to. Bear Grylls does use great techniques and possesses a skill set far above the average man's. However, some of the practices in his show should be used with extreme caution. Robert Hrosc
Addition: It is an exageration to call the show a survival series. Often the things that would really help with survival are skipped entirely like how he built the fire or how he made that elabaorate fishing rig from parachute shrouds. On the other hand, he often does things that are simply stupid like swallowing eggshells. Loss of calcium would not be a problem after just a few days. Contrast this with the much more realistic Les Stroud who for example mentions the problem of rabbit starvation but does not actually eat the fatty parts (intestines, eyes, and brains) because it isn't necessary after only a week. Bear's "demonstration" of what to do if you fall in the freezing water was nonsense. His exit depended entirely on gripping a frozen ridge on the side near where he broke through. I was stunned when I saw this cheat since the chances of having the same ridge to grip for a viewer would be close to zero. So, rather than showing real survival skills like escaping when falling through the ice this is merely the spectacle (like a dunking booth) of seeing someone plunged into freezing water. I would characterize Man Versus Wild as the Jackass version of genuine survival shows.
[edit] First episode
I thought the first episode was in the Rocky Mountains? Evan Reyes 07:19, 15 November 2006 (UTC)
No, it's not , but I saw on my cable box's scheduleing that this epiode will be shown at * pm Pacific time, on discovery channel. 67.172.125.13 00:53, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
Regardless there was a Rocky Mountains episode so it needs to be added. I too it was the first one aired. 71.124.220.57 16:06, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
That was my post above... the episode aired on October 27th 2006. http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=284391&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=5956160 Bjfcool 16:39, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
"The Rockies" episode was the series pilot. Hence the explanation of the show premise in the episode and some emotional baggage that didn't reach the rest of the series. I updated the episode list to include it. Navethechimp 06:44, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Dungwater
... Wouldn't that make you pretty sick? I guess that's better than dying of thirst, but wouldn't you still die?
pay attention to the show more, he explains it. --Plankton5005 01:57, 6 January 2007 (UTC)
I thought eating the dead zebra was bad until he drank poo water. Mr. Ham Man 06:13, 6 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Wild == Stage?
Is this series staged?
Can we assume that Bear's being stranded is actully just a hypothetical and that every situation that he finds himself in in succession thereafter within each episode is merely arranged for demonstrating his knowledge of survival?
-MrBucket 03:14, 23 December 2006 (UTC)
- It rather appears that way. It's much more organized around relating survival tips than really surviving. The show is clearly divided into neat segments which seem pre-prepared. If this is a reality series, so are fishing or cooking shows. – Anþony talk 08:43, 23 December 2006 (UTC)
- The show is most definitely staged. Apart from doing things that wouldn't work, there are several instances where the camera shots contradict the premise of the show and several bad editing mistakes such as when Bear is supposedly swimming down a river, but you can see he has a life vest on in several shots, "making" fishing hooks which magically turn into the store bought kind once the fish is actually caught and other such silly stuff. Cereal Box Conspiracy 17:59, 31 December 2006 (UTC)
- I think they help Bear out with things that he could hypothetically do, but for the sake of repetition and time, they help him out. He probably could make fishing hooks, but why bother when the people watching can't really tell the difference. They also probably give him flint so they don't have to show him making a fire every single time- but again, he probably could.
- A producer who would willingly produce a show that is actually putting it's one and only star in extreme danger without safety precautions is a stupid producer. But of course, if these precautions were more visible and obvious than the show would not have it's selling points. Also, I imagine Discovery channel has legal obligations, standards, and such to follow. It's really all the final product that matters in Hollywood and in this case the final product it's quite enjoyable.Navethechimp 06:33, 20 January 2007 (UTC)
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- According to a chat transcript[1], he did use a life preserver in the first episode "Moab Desert," as the insurance/safety people required him to. After that show, though, he insisted on his way - potential death. Also, according to the same, roughly 90% of what actually happens is edited out, so there's a lot that we're not shown. Grahamdubya 18:30, 25 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Season 2?
Is there any word as to whether or not there will be a second season? I guess they could do somewhere in China or something, but I don't know if they could pull off another ten episodes. 69.149.226.40 19:37, 1 January 2007 (UTC)
Yes, being filmed now. --Ira-welkin 03:00, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
Got a source?69.148.177.179 03:21, 20 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] "Controversy"
Look, you may not believe the show is real. However, weasel words, non-NPOV, and plain falsities ('a boat in excellent condition' - it sank) are not only a poor way to make an argument, but do not adhere to Wikipedia policy. Grahamdubya 05:27, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
- From what I have seen the premise of this show is how to get yourself killed if stranded in the wildernes. Its basically a series of ridiculous stunts and and pure hogwash. Any genuine survival skills are purely acidental. If you don't believe this stuff is staged then I am sure you also believe professional wresting is an authentic athletic competition.--64.252.6.149
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- That's completely besides the point. You're entitled to your opinion, too, but until you can find me proof of the staged nature of the show, don't talk about it like it's a fact. Grahamdubya 02:55, 7 February 2007 (UTC)
Common sense should be sufficient to raise serious questions about the reality of the show. Where do you expect a siting? Its a TV show. If you search on the net on almost any forum on outdoor survival you will read scathing criticisms of what is portrayed - look at the forum on survival.com for example
also, survival experts recommend not engaging in risky behavior especially if your alone. Particularly when Bear climbs up trees and cliffs looking for food, or scales down cliffs and waterfalls when he can easily go around. A broken limb in the wilderness could cost you your life.
- Can we just agree that he is a showman that has been caught twice "cheating" with help from the camera crew(rope in the island episode and life jacket in the rockies episode) and that the claim that it is true could be either the fault of discovery or Bear or both with no known evidence as to which. At the very least it should serve as indication of the reliability of the shows information. As far as the source for this information anyone may view thies episodes and see it for themselves though it would be preferable if someone would take a good screen capture and post it. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.112.30.41 (talk) 05:54, 24 February 2007 (UTC).Effilcdar
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- Look, what the h is the deal here? He never claims anything but to show you some survival skills as he works his way back to civilization. I know nothing about this topic, but me and my girlfriend realize as we watch this show that he doesn't intend people to do the extravagant things he does. It is highly entertaining to watch him do what he does, as he is clearly quite skilled in doing things. And I am not stupid enough to think I should jump down a mountain or climb a waterfall if I am lost in the woods, but it is cool to watch him do it since he can. I can't believe everybody is up in arms about this. If you looked up interviews with Bear, you would know that these 'catches' "cheating" are bull, and that he talks about it. --Ira-welkin 03:05, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
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