8 Things You See On Survival Reality TV Shows That Will Not Help You Survive In Real Life

Anyone who has ever spent any length of time in the "real wilderness" understands that reality TV shows about survival are for entertainment, at best.

Some of what those shows can teach us could actually be useful as we consider different outdoor survival scenarios. But in the genuinely remote wilderness, one careless mistake could mean the difference between surviving, or not.

Pack it lightPhoto byRichelleg

It's evident from observing animals that they are "risk averse." And with good cause. During evolution, most foolish individuals who take foolish risks have met a quicker foolish ending. Here are a few instances of things we see on survivor shows that no one should attempt.

Not Being Prepared

Normally you see "survivors" going into the wilderness with nothing but a cameraman, who then shows you how to survive different scenarios. In real life, you'll need things to survive, and you'll need to keep your pack light, with at least quality knives, ropes, cords, tarps, axes, guns, and flint & steel.

It only takes one rainy, shivering cold night to cause pneumonia. And believe me when I say that having access to food that you can't eat because you can't hunt or start a fire is the worst possible situation, especially if you're hungry.

Beautiful but should be taken seriouslyPhoto byRichelleg

Taking Chances

Nobody will watch a safe survival show. Because of this, you'll see experts doing all sorts of crazy stunts. Being willing to take chances when there is no other course of action is essential for survival, but it doesn't mean you just run around jumping out of trees onto gators and fighting bears with your hands.

Jumping Into Strange Water

You don't jump or dive into water that you are unfamiliar with—in terms of depth, currents, etc.—ever. You don't know what's under the surface.

Dangerous Climbing

You'll see these experts climing things for a high vantage point. And while that is super important, they'll climb anything. Climbers also understand that it's far easier to go up than to go down. Ask any person who enjoys the sport of rock climbing. You can't always descend the same slope that you climb. All your food and water you collected won't do you any good up in that tree if you can't get back down.

Don't eat what you don't knowPhoto byRichelleg

Toxic Plants

It can be risky to experiment with berries or roots you're not sure about. It's best to avoid taking the chance all together unless you are 100000% sure. Nothing will ruin your survival like eating something bad. You'll hear them say, "take a small nibble and hold it in your mouth without swallowing," which is pretty close to how you should do it if you aren't sure, but even then you only do this if you're 90% sure. They go in the forests putting things in their mouths like goats; don't do this.

Shelters in Dangerous Places

It can seem safe to sleep high up in a tree, on rocks, in a valley, or on the edge of a cliff. But the likelihood of falling or something falling on you is higher than you think. Again, there are situations where sleeping up in a tree is necessary, but they are not as common as those TV shows like to show.

You'll need protection from the elements and from the wildlife, but sleeping under a dead tree is just as dangerous as climbing one. You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Water rises quickPhoto byRichelleg

Wildlife

If you handle the wrong animal once, you'll be sorry twice. You'll see these survivors on TV, and it's rare they have an encounter with a dangerous animal, the reason being there's four huge production tents and 50 people set up around the corner.

Unless you are sure you can eat it and you can safely dispatch it, and none of it will go to waste, don't mess with the wildlife. Especially if you are in a place you don't recognize.

Drinking Urine

I'm not saying you can't; I'm saying that it ought to be the very last option.

Toxin accumulation in the body is a real problem in survival due to the lack of fresh water to drink safely. It impairs brain function and can cause hallucinations, funnily enough, like dehydration. Your best bet is to collect water from a fast-moving source and boil the heck out of it.

Know before you goPhoto byRichelleg

The last thing you want is to be poisoned, delusional, and unable to make sound decisions while in a survival situation or bugging out. You must be willing to take chances, but be cautious and smart rather than bold and reckless.

Attributions:

Survival Shows: Entertainment vs Reality. (n.d.). Alderleaf Wilderness College. https://www.wildernesscollege.com/survival-shows.html#:~:text=Another%20issue%20that%20bothers%20me,be%20specialists%20in%20that%20environment.

Stroud, L. (2020, April 14). The Myths & Mistakes Of Survival TV. BC Outdoors Magazine. https://www.bcoutdoorsmagazine.com/the-myths-mistakes-of-survival-tv/