First Impressions – Discovery Channel’s Dual Survival
dsc.discovery.com/tv/dual-survival/
Note - show image and hyperlink will be added later.
Discovery Channel just recently started airing a new survival-centric show called Dual Survival. The show puts a cast of two survival experts into trying situations and has them live through the scenario until rescued or they walk out. The basic format is similar to Survivorman with Les Stroud, which I really liked (can't stand the production methods of man vs wild) - however, the hosts do not film themselves, a camera crew is provided. Best part thus far is that one of the hosts is none other than The Pathfinder, Dave Canterbury. The other host is Cody Lundin. Who by all means knows his stuff, but is a bit of a nutjob.
The first episode puts Dave and Cody into a scenario where they have ridden a lifeboat onto a small island in Nova Scotia during January. The temperatures during the day hover around 32 degrees fahrenheit and materials are limited. It is never discussed as to just what is in their kits but Dave seems to have his own model Blind Horse knife with him and Cody at one point produces a mylar space blanket.
Generally speaking when you put so much good knowledge in one place, regardless of TV production (entertainment value) practices, there is quite a bit of good advice oozing out. Unfortunately, for educational purposes, the hosts were chosen for their obviously conflicting personalities which in theory, will increase entertainment value. I hope the don't over-produce and turn this show into a drama fest because their is some serious potential here.
The first oddity you will find is that Cody Lundin in all his naturalistic glory chooses to wear shorts in this cold environment and refuses to wear shoes - only wool socks! Now, I do have to admit that his answer as to why he chooses not to wear shoes has some scientific merit, but is not wise and should not be recommended for others. He says to Dave after being called a "bush hippy" that this is his choice and its not for everyone. Great! But please do recognize that you are on national TV, on a survival show, to educate people as to what methods may work in any given scenario. I kind of expected this type of thing from the onset of the naming of the hosts some months back. I hope he doesn't turn this show into a lecture about primitive Earth science and Bio-anthropology.
Now don't think I'm just riding the Pathfinder bandwagon. Though I may be a fan, I'm no fanboy. Dave had made a critical and potentially fatal lapse in judgment when he chose to make a torch and check the traps he had set at night. That kind of practice would move him away from/possibly without means of finding the shelter and Cody. Both are survival no-no's. It was disappointing to see a bushcrafting role model make such a stupid decision.
The show rounded out with some footage of Dave hunting and harvesting a porcupine with a raft paddle he had sharpened into a stake and then fire-hardened, Cody using a gatherer approach searching for small mussels in tidal pools, and an eventual rescue from the Canadian Coast Guard.
I will watch two more episodes of this caliber before deciding its not worth the commercial time. Don't get me wrong, it was ok, but no better than any ol' Survivorman episode I've seen five times already. Let's all pray that The Discovery Channel doesn't ruin this show by trying to make it into "reality TV".
Summary: If you are new to primitive skills, bushcrafting, or general woodsmanship, it will have a lot of educational value. But if you are a seasoned viewer of this genre you may be underwhelmed.