Spike TV's Surviving Disaster

dgiharris · Oct 13, 2009

So, I've seen promos of this show and was intrigued but not enough to seek it out.

Just finished watching some UFC fights and the show comes on.

AMAZING SHOW.

It basically breaks down the fourth wall and puts you in a situation in which you have to survive, but the moderator/actor guides you through the situation step by step.

And the cool thing. This show can/will actually save lives.

For instance, the majority of the populace has no idea what to do if stranded in a desert, ocean, jungle, etc. etc.

The episode I'm watching now is what to do if you are caught up in one of those terrorist type shootings like what happened in Columbine

anyways, if you haven't seen this show, check it out.

Very impressive

Mel...

Jcomp · Oct 14, 2009

Had meant to catch this show, forgot it was coming out. Saw commercials for it over the summer, looked interesting and intense. Cool to find out that it's also informative.

Shadow_Ferret · Oct 14, 2009

Is this the one where it's about real people who were rescued from disaster or am I thinking of another show?

dgiharris said:
And the cool thing. This show can/will actually save lives.

For instance, the majority of the populace has no idea what to do if stranded in a desert, ocean, jungle, etc. etc.

I have no intention on being stranded.

dgiharris · Oct 14, 2009

Shadow_Ferret said:
I have no intention on being stranded.

I'm sure those are (were) the same thoughts of 99% of the people who've ever been stranded.

Have you ever driven cross country? Have you took a flight during inclement weather? Have you ever gone hiking or camping?

Ever driven in a snowstorm? Ever take a cruise?

Do you ever have plans to do any of the above?

If you've answered yes to any of the above, then you are a candidate for one day possibly being stranded.

Zoombie · Oct 14, 2009

This show sounds cool, but I'm suspicious of Spike after Deadliest Warriors...that was just nerd wanking, but if they give inaccurate information about this, they could kill folk!

dgiharris · Oct 15, 2009

Well, it seems legit. They have a Navy Seal running everything and various experts chiming in throughout the series.

I have a fair amount of training in various survival related fields and what i've seen so far is spot on.

caromora · Oct 15, 2009

I watched the last episode--about the gunmen in a mall--and thought it was a little, well... unrealistic. The advice, I mean.

Sure, some of the suggestions might work if you're Jack Bauer, but is the average person really going to be able to shoot a gunmen in the head, while he's pretty far away, and while he's moving? Sharp shooters train for years to make shots like that. A terrified everyday Joe? Probably not going to pull it off.

There were other things, too--like what type of store is going to have metal suitcases AND piles of phone books?

It just seemed like so many of the tips depended on circumstances that were unlikely to actually occur. I was hoping for something more practical, I guess.

It *was* entertaining, though.

bettielee · Oct 15, 2009

I find the "host" incredibly irritating. And, all the people follow him and his advice because of the show (I'm thinking of the fire-in-a-high-rise-show, where you would have to work together). In real life, you'd have all sorts of a-holes asking you who the hell you think you are, bossing them around. Sad but true.

dgiharris · Oct 15, 2009

bettielee said:
I find the "host" incredibly irritating. And, all the people follow him and his advice because of the show (I'm thinking of the fire-in-a-high-rise-show, where you would have to work together). In real life, you'd have all sorts of a-holes asking you who the hell you think you are, bossing them around. Sad but true.

I've had the misfortune of being in several emergency life threatening situations. In an emergency situation, you will listen to whomever exertes leadership and dominance.

It is biological hardwiring, never fails. Well, that's not true. Some people just completely freeze up. That is the other reaction, but usually, you slap these people and give them a clear direction "Run over there and duck behind the tree" and they will do it.

dgiharris · Oct 15, 2009

caromora said:
I watched the last episode--about the gunmen in a mall--and thought it was a little, well... unrealistic. The advice, I mean.

Sure, some of the suggestions might work if you're Jack Bauer, but is the average person really going to be able to shoot a gunmen in the head, while he's pretty far away, and while he's moving? .

To be fair, he wasn't that far away, only 75 ft and with a rifle, that is a doable shot. Anyone familiar with shooting a rifle (lots of guys have experience shooting guns especially hunters)

Plus, lots of people are ex military. And in the military, we make that shot with a rifle at over a 100 yards, so yes, it is doable.

But I do agree, some of that stuff was situationally dependant.

But they were in a mall, malls have everything you need

Mel...

Zoombie · Oct 15, 2009

dgiharris said:
But they were in a mall, malls have everything you need

Mel...

You can even buy love and happiness. They're on aisle twelve.

Jcomp · Oct 15, 2009

Zoombie said:
This show sounds cool, but I'm suspicious of Spike after Deadliest Warriors...that was just nerd wanking...

Some of the stuff in this show is inevitably going to play into guy fantasies. Still haven't seen it, but the description of the mall gunman seems to be like that. Just plausible enough to not be discounted, but unlikely enough for it to be a fantasy. That's part of the appeal of this show, I think. Every guy secretly fantasizes of getting to play hero in some disaster / survival scenario. A lot of guy (think that they) want to live out the Die Hard situation, the Red Dawn situation, the Poseidon Adventure.

Just like a lot of guys have, at one point or another, secretly tried to see if they had telekinetic powers when they were bored...

dgiharris · Oct 15, 2009

Jcomp said:
Just like a lot of guys have, at one point or another, secretly tried to see if they had telekinetic powers when they were bored...

How dare you spy on me!

Ummm.... I mean, that's just silly.

Mel...

Shadow_Ferret · Oct 15, 2009

dgiharris said:
I'm sure those are (were) the same thoughts of 99% of the people who've ever been stranded.

Have you ever driven cross country? Have you took a flight during inclement weather? Have you ever gone hiking or camping?

Ever driven in a snowstorm? Ever take a cruise?

Do you ever have plans to do any of the above?

If you've answered yes to any of the above, then you are a candidate for one day possibly being stranded.

No.

jodiodi · Oct 15, 2009

We drove from Georgia to Alaska and back 3 years later. We travel long distances to get to either of our families'. We had to make sure we had food, water, blankets, etc., especially traveling in the winter. Plus, I have heart trouble and we've come across several wrecks, including an incident where a guy was shot in the head. We try to keep emergency supplies in our car just in case something happens. Better to be prepared than not.

I'm also the type who checks out all the emergency exits in every building and plane I'm in. I make sure we have smoke detectors and fire alarms in every room and have a couple of fire extinguishers. I'd like to have at least 2 in every room including bathrooms. I'm terrified of fire.

I grew up in hurricane and tornado territory so I'm accustomed to expecting bad weather. I guess being a nurse made me mindful of stuff that people need in emergencies. Plus, I've traveled long distances enough to try to be prepared for anything.

Cranky · Oct 15, 2009

Jcomp said:
Some of the stuff in this show is inevitably going to play into guy fantasies. Still haven't seen it, but the description of the mall gunman seems to be like that. Just plausible enough to not be discounted, but unlikely enough for it to be a fantasy. That's part of the appeal of this show, I think. Every guy secretly fantasizes of getting to play hero in some disaster / survival scenario. A lot of guy (think that they) want to live out the Die Hard situation, the Red Dawn situation, the Poseidon Adventure.

Just like a lot of guys have, at one point or another, secretly tried to see if they had telekinetic powers when they were bored...

*coughs*

Not just guys, though.

Spike TV's Surviving Disaster

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

Jcomp

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

caromora

Still alive. Kind of.

bettielee

I'm a sparkly fairy princess!

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Jcomp

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

jodiodi

Reflections of Reality

Cranky