As a side note, I recognize a lot of his techniques from the SAS survival manual and I think the idea there was to survive while "getting something done" as in getting somewhere or completing a mission, so I always take his show with a grain of salt.
I know there are other ways to find water in the desert than to squeeze an elephant turd, but if you gotta be fast about it, that makes some sense I suppose.
Last, I have to say....he needs to hang out here and learn to care for his knives. When your life is REALLY on the line, treating your blade like he does is a recipe for failure.
Bear was in the SAS so I suppose it makes sense that he sorta uses their style for survival. I think a lot of people discredit him because of the outrageous things he does, but I think the show just isn't CLEAR enough in explaining things and that really mislead and angered a lot of the Survival purists.
The techniques aren't meant to be things you do when lost in the wilderness, the techniques are more geared towards showing people the type of things that can be done when absolutely necessary.
Are they recommended? Of course not, but some of the things he showed could absolutely save your life. Example:
Using the rope/knot method (that's all I can think of to describe it) when walking on snow. The methods used to survive in-case you fall through ice. The examples of what you can eat raw (for the people who have can't start a fire whom might have been hesitate to eat raw), examples of how to hydrate when absolutely necessary (haha), some of the shelters he builds, etc.
I do watch the show. I don't like him to much though! I think he is going to get someone hurt. he does things that do need to be done, dude! cook something! does everything need to be beheaded and eaten right then and there.
I don't think he is beheading and eating right then and there to suggest that people do the same. I think he does it to show people that if it's absolutely necessary it can be done. As for getting someone hurt I doubt it, it takes a lot of balls to do a lot of the things he does.
FYI his show has saved the lives of at least two kids. Awhile back it was in the news, they fell through ice and utilized methods from MvsW to get out, once they were out they remembered what Bear did to keep himself from freezing to death. If they hadn't watched that show they'd have both died. If Bear wouldn't be entertaining they wouldn't have been watching the show.
I think he's a pretty cool guy, but his show was marketed wrong. A lot of times Bear will outright say when he's doing something just for himself that viewers shouldn't try it... But it should be said more often.
He's accomplished a lot though.
British SAS
Youngest Britain to climb Mt Everest (after breaking his back in 3 places at that)
Motivational Speaker
Author
Charity work
Crossed Arctic Ocean in inflatable boat
anti drugs work for kids
Owns an island and turned it into an animal sanctuary
etc....
