12 Survival TV Shows That Will Actually Teach You Something About Surviving

Man vs. Wild (2006)

If you seek the adrenaline rush wrapped in heart-pounding adventures, you can never go wrong with survival shows. Beyond the freeze and fawn you feel watching these riveting entertainments, many survival shows offer practical, life-saving lessons sufficient to save the day if you ever get into similar messes of your favorite big-screen adventurers.

1. Man vs. Wild (2006)

Man vs. Wild (2006)

Image Credit: Diverse Productions.

Easily one of the most iconic survival shows of all time, the adventure of Bear Grylls in the treacherous and unforgiving wilderness is replete with real-life lessons on surviving in the wild with limited resources. You could learn how to find water, build shelter, and procure food in some of Earth’s most challenging landscapes.

2. Survivorman (2005)

Survivorman (2005)

Image Credit: Cream Productions.

Les Stroud heralds this highly successful survival show, and his raw and authentic approach makes it one of the go-to real-life mock-ups of how to endure treacherous wilderness with only a few handy tools. On-screen, You’ll witness the power of physical and mental fortitude crucial to surviving in the wild.

3. Dual Survival (2010)

Dual Survival (2010)

Image Credit: Original Media.

Unlike Man vs. Wild and Survivorman, Dual Survival had two experts from different backgrounds teaming up to beat the harshness outdoors. You can learn how best to find and ration limited resources like food and water as a group plying inhospitable environments.

4. Naked and Afraid (2013)

Naked and Afraid (2013)

Image Credit: Renegade 83.

The Poetic tagline of Naked and Afraid is the perfect representation of this show that had contestants thrust into the badlands. Bereft of clothing and attempting to survive the harsh force of nature, the exhibition brings a realistic survival perspective. 

5. Alone (2015)

Alone (2015)

Image Credit: Leftfield Pictures.

One of the best you’ll find, contestants of the show Alone are left alone with no camera crew or quick-response support, and it doesn’t get more real than this. Critics hail this show for its unobstructed approach to survival in the boondocks, and you can learn a thing or two if the need to test your primal instincts ever arises.

6. The Island With Bear Grylls (2014)

The Island With Bear Grylls (2014)

Image Credit: Bear Grylls Ventures.

Bear Grylls steps into the spotlight again, but this time with a different catch: a group of amateur survival enthusiasts must find their footing and survive in remote uninhabited islands of the Pacific with minimal supplies. Grylls coaches them through challenging scenarios, and they must adapt by joining forces and bringing an A-level game of creativity and resourcefulness.

7. Ultimate Survival Alaska (2013)

Ultimate Survival Alaska (2013)

Image Credit: Brian Catalina Productions.

Alaska is home to some of the most treacherous environments, and on this show, contestants have to compete for the sheer joy of conquering snow-clad mountains and idyllic dense forests instead of a grand prize. Ultimate Survival Alaska brings nail-biting intrigues that’ll keep you on the edge of your couch through screen time.

8. Surviving the Stone Age: Adventure to the Wild (2020)

Surviving the Stone Age (2020)

Image Credit: Passion Distribution.

If you seek to learn how it would be if you had to survive back in time, this is the show for you. Relying only on stone-age tools, participants must survive harsh prehistoric conditions. Learn to make fires by smashing stones, craft crude, efficient weaponry, build shelter from palms, and live on minimal resources through this cliffhanging, primitive TV show.

9. Snowflake Mountains (2022)

Snowflake Mountains (2022)

Image Credit: Netflix.

Set in one of the planet’s most frigid and forgiving landscapes, contestants on the show are pushed to the edge of their minds by trying physical and mental tasks. Snowflake Mountains had viewers witness participants push through harsh blizzards and whiteouts to reach safety. This show is for you if you need tips on getting the best out of a team and making crucial decisions under life-threatening pressure.

10. Dude, You’re Screwed (2013)

Dude, You're Screwed (2013)

Image Credit: Discovery Channel.

This show tests five experts for ingenuity, endurance, and apex survival skills. Each episode had one survivalist kidnapped by four others, huddled in a strange location where they had to fight to live or die. You can leverage the experience of these experts if you seek to understand how to survive treacherous environments.

11. The Colony (2021)

The Colony (2021)

Image Credit: Constantin Film.

You could learn a thing or two from the simulated post-apocalyptic scenarios of The Colony. Participants must build a society from scratch between limited resources and constant threats to survival.

12. Surviving Disaster (2009)

Surviving Disaster (2009)

Image Credit: SPIKE TV.

Hosted by former Navy Seal, Cade Coutley, the show leads the way to survive agonizing disasters, including natural disasters such as earthquakes, pandemics, and nuclear wars. Using the show’s practical survival tools, you could learn what to do during a plane crash, terrorist attack, robbery, or home invasion.

12 TV Shows About Living off the Grid That Make It Look More Tempting Everyday

Image Credit: History Channel/Warm Springs Productions.

In recent years, many Americans have shown an interest in prepping or preparing for a major emergency or natural disaster. They have also shown an interest in getting back to basics and living a subsistence lifestyle. A segment of the population already lives “off the grid.” If escaping from the modern world appeals to you, these shows are a great way to learn more about an alternative way of life.

12 TV Shows About Living off the Grid That Make It Look More Tempting Everyday

One Step Ahead: 14 Peculiar Items Preppers Rely on in Their Bug-Out Bags

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As the economy takes on turbulence and our climate gets more extreme, being prepared for a national – or global – disaster suddenly doesn’t seem like a bad thing! But what do you pack beyond the basics? Here are 14 peculiar items seasoned preppers rely on in their bug-out bags.

One Step Ahead: 14 Peculiar Items Preppers Rely on in Their Bug-Out Bags

14 Really Important Facts That People Seem To Ignore About a Zombie Apocalypse

Post-apocalyptic woman and boy with weapons outdoors. Desert and dead wasteland on the background. Aggressive girl warrior in shabby clothes holding the sword and young boy with a gun standing in a

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If a zombie apocalypse were upon us today, how would you survive? Many people have the uttermost confidence in their survival, while others do not. In an online forum, people discuss numerous things others need to consider. And many are hard truths or valuable knowledge that would be beneficial not to ignore should the world becomes overrun with zombies. Here are things to consider.

14 Really Important Facts That People Seem To Ignore About a Zombie Apocalypse

10 Disaster Films To Scratch Your End of the World Itch

Dante's Peak (1997)

Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

If you’re craving some thrilling cinematic escapades that explore the cataclysmic scenarios of doomsday, you’ve come to the right place. Others may not understand your sadistic thought experiments, but I get it.

10 Disaster Films To Scratch Your End of the World Itch

10 Best Places To Hide in Canada During a Zombie Apocalypse

prince edward island

Image Credit: Darryl Brooks/shutterstock.

The most important piece of advice I hear whenever I enter discussions about a potential zombie apocalypse is that you should find a location as remote as possible. Curious, someone recently asked a Canadian online forum, “What’s the safest place in Canada if there’s a zombie apocalypse?” Well, Canadians came to the thread with their responses ready!

10 Best Places To Hide in Canada During a Zombie Apocalypse

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Alimi Samuel

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