Parents' Guide to

Secrets to Survival

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Just another survival show; tweens and up.

TV Discovery Channel Reality TV 2005
Secrets to Survival Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

In SECRETS TO SURVIVAL, trained stuntman/extreme athlete Troy Hartman retraces the steps of wayward adventurers to learn how they survived their ordeal -- and help teach others skills that can save lives. In one episode, for example, Hartman travels to the Amazon rainforest with a young couple who spent six harrowing days lost in the jungle. With the help of a local guide, Hartman puts himself in their position and tries to escape using only the bare minimum tools: a compass, a pocketknife, and a bottle of water. Survival tips also appear at the bottom of the screen, sometimes in contrast to what's happening on camera. Episodes typically also include facts about how the people in peril actually managed to escape their situation, as well as emotional reunions with rescue workers and others who provided help.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

While several shows do survival stories better, Secrets to Survival is the only one to put an apparent wilderness amateur in dangerous situations, mimicking most tourists' actual experience. Also, the show doesn't attempt to hide the assistance the host receives -- including the camera crew's presence -- as other series do. This may reduce the show's drama, but it ups the realism.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about risk, preparation, and safety. What did the survivors do wrong? What do you think you would have done in the same situation? Have you ever been in a very dangerous situation? How did you handle it? What preparations would have helped the show's survivors? How can you stay safe while still having fun? Does watching shows like this make you feel better or worse about the idea of spending time outdoors/in the wild?

TV Details

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