How many people could live on their own in the wild? An exciting survival TV series show called, “Alone,” is now on its 10th season on the History Channel. “Alone” which started in 2015 has been teaching audiences about being tough, smart and never giving up. Ten players are dropped in the middle of nowhere with only a few tools and a video camera. They must find food, build shelter and survive longer than any of the other players to win. It is a hard challenge and watching it play out is entertaining. You also learn a lot about how to survive in tough situations, both in the wilderness and in everyday life.
Pick 10 Items
Each season of “Alone,” starts out with 10 players, who are brought to very remote areas by either a boat or helicopter. All players are given a first aid kit and also a camera so they can record their activities. Once dropped off, the players are completely alone, miles away from all the other contestants. Players are allowed to bring 10 items from a pre-approved list. Many bring a machete, flashlight, and fishing line, but the most important item would be the bow and arrow. Players need to find their own food, so hunting and trapping is very important to survive.
Bear Spray
The players start by building a shelter for them to live in during their time on the show. This is one of the most important parts of the contest because if their shelter does not hold up, they will need to leave the game early. Dealing with bad weather is another very important part of the show. Almost all the locations of the show take place in areas with cold temperatures. This is why the having a good shelter is so important. Also, the shelter needs to protect the players from wildlife. Many locations have bears and wolves that live in the area, and the players need to be prepared to deal with them. One item in the standard kit given to each player is bear spray, which many need to use.
Experience Necessary
Most the players picked to be on the show have experience living in the wild. The players have backgrounds as park rangers, ex-military or travel guides. The average player on show will last between 50 and 80 days in the wild before they must tap out. On the seventh season, Roland Welker spent 101 days alone in the northwest territories of Canada, making him the longest-lasting player in the show’s history.
When players decide to tap out, they have to call using a satellite phone to tell the producer of the show they are done. The last one standing wins the cash prize, which is usually between $500,000 and $1 million.
Physical and Mental
Players not only need to deal with living in the wild and getting their own food, but they also have to battle loneliness and the stress of being completely alone. One of the biggest surprises of the show is how important it is to have mental strength. It is interesting how these strong men and women, who can build their shelter and hunt for food, need to tap out because they are lonely. You learn that that survival is not just about being physically tough, it is about staying calm, focused and motivated even when things seem impossible.
Home Sweet Home
The show “Alone” is so enjoyable because you get to watch the players figure out how to make a fishing net out of string or building a shelter from branches. By watching the show, you also learn a lot about survival, what you can eat and how you need to prepare for bad weather. The show makes you appreciate your house and your next meal.
Must Watch
As you watch “Alone,” you don’t just watch the players survive, you feel their struggles, their victories and their pain. The fact that “Alone” is still going strong after 10 seasons just shows how much people love it. It’s not just a show about surviving in the wild; it is a show about the human spirit. Could you live on your own in the wild, and if so, for how long?
