I Shouldn't Be Alive

I loved this series, so sorry they quit making them in 2006. I am an avid outdoorsman and have learned lots from the series, how to avoid getting into trouble.

This is a very good show, or at least as far as I have watched it at the moment: series 1, 2 and 3. The actors are very good - although in most cases one has never heard of them! - and the reenactment of the accidents and ordeals are both very realistic and very dramatic. The fact that one knows that it is real events and not fiction, makes it more interesting and exciting than a work of fiction.

I like it that they do neither blow up heroes or gloat in misery. The real events speak for themselves. Also, you learn a lot from this. I feel that if I would ever find myself in a survival situation, I would be more prepared now. I have also got myself some basic survival gear, that I always carry around with me. This show can save lives!

The only thing I have against it, is that they show glimpses of what is to come in the beginning of the program, and also in between after the commercial breaks. Although the glimpses are very short, they are enough to spoil some of the fun for me - so I try to look away and not to listen then. And also the fact that they tell in the beginning how many days the events took place over. I do not want to know that in advance!

Amazing true stories of often simple mistakes that lead to a fight for survival in some of the most perilous places on earth. The situations are really well re-enacted with excellent commentary and interviews with the actual people envolved. Often these stories are quite harrowing and always emotional, as they really do come extremely close to death and in some of the more distressing cases, not everyone makes it out alive. This also works as an educational series on the precautions everyone should take when venturing into any kind of wilderness.

I changed from watching true crime where people die horribly at the end to watching survival stories and it improved my mood and perspective on life. As someone dealing with on and off depression, these stories are really inspiring. Please bring this back.

I'm interested in outdoor survival, so I was naturally attracted to the title of this series. I started watching the episodes hoping to learn something from them.

What I took out from this series was the following:

1. When you're lost, keep moving. Although there're no guarantee of survival, all the people who survived in this series kept on moving searching for help.

2. Always carry container to carry water.

3. Have plastic sheets and strings to form a shelter from wind and sun, they can also help to collect water.

4. Carry something to filter water. Having real outdoor water filter would be ideal.

5. Carry GPS, and if possible a satellite phone especially if you're going out to the remote areas of wilderness. Keep them in waterproof plastic bags. Going without it is playing Russian Roulette with fate.

6. Carry means to start fire.

7. Carry 3 days worth of food each day worth about 1800 calories. Each Day only weighs about a pound and a half, so it wouldn't be so heavy.

8. Carry a mosquito net in tropics and insect repellent to cover your body.

9. Of course know where you are starting from. Carry a compass and a map of the area.

10. Carry a basic survival kit and first aid.

11. Optional, carry a tent and sleeping bag.

12 Wear a comfortable shoes. Carry a windbreaker, and a hat even if the day is warm.

I've tallied up all these equipment and I found that I can come up with a pack that weighs well below 10 lbs. That's not much of a burden in contrast to the drastic increase in survival possibility.

So the program was not only interesting, but inspirational, and educational as well.

Highly Recommended.