Review - the Discovery Channel Show "Dual Survival"

It takes a lot to get me in front of a television. I'd rather be outside. If I can't be outside, I'd rather be writing or reading. But when I first heard about The Discovery Channel show Dual Survival, I was intrigued.
The show stars two survival experts with very different approaches. Cody Lundin teaches the aboriginal life skills in Arizona. Dave Canterbury is an ex-Army sniper. Throughout the show, they are put into different scenarios where they demonstrate how to survive.

The show's disclaimer says they're never in true mortal danger. However, I doubt there's a catering truck behind the camera. It appears to me that they are trying hard to keep it real.

Two Stars, Two Methods

Lundin has a philosophy of knowing more to need less. He seldom wears shoes, and he is almost always in shorts. He seems to be able to conjure fire from just about any source. He is calm, measured and yet a bit sarcastic.

Canterbury, on the other hand, looks every bit like a veteran. He has that slight rural twang that shouts "I am a real American!" He is considerably more impetuous than his co-star, who he often calls a "bush hippie."

I imagine these two disliked each other at first sight. In the earlier Dual Survival episodes, they didn't seem to like each other. But the more they've seen each other in action, the more mutual respect they've developed. In later episodes, there even seems to be some affection.

The Situations

Lundin and Canterbury have been in a number of plights - the aftermath of a hurricane, a hunting trip gone wrong, a botched parachute jump and more.

In each episode, I've seen them both demonstrate vast and vital survival knowledge. Canterbury, though, seems to play the fool from time to time; his stinging encounter with Africanized bees in "After the Storm" is a perfect example. However, he does redeem himself in "Bogged Down," an episode which showed the deepening respect and improved teamwork between Cody and him.

Cody definitely shines in "Split Up," where they're separated in his home turf of northern Arizona. His desert acumen is definitely impressive, especially when he whips up a fire and turns a stalk of agave into a canteen. His calm outlook has so far prevented him from looking foolish in any situation. Even when his canoe project failed in "Bogged Down," he handled it with dignity. And Dave helped him turn it into a catamaran that saved them both.

What You Can Learn

Each episode has an impressive array of tips. One of the most fascinating was in "Bogged Down," when they used steel wool and a 9-volt battery to start a fire. Using flint-knapping techniques to turn a glass bottle into an arrowhead.

There's plenty more: improvised compasses out of wind-up watches, how to make a fishing gig and how to disinfect water are just a few. The only problem is that Cody and Dave make it look easy. It would be good to have them go a little bit slower. This might be something for DVD features if The Discovery Channel actually issues a DVD for the show.

Bottom Line

It's sort-of reality television, but with growing respect and no backstabbing. The Discovery Channel chose the stars of Dual Survival well. Both are bonafide experts who make for enjoyable TV watching. The situations are riveting and the episodes are paced well.