Ever since the "I Shouldn't Be Alive" series started to climb Discovery's lineup I have been a committed viewer, and Especially with other networks out there like A&E going to the dogs, I have never been a more devoted Discovery fan. Great programs, good dynamics, etc…

Not to get too long winded here, but just to let you all know before I make my comment so as not to give the impression I am one of those people who hops from forum to forum flaming shows for no good reason. I have never in fact, written in, or commented on any network forum, but felt compelled to after watching today’s epi entitled "SHIPWRECKED".

So im on the net this morning checking emails, drinking coffee and of course, watching “I Shouldn’t Be Alive”. I decide to Google the current episode (SHIPWRECKED) to see if I could find any actual articles on the story and maybe learn more. After a few attempts I turned up a first hand account of what these 2 went through. “I shouldn’t Be Alive” got it spot on … except for one detail that could have changed the mood of the ordeal completely.

Now, I realize there has to be some element of excitement and risk for this type of show to attract its viewers, but I think there’s a fine line between trying to paint a picture of desperation, and actually sharing with the viewers what really happened.

I don’t argue that everything which happened to these 2 fellas was anything other than horrible, but it seems they had a fairly good source of nutrition to last them for days, if not weeks(?) that was left out of the story.
Just a snippit of what the 2 had submitted in a Baja newsletter:

“…These crabs were very alert and it was clear that stealth alone would not get us close enough to catch them. To our advantage, we found out that the crabs were not as perceptive of thrown stones and would stay put until stunned by a well placed toss. With miles of crab infested coast at our disposal, our concern for food was fulfilled for the time being. They were rescued by five Mexican fishermen who refused to take them to L.A. Bay, saying they lacked the proper papers to enter the bay. Instead they dropped the pair off in another small bay a mile or so south of town…”

Again, I don’t discount the hardship these 2 faced, and the point I am trying to make is certainly not directed at them but at the shows producers.
Maybe its something we have all seen at some point in a successful tv series such as this. Now that “I Shouldn’t Be Alive” has taken off, the temptation to stretch the truth, or leave out important details in what is supposed to be a true story just to spice the plot may end up harming rather than helping the shows rep down the road.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: monroe002,

I just finished watching that episode today. I didn't see what they did with that mylar balloon.

If they had cut it apart they could have used it to make a solar still for water. Or they could have used the shiny inner surface for a signalling device.