How the ‘Survival Squad’ format popularized on YouTube ended in disaster

analysis

Two German influencers are delighting the Internet with their adventures in the Canadian wilderness. Then the project comes to an unexpected end.

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“We Owe You”: This is the title of the tenth and final episode of the “Survival Squad” YouTube series.

In previous episodes, millions of viewers watched moving Otto Karach and Fabio Schäfer as they made their way together through the Canadian wilderness. And now there has to be a big finale. Unfortunately, the series’ makers owe the audience a lot.

The video, posted on December 6, brutally exposes not only the vulnerabilities of the participants, but also those of the entire project. In fact, the latest episode could be used as a cautionary training video for aspiring YouTubers. It impressively shows the mistakes that should be avoided in such a production.

to caution: This post contains spoiler!

Clickbait and lies instead of open words

One commenter on Reddit summed it up: In contrast to television and film, YouTube’s “Survival Squad” series and similar formats “lived on authentic, relatable heroes.” The audience is given a feeling of closeness because they know a lot about the actors and their lives, celebrate their successes, gain insight into their thoughts, and thus empathize and can easily empathize with people.

But authenticity also depends on dealing with difficult situations transparently. And this is exactly what has become an issue that leaves at least a bad taste on many fans and viewers.

For creators of these YouTube formats, who manage to attract a predominantly young audience, it’s a balancing act. It is important to build anticipation and then keep interested users engaged.

Those responsible for “Survival Squad” set high expectations with ads and YouTube headlines — and ultimately missed all of their goals.

According to the introduction, Otto and Fabio wanted to complete 300 kilometers on foot in 30 days and managed to cover 70 kilometers before giving up. They were only able to complete this shortcut thanks to the canisters (rubber boats) they took with them.

The alleged “bear attack” with a gunshot turned out to be an exaggerated incident and remains unsolved to this day because the series’ makers apparently decided not to release all of the video material.

The way this incident was handled shows that the two “heroes” did not realize that completely transparent communication was crucial. It remains to be seen whether they consciously decided against it or whether they remained silent in difficult situations out of an unconscious feeling because they thought they were not allowed to show weakness.

This brings us to the fundamental problem of the “survival squad.” An important Reddit user points out the following:

Lack of Foresight: Fabio appears to have been unaware that he was about to experience a life-threatening physical condition.Screenshot: YouTube

In the end, it was really big.

The grand finale that became a disaster

No one blames Otto and Fabio because after 14 days of hardship with little food, they gave up early and were evacuated by helicopter. Their outdoor experiences in front of and in the beautiful Canadian backdrop have long since been transformed into “The Hunger Games.” Thus, the surprising ending was a relief to the viewers on the warm sofa.

Otto Karach has also lost a lot of body fat, but he still thinks that he should not expose himself.Screenshot: YouTube

We don’t want to go into all the details here. That’s what experienced German outdoor influencer and “7 vs. Wild” founder Fritz Meinecke did (see below).

The most important points of criticism at a glance:

“Everything would have been closed here”: The hut builders have to resort to the condition when they submit the construction, which is not completed due to lack of time. Image: Screenshot: YouTube

Survival fails never end

Watson did provide a critical account of the survival knowledge and practical skills of the participants. Unfortunately, the final episode continues in the same vein.

The only thing worth noting is the extremely careless handling of the ax. There is a high risk of injury due to incorrect posture. Basically, almost everything is done wrong when building a cabin in a hurry.

And please, dear Outdoor & Survival Series participants: learn to hunt properly! Without this animal protein it is almost impossible to survive for several weeks. And while we’re on the subject: The caught fish should be stunned immediately (with a strong blow to the head) and then… Using a “gill cutter” To kill.

Also in the final episode, the audience also learns why the two participants, who have hunting training and the necessary license, deliberately decide not to shoot the reindeer. “That would have been too easy,” Otto says, clearly another miscalculation or overvaluation.

In fact, it was very difficult to use such an animal immediately, which – depending on its size – could weigh more than 100 kilograms. There were no trees at all in the high alpine landscape during the first days of the adventure. The hunters had to dismantle their prey and then carry it with them for several days until they reached a lowland covered with forests.

How could that happen?

This is a mystery to most people.

There is only one logical explanation, as quipped by experienced outdoor influencer Fritz Meinecke: It must be the long-term consequences of the husband’s mushroom consumption.

Otto and Fabio uploaded more videos relatively quickly after publishing the last episode in which they described their view of events. But again there was a lack of self-reflection and honest words.

One thing is certain: the two experienced outdoorsmen have lost sight of their actual mission and have lost sight of themselves. Or they planned poorly and kept related failures secret.

Despite its many weaknesses, it is hoped that there will be a sequel (Season 2) to “Survival Squad.” The two heroes, full of masculinity, will have the opportunity to correct a bad last impression. And audiences at home will get more great nature shots and new discussion material for couchsurfing.

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