(by 14 people)
Outwit. Outplay. Outlast.
Those three words are the premise of CBS' hit reality TV show, Survivor. Do you think you have what it takes to compete on Survivor? This site offers training tips and highlights key areas that potential contestants should focus on when training to compete on the show.
You can vote for training materials that you think are worthy. If you know of better material, then you are invited to please add that content to the appropriate lists below.
The tips on this site are also applicable for training to compete on other reality TV shows such as Big Brother, The Amazing Race, The Apprentice and Pirate Master.
Survivor Links
- Apply to be on Survivor 17!
- The Survivor application deadline for Season 17 was January 24, 2008. Check back here for future application dates. Find info on the open casting calls for Survivor 17 here.
- Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs Favorites - Official Home Page
- Survivor 16 has begun! Check here for contestant bios and show info.
Outwit
- Know The Game - Watch previous seasons to study the elements of the game and how the competitors reacted to situations and one another. Pay attention to the various strategies used and why they did or didn't work. Wikipedia has a thorough summary of every season that includes rules, challenges, trivia and player info.
- Think About The Game - Get in the habit of thinking through different scenarios. Each season tries to throw the contestants a curve ball, so anticipate surprises.
- Play Some Strategy Games - The object here is to develop your ability to think strategically. Learning chess is also a good way to practice thinking several moves ahead.
- Learn To Listen - A big part of the game is knowing what other people are thinking. By developing the skills of talking less and listening more, you will gain valuable information from your tribemates while giving away less of your own.
Learn to Outwit
Below are some good resources on strategy and improving your ability to influence others.
#1
The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition by Sun Tzu
Required reading for the Survivor China contestants. Each tribe was provided a copy.1 point
#3
#4
Study Hard
Watch Previous Seasons of the Game
Survivor All-Stars - The Complete Season
Watch and learn as the Survivor all stars compete head to head.
Survivor Pearl Islands - The Complete Seventh Season
Learn from Johnny Fairplay who pulled off one of the greatest cons in Survivor history.
Outplay
- Swim - Nearly every season has involved water challenges, typically requiring players to swim out to a buoy or dive down to retrieve items. If you can't swim, learn. If you can swim, get better at it. A good drill is to dive to the bottom of an 8ft pool, swim 3 strokes across the bottom, surface, then do it again and again.
- Get In Shape - Do a lot of cardio and aerobic workouts. This means running, stairclimbing, swimming, rowing, whatever you can do to improve your athletic performance and endurance.
- Improve Your Balance - A lot of the physical challenges involve balance...standing on a pole, running across a narrow beam, etc. Take a yoga class to improve your flexibility and balance. You can also practice moving across narrow objects such as a wooden plank.
- Solve Puzzles - Many Survivor challenges involve some type of puzzle. Typically a form of jigsaw puzzle, these can also be word scrambles, riddles or untying knots. Practice solving any type of puzzle you can get your hands on.
- Learn To Paddle - Paddling is an overlooked Survivor skill but many challenges involve paddling some type of canoe or raft. Know how to properly hold a paddle (outboard hand on the shaft, inboard hand on the handle at the top) and steer by paddling.
Learn To Outplay
A collection of helpful training tools to prepare you for Outplaying your opponents.
#2
Wood Brain Teasers in a Tin
Get seven solid wood teaser games in this easy storage and travel tin. Practice your puzzle solving skills.1 point
#3
Are You Smart, or What? A Bizarre Book of Games & Fun for Everyone
Practice your puzzle solving skills.1 point
#5
Basic Canoeing: All the Skills You Need to Get Started (Basic How-to Guides)
Don't be the one who loses a challenge for your tribe because you can't paddle.1 point
Outlast
- Learn to Build a Fire - Having fire is critical throughout the game to boil water for drinking and to cook. It is also a skill that may come in handy in challenges or a Tribal Council tie-breaker.
- Learn to Catch & Clean Fish - Learn how to use a basic hook and line to catch fish. Tribes typically also get a basic speargun. Know how to use these so that you can be a hunter for your tribe that people will want to keep around.
- Go Camping - Sleep under the stars, learn to cook over a fire, get used to being out in the elements. If all goes well, you're going to be doing it for 40 days.
- Learn About Edible Plants - You'll need to find your own food in Survivor most of the time. Being able to identify safe food sources will be a valuable skill.
- Bring a Wide Brimmed Hat - The stamina challenges almost always take place in the broiling sun or heavy rain. Get yourself a good hat for an edge over your opponents.
Learn to Outlast
These guides will help you to survive in the wild and Outlast the competition.
#1
The Boy Scout Handbook
A classic, easy to read guide to building fires, tying knots, setting up camp and cooking outdoors.1 point
#2
SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea
A comprehensive guide to surviving in any conditions.1 point
#3
Fishing for Dummies
Catching fish is an important skill in Survivor. This guide will help you master the basics.1 point
#4
Columbia Sportswear Schooner Bank Cachalot Hat
Great 30 grade UPF sun protection for those outdoor activities. Baseball style hat, with a fabric flap that extends down in the back to protect your neck from the sun.1 point
Vote For Your Favorite Season
Common Mistakes
- Don't Pull Your Weight Around Camp - One of the quickest ways to earn your tribemates' wrath (and vote at tribal council) is to kick back and let them do all the work. Do something to earn your keep...get firewood, catch food, help build the shelter, cook...anything.
- Don't Try to Know Your Tribemates - This hurts you in several ways: 1) If you haven't made an effort to get to know them, why should they keep you around? 2) Winning a challenge later in the game may depend on how much you know about your tribemates. 3) The more you know about your tribemates, the easier it is to influence and build alliances with them.
- Say That You Want To Go Home - If you aren't going to stick it out no matter what, then don't apply and let somebody else who wants $1 million compete. You're just asking for everybody's vote off with this.
- Be Wishy Washy Or A Flip Flopper - People don't like to keep wild cards around and that's what you are if you join then back out of alliances frequently.
- Don't Consider Alternate Scenarios - Surely everything will work out exactly as you assume it will. There's no need to anticipate or plan for unexpected events in this game. Yeah, right.
- Get Dressed Up - Don't believe the producers when they say you're going to a photo shoot. Several recent seasons have started "by surprise" for the contestants. Wear the clothes you want to play the game in everywhere. No high heels, etc.
- Don't Play The Hidden Immunity Idol - James got voted off with 2 immunity idols in his pocket in Season 15. Then Season 16 had two tribal councils in a row where someone holding an immunity idol got voted off (Ozzy then Jason). If your tribe mates know you have the idol, then you're a huge target and must play it.
Training Tunes
Eye Of The Tiger
Used by Rocky Balboa, this is the classic motivation song.
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 11/21/2008) 
I'm Still Standing
You'll be singing this after surviving another tribal council.
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Lose Yourself
Eminem's powerful song about seizing the moment and achieving your dream.
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 11/21/2008)
Cast Your Vote!
Have you tried to get on Survivor? What would you do to prepare if you got on?
CardLady wrote...
Great info for anyone wanting to try out! I'm lensrolling you to my
Survivor TV Lens!
Posted August 25, 2007
Meloramus wrote...
I really enjoyed this lens - it really dissects the gameplan. Have you considered making a 'survival' lens? I think it would be v.interesting.
Posted August 18, 2007
Barkely wrote...
Great info you have here, I have no plans to be a contestant, but I'm a huge fan of the show since the first season. Having summer withdrawal.
Posted June 17, 2007
Senora_M wrote...
This is great! My brother is always acting like he wants to get on Survivor. I will pass this along to him. He might even win some day! ;) Thanks for putting this together. It made me smile!!
Posted April 19, 2007
