I'll more than likley get flamed for this but here goes:-
Bear just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Yes his exploits are a bit excessive at times, Most of us on here have practiced or read information to try to survive in a situation out of our control. As Barry Davies says (Survival is a dying art) But what you see Bear doing is what some normal members of Joe Public will try. They will try to walk out of the situation.
Over the last few years some people who found themsefls in a dire situation, Did not stay put and wait for help, they made there way out Jungle or Desert. One of those incidents was a load of Squaddies with bit of time served in the jungle, when it hits the fan people will always do what suites them, they need to feel they are doing someting wether it's right or wrong. Only being in That situation will you know. If Bear did each week just sat waiting for thye rescue services, people would comment on that also.
What Bear as done is bring "Bushcraft/Survival" to a new audience, we had Lofty, Ray, Les H they all have there own way of getting things across to us
I think I remember Lofty went across the Irish see on inflated sheeps skins, Les Hidens when across a croc river with a poncho stuffed with foilage and Ray well I think I saw him once not wearing his bouyancy aid.
Hugh Fernley whittinstal may have contributed to more problems than Bear, what with collecting Mushrooms !!
Basha72... Out