Naked and Afraid is a reality television show about outdoor survival that belongs to a different genre. While some aspects of survival reality shows are staged, pre-planned, or simply performed under expert supervision, others depict fatal situations in which ordinary people may not survive even for a day.
While filming a few survival shows, mishaps, accidents, and even fatalities have occurred. But has this occurred on Naked and Afraid?
Is there anyone who has died on ‘Naked and Afraid?’
Naked and Afraid is a Discovery Channel reality show in which participants are forced to survive in the wilderness for 21 days on their own.
They must go without clothing and can only bring one useful personal item. Aside from that, they must find food, shelter, and water to survive in the woods. Although the survivalists have the option of leaving, the audience wonders if it’s all worth it given the risk they face with their lives.
Some viewers have wondered if a contestant has ever died on the show due to the harsh conditions. No, it does not. On Naked and Afraid, there have been no deaths. However, there have been a few instances where the competitors, such as Manu Toigo and Samantha Ohl, have come dangerously close to death.
Some ‘Naked and Afraid’ contestants were nearly killed
Manu Toigo was bitten by a mosquito while filming an episode of Naked and Afraid in 2013. In a 2013 interview with TMZ that she didn’t think much of the bite at the time, but when she returned to Los Angeles, she began experiencing excruciating headaches and nosebleeds.
Toigo’s condition had deteriorated so she could no longer stand alone. Her relatives rushed her to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever.
The Naked and Afraid alum was hospitalized for two weeks before being released. Despite her near-death experience, she said she would not change anything about it.
“It was the most epic experience I could have ever had,” she said.
Samantha Ohl was the most recent candidate to have a near-death experience. She appeared to be depleted after being caught in a thunderstorm while filming the season 8 episode ‘Stone Cold.’
Samantha Ohl was the most recent candidate to have a near-death experience. She appeared to be depleted after being caught in a thunderstorm while filming the season 8 episode ‘Stone Cold.’
She refused to share her body heat with Adam, her traveling companion. Ohl had reached stage two, or moderate hypothermia, by the time he called for help, and she couldn’t feel her extremities. According to Yahoo’s 2017 reports, the paramedic on the scene was concerned that Ohl’s organs would fail. Fortunately, he was able to get her to the hospital on time.
Ohl was rehabilitated with no long-term consequences. “My kids will see, you know, Mom did it,” she said during her recovery. She went on to say that the last section was too much for her body to handle. She was excited to give Adam a high-five and tell him, “We did it.”
Are ‘Naked and Afraid’ contestants compensated?
The question of whether the competitors on Naked and Afraid are paid has long been debated. According to the official description of the show, the only prize is their pride and sense of accomplishment. Former cast members have also stated in interviews that they are on the show for the experience and to prove to themselves that they are capable of surviving in the wild.
Kristi Russell, the show’s casting director, was asked if there is a prize for those who complete the challenge in a 2015 interview with Channel Guide. “There is no prize,” she stated emphatically.
How are the participants compensated?
Russell mentioned that even though there is no prize money, the candidates are compensated for their time. They are compensated for their missed pay with a monthly stipend, according to her.
They would also be given round-trip airline tickets to the location of the survival challenge. According to the Naked and Afraid regulations, which were published in 2014, the candidates would also be given $5000 in cash.
Given that the candidates’ physical and mental well-being are also at stake, the network only casts challengers who are physically fit for the survival challenge.
