Jeff Probst Unpacks the Hidden Supplies All ‘Survivor’ Players Get That Fans Never See
One of the mainstays of “Survivor” that makes the reality competition series so challenging is that its players are deprived, not only from the creature comforts of home, but also from reliable access to food, shelter and the ability to trust the people around them. In recent “new era” seasons, even access to meager rations of rice and flint to build fire has been restricted for competitors who fail to succeed in weekly Immunity challenges.
That being said, longtime “Survivor” host Jeff Probst opened up about the secret supplies that all castaways have access to on the island that viewers never get to see.
Jeff Probst Reveals 2 Secret Items All Players Can Access
On a new episode of the “On Fire with Jeff Probst” podcast, the executive producer revealed that, while castaways can no longer rely on continued access to things like flint and a machete, all players have access to sunscreen and bug spray to protect them from the elements while filming the show.
“Yes, they get sunscreen and people do get sunburns, especially the first few days,” said Probst. “I’ve seen a few pretty decent ones and, if they’re bad, that can linger and it can become a pain because a lot of times the top of the shoulders gets burned and then suddenly you’re carrying something or somebody’s standing on your shoulders to get them up a big wall. And all of a sudden, that’s a problem.”
While players rarely appear sunburnt on screen, there have been a handful of severe cases over the last 25 years. In one specific example, Probst’s “On Fire” co-host Jeremy Collins mentioned three-time player Kelley Wentworth’s “horrible” sunburn on “Survivor: San Juan del Sur.”
CBSProbst added that players have access to bug spray on the island, though its efficacy has been hit or miss.
“They do get bug spray as well, which Jeremy [Collins] can talk to because it’s pretty simple out there. The bugs either like you, in which case this is going to be a long 26 days, or they don’t like you, in which case it’s not really a bother,” he said, adding that he’s “very lucky” that, for the most part, the bugs leave him alone while filming.
More Behind-the-Scenes Supplies ‘Survivor’ Players Can Use
Though Probst only revealed those two hidden items that “Survivor” players have access to behind-the-scenes, plenty of former players have spilled on other secret supplies that are never seen on camera.
In the show’s currently-airing 49th season, two examples come to mind: vitamins and safety guides.
After Nicole Mazullo’s elimination in the premiere episode of “Survivor 49,” the castaway revealed that all players are given a daily dose of multivitamins and electrolytes to supplement their sparse diets while filming.
CBSWhile the vitamins help the players stay relatively healthy despite starving, they don’t always agree with players taking them on an empty stomach, explaining why Nicole threw up in the premiere episode just moments after ingesting one of the pills.
“Survivor 49” also featured the first reference to an on-site safety guide, which was shown to viewers for the first time ever during Jake Latimer’s medical evacuation in Episode 3.
The guide offers players information on potentially dangerous local wildlife as well as potentially poisonous plants to avoid.
Additionally, players have access to their pre-approved medications, painkillers, bandages, medical supplies, and hygiene products as well.
