Dual Survival has quickly become a fan favorite on the Discovery Channel, but this season fans are having a tough time believing that the duo of EJ Snyder and Jeff Zausch can be legitimate hosts. While tonight’s episode is going to feature EJ and Jeff being trapped by black Bears in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, there are still some questions surrounding the two (despite this amazing plot line).
So far fans are a little wishy washy as to the hosting abilities of EJ and Jeff. Army combat veteran, EJ Snyder, and wilderness survivalist Jeff Zausch, are both former contestants on the network’s “Naked and Afraid” series. And according to the Discovery Channel, Jeff and EJ have proven their expertise when it comes to outlasting tough, rugged scenarios, from fending off packs of hungry hyenas to building extreme rafts to battling serious infections, on “Naked and Afraid” and “Naked and Afraid XL.”
However they are are having difficulty proving to “Dual Survival” fans that they are the right hosts for this show. Fans have taken to social media in recent days displaying their distrust of the duo. Some saying things like “Still not watching the Naked and Afraid guys if the powers that be are interested. I am not alone either!!!”
One fan even said, “The show sucks because the producers are trying to make Jeff into another Teti. His part is so scripted with all his so called knowledge that he just has to explain to the viewers. I’m sorry EJ got involved in this mess of a show – they were terrific on N&A – not so much on DS. Disco needs to give up and scrap this train wreck of a show.”
So it’s not as though people don’t respect or even like EJ and Jeff, it’s just that they don’t think they’re a fit for this show. For those of you who aren’t familiar with these two, here are 5 facts that you might like:
Skull Crusher
EJ is highly decorated Army combat veteran with 25 years military service under his belt, serving Ranger positions in Infantry and Airborne units. Snyder grew up in New Jersey and joined the armed forces at 19. He moved up the ranks quickly, seeing combat in both the Gulf War in 1991 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. During his time in the Army, EJ stepped up as a Ranger Instructor, Survival & Tracking Instructor, and Drill Sergeant, earning the name “Skullcrusher”.
Jeff’s first kill
Jeff’s first hunting kill was not actually a living animal. While deer hunting when he was 12 years old, Jeff shot too high, injuring a female deer. He hopped on his 4-wheeler and threw his Winchester 30-30 rifle loosely on the front gun rack. When driving down a steep mountain trail; chasing his injured deer; the gun rattled loose from the gun rack. The gun fell down between the gun rack and the body of the 4-wheeler and stuck in the ground. The momentum of the large 4-wheeler caused the old 30-30 Winchester to explode in half. Jeff found a piece of the stock 25 feet away in the forest. Every male member of his family had killed a deer with that very same rifle, going back to the 1960’s! Instead of a trophy buck hanging on the wall of his grandfathers house, there is now a plaque that reads “Jeff’s First Kill”; with 2 pieces of a destroyed Winchester rifle mounted on the wall.
Born with a Heart Defect
Jeff’s dad was born with a heart defect and wasn’t expected to survive. He underwent his first open-heart surgery when he was only 5 1/2 weeks old. This was one of the first surgeries of its kind in the world.
Train as you Fight
EJ is an extreme survivalist and employs a “Train as you Fight” approach to survival, and believes in pushing not only the limits of your environment but yourself as well. He is constantly pushing these limits and trying to continually break through the “Laws of 3 of Survival”.
EJ’s Motto
EJ says that whether in the wild or on the field of combat he will always live by his motto: Tua Sponte Superstes, which means to “Survive By Your Own Will.” EJ has been formally teaching survival skills to Soldiers and civilians ever since for well over 20 years.
Just in case you’re wondering, here’s a preview for tonight’s episode
“Not just a couple of bears. Mama, and babies.” These guys feel like they’re about to be ambushed.
