badger said:
as a scout I believe it is time that they look for a replacement. ASAP
in fact he should resign, like yesterday.
The Scouts still believe they are lucky to have him - see the reply to my email (see earlier in this thread) from their Head of Media Relations:
"I have been passed your note from the adventure team and have been asked to respond.
As you know Bear carries out his TV work as a private individual. His production company tells us that all of his activities are fully risk assessed and there are specialists in each activity on the ground at all times.
Also, Bear is a highly trained individual but to prevent others from copying him the production company always begins the programme with the following disclosure: ?In this show Bear Grylls undertakes a range of extreme activities. He is a trained professional, supported by an expert safety team. Do not attempt to copy any of the dangerous activities in this show.?
We believe that the Broadcaster is doing all it can to discourage others who are not fully trained and have little experience from trying out these activities.
Bear is an inspirational figure and we are lucky to have him promoting the Movement. His support helps us attract new adults and young people and we value that support."
I've also had a reply from ITV Viewer Services:
"We are sorry that you felt Bear demonstrated a disregard for safety. The programme was broadcast after the 9pm watershed, when few younger children would be expected to be watching without parental supervision. A very clear warning was shown for 13 seconds before the programme started, to avoid any likelihood of imitative behaviour:- "In this show Bear Grylls undertakes a range of extreme activities. He is a trained professional, supported by an expert safety team. Do not attempt to copy any of the dangerous activities in this show."
During the cave sequence Bear explicitly made clear to viewers that caving can be "incredibly dangerous" with "a lot of fatalities over the years". He did not approach this potentially hazardous activity in an irresponsible way, and certainly never suggested that it is "something you can just turn up and do". Bear and the expert geologist who was also present in the cave demonstrated in particular the dangers faced in a cave system during heavy rainfall and flooding. Bear stated that 70 people had lost their lives in Yorkshire's caves "since records began in the 1920s - a third of whom drowned". The warning about danger from flooding was repeated by the expert.
Please be assured that we take our responsibilities to the viewer extremely seriously. All of the activities shown are fully risk-assessed in terms of health and safety, and there are specialists from Bear Grylls' own safety team, including a medic, in support at all times.
Nevertheless, thank you again for contacting us and offering us your feedback. "
I'm not particularly impressed by either response.
