Notable 'Survivor' Contestants Who Were Medically Evacuated and the Injuries Behind Their Departure

Since Survivor first aired in 2000, a few players have had to leave the game due to medical reasons, and some of their injuries have been quite frightening.

Michael Skupin was the initial contestant to be evacuated from Survivor: The Australian Outback in 2001. On day 17, he accidentally fell into the campfire, resulting in severe burns on his hands. As a result, he had to be airlifted out of the game for treatment.

Bruce Perreault hit his head during the first challenge of Survivor 44, causing profuse bleeding. Although he initially said he was fine, his head started hurting later, leading to his departure from the game.

After the premiere of Survivor in March 2023, the host, Jeff Probst, announced on his podcast, "On Fire with Jeff Probst," that Bruce was invited back for another season. Bruce returned for the next season and successfully made it to the merge.

Keep scrolling to see all the Survivor contestants who have left the game due to medical reasons:

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 994

Credit: Robert Voets/CBS ; Youtube (3)

Every 'Survivor' Contestant That Was Medically Evacuated From the Game and the Injuries that Took Them Out

Since Survivor first aired in 2000, there have been instances where players had to be medically evacuated due to injuries that were quite alarming.

Michael Skupin holds the distinction of being the initial contestant to be removed from the show during Survivor: The Australian Outback in 2001. On the 17th day, he accidentally fell into the campfire, resulting in severe burns on his hands. As a result, he had to be airlifted out of the game to receive necessary medical treatment.

In the new era, Bruce Perreault bumped his head on an obstacle during the first challenge of Survivor 44, causing him to bleed a lot. He reassured everyone he was okay after being checked by medical staff. However, he started to feel pain in his head later that night and had to leave the game.

After the premiere in March 2023, the host of Survivor, Jeff Probst, announced on his podcast, "On Fire with Jeff Probst," that Bruce was asked to return for another season. Bruce seized this second opportunity and successfully made it to the merge in the following season.

Keep scrolling to see all the Survivor contestants who have left the game due to medical reasons:

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 993 Michael Skupin

Credit: Youtube

Michael Skupin

Michael, a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback, made history as the first player to leave the game for medical reasons. He suffered serious burns from falling into the campfire and had to be airlifted for treatment. Almost a decade later, he returned to compete on Survivor: Philippines and finished in third place.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 992 Bruce Kanegai

Credit: Youtube

Bruce Kanegai

The art teacher in Survivor: Panama shared that he had been feeling stomach pain and couldn't go to the restroom for a few days. The medical team checked him out, and he had to leave the game. He later made a full recovery and rejoined the jury.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 991 Jonathan Penner

Credit: Youtube

Jonathan Penner

Jonathan, a contestant from California, had to leave Survivor: Micronesia during his second time on the show. He hurt his knee in a challenge, and it got worse as time went on. The medical team said his injury could be life-threatening, so he had to leave the show, which made him very disappointed.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 990 James Clement

Credit: Youtube

James Clement

During Survivor: Micronesia, James had to leave the game on day 31 due to an infected cut that required evacuation. Fortunately, he was able to come back later to join the jury.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 989 Joe Dowdle

Credit: Youtube

Joe Dowdle

Joe's tribe in Survivor: Tocantins was concerned about a wound on his leg. Jeff, during a challenge, saw the severity of it and called for medical help. The doctors found the infection to be serious, warning that without proper treatment, amputation might be necessary. As a result, Joe, the contestant from Texas, had to be evacuated.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 988 Mike Borassi

Credit: Youtube

Mike Borassi

The Survivor: Samoa contestant was injured during the Schmergen Brawl competition, a tough version of basketball. The personal chef received multiple hits during the challenge and couldn't stand or catch his breath. The medical team checked him and found he had low blood pressure, leading to his removal from the game.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 987 Russell Swan

Credit: Youtube

Russell Swan

One week after Mike was evacuated, Russell fainted during an immunity challenge because of dehydration, which caused his heart rate to drop. He had to leave the game on day 15 but made a comeback three years later in Survivor: Philippines.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 986 Kourtney Moon

Credit: Youtube

Kourtney Moon

The first woman to leave Survivor: One World was the motorcycle repair expert. She had to exit the game because of a medical problem. Kourtney hurt her wrist during the initial challenge and needed x-rays. Sadly, on the third day, Jeff announced that she could no longer continue in the competition.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 985 Colton Cumbie

Credit: Youtube

Colton Cumbie

Colton, a controversial figure on Survivor: One World, had to leave the game due to acute appendicitis. He was taken out on a stretcher and even brought his hidden immunity idol as a keepsake.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 984 Shamar Thomas

Credit: Youtube

Shamar Thomas

During Survivor: Caramoan, a veteran contestant got an eye infection from sand getting into his eye. Unfortunately, by scratching his eye, Shamar ended up hurting his cornea and had to quit the game on day 10.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 983 Erik Reichenbach

Credit: Youtube

Erik Reichenbach

Erik was the second contestant to leave Survivor: Caramoan. He fainted after the tribal council on day 36. The doctors at the location checked him and decided to withdraw him from the game because of low blood pressure. However, he was still able to be part of the jury.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 982 Caleb Reynolds

Credit: Youtube

Caleb Reynolds

Caleb, a former Big Brother contestant, was the initial one of three players to be medically removed from Survivor: Kaôh Rōng. On the ninth day, he collapsed due to heat stroke, and his body temperature rose to 110 degrees, leading to his evacuation from the game.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 981 Neal Gottlieb

Credit: Youtube

Neal Gottlieb

10 days after Caleb’s removal, Neal was pulled from the game due to multiple staph infections.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 980 Joe del Campo

Credit: Youtube

Joe Del Campo

The Florida native was the third player in the 2016 season to be taken out after he sustained a urinary tract complication.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 979 Pat Cusack (Survivor: David vs. Goliath)

Credit: Youtube

Pat Cusack

On Survivor: David vs. Goliath, the maintenance manager hurt his back on the way back to camp after the first challenge. The bad weather and strong winds during the David tribe's boat ride caused the unexpected injury that forced the New York native to leave the game. Fortunately, Pat fully recovered after exiting the competition.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 978 Jackson Fox (Survivor 42)

Credit: Youtube

Jackson Fox

The Survivor 42 player had to be removed from the game after disclosing he was tapering off an antidepressant medication. Probst approached Jackson at camp to inform him that he had to be taken out of the game due to potential health risks.

Jackson shared with Entertainment Weekly in March 2022 that he was emotional when Probst broke the news. He couldn't understand why he was crying, considering he had only been on the island for three days. Jackson expressed a mix of emotions - frustration for not taking proper precautions, sadness for leaving the game, and no ill feelings towards Jeff or the situation.

Every 'Survivor' Contestant Who Was Medically Evacuated from the Game - 977 Bruce Perreault (Survivor 44)

Credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Bruce Perreault

During the Survivor 44 premiere, Bruce Perreault, a contestant from Rhode Island, hit his head in the first competition and started bleeding heavily. Despite receiving oxygen from the medical team and being cleared to continue, he later began feeling unwell and had to be evacuated from the game.

After the episode aired, Jeff shared on his podcast that Bruce was officially asked to come back for another season. Bruce himself had no clue about it until he heard the news like everyone else.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in March 2023, Bruce expressed his emotions, saying, “I cried like a baby. I was so thrilled to hear his voice and to know that I have the opportunity to play this game that I absolutely adore.” He added, “It brought back all the emotions I had been holding in for nine months. I knew what happened to me, but I didn't share it with anyone.”

Survivor 46 Randen Gets Pulled From Game

Credit: Robert Voets/CBS

Randen Montalvo

Randen experienced discomfort in his arm and leg one morning during Survivor 46. As the pain intensified, he also noticed numbness in his right hand and wrist. The show's doctor examined Randen and concluded that he likely had a pinched nerve from sleeping on bamboo.

After talking to a colleague, the doctor was worried that Randen might have a bulging disc in his neck. They told Randen that he would need to take a break from the game and get an MRI.

In a March 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Randen disclosed that he had some swelling near his disc, which resulted in temporary paralysis.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the various medical emergencies that have occurred throughout the history of the reality show "Survivor." The contestants have faced a range of injuries, from severe burns to head injuries, which have forced them to leave the game. The article provides a detailed account of each incident, including the contestant's symptoms, the medical team's assessment, and the subsequent decision to evacuate them from the game.

The article also touches on the emotional impact of these medical evacuations on the contestants, their fellow tribe members, and the show's host, Jeff Probst. For the contestants, it can be a devastating experience to be forced to leave the game they have worked so hard to be a part of. For the tribe members, it can be a significant loss, as they may have to adjust their strategies and gameplay without a key member. Probst, as the host, has the difficult task of informing the contestants of their medical evacuation and providing support during a challenging time.