Michael Skupin

Michael "Mike" Skupin was a contestant in Survivor: The Australian Outback. Most notable for being the first Survivor contestant to be evacuated due to health reasons. He is also the third Kucha tribe member to be sent home.

Survivor: The Australian Outback
Michael proved useful to the Kucha in being able to carry heavy loads of things to their camp. He tried to take control of the building of their shelter on Day 1, despite Rodger having more experience in the field of construction, though it didn't seem to annoy anyone except for Debb, who voiced her resentment of him taking control. After losing the first immunity challenge, Michael participated in the unanimous vote off of Debb.

On Day 4, Michael woke up early and put rice on the fire. This upset some of his tribe because they were not hungry and considered it a waste of their limited food supply. Michael claimed he was trying to make food for the tribe before they woke up, but some thought he made the rice because he himself was hungry.

The rice turned out bad, but Mike was shocked that they not only didn't appreciate it, but they didn't like it. He claimed that his tribe was getting edgy without food, and that they weren't aware how bad it was going to get. He decided to go fishing to at least provide his tribe a full meal. Another reason for his fishing was because during Kucha's first tribal council he was singled out as the leader, a position he wished to avoid. By catching fish, he hoped to shy away from the leadership position and to focus on the one activity. By catching fish he only further put himself in a bad position though by referring to himself as the 'leader' and focusing on his accomplishments.

On Day 6, still on his quest to provide food for the camp, Michael set out in hunt of a wild pig, generating controversy among fans. He crafted a spear with a stick and a knife, which only worried his tribe because it was their only knife and they did not want to lose it.

After they won chickens in the fourth reward challenge, Michael felt threatened he may become useless as a food provider now, and decided to kill and eat the chickens as soon as possible. In Day 18, while tending the camp fire, Skupin inhaled its smoke and passed out, and accidentally fell into the fire, burning his hands. He immediately jumped into the cold Herbert River waters to ease the pain. The Survivor Medics immediately airlifted him out of the game. Before leaving, the five remaining Kuchas vowed to win to his honor.

Post-Survivor

 * Skupin released an autobiography entitled Fireproof.