45 Rules You Didn't Know 'Survivor' Contestants Have to Follow

The show's production team doesn't take any risks—they make sure each contestant has dotted the i's and crossed the t's on their contract before they start filming.

All cast members must attend classes led by a seasoned producer to prepare for the game before shooting starts. They learn things like jungle safety, basic shelter building, and how to make a fire.

To make sure each cast member is physically up for the challenges, the show requests medical information from contestants.

Vital medications are allowed, but the show's medical team needs to be informed beforehand. In 2022, Jackson Fox was removed from the game after failing to disclose that he was taking lithium until the day before filming started. "The cumulative effect of this show would have a potentially very bad impact on you, and we don’t want that," host Jeff Probst told Fox in the episode.

While the minimum age is 16 years old, there's no maximum age limit. The late Rudy Boesch, who competed in the very first season of the show, was 72 when he was cast.

Each contestant is allowed to arrive at the camp site with two handheld items—and nothing more. These are called "luxury items," and are supposed to be things that bring emotional comfort, such as family photos or meaningful jewelry.

There's a reason the cast members leave their location looking scruffy: the contestants are stripped of toiletries like razors, hairbrushes, and toothbrushes. The only things they do have access to are important necessities like medication, sunblock, insect repellent, or contact solution.

The production team goes through each contestant's luggage before they arrive, mainly to check for any prohibited supplies. It's also to make sure that the contestants aren't all wearing the same color t-shirt and that their wardrobe will capture well on camera.

There's a reason you don't see anyone rocking t-shirts with their favorite sports teams or brands. The show has strict rules against shirts or caps with logos on them.

Even though contestants are usually isolated in the wilderness in foreign countries, per their contract they still have to obey all laws set forth by both the local and the United States government.

Upon arrival, the show splits the contestants into tribes and they compete against the opposing tribe for elimination immunity and rewards before it becomes an individual competition. Usually there are only two tribes, but producers can split the contestants into as many as they want.

Cast members are not allowed to visit the opposing tribe's camp or communicate with them in any way. Doing so is grounds for elimination.

The contestants don't always have miles of land to roam, even though it may seem that way. There are a number of areas that are off-limits, including a "small section where we keep extra camera gear and things like that," Probst told People.

This one should go without saying, but when you push people to the brink of survival, it's always best to clarify. Any cast member who deliberately injures another cast member will be eliminated and could face criminal charges, if relevant.

They can't take anyone else's private property—that includes personal luxury items, clothing, and anything given to contestants by the producers.

Ah, a loophole. Think your tribe mate might have a hidden immunity idol tucked away? While stealing is prohibited, contestants have searched through one another's things in the past. There's nothing in the rules that says they can't take a quick look, so long as they don't take anything.

Only one person can take home the $1 million prize at the end. If there's a tie, a tie-breaking second vote will determine a winner.

In terms of safety, it's not surprising that contestants are required to follow any and all instructions from the production crew.

Due to safety concerns, the cast members are never alone in the wilderness. The show also specifically mentions in its contract that "contestants will have no expectations of privacy."

Contestants agree to let the show film them both nude and partially nude while they're on the show. Zero privacy means...well, zero privacy.