History’s ‘Kings of Pain’ on Their Mission to Update the ‘Pain Index’
Preview
Animal handler Rob “Caveman” Alleva and wildlife biologist Adam Thorn are on a painful mission. That is, they want to update the “pain index,” created by an entomologist in 1983 to categorize hazardous insects.
As they travel the globe over 12 weeks on Kings of Pain, Alleva and Thorn subject themselves to the bites and stings of often deadly (definitely dangerous) creatures — all because knowing what to expect can help save lives.
We needed to learn more about this hard-to-believe venture.
Why was this necessary?
The original pain index counted intensity on a scale of 1 to 4 and, notes Alleva (above left), “didn’t really give the whole picture.”
The men — strangers before they were Kings — base their findings on a wider scope of animals: 22 of ’em so far, from piranha to reticulated python. Plus, their index measures intensity, duration and damage on a 30-point scale.
How do they stay alive?
Extensive prep work helps. So does having a medical team on standby, not to mention the occasional police escort or helicopter to whisk them to a hospital if needed.
Rob Alleva, Adam Thorn, and entomologist Dr. Justin O. Schmidt, creator of the original Schmidt Sting Pain Index (Damien Maloney/HISTORY)
What was the most perilous part?
Surprisingly, the biggest threats came from wildlife they encountered while looking for specific test subjects.
“Other animals almost ended us,” says Thorn (above right, with a tarantula hawk wasp). “We had, like, four hippos attack in Africa. They nearly tipped our boat.”
Kings of Pain, Series Premiere, Tuesday, November 12, 10/9c, History
Conversation7 Comments
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P
Both have been seen in the USA!
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P
It's 1-10 rating. Just like the doctor's goes by in their offices or hospitals. I get what you mean on handling pain. When pain brings tears it's greater than 10. What may not be painful to you, maybe painful to others. I think it has a lot to do with endorphins.
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C
Does anyone from the show read these comments?
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R
I suggest the TV show “Kings of Pain” do something that might benefit many people.
At one time the recommended first aid for venomous snake bite was to make small incisions where the fangs entered and apply suction. “Cutter” snake bite kits were even included in many first aid kits consisting of a lancet and three small suction cups. This is no longer recommended.
I have wondered for quite some time if suction alone were immediately applied to the insect sting or snake bite site, enough venom could be extracted to be beneficial.
Logically it shouldn't do further harm and might extract enough venom to make a critical difference. For that reason I carry one of these old “ snake bite kits” in case I or one of my family gets bitten or stung.
I suggest this be tested on the show and evaluated.
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R
I call BS on the show. That was no Bird Eating Tarantula and that wasn't a South African Bark Scorpion
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O
Would like to see them get stung by the giant asian hornet vs Japanese giant hornet to see if there is any difference. I heard that somehow that some have been found in North America. Dont know which one.
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G
They show a scale of pain from 0 to 30 and then rate from 0 to 30 but yet how can you rate something if you haven't felt say the 30 rating first or what you partake as 30 and then go down to lowest rating move up.
Unless you already know the real pain first. Just wondering?
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