on day 17, skupin was tending to a fire at camp, when he accidentally inhaled some of the fumes and passed out into the fire. seconds later, he let out a scream, then ran frantically into the water as his hands were now burned severely. the medical team was called in, and they determined that his injuries were too severe to keep him in the game. he was then evacuated by helicopter to seek further medical treatment, making him the first "survivor" player ever to be medically evacuated and the first to be eliminated from the game without being voted off first. overall, he had finished 11th place in the game.