Fans question if Kyle Ostwald cheated in the immunity challenge in Survivor 47 episode 10

Kyle Ostwald is etching himself into Survivor history with his performances during challenges on Survivor 47. During episode 10, he won his fourth individual immunity, just one off the record. He also was on the winning team of three in the reward challenge.

If that wasn't enough, Jeff Probst was negotiating with the tribe about how many people would have to sit out the challenge in exchange for a much-needed bag of rice. Probst was firm in his demand that four people would have to sit out, but no one on the tribe felt comfortable enough (which is how it SHOULD be) to watch the challenge from the sidelines.

When it appeared the negotiation appeared over, Kyle blurted out a suggestion they all give up their shots in the dark for the rice. The shot-in-the-dark advantage in the game is available once a game for players to use as a last resort. It takes away their vote for a one-in-six chance of immunity during tribal council. Rachel LeMont was the only player in the challenge to use hers this season so far.

Most players quickly agreed to give up their shots. The lone holdout was Sam Phalen, who felt himself on the bottom, but Gabe Ortis talked him into the personal sacrifice for the best interests of the tribe overall.

Kyle seemed to have an advantage in the immunity challenge

Probst agreed to the first-ever such offer, and the challenge commenced. The players had to balance a ball on a flat, round board while balancing on a narrow beam. As time progressed, a second and then a third ball were added. Eventually, Kyle outlasted Sue Smey for his fourth immunity win.

If you watched carefully, however, it appeared that Kyle was resting the edge of the board on his forearm, neatly in the crook of his arm. Everyone else is holding the disc with their hand, without contact with their arms.

This produced a steadying effect on the disc. Kyle's balls barely moved for most of the challenge and he ended up winning. After watching the challenge a second time, no one else used this technique. Was Kyle the only one who thought of it, or did no one notice Kyle doing it and the advantage it gave him over the rest of them? Regardless, it worked, and he got away with it.

Fans quickly started pointing out Kyle using his forearm on X, including Survivor winner Sophie Clarke.

Survivor Dream Team member used forearm to balance disc in challenge preview

Upon further review, it appears that Kyle's move was likely allowed. Thanks to evidence from David Bloomberg on X, it appears that a Survivor Dream Team member was using their forearm to balance the disc in the challenge preview. The Dream Team does the challenge to test out any issues and to grab clips for Jeff's explanation of each challenge. If a Dream Team member was doing this in the challenge preview, it was allowed in the challenge.

In the end, Gabe and Genevieve Mushaluk were deemed the biggest remaining threats and were on the chopping block and going into tribal council. Both knew they were the targets. Both wished they had their shots in the dark back. Ironically, Gabe was voted out, the same Gabe who talked Sam into giving up his shot.

If Kykle had not won immunity, he certainly would have been a target. Whether he would have been the one voted out is unknown, but his smart use of his forearm may have saved him.