Customer Reviews

Build the Perfect Survival Kit

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The phrase Survival Kit is in the title of this book, and that is exactly what is presented. Survival techniques are not the focus of this book, but assembling survival kits for various situations. In that regard, this book is extremely thorough giving many examples of assembling survival kits for just about every scenario be it personal, vehicle, boat, etc. He also provides many examples of the different survival tools available and where you can obtain these tools. There aren't an abundance of survival techniques in this book, but that was not the author's goal. It's also a pretty dry read and when the author reveals what he carries with him at all times, I thought he was joking. He carries on 3 keychains something like 2 micro flashlights, 2 knives, a multitool, metal aspirin container, fire tinder in another aspirin container, and about 4 different tools for fire starting. And, that's just what I remember off the top of my head. He carries this stuff around all the time. While I find that overkill, the kits and all the tool recommendation make this book rate high for what it is. A guide to assembling survival kits. For actual techniqes, I'd go with another book. ***Added 1/25/12*** The author has a new book out called Stay Alive! which is an A-Z book on survival. Check it out.

One of the most common questions asked by people interested in survival is: what should I put in my survival kit?

"Build the Perfect Survival Kit" answers that question in great detail. Learn how to build everything from small pocket-size kits, to large vehicle kits.

After explaining the basics of personal survival kits, you will learn about items to add to your survival kit for:
Fire and Light
Signaling
Navigation
Water and Food
Shelter and Protection
Knives and Tools
Medical
Multi-purpose components
Miscellaneous components

You will then read about how to select proper containers for your survival kit and how to assemble kits of various sizes, for multiple purposes.

The book also contains appendices listing additional training and reading resources, as well as a comprehensive list of companies offering survival kit items for sale.

Development of survival kits is discussed in detail, and there are several photographs that add to the quality of the instruction offered by this book.

This is not a `survival skills' manual, but as one would expect from the title, "Build the Perfect Survival Kit", a manual on building the kits that allow you to have an easier time employing the survival skills you have learned elsewhere.

For anyone interested in survival, "Build the Perfect Survival Kit" is a must read book.

A good book for anyone interested in putting together a kit for those times when life throws you a curve ball. It is well written and makes you think. While Mr. McCann does provide exstensive lists and gear reviews, the book is more about understanding how to put a kit together and figuring out what works for you. If you are allready famailar with the idea of building kits, you wont find anything earth shattering, however the book is still worth getting.

If you buy only one book to help you prepare your own disaster/emergency/survival kit, pick up a copy of Build the Perfect Survival Kit by John D. McCann, published in 2005 by Krause Publications. This book does an excellent job at breaking down the "what" and "why" for kits of different sizes, ranging from a mini-kit to keep in a pocket or purse to a large kit to stick in a small airplane in the event of a crash over the wilderness.

His category breakdown is Fire & Light, Water & Food, Shelter & Protection, Knives & Tools, Medical, Multipurpose, Miscellaneous. He gives advice for finding the right container for your kit from big to small and then tips for assembling and maintaing the kit. He also provides easy-to-use checklists and great resource lists and websites to help you get prepared.

Even if this book inspires you to keep a few emergency supplies into your vehicle or carry a mini-kit in your purse, it would be worth giving it a read. Once you're done though, you'll find yourself wanting to assemble a small fannypack kit or a medium backpack kit to throw in the car.

Build the Perfect Survival Kit by John D. McCann is a book that goes into detail on the equipment one should consider when creating a survival kit. It is not a survival book or a `how to' book on wilderness or urban survival. The goal of this book is creating survival kits for different needs. The types of kits covered include: mini kits, small kits, medium kits, large kits and kits for vehicles, trucks, watercraft, snowmobile, ATV's, and planes. Regardless of your level of experience you should obtain good information from this book. Beginners will find a wealth of information and a great starting point.

Readers will learn about the eight categories of gear:

1. Fire and Light
2. Signaling
3. Navigation
4. Water and Food
5. Shelter and Protection
6. Knives and Tools
7. Multi-purpose Items
8. Miscellaneous Items

The main reason I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 is that there were a few times where McCann talks about a piece of gear but then states he has never used it or tested it out. When reading this type of book I want information on what to put into the kit along with feedback as to the usefulness and quality of the items. McCann does provide a lot of good feedback but drops the ball on certain items.

After reading this book you will have a good idea of the kinds of gear to put into a kit that is INDIVIDUALIZED to your needs. Don't put together a kit based solely on what he uses as your level of skill and experience may not be the same.

Overall, I recommend this book as a good reference and starting point.

This is really a book that lays out the typical survival gear and how to scale that gear for different groups or circumstances. Nothing new or amazing, good solid information and alot of it, but nothing that isn't is most standard survival books. The actual review of the gear suggested and the authors testing of it was what I'm most impressed with. I'm typically more interested in why something fails than why it works because all of the reviews that say "It's amazing worked every time" aren't useful. The author goes through the gear along with the good and the bad and has a good balance of useful review and personal opinion on how it worked for him that resonated with me.

While I worry that the book has a shorter shelf life than most because of the rapidly changing life cycle of gear right now (Dec 2008) this is a good read.

Given the nature of some of the previous reviews it's doubtful some actually even took the time to read Build the Perfect Survival Kit

With that said, the book overall is a practical resource and idea generating report. The resources listed in the back of the book and its recommended reading list is the books strength but for the expert you might not find anything new. But as a compliment to your survival library one or two ideas might be gleaned.

The book is replete with photos but color photos would have been better as it is hard to see and describe some of the items you are actually looking at (especially for the beginner.)

At the top of McCann's list of preferred suppliers are CAMPMOR and Brigade Quartermaster to name a few. The book is redundant but was designed that way in order to teach how to assemble the most minimal to largest kit. Practically written but YAWN I was looking for something more informational.

The survival tips are few but again it was purposefully not designed for that. There are some tidbits of survival wisdom within the pages as the author is an experienced survival expert, some idea generating tips for assembling equipment like making a survival stove with a NUWICK candle, food, water, shelter... all the basics so, it would be wise to assemble at least a minimal kit for your car or truck. As in the book however building a kit is a process best done slowly as your budget allows. And having some equipment on hand in an emergency just makes sense. Preparedness.

The book does not include everything that you might need or want in your kit: car, truck or boat and had some glaring drawbacks. For example, waterproofing is talked about but the author on page 91 placed separately in small zip lock bags his Tylenol and alcohol pads to
go into the main compartment of a plastic medical kit carry-on case; they, Tylenol and pads are already waterproofed!

I gave it 4 stars for effort and as a resource guide.

I too am an outdoor preparedness junkie. There are a number of books on the market in the survival genre, but this is one of the finest when it gets right down to "what do I need to take with me". The book is broken down into different categories of kits, depending on your mode and style of being outdoors. I really believe that this book does a bang up job in describing what you need to take to fulfill each of the different types of survival categories, such as fire, light, shelter etc. It also has a bunch of lists with the authors suggestions on what needs to go into a kit. As mentioned, it is not a survival training guide, but excels at making you think about what to take. If you have some experience, you could argue endlessly with the author over some recommendations, but at least this book will get you thinking and you won't go wrong in buying it. I consider it one of the most useful books in my collection and have actually pattered my survival kits using it as a reference.

"Build the Perfect Survival Kit: Custom Kits For Adventure, Sport, and Travel" by John D. McCann is a very good addition to anyone's survival library. Note that I say good addition. I say this because it is not the only survival resource you'll need. In fact, the author is very clear that this is not a survival instruction manual. This book teaches the fundamentals of making a survival kit that will benefit you in a survival situation. You will need to learn and practice the various aspects of survival and the use of the components selected for a kit through alternate resources and training.

I like that the author stresses that you need to select the right components for YOUR needs and how to package them for YOUR purposes, not his. He also provides a brief explanation as to why you need a personal survival kit and the basics of personal survival kits. He then discusses the components of kits in chapters divided into these categories: Fire & Light, Signaling, Navigation, Water & Food, Shelter & Protection, Knives & Tools, Medical, Multi-Purpose Components, and Miscellaneous Components.

I liked the chapters on components. He provides ample photographs of the items he discusses, and there are numerous side bars that provide facts and tips. I also liked that he reminds readers that he's never had a map or compass stop working because of dead batteries. I agree with him that a GPS can be a great tool for navigation, but recommend you don't make it your "only" tool.

After addressing the various components, there is a part on selecting containers for survival kits and putting kits together. There is a chapter describing mini and small kits, another on medium and large kits, and finally a chapter on making vehicle kits. (Auto, truck, boat, aircraft, snowmobile, and ATV)

There is a short conclusion and then some recommended survival kits of all the different size and types he discussed previously in the text. The second appendix provides suppliers for survival kit components and the third appendix lists various survival training schools and survival reading.

When something goes wrong, a survival kit provides the basic to survive. Being prepared with the right kit might make all the difference in an emergency situation. The author, John McCann, believes you should carry a survival kit at all times. It's insurance. This text provides the information you need to build your own kit and be prepared. I think it is an excellent addition to anyone's survival and preparedness library. But more than that, learn some skills and build a kit with McCann's help. If an emergency does arise, you'll be glad you did.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series.

This is a cool book for those that are interested in gadgets and survival in general. I would have liked more photos (especially more close-ups). A full-color edition would really put this book over the top. All in all, if you enjoy this kind of thing, this is a very interesting and enjoyable book. The book included good, up-to-date lists of where to come up with the various items that the author uses and reviews.