Keller's Outdoor Survival Guide: How to Prevail When Lost, Stranded, or Injured in the Wilderness (Willow Creek Guides) [Paperback]

William Keller (Author)

Book Description

Series: Willow Creek Guides | Publication Date: August 21, 2001

Today, more people are venturing into the wilderness-rock climbers, mountain bikers, hikers, campers, kayakers, cross country skiers, and hunters are all at risk of injury, getting lost, or facing inclement weather. At the same time, humans are rapidly losing basic survival skills, becoming more dependent on technology and modern conveniences. In this book, William Keller, a certified Emergency Medical Technician who has worked as a Search and Rescue officer for 20 years in the Rocky Mountains, compiles his extensive experience and training into 25 chapters of emergency and basic survival skills information that all outdoorspeople should know before they venture into the wilderness again. Using true stories to illustrate his advice, Keller addresses finding safe drinking water, using a map and compass, determining direction by the stars, building a fire in windy or wet conditions, drying clothing once it is wet, recognizing the signs of hypothermia in oneself and others, warming oneself or others suffering from hypothermia, determining what is edible in the wild, surviving in a vehicle, selecting shelter, and much more. This book helps readers put the trust back in themselves rather than their cell phones or Global Positioning Systems by making them aware of their creativity and resourcefulness. Keller's advice on learning basic survival skills will greatly increase a person's ability to survive when an outdoor excursion turns into a battle for life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William Keller worked as a Search and Rescue officer in Route Country, Colorado, for many years. He is currently a Wilderness Survival Instructor and the Communications Director for Custer County, Nebraska's 911 center. He lives in Merna, NE, with his wife, Debbie, and three of their six daughters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Willow Creek Press (August 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572232668
• ISBN-13: 978-1572232662
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,545,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Imformative, April 16, 2003

By 

Meghan RN (Grand Island, Nebraska United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keller's Outdoor Survival Guide: How to Prevail When Lost, Stranded, or Injured in the Wilderness (Willow Creek Guides) (Paperback)

I thought that this book was Great!!! I have to say I was a little disappointed upon reading another review for this book. I think the criticism was entirely unfounded. I found this book to have more than enough very practical and very useful information on how not only to prevent yourself from ever getting into a bad situation but also how to get out of it if you happen to find yourself lost or stranded. I don't think that anyone who thinks differently could have possibly even read the book. The chapter titles include: Shelter and Staying warm, Fire, Water and Food, First Aid, What to do when you are lost, Detectability, Surviving in a Vehicle, Venturing Out; Clothing Footwear, Plans and Packs. What else could you possible need. I think that pretty much covers the basics. As a registered nurse I found all of the information to be very helpful and very acurate from both a personal standpoint and also from a medical standpoint. I especially enjoyed the chapter on First Aid, While most people feel that they have a basic understanding of first aid but this chapter is a great review. It discusses Assessment, Artificial Respiration, CPR (how many of us couldn't use a brush up on that), Bleeding, Imobilization, Hypothermia. Even if you are never going to set foot in the wilderness this chapter is a great First Aid review. After all you don't have to be in the wilderness to get hurt, or come to the aid of someone else who is.
Bottom line this is a great book. The personal stories keep your attention from start to finish, and the information is very practical for anyone. The authors expertise and knowlege is very apparent in each and every chapter of this book. I would highly recommend it for anyone who is a serious outdoorsmen or even just a causal camper.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Survival Manual Out There!!, August 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Keller's Outdoor Survival Guide: How to Prevail When Lost, Stranded, or Injured in the Wilderness (Willow Creek Guides) (Paperback)

This was a great book any way you look at it. It was full of fun stories that kept my attention and tons of usefull information that is practical for very many situations. It is a GREAT book!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EMT and Wilderness Survival Instructor from Colorado, April 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Keller's Outdoor Survival Guide: How to Prevail When Lost, Stranded, or Injured in the Wilderness (Willow Creek Guides) (Paperback)

As an EMT who has considerable experience in Mountain Rescue and dealing with victims of hypothermia, I found this very informative. It is well written in very easy to understand with many excellent and interesting stories. It addresses not only solutions to survival situations but offers many preventative ideas. Well worth the money.