SAS Essential Survival (SAS Survival) [Paperback]

Barry Davies (Author)

Book Description

Series: SAS Survival | Publication Date: August 2001

The Special Air Service operates worldwide, often in remote and hostile locations where nature poses as much of a hazard as any enemy. In order to stay alive and complete their missions, SAS personnel are rigorously trained in the art of survival. This book is based on SAS training and techniques. This general survival guide contains detailed information on basic survival in any situation, including techniques of shelter construction, sourcing water, first aid, fire making, food hunting, signalling, navigation and equipment. Drawing on practical, first-hand knowledge, the entries are arranged in order of survival priority, with photographs, cutaway drawings and diagrams. Specially designed to fit in a rucksack or pocket, this book offers a potentially life-saving companion for any outdoor activity.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barry Davies served with the SAS for eighteen years, during which he was awarded the British Empire Medal. The SAS sent him to the International Long Range Patrol School in Germany, where as Senior Survival Instructor he taught survival skills to servicemen from a variety of nations. He is the author of a number of books, including The Complete Encyclopedia of the SAS, and is currently a consultant on a survival-themed TV show in production with the BBC. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Lewis International Inc (August 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930983107
• ISBN-13: 978-1930983106
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,005,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I wasn't impressed, May 10, 2006

By 

Jay Stanley - See all my reviews

This review is from: SAS Desert Survival (SAS Survival) (Paperback)

SAS Desert Survival. The title has a definite attraction, but after reading it, I have to say that I was less than impressed. Water collection is one of the most essential concerns of any desert survivor, yet there isn't much here at all on the subject of locating ground water sources or planning water consumption in desert survival conditions. What there was included the usual over-optimistic advice on things like solar stills and transpiration bags, with certain curious 'tips' such as getting drinkable water from the sap of birch trees (in the desert?).

The section on map navigation isn't detailed enough to be of any real use to anyone (nor does it contain much on using compass or GPS in desert terrain). Nor is there much about common desert dangers such as sandstorms, snakes, heat illness, hypo-natremia, etc. What there is includes a lot of regurgitated advice from other SAS books on animal traps and fishing, not very applicable to arid desert. I can't recommend this book for anyone attempting an education in desert survival skills.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SAS Jungle Survival : by Barry Davis, January 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: SAS Jungle Survival (SAS Survival) (Paperback)

I do not believe anyone will be disappointed with any of the Survival books, that Mr. Davies writes. No nonsense! The advice
is simple and put forward in terms anyone would be able to
understand. How to live on little, when your life is in peril. This book is worthy of any survival bookshelf, unless one were
a native to the jungle regions, or already a master at jungle survival.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short Sweet w/ No B.S., March 7, 2008

By 

Grass Widow (GA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sas Desert Survival (Sas Essential Survival Guides) (Paperback)

If you are going into the woods, or the "Sandbox" this book is an excellent preparation and handbook. The author outlines essentials for survival and rescue. My favorite topics included: instructions on how to assemble and use a survival kit. The only things I might add to his list of handy multitask items would be Honey, in little portion packs you can swipe from the coffee shop as it is not only an excellent concentrated food source, but it has antibiotic properties as well to protect against infection. Honey has also been used since ancient times topically as an ointment for wounds and burns for the same reason; and it provides an air tight flexible seal over the wound plus it's sticky and will help to hold a dry dressing in place. Sugar packets are useful both for energy and to stop bleeding from wounds. Just sprinkle the sugar into the wound, and apply pressure. Baking Soda is another item I might consider taking for it's multipurpose uses. For dehydration it can be added with salt to water to maintain electrolyte balance, for hygiene it can be used to wash the skin, clothing, eating utensils, and to brush your teeth. For wet rashes and bug bites it can be applied as a poultice or paste to the injured area and it helps to draw out the poison or stinger if present. It also helps relieve the itch. Baking Soda can also be taken in water to relive an upset stomach.
Another favorite topic were the chapters on medical care and finding things to use as medicine. I'm in the medical field so I'm into that kind of stuff. I liked it so well, I sent one to my Dad who is going up to the boundary waters this spring (The Essential Survival Guide) and this one (Desert Survival) to my son in law who's over there right now. They both have much info that is applicable in any setting but the special editions also have additional info for specific climates.
I say it's short and sweet because it is just the bare facts. Instructions on how to survive and be rescued: what you need to do and how to do it. I felt it was realistic in it's explanations. The book is small, thin and narrow but sturdily constructed so it is a guide that will stand up to some abuse; a practical hand book.