SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere (Paperback)

~ John "Lofty" Wiseman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A new and fully updated edition of the original, bestselling survival handbook. Written by ex-SAS survival expert John 'Lofty' Wiseman, this book provides the most reliable, authoritative and respected survival information on the market. The original survival handbook -- the choice of both survival expert and novice, this book is the international bestseller which in the 20 years since it was first published has been often imitated but never bettered. John 'Lofty' Wiseman served in the SAS for 26 years: his knowledge, experience and skills are unrivalled in survival circles. He is the first and best expert on survival instruction -- in any situation. In this fully updated edition, Lofty imparts his much sought-after survival experience, knowledge and timeless techniques -- preparing you for anything, anywhere in the world.Updated contents include: Be prepared -- The latest, most resilient, resourceful and eco-friendly must-have kit On the move -- Up-to-date navigation technologies such as GPS are discussed and explained Health -- The current understanding relating to the body's coping mechanisms in extreme circumstances is expertly applied to survival Disasters -- Increasingly-changing environmental conditions are addressed: what to do in the face of flash flooding or fast-spreading fire Fear Management -- How to react, keep calm, and manage hostile environments and survival situation Also featuring new case studies and survival scenarios, designed to offer fascinating insight into other people's survival experiences and to force you to think about what you would do in their position.

About the Author

John 'Lofty' Wiseman served for 26 years with the Special Air Service and was their Chief Survival Instructor. He remains the foremost authority on SAS training techniques for civilians.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Collins; New edition edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007274939
• ISBN-13: 978-0007274932
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,244 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

176 of 183 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding! The most comprehensive survival info. available, November 16, 1999

By	Eric "[e-mail]" (Pensacola, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The SAS Survival Handbook (Paperback)

The British Special Air Service (SAS) is an elite military unit trained for long range patrols,sabatoge and covert operations far behind enemy lines. The U.S. Navy SEAL teams are trained on principles developed by the SAS nearly fifty years ago. SAS troops are deployed to some of the most remote regions on the planet and for this reason, must be experts in outdoor survival. John Wiseman is a former SAS survival instructor, so you can rest assured that you are receiving the best available information. The techniques desribed in this book are simple, functional and extremely clever, all hallmarks of SAS operations. The section on traps and snares is spectacular! All drawings are clear and easy to understand and the book is organized into specific geographic regions according to climate(i.e. deserts, jungles, etc.). I have spent most of my professional career in the woods (I'm a biologist by trade)and I use the information in this book on a daily basis, including training fellow employees in the basics of land navigation, improvised direction finding, and basic "woodsmanship". Additionally, I apply the SAS mindset to daily problem solving and find that it serves me well. The book comes in two sizes and I can highly recommend the pocket sized version for your pack or field bag. I can not say enough good things about this book. I have over fifty survival books in my personal library and this is the one I use as my bible. I can also highly recommend the SAS Escape,Evasion and Survival Manual by Barry Davies. It contains the same high quality info. as this book plus some additional goodies!

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common sense information that you might actually use!, October 7, 2002

By	"tess73" (Chester, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The SAS Survival Handbook (Paperback)

The first time I read this book, was as a teen. I "borrowed" the copy belonging to my brother, and have never been without a copy since then.

The information contained within is aimed at surviving in the most extreme conditions. Granted, not many of us will be stranded in the North Pole - but if we were, we'd know not to eat a polar bear's liver, because the amount of vitamin A contained therein is toxic!
More usable information includes:

- Beautiful, accurate pictures of edible and poisonous plants
- How-to advice on setting up temporary camps
- Basic first aid and medical care
- How to survive a nuclear attack, war conditions, fire/ice/extreme weather conditions
- A virtually complete instruction on how to set up different traps to catch your food,
And other amazing pieces of information simply too numerous to list.

All in all, there are probably more professional, intensive survival guides - but this is by far one of the more approachable, with common sense advice that we can use even in a non-survival situation.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific pocket guide, January 17, 2007

By	M. Wade - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SAS Survival Guide Handbook (Collins Gem) (Paperback)

My husband and I wanted a little guide for our house and cars, so we'd be better prepared in case of disaster. We were hoping for something that would help in just about any situation: plane crash, getting stuck in the car in a blizzard, a natural disaster that cut off power and access to our house, and so on. This book meets that requirement beautifully. The SAS Guide (as opposed to the regular SAS Handbook) is a pocket-sized book, so it easily fits in the glovebox, and it's surprisingly complete for such a small book. I'm also grateful that it's completely free of any weird political agenda. It's just straightup information without even the slightest hint of a paranoid subtext. I'm thrilled with the purchase, and I'll buy more copies for other people in my family.