Wilderness Survival (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Since proper prior preparation prevents poor performance (the six Ps of survival), all wilderness enthusiasts should learn about the pros and cons of each environment..." (more)
Key Phrases: edibility test, metal match, snare wire, Southern Cross, Greg Davenport, Location Most (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A must-read for anyone who goes outdoors. Informative and captivating. It covers the principles of survival better than any book I have read." --Capt. Scott O'Grady, Survivor--Bosnia --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

15 b/w photos 100 drawings 5 x 8Authoritative information presented by a certified USAF Survival School instructor Concise explanations and illustrations of the five critical survival elements Organized and indexed for easy reference Anyone who has hiked the wrong path into the woods can appreciate the importance of making the best of a bad situation. In this easy-to-use guide, USAF instructor Greg Davenport explains, in clearly written text and detailed diagrams, the most efficient ways to ensure personal safety in the wild. Creating shelter and heat, procuring food and water, and navigating unfamiliar territory are just a few of the survival basics Davenport examines as he describes the most efficient ways to maintain health and well-being in an unfamiliar environment. Greg Davenport was an instructor at the USAF Survival School and has trained aircrew members, other survival instructors and international military personnel. He has been featured by 48 Hours and the BBC for his role as a survival instructor during the Gulf War.15 b/w photos 100 drawings

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Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811729850
• ISBN-13: 978-0811729857
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #522,839 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Davenport's book is an outstanding educational tool!, June 24, 2000

By A Customer

Greg Davenport's simple approach to Wilderness Survival is the key to this user friendly educational text.

Greg posts on several of the wilderness survival forums. Through his book and posts I have come to understand his unique approach to wilderness survival. He believes that it is based on ones ability to do three things:

1. Stop and recognize the situation for what it is.
2. Identify your "five survival essentials" and prioritize them, in order of importance, for the environment that you are in.
3. Improvise to meet your needs using both your manmade and natural resources.

His book covers this process. It explains in step by step format how to meet your "five survival essentials" in every global environment. Davenport believes that these essentials are constant and the only thing that changes (from one climate to another) is the order and method in which they are met. These "five survival essentials" are:

1. Personal Protection (clothing, shelter, fire)
2. Signaling (manmade and improvised)
3. Sustenance (water and food ID, procurement, and preparation)
4. Travel (with and without a map and compass)
5. Health (psychological stress, traumatic and environmental injuries).

Davenport covers this information and more in his book (preview the table of contents). If you travel outdoors and are interested in learning about wilderness survival buy this book! You will not be disappointed.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book that focuses on wilderness survival, October 10, 2001

By	Jeff (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews

Wilderness survival and wilderness living are not the same thing!!!

Like the previous reviewers - I have read most of the survival books on the market and I agree that this is hands down the best one out there. It covers all aspects of survival:

1. personal protection (clothing, shelter, fire)
2. signaling
3. sustenance (water and food)
4. travel (using a map and compass)
5. health (psychological stress, traumatic and environmental injuries)

I agree with a previous post -- its navigation chapter is the best I have seen and has really helped me master this skill. In addition, Greg Davenport's medical experience is apparent - his health section is by far the best I have seen in a book related to wilderness survival...

In a time when most survival books are actually about living in the wilderness ... it is good to find a book that focused on teaching the skills needed for those who play and work in the wilderness... I look forward to reading Mr. Davenport's newest book -- Wilderness Living -- which does focus on wilderness living skills.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, August 6, 2000

By A Customer

This is a no nonsense book on adapting and surviving in the wilderness. A former Air Force SERE instructor, Davenport breaks survival down to its basic essentials (personal protection, sustenance, signaling, travel, and health), teaching the reader to evaluate his/her situation, prioritize needs, and take life-saving action. Many survival books are just a catalog of exotic skills, poorly illustrated, and giving the reader no clear idea of how or when to employ them. I liked this book because it follows the KISS approach--surviving is 90% common sense. The other 10 is the ability to apply basic skills, which the book clearly details. If I were going to carry one survival manual with me into the bush, it would be this one.