Although I purchased this as a camping guide, I was amazed at the dearth of information for all seasons so to say. John `Lofty" Wiseman who spent twenty-six of his working years as a professional soldier in the Special Air Service (SAS) has penned an all-purpose book that will serve the reader from those who are simply setting up camp to those who find themselves in circumstances where they need to survive in the face of a natural disaster. In other words, you need to ask yourself if you are willing to give up the ship or survive.
This handbook has an amazing array of information (unexpectedly complete I might add) that I wasn't expecting. The "SAS Survival Handbook" has it ALL and then some. If you have an emergency preparedness kit, this is one book that should be in there right along with your food, water, medications, etc. It could prove to be an invaluable lifesaver. Needless to say, if you are just planning to use it when you go camping you won't end up being like Barney Fife, you won't have to depend on a little luck, you'll know what to do. This is a very lengthy review and if you are sure you want to have the book you might want to bypass it. If you are uncertain, I did try to cover all the basics so you'll know exactly what you are getting. And so, just what is in this book?
It's critical that you acquire the skills to survive and learn about its main elements, "food, fire, shelter, water, navigation, and medicine." Wiseman stresses that in all circumstances you will learn how to make a PLAN:
P - for Protection: You'll learn how to find shelter, avert additional danger, the importance of staying in one location, etc.
L - for Location: You'll learn how to build a shelter to protect you from the elements so you can avert additional personal disaster and be prepared for rescue.
A - for Acquisition: You'll need to learn how to "look for water and food to help supplement your emergency supplies" while waiting for help to arrive.
N - for Navigation: By learning how to become a decent navigator it "will keep you on route and will often avert a survival situation.
OTHER SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT IN THIS BOOK
ESSENTIALS AND STRATEGY.
* Emergency preparedness
* How to research your surroundings or the territory you'll be heading for
* The equipment you'll need (clothing, sleeping bags, packs, stowing kit, G.P.S., radios, etc.)
* How to prepare for the unexpected
* How to prepare a survival kit and what to put in it (matches, beta light, snare wire, flexible saw, medical kit, etc.)
* How to prepare a survival pouch that you can grab quickly in case of emergency.
* How to select a knife which can be "an invaluable asset in a survival situation."
* What to do when you are actually facing a disaster and how to cope with survival stress.
* You'll get a quick primer on survival needs and how to use the PLAN.
* How to find water from an assortment of sources from dew and condensation to obtaining it from plants. You'll learn how to use animals as a way to find water. You'll also learn how to find salt.
* You'll learn how to survive a car accident (brake failure,collision, immersion in water, or a breakdown on railway tracks.
* What to do in the event you find yourself in an impending air crash or forced landing and what to do if you crash in the wilderness.
* CLIMATE AND TERRAIN. You'll learn about climate zones and will read a survival case study in a sidebar. Each zone, polar, tundra, the northern coniferous forest, temperate, deciduous forest, temperate grasslands, Mediterranean regions, tropical forests, savannah, and desert areas, will be briefly covered. Particular challenges to survival will be discussed. For example, you'll learn how to deal with snow glare, how to ascend and descend a mountain, and how to avoid illness.
* You'll learn some particulars about working with a vehicle. One interesting one is what to do if you are snow-bound in a car.
* FOOD - In this expansive section you'll learn about your nutritional needs and how to get food. You'll learn about food plants (obtaining and using them), using animals as food, where to find edible plants, using roots and tuber, fruit, nuts, how to recognize and avoid poisonous plants and trees, edible fungi, specific climate zone plants, making and using traps, how to hunt, preparing your kill,and how to fish. This section is quite detailed and well illustrated, including numerous full color illustrations on fungi and plant life.
* There are numerous descriptions and illustrations on how to create snares and traps and rules for using them.
* You'll learn how to create weapons (bow and arrow, sling shot, catapult, bola, and spears).
* You'll learn how to avoid dangerous animals.
* CAMP - this section is much less intense than the survival sections, but nonetheless can be used in either circumstance. You'll learn how to create shelter, work with a fire, how to cook, organize a camp, cook food, create utensils, preserve food, cook an assortment of foods, hygiene, how to use and axe, clothes, ropes, how to make knots, etc.
* You will lean how to "read the signs," particularly if you don't have a compass. You'll learn how to read maps, make a razor blade compass, plant "pointers," use the skies to find your direction, how to read the clouds (illustrated), and how to make weather predictions.
* When you are on the move you'll need another set of skills in order to keep moving and survive. You'll learn how to plan your move, how to prepare for it, how to make a frame (backpack), sledge, how to move if you are in a group, how to pace yourself, how to move in an assortment of terrains, how to travel a waterway and make a raft, and you'll learn how to cross rivers.
* FIRST AID. This section deals with everything from minor to major first aid procedures. Fair warning is giving that "Some of the advice given ... is intended ONLY for such circumstances" that would save a life provided there are no other alternatives.
* There is a section on natural medicine. You'll learn how to supplement or replace some of your medical supplies by using such things as natural plant life. There is a listing of remedies and another one of tropical medicinal plants. There is a full color spread of medicinal plants with discussion. There is also one to enable you to recognize dangerous creatures (land and sea) and poisonous snakes.
* SURVIVAL AT SEA. There are numerous, assorted aspects to this section. You'll learn about lifeboat drills, abandoning ship, what to do when there is a man overboard, what to do if you find yourself in the water, survival priorities, how to keep yourself sane and oriented, what to do in either hot or cold climates, how to know when land is close, when to stay put or move, signaling, health concerns, how to conserve water, how to obtain food and water, what NOT to do, how to recognize and deal with sharks, and making landfall.
* RESCUE. If you are stranded there are certain ways you can increase your chances of survival and rescue. You'll learn about items that you can use when you need to signal others, the best locations to send your signals, what to do if you have an actual transmitter, signals and codes (fire, torching trees, smoke, ground-to-air signals, how to use a reflector to signal, using a heliograph, rags, body signals, etc. There is critical information that tells the reader how searches are conducted, both by land and aerial.
* DISASTERS. This section is more "disaster specific." There are brief sections on fire, chemical and biological warfare, gases and chemicals, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, earthquakes, volcanoes, and nuclear explosions. The last part dictates what should be done on the "home front" to ensure survival. You'll learn about storing food, food shelf life, rations, vitamins, dried foods, where these items should be stored, how to obtain and properly store water, how to filter and store water, how to cook in water,how to "catch" water, how to conserve it, you'll learn how to work with indoor fire, how to obtain food, how to shelter, proper hygiene, and a brief blurb on communicable diseases.
This is an awesome compendium of survival resources in one book. The only weak spot is the one concerning disaster on the home front. Although something to consider, it almost seemed to be an afterthought. I don't feel the intent of the book was to focus on this area, but if you do, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. It doesn't have reams of food storage information that some people are interested in. The book is liberally illustrated with line drawings and specific full color illustrations which are excellent guides.
There are many survival scenarios and numerous informative sidebars. For example there are things such as trapping tips: "Baiting a trap will attract the game. In a survival situation food may be scarce but, if you know there are animals to trap, a little used as bait may bring large rewards. The camping and survival sections and techniques are the strongest sections, any of which are worth the price of the book. Would I buy it? I did and because this was purchased as a gift, I'll probably be buying another one. This is one book that is definitely one you should consider adding to your list, one that in case of emergency you wouldn't want to be without.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
There is a newer edition of this item:
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$39.99
Get it Sep 13 - 18
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2011
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2009
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2011
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2014
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2010
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2013
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2014
