SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere
Product ID: 8687817
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"A classic outdoor manual [that] addresses every conceivable disaster scenario. Don’t leave home without it”—Outside magazine The ultimate guide to surviving anywhere, now updated with more than 100 pages of additional material, including a new chapter on urban survival Revised to reflect the latest in survival knowledge and technology, and covering new topics such as urban survival and terrorism, the multimillion-copy worldwide bestseller SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition by John "Lofty" Wiseman is the definitive survival guide for all campers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers. From basic campcraft and navigation to fear management and strategies for coping with any type of disaster, this complete course in disaster preparedness includes: Being prepared: Understanding basic survival skills, like reading the weather, and preparation essentials, such as a pocket survival kit and other prepper supplies. Making camp: Finding the best location, constructing the appropriate shelter, organizing camp, staying warm, and creating tools. Food: What to eat, what to avoid, where to find it, and how to prepare it. First aid: A comprehensive course in emergency/wilderness medicine, including how to maximize survival in any climate or when injured. Disaster survival: How to react in the face of natural disasters and hostile situations—and how to survive if all services and supplies are cut off. Self-defense: Arming yourself with basic hand-to-hand combat techniques for total self reliance. Security: Protecting your family and property from intrusion, break-ins, and theft. Climate & terrain: Overcoming any location, from the tropics to the poles, from the desert to the mountains and sea. Review: Book Review - Knowing what to do in a survival situation is something that many people do not spend time thinking about. But when they are stuck in a survival situation that requires them to know how to build a fire, make camp, know what foods to eat and not eat, these are skills that can determine whether they live or die. In this essay I will be discussing my review and thoughts on the Third Edition SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving by John “Lofty” Wiseman which was published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2014. At the price of $17.48, there are 668 pages that include illustrations, directions, and insights. (ISBN: 978-0-06-237807-1). John Wiseman was a professional soldier for 26 years that served with the Special Air Service (SAS). This unit of the British Army was trained to carry out missions in various parts of the world where they were often alone and far from conventional sources. They worked in small groups that were often in their enemy’s territory. Because they were isolated and in small numbers, they each became their group's own doctors, navigators, cooks, and dentists. After serving throughout the war, Wiseman became the survival instructor to the SAS and took the responsibility of ensuring that “…each and every member of the Regiment could apply these skills in the field,” (Wiseman, 2014). Experiencing harsh circumstances in which he had to rely on learned and thought-out survival instincts, he poured what he knew into this book. He notes that as we become more civilized in our daily routines of comfortableness and safety, we tend to lose survival skills that should come easy to the human body. We get caught up in fear and emotion, while surviving requires wit and quick thinking. There are three things that he outlines at the beginning of the text where he states the three basic principles of learning for the survivor: Will to Live, Knowledge, and Kit. Will to Live being that the survivor must never give in, regardless of their circumstances. Knowledge being that the survivor must know how to act in various situations in order to “dispel fear” (Wiseman, 2014). Kit being that the survivor must have essential items prepared with them in any case of a dangerous situation. The first parts of the book focus on essentials that the survivor must have at the ready at all times. Some of these include food, clothing, water, GPS's, radios, weapons, matches, and medical supplies. The survivor must be conscious and aware that a sudden circumstance could arise at any second and being prepared will always lead to an increase in the outcome of surviving. It is also essential to research a place that you will be attending if you’ve either never been there before or don’t recall much about it. “The more detailed your knowledge of the way people live…the more survival knowledge you will have if you come to need it,” Wiseman states. In research there is planning. In my opinion, this part of the book was one of the most important because there were many essential items discussed that you could have at handy in your car or in your bag in case you were cut off from civilization such as a GPS’s, compass, extra food, clothing, and water as well. I definitely implemented lots of these into my daily life. The next parts focus on strategy, climate & terrain, and camp craft. Strategy focuses on knowing skills that could be applied to more than one situation and that, in knowing them, would minimize risks. There are also based on experience. Of course, experiences must be at a safe precaution because knowing when to escape at the exact moment of a car sinking under water should be taken seriously. I thought that this was interesting to learn because he discussed things like how to escape from a crash on a vehicle or airplane. This part had lots of tips on surviving these outcomes. Climate and terrain focused on researching ahead of time if you are entering a climate that you are not familiar with. “People often view an alien environment as an enemy and feel they must fight it. This is not the way to survive—fight it and you will lose,” (Wiseman, 2014). He states that knowing your area either before or learning it during will always lead to an increased chance of survival. I related to the information in this part of the book because when I had to travel up to North Carolina due to Hurricane Irma, the first thing I did was research the climate there to prepare the appropriate clothing to wear. Had I gone there confused I would have freaked out. This information was really important to read and I was surprised to see that I had already attempted one of the skills in the book. Camp craft was a section that I knew I would have no experience with because I had never built a shelter myself. This part of the book way my favorite because in it describes knowing what types of shelter to build in certain climates and the right type of fire, warmth, and air ventilation to keep your body healthy and able. For example, he gives exact directions on how to survive in a severely cold climate that has heavy hard snow on the ground. He states that most of these big snowy areas are shelter themselves because they hold hollow caves underneath them that can be made as shelter if you know how to utilize it. He shows in illustrations that you must dig into a drift of snow. He then goes on to say that you must create three levels when you inside. One for where you will sleep, one for fire and a lower level that will trap the cold. And then, probably my favorite part of the entire book, you must create a hold on top, through the snow above you, to make sure that you have sufficient ventilation. This was my favorite because I have always wondered how I would survive if I was trapped under snow. The final parts of the book describe reading the weather, health, and rescue. These parts of the book were my least favorite because they were very heavy with detail, as they should be, and were not as interesting as the previous parts. Reading the weather was the only exception. From this, I learned the skill of knowing how to read clouds so that I could know what type of weather they were bringing, which I describe in my final survival video. The health section described how to perform first aid. Some of the main priorities were to “remove any danger, check for response, open the airway, check for breathing, and stop severe bleeding” (Wiseman, 2014). The rescue part described how to communicate if there were people in the air above you and you needed to communicate that something was wrong on the ground. For example, the author described that by making the symbol of an X, the air people would understand that you are “unable to move on” and by making the symbol of an I, this would mean there was a serious injury or that you need medical supplies. Overall, I really enjoyed this book because it gave you countless situation in which you could possibly find yourself in and how to survive effectively. I would definitely recommend this book to another person because you never know when you could be caught in a car crash, tornado, or trapped at sea and need survival skills that you know handy. Any type of person would like this book because there are countless various scenarios that we have all at least thought about once thinking “how would I survive that?” In summary, this book has been the most information text I have ever read. There were so many footnotes that added additional information and tips for the survivor. You are truly able to see and experience the circumstances that the author went through in order to know all of this information. It’s written in a way that anyone can understand and covers everything you would need to know; from learning how to make a shelter, to knowing how to defend yourself against the elements. I believe that every person should be required to read this book before reaching adulthood because in my opinion, it could help save the lives of billions. Review: SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: Your Ultimate Companion for Thriving Anywhere - As an avid outdoors enthusiast and survivalist, the SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition, has become an invaluable addition to my collection, offering an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and practical advice for navigating diverse environments. Pros: Comprehensive Content: The depth of information within the SAS Survival Handbook is truly impressive. From essential survival techniques to in-depth coverage of shelter building, firecraft, and first aid, this book leaves no stone unturned. It serves as an all-encompassing guide for both novices and seasoned adventurers. Illustrations and Visual Aids: The inclusion of detailed illustrations and visual aids significantly enhances the book's accessibility. Complex concepts are broken down into easy-to-understand visuals, making it a practical manual even for those less familiar with survival techniques. Real-Life Case Studies: The incorporation of real-life case studies and anecdotes adds a compelling dimension to the content. These stories not only make the information more relatable but also provide valuable insights into how survival techniques have been applied in actual situations. Portable and Durable: The compact size and durable construction of the book make it a reliable companion for outdoor adventures. It easily fits into a backpack or survival kit, ensuring that vital information is always within reach when needed. Focus on Mental Preparedness: Beyond the physical aspects of survival, the book places a strong emphasis on mental preparedness. Tips on maintaining a positive mindset and staying calm under pressure are invaluable aspects that set this handbook apart. Cons: Small Font Size: The font size is on the smaller side, which may pose a challenge for some readers, especially those who prefer larger print. However, the wealth of information packed into each page justifies the compromise in font size. Limited Color in Illustrations: While the illustrations are informative, the lack of color may make some details less distinguishable. However, this is a minor drawback given the overall effectiveness of the visual aids. In conclusion, the SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition, is a masterpiece in the realm of survival literature. Its comprehensive content, practical advice, and portability make it a must-have for anyone venturing into the great outdoors. From camping enthusiasts to serious survivalists, this book is an indispensable resource that combines knowledge with practicality. Highly recommended for those who seek a reliable guide for thriving in any environment.
| Best Sellers Rank | #954 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Natural Disasters (Books) #1 in Disaster Relief (Books) #1 in Environmental Engineering (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 8,319 Reviews |
M**Z
Book Review
Knowing what to do in a survival situation is something that many people do not spend time thinking about. But when they are stuck in a survival situation that requires them to know how to build a fire, make camp, know what foods to eat and not eat, these are skills that can determine whether they live or die. In this essay I will be discussing my review and thoughts on the Third Edition SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving by John “Lofty” Wiseman which was published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2014. At the price of $17.48, there are 668 pages that include illustrations, directions, and insights. (ISBN: 978-0-06-237807-1). John Wiseman was a professional soldier for 26 years that served with the Special Air Service (SAS). This unit of the British Army was trained to carry out missions in various parts of the world where they were often alone and far from conventional sources. They worked in small groups that were often in their enemy’s territory. Because they were isolated and in small numbers, they each became their group's own doctors, navigators, cooks, and dentists. After serving throughout the war, Wiseman became the survival instructor to the SAS and took the responsibility of ensuring that “…each and every member of the Regiment could apply these skills in the field,” (Wiseman, 2014). Experiencing harsh circumstances in which he had to rely on learned and thought-out survival instincts, he poured what he knew into this book. He notes that as we become more civilized in our daily routines of comfortableness and safety, we tend to lose survival skills that should come easy to the human body. We get caught up in fear and emotion, while surviving requires wit and quick thinking. There are three things that he outlines at the beginning of the text where he states the three basic principles of learning for the survivor: Will to Live, Knowledge, and Kit. Will to Live being that the survivor must never give in, regardless of their circumstances. Knowledge being that the survivor must know how to act in various situations in order to “dispel fear” (Wiseman, 2014). Kit being that the survivor must have essential items prepared with them in any case of a dangerous situation. The first parts of the book focus on essentials that the survivor must have at the ready at all times. Some of these include food, clothing, water, GPS's, radios, weapons, matches, and medical supplies. The survivor must be conscious and aware that a sudden circumstance could arise at any second and being prepared will always lead to an increase in the outcome of surviving. It is also essential to research a place that you will be attending if you’ve either never been there before or don’t recall much about it. “The more detailed your knowledge of the way people live…the more survival knowledge you will have if you come to need it,” Wiseman states. In research there is planning. In my opinion, this part of the book was one of the most important because there were many essential items discussed that you could have at handy in your car or in your bag in case you were cut off from civilization such as a GPS’s, compass, extra food, clothing, and water as well. I definitely implemented lots of these into my daily life. The next parts focus on strategy, climate & terrain, and camp craft. Strategy focuses on knowing skills that could be applied to more than one situation and that, in knowing them, would minimize risks. There are also based on experience. Of course, experiences must be at a safe precaution because knowing when to escape at the exact moment of a car sinking under water should be taken seriously. I thought that this was interesting to learn because he discussed things like how to escape from a crash on a vehicle or airplane. This part had lots of tips on surviving these outcomes. Climate and terrain focused on researching ahead of time if you are entering a climate that you are not familiar with. “People often view an alien environment as an enemy and feel they must fight it. This is not the way to survive—fight it and you will lose,” (Wiseman, 2014). He states that knowing your area either before or learning it during will always lead to an increased chance of survival. I related to the information in this part of the book because when I had to travel up to North Carolina due to Hurricane Irma, the first thing I did was research the climate there to prepare the appropriate clothing to wear. Had I gone there confused I would have freaked out. This information was really important to read and I was surprised to see that I had already attempted one of the skills in the book. Camp craft was a section that I knew I would have no experience with because I had never built a shelter myself. This part of the book way my favorite because in it describes knowing what types of shelter to build in certain climates and the right type of fire, warmth, and air ventilation to keep your body healthy and able. For example, he gives exact directions on how to survive in a severely cold climate that has heavy hard snow on the ground. He states that most of these big snowy areas are shelter themselves because they hold hollow caves underneath them that can be made as shelter if you know how to utilize it. He shows in illustrations that you must dig into a drift of snow. He then goes on to say that you must create three levels when you inside. One for where you will sleep, one for fire and a lower level that will trap the cold. And then, probably my favorite part of the entire book, you must create a hold on top, through the snow above you, to make sure that you have sufficient ventilation. This was my favorite because I have always wondered how I would survive if I was trapped under snow. The final parts of the book describe reading the weather, health, and rescue. These parts of the book were my least favorite because they were very heavy with detail, as they should be, and were not as interesting as the previous parts. Reading the weather was the only exception. From this, I learned the skill of knowing how to read clouds so that I could know what type of weather they were bringing, which I describe in my final survival video. The health section described how to perform first aid. Some of the main priorities were to “remove any danger, check for response, open the airway, check for breathing, and stop severe bleeding” (Wiseman, 2014). The rescue part described how to communicate if there were people in the air above you and you needed to communicate that something was wrong on the ground. For example, the author described that by making the symbol of an X, the air people would understand that you are “unable to move on” and by making the symbol of an I, this would mean there was a serious injury or that you need medical supplies. Overall, I really enjoyed this book because it gave you countless situation in which you could possibly find yourself in and how to survive effectively. I would definitely recommend this book to another person because you never know when you could be caught in a car crash, tornado, or trapped at sea and need survival skills that you know handy. Any type of person would like this book because there are countless various scenarios that we have all at least thought about once thinking “how would I survive that?” In summary, this book has been the most information text I have ever read. There were so many footnotes that added additional information and tips for the survivor. You are truly able to see and experience the circumstances that the author went through in order to know all of this information. It’s written in a way that anyone can understand and covers everything you would need to know; from learning how to make a shelter, to knowing how to defend yourself against the elements. I believe that every person should be required to read this book before reaching adulthood because in my opinion, it could help save the lives of billions.
D**D
SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: Your Ultimate Companion for Thriving Anywhere
As an avid outdoors enthusiast and survivalist, the SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition, has become an invaluable addition to my collection, offering an unparalleled wealth of knowledge and practical advice for navigating diverse environments. Pros: Comprehensive Content: The depth of information within the SAS Survival Handbook is truly impressive. From essential survival techniques to in-depth coverage of shelter building, firecraft, and first aid, this book leaves no stone unturned. It serves as an all-encompassing guide for both novices and seasoned adventurers. Illustrations and Visual Aids: The inclusion of detailed illustrations and visual aids significantly enhances the book's accessibility. Complex concepts are broken down into easy-to-understand visuals, making it a practical manual even for those less familiar with survival techniques. Real-Life Case Studies: The incorporation of real-life case studies and anecdotes adds a compelling dimension to the content. These stories not only make the information more relatable but also provide valuable insights into how survival techniques have been applied in actual situations. Portable and Durable: The compact size and durable construction of the book make it a reliable companion for outdoor adventures. It easily fits into a backpack or survival kit, ensuring that vital information is always within reach when needed. Focus on Mental Preparedness: Beyond the physical aspects of survival, the book places a strong emphasis on mental preparedness. Tips on maintaining a positive mindset and staying calm under pressure are invaluable aspects that set this handbook apart. Cons: Small Font Size: The font size is on the smaller side, which may pose a challenge for some readers, especially those who prefer larger print. However, the wealth of information packed into each page justifies the compromise in font size. Limited Color in Illustrations: While the illustrations are informative, the lack of color may make some details less distinguishable. However, this is a minor drawback given the overall effectiveness of the visual aids. In conclusion, the SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition, is a masterpiece in the realm of survival literature. Its comprehensive content, practical advice, and portability make it a must-have for anyone venturing into the great outdoors. From camping enthusiasts to serious survivalists, this book is an indispensable resource that combines knowledge with practicality. Highly recommended for those who seek a reliable guide for thriving in any environment.
E**M
SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition
great book, lots of information for survival,easy to use, lot of pictures, good price, handy,
J**O
This is the real "Survival Bible"- "Preppers bible"
This is the end all books to survival to own. unless you want a specific book on a very specific topic this is a very detailed overview of most scenarios. beautifully illustrated with color images for plants- everything else is black and white illustrations. In this recent edition, towards the rear, there is a chapter specifically on urban survival as well as some evasion tactics - for that get an evasion book. This book is great, so cheap, and a reasonable size, weight is what you would expect. Put one of these in each of you BOB or GOBAGS as well as one on a bookshelf or easily acceptable location in your home. great reading, informative, not too technical. Skills are really the most important thing to have. some things are very difficult to learn from a book, for instance knots... yeah this book explains knots. but have someone teach you a few of the main knots and practice them. practice fire starting, water purification... these are skills not just things to get if SHTF. have 3-4-5 ways on your person/bag another. Don't be a book survivalist.. go out to your yard, or a large park, and practice this stuff. at least the basics. take your pack and go out walking, different terrains, and time yourself, get a MPH so you can effectively plan. This book is great to get you pointed in the right direction. Yes I would buy this again, multiple copies, and every new edition from now on.
W**Y
Must know how to read standard English to utilize 90% of the information within. That is all.
This is the second copy I have owned. Had first edition. Great book. Same basics. A lil dated in some aspects. And some of the tips or suggestions are irrelevant or unnecessary for example some of the medical/health stuff suggested there is waaay better products and knowledge now. Bit same great survival basics for sure. And definitely filled wit great advice and trick/tips to make survival situation even 1% better makes a 50% impact. I'm no math wiz and that probably does makes sense but you get the gist. In a sirvival situation one small good tip hack of physicis can make a big difference! This book gets good tips! Physics is still the same. I would encourage you to also buy a quantum physics book for the layman as well as this The most you know the world around you the hight your survival rate. Stay feral!
B**O
good
such good info. have not read it all but what I have, good. useful
J**N
Excellent Handbook For All Survival Needs!!!
I absolutely loved this handbook; I did not think that I would hold it on as high of a pedestal as I do now because of my previous background in various survival strategies. It really is the end all be all to my survival needs. My favorite section was the fourth chapter on food. It was just over 130 pages of anything that is related to food. Hunting, preparation, trapping, angling, identification, to name a few. I found myself very intrigued by the part where it showed how to safely identify fungi and which type is safe to eat. My grandfather was a master mushroom collector and had a business foraging and selling mushrooms to restaurants. I unfortunately never got the chance to learn from his experience and this made for quite an exciting read! I have now realized that I would like to continue learning about different fungus and how to forage to make some good stir fry! My least favorite section in the book was the section on Climate and Terrain, I did find it a little less fun than its counterparts, but it was still a very useful section, and a lot of information can be harvested if you were to find yourself in an unfamiliar climate or terrain. If I could change anything about the handbook, I would add more color to some of the illustrations. There are some illustrations that are depicted with color, such as in the Fungi section, however, I think it would be more visually useful if, for example, the section on starting a fire in various ways depicted the techniques and their materials in color as some of them are very technical and a little hard to follow without it.
G**Y
A VERY GOOD DEAL
Any and everything you could think to ask about survival situations, it is in this book. A must have if you are even the least bit curious about survival situations!
J**A
Buen libro
Muy bien libro , bastante completo
D**N
A lot of useful stuff
All you need in an emergency situation
A**E
Great book!
ENG If you're searching for a comprehensive survival guide, look no further – this book is the best! It covers every possible emergency situation and contains hundreds of detailed illustrations (including colorful images of edible and poisonous plants, dangerous animals, insects, and more), all printed on good quality paper. I've seldom come across a more complete and intriguing book in any field. The only downside is its weight, as it adds an extra kilo to your backpack. So, be prepared and do your homework before embarking on any adventure. FR Si vous êtes à la recherche d'un livre sur la survie, ne cherchez pas plus loin, celui-ci est le meilleur ! Il couvre toutes les situations d'urgence possibles et est rempli d'illustrations détaillés (y compris des images en couleur de plantes comestibles et toxiques, d'animaux et d'insectes dangereux, etc.), tout sur un papier de bonne qualité. J'ai rarement vu un livre aussi complet et intéressant dans n'importe quel domaine. Le seul défaut : il est très lourd. Un kilo supplémentaire dans un sac à dos fait une grande différence, alors assurez-vous de bien vous préparer avant de vous lancer dans n'importe quelle aventure.
S**Y
Awesome book and a must buy.
Awesome book and delivered in 2 days since i am a Prime member. Book page quality is very nice. Over all the information given about survival in any situation is very good.
C**L
handig !
interessant , goede beschrijving
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