In “The SAS Survival Handbook,” you will discover an essential guide that equips you with life-saving skills and knowledge for any challenging situation. Authored by former British Special Air Service (SAS) soldier, John “Lofty” Wiseman, this comprehensive handbook offers practical tips and expert advice on surviving in the wild, mastering essential first aid techniques, finding water and food sources, building shelters, and navigating through various terrains. Whether you are an avid outdoor enthusiast or simply want to be prepared for unexpected events, this friendly guide is an indispensable resource that empowers you to take control of your own safety and survival.
Overview
About the SAS Survival Handbook
The SAS Survival Handbook is an essential guide for anyone looking to gain knowledge and skills in surviving challenging situations. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or someone interested in emergency preparedness, this comprehensive book is packed with valuable information and practical tips to help you navigate various scenarios. From basic survival skills to more advanced techniques, this handbook covers a wide range of topics to ensure you’re equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to survive.
Author
Written by John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman, a former SAS soldier, the SAS Survival Handbook is a trusted resource that draws upon Wiseman’s vast experience and expertise in survival. With his background in the military, Wiseman provides invaluable insights and techniques that have been tested in real-life situations. He has dedicated his career to teaching survival skills to both military personnel and civilians, and his expertise shines through in the detailed and practical advice presented in this book.
Purpose of the Book
The purpose of the SAS Survival Handbook is to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to survive in various challenging environments and circumstances. Whether you find yourself stranded in the wilderness, faced with a natural disaster, or navigating through urban disasters, this book provides guidance on how to effectively handle each situation. With its comprehensive coverage of topics ranging from essentials for survival to first aid and disaster preparedness, the book aims to empower individuals with the skills and confidence needed to overcome adversity and stay alive.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Essentials for Survival
In this section, you will learn about the psychology of survival, understand the importance of survival planning, explore the essential items to include in your survival kit, and develop basic survival skills. The psychology of survival will help you build the right mindset and attitude to effectively handle challenging situations. Survival planning will guide you in creating a strategic approach to survival, ensuring you are prepared for unexpected circumstances. The section also covers the key items to include in your survival kit, which will act as your lifeline in times of crisis. Lastly, basic survival skills such as navigation, shelter-building, and firecraft will be discussed to provide you with essential know-how.
Section 2: Surviving in the Wild
When faced with surviving in the wild, this section will guide you through the process of building a shelter using natural resources, finding and purifying water to ensure hydration, mastering firecraft for warmth and cooking, foraging for edible plants to sustain yourself, and learning trapping and hunting techniques for procuring food. Additionally, you will gain insights into navigation and orientation skills, enabling you to navigate your way through unfamiliar territory and find rescue if needed.
Section 3: Climate & Terrain Survival Techniques
The climate and terrain survival techniques section becomes crucial when you find yourself in extreme and specific environments. It covers surviving in cold environments, such as the Arctic, where you will learn how to protect yourself from extreme cold and stay warm. Surviving in hot environments will instruct you on strategies to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. In case you’re stranded at sea, the book provides knowledge on how to stay afloat and find rescue. Surviving in mountains entails understanding altitude sickness, navigation, and safety precautions. Lastly, navigating the challenges of desert survival requires knowledge of finding water, constructing shade, and dealing with extreme heat.
Section 4: Food Procurement
Food procurement is essential for long-term survival. This section focuses on finding and identifying animal food sources, teaching you how to recognize tracks and signs that lead to potential prey. Fishing and seafood techniques are also covered, providing insights into how to catch and prepare marine food sources. Trapping techniques for land animals are discussed, allowing you to create effective traps for procuring food. Additionally, you will learn about edible plants and insects that can serve as alternative food sources in the wilderness. Mastering the skills of navigating and tracking animals will enhance your hunting success rate.
Section 5: Survival in Special Situations
Surviving in special situations requires unique strategies. In urban disasters, this section delves into the challenges of navigating densely populated areas during emergencies and provides tips for self-protection. Surviving natural disasters prepares you for unexpected events like earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, including essential steps to take both during and after such occurrences. When faced with survival in the ocean, knowledge of floating techniques and signaling for rescue is essential. Surviving in the jungle covers skills such as identifying edible fruits and plants, avoiding dangerous wildlife, and setting up camp in dense vegetation. Arctic conditions require expertise in building shelters, preventing hypothermia, and navigating icy landscapes. Surviving in hostile environments explores the challenges of warfare-like scenarios and how to protect yourself in these high-risk situations.
Section 6: First Aid and Health
First aid and health are crucial aspects of survival. Emergency medical techniques are covered in this section, providing guidance on handling common injuries and illnesses that may occur. From treating cuts and burns to stabilizing fractures and managing infections, the book equips you with the knowledge to provide immediate care. Additionally, it includes insights on dealing with medical emergencies, such as heart attacks and strokes, where quick action can make a significant difference in saving lives.
Section 7: Disaster Preparedness
Disaster preparedness focuses on understanding the different types of disasters, creating a comprehensive disaster plan, and ensuring you have the necessary emergency supplies and equipment. By familiarizing yourself with the potential risks in your area, you can develop a well-rounded disaster plan to address each scenario effectively. The section also emphasizes the importance of having emergency supplies and equipment readily available, ensuring you can sustain yourself during the initial stages of a crisis.
Section 10: More Survival Skills
The final section of the book explores additional survival skills that can further enhance your self-reliance. It covers survival knots, teaching you how to tie essential knots for various purposes such as shelter-building and securing gear. Outdoor cooking techniques are discussed to ensure you can prepare food even without access to a kitchen. The section also includes guidance on tracking, enabling you to read signs left by humans or animals to navigate or locate resources. Weather forecasting is a valuable skill that can help you make informed decisions about your survival strategy, and this section provides insights into predicting weather patterns. Lastly, the book covers improvised tools and weapons, highlighting objects you can utilize in the wilderness to enhance survival chances. Additionally, it explores survival psychology, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and mental resilience in challenging situations.
With its vast coverage of survival skills and techniques, the SAS Survival Handbook is an indispensable resource for individuals seeking to develop their survival knowledge and capabilities. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a seasoned explorer, or simply someone concerned about emergency preparedness, this friendly guide will equip you with the essential skills needed to overcome adversity and thrive in challenging situations. Remember, knowledge and preparation are key to surviving and thriving in any circumstances.
