The pocket-size guide covers everything from the essential survival kit and pouch to disaster strategies for those who find themselves facing natural disasters such as hurricanes, avalanches, floods, tornadoes, active volcanoes, floods, lightening and earthquakes. And just in case nature proves too much for such precautions, there is an extremely comprehensive section on health and first aid.

Illustrated throughout with numerous black-and-white line drawings and colour photographs for identifying wild plants and animals, this is a well-produced, compact and comprehensive guide for all would-be explorers.

Perhaps the greatest acheievement of this book is that it has so much information packed into a pocket sized book. You are much more likely to throw this into a kit bag than any full sized survival tome.

Some of the information lacks specificity but this is forgivable as the author is aiming to cover pretty much any sort of survival situation. There may be better books out there for specific scenarios (eg different types of terrain or disasters) but none offer such a broad base of knowledge in such a handy size.

A must buy.


SAS Survival Techniques   October 29, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

From walking the countryside to climbing Everest, this book is an essential for any kind of outdoor pursuit. Small enough to fit inside a trouser pocket, or a corner of back pack, it is crammed with useful, and potentially lifesaving information. From tasks like starting a fire, to making shelter, and being found. I always take this book out with me, even if i'm only doing a days fishing on a river bank. A must for all of you who do any kind of outdoor pursuits.


Ever got stuck in the woods?   December 8, 2002
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Well using this handy, concise and extremely informative guide, you can be secure in the knowledge that you will survive. Whether it be artic tundra, the desert or the woods, the SAS Survival Guide will help you in more ways than one.
The book teaches you pretty much everything, how to catch and cook- to camp craft and hygiene. If anyone is in danger, you will learn the medical ins and outs of what to do. I reccommend this book at the snatch of a price it is going at. It will most likely save your life, quite literally.


intriguing and informative   May 1, 2002
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

While the only outdoor activity I'm ever likely to participate in is the occasional Glastonbury, I sleep easier in my tent knowing that at a push I could probably fend off wild animals, or capture them for dinner !

It's full of fascinating information with clear diagrams and, while reading it I did entertain thoughts of 'me versus nature', however I like my home-comforts and 'ping cuisine' too much so I probably won't be making full use of this book.

There are plenty of astoundingly clever tips, and ways of doing things that would not have occurred to me. I think this book would be appreciated by anyone as a gift as it's a useful and absorbing read, whether or not the recipient is about to dash off into the wilderness.

Personally, I like to know that, at a push, I could 'get by' and survive and this book enables me to maintain this delusion !