Cody Lundin, 2003 Cody Lundin, Gibbs Smith Publisher, ISBN:1-58685-234-5, 214 pages, 6 x 9 x 1/2 inches

This is not your father's survival manual. Cody's unique and somewhat irreverent approach serves to capture your attention. By and large it is filled with practical and useable advice that will, indeed, "keep your ass alive." Cody covers both the physiological and psychological aspects of survival in a manner that is both entertaining and insightful.

Besides Cody's no BS prose, there are excellent, if occasionally non-politically correct, original illustrations by Russ Miller and good color photographs. With few exceptions, Cody's suggestions as far as gear and preparation are spot on, and even those I might not agree with 100% will not lead you astray or get you in trouble. If you find "colorful" language and illustrations offensive, this is definitely not the book for you. Otherwise, this text is well worth the read and deserves a place in anyone's survival library, both for the laughs and the solid, practical survival advice it provides. Lundin operates Aboriginal Living Skills School and is also the author of "When All Hell Breaks Loose - Stuff You Need to Survive When Disaster Strikes."

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U.S. Military, 2002 Metro Books, ISBN:1-58663-722-3, 620 pages, 7 1/4 x 10 1/4 x 1 7/8 inches

This is an excellent reprint of the Survival Training bible upon which numerous other commercial and military survival texts are based. You will find portions of this text reused verbatim and many of the illustrations in this book reprinted in commercial texts. While somewhat dated (and reportedly under revision for years), it remains the essential survival text, covering survival techniques for all climates and terrains. This is a MUST HAVE and ESSENTIAL text for every survival library.

This reprint is exceptional and better than the original in many respects. It will fit on most book shelves, the original was taller. Unlike the original, it has a complete index which eliminates the often maddening searches required in the original. It is worth the price of admission for this alone, even if you already own the original. There are all new color photo plates and the nearly eight hundred black-and-white illustrations are clear and crisp.

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1996 (original 1985), U.S. Government Printing Office, ISBN:0-16-048561-4, 121 pages, 7 3/8 x 4 1/2 x 1/2 inches, 9.8 oz., waterproof

(NOTE: This manual has been superceded. Click to go to the new version. I have left this review because this older version is still available.) The survival manual included in the survival kits of U.S. military pilots and aircraft. A distillation of the information contained in the survival "bible," the USAF's enormous tome on Survival Training, AFR 64-4. Waterproof paper and top wire bound. This edition has a dark green cover and light green pages with black ink (as opposed to white with black of the original), making it harder to read, but less likely to give away the survivor's position to the enemy. They also removed the blank pages at the end that could be used to write notes or to keep a log, an unfortunate deletion. About as dry reading as any other military manual, but all the information is there in concise and easy to understand text. Generally good illustrations. Incomprehensibly, this edition still retains the old-fashioned and dangerous snake-bite treatment. You can ignore, or remove to save weight, the pages on "evading the enemy" and nuclear, chemical and biological warfare.(NOTE: This manual has been superceded. Click to go to the new version.)

1992, U.S. Government Printing Office

This "revision" of the U.S. Army survival manual is published in paperback by a number of publishers in a variety of sizes, though in many cases it is an earlier version, so be sure to check. In many cases they have removed the escape and evasion information. As a manual it's not bad, similar to the USAF above, but not waterproof and a bit more detailed in many instances. Source material also comes from the AFR 64-4.

[NOTE: This manual is available online here on ETS]

(NOTE: This manual has been superceded. Click to go to the new version.)

The FM 21-76 reprint from Amazon.com (below) does not include the escape and evasion information.

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Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin, 2003 Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin, Paladin Press, ISBN:1-58160-381-9, 261 pages, 0.75 x 5.50 x 8.50 inches

This book serves as a primer on how to navigate the potentially wild and wooly world of adventure travel in third world countries as safely as possible. Randall and Perrin cover everything from how to chose a suitable adventure travel destination and guide to basic wilderness survival and include recommendations for what name brand gear to take. Readers benefit from their extensive experience in the Central and South American jungles and their hard-won lessons learned about what works and what doesn't. For those who are accustomed to operating in the comfortable and insulated confines of modern society, this book is a must read before you even think about venturing off on your first adventure travel experience. Randall operates Randall's Adventure & Training.

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Dave Ganci, 1991 Dave Ganci, ICS Books, ISBN:0-934802-67-X, 64 pages, 6 x 9 x 3/16 inches

Exactly what the title says. Does a good job of debunking many myths about desert survival techniques. Anyone who is preparing for a possible desert survival situation would benefit from the information in this text. Solid, practical advice presented in a readable and sometimes humorous fashion. Oriented towards the U.S. Southwestern Deserts, but generally applicable to most desert environments. The awkward size doesn't lend itself as well to use as a field manual as I would prefer, but if size is not an issue, for a desert environment survival kit, it would advantageous to have along. Ganci operates Arizona Outdoor Institute.

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Mors L. Kochanski, 1987 Lone Pine Publishing, ISBN: 1-55105-122-2, 303 pages, 5 9/16 x 8 1/2 x 3/4 inches

Canadian Kochinski is the widely acknowledged master of survival in the northern arboreal forests. While this text includes some skills more suitable for someone setting up housekeeping in the wilderness, it provides practical and functional advice that works. It has become a classic survival text for exactly that reason.

Like many traditional outdoorsmen, Kochanski is skilled and appreciative of an axe's capabilities. He is realist enough to acknowledge its drawbacks in the hands of the inexperienced and he goes to great lengths to discuss and illustrate the safe use of this dangerous tool. His Axecraft chapter is a definitive primer on the subject. Similarly, the Knifecraft chapter is the best introduction to the safe and practical use of a knife that you will find anywhere.

The entire text is well illustrated with excellent line drawings and a few color plates in the back. Kochanski is associated with Karamat Wilderness Ways.

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John Goll - Edited by Harry Roberts, 1992 J.Goll, ICS Books, ISBN:0-934802-64-5, 128 pages, 3 5/8 x 4 3/8 x 5/16 inches

Just because it doesn't have "survival" in the title, doesn't mean this little gem doesn't make a dandy survival manual. Compact enough for small kits, enough information to be useful in larger ones. A lot of excellent practical tips and information in a compact package. If you need a very compact manual, this may be perfect for you.

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Horace Kephart, Jim Casada, 1988 Univ. of Tennessee Press, ISBN:0-87049-556-9, 479 pages, 5 x 7 x 1 7/8 inches

A facsimile edition of Kephart's evergreen classic originally published in 1917. Proof that there is very little new under the sun, this journey back in time reveals that the basics of living in the wilderness haven't changed a great deal in the past century. While there is some inevitable dated material, we have progressed in areas such as medicines and materials, for example, the vast majority is as relevant today as when it was first written.

Don't let the title fool you, there's plenty of solid information relating to wilderness survival, primarily in the forested environment. Kephart learned by living for years alone in the woods; most of his eminently practical advice comes from personal experience. Some of the dated material is quite humorous, prices of goods being an example, and the writing style and some perspectives will occasionally seem a bit quaint by today's standards, but that all only adds to the appeal.

Because of the dated information, some of which would be dangerous based on current knowledge, this is not a book for the novice who has done no previous reading or has no knowledge about wilderness survival. Anyone else will find it fascinating and entertaining and well worth the time it takes to read through the thick tome. There is a good reason it remains in print nearly a century after first being written. This classic belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in wilderness survival.

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Newell D. Breyfogle, 1993 Ragged Mountain Press, Ragged Mountain Press, ISBN:0-87742-381-4, 432 pages, 5 x 7 x 1 1/4 inches

See cross listing in Wilderness and Survival Medical section

Is it a medical text that thinks it's a survival manual, or is it a survival manual with more extensive coverage of medical concerns than most? The survival portion isn't as comprehensive as the medical section, but it would suffice as a survival manual, though it is not a lightweight. Many survival kits weigh less. Well illustrated, it reads like it was written by a college professor. Surprise! It was. The survival information is practical and adequately covers all the basics. You could do a lot worse.

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Laurence Gonzales, 2003 Laurence Gonzales, W.W. Norton & Company, (Hadrcover) ISBN:0-393-05276-1, 302 pages, 1 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches / (Paperback) ISBN:0-393-32615-2, 318 pages, 0.78 x 8.28 x 5.52 inches

Gonzales' examination of what separates those who survive from those who die may be one of the most important survival texts in a decade, perhaps more. That Gonzales is an articulate and accomplished storyteller who has written one of the most engrossing survival books in many years only adds to the value and enjoyment. This is not a book of survival tales, per se, or about survival equipment or traditional survival techniques, no "how to" here; rather it is about your number one survival tool, more important than any other, your mind.

Survival tales, well told, make for exciting literature and there is no shortage of books that do just that, either individually or anthologies. What separates these same tales as told by Gonzales is his analysis of the psychological basis for why an individual survived, oftentimes while others around them did not. He probes the psyche of these survivors and comes to some interesting and occasionally startling conclusions about what differentiates survivors from the rest. His explanations are both rational and easily followed and you will often find yourself nodding your head up and down as he dissects the mental processes and related physiological reactions that make the difference between life and death at the edge of human performance.

Do you have what it takes to survive or are you doomed? It has often been said that you will never know how someone will respond to a survival crises until it occurs. Now, perhaps, Gonzales may provide at least some advance insight. Not since John Leach's highly regarded, but scholarly, "Survival Psychology" (long out of print and virtually unavailable, even used) has there been anything approaching an insightful look at what makes a survivor tick, and this book is far more readable and useful to the average person in all respects.

"Deep Survival" is destined to become the standard text on the subject and is sure to be on the required reading list of many survival instructors. This book is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the subject of survival, and highly recommended to anyone interested in why we do what we do as we go through life, meeting the daily challenges that are often only a hair's breadth away from disaster.

Pilots will recognize Gonzales as the author of "One Zero Charlie: Adventures in Grass Roots Aviation."

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Dick Nelson and Sharon Nelson, 1977 Richard C. Nelson and Sharon Nelson, Tecolote Press, ISBN:0-915030-06-3, 80 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1/4 inches

A somewhat dated text, but still useful. Lots of good, sound, practical advice on desert survival. A bit dry at times, but tolerable. Not much in the way of illustrations. Oriented towards the U.S. Southwestern Deserts, but generally applicable to most desert environments. No index! Could be used as a manual to include in a desert survival kit.

Charles A. Lehman, 1998 Primer Publishing, ISBN:0-935810-65-X, 96 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 3/8 x 1/4 inches

Typical Lehman, good, sound, practical, basic advice on desert survival with a touch of humor and good illustrations. Oriented towards the U.S. Southwestern Deserts, but generally applicable to most desert environments. Could be used as a manual to include in a desert survival kit.

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David Alloway, 2000 David Alloway, University of Texas Press, ISBN:0-292-70492-5, 259 pages, 9 1/2 x 6 x 7/8 inches

While Alloway's focus is the Chihuhuan desert (think S.W. Texas) most of the excellent information is equally applicable to most any desert environment. The specifics of some plants may differ, but the techniques for survival remain the same. Alloway dispenses with many myths about the desert and desert survival and offers sound, useful advice and plenty of it. It's well written and instructions are easy to follow for the most part.

While the illustrations could be better in a few cases, this is the most complete available desert survival text and should be required reading for anyone who lives or travels in desert areas. Could be used as a manual to include it in a desert survival kit. Alloway operated David Alloway's Skills of Survival school before passing away suddenly in 2003.

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Tony Nester, 2003 Tony Nester, Diamond Creek Press, ISBN:0-9713811-1-9, 70 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1/4 inches, 4.9 oz.

Nester's compact text on Desert Survival is focused on the deserts of the American Southwest, but the majority of information is just as appropriate for any desert environment. This is not an all-inclusive text, rather, as the title suggests, it is a collection of practical information you need to survive most desert survival circumstances. The "tips, tricks and skills" provided are easy to understand, effective and can be put to use by even the most inexperienced.

The photographic illustrations provided are effective and used to good effect; sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Could be used as a manual to include in a desert survival kit. Nester operates the Ancient Pathways survival school and is also the author of "Practical Survival - Tips, Tricks, & Skills" and "Surviving A Disaster - Evacuation Strategies and Emergency Kits for Staying Alive."

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Charles Lehman, 1979 George R. Fessler, Jr., Technical Book Co., ISBN:0-935810-03-X, 153 pages, 5 1/4 x 8 3/8 x 7/16 inches

Well written, humorously illustrated, light but informative. If you have little or no previous wilderness or survival experience, this text is a good place to start. Could be used as a manual, but is not comprehensive. Just the essentials, which will be enough for many.

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Robert "Skip" Stoffel and Brett C. Stoffel, Emergency Response International, ISBN:N/A, 160 pages, 4 1/4 x 7 1/2 (including wire binding) x 1/2 inches, 6.7 oz (191 g), Waterpoof

This manual is edited by Skip Stoffel, President and founder of Emergency Response International and his son. Skip is a co-author of the well-regarded Survival Sense for Pilots and Passengers that is now out of print.

The manual attempts to distill Skip's many years of experience teaching aviation and wilderness survival into a useable format and for the most part succeeds. There are plenty of useful illustrations, some we have seen in many manuals previously, some new and exclusive to this manual.

The subtitle provides a pretty accurate description of what to expect, "a practical guide to survival skills development, planning and preparedness." So, it is by design not strictly a field manual. Chapters are divided into "Field Guide" and "Planning" sections, but the planning sections are brief and do not significantly detract from its use as a field manual.

The information is generally laid out in a logical fashion and most of the guidance I found to be practical, functional and useful. I might quibble with a number of minor things, but none of that would kill you and there's a lot more excellent advice that will save your butt.

The Survival Medicine section is primarily a series of charts with few illustrations and more useful to someone who already has some training, as cautioned in a note, but that's a truism about survival skills in general. Still, I'd have preferred more treatment related illustrations.

The life raft section has been copied from a Winslow LifeRaft Company life raft manual, which isn't such a bad thing, but it detracts somewhat by being Winslow specific in many instances.

Waterproof survival manuals are pretty rare, despite how much sense it makes for them to be resistant to the most common enemy of the written word in a survival circumstance. So, this new waterproof survival manual is a welcome addition, though you do have to pay for that advantage: $28 (as of 11/2009).

The book is sized on par with the old Aircrew Survival manual (though it is a far, far better manual) and not all that lightweight, so it is appropriate for a larger survival kit, not a compact one. In other words, perfect for an aircraft or vehicle kit as opposed to a personal kit. While clearly marketed to pilots and aircraft operators, it is plenty approrpiate for non-aviation use well. This is a good choice for someone looking for an in-depth survival manual, more so if they have at least basic survival and medical training to begin with.

At this writing, this book is only available from ERI.

Tony Nester, 2007 Tony Nester, Diamond Creek Press, ISBN:0971381127, 57 pages, 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 3/16 inches

Survival instructor and author Tony Nester addresses the issue of Disaster Preparedness and preparing to "bug out" if necessary. Tony spent a good deal of time interviewing those who have lived through recent disasters and reaped the lessons learned that are incorporated in his recommendations. His spare, concise and succinct style stuffs a lot of useful information into this compact book. It's all meat, no fluff.

Tony's focus is on preparing to evacuate in case a disaster hits, or is threatened, and you must leave home. If you are prepared to leave in a hurry, you are also just about prepared to stay if it becomes a shelter in place situation, which he also touches on. While I might nitpick on a few of Tony's gear selections, it would boil down to matters of personal taste about particular gear; what he's selected and recommends will work. You really can't ask for much more in a book such as this.

The suggestions and gear and supply lists Tony provides are totally practical, and for the most part, not expensive or difficult. He's essentially prepared you an easy to follow, concise road map to disaster preparedness for you and your family. Get this book, do what it says and you'll be prepared--and way ahead of 99% of your neighbors. When disaster strikes, you'll be out the door with your emergency supplies and belongings in 15 minutes while everyone else is in a panic. Can't ask for much more out of any how-to book.

Nester operates the Ancient Pathways survival school and is also the author of "Practical Survival - Tips, Tricks, & Skills" and "Desert Survival - Tips, Tricks. & Skills."

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Cody Lundin, 2007 Cody Lundin, Gibs Publishing, ISBN:142360105X, 449 pages, 9 x 6 x 15/16 inches

Survival instructor and author Cody Lundin provides his take on the issue of Disaster Preparedness. Cody uses plain-spoken and occasionally irreverent language and a touch of humor to make his points. It's generally entertaining reading, which is a good start when you've got 449 pages to get through.

The focus is primarily how to prepare to survive a disaster while staying in your own home in your own community, what is technically referred to as "sheltering in place." That isn't necessarily clear from the title or the summary. Oftentimes when disaster strikes the only solution is to get the hell out of there. While Cody touches on the subject of evacuation, there's very little on "bugging out" here (though much of the gear and supplies information is equally applicable whether you stay or leave).

Cody does provide a lot of practical information on how to economically prepare you and your family to survive on their own for a period of time while the government and community come to grips with the disaster. This is not a concise preparedness manual, but Cody's summary at the end of each chapter severs as a sort of Cliff Notes.

In a tome this large, it's inevitable that some areas are better than others, but there's really only two that I was terribly disappointed in, his coverage of flashlights and his stab at the subject of self-defense. The latter comes off rather lame and is presented in the form of an inetrview with a martial arts instructor, which is only one of many options that need to be considered.

Cody apparently still hasn't quite grasped just how much of a revolution LEDs represent in flashlights, though he does mention them. He never mentions headlamps, one of the most practical solutions. He also spends an inordinate amount of space on chemical lightsticks, including an entire page of the color insert in the center of the book devoted to the largely irrelevant issue of getting more intense light from one by heating it up in some hot water, with no mention of their serious drawbacks, including that they have relatively short shelf life.

I could have done without Cody's preaching about being environmentally conscious, being green and the like. Cody obviously believes strongly in this, and to his credit he practices what he preaches, but in my opinion it gets in the way of the preparedness message. Preparedness is a difficult enough sell without constantly preaching a socio-political message. Having said all that, this is still one of the best books on disaster preparedness and a good addtion to you survival library.

Cody operates Aboriginal Living Skills School and is also the author of "98.6 Degrees - The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive!"

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Ted Wright, 1993 Ted Write, Hampton Roads Publishing, ISBN:1-878901-80-X, 285 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 3/4 inches

There is a lot of very good information in this text. Unfortunately, Wright repeats himself so often, it is likely at least a third longer than necessary. Wright is a survival evangelist and after a while one tires of the hard sell. Not that he is necessarily wrong, but it gets old after the umpteenth repeating. Perhaps that's what is necessary to get the point across, but I'd prefer a more readable and better edited text.

The recommendations are oriented primarily toward earthquake preparedness, the other disasters in the title get relatively short shrift. If his preaching style doesn't put you off, the recommendations are generally very sound and those living in disaster prone areas could do much worse than to use this book for preparation. It goes well beyond the simple-minded basics of most consumer oriented disaster texts and focuses on the very real potential for problems that might well be waiting down the road due to poor preparation by government and others.

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Buck Tilton, 1998 Buck Tilton, ICS Books, ISBN:0-934802-99-8, 75 pages, 4 x 5 3/8 x 7/32 inches

An adequate mini-manual for small first aid kits. Well written, well organized, but few illustrations.

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Newell D. Breyfogle, 1993 Ragged Mountain Press, Ragged Mountain Press, ISBN:0-87742-381-4, 432 pages, 5 x 7 x 1 1/4 inches

See cross listing in General Survival section

This is a passable attempt to combine thorough coverage of medical concerns with the basics of survival information. Unfortunately, as a result, many survival kits weigh less. Well illustrated, it reads like it was written by a college professor. Surprise! It was. The medical information is practical and reasonably thorough, if not as comprehensive as some other texts.

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Eric Weiss, 1998 Adventure Medical Kits, 0-96597-680-7, 198 pages, 4 1/4 x 6 1/8 x 1/4 inches

Don't let the title mislead you. Anything this compact could hardly be termed "comprehensive." Notwithstanding that bit of editorial license, it covers all the bases, includes plenty of practical filed expedient tips and is the best of the mini-manuals for inclusion in a small to moderate sized medical kit.

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Gordon Benner & Richard Church & Lance Feild, 1996 Patient Care Publications, Mensha Ridge Press, ISBN:0-89732-051-4, 120 pages, 6 x 9 x 5/16 inches

This medical guide uses flow charts for diagnosis and treatment of most common wilderness medical problems. It is a superb presentation, well thought out and excellent for the novice. It walks the user through each procedure one step at a time. It would be nice if it was a bit more compact, because it would be great in the field.

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Peter Steele M.D., 1991 Peter Steele. Cloudcap, ISBN:0938567-26-8, 241 pages, 4 1/2 x 6 11/16 x 11/16 inches

You don't have to read far to figure out the author is British. It can make for some entertaining reading for anyone not familiar with the King's English. There is plenty of good information and practical suggestions for field expedient medical care, though Steel's recommended prescription medicines for the medical kit are probably far beyond what most will carry. The layout takes some getting used to, but the book is well illustrated. One of its advantages is its size, not too small, but not too big, a suitable size for a moderate to large survival kit with far more information than any of the medical mini-manuals could include.

James A. Wilkerson, M.D., 2001 The Mountaineers, The Mountaineers, ISBN:0-89886-799-1, 365 pages, 6 7/8 x 8 1/2 x 3/4 inches

One of the classic texts on wilderness medicine, an authoritative tome. As comprehensive as any non-medically trained person could want. It could stand more illustrations, but that's really picking nits.

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Buck Tilton M.S. and Frank Hubbell D.O., 1994 Tilton and Hubbell, ICS Books, ISBN:1-57034-002-1, 192 pages, 6 x 9 x 1/2 inches

Not compact enough to make a good field guide, not quite comprehensive enough to make a good text, this book is caught in no-man's land seeking an identity. It is well written and reasonably well illustrated, but I found the organization a bit odd and not very functional for a book that purports to be a field guide. Basic treatments, "The Barehanded Principles," are listed at the end of sections instead of the beginning, like a textbook review.

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Paul S. Auerbach, M.D., 1999 Paul S. Auerbach, The Lyons Press, ISBN: 1-5582172-3151-2 pages, 6 x 9 x 1 inches

Derived from his larger medical text, this one is aimed at the lay reader, but all the most essential information remains. A bit dryer than the other comparable texts, it still provides authoritative medical information, if not scintillating prose.

Auerbach also has a video: Medicine For The Outdoors - A Guide to Emergency Medical Procedures and First Aid

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Tod Schimelpfenig & Linda Lindsey, 1991 National Outdoor Leadership School, Stackpole Books, ISBN:0-8117-2864-1, 356 pages, 5 3/8 x 8 1/4 x 1 inches

A text for wilderness medical training courses, this text is excellent for advanced preparation. Well suited to those with very limited medical knowledge. Well organized, well illustrated and easy for the lay person to comprehend, just what you want a textbook to be. Not a concise emergency field reference, though it would be very effective in the hands of someone who was already familiar with the text.

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Ron Dawson, 1998 Ron Dawson, Integrity House Publishing, ISBN:0-9647141-3-2, 58 pages, 3 3/4 x 7 x 3/16 inches, 2.9 oz.

See cross listing in General Survival section

This is the latest version of this publication that lost a little something along the way--waterproofness. The expense was apparently too great to continue to produce the waterproof editon, but this is printed on glossy heavyweight stock, so it's better than many at shedding an occasional drenching or some rain--a fair compromise. Perforated page edges allow you to tab index the book, making it a snap to find what you need using the table of contents at the front, a very nice feature. First half of this survival manual covers first aid, second half covers survival. It covers all the basics for both in a succinct and easily understood manner. Not the smallest and not the most complete, something in-between.

Jeffrey Isaac, 1998 Wilderness Medical Associates, Lyons Press, ISBN:1-55821-682-0, 258 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/4 x 11/16 inches

A text for wilderness medical training courses, designed for advanced preparation. Well suited to those with very limited medical knowledge. Not the best choice as concise emergency field references.

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Stephen Bezruchka M.D., 1999 Bezruchka, The Mountaineers, ISBN:0-89886-614-6, 96 pages, 4 1/16 x 6 1/4 x 3/16 inches

Too much emphasis on "travel medicine" and no illustrations drag this otherwise adequate mini-manual down.

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Multiple Authors, 2001 Teton NewMedia and The Geneva Foundation, ISBN:1-893441-54-7, 680 pages, 4.75 x 7.375 x 1.5 inches (excluding binding rings), 23.3 oz., waterproof

This is an exceptional field medical manual that covers just about every eventuality a wilderness or remote medical provider is likely to run into, and many they likely never will. It is well organized, well written, and includes good illustrations. The type size is very small, but readable. If you anticipate needing this sort of all-encompassing reference manual, this is the one to get. It's waterproof and will stand up to abuse.

What this is not, is a medical manual for everyone. The text, while clear and likely understandable to anyone with a reasonable education, is really aimed at someone with a modicum of medical knowledge; EMT, Wilderness Medical, or similar training. A novice without good judgement could get themselves into a good deal of trouble. Much of the treatment advice requires specialized prescription drugs or prior training to accomplish safely. While compact for all that it contains, it is still not light, nearly a pound and a half, so the average backpacker or survivalist is going to find this way too much for their purposes. However, because it is loose leaf, you could remove a lot of irrelevant material, as far as likely wilderness medical issues are concerned, and end up with a much more compact and lightweight manual for such use.

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Jim Morrissey, 2000 Wilderness Medical Associates, Wilderness Medical Associates, ISBN:0-9704-6460-6, 99 pages, 4 5/16 x 6 x 5/16 inches, 5.8 oz., waterproof

This field guide has a lot going for it; waterproof as any good field manual should be with tearproof pages as well, spiral bound for ease of use, with useable and succinct information. It is written for someone with some degree of wilderness medical, EMT, or medical training or knowledge. Others may find the use of medical terms and abbreviations (not all of which are included on the abbreviation/acronyms page) a bit confusing. There is a good table of contents on the first page and a useful index at the back. Four pages for SOAP notes are included (if you have to ask, this manual may not be the best choice for you). The color illustrations, diagnostic and treatment charts and overall organization are very well done. Provides numerous well illustrated examples of improvisational and field procedures. It adheres to generally accepted wilderness medicine protocols, which assume some means of transport or summoning of help in a reasonable time frame, though there are some indicated for use in a "delayed transport situation." This is the field manual for anyone with the training and knowledge to make proper use of it.

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William Forgey M.D., 1999 Wm. Forgey, Globe Pequot Press, ISBN: 0-76270-490-X, 256 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 3/8 x 5/8 inches

A well respected text on wilderness medicine. Excellent as both a primer on the subject and adaptable for field use. Not quite as exhaustive as some, but plenty for the novice to intermediate user.

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Michael Cargal, 1990 Michael Cargal, Sheridan House, ISBN:0-924486-00-7, 182 pages, 5 5/8 x 8 3/4 x 9/16 inches, hardcover

Generally good advice, with a few gaffs showing less than complete familiarity with contemporary life rafts. Well organized and easy to read and understand, good navigation section with extensive carts, but no blank or gridded pages to work on. Not waterproof, a serious failing in any life raft survival manual.

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David Burch, 1986 International Marine, International Marine, ISBN:0-07-156558-2, 248 pages, 7 1/8 x 10 x 3/4 inches

The title says it all. Burch covers just about every possible navigation technique for use when the chips are down and the GPS has given out. The book isn't waterproof, so it would be best to read and practice the techniques well ahead of any real need and we'd recommend getting the laminated card below for reference in an emergency.

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Frank Golden and Michael Tipton, 2002 Frank Golden and Michael Tipton, Human Kinetics, ISBN: 0-7360-0215-4, 304 pages, 6 x 9 x 3/4 inches, paperback

While the title would suggest a broad focus on sea survival, the primary focal point is actually survival in cold-water environments. Since this tends to be the environment that is most immediately dangerous for sea survivors, and technically an environment that includes the majority of the world's large bodies of water, it is worthy of the attention. However, buyers should not expect this text to cover other areas of the subject in near the same detail. Golden and Tipton (both British) are two of the world's leading authorities on cold water survival and the physiological effects of cold on the human body. This book incorporates their years of research and scholarly publications into a text that can be read and understood by the non-academic.

The text provides a fascinating and eye-opening look into the physiological responses of survivors to the water survival environment. In many cases, this will challenge long-held beliefs and understandings about how potential survivors turn into fatalities. Along the way it dispels numerous myths and old wives' tales, providing an enlightened scientific basis for what occurs upon immersion or in a life raft. This, in turn, provides the basis for useful recommendations for extending survival times and upon which to base purchase decisions with regards to survival gear. This is a must read for anyone interested in the subject of water survival.

Considering the technical detail included, it is remarkably readable. There is an excellent bibliography and useable index. There are a few notable lapses, the most glaring being the authors' apparent ignorance of advances in life raft design that have been introduced in the past decade, both in marine (especially recreational marine) and aviation. Thus, some of their comments regarding life rafts are no longer entirely correct. (reviewed 7/30/2002)

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George Sigler, 2001 George Sigler, Vero Technical Support, ISBN:0-9711100-0-X, 199 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 7/16 inches, paperback

In 1974, Navy Reserve pilot George Sigler set out with fellow pilot Charlie Gore to prove that a marine survival kit he had designed and planned to market was worth the expense. His plan was to sail a "raft," actually a Zodiac RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), from San Francisco, California, to Hawaii. Sigler did his homework and shares with you his research and development of his survival kit. The narrative of his successful trip, during which they depending entirely upon the survival kit for sustenance, is pretty interesting and worth slogging through. Some of the information is dated, nothing serious, but overall some good information here. Includes 37 B&W photos and a generic listing of the contents of his kit.

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David Burch, 1997 David F. Burch, Paradise Cay Publications, 8 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches

The companion to the above text designed expressly for use in the marine environment, this plastic laminated card is pretty water resistant. It is intended as a quick reference to the emergency navigation techniques covered in depth in the text above. Printed on both sides in three colors, it is chock full of useful emergency navigation information and includes techniques for steering without a compass, finding speed without a knotmeter, finding latitude from sun and stars without sextant or watch, etc. It also includes "the world's shortest sight reduction table." It's worth including in any life raft, life boat or abandon ship bag, but read the book first!.

R.P. Brandt, 1994 R.P. Brandt, Paladin Press, ISBN:0-87364-770-X, 170 pages. 8 1/2 x 11 1/2 x 7 1/16 inches

This survival manual is laid out in outline form. It is derived primarily from USAF Survival School materials. Unfortunately, not waterproof and a bit dated in some respects, but overall, not bad. Well organized, easy to understand text and pretty easy to find the information you need. Very good section on navigation with charts, sky charts and grids to work navigation problems. How useful they would be when wet is another question.

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Michael Greenwald, Edited by Steve Callahan and Dougal Robertson, 1989 Michael Greenwald, Blue Horizons Press, ISBN:0-931297-03-6 (paperback), 0-931297-02-8 (hardcover), 600 pages, 7 1/4 x 9 1/4 x 1 1/8 inches

This marine survival "bible" should be required reading for all who venture out on the sea. This text is entertaining and well written, nicely illustrated and encyclopedic in its coverage of the subject. Read it, use it to prepare, then pack it way in a sealed waterproof bag, it isn't waterproof, and stuff it in your abandon ship kit/grab bag/survival bag when you put out to sea.

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Jerry Dzugan and Susan Clark Jensen, 1999 University of Alaska Sea Grant and U.S. Marine Safety Association, ISBN:1-56612-058-6, 196 pages, 8 1/2 x 5 3/4 x 9/16 inches

A comprehensive introduction to boating safety issues including water safety and survival equipment, basic water survival, basic land survival and basic first aid. More cold water/weather considerations than most general books on the subject. Well written and very nicely illustrated with no glaring errors. Excellent for the beginning boater, a good review for those more experienced.

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Mark H. Bogosian, Tommy L. Hamilton, Michael K. Regan, 2004 Crew Defense Tactics, LLC, Brown Books, ISBN:0-9744597-2-0, 186 pages

This is essentially a very good self-defense instruction manual for flight crew, and particularly flight attendants, that has been repositioned for the wider consumer market, preying on fears generated by the tragedies of 9/11. It does a reasonably good job of illustrating (via B&W photos) various close quarters combat techniques potentially suitable for use in the confines of transport (airline) aircraft (137 pages of the total). It does include some generally good advice for passengers, but overall it was a disappointment in this regard. It is clear that it was not written expressly for the flying public and misses the mark in some respects. It provides only minimal practical advice for passengers with regards to improvised weapons and their use or about organizing to resist a hijacking. For anyone not interested in pursuing the training required to make use of the techniques illustrated, it is of limited value and it doesn't adequately emphasize the need for this training, potentially leading to a dangerous false sense of confidence. For those determined not to allow another 9/11 to occur on their flight, it is a good place to start, but it is not the complete answer. Pacifists need not apply.

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Steven Callahan, 1986 Steven Callahan, Ballantine Books, ISBN:0-3454-1015-7, 234 pages

Adrift is a classic of survival literature. Callahan not only exhibited an extraordinary will to survive during his seventy six day ordeal, he also tells the tale eloquently. The book is enthralling and Callahan's inventiveness and improvisation skills are mindboggling to behold. Surely, there are few other survival tales that are as impressive or as inspirational or as good a read.

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Deborah Scaling Kiley and Meg Noonan, 1994 Deborah Scaling Kiley, Houghton Mifflin, ISBN:0-55357-365-9, 210 pages

Kiley was an experienced sailor who allowed herself to be put in a position that nearly killed her. Lots of lessons about what not to do and how not to conduct even a simple cruise. This is a story about the difference a strong will to survive and some basic survival knowledge can make. Five castaways survived the sinking of the 59 ft."Trashman," only Kiley and another survived the mind and body numbing, four day ordeal.

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James Nalepka and Steven Callahan, 1992 James Nalepka and Steven Callahan, HarperCollins, ISBN:0-06-017961-9, 221 pages

Capsized is an incredible tale superbly told by a master of the genre. After their trimaran was capsized in a gale just three days out of New Zealand, four disparate shipmates struggle to survive on the capsized trimaran for 119 days until rescued. The survival details are facinating, but none so much as the psychological aspects of the experience. This is a gripping story, extremely well told, entertaining and educational.

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Edward E. Leslie, 1988 Edward Leslie, Houghton Mifflin Co., ISBN:0-395-91150-8, 586 pages

A fascinating collection of survival tales, from the 17th century through modern times, annotated with incisive commentary. Somewhat dry and scholarly in its approach, it is filled with interesting historical details and thought provoking analysis. These are stories about the "will to survive" that are both inspirational and frightening at the same time. Not an easy read, but worth the effort.

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George Sigler, 2001 George Sigler, Vero Technical Support, ISBN:0-9711100-0-X, 199 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 7/16 inches, paperback

In 1974, Navy Reserve pilot George Sigler set out with fellow pilot Charlie Gore to prove that a marine survival kit he had designed and planned to market was worth the expense. His plan was to sail a "raft," actually a Zodiac RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), from San Francisco, California, to Hawaii. Sigler did his homework and shares with you his research and development of his survival kit. The narrative of his successful trip, during which they depending entirely upon the survival kit for sustenance, is pretty interesting and worth slogging through. Some of the information is dated, nothing serious, but overall some good information here. Includes 37 B&W photos and a generic listing of the contents of his kit.

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Rob Mundle, 1999 Rob Mundle, International Marine (div. McGraw-Hill), ISBN:0-07-135698-3, 251 pages

Starting from Sydney Harbor, Australia, on December 26 1998, 115 sail boats headed downwind towards Hobart, Tasmania in the 53rd running of this internationally acclaimed race. Only 44 boats made it to Hobart. Five boats sank, six sailors died, 55 sailors were taken off their yachts, most by helicopter. The weather "bomb" that devistated the fleet in the Bass Strait caught almost all by surprise. Based on 125 interviews with those involved, Mundle does an admirable job painting a colorful and detailed picture of the difficulties faced by the crews in this race and of the heroic rescues that saved dozens who might well have been lost but for their efforts. This is a page turner that holds your attention as you battle the fierce storm alongside the crews and rescuers. As with previous racing disasters, there are lessons to be learned, some all over again. Mundle doesn't analyze what transpired, he just recounts the gripping story of survival. You'll have to draw your own conclusions. The book suffers somewhat from the rush to press, but not unduly, and time has not altered the facts presented.

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William Laird McKinlay, 1976 Willaim McKinlay, Griffin Trade Paperback, ISBN:0-312-20655-0, 192 pages

For 56 years after surviving the ill-fated arctic expedition, William McKinlay kept his story to himself, stewing that the truth was never told while the incompetant leader of the expedition, Vilhjalmur Stefansson, was accorded honors. Those who suffered and died had never been given their due. Before he passed away, McKinlay had to tell their story. They set out in 1914 with McKinlay an idealistic young scientist who had no arctic experience. Betrayed by Stefansson's poor planning and preparations, the Karluk is stuck fast in the arctic ice pack, the start of a survival ordeal that would last a year over the cold and unforgiving arctic winter. Twenty five survivors were stranded on the ice after the Karluk was crushed. Eleven, including McKinlay, survived to be rescued the next spring in an awe-inspiring tale of determination against all odds. McKinlay tells the tale well and there's lots to learn from his experience. A good read.

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Bill Butler and Simone Butler, 1991 Bill and Simone Butler, Exmart Press, ISBN:0-9632519-0-2, 313 pages

After their 36 ft. sailboat, Siboney, was sunk by whales, the Butlers spent 66 days adrift in their small life raft, one of the longer raft survival experiences in modern times. Butler will never win any prizes for his writing, but it is a tale worth the effort to read. There are some important lessons, one of the most significant being their practical experience using a manually operated reverse osmosis desalinator, a Katadyn PUR Survivor 35, to make fresh water and survive, the first such incident on record.

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Tony Farrington, 1996 International Marine, International Marine (div. McGraw-Hill), ISBN:0-07-021367-4, 273 pages

In early June of 1994, a flotilla of cruising yachts sailing from New Zealand to Tonga in the South Pacific were caught up in a rouge typhoon. It doesn't get any worse than a Force 12 storm. One crew of very experienced sailors lost their lives. There were a number of perilous and heroic rescues. Farrington chronicles the events, from start to finish, in a gripping style that will keep you spellbound. Included are photos of a number of the rescues. There are numerous important lessons to be learned from this event, but perhaps the most important is about the extraordinary effectiveness of the 406 MHz EPIRB (emergency beacon), don't leave port without one!

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G. Bruce Knecht, 2001 G. Bruce Knecht, Little Brown & Co., ISBN:0-316-49955-2, 295 pages

A gripping narrative of the tragic 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. This book focuses on the crews much more than the rescuers or the rescues, which story was covered better in Fatal Storm, which came out shortly after the event. Knecht had access to the likes of Larry Ellison (Oracle founder and owner of the winning yacht), which adds an entirely different perspective to the telling of this story. The book probes the depths of character of the participants and the whys and wherefores of their decisions--decisions that sometimes proved fatal for the boats or crew, or both. The book benefits from the passage of time since the disaster; particpants were more willing to talk freely for the most part and the facts are clearer as a result of the multiple inquries held. This is a "must read" for anyone who is interested in marine survival, and a darn good read for everyone else.

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Ruthanne Lum McCunn, 1985 Ruthanne Lum McCunn, Beacon Press, ISBN: 0-80707-139-0 (paper), 235 pages

Poon Lim's 133 day survival experience, after the freighter "Benlomond" was sunk by a U-Boat during WW-II, has become the standard by which other long term survival episodes are judged. With no knowledge of the sea and limited resources, Lim survived because of his tenacity, basic intellectual capabilities and the ability to learn quickly and not make the same mistake twice. Well researched, this is the best, and likely most accurate, of the many narratives of Poon Lim's ordeal.

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Dougal Robertson, 1973 Dougal Robertson, Sheridan House, ISBN:0-924486-73-2, 219 pages

The schooner Lucette was attacked and sunk by killer whales late in the morning on June 15, 1972. Dougal Robertson, his wife, twins and a companion were cast adrift on a 37 day survival ordeal. Strength of character and plenty of improvisation see this family through to rescue in amazingly good shape. Robertson vividly recalls the experiences in this classic of survival tales. This book was the first of the contemporary long term sea survival tales and Robertson's excellent writing set a high standard for those that followed. Out of print for years, this reprint is very welcome. This book is chock full of hard earned lessons for any survivor, no matter whether on the sea or land.

His experiences recounted in this book were the motivation for Robertson's other classic, "Sea Survival - A Manual," (An excellent manual, though now somewhat dated and long out of print) which broke new ground for marine survival manuals.

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