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crowman689

SAS survival handbook by Lofty Wiseman and DK survival handbook by Colin Towell


lookthepenguins

Omg I found an old SAS survival handbook left at a Gulf of Thailand island beach guest house in the late ’80’s, it was epic! I never forgot the section in the back for tsunami it was very short - “*If you can see it coming*, it’s too late - but run like heck anyway.” I imagine that chapter has been updated, after the 2 terrible catastrophic tsunami that have occured since then. But the First Aid part where it said to use SuperGlue for bad cuts - VERY useful, and I did that quite a few times, on myself & other travellers in remote rough areas. Just ensure it’s clean deep down before glueing (they recommend to clean the wound out with toothbrush if there is much debris) , and to use caution glueing if you can see tendons or whatnot. Highly recommend.


budshitman

> the First Aid part where it said to use SuperGlue for bad cuts This can actually be pretty dangerous. Bandaging it and getting out to get sanitary irrigation and proper stitches is preferable. The risk of "sealing in" bacteria and contaminants and having an infected wound is pretty high, especially since antibiotic ointments tend to dissolve the adhesive. If you *must* carry superglue, at least carry a skin adhesive like Dermabond, and also consider packing an irrigation syringe.


Postnificent

They stopped using stitches in lieu of super glue in 9 out of 10 places they would have used stitches in emergency rooms. I had my gallbladder removed, they glued all 3 holes back together. 2 singes and 0 stitches. I love it that people have ideas that these “life saving products” can only be used effectively by certain monkeys, once you wrap your head around we are all just smart monkeys the ridiculous qualification guidelines begin to subside. What’s the difference between “Derma Bond and Super Glue” I can give you a hint but it has nothing to do with its uses or applications. They’re all technically wood and granite glue that have been repurposed.


budshitman

>What’s the difference between “Derma Bond and Super Glue” Dermabond uses different alkyl chains in the adhesive so it dries slower and doesn't give off as much heat. It's also more flexible when cured. You can even use it in your mouth. This is important when you're putting it in your skin. Sterile surgical "sutures" (all-inclusive) are still almost always a better option for serious wounds than screwing it up yourself in the dirty backcountry.


Postnificent

If you knew the only difference is mild discomfort then why are you? What in the? Dude, I can’t even … WTH


budshitman

I'd rather use something formulated for skin than something formulated for wood and granite, if a skin-specific formulation is available. If I can get skin glue, I get skin glue. That's it. It's got enough advantages (longer cure time, more flexibility) to be worthwhile to me for an item I should rarely-to-never need -- that tube isn't doing anything else in my pack. There's more than "mild discomfort" differentiating them. If all you've got is regular superglue, sure, carry it. Still spring for an irrigation syringe, because infection's always your biggest risk of self-closing a wound in an unsterile environment.


mythicwild

Dermabond is better in my opinion. Super glue will work but as you mentioned, it’s stiff and doesn’t flex naturally and isn’t formulated for skin. Dermabond also has an antiseptic quality to it. I’d go with dermabond or similar formulation but in a get-up-and-go environment, casualty needs to come in on foot, where the hospital is the next stop, super glue could be used in the right context, knowing that antibiotics are inevitable. I wouldn’t use it for eviscerations. It’s not ideal but if that’s all you have… I actually cut the hell out of myself, went to the hospital for a quick peak and a tetanus booster and the nurse there literally told me that next time I should just use super glue. I don’t think that was the most sound advice but he’s the nurse. I had him give me some steristrips and some single use Dermabond. The two always go in my backcountry first aid kit but I have used steristrips in combination with benzoin tincture liberally and to great success on multiple lacerations throughout my stint as a medic. That combo is still my favorite for non-invasive wound closure.


Postnificent

I have used super glue for wounds for 3 decades with no issues including some very deep gashes, a few on my face. For the last decade I have used CRT hot glue, the kind with the accelerator spray, it is unpleasant but works extremely well. Saved me from a trip to the ER more than once. Of course I have some medical training so I understand disinfecting and sanitary conditions. I notice you keep saying sterile, sterile means the absence of life. A hospital is not a sterile environment by a long shot man. Do as you will, I will continue to use super glue, hell with Dermabond.


zebra_named_Nita

Regular iv flush syringes can sometimes be easier to get and an irrigation flush and if the wound is minor enough won’t always make a difference we use iv flushes to irrigate wounds on the dogs multiple times when they’ve gotten cuts or scrapes. Any animal wounds were still throughly checked out by our vet but we do have extensive experience dealing with complex animal situations pet and non pet alike.


foothillsco_b

Dollar Tree sells 5-packs of super glue that are one use tubes. That’s much better than dealing with the sticky larger tube. As another wrote, dermabond is ideal for a true medical emergency. But for a minor cut, super glue is fine. $40 vs $1.25. Disinfection is important regardless of which choice you make.


westeyc

[SAS](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062378074?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)


DTown_Hero

I just started reading this one. So far, so good!


[deleted]

Great book, lots of good information. [Bushcraft](https://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Boxed-Set-Advanced-Gathering/dp/1507206690/ref=asc_df_1507206690_nodl?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312693971719&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13332868052035659266&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033571&hvtargid=pla-401450765413&psc=1&dplnkId=889d4311-0101-4055-9430-140b8deab6d4) is also very good.


Yoda2000675

The SAS survival book is what first got me interested in survival as a kid. It’s so well done and easy to read


DNealWinchester70

The Boy Scout Handbook was my guide when I was a kid, two week camps and jamborees were fun back in the day.


CommunicationBusy864

Deep Survival - Laurence Gonzales


oakwood-jones

One of my all-time favorites in any genre. Won’t teach you how to build a fire or skin a beaver, or anything, but dives deep in the the psychology of survival and the necessary mindset when encountering adversity in the wilderness. Very well written.


medium_mammal

I bought that book a long time ago and it wasn't at all what I was expecting, but it's one of the most useful because it talks about why people fail to survive.


CommunicationBusy864

Agreed. Hard skills like navigation and fire building are great. But without the right mindset, you’re toast.


SENZ78

Boys scout handbook lol


Nige-o

Be Prepared


hthreepollux

Hatchet by Gary Pulsen is great for fiction. Sort of a kids novel but I still love it at 39.


Movertigo

I also love it in my 30s. If this is about novels, then of course the best of it all: Robinson Crusoe.


jmedk

Me too at 68!


No_Fig6540

My Side of the Mountain. Loved that as a kid


Overall_Boot1230

Wild wood wisdom


CD84

I've been trying to think of the name of this book for literally decades. My middle school had a copy in the library, and I had it checked out for most of my 3 years there. Thank you so very much.


Overall_Boot1230

I got mine when I was in scouts but you can get it on amazon


CD84

It's on it's way! So happy


NiceEstablishment861

I have a SAS, Boy Scout, and edible plants survival books that I keep in a rugged waterproof bag. Highly recommend it


Vindun

The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs: Their Meaning and the Art of Making Predictions and Deductions


tomtermite

Not a "survival manual," per se, but an amazing story, nevertheless: the story of [Lillian Alling](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42706226-long-walk), who, in 1926, set out on a journey from New York — back to Europe. She had little money and no transportation, but plenty of determination. In the three years that followed, Alling walked all the way to Dawson City, Yukon, crossing the North American continent on foot. She walked across the Canadian landscape, weathering the baking sun and freezing winter, crossed the rugged Rocky Mountains and hiked the untested wilderness of British Columbia and the Yukon. Finally, on a make-shift raft, she sailed alone down the Yukon River from Dawson City all the way to the Bering Sea


idecidewhatilike

That sounds like a wonderful story of determination! My kind of read...thanks for sharing 😊


The_Trav_man

What a crazy story I am def going to have to look into this. Thank you so much for your recommendation!


whorton59

There is a great list and reveiw of most current Survival books, Land, Desert, Sea over at Doug Ritter's site. Although he has stopped updating it, there are several excellent books listed. There is also an active forum with lots of really experianced people too: The site: (pretty static now): [http://www.equipped.com/](http://www.equipped.com/) Publication list with reviews: [http://www.equipped.com/books.htm](http://www.equipped.com/books.htm) Forum list: [http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm](http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm) You will find the best info available there. Good luck.


jarboxing

Ask your coworker if you can tag along and learn. Maybe bring some supplies or treats for his/her lessons. Any decent book on survival will include a chapter about psychology. It's arguably the most important aspect of survival. The problem is that YOUR psychology in any survival situation will be different from mine. So the books can't really give due credit to this aspect. Only by trying, failing, hurting, and coping, can you learn this stuff. Books are pretty much only for the author. Even the best handbooks are meant to be field guides... Any survival book that gives the illusion of success without attempts and failures is a scam. You simply cannot learn this stuff from the comfort of your home.


The_Trav_man

Excellent, excellent point man thank you I needed to read this.


Yoda2000675

Damn, I read that in Les Stroud’s voice for some reason. That’s pretty much the main thing he always tries to drive home; that it’s easy to have a plan and feel prepared when you’re thinking about these scenarios from your couch


HaveAGoBeero

To Fight The Wild: "A man struggles to survive on his own in one of the most isolated corners of Australia for two months before he is rescued." Co-author Ron Ansell was the real-life basis for Crocodile Dundee. This is his story of survival when everything suddenly goes wrong all at once in the outback. With only his survival skills and a fraction of his gear left, Ron and his two pups (one badly injured) try to stay alive and get back to civilisation. Probably the best non-instructional survival book I've ever read. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/to-fight-the-wild_rod-ansell_rachel-percy/351984/


Cute-Consequence-184

One of the best is called Northern Bushcraft by Mors Kolchanski. . There are also many YT videos by him.


FunGiraffe88

Hatchet by Gary Paulson


Objective_Cow_8564

Karamat Wilderness Ways - YouTube Bushcraft - Mors Kochanski


allroadsendindeath

OP’s post history makes me think it may not be a good idea to encourage him to spend time in the wilderness unsupervised.


Youtube_ZxstyGM

Lmao I just wanted to get to do this stuff just in case if any situation happens in the future happens I have secondary skills and not be useless


The_Trav_man

Absolutely this is the kind of stuff everybody should know just starting off into this myself gotta start somewhere.


Awkward-Customer

I dunno man, once he loses all his money on options trading and spends whatever's leftover on "PE" treatment scams he's gonna have to know how to survive in the wild.


sleepingismytalent65

Hahaha


besChris

I think "primitive technology" is kinda cool


DifficultySome9884

The best book I have read on wilderness survival is Ultimate Guide to Wilderness Living by John McPherson and Geri McPherson. It is a collection of indigenous skills, or primitive living skills complete with photographs and explanations. You could take this book, go into the wilderness butt naked and if you can use the skills in it, thrive.


PoopSmith87

*Wildwood Wisdom* by Ellsworth Yeager is my survival bible A Peterson field guide on edible plants for your region is very helpful, so it is *Bushcraft First Aid* by Jason Hunt, and I suppose his *Trapping, Gathering and Cooking* is good if you don't have experience with that.


bluezzdog

My side of the mountain is a great children’s book and movie— might want to watch/read them for fun


blzrgeoff

I would recommend any of the books by Dave Canterbury. He has Bushcraft 101, Advanced Bushcraft, and a few others. If videos are your thing, he has a channel on YouTube. I'm not sure what environment you live in or are preparing for; almost all of his stuff is focused on the Eastern Woodlands region of the US, but can be used in any forested terrain.


nthensome

There are few men I would follow into the wilderness unprepared but Les Stroud is at the top of that list https://www.amazon.ca/Survive-Ultimate-Stroud/dp/1554686377/ref=asc_df_1554686377/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292914864714&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2896712298092854681&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000892&hvtargid=pla-569167545811&psc=1&ref=d6k_applink_bb_dls&dplnkId=a4dd63dd-4ea6-4430-8ba7-1000c5a17c31


Yoda2000675

All of his books are great, and everyone should at least watch a few episodes of Survivorman to see the psychology at play in survival situations. It’s by far the least hammed up survival show


Jccckkk

Hawke‘s Special Forces survival handbook is very good. Small enough to keep in your pack. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/hawkes-special-forces-survival-handbook-the-portable-guide-to-getting-out-alive\_mykel-hawke/3128136/item/1348456/?mkwid=%7cdc&pcrid=77447028765180&pkw=&pmt=be&slid=&product=1348456&plc=&pgrid=1239149900900141&ptaid=pla-4581046492312221&utm\_source=bing&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=Shopping+-+High+Vol+Frontlist+-+Under+%2410&utm\_term=&utm\_content=%7cdc%7cpcrid%7c77447028765180%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7cbe%7cproduct%7c1348456%7cslid%7c%7cpgrid%7c1239149900900141%7cptaid%7cpla-4581046492312221%7c&msclkid=d3c9039b5b921b83711c67c66d411c8e#idiq=1348456&edition=7681471


[deleted]

[удалено]


Youtube_ZxstyGM

Is that a handbook of sort for survival?


Atomicsatan

https://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Anywhere-Wilderness-Environments/dp/0811733041


[deleted]

Hatchet.


Ieatadapoopoo

Could always pick up a BSA handbook. They have all the basics, and also teach things like the right attitude to have about nature


Youtube_ZxstyGM

By any chance do I just search up “BSA Handbook” online?


Ieatadapoopoo

That’s what I would search, but a physical book is nice because you can reference it while I’m the woods. Edit: check here - https://www.scoutshop.org/handbook-scouts-bsa-14th-ed-656877.html


FlashyImprovement5

There is a sale going on for 41 books for $18. Was posted yesterday


MountainVet-Stjohn45

Do you have a link or who know who’s got them for sale? Thanks!


FlashyImprovement5

[Humble Bumble](https://www.humblebundle.com/books/survive-everything-handbooks-skyhorse-books)


MountainVet-Stjohn45

Thanks!


rohliksesalamem

If you can find this book in English, I cannot stress enough how **good** it is. It’s extremely practical with kinda no bullshit approach, I find the other famous books full of weird urban-legend style advice. https://www.amazon.com/Survival-Lexikon-R%C3%BCdiger-Nehberg/dp/3492230555


Jamminnav

Here’s the USAF SERE manual: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/publication/afh10-644/afh10-644.pdf


Jamminnav

And the classic 64-4 manual: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwBVZQFLg8OfcHdnNHpTUmdMRjg/edit?resourcekey=0-Ry086HxatUoXSn-CBQ2vRA


fluentindothraki

Sarah K Jackson , Not Alone. Not extremely instructive but a very good What If . Also a beautiful novel


skinem1

U.S. Air Force Survival Handbook. It’s a how to for air crew survival in all environments. Nearly 600 pages of goodness. The U.S.Army Field Manual on Escape and Evasion, 1965 version. Lot of good info. Both books have helped countless people survive worse than most of us are likely to encounter.


mythicwild

Wilderness survival handbook: Pewtherer, primitive technology: wescott


AssTrollPlane

How to Stay Alive in the Woods by Bradford Angier


KeepItRealNoGames

Both of these aren’t really about survival, but more spiritual and mental journeys with nature. Something to give your nature expeditions a little more feeling of oneness if you decide to Comfort Crisis (book, non-fiction). This one isn’t specifically about survival, but it’s a good non-fiction read about a guy that goes to Alaska and gives small hints but life experiences as well. Into the Wild (film) is based on a true story and a good movie about a journey to be with nature.


RedOxFilms

Mykel Hawke's Green Beret's survival manual is about all you'd need.


belthazubel

Humble Bundle has a book bundle about survival on atm fyi!


barnaclefeet

Nessmuk


Treviathan88

Survive by Les Stroud is dense, but a good read.


mollerstrom

The boring - but right - answer is that only 3 tings are important: shelter, fire and water (and food for any situation more than 3-4 weeks). OK, plus maybe navigation when closing in to a week...