SAS Survival Guide Book Review: How to Survive in the Wild
SAS Survival Guide Book Review. Key Lessons, Chapter Summary & Real Reader Feedback. Discover the wisdom inside SAS Survival Guide by John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman. This detailed review includes chapter summaries, key insights, strengths, weaknesses, and authentic reader feedback. A must-read for survival enthusiasts.
Contents
SAS Survival Guide Review: Summary, Key Lessons & Real Reader Feedback
1. Introduction
Book Title: SAS Survival Guide: How to Survive in the Wild, on Land or at Sea
Author: John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman
Genre: Survival, Outdoor Skills, Practical Guide
Setting: Primarily outdoors, applicable to various environments. Real-world applications for wilderness, sea, urban, and disaster situations.
Why I Chose This Book
I picked up SAS Survival Guide out of curiosity regarding survival skills and outdoor adventure. The urge to learn how to navigate unforeseen circumstances and respond effectively in the wild resonates with many, making this guide a potential lifeline.
I picked up the SAS Survival Guide because it’s considered one of the most authoritative survival resources ever written. As a long-time favorite among hikers, campers, bushcraft learners, and preparedness-minded readers, this book promised practical, field-tested knowledge—and it absolutely delivers. The main focus is on equipping individuals with the know-how necessary for survival, emphasizing practical tips suitable for both novices and the seasoned adventurer. What is inside the SAS Survival Guide? Keep Reading
2. Brief Summary of Key Chapters in the Book
Wiseman’s SAS Survival Guide distills survival techniques learned from his experience in the British Special Air Service (SAS). The book systematically covers essential subjects:
- Basic Survival Skills: Techniques for shelter-building, finding food, and ensuring safety.
- Navigation: How to orient oneself using natural landmarks and navigational tools.
- Emergency Protocols: Steps to take during various survival scenarios, including wilderness, land, and sea emergencies.
The main focus is on equipping individuals with the know-how necessary for survival, emphasizing practical tips suitable for both novices and the seasoned adventurer.
Chapter Overview & Main Themes
✔ Essentials of Survival
The book opens by teaching the mindset required for survival: calm decision-making, preparation, and understanding risk. Wiseman emphasizes psychological readiness as the foundation for all other skills.
✔ Basic Survival Skills
This section covers essential techniques, including:
- Building shelters from natural materials
- Fire-making methods
- Finding and purifying water
- Basic navigation
- Recognizing useful plants and avoiding dangerous ones
These teachings form the backbone of survival knowledge.
✔ First Aid: Wiseman provides lifesaving first-aid instructions for injuries, illness, and emergencies. Clear illustrations help readers understand treatment steps.
✔ Food Procurement
This chapter addresses:
- Trapping
- Fishing
- Foraging
- Preparing and storing food off-grid
The approach builds self-sufficiency using both modern and primitive methods.
✔ Survival at Sea: Wiseman explains how to handle shipwreck scenarios, stay hydrated, signal for rescue, and understand ocean-related hazards.
✔ Disaster Survival & Urban Preparedness
Later chapters shift to real-life emergencies:
- Home disasters
- Urban threats
- Travel safety
- Crisis navigation
The guide transforms from a wilderness manual into a universal safety handbook.
Main Character, Problem & Conflict
As a non-fiction book, there are no characters. Instead, the “main conflict” is human survival against environment and danger, and the “main character” becomes the reader, who is equipped with knowledge to overcome the challenge.
3. Personal Analysis & Thoughts
Writing Style
Wiseman writes in a clear, concise, authoritative voice. His experience with the SAS shows through—every line is practical and free of fluff. The quick-reference style makes this book ideal for carrying into the field.
What Stands Out
- The compact size makes it pocket-friendly but incredibly dense with information.
- Illustrations help clarify knots, shelters, and survival scenarios.
- Coverage spans both wilderness and urban emergencies, making it universal.
- Emphasis on mindset is rare but extremely valuable.
Lessons I Learned
- Survival depends more on calm thinking and preparation than gear.
- Knots, fire-starting, and navigation are perishable skills—constant practice is key.
- Even a small reference guide can drastically change your odds in an emergency.
Strengths
- One of the most comprehensive survival guides available.
- Compact, durable, and field-ready.
- Covers both basic and advanced survival topics.
- Excellent for both beginners and experts.
Weaknesses
- Small print, especially in the pocket edition (though readers found creative solutions).
- Some sections are broad rather than deeply detailed, requiring additional research.
- Not a step-by-step “how-to” manual for every situation, but rather a foundation.
4. Conclusion
Overall Impression
The SAS Survival Guide is a timeless, high-value survival reference packed with practical, field-tested techniques. Its combination of mindset, skills, and emergency strategies makes it one of the most complete survival resources available today.
Who Should Read This Book?
This guide is perfect for:
- Hikers, campers, preppers, and outdoor enthusiasts
- Travelers and off-grid adventurers
- Anyone who wants a dependable survival reference book
- Beginners seeking a solid foundation in wilderness or emergency skills
If you want one survival guide that covers nearly everything, this is the one.
Reader Feedback on Forums
⭐ “Absolute must-have for anyone interested in survival skills!”
Readers praise the guide for its clear instructions and practical tips from an SAS veteran. Many consider it essential for emergencies.
⭐ “A classic—I own three copies!”
One reader keeps copies in multiple locations: home, travel trailer, and emergency kit. They highlight its usefulness for knots and the benefits of having a compact reference.
⭐ “Great companion to other bushcraft books.”
Some readers compare it to Richard Graves’ Bushcraft and consider both essential for deeper skills and primitive living techniques.
⭐ “You can’t be too prepared.”
Readers appreciate the peace of mind this guide provides, even if they never face a real emergency.
⭐ “Small text, but here’s a tip…”
A clever suggestion: use a Fresnel magnifying lens—it also doubles as a fire starter.
⭐ “Excellent for beginners and great as a reference.”
Readers value how the book builds foundational knowledge and serves as a reminder in the field.
⭐ “Tiny but thick—fits in your back pocket.”
The compact design is repeatedly mentioned as a major advantage.
A comparison table with similar survival books
| Book Title | Author | Best For | Key Strengths | Notable Weaknesses | Format Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAS Survival Guide: How to Survive in the Wild, on Land or at Sea | John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman | Beginners to advanced survivalists | Extremely comprehensive, pocket-sized, field-tested SAS methods, covers land/sea/urban | Small text (pocket edition), not deeply detailed in every topic | Pocket book, full-size edition |
| Bushcraft 101 | Dave Canterbury | Wilderness survival & bushcraft beginners | Practical skills, tool use, fire craft, trapping, simple language | Focuses mainly on forest environments, less diverse than SAS Guide | Paperback, Kindle |
| Advanced Bushcraft | Dave Canterbury | Intermediate learners wanting deeper bushcraft skills | More technical, detailed primitive methods, strong hands-on guidance | May be too detailed for beginners | Paperback, Kindle |
| Bushcraft: A Serious Guide to Survival and Camping | Richard Graves | Primitive survival, natural materials, off-grid living | Teaches building shelters, rope, shoes, traps; traditional bushcraft | Less modern survival info; no urban or sea survival | Paperback, PDF |
| Survive!: The Disaster, Crisis and Emergency Handbook | Les Stroud | Urban disasters, modern emergencies & preparedness | Realistic scenarios, mental preparedness, modern supplies | Less focus on wilderness bushcraft | Paperback, Kindle |
| 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive | Cody Lundin | Mindset-focused survival and psychology | Engaging writing, excellent for mental readiness and first principles | Limited advanced bushcraft/technical skills | Paperback, Kindle |
| US Army Survival Manual (FM 21-76) | U.S. Army | Anyone wanting traditional military survival doctrine | Comprehensive, detailed, covers global environments | Dry style, less beginner-friendly | Paperback, digital PDFs |
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