Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
12/29/2010 5:43:23 PM EDT
I'm looking to buy a few basic survival manuals to stow in my gear in case the need arises and I need a field refresher. What is the a good one to buy? One of the mil issue versions? Something else?

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
12/29/2010 5:57:32 PM EDT
[#1]
fm 21-76
12/29/2010 5:57:59 PM EDT
[#2]
FM21-76.  Available for download from many sources.  I keep a pdf copy on my blackberry.

ETA: Beat by 27 seconds.  Damn my need for punctuation and excess verbiage.
12/29/2010 7:19:05 PM EDT
[#3]
Older Boy Scout handbook and Field Handbook.  Lots of good info in there.
12/29/2010 7:55:49 PM EDT
[#4]
I have the SAS manual and it beats most of what I've read so far.
12/29/2010 7:58:40 PM EDT
[#5]




Quoted:

Older Boy Scout handbook and Field Handbook. Lots of good info in there.




Yes, and the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge pamphlet.
12/30/2010 4:43:22 AM EDT
[#6]
Les Stroud's book "Survive" is one of the better that I have read.  I also enjoyed Cody Lundin's "98.6 Keeping your Ass Alive" is pretty good.  Good and bad in all of these.  A lot depends on your personal style as to what author you get the most out of.

I also agree that the Army Survival Manual - Revised is a good no frills book.  Finally "Build the Perfect Survival Kit" has some really good tips and guidelines for putting together a kit.
12/30/2010 5:18:57 AM EDT
[#7]
I REALLY wish that Six ways in twelve ways out was digitally available but I ordered the printed manual and it is in my BOB. GREAT information very well laid out.
12/30/2010 5:46:16 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I have the SAS manual and it beats most of what I've read so far.


This is my favorite. Lots of solid information and very easy to read and reference.
12/30/2010 10:53:45 AM EDT
[#9]





Quoted:





Quoted:


I have the SAS manual and it beats most of what I've read so far.






This is my favorite. Lots of solid information and very easy to read and reference.



Where to get? Title?





 
12/30/2010 3:15:18 PM EDT
[#10]
Anyone have a recommendation for a pocket sized version with waterproof pages?  I am especially interested in one with photos of useful plants.
12/30/2010 3:35:20 PM EDT
[#11]
any links to PDF sites ?
12/30/2010 4:29:49 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Older Boy Scout handbook and Field Handbook. Lots of good info in there.


Yes, and the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge pamphlet.


Yep, I do not think these 3 can be beat for a basic information.  I am sure the Army and SAS books are great.  However without the basics of survival you will fail.  These 3 books should be in EVERYONES home.  It does not matter if you were a Scout or not.  The info is explained well and it has trained MILLIONS of Scouts.  

12/30/2010 5:03:28 PM EDT
[#13]
SAS:
http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Survival-Guide-Collins-Gem/dp/0061992860/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1293760768&sr=8-3

Camping & Wilderness Survival
http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Wilderness-Survival-Ultimate-Outdoors/dp/0974082023/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293760886&sr=1-1



12/31/2010 10:17:56 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
any links to PDF sites ?


http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=634466

My advice for the best all around digital copy of anything not already mentioned would be the Doom guide http://www.doomguide.com/

. It seems to get updated and revised fairly often and can be printed out a couple of different ways, and if you print out on RiteintheRain paper

http://www.riteintherain.com/Categories.aspx?Category=3c0388c0-ff46-41c4-8cff-c75ea14ad32c

it'll obviously be a bit more durable.

edit:
I see that he is offering his latest version as a pre-printed bound book.
12/31/2010 6:14:02 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
fm 21-76

This^
Plus the SAS survival book from Lofty Wiseman.

RLTW
12/31/2010 6:40:53 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
I have the SAS manual and it beats most of what I've read so far.


+1
SAS Survival Handbook is great.
12/31/2010 7:25:34 PM EDT
[#17]
Here is a couple of the guides that are mentioned in this thread and a personal plug for my blog http://www.gothamsurvival.com/

US Army Survival Manual

http://www.ar15.com/content/manuals/FM21-76_SurvivalManual.pdf

Boy Scout Wilderness Survival Manual

http://www.troop149mchenry.org/Wildersness%20Survival%20MB.pdf

And my personal favorite the US Army Ranger Handbook

http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/ranger.pdf
1/1/2011 10:38:13 AM EDT
[#18]
I am not as big of a fan of the mil manuals as some.

They seem to have a little different orientation than what I am interested in, although there is nothing wrong with the information in them. They are quite good in that respect.

I'd start with an older BS manual, or one of Brad Angier's books. But nothing wrong with any of a number of similar books.

I am not real concerned about edible plants. The caloric and nutritional value from them is so low they don't serve any real purpose in a short term situation, although giving yourself something to do while waiting for help might well be useful in itself, since it might discourage you from doing something stupid like trying to walk out.

1/1/2011 4:52:53 PM EDT
[#19]
"How to stay alive in the woods" Bradford Angier.