Johnson - Outdoor Life: The Ultimate Survival Manual: 333 Skills that Will Get You Out Alive

We here at Outdoor Life know how to handle troublereal trouble. Theres a grizzly in your tent trouble. Or That guys got a big knife and looks like he knows how to use it trouble. For more than 100 years, weve gathered expert advice on dealing with dilemmasfrom tsunamis to carjackings, from Portuguese man-of-war attacks to nuclear fallout.

That advice is what youll find in The Ultimate Survival Manual333 crucial, need-to-know tips, penned by pro outdoorsman and Outdoor Life contributor Rich Johnson. Weve divided this hard-earned wisdom into three chaptersWilderness, Disaster, and Urbanso that you can walk the woods and streets with skill and confidence, and weather any calamity nature or man sends your way.

Some of the tricks in this book are quick and easysay, how to turn a garbage sack into a sleeping bag (), all these tips can save your life. Weve even included amazing tales of misadventure, because those crazy campfire stories you hear over and over again arent just entertainingtheyre lessons you can put to use when youre in danger.

Weve presented this arsenal of know-how with the same expertise, clarity, and humor that youve come to expect from Outdoor Life. And weve done it all for one reason: We want you to be safe out there. We want you to know what to do when it all hits the fan. We want you to prevail. So read up, gear up, and be ready to survive anything.

Dear Reader,

Great news! Youre reading this book, and that means you must be alive. Which means youre following my NUMBER ONE RULE for survival: Stay alive. So far, so good. I can tell youre going to be a good student.

RULE NUMBER TWO Attitude trumps everything else. If your brains not in the game, the rest of you will suffer for it. Survival is mentaland Im not talking about your education, Im talking about your mind-set. As important as it is to know proper survival techniques, if your attitude stinks, youre probably not going to make it. Eliminate the word quit from your vocabulary. QUIT is a four-letter word, and around here we dont talk like that (unless a bear is gnawing on us).

RULE NUMBER THREE Dont take avoidable risks. Always look for the safest path, and pace yourself to prevent injuries. Do the things you want to dobut be smart about how you do them.

RULE NUMBER FOUR Live with integrityand a big part of that is caring about others. Find ways to help people through rough spots. Lift those who need lifting; someday youll need lifting, too.

RULE NUMBER FIVE Continually work to better your situation, especially if its dodgy. Even small improvements to comfort or security will improve your spirits. And possibly save your bacon.

MY PHILOSOPHY IN A NUTSHELL To give yourself the best chance for survival, fill your head with accurate information, fill your hands with skill, and fill your life with experience. Let wisdom be your guide and common sense your pattern.

Take care out there,

SURVIVAL STRATEGIES

KNOW WHATS HAPPENING Problems arise when you dont pay attention. If youre cognizant of your surroundings, you can respond appropriately.

PRIORITIZE Once you know what kind of fix youre in, decide what your most pressing need is. If your buddy has a bullet in his leg, your most pressing need isnt hunting dinner.

DEVISE A PLAN Now that you know what needs to be done first (and next, and then next), decide how to attack the problem. Weigh your options, then make smart decisions that will give you the desired result.

GO TO WORK The time has come for the rubber to meet the road. As you work on resolving each challenge, continually assess the situation. Decide if what youre doing is working, or if you need to change strategies.

Remember, youre trying to survivea worthy goal if ever there was one. Give it your all and good luck!

Outdoor adventurers know not to venture into the wild without the necessary survival gear. But what about when youre at home? Or out running errands? No matter where you are, you should always have certain survival essentials at hand. And while theres no such thing as a universal bug-out bag (called a BOB for short), you can assemble a variety of kits for every situation.

Start off by putting together the items below to create a fully stocked at-home kit that can meet the needs of you and your family in a disaster scenario. Store it someplace accessible so that youre always at the ready.

Nonperishable food (a three-day supply for each person)

Small stove with propane or other fuel

Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils

Can opener

Three-day supply of water (1 gallon/3.75 l per person, per day)

Water-purification tablets

Bleach (add to water to make a mild disinfectant, or use16 drops per gallon/3.75 l to purify water)

Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries

Flashlight and extra batteries

Battery-operated, hand-cranked, or solar-powered cell-phone charger

Tools, such as a wrench for shutting off utilities, a screwdriver, and a hammer

First-aid kit and manual