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Required reading for boy scouts, backpackers and bush rangers, and beloved of cheesy radio hosts ("Did you know that a cumulonimbus cloud can tower to six times the height of Carrauntoohil?"), the SAS Survival Handbook has been around in various functional-looking editions for years. Now, with Bear Grylls and Ray Mears household names, the original dangerous book for boys has been repackaged in time for Christmas as Ultimate SAS Survival in a large format and with a fancy camouflage cover.
Inside, the most notable feature are the colour photographs, replacing many of the inky sketches of previous editions, and bringing to life sections on sharks, edible flowers, cooking in the wild and other such topics. The diagrams are still a large part of the book, though – there are easy-to-follow guides on all the essential knots, on where the pressure points are on a body in order to stem the flow of arterial blood, and instructions on how to carry casualties that amusingly look like illustrated dance moves.
Don't think that just because the Sahara and Amazon are off your travel agenda that you can do without the knowledge contained in this book. As is ominously stated herein, "You do not have to be miles away from civilization to be caught in a survival situation. Natural disaster, civil disturbance or military action could cut you off from all the usual services and food supplies." (That said, aren't these cases where you call in the actual SAS?)
This edition has been put together by SAS veteran John 'Lofty' Wiseman. A picture near the back reveals the man behind the gas mask to be a harmless-looking old geezer. All credit to the publishers for not getting Ross Kemp to 'write' the book.
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