Written by John “Lofty” Wiseman, author of the instructive manual “SAS Survival Handbook,” this new book, “SAS Urban Survival Handbook,” takes the reader to the frequently dangerous urban environment and advises how to survive with confidence in this potentially threatening environment.
This book explains in crisp, clear detail how to minimize chances for accidents, and teaches how to avoid potential hazards in the urban environment. It comprehensively covers everything from safely using commonplace tools to avoidance of poisonous plants. The book does more than discuss only survival after a natural or man-made disaster; it takes the route of also covering items and events that are statistically much more likely to be a hazard in life than the unthinkable terrorist attack or natural disaster.
Chapter by chapter Wiseman, with impressive knowledge gained during his background as the SAS’s former Chief Survival Instructor, takes the reader through every imaginable hazard in urban life. Although some have found that this isn’t as exciting as reading about the aftermath of a devastating disaster, this book is realistic. It addresses not only the unlikely events of kidnappings and post-tsunami survival, but presents topic that pertain to daily life, teaching the reader how to be aware, prepared, and capable of making split-second, rational decisions that could save lives. Wiseman explains in the forward that every year there are thousands of lethal accidents right in the home; he has accepted the bold task of educating the reader to these hazards and the dangers on the urban street.
The scope of this book is simply amazing. Logically organized and presented, as expected from someone with decades of military training, the book flows quickly keeping the reader’s interest. Richly detailed with 100 color illustrations, bold graphics, color highlighting, and judiciously used bold font, this book makes an indispensable resource, delivering easy to find, pertinent information. Boldly colored red warning sections can’t help but catch the reader’s attention, helping them focus on some of the most dangerous of potential hazards. The color illustrations in the chapters covering poisonous plants and dangerous animals bring this section to life, helping the reader with identification and thus avoidance.
Wiseman’s goal of educating, preparing, and helping people analyze risks and potential outcomes, leads to a sense of confidence that can go a long way in helping people extricate themselves from potentially dangerous situations and environments. He considers the psychological stresses that come from unfamiliar, fast-paced settings and by preparing the reader in advance, helps them to maintain a cool, collected approach to life in the urban jungle. He advocates that knowing the risks involved in daily living will keep you in control of life and assist you in handling the tough, serious hazards when faced with them. He prepares the reader for every possible situation inside the home and outside in order to arm them with accurate information that leads to a life of more than just survival. With this book the reader will be calm and confident, helping not just himself, but everyone around him or her.
Everyone has heard of babies born in taxis and stuck elevators, and with a thorough reading of this survival guide, the reader will be prepared even for this event. Wiseman guides the reader through this process in quick reading, bold detail meant to be the essence of how to deftly handle a normal delivery in an emergency situation away from medical intervention. He takes us through the four stages of labor and delivery with emphasis on keeping the situation under calm control making the mother and child both safe and comfortable. Anyone who has ever been in this frightening situation will tell you that they would certainly have preferred someone with this basic knowledge and calm focus to be in attendance.
Surprising sections include the one on food hazards and safe sex. Wiseman discusses the advantages of knowing what you are eating, as your health depends on what you eat. He advises staying away from overly processed foods along with questioning the safety of food grown within a seven-mile radius of a major city. There is no emotional agenda here, just straight up scientific facts.
It must be noted that the perspective of the book is British. Most references to laws refer to codes in the UK and not the United States.