As we come to rely on technology in almost every aspect of our everyday lives, there is a large and ever-growing interest in how we would survive without the conveniences of the modern age. The Survival Bookshows you not only how to adapt in such circumstances, but also how to thrive in the wilderness environment. Packed with specially commissioned, crystal-clear, step-by-step illustrations for every survival technique, from what to do if you meet a bear in the woods to how to navigate by the stars, this book also includes exciting stories of real-life survival-what happened, who survived, and how they did it.

Includes index.

1. Before You Go - Introduction: Prepare Yourself - Getting into Shape - Mental Preparation - Planning Your Journey - Emergency Plan of Action - Introduction: Know Your Environment - Temperate Environments - Tropical Environments - Mountain Environments - Desert Environments - Cold Environments - Marine Environment - Introduction: Get the Right Gear - Choosing Your Kit - Choosing a Backpack - Dressing for the Outdoors - Extreme Survival-In the Wilderness - Sleeping Systems - Eating on the Trail - Camping Stoves - Your Survival Kit. 2. On the Trail - Introduction: Find Your Way - Maps and Map-Reading - Get your Bearings - Route Finding - Navigating Without a Compass - Natural Navigation - How Weather Works - Weather Phenomena - Understanding Local Weather - Introduction: Make a Move - Traveling on Foot - Crossing Rivers - Scrambling and Climbing - Extreme Survival-In the Mountains - Moving Over Snow - Using Pack Animals - Four-Wheel Driving - Kayaking and Canoeing - Building a Raft - Swimming. 3. Camp Craft - Introduction: Camp Essentials - Organizing Your Site - Staying Clean - Making Fire - The Elements of Fire - Char Cloth and Fire Can - Types of Fire - Making Sparks and Flames - Extreme Survival-In the Desert - Fire by Friction - Introduction: Manual Skills - Man-Made Cordage - Natural Cordage - Tying Knots - Using Cutting Tools. 4. Taking Shelter - Introduction: Taking Shelter - Hollows and Caves - Use-Anywhere Shelters - Forest Shelters - Tropical Shelters - Extreme Survival-In the Jungle - Desert Shelters - Shoreline Shelters - Snow Shelters. 5. Water and Food - Introduction: Find and Treat Water - The Importance of Water - Finding Water: Temperate Climates - Finding Water: Hot Climates - Finding Water: Cold Climates - Finding Water: At Sea - Carrying and Storing Water - Treating Water - Introduction: Find and Prepare Food - Wild Cooking - Edible Plants - Catching Fish - Preparing Fish - Extreme Survival-Adrift at Sea - Trapping Animals - Preparing Small Mammals - Preparing Large Mammals - Preparing Other Animals - Catching Birds - Preparing Birds. 6. In an Emergency - Introduction: In an Emergency - Assessing Your Situation - Attracting Rescuers - Wild Animals - Extreme Survival-In Cold Conditions - Environmental Hazards - Surviving at Sea. 7. First Aid - Introduction: First Aid - First Aid Essentials - Flesh Wounds - Bites and Stings - Poisonous Plants and Intestinal Parasites - Bones, Joints, and Muscles - Treating Exposure - Treating Shock - Breathing Difficulties - Unconsciousness - Moving a Casualty. Appendix - Wild Food: Temperate Plants - Desert Plants - Tropical Plants - Plants in Cold Climates - Coastal Plants - Mammals - Birds - Amphibians and Reptiles - Fish - Invertebrates - Natural Danger: Wild Animals - Insects and Arachnids - Poisonous Plants.