I have quite a few books about survival but they are usually too big to take anywhere. And I find that I work on my skills better when I have a manual handy on the road. Said that I'm looking for something small, that can fit in the big cargo pocket. It can be fat as long as it is kept at less than 5 by 7 form (about the size of infantry handbook you get in basic)at... I have the SAS manuals that are broken into parts (desert, winter) but would like to have something all together.

In the other news... I passed my midterm skills exam yesterday and next monday I have a written exam... Almost half way there. Keep yer fingers crossed.

Matt

First, congrats on the exam, you will do great with the written on Monday.
Trying to study for my General exam myself, morse code is next after passing Element 3.
I found a copy of the SAS manual that is 4x5 or so at a bookstore in Delaware, don't remember which one. Don't know if this is exactly what you are looking for.

Congratulations on passing the mid-term skills exam and good luck on the written. I am sure you will do fine. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Pete

There is a "Collins Gem" version of the SAS manual that is reduced in size for carry in a ruck or pocket. Mine rides in the truck for reference or to be thrown in the pack if needed.

I believe amazon.com carried that version aside from the full size.

I just went to amazon's website and they do have it listed:

Product Details

Paperback: ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.00 x 5.00 x 3.50
Publisher: Harper Collins - UK; (March 1999)
ISBN: 0004723023 |

Hope that helps.

Yes, There are a Number of them. Perhaps a Goodly Number. One of the Best that Immeadiately Comes to Mind, has already been Mentioned by Someone Else in this Thread. Thats the Collins Gem (Pocket Sized) SAS Survival Guide. By John Lofty Wiseman. Maybe 2 and a Half Inches Wide, Maybe 3 and a Half to 4 Inches High, and 3/4 to 1 Inch Thick. It has a Respectfully Tuff Enuff, and Water Resistant to Proof, Spine and Covers.

(Speaking of Lofty Wiseman and Barry Davies, B.E.M., -These are Two Great Examples of Noted Names in our Field, that Apparently are Not either Aware of Us, -or Perhaps Not with Us. -Going Back to my Other Thread and Query on the Topic, -of Noted Survival Authorities / Authors / and Experts. (Which is Around the Campfire). While the Four Plus as Chris has Mentioned Certainly Abound here!, -I Know perhaps Dozens of Other Noted Names, -which Apparently Do Not! All on that for now. Other Observations Relating to That, can be Found in that Thread. Let's Get Back to the Main Matter of your Question now.)

There is also the "Tall Pocket Series" (my Own Appellation), of SAS Survival Guides by Barry Davies, B.E.M.. But These may Well be the SAS Guides as you Mention Already Having, -Broken Down into Parts. The Ones I Have in Mind are Put Out by Lewis International.

I Have Four of Them, SAS Jungle Survival, SAS Desert Survival, SAS Mountain and Arctic Survival, and SAS Essential Survival. Essential Survival, -is the One about General Survival as a Whole, -Unlike the "In Parts" Others in the Series.

If you're Looking for a General Pocket Survival Guide, as Opposed to One Specializing in a Subfield of Survival, then SAS Essential Survival could be It! Again, -You May or May Not Already Have that particular One.

I Think I've Once Seen Another Title or Two, in the Series. Of which I Don't now Personally Have. I Perhaps Remember One which may have been Titled SAS Ocean and (Beach?) / Coast Survival.

These are Excellent, Information Packed, Pocket Survival Guides!

You may Well Already Know That, in that These may be the Ones you Mention Already Having. If so, -Then I say This for the Benefit of Others.

These "Tallish Pocket Survival Guides" are Paperback, About 7 Inches High, 2 and a Half to 3 Inches Wide, and Close to, but Not Quite At, a Half Inch Thick. They're at about 160 Pages Each.

I've Got Them for $11 Point .95 New, at your Typical Quality Bookstore, Several Years Ago. Prices could be Slightly Higher Now, -or Might Still be Yet the Same.

An Excellent Information Packed Series of Books in Themself!, -They are also Excellent for Packing in a Pocket, (Pack Etc or Personal), -if their Tallness, a 7 or so Inch Height, is No Objection.

I Highly Recommend These to Anyone! Though you yourself may Well Already Have Them. [color:"black"] [/color] [email]Polak187[/email]

Matt,

First, congrats on the exam - I'm confident you'll ace the written.

On the book question... eh, why ever do you need that? It seems to me that you know enough, are equipped enough, and practiced enough to McGuyver your way through most situations you're likely to encounter. The Collins SAS Gem is fine, but what applicable info is in it that you don't already know? Stick a field notebook in that pocket and write in it a Lewis-and-Clark type journal instead... but to answer your question directly, no, I do not know of any killer reference books that size, although you could print the US Survival manual at that size... IIRC, that and/or the SEER book were printed about that size originally.

Veering OT ever so slightly... I recalled your comments about the M6 and your "night job" from some time back and ordered one on the CPF members page of BP. As he is lumbering along thru college, eldest son is also training up for Paramedic, so I thought I'd get an M6 and see if it might be useful for him. It arrived yesterday and I am totally impressed with the bang-for-the-buck. Not an SF, but sure is bright! New style with the pre-focused bulb/reflector (I bought a couple spares, too); very clean beam with no artifacts at all. Has extremely useful throw after dark. I think I'll get my son one when he passes the state certification for EMT-B in a couple of weeks, but I'll get his engraved locally. If someone steals it <shrug> they aren't very expensive; about the same as an ARC AAA P (which he has hinted he would like).

You, Pete, Martin, et al have other suggestions for personal equipment for him as time goes on? He starts on Paramedic next semester and should certify about June 05 if he keeps it up. You can PM me or - this might be of some interest to others - I'll start a new thread in the Campfire.

Not that you'll need it, but good luck on the written.

Tom

A good quality stethoscope is always needed. It is the one piece of personal equipment I use on every call. Here are some examples. There are generic brands that work just as well, but if you wanted to give him a present with that little bit of something extra, the Littmann brand is hard to beat. Just shop around. Pete

http://store.yahoo.com/allheart/littmannscopes.html

Thank you for kind words from you and guys on the board. Also all the best to your son.

You asked why do I need a manual. I'm just interested in little stuff that I don’t know about. I think my biggest weakness is that I really heavy on the fact that I will have my blade on me all the time. I want to learn new ways of doing stuff. Also I never learned how to set snares. I just want to expand on what I already know. One can never stop learning and instead of doing nothing by the fire I may as well do something useful. Last time I was bored I build a kielbasa bomb and blew up a campfire.

Now as far as the EMT stuff for your son goes. I know that amount and type of calls vary from area to area. In NYC as EMTs we get a lot of trauma although now I’m doing more medical calls due to paramedic training. Because of that tools will vary a bit. Good stethoscope is a must but let your son choose what he wants. Blood pressure cuff is pretty standard unless you want to get him a set with glow in the dark dials and different cuff sizes. Get him a good duty belt, glove holder and radio/shears holder. Also Benchmade rescue hook is a life saver (I wrote review about it here of ETS). It works better than shears. My belt also has multitool attached and I carry Spyderco Assist in my pocket. I also have emergency repel belt and it came handy during few roof jobs as my personal safety. Our Heroes (FD) respect medical profession very much and would much rather have us doing medical work than trying to play doctors. Also solid boots will save his ankles, feet, knees and back. I saw people also using combat shooting gloves for doing 10 fl carry downs. I personally have a nice set of construction calf skin gloves that suit me just fine. But the most important buy is a portable DVD player so he can watch all the movies in between calls. &#61514;

You can’t go wrong with the pelican light. Everyone wants Surefire but at one glimpse at mine they all end up getting M6. Also since Pelican is totally unsuitable to check pupils ARC AA is much better (and your son has a fine taste)

I also carry a small puls/oxygen (pulsox) meter. But I don’t recommend it for the reason that you need to get you vitals perfect without use of any gadgets. Only when you know how to take them with your eyes closed while hanging upside down you can start going for gadgets that make your life easier.

Hope that helps and as thread progresses we will be adding stuff.

Again all the best.

Matt

The SAS GEM should be required carry. I doesn't matter how many books,seminars, meetings with remarkable men ( and women) or psychic communes with Mother Nature I have. Someday the world's greatest survival exponent may be unconscious on some Yukon sandspit with 3 complete novices. THEY need the GEM. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

congrats on the test pete, and the gem sas is exactly what ive been looking for.
small and compact for EDC but full of usefull info.

im going to check the local barnes and nobel see if they have it first.

I think you wanted to congrad Matt. Pete

Collins Gem is the version I have, thanks for the reminder, folks. That is what I get for posting after coming off shift!
Littmann is the best stethoscope, have to second that. I have the Benchmade rescue hook also, on the advice of paramedic friends, mine stays in reach in my vehicle.

Hi, you may also want to consider the SAS survival flick book. It is kinda hard to find, I got mine off e-Bay, but, it is waterproof, and has most of the major components of the full SAS survival manual ready. In addition it is also written by John "Lofty" Wiseman. It is a little odd in shape, and it fans our like a deck of cards, all attached at one corner with a plastic holder. The size is 0.45 x 2.44 x 0.91 (inches) and is 110 pages. There is a write up of the book here on equipped at http://www.equipped.org/books.htm#SAS2 . Once again, I have to agree with Doug's review of the book. I was impressed with the information contained within, and keep a copy in my BOB, I would carry another in my "man-purse" for daily carry, it is just a little too large for that though.

P.S. Congrats on that exam

If you are interested in picking up a copy of this book, the guy I bought mine from on eBay has on on sale now for $15.95 no bids at this time. Good service and fast shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...ssPageName=WDVW

Or, here if you want it right away...

Ok guys, but is there a place where I could buy one (or two)? Noone's sending them to Europe... <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Last year I haven't found one in London (I've asked the publisher also).

I just got a word I passed my written miderm. I'm half way to becoming a medic! It only get harder from this point but no matter! Thank you guys for all yoru support.

Matt

<img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />Pete

Hooah! Way to go, Matt!

Well done, and good luck for the next one!

Hey Matt,

Does NYS require National Registry? If so, once you pass the course final (written and practical) take a few days off, relax, then study lightly on a regular basis, then two weeks before the exam pick the pace up with some intensive study. A day or two before the exam relax and try and clear your mind, review lightly <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />. When it is time for the practical try the same approach. Hopefully, things will be fresh in your mind, but at the same time you will need to try and relax as much as possible <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

The practical is especially stressful, even for the “well prepared”. As I have mentioned before, I became an EMT back in the mid 70’s so I have been at this a while. The day of the practical, it was 90+ degrees out, our practical exam was in Montgomery County at their fire training facility. They had us sit/stage in the non-air-conditioned atrium of the main building. Between the nerves and the heat it was hard to concentrate <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />.

For the trauma / patient packaging station in addition to extremity immobilization and long board immobilization we were required to put a KEDS on. Well, I have put many a KEDS on over the years, but when I started, something was wrong, I could not put my finger on it at the moment, but knew something was amiss <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. So I took it off and reapplied the KEDS, still with that feeling something was just not right <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. When I was finished the examiner checked the patient for alignment, placement and appropriate tightness. They direct you to remove the device and tell you to report back to the staging area, with no indication of how you did until the end of the day when they review each station with you.

I passed all the stations with the exception of the dynamic cardiology and patient packaging station. I failed the dynamic cardiology section, by not employing one of the drugs early enough in the scenario <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. I attributed that to nerves. I failed the patient immobilization station due to putting the KEDS on inside out and even though the patient was immobilized, I failed for misapplication, again nerves <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. I retook both stations the same day and passed them both without any problems, one I got over the jitters <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Pete

Matt, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
I have no idea what you have gone through to get this far, but I am certain your accomplishment speaks volumes as to your dedication.
Use your knowledge wisely, continue to make the world a better place for all of us.

All the best,

NYS doesn't require National Registry. But I will do it anyway. After I take my State I have two weeks before I have oral Regional test. This one is what allows me to operate in NYC.

As soon as I'm done I want to look for Wilderness Paramedic course somewhere.

That's funny about the KED. Next to hour class is an EMT class and they do it all the time. But if you do it wrong once you will never do it again.

Matt

Congrats! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

For wilderness EMS, Wilderness Medical Associates can not be beat. Pete

http://www.wildmed.com/main.html

Davies' SAS Desert Survival book could use a lot of work, IMHO. I think it's one the least impressive of all the SAS series. I don't think the author quite realized how different desert survival skills are from wetter and colder climates (and you really could say that about all the SAS books). Davies' book concentrates on snaring animals and making up a survival tin instead of more important subjects like water collection, snakebite, heat illness, etc. What it does offer is very questionable advice on things like getting sustainable water out of solar stills, drinking the sap of birch trees (in the desert??). If you want a desert survival book, David Alloway's Desert Survival Skills, or Mark Johnson's The Ultimate Desert Handbook are far more complete and accurate on preparing for desert travel and survival.

Zerge:

I've still got your books, and would love to send them to you, but you've got to e-mail me your complete mailing addres, exactly as I should put it on the package!

dchinell at msn dot com

Bear

The US army field survival field manual is pretty good, and is downloadable in pdf form from ETF (I forget the exact url). There's also suggestions of some other books there, including a few printed on waterproof paper.

Thanx for the recommendation, they're getting pretty hard to source, and I picked up a copy from this guy. Great service and the copy of the Flickbook was still in the original shrink wrap.

<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

there is a nicely sized survival book that i actualy keep in my survival pack for reference. Its clled the SAS SURVIVAL GUIDE its made by gem

That was mentioned above. But one thing to note is that it is out of print, but it's easy to find. But there are lots available from Amazon partners, just go here and click "all buying options":

Collins Gem Sas Survival Guide

The 2004 edition is the latest version and still in print.

Huh, that's odd, it shows up much lower on the search. I missed it because of that.