survival books and knives

J

Jeff S

Joined
Jul 25, 1999
Messages
66
Hello All,

Greg,
I was wondering where to get your book?.
I know I've heard of it but forgot where to get it.I have a extensive collection of books on survival.My favorites are
SAS survival handbook
Chris and Gretchen Janowsky Survival book
Bushcraft by Richard Graves
Tom Brown Books and Guides
Just to name a few
I really like Ron Hoods videos as well and have all of them.

Survival is AWESOME isn't it?
Its great to practice the skills I think it give a REAL sense of accomplishment in this materialistick world.

Thanks to RON HOOD
smile.gif
I am now Addicted to big Knives I love My Steel HeartII,Badger Attack, RTAK and have a Battle mistress on the way.
Thanks to Ron I have spent Tons of money on Blades.
I used to Think all i needed was a SAK but after watching Ron's Tapes I really started likeing Big blades.My ultimate One only knife would be a SAK though still with a saw,blade,awl.The ultimate tool in my opinion.

Thanks for the forum guys Its going to be great learning from you guys and all the members.

Jeff Sanders
Tucson,Az
 
Hi Jeff,

sounds like you have a pretty big collection of books, tapes, and knives :>) My book can be purchased at all major and most minor book stores. It is available at amazon.com, bn, borders, etc. If you want an autographed copy you can purchase it from my web site (we will have secure e commerce by next week or you can call, fax, or mail the order). The book based on my "five survival essentials" and my belief is that if you can identify these needs, prioritize them in order to be done (based on circumstances and the environment you are in), and them improvise to meet them (improvise using both manmade and natural resources)...you can survive in any environment in the world.

The book is a how to guide and is the text we use for the foundation of my wilderness classes (ANEW/Simply Survival). I am presently working on book number two which focuses on wilderness living (long term).

Take the time to look at my web site for further details about the book. :>) perhaps you'd like to join us for a trip and put that book knowledge to use :>) :>) :>)

Best wishes. Oh yeah....I like knives also...

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Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
Hi Donald...

The book is a how-to book...not a book meant to entertain. There is no religious pholosophy or childhood stories. I explain in detail the step by step process on how to accomplish the skills associated with survival. The text revolves around (I have said this before :>)) the "five survival essentials" They are:

1. Personal protection (clothing, shelter, fire)
2. Signaling (manmade and natural)
3. Sustenance (ID and procure food and water)
4. Travel (with and without a map and compass)
5. Health (mental, environmental, trauma)

There is also a chapter on the environments of the world. A few good knots, rules of improvising, a good med kit, and survival kit are also included.

The book is presented in an easy to follow format. It is presently one of the top selling books for Stackpole books and in its subject. It is also the foundation for ANEW's Wilderness programs.

Doug gave the book 3 out of 4 stars. He thought the pictures weren't as good as they could be and that I should move the STOP acronym to the front of the book. He also didn't like the fact that I had CPR in the text (AHA required that it be word for word in order for me to include it). As a medical provider...I have seen saves performed with CPR and think it is a valuable thing to include.

As to whether I agree with Doug's comments or the fact he gave it 3 out of 4 stars (based on the above)....I'll let Ron answer that question (I put put far more importance on the feed back I get from my peers--those who teach these skills and are experts in the field of Wilderness Survival).

How about it...Ron.

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Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
Well.....

I hate to discuss this topic but ;>)

Some folks can write very good, accurate, reviews of gear... and are qualified to do so. Those reviews do not qualify them to review everything on the planet.

To write a review of a book takes a special kind of person. One who can discharge personal bias and previous experience and read the book as a person who needs the knowledge might read it. Greg's book is a factual, comprehensive and easy to read handbook for survival. I think it is one of the best books out there, and I have almost everything (my library is a converted garage).

I too have had problems with the "Star" system. The owner of that site is no Siskel&Ebert (one is dead...hmmmm). He reviewed our tapes and we received the same three star rating. That pisses me off too.

I have all of the other tapes he mentioned, and also provided three stars to. There is no comparison. We have customers all around the world, over 10,000 now. These tapes are used by schools, government training programs, scouts, families individuals and more. Check out our site for the reviews page.

I should add that our videos enjoy a 94% retention. That is to say that if a person buys one video, there is a 94% chance they will buy each new voulme as it comes out. This for a three star rating...hmmmm

Our stuff is acquired digitally, goes through a $100,000 editing system and is reproduced on library quality tape and sold in plastic library cases. We shoot them in a style meant to be friendly and homey and funny. That is good teaching style. 30 years of teaching qualifies me to say that. Compare our quality to that of the other three star videos in the lineup... compare the price and the content...

I disagree with the statements on that site in many ways. I felt even more alienated when I was approached to contribute several thousand dollars to help finance the site by one of the owners.

You can disregard the site review.

Jeff, Thanks for your kind comments about our videos. Your words represent the almost universally shared opinion of our video student friends.

Gregs book gets 4 stars in the Hoods Woods book review.

Ron


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Learn Life Extension at:

http://www.survival.com ]
 
Greg,

I didn't mean to fan any flames of controversy. I remember Ron saying great things about your book and was curious since I have not yet seen it personally. Doug Ritter certainly gave you more type than most of the other listed books, albeit some of it very mildly critical. I just wondered at the dichotomy and whether it would affect what Mr. Ritter calls your,
fine addition to anyone's library of survival texts
Click to expand...
. ...And I still never got any answer regarding boiling water,
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oh well.

I do not think the review questioned your inclusion of CPR information, only the suggestion to call 911. You just explained this was required by AHA. Hmmm...of course he did like your inclusion of cellular telephones, and mine has those numbers...
wink.gif
He also hot linked your site.

Ron,

I love your tapes. I find them entertaining and full of useful information.

Jeff S,

Ron uses one of your favorite knives the SAK 5 minutes into his first tape....after his Randall. He really starts playing with your mind at the end of Tape 4 on navigation where he introduces us to his Randall #1 and the Busse knife. He then begins Tape #5 on Traps sharpening his Busse knife. It is the same model knife, the Steel Heart, which he does not mention. Then time for use. A little while later he is chopping saplings with his Busse knife. This time, HOWEVER, it is the Battle Mistress, although he does not tell us this. No wonder you had to get all those knives.
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:
 
Donald,

Thank you for your post in this topic.

I can't recall the boiling water question you posed. However, if it refers to the fact that I advise individuals to boil water for 10 minutes no mater what the elevation...I'll explain that. It is easy to remember... and it works. :>) No more having to remember your elevation and adjusting boiling time based on it.

Ron, Thanks for the great review. A review that means something...You have walked the walk as a survival instructor, author, film maker, and publisher. :>)

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Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
Got a question on this boiling water thing. I've heard (will have to go back and find it because I remembered it to be a reputable source), that the 10 minute boil rule is a myth. In other words, water is devoid of organisms, germs, whatever, after it reaches boil. Any of you heard that? - Jeff

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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

 
I'd like to see the reference for that.

Yes, the majority of waterborne problems are destroyed below boiling point...the key here is the word "majority." I have found no reference that says "all."

For safety reasons most people use the following general rule of thumb: Boil water furiously for at least five minutes, increasing the boiling time as you increase your altitudes (since the water boils at a lower temperature).

It is easier to just always remember to boil the water for 10 minutes no mater what the elevation. it is also easier to be safe and to always boil the water.

If you have ever seen someone loss 40 pounds in 2 to 3 weeks (as I have seen) you'd always boil your water 10 minutes.

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Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
They do say that. Interesting. They don't account for elevation or changes in boiling temperature related to it. I wonder what they base their statement on.

I am not ready to jump on their band wagon yet. I'd rather boil my water a few more minutes than take the chance. Especially on information that errors on the low end and doesn't account for elevation changes in the temperature required to boil water. My rule of thumb has always been...if there isn't at least three sources, always error on the side of caution.

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Greg Davenport
http://www.ssurvival.com
Are You Ready For The Challenge?
Are You Ready To Learn The Art Of Wilderness Survival?

 
I guess the real secret on the whole thing is to find out at what temperature all organisms and creatures are destroyed.

It may be lower than the boiling point, and FEMA is using their 1 minute boil rule as a safety net, thus giving them their elevation adjustments.

I agree with you Greg, better safe than sorry, but it was something I had heard and made me ask questions about. - Jeff



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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

 
Part of the problem with the temps FEMA etc. give out is that they are giving figures satisfactory to kill the organisms typically found in water in the US.

They have to walk a line between 100% safety and the actual practice. If folks were told to boil all water for 20 minutes... most folks would give that up and take chances just like grandma used to do. ON the other hand folks all around the world are "cleaning" their water with solar ovens at temps far below boiling... and getting less sick because of it. Some info I saw from the Peace Corp suggested 160f for 10 minutes would kill most stuff but not touch Crypto. However Crypto only acccounted for about 5% of the waterborne illness. This means that 95% of the folks would NOT get sick if they heat their water in a solar oven. (Karen gives instructions for the oven in Cave Cooking 2)

I will boil my water for ten minutes.... If I want to take a big dump I'll eat granola.

ROn

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Learn Life Extension at:

http://www.survival.com ]
 
I should add one more thing... Prion diseases. The known prion diseases, all fatal, are sometimes referred to as spongiform encephalopathies and can reasult from the consumption of infected meats as well as from water containing protein fragments like waters found in the jungles. This disease is the result of infected protein fragments in the water and cannot be denatured with heat at the temperatures water might be made to boil at. Water temperatures of 160f will enhance the activity of the disease which affects the RNA and some think, the DNA sequencing in our brains. It may take years for symptoms to show... but it will and you will die.

Iodine and filters are effective.

Ron

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Learn Life Extension at:

http://www.survival.com ]
 
I've managed to ingest a couple of intestinal parasites in my day, mostly because of stupidity (ie purifying the water in the canteen and then forgetting to ensure the cap hadn't been in contact with the "contaminated" water). Let me tell you a little story about the beauty of quick release clips on shoulder straps *L*. My rule of thumb (now being older and wiser) is better safe than sorry! I'm here to learn as much as I can!

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When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

 
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