Preacher Man
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- Jan 28, 2005
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This weekend I found a book on Survival Kits at Bass pro Shop. The Title is "Build The Perfect Survival Kit" by John D. McCann. This is a 2005 book. The author is quite up-to-date with Dough Ritter and other expert's work. A Google search on Mr. McCann shows that he is the chief instructor at the Wilderness Learnig Center in New York. His book has been commented on at the Equipped to Survive forum.
Most of the options he offers for fire making, signaling, first aid, lighting, etc., represent IMO the best options presented in this forum, equipped to survive, and a number of good survival books. Although many of those options are well known to readers of this forum and Equipped to Survive, Mr. McCann discusses them in depth, covering diverse options on skill, purpose, prize, and size.
I found his experiences with different size kits extremely helpful. His recomendations on carry options are excellent, as is the resource and reading list at the end of the book. His writing style is clear and consise. He explains things clear enough for the beginner and in-depth enough for the experience survival-minded person. That being said, this book is not for 'experts'. The author does not dwell on the technical intricasies of every subject. The purpose of the book is to serve as a practical how-to guide for the begginer while providing enough meat to help those who already have knowledge of survival kits.
In his discussions, I found answers or hints at the answers to questions I've been pondering for a while like: Where can I get a soft carry bag, suited to organize a first aid kit, without having to buy a pre-made kit?
IMO the best feature of this book is the discussion on component selection for different size kits. What to put in different size personal or vehicle survival kit and why? Mr. McCann's approach tries to maintain a balance between the basic survival areas: Fire & light, signaling, navigation, water & food, shelter & protection, knives & tools, and medical. Defense is purposely left out although he discusses how to built-in a mini survival kit in an M-6 survival rifle. In his component selection process we get to appreciate the necessary compromises that result in covering the basics needs in the space available. This leads the reader to think about his or her own component selections and the reasons for those choices. This can lead to a better survival kit.
At $12.99 retail, this is a must-read book for those interested in survival, camping, hiking, and outdoor activities in general.
Most of the options he offers for fire making, signaling, first aid, lighting, etc., represent IMO the best options presented in this forum, equipped to survive, and a number of good survival books. Although many of those options are well known to readers of this forum and Equipped to Survive, Mr. McCann discusses them in depth, covering diverse options on skill, purpose, prize, and size.
I found his experiences with different size kits extremely helpful. His recomendations on carry options are excellent, as is the resource and reading list at the end of the book. His writing style is clear and consise. He explains things clear enough for the beginner and in-depth enough for the experience survival-minded person. That being said, this book is not for 'experts'. The author does not dwell on the technical intricasies of every subject. The purpose of the book is to serve as a practical how-to guide for the begginer while providing enough meat to help those who already have knowledge of survival kits.
In his discussions, I found answers or hints at the answers to questions I've been pondering for a while like: Where can I get a soft carry bag, suited to organize a first aid kit, without having to buy a pre-made kit?
IMO the best feature of this book is the discussion on component selection for different size kits. What to put in different size personal or vehicle survival kit and why? Mr. McCann's approach tries to maintain a balance between the basic survival areas: Fire & light, signaling, navigation, water & food, shelter & protection, knives & tools, and medical. Defense is purposely left out although he discusses how to built-in a mini survival kit in an M-6 survival rifle. In his component selection process we get to appreciate the necessary compromises that result in covering the basics needs in the space available. This leads the reader to think about his or her own component selections and the reasons for those choices. This can lead to a better survival kit.
At $12.99 retail, this is a must-read book for those interested in survival, camping, hiking, and outdoor activities in general.
