SEAL Survival Guide: A Navy SEAL's Secrets to Surviving Any Disaster

by Cade Courtley

Think and act like a Navy SEAL and you can survive anything. You can live scared—or be prepared.

“We never thought it would happen to us.” From random shootings to deadly wildfires to terrorist attacks, the reality is that modern life is unpredictable and dangerous. Don’t live in fear or rely on luck. Learn the SEAL Be prepared, feel confident, step up, and know exactly how to survive any life-threatening situation.

Former Navy SEAL and preeminent American survivalist Cade Courtley delivers step-by-step instructions anyone can master in this illustrated, user-friendly guide. You’ll learn to think like a SEAL and how

improvise weapons from everyday items * pack a go bag* escape mass-shootings * treat injuries at the scene* subdue a hijacker * survive extreme climates * travel safely abroad* defend against animal attacks * survive pandemic * and much more

Don’t be taken by surprise. Don’t be a target. Fight back, protect yourself, and beat the odds with the essential manual no one in the twenty-first century should be without.

BE A SURVIVOR, NOT A STATISTIC!

Genres: Nonfiction, Survival, Self Help, Psychology, Audiobook, Military Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2012

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book for so long and have just now read it. I think the cover may have made me reluctant to dig right in. I needed this one for a book challenge. This is nonfiction. A Navy SEAL explains how to survive many different life threatening encounters. He covers so many worst case scenarios. I enjoyed that, because as a mother I can go to worst case scenario in under .03 seconds if my kids are even one minute past curfew. The author covered so much, except for the zombie apocalypse. This was more fun than informative, although some of his advice was great. It is all about being prepared and being smart.

[Santhosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is so serious that I couldn't help grinning at him all the time. Left to his devices, he'll want us all to have code words for each emergency with family and colleagues, take drills at sunrise, build safety rooms and nuclear bunkers, and basically turn into paranoid psychos who keep looking behind our shoulders all our daily lives.

There are some good practical tips, both general and situation specific: get off the X, be watchful and situationally aware, narrow down to 3 options, practice and build muscle memory, "violence of action", hide behind the front tyres of a car, materials that protect from radiation, how to provide the various emergency medical aid, wearing footwear you can run in, learning CPR, etc. And step-wise tips on what to do in a range of scenarios: car-jackings, bear attacks (black, brown, and polar separately), forest fires, live shooters, deserts, drowning vehicles, IEDs, falling through ice, gang violence, jail, lost at sea, riots, pandemics, etc.

The problem though, is that you just can't be prepared for every single possible situation in life. For example, while there could be the possibility of a dog attack, it's not possible or practical to actually practice defending from dog attacks (the author recommends both shadow practice and using a friend's or neighbour's dog) so that your muscle memory will take over when the situation arises. This goes for almost all scenarios mentioned.

An interesting read though, for someone interested in this sort of thing. I enjoyed the various scenarios and the range of things to think about or that can help. Did I take away anything from the book? A little, in terms of the mindset, and committing completely to the course of action. And my utter lack of knowledge in case of a medical emergency. Apart from that, I'm not too sure. When you're in the emergency, you can't refer to this book. I suppose one could memorize all this, but then, especially without regular practice, would you be able to recall them, and even if you could, would just this knowledge from a 'general' survival book suffice?

[Shoshanna Evers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My editor at Simon & Schuster, Adam Wilson, edited this book, and he knew I love this kind of thing (anything to do with survival and prepping) so he sent me a copy, not in exchange for a review, but because he thought I'd like it. So full disclosure there.

It took me a long time to read because it's written in sections, which makes it easy to put down and pick up, and read out of order. As a retired RN and former Los Angeles EMT, I decided to read the part on survival medical tips first. I figured if what he wrote there was good based on my knowledge, that I could trust the rest of the book.

Trust, people! This guy knows what he's talking about. I loved all the different scenarios in the book - such as what to do if you're in a car and it goes in the water, or what to do if someone's stalking you.

I feel better prepared for anything after reading this book. The best advice he gave, repeatedly, throughout the book was a phrase he called "violence of action." That means if your life is in danger, whatever you do, do it right. Strike that attacker in the eyes and don't worry if you'll hurt him, because you're saving your own life. Things like that. It's a good mantra, I imagine, to have in your head when you are in a "do or die" scenario. And that's what this book is filled with - thus the title :)

Five stars and highly recommended to anyone, not just men or SEALs etc. Women should read this too. You never know when you're going to need to make a splint out of a branch when you're camping and the hospital is far away...

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book probably doesn't deserve a four-star rating. It's not particularly well written or creative or even good advice for most people. But it's entertaining. And strangely I kept laughing because he's so serious. I kept thinking, "what, is he going to mention what to do if approached by a bear?" Sure enough, he has a section on bears (both brown and black) and what to do if you encounter one. Don't expect that this book will turn you into a Navy SEAL, but you might find that you pay attention to what's going on around you and motivate you to take a CPR course. It's a quick read and has some nuggets of good advice without being too paranoid. Note: the author is unapologetically pro gun. If that's going to bug you then don't read the book.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and it’s pretty good. The book is packed with lots of great survival tips for many situations.

I highly recommend this book.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be an excellent primer on just about everything survival related. It does not go in depth into any areas, rather it provides an overview of skills, actions and resources required to get through any calamity that may befall you. Be it getting lost at sea to ditching someone stalking you through the streets. What to have on hand in case of emergency to what drugs you should take after a nuclear attack. How to throw a punch to what household items make the best weapons. It is all there. Having said that, I would caution that sometimes a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. You will not read this book and emerge a Navy Seal. On the other hand, you will have some confidence in the basics of how to get out alive.

One thing I applaud Cade Courtley for is his highlighting the difference of when to run and when to fight. He makes it clear that survival is your goal and discretion is often the better part of valor. He spends a good chink of time dealing with the mental aspects of survival and the need to develop a Seal mindset, toughening yourself mentally so any type of survival situation finds you prepared. Of course this usually involves some physical preparation and he is a strong advocate of fitness as well. While he does provide some personal anecdotes, this is not a book of reminiscences, rather it is chock full of situations and practical, hard earned advice on how to cope.

This is definitely a book that would benefit a re-read as there is just so much information in it. With practical real world advice and a realistic approach to both potential and much more unlikely situations, you won't go wrong in reading it. However, please be aware that often he is touching the basics with the rejoinder that additional training will be required for many of the procedures outlined.

[AjayJames · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to read as a new way of thinking.

[Lauriana Soso · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of information about how to deal with all types of catastrophes, one can find themselves in from car jackings to house invasion. It gives you step by step instructions on what to do.
I’m listening to this book for a second time to go over all I’ve learn so far. It also makes me want to be more prepare for some of the events that can happen, in this nutty world.
After that i am very grateful that in this book he actually explains the machete and also recomend to get a combat machete from this website thank you again.

[Merrilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I did at times find the “kick ass, take names” vibe of the book to be a bit much whole also feeling the audiobook was being narrated by Jack Reacher (and not the likable Tom Cruise version but rather that uber “masculine” version from the books), I have to say that the info was very helpful, especially for someone like me who is severely lacking in common sense and doesn’t have any understanding of how things (i.e., physical objects like motors) work. I listened to the audio version and am now purchasing the physical book as well for a second read, as I definitely wasn’t able to catch everything the first time through.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely think I am not the target audience, but I did find the informational sections helpful.

I deeply respect the guts it took to go through Navy SEALS training and to witness the horrors in the war in Iraq. I also disagree with some of his opinions. Like a good guy with a gun can defeat a bad guy with a gun. And that video games and obesity make Americans soft. (Maybe we’re soft because we’re not all Navy SEALS? lol)

I wish people took his advice on the pandemic section and social distanced.

The book was concise and got to the point. If you’re like me and have differing opinions, just push through to the tips. It’s mostly in the mindset section he talks about his own thoughts.

[Troy D · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like reading an instruction book and got boring after a while.

For guys or gals that like that kind of stuff, there’s no greater source to learn on survival than a SEAL but I like to hear about the character and the things they need to overcome.

AMERICAN SNIPER or LONE SURVIVOR were much more interesting books to read because they were a story.

This one is, if this happens, do this. I’ll just watch a YouTube video that’s the case.

I salute Mr. Courtley and all SEALS but I want to hear about what they go through.

[richard j croslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent source reading for survival

A very thorough organized training source reading in survival written by an experienced veteran US Navy SEAL who knows what he is talking about.

[Nancy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected. I've read several books written by Seals and expected more of a story about the experience. Rather, this book would be great for an author trying to come up with a scary experience for the protagonist to escape.

[MICHAEL LUKIMAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adventure while reading and hopefully more pragmatic than not for the future.

[Andrew Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read for seeing life from a survival-focus perspective. I now drive with my hands at 8 and 4.

[Julie Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Met/heard author at MD Bankers meeting

[Brian or is it ? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good info. Some other tid bits were also good.

[Greg Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so book. Some good information and some not so good.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book except for a few things he missed. I should have written them down as I was reading but the only ones that come to mind right now are:

1) grizzly bears can climb trees - a lot of people think they don't/can't. Grizzly Bear mom climbing 50ft up a tree

2) there's a whole lot of things that happen in physical combat that he failed to mention that I think would be highly relevant for people to know, but for that I'm going to include a link to another book that discusses that - On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

3) knife fights.... He really could have done a hellavalot better on that section. I'm putting links here in case you are seriously interested in this topic. These include video studies of actual knife attacks so consider yourself warned. Self-defence against knife attacks: a full review, Knife Awareness, Not Knife Defence, and 12 Problems With Knife Defense Training & How To Fix Them! - these are a good reality check.

4) Situational Awareness & Establishing a Baseline.
I don't care what anyone says, this is something worth studying. Knowing what the hell your instincts are trying to tell you is extremely useful knowledge. If you want to actually understand what is going on (in whatever situation) and know how to interpret what is going on and be able to articulate it in any coherent manner beyond, "something felt wrong", or "that person's behavior was suspicious" then you should read Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life.

[Alain Burrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Seal Survival Guide: A Navy SEAL's Secrets to Surviving Any Disaster” by Cade Courtley, host of “Surviving Disaster,” is a good general book on survival. Courtley provides tips and suggestions for surviving many dangerous situations, some of which include active shooters, animal attacks, bombs, earthquakes, fires, floods, highjackings, hurricanes, going to jail, wilderness survival, riots, stalkers, torture, and more. However, I think the most important parts of this book are when he talks about the SEAL mindset and survival psychology. Mindset is so important and Courtley does a good job of stressing the kind of mindset needed to survive.

Because this is a “general” book on survival, some topics are not as in depth as some may like, and one would be wise to seek out additional information on topics that one may be more prone to experience. For example, the chapter on fighting is very brief, and while the book has some tips, there are many other resources that provide more information on fighting. Same can go for other topics too. For instance, the last two parts of the book contain brief chapters on gear, firearms, improvised weapons and survival medicine. There are entire books on these topics, so if you need more information, add to your library or take some classes.

With that said, for a general book on survival, this is a good one. It is an easy read, contains some good advice and tips, and has some interesting stories from Courtley's time in the service. As someone who studies and teaches survival measures too, I liked reading this book. It reminded me of things, reinforced others, and gave me another view on some topics. It is one of many resources I have, and I'm glad I added it to my survival resource library. Because when things go bad, you need to be prepared, and this book is one step toward being more prepared and ready for whatever comes your way. Read it and others, be prepared, and stay safe.

[Nick Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at a reduced price from one of those temporary, overstock-selling bookstores so didn't expect much from it.

"A Navy SEAL's Secrets to Surviving Any Disaster" sounds like the publisher's spin as I watched an interview with Cade Courtley and he seemed more pragmatic and humble. As I suspect most readers will expect; there aren't really any secrets, it's more a collection of disaster scenarios and an overview of how to deal with them from the perspective of a Navy SEAL, with a few anecdotes thrown in every few pages or so.

It's easy to point out where info is lacking; e.g. here in Australia the bushfire info in this book isn't at all adequate, or, that the self defence section is really focussed on self defence for an able bodied male, but that'd be missing the point which is to introduce principles and approaches. It's up to you to dig deeper into the most relevant scenarios; such as, for Australia, bushfire and flood.

The real question is did I take anything away from it and use them? Yes, I've been checking for nearest exits when in crowded buildings, reconsidering wearing footwear that doesn't let me run, considering what I have or don't have for my "go bag" (a bag of emergency gear), etc.

One serious flaw in the book, that likely the publisher should be blamed for and that makes in quite inappropriate for its purpose: No index. Good luck finding any info quickly in this book should you need it, say, in an emergency!

[Zade · Rating 3 out of 5]

As survival skills books go, this one is pretty good. The author clearly knows a bit about making it through tough times. The most useful parts of the book are those that talk about mindset and mental preparation. The situation-specific chapters like "How to Survive a Sinking Ship" are interesting, but unlikely to be helpful in real-life situations. It's not as though you're going to find out your boat's going down and take the time to read the chapter. I suppose you could memorize the advice beforehand if you knew you were going on a cruise, but would you be able to recall it under stress? Who knows. In any case, I'd recommend reading the book if only for the mental training sections. You don't have to be a "survivalist" to get some real benefit from Courtley's philosophy.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good basic guide for those with little to no experience in survival/emergency situations. The lessons on physical and mental toughness are very good advice. The book does cover a decently wide range of emergency scenarios that aren't always necessarily covered in many survival guides, including things such as dog attacks, falling through ice, car accidents, elevator malfunctions, car jackings, etc. The lesson on how to provide emergency medical treatment is a good base to start with, covering things such as CPR, shock, trauma, broken bones, and dehydration.

I would recommend this book as a great place to start in improving your personal readiness for any disaster/emergency situations that can, and will, happen in everyday life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, the book has merit because it makes you think about disasters you might face and really how you would respond to them. There are things discussed that I don't think I will ever face or if I faced it I wouldn't really want to survive. For example, if a nuclear war breaks out and all the countries go crazy I have read Swans Song by Robert McCammon and frankly I'd rather die in the initial blasts than live through it. There was a lot of really good information in the book and I like the idea of thinking through worst case scenarios just as a practice in survival. The book is a bit redundant but again worth looking into.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Disaster Survival Guide

This book contains information for basically any disaster that you may encounter, from the world changing disasters to just uncommon daily mishaps. This book is not a wilderness self reliance guide, or a bushcraft manual, this book is for the people who want to be able to help themselves and their family when disaster strikes. It contains both baseline information and in depth steps to save your life, and that of your family and friends, so if you are looking for a disaster survival guide, this is it.

[Joseph Raborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost gave this book four stars because it seems like it would be very difficult for a person to be as well prepared as Cade wants them to be. However, difficult is not impossible, and he gives many ways for a person to improvise. Still, no book can completely prepare one for an emergency situation, and one needs to practice often and get training to be effective.

The book was fun to read. He does come across as over-serious at times, but that can be amusing--in addition to his deliberate jokes and funny asides. All in all, it's an entertaining and useful book.

[Cooljoe815 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Cade show on TV but the book lacks content. There were a few gems very timely as the shooter shooting people in schools and malls. In a mall unfamiliar go to the website and get a map of the place and find out the exits. Or, when you leaving with a group, take charge and go single file, the front person loos north, the second person looks east and so on.
In a home invasion, have a safe room, with extra phones , weapons and reinforce doors- or better yet get out of the danger zone.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for books like this, but given the author's background, I'd have preferred to see more material on defeating hostile surveillance and less on how to build a lean to shelter. There were also some blatant scientific inaccuracies in the section on managing pandemics disease, which might make me a bit leery of relying on some of the other advice provided.

[CraftyBirdies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting, and had some helpful tidbits. However, it is also very choppy as it goes from topic to topic and is hard to read all the way through. It's impossible to memorize everything, and it's not meant to be a reference book in an emergency, so it's usefulness is severely limited.

[Regina Mastrogiacomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of information about how to deal with all types of catastrophes, one can find themselves in from car jackings to house invasion. It gives you step by step instructions on what to do.
I’m listening to this book for a second time to go over all I’ve learn so far. It also makes me want to be more prepare for some of the events that can happen, in this nutty world.