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Survival Guide for Beginners
Super storm Sandy ripped up the eastern seaboard of the United States, leaving death and destruction in its path. While everyone knew the storm's path, and when it would strike, people and the community as a whole were caught off guard by the devastation. Super storm sandy provides an example of why preparing for the worst-case scenario is the prudent path to take.
This is a guide that is exactly what you would expect it to be by its title. It is a guide full of all of the information someone without any survival experience will need in order to keep him or herself and their family safe in a disaster of some sort. This guide covers every sort of disaster, from earthquakes, to floods, to tornadoes. It tells you everything you need to know about preparing yourself both mentally and physically for such a disaster.
If you are worried about some form of disaster hitting you, this guide will help you be ready for it and give you some peace of mind about them.
This is a guide that is exactly what you would expect it to be by its title. It is a guide full of all of the information someone without any survival experience will need in order to keep him or herself and their family safe in a disaster of some sort. This guide covers every sort of disaster, from earthquakes, to floods, to tornadoes. It tells you everything you need to know about preparing yourself both mentally and physically for such a disaster.
If you are worried about some form of disaster hitting you, this guide will help you be ready for it and give you some peace of mind about them.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2012
620 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 11, 2013
This book is basically a "go buy this shit" book. was wanting more info on sourcing food in the wild such as trapping and foraging, and sourcing/purifying your own water. Interesting and great point that the author brings up is that we are desk people totally unprepared for a major event physically. He brings up the idea of walking twice a day with a weighted backpack, which is a great idea.
January 2, 2017
Good read
This is one of the better prepping books I have read. Good information that can be applied in the real world.
This is one of the better prepping books I have read. Good information that can be applied in the real world.
August 11, 2023
Sketchy writing. Flyweight advice.
This book is OK for entertainment value. The author offers little detail, which tells me he has not actually had to do the things he is suggesting. For example: His escape plan is to walk 3 days to an undetermined spot and set up camp. He tells us to carry 25 pounds of water, 25 pounds of food, fishing, camping and trapping gear in an escape backpack. Along with that load, medical supplies weighing as much as the food. And every person on this escape walk must carry the same amount. Unless you are Hulk Hogan, you won't carry that load very far.
Another example: He talks about using weapons to defend yourself in your home. With a pump shotgun and a 6-shot revolver. Both weapons are effective out to a coup!e of hundred feet. No mention of longer-range rifles, good to several hundred yards. Or a hundred rounds of ammo for every firearm you possess.
Finally, his discussion of walkie-talkies and CB radios leaves out the part where preppers communicate for 3 minutes, every 3 hours on the hour to save batteries and allow them time to forage, cultivate or scavenge without having one person tied to radio monitoring. He mentions CB licenses, which went away in the last century.
The are many legitimate authors who have lived through fires, floods, tornadoes and "mostly peaceful" business burnings. Do your due diligence and seek them out.
This book is OK for entertainment value. The author offers little detail, which tells me he has not actually had to do the things he is suggesting. For example: His escape plan is to walk 3 days to an undetermined spot and set up camp. He tells us to carry 25 pounds of water, 25 pounds of food, fishing, camping and trapping gear in an escape backpack. Along with that load, medical supplies weighing as much as the food. And every person on this escape walk must carry the same amount. Unless you are Hulk Hogan, you won't carry that load very far.
Another example: He talks about using weapons to defend yourself in your home. With a pump shotgun and a 6-shot revolver. Both weapons are effective out to a coup!e of hundred feet. No mention of longer-range rifles, good to several hundred yards. Or a hundred rounds of ammo for every firearm you possess.
Finally, his discussion of walkie-talkies and CB radios leaves out the part where preppers communicate for 3 minutes, every 3 hours on the hour to save batteries and allow them time to forage, cultivate or scavenge without having one person tied to radio monitoring. He mentions CB licenses, which went away in the last century.
The are many legitimate authors who have lived through fires, floods, tornadoes and "mostly peaceful" business burnings. Do your due diligence and seek them out.
August 3, 2018
Good Book To Have
I was actually surprised at how much useful information was in this very inexpensive book. I have a digital copy, but I'd love to have a hard copy to keep in hand.
I was actually surprised at how much useful information was in this very inexpensive book. I have a digital copy, but I'd love to have a hard copy to keep in hand.
July 13, 2021
Extremely valuable book
I really enjoyed reading this book. I was amazed at the plethora of information it contained regarding surviving a variety of emergencies. I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I was amazed at the plethora of information it contained regarding surviving a variety of emergencies. I highly recommend this book.
November 7, 2016
Great book
This book is very easy to read. Has lot of great information. Wish I could buy a hard copy of this book.
This book is very easy to read. Has lot of great information. Wish I could buy a hard copy of this book.
January 20, 2018
Ehh, it was okay. While I understand that some people need the information, I found it rather basic and boring. The information was good, but it was kind of basic.
March 27, 2018
Great book
Easy to read. Common easy to understand words and has word definition for harder words. Quality information. Great tips and internet sites.
Easy to read. Common easy to understand words and has word definition for harder words. Quality information. Great tips and internet sites.
January 20, 2020
Good information
Some chapters seemed to have repeated information. Not sure I agree with all the steps in the active shooter scenario. But all the other tips were quite helpful.
Some chapters seemed to have repeated information. Not sure I agree with all the steps in the active shooter scenario. But all the other tips were quite helpful.
January 31, 2021
Great booklet. Covers gear needed and how tos. Definitely recommend!
August 11, 2021
Ok book
A decent book with some helpful tips. Some are obvious but some are not so it’s worth taking the time for a quick read.
A decent book with some helpful tips. Some are obvious but some are not so it’s worth taking the time for a quick read.
Read
November 6, 2023It is helpful
February 15, 2014
I am not a person who is into the Zombie Attacks or Dooms Day Prepper such as I have seen on TV where I think aliens are coming to wipe mankind out or some of the conspiracy theories where everyone from invading nations to the government are coming to get me. What I was interested in is how to be prepared for disasters where my family could survive without utilities when a disaster strikes. By a disaster, I am talking more so about natural or man-made disasters that we already have faced time and time again. Everything from tornadoes which seem to be on an increase even here in New England to all these blizzards, super storms, and hurricanes that knock out the power for days/weeks. Lets not forget the possibility of power plant leaks, terrorist bombings, or even plane crashes. No matter what the disaster is, I want to be prepared so my family can survive even if all utilities are not working and going to get gas or to a grocery store is not an option. Reading "Survival Guide for Beginners" by Vitaly Pedchenko is a wonderful place to start to gain knowledge about this task.
The book has different lists of supplies needed for different disasters. After all, if you need to survive a devastating blizzard in the dead of winter, you will need different supplies from someone trying to survive a Tsunami in the middle of summer. These lists do seem repetitious throughout the book since some of the basic supplies are needed no mater what or when the disaster is (e.g. shelter, food, water) and although the author could have possibly made one list of these basic needs at the beginning and just referred future pages/disasters to it, it does save a lot of page turning plus makes it easier to see a complete list for any disaster that is covered so in this book, I thought the repetition is needed.
Not only does the book tell what list of supplies you should have, it tells you which kind is best for storage and how much. In cases of long-term, it even goes on to tell you how to do certain things like the different ways to purify water and the pros and cons of each. It also covers subjects such as being mentally prepared, what you need to take or do if you are being evacuated, and much more.
In the back of the book is a website for more survival and preparedness tips however I wasn't able to get it to work on my browser (not sure if it is my browser or the site is no longer available) although I was able to get to the Facebook Page that was also listed. I looked at it briefly and saw the seven best 'Bug Out Bags' (these are also covered in the book) as well as other supplies found to be really good for survival. I will have to go back and spend some more time there as it has some great information.
This book is written in easy language and has a lot of useful information although I do wish it would cover 'where to get it' or 'how to get it' type information for some of the items. An example of this is about the suggestion to have a month's supply of your prescription medication on hand. Great suggestion since if there is no power or you're snowed in for a week you can't jump in your car and go to your pharmacy to pick up a refill but the problem is no drug store or insurance company I have dealt with would allow me to get an 'extra' month supply of my medication. They will say it is not time to refill it nor will the insurance company pay for it. So how do I go about doing this? Do I need to go to the Dr. first, get a one time prescription for each (explaining why I want the extra month supply) and just fill it paying cash? Will the pharmacy fill it even though it is the same pills I am currently taking? Another suggestion is to have antibiotics and it lists a few as well as what they are used for in your first aid bag, but I don't know any Dr. I can go to with a list of antibiotics that will write me a prescription for them when I am not currently sick. So how do I go about filling my first aid kit?
Other than the problem I face on how and where to get some of the things mentioned in the book, I thought it was good advise and a good starting place for being prepared for a disaster. I do recommend this book for everyone who are just starting out to put a survival items together.
The book has different lists of supplies needed for different disasters. After all, if you need to survive a devastating blizzard in the dead of winter, you will need different supplies from someone trying to survive a Tsunami in the middle of summer. These lists do seem repetitious throughout the book since some of the basic supplies are needed no mater what or when the disaster is (e.g. shelter, food, water) and although the author could have possibly made one list of these basic needs at the beginning and just referred future pages/disasters to it, it does save a lot of page turning plus makes it easier to see a complete list for any disaster that is covered so in this book, I thought the repetition is needed.
Not only does the book tell what list of supplies you should have, it tells you which kind is best for storage and how much. In cases of long-term, it even goes on to tell you how to do certain things like the different ways to purify water and the pros and cons of each. It also covers subjects such as being mentally prepared, what you need to take or do if you are being evacuated, and much more.
In the back of the book is a website for more survival and preparedness tips however I wasn't able to get it to work on my browser (not sure if it is my browser or the site is no longer available) although I was able to get to the Facebook Page that was also listed. I looked at it briefly and saw the seven best 'Bug Out Bags' (these are also covered in the book) as well as other supplies found to be really good for survival. I will have to go back and spend some more time there as it has some great information.
This book is written in easy language and has a lot of useful information although I do wish it would cover 'where to get it' or 'how to get it' type information for some of the items. An example of this is about the suggestion to have a month's supply of your prescription medication on hand. Great suggestion since if there is no power or you're snowed in for a week you can't jump in your car and go to your pharmacy to pick up a refill but the problem is no drug store or insurance company I have dealt with would allow me to get an 'extra' month supply of my medication. They will say it is not time to refill it nor will the insurance company pay for it. So how do I go about doing this? Do I need to go to the Dr. first, get a one time prescription for each (explaining why I want the extra month supply) and just fill it paying cash? Will the pharmacy fill it even though it is the same pills I am currently taking? Another suggestion is to have antibiotics and it lists a few as well as what they are used for in your first aid bag, but I don't know any Dr. I can go to with a list of antibiotics that will write me a prescription for them when I am not currently sick. So how do I go about filling my first aid kit?
Other than the problem I face on how and where to get some of the things mentioned in the book, I thought it was good advise and a good starting place for being prepared for a disaster. I do recommend this book for everyone who are just starting out to put a survival items together.
May 22, 2018
Could not get into it. Gave up and I very seldom give up on a book.
January 4, 2017
How to be prepared for anything
Bad things can happen and this book provides the information on how to prepare and survive any number of different scenarios.
Bad things can happen and this book provides the information on how to prepare and survive any number of different scenarios.
July 3, 2015
Preparedness and planning ahead in any situation is a must, especially when it comes to a crisis. The author does an excellent job in mapping out for us the best emergency survival resources. Priorities in any survival situation regarding shelter, water, fire and food are discussed to help you on your own for at least 10-14 days. The food storage list is great for the basic essentials, along with water sources and first aid kit items. With today's conditions that we see on the news, well it reminds me to take notes on how to survive a riot if need be. Just to survive a power blackout is listed within the pages here. I don't live in an area where I would experience a flood or blizzard but we do have earthquakes here. The book is a great guide sharing all the essentials one needs to survive bad times.
August 6, 2016
If you are planning on having a food storage or wanting to prepare for disasters this book is a great way to start. It will get you thinking about all the little items you may have overlooked. It really lays out a lot of different situations. There were some great takeaways I got from this book. This book also had some unrealistic ideas.
I had some problems with the beginning of each chapter on my kindle paperwhite. Most of the chapters started in the middle of the first or second sentence in the chapter and sometimes sentences did not finish. But I got used to it and it wasn't difficult to figure out. Overall, I would recommend this book.
I had some problems with the beginning of each chapter on my kindle paperwhite. Most of the chapters started in the middle of the first or second sentence in the chapter and sometimes sentences did not finish. But I got used to it and it wasn't difficult to figure out. Overall, I would recommend this book.
October 9, 2016
New to prepping?
I read three booklets on prepping for beginners today. They are most similar in their wording that I could not tell which one was original. This writer must not have used an outline to correlate his thoughts as there were several passages word for word duplicated throughout. Layout was stilted also with no flow from some paragraphs to the next and chapters seemed incongruous. I don't mean to be derogatory but I spent money unwisely on this book.
I read three booklets on prepping for beginners today. They are most similar in their wording that I could not tell which one was original. This writer must not have used an outline to correlate his thoughts as there were several passages word for word duplicated throughout. Layout was stilted also with no flow from some paragraphs to the next and chapters seemed incongruous. I don't mean to be derogatory but I spent money unwisely on this book.
May 15, 2015
Detailed survival guide
Great guide to get anyone started on the basics of survival in a variety of situations. This book goes over basic survival techniques, how to survive in multiple natural disasters, riots, outbreaks, what to pack in a bug out bag, supplies for home and car. Nicely done!
Great guide to get anyone started on the basics of survival in a variety of situations. This book goes over basic survival techniques, how to survive in multiple natural disasters, riots, outbreaks, what to pack in a bug out bag, supplies for home and car. Nicely done!
July 12, 2016
Comprehensive Guide
The book is a brief comprehensive guide to disaster management for individuals and families. It covers all relevant factors that need to be managed to survive a short to intermediate term collapse of public infrastructures. Unlike some guides it is not geared for a Zombie Apocalypse, so if you are looking to fight Zombies look elsewhere!
The book is a brief comprehensive guide to disaster management for individuals and families. It covers all relevant factors that need to be managed to survive a short to intermediate term collapse of public infrastructures. Unlike some guides it is not geared for a Zombie Apocalypse, so if you are looking to fight Zombies look elsewhere!
December 6, 2016
Poorly organized, low effort work
The chapters were not organised in any meaningful order. Presumably the author was just doing research on the web and summarizing info as he found it. A lot of advice is repeated from one chapter to the next and some chapters contradict each other.
The chapters were not organised in any meaningful order. Presumably the author was just doing research on the web and summarizing info as he found it. A lot of advice is repeated from one chapter to the next and some chapters contradict each other.
June 29, 2017
This book had some good .information, a lot of it I had heard before, some new. What I did not like is how it repeated itself. It talked about drinking water for example in 3 places in the book, each time saying the same thing. Skip the book, when in doubt, boil your water.
January 2, 2014
Mostly full of common sense stuff and ads for stuff to buy.
March 4, 2014
Informative
Good for beginners as title suggests. I felt it was a bit redundant and could have been more concise and a few chapters shorter.
Good for beginners as title suggests. I felt it was a bit redundant and could have been more concise and a few chapters shorter.
January 28, 2014
Basics
gave me
Gave me a good place to start acquiring supplies for multiple disaster scenarios. Missing any mention of your pets though.
gave me
Gave me a good place to start acquiring supplies for multiple disaster scenarios. Missing any mention of your pets though.
April 22, 2014
Very basic information that is repeated many times throughout the book. the formatting is not very good. avoid if you have read similar books, read if this is your first book on the subject.
September 2, 2014
Great info
this is a pretty easy read and has some good advice on why to prepare other then for doomsday scenarios. definitely a must read!
this is a pretty easy read and has some good advice on why to prepare other then for doomsday scenarios. definitely a must read!
November 26, 2014
Beginners guide
Great for beginners. Lots of good basic info. The book gives specific disaster situation info too. I would recommend to a friend.
Great for beginners. Lots of good basic info. The book gives specific disaster situation info too. I would recommend to a friend.
January 10, 2015
It was ok...
I've read a lot on the subject.... the book was ok at best.... but free is free... I would recommend it... however it's a bit repetitive.
I've read a lot on the subject.... the book was ok at best.... but free is free... I would recommend it... however it's a bit repetitive.
August 16, 2015
Ok simple overall info
This book highlights what you need to be aware of, but it doesn't go deep into the details to give you knowledge how to successfully do it.
This book highlights what you need to be aware of, but it doesn't go deep into the details to give you knowledge how to successfully do it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews