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How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate Survival Guide for Any Situation
The ultimate survival guide from Bear Grylls, former Special Forces soldier and #1 world-renowned "King of Survival" (Outside)
For more than a decade, Bear Grylls has introduced TV viewers to the most dramatic wilderness survival situations, through his hit shows such as Man Vs. Wild. Now, with How to Stay Alive, Bear reveals to readers his full toolkit of survival tactics, from everyday basics like avoiding blisters to once-in-a-lifetime events like surviving a kidnapping.
Opening with the most essential survival skills—assembling your survival kit, making a fire, building a shelter—and then moving on to more specific situations, such as escaping fire, dealing with harsh terrain, and handling medical emergencies, Grylls is a sure guide for any type of disaster situation. Readers will learn how to survive in a life raft, land a helicopter in an emergency, treat hypothermia and frostbite, escape from quicksand, and numerous other lifesaving tips.
Richly illustrated with diagrams throughout, How to Stay Alive will be the definitive outdoor survival tome for years to come.
For more than a decade, Bear Grylls has introduced TV viewers to the most dramatic wilderness survival situations, through his hit shows such as Man Vs. Wild. Now, with How to Stay Alive, Bear reveals to readers his full toolkit of survival tactics, from everyday basics like avoiding blisters to once-in-a-lifetime events like surviving a kidnapping.
Opening with the most essential survival skills—assembling your survival kit, making a fire, building a shelter—and then moving on to more specific situations, such as escaping fire, dealing with harsh terrain, and handling medical emergencies, Grylls is a sure guide for any type of disaster situation. Readers will learn how to survive in a life raft, land a helicopter in an emergency, treat hypothermia and frostbite, escape from quicksand, and numerous other lifesaving tips.
Richly illustrated with diagrams throughout, How to Stay Alive will be the definitive outdoor survival tome for years to come.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2014
338 people are currently reading
1417 people want to read
About the author
Bear Grylls
314 books956 followersBear Grylls has become known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. His journey to this acclaim started in the UK on the Isle of Wight, where his late father taught him to climb and sail. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Bear went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, serving with 21 SAS. It was here that he perfected many of the skills that his fans all over the world enjoy watching him pit against mother-nature. Despite a free-fall parachuting accident in Africa, where he broke his back in three places, and after enduring months in military rehabilitation, Bear went on to become one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Bear went on to star in Discovery Channel's Emmy nominated Man Vs Wild and Born Survivor TV series, which has become one of the most watched shows on the planet. Off screen, Bear has lead record-breaking expeditions, from Antarctica to the Arctic, which in turn have raised over £2.5million for children around the world. In recognition of his expertise and service, Bear was appointed as the youngest ever Chief Scout to 28 million Scouts worldwide, awarded an honorary commission as a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy, and has authored 10 books, including To My Sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
December 9, 2018
You know what, Bear Grylls might be fine with peeing around his water collection sources, and on the underside of his snow-skis, and over his head-gear, and God knows where else, but I am not. I have standards, okay? Is that wrong? Is it weird to want to keep certain boundaries un-crossed?
The worst is the eye-gouging. I don't care how aggressive someone is, I'm not sticking my thumbs in their eyes. The chapter on How To Survive A Dog Attack is frankly disturbing. Sure, there's a bit at the start about how to avoid a fight, but once you're fighting, fight with no humanity. Go for the eyes. Crush its ribs by throwing your weight on it. Smash the back of its head in with a rock. Literally rip it limb from limb.
No thanks.
Also, apparently I know how to fly a helicopter now. So... that's totally legit. You can learn how to fly helicopters and land planes sitting on your bed, at home, and go and implement that if necessary in an extremely stressful real-life situation. Right?
Look, when a person has no idea what to do in a cockpit, at least they know that they don't know. A person who's read four or five pages of super-basic instructions might make the mistake of thinking they're actually qualified to try.
I don't know. Hopefully this book doesn't kill anyone.
I need to go to bed.
The worst is the eye-gouging. I don't care how aggressive someone is, I'm not sticking my thumbs in their eyes. The chapter on How To Survive A Dog Attack is frankly disturbing. Sure, there's a bit at the start about how to avoid a fight, but once you're fighting, fight with no humanity. Go for the eyes. Crush its ribs by throwing your weight on it. Smash the back of its head in with a rock. Literally rip it limb from limb.
No thanks.
Also, apparently I know how to fly a helicopter now. So... that's totally legit. You can learn how to fly helicopters and land planes sitting on your bed, at home, and go and implement that if necessary in an extremely stressful real-life situation. Right?
Look, when a person has no idea what to do in a cockpit, at least they know that they don't know. A person who's read four or five pages of super-basic instructions might make the mistake of thinking they're actually qualified to try.
I don't know. Hopefully this book doesn't kill anyone.
I need to go to bed.
October 28, 2018
I've always enjoyed Grylls' TV shows and admire his toughness in surviving various situations. I read his earlier published memoir, Mud, Sweat and Tears and looked forward to a book on how to get through events you hope never to experience. He covers the basics, life-or-death situations, medical emergencies and everything in between. Need to land an airplane? It's here. How about escape from quicksand? You're covered. Find yourself in a jungle, desert, or in a snowstorm? No problem, you'll find out what to do to be able to return home.
This is a great book to purchase and keep in the car, or dare I say, the bathroom for episodic reading. Me, I'm keeping mine in the car in case I need to quickly find out what to in case of a "tyre" blowout or brake failure, or if I run into a snowstorm.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy which included graphics and special notes.
This is a great book to purchase and keep in the car, or dare I say, the bathroom for episodic reading. Me, I'm keeping mine in the car in case I need to quickly find out what to in case of a "tyre" blowout or brake failure, or if I run into a snowstorm.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy which included graphics and special notes.
June 18, 2019
I received this book, for free, in exchange for an honest review.
This was wider in scope (it covers shark attacks, street fights, and landing helicopters) but shallower in depth in some sections then my favorites. The book is a mixed bag, with a very nice fishing, first aid and hunting sections. The street fights section had some very important points and may be worth the price of admission alone. On the other hand, the wild edibles section was pretty pitiful (many sections are only a few pages long).
I recommend this book highly, but suggest pairing it with other similar complementary books.
This was wider in scope (it covers shark attacks, street fights, and landing helicopters) but shallower in depth in some sections then my favorites. The book is a mixed bag, with a very nice fishing, first aid and hunting sections. The street fights section had some very important points and may be worth the price of admission alone. On the other hand, the wild edibles section was pretty pitiful (many sections are only a few pages long).
I recommend this book highly, but suggest pairing it with other similar complementary books.
March 20, 2020
Dozvedel som sa, že čas do západu slnka zistím podľa toho, koľko mojich prstov na natiahnutej ruke sa zmestí medzi horizont a slnko. Takisto že rybu môžete dať do trička a vyžmýkať a získate pitnú vodu. Takisto že ak spadnete v zime do vody, treba sa vyváľať v snehu, ktorý vás osuší, kým si zasa niečo oblečiete. Nič neľutujem.
March 5, 2024
I will carry this book with me at all times! You never know!
April 4, 2020
Instructions unclear- drank my own piss.
November 25, 2017
This books give basic guidance on how to survive a number of different emergencies.
I found this book very interesting in places, but I don't how practical it would be to implement the examples shown in this book without guidance.
I found this book very interesting in places, but I don't how practical it would be to implement the examples shown in this book without guidance.
April 9, 2025
Well. I will not survive the zombie apocalypse. Although Mr. Grylls does not directly address zombies, pretty much ever other dangerous situation that could maybe occur is pretty well covered.
I already knew how to drive in the snow, and I know a couple of weeds that are edible in a pinch, and I know to aim at soft spots if I get in a fight, but beyond that, I really did learn a lot.
I do not plan to travel to places where I will need to practice what I learned here, but some of the stuff is just good common sense. And, I may add a few items to my car, or to my supplies the next time I go camping.
What I found fun and kind of amazing in the book is that I get the impression that Bear Grylls has done most of these things. He has had to make shelters, and find water in a desert, and eat scorpions, and climb a cliff face, etc, etc. Not sure if he had to land a plane when the pilot was incapacitated, but even that is covered.
I'm not sure who to recommend this book to beyond someone who is into extreme vacations, or might end up on a life raft for days and days. (After building said raft, of course.)
Overall, I did enjoy this. Some of it was so out of the realm of my experience, that I kind of glossed over it, but other parts were really interesting. I have been camping, in some remote places, but never very far from the car that took me there. I have been on some amazing hikes through the desert, and in the mountains, but, again, not too far from other people or civilization of some type.
The first aid portion was really helpful to file away in my brain.
And, of course, I tried to practice the helpful knots that were written about. Everyone should be able to tie a few good knots apparently.
If I ever find myself lost in the woods, or caught by an avalanche, or, you know, attacked by zombies, I hope I remember what I learned in this book.
I already knew how to drive in the snow, and I know a couple of weeds that are edible in a pinch, and I know to aim at soft spots if I get in a fight, but beyond that, I really did learn a lot.
I do not plan to travel to places where I will need to practice what I learned here, but some of the stuff is just good common sense. And, I may add a few items to my car, or to my supplies the next time I go camping.
What I found fun and kind of amazing in the book is that I get the impression that Bear Grylls has done most of these things. He has had to make shelters, and find water in a desert, and eat scorpions, and climb a cliff face, etc, etc. Not sure if he had to land a plane when the pilot was incapacitated, but even that is covered.
I'm not sure who to recommend this book to beyond someone who is into extreme vacations, or might end up on a life raft for days and days. (After building said raft, of course.)
Overall, I did enjoy this. Some of it was so out of the realm of my experience, that I kind of glossed over it, but other parts were really interesting. I have been camping, in some remote places, but never very far from the car that took me there. I have been on some amazing hikes through the desert, and in the mountains, but, again, not too far from other people or civilization of some type.
The first aid portion was really helpful to file away in my brain.
And, of course, I tried to practice the helpful knots that were written about. Everyone should be able to tie a few good knots apparently.
If I ever find myself lost in the woods, or caught by an avalanche, or, you know, attacked by zombies, I hope I remember what I learned in this book.
February 13, 2018
This book was, one word, amazing!
It was really interesting and the survival techniques within them, I'll try and commit to memory! I felt it was a big inspiration for me to crawl out of a reading slump and for my adventurous side.
Grylls has spent a hefty amount of time collecting all of this information, condensing it down and giving us it in small bites, mixed in with his own stories to tell. My favourite section was the one on blisters as I'll be partaking in my DofE Silver award soon enough.
The cover is so beautiful just to caress - which sounds weird but I love the orange! :)
I mean sure, after reading this, I don't know how to fly a helicopter but I do have a few know how's and the section on how to survive a dog attack made me feel a little skirmish, but what some reviewers need to admit is the truth, a fight is a fight, survival is survival, do what you must as I'm sure an animal, if persuaded enough, will not stop itself ripping you limb from limb.
It was really interesting and the survival techniques within them, I'll try and commit to memory! I felt it was a big inspiration for me to crawl out of a reading slump and for my adventurous side.
Grylls has spent a hefty amount of time collecting all of this information, condensing it down and giving us it in small bites, mixed in with his own stories to tell. My favourite section was the one on blisters as I'll be partaking in my DofE Silver award soon enough.
The cover is so beautiful just to caress - which sounds weird but I love the orange! :)
I mean sure, after reading this, I don't know how to fly a helicopter but I do have a few know how's and the section on how to survive a dog attack made me feel a little skirmish, but what some reviewers need to admit is the truth, a fight is a fight, survival is survival, do what you must as I'm sure an animal, if persuaded enough, will not stop itself ripping you limb from limb.
December 10, 2018
Personally, I think this book is one of the most intriguing books I have ever read because of its variety of weird survival tips and the number of ways you can build everyday items with nature. As well as that this book is so useful because of its step to step tips on how to build things such as a warm bed or wooden gun that can kill just as easily as a normal handgun. The way the writer approaches the book is in a personal way as he relates to each thing in a way that he explains how hard it was and how he did it.
December 12, 2021
Not the best book I've ever read... but maybe some knowledge within it will help save my life someday.
I am American. Grylls is not. So some of the words he uses are different. For example, open fracture instead of compound fracture or torch instead of flashlight. That can be a bit confusing.
Grylls does reference his experiences. He's got a lot of experiences (like a parachute failing to deploy, falling into an ice crevasse on Mount Everest, getting caught in an hurricane on a mountain and more) that are very interesting.
I am American. Grylls is not. So some of the words he uses are different. For example, open fracture instead of compound fracture or torch instead of flashlight. That can be a bit confusing.
Grylls does reference his experiences. He's got a lot of experiences (like a parachute failing to deploy, falling into an ice crevasse on Mount Everest, getting caught in an hurricane on a mountain and more) that are very interesting.
June 30, 2020
Solid. Grylls has no concept of literary style, so the whole thing is crazy dry- but the form fits the content. Makes me want to rethink what’s in the back of my car.
I should buy a copy of this and stick it back there, as well.
I should buy a copy of this and stick it back there, as well.
February 7, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and will be keeping it with me for a while to look back on now and again. Very helpful and interesting survival skills in all terrains. ✌🏻
December 9, 2019
Scared myself reading this -- ear glued to audiobook like eyes to a traffic accident -- now I know more ways about how things can go wrong & how ill-suited I'd be. Good narrator.
March 22, 2020
Man this is a good read. Grylls doesn't waste time or pages with intros or anecdotes he dives right into it.
April 9, 2025
A useful resource, and probably would be a good idea to download the e-book version to your phone before heading out off the beaten path (although I would also recommend memorising relevant sections in case of phone failure!).
None of the advice in this book should be taken in lieu of being careful and mindful of your surroundings and preparing for your adventure in a thorough and smart way, but if disaster does strike, it at least gives you a starting point from which to get yourself out of it. It isn’t always an option to just sit and wait for the cavalry…
There are a few hints and tips in there that I will certainly employ even on my not-so-wilderness hikes, and I am definitely getting myself a water purification straw. What a fantastic piece of kit!
Having said all that, I have realised that if a survival situation were to ever present itself, there is an almost certainty I’d not make it out. When the easiest food to get hold of in the wilderness is precisely the food that will make me ill and therefore worse, I think I’m probably doomed! Add to that arthritis, and things start looking less than good! 😆
None of the advice in this book should be taken in lieu of being careful and mindful of your surroundings and preparing for your adventure in a thorough and smart way, but if disaster does strike, it at least gives you a starting point from which to get yourself out of it. It isn’t always an option to just sit and wait for the cavalry…
There are a few hints and tips in there that I will certainly employ even on my not-so-wilderness hikes, and I am definitely getting myself a water purification straw. What a fantastic piece of kit!
Having said all that, I have realised that if a survival situation were to ever present itself, there is an almost certainty I’d not make it out. When the easiest food to get hold of in the wilderness is precisely the food that will make me ill and therefore worse, I think I’m probably doomed! Add to that arthritis, and things start looking less than good! 😆
April 8, 2021
Blooming good read despite the fact that I'll probably never (touches wood) ever have to use any of this knowledge. Well, here's hoping anyway.
Yeah, so it pretty much what you expect, and it's well written too. And, erm, that's about all I want to say I suppose.
Apart from this: one bugbear: lots of space used up by blank pages (one after every subject) , headings (ten big words on a single page), intros (60 words on a single page) and summaries (30 words on a single page). If you figure 100 subjects, that's about 200 pages (out of a book of 400 pages) wasted right there. Still, it makes it a suitably substantial book with which to hit an attacking shark with!
'Nuff said.
Yeah, so it pretty much what you expect, and it's well written too. And, erm, that's about all I want to say I suppose.
Apart from this: one bugbear: lots of space used up by blank pages (one after every subject) , headings (ten big words on a single page), intros (60 words on a single page) and summaries (30 words on a single page). If you figure 100 subjects, that's about 200 pages (out of a book of 400 pages) wasted right there. Still, it makes it a suitably substantial book with which to hit an attacking shark with!
'Nuff said.
September 26, 2024
Голяма част от информацията в тази книга, присъстваше и в предната - (Екстремна Храна) едно към едно.
Излишно огромен формат на страници, малко текст, много празни страници и разстояние..ако беше с по - малки размери и по - концентрирана в дадена тема, а не общопозната информация, може - би щеше да си намери място в нечия раница като четиво при нужда, уви това не е случаят с тази книга.
Единствената полезна информация за мен, беше относно природата и животинските видове.
Излишно огромен формат на страници, малко текст, много празни страници и разстояние..ако беше с по - малки размери и по - концентрирана в дадена тема, а не общопозната информация, може - би щеше да си намери място в нечия раница като четиво при нужда, уви това не е случаят с тази книга.
Единствената полезна информация за мен, беше относно природата и животинските видове.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
Книга "How to stay alive" это, как и заявлено в подзаголовке — «ультимативный гид по выживанию». Текст книги представляет собой отлично структурированный конспект минимально необходимой информации для каждой из ситуаций на спектре от заточки ножа в условиях дикой природы, мозолей и установки костра до нераскрывшегося парашюта и нападения крокодила.
Художественной ценности в этом тексте, конечно, нет (если разве что не восхищаться самой красотой лаконичности собранной информации), а практическую ценность этого текста объективно сформулировать не получается. Будет справедливо отметить что немалая часть информации — как ни старайся автор почти на каждое из правил придумать какой-нибудь акроним — забудется если не по окончании главы, то через день-другой точно. Так, например, я запомнил, что надо провести невидимую черту между двумя «вершинами» месяца и найти на горизонте точку, в которую упрется этот луч — вот примерно там и будет север. Или юг. Или север.
А вот та практическая польза, которую я действительно внезапно нашел для себя в этой книге оказалось совершенно неочевидной — а именно десятки примеров того, что в любой непонятной ситуации есть, если не выход, то набор каких-то оптимальных и максимизирующих шансы действий. При пожаре в помещении и при атаке стаи собак или при более экзотических падении с нераскрывшимся парашютом или химической атаке — во всех этих ситуациях есть куда более правильный набор действий, чем в панике бегать по кругу. "How to stay alive" отлично иллюстрирует это почти в каждой главе: для того, чтобы в критический момент начать смотреть на ситуацию рационально — не обязательно помнить какие-то конкретные советы из книги; достаточно помнить, что выход есть, надо только начать решать задачи используя все имеющиеся под рукой ресурсы.
Художественной ценности в этом тексте, конечно, нет (если разве что не восхищаться самой красотой лаконичности собранной информации), а практическую ценность этого текста объективно сформулировать не получается. Будет справедливо отметить что немалая часть информации — как ни старайся автор почти на каждое из правил придумать какой-нибудь акроним — забудется если не по окончании главы, то через день-другой точно. Так, например, я запомнил, что надо провести невидимую черту между двумя «вершинами» месяца и найти на горизонте точку, в которую упрется этот луч — вот примерно там и будет север. Или юг. Или север.
А вот та практическая польза, которую я действительно внезапно нашел для себя в этой книге оказалось совершенно неочевидной — а именно десятки примеров того, что в любой непонятной ситуации есть, если не выход, то набор каких-то оптимальных и максимизирующих шансы действий. При пожаре в помещении и при атаке стаи собак или при более экзотических падении с нераскрывшимся парашютом или химической атаке — во всех этих ситуациях есть куда более правильный набор действий, чем в панике бегать по кругу. "How to stay alive" отлично иллюстрирует это почти в каждой главе: для того, чтобы в критический момент начать смотреть на ситуацию рационально — не обязательно помнить какие-то конкретные советы из книги; достаточно помнить, что выход есть, надо только начать решать задачи используя все имеющиеся под рукой ресурсы.
August 2, 2017
Bear talked about the difference between looking fit and feeling fit.
Speaking plainly,both sounds same,but thinking deeply there's a huge difference.
It's an amazing book if you want to fit both physically and mentally. Fitness does not mean having huge biceps and muscles,it has got to do with having a strong core,endurance and flexibility.
Book has a wide variety of exercises for whole body to become fit,with minimum investment and without spending huge money on Gym Membership and Personnel Trainers.
Bear Grylls has tried and tested these exercises and we know what he is capable of.
And at the end of the day,it's your life and you will have to train for it.
You can take a horse to water source but he will have to drink it.
TRAIN FOR YOUR LIFE
Speaking plainly,both sounds same,but thinking deeply there's a huge difference.
It's an amazing book if you want to fit both physically and mentally. Fitness does not mean having huge biceps and muscles,it has got to do with having a strong core,endurance and flexibility.
Book has a wide variety of exercises for whole body to become fit,with minimum investment and without spending huge money on Gym Membership and Personnel Trainers.
Bear Grylls has tried and tested these exercises and we know what he is capable of.
And at the end of the day,it's your life and you will have to train for it.
You can take a horse to water source but he will have to drink it.
TRAIN FOR YOUR LIFE
January 10, 2018
This was my airport impulse buy, which set the expectations right.
The book is more like an encyclopedia. Short entries, to the point and a lot of situations. I doubt one can learn those skills from the book, but there are bits of information that can help.
Do not expect anything too advanced, though; this is not SAS handbook.
I like how it's written and it was a good airplane read, but I doubt I will read it again. Also, if you read it like a book from cover to cover, it gets a bit tedious after a while.
The book is more like an encyclopedia. Short entries, to the point and a lot of situations. I doubt one can learn those skills from the book, but there are bits of information that can help.
Do not expect anything too advanced, though; this is not SAS handbook.
I like how it's written and it was a good airplane read, but I doubt I will read it again. Also, if you read it like a book from cover to cover, it gets a bit tedious after a while.
September 24, 2020
There is no new ground to cover here with regard to survival but Bear does a great job of putting it into easily understood and well placed (or at the very least his editor does) - Someone asked me one time if I would prefer to be Bear or Les Stroud when it comes to a survival expert and I said neither; I would rather be Bear's cameraman as he carries all of the film equipment AND does all (or nearly all) of the same things Bear does in his televised shows :)
February 11, 2019
This is a wonderful book about survival! Although I live a normal lifestyle, I tried to learn lots of the information, in case I ever need it. I will keep it for a reference book. Just today, though, as I walked through a creek bed, I flashed on his advice that a creek bed could overflow with water at any time! Recommended for all older kids, teens, and adults!
February 11, 2020
This is honestly one of the most truthful approaches to working out, staying fit along with having a realistic lifestyle. I have not felt happier and more inspired knowing what I know now :)
This book is the key to real fitness success and isn't a heavy read at all. The book took me about 1.5 hours to get through all the while being extremely informative.
Go ahead and read it!
This book is the key to real fitness success and isn't a heavy read at all. The book took me about 1.5 hours to get through all the while being extremely informative.
Go ahead and read it!
March 29, 2018
I read it ´cause nostalgia, I used to love his programme in tv and well this book brought to my mind so many good memories but I still think I would die first in a zombie apocalypse or any survivor situation :,(
January 2, 2018
Just like Gloria Gaynor......I WILL survive!
Brilliant book, easy to read and full of survival info.
Brilliant book, easy to read and full of survival info.
February 27, 2018
Don't eat feaces,
Good advice.
Good advice.
January 24, 2018
Fun book to read. A little repetitive at times, but worth it for a few useful bits of advice which I’ve remembered
January 26, 2018
Interesting enough, some useful tips and tricks. Would recommend
February 22, 2018
A handy reference
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews