Survival Hacks: Draußen überleben mit Alltagsgegenständen

by Creek Stewart

Turn everyday items into survival necessities! Would you be prepared if you needed to survive in the wilderness? Survival expert Creek Stewart shares his cache of practical, easy-to-follow tricks to help you transform everyday items into valuable gear that can save your life. "Survival Hacks" takes you step-by-step through transforming simple objects like soda tabs and plant leaves into essential survival tools. This rough-and-rugged guide covers everything from small-scale hacks, like using sticks and rope to make a table, to the big stuff, like creating a one-person emergency shelter from a trash bag or purifying dirty water using a plastic bottle and the sun. And you can be ready anywhere you go with everyday carry kits, pocket-sized survival kits, so you're never without the essential tools you need to make it on your own. Being prepared can make the difference when it comes to your survival in an emergency. And "Survival Hacks" makes it a whole lot easier.

Genres: Survival, Nonfiction, Nature

Perfect Paperback

First published April 1, 2016

About the author

Creek Stewart is a survival instructor, author, and host of SOS: How to Survive on The Weather Channel.

Creek's survival knowledge comes from experience. His life-long study of outdoor living and survival skills is backed by thousands of man-hours in the field. Creek is a frequent guest survival expert in the media and has been featured on/in the Today show, Inside Edition, Fox & Friends, Men's Fitness magazine, Backpacker magazine, Outdoor Life magazine, WGN-TV, WISH-TV 8, The Weather Channel, Living Ready magazine, American Survival Guide, and countless radio and online events. He has been a contributing author to the hugely popular men's interest blog ArtofManliness.com and his survival writings have been featured on thousands of websites including Huffington Post, MSN News, Lifehacker, and The Daily Beast.

In 2015, Creek was presented with the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) by the Boy Scouts of America. The NOESA is a prestigious recognition granted to Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the local, state, or regional level.

Reviews

[Julier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is chock full of inexpensive hacks ** for wilderness survival. Some were so interesting I wanted to go and try them out in my back yard, but it's covered with snow right now--I'm not that adventurous! These ideas are good ones to prepare for road trips or power outages, however. A Crisco lamp. Firestarter ideas for emergency conditions He also mentions personal protection like a 55-gallon battle shield , cardboard body armor, using a plumb bob as a rope dart weapon.!!!

It's fun just to randomly read things that catch your attention!

The chapters are Shelter Hacks, Water Hacks, Fire Hacks, Food Hacks, Staying Healthy, Gear Hacks, Forward Movement, and Everyday Carry Kits (EDC) on a budget.

I got this as a Kindle Unlimited read and couldn't resist getting a copy for later fun and work!

I actually didn't know the exact meaning of the word in this context: **HACK definition: "To jury-rig or improvise something inelegant but effective, usually as a temporary solution to a problem. " https://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: Survival Hacks: Over 200 Ways to Use Everyday Items for Wilderness Survival by Creek Stewart

In Survival Hacks: Over 200 Ways to Use Everyday Items for Wilderness Survival, Creek Stewart invites readers into the world of creative problem-solving under the duress of survival situations. With a focus on resourcefulness, this guide presents an array of inventive hacks that utilize commonplace items to navigate the challenges of the wilderness. However, while Stewart’s intentions are admirable and his ideas innovative, the execution sometimes leaves much to be desired.

The book is divided into sections that tackle various aspects of survival, starting with shelter hacks. Here, Stewart encourages readers to think outside the box, gathering materials that may not be readily available in emergency scenarios. While the concept of improvising a shelter using unconventional items is both intriguing and essential for survivalists, some of these suggestions may prove impractical in real-life situations. Readers are often left contemplating the feasibility of gathering such materials in the midst of a crisis, raising questions about the book’s accessibility for those who may not have prior survival training or experience.

As the book progresses, Stewart shifts focus to hacks that employ more easily obtainable materials. This section is where the true value of Survival Hacks emerges, showcasing the potential of everyday items in extraordinary circumstances. From using a plastic water bottle as a fire starter to fashioning a fishing line from a shoelace, the hacks presented are refreshing and inventive. These practical tips reinforce the importance of creativity in survival scenarios and empower readers to rethink their relationship with the mundane objects that populate their daily lives.

That said, some of the descriptions of hacks can be challenging to follow. Stewart’s enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge is evident, yet the complexity of certain instructions may hinder the reader’s ability to effectively execute the hacks. Clarity is paramount in survival literature, where the stakes can be high. A more straightforward approach in the explanations would improve accessibility and enhance the reader’s confidence in applying these techniques.

Moreover, the absence of visual aids is felt throughout the book. Many hacks would significantly benefit from additional photographs or diagrams to clarify the processes involved. Visual representation can bridge the gap between concept and application, especially in survival training where a misinterpretation can lead to ineffective or even dangerous outcomes. Including images would not only enhance comprehension but also engage readers more deeply, allowing them to visualize the hacks in action.

In conclusion, Survival Hacks by Creek Stewart is an ambitious endeavor that champions the spirit of innovation in wilderness survival. While it successfully promotes the idea of using everyday items in creative ways, it grapples with execution challenges that could limit its effectiveness for some readers. The blend of imaginative hacks with practical insights on survival makes it a valuable resource, but attention to clarity and the inclusion of visual aids would elevate the overall experience. For outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists eager to expand their toolkit, Stewart’s book offers a foundation of ingenuity; just be prepared to navigate the occasional bump in the road as you explore the art of improvisation in the wild.

[Cassie C · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciated the idea behind this book of getting creative to use or reuse resources and materials in creative ways for survival situations, I feel it could have been done a bit better. I found that starting off with the shelter hacks, that many of them would have been more difficult to accomplish given the use of more specific materials that one might not anticipate having access to in a survival situation. With the other sections, the materials used in general seemed more likely for people to potentially have at hand at least. Nevertheless, some of the author’s descriptions of the hacks were difficult to follow along with and almost all of them would have benefited from having pictures to go along with them. While a good deal of them did involve pictures, se would have been even better with multiple pictures to show the whole process.

[Michael Papier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has often been said "One man's trash is another man's treasure." This book often proves that point to a very large degree. I've often taught various aspects of survival after taking courses in the Military and we often dealt with adapting things on hand or improvising things to work in some manner that it may not have been intended. This book shows a lot of adaptability with various things we can find anywhere a population of people has traveled or human made items may be carried by wind, water or possibly even some critter. A good book for anyone, novice, intermediate or a pro. If you find yourself stuck in a survival situation and even one or two of these tip/hacks help you out, you will no doubt agree.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I love watching Naked and Afraid and often wondered what I could do to be prepared...enter this book. These hacks are amazing and will definitely get me started. I have some ideas on things for my family to get ready this summer. The book states that “innovation is the most important survival skill” and “it’s not if but when” will you need survival stuff. Get prepared. My grandma always said...”stay ready so you don’t have to get ready”.

[Diego · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t waste your time or money

This is NOT an Outdoor/Wilderness Survival book.

It’s an amalgamation fo “hacks” to cover a variety of situations.

If you are looking for a true “how to survive in the outdoors/wilderness” with what it can be consider the “normal/typical” gear that someone may carry then this is not the book for you.

If you are looking for a book to help you “brainstorm” ideas then perhaps

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Creek's other books. A few good ideas, but generally nothing life changing. A few are common sense to some extent and i'm sure if you had the particular materials and need then you'd come to a similar conclusion to what is presented in the book. Might be good to get you thinking outside of the box.

[Diana Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing!

This book not only shows a lot of hacks I'd never seen, in spite of being a Google junkie, but as I read through, I could feel my mind waking up and thinking of even more hacks.
Well written and fast moving too.
Thanks!

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK book, as a long time reader of outdoors books, I was hoping it would be more advanced skills. Good book, if you are new to survival, if nothing else for getting the reader to think on their feet, and be prepared.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic!! I learned so much. I wish I could remember all the hacks, they are amazing.

[Domonic Webster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of dull

I'm sure the ideas are good but most of them are from other books I have read. Also the graphics are pretty bad

[Wally Mountz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives you a lot of inexpensive, common items that you could use for your kit.

[Tara Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. I’m not sure quite what I expected, but it wasn’t this really. Still, some good ideas. Might have the kids try to make the raft this summer.

[Jeanene Arrington Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some super easy almost mind blowing hacks! Something for every level of outdoors person! You will be surprised with what you will be able to do after reading this book!

[Mazen Sukkar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give this half a star if I could

[Andrea Boring]

None

[Becky S · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some clever tips for surviving if you're caught unprepared in the wilderness, desert or even out at sea. Other tips, require items you're not likely to be carrying on a wilderness trip. I can see the point in carrying extra plastic bags, rope and especially duct tape on any trip. But who goes out hiking w/ lightbulbs, cans of soda, terra cotta flower pots or an umbrella?? That last item is very useful for collecting rain for drinking water but who takes an umbrella on those outings?? The author gives detailed instructions for using a running auto w/ jumper cables, to light a wooden pencil so you can start a fire. Better to have waterproof matches in the car emergency kit. (he describes how to make one).
The hacks he describes would work.... If you're home, and would probably be fun to try, but much of this is not helpful if you're caught unexpectedly far from help.
I very much like his tip for stretching boots....put plastic bags filled w/water in them and put them in the freezer. As the water freezes, it expands and stretches the boots. I plan to try that one.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

True to the title. this book offers 200 everyday item hacks methodically listed by category. There are lots of good ideas. I rated this book a 4 instead of a 5 because some of the offered hacks are hard for me to visualize how they would work. (I recognize that it takes practice but sometimes reading these books is like reading a cookbook and not actually making the recipes.) This book did explain what EDCs are (Every Day Carry) for items that one simply may not want to be without. Lots of good ideas were presented and I recommend adding a 'hat' one with items in the brim lining.

[John Shrek Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is good if you live near an urban area and you d like to know what you can use should any disaster occurs. It gives a good heads up about the basics of survival needs. It s also handy if you don t live near urban areas since plastic items and other stuff travels so well, most anything can be found just about anywhere.

There s even a section on how to start a very welcoming sight: campfire. Should a disaster occur near you, even in warm weather, the sight of a campfire has a calming effect on people.

[Valleri · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was expecting a more rugged approach to surviving outdoors, the book teaches to use what you packed as long as you packed everything except the kitchen sink. Learning to use everyday objects for different uses would be helpful as long as a person first had the object in their possession when stranded and expected to survive.

[Ietrio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about what to do when you are attacked by zombies and you have a safe and well equipped supermarket nearby. Or if you just want to play the survivalist. I admire the creativity, but the utility is next to none, unless you're among the first two cases I assume.

[Kevin Laslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great quick read. Very informative and simply written. after I was done I felt like Macgyver and was looking for new ways to use things. I have tried a few hacks, unsuccessfully at this point, but will continue until I can get them right.

[Thomas Funke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a survival book, but, more of a MacGuyver approach to using everyday stuff to do accomplish difficult tasks.

[Al Lock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick read with lots of information about ideas for ways to use discarded material, trash and common items in a survival situation, as well as a number of small and inexpensive survival kits. Also has links to videos to show how to do some of the hacks. Btw, this says (ebook) but my edition is a paperback.