Survival Books and FM 21 - 76

[Grand]

The unfortunate thing about books is that they so often are damaged -- wet, torn, etc. I carry a FM 21 - 76 Survival handbook from the 70s apparently, an Army classic. However, I was wondering if it was out of date as far as information goes. Seems like it would be fine, but nuclear studies have probably discovered new effects and how we should react to a given situation.

I'm not so sure about military books converted into civilian style format, because they may have left out vital information.

Have any good books you'd suggest, or just that you carry, have read, or are reading?

[gunner]

I think for the most part, basic survival books dont go out of date. However I would imagine from when that was written to now there were most likely advancements in studies of all kinds. There are a lot of things on the net where you can learn about what to do in a nuclear situation. I dont know about you but stuff like that is info that is easliy retained for me, makes my butt pucker, scares me so I keep a special spot in my mind for it.

As for the other survival techniques, it is always good, imo to have some kind of hard copy of how to find water, find food, make traps etc. That never is outdated, and sometimes from what I have found some of the older stuff is better. I have some self sufficient living books also, encyclopedia of country living has some good info, there are lots out there. It is always a good to know how to grow food, etc, unless you plan on being on the run forever. Which is possible this day and age.

[Grand]

There is so much to learn. Settling down and surviving is also good to learn, something I haven't done much of.

There are books that have been covered in duck tape, but I don't know how well they would actually hold up. The FM 21 - 76 I carry is only over a year or so old and its edges are already wearing badly. Then again, that happens with most books I carry, hmm...

The main thing I worry about is dealing with dangerous chemicals. So I agree with you on that one; hard to sleep thinking of such things.

Military tactics concerning combat, leadership, and survival could also be helpful.

[gunner]

Yes I think military tactics are important to learn, mostly to know the ins and outs of how the military machine works. If we the people were in a fight with military, some geurilla warfare books would be good to have. Not saying that we would ever have to fight our government, but it is good to know none the less, you know in case the terrists come after us :wink:

With chemical warfare, nuclear warfare etc, if you are near a place that gets hit, your fucked, unless you had some kind of underground shelter. However if you are a ways away, it is good to know how to avoid fallout etc. I think though with like germ warfare maybe it is best to know how to put a gun to your head and pull the trigger?

Scary times we live in, but I am not willing to lay down and just die, not willing to lay down and let my wife and kids die either. Although sometimes I do feel like laying down and sucking my thumb while curled up in the fetal posistion.

[vckums]

Hey Gunner you've been here in the bay area. As you know we get earthquakes, most are small. Hubby was talking about getting a huge garbage bin and filling it wil stuff we'd need for 2 weeks or more. Got a link for a place that lists what we should have?

[mojo]

Id say that a lot of that information would be outdated.

lots of things like treating snakebite has changed since that was written.

lots of good books around, most of the surplus stores here in australia carry them.

[gunner]

vckums this is a pretty good site http://captaindaves.com there are lots of good survival sites out there, but this is the one that I enjoy, good info, easy to navigate. I bought some AR 15 mags from them and got them quick and they were good quality.