SAS Urban Survival Handbook

Book excerpt: John “Lofty” Wiseman is the author of the bestselling SAS Survival Handbook, the definitive guide to survival in the wild from Britain’s Special Air Service. Now he has compiled the complete guide to surviving among crowds of people, the mazes of office buildings, the dangers of an unfeeling city—put simply, how to stay safe in the urban jungle. Thousands of preventable fatalities occur in the home every year— more than on the roads, more than in the great outdoors. Household chemicals, electricity, cooking knives, and rodent poisons—in the wrong hands and with improper usage, these day-to-day resources bring danger to your home. Add to this the risks of moving through city streets (the threat of rape, muggings, and gang violence) and the menace of natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, blizzards) that cannot be avoided. Every day serves as a constant reminder: The world is truly a frightening place. The SAS Urban Survival Guide advises readers to think practically about urban environments and offers tips and instructions on how to avoid hazards wherever one goes. From self-defense techniques to home security systems to coping with natural disasters, this book teaches readers to recognize danger, make quick decisions, and live confidently in the modern world.