Bomb threats, anthrax scares, and the fear of nuclear warfare. Gas masks, duct tape and big bottles of water fly off the shelves: today no one feels secure. And that doesn't even take into account "ordinary" emergencies. With this authoritative field guide on hand, you'll have all the information you need to survive a variety of disasters. Originally commissioned by the Department of the Army to train its special forces in all-climate, all-terrain survival tactics, the manual describes situations and illustrates solutions that could mean the difference between life and death. Find out how to make polluted water potable, improvise containers for boiling food, build shelter, treat illness and injuries, find direction using the sun and stars, foretell the weather from the clouds, and more. Full-color photographs and detailed information help you identify poisonous snakes, as well as edible and non-edible plants. Special guidance is given on surviving in the desert, the tropics, the Arctic, and at sea. A must for campers, hikers, explorers, pilots, and anyone who wants to know how to survive in primitive conditions.Survival Kit BasicsSpecific survival kit items vary with environments, but all should contain in a durable water repellent case:* First aid items* Signaling items* Water and/or means to obtain potable water* Fire-starting items* Food and/or items to help you obtain food* Shelter items