Desert Survival Tips, Tricks & Skills

Desert Survival: Tips, Tricks & Skills by Tony Nester is a brief yet solid review of information pertaining to surviving up to 72 hours in the desert. This book is not about long term survival or living in the desert environment. Desert Survival by Nester is a good introduction to provide the novice a direction for further research into surviving in a very harsh and difficult climate. This is not an all encompassing book covering every topic and detail of the desert. Included in this book are the topics of: What is a Desert? Physiology of Humans in the Desert: Dehydration, hyponatremia, heat related injuries, hypothermia Desert Hazards: Flash floods, scorpions, killer bees, rattlesnakes, cacti, and sand storms Anatomy of a Survival Situation: preventable survival situations, unplanned survival situations, and three critical steps to take before a hike or drive The Basic Skills of Survival: attitude, water, shelter, fire, signaling, first aid, and sleep Outfitting your Vehicle: basic vehicle gear Obtaining Water in the Desert: Reading the landscape, places to look for water, Tinajas, gathering water, and hazardous sources to avoid Desert Survival Shelters: shelter types Firemaking Skills: always have three methods to obtain fire Knife Use and Safety: a knife is a must have for any survival situation Signaling for Rescue: methods to attract the attention of potential rescuers Again, this is a basic book with valuable information to point you in the right direction for further research. It is not designed to be a comprehensive volume of information regarding all the aspects of desert survival. I recommend this book.

I live in Arizona, so have occasion to go into the desert a lot, this is a great book for helping you to survive in the desert should you break down in your vehicle or get lost.

Mr. Nester has done his homework on this book. Accurate information is essential and all too rare in books of this genre. Not so with "Desert Survival". The author has consulted with many experts in individual fields regarding dehydration, Search and Rescue, shelter, firemaking, signalling and vehicle preparation. The book offers concise information on how to prepare ahead of time and what to do if one does become stuck in the desert. It is small enough to keep in the glovebox or a daypack. My family lives in the SW and we keep a copy in both cars. Essential reading!!

This book can help save your life if you live,or travel in desert areas.It is packed with facts and tips about how to deal with survival situations in the desert,and it is absolutley worth reading. It is not a book about how to live in the desert for extended periods, and live from the land.But it is definintly about how to deal with survival situations that can occur to anyone living or traveling in the desert. .Great book for a great price.

I was really pleased with this book. Very well-written and researched and the author really gets to the heart of the matter without a lot of chatter. Nester has done his homework and clearly delved into the latest research on snakebites, solar stills, water needs, and heat-related injuries while doing so in a way that doesn't insult the reader. Next to Alloway's book on the subject, I'd have to say that this is the best book on desert survival written in years. The section on how to adapt to heat-stress was worth the price alone for this old desert wanderer.