There are a lot of books out in the wild about how to prepare, train, gear up, plan, survive or whatever for outdoor recreation. Some are pretty dense, some overly simplistic, some used as disguises to promote a line of products the author wants you to buy – and some are pretty good.
My experience has been that very few manage to be both comprehensive and easy to read. I found an exception, however, when “Stikky Survival” from publisher Laurence Holt Books showed up in my mailbox recently. This book is different from most other books in a couple of ways.
First, its size – about 7 inches by 5 inches and ¾ of an inch thick – while not pocketable, is certainly easily packable.
Second is its format. The book, which starts out with a “How to read this book” page, has three sections, called “sequences,” that it instructs the reader to read first before going on to the rest of the book. The book encourages readers to take the book in at a measured pace, with each sequence ending with a “pause point” where the reader should stop reading for a few days and go outdoors to practice what they have just learned.
The book, which promises that “…in just one hour, you will learn how to build a shelter, make a fire, signal for help, and other skills to survive in the wilderness,” relies heavily on photographs and drawings to illustrate its points or to demonstrate skills for the hiker to learn. Using real life scenarios – such as running out of water, or being exposed to the hot sun, or getting lost – the book presents solutions on how to deal with a situation that can threaten your survival.
The three sequences, simply titled “Sequence One,” “Sequence Two” and “Epilogue,” make up the bulk of the book, followed by a final section called “Next Steps” taking the reader further along in their survival education. “Next Steps” goes into greater detail regarding equipment to carry, trip planning, and more. It includes online resources to consult for planning or for furthering the readers’ survival education.
When I first laid my hands on the book, I was taken aback by how simplistic it looked and didn’t take it seriously. How could something with so many drawings and so few words actually be a serious tool to learn about survival? I gave the book to my wife, whose knowledge of outdoor recreation would be on par with most average hikers, and asked for her opinion on it. She found the book to be informative, easy to digest and understand. More importantly, she found the format made it easy to retain the information presented. Over the last month or so since I’ve had the book, I’ve picked it up several times and read through each sequence, finding not only that it is a good refresher for the experienced hiker, but I also learned a new thing or two each time.
“Stikky Survival” is available at https://stikky.com/products/stikky-survival
Be Good. Do Good Things. Survive.
Bob Falcone aka “Hiking Bob” has been a Colorado Springs resident for more than 30 years. A retired career firefighter and U.S. Air Force veteran, Bob is an avid hiker & outdoorsman. Bob spends his days traveling around Colorado and the American Southwest searching for hiking and photography opportunities and adventures, often with his loyal companion Coal the dog. Be sure to check out Hiking Bob’s website and podcast.
