Alive and Kick'n

by Ian Campbell

A comprehensive survival and rescue guide for Australia’s remote area

If you are one of the above, and go into remote areas, you should buy this book and keep it on you. To start with, it is concise and fully instructive, but not cluttered with lengthy explanations and descriptions. One of the authors, Nick Vroomans, was brought up in country Western Australia before joining the RAAF in 1974. He obtained formal qualifications in survival training through Australian, British and US military forces. Not only did he command two RAAF squadrons, he became chief instructor at the RAAF Combat Survival Training School. He de-mobbed in 1997 to start Staying Alive Survival Services out of Brisbane.

Co-author, Dave Basham, was brought up in country Queensland and joined the RAAF in 1975. His qualifications are very similar to Nick’s; he specialised in desert, arid, cold climate, water and food procurement at the Combat Survival Training School until 1995. After that date, he instructed survival techniques to the Queensland Police and private organisations.

This 180-page, A4-size, colour-printed book answers all your questions in eight sections and 17 chapters, including: remote area preparation, kit and equipment, training requirements, vehicle operations, first aid and self aid, bush medicine, global and Australian survival, search and rescue, water and food procurement and survival in all environments.

An interesting demographic has come to light since the book’s publication. According to Nick, there has been far more interest by shooters than four-wheel drivers or bush walkers. I’m not surprised. Our own SSAA Hunting and Conservation branches have always ensured members are aware and prepared for most contingencies.

One of the most useful things in the book are the check-lists. If you are in difficulty, just read down the list - what to do first, then the next step...it is all logical.

A section I found very interesting was on critical incident stress management. To sum up, it is all-encompassing and the best book on the subject I have read.

Nick also trains Australia’s remote area workers in safe work practices.

The book retails for $59 plus $10 p&h within Australia and is available through Staying Alive Survival Services:

• PO Box 287, Laidley, Qld 4341
  Phone 0414 796 382
  Email: stayalivesurvival@bigpond.com.au

The book is also available at several outdoor and camping stores in Queensland and Western Australia.