Safe by Chris Ryan. Book review

Hello. This book caught my eye in the mobile library last week. I think I must be the first one to borrow it as it looks brand new. The author has written quite a lot of fiction books, which looking down the list would not be my cup of tea. Chris Ryan (aka Colin Armstrong), was in the SAS and retired from the British army in 1994 after sixteen years service. He made SAS history with the longest escape and evasion by an SAS trouper or any other soldier, covering 190 miles  between Baghdad and the Syrian Border. Since leaving the army he has presented and produced many television programmes.  

The book. There are lots of useful tips on keeping safe when out and about. I have to say though that I consider some of them to be common sense, I practice a lot of them automatically, like being aware of  what is going on around you. A lot of it is down to observational skills, he writes about the importance of maintaining a heightened level of awareness on the street. 

There are chapters about staying safe on the street, in your car, in your home, and on holiday. Cyber security is covered, keeping children and the elderly safe, these are the normal every day situations where we can keep ourselves safe. All useful information there. 

Then it goes into more serious aspects of personal safety in unusual circumstances. This book is right up to date with how to stay safe in a dangerous world. If you want to know what to do if you are caught up in a mass terror incident, in a riot, how to run and hide, staying safe in a hostage situation, or a biochemical or nuclear attack, then this is your book. Then there was a bit about how to fight, and identifying and understanding firearms. I must admit I skimmed through all of this. The chances of me becoming caught up in anything like this are very slim. Me who doesn't like crowds, who will never fly again, and who prefers to wander the countryside. 

Ok, I've just opened a page, How to deal with a torture situation. A lot of his tips come from his experiences in the SAS. The book appears to be in two parts. The first part for everyday people going about their everyday lives. Useful for most of us. The second part reads more like a survival manual for young army recruits. Interesting for those who want to know what goes on behind the scenes during times of conflict, but I was not that interested. 

To sum up, if you are not very confident when you are out and about, read the first part it will help you. If you read the second part you will scare yourself to death, and worry even more about your safety and may never step outside your front door again. 

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. 
Toodle pip