Ray Mears

[scotta]

A couple of years ago Ray Mears did a Desert survival programme. Does anyone out there have a copy of it that i could borrow or does anyone know where I can get a copy. The BBC has not released it for sale.

Cheers

Ashley

[GWJ]

Hi - what about this book?

http://www.raymears.com/about.cfm

[Ian Bradshaw]

The survival programs ran recently in the UK. They had some great locations, scenery and camera angles and went as far as showing the results of some of Ray's tricks such as traps, shelters, water etc. I can sum them up in 1 word; superficial. There was no detailed explanation on how to do things.

My mother bought me Ray's 'Bushcraft' book a couple of weeks ago. Again this has some wonderful locations, scenery etc etc and even some detail on how to do things. I read it as far as 'shoot a large animal such as an elephant and extract the liquid from it's stomach as a source of water' and put it down. I could read no further. (If you shoot the elephant I hope the game keepers shoot you before they save it)

My wife bought me 'SAS Desert Survival' by Barry Davies BEM. This I read from cover to cover. There is so much in it, full explanations, too much detail to remember yet small and light enough to pack (even on a bike), the Mears book by comparison is huge and could only be left at home, unless you need a sand-plate for your high lift jack ;-)

Search 'survival' on www.virginbooks.com

Hope this helps,

Ian

[Sam Rutherford]

I completely agree with Ian.

Er, that's it!

Sam.

[Andrew Baker]

I saw the Ray Mears programme about deserts and decided to take his advice about using a parachute as an awning, using psp stuffed in the sand as anchor points. We found that the desert wind, not mentioned on tv, made the damned thing unmangeable, and it was hotter under the parachute even when folded 4 times over than being in the direct sun.We found it easier to sit in the shade of the Landy. We gave the chute to some nomads.

[Chris Scott]

I recall that Ray M programme and, expecting the usual cliches, I thought it was pretty damn good.

FYI, I hear an even more impressive production is underway this winter in Algeria:
'Desert Driving - 4WD, Driving and Navigation Techniques in the Sahara.

It will be out on vid and DVD in English and German next summer.

CS