National Geographic joins with the American Red Cross, the U.S. Army, and the Boy and Girl Scouts to reveal the secrets of emergency survival—in any situation. Beginning with the basics of survival, the book then focuses on how to survive in six of the world's most hazardous environments—from building a snow fort if you're lost in a blizzard, to surviving a rattlesnake bite in the desert, to navigating safely through the dense rainforest. The manual also offers essential instructions for weathering eight different natural disasters, from hurricanes and tornadoes to earthquakes and forest fires, including a chapter on home-based survival. Plus, ten National Geographic explorers, photographers, and scientists candidly share their own near-death stories and how they lived to tell them. Each chapter is full of detailed, custom-drawn illustrations that lay out how-tos in easy to follow steps. Bulleted lists, first-person stories, a glossary, cross-referencing, an appendix, and an index round out the reference features. With 200 color photographs and maps, and a durable, waterproof cover, this vital reference is a necessity for families, seniors, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who needs to know what to do in a real emergency situation.