The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook broke out of the pack of last year's books, igniting white-hot media interest (The New Yorker, National Post, Oprah) that ran all summer long. There are a million copies in print with no sign of slowing demand. How do the authors follow this up? With a book written specifically for travellers.Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht have devised 40 new scenarios of potential disaster. Readers will learn how to use their people skills to bribe an official or to foil a UFO abduction. There is useful instruction for walking on a broken leg, building an igloo and escaping a blaze in a high-rise hotel. Written with down-to-earth guy-humour, the Travel Handbook feeds the atavistic soul. You may never be stalked by a lion or caught at sea in a perfect storm, but a calm mind and resourcefulness will always serve you well.This book includes practical new features such as diagrams for international sign language, emergency phrases, packing advice, air-travel tips and sure-fire ways to beat jet lag.

Joshua Piven is a writer, editor, and Web site designer who lives in Philadelphia. He's ready for anything.

David Borgenicht is a Philadelphia-based writer whose own worst-case scenario involved a heavy-armored vehicle in Pakistan.

Chapter One

HOW TO CONTROL A RUNAWAY CAMEL

[1] Hang on to the reins--but do not pull them back hard in an attempt to stop the camel.

A camel's head, unlike that of a wayward horse, cannot always be pulled to the side to slow it down. Camels are usually harnessed with a head halter or nose reins, and pulling on the nose reins can tear the camel's nose--or break the reins.

[2] If the camel has sturdy reins and a head halter, pull the reins to one side to make the camel run in a circle.

Do not fight the camel; pull the reins in the direction the camel attempts to turn its head. The camel may change direction several times during the incident--let it do so.

[3] If the camel has nose reins, just hang on tight.

Use the reins for balance, and grip with your legs. If there is a saddle, hold on to the horn.

[4] Hold on until the camel stops.

Whether the camel is running in circles or in a straight path, it will not run very far. The camel will sit down when it grows tired.

[5] When the camel sits, jump off.

Hold on to the reins to keep it from running off.

HOW TO STOP A RUNAWAY PASSENGER TRAIN

[1] Locate the emergency brake.

There is an emergency brake valve just inside each end of every passenger car. These valves are generally red and should be clearly marked.

[2] Pull the handle.

This opens a valve that vents brake pipe air pressure to the atmosphere, applying the brakes for an emergency stop. There is a possibility of derailment, depending upon track curvature and grade, train weight, and the number of coaches.

If the Brake Does Not Work

[1] Call for help.

Locate a crew member's radio. Depress the "talk" button between the earpiece and the microphone. Do not change the channel, even if you do not hear an answer. Transmit an emergency distress call: Give any information that may help the listener understand the location of the train (for example, train number and destination). The Train Dispatcher should hear you and may clear traffic without responding. If you cannot find anyone on the radio, you will have to attempt to stop the train yourself.

[2] Make your way to the front of the train.

Pull all emergency brake valves as you proceed, or instruct other passengers to apply handbrakes. These brakes are different from the red valves described earlier, and are located on each end of the passenger coach, inside the vestibule. They are applied by turning a wheel or pumping a lever. Tighten these valves as much as possible, and leave them applied.

[3] Enter the locomotive.

The locomotive is usually right after the baggage car, just in front of the passenger coaches. Exercise extreme caution when stepping over and across the car couplers that connect the locomotive and baggage car.

There may be several locomotives on the train--not just one. Repeat the following steps in each locomotive. However, there is a chance that the trailing locomotive cab will be reversed, and that you will not be able to proceed any farther forward. If this is the case, retreat to the last car of the train and follow the instructions on page 26: "If the Train is Not Slowing or a Crash is Imminent."

[4] Open all emergency valves located in the engine room on or near the dash (at the left side of the cab).

The emergency valves will be clearly marked. Place the handles in the farthest position forward.

[5] Move all levers and handles forward, toward the windshield.

Be certain to move the brake valves forward (they will have the word "brake" at the base of the handles). Quickly push or move down all white sliding switches on and around the control stand to shut off electricity to the engine(s).

[6] If the train is still not slowing down, enter the engine room, which will be behind you to your right.

A very loud engine room will indicate that the locomotive is "under load," or still operating.

[7] Move rapidly through the engine room, along the engine block.

The engine block stands about four or five feet tall and looks like a large automobile engine.

[8] Shut down the engine by pulling the layshaft lever.

This is a two-foot-long handle at shoulder height near the end of the engine block. It may be difficult to find, as it is not painted a different color from the engine itself. Push the handle all the way in, and the engine will run too fast and shut down. This lever is mechanical and will shut down the engine without fail.

[9] Return to the cab and sound the whistle to warn others of your approach--it may take several miles to stop the train completely.

The whistle is either a handle the size of your hand that points upward, or a button located on the control panel marked "horn."

If the Train Is Not Slowing or a Crash Is Imminent

[1] Proceed as calmly and quietly as possible to the rear of the train.

This is the safest place to be in the event of a crash. Instruct the other passengers to move to the back of the train with you.

[2] Prepare for a crash.

Sleeping cars are usually placed on the tail end of the train and have mattresses and pillows that can be used for protection. Sit or lay against a wall that is toward the leading end of the train, so you will not fly forward in the event of a crash. The farther you are from the locomotive the better.

HOW TO STOP A CAR WITH NO BRAKES

[1] Begin pumping the brake pedal and keep pumping it.

You may be able to build up enough pressure in the braking system to slow down a bit, or even stop completely. If you have anti-lock brakes, you do not normally pump them--but if your brakes have failed, this may work.

[2] Do not panic--relax and steer the car smoothly.

Cars will often safely corner at speeds much higher than you realize or are used to driving. The rear of the car may slip; steer evenly, being careful not to overcorrect.

[3] Shift the car into the lowest gear possible and let the engine and transmission slow you down.

[4] Pull the emergency brake--but not too hard.

Pulling too hard on the emergency brake will cause the rear wheels to lock, and the car to spin around. Use even, constant pressure. In most cars, the emergency brake (also known as the hand brake or parking brake) is cable operated and serves as a fail-safe brake that should still work even when the rest of the braking system has failed. The car should slow down and, in combination with the lower gear, will eventually stop.

[5] If you are running out of room, try a "bootlegger's turn."

Yank the emergency brake hard while turning the wheel a quarter turn in either direction--whichever is safer. This will make the car spin 180 degrees. If you were heading downhill, this spin will head you back uphill, allowing you to slow down.

[6] If you have room, swerve the car back and forth across the road.

Making hard turns at each side of the road will decrease your speed even more.

[7] If you come up behind another car, use it to help you stop.

Blow your horn, flash your lights, and try to get the driver's attention. If you hit the car, be sure to hit it square, bumper to bumper, so you do not knock the other car off the road. This is an extremely dangerous maneuver: It works best if the vehicle in front of you is larger than yours--a bus or truck is ideal--and if both vehicles are traveling at similar speeds. You do not want to crash into a much slower-moving or stopped vehicle, however.

[8] Look for something to help stop you.

A flat or uphill road that intersects with the road you are on, a field, or a fence will slow you further but not stop you suddenly. Scraping the side of your car against a guardrail is another option. Avoid trees and wooden telephone poles: They do not yield as readily.

[9] Do not attempt to sideswipe oncoming cars.

[10] If none of the above steps has enabled you to stop and you are about to go over a cliff, try to hit something that will slow you down before you go over.

This strategy will also leave a clue to others that someone has gone over the edge. But since very few cliffs are sheer drops, you may fall just several feet and then stop.

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