Another reason the sitrep is essential is because the Alpha Force members back at base might have received new intelligence about the target. If they called the others the moment they received it, it might endanger them or blow the mission, so they wait until they know they can talk safely.

In the SAS we'd give a minimum of two sitreps every day to command control or base. Alpha Force, being a small squad, might not have a command control all their members might be on active duty at one time. For instance, when Hex and Amber are in Glaickvullin Lodge and Alex, Paulo and Li are in the potholes, both groups are gathering and exchanging information and have to discuss their plans. In such a situation, they will agree beforehand to give a sitrep more frequently say every couple of hours. Once they've agreed how frequently they will make sitreps, they will stick to it.

Sitreps aren't just for situations where you expect to encounter danger. Alex would never set out on one of his solo camping trips in Northumberland without letting someone know where he was going, and when he'd next be in touch. When Paulo goes for a ride on his parents' ranch, he leaves a message saying where he's gone and how long he expects to be. If you're going somewhere alone, such as camping, you should do the same.

Use pa.s.swords: If Alpha Force have to rendezvous with someone who they haven't met before, they have to make sure they can identify them positively. If they don't, they might draw an innocent bystander into their mission by mistake, or they might even be duped into taking an enemy agent into their confidence. They will take a physical description of the agent they're meeting, but they won't rely on that alone because it's not that easy to recognize someone just from a description like 'dark hair, medium build and gla.s.ses'. They will use a pa.s.sword. If Alpha Force have to rendezvous with someone who they haven't met before, they have to make sure they can identify them positively. If they don't, they might draw an innocent bystander into their mission by mistake, or they might even be duped into taking an enemy agent into their confidence. They will take a physical description of the agent they're meeting, but they won't rely on that alone because it's not that easy to recognize someone just from a description like 'dark hair, medium build and gla.s.ses'. They will use a pa.s.sword.

A pa.s.sword has to be more than just one word, because that's too conspicuous. For instance, if your pa.s.sword was 'elephant', you might walk up to several people with dark hair, medium build and gla.s.ses and see if they said 'elephant' to you, but most of them will be ordinary members of the public and you might get some very odd looks! Also, if enemy agents were watching they would soon spot what you were up to. Instead, Alpha Force prearrange to have a short conversation with the person they are meeting. For instance, when they spot someone with dark hair, medium build and gla.s.ses, they will ask them, 'Has a man with a black dog walked past?' An innocent stranger or an enemy agent might say no or yes if it was in a common dog-walking spot. But the real agent will have agreed to say something more distinctive, such as 'No, it was a Dalmatian.' It's very unlikely that anyone would give such a complicated answer by chance.

Keep your cover: If Alpha Force have to create fake ident.i.ties, they practise using them before they go into the field. If Amber has to go undercover as, say, Roz, she practises introducing herself as Roz. As she's using a different name from usual, it would be very easy to look embarra.s.sed or hesitate, which an enemy might spot. Amber would also have to get used to listening out for people trying to attract her attention by calling 'Roz' it looks very odd if you don't respond when someone calls your name! It works the other way too if she wasn't prepared, someone could easily blow her cover by shouting 'Hi, Amber!' If Alpha Force have to create fake ident.i.ties, they practise using them before they go into the field. If Amber has to go undercover as, say, Roz, she practises introducing herself as Roz. As she's using a different name from usual, it would be very easy to look embarra.s.sed or hesitate, which an enemy might spot. Amber would also have to get used to listening out for people trying to attract her attention by calling 'Roz' it looks very odd if you don't respond when someone calls your name! It works the other way too if she wasn't prepared, someone could easily blow her cover by shouting 'Hi, Amber!'

A fake ident.i.ty is more than just a name. Amber also has to work out what town Roz comes from, what school she went to. These are the kinds of question strangers might ask casually or enemies might ask if they wanted to check you out. Amber has to pick a home town for Roz and be able to answer questions about it. An enemy might, for instance, ask her if the store at the crossroads still sells marzipan doughnuts. It might be a trick question because there may be no shop there at all; it may be a school!

Another thing Alpha Force bear in mind when constructing a fake ident.i.ty is what their own appearance and accents say about them. Hex has a London accent and it might be hard to believe he came from Scotland or the USA!

Get information: If Alpha Force are infiltrating an enemy area, they will get as much information about it as they can. Hex spends a lot of time collecting information from his sources on the Internet. If possible they will also talk to people who have been into the area, and look at satellite pictures. There's no subst.i.tute for intelligence. If Alpha Force are infiltrating an enemy area, they will get as much information about it as they can. Hex spends a lot of time collecting information from his sources on the Internet. If possible they will also talk to people who have been into the area, and look at satellite pictures. There's no subst.i.tute for intelligence.

Rehea.r.s.e: In the caves, Alex, Paulo and Li make a diagram while they are working out their plan to smoke out the gamekeepers. That cave was quite a simple site, with few entrances and exits, but many targets will not be so straightforward. If they were infiltrating an enemy camp, there might be many possible angles of approach, dead spots, places to hide, routes in and routes out. The diagram makes sure everyone has the same mental picture of how they will get in, where they are going and so on. Another vital point is that when they've finished with the diagram and are about to move on, they are careful to destroy it. They never know who might stumble on it. In the caves, Alex, Paulo and Li make a diagram while they are working out their plan to smoke out the gamekeepers. That cave was quite a simple site, with few entrances and exits, but many targets will not be so straightforward. If they were infiltrating an enemy camp, there might be many possible angles of approach, dead spots, places to hide, routes in and routes out. The diagram makes sure everyone has the same mental picture of how they will get in, where they are going and so on. Another vital point is that when they've finished with the diagram and are about to move on, they are careful to destroy it. They never know who might stumble on it.

Alpha Force also spend time practising the final phase of the smoke-out operation so that they can execute it swiftly and efficiently. In the SAS, if we had time, we would try to find a similar camp to the one we were infiltrating and rehea.r.s.e for real. We'd practise absolutely everything not just getting in and out, but our order of approach, laying-up points (LUPs), where to dump equipment, who would cut the fence. An operation must be slick to keep the element of surprise you don't want to waste precious seconds trying to remember who's got the wire cutters and getting them out from the bottom of their bergen!

If Alpha Force have to use unfamiliar equipment, they rehea.r.s.e with that too. They might have just thirty seconds to set up a camera, make sure it's working and well concealed. It's hopeless if they start fumbling, drop it, can't find the on b.u.t.ton.

Alpha Force have often had to change their clothes in enemy territory to blend in and even this takes practice. Try it yourself get a mate to time you while you put on a disguise (make sure they don't peek!). Can you get all the b.u.t.tons done up, everything the right way round and look neat and shipshape in 60 seconds? To make it even more challenging, try the same thing in a darkened cupboard!

a.s.sess risk: Although Alpha Force frequently end up in danger, they always plan not to! Before they go into an enemy area they make sure their plan allows them to stay hidden and get out safely. They never just take this for granted if they don't have a proper entry and escape, they don't go in. Otherwise, if they are captured, not only might they be hurt or interrogated, they might endanger an entire mission which could be of national importance. Although Alpha Force frequently end up in danger, they always plan not to! Before they go into an enemy area they make sure their plan allows them to stay hidden and get out safely. They never just take this for granted if they don't have a proper entry and escape, they don't go in. Otherwise, if they are captured, not only might they be hurt or interrogated, they might endanger an entire mission which could be of national importance.

Man down!: If someone does get injured, the operation's over. The number one priority is to get them out and to help. Once the injured person is in a safe place, though, it might be possible to go back in with a change of personnel. For instance, if Paulo sprained his ankle and had to be extricated, he might be taken out to where Li was guarding the spare kit at an LUP, then Li could go in in his place while he guards the bergens. This also means that whoever's left on back-up duty has to be prepared for a more active role at a moment's notice it would be no good if Li was having a snooze or was engrossed in a book when the others needed reinforcements. If someone does get injured, the operation's over. The number one priority is to get them out and to help. Once the injured person is in a safe place, though, it might be possible to go back in with a change of personnel. For instance, if Paulo sprained his ankle and had to be extricated, he might be taken out to where Li was guarding the spare kit at an LUP, then Li could go in in his place while he guards the bergens. This also means that whoever's left on back-up duty has to be prepared for a more active role at a moment's notice it would be no good if Li was having a snooze or was engrossed in a book when the others needed reinforcements.

Never underestimate the enemy: No matter how simple a task may be, Alpha Force a.s.sume the enemy will be as tough, alert and well trained as they are. They are never slipshod about planning and preparation. And they stay in training, practising their skills so they don't get rusty. Many times their lives have depended on how fast they can run or how strong they are so all of them put in regular hours in the gym and many miles running, cycling and swimming. They never know when they might need it. No matter how simple a task may be, Alpha Force a.s.sume the enemy will be as tough, alert and well trained as they are. They are never slipshod about planning and preparation. And they stay in training, practising their skills so they don't get rusty. Many times their lives have depended on how fast they can run or how strong they are so all of them put in regular hours in the gym and many miles running, cycling and swimming. They never know when they might need it.

BE SAFE!.

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Random House Children's Books and Chris Ryan would like to make it clear that this advice is given for use in a serious situation only, where your life could be at risk. We cannot accept any liability for inappropriate usage in normal conditions.

Have you read all the Alpha Force books?

Here's a chance to test your survival skills with the ALPHA FORCE QUIZ!

1.What should you do if someone gets a snakebite?

a)Keep the victim calm, suck out the venom and try to get medical help quickly b)Keep the victim calm, cut out the venom and try to get medical help quickly c)Keep the victim calm, wash out the venom and try to get medical help quickly 2.Which African animal kills more humans than any other?

a)Hippopotamus b)Crocodile c)Lion 3.What are the common symptoms of shock?

a)Hot, clammy skin, and a slow pulse and lack of movement b)Cold, sweaty skin, a feeble but rapid pulse and shakiness c)The victim won't show any noticeable signs 4.What chemical creates an antiseptic when added to water? (Hint: Alex carries it in his survival kit in (Hint: Alex carries it in his survival kit in Desert Pursuit Desert Pursuit) a)Pota.s.sium permanganate b)Sodium Chloride c)Sulphur 5.Roughly how long can you survive without water?

a)One day b)Three days c)Five days 6.How long can the average human survive without food?

a)One week b)Two weeks c)Three weeks 7. If you sprain an ankle but have to keep moving, you should a)Keep your boot on b)Take your boot off and strap up the ankle c)Take your boot off and leave the ankle unsupported 8.What's the internationally recognised format to use with any signal when you need help?

a)Repeat any signal three times b)Repeat any signal four times c)Repeat any signal five times 9.If you're stuck without supplies, what is the best thing for washing out wounds?

a)Saliva b)Urine c)Tears 10.What are the symptoms of salt deprivation?

a)Sweating and feeling nauseous b)Feeling dizzy and tired c)All of the above 11.What should you not not do if a leech attaches itself to your skin? do if a leech attaches itself to your skin?

a)Use heat to try and make it drop off b)Pull it off c)Use petrol or alcohol to try and make it drop off 12.What should you do if you find yourself confronting a big cat?

a)Run b)Shout and wave your arms c)Curl up into a ball 13.What's the best thing to store your survival kit in?

a)A plastic bag b)A waterproof box or tin c)A cloth bag 14.Which of these should you never drink?

a)Sea water b)Freshwater that hasn't been boiled or sterilized c)Both of the above 15.Which of the options below would be the best place to build a shelter?

a)Bottom of a valley b)Hilltop c)On the edge of a forest 16.What's the Morse code signal for SOS?

a)dot, dot, dot/dash, dash, dash/dot, dot, dot b)dot, dot, dash/dot, dot, dash/dot, dot, dash c)dash, dash, dash/dot, dot, dot/dash, dash, dash 17.What can you rub underneath your eyes to reduce the glare from snow and help prevent snow blindness?

a)Leaf sap b)Charcoal c)Chalk 18.Which of these symptoms means you might be getting frostbite?

a)p.r.i.c.kly sensation in hands or feet and numb, waxy-looking patches b)Burning sensation in hands or feet and red, scaly patches c)No sensation in hands or feet and red, scaly patches 19.If your body temperature drops faster than your body can generate heat, what are you suffering from?

a)Hyperthermia b)Dehydration c)Hypothermia 20. What colour flare should you use for an SOS signal?

a)Blue b)Green c)Red Have you got what it takes to be a member of Alpha Force?

Turn over to find out the answers and see how good your survival skills are!

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ANSWERS.

1.c. If you suck out the venom you may poison yourself and attempting to cut out the venom may drive it further into the bloodstream.

2.a. Hippos are very aggressive and territorial and they can run 100 metres in 9 seconds!

3.b 4.a 5.b. You can survive for longer without food but not without water!

6.c 7.a. Otherwise your ankle will swell and you won't be able to put your boot on again.

8.a 9.b 10.c 11.b. If you pull the leech off the head will remain under your skin and could cause a poisonous reaction.

12.b. Making yourself look as big and threatening as possible is the only way to deter a large cat.

Running will trigger its kill response!

13.b 14.c 15.c. On the edge of a forest is a good option as you will be able to see anything that approaches. A valley could be damp and a hilltop could be exposed to wind.

16.a 17.b 18.a 19.c 20.c

Don't miss any of the missions in the Alpha Force series: SURVIVAL.

RAT-CATCHER.

DESERT PURSUIT.

HOSTAGE.

RED CENTRE.

HUNTED.

BLOOD MONEY.

FAULT LINE.

BLACK GOLD.

UNTOUCHABLE.

Also available by Chris Ryan, published by Century/Arrow, for adult readers: STAND BY, STAND BY.

ZERO OPTION.

THE KREMLIN DEVICE.

TENTH MAN DOWN.

THE HIT LIST.

THE WATCHMAN.

LAND OF FIRE.

GREED.

THE INCREMENT.

BLACKOUT.

Non-fiction: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY.

(the story of his experiences in the SAS and Iraq) CHRIS RYAN'S SAS FITNESS BOOK CHRIS RYAN'S ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE