How to Use This Book

What This Is

This is a practical, online-first guide you can skim in minutes or study in depth. Each chapter starts with what to do, then adds why and how. Appendices provide printable quick-reference.

Icons

To keep callouts consistent and readable across browsers, we use simple Unicode with ASCII fallbacks. Use these markers when drafting content and keep the wording short and action-focused.

• 💡 Tip — ALT: [tip]
• 📝 Note — ALT: [note]
• ⚠️ Caution — ALT: [caution]
• ⛔ Danger — ALT: [danger]
• ⛑️ First Aid — ALT: [med]
• ⚖️ Legal — ALT: [legal]
• ☑️ Checklist — ALT: [x] / [ ]
• 🧰 Gear — ALT: [gear]

Formatting pattern (choose one of the two styles):

1. Inline callout

   ⚠️ Caution: Hot exhaust can ignite dry grass.

2. Label prefix on its own line ⚠️ Caution
   • Park on bare soil or pavement before working under a vehicle.

At-a-Glance Cards

Each major section references matching quick cards in Appendices. Use them for training and as “just-in-time” refreshers. See: Appendices → At-a-Glance Cards, Signal Library, Knots, Water Dosages, and Checklists.

Navigation & Structure

• Parts I–XII are topic clusters. Skim “Intros” and jump to the task you need.
• Chapters are short, scannable modules with headings you can link to directly.
• Appendices contain single-page references intended for printing or offline copies.

What We Don’t Use

• Color tabs: Omitted for the web. Headings, icons, and clear links replace color coding.

Checklists

• Use [ ] for an empty box and [x] when demonstrating a completed item.
• Keep items single-action and verifiable (no multi-step bullets in one line).

Example:

• Water: container, pre-filter, treatment method
• Light: headlamp, spare batteries
• Comms: charged phone, offline map, PACE plan card

Skill Levels

To set expectations, we may label tasks:

• Basic — safe for most readers after a quick read-through
• Intermediate — practice recommended before real use
• Advanced — requires training, supervision, or specialized gear

Measurements & Conventions

• Units: SI first, US customary in parentheses when useful (e.g., 1 L (34 fl oz)).
• Time: 24-hour format for logs and plans; use local time zone.
• Coordinates: Show format and datum (e.g., 37.7749° N, 122.4194° W; WGS84) and include UTM/MGRS when relevant.
• Terms: The first appearance of a model or acronym expands in-line (e.g., PACE: Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency).
• See also: Glossary & Acronyms (Appendices) for quick reference.

Safety First

When a step trades time for safety, we prefer safety. If a task exceeds your training, stop, stabilize, and seek help. See: Disclaimer & Scope.

Offline Use

• Save important chapters as PDFs or print quick cards for kits.
• Consider a preloaded offline map app and locally saved checklists.

Contributing & Feedback

If you spot a mistake or have a practical improvement, open an issue or submit a concise example that improves clarity and safety. Real-world observations matter.

Scenarios

🧭 Scenario (Urban outage, commute): Power fails at dusk. Elevators stop, data crawls, streets clog. Your GHB is under the desk.
🔍 Decisions: Stairwell vs wait; route to busier exit; call or text; conserve battery; walk vs rideshare.
✅ Outcome: You take stairs, text a short WHO/WHERE/WHEN/WHAT/INTENT update, switch to offline map, walk a known route with headlamp on low.
🧠 Lessons:
- PACE: voice → text → radio → rendezvous
- Offline maps + battery bank ≫ random scrolling
- Keep light and whistle on-person
🏋️ Drill: Walk your route once in daylight; save an offline map and set a one‑page PACE card.

🧭 Scenario (Trail day, light rain): Your phone is at 20%. A friend twists an ankle 3 km from trailhead.
🔍 Decisions: Duty‑cycle phone; signal; split or stay; shelter now or move.
✅ Outcome: You STOP, build a quick A‑frame, send a timed text, then hobble together on a handrail to a known rendezvous.
🧠 Lessons:
- Safety, shelter, signaling before distance
- “One page” checklists reduce flailing
🏋️ Drill: Pack your bag to hit the checklists without digging.