A waterproof notebook records grid references, contacts, symptoms and plans that survive rain and sweat — reliable written information when a phone can't be trusted.
Screens fail — batteries die, phones get wet, signal drops — but paper you can write on in the rain doesn't. A waterproof notebook lets you record the things that matter when it counts: a grid reference, an injured person's symptoms and times, emergency contacts, a route plan, a vehicle registration. Ordinary paper turns to pulp the moment it's wet; waterproof paper keeps your notes legible through downpours and river crossings.
It's a small, analogue backup for critical information in a world that assumes your phone always works. In first aid, navigation and coordinating with others, having a durable written record is more useful than people expect.
Use it to jot navigation notes and grid references, log a casualty's condition and the times of any treatment, keep written emergency contacts and plans, or record details in wet conditions where a phone is a liability. Pair it with a pencil or all-weather pen, which write when biros fail in cold and wet.
Look for synthetic 'stone' or coated paper that sheds water entirely, not just a water-resistant cover over normal pages.
A compact notebook that fits a jacket or pack pocket is one you'll actually carry and reach for in the field.
A tough cover and binding survive being crushed in a pack and soaked repeatedly without falling apart.
Ballpoint pens skip on wet paper and fail in the cold. Use a pencil or a pressurised all-weather pen so you can actually write when it's wet.
A phone is not a reliable record in the wet or when the battery's flat. A waterproof notebook is the backup that keeps working regardless.
An A5 waterproof field notebook with tear-proof stone paper that sheds water entirely, keeping navigation notes, contacts and records legible in any weather.
A compact signalling mirror that reflects sunlight to flag down rescuers over long distances. A featherweight backup way to be seen when you're lost or stranded.
A professional-grade navigation compass with map scales and a clinometer, trusted by rescue teams. The pick for serious hill and expedition navigation.
A proven baseplate compass with a sighting mirror and map scales for accurate navigation when phones and GPS die. A dependable classic trusted by hikers and the military.
A simple, accurate baseplate compass at a keen price. A dependable no-batteries way to learn map-and-compass basics and keep a backup in every bag.
Magnetic navigation instrument for finding direction without batteries or signal. The most reliable navigation tool that exists.
A heliograph signal mirror can reflect sunlight to attract attention from aircraft and rescue teams over distances exceeding 15 kilometres. Lightweight, durable, and requires no batteries or fuel.