Practical Readiness, Built Around You.

Most people do not get a clear look at their plans until something starts to go wrong. Personalized Readiness Planning is a one-on-one engagement that helps you assess your current capabilities, intended use, and the gap between where you are and where you want to be—then build a practical plan to close it.

• Individual, family, and equipment readiness assessment
• Trip-specific and home-base readiness review
• Decision-making and risk framework discussion
• Prioritized action plan with clear next steps
• Follow-up support as you work through the plan

These sessions are built around doing, not just talking. Applied Skills & Decision-Making is hands-on instruction designed to help you practice the fundamentals you will actually use and think more clearly when conditions change. Each session is tailored to your goals, experience, and comfort level, so you are challenged without being pushed in over your head.

• Scenario-based practice in realistic conditions
• Navigation fundamentals: map, compass, and GPS
• Situational awareness and decision-making when plans change
• Shelter, warmth, water, and other immediate priorities
• Small, private sessions with more time on task and direct feedback

American Red Cross certification courses — CPR/AED and Wilderness & Remote First Aid — taught by a certified American Red Cross instructor in a small-group, private setting. Groups stay small so there is time to ask questions, practice skills, and leave with real certification in hand.

• American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED certification
• American Red Cross Wilderness & Remote First Aid certification for remote settings
• Clear frameworks for when to watch, when to treat, and when to call
• Private sessions for families and small groups, scheduled around you
• Guidance on building and organizing practical first aid kits for home, vehicle, and travel use

A good communications plan is less about gadgets and more about knowing who needs to reach whom, with what tool, and under which conditions. This service helps you understand your options, build a practical layered plan, and use the right tools without overcomplicating the system.

• Overview of communication options: FRS, GMRS, amateur radio, satellite messengers, and PLBs
• Basic radio operation, etiquette, and practical use
• Trip communication plans, check-in routines, and emergency contact structure
• Guidance on satellite messaging, location sharing, and off-grid communication habits
• Optional discussion of vehicle-based systems such as cell boosters and mobile Starlink, where appropriate
• Communication planning for families, partner travel, and small private groups

Most trip problems are predictable if you slow down long enough to look for them. Trip Planning & Risk Review is a structured pre-trip session that helps you identify the risks specific to your route, your group, and the season—then build simple, practical mitigations before you go.

• Route and terrain assessment, using digital tools such as onX alongside paper maps
• Weather and seasonal risk review
• Gear and supply planning relative to actual trip demands
• Group capability, roles, and expectations
• Contingency planning and clear turnaround criteria
• Emergency contact and communication plan setup
• Identifying landowner information and planning respectful permission requests for private-land access

This is not an advanced recovery course. It is a practical look at how to set up, drive, and use the vehicle you already have with more margin for error. The focus is on simple checks, better habits, and basic self-recovery skills—so you are less likely to get stuck, and better prepared if you do.

• Pre-trip vehicle inspection and simple readiness checklist
• Driving choices that help keep you out of trouble in the first place
• Basic self-recovery techniques with common tools such as a shovel, traction boards, jack, and tow strap
• How to build a realistic vehicle kit for your trips and budget
• When to stop, when to call for help, and how to keep people safe around a stuck vehicle
• Overview of winches and other advanced tools—what they are for, and when you do or do not need them

Preparedness is not only about skill and equipment. It is also about how you move through the places you use. As a certified Tread Lightly! Tread Trainer, SOT provides education that helps people reduce impact, make better decisions on the ground, and build habits that support long-term access and stewardship.

• Tread Lightly! principles for responsible recreation
• Practical guidance on route choices, terrain use, and minimizing impact
• Stewardship education for individuals, families, and small groups
• Responsible access discussions for overland and motorized travel
• Support for clubs, small groups, and community education efforts where appropriate

Preparedness starts close to home. These walkthrough sessions bring SOT to your property for a guided look at the plants, trees, and edges you already live with. Together, we identify common edible and useful species, talk through safety and look-alikes, and discuss practical ways to make use of what is already there—without turning your yard into a project.

• On-site walk of your yard, edges, and nearby green space
• Identification of common edible, medicinal, and useful plants in season
• Safety fundamentals, look-alike awareness, and when not to harvest
• Practical ideas for kitchen, household, and simple preservation use
• Follow-up notes highlighting key species and next steps for your property

Most disaster preparedness advice is generic. This service is not. SOT works with you one-on-one to build a practical, household-specific plan that accounts for where you live, who is in your home, your pets, your medical needs, and the real risks in your area. The result is a clear, usable plan — not a binder that collects dust.

• Household risk assessment based on your location and circumstances
• Evacuation routes, rally points, and go-bag planning
• Shelter-in-place planning for extended power outages and severe weather
• Water, food, and supply planning scaled to your household
• Communication plan for family members, including out-of-area contacts
• Special considerations for children, elderly family members, and pets
• Review of local emergency resources and alert systems