My Field Guide

1

Emergency numbers

Write them on paper too

911: emergencies (heat stroke, fire, crime in progress). Text 911 where supported if you can't call.
211: Arizona community resources, cooling and shelter info
988: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text)
1-800-222-1222: Poison Control (scorpions, snakebites, toxic plants)
511: Arizona road conditions (az511.gov)
APS outages: 602-371-3680 (metro) / 855-688-2437 · downed lines: 911, then 602-371-7171
SRP outages: 602-236-8888 / 800-258-4777 · power emergencies 602-236-8811 (911 first for medical)
Gila County Emergency Mgmt (Payson): 928-402-8789 · Coconino County (Flagstaff): 928-679-8311
Red Cross shelters: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

2

Heat illness: signs & first aid

Cool first, then call

Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke

Heat exhaustion is a warning. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Knowing the difference, and acting fast, saves lives.

Warning

Heat exhaustion

Look for:

Heavy sweating
Cold, pale, clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache
Fainting

Do this:

Move to a cool place, ideally air-conditioned
Loosen tight clothing
Apply cool, wet cloths or take a cool bath
Sip water

Get medical help right away if they're vomiting, symptoms get worse, or symptoms last longer than an hour.

Call 911

Heat stroke

Look for:

Body temperature of 103°F or higher
Hot, red, dry or damp skin
Fast, strong pulse
Headache, dizziness, nausea
Confusion or acting "not themselves"
Losing consciousness (passing out)

Do this:

Call 911 immediately.
Move them somewhere cooler (shade, indoors, AC).
Cool them fast: cold water, ice packs on neck, armpits, and groin, wet sheets plus a fan, or immersion in cool water if available.
Do not give them anything to drink.

Symptoms adapted from the CDC: Heat-Related Illnesses and Maricopa County: Signs of Heat Illness.

2b

AC broken? Do this now

People first, then the AC

The short version

Anyone confused, passed out, or very hot to the touch? Call 911 and start cooling them now.
Indoors above 90°F, or anyone high-risk and it's getting hot? Leave now for a cooling center, library, mall, or a friend's home with AC. Dial 211 or use the Heat Relief Network map.
Cool your body: wet cloths, cool shower, drink water. Fans help only below 90°F indoors.
Quick checks: thermostat on Cool, breaker, filter, drain-pan switch, outdoor fan. Nothing more risky than that.
Renters: tell your landlord in writing today and keep proof.
Check on neighbors and pets, especially older adults living alone.

Quick AC checks

Thermostat: set to Cool, the temperature set a few degrees below room temperature, fan on Auto. Blank screen? Replace the batteries.
Power: is the power out? See Blackout and check your utility's outage map. Otherwise check the breaker panel for a tripped AC or furnace breaker and the outdoor shut-off box. Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a technician.
Filter: a clogged filter can stop airflow and freeze the coil. Replace it if it's dirty.
Drain-pan (condensate) switch: many systems shut off when the drain pan or drain line fills with water. If the pan is full, turn the system off, empty the pan, and clear the outside end of the drain line (a wet/dry vacuum works). Never bypass the switch.
Outdoor unit: with the AC on, is the fan spinning? Clear weeds and debris from around it. If you see ice on the lines or coil, turn cooling off and run the fan only to thaw it (this can take hours), then call for service.
Vents: make sure supply vents and the return grille are open and not blocked.

Renters: notify your landlord in writing (keep proof). Phoenix & Tucson rentals: AC must cool to 82°F (evaporative 86°F); Tempe 82°F / 88°F. Phoenix tenant help: 602-262-7210. Legal aid: Community Legal Services 602-258-3434.

3

My situation: what to do

Your transportation, area, and needs

Getting around

Car with fuel

You have the most options. Use them early.

Keep the tank at least half full, all summer.
Pack a car kit: extra water for everyone, a sunshade, cooling towels, phone charger, paper map.
If you need to leave, go early, before roads clog. See your area's routes below and on Evacuation Routes.
Your car is a cooling space in an outage. Run the AC in the open, never in a closed garage.
Have room? Offer a seat to a neighbor without a car.

Car, little or no fuel

Save fuel for what matters most

Use what fuel you have for essential trips only: getting to a cooling center, a pharmacy or dialysis, or out of a danger zone.
Don't idle for long periods; use AC only as long as you need to cool down.
Coordinate with neighbors: carpool and pool fuel for one trip instead of several.
If stations are closed or out, check with 211 and official sources about where fuel or shelter is available before driving around searching.
Never store gasoline indoors or in a hot car.

No car

Plan your ride before you need it

Line up rides now: a neighbor, friend, or family member who agrees to pick you up in an emergency.
Transit: Valley Metro light rail and buses run across much of the metro when service is operating. Check valleymetro.org for current routes and service changes.
Rideshare/taxi may work but can be scarce and expensive during emergencies. Keep some cash and a charged phone.
Dial 211 to ask about cooling sites and help near you.
In many cases, staying put is safer than walking a long way in the heat. See the walking warning below.

Walking or biking in Phoenix heat can kill. Most heat deaths in Maricopa County happen outdoors (74% in 2025, MCDPH). If you must go on foot or by bike:

Travel at night or before sunrise, never in the afternoon heat.
Carry more water than you think you'll need for every person and pet, plus electrolytes. Store at least 1 gallon per person per day at home (Ready.gov).
Go to the nearest cool place (cooling center, library, store, a neighbor with AC), not across town.
Rest in shade often, wear a hat and light clothing, and travel with someone.
Watch for heat illness signs and stop at the first sign of dizziness, confusion, or nausea.
Don't attempt long-distance walking out of the metro. Shelter in place and seek help instead.

No car or no fuel?

Think creatively: wheels and other ways to move

When you can't drive, pay attention to wheels. Rolling a load uses far less energy than carrying it, and water (8.34 lb per gallon) is the heaviest thing you'll move. Look around your home, garage, and neighborhood.

Bikes & e-bikes

Bikes cover several times the distance of walking for the same effort.
E-bikes help with hills and heat, but range varies with battery size, load, speed, and terrain. Heavy loads and heat shorten it. In a blackout you can only recharge from a power station, solar panel, or wherever power is still on, so plan trips within one charge.
Bike trailers and cargo bikes can haul water, kids, or supplies.

Things that roll

Wagons, garden carts, and hand trucks: move water jugs to a neighbor or cooling site.
Strollers and jogging strollers: big wheels roll well and carry a child plus water.
Wheeled coolers and rolling luggage for hauling water, food, and meds.
Skateboards and kick scooters for short hops on smooth pavement.

Keep it rolling

Pack: spare tubes, a patch kit, tire levers, a pump, and a multi-tool.
Goatheads (puncturevine) grow throughout Arizona below 6,500 ft. Their spiny burs puncture bike tires (UA Extension). Use thorn-resistant tubes or tire sealant.
Travel at night or before sunrise with front and rear lights and reflective gear.
Hot pavement can be 40–60°F hotter than the air. It softens tires, burns hands on metal, and burns paws.
Freeways: bikes are banned on some urban segments (e.g., I-17 through central Phoenix and all of Loop 101) and allowed on many rural shoulders. Obey posted signs (ADOT policy, ARS 28-733).

Pack animals: what's actually true about horses and donkeys

It's often said that horses and donkeys are poor choices in the desert because they need so much water. That's true for horses and only partly true for donkeys.

Horses: yes, a lot of water

A typical 1,100 lb horse drinks about 8 gallons a day idle at 68°F, and about 21.7 gallons a day doing moderate work at 95°F (NRC data via NDSU Extension). That's about 180 lb of water per day. A hard-working horse in heat can sweat 2–4 gallons an hour (UMN Extension). Horses also need about 1.5–2% of body weight in forage daily, roughly 15–20 lb of hay for a 1,000 lb horse (Penn State Extension).

Donkeys: tougher, but not water-free

Donkeys evolved in semi-arid lands. They can tolerate losing up to about 30% of body weight in water and recover by drinking 24–30 liters in a few minutes (WikiVet). Being smaller, a working donkey in a hot climate might need about 20 L (≈5 gal) a day, versus 40–60 L for a working horse (ICWE). But per pound, their needs are similar to a horse's, and they should be offered water at least every 4 hours in heat (The Donkey Sanctuary).

Bottom line: donkeys handle desert conditions much better than horses, so water alone isn't the main reason they're unrealistic. The bigger barriers for most people are that you probably don't have one, handling and packing an animal takes real experience, they need feed and hoof care, they're slow (about walking pace), they can't safely share fast roads with traffic, and freeways can ban non-motorized traffic (ARS 28-733). If you already keep equines, include their water, feed, and a trailer plan in your evacuation plan.

Dogs pulling bikes or wagons

Some dogs can help pull (bikejoring or carting), but only if they're conditioned, suited, and trained. That means a fit, healthy, medium-to-large adult dog (sport rules require dogs to be at least 18 months old), a padded pulling harness (never a collar), a shock-absorbing bungee line, a vet check, and a gradual build-up (AKC). Puppies, small breeds, seniors, and flat-faced breeds are poor candidates.

Heat is the big danger for dogs. Exercise is the most common trigger of heat illness in dogs (UK Brachycephalic Working Group). Asphalt can reach about 125°F when the air is only 77°F, and 143°F at 87°F (WSU Vet Med). Use the 7-second test: if you can't hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds, it's too hot for paws. Move only in the coolest hours, use booties, rest in shade often, and stop at heavy panting, stumbling, or drooling.

Estimate: water to reach Payson or Flagstaff with a 50 lb dog

All figures are rough planning estimates, not guarantees. Distances are from OpenStreetMap routing (Phoenix city center): Payson ≈ 89 mi via Loop 202 and SR-87 (Beeline Hwy), and Flagstaff ≈ 144 mi via I-17.

50 lb dog + 1 adult, traveling about 12 miles per night
	Payson (89 mi)	Flagstaff (144 mi)
Days at ~12 mi/day	8 days	12 days
Dog, low (rest baseline 1 oz/lb/day = 50 oz ≈ 0.39 gal/day)	3.1 gal (26 lb)	4.7 gal (39 lb)
Dog, high (hard work in heat ≈ 1.44 gal/day)	11.5 gal (96 lb)	17.3 gal (144 lb)
Adult human (2 gal/day in heat)	16 gal (133 lb)	24 gal (200 lb)
Total, person + dog	19–28 gal (159–230 lb)	29–41 gal (240–345 lb)

How we got these numbers. Dog baseline: about 1 oz of water per lb per day for a resting dog (Whole Dog Journal, citing internal-medicine norms of 50–80 ml/kg/day). Dog high estimate: a study of canine athletes found that hard exercise in hot conditions may require replacing more than 40% of total body water per day (Ruby et al., J Vet Intern Med 2018). With body water at about 60% of body weight, that's ≈24% of 50 lb = 12 lb ≈ 1.44 gal per day. Pace: our assumption of about 12 mi/day, similar to the ~19 km/day (≈12 mi) reported for working hunting dogs in that study, walked only in cool night hours. Human: Ready.gov says hot environments can double the 1 gallon per person per day baseline (Ready.gov). NIOSH advises about 1 cup every 15–20 minutes while active in heat, and no more than 48 oz per hour (NIOSH). Water weighs 8.34 lb/gal.

What this means: a 50 lb dog can't haul anywhere near this much water. Even a cart or bike trailer carrying 150–350 lb isn't realistic for one person and a dog. Both routes climb steeply: Payson sits near 5,000 ft and Flagstaff near 7,000 ft, versus about 1,100 ft in Phoenix. Higher ground is cooler, but the climb makes the trip much harder, and long stretches have few or no services. For nearly everyone without a car, the safer plan is to stay in the Valley: shelter in the coolest place you can reach, use cooling centers (dial 211), and line up a ride. Treat a long trip on foot, by bike, or with an animal as a last resort that needs pre-arranged water stops.

Your part of the Valley

Nearest highway exits from each area. These are planning notes only. Before leaving, always check AZ511 and Maricopa County Emergency Management for closures and official instructions.

North

North Phoenix, Anthem, Deer Valley & nearby

Primary: I-17 North toward Flagstaff or (via SR-69) Prescott. These are higher and cooler.
Alternates: Loop 303 west to US-60 (Grand Ave) toward Wickenburg / US-93; Loop 101 to other freeways.
Watch for: I-17 backups on the climb north of Black Canyon City; few alternatives if it closes.

South

South Phoenix, Laveen, Ahwatukee & nearby

Primary: I-10 East toward Casa Grande and Tucson (I-8 West branches off near Casa Grande).
Alternates: Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) connects Ahwatukee and Laveen to I-10 on both ends, avoiding downtown; I-10 West to SR-85 South toward Gila Bend and I-8.
Watch for: heavy I-10 traffic toward Casa Grande; dust storms in monsoon season.

East

Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe & nearby

Primary: SR-87 (Beeline Hwy) northeast toward Payson. It's higher and cooler.
Alternates: US-60 East toward Superior and Globe; I-10 East from Chandler toward Tucson.
Watch for: US-60 becomes a two-lane mountain road past the metro; SR-87 can close for wildfires.

West

Glendale, Peoria, Maryvale, Avondale, Goodyear & nearby

Primary: I-10 West toward Quartzsite and California; SR-85 South to I-8.
Alternates: US-60 (Grand Ave) or Loop 303 northwest toward Wickenburg and US-93; Loop 303 or Loop 101 to I-17 North.
Watch for: long, remote, very hot stretches west of Tonopah and on SR-85. Fill fuel and water before leaving.

Central / downtown

Downtown, Midtown, central Phoenix

Options: all major freeways are close (I-10 East or West, I-17 North, SR-51 to Loop 101).
Watch for: the biggest interchanges, like the "Stack" (I-10/I-17) and the "Mini Stack" (I-10/SR-51/Loop 202), can become choke points. Have a surface-street plan to reach a freeway farther out.
During unrest, move away from the downtown core first. See leaving during unrest.

Household resources

Tight budget / renting / no AC

Free and low-cost ways to stay safe

Cooling is free: cooling centers, libraries, and community centers on the Heat Relief Network. Dial 211 for help finding one.
Utility help: APS and SRP both offer income-qualified discounts and payment arrangements. Call before you fall behind. See APS Energy Support and SRP assistance programs, or dial 211.
Renters: if your AC breaks, notify your landlord in writing right away and keep a copy, then go somewhere cool while you wait. Learn your rights through AZCourtHelp or 211 for legal aid referrals.
DIY cooling: wet cloth + any fan, cool showers, blocking windows with cardboard or foil, sleeping on the lowest floor.
Kit on a budget: refill clean bottles with tap water, use a cotton T-shirt as a cooling towel, and write numbers on paper. See the free tips on Gear.
Food help: food banks and SNAP. See Economic Disruption.

More resources

Prepare well, then extend it to others

Service your AC before summer and consider a backup: a portable power station plus fans for outages.
Stock for your household plus one: keep extra water and supplies to share with a neighbor.
Make your home a neighborhood cool spot during outages if you have backup power.
Donate water, electrolytes, and funds to heat relief sites on the Heat Relief Network.
Sponsor an older neighbor's AC tune-up or a power bank for someone on medical equipment.

Every neighborhood in the Valley has people who need help and people who can give it. Preparedness is about resources and planning, not zip codes.

Medical needs

Plan ahead. Medical needs can't wait for power or roads.

Medicines that affect heat tolerance: some medications (for example diuretics, some blood pressure, heart, and psychiatric medications) can make it harder to stay cool or hydrated. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what yours do and how to adjust in extreme heat. Don't stop medication on your own.
Insulin & refrigerated meds: keep a small cooler and ice packs or a medication cooling case ready. Ask your pharmacist how long your medicine stays safe out of the fridge.
Oxygen & powered medical devices: have battery backup and know where you'd go if the power is out for hours.
Register with your utility:
- APS Medical Care Program: advance notice of planned outages for households that depend on life-sustaining medical equipment (requires a medical professional's sign-off; renew annually). Income-qualified customers may also get a bill discount through Energy Support with Medical.
- SRP Medical Preparedness Program: advance notice of planned outages for customers using qualifying electric life-support equipment (such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators, dialysis, and feeding pumps), with physician verification.
These programs give notice of planned outages. They do not guarantee power, so you still need a backup plan.
Dialysis: ask your center for its emergency plan and a backup location. Know the emergency diet your care team recommends if treatment is delayed.
Mobility limitations: arrange a ride and a helper in advance; keep mobility aids charged and by the door.
Medical go-bag: 7+ days of medicine if possible, a written medication list with doses, doctor and pharmacy contacts, insurance cards, device chargers and batteries, and copies of prescriptions.

No special medical needs

Stay healthy, and stay alert

Healthy adults die of heat too, especially outdoors, while working, or exercising. Know the signs of heat illness.
Keep a basic first aid kit and know how to cool someone fast.
Keep a written list of any medicines you do take, and a few days' extra supply.
Consider learning first aid or CPR so you can help others.

Helping others, or getting help

I can help

Concrete ways to help right now

Adopt a neighbor: commit to checking on one or two older, disabled, or isolated neighbors twice a day during heat warnings and outages.
Be the driver: offer rides to cooling centers, pharmacies, dialysis, or out of an evacuation zone.
Help families with young kids: carry water and supplies, or watch kids so a parent can get to the pharmacy or store.
Help people with disabilities plan an evacuation and practice it with them.
Learn first aid/CPR or take free CERT training.
Volunteer or donate at a heat relief site.

I may need help

It's okay to ask. Set it up now.

Ask one or two neighbors, friends, or relatives to check on you during heat warnings and outages, and share your phone number.
Agree on a simple signal that you're okay (for example, blinds open by 9 a.m.).
Write down who will drive you if you need to leave, and a backup person.
Dial 211 for local help, or 911 in an emergency.

4

After you arrive: Payson & Flagstaff

First steps, then where next

Arriving in Payson (Gila County)

Payson is a town of about 16,351 people (2020 Census) at roughly 5,000 ft, about 89 miles from central Phoenix via SR-87.

Check in with officials. Gila County Office of Emergency Management: 928-402-8789, ReadyGila.com. Sign up for ReadyGila Alerts (text, email, or phone).
Find a shelter through the Red Cross open-shelter finder or by dialing 211 (Arizona 211 covers the whole state).
Medical care: Banner Payson Medical Center, 807 S. Ponderosa St., open 24 hours, (928) 471-3222. It's a 25-bed critical access hospital, so serious cases may be flown or driven elsewhere. Call 911 for emergencies.
Conserve supplies. Refill water first, then fuel if available. Expect lines and limits at stores and gas stations.

Arriving in Flagstaff (Coconino County)

Flagstaff is a city of about 76,831 people (2020 Census) at about 6,900 ft, roughly 144 miles from central Phoenix via I-17.

Check in with officials. Coconino County Emergency Management (emergencymanagement@coconino.az.gov). Sign up for Coconino County alerts.
Shelter: Red Cross shelter finder or dial 211.
Medical care: Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department (Northern Arizona Healthcare), 1200 N. Beaver St., 928-773-2113. It's northern Arizona's Level I Trauma Center.
Conserve supplies and expect stretched services, just as in Payson.

Cold, altitude, and fire: the high country is different

Cold: Flagstaff regularly gets snow and below-freezing nights from fall through spring, and Payson is much cooler than Phoenix. Pack the warm layer from your bug-out bag list, plus a hat, gloves, and a blanket or sleeping bag. Watch for hypothermia in older adults and children. Check NWS Flagstaff forecasts.
Altitude: CDC says the risk of acute mountain sickness generally begins for unacclimatized people sleeping at about 8,000 ft or higher (CDC Yellow Book). Payson and Flagstaff are below that, but coming from about 1,100 ft you may still feel short of breath, tired, or headachy at first. Drink water, take it easy the first day or two, and get medical help if symptoms worsen. People with heart or lung disease should talk to a clinician.
Wildfire: both towns sit in fire-prone pine forest (Tonto and Coconino National Forests). Follow fire restrictions, never start open fires during bans, and keep alerts turned on. You may need to evacuate again.

Where next? By scenario

There's no single right answer. These are principles plus real routes. Check AZ511 for road conditions and official instructions before you move. Distances are approximate driving miles from OpenStreetMap routing.

Onward routes
From	Route	To	≈ Miles
Payson	SR-260 east	Show Low / White Mountains	90
Payson	SR-260 east, then US-60	Springerville	136
Payson	SR-87 north	Winslow (I-40)	90
Flagstaff	I-40 east	Holbrook / Gallup, NM / Albuquerque, NM	90 / 185 / 323
Flagstaff	I-40 west	Kingman	148
Flagstaff	US-89 north	Page	134
Flagstaff	I-17 south, then SR-169/SR-69	Prescott	95

Civil conflict or unrest

Move away from population centers and flashpoints (government buildings, large protests, major interchanges) toward communities where you have family, friends, or faith/community ties.
Smaller towns along SR-260 or US-89 are less likely to see large crowds, but they also have fewer services.
Travel in daylight on main highways in groups when you can, and follow law enforcement instructions. See our unrest route-planning guide.

Pandemic or disease outbreak

Follow public health orders from ADHS and your county. Travel may be restricted.
Avoid crowding: staying with one household is often safer than a mass shelter. If you use a shelter, follow its health screening.
The tradeoff: rural dispersal reduces exposure but puts you far from hospitals (Payson's is small). People at high risk may be safer staying close to care.
Bring masks, a thermometer, medications, and hand hygiene supplies. See Ready.gov: Pandemic and ADHS.

Extended blackout or grid failure

Arizona is part of the Western Interconnection, the grid that spans most of the western US. The Eastern Interconnection and Texas (ERCOT) are separate (EIA). A local failure may only affect one utility, so a town served by a different utility, or simply cooler weather, may be enough.
Cooler, higher places (Flagstaff, the White Mountains) make life without AC far safer than the low desert in summer, but colder in winter.
Fuel pumps need power. Fill up wherever stations are working, and don't count on the next town.

Economic collapse or supply disruption

Go where you have family and community ties, housing, and a way to contribute. Relationships matter more than location.
Look for places with reliable water, local agriculture, and lower costs. Many rural Arizona towns have strong mutual-aid traditions.
See our Economic Disruption guide for building a buffer.

Bring someone with you

Many of the people most at risk in an emergency can't leave on their own. If you can, bring one of them.

Share supplies: plan water for every person (about 1 gallon per day, 2 in heat, per Ready.gov), plus their meds and a change of clothes.
Set the pace to the slowest person. Take more breaks, more shade, and more water.
Carry their medical list: conditions, medications and doses, allergies, doctor and pharmacy phone numbers, and an emergency contact.
Mobility aids and chargers: walker, wheelchair, hearing-aid batteries, phone and device chargers.
Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to arrive.

5

Generator safety (blackout)

Outside, 20+ ft, never backfeed

The 3 deadly mistakes

Running it indoors or too close to the house. Never in a home, garage, carport, porch, or shed, even with doors open. Run it outside, at least 20 ft from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows, and vents (CPSC, CDC). Install battery CO alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas.
Backfeeding: plugging the generator into a wall outlet or the panel without a transfer switch. This can energize utility lines and electrocute line workers and neighbors. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician (OSHA).
Refueling while hot. Shut it off and let it cool first. Fuel spilled on a hot engine can ignite (OSHA).

CO symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion. Get to fresh air and call 911.

Step by step (typical portable; follow your manual)

Pre-start check: on level ground outside; oil at the full mark; fresh fuel; air filter clean; nothing plugged in; check cords for damage.
Start: fuel valve ON, choke ON (cold engine), engine switch ON, then pull the cord smoothly (or press electric start). Ease the choke OFF as it warms.
Connect loads one at a time, starting with the largest motor (fridge or AC) and then smaller items. Don't exceed the rated running watts.
Shut down: unplug or turn off loads, let it run a minute, engine switch OFF, fuel valve OFF. Let it cool before refueling or covering.

6

Bushcraft quick sheet

Water, signals, bites & stings

3. Water: finding, collecting & purifying

Carry it. No desert technique replaces water you brought. Ration sweat, not water: FM 21-76 warns "Do not ration your water!" Drink what you need and cut sweating by resting in shade during the heat of the day (Ch. 13).
Where water may be: mapped springs and tanks (often dry), rivers and lakes, catchment from rain (a tarp or poncho), and green vegetation that hints at moisture below.
Purify everything: boiling is best, a rolling boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 ft). Next best is a filter labeled for parasites followed by chemical disinfection (chlorine dioxide tablets, or unscented bleach as directed). Treatment doesn't remove chemical contamination (CDC, CDC emergency water).

A solar still makes very little water.

Solar stills are a poor plan. FM 21-76 says one takes about 24 hours to make 0.5 to 1 liter, and you'd need at least 3 to meet one person's daily needs (FM 21-76, Ch. 6). A 2025 review found solar stills averaged under 0.6 L/day and cost 375–500 kcal of effort to build, which means sweat (medRxiv review). Digging one in the heat can cost more water than it makes.

5. Signaling for help

Three of anything (whistle blasts, fires, flashes) is a widely recognized distress signal. FM 21-76 calls three fires in a triangle, or three columns of smoke, the international distress signal. A whistle carries farther than your voice and uses less energy.
Signal mirror: aim the flash at aircraft or distant vehicles. On a sunny day it can be seen for miles.
Ground-to-air symbols: make them large (10+ ft) and high-contrast with rocks, clothing, or branches. V = require assistance, X = require medical assistance (FM 21-76, Ch. 19).
Phones: text 911 if a call won't go through (where supported). Texts often get through when calls can't. Save battery by turning on airplane mode between checks.

9. Field first aid

Heat illness: see our Heat guide. Heat stroke (confusion, very hot skin, collapse) is a 911 emergency. Cool the person immediately with water, shade, fanning, and ice on the neck, armpits, and groin.
Rattlesnake bite: get to emergency care right away. Keep the person calm and still, and remove rings and tight items. Do NOT use a tourniquet, cut the wound, suck out venom, apply ice, or give alcohol or pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen (CDC/NIOSH). Suction kits don't work.
Bark scorpion sting: wash with soap and water, apply a cool compress, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away, especially for a child or if symptoms spread. Never use a tourniquet (Banner Poison Center, Poison Control).
Cactus spines: use tweezers for big spines and tape or glue for tiny glochids.
Bee attack (Africanized bees): run to a building or car while covering your face. Don't swat, and don't jump into water. Seek care after many stings or any allergic symptoms (UA Extension).

Dressing for the sun: why loose full coverage beats bare skin, how to turn a bed sheet into a sun wrap, and desert footwear: To Cover Up, Or Not to Cover Up.

Full species guide: the Wildlife Field Guide covers every venomous animal and toxic look-alike on the route, plus edible plants and game with photos.

6b

Radio & family comms

Channels, check-ins, how to call for help

6. How to call for help on the radio

"MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY (or "Emergency, emergency" on CB ch 9 / FRS) — this is [name / call sign]."

WHERE: "I am at [address / cross streets / mile marker / GPS lat-long]."
WHO: "[number] people. [ages / conditions]."
WHAT: "[injuries / medical problem / danger, e.g., heat stroke, car broken down, no water]."
NEED: "We need [ambulance / water / ride / relay to 911]."
"Please relay to 911. Over." Then listen. Repeat every few minutes. Save battery between calls.

Phonetic alphabet (spell names and street names clearly)

A Alfa · B Bravo · C Charlie · D Delta · E Echo · F Foxtrot · G Golf · H Hotel · I India · J Juliett · K Kilo · L Lima · M Mike · N November · O Oscar · P Papa · Q Quebec · R Romeo · S Sierra · T Tango · U Uniform · V Victor · W Whiskey · X X-ray · Y Yankee · Z Zulu

7. Family comms plan

Agree on channels now: a main channel and a backup for each radio type you own. Write them on the radios with tape.
Check-in schedule to save batteries: radios off most of the time, then on at the top of every hour for 5 minutes (or every 3 hours in a long outage).
An out-of-area contact: texts often get through when calls fail. Everyone texts the same person (Ready.gov: Make a Plan).
Meeting points if no one can reach anyone: near home, in the neighborhood, and out of town.
Practice once a month, for example during the NOAA weekly test (Phoenix: Wednesdays, late morning).

Use the personal field guide to print a fill-in channel plan.

Our channel plan (fill in)

Radio	Main channel / freq	Backup	Code/tone
FRS / GMRS
CB	Ch 9 (emergency)	Ch 19	n/a
Ham (if licensed)	146.520
NOAA	162.550 (Phoenix)	162.425 (Payson)	SAME 004013

Check-in times:

Call signs / GMRS license #:

6c

Wildlife: edible & dangerous

Golden rules, bites & stings, what never to eat

Golden rules

Water before food. In Arizona heat you can die of dehydration in a day; you can go weeks without food. Digesting protein uses water. Don't forage when water is short (water skills).
If in doubt, don't eat it. Identify with certainty: at least two features plus the look-alike check. One mistake with death camas, water hemlock, or a mushroom can kill.
The "universal edibility test" is not reliable for the plants that matter most here. Deadly plants such as death camas, water hemlock, poison hemlock, and amatoxin mushrooms may taste fine and cause no symptoms until hours or days later (US Army FM 21-76 itself warns it isn't for every plant). Use positive ID instead.
No wild mushrooms. Low calories, deadly risk.
Respect the law. Hunting and fishing need AZGFD licenses, seasons, and limits. Tribal lands are off-limits without tribal permits. Never take protected species (Gila monster, desert tortoise, native fish, eagles and most birds). Many native plants are protected (A.R.S. 3-908). National parks and monuments prohibit collecting.
Normal times vs. emergencies: foraging is not a plan to feed a family. Pack food and water (bug-out bag) and use food banks and shelters first. The law does not stop applying in an emergency.
Leave dangerous animals alone. Most bites happen when people try to catch, kill, or move snakes and lizards. Walk around them.
Save the numbers: 911 · Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 (Banner Poison & Drug Information Center, Phoenix, 24/7: 602-253-3334) · AZGFD to report wildlife issues.

Dangerous animals: ID & first aid

Animal	Identify	First aid
Western diamondback rattlesnake	Arizona's largest rattlesnake (to about 5.5 ft). Gray-tan with dark-edged diamond blotches peppered with dark specks; black and white tail bands of equal width ("coon tail"); light eye stripe runs down to the lip.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Mojave rattlesnake	Greenish-gray to tan with diamonds; white tail bands wider than the black ones; eye stripe passes above the corner of the mouth. Often confused with the diamondback.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Sidewinder	Small (under 2.5 ft), pale sandy color, raised hornlike scale above each eye; moves sideways, leaving J-shaped tracks.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Black-tailed rattlesnake	Yellow-olive to greenish with dark crossbands; solid black tail and usually a dark snout.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Tiger rattlesnake	Small head for its body, gray to pinkish with narrow dark crossbands (tiger stripes) rather than diamonds.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Southwestern speckled rattlesnake	Color matches local rock (pinkish, tan, gray) with speckled, salt-and-pepper bands; rough-looking scales.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Arizona black rattlesnake	Adults very dark: black to dark brown or gray, often with lighter crossbars; young are lighter and blotched. Can darken and lighten.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Prairie rattlesnake (incl. Hopi rattlesnake)	Greenish-tan to brown with dark blotches that become bands near the tail; light stripes on the face.	Call 911 and get to a hospital with antivenom; car keys and phone are the best snakebite kit. Keep still and calm, remove rings, watches, and tight clothing, and keep the limb near heart level. No cutting, suction or "extractors", tourniquets or tight bands, ice, electric shock, or alcohol. Don't try to catch or kill the snake; treatment is the same for every Arizona rattlesnake. Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Sonoran (Arizona) coral snake	Small (usually under 2 ft), slim, with red, yellow (or white), and black rings that go all the way around the body; black head. Red touches yellow.	Don't handle it. If bitten, go to a medical facility without delay even if you feel fine, and call 1-800-222-1222.
Gila monster	Heavy lizard (to about 22 in) with beadlike skin in black and pink, orange, or yellow patterns; fat tail; slow-moving.	Remove the lizard quickly (pry the jaws open with a strong stick while it keeps its feet on the ground). Irrigate the wound with water, keep the limb at heart level, call 1-800-222-1222, and go to a medical facility (broken teeth may be in the wound; check tetanus).
Arizona bark scorpion	Small (to about 1.5 in), straw-yellow to tan, with slender pincers and a thin tail. Climbs walls and ceilings; glows under UV light.	Wash with soap and water, apply a cool compress, keep the limb comfortable, and use over-the-counter pain relief. Call 1-800-222-1222 to decide if a hospital visit is needed; go immediately for young children or severe symptoms.
Western black widow	Female glossy black, round abdomen with a red or orange hourglass underneath. Messy, strong, irregular web low to the ground. Males are small and brown.	Wash with soap and water, cool compress, keep the limb near heart level, OTC pain relief. Call 1-800-222-1222; children under 5 and adults with severe symptoms may need hospital care.
Arizona brown spider (recluse relative)	Light tan to brown, about nickel-to-quarter size with legs; violin-shaped mark on the front body; six eyes in pairs. Shy.	Keep the bite clean with soap and water and get medical treatment; call 1-800-222-1222.
Africanized honey bees	Look the same as ordinary honey bees; only behavior tells: they defend a wide area around the hive and chase people for a long distance.	Run to a car or building, covering your face; don't swat or stop, and don't jump into water (bees wait). Remove stingers within seconds by any means. Call 911 for many stings or any allergy signs (welts, trouble breathing); otherwise 1-800-222-1222.
Kissing bugs (conenose bugs)	About 1/2–1 in, dark with orange-red marks along the edge of a flat body; long cone-shaped head.	Wash with soap and water. Seek care for allergic signs; people with severe reactions may be prescribed an epinephrine kit. Call 1-800-222-1222.
Giant desert centipede	Long, flat, segmented, one pair of legs per segment; up to 6–8 in. Often orange or red with a dark head and tail.	Most bites can be handled at home: clean the bite. If pain is severe or lasts more than 12 hours, seek care. Call 1-800-222-1222.
Tarantula hawk wasp	Large (to 2 in) blue-black wasp with bright orange wings; seen on milkweed and mesquite flowers in summer.	Clean the sting, cool compress; seek care for allergic signs. Call 1-800-222-1222.
Sonoran Desert toad (Colorado River toad)	Very large toad (to 7 in), smooth olive skin, big kidney-shaped glands behind the eyes and white warts at the corners of the mouth.	Dog exposure: rinse the mouth sideways with a hose (nose pointed down so it doesn't swallow), wipe the gums, and go to a vet immediately. Human exposure: wash skin, rinse eyes, call 1-800-222-1222.
Mountain lion (cougar)	Large tawny cat, long thick tail with a dark tip; tracks show four toes and no claw marks.	Don't run. Pick up small children, face the lion, look big, back away slowly, and shout. If attacked, fight back hard (rocks, sticks, fists). Report to AZGFD; call 911 for injuries.
Black bear	Black, brown, or cinnamon (color doesn't tell the species); no shoulder hump; tall ears. Grizzlies do not live in Arizona.	Never feed bears; store food and trash in your car or bear boxes. If you meet one, give it space, stand tall, make noise, back away; don't run. Fight back if a black bear attacks. Report to AZGFD.
Javelina (collared peccary)	Pig-like, grizzled gray-black with a pale "collar"; travels in herds; strong musky smell. Not a pig (a separate family).	Give them an escape route; keep dogs leashed. Never feed them (feeding wildlife other than birds and tree squirrels is illegal in Maricopa County, A.R.S. 13-2927). Clean bites well and seek care (infection, rabies risk).
Coyote	Gray-tan dog-like animal, bushy tail held low, large pointed ears.	Haze them: make noise, wave arms, throw objects near (not at) them. Keep pets inside at night. Any bite: wash 15 minutes with soap and water and get medical care for rabies shots.

Never eat: Death camas, Sacred datura / jimsonweed, Water hemlock, Poison hemlock, Oleander, Castor bean, Tree tobacco & desert tobacco, Silverleaf nightshade & other nightshades, Texas mountain laurel, Virginia creeper, Wild mushrooms (Amanita and others).

Kid-friendly forage (adult supervision always): Prickly pear (pads and fruit), Mesquite pods, Pinyon pine nuts, Dandelion.

6d

Desert sun cover & feet

Bed-sheet wrap, headwrap, footwear

Cover up, loosely. In direct sun, loose, light, full coverage cuts heat gain and sweat loss and prevents sunburn. Wet the headwrap. Shade and water first.

Bed-sheet sun wrap

Pick the sheet. A twin flat sheet (about 66 × 96 in / 168 × 244 cm) in a light color. Cotton or linen breathes best; avoid heavy flannel and slick polyester. A full sheet (about 81 × 96 in) also works and gives longer sleeves.
Tear off a headwrap strip. Snip the hem about 18 in (45 cm) from one long edge and tear along the grain the full length. You now have an 18 × 96 in strip for your head and a 48 × 96 in body panel. No scissors? Fold the sheet corner instead (see the headwrap note).
Fold the body panel. Fold the body panel in half with the short ends together, so it's about 48 × 48 in with the fold at the top.
Make a head slit. Cut or tear a 12 in (30 cm) slit along the middle of the fold. Start small; you can always make it bigger. No blade? Skip the slit and drape the panel over one shoulder like a sash, tied at the opposite hip.
Put it on. Head through the slit. The front and back panels cover your shoulders, chest, back, and upper arms like a poncho.
Belt it, knot the sides. Tie a cord, belt, rope, or a torn strip around your waist over the panels. Then pinch the front and back side corners together under each arm and tie a small knot: these make loose sleeves that shade your arms but leave a vent. No pins needed (safety pins are fine if you have them).
Make the carry pouch. Lift the front hem up to the belt and tuck it under, all the way across. The folded-up fabric forms a kangaroo pouch at your belly for light items (map, snacks, phone). Or gather one corner around small items and tie it off like a furoshiki bundle. Keep it light: under about 2 lb.
Head wrap and final check. Add the headwrap (diagram below). Then check: take long strides, step up onto a rock, sit and stand. Nothing should drag, catch, or bind your knees. Hike the hem higher under the belt if it does.

Feet

Broken-in breathable shoes, thick soles, gaiters.
Wool/synthetic socks plus a dry spare. Tape hot spots.
Shake out shoes for scorpions.

7

Bug-out bag checklist

Check it off as you pack

8

My plan (fill in)

Keep this with your documents

People to call

Name	Relationship	Phone

Out-of-state contact (everyone checks in here):

Medications & medical needs

Person	Medication / device	Dose / settings	Pharmacy / doctor

Allergies:

Meeting points

Near home (e.g., a neighbor's door):

In the neighborhood (e.g., library, school):

Out of town (e.g., a relative in Payson or Flagstaff):

Home & utilities

Electric utility (APS outage 602-371-3680 (metro) / 855-688-2437 (other areas); SRP outage 602-236-8888 / 800-258-4777; other):

Water shutoff location:

Neighbors I check on / who check on me:

Pets (vet, microchip #):

My Field Guide

Heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke

Heat exhaustion

Heat stroke

The short version

Quick AC checks

Getting around

You have the most options. Use them early.

Save fuel for what matters most

Plan your ride before you need it

Think creatively: wheels and other ways to move

Bikes & e-bikes

Things that roll

Keep it rolling

Pack animals: what's actually true about horses and donkeys

Horses: yes, a lot of water

Donkeys: tougher, but not water-free

Dogs pulling bikes or wagons

Estimate: water to reach Payson or Flagstaff with a 50 lb dog

Your part of the Valley

North Phoenix, Anthem, Deer Valley & nearby

South Phoenix, Laveen, Ahwatukee & nearby

Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe & nearby

Glendale, Peoria, Maryvale, Avondale, Goodyear & nearby

Downtown, Midtown, central Phoenix

Household resources

Free and low-cost ways to stay safe

Prepare well, then extend it to others

Medical needs

Plan ahead. Medical needs can't wait for power or roads.

Stay healthy, and stay alert

Helping others, or getting help

Concrete ways to help right now

It's okay to ask. Set it up now.

Arriving in Payson (Gila County)

Arriving in Flagstaff (Coconino County)

Cold, altitude, and fire: the high country is different

Where next? By scenario

Civil conflict or unrest

Pandemic or disease outbreak

Extended blackout or grid failure

Economic collapse or supply disruption

Bring someone with you

Step by step (typical portable; follow your manual)

3. Water: finding, collecting & purifying

5. Signaling for help

9. Field first aid

6. How to call for help on the radio

Phonetic alphabet (spell names and street names clearly)

7. Family comms plan

Our channel plan (fill in)

Golden rules

Dangerous animals: ID & first aid

Bed-sheet sun wrap

Feet

What to pack and why: Phoenix checklist

People to call

Medications & medical needs

Meeting points

Home & utilities